Boat Show

Sat 24thMay

Woke up to that horrid sound of RAIN. Where off by 9.30 to Crick. Lots of cars in the car park and it was still raining it's going to be muddy! Good job wore my wellies. Found Bob and Kath and their lovely 50 foot boat Far Away. 

Had a good look round show brought a new Ariel from Midland Chandler, 'Mick hope it's not as good as yours was!' And a big brass Headlight and Hooter ready for when we do the Cratch (the pointy end)

Saw Dave and Gary's new boat very high speck but all portholes,not sure on that. Caught up with Scot from Kinver he is going to make us a new Cratch cover in winter when we are static.

Left about 6 after a terrific thunder storm with hail then had to que to get out the very muddy car park for almost half hour.

Drove down to our friends in Burgess Hill.

Sunday 25th

Called in to see Kay and Simon to see how their extension was going. Well wish I had taken a photo the back graded looked like a bomb had dropped. They have had problem when found a waste pipe running through the garden. But I am sure next time we visit it will be wonderful. Then we took MUm and Dad over to The Woodmans Arms. Fab meal. 

After having a cuppa back at Mums called into see Sue and Paul. How the kids have grown! Daniel now 17 is bigger than Sue and proving to be an excellent Cricketer. Amy is as lovely as ever.

Enjoyed a BBQ with them all then returned to Gill and Brian's for a game of Canasta. Score 1 game all decider Monday night!

Monday 26th

It was pouring with rain all day! So along with everybody else in Sussex we went to The Barn Garden centre,then onto M/S for coffee and cake. Went for a lovely Indian meal in the eve then back for the decider of Canasta- Gill and I won !

Tuesday 27th 

Went down to see Faye,Ryan, Chayse & Zelda. Really good day. Zelda,the pup is just a fun ball of fluff full of energy and very affectionate. Chayse is growing upwards. Her numbers and letters are excellent for her age and we had a fun afternoon playering Junior Monopoly. Chayse won hands down with me last. Had lovely roast dinner, Ryan gave me some more IPad knowledge. Drove back about 10.30.

Wednesday 28th

Left Gill's after catching the episode of Happy Valley. Excellent series on BBC. Gill went off to play Bowles for Sussex. Popped into Waitrose for supplies. Back up to boat weather still horrid. 

Cropredy Marina

We left Banbury Wednesday afternoon after turning round and picking up some clothes I ordered from M/S. Had lunch in the middle of nowhere lovely weather, then onto Cropredy unfortunately the signal is poor in the village so did not make an entry Wednesday . Thursday we had a cleaning the boat day. I did all the brasses and they look great. Barry gave the back a good clean as well as the engine bit!

Had a call from my sister Dianne they are coming up to see us next week.

On to the Marina today, unlimited power how exciting. Get some washing and ironing done. Picked up our car this afternoon have been upgraded to a 4 door Astra in red lovely. when in reverse we have a full camera view on what we could hit!!

Off to Crick Boat Show and the weather forecast not looking to good. Will get the wellies out.

Banbury

Another nice day in town. Weather not so good so decided to go to the museum. Very interesting and a few school children learning all about the canals. Then Baz went back to boat and I had a wander round the shops. Brought myself 2 every day tops from Next. Back on boat for lunch turned out summer tops and made visit to Charity shop! Then went to a lovely Garden Centre and brought some Petunias for my lovely milk churn pot brought back in Maccelsfield.

Moorings very busy in town lots of coming and going.

Cropredy to Banbury

Sunday we chugged onto Cropredy arriving about 1 ish and could not believe we where the only boat moored up. Did not last long and we where surrounded. The hire boat in front of us arrived about 2 and at 4 .30 they still had their engine running urghhh. The weather being so lovely we had the front of our boat all open and the diesel fumes go straight into our bedroom. We shut up shop and decided a nice cream was in order and to watch the cricket on the green. As we passed the boat could not help myself to ask why the engine running as there are notices all over politely asking engines to run at a minimum. 'We need hot water' was the reply. And the hire company had told them to run the engine for 5 hours a day. What can you say. Anyway we went off, Barry said I sounded very school mam ish so when we returned I popped my head in and said sorry for sounded offish but they apologies as had not read the signs. All good. Although at breakie this morning engine on!!!

We chugged off to Banbury stopping at water point. There was a middle aged gushy asleep by the bridge. We kept an eye as he looked a little strange! we. Had just finished and another boat was waiting when he got up and chucked plastic bags and several empty cans straight in The Cut. I mentioned there was a huge waste bin just behind him. With that he went mental telling us to F O and hoped we drown. Nice one.

Into Banbury got great moorings in the middle of town. After lunch went shopping! Baz brought some shorts he's old favorite ones are now in the bin. We brought some sola light stars for the top of boat not yet come on Baz thinks we wasted our money. Ever the pessimist. Had a M/S curry tonight and strawberries (from West Sx) and cream  yummy. We enjoy being in town as much as out in the country, always something or someone to look at.

Waiting to see if our new lights come on!

We are Exhibiting

Well we shall be helping to exhibit at the Crick Boat Show! How exciting.

After a lovely eve with Bob & Kath we thought we would change plans a little. Hire a car for a few days go to the Boat show, pop down South and hopefully stay with our wonderful friends, Gill & Brian. Visit Barry's parents. Go over to see our lovely daughter and son in law our FAB grand daughter and of corse see the new addition their puppy.

So several phone calls made and Gill said 'Yes' car hire all sorted and we have decided to put boat in the new Croperdy Marina. Then we went on line to get our Advance Senior tickets but needed an address to send them. Decided to wander round to see Bob & Kath to use their Marina address. Well now the deal is we could have tickets on condition we help showing nb Far Away at Crick. Great just up my street talking to people about boats. fantastic!

Then we chatted about our brass mushrooms which have gone horribly dull and I wanted Barry to paint them red. 'What' said Bob 'you can't do that, bring the boat round and will uses an electric buffer to clean them up' 

We had been talking 'power' last night as it a subject we boaters always talk about! We had decided to get rid of our Microwave, takes up too much room and never use it. Or when I do Barry nearly has heart failure. So we traded the Mrcowave for tickets and bright shinny mushrooms. How's that for good old fashion trading!

Moved on to Top Lock at Cropredy beautiful afternoon and the day finished on a high as The Gunners won the F A cup 3 - 2.

So it's cards now and a glass of the Red Stuff

Another lovely Day

We had another morning chugging into Fenny Compton,weather was fab. Stopped  for water at The Wharfe which claimed to sell everything. We were totally out of milk and would you believe it they had run out of milk! Shd be delivered about 2/3pm . So moored up had lunch and had a read. Reading a good book called The Husbands Secret by Liane Moriarty has some good twists so far!

Went back for milk still none so decided to walk into village only a mile. It was a big big mile but eventually found the Co-op. Walked back only to find Barry fast asleep in the chairs on the Tow path snoring! Did not notice I'd been gone 1 hour.

Saw our 1st baby Goosling today as well as some Signets.

Meeting up with Bob and Kath who are boat builders at Fenny Compton. Bob is exhibiting nb Far Away at the Crick Boat Show. Had a lovely eve chatting about boats etc. Enjoyed reading our Blog from last year.

Painting Day

We started off after breakie just to do a couple of hours over the Summit. Beautiful day so moored up between bridge 129/130 lovely spot. The bends coming down here are pretty sharp in places and as always meet a boat on a bend under a bridge! We grounded but all ok after a few swear words from mon Capitain!

Had lunch and listen to Radio 4 play in the afternoon. Looking at our red lines that at (where) badly faded. So I was allowed to help tape up and we brightened up are boat.

A hire boat nb Olivia went pass saying they knew Wintons Folly had read all about us on Ellie's Blog so I informed her I am doing my own now. Hi if you read this.

We finished painting and enjoyed a beer watching the swallows skim the water,when we suddenly thought we had been transported to Arlington Stadium (stock car circuit in Eastbourne) a Hot Rod was practicing in the field next to us. Quite interesting watching him spin round corners etc,bit of a row though interrupting our peaceful eve.

9 locks through Napton

Beautiful day today we started out just as 2 boats went pass. Let's hope they are not too slow says Baz! True to form the 1st boat was going along at tick over so we passed them by, then the 2nd was all over the place trying to get dog and wife on to towpath without pulling over! Anyway passed them and got to Napton locks. Lock keeper on duty helping us through then on to the 3rd which was the one where the wall had collapsed. R & C have done a good job making it all safe, but major work for Nov/Dec this year.

 Passed several boats coming down so all good.

Moored up by bridge 121 lovely views again. Barry touched up some paint work on roof, I read my book, Kate phoned and we chatted now getting dinner sorted. Chicken from butchers at Braunston she'd be good.

Rainy start

Well we waved Goodbye to M & E in the pouring rain. My 1st error in taking photos on IPad for some reason it had decided to switch to Video,could not change it quick enough to take photo out of our window as they chugged by. That will make you smile Elly. 

We filled up with water and emptied out! at Braunston and I popped up to the hairdressers very nice saloon and cheerful ladies. Then chugged on to bridge 102 on The Oxford towards Napton stopped just as the heavens opened again. Been a really changeable day one min sitting out on Towpath in brilliant sunshine reading my book next it's falling down.Baz finished his puzzle.

On to Napton 2morrow.

Last Supper again with M & E

Here I am again learning to BLOG!  Elly my wonderful teacher is making sure I know how it's done. Here at Braunston where we started 3 years ago so pretty and it seems like home. M & E are having a lasagne, salad and spicy pots wedges. Cheese and biscuits and a glass of port yummy. We are considering staying here winter. Watching the sheep and bunnies! Had breakie at The Gongoozlers that was a 1st and very nice too.