Aston Marina to Milton August 20th/21st/22nd

Started our first day of chugging on a beautiful calm Thursday morning, came out the Marina as Sheena put it 'like a right pro' all the locks right through Stone were set for us,with other boaters coming down as we went up, so fab.

Moored up ar Barlaston about 2ish had a late lunch then had a walk up to the village,then quenching our thirst in the Plume and Feathers, Niel Morrissey's new venture. Beer a bit pricy for 'up north' but very nice feel about the place.

Had dinner, then Gilly and Rand phoned to say they where on there way down from Etruria, moored up just above us and came down for drinks. Lovely to see them again.

Friday 21st we started off with intention of getting to Milton on The Caldon (not Cauldron) as I got it wrong, sorry Elli. Good progress up through the Stoke locks and the turn into the junction also want well. We filled up and emptied out then the fun started!

The Old Bill arrived with lights flashing and made chase after some youths. Who then slung their stash of drugs into the canal.

As luck would have it this lovely burley policeman asked if he could come on my boat and could we go back and forth in the basin using the fishermans net to see if he could find the stash. We had a grand old time for half an hour or so but no luck finding the stuff. Highlight of the day for me,there have been rumours that I may still have him handcuffed on board! No suck luck!

Eddie's Ode

A cooper jumped up on the boat

Quick as you can, I must be afloat 

I must be quick and have to dash

The dirty scum have chucked their stash

Into The Cut we have to fish

To get it out it was their wish

The evidence it must be got

Then into jail these kids must rot

Then a twisty old chugg up to Milton where we moored over night.

Saturday we had a bit of a Tilly Trot to The Moorcroft Potterery centre in Burslem. Beautiful pottery but just a tad out of my price range.

Caught the bus up to Hanley had a wander then the bus back to Milton. Sat out in the sunshine and tasted the local brew,then the heavens opened and we had and are having a really big thunder storm.

Carols Ode

Today the heavy rain clouds fell

To entice us with the magic smell

Of soggy grass and very wet ducks

But inside with beer we don't give a fig!!

Ed and I are now sweating hot

Roast in the oven, we will eat the lot

Yes Classic music is bellowing loud

Let's hope tomorrow we won't see a cloud.

That's enough of the poetry and prose. This is what happens when you have a brainy boat mate aboard.

Blogging again!

August 19th 2015

Nearly can't remember how to do it! But thought I would star to blog again

Out on the boat tomorrow with a lovely friend called Eddie Walker. Some of you will know his daughter Zoe who used to go to school with Kate. Zoe and I worked together briefly at  good old Shabby Abbey (Abbey National) now Santander. We always kept in touch and when she mentioned her father in law was now a retired widow and fancied Narrowboating seemed like a good idea to train him up! 

After spending a weekend in May and not hitting too much now is there time for two weeks out on The Cut.

Picture in May in the sunshine!

We plan to go up The Cauldron to Leek  and Froghall.

It is now pouring with rain but forecast for sunshine tomorrow.

Will keep you all updated x

December 2014

Somehow the month did not end as we would have liked! That's an understatement!

We had spent time visiting friends in Sheffield and Burgess Hill but Barry was not his usual happy self. We thought it may be depression, we had a finance deal that went tits up in Tenerife, or the winter months closing in can make you feel miserable on board. So we decided on possible depression.

We went to the Snowdome at Tamworth for Christmas Eve and had dinner with a couple of lovely boaters, Gilly & Rand so all was looking grand.

We had booked in to The Crown hotel for Christmas Day, Boxing Day and on Saturday were heading down south to see family and friends.

However Christmas Day he was just so sleepy, Jon took the decision to call 999. Barry was taken by ambulance to Stoke University Hospital, where he was diagnosed with a brain tumour. He has had surgery to remove the cancer but we are still waiting results. This will happen tomorrow then we have lots of decisions to make.

Life on the boat is not an option at this moment in time,although his speech is returning,his right side has limited movement.

Our wonderful boating pals Ray and Gordon managed to bring our boat up from Braunston to Stone so I have had my home here, I can not begin to express my thanks to these guys for giving up their time and missing out on New Years Eve. Thank you.

Both Kate, Jon, Faye and Ryan have been wonderful. Thanks to Ryan I am driving around in a lovely little blue Fiat 500. 

Again without their love and support I would be all over the place.

Blogging does not seem the same now,so I think the news will be hit and miss.

Thanks again to all my wonderful friends and family for their kind words and ongoing support.

Best wishes for a Happy and Healthy 2015 and get all those things you wish for done!

November in sunshine

5th November to the 13t

Spent time in and around Daventry and Rugby. Meeting up with friends from Nb Josephine , having lunch with Jean and Andy at The Boat house reminds us how lucky we have been making new friends in the boating world. 

Celebrated Barry's 65th birthday. Defiantly an Old Git now. Thanks for all the cards and best wishes.

We went to Braunston church service on Rememberance Sunday lots of people at church quite a special year this year.

I popped up to Kate's for a couple of days to see the girls. Molly's teacher was very nice and seems very pleased with Molly. Connie is becoming her own little person now and is a joy.

Having a sausage roll bake off with my family, those who have tasted my baking will know that mine are the best!

Friday 14th to 21st flew out of Manchester to Los Cristianos had a lovely week, weather lovely for 5 days then had abit of rain and cloud.did some lovely walks along the prom and eating in good restaurants 

Meet up with Barb, an old friend who have not seen for years in a hotel in Americas lovely day chatting and catching up with lots of gossip!

Got home late on Friday eve, bus, plane, train and taxi all on time getting us back to our little boat!

Saturday 22nd

 Great excitement as we woke up to the working boat in the Marina delivering coal and had moored up at the end of our pontoon so all around where getting coal. We got 4 bags as Barry hurried to get dressed!

Richard and Jodi on Nb Jakmar up for the weekend so went down to Daventry with them, still no breakfast! Had lunch on my returned and Baz had turned the boat round so we can get more sun rays in the front of boat ( the coldest end) 

Went into Banbury in the afternoon with Jodi and at last got my new rug for our lounge!

Richard and Jodi came round for dinner and a game of cards, lovely evening. They said their goodbyes Sunday morning will see them for New Years Eve .

By the way read Peter James new book  ' Want you Dead' could not put it down another fab read.

Hallowean

Sunday 19th

Kate and the girls came down for the day. Had a lovely walk and lunch. We have a very friendly duck who pecks at the window for food!

Monday 20th

Came out of the Marina as had been using Nb Jacmar berth and moored up on The Cut up by the junction good TV etc and nice outlook . Very surprised at how many boats are out and about although half term is looming!

Wednesday 22nd went up to Rugby for a nose round.

Thursday 23rd

Went into Daventry for supplies brought some DIY stuff at Homebase to do jobs on boat.

Sat 25th had an early start as we caught the 7.45 bus to Rugby train station to go to Faye's for the long weekend. Bus ran very late (20mins) but by the skin of our teeth managed to catch the 8.43 to Milton Keynes changing at Clapham Junction then on to Eastbourne arriving at 12 .15 

Had a fab time with them all, although the firework eve on Saturday didn't go quite to plan, poor Chayse was sick in Ryan's brand new BM ( poor Ryan's worst nightmare) so I  baby sat with cuddles and stories whilst the others went up the pup.

Sunday 26th 

We all went off to watch Baz and Ryan Go-Carting up at Jevington where we started a walk to Alfriston many moons ago and got absolutely soaked. Ryan did well finishing 2nd overall although after a stewards enquiry may have come in 1st as the leader had a 5 second penalty ! All high tec stuff!  Baz finished 8th, and was abit shacked up getting abit to old for all this.

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Back to Faye's for a lovely roast dinner.

Monday 27th  went over to see Barry's Mum and Dad, good to catch up they are very well for their 90 years. Had a fab curry back at Faye's.

Tuesday back to boat.

Wednesday 29th turned the boat round and watered up etc as heading back to Marna Saturday and weather not looking to good for the rest of week.

Thursday 30th

I went up to Stafford to have lunch with Kate and bring Molly back for a '3 night sleepover' as Kate and Jon where going up to The Lakes to climb Great Gables. 

Great fun with Molly playing new games, managed to get, Guess Who from Charity shop and made Pumpkins and decorated the boat for Hallowean.

Sat 1st November chugged into Braunston for our winter moorings, the weather was so mild up to 20 degrees, did not feel like winter at all.

Kate and Connie arrived Sunday 2nd for lunch and to collect Molly. Made lots of cakes for Connies play school cake sale. Hope they sell.

We enjoyed her staying it's great when there is just one to spoil! And no arguments !

Monday  3rd November had a tidy and Baz cleaned the boat up and all the top brasses.,weather set  to turn colder this week.

Tuesday 4th woke up to our first hard frost. Bright blue sky's but bitter, Marina looked very pretty with boats making sure fires are lit.

Spent a lovely hour or so on Face Time with Mick and Elly our pals in Australia catching up with all the gossip.

Midland Chandlers have a sale on light and electric fittings so Baz smartening up the boat putting new fitting on. Looks good.

Autumn days

October 7th to 12th

Spent time between Daventry and Rugby going to the pictures on Orange Wednesday to see Billly Connerly in 'When we went on holiday' very good wet afternoon film.

Signed on at the Doctors at Daventry and made good use of the Libuary. Went up to 'The Plough' on Saturday night a good band playing and a good walk on Sunday sampling the beer at 'The Boat House'

Monday 13th October

Went up to see Dave & Celia in Northallerton good train journey up there although I forgot to check the Senior Card Holder and took the empty one to the Station! Horror when I realised my error we had to pay full price, but hopefully filled in appropriate forms and will get a refund.

Tuesday14th

Had a fab drive over to the Lakes. Stopped at Glenridding, bottom of Helvelyn and walked along to Pattingdale, where we had a beer. Weather was fine, and as it had rained all day in Northallerton.

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The Autumn leaves looked fab and the sheep are still enjoying the lush green fields.

Wednesday 15th

We walked into town early to go to 'the Market' such lovely fresh fruit and veg and we treated ourselves to saucepans and new electric kettle from Lakeland,and they deliver!

After bacon butties back at Dave's went for another lovely drive over to Saltburn, on the east coast just north of Whitby. Again we had a dry day enjoying the windy walk up the pier and a more sheltered stroll up to the Italian gardens and Baz being a big kid on the Zip Wire!

Went for an Indian meal in the evening.

Thursday morning caught the train back to Braunston, thanks so much D & C for fab meals and great company.

Friday 17th & Saturday 18th October 

Popped into Daventry for supplies then in the afternoon ordered online a rug from Dunelm. All went abit wrong with the delivery address, so had to go in o,n the bus to Rugby on Saturday and sort out. All done, hurrah.

Birthday in Spain

Thursday 25 September started our trip to Arboleas,southern Spain.

Caught the bus, then train from Rugby to Birmingham International and flew into Murcia arriving about 7pm. Picked up our hire car a Nissan Micra and headed off. Feeling a little nervous as we only had directions from Mike, so our first stop was a garage to buy a map.  Had gone slightly wrong but not too bad,then headed down on the A7 good clear roads and made good time arriving at 9.45pm.

Friday 26th

Had a lovely drive round the area, down to the coast having coffee out, back to their lovely villa had a BBQ but the rain clouds appeared and we had to eat in the covered area.

Saturday 27th

Went to the local market in the dry and the on to the Supermarket as the rain appeared again,then up to a resturant for lunch. The rain was terrific. Back at the villa watched some TV , Baz and Mike both Dr Who fans!

Sunday 28th

The sun was out and walked over to L'Castille resturant with Chris and Dave for lunch, started at 2pm walked back around 5pm and had drinks and hot tub at their villa. Chris birthday  same day as mine.

Monday 29th

My birthday. Walked into the village and had coffee and brought some bits for Dinner in eve. Tina had done a beef dish in the slow cooker. Chris and Dave joined us about 4 and we where just about to sit down in the outside area when the rain came down so heavy with thunder and lightening we moved inside. Had a lovely eve.

Tues 30th

Hooray the sun came out for the whole day and spent it round the pool with a BBQ in the eve, however it rained again about 10pm with another firework display! Mike and Tina assured us they had hot sunny days since April and this rain was much needed. It could have waited a Week!

Wednesday 1st October

Went into Albox, their nearest bigger town had a nose round then Lunch back at the villa then up to Huercal Overal in the afternoon for a wander lovely church and old town. Had another BBQ although the rain appeared again! Mike carried on regardless

Thursday 2nd 

Sun appeared briefly do decided on a trip to local B&Q type shop then onto a Garden centre where we brought a lovely plant and pot as a 'thank you' to M & T hope it survives the hot sunshine!

Walked over L'Castille again got an evening meal,not as good as lunch time.

Friday 3rd

Planted our lovely plant looked good and spent a glorious day round the pool, perhaps o rain! Did look like another storm in eve but we just escaped it.

Said our Goodbyes to Chris and Dave. Had a great stay with Mike and Tina. Thanks so much.

Sat 4th

Left at 8 am drove back a little misty but beautiful scenery on the way back very mountainous. Stopped for fuel made the trip in 2 hours. Plane took off early back in UK by 2pm then train waiting for us! Bus home back on boat by 3pm.

Sunday 5th 

Caught up with cleaning etc and Baz painted back trap opening. Beautiful day. Had a nice roast dinner!

Monday 6th

Rain and very windy where going into Rugby but stayed on boat did some indoor jobs. Brass cleaning etc. catch up with some TV programs we have taped.