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.

The Ashby Canal

Friday 12th September 

Set off with Richard & Jodi nb Jakmar from Braunston after lunch. Poor Richards boat did not want to start but with a stern talking to with a Spanner all good!

Moored up at Hillmorton and had lovely dinner on our boat, whilst ther dog, Millie had a sleep on their boat.

Saturday 13th

Had an early start, 9.00 (that's early for us!) as we wanted to get to Hawksbury junction, which is always busy. Stopped at Brinklow for a lunch stop. Beautiful weather so where able to sit out and have a beer and goog grub. Then onto Hawksbury and where doing really well with half an hour or so to go, then we got stuck behind a slow boat and with 6 of us all behind him decided to stop short of the junction,again good moorings. Jodi and I walked the dog while Baz & Rich had 5 min shut eye. Poor old boys! After dinner we played a new game of cards called 'Silent Partner' I really enjoyed it but I did win, Baz not so happy nobody wanted him as their partner!

Sunday 14th

Went through Marston Junction  and stopped at Marston Jabbett for lunch. Then onto Hinckley for dinner and more cards. Two working boats where on Private moorings opposit and had fires going. Really smelt like Autumn. Managed to double book our flights with Monach on our outward journey to Tenerife for November. After several phone calls on Monday, one cancelled!  Booking on line is not always that easy to us silver surfers.

Monday  15th

Moved on, passing a fab Farm Shop at bridge 23 buying some lovely meats for the rest of the week,to Stoke Golding and found a lovely picnic table to stop and have lunch. Surprise the table was 'Reserved' for us!

However just as we started to 'tuck in' a black cloud went over, but not to be put off we just got out the brollies. Faye, your Christmas pressy came in handy,could still use 2 hands!

After lunch went for a wander up to the village lovely church, 3 Pubs and a little shop only open for 3 hours in morning and then 2 in the late afternoon as the children came out of school.

Two huge Horse Chestnut trees so we got loads of Conkers to put round the boats to stop spiders coming in, ( it does not work) but now we have my little mouse and Conkers to frighten of the creepy crawlies.

Eve turned out lovely Baz went scrumping and found some apples for me to make a blackberry and apple crumble for pud, with loads of custard!

Tuesday 16th

Went on to the end of The Ashby at Snarestone,turned and had lunch. Funny little shop selling all sorts of rubbish, gave them a couple of books I had read. Went back to Shackerstone and booked a table at The Rising Sun. We happen to hit on Tuesday Steak Night, and had a lovely meal for £7.50 per head. Bargain!

Wednesday 17th

Decided to chugg along and stop back at the lovely picnic spot at Stoke Golding and have a BBQ with the lovely burgers we had brought at The Farm Shop. 

We sat down for afternoon tea with our posh teapot, we know how to live!

Had a good game of Rummykub before the boys decided to get the BBQ lit. Lots of smoke while they both played Candy Crush. Boys and their toys.

Thursday 18th

Stopped at Burton Hastings for lunch then back to Hawksbury for cards and dinner and a lovely Shepherd Pie. The weather has been wonderful and today was the hottest we all caught the sun.

Friday 19th

It was abit of a shock to wake up to misty cloudy weather, but fortunately it did not come to much. We just got a little damp. Moored up at a little picnic spot, but the litter all around was so sad. We went for a walk into Brinklow, Barry brought another wrong lottery ticket, haven't won a thing since the increase to £2. Came back and I decided to be a Litter Picker Fairy and cleared up, 3 bag full!  Left a note in rhyme but I guess the morons who leave litter can not read.

Saturday 20th

Went onto  Newbold to pick up Richards daughter, son in law and another dog! They have a boat full!

We stopped at The Old Royal Oak for late lunch early dinner. Good grub. We could not moor up outside pub and had bad moorings but as we where only there for an hour or so put up with it. We hate being on rocky banks and pins.

The did an afternoon cruise back to Braunston where a lot of moving cars went on. We had a relaxing eve watching some TV.

Sunday 21st

Beautiful morning, I got up early and walked up to the shop in the village for supplies and milk for Baz's second cuppa.  We all had a great big cooked breakfast on our boat, before our last 3 hour chug with nb Jakmar to Napton. We got there and as we expected it was very busy we got the last mooring before the turning circle and Richard got half on behind us.

However we where lucky as while Richard and Paul walked the dogs, a boat 3 up moved off so Jodi moved and moored up. 1st for Jodi well done.  Had a meal on our boat before Paul had to head home. Then we all played Rummykub.

Monday 22nd

Said our Goodbyes to Richard, Jodi and Amy as they where going onto Fenny Compton for a paint job, and we where turning to come back to Braunston and going to use nb Jakmar moorings in the  Marina. Looking forward to having endless electric!

Tuesday 23rd

Went into Daventry to get our Boarding Passes printed as we are off to Spain for my birthday. Baz had a haircut, got our Euros, I picked up a small suitcase as carry on luggage, and a curry from Waitrose. Bus back and enjoyed a game of cards.

Days in Braunston

Sunday 7th September 

 Barry painted the blacking down one sie of boat while I went and did some Volunteer Gardening down at The Stop House garden. Enjoyed the morning meeting other volunteers and having a cuppa with everyone.

Baz finished as I got back we had a nice afternoon and roast lamb for dinner! Heather and Mick turned up so had a good chat  and meeting Monday for dinner.

Monday 8th

Decided to paint the other side of boat so turned round early at the junction before all the boats started moving. I caught up with jobs indoors and prepared a lovely chilli for eve meal. Heather and Mick came about 6ish had a lovely eve catching up with all we have been up to.

Tuesday 9th

Went down to water up then to the Marina entrance and turned coming back to moor on the 14 day spot overlooking the fields and Braunston church. Went to nb Smile and Wave for dinner Mick had cooked a fab Lasagne, (nearly as good as mine!) went into Daventry in the afternoon going to the Libuary for some printing. Had a Greggs lunch ummm!

Wednesday10th

Said our goodbyes to nb Smile and Wave, I am sure we will meet up again sometime. Lovely day so went for a walk right round Braunston stopping at the Gongozals for tea and cake. Chatted lots to different boaters.

Thursday 11th

Went into Daventry for the day as Richard and Jodi coming up Friday so need to get in supplies at Tesco. Did overdo it a bit and came back well loaded.

Barry had some strange throbbing in his hand and legs in the eve got abit concerned but think he is ok!

Friday 12 September

Meeting up with Richard and Jodi midday to go up The Ashby Canal.

Poppies

Thursday 4th Sept 

Moved the boat up to the junction as our 48hours was up by the Marina. Needed to get water etc and it seemed like everyone else had the same idea. So we had to wait patiently, not something that Baz is good at! Anyway eventually moored up about 12 30 and I popped up to the village and had a haircut. Went for a walk in the afternoon.

Friday 5th Sept

Our 44th Wedding Anniversary!

We had decided to go to The Tower of London to see the poppies that are being placed all around the moat of the Tower. 

Got the bus to Rugby and the train to Euston,then the tube across to Tower bridge. They are truly amazing and it's a very moving experience to think each poppy represents a human life and they are only half way to completing filling the moat.

We had fish and chips at Traitors Gate and sat and enjoyed the view of Tower bridge. To our surprise the bridge began to open and a tall ship went through. Another 1st, never seen the bridge opening.

We wandered some more then headed back home getting back about 6.30. Lovely day.

Saturday 6th Sept

Caught the bus into Rugby and had a nose round the Market, the did a shop at Sainsbugs.

Back on boat cleaned all my brass up. Hoping to catch up with Smile and Wave at some point this weekend.