Red Ropes and a Wet Patch

Dark Clouds and a Heron

Morning All

It's unusual for us to move far on a Sunday, we tend to moor up and have a day off from chugging, while I do the Jottings. Today we were up and off as soon as I'd had my second cup of coffee, after wasting a whole Saturday listening to Hurricane Hannah roaring down our chimney and rattling the hatches. She tried to sneak off with our coolie hat, but luckily it blew into the hedge and Carl retrieved it and chained it down.

Braunston flight of locks

I'll pick up from where I left off last week and start with our chug into Braunston on a glorious Easter Monday morning. We slipped into our favourite mooring spot by bridge 89, the one that looks across the fields towards the church. Carl had a shopping list of filters and fan belts and was itching to get to the chandlery while I was more interested in a set of new ropes. That last sentence looks a bit kinky so I'd better explain more. We have a pair of centre lines that came with the boat, they used to be lovely red ropes that looked really well against the grey and cream of the paintwork. Over the years they have faded and started to fray in places so I thought we should replace them to keep our 'Lady Aberlour' looking smart. There is a shop called 'Tradline Ropes and Fenders' in Braunston Marina - it's the Jimmy Choo of the rope world and is full of things that sound 'naughtycal' - Turks Heads, splicing kits and rope shackles as well as fenders and mooring lines. They made us a set of new red ropes and they will be the finishing touch once Carl has painted the roof. I'll be sure to take photos when its finished and post them to the blog

Admiral Nelson on the Braunston Locks

Our next stop was the chandlery at the bottom of the Braunston flight - Wharf House Narrowboats. The marvellous Diane was on duty when we arrived, she's an absolute fount of knowledge when it comes to fighting the demon rust that is every boaters worst enemy. We were sad to learn that the shop is closing this year - another victim of the internet price war. We have much appreciated the great customer service here and our visits to Braunston won't be the same without calling in to stock up. We took full advantage of their very generous closing down discount and bought oil and stern grease as well as paint and rust converter.

Horse Chestnut

We spent a very enjoyable evening in the 'Boat House' in Braunston, meeting up with my sister Jean and Eric the Viking (that will make him smile when he reads this, I haven't called him that for a while!). I got excited at the thought of a big glass of gin but when I read the 'Gin Menu' my enthusiasm waned. I couldn't really justify paying such silly money for a drink - one gin cocktail was about the same as half a mooring line so I settled for a tonic with my salmon and hardly noticed the difference. I tried to press gang Jean and Eric into helping us up the locks the next day but they had other plans, especially when I mentioned Braunston Tunnel - I don't blame them, I wouldn't go through it either, if there was a choice! Thanks for a terrific evening Jean and Eric - It was lovely to see you both, come back soon.

Evening reflections

On Tuesday, I left Carl rearranging his oil filters and caught the bus into Daventry for shopping. The bus route has changed since I last visited and I spent far too long trolling around various housing estates, being jolted and bounced over sleeping policeman and trying to keep my cornflakes down. Finally, I was deposited in the town and went immediately to Waitroses for free coffee and a browse amongst the posh pasta and organic avocados. I came out with a Lindt chocolate egg! It was 'going cheep' (embarrassed face emoji). I have nothing to say in my defence except it was very nice and I made it last a whole week(well 5 days – that's very nearly a week). I tottered off home, back through the sprawling housing estates of Daventry to Braunston where Carl and Tricky came up to the village to meet me. I was much relieved to hand over the Big Rucksack to Carl and we strolled back through the sheep field to where the Lady Aberlour was waiting for us, gleaming in the afternoon sun.

Gosling chicks

We flew up the Braunston flight on Wednesday morning - those 6 broad locks were taking boaters as long as five hours over the weekend but we were up to the top in just over an hour. Every lock was set for us and we paired up with another boat and swapped boating tales on the way up - they were returning to their marina at Welton and would be following us through the tunnel. As we approached the tunnel entrance, I switched on all the cabin lights and settled myself and Tricky on the floor by Carl's feet with the torch on standby, ready for the long, dark, damp trip. We always hope that we won't meet another boat in this tunnel, it is notoriously bendy and often catches the inexperienced hire boaters unawares. We have been clobbered hard several times in the tunnel and it's very traumatic for our little Tricky who sits by Carl's feet trembling if we hit anything. Of course, we did meet a boat and somehow, in spite of Carl slowing right down and hugging the tunnel wall to give the oncoming boat as much room as possible, there was a horrible crashing noise as they hit us, then hit the tunnel wall and we passed them by, calling out to check everyone was OK. We breathed a sigh of relief and were glad not to meet anything else and, as soon as we were out, Carl went below to make the coffee. He was gone a while and came back to break the bad news that the Big Kettle (5 litres!) had fallen off the stove and emptied its contents all over the brand new carpet. Botheration! And then it began to rain! More botheration! Wet carpets will soon dry if the sun shines but the weather remained stubbornly showery for the next 48 hours meaning that the carpet was in and out like a fiddlers elbow. It's all sorted now and we've come through Crick and Husbands Bosworth Tunnels without any incident but I'm always careful to secure the kettles now.

Cute boat but sorely in need of paint

That's all the news for this week, we're still heading towards Leicester and the dreaded dentist appointment. I think I can stretch it out for at least another two weeks.

Take Care everyone

Love from

The Floating Chandlers


PS Is anyone else watching 'The Repair Shop'? What a great programme.

Coffee time

Tricky  getting warm

Braunston flight

Blossom time

Cows in Yelvertoft

A Dozen Ducklings and a Dunking Dog

A Dozen Ducklings 

Morning All

Was there ever an Easter Bank Holiday like this one? Glorious sunshine and hardly a breath of wind to stir the blossom. I'm writing this from my deckchair in the bows, which looks out over the water to an unbelievably green field, where little lambs are skipping in the sunshine. A dozen ducklings paddled by, and I rush for my camera to see if I can capture their cuteness for you to enjoy. I can hear the church bells ringing in Braunston village, forming a perfect counterpoint to the bleating of the lambs and the song of the larks in the clear blue sky. There is a constant procession of boats passing us by, hire boats with families aboard, shiny boats with their brasses polished and gaily painted Buckby Cans arranged neatly with a mop through the handles. A lopsided cruiser limps along with a young couple aboard, they're so heavily ladened with boxes and bags on the roof, that they can hardly see to steer. There was a group of girls wearing bunny ears, chugging along in a day boat. I was hoping to see an Easter Bunny - will that count? Later, we were almost rammed when a boat came round the corner and the first mate panicked and abandoned the tiller. Luckily for us, her partner came running up from below, grabbed the tiller and went hard astern before any damage was done.

Ducklings again

All the good mooring spots have been taken along this popular stretch of canal and we had to elbow our way into this spot when we arrived yesterday afternoon. There was a bit of huffing and puffing and a reluctance to hutch up to let us in, but eventually, when he saw our bows where coming in regardless, he released his ropes and moved up. I wouldn't dream of hogging two spaces, especially when it's this busy but apparently, not everyone feels the same way. He was even more annoyed with us when his mooring chain fell into the water. Captain Carl is not one to bear a grudge and he was quickly out on the towpath with his "Sea Searcher' magnet and after a bit of dunking, retrieved the brand new mooring chain from the water - he does love to get that magnet out.

Lovely old working boat out for a chug

The weather wasn't quite so fair when we set out last Monday morning. It was a bit blowy and the skies were grey and dull as we left our overnight mooring at Congerstone and chugged along by the moorings in Shackerstone and through the Snarestone tunnel. The sun came out as we moored up, so I hung my just washed towels on a stick, then fixed it in the hedge. I wouldn't normally do that but the end of the Ashby Canal is a little oasis with hardly anyone around so I don't think anyone minded. There were a couple of Volunteers manning the Ashby Canal Club bric-a-brac shop and I was soon in there having a browse and a chat to the nice couple in charge. Carl found a tape player to add to his collection and I tried hard not to pull a grapefruit face when I saw what he'd bought. We walked along to the end of the reclaimed section of canal, the bit that is now in water, and then along the dry bed of the old canal towards Measham – we're hoping to be able to take the boat there one day. We chatted to a couple we met along the way – they were going to water their 'Evergreen Oak' which they had planted by the bridge. (I had to Google that one – its known as an Holm Oak and looks a little like a holly.) He told us he had been living on boats since 1958 and I suspect he had some gypsy in his blood as he had long black hair, tied into a ponytail and a very large gold hoop in one ear. It wasn't long before he told us proudly, he was 78 and I found myself checking his hairline to see if I could spot any signs of grey growing through. He swore he didn't dye it! Yes, I am very cheeky and I did ask him. He was passionate about the Ashby Canal and had recently rescued, restored and donated, 2 pumping beams from the nearby Snarestone Pumping Station to create a lasting memorial on the wharf. A very interesting man, I hope we meet him again some day.

Pumping Station Beams at Snarestone Wharf

So, what's new this week? I strained my back by just standing at the sink and turning too quickly to dry my hands - I wouldn't have believed it was possible if it hadn't happened to me. It took several days of Ibruprofen and hot water bottles (yes Mum – I was listening to your good advice!) before I could move without groaning. I only knew I was cured when Tricky fell into the canal on one of our early morning walks and I had to fling myself down on the bank to haul her out. I thought she was trotting along behind me, I looked around to make sure she was keeping up and saw she was rolling ecstatically, probably in something stinky. As I watched she rolled over and plopped straight into the water. I couldn't help but laugh, thank goodness it happened on the first hot day so she soon dried out as we chugged along under the hot sun. The 'Dunking Dog' yoga position seems to have cured my back!

Poor Tricky got a soaking

This week we shall be moving around towards Crick and then onwards to Market Harborough. The top pound from Crick to Foxton is one of our favourites as it meanders along through the most beautiful countryside, but I'm not expecting that this glorious weather will accompany us that far. I might have been a little premature in putting away my winter woollies and breaking out the short sleeves as the forecast is for a return to the usual rain, hail, sun and sleet that is England in April.

Sheep in the shade

I have to end this week with a 'Get Well' wish to our friend Pat on the Naga Queen. She had a fall and broke her wrist and needs surgery to gather all the pieces back together. That's bad news when you're out on the boat in the middle of nowhere. I am totally in awe of a woman who can steer a boat down the Hatton flight (21 locks) with her arm in plaster!

Peaceful Mooring

I hope you've all enjoyed your Easter Break and had a sufficiency of chocolate eggs? I'm feeling deprived as I had to make do with a Marks and Sparks teacake. (Sad face emoji)

That's all for now – more next week

The Floating Chandlers


PS Carl treated me to a fish supper when we moored in Market Bosworth – he knows how to spoil me – how could we resist calling in at the aptly named 'Batter of Bosworth'!

PPS The swallows are back, now it really does feel like summer.

Work Boats at Hillmorton

Wow - a lovely summerhouse

Sunsetting over Willoughby

It was a beautiful day

Too many sheep this week? 

Cold Peas and Hot Beans

Bosworth 

It is today, Sunday, and we all know what that means. Yes, it's Jottings time. Slight change of direction though as it is I, Cap'n Carl, "doing the honours" as they say in all good Toy shops up and down the land. Linda has told me not to rant and grumble for this week's action packed literary oddity, so you, dear readers, can relax. So let's do this. 

Pooley Hall, Polesworth 

After rushing slowly along the Fazeley canal in an attempt to stay ahead of the bitingly cold weather, we found ourselves back on the Coventry canal, heading towards Tamworth. By Monday afternoon we had arrived at the two Tamworth locks. Instead of the plethora of rubbish that normally greets us at these twin bastions of centuries-old engineering, we were greeted by a vista of clear water, uncontaminated by the expected swathe of carrier bags, clothes, string, bottles, McDonalds wrappers and Special Brew cans that usually lie in wait for our propeller. To add to our feeling of wonderment, the sun began shining and the day became almost warm. It felt almost unicorny. Linda expertly manned the locks and we passed through without incident. It was then just a short cruise to our overnight mooring, a mile or so out of town. The award for best part of the day must go to the raft of tiny ducklings we saw as we left Tamworth behind; the first this year.

The next flight of eleven locks is at Atherstone. We negotiated the first two on Tuesday, and the rest the following day. Now, we were running low on supplies. The list was quite long and included, but was not limited to, bread, milk and groceries. This was to going be a rucksack and two Co op "bags for life" trip. It was a bit of a trek to the shops from our boat and we were(actually only I was) famished, so we decided to pop into our favourite cafe, The Larder. To our dismay, it had changed hands and the quirky memorabilia had gone together with the war-time menu of Spammy Eggs and Camp Coffee. Oh well, we (me) were hungry, so in we went. Sadly, we were sitting next to the "eat with your fingers, slurp your coffee, burp to excess, tell your little boy in fluent Neanderthal that he can't have salt as its bad for him while he eats his burger and chips swimming in tomato sauce" family. This didn't help the ambience. Which reminds me. Is it just me, or do baked beans stay hotter than garden peas? Say you have fish, chips and garden peas (I don't like mushy peas so can't compare them). The peas are always cold before you finish them. Baked beans, on the other hand, can still almost burn your tongue long after there is nothing else left on your plate. Just wondered. 

Sunny view

After a good night's rest we set sail south east, hoping for fair winds and an easy voyage passing through the popular Port of Hartshill, across the bay of Nuneaton and on to our destination, the fabled Ashby canal. Do you remember a few paragraphs back I mentioned the expected rubbish at Tamworth locks? Yes? Good. Well, it turns out that someone must have cleared it all from Tamworth and dropped it all just south of bridge 16 (which is the other side of Nuneaton). Worried that I might foul the prop while going through it, I put the engine into neutral and drifted through a seemingly endless mat of garbage. It was like a canalised version of the Sargasso Sea, except it seemed to consist of the contents of countless wheelie bins and/or skips. Someone must have dropped it all into the water. Why are some people so thick? Anyway, it seems we are stuck with sharing the world with cretins for the foreseeable future. Enough said, rant over.

Not long after this we arrived at the canal junction, that meeting of two great waterways, and bearing hard left we made our way without further incident onto the Ashby canal. A short cruise for around twenty minutes and we were able to moor for the night. On securing the bow line I checked to see what detritus we had picked up from the "Sargasso Sea". Yes, there were about two acres of mullock with planning permission for three detached luxury homes, a bypass and a Governmental promise that it would be on the bus route. Oh, well, another little job for the boat hook.

Hartshill

The days have generally been very cold this week, with hard frosts early morning. Although the sun has shone most days, there has been a constant cold breeze, which has often freshened into a raw wind. Real gloves-and-coat weather. So it was with some surprise and not a little amusement that we saw several youths clad in just tee shirts and shorts in Hinckley town centre on Friday. With their blue arms and legs they did a valiant act of trying not to look cold, but I don't think they fooled anyone

Cold evening 

.
Bosworth field, the site of the famous battle where King Richard III was killed is a very short walk from Sutton Wharf, where the two of us moored yesterday. Well worth a visit. Sadly, the powers that be have been considering allowing a vast driverless car test facility to be built on sections of the historic killing fields. The plans were approved by the local council on 25th Sept 2018. Why am I not surprised.

Part of the Bosworth Battlefield Memorial

The Ashby is a lovely canal, very rural and lock free, but in some places it is very shallow. We've grounded the boat (ok, I've grounded the boat) three times today, twice because I misjudged a tight bend, and once when we passed a boat coming the other way and got too close to the offside bank. No harm done though. And it's all part of boating. (Interjection from First Mate - It wasn't you who threw your hat on the deck and swore like a trooper then?) 

And that's it for this week. Reading the above nonsense could be a good cure for insomnia, but then so could lots of sleep I suppose.

Love from

The Floating Chandlers

PS It was nice to bump into Carina, a friend from my old working life, and catch up with the news.

PPS Message from Linda – I'll be back next week. Its going to warm up and I'll be very happy about that!

Wood Anemone

Chilly start

Great Name

Lovely blossom

Peaceful mooring

Hartshill

Unusual boat

Met this boat near Nuneaton

Frosty start

Bosworth Memorail

Bosworth 

Leaves are unfurling

Bosworth site map

The Wonder Boob

Tricky looking for the gangplank

Ahoy there landlubbers!

Oops sorry about that, I've come over all piratical. Being afloat does have that effect on me sometimes, especially when I look in the mirror and find I am missing a tooth at the front!! (Scream emoji) Fortunately for me, I have an excellent dentist, who has somehow managed to keep me smiling for the last twenty years. The only pain I feel when I visit him is the pain in my purse which is still stinging from the cost of the last disaster. I'm back to my normal smiling self, so there's no need for the 'yo ho ho' speak - my inner pirate has been banished.

Rainy Fradley

The car is safely tucked up at home and the '2 trains and a bus' journey back to the boat went fairly well until the 'Invasion of the Marauding Schoolkids' set my nerves jangling. Two teachers ushered the mob aboard, then skipped off gleefully, leaving me and the bus driver to suffer the ear shattering screams and thunderous pounding of 40 or more teenage feet all trying to get to the best seats on the top deck. Some had beards that would have done credit to a Yeti, which was the only way you could tell the male marauders from the female marauders.

Whittington - still a grey day

It was a grey and overcast morning when we set off and chugged up towards the first lock. As usual, Tricky and I went ahead, but our plans of an early start and a quick scoot up to Fradley were scuppered at the first lock. As I rounded the bend, windlass in hand, I could see there was a boat already going up in the lock, and another was moored on the lock landings, waiting to go through. They were travelling together as a pair and we would be queuing behind them all the way to Fradley. I tried not to be glum, but they were very slow and then the rain started! By the time we reached Fradley and started to water up, the rain had set in for the day. I went below and the fire had gone out, the boat was cold and I was wet. The butter wouldn't spread for our cheese sandwiches and the water tank was taking an age to fill. 'Let's call it a day' says I and Carl built a roaring fire and we watched an episode of 'Car Share'.

Yellow Nettle - is it wild?

Friday morning dawned bright and fair and Tricky and I trotted along the towpath, in company with the couple from the boat behind us who were taking their border collie for a walk. We exchanged potted histories, as is usual when you meet up with other boaters. They were on there way to Foxton and hoped to arrive by June, which is a very slow pace, even by our standards. We parted company at bridge 90 and I tried to get back on board for the usual morning coffee and chocolate hobnob (just the one - we're cutting back!) Instead of leaping lithely up from the towpath and ducking under the tiller arm, to resume my rightful place on the stern, I tried to step up with Tricky wriggling under one arm and the end of the lead trailing in the water. Luckily, a siren went off in my head - Warning! Stupid, dangerous manoeuvre underway - Abort! Abort! I made a very inelegant scramble back to the shore, still with Tricky tucked under one arm. No harm done except to my pride.

Little Dog - Big Trouble

We arrived at Streethay Wharf and tied up by the diesel pump. Carl humped some extra bags of coal onto the roof and we filled up with diesel - it's always a good feeling to be ready for whatever the weather can throw at us. Streethay Chandlery is full of interesting boaty bits - batteries and loo blue in amongst the brass hinges, chimneys, filters and fenders . I shouldn't think this place has changed much over the years, some of the beams are covered in layers of dust, some of the boxes look like they were first priced in pounds, shillings and pence but somehow that's very comforting when you need a widget for the oojermaflip - somewhere in this maze of shelves and cupboards, they will have exactly what you need and the know-how to fit it.

Fazeley Junction

Picky Tricky is very choosy about her food and will only eat one brand of tinned dog food - Sainsburys own brand Turkey and Chicken. We moored by Venturer Park (a big shopping complex in Tamworth) and set off with the big rucksacks to Sainsburys for Tricky's food then into Wilko's for Carl to purchase yet more paintbrushes! The final item on the list was a new bluetooth speaker so that we could listen to our new radio programme 'Bubblegum and Cheese' - a recent treasure Carl found on BBC Solent, it's 3 hours of pure nostalgia on a Saturday morning. The search proved more difficult than we expected. We tried Argos and Currys - they didn't have what we wanted and we were met by the usual wall of complete disinterest when we tried to get some help in Currys. I suppose we did look a bit dubious in our wet weather coats and walking boots, laden down with rucksacks - thank goodness I had my tooth fixed or they would have thrown us out. More in hope than expectation, we walked over to the new John Lewis store and I left Carl outside with Tricky while I went in to check out the goods. I was deeply engrossed in reading the blurb for a Wonder Boom when a little patter of tiny feet made me look up to see Tricky and Carl heading my way. How lovely! A shop that lets dogs in and even makes them welcome. The 'Partners' were delighted to see Tricky and made a fuss of her, which she ignored in her usual haughty fashion. They didn't seem to notice that we were dressed like ramblers when everyone else was in 'Going Up Town on a Saturday' smart casual wear. We were even made welcome in the cafe. Great service John Lewis - a great shopping experience. We bought the Wonder Boom but it will be forever referred to a the 'Boob' as I misread the name on the package and almost embarrassed myself at the till; I think I got away with it!

Captain Carl left me in charge - I hit the bridge!

I've wittered on for far too long and I've not told you about today's mooring at Kinsgbury Water Park yet. I'll post the pictures for you and write more about it next week.

Love as Always

The Floating Chandlers


PS – you'd think Black Headed Gulls would have black heads wouldn't you. We did a bit of twitching today and the 'Bird Chart' in the Twitching Hut had a picture of a BHG with a plain white head. Now, can anyone explain that? Were we looking at Terns or BHG's?

PPS The bluebells are out already but still no sign of the ducklings here on the water. The New Inn at Hadnall however, has had a family of ducks outside in the car park waiting for happy hour. Who'll pay the bill – quack quack!

Better not be duck on the menu!

Bluebells already

The Flying Eagle reversing to a mooring space

Kingsbury Water Park

I had no trouble identifying this bird