Day 81. More painting.

Hiya Family, friends and followers.

This morning I woke to sunshine and the thought that I would get on with more paintwork. Not so welcome was the wind blowing across the mooring towards the canal, which meant the petals off the Hawthorn bushes was blowing onto the boat. But I am not one to be put off. I wanted to rub down and paint the roof over the bathroom and galley, which thankfully had a gap in the hedge by them, so I decided to go for it and get on with rubbing down the roof. I set Keith to work rubbing down the forend.

I managed to get paint on it before the petals blew onto the roof. They thankfully brushed off once the roof was dry. Tomorrow I will second coat it and hope that there is no wind. I also got the forend counter painted all before lunchtime.
After a spag bol lunch, I went off for a stroll with my camera.

I love taking photographs which would have been taken at anytime in history and this was one such photograph.
Welford Junction was a hive of activity today. There were boats coming and going all day and the moorings behind us are no full up.
More painting tomorrow.

Pop back soon xx

Days 78,79 and 80.

Hello Family, friends and followers.

Bank Holiday Monday dawned and the sun was out, so we thought great we will get some trading done. We did not put anything out till 11 am, because there was no one around early doors. All set up and sitting watching the clouds begin to roll in. Then came the spots of rain on the surface of the cut arghhhh. Covers out and placed over our sale things. The rain stops and the covers come off. We had a few buying customers, but the rain began to fall again and again the covers went on. This went on for over an hour and we both then said "we give up". We put everything back in their boxes and packed them back into the hold. There was no point in carrying on. After lunch, we walked down the locks and I bought us a pint and a packet of pork scratchings to cheer us up.

Tuesday was the day to start painting the roof over the back cabin and the engine room. Because we had been moored under trees, which were dropping leaves and blossom, we moved the other side of the bridge onto a mooring with no overhanging trees and bushes.

I rubbed the roof down and got the first coat of paint on, before the heavens opened. Thankfully the paint was dry by the time the rain came phew.

Keith rubbed down the counter and I then painted that as well.

The forend got a bit of TLC ready for dry docking, when I will finish it off. I wanted to get the white completed, so I just have the blue and red to do when in dry dock, because we only have three days.

 
The side hatches also got some TLC and I will finish those over the coming days.

This morning I got on with second coating the roof, hatches and forend with paint. There was little in the way of sunshine, but the paint soon dried. Between 3:00 pm and 4:00pm we were expecting a Tesco food delivery. I suggested we get there early just in case it arrived early. Good thing we turned up at the road junction early as it arrived at 2:40pm!. We decided to make a move and so we set off towards Welford Junction, hoping to find a mooring where their were no overhanging trees, so I can do the other half of the roof tomorrow. Whilst on the move, I stowed the food shop away. Having come out the other side of Husbands Bosworth tunnel we were greeted by rain. We moored up at Welford junction, Having done 7 miles.

Tomorrow I will rub down the second half of the roof and start painting that. I will also finish the hatches if the weather allows.

Pop back soon xx

Day 75,76, and 77.

Hello Family, friends and followers.

On Friday, we moved from Clarke's Bridge and came up through Foxton Locks and moored up at bridge 60 the other side of the locks. The reason being we figured as it was a Bank Holiday Weekend, it may well get rather busy and so we wanted to get our place set for trading over the weekend. When we got to the top of the locks, there was only one boat moored on the 48 hour moorings, which are always quiet now, since they have put on the penalty of a £25 fine for each day you overstay.
With us being on the other side of bridge 60, we are on 14 day moorings and can stay here, trade and get some paintwork done, if the weather allows.
Saturday dawned and the sun was shining, so we set up shop for the day.

There were plenty of people around, but few were buying. We still had a lovely day chatting to people.

Today (Sunday) there has been no trading, because of the weather. It has drizzled, rained and drizzled again. So what do you do when its raining?
The answer is, you go for a walk in it. I was going a little stir crazy being shut inside, so decided we needed to stretch our legs.

We donned our coats and walked around the Foxton Locks site, passing the field of Ewes and their lambs. The Ewes were sheared on Friday and were none to happy about it. They always look so unhappy when they have their woollen coats taken off. So no trading today, we will see what tomorrow brings.

Pop back soon xx

Days 73 and 74.

Hello Family, friends and followers.

Sorry I missed a day. The bloomin signal was off an on all flippen day. We left Foxton and made our way to Market Harborough.

As you can see from the photographs, it was another lovely day on Wednesday. When we arrived in Market Harborough, a boat was just leaving our favoured mooring spot.

We like the spot just outside the bason, because it gets the sun most of the day, so the solar panel can do its job nicely. Having moored up and cooked us something for lunch, we shut the boat up and walked down into town. I wanted to check out the antiques centre, to see if they had an enamel kettle. Sadly they did not have a kettle and worse still they are closing at the end of the month. We then took a walk into the market place, which had antiques and collectibles for sale, but no kettle. We did meet some people we know, so had a cup of tea and a catch up. By the time we walked back to the boat, up the never ending hill, we were both pooped. I seem to have developed a sore throat. Probably all the talking I did over the weekend. Anyway I knew it would cause me issues, so I got on with treating it straight away with Difflam spray, which always helps. I hate having a sore throat.

I wish I could say I slept like a baby last night, but sadly that was far from the case, because my throat kept me awake. It did not matter which way I turned, my throat tickled and that made my eyes water and then I started coughing. The only thing to do was to get up and dose myself up again. I did manage to snatch a little sleep eventually, but woke up like death warmed up on cold day.
This morning (Thursday), we had a food shop to do, with the promise of catching the bus back so we did not have to do the hill with our trolleys again. Off we went down the hill, across the town and into Aldi. I got everything we wanted, which included salad stuff, because it is getting to warm to cook. We went to set off for the bus station, when Keith remembered he had forgotten his bus pass grrrrrrrr, so we ended up walking home, stopping before the hill for a breather. Food stowed away, we decided to set off for a country mooring for the night.

Perfect weather for a short jaunt.

Someone has been magnet fishing. I reported the pile of metal to CRT, because we do not want that back in the bridge 'ole and around someones prop.

After an hour and a halfs cruising, we stopped before Clarke's Bridge, got the chairs out and sat out for the first time this year. The towpath along here is not used a lot, so we felt safe to sit out and not be mown down by cyclists or ravaged by dogs. I got on with some more of my crochet. I should finish another blanket by the weekend. It is a Bank Holiday Weekend, so hoping to trade a bit all being well.

Pop back soon xx

Day 72: Welford to Foxton.

Hello Family, friends and followers.

After a fabulous weekend, we left the Welford Arm, having seen Les at the boat yard with our back cabin flue, which needs welding. He is going to do it for us and give it back to us when we dry dock in a couple of weeks time. We had a Black Prince hire boat on the outside of us overnight, because they had no where else to moor and I did not want them getting into trouble by mooring on the water point, so suggested they breast up with us. Such a lovely group of mature gentlemen on a weeks boating holiday.
It was a bright sunny morning. We set off and were soon going through Husbands Bosworth tunnel, where we met three boats coming in the other direction. Only one of them had a rear light, so the others could see them. I never understand why people do not have a light on at the stern. Or put on a cabin light.

On the way to Foxton, I did us some Bacon sandwiches. On arriving at the locks, I walked down to find a lock keeper to book in. We were allowed down straight away wooo hoooo.

We had a lot of gongoozlers taking photographs, as we descended the locks. It was lovely to chat to them on the way down and have the help of the lock keepers.

Once at the bottom we moored up opposite Bridge 61. I wanted to get a laundry wash done, so piled the bedding in a bag and set off for the launderette at Bridge 61. They have a new washing machine and dryer and it cost £3.50 for a wash, which is ok and it does a good job. Whilst waiting for the machine to do its thing, we had a pint and chatted to a couple of other boaters. Washing done, it was time to cook dinner and to put my feet up for a bit. I then decided as we were close to a water tap, I would fill up the tank. After a coffee, I got on with e-mails, which was so slow because the dongle was on a go slow. I did eventually get online and was able to chat to family. Life has certainly become much more exciting and will be more so in the next couple of weeks. You will hear more when the time comes. But if you see me with a huge smile on my face, you may ask me why.

Pop back soon xxx

Days 68, 69, 70 and 71 A fine old time.

Hello Family, friends and followers.

Wow what  fine old time we have had over the past four days. I am sorry if you have been waiting for updates, but we have been to busy having a good time, with friends and new friends.
It all began Friday, when we helped with the boaters arriving for the event. We spent a wonderful day catching up with folk, followed by a fish and chips lunch in The Wharf Inn, followed by a pint. During the evening, there was music laid on at the Inn, but for us it was to loud to actually talk to people. I did however pick up the families tickets for the Foxton Locks Festival. We cannot wait to catch-up with them all and to enjoy a weekend together.
Saturday and the event began, with the dignitaries speaking about the reopening of the Welford Arm 50 years ago and how it is hoped to continue the success of the arm and the improvements which are going to be made.

Richard Parry the CEO of the Canal and River Trust arrived during the afternoon and took a trip on the day boat down to the lock, where a new bench has been put in place to celebrate the anniversary.

Mr Parry seemed to enjoy the afternoon, having come all the way from the Rickmansworth festival. 

Hopefully the bench will be there for many to enjoy over the coming years.

Richard then came aboard Hadar to have a look at our model railway. 

It was lovely to welcome him aboard, as he had heard so much about it. 

I spent most of the weekend, taking lots of photographs and chatting to loads of people. It was so incredibly busy and such a success. 

We were fortunate with the weather. There was a small shower on Saturday, but it did not put people off of coming out to support the event.

At the end of the day, we went to the pub with Matthew on of the organiser to enjoy a meal and a pint. Bedtime did not come soon enough for me, because I was bushed.

Sunday morning dawned and the sun was shining again, which was a blessing for the event.

We were looking forward to another wonderfully busy day.

Again I spent all day taking photographs. I got to chat to the stall holders, who were having a wonderful event. It was free for everyone, which makes such a nice change these days. So many events you go to charge such a lot of money to attend and trade. We most certainly enjoyed our weekend and look forward to doing it all again. 

Pop back soon xxx

Day 67: Welford Junction to Welford.

Hiya Family, friends and followers.

After a cracking sunset last night, we woke yet again to sunshine.

We headed off down the Welford Arm after 9 am in glorious weather and the sound of the birds ringing in our ears.

Lovely sight to see a mare and her foal out in the field. It gladdens the heart to see such a thing on a sunny morning.

Up through the one lock for the day. We moored on the services point for a while, whilst we waited for the boat juggling to begin and our mooring to become available. Once in our space, we then had to wait for Cepheus to arrive, because they would be moored on the inside of us.

During the afternoon Jane and Simon arrived and we pulled out to let them inside of us. We then breasted up alongside of the ready for the weekend of celebrations. More boat have arrived and more will arrive tomorrow. We then spent the rest of the afternoon getting to know our neighbours and those around us.

Pop back soon xx

Day 66: Foxton to Welford Junction.

Hello Family, friends and followers.

Yet another cracking day weatherwise. It is however a worry, because we do need rain. There are water shortages already on some canals. Here at Foxton Locks and Watford Locks, they are locking the locks overnight, due to a shortage of water. The reservoir at Welford is down by a metre and a half apparently and we are not into the Summer yet. So whilst we enjoy the sunshine, we do have to worry what will happen if we do not get any rain soon.
Once up and about, I got on with cleaning the Brass, which was looking a little drab. This is sure to bring the rain :-). Brass all done and coffee made, we set off at a leisurely pace this morning, with only a short jaunt required. We only had 6.98 miles and no locks to do, so I could relax and enjoy the scenery.

This stretch of the Leicester Line is beautiful. There are some wonderful views.

Mind you everything looks fabulous in the sunshine.

The one thing that never changes on the Leicester Line is the amount of vegetation which desperately needs cutting back and has done for all the years we have been up here and when we did the coal run. I took over the tiller for a while and was met with a low hanging tree. I most definitely had to duck and hope no one was coming the other way.

A lot has been done to improve and repair the towpaths, for the walkers and cyclists, but nothing has been done to improve things for the boater in the vegetation department. I of course realise that CRT are stretched and rely on their volunteers. Money is also a big issue with getting these jobs done.

Entering Husbands Bosworth Tunnel.

North Kilworth Boat Yard

We passed by the newish North Kilworth Marina. It still looks a bit like a building site two years on. But we have friends who moor there and they seem to like it. Whilst on the move, I did a laundry wash and made coffee.

After almost a couple of hours cruising, we arrived at our destination. We reversed at the Welford Junction and moored up for the day. I did us a salad for lunch and another coffee, before deciding I was going to get busy with a few jobs. The first being rubbing down the saloon stove ready for painting. I also got rid of the old fire cement around the flue and replaced it with something new we are trying. It is called Geocil fire cement. It can be painted over, so we will see if it is any good. I will paint the stove tomorrow, because the cement has to dry over a 24 hour period. Second job of the afternoon was to clean and tidy the saloon, I also washed all the floors. This sunny weather makes you want to get jobs done. Tomorrow we will be heading into Welford.

Pop back soon xx

Day 65: Market Harborough to Foxton.

Hello Family, friends and followers.

Another beautiful start to the day, after a sleepless night. I have no idea why, but both of us did not sleep well. Once up and about, we set off down into Market Harborough to do a food shop at Aldi. On returning to the boat, whilst I put the shopping away, Keith topped our water tank up.
We got underway at 11.05 am.

Under the new bridge 14, which used to be a wooden footbridge, for those who know the old bridge and the area. It is now a road bridge into a brand new housing estate, which is still under construction.

We have always loved this stretch of the canal. It is scenic and yet has lovely trees and bridges along the route.

Back past the glue factory, with its roasting bones. It always smells of roasting meat.

We arrived at Foxton swing-bridge. I stepped off the boat to go and open it only to find it was broken when I got there. A bolt on the locking mechanism had sheared. Who ever broke it very kindly left the broken bolt and nuts on the wall! They failed to contact CRT to report it though. Keith delved into our nuts and bolts pot and soon we had made a temporarily fix with a new nut and bolt. We rang CRT to notify them of the problem and the fact that we had made a temporary fix, but they needed to check it. With that all done, we were on our way again to Foxton Locks. I so wish if people see a fault they would report it to CRT, otherwise how do they think it will get fixed?

We arrived at Foxton Locks, emptied the cassette at the elsan before going straight into the bottom lock.

Half way up the flight, we had to pull in to allow three boats to come down. This gave us time to natter to the visiting public. We got to the top at 3.15 pm and moored up, having done 6.1 miles, 2 swing bridges and 10 locks.

As a treat, we went to the cafe and got ourselves an ice cream. We know how to enjoy ourselves. Such a wonderful sunny day.

Pop back soon xxx