HFM 102.3 Harborough Radio for Market Harborough - 2011

HFM (CLICK) is the best local radio station in the country. Everyone there makes us feel like we are part of the family. They now have to raise half of their own funding to survive due to government funding cuts. We all know that the cuts have to take place if this country is ever to get back into the black, but to lose the local radio station would be a step to far, so we are hoping they manage to find the funding. If you have a local radio station, they are probably going through the same funding cuts, so if you do not want to lose them, then support them.

Radio and Red Wine.

Happy Christmas Eve to everyone.

What a start to our day. Awake early, so a cuppa was made and drunk in bed, whilst discussing the fact that it is Christmas Eve. Now we had planned a quietish day, with possibly a few customers arriving wanting their coal. It was also going to be a day of tidying the boat and doing some cooking. Having drunk my tea, I then checked on Marmite.

Why you ask?
Well Marmite and Paddy were play fighting last night and Paddy got a bit over excited and hurt Marmite's tail. It does not seem to be bothering her to much, but she is not flicking it around like usual and it is hanging a little limp, so I need to keep an eye on her and it. If it does not improve, she will be visiting the vet.I am hoping Paddy has just bruised it, but as Marmite cannot talk, I have no idea if she is in any pain.

With Marmite checked out, it was time to get up and dressed. First job on the list was to walk Paddy along the frozen towpath. When we got back to the boat, toast was on the go and the generator was on charging the batteries. Everyday we enjoy the local radio station Hfm (Click). This morning they were doing a competition where they would ring a number and if the person answered saying 'Ho, Ho, Ho, I'm a silly Santa' they won a bottle of Champayne. We were not fortunate to be rung, but Keith did win us a bottle of Red Wine. A few days ago we both answered the radio station's survey as to why we love it and Keith's name was drawn out of the hat. So I thought I would ring the radio station up and say thank you, little knowing that I would end up live on the radio arghhhhh. I got to speak to the lovely Dave Irving, who does a fabulous show from 7 to 10am. We chatted live on air about us being frozen in and what we had planned for Christmas and of course I wished everyone at the station a very Happy Christmas.

Having got off of the phone, I was then contacted by a customer, who required some fuel, So it was then time to don the donkey jacket and head out in the cold to unload some coal. Keith headed off to the sanitary station with rubbish and toilet cassette, whilst I sorted the coal out. Just as I was about to lock the boat up and trudge down the towpath, Keith arrived back, so we set off to deliver coal together. Whilst heading for the basin another of our customers was coming to meet us also wanting coal for Christmas, so we did an about turn and headed back to the boat to unload more coal, which got put on the sack trolley. One thing is certain, I am never going to be unfit humping all this coal around. Coal dispatched from the hold and on to the trolley, we set off again along the towpath to the car park, where we put two bags of coal into the customers car. Just as he was leaving our other customers arrived, carrying our bottle of Red Wine from radio station, they had very kindly collected it for us as they had cards and presents to deliver to the radio presenters. They saved us a hike to the station, which was very nice of them. Not that we did not mind walking over mile to get to Hfm, because today they have lots of choccies and cake going free ;0).

It looks like that is our last Coal delivery for Christmas, so we are now going to put our feet up. Well that is until I have to put the bacon in the back stove, feed us both for dinner tonight, stoke the stoves, washup etc etc etc. A woman's work is never done, especially of you live on a boat. Have a lovely Christmas Eve everyone x

Hfm and JK Robbie Willams

Hi Folks.

It has been a day of first for me and at the age of 48 that does not happen to often.

The day began at 7am, when I woke up. Yep I managed to sleep in this morning, which is a miracle. First job of the morning was to rake out the ash in the back cabin stove, so that it could roar into life. With the cabin warming up, I was then up and dressed. Before breakfast Paddy got his walk down a very slippery towpath. I have visions of me landing up on my behind one of these mornings. I cannot afford to break anything as this is a very busy time for us.

After breakfast, the saloon stove was stoked up for the day. and boat chores done.

11am we left the boat to go to a coffee morning on NB Acen. Jo and John invited us to join them along with Chrissie and Richard from NB Digitalis, and Jill and Don from NB Idunno. We spent a lovely hour chatting, drinking coffee and eating nibbles. At midday we had to leave the party to be picked up by Moley from Hfm the local radio station. Moley had invited us to take part in his show from 1pm to 3pm to chat about life on the Waterway's, which was a first for both of us. When we got to the studio Dave Smith was on the air talking to JK who does a Robbie Williams Act celebrating the music of Robbie Williams. It was astonishing how much he looks and sounds like Robbie. I had to do a double take when I met him. Meeting JK was another first, JK is a lovely guy and maybe one day we will go and see him perform. He will be performing at the De Montfort Hall, Leicester on the 24th March 2011. Come 1pm it was time for Moley to take to the air and for Keith and I to join him in the studio.I never realised how quickly two hours can go. We chatted about life on the canal, especially with the present weather conditions. We talked about the history of the canals and answered questions sent in by listeners. It was really great fun but the time flew by and before we knew it, it was 3pm and time for Moley to hand over to Richard Oliffe. Moley made us feel very welcome and relaxed and it is certainly something I would do again. Moley very kindly gave us a lift back o our boat, as it is quite a hike from the studio even in good weather. We had a late lunch of Bacon sandwiches and a cuppa. It has been a fantastic day. Tomorrow we will be trying to move the boat, in order to take on a coal delivery on Saturday, so we will be crunching our way through the ice....

The best start to my day.

Hi Friends old and new.

Tuesday morning and a pleasant start to my day, after a hot night on the boat. Now get your mind out of the gutter. It was hot due to the fact that we had both stoves going. During in the evening, we were a little chilly in the saloon and with it being shower night, I lit the saloon stove, so that we could have a warm shower room. It was so nice to have a shower in the warmth, but the heat built up through the night and at one point Keith got up and opened the slide a little to allow some of the heat out of the back cabin. The back cabin stove is always closed right down over night, so it does not create to much heat, but even that seemed to be working on overtime.
We got up to a nice warm boat and even the water is nice and hot as well. As it was way to early to get up at 6am, I made us the usual cuppa, which we enjoyed in bed. It was gone 8am before we got out of bed. The Foxton mooring is pretty quiet, allbeit for the dogs barking on and off in a neighbouring garden. I am sure they have no idea why they are barking, they just do it for no reason, it must drive the neighbours nuts. Anyway we are off tomorrow, so we are none to bothered.
After Breakfast, I took Paddy for his morning stroll. This time it was up the towpath and out into a field, which has a designated footpath across it. Foxton has some lovely little walks around it. They all have yellow posts marking the routes, so you would never get lost. Pad was off across the field like a loonie and no amount of calling bought him to heel. Once I caught up with him, I discovered that he was paddling in a stream. When I say paddling, I don't mean actually standing in the water, Pad just does not like water that much. He was standing on the bank pawing at the water, as if it was gonna come out and play with him, daft mutt. The views across the field are quiet beautiful and will get better as the leaves change to their Autumn colours.
As we walked back to the boat, I collected sticks for the fire and Paddy had his trained on the ground, something smelt very nice to him. No idea what it was and I actually dread to think what it could have been. Back on board it was time to sort the fires out, so I emptied out the ash pan in the back stove and made the fire up. There was smoke bellowing out of the chimney, this is a sight I absolutely love at this time of the year. Fire all done, so I filled up the Copper kettle and placed that on the stove, so that it will boil for a coffee later.
I am at present waiting for a text message from Tesco, to say when my food delivery is coming. I booked it for between 11am and 1pm, but they usually text me to tell me which hour it will arrive in. Our cupbards will then be full again for a week or so.
Have just heard on the local news that the agony aunt Claire Rayner has died at the age of 79. Claire wrote many columns over the years and appeared on many a day time show. She will be sadly missed. My thoughts go out to her family and husband Des, who she had been married to for some 53 years.
My morning is now complete. I have just won the 3 of a kind competition on Hfm and got my song played. Thanks Dave Irving for playing 'I knew I loved you before I met you' by Savage Garden. You do not get expensive prizes for winning this competition, it is just a bit of fun and it is the first time I have ever come first wooooooo hooooooooo.

Just had this posted on facebook by a friend and in many ways it is so true.

TO NON DOG OWNERS who may visit my home and complain about my Dog...
1) He lives here, you don't.
2) If you don't want his hair on your clothes, stay off the furniture, that's why they call it 'Fur'-niture.
3) I love my pet more than I like most people.
4) To you he is an animal, to me he is my young 'un, who is short, hairy, walks on ...all fours and loves me unconditionally :)

Thanks Phil for that, it made me smile.

Home Sweet Home.

Hiya Fellow Bloggers.

I am seriously wondering where this year has gone. It does not seem that long ago we celebrated Christmas and here we are in September and the shops are already advertising Christmas, as are the restaurants, who are trying to tempt us to eat with them this festive season.

I was awake pretty early this morning, listening to the bird song and the tree's blowing in the breeze. But even though I did not get a lie in, I seem to be topped on my sleep, which makes a nice change. My personal Summer has kicked in again, so waking up with a hot glow was nothing to do with Keith lying beside me lol. I am going to be so pleased when the Menopause is over and done with, it is getting boring now.

Up and about, Paddy was first to be sorted out with his stroll up the towpath and then we got back to the boat where breakfast was ready for me, with a cuppa. We made the decision to go to Halfords to buy a large spanner.

"What do you want it for" I hear you ask. Our thermostat housing on the engine has been dripping for sometime. The nut needs tightening a little. We were going to nip into Tony Redshaw's at Braunston to get it tightened, but as we have not got that far, hubby has decided to buy his own spanner and we will tighten it ourselves. So if you in need of a large spanner, you know where to come ha ha ha.

We walked down to Halfords, which is a good mile walk from Union Wharf, but it is a pleasant walk and we got to see all the changes in the town. Halfords had the spanner Keith wanted and there was only one on the shelf phewww. So spanner paid for we then trekked to Welland Valley Feeds to buy a 15kg bag of dog food for his Lordship Paddy. Hecky thump it has gone up yet again. It is now over £45 a 15kg bag. Me thinks Pad is going on a diet ha ha ha. There was no way we were walking back to the boat with a huge bag of dog food, so we called a taxi. I know we are wimps, but with my shoulder and Keith's back, there was no way we were going to take any chances.

I got a phone call back from the taxi man asking "Where are you?".

My reply was "Welland Valley Feeds, Rockingham Industrial Estate".

His reply "Where is that?".

I had to explain where we were. Then the penny dropped and he said "Oh the pet food place".

I know I speak with a bit of a lisp, but I am not that bad hahaha.

So he was with us quick smart.

Just as well we did not walk back, because it was spitting and spotting with rain as we were driven back to Union Wharf.

Back on board and Keith thought he would tackle the thermostat housing. Just typical the spanner did not fit arghhhh. It needs a little grinding off of it, so we will wait to do that when we are out in the countryside. There was no point taking it back, because they did not have anything larger and the spanner just needs a slight trim.

Kettle was on and we heard a Klaxon tooting. Keith poked his head out of the engine room door, and saw Jo and John slowly cruising past on nb Acen, they were going to moor up and then we could catch up with them a little later on. It is so nice to see them both again. Jo and John usually have a Winter mooring in the basin, so we will see a lot of them again this Winter.

The joy of being back on our Winter Coal Run is that we get to listen to the local radio station Hfm. Keith and I have got to know everyone concerned with the station very well and they always make us feel so welcome in the area. Chris Jones, who does his Sunday bit in the middle played Welcome Home by Peter's and Lee for us, which was so nice of him. We now feel loved hahaha.

Lunch today was for Keith was Bacon and Egg sandwiches, I had Sausage Sandwiches as we had run out of Bacon and Egg's. I feel a food shop happening tomorrow.

I am now trying to decide whether to go and clean the brass in the back cabin. The bedknobs and stove rails are looking a little tired, but then again it is a Sunday and supposedly a day of rest. I could just watch a film instead and do the brass tomorrow. After all it is going no where.

May I wish you all a happy Sunday, I am off now to the real world.

Kicking up a Rumpus.

Hi everyone.

Today has been a fabulous day. It all began with the usual walk along the towpath with Paddy. I have begun to take my camera with me again and oh boy was I glad I did, because there was a lot to photograph. The first thing I came across were these moorhens going at it hammer and nail. In fact there were two pairs scraping with each other, but I thought I would upload just one photo. It was like a boxing match with feet. The rumpus went on for five or more minutes, and ended with neither side winning.

No sooner had that rumpus died down, the swan family put in their first appearance on the water and to my surprize there were Nine little fluff balls. You can only see Eight in the photograph, but there was a Ninth, hiding behind the Pen, to shy to say hello it its public. It is so wonderful to see this family, after the disaster last year.
With Paddy walked and breakfast done. We decided that we would go down to the local radio station Hfm to say Happy Birthday to one of its presenters, who we have got to know really well. Before heading the station, we sent and bought a couple of boxes of cakes to help the celebration along and then caught a taxi to the radio station. Keith is still not 100%, so I did not want him over doing it. We were welcomed at the station with cups of coffee and a slice of Birthday cake from the Birthday boy. We also got the chance to sit in on Dave Smith's radio program. Now I do not want to make Dave big headed, but he is a fantastic DJ. As a local radio station Hfm is one of the best we know. They play such a diverse amount of music for all ages and always encourage the local community to get involved. We were as always made very welcome.
Having enjoyed a fanatastic morning with the gang, we took a leisurely stroll into the town and to Han the Chinese Restaurant where we enjoyed a sumptuous lunch. A two course meal for £8 each.
Having enjoyed our lunch, we got chatting to one of the young ladies who served us. She was fascinated by the fact that we live and work on a narrowboat, so we gave her a history lesson about the canals and invited her to come and see our boat. But whether she will is entirely up to her. By the time we had walked back to the boat, there were people having a picknick lunch on the Sanitary Station moorings. They were very pleased to see us, as they needed a pumpout card, to empty their pooh tank and with the office closed we were the nearest port of call for a pumpout card.
I am now sat watching 'Deal or no Deal'. I have always loved Noel Edmunds, ever since his days on 'Swap Shop' on Saturday mornings. It is going to be a chillout evening I reckon. So have a good day everyone. I am off now.

Living Proof

Good morning friends.

Here is living proof that we or should I say our photograph appeared on The One Show last night. Keith was particularly pleased because Hayley Mills was on the sofa, and he has loved her since he was a wee boy. If you did not see it, you can go into the address below and see it. Our photograph is towards the end of the show.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00sg9lg/The_One_Show_20_05_2010/

My text messages were red hot last night. Thank goodness I have 25 free text messages so I could message back phew.

Sorry if I sound like an excited child, but nothing has ever happened to me like this before. It is no big deal for some, but at my time of life it is a huge deal.

We were even mentioned on the local radio this morning by Chris Jones on HFM. HFM is a fantastic local station. They play such a diversity in music and that is why we love it.