A beautiful day.

Hi Folks.

As I type today's posting, the sun has just come out yippee.

Having enjoyed a nice day yesterday, during the evening I walked up to the reservior to take some sunset photographs and although there was not a decent sunset I did get this rather moody photo. The sky grew darker by the minute and no sooner I had replaced the lense cap to my camera, the rain began to fall.

As I made my way back to the boat, the heavens opened and it was raining cats and dogs. We had an absolute deluge of rain which lasted for a good few moments. Just what is needed right now. It continued to rain through out the evening and was still coming down when we went to bed.

After the drama's of the smoking generator, all was fine when we ran it again and it was turned off after just over an hour. Now any respectable boater knows that you do NOT run your engine or generator after 8 pm. This obviously does not seem to apply to some people, because the boater moored opposite us, for the second night running began running his generator at 7 pm and did not turn it off until 10pm. This is so disrespectful to people not just on the other boats, but also to those who live in the houses. What made it worse is this boater is on Permit Holder Moorings. Ok rant over again.

It is now Wednesday and we set off at 9.30 am. First job was to empty the toilet cassette and get rid of rubbish at the Sanitary Station at the BW yard at Marsworth. Next time we are this way, the BW yard may well be no longer, if the planning permission goes through for the 12 dwellings. So I have taken plenty of photos for future reference. We headed for the Marsworth pair of locks and as we got into the lock, it looked like a boat was ready to leave the moorings behind us. So I shouted to them "Were they coming down". I got a wave of arms and a gentleman said "No we are not". We then preceeded to go down through the first lock, and I went and set the second lock. As we got into the second lock, the boat that had said they were not coming down, were setting the top lock for themselves. So it was obvious they were coming down after all. We decided to wait for them in the second lock and they came in alongside us. They told us that they did not think they would be ready to share the top lock with us and that is why they said they were not coming down. I said to the woman "Well we are in no hurry and would have been happy to have waited. It is much better to share the locks, so that we can save water".Anyway we shared the lock and they then went ahead to set the Swing Bridge. Just as we were coming out of the Bottom of the Marsworth Pair, Roger on Turnothworld was approaching. Turnothworld is a copy of a Bridgewater Tug and it was built by Roger Fuller in 1998. She looked lovely having just been repainted. We exchanged a quick conversation with Roger and his wife, before we both went on our way. The boat we were travelling with had done the Swing Bridge and we followed them through. They then said " There was a single boat going down the Seabrook Locks would you like to share with them", so I said "yep that is fine, we will go on then". As we came through the Swing Bridge another boat was coming at speed from the opposite direction and unfortunately there was a collision as we passed them, which was not our fault, they should have slowed down. It turned out that the single boat going down was a day boat from Pitstone with a group of adults onboard. I offered advice on doing the locks as we went down the two locks, which I think was welcomed. We are now moored below the second of the Seabrook Locks and the day boat went off on their day trip.

After some lunch Keith and I enjoyed a nice stroll along the towpath and back. Had fabulous views of the Chilterns. Watched the House Martin's dart in and out of their nests on Seabrook Lock Cottage and saw a pair of Kestrel's attacking a Buzzard, that was obviously to close for comfort for the Kestrel's liking. You see such wonderous things on the cut. That is why I love this life and everything it offers, including our very good friends.

With the TV ariel up and a good signal, we are going to settle in for the evening.

Steps done today 6771.

Giggles and Plumbing Excitement.

Hi Everyone.

Before I begin on today's post, I just have to tell you about yesterday afternoon and evening. During the afternoon, we were hailed by a voice which sounded familiar. I looked out of the galley doors and saw NB Valerie with Les and Sue onboard. I had been a good while since we had seen Les, so it was wonderful to catch up with him as he waited to enter the lock with another boat. Les has had a tough year, and has clearly struggled through this year to get moving. We exchanged news and wished him well as he went on his way. Happy cruising Les and here's hoping your year improves.

8.30 pm and dusk was already beginning to fall. Oh heck Winter is someing. Anyway I heard the roar of a boat engine and saw a boat coming along side us to use the lock. I got up to see if it was anyone we knew, which it was not. There was then voices shouting from another moored boat, asking this couple on the move, where they had been. The reply was " We got lost on the map and have come the wrong way, so we are going up this lock and then mooring up, because we have had enough". I just stood in the galley and giggled.

How on earth can you get lost on the canal?

Which map were these people reading?

You see and hear it all on the canal that is certain.

So here we are, it is now Tuesday and a bit overcast. It looks like we had some rain during the night. My morning began at 7 am with a cup of tea in bed which was very welcome. It is a real luxury for us to be able to sit in bed and drink a morning cuppa. When we lived in the house we rarely did it. Still our lives were a little more rushed in those days.

Paddy and I took a walk down the Aylesbury Arm and met a boat just beginning down the locks. The first locks down are staircase locks. I offered to close the gate as the boat descended into the second of the staircase, which was accepted. I then carried on with our walk down to the fourth lock and then began walking back to the boat. I on the boat coming down it had Market Harborough sign written on the boat, so I was interested to know if the couple were from Market Harborough. It turned out they were not, they had bought the boat secondhand and had not been afloat for long. The Aylesbury Arm was certainly not lacking in water. Water was flowing over the gates and into a field on the offside. I then discovered from the gentleman on the boat, that he had left a bottom paddle open on the lock above because the lock was flooding. I explained to him, that if he does that, he will drain the pound above, which will flood the pound he is in and this will therefore flood into the field. I could see I was not really making any sense to him, as he was new to this. So I told him that he should not leave any paddles open unless advised to by a BW notice on the lock, because he could end up draining pounds and flooding areas. I am still unsure if he really understood what I was saying. But this is happening more and more. People are coming on to the Waterway's and do not have a clue on what they are doing. When people buy boats they really need more education about the waterway's before they embark on their new life. Just my opinion.

Back onboard and breakfast dealt with. We set about sorting out our plumbing job. Keith wanted to put in some stop cocks in the engine room for the back boiler pipework off the saloon stove. We had bought all the bits at Cowroast Chandlery a few days previous. We dismantled the shelving in the engine room and he set about adding new stop cocks. That went fairly easily, which is amazing, because normally when we do any work on the boat, it always takes far longer than it should. Keith also put a stop cock in the galley cupboard for the pump which pumps the water from the back boiler to the radiator in the bathroom. I filled the system with water and Keith checked for leaks and nothing was found phew it is a miracle to behold.

After some lunch, we took off for a walk around the village of Marsworth. The village name is Anglo Saxon in origin, Mæssanwyrth, and means 'Mæssa's enclosure', it is a very pretty little village. Marsworth is located at the Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire border, about seven miles east from Aylesbury, Marsworth village sits at the junction of the Grand Union Canal and and its Aylesbury Arm. The village can be dated back to 970, before the Domesday book started, and one of its oldest buildings is All Saints Church, which is delightful. There are also some very pretty cottages to be seen as well. Having seen the village we walked back down to the canal and past the British Waterway's yard, which we have used for the Sanitary Station on occasions. We were heading for the Aylesbury Arm.We noticed that on a post was planning permission for 12 dwellings to be built on the site and conversion of the old workshop. The boaters facilities are going to be upgraded as well which is good news.
From what I understand there was planning put in back in 2009 for 14 dwellings, so this must be a revised application, after there was uproar over the original plans. It will be sad to see another British Waterway's yard go. As boaters we can but hope that the people who move into the homes, love the canal and its heritage. Having read all about the plans for the BW yard we made our way on to the Aylesbury Arm and walked down a few locks to some lovely open countryside. There was a pair of Buzzards flying overhead calling to each other and the sound of water pouring through lock gates. It was very tranquil. Unfortunately for us, our boat is a little to deep in the water to get down there at the moment, so we will have to save the 16 lock trip for another day. It does look very pretty though and I would love to do it, just so I can say I have.

Now there was I saying all went well with our plumbing work, I just knew I spoke to soon, because as I sat typing this posting, Keith jumped to his feet and said "What the hell is that". There was smoke in the engine room. He immediately switched off the generator which had been running for about half and hour. We were running early, because we have people moored behind us and we want to be anti-social. With the generator switched off, we stripped down the shelving again and found that a pipe had come apart, so there was no water in the skin tank cooling the system. At least it was an easy problem to solve. So we have just reconnected the pipe and filled the system up with water and all is now running again after I bled the cooling tank under the bed. Oh what a day of great excitement. I think I need a stiff drink now.

Special gentle hugs to Heth from NB Takey Tezey who has been in hospital after a fall on their boat. Lots of TLC needed. Take things easy Heth xxxxxxxxxx

Fly Tippers and Ice Cream.

Hi Friends.

Despite doom and gloom forecasts by the weather people, the rain turned into nothing today. I wa expecting to wake up this morning to puddles and lots of rain, but instead it was sunny with a breeze. Up and about the hounds walk came first on the agenda, as he would be crossing his legs if I wasted anymore time. So with lead on we set off up the towpath and then down into a field Keith had found during Pad's evening walk. One of the first things that I saw was this bed matteress. No this was not left by anyone driving by, because it was alongside the canal and no road insight. This was left by a very naughty boater, who should be completely ashamed of themselves. Why on earth could they not take it to a refuse point. Now the farm of this Wheat field will have to clear this away, which is not very nice.

Pad had his nose in the ground and came across this skull from an animal. I do not know what sort of animal, but it had been dead a long time. What ever it was had some good teeth.

Walk over and done with and breakfast polished off, we readied the boat to set off for the Marsworth flight, which begins at Bulbourne and ends at Marsworth, with 7 locks in the flight. We arrived at Bulbourne and the old BW workshops, which are I think are very beautiful. As you approach the top lock, you have the Wendover Arm to your left. We have been up there by boat once, but it was to shallow and I almost had to get off and push the boat. With no boats to share the lock we set off down the first of the flight, which winds its way down the hill. At lock 4 we met NB 'Let It Be', who were coming up with a widebeam behind them. One thing was certain there was no lack of water this morning, even though the reservoir was a little low we found out later. Water was pouring over the lock gates nearly all the way down the flight. There are some lovely views as you make your way down the flight. You can look out over the reservoir and see some stunning countryside. Because all of the locks are pretty close together, I walked between each lock and kept an eye open for any boats that maybe coming in the opposite direction, just in case the locks were already set for them. There is nothing nicer than a brisk walk on a sunny day. As we approached the last lock, a boat was coming out of the chamber, leaving it for us to enter, which was very nice of them. Keith had spoken to a lady on NB Helena and she wanted to share the lock with us after she had winded in the pound, which was fine. So we sat in the lock and waited whilst Molly winded her boat. It took some doing, because firstly it was a tight squeeze and secondly she got her stern fenders jammed against the piling, but a gentleman grabbed her bow rope and between them they managed to turn her around in the direction of the mouth of the lock. These things always happen, when lots of people are watching, which was the case. Molly apologised for holding us up. I told her it was not a problem, as we are not in any hurry at all. We are not on the Waterways to be in any sort of hurry. If we wanted to race from place to place, we would be on the motorway. With her boat safely in the lock we decended down and found a mooring behind her on the 14 day moorings. Now the last time we were this way, we ate at the White Lion, which had been turned into a posh pub. I remember it well, because they had just opened and were are sixes and sevens. We had Spagetti and Meatballs, which were ok, but not worth the money we paid for them. Later we were told we should have eaten at the Anglers Retreat. So Keith went to see if the Anglers Retreat was doing food, whilst I sorted things out on the boat. Lunch was definitely on, so we locked the boat up and took the short walk to the pub, which is really very sweet and much more our style. We both had the Chicken Saag Curry with Rice and Naan Bread, which was very nice for £6.25 each. The beer and the atmosphere was good as well. Infact we had some free entertainment courtesy of the female chef. From looking and listening to what was being said, we gathered that not only was she catering for the pub lunches, she was also doing a buffet for someone and she was not amused at how things were going. To say that some of the language was colourful was an understatement, but it did make for some cheap entertainment. The pub was very busy for lunches, which I can imagine happens a lot. I reckon by the end of the day, she will be frazzled. After lunch we walked up on to the reservior, to check out the water level. It was down 4 to 5 feet, so there has clearly been a drain on this source of water. When we came up over a month ago, it was full up. It just goes to show how much we need rain. At the lock there is Bluebells Tearoom, and they do Ice Cream as well, which I have been told is very good, so on the way back to the boat, I bought up both a Mint Choc Chip Ice Cream. I can tell you it was fantastic. Normally when we come this way the tearoom is always closed. It was our lucky day today to find it open. It probbably also has something to do with the fact that it is the school holidays.

Thunderstorms and Wind.

Hi Folks.

Over the past few days, we have been told that we are going to get rain and more rain, which would be lovely, because we certainly need water to keep the system full. Having moored up yesterday, the storm clouds were gathering in the distance and were blowing our way. Within an hour, there was a huge clap of thunder and the heavens opened. I thought whoopie here comes the rain, and about time too.

We had three huge claps of thunder and the rain absolutely hammered down. The surface of the water, looked like it was boiling or the rain drops were dancing. Having had so much dry weather, it was wonderful to see the rain falling, but it was short lived, because it seemed no sooner it was raining, it then stopped and the sun came out. It was more like an April shower. So rain over and done with for the night, the wind really got up, it was blowing a hooley all night. But we had a great TV reception so we were not bothered.
I was awake at 6am, this was mainly due to the fact that my shoulder was non to happy. I had been lying on it, which did not help. It did not bode well for the day. I got up and did my shoulder exercises, to help relieve the pain, so was hoping that it would be ok for the locks, I was going to have to do today. After breakfast we set off from the mooring, and up the Marsworth Flight. The wind was blowing a hooley across some parts of the cut, which made for a difficult morning. We were on our own, there was nothing much else moving. This was probably due to the wind. I am not bothered what weather I move in. It is all apart of boating, you just get on with it. The Tring Reservoir alongside the flight was full, which was good. Because all's I have been hearing, is the fact that the reservoirs are either very low or empty. We arrived at the top of the Marsworth Flight and there were two boats ready to come down, so we left the gates open and made our way past the dry dock, where there were a couple of old wooden working boats waiting to be worked on. The Bulbourne moorings were very quiet. It looks like the continual moorers who were there for ages have been moved on. There were a couple of boats moored up, one of them a shed on water, which had no licence and looked like it was only just floating. We decided as it was only 10.45am, we would carry on to near Cowroast. We are now moored at Beggars Lane Wharf on the Tring cutting, having done 4.3miles 9 locks in 3hrs 10mins.
The shoulder is not to bad now. I am going to put some ice on it later, to see if that helps. Right now it is time for some lunch and then I may actually clean the brass in the back cabin. There is no point in doing the outside brass work, because the weather is so unpredictable at the moment. But I can do the brass in the back cabin, which goes dull after a few days due to the moisture in the air. I am a lover of clean, shiny brass. I have put the ariel up and we have some sort of a signal. It will do for the news and weather.

I told you yesterday that our DVD player had died, well I am pleased to say it is alive and kicking. Last night I thought I would try it out, to see if it was dead or not and low and behold it worked. I deduced that because we had DVD's behind the TV, which is on a swinging wall bracket, air could not circulate around the TV, this meant the DVD player over heated, and therefore stopped working. Having cooked down, it now works again and I have removed the DVD's and books from behind the TV. Money has been saved, which is always a good thing. If the TV is not much good this evening, we will be watching a DVD I reckon.