Welford Junction to the Wharf at Welford.

Hello Friends.

I had another early wake up call this morning, Marmite was laying on my feet at 6am. I think she was trying to tell me she had no food in her dish, either that or she just wanted some where warm to sleep, because it was chilly in the cabin this morning, because the fire was on its way out. Whilst Keith got up to visit the smallest room, I raked out the fire and tried to breath some life into it, which was successful. As I was up, I put the kettle on for a warming cuppa, which we drank in bed, whilst we listened to the silence outside, before setttling back down beneath the duvet for another few minutes which turned into an hour. When I woke up for the second time, it was raining outside, which had been forecast and was welcome. The ice was still on the canal when I took Paddy out for his walk, despite the brief spell of rain. As Paddy and I walked along the towpath, I picked up sticks for the back stove fire. Paddy got rather excited when a young Heron flew up the canal. His excitement was echoed by me, because we do not see Heron's up here and this was the first one we have seen on the Leicester Line in three years. It was a youngster and is probably trying to find itself a territory. It is certainly welcome to stay up here with us.
When we left the mooring the ice was still about 1" thick from the moorings to the junction, but once into the Welford arm it thinned to about 1/4" and helpfully someone had travelled between the 2 winding points so had cleared most of the ice, which helped with the winding, which we had thought we wouldn't be able to do if it was icy. We are ready for our coal delivery in the morning from Hills the Coal Merchants, bright and early no doubt, but we will have to be up earlier, to move the boat over to the delivery point and to get the hold ready. I already have orders for coal in the morning, so once the delivery of 4.5 tonne has been stowed away in the hold, we will then deliver coal to our customers, one of which is new to us. All new customers are very welcome, especially in the Welford Arm.
As we came down the Welford Arm and approached the lock, who should we see but Jackie and Ray off of NB Roehaise, with Tess their dog. They very kindly opened the lock gates for me so I offered to make them a cuppa for their trouble. They had walked down the arm to check on the availability of a mooring on the towpath, they did not have to worry because there was plenty of room. Once we had moored up, I made us all a cuppa of tea and coffee. We then got down to some nattering about all things boating.
We are now settled in for the evening and have just enjoyed the last of the Sausage Casserole and Rubarb Crumble. I am looking forward to an early night, because of the early morning tomorrow, so I will bid you a good night now.

Chat soon xx

Full to the brim.

Hi Folks.

It has been a very busy day for me. Last night having moored up at Welford, we went to the Wharf Inn for dinner. We were seriously laccking on the TV front, so we could not watch 'I'm a celebrity' last night grrrrr.
Our morning began early. I had set the alarm clock for 6.30am, but was actually awake at 5.30am. I lay in bed till 6am, and then thought I should get up and organise myself, because we were expecting a coal delivery from Hills Coal Merchants. Having got dressed, Paddy got walked first as I had a list of things to do before our coal arrived. For breakfast I made us some Porridge, which would see us through the morning. I was going to need every ounce of energy I could muster. As Keith got himself sorted out, I rolled up the holds sheeting and lowered the side sheets a bit more to make loading easier. Having swept the hold we then moved the boat on to the water point. Whilst we waited for our coal delivery to arrive, we filled up our water tank, emptied the toilet cassette and got rid of rubbish.
8.30am Chris arrived with our 6 tonne of coal, he parked up along side the boat and began unloading the coal. Chris handed the 25kg bags to me, I then stacked the 240 bags in the hold, filling every available space. I have a good system when stacking the bags, so it only took us an hour to get the job done. Our boat is now sitting nice and low in the water. Keith was not allowed to stack the coal today, as his back is still a little on the delicate side, so I did not want him aggrevating it.
Chris went on his way and we winded the boat before heading towards Foxton. Along the way we dropped off ordered coal, and dropped off coal to new customers.

The weather was really quite nice. Despite being cold we had sunny periods and no wind at all, so neither of us felt very cold, but I still made lots of coffee to keep the chill out. For lunch we had hot Sausage Rolls and Mince Pies to warm the bodies core.

We are now moored at the top of Foxton Locks and we are everso slightly shattered now that we have stopped. After a pasta dinner, I was so pleased to get into a nice hot shower, which eased any aches I had.

We have a fantastic TV signal here, so going to enjoy watching the tele tonight.

Life on the wild side.

Good afternoon friends.

Having spent yesterday moving from Crick to Welford Junction in driving rain and gale force winds, it was so nice to be moored up and cosy inside the boat. The only downfall to a wonderful evening was the smoke blowing back down the chimney on both stoves. I could have smoked Herrings in our back cabin last night, it was so smokey. Even though I made the stove up for the night and covered it in sticks and ash, the smoke still came into the cabin, because the wind was blowing it back down the chimney. Just as we were about to settle down in bed, Keith began coughing, so he got up again. I was so tired I decided to grin and bear it and I was soon fast asleep.
This morning we woke up to a dry but once again the wind was blowing. Just as well the rain had stopped, because our Donkey jackets were still a little damp, so I would have to wear another jacket, keith braved his Donkey jacket, but he does stand close to the stove, so would be nice and warm when we set off. Neither Marmite or Paddy seemed that keen to get out of bed. Normally Marmite would be on the bed meowing at us to get up, but this morning she was in her bed curled up. As we rolled the bed up and shut the cupboard door, they both came and greeted us. Paddy rolled on to his back across the cabin, hoping that he could get a tummy rub before he had to have his walk.
Paddy's walk and breakfast done, we set off from the Welford junction mooring and up the Welford Arm to deliver coal to a customer. We then winded and returned back to the main line. I made us a coffee and put some sausage rolls in the cabin stove to warm. There is nothing nicer than a warm pastie or sausage roll when on the move on a cold, windy day. We were now heading towards Foxton and this ment cruising through Husbands Bosworth Tunnel, as we approached the tunnel a Kingfisher flew in front of us and entered the tunnel, I am not sure if it flew all the way through, or turned around when it realised it was heading into a dark place. We saw three Kingfishers on our jaunt, none of them would have been catching many fish because the water was a muddy brown colour, meaning they would not be able to see the fish. With all the rain we had yesterday, it has washed the mud off of the fields. Joy of joys it was not raining yet and we even enjoyed the occasional sunny spell, but the skies were turning into black clouds as we cruised on, so we decided to moor up near Bridge 51. We have a lovely view from the galley window, a reasonable TV and Internet signal, so we will enjoy a comfortable evening. The winds have got up again and we have just had some rain, so I am glad we stopped for the day. I now have to decide what to do for dinner tonight. Oh decisions, decisions.
Marmite has is trying to get a feather out from underneath the fridge. For some strange reason, she loves to push her feathers under there, and then she spends ages trying to get them out. Usually once a month I have to fish them out for her, as they do tend to breed under there. Paddy is curled up in his bed close to the fire, he certainly knows when he is well off. Keith is playing on his Nintendo DS and I am about to turn the computer off and get on with some boat chores. A woman's work is never done.

They always comes in Three's.

Hi Friends.

The title of this posting will be come apparent as you read on.
It all began after we moored up for the night last night. As you know after a hard days work, you want nothing more but to enjoy an evening of relaxation, a nice meal and a good hot shower. One out of three was what I got last night. I had a nice dinner and did relax in front of the TV, but the shower was anything but hot. There was I all prepared for my hot shower to relax the tired muscles from humping coal around, but as I turned on the tap alls I got was an icy cold blast of cold water. No amount of fiddling with the temperature tap made the slightest bit of difference. Keith even played with the tap, but there was no sign of hot water, so it looks like the thermostat has broken grrr. I had to settle for a good wash down and my Pj's. The sunset last night was something to behold it looked very moody, just like me after a cold shower.This morning we were awake with the Larks, not that I could hear the Larks over the road noise coming from the M1. I had been awake on and off throughout the night, and the sound of the road was never quiet, it just roared all night, like some angry monster. So at 6am I made a cuppa and sat in bed still listening to the traffic speeding a long the M1. We are not going to moor in the same place next time, we think we have found a quieter place, which we can get in.
We set off at 8.50am and the first sight of the morning was a Shepherd and his pair of sheep dogs rounding up the flock. It was a sight to behold seeing the dogs working to bring in the flock. The farmer never once leaving his landrover to shout instructions. I do not think Paddy would be any use at herding sheep, despite the fact that he came from a working farm.
It was a beautiful morning for cruising, and not as cold as it had been on the two previous mornings. The sun was really quite warm on my shoulders. As we had supplied coal to all our customers yesterday, we did not expect to do any trade today, but were pleasantly suprised to have Two new customers today and One regular customer who we did not supply yesterday as they were on the move. I get great joy at meeting new people and hearing their stories of why they came to live on the canal.
Although we have had another longish day today, 6hrs 35mins, it was a lovely autumnal day. Now this is where I come to the second of the three things that always come along together. Soon after we set off Keith noticed the ignition light was on and a quick check showed that the starter alternator belt had broken. Having arrived at Welford Wharf , we sold some coal and then returned back down the arm to the visitor moorings between the marina and Welford lock for the night. Now changing a drive belt should be easy, but no, upon having taken the safety cover off we realised that both of the 2 belts for the domestic alternator and the belt for the remote water pump for the engine had to be taken off first before being able to replace the broken one. Still the procedure was simple enough, and the brand spanking new belt was soon fitted and working. Makes us glad we carry spares for such emergencies, which of course makes them not an emergency, but my worry now is what will the third thing be to go wrong arghhhhhhh. Here is another photograph of a Kingfisher which I took this afternoon. I literally saw it at the last minute because the fish it is trying to eat was flashing in the sunshine. This has to be one of the best photographs of a Kingfisher I have taken. I am now off to make us some dinner and then spend the evening doing very little.

Spring Sunshine all the way.

Hi Friends.

Thursday morning we were awake early and the sun was pouring through the pigeon box portholes. This boded well for the day, as the plan was to head for the Welford Arm, where we would drop off 20 bags of coal to the Wharf Inn. We always supply Alex with coal and more often than not have lunch there as well. Before we could even think about setting off, breakfast had to be sorted and of course the animals needed walking and feeding. God forbid I should forget to feed them, especially Marmite, who makes sure I know in no uncertain terms that she has no food in her bowl. Paddy thankfully is a little more laid back, he usually comes back from his walk and sits in his bed waiting for his biscuits. After all that, I stoked the back stove, so that it would spring into some sort of life and then it was time to depart our over night mooring, which was very peaceful.
It was not long before we met another boat coming towards us at a bridge 'ole. This time it was a Viking Afloat hire boat and they slowed down so that we may go through the bridge 'ole first, which was very nice of them. Immediately behind them was another boat, closely followed by another. As we passed the hire boat we said "Thank you" and went on our way. no sooner the hire boat tried to enter the bridge'ole it got stuck on the mud and this turned into panic as the first following boat bore down on them. Out came the poles, which were not helping the situation. The lady steering the following boat was not holding back, she kept going and was almost touching them before she decided to pull back a little. The poor couple on the hire boat must have been getting very frustrated and yet this woman was doing nothing to help the situation. The 3rd boat then joined in the queue and that was when we went out of sigh. For all I know they are still there now.it was a day of meeting boats at bridge'oles, as we met boat after boat, some who allowed us through and others we slowed down for to allow them through. There were no collisions today.The British Waterway's contractors were out in force cutting the grass and strimming the edges. It looked like they were following us along the canal. The smell of newly mown grass filled the air and with the birds singing, one could have been forgiven for thinking it was Spring.The local farmers had also been out and trimmed the hedges around their fields. One farmer looks like he got over excited with his hedge cutter, because the hedge cutter has tried to trim the British Waterways Winding Hole Sign.
As we made our way towards the Welford Arm, we were hailed by a boater who wanted some coal. So we pulled in, in front of them and supplied them with what they needed. Come lunchtime we turned into the Welford Arm and made our way down through the single lock. I then left Keith on the 14 day moorings, whilst I walked down to the end to see if there was any moorings available. One boat was winding and the wharf moorings were empty, which took me by surprise, because normally we cannot get in anywhere near the wharf and have to unload our coal on the water point. I called Keith on my phone, allowing it to ring a few times, this was our signal to say come ahead. He winded the boat and we moored up. Having locked up the boat, our first port of call was the Wharf Inn for lunch and a pint, which was very welcome. For some reason I fancied Fish and Chips. I enjoyed a lovely piece of Haddock with Chips and Keith had a Curry, all cooked by Darren . Lunch consumed we then unloaded the coal ordered by the pub. We loaded up their trolley and then then our sack barrow, which only made it to the car park, before it blew a tyre grrrrrrrrrrr. This is not what we need at this time of the year. On closer inspection, the other tyre is not looking good either. This trolley is not even a year old and so I am not best pleased.
We have had a fantastic day, selling coal and meeting new people, who will hopefully remain customers over this coming Winter.

Welford to Foxton.

Hello Dear Readers.

I would firstly like to say thank you anyone who pops in from time to time to read my ramblings. I do try to make them as interesting as possible.

The weekend begins here as it is Friday and the weather must have had that Friday feeling, because as I opened the cabin door this morning, the fog greeted me. Before we set off from the Welford Arm this morning, we had to take on some water, empty a cassette and get rid of rubbish. So after breakfast and our first cuppa of the day, we pulled the boat over the water point, just as we were mooring up an other boat pulled in front of us. Now the water point has two taps on one post and we both connected up our hoses to fill our tanks, but the water pressure was so slow, with us both using it, we disconnected and tried the tap on the sanitary station, which greatly improved things. Whilst the tank was filling, I prepared a Chicken to go in the back cabin oven, so it will be nicely cooked by the time dinner comes around this evening. The other boat which had taken on water winded and left in front of us. They were already going down in the lock as we approached it. We left the Welford Arm at 10.45am and set off towards Foxton. The fog was getting thicker and the temperature was on the cold side. Even in Husbands Bosworth Tunnel it was foggy. So much so that we could not see the exit portal until we were 300 metres from it. Our boat was pushing the fog through the tunnel, it was fun to watch. The only boats we saw this morning were the hire boats from Market Harborough, it looked like all the private boats stayed moored up due to the weather. Even the wildlife were in hiding. At Bridge 49 near Lodge Farm we always see this old Collie. He seems to patrol the towpath between bridges 49 and 50. Maybe he has taken retirement from herding and now thinks he should herd the boats instead.
We arrived at our destination having travelled 8.6 miles in 3 hours 39 minutes and I only worked 1 lock. We moored next to Gumley Road Bridge No.60, just above Foxton top lock. The moorings look full up in front of us. The Chicken in the back cabin stove is cooking nicely and there is a lovely smell coming from the back cabin. The passers-by will be made to feel very hungry as they walk past our boat. Having been followed by the grass cutters yesterday, I reckon most of the mown grass is inside our boat, so I need to get the broom out. Even Paddy has been bring it in on his paws. On saying that, it is nice to see the towpaths and edges cut properly. The contractors have done a good job this year.

Has anyone seen this boat about on the system?This Canal boat has an airlock for doors, a periscope that goes up and down, but isn't quite finished yet, and 360-degree video monitors that enable it to be steered from inside. It has sonar and radar systems, infra-red lighting and storage for dummy torpedoes where the sleeping quarters are. It is certainly going to grab the headlines.

Kingfisher and Dragonflies.

Hi Folks.

We have had a really lovely mornings cruise from Foxton top lock, up the Welford arm, winded, and returned to the moorings by Welford Junction to be in the sunshine.
Our morning began at a sedate pace this morning, after a great nights sleep. I think I slept better last night than I have for a few weeks. Once up and about, I put the kettle on, laid up the breakfast and then took Paddy for his walk in beautiful sunshine. It was so warm that the Dragonflies were darting and hovering over the canal as we walked along the towpath. I do not suppose they will be around for much longer as the frost creeps in.
We had a later start than normal, with the ropes being unlashed at 9.20am. Off into the wide blue yonder we headed and a lovely time was had. A Kingfisher flew in front of us, gliding over the water, its plummage glistening in the sunshine.

There is already evidence that Autumn is knocking on the door. Tomorrow is the first day of Autumn and some of the leaves on the Horse Chestnut trees are already changing colour, from Greens into Autumnal tones. There were a few boats on the move, many of them hire boats from Market Harborough heading back from their holiday's. We did also meet a couple of private boats on the move as well, they are probably on their hols as well and will be heading for their marina moorings for the Winter. We adore the Winter months cruising on the cut, because it is so quiet. Some days we have it all to ourselves.

I got to wear my new ear defenders for the first time as we cruised through Husbands Bosworth Tunnel. They are absolutely excellent, I could hardly hear a thing. I have tried wearing the ear plugs you put in your ears, but I find them painful and they never fit properly, so I invested in a proper pair of ear defenders. All's I need now is a yellow hat and a high vis jacket LOL. We have to wear some ear defence when we go through the tunnels because our boats engine is a little noisy.
We arrived at Welford Junction and headed down the Welford Arm. There were no moorings near the Wharf Inn, so we winded and stopped on the water point, so that I could go and check if the pub needed any coal yet. They have placed an order for October, so we will be back on our return trip from Stoke Bruerne. As the 14 day moorings are under trees and therefore a little dark, we decided to come out of the Welford Arm and moor up on the junction moorings, where it is lovely and sunny. It has been such a pleasant days cruising. I got chatting to some ladies who were on one of the Market Harborough hire boats. I enquired if they were having a lovely time and was told that they were, but they were also finding it a little scary. My reply to this was "Everyone should scare themselves at least once a day, it is what keeps us alive" This got a laugh, but I think it made them feel a little more at ease. My suggestion was they just relaxed and enjoyed the rest of their time out.

The afternoon was really lovely. We got out our chairs and sat out and enjoyed what was left of the afternoon warmth. We also sold some coal to a lovely couple who have a mooring on the Leicester Arm, we hope to see them again throughout the Winter. This is one of the wonderful things about living on the canal, you get to meet some fantastic people. yet as we discussed, if we living in a house we would probably never speak to them in the street, which I do find rather sad. I should however say, before you all go out and buy a boat. It is not the life for everyone, because it is hard work. People get blinded by the scenery and the TV programs glamourising the canals and boats. You do have to be prepared to work very hard some days, especially in the Winter. I will write a piece on the downsides of being a boater at some point. So the afternoon has now given way to the evening and it is 7.20pm and already getting dark arghhhhh. We do have a good TV signal, so we will be sat inside, nice and cosy watching what ever is on. I look forward to a brand new day and brand new challenges.