Staffordshire Canal Watch.

Staffordshire Police have set up canal watch, which has been set up on Facebook.
Maybe other police forces will take up this great idea in the future.

Speed Bumps get given the hump.

Speed Bumps have been installed on the Regents Canal in Islington and it seems they are not having the desired affect. (to see write up click on Speed Bumps).
Whilst the concept is a fantastic idea, because we struggle with speeding cyclist all the time, this is not going to help the disabled or people using mobility scooters, mind you I have seen some of them going at a fair lick as well. Someone needs to come up with a better idea. I wonder how much they cost to install, and why was there no consultation????

A busy old day.

Hi Folks.

Nothing to heavy for tonight's posting, because I am ever so slightly cream crackered. To say it was a busy old day is an Understatement. After all the usual morning stuff, Keith and I set off to help with the Foxton Festival site. The first noise we heard was the jack hammer working hard knocking in the pins for the marquee.

Just as well they had ear defenders, because it was incredibly loud.

 

One of my first jobs this morning was to help mark out where the outside stalls were to go. Whilst I did this Keith helped unload the chairs from the lorry, move fire extinguishers, and a few odd jobs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We both then set off with Ann to and a couple of other volunteers to put up a tent for the scouts who will be doing the car parking.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With the craft marquee going up and nothing much to do, lunchtime was called early, so we came back to the boat for a well deserved sit down and something to eat. I was parched because we had not had a drink since breakfast. Half an hour later we were back on the festival site and things really swung into action with the crafts marquee completed enough for us to start moving tables and chairs inside for the stall holders.

With quite a huge task ahead, we got on with moving  just over 60 tables and 120 chairs, but everyone knuckled down and we soon had it all set out ready for the arriving stall holders.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ann and I then thought it would be an idea if the remaining tables and chairs went to the beer tent, which we did using Ann's van and to save her having to stop what she was doing, which was organise the whole event, Keith volunteered to drive it for her. With the last few tables moved Keith now felt completely pooped, so he returned to the boat to feed dog and cat. I stayed on to help Ann out is by helping direct stall holders to their allocated spots, because Ann was looking frazzled. I have absolutely no doubt that Keith and I will be sleeping very soundly tonight. We want to be up bright and fresh for tomorrow as we have a lot of setting up to do of our own on the boat, all being well.

We just hope the weather is going to stay reasonably dry for the weekend, the weather forecast is saying a possibility of showers early in the morning tomorrow, so hopefully they will be few and far between, as I would like to set up our stall on the roof of the boat. So keep your fingers crossed.

Chat soon as I need to wind down before bed and get my feet up. xx

A good time had.

Hi Folks.

It has been a fantastic day, what with summer returning and friends coming to visit.

After a chilly start to the day, I decided to light the back cabin stove again. How did I know it was a chilly start, well Keith got up and made us a cuppa and when he got back into bed he was freezing, so the stove had to be lit.

On getting up Paddy was walked and a quick tidy up was done on board, as we were expecting friends Jackie and Ray, who used to own NB Roehaise. I am not a spick and span person, but I do like things to look tidy when people come on board. So whilst I swept the boat through, Keith tidied things away. With everything tidy, I then cooked meatballs for a spagbol, which went into the back cabin stove for dinner. Just after 11am whilst standing out on the bank, I spotted Jackie and Ray waving at me from the footbridge. They had bought their chairs with them, so we set up the chairs on the towpath, I made us all a drink and we settled down for a good old chinwag. Both Jackie and Ray are missing their boat, so were chuffed to be able to come and stand on ours and get the feel for the water and the peace and quiet again. Before we knew it, my watch was showing 1.30pm, so we thought we should go and have some lunch at The Foxton Locks Inn, where we enjoyed lunch, a drink and more nattering. So much to catch up on and so little time it seemed.

After a lovely lunch, we walked back up the locks, stopping at the museum for a sit down and yet more nattering. This was a great way to spend a day. All to soon it was time for Jackie and Ray to head home to Tess their dog. It was fantastic seeing them again. I have offered them a day out on the boat with us, should they still continue to get withdrawl symptoms. They are welcome to come and see us anytime if we are in the area.

The spagbol meatballs are cooked, but we will have them for dinner tomorrow night. It is now time to put my feet up before doing something simple for dinner. Keith will walk Paddy and it will be time to settle down for the evening. Whilst typing this I am devouring Choc Mint Fudge from The Fudge Boat mmmmmm yummy. Off now.

Chat soon xx

Quote of the Day.

We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have.~~ Frederick Keonig

Festival site.

Hi Folks.

Foxton Festival site is taking shape. Yesterday afternoon, I went out with my camera and saw that the large Marque was going up. Caravans and wagons were arriving as well.

This morning whilst out walking Paddy, I thought I would take another look. The Marque is now up and the Gallopers have arrived yayyyyy.

Other tents appear to be going up, so today could and should be a very busy day. We have offered our services tomorrow, so what's the better it will be wet hahahaha.

Boats have been arriving, although not many are expected to come due to the restrictions on Foxton Locks, but I am sure the atmosphere will still be fantastic. Getting quite excited about the coming weekend and looking forward to setting up shop.

Chat later xx

Taking the plunge

So you have watched all the canal programs and seen boats floating along the canal and now you fancy living the lifestyle. Before you do why not read Peter Underwood's Six part series before you spend your hard earned money.


http://www.norburywharfltd.co.uk/new_page_3.htm


Life afloat is not for everyone, so be very sure about what your committing yourself to before you take the plunge.

Signs.

Hi Folks.

Look away now if your do not want to read a rant.....

Oh you stayed that must mean you are happy to continue reading or you just want to know why I am having a rant. What ever the case here goes.

Love them or hate them signs of all sorts are a part of our every day life and are put up for a reason, whether it be for direction, safety or to advertise, so why oh why does it seem that  the majority of people choose to ignore the the ones that are for their safety, they would not ignore ones which directed them to their destination, or were selling items?

Where we are moored there are a lot of signs very visible to everyone and yet whilst here I have watched people completely ignoring them.

No Fishing means exactly that and yet two men were fishing for Pike.

If your dog does what your dog has to do, then flippin use the bin, you cannot miss them on site they are bright Red and have Dog Waste Only on them and yet this morning someone allowed their dog to mess near the boat.

Still on the dog theme. You are supposed to keep your dog on a lead at all times, the sign is self explanatory but every day I see dogs off leads. I have bravely spoken to some dog owners, who have neglected to put their dog or dogs on leads, you may have read my post from the other day Today's Visitor. I am always polite when I ask a dog owner why their dog is not on a lead, I wish the dog owners were as polite with their replies. Goodness only knows how the lock keepers and BW staff put up with such behaviour day in, day out. It is after all for their dogs safety, especially after a dog died here a few weeks ago. I have even told the story to these dog owners and they really do not seem bothered. They would not feel the same if their dog died of drowning. When they ask for dogs to be on leads at all times, this also means when they get off of boats. A number of dog owners on boats, are just letting their dogs jump off of their boats and run amuck which is not on at all.

The other very important sign is No Cycling, this is not only for the safety of walkers and BW staff on the towpath, it is also for the safety of the cyclist. This summer a lone there have been a couple of cyclists who have fallen in because of not adhering to the signs or the advice from BW staff. BW staff always politely ask people to dismount from their bikes, but some choose to ignore the advice, which means they are not just putting themselves in danger, they could cause a serious accident.

At the end of the day we all must make the choice as to whether we obey signs, which are put up for our benefit, if we choose to ignore them or the advice of others, we should not moan when things go horribly wrong or someone comes along and sues us for compensation, because we were asked nicely. I personally always stick to what signs ask me to do and if there has been an occasion when I have missed a sign and have been asked to do something, I have always complied, because it is for my own safety.

Ok that is my Wednesday rant over with.

Sorry if my rant was not very interesting, but to me it is important.

Chat soon xx