Paddy Update.

Dear Friends and Followers.

Paddy update. He was happy to oblige me with a urine sample this morning, which I then took to the vets. They rang me this afternoon to let us know that despite the blood test saying there was an issue. Nothing wrong could be found in his urine sample, so the guessing game continues. The vet thought we should keep an eye on him and see how he does. If he continues to be poorly then to take him back. Maybe it is all due to the hot weather or maybe there is something else going on. We have moved his food and water up onto a foot stall to see if he is happier eating off that and we will just watch him.

Poorly Boy.

Dear Friends and Followers.

It has been another cracking day on the whole. We began our morning at 7 am with the morning brew and a dose of BBC1 news. It is so hard to fine any positives in the news these days and as I do not do politics on my blog I will leave it there.
Up and about at 8 am. Paddy was not for stirring, but Marmite was adamant that she should be fed before anything else. I did make her wait though, she is not the one who rules our boat, even though she thinks she does. Paddy always gets his walk first thing, so he can do what he has too. Over the past few weeks he has not been on his game and it was most definitely noticeable again this morning, so I thought I would take him for his weigh-in and it would give the chance to speak to someone at the vets. 9.30 am we set off on our walk to the vets along the towpath, where there are three Alsatians guarding a horse paddock and buildings. I am always so wary of walking past them, because they really are menacing. Paddy just walks on by without muttering a word. I would take the road route, but first thing in the morning it is a nightmare trying to cross the road. Anyway we made it to the vets without being attacked by the mutts. Paddy got on the scales and he had gone up from 15.7kg to 16.0kg, which is not a lot but at least he had not lost any weight. I spoke to the about Paddy and how we were having problems with him eating and he is just off his game, so she recommended we spoke to the vet and I could see her straight away. At this point I rang Keith, and asked him to bring his wallet to the vets, because any vet appointment is going to leave you poorer. I went into see the vet with Paddy, she ask me what had been happening and I explained how he had been and how we thought it was down to the weather, but he was still not right even though it has cooled down and how he will not eat like normal. She took his temperature and that was fine. His gums were a little pale, but she was not concerned about that. Keith arrived and we sat and talked to the vet about the possibilities and then we decided a blood test would be the thing to do, to see if his Liver and Kidney functions were alright. As we left the vets, she said she would ring us later in the day with the results. We paid the bill for the consultation £42 and the blood test £52 and walked home feeling lighter in the pocket, but needs must for our poorly boy.
We took a slow and steady walk back to the boat, back past the manic mutts again. I said to Keith "If those dogs ever get out, I am going to jump into the canal". I know they are doing a job of work, but they are very un-nerving.

Back home and after a long drink, Paddy retired to his bed for a long snooze. I went and did another two loads of laundry and as I did so it began to drizzle. My thought was "oh fabulous". Thankfully it was short lived and the washing was done and hung out to dry.
The vet rang to say that from the blood tests it looks like Paddy has either got a Kidney infection or his Kidneys are failing. So I have to get some of his urine in the morning, so they can test that. Now we know with Paddy being over 13 years old, he is going to get health issues. Keith and I are both of the same mind when it comes to our animals. Neither of us are prepared to let him suffer or drag out an illness which could ultimately kill him, so we will make a decision depending on the results of the urine test.
I have had many pets throughout my life and none of them have been allowed to suffer. The first pets I had was Suzie the Mongrel and Tibbles the Tabby and White cat. When Suzie passed away, she was buried beneath a bush in the garden. She always snoozed under this bush and it was felt it should be her final resting place. Over the years I had Alsatians, Golden Retriever, Dachounds, Rabbits, Hamsters, Budgies, Finches and Pigeons. The only thing I never had was a pony, which was my ultimate dream, which never came true, but hey there is still time.
My afternoon was taken up with a bit of gardening, our garden is slowly coming together again. We picked all the Raspberries, Blackcurrants and Wild Strawberries, these were had as a pudding. We could really do with some rain, because everything is dry and the canal is lacking depth at the moment. People come up through Cape Locks and either wind and go back down again or they moor up. What they do not do is go up the Hatton flight, so we get some immediate water coming down. What we have to wait for is the overflow to kick in and give us water over night. Hopefully the level will not drop anymore.

Lots to get done.

Dear Friends and Followers.

In case you did not read my previous post, we are back home on our mooring in the Saltisford Arm. Yesterday having gotten home, we did very little, but catch-up with neighbours and friends on visiting boats, so this morning it was full steam ahead with all the jobs. But that was not before an early morning cuppa in bed watching the BBC news. Back to normal I see you thinking and I guess it was back to normal for us for a few days. Once up Paddy got his walk first.

Our old man is feeling his age and we fear he may not be to well at the moment. He has been off his food for well over a week, this we put down to the heat, but even with the heat dropping, he is still struggling with his food and so this morning Keith took to hand feeding him. I fear a visit to vet is coming. Paddy is Thirteen years old now, which equates to Ninety Four and Half years old and has done really well. We will be keeping a close eye on him and I will take him for a weigh-in tomorrow and speak to someone at the vets, to see what they think.

Having sorted Paddy and Marmite out, it was time to get the mountain of washing done.I packed my laundry bag up, gathered the peg bag, keys and money. The laundry was empty, so I filled two of the three machines and set them in motion. Maria our neighbour came in for a chat and of course we managed to put the world to right and then some. Washing done and hung out to dry, it was on to Hoovering and tidying the boat. I then helped Keith in the engine room with some wiring and putting the blanket back on our Calorifier. We then put the shelving back over the generator. By the time all of this was done, it was lunchtime and Wimbledon was on the telebox, with Andy Murray playing, so of course we had to watch him win his first match. I guess we will be in for a couple of weeks of high drama, especially is Murray's hip does play him up. Heather Watson and Johanna Konta also managed to win their first round matches, so the Brits are looking pretty good. Murray match over with, I got the strimmer out and got some strimming and hedge cutting done. The garden always takes a bit of catching up with, when we have been out, even though it was only for a couple of weeks. 

Tomorrow come back for more news.

Bye for now.

Back home.

Dear Friends and Followers.

We spent a wonderful night at Radford Semele. We woke up this morning to sunshine and the sound of Skylarks singing, ducks quacking and the first boats of the morning on the move. Our morning got off to a leisurely start with the first brew and the radio on. It is so nice being out and not having the TV. We did not let go until gone 9 am and our first stop was for me Lidl for my favourite Vintage Cheese, whilst I was doing that Keith was going to Halfords for oil and anti-freeze for the new generator.
I was back to the boat first, so made a cold drink for us both. With Keith trundling back to the boat with his trolley in tow, I was ready and waiting at the engine room door to take his purchases and the trolley. We let go again and our next stop if there was room to moor was Tesco for a bag of toilet rolls. My reasoning was to buy them on our way home, so that Keith did not have to go shopping for them next week. A large bag of toilet rolls would take up the whole of his trolley, leaving little or no room for food. We were in luck, there was room for us on the Tesco mooring, so having secured the boat on our centre line, I nipped into Tesco a bit quick. Within Ten Minutes we were back on the move to Cape Locks. As we approached the locks, Keith thought we had something on the propeller, so before entering the lock we checked to see what was causing our steering issue. On lifting the weed hatch cover, the thing he discovered was an elastic band. Obviously what ever the item was it had come off. By the time we got into the bottom lock at Cape another boat Narrowboat Katherine joined us. They were heading for the Saltisford Arm, where they were leaving her for a few days.

We on the other hand stopped on the moorings opposite The Cape of Good Hope. I suggested we go to the pub for a pint. A pint lead to lunch, which was very good indeed. On that happy note it meant no cooking for me, which is always a welcome thing when it is hot. The plan was to stay on the mooring for the evening and head to our mooring on Monday morning, but as the water level dropped, due to boats using the locks hadar listed more and more, so I rang Ian in the Arm to see if our mooring was empty, which it was so we decided to go home a day early.

It is always lovely to come home. No sooner we had arrived, winded and moored up, neighbours were out catching up on our new generator news. I also got to catch up with friends staying in the Arm. It is a joy to be home for a few days. The garden needs attention whilst we are home. 

Blue Lias to Radford Semele.

Dear Friends and Followers.

Well if you want a good meal and fabulous pint of beer then I can recommend The Blue Lias at Stockton. We had a fabulous meal there last night. I had the Chicken and Mushroom Pie, with fries, Salad and Peas and Keith fancied the Scampi, Chips, Salad and Peas. We even indulged ourselves with a dessert. I had their Cheesecake, which was sublime and Keith had his all time favourite Sticky Toffee Pudding with Custard. Beautiful pub, great food and staff. Interestingly The Blue Lias did not begin as a pub. The inn was originally an 18th century farmhouse. It is said to be haunted by the ghost of a red-haired farm labourer who was killed by the enraged farmer who returned from market one day to find his wife in bed with the red haired farmhand. It first became an inn when the early canal travellers stopped for evening refreshment and overnight stabling for their horses.

This morning we woke to a watery sunshine after overnight rain gave the boat a wash and topped up the canal. The plan had been not to rush off, as we had planned to go not further than Welsh Road Lock. But we left our overnight mooring at 9.10 am following a hire boat from Braunston. They had already descended the first lock by the time we got there, so we did that one on our own. We got to the second lock of the day and there was clearly a problem.

The C&RT guys were working on one of the bottom paddles. The other one was already out of action when we came up, so obviously the other one had also stopped working, so the guys had to come out and get it sorted. They did not hold us up for long, but it also meant we had caught up with the hire boat Wenlock, so we joined them in the lock. They were a lovely group on a 50th Birthday cruise, doing the Warwickshire Ring. 

We had thought of stopping at Welsh Road Lock, but changed our mind when the only deep water mooring was already taken. Plan B was to cruise with Wenlock to Radford Semele.

At Bascote Staircase Locks we did the switch with a boat coming up. I had to explain how it was going to work with three boats and although they did not get the concept they were prepared to go with what I told them of how a chinese puzzle works. Our hire boat crew also enjoyed the way it all worked playing the switch. 

Heading for Radford Semele we passed Chrissy and Paul on Narrowboat Anjuna, who we have known for years. Sadly we did not get much of a chance to have a natter, but it was so lovely to see them again.

Having enjoyed the company of the hire boat Wenlock and her crew we said our "goodbyes" at Radford Semele, which is where we will be for the remainder of the weekend.

On our way home.

Hello Dear Friends and Followers.

As of this afternoon, we have left Stockton Marina and are making our way home with our new generator on board. We were fortunate to pair up with another narrowboat Moon Hare to come down the Stockton flight. Our day ended at The Blue Lias, which is our chosen mooring for the night. All moored up, we had a nice pint of Doombar to celebrate the fact that we have a new generator. it is not working yet, because we need the hole drilled in the hull for the raw water cooling system to be connected too and Rob our engineer needs to bleed the system and then hopefully fire her up. After a pint we took a walk around Stockton Reservoir, which was glorious and so quiet.
As a treat we have booked ourselves into The Blue Lias for a meal later. We have often passed the pub, but have never been able to moor up as it has been so busy, so we are making the most of our opportunity with a good mooring, food and drink.

Going In.

Hello Dear Friends and Followers.

Two posts in one day, you are truly blessed ha ha ha. Not a particularly bright day. This time last week the overnight temperature was 15 degrees, that is the daytime temperature today and we have had rain and drizzle. This does not stop play though, work has to continue.

Our new generator instillation is coming on a treat. Rob worked on her today. He has done some of the plumbing, the rest will be done after we have a hole cut in the hull for the raw water cooling. Keith has been doing his bit, by helping with the electrics, so it looks like after tomorrow we maybe able to head home.

Exhaust waterlock/silencer installed on the baseplate in the boatman's cabin underneath the drawer under the bedhole.

Exhaust hoses installed through to the engine room, just need connecting to the hull outlet.

 

Fuel pump attached to the bulkhead where the original fuel filter/water trap was fitted, which will soon be fitted above the pump.

This afternoon we were treated to two boats going back into the water. Before this could happen Hadar had to be moved into the poly tunnel out of the way, well that was the plan. We could not actually get all the way in because it was too shallow, so a fair bit of her was poking out.

This was the monster crane preparing itself for the job in hand.

Narrowboat Jemima was the first to go back into the water after she had her blacking done.

Back in the water safe and sound.

The second boat was Narrowboat Kingfisher, who had come off the Mon and Brec Canal. Her new owners are mooring her at Ventnor Marina.

They were a little nervous, but also excited at seeing her take off.

Almost ready to go back into the water.

Welcome to new waters Narrowboat Kingfisher. Hopefully her new owners will enjoy cruising around this end of the country.

With the working day almost done, we tidied up the engine room and back cabin before settling down for tea. We are both so pleased with the new generator and cannot wait to start it up and see how she runs. Because of the goings on in the engine room, both Paddy and Marmite are shut up all day in the saloon, so when we open the door to the engine room door Marmite makes a bee-line for the back cabin and Paddy is ready for a wee. It is now time to settle in for the evening and watch more of ‘Deadwood’.

Frugal Living.

Hello Dear Friends and Followers.

I was listening to the radio this morning and they were talking about what would we give up to save money. One person said “They could not possibly give up the window cleaner”. Really?

These days people think they need so much in their lives to make it better and to be honest that is no not the case. I think I would of probably thought that way many moons ago, but since living on the boat, I have realised just how little I need to be happy.

On the same program they spoke to a lady who lives a frugal lifestyle, and yet has an amazing life and this got me thinking about my lifestyle and what we do not bother with and how we save money. I do not have any debts, I like to make sure everything is paid for and if I cannot afford something then I do not buy it or have it.

It only really takes a few days to break old habits and form good new habits. Some of mine may well ring a bell with you and I am sure you could share your ideas with me if you wish.

I am not really a ready meal person, I prefer to cook from scratch. We both like home cooked food and neither us are fancy eaters, so I can cook good tasty meals on the cheap.

I like to repair things, that includes clothing, shoes, gadgets etc. I will only replace if there is absolutely no hope of the old things being repaired. Even then I will check out the charity shops first to see if an item of clothing can be purchased at a fraction of the cost of a high street store. Electrical items are more tricky, but I like to shop around. At the moment we are having to spend out on a new generator, but that is needed and we have the funds for it put by. I am pretty handy with a saw , hammer and nails, so will happily knock things up on my own. We do most of the work on our boat. I am a dab hand at changing oil, painting and general work, which we all need to know about, when living on a boat. It is not like we cannot afford for others to do it, but why bother when we can do it ourselves.

I like to use every last drop, of anything I use and hubby is the same. I always leave sauce bottles standing upside down to get every drop out and this also applies to, laundry liquid bottles, shampoo bottles and jars of sauces etc. I will wash sauce jars out and empty the contents into my cooking. IWe have paid for it and so will use it all. Bars of soap is another thing I will use to the end. if there is a small amount left, I will dampened the thin slice squash it together with a new bar. I know I sound ever so slightly mad, but why change a habit of a lifetime.

We love watching films, but rarely buy DVD’s at the full price. We will look around the charity shops or if near a car boot we will see what they have to offer. I always think why pay the full price for DVD’s. We are fortunate to have a good DVD collection now. We love to pootle around charity shops, markets etc, but only buy if we feel we really need something. The last market we did was Birmingham and hubby bought a shopping trolley for £5.

I am not really a gadget person and therefore I do not have a smart phone. I have an old Sony Ericsson phone, which does me just fine. I cannot see the point in spending mega money on a phone and then the set-up costs and monthly rentals. I just want a phone for emergencies. On saying that hubby did buy a smart phone, but it was the cheapest Carphone Warehouse does and the lowest tariff. This was in case we needed to look up something in an emergency and could not get online.

We changed our food shopping habits a while ago and saved ourselves £20 a month. We used to have a Tesco delivery once a fortnight, but now hubby who has his bus pass goes to Aldi and Lidl on the bus and really enjoys himself. On saying that I did have to get a Tesco delivery to here at Stockton, but only because we are in the middle of nowhere.

We do not have a car, which left us in 2005 and we have never missed it. If we want to go anywhere we either walk or catch public transport. A car for us would be a luxury, that we would have to either store when we are cruising or move around with us, which is not for us.

Living on the boat, I have a philosophy that if it is not used or worn within Six months, then it has to either find a new home or be thrown away. We do not have the space for unwanted items.

How frugal are you?