London

Boe arrived yesterday evening ready to Barney and Boat sit for the day, whilst we sampled the dubious delights of Chiltern Railways, underground and buses in London.  However it was in a pleasant cause of a reunion at the RAF Club but we have had our fix of crowded places, London was heaving with people especially when we left the club late afternoon.  How nice to return to our quiet existence......

Banbury

The penalty for the layover yesterday was an early start today, however that was not too arduous as the weather was fine and we mostly had the canal to ourselves for the first part of the trip.
A gentle womble (6 locks) saw us in Cropredy by 8.30 ready to water, shop etc.

Approaching Cropredy Lock

A patient Geoff waiting for me to enter the lock

However he had not been quite so patient when I did a couple of locks further back and instead of doing his death defying leap over one of the mitre gates to reach the other side, I walk all round to use the back gate......shades of Captain Grumpalong appeared........

We passed an extremely strident cockerel along the way

and also todays `des res`

opposite the des res was a neat little garden planted so someone might have been in residence!!

Another form of `des res` we passed.  If you look closely the Sign sayS RESPECT MY ENVIRONMENT.

Not far out of Banbury we pass under the M40
I always feel great when we pass under a busy road and consider how lucky I am to be down here and not up there.......

Then we were passed by 3 canoeists...a measure of how fast we travel

Is this the boat of Bones who writes in our canal magazine????  Or a copycat

And so into Banbury.  It seemed very quiet but I hung back whilst Geoff walked ahead to check that we could find space before Tom Rolt Bridge.  We were lucky and moored in our favourite spot just by the park but not quite in the centre. 

We were early enough for me to trot off and have a little retail therapy before lunch.

6.68 miles 10 locks, 4hr 47 min

Stopover

Such a pleasant mooring we decided to linger a while!
I worked on Giles accounts all morning whilst Geoff and Barnaby walked into Cropredy (about 5 mile trip) and then just chilled out for the rest of the day...life is hard......
However to make up for our idleness we will have an early start tomorrow to reach Banbury ready for the train down to London on Saturday to an RAF reunion.  Boe is coming to dog and boat sit for the day.

Perfik!

Yesterday was `Loo Day`......a very important item on a boat....the engineer came out from Lee Sanitation to give ours a service.   He spent over 2 hours with us and informed us that the docking station for the cassette had never been secured properly, so it was no wonder Geoff found it quite difficult to put in and out.  He remedied that situation and put in all new seals and filters so we are` hot to trot` again although I hope not literally!   The bill was not not small...........
The wind was still blowing well so we were quite glad to stay put.  In the evening we decided to try the Wharf Inn's early bird offer of 2 meals for £10 and found it excellent value.  The food was good as was the service.
This morning we decided on a more leisurely start to the day and did not leave until after 8.30.   The sun was shining, most of the wind was gone, and our possible destination was Cropredy.

This swan was nesting right in the middle of the towpath just by Fenny Marina so they had put a diversion in for walkers through the Marina.  She looked very peaceful but no sign of her partner.

As we passed through our first lifting bridge we also crossed the border from Warwickshire to Oxfordshire

Claydon Top Lock

As you can see we have a very obedient dog...as Geoff waits for the lock to fill Barney waits patiently

It was all so delightful travelling along in sunshine, no wind and lovely countryside, that we decided that we would not push ourselves but would look for a suitable mooring.

This is what we found at 1015am (such a long day)

Later the boat behind moved and we pulled ourselves back and even had a satellite signal.  I was able to spend the afternoon with my chair on the bank, and later my Pimms before supper.......hence the title of today's blog.

We also had unexpected visitors...friends Iain and Christine called to ask where we were as they were in Banbury, so they drove up for a cup of tea, our first visitors of the year.

We are considering staying here another day if the weather looks good tomorrow.
3.41 miles, 2 locks, 1hr 37min

Another Windy Day

No sign of any lessening of this easterly wind so our trip down to Fenny Compton along one of the most pleasant, if extremely twisty, stretches of the canals caused us to be on our mettle much more so than usual.   As we climbed the locks at Napton it just became windier and some of the exits from the locks and bridges were interesting......

The picture above shows the mellow English Countryside but cannot capture the force of the wind.

Some farmers choose strange companions for their cows....

We had one of early departures, 0615, as we wanted to be through the Napton Locks before any Bank Holiday Crush.  It was a good job we were not travelling in company with Epiphany!  It also enabled us to find plenty of space at Fenny Compton just before 12 when most people had departed and no one had yet taken their place.  We were both quite tired as handling Petroc in this force of wind is heavy going at times.

11.88 miles 9 locks 5hr 31m

Exciting Ride!

After a pleasant weekend in Braunston we had an exciting trip late this afternoon.   We had delayed our departure as we wanted to meet friends Fran and Keith and Maggie for lunch.   We never normally cruise at this time of the day but there are so many boats around we decided that we needed to be at the bottom of the Napton Flight at the crack of sparrows tomorrow.  So we departed at 1530 in a howling wind which has been blowing for several days now and shows no sign of abating.  To add to the wind there were boats going every this way and that, we seemed to be in a convoy of at least 6 and as we were number 3 we had no say in the speed we travelled at......which was snails pace!   There was also the occasional boat coming the other way who did not make the bend in the strong wind...which caused some interesting manoeuvring.

About a mile out of Braunston we encountered the sunken boat that had been there last year....or so Geoff reliably informed me...my memory is not that good.

However the sun was shining and we hear there is lots of rain back home in Cornwall so we count our blessings.
The reason for not staying put until the wind lessened is that our loo has a date with Lee Sanitation in Fenny Compton for a service on Tuesday.......and as all boaties know loos are very important.........
So we are now snugly tied up and a good satellite TV picture so all is well for a Sunday evening.

5.15 miles 2hr 6 min 0 locks

And we are off

After glorious spring weather and hours of sunshine that was sometimes too hot to sit in, the last few days before departure have been decidedly chilly and this morning we set off at 7am on a very grey day with even some rain ......


No sign of life on Barrogill (Paul & Helen's Boat)as we crept slowly past

No sign of life anywhere in the yard..Goodbye Clifton for another 6 months.....

The early departure was in order to be moored up in time for the Wedding.  We cruised very slowly to Braunston, just 3 locks but passing a lot of moored boats which reduces our speed even further..........I wish it did everyone elses!!

Managed to moor in our usual spot just short of bridge 88, out in the open with a field of sheep opposite and Braunston Church Spire in the distance.  A hasty aligning of the satellite aerial enabled us to watch mainly a good picture, providing we both stayed on the same side of the boat......

We plan to stay here for the weekend as friends Fran & Keith and Maggie are joining us at the Boat Inn for Sunday lunch.

So far the computer is behaving itself....touch wood....Navvygator ran for the whole trip with no crashes.  I have managed to set up my MIFI dongle giving me a wireless net, successfully linked to the other computer, but have not yet fathomed out how to make the signal go from one end of the boat to the other.  I usually have the dongle at the stern under the pramhood cover and get a good signal in most places, however I would like to be able to access the internet from the front of the boat when I want.......some experimentation is obviously called for.  This will not involve hanging the dongle through any of the windows.  Last year I had to resort to that and forgot to bring it in and managed to knock it off coming into moor against a high wall.......straight to the bottom of course.
Another success has been my learning how to upload a video clip to the blog via UTube.......life is just one long learning curve........
Geoff is now the proud owner of his own computer (he's frightened to touch mine in case he makes it crash)which I decided he should bring with him...whether he ever takes it out of its case will be interesting....

7.8 miles, 3 locks, 3hours 20 min

Under Starters Orders

Just in case anyone thought we had disappeared we have been busy preparing Petroc for the 2011 summer season, in between we have had a great Easter Weekend with Giles and Family in Goring Heath.

Several large shopping expeditions were undertaken including a delivery from Tesco's with all the heavy stuff...wine, beer, water etc!!

One or two items of equipment had to be replaced before departure notably the water pump...very essential.
Geoff was spared his normal start of season job of cleaning Petroc's outside as Hannah from Clifton Cruisers was hard at work trying to raise Sponsorship for a gap year so we engaged her services and she did a wonderful job.  There were still lots of other interesting little jobs to keep Geoff happy (I do like to see men working!)
I was not idle however as you can see from the short clip below.
A Woman's work is never done

Nomads

Our house has it's first guests and we have departed.  We are staying with various friends and family for another week.
Petroc was looking good when we arrived in Clifton today, so now we have a few days of getting her ready to depart next week.  Easter weekend we will be with Giles & Susannah and the grandchildren and then off cruising next week.  We hope this spell of sumer weather will hold for our departure...........

Cruising time becoming closer

Now in the midst of spring cleaning the house ready for our first holidaymakers, then waterways of UK here we come.  We have had some lovely spring weather down here in Cornwall but this has inevitably brought out the Car Park Attendants..........our local beach at Harlyn was charging £4 at the weekend...needless to say I did not pay this for a walk with Barney!!  It comes as a shock when we have our glorious beaches to walk on all through the winter and early spring.

Petroc passed BSS

We went up to Clifton 2 weeks ago as Petroc was having her BSS.(Boat Safety Scheme)  She had already had the once over and a few jobs done by our friends at Clifton Cruisers so thankfully she passed with flying colours.
Seeing her again gave me the urge to be back on the canals, especially since it was such a nice day.
Not too long now, the house is let from 16th April so we are busy getting it ready for our first holidaymakers.

All but done and a new arrival

The waiting is over...Oscar Andrew Lovegrove arrived yesterday morning all 11lb 6oz of him!!!!
We are on the final clearing up lap on Petroc and she is safely tucked up for the winter at Clifton.  So this is my final blog of the year...see you all in April 2011.

Back at Clifton

Well we are back at Clifton Cruisers.  The sun shone for us and we had a good trip down on Monday, but very sad it is the last trip of the season.  We had some initial difficulty getting the car to behave but what can you expect when it has been sitting idle for almost 6 months.  All seem OK now.

 Geoff setting off on solo from Braunston

 Horsey Love!

 Waiting for Geoff to arrive at Hillmorton. I found a use for those wooden bollards!!!!!

 Geoff arrives Hillmorton

Going down Hillmorton

We have spent the last two days sorting and packing and cleaning etc etc etc............not my most favourite time.

We are still awaiting the imminent birth of the next grandchild which will determine when we depart for Cornwall.  Susannah has started labour but no production yet!!!
Barney was please to see his two friends Ben and Heide, the Alsations and took no time to make himself at home in the boatyard again.

Sunday in Braunston

The forecast was accurate again!   Woke to rain and very muddy footpaths.  Apart from taking Barney and fetching the Sunday papers we buried ourselves until lunchtime.   We (Emma is here as well) then stirred ourselves, donned wellies. macs and brollies and took ourselves off to meet Fran & Keith in the Boatman.   It was very busy but we eventually found a table, it was even in a prime position overlooking the canal....which would have been a lovely view apart from the rain.    Still lots of boats about despite the weather.

After lunch it was back to burying ourselves again, although the rain had eased and for a short while we wondered if the sun was trying to make an appearance but no luck.

No news on the baby front, so tomorrow we make a dash for Rugby and hope the car starts.....

Back to Braunston

The Forecast for Friday was very accurate!!!  It rained all day, heaviest in the afternoon.  So it was batten down the hatches, light the stove, read and watch DVD's.  This was interspersed with each of us doing a very wet walk with Barney.  By the time evening came there were signs that the sky was beginning to get lighter in the distance heralding better things for Saturday................thankfully this was also accurate.

Despite the weather, which was extremely windy as well as rainy, there were still plenty of boats on the move.  here I have to have a gripe........why do we slow down to almost tick-over when we pass moored boats???? I know why, but it seems that a fair proportion of other boat drivers do not and it is not just hire boats........

This morning we were away by 8.30 which proved to be a good move.   Barney and I walked to the junction and peeked round the corner and saw the water point was free.  Geoff picked us up at the last bridge and we just slid onto the point ahead of another boat.  Filling and emptying attended to we moved on and managed to find a really prime spot.........this is the view from the boat.

Braunston Church

What could be better.   After all the rain the walk up through the fields proved to be very muddy so I returned  via the other way.  Geoff then disappeared with Barney for Barneys 3rd long walk of the day (now he is fast asleep next to me).  He walked up to the Admiral Nelson for a swift half and then back via the Boatman for the other half!  Later we expect Emma and tomorrow after church we shall eat at the Boatman with friends Fran & Keith.  As I write this the church bells are ringing, I don't know whether it is a wedding or bell-ringing practice.  Whatever, with that view and the bells ringing it is very British Countryside..........

Half way to Braunston

After yesterdays rain we were treated this sight last evening 

Today the plot was all the way to Braunston but............................

Sadly we said goodbye to John and Fi on Epiphany as they are going down the Oxford and we are going north to Rugby.  We set off shortly afterwards in glorious sunshine, what a change from yesterday.  Barney and I walked the first part to get our daily exercise.  However after about 10 minutes a passing boat warned me that there was a huge tree fallen across the towpath about 1/2 a mile on so I deemed it prudent to climb back aboard at the next bridge.

When we passed the offending object I was very glad I was on board!

So we continued with Geoff on the tiller and me reclining in the cratch watching the world go by.  This is a lovely stretch of canal (especially when the sun shines)..........................

................and there were so many lovely places to pull up and moor that we eventually did just that.

Gill and Barney having what could be the last of the summer sun

The only snag to this secluded mooring is the possible imminent arrival of Lovegrove Junior.  However a plan has been put in force if anything should happen before we reach Rugby next Monday or Tuesday.   It could involve a mad dash to Braunston by boat, followed by a taxi to Rugby, hope our car starts, go north to collect Susannah's Mum and thence back to Goring........there is no sign of action at the moment and with tomorrow's weather forecast I hope it stays that way.........

Back onto the Oxford Canal

Back on the Oxford must mean we are nearly home...well Petroc's winter home that is...which is quite sad..I don't know where the summer has gone....
After our night out on Monday we stayed over in Long Itchington on Tuesday and when I came to write this blog tonight I could not remember anything I had done on Tuesday!!!!!  I obviously had a very relaxing day, I do remember taking Barnaby for his evening stroll about 5pm or so and I did cook supper so one could not say I was bone idle..............................ah yes I have just remembered.  We had a very interesting morning as we went to visit Iron Butterfly to look over the new boat, and very nice she is too.....why do I always see things that I wish we had done.......still Petroc works for us.
John was away from Epiphany yesterday and last night but arrived back this morning bright and early with Carolyn to crew for him and we set off about 9.   We planned to complete the 10 Stockton and 3 Calcutt locks.
First of all I walked across the fields in the pouring rain for the paper and milk...Barney didn't mind the rain.....
Luckily it did not persist for the whole trip, in fact the first part was considerably better than forecast.   If you look closely however you will see that we were in wet weather gear though.

One of the things we disliked about these locks(and some others on the system) was the chains inserted into the sides of the locks.  With two boats in the lock it is impossible to avoid scraping the boat's paintwork.......John is threatening to write to BW...........I don't suppose it will make any difference....Health and Safety would probably be quoted in any reply...if there were a reply.......we can't work out what purpose they serve.   If you need to tie on there are adequate bollards...and these are not the square wooden jobs either!!!!

Chains in lock (Thanks to John for picture)

Part way up we had a slight pause for John to clear something from his prop!

During the course of the trip (I can't remember where!) we passed these colourful boats, presumably ex working boats that looked very smart....I would have loved to have looked over one.

and we also passed this boat which we have seen before somewhere....at least it must be the same one as I cannot believe there are two like this....do you think it belongs to a sub mariner????

Should really be pained yellow!

                                      We stopped briefly at Calcutt Marina to put in a small amount of fuel.  We thought we could get alongside between their green hire boats but it was a little tight so ended up alongside them......

One more lock and a short distance and we were at Napton Junction

                                      

A nice little signpost in case we weren't sure of the way!

By now the rain had set in well and it was past our lunchtime......we found a convenient mooring not far from Gibraltar Bridge and battened down the hatches and went below.

After a while I decided that as it was so damp and miserable I would light the stove.......unfortunately I neglected to take the cowl off the chimney before so doing...luckily Geoff woke up from his siesta and reminded me...so I had to go out in the rain to put it on...then when filling the coal scuttle the coal bag sprung a hole and scattered very black dust all over the cratch and my slippers......maybe I should have just contented myself with putting another sweater on!!  Ah well tomorrow is another day and the forecast is better, but Friday and Sunday sound horrible so the plot is Braunston tomorrow and tuck ourselves in somehwere for the weekend before the final run to Clifton.

Still no news on the baby front.......due date was either last Sunday or this Friday, depending on who is doing the calculation..........

                                    

Long Itchington

A very grey start to the day, such a contrast to yesterday.   However it was much milder and it was not pouring with rain (just some light drizzle) so one must be thankful for small mercies.

We had the 6 Fosse Locks and 4 Bascote locks to tackle to reach our intended destination of Long Itchington.

Coming up the first lock we thought it was a mist rising from the canal but I smelt smoke as we went past and I think it was someone's bonfire.  John had returned to Epiphany the previous day so we were travelling in company again (Fi still absent in hospital)

This meant Geoff had plenty of exercise......but he cannot complain as a few weeks ago when we were on the rivers he was yearning to be back on the canals so he could have more exercise with locks and walking the towpaths.

                                     

                                           

The dreary weather did not improve throughout the morning and my attempt to capture some of the autumnal colours along the canal was not wildly successful.

At one time these double locks had a single lock alongside but some have been filled in 

and some just blocked off at the ends

When possible John got off Epiphany to give Geoff a hand

 but mostly we were just using one gate to reduce the workload.  Here we are almost at the last lock of the day, entering the bottom of the staircase of two to rise us to the top of the Bascote Locks.

Almost there

Looking back

It was just a short way then to the planned mooring at Long Itchington which we both thought we remembered from last year.....however it looked nothing like our memory told us, which was par for the course for me but strange for Geoff who normally has a good memory for places....maybe it was because the sun had been shining last time and also the fact that we had been coming in the opposite direction!!

In the afternoon we were pleasantly surprised to find Iron Butterfly with Dave and Pam aboard hovering alongside us knocking in the hull.  Iron Butterfly is their second boat built by Darren Aldridge our boat builder.  

They moored up and came aboard for coffee and a catch up and tomorrow morning we are going to inspect the new boat.......

Later Tony & Di Fletcher arrived to allow us to help them celebrate their wedding anniversary.  Tony and Geoff were each other's best men at their respective weddings, so since they live relatively close by it seemed a good plot for the evening.  After a couple of bottles of Bubbly on board we repaired to the Two Boatmen for a meal.  It was good pub grub in very convivial surroundings, just how a pub should be and with good company...what more could one want.

In our normal fashion we had forgotten to take a torch so it was a dark walk back home to Petroc, luckily not too great a distance.......