On the move again

Well it's holiday time and we're on the move, hurrah!

We are heading south in the general direction of the Coventry canal. As we did not set off until 11am, we did not get as far as we had hoped, but hey, there's no hurry. I mean the first lock at Great Haywood there were four boats in front of us, so by the time we got through that, it was into the afternoon. 

Also, we stopped at Rugeley for a few supplies, but mainly dog food (got to keep the dogs happy)

Our intended destination for the day was Fradley Junction, but by 5pm we still had a way to go, so we stopped at some nice moorings at Handsacre. This is a small village with a general store shop, a chip shop and a pub. Now, of these three eatablishments, I visited one, but I'm not saying which though!

Off to Fradley Junction tomorrow, not far to go, we'll have a nice quiet day there.

To Rugby next

The Oxford Canal (North), no tunnels, lots of locks, lots of miles

Well, it's been a while I know, but we will hopefully now be updating the blog on a regular basis again, either myself or Lynne.




Brumpoolie moored at the water point in Thrupp.


After going down the Oxford canal, and passing through the lovely Banbury and Thrupp on the way, we now head north. We want to cruise the Shropshire Union Canal, which is a really pretty and lovely canal. Our route could have taken us through Birmingham and Wolverhampton, but we felt there would be limited opportunities for the dogs to have nice walks there, so we have gone a different way. Plus we were not too keen on going through a lot of urban canal areas. We will maybe when we are more experienced, but we'll take the quiter route for now thank you! So we are heading north back onto the Oxford canal, but this time the nothern section, then onto the Coventry canal. Which way we go after that, we will decide when we arrive (whenever that is) We do not move about in any kind of hurry these days, we like to take our time.

This wonderful new lifestyle that we are both enjoying, is very peacful and quite. You realise there is no need to hurry anywhere, plus there are always some jobs to do. An oil change was the latest job. I mean it's years since I done anything like that, but you have to look after the boat, it's your life support system, as well as your home. Now in the normal world an oil change is simple enough, but on the boat it provides extra challenges. Simply buying the oil and the filter makes you think. It's not as straight forward as ordering online and waiting for a delivery to your house. Our post box moves around all the time with us, and the address changes. Also, I can't just jump in a car and drive to the nearest shop, I don't have a car anymore. Plenty of buses though! How I sorted my oil and filter out was, we moored beside a boatyard and I asked them to order what I needed. And Kate Boats of Warwick were spot on. The said items came later the same day!! So the oil change is done and the engine is purring again.

Well since the last update I have been getting into a few scrapes. In one incident, we moored in the small Marina at Aynho (North of Oxford) It was raining in the evening and I had just finished the dogs walks. Well Louis had not quite finished his! He sat down on the path and was having a look around, in the rain! This meant he was not going to move. I would have to pick him up and carry him back into the boat. Well I can make him go in, but well he's so cute you can't resist him. So I climbed onto the boat to return some things I had been carrying, when I slipped and, ploosh I went into the canal! After some flapping about under the water, I ralised the water was only about five foot deep, so I was able to stand up with my head just above the water. There was a tyre between our boat and the boat next door, so I grabbed this and pulled myself out. Lynne had come outside wondering what all the commotion was about. Louis was sitting sniffing the air wondering where his carry back to the boat had got to!! After a clothes change everything was fine and we both had a good laugh about it. I always wondered what it would be like to fall into the canal, well now I know. I will tell of the other things that have happened in future blogs, there are a few to tell! Plus I will upload some pictures the next time.

no civilisation, no signal !

Hello, we have a signal at last! We have been around the Braunston area, where it seems electronic telephone signals do not work, or at least only fleetingly. We have now moved closer to civilisation (Banbury to be precise) where we now seem to get a signal. I will update the blog in the next few days.

Blisworth Tunnel

Grand Union Canal, Norton Junction, 1 tunnel, 7 locks,  15 miles

The Blisworth Tunnel, Wednesday.

Well that was an experience! The Blisworth tunnel takes about 30 minutes to go through, it is dark and at times there is water pouring down through various vents and gaps. Lynne spent most of the time inside making sure the dogs were ok. We had the curtains closed and the lights switched on. I had the boat’s headlight on so I could see where we were going, just! There is room in the tunnel for two boats to pass each other, with only a few inches to spare. This was a test for my helmsman skills indeed. We passed one boat perfectly, then just before the end of the tunnel another boat appeared. I had our boat perfectly positioned a few inches from the right hand side of the tunnel, but “thump” the other boat clipped the side of ours. Their skipper shouted “your headlight is too bright! I think he was just covering his own embarrassment.

Checking out the tunnel with some of the crew of Brumpoolie before setting off.

Off we go into the unknown!

We made it!

After the tunnel, we had decided to moor at a small place called Weedon Bec. As we made our way there, I spotted a yard selling cheap diesel. So I managed to stop the boat in time and moor up. Lynne took Minnie off here and walked her along the towpath. I would catch her up later in the boat. The diesel was only 88p a litre and the boat took 30 litres to top up. There was also cheap coal and wood, so we got 2 bags each of wood, kindling and coal (smokeless of course) After paying, we set off again to head for Weedon Bec. We arrived at about 4pm and moored up for the night. This spot was beside a Onestop convenience store, so I went off to get some provisions. We were also beside a main rail line, and although the trains were frequent, we quickly got used to the sound. It was only for one night anyway.

Thursday, and we set off for Norton Junction and our next overnight stop. To get there we had to go up seven locks in total.  The weather was still pretty bad with the rain constantly starting and stopping. When it rained it was either persistent drizzle a heavy downpour. Again Lynne was doing the locks while I steered the boat. As  the locks are wide locks, it is best to share with another Narrowboat. This saves on water so it is important to share if at all possible.  Lynne had walked the short distance ahead to set the lock, while I untied the boat ready for the off. As I was doing this another boat passed and asked if we were doing the locks. Perfect,  we had someone to share with. It also meant of course the work is shared between more people,  and it makes it easier for Lynne. Seven locks later, we had reached our destination. The mooring spots are just after these locks, we tied up for the night. At the top lock Lynne spotted the craft shop she wanted to see. And I spotted a nice pub. Sorted.

On Friday we are off to Braunston, up some more locks. Braunston is one of the oldest established canal villages on the network. Lot's of boaty things happening here. We intend on staying here for a few days while we get a new inverter fitted.

We finally move off

Grand Union Canal, Stoke Bruerne, 7 locks,  9 miles

Before we set off to cruise the canals, we said our farewell to Paul and Val. They have been very good to us and have become good friends. The help, advice, support and friendship they have given to us in the short time we have known them, has given us the confidence to enter the world of living on a boat. They are both finishing their own jobs soon as their contracts have ended. So they will give us a call in a couple of weeks to see where we are. Maybe we will meet up again soon.

Paul and Val with me and the three doggies

On Saturday, we headed off to Wolverton. This is our first short stop. We took on water first as we passed the water point at Cosgrove.

After staying a second night at Wolverton because of the heavy rain, we then moved on nearer to Stoke Bruerne, the bottom locks. Although the weather was gloriously sunny,  the rain from the day before meant that their was lots of water overflowing from the nearby river Ouse. This was causing problems in steering the boat, in particulay when passing weirs. The water flows beside the weirs, pushing the boat firmly in a certain direction. Along with the wind, the boat took some determined steering and concentration to keep us on course. I also seeked to loose some power after about an hour. I suspected that something had caught around the propeller to cause this. And sure enough we had a plastic bag wrapped around! This was removed once we stopped by sticking my arm done the weed hatch to remove the offending article. A boat moored next to us that night had a similar problem. But they had some ladies underwear round their propeller. Washing can fall in the canal if you are not careful.

Tuesday morning and we are off to Stoke Bruerne. There are seven locks altogether to take you to the top of the hill. Each lock raising the boat in height until we were 56 foot higher at the top. The overnight rain had stopped at first, but by the time we got to the top lock it was pouring down from the heavens. Because of water shortages (yes I know it's hard to believe with the rain we are having) some of the locks are only open between 10am and 3pm each day. So we set off at 10am today, first boat into the locks. Lynne does the locks while I steer the boat, The locks are hard work, but Lynne prefers to do things this way, she will not touch the steering. Ah well! There are always other people to help at the locks, plus many of the flights of locks have volunteers or lock keepers working the locks each day. We had one helpful chap who done all seven locks with Lynne.  

Stoke Bruerne is one of the oldest and longest established canal villages and it attracts many visitors each year. People who come and look at the boats are known as “Gongoozlers”. We were Gongoozlers once. The area around the top lock is certainly very picturesque, with two lovely pubs, nice gift shops, and the National Canal Museum.

Tomorrow we are off through Blisworth tunnel. The tunnel is wide enough for two boats, has a bend in it, is in complete darkness,has water coming down in places and is 3075 yards long. It takes half an hour to go through. Should be interesting!

PS I'll try and upload more pictures,but the internet connection is poor here.

The Auction, The Result

Grand Union Canal, Willen Park, 0 miles, 0 locks

Well how did the car get on?

That's my car (the black one at the top of the picture) waiting for it's fate to be decided. This picture was taken before the auction. Our car was given the best spot where everyone could see it, right beside the entrance to the Auction. 

The crowds gather, waiting for the proceedings to begin.

As the first car appeared, the auction commenced.

The chap on the podium with the microphone is the auctioneer.  He reminded me of Fred Elliott. Everything he said had to be repeated about three times, I said about three times!

Then it was the turn of my car. As I had to stand next to the auctioneer in case he needed to consult me on the vehicle, I did not get a picture. But as the bidding got close to the reserve figure, the bidding slowed right down and....fell short of the reserve, not sold. Ah well I thought, it wasn't meant to be this time. So I queued to get my keys and log book back from the auction office, ready to drive the car back to the boat. Then my phone rang. It was a number I did not recognise, when I answared it,  the call was from the car auction. And I was in their queue at the same office! Basically the person who put the last bid in wanted to buy the car. We agreed a figure (this was a little more than the final auction bid, but less than my reserve) The car was sold after all - Phew! We did not get as much as we wanted, but at least it is sold now and we can get on our way.

So, we will be on the move in the next few days. Two tunnels, one aquaduct, lots of locks, one National Waterways Museam, plus lots of surprises await us as we head off towards Oxford. We can't wait! 

Car auction day today

The Grand Union Canal, Willen Park, 0 miles, 0 locks

It's Wednesday, and that is car auction day. The weather for the occasion, well it's raining a lot. Raincoats required today!

I will attend the auction this time, and that means I will get some pictures of what goes on. The plan is I will take the car along at about 4.30pm. Fill the paperwork out, then hang around for a while until the auction starts at 6.30pm. It's supposed to take a couple of hours for the auction to take place. If I do not sell the car I will drive back, but if it sells I will get a taxi back to the boat. I don't fancy getting the two buses late at night.

Before that though, I checked the diesel tank on Brumpoolie yesterday afternoon and the diesel level is way down. I know we are not going anywhere at the moment, but we run the engine to give us electricity. So I will drive to Peartree Marina this morning, which is about 4 miles away, and fill my two barrels with diesel. They both take about 25 litres each, so this will give me 50 litres and a good top up.

The gas bottle also ran out the other day. I had a spare which I changed, so I will also need to replace this new empty bottle with a full one from Peartree Marina today. One thing I found out was when I came to change the bottle on Saturday, was I did not have a spanner to undo the large nut that connects the bottle. So I had to borrow one from Paul next door. As we went to the Car Boot sale on Sunday morning at the MK Bowl, I managed to get one there. We checked to see if it would fit on a gas bottle we spied behind a burger van. The owner spotted us with our spanner on his gas bottle and thought we were trying to pinch his gas!. We quickly explained what we were doing, and made a hasty retreat to the spanner seller.

Lynne, I'm sure will be doing her favourite pastime of cross stitch today while I am out. So, several wet and muddy walks with the dogs (v quick ones), a visit to Peartree and then the Car Auction later. Fingers crossed we can sell the car so we can finally move off on our travels.

After the auction I'll post a blog to let you know how we got on.