BOATS AND CANALS

I should have said the shop in question is called Market Antiques and is in Weedon just down hill, on the right, from bridge No 24 on the Grand Union, there are 3 floors of stuff varying from furniture to odd nick nacks. It is opposite, almost, the Heart of England Pub ( a Marston's pub - I do like Pedigree) where we had an excellent lunch. In case you are wondering the Heart of England name relates to the position of the village which some say is the furthest inland you can get in the UK.

Cheers Graham

I was just looking at Facebook an someone was talking about seeing 2 narrowboat and one wide boat going through (or trying) a bridge at once. It reminded me of when we went round Braunston Junction in 2011. For those that haven't been there it is a triangular junction and two of the sides each have a bridge over the canal. People turn around by gong around the island (one direction of course is on reverse). Well that day there were 3 hire cruisers all tying to do this maneuver at the same time and a further 4 boats trying to go through the junction 2 each in opposite directions. We were one of the ones going through the junction. Chaos.



Cheers Graham

Some turns on the canals can be very tight, and so it's bad enough to get around when it's clear let alone when there are other boats there.

_________________
Maurice

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It is hard here, Jo is trying to go round a right hand bend with moored boats on the outside and a water point with a boat on the inside. I once went through here and realized that I just could not get through the gap without getting the bows across somehow. I was going dead slow so I just stopped, walked along the roof to the front pushed the bows to where I needed them then back along the roof and carried on.

Cheers Graham

Another few days on the boat - cruising is getting closer.

We did some gardening! The brambles by the mooring obscure the reservoir. We had previously cut an opening in the lowest and thinnest part which lines up with the lounge/kitchen if we are moored facing the lock. I have now hacked a new opening to line up if we are stern to the lock. We will make this bigger over time.



The sunset looked good from a bit further up the boat.



I had a stare into the water tank and decided it will be fine for another year. I also fixed a new popper on the hull for the cratch and did some wood work in the bedroom. I've filled in the gaps above and alongside the door. I haven't sealed it totally so there is the recommended minimum ventilation with the windows shut.

.

Home again now.

Cheers Graham

We expect another picture when you have cleared more.

Please.

_________________
Maurice

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We have spent a few more days up on the boat before bringing the Grandkids back south for a few nights. No photos this time.

The hole in the brambles is now bigger.

I have sanded the port side of the boat where the fake porthole used to be, filled in the rough patches and painted it. Needs a another coat. My niece has just been on a boat painting course so will be doing the sign writing towards the end of the month. This is a practice for her as the whole lot will be removed when the boat is repainted in August. Then she'll do it again!

Jo reversed the boat all the way down to the water point and we filled it up. Miraculously I managed to close all drain points first. Whilst there I changed a gas bottle with my trusty crane and sack trolley.

The next day I changed the oil filters (yes Dotterel has two), the engine oil and the fuel filter.

I then noticed that I couldn't find the sack trolley. I thought I might have left it at the water point - I asked in Calcutt's office. Last time we saw it was when Jo had removed it from under the bottle whilst I operated the crane. The truth slowly dawned that it had been left against the boat and had fallen in when the boat drifted out slightly (after all who bother tying things tight on a water point).

I wondered down the water point, did a little fishing with the boat hook (it is amazing what is on the bottom there, loads of large stone blocks!) and found the trolley!

Cheers Graham

I will take your word for it.

Sounds like you have a few busy days, glad that you got your trolley back.

_________________
Maurice

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Foxshaw Gardens Online & Boats and Canals

Another night on the boat - we had to take the Grand Kids back.

Here is a view of the bigger hole.



I have finished painting the name section for niece to get going.



I was interested in a collapsing trolley apparently available from Midland Chandlers except when we visited they hadn't heard of it. We found the same device in a camping shop near to daughter's house for about £20 less.

It comes in a carry bag with the bottom tucked in the side.



Just unfold, pop the bottom in and extend/unfold the handle. (The handle isn't extended in this view)



They claim it will carry 100kgms I'm not sure I would want to try that.

See http://www.kampa.co.uk/trolleys/trucker

Cheers Graham

I can't see it, it's just an empty space.

Thanks for the pictures Graham, that trolley is a great gadget.

_________________
Maurice

Please click to go to our associate sites

Foxshaw Gardens Online & Boats and Canals

I've had another few days at the boat, this time with my niece Claire. She has just been on Phil Speight's narrow boat painting course.

We are repainting Dotterel in the summer so she is an ideal canvas for Claire to play in a risk free manner. Here are the results.

Making a start.



Good progress



Almost finished - there are some details to go in the corner but that will have to wait as we ran out of good weather.



The roses. She feels there are too many daisies in the middle - I think I agree but that was the point of experimenting on a full size canvas.



While we were there I decided to paint one of our poles and replace the other. The one that needed replacing broke in 3 places when I gentley bent it, the other was .............................


missing

.........stolen I'm afraid. Who steels tatty poles?

I bought a new one and have painted it and painted the boat hook. They are staying inside when we are not there. Ultimately we will paint them to match the new colour scheme.



I also out a new light switch on Jo's side of the bed and fixed one of the ceiling lights.

Talking of Jo - she has a pig which travels on the roof and rots the paint so I made it a bed.



I did some gardening and no visit to the boat in nice weather would be complete without nightime/sunset photos.





Cheers Graham

Great pictures and great results.

No excuse now not to paint your boat.

_________________
Maurice

Please click to go to our associate sites

Foxshaw Gardens Online & Boats and Canals

great pictures graham and a great read as always,thought the name painting was superb....many thanks

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.... my memory,s not what it used to be.
also my memory,s not what it used to be.

............................mike.

Love the pictures Graham. I MUST paint a picture of one where the bramble hasn't been cut back. Absolutely gorgeous!!!

_________________
G
To the world you are someone. To someone you are their world.

I Cannot Afford the Luxury of a Negative Thought

Dotterel leaves the mooring heading for the BCN Challenge 3 weeks today. I am starting the planning process.

Our crew is me, my son Tom, my niece Claire, my oldest friend's daughter Rebecca and Rebecca's friend Chris. Jo is siting this one out.

I consulted my Navigator about the best route to get maximum points and after an in depth study of the rules she said 'let's wing it'.

My Navigator is good at painting Roses but as to Navigation?

We are picking up one member of the crew in Birmingham so we are started in the Gas Street area.

We are getting to Birmingham straight down into Leamington and up Hatton - I've done the Northern Stratford approach before so will probably go straight up the Grand Union ending up approaching via Farmer's Bridge locks.

We are having some discussion about the route home, I fancy going via the Birmingham and Fazeley then the Coventry/Northern Oxford route but we will need an extra day so son is talking about getting that day off.

I've just finished making the mount for my time lapse camera to film the whole thing.

We are up at the boat on Friday (seeing Daughter on Saturday) the clearing out all the junk as we need all 3 cabins in use.

Cheers Graham