Travelling with Friends

After a week in Devon - including Lauren's 4th birthday party, a walk in hot sun, then in shade by the river at Castle Drogo, a reminiscent trip to childhood holidays' farm in Lyme Regis - I drove to Suffolk to spend 5 days with Chris and Mary. Their village was holding its first open gardens weekend and I was roped in to help with teas. A lovely time was had, weather perfect, gardens superb and £3000 was raised. Stayed on to celebrate my birthday - started with home-grown boiled eggs with home-made bread in the garden, then a fix of gardening before lunch in the shade. A lovely day culminating with a walk along the River Deben and fish meal watching boats - perfect!

Returned to boat to find plants watered and thriving so I made a donation to the club - lovely mooring too. Next morning I went the short distance to Zouch Cut to moor for a couple of days. There I met Chris and Sue on Innisfree (first met in Devizes 2007, then again at Crick Show this year). After Friday's morning of rain, levels hadn't risen much, so on Saturday morning we travelled together to Kegworth Shallow Lock to moor for the weekend. Having passed plenty of moorings at Devil's Elbow we all wished we had stopped there too for a country chill out. Oh well next time!

To Normanton on Soar and East Devon!

After a trip back to Sileby Mill with brother in law John, his daughter and family, they helped me on through Mountsorrel lock and I continued on to moor below Pillings Lock. Rain forecast so I spent 2 nights here. On Monday I cycled into Loughborough, explored the shops and met Charley and Dolores on nb Felonious Mongoose outside the Albion pub - they said the moorings were fine. The rain didn't come to much after all and on Tuesday I went to moor behind Charley and Dolores. Now a chance to do a bit of sightseeing - I had never actually stopped in Loughborough before. On Wednesday, having found out by towpath telegraph that Bishop Meadow lock was closed all day for maintenance, I went with Charley and Dolores to the Bell Foundry (the oldest in the world) where we enjoyed a tour of the foundry and museum. Very interesting - full of information and lightened by lots of funnies. We were shown a set of 13 bells almost complete and destined for St Mary's Church in Cambridge (my bellringing crew, Chris and Mary, will inform me if these details are incorrect!) Bells used to be delivered by canal and river - but I didn't offer to take this extremely large order, even though I wouldn't object to another trip to Cambridge.

On Thursday morning I set off - in winds stronger than I usually travel in - but I had an appointment to keep. After Bishop Meadow lock I was back on the River Soar and soon approaching the lovely village of Normanton on Soar. As I approached Soar Boating Club moorings I couldn't see further round the bend so made the decision to turn beside the visitor moorings - which were in use. Much to one of the occupants surprise I did a good turn, aided by the strong wind, and came almost gently beside his boat. I had booked to leave the boat here and had been warned that I would probably have to breast up - the other boater hadn't been told this! Any way he was very friendly and helped me moor up beside both him and the boat behind!

That lunchtime I explored the village - really lovely and peaceful with some beautiful large houses. Unfortunately not very many passing boaters get to see the village as the only moorings are outside the nice looking pub or the boat club, or unless you walk down from Zouch.

On Saturday set off to Devon for granddaughter Lauren's 4th birthday and a week's holiday with her family. I was luckily provided with an upgrade on the hire car as the driver delivering took 45 minutes to find me despite giving him an accurate postcode - the boat club was not easily seen so I had been standing by the road all that time!

On through Leicester

After Chris and Mary left I collected a hire car to drive to Kent to spend 10 days with son Graham and family, including 2 birthdays. Tom was 2 and his mum was a bit older!

I returned to boat on Monday - all was well. Glad I took a risk and left it at Kilby Bridge - took the precaution of mooring opposite BW staff live aboard! Chris arrived at 8.15 am next morning and I saw nb Woodlander at water point - they would like to travel with us. 8.30 set off on a fine day, bit windy but dry, and had a good journey to Leicester. Woodlander stopped at Castle Gardens and we moored opposite for an hour to have lunch. The moorings were full but no boaters about so we set off to complete the journey through Leicester.

North Lock was pretty grim and the area was full of rubbish. 8 years ago we moored at Limehouse Lock (by Abbey Gardens, opp BW yard) to visit Tesco but somehow it looked even worse this time and I was glad we didn't need to shop. Next was Belgrave Lock and from then on the journey was much more pleasant. Few boats moored at Birstall - and it was a nice area to stop but Chris was looking forward to the Steak Night at the Hope and Anchor so we pressed on. Glad we did because it was most enjoyable - and came with free wine too!

Chris left the next morning and I went with him on the bus to Leicester where I spent 4 hours seeing the sights, including a look at the Castle Gardens moorings - yes I can see why they are not secure (as advertised by BW) - I am sure even I could get over the fences! How about some of those razor points on top!

Next morning I went to L R Harris boatyard - where I had the gearbox oil pumped out and refilled - I am paying the price for not having it done regularly (no boatyard has even suggested it when I had services) and have found that I have no neutral gear - difficult to stop! They were very pleasant and also train RCR staff which is comforting to know. I went on to moor for the rest of the day above Junction Lock.

Friday I pressed on - tempted to moor at the lovely Sileby Mill but continued to Mountsorrel as my brother in law, daughter and family are visiting from west of Leicester on Sunday. Now can spend a few days exploring the area and catching up with some of these jobs -including touching up the paint after the trip boat at Syston had sped repeatedly past and scraped me on the awful angle iron edging - despite using BIG fenders. Why do trip boats always have to go to fast - do they like to shorten the passengers journey?

Crick Show, Welford, Market Harborough and northwards

Well Crick Show was a weatherwise success this year - only 1 shower and we hardly noticed as we were enjoying lunch and the entertainment at the time. Very dissappointed that no Cornish pasty van this year - apparently they had arrived and left - not sure why. Actually looked over a few boats - the first time for 5 years! Nantwich CC (they built my last boat) had a very unusual design - including a sliding roof. Who said no side view from armchair but good for spotting bird poo? Managed to spend a fair bit too - it is not difficult!

Chris and Mary joined me for the show and we had our first BBQ, a few good evenings with fellow moorers, as well as meeting up with 'old' friends at the show.

We left Tuesday morning to much changed weather - back to fleeces and windproofs. Explored Welford for the first time and early Wednesday went down the lovely Foxton flight - Mary enjoyed it so much she wanted to do it again - she should have done it 12 years ago with Peter and I when we set off in hot sun and shorts - we had a thunderstorm as we descended and got a good soaking! But I know what she means, it is delightful. The wind got up again as we went down to Market Harborough where we had a lovely meal in the pub at the entrance to the basin.

Thursday we set off in lovely sunshine to travel the locks to Kilby Bridge, where Chris and Mary jumped ship on Friday morning.

Crack's Hill - ready for the Show!

Made a quicker than planned return to Braunston, cruising when the wind was not too bad. After 2 trips into Daventry (I to shop and have hair cut, Ebony to vet - diagnosed with colitis - poor thing), I kept a watch on weather forecasts. Wind better and little rain on Wednesday so decided to leave Braunston again then. At first lock was joined by hire boat with 8 retired guide leaders. They were all keen to work the locks and kindly suggested I stay on to steer. 5 of them had been boating many times - but we still had 'fun' getting 2 boats into the locks!

Having made good progress I decided to make the most of the dry but cold weather. Stopped for quick lunch at Weltonfield then set off as a boat passed me - only to find another boat coming round the bend - oh dear I am going to be unpopular - luckily it was Roy and Celia on Strange Magic and we continued on to Watford locks. Dear Roy helped me up, while the lockie helped Celia. They now heading for base at Crick but we will meet up next week. I stopped for the night before the tunnel just after Bridge 9 - so peaceful - OK slight sound of motorway, but lovely setting!

Next morning I went through the tunnel and topped up water etc.

Went on to moor at Crack's Hill where I have moored for the show on 2 previous occasions. Found that Iain on Bees Nees had already arrived and I moored behind him on the good moorings between footbridge and winding hole. Iain attends every year, only giving up running the little show trip boat 3 years ago when I last saw him.

On Saturday 16 Tom and Christine on Lottie arrived in the fierce wind. We had met and become great friends while we were on the Great Ouse last year. It is so nice to meet up with people you haven't seen for a while. Unfortunately the canal needs a good dredging and we were unable to get their boat behind me - 4' out is not ideal. Sad because I moored exactly there 3 years ago, with many others, and planks were not even needed. Luckily a boat soon left from the other side of the winding hole and they were able to moor near me - as planned!

What with the stretch between the marina and bridge 13 cordoned off because of water voles, boating visitors to the show are going to have a big problem this year - previously we have been able to moor all the way to bridge 15. I am sure all those coming by car will be well catered for! During the show weekend very many people walk all the way up to Crack's Hill just to see all the boats - let's hope there are enough for them to see!

Tomorrow Gerry and Sandy on Stanley are due to arrive - hope they have waders!

Lower Heyford reached, now returning for Crick Show

After climbing Napton locks on a lovely day in April I went on to moor at Br 124 at Priors Hardwick. Sadly access to bridle path blocked by farmer so I had to walk to Br 125 to get to the village - but well worth the visit as it is lovely - the pub/restaurant looked good too.

Next day I went on to the lovely moorings after the ladder bridge below Wormleighton - with a lovely view of Napton. Soon after I was joined by boating friends Peter and I met in 2001 - Roy and Celia on Strange Magic. What happened to the day? - we chatted from coffee and cake time (thanks Celia), missed lunch and on to 9pm when we all decided we were starving. It is so nice to catch up with friends you haven't seen for a few years.

Next day Roy and Celia moved on and I walked into Wormleighton - what a lovely manorial village this is - well worth the long circular walk.

Now I was to cruise slowly on, stopping frequently to visit many villages as I went. I have made this trip many times before, but never slowly and exploring. Each way spending some money in Banbury!

Eventually, on Wednesday 29 April, I got to Lower Heyford, my pre-Crick goal. Decided to turn in the winding hole, south of the village. Mistake - as I winded, lost forward/backward motion and had to pole to bank. Had very slight power so limped back to Lower Heyford and rang RCR. They sent an engineer within 1/2 hour - from Oxfordshire Narrowboats - just the other side of the bridge! He changed throttle cable, then thought it was the lever, no it wasn't.

It wasn't until Saturday that the problem was resolved. Was it broken throttle cable or lever? In desperation I re-called RCR and they sent another engineer who said it was a WORN lever. Anyway he didn't have a replacement, so repaired it enough for me to have replaced later.

At least I was able to get down to Oxford by train on the Friday, as planned. It is handy having a dog who seems to enjoy public transport! Had a great day doing the Red Bus tour, lots of exploring (shame you cannot take dogs into colleges), plus a visit to Osney moorings (no-one here I know!) and then walked to Folly Bridge to sit by the lovely River Thames for an hour or so.

So on Sunday 3 May I set off northwards. Now it is cooler and breezy. I will be making the return journey faster as I have done all my exploring.

On Thursday it was pretty windy as I left Cropredy so decided to make it to Claydon Top Lock - 8 locks for me is quite a lot! Got to mooring in time for lunch - to find Karel and Susie on mv Daniel who I had seen on a few occasions since 2003, but never had a chance to chat - we made up for lost time!

Am now sitting out the very strong winds - watching boats struggle and bump past me - grateful that I am moored up. But the sun is shining and I can catch up on a few of those jobs.....

Grandchildren, Easter and Gone Cruising

Just as winter mooring ends, two more grandchildren are due to be born. On Monday 30 March I took Kanbedun Again into Braunston Marina as planned - just 3 hours after Charlie was born - 6 days early. A lovely little brother for Edward and Thomas. I was able to visit Kent for a couple of days to have some cuddles with my lovely boys before dashing to Lancashire to be with my daughter and be a co-birthing partner with her husband. Louise was born about 36 hours later at 4.28 am on 5th April - her due date. This is my 7th grandchild - and they are all under 4 1/2! I stayed till mum and baby came home, and was then invited to stay on for Easter - I had made no plans as I needed to be flexible/available - and of course I was delighted to be able to stay longer.

On Bank Holiday Monday I returned to the boat, visiting boating friends in Rochdale on the way south. Tuesday I stocked up with groceries and returned the hire car - thank you Enterprise for getting me a car at such short notice! Wednesday pm service (really wish I had the confidence to do it myself) with Justin at Wharf Narrowboats before returning to my ex-winter mooring spot for ex-boating friends to visit.

On Saturday 18 April I started my summer cruise - at last! Went to Napton where I spent a couple of days in glorious weather and met up with new boaters on The Answer who I had met during the winter.