Back in the swing

Just over a week now back on the cut and all is well apart from a minor incident involving a hire boat which managed to turn completely the wrong way and straight into our bow. Sadly I was at the tiller at the time and couldn't avoid the collision. It didn't sound or feel too bad at the time but it did leave a dent which John is working on. 

We are at Fazeley junction having come up the Grand Union to Norton Junction with the Oxford Canal then on to the Coventry Canal. There are 3 pubs in Fazeley and each one has a handful of men standing quietly at the bar except the one we are in which has two very drunk women dancing and singing to old seventies music;  Quite entertaining really. 

As we came through Rugby I managed to catch up with my cousin Valerie who I haven't seen for many years so lots to talk about. 

Some lovely scenery along the way. It's a shame the camera doesn't always capture what the eye can see but here's a few. 

Here we go again

Time to resurrect the blog as we leave tomorrow to explore uncharted waters - well the Grand Union Canal again! 

We have spent the winter in safety and security in Apsley marina near Hemel Hempstead and have to say that there were times this winter when we were very glad that we were not out on the cut. No floods reached anywhere near us and we even escaped the mud and mire of the towpaths. Apart from the incessant rain it's been fine in the boat. Really warm and cozy with the stove alight most days and hardly any sub zero temperatures. 

We managed to sneak in a week in the sun in Egypt before Christmas. Then a surprise trip to Vietnam ( a very long story, too long for this blog but have a look at www.ganhdauvillage.blogspot.co.uk )

After that a quick trip to Ohio for me to see Laura and John went skiing in France. 

We had every intention of leaving at the beginning of April but, as ever, events transpired to prevent that. ( maintenance issues at John's house in Oldham ) so three weeks and a complete house redecoration later we are making final preparations to leave. A good spring clean inside and outside, stocking up the larder, filling up with the last of the cheap diesel and we are ready to rock and roll. It's going to be a tough few days to start as we head towards Tring. Lots of big heavy locks so if anyone is at a loose end and wants a free boat trip in the next few days we would welcome you with open arms!!!

We did it

Very glad to report that our little adventure on to the tidal Thames from Limehouse to Brentford went ahead as planned apart from a few minor hitches. Firstly I undid the ropes too early in the lock at Limehouse. How was I to know that they keep opening the gates a little bit. I saw the gate opening and thought we were away!

 It is really quite daunting when you hit the open water after the lock. It feels like you are at sea and when you are in a boat that has the seaworthiness of a brick, you feel a little vulnerable. Hence, when we hit some choppy water between bridges and the stern was out of the water so you could hear the propellor whining, a bit of a panic ensued! Thankfully this didn't last long and the rest was plain sailing. The only other awkward moment was when we went through the wrong arch of a bridge and was flagged down by the river patrol for a telling off. Oh and we didn't realise you had to book your passage through Brentford lock but the kindly lock keeper let us through anyway. (After a bit of banter when he pretended he wasn't going to let us in!)

The weather was chilly and drizzly to start  but actually this was a bit of a blessing as it meant that there were not too many big tourist boats on the river and we practically had it to ourselves. We passed a few of the high speed catamaran shuttle services but after a while they dropped off and the river was ours apart from the odd rowers practising around Putney bridge. 

At Brentford we caught up with Richard on Tin Tin who we met in July in Camden   After a glass of champagne and a cream cake we were on our way again. Love this life!!

Completed the last leg of the journey into Uxbridge in total darkness. 11 hours and 13 locks and about 30 miles. Not a bad day:)

It's now or never ...

Here we are, moored up in the surprisingly spectacular limehouse basin, awaiting the incoming tide tomorrow morning. We've just been up to the bridge and I have to say the water looks frighteningly choppy. Just trusting that the lock keeper won't let us out if its dangerous. We had to bite the bullet and buy an VHF radio but at least we know that help will be in hand if we run into difficulties. John is preparing the anchor as we speak and then it's off to the Narrow for a bit of Dutch courage! 

It's been a long time

Keep getting told off for not writing blog so here we go ...

We came to realise that we have been on the rivers lee and stort since the beginning of the school holidays ( not that that means much to me now:) A total of about 9 weeks so far  and still here. Partly due to having visitors and its a nice place to cruise and partly due to having to leave the boat for over a week to help Dominique and Jamie being their boat down from Nottingham. A bit of déjà vu going on there! However we did come by a different route and I have to say it was a lot easier (or maybe we are just a bit more experienced now). We also got to see some different canals and can tick a few more off the list! Happy to say that they are well settled on their boat now and hopefully confident with handling her.

Also lovely to see Laura home from America for a week or so. Actuality a bit longer than planned due to American embassy not getting her passport back to her on time!  

We have also come to realise that we are going to have to hole up for the winter months. We would be happy to keep going but there are stoppages on the canal in winter and boaters are discouraged from moving about too much so we are looking at staying at apsley marina for dec jan and feb. 

John is about to have an arthroscopy in his knee. He has had problems since before the Milton Keynes marathon and hasn't run since. With any luck this operation will give him a new lease of running life. He is missing it dreadfully:( 

I'm sure I have left out loads of events over the last few weeks but come the winter I will have loads more time to write. 

Happy new year to any Jewish friends reading this. We met loads on the river today having a day out with their families.:)

And another thing...

Another thing I  love  about this life is the way you can start a day with no fixed plans and things just happen. Like today we started the day with Helen (of Pelham)  on board , heading from Stanstead Abbotts to Hertford. Helen was born and bred in the village and relived her childhood jumping off the bridge (mentally!) and finally went through the lock on a boat after a lifetime of wondering what it would be like. Then Carol came along with husband John and a cream tea! Later we stumbled across the Hertford acoustic club. What a friendly, welcoming and supportive bunch of people. This is the kind of day we had envisaged but could not possibly plan. . It just happened. 

Along the way in Ware we came across the gazebos. I have been to Ware loads of times but the view from the river is a totally different experience and I had no idea that these beautiful buildings existed and that they are unique as a group in the whole country. 

Also saw some kind of grebe. Maybe someone can identify the correct species. My book was a bit vague!

Loving this life

Just cooked dinner for lovely friends from Furneux (Marie Sue and Denis ) and now sitting on the deck with a glass of red thinking that it doesn't get much better than this. A few stars are beginning to make an appearance, the night is still and warm and fish are literally jumping....you could write a song about it:) 

Something puzzling me - where have all the male ducks gone?? Lots of youngsters who are clearly going to get male markings but where are the dads? I'm sure I could google the answer but would much prefer someone to tell me. 

Nearly at the end of a week in Stortford and having a great time catching up with friends in the area. We've had one or two rainy days this week but that has given us time for hobbies and I'm quite pleased to have finished some cabin lace for the saloon windows. It's a traditional design from the old working boats and although we're not really into the whole castles and roses look, I quite like this and the sense of achievement is satisfying. 

John has done a few jobs today!