The sale of Comet.....

So to catch up, I had to sell Comet. I had sold our share in Sylph and registered my interest in Waterlily - so I decided, as I spent a great deal of my time on Apollo duck, (daft name, only I remember it !) it might be worth a go. At this time I really did not think it would all fall together.

I recall it did not take me too long to write up some text and add in some photo's I had taken while I was waiting for the Whilton chap to value Comet.

Looking at these again she was (is) a nice boat inside. We had spent a long weekend getting her clean inside ..

Anyhow I could not believe the number of 'hits' the advert got within the first 48 hours - well over a thousand, and then the emails and telephone calls started. I think at the height I had 10 interested parties (even after she was sold I got people emailing asking to be 'first reserve' if the sale fell through) I think boats at this price with a tidy interior and good recent survey are fast sellers and so it was with Comet.

I think it was a Thursday afternoon after the ad had been in the previous weekend I got a call from a guy who was very interested and wanted to view. We arranged 4pm as he was travelling from Stockport. 2.30 pm I got another call from a lady who said she was interested. I explained about the guy from Stockport. She told me she was standing opposite and was very interested and could she view asap. So with a little reservation I upped and drove over a little earlier than planned to meet her.

I recall them crossing Hunts lock to the gate to meet me, two ladies an older gent and a young lad - not what I was expecting. They were all very friendly and the guy knowledgeable - he was a friend who had been brought along to check the boat over.

Josie was very interested so I left them inside to discuss their position, a couple of minutes later the asked what I would take...... as I had the guy coming from Stockport I cheekily said I could only take the asking price, unless they wanted to wait to see what the Stockport guy though of it, if he offered me full price I'd take it, if not then they could make me an offer.

Bottom line - Josie paid the full price and brought it there and then with £100 deposit. I really felt bad when I phoned the Stockport guy back and said the boat was sold - especially as he was just pulling into Fradley - ouch !!

Just the small detail of getting the balance and we would be boatless ......... but was Waterlily still for sale and would she survey OK......

But before all that we had to send Comet on her way - another little story to be told.......

Nev

Most favouritist pub....

Sue comments that the Greyhound at Hawkesbury Junction is one of her favourite pubs on the system. You might imagine there a few nice ones around, and I'm sure I will find more. I do like the 'non chain' flavours. The chain pubs are ok if you want a guaranteed standard - we spent one week eating mainly Toby Carvery's as the lads (when they wanted to come with us) really liked the help yourself approach.

But nicest pub (to date ) is another Greyhound at Burston, between Weston on Trent and Stone. The walk through the village is a nice aperitif for the beer or meal. I do think that memories of a few nice times in the pub also help.

Good old beer.....

When Grandpa is away....... (on the toilet)

The Grandson and son in law come out to play.......

Spot the common theme..... ;-)

It is one we will be stopping at later this year when we head that way to do the Macclesfield

Nev

Bet you thought I had got bored with this blog......

No such luck.

I have been away visiting friends in Jockland - beer and computer gaming (we took our anoraks as well) a good change of scene, but I am starting to get withdrawal symptoms.

Not canal related but a fine view never the less.


Plus we found a message in a bottle - which I will scan in for you to share and a skull that I left in Scotland but will recover it for Bones, hopefully to provide an identification.

I will get back onto the sale of Comet soon....... promise

Nev

Bits and bobs.....

One of the benefits of where we keep Waterlily is the perfect distance she is from home. We can get to her and back in under an hour. But when we are at Fradley it feels far away enough to be different. So a trip out to Waterlily today was undertaken - mainly to collect the sky card I had left on board and Rachel's glasses.

When we were on waterlily last weekend I used the sky card, but found it would not let me view my package channels as it was in a different receiver. I spoke to sky today about this and they said if I wanted to use the card on another box I could do so but I would have to phone sky up every time. So I went Sue's way on Nb No problem and ordered a freesat card from sky (they are only valid for three years, I wonder if Sue is aware of this?)

This should be fine for when we are on the boat - we don't watch a lot of telly on the boat but when we do I prefer it to be clear rather than the grainy pictures we have had with the old aeriel.

I got my new phone yesterday - its the Tytn II which has built in GPS - excellent. I have loaded up windows live which uses the GPS to plot where you are using either road maps or satellite images. It is VERY impressive, I can't see me getting lost ever again - I just need to buy a waterproof bag for it when I am on the boat.

The Brompton continues to impress. On my extended trial I have taken to going a very long way to work. I do want to try and cycle back from Fradley, I'll just wait until the weather gets better for that test.

I have also ordered a pipe thermostat from ebay. I will be fitting it to the back boiler pump to make the central heating a little more efficient, especially at night when the fire is a little cooler - by lowering the stat temp it should pump every now and again during the night keeping the rads warmish in the bedroom. I also have a digital engine hours counter to fit - so roll on the clocks going forward when I can go to the boat after work. I may even move her to Willington for a week or so to enable me to get to her in the evenings to do these little jobs - plus a definite use for the Brompton.

When I was at the boat earlier I gave the stove a good clean - including the glass - anyone got advice on keeping it clean, our squirrel stove has the vent thing on the door but it still seems to soot up?

I'll get onto the next chapter of the sale of Comet next.....

Nev

Its a Brompton Jim, but not as we know it......

As folding bikes go the Brompton is one of the best. I have one, I brought it some while ago knowing that at some point in my life it would be a central point of my transport in association with a narrowboat.

I have used it already when dropping Comet off at Streehay to get back to Fradley and my car. All in all a very versatile bike.

One of the benefits of my job (the transport side) is getting involved in alternatives to the car. We have just brought a couple of Bromptons, nothing interesting about that other than these are electric Bromptons. We have tried a few electric bikes but I think these are the best so far. They are glorified prototypes but still for sale from a bike shop Oxford way. (Details can be supplied on request)

The biggest benefit as I see it is they only have minimal extra weight so should you want to ride them without the battery - just don't plug it in. The battery is carried in a modified front carrier. The bikes ride well and the motor does support the rider very well, if I get a chance I will give it a tow path test ride (the suppliers suggest 40 miles in assisted mode - I doubt that but half that would be good)

And this weekends boating update........

Well, static boating that is.

Due to family committments we arrived at Waterlily at just before 10 on a lovely winter morning

We could not stay as we had to be back in Derby for a family get together, but we were due back on the boat later that same day. I am not sure if being 20 milesish from the boat is a good or bad thing under these circumstances. Anyhow our plans were to unpack and move the boat up to Shadehouse, clearing the five Fradley locks and spend some time in the sticks - anywhere between Fradley and Great Haywood.

The best laid plans of mice and men - picking up the mice thread again here. When we started to unpack we found out two 'guests' had crapped in the fridge as well as some of the cupboards. This is just not neighbourly I say. The end result was a boat spring clean - generator out, Dyson on , cupboard empty etc etc. By now I was not feeling any guilt about the way our antisocial friends had been removed from the boat.

So it was clean of boat, A38, eat, socialise, A38, on boat - we arrived back at 5pm and then I let my mobile phone have a swim - all in all a mixed day. Good old alcohol came to the rescue and we dozed our way into the late evening.......

I have a new gadget, an essential for all boaters, a digital multi meter, and it records temperatures. It got down to -4c overnight but Waterlily was a nice warm cacoon as I perfected the trick of keeping the fire in all night (another first and part of my apprenticeship in the way of canals) The next morning the cut was well frozen and looked like a winter wonderland. It was so much the better for being a Monday morning and we were on the boat and the rest of the world was at work.

Another first (hopefully) for the blog is my YouTube video of the morning from the counter of Waterlily on her moorings. I hope you can see what we were so keen to get the mooring we have?

As no boats were moving, and we did not want to loose out newly acquired blacking by ice breaking we decided this trip would be static and opted for a lazy day, reading and relaxing then some lunch and a trip to the BW shop at Fradley for some local walk details.

As I do, I opted for the longest walk which took us away from Fradley across fields and brought us out past Kings Bromley Marina. It was a great walk (we did get a little lost) We saw a woodpecker and a large bird of prey that we could not identify - (Note to self - I will buy myself a bird spotters handbook)

As we returned we enjoyed a fantastic sunset, and played with the camera to improve it.

This picture was taken from the bow of the boat as the sun had set - stunning sky and a warning for another -7c cold night.

Tuesday was a very grey and damp cold start. Once again the canal was iced up and no boats were moving first thing so we walked into Alrewas. I think this may be a village we eventually retire to. It is a lovely place with some nice old houses. Not yet, but did I mention my planning habits......;-)

We walked to the Trent and back which time a couple of Shakespeare boats were cracking their way through Alrewas.

All in all a perfectly relaxing and enjoyable couple of days. One thing we know for sure it Waterlily is a boat for all season as she kept us warm and dry even down to -7c

Roll on summer....................

The apprentice takes his first step (picture)

Without blowing too much smoke up Andrew Denny's ar$e (horrible term but one I find myself using more and more) I am a big admirer of Andrews night photography (I even have a tripod now)

Night or low light shots can't be just a point and shoot job otherwise we would all be taking fantastic shots. Yesterday whilst returning from a nice circular walk from Fradley junction the sun was setting just next to the Swan. Shooting straight into the sun was always going to be a problem, but I did, then decided to have a play with the exposure setting (-) and got more of the picture I wanted. The actual picture is too full, and the car would not move on and I got inpatient , but the fact I did not point and shoot - and got something different (read better, in my opinion) will inspire me......

First attempt

Less exposure

What do you think?

One small step for a boat roll, one giant leap for Waterlily

When I started this blog, one of the challenges was to get a mention on Andrew Denny's Granny Buttons site Sarah from NB warrior gave Andrew a gentle nudge recently whilst blogging about not liking the RSS feeds in favour of the web/blog sites themselves. I read that Andrew is experiencing a few personal pressure, which I offer my best wishes, and thanks for taking the time to add Waterlily to his list. I'll try and keep updating it, and thanks to Sarah for the nice comments

ooops - revenge of the mice (sort of)

I was fully intending to update my blog while away this weekend, only my very expensive multifunctional mobile phone looked like this on Sunday afternoon.......

I was setting up for a last hour of fishing when I remembered where I had stored my groundbait(in the engine bay away from my mice friends) I leaned in and retreived it. Unknown to me my phone had slipped out of my shirt pocket and was nestling between my jacket and shirt. As I jumped to the bank - 'plop' and the phone I had kept safe with me for the last year or so was fubar'd

It did look like this...............

The fact I left my 3g modem at home and had recently cancelled Rachel's web'n'walk meant I had an internetless weekend.

No problem for the first time in ages I read a book !

Snecklifter

One of the first blogs (or rather websites) I hooked up to for a canal fix was Mike and Liz's Snecklifter site. They shared their all year cruising in great detail and with a real enthisiasm for the canal life. I was very sad when I read recently that they had put Snecklifter up for sale and returned to land. It's a very selfish sadness I know as I enjoy the 24/7 water, electicity and gas, something I know from reading Mike's comments they are now enjoying fully.

So Mike and Liz, thank you for the many thousands of words and pictures and sharing your experience. In celebration of the end of the cruising I'll be trying Snecklifter ale for the first time tomorrow when on Waterlily for a few days.

Cheers !!

We will mainly be boating this weekend.....ice permitting

Well a decision was taken not to go to the boat last week as we have a few days off attached to this weekend. So after dropping youngest son off at Morrisons in the morning and leaving other son in bed we will be off to Waterlily for a few days :-)) after all this is the reason why we wanted our own boat rather than the share - the flexibility.

Only problem may be ice. Looking at the BBC forecast and reading the experts blog Sanity ice is /should be expected

No problem, only do I go and buy maggots for some fishing...... ?? I remember my mum telling me stories of her and my dad cycling (on a tandem) to Shardlow, and breaking the ice with stones so they could fish - hardy souls and a simple pleasure, there is a lot to be said for it.

I did have an idea that we might make Great Haywood and back - but I think I might be a little less optimistic just in case we get iced in. (it would be a great reason not to be in work later next week !)

Nev

Small interlude.......the old mobile phone

I know I said this was going to be a retrospective on my 2007 cruising, but hey what the heck, its my blog....

I was passing an old mobile phone over to a colleague at work when I remembered I had some photographs on it. They turned out to be a few from a trip in late 2006 (remember I said I like out of season cruising)

Sylph was based at Hockly Heath on the North Stratford. We had done the trip to the basin in Stratford in the summer and also taken her to Stockton top* (for her paint job - a one way trip) at the Easter, so this trip was to venture on a new bit of canal - down the Tardebigge flight on the Staffs and Worcester and back.

It was a good cruise, we got held up by a tree down just before Brandwood tunnel. The BW lads were very good. I got stuck in helping. I was just glad they used a hire boat to get access to the tree. By the end it was covered in wood chippings from the chain saws.

On the return journey we (Rachel and myself) did the whole 29 locks in one hit - while the two lazy lads snoozed in their beds. When we got to the top there was a hire boat winding and getting ready to go back down, 58 locks in a day is impressive (isn't it?)

This is a nice shot, taken from the banks of the resovoir looking down on Sylph.

Nev

O yes the * .....................this was the first place I fell in !! We had moored up at Stockton top, and I had done a taxi shuttle to collect the car while Rachel cleaned the boat. Just as I was stepping onto the back of the boat in the marina/boat yard Rachel popped her head out of the back door, just in time to see me miss my footing and lower myself into the canal. I luckily had hold of the rear seat rail but I still went in to my waist. I did struggle to get out - its amazing how 'heavy' you get.

Anyhow......back to the sale of Comet

Waterlily hits my radar.....

We had Comet and we also had a part share in Sylph, so we were technically a two boat family. Sylph was up for sale via Ownerships at a fair share price and as we had not taken any holidays (our pre booked ones anyway) we were hoping for a quick sale - that way whoever took Sylph would pay us our sinking fund fee on top of the share price.

We subsequently were advised we had interest in our share and to Ownerships credit (and at a cost) we sold our Share in Sylph and the transfer took place on the 1st April. :-(

I do not recall the exact day I first saw Waterlily on Whilton marina's web site (I wish I could pin point it for nostalgia sake) I do recall showing Rachel, jokingly saying that it was the perfect boat for us - very much like Sylph, very much the style we liked. At that time I did not imagine we would ever own her.

Whilton is exactly 50 miles from Derby and about an hour on the motorway. So as I had some time owing I took a long lunch break and drove down in appalling weather.

I like the set up at Whilton, very friendly and accommodating. I took the keys and was left to my own devices. I go on gut instinct a lot and first impressions. I had a very strong 'good feel' about Waterlily the first time I went on board. She seemed ideal, nice and clean inside - someone had loved this boat. I had been on board quite a few boats when looking as you do - pretend buying if you know what I mean. So many were dirty, damp, untidy - not the sort of place I could imagine myself. Waterlily was just the opposite nice, clean, friendly tempting...........

O blimey, that planning worm had started in my head. What had turned into a casual visit out of interest had seen me winging my way back north with all sorts of ideas and plans in my head. My doubts were based not on the boat but how easily should it be to realise a dream. And was this dream being realised too easily and should I give Comet another go and should I have not sold Sylph as we had had such good times on her.......

My poor long suffering wife Rachel had seen this all before, the reading, the planning the focus. I know she knew I was not happy with Comet, and we had discussed buying a cheap boat to get a mooring then selling it on. The planning continued.

As I saw it I had three problems,

1. I already had a boat
2. I did not have the money
3. Our mooring was only 45 foot and Waterlily was 50 foot

No 3 was the easiest and the first problem to go away - a call to the moorings officer at Fradley and she dispatched the lengthsman to check if we it would be ok to take up a little more space between Elizabeth and Mabel (I strongly suspected this would be ok but wanted the official ok) a couple of days later I got number three struck off the list.

The fact I already had a boat was a bigger problem. Money and moorings were issues so there was no way I wanted to have two boats - not even I am that greedy. I went back down to Whilton for a second look at Waterlily just to cement my desire for the boat - no problem at all. I then discussed my own boat with the staff. They said that part exchange may be an option and agreed to come and look at Comet. The fact they were travelling to see the boat gave me hope they may be in the mood for a deal. So once again I took a longer than normal lunch (bearing in mind my normal lunch breaks were five minutes eating while answering emails) a few days after my last Whilton visit to meet Rob for him to offer me a price on my boat.

I recall the day being a May day and it was soooo hot. We met on the boat and I could see straight away he thought this boat would sell. His interest was dampened by the 'wavy' lines of where the GRP shell met the hull. But the inside was practical, clean and well looked after. He spoilt the day by offering me well below what the boat was worth and what i had paid. I put forward the scenario of me taking the price and the price of Waterlily being reduced as well. He took the proposal back to his boss, but cautioned he was not optimistic.

The next day his pessimism was founded when he rang back and told me the seller was not willing to drop the price at all ! Bugger..... at this point Waterlily seemed further away than 50 miles of M1

My only option was to consider a private sale of Comet. I told Rob I would do so and if Waterlily went in the mean time - so be it, fate would deal her cards accordingly.

So on to the sale of Comet.........

Last trip on Sylph

In support of a friend I arranged a gentlemen only few days on Sylph. This was another 'free' week as part of the Ownerships booking scheme. The scheme is good for this sort of short notice cruising - especially in winter, which we did not mind doing.

John and Mick came down from Scotland with Prince the daft collie dog and met up with me and Tony. It was very much the same route as we had done a couple of weeks before as the stoppages were still on.

As you might imagine cooking extended to lunchtimes on the boat and then big meat meals at pubs in the evening, all washed down with vast excesses of beer. Towards the end of the week................well you can imagine what the boat was like !

We did do some boating - this is me giving Tony some instruction at Tyrley locks.... as Mick guides Sylph out expertly.

There are some great pubs on the cruising route we did, and some very friendly locals in most of them.

My last task on Sylph was to moor back up at Norbury - it was perfect, a fine end to our association with the boat. I was a little sad to lock the door for the last time (well I hoped so as our share was then up for sale).

Nev

Last but one trip on NB sylph

We had an idea that we would be letting go of our share in NB Sylph so we had booked later weeks in 2007 - making the share more attractive. One of the benefits of the Ownerships scheme is that over the winter there are usually free weeks. So it transpired we were heading off to Norbury junction for the last but one trip on Sylph. It was 0n the 10th February 2007 we navigated the snow to get to Norbury.


This picture was taken from the back doors in the very late evening on the 10th Feb, camera sitting on the cruiser stern board - a year to the day I'm writing this! (Andrew from Granny Buttons helped with the post processing to get more detail out, so thanks for that Andrew)

We had a lovely cruise down to the winding hole just above the Adderley locks. We had to wind at that point as there was a stoppage on the Audlum flight. We stopped both ways at Market Drayton, which is a town we like very much.

I really like the Shroppie, and could easily be persuaded to relocate Waterlily there, somewhere near Norbury Junction maybe? It is so atmospheric, when cruising I certainly feel so remote, which is perfect and a significant reason for being on the boat. This is Sylph on the 11th Feb (2nd boat up on the left), just waiting to depart through one of the most iconic bridges on the cut

When we got to Tyrley lock we got 'buzzed' by the RAF in one of their training helicopters. it came straight down the cut at speed, very low.

In fact we were 'tracked' for a good part of the holiday. I'm sure they were using us to track - especially as we crossed Shelmore embankment.

On the last night we moored in Grub Street cutting - one of my absolute favourites on this canal. I was fishing as the sun went down and the bird noise song was fantastic - enhanced by a couple of high speed fly pasts by the local Kingfisher, just a perfect way to end the family association with Sylph.

I know I'd be back shortly for an altogether more different, final cruise on Sylph...........

Nev

More about Comet

Not counting the Streethay cruises I think we only did a couple of local trips on Comet. The first was a trip down to Bagnall lock and back with My Mum and Ross and my sister Pam and Brother-in-law Bill. The other time was a trip the other way up towards Rugely, winding at Hansacre.

On reflection it was this trip that cemented my doubt about Comet. I liked the boat but, as the surveyor had commented, she was a bottom end boat and had limited potential. I am, by nature, someone who aspires for better things (not a good trait) but one that drives me to work hard and plan. I think I decided on that trip that Comet might not be the medium term boat we had envisaged. It was a good trip and towards the end i was regretting not packing an overnight bag.

On returning home I started to trawl Apollo Duck ............a dangerous, time consuming and expensive pastime

At this time we still had our share in Sylph and had a week booked in February half term - so a trip on the Shroppie was pending.......

Nev

I need a cut fix

It’s been a crap week, Tess, the cat, work, and not helped by having the worst tooth ache I have ever experienced. I am on anti biotics as since I had a tooth filled I have had tooth ache - now I have an abscess. I will no doubt have to have the tooth out in the near future - more pain and more money !!

It seems I can live without being on the boat for up to two weeks, then I get very restless for some time on the boat - a small cruise or even just lighting the fire, listening to the radio and watching the canal world go by. Blogging does help as it brings back memories of trips on the canal. I think I should write some more about Comet.............................

Nev

Sad Saturday

It’s so sad as we have had to take Tess back to the RSPCA.

When we first saw Tess the RSPCA told us she had shown no interest in other dogs or cats. That was very important to us as we have a 10 year old rescue cat called Tamsin. In an earlier post I commented that straight away tess was 'excited' by seeing the cat. This turned into aggression on every occasion we tried to bring them together. Tamsin did her bit - being in the room trying not to react to the dog, but as Tess got more comfortable in the house she got more aggressive towards the cat. We did not give in straight away. we took advice from a behavioural specialist and tried all week to manage the interactions between Tamsin and Tess.

Last night however Tess started to show her instinct and whilst outwardly showing no interest all of a sudden lunged for the cat. We had to have her on a harness top stop her and it was a good job otherwise I think Tamsin might have got injured, something we just could not let happen. So it was with a very heavy heart we had to take her back today. At least the RSPCA know a lot more about her. We have written a note to them and hopefully her new owners so they know what she likes and more importantly what she does not like. She is a smashing little dog, who will make a fantastic companion to any family - just no cats.

I hope they rehome her soon :-(

Relaxing.....

Mmmm I am starting to think that Tess is relaxing in her new home..................

Tess starts her new life........

We were just getting ready to have a walk into town when I took a call from the RSPCA home visitor who had some time and "were we available". 20 minutes later we were having a cup of tea and discussing dogs and boats (her husband was restoring a cruiser in their garden). 15 minutes after she left we got a call from the RSPCA saying all was ok and when did we want to pick Tess up. Rachel arranged to call after 4pm when the shelter is closed to the public.

Fantastic news - only we had purposely not got all the dog stuff we would need. So we shot off to the local pet superstore and did the business.

We then parked half way between our house and the shelter and walked in. We signed all sorts of forms - the RSPCA one, chip details and a free 6 weeks insurance form. Then we left with Tess. I dropped Rachel and Callum off at the car and walked Tess home.

Biggest problem so far is Tess's 'interest' in Tamsim, our rescue cat. It is something we will have to be aware of, any advice greatly received. We were told by the RSPCA that Tess had no interest in cats or other dogs - time will tell !


So fed and watered Tess is settling in - she has found her bed already and seems to be relaxing all the time. She will need some time, peace and quite, long walks and love - all on the agenda.


A pic of Tess 'settling in' having found her bed already.

The clean up and the waterheater.....

So Comet was ours. Only problem was she was still with uncle Ray at Streethay. Now this was still winter and we therefore chose the coldest snowiest day to go and collect her and bring her back to Hunts lock The only bonus was that there were no other boats moving. One must have gone before us we did not see as the ice was broken, a bonus as we had just had the hull blacked!

Tit on the tiller

Rachel, much more photogenic

What did not go down too well was Rachel leaving the flask full of hot coffee behind at Streethay.

We had a loveley cruise back, stopping off at the cafe at fradley for COFFEE and something to eat while we thawed out. When we returned to the boat the snow was making its full and splendid appearance.


One thing that I do not miss from Comet was her tarpaulin back cover - it took ages to fit, in the snow and with cold hands an even more 'enjoyable' experience.

We waited for the weather to improve before the next visit, armed with cleaning stuff, the Dyson (John had left the honda generator on board) and spent all weekend cleaning her. She had a complete declutter as well, all bits that we could not see a purpose for were disposed of (I think she was a couple of inches higher in the water afterwards.

One disapointment was lighting the boiler and finding the heater spurting water. We did not test it when buying the boat as the water tank was empty. I am sure this was a winter pipe fracture and John the seller was not ware. Bugger !

A post to the canal world discussion forums helped as some kind soul posted the best price for a replacemnt water heater. I contacted Ray again who booked us in and used the contact details to order the heater from Ireland.

My first single handling was taking Comet from Hunts lock to Streehay. I was a little nervous as it was my first time and on a relativly unknown boat (in locks). I should not have worried, the good folk at Canal world gave advice, some contadictory, which started an argument which I left them to finish having gained the good advice.

A week or so later I parked my car at Fradley and cycled the 3 miles, ½ flg to Streehay to pick up Comet and pay an £700 plus bill. I was starting to see how expensive ownership was in comparison to Ownerships

So once again Comet was back home, this time in cruising order... so time for her maiden cruise with us aboard......but that will have to be the next installment.



Nev

Marinas marinas everywhere......

This story appeared in my local paper.....my post is less about the problems the marina construction is causing (although the problems must be a frustration to the locals, especially as such a large project has missed such an important facet of disruption to the locals). My post concerns the number of large marinas on the T&M and this one is adding to them.

Mercia marina

Barton turns

Kings Bromley marina

Greay Haywood Marina

Canal planner says 43 lock miles covering all 4 marinas. Bank holidays at Fradley are going to get very entertaining, gongoozlers paradise!


Nev

First ever lock....

Sarah from NB Warrior blogs about her first lock.

Ours was ......

.........Marbury lock No10 on the Llangollen.

We took a mid week hire on an Alvechurch boat, Nutcracker 45ft cruiser stern. I recall the family had their first lock instructions, and the lads totally ignored them and mucked about as they do at that age..14 and 11.

This is a favourite picture from the holiday

It is 1927 days from that first day we ventured onto the canal (used this tool)
Or 5 years, 3 months, 9 days including the end date
Alternative time units1927 days can be converted to one of these units:
166,492,800 seconds
2,774,880 minutes
46,248 hours
275 weeks (rounded down)

On reflection that is a short amount of time when I consider the quality time we have enjoyed on the canals.

Nev

Comet - the survey

Green as grass new boat owners (subject to survey) we had some work to do..... the survey.

I was aware of Streethay as it is was boatyard of choice for Granny Buttons (well for winter 2007) that is. This this was a good enough reference, so I contacted Ray who owns the yard and asked for advice on surveyors. He gave me a name of Mr Balliol Fowden - quality name and quality chap. Paperwork was emailed across and a date was arranged, a quick call to John, the owner, and all was set to take Comet from Hunts lock to Streethay. This was another first for us - the Coventry canal.


We met up with John at Streethay on Sunday 21st January, we left a car there and drove to Fradley. Comet was pointing Alrewas bound so John suggested reversing Comet to Junction lock - I did suggest turning (I am not comfortable with the term winding) Comet below Hunts lock, but he did not think she would turn (we subsequently turned Comet there a few times) We got some strange looks reversing Comet through Fradley junction, John on the tiller and me on manual bow thruster (the pole at the bow.)

I recall it was a lovely cold but sunny day - we had a nice cruise down to Streethay where we moored up and returned to Fradley to collect the car.

24th January 2007 ( so much canal time since then) we had the survey. I was there with my camera, worried sick that they might find something 'bad' .......

Crane ready, boat being brought into position.
Balliol had done much of the inside and engine survey while in the water (not him Comet of course!)

Up she comes - they had a couple of goes to make sure they had the balancing point right

Ray, checking the boat was sitting rights before the crane let go of the strain (or at least I think that is what he was doing, could have been taking the strain himself !!)

It was very cold so the guys were well wrapped for the lift.

You can just see Balliol under Comet ultrasounding the base.

Bottom line was she was in very good condition for her age - basically excellent hull, but future scope limited by the GRP shell.

On review I think we got a good speedy survey. It certainly helped sell Comet later that year - but that is another story....

There was not anything that was a shock and nothing from the survey to fairly use to lower the price. We left Comet at Streethay and had her engine serviced and bottom blacked while she was out of the water.

I met John on a truly wonderful warm winters day at Fradley (I think he was having second thoughts at the time due to the fantastic weather and the setting). I passed a bankers draft over, he gave the paperwork, receipts bills etc, signed a bill of sale and we were canal boat owners on the 2nd of February 2007

Next installment will be the boat clean, boat cruise, and the first costs of boat ownership....

Nev

Tess - update

We (the family) visited Derby RSPCA on Saturday and we are now waiting for a home visit which, if all's ok, will mean Tess wlll be with us shortly.

Nev

Sarah and the colander conundrum

Some moons ago, Sarah (NB warrior) planted a seed of doubt in my mind about drainer drying colanders. Ever since I ponder the drying performance of my colander. For a variety of reasons (too deep and intense to detail on this simple blog) I have taken the courageous decision to dry in the upright position !

Proof positive............

Bonus day

We invited our friends Graham and Mandy onto our boat for a trip to Bagnall Lock and back today. We traded the sunshine for the wind and were gratefull to do so. To enjoy such warm 'winter' sunshine was a privilidge for sure.

No other boats on the move on such a fine day?

Nev

My reward (and a mouse update)

Spent the morning in the garden fitting fencing to make the garden Tess proof. My reward (I am on a days holiday after all) was an afternoon on Waterlily.

This is from the stern looking back to Hunts lock with Mable in the foreground. The fire is lit and the coffee is on, very pleasant. We are very lucky to have such a nice mooring.

Only one boat on the move today, Challenger boat 16 - good to see that the owners are still able to enjoy their boats. (Granny's post on their demise)


And the mice - the traps are still set so it looks like there were two first time buyers on my boat. Sad to have to exit them the way we (me and Granny's buttons)did.

Take care

Nev

Last poo post, says it all really

Couldn't resist this one....

Nev gets flippant over the dog poo do

Carrie from NB Blackbird made a serious challenge to the priorities we (boaters) seem to associate with dog poo. I made a somewhat flippant response, I did not wish to dismiss the points made. In fact I agree that there are many other priorities in life, and we should where possible do our bit. I do my bit, and part of my bit is getting frustrated about lazy dog owners.

You can do something about it

http://www.fixmystreet.com/

Putting in my postcode (home not boat) came up with the following:-


Recent problems reported near here

No problems have been reported yet.

Closest problems within 6km

Massive pothole! (0.9km)
Two further lights out (No numbers) (1.2km)
Street light flickering (No Number) (1.3km)
Amber light (1.4km)
Test message via www.neighbourhoodfixit.com (1.8km)
Abandoned Fiesta (1.9km)
Fridge (2km)
Litter from local shops (2.6km)
Burnt out car (2.6km)

Recently fixed problems within 6km

Road full of leaves (5km)
Light 112101 is out (1.3km)
Please remove graffiti (5km)
Street lights 112095 & 112096 (1.2km)
In private garden (3.9km)
Recycling facilities (3.3km)
Graffiti (2.3km)

Intermission......

Not quite time to get a choc ice or a G&T ...... I have started to write up the next installment on our purchase of Comet - but for some unexplainable reason the pics I want to include are on my work PC and I'm not at work today and tomorrow ;-)

So I will provide you with a little update on the dog preparations, I kid you not....

Today I have been fitting a 'back gate' - part of the fortification of our garden for when Tess arrives - or chronologically speaking when the RSPCA person arrives to vet us and the security of our garden. Tomorrow it is fencing the far end of our garden. You see how lucky you liveabords are, such a large garden and someone else looks after the fences for you !

I can't fault them (RSPCA), a family visit to the branch to meet Tess to show the whole family commitment on Saturday, then a home visit to check to see we are who we say we are and we have garden and house wise what we have told them. If only all people were vetted in the same way before any dog ownership, maybe we would not have so many 'rescue dogs'?

To keep a very tenuous canal link here is a picture of Prince with our friend Carrie (his owner) on our shared boat in 2006. We took Sylph from Hockley Heath to Stratford and back - a fantastic cruise.

Prince has a fascination for ducks - he would seek them out and just watch them at every opportunity, a variation on the herding instinct I think.

Take care

Nev

My oath (oaf) to dog poo..

Dog poo is on the menu on a couple of blogs today....

http://carrieblackbird.blogspot.com/2008/01/in-defence-of-dog-poo.html

http://mortimerbones.blogspot.com/2008/01/guilty-as-charged.html

I will be shortly owning one of the poo generators - see

http://nevsblogaroony.blogspot.com/2008/01/and-now-good-news.html

So, to show my commitment to the issue....

I agree by almighty God

To pick up the poo

The whole poo

And nothing but the poo

For ever and ever

Amen

Would you want to know ........

Maybe some advice on a dilemma?

We brought Waterlily from Whilton Marina (no link - I'll explain why in a future post) The lady who was selling her was doing so as she had lost her husband and could not/did not want to carry on boating. It was sad as it was obvious the couple had looked after the boat very well. It was seemingly prepped for a new seasons cruising that was never achieved.

All of our contact was via the brokers so we never met or spoke to the lady.

The question is do you think she would appreciate a letter telling her who we are and where Waterlily is now? If it were me I think I would want to know what happened to my boat and that someone was looking after it and enjoying it in the same way I did.

What do you think?

Nev

And now the good news

In a earlier post I blogged about adopting another dog. I commented that since we had to have our last rescue dog put down, we have both not wanted to go through the hurt we suffered after Cindy's passing. We discussed it and decided it was basically a selfish response - especially when there were so many rescue dogs needing a home. Alongside this the pleasure of ownership will completely outstrip the eventual pain of loosing a pet.


So we went to 'have a look' at the local RSPCA today. I know - completely impossible to look especially if you see a dog that you know you could help. One such dog was there today.

Her name is Tess and we have offered her a home. She is a lovely little 8 year old terrier, who it seems has not had the best of chances to date. Her 'story and description' from the RSPCA is as follows;-

Tess
Tess is a female, 8 years old dog, who was brought to us on the 31st of December 2007.

Tess is an 8-year-old black-and-white crossbreed terrier. She was brought to Derby RSPCA Centre when her last owners were no longer capable of coping with dog ownership. She is by nature a friendly dog, but has been rather shaken up by her recent experiences (less care from her owners, then losing her owners and her home altogether) and is understandably rather wary, nervous and jittery at present.

Because she is so unsettled at the moment and preoccupied with her circumstances, she doesn’t seem to interact very much with the world around her. She currently shows no interest in other dogs and even ignores cats and small furry animals altogether (though this might well change if she found herself living under more relaxing circumstances). She can even seem completely indifferent to people sometimes, no matter how friendly and well-intentioned they are. She is strokeable, but always tense.

Tess needs a calm and very loving new home where her owners will allow her the time and space to adjust to a new environment and a whole new life. Gentleness, understanding, patience and compassion are what Tess needs to be shown, so she can relax and wind back down at her own speed without feeling at all pressured.

She would be suitable to live in a household where any children are aged 15+ and are kindly and sympathetic. She will of course need plenty of exercise. Tess is at heart a friendly little dog who simply needs a warm and caring ‘forever’ home now where she can gradually turn back into the happy and relaxed little terrier she should be.

She shows not interest in cats which is good as Tamsin our rescue cat needs to be considered. So we have an appointment with the centre next weekend when the whole family has to meet Tess. If that's OK then its a home visit - I think the RSPCA do it right - plenty of focus on our suitability for Tess.

It may be a couple of weeks before Tess is with us. I'll keep you posted.

I think dogs and boats go together so well. Last year and the year before we had Prince, our friends John and Carrie's dog on our shared ownership boat - he loved it. I think dogs are a natural introduction and get people talking.

Nev

First the bad news (for the mice)

Went to Waterlily this afternoon and the traps had done their job. Two quick kills, these traps are very powerful, I'm pleased to say (please because it makes me (and Andrew's Buttons) feel better.

The family have suggested I should have used humane traps (these are the three in tears over Geoffry) I contend 24 hours stuck in a little box on a cold canal boat, then released into the wild to find a warm space for the night (I know I am anthropomorphising here) would be worse than the instant end they received.

Anyhow the traps are reset - I hope I do not find any more visitors !

Nev

Care to translate........

Its now late - I have been up since 7, worked for 11 hours and have started to drink some wine so please, bear this in mind for this post.

See my paradox blog below. I am not intelligent in an academic context. In replying to an email from Sarah from Warrior I used the term, I was ' in the shadow of giants' - a reference to my immature blogging in comparison to the list to the right of this post. In using the term I did a search on 'shadow of giants' and picked up this gloriously rich text from Amazon

Editorial Reviews of " Standing in the Shadow of Giants: Plagiarists, Authors, Collaborators (Perspectives on Writing: Theory, Research, Practice) (Hardcover)"

Book Description - Who's cheating whom in college writing instruction? This book argues that through binary privileging of the "real" author (the inspired, autonomous genius) over the transgressive writer (the collaborator or the plagiarist), composition pedagogy deprives students of important opportunities to join in scholarly discourse and assume authorial roles. From Plato's paradoxical dependence on and rejection of Homer, to Jerome McGann's dismissal of copyright as the "hand of the dead," Standing in the Shadow of Giants surveys changes and conflicts in Western theories of authorship. From this survey emerges an account of how and why plagiarism became important to academic culture; how and why current pedagogical representations of plagiarism contradict contemporary theory of authorship; why the natural, necessary textual strategy of patchwriting is mis-classified as academic dishonesty; and how teachers might craft pedagogy that authorizes student writing instead of criminalizing it.

About the AuthorREBECCA MOORE HOWARD chairs and directs the Writing Program at Syracuse University.

Now I respect his paragraph for the rich and varied words it uses to help describe the book. Normally I would spend some time putting the words I do not understand into MS Words synonyms feature but I think you may be able to do better, Sarah (Warrior)and Andy (Khayamanzi), step from the world of academia and give it a go, in fact anyone - can you put this paragraph into one sentence?? Maybe Andrew could work his marketing magic on it??

I promise, I'll post the survey stuff (Canal related) and maybe a mouse (mice) update tomorrow - or later today as its once again gone midnight !

Good night

Nev

Warning - some canal boat stuff......

Going back to my very first post............

Monday 1st January 2007.

I (we) have done the hiring thing and were happyish shared ownership boaters. We had a desire for our own boat, but a timeline for it. We also knew that moorings were as important as the boat for our type of ownership - day and weekend breaks and longer visits as and when family and work allowed.

We knew where we wanted to moor any future boat - either Fradley junction or Kings Bromley marina. Both identified on a round trip to Burton and back from Stoke in the summer of 2005. In fact for the summer of 2006 the Swan at Fradley was my Friday evening after work local - a walk by the locks in early evening then a shandy (I was driving) at the Swan. The atmosphere and tranquility of the junction when all the visitors have gone and just the boaters remain is/was intoxicating and very special to me.

We had made an offer on a boat called Longfellow in 2006 that was moored at Fradley (third boat down on Hunts lock moorings) but missed it as the other buyer took it without a survey !

Sorry about the poor pic, but that is/was Longfellow July 2006 ish

So, Fradley being one of our two mooring locations it was always a favorite walk. With a belly full of over indulgence we went for a walk to Fradley and low and behold saw Comet for sale....

I took what I thought was a picture I could enlarge when I got home of the telephone number that was in the window. This piece of cunning logic was flawed by an out of focus picture ! No problem, an email was dispatched to Chris Wells (no relation) who lives aboard NB Belle about four boats down from Comet - in fact I think Chris and Stella had only just taken Belle to their moorings

http://www.railwaybraking.com/belle/index.htm

Chris very kindly emailed me the number the next day and the call was made.

John Hall the owner was recovering from some 'out of date' food poisoning so he could not meet us for nearly two weeks. We did arrange an appointment time of 12.30pm on the 14th January 2007.

This gave me plenty of time to think of all the things that I should be looking for and questions to ask. The 14th arr rived and with excitement and we travelled again to Fradley.

I do like it when you see something you know you want/need to have/are going to have. (Rachel my wife, our present house and our present boat all fall into this category) The inside was nice, well laid out. We both liked John, we 'trusted' him from first meeting him which is a good feeling. Long and short of it we offered him the full asking price subject to survey. He had let us know someone else was viewing after us so that is why we offered what we did - we also considered the boat worth the asking price having viewed others that were well over priced for what was being offered. We did feel a little sorry for the couple who were sitting on the Hunts lock gate, looking excited and expectant, as we left the viewing, knowing that they were going to be given the bad news Comet had been sold.

We went to the Swan to celebrate with a carvery and a couple of pints of Pedigree.

So we were boat owners (pending) on the 14th January 2007

The survey to follow !

Nev

Paradox and the mouse (or mice)

I was going to title this post "irony" but I looked it up using Microsoft's Words synonyms tool and paradox is better, I feel more comfortable with it. I, being a little less well endowed with the fuller brain capacity, do struggle with spelling, grammar and punctuation - you may have noticed, so I do like to test myself with words every now and again.

Anyway, the traps are set, me and Andrews buttons are complicit (another quick check on word suitability, wrong word but I have typed this now so it stays) Andrew's buttons (bugger, it that the right place for the apostrophe,) and I have been used to lure my unwelcome visitors to a quick end. At the same time my wife and my sons, 16 and 19, have been in tears today as we have had to put the hamster (Geoffrey) down, or to sleep, whatever you prefer - are there too many comma's in that last bit?

It is almost funny, but I can't laugh. I am paying a nice well trained vet to end one rodents life yet tempting others to a untimely death - what a paradox - great, got there in the end.

Nev

Rain rain go away come back another day....

Just keeps weeping out of the sky. Not good as I'm working in it tomorrow (university awards day)

I am aiming to get to Waterlily tomorrow (today - I really must get to bed earlier) to check all is OK with all this rain,and set the gadgets of death, for a follow up Sunday visit.

Nev

One final thought......

I have been seriously thinking about adopting another dog. Cindy our last rescue dog died a few years ago and she was such a lovely dog I never felt she could be replaced. However I read John and Cathy's sad tail about their cat Box having to be put to sleep and it brought it all back - I'm not sure I could have that experience again.

http://pavsnb.blogspot.com/

Nev

Best intentions

Hi,

I intended to start my last years boating blogging tonight as per my first post, however I got side tracked into installing Vista onto my main PC. I have installed it before but removed it as it was very resource hungry. Having upgraded my PC just before Christmas and also been using Vista on a laptop recently I did not like using two different operating systems (for leisure, I have to use XP at work)

So no canal blogging tonight - I have a late meeting tomorrow so I will get a chance to post about our first meeting with our first fully owned boat 'Comet' some point tomorrow - or later today as it is past midnight now,

Nev

Mice part III

Wilco's made the decision for me - advanced trap (I can't resist a gadget !) They did have poison but I did not want to encourage the flys....

The 'advice' says use chocolate, so I have off loaded some of the responsibility and eased my conscience. So its me and Andrews buttons (and some self responsibility from the mouses for pooing in my pan cupboard) - at least they will go with a nice taste in their mouths :-(

I feel bad already !

Nev

What I LIKE about the blogs on the RIGHT.....

For the owners of the blogs on the right, please do not be offended as I explain why I like your blog - and why its there, my reasons for liking it might not be your reasons for writing it, let me know if you disagree......

Warrior - I like the blog as its regular, not always canal related- some interesting other thoughts. The canal content detailing the build of Warrior was informative and inspirational.

Snecklifter - One of the daddy's - not a blog, but the first site that I regularly read and was well updated. The areas travelled and the archives makes this a site to recommend. I can't wait for the book?

Sanity - Another well updated site with some nice personal detail and comments. I like the live aboard blogs - I like to dream and put myself into some of the locations and situations.

No Problem - Excellent for all the reasons above. Sue updates very regularly and is so positive about life and the day to day dealing she has on the cut. One of my real favourites. My satellite set up is based on Sue's advice - thanks.

Narrowboat Bones - Ms Bones posts are entertaining, often funny, some observational always a good read. Ms Bones is a working live-a-board so once again one to relate to, but not so easily as Andy's below because of the seemingly quirky lifestyle (no offence intended MS Bones, I do not want to end up in one of the bags below the water line !)

Khayamanzi - another live aboard and a personal insight on living (and working) aboard - it gives some confidence that if I dared I could do both.........Well written Andy, thanks.

Hadar - An newer blog for me, but very open and honest. Like Sue's blog the passion and the enjoyment of living on the cut flows from the blog. Well updated giving a real sense of living day to day on the cut.

Granny Buttons - Inspirational, first port of call every day for me. Andrew takes some fantastic images - mainly in the dead of night (I can't believe he has not attracted police interest yet in his night time prowls) . I have one of his pictures (with his permission and credited to him) in my land living room. Excellent canal related news articles.

So keep it up people, there are others that I will add as I go along. Keep blogging I say.......

Nev

Mice part II

We took the opportunity of a few hours on the boat yesterday (Sunday). Our original intention was to cruise down to Alrewas and wind, however when we arrived the wind was blowing well and rain was its companion.

So the fire was lit, the DAB radio was wired in to the 12v rather than inverted via the transformed (I cannibalised an old transformer with the same plug so I have still got the PURE transformer in case I ever use it at home).

Rachel started to prepare some food and found mice droppings in the pan cupboard. Now I don't mind sharing my accommodation but I think it is just poor show to poo in your landlord pot cupboard and not pay rent. So they have to go....... but how?

I thought about dragging the fixed double apart as on further investigation they had eaten the plastic cover that hold the bedding etc. Very antisocial and got my gander up I can tell you. But I am not keep on small things that run quick and bit when challenged, so it has to be a trap.

We have had mice at home and have used the humane traps. Problem is once set they need checking every day otherwise they turn from being humane traps to little torture chambers. My preference was for the 'little snappers' I can set them and leave them to the next visit - not too long otherwise our other guests - the house fly’s will do what they do best - you can imagine I'm sure.

So it’s off to Wilkinsons after I have posted this and they will decide for me based on stock. I'll let you know what we opt for and how successful we are.

I'm a little annoyed as I went to some trouble to rescue the last lot who live externally on the boat, this lot may not get the same treatment.

Nev

Mice - part 1

Had the opportunity for a couple of days on our boat just before the New Year.

We stopped at Fradley to water up before mooring back at our home moorings. As my wife lifted the hosepipe case, out jumped the first stowaway, who jumped straight into the cut, and then managed to find a hole in the wharf wall. On further inspection stowaway no2 was still holding firm in the hose case.........much banging of the hose case and prodding with a small stick eventually persuaded stowaway number two out who followed no1 into the cut - this time swiming away from the boat across the cut.

When he/she got to the other side the steep sides meant a holding position on the side of the canl was the best he/she could achieve. So I was dispatched with landing net over to the other sire of the cut to complete the rescue and introduce the 2nd stowaway to the Fradley nature reserve.On further inspection of the bow my stored groundbait and various plastic bags (for the chimney and for wood off cuts) had been eaten away. It appears mr and mrs mouse had set up home for the winter in my nice dry bow complete with cratch cover and food supply.

Groundbait is now stowed in the engine bay. (I hope the two stowaways got dried off before the night set in.....)

Never occured to me that the wildlife would join us on the boat.

Nev

An unusual approach

Hi,

So you have found your way to my blog, let me know you have visited and how or why you got here.

The main reason for the blog is to give something back into the world of canal related blogging. I read many and over the next few weeks they should appear as a link on this site.

Now the problem, I do not live on my boat, which means limited canal content, so we'll see how it goes. The reason for the title ...... well I (we) have had a canal boat for a year now, so I intend dragging my previous canal cruises and related activity from the grey matter and detail it here.

My biggest challenge will be to get a mention on the top canal blog - Mr Andrew Denny’s, who blogs about canals extensively and sometimes blogs about his own boat - Granny Buttons. I'll leave some canal related words about to see if he picks them up... !! See how good he really is ;-)

Back soon with today’s story - then back to last year to start the proper blog.

Don't forget to leave a comment


Nev