Ownerships and Fradley Junction

Last time I spoke with the owners of the boat yard at Fradley they told me they were maintaining quite a few Ownerships boats. I have just read on Ralph Freemans section of Narrowboat world that they (Ownerships) may be taking over the yard at Fradley. This is good news as we moor close to there, especially so as whilst the owners are friendly I am not 100% happy with them - especially after being charged 20 quid for a pump out last year !!

I would like to use my local yard as much as possible so I'll watch with interest the changes. It makes me wonder about the moorings there - If Ownerships do have it as a base I would expect a cheaper mooring rate for their boats so demand would be high on an already busy section. Some days it is one way traffic between Junction and Middle locks.

Fradley is a gongoozlers paradise. If was a bright but cold day when we came back from our Feb14 cruise (noticed the email address??) The visitors were out in full force - the car park was close to full - including the overspill car park.

Rachel in chatting form with the gongoozlers.

Marking the passing of time.....

It occurred to me I have seen the demise of a few blogs of boaters who have been cruisung and have given up and gone back to dry land..... it puts a mark in the timeline of my ownership of a canal boat and my interest in reading other boaters blogs.

It is a shame when a blogger gives up - for whatever reason. It seems to define the size of the canal network that someone can do it all then sell the boat and go off to do something else. I feel that canals are in my blood like motorbikes (I know that don't make good bed partners), I can't see how easy it wold be to walk away from the canals so to speak

It was reading a post by the owner of Marmaduke that got me thinking - especially of Snecklifter, who's blog and travels I was an avid follower of.

Nev

The wilds ....

So this is our weekend retreat. We have moored here a few times and like it as not many other boats moor here and we don't get too many walkers this far from Fradley or Armatige.

I took a lovely early morning walk with Leia and took the photo below. We are just about to move on back to our Hunts lock moorings.Waterlily will then be pointing the right way to go to Willington for her paint job at Aqua Narrowboats....

25th Wedding anniversary cruise part II

We are aboard now - a silver wedding cruise part II (part one being Egypt that I'll blog about later)

We came aboard on Thursday evening lit the fire and got cosy. We cruised to Alrewas on Friday and winded and came back up the fradley locks to the top of Shadehouse and got the last mooring - strange as there were no boats at all on the 48 hours moorings opposite the BW offices.

Our lads joined us on Friday night for a curry on board and a good time was had by all.

Today we moved on and I have just been in the engine ole to replace the alternator belt as it was squealing and the rev counter was jumping around and the green Advarc battery light was on and off = slipping alternator belt. It was at full adjustment so I stopped above Woodend lock and replaced it with a new spare on board. Now no squealing and the rev counter is showing the correct revs.

We will be winding at Kings Bromley and staying the night in the wilds to see in our 25th Wedding anniversary - perfect.

Nev

Frost - bring it on....!!

A little delayed but an update on the work on Waterlily. This was the scene last Sunday after I'd put her back together .



You will see I have left the carpet up to dry out the bit that got wet - not much at all really.

Just a flavour of what I have done on every bit of pipe work I can get access to - certainly all the kitchen back to the water pump.

I rewarded myself with a nice peaceful walk with Leia up to Woodend lock

The frost damage was greater than first thought !!

I posted before my hols about the frost damage on Waterlily here ....

I visited today (Saturday) to fix the pipe behind the cooker shown in the pic from the link above. The cooker came out ok (lighter than I thought) and I fixed the joint by taking it back to the elbow and putting in a new piece of pipe. Turned on the water and pump only to hear the sound of running water still !!! Argh.....

I let it run for some time to find the second leak.....



The frost had opened up a run of pipe completely - under the pot cupboard of course which is very difficult to get at meaning a partial dismantling of the boat !



The split was under the cupboard middle top. I spent some time scrabbling around cutting the pipe and sweating a new piece in.

I can't beleive that none of the pipes were lagged at all. Needless to say as it went back all the pipes were lagged as best as possible.

After I fixed the 2nd leak I fired up the water pump and could hear water running in the bathroom - this time it was the washer on the shower mixer that had been damaged. So the mixed tap came off the wall and was stripped and put back - it was a teasing puzzle !

All went back pump on and up to pressure and nothing .... no water sounds no pump running on and on..... So 3-0 to the frost. It makes me wonder how many others will return to their boats in spring to the same problems. Just happy I have the tools and ability to sort out the damage.

Just got to finish the lagging and reassembly then I can enjoy the boat again

Nev

Aswan port

This is the view from the top deck looking down river......

River cruising - Egyptian style

So here I am in 25 degree C sushine watching the Aswan world go by - yep we are in Egypt cruising the River Nile. There is so much to say about this country and I hopefully have some good pics I'll post shortly.

We boared in Luxor and have cruised down to Aswan - famous for the dam and lake Nasar. Cairo is planned as part of the holiday so hopefully some good pics from the capital.

I hope the weather is not too cold where you are !!!!!

Nev

Supporting our troops

I have just signed up for this

Bikers To Honour Afghan Heroes On Mothers Day

I can't think of a better way to spend the day - on the bike and showing solidarity towards our troops. It will also show that small group of misguided ****'s that this country knows what sort of parade is acceptable.

Nev

The frost takes a bite out of Waterlily

It was a one day visit on Sunday to check how Waterlily fared during the recent extended cold snap. We opened the main stop cock, turned on the electricity and hit the water pump button. The pump kicked in and then we heard the awful sound of running water and it was not coming from the tap....... arse !!

So it was then a matter of trying to find the location without running too much water into the boat. I initially thought it was between the water pump which is in the TV cabinet and the sink unit. I managed to get a view of the pipe work after taking part of the bookcase apart but could not see any damage or wet areas.

Next option was to have a good feel under the sink where the cold water pipe come in - dry and still no leak.

So we turned the radio off and hit the pump switch again and listened - same tinkly water sound -pump off and into the bathroom and under the sink. No leaks but as soon as I touched one of the pipes it moved meaning it was not connected the other side - behind the cooker......

I emptied the under sink cupboard and climbed in to take this photo....



The frost has completely opened up the soldered joint. This was after I thought I'd drained the pipes. I think in hindsight all I'd done was remove the pressure and some of the water. I am giving thought to rigging up a pump to draw off any water in the pipes to stop it happening again - that and some lagging

I did not have the bits or the inclination to repair it as we were only aboard for the day so we lit the fire, filled the water carrier and relaxed.

We had a nice walk as the sun was going down up towards Woodend lock when all the day visitors had gone (parking was the worst we have experienced)



Our first boat - Comet was a victim of the frost. We brought her 'drained down' and when we came to fill the water heater we had our own mini fountain. So I think we have got away lightly so far and have only identified one weakness - literally.

Just got to plan in the repair which will mean taking the oven out as I'm not able to do the job from inside the undersink cupboard.

Before that I have some river cruising to do......

Nev

I'm a star....

I might have mentioned I ride a motorbike... We were recently invited for a ride out with the editor of the Used Bike Guide - follow the link for the article

The link for the article

If anyone wants me to sign their copy of UBG let me know !!

Nev

Insurance advice regarding ice

Interesting and useful information regarding ice and insurance....

Lets hope not too many have to use their insurance policies when we thaw.....(including me)

Nev

Date: 12th January 2010


Internet boat insurers Craftinsure are pleased to distribute the following circular to customers who are concerned at possible damage to their boats due to the recent freezing conditions, with many craft icebound on lakes and inland waterways.

In one case recently the owner of a river cruiser moored in the Lake District reported that ice at least an inch thick surrounded the boat and was creaking loudly. They had been up in the night trying to keep the ice broken but this became too difficult. As the steep slipway nearby was unusable due to the weather conditions, bringing the boat ashore was not an option.

The good news is that, based on advice received from surveyors and others in the marine trade, ice, even when quite thick, is very unlikely to crush or seriously damage boats whilst moored.

Trying to move a boat in ice however is more likely to cause damage, particularly if the ice is thick, as broken ice can be sharp and cause damage to paint and gelcoat. Craftinsure also warns owners not to risk personal safety in the icy conditions.

Wooden hulls may be more susceptible to damage from ice than fibreglass or steel. In the past, caulking in seams could loosen after thawing, resulting in leaks which could cause boats to flood and even sink. Luckily most boats nowadays do not use these methods of construction but if you own such a boat you will need to be more vigilant.

Onboard heating and running of engines occasionally may help prevent problems internally but are unlikely to create enough heat around the outside of the hull to make a significant difference at the waterline where temperatures will be well below freezing.

Even ashore, boats are not immune to winter risks. Craftinsure has had at least one claim already where the accumulation of snow on a barn roof caused it to collapse on top of the boat inside! Snow should be cleared off boat canopies and awnings when possible as again, large accumulations could cause damage.

A more common problem following long spells of cold weather is damage to water systems, seacocks and machinery. Winterisation of engines is obviously important as frost damage is a major risk unless the manufacturer's recommendations have been followed. Most insurance policies only cover frost damage to machinery where owners can show this is the case. Any fresh water systems should be drained unless the boat is kept heated.

As and when the thaw finally arrives, owners need to check their boats over carefully, and in some cases they made need to prepare for the additional risk of flooding as water levels rise again.

For those living aboard, ensure the boat remains ventilated to minimise the risk of a build up of noxious fumes/gases, especially where naked flame type heating is in use. Avoid leaving such heaters unattended, and under no circumstances should combustible material such as clothing or paper be left on top of heaters of this type in case of fire.


Rod Daniel ACII
Craftinsure.com

Another place

I have allowed myself the luxury of route retracing as an act of distraction relaxation. Its a simple but form of day dreaming. I find I do it most in meetings or presentations.

I do it properly and include untying ropes and mooring up when I come to locks. Today I did the route from Fradley to bridge 69 just after Rugeley while in a particulalrly uninteresting presentation. It gives me a great feeling of calm to retrace old routes and enjoy my recollections.

I have the Ashby to redo and also I may do the Leek branch of the Caldon. Of course I don't remember all the twists and turns but then I can refer back to my Nicolsons when I am next at home or on the boat.

One day the day dreams will be real day to day cruises..... the clock has been ticking for a while and the plans get bigger, more real and more exciting.

One of the presenters today was someone who had been on the Channel 4 series 'the secret millionaire' One thing she said that stuck was if you want something just go out and do it/get it. I like that and as I get older the risks are less and therefore the outcomes more likely.

Nev

The real benefit of snow

Its good to read some of my favorite blogs and what they are blogging about with all the snow about.

I like this extract from NB Oakfields blog

"There are quite a few people on their boats along the way as most of the chimneys were smoking away. Why does everything look so much nicer with a covering of snow on it I wonder?"

One of the real benefits of this present weather is it's slowing everyone down. All the normal mad rushing to get here and there is not possible so people slow or in my case stop and relax - and don't feel guilty about it - long may it continue I say.

Nev

Pete's a smug git - I love this post

Pete on NB Pickles has posted how smug he is right now - I think this is a top post and is worth a read

It represents how I feel about my boat - simple but functional. While tech is good it represents an opportunity to fail whereas a simple wood burner and engine, a couple of batteries plus gas makes for a simple self contained existence.

I like the comment about T shirts aboard. Just imagine the thoughts of those trudging along the towpaths looking in with sympathy for the poor cold boater to see Pete warm and toasty in his t shirt - priceless. It's just frustrating I'm not aboard this weekend. That's due to being on standby for work and also a wedding tomorrow, if I can get to it.

Pete tells of the winter of 1963 that in effect was the death of commercial freight carrying on the canals as the cut was frozen for many weeks. I was born in the summer of 1962. Just the right age for someone else to ensure I was warm and safe during that winter. No central heating or gas fires then in our 2 up 2 down - that was all coal fires.... I must talk to my mum about that winter.

Nev

90% of the canals are frozen solid

British Waterways said nearly 90% of its 2,200-mile (3,540-km) river and canal network had frozen solid

This is the line BBC are reporting. That is some widespread and ongoing freeze. We shouldn't be surprised as it is reported that the sea is freezing in the south west.

For my sins I have been getting up at 5am to be in work at 6am to give the call about the status of our site that gets posted on our web site at 7am.

So you toasty warm retired livaboards - its not all bad !!

Nev

Oh and I get to work on my cycle.... hardy bugger I am

Emergency evacuation

Ralph Freeman has written another good piece on his section of NarrowboatWorld.

He starts here by suggesting that the boating community should come up with locations for evacuation off boats. I know whenever I cruise I always use a Nicholsons - and I pretty much know where I am in relation to main roads etc. I just like looking at maps ! I cant understand the hirers who do not have a clue where they are, where the next lock is or more importantly where the next pub is?? Many times I have shared my Nicholsons with them to give them an idea of where they are and what it will take to get to their days destination.

Ralph goes on to salute the continuous cruisers and I second that. I know how cosy it can be on a narrowboat but I also know what it takes to keep it so. That is before water and waste are taken into account.

I think this winter is going to be tough.... we have started the really cold stuff early compared to other years. This could go on to March... we might have to be sending food parcels to some of the bloggers on the right !!

One final observation... it looks like Ralph has been promoted as his link via his name was always at the end of the list of contributors.

Nev

Two floating balls makes me happy (ish)....

I blogged a few days ago about my levels of concentration - not at work but in my engine cooling system.

Having identified I was lacking concentration and therefore exposing my engine to the possibility of a cracked block = fubarr'd engine I visitied my boat to add some much needed protection.

The weather forecasters had been raising the stakes with comments of -6 and add a fair few extra degrees if you are out in the countryside. I had calculated my protection was around -6 or just a bit below so action was needed.

The forecast was snow and as arrived at Fradley it started to snow as forecast. Any other time it would have been magical, light the fire kick back and watch nature at its cruelest. Problem was I'd come to do a job and it was an outside job(ish). It's times like this I'm pleased we have a semi trad with good covers as it means I can work in the engine hole with protection from the elements - in this case snow !

This is how it looked when I arrived.



I'd sought advice on the best way to get the antifreeze into the system from canalworld.net. I did not want to do a complete flush as I did not have the time or inclination due to the weather, promising myself to do it fully in the summer I took off the top hose to the skin tank and dropped a fair bit of water into my bucket and then using a small suction pump drew out more water from the top of the skin tank. I then took off the bottom hose where it went into the engine and dropped some more water into my bucket. I was then able to back fill the tank via the hose - 5 litres of Halfords antifreeze went in. I then topped up the hose until water came back out of the top pipe on the skin tank. I finished by back filling the top hose and then pushing this back onto the top pipe of the skin tank. I finished by running the engine to clear any air locks.



The engine ran up to temp and I got two floating balls on my Halfords tester (I only got one before) Not the full three but knowing I had dropped in 5 litres of antifreeze and doubled the protection made me feel better about leaving my boat in what was being reported as possibly the coldest winter in 100 years !!

I checked the antifreeze in the central heating header tank and this was at the same two ball level (and was ice free when checked) so I am a lot more relaxed now.

I did check the other pipes and noticed some wear on the central heating pipe that runs across the engine so this will need attention soon. Its plastic 15mm so should be an easy replacement.

Top tip to check such pipes as my breakdown in Stone was due to a pipe running on the engine and being slowly worn into by the engine heat/vibration.

Bar the cold I quite enjoyed fiddling with my engine!





I dropped some rubbish off at the service block before leaving and took a couple of pics of a snowy Fradley Junction.

Nev

Oh - and I fed the ducks as it must be a grim old time for them - based on how close they came to me (on the bank) they must have been hungry.

Cruising plans 2010

I am nothing if not consistent. Last night I put my mind to cruising for 2010. I checked back and I blogged about our 2009 cruising plans on the 9th January. I said I'd like to do the Ashby and the Caldon again - we did both and had great weather and great cruises.

This year I'd like a longer cruise so I am planning to be out for three weeks in May. The outline plans are for a week with the lads - similar to our November 2008 cruise and then Rachel joining me for the following two weeks.

The destination will be the end of the Llangollen canal. The Llangollen was our first canal and set the seed that has got me to this point, boat(s) blog and all. When we did the canal some 10 years ago we only made it to Frankton Junction so this will be the completion of our maiden journey.

Now how to get there -this is one of the joys of summer cruise planning in the depths of winter. Canalplan AC is the star of the show for such planning. I wanted to know if going to Hurleston Junction was less lock miles going via the tunnel and heartbreak hill or via Autherly junction and north up the shroppie.

It is shorter via Stoke but I'd rather not got out and back the same way so we will do the four counties again.... I need to review the table of overnight stops to see which way is more convenient for crew changes and car swaps etc. Based on 6 hours cruising per day it can be done in 20 days leaving a free day for unforeseen issues. The total trip will be 222 miles with 150 locks - quite a cruise, I'm looking forward to is already.

Now those overnight stops, where is my Nicholsons ?

Nev

I want one.....

The last boat we saw when out on our New Years eve walk was an unnamed what must have been a former working boat coming past us near the bridge to Findern.



It looked and sounded fine ... a real joy to see it looking so purposeful and solid. I could imagine living in the back cabin is part of the joy of owning such a great boat. I can understand however what it must have been like for the real boaters and their families living in such a space.

I have been reading Sara's Warrior blog about her purchase of a (not small but) large Woolwich ex working boat Chertsey. Chertsey has its own blog now which I will follow with great interest.

I might just spend an couple of hours reading the old boat blogs listed on Sarah's Chertsey blog.

Nev

£200,000 bridge repair

When I was walking on New Years eve was passed bridge 21 on the T&M - this is the bridge that was very badly damaged when a tractor pulling a trailer lost control and dumped the trailer into the canal in October 2008 - see my post about it here.



I have just read in the local paper that work is imminent to repair the bridge. This will mean closure of the canal for an undisclosed period but it did say it would start in January.

I followed the track the tractor would have taken and about 30 yards away is the busy Derby Birmingham main line (I think) Just imagine what a disaster it would have been if the trailer went over at this point ??


I would imagine Railtrack would have been a bit quicker with the bridge repairs.

£200k is a real hit for the tractor drivers insurers !!

Nev

New Years walk Willington to Stenson

It was plumbing in a new radiator at home or a canal fix so I loaded Leia into the car and buzzed off to Willington for a walk. Initially I was only going down as far as the new Mercia Marina entrance but it was so nice I walked on.....



I found this little package on the picnic table - dirty buggers I thought until on closer inspection it was apparent it was Christmas cake - no doubt for the birds !!



This sign made me chuckle .... I woundered what speed a boat would have to hit the bridge at to pose any threat....



This was the very sturdy bridge it was related to


This was the terminus for our walk - Stenson marina. It was very quiet , nothing like when we cruised past here in 2008 when there was a good queue for the lock. We met the guy who sadly drowned at the end of 2008 off his boat back at Willington - very sad.

Incidentally the lock here is the last broad lock on Trent and Mersey.



We walked back to the car as the light was fading - a really nice walk. There were just three boats on the move the whole 2 hours we were walking.



Nev

Ralph Freeman writes about heating your boat...

I have just finished reading Ralph Freemans latest update on Narrowboat world. Ralph is always a good read in my opinion and this update has a really useful piece on heating your boat. He certainly picks the pro's and cons of the main types of heating very well.

I have thought about some form of extra heating for hot water and the couple of rads I have aboard. However having read Ralph's thoughts I think I have the best option (Back boiler Squirrel). I have blogged before on the joys of a wood burning stove aboard a boat - one thing I did not realise is that excessive wind outside can draw the fire even with the vents closed off. One thing to be aware of in the future and good reason to have ash ready to dampen down the fire.

I have also read of ash being put on top of the coals at night to keep the fire burning slow overnight. Both good reasons to get an ash can.

On our Ownerships boat we had both a solid fuel stove and gas heating - the gas made us lazy and we did not use the fire as much as we should have. We also had to replace the gas at what is now a high cost.

We have a couple of fire bricks in our squirrel, I have never removed them, I presume if I did I'd have a bigger fire = hotter stove? Last week when aboard I put the temp gauge from my multi meter on the stove and it showed 71c with the inside boat temp being 21c. We have never cooked on the stove - not a lot of room but something to try if we can get 71c from it?

Nev

Now Halfie now.............

Getting a mention on Granny Buttons is seemingly worth 10 places on the UK Waterways counter, so come on Halfie do your thing with the top 30........ ;-)

Nev

Recharge ... its the only way to operate

Having recently posted about my batteries (electricity is the next most popular topic after toilets for boaters) I reflected once again on living aboard. Seems to me recharging has massive advantages for boaters - in fact a good proportion of boaters live and freeze by their batteries. There are some that hook up with all the issues of galvanic isolation but in the main and through the year we rely on recharging our batteries. We do this with the help of our engine, mines a Beta Marine and therein lies the benefit. When cruising I will be recharging like mad....

• Laptop
• Torch
• Radio
• Boat batteries
• Two way radios
• Phones

I have just brought a 1 million candle power (?) rechargeable torch from Halfords for £9.99 that comes with a 12v charger as well as a 240v wall wart. Plus my lads got me a nice portable DAB rechargeable radio for Christmas.

I have been thinking of getting a new telly for the boat but the ability to use my 17" laptop on batteries for TV and DVD's stopped the purchase - just another use of the free power whilst cruising......

One thing though I never have understood how extra load on the alternator increases the fuel consumption - is that a fact on a boat as well? The benefit must outweigh the small cost, but I'd still like to understand the impact.

So recharge, recharge I say and buy a Smartgauge so you know what the heck is happening with your batteries without the need for scrabbling under the deck boards with a multimeter.

Nev

Maintenance update...

Just as soon as I posted this I had a problem with my electickery on board. Not a big problem but one that took a couple of attempts to sort. I went to charge my laptop and the inverter was not working. Suspecting a blown fuse I opened up the inverter (not to be recommended) but could not find a fuse. I then went to the box the previous owner had kept with the instructions and there was the spare fuse and instructions on where it went (in the cigarette charger plug) That was sorted with a smile and telly for the night via programs I had downloaded to my laptop via BBC's Iplayer while at home and then played back via a pc cable to the telly.

I have now found the manual for my engine that tells me a I need a recommended 25% mix of antifreeze against coolant to give me protection to -12c I will check what it is at present via the last RCR service record and also I'll but a tester from Halfords (I can check the cars at home as well) Hopefully it will be ok and if so I'll flush the system in the summer for next winter. Thanks to Paul from NB Piston Broke for his advice which pushed me to find out the service book.

Nev

Engine hours

I have been checking back on my blog posts last year and I was efficient in posting my engine hours when we were on the boat on the 27th December 2008. We were on the boat at the same time (well we came a day early this year) just a year ago. The engine hours count then was 134 and by the time we leave today it will be 285 - so we have run our engine for just 151 hours this year. I can imagine that compares very poorly to the likes of Bruce on Sanity and Sue on No Problem.


A couple of other observations.....


We ran out engine yesterday to charge the batteries and got them up to 95% on the smartgauge. This morning they were at 45% I don't think we have ever dropped such a large % which I have to assume means they are perhaps on their last legs. By July we will have owned Waterlily for 3 years and the batteries were not new when we got her (I think one might have been as I found a receipt for an third leisure battery to be fitted when the previous owners has the 150 watt inverter fitted. I recall reading it is never a good idea to add a new battery to old ones?)


I'll see how the batteries fair over the spring and summer but it could be when Midland Chandlers open at Mercia in the spring we will be a customer for three batteries. It would make sense to have them fitted at the same time as Waterlily is at Aqua for her new coat.


We fitted the engine counter early in 2008 so the 134 hours last year plus a bit before the engine counter was fitted means we are close to matching the same engine hours over two years!


Now I am going to look back on when were were aboard and where we went in 2009...

Nev

Granny is met at last........

Yesterday we were just getting ready to go for our walk from Waterlily down the Coventry when a boat glided past towards Hunts lock. I looked out and clocked Andrew on Granny Buttons on his way through Fradley



We have exchanged emails but never met so it was nice to talk to Andrew.

He had a efficient crew so we carried on with our walk stopping to snap GB coming up to Junction Lock. Andrew told us he was heading towards Great Heywood which was fortuitous as the Coventry was very much iced up



We received the full Granny welcome of two bags of Buttons that only lasted enough time for the photo below (It was Rachel's packet that got scoffed !!)



It was nice to see Andrew on Granny Buttons on his travels again after two months of marina moorings, and I look forward to his travel log.

Now at least I can add him to my bloggers met on the cut list on the right.....

Nev

All systems working - boxing day aboard

We have finally got to Waterlily - work, decorating and Christmas preparations seem a distant memory now - thankfully.

My concerns over Waterlily and the hard frosts were unfounded as all systems were soon operational and no obvious impacts of the severe freezing weather are evident. I have to presume we have lost a bit of blacking from boats moving and dragging some of the ice against our hull but such is life.

The fire is warming us after a nice walk to Fradley village (with a bit of Geocaching on the way).

I have to presume much of the boating traffic is on the Trent and Mersey as the Coventry is still iced over. While the T&M is just sporting floating ice - some of it is very thick.

If you zoom in on the front of the boat it looks like the bow wave was frozen in action....

We came back as the sun had gone down and the cold was reappearing after a reasonably warm day.

We will be doing a lot of nothing tonight and enjoying every minute of it.

Nev

Leia update

Leia will be two early in the New Year. She is a smashing little dog and loved by all the family (even the cat I think) She is coming to the age where collie's tend to quieten down just a bit, but she still has her moments.

The reason for the post is that I have found a great photo of her 'dressing up' and living up to her name....Nev

Les on NB Valerie reminiscing post - Motorbikes and sidecars

Les on NB Valerie reminiscing post about his childhood is a good read - click here to read it if you have not already.

One reason I blog is to put stuff on record, so I can recall it, I think Les's post is excellent for this reason. I was looking for a photo of Leia by the fire on Waterlily when I found this old photo...

One of my favorites of my two lads in the sidecar I used to own when they were little.

Sidecars were a standard form of transport for the family in my dads era, so I am pleased I have this photo to recall how I used to move the family !

Nev

Anonymous says I should be worried..... now I am!

Anonymous says I should be concerned about the antifreeze level of protection in my engine, so my concern levels have gone to up a degree or two right now and a visit is pending with a stop off for one of these little essentials.

I can't recall precisely what the RCR engineer said last time the engine was serviced. I know he checked the level of protection but whether he said it was OK to -5c -12c or -20c is lost to me. Better to be safe than sorry. Whilst the engine is under semi trad boards and with a decent cover over the stern the engine hole does have vents to the outside so the cold air can penetrate.

We don't winterise our boat because we use it over the winter, in fact I think I prefer winter cruising - just that this year other stuff has got in the way. I cycled past local pub last week and they were burning a boating mix for sure of house coal and wood because the smell immediately took me back to the cut. I can understand people wanting the cleanliness and convenience of a diesel stove but the smell alone of a wood burner does it for me every time.

Plus Leia likes our wood burner....

Anyhow...........decorating calls !!!

Take care

Nev

Worried about me boat

All the decorating at home is taking its toll. We have not been to Waterlily for such a long time. Now I see on Metcheck it is going to be -5 today.....

I love proper winters. I don't mind being iced in - especially as next year in the spring we will be having a good reblacking so the ice should be not a problem.

Decorating takes soooooo long - especially as we try and do it properly. Good job there is limited scope for wallpapering and painting on a boat.

It would also be this year that we have not had the engine serviced so I am a little concerned about the protection level of the antifreeze - should I be worried ? Also should I be adding anything to the central heating water to stop that freezing?

Today is the last big push on the decorating and if we get it right we will be getting the house back to rites tomorrow. I'm off work for a couple of days next week so I may just drop all the Christmas prep (we still have not got a tree up or written a Christmas card) and visit the boat. I was thinking of dropping a days holiday ad going into work but sod it - all the same old same old will be there next year !!

Have a happy safe and peaceful Christmas whoever you are and wherever you are,

Take care

Nev

Painting - sorted

At last we have paid a deposit to have Waterlily painted next year. Having had bad experiences of winter painting with our ownerships boat we want to ensure Waterlily is painted when all chances of frost have passed. Not sure of the exact date but we want it to be done April time so we have a nice shiny boat to scratch during 2010.

We are booked in to Aqua Narrowboats at Mercia Marina. This is good as it will mean a short days cruise to get her to the paint dock.

Justin has been very helpful and projects the right image - not the normal canal business attitude. He answered a request some time ago about boat painting when he was setting up his business when he was getting boats painted on the Soar - he has done well in a short time.

Colours are being withheld so it will be a surprise..... hopefully not too much for us.

We just need to get aboard - plenty of costs going out but no enjoyment by being on the boat. I spy a good opportunity coming up.

Take care

Nev

sharing internet

One for Andrew on Granny Buttons I recall he evangelised about common shared internet and he said he would make his wireless open access in his new abode.

Well if you are a BT customer you can subscribe to

BT and FON

This allows you (or BT) to set aside a link into your wireless in exchange for being able to use other peoples wireless who share the same vision. Bit like file sharing but for Wifi use. I think it is a great idea and have joined and opened up just a little more of the information superhighway on the A6 in Derby !!

Anyone who lives near a canal like Andrew should consider this as it will provide a piggyback wifi option. I'll be trying the system out tomorrow as I'm currently engaged in Jury service and the only wifi I can get in the court building (jury room not the court of course) is a FON wireless signal.

Happy Browsing.....

Nev

Still afloat

I rewarded myself with a ride over to check Waterlily this afternoon. We have not been aboard since the 24th October which is too long. Lots of stuff on at the moment which is keeping us away from Waterlily.

Still she sat waiting patiently for us. A little dirty inside - the effect of four people and three dogs cruising in autumn with muddy towpaths.

Only one boat on the move while I was there and he was single handing late on into the twilight. I didn't walk up to the centre, but if it was anything like last year it would have been quite empty.

Fradley 19th November 2008

Wised up to these people ?

Marketing types - these are the buggers who convince us we want 'stuff'. They are the modern age snake oil sales people.

I have fell for their tricks and clever positioning of stuff for many many years. Not now - no now I try and adopt a marketing phobic stance when it comes to things I want. Rather than convincing myself (with the help of the snake oil people) that I need something to enable my life to be that little bit better.... I now look for the reasons why I should not have it.

It is working, maybe its just my impulsive nature but everytime I get the urge to spend and acquire I check myself and them reward myself - spirituly for not falling for the marketing trick.

One of the biggest rewards is looking forward to the time I have to get rid of the thing I am thinking of buying... it does work, try it !!

We can live without stuff and our lives and the environment will be so much the better for it.

Nev

Plus my boat and house will be that bit more organised and less cluttered ;-)

Marina's

I thought it might be a nice option to look at the various layouts of marina's on the system.

As my boat is moored on the Trent & Mersey I started there. However I was disappointed to only get as far as the new Mercia Marina before google maps and local.live ran out of recent images. Mercia is still the trout lake and there is no sign of Great Heywood marina at all !

So these few will do for now - still interesting to see the different layouts. - can you ID them - pretty easy really.

I regularly consider going into a marina. Its interesting that when we first looked there were waiting lists for most - now all seem to have vacancies - even Kings Bromley which is still one of my favourites.

The cost puts me (us) off as does having a potential view of someone else's boat from 6 inches away. At least we have a view 24/7 on our linear mooring.

So we don't have water and electricity to our boat, but as I've blogged about before that would be too much like living at home. I like being on my boat to feel like a balance of resource use v's comfort and cost. After all when we eventually do go extended cruising we will not have the connections and have to protect and be aware of our resources.

Biggest Midland Chandlers on my doorstep

What good news - the biggest Midland Chandlers is being built at Mercia Marina - 10 minutes from my front door !!

Read the Derby Evening telegraph story here

The grass roof is a nice touch. See my upcoming post about marinas - by the time the new build is up Google may have at last got the latest images loaded so I can actually see the marina.

My shopping list for when it opens is ......

• Bath (after I remove the pump out loo)
• Decent cassette toilet to replace the pump out one
• Fresh water gauge
• Larger inverter
• Espacher or some form of water boiler / heater

But the boat needs painting first

Nev

Engine hours

For my records really - We filled up at Streethay with 262.7 on the engine hours clock.

I had a big bill as we filled up plus 2 x 20 litre Jerry cans gas and a pump out. A Nicklesons brought the bill to about £140 !

I'll top up the diesel tank next time aboard to keep the condensation at bay.

Nev

What a difference a day makes

Friday late afternoon - warm sunshine



Saturday late morning - rain and wind



We can't complain, Friday was fantastic and the cruise back to our mooring on Saturday was really peaceful in the warm(ish) autumn rain. It was pretty uneventful until we got to junction lock.... we arrived just before an ownerships boat reversed back into the junction and winded to go Burton way and then a boat came onto the junction from the Coventry. Kept the many gongoozlers happy.

Nev

Out in fantastic autumn weather

A last minute change of plan meant instead of North Wales we got onto Waterlily with the added bonus of friends John and Carrie from Scotland plus their two collies joining us for an overnighter.

We got to the boat just after lunch time Thursday, previously John and Carrie had been with us going south through Burton and onto the other Weston on Trent. We thought we would show them the other side of Fradley for this trip.

As it was a last minute plan to meet up we needed more food so we took Waterlily down to Alrewas to shop and wind.

The weather was very changeable and we started off in sunshine but ended up getting back almost in the dark and having sat out heavy rain in Alrewas.

There was a perfect rainbow behind us as we came back up the cut.... shame I did not have a wide angle lens.


A beery night ensued, with poor John and Carrie not getting too much sleep thanks to the smoke alarm and Co2 detector giving out low battery warnings.

Today (Friday) was perfect autumnal cruising weather and we made the most of it by cruising up to Kings Bromley marina and winding.

This is where we are now..... very rural and quite - just heard an Owl and while I was fishing in the last light a Kingfisher did a fly past. Perfect

Rachel and Leia at Woodend Lock

John very expertly skippering Waterlily. He did perfect wind - skills not forgotten from our trip a few years back to Stratford.

We walked John and Carrie back to Fradley and now having fished showered and eaten we are relaxing in a lovely warm boat. Leia is absolutely knackered - she has just slept all evening - see the little video for the reason why !!

What a load of cr@p

I have ..........

It is 'I' rather than 'we' I'm ashamed to say.

In March I set a rather late New Years resolution to declutter I had an initial spurt but living got in the way, the way it does. Anyhow this week we have been off and been working through the house. We spent a good couple of days in the garden and then the shed(s) and garage got sorted. We now have a skip full on the drive waiting to go.

It even extended to the office and computer when the rain came. I not have quite a few items running on eBay if anyone is interested, including a nice little 12v Pace satellite box - just like Sue's from No Problem

It is very therapeutic, and I still have not replaced my wind up alarm clock - this is my reminder to use what I already have rather than buying more 'stuff'.

I'm starting to not like 'stuff'

It is the reason I like the boat. No space for excess, everything has a place (within reason) My garage/shed on the boat is a little smaller but gets me by - I do have a tool box in the wardrobe !



Hopefully get on the boat at some point this week - I might try and return to a hot fishing spot I found when we came back from Leek earlier in the year.

Nev

Two wheel credentials plus spot the boaty birthday present

After reading Halfies blog about his bike and blogging myself about my preferred transport here I'd like to present my garage of two wheel exotica....

Two things to note....

Spot the alarm so no trying to nick my P&J's

Spot the birthday present from Rachel to me - boaty for sure.....see who's quickest to spot it !

Nev

Here it is.....

Jointed tiller arm for the semi trad back end - no more limboing under the tiller to get off the boat.

It's the journey not the destination

How true of narrowboating. When I tell people at work I am going to Leek or Macclesfield for a holiday they look at me as if feeling sorry for me.

Owning a canal boat is about the journey -that's what makes so many blogs interesting. There is so much to see and at a pace to enjoy it. It also says something about me I think - my other modes of transport are motorcycle and bicycle, both in my mind more about the getting there than the there itself.

It gets bigger - get the beer out or light the spliff, this is meaning of life stuff. People should live their lives as if it is a journey, experience all that they meet and embrace it. All too often we are sold the destination which is in many cases unobtainable crap when we get there and detracts from enjoying the journey of life.

I have the ultimate respect for those who have taken the decision to follow their instincts and take to the cut full time, I'm sure at times there is doubt the decision was the right one - especially in the middle of dark wet winter, but then again those doubts would still be there if the decision had not been taken.

On a related note I spoke with some liveaboards while watering up after out last trip out. They were slowly heading back to Milton Keynes for the winter, the reason - it never got really dark - around there there is so much light pollution and it helped apparently over the winter. I never really thought of it like that - I'd like to think I'd embrace the dark, but only if I felt safe wherever I was moored?

Have a good weekend

Nev

Bloggers KPI....

Key performance indicator - 10,000 hits in 20 months. I do like to think some people read my ramblings and the fact I have hit this milestone is pleasing and most agreeable to me.

Andrew on Granny Buttons recently blogged about blogging and cited 100 active boat blogs, at the same time I was musing over the fact my blog roll is getting more and more stagnant. There have been some good bloggers just stopped but more importantly many seem to be getting less frequent. I'm sorry but that is just not acceptable. I need to read about people on the cut, I don't mind if it is of the got up, cruised, saw some stuff, went to bed type blog I like reading and thinking of you lot out there enjoying the canals, vicarious canal cruising is what I need. Its great that Bruce in Sanity has taken to posting pictures, I like to see as well as read (something about a picture being worth a thousand words... ) please make them clickable so I can see all the detail.... I think I'm getting very demanding.

I have to agree with Andrew on the range of topics and general good read, plus photo's on Halfie's blog Always a regular read and a regular blogger to, imagine what we'll get when Halfie get his own boat...Plus now I find out he is a keen cyclist. That's right up my street having got rid of one of our two cars which means I either have my motorbike or my cycles. I really must get my Brompton onto the boat.

Nev

Canalworld.net take a bow

I have in the past taken a small swipe at the arguing that goes on over on the canalworld.net forums.

To add balance there are some genuine people on there who do want to help. Follow this link and be amazed how the internet plus willing people can make a difference.

When Holly the hire boat was stolen they also geared up an went looking and I think it was one of the members who spotted the boat being painted and she was recovered.

Just think what a word we would live in if everyone did a bit more to help each other out.

If one thing comes from the period of austerity that we are headed for/in now I hope it is a different focus - one that is more neighbourly and less "I'm all right Jack" less political correctness and a less litigious society. If these things come out of the recession at least I won't feel so bad having left my children this mess by my excesses.

Off for a rest now.....

Nev

Seasons on the cut

I am restless - not being on my boat but reading some of the excellent blogs of the continuous cruisers enjoying autumn on the cut.

It got me thinking about the seasons of the cut and which is my favorite. It has to be autumn, as the canals take on a serenity that matches how I like to feel. No hustle and bustle, no loud talking as people sit out late into the evening, peace and quite. I also like deep winter, not the wet and cold type but the deep frost and clear crisp days with wood smoke rising straight up from boat chimneys, but then there are frozen canals, great until some intrepid boater comes bursting through

I like summer the least mainly because the canals get so busy - I suppose this links to my last post about why I like boating - I like the solitude. I think this could be a reaction to my day job.... I may need the services of a clinical psychologist ...Mmmm well there is the cheese boat, the fudge boat, how about the clinical psychologist's boat Bruce?

No photos recently so I have indulged myself with a few from our recent trip down the Birmingham and Fazely canal. In reverse order....

This is on the last leg from Streethay to Fradley Junction. The leaves were filling the canal and coming down like confetti - just does not show up so well on the photo.


We were just past Whittington on the Coventry, these cows were enjoying the canal, but not one was displaying a license !

Drayton bridge - the theme park was opposite. Next spring I'd like to use this as a reason to get my lads aboard for a trip to the theme park.


Now to sort out my remaining Caldon canal cruise photo's

Nev

Sneeky hour blogging

Slow slow quick quick slow.... on the blogging front.

60 plus hours working this week so I finished a little earlier and took the bike out to progress the boat painting investigation.

Stenson boat builders had gone home at 3.40 pm so they missed out on over £4,000 worth of business. I called in to Aqua narrowboats and had a great chat with Justin (who responded to my questions about boat painting just after we brought Waterlily - and that was when he did not paint boats)

I liked his friendly approach and he recognised Waterlily and my blog - first one ever to do that so another tick in the box. Biggest thing was I did not get the feel this was a business working on canal time, more a business that understands what a customer looks like - I hope I am not disappointed if we go to Aqua for the boat painting.

Watch this space...

I carried on enjoying riding my bike and called at Waterlily for a check and drink and to blog as I had the time.....

Nev

Why boat ?

Not sure the grammar of the title is correct but hey ho.... Why do we go boating might be more correct.

Can't recall who's blog it was that got me thinking why I have a boat, but I reflected on what aspect of boating ticked my box.

I am not an engineer so the oily bit it is not

I am not a historian or particularly interested in history so the history of the cut is not it

I am not an evangelist for restoring canals either (but I appreciate the work that goes into this)

My boat is not an old working boat restored or even a new boat built to look like an old boat

I do not dress up like a boatman of the 18th Century

I do it because it enables me to meet people and visit my country see my country see the industry go fishing drink beer and wine but above all I relax on my boat. I don't even have to move it to feel good about it. The fact I am able to spend close quality time with Rachel, working as a team depending on each other for living is fantastic

Unrelated but an significant factor is I like the feeling of being independent of the expectations of society..... sounds daft but the fact we could cut and run no debt some money in the bank no job to give me anxiety is a real factor in why I enjoy my boat.

what about you ?

Nev

Old boats v's new boats

I'm not sure if I had the money I'd buy one of the apartment boats that seem to fill the boat mags and the shows.

Reading one of my many canal mags just released from the plastic I picked on an article about the Crick boat show (yep a bit behind on the reading) and was struck by the samey look of a lot of the boats.

Our boat is tidy but dated - I suppose it was the apartment boat of its day on reflection, but I like to feel I am not in an apartment or house but on the cut when aboard my boat. I like to have to put coal on the fire wash the pots by hand and do my number 2's in a bucket (ok not quite a bucket) It all adds up to feeling like I am away from the other life (not that that is so bad)

I have seen some boats that are built to look old which I suppose should my lottery tickets come up this weekend would be on my shopping list - ..... mmmm no I think I'd still go second hand.

Nev