Busy Bank holiday at Fradley

We are starting to get stir crazy.........we decided to stay put during the school holidays and have had some relaxing weekends on board. We came back on board yesterday just for an overnighter and boy is it busy ..... it never gets manic here as the locks pulse boats both ways but there is a steady stream of boats and three moored opposite us last night indicating that all the Fradley centre moorings had been taken.

This has made our decision to stay moored more sensible but we really want to get some water under the boat now. Before that we have to get our youngest Callum off to Leeds Uni - then we will most probably head for a new canal to us - Birmingham and Fazely (I think) for a break to the water park near Drayton Manor.

After that I'm not sure - I'd like a autumn cruise but we may end up bringing Waterlily back to Stenson for her paint job.

Nev

Cruising time soon and a paint job

We took a decision after our trip up the Caldon to sit the summer holidays tight. We have had a complete reversal in recent years from only being able to cruise during the kids holidays to not now having to. We like autumn and winter cruising so it suits us even more.

Its been quite busy at Fradley over the last few days. I wonder how many are heading for a four counties disappointment with the Shebdon embankment stoppage.

All the jobs I had ID'd to get done did get done while aboard. I really enjoyed my couple of days pretending to be a livaboard. We are a bit hemmed in at the moment as BW saw fit to tender a 62 foot mooring at 71 feet so whilst we have not had to move the new boat is right up fender to fender with us. Hopefully in a few weeks when a 45 footer moves on we may get a little more space..... unless BW decide to tender that one ?

We have made a decision on getting Waterlily painted in the New Year. Just got to save up for it ! I think we will be going local for the paint job but that will have to be negotiated - watch this space.

We have a colour scheme from a photo of another boat that hopefully will make the job easier to describe.

Nev

Stranded

Well not in the literal sense.....but it occurred to me after Rachel left for work today that I do not have any form of transport available to me. I have a Brompton but that is at home in the garage. I have a job logged with one of the joiners at work to make me a nice wooden box for my bike so I can keep it on the boat. I think this is a job that needs doing sooner rather than later.

I have a list of jobs to do today...

Walk Leia
A geocache task to do
Poo cassette to empty
Some DIY on the boat
Get the gennie out and give the boat a good vac out - that might be a job too far for my ribs....

Lets see how I do

Nev

Mobile internet geocaching and towpath conversations

So we are on the boat again. I'm taking some leave so Rachel came to me tonight after work and will do the same tomorrow.

Plenty to say but seemingly little time to say it.

1. I now have fast internet on the boat thanks the Chris from NB Belle He advised Orange were the best for this area so I have experimented with their freedom contract (I can cancel giving 30 days notice) and am typing this with 3g+ connection and streaming music from spotify This has been a bit of a holy grail for me so I am well pleased - I can stream my sky subscription to my computer plus use BBC's iPlayer

My youngest son and his girlfriend drove me over today - that makes me feel old already. While we were fishing I mentioned a geocache across the cut that I was going to find in the morning so he and his girlfriend nipped over with my phone using Geoscout and promptly found it. It did not take him long to download a slick iphone app for geocaching.

Finally an observation - people do not realise now much you can hear across the cut. Last time I was aboard a young couple came by having a very big argument about their relationship. Today the same, another couple having a heart to heart - at least this time the lady wasn't crying. So be aware its not an ocean !

Finaly finally I saw three shooting stars tonight - part of the comet passing through. You can't beat the countryside for viewing the sky at night.

Nev

Rib's 'n' bees

Waterlily has bitten back - again.

When I was aboard with a few mates towards the end of last year I managed to crack a rib or thought I had - it was dislocated cartilage. Painful and took months to get right. Last night whilst on the boat for a simple overnighter I caught a fine roach and instead of using my landing net I tried to hand the fish out and out all my weight onto my ribs and heard the same crack and now I am in pain again. Problem is last time I managed to overdose on anti-inflammatory's and ended up on tablets to repair my stomach lining Pillock or what !!

Bees..... when we got to Waterlily last night we could not work out why only part of our mooring had been strimmed by BW. Then I noticed the bees nest entrance in the ground was covered in white powder. I suspect they disturbed the bees and they came out to protest. Instead of moving on the BW workers must have dusted the entrance and killed them !!

Bees have been in the news recently due to their decline so I am amazed BW have such an anti nature approach. I feel an email to BW is necessary.

Nev

Favourite weather

Topical as we are having a poor summer so far. It got me thinking about what is my favourite weather. This has to be thunderstorms. I walked to the local shops from my place of work recently in a thunderstorm. There was a clap of thunder right overhead - it was so powerful and just above my head - great.

Its the expecation - dark clouds, distant rumbles then a few blobs of rain then a full show of wind lights sound and water.

Best I had on the cut was during our hire boat days when we were chased by a storm that eventually caught us on the narrows just before the Plum Pudding at Armatage. I got so wet just mooring up.

It goes without saying wind on the cut is my least favourite weather !

The Photo was taken walking back just after the storm to my workplace.

Nev

Time and Inspiration

Well no posts for over three weeks - that's bad.

Why, just very very busy at work, and at home plus needing some inspiration for Waterlily. That sounds bad doesn't it I think my affair with Coopers Pride has dented my appreciation for Waterlily - that is even worse !

We were aboard for an overnight on Saturday and then off to see relatives Sunday PM so we did not get much time aboard. I was tired when we arrived (I'd ridden to Peterborough and back to buy a new crash helmet) so that did not help my enjoyment and it rained most of the time we were aboard Sunday.

My fibromyalgia gives me what is called cognitive dysfunction or more commonly called brain fogs. Bloody horrible feeling of distance from reality and lack of ability to concentrate or in this case my interpretation is an inability to fully appreciate my lovely boat. Anyone out there willing to exchange bodies for a few weeks !

I will do a bit of a catch up - if for no other reason than to give me a record of what we have been doing. We did have a lovely weekend on the motorbike visiting down south where Rachel was born and spent the early years of her life. I'll blog about that before the end of the month

Anyhow - that's me back in the blogging swing and it feels a little better already. Now to catch up with Sue, Bruce and Andy and all my other favourite bloggers listed right of the post.

Take care

Nev

One other thing - we were woken at about 3am on Sunday morning as a cruiser came past and up the Fradley locks. I envy people who dare cruise in the dead of night, it is one of my newly added things to do before I die- cruise over a Summer nights full moon.......

Leek reflections

I have taken a fair amount of stick for my weeks holiday destination - Leek via Stoke on Trent. The joke is on them really as we had a great time. I love this country and the people and places.

The weather was good and the fishing better, some beer and no work - do I really need much else plus the carbon footprint of my holiday must be one of the lowest around ?

We made Burston at about 4.15 pm - so that was about 10 hours - I think the most we have ever done is 14 when we brought Waterlily back from Whilton. The engine never missed a beat just a couple of turns on the greaser half way through and all was fine.

The mooring here is really one of my favourites - made so by the Greyhound pub about 10 minutes walk away. We met Charles there and had a really nice meal. I then took Leia a walk and found a really nice trail - I must consult memory map more and do more walking like Sue of No Problem - the fishing gets in the way....



The above was taken on my phone at just after 9pm - most nights I could fish to 10pm.... This is a lake just off the T&M I did not quite get the time to investigate more but a reason to revisit.

The final couple of days to follow.

Nev

The longest day.....

Well for this trip and for a while. We set off from the bottom of Stockton Heath locks this morning at 6.15 am and a boat had already passed us.

The plan is to get to Burston on the Trent & Mersey - the Greyhound pub to meet up with our next crew mate, Rachele's dad. He likes to get aboard so a short two day cruise back to Fradley will be his part of the trip.

We left Leek 'basin' yesterday and took a beautiful cruise down the Leek branch of the Caldon - it is to be recommended and we will certainly cruise this route again. I'd like two weeks to allow shorter cruising days and also get to froghall - we have been there before but the Churnett valley is beautiful.

Leek end of navigation was a little of an anti climax - Leek certainly does not embrace the canal . There was moorings for about 5 boats and I expertly reversed Waterlily into the only spare space - when we left there was space for three boats. It was very quite and peaceful on the moorings and Leek town centre can be walked in about 15 - 20 minutes.

I'll post some photo's when I get back but for now I'd better take my turn on the tiller. I was going to say we are approaching the less nice parts of the Caldon as it goes into Stoke - but as posted before this part of the canal is much improved and I think the locals are doing their bit to keep it clean.

Nev

O a persona PS - both my sons passed their driving tests this week - one day apart - I am really proud

Cruisng times

Maily for my own reference when we do such trips again....

From Fradley to Kings bromley 3 hours

From Fradley to Great Haywood 6 hours

From Great Haywood to Stone 5 hours

Stone to Barleston 3 hours

Barleston to top of Stoke locks 4 hours

Etruia to Stockton brook - 2 and a half hours

Caldon is so much improved

Not need on the Caldon for a few years - it was the first trip we did on Sylph our shared boat.

The few miles out from Etruia id so much improved. Very little rubbish in the canal and the tow path must have had millions spend on it. Only thing it needs is some cutting back, not a big problem as we did not meet many boats.

We are moored just below the Stockton Brook locks - beautiful and peaceful. Leek today and hopefully some pics later.....

Nev

RIP Rod

Been a friend for the last twenty years. We have shared so any joyous moments together. Ever reliable, very capable. We have been on many of the boat trips plus some other weekend rambles. I'll miss Rod.

So I have got to find a tackle shop to buy another one. Snapped in half as I was trying to clear a tangle. O well $hit happens as they say. On the same day the tip came of one of the small whips I use for fishing so I am down to a 4 meter pole - still caught some nice fish including a good 5 pound bream from Great Heywood on Saturday evening.

The car broke down on Friday night as I was on my way to the tackle shop - £350 cher ching !!

My wind up radio id fubar'd as well ........

I'll post on where we are later....

Nev

How I'd wished I'd not said that

This time last week I took a ride out on my bike to Stone As I type this we are at Stone on Waterlily. It is a wee bit busier than last week.

Yesterday it was like the M1 boataway from Kings Bromly to Great Heywood. THREE boats overtook us yesterday - I must be the slowest boater on the cut - yes I do slow down for moored craft - am I the only one ?

Today has been a bit easier - apart from the plum who darted out within a boats length of Rachel so he could get to Hoo Mill lock first. It just meant he had the lock to do on his own as I sat and watched him - I think he got the message.

Anyhow I'm about to be a single hander as Rachel and her mum do Stone while I take Waterlily up the locks.

Hopefully onto the Caldon towards Leek tomorrow after dropping the mother in law off at Stoke ,

Nev

Cost of living aboard part II

I recently blogged about the cost of living aboard see here

I have found a really good discussion on the topic from the canal world forums - you can read it without fear of being flamed by some of the less than friendly subscribers.

Clicky

I shouldn't be so hard on the forum -I have got a lot of good information and advice from them. Just know that it can be like the school play ground in there sometimes.

Back to the point..... £600 is the starter for ten. That is cheapish?? I suppose it really depends on how you want to live/can afford to live. I remember when we were first married how we saved for stuff and mended and made do..... now we don't because we can afford to buy replacements or buy something (not quite a boat I might add) without a lot of thought to our ability to afford it.

Food for thought and a good source of comment and information,

Nev

Not sure you have noticed but......

By not moving pictures once I have inserted them (I move the text around the pictures now) - my pictures are clickable.....

This one was taken on our Ashby cruise in April - this is the Coventry not the Ashby. I took it because the gent on the boat Rachel had just passed was cruising in a bowler hat, click the photo and you'll see.

Giving up blogging

Two very able and enjoyable blogs have stopped/disappeared over the last couple of weeks.

Hadar

Ten Bob Note

I understand Jo is taking a break but Ernie has given up citing it was taking too much time. At the same time Andrew on Granny Buttons is considering email bankruptcy Blimey - is this the same theme as those who retire from work and then come back and tell me they do not know how they did it all while working..... the time is filled with emptying the poo tanks, getting freshwater and cruising - I really hope it is (add fishing in there a well as this will take up a lot of my time should I ever get free from the rat race)

A the end of the day it depends what you blog for, I do it for my own pleasure and as an on line diary almost - certainly not for the readership as my readers are like hens teeth.... but appreciated all the same (thanks mum)

One thing is for sure there are many bloggers out there blogging about their lives afloat or their dreams of getting afloat or those like me dithering and wishing to make the move permanent.

Take care bloggers, resting bloggers and ex bloggers alike !

Nev

Quite T&M at Stone

The weather was too nice not to be on the motorbike today so I snuck off on my own for a trip to Stone.

Stone is a place I think I'd like to retire to or move to. It hasn't had the wannabe city makeover that Derby has. So many of our cities are the same now. One thing about travelling on a boat is you get to see some untouched towns - long may they last.

One thing was obvious was how quite the Trent and Mersey was today. The 48 hour moorings above star lock were empty when I rrived and there was only one boat on the 12 hour shopping moorings (where we broke down last year !)

When ever we have been through Stone it always seems busy. I didn't check the 14 day mooring below Star lock though.



I have to have a canal fix and today was it. On the way back I called into Mercia to make arrangements to cruise on Coopers Pride. Ian seemed busy so I'll leave the arrangements to email later.......

We are off again on Waterlily next weekend with crew changes a plenty... more to follow.


Enjoy the sun, I am typing this in my back garden on my wifi on my diddy Sony.

Snap decisions

We took a snap decision late yesterday to come to Waterlily for an overnighter…. We were at the local Sainsbury at about 6.30 and were sitting down to a nice Indian (2 for eight quid offer) by about 8pm.

This is one of the great things about our mooring we can be aboard within the hour and it still feels like we are on holiday.

We went for a lovely walk after our meal down the Coventry and we met our first boat - Comet. She is for sale but with no price. It looks like Josie who brought her from us still lives aboard – there were plants on the stern. She looked n good condition (that the boat not Josie, but we did not meet Josie as the boat was unoccupied. It nice and a little humbling to know a boat we did not think we could enjoy holidaying on has been someone’s home for the last two years. It certainly gives another perspective to our thinking on upgrading Waterlily.

We woke to rain on the roof and now as I’m typing this its lashing down and there is a great thunder storm overhead, sheet lightening and long rumbles of thunder – great. I love extreme weather, especially when we do not have to cruise in it. I have the fire lit (how daft would that have been last week when my car temp sensor was recording 32c !) coffee on and an internet connection.

Re Cooper Pride, I did get a call from the boat yard last night with some details on the Gardner engine …….


Nev

Just had a massive clap of thunder – the storm must be right overhead now !

Advice..... update

I posted this a week or so ago..... clickity

I am still waiting for the information followup about the boat so no progress.

Whenever I have brought a car or bike I get follow up calls - normally unsolicited, so to have strong interest in a £60,000 boat and get no follow up calls - even though I have asked for them to pass me info is a surreal experience !!

Nev

Is living the dream better than the dream?

In continuing my voyage of contemplation I keep coming back to Christmas.

Not because I feel that Christmas on the cut would be nice, more my recollections of when a lad of Christmas day being such an anticlimax.

The anticipation in many instances is much better than the event and I fear this would be the case with spending a significant time on the boat.

At the moment I always look forward to getting aboard, I wonder how much of that enjoyment would be lost.

I heard on the news recently that a Spanish company was offering 5 year breaks from work on 30% pay with a guarantee of your job back ......now I might start canvassing for that !

Nev