Best laid plans

The grand plan was to move Waterlily up to Great Heywood in preparation for next weeks cruise to Froghall basin on the Caldon. As we were not on our mooring the necessary cleaning equipment was to be carted over to where Waterlily was moored for a spring clean. On waking Monday morning I had collected a nice cold which had flared up other conditions meaning I felt off it. So we reviewed options and decided a trip to the Ashby would be nice (about 60 locks less as well)


This meant we could have a more leisurely couple of days......

First day was with a good couple of hours fruitless fishing and reverse gongoozling. There were many more visitors to Fradley on Bank holiday Monday than boats. There were quite a few boats but nothing like the queues I have seen in the past.

Tuesday was a clean and fettle day. I'll blog about me fettle later, but the boat has had its spring clean and feels so much better for it. The day was completed with a pump out, diesel, gas and water - so all ready for my eldest to take advantage of our pre planning by being on board for a couple of days prior to our departure at the weekend.

£20 quid for a pump out at Swan Line was the low point of the weekend - anyone else been charged this for a pump out recently??

Contented with your boat....?

I recently blogged about looking around other boats at Mercia Marina The image of the Aqua Marine boat stayed with me until I got back on Waterlily. I realised how lucky we were to have such a nice comfortable boat.

We brought Waterlily because the layout and the right mix of equipment was aboard. Nothing too technical or complicated but enough to get me warm, dry, clean, rested and fed. I don't think in this life there are many other things you should really want.

When I re-evaluated what we had I realised how contented I was with Waterlily. Just made me wonder how happy others were with their boats? If not what would you change? I know Bruce on Sanity is changing the whole boat. I suppose until it is your home you do not fully appreciate the areas of limitation.

The only thing I would change if I could and I can't is to have a longer bow area to allow us both to sit out in, but then I'm being greedy as there is always the bank side to enjoy.

Nev

The only way is up.....

.....my favourite canal the Trent and Mersey. I know there are others but I like the T&M as it gives me so much enjoyment now and also fond memories of my dad when we used to go fishing together between Stenson and Swakestone. When he was younger him and my mum would ride their tandem to Shardlow from Derby and fish, even in winter. My mum tells me stories of them breaking the ice on the canal so he could fish.



This is my Dad with my eldest son Tom and our last dog Cindy. He died a bit after this was taken - my lad is now 21 !

I just know he would have loved being on my boat. Beer and fishing and a few roll ups would have been just perfect. I do think of him a lot when I am aboard.

The only way is up was to suggest where we will be heading over the next few weeks. Not sure how why or where but we want to get to the basin at Froghall at the end of the Caldon. We have got to get gas, pump out, diesel, water, spring clean, coal (if we need it) plus get my lad and his young lady on Waterlily for a few days, they just want so moored up quality time. Who knows he may get the urge to start cruising?

One point - I hope I did not offend all private boaters - I know the vast vast majority enjoy the canals and treat them with respect as well as other users of the cut - its just a small minority..... Now I am starting to get to be the person I feared most - the canal guy who moans about other boaters.............

Nev

Ignorant private boaters

That's be the boater who drained the pound between Junction and Keepers at Fradley on Friday night.

We went over to Waterlily to check on the progress of the dredging (slow - see Chris's comment) and stayed over.

We took Leia for a good walk to see how the dredging was going - good but slow) enjoyed a lovely meal and a few beers and then fell asleep while watching the TV. When I woke I stood up and then stumbled..... not the beer, but the boat was listing quite badly. Torch out showed the mud on the far side and the plastic cruisers were sitting on it. The pound must have been 18" to 2 foot down. I took Leia and a torch and found the berk who came through in fading light had left the paddles up on a leaky Keepers lock - result many boats straining their ropes. Thing was he had moored in the pound as well !! Just lazy - he could have walked back after mooring up and dropped the paddles.

Anyhow I nipped back to Waterlily and got a windlass and dropped them - I thought of flushing water into the pound but thought the pub goers might have thought me strange so I left the pound to recover which by morning it had.

I have no doubt private boaters leave more gates open, paddles up and speed past moored boats than the hire boats.

We had to leave on Saturday morning but I still got a lovely walk to Woodend lock in with Leia.

Sunday we relived our youth and met a group of like minded bike owners and did a 250 mile tour of the Cotswolds. We past Bancroft Basin (a large building site by all accounts) on route as well as going under the aqueduct at Wooten Waven (SP) so there was a little canal interaction

This weekend will be a spring clean of Waterlily i n preparation for a week on board after Easter. No more school holiday cruising for us - hurrah

Dredging

Some while ago I asked BW questions about dredging the moorings Waterlily is on. Sometimes getting on and off our moorings is 'fun' as it is very shallow and we get a silt bar build up - all no doubt due to being at the bottom of a very busy flight at Fradley.

At the time BW said Easter next year - I took this with a pinch of salt - but true to their word there was a sign on the locked gate to our moorings asking us to contact a number to get an update on the proposed works. Last week I got a text from BW saying they were to start on the 1st April and if I wanted Waterlily moorings dredged then to move my boat 'onside' before the 1st.

So last night after work I went up and moved Waterlily to the Fradley visitor moorings - being on the pins at Hunts lock would have possibly meant being pulled out as some boaters don't always go by on tickover !

So this morning I woke up to a fine sunrise as I walked Leia to Woodend lock and back. It was nice to have my breakfast on board and commute from the cut.

Just be interesting to see how long it takes BW to complete the job - but to date - Well done BW

Nev

Mercia Marina

I have kept an interest in this development as it is on my back door so to speak. (I am Derby based) After a particularly frustrating morning at work I decided to nip over and have lunch at the tea rooms there and get a proper look.

Mercia marina is a BIG development - I can imagine the investment must have been very large just based on the road alterations alone. There is little doubt in my mind the appeal is for people to use it as a 'home' as the road network is very good from this location (you can hear and see the A38 from the tea room)

Shakespeare are using it rather than Barton Turns as their base. Could this mean less shaky boats at Fradley. Its nice to see the same boats with different smiling faces on them at Fradley. They may go the other way to the Soar Trent or Erewash now?

The tea room was very nice and friendly - well worth a visit. If I was a boater there it may be a good social meeting place.

I nipped in to the Trading post to see if they had an ash can for my stove but no luck. I then ventured into the New Boat company offices on site. They have only been open since the 1st March and I recognised someone who I come into contact with in my day job. We have a lot in common (lived on the same road for one) and we had a good chat about motorbike, bikes and boats. Rod is managing the facility at the moment so we got to talking about boats and my boat - upgrades etc. Alarm bells for Rachel at this point. Boats that were in my price range (if we/I was to sell Waterlily) were identified and I looked on two. A Liverpool boat circa 49k and a Aqua Marine at circa 64K

I was not at all impressed by the Liverpool boat - the joinery inside was average - just not inspiring at all. The Aqua Marine boat was a different league and I expect would be even after a lot of use. It just felt very well build and solid....... oh dear, it was only that the saloon was far too modern that stopped me reaching for the bank managers phone number.

The electrics and joinery were very good indeed as was the engine install. However 64k for a 3 year old boat seemed a little high to me, but I am not current on boat values - I feel a night with Apollo Duck is in order....

I felt a lot better when I got back to work. The cut and canals are a fine antidote to the woes of work. (Sorry to anyone who may be worrying about their job)

Now I will be on Waterlily this weekend for sure...

Nev

Mothers day by the cut

Not my decision but a welcome one all the same. Rachel organised mothers day dinner with her family and was struggling to get a pub or restaurant booked. Eventually she got 15 places reserves at the the Malt Shovel in Shardlow

I can highly recommend this pub, good food good prices very friendly and helpful staff and its right on Shardlow wharf.

We had a short walk after the meal up to the first lock just after Derwent mouth. All in all a good day and it gave me a hat trick of visits to the cut in one week, can't be bad.

Nev

Retirement in four counties

I have posted before, either on this or another persons blog that my favorite canal is the Trent and Mersey - followed by the Shroppie. I have been on a few but by no means all of the 2000 miles of our canals.

I recently read Bruce's blog and he commented he and Sheila had just done the four counties in 4 weeks It got me thinking that it would not be a bad retirement to just keep cruising the four counties - might even be a world record in there somewhere. We have done the four counties twice - anti clockwise on Sylph our Ownerships boat and also clockwise on Waterlily. Both times very enjoyable as we are cruising our favourite canals and enjoying the changes in scenery from picturesque through remote to industrial. Good stop offs, good towns and villages and variations in days of travel - with many locks on some days and few on others. If we added the Llangothlen then even better.

I'm sure those who have retired onto the cut will tell me there are so many more great places to go and see (Sue on No problem seems very taken with the middle levels) but right now sitting here in my office thinking of being on the cut a lifetime of four counties would be a good exchange...... just need to be more adventurous and less sensible !!

Nev

Canal fix part II

I wonder at what point you become an addict - is that when you move onto the canal full time?

I went out for a ride on my motorbike last night and ended up at Fradley Junction... two reasons, both poor, but it gave me an excuse for a ride out

1. To see if stolen boat Que Sera Sera had been doubled back or cruised there by some unsuspecting buyer (you will have to read the link for all the detail.
2. To check if Waterlily was OK - I just get a bit wobbly when I hear of boats being stolen.

This is a gratuitous pic of my bike, motorbikes and canals go so very well together.

Its hurting right now - sitting here thinking of being on the cut. I need all you poetic and able scribes out there to increase the rate of your blogging to keep me topped up.

Nev

Shardlow by cycle

Due to the declutter and spring clean that took place during the daylight hours of Saturday we gave ourselves a day offish on Sunday. The intention was a nice cycle ride down Sustrans route 6 to Elvaston castle. This is a nice off road ride on the cycle path that follows the Derwent from the park across the road from our house to just about the castle.

Picnic consumed we has the legs top do some more so we went via Ambaston to Shardlow. I got my canal fix. In fact I think it is very much like that. I feel more eased if I get to the canal - does that sound daft or does it happen to others?

We had a lovely Jam Cream and scones in the tea room by the clock Warehouse lock. I took this shot on my phone......

There were a few boats moving today while we indulged ourselves (Greygal NO......)

We were there for only a short while and then it was a slog home. 22 miles and with only three gears (my Gary Fisher mountain bike needs to TLC)

All in all a good reward for the declutter

And so it begins....possibly the latest New Years resolution

After my recent post and the comments received (thanks to Heth, Halfie, Bruce and Greygal) I am engaged now to declutter.

In fact it is a New Years resolution to have an ongoing declutter.....to the point my old bedside radio alarm clock has gone to be replaced by a wind up alarm clock.(Which was clutter in the office at home)

Every time I look at it or when it wakes me in the morning (horribly BTW) I think - DECLUTTER !

So its Nev versus the clutter...........

How do you do it.......

Our home (ashore) is characterised by crap - sorry clutter. I am sitting typing this in our 'office' which is just full of clutter. I would take a photo but to be honest I'm ashamed of it !

I am also sitting here dreaming of living afloat - or spending a significant amount more time afloat - but how I'll ever clear the cacophony of clutter to enable us to do so I cannot image. So you live-a-boards - how did you get from living in a house full of stuff to living on a boat with all the associated lack of storage issues....??

Give me some hope????????????????

Nev

USA comes to Fradley

Charlotte, our long term friend (is that a nice thing to say...?) who we visited in the 'fall' last year came over for a visit and came onto Waterlily for a tootle to Alrewas and back. We had a really enjoyable day, some good food on board, I did a little fishing, and charged up the batteries. It was while we were winding that we met some people who knew the previous owners
There was some instructing (not really needed I expect but Charlotte listened intently) and a lot of talking - but there was much to catch up on.

It always a pleasure to share our enjoyment and love of the canals with friends, it was a shame 'Uncle Ho' couldn't be with us but maybe next time........

Memory map and the Mac

Sue on NB No Problem is a keen advocate of this piece of software - so much so she recently replaced her PDA so she could carry on using it. I have agood PDA phone HTC TYTN II that I recently installed the memory map software on. It is really very good. I know how long my dog walk is in the mornng now and also can use it as Sue does for walking and Geocaching. Hightly recommended.

The only issue is there is no Mac version - no problem as I have a program called Parallels installed on my Mac that in effect makes my Mac a PC. So I have the best of both worlds.

Little boating content I'm afraid - I really need to get on the boat and do some serious cruising. My two cruises are planned, just need to sort out the dates.........in the mean time I'll just dream.

Nev

Battery update and a reminder of previous owners

Just for me......

When we arrived on Waterlily on Sunday the battery monitor as showing 81% and 12.5v and 12.6v (starter)

On leaving after a simple two hours to wind waterlily the gauge was showing 91% and 12.8v and 12.9v

It seems to be settling down now so I don't think I'll post more unless I get issues....

whilst winding in Alrewas I was hailed by a couple who asked how long I had owned Waterlily - they were sad to hear of how I got to own her - with the death of the previous owner - they said they had met him and his wife on the Kennet and Avon canal two years ago - that must have been his last cruise. hey remarked what a nice couple they were - it reminded me of my need to write to the lady to let her know where and what waterlily was up to.

Its a sad reminder of our mortality - so I say get out there and do it before someone else takes the decisions away from you,

Stay safe,

Nev

Foxton

Ok, not from Fradley - although that will be a journey we do one day I hope.

No, this view

was arrived at by this form of transport
I took the opportunity to take the first ride out on my new bike to Foxton, as I have not been there for many years.

There were no boats on the flight - mainly due to this I suspect.....

I'm not sure of the 'opening' time of the flight - I should check BW's web site

The whole place looked a lot more finished than before (15 or so since I was last at Foxton). I recall the bottom of the flight being very 'messy' I still would like to see the flight in action on a summers day - it must be organised chaos?

The bike was excellent and I'm looking forward to getting many miles on it - just need to put in some canal locations.......

Nev

Sunken boats

I really don't like seeing them. They look so sad, they must have given so much joy and now they seem so lonely, deserted and abandoned.

So why then did this boat have the most polished mushrooms I have seen for a long time......?? There must be a story to it.

It really was fine cruising weather, sun and little wind. We saw few boats for saying it was half term, so we felt we had the cut to ourselves. I took a video for the record of this mini cruise.

Rachel's dad came along and did some locking and some tiller work. He has not been on the boat for a while and did very well. He is very enthusiastic about the boat and we enjoy having him aboard.

We have a good list of people who want to come on the boat, starting tomorrow when our friend Charlotte who we visited in the 'fall' will be joining us for a pootle to Alrewas and back.

I'll show you mine if you show me yours......

That'll be the bilge cheeky.


Since owning a part share in Sylph I have been interested in bilges.(sad or what) I did not realise until we had Waterlily that dry bilges are attainable. Sylph was always sloshing about and it was made worse when we had a leak in the bathroom plumbing that filled the cabin bilge with water. Sylph was so bad we had a cabin bilge pump fitted with a float switch that every now and then pumped for what seemed like ages. The floor at the back of the boat eventually had to be replaced as the water was rotted the floor !

Comet (our first boat) did not have any drainage channels on the cruiser back deck so when it rained the water went straight into the engine bay - horrible.

This is Waterlily's bilge. The previous owner put a small container under the stern gland to catch the drips while cruising and also another container for the grease that falls. You will also see a bucket with a bilge pump in it (top right of the picture) this catches the drips from the expansion pipe (I think) on the hot water cylinder. Every now and then I just pump the bucket empty. I suppose I really should fit a bilge pump with a float switch just in case the stern gland fails while we are off the boat - however I think this is unlikeley and unless the pumping water was spotted before the battery ran out it would make little difference.

Its quite simple and makes for a clean bilge - which I like. So lets see yours then ?

Nev

Top buy recommendation.....if you like TV on your boat

Last time I was on Waterlily I spent a very productive morning sorting out the aeriel (putting up a permanent ariel and getting the wiring sorted)
I got the satellite working but it is still a faff. When we were buying food in Sainsburys before this trip I took a gamble on a £22 freeview box - branded as Red.

I plugged it in last night and even though I had not touched the aeriel for best signal it went through its set up and found lots and lots of tv channels all excellent quality. It must have a signal booster built into it.

I was very impressed this small bit of kit. It will replace the satellite for sure so if anyone out there wants an little used satellite set up for the boat (or home) drop me a mail before the system goes on ebay.

Nev

Me batteries

Ok, full on boat post this - no motorbikes or cars or health issues.

Its really for my records as I have been recording the battery status since fitting my smartgauge battery monitory gizmo

So......

On arrival at the boat..

Hours meter 141 hours

66% charged
Leisure battery bank was at 12.45v
Starter battery was at 12.5v

At the end of the day cruising

Battery monitor was on 144 hours

92% charged
Leisure battery bank was at 12.85v
Starter battery was at 13.3v

After a nigh watching tv with a few light on and the water pump and central heating pump running the position was

57% charged
Leisure battery bank was at 12.4v
Starter battery was at 12.7v

The Smartgauge has intelligent circuitry so that it learns the state of the batteries (% charged) over a few charge and discharge cycles so the % charged should be getting more reliable.

More boaty posts to come.......

Nev

To Waterlily and beyond.....well Hopwas actually

A small amount of excitement exists as I sit in bed typing this as we are off to Waterlily for a small cruise into the weekend. As I have blogged about before we are going off down the Coventry today but we have stuff to do before we start the cruise.

The new (old) car has to be collected and taxed but we are waiting for the cover note from the insurance company..... so we can't head off before that. When we get to cruise on Waterlily we need water and a pump out so that'll delay our progress.

The original plan was to cruise on down onto the Birmingham and Fazely canal (new to us) and wind at Curdworth (sp) bottom locks and then pick up my father in law at Hopwas for a cruise back on Friday/Saturday. I have managed to leave the Ncholsons on board so actual route planning will take place aboard after we have filled up and emptied......

Still nice to get aboard.

Nev

Waterlily 1 Nev 0

When I took Waterlily out with a couple of friends last year..... clicky, I sustained an injury.

This is quite unusual as I am careful when aboard. However whilst standing on the gunwale at the back I lent over the side to reach the book and slipped which made me pivot my body on my rib cage. At the time I felt something go and then got the pain I've had before with a cracked rib. If you have had a cracked rib before you will know the treatment is to just suffer the discomfort until it mends.

This was my chosen action but the discomfort was not easing as I expected it to. So a visit to the docs yesterday and he diagnosed dislocated cartilage - how hard am I?? Four months living with this (not that bad really) So hopefully the tablets I have been given will do the trick just in time for the serious cruising season.

So - take care out there, it would be a shame to miss the perfect summer I have ordered.

Nev

Relegation or what

I had a spurt of blogging last week and rose up to number 20 on the UK boaters blogging list. I turn my back to do some automotive wheeling and dealing and get demoted to number 38.

Its a fair cop - it is after all a boaters list so if I'm not blogging or blogging with limited boaty content you will vote with your feet. I should say, with very little sincerity, like others have posted, do not really care that I am falling in the rankings, its about boating blogging and I do it for myself -I don't have a lot of friends ;-( anyway !! So there ;-))

An update on the swap shop

So, I sold this....

And brought this.........

And sold one of these......

And brought this........

Not bad at all for a few days work, and I fitted the new rad in the bathroom in between.

Now a boat picture........

This is what started it all - a mid week break on a 40 footer called Nutcracker on the Llangollen canal. We were captivated by the whole experience and five years later we owned our own boat. More pics to follow

Nev

Route planning, a busy week and a Geordie Valentines gft

Last minute holiday decisions are sometimes the best. I was not planning to take the half term week off but Rachel was. Over breakfast last weekend we decided we needed to refurbish the bathroom (house - we did the boat last summer) So a trip to the DIY shed later we had the materials sourced and a plan to get some work done in half term week. In fact the decision should have been made based on the other stuff we had on,

Selling my bike
Invitation to the Derby Manchester United FA cup tie
Our wedding anniversary (yesterday) - that's why we are the feb14.org........
Uni visit to Manchester for our youngest
Hospital appointment for Rachel
Visit from my father in law from Wales
Buying a bike (maybe)
Our eldest 21st birthday

Getting time on Waterlily.........................

The plan is to get away later in the week and then pick up the father in law at some point during our short cruise - so Mr Nicholson is my friend again - defiantly the Coventry this time .

My bike went north east yesterday.... two nice lads drove down and took it away. When we were doing the paperwork the lad who was buying it asked what the date was.... I advised it was valentines day and he was doing alright spending the biggest proportion of the day in a van traveling to buy a motorbike. He was ok with it as he had stopped off at a garage on the way and brought twelve red roses - well six actually and six tulips as the garage had run out of roses - them Geordies now how to treat their women !!

Nev

Ebay excitement (I really need to get out more)

You may have read I am having a moment about Motorcycles I am at the point of selling my much loved but little ridden Ducati Monster motorbike on Ebay, clicky me

Anyhow its getting to the point of mild excitement as the auction ends on Monday evening and as I type this (Friday PM to be published Monday lunchtime as per my mentor Granny Buttons does - it so it must be right) there have been 927 visits and 57 'watches'

This is important stuff, if she goes I might have half a boat painting fund or a good deposit on my next ride......

Nev

Edited at 6pm - 83 watches and 1333 visitors..........

Angry Nev - I hope not

Maffie blogged about getting angry recently and a few people have replied - me being one of them Maffi's Boat: On being angry

Now I am a little worried about angry people who live on the cut. When I clock off off the last time hopefully I want to spend a good deal of time on my boat. I was rather hoping that when I get on my boat the angryness I exhibit and feel will go..... but then I read about angry canal people.... oh dear.

Now I reconcile my worries by way of thinking about what could make me angry on the cut, gates being left open, speeding boats, generators, dog poo and pinching locks?? (not in any order) And then I think of the godzillions of things that make me angry - working full time and all the associated 'arse' sorry to use that word but that is the best way of describing some of the stuff that goes on......

So it has to be a better type of angry, I just hope when my time comes to get on the cut more I can remember that the things on the cut that will make me angry pale into insignificance to what went before.....but I suspect we act based on the present not what went on in the past. So I could be angry Nev on the cut as well as angry Nev ashore.

Maybe I should start an angry list now so I could refer to it for comparison when afloat..., no that would just remind me of all the stuff that made me angry on the land.

Better to just be happy - like Bones seems to be, she never seems to exhibit anger?

Or I could rely on my old mate beer. Beer makes me happy then sleepy and not angry. Yep Mr Pedigree and friends will help me get through this !!

I'm off to carry out some research............................................................

Treat yourself to a good read... I will

I may have commented that I do not read many books, I spend too much time on the internet. I recently read Jim's Starcross Blog about his 'day or reckoning' - good title He had recorded his cruising and compared it to previous years. We can't do that directly:

1. We don't keep a detailed cruising log
2. We have not had Waterlily two years yet

But I got to start looking back and was amazed how much I'd wrote and how enjoyable (to me) the blog was with all of its best cruising pictures. So over the weekend (most probably Sunday if the weather is pants) I'll give my blog a good read bottom to top. I think this will be a fine antidote for the poor weather with dash of anticipation for the cruising to come.....

Nev

Edited to explain I was not suggesting you read my blog, read your own or any other boaty blog ...........

Someone did not like this guy

Just a small addition to my post about the boater who died at Willington on the T&M

It appears the Derby Evening Telegraph paper copy was correct about his boat being broken into.... this is from Narrowboat World - I would post a link but I can't link to their story direct.

"Last night (Wednesday), the man's boat was broken into and his vehicle quite extensively vandalised on the nearby car park, David King tells us, who believes the boat has now been removed to the nearby Mercia Marina.
There was a great deal of bad feeling about this boater by locals, and many complaints about his noisy generator and dogs."

He must have tested someone patience or someone had very little patience.

Nev

A walk with a view

I'm sorry I can't give you a lovely snow shot of Waterlily on her moorings.... I really want to be on the boat while this weather is with us.

I shouldn't be too unhappy as I get to walk Leia in Darley park every morning. This always has been my favourite park in Derby and I live across the road from it. Early mornings there are very few people use it so I get it to myself in the main. Here is a panorama picture taken from my camera yesterday morning. The sun was just coming up. At the bottom of the slope is the river Derwent. It has just flowed past Darley abbey mills on its way to the Silk mill in Derby.

A little story re the sad event at Willington on the T&M

On reading more info about the sad incident on the T&M yesterday I realized I met the bloke who died while on our July trip.

He was next boat ready to go down Stenson Lock. He asked if i was ok to lock us both down as he had a bad back - in the end we went down with another boat as he seemed more interested in chatting to other boaters than going down the lock. The boat we did go down with were very scathing about this individual. he was quite well known on the section of canal for a variety of reasons - none now worthy of mention.

I can see how the story of the boat being burgled came about as I recall his boat was 'individual' My strongest memory was of him with a very young pup (american pit bull I think) and his large Alsatian. He was telling me and another boater no one would give him trouble when the pup grew up......just goes to show how short and precious life is.

Nev

Dead boater's boat is burgled - Willington on the T&M

This is a really sad and tragic story

Boater is found dead in the canal

In the printed edition of the Derby Evening telegraph they report the boat was subsequently ransacked by thieves - this is missing from the web version. The paper copy also reads the boat had been in Willington since September - I really don't like newspapers.

Its a timely reminder to those living their life on the cut to take extra care - especially those single handers.

I want to meet you not read about you posthumously .

Take extra care

Nev

A £92 screw

Nope - not another trip to Amsterdam or Prague. It was a nice rusty number 8 stuck just far enough towards the sidewall on the rear offside tyre on my Smart - that'll be £92 quid sir - lovely !!

Plus my misfortune fits into the toast falling and landing on the butter (or jam) side down approach - meaning the tyre was the one that has only got about 1,000 miles on it whilst the two front are getting close to replacement - smashing.

Mmmmm now its got me thinking what £92 quid would buy me in Amsterdam or Prague ........................................

I made a decision

You may have read this post Especially the bit about decisions. Just to let you know I made one on Friday night and put my motorbike up on ebay for sale. Have a look here .....Clicky

I'd like you to have a look as it will increase the hit count and make it look like there are lots of people interested. In fact there are over 40 watches at the moment so I am hopeful that it will sell past the reserve.

I still have an eye on a replacement but also the final price might be halfway to a paint job on Waterlily.... so new bike or paint job - what do you recon? Help me make that decision,

Nev

So I talk to myself, that's ok isn't it?

It occurred to me earlier this week while I was having a conversation with Leia (that's my dog not my wife) I do talk to myself more and more. You know I feel quite relaxed about it - no, in fact I enjoy doing it.

I do have a feeling that as I get older talking to myself with become quite an enjoyable passtime. If for no other reason than on the rare occasion to date someone has caught me doing it, their reactions are worth the words to myself.

Having Leia about does help, it makes me feel that I am actually talking to someone (she it a one rather than a thing) Anyhow I say talk to yourself more and sod anyone who gives you a wide berth - Ahh that's it, the real benefit, people keep away - top tip that, chatter to yourself as you are mooring up and you will have the place to yourself the next day. I might just try random shouting in the near future..... ;-)

Nev

How long is a piece of string?

I have had this said to me so many times. It is a simple answer 13 and 3/4 inches.

So if you ever get asked, its 13 and 3/4 inches.

Ok so why have I measured a piece of string. Simple, I wanted some brackets for the exhausts on my motorbike. The company I was buying from quoted two diameters (?) so I used the string to measure the circumference and then used some maths off the internet which included a pie to calculate the diameter I needed.

But its good to know how long a piece of string is !

Nev

Slow day on the Mac

Not the lovely Macclesfield canal we were on last year - rather my Mac computer. I like messing with computer, but to a point, that was why got the Mac - now I'm messing with the Mac.

Its all to do with web pages and wireless speeds. Just recently the loading of pages has got painful, so I googled slow mac connections and found this useful bit of discussion and tips. It has speeded up my machine, but I'm still not happy as I've been doing some scientific side by side experiments with my vista laptop and it seems to win out just about every time and sometime the web pages take a lot longer to actually connect. The above fix has helped but I need MORE performance from the Mac.

Its on trial and I do like it but, but, but - there is something not quite right. I am of course overlooking all the positives the Mac offers, but I expect computing perfection.

So on the off chance anyone has advice on connecting Macs to wireless (draft n router) please get in touch. Also how do I measure the connection speed and signal I am getting??

Answer in the comments if you will be so kind.

Nev

Some personal stuff.....

Ok, not really personal personal, but a few things that are being processed by my grey matter at this time


Leia Update


Leia, our rescue dog is an absolute pleasure. We could not have hoped for a better natured dog. She is settled into our family life so well. Today we are having her spayed (horrible term) One of out responsibilities in having a rescue dog is to make sure she does not have pups. Its a shame as she has such a nice temperament, but equally any pups she might have would mean other dogs may get left un homed, which is not what we want. I will go and collect her later, I'm sure I'll have to build some trust bridges, after I took her to a place where they caused her pain and stress, but she is so devoted to the family (especially me, which makes me very happy) so I'm sure she will soon recover.


Motor Bike


Andy from Khayamanzi comments that many boaters have interests in either motorbikes or steam engines etc. I am one such person. I blogged a while ago about my 'new bike (ish)'



I really like my Ducati, it fits the bill for the occasional ride out and the trip to Waterlily via Ashbourne is a cracking ride out. However I have a hankering for a touring bike. I would like a Pan European but they are really for serious touring. So I am being draw to swapping my P&J for a Honda Deauville (horrible name)

So what do you think...... Not as sexy as the Ducati but very usable? Decisions, decisions - I think a road test is on the cards (plus I need to get a sensible price for my Ducati if she is to go)- I'll let you know.

Car

Seems like a transport blog this. We are looking to get rid of our T reg Rover 420 for something I can get insured for my lads to drive (they are both taking lessons at the moment) To add them to the Rover insurance would be £2,200 , absolutely daft. To insure my eldest for his own car, even the lowest group was £1,500 So we are looking for a 1.2 Polo 5 door to swap the Rover for, at least when they pass their test they can get insurance, even if it is silly money.

Planning

I really wish I could be a little more carefree. Planning is something I do, and I think I do it too much. As an example re the motorbikes above - I am thinking about what I'll do when the time comes to spend more time of the boat (retirement or semi retirement) Should I keep the motorbikes - should I even think about exchanging, will I get the use of if the bike, should I sell the bike and put it to the boat painting fund....... I user to be undecided, but now I'm not sure....... I think, no I will plan not to plan so much in the future !

There is much other stuff going on but this is a primerily a boating blog so I'll leave the jam making concerns for another day,


Nev

Anal about batteries

Sorry for this, but I want to refer back to it to help my understanding of the battery systems on Waterlily.

Jerry can help me out

I am the proud owner of 2 Jerry cans from Aldi these two helpers will enable me to keep Waterlily topped up while she is on her mooring.

When we are aboard - especially at weekends the more regular (live-a-boards) boaters can be observed with their wheelbarrows bringing home the red stuff.

I have read that keeping the boats diesel tank full stops condensation getting in the fuel system. When we picked Waterlily up from the brokers she had a full tank of Diesel. I am sure it was not the broker who filled her up, more likely the previous owner as he seemed quite on the ball over his boat maintenance. Just a shame for him he never saw the other side of the winter,

Nev

Boat jobs....

After a lazy Saturday on the boat last weekend I was feeling guilty enough to do a couple of simple little jobs on Waterlily on Sunday morning.

First one was to fit a decent external aerial. I have brought one from Wilkinsons that when I 'built it' it was far too big. I replaced in on a trip to Litchfield on the Saturday with a much more compact one that now sits very purposely on front cratch board using a proper aerial pole. I also tidied up all the cable for the aerial and satellite so I can plug whichever I want to use in - I like tidy cables !

I then replaced the plastic curtain track above the front doors with a nice brass pole to match it to all the other poles on the boat - not sure why the last owners used the plastic on the front curtains - it was very obvious when you came aboard.

I repaired the shower and sorted the lamp out in the lounge. All in all a very proactive morning. Doing these jobs gives me a better understanding of the boat and makes it feel more like mine (even though we have owned her for coming up to two years)

I found a receipt when clearing out a drawer that related to the fitting of the inverter and also a third battery. This help the history of the boat as we were unable to get any info from the previous owners as sadly the gent died which was why Waterlily was on brokerage.

Nev

3's 3g puts the Mac in peril

On our last trip to the boat I got really frustrated with the 3g dongle I have from 3. It actually went into the cut..... The connection was very poor and when it did connect it was mainly GPRS and that kept dropping.

A big issue is that there is no available software for the Mac using the broadband dongle. When I plug it into my little Sony it finds the software on the dongle and installs it. I can then see the data I am/have used and also the strength of connection and what connection I may get. Non of this is available for the Mac.

Rachel's solution is not to bring the Mac on the boat and use the Sony - I like the Mac, screen size, performance and keyboard, so I am loathed to stop using it because of threes incompetence (Vodafone do an application for the Mac but my work Vodafone dongle only gets GPRS on the boat, and they do not say there is 3g or HSDPA coverage at my moorings - BUT 3 Do !)

I tried the modem when back at home and it was much better on the Mac, but still without software I feel cheated and the connection on the boat was more reliable on the PC. One thing to try will be a long USB cable with the modem in a bag on the roof, it could be the boat is blocking the signal. However, as I will then not be able to see the lights flashing (this gives the speed of the active or potential connection), this is even more reason to get the Mac software sorted.

When I phoned 3 they just said keep checking back to their web page - quality customer service, not.

Steer clear of 3 I say they do not understand customer service or support Macs

Rant over

Ok some more information - I wrote the above on Monday and scheduled it to be published Tuesday. Andrew on Granny Buttons does this so it must be the right thing to do !

I posted to Canalworld.net asking for advice and a really nice bloke called Richard Fairhurst replied and pointed me at a CheetahWatch this does everything the 3 software should do if it existed So stand up and take a bow Richard.

However..........

I really do not like to be beaten and will stubbornly think through solutions if I can. So I started looking for external ariels for the Modem to make it better (less risk of it going into the cut) but them it occurred to me I use my Mac at work and use my Vodafone phone via bluetooth using something called Bluetooth Pan network - effectively making my phones data network available via bluetooth connection to the Mac. I have acquired a good phone that will allow me to have the same set up but with the 3 sim in it. It works much better as I think the ariel built into the phone is so much more efficient and the connection seems solid - see below....

My tests

My vodaphone HSDPA network (solid connection to HSDPA) 1125 KB/s down 272 KB/s up
My 3 HSDPA network in the phone (solid connection to HSDPA) 1130 KB/S down 272 KB/s up
My 3 dongle HSPDA 1561 KB/S down 348kb/s up*

*Sounds good but the big issue is that the connection was jumping from HSDPA to WCDMA (3g) and this is with CheetaWatch showing a good signal.

Phew.... So bigger is not always better (ladies take note). I really need to go to the boat to repeat this experiment but putting the phone outside to get a better reception and to be fair to the dongle to do the same (downside will be the cable length)

I'll report back.....the Mac might have a reprieve yet

Nev

Nice to meet you nice.....

I knew Sue and Vic from NB No Problem were on my patch from reading their excellent blog. I had left a comment saying I would look out for them while on Waterlily last weekend.

The way we drive to our mooring takes us over the visitor moorings at Bagnall lock, a quick scan of the moored boats and I saw what I thought to be their boat. We were intending to wind Waterlily to run the engine and get her facing the preferred direction (up the junction so's to speak) so we set off and I duly met Sue and Vic doing a large scale wood cut for the roof. Well Vic was doing the instructing while Sue did the moving. In Vic's defense he had a bad back after apparently carrying candles (brought at a knock down price) from a shopping trip in Burton on Trent. I hope Sue won't mind me commenting, she is tiny (I'm no giant ) but she was lumping the wood around very efficiently and with much enthusiasm.

It was really good to meet both Sue and Vic - they really are a friendly couple. On the photo's Sue takes Vic always seems to be missing a smile, (sorry Vic) but when I met him he was really friendly and has big smiles - note to Sue, get more pics of Vic smiling ;-)

Now I am back sitting driving this office desk I really am envious of their nomadic and free lifestyle

My Pic is not very good but I want to get it on the blog for posterity.

I need to check if both trees are still there ;-)

Take care you two and keep blogging.....

Nev

Pyjama bottoms, one slipper, a dongle and the egg lady off Mothers pearl what have they in common?

Here is a clue....

Yep, over our weekend aboard they all went into the cut !!

After winding the boat on Friday we were returning to our mooring when Rachel suggested we should stop for eggs at NB Mothers Peal on the off side between Bagnall and Common locks. We hailed her as we approached and while holding Waterlily breasted (just about) we did the transaction - then we asked for a bag of kindling wood and as she moved around the boat she disappeared and we heard a splosh - lucky for her it was on the bank side and she went in to to her bum level. We felt really bad - we never even laughed ! She took it in good heart but she earned her £5 for a dozen eggs (fresh that day) and a large bag of wood bits.

Later that evening after some Guinness and wine and a lot of frustration trying to surf the web, I'll blog about that later, I had my 3 broadband dongle hanging out of the window, I pulled the cable to get it in and it came off where it joined the extension cable - 12 gigabytes of future use took a dive in the cut !!!!

I was not sure if it would float or sink, as I rushed outside it was not floating... but luckily (on 2 counts) the canal was quite clear as no boats had been moving, and I had the white version of the dongle. I could see it lying in the mud on the bottom. I used my garden rake (from doing BW's job of mowing and clearting my mooring grass) to locate it after failed attempts with the boat hook. Every attempt disturbed the masses of mud on the bottom. In moving down the side of the boat, plop, in went my slipper, that was thinking about sinking in sympathy with the dongle(my slippers are black) but was lifted out by the boat hook just in time.

I eventually recovered the dongle and feared the worst, I took out the sim and left in to dry out near the stove overnight. I was very please to find it was still working when plugged in the next afternoon - just a shame the Internet connection from 3 was so poor...

Then on Sunday when Rachel was cleaning the boat she decided to give the duvet a good shake and managed to shake my pyjama bottom into the cut... once again the boat hook did its stuff.

I hope that these episodes complete the cut dipping for the wells family for 2009 !

Nev

Links to my blog

I think it is only fair that I reciprocate boaters who have my blog listed on their sites. So on checking today where visitors were coming from I noted and added Lazydays I've also added Alan and Frances' (is the apostrophe thing in the right place I wonder?) to my updated links list.

Welcome aboard my humble blog,

Nev

Edited to also include Pickles No. 2 Welcome aboard Pete and also John & Fiona from NB Epiphany plus Heather from WB takeytezey and Pip and Roger from NB Windsong

A big fan of these...

I have hankered after one of these for some time now.

I wasn't shopping to buy one - but when checking out my double skin chimney at Shobnall boat yard I clocked one on their stove so it was an impulse buy.

It went straight onto the stove on the boat and with only a two hour Wilko log in the Squirrel it was spinning like a top. It did feel warmer, a more even warm if you knw what I mean and the boat did get warmer quicker, we'll see how it goes and report back.

The Smartgauge is doing its job. Normally we'd run the engine on every visit, but last time aboard it was saying the batteries were down to 69% so the engine was not run. Hopefully this weekend we'll take Waterlily down to Alrewas to wind her so she'll get a good run and charge, I'll record the before and after readings on the smartgauge.

Nev

The price of a Satuday lie in

I took advantage of a lazy Saturday morning yesterday and got into reading canal world forum specifically about battery condition monitoring. I have been concerned for some while about how long to run the engine when we have a weekend on the boat, the 3 leisure batteries seem to cope but it all feels a bit hit and miss. I have occasionally taken readings using my multimeter but to be honest they mean little.

So having read the thread on battery monitoring I bit the bullet and drove over to Beaston Marina this morning and parted with £150 and left with a small box of electrics that is seemingly well recommended and is known as a smartgauge. This little (and it is small) gadget will tell me what the voltage readings are for my leisure batteries as well as the starter. It will also tell me what % of charge my leisure batteries are at. This is what I wanted and it will give me the info I need to allow me to correctly charge the leisure batteries up and monitor usage.

So this afternoon I went to the boat and spent a couple of hours fitting it. The actual wiring up is simple (part of the attraction) getting the wires to where I wanted to mount it took the time.

I wanted it inside the boat so I could check the readings without going into the cold - plus I was not 100% sure it was weather tight. In the end I got it in installed on the side of the small wardrobe at the end of the bed, just near the rear door.

It was working straight away and giving the following readings

As installed with the engine running

Leisure - 13.90v
Starter - 14.15v

After 15 mins and the engine off


Leisure - 12.60v
Starter - 13.35v

No doubt the leisure was down as I was using the lights.

The % charged on the leisure batteries was 74% but this will not be accurate until a few cycles of charge and use have taken place.

Another nice little job done and the benefit will be gained over the coming year.

Nev

Summer cruising plans

Yes, we are going to have a summer this year. I have it on order, starting mid April and breaking with a big thunder storm on my birthday in August. So relax its covered.

My lack of cruising action has got me thinking about where we might find ourselves this year on the boat. Our first trip on Sylph our shared ownership boat was up the Caldon. I like the route to Stoke from Fradley, a long week to Frogshall basin will be in order.

When we brought Waterlily up from Whilton in 2007 after we had purchased her we had a great run up the North Oxford and the Coventry. I'd like to re run this, maybe taking in the Ashby in a two weeker.

One thing we will not be doing this year is taking our two weeks in the school holidays. This year our youngest finishes sixth form so from about mid May we will not have kids at school any more and so be free from taking holidays in the busy periods.

They haven't been coming on the smaller holidays we have had recently, they just like the cruises (big ships not canal) and the America trips - there's a surprise!!

So we will be mainly overnighting during the summer holidays, in and around Fradley, it can be the best way to enjoy Fradley in the quite summer evenings.

So, The Caldon and Ashby will be the 2009 destinations...health and wealth willing

Nev

One time only....

Andrew on Granny Button has let us know of a little gadget for our blogs which is a UK waterways website (or in my case blog) ranking widget.

Mr Tony Blews stand up and take a bow for writing this for us after Andrew suggested it would be a good idea to have a UK version of a similar US ranking tool.

So my blog is registered and for one time only is ranked number 2 of only a few that will very soon pass me and leave my scribbles in the dust.

So for the record,

Political comment warning.....

How sad was I to wake up the other morning to the news that Wedgewood was being put into receivership. The Wedgewood moorings on the T&M are always a stop off for us before we go into/through Stoke. We have taken visitors to their factory and done the tour, now it will all cease. Its even more sad to think that this industry gave rise to the canals we enjoy so much today. It was a much better way of moving delicate pottery to the ports at Shardlow and the North east than packhorses.

Its so annoying that this industry, this company that actually makes things - what our country was built on - basic industry, is allowed to sink without trace whilst the fat cat bankers are bailed out after playing monopoly with our money, going unchecked for so many years.

I really feel for all those good hard working individuals that have worked at the factory for so many years. Good luck lads and lasses in getting some other meaningful employment.

My last memory will be of listening to the distant clatter of proper work early one morning while walking Leia to Trentham lock when we moored near by last summer.

I hope the Armitage factory will keep going as this also is one very iconic landmark on the canal near us. All those toilets are a fantastic metaphor for the industry the canal supported and relied on ..... I'm off to find a dark room !

Nev

I really am missing something.....

My bout of man flu has eased to an annoying cough. I really was ill between Christmas and the New Year and felt sooo bad, I celebrated New Year with the first meal for a while - 6 fish fingers and a lemsip, I do man flu real well ;-)

So after looking forward to a nice week and a bit off, it all slipped by mainly in bed feeling poo. My first day of feeling anything like normal and I'm back at work. This is made all the more frustrating by reading my regular blogs, and enjoying their descriptions and photo's of the ice on the cut. I have just checked back to when we were on board last year and were frozen in

So a thank you in no real order to the following for my iced in fix for tonight. I will try and get to Waterlily before the ice goes way....

Hadar
Sanity
4Evermore
K2
Caxton
Piston Broke
Poppy

Keep blogging.....

Nev

For the record

So I can refer back to it

We have 134 hours on the electronic hours counter I fitted at the early part of 2008.

I checked the batteries yesterday

After standing for several week

Starter 12.5 volts
Leisure 12.1 volts

On charging

Starter 14.4 volts
Leisure 14.25 volts

After 2 hours under charge

Starter 13.84 volts
Leisure 13.67 volts

Unclean unclean.......

So the last time I was on Waterlily with my wife Rachel I discovered I had shingles. We got on board yesterday and last night I had a temperature and started some kind of cold, some might say man flu......

What a bugger, we were thinking of going for a short cruise today but I really don't feel up to it. It gives us a good excuse to just kick back and relax, something we do not do a lot of. I have even finished my latest book, and I take a long time to read a book !

Nev

All over bar the shouting....

Christmas day was spent in the evening with my lot - all but one (niece) was there 19 in total, and today we hosted the in laws, 22 in total including my lads girlfriends, so a very large family Christmas was the rule of thumb for this year. Tomorrow if all goes to plan we should get aboard Waterlily - the perfect antidote to a Christmas of excesses,

Nev

I'm not dead yet.......

Despite two of my family dreaming of my untimely demise (nice). The lack of postings is commensurate with a busy existence in all things non canal related. For the last three weekends the intention has been to visit Waterlily but events have kept us land bound.

We will get on board (I just hope all will be well when we get to her) just after Christmas and I'll let you have some pics them.

I the mean time 'Happy Christmas' I hope it is peaceful and accompanied by good health and family contentment.

Take care

Nev