Month: February 2016

Well it was a nice day, we had some woodwork that needed sanding down and treating, so we cast off and bimbled out.  First time – shockingly – since last August! So, a good time to test the engine, batteries etc Picked a nice spot by bridge 27 and the lovely wood (Fieldside Covert).

Yep, the front of the cratch needed doing

Beautiful spot – Steve fixed up his ensign & flagstaff . . 

Whilst Viv got on with the sandpaper … dog was happy:

Over the bridge and into the wood – not a soul to be seen

A lot of buds and some flowers – is Spring really just around the corner?

Yes, Viv’s still sanding away – let’s zoom in …

And here’s some organic artwork:

And here’s the “after” photo of Viv’s handiwork and my coat of Osmo oil

At last – my old friend runs out of excuses and treks north to join us on de boat for a few days. Tuesday – the Wheatsheaf for lunch and a few pints of Big Bang Theoryfrom the Nene Brewery.  Wednesday – into Rugby for a visit to the musuem & art gallery, the Rugby Tap and then lunch at the Merchants Inn:

CAMRA pub of the year (Rugby)

DarkStar Hophead – nice

A good choice of beers – Nethergates Suffolk, Bishop’s Farewell, Umbel Stout . . 

Awoke to the marina freezing over and the sound of the ice crunching around the outside of the boat. 

Hopefully this could be the last case of sub-zero temperatures??

Very odd seeing the geese land on ice – don’t often see ice inside the boat. An icy cratch is not nice.

Or the bathroom porthole – it was covered with Viv’s homemade plugs, which kept the room warm but allowed the window to freeze. The heating came on at 0700 – which was nice – melting and re-freezing the exhuast:

There is one animal who likes the outdoors, whatever the temperature:

We’re looking forward to the first visitor of the year, my good friend from Ubley and committee member of the Chew Valley Beer Festival (a clue there of what we’ll be up to the next few days!) – Mr David Thomas.  Just hope he’s packed his long johns!

Well, our target for this year is to get up to the North West and Liverpool Docks. Managed to book a week in Salthouse Dock (above), 13-21st May. Now we have to plan when to leave here and where to stop en route. A rough guide is on CanalPlan  http://canalplan.org.uk/journey/5847_cp

We aim to make it a 5 to 6 week trip stopping at Chester … and anywhere Viv fancies!

Must do more research on this City!

https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/enjoy-the-waterways/canal-and-river-network/liverpool-canal-link