Out of Order

This posting is out of order because I forgot to include the fact that I'm slowly replacing all the existing plastic curtain rails and wooden curtain retainers with brass fittings .. shiny huh?

We nipped over to Welford to see the state of the reservoirs .... still not good!

Preparing for a freeze

Just in time, we managed to get over to Quo and drain down the hot and cold water systems.

The engine cooling and central heating systems have anti-freeze in them, so are OK to leave over winter, but the hot and cold water pipes are vulnerable to freezing and have to be carefully drained.

It was this time last year that we took over Quo, but the weather was very different, it was the big freeze-up, and Whilton Marina had already winterised her so all the water tanks were empty.

I started the drain-down by just opening a hot and cold tap until the main cold water tank ran dry, then using my spare pump to drain every last drop from the tank, and an old towel to dry it out.

To my surprise, the hot water tank was still full of water ... hmmmmmm .... back to the drawing board. 

Luckily, my second attempt to drain it worked, I took the outlet off the boat's water pump and fitted it to the inlet of my spare pump, then opened the boat's hot taps and started the spare pump ... Bingo ... the tank dutifully emptied, and Quo is now ready to face whatever this winter brings.

We popped over to check on her on Christmas eve, ran the engine and mopped up a small quantity on water from the engine bilge ... I suspect a small leak from the gutter that drains around the engine cover ... I'll check it out when the weather is a bit warmer .... otherwise, she's in good order and we noted that the water level was up in the marina, boding well for a cruise in the near future.

It is the tuesday after Christmas, and we went for a walk along the towpath near Newton Harcourt, and noted that the water levels at Spinney Lock were fine, with water running down the spillways. 

Hopefully it won't be too long before we can get Quo out and about again.

Booze Crooze

I run a small guitar strumming session at the local pub on Monday nights, and we now have a hard core of 5 regulars, Paul, Mark, Bob, Dan and me.

We decided that what we needed was a long session with our guitars and a bottle or so of Jack Daniels to bring out the real music (a la Rolling Stones), my thinking was that a narrowboat would be an inspirational place to do this, so I set it up for last Saturday.

Liz was brilliant helping me to sort it all, and made a large pot of yummy stew and gorgeous cheese straws for our trip.

Come Saturday morning, knowing I had to stay sober(ish) anyway, I picked up the other lads in my car and off we set for Debdale, burdened additionally by guitars, beer and nibbles.

The weather was better than we could have hoped for, especially when compared to this time last year, and we cast off about 10.30am under clear blue skies and brilliant sunshine..... my only concern being the highish wind, as Quo does not handle well in crosswinds.

We cruised down to Foxton, and followed another boat through the first swing-bridge, then we (Paul & Mark) did the honours on the road swingbridge for them, featuring our first "key in the canal" incident, easily rectified, as I'd just fitted it with a cork float ... whew. We chugged out into the countryside past Foxton and moored-up.

The next several hours were spent sitting in glorious sunshine, eating, drinking, talking and making music ... it was absolutely brilliant! So carried away was I that it was 3.30 before I even thought about our return, and the sun was setting fast, so whilst the rest of the "crew" continued to make music I cast off and scooted down to the winding hole by the A6.

Turning was "interesting", with the wind doing it's best to run us aground.

Paul's punting expertise saved the day, but not my Aussie cowboy hat which blew off and stayed stubbornly dead centre of the canal and always moving faster than Quo could go in reverse, so I abandoned it to it's fate ... maybe next summer it will feature as a good base for a Moorhen's nest :o)

Running against the clock, and the wind, I pushed the engine harder that I've ever done before and it behaved immaculately, with just one brief incident when the prop choked with leaves, rectified by a blast of reverse.

Paul got us smoothly through both swing-bridges, and as I chugged slowly through the second one in the fast-fading daylight, I became transfixed by the lights of the Bridge 61 Pub directly ahead, drawn like a moth to a flame, so we moored-up outside. They had a roaring log fire, and the atmosphere was great, so we settled in with a jug or so of Adnam's finest for what seemed like hours.

It was proper dark when we re-emerged .... a clear star-strewn sky overhead and a half moon to the south.

We could have walked back to Debdale, but I decided to make my first attempt at night cruising so on went the tunnel lamp and off we set.

Unfortunately it was still quite windy, meaning I had to keep the revs up, otherwise I'd have gone all the way on tickover. Some of the guys were sitting out front playing guitars (the acoustics as we passed under bridges were wonderful I'm told) as I was treated to a shooting star and the ghostly sight of the local swans, floating mid-canal, illuminated suddenly by our light.

We made it cleanly back into the Marina, but the wind made a fool of me when trying to reverse on to our mooring, ending up with the stern in the right place, but the boat at 90 degrees to the mooring. Once again Paul's punting came to the rescue and in she slipped.

It was an absolutely brilliant day, and I can't wait to repeat it next spring, especially the night cruising!
Bob's photos

Naughty but Nice

Couldn't help myself, I could take the sight of this beautiful weather no more, so after a couple of hours on Friday, I shut up shop and Liz and I headed for Quo, packed to stop the night.
In absolutely fabulous weather, we cruised up towards Saddington Tunnel, seeing  our  first Kingfisher along the way!. We moored at the aqueduct for a late lunch of BLT's, then after a suitable rest, chugged up to the winding hole & turned. The temperature was now sky high, so as soon as we found a shady spot, we moored up again and just lazed until the temperature dropped.

A shady spot to sit out the heat

By 5pm it was just right, and we continued back past Debdale and on to Foxton Locks, mooring on the 48 hour moorings right by Rainbow Bridge.

The Inn was booked up solid, and Bridge 61 had sold out of food, so we just had a quiet drink and soaked up the wonderful atmosphere, then back to Quo for Plan B ... Liz's Stew, which went down a treat. We turned in early, and were serenaded by Tawny Owls ... magic!!

As usual on board, we woke early and I watched the sun come up whilst watching the France Tonga rugby match. We were on our second cup of tea by the time the England Scotland game was on, and having seen England progress, we walked up to Bridge 61 for a coffee and a Bacon Baguette ,,, yum yum.
As always, reality interrupts at some point, Jody was returning from a school trip to Strasbourg at 12.45, so we chugged slowly back to Debdale in brilliant sunshine to end another couple of absolutely fabulous narrowboating days.

Foxton Locks Festival

Having slept-over on Friday night, we had a pleasant Saturday at the Festival, good food, beer and music, then back to Quo.
The weather forecast for Sunday didn't look good, and we had to pick Jo up from work for 4.30, so Liz went off to sort Jody, whilst I cruised back to Debdale solo. We arrived at Debdale bridge simultaneously, and Liz just stepped back aboard for the short cruise onto our mooring ... very slick.
We really love our boat, after a few early problems, she has settled down to being absolutely perfect for our requirements..

A rare day off

Had a rare thing today .... a day off work.

Due to un-forseen circumstances (business partner suffered a severe illness .. on the mend now thankfully), I have not been able to take any time off since mid-July, running the shop single-handed and it was making "Jack" a VERY dull boy. Despite having, in effect, to close the shop for 3 days I felt the need to catch the last few days of sunshine, so I'm taking a long weekend .

Welford Reservoir by the lower dam

Last weekend, we cruised Quo down to Foxton Locks and moored up there ready for the Festival, with a vague plan to go up the locks tomorrow and moor at the top, nearer the Festival site. With the current water shortage, we felt uneasy using the locks, just on a whim, to save a short walk, so we thought we'd check out the state of Welford and Sulby reservoirs. The following pictures show why we'll be staying put at the bottom.



On our trip, we incorporated a visits to the Folly Pub at Napton .... excellent lunch, Midland Chandlers (new door bolts) and the Marina at Braunstone. All in all, a great way to spend a beautiful sunny day.

Welford Reservoir by the upper dam

Hoping to sleep overnight on Quo this weekend, possibly the last chance for a while, and in preparation, I'm pleased to say that I've fettled my on-board guitar. After much use of a power-sander and an Allen key, it is much nicer to play now.

Can't wait for that full English fried breakfast aboard Quo on Sunday morning, followed by lazing about and strumming.... that should do the trick.

Ditto

Sulby Reservoir

Sadly, I didn't see any Grebes at Sulby, I think this is the first time I've ever been there and not seen any .. I do hope they are still about somewhere, as they are one of my favourite birds. Could be because all the Geese, Ducks, Herons and Seagulls that live on the ressie are having to cram themselves into a rapidly decreasing area of water. We need a lot of rain, soon .... but please let it not start 'til Tuesday morning.

TFI Friday

Last Friday we moved Quo down to Foxton Locks for a change of scene, winded at the foot of the locks, then moored on the visitors moorings. Liz did most of the steering, so for a change, I was able to enjoy the boat on the move.
We left her there, with just a brief visit on Wednesday to check all was well.

Today we took her back up to Debdale, winded by the bridge then back to Foxton, to moor the other way round, so that the side hatch is on the canal side ... so much more pleasant. Once again, Liz did most of the steering, apart from the winding, which I did, NOT assisted by the wind, necessitating a certain amount of reversing and general fiddling about, but no dramas.

On the return, again Liz handled the boat, and we had a first, as she moored beautifully, whilst I merely handled the bow line. 
Liz had to nip back home to pick up Jody and his Sax from school, leaving me to chill & get ready for our meal. When she returned, she brought a home-made frozen chilli and some rice, which we quickly cooked up and ate. I really love cooking and eating aboard Quo.

Stolen Moments of Bliss

After returning from our sunday family cruise, better late than never, James suddenly arrived back home to stop-over and that evening at dinner, we were a family again for the first time in several years... magic.

He had the Monday free, so I was deteremined to get him out on the boat for his first cruise.

On the basis that you only live once, come 3.30 I shut the shop, stuck my "gone fishing " notice in the window and Liz, James and I shot over to Debdale and cast off for Foxton.

The low water level alerts seem to have emptied the canal of boats, so we had a wonderfully relaxed cruise down to the Inn, where we moored-up and had a drink ... sitting on the boat to avoid the wasps. After a short stop, we chugged round under Rainbow Bridge and moored on the 48 hour moorings.

Liz had brought a home-made chilli along, so James played my guitar (so much better than me !!) whilst we waited for the rice to cook, in windless evening sunshine. After a royal feast, we tried to feed the Ducks and Swans, but they had obviously had more than enough bread for the day, although a juvenile Moorhen was appreciative. What the birds left was quickly nibbled away by hundreds of tiny fish though ... wonderful to watch. 

Well fed and watered, we chugged slowly back to Debdale and on to our mooring.

It truly was a wonderful, stolen few hours .... first of many more I hope.

Too busy to Blog

The title says it all really., last friday Liz and I tidied the boat and chugged down to Foxton, turned and came back to Debdale ... just because we could.

Saturday afternoon, we went over to put the fridge on and  provision the boat, we then treated ourselves to a run up to Saddington tunnel and back. With the water shortages, it is much quieter now and even more relaxing.

Sunday went like a dream, everybody turned up by 10.30am as arranged (only sadness was that eldest son James couldn't make it) and off we slowly set to Saddington Tunnel winding hole. Timing was perfect, as we had a table booked at the Bell in Gumley for 1.00pm, and we arrived back at Debdale for 12.30pm. We moored-up outside the marina, because I indended to spend the afternoon cruising as well as the weather was perfect.

After an excellent lunch, I extended an offer of an afternoon cruise to everyone, and all eleven accepted without hesitation! 

Jody + Pigeon in-flight!

Sister taking a turn at the tiller

Bethany saying  "no publicity!"

Sunday lunch at Gumley ... yum yum!

Brother-in-law Geoff proving he's a natural Helmsman

Mac the Meercat

Moored for lunch

For the afternoon, we went south to Foxton chugging slowly through the swing-bridges and up to wind by the old  A6. On the way back, we were "mugged" by 5 boats (again!) that had been spending the afternoon on that stretch. No sooner had my crew opened the road swing-bridge than they all appeared one after the other, so we waved them all through. A little later on, one of them reciprocated on the footbridge at least.

Another first on the way, a moored narrowboat near the footbridge had come free at the front, and had swung out into our path, so with Geoff at the tiller, we just gently nudged it back in, and I hopped off and re-secured it's front pin ... all good fun.
By now we had raised a thirst, so we reversed onto the Inn's mooring, and Mac treated us all to a drinkie before we chugged slowly back to Debdale. All in all it was a tip top day, I just wish James & Jess could have been there as well.

Foxton Big Charity Busk Weekend.

Skipped off work at 4pm on Friday, and we shot straight over to Debdale, casting off for Foxton immediately. Our usual snails-pace chug took us slowly down to the Locks .... lovely, and we were lucky enough to get the last 48 hour visitors mooring between the water points just past Rainbow Bridge. Rounded off with a bite to eat at the Inn.

We wanted to be at Foxton to see / hear the Buskers on Saturday and Sunday, and were able to visit both days. Saturday was lunch at the Inn with eldest son James and his partner Jess, very nice, then a quick tour to hear the buskers.

Sunday, we met up with friends after lunch, and wandered up and down the locks, paying particular attention to a lady busker singing and playing guitar by a lock gate. We were all most impressed by her beautiful voice and stayed for four or five songs, some self-penned. We finished off with a beer back at Quo, and just chilled and watched the ducks.

After Paul and Karen left, Liz and I tried to find a 14 day mooring for Quo, but they were all taken, so there was nothing for it but to take her back to Debdale. This meant a solo cruise for me as the car was at the top of the locks.

Liz stayed aboard whilst I turned the boat at the foot of the locks, luckily as it happens, because once again, the wind caught her and simply blew us onto the Inn moorings. I managed to make it look as though I meant this to happen as we gently pulled in for a perfect parallel parking manoeuvre  :) After a short wait for a lull in the wind, Liz kicked out the bow and I powered her round to complete the turn ... phew.

Liz jumped-ship under Rainbow Bridge and set off to move the car to Debdale as I headed for the Marina, not the usual slomo though, after passing the moored boats on tick over, it was 2000 revs most of the way. I'm not happy doing this, as the boat becomes very noisy, but I didn't want to keep Liz waiting.

As it happens, we met up again just as I was approaching Debdale road bridge, so she just stepped back aboard in the bridge hole, and we chugged straight back into our mooring without any problems as the Marina is well shielded from the south west wind by trees.

Yet another fab narrowboat-based weekend, now looking forward to our big family cruise next weekend with Liz's big sister over from South Africa. Hopefully, the only problems will be fitting everyone on board, and staying awake after lunch :)

Ah.... that's better

Had the afternoon off today, so Liz and I took Quo to be relieved of a full toilet tank. Despite the wind (no pun intended) I was quietly pleased with my steering, getting Quo into Debdale's dock first time without drama. Carol then showed just what a simple procedure a pump-out is, and all for just a tenner. I was expecting gut-wrenching pongs etc. etc. but it was all very civilised and simple ... glad I got a boat with a tank now, rather than a cassette.
As if to show how relieved Quo is, she has now stopped listing to port, so to celebrate we took a really slow cruise up to the winding hole by Saddington tunnel, turned and chugged slowly back. My turn there was the best yet, and didn't involve the overhanging trees for a change :)

two rams alone in a field .. hmmmm

my little ray of sunshine :o)

my thumb!

The scenery along this stretch never fails to astound me, each time I cruise it, it is more beautiful, enhanced this time by 3 Buzzards circling and calling just overhead.
There and back, the cruise takes about 1 hour 45 mins, chugging along at 1200 revs, leaving virtually no bow wave or wake and the engine running quietly under your feet ... just perfect.
The wind made the 180 turn back into Debdale interesting, as soon as I was broadside across the entrance, the wind just pushed me onto the left-hand Armco by the dock, so I had to reverse back around it to complete the turn. Even though I was anticipating the wind, I just couldn't seem to do the right thing .... annoying that, but hey ... no bones broken.
Reversing into the mooring though was much better, as I used the wind to help get her straight, then just reversed in.
To top off the afternoon, I sorted the TV .... seems it was the transmitter at fault, not our aerial, I just retuned to Anglia and Bingo!
Liz gave the fridge and kitchen floors a good clean, so Quo is now ready for our next family outing with Liz's big sister Geraldine and hubby Mac later in the month ... can't wait!