Napton Braunston, Braunston Napton - Just like that.

We've been two-ing and fro-ing between Napton Junction and Braunston. Today, we were facing the wrong way after coming out of Braunston on Christmas Eve, so we cruised to Bridge 107 where we winded and headed back to Braunston. It's not an official winding hole at Br.107, but the canal is easily wide enough to turn TQ around. Once in Braunston we watered up and dumped the rubbish in the appropriate place, then it started to rain, so we pushed on to Br.87 and moored up along side some pilings. It's quiet here and there's excellent TV and 3G reception.

Lin's been trying out her new camera I bought her for Christmas and it's so complex she hasn't taken a decent photo with it yet. Here's a typical result:-

Unloved and unlicensed

Not Bad, though a better subject would be preferred.

It Happened Today.

For a long time now, TQ has been playing up. Every now and then the engine won't start, and today it did it first thing this morning. I turned the key to start the engine and all the lights came on but there was no noise apart from a beep. I tried again and again, and eventually it fired up. RCR arrived at 11:30 this morning to carry out our service and electrical safety check, and yes, it did it again. The engineer narrowed it down to either some corrosion on a spade fuse or corrosion on a crimped terminal on the solenoid. He cleaned both and it worked, the engine now starts lively. The other thing about the RCR visit was that he was unable to carry out the service because he didn't have enough oil with him to do the job and I didn't have enough on board TQ to make up the shortfall. He drove to Calcutt but they were closed for Christmas and he tried three garages but they all stock synthetic, something we must never use, so the whole service had to be cancelled and I've re booked it for next month. Oh well, 'it happens.
Tonight we're out in the sticks somewhere between Napton Junction and Braunston, hopefully for a quiet night, so here is the ubiquitous photo.



TQ moored with spring line.

I forgot to mention, and this photo reminded me, I fitted the final two brass protector plates under the rear door hooks today.

All Three Emergency Services...

...Were called to the scene in Braunston this morning. We were walking up the hill to the village when there was a loud bang followed by another and another. We looked back to the main road just in time to see a lorry come to a grinding halt in front of the industrial estate building after taking out a lamp post, a telegraph pole and three brick walls. We rushed down to see if there was anything we could do but the emergency services had already been called. The driver was very poorly, and I heard from an eye witness that he was slumped over the wheel some fifty metres back up the road. Lin ran to our boat to get a blanket for the driver and it was clear that he was in some pain and not as a result of the accident. A single policeman was first on the scene and then it seemed like it was ages before a paramedic arrived. It was clear to them both they needed back-up for this one and it wasn't long before another police car arrived then a fire engine, an ambulance, another fire engine and another police car.

Approaching the scene, the blue pole is a camera




The third brick wall is under the cab. The sump was ripped off and the oil

dumped on the doorstep of the building. That white upright to the right of

the front bumper is the top of the street lamp dragged down from the

main road.







Looking back to the main road from the rear of the truck. Two brick walls
knocked for six



Just managed to stop short of the building.

It's a stay hospital for the driver, but he's going to be OK.
No other vehicle was involved and no-one else injured - lucky.

Changing the subject, TQ is back in the marina tonight and a man from RCR is (hopefully) going to service our engine and carry out an electrical safety check. Results tomorrow.

Braunston - and the World hasn't ended.

Phew! we're all still here, but if the World did end I can't think of a better way to go than chugging up the cut to Braunston on a day like today. Light winds and a little sunshine made the journey a real pleasure, but tomorrow is going to be back to normal, heavy rain and high winds and we have to make our way back to Wigrams. Braunston is surprisingly empty, so getting a mooring spot was no problem. We winded in the marina entrance and a fisherman commented on how well I turned TQ. It's not often you get that sort of comment from a fisherman. Our choice of mooring is alongside The Boathouse and we popped in for a pint after a little shopping in the village, and this evening we went back for a meal. We had salmon from the specials board and it was very good, though could have done with being a bit hotter.

Back on TQ now and watching Text Santa (yawn) but HIGNFY is on at 9.

I've heard they're going to equalise insurance for men and women as a result of new equality legislation from Europe. It's about time they made insurance for male drivers cheaper!!! Oh! Have I got it wrong?

Rain wind, wind rain - just like that.

It's one of those days today, too wet and windy to move anywhere, but we're nice and warm and dry in TQ. The rain hammered down for most of the night and is continuing horizontally throughout the rest of the day.

The view from our window today

Never mind, tomorrow will be bright and sunny - tomorrow never comes.

 

Braunston? No way, not today.

It was a lovely day yesterday and today, in complete contrast, is really bad. Our Tesco order arrived shortly before 11 O'clock, so by the time we'd hauled it all over to TQ and packed most of it away it was fast approaching lunch time. But before all the shopping was put away, I got to grips with the water pump under the galley sink. This was a lot easier than I thought; switch off the 12volt supply, close the main isolating valve to the pump, disconnect the 12volt and water connections to the pump and remove it. Re connect with new pump, turn on main isolating water valve and switch on the 12volt supply. Hey! Presto - it works and it's a lot quieter than the old one. On examination of the old pump, evidence shows the filter is doing its job, there was a fair bit of crud in there, together with a live spider, would you believe.

The horizontal rain didn't start until lunchtime, so we're not going anywhere today. Braunston tomorrow maybe.

At last, we have arrived.

This morning we packed the Polo with all our worldly goods and trundled up the M5 to Gloucester and then followed the Sat Naff to Wigrams Marina. Poor old Polo suffered a bit on some of the hills, with pedal to the metal all the traffic queuing behind overtook us. There were a lot more lorries on the road today, but of course it’s a Tuesday, and we usually travel on a Sunday.


We acquired a Magic Circle TV aerial to try out on recommendation from a fellow syndicate member and first impressions are very good. It’s outside on the roof , but it’s not weather proof so I can’t use it out doors in the rain. I tried it at home knowing we can’t get terrestrial TV, and we just managed to get a signal in our bedroom so I thought I’d connect it into the main TV aerial circuit in the attic - nothing, not a glimmer. I think if you can’t receive a signal with this, there’s no signal to be received.

Our Christmas Tree and (despite what you see) an excellent TV picture

TQ has had a little work done this week, a new mains power inlet has been installed, so now we can charge the batteries again without running the engine, and light up the Christmas tree. I changed the glass and seal in the Bubble stove this afternoon, and tomorrow I'll change the water pump.


We’re stopping in the marina tonight, and weather permitting, cruise to Braunston tomorrow.



"Smile", he said, "Things could be worse". So I smiled, and sure enough things got worse.

Well, that's it, the garage people tell me the parts won't arrive until at least Thursday, so it'll be at least Friday before we can get get away. That's nearly a week out of our holiday, but not only that, it means parts are becoming scarce for my ageing Vauxhall Omega. That worries me because the car is is in excellent condition for its age, and I don't want to change it. I've owned it for nearly thirteen years and there isn't much on the market to equal it or even come near. But if spare parts are going to be hard to come by then I might have to bite the bullet.
So, plan B, (to be made up as we go along), we'll take the Polo instead. Tomorrow, we'll pack it to the gills and forfeit a load of other less essential equipment and stores. Food won't be a problem as Mr. Tesco is going to deliver to the marina, so that'll relieve a whole load of space for the essential essentials. We don't plan to go too far with TQ so the marina should be within a day or twos cruise if needs must. We have an appointment with RCR for a service and electrical safety check (sounds a bit like what I've just had done to my car) on the 23rd, so we'll be back in the marina for that. I hope it's not going to cost mega-bucks like my car has.

Not much hope

I hadn't heard from the garage by 14:15hrs so I rang them. I don't hold out much hope of the job being finished today. Not all the required parts have been delivered yet, so by my reckoning it won't be ready until lunchtime tomorrow.

Waiting for the phone to ring.

This is really frustrating, we should be waking up to a bright sunny marina view but we're stuck at home. Not that there's anything wrong with being home, but hopefully our car will be ready by lunch time and then we can pack and be on our way soon after. Lin will take Lucy to the zoo this morning where she'll enjoy (endure) Christmas in the salubrious surroundings of her heated isolation pen with outstanding views of the garden and regular visits from the residential ducks. She knows something's up as she's just hidden herself away behind some boxes in the lounge.

Look what Lin made...

...I downloaded and printed this from Herbie's Blog and Lin cut it out, embellished, laminated and assembled it - Brilliant!



S Oxford Canalometer.

Thanks to Neil Corbett.

Scuppered........AGAIN!

Way back in August we were going to drag the caravan down to Cornwall for a week-end break. As I was placing the gas bottles in the caravan the car alarm sounded - quietly. I thought it was so far in the distance, I didn't take any notice. Then it stopped; and started again. I looked around to see the car with smoke emitting from under the bonnet. I ran to the tailgate to get the fire extinguisher out, but the car was locked, so I ran indoors to get the key, got the fire extinguisher and I opened the drivers door to gain access to the bonnet release. Got it open just a little bit, enough to locate the fire and let rip with the extinguisher. What a mess, powder everywhere. Turns out the ni-cd battery pack on the supplementary alarm had shorted out and caught fire. I just managed to catch it in time before any real damage was done. It could have been a lot worse, the car could have been in the garage overnight parked next to our Polo. The caravan is parked right next to the garage, and then there's my workshop! Doesn't bear thinking about. Needless to say, we didn't go that weekend.

Integral alarm and battery pack. Burnt to a crisp!

And now it's happened again - well almost. This time the car was booked in for a Winter Safety Check two weeks ago, but we couldn't get the car there because of the floods, so it was re booked for Friday. Now I knew it was going to cost me because the last MoT test commented that the brake discs were pitted. So, new discs and pads all round, PLUS a change of cam belt and idler pulleys, apparently there's a nasty knock, and a vacuum hose has split; advised not to drive it. I'm worried what they're going to find next. Any way, I can't have the car back until Monday, so we've lost a couple of days aboard TQ. Oh well, 'it happens.

Maintenance...

On the whole a very successful week-end. Got loads done:-

Swept the chimney and got the upper air wash working on the stove
Fitted new bow thruster brushes
Fitted closure bolt for galley glass cabinet
Fitted four paint protectors
Fitted a new radio
Pressure washed the engine
Cleaned out the bilge and engine bund
Etcetera, etcetera, etcetera.

The weather made most of it possible, Saturday started dull an drizzly but turned fine later and Sunday was wall to wall sunshine, and it was warm with very little wind.

Maintenance fortnight

I'm writing this at 04:56hrs and I'll be leaving soon to drive the three hour journey to Wigrams Turn Marina to work on TQ. I've got a list of jobs to do and I'm hoping to get it all done by Sunday afternoon. First I have to pack the essentials, food, drink, toiletries etc, It's not the thing I usually do as Lin does it but she's away at a show at the NEC this week-end so I'm on my own. And coping well. All the tools and equipment I need are in the car ready to go, that was the easy bit. It's just making sure I've not forgotten anything.

Home again.

Well, that's another holiday over, back to work tomorrow. I have to say it's been really good despite the weather butting in and changing our plans for us. And didn't it go quick, three weeks gone in a jiffy.When I look back it was a bit risky knowing TQ had to be back at base by a certain date, but at the time we didn't know we were going to be caught out by the weather. Twenty-six hours of heavy rain made the River Soar rise by at least eighteen inches over night, and at Kegworth Lock it almost went above the red level marker, stopping short by an inch. After four days waiting for the level to drop back into the amber we decided it was too late to go on let alone do the Ashby Canal as well, so we turned back the way we came.
This morning we were up at 05:30hrs. to prepare TQ for the next owners and the syndicat walk-through before the AGM, all of which went very well and now I have a lot of work to do arranging the Winter maintenance programme.

Preparing To Go Home

Yes, it's the end of our holiday and it has flown by. I'll be back in work on Monday morning and within the hour it'll be as though it never happened.

Today we started unloading TQ and cleaning her up ready for the walk-through as part of the AGM tomorrow morning. It was perfect weather for hosing down the paint work and I managed to obtain a washer to seal the fuel leak - thanks for your help Keith. I cleaned out the gutters around the deck board and counter hatch and polished the brass. Oh! And I painted the gunwales and cleaned out the stove. We've been busy.

For the first (and last) time this holiday we had lunch in the cratch, the weather was so good and the windsock nearby has been hanging for most of the day.

Tomorrow we get dieseled up, (no!), pumped out, and vacated by 10:30hrs. ready for the other syndicate members to arrive prior to our AGM.

A bit of shopping, then back to base.

Had an easy morning as it had been raining all night and the trees were dropping water on the roof. Never mind, bacon and egg for breakfast, lovely jubbly, that makes up for it.

Took some measurements of various bits of TQs anatomy and then took a walk to Midland Swindlers Chandlers and bought a new centre rope and a bow line as the old ones were getting frayed. In fact the other day I was pulling on the centre rope and it went twang as another strand broke. Also bought a new chimney stack, twin walled as before, and now it stands proud on our roof top, with its shiny brass rings and fittings. Midland had a 20% off day today, and it was quite busy. Question for you, if they can knock off 20% for one day, why can't they knock it off every day? They'd sell a lot more stock, and make more profit.

We have developed a fuel leak, nothing serious, although it must be stopped, our fuel filter housing has a bleed screw on the top and the sealing washer has seen better days. I've tried in several places this week to get a bonded Dowty seal but I've had no success. I feel a trip in the car coming on tomorrow.

Talking of tomorrow, we've got all day to spruce up TQ and get her ready for the AGM walk through on Sunday. Better get started now!

"Nothing" at Yelvertoft and little room at Braunston.

Two days blogs in one today because there was no internet, mobile phone, TV, or satellite TV here at Yelvertoft.
First day (Wednesday).
Up with the lark this morning and we're third in the queue for the Foxton Flight of locks. These are a doddle compared with the heavy beasts encountered on the River Soar and elsewhere on the Grand Union. Ten locks in staircase, (two sets of five) in an hour and then there's a twenty mile pound to Watford. We got as far as Yelvertoft and we called it a day, not bad, we were short of Watford by about three miles. Mind you it was windy, but sheltered in the places that matter. As we approached Yelvertoft there was a large dark cloud on the horizon and it was definately full of rain, and we just got moored up a short way past the marina when it started to pour, but a it didn't come to much in the end.
Second day (Thursday).
Marvellous innit! Didn't only start the engine this morning, but also started the rain. I might have known, there was a lovely rainbow ahead against the black sky. It was time to press on and it wasn't long before we arrived at Watford Locks. These like Foxton are also a doddle, but there are only seven with just four in staircase. And strangely, like those at Foxton, are single width. Either side of Foxton and Watford they're double width and I wonder if there were any plans to widen them at some time.
Back to Braunston and the tunnel is a bit wobbly inside, we met two boats coming in the opposite direction and you have to be extra careful you don't collide or hit the tunnel side as the starboard navigation light comes alarmingly close to the wall. Panic over and at Braunston Locks we waited for the boat that was behind us in the tunnel to buddy up with us through the locks. There was a boat moored just short of the locks an I asked if they were going through and he said "No, I'm going to turn around". He proceeded too ram his bow into the opposite bank and try to get the stern past the concrete edge. Eventually he found the right hole to poke his nose into and managed to get the stern around. It provided a bit of entertainment, though.
Had a bit of trouble mooring in Braunston, it was packed and there was one boat moored outside the pub and I tried to get in between it and the end of the hedge, but there wasn't enough room by about two feet. We decided we'd try to moor the other side of this boat, but just before we pulled out another narrow boat bagged the space. So we moved on, and further along there was a space just big enough to get in. No pub for us again tonight, (we've been in three in three weeks) so a walk into Braunston to get fish and chips - just the job.

The Tranquility of Canal Boat Holidays on Britains Waterways.

This is probably the best way in the world to escape the rat race. It must be one of Britains finest secret assets, a legacy left to us by an era set in the industrial revolution by the engineers and navvies who changed the face of our landscape for ever. Names like Thomas Telford, William Jessop and James Brindley were the main pioneers and in more recent times Tom Rolt and Robert Aickman. These two men were responsible for the revival and restoration of many waterways after canal transport was superseded by rail and road. For years since the Second World War the canals were left in decline and many turned into stinking ditches filled with mud and litter. After countless man hours by enthusiasts and volunteers many of these canals have been restored to a navigable condition for us to enjoy today. Although there are still some areas where commercial traffic is utilised, the main traffic on the canals today is from the leisure industry and there are many companies now offering canal boat holidays like Anglo Welsh all over Britain.

So why choose a canal boat holiday? Well, there are many reasons. Britain holds some of the very best scenery in the world, much of which you can't see from a car or coach and in a canal boat at four miles an hour there's plenty of time to enjoy it. And then there's the wild life. Herons adorn the banks and towpaths and then you get that glimpse of electric blue as the kingfisher dashes past on its way to the next over hanging branch to await and capture it's next meal. Red kites patrol the skies and voles swim the waters, and if you're very lucky you might even see an otter.

The landscape is forever changing as you move along, from the rural and isolated to the industrial and derelict to the modern and redeveloped, and with careful planning you can choose your mooring. In fact you can wake up in the morning to a different garden every day and you don't have to mow the grass. Restaurants and pubs are in plentiful supply if you choose not to eat on board and there's often one or two nearby to choose from.

So what are the boats like? Today they are well equipped with all the galley facilities you would expect in your own kitchen at home. There's central heating for Spring, Autumn or even Winter cruising, and for those who like extended cruising there's even a washing machine/tumble dryer. Bathroom facilities include a shower, basin and pump out toilet and some boats have a bath. The boats are easy to handle in the water and a crew of two or more make light work of the locks where you can meet other boaters and you always get a cheery wave and a "good morning" from people you meet along the way.

So when your nearest and dearest asks "Let's go to the beach", or "let's holiday abroad", or "let's take a coach trip this year" - I've got a better idea, why not go on a canal boat holiday instead? You won't be disappointed.

Christmas liqueur in the making.

Had a day off from blogging yesterday, actually I couldn't, there was no signal at all where we were moored. That was out in the sticks again between bridges 68 and 69. We'd moored there on the way up and found it such a nice place. Reeds front and back and a clean well maintained towpath with pilings. Not only but also, SLOES. Not in bucketfuls, but nearly enough to make a litre of sloe gin for Christmas.
Talking of sloes we had a slow journey from Newton Harcourt through five locks and Saddington Tunnel, to our chosen mooring spot, to find someone had already bagged it, but not to worry there was another just like it a few yards before. No internet connection here but good satellite TV, Er'll was happy.
Made it to Foxton today and we wanted to go in the Museum, unfortunately it was closed, but we could take a walk around the grounds and see the remains of the Incline Plane. They're very optimistic about restoring it, but it's going to cost mega bucks.
Here's some Foxton photos:-



We went in the Bridge 61 pub for lunch and very nice it was too. We only had a pint and a baguette and both were very good. The Foxton Locks Inn didn't appeal to us as we like the more traditional, but we're prepared to give it a go one day, but not this evening as it's now raining quite hard. Tomorrow it's the locks and then the Laughton Hills.