ON THE ROAD AGAIN

Day by day counts slowly in comparison to the flight of weeks! It is close to yesterday that I penned my last blog but the words have become a distant memory.

Autumn cruising

An update from then until now will put the Blog back on track. We had the brief reality of winning an auction for a widebeam. The seller’s non contact approach was strange but we resisted applying any pressure. My sleuthing nature found the same said boat under auction on eBay. We contacted Apollo Duck for more information on the Auction we bid on. Apparently the ‘seller’ thought we had spammed the Auction and placed the blame with us. Yeah right der! What a Wally! Luckily we do not own another lump of steel.

We moored in Leamington Spa where we experienced more nerdish behaviour. Twice in one week we woke up to DB adrift on the canal. The first time DB had floated to the other side, a bit disconcerting when looking out the window and thinking I’m sure my view was to the towpath side when I went to bed. Oh well ha ha, we’ll move back to where we were. That’s when 3 mooring pegs became 2. Mooring pegs do not float and we have an uber-magnet to fish out metal ‘drops’ into the canal. We put the event down to our hammered peg angle  in the wet ground. Three days later and another morning! Chris called out “We’re adrift!” This time we were resting, at 645 hrs, in the style of a ‘barrier’ across the Grand Union Canal. This could not be a coincidence and now imaginations pictured bored youth picking on us. 

Pegs don't float

A search in the murky depths for 2 mooring pegs was fruitless and we cruised along a few metres to a 48 hour mooring with rings and tied up without event. During this time we had to drive to Derby to finish clearing out our ‘Lock-Up’ facility on land we visited Midland Chandlers at Mercia Marina where we purchased new Mooring pegs in the shape of a lengthy P. Our mate at Midland’s knew Leamington Spa and said the sport of releasing mooring Pegs is not uncommon. Hopefully with this carry on, in future, we can be confident the rope will still be attached to the Peg and we can share the laugh at play time.

The mild autumn continued with a few patches of rain. The towpath becomes muddy and the hunt for ‘hard standing’ moorings is challenging. Gumboots (Wellingtons) are the best footwear choice and Della’s paw washer is a boon. DB’s floor is slowly being covered with my collection of cotton rag woven rugs. It is pointless to mop indoors.

We avoided the rain the day we left Leamington Spa and I trudged my way up the Fosse Locks. The two Bull Mastiff dogs were still hanging around one of the Locks and Animal Services at Stratford Council received a call from us. I’m sure the dogs are fine but they give out a threatening vibe and the last thing I needed was a wet muzzle sniffing my news.

Paddle up to empty Lock

Next day we worked our way up the Stockton Locks eventually to return to the top of the southern branch of the Oxford Canal to moor at Napton-on-the-Hill near the bottom lock, where we had arranged to meet family from NZ. We knew the Napton locks were closed with the bottom locks under repair and it turned out advantageous for us as after a night on a muddy mooring we reversed to a slot by one of the two water points which was on stony puddled ground where we stayed for a few days. Of course we were considerate and consulted other moorers and a person wearing a C&RT jacket.

It was a fantastic frosty day the day we took our family on a day cruise back along the Grand Union Canal and down the 3 locks by Calcutt Marina including a cruise past some Boat-candy in the Marina. The names on the boats were, at times, a source of amusement.

What goes down must go up and we did our final three locks of 2014 and cruised back to our illicit mooring at Napton to drop off our crew who were staying at the very comfortable and warm Converted Stable at the bottom lock Napton-on-the-Hill. A big thank you to Nigel for accommodating our large family. The nearby Folly Inn fed us delicious home cooked food and a good time was had by all.

Paint it pumpkin?

Back to the three of us, we cruised along the Oxford / Grand Union Canal to Braunston and turned to Port to enter the Oxford Canal where we moored for a few days to get a bit of work done on DB. The living area has been wall papered, the inside frame on the entrance door has been painted, the ‘dodger’ stern wrap has been sent for repair, and the bedroom porthole frames have been sent off to be extended.

Our 2014 Seven Month Canal and River Odyssey ends with Nb DolcieBlue tied up in an understated way but with safety at Barby Marina.

In contrast we, boarded our red boat on wheels, packed to the gunwhales, and drove to the sunny blue skies of the Costa Blanca Spain where winter becomes a past memory.

Hasta Luego.  

FELIZ NAVIDAD

JUST ONE OF THOSE THINGS

Cruising Peachy Queen Blog formerly Travels on Avalon Mist Blog has morphed into Lady Lock-n-LoL Blog. My BlogSpot will continue to bring the flavour of our life living aboard Narrowboat (NB) DolcieBlue (DB) and cruising the Canals and Waterways in England. We, Chris and Sarah, have the good fortune to lead a transient life floating on tea coloured waters with our dog Della.

Three Little Ducks 

It was our carefully selected day, Sunday, with 6% risk of rain, to leave Lapworth and cruise down the Hatton Flight with the aim of mooring in Royal Leamington Spa. We were both awake before ‘sparrowfart’ as we had impetuously bid in a Boat Auction on the Apollo Duck website. The 50ft Widebeam boat being auctioned looked photogenic (I’m a bottled blonde) and the description gave ample information for a non threatening bid of £1. The Auction was ending after Cinderella time in the small hours of Sunday morning so before bed we hit the ‘play’ button, I mean ‘bid’ icon, and outbid ourselves raising the ‘anti’. I’m not sure what went on but we were still winning. I slept, that night knowing one thing and the dream of a possibility. The lure of the message alert from the mobile phone woke us at 345 with news of ‘the possibility’. Result, we had won the Auction. A celebratory or should it be commiserative drink was needed and it took the form of Aldi’s finest government tea. Repetitive limited words “Wow I don’t believe it” were to stretch our lips throughout the day.

The sound of the early morning chorus of birdsong re-woke us an hour later and we were motivated to get ready for The Hatton Flight repeat experience. The two canopies covering DB’s stern and wheelhouse needed to be dismantled. Captain ‘Elf’ & Safety asserted safety on this almost frosty morn and the wheel house canopy was taken down in two part harmony. Port-side was readied so DB could bow thrust to move starboard-side for access from the towpath. The risk of slipping off the gunwhale was allayed.

Della was in need of a longer walk in territory she had not set paws on for a few weeks so I took her along the muddy puddled towpath which gave me the opportunity to photo DB cruising along the atmospheric Grand Union canal in the early morning haze.  

The power and the glory

Back on board at the Tom O’ The Wood water point, water tank filled and halogen lamp in place for the Shrewley Tunnel we set off. We were not stressing the Hatton Flight of 21 Locks. Every Lock flight begins with the first Lock. As we cruised past our favourite mooring site near Rowington, I saw a humanoid on the stern of a boat and movement indicated the brass tiller bar was being attached to the tiller. He called out

“Are you going down?”

“Yes. Are you?”

“Yes. We are.”

Result! The boats met at the Top Lock, as boats do. Chris suggested the two boats rope together with one person at the helm giving an eco friendly and fuel saving solution. Not to forget there are now 3 people on terra firma to operate the Locks. Lock-n-Lol!

Lady Lock-n-Lol 

The top Locks were not smooth sailing. At the second Lock the picture of the pound, below, turning to mud took the smile off my face. The boats were going to ‘ground’ in the pond and corrective measures were needed. The boats left the Lock and we ‘Lockies needed to wind up the paddles in order to open the gate sluice to let in water, from above, to flood the pound below the Lock. This emptied the pound, above, so I had to return to the Top Lock and open the paddles......... I have been thinking about this experience and think it would be helpful to have a note from C&RT on the Locks to aid our awareness and the best corrective measures. I know what I’ll do next time. That’s for me to know and you to find out!

Once DB moved through the first 4 locks it looked promising. There was one dodgy pound a few Locks on where the current placed a challenge but Chris nosed the boats into the Lock wall, at an angle, which prevented the boats being pulled out by the current. That’s my account of what I saw. Shortly after this lock I went ahead to prepare the final 11 locks, no further boat traffic ascending the Flight. A smooth Flight was had by all and thumbs up was given as the DB entourage approached the final Lock.

A good day made even better when we made it to the Lidl mooring, 2 Locks later, before nightfall with only a light dusting of rain.

That was the day we won the Auction for a widebeam. No word to date. Are we bothered? It’s just one of those things!

Squirrel alert!

BLOG THE BOG.

November 1^st and the day was warm enough to peg the towels outdoors on the clothes line on DB's Bow! It’s a girly thing talking about dirty laundry, but I am better than pleased at being able to avoid launderettes. In fact I have not been near clothes dryers since leaving the small township of Mercia Marina 6 months ago. My Indesit front loader 6kg max load Washing Machine works a treat and I have had no urge for an onboard clothes dryer as laundry dries under natural conditions on DB. I have a couple of £1 multipeg plastic hangers that can be used as wintry days approach with the ‘washing’ hanging nearby but out of danger of our fabulous Multi Fuel Stove (Morso Squirrel).

Our Morso Squirrel is coming into use after nearly 5 months of hibernation during ‘summer’.  In preparation for cold weather and we have collected a good quantity of free firewood and purchased a few bags of coal. 

The branch fell from above.

Yesterday we dealt with a large fallen Oak Tree branch that probably fell in the gales last year. We were unable to moor DB close to the site as the Canal is mega silted and in need of dredging. (I have been told that if the Canal gets dredged then the muck can only be put back into a canal as it is contaminated waste.) 

Branch remains

Chris chainsawed the branch into manageable 7" thick rounds that we physically carried close to DB moored 5 minutes walk away, where I chopped them into quarters using the axe. Oh the sound of chopping seasoned wood, I felt strong! Takes me back to our days of collecting wood when we lived in Portugal. There, not only did we use the wood for the winter fire but also for the bread oven and most importantly in daily use for cooking. We cooked on an open fire for 4 years! We led the good life but it is another story.

Squirrel again

The Morso Squirrel is our only form of heating, on DB, unless dinner is underway and our New World gas oven is in use. DB does not have central heating. Nb Avalon Mist did have gas fired central heating but we rarely used it. Some people, who live on steel boats, rate the Ecofan which circulates warm air without using electricity or batteries to run it. The fan is designed to sit on top of a woodburner. At this stage we are remaining Ecofan free. We believe that DB’s spray-foamed insulation and open plan layout will keep her warm and cosy with the Squirrel sited mid ship.

Rowington Mooring- beautiful shhh!

The squirrel went that way!

We remain moored on the Grand Union in Warwickshire. It is a beautiful region and we have moved minimal miles, in recent weeks. Birmingham will wait until next year. The Grand Union Canal is quiet but that makes it a joy. We meet a lot of landlubbers who are envious of  the mobile life that we lead and the fortune we have to be on a DB, a beautiful unique boat. It is not all sunshine and roses but it is pretty close. 

Recent highlights, to name a few, have been

Mick

• -          The short and sweet visit from my brother, Mick (from NZ). We moved DB from our rural tow path mooring to the water point at Tom O’ The Wood to meet him and rather than take him out on DB we did a circular walk mostly on the Towpaths that took in the Grand Union Canal to Kingswood Junction where it linked to the Stratford Canal. I think the day of his visit was the last day of the late summer. It was lovely to spend some time with him and his children had sent us gorgeous handmade gifts.
  
• -          The company of the Keith and Susan, the Rector and the Vicar, on a mini cruise from Lapworth to the Hatton winding hole, between Bridge 56 and 55, return that took in the Shrewley Tunnel (433yds).
  
• -          Mooring alongside the garden of The Navigation at Lapworth, a fine hostelry owned by Mark and Alison who along with their great staff have made us feel very welcome. www.navigationlapworth.co.uk/
  

Now Toilet Talk. The days of carrying the Thetford ‘potti’ to the Elsan disposal have gone. Before DB was fit to live aboard we had designed the bathroom with a view to having a composting toilet. Wiring was in place to put in a small fan that would vent odours out through a pipe to the great outdoors. Last minute concerns about whiffy smells meant we put off the composting loo until we had talked with people who were actually using a composting loo on their boats and gave positive reports. 

We, recently, agreed the composting loo was a ‘goer’ and a last ditch internet search found http://www.littlehouse.co.uk and the result is the purchase of a Separett Privy 501 urine-separating compost toilet kit with regular toilet seat. Youtube gave a good visual on the operation and the ‘Little House’ location was literally just down the road and around the corner from where we were moored.  I am a great believer in fate!

It's the biz.

To Thetford or compost that is the question?

Throne

The toilet seat and separator were a similar price to a Thetford cassette toilet. A visit to IKEA, Coventry branch was closest, was necessary to check out their ‘Bargain Spot’ (BS) for a suitable cabinet and Melamine board. Good fortune was on our side as the BS had low priced stock that met our need.

Chris constructed the ‘Throne’ and the necessary ‘pee’ and ‘pooh’ containers were incorporated inside the cupboard. An unwanted former bread box is ideal as a footstool and toileting storage.  All in all the result is amazing, better than we ever envisaged and the total cost was under £140 compared to loads of money! We are so effluent! The odour is minus zilch with the low voltage fan running 24 hours. My olfactory organ is not compromised.

Take an angle on theVent. Watch his space.

We will be starting our cruise back down the Hatton Flight, next week. More blog to come before DB moors up for winter at Barby Marina.

PART OF THE UNION. GRAND THAT IS!

Why?

We had two choices at Napton Junction. EITHER stick with the teamed Grand Union Canal – Main Line and the Oxford Canal OR turn to Port and be on the one and the same Grand Union Canal-Main Line cruising in the direction of Birmingham. This opens up the possibility of turning on to the Stratford Canal at Kingswood Junction. We turned to Port.

Paddle going down

We are loving this Canal. There is little boat traffic and the Canal width is generous in comparison to the Oxford Canal. It is fit for wide beam boats but I've not seen any on the move, only a few moored ones on home moorings. The locks allow two Narrowboats. We had luck at the first of 2 flights of 9 locks to share the space. The people were newbies on boats and had loaned a relative’s boat for a holiday week. The Lock paddles are hydraulic and take a lot of muscle to get them moving. 22 ½ rotations to fully wind up a paddle. I have a painful memory of working the Hatton Flight in 2011 and I was determined not to let history repeat itself. I found that having a wide base of support (feet well apart) and bending my knees as I rocked with each turn of the windlass made a difference. I have been told that the lock takes 2 minutes longer to fill or empty if only one paddle is wound up. The gates are steel (not wood) and heavy, and the ‘bum’ push can be cold and wet depending on weather conditions and time of day.

Strike a pose.

The rural scenery is stunning and inviting with plenty of public footpaths to wander along away from the Canal. The blackberries are abundant and there is no excuse for not picking them for compost, jam, pie....! I say compost with a tongue in cheek memory of a friend who was not a linguist. The word ‘compôte’ didn’t fall off the tip of his tongue but he could swallow ‘compost’ with ease.

Our first overnight stop back on the Grand Union was at Itchington, a pleasant village adjoining Long Itchington where the steel shell of Nb DolcieBlue had been fabricated at Colecraft. Next day a friend met us on the Canal and to take the cruise and the 9 locks to Leamington Spa. A couple of Lock tales from that day....

1. We had been told there were two abandoned Bull Mastiff dogs at one of the Fosse locks. The boater I had talked to said she left a phone message to report the dogs to the local Animal Services. We arrived at that Lock and saw the dogs on the far side of the Lock taking an interest in the boat activity. We kept Della on board and felt sad for the ‘abandoned’ dogs. Chris threw them some dog food and I kept out of the way working the lock. Next day Chris managed to contact Animal Services to express his concern and request they tell him the outcome of their investigation of this matter. A happy ending... the dogs were owned by a local farmer and the dogs had found a gap in the fence where they could get to the Lock! The farmer will repair the fence and ensure the dogs wore collars.

2.  Arriving at another Lock we found the bottom gate open and a Boater roaming around the top of the Lock asking us if we would wait for another boat at the Water Point, below and beyond, filling up with water. We said “No.” Filling up with water is not always a 10 minute task. The Boater was miffed and thought we were being unreasonable. We guessed where the Water Point was located, in the distance, and could see no sign of boat movement. The Boater decided to take the Lock leaving us with instructions to tell the other boat crew  he would wait for them at the next Lock. 30 minutes later we were down the Lock and moving along the Canal. Our assumed spot for the Water Point was wrong. In fact it was further along and the boat was still filling up with water! I shouted out the other Boater’s message. A puzzled expression greeted me.

We tied up for a few days in Leamington Spa.  What a nice town it is, great Gardens with Squirrel tv for Della and the quietness of the Canal didn’t encourage us to change moorings in a hurry. There was a small cafe run by people from Portugal and I had fun speaking my country Portuguese. I couldn’t resist eating an all time favourite of mine from Portugal - Pasteis de Nata- (Custard Tart, yum).

Cape of Good Hope

We moved DB to a good position on the outskirts of Leamington, for a couple of days, and close to Warwick. The advantage was a selection of supermarkets and some friendly gongoozlers. We had been recommended to go to ‘The Cape of Good Hope’ a Kiwi owned and managed Pub at the top of the two Locks in the direction of Warwick. So we moved on a quiet Sunday afternoon and we were fortunate to get a prime mooring outside the Pub. Much easier than carrying Della across the Lock Gate to the Tow path side.

A sunny clear blue sky, the following day, encouraged an early move. We were planning to do the 21 Locks, known as the Hatton Flight later in the week but decided that should a boat with more than one person aboard turn up we would ‘team’ up! A brief reverse up the Saltisford Arm, in Warwick, to visit the Sanitary Station and an attempt to moor in the shallow waters by the Grand Union Tow  path to eat breakfast saw us arrive early at the bottom Lock of the Hatton Flight. I had time to get my breakfast cereal in its bowl but eating it was another matter. 

A boat had arrived soon after we had moored up, we agreed to go up together and next thing they were on the move and entering the Lock! As luck would have it the crew on this boat Nb W. Anchor were being joined by 4 willing friends to lighten their journey up the flight! Yes they were fabulous and we sped through Lock after Lock. Again, little Lock traffic and we caught up with a holiday boat who happily let us move ahead of them. In an ideal world they could have teamed up with a boat, that was 2 Locks ahead! At Lock 13, it felt like we were on a downward slope in an upwardly mobile way. 8 more Locks is more than manageable. 

I remember the 19th Lock from Nb Avalon Mist days. I hurt so much at that Lock, I couldn’t even wind my windlass. This trip had not physically hurt me. This time we were waiting for an “old Lady” reported by the Volunteers who was coming down the 2 Locks, ahead of us, in her boat. That was misrepresentation by the Volunteers. It turned out the “old Lady” was a 63 year old woman who was travelling on her own. Luckily she was paired with a boat with 2 people aboard (Australians) and she had the Volunteers on her side.

The available moorings at the top of the Flight are in the shade of the tree covered hill side and we decided to move on to find a sunnier spot which was past the next bridge. Lovely countryside but the noise from the nearby railway line meant moving on the next day. I did make time to collect blackberries and yellow plums. Being a responsible dog owner means I always have a bag handy!

A move the next day through the Shrewley Tunnel and we have found an idyllic spot looking over fields in Warwickshire. 

Chris went and collected our car from Mercia Marina and we will rest here for a few weeks. The Stratford Canal is about 2 miles away. A cruise to Bancroft Basin had been the plan as Della is booked in for a 'groom' in Stratford-upon-Avon. But we will drive!!

 

 

DOES MY BOAT LOOK BIG IN THIS?

The Oxford Canal

The Thames Cruise was all over before we could stop it. Of course the River Thames doesn’t run on water alone and we needed to buy a further 2 days extra Environment Agency license for DolcieBlue to be legit. The ‘Lockie’ at Goring Lock calculated DB was 41 sq. metres in size. The previous license was calculated at 40 sq metres! Wow unbeknownst to us she was taking on delusions of size. However it was a matter of Metric v Imperial!!

We were keen to return to the Canal community. The southern Oxford Canal had been cruised by us on Avalon Mist in 2011 and we had fond memories of that journey. Yes I became the proud owner of the smiley lidded Twin Tub washing machine that washed 4 T-shirts all at once!

Meanwhile back to the here and now on the R. Thames and the ‘Lockie’, at Osney Lock, our last R. Thames Lock gave us helpful and clear instructions to find the Sheepwash Canal which leads to the Oxford Canal.

“Sharp turn to Starboard at the end of the Allotments.”

Sweet-as. Noses quivering and eyes wide open we identified the Canal and with the aid of the Bow thruster DB turned off the Osney Cut on the R. Thames and entered the Narrow waters that lead to a T- intersection with a sharp turn port to directly moor up for the first narrow Lock. Piece of cake to turn the Lock paddle with the windlass. Concentration, judgement and skill from Chris guiding DB into the ‘skinny’ lock. No ropes needed to hold DB rising as the Lock filled.

Aristotle Park mooring

Our mission, now, was to find a suitable mooring for the night where friends could meet us. We remembered from 3 years ago moorings were, reportedly, impossible to find so we had thought that was still the case. Imagine our surprise when we found plentiful moorings at Aristotle Park, our overnight garden, and free parking for our friends. We were in easy walking distance of some fine pubs and cafes in the Jericho area. The Gardeners Arms in North Parade was our choice. Della had a big fuss made of her.

Hay!

Next day we cruised up Canal and dropped our friends at Thrupp. 3 ½ hours by boat and 20 minutes by Bus for them to get back to Oxford and their car! How lucky, are we that life doesn’t pass in a rush.

Aynho

The Oxford Canal is windy and windy. A number of moored boats on ‘home’ moorings have wind energy generators which makes sense with the strong winds we encountered. I can only assume the wind doth blow lots! The Canal has tight bends and the water level is low (late summer and little rain) meaning Chris had a long work out, cruising days, with DB’s wheel. Occasionally we got grounded when oncoming boat traffic meant we had to be right of canal centre. Oh what fun to see the innards of DB on a lean! I am getting wise to making sure breakables are not in the zone!

On the straight and narrow

It did feel like a trip down Memory Lane mooring where we have moored before.... Aynho Wharf, Banbury, Cropredy, Fenny Compton and bottom of the Napton Flight of 9 Locks. I like Banbury and we stayed for close to a week.

The coloured marks of our Waterways adventures.

We were told, on route, to Banbury that it was busy and little in the way of available Visitors Moorings. Complete rubbish we found out. I assume many people do not like to moor anywhere where they may have to walk more than a few unnecessary paces. What a shock for your body to have to put weight through your feet!

Are we in Canal Central?

And, finally, the Locks.... Yes they are narrow and some of them are not deep.

Nell Bridge Lock was about 8’ deep. One of the gates would not fully open and DB had to pass under a low bridge to directly enter the Lock. She pushed the gate fully open as she nudged it on the way in. Soon after DB was stuck and any amount of throttle didn’t get her moving. Chris handed me the long wooden boat pole and I attempted to lever DB as he raised the revs. No success so we swapped places. Oh the strength of my man. He levered and I pushed the throttle and DB moved. We jammed against the wall and I pushed the wall and DB moved fully into the Lock. Word, on the Cut, informed us that the water level was low and the bottom of the Lock was silted up. The water level was about a foot lower as, allegedly, a farmer had been filling their reservoir to water crops.

Cropredy Lock is 5’6” deep. A Risk Assessment, by Chris, was needed before we put DB into danger!

IDENTIFY THE HAZARD   

Obstruction. The wooden walkways attached to the 2 open Lock gates minimised ‘straight sided’ DB’s headroom.

DECIDE WHO WOULD BE HARMED & HOW

Items on the roof that are close to the edge. The wheelhouse frame may get damaged. DB may get jammed under the wooden walkways.

EVALUATE THE RISK INCLUDING FIRE RISK

DB may get stuck in the Lock. We would not be happy. We would have to take the wooden walkways off the gates and would need to be restrained from burning them.

DEVISE A PLAN AIMED AT REDUCING THE RISK

Measure twice. Observe other boats using the lock and measure twice again. Check again with the boat pole. Keep the gongoozlers away. Move DB slowly into the Lock. Clear communication between Lady Lock’n’lol, on the ground (at the Lock), and the Captain at the wheel. Four eyes open.

PUT PLAN INTO ACTION

So we did and DB sailed through with no ill effect. No need to review or revise that one. The funny thing was that as we left the Lock, a rental boat was heading towards us on the wrong side of the Canal and made us head into the low branches of an overhanging tree. I passed on a few friendly words to them.

Near Napton on the Hill

Buffalo Girls Go Round the Outside....that's why you only see Buffalo in this photo

The Oxford merged into the Grand Union Mainline, at Napton Junction and we turned port on to the Grand Union Mainline to head in the direction of Birmingham. 

Napton Junction

Neither Chris nor I are in a rush to cruise the Oxford Canal again. DolcieBlue has the capacity but on the short and narrow she does feel BIG.