Narrowboat Gypsy Rover

‘I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas’

2009-12-18T10:58:00.000Z

This is what we woke up to this morning, only light compared to other parts of the country. We may get that White Christmas Tracey has been longing for yet!

Brrrr, It’s getting Chilly out there.

2009-12-17T18:18:00.000Z

0 Locks, 6.71 Miles. Now moored above Hillmorton top lock.

Well yesterday I managed to service the engine between showers and Dot got back from Rugby after her swine flu jab just on dark. This morning with a change of plans as to when our Xmas visitor was to join us we left Braunston on a beautiful sunny but cool morning. Stopping off to fill the water tank, we only travelled as far as bridge 89 before we spotted Paul and Lynne on Nb Piston Broke. We had been trying to meet up with these guys for a while so we could see what Paul had been doing with an experimental secondary glazing to reduce condensation on the windows. I will have to see what can be done on Gypsy Rover because our window profile is different to what is on Piston Broke.

After nearly 2 hours of idle chat and comparing idea’s we had to leave Paul and Lynne as the weather was starting to make a turn for the worst and we wanted to make Hillmorton today if at all possible. With the thermometer dropping, it was only 6.4⁰C when we started off, and huge black clouds massing to the South we were keeping our fingers crossed. We did have one brief shower of hail which was a surprise because the nearest cloud appeared miles away and a snow flurry which was even briefer just as we arrived at our current location. By the time we had completed our chores of battening down for the night the outside temperature had dropped to -1.6⁰C where it has stayed for the last few hours.

2031 locks, 4038.68 miles, 76 tunnels, 130 swing bridges and 54 lift bridges since Nov 2006

Change of Scenery.

2009-12-15T19:28:00.000Z

Everything went well last night and there were no further hiccups with the Mikuni central heating unit so we were very cosy. Just as well because the weather forecast for the rest of the week is cold, frost and SNOW, yer right, I’ll believe that when I see it.

This morning we reversed back from the workshops to a mooring outside the marina. I’ve laid some more floor tiles and Dot has been organising a bus trip to Rugby tomorrow as the Doctor has contacted her for the Swine Flu vaccine (one day only) and Specsavers have her new glasses in store. Checking the boat log book it seems that the engine is due for a service so I will amuse myself doing that tomorrow. Ain’t I a lucky fella.

This afternoon we went for a walk to find the bus stops and post some mail and I found a depository for waste engine oil.That means I will be able get rid of the latest batch of used oil plus the last lot that has been cluttering up the engine hole for 3 months.

Gremlin in the works

2009-12-14T19:30:00.000Z

3 Locks, 11.55 Miles. Now moored below bottom lock Braunston.

Try as I might over the week-end the Mikuni central heating unit just wouldn’t play ball. The Fuel pump was working but I did find a bit of muck in the filter. I did get it running but only with huge plumes of white smoke. Phone calls to Mikuni Heating for advice and 2 phone calls to marine engineers to find somebody familiar with this particular unit left us no option but to head for Braunston. We stopped off at Brownsover for water and a quick trip to Tesco’s, and a quick stop over at Clifton Cruisers for mail.

We were amazed at the amount of boats on the move today considering the miserable conditions.We actually made good time and reached Braunston about 3pm. Justin from J G Marine arrived back from an emergency call out not long after we had breasted up against a new boat outside his workshop. Nicely timed.

Justin ran the unit to see what was taking place and then set to pulling the unit to pieces. He eventually emerged from under the deck saying that other than 1 too many insulating washers on the glow plug everything appeared fine. The proof would come in a test run. We started the unit up and it eventually kicked into life with a huge white cloud of smoke which is what happened to me at Newbold. Justin recommended that we just leave the unit running and see what happens. It took over half an hour before the white smoke stopped bellowing from the exhaust at which stage we put it through it’s paces to ensure it was cycling properly. Bingo! Everything worked properly.

We came to the conclusion that if I had left the unit running for longer when I got it started at Newbold on Saturday it would have come right. The reason I stopped it was because we were moored by some houses and the smoke was drifting across to them and I didn’t want any irate neighbours. As for the extra insulating washer, that’s what was supplied with the new glow plug so I just fitted it. Still, I can’t complain because Justin only charged a pittance. Due to the late hour and the fact that it was getting dark it was agreed that we stay put for the night and Justin could check in the morning to ensure we experience no further problems overnight. I don’t know if it just imagination but Dot and I both seem to think that the radiators are hotter than they have ever been. See what I mean about Gremlins!

2031 locks, 4031.97 miles, 76 tunnels, 130 swing bridges and 54 lift bridges since Nov 2006

‘I Dreamed a Dream’ – Susan Boyle

2009-12-14T12:04:00.000Z

Wow! What a Dream? From Middle aged Spinster to Worldwide Superstar overnight. For my birthday last week my daughter Tracey bought me the debut album of Susan Boyle. I have been following her progress from the first audition of ‘Britain's Got Talent’ earlier in the year.

Her phenomenal career launch has been amazing. Her name became known around the world virtually overnight. Last night we watched the program of her year and the launch of this album. Go girl what an amazing voice. To watch the program yourself, watch here. Her idol Elaine Paige sang the much awaited duet with her last night.

Wouldn’t you just know it.

2009-12-12T18:15:00.000Z

Today Dot went into Rugby while I got stuck in with laying more floor tiles. It was a beautiful day with the sun streaming in through the windows keeping the boat warm so I was blissfully unaware of any problems. Not long after Dot returned she complained about the temperature in the boat. By this time the sun had disappeared so I assumed that was the reason for the temperature drop. However upon checking the status of the Mikuni central heating unit it was showing a malfunction. DAMN.

A trip down the engine hole where I changed the glow plug, refitted an electrical connection that didn’t look too healthy, checked all the fuses all to no avail. Pondering our predicament over a cuppa I had the thought that it could be the fuel because the unit was making the initial start up OK but cutting out when it kicked into full power mode. A phone call to Rose Narrowboats more or less confirmed my suspicions and some hints on what to look for were forthcoming, but by this time it was too dark and cold to be outside so it will have to wait until the morning. We are now looking at the possibility of a blocked filter in the fuel pump or the pump has died. Watch this space.

In the meantime we are running the engine for as long as possible to be able to use the electric heater after that it’s going to be a case of wrapping up warm or going to bed early.

One bonus to today’s events was the sighting of several Redwings feasting on the berries on the Hawthorn bushes opposite our boat. Looking very similar to a Thrush they have different facial markings and the red under their wings hence the name. Our bird guide tells us they they migrate here from Northern European breeding grounds and winter over here until early spring.

Stacey to win X Factor this week-end. Go girl go.

Another Plaudit for British Waterways

2009-12-11T19:16:00.001Z

On our travels down from Hawkesbury Junction a couple of weeks ago we were concerned about the condition of bridge 15 on the Oxford Canal as we don’t recall seeing it in such a sorry state. There was also the case of a tree down across the towpath near bridge 19 which although not impeding navigation would require attention. An email was duly sent off to BW thinking that is the last we would hear of the matter.

Shock horror, 3 days ago we received a email from Robert Drinkwater in the Milton Keynes office to say that BW were monitoring the bridge on a monthly basis but the bridge is privately owned and therefore not BW’s responsibility. They are in negotiations with the owner over the bridges condition and usage which the owner can choose to implement or ignore to everybody’s detriment.

So if you happen to pass under this bridge near Ansty make sure there is nothing large and heavy about to cross it before passing through the bridge hole.

Well Done British Waterways!

2009-12-10T19:44:00.001Z

0 Locks, 2 Miles. Now moored at Newbold.

Would you believe that at the weekend we relicensed online with British Waterways as our licence expires at the end of the month. As it would go to our mailing address in London we thought that we had better give them the 15 days that BW say it takes to relicense, this would ensure that hopefully we would have our new licence prior to Christmas. Well this morning Tracey rang to say our licence had arrived in the mail this morning. How about that?

First of all thanks to Les on Nb Valerie for putting us straight over the mysterious happenings at the Newbold water point. It transpires that the new water main wasn’t entirely a waste of time because they extended it along the towpath to the existing water point and changed the connections over cutting off the main from the pub. Simple really when you think about it.

It was such a lovely day for a cruise we couldn’t say no. It was a case of multi tasking with charging the batteries, doing a load of washing, getting a pump out and topping up the diesel. The latter 2 were done at Lime Farm Marina which is a port of call we have not used previously but will do in future. We then returned to Newbold and are now moored where we were previously. (just facing in the opposite direction).

It was a bit embarrassing regarding the diesel because I had over estimated the usage thinking that we could probably take on approx 30 litre’s. Instead we only managed to squeeze in 13 litre’s. The Mikuni central heating unit has obviously not been working as hard as I had imagined therefore less consumption, still that can’t be a bad thing. Mind you there are frosts forecast for the next few days so that could push the consumption up.

While in the office at Lime Farm Marina I noticed that they had a brochure from the Australian Canal Society. It transpired that one of their regular moorings is let to a member of the A.C.S. and Lime Farm were proposing to advertise their 2 berth hire boat in the A.C.S. magazine. Makes sense really because it is difficult to get enough people together from that side of the world to say hire a 4 or 6 berth boat. It is a nice looking boat as well.

2028 locks, 4020.42 miles, 76 tunnels, 130 swing bridges and 54 lift bridges since Nov 2006

What a waste of money.

2009-12-09T21:17:00.000Z

Gosty Hill's mascot “Bosun” at Brownsover Park, Rugby last week. Note Nb Rock and Roll in the background unfortunately we didn't have too long to talk to Carol and George due to Dot’s imminent departure for London, maybe next time.

Well that’s us all up to date with Doctors check up’s, annual blood tests and bi-annual eye sight tests. The latter of course means new lenses all round as our eyes are not what they used to be but they are healthy which is a small blessing of a kind. Once we get Christmas done and dusted and we can see how the weather is looking to pan out we can start thinking about getting back into cruising mode.

Now earlier in the year we made a comment about a new water point being installed at Newbold apparently due to a disagreement with the pub owner from where the current supply is connected. When we left Newbold to start our 2009 cruise the new water point was just awaiting a tap and a lock and it would be up and running. Upon returning to Newbold we were surprised to find that the new water point has disappeared and the old one is still in use but it does have 2 taps fitted on the outside allowing 2 boats to use the facility simultaneously.

The non existent tap would have cost thousands to install because it involved a 300 yard trench to be dug, a new connection from the water main in the road and the relative bits and pieces on the towpath, all for what? NOTHING. I don’t know who paid for it all, BW or the water supply company but what a waste of money. We found that one reason for the change could possibly be the the Barley Mow pub has recently changed hands and is under new ownership.

Birthdays come and go!

2009-12-08T13:53:00.001Z

Yesterday was my 6? birthday, (and I don’t feel any older) so yes Derek and I are both Sagittarians (The wanderers of the Zodiac) and we have certainly done our share. Since we left Newbold in February we have done 441 locks, 676 miles, 19 tunnels, 87 swing bridges and 15 lift bridges. Boy have we been busy. We visited the following canals including the North Oxford, The Coventry, The Birmingham and Fazely, The Ashby, The Trent and Mersey, The Caldon, The Macclesfield, The Peak Forest, The Ashton, The Rochdale, The Bridgewater, The Leeds and Liverpool, and The Aire and Calder and Calder and Hebble Navigations. Is that enough for you?

Off course this is not taking into account our trips down to the Isle of Wight for a week and our week in Marjorca later in the year and numerous trips to London to see Tracey and my sister Mary and her husband Tony who flew over in September, It makes me feel tired just thinking about it.

I think we deserve a little rest before continuing our travels.

I’m back from London!

2009-12-05T19:47:00.001Z

0 Locks, 1.26 Miles. Now moored at Newbold.

I have now returned from four days in London, I do love London it is one of my favourite places in this country. Buses and trains became a blur as we travelled back and forth from one side of London to the other over the four days. With an average of 10 different journeys a day I can only say “Thank goodness for bus passes”

Derek has been busy while I have been away working on the boat, completing the replacement of new skirting and new vinyl tiles in the kitchen. Looks good too.

As there was a pile of laundry needing washing and the sun was shining this morning we decided to head up to Newbold for the weekend. After filling up with water we had a quick chat on the move with Lynne and Paul on Nb Piston Broke, hopefully we’ll catch up for a longer chat in the next few days. We have made appointments for new eye tests on Monday in Rugby so those passes will come in handy again.

2028 locks, 4018.42 miles, 76 tunnels, 130 swing bridges and 54 lift bridges since Nov 2006

October 2009

2009-12-03T10:10:00.000Z

In October we crossed the summit of the Rochdale Canal and was it a day to remember.

September 2009

2009-12-02T10:00:00.001Z

In September we visited Saltaire World Heritage Site, the brain child of Sir Titus Salt, a man ahead of his time and modern town planning originated from his designs.

August 2009

2009-12-01T09:56:00.000Z

In Gargrave on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal Dot couldn't resist taking this photo.

Petition to Downing Street

2009-11-30T20:54:00.002Z

Just noticed that the link on Nb Piston Broke is not working so here is the correct one. We have signed the petiton several days ago and 10,000 names have been added since. Come on guys add your names NOW.

http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/protectourcanals/

July 2009

2009-11-30T09:49:00.000Z

In July we travelled to Liverpool via the New Liverpool Link. A must for all boaters. We had a fabulous time and wished that the 14 days we spent there had been longer.

Looking Back over the year

2009-11-29T09:30:00.000Z

The cat that we rescued from drowning at midnight at Etruria in June. We heard back from the Cat Protection League that it was doing well. It had been given a clean bill of health from the vet and would be sent to a new home to hopefully see out the rest of it’s life in a happy environment.

London Calling!

2009-11-28T16:09:00.000Z

0 Locks, 2.05 Miles. Now moored at Brownsover Park.

We had all good intentions of staying at Hillmorton for the week-end and then moving to our present position on Monday for shopping purposes. Unfortunately Tracey has been unwell and back in hospital so Nurse Dot is off to London tomorrow to see the patient to help out for a few days. Brownsover is the easiest place from which to catch a bus to the railway station. It will give me the opportunity to get some work done without having the foreman looking over my shoulder and getting growled at for making too much mess.

2028 locks, 4017.16 miles, 76 tunnels, 130 swing bridges and 54 lift bridges since Nov 2006

A Rare Sighting!

2009-11-27T16:53:00.000Z

0 Locks, 7.5 Miles. Now moored at Hillmorton.

Today we made the final run into Rugby stopping off at Clifton Cruisers for a new gas tank and pick up our mail. Just out of Newbold we spotted a Heron which from a distance looked white which we just put it down to the way the sun was glinting on it’s feathers. When we got closer we were surprised to find it actually was a White Heron.

White Heron at Newbold, Oxford Canal.

At All Oaks Wood contractors are busy repairing half a mile of towpath which has been long overdue for repair. Placing sandbags along the top of the original wall they are now able to build the towpath up to it’s original level. It will probably become quite popular with walkers in the summertime as there are always cars in the nearby car park.

Contractors at All Oak Wood Repairing the towpath for half a mile.

Passing through Newbold and Brownsover we found the moorings to be full so we hope that this situation changes in the not to distant future otherwise we may have to rethink our plans for the next few weeks. As we are boat sitting for Derek and Carrie at Christmas we want a mooring close to where they can get their rental car. After calling in at Clifton Cruisers we carried onto Hillmorton where we watered up, winded below the locks and cruised back half a mile to a mooring. Now the temperatures`are dropping we need to keep the water tank full in case we get frozen in as we did last winter.

A bit of unscheduled demolition at bridge 66, Oxford Canal.

2028 locks, 4015.11 miles, 76 tunnels, 130 swing bridges and 54 lift bridges since Nov 2006

Back on the Oxford Canal

2009-11-26T18:28:00.000Z

1 Lock, 8.09 Miles. Now moored at All Oaks Wood

A sure sign that we are back in the great metropolis was the constant drone of the M6 motorway right through the night. Our travels over the last 8 months have been positively devoid of this part of modern day living.

Birthday dinner last night at The Greyhound pub was very nice. It was the first time we had stepped across the threshold of this establishment and we were not disappointed. Dot was cursing that she hadn’t taken her camera with her.

Bringing Gypsy Rover round from the Coventry Canal to the Oxford Canal in blustery conditions. Sutton Stop, Hawkesbury junction.

This morning the wind was still blowing but again a blue sky as we moved off from Hawkesbury junction. I was expecting problems with the strong wind making the sharp turn from the Coventry canal onto the Oxford canal but it all went very smoothly without making contact with anything. Nothing much has changed since we last cruised through this area but there are still boats on the move.

Agricultural workers caravan? It looks in good condition.

Bridge 15 at Ansty is looking definitely decrepit with great cracks and the centre of the arch showing signs of sagging. Too many heavy vehicles over it and I cannot see it lasting much longer. The other problem which we will report to BW was a tree down across the towpath below bridge 19. Partly in the water it doesn’t pose a problem to navigation.

These cow's and calves were making a hell of a mess of this paddock and the canal edging.

2028 locks, 4007.61 miles, 76 tunnels, 130 swing bridges and 54 lift bridges since Nov 2006

Sutton Stop

2009-11-25T15:38:00.000Z

0 Locks, 5.68 Miles. Now moored near Hawkesbury Junction.

Yesterday we met up with Derek and Carrie on Nb Uccello who we had met several times previously. We put on morning tea and Derek who is IT literate had a look at our computers to try and get them networked. After many hours he finally got the system partly operational and the Vista computer can view the files on the XP computer but not vice versa. Never mind Dot will keep working on this as we still only have internet on the Vista. We assume that this is a Vista security issue so Dot will keep working on it bit by bit. In the meantime it is a great start. Otherwise it looks as if we may have to purchase a router to complete the job. Thanks for all your efforts Derek, as well as thanks to the many other messages we received concerning this issue. In the meantime Carrie had been slaving over a hot stove back on Uccello and came back with a delicious date and walnut cake. Yummee! It’s a great life on the cut.

As we had decided to stay put for the day due to high winds and more threats of rain Carrie invited us over for dinner with Curry on the menu. To square off the meal Derek (GR version, bit confusing with 2 Derek’s) whipped up an Apple Crumble for dessert. There wasn’t much left at the end of the evening I can tell you. A very enjoyable evening.

This morning was still windy but bright blue sky so we said our farewells to Derek and Carrie, we will meet them again in Rugby next month, and headed off towards the Coventry Canal and Hawkesbury Junction. The plan is to visit the Greyhound pub for a bit of a birthday bash. Cooks night off.

2027 locks, 3999.52 miles, 76 tunnels, 130 swing bridges and 54 lift bridges since Nov 2006

Happy Birthday Derek!

2009-11-25T09:59:00.001Z

Hope you have many winter hours of enjoyment viewing these.

Between the showers.

2009-11-23T15:45:00.000Z

0 Locks, 2.88 Miles Now moored at Burton Hastings.

Just a quick trip into town for some essentials and then we had hoped the weather would hold out long enough for us to get underway and put some more mileage under our belts. We had a few showers along the way but by the time we reached bridge 8 the sky was looking decidedly thunderous so we moored up at what the local’s refer to as Hospital bend. Not a moment too soon because we had just got everything sorted when the rain arrived.

For the next few days the weather forecast is for more uncertain conditions so we will have to pick and choose our movement times. As we are only 2 or 3 comfortable cruising days out of Rugby there is no great panic.

2027 locks, 3993.84 miles, 76 tunnels, 130 swing bridges and 54 lift bridges since Nov 2006

All the fun of the fair.

2009-11-22T18:18:00.000Z

0 Locks, 12.51 Miles. Back at Hinckley.

With the current wet weather sweeping the country we have had to pick our moments when to move and travel further than we would normally. There are still a few hardy souls like us moving around with the occasional hire boat making an appearance.

Along the way we have noticed that farm livestock are disappearing from the fields with farmers now bringing them into the yards and sheds making it easier to feed out hay and silage during winter. In New Zealand the animals are left out in the fields where they are fed. Only high country stock are brought down to lower levels to avoid losing stock in the snow.

Between the showers today we caught the bus into Hinckley to visit B&Q (the hardware supermarket) to buy some self adhesive vinyl tiles to replace the lino in the kitchen, bathroom and rear entrance. When we arrived in town we found that the whole of the town centre closed off and an enormous funfair filling the streets. Rides of all descriptions,dodgem cars, which were in hot demand,, food stalls and the usual “try your luck” side shows. It’s just a pity that the wet weather was keeping people away. Tucked away in side streets were huge great lorries with generators big enough to supply half the towns electricity pounding away burning through what little profit there was to be made.

2027 locks, 3990.96 miles, 76 tunnels, 130 swing bridges and 54 lift bridges since Nov 2006

Rainbow over the Ashby yesterday

2009-11-21T19:24:00.000Z