Ben’s Big Barg

A few years ago our son, Ben, arranged for a big old Tjalk to be brought over from Holland.  He then embarked upon the enormous task of fitting it out from scratch.  Whilst we have been here in Staines, dealing with the death of my brother and arranging his funeral, we have been staying on Ben’s barge – its been our refuge.  There have been like-minded boaters to talk to and a large assortment of waterfowl to watch.

I love living on our narrow boat and would not want to sacrifice the freedom of cruising around most of the system for more living space but ……………. living on a BIG boat is a totally different ‘ball game’!  There’s so much space!  So much storage!  So much comfort!   All very luxurious!

Other people do picture shows so, here comes one from me …….

The saloon

The kitchen

 

The bathroom

 

Main bedroom – there is another, smaller cabin but all our ‘stuff’ is in there cluttering it up at the moment!

 

Roof-top garden!  Taken from the front ………..

 

Taken from the back …………

I think that, in a way, she’s a bit wasted here on the Thames – she would be perfect for cruising the French canals and rivers.

Those kayaks do get used regularly:-

               

Apparently, its a good way to arrive at the pub for lunch!

My brother’s funeral is on Monday.  When my dad died my brother and I sorted things together; when my mum died we did the same.  I’ve found it very hard making decisions on my own this time and, I have found the sorrow of losing a sibling very different from the sorrow of losing an elderly parent.  I can’t wait to get back to “Ellen” for some respite.

One last thing:-

 

A friend sent us a picture of a boat that got into trouble on the swollen waters of the River Nene.

It’s a salutary reminder that boating can be dangerous and there is no room for complacency and taking unnecessary risks.  The boaters got off safely but what a terrible thing to happen.

A few words…

My brother, my only sibling, – Graham Robert Blake who preferred to be known by one-and-all as “Blakey” died in hospital yesterday afternoon.  He was only 65.

I was with him.

For us, it really does seem that Life has stopped giving – it just keeps taking away.

I feel numb and can say no more.  This is just for those of you who might be wondering what’s going on! xxoo

Back at Base

Seeing as our boat is our home, strictly speaking, ‘home’ is wherever the boat is but ………… if anywhere can be called Base Camp, it has to be Crick.

We zoomed through the Braunston Tunnel without meeting another boat (a 1st for us), were inundated with offers of cheerful help from volunteers at the Watford locks and then sped through the Crick Tunnel, again, all on our own!  We left Crick in mid March and have returned mid October having travelled 600 miles and gone through 324 locks.  This year we have visited lots of new-to-us waterways:-

• The Erewash Canal
• The River Trent downstream as far as West Stockwith
• The Fossdyke
• The River Witham
• The Chesterfield Canal
• The Stourbridge Canal and
• Parts of the B. C. N.

There have, of course, been ‘incidents’ – things which were problematic at the time but in reality only needed patience, ££££ or both to solve.  The Big Black Cloud – Maggie’s premature death  could be prevented by neither and will take a long time for us to come to terms with.  After all, only 3/4 of our crew have arrived back safely.

BUT – overall, we have had a really good cruising year, spent happy times with friends old and new and been to some interesting places.

Back here in the marina, we have things to sort out and then, if the weather remains reasonable, I think we’ll go to Foxton and back – don’t want to get into Winter mode before we have to.

Rabbiting on ………….

                                                      

Any mention of rabbits will forever remind us of our lovely Maggie so, moving swiftly on ………………

After 7 months of cruising around we have arrived back in Braunston.  This morning we have been reminded of just how pretty the stretch between Napton and Braunston is – the majority of it having wide, open views of the surrounding farmland.  It’s clearly a very popular stretch for just that reason – there are so many boats on the move here!

Yesterday, moored up at one of our favourite spots, who should come along but June, Bob and Phoenix on “Autumn Myst”.  We were surprised because we thought we had missed them!! (Ugh!!)  They moored up with us and we had morning coffee on “Ellen” and then afternoon tea (plus made-between-locks-coffee-cake) on “A.M.”.  I don’t know – between them Doug and June put me to shame!  Clearly I need to get my act together.  Now, let me see …….. chocolate cake?  coffee cake?  fruit cake?  cherry cake?  What to do?

“Hang on a minute”, says Maisie.  “What about my walk?  You always walk me between locks.”

      I don’t know, she’s got me wrapped around her little paws!                

 

6 month old Phoenix.

Name Dropping!

John took advantage of the sunny weekend and successfully painted another section of the roof.  Just as well, because today there is no sign of sunshine – drizzle soon developed into ‘proper’ rain once again.

Yesterday afternoon, as we were still moored at Long Itchington, who should come along but Doug & James on n/b “Chance” with their friends Bob & June on n/b “Autumn Myst”.  June had her priorities for the day well sorted!  TV reception for “Downton Abbey” was all important!  How has this saga managed to captivate so many citizens of the nation?   Bob & June have nurtured puppy guide dogs for many years and, at the moment, have 6 month old Phoenix – gorgeous!  She certainly took a shine to Maisie but I’m not sure Maisie felt quite the same!

We all went on board “Chance” for pre-dinner drinks.  I think we laughed from the minute we got on board until the minute we left – such good company and just what we have been in need of.  I had got our roasties in the oven before we left the boat so that they would be ready on our return.  I suppose it goes without saying that we were all drinking much longer than originally intended so I thought we would be having crisps with the rest of our Sunday dinner.  Unzip the cratch cover, open the door – no smell of cooking!  What’s happening?  Why no enticing smell of roast potatoes and parsnips?  THE GAS HAD RUN OUT!!  Maybe this was just as well but, oh, the joys of living on a boat!  Sunday dinner did arrive – just a little later than anticipated!

Before our new-found friends left this morning we all had coffee and cake on board “Autumn Myst”.  Doug produced a delicious chocolate cake which he must have magicked  up between locks!!  Doug, James and Oscar (their dog) are heading for a winter mooring on The Kennet & Avon; Bob, June and Phoenix are heading back to Brinklow.  Safe travels everyone and I’m so glad we had the opportunity to meet you.

We set off after lunch – just two locks further on and we have found ourselves moored up behind Bob on n/b “The Beez Neez” at the Blue Lias  pub.  Bob and his dog, Hookna, over-wintered with us in Crick last year so we have a lot to catch up on.  Don’t need gas tonight – eating in the pub!  Result! xxoo

Cream-Crackered

“Never again,” I said back in 1974 after giving birth to Ben.  Just 3 years later, there I was back in hospital, more moaning and groaning, more huffing and puffing  ….. again.  Nothing unusual there – most women ‘fall’ for it!

BUT:  October 2012 – The Grand Union Canal from Hatton to Napton –

“Never again”!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  We did this stretch only 3 years ago in 2009.  WHY did I not remember just how tough it is?  WHY did I not remember the pain?  The agony?  The callouses?

We ‘only’ had 5 miles and 10 locks to cover today.  The initial plan was to do 5 locks and then stop for a break (for me!) and for lunch.  It was not to be because we could find nowhere decent to stop.  All the best places were already inhabited by ‘gatherings’.

By lock 10 ……………. I was knackered!!  Those paddles!  Each one takes 23 turns (I know it’s sad but counting helps to focus the mind!) to raise.  And, I swear that the locks neither begin to empty or fill until at least turn 19!

      

Nobody else seems to find them so tough so I suppose the truth of it is I’m just a wimp, a woose, a namby-pamby, a pathetic cream puff!   

I would prefer to think that I’m just getting too old for this lark!!  Fortunately, with increased age comes increased short-term memory loss so, where might we cruise in 2015 I wonder? !!!!!!!!!

Something I failed to report:-  As we approached Birmingham on the B.C.N. we had to travel directly underneath part of the M5.  Scenic it may not have been but interesting it was.

   

Be Not Down-Hearted

Why?  Because sometimes, just sometimes, a lucky break awaits!

Last night, moored all alone at the top of the Hatton Flight, today’s task seemed a somewhat daunting prospect.  21 double locks in 2 miles.  The guidebook said to allow 4 hours.  Now, is this based on two boats?  At least two lock wheelers?  Locks all being in one’s favour?  Well, I decided that if we were on our own, with just me doing the locks and all the locks against us I would need to allow at least 4 hours ….. if not 5!!  So, WE GOT UP EARLY!!  I know a lot of you will find that hard to believe but, we did!  A  “J.D.I.” day ahead of us – Just Do It!!

Two locks down and we were in a rhythm of operating just one side.  John was in charge of closing the top gates once he’d got the boat in the lock and then, if he could, lifting one of the bottom paddles.  I, in the meantime, was filling the next lock in readiness.  At one point he had to run!  I won’t go into details but – sorry John – it was impossible not to laugh!

THEN:  Along came Howard!  A gallant volunteer lock wheeler dressed in resplendent C&RT royal blue!  He committed to helping us down the entire flight!

THEN:  Along came Richard -  also voluntarily and dressed in identical royal blue attire.

God Bless the boys in royal blue!  Despite the rain and ‘donating’ one of them to a greater cause two thirds of the way down, we were in the Saltisford Arm by 11 am having a pump out and getting coal and gas.

We’re still here!  Frustrating admin to attend to.  AND …… lots of rain.  What a surprise!

I left John in charge of getting a couple of decent pictures but he said that he was far too busy, shutting all the gates, winding up all the paddles and …… running!! (not like ‘The Bolt’ I hasten to add!!!!!!!!!!!!)  xxoo