Back on Board

“Time flies when you’re having fun” or so the old saying goes.  Well, the last five months have certainly flown by!  We’ve succeeded in pretty much filling up a small house and have had lots of visitors.  The cows are back in the field so ……………… time to get back afloat.

It only took a couple of days to get organised and reacclimatise.  It now feels like we’ve never been away and we are looking forward to cruising again. 

It was sad leaving Crick yesterday because it has been the closest thing we have had to ‘home’ for the last seven years but we think it is definitely a case of ‘Au Revoir’ not ‘Goodbye’ – Crick Marina and the lovely Noel and Caroline haven’t seen the last of us!  After all, someone’s got to do periodic checks to ensure they are maintaining their resolve for a lesser biscuit consumption!  We will also want to check up on our favourite Scotsman, Bob, and Hookna to see how they are settling in to life in the village.

                         

Like the rest of us “Ellen” is not getting any younger and last year we seemed to have lots of boat maintenance issues so we are really hoping that won’t be the case this year.  I am struggling with a bit of a maintenance issue myself at present – dodgy knee – and just hope it won’t make lock wheeling too much of a problem.

Life is full of 1st’s.  In all the times we’ve gone up and down the Watford Flight we’ve never seen a workboat doing so ………… until yesterday.  Help was on hand to descend the flight.  It was a joy to see some healthy Horse Chestnut trees in flower along the tow path.

           

This is where it all began over ten years ago:-

Welton Hythe Marina. 

We bought “Ellen” from their brokerage.  Well, strictly speaking, John did.  I had only seen pictures.

SO much has happened since that day.

And now?  Heading North …………………. first!

Braunston Tunnel and locks in the rain – definitely NOT a first!

xxoo

A New Year…………… A New Chapter ………

Firstly ……………… HAPPY NEW YEAR   to anyone who may be reading this.  May 2014 bring you joy, peace and prosperity!

Secondly,  HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LOLA  who is one today. 

A beautiful little puppy ………………

has grown into a beautiful young dog ………………..

Thirdly ………….. we have a Change of Status.  We are about to join the ranks of Extended Cruisers as opposed to full-blown Liveaboards because …………… we have bought a house in Dorset in which to while away the winter months.  And, since we’ve moved in , it hasn’t stopped raining!  There’s now enough water at the bottom of the garden to “float a boat”!!  Wish we could!!

                              

We are looking forward to cruising the system in “Ellen” during the Spring and Summer months like other extended cruisers do.  Having removed lots of ‘stuff’ from her she has already risen in the water!  Maybe this will prevent us getting constantly stuck -

and even enable us to moor close to the bank like other boaters do -

We now have space in most of the cupboards!!

With house prices rising and interest rates worse than ever, it seemed the sensible thing to do.  We once again have our own letterbox,(!) can register to vote(!) and I can have a bath instead of a shower(!!)  We can even rent films!!  We love the Inland Waterways and just hope we can manage to do what others do – that is – sustain the best of both worlds!!  Our plan is to set off cruising again at the beginning of April.

xxoo

Belated update …..

In terms of blogging – I’ve been very lax!  Well, to be fair,  …………………. nothing of any particular interest has happened here in the marina.  Things are just jogging along as normal.  So, here followeth  an eclectic mix of ‘stuff’ :-

I’m so pleased with my new washing machine!  WHY did I not have this 7 years ago?!!  It has a selection of ‘quick’ washes on it and they might have saved an awful lot of stress out there on the cut!!  Faster wash cycles = less battery power and all that!!  Bring it on!!

My best pal from college days, Rosa, has caught up with me!  She too has had to face the big 6-0.  One of the nice things about maintaining friendships with those met at school/college is that, by and large, you’re the same age and that means you tend to go through major events pretty much at the same time as each other – weddings, babies being born, uni fees to find (!), aging parents, grandchildren (?) etc – lots of shared history.

To celebrate her 60th Rosa did a really cool thing.  She hired a somewhat remote hostel up on the South Downs and invited all her friends and family to join her for a weekend of fun and frolics!!  Unfortunately, as dogs are strictly forbidden in hostels, we could only join her for a walk along part of the Downs on the Saturday.  The weather was somewhat inclement!  On the way to the pub for lunch it poured with rain but it was still easy to see how spectacular the views must be on a warm, dry day!  The English Channel one way and a magnificent escarpment the other.

On the way back it was so misty that we were lucky to see the people in front let alone anything else!!

DESPITE the weather, however, it was really good to be able to participate in some small way and I know just how much my friend enjoyed the whole weekend.  42 years worth of friendship – a lot of special times have been shared and we both look forward to more.

We broke the journey by staying with Ben the night before.  He’s had a large canopy fitted over the back deck of the barge.  It’s created a sort-of conservatory area and has made a huge difference.  You can now take off wet clothes and muddy boots under cover AND clean up dirty dogs!!

 Talking of dogs …………………… here I am!

The saga of my broken leg continues BUT progress is definitely being made.  Throughout it all I’ve attracted a great deal of attention and sympathy from lots of marina folk and I’ve certainly been getting away with things that I didn’t in the past and undoubtedly won’t in the future!!

After more anaesthetics and x-rays, that pin in my leg has been removed!  Good job too because it was rubbing me and causing some nasty swelling.  Just as my fur was growing back …………….. they’ve shaved off another patch!  The vet’s a bit keen with that razor!  Another tempting area to lick and nibble though!  BUT it feels SO much more comfortable – I now feel a distinct lack of caution and just want to run and jump again.  That, however, is STRICTLY FORBIDDEN for at least another 2 weeks so it’s still on the lead for me!  FRUSTRATION for us all!   The vets, nurses and receptionists at ‘The Animal House’ in Rugby have all been so lovely to me – I’ve made some friends there too.

I can’t wait to be fully recovered and get back to normal.  Patience!  It WILL be rewarded!

Lola xxoo

  Apparently really cold weather is on the way next week.  SO – it seems that we will be exchanging our jumpers for thicker fleeces Monday or Tuesday. 

All for now. K-e-e-p smiling. xxoo

 

Brian No-Mates ……..

 

Whatever hast thou done lad?  Whatever hast thou said?

Whatever hast thou bin doin’ to upset thy neighbours?

Eee by ‘ek - even the ducks hast deserted thee!!!

Billy  Brian No-Mates!

Keep up the good work lad!  Target our pontoon next please!!

xxoo

Simple? If Only …………

1996  A full size Zanussi Washer/Dryer was installed IN the back cabin.

2013  Said full size Zanussi Washer/Dyer needed to be got OUT of back cabin as it had ‘given up the ghost’/gone ker-put/ had enough!

“Right,” said John, “both of us together, one each side and steady as we go.”

Tried to shift it, couldn’t even lift it – we was going nowhere and so we had another drink think:-

“Right,” said John, “ let’s try to tip it over, mind your fingers and be careful of your toes.”

After straining, heaving and complaining we was getting nowhere and so we had another drink think:-

“Right,” said John, “I’ll have to take the door off, we need more space so I’ll take the thing apart ….”

Had bad twinges taking off the hinges BUT we was getting somewhere and so ……………….

As well as the door and the hinges, off came the switches, drum, casing, motor, lid, hoses and wires and ……………….  it was out in bits!  The man at the tip was very impressed!

Nothing ever seems to be simple!  There was no way it was going OUT in one piece!  It must have been put IN in one piece before the door and slide of the back cabin were assembled around it!

So, thanks to shopping-on-line a new machine was ordered and two days later at 7.30 am (!!!!!!!!) it was delivered.  This one, of course, could fit through the back door!  BUT:- nothing is ever simple!  The handle on the drum is in a different place from the old machine and means that the decorative wooden door and drawer that hides the machine now has to be modified.  Something else for the skipper to sort out – just as well he has a full set of tools and is good with his hands!!

Changing the subject completely, yesterday we finally got to meet the crew of n/b Yarwood properly.  This blogging lark is a funny old thing!  When you follow other boater’s blogs you get to feel that you know people when you haven’t even met them!  It was really good to put this right last night in the comfortable surroundings of The Red Lion.  So, Lesley, Joe, Fletcher and Floyd and David and Lisa from n/b What a Lark – thank you all for a lovely evening.  Safe cruising to Welford today and, hopefully, we will see you again soon.  xxoo

Back on Board

Having had a lovely week at the seaside …………………. we are back on board in the marina. Back now to sorting out ‘stuff’!

It’s hard to believe that Lola had her operation only three weeks ago.  She is now putting her foot down very gingerly but not putting any weight on it.  We have been told that we need to keep her calm for 12 weeks so 9 still to go!  Lola, on the other hand, is beginning to think that things are back to normal so it’s definitely going to be a challenge!!  She too really seemed to enjoy her week away.  It must be a complete mystery to her why she has to be on the lead all the time.  Patience, Lola, patience!!

             

Me?

I think I need to live by the sea ……………

 

 

 

xxoo

Sand, Sea and Sunshine

What could be better?  How lucky are we?

Just a few words ……………….. pictures say it so much better:-

Rhossilli Bay.  So crowded??????

Worms Head – I was chuffed to see a pair of choughs here!  (Birds like crows but they have red beaks and red legs and are quite rare.  I tried to take a photo but I only had my humble little camera with me and it couldn’t cope!  I may return …..)

This one’s for you, Del Boy – Volunteer coastal watchers.  Your Welsh colleagues are, as you do at Cape Cornwall -  working hard, drinking coffee, eating biscuits, having a laugh and watching the girls ships go by!!

Lola - not phased by the waves!  Salt water can only do it good!

Waiting patiently whilst mum has ‘done a bunk’!

15 days today since major surgery.  That leg is a ‘Peaky Blinder’ haircut!  Because her leg is pinned SHE thinks she’s now recovered so it’s quite hard trying to keep her calm.  She’s just as quick on 3 legs as 4!!

Stunning.

Stunning.

Stunning.

Raven or Crow?  Please help settle a dispute ………  Seen at Oxwich Bay Nature Reserve.

Invigorating the soul and replenishing the spirit.  Yes, how lucky are we?  xxoo