Monday 22nd April Day 275
((in real life it’s Chris’s birthday today – he deserves all the cake and all the medals for putting up with you!)) I worked pretty much all day today as the weather was rather grotty so I try and take the opportunity to get stuff done so I can be on the stern during our cruising days and enjoying the scenery. It’s getting to the point where everything needs to come together for the book festival – the programme needs to be finalising, the designer is creating the brochure, then this goes to print and somewhere along the line we add the information to the website and the links from the Palace Theatre so people can book. It’s great team work to get it to this point. If you fancy checking out the website it should be live on the website when this goes out or nearly about to go live!
Chris made some pastries which were delicious and a butternut squash and feta pie! ((You don’t deserve him!)) hey, I was working at the dinette so it meant he was designated cook and he is a better cook than me. ((That wouldn’t be difficult!))
At one point Chris moves the boat up a little as we are staying here another day and we don’t want to be cleaning the bird poo off the boat again tomorrow morning.
Day done. Until tomorrow x
Tuesday 23rd April – Day 276
What a day! Where to start! ((At the beginning is preferable, although I like the bit where you get in trouble!)) This is the day I warned you about so make sure you have an extra drink and some snacks to read it.
We set off early and quickly moored up to fill with water, empty the toilets and bins and then cruised a little further along and turned into Braunston Marina to fill up with diesel, buy a new gas bottle and a bag of coal. There was another boat filling with diesel so we had to slot in behind them which meant the stern was sticking out into the path of boats leaving the marina and under the bridge and junction onto the canal.
Of course, another boat wanted to come out, so I let go of the rope and let the boat float over to the other side so they could get out all whilst having a natter. Then as we are waiting, Tim turned up ((they didn’t know he was called Tim until after of course!)) and told us he used to own our boat! So, of course, we had a good old chat with him and showed him the boat. He seemed impressed with what we had done and shared interesting info about the life of the boat which I won’t add here else this blog will need more than that bottle of wine ((It’s okay Sandra bought a crate of wine ready!)) I will add more into the canal book. Then Tim’s wife Jane came over and another chat and another tour. It was lovely to meet them and we have arranged a catch up when we are next this way or meet on the cut ((by catch up, Peachy means a drink as it seems only certain types of people own this boat hence the name))
Anyway, diesel, coal, gas sorted we set off and meet another YouTuber – narrowboat Spudley at the locks- Amanda and Wayne. We first watched their vlogs when Wayne shared an update on the Oxford landslip. They joined us in the first lock which lucky for us had lockies on. Of course, we got chatting ((Of course, repeating yourself Peachy)) and they followed us on YouTube and he did a little video of us – it’s weird being filmed by someone else! I bet we looked like right muppets! ((I have no doubt)) but they are going to promote us and help us get more followers and we will do the same in case any of our viewers are not watching them.
It’s a pleasant journey doing the six locks with a volunteer helping us who has her own boat and we chat ((There is a theme here)) as she has cruised her boat to London and then Thames before so again, it’s reassuring for us. At the end of the locks and with the rain starting at lock six, we tackle Braunston tunnel which is just over 1,800 metres long. Luckily, we are prepared ((No, I don’t believe it!)) and the light works and we have an umbrella just in case! We meet two boats but we all passed each other with no issues. The tunnel was amazing – again I will save some info for the canal book and it will be on YouTube. We moor up not long after and I get to the desk to check emails as we are in the final stages of getting the brochure ready for print so lots of things to tie up and sort. ((it’s not over yet folks!))
We then decide to go into Daventry as we need some shopping and miss the bus by about 1 minute so walk in, which is about 30 mins maybe. Then I buy some emergency jigsaws from the charity shop and get some shopping and sneak to the pub for one. Then Jane messages me who owned our boat and said they will try and look for the paperwork for the plot as we had nothing when we bought it. Then Wayne & Tammy messaged and we have arranged to try and catch them for a drink in the next couple of days.
On the way back from Daventry we catch a bus which doesn’t drop us near where the boat is. Chris finds a route on google which takes us through a housing development under construction. Well, we get a security guard shouting and running at us telling us we cannot go that way! We ended up having a bit of a laugh with him as he said it happens all the time. I did suggest a sign to tell people – although makes you wonder if that is really a public footpath they have blocked off!
Anyway, we find another route and actually spot one of the vents for the tunnel which was quite cool. Then it was back to the boat, dinner consumed and then I cracked on with another proof of the brochure. It’s 9.15pm now and this day had felt like a weeks worth of stuff and this blog is the edited/highlighted version. ((I’m exhausted!)) right, laptop off and day most certainly done!
Cruising: 2 miles / 6 locks / 1 tunnel
London bound totals:
Cruising: 89/198 Locks: 105/174 tunnels : 5 (not sure how many to London!)
Wednesday 24th April Day 277
After the long day yesterday, I stay at the dinette for the morning cracking on with work whilst Chris faffs with a few bits and bobs and after lunch we set off.
It’s funny how we don’t bat an eyelid at doing a flight of locks and today we have the Buckby flight of 7 to do. It’s a short cruise and we are at Norton Junction where you can go up the Grand Union Leicester line or the main line to London which is the way we are going. We moor up just before the top lock and first lock of the day to empty the Elsan and find lockies ready to see us through the first one. ((Do you ring ahead or something – there always seem to be lockies on!)) just lucky, although it’s just the first one they help us through – we are always very grateful. Then it’s not long before the next one. Pretty uneventful flight which is what you want really and we meet a couple of boats here and there so some are set in our favour and some against. The last lock is a devil! Another boater comes up to help as they are coming up as we are going down and I tell you it was a real struggle to turn the mechanism. By now, I must be on around 100 locks this year give or take lockies helping and me doing a few locks multiple times to help others and this one is hard.
We are soon through and pass Whilton Marina which is a place we looked at boats when we bought the Plot. We have found out some very interesting things about our boat from the couple we met the other day. Hi to Jane and Tim if you’re reading – we will see you on the cut for a drink or two! Same to Amanda and Wayne on Narrowboat Spudley – we were going to try and meet them at the junction but with the lockies on we decided to crack on and make some time on our London trip and i’d had some two bits of bad news and so wasn’t feeling up to the pub. ((You okay Peachy?)) Yes thanks, Brackets. just sad when you hear lovely people are going through difficult times.
Moored up, it’s time to get this blog updated as I’ve neglected it for a few days with all the cruising and other work. We might have a few days of no locks so you can rest your winding arm for a bit. Day done. Until tomorrow. x
Cruising: 5 miles / 7 locks
London bound totals: Cruising Miles: 96/198 Locks: 112/174 Tunnels: 5
Thursday 25th April Day 278
We decide to cruise the short distance of one mile from our current mooring ((should have just pulled the boat!)) to Weedon Bec as there is a Tesco nearby and it’s easier than carrying our supplies up the tow path. We also take a wander up to a place called Weedon Bec Ordnance depot, which is an amazing place and well worth a visit. We popped to the visitor centre and watched a short film on the history of the place:
Copied from their website : Once known as The Royal Ordnance Depot, the complex was built as a secure place to store equipment, ammunition and weapons for use by the British Army. The Depot fulfilled its function from the Napoleonic Wars through to the end of National Service and serviced every major conflict in-between. (https://the-depot.uk/the-visitor-centre/)
((good job you added that Peachy else you would be in trouble for copyright theft! Oh how I would love to see you in court over that – it would make my year!))
There was also an antique centre we wandered around and then we were going to visit the bookshop and café but they closed early! ((I’m not laughing!)) probably a good thing as if I buy any more books I will have to open my own floating bookshop and buy another boat!
Back to the dinette after this to crack on with some work and day done. Until tomorrow.
Cruising: 1 miles
London bound totals: Cruising miles: 97/198 Locks: 112/174 Tunnels: 5
Friday 26th April Day 279
It was a busy day at the dinette today as I was working on book festival jobs until 12pm – the brochure will be live on 11th May so check out the website www.newarkbookfestival.org.uk – amazing programme again this year but we need some sell out events this year, so if you see something you fancy then please do book.
After this it was vlogging/blogging/jigsaws/power nap and more work which meant I missed book group again. In the late afternoon we treated ourselves to a drink at the brewery on the Weeden Bec site as Chris wanted to try some of the real ales. – it was a little chilly as we decided to sit outside and make the most of the lighter nights.
That was it for today. Day done. x ((that’s it? make an effort Peachy. Although at least everyone has more time to do something more constructive with their day!))
Saturday 27th April 280
We wake up to a grim morning and the rain is a constant for most of the day. I have lots of vlogging to catch up on and so decide that Chris can be left to captain the boat ((very convenient since it was raining!)) I popped out to do a little bit of vlogging and Chris tried out his new heated gloves which I’d bought him for Christmas as it’s still cold.
It’s a seven-mile cruise with no locks and we finally moor at Gayton junction just before the facilities. We didn’t want to cruuse too much further in this weather and we found a nice spot to stay as tomorrow looks like another inside day. We went for a little walk later just to check out the facilities and make sure they were working and we need some kindling as the temperatures are still low enough that we need to light the fire and we have run out but the marina is shut when we get there so will have to try again tomorrow.
Sorry if these blogs have been a little short ((oh believe me you don’t need to apologise. It’s a blessing!)) I’ve been suffering with bad headaches and the internet signal has been shocking for a four or five days now even though in real time we have been moving the boat to try and get a better signal so I’ve had to try and limit my screen time – very annoying! Anyway, day done. Until tomorrow. x
Cruising: 7 miles
London bound totals: Cruising Miles: 104/198 Locks: 112/174 Tunnels: 5 (not sure how many to London!)
Sunday 28th April – Day 281
We decide to stay put and hide away from the torrential rain which was a constant throughout the night and into the morning which changes to a slight drizzle later in the day we decide to carry the toilet to elsan as it’s not far and then once that’s done we head to the marina but find out they don’t sell kindling but there is another one further up the road so we wander along a countryside road full of puddles ((I bet you went through everyone didn’t you?)) of course I did ((You’re nearly 50 Peachy you need to grow up!)) never! What would life be like if you didn’t splash through a puddle in your wellies!
That headache I mentioned yesterday kicks in today so I tried to avoid too much screen time and listen to my audio book instead. Day done until tomorrow. Another week done and many miles and locks closer to London! x
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C.L. Peache 