Narrowboat Caxton

Farewell Caxton

2012-01-27T09:10:00.000Z

Yesterday we finished winterising Caxton in order to leave her safely for her new owners Paul and Elaine.
So that's it, the end of our Caxton adventures and the end of the Caxton blog. I would like to invite all of Caxton's followers to join us on the new boat and the new blog, Yarwood....
see you soon.

Galley cleared..

Saloon cleared ..

Bed aired..

Bye Caxton

Moving out

2012-01-20T08:30:00.000Z

Yesterday I started the task of 'moving out' of Caxton. Using the matching luggage - mainly blue Tesco bags for Joe and I and the boys little Morrison number - I packed the contents of the larder, then the saucepans, the crockery, the books, the maps, the dog food and much more and ferried it all up to Yarwood where I then placed it all in new homes.
Today the plan is for more of the same... and hopefully Joe will think about making a start on the tool department...

Francis searchlight for sale

2012-01-18T08:56:00.001Z

Joe has just listed a Francis Searchlight for sale on Ebay. Just thought I would let the boaty community know just in case anyone is looking for one...

Chromed 9" Francis Searchlight

Nearly time to call a halt...

2012-01-16T18:02:00.000Z

I will soon be calling a halt to the Caxton blog. Our new boat Yarwood will be launched on Saturday next (21/01/12) and we hope/aim to complete our transfer from Caxton to the new quarters by Monday 23rd at the latest. Thereafter, depending on the ICE conditions, we will head into Birmingham until such time as the stoppages allow us to escape south to Gayton and the road to the Fens.

When it comes to voting...

2012-01-16T05:23:00.002Z

When it comes to voting for the Boaters representatives on the new body that will replace British Waterways, remember the name Andy Tidy.
Andy is standing for election as a boaters representative on the new Canal and Rivers Trust and many in the blogging community will be aware of Andy through his detailed and informative blog, Captain Ahab's Watery Tales. Of course Andy will not be standing as Capt. Ahab, his pseudonym, so it's either Andy Tidy or Andrew Tidy when it comes to voting.

One other little thought...let's not be apathetic when it comes to vote. If we want boaters views to influence what happens with this wonderful network we need to ensure that we have boaters in place on the committees etc. SO VOTE.

Handing over

2012-01-15T07:45:00.000Z

Yesterday was Caxton handover day and Russell and Tracey arrived to do the honours on behalf of the new owners Paul and Elaine who are still in Oz. Russell and Tracey are for the time being, adoptive owners so to speak. They came armed with the old video and recorded all the explanations of the technical stuff , "here be an engine and here be a switch" etc. and importantly, recorded the obligatory visit to the local pub WITH DOGS in tow.....this just to wind Paul up as those who read his blog will be aware of his irritation at the prohibition of anything canine in Australia.
Sorry Paul, we couldn't resist...

Russell and Tracey, Caxton's new adoptive owners

There's lapdogs and there's ...

2012-01-13T21:25:00.000Z

And there's LAPDOGS!!
Five and half stone of lapdog to be precise - the preferred evening position of a certain Charlie Chuggs, akka Floyd, Mum or Dad's lap

Be gone woman...

2012-01-12T18:16:00.000Z

I was sent off this morning with the dogs and told to keep out of the way for a few hours. So the boys and I went up to the Wyre Forest and trekked about for two hours before daring to return to Caxton. A great day for walking, if a bit unseasonally warm, acres and acres of mixed woodland to wander in and hardly anyone else to share it with. I kept a wary eye on the comings and goings of Floyd and Fletcher though, it was here in the summer when they found a 'ripe' deer carcase to embellish their coats with...disgusting mutts!

And the reason for the banishment.... Joe had hired a carpet cleaner to clean Caxton's carpet tiles so the new owners, Paul and Elaine, will start life aboard Caxton without an accumulation of deep down grit - all fresh now folks.

Joe has decided that for it is probably worthwhile doing this once a year on Yarwood just to keep the wear down - it is the accumulation of abrasive grit, that most vacuum cleaners fail to completely remov,e that damages the carpets.

Thank you Mother

2012-01-11T19:21:00.000Z

My Christmas pressie from Mother and tonight I have cooked our first recipe/meal from said Booook..

A rather pleasing aubergine casserole - the dogs are just eating the remainder - cooked for four when I only need to feed two...doh

Red Boarded

2012-01-11T05:01:00.000Z

The River Severn has been closed to navigation (red boarded) following last week's heavy rains. The River is only moderately high compared to what she can do but some of the Severn Way was under water at the weekend when I took the dogs on our circular walk of Stourport.

The Barge lock looking towards the basin and the clock tower.

The first night we moored in the basin I was woken by the clock bell tolling every hour - now I sleep through most of those 'chimes'....not all . but most.

The narrow locks, the first of two staircase locks up from the River Severn

The R Severn from the entrance to the narrow locks

There is quite a flow here and a lot of trees being taken down stream at the moment.

Should every boat have one?

2012-01-09T18:30:00.001Z

We have just bought a venturi shower head for Yarwood.
The blurb says that...
"A conventional shower has a flow rate of 25 to 30 litres per minute so a five minute shower uses around 125 litres of water. The Venturi shower use only 6 or 8 litres per minute, so you save over 90 litres having a 5 minute shower, cutting water and energy consumption up to 70%."
The flow of water to the shower head is restricted but a 'vent' in the base of the shower head handle sucks in air which aerates the flow of water and increases the pressure again - result you feel satisfied with the flow and shower experience but have used less water.
Now that has got to worth a try ..

Insurance sorted..

2012-01-07T08:53:00.001Z

I posted a couple of days ago about starting the tiresome job of trawling through Insurance companies for boat quotes. Several of you mentioned Towergate Marden as a good source of cover but my initial trawl through, via a comparison site, had TM refusing to cover a 'liveaboard'. However, I took your advice and got in touch with TM directly, the old fashioned way, by the phone, and have decided to insure Yarwood with them. It is not cheap but then a very new boat isn't cheap either and I don't fancy having to cope with a total loss of boat and home without adequate cover. Towergate Marden have policies tailored for liveaboards, they appreciate correspondence addresses and they get continuous cruisers so they have my business.
And sadly, my money...
Thanks for the advice folks.

Dashing for the dock with a bit of NEWS - CAXTON SOLD!!!

2012-01-06T12:31:00.001Z

The night before last the wind was howling a hooley and we lay awake wondering if the wind might just relent a little by the morning
It didn't.
At 08.30 we slipped our mooring here in Stourport basin and headed off for a date with the dry dock. The wind gusted and growled and did everything to make mooring 68 feet of steel tube on the lock landing as difficult as possible. We managed, though it wasn't elegant, and dropped down through the first staircase lock and on towards the dock.

There be the dry dock

And there be Caxton heading out of the shelter of the lock and into the dock

Just getting Caxton positioned 4' from the dock wall and readied for the dock to be drained.

And here is the reason why, Caxton is being surveyed by Chris Berry on behalf of her new prospective owners!
Yes, Caxton is sold! The new owners are Paul and Elaine from Australia the writers of the Manley Ferry blog.

Chris spent 5 hours doing a thorough pre-purchase survey

Anodes OK

And while Chris Berry was busy freezing outside, his dog, Thomas Lurcher was making himself at home in the warm thank you very much...

See you can get a big dog in a small comfy space - Our two, who don't do furniture, were less than impressed

Christopher Berry Marine Surveyor..

Survey completed, and only two hose clips required, it was time to refill the dock and fight our way back through the wind to our mooring!

Smelling salts anyone?

2012-01-04T16:53:00.002Z

The insurance quotes are coming in....I am laying on the floor twitching!!

Insurance merry-go-round

2012-01-03T14:03:00.000Z

Here we go again, Insurance, this time for Yarwood. The usual dancing around the 0800 numbers, on-line form completion and quotes that get sent directly to a correspondance address...ye gods!!
I have quotes from Saga, Craftinsure and a couple of others, some don't want to know about liveaboards, some don't grasp Continuous cruisers, some do..
Any recommendations for Boat Insurers???

And the next job..

2012-01-02T08:00:00.000Z

After taking the dogs for a good long walk yesterday morning I returned to Caxton to find Himself had created a paper storm in the saloon. All the manuals were out, all the bank statements and the contents of the drawer where all miscellaneous things find a home... were spread about.

I left him to it and cleared off to Worcester to Dunelm Mills store in search of more curtain fabric for Yarwood, packing cases and some new bedding. My trip was successful and on my return I found Joe had filled a rubbish sack with unwanted/unneeded paper work and filed all of Caxton's manuals neatly.
Joe's next task was to clean the accumulation of brassware we have gathered for Yarwood and while he did this I tackled the fridge...I am still in there somewhere, help!!

But it wasn't oil filters!

2012-01-01T05:30:00.000Z

I am tryping to you today on my new Christmas present, a dinkie Sony Vaio laptop. Himself treated me to this replacement - I was taken aback when I opened the Christmas wrapped oil filter box to find a collection of old Canal Boat mags and nestled in amongst all this, a new laptop!!!

Dual-core AMD E-450 processor

Memory: 4GB

Battery life: Up to 6 hours battery life

only 1.6 kg

11.5 inch screen

It's Christmas!!

2011-12-31T09:01:00.000Z

It's Christmas day, the roast is in the oven, the veg is prepared and we (OK, mainly Me) are half way down a bottle of Crofts, the pressies have been handed out and it's pressie opening time. Our family tradition is to open our gifts by order of age and here we are just arriving at our twenty three year old size 8, (is there really such a size?) Anna with a gift from Oxfam???

Our Niece, Anna, with a surprise gift from Oxfam..ily

A food parcel for Anna who has been living in London for the last six months and surviving on air and pot noodles!!

Mother!!! Blimey, that Pedigree ale went down well..

Brother Bob with the youngest member of the family, Ramsay dog

Ramsay's turn to open his pressie

Anna

Nephew Jack and Floyd mutt

Next year we will be having Christmas aboard Yarwood as we have had the last three Christmas's aboard Caxton but this year as we are moored up in a marina and the car is to hand we decided to do the social thing and join the family. We have had a lovely time, if exhausting, but are now finally back aboard Caxton getting ready for the move on to the new boat.

First job today, sort out what is under the bed, oh heavens...

Needing a FIX

2011-12-22T19:17:00.001Z

I felt the need for a water/boat fix today. Options are a bit limited re canals in this part of Essex, either go up to London for a bit of Regents Canal and River Lee or drive to Chelmsford for the Chelmer and Blackwater navigation. On the other hand I could pop down to Leigh-on-Sea and enjoy the charms of the little fishing port and a bit of briney air. Leigh won.
Arrived in Leigh just as the tide was ebbing so I was lucky enough to see a bit water before the tide receded and the mud flats were revealed.

The Ray at Leigh-on-Sea, looking west towards Hadleigh downs and Hadleigh Castle.

The downs are where the 2012 Olympic mountain bike competition will be held.

The shrimpers tied up and the water receding

Water birds, ~~Oyster Catchers~~ Turnstones?

Endeavour, a shrimper of 1924 vintage.

This little lady went to Dunkirk in 1940 to rescue our boys from the beaches

The tide has gone leaving just a puddle in the Ray.

Memory lane, I played on this beach 50 years ago when visiting with my Nan, say after me, arrrgh...

Endeavour beached with the modern style shrimpers behind her

I spent an hour wandering about, had lunch with Mother in a local pub and treated us to some fresh local cockles, winkles and mud shrimps for our tea.

This Christmas Malarkey

2011-12-20T18:47:00.000Z

Went into Basildon this morning with 80 year old Mater, did Christmas present shopping. This afternoon spent hours wrestling with Xmas paper and sellotape attempting to wrap presents. Tomorrow morning off to the Tesco emporium to spend ridiculous amounts on festive fodder followed by a Friday excursion to purchase fresh vegetables and meat.
Fun, fun, fun....
Mrs Scrooge senior.

There's a hole in my bucket, dear Liza

2011-12-19T18:42:00.000Z

Just over three years ago when we were setting off on our new boating life aboard Caxton we bought a coal scuttle; as you do.
Midland Chandlers Penkridge, £53 investment - lie down and twitch - and we were away. Recently when wondering why there was a small heap of coat dust on the floor, I found the our £53 'bucket' had corroded and the bottom was falling out. The combination of ferrous metal and acid coal had worked their magic and our coal pail had sprung a leak. Given the the new boat, Yarwood, has a decided brass bent we thought that the replacement coal container should be a non ferrous brass, or copper, or zinc. Today whilst out and about I found a brass scuttle, a filthy brass scuttle mind you, and an assortment of fire irons - I struck a deal and now own a semi-filthy brass scuttle and a motley assortment of pokers etc.

After the first attack with Brasso

Still to see the Brasso

Happy Birthday Mum!!

2011-12-19T08:12:00.000Z

On Saturday Mum hit another milestone, her 80th birthday. To date, 25 birthday cards, two cakes, dinner at a local pub Saturday night, party at church Sunday morning and high tea with family on Sunday afternnoon.

Audrey May Choules, 80 years young with her 18 month old self on the cake.

Mum remembers that the dress she was wearing was yellow and the photo taken in the Roman Road, Bow (London E3) in 1932

I am leaving him...

2011-12-16T07:59:00.000Z

I am leaving him...

No, it is not one of those, 'enough is enough and I am out of here' moments ...well not this time anyway.
I am off to Essex again to see family and especially Mother who is 80 years old tomorrow!
I am going early for Mum's birthday and Joe and the boys are joining us next week in time for Christmas.
All next week I will doing the running around getting ready for the Christmas feasting - I will be hostess on behalf of Mum, who really hasn't got the energy for all that malarkey, and the rest of the family are joining us for Christmas day.
Joe will be taking the helm of the Yarwood blog again next week and I am hoping to be reading about the prop arriving from Crowther's, the galley doors being painted and the saloon stove making an appearance...
We are really not far off from the launch now and my excitement is building daily!!

Licenced at last

2011-12-15T08:28:00.000Z

Last week I spent an hour on-line trying to licence Caxton then I gave up. Yesterday I tried again. Eventually I discovered that my insurance policy number had been changed when I adjusted Caxton's value when I renewed in September. So off I go again completing the on-line forms right up to the point when I have to part with the money at which point Lloyds TSB decide that BW can't have the money...
I got Joe to try making the payment on his card/account but still no joy.
So, having dropped Joe at Barnowl's workshop so he can do a bit of blacking on Yarwood I drove into Kidderminster and headed straight for the Bank.
It seems that Lloyds security people had stopped that payment so I went through a string of security questions, showed the assistant Id and got the payment authorised.
Caxton is now licenced for 2012 and the new owner when we come to sell her...

This one..

2011-12-14T07:02:00.000Z

A new kettle for Yarwood.

Decision finally made, I ordered this little red number this morning.

Back Home

2011-12-13T18:20:00.000Z

I am back aboard Caxton having left Lincolnshire mid morning after a week in my Nurse Ratchet role. I am delighted to report the friend Valerie is making great progress after her shoulder replacement operation and we are are looking forward to her joining us for a weeks' convalescence aboard the new boat, Yarwood, in early Feb. A bit of lock-wheeling should put her right - perhaps not - maybe I will lock wheel and she can make the tea....

Daphne Does it Again..

2011-12-11T07:54:00.000Z

I was tempted to headline this post Daphne Does Dallas because it is alliterative but good taste, or what passes for good taste, prevented me, so it is Daphne Does it Again ...
And what does Cousin Daphne do again, why our personalised Christmas card. Last year it was Caxton in the ice in Brum and this year it is Fletcher and Floyd of the Caxton Crew checking out a takeaway Christmas lunch...

And as with last year, I would like to share these Christmas greetings with all our blog readers and fellow boaters....
Have a lovely Christmas everyone and a safe and ice free new year!!!

Mother's who'd have them?

2011-12-10T12:33:00.001Z

So here I am still in Lincolnshire performing my Nurse Ratchet role.
I called my Mother on Thursday, no answer.
I called my Mother on Friday, no answer.
I called Mother again this morning and got no reply so a quick call to my sister-in-law Christine in case she might be aware of my Mater's whereabouts...
Chris somewhat concerned, hares up to Mother's to find the place locked up and while my Nephew Jack tries to break-in in case there is a gruesome discovery to be made or a heroic rescue to execute, Chris tries in vain to raise her other half, my brother Robert.

Eventually, Robert gets back to her to say that Mother is out all day with her Church mates, so no emergency, no tragedy...
thank goodness.
Mother's who'd have them?

Op done

2011-12-07T08:14:00.000Z

We are now over in Lincolnshire to support my friend Valerie Ann. We went into the new Peterborough Hospital yesterday to see Val who had been operated on in the morning and now has a replacement shoulder joint. We are expecting to pick her up from hospital today all being well.
Alan, Val's husband, is currently working 12 hour night shifts as part of the busy Christmas build up at Royal Mail and therefore has not been able to take time off this week but no problem, that's what friends are for and anyway, I am a better cook than him so Val will not have to survive on porridge and beans on toast...

Autumn stroke winter and a visit to Lincolnshire

2011-12-06T08:25:00.001Z

The frosts of the last few days have almost succeeded in stripping the last of the leaves from the trees and compared to last year, when we were iced in and under a blanket of winter snow, the autumn has been long and glorious.

Dog walking territory

Today I am off to Lincolnshire to play Nursy. My friend of too many years to count (38+) is going into hospital today for a shoulder replacement operation and I am going over to be housekeeper, nurse and general factotum. I have been joking with Val that I will come armed with laptop, clipboard and phone and spend most of my day on the laptop and talking to friends on the phone, rehashing TV programmes, talking about last nights' conquest - in my dreams, and generally avoiding my 'patient's' needs. What is more, drinks and food will be placed just out of reach and removed uneaten and cold. Val in turn has been referring to me as Nurse Ratchet..

In fairness to the NHS, I expect that the care Val will get will be superb and I hope that the skill of the surgeon helps Val out of pain, brought about by rheumatic arthritis and the resultant soft tissue damage.

The Doughnut scoffing contestants are...

2011-12-04T08:56:00.000Z

Watching the blogs we spotted that fellow bloggers and continuous cruisers, NB Seyella , Nb Rock n Roll and Nb Moore2 Life had moved on to the Shroppie for their second Christmas together. Last year while Caxton was iced -in in the centre of Birmingham, these three stalwarts were iced-in at Wheaton Aston.
Now the Shroppie isn't far away from our current base in Stourport and by car we knew that we could outrun any attempts they might make to escape us so we set out to find them yesterday and by lunchtime had tracked them down at Brewood.
(Truth told, we had spoken to each over by phone and arranged a visit, we didn't just descend on them)
As we crossed the bridge by the The Bridge Inn at Brewood there were Rock n Roll and Seyella rafted together awaiting us. Charles on Moore2Life had slipped the net and moved on to Wheaton Aston but he had a date with his wife Ann who was returning from a family visit down south.

Our host Geoff, tea maker extraordinaire..

And now to the contestants of the doughnut scoffing extravaganza... I give you

George of Nb Rock n Roll

Mag's doing a doughnut masterclass

and Mag's of Seyella, the winner of our contest as she valiantly managed two doughnuts in record time.

Carol

and then Carol of Nb Rock n Roll, good effort Carol..

Megs

and then the important crew members who didn't get to eat doughnuts, Megs of Seyella and

Molly

Molly of Rock n Roll.

We had a lovely visit, put the world to rights and caught up with everyone's news, enjoyed super home made soup, thank you Mags, and great company, thanks.
Until next time, have a good winter everyone..

Pension Calculator

2011-12-02T06:36:00.001Z

I was talking to Jill and Graham of Nb Matilda Rose a couple of days ago about when we might get our State Pensions and there was some confusion. Now maybe that is just an age thing or it could be that this subject is a moving feast and a lot of us are a bit befuddled...
So to aid clarity I post this Pension Calculator for anyone who wants know when they will graduate to OAP status!

Green Conscience

2011-12-01T06:14:00.002Z

When I lived 'on the bank' I was quite good about recycling. This was aided and abetted by the strictures of the local authority's recycling scheme, not necessarily, in complete fairness, my eco-conscience.
Since living on a boat I must admit that I have been less than diligent about separating my paper from my plastics from my glass from...my teabags. This has obviously been playing on my mind because I have been looking for a solution to this failure of social responsibility and today I found it...
I realised that perhaps in excess of 90% of what went in the old Brabantia was recyclable - if I could find some way of separating the used teabags and vegetable peelings I was on the home straight. With two Labradors on board we don't accumulate 'waste food' so compostable products are limited.
Today I tracked down the solution..a compost caddy.

Urba Kitchen Caddy (Small) - 7L Ideal for Food Waste Recycling
Size- 280mm (w) x 205mm (d) x 215mm (h)Dusty Grey Colour with robust black handleDishwasher Safe

I can easily and hygienically separate the paper from the plastic from the glass and tin when it comes to disposing of this waste and the peelings can go in the land fill or...under a hedge..

Visiting MR!

2011-11-30T17:49:00.000Z

Yesterday we set off from Stourport in search of Narrowboat Matilda Rose, heading for Lower Heyford on the South Oxford canal we arrived at 11am to find Graham practising his F1 pit stop routine....as we approached in the car he was playing at being the F1 pit crews front jackman using his sack trolley as the jack - in the interests of authenticity we should have been approaching him at 60mph but we thought that might have spoilt the game somewhat - visit friend and 'splat' him in a country lane..perhaps not.
Anyway we parked up and got the sack of dog food out of the car - the real reason Graham had his sack trolley with him (unless anyone knows anything different..), and toddled off down the towpath to find the boat.
Floyd managed to 'fall' in the canal before we got to the boat so we arrived with a wet dog and had to dry the little tyke before boarding.

Practising my 'I am higher class than you' routine on Jill

Happy Graham

Joe hiding behind a pint

We had a lovely visit and enjoyed catching up with our cruising buddies. If all goes to plan, we will be rejoining them in the spring and heading off to the R. Nene and the Fens for summer 2012.

Red Cross R us

2011-11-28T17:48:00.000Z

We went into Kidderminster today to get a food parcel for Nb Matilda Rose - well not so much for the boat but for the folks that live in it; sack of dog food for Baxter and Muttley, wine and lunch for the other reprobates, Graham and Jill. We are off to see them tomorrow... South Oxford canal somewhere..

Wanna rail

2011-11-27T14:13:00.001Z

Joe found an extending clothes rail on Ebay. This particular one is priced at £4.99 and the very same rail ranges from a fiver to forty two pounds, unbelievable....
We have ordered two of these, one for the wet cupboard and one for one of the wardrobes on board Yarwood.
You might note....the postage is free as well

Marital bliss breaking out...

2011-11-25T17:10:00.000Z

We have just been into Kidderminster to buy a second telly for the new boat. A small, discreet, cheap telly that means himself can clear off and watch motor cycle racing ( MotorGP) without me having to share the experience. Don't get me wrong, I like bikes and racing, especially F1, but the Motor GP commentary always drives me to distraction, I want to gently grab the over excited commentators by the throat!!
I will also be able to watch can watch Strictly without inconveniencing himself..

Bit the bullet..

2011-11-24T17:49:00.000Z

My brother David had been persuaded to donate an old but very comfortable chair to my care - it took a bit of persuading and I still only got my second choice but nevertheless, this venerable old Parker Knole chair was going to be completely refurbished and recovered and was going to be my very own comfortable chair aboard the new boat Yarwood.
Joe had managed to find another second hand chair that he found comfortable and this too was going to be refurbed and recovered in matching fabric. Two chairs, both comfortable to their owners and covered in the same fabric, ideal solution; until...
the venerable Parker Knole collapsed - wood worm infestation had done its worst and the legs fell off when it was moved yesterday.

So we had a kind of 'sod it' moment, bit the bullet and today we visited Wilsons of Kinver, tried out the chairs for comfort and ordered two Captains Chairs... see below

They will be delivered in January directly to Yarwood where they will be put together by the very nice man at Wilsons...

Caught slobbing

2011-11-23T07:59:00.000Z

There I was yesterday morning wandering about alluringly in my jimjams and dressing gown - alright perhaps not so much alluringly as more Flo Capp - when a knock came on the side of the boat.
"Hello" I called out
"Hello Lesley, it's Karen and Ian from Nb Tacet we thought to say hello as we are passing through Stourport."
Oh Goodness, it is approaching 10.00am and I have been caught at this late hour slobbing in my PJ's...
"I'm sorry I'm not dressed yet." I shamefully admitted, "Where are you moored I will come and find you."
They told me where they were and I hurriedly showered and dressed, waited for Joe to return with Floyd and then scurried up the towpath to find Nb Tacet on the York Street moorings.

Karen, Jumble and Ian aboard their boat Tacet

Karen and Ian and Jumble the dog invited me on board for a chat and a cuppa before they pulled pins and headed off towards Stourbridge. They have been busy filling their 'gap year' while their kids are at University and you can read about their life aboard on their blog here.

It was lovely to see you all and best wishes for this your first winter aboard.

Little Man's lugs

2011-11-22T12:36:00.001Z

Little Man, aka Floyd had to visit the Vet this morning because he has spent the last few days shaking his head and battering all and sundry with his lugs (ears). Who needs alarm clocks when they can be awoken at two in the morning by the sound of Labrador ears slapping about? Anyway, nothing to worry about , just a bit of wax build-up which the Vet cleared out and because he was such a good dog, he got a doggy 'lollystick' treat.
He is back now with his ear drops and we are £47 the poorer... But, he's worth it!

I have a fancy for...

2011-11-20T09:58:00.000Z

I have a fancy for a RED kettle for our new boat, Yarwood.

It could be this one

or perhaps this one?

Got a call from 'Tom'

2011-11-19T08:11:00.001Z

I got a call Thursday evening from 'Tom' at Specsavers to say my new gogs were ready for collection so on Friday morning I toddled up to the High Street to retrieve them. I had originally gone for varifocal lenses - I need spectacles for distance but I was finding that although I could see clearly to drive I couldn't see the sat-nav so I was constantly peeering under or over them to check route instructions....tiresome at best and dangerous at worst.
After a fortnight of using varifocals, suffering dizzy spells and having to remember to hold my head at 90 degrees to the ground to stop from tripping over tree roots when walking the dogs I threw in the towel, and the specs, and opted for bifocals.
So yesterday I was out and about in my discreet bifocal bings buying floor coverings for Yarwood, walking the dogs and driving - no dizzy spells and no tripping over tree roots, these might just do the trick...

Irritable customer syndrome - pt3

2011-11-17T11:18:00.001Z

The series continues, but thankfully this is the finale!

In part two I had written to the Managing Director of John Lewis's, Mr Andy Street, outlining my dissatisfaction with the service I had received from, of all things, his Customer Service team.
The John Lewis Head Office must have just opened on Monday morning when I received the first of two responses..

Thank you for your email to Andy Street who has asked me to respond on his behalf as customer service falls within my remit.
I am sorry to learn of the trouble you have encountered with your order from johnlewis.com for three electrical appliances and I completely understand your irritation with us, especially as your concerns haven't been properly addressed.
Shaun Struthers has responsibility for customer service at johnlewis.com and so is best placed to investigate matters and he, or a senior member of his team, will be in contact with you very shortly. I will be updated with the outcome and I will inturn keep Andy Street informed.
In the meantime, thank you for taking the time to bring this matter to our
attention and I trust we will find a way of restoring your confidence in our service.
With kind regards

Karen Eardley

That's more like it I thought as yet another email drops into my inbox from John Lewis.

Thank you for your email addressed to Andy Street in relation to the manner
in which we have managed things for you recently. I trust that it is acceptable for me to respond in my role as a personal correspondent for Mr Street, in order to avoid any further delay.

As your email was addressed to Mr Street, I will of course ensure his
office is kept informed of my actions.

First of all please allow me to convey my sincere apologies for any inconvenience caused. I have taken the time to review all detail held against your order, which does not make for good reading. It is completely understandable why you feel so let down.
It was extremely concerning and to be completely honest, genuinely embarrassing to learn of the difficulties experienced and that the dishwasher order was cancelled and refunded without prior notice.

I have spoken to a representative from Bosch today and have been informed that the original delivery was scheduled as a home delivery and not one to a trade address.

The order has now been reinstated with Bosch and will be delivered on Thursday 17th November. You should be contacted on Wednesday to advise of the time slot for delivery.I have noted that you have been refunded for the dishwasher and in order to avoid any further inconvenience, I have arranged for you to be contacted by a colleague at Head Office to manually bill for the dishwasher.

These actions I trust you find acceptable.

Given events, I feel it is fair that an allowance is justified. Therefore, as a more tangible expression of my apology, I have applied a refund of £75.00 (RMA 3430782) onto your nominated card. Please allow up to five days for the transaction to be processed by your card issuer.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for taking the time to write to us, to highlight your concerns, and whilst I appreciate I am unable to alleviate the frustration and disappointment caused, I trust that I can at least reassure you that your experience will be instrumental in allowing us to improve the service we provide to other customers and, I hope, to you in the future.

Yours sincerely,

Christine Chamberlain
Customer Relations Manager

Oh no, I've already got a dishwasher from another supplier! I dashed off a quick response asking them to cancel the order and confirm the cancellation. This they did by return and the next day I sent the following;

Dear Christine
Let me start by apologising to you for my less than gracious initial response to your email yesterday. At the time I was rushing 'out of the door' when it came through and all I had time to do was try and save a wasted delivery. Thank you for cancelling that by the way.

I wanted to let you know that you have indeed alleviated my frustrations with John Lewis. You say you have 'taken the time to review all the detail' and that is music to my ears. If I had been in your shoes I too would have been embarrassed by what I learnt and it is heartening that you felt the same way. I didn't set out to be a difficult winging customer and I didn't set out to extract compensation but nevertheless your 'tangible expression' is appreciated. I hope that changes are made nearer the sharp-end of John Lewis's customer care, not to individuals but to approach and procedure, that said, let me
assure you that I am back onboard as a satisfied John Lewis customer!

Thank you for your intervention

Yours sincerely

So John Lewis have redeemed themselves in my eyes and hopefully the 'sharp end' of their customer contact will get a bit more training/attention. Gone was the thoughtless templated approach, I have had a proper answer, and proper apology, well done JL!

Too good to miss

2011-11-16T08:46:00.000Z

What a glorious autumn day yesterday turned out to be. It was too good to miss the opportunity to get out an about so I left Joe preparing some things he is about to put on Ebog and set off for a proper walk with the two dogs. We walked north along the Severn Way from Stourport to Upper Arley about 8-9 miles all told. Everyone we met had a smile on their face; that's what a bit of sunshine can do..

The sun is still getting to grips with the early mist over the river.

Bewdley Town Bridge

Victoria Bridge taking the Severn Valley Railway across the river. Cast and erected by the Coalbrookedale Company

The boys lead the way through the wooded river bank towards Upper Arley

Joe picked us up in the car some three hours later and after a welcome cuppa we left the boys to guard the fire in Caxton while we went up to see the progress on Yarwood.

Irritable customer syndrome...part 2

2011-11-15T10:11:00.001Z

My comment "I feel another email coming on.." in the first part of this tale a couple of days ago was reinforced by a comment posted by Nev , a fellow blogger, urging me to 'write to the MD of John Lewis.   I took Nev's advice and emailed the Head Honcho on Sunday.

Dear Mr Street
I have been dealing with your Customer Services people about an order I
placed on 25th October for a washing machine, a tumble dryer and a
dishwasher. The first two items were delivered; so far so good.   However,
my order for the dishwasher was cancelled, by your supplier apparently, and I
was sent an email at 15.04 on 9th November informing me of this by your
Customer Services unit.

I copied the email I had received about the cancellation of my order and then went to say...

I was somewhat taken aback. No pre-warning, no options, no goods!
My response below.

I copied to Andy Street MD the email I had sent in response to the cancelled order, reproduced in part below.

....I fail to see why a delivery company operating on John Lewis's behest can
decide not to deliver items that have been paid for in full, to an address
that John Lewis are prepared to deliver to and in fact did deliver to.
Furthermore, I was given no opportunity to do anything; fait accompli,
order cancelled, money refunded. This is simply NOT good enough.

Yours,
a very irritated customer...
I then went on to say..

'So clearly I have some issues about what has just occurred.   This to my
mind is pretty shoddy service by anyone's standards.  And the response from your Customer Service unit...

Again I copied the email from John Lewis's Customer Service team that has added insult to injury and finished my email to the MD thus....

I am signing off as an 'very irritated customer', I have raised specific
issues and yet your Customer Service team deem the appropriate response to
be a polite but generic, bland, corporate, templated apology with all the
usual meaningless claims and assurances that doesn't even attempt to deal
with the specifics of my complaint.
Perhaps you can appreciate how the irritation factor might rise a few
degrees?
I wanted a proper response: well frankly I wanted a dishwasher delivered
and not to be dealing with this corporate treacle, but needs must.
So could you please bring your influence to bear and get your Customer
Services team to provide an appropriate response to a poorly served
customer?
Yours sincerely

Will they respond? To be continued..

T-Mobile pointer

2011-11-13T08:17:00.000Z

Apologies for the image - lifted from T-Mobile site

We have just bought the new T-Mobile wireless pointer for use with our mobile broadband. The advantage of this little baby over the 3 MiFi is it will take an external aerial. Joe has dismantled the Zoom we had been using and replaced it with the new T-Mobile pointer. So at one end of Caxton we have a T-Mobile WiFi and at the other a 3 WiFi....and in the middle, two whiffy dogs.

Irritable customer syndrome...

2011-11-12T11:36:00.001Z

When a customer signs off a letter of complaint 'yours sincerely, a very irritated customer' you might think that the Company in question would tread carefully in it's reply..
But no, they send out a templated apology saying how very disappointed they are and then go on to trumpet their mission to keep every customer exquisitely happy at all times - my interpretation - and that my 'feedback' will be passed to 'the feedback team'..
Well isn't that just dandy, a feedback team indeed.

Of course, the response doesn't deal with the specifics of the complaint - templates don't do that.

I really don't understand why a company thinks that this is the right way to deal with complaints about service but apparently it is; you only have to have seen a couple of episodes of the BBC's Watchdog programme where Companies caught in the glare of bad publicity all troop out the same type of trite meaningless twaddle. "We are so, so sorry but 99.999% of our customers are ecstatic with our..."

So the specifics
On 25th October we ordered, on-line, a washing machine, a dishwasher and a tumble dryer from John Lewis. On 31st October the washing machine and the tumble dryer were delivered as arranged to our boat builder's premises on an industrial estate.

On 9th November at 15.04 I received an e-mail from John Lewis's Customer Services Team stating..

I regretfully have to inform you that we have received an email form (sic) our supplier for your ordered Bosch XYZFX dishwasher informing us that the order has been canceled (sic). This is unfortunately because they are unable to provide items to trade addresses

The email goes on apologise for any inconvenience, say they cannot fulfil the order and that a refund is being arranged.

My reply concludes with the following..

I fail to see why a delivery company operating on John Lewis's behest can decide not to deliver items that have been paid for in full to an address that John Lewis are prepared to deliver to and in fact did deliver to. Furthermore, I was given no opportunity to do anything; fait accompli, order cancelled, money refunded.
This is simply not good enough.

And the response from John Lewis Customer Services

They are sorry to hear about the problems I have experienced
John Lewis is well known for its excellent customer service
It is dissapointing to read about problems experienced by our customers
We take all complaints seriously
We endeavour to provide a first class service
We want to renew our apologies
If you want to discuss, give us a ring
Your 'feedback' has been passed to our Feedback team.

Well that's sorted that then!

I feel another email coming on....

So useful..

2011-11-09T08:38:00.000Z

We went up to Barnowl's workshop yesterday afternoon to see the progress on Nb. Yarwood. The glass basin for the showeroom had been delivered so we opened the enormous package to check that it had arrived undamaged before repacking it and putting it in a safe place...
What had also arrived was a package from Asda Direct - the four folding stools we had ordered at a total cost of £32, only £8 each and ideal for the confines of a narrowboat as many narrowboaters will avow to.

We already have these aboard Caxton and they are so useful as they store neatly under the gunwale.

How MUCH!!!

2011-11-07T09:40:00.002Z

I have had for sometime, a set of fireside tiles earmarked as a likely candidate for Nb. Yarwood's saloon.    On Saturday I decided get them ordered.
The web site I found them on had them priced at £82 but you had to phone a sales person to order them.   So I go outside of the boat to get a clear signal, scrap of paper with tile reference and delivery address scrawled on it and the credit card to hand.
When I got through I was informed that the tiles were now £110 - quite a hike - and delivery would be £15!

"Fifteen pounds is a bit steep!" I said....
"It's an overnight courier service." they replied..
"I really don't need an overnight courier service." I said..
"It would cost the same with the Post Office" came the response..

At this point I felt a 'cut-off-my-nose-to-spite-my-face' moment coming on..... In excess of a 20% hike in the price of the tiles and a no-option delivery service with a silly charge...
No thank you.
I declined to do business with them.

Joe then found the very same tile set on another site, price £90 and free delivery!
Result!!
And, my nose is now nicely back in place......

Argyll Tile Set

On line shopping

2011-11-06T14:37:00.001Z

Yesterday we sat down in front of the PC and ordered more goodies for Yarwood. Winging its way to us next week will be...

the glass basin for the shower room.

Seeing the light...s

2011-11-04T09:50:00.001Z

I have just ordered these Tiffany style wall lights for our new boat, NB. Yarwood.

Wall light

Matching table lamp

and a matching table lamp. We, (who am I kidding?) no not 'we', but Himself, will refit each light with LED light units.

All quizzed out..

2011-11-02T12:12:00.000Z

We have been away visiting friends in Lincolnshire this last weekend and on Saturday night we were in Market Deeping at a quiz night. Half way through the proceedings we were in the LEAD but after two poor rounds in the second half we ended up the 'first of the losers', i.e. 2nd place. It's not about the winning but about the taking part...yeh right...

Valerie Ann

Gloria

Sisters

L-R Alan, Libby, John, a bottle of wine and Gloria

L-R Libby, John, Val, Gloria, Himself and Alan

Never again..

2011-10-27T18:17:00.000+01:00

We drove to Merryhill Shopping Centre today, spent over an hour trying to park. Screaming ankle biters everywhere - half term Doh...
Stayed an hour and spent another hour trying to escape...

Walked the Droitwich

2011-10-27T08:48:00.000+01:00

On Saturday last I got Himself to drop the dogs and I off at the start of the Droitwich Barge Canal (Severn end) so that we could walk the length of the two canals (Barge and narrow) to Handley Wharf.

New lock landings

The barge canal is very attractive, winding gently through glorious Worcestershire countryside. It is lined throughout with reeds on the towpath side so no moorings available, mores the pity.

The remains of a redundant swing bridge

And the site of the redundant swing bridge with cautionary notice...

Once through Droitwich town and past the only moorings we are on to the Droitwich narrow canal and going past the construction site of the new Droitwich Spa marina.

White goods ordered

2011-10-25T17:38:00.000+01:00

With the lining-out of our new boat, Yarwood, only a week away, our boat fitter Stuart asked us to go ahead and source the white goods. So this morning we ordered the new washing machine, tumble dryer and dishwasher - John Lewis will deliver to Barnowl Narrowboats next Monday.
We have opted for a washer that will take a 7kg load and give a 1600rpm spin to minimise drying time. The tumble dryer is a condensing model with sensor drying i.e. it 'senses' the water content of the load and dries accordingly. We have been using a similar model on Caxton for the last three years and have no complaints.
And as with Caxton, we have again found space in the new boat to fit a full sized dishwasher. Generally we run the dishwasher once a day, it uses only 10 litres of water per wash/per day, we therefore don't do any additional washing-up, there are no dirty cups, dishes, pans etc. hanging about to be washed, dried and put away and it does an excellent job so well worth the boat space in our book!

Coffee with the Booth's

2011-10-25T11:06:00.000+01:00

Sunday morning we drove up to Wolverley for a date with a coffee....and Evelyn and Graham Booth of Nb. Rome. Many of you will recognise Graham because of his association with the Waterways World magazine and Evelyn through her narrowboat antique business, Lockside Antiques. We had missed them at the Stourbridge open weekend the previous week because I was in Essex so we were invited for a coffee-an-catch-up, dogs welcome!

L-R Ruby, Evelyn, Floyd, Joe, Fletcher, Amber and Graham

Floyd doesn't need to be asked twice to make himself welcome, on arrival he was straight into the kitchen - a likely source of food and half empty doggy dins bowls but fortunately the Booth's Labradors are true to their breed and nothing is left in food dept. His next trick was to purloin a new and fascinating squeaky toy which left Amber less than amused by this interloper.

We left after a couple of hours catching up with each other, Joe going back to Stourport in the car and me walking the dogs back along the Staffs and Worcs. towpath arriving which took just under two hours.

Lovely to see you both again!!

I came bearing gifts...

2011-10-22T18:02:00.000+01:00

Fletcher in repose

The 'gifts' in question were two new winter beds for the dogs. Being at my Mother's for a week was a perfect opportunity to get something delivered so after a quick internet surf/paddle I ordered these two beds from Zooplus.

The coldest part of a narrowboat is the floor and the dogs sleep on the floor - not by choice I might add, they frequently find themselves on a lap and occasionally have been caught on a chair... but the main site for canine slumbers is the floor and so draught proof comfortable, washable beds are a must.

Is this my best side I wonder...?

The far reaches of ESSEX

2011-10-13T19:15:00.000+01:00

I headed off this morning, leaving Joe with Caxton, to visit my family in Essex. 176 miles and three hours later I arrived at Mother's, let the dogs out of the car so they could chase the cat and create general mayhem before I lugged the matching luggage (three colour co-ordinated Tesco shopping bags) in for our week's stay - lucky Mother!
Stuart of Barnowl Narrowboats has been left with a camera so that progress on the new boat, Yarwood, can be recorded and sent to me in the far reaches of Essex and I can update the Yarwood blog.
Joe has been left to remove the Vacu-Flush exploding loo and replace with a more reliable cludgie...- lucky Joe!

We've been a visiting!!

2011-10-06T19:36:00.000+01:00

Graham, Joe and Jill

We headed for Alrewas on the Trent and Mersey Canal today to meet up with Graham aand Jill of Nb. Matilda Rose our cruising mates of the last three years. We haven't seen each since May, they have been up the Trent and we have been in the basin, Stourport basin.

Having had a lovely lunch, prepared by Jill and cooked by Graham - teamwork.. Jill and I took the four dogs for a walk along the towpath, all four dogs got into the River and all four dogs needed a brisk towelling before getting back on the boat.

Ooo look Mum, wet water...

Two dry, one one to go for me - and Jill gets to dry Baxter dog

Painted, lagged and loaded

2011-10-05T18:45:00.000+01:00

Does his bum look big in this?

On Monday, after a Sunday off from doing his chores, Joe was back in the hold to complete the lagging and painting. I was sent off with the dogs yet again (thinks, is he trying to tell me something?) saying that I would walk south along the Severn Way to Holt Bridge, some 5.5 miles away and then give him a call to pick us up. So off we went making Holt bridge a couple of hours later, stopped for a half of shandy, and a packet of pork scratchings for the dogs, and I then called Himself for our return lift.

"I haven't done the painting yet!" he splutters when I ask for his taxi services.

Ok, darling I replied. ( Believe me, it's true..)

After which we tramped back to base - 11 miles - to find that all was finished in the hold department - at last.

Admiring his work - the hold with a new coat of paint.

Just got to reload all the kit and caboodle back in now.

Still keeping out of the way...

2011-10-02T09:56:00.000+01:00

The Worcester Way, Rodge Hill

Himself was in Caxton's hold again this morning which means the content of said hold was piled up on the bank and the dogs and I were sent packing yet again. Joe was planning to relocate the water pump and doing routine maintenance by painting the floor of the hold so we left him to it and set off on our wanders again.

A view of the breathtaking Worcestershire countryside - The Teme valley

Fletcher at the bottom of a steep bank leading into the R. Teme

R. Teme

And here we have found a way down to the river and the dogs are cooling off in the stream.

Six and a half.....mile walk

2011-10-01T09:26:00.000+01:00

Chinnook

Now that Joe has both his arms in operation following the removal of the cast on his right arm, he has been determined to get a few more jobs done on Caxton; these 'jobs' required that the dogs and myself were out of the way for a number of hours. So leaving Himself to empty the hold I set off to try another circular walk this time around the village of Martley which is south of Stourport. The starting point was the village church of St. Peter's and the walk took us through a number of apple orchards which were laden with ripening fruit.

Acres and acres of Worcestershire apple orchards - lovely

We walked out across farmland that has been harvested, ploughed, harrowed and drilled with next year's crop and then up onto the scarp of Rodge Hill, down into the Teme valley and back towards Martley.

St. Peter's

When back at Martley I went into the sandstone Norman church of St. Peter's to have look around and I found what would have been a common sight before the Puritan's imposed their views and their buckets of lime wash on church buildings - frescos!

Wow

These would have been painted in vibrant colours originally

Chuffers

2011-09-30T08:19:00.000+01:00

It has taken us long enough but finally on Saturday last we took ourselves off for a day on the famous Severn Valley Railway. We exercised the dogs before leaving them aboard Caxton ( the dogs were less than impressed about this turn of events) and then driving into Kidderminster to get our train to Bridgenorth. It was a special event weekend and all the stations enroute were heaving with train buffs and their camera equipment. We had a first class carriage that we shared with four others all of whom were ex British Rail people and extremely knowledgable about all things railway; there was a lively discussion about the pros and cons of proposed High Speed Rail link between London and Birmingham - apparently there is already a railway line, a redundant four track, that could be used. If that is the case it beggars belief that anyone is proposing to tear up so much beautiful countryside to save 20 mins on a journey - unless of course that group have a vested interest in securing large goverment contracts...

Anyway, on to steam trains.

This is the engine that hauled our train on Saturday - and, as I was about probably about the only person on the train, on the platforms or standing in the fields all along the route taking photo's, that is not a train buff, I can't tell you what it is - shame on me.

And yet another chuffer - with smoke deflectors this time.

We had another dose of trains yesterday afternoon because we drove out to Highley to see the Engine House - Joe saw the Engine House, I sat in the sunshine with the dogs taking photo's of passing trains.

A packed Highley Station - there was an excited rabble of school children, all dressed as evacuee's for the day.

And here's their train

And there goes their train - built at Crewe in 1934.

Dogs discover desirable dead deer...

2011-09-29T12:09:00.000+01:00

Yesterday being another gloriously hot day in this 'Indian Summer' of ours we thought a woodland walk would suit both the dogs and our rather warm bodies. The Wyre Forest is only a 12 minute run in the car so we headed off to find carpark and vistor center for the start of our walk. Having paid to park the car and then paid to get a trail map we set off on the 'blue route', a 4.5mile circular walk.

It was lovely as you can see from the photo below.

However, as we neared the halfway point two dogs did a disappearing act returning a couple of minutes later accompanied by a god-awful stench. Odour of dead deer, adornment of rancid fatty deposits and fawn coloured hair and mud, mustn't forget the mud.

On arriving back at the boat, somewhat faint from the confines of the car journey with the smelly pair, we hurriedly set up the hose and filled a bucket with soapy water and then set about ~~drowning~~ washing them. It was several hours before they were allowed anywhere near Caxton and if that meant sitting outside in the evening sunshine, well that wasn't too bad a price to pay was it?

But why do they do it?

Going in circles....again

2011-09-28T08:42:00.000+01:00

We have been taking ourselves off walking with the dogs of late - you may note that I say WE, as opposed to I... Yes, indeed, Himself has been joining the us in our explorations. I have found some more circular walks we have tried and I have taken it into my head to walk the length of the River Severn - in bite \sized chunks though.

We came across this charcoal burner in the woods

and the heap of prepared wood to go into it.

This magnificent oak by the banks of the Severn had a diameter of at least 6 feet - any guesses at how old it is?

Our walks along the R Severn from Bewdley north towards Bridgenorth is often in the company of a Severn Valley Railway steam train.

This lovely bridge across a tributary to the Severn was built in Coalbrookdale

The lovely wooded banks of the Severn

Lovely Worcestershire but Oh my knees

2011-09-22T09:43:00.001+01:00

Yesterday having decided that visible progress on our new boat, Yarwood, would minimal we took ourselves out on a circular walk around the village of Abberley. The clever Tourist Information Office have published a series of leaflets on circular walks here abouts (It may be a National initiative for all I know) and I persuaded himself (who doesn't much like exercise) to give it a try. We set off in the car to find Abberley village and the starting point of the Village Hall carpark. Clutching leaflet in hand off we went for this 5 mile jaunt that took us across farm land, down village lanes and UP, yes UP, onto wooded Limestone ridges.

Just setting out and we find ourselves walking along the edge of a field of semi- harvested hops

The mechanical hop harvester - no more tribes of inner city families employed to harvest the hops as in days past

Take a look at that wooded ridge in the distance - that's where we are headed but my knees don't realise it yet

Ewes enjoying the shade of a yew tree

Worcestershire spread before us

And after completing the walk and taking heed of the leaflet about buying local produce we enjoyed a pint of Wye Valley bitter while the dogs tucked into a packet of pork scratchings!!

A circular route or what?

2011-09-19T11:48:00.000+01:00

Last Friday I took Joe into Kidderminster which has the nearest Hospital, small injuries unit, A&E to Stourport. The idea was to arrange an appointment to have the cast removed from his broken arm.
He came out 40 minutes later with an appointment to see a 'bonologist' at The Royal Worcester Hospital; they don't do bones... fair enough.

Today, Monday, we were up bright and early and I took Joe to The Royal Worcester Hospital to see said bone doctor.
He was out 40 minutes later with an appointment to see bone man/woman at Kidderminster Hospital to have his cast removed.....

Don't ask.

Signed ON

2011-09-18T08:59:00.000+01:00

I have 'signed-on' with the Doctors' Surgery here in Stourport. I made enquiries and found that this practice was prepared to accept us using our boat name and Stourport Basin as an address. They have taken an email address and telephone number as a point of contact. Now at least we have a Doctor that we can get to with a boat should we ever need longer term medical treatment.

Suffolk

2011-09-17T09:35:00.001+01:00

We returned last week having spent best part of a month away from Caxton initially in Norfolk and then in Suffolk. Our visit to Anglia was extended because of Joe and his broken arm, it requiring three visits to the nearest hospital which happened to be Colchester in Essex.

We thoroughly enjoyed Suffolk with its many beautiful villages and small market towns. The evidence of its prosperous past is everywhere in the size of its churches and the number and grandness of its timber-framed houses - WOOL, valuable WOOL for that is the commodity in the middle ages that provided the finances that built enormous churches and fancy houses and those in the wool trade.

The tower of Lavenham Church

Hadleigh Church

Me in the morning,....... afternoon and evening

The Tudor gate house of the Deanery in Hadleigh. Sadly the 'Dean' ran out of money before he could build the house to go with it!!!

We managed to get a flying visit in to see family in south Essex before I had to hitch up the shed (caravan) and drag it back to its base in Lincolnshire overnighting with friends before returning to Stourport. With Joe out of action with a broken right arm I have been doing all the driving including towing the caravan, filling water bowsers, emptying cassettes etc. The extended driving (180 mile trips) was getting a bit of a trial for me, gone are the days when I could drive for 4/5 hours, do a full days' work and then drive home again. But we are now back at base and hopefully Himself will have his cast off in a couple of weeks time.

What are you thinking of!

2011-09-01T17:48:00.000+01:00

I received the following comment from Anonymous about my last post on sample cabinet doors for Nb Yarwood,

"What are you thinking of!"

As it is posed as an exclamation rather than a question I wasn't sure how to respond.. Do they actually want an explanation of our rationale for getting sample doors made or are they trying to say something else perhaps?

OK the comment is a trifle, shall we say, curt. But I can put that aside. And yes OK, the writer of the comment hasn't owned it by adding their name, it arrives anonymously. But in the spirit of civility I will treat it as a genuine question rather than a than as a exclamation of horror from a member of the taste-police.

So, what we are thinking is:
We should get some sample doors made so we can decide what we want fitted in Yarwood.

The first sample, burr walnut and sapele, as shown in my last post has been rejected - far too dark.

As soon as is convenient we will revisit the door options and have a another couple of samples made using different veneers and keep on until we get the one we like.

Sample door for Yarwood

2011-08-29T11:51:00.000+01:00

Sample door, sapele and burr walnut

We have had a sample door made for the new boat, Nb. Yarwood. Next week when we see the Stuart Harper of Barnowl Narrowboats, our boat fitter, we will decide whether we go with this or not. We are in favour of bucking the trend for ash or oak but we will see what Stuart has to say.

This is the door furniture of choice, a solid brass, Victorian style, 25mm (1inch) knob!

A Bit of Wow...

2011-08-28T13:00:00.001+01:00

With the shell almost complete on our new boat Nb. Yarwood and the livery decisions made we have been turning our attention to the inside of the boat. Of course much thinking has been already done about the layout and equipment levels but we are into detail now.

So the shower room.

We have chosen the wetwall lining (wetwall boards rather than tiling) and that is white with silver flecks. White loo, chrome fittings to match the silver flecks in the wall covering and a bright red glass wash basin for a bit of wow...

Bubble glass swatch.

Counter top red glass basin

Have your own hotspot, how could one refuse?

2011-08-26T19:22:00.001+01:00

The latest addition to Caxton, a 3MiFi dongle as recommended by fellow, boater/blogger Greygal. Her fulsome praise of this device got us in the 3 shop today and we came away with the beast.

We are already customers of 3 so this is basically an upgrade and allows us to connect up to five devices to it. For the most part it will be our two laptops but the download capability for streaming BBC I-Player programmes will also come in useful.

Back on Caxton

2011-08-26T07:46:00.000+01:00

I dropped Joe off at the outpatients department at Colchester Hospital on Wednesday morning for this second visit to the 'bone docter' where his cast was redone, his arm re-Xrayed and he was told to present himself back there in seven days time. In seven days time the caravan would have been dragged back to storage and we would be back in Worcester; could he go to Kidderminster hospital?
Of course, BUT, would Kidderminster see him in seven days, not eight, not nine but SEVEN and would they see him without a referral from his GP? This is a GP that neither of us has ever met, we have just signed on to a Doctor's list in the same area as our correspondence address.
So Plan B.
We had a word with the caravan site where we were staying and they agreed to drag the caravan into their storage compound after we had decamped and drag it back onto a pitch for next Tuesday when we would arrive back ahead of the hospital appointment.
Apparently there is a piece of Joe's wrist in 'freefall' and if it has moved when the doctor next sees him then he is being kept in for an OP.

Having got the campsite agreement to our request yesterday morning we got the packed up and headed back to Stourport, 176 miles away calling in to see our new boat,Yarwood, en route.
It was a quick takeaway and an early night last night I can tell you!

Stalking our Stalkers

2011-08-24T07:38:00.002+01:00

David and Amanda, Caxton stalkers extraordinaire, kindly invited us to visit them in their home in Norfolk. Being only a few miles away in the next County it was a perfect opportunity so on Monday afternoon we set off for Houghton near Kings Lynn. We first met D&A last summer when Caxton was moored near Downham Market and have met in Birmingham, when we were icebound, and at the Crick Boat Show this year.

L-R David, Amanda and Joe....and large sundial, very large sundial.

Houghton Hall.....you see Caxton attracts a better class of stalker...

only joking, David is the Farm Manager here.

We arrived and were fed copious amounts of cakes and goodies and pots of tea and then whisked off for a tour of the Houghton Hall estate farm. This is a mixed farm, arable and livestock, which is farmed organically - "The way forward...." to quote someone David.

Long Horns, the cattle of choice on the estate

Special Houghton Hall deer, white Fallow deer

Three Fawns in a ...

I am 'aving a wallow.., free range pork production

More white fallows

After our tour and when David had to dash off to check on the barley that was in his grain dryer, Amanda, Joe and I got talking narrowboats. In a few years time when they are able to retire the aim is to adopt the ditch crawling liveaboard life of a narrowboater and they are seriously doing a lot of research and refining of their ideas for their prospective boat.

We had a lovely visit and until next time, thank you both.

Suffolk Punch

2011-08-23T15:17:00.000+01:00

On Sunday we visited the Suffolk Punch Trust Stud at Hollesley Bay near Woodbridge in Suffolk. The Suffolk Punch is the smallest of our native 'heavy horses', the Clydesdale and the Shire being the two large heavier native horses. The lovely chestnut Punch has the dubious distinction of 'rare breed' status and the stud at Hollesley Bay Colony aims to rectify matters, keeping two breeding stallions and about twenty mares and foals to grow the breeds numbers.

This handsome chap is one of the stallions

This group are between 2 years and 4 years old

Also at the stud are native Large Black's (pigs), a rare breed and native to Suffolk that is. There were three sows and their litters.

This filly is being broken (trained) to draw (pull) for the first time. There were three people involved in this training as this girl is very powerful and keeping her relaxed and calm while she learns that the object she is drawing isn't going to catch-up with her and do her harm is critical.

They usually have the horses in blinkers so they can't see behind them but in this instance they were not being used. There were a couple of moments when she was spooked and took off across the paddock but the patience of the grooms soon calmed her and the lesson went gently on.

Down the Orwell on a Thames Sailing Barge

2011-08-21T08:34:00.000+01:00

SB. Kitty's stern adornment

Yesterday morning we presented ourselves promptly at the Ipswich Dock and Sailing Barge, SB. 'Kitty', for a three hour cruise down the R. Orwell towards Felixstowe and Harwich. When we arrived at the dock we found that there was a Marine Festival about to start and the rejuevenated and gentrified dockside was thronging with people in custume, stands were being prepared and food vendors were just getting organised.

SB. Kitty, built 1895

Thames Sailing Barge, Kitty, was built to carry grain and on launch joined a fleet of barges based at Mistley on the R.Stour in Essex. She is a capable of carrying 71.25 tons. Apparently she continued commercially carrying up into the 1960's but is now part of the Topsail charter fleet.

Orwell Bridge

Once the twenty passengers were aboard we were given the 'safety speech' and then we slipped the dockside and headed towards Ipswich lock and out of the marina. The morning was simply glorious with blue sky and warm sun and barely a breeze.

'Barely a breeze' doesn't bode well for sailing but we knew that we were unlikely to see Kitty in full sail on this type of trip but at least we were aboard a Thames Sailing barge and out on the river. As it happens though the skipper called for the topsail to be unfurled and we came back to Ipswich lock under a little sail.

SB. Victor moored at Ipswich dockside.

For anyone interested in seeing Thames Sailing Barges in action, make your way to Southend next Sunday, the 28th August, where you will see them racing.

We had a memorable day on a beautiful historic vessel and if anyone wants to buy her she is up for sale at £245,000.....

Broken! Floyd:1 Joe:0

2011-08-20T16:16:00.000+01:00

When Floyd is going hell-for-leather and is doing his most speediest speed possible in the whole world (watch out you greyhounds..) you do NOT get in the way, or if you do be it on your head, or in this case ..arm.

Don't ask about the V...ictory sign.

Yes, Joe got taken out by Floyd who ran straight into the back of his legs and back flipped him to the ground, fracturing his right arm and, being a right handed chap, he is all but useless; only because of the break I hasten to add.

Next Wednesday Joe returns to Colchester Hospital for an op to sort out the fracture and a new plaster cast which leaves me to do all the driving and tow the caravan - just as well I have towed before then.

With grovelling apologies to..

2011-08-19T06:25:00.000+01:00

I am posting a grovelling apology to Messrs Woodfordes of Norwich because yesterday, as spotted by Abby, I attributed their excellent beer, Wherry, to Adnams of Southwold.

Woodforde’s Wherry Bitter (ABV 3.8%) - Style: Bitter

Fresh and zesty with crisp floral flavours. A background of sweet malt and a hoppy ‘grapefruit’ bitter finish characterises this champion bitter.

Wherry- Supreme Champion Beer of Britain (Bronze) 2005 & Supreme Champion Beer of Britain (Gold) 1996 + numerous Champion Bitter of Britain awards

Bloggers meet

2011-08-18T16:50:00.001+01:00

The view from the caravan yesterday evening

Yesterday Joe, myself and dogs, having discovered the route across country to Polstead village, set off to do a recce of The Cock Inn. It was closed on a Monday when I drove through the village, but as we had arranged to meet with a former blogger Greygal and A for lunch we needed a suitable venue so needs must, we just had to check another pub...it's a hard life.

So there we were sitting in the garden with the dogs, enjoying the peace and tranquility of a beautiful Suffolk village, supping a pint of ~~Adnams~~ Woodfordes Wherry when a car drives up and a woman's voice loudly announces,

"I thought I would find you here!" (there was also something about reprobates I seem to recall)

It was Greygal.

We had a been discovered.

Today we all met again at The Cock Inn as arranged and enjoyed a splendid lunch and a beer, or two, and had a chance to catch up with news of boat builds, (us) boat refits and new business enterprises (them). Lovely to see you both.

L-R Joe, Greygal and A

Sudbury and Long Melford

2011-08-17T10:30:00.000+01:00

Sudbury's grand parish church, right in the heart of the town

Monday we took ourselves in the ancient market town of Sudbury and yesterday we had a browse around Long Melford, in and out of the many antique shops in there. I took lots of photo's but the broadband signal this morning is still tucked up in bed and I have lost the will etc.

We have arranged a sailing trip on a Thames Sailing Barge for Saturday so slow broadband or no, I will have to be patient because I will undoubtedly have lots of pics - provided I don't mix camera and water as I seem prone to do...

Shed draggers R us

2011-08-15T20:05:00.000+01:00

Our oldest friends,Val and Alan's van on the left and the Caxton Crew abode on the right, Clampettville...

This is our first full day in the land of the South Peoples, aka Suffolk. We arrived yesterday afternoon after a little diversion from the planned route that saw Joe dragging the 'shed' along single track lanes for a number of miles - surprisingly, it being MY FAULT , we were rowing before we had even got the bit where we put the awning up... and that is a compulsory punch-up for many couples!

Anyway, we are pitched just outside the picherscew village of Polstead and this morning after walking the dogs I went and had a look round.

First point of interest, The Cock Inn

Second point of interest - Dogs welcome ( this is especially for our antipodean followers who bemoan the lack of civility in Australia to man's best friend - see how it is done here folks..)

Typical Suffolk cottages, cob walls, i.e. mud, and a thatched roof

Add village green, village pond and village hall plus community shop and Post Office, oh, and lots of income to live here, lovely.

Moving South

2011-08-14T07:09:00.000+01:00

It has been a very busy few days. We have been pitched in my Brother David's garden in Bressingham since Thursday, preparing for my sister-in-law's 60th birthday celebrations. Yesterday both families descended along with friends, colleagues and neighbours and ...eight dogs. A good time was had by all, including the pack of dogs, but today we are packing up and getting the Clampett Show back on the road as we head south to Suffolk for the remainder of our holiday break.

Hols and meeting the Gypsy Rovers

2011-08-13T07:18:00.000+01:00

Moored, oops, 'pitched' in a delightful CS (Certified Site) in Wisbech St. Mary

We managed to get the 'clampett' truck loaded and ourselves on our way before nine on Wednesday. Stourport-on-Severn to Deeping St. James in Lincolnshire to collect our caravan from storage and then on the Wisbech St. Mary in Cambs. Here we pitched and got ourselves organised for an overnight stay before we went off to March to tack down fellow bloggers known to many as Dot and Derek, the Gypsy Rovers.

L-R Joe, me, Dot and Derek

Went went for a late lunch to The Hippodrome in March, a restaurant that has recently opened in a converted and refurbished cinema - everything is art deco and quite stunning but the main attraction was the chance to catch up with the G-R's before they wing their way back home to New Zealand after over four years of travelling the canal system here.

Best wishes folks, lovely to see you again, take care...

Is it the Clampetts?

2011-08-09T17:23:00.000+01:00

The CLAMPETTS truck a 1922-23 flat bed Oldsmobile- (From the 1962 TV series the Beverly Hillbillies)

We are packing the car to go off on holiday in our caravan and it is starting to look as if it is the Clampetts going away! Everything loaded bar the kitchen sink...

A camera has been left with Ian at Lambon Boats so he can keep us informed of how the build of Nb. Yarwood is progressing and I in turn can keep the Yarwood blog updated.

Docking Rome..

2011-08-09T06:03:00.001+01:00

Nb. Rome awaiting the first of the staircase locks down to the dry dock

We had a call last week from Graham Booth, of Waterways World renown, for a hand down through the Stourport Basin locks to the dry dock where his lovely boat, ROME, was to be blacked.

So yesterday morning I went and found Graham and Nb. Rome and with me taking a ride on the gunwale we crossed the basin to the lock landing. Here we were joined by a chap who with nothing better to do, lent us a hand. We were quickly through the locks and poised to enter the dry dock alongside a widebeam boat. Graham spun Rome and reversed into the dock. When all was secured and the dock drained it was time for a cuppa and a chinwag before I left to return to Caxton and two sleepy mutts.

Graham decides to spin Rome 180 degrees and reverse into the dry dock - show off!

The wind decides to fight back but Graham isn't going to be beaten

and Graham wins...Rome is reversed neatly back into the dry dock

Dave, the Man, having secured the dock is about to 'pull the plug' and empty her

Here we go, bye, bye 100,000 gallons or there abouts

Nb. Rome secured in the dry dock awaiting a darn good wash down with a pressure washer

Have legs, will walk

2011-08-08T07:10:00.000+01:00

Yesterday morning Himself announced that he was going to empty Caxton's hold - Yes, Caxton does have a hold, a small, but perfectly formed home for coal and God knows what....
"I'll take the dogs out for a long walk then."says I
So off we go in a day of sunshine and showers, jacket on, jacket off, jacket on again, Oh look the sun, jacket off yet again - give in, stuff jacket in the rucksack and forget it!
I hadn't a clue where I would go but I started out along the Severn Valley way, north towards Bewdley and having got to Bewdley I pushed on a bit further, and a bit further, until I arrived at a place called Arley. Here we were presented with a tea room, a pub , a railway station and public loo's (which were very convenient at this point in my journey - ha, a pun definitely intended)
We stopped for tea, well I did, the boys stopped for half of my pasty though they would have liked all of it of course. Refreshed, we then turned and headed for home following the course of the R.Severn. Six and a quarter hours, 16+ miles later we arrived back at Caxton. I cooked dinner, the dogs took to their beds and promptly fell asleep!

Arley tea rooms with a garden across the lane overlooking the river, a perfect spot to enjoy a pot of tea.

A view of the River from the tearoom garden - in the background the foot bridge across the river that leads up the hill to the railway station

And, spotted on our way back to Caxton, a Choo, Choo train...

Hartlebury Castle Museum

2011-08-05T05:05:00.001+01:00

Cider Mill

We have been passing on an almost daily basis the Worcester Museum based at Hartlebury Castle and on Monday we decided to pay it a visit.

I checked on-line whether it was suitable for dogs but that was a NO, NO so we left the boys on Caxton and took ourselves off for a bit of a cultural paddle...

The 'Castle' was the fortified Palace of the Bishops of Worcester.

(I always feel that the Church somehow missed the point of it's founder's example - Jesus's life; humble evangelist vs bishops life; jewels, robes, palaces and elevated place in society, ah well..)

The museum features aspects of the Worcestershire County life, what the County produced and how people lived and melds this with life in a BIG house and the palace State Rooms. What it also has on display is an extensive range of horse drawn vehicles including gipsy caravans which rather captured our attention.

Interior of a Gyspy van, bed'ole at the back, etched mirrors and fine cabinetry

The finest of Gypsy vans, (Vardo's I think in the Romany language) The Reading. The name of the van is on account of where it was built. This is ornately carved and decorated in gold leaf and is very sumptious .

Apologies for the poor shot of the palace, taken through the railings as it was the only access to the front of the building.

An ornate ceiling of The Reading gypsy van.

This little cart stated out in Lithuania

I took this shot of this Milkman's cart because we have a family photo of an uncle pushing one of these in the 1920's.

Note the bed knobs and brass decoration on this kniife sharpeners hand cart, remind you of anything?

Another wagon interior.

All the way from OZ

2011-08-04T07:38:00.001+01:00

Paul and Floyd

Yesterday we had a visit from a fellow blogger, but a blogger all the way from Australia, Paul of NB The Manly Ferry. Ok, Paul hadn't flown all the way from OZ to see little old us; he was here for his Mum's 80th birthday bash, (you can read about that in his blog), and to see family and friends but we were on his list!

We spent a pleasant and easy four hours together talking, boats, and houses and dogs and life, you get the picture..

Paul and his wife Elaine, and their dogs, and their cats, are planning to sell their home in Australia, buy a narrowboat here and join us liveaboards on the Cut. He travels back to Australia on Saturday, so best wishes, safe journey and we will see you next year on a canal somewhere near by...

And this meeting was all because of blogging, don't you just love it?

A day at the IWA festival

2011-08-03T05:00:00.000+01:00

Brewery drays giving a demonstration in the arena

We arrived at Shobnall Fields Burton-upon-Trent (having had a argument with the SATNAV when it couldn't find Burton; until we realised that Burton-UPON-Trent was not Burton-ON-Trent.doh) and were walking into the IWA Festival site just at it opened. All the usual exhibitors were there, displaying engines, central heating, windows, furniture, brokerage etc. but very few boats. I only noticed one boat on the show ground though there were a few more along the cut for people to look over. It was a shame not to see more boatbuilders and their boats but I guess that the cost of exhibiting at the primary narrowboat show, the CRICK SHOW, wipes out the budget for most boatbuilders.

Perhaps the IWA could offer an incentive to boatbuilders so they could afford to get themselves and their show boats to the IWA festival one year.. who knows it might challenge the stranglehold of the Crick event.

Stuart Harper busy speaking to prospective customers

Barnowl Narrowboats, Caxton's builder, had taken a stand and I also saw Mel Davis busy chatting to people.

Riley 1.5 or 2.5 -

My brother Robert is about to buy one of these and I have my name down to drive it!

Doing battle, and keeping the customers satisfied

A one-man-band, Chucklefoot, entertaining the crowds.

We had a lovely day, glorious sunshine and lots going on even it most of it wasn't 'boaty'. The organisation of the event was top notch, take a bow the IWA organisers and volunteers, everything very clean, very tidy, plenty of essential amenities to hand, well done!

Just a few jobs

2011-08-02T07:43:00.001+01:00

Yesterday morning, with the dogs walked and crossword completed we set about a few tasks aboard Caxton. I washed and waxed the oak flooring, cleaned out the fridge blacked the stove. That done I showered and sat back with my book while Joe set about finding the cleaner we bought last year to clean the cratch cover.
However, finding the cleaner involved emptying the hold and that involved me abandoning my reading to help...
Joe then set about giving the cratch cover and tonneau a good brush and then applied the cleaner and hosed it all down, another job done.
After lunch we drove up to see how the new boat,Yarwood, was doing and took a few photo's of the progress, here.

One bad apple....

2011-07-31T08:42:00.000+01:00

I received a comment yesterday on my post relating to the Petty and Malicious behaviour of Ben Harp of Ben Harp Narrowboats Ltd and their appalling treatment of Tom and Jan of Nb. Waiouru. I have taken the liberty Bob, of publishing your comment here because the likes of Ben Harp can do untold damage to reputations of all boatbuilders and that is simply NOT fair and not justified.
Read Bob's comment below...

"When we were looking for a boatbuilder at Crick a couple of years ago we went to see Ben Harp as he was "on our radar screen". He couldn't even be bothered to get off his chair to speak to us. And he told us he was moving on to Dutch barges as he'd "done narrowboats" (about 6 of them, if I remember rightly).
Instead, we found ourselves a very nice man called Stuart Harper (Barnowl Narrow Boats) to build our boat. Never had the slightest worry that he would come up with the goods.

But then you know that already.
Regards, Bob".

And thankfully we had found the same 'very nice man', Stuart Harper, who built Caxton.

Our experience was pain free. The boat came in on time and on price and Barnowl Narrowboats were always prepared to go the 'extra mile' to get things right for us.
There are any number of talented trustworthy boatbuilders out there and they mustn't be tainted by the awful antics of one very bad apple.

Furthermore, we were so impressed by our first experience of a boat build that Barnowl were the natural choice for boat number two, Nb.Yarwood and that says it all really...

Shobnall Fields day

2011-07-30T06:32:00.000+01:00

We are off to Burton-on-Trent this morning to The IWA (Inland Waterways Association) annual show. Photo's tomorrow....

A Nervous Passenger

2011-07-29T13:53:00.000+01:00

Time to hang up the car keys?

My Brother David sent this to me and I just had to share it...

Hear the beat...

2011-07-28T07:37:00.001+01:00

I heard Hadar's engine as Keith and Jo crossed the basin at Stourport yesterday lunchtime, I was inside Caxton blacking the stove and not in a state to herald their passing. When I came to take the boys for their afternoon excursion Hadar was moored up near the service point so we stopped have a chat and catch up with each others news. Floyd was keen for their dog, Paddy, to 'come play' but Paddy was not impressed with this great black dollop bouncing around making himself look silly.

Paddy, Keith and Jo, aboard Nb Hadar

Playtime in the river

We set off south along the river, where the dogs were able to cool themselves by taking frequent dips and then chasing past me and shaking themselves, lovely...

Signs of a past industry

All through this stretch are signs of a former riverside industry and activity. Bollards and the remnants of wharves semi hidden amidst the growth on the riverbank.

A heavy duty bollard, scaled against Fletcher

And then a bit more buried 'treasure', a capstan?

Severn and Gloucester Company? Another bollard half hidden in the undergrowth.

Perhaps a 100 years ago the river scene would have been very different. The size of the forgotten bollards and the height of the abandoned wharves and landings indicate they would have secured sizable boats.

New boat build starts

2011-07-27T06:30:00.000+01:00

Yarwood's hull sides being fabricated

The build of our new boat, Nb. Yarwood, has started and I am blogging about it here . The new boat build is the reason for our extended stay in Stourport-on-Severn, being on hand to see the progress and do the running about for 'bits and pieces'.

Most of the decisions re the build are put to bed including the majority of the fit out but the trimmings, tiles, lights, curtains etc. have yet to be decided upon and we are waiting to see how the boat shapes up before committing to these.

A Petty and Malicious act

2011-07-26T08:00:00.000+01:00

Ben Harp Narrowboats have excelled themselves by indulging in a petty and malicious act of vandalism and spite. What a piece of work. One can only hope that Ben gets his comeuppance and that the owners of this boat, Tom and Jan, get satisfaction!

The damaged Nb Waiouru

See the full details of what this boat builder has been doing here on Tom and Jan's blog.

Ah, Saturday

2011-07-25T09:10:00.000+01:00

When I got back from a shopping trip to Tesco I found Joe had given Caxton a wash and was just finishing the leathering the paintwork.

And after lunch when Joe decided to get the wax and 'buffer' out I took the boys for a walk. I am always looking for different routes, where Joe seems content to walk the same area day in day out I need a change of scene.

Stourport Town Bridge c.1870

So today I crossed the Stourport bridge and headed south along the river bank. The town was busy with lots of tourists enjoying the amusements and attractions of the riverside park, from their accents, many from Birmingham. The mutts and I headed out into the more peaceful environs of the rolling open countryside that surrounds Stourport.

Holiday-makers enjoying a river trip.

Sandstone bluff full of caves.

On reaching this sandstone bluff/cliff/outcrop, whatever, we had to climb a steep staircase to the top and there we found ourselves looking out across acres and acres of grassland crisscrossed by a multitude of public footpaths, dog walking heaven! Another route discovered.

When we returned a couple of hours later, Caxton was looking bright and shiny and Joe less so...but a job well done.

Walk-on part

2011-07-23T06:24:00.001+01:00

Watching the re-run of The Golden Age of Canals on BBC2 last I spotted a very familiar boat, no not NB. Hadar who actually 'features' in the programme, but NB CAXTON! A chap was being interviewed about the Stourbridge Arm whilst standing on one of the bridges there and as the camera panned towards the basin there was Caxton, moored up all alone!

Took a trip

2011-07-22T11:57:00.000+01:00

We took a trip yesterday, another case of 'have wheels, will travel', to deliver a Nikon zoom lens to an acredited repairer in Stoke-on-Trent. The replacement cost of the lens was such, that a repair, if it could be repaired that is, was probably worthwhile. We were not disappointed, the team at the repairers certainly knew their stuff and we left the lens for a new autofocus motor to be fitted.

Now what?

How about a trip to Scholar Green on the Macclesfield canal, just a few miles fron Stoke, to see friends, David and Linda of Nb, Critical Point. A few phone calls later we had tracked them down and were soon sitting in the conservatory enjoying a cuppa and a catch-up.

Jo, Linda and David

Hall Green stop lock, the official start of the Macclesfield Canal