Will we, won't we

It's only taken 24 years but we have at last got round to making a Will.  Prompted by the recent TV programmes and a nag from our friend Val we have finally got round to doing it.  We used a will writer rather than a solicitor, paying £99 rather than £200 - £300 we were being quoted by the legal fraternity...  Having discussed what we both wanted, I drafted our requirements and emailed them to www.MWlegalservices.co.uk . Two days later we have a Will, how simple is that?  We were very pleased with the service we got from Matt Walkden of MW Legal Services and for those thinking of getting round to putting their affairs in order we recommend this simple route.

Ma Pardoe's

With a toot of their horn they arrived last night, NB Matilda Rose is now moored up behind Caxton and ready for a bit more cruising.  Joe went off to a retail park today to buy a replace lamp for Caxton's defunct tunnel light and get some bits I need for the new curtains I am making.  Having given the dogs a run I wandered into Netherton with Jill to get a paper, make an appointment to get my hair trimmed and have a general look around.  That 'general look around' also included a visit to the famous Ma Pardoes, or The Swan inn.  Much of the Victorian interior is still in place and they brew their own beer on the premises so how could one pass up the chance of a visit; you can't and I didn't.

The beer was good and the original features in this typical town pub are atmospheric.

Birmingham to Bumble Hole

Caxton heading out of Birmingham on the New Main Line

 The last two nights we have moored in Birmingham where availed ourselves of the Away2Service boat and filled with diesel - we used Away2 all the time we were stuck in Brum and they were very good so we opted to use them again.  It was Away2Service that changed Caxton's engine oil in January - Joe usually does it himself but we already had ten litres of waste oil from the previous service so we didn't want to add to it - and they only charged us £12.50 labour! We were going to leave on Sunday but it was raining and we took one look and pulled the duvet over our heads again, sod that, tomorrow will do nicely...

See, why travel in the rain when you can travel when the sun comes out?

 A lovely bridge over the cut to nowhere - formally this would have led to a loop or wharves but now the canal beneath the bridge has been truncated and it destination lost to time.

 You pass a lot of industrial heritage along the Main Line

 It took me a few minutes to realise that the items hanging in that elevated cage type thing were moving, moving very slowly but moving; it took another moment to recognise them as newly cast cranks.  Nice to see we still have some industry in these parts..

 Caxton skuttles past Smethwick Junction

 We turn off the New Main Line towards Netherton Tunnel with me now back on the boat - I didn't fancy a tramp through over a mile of cold dark, damp tunnel - I know, I'm a wuss

 There is the North Portal of the tunnel just ahead through the bridge

 See that pinprick of light in the middle of the tunnel, that is over 3027 yards away

 And 30 yards into the tunnel our tunnel lamp died so I got to stand on the bow with a torch - an hour later I was chipped off of the bow as an ice statue or frozen figurehead!

 Caxton moored at the Bumble Hole on the Dudley No.2 Canal

Look what came out to greet us..

At last, we have found them!

 I have seen these super little folding stools on a number of narrowboats but have not been able to find them; until recently that is.  We thought that they were stocked by Ikea but no, not the case.  It is ASDA Direct that are the suppliers and at £9 each, a bargain.  They fold neatly away and hang beneath the gunwale.

And the sun shone

We stayed Thursday and Friday night at The Vale which is alongside the Campus of the Birmingham University. Ok, there was a little noise from exuberant yoofs  for a short time around midnight but nothing very much.  Friday was glorious, a springlke day with catkins beginning to emerge, crocus's and snowdrops in abundance and a real warmth in the Sun.  We got all our logs cut up and the timber from Caxton's  dismantled staircase, emptied the well deck, tidied the hold and put everything back in a shipshape fashion.

 Caxton moored at The Vale on the Worcester and Birmingham Canal

 All doors and hatches open to enjoy the balmy weather

The view down the cut from the 'patio'

Away again

Joe returned our car to  storage on Wednesday and returned to Caxton by train.  Thursday morning we filled with water and did all the other servicy things you do before pulling pins and offering our thanks and farewells to the staff at Swallow Cruisers, Hockley Heath.   I then walked to Kings Norton with the two dogs but when the heavens opened we rejoined Joe on Caxton and then turned on to Worcs. and Birmingham canal towards Birmingham, mooring at The Vale near the University Campus.  Here we found NB Matilda Rose and Graham, Jill is away visiting her Mother.  We will stay here today doing chores like cutting wood and tidying the well deck.... oh the excitement..can I contain myself???

New Cupboards now completed!!

New steps to the stern deck

New tables

 We returned to Caxton after a week away visiting family to find that Dave George had completed the changed to Caxton's galley and stern access.  Gone is the original staircase (last blog) now replaced with a conventional ladder.  The 43inches of boat length taken by the staircase has been replaced by full height cupboards providing us with lots of lovely STORAGE!!!

New cupboards