On the move again

I arrived back at the boat on Monday 24th November, I think James had enjoyed his time home alone a bit too much! I had a couple of weeks part time work in Rugby so we stayed at Brownsover for the rest of the week, it was so handy for a stroll to the offices near the railway station. 

Moored at Brownsover, near Rugby

Saturday 29th November and we headed off for a weekend in Hillmorton, we winded at the bottom of the locks and moored up on the visitors moorings shortly after. It was very quiet, only two other boats there Saturday night. I had a walk up to Post Office to post a couple more pens and James was busy with his lathe out on the towpath turning a few more. (Details of the pen venture to follow). 

Lovely day in Hillmorton

After a Sunday roast chicken lunch (it's still very exciting to be cooking in my oven, sad I know) we headed off back to Rugby as I still had a week of work there.

On Friday afternoon we had a lovely visit from Dave and Allison (Free Spirit) and we all enjoyed James' bakewell tart and mince pies. 

Yesterday we were on the move again and left Rugby, it was cold and frosty as we left at around 8:30am. 

Just before Newbold there was a bit of very thin ice forming on the canal with a bit more just outside Brinklow Marina. On the approach to All Oaks Wood the ice was across the canal and a bit thicker, but it was at its worst on the approach to Hawkesbury Junction as we passed by Coventry Cruising Club. We arrived at Hawkesbury Junction around 2pm after a really pleasant wintery cruise.

Passing Lime Farm Marina

The ice just passed Brinklow Marina

Heading towards All Oaks Wood and a bit more ice

After we cut a passage through the ice

Moored up just before Sutton Stop Lock at Hawkesbury Junction

19 miles

Total 546 miles and 376 locks

Brinklow to Braunston to Rugby

Last Tuesday we left Brinklow stopping off at Lime Farm Marina to meet up with John to see if alterations we want to do to LJ are possible and at what price. After spending a couple of hours there and him making substantial notes to get prices together we set off for the short journey to Rugby, stopping at Elliots Field. We topped up the cupboards as Tesco was right on our doorstep and we hadn't been back long when Bob on Autumn Myst passed by and hovered mid canal for a quick hello and chat.

Elliots Field

Wednesday Jess was due into Rugby by train for a few days visit, her train was due at 8:50pm so we set of at just after 8:00pm for the walk there, I had looked at Google Maps and there seemed to be a pathway leading down the side of Tesco, across the River Avon and coming out near the station. We set off down the fairly darkwalk way, which had a few street lights down it, I noticed three people walking a little way ahead and James recognised Doug and James (from Chance) along with their friend Manel, they were just as surprised to see us and we them. It was arranged to meet up after we had met Jess off the train, and, as usual, we had a fantastic evening with them.

Another lovely evening

Thursday we pulled pins (well actually we removed ropes from rings, but it doesn't sound as good) and headed for Braunston, passing by Chance the other side of the bridge.

Passing 'Chance'

We got to the Hillmorton Locks, the first narrow locks for Jess. I don't think she has forgiven us yet for her first lock experience when we went through Camden on a Bank Holiday!! The top lock at Hillmorton was closed for maintenance, always interesting to see what is normally below water.

Middle lock at Hillmorton

Empty top lock

 Then along through the lovely countryside reaching a very quiet Braunston, on arrival we spotted Smiffbob the Sandhills latest boat that was launched earlier in the year. We moored up shortly after the junction opposite The Boathouse.

Smiffbob, Sandhills No 25

Moored in Braunston

Out for a walk, the tunnel under the canal just behind

Wolfhampcote Church

Jess and me on the bridge overlooking Braunston Marina

After a lovely couple of days it was time to make our way back to Rugby so Jess could get the train back home. We all went to Coventry and it happened to be the Sky Ride day where one side of the ring road was closed off for cyclists. 

Sky Ride just started

Then it was a visit to Ikea before heading back to the station where Jess headed home and we headed back to Rugby.

Moored back in Rugby, this time at Brownsover

25 miles and 6 locks

Total 472.5 miles and 368 locks

The price of technology...

A short hop along the canal brought us down through the Hillmorton locks and into Rugby. Even though I know what the Hillmorton masts did it still amazes me that what appears to be a random collection of different height masts (although the biggies all went in 2007) spaced in no particular order carry a time signal that is accurate to within one second per three thousand years - amazing!!

Topping up the water tank

A slow process so time for a brew 

Rather him than me 

Rugby, with adequate moorings, water, an elsan point and a pretty decent sized town on the doorstep is an OK place to stay put for a few days. We had passed through Rugby earlier in the year but hadn't stopped beyond picking up my brew kit from Tesco. 

I popped in to Maplin to buy a cheapish computer cooling fan and wired it straight to a 12v plug. It was tapped to the kitchen to bathroom door to see if it would have any effect on the airflow from front to back. If it had any effect the idea was to put it in a tubular surround and along with a stove fan try and get some of the hot lounge air towards the much colder bedroom and study. 

Last week with the outside temperature at about 4°c at 11pm and the stove ticking over heating the lounge to about 26°c; the kitchen (roughly  midships) was 22°c and the study struggling to get much above 14°c. Last night at 11ish the lounge was 25°c, kitchen 22°c and study about 18°c which was a much more even temperature all from a 0.08amp fan. 

If it works, it will be housed in a timber tube

Talking (as I quite often do) about power consumption I have tried the final fix for my sick PlayStation. It is stuck in a constant software update loop that even motherboard battery removal won't stop. The only other option would be to try a new hard drive and operating system. I had a quick Google search to see how much power it uses and was quite surprised that whilst being used for DVD's or games it draws nearly 200w, a huge amount for a luxury item on a boat, so its all packed up ready for storing in Pip's loft. 

As today is 11th of the 11th we walked the couple of miles into Rugby at the appointed hour to pay our respects. 

Crowds gathering outside the memorial gates

Maroons marking the start and finish of the two minutes silence came as a shock to the kids and dogs

JOURNEY COMES TO HALT DUE TO FALLEN TREE...

We arrived at the chandlers a bit late on Sunday but we knew what was on the dreaded lit. Batteries stored on the rear deck, loo emptied and water filled we left Braunston by 4.30 headed n the direction of lime farm marina for our long over due engine service on Wednesday. Who knows if we will meet up again with walkie man, jogging woman, stargazing man et all on our voyage.

Ducks always want in on the act

 The weather was still good although cooling down rapidly. Crew had her turn at helm, her pedestal brought few remarks from passers by.

The fields gently roll by as we get out into the countryside, no roads, no houses, no street lights and not many other boats either

After we turned a corner Deb popped her head out from the front of the boat alarmed that we were headed straight for shore. But I had spied a felled tree!

Bench set up, saw ready, logs retrieved and safety trainers on I set about increasing our log pile. Unfortunately my tree knowledge isn't up to much and we had cut, chopped and piled yet another type of willow that, according to a quick check on line provides as much heat and flame when burnt as a soggy tissue. Never mind, good practise and a nice spot to stop until tomorrow brings us another glorious sunny day.

Tomorrow (BH Monday - or now yesterday??)

Nope no sun, cloud then rain and more rain. Today's task - fit the battery monitor and new batteries. When I said that getting to the batteries was a bit tight I wasn't joking, it's like one of those kids puzzles where you have to slide one tile to get to another. It is also a bit like spaghetti junction so first ob was to label every wire so we know where it goes back. (its also messy, cold and about a foot lower that where you are kneeling!)  

Deb finished tightening the connections while I straightened my back from all the lifting and bending. The batteries weigh 25kg each! That's 125kg lifted onto the boat; lifted down below for storage; old batteries lifted out then swung across to the bank; new batteries lifted out from storage and installed; old batteries carried to the front of the boat and stored - today (Tuesday) my neck and back are really hurting (hope nothing goes pop!)

Today

Much better weather today, actually quite warm for our onward journey. And we even managed a short bike ride to tescos to pick up a few bits and order my home brew kit (V exited)

An old ambulance in a garden

Waiting for the locks

Through the last one before Rugby