12 Canal days of Christmas

While going through my twitter feeds the other day I came across a tweet from Brian McGuigan who I follow.  Some of you may know Brian as the owner of  working boat Alton (click).  Brian works in all weathers all year round and provides an excellent service to boaters in the Cheshire area.  He is often found on the Trent and Mersey, the Shropshire, the Macclesfield canals and so on.

In his tweet he told us he had picked up a tyre round his prop and had tweeted

His tweet brought about several comical responses and writer Christina James who blogs at http://christinajamesblog.com/ came up with the perfect song

 12 Canal Days of Christmas

Twelve shammy leathers
Eleven yards of piping
Ten loopy long johns
Nine pairs of knickers
Eight perished condoms
Severn knots of netting
Six wads of sheep wool
Fiiiive plaaaastic bags!
Four bits of string,
Three old socks,
Two coils of wire
& a tyre wrapped around my prop.

 

 

Bet as you read it you started to sing it in tune to the well known version of the song, I know I did :-)  Thanks to Christina for allowing me to share her lyrics with you.

 



We have our own flood to contend with

Hi All,
Hope you all had a lovely Christmas and not been blown about too much in the storms.  Hopefully they will leave us alone soon.  We had planed to take Joanne for a trip to Braunston but that had to be curtailed.

That said, we are still having a wonderful time on AmyJo but confess we have done absolutely nothing until last night.  Most unusual for us as we're always on the go.  Must admit though both Chris and I are getting too used to this chillaxing lifestyle. 

On Christmas day we got up at the late time of 9.45am and sat down to a cup of tea enjoying a breathless, clear and crisp morning in the marina.  A slight fog over the countryside looked stunning

The weather forecasters were banging on about a storm coming but as the morning fog lifted the day turned out glorious, all be it chilly, and not a breath of wind.  Was this the lull before the storm?

As lunch time beckoned Chris and Joanne set too getting diner ready.

While they got on with that I topped up the water tank. 

That's when things started to go wrong.  

I had just left the water tap and turned my back for one minute when there came a shout from a rather soaked Chris.  The hose had shot out of the water filler and was showering everywhere in the cratch. 

We sorted all that out and when the tank filled up things went from bad to worse.  Instead of flowing out of the overflow pipe the water overflowed the filler as well, ran down the cratch locker and poured onto the mains hook-up point.  Needless to say the electrics tripped immediately.  After disconnecting from the mains I had to strip down the socket on the boat and dry it out.  When we reconnected I discovered we had tripped the circuit at the marina board.  Fortunately this was accessible and I managed to reset the power without further problem.  After the embarrassment of this we learned a valuable lesson.  We are going to have to take care filling the water tank and I will need to move the hook up point to the other side of the boat.  Embarrassed you say?  Yes I sure was and very lucky!

 After all that excitement we managed to settle down and opened our pressies

After tidying away the mess and as we had not been out of the boat much Chris and I decided to stretch our legs a little and went for a walk down to Crick tunnel and back as the weather had settled.   Braunston was still tempting us but we knew that promised storm was not far away though looking at these photos you would not have thought so.

We could hear an engine in the tunnel as we approached the portal so we waited the 15mins it takes to traverse but there as no sign of a boat, we can only assume it was going away from us so we walked back in the sunshine with Chris enjoying her Christmas present in the form of a new coat she wanted.

Both Chris and I are fans of George Clark's Amazing Spaces program so were surprised to find this little space, that we think featured in one of his episodes, on our way back to the marina.  It certainly looks like the one that was restored using original tools of the time.  Its the right shape and colour at least

We next decided to have a wander round the marina to have a look at the other boats.  We need to get some sort of matting for the stern deck and wanted to see what others had done. Seems flexi-deck is a firm favourite so we'll look into getting some for our next visit to AmyJo.

We took the opportunity to take a few photos of AmyJo from a different perspective to the one we are used to 

Whilst the day was lovely and clear the night was a different matter.  The promised storm marched in over Crick with a vengeance.  We had just got back to AmyJo about 10pm from having a drink in the Wheat Sheaf pub when the heavens opened and the wind got up considerably.  AmyJo got jostled in the gusts all night and if she had sails we would have been perfectly at home riding the gusts.  In the storm the other day we lost our Chinaman's hat in the night so we had to buy a new one.  Lesson learned this one was screwed to the chimney.  As a precaution I also tied the chimney to AmyJo in case the wind swept it away.  I was glad to find all was still in place in the morning.

Today has been breezy but much more settled and the wind is slowly easing  I spent a while cleaning the outside of AmyJo and after tea Joanne headed home to Chester.

Tomorrow we're heading to Essex to visit the parents for the day to spend some time with the parents.  We're of to lunch with Chris's mum Mary then off to my parents before returning to AmyJo.

ONE SLEEP TO GO!

Smoked out, Blown about and dripped on

Hi all,
Man what awful weather!  Locals here in the marina are going to ban us from coming down to AmyJo soon as so far, on the two occasions we have spent aboard its blown a hooly.  Still we are getting the measure of the log burner and we're comfy in the marina and lovely and warm even if my whiskey is getting shaken and not stirred as the boat gets rocked about.

Chris had xmas-ised the saloon with a fibre optic tree and tinsel so it looks and feels really cosy now

While I'm typing the rain has suddenly got a lot worse and its throwing stair rods outside.  I just got dripped on and looked up at the Houdini hatch thinking that was the culprit but when Chris announced she got dripped on as well we realised the rain was bouncing on the roof and coming in the mushroom vents.  Would appreciate any advise on how to deal with this.  Was thinking of hanging empty bean tins under them if it gets any worse.  Fortunately it was only a short down pour so no problem now.

We're staying on AmyJo now for Christmas and Joanne will join us tomorrow after work.  Sadly Amy has to work the pub bar (her second job) over the holiday so cannot join us.  We'll just have to make it up to her later.  We are, however, under orders to face time her when its time to open the pressies.  (yes we have now joined the ranks of iphone owners.)

Chris has just fired up the oven for the first time and smoked out the cabin as its new. Fortunately the extractor fan made short work of the fog and thus Beef casserole is happily simmering away so I am going to lay table.

SO that's it for now but

A VERY MERRY AND PEACEFUL CHRISTMAS TO ALL OUR READERS.

 

CHRIS AND I WISH YOU ALL GOOD HEALTH AND HAPPINESS TO YOU AND YOURS.

GOD BLESS.

Time lapse experiment



Hi All,

Like many bloggers I like to read other blogs to catch up on others adventures and to pick up interesting ideas.  One blog I regularly read is that of Halfie (click). 

 

A while ago Halfie published some time lapse videos on his blog and this sparked my interest too. His videos make interesting viewing (Click)

 

I quite liked the idea of  having a go at this so bought the camera below

 

 

On our trip to the Welford arm I placed the camera facing ahead in the cratch window and set it recording on the return trip.  Whilst the quality of the video is not quite as good as Halfie's here is the result

 

 

The video above is not the entire trip but it gives a good idea of the last part of the journey.  I'm happy with it and will try some more when the weather improves.

And back to Crick

Total distance:10.23 miles Elapsed time:3h53m13s Locks:0 Bridges:30
Average speed:2.63 mph (2.63 lock/mph)        

 

This morning dawned dull and damp with the sky covered in light grey cloud.  The strong wind we had in the night had abated somewhat but there was still a brisk breeze to contend with.  We had a most peaceful night and we both slept better than we have done for a long time.  So well in fact it was 9:40 before we surfaced! Most unlike us, but then.... what's the hurry?

 



AmyJo was laying quietly in this lovely spot Crick side of Welford Junction and we had the whole place to ourselves.  It felt so good to photograph her as she was meant to be and I admit I did not want to leave, but we had to be back for work on Monday.

We made good time on the way back and passed four boats coming the other way in one hour at one point.  We had not see one on the way to Welford.

The weather started to close in as we made our way back towards Crick and a light drizzle followed but we did not mind one bit, nothing could have spoilt our day as far as we were concerned.

Four hours later the marina came into view and we discussed how we would attempt to moor up in the wind after yesterdays problems. 

 

 The plan was to turn AmyJo at a right angle to the mooring and edge her bow to the jetty.  Chris would jump off and hold the bow while the stern was blown downwind.  I would then motor Amyjo onto her berth.  Seemed a good plan at the time.

Nervously I turned AmyJo into the marina entrance with inches to spare.  On the front of the bracket supporting the horn is mounted a small CCTV camera that gives a good view ahead and of AmyJo's stem post.  This paid for itself at this moment as I could see just where AmyJo's bows were to the bankside.  From the photo it looks like we were going to hit but thanks to the camera I could swing AmyJo round at just the right point with a bit of reverse gear.

 I got AmyJo lined up in the entrance and slowly entered the marina, turned AmyJo as planned and immediately felt the side wind catch her.  I managed to edge her nose towards our mooring as we planned and Chris stepped gently onto our jetty.  A bit of power and full rudder and with Chris holding the bows in with the mooring line and the wind pushing her stern round as well, AmyJo spun deftly round slipped perfectly onto her mooring. 

Relief washed over us as we tied the lines and got settled and it was only then we realised how cold it was but having seen other boaters winter attire we were prepared.  Believe it or not I am wearing five layers under that lot.

We then reluctantly packed up, closed up AmyJo and headed home.

The verdict of our first cruise?

ABSOLUTELY RUDDY MARVALOUS!

 

AmyJo handles really well and swims just beautifully.  She's a handful manoeuvring in wind as we have no girly button to help but we're getting to know how she handles in such conditions and are learning what works and what does not.  We are already in love with her and cannot wait now to next weekend when we'll be spending Christmas aboard for a week. 

 



Well on the way to Welford

HI all,
We did it!  We finally got AmyJo out of the marina today and took our first real cruise up to Welford Junction and back.

We got down to AmyJo on Friday night at about 8.30pm after calling into the Co-op in Crick for a few essentials like milk, bread and beer.

Saturday morning was clear and crisp so we stocked up on kindling and coal as we knew it would be needed.  After topping up with water we untied and left the mooring at 9:30.  At first things did not go well as the wind was playing tricks with us and we could not turn AmyJo’s head into it.  After drifting sideways along the basin for a bit I twigged the best thing as to allow AmyJo’s head to drop down wind and reverse up towards the office so we could turn out of the marina which we managed successfully.  At his point I was beginning to think AmyJo would only ever go astern.

Eventually we got out of the marina unscathed and got AmyJo going towards Welford.  It felt absolutely fantastic to be underway at last

It was a lovely morning with some cloud and a breeze blowing that did not affect AmyJo too much.  We settled into a routine going along and felt at one with the world.  This was what all our angst and planning had been all for.

The weird thing was standing there at the helm whilst AmyJo moved effortlessly through the water seemed so right, as if we had been here before and was the right pace to be.  The winter scenery was just perfect and bridges came and went without hitch with us loving every minute of it.

 

Before long we passed Yelvertoft marina entrance but not for us this time.

In some places the cut got so narrow we could not avoid the over grown vegetation so now we have a very light scratching along the starboard side but it will polish out fortunately (sorry Paul I did say no promises) :-(

Yet in others there was plenty of room

We came across this lovely house in a sheltered section and the view was perfectly mirrored in the water.  Chris was beaming from ear to ear and could not resist the photo

We encountered our first low bridge and did wonder if the chimney would survive which of course it did.  Later a low branch did knock of the Chinaman’s hat but fortunately it landed on the cabin roof so Chris retrieved it.  Note to self need to drill and screw it onto the chimney.

Eventually Chris plucked up enough courage to take the helm and did splendidly.  Once there she stayed put and was only prepared to give up the helm when the call of nature took over.  I can see who s going to do most of the lock wheeling now.  Chris's joy at being in control of AmyJo is evident here

I took the opportunity to go to the cratch and take a shot looking aft and was surprised to see how little wash AmyJo was generating.

We eventually arrived at Welford junction at about 2pm and by now the wind was picking up somewhat. We tried to wind at the junction but with the strengthening wind we found ourselves stuck across the entrance to the arm.  We still have no pole yet to push the bow round but a resourceful Chris found a broom did just as well and we eventually got out and moored up just on the Crick side of the junction ready for he trip home tomorrow.

Having worked up a appetite from our adventure Chris whipped up a beef in black bean and red wine source with rice while I got the log burner going nicely with the coal we bought.  We then settled down for or first meal on the cut and celebrated with the rest of the wine. Well, it would have been rude not to!

We’re now hunkered down with the wind blowing a hoolly outside and the boat gently rocking.  The cabin is a toasty 25 degrees, Andre Reu is playing on the ipod and all is well with our world right now.  We are now looking forward to the return trip tomorrow, but for now ….. where did I stow that whiskey Chris?

All above board.

We don't have a stereotypical postman that delivers first thing in the morning.  You know, like the one on TV, that delivers just as they come down the stairs in PJs for breakfast.  No, not ours.  Ours delivers at around 3pm for some reason, though sometimes, if its Saturday, Amy might just be getting up then, and she would have her PJs on as the post is crammed through the slot, so I guess that's the same.  Not that I'm complaining mind but when we come home from work and open the front door we have to push aside a pile of mail to get in some days.

Today was one of those days. 

We wanted a Christmas tree to put up in AmyJo next time we go to her so we nipped out after lunch to the local garden centre and got a pretty 2 foot high fibre optic one that will sit nicely on the cupboard across from the log burner on the opposite side of the cratch door.  We got home, opened the house door and sure enough there was the usual mound of junk mail and bills.

Today was different though because nestled amongst the flyers and final demands was a long, thick official looking envelope, our C&RT license had arrived.  In the package was also AmyJo's registration plates. 

We're not going to use the plates provided but will add the registration in paint to avoid drilling holes or gluing them on

The observant ones among you will notice the incomplete C&RT logo and registration number artwork above the aft panel in the photo above here it is in close up

Andy Russell offered to include this when he painted the rest of AmyJo's artwork while at Fernwood's workshop has offered to return to her to add the numbers next time he is nearby.

So now we are all above board.  We got a Gold license this year as we have our cruise home to Cheshire ahead of us in the summer to look forward to so wanted to be sure we had every option covered as we have yet to decide which route to take to the Shroppy. 

For those back home the Canal & River Trust (C&RT) license is the waterways version of the car road tax, though it costs a damned sight more unfortunately.  Like the car tax is used to maintain Britain's roads, legend has it the revenue raised from C&RT licenses is used to maintain the canal infrastructure.

We now have tinternet aboard

Travelled 1 mile with no locks and no bumps

Hi all
Sorry for not posting but the old Vodafone dongle was having none of it onboard.  Its taken me all day but I finally got the Proroute internet router to connect to the internet and hence this post.  I'm please to say our little Laird Salt and Pepper pot antenna are working a treat and I have good connection strength all be it 3G at the moment.

So where to begin. 

First of all thank you all so much for the lovely comments, it means a lot to Chris and I knowing there are people out there who are prepared to pass the time of day with us.  We really look forward to meeting up on the cut someday and have a good chin wag. 

Saturday morning was launch day as you now know but Tuckey's crane had a diesel hose burst and was delayed an hour.  Eventually AmyJo was pulled out of the workshop

The lorry was moved into position and AmyJo was gently raised onto it

It was then a quick dash down the M1 to wait for AmyJo's arrival at the marina.  A young friend of ours offered to make us a cake to celebrate the occasion an this duly arrived.  For a young man starting out in his career as cake maker he certainly captured AmyJo in his work as you can see below, all made in just one day. 

 



 I have to say it tastes superb too.  We barely had time to open the cake when the crane arrived followed by AmyJo

 

Without a pause for breath AmyJo was backed down to the quayside and then we all held our breath with anticipation as she was craned out over the water and gently lowered in.

Finally the 4 year journey of planning and dreaming came to an exciting end at last.  The dream was now a reality.  We both felt elated and a bit emotional.

After the Fernwood crew checked her over for any leaks etc I was ask to be first to start the engine and try forward and reverse to check the running gear worked and no leak from the stern gland.  AmyJo came alive instantly I turned the key and when trying the throttle it was quickly apparent she was going to be quick.

By now it was late afternoon with the sun low in the sky so we quickly ushered Amy and Joanne aboard, Chris released the bow line and I the stern  With Andy Munro aboard and dozens watching at the marina I had to reverse AmyJo two boat lengths before I could swing her towards the marina exit and out onto the cut.  Having only done this once in a hire boat and never with an audience to say I was nervous was an understatement.  I need not have worried,  AmyJo swims beautifully and is so responsive on the helm.  At just 750rpm she moves through the water easily, in fact I have to keep easing off.  We took out first cruise out of the marina to the nearest winding hole, winded and then headed back.  A some total of 1hour cruise, but it was our first and one that we'll never forget.

Chris and I stayed on AmyJo overnight and on Sunday started to unpack everything.  We settled down for the night only to find the lo would not flush but that's for another post, all I will say is thank god for tetra pack cups!

I've stayed aboard until Tuesday but Chris has had to return to work.  This gave me time to get the tech up and running,  today the internet, tomorrow the alarm system.

So there we have it, the end of one dream (to own a narrow boat) to the start of another, to live the dream.

See you out there!