Narrowboat Aussies

Month: September 2014

  • Back to Fenny Compton 30/9/14

    Wharf Road, Southam, Warwickshire CV47 2FE, UK

    Here we are on Tuesday back in Fenny Compton on the beautiful Oxford Canal, having left Stoke Bruerne last Tuesday morning. We caught up on some domestic duties before filling up with water and tackling the Blisworth tunnel again. We have both relaxed a little about the tunnels now with Bob going a little faster and more confidently through them and Bron able to read a book while keeping a lookout on the bow.

    We only made it just past the Gayton Junction where the Northampton Arm joins the Grand Union Canal. Another arm missed on this part of the journey but definitely earmarked for later. On Wednesday we made steady and pleasant progress through several miles of agricultural landscape and absolutely no locks!! This was a very relaxing stretch and the weather was extremely comfortable. We have indeed been blessed by a long and lovely summer but every conversation we have seems to turn to “what are you going to do in winter?”. The answer is – we are going to experience whatever it brings!!!!

    We stopped briefly at Weedon and walked into the town to pick up a few supplies. As we returned to the boat a couple started talking to us from NB Whio which we had passed a little further back the canal. She was previously from Port Augusta in Australia and they travel to the UK to live on their boat for the northern summer!

    The final stretch northwards to the Buckby flight of 7 locks and the Norton Junction with the Leicester Arm, follows the M1 motorway, the London Midland railway line and the old Roman Road A5 (which I foolishly said went to Bath in a previous post – I stand rightly corrected!!) We were running late and so moored at the bottom of the flight where we got hardly any sleep due the the continuous road and rail traffic noise.

    We left in good time on Friday morning to fill with diesel and purchase a clothesline, additional toilet cassette and engine running requirements  prior to tackling the Buckby lock flight, and continuing through the Braunston tunnel to complete four of the six Baunston locks before mooring up beside Moody Blues again.  The next 24 hours were very busy and successful on a number of levels.

    We made contact with Karl (as recommended by Michael and Jane from Moody Blues) who arrived on Friday morning to discuss all things covers. By the time he had left a plan was in place and we hope to have them completed at some stage in the next 6 weeks. He also gave us very good advice about a possible engineering solution to our roof drainage problem.

    We enjoyed drinks in The Admiral Nelson with Michael and Jane that night, also meeting up with the couple from NB The Cornish Navigator who were enjoying their last days before returning their boat to its winter moorings.

    We awoke the next morning to find Celtic Maid on a significant lean as the water level had dropped by about a foot in the pound overnight and we were definitely beached. It rose and fell again over the next few hours.Then along the towpath ran a steer (good veal size) clearly out of its field and very lost. It eventually wandered back whence it came so hope found its way home and not onto someone’s dinner plate!!!!

    A collective decision saw Celtic Maid and Moody Blues venture through the remaining two Braunston locks where the water level was a little more stable.

    On arrival at some perfect moorings we met up with more Kiwis aboard NB Waka Huia – Marilyn and David – who were also enjoying their last few days before returning to NZ for the southern summer. We do very much hope to meet up with them next year again as they are such good company and a wealth of knowledge.

    We ventured up the hill into the village and availed ourselves of the produce available at the excellent butcher and supermarket. As usual we bought more than expected but somehow nothing goes to waste.

    On Saturday we awoke to the unfolding news of a Hawthorn Hawks victory in the Australian Football League Grand Final. Our friends Bob and Sally were quite delighted but Bron won’t have the conversation with her sister Yasha who supports the Sydney Swans! Our beloved Adelaide Crows had a pretty rubbish season but that is sport!!!!!

    We also took the opportunity to catch up again with washing and try our the new clothesline that sits proudly in the Brolly mate stand attached to the tiller (or on its own tripod in other locations!). Worked a treat and the clothes were almost dry in the afternoon before we left on our way to Fenny Compton. Our friends on Moody Blues departed earlier in the day and on Waka Huia (meaning treasure box where the NZ Maoris keep the valuable feathers of the Huia bird) a little before us. We had finally called Jim and Chris on Sylph to let them know of our plan to come and visit them – Chris finally had her cast removed from her broken ankle last week!!

    We had a pleasant cruise in the late afternoon sun to find a spot at the foot of Napton on the Hill on the Oxford Canal, by Saturday night. It had been a rather big day and we knew we had the Napton lock flight of nine locks to deal with on Sunday before a further 11 miles to reach Fenny Compton. Lock 10 on this flight has been having some restoration work done on it making navigation very difficult and to get past this section took quite a while. Bron returned to doing the locks and Bob driving as he is much better at the tricky manouvering  required.

    We arrived in Fenny Compton and found a mooring quite easily well before sundown. Tired but happy. A call from Jim and Chris and arrangements made to meet up for lunch and drinks at The Wharf at noon the next day. It was great to see them both again and of course their gorgeous dog Gina. We spent a fantastic afternoon discussing and planning everything from business ventures to winter moorings to dog management!!!!! They always have a few tips to help us with Bunion!!!! Then another conker collection for their boat Sylph to ward off the spiders. There may be no scientific evidence of their efficacy but we are having a bet on success!!!!!

    This morning Bob booked Celtic Maid in to have some engineering work done next Monday so looks like we will be here for a while!!!! And now we are both off for haircuts – look out for the next photos of improved coifs!!!!

     

  • Cousins and Stoke Bruerne 22/9/14

    Towcester, Northamptonshire NN12, UK

    We took a little longer to get to Stoke Bruerne than we thought having caught up with our friends on NB Moody Blues – Jane and Michael. We interrupted her work and his painting to enjoy a long conversation about pram covers and paint and other things narrowboat over a couple of cups of tea. Very informative and always enjoyable. When we finally moved on it was getting late so we covered about half of the remaining distance and moored alongside a field of sheep – Bunion was eyeing them off!!!!

    Our other delays were caused by the need to catch up with things in Australia. Technology helps and skype is a godsend. But it is always difficult coping with sharing the ups and downs of life for our family at a distance. Bron’s parents are ageing and have ever increasing health needs which is difficult for those providing the care. When things become acute the tension rises and the need to communicate promptly increases. But this is part of the complexity of our life choices and despite the emotional roller coaster we know that this is part of the journey.

    On Friday morning we finally arrived below the first lock at Stoke Bruerne and walked to the campground to find Bob’s cousin Mick and his wife Cheryl. Within a very short time we were like old friends, despite Bron never having met them and Bob’s last connection being 48 years ago with his cousin!!! There was much conversation and laughter and getting to know each other amid a few beers and Bron’s first ever Pimms!!! This was something that Cheryl and Bron had been planning on facebook for a couple of years. Very civilized……..

    The return to the boat – about a mile at this stage – was by torchlight but we made it with no incidents.

    On Saturday Mick and Cheryl came to Celtic Maid and we cruised back down the canal for about an hour, then stopped for lunch before turning around to head back. This gave Mick and Cheryl (who are avid motorhomers) a chance to experience narrowboats in action with Mick choosing to take the tiller for most of the journey. When we stopped for lunch, Bob, Cheryl and Mick went blackberry picking so that yet another apple and blackberry crumble could be constructed!!!!

    Meanwhile Bron was busy in the galley preparing lunch and dinner.

    But her turn to captain the boat soon came around once we got back to the locks, and with Cheryl as chief photographer, and Bob and Mick hard at work on the lock paddles and gates we made short work of the 5 locks and were soon mooring up close to the campground. After more conversation a drink or two, many laughs and dinner, it was Mick and Cheryl’s turn to walk back to their motorhome alongside the canal but they took Bunion for company and made the short trip safely.

    When we got to their campsite on Sunday morning we were surprised that Bunion had not been well behaved and had apparently been harassing the other campers but we think he was just excited to have had a sleep over!!!!

    We enjoyed a great brunch, followed by a tour of the Canal Museum in Stoke Bruerne  and then to The Boat Inn to sample their fine beers and ales. This is where we found the ancient game of skittles and our collective competitive spirits took over. Michael eventually won knocking all 9 skittles over with just 2 throws but a good time was had by all.

    There being a conker tree close by the canal we also took the opportunity to stock up on some more conkers to drive away the evil spiders that seem to think Celtic Maid should also be their home. Anyone who knows Bron is well aware that this is just not an option!!

    We decided to sample the Indian delights of the Spice of Bruerne restaurant for dinner. To say that we highly recommend this fine establishment may be underplaying our total satisfaction with the food. Well worth a visit for anyone passing by.

    On Monday we bid Mick and Cheryl a reluctant farewell after breakfast. We had spent some time problem solving our impending heating, insulation, condensation and drying issues as winter is fast approaching. Bob and Bron have some research to do now but Cheryl and Mick have offered to return and give us a hand, this time to stay with us and enjoy a little more canal life. Bunion has been mooching around since they left – I think he wanted to go with them!!!!!

    We will head off toward Braunston in the next couple of days where we hope to have some minor modifications done and get our cratch and stern pram covers made. Where to after that is anybody’s guess – any ideas???????

     

  • Friends, Relatives and Broads 17/9/14

    Silbury Boulevard, Milton Keynes, Milton Keynes MK9 4AD, UK

    Maldon, Essex CM9, UK

    Norwich, Norfolk, UK

    Here we are back in Milton Keynes briefly after a very eventful 10 days.

    On Sunday 7th September we had a brilliant farewell meal with our friends Mick and Kendra, their daughter Rose, Chris and Sue, their daughter Sam and grandson Riley at the Crystal Palace in Berkhamsted. Highly recommended and all Bron’s gluten free requirements were well catered for in a delicious roast lunch and desert!! We could hardly breathe we were so full as we headed back to the Celtic Maid collecting conkers to ward off the spiders along the way. We also had a kick in the park with young Riley who demonstrated significant ball skills – pity its the round ball version!!!!

    After a sad farewell (Mick, Kendra and Rose went back to USA last Wednesday – we are looking forward to their next visit next May!!), we prepared to leave in good time on Monday morning to cover as far as we could in a quest to get to Leighton Buzzard by Wednesday.

    With Bron at the tiller and Bob rapidly becoming a gun on the locks, we made great progress and moored above the Marsworth Locks where we had moored on the way down. We had covered 16 locks and 7 miles – pretty good effort. Bob’s final job was to pick the blackberries ready for Bron to make blackberry and apple crumble – yum yum!!

    We were a bit disappointed that we did not have time to go down the Aylesbury Arm this time but we were in for a hectic time. Next time we hope!

    We made good progress again on Tuesday 9th and found a reasonably secure mooring within walking distance of the train station in Leighton Buzzard.  On Wednesday we walked to the train station – about 2 kms – and then into Leighton Buzzard for a look before returning to our boat to pack for our little adventure.

    Thursday morning we set off, catching the train to Watford Junction before walking to Watford Underground Station and making our way to Northwick Park hospital – again. We had good news that the dendritic ulcer forming on Bob’s eye had healed and the pressure and inflammation were managed. We have a 4 week break now until the next visit! It took much longer than expected to get through this visit and pick up the required prescription supply so we were a bit concerned when we got onto a bus (unsure if we had the right one) and phone calls revealed that Bob’s cousins Julie and Phil were already waiting for us at Chris and Sue’s. Arriving about an hour later than planned we were soon off battling the London traffic making our way to Maldon in Essex where Julie and Phil live.

    We had a lovely night getting to know Julie and Phil better and preparing to make an early start to their boat Tickety Boo which is moored at  Horning on the Norfolk Broads.

    As we drove north through Essex, Suffolk  and into Norfolk we witnessed different scenery than our recent familiar canal environment. One of the hardest things to get used to is travelling at 60 miles and hour rather than about 3!! As we neared the Broads region the land became very flat and low and the boats very different from our canal boat. Lots of sail boats and cruisers of all sizes all vying for space in the marinas.

    We were soon introduced to Julie’s mother Joy (Bob’s first cousin) and her husband John and their boat Blue Sapphire, as well as Tickety Boo – our home for the next few days. These boats are so different from a narrowboat but nothing beats life aboard a boat!!!!

    After lunch we followed Joy and John out onto the Broads, passing Cockshoot Broad and mooring in Ranworth before a walk along a boardwalk to view a wildlife conservation area. Just before returning to the boat Bron got her icecream – a rare treat. Back in the Marina Phil cooked a lovely mackerel dinner and we finally retired to a restful night.

    On Saturday we went to Wroxham to do some shopping – by boat of course. There are some beautiful houses along the route and we can see why people love it here. Once in Wroxham we went to look at the steam train that runs on a narrow gauge railway and found out lots from the driver and engineer. Didn’t take a ride… this time!!! This town is full of Roy – Roy’s supermarket, Roy’s garage, Roy’s toys etc etc. If your name is Roy you are big in this town!!

    Shopping done and back to Horning in time to clean up and head out for dinner with Joy and John at the Fur and Feathers. The women all had the cod and chips (delicious!) and Bob sampled the local brew accompanying his steak and kidney pudding (along with John) while Phil enjoyed a red wine with his beef and ale casserole in yorkshire pudding! We returned to Joy and John’s boat for desert and a good yarn. It seems that Bob has not seen Joy since her sister Brenda’s wedding 48 years ago at which Julie was a 7 year old bridesmaid. A long time and lots to catch up on!!!

    Sunday morning and we were off again early to see some more of the Broads, enjoy a delicious English fry up brunch  cooked by Phil and return to Horning in time to drive back to Maldon. We were all a bit tired but that did not stop Phil cooking us a lovely chicken roast dinner, Julie showing us her workshop and beautifully crafted silver, copper and gemstone jewelry and Bob and Phil watching the classic Australian movie – The Overlanders.

    We had an early start back to London on Monday as Bron had a phone appointment with her GP and we had to pick up more prescriptions before heading back by bus to Watford Junction and train to Leighton Buzzard where Cletic Maid was patiently awaiting our arrival. It was sad to say goodbye to Julie and Phil but we had a wonderful time and are enthusiastically looking forward to welcoming them back aboard Celtic Maid someday soon.

    It is great to visit family and friends and new locations but always good to get back home again.

    We made slow progress on Tuesday – needing to finish the washing, fill up with water and supplies and remove refuse – before travelling a few miles on our way to meet more cousins – Mick and Cheryl – in Stoke Bruerne on Friday. We were fortunate to meet up with Carolyn and Gary from NB Inca and moored nearby.

    Today we covered the miles required to moor at Campbell Park tonight before the final leg to Stoke Bruerne tomorrow.

    There are lots of new photos in the gallery and if you want to see some of Julie’s great jewelry check out her website juliesjewels.co.uk

     

     

  • Watford to Berkhamsted 7/9/11

    Hertfordshire, UK

    We are on our way back up the Grand Union Canal,  currently awaiting the arrival of  friends to have a Sunday lunch at The Crystal Palace Pub. Mick and Kendra are heading back to Port Townsend this week with their daughter Rose, after a reportedly lovely few days in Paris celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary. So Chris and Sue, their daughter Sam and grandson Riley, are bringing the others to Berkhamsted for a final catch up before they leave the country. I guess we are all blessed that travel and communications technology keep us close despite physical distance.

    Today is also Father’s Day in Australia. So Bob is having a well earned drink – in celebration of his role as both Dad and Stepdad to 6 fantastic children. And 3 (nearly 4) grandchildren!!!

    We arrived here yesterday, having left Watford Thursday afternoon. Watford was a great place to sit and relax and catch up on doing our tax return, general boat maintenance and other duties. We also had a good look around Cassiobury Park. It is brilliant to see so much green space being preserved in this small country, and witness it being enjoyed by so many.

    Bob’s eye specialist appointment on Thursday held mixed results. His eye pressure and inflammation are down considerably thanks to the cocktail of medications and careful monitoring. However there is now a small problem with the cornea so the addition of some ointment to the treatment regime and we will be back to see them again next Thursday!!! More research required into the transport system and availability of cost effective means of transport!!!

    We are now able to share the driving and the locks taking the physical, mental and emotional pressure off a bit. Bron drove for most of the last 3 days quickly learning how to manouever Celtic Maid in and out of locks, on and off mooring sites, and (mostly) around obstacles such as oncoming boats, trees, floating debris, bridges and moored boats. We have been told many times that this is a contact sport and we have come to believe it. We now see the scratches on our beautiful boat a bit like our wrinkles – evidence of the life we have lived and adventures we have thrived through!!!!

    We have again met some lovely people. We traveled most of yesterday sharing a dozen or so locks with NB Moody Blues and its crew – Jane and Michael. Bob and Michael took care of all the locks, the swing bridge and finding moorings, while Bron and Jane swapped storied at the tiller. It always helps to share the locks and is always a pleasure to do so with such friendly and interesting people. We do hope our paths cross again very soon.

    Once we arrived in Berkhamsted we took a walk to identify the pub serving the best Sunday roast lunch. Along the towpath (where the best pubs are located of course) we met a couple in their boat enjoying a glass of Prosecco in the afternoon sun. We had quite a chat with Derek and Jane aboard Galliard before we continued our walk to The Rising Sun for a quiet drink. As we returned via The Boat we found them still there and now joined by a woman, who was gardening nearby, now enjoying a crisp Villa Maria Suavignon Blanc with them. Rude not to join in!! And soon Lucy moored up with a little help from the fellas. The towpath community is a diverse and vibrant one!!!!!

    So we await our friends, anticipating another lovely day. And there are lots more fun days planned!!!!

    The gallery includes a few photos of rare birds and new friends – we hope you enjoy!!

     

  • Visitors and cruising GUC 1/9/14

    We are now located on a peaceful section of the Grand Union Canal alongside the picturesque Cassiobury Park at Watford. This gives us ready access to the Watford Undergound Station, shopping and lovely walks. We anticipate being here until Thursday afternoon when we return from yet another eye appointment. Keep your fingers crossed for a good outcome please!!!!

    Last Tuesday our guests arrived in time for lunch and caught our attention from across the canal in the Tesco car park. Chris and Sue kindly delivered Mick and Kendra into our care and were delighted with the minor improvements we have made to Celtic Maid since we left her in their care in late May while we went to Venice. We took advantage of a break in the showery weather that afternoon to walk around The Aquadrome – Batchworth, Bury and Stocker’s Lakes – a haven for birdlife and water sports. So strange to see people knee boarding and skiing after the very slow pace of canal craft!!!! We made Mexican for dinner – in the absence of any accessible Mexican restaurants we made sure that Mick had his favourite “fix” before he suffered withdrawal symptoms. Mick and Kendra got the guest suite for their stay whilst we enjoyed the saloon bed!! Made it very comfy though!!!

    We decided to give Mick and Kendra some experience of the locks so headed down the canal towards Uxbridge on Wednesday going through 3 locks before Bob completed a swan assisted turning pointing us upstream again. The rest of us managed a lot of walking between locks that day and we eventually moored near Lynster’s Lake and had a few celebratory drinks, roast dinner and an evening of card games.

    On Thursday after much encouragement from our guests, Bron finally took the tiller and learnt how to take the Celtic Maid through the locks. With careful tutelage from Bob and a few minor scratches to our boat, Bron now has this (nearly) mastered and we can now share the load of the locks. Mick and Kendra got lots of practice on the paddles and lock gates and had a bit of help from some children once we hit the Cassiobury Park locks (please see the photos in the gallery!).

    We continued upstream and finally moored at Hunton Bridge.

    Sarratt, Kings Langley, Hertfordshire WD4, UK

    A short walk to try out the pubs and we had completed our research for a pub lunch on Friday, when Chris and Sue were to return with their daughter Sam and grandson Riley to ferry our guests back to Edgware in readiness for their trip to Paris to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary. We had a rather late dinner that night as a result of the research so no more card games and some exhausted sleep.

    A conversation between Kendra and Bron about glam camping being “glamping” resulted in a new word for what we are doing – “gloating” – glam boating!!!!! Has a certain ring to it!!!

    Friday arrived and alas so did the end of the lovely visit by our friends – we hope they return soon! Lunch at the pub and then a short cruise to turn the boat around with Bron in command until the turning went horribly wrong and Bob had to take control. A skill yet to be mastered by Bron! Back to our mooring, a final coffee together and then a tearful farewell – well we do hope to meet up with them next weekend before they return to USA and to hear about their trip to Paris!!

    Saturday morning and lots of domestic tasks to complete before relocating to Cassiobury Park. But we were blessed with a quick visit from Carolyn and Gary on NB Inca as they made their way up the canal from a short stay in London. As usual they were a wealth of information and we now have an excellent contact to get our bow and stern covers made.

    Finally the washing was done and we were underway, with Bron doing the first lock and then taking over the tiller until we turned again to moor at our current location. On Sunday we went searching for the Watford Undergound Station (a short 20 minute walk) in preparation for a trip to Edgware on Monday (more health appointments). We then walked on to find the High Street and managed to buy a few more things to make life aboard more comfortable.

    This blog should have been completed Sunday but a few technical issues and a lot of frustration prevented that outcome. But here we are today – health appointment completed, more shopping done, public transport navigations successful, a total of 30,000 steps completed over the last 2 days, and blog and gallery updated. A very successful couple of days.