It's a century, but now for the Red Room.

Friday 13th March 2015

What do we have in common with the English cricket team?

answer: Nothing

Unlike the crew that have just been eliminated from the cricket ODI World Cup, we have managed to bring up a century - 100 tunnels - not all different, but 100 passages through tunnels on the system.

Our travels for the day took us through the Harecastle Tunnel for the 12th time.

We set out later than usual with rain still falling, but with a plan - Diane thought that an afternoon at the movies might be nice.
Also we had had a piece of good news for a change - I will explain all at the end of this blog entry.

So down from Poole Aqueduct to Hardings Wood Junction and turned right towards the tunnel; we didn't even have a chance to moor up properly when the tunnel keeper emerged and waved us in.

A brief safety explanation, the horn had been tested along with the light and I was already wearing the life jacket; he also passed over a bag for us to deliver to the other end - we are official carriers for CaRT.

Cheaper and better by the dozen, this passage passed without incident - as had most of the previous 11 trips.

At the other end we duly handed over the bag and emerged into a much more pleasant day - a bit brighter and a lot drier - it had stopped raining as forecasted on the weather app.

We cruised down to moor outside the Toby Carvery - now a favourite mooring spot since CaRT have moved on the continuous stayers - well done to CaRT for allowing genuine cruisers a chance to moor in these prime spots.

We were having dinner with Janet and Howard later on, but first Diane wanted to go to the movies.
Having read the three-part trilogy a couple of years ago, she now wanted to see how it looked up on the screen, so off we both went to see Fifty Shades of Grey.

It would be fair to say that the books are unlikely to win any literary awards and in keeping with that, this film is unlikely to win any film awards.

But the problem that I now have is the redecorating of the bedroom - a distinctive red hue has been suggested by "she who must be obeyed" and there will need to be another cupboard allocated for the extras.
Oh the things we have to do to keep them satisfied.

Before all of that there was dinner to be had and most importantly to see Janet and Howard again.

our Happy Friday selfie whilst we had a drink before Janet and
Howard won the battle with traffic

There was numerous remarks and silly giggling when we spoke of the film we had just seen, but we tried to steer away from that and concentrate on what we were all doing this year.

We had planned on doing The Wash with Howard (me thinks Janet would be waving him goodbye at Boston and then sneak around to welcome him at the other end), but the situation for us has changed that.

Just what has happened....

Last Tuesday I received an email from a colleague who looks after allocation of customers to inform me that all of mine were to be reassigned to other chemists by decree from the boss. Knowing him (the boss) as I do, it reeked of how he would go about wanting to be rid of my services.

Without jumping to any conclusions just yet, I did send enquiries out to find out exactly what was going on, but because of the time difference there were no answers yet.

Discussing this with Diane, we thought that this coupled with the uncertainty of the application to extend my stay in the UK, did not bode well for us being here after this year.

That being a higher possibility than previously, we made the decision to that we would most want to see the London canals.
So we have started our journey south.

All of this was going on in a shroud of uncertainty and felt that apart from the information that I had put in the blog, there was nothing of much certainty and signs of just not being sure, so we didn't want to unnecessarily say much.

On Friday, I received another email from the same colleague advising that the vast majority of the customers that had been reassigned on Tuesday would be reallocated back to me.
It seems that my boss wasn't fully aware of just how much I actually do in his company - he seems to think that I am over here on holiday at his expense and swanning around doing bugger all - but none of anything is certain for a long period of time.

Anyway it has left a bad taste in my mouth and when things get to the stage that they are, it is natural to start thinking of what can be done to change it all.

In addition to all of this, I have been advised that my current visa - an ancestry visa - which, whilst it states that I can work in the UK, actually means that I have to be seeking employment - even though I have a job.

So if anyone can offer me some employment whilst I continue to live on the boat I would be most grateful.
In the meantime I will now start seeking to put some poor Polish or Romanian immigrant, in this country legally, out of a job. You got to love beauracracy.           

7 miles, 1 tunnel
YTD: 113 Miles, 38 Locks, 2 Tunnels, 2 Lift Bridges, 6 Swing Bridges
Totals: 3007 Miles, 2159 Locks, 100 Tunnels, 36 Lift Bridges, 157 Swing Bridges

Girls Day Out then onto the Hall

Wednesday 11th March to Thursday 12th March 2015

Just the tonic that we both needed.

After a reasonably unsettling and upsetting Tuesday with the news we received, we definitely needed something to cheer us both up.

It had, of course, been pre-arranged that we would head down to Stone - the girls were to have an afternoon tea at The Dog and Doublet at Sandon; the guys would hang around in Stone awaiting their return.

enjoying a male-free feast

As it may have involved some time before they were likely to finish, it seemed only natural that we should occupy our time somehow.

We started in The Star Inn, before heading over to The Swan and then up to The Royal Exchange - 6 of us looking out for one another - Andy, Roly, Jim, Richard, Gordon and yours truly.

The time just seemed to disappear and before we knew the girls - Sue, Bev, Joan, Sharon, Dot and Diane - had joined us.
The front window seats of the Exchange were completely full and then some.
 

yet again we have taken over the front window of The Royal Exchange

The only disappointment was that Elaine and Paul were not able to make it.

We all headed off at a reasonable hour; we had a train to catch; others needed to get back to their boats; for Dot it was a "school" night.

Thursday came and after a bit of work we were off again - this time though, it was not far at all - for some years and a few times past this way we had intended to make a visit to the National Trust property at Little Moreton Hall - closest way from the canal is to moor by Bridge 86 and use the public footpath.
The problem sometimes with using these footpaths is that they traverse farm land - in particular farm land in use by livestock, and after rain some areas become a little bit muddy.
 

not the driest of footpaths or easiest to pass

Anyway, with slightly less than completely clean footwear we made it and had a very good look around the property which dates from the early part of the 16th century.
 

we finally made it to Little Moreton Hall - notice the clean straight lines

Some areas were closed, but what was open gave a good look at the style of the family(s) who lived here and the manner in which they lived.

the Chapel...

...and the stained glass windows - unfortunately they date from the 1830's

This table is only 1 of 3 original pieces of furniture still in the house

some of the original wall decoration

and an original 16thC convenience

The long hall

...with decorations

As is usually the case with a lot of the older properties that we have visited, the family benefitted or not depending on which side they supported in the civil war - here was no different and their support of Charles I had a profound affect after hostilities ceased.

After taking our time we headed back the same way, doing battle with our earlier nemesis, but in the end making it back to the boat.
We decided that we should move on a bit further and so finally moored on the Poole Aqueduct - above the start of the Cheshire Locks.

One consequence of this last movement, is that we brought up 3000 miles of canal travel - we are happy to have had the chance to travel so far, and hope for many more miles.

6 miles, 1 lock
YTD: 106 Miles, 38 Locks, 1 Tunnel, 2 Lift Bridges, 6 Swing Bridges

Totals: 3000 Miles, 2159 Locks, 99 Tunnels, 36 Lift Bridges, 157 Swing Bridges

Melbourne weather - rain, hail, sunshine

Thursday 8th January to Saturday 10th January 2015

After our return in December, from our travels, Diane announced that she had too many clothes and planned not to buy any for the whole of 2015, but this does not include essential replacements. Whilst locking Richard through on Wednesday, first one and then the other boot both started leaking water and it was almost a situation of pouring water out of the boots.
Now as they had lasted 3 years of continual use - they were the first choice locking boots and the first choice for a walk to the pub during previous winters - so they had plenty of work (and walk).
I could not begrudge her a new pair, so before we needed to set off for the tunnel, we had one last trip up the hill into the town centre.
What should have been a simple one stop trip turned out to last just a wee bit longer than that - 3 hours in fact.

Post Office; Costa (for coffee - an essential); B&M for a few things that we probably would be better off not eating; 3 Mobile.

This last one was to do with an upgrade for our Myfi - we have opted for the new 4G version, which should have been a suitable swap one for another and a few keystrokes into their computer terminal and we would be gone.

Why do they all have deals for new customers but don't extend them to existing customers - anyway, if we took a new SIM card for the phone we would save about ₤40 on a new contract.
As I had a new (newish/newer) phone we looked at is and said "why not?" - the guy dealing with us was great and really engaging and now we have a new superfast 4G Myfi and a new phone SIM, but it always takes twice as long as I think it should take.

Back on the back we prepared ourselves for take-off; having checked on Richard and letting him know. We were both going to head to the Harecastle south portal for an overnight stay and be ready for the 8:30 start in the morning.

So after watering up we were moored up and Richard was there behind - the sun was setting. Richard invited us aboard for a drink, but on a fasting day it could only be tea, but there was no restriction on chatting.

Up early in the morning - Diane is now a confirmed morning person - we had the boat ready be just after 8am; the CRT guy was down about a quarter past for the briefing. This time our tunnel light was working properly and I already had the life preserver on - saved any strong advice that I should wear it.
Off we were waved at 8:30 and had a relatively quick journey through - this being the 11th time we have taken Ferndale through and it was about the most uneventful - no times of inattention; no near misses of head on roof or boat on walls.
Out in about 35 minutes, to see nb Free (Carol and Dave) waiting for their trip south.

At Hardings Wood Junction we parted ways with Richard - us heading for the Macclesfield and he down the Cheshire Locks.

We only went as far as Poole Aqueduct where we moored up - Diane wanting to make use of the services at Red Bull before we need to move. So armed with bags of washing and shower stuff we headed that way - knowing the Richard was still working the locks - so we got the last one ready and locked him through and a final goodbye.
Washing machine engaged, we had showers and felt much better; I headed back to the boat and Diane waited for a second load of washing.

When we had been through here 3 weeks ago we had lunch at The Red Bull pub - just a starter and a main with the intention to return for dessert - well we finally made it back - but only after a trip to Tesco - milk was running out and a few other essentials - not sure where crisps and biscuits come in the order of most required items, but there they were in the trolley.

aaaarrrrgggghhhh! - Easter eggs already - no b____y  way!

Anyway we made it back to The Red Bull; ordered a drink; eyed the dessert menu,but we were also waiting for Howard to arrive - his printer was not working so we downloaded some information for him and printed it out - he was arriving to pick it up, but as it was also his birthday we couldn't let him go without a drink with him.
 

The birthday boy - farewell Howard until we catch up later this year

Finally we finished a 3 week old meal with lovely pudding.
 

Friday drinks 

The weather reports for Saturday spelt doom and gloom - high winds and high prospect of rain and the temperatures starting to head south.
We wanted to move - at least to Congleton and then after that we could be near to Bosley Locks.

An window of opportunity was there from about 9am, and when we were awake early Saturday, the intermittent heavy rain was belying the weather reports.
Luckily as I headed out for "madam's" Saturday paper, it was a bit drier; coming back, it looked better, so after breakfast we headed off - at just after 9am.
Whilst the wind was strong we found that in many places we were well protected; when in the open we had little problem controlling the boat even at slow speed past moored boats.
There was a little bit of light rain; a bit of hail and even some sunshine; but mostly wind.

Winter cruising is not all bad

concentration on the face; inside just saying "finish with the photo"

We only needed 2 hours to travel to Congleton; moor up and head inside - safe, snug and cosy.
Now as the wind seems to be picking up; it appears colder; and is definitely darker overhead - we are in for the rest of the day and night.

12 miles, 1 Lock, 1 Tunnel
YTD: 23 Miles, 13 Locks, 1 Tunnel
Totals: 2917 Miles, 2134 Locks, 99 Tunnels, 34 Lift Bridges, 151 Swing Bridges