Meine Frau sagt, mürrischen alten Mann

Sunday 20^th September to Wednesday 30^th September 2015

There hasn’t been a great deal of travel happening right at the moment, despite the weather being really very good; it has just been so easy to sit where I am and do not much at all – that is if you call working and crossing items off a list not doing anything.

So, what have been the highlights over this last week or so –

No one would really believe me at all if I was to say shopping for shoes – not that is if you knew me at all – I absolutely hate any form of shopping involving any type of apparel, and in this case the shoes were not even for me.

Diane thought that it might be a great idea to surprise Sam, our daughter, by getting her a pair of brogues here in London and post them back – Sam had seen Diane’s and was a bit envious – not of the black and white colouring but just the style.

So armed with the size and style I headed over to the Clark’s outlet at London Design Outlet beside the Wembley stadium.

Of course, the information that I had was incomplete to get anything.

Even after Diane now discussed it with Sam the original criteria had changed, so a second trip was required and this time – still no luck – not the style, not the size – just not the shoes in stock.

The second event of any note was almost being punched by a pregnant woman – well girl at least.

Diane will tell you, if you ask her, that I do not tolerate people walking along playing with their mobile phones – its OK if they are actually talking on them using them as a phone – but these days it is the texting whilst walking that leads to problems.

Anyway where there are lots of pedestrians and little room to move, I value the space of walking in a straight line and others move to the other side.

Anyone coming the other way that is not concentrating on where they are going suddenly is confronted by yours truly who simply stops and waits for them to react.

On this occasion it happened to be a pregnant girl – probably no more than 18 – but these days to me they are all young.

So she is walking along, texting, plenty of other people around so am I going to inconvenience them by having to dodge this girl so I plant the feet and stop – she keeps walking straight into me and seems to expect an apology.

Words along the lines of “you should get out of the way of a pregnant person” “why are you such an ars___le?” “you old fart”

Were replied with “you look more like you have eaten a few packets of chocolate biscuits than pregnant” “you should be watching where you are walking instead of playing games on your phone” and “If you are pregnant then I pity the baby – IQ is inherited – yours is starting from a low point”

With that I walked on, smiling all the way – she was left with a couple of people having a bit of a giggle at her expense.

I did however bring the boat down from Cassiobury Park to Croxley and have enjoyed three days here without having to run the engine at all.

The sun and solar panels were cooperating and the thinking is that one more day here will do just fine before the exhausting trip down to Rickmansworth and after that it will be further south.

I was up early the other morning – Tuesday, I think – to see the “super moon” but the pictures didn’t turn out that great.

The countdown has now reached 30 – just a month to go.

I think that she is having a bit of fun there -

That's right dear - make the old girl stand

yet another selfie

with the pool in the background

Did someone say cake?

...what and cider as well - she may not want to come back

My wife says Grumpy Old Man

3 Miles, 6 Locks

YTD: 812 Miles (1307 km) , 514 Locks, 14 Tunnels, 11 Lift Bridges, 16 Swing Bridges

Total: 3706 Miles (5964 km) , 2635 Locks, 112 Tunnels, 45 Lift Bridges, 167 Swing Bridges

Mo - you will be missed

We have just found out the terribly sad news that Mo (nb Balmaha) has passed away after a battle with cancer.

It is something that has just hit us both for six and we cannot express our sadness at this time.

Naturally our thoughts are for Vanessa (Ness) and all of the family.

Mo was just such a cheeky guy that you could not help but instantly like.

We first met both Mo and Ness back in 2008 after we had finished with a hire boat and they could not have been more welcoming to two newcomers.

Over the years we have caught up on a few occasions as happens with all of us.

So so sad and upset with this news.

41

Saturday 12^th September to Saturday 19^th September 2015

I know that it has been a week since my last informative blog but at the moment there just isn’t a lot of variety or interesting things actually happening.

It doesn’t make a lot of sense to tell you about going to the supermarket or that I have done the washing – the usual and normal domestic stuff that still happens, even on a boat.

What did happen that was interesting – nothing at all.

Sometimes it can be just uninteresting.

Sure I have done a bit of travelling – firstly from Cassiobury Park down to Croxley Green where Phil and Nikki now live with the two girls – Mia and Jessica.

I was very kindly invited to dinner on two consecutive nights – nothing flash, just good wholesome home cooked food and a chance for some conversation.

Croxley Green was interesting in a not-seen-it-before sense – worth a walk up the hill to see a varied group of shops offering quite a lot really and the Croxley underground station is right there as well.

A couple of days there and then it was down to Rickmansworth – nothing against it but I did need to empty the cassette and that was the nearest elsan point – I did however stay a couple of days – it was Champions League time and the White Bear shows all of the matches.

After that, I wanted to go down to Uxbridge – for fuel and I needed some packing rope for the stern gland. The fuel was only 59 ppl (self-declare) and I filled right up to the brim – it had been over 5 weeks since the last fill and I was happy with the 140 litres.

There was another boat waiting there at the same time and I was talking to the woman on the boat when she asked me a question that I had not been asked for a long time by a newly acquainted woman……

…..if I could guess where she came from, she had reached the conclusion that I was Australian. It is an indication of my improvement in picking some of the variety of accents of the UK that I almost immediately picked it as of a Mancunian origin.

If you were thinking that she might have been about to ask me some other type of question then ….. you were wrong!

We compared notes on a few things but predominantly pump-out tanks – she was about to have hers removed and I informed her that we had done so last year – and could not be happier with the result – there, the conversation always comes around to toilets – the batteries being quite OK.

After that – it was back on the “road” – the water road (to use the title of Paul Gogarty’s book) and up to Harefield – why there? – well I was a bit tired, it was starting to rain (for the 5^th or 6^th time that morning and fairly heavy this time) and it was nice and open for a TV signal to see the Rugby World Cup.

And today, Saturday, it was such an incredibly brilliant day – the sun was out from the very start and stayed out until disappearing behind the tress – a lovely warm day – and being the weekend there were so many people out and about; the sun giving them a new energy to engage with others.

This shot above Common Moor Lock was so peaceful and showed how lovely not
only the scenery was but also the day

 

I don't recall seeing a dutch barge going through a lock but that is exactly what
was happening at Lock 77 today

I finally moored up back at Cassiobury Park from whence I had left just 4 days previously but I think I will be here until next weekend when I will wind and head back south again but perhaps carry on past Uxbridge.

There, not much of an interesting week at all; I have hardly done anything at all.

Somewhere in there I have resealed the bath, cleaned the Reflecs stove; done a check on the stoppages over winter to see where we can cruise to; and of course a few loads of washing (had to get that in for Paul and Bruce).

Someone is bound to ask about the heading for this blog – why 41?

If I had written this yesterday then it would have been 42 and I could have given erroneous answers about the answer to the ultimate question of life and the universe, but quite simply it is a countdown.

There are now 41 days left until Diane returns.

 

Whatever caption I may wish to add may not be a wise move on my part, just
to say though, she is the best...

19 Miles, 24  Locks

YTD: 809 Miles (1302 km) , 508 Locks, 14 Tunnels, 11 Lift Bridges, 16 Swing Bridges

Total: 3703 Miles (5959 km) , 2629 Locks, 112 Tunnels, 45 Lift Bridges, 167 Swing Bridges

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SARA

Monday 14^th September 2015

Just a bit over a week after one daughter has a birthday we have the youngest one celebratoring hers as well.

Today it is Sara’s birthday and to us she is our daughter, so we wish her all the best for today, but as I understand she and Mitchell have taken off for a week and are somewhere down south of the Californian border.

I don't think it's broken but it hurts like hell

Monday 7th September to Friday 11th September 2015

I stayed put for one more day before deciding to head on - the mooring was not great - mostly shaded during the day so that meant the solar panels weren't in the sun for as long as I would like; and there was nothing holding me here anyway.

So a fine day on Tuesday and I was off - not very far mind you, it would only be to Cassiobury Park which only took me a couple of hours - slower going on your own and really no need to hurry.

It is easy to tell that schools have all gone back - much fewer boats around and I didn't come across one boat moving during this short trip.

Found a very quiet spot above the lock in the park, with as fully open as you can get around here, so the sun has been working its magic - and mostly it has been lovely weather - generally quite fine and full sun in the morning and then partial cloud in the afternoon.

For my part it has been a bit full on with work - seems that everyone has been saving it all up and sending it through en masse as a reward/punishment of some description. Anyway it has meant that the mornings are spent deep in work and only a chance to get out in the afternoons just briefly.

I did wander outside early on Thursday morning to adjust the panels in readiness for another fine day when wallop I went over unceremoniously, slipping badly on the wet/dewey grass alongside the towpath. A bit lucky not to fall in as well, but unlucky that the big toe on my right foot was bent backwards in a position that was not at all in the owners manual.

Managing to right myself, I could tell that not all was right with it at all - it hurt like all hell and the slightest pressure on it - you know, like trying to walk, which was sheer agony.

I have broken this toe and the corresponding one on the other foot a few times over the years and none felt as painful as this, so my first thoughts were that it definitely was broken.

Coupled with this was a fair degree of back pain - obviously I have twisted that in the process.

So I limped/hopped/crawled back inside and elevated it to relieve some of the blood rushing to it - this helped and after some time you could see the bruising starting.

If I cannot walk on it for a while, then I may as well get some work done and leave the foot raised.

About lunchtime I thought about giving it a spin and seeing how I would go actually walking; surprisingly, I was able to walk on it - just up and down the boat.

The next step would be to fit the foot with a sock and shoe - just putting the shoe on was an exercise in self-torture, but upright I remained and managed to get up and out of the boat and took the foot for a bit of a walk around the park.

It wasn't a good look on the face with each step but I was moving - fortunately the back was a lot better - not great but a good improvement.

Now, with another day under my belt and more walking, the toe is still very sore, but there is some movement in it. I still won't be chancing my luck with a marathon or anything else athletic, but I am pretty well confident now that it isn't broken.

A lot more bruising has come out - but it will be at least a couple of weeks before it starts getting back to normal.

 

Not something that you want to look at whilst eating your breakfast - my horrible
foot which is whole lot more horrible

If there is one thing that is a problem when you are single-handing, it's anything that restricts your mobility.

The usual thing that happens when you walk around with some part of your leg in such a state it that there is a compensatory thing that happens to allow for the loss of normal movement - I have found that my right calf is terribly sore and very tight - well at least that is only muscular and better than getting a hip problem - especially for someone of my age.

I may have to get the walking stick out to use - just in the short term, mind you; but sometime over the weekend or early next week I will be wanting to move the boat, so where I said earlier on that being on your own makes it a bit slower, I suspect that being invalided will make it even more so.

Anyway, we will just get on with it and see how it all goes - it's doubtful that the absent crew will be returning over a sore toe.

One last thing is that I have been a bit slack this last week with the blog and have only just seen comments that people have sent in - I have added these just now and also added a photo of Rachel and Kelvin (nb Serafina) to the blog from last week - apologies.

2 Miles,  5 Locks

YTD: 790 Miles (1271 km) , 484 Locks, 14 Tunnels, 11 Lift Bridges, 16 Swing Bridges

Total: 3684 Miles (5929 km) , 2605 Locks, 112 Tunnels, 45 Lift Bridges, 167 Swing Bridges

Trial Separation?

Sunday 6th September 2015

For those who know, it came as no surprise, but maybe for those who didn't it will probably be a bit surprising but I can now tell you that Diane has left me, on the boat, and returned to Australia via Los Angeles.

Of course she will be coming back in a couple of months we aren't splitting up or anything like that, but she has gone home to see her parents who are having a not so great year

The timing of the trip was to be a secret to surprise our daughter, Sam, for her 30th birthday, but it appears that there has been some leakage of "state" secrets and a full-scale enquiry will take place with those responsible being dealt with quite severely - there will be feather-dusters and tickling involved.

She split the trip up by stopping in LA for a couple of days to see Mitch and Sara. This will now be the future travelling arrangements.

From all reports that I have had they all had a good time and there was another house guest there - Emily Flanigan - whom we know from Mitch's junior tennis days.

 

we think that they are just a lovely couple

The sign in the background says it all

Diane met up with Sara's brothers - Matt and Luke - and went out to a ball-game as she saw the LA Dodgers take on the San Francisco Giants.

 

So now there will be a Dodgers hat to go with the Yankees hat

But for now she is safely at home in Melbourne and will be flying to Queensland very soon.

 

Like I said yesterday - the wacky gene has defintiely been passed on

The selfie-queen is at it again

lucky Mum made it home - at least she will be there to help with the cleaning

In the meantime, I have renewed my single-handing skills and moved from Hemel Hempstead down to Hunton Bridge where I shall spend a few days.

4 Miles,  9 Locks

YTD: 788 Miles (1268 km) , 479 Locks, 14 Tunnels, 11 Lift Bridges, 16 Swing Bridges

Total: 3682 Miles (5926 km) , 2600 Locks, 112 Tunnels, 45 Lift Bridges, 167 Swing Bridges

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SAM

Saturday 5th September 2015

Parents are justifiable proud of their kids as they grow up, but it gets a bit scary when they hit milestone birthdays, but Diane and I are both very proud of our daughter Sam as she now celebrates her 30th birthday.

It is meant to be a time when someone finally becomes a bit more serious but we cannot see that happening any time soon.

She started off as such a lovely child...

...we knew that she had some coordination problems...

....we knew that she was one of the kids ...

...and a bit on the beautiful side...

She appears to have inherited the "whacky" gene - mainly from her mother

and sometimes she does have the "never-growing-up" side to her

but we do love her so very much

So, Sam enjoy today and tomorrow and then the day after that and on and on, for life was meant to be enjoyed

A different sort of week

Sunday 30th August to Friday 4th September 2015

Well after a couple of weeks of fairly lengthy travelling the boat has been in the same spot all week.

Diane decided that we should have a bit of a walk down along the tow path - she had wanted to see if she could find nb Serafina (Rachael and Kelvin) - she knew they were in the area.

The rain made it a case of a take the umbrella with you kind of walk. I did ask her what the colour of the boat was - easier given the rain to look for a colour than necessarily try to read all of the names - the reply was "a red one".

Didn't see a red boat corresponding to the name and we reached bridge 154 and there was nothing further on.

mmm- she loaded their blog to see if they were where we thought - I caught sight of the picture of their boat - not exactly red - from the small picture on the phone it looked dark blue - that shed a whole different light on it, so we back tracked and found it - it was actually a darkish green.

It  didn't matter, they weren't there anyway - later knowledge told us that they had actually done the same to find us - and we weren't there either.

We did enjoy a lovely Sunday roast at The Steam Coach which is just along in St.John's Road - very nice indeed - on the Wrenbury scale it was an 8 out of 10

Again we were quite lucky to have a cricket match going on right opposite the pub, so we finished our drinks sitting outside at the pub but able to watch and afterwards just strolled across the road to see it just that bit closer.

Monday was a pretty casual day - my last day of leave from work so we explored a bit and had lunch out again - this time we found the 'spoons which appears to have manifested itself in the old picture theatre - not the first we have seen thus transformed.

Tuesday it was back to work and it has been pretty much that for the rest of the week - catching up on emails and things that customers want.

Strangely, as I was coming back from Aldi where there were a few things needed to reinstate into the kitchen I managed to meet up with Kelvin and Rachael - they were just passing Ferndale so there was a bit of a chance to have a chat - not long enough really, but there will be sometime in the future.

Next year we will enjoy a drink together - good travelling you two.

The rest of the week has been a bit full on with work and not much else until today when I managed to get a few jobs completed on the boat that had been on the list and also got around to an engine oil change - always happy to get that done.

So now it is time to sit down and relax and ready oneself for the weekend.

I shall update with some photos tomorrow - hopefully.

Hire boaters or dumb-ass boat owners

Thursday 27th August to Saturday 29th  August 2015

For the first time in a couple of weeks we had a completely relaxing day with nothing that really needed doing and not a lot done anyway.

Why you may ask? There has been a fair amount of travel done lately and we thought that we deserved a day off and besides that there was a bit of rain forecast.

We had reached our target location which we needed to be in for our Friday travels, so no need to move.

We have been to Berhamstead a number of times previously but never ventured too far away from the main street - this time we did go out of our way.

Diane had not been to see the castle ruins so we went there.

 

Not a great deal left, but you can visualise the walls, the moat, the motte and
the outer defences - just a shame they built it so close to the railway

We had not walked the canal to see more closely the things along there - rather than just cruising; we hadn't walked different streets - so we did that as well.

 

Watford Ladies FC home ground is at
Berkhamstead. No, Diane is not about to sign up

Seeing new aspects of places already visited is especially interesting and we have tried to make a concious effort to do so.

Friday was our day to travel down to Watford - Diane had a screening test to go through at Watford General and we had some post to pick up from Maggie and Paddy.

So on the train which was stopping at Watford Junction where we both got off and waited for the next train which would stop at Bushey - I travelled on this one and Diane exited the station and made her way to the hospital.

We had been waiting on some pens to arrive which we had ordered in a bit of a rush from James and Debbie (The Pen Makers Boat aka nb Lois Jane) - they were able to get all of these away quick smart for us and we could not be happier with the results - the pens are really lovely and will make great gifts - so if you are looking for something very good and of high quality then look no further.

 

This photo doesn't do them justice - visit the website and see for yourselves 

I spent some time with Maggie and Paddy talking about the wedding last weekend and everything that went on and before long it was time to walk up to find Diane at the hospital - no problems there - she was out very quickly and with the test results - all is OK - so only left to have something to eat and then head home - Diane had been fasting all day and by now it was after 4pm - the poor girl was in danger of wasting away to a shadow.

After what was a reasonably long day of travelling down and then back we made it home a little before 6pm - certainly glad to have made it and just a little bit tired.

Saturday was moving day and we had Hemel Hempstead in sight for mooring for tonight, but firstly we needed water and then later we needed to empty the cassettes.

 

Just possible to see the totem pole (in the background) - 
which was carved by members of the Kwakiutl tribe
in recognition of the years that trade took place
between this area and Canada.

More from Watford - well at least the icon 

We did manage to share a few locks with one boat before we caught up with another single boat - as they were originally ahead of us we waved goodbye as they teamed up with the other boat.

It wasn't long before we were joined by another single boat - this time a hire boat with parents and three young children out for a week - Linda and David were the parents and there was Abigail (8) and twins Isobel and Joshua (both 6).

I mention all of this because both Linda and David shared boat and lock duties; all of the kids were so well behaved and very careful about everything and well mannered.

Linda and David had an excellent understanding of a lot of things about the canals and were excellent examples of how any boater(s) should be on the waterways.

I am pretty certain that I have said it before, a great many people who hire boats do so because they enjoy the waterways as much as others who own their own boats and the skill levels are in many cases much better that the pompous old farts who go out once every other year and think they own the canals - Well done to you all!

As I was saying there are people who own their own boats and really have no idea of the ettiquette that is part and parcel of cruising.

We were coming up to Lock 62 and I was walking the towpath to prepare the lock; being no more than 40 metres away I could see that the lock was full - this I thought would be the case as the boat that had exited had not long passed us.

Anyway, two women had come up with windlasses and disregarded the approaching boats - clearly in sight - and turned the lock - I yelled to them that the lock was full - one dropped the paddles, the other completely ignored me and faced away.

As I got to the lock it had dropped and would drop further before they could/would change it so rather than get hot under the collar I walked away.

In cases such as these we will refuse to offer any assistance; Diane later going up as they were almost ready to leave the lock and advise them about conserving water/turning locks/ co-operating with all users - they didn't have a clue - one even saying lying that the lock wasn't full.

I overheard the conversation on the boat with the steerer which basically went along the lines of "it was our lock, we were there first" - Give me strength.

As is now my custom - if you come across a 35-40' bluish boat called "Buster" (painted on the bow only), then it maybe the same people - be prepared for them having no manners and only caring about themselves - there, named and shamed.

We moored up after Lock 63 having farewelled Linda and David and then needed to post a letter; across the other side from the next lock was not one but two games of cricket in progress - we had often wanted to see a village cricket match - this was about the nearest we have come across, so we wandered across and had a bit of a look; then wandered up to the main shopping area and did all of the things that we wanted to do and came back, sat down and enjoyed the one game that was still going - I was happy to oblige with the commentary for Diane in the style of many a fine commentator - she of course knows just as much about it and simply smiled and nodded at me.

Still it was a nice way to end the day.

5 Miles,  11 Locks, 1 Swing Bridges

YTD: 784 Miles (1262 km) , 470 Locks, 14 Tunnels, 11 Lift Bridges, 16 Swing Bridges

Total: 3678 Miles (5919 km) , 2591 Locks, 112 Tunnels, 45 Lift Bridges, 167 Swing Bridges

Let's play dodge the rain - and the thunderstorm!

Tuesday 25th August to Wednesday 26th August 2015

We seemed to in a constant state of trying to beat the weather for these few days - the BBC weather app was in constant use - when is the rain coming; when will it clear; what is the best time to leave and how long will we be able to cruise.

I fear we will have used up our data allowance just in looking at weather reports.

Never-the-less we did set off quite early on Tuesday morning and the weather was lovely and yes, I will say it yet again, it is the best time of the day.

We were able to enjoy the early morning and seemingly had it all to ourselves - no waiting at locks, no problems at all.

It seems that the temperature must be dropping overnight because there were a couple of boats that had their fires on, though for us, we are quite warm inside and haven't changed from the summer duvet.

It wasn't long before the sun had surfaced above the tree tops in the distance and it was showing that summer was not yet over by any stretch - there was warmth in it even before 8am.

Onward we continued, stopping briefly for water at Slapton Lock - the water pressure here was very good - maybe because everyone was still in bed - we have used it before and has been a quick filler.

We had a provisional target of Marsworth, but even we thought that was a bit adventurous until we were through the swing bridge just before Pittstone Wharf and then we knew we would make it before the forecasted heavy rain appeared.

Just as we were getting through the two locks below Marsworth, the rain did start to appear - just enough that we should put our coats on.

Fortunately we were moored up safely and snuggly just after bridge 129 before it really came down.

No more movement today.

Wednesday was very much a different day - the weather reports indicated that it would rain until sometime after 10am and before 11am, but after that there would be some not so heavy rain.

When it stopped just on 10am we decided that we would be off

With only the Marsworth Locks to do before the summit pound we thought that we could get through that fairly quickly and then a bit of cruising before beginning the descent.

What you think will happen and what does happen are two entirely different things.

At every lock we either met a single boat that was coming down and had only just filled the lock and then took their time getting through - one chap (not on his own) refused any help, wanting to do it his way and proceeded to open all paddles and then both gates, close them in a non-methodical way, do the same on the bottom gates - or we had to empty locks left full from the two boats that we found out were in front of us

Anyway, we were nearly 2 hours getting through and by the time we were about to exit the top lock, the rain had started.

Ironically, this was the only lock where we had any luck - a hire boat coming out from the Wendover arm was heading down the flight, so we could leave the gate open.

The intensity of the rain increased and after steering between moored boats on both sides, Diane headed inside (out of the rain) and left it to me.

We were a little speck on the weather map under the yellow section near
Aylesbury - I was a tinier speck left out in the open

Before anyone suggests that she was escaping the downpour and leaving me out there alone, it had already been prearranged - she had dreamt up found imagined several things that had to get done - things like dusting the bananas, tidying the bookshelf, rearranging the pens in their holder - very important stuff.

I do however know that just after the Tring cutting, after I was drenched from the thunderstorm, there were hot sausage rolls coming out and fresh tea - later on when I went inside I did discover that it was all clean and tidy and vacuumed - things not possible to be done when there are locks to do.

Better to have just one person soaked than both - next time, I think I will have an urgent batch of brownies to bake.

We combined well to work through the locks on the descent into Berkhamstead - only one lock was shared, all of the other locks during the two days we were on our own.

Most annoying of all, was that there was a single-handed boater just in front of us, who was completing a lock and saw us approaching, gave no sign of aknowledgement, apart from looking back at us a few times. As we were cruising between locks 49 and 50 a boat crew heading the other way said that he was waiting for us at the next lock - his words not theirs - as we approached he was hauling his boat out of the lock to go to the next one.

We had a boat coming the other way and didn't see him again, but it would have been of benefit to us both to share the lock and halve the exertion, but more importantly it would have saved precious water.

As my grandfather (from Lancashire) used to say "you can't put brains in statues".

We eventually moored up in Berkhamstead before a little more rain after which we ventured up into the town to explore and Diane had a need for some crisps, cake and coffee, which I had to help her moderate her intake.

After two hard days we will be taking it a bit easy for at least tomorrow.

25 Miles,  31 Locks, 2 Swing Bridges

YTD: 779 Miles (1254 km) , 459 Locks, 14 Tunnels, 11 Lift Bridges, 15 Swing Bridges

Total: 3673 Miles (5911 km) , 2580 Locks, 112 Tunnels, 45 Lift Bridges, 166 Swing Bridges

A day to Manchester and back.

Monday 24th August 2015

As alluded to in the previous blog, we had a little trip to Manchester today - a round trip of some 6 hours driving and about another hour of other things (included stoppages), then finally a late lunch and some shopping to top up the pantry.

I have previously shared the information that I have finally been given a Residence Permit noted as Indefinite Leave to Remain, which has taken a few trips up to Manchester and back as well as sourcing plenty of documents and other material to prove that I am actually me; that I am working and earning money; that I am also working in the UK and also seeking other work (as if I even have time for a 3rd job); in addition I had to show bank statements in the UK for the past 5 years; wage payment receipts; and other ever-changing requirements - on top of all of that we have had to pay the solicitor to prepare the application and pay the Home Office to look at it - there are no guarantees with any of this and even one minor mistake and you have to restart without any refund of the charges.

So a bit of angst over all of this and relief that it is finally over - except for one matter.

There it is - all that effort for a piece of plastic

All of the paperwork has been returned from the Home Office including my passport and the Home Office issued ILR card to the solicitors office and we needed to pick it up - having the car was a bonus so we headed northwards.

Diane had asked me if I wanted her to come with me - so far in the car - what with her record of being a passenger.

"Of course you should come" I said - and I hadn't had anything to drink.

Let me say here that I was not completely specific with the type of car that I should have hired when I rang the company.

There should have been -

- a set of brake pedals installed on the passenger side, because this car now has a hole in the floor from Diane trying to use the brake on that side of the car,

- a larger back seat area, because although she is one she couldn't get into the one that we had and actually be a back-seat driver,

- a hair-trigger ejector seat so that each time she jumped at something that wasn't going to happen but she thought would then the roof would detach and whammo, the seat would spring the passenger off into the bushes,

- a very large boot - the one that we had was too small - I couldn't push Diane into it and close the door,

- finally, I neglected to ask for the optional sound-eliminating headphones.

The number of trucks, cars, motorcycles, golf buggies and mobile scooters that at one time or another were apparently going to suddenly veer into the lane directly in front of us; come into the car with us; or were too close behind us was staggering.

I'm not saying that she is the worst passenger - well maybe I am - but I do love her dearly, just not when I am driving a car where she is in the left hand seat.

We eventually made it back to the boat intact; in perfect health; and still married - oh, and we did manage to get all of the paperwork.

Near-Catastrophe Miss

Thursday 20th August to Sunday 23rd August 2015

We had moored the previous night at Stantonbury Park in Milton Keynes - this has been a location that we have passed by on a few occassions and thought that it looked a peaceful quiet place, but have always favoured Campbell Park.

For the previous day we had just simply had enough cruising and with rain imminent we decided that our previous thoughts would be a suitable barometer - we were not disappointed, and it was both peaceful and quiet.

So for Thursday it was only the matter of a short cruise to our preferred mooring spot at Campbell Park - en route there was the required elsan visit - this became the canal version of a Grand Prix pit stop - Diane gently easing the boat into the assigned mooring spot and whilst she was tying up, I was already off the cassette and reappeared onto the boat within just a couple of minutes - it really now is a fine art; Diane untied and we moved off - barely enough time for a boat that was right behind us, to now be right in front.

Why move the short distance? Easy really, we were hiring a car for the weekend and it was just a short 1 mile walk from the new mooring to be able to pick it up.

We did however spend the remainder of Thursday getting a few things done at the shopping centre as well as others aboard.

We wanted to be away as early as possible on Friday, so I made the trek and was on the doorstep of Enterprise just before 8am; they were open early and I was away not long after 8 and parked beside the boat before 8:30.

Whilst I was sorting out the car, Diane had taken care of all of the packing, so we were on the road just after 9am.

What was the reason for the car hire? - Diane's cousin, Phil, was getting married - the ceremony and reception being at Gorleston (Norfolk);  many guests, ourselves included were staying that night and we would come back to the boat on Sunday.

But for Friday we were heading down to Watford - there was an urgent package that had arrived in the mail for Diane and couldn't wait for another week, so we drove there to pick that up - only her uncle, David, being there - he had notified us that it had arrived.

One other reason for the Friday expedition was that Diane wanted to see somewhere that we hadn't seen together and she had always wanted to return back to Clacton-on-Sea where she had visited as a young girl - I, of course, had never been there, so why not?

Escaping the confines of greater London and its traffic was one of those things that you think is not going to happen, but eventually we crossed the M25 "barrier" and the green areas got bigger and the housing estates reduced - but getting anywhere is slow.

Finally we found our destination and then a parking spot (also rare) and had a wander around.

Like many other seaside holiday towns it was showing part of its age and certainly its target audience.

With Clacton Pier in the background, we were enjoying the sun, so the selfie-queen
was busy with the camera

There has been a considerable amount of money spent on improving the facade and making it more appealing and given that we were still in the summer school holiday period there were a lot of families around enjoying themselves - I guess the sunshine helped a lot as well.

After an hour we had seen enough and had added the characteristic tones of the Essex accent to our library of unforgettables.

Onward to our "mooring" spot for the night - and quite frankly we were pretty well knackered from the early start, the driving (giving directions), the heat and humidity, and being tourists, and it was not a late night for either of us. A Friday night drink at the pub next door was as about as exciting as it got.

Saturday was the day of the wedding and with it being scheduled for 4pm, this left us plenty of time to make it there.

Firstly we drove off, heading to Ipswich where we thought it might be nice to have a bit of a look around, as well as having some breakfast - it is becoming a likeable alternative, the good folk at the 'spoons in the centre of Ipswich catered for us very well indeed; we also had a wander around the Saturday market in the central pedestrianised area, before making our way back to the car which happened to be right alongside the ground of Ipswich FC - sad to say that they were playing away that day, so we didn't get to see if the lads really were living up to their nickname and driving tractors to the match.

Further along and seeing that time permitted we took a small detour to have a look at Lowestoft - it has a quite lovely seafront and beach with real sand - there still are a lot of pebbles and rocks - but mainly sand; the colourful beach-huts (for hire) were almost fully occupied.

Diane thought that somewhere over this weekend we would be able to have a swim in the sea, but even with the higher temperatures and the high humidity it was not hot enough to catch me getting even my toes wet - Diane was enthusiastic about it all, but decided that testing the water was a good start - how strange that even getting wet to her ankles should so quickly change her mind - the verdict - the water was freezing.

There were plenty of kids and reluctant parents in the water - I think it is just that we are getting old or rather, I should say, more sensible.

 

The water was not as warm as it looked and behind that "smile" was a grimace

plenty of people were in the water but not warm enough to entice both of us

It was a great area here to enjoy it all

Back into the car, which after an hour in the sun was perhaps changing our mind about a quick dip - we resisted it by opening the windows as we left the car park and we were quickly cooled down - for despite everything else, the air was not hot nor even warm.

The short driveup to Gorleston was just that - short - it took longer to find a parking spot to leave the car - everything in the hotel park was full, as were the surrounding streets - eventually perseverance paid off and we unloading the luggage and walked to the hotel.

Fortunately our room was ready and we were able to off load the bags (no, not Diane) and then head to the bar; not so for some others in the party - in particular two of Dianes second-cousins and their partners who had had their reservations unknowingly cancelled and were waiting for rooms to be available - all was eventually sorted out, but the hotel didn't fare well out of it all.

Time to get changed and make our way to the venue for the ceremony - an anxious groom waiting, a bride with the traditional slow clock - all was going to plan.

Ready for the wedding 

It was indeed fair to say that Nikki looked absolutely beautiful; Phil scrubbed up pretty well; they are a lovely couple together - still cannot work out how he managed to get Nikki.

 

That's Phil on the right - just hoping that Nikki isn't too much longer

Phil and Nikki - its all done now; Rachel and Kathryn (bridesmaids) in the
background

No problems throughout the ceremony; the photography session went well as did the reception which was very simple and very effective.

 

Jonathon and Zara - a beautiful couple

Phil's dad Paddy - whilst happy about the wedding, he was very
happy to collect his winnings from me with England winning
back The Ashes

We had had a long and relatively active day and by 10:30 we were both knackered and made our excuses and headed up for some sleep which arrived pretty quick, despite the warm night and the humidity.

 

Unaccustomed to public speaking - Phil did a great job!

There's one at every party

The following morning we were down for breakfast quite early and in the warm sunshine and high winds we took a good long walk along the seafront, catching the pilot boat heading back from a ship ready to come in and then seeing it being brought into the Gorleston/Great Yarmouth harbour area - boating is in the blood now

 

Rather windy - but in the background the windsurfers loved it

This was under pilot's instructions as it entered the harbour - note the waves

the Old Lighthouse at Gorleston

After packing the car and saying our good-byes to all that we knew we decided that we would make a relatively early exit - 9:30 is after all almost afternoon in our book - but some think that it is even too early to be awake.

Along the way, somehow I missed the turn-off for Cambridge - honest, your honour, I just didn't see it - I suspect the navigator was giving me a bum steer - that would be the navigator on the satnav, not the one in the passenger seat (it would not do well for me to be saying that about my beloved).

Anyway, having missed the turn, we made good of it all and Diane found a National Trust property to visit - Oxburgh Hall in Norfolk - and it was a hidden gem.

 

Oxburgh Hall

Main Entrance

Built in 1482 it stands surounded by a moat and was given authority to be fortified; so with castellated towers and suitable defences it stands, still much as we could see that it might have stood for over 500 years.

The family still occupy part of the buildings and have permission to do so for perpetuity.

The fellow in the painting was Governor of The Tower
of London between 1553 and 1558 

A damsel in distress - must rescue her - wait on, I know her

Candles for Mum and for Lauren

After spending a few hours there we realised that it was time to push on - having come too far north we would need to settle mainly for secondary A roads to make our way back.

That would have been fine but we did have a near crash as we made our way toward March.

A Tesco delivery van was in front and suddenly it's hazard lights came on and it pulled toward the other side of the road. My thoughts were that it was pulling over to stop and make it's delivery, the hazard lights being to alert drivers coming the other way that it was doing so.

In the meantime I was preparing simply to carry on travelling along on the left-hand side of the road and passing by, when all of a sudden the van was turning to be across the road - I had not been too close when we were behind the van, so the driver would have known that we were there, but I was also close enough (very fortunately) that I was able to veer further left (and that there was sufficient room on the narrow road to do so) and miss the van that seemingly was still moving forward.

His manouevre was, in the least stupid and I would think totally illegal, so it would have been interesting if there had been contact.

After that near miss the "normally" placid passenger was even more apprehensive from her side of the car; there was genuine fear on my part that we might have been charged the excess because of the damage to the dashboard from her plunging her sharp nails into it in an effort to hang on.

Diane's approach to being a passenger is akin to Hyacinth in "Keeping up Appearances" - ever cautious about something a few hundred metres up the road and fearful of anything approaching from either side or in the adjacent lane.

She is to put it mildly a woman is perpetual panic.

We did make it back to the boat in reasonably good time; my bloodied arm from fingernail imprints, scratches and bites will eventually heal - doctors said that I need to stay away from a car with Diane in it for a few weeks and I will be OK.

Sadly that could not be the case - we had planned a trip to Manchester and back for Monday; that I am writing this now gives you an idea that I survived - how I managed it is another story

4 Miles

YTD: 754 Miles (1213 km) , 428 Locks, 14 Tunnels, 11 Lift Bridges, 13 Swing Bridges

Totals: 3648 Miles (5871 km) , 2549 Locks, 112 Tunnels, 45 Lift Bridges, 164 Swing Bridges