There is a gentleman called Paul Smith who has an interesting story to tell. His is a story about learning all things narrowboating, and it was, I can assure you, the hardest way to become a liveaboard. (I read his book)
He is in the process of producing a calculator that takes all sorts of info that is needed, or not, to generate a cost and budget for living afloat.
I opted to be one of the testers so have given my initial feedback along with others who are fine tuning the application.
Follow this link to get access to Paul's site ....this link
It is worthy of success.
Monday, 10 December 2012
Saturday, 8 December 2012
The big swop over
While I have the use of Mandy's mooring I am taking advantage bow to bow mooring of Waterlily and Percy.
Today (Friday) I started moving those bits of 'stuff' that I wanted on Percy. I will not leave Waterlily wanting, she needs to be able to cruise away hopefully with new owners soon.
The generous well deck on Percy and the even more useful forecabin swallowed up a lot of stuff that was stowed away on Waterlily.
I am under strict instructions from Rachel to let her move the majority of items.... I suppose this is pots and pans bedding etc. There are still a few cupboards with bits that need sorting. I think I'll add some storage in the engine room on Percy, not going to rush that as hopefully I will have quite a few years to get it right.
I was really cold today, the back stove dd a great job, it really gets the back cabin warm. I think we will use this space quite a bit, after all it has been designed to be a complete house - I think Sarah on Chertsey uses her cabin as such, well until Bakewell arrived.
I took the opportinty to nip over to Great Haywood to discuss getting Waterlily on their brokerage, the benefit being a secure mooring and accompanied viewings at Kings Bromley marina. I like Kings Bromley marina and if I ever opted for a marina mooring I think it would be there.
So this weekend will hopefully see me back cleaning the port side of Waterlily and the roof. I'll then drop her up the two locks and clean the starboard side while on the Fradley moorings.
It was very quiet today, only two boats on the visitor moorings. One boat disgraced itself by cruising through and leaving the top gates open and paddles up - recipe for draining pounds, it happened last time we moored on the visitor moorings and I had to go out late at night and shut gates and lower paddles after an inconsiderate boater left them up and open. Todays name and shame was Penny lane, Worcester....must do better
The generous well deck on Percy and the even more useful forecabin swallowed up a lot of stuff that was stowed away on Waterlily.
I am under strict instructions from Rachel to let her move the majority of items.... I suppose this is pots and pans bedding etc. There are still a few cupboards with bits that need sorting. I think I'll add some storage in the engine room on Percy, not going to rush that as hopefully I will have quite a few years to get it right.
I was really cold today, the back stove dd a great job, it really gets the back cabin warm. I think we will use this space quite a bit, after all it has been designed to be a complete house - I think Sarah on Chertsey uses her cabin as such, well until Bakewell arrived.
I took the opportinty to nip over to Great Haywood to discuss getting Waterlily on their brokerage, the benefit being a secure mooring and accompanied viewings at Kings Bromley marina. I like Kings Bromley marina and if I ever opted for a marina mooring I think it would be there.
So this weekend will hopefully see me back cleaning the port side of Waterlily and the roof. I'll then drop her up the two locks and clean the starboard side while on the Fradley moorings.
It was very quiet today, only two boats on the visitor moorings. One boat disgraced itself by cruising through and leaving the top gates open and paddles up - recipe for draining pounds, it happened last time we moored on the visitor moorings and I had to go out late at night and shut gates and lower paddles after an inconsiderate boater left them up and open. Todays name and shame was Penny lane, Worcester....must do better
Friday, 7 December 2012
View from the back cabin
On Tuesday when I had finished moving Percy back to Hunts lock I sat and drank a coffee and reflected ..... this was my view sitting in the back cabin, a comfy nice place to be.
You can of course click on any of my photos and they will open larger in a new window.
Thursday, 6 December 2012
110 foot of canal boat (s)
Tuesday saw me back on Percy with the intention of moving the final two locks (keepers and Hunts) down to my mooring on Hunts.
Mandy My neighbour off Don't Panic is recovering from a bad accident on the moorings and with permission is up on a vacant mooring s between Junction and Keepers lock. She has give me the OK to draw Waterlily back onto her mooring for a little time in order that we can move all the personal stuff off Waterlily prior to being sold.
So first job on arriving was to walk Leia down to Hunts and drag Waterlily 60 odd foot backwards. The wind helping as it was across the cut onto our moorings pinning Waterlily to the armco.
Job done we then locked Percy down the last two locks of the journey home and fitting nicely onto the moorings.
Tea and more investigations of the boat revealed a very slight leak on the stop tap.... bit of an arse really as it is the tank side, so if it will not nip up I'll have to drain the tanks. Percy has two stainless steel tanks connected. Tony originally fitted a galvanised tank which was replaced and the best way to get the volume and be able to retrofit them was to put in twin stainless tanks. I might add some more insulation in this area as although well below the waterline the tops of the tanks are a little exposed so could freeze in really bad weather.
Looking back towards Hunts Lock.
We (Leia and I) had a nice walk to common lock to finish off the day. When I got back Kev my other neightbour came out and we had a good chat.
Now it's just the matter of keeping the fire in when we get the next cold spell.... at least we will not have to cruise breaking ice.
One thing I may have not mentioned was on Monday when cruising from 7.30 am to 4pm I passed three boats....that in itself is a very good reason to cruise in winter.
Mandy My neighbour off Don't Panic is recovering from a bad accident on the moorings and with permission is up on a vacant mooring s between Junction and Keepers lock. She has give me the OK to draw Waterlily back onto her mooring for a little time in order that we can move all the personal stuff off Waterlily prior to being sold.
So first job on arriving was to walk Leia down to Hunts and drag Waterlily 60 odd foot backwards. The wind helping as it was across the cut onto our moorings pinning Waterlily to the armco.
Job done we then locked Percy down the last two locks of the journey home and fitting nicely onto the moorings.
Tea and more investigations of the boat revealed a very slight leak on the stop tap.... bit of an arse really as it is the tank side, so if it will not nip up I'll have to drain the tanks. Percy has two stainless steel tanks connected. Tony originally fitted a galvanised tank which was replaced and the best way to get the volume and be able to retrofit them was to put in twin stainless tanks. I might add some more insulation in this area as although well below the waterline the tops of the tanks are a little exposed so could freeze in really bad weather.
This is the Hunts lock moorings
Just arrived back on the 4th December
Waterlily will make someone a very fine boat.
Looking back towards Hunts Lock.
We (Leia and I) had a nice walk to common lock to finish off the day. When I got back Kev my other neightbour came out and we had a good chat.
Now it's just the matter of keeping the fire in when we get the next cold spell.... at least we will not have to cruise breaking ice.
One thing I may have not mentioned was on Monday when cruising from 7.30 am to 4pm I passed three boats....that in itself is a very good reason to cruise in winter.
Tuesday, 4 December 2012
The final leg....
On my own on the boat I was a little sad Sunday evening, I had enjoyed Rachel and Callum's company, however they did not have the luxury of holiday on Monday as I had so it was left to me to undertake the last hop of the journey.
Sunday evening was spent understanding the boat a little more. One thing for sure it is a cosy warm boat. I was up at 6am Monday morning and the first check was ice or not ice.... no ice so we were set to go. As I was intending a full day no stop I packed myself a lunch and a large flask of coffee. Both fires were set and the engine started at 7.15 am and I was moving in shallow daylight at 7.30am.... with some light rain falling.
There are benefits for cruiser stern boats, and semi trads as Waterlily is, but for winter cruising I have been sold the trad with the back cabin stove, it is so just right.... no surprise really as those poor hardy souls dragging the boats across company needed every little comfort that could find. The photo below does not really convey how murky the morning was, but no ice.
By the time got to the junction I knew I was going to get to Fradley in the day. The house overlooking the junction was for sale.... nice frontage, not sure about the area or what was behind it.
Just past the junction I met Comet.... our first boat. It hangs around this area and is normally there when we pass.... I know the story of the person who brought it from us and I feel comfortable that they are making a go of it even if they may be breaking a few rules.
I had forgotten how lovely this stretch of the Coventry Canal is - we should come this was more often, lots of lock free miles with lots good mooring places
This is what you might call living on the edge....the cat never flinched when Leia went past, cool cat.
Work was underway on the new marina at Streethay.... Rays (ex of Strethay) mooring were full, I've never understood why someone would want to moor here... especially those that are literally within 20 feet of the thundering A38 traffic.
The rest of the trip went by very quickly with me getting to Fradley at 3.10pm....about 7 hours 40 minutes, good to know if we need to get to the great mooring a the bottom of the Atherstone flight.
I watered up and chatted to Maffi who told me it was his birthday. I 'called for him' after mooring up on the visitor moorings as I did not fancy messing with moving Waterlily to get Percy on the Hunts lock mooring. We took a couple of pints in the mucky duck then Rachel came to pick me up..... mission just about complete.
Sunday evening was spent understanding the boat a little more. One thing for sure it is a cosy warm boat. I was up at 6am Monday morning and the first check was ice or not ice.... no ice so we were set to go. As I was intending a full day no stop I packed myself a lunch and a large flask of coffee. Both fires were set and the engine started at 7.15 am and I was moving in shallow daylight at 7.30am.... with some light rain falling.
There are benefits for cruiser stern boats, and semi trads as Waterlily is, but for winter cruising I have been sold the trad with the back cabin stove, it is so just right.... no surprise really as those poor hardy souls dragging the boats across company needed every little comfort that could find. The photo below does not really convey how murky the morning was, but no ice.
Except just after the M42 bridge.... the temperature just dropped, my breath bloomed and the ice cracked, just a short stretch but this area must have been in a dip catching or holding the frost.
As I approached this somewhat rundown cruiser the curtains opened ....it was someones home for the night, hardy soul and made me feel a little guilty cruising round on my central heated hotel !
As I rounded the Samual Barber pub/marina I was hailed by Tony Heathcote who owns Tollhouse boat sales who I brought Percy via. he was taking a well known ( for the wrong reasons) 70 foot Les Allen back to Hllmorton to go onto brokerage.
As I approached Tamworth the heavens opened, brolly up back doors shut and I was quite comfortable.
The two Glascote locks we deserted so locked myself down very slowly....the rain had thankfully stopped now.
The rest of the trip went by very quickly with me getting to Fradley at 3.10pm....about 7 hours 40 minutes, good to know if we need to get to the great mooring a the bottom of the Atherstone flight.
I watered up and chatted to Maffi who told me it was his birthday. I 'called for him' after mooring up on the visitor moorings as I did not fancy messing with moving Waterlily to get Percy on the Hunts lock mooring. We took a couple of pints in the mucky duck then Rachel came to pick me up..... mission just about complete.
Monday, 3 December 2012
Callisto is our saviour...
We moored up on Saturday night just outside of Nuneaton, well just passed Marsten Junction. Opening the doors Sunday morning my heart sank.... more ice, but this time thicker !
I took a calculated position... we had taken off some blacking on Saturday and the survey said it needed doing sometime soon so I took the boat hook and smashed the ice infront of Percy and set off, cracking we shall go.
I don't like cruising in ice, but needs must. First two boats side doors open and to their credit did not moan at me, just commented how quickly the canal had frozen and how thick the ice was. We mucked up one turn slowing down giving the ice a chance then I came up to the kink just after bridge 18 and spied the armco and said enough.....
Dissalusioned and expecting to have to stay put we headed off to find a shop for newspapers bread and milk. We had used a bag of coal in 2 days and we only brought one when we served the boat in Braunston!
Getting back to the canal after the shop I was delighted to see someone had come through. I spoke to a bloke walking his dog and he told me it was the coal boat and he had come from Springwood Haven.
We caught up with Callisto just as he was approaching our boat so we hailed him and took 4 bags off him and tipped him for clearing the cut for us !!
This was the boat I saw at Fradley when I met Geoff and Maffi, Geoff took some coal off him and Maffi locked him up Hunts lock !
We were about 2 hours behind schedule so sorry to Sue and Dave from NB Beefur, we exchanged a fleeting few words, next time I'll make you a cup of tea !
We got to the top of the Atherstone flight at 12.45... no one about, perfect.
We set to setting the locks ahead, most were empty but with teamwork we were at the bottom in just under a hour and a half. We even used the side pond to save some water !
As soon as we got out of Atherstone the temp plumeted again and ice was back on the canal, seems not much had been down the flight all day. We stopped at a lovely mooring at the bottom and my crew departed leaving me to a quiet boat and some blogging as well as a glass or tewo of wine to celebrate the day. Hard work, dissapointment to elation thanks to the coal boat, now can I make Fradley in the daylight tomorrow.... if the canal does not re-freeze !!
Special thanks to Rachel, Callum who walked the flight and set all the locks (with Leia) and Tom and Courtney who drove out to fetch Rachel and Callum back. I have a great family x
I took a calculated position... we had taken off some blacking on Saturday and the survey said it needed doing sometime soon so I took the boat hook and smashed the ice infront of Percy and set off, cracking we shall go.
I don't like cruising in ice, but needs must. First two boats side doors open and to their credit did not moan at me, just commented how quickly the canal had frozen and how thick the ice was. We mucked up one turn slowing down giving the ice a chance then I came up to the kink just after bridge 18 and spied the armco and said enough.....
Dissalusioned and expecting to have to stay put we headed off to find a shop for newspapers bread and milk. We had used a bag of coal in 2 days and we only brought one when we served the boat in Braunston!
Getting back to the canal after the shop I was delighted to see someone had come through. I spoke to a bloke walking his dog and he told me it was the coal boat and he had come from Springwood Haven.
We caught up with Callisto just as he was approaching our boat so we hailed him and took 4 bags off him and tipped him for clearing the cut for us !!
This was the boat I saw at Fradley when I met Geoff and Maffi, Geoff took some coal off him and Maffi locked him up Hunts lock !
We were about 2 hours behind schedule so sorry to Sue and Dave from NB Beefur, we exchanged a fleeting few words, next time I'll make you a cup of tea !
As soon as we got out of Atherstone the temp plumeted again and ice was back on the canal, seems not much had been down the flight all day. We stopped at a lovely mooring at the bottom and my crew departed leaving me to a quiet boat and some blogging as well as a glass or tewo of wine to celebrate the day. Hard work, dissapointment to elation thanks to the coal boat, now can I make Fradley in the daylight tomorrow.... if the canal does not re-freeze !!
Special thanks to Rachel, Callum who walked the flight and set all the locks (with Leia) and Tom and Courtney who drove out to fetch Rachel and Callum back. I have a great family x
Sunday, 2 December 2012
Blumin 'ard work....
Well not compared to Sunday.... but we did not know that at the time. So Saturday, back doors open to......
The canal had iced over. not massive but problematic for a single hander and three Hilmorton locks...
The tell tail sign of a boater who is on a time schedule.... see tomorrow for more on that !
The first lock was a real bugger.....it took me about three attempts to get onto the lock landing breaking up the ice to get in. Then it was slow motion, think everything through twice. The next lock was better as another boat arrived as I went in so they locked me down. The above photo is me waiting as I'd spied my crew arriving .... see below. How pleased I was to see them !
We passed a couple of bloggers.... NB Oakfield, gathering some sun.
NB Derwent6 full on Christmas decorations....
Then on to colourful Newbold tunnel
Well I had to record that sound in the tunnel !
We pressed on and moored up just past Marsten junction, tired but happy, especially with a curry and wine/beer on board.
We did not expect the canal to ice over quite so badly..........see tomorrow for the highs and lows !
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