A midweek bloggers meet up.

We enjoy reading our boating blogs each day to catch up on where everyone is and what they've been up to out on the cut and it's a great way to keep in touch with friends. So when Lesley & Joe on nb Yarwood were seen to be heading in our general direction, we kept tabs on them and got in touch to arrange a meet at 'The Mucky Duck' at Fradley last night.

Of course we both had to finish work before we could set off to meet them, but we managed to arrive just after 6pm to find them comfortably ensconced in the bar with a pint. We have been reading a bit of negativity about The Swan recently on a popular forum, but as is always the case for us, we had a decent meal and a decent pint in nice 'boaty' surroundings, and until we experience anything different, we shall continue to give them our trade. Ok, you wouldn't choose it for a romantic meal or a notable event, but as far as a traditional canal side pub goes, it definitely ticks all the boxes.

Jasper enjoyed meeting Lesley & Joe too and was impressed to be introduced to the delicacy of pork scratchings by Lesley. He'll be ordering a pint of Pedigree next......

After our meal we headed back to Yarwood to see the evening out. Jasper got to know Fletcher and Floyd, their two black labs, whilst we had a lovely tour of Yarwood. Lesley & Joe certainly put much thought into the layout and functions of their fabulous boat and as a liveaboard it has everything you could ever want. It certainly started ideas spinning in our heads and gave us things to think about for the future. We had a lovely evening with lovely people which, again, is all down to the power of 'blogging'.

Releasing the shackles for a lovely weekend

Trusting the weather forecast, we decided to blow the cobwebs off Blue Moon this weekend and head off out of the marina for a mini cruise. The weather certainly didn't disappoint, especially on Sunday, which was absolutely glorious.

John had contacted our friends Paul and Jane during the week who moor with us at Kings Bromley to see if they fancied joining us with their boat 'Lady Melissa' and travel up to Great Haywood in convoy. They bought their boat last September, but since bringing her back to Kings Bromley hadn't managed to get out, so they jumped at the chance and we had a plan.

We left the marina on Saturday morning but then it dawned that there was a scheduled stoppage up at Colwich Lock, which was actually due to finish that day. So would it be open or wouldn't it ? Fortunately our fears were soon quelled as an oncoming boat confirmed that the lock had opened on Friday afternoon, and so we pressed on past the Armitage Shanks factory and through Plum Pudding Cutting to Rugeley. 

Armitage Shanks factory

Lady Melissa through Plum Pudding Cutting

Despite the good weather, there were very few boats out and about and this meant that there were no queues at the usual bottleneck at Colwich Lock - our first lock of 2014. Louise helped Paul and Jane through the lock as John headed off up to Shugborough and was amazed to find the entire length overlooking the hall to be totally boat free. I doubt we will ever see that again as you can't normally stick a pin in it. We decided to go up through Great Haywood Lock and turn at the junction before mooring up for the night back overlooking Shugborough Hall.

Having enjoyed a nice meal and drinks in The Clifford Arms, we all retired to Blue Moon to put the world to rights over a bottle (or two) of wine before bed. How we have missed this boating life over the winter !!

We were in no great rush to head back to Kings Bromley on Sunday. John went off for an early morning three mile run before breakfast (obviously guilty about how much he'd had to drink the night before). He is in training for a charity 10k run in four weeks time in memory of his parents, so needs to keep up the training !!

We had a lovely trip back to Kings Bromley in sunshine and it brought the best out in everyone. Smiling faces, everyone relaxed and enjoying the weather. Even Jasper was taking it steady, as was the buzzard in this waterside garden.

Jasper - 'Just Chillin'

Soaking up the sun

And to end a perfect weekend, England triumphed over Wales in the Six Nations rugby. What more could you ask for ??

Not quite out with the old, but definitely in with the new.

Wow....March is here already and the days are getting warmer. A day on the boat potentially on the horizon for tomorrow and life is good - apart from work of course. 403 days and counting until retirement !!

A music post for the blog after our night out in Sheffield last night. We spent the day with our close friends Fiona and Rob from 'The Black Country' and travelled north to the 'Steel City' where we met more friends Wendy and Martin to see The Orchestra at 'Plug' - usually a student venue, but one which prides itself on putting on some good live acts, including in the past, Arctic Monkeys, Lily Allen and The Prodigy. So when Louise saw that The Orchestra were booked to play one of just three UK gigs there, we jumped at the chance. The fact we were going to this venue didn't exactly go down with our eldest 'student' son Liam, who was mortified to think that his parents were going to such a 'sh*thole' but what a great night we had - even if our feet did stick to the floor a bit !!

Who are The Orchestra you may ask.... Well they are former members of E.L.O. and E.L.O. Part II. We saw them last year at Rewind Festival and were hugely impressed then, but as is the norm with festivals, the set was quite short, so last night we were treated to a full session and they just blew the crowd away with a string of hits taking us all back 30 years or more.

                                                       Video clip of 'Mr Blue Sky'

At the other end of the scale, and obviously not old enough to remember anything about E.L.O. we were fortunate enough to see one of the support acts - sixteen year old Beth McCarthy from York. Not only a very talented singer / musician, but a totally engaging girl with an fantastic attitude and personality who chatted away to us after her performance as if she'd known us for years. If the name rings any bells, then you may well have seen her quite recently, as she appeared on The Voice on BBC1 tonight, winning her singing battle and moving onto the knockout stages. Well done Beth !!!

Fiona and Beth

Great weekend larking around in Brighton

The lack of boating activity over the winter period is not nice, so we were delighted to receive an email a few weeks ago inviting us down to Brighton this weekend for a 'boaty gathering' by our friends David & Lisa from nb 'What a Lark'. 

We travelled down on Friday evening after John had finished work and joined the happy band of gathered folk - David & Lisa (obviously), their friends and 'boat sharers' David and Amanda and Joe and Lesley from nb Yarwood whose blog we have followed for sometime but we had never actually met.

We had a lovely evening getting to know each other (and drinking) with only a brief discussion on toilets (compulsory amongst boaty folks). 

After breakfast on Saturday we headed into Brighton by bus. One of the first buildings we came across was The Prince Albert pub with a fantastic mural of musical legends covering the outside wall. Having named many of the faces, it dawned on us that they had all passed away !! The pub wall is also well known for a 'Banksy' picture of two kissing policemen which you can just make out bottom right of the picture

Mural of musical legends

We soon found ourselves in a pub (due to the weather of course) and the ladies decided to sample some of the 40 different gins on offer before heading into town to do some retail therapy, leaving the chaps to fend for themselves in the pub. When we met up again we had an interesting wander around The Lanes and we have never seen such a concentration of jewellery shops which the girls found most interesting !!

The girls enjoying a gin - Amanda, Lisa and Lesley

And off to the shops outside Brighton Pavillion

We then returned back to base camp and watched the rugby on TV as England saw off Scotland on a terrible pitch and Wales got thumped by Ireland which went down quite well too. This was followed by a battle of the sexes game of 'Articulate' which wasn't competitive at all and which saw the boys come out on top :-)

A great host but it was all a bit tiring !!

Today we headed for the seafront for a very pleasant and very bracing walk, including a bacon butty and mug of tea halfway round, before we returned over the top of the cliffs. The wind was certainly fresh, and the sea very lively, but it was a lovely way to spend the morning.

Group shot - Joe, David, David L, Amanda, Lisa, Lesley and John

Waiting patiently for breakfast - Amanda, Lisa and Louise

Seafront with Brighton Marina in the distance

Sadly, after being treated to a lovely roast pork dinner and the most wonderful homemade Bakewell Tart (coming from Derbyshire we know our Bakewells and this was REALLY good) we had to say our goodbyes for the trip home. 

We really have had a cracking weekend. Great hosts, great new friends and all due to the power of 'the blog'.

Heating problems

Another month gone in the blink of an eye and the boating season getting ever closer. Hopefully the rain will stop soon, but at least the white stuff has pretty much stayed away so far.

One problem which has raised it's head for us recently is that the header tank on our Webasto system has started to leak quite badly. PTFE tape was unsuccessful in stopping the problem and enquiries on the various forums seem to suggest that our type of tank, with brass fittings, was soon discontinued due to the same type of problem we were experiencing. 

A bit of web surfing led me to Kings Lock Chandlery and having spoken to Steve their Webasto expert on the phone, I nipped up in the car on Saturday to try and solve the problem. Steve was extremely helpful, discussed the options and supplied all the bits and pieces required to do the job including re-routing some of the plumbing.

So yesterday it was off down to the boat to do the job and in no time at all it was all fixed and up and running just fine. 

The new header tank and plumbing

So if you have any queries or problems with your Webasto heating, give Steve a call and I'm sure he will be able to help.

One point worthy of note regarding heating......talking to my neighbour at the marina yesterday re-enforced the importance of a carbon monoxide alarm. His had been recording readings and after a bit of investigation, he found his chimney was quite badly blocked with gunk. At least he was able to tell the tale thanks to the alarm doing its job. 

Remembering loved ones and a bit of an assault course

It is difficult to believe that it is a year ago tomorrow that we lost John's Mum. The year has flown by with all that comes with losing a loved one and sorting out all the legal things that come with it too. 

Happier times on The Grand Union in 2010

Today we have visited the place where her ashes are scattered together with those of John's Dad at Millers Dale in the beautiful Derbyshire Peak District. They used to travel here by steam train when they were courting years ago and the place was special to them. Today the old train line forms a lovely walk through the hills.

We were lucky with the weather, especially with what we have been seeing on the news. We had a quiet reflective walk to the bridge over the River Wye which marks 'the spot' and then, after a few tears, we continued along the trail to enjoy the views. There are several tunnels along the route and it felt strange walking through instead of boating through. 

Chee Tor Tunnel

The other end

When we arrived at Blackwell Cottages, we decided to follow the river course back along Chee Dale. Jasper had the time of his life as he waded through thick mud, paddled in the river and sniffed out all sorts of imaginary animals. We saw several 'Dippers' - river birds which seemed to behave very much like kingfishers but are far less attractive, but a first for us. 

Blackwell Cottages

Chee Dale and the River Wye from the trail

As we got further along the path, the going got tough in places due to the mud and rocks and on a couple of occasions we lost the path all together and had to use the stepping stones under the over hanging rocks which was an interesting experience. It felt more like an assault course than a quiet walk, but it was good fun.

Stepping Stones were the only route..great fun

Who's that trip trapping over my bridge ??

Chee Dale

We had a lovely time. Sad that we were remembering loved ones but a comfort knowing that they are resting in such a lovely part of the world.

Bringing the curtain down on 2013.

First of all, we must take a very heavy slap on the wrist for ignoring our blog for the last three months. Is it really that long since we tied up after our last summer trip? Granted, boating has taken a back seat since September, but not to have blogged for over three months is poor......

We are just back from a couple of days away on Blue Moon to round off the year. A bit of peace and quiet and short trips between pubs was the order of the day. Sunday was a lovely day with blue skies and sunshine, although the temperature could have been a little warmer according to Louise who unearthed her winter boating hat to keep her ears warm !!

'Komrade' Louise doing her impression of Deputy Dawg

Fradley in the winter sunshine

We spent Sunday night down at Huddlesford at enjoyed a lovely Sunday dinner in friendly surroundings. We stayed put as the wind and rain dominated Monday morning although John braved the weather and took Jasper for a three mile 'mud run' along the towpath which Jasper thoroughly enjoyed !!

A wet and happy Jasper

The weather improved on Monday afternoon and so we 'pub hopped' back to Fradley and moored above Shade House Lock. It is good to see that CaRT have been busy chopping back the trees on the non towpath side along the Coventry which was much needed. We came face to face with a kingfisher near to the new Kings Orchard Marina where we could almost reach out and touch it and then had very close encounters with a buzzard and a sparrowhawk perched in a tree approaching Brookhay Cottage.

The Swan

We spent the evening in The Swan at Fradley together with John & Pauline from nb Kali 2, who also moor at Kings Bromley. The pub was full of boaters and dogs and together with a cracking meal and a few good pints of real ale, what more could you ask for. You just can't beat the place. We were very tempted to hang around and go to the new years eve party planned there for tonight, but we have other plans in place so will save that for another year.

Jasper doing his impression of a ram, he's a Derby fan at heart.

So after mooring up for the last time this morning, another year comes to an end. The festive season has been a quiet one for us remembering those close to us that are no longer here. Our boating this year has been most enjoyable and we have met so many wonderful people whilst out on the cut, forming some great new friendships and meeting up again with others from previous years.

Our plans for 2014 are under way but not yet confirmed, but we hope to explore some parts of the BCN which we have not seen before, head back down to the Avon which we really enjoy but have not been back to for a few years and make time to re visit the Ashby and Macclesfield / Peak Forest. 

So to all our friends out there who read our blog, best wishes to you all for 2014. We hope to meet up somewhere along the way and enjoy the best that our waterways have to offer. Happy 2014 !!!!!