It is happening again. Like when Lawrance left to play golf, last year, the moment he leaves us now on Thursday it suddenly is summer. Temperatures rise immediately, just when I want to do a heap of things that involve hard work. I want to get rid of all the residue (dust) that’s still all … Read More →
It’s sunny but cold when I move the boat to Turner’s Garage. We fuel up with the cheapest diesel we’ve seen so far (thanks, Ann and Mick, for the tip). After that we move to the other side of the bridge and the canal, to Wheaton Aston Services. To top up the water, and get … Read More →
No, I didn’t write the previous posts on the dates they are apparently published. There is not enough time to write posts when cruising on a canal like the Shropshire Union Canal, in the perfect spring weather. Too many locks, too many canalside pubs that needs visiting, too many people to chat with. Oh, yes, … Read More →
It’s my day at the tiller, so it’s a bit cold, a bit windy, but also a bit sunny. Today we plan to go all the way to Norbury Junction. Just as we approach Knighton I hear a sound, coming from the front of the boat. It takes some time to realise that I hear … Read More →
After a few days at the nice village of Market Drayton we resume cruising. Lawrance is at the tiller (beautiful day, hardly any wind, lots of sunshine). After the five Tyrley Locks, which are heavy, and unpredictable, we have to lower our speed: road works in Woodseaves Cutting. Woodseaves Cutting reminds us of a tropical … Read More →
After a pointless walk to the Post Office in Audlem (closed till further notice), and having Gary Spruce delivering a new CO-alarm, we set off. No sun today, and strong winds, guess who’s on the tiller? And who’s doing the twelve remaining locks of the Audlem Flight? To keep up my lock skills I do … Read More →
Yes, we’re on our way. Hurricane force winds… I decide to forfeit my day on the tiller. Lawrance reverses out of the jetty… and immediately goes diagonally towards the slipway, at great speed. He manages to reverse and to line us up with the exit, but then the wind catches us again and throws us … Read More →
I’m still in Swanley Bridge Marina. Today I get my new engine covers; the last job before we set sail, so to speak. Because I’m more experienced than Magda and Lawrance I try to tell them how to handle me, now I’m freshly painted. Should have done that earlier: the first paint is allready off…! … Read More →
I could just jump for joy. Not that I’m going to do that. No, it would cause chaos. A lot of casualties, a demolished shed. I would probably make the Nantwich Herald, tough. It’s my last hours in the paint shed. A party is planned for around lunchtime-ish, when I’m going to be revealed to … Read More →
I consider myself to be a very special narrowboat. Not a ‘twenty-in-a-dozen’ off-the-peg boat, no. On this planet there is no boat like me. And over the last week I proved it again. Easter Sunday I’m completely ignored by Magda and Lawrance, when they visit the paint shed. It is time to discuss my make-up … Read More →