2010 my third year on Almyne
Fri, 1 Oct 2010
Don't Drop Her
I cannot remember the last time I watched TV. Don't miss it one little bit, the radio keeps me more than amused and aurally occupied. I switch between Radio 4 and Radio 7, good job I have a digital radio.
I also get a lot of reading done, but I have finished all the books I have on board and might just have to start re-reading some of them, guess I will find out my favourites.
Got a new phone. Works well, but the battery level indicator either doesn't work, or I don't know how to read it, must take it back to the shop to check.
One of the features of the new phone is that it will give me a little map of exactly where I am. On the other hand, if it knows where I am so does the phone company! I will never be able to deny my location if I have my phone with me! Big brother has arrived.
Sat, 2 Oct 2010
Nearly There
It probably doesn't matter if Almyne is dropped from six feet or sixty feet, the damage would still be irreparable. Not that I expect the crane driver to drop her, but these thoughts do run through the mind.
The rain is sort of holding off. It has been raining overnight and part of the morning so the welder has been starting work around about lunch time, after the overnight rain has dried up. Progress does seem slow, but It needs to be done and there is no way I can be put back into the water in her present state.
Daytime temperatures have been good, around 70F in the boat. It got a bit chilly last night so I burnt a few logs just to take the chill off. Apart from that October seems to be quite mild so far.
Sun, 3 Oct 2010
On Chocks
I hope you have enjoyed the pictures of Almyne coming out of the water. This final one shows her on the chocks, where I have been for - too long - already.
While I walked into Northampton a couple of days ago Almyne got moved to one side to make room for other boats to be lifted out. The view hasn't changed much though, not enough to make a difference anyway.
Tomorrows picture show the water line, all the verdigris and algae that grows there.
Not sleeping too well at the moment. Possibly because I seem to do next to nothing each day. I can only spend so long looking at the computer screen. Dark by eight, or is it earlier, I really don't know. I do know that by the time the welder has knocked off at five-ish or six-ish and I get dinner on, by the time I have eaten it is dark, and time for bed!
Mon, 4 Oct 2010
Waterline
Still here, up on chocks, the welder welding and grinding away outside.
I've updated all the entries over the past year that I can, updated the web site, been for lots of walks with D'fer
and watched nearly all the DVDs I have on board.
Quietly going stir crazy. Even doing the washing up is a major task. I cannot just empty the bowl, it would just end up in a puddle beside Almyne and it doesn't seem fair to just dump it on the ground. So I save it all up for one big wash in the evening and then take the bowl outside, down the ladder (which I might add is very steep) and throw it in the canal. More gripes later.
Fri, 8 Oct 2010
A Hole
It looks as if the welder will be getting to the big holes at the front today, well one of them anyway.
He has done all the other little jobs, like the rubbing bits at the joint between the sides and the bottom. In some places it was almost worn through and in one place was actually letting in water, albeit slowly. We know this because it was still seeping out after a week.
Walked to the supermarket yesterday, it only took me five and a half hours for the round trip, and 'i didn't bring much back with me as I had to carry it all. Bread, butter, some pasties, some meat pies and a couple of tins of vegetables, plus some fresh ones. I still have potatoes on board so I didn't have to carry a huge sack of them back with me.
D'fer is getting used to the incarceration but doesn't seem to bother too much as long as I take him for a long walk and lots of swimming early in the day.
Did a silly thing last night, threw the washing up water into the canal, along with some cutlery! now I only have two eating knives.
Wed, 20 Oct 2010 5 miles 7 locks 1 tunnel 1 mile
Going Up
Will It Won't It
Almost There
Going Down
Moment Of Truth
Hooray. I'm afloat, yippee. Although the work on Almyne was finished by the middle of Monday they could not put me back in the water as there was another boat in the way. They were having problems with it propeller shaft and their crane is not big enough to lift me right over the top of it.
They got that one sorted this morning and then put me back in.
We had rain here last night and woke up to a frost on the ground, but the coal held in all night so I wasn't at all chilly on wakening.
A quick trip up the Northampton arm to the winding hole, turned around and back to the boat yard. 'Why?" I hear you ask. Well I did need to fill up with water and get a new gas bottle. That done, off on my travels again properly.
A short cruise from the junction, through Blissworth and on the Blissworth tunnel, the third longest navigable tunnel on the canal system at 3057 yards long. Going in it looked a bit foggy ahead of me. It wasn't my exhaust fumes, at least I couldn't smell it. two or three hundred yards into the tunnel it cleared and I could see the other end quite clearly, even though it was still nearly three thousand yards away. Got drenched at the first ventilation hole! Every now and again in tunnels there is a ventilation shaft to provide fresh air and they often drip loads of water. This one literally poured water down. Looking ahead it is very difficult to see them as the headlight is on. The first indication is a small circle of light passing along the top of the boat. Not that it is possible to move out of the way, the tunnel is only fourteen foot wide anyway.
Got to the next one and I looked behind me. Couldn't see the entrance anywhere. Now this is unusual. I could see the exit when I entered, so this tunnel must be straight. I have only come across one or two that are not straight. I eventually twigged that it was the fog at the entrance that was obscuring my view. I was still less than halfway through the tunnel.
Passing the next ventilation shaft I looked behind me. I have never done this before and was surprised to see the light from the shaft illuminating the water, quite pretty.
Exited the tunnel and pulled over for a cup of coffee and a bite to eat. It was chilly in the tunnel. That's when I found out that the fridge is up to it's old tricks. The bowl of tuna and sweet corn that I put in there yesterday was frozen solid. Had a cup of coffee and checked my emails while I waited for my lunch to thaw.
Set off again just after three and did seven locks and another two miles eventually mooring up at half five, a good days travelling. Well actually an excellent days cruising.
It was really nice cruising this afternoon, the sun was shining, there was no wind, the water was calm and I only saw two other boats all the way, one of which helped me through the first two locks.
At the next three locks some guy walking along the tow path offered to close the gates for me on leaving, which he did on all three locks. That is such a help as I don't have to leave the lock, pull over, moor up, get off Almyne, walk back, close the gates, walk back to Almyne, and cast off. Not that I object to doing it, it's just nice not to have to.
Kept the fire in all day, so it was nice and cosy when I stopped.
Standing on the back of the boat, leaning on the tiller, watching the world go by, and the seasons change, I often think up little ditties, but can never remember them when I eventually moor up, but here is one that sort of stuck today.
Red and gold and green and brown
The autumn leaves are falling down
Soon I'll be in winters grip
Morning frosts begin to nip
Nights get longer, chillier too
Approaching yuletide, autumns adieu
Signalling a turnabout
Springs on it's way, when flowers sprout.
Just triggered by the falling leaves. Sometimes I think I should write more of them, not good enough to publish by any means, but they keep me happy.
Thu, 21 Oct 2010 7 miles
Over The Aqueduct 1
Over The Aqueduct 3
Over The Aqueduct 2
Somehow today's entry went missing, so I have to write it again, never as good as the first time around.
Set off about mid day, motored for an hour 'till I reached the boat yard, purchased four bags of coal, motored for another hour and pulled over. A nice quiet spot, miles from the nearest habitation, well as far as is possible in this crowded country. Open vistas on both sides, so should get the sun till late and again early in the morning, if there is any sun that is, it has just clouded over.
When all else fails, D'fer will find an apple for me to throw for him. It is usually a crab apple, but he has just turned up with a rather nice looking red apple, looks like an eater. So I must ask him to show me where he got it from. I like free food.
Wandered along the tow path for about half a mile in both direction and couldn't find the eating apple tree, but I did notice that the hedge along this part of the canal comprises the usual hawthorn, intermixed with dog rose and crab apples. The crab apple trees have been trimmed off by the hedge trimmer down to the level of the rest, so not visible as trees.
D'fer has been a lunatic since we left Gayton. Every time I stop he leaps off the boat and then runs about four hundred yards in each direction, telling every body in earshot the he is 'Free'. Then, he races up to me and grabs my shoelaces, gives them a tug, lets go, grabs the bottom of my jeans and tries to pull me along, barking all the while as if to say 'At Last'. Not good while I am trying to moor up.
Ever since I have had Almyne I have thought that she was a little high at the front, and seeing the holes at the front I can understand why she was ballasted that way, to make sure she stayed afloat. From time to time I have moved stuff from the back to the front and it has made a little difference, but not much.
Now I knew that Almyne would feel a little different with a half ton of steel on the front (the over-plating) and it seems to have had the desired effect on the 'trim'. She now lies almost level in the water, just about four inches nose high, which I think is grand.
Now this might be 'go faster stripes' on a car. Every one knows that as soon as you paint go faster stripes on a car it actually goes faster. Well I think that Almyne goes a little faster at a lower throttle setting than before now that she is more level.
I have always been able to let Almyne cruise along at tick-over and she goes straight and narrow for long enough for me to pop inside and put the kettle on. Pop back, adjust the tiller, pop in and prepare a drink, pop back adjust and when the kettle boils, pop in and make my drink. I tried letting go of the tiller and Almyne pulled slightly over to the left. Hmmm. Slowed down to a tick-over and she ran a lot straighter.
It's like getting to know a new boat all over again.
Oh the luxury of water. Whilst up on chocks at the marina I was very careful with the water in my tank as I did not know if there was a hose long enough to reach my tank. Now I have all I want (within reason) and can fill up again whenever I want to.
Did all the dish washing, washed the floors, had a shave, had an all over wash and generally made free with water. Oh, I do feel better.
Fri, 22 Oct 2010 10 ¼ miles 1 lock
I want it
GreatLittleTender
Beginning to settle back in to some sort of routine. Up at nine, checked the stove. Really not doing too well. This could be because of the coal that I have, it's very hard and slow burning and not very hot. On the other hand it could be that the glass in the stove is cracked and letting air in above the flames instead of drawing it through and up from underneath.
Tried removing the screws that hold the glass in, corroded in place! Got a pair of pump pliers and removed the screws and retaining clips as an item. Took the door off it's hinges and laid it on the table. Tried replacing the original, broken glass but with retaining strips on either side to hold the pieces in place. Broke it even more, but noticed in the process that the heat resistant string had slipped out of place.
Got out some superglue, squirted a few drops on the door and glued the string back in place. In the process got loads of superglue all over my fingers. First finger, middle finger and thumb firmly stuck together.
Half an hour and lots of hot soapy water later all three digits were individuals again.
Now, fortunately, I have a spare piece of glass for the fire, so, with the string firmly fixed in place, I gingerly fitted the new glass. It worked.
Cleaned out all the old coal, ash and debris from the fire, refitted the door, relaid the fire and lit it.
Set off at half past ten. Motored till half one, when I stopped for breakfast. Yes, breakfast. My sojourn at the boat yard has got me out of the habit of breakfast, but it will soon return.
Inside Almyne the temperature was up to 82F and that was with the doors open all the time I had been travelling, much better.
Still picking the glue of my fingers.
Set off again about half two after spending twenty minutes or so letting D'fer retrieve a ball from the canal. I had been moored up about five minutes when he started barking at me from about a hundred and fifty yards along the canal. He was stood in the water, indicating that he could both get IN and OUT right here. I finished my breakfast and gave in to his demands.
Moored up at half four just past Milton Keynes. BW have been working on the tow path and most of it is inches deep in soft mud where they have been dredging the canal. Took my boots off before I went inside and put a stool, a guitar, and a camp bed on top of my bed to stop D'fer climbing on it to dry out. He usually climbs on the bed and even when he is a little wet it's not really a problem, but when he is muddy! I'm keeping him in this evening.
Sat, 23 Oct 2010 8 miles 5 locks 1 swing bridge
Workshop
butty
Tow Path Law
Breakfast this morning and then twenty minutes or so picking yesterdays glue of my fingers, it's nearly gone.
Just a short trip at first three miles into Fenny Stratford where I walked all of half a mile to the supermarket, did some shopping and walked the three miles back. Why is it always so much further when carrying bags of shopping? D'fer , as usual, did his best to help by pulling on his lead and sort of carrying the bags in that hand. I hate to disillusion him and tell him it is more of a hindrance than a help. One day I will get a trailer for him to pull.
Back at Almyne a quick check of my emails, I can only view and send emails between midnight and four pm at the moment, and then off to do some locks. Two single locks and then a flight of three, more than enough for today.
The first at Fenny Stratford is unusual in that it has a swing bridge right over the lock. With the water at the lower level it is not a good idea to go into the lock and fill it before opening the swing bridge, otherwise you might just get crushed underneath it as the water rises. The only other lock with a swing bridge over that I know of is on the Kennet and Avon canal.
Bright and sunny all day except for two brief showers that were almost inconsequential. I did look for the rainbow, but didn't spot it.
Another little quirk of being out of the water. Whilst out of the water I am sure that Almyne 'relaxes'. The sides of the boat bow outwards just a little bit and distort everything inside. Neither the front nor the back doors would close properly and I had decided yesterday that I would need to plane some off the side of one of the doors at the front. I actually got around to marking just how much would need to be removed.
Today, however, all the doors close at least as well as they did before.
Perhaps that is why, one the original done before Almyne was purchased says that she is seven foot and a quarter of an inch wide, but has fitted in all the narrow locks on the system so far, and some are less than seven foot wide. Maybe it is something to do with the fact that she has a fibre glass top rather than steel. A steel top would stop any bowing when out of the water, but the fibre glass top allows for that little bit of flexibility.
Chilli-con-carni for dinner all with fresh ingredients apart from the kidney beans.
Sun, 24 Oct 2010 8 miles 8 locks
bollard
Bright and sunny all day, good for travelling. did two hours this morning, took a break and then I was going to do two hours this afternoon, but it didn't turn out that way.
Started looking for somewhere to moor up just after four and the place I chose looked great, I just couldn't get into the bank, too shallow. Motored on to the next lock, went through that. Between that lock and the next one the bank was unsuitable for mooring, so did another lock.
By now the sun was going down. Negotiated another lock and this time I found somewhere to moor up, not quite in the dark but getting that way.
Mon, 25 Oct 2010 2 miles 4 locks 1 swing bridge
Stream
Wow, T-shirt weather today, I might even improve my tan.
Only travelled for a couple of hours today, arriving at Marsworth shortly before two. Moored up and walked down to the junction and a short way along the Aylesbury arm. Lots of narrow locks close together, so I think I will have to do them all in one go. I'll stay here for the rest of the day and tackle them all tomorrow, that way I shouldn't get stuck with no where to moor up and the light failing.
Whilst travelling yesterday I was pondering on the fact that I had missed all the sugar plums and damsons this year. Then, to my surprise, at one of the locks there was a sign saying 'Damsons, help yourself'. So I did. I did put a small donation in the charity tin though.
Anyway, with lots of time to occupy this afternoon, I washed and stoned the damsons and put them in Vodka to marinade 'till Christmas. I'm told this is very nice. A couple of months will tell.
Tue, 26 Oct 2010
I think I have been spoilt by all the good travelling weather I have been enjoying. Woke this morning to overcast skies and drizzle, so I am going nowhere.
At least this is my decision and not one forced upon my by circumstances. I have travelled in the rain before, by why should I when it results in wet clothes hanging around the boat for days on end and nothing dry left to wear.
Wed, 27 Oct 2010 6½ miles 16 locks
MeWorried
Smithy
And everyone of them against me. For some reason all the 16 locks going down into Aylesbury are left empty, with one bottom paddle up. So at each lock I had to stop, moor up, walk to the other end of the lock, close the paddle, walk back, fill the lock, go in, empty the lock and then close the gates on my way out.
Not that it bothers me, it's all part of the fun of travelling but normally, in sixteen locks I would expect half of them to be in my favour and to get help with one or two from another boat crew.
Anyway, set off at half eight accompanied by an overcast sky. The first two locks are a staircase and I managed to overflow the bottom lock of the two.
From then on plain sailing really, sun came out at half ten, so I took off my jacket and sweater. If it had been any warmer I would have taken off my T-shirt as well and improved on my tan. Even the breeze was warm.
Didn't stop 'till half four, not even a lunch break, as I wanted to get right into Aylesbury in the one day. Well I did stop twice, but that was to remove the weed wrapped around the propeller. I have been getting used to motoring for a couple of hours, taking a hour off for lunch and then motoring for another couple of hours. Eight hours straight today, I should sleep well tonight if nothing else.
So, here I am in Aylesbury Basin, within lugging distance of a launderette, so I will lug a months worth of washing along there tomorrow (and maybe the next day as well). I did think briefly (very briefly) of doing the washing in my twin tub on board and just taking it all to the launderette to dry, but it is so much heavier when wet.
Sat, 30 Oct 2010 6½ miles 16 locks
PaintedAlmyne
Well, I cheated a bit and did one lock and about a quarter of a mile last night.
All the washing done at the launderette, such bliss, clean clothes, clean bedding, clean me, I had a wash and a shave, I suppose I'll have to clean the rest of Almyne as well.
Moored up outside the supermarket and did my usual bulk shop of all the things that are heavy and/or bulky and settled down for the night.
I woke later than usual this morning. At about half eleven last night D'fer went berserk, barking and running up and down the boat. I got out of bed and went to the back door. Some guy was standing beside Almyne swinging something that looked like a dog chain in one hand and smoking a cigarette with the other.
Decided against confronting him, but just watched him through the window for a while (about two minutes, but it seemed longer) before he wandered off along the tow path. He was probably on his way home from the supermarket, but it meant that now I was wide awake and couldn't get back to sleep again.
Did get going by ten though. The return journey only took five and a half hours rather than the eight it took to get there. Much better.
Brilliant sunshine all day, my tan should start to become noticeable soon.
So, here I am at Marsworth, settled on a mooring and winding down after the 6 ¼ miles and 16 locks and organising collecting my sister from London on Monday.
Don't Drop Her
I cannot remember the last time I watched TV. Don't miss it one little bit, the radio keeps me more than amused and aurally occupied. I switch between Radio 4 and Radio 7, good job I have a digital radio.
I also get a lot of reading done, but I have finished all the books I have on board and might just have to start re-reading some of them, guess I will find out my favourites.
Got a new phone. Works well, but the battery level indicator either doesn't work, or I don't know how to read it, must take it back to the shop to check.
One of the features of the new phone is that it will give me a little map of exactly where I am. On the other hand, if it knows where I am so does the phone company! I will never be able to deny my location if I have my phone with me! Big brother has arrived.
Sat, 2 Oct 2010
Nearly There
It probably doesn't matter if Almyne is dropped from six feet or sixty feet, the damage would still be irreparable. Not that I expect the crane driver to drop her, but these thoughts do run through the mind.
The rain is sort of holding off. It has been raining overnight and part of the morning so the welder has been starting work around about lunch time, after the overnight rain has dried up. Progress does seem slow, but It needs to be done and there is no way I can be put back into the water in her present state.
Daytime temperatures have been good, around 70F in the boat. It got a bit chilly last night so I burnt a few logs just to take the chill off. Apart from that October seems to be quite mild so far.
Sun, 3 Oct 2010
On Chocks
I hope you have enjoyed the pictures of Almyne coming out of the water. This final one shows her on the chocks, where I have been for - too long - already.
While I walked into Northampton a couple of days ago Almyne got moved to one side to make room for other boats to be lifted out. The view hasn't changed much though, not enough to make a difference anyway.
Tomorrows picture show the water line, all the verdigris and algae that grows there.
Not sleeping too well at the moment. Possibly because I seem to do next to nothing each day. I can only spend so long looking at the computer screen. Dark by eight, or is it earlier, I really don't know. I do know that by the time the welder has knocked off at five-ish or six-ish and I get dinner on, by the time I have eaten it is dark, and time for bed!
Mon, 4 Oct 2010
Waterline
Still here, up on chocks, the welder welding and grinding away outside.
I've updated all the entries over the past year that I can, updated the web site, been for lots of walks with D'fer
and watched nearly all the DVDs I have on board.Quietly going stir crazy. Even doing the washing up is a major task. I cannot just empty the bowl, it would just end up in a puddle beside Almyne and it doesn't seem fair to just dump it on the ground. So I save it all up for one big wash in the evening and then take the bowl outside, down the ladder (which I might add is very steep) and throw it in the canal. More gripes later.
Fri, 8 Oct 2010
A Hole
It looks as if the welder will be getting to the big holes at the front today, well one of them anyway.
He has done all the other little jobs, like the rubbing bits at the joint between the sides and the bottom. In some places it was almost worn through and in one place was actually letting in water, albeit slowly. We know this because it was still seeping out after a week.
Walked to the supermarket yesterday, it only took me five and a half hours for the round trip, and 'i didn't bring much back with me as I had to carry it all. Bread, butter, some pasties, some meat pies and a couple of tins of vegetables, plus some fresh ones. I still have potatoes on board so I didn't have to carry a huge sack of them back with me.
D'fer
is getting used to the incarceration but doesn't seem to bother too much as long as I take him for a long walk and lots of swimming early in the day.Did a silly thing last night, threw the washing up water into the canal, along with some cutlery! now I only have two eating knives.
Wed, 20 Oct 2010 5 miles 7 locks 1 tunnel 1 mile
Going Up
Will It Won't It
Almost There
Going Down
Moment Of Truth
Hooray. I'm afloat, yippee. Although the work on Almyne was finished by the middle of Monday they could not put me back in the water as there was another boat in the way. They were having problems with it propeller shaft and their crane is not big enough to lift me right over the top of it.
They got that one sorted this morning and then put me back in.
We had rain here last night and woke up to a frost on the ground, but the coal held in all night so I wasn't at all chilly on wakening.
A quick trip up the Northampton arm to the winding hole, turned around and back to the boat yard. 'Why?" I hear you ask. Well I did need to fill up with water and get a new gas bottle. That done, off on my travels again properly.
A short cruise from the junction, through Blissworth and on the Blissworth tunnel, the third longest navigable tunnel on the canal system at 3057 yards long. Going in it looked a bit foggy ahead of me. It wasn't my exhaust fumes, at least I couldn't smell it. two or three hundred yards into the tunnel it cleared and I could see the other end quite clearly, even though it was still nearly three thousand yards away. Got drenched at the first ventilation hole! Every now and again in tunnels there is a ventilation shaft to provide fresh air and they often drip loads of water. This one literally poured water down. Looking ahead it is very difficult to see them as the headlight is on. The first indication is a small circle of light passing along the top of the boat. Not that it is possible to move out of the way, the tunnel is only fourteen foot wide anyway.
Got to the next one and I looked behind me. Couldn't see the entrance anywhere. Now this is unusual. I could see the exit when I entered, so this tunnel must be straight. I have only come across one or two that are not straight. I eventually twigged that it was the fog at the entrance that was obscuring my view. I was still less than halfway through the tunnel.
Passing the next ventilation shaft I looked behind me. I have never done this before and was surprised to see the light from the shaft illuminating the water, quite pretty.
Exited the tunnel and pulled over for a cup of coffee and a bite to eat. It was chilly in the tunnel. That's when I found out that the fridge is up to it's old tricks. The bowl of tuna and sweet corn that I put in there yesterday was frozen solid. Had a cup of coffee and checked my emails while I waited for my lunch to thaw.
Set off again just after three and did seven locks and another two miles eventually mooring up at half five, a good days travelling. Well actually an excellent days cruising.
It was really nice cruising this afternoon, the sun was shining, there was no wind, the water was calm and I only saw two other boats all the way, one of which helped me through the first two locks.
At the next three locks some guy walking along the tow path offered to close the gates for me on leaving, which he did on all three locks. That is such a help as I don't have to leave the lock, pull over, moor up, get off Almyne, walk back, close the gates, walk back to Almyne, and cast off. Not that I object to doing it, it's just nice not to have to.
Kept the fire in all day, so it was nice and cosy when I stopped.
Standing on the back of the boat, leaning on the tiller, watching the world go by, and the seasons change, I often think up little ditties, but can never remember them when I eventually moor up, but here is one that sort of stuck today.
Red and gold and green and brown
The autumn leaves are falling down
Soon I'll be in winters grip
Morning frosts begin to nip
Nights get longer, chillier too
Approaching yuletide, autumns adieu
Signalling a turnabout
Springs on it's way, when flowers sprout.
Just triggered by the falling leaves. Sometimes I think I should write more of them, not good enough to publish by any means, but they keep me happy.
Thu, 21 Oct 2010 7 miles
Over The Aqueduct 1
Over The Aqueduct 3
Over The Aqueduct 2
Somehow today's entry went missing, so I have to write it again, never as good as the first time around.
Set off about mid day, motored for an hour 'till I reached the boat yard, purchased four bags of coal, motored for another hour and pulled over. A nice quiet spot, miles from the nearest habitation, well as far as is possible in this crowded country. Open vistas on both sides, so should get the sun till late and again early in the morning, if there is any sun that is, it has just clouded over.
When all else fails, D'fer
will find an apple for me to throw for him. It is usually a crab apple, but he has just turned up with a rather nice looking red apple, looks like an eater. So I must ask him to show me where he got it from. I like free food.Wandered along the tow path for about half a mile in both direction and couldn't find the eating apple tree, but I did notice that the hedge along this part of the canal comprises the usual hawthorn, intermixed with dog rose and crab apples. The crab apple trees have been trimmed off by the hedge trimmer down to the level of the rest, so not visible as trees.
D'fer has been a lunatic since we left Gayton. Every time I stop he leaps off the boat and then runs about four hundred yards in each direction, telling every body in earshot the he is 'Free'. Then, he races up to me and grabs my shoelaces, gives them a tug, lets go, grabs the bottom of my jeans and tries to pull me along, barking all the while as if to say 'At Last'. Not good while I am trying to moor up.
Ever since I have had Almyne I have thought that she was a little high at the front, and seeing the holes at the front I can understand why she was ballasted that way, to make sure she stayed afloat. From time to time I have moved stuff from the back to the front and it has made a little difference, but not much.
Now I knew that Almyne would feel a little different with a half ton of steel on the front (the over-plating) and it seems to have had the desired effect on the 'trim'. She now lies almost level in the water, just about four inches nose high, which I think is grand.
Now this might be 'go faster stripes' on a car. Every one knows that as soon as you paint go faster stripes on a car it actually goes faster. Well I think that Almyne goes a little faster at a lower throttle setting than before now that she is more level.
I have always been able to let Almyne cruise along at tick-over and she goes straight and narrow for long enough for me to pop inside and put the kettle on. Pop back, adjust the tiller, pop in and prepare a drink, pop back adjust and when the kettle boils, pop in and make my drink. I tried letting go of the tiller and Almyne pulled slightly over to the left. Hmmm. Slowed down to a tick-over and she ran a lot straighter.
It's like getting to know a new boat all over again.
Oh the luxury of water. Whilst up on chocks at the marina I was very careful with the water in my tank as I did not know if there was a hose long enough to reach my tank. Now I have all I want (within reason) and can fill up again whenever I want to.
Did all the dish washing, washed the floors, had a shave, had an all over wash and generally made free with water. Oh, I do feel better.
Fri, 22 Oct 2010 10 ¼ miles 1 lock
I want it
GreatLittleTender
Beginning to settle back in to some sort of routine. Up at nine, checked the stove. Really not doing too well. This could be because of the coal that I have, it's very hard and slow burning and not very hot. On the other hand it could be that the glass in the stove is cracked and letting air in above the flames instead of drawing it through and up from underneath.
Tried removing the screws that hold the glass in, corroded in place! Got a pair of pump pliers and removed the screws and retaining clips as an item. Took the door off it's hinges and laid it on the table. Tried replacing the original, broken glass but with retaining strips on either side to hold the pieces in place. Broke it even more, but noticed in the process that the heat resistant string had slipped out of place.
Got out some superglue, squirted a few drops on the door and glued the string back in place. In the process got loads of superglue all over my fingers. First finger, middle finger and thumb firmly stuck together.
Half an hour and lots of hot soapy water later all three digits were individuals again.
Now, fortunately, I have a spare piece of glass for the fire, so, with the string firmly fixed in place, I gingerly fitted the new glass. It worked.
Cleaned out all the old coal, ash and debris from the fire, refitted the door, relaid the fire and lit it.
Set off at half past ten. Motored till half one, when I stopped for breakfast. Yes, breakfast. My sojourn at the boat yard has got me out of the habit of breakfast, but it will soon return.
Inside Almyne the temperature was up to 82F and that was with the doors open all the time I had been travelling, much better.
Still picking the glue of my fingers.
Set off again about half two after spending twenty minutes or so letting D'fer
retrieve a ball from the canal. I had been moored up about five minutes when he started barking at me from about a hundred and fifty yards along the canal. He was stood in the water, indicating that he could both get IN and OUT right here. I finished my breakfast and gave in to his demands.Moored up at half four just past Milton Keynes. BW have been working on the tow path and most of it is inches deep in soft mud where they have been dredging the canal. Took my boots off before I went inside and put a stool, a guitar, and a camp bed on top of my bed to stop D'fer climbing on it to dry out. He usually climbs on the bed and even when he is a little wet it's not really a problem, but when he is muddy! I'm keeping him in this evening.
Sat, 23 Oct 2010 8 miles 5 locks 1 swing bridge
Workshop
butty
Tow Path Law
Breakfast this morning and then twenty minutes or so picking yesterdays glue of my fingers, it's nearly gone.
Just a short trip at first three miles into Fenny Stratford where I walked all of half a mile to the supermarket, did some shopping and walked the three miles back. Why is it always so much further when carrying bags of shopping? D'fer
, as usual, did his best to help by pulling on his lead and sort of carrying the bags in that hand. I hate to disillusion him and tell him it is more of a hindrance than a help. One day I will get a trailer for him to pull.Back at Almyne a quick check of my emails, I can only view and send emails between midnight and four pm at the moment, and then off to do some locks. Two single locks and then a flight of three, more than enough for today.
The first at Fenny Stratford is unusual in that it has a swing bridge right over the lock. With the water at the lower level it is not a good idea to go into the lock and fill it before opening the swing bridge, otherwise you might just get crushed underneath it as the water rises. The only other lock with a swing bridge over that I know of is on the Kennet and Avon canal.
Bright and sunny all day except for two brief showers that were almost inconsequential. I did look for the rainbow, but didn't spot it.
Another little quirk of being out of the water. Whilst out of the water I am sure that Almyne 'relaxes'. The sides of the boat bow outwards just a little bit and distort everything inside. Neither the front nor the back doors would close properly and I had decided yesterday that I would need to plane some off the side of one of the doors at the front. I actually got around to marking just how much would need to be removed.
Today, however, all the doors close at least as well as they did before.
Perhaps that is why, one the original done before Almyne was purchased says that she is seven foot and a quarter of an inch wide, but has fitted in all the narrow locks on the system so far, and some are less than seven foot wide. Maybe it is something to do with the fact that she has a fibre glass top rather than steel. A steel top would stop any bowing when out of the water, but the fibre glass top allows for that little bit of flexibility.
Chilli-con-carni for dinner all with fresh ingredients apart from the kidney beans.
Sun, 24 Oct 2010 8 miles 8 locks
bollard
Bright and sunny all day, good for travelling. did two hours this morning, took a break and then I was going to do two hours this afternoon, but it didn't turn out that way.
Started looking for somewhere to moor up just after four and the place I chose looked great, I just couldn't get into the bank, too shallow. Motored on to the next lock, went through that. Between that lock and the next one the bank was unsuitable for mooring, so did another lock.
By now the sun was going down. Negotiated another lock and this time I found somewhere to moor up, not quite in the dark but getting that way.
Mon, 25 Oct 2010 2 miles 4 locks 1 swing bridge
Stream
Wow, T-shirt weather today, I might even improve my tan.
Only travelled for a couple of hours today, arriving at Marsworth shortly before two. Moored up and walked down to the junction and a short way along the Aylesbury arm. Lots of narrow locks close together, so I think I will have to do them all in one go. I'll stay here for the rest of the day and tackle them all tomorrow, that way I shouldn't get stuck with no where to moor up and the light failing.
Whilst travelling yesterday I was pondering on the fact that I had missed all the sugar plums and damsons this year. Then, to my surprise, at one of the locks there was a sign saying 'Damsons, help yourself'. So I did. I did put a small donation in the charity tin though.
Anyway, with lots of time to occupy this afternoon, I washed and stoned the damsons and put them in Vodka to marinade 'till Christmas. I'm told this is very nice. A couple of months will tell.
Tue, 26 Oct 2010
I think I have been spoilt by all the good travelling weather I have been enjoying. Woke this morning to overcast skies and drizzle, so I am going nowhere.
At least this is my decision and not one forced upon my by circumstances. I have travelled in the rain before, by why should I when it results in wet clothes hanging around the boat for days on end and nothing dry left to wear.
Wed, 27 Oct 2010 6½ miles 16 locks
MeWorried
Smithy
And everyone of them against me. For some reason all the 16 locks going down into Aylesbury are left empty, with one bottom paddle up. So at each lock I had to stop, moor up, walk to the other end of the lock, close the paddle, walk back, fill the lock, go in, empty the lock and then close the gates on my way out.
Not that it bothers me, it's all part of the fun of travelling but normally, in sixteen locks I would expect half of them to be in my favour and to get help with one or two from another boat crew.
Anyway, set off at half eight accompanied by an overcast sky. The first two locks are a staircase and I managed to overflow the bottom lock of the two.
From then on plain sailing really, sun came out at half ten, so I took off my jacket and sweater. If it had been any warmer I would have taken off my T-shirt as well and improved on my tan. Even the breeze was warm.
Didn't stop 'till half four, not even a lunch break, as I wanted to get right into Aylesbury in the one day. Well I did stop twice, but that was to remove the weed wrapped around the propeller. I have been getting used to motoring for a couple of hours, taking a hour off for lunch and then motoring for another couple of hours. Eight hours straight today, I should sleep well tonight if nothing else.
So, here I am in Aylesbury Basin, within lugging distance of a launderette, so I will lug a months worth of washing along there tomorrow (and maybe the next day as well). I did think briefly (very briefly) of doing the washing in my twin tub on board and just taking it all to the launderette to dry, but it is so much heavier when wet.
Sat, 30 Oct 2010 6½ miles 16 locks
PaintedAlmyne
Well, I cheated a bit and did one lock and about a quarter of a mile last night.
All the washing done at the launderette, such bliss, clean clothes, clean bedding, clean me, I had a wash and a shave, I suppose I'll have to clean the rest of Almyne as well.
Moored up outside the supermarket and did my usual bulk shop of all the things that are heavy and/or bulky and settled down for the night.
I woke later than usual this morning. At about half eleven last night D'fer
went berserk, barking and running up and down the boat. I got out of bed and went to the back door. Some guy was standing beside Almyne swinging something that looked like a dog chain in one hand and smoking a cigarette with the other. Decided against confronting him, but just watched him through the window for a while (about two minutes, but it seemed longer) before he wandered off along the tow path. He was probably on his way home from the supermarket, but it meant that now I was wide awake and couldn't get back to sleep again.
Did get going by ten though. The return journey only took five and a half hours rather than the eight it took to get there. Much better.
Brilliant sunshine all day, my tan should start to become noticeable soon.
So, here I am at Marsworth, settled on a mooring and winding down after the 6 ¼ miles and 16 locks and organising collecting my sister from London on Monday.
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