September 24th 2013

Hello everyone, it seems autumn is upon us. Last week it was so cold so quickly! Today, now I am sitting outside at a bench on a grass bank. Indian summer? 

At last we have some dates in place. Saturday 26th October we leave Blisworth Marina to go to Barby near Rugby. In so many ways I will be quite sad, I have started to make some friends here and enjoy our walks, there is several different directions to go. However it's is expensive! The next marina is almost half the price. 

 We will get there on Sunday 27th. Geoff is going to go to work on the Monday as we have to take Willow Too back down to Braunston on Wednesday 30th, just for a new propeller, it not a big job, but easier out of the water, so going into dry dock for a few hours. He will do his Wednesday gardens on Monday that week.

Last weekend we went out just for an overnight adventure! Of course we couldn't go far but it was nice to get out. We will probably do the same this weekend. 

I have been blackberrying and made jam, also crab apple jelly and chutney. Yesterday made sloe vodka and gin! Apparently it needs to be kept for a year, so sometime before I know if its good or not!

We have tested the wood burner and its great! The first couple of times it took ages to get going but not a problem since. Cooked my first casserole on the top!

Beacon Boats had their first 'gathering'. September 7th, only 4 of the 17 boats built where able to get there, but all the owners went except two I believe. It was a smashing evening, buffet food and lots of talk about boats and exchanging experiences. It was great to put faces to all the boat names including the build for 2015! That is nameless as yet though. 

While we were out last weekend who should almost, but not quite 'bump' into us? Windsong!! Very nearly back to their marina from the trip up to Barrow deep lock and the gathering! It was a quick catch up over the stern!!

Then Sunday morning a boat we came down the Buckby flight with some weeks ago stopped and we had coffee and catch up. So as you can see we do a lot of chatting!! 

Well that's about all my news for now, 

Oh by the way, if any of you would like to know, Willow Too's review will be in Novembers issue of Canal Boat magazine. Probably in the newsagents mid October.

Our best wishes to you all

Julie, Geoff 'n crew!

Sunday 18th August

Hello! 

It's me again, about one month on. What a wonderful summer! I don't think any of us should grumble about the summer of 2013!! Although I am sure growers would have preferred more rain. 

The canal water level is quite low, some canals suffer more than others. The GU is not too bad but some areas it's a task to get into the side. What does make me so cross is that almost every day the Northampton Arm has to drain water down through it from the GU, to replace the water lost from either leaking lock gates, idiots that open the paddles or even worse, adults from foreign country's draining the water, putting nets across the canal to catch the larger fish! And they don't put them back....

Any water then goes onto the Nene and eventually out to sea!! Why?! What a waste!!

Most mornings I walk the dogs down the Northampton Arm, it's a good quiet long walk and almost very time I see Canal and River Trust men working water down. It's a daily job for them. It's so sad that this is happening. I suppose its funds to replace the leaking lock gates. But the mindless idiots need a good smack!

Anyway, I will stop going on about that!! 

Charlotte, my 17 year old granddaughter came for a long weekend. We took her down through the Blisworth tunnel, Stoke Bruerne locks, turned at the Navigation Pub, Cosgrove. Then back of course. We did it slowly over four days as I had some sort of tummy bug and did not feel great. It was lovely to see her, she is growing up fast! 

Last weekend we went to the Blisworth Festival, Diane, Gordon and Karen came. The weather was not bad so the Festival must have been a success.

This weekend we are out for four days, partly because The Beast is having a major operation and won't be ready until Wednesday evening. So, we are heading up to Norton Junction, turning then back. Although today we are moored up and watching the athletics while the showers pass. 

Archie has had a small abscess on the outside of his paw, I have battled with salt water but ended up at the Vets. Antibiotics injection, tablets hibiscrub to clean it and the best bit.... A lamp shade on his head! Can you imagine it.... Archie, bull in a china shop, in a lamp shade on a narrow boat! God help the back of our legs!

Next weekend Bank holiday! Then it's back to school, Christmas cards on the shelves and Autumn around the corner!! 

That's all for now folks, more next month.... Our best wishes to you all.