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.

July 18th Settling in....

Well, we have been here thee weeks now and settling into life on board. We both love it! It's like being on a permanent holiday! 

I am not sure about the dogs, I think they love it,  they should do! But when we are in the marina they have to be in the boat or on leads. Quite understandable, but they don't think it's fair!! But I take them out at regular intervals throughout the day so life is not too bad for them! In this hot weather swimming in the canal is their favourite pass time.

Last weekend we did not go far, but up towards Bugbrooke. It was just nice to get away from the gravel paths and to let the dogs out. We sat and read a lot of the time, so peaceful. Some would say boring but not for us.

This coming weekend we will no doubt go the same way but not stop in the same places. We will go through the Blisworth tunnel and towards MK soon but want to do that when we have more than three days to make it worth while. The Northampton Arm is opposite of course but that's 17 locks close together, not always safe moorings at the end, to turn around and do the 17 back! Not in a weekend it's too tiring!! 

We are gradually moving things around and organising ourselves better than we were to begin with.

I could still do with turning out a cupboard or two but its been too hot to fight with that! I shall save that challenge for when the weather is not so good.

More from us another time! 

Thank you to all our friends who have come to visit and those that will! 

Geoff, Julie, 'n Crew!

The view from our back door!

Saturday 29th June

Hello folks!

Was it really a week ago when we moved onto Willow Too?!  Have come along way since then! Ha!!

We had planned to leave Pilling Lock Marina last Sunday, but the wind was vicious so we decided to stay put and relax a little after the very long and tiring day we had had Saturday. 

Monday we set off and got to Watermead Counrty Park. A lovely place, great for the three dogs!

Ally had advised us to go straight through Leicester. So that is what we did. It took almost 9 hours so a long day.

Thursday we tackled the Foxton flight, those were a piece of cake after the 12 before.

Friday it rained almost all day, no locks though.

Today, Saturday our first object was the Watford flight. Once we got going it was quick and easy but we had wait at least an hour, so I made coffee then became an unofficial lock volunteer! 

At the bottom we watered up. At short break for the dogs and a sandwich then off again. Now moored near bridge 19 before Weedon Bec. About 3-4 hours tomorrow and we will be at Blisworth. 

We will stay out on the tow path till Monday which is when we are expected. Geoff will go and get the Beast and all his tools from the garage. He goes back to work Tuesday. I don't!! 

So far we have absolutely no complaints with our beautiful new home. The television / satellite are another story! Same with Jardins, with my car! Still not got back to me, I have rung them but they don't ring back when they say they will!! How do these companies survive? They don't deserve too.

Saturday 22nd June 2013

Well..... Where shall I begin?!

We both woke early, of course! Before 5am, by ten past I was in the shower. Walked the dogs, breakfast then we loaded the Beast and trailer to go to the rubbish tip, managed to get it all on, so one trip. Back home, packed the Beast with boxes, coffee, Karen arrived, packed her car with food and away we went!

I travelled with Karen so we went as an advance party! We wanted to get the food on and out of the way before the dogs.... Can't imagine why?! 

The dogs and I were left to organise while Karen and Geoff went back for a few bits. They left the Beast on the drive, then returned. We were out of luck at the restaurant, they stopped serving at 2.30 pm. So it was sandwiches and cake. 

Karen then left again, this time for her house and to put her feet up!! How would we have done it without her? 

We seem to be trying to put two pints into a one pint pot! But we are going to live with it and discard some things when we get to Blisworth. 

After a late supper we went to bed and slept like logs! It's a very comfy bed! 

Today we were going to start our journey south, the weather was nasty, vicious wind and sometimes driving rain. We decided to stay put, tidy and re arrange the cupboards. This done we had a lovely treat of roast beef etc.. In the restaurant. Nice quiet time getting to know where everything is. 

Tomorrow we will get going, feeling a lot less tired. 

Some exciting news this week, The Canal Boat magazine has chosen to do a review with Beacon Boats and Willow Too. They are coming to see us in July, take her out and chat with Ally also. We are not sure which month the feature will appear, I will keep you posted!

A big ' thank you ' to all of our friends over the last few weeks for the help they have given us, it would not have been as easy without that. Thank you!!

My especially made booster step, thanks Neil!

Maiden voyage....

Monday 17th and its our maiden voyage! 

Once again we could not sleep so up at the crack of dawn again and arrived at Willow Too soon after 9am. Neil was already there, Ally was not far behind us. A cuppa and a chat then we got under way.

The route they use for most of their maiden voyages is canal, turn left out of the marina and down to Loughorough. Approximately a 45 minute journey both ways, well it would be really wouldn't it?!

That all went without a hitch, except for the swans neck trying to make an escape from its position! Neil soon put that right...

Once back in the marina we started to unload and put away. We still have a lot to put on, mainly kitchen equipment. Maybe we will have to down size even more!! 

Neil still has some things to finish off so hoping they will be complete before we leave or he will be coming with us! Geoff only has 9 days off and we need to be in Blisworth Marina by 1st July.

Tomorrow, Wednesday, Karen is taking me, plus our clothes up, to get packed away as much as possible. Thursday the professional oven cleaner is coming, also the guy who has bought my hairdressing chair. A sad moment that will be. Ann is also due, mainly to have a twiglet party with the dogs! 

Thursday evening Diane and Gordon are having us for a meal, again! Can't use the cooker, may make it dirty!! Friday will be a take away. 

Saturday, take our bed to the rubbish tip, pack the last bits, load the Beast and off we go........

( I do hope no one waves us off!! )