Saturday 17th November 2007
A change of scenery, for me anyway. I’m off to MiL’s, to help lop a tree while V boat sits.
There’s an added bonus in tree lopping, I get to keep some of the spoils and very welcome it is because although we’ve booked a fallen tree from the next storm it’s yet to drop in our laps and our wood store is quite empty.

Leaving V to look after the boat I was whisked away at incredible speeds. I thought buses went mad but Tezzer takes the biscuit. No allowances made for wind blowing across the road, no slowing down at bridge-holes and no consideration for hire cars or new car owners. I was so glad there were no tunnels on this journey.

By night fall all was over and our wooden booty was stowed in the car’s stern locker. Now to find out how well sycamore burns.

Sunday 18th
A cold day and yet more driving, this time in the dark, something we try never to do.
Back onboard with our stove sized logs we relaxed and laughed, knowing we could face the winter’s worst. By 7 o’clock the snow was an inch deep and obliterating the towpath. Me and my big mouth.

Mon 19th
It didn’t last, the snow melted away and we wandered down to the village. There are two pubs close to the canal and neither were doing food at lunchtime on a Monday. Back home to split logs and sit out the rain.

Tues 20th
Rained stopped play again.

Wed 21st
Up-sticks and off to Black Horse bridge. We’ve booked a Tesco delivery and we’re staking our claim as close to the bridge as we can get.
Everything was quiet down at the locks, apart from the sound of an electric drill outside the Locks Inn and a chippy working on Bridge 61’s door hinges.
The few pedestrian punters hanging around the bottom lock seemed happy to stand and gaze across at a lonely hire boat moored on the other side of the basin.
Our only excitement was Sam winding down the window on his FBS service van and remarking on this blog’s drivel. I accepted the compliment.

There’s nothing much to say about the old swing bridge so I won’t mention it.

Thursday 22nd
We had an hour or so to spare so caught up on other boater’s Blogs.
Clicked on Granny Buttons website and followed his link to a boating video . One thing led to another and we spent the next hour following all the boat links watching video after video of narrowboats on canals including a Vagabond cruise with Tony Matts at the wheel and boats passing through Foxton locks – sad eh?

We couldn’t have done a fraction of today’s browsing with our old O2 internet plan but the danger now is that we could easily be replacing the real world on our doorstep with the virtual world through the computer screen.

The Tesco van’s arrival brought us back to reality and after loading up we set off for pastures new.

Passing Debdale and Saddington Tunnel with only one other boat on the move we finally arrived at Wistow and our usual moorings in the middle of nowhere. A lone swan and the two of us had a late lunch.

Friday 23rd
Today is a fresh air day with a walk to Wistow church and Webbs café/bistro.

Hot chocolate and a biscuit made out of chocolate and apricots welcomed us. A walk around the dozen or so little shops with a couple of smelly candles purchased (a replacement for josh sticks) finished with a huge disappointment when I discovered a WW2 German helmet was priced at £595. Plans for a weekend cruise through Leicester are now well and truly scuppered.

Sat 24th
It’s cold, wet and windy which is great for me, no walking.
The indoor jobs got a good seeing to, mostly mending electronics that someone else keeps breaking.
Bit of a surprise, we checked our emails and found a crewing offer for tomorrow’s move to Kilby Bridge. Mike (Sarah-Kate) was kicking his heels at home and looking for his weekly boat fix. Sounds more like job avoidance to me but who am I to turn down a free crewing offer.

Sunday 25th November 2007
It’s just a thought, there’s only one month to go to Christmas. Aarggggg.

Breakfast cleared away, ash scattered to the four winds (only joking) and the bird feeder stowed, we are ready to move. Mike arrived just as he said he would and we’re off.
Seven locks between here and Kilby Bridge.
Pleasant crews and a pleasant cruise with loads of sunshine and hardly a breeze. This ought to be a busy day because there’s a boating window for those going through Leicester. One lock repair has finished and another one is about to begin. My theory is correct, we passed a boat on the move, Black Pearl, a tug-decked cruiser-stern narrowboat, not one we’d seen before. One boat equals busy, two would mean queues on the Leicester Line.

With Mike’s help we cleared the locks and emerged from under Kilby’s Bridge to find a couple of spaces amongst the regulars.

Hot soup, home made bread rolls and the last of our news catch-up with Mike before he walked back to the car.
Apart from our friendly whistling swan it’s very quiet. A couple of walkers with kids who peep through the portholes and exclaim “ Look, they’ve got radiators in there” pass along the line of boats throwing comments to each other as though we were all stone deaf.
At least we’ve moved on from being “the little people” as one old fella told his grandson during their Sunday afternoon walk.

Monday 12th November 2007
This is moving day, from Wistow to Debdale Wharf for pump-out, coal, gas and diesel. Prices have escalated, the reason given at another diesel pump was that the VAT content of ‘red’ on the cut had risen but my receipt states 5% VAT so this hike must be down to profit or costs passed down by suppliers.
A couple of boats were out on the canal, one we’d seen recently at Kilby Bridge sporting the latest winter blizzard apparel and suited to present temperatures which are well into single figures.
We moored at what we call Tony’s Turn, a stretch of piling, just north of Pat’s Bridge (No.64), on the Leicester Line and close to where the trip boat Vagabond turns at the northern end of its cruise (see captain Tony Matts, Foxton Boat Services).

Tuesday 13th
This was search day. Helicopter overhead, ground swarming with uniforms, we hardly saw a Foxton visitor, in fact it wasn’t easy spotting a boater. Someone called Angela was missing, car in the car park overnight, worried family. (See previous entry)

Wed 14th
Another search day with helicopter overhead, more search teams walking the tow paths, prodding the reeds and brambles with long poles, and supported by Foxton Boat Services, enlisted for the water borne troops. Temperatures dropped to freezing point, this wasn’t going to be a night for wandering about outside.
See the Leicester Mercury which reported the incident and detailed the search effort to find Mrs Angela Foulds.

Thurs 15th
It was cold enough to keep us indoors but we noticed the countryside was quieter today.
Mike and Jo (nb.Sarah-Kate) called in for coffee (yummy cakes, Jo) and a chat, sharing our discoveries in the world of stone mason’s marks on locks, bridges and canal structures. The Old Union Canal Society (OUCS) produces a very informative magazine and my letter had
prompted the editor’s reply with copies of fascinating articles written by members, accompanied by sketches of mason’s marks and their canal locations.

Unbeknown to us, Leicester Mercury reported a conclusion to the search for Mrs F.

Friday 16th November 2007
As the frost disappeared so we moved on from Tony’s Turn to the water point at Foxton Locks.

All very quiet, not a uniform in sight. Popped into Bridge 61 for lunch and a news update and there was the newspaper telling us that our ‘lost lady’ had turned up safe and well.
There was no mention in the papers of her reasons for disappearing but from what I heard on the ground there might be more to the story than was printed. No one is prepared to be quoted on rumours of inappropriate dealings so no more can be added.

Mary estimated that something in the region of 150 people were involved in the operation over the two days Tuesday and Wednesday, which included a mountain rescue team to check the lock chambers and the tunnels to the side ponds. Potholing skills must have come to the fore.

A costly exercise I shouldn’t be surprised and a waste of thousands of man-hours but at least we have a living person and not a dead body to contend with.

Tuesday 13th November 2007 – North of Foxton locks
It was 9 o’clock in the morning when the police helicopter first flew overhead.

We could tell something was up, because it flew back and forth, dodging the power lines, hovering over hedges and then shooting off across the fields only to return again later.

Just as we got used to the helicopter as company, two policemen from cycling branch swept past our moorings pedalling north towards Debdale.

Wondering what could be the cause of all this interest in our otherwise peaceful canal it came to mind that we were only a mile from Gartree high security prison. Guessing there had been a break-out, we locked our doors.

But walking down to Foxton Locks after lunch we discovered another twenty officers combing the area. The lock flight was closed and emptied, all gates were open and the side ponds drained.

Ladders were lowered into the lock chambers for the crew to examine the brown squidge left behind by the water. A systematic search was in progress for a body.

It turned out that the hunt was for a lady who had disappeared leaving notes at home and in her nearby car suggesting she had rather sad intentions.

I reflected on the sadness of it all, and the date hadn’t escaped my notice, but I hoped that she had changed her mind and after reflection would reappear alive and well.

We left the crowd of searchers to get on with their job and recalled a similar incident last year at Ferry Meadows near Peterborough where a helicopter search was conducted at night and a boat patrol checked the water’s edge the following day for a woman of a similar age.

Monday 5th November 2007
Bus to the dentist – just a check up and that inevitable “can we book you in to see the hygienist?” Neeerrrrr, we can’t afford her.

Called in the Bakers Arms in Blaby for lunch – she claims to be the second oldest pub in the country. I found it impossible to walk through the many small bars without tripping over steps or whacking my head on the door lintels. Now I know what you're thinking.....
Changing buses in Leicester gave us time to browse the market and listen to the shop keepers shouting out their prices. “Every bowl a pound” or “bananas pound a pound” and “bananas fifty P”. There were so many bananas for 50p that we ate them raw, with custard and in cakes for several days.
Hoppy’s knee held up, steps were avoided as much as possible even if it meant walking miles down wheelchair ramps. It seems that the knee likes towns, particularly shops in towns.

The rain held off for the fireworks. If we hadn’t got so many trees round us we’d have seen the display on the local footy pitch. Sounded good, well it did until bedtime, then it sounded bad.

Tuesday 6th
Bus again and it’s Leicester again. Swapped a T-Mobile PC-card for a USB modem. Now we’re really motoring on internet browsing. I can see why they insist we have 3Gbytes a month.

As it’s a working day I cleaned the brass work.

Wednesday 7th
Stand by for boarders – visitors from darn sarf. Terry and Pam have come all the way from the south coast via holidays in Stratford and they are bearing serious gifts – delicious munchies, drinkies and a huge bag of wood – really naughty of them. They’re super people, lots of fun, they just need a narrowboat to complete their happiness.

It was a curious day, weather wise and liable to turn one way or the other depending on the wind direction. Breezy but not enough to put us off a cruise and so we eased ourselves away from Kilby heading south. Terry and Pam aren’t new to this so we handed them a windlass and the tiller and sat back to enjoy the scenery. Seven locks out and seven locks back was enough to work up an appetite and bring in the clouds.

Back at Kilby we tied up and made for The Navigation. As if this couple hadn’t spent enough on us, they insisted on spoiling us with food and wine before returning to the boat for coffee and those gorgeous choccies. Thanks you two, what are you doing next week, we’ve got eleven locks and a tunnel to do?

Thursday 8th
Can’t lie in today, there’s too much activity across the water. BW are loading power plant onto workboats ready for an assault on Ervin’s Lock next week.

There was just time for our final Tesco delivery before we cleared off and a few minutes to natter to Richard after he’d breezed into town in the workboat “The Mick Berrill”. A strange looking craft with a freeboard of half an inch and a distinctive list to starboard. Rather him than me.

Back along the same route as yesterday we started up through the locks towards Wistow. Crossing the lock gates at Tythorn did something to Hoppy’s knee and she started limping again so I took over paddles while she steered. It seems that her knee injury isn’t in a hurry to heal and now that she’s found out how easy it is to steer it looks like my days are numbered.
As if that wasn’t enough bad news for one day it started raining and blowing a gale and someone had to go outside to fill the coal bucket. Looks like I’m still in a job after all.

Friday 9th
Stayed indoors until it was time for walkies (ash out and coal in).
Not a single boat passed us all day, this is what I call a real country stop.
Diwali fireworks are as noisy as Guy Fawkes night. We’re still too close to Leicester.

Saturday 10th
I was making breakfast when a coal boat went past. Missed it - should have left my “Stop” notice hanging out the window.
Just like a baby’s nappy it was wet and windy most of the day.

During those moments it does brighten up everything turns pretty, the cows wander across to stare and the views across the fields stretch out into the sunset.

Sunday 11th
Remembrance day. I remembered to stop what I was doing for 2 minutes. V was down the other end of the boat and I was at 45 degrees in a comfortable chair with the fire going, eyes shut, thinking. I stopped doing everything for 52 minutes.

This section of canal passes through the ancient village of Wistow, a deserted medieval village and now just a series of grassy bumps in the field next to us. Listed with 22 inhabitants in 1086, rising to 130 tax payers in the 14th century, it was back down to 16 tax paying families in 1524. All but the manor house and the church have gone.
However, a thriving garden centre with its small shops, café and car park lie close to the site and the more adventurous walkers, passing the old village church, reach us via the two canal bridges. With so many walkers about, particularly at weekends, we have to be on our best behaviour. Best stay indoors I say.

As usual we have a resident swan. A rather polite one and not given to pecking the paintwork. She has her own little spot for preening and sleeping when she isn’t “hungry” and today she attracted a couple of puzzled cows that couldn’t understand why she won’t share the water.

Just as I thought that was my last picture of the day I completely forgot how funny children can be when they think they can’t be seen.

V was playing Pac-Man on the TV when these little ‘uns spotted the game in progress through the porthole. Curiosity got the better of them and as they coopy-down to watch I snapped them through the one-way glass.
I’m afraid I roared with laughter and hope their parents see the funny side of it if they ever spot the blog.

Monday 29th October 2007

Lunch with the coal man.

Recipients of kindness yet again, we had an offer of crewing or shopping from Mike and Jo who are just back from their summer cruise. Feeding them lunch was a small return for delivering three bags of coal just as our stocks of solid fuel had become seriously depleted.

Determined to see V’s knee fully recovered we’ve limited her travels to horizontal ground which includes buses and single storey shops. Unfortunately women’s wear always seems to be on the ground floor and men’s wear is shoved upstairs. This is unfair and unkind to the pocket.

Our love affair with ‘3’ is over. Their USB modem won’t work with a GPRS signal and that’s a real blow to us. Passing in and out of 3G areas we can’t guarantee not to use the slower 2G internet speeds, so when 3’s technical support guys admitted their limitations and no cure in sight we had no alternative but to return the package to their Leicester shop.
When we did get 3G it was fast, really, really fast but it only happened once in three days.

3’s claims to be capable of GPRS was ‘proved’ by a connection to www.purple.com which only needs one kilobyte of data each way to paint the computer screen purple. But watching a purple screen fails to excite after a while and still leaves me needing to download my email. So I’m afraid that unless one is static and constantly within the 3G signal area, 3’s USB modem is about as useful as a narrowboat chandelier.

Tuesday 30th
We’re off to Leicester on the bus. A three pound ticket means we can travel all day, anywhere we want on Arriva buses. That’s a bit like watching purple computer screens and the novelty wore off as we reached the bus station. Got our money back at 3 (that’s a shop, not the time) and we scooted off to T-Mobile (V dragging her left leg) to do a deal.
Polite, efficient and quick to take the money I found this outfit very professional. I think we might be happy with T instead of 3.
Back to the boat and we’re on air again – yippee. We have unlimited access just as long as we don’t go over 3 gigabytes. Look, it’s that number 3 causing trouble again.

Wednesday 31st
Spent the day on the internet, or would have done if it wasn’t for the limitation of boat batteries. Sorting out the wardrobe gave a welcome distraction but I nearly cried when I saw all the summer stuff I didn’t get to wear this year. Found a jumper that I thought I’d lost and spent the day in it even though it was T shirt weather.

No Trick or Treaters down our way, don’t you just love canals.

Thursday 1st November
V got a message from BW saying they thought our use of the text only facility for canal stoppages information was insufficient to warrant keeping the service. While they revamp their website the ‘mobile’ section will suffer further delays and might never be seen again if boaters don’t request it.
For that reason we’re urging everyone to attempt a connection with http://www.waterscape.com/mobile and complain to British Waterways until it is returned to service. For those of us cruising most of the year this is a very useful quick check for problems up ahead.

Friday 2nd Nov
Another bus ride to town and I’m getting good at it. Managed to walk right down the length of the bus without falling into empty seats as the driver hurtled flat out towards the bus stop.

Apart from a bus trip on my 50th as a treat I haven’t done buses since I bought my first motorbike in the sixties. The only thing that’s changed is there’s no clippie, oh and perhaps the bus speeds are faster and there’s no back entrance at the bottom of the stairs where we jump off at traffic lights.
The first time I did that I was facing the wrong way and discovered one can’t run backwards as fast as forwards and I ended up doing an ungraceful backwards roly-poly down the main street. I never got that wrong again and the experience has proved very useful when leaping off moving boats.
Discovered that Wigston is an amazing place for men’s shops. There’s a DIY, a Wilkinsons, a Pound Shop a Pennywise and, within 200 yards, a B&Q. I’m totally spoilt for choice.

We didn’t buy any fireworks but it sounds like the whole of Wigston did. From 7 o’clock until eleven we could hardly hear ourselves think with a continuous stream of bangs, crackles and whooshes.

Sat 3rd Nov
It’s one of those days where you don’t want to let the fire go out but it’s really too warm to light one.
Spent most of the day messing about putting a set of piezo speakers up behind the gunwales which brought our loudspeaker count to eight. Two additional amplifiers in the cupboard means we have enough volume for the saloon end of the boat though a quick check outside revealed a leakage onto the towpath. Great if I’m washing down the paintwork outside and a good way to ensure we don’t get anglers crawling all over us on match days.

Another special day, no not a bus ride to town, Claire and Tezzer came over for dinner. A mail drop, news catch-up and tasty grub followed by Dylan moaning and Tom Paxton crooning at 100 decibels.

Another night of fireworks a-la-Wigston meant we had entertainment inside and out right up to bedtime.

Now that we’ve the means to go browsing again I’ve been catching up on other Blogs.

Derwent6 is in build and it’s lovely to see someone else’s boat steelwork taking shape. Granny Buttons has crossed quiet blogs off his list. There are many reasons for going quiet including being too jolly busy working or just plain nothing new to say. This smacks of lack of cruising which to some degree describes us now that we’re occupied with dentists, doctors and shopping.
Nowadays it’s the little things that catch one’s interest, like our resident swan, a youngster away from its parents.

Still sporting brown and white feathers he’s doing his (her) best to act like an adult but he can’t quite lose the whistley voice.
I’m encouraging him to whistle rather than peck the boat when he wants food and he’s becoming quite vocal whenever he sees us.
The other day one of his parents flew in for a chat. They did the slow approach, then the head bobbing and finally they paddled off to discuss the pros and cons of working the Kilby Bridge stretch.
Having made sure junior was alright the old ’un took off again and we’re back to one swan between half a dozen boats.

Sunday 4th November 2007
The weather is kind to us again and it’s gone quiet with hardly any boat movements either way. We haven’t seen a hire boat for many days and apart from weekend walkers, families mostly, it’s gone quiet on the towpath. As a result the canal water is clearing and the urge to go fishing is becoming irresistible.
All we need is the sun to shine and the whistling swan to lose his appetite and take some exercise and I shall be out there.