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.
This drudger "The Mick Berrill" was named after my dad who drove it for many years untill his retirement