Tuesday 29th January 2007

This blog site needs your help.

Here’s where we are at the moment.
We use T-Mobile’s USB Modem (Huawei E220) to access the internet from a Toshiba laptop, not a new laptop and not an old one.

Since Christmas we’ve had problems accessing this blog and every other blog hosted by Blog.Co.Uk. On average we find this host and all its constituent parts off-air, on a ratio of 2 hours on to 7 hours off between 9am and 6pm.

Strange though this is it gets stranger because every other blog site that we know (private site, Blogspot, Bloglines, etc.,) hasn’t been off-air with this problem, in fact we check other sites every time we check ours. Is this making sense?

Having reported the problem to T-Mobile and chased them for answers (they don’t always remember to call back when they say they will) they tell us that they have checked at their end and have no problems accessing blog.co.uk through their USB modem.

Well of course they don’t have trouble if they happen to try it during the times it is on-air.

Now they want me to test my modem on someone else’s computer (yeah, like that’s going to be easy isn’t it?) and/or get others to report this same problem IF there is anyone else having this problem.

This is where we need help.

If you use a T-Mobile USB modem to access the internet and have had problems accessing this blog or any other blog hosted by http://www.blog.co.uk then would you kindly report it to T-Mobile.

T-Mobile can be reached on “150” if calling on T-Mobile’s phone service (free) and 08454 122993 from any other ‘phone.

We had no success getting a reply from their technical Dept through email (datacard.feedback@t-mobile.co.uk) which is the email address volunteered on their website so we can’t recommend reporting by email. However, they are quick to pick up the phone.

If you don’t feel you can make a call to T-Mobile then please bombard me with comments telling me how it is for you. This does rather suppose you have the time to try this blog site throughout the day and I can assure you this isn’t a crafty way of raising our reader ratings.

Thanks for any help you can give, it could be the difference between continuing or closing down Balmaha’s blog as we know it.

Mo

PS. If anyone has a sneaky suspicion they know what’s happening to cause this problem, please vent thoughts, we are stumped and so are T-Mobile.
For those of a technical bent, we can “ping” www.blog.co.uk successfully during times the site is off-air to a T-Mobile USB modem. Off-air means we can’t access the site using IE6, Firefox and Netscape. Please also note that the site is also accessible (during off-air times) through mobile phones (Internet Explorer) using O2, Orange and Vodafone.

Further thoughts – maybe Blog.co.uk’s server is too heavily used, maybe it rejects calls through T-Mobile at busy times rather than “holding” users while time is allocated to a response. Maybe the UK server is in Berlin, Germany (no kidding) and is the same server for sister sites blog.de, blog.fr, blog.ca, etc., and somehow this messes up communications with T-Mobile.

Monday 21st to Sunday 27th January 2008

The weekend is over and it’s time to move on. Chas and Ann have a spot of business in the south and we’re on our way back up to Leicester for hoppy’s knee appointment.
We aren’t very far from Watford so we head down there to help work the locks for Moore2Life just as the clouds begin to lighten their load on us.

Watford is a strange place in the middle of winter, deserted - no lockies or boats, or at least we hope there aren’t any piling into the opposite end as we start down the flight. That secure feeling is missing when there’s no one overseeing events and it isn’t helped by the absence of clear instruction boards at the approaches.
I couldn’t put my finger on it until someone mentioned the wind whistling across the pounds and then I realised the motorway drone was absent, the wind was blowing the M1’s relentless din away from us and we could hear what we were saying without having to shout. A precious moment at Watford Locks that no camera could capture.

When all was done we parted company with Chas and Ann, M2L set off towards Norton Junction leaving us on the summit.

Now facing north we set off towards Crick tunnel and quit for the day. Apart from the distant road noise we heard and saw nothing, no walkers, no dogs no sheep, no birds, it’s as though everything was asleep.

Another day, another mile and we pull in at Crick. The new marina (next to the old one) is open and occupation has started.

There’s plenty of space on the towpath so we moor up, safe in the knowledge that we are welcome to “stay overnight where there are spaces” amongst the fee-paying winter moorers. My guess is that fears of disruption by marina contractors put people off over-wintering here and this produced unexpected but welcome benefits to those like us who can’t “settle” in the winter months.

Obedient to the notice’s small print (…..please clear-off!!) we set sail the following day. Yelvertoft with its proper butchers shop was calling so we sampled piggy chops and real bacon, yum-yum. Mr Butcher apologised for the small chops, citing the local farmer’s problems catching the big ‘uns. Something to do with the rain turning the ground to slurry which makes it impossible to catch mummy or daddy so we had to make do with the tiddler, arhhhh.
(Anyone turned on by fresh, juicy piggy pork should note the shop’s closure from 13th to 19th Feb.)

This is also a handy spot for a Tesco delivery but this time we get a special one, a personal service by Mike and Jo (nb.Sarah-Kate). Coffee, cakes and a jolly good natter were in order, which included the latest news from Jo on my current fetish - stone mason’s marks on canal locks and bridges.

Spotting bats in tunnels is another craze at the moment and although I didn’t catch a glimpse of any in Crick Tunnel, I noticed the stalactites are doing well, some approaching 12” long, thereby proving the tunnel is over a thousand years old.

More light has fallen on a recent mystery, our problems accessing this or any other blog on Blog.Co.Uk. It’s become apparent that T-Mobile have singled out their USB modems for special treatment. The technical guys are supposed to be sorting it out.

Didn’t it rain and blow!! I was dreading the gas running out as the end-of-bottle ‘smell’ appeared in the galley, telling us it was time to visit the gas locker. Getting at the taps is never an easy task but in the wet and wind it’s fraught with dangers, in particular the risk of wet-leg.
Checked gas prices with N.Kilworth Wharf as we sighted Welford Arm but declined an offer of £20+ for 13kg when I know it’s 18 something at Debdale. I was led to believe that Calor controlled retail prices but find there’s plenty of variation on the canal.

Stopped overnight at Bridge 59 and wondered if we’d get a visit in the night (feevin’ Finch) but all was quiet. I say quiet but this wind rattles the cratch canvas so much that it sounds like there’s a party of tramps in there having a good time.
We later read Gypsy Rover's report that AF had turned himself in at Daventry Police Station. Slept well the following night.

Friday saw us hit Foxton Locks at breakfast. Not a soul around, no boats moored up top, none moored below. We shot down the flight, V lifting the red paddle as I lifted the white one and me running to the boat before it disappeared into the ground. Experimented with crossing the centre pound but still can’t get it right.

Back into familiar territory we have the moorings to ourselves. Fed the moorhens, the ducks, the swans and Mr and Mrs Tezzer. I know what you’re thinking, but no, they didn’t all get stale bread.

And then the weekend arrived, time to relax. A steady stream of walkers, bikers, pets and children meant I had to be careful where I put the paint pot on the towpath. Did some damage in Bossy’s tunnel dodging a BW workboat (got your name, got your number) so slapped on the red oxide while the sun shone.

Hadn’t quite finished cleaning the brass when friends from Blaby called in for tea. Then four southerners dropped in, sorry, three southerners and one from north of the border and then we were nine up, counting Bruce the dog. More boaty discussions - electric motors, solar panels, batteries, the usual stuff and then we were alone again.

Outside noises had me out of bed twice in the night so I was still firmly welded to the mattress at 9 o’clock this Sunday morning.
Must have seen the whole of Leicestershire pass by our portholes today. All ages, all colours and every breed of dog from Irish wolfhound to chihuahua.
Dogs are OK, they sniff the boat and carry on.
Kids, on the other hand make me laugh, they can’t help peeping in and screaming out a list of everything they see to anyone who will listen.
I’ve stopped making faces at them because they can’t help exaggerating and it might get misunderstood by the grown-ups and I don’t want to finish up losing my liberty.

Ah well, the day’s almost over, the sun is on its way to the USA and the crowds have returned to the city. The fire is glowing, as it has been for about three months, hot crumpets and tea fill the saloon with homely smells and ducks head off to the reeds, their tummies stuffed with bread from Mary’s little shop at Foxton Locks.
All is at peace, now all I have to do is get T-Mobile to let me at the blog.

Its been pointed out that a duff link to this blog has been doing the rounds.

If you have included a link to NARROWBOAT BALMAHA on your website would you mind checking it links to www.balmaha.blog.co.uk and NOT www.blog.co.uk/index.php/balmaha which takes the reader to Blog.co.uk's home page.

Tar.

Tuesday 15th to Sunday 20th January 2007

Time for a rant - our carefree cruising has been overshadowed by problems with the internet which is blighted by difficulties in accessing this blog. Clues point to T-Mobile though we can’t see why reaching our blog through them should be any different to O2 and Orange which work fine. Bit stuck on solving this and it might be simpler to switch blog providers so I’m looking at Blogspot again.

Meanwhile, a window in the weather meant we could move from our lonely mooring at bridge 57 and push on towards Crick, hoping to make Welford before dusk.

The first thing we noticed was that gorse was making an appearance. Masses of yellow flowers against the brown winter brambles reminded me of those winter mornings crossing the New Forest between Bournemouth and Chandler’s Ford in the old days of commuting. Oh the good old days (NOT).

We hadn’t got the engine warm before we spotted a polythene tent in the hedge between bridges 54 and 53, home to someone sleeping rough (Anthony Finch perhaps), which got me thinking, did I leave the cratch clips open last night or did someone have a look in there during the hours of darkness? Makes you wonder doesn’t it?

Half way through our first cruising cup of tea (engine still only warm) we chanced on Mick and Lee on nb.Hot Toddy. No sign of Mike and Jo, they’ve gone back to a nice warm, spacious, convenient, running-hot-water home. Neerrrr, not for us, it’s good to be back on the road again.

Bossy tunnel wasn’t as wet as we’d expected after all the recent rain and the welcome on t’other side at North Kilworth Wharf was worth stopping for. John and Jane Pugh have made progress with building alterations and were quite upbeat on plans for local veg supplies, bread and milk and a chandlery once the shop was finished.

Facilities for bottom blacking (self or them doing it), boat painting and engine repairs puts them near the top of my list. Diesel could do with dropping a few pence, otherwise they have everything we need, gas, coal, water, elsan and pump-out
call 01858 881723 and 07967 087290, postcode LE17 6JB

A night’s stop on rings (most civilised) at Welford’s little arm and then off again while the rain holds off.

Saw kingfishers galore and the occasional pheasant but no herons, where do they go at this time every year?
Saw evidence of the canal maintenance cuts along the way. Bridge 31 had been re-pointed while bridge 32 hadn’t been touched, apparently it’s not in any danger and can wait (for another hire boat I shouldn’t be surprised).

Plenty of water running off the fields, a milky coffee colour, staining the otherwise clear canal water for miles. Levels haven’t risen on the summit which means the run-offs are coping, though the farmers with land at lower levels can’t be too pleased with fields of corn or cabbages under lakes. Moorhens and ducks seem to love it as they pecked the new green ‘weed’ beneath them.

Came across a notice in a couple of places telling us to keep to the centre of the towpath. Had a go at getting onto the bank but just couldn’t get through the rushes so assumed this was advice to boaters in times of extreme flooding.

Screeching to a stop on steel piling next to Cracks Hill, within earshot of the M1, we settled down for a few days. The phone crackles and a call comes in from Chas to say nb.Moore2Life is on its way towards us from Braunston. Looking south we see them – oh no it isn’t, it’s nb.Ten Bob Note!!

We only had time to swap headlines (Where’ve you come from? Where’re you going? We were going to moor there. Try round the corner at Skew Bridge) - and they were gone. Last saw this couple at Stone where it was much the same thing, “Hello, what, when, where, cheerio”.

If we didn’t have people’s blogs to read I don’t know what we’d do, spend all day drifting in midstream nattering I suppose.
Talking of blogs I had to laugh when V reported the latest entry on “Pickles-2”, Pete got his wrists slapped when he posted ‘without consent’. I know the feeling, been there done that and now I don’t dare move without the sensor’s stamp.
On the same subject I was cheered to see Chris has added to his Blog for nb.Belle. He’s still pleased with his LED lights from UltraLeds, as are we (is that good grammar?) and like us still holds a drawer full of the original 20 watt MR16 halogen lamps. Can anyone think of a use for these?

And there in the gloom, as dusk approached, Chas and Ann came into view. Ann racing Molly along the tow path, Chas at the tiller. I’d already collected sticks for Molly but I’d forgotten just how much energy she has. By the way, Molly is the dog. Out of sticks, paw prints up my trousers I called a truce and Molly went back onboard, Ann feeling her collar.

Did lots of catching up over the days that followed, Chas was always kind enough to indulge my passion for electronics and I was soon back on the subject, much to V’s dismay because I do tend to go on a bit. Chas is full of little gems from his days at Racal and when my theory gets a bit rusty he can be counted on to supply practical examples to solve my dilemmas.

The rain and wind hardly let up but Ann’s home made soup kept the winter cold out and on the odd occasion that the sun appeared the ladies donned boots and walked to Crick while the men got on with projects, Chas his website and me to studying (the back of my eyelids).
I see we’re still in good company with many other boats sporting out of date licences. 15 working days they want at the Leeds office to process our application, that’s three whole weeks. Don’t feel the urgency for a new sticker now, in fact I could easily give it a miss for a year (and save 907 quid).

The predicted two solid days of rain didn’t happen, though we prepared for it (wood and coal stacked around the fire) and the wind came and went and came again. The occasional falling twig and the inconvenient plop of water drops from overhead branches kept the imagination active at night.
It’s Sunday and there’s been lots of canalish stuff on tele this morning (Northwich salt mines) which was nice. Tomorrow looks like a moving day, south again, a quick spy on the new marina at Crick and perhaps we’ll give Watford Locks a go.

Any comments on your ease of getting onto this blog site will be appreciated, it would help if you mentioned your internet access provider – Orange, Vodafone, T-Mobile, “3”, NTL, O2, etc.
Thanks.

What seems most odd is that the problem comes and goes.... Paul B agrees it might be a T-Mobile linked fault so we shall see what they have to say.....

Amendment
UltraLeds website correction (21/1/08)

Saturday 19th January

Sorry to have to report we're having problems accessing this Blog to add news. So we'd like you to add a comment if you also find this or other personal blogs inaccessible on the host site Blog.Co.UK.

Perhaps you'd add the name of your internet provider too, be it T-Mobile (like us) or Orange, Vodafone, "3", O2, AOL, NTL, Wireless or Landline, etc.

This problem comes and goes during the day having started some time around Christmas. Your comments might help shed some light on what's happening so feel free, tell us if it works for you (or not).

Thanks
Mo

Monday 7th to Sunday 13th January 2008
It’s been a fairly quiet week, we’ve been mostly static with the odd trip to a water point and a fresh local mooring. Black Horse Bridge did us proud for supplies (tks to Tesco) and the towpath fed the furnace after we spotted a bundle of branches from last year’s storms.

We’ve seen no water traffic this week apart from a couple of BW workboats ploughing up and down serving the piling gang south of Debdale.

It was our turn to fill the tank earlier in the week and we were shocked to learn that 240 litres of diesel had set us back over £153 !!. Three years ago that would have cost £67. Barry assured us that these prices were a temporary high and attributable to the shortage of ‘reasonably priced suppliers’ on the run up to Christmas.

I used the time moored at Tony’s Turn to set up a webcam, a Christmas pressy from No.1 son. Could I get it to work? Seems the computer’s security is so tight that it won’t let anyone in to see my lovely mug. Just got to find out how to nobble the settings for UPNP or perform manual port forwarding. Sounds easy doesn’t it.

The weather has been too changeable to enjoy winter cruising. The clouds sweep in, saturate the place and scatter while the wind brings icy temperatures that turn the steerer’s tea to ice before he’s had a chance to down it.

It was good to see the programme Waterworld on the tele again now that we are back in ITV’s Central Region. We still enjoy hearing of other boaters’ experiences on the canals and look for new ideas and gadgets that might make our lives a little easier.

Unable to sit still for very long, V caught a bus to Harbro from Black Horse Bridge (£1 each way) and found it a really friendly service. Unlike the town buses, the country run-arounds let you get on and off wherever you want. Remember how most buses did that 50 years ago?

Despite gloomy grey skies we still catch the occasional sunset that brightens our day and brings the promise of better days to come.

Another highlight of the week was sharing a meal with Claire and Tezzer. A Jamie Oliver invention with parsnips and pears - a lovely way to start the weekend.

By Saturday morning we’d both grown itchy feet and they’d forecast a day off from the usual drizzle so we beat it.
Whilst doing the usual at the services we were overtaken by two Canaltime hire boats. Thinking this was more than a little unusual I enquired and learned they were delivering the worst of the Harbro’ fleet to North Kilworth for re-painting.
Two steerers and one novice windlass-lass taking two boats up the Foxton flight in front of us meant V didn’t get an easy time. I offered to swap places but that would have meant two amateurs shifting water through the locks and no one wanted that. As it happened John from the museum wanted to help so our spare ‘windy’ was brought out and we made good progress to the summit. Thanks John.

I suppose we’re quite privileged to transit the Foxton flight several times a year and must appear in dozens of photo albums but I’ve still not completely mastered crossing the central pound without touching the sides of the opposite lock. It might be a tiny bump compared with the resounding crash from first-timers but it’s my ambition to fly across one day with more than a fag paper between steel and concrete.
I’m afraid the sunshine brought out the walkers and a rash of heads peering down from above. While they point their cameras at me I hide behind the gate timbers and sneak a picture of them.

The sunshine at the top is a welcome sight to us valley dwellers but the air is noticeably cooler and the breeze has a pronounced bite. Pulling away from the crowds we pass nb. Locksley who we haven’t seen since early 2007. “Where you been?” says I. “Up here, where you been?” says he. “Down there” says I, admiring his highly polished paintwork that put us to shame. Even brass cleaning is an effort these days so shampoo and polish have to be a lot further down the jobs list.

Our cruise to bridge 57 followed and we immediately battened down ready for the predicted two days of wind and rain.

Managed to finish my second book in 12 months while V did her umpteenth jigsaw on the dinette table.
Just getting into this relaxing lark when a horn sounded in front of us. As our heads popped through the stern doors so nb Hot Toddy slowed on its way past, carrying Mike and Jo (Sarah-Kate) who’d hitched a ride to Foxton and back.
Greetings and friendly abuse were thrown back and forth before they disappeared under the bridge only to be repeated an hour later as they headed back south before dusk descended.

We’ll probably lurk in these parts a few days, creeping closer to Watford locks when it isn’t raining and finishing some of the inside jobs when it is. There are three new books on the shelf to read before the summer, VHF with DSC, Chart Work and Navigation for Idiots so there’s plenty to keep the mind active.

V’s also got three books to read – all Killer Sudoku. They should keep her quiet for a couple of days and just as well too because working three boats through Foxton Locks has taken its toll on her arms and back.

Arms. back, knee, what’s happening here? This is supposed to be a life style to make you fit not knacker the fit.

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Sorry to say we have been unable to upload Sunday's Blog until today, Wednesday. This is Blog.Co.Uk's problem and if it persists we'll have to move our scribble to another site. So watch this space as they say....

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Not sure if it’s the long nights and dark days or the over-eating-over-Christmas but it isn’t easy staying alert or even keeping the eyes open these days.

Christmas was darn sarf in a house with stairs, hundreds of ‘em. The tree alone would have filled our saloon, the food would have meant a Tesco delivery every day and the people, so many people all in one place, would have filled Balmaha from stem to stern.

It’s been a long time since we spent Christmas together as a family, just the four of us, and it has gone down in my book as one of the most memorable. Breakfast with scrambled egg, smoked salmon, caviar and champagne means you can’t forget it.

And we certainly tasted house heaven – we each sat on chairs miles from others, in a room dedicated to sitting down which was miles from other rooms, all separated and named by their different functions, all with doors that hold in the noises, sights and smells - luxury.

And have you ever noticed that house dwellers don’t arrive on their neighbours doorsteps with boots caked in mud – luxury.

And back on the boat we had more luxury – electric hook-up and unlimited water at Union Wharf, Market Harbro’. Shore power meant we could run a fan heater down the other end of the boat and a hose pipe meant we could leave the washing machine on its three day cycle.
Sandwiched between hire boats during their “Christmas off” also meant we had it quiet – nice.

MiL's 88th took us way out to the countryside and a slap-up meal – yummy, thanks Mummy.

Then the New Year came and went with hundreds of phone calls and texts and a special meal for Tezzer who is now pushing late middle 50’s, poor fella, and such a young wife.

No bread so we ate Cake.

Having cleared out of the Wharf we’re now cruising around the GU, checking in at bridges for coal supplies and food deliveries. Seeing the same old boats doing what we’re doing we wave as we pass and wish then well knowing we’ll be seeing them again in a week.

With the weather up and down like a yo-yo we find ourselves settling down to a routine of buying provisions and pushing off back into the countryside for solitude.
The tele gets switched on a little earlier during these dark evenings but the rest of the day is full of projects, phone calls, the internet and keeping warm.

Hoppy’s got an appointment next month to show off her knees so we can’t completely abandon Leicester but that doesn’t mean we can’t wander down south and call on the chandleries at Braunston and have a look around for familiar faces.

Finally, apologies to those who thought we’d emigrated. Our Blog provider must be having problems because all Blog.co.uk users, apart from a few hours here and there, have been off-air over the holidays. All being well (with them) we’ll continue posting at weekends as usual.