Our 30th Wedding Anniversary

Well it was up early and another trip down to Kent, and we set off in the car we had borrowed from Al's Dad..
We arrived at midday and sorted out some bits and pieces and then chilled with a takeaway with Pam & Alf in the evening..

The following day we were up doing some jobs for Al's Mum and Dad.. At lunch time we meet up with a few friends to celebrate our 30th Wedding Anniversary. We picked The Ole George Inn which is opposite the church we got married in..

It is also the place where Del had a pint with the Vicar before walking up the aisle with Al.. We had a great time with everyone, so a big thank you to you all for your presents and cards..Del was proud to be wearing the T shirt he wore on the honeymoon in Florida..

Fosse Park day out

We thought we would make the most of the car today so we decided to take a trip out to Fosse Park in Leicester.. It was only a junction up from where we were so it didn't take us long.. Al was in her element as we walked around the spring sales.. We had a bite to eat at M&S and got a few bits for the summer.. It was nice to have a drive and not be under any pressure to go anywhere.. We got back to Derwent6 at around 4.00pm and it started to snow hard.

We then watched some telly before getting ready to go out in the evening.. Del was taking his Mum and Keith out of a meal at the Wharf Inn..We met up at 7.00pm and had a few drinks.. We had a good chat and reminisced a bit.. We got back at 9.30pm and zonked out!..

Friends at the Wharf

We had a bit of a lay in this morning after our hectic weekend..  Del then got up and gave Derwent6 a wipe down from all the snow we had.. At 11.30am we made our way down to the Wharf Inn where we met up with Andy and Hilary from n.b. The Maisibert.
It was so cold outside we were all pleased to get a spot by the fire to warm up..

We had a good catch up as we hadn't seen each other for 18 months. We also had a good meal at a good price..We then gave Cassie their dog a bit of a walk before we went back to Derwent6 for coffee.. They all left at around 5.00pm.. Thanks guys for a lovely day it was good to see you both..

This is all about Friends and Family

Well it was another busy weekend ahead for us... We were up early Friday and met up with Pat and Keith ( Del's mum) who were looking after Derwent6 for us..They kindly took us to Market Harborough where we got the train down to Kent. We first went to Al's Mum and Dad"s, as we always do, to make sure they were ok and Alf had cooked us a lovely dinner.. We stayed there the night..
On Saturday morning we were up and sorting out some boxes we still had from moving onto Derwent6, yes we did come to the conclusion that if we hadn't needed them in all this time, they weren't needed at all.. So after another last look at them, we ventured out to the charity shop where they were open arms to take them..  We then went on to see our friends Maxine and Graham (who had both been ill over the last month) and it was good to see them on the mend... We sorted out some things for the future, what this space!!
It was then on to see Terry and Ron (Del's step mum) where we caught up with all their home improvements, and there had been a lot.. New furniture and conservatory changes etc. In the evening we had a 21st party to go to. It was Sam's Birthday (Sam is dressed in white in the picture) and we caught up with more friends there and ended up staying till 3.00am, crashing at Terry's that night..

On Sunday after a nice breakfast we left to see Steve and Erica who were going on holiday soon and then popped in to see Bernie (who was busy decorating) after Steve had asked us to drop some bits off for him.. In the afternoon we went down to The Roebuck Inn at Harrietsham which is being run by Del's brother Cliff.. He had arranged a meeting with the family (and a lovely meal) together with Del's other brother Craig and all the kids.. It was a lovely family get together where we sorted out more future plans.. (keep watching this space)

It was then back to Al's Mum and Dads...
On Monday we woke up to snow, but it wasn't laying. We borrowed Al's Dads car and drove back to Derwent6 before it started to get too bad with a forecast of more on the way... We got back to Derwent6 at 2.15pm and it was snowing heavens hard but only in short showers.. Derwent6 was freezing, it was minus two outside.. So it was fire lit, kettle on, central heating on, and a couple of gas rings on to top it off.. It still took a couple of hours before we could take our hats and coats off.. yes it was bloody cold!!!

It still always feel good to be home and it soon got cosy again.. As you can see we were knackered so it will be an early night for us under the blankets with a hot water bottle...

We're in the Arm-y Now!!

We were up early and ready to go today but the weather wasn't good..It had been raining and was still a light drizzle so we waited till 10.00am before we set off.. As we untied the ropes it stopped, and we headed towards the Welford Junction..

We turned right and made our way up the arm. Everyone had the same idea as we passed two boats coming out, good news as it meant there would be spaces for us when we arrived..

We got to Welford Lock and it was very quiet. As we turned the corner we could see a mooring spot and pulled up Derwent6.

We managed to get a tv signal but that's about all.. Phone signal was very weak, and internet, well forget it!! It has taken us a hour to do this blog today..

After some lunch we walked round to see Del's mum Pat and Keith on n.b.Thema. We had a cup of tea and a hot cross bun, our first before Easter...  We had a good catch up as we hadn't seen them for a while.. We got back to Derwent6 and relaxed in the evening......

Blue Skies, you have to Cruise

We woke up to bright sunshine and a thin film of ice on the canal.. We thought we would move over from where we were to the water point and get the washing going while filling with water..It would also give the sun a chance to melt the ice.. We had some breakfast and then when the ice had gone we moved up to Crick marina and pulled up on the diesel point..There was a crane waiting for a boat to come out of the water and also there was one going in but neither had arrived yet..

We slipped in there and got our diesel and a gas bottle, and pulled out just in time for everything to kick off there.. so with all tanks full we headed towards Welford.. The skies were blue and the waters so calm you could see everything reflecting off it..

We got to Yelvertoft when we met two boats who came out in front of us.. We got another two loads of washing done which brought everything up to date.. The countryside on this section is amazing and when the sky is blue it's fantastic...

We slowly made our way to Welford junction where we decided to moor up for the day..

We sat out in the cratch and watched the gliders flying over head..

The sun had brought a lot more boats out today and it started to feel very spring like.. We ended up watching the football in the evening and Al watched her Dallas a lot later.. We think the weather is going to change tomorrow, so we could be staying put for a few days...

Relaxed....

On Sunday we walked up to Crick marina and brought a couple of bags of coal. We needed it just to keep the fire in overnight.. We chilled for the rest of the day till 3.30pm when we walked up to the working men's club to watch the Arsenal/Spurs game..Del wishes he hadn't..  On Monday Del was up early and sorted up the fire then chopped up the rest of the wood we had on the roof.. Al walked up to the Co-Op and got some bits.. At 3.30pm we had a visit from Lynne and Paul who had just come back from Rugby..... it was lovely to see them and catch up on their news.

Mum's 84th Birthday

Friday we got up early as Al was going down to Kent to see her Mum..It was her 84th Birthday and her Dad, at 85, had cooked a lovely lunch and made a cake..

Al got the bus from Crick and got to Rugby to find that a power line was down and all the trains were cancelled.. She ended up getting a coach to Milton Keynes where she was able to get the train from there.. She arrived down in Kent at 12.50.. a five hour trip... Pam, Al's Mum, was happy to see her and it made it all worth it.. she was able to open her cards and presents and the smile on her face says it all...

Later in the evening Al had arranged a meet with some (old) work mates. She met up for an evening dinner at Prezzo's in Maidstone. It was lovely to see the two Karen's and the two Alison's together again..

She stayed at friends Bernie and Sarah that night who kindly waited up late for her to come in at midnight.. So what do you all think Del done..yep the brasses, and he also polished the port side which was the last to do for a while.. Paul from n.b. Piston Broke came round and we pondered over the engine and the belt problem Derwent6 has.. The belts have been ordered and Al will collect them in Kent.. In the evening Del met up with Chris and Sue on n.b. Adagio and they walked up to The Red Lion pub for a few pints.. It was nice to see them and catch up with all the gossip. We have been keeping Derwent6 dry since Christmas, and because of it we have both lost weight, but we do make up for it when we go up the pub..lol
Al came back on Saturday and we chilled out together again, Al was pleased to be home.. In the evening we both went back up The Red Lion and had a meal together and a good chat about what we have to do next.. It just seemed we hadn't done this for a long time, and we really enjoyed ourselves.. It was straight to bed when we got back, as we needed the sleep, lol..............

A Lunchtime Meet

We had a bit of a lie in this morning as we didn't have anything planned till lunch time.. Del did readjust the belts for the third time and then ordered some new ones from Beta Marine.. We then walked up to The Red Lion pub where we met up with Ann & Keith off n.b. Oakfield and later on Lynne and Paul turned up off n.b.Piston Broke.. We had a lovely lunch which they do for a fiver.. We caught up on all the gossip and put the world to right as normal..

We said our goodbyes and then we walked up to the Co-Op and picked up a few treats.. we got back to Derwent6 at 3.00pm which was a nice time. We plonked ourselves in front of the telly for a couple of hours and listened to the radio in the evening,..

Up to Crick without a paddle

There was a fresh wind and we had rain overnight but we felt we needed to move on today.. We said goodbye to our fellow friends and they looked a bit sad we were going..

We twist and turned through the countryside and then soon approached the Crick Tunnel..

This tunnel is always very wet so Del was glad we had the roof polished..

After a soaking we moored up to see if there were any spots in a location we could get telly..There were two so we pushed off and got into one..

Del spent the next hour wiping the roof down as the tunnel leaves these white marks if you don't..  Al checked online of the times at the cinema as our plan was to go to Rugby.. After lunch we made our way to the bus stop and caught the 12.30pm bus.. We go into Rugby at 1.00pm and then walked down towards the cinema.. We were surprised to find the footbridge across the railway was closed so we had to walk the long way round to the retail park..We just about made it before the film started..It was cheap Tuesday and we went to see the new Die Hard film with Bruce Willis, and typically it was full of action from start to finish..

We came out and had to walk the long way back into Rugby and ended up getting back to Derwent6 at 5.00pm.. We felt it had been a long day and we had made the most of it..

Needs Must

We had a very quiet weekend really as it was so cold we didn't feel like moving..We needed a waste pumpout but knew we could go another few more days. We needed to use the boatyard close by as we wanted the tank flushed this time. It would have been busy on Saturday and it was closed on Sunday, so it was fire roaring and watch the Rugby..We were glad we did as they were all good games...
Monday however we had to move. The waste tank was nudging ten and we were getting itchy feet anyway.. At 10.00am we pulled the pins and soon entered the boatyard.. We ended up paying eighteen pounds for a pumpout.....not like us to pay that but it was needs must.. We did say we wouldn't use this boatyard again but it just shows that sometimes you have to..  We needed gas, coal and diesel but we wouldn't buy it from them due to the silly prices. They were charging thirteen pounds for a bag of coal....

We then pushed on towards the Watford flight and on the way spotted some wood..It was a quick reverse and Al held Derwent6 while Del gathered it all up and stuck it on the roof..

We only had a days wood left and half a bag of coal so it was very handy.. We approached the flight of locks where we were going to get water at the bottom but there was a boat moored up on the water point.. Oh we were going to have a cup of coffee first he said.. We couldn't be bothered to comment and went straight into the lock as it was in our favour.. Al walked up to check that no one was coming down and the lock keeper wasn't on, and then gave Del the nod to come up..

We got to the top as everything was in our favour and in the top lock we got water..

It has been so empty with boats that we stayed in the lock and filled the tank..It takes a hour to fill Derwent6 and it was very quiet..

The cold was starting to get to us so we found a favourite spot of ours and moored up..

After something to eat and a hot drink Del started chopping the wood we had just got.. So the locker is now full of wood and we still have some left on the roof.. It is a nice spot here with the lambs bouncing in the field opposite us..

We had a lovely Shepards Pie on the go (what timing) and a relaxing evening ahead...Bloody Fantastic!!!

All good plans

Well the plan was to move today as we are coming up to our two weeks. We were up early and greeted with ice on the canal again, so it won't be today..We had planned to move up on the summit, but the ice was sure to be worse up there.... So we decided to top up the cupboards instead and get some fresh air..We got the bus into Daventry and went to Mr Tesco's, where we picked up all the heavy stuff, tins fruit, wine and beer.. When we got back the ice had melted a bit but it was still slushy..It was 1.00pm and we felt it was a bit late in the day to move..It was also getting colder and snow was in the air, so the fire was more inviting.. Al stayed in the warm in the afternoon and Del went out on his bike to warm up.. I think Del got the bum deal lol.. In the evening with nothing on telly, we listened to music all night..

Road Closed for bus..

Blimey a bit colder today.. We thought we would go into Daventry so we got up early and walked down to the bus stop where we noticed the road was closed. They were repairing the bridges on the Long Buckby/ Daventry road and the bus had been diverted. We couldn't be bothered to get it further up so we walked back to Derwent6. So that was are excerise for the day. We had nothing on so we read our books in the afternoon, watching the birds on the bird feeders.

In the evening it was the Brits so we ended up watching that.

Washing and Water

We had a really heavy frost last night and were iced in again..

It seemed a lot thicker this time and we wanted to top up with water... Del had another look at the coolant leak from the engine and it hadn't dripped over night but it is something we will need to keep our eye on. Al started a load of washing and we then reversed back to the water point, after most of the ice had melted. It was a glorious day and it felt quite hot in the sunshine. We went back onto our nice mooring we have here and set ourselves up for the afternoon. We had some lunch and then read our books out in the cratch till the sun went down.

Del watched Arsenal play in the evening, but they lost in style again, he was not happy!!

Engine Checking

Wow the weather is a lot better today and we made the most of it and opened up the cratch covers for breakfast.....it even felt spring like.. After the Domestic belt going last night Del had to check things were ok and when we started the engine the belt started squeaking. So it was covers off again and adjustments were made.. Del then noticed a slight coolant loss from the engine as anti freeze was in the engine tray. After a tighten of all the hoses and a clean out of the tray, an inspection will be done tomorrow. Del then polished the starboard side of Derwent6 and then did a bit of paint touching up after rubbing down the rust spots. So Derwent6 is looking good at the moment....

Hard working weekend

We have had a busy weekend and been making the most of the sunshine.. Del first did the brasses and then chopped up more wood for the locker.. It was then on the hunt for more and we managed to find some about a quarter of a mile away..... On Sunday it was another nice day and the canal was frozen after a very cold night.

After a hearty breakfast Del polished the roof and Al cleaned inside, so Derwent6 is spick and span at the moment..Del watched the football in the afternoon and Al had cooked a nice dinner ready to sit and watch telly all night. We thought we had better run the engine at about 6.30pm for a hour so the batteries were alright for the evening.. When Del started it one of the red lights was on showing that the domestic batteries weren't charging.. On inspection the belt had snapped on starting. We do carry a spare so Del set to work on changing it.. We found out that it had completely perished and was cracking all round. This belt had lasted three years and we definitely got our moneys worth out of it...

We were soon back in action and charging again and Al got to see her Dancing on Ice and Dallas!...

Have a Heart

Del was up early making the tea's for a Valentine lie in.. Then Del made the breakfast and sorted out the fire..We had a warm cosy breakfast in front of the fire having a chat about what we could do today.. We decided to just have a nice day together just like we always do.. It's like every day is Valentine Day on Derwent6, which is why we have a heart on the stern doors.

We had a lovely day where we curled up on the settee and watched a film and then Al cooked a lovely three course steak dinner in the evening........ Ahhhhhhh

Peace and Quiet

We have stayed put the last couple of days as the weather has been so cold.. We have had more snow and Derwent6 has been covered in ice.. We are looking forward to warmer weather now. We have plenty to do on board with the hobbies we have.. Reading is the main one for Al and playing the guitar is Del's.. Staying warm is the main thing and Del has been hunting for wood. We have found a few wet rotten bits which doesn't burn very well, but we have two bags of coal which should keep us going.. We are running a mix of coal and wood at the moment just putting a couple of nuggets on when the wood won't burn.. So not much to say really. We celebrated Pancake day with a lot of pancakes and feel fatter for it.. Al has been out shopping, just to get out and see whats out there.... We are loving the peace and quiet at the moment!!!!

More Snow, more Snowmen

As we went to bed last night the rain turned to snow and as we got out of bed it was white again.. It was very slushy again but it got heavier as the morning went on..

We managed to make another snowman or snow rabbit..

Here are some snow swans...

The locks at Braunston are now closed so the traffic has gone all quiet here. Al went into Daventry again and sorted some things out and topped us up with food as the weather is going to turn colder again. Del cleaned out the bilge and topped up the greases. He chopped up what wood we have left on the roof and cleaned the flue on the chimney for our next cold snap.   The snow stopped just after lunch and Al got back from Daventry.

We relaxed in the warm heat from the stove in the afternoon reading and dozing.. With nothing on the telly it was listen to the radio for us..