On to the Aerial

We set of early while David was still asleep and headed into Braunston. At 9.00am when the office opened we got a token and cleaned the tank out. Just as we were pulling out David surfaced and we crept out of Braunston.
We then hit what we call the M25 of the waterways section up to Wigrams turn, but surprisingly we only passed 14 boats. We made our way through the shallow section up to Napton. It must get shallow here because the banks are eroding and they also pump water to the top of the locks. We wanted to stop at the bottom but the boat we were following pulled into the only gap left. So we had no choice but to go through the first lock, and luckily there were a few moorings there. We moored up and walked to The Folly Pie Pub, one of our favourites..

Mark the owner wasn't around but we had a lovely pie and chips all the same.

We came out a bit full but did the locks in no time as all the boats from the Cropredy festival came down the flight. The problem we had was finding a mooring again at the top. We ended up going till we got to the Aerial moorings (as we call it). We stopped first and had a look and there was one mooring which looked like we would get in, but we asked a boat if they would move if we couldn't. The nice couple said "of course we can" As we arrived they were moving back anyway and we got in with ease.

We chilled with some telly, all be it rubbish on, and we had some nibbles and a few more beers..
It had been a long and enjoyable day, we were knackered! An early night was in order!

New crew for a few days.

So we moved on back to Brownsover at Rugby. Here's a couple of pics of how the landscape is changing round here..

We turned and then got a load of shopping and waited on the water point for David to turn up from the station.

When we were full of water we set off. We soon got to Hillmorton locks which are now timed due to the water levels.

With new crew we flew through and it wasn't long before David was on the tiller.

With David at the helm we sat out the front and watched the world go by until we realised that we needed a pump out and we wasn't going to make Braunston to buy a token.

So with a quick shout to David we found a spot and moored up. (nice bit of mooring, we might add)

The weather was still warm but it was a bit cloudy, but with food and beers on board, it was rude not to throw a BBQ.

As we were eating the clouds cleared and the stars appeared, it was a lovely evening.

Riding out the Storms

So we have be sitting tight for the last few days, and enjoying the sunshine and watching the storms.

Al has been into Rugby to have her hair cut and Del has been out on his bike and done some polishing as always.
Al also has been down to Lingfield to see Tanya's new place (our god daughter). She got the train down to Gatwick and was picked up by Tanya, also a good pub lunch was in order before Al came home at 9.00pm.

It has been so busy here on the North Oxford with about 30 boats a day going backwards and forwards.

Yes we have had a boat hit us again, this one, look out!.

It was a crowd of blokes and girls on a Canal Breaks (Willow Wren) boat which just smashed into the side of us. We did get a "Sorry" but that doesn't help our paintwork.

We made a phone call to Willow Wren... They made no attempt to stop or even slow down and laughing as they went into the distance doesn't help! Idiots!
To be honest we have had our heads buried into the European Championships and have really enjoyed it. Now with the football season starting, will it be tears or joy lol!

Back on the busy cut

Derwent6 fired up first time after we have been away and only a bit of cleaning was required to give it that shine again.. We settled up our bills and filled with water after sending the hire car back..
Its a lovely feeling when you untie the ropes and set off again on your travels.. This sunshine has been amazing, but (and there's always a but) the water levels are beginning to struggle. There are now lock restrictions on some locks and we can notice the difference when cruising.. The good thing is that its a busy time of year and the canals are well used.. We liveaboards call it the silly season, but without the silly seasons the canals wouldn't survive. The extra boats just make it a little interesting.
You just can't beat the sun shining through the tress and the trickle of water from the bow as we move through the water at 3mph..
We passed through Newbold tunnel and crossed the aqueduct.

We then got to busy Brownsover.

We then got to Clifton marina where some extra moorings have materialised with shoreline.

We soon pulled over to one of our favourite moorings just under some shady trees..

We looked at each other and said "What next then" as we sat with a glass of gin and tonic and a shot of whiskey in the cooling sunset.

Soaking up the weather in Kent

Hi all its great to be back, so what have we been up to..
Well we took some time out to go back to Kent for a couple of weeks where we had some things to do in Faversham.

We also went to Jay & Emily's 30th Birthday party and engagement.

We then went to a family BBQ, and met up with a few friends for eats and drinks along the way.

Al also visited her Mum and Dad at the cross in Shoreham.

We sat on the beach and watched the sunset.

we did a bit of glamping.

And we did the odd pub or two..

We also had too much to eat.

And drink and played bongo's.

 

But we had a great time.. Sorry we didn't take photos of everywhere we have been but you know the reasons lol

We got back for a couple of days of tranquility where Del flew his glider at the marina that we were staying in..

We picked up Tooty who was glad to be back and we plan to set off tomorrow..

 



Moored for the busy weekend!

So here we are at All Oaks, and we decided to stay here for the weekend as things have started to get a bit busy now with the kids off.
It has been hot and humid here and Del has been going out with his glider as he has the choice of three fields.

The weather has been great for gliding and it only takes a couple of catapult launches before he is up and away for a hour or so.. He's a pic from when the grass was a bit greener..

Al has been right into her books again and been trying to keep cool in the cratch and in the saloon.
On Friday late afternoon it rained, you can't believe we are so pleased to have some rain..
Derwent6 gets a wash, the canals get water and freshened up a bit, and the grass turns a little greener..
We have a busy next couple of weeks so a little bit of planning is involved and we will be taking a mini break from the blog..  We will catch up with you all with some pictures shortly..

Hawkesbury to All Oaks

We didn't have a good night last night as we had over eaten at the Greyhound.
So we made the most of it by getting up early and pushing Derwent6 over to top up with water.

We set off from the water point at 7.15am and crept past the row of moored boats at Hawkesbury.

We just took our time cruising towards Rugby (back on our winter patch) with some interesting things to look at on the way.

We then got to Ansty where it is always a bit tight, but we never met anything.

Once out the other side of the village we started to notice how over grown things had got in all this sunshine.

Del wasn't moaning as it makes things very pretty and also a bit tricky.

The canal then follows the railway for a mile.

After passing a few moored boats we got to the swingbridge at Roses narrowboats and a guy kindly opened it for us.
We then got to All Oaks and were lucky enough to get a mooring, and Tooty was off in a flash to investigate.

We managed to set up telly and met a few people we knew from wintering around here.
We then heard from Tony on n.b Timewarp that just round the bend there was a problem with bags in the canal. It turned out there was also a strong smell of cannabis, and sure enough when we had a look bags loads of the stuff had been dumped in the canal, roots and all..

The council were there but CaRT had to be called to remove them from the canal. A CaRT guy came to our boat to let us know what was happening.

He had to retrieve the bags using a long pole and hook and the dispose of them.

We tried to chill for the rest of the day but it was difficult when you hear a bang and you have someone else's paint on you gunwales "Just push off Moron" was Del response.

Keep your eye open for a light blue boat, he can't steer.. How many more scars will we take here?