There and back in Seven hours

 After two weeks we had to move for water, so it was our marathon trip up to Hawkesbury and back. We waited yesterday for Mark on the coal boat to come through for more coal and a top up on our diesel. It always pays to keep the diesel tank filled during the winter months to reduce the amount of condensation you get in the tank itself. We left at 8.00am for the two and a half hours through the countryside and again the canal is very silted.

 

The land slip here is now getting worse and if we get a lot more rain it will push the wall they built into the canal and close the navigation.

We soon overtook the coal boat and waved to Mark as we passed.

  The swans waved as us as they went past.

It was then on to the section along side the railway which seems to have more goods trains on it these days.

It was then through the golf course and the park and onto Hawkesbury junction, as Al did a couple of loads of washing to completely empty the water tank...

When we arrived we were surprised at how empty it was with boats. We went through the lock and moored right outside the pub again and waited for Asda to arrive. Del tried the manual pump out and it didn't work for some reason.. After a bit of messing about and gentle persuasion it burst into life and our poo tank was empty again.. Asda arrived spot on time and we loaded our shopping on through the side doors..

We then went back through the lock and pulled onto the water point just as the sun tried to come out and the coal boat caught us up..

We know this tap is a bit slow, but it allows us to have warming showers while we waited and finish the washing.. We set off at about 1.30pm and made our way for the two and a half hours back. It is amazing how much rain we have had and the fields are so flooded.

We went through Ansty and again it was quiet and passed the golf course again.

The trains were the only noise we had to deal with. 

With the sun trying to come out it was good to get our vitamin D as we kept warm in the cold winter air. We got back to our mooring at about 4.00pm but our mooring that we had left this morning was taken. We managed to moor just in front of the boat on it. We had passed this boat on the way to Hawkesbury and it was a boat called "Tickin Along" built by Swan Boats.  We had a chat with Colin and this boat also has Lithium batteries, and loads of other add on's, and will feature on the Channel 4 programme "My Floating Homes" shortly.

As for us, we are settled again for a bit longer and lets hope we are called for our Jabs in the not too distant future.

Snow update

 We haven't had many updates on what is going on with Derwent6 because like everyone we haven't done a lot, but one thing for sure we haven't been bored..

  We were iced in for the early part of the week, but then it did turn slushy and it wasn't long before a boat passed us as some were desperate for water or other services.  On the Sunday they said we were going to get snow and Al was very excited as it gives you a lovely feeling of a proper winter.. In the morning the black clouds closed in around us and solar dropped to zero as did the temperature.

We then got our first sprinkle and things turned white as it turned to heavy snow.

This lasted about an hour then turned to light snow for another two hours.

We have to admit we are in the right place and the scenery was fantastic..

We don't even need to go for a walk as we only have to look out of the portholes.. 

For two nights on the trot we have had minus six and the canal has frozen with snow on top of it..

It has been a bit of a challenge to keep the batteries warm for charging, but we seem to have it sussed now with the little 40 watt heater we brought. 

On the Monday we had lovely sunshine. The canal was a picture and it was a reminder why we like winters on the cut.. The logs were going on the fire and we kept nice and snug. As the snow melted Del wiped down Derwent6 and did the brasses getting a bit of vitamin D.

   Notice it hasn't stopped the moles doing there business, but Tooty is grateful for an outdoor litter tray.. 

Six for Gold and we need water!

 We have been static for two weeks in our spot and to be honest we have loved it.. 

The sunrise was just poking out over the trees as we set off with the bow sticking high out of the canal. The first thing we noticed was how silted the canal is, as the stern dug into the leaves and mud making steering tricky. But after you get over it you get that tingling feeling of how good it is to be cruising again. The trees are so naked at the moment but it looks so different, like you're on a new canal.

We made our way back towards Rugby and things were so quiet, as you expect during a lockdown.

We soon arrived at the tunnel and still hadn't met anything.

Newbold was empty of boats, and we soon got to Brownsover and the water tap, which was a bit of a relief as we were on our last dregs of water.

So much so that Al couldn't even do any washing on the way. We filled and also emptied our waste tank and Al put on her protective mask to go on a shopping top up. It is now one person at a time and it was a good time to go as she walked right in with no queues and sanitized.  Most of the people were staff doing either click and collect or home deliveries. When she came out there were eight cars waiting for the click and collect.. Del on the other hand had done what he needed to do and even got rid of the rubbish and had started the second washing pile, and had time for a shower. He met Al walking back with all the goodies to see us through the next couple of weeks, and we still hadn't seen a moving boat. We had three loads of washing to do so now we had water the washing machine was going like billyo! Using the w/machine while cruising takes 10% out of the batteries as it does its cycle on a 40 degree wash. So as the engine is running, it is charging as we go, so it tops our batteries back up.. You can also pour a hot kettle of water into the machine before you start it to reduce the heating time. 

We carried on towards the bottom of Hillmorton where we turned where we always do.

One wash to do and it was all going to plan as the buzzer (saying the washing had finished) came on just as we got back to the water point we had left an hour ago.

It was a quick top up so we were full again.

We then headed back to the tunnel and our lockdown mooring..

Things we going great as the forecast said rain for 4.00pm and we met our first boat.. Like I said it was very shallow and passing could be difficult so we stopped to avoid any wash.. As the boat passed it lost all its steering in the silt and power was not the solution as they ploughed into the trees behind us.

We then went round the corner and another boat was across the cut off of its moorings and Al had to push it back towards the bank as its owner tried to get it back without a centre rope, it never gets boring cruising..

Luckily our mooring was still free, lets be honest we only passed one other boat all day so we wasn't surprised.

Tooty was though, he thought he would be in new territory and we were back in the same place. Us, we were very snug knowing today had been busy but satisfying..

Al had cooked a lovely chicken dinner on the stove and it was just the warming treat needed for such a successful day..  Maybe it was the six magpies we saw in the tree yesterday.

The Derwent6 Song

 

We’ve left our Jobs, and we’ve left our house.

And we’re going to the country where it’s as quiet as a mouse.

Where Derwent6 is now our home.

When we're moored in the country, where the cows and sheep roam.

 

We'll be chugging along, with bridges so low.

Travelling at a snails pace, with no place to go

We'll be turning each bend with a different view

Travelling on Derwent6 really built for two

 

Chorus

And then we, Start the engine, release the ropes, pull the pins, and check the flow

Push out the bow now, as we drift from the bank, taking it easy ,taking it slow.

With smoke from the chimney all warm and snug

And a hot cup of coffee poured in a mug

We'll be chopping the wood, to put on the fire

Just the smell is something, we will always desire

 

Chorus

And then we start the engine, release the ropes, pull the pins, and check the flow

Push out the bow now, as we drift from the bank, taking it easy ,taking it slow.

 

Then there's a row of locks in quick succession, but we never seem to get depression

It doesn’t matter if it takes a week, as long as we don’t get a leak

 

And then we get to the top and cruise along,

And in the background we hear those church bells Dong!

Over coming all our fears

With a smile on our faces and our eyes full of tears

 

Chorus

 

Oh! Just having fun is always our aim

Whether  Winter or Summer it never seems the same

All our friends and family are our safety net

As Derwent6 sails into the sunset

 

Chorus

And then we, Start the engine, release the ropes, pull the pins, and check the flow

Push out the bow now, as we drift from the bank, taking it easy ,taking it slow

Yer! we will be, Taking it easy, Taking it slow.

We would be, Taking it easy with nowhere to go

On a Cold and Frosty Morning!

 Luckily enough the fire stayed in last night and when we looked out of the window it was like we were in the film Frozen. 

Del took out the ashes and then took a few photos. At this point it was minus four.. 

You can see the patterns created on the side panels on Derwent6 and the barrels looked amazing..

It was so pretty we decided to take a walk down to the pharmacy to collect some medications and Al used the post office to post a couple of urgent letters. The good thing was the towpath was frozen and it made life better than walking through the mud..

It was so pretty and good exercise for both of us.. When we got back we had another issue to contend with.. 

As you all know Lithium  Batteries don't like the cold weather and don't charge below five degrees, so this year it was a trial for us to test them, as last year we were in a marina for the worst part of 2020. We have a 40 watt heater which takes the chill off in the engine room, and in fact it is designed for greenhouses through the winter months, but this wasn't working, as the batteries have a temperature sensor which was still showing only three degrees, probably because it was still minus three outside.. We have now sussed out that by running the engine for an hour it gets warm enough in the engine room for the batteries go above five degrees and start charging, result! Ok when its really cold we have to use a bit more diesel, but we save so much once they are charged so this is a small turning point for us and a worry taken away.. 

It didn't warm up all day and the frost just looked prettier by the minute.

They forecast snow tomorrow and we need some wood cutting done, so lets see what happens, every days a challenge and an adventure, that's what we love about this life..