A window of opportunity

Woke up this morning to the wind howling and the rain on the roof, so pulled up the the sheets and said sod that....

We had breakfast a bit later today and did the small job of changing the drainage of the front lockers, because when Derwent6 is full of water the drainage holes for the cratch take in water and fill up the lockers when cruising. This is because we had the floor of the cratch lowered and this would always be a danger, we also had the lip of the bow doors raised to compensate this.

Then the sun came out, a window of opportunity, and we went cruising...The test proved to work OK. We did two loads of washing and tumble dried them. It was great to be on the move again...

Even the sheep were talking to us as we went by..

We did notice that streams going into the canal had lots of bubbles coming out of them like a detergent was being discharged into the canal, we couldn't see where it was coming from, hopefully it's environmentally friendly.

We got to our mooring at Welford and got ready for the heavy rain forecast for tonight. When we turned up we were surprised to find a "left behind" mooring pin, so rude not to use it...It was well in there and possibly the owners couldn't get it out. We'll find out in the morning!!!

We've got a great satellite signal here and also good Internet connection, so we will be sitting down to Chicken Keiv and a bit of TV.....nice!

Down South

Sorry we haven't blogged for a couple of days but Al has been down south to see her parents while Del has been sorting out Derwent6. We have done a few jobs like new inner tubes for the bikes (after all those punctures) and the first engine oil change (yes we have now done over 50hours) and a bit of touching up....

It felt funny that we weren't together for the first time on Derwent6 and it always feels funny when we leave the boat for a short time.

This morning we were woken up by a freight barge going by full to the gunwale's of sand and slabs and it wasn't going to slow down for us moored on a quite bit of the Leicester line. It smashed us against the rails and took some of that fresh paintwork with it, but we felt lucky he managed to get by us and not crash into us. On the brighter side, it is so good to see that this three or four lorry loads of building material was being kept off the roads and that canals are being used commercially, and aren't just used for pleasure boats. I bet that load got there before those lorries on the M25. I just managed to get a photo of it out the porthole as it went past.(the empty section had slabs and tools in it)

The good news is we now have our licence holders and they came free of charge due to the fact that they are free with new boats. They are now on display in the stern portholes. We are legal!!!!!

You can't beat fresh air

When we got up this morning it was pouring down with rain but at least it wasn't snow.. We then did all the normal jobs like empty the bilge and stoke up the fire, and then decided to have a walk. We looked on the maps and circular walks in the area on-line and then set off on a four and a half mile hike. We followed the canal for a bit then went up a gated lane which looked down on the canal with lovely views

When moving around Leicestershire you notice the fields have these large humps called ridge and furrow in them. These relate back to medieval times when the ploughing was done by horse.

When we got back we sorted out all our e-mails and did some more washing....then we just chilled out and watched the sun go down......

Riding the (cill) storm

Blimey! what a wet and very windy night. We could feel Derwent6 rocking side to side and the rain was trying to blow in everywhere, but we got through. We were surprised when we got up that everything was still in tack and we hadn't lost anything.

Today we set off as we needed water, and had difficulty getting off our mooring due to the strong winds. We were pushing the bow of the boat out and it was blowing us straight back in, we were beginning to think we should of had a bow thruster, but no, we got off in the end by reversing back until we could swing the stern round, all good fun. We got to the bottom lock and filled with water. It was packed with people and we were dreading going up the locks with the 1000 and 1 questions. we were also beginning to wish we hadn't had that big water tank fitted, it took over a hour to fill, but it had lasted over a week and we had done two washes with it.

It was a fantastic day today with the sun shining and we felt great looking down on the crowds taking photos of Derwent6, we still can't believe it's ours. If you look closely at the photo above you see the guy who also had his home with him, (and there's me moaning about back ache) believe it or not, your see he was actually holding a suitcase as well.

We then proceeded through the locks (and the 1000 questions) and got stuck at lock six, as the lock pound was empty and we couldn't get over the cill. There was a big bang as we hit it, but everything appeared to be aright. We opened the paddle on the lock above, but it was still slow filling. In the end Locky (the lock keeper) came to the rescue, and filled all the other locks for us. Apparently there has been a problem with one of the pounds, which has been leaking and draining off somewhere every half hour. Lets hope they get it sorted by the summer or there will be problems. We then got to one of our favourite moorings at the top of the locks and chilled for the rest of the day with a super roast beef dinner and wondering if we'll get the snow they forecast.....

Fox and Hounds and a Jay on the horizon

This morning we were up early for Del to have his haircut (this time inside the engine room) and were startled by the sound of horses, bugles and dogs barking...yes there was a fox hunt on..We thought it had been banned but perhaps not, as we watched in horror as the poor fox came running down a field and up against the canal opposite us with nowhere to go.... and yes they got it. There must have been about 40 dogs and about 70 horses, so it is still popular around here. We had the batteries on charge on the camera so couldn't get any shots of it.

Lunch time today we had some surprise guests as Pat and Keith on n.b Thema had brought down Jay and Ella for a small trip and they really enjoyed themselves, It didn't take Ella long to find out where the wine and glasses were on Derwent6. We said our goodbyes at the top of the locks and were amazed how busy it was.
When we got back we managed to get our satellite signal, but decided due to the high winds over the next few days we would bring the dish in. We have battened down the hatches and listened to the strong winds rocking us about,(lets hope it rocks us to sleep) so we won't be surprised if we're across the canal in the morning.

Market day in Harborough

Got up today to a miserable start , so decided to get the bus to Market Harborough. We checked on-line the bus times and then walked to Foxton village (a 20min walk) It cost just one pound each to get there and was a 20min journey. We then had a wander round the town and had a cup of coffee before going round the town market which is only on Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The market is all under cover so it was nice to keep dry and pick up the odd bargin

On the way back the bus driver dropped us off at the canal and we took the short walk back to Derwent6 with the sun on our faces.

When we got back we lit the fire and then fitted the FM aerial on the roof to the connection which was fitted out in the cratch, and yes you guessed it, it didn't work. So after checking the wiring connections found there was a broken aerial connection behind the TV. Tomorrow we will be trying the satellite signal.....lets hope that works. We also stuck some more bits and pieces up in the engine room. Here are the pins and mallet.

Well, Friday night is Curry night, so we snuggled down to a good bit of grub (thanks for the great home made chutney Bernie) and another DVD....Great!

Derwent6 undercover

It started off to be a wet and miserable day, and all the brasses we done yesterday got soaking wet, but after 10.00am it started to brighten up a bit. A.J.Canopies came out to us at 11.00am to have the horn and Houdini hatch covers fitted and it has really made a difference.

At least this will be one piece of brass we won't have to keep polishing!! The covers on the Houdini's will help reduce the condensation we get on the brass frames and keep them dry, because the water gets trapped on top of them. They are fastened by three push studs and a locking clip in case they get blown off in a strong wind, and they all match the cratch cover.

We still can't display our licence that we have had since December last year due to the fact that British Waterways still haven't sent us the licence holders. When we spoke to them on the phone they said they should always send these out with the new licence to new boats, but not in our case. We have got the licence, but due to it getting damaged by condensation, we have not displayed it yet. Sorry!

We did have a BW man come round today and he was taking down some offenders names of boats with out of date licence's, but he never asked us for our's. Perhaps he knew it was a new boat or he checked us on-line to see if it was licenced. So come on BW, get our licence holders to us so we can display our licence....

Bad Day! but who cares

After yesterday we thought we would clean the boat today due to the fact it was covered in sawdust and carpet fibres.

On getting up we checked the bilge and guess what, we still had a leak. This is still leaking out the valve on the top of the hot water tank which is a 3 bar pressure valve. Fernwood had fitted a 4.2 bar water pump which they changed to a 2.2 bar yesterday. The flow still seems OK but the pressure is still pushing it through the valve. New valve we think!

On checking the water gauge, guess what! Not working! and if you give it a tap, comes up half way. This was a new gauge fitted yesterday, so onto the manufacturer for a modified gauge.

They say things come in three's.....

Sam from Foxton Lock Services came and looked at the noise coming from the engine area when at slow idle. We were moored up so just stuck it in forward gear and the noise appeared. "Looks like it's your propeller" he said. "What's the fix" we said. "You may need another prop" was the answer.

So this means Derwent6 will have to come out of the water at some point to have it's prop changed or modified, great news Uh!

None of this will stop us enjoying ourselves and the boat has definitely been made to feel warmer with the carpet now laid.

Al cleaned up all the inside today while Del cleaned the outside..A job well done we thought!

Our bad luck continued tonight with a broken plate and a broken small vase (the're only material things and can be replaced)

We're both off to the pub tonight for a well earned drink :-)

Manic Tuesday

It all happened today..We had Fernwood arrive to carry out a bit more snagging and the carpet fitter turned up. So there were wires, body's and carpet fibres flying around everywhere, but we now have a bilge not filling with water,(we hope) a water gauge that's works and a warning buzzer in the galley.

We now have a carpet laid in the saloon and bedroom which now makes Derwent6 feels even warmer and cosier than it already was. It feels like they are all separate rooms now, but it's shoes off when you walk in.

We are out of wood at the moment so had to go to the shop to get three bags of coal, so out came the sack barrow for the first time and it worked a treat. We are using Stove glow coals which have been brilliant for keeping in over night and if made a little bit damp, last a long time. We are having difficulty getting a Sky signal here at the moment so it will be another DVD tonight.

We said we wouldn't do it, and we did.

First thing this morning we got up and took the hire car back. Enterprise were just fantastic again. They offered us coffee and run us back to the boat, a journey of ten miles. We then moved to get a pump out and topped up with diesel.

Debdale have been brilliant, letting us stay on the mooring and with good fuel and pumpout prices they come recommended.

Then the heavens opened and we said we wouldn't travel in the rain....well we did !!! and got soaked... We just wanted to get out the marina and have different scenery..Oh well!!

It's great to look out the portholes and just look at fields and not other boats..We can't be bothered to set up the aerial, so it may be another DVD tonight or just some music.

Happy Birthday David!!

It's been a busy weekend for us..

We hired a car from Enterprise at a great offer of £11.00 a day, and were picked up from Debdale marina Saturday morning and taken to Leicester. We've got to say that the service they gave us was just fantastic, After picking us up the guy who collected us washed the car we were hiring and then sent us on our way. On the way down we stopped at Bluewater shopping centre and sorted out the phones and had a right touch. We went there for a upgrade on the phone we have already, but were given the option of have a credit on the phone bill of £150.00 (Uh! No brainer really, as there was nothing wrong with phone we already had) We were pleased we asked.

We went down south as we had been invited to David's 17th Birthday meal. Happy Birthday again mate!

We would like to thank the Winter's for putting us up for the night and giving us a great time!

We then thought we would put the car to good use, so popped into Sainsbury's to pick up the shopping for the week and then on to Halfords to pick up inner tubes for the bikes and engine and gearbox oil for Derwent6.

When we got back to the boat it was quite cold. The ice was beginning to melt, but there was a nip in the air again, and the wind had picked up, so Al lit the fire while Del unloaded the car. We were soon warm and toasty again listening to the wind rattling the hearts on the chimney.

We will be settling down to Dancing on Ice and watching the highlights of the football tonight. Hopefully we'll be on the move tomorrow...

Boat work on ice

Bit of a jobs day today. The housework needed doing (or should that be boatwork), so out came the hoover and duster. After a spruce up and a load of washing, we contemplated moving, but decided to stay put until the weekend. The ice is still quite thick in places, and the ducks are skating not swimming!

Del went off on his bike to retrieve the missing stamps from yesterday, and post some letters.

Later in the afternoon there was a loud cracking noise from outside, and we watched nb Harnser attempting to break the ice as they needed water. It was quite a job breaking through, but the problem is if you need water or a pump out, then you just have to try and get to a tap or a pump out station.

Tonight? Just chilling out by the fire with a glass of wine and a film :-)

Kibworth, worth the walk

We needed some bits and pieces for Derwent6, and as the attempt to get to Market Harborough had failed we thought we would go for a walk today.

We had heard that it was a nice walk to a nearby village called Kibworth, so we got our walking gear on and threw on a ruck sack and off we went.

The track went along the canal and then off on a farm track called Debdale lane and with the snow, looked beautiful.

It was very easy walking as some of the track was tarmac, with a few farm gates, it then turned right over a stile to Kibworth.

It then went across a couple of meadows full of sheep and after another 1/2 a mile went into the village.

It was a really pretty little village with everything you wanted, a pharmacist, a bank, post office, two pubs, beauty treatment, hairdresser, supermarket and we thought it had a station, but it had been closed since 1968. It had been turned into a nice house, with a super alarm clock of the 6.15am trundling by in the early morning hours.

The main reason for going to Kibworth was we needed a extra length of hose to fill up Derwent6, we thought while we were on shoreline we would get all our washing up to date and keep the water topped up at the same time , but we needed to find a hardware shop... On walking further up the high street we were about to give up and turned round to find a lady walking towards us "is there a hardware shop in the village" we said, "Yes ! you'll find Stuart further up, just around the corner, you can't miss it"... we couldn't miss it, good job we asked.

He sold everything in this shop and we got our hose and some rope needed for our centre fender. We then popped into the large Supermarket and then on to The Old Swan for a pie and a pint.

After staggering out of the pub we made our way back to the boat and going by the footpath we weren't the only ones staggering back. The stile was straight across this field, but you wouldn't think it by the way the footpath goes.

When we got back we were filling up with water and fellow bloggers Brian and Diana came up from nb harnser who are having a paint job done on their boat, but unable to get into the paintshop due to the ice.

It was nice to get back in the warm and chill for the rest of the day, though Del will be going back to Kibworth tomorrow to pick up the missing stamps we never picked up from the Supermarket......What are we like!!!!!!!

Every towpath has it's thorn

Today we decided we must use the bikes.......Bad move!!!

We built the bikes up and set off for Market Harborough . It all started rather well and the scenery was fantastic, but on getting into Foxton, British Waterways were cutting the hedgerows with a hedge trimmer. It was great to see that your hard earned money was being used to trim towpath hedges, but these were thorn bushes and the thorns were being scattered all over the towpath. There was a guy trying to clear up the bits and pieces but not doing a good job of it. We had not noticed until it was too late, and out come the puncture kit.
My worry was for the Dogs being walked along this section and the thorns getting under their feet or a child falling over and one going through their hand, and yes we were angry that we had to sort out our puncture!!

We then got off on our merry way but it was too late to get to Market Harborough so we headed back.
Into the sunset....

When we got back to Derwent6 we got out a couple of bottles of Derwent6 Ale (yes Derwent6 Ale) thanks to brother Cliff. They went down well with a Ali Curry.

Fire fighting in the snow

Don't worry about us .....We're just wrapping up warm..at the end of the day we can just go back to bed. The morning started with a look out the window and this is the view.

We let the fire go out last night due to the fact we found the riddle bar was not working and the rear air vent was not working correctly. Bad move, it was freezing when we got up, so we quickly had to get on the case. After clearing out the ashes we were surprised to find the griddle plate fitted the wrong way round and linkage rod bent and not connected.

After sorting that out we had a look at the rear air vent and was also suprised to find the linkage rod distorted and bent. Something else not checked when fitted.

But after a repair we were back up to speed..
Due to this cold snap it's looking like we may be staying put for a few days, at least we have the joy of shoreline and we get a good internet connection. At the moment we are ok for food, water and diesel, but watch this space !!!!