January 1st 2014 New Years Day - Welford Arm to Braunston

January 1st 2014 New Years Day

Welford Arm to Braunston

We woke up pretty late on Wednesday, 1st January 2014, were not used to such late nights! The dogs were great, waited without whining to go out! The weather again was horrendous, 35 mph winds gusting up to 50mph! The rain came down hard and fast filling up ditches and streams, Jack enjoyed running after sticks in the flooded fields while little Yogi did everything he could to avoid the puddles!

Jack loves the shallow pools formed in the fields by the continuous rain!

We sat in and watched crap telly for the day, walked the dogs again in the afternoon and then stayed in the warm.

No boats were moving about today, you would have to be mental or a novice hire boater to attempt moving about in amongst a line of boats. But we got one, there's always one!!

A hire boat attempting to reverse in the dark and rain but more concerning in the wind! Apparently they had run out of water and were trying to get to the water point. I think they realised their mistake just as they were scraping up the third or forth moored up boat as the wind caught them once again. They soon changed from reverse to forward and gave up, heading back the way they came! At last a hire boater coming to his senses!

It's a different day on Thursday. We've been in this 14 day mooring spot now for 16 days so as we have overstayed by 2 days, we decide its time to move. It's a good day to cruise, its quite cold, the sun is shining but the wind has eased off making it a pleasant day. After walking the dogs and preparing the boat to move we set off back down the arm, not sure if we're turning right or left at the end!

Leaving the end of the Welford Arm

With Yogi safe in his crate and Jack in his usual spot on the settee we set off. We only went a hundred yards and stopped at the newly discovered water tap by Welford Marina part 2. 

This water point is a closely guarded secret, its not in any of the guide books at all!

After filling up (we had lasted for two weeks since the last fill-up) with water we set off down to the lock and soon we were through and on our way back down the Arm.

Going down the lock on the Welford Arm, leaving all the lovely fields and meadows behind

The sun was still shining, low in the sky, it was still cold. We drunk mugs of hot steamy soup to warm our hands and our bellies. But we enjoyed our little cruise. 

The arm is beautiful in the winter with the sun shining

We got to the end of the Arm and turned left, heading back down the canal towards Crick. 

We're on our way to Norton Junction now after turning left at the end of the Arm

A boat goes up the Arm as we come down

Peaceful, only a couple of boats on the move and we passed Djinni, Mo and Ricky's boat. 

Djinni moored up as we slowly pass and look for life!

No one about (or they were hiding from us!) we carried on and decided we would stop a little further on. The wind had started to get up again and I was pretty cold by now. 

We stopped at Bridge 37 near the village of South Kilworth. We'd stopped here last year and knew we had dog walks all around us. It was quiet here and we could get our car to the bridge too, but more importantly so could Donna when she picks up Yogi from us tomorrow!l

Our lovely little isolated spot near the village of South Kilworth

The mooring was completely empty, to our surprise! We manoeuvred into the space, cut the engine and tied up the boat. After taking about an hour to defrost and get warm Paul set off on his bike and went off on the 3 mile journey up and down the huge hill back to Welford. It would have been impossible to go the towpath way as they were now boggin' after all the rain we've had! I took the dogs out, Jack was having a great time chasing all the pheasants we all came back caked with mud! Even little Yogi! Luckily Paul was back to help me wash down the dogs, they were filthy!

After our dog walks in the morning on Friday we stayed in all day, wind and rain once again keeping us prisoners in our boat! I baked a cake ready for Donna and the boys to pick up little Yogi and they were right on time, arriving at 3pm. They only stayed for an hour, a cup of tea and bit of cake and they were on their way, Yogi very happy to see his little family again! Off they went, still raining and more forecast to come. We went back to the boat and decided that Christmas was well and truly over now, we could get on with our way of living. But first let's wait till this weather improves!

An overflowing stream swells to overflowing in one of the fields around us

Jacks got his settee back, it's all quiet now. At least we don't have to worry about stepping on a tiny little dog in our tiny little space!

These sheep were desperate to get a better look, perched up on a tree trunk!

Saturday 4th January and it's still pissing it down. Were getting a bit fed up of it all now, bloomin rain and wind. That's what we've been having continually for the last 3 weeks, and there's no respite either. Gloom and doom, lights on most of the day!

Paul walked Jack and I went off in the car to the PO to post a birthday card and a parcel containing Yogis bed that I stupidly forgot to give to Donna!

All done, we stayed in the boat out of the heavy rain and winds, every now and again clearing the windows of the condensation that was obscuring our view to the outside world.

Sunday the weather was cold, sharp and bitter. There was frost on the ground and lots of layers of clothes were needed. After our walk over frozen fields we decided to move the boat a little way, somewhere new. 

Grey and cold today but we decide to move on

So we set off in the bitter cold, more cuppa soups were consumed in copious amounts! There were no other boats on the move, the winter landscape all brown and bare. We went a couple of miles to Stockley bridge no. 31 and spotted a spinney beside the canal, loads of wood laying about. 

View from under Bridge 31 at our little corner mooring spot

So we pulled over and tied the boat up, had some lunch and went to investigate! Paul then went to get the car on his bike and after only a short while he was back with the car. 

The pile of wood all ready for Paul to chop up for the fire

We went off to collect the wood and after dragging lots of wood back to the boat Paul set to and cut it up into good size lengths to fit across the roof of the boat. 

I think 4 feet are better than two here, just managing to stay on the slippery towpath

He walked Jack and when he was due to return he had a surprise visitor with him! Our mate Lyndz had turned up to find us and she met him while he was out! She came knocking on the boat! I couldn't believe it! What a great girl!

We had a lovely afternoon chatting, catching up with all the news. Jack was so excited to see her! We went for a dinner at The Wharf Inn in Welford, full plates full of good grub! And it was on Lyndz! Wow! We had a lovely time but when we got back to the boat she had to go back to her boat, dark and late, I could totally understand! We'd had a fantastic day, what a lovely surprise!

Monday the rain hit us hard again for most of the day. We didn't venture far, just far enough for Jacks walks! Tuesday it was raining again, we walked Jack, went food shopping in Rugby and walked Jack again! He's getting so muddy every time we take him out and hates being washed down after every walk! But he's always filthy!  

The sun came out at last.... a good day to cruise

Wednesday 8th January was a better day. The sun was out and it was a bright crisp day. There was very little wind and the sky was a beautiful blue. I took Jack out for his walk while Paul collected some more wood, and after another wash down we set off down the canal. 

The canals are quiet here, nobody around at all!

We cut through the cold water like a hot knife through butter, gliding along with only the noise of the engine disturbing the peace of the countryside. 

Looking under the old bridge towards the thundering lorries on the A14

As we came to Yelvertoft we pulled over and filled up with water and dumped our rubbish. We were soon on our way again, cold but enjoying every minute. 

The water point (on the left) in Yelvertoft

See the state of this towpath ... You can also see the rope worn corners of the bridges from days long ago

After a mile or so we'd arrived at our Cracks Hill mooring spot from our previous journey. 

Beautiful Cracks Hill ..... again!

We loved it here before so we decided we'd stop here overnight again, just to go up the hill orn more time! We'd only gone a couple of hours but when you're standing still on the back of the boat in the middle of January for two hours that's enough! The skies were grey now, the wind was getting up. It was cold!

We had a hot soup, a yummy BLT and we were sorted. I took Jack out up the hill while Paul sorted out some wiring for the inverter in the engine room. when I arrived back home the heavens opened and down came the rain! In bucket loads! And it kept coming too! There's so much water laying on the ground, rivers are flooded and the ground is full up!

Such a lovely spot, we've got a great view of the hill from here!

We didn't have a very peaceful night, the rain was hammering on the boat all night making a constant drumming over our heads.

The next morning, Thursday 9th January, was a soggy one. 

The army of workers.... how many men does it take to chop and tidy a towpath? Apparently 7!

Paul took Jack out and I was faced with an army of C&RT workers coming down the towpath, armed and dangerous! There were 7 of them; they were all dressed in fluorescent hats, trousers and jackets. 5 of them were yielding hedge trimmers and chainsaws, two were on the blowers and one pushed the twig munching machine. By the time the 5 cutters and the man on the munching machine had all passed, it was the turn of the 2 blowers. They put their machines on full blast and were supposedly blowing the twigs away, but instead of blowing twigs into the hedge they blew sloppy mud and puddle and gloop all over the boat! 

This is the state of the towpath near the back of the boat, mud and gloop.... 

The boat was splattered with mud and soggy leaves....

I was mad! I know they were doing their job but they showed no common sense or consideration to us at all! So my next job was to clean the boat down! Not something I really wanted to do here and now but easier to do before it dries.

The new 'Winter Permit Holders Only' moorings opposite Crick Marina.... only one boats been there all winter!

The day got slowly brighter but still quite windy, by 11am we decided to go for a little cruise. we went towards Crick, very quiet and still, no other boats moving, we saw hardly any boats moored up either.

As we passed Crick Wharf we spotted the army of 7 workers, who had now become 8! Still cutting, munching and blowing! But now a stronger team! Aaaagghh!

Into the tunnel we went....

Into the tunnel we went chuggin through the soggy, drippy wet tunnel, headlight on. 

Water dripping down from every orifice.....

... until we emerged into the sunshine

After a mile of being rained on we emerged wetter, but still smiling, out the other side. The sun caught us unawares as we came out of the dark tunnel, it blinded us as the suns reflections in the water dazzled our view. Squinting from the rays we adjusted to the brightness of the low winter sun and we went on our way.

Moored up by Watford Park

We only headed another mile and decided to stop at Watford Park again, we liked it here last time. So we pulled over and tied up the boat. We had a lovely walk with Jack over the lovely meadows, he got filthy again, as usual, and after a good clean up with warm soapy water he was allowed back in the boat!

Watford Park, lovely walks had by all!

It was a cold day today, the wind was bitter, and it was nice to be back in the cosy boat. We had a quiet night here, spoilt only by the low hum of the traffic from the M1. But it didn't bother us too much.

On Friday it was another bright and sunny day. After we walked Jack we set off down the canal towards Watford Locks, 7 in a flight, all narrow locks. 

Going under the M1 bridge, the first of 7 locks just past the bridge

We went under the M1 bridge and immediately we came to the first lock. 

And looking back at the same bridge from the top lock

Paul went off to let the lock keeper know we were there, and back he came saying we can go straight down. There were two lock keepers on duty, a husband and wife team who were volunteers at the locks. And they were great! They helped us all the way down. 

Put your back into it boy!

Help is always welcome at locks, especially from lovely smiley people like these two

Only one more to go....

The man went and set the locks ready for me to go straight in while Paul and the lady worked the lock I was in! We got through the whole flight of 7 locks in 35mins! That's a record for us at 5 mins per lock! And it was still sunny! What a day!

At the bottom of the locks we filled up with water (the water tanks, not the boat!) and we were soon on our way. We only had a couple more miles to go today so we poodled along slowly, going past Watford Gap Services; the canal is so close to the motorway here you can feel the rumble of traffic through the water!

Cruising past Weltonfield Marina

Leaving the motorway behind we passed Weltonfield Marina and we were soon at Norton Junction 14 day moorings. 

Just fitted into the last spot on the 14 day moorings at Norton

There were several boats already moored up and we slotted nicely into the only space left, and it was still only 12.30! The towpath was good, we had a lovely spot. We had our lunch and took Jack out over the 'now empty of cattle' meadows, lovely grassy hills all around us. Paul went to meet his brother at the New Inn pub and within an hour he was back and the car was here! On Saturday the weather was wonderful! Not a cloud in the sky, not a ripple on the water. We walked the meadows again with Jack and chatted to other boater on the towpath. Everyone was out, cleaning, chatting, some enjoying a drink on their boat deck in the sunshine! It was truly a wonderful day! We did some jobs, cleaned some windows and chopped some wood.

After Jacks afternoon walk we had a bright idea of giving Paul a haircut with the dog clippers! It didn't really work though, just took some chunks out and glided over the rest! We also didn't have a comb I could use so we ended up using Jacks comb too! Not my best effort! But it'll grow again! (We've now bought real man's clippers to do the job properly!)

Waking up to ice on the canal, it didnt last long tho!

Sunday 12th January was also a lovely day. It was a frosty cold day but the sky was bright blue and there was a layer of ice over the surface of the canal. We had a lovely walk and because there was a hard frost overnight Jack stayed clean and dry!

Jack has a lovely romp around with a ball on a string he found!

"And look mum, I've finished my walk and Im still clean!"

We had a visit from my little boy (27), Deane and his wife Marie. They were on their way home to Norfolk after going to the motor car show at the NEC in Birmingham and couldn't stay long. It was lovely to see them, we had a good old catch up and after an hour they were on their way again.

Monday we stayed on the boat. We were waiting for Jules Fuels to come and deliver us some coal and diesel and gas. We sat down to lunch about 1.15am and Sod's law, there was the putt putt putt of a working boat pulling up next to us! So we filled up on everything and they went on their way and we finished our cold cheese on toast!
Tuesday we went to the launderette in Daventry. It was a scummy launderette but our washing was clean and smelt nice! We got home by 12 and I made some butternut squash soup in preparation for the arrival of big brother Matt and his wife Jo. We all had a lovely lunch, Jo and I went walking the fields with Jack while Paul and Matt had a couple of games of chess. When we got back we all had cake and a cuppa! They went on their way and in the evening we went to the local pub, The New Inn and had a fantastic meal. It started to rain on the way back and it carried on raining all night! On Wednesday we went shopping in Daventry, filled up our fridge with a week's worth of food. It had stopped raining in the afternoon and Paul took Jack out for his walk.
Thursday 16th January we set off for Birmingham. We'd got some wedding preparations to sort out which included going to the Registery Office to book a time and date for our wedding and going to Jimmy Spices to book a table for our guests. 

We spotted this on a wall by the canal in Gas Street Basin

Gas Street Basin, with Jimmy Spices behind the boats moored up

All done, we headed back home, stopping in Rugby for a KFC! Paul sorted out an appointment to book the car in for its MOT and I took Jack out for his walk. Friday was another wet day, I took the easy option and stayed in the warm while Paul took Jack out. At lunch time he left to get the car MOTed and I took Jack for a lovely walk over the fields.

On Saturday 18th January after Jack's walk we moved the boat up to the water point and filled up with water. 

We moved the boat up to the water tap and filled up the tank, then we pulled the boat back to a new space!

We pulled the boat back one boat length away from the water point and tied up. Paul chopped up some more wood while I went into Daventry shopping. While I was out the diesel/coal boat was on its way past and he stopped and filled up three gerry cans of diesel and we got more coal. So were full up now, have loads of diesel and coal and two full up gas bottles. its drizzley and chilly today, not a nice day. Paul took Jack out while I stayed in the warm! Again!
Sunday and Monday bought two days full of fun and surprises. Paul had arranged all sorts of stuff secretly and now he was putting it into action. We went over to Histon near Cambridge for a surprise get together with nearly all my family. 

Here's the motley crew.... love em all for making the long journey especially for me!

Donna was there with Calvin and the boys, brothers Matt and Pete came with their families and little sis Milly came with nephew Jack! Nearly a full house, it's a pity son Deane couldn't make it, that would have completed my immediate family. But we all had a great time, lots of yummy roast dinners with the most enormous Yorkshire puddings you could imagine! Followed by an amazing purple birthday cake made by Donna, it not only looked good, it tasted great too!! 

Donna's masterpiece, it was beautiful outside....

... and inside too!

After a lot of laughter and general sibling banter, we left for our journey back to Jack on the boat. 
On Monday 20th January it was my birthday, not just any birthday but a BIG one, the big 5-0!

We set the alarm for 6am. Haven't done that for a while! We left the boat with Jack and drove over to Woodford to see Lyndz and Anna, they were dog sitting for the day. Jack scurried off for a walk with them without even a glance back! So we headed off towards Northampton, well Whittlebury Hotel to be prescise! It was a hotel spa, the most amazing place to relax in hot bubbly jaccuzis, three saunas, three steam rooms, ice caves, hotbeds, foot baths, fruit and ice face washes, hot and cold body showers ..... We had a lovely buffet lunch included too. 

No photos allowed but we sneaked this photo of Paul in the jaccuzi....

.... and me on the heated beds!

There were water beds to relax and chill on, there were sleeping areas and all day fruit water and herbal teas and fruit were laid on! We had an amazing day, never been as clean and pure as we were on that day! Have a look for yourself - www.whittleburyhall.co.uk

We left at 5pm and headed back to pick up Jack. After a text to say they were at the pub we went to the Dukes in Woodford. We arrived a bit late, the traffic was terrible. 

Lots of lovely people at the Dukes in Woodford, Karen even made the long train journey with Josie the dog!

I had lots of lovely presents and cards to open, even got some scented socks from Karen!

As we went in the pub there was a chorus of 'Happy Birthday' and lots of lovely people had come to the pub for my final surprise! There was a lovely birthday cake with a photo on it that up until a week ago I didn't know existed! 

My second birthday cake! This photo was on somebodys blog, Paul stole it!

After a couple of drinks we all headed off for drinks etc at Pete and Junes, the marina owners house and thoroughly enjoyed our selves. I haven't laughed like that for ages!

We made our way home in the dark, ice and fog and put lots of wood on the fire to quickly warm up the boat.

The boats just visible in the fog

... and a boat breaks its way through the thin ice and the thick fog

On Tuesday we did sod all! It was really foggy and icy, so we chilled and relaxed from the last two busy days just popping over to Paul's mums in the afternoon. While we were out yesterday, Mo and Ricky from nb Djinni had moored up behind us and they popped round for a cuppa and piece of birthday cake.

The boats moored up on the built up canal, looking from the lovely fields Jack loves

Wednesday 22nd January bought us a brighter day, so nice we decided to do the 5 miles, one tunnel and 6 locks to Braunston. 

Leaving Norton mooring, Djinni in the distance with their chimney puffin away nicely!

We make the right turn onto the Grand Union Main Line on our way to Braunston

It was about 10ish when we left and we chugged up to the junction and turned right. 

Just leaving Braunston Tunnel, heading towards the 6 double width locks

A couple of miles and we were at the tunnel entrance, through the tunnel and at the top lock. There was one other boat in front of us but that meant all six of the locks were empty; we wanted them full! 

In one of the Braunston Locks waiting to go down

So we slowly descended the lock flight and out the bottom lock and into the hub of Braunston. 

As we leave the bottom lock there's boats everywhere

Boats being worked on, marinas still moving boats about, workshops and wharfs and hire boats lined up three abreast along the towpath for the winter. We crept through Braunston so as not to upset anyone and pulled over to the water point to fill up the water tank and empty our loo.

After washing the boat down with the water hose we were on the move again, under the road bridge and we pulled up on the 14 day moorings just down from The Boathouse pub.

This was a lovely little spot, over the hedge are the most wonderful field

We tied up the boat, Paul went off to cycle the 5 miles to pick up the car and Jack and I had a lovely walk over familiar fields. It's now got cold and damp, we settled in the cosy warm boat.

Looking towards the Boathouse pub (were moored right near here) from the lovely fields we walk Jack over every day

Thursday we went shopping in Rugby. We filled our fridge once again and after our dog walks in the driving rain we stayed in the dry and warm for the rest of the day. Friday was a jinxed day! We found water under our floorboards after we discovered the boat was tilting over to one side. After taking out the doorstep we examined the water pump only to discover there was a leak coming from the screws that hold it together causing a small, but over-time significant, water leak. While Paul was dealing with that I was cleaning up and had swept around the fire and the rest of the boat. I took the rug that was by the fire to the side hatch and shook it over the water. There was a plop and I realised really quickly that the fire riddler was wrapped up in the rug and it had gone straight into the cut! Oops! So the magnet came out and I fished around dragging it over and over the area for ages. I used the fishing net too, all with no luck. It's still under the depths of the canal....

Down the canal as the sun sets....

Looking under the bridge at Happy Daze snuggled into her little spot

I also wanted to use the printer but it stopped working, the ink was empty! Oh blow!

After Paul fixed the water pump and sponged up lots of buckets of water he then went to Daventry to buy some more ink! He's my knight in shining armour!

On Saturday the king of all storms came to see us! Paul was out with Jack and the sky was getting blacker and blacker, then the heavens opened! It was thundering, hailstones, lightening heavy, heavy rain and winds with gusts of up to 50 mph! 

Jack loved the old railway line, full of lovely rabbit smells!

They got home soaked, poor Jack always seems wet now! No sooner does he dry off from his morning walk he's going out on his afternoon walk and gets soaked through again!

The rain quietened down by the evening and we went out in the car to Rugby to the Pictures to see '18 years a slave'. Good film, great KFC! Sunday was dreadfully wet and windy again, we stayed in most of the day. Paul chopped some wood we'd been collecting. everybody is staying indoors today, it seems! It's very quiet here, only a couple of boats going past all day, no one walking about, and those walking dogs have their heads down and just want to get home! The towpath is one huge long slushy wet puddle that stretches the whole length of the canal now, the grass is covered and means its 'wear your wellies' all the time!

View from the bridge. We'll be heading this way in a week or so...

Monday comes and so does the rain, again. All day long; light and heavy showers, wind gusting all around us. I manage to get up to the village to get bread and milk and Paul choped up some more wood. We both got wet, again. And so did Jack.

It's Tuesday 28th January it's still bloomin' raining ....