Boat Returning to Borrowed Mooring, So Sickle Back to Base.

(Boat Sickle - Friday 26th & Saturday 27th April 2013 - posted by Alan)

Seabrook Locks

Circumstances had allowed "Sickle" to remain closer to home, on a mooring adjoining "Chalice's" for longer than expected, but we now knew  that the boat that belonged there was expected back.  So this was the trip to take "Sickle" back to her home mooring.

We had still not managed to get as much done as expected whilst we had her at 'Cooks', but at least we were getting the chance of another trip.

Seabrook Locks again.

It is our preference if we can get on board at 'Cooks' on a Friday evening, after Cath has finished work, to boat up the canal a few locks, and spend the night somewhere quiet.  A favourite spot is just above the two Ivinghoe locks, and that is what we did this time.  I was surprised deep draughted "Sickle" could be persuaded to come in close to some new piling that has gone in there, but she was still just about floating when at the bank - something you can never take for granted with an ex working boat!

Approaching Ivinghoe Locks after a night spent just above.

I don't have the pictures to prove it, unfortunately, but it was a truly stunning evening, as the sun set, with Ivinghoe Beacon fading into the darkness.  Later on a moonlit night produced some wonderful silhouettes from the trees that line the canal here.  Its a lovely spot, and that night it was magical.

Slapton.

We had knocked off the first 3 locks (at Seabrook) on the Friday evening, leaving a fairly leisurely 12 still to do on the Saturday, (or maybe eleven and a half, as the shallow "Fenny" lock barely qualifies somehow!

Saturday was a day of mixed weather - at times brilliant sunshine, at others heavy showers.  If I include one of the pictures of Cath togged up against the fouler weather I don't think I'll be too popular (!), so the photos will more likely show the bits where the sun was attempting to shine.

The sun is out for supermarket stop at Leighton Buzzard.

At Willowbridge Marina we passed Mike Askin's coal boat "Victoria".  Mike had already had problems with a hull leak when on his trip to Ellesmere Port, and some running repairs had been done.  However he was apparently now finding new water appearing in his hold, and clearly a bit concerned "Vicky" was still in trouble.  He explained he rather feared any leak was under the large tank that "Victoria" has in her hold to hold diesel fuel for resale to other boats.  Obviously not the best of places if you need to try and get to it in a hurry!

Cooks Wharf to Fenny Stratford (Grand Union)
Miles: 15.0, Locks: 15

Slow Start To 2013 Boating

(Boat Sickle - Tuesday 9th April 2013 - posted by Alan)

Waiting for lock at Stoke Hammond

The Easter School Holidays would normally see the serious start of one of our fairly intensive "boating years" that attempts to fit in as many miles and locks as things allow, but always moderated by Cath's job as a teacher.  Traditionally at this time of year it has not only been know for us to (say) attempt the Thames ring in the Easter Holidays, but maybe also pack in a return trip to Lechlade too.

Stoke Hammond lock, on a grey day.

Plenty of volunteer "lockies" at Three Locks - but very few boats!

This year, however, plenty else was going on.  Firstly one of Cath's colleagues was marrying, and we had an invite to her wedding celebrations in London.  Almost immediately after a "Boater's banter" was organised at Gnosall, (with the added promise of a day at Ellesmere Port for the historic boat event taking place there).  Finally I always try and attend reunions with my many old friends from my days in Brighton, who I first met when I went to the University of Sussex, and one of these was to take place in Brighton.

Swing Bridge at Cheddington

Reluctantly Cath and I decided initially that we might have to have just a few days boating, not the usual fortnight, but ultimately we called off any serious plans to go anywhere.  Although this decision was not actually tempered by the appalling weather we had over Easter, it probably proved to be quite a good one - I know other people did cancel plans, not fancying battling along in rain and heavy cross winds!
We decided however that we would move "Sickle" South from its regular mooring, onto a borrowed mooring where we keep "Chalice", as we might be able to tackle some much needed work on her if closer to home, and mains electricity was available.

Railway bridge at Cheddington

In practice that one day move ended up being our sole boating over Easter, and our first of the year.  e had planned to move "Sickle" back again by the end of the two weeks, but it became possible to leave her there a bit longer, so that is what we did.

Variety in approaches to painting cans.

Fenny Stratford to Cooks Wharf (Grand Union)
Miles: 15.0, Locks: 15

Planning 2013

(posted by Alan)

 Well I may eventually get to do a synopsis of 2012 - a very busy boating year, and the first that we have owned both boats continually throughout - I just haven't managed it yet!

In the meantime we have been starting to think about possible planes for 2013.  If we were able, we would probably go boating much of the time,  but currently Cath has a job, which makes even the kind of things we pulled off last year fairly intensive on occasions - and, yes, we know the hobby is meant to be relaxing, before anybody reminds us.

A recurring theme will be trying to get "Sickle" to as many events as possible, particularly those with a focus on historic boats - we did pretty well last year, and a definite target is to do as many, or more, this year.  All that has to be fitted in around trying not to forget we also have "Chalice", and to use her too wherever possible, (essential if more than just the two of us are involved!).

By now there are starting to be decent calendars of events on many sites, but when we started looking most did not contain many of the events that might interest us - so we started making our own.  What follows is by no means an exhaustive calendar of all events in the country - just ones we have any hope of attending, either by boat, or without one.  It is interesting that there can easily be as many as four events in just one weekend!  A lot of choice, but clearly one can only realistically cover one!

At the moment entries in red are ones we are hoping we may get Sickle to, although I'm sure the list may need modifying as the year progresses.

Which ones will you be at?

Fri 29th - Sun 31st March - Ellesmere Port Easter Boat Gathering
Fri 29th March - Mon 1st April - Stoke Bruerne Gathering
Fri 29th March - Mon 1st April - Easter Boaters Banter (Calf Heath/Gnosall)

Fri 3rd - Mon 6th May - May bank Holiday Extravaganza - Vines Park, Droitwich
Fri 3rd - Mon 6th May - IWA Northampton Branch Boat Gathering - Beckett's Park Northampton
Sat 4th – Sun 5th May - Loughborough Canal & Boat Festival
Sat 4th – Mon 6th May – Canalway Cavalcade, London

Sat 18th – Sun 19th May – Rickmansworth

Sat 1st to Sun 2nd June - Etruria Canal Festival

Fri 14th – Sun 16th June - Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival
Sat 15th – Sun 16th June – Stoke Bruerne Canal Gala
Sat 15th – Sun 16th June - BCN Society Pelsall Boat Rally

Sat 29th – Sun 30th June – Braunston Historic Boats
Sat 29th – Sun 30th June – Chesterfield Canal Festival - Staveley Town Basin
Sat 29th – Sun 30th June – Foxton Locks Festival

Fri 19th – Sun 21st Jul – IWA National Festival, Watford

Sat 27th July - Linslade Canal Festival
Sun 28th July - Audlem Festival of Transport

Sat 10th - Sun 11th Aug - Blisworth Canal Festival

Sat Aug 24th - Mon Sep 26th - Alvecote Gathering

Sat 7th - Sun 8th Sept - Shackerstone Festival

Sat 14th – Sun 15th Sept - Stoke Bruerne Village at War

Sat 28th - Sun 29th Sept - Historic Boat Gathering Black Country Living Museum

Odin is six months old

Odin our dog is six months old this week. He's been with us since he was 8 weeks old.

Our son Michael has worked hard at training Odin, and he and David have today made a new video of what Odin has learned.

40 different commands - one take, no cuts or edits. We are very proud of them.

Youtube LINK

Stoke Bruerne "Village At War" - Day 2.

(Boat Sickle - posted by Alan)

"Purton" - also once on the BW maintenance fleet.

As reported already, we were not able to be on "Sickle" overnight, due to a family celebration, but as these events don't start particularly early, it wasn't going to be a huge problem to be back at Stoke for the start of "day 2".  We debated taking our new hound "Odin" with us, but decided that as neither boy showed any interest in coming as well, that might be a bit ambitious if we actually took the boat through a few locks on a very crowded day.  So, although several people had expressed an interest in meeting him, poor "Odin" was left at home.

"Aldgate"

We were surprised on arrival at about 09:45 to find the main temporary car park still padlocked up, unattended, with the scheduled start of the event just a quarter of an hour away.  Parking in Stoke Bruerne is always a bit of a challenge, and it took a fair bit of negotiation with an initially fairly intransigent steward to actually secure a parking place elsewhere.  We did wonder what less clued up visitors might have done, if arriving for the event, but encountering locked gates.

I think the Lister in "Southern Cross" smokes as badly as "Sickle's"

Sunday seemed unlikely to turn out quite as busy as Saturday - the weather, although fine, looked like being cooler and more overcast, and there was no Spitfire display to lure the punters in today.  None-the-less it remained fairly busy throughout, and traders and volunteers seemed to be reporting a very successful event by the end - good news, as a single day's poor weather can completely kill such things, cause them to return an overall loss, and put them in doubt for future years.

"Southern Cross" and "Bideford" turning around.

Cath's brother Chris, visiting the UK from his California hoime, was due to turn up, but once we  had established he was still elsewhere, we decided not to wait for him any longer before visiting "our local" for lunch.  The Boat copes quite well with the crowds - you can usually find a seat if you time it right, and the food isn't particularly slow to arrive, considering how busy they get.

Singling out the pair back on to "cross straps"

It wasn't just us who got "refuelled" - we also took advantage of "Sickle" being near the local fuel boat "Towcester" to fill the diesel tanks - or we might have done, had the tanks on "Towcester" not run empty as they tried to service us!  It did limit the bill a bit, at least, and should see us through several more trips, so not an issue.

"Southern Cross" tows "Bideford" past "Sickle"

We decided to set off down a couple of locks - the organisers are please to have old boats moving, and we are pleased to add to the display.  About this time Cath's brother Chris appeared, as well as a friend from Canal World.  Progress was quite slow, due to other boat traffic.  I'd love to see some of the very many photos that clearly get taken of us on such occasions, often using top notch cameras, but seldom do.  Perhaps we need to hand out business cards with an email adress on, and try and get people to send their more interesting shots ?  We are usually too busy to take much ourselves.

CRT chief executive Robin Evans put in an appearance.

All too quickly another event was drawing to a close.  We went to see what was still in the exhibition field, but most people had either gone, or were close to doing so.  We had an interesting chat with one of those displaying an old car though - it sounds like at this time of year they are doing a show nearly every weekend.  And I think the boat represents a lot of effort - at least we can sleep in that, rather than have to camp alongside it!

Waiting to go down the top lock.

"In the mood"!

"Sickle" and the US military.

The Pitsford Home Guard

"Comet" and "Sculptor"

"Laplander" steams past "Cyprus" and "Corona"

Pottering around Stoke Bruerne
Miles: 2.0,  Locks:4

Stoke Bruerne "Village at War" - Day 1

(Boat Sickle - posted by Alan)

We knew we were double booked for today, and needed to share our time between this event for the start of the day, and Cath's Mum's birthday party later on.  As we would need to drive home first, and collect our two son's, and our dog Odin, we would not be able to pack in too much at Stoke Bruerne today, and ideally would need to be away by mid afternoon.

We often take the boat down a couple of locks and back at these Stoke Bruerne events - it is easy to do with our short tug, and the organisers have in the past asked that some historic boats can move around a bit to add to the interest for visitors. However we reckoned that might be a step too far today, so decided to leave "Sickle" tied up on day one, and to just spend time enjoying the sights.

We chatted a fair amount to people showing interest in the boats, but then went off to visit the traders "Black Market".  We managed not to spend lots of money as we had done last year though.  We also decided to visit the Boat pub early for lunch, reasoning we could be easily finished long before a flying display by two Spitfires was due to start at 2:00 pm.  We easily managed to finish way before then, but not until the Spitfires had unfortunately started their flying some 40 minutes early.  We did still see a fair amount of it, and were surprised both how low they flew, and how many aerobatics were done.  Anyone not arriving until 2:00 pm would have been most disappointed though - it was all over by then!

We then visited the field with a large display of old vehicles.  These ranged from motor cycles, cars and vans, through lorries and buses, as well as very large numbers of military vehicles of many types.  A very impressive display, although I plead guilty to just soaking up the atmosphere, and not studying too closely exactly what each vehicle was.  The majority "felt" right for the World War II period, but I suspect one or two may have slightly post-dated the war, I'm not sure.

As I neither had a lens suitable for photographing fast moving Spitfires in flight, nor took hardly any canal related photos, today's pictures are largely of the vehicles ad other sights in that display field, but hopefully they give some idea of the efforts put in by those who bring along their immaculately presented vehicles, and immaculately presented selves!

Once More Back To Stoke Bruerne

(Boat Sickle - posted by Alan)

We like the events at Stoke Bruerne, and like last year have already visited the main canal Gala earlier in the year, but particularly wanted to also repeat the rather charming "Village at War" event.

We had booked in to it some time back, but this weekend was also when Cath's Mum would celebate her 80th birthday, so a bit of "flexibility" and a fair amount of rushing about was to be required to put in an appearance at both!

Starting off up the flight - waiting for the coal boats in the next lock.

However the task for today was simply to get "Sickle" from her home mooring up to the event.  As Cath was working, I have to single-hand the boat most of the way, but then hope Cath can drive up in time to help me up the seven lock flight into Stoke.  (Although I will go through an occasional lock on my own, since I broke my pelvis I am simply not confident enough on or off the boats to do large numbers in a row without someone else there).

"Southern Cross" and "Sickle"

The problem with this single-handing lark is that with a large mileage to cover in a limited time, you can't actually really stop for food and drink, without introducing quite a delay.  So I tend to just go straight through, but I do get hungry, and normally I am such a coffee addict that after 4 or 5 hours I'm starting to get withdrawal symptoms.  In fact I had mistimed my journey a bit, and could have managed a break en route, as I eventually turned up at the foot of the Stoke Bruerne locks well before Cath was likely to arrive.

Trying to have a conversation over the Listers

Three coal boats were getting ready to go up - the local boats "Towcester" & "Bideford",b ut these were preceded by "Southern Cross" which also loads on behalf of the same business run by Julia Cook.  I went and watched "Towcester" and "Bideford" through the bottom lock, and it was explained that there was a plan to unload a ton of coal from one of the boats into a van whilst in a lock further up, but that there should be no great delay.

Eventually I decided I need to make a start behind them, if we were not to arrive at te top in total darkness, but shortly after I set off alone, not only did Cath arrive, but also Adam from "Briar Rose" who had offered to help me up the locks earlier.  Whilst "Towcester" and "Bideford" worked ahead of us, "Southern Cross" held back, so we could go up together.

This gives an idea how much "Sickle" was shortened!

I'm always interested in "Southern Cross" as it was owned and restored by the same family as "Sickle".  Even though the two boats are of different "Grand Union" types, ("Southern "Cross" being a Harland and Woolf built "Woolwich" boat, whereas "Sickle" is a W J Yarwoods "Northwich" one), the two restorations show considerable similarities, and I felt the boats looked "right" together.  Both even have similar Lister HA3 air-cooled diesels, (and produce similar amounts of smoke on occasions!), and when I normally struggle to hear much against the noise of one in a lock chamber, I can attest to the fact that two together makes conversation very difficult indeed.

We were fortunate it was nearly a full moon, and with clear skies, because well before the top lock we were delayed enough that otherwise it was well after night-fall.  Fortunately the largely reserved moorings at the top meant we had little difficulty to find a suitable slot for Sickle's modest forty foot length.

We have joked before that "The Boat" pub is as close as Cath and I come to having a regularly visited local.  Not wishing to spoil this tradition, we once again ate there, washing it down with the usual "Frog Island" (me) and Thatcher's cider (Cath).

Frankly by this stage I was knackered - although I'm able to move the boat around largely on my own for much of the mileage, "Sickle" does tend to make you feel you have had a good work-out!  None the less, we had made it, and now only had to worry about the fact we had a party many miles away to fit in as well as being at Stoke!

Fenny Stratford to Stoke Bruerne

Miles: 18.3,  Locks: 8