STRATFORD HERE WE COME

MONDAY 7TH 2008

Kim & John arrived in time for bacon butties and we then departed straight ahead from Wigrams Turn Marina onto the Grand Union Canal on route to Stratford upon Avon. We almost immediately had to shake down our locking procedure at the three Calcutt Locks, which was good practice for the eight locks of the Stockton Flight. We accompanied a traditional canvas covered working boat, called RENFREW, through the locks. One of their crew was anxious to jump ship from their unheated accomodation to our slightly more comfortable looking boat. We told him we couldn't possible deprive him from the wonderful experience of working such an authentic work boat, tough luck!!

Great weather bright blue skies, just the occasional April shower.

TUESDAY 8TH 2008

Leamington Spa was a real disappointment from the canal, we moored up at bridge 40 which is the suggested mooring point for the town, a rather sad looking area and were advised by a local dog walker, that it probable was not a good idea if we didn't want a window broken. At his suggestion we moved on to bridge 43 and tucked ourselves in on a bend between a couple of other boats, right beside a really good nursery and HomeBase just across the road, which was most useful for buying a strap wrench for removing the fuel filter only to finds that Midland Chandlers had sold me the wrong replacement one.

The Nursery came up trumps with some lovely frilly pansies and ivy, hopefully they will survive the overnight frost whilst awaiting to be replanted into the roof tubs.

WEDNESDAY 9TH 2008

We moved on just a few bridges to no. 49 and walked into Warwick. Wow! What a great town, delightful, our first discovery was a sweetie shop, full of jars containing sugar coated memories of the quarters of sweets that we used pay 2d for. Now they were 99p a 100g. £4 lighter we left.

The urge for coffee lured us to the Brothers Kitchen of the Lord Leycester Hospital. The temptation of homemade cakes proved irrestable. Suitable fortified, however we could not stomach the entrance fee of £17.95 to Warwick Castle, I am sure that it would be a great experience if you were there all day. We found the exquisite Mill Garden at the bottom of Mill Street right underneath the walls of the castle, were the motley crew took their revenge on the captain and incarcerated him in the stocks until he agreed to buy the beer at the next pub.

Jacquie took the helm for the first few locks of the Hatton Flight and managed incredible well under the calm tuition from the panicing Captan.

We stopped for the night between locks 30 and 31, just before the rain arrived and when that shower had passed, those frilly pancies got planted out by a proud Jacquie.

WHAT DO YOU KNOW SNOW!!!

SUNDAY 6TH APRIL

Tim, of Union Canal Carriers who carried out our bottom blacking of which we are very pleased, said that we would be let out of the dry dock at 8am on Sunday morning. Quelle surprise. Neige and lots of it. Beautiful clear blue sky and fresh white snow as we cruised back to Napton.








We spent the rest of the day cleaning all the dirt from the topsides, that had been left behind by the jet washing, ready for he arrival first thing Monday morning of Kim and John the repribates who persuaded us that a life on the canals would be the very best thing, however we now realise that just thought it might lead to cheap canal holidays on something considerable more comfortable than you can hire. Got it right didn't they.

CANAL CAMARADERIE

SATURDAY 5TH APRIL

Our last day in dry dock, it’s getting boring, so what did we do? We went to Braunston Marina Laundry, but then things took a real turn for the better when we met with Brian of KYLE, who invited us into his ever so cosy boat-mans cabin to shelter from an April hail storm. KYLE has a beautiful vintage engine and we enjoyed the lovely tonka tonka sound whilst consuming Brian’s red wine, what a lovely encounter.

It just goes to show you are never alone on a canal boat. Always a friendly soul about to give you a helping hand or mooring advice etc. and even the occasional glass of wine.

BOTTOM BLACKING

Apologies for the delay in posting the previous blog, but when I finally had time to write it we were tucked up in the dry dock in Braunston. The canal at Braunston is set deep in a valley and is notorious for its lack of mobile phone signal, so within the cover of the dry dock we had no chance in getting a mobile broadband connection.

We entered the dock on Thursday morning at 9am. We had to reverse into the bottom lock, so that when we excited at the top we would be able motor forward into the dry dock. Previously my attempts at reversing any distance had been a very erratic affair, but having been given some good advice, we managed it without mishaps.

Once we were in the dock the gate was pushed sideways over the entrance and then lowered and chocked into position, a sluice at the top end was opened and very quickly the water ran out and the Skyy was centred and settled down onto large baulks of wood. Tim almost immediately got down into the dock and started to pressure jetthe hull. The algae and paint was blasted off leaving a remarkable clean hull which was the left to dry overnight.

In the meantime we wandered up to the chandlers, and spent the usual fortune, but with very pleasant encounters with other boaters. Jim and Jane from Apple Queen took pity on us on our way back to our cold dark boat (we couldn’t run our engine to recharge the batteries as we had no water around the hull to cool it, so we had to minimise our use of electricity as we would be here for three nights) and invited us in for tea and biscuits. We said that we would go to the quiz night at the Mill House and they thought that they may also go. What a quiz team we turned out to be, we won the pot of £17. Obviously the secret is it to make sure you pick intelligent looking people as quiz partners and in this situation Jim and Jane were not only lovely company but clever with it.

The next day we got the bus to Daventry, principle to visit the doctors to try and get rid of my persistent cough, that achieved, well visiting the doctor bit, we will have to wait a little longer to see if the cough clears up. Daventry turned out to be a lovely old market town, complete with open market, Tim, our bottom blacker, said that there are plans to build for another 20,000 residents, what a shame.

This was the first time that we used our over 60’s national free bus passes. Great!! the buses were bang on time and picked us up and dropped us right outside the entrance to Braunston Marina. What timing, these passes became valid for the first time ever on April Fools day, the official start day of our adventure.

Again I will add pictures as soon as possible.

THE ADVENTURE BEGINS

We couldn't wait until April Fools day, we actually came on board on the 29th March, as the tenant for our flat wanted to move in over the weekend.

What a great start we had. To our surprise the great pile of cases and carrier bags actually fitted into our little car and to our, even greater surprise it all disappeared within SKYY and all done in the dry. all the pots and pans and Jacquie's clothes and shoes all stowed neatly away, Jacquie has now threatened to return to the storage unit and come back with more, ha does she really think that I will give her the car keys.

On Monday 31st. Barb & Colin arrived at lunchtime to perfect weather, blue sky, no wind, so we set of on a little cruise to the winding hole just before the Folly Pie Pub. They have never been on a canal boat before and were impressed with both the boat and an immaculate exit from the marina and a faultless 360 degree turn, mostly due to the no wind condition it has to said. Jacquie served up a great lunch, which we ate on the rear deck. What a wonderful taster of what lies ahead of us.

The biggest surprise was recognising RETIREMENT NO PROBLEM, at the winding hole, I have been following Sue's blog for some time and just before we set off I sent her a message, it was lovely to see Sue along with Lucy and Meg, her well behaved Border Collies, coming down the towpath to say hello. I am sure we will meet up Sue & Vic sometime soon on our travels.

Wednesday morning we filled with diesel. empted the loo tank and headed off for Braunston, as we have to be at the dry dock by 9 am Thursday to have Skyy's bottom blacked. This will take about 3 days as first the old paint, rust and marine growth have to be blasted off and then several coats of a bitumastic black paint has to be applied. This has to be done every 2 years and this is the first time that Skyy has been done since new. Fortunately we can stay aboard whilst this is being done and I intend to use the time to service the engine, but we also plan bus trips to Daventry and Rugby,as I imagine that it will not be too pleasant while the blasting is being done. We will be using our new national free bus passes, yipeee!!!

Retirement and Big Birthday

WOW!!! What a few days.

March 13th was the day of our retirement party, courtesy of Nicholas King Homes.

I have been working for NKH for the last 5 years and Jacquie joined the team in May of 2007. There was a staff training day scheduled for the 13th and all our sales colleagues would be attending. Jacquie decided to go as well, to defer her retirement as long as possible, I unfortunately couldn't as I was in the local hospital having a pre operation assessment. I did arrive at the head office of NKH in time for a presentation of cards, gift and lovely words from Susan our Sales Director assuring us that we would always be welcome back.

Then to the Crown for champagne and dinner, to be assured by all our work chums that we would be missed and envied. We have so enjoyed our time at NKH and the warmth and friendship of the team that we will undoubtedly miss them all.

That was just the start. The next day was Jacquie's big 60. First stop was the post office for her Freedom Pass, which allowed Jac a free but crowded train journey to London Victoria, where we swapped trains for the luxury of The Orient Express and a champagne, five course lunch tour of Kent, in the beautiful Pullman carriage called Phoenix. The one sadness was that this was not a steam hauled train, but as we didn't disembark until back at Victoria Station, four very enjoyable hours later, the lack of steam was not noticed.

That wasn't the end of the days activities. Two tickets were waiting for us for the stage version of Billy Elliot at the Victoria Palace Theatre. What a show, pathos, anger, comedy, music, all of that and then the dancing and amazing set changes. Brilliant, the first show that I can remember going to when there was a standing ovation. If you do get a chance to see, don't leave too soon at what appears to be the end as several people did trying to beat the leaving crush.

Well that's probably the last time for a while that I'll be wearing a suit and tie, My remaining suit will be stored at a friends for the occassional, hatchem, matchem and dispatchem situations. All other business suits, shirts and ties have gone to the charity shops, so much easier for us guys to get rid of the past.

Look out for the next blog, which will probably be after we have moved permanently onto Skyy.

Pre Launch Activities

Yes! I know its says the 'Adventures of NB Skyy', but left to it's self Skyy doesn't do much, however Mac & Jacquie have been busy during the end of February and the beginning of March.
I visited the boat on the 26th of February with a load of clothes and kitchen stuff. The home wardrobes still seem almost as full as ever, but the boat does seem to be absorbing all the stuff.

I got Lime Kiln Chandlers to mail me a length of chrome curtain pole and fittings, (not easy to get) which I fitted to the underside of the cratch board. so that small amounts of laundry can be hung to dry. I also painted the heavy metal base for the clothes whirlygig airer and the end of the new lightweight gangplank/ladder, how sad is that? but it had to be midnight blue not green.

I also fitted the smart chrome steps to the side of the boat, these enable you to climb easily onto the roof when necessary. I had realised that when screwing or bolting anything to the steel superstructure, you have to first drill a hole and then tap a thread into the steel. Memories of metalwork at school slowly eased back into the brain and I was able to neatly complete the job. The only misfortune was dropping my centre punch overboard, but my trusty sea magnet recovered it.

The real excitement is that we have been skiing. I haven't been on skis for 8 years and Jacquie for 6. We stayed with chums, Phil & Lynn at their mountain retreat, in the South of France, which is just an hours drive from Valberg, a most attractive ski resort. The weather was warm & sunny, which meant the snow was a little slushy, but that suited my limited ability fine. The next day was also sunny but much colder and the snow had an icy top, which was challenging for all and although Phil, Lynn and Jacquie skiied until late afternoon, I was happy to sit it out with coffee and beer.

After a day resting the legs, Phil and I set of to visit the medieval fortified town of Entrevaux, which is in the Alpes-De-Haute-Provence area. After wandering around the walled town, we were about to pay the 3 Euro fee to visit the Citadel, when we were advised that there was a back way up to this stronghold and we could get in for free, It seemed a little unwise to have a back way into a castle, but being cheapscates, we thought we try it. A tad scary, certainly not for the faint hearted, but our scramble was rewarded with a fabulous view and an entrance via a draw bridge, which was in fact the escape route from the citadel if in fact it had ever been overrun.

The underground passages and laddered shafts providing access to the defensive slits was a real boys own adventure, you wouldn't be allowed anywhere near something like this in England.
Health and Safety would see to that, Vivre the difference. The cells for German officers from the 1st World War were still there to see, that must have been a cold bleak place to have spent the rest of the war. A huge amount of restoration had been carried out to make this lofty citadel accessible, but not so much to take away the feeling of having just discovered this ruin.

In between skiing and pretending to be Indiana Jones, we had to feed Nou Nou the donkey and had a close encounter with a pot bellied pig, both pets of local residents. All part of living in a small rural environment, lovely.

Now that we have returned to Blighty we have to do the final packing and storage, with just 3 weeks before setting off.