DAY ONE

WEDNESDAY 14TH APRIL 2010

What a cold damp start to the first day of our grand six months cruise, at least we were warmly waved on our way by Val and Jean from N.B. Rune at 9.15am. We had previously said bye bye to all the crew in the Marina Office and many other moorers and we shall miss all our friends there, as I am sure Duggie will miss his doggie chums, but we will return!!

The sign at the exit from the Marina gave us three choices, but we chose Warwick and in forty five minutes we were through the three Calcutt locks whilst occasionally shafts of sun light pierced through the dark clouds. The first items to be discarded was the beanie hat and the gloves, followed by the waterproof jacket and trousers, gradually the two fleeces were thrown down into the boat and the fur lined rigger boots were swapped for deck shoes. Don’t worry, this was not a re-enactment of ‘The Full Monty’ T shirt, shirt and jeans still remained upon my person. Hey this was more like it, blue sky a few clouds, it was looking good. The Stockton flight of eight locks were soon behind us, helped along by plenty of crew from two other boats.

The dodger was doing such a good job of keeping Duggie on the stern, that to satisfy his curiosity of what was actually happening when we went through a lock; we put him and his pad on the hatch. He rewarded us by raising our anxiety level to red alert, by casually wandering the full length of Skyy, eventually straddling the cratch cover. On his safe return he was anchored by his lead and he seemed happy with this compromise.

We stopped for a lazy lunch and snooze just before the Two Boat Inn, before joining another boat for five more locks until a sunlit stretch of Armco between locks 19 and 20 invited us to moor up for the evening and Duggie was taken on a foray to collect firewood, at least that’s what we think he was about.

BLACK BOTTOM

TUESDAY 6TH TO SATURDAY 10TH APRIL 2010

Almost two years to the day we would be going back into Tim’s dry dock by the side of the bottom lock at Braunston for SKYY’s bottom to be jet blasted and re-blacked, but before that our new rear wind breaker or dodger would be fitted by Fraser of AJ covers.

Late afternoon on Bank Holiday Monday we cruised to Braunston and moored immediately before bridge 1 and arose early on Tuesday morning, eagerly awaiting the arrival of Frazer. They were obviously very busy after the Easter holiday, but he eventually dropped off the canvas and promised to return within the hour, along with Cath, to fit it. He was as good as his word. It fits perfectly, looks very smart, but most importantly Duggie can’t jump over it, or squeeze under it and will be safely contained on the stern whilst we cruise. From our previous experience of having the hull jet cleaned, I realised how filthy everything became, so I immediately un-popped the dodger, rolled it up and stored it inboard

Eight o’clock on Wednesday morning we motored up to the wooden bridge that crosses over the alternative entrance to Braunston marina, turned SKYY 180 deg before reversing up to the first lock. Jacquie had the lock set, and in and upwards, before backing out and awaiting for the freshly painted boat to emerge, before we slipped into the dock.

Tim lowered the gate into place, opened the sluice at the other end and SKYY gently settled down onto the wooden beams set into the bottom of the dock. Once Tim had climbed into his waterproof kit he was down the ladder and within the hour had jet blasted the hull clean. I now set about washing the roof and the cabin sides before the fine mist of mud, algae and weed that had been sprayed everywhere, dried on. Two years ago I hadn’t done this and it wasn’t until we emerged into the snowy sunshine that I saw the contrast between the shiny black hull and the filthy superstructure.

The first coat of bitumen went on the next day and when it was touch dry I climbed down into the dock and sanded down the red paint on the stern and touched in the bare metal with red oxide. Friday morning and Tim applied the second coat and when that was dry I got a coat of red paint onto the counter and decided to apply, by roller, another coat of bitumen just around the water line, for extra protection and from my own tin of bitumen I should point out.

Saturday morning and Tim let the water back into the dock and out we came, clean and shiny to another beautiful day, Jacquie and Duggie stayed on board until the junction and then walked back to collect the car and drive back to Wigrams Turn, whilst I enjoyed the warm sunny cruise back home and marvelled how many boats were out and about and all determined, or so it seemed to me, to scratch my shiny hull.

We had been so much more comfortable on board, than we were two years ago. Firstly we now had the stove to keep us warm, secondly I was able to plug our shoreline cable, via a connector that I borrowed from neighbour Simon, into the mains electric supply, this time the immersion heater kept the water hot and we could keep the lights on and use the DVD player and TV with no fear of running the batteries flat. Also last time we had no internet connection, but as mentioned before, T Mobile must have beefed up the service as we had an excellent connection so much so we were able to watch the first episode of the new Doctor Who on the BBC I Player. Finally, although SKYY was in the relatively dark Victorian dry dock, we were able to escape into the very pleasant spring sunshine and sit alongside the lock eating our lunch and drinking coffee and watch the cute little lambs gambolling about in the adjacent field. Oh I nearly forgot to mention the number of boating friends and acquaintances that we bumped into during these few days, it is amazing that after only two short years afloat how many people we have got to know.

FRIENDS AND FAMILY

WEDNESDAY 31ST MARCH TO SATURDAY 3RD APRIL 2010

Only a couple of weeks before we start of on our six month, grand trip up North and good chums Cecilia and Clive drove up on Wednesday, from North London to spend a couple of days with us. The day was wet and windy so we enjoyed the company, conversation, chocolates and wine and delayed setting off until the sun shone on Thursday morning. Clive owns a proper sailing boat, but was amazed at the amount of activity on the canals and they especially enjoyed the activity around Braunston. Fortunately Val & Jean from N.B. Rune, close neighbours of ours at Wigrams, were just vacating their ideal mooring spot close to the entrance to the marina and we gratefully took over their space. The picture of the intriguing caravan was taken in the car park at Braunston Marina; even by narrow boat standards it is very compact.

The return journey to Wigrams in the afternoon wasn’t as wet as we expected but just as we turned into the marina the rain poured down so we cruised up to the quay side so that Cecilia and Clive could alight right next to the car park and after a quick farewell we headed back to our pontoon.

Good Friday and the marina was buzzing with holiday makers turning up to take over their Black Prince boat for a week or two and many private owners coming to check out their boat after the ravages of this winter, we just kept our heads down.

Now for the Family; my Sister Dawn and her son and his wife Dene and Bryony and two children arrived mid day Easter Saturday. The sun to our surprise was shining bright and we immediately headed out towards the Folly. Dene and Bryony’s son, James, is a very keen fisherman and as soon as we had moored up he got his rod and net out, but to no avail. Abby, their daughter and Duggie got on as if they had been together all their life. A walk to the locks showed how busy it was and confirmed our earlier decision not to try and give a locking experience to the family, Instead we bought ice creams and watched the queue of boats work their way up and down the first lock, whilst Duggie sought out a Scottish Deer Hound to wrestle with.

As soon as we got back to our marina, having dodged the rain clouds, that had been bubbling up all afternoon, there was lots of waving as we said goodbye, having thankfully persuaded Abby that maybe she would be better of with Mum & Dad rather than staying on SKYY with us, although we know that it was Duggie that was the attraction, but a very enjoyable day for all.

Again thank you to Colin and Denise and their Mini Schnauzer Pip and to Carol and George and their Patterdale terrier Molly for their supportive comments regarding the Dog Blog, but hopefully the balance between boat and dog blog will be about right once our adventure gets underway.

SOGGY DUGGIE

SUNDAY 23RD MARCH 2010

Although this blog is not strictly about our boating experiences and apologises if recent blogs have been more dog than boat orientated, the blogging world needs to know that Duggie can swim, a relief to both him and ourselves.

After a miserable wet Saturday, Sunday was lovely and mid morning we set off for a walk. From the marina up the hill to the straggly but picturesque Napton village and down the other to the first of the Napton locks where we stopped for the first ice cream of the year and a long chat with the friendly owner of the shop. We asked him how the Folly Inn was doing under the new management and he said that it was much improved, however we felt that it was still too early to pop into the pub for a cider and decided that by the time we had walked onto The Bridge pub, we would be able to justify calling in. Not to be!

Duggie has chased lot of ducks from around the marina and sensible has not followed them into the water, but the two, sitting quietly on the towpath gently glided into the cut as Duggie approached and this time he obviously felt that whatever they can do, so can he. His entrance to the water was not as serene as the ducks had been, but fortunately he immediately turned to the bank, doggie paddled back and pulled himself out and stood looking confused and forlorn, whilst we just laughed and took photos of him, how cruel. There was no way we could now take him into the pub and the wind was a bit sharp to have sat outside, so we continued walking home, by which time he had pretty much died off. Not for long though, this was the perfect opportunity for Jacquie to get him into the shower, where he stood meekly whilst Jacquie shampooed away the smell of the cut. It’s good to know that he can swim and hopefully he won’t be making a habit of it.

It’s always good to receive comments to the blog and on the 21st a comment was left on a recent posting from Touch, but as a few others recently received, the message is in oriental characters, which not surprisingly I don’t understand, but thank you to Touch and others who do leave understandable comments.

FEELING WINDY

SUNDAY 14TH MARCH 2010

The day was bright and breezy and friends Zena and Clive, who spend most of their life in France, arrived with their little dog, Renee and as expected Duggie and Renee hit it off immediately.


Despite the windy conditions we decided to head off towards the Folly Inn. Easier said than done, SKYY had a mind of her own, so I decided to go with her and instead of trying to make directly to the narrow exit to the canal, we headed down towards the wide open area in front of the marina office and did a 360 deg. turn before heading back to the exit. Again I nearly decided to go with the wind and head towards Braunston, but persistence and plenty of engine revs and I managed to get SKYY heading into wind, towards the Folly. We lunched opposite the gentle slope, near the winding hole and watched the sun warm the assorted Shetland ponies, deer and sheep.
I had hoped that by late afternoon the wind may have dropped, but no, the moment we left the shelter of the cut and entered the marina it was blowing as hard as ever and it took several goes and a bit of persuading, reluctantly using my freshly painted poles to get us lined up with our pontoon and pass, without touching the two boats moored either side. Clive had earlier refused my offer to take the helm and after my faffing about and getting us safely tied up, he was glad he hadn’t been tempted. Shortly afterwards we said farewell and look forward to visiting them in France next year.


Talking about my poles, my old boat hook had a rubber bumper at the non hook end, but the new one didn’t, I had vaguely considered sticking on an old tennis ball, this would have been a bit crude, when I spied one of Duggie’s toys, a blue knobbly, thick rubber, hollow ball, with a bell inside. Duggie said I could borrow it. I don’t think he realised that I was going to open up the end with a scalpel, remove the bell and with a bit of washing up liquid, as lubricant, stick it on the end of the new pole. It works a treat, non slip and leaves no scratches or marks on other boats paintwork and so far Duggie hasn’t missed it. I had also bought at great expense a pair of chrome brackets (twice the price of brass ones) to support the pole as the old one had rotted as it mostly laid directly on the roof, hopefully this pole should, as they say, ‘See me out’.

BREAKING THE ICE

SUNDAY 21ST TO MONDAY 22ND FEBRUARY 2010

Chums, Kim & John arrived to an empty SKKY about ten o’clock on Saturday night. We had gone to an amazing charity concert in Bedford and arrived back at midnight to find Kim, John and Duggie all looking very cosy despite the freezing temperature outside. Little Duggie had been left with our Neighbour Simon and his lovely Lurcher Tess on board his boat and K & J collected him before settling on board.

Sunday morning and sleety snow was filtering down, as the ground was slippery we took the decision to avoid locks and headed off towards Rugby, intending to stop for the night just before the three locks at Hillmorton. The sky gradually cleared and the sun shone warmly, the girls got off with Duggie, who looked very smart in his new coat and they must have walked about four miles before we stopped for lunch just before the Braunston turn. The air was still cold and a warm saloon and a filling lunch would have had me falling asleep, but as the sun still shone we carried on, again with the girls and Duggie walking until we reached the Hungry Horse Pub (Home of The Big Platter), well that about sums it up, They wouldn’t let Duggie in so immediately it lost my vote. We had a drink or two but were definitely not tempted by the menu, returning to SKYY, where Jacquie’s spaghetti carbonara went down a treat.

The snow was again gently falling when we woke up on Monday morning, but today the sun hardly managed to break through the cloud. I walked Duggie up to the road by the pub and suddenly I was in suburbia, with grass verges and front gardens to a mix of houses and bungalows and cars parked in front of garages. It was strange, as most of the time that we are cruising, we are in our own little world so far removed from the hustle and bustle of life beyond the cut, but here it was just a few steps away.

We reversed SKYY back to the entrance to the nearby covered dock and just managed to turn her 57 ft by hauling on the ropes from each end. As we headed back home the scene had changed, the snow had again given a thin white coat to the landscape and to our surprise much of the cut was completely frozen over and we were breaking ice until we met a boat coming the other way and then we both were able to take advantage of the clear channel cut by each other. We continued non stop to our home marina at Wigrams Turn, but the girls decided that they had had enough exercise yesterday and anyway it was a bit too cold, so your truly had to walk the towpath with Duggie, the compensation was that as soon as we tied up at our pontoon a late lunch was served, a piping hot Cottage Pie soon warmed our insides. Kim & John left us for the joys of the M40 saying that they wished that could cancel work and spend the next six months with us on our forthcoming trip North, How much would it cost to have the boat stretched by 10 ft.?

On a technical matter, having replaced the domestic batteries last year, I have been considering how to keep them charged up when we are not cruising for a few days. I have considered fitting a battery management system that duals up the starter and domestic alternators and guarantees charging batteries to 90% of capacity, cost approx £350. A 110 -130 ah alternator to replace my 70ah one, cost approx £190. Replacing all the lights with LED’s, unfortunately Jacquie considers the colour output unacceptable and finally a generator. When I had the opportunity to buy from Simon, our neighbour, a EX7 Honda suitcase generator, it seemed like an answer to a maidens prayer. Sadly when plugged into the shoreline socket I got a reverse polarity warning light and a few buzzes and clicks from the inverter but nothing else.

To my surprise my email to Tony Brooks of Canal Boat Q & A fame, brought a response by the next morning. Although not an expert on 240v Tony was able to outline the problem, too technical for me to properly understand, but apparently some generators send out +120v and -120v to provide 240V. A phone call to a local marine electrician confirmed the problem and it could be fixed, but basically the generator was not man enough. The inverter could be tweaked to recognise the low input from the generator, but would have to be reset when we went back on to mains shoreline. The minimum generator size to properly power up the inverter’s charger would have to be 1.5 KW not the meagre 600w from the EX7. I decided not to go any further down this road and fortunately Simon took back the generator. I am now back to square one, so it would be interesting to know what route other boaters have taken to manage this problem, other than cutting down electricity usage, which off course we will be doing, both the microwave and the toaster have gone, but the hair dryer and the vacuum have to stay.

Not long now to bottom blacking and then off we go, with hopefully plenty to blog about on a daily basis.

LITTLE DOG TO BRAUNSTON

FRIDAY 5TH TO SUNDAY 7TH JANUARY 2010

At last the temperature was nudging ten degrees as I and many others busied themselves upon their boats in the Marina. I was being ably assisted by our new recruit, Duggie who was now confidently jumping on and off SKYY and was completely at home in his watery surroundings. I thought that the cute antics of the Andrex dogs was pure marketing, but running through the salon followed by a trail of loo paper has become one of Duggie’s favourite tricks. He has now made many friends in the Marina both human and canine and when Jacquie returned from the gym we thought it would be a good idea to go for a cruise and introduce him to the wider world of narrow boat life.

I felt the warmth of the sun on my back as we headed out of the Marina and turned towards Braunston. We originally decided to go in the direction of the Folly Pub to see if the New Management had made any significant improvements, but the blue sky encouraged us to travel further and although we have been thgis this way so often the journey was delightful. Duggie, on his harness and lead, happily surveyed the changing scenery from the rear deck and at bridge 105 Jacquie and Duggie jumped ship, rejoining at bridge 103, Duggie having performed his land based duties.

I hadn’t realised, but this weekend was the OwnerShips show in Braunston Marina and as the sun set I remarked how crowded the moorings seemed as we approached the marina and amazingly found a SKYY sized mooring immediately before the entrance.

On Saturday morning we strolled into the Marina to see what was on offer. It was stuffed full of OwnerShip boats and friendly souls inviting the many visitors aboard, but Duggie was the main attraction with so many people stopping us say hullo to the little fella. We bought a smart red bandana from the President Steam Boat stand before strolling up to Wharf House chandlery to buy a new boat hook as the old one had rotted. I also ordered a pair of single chrome supports as the old pole just lay on the roof and I reckon that’s why it rotted.

As we returned we popped into the marquee and enjoyed a jumbo sausage hot dog and a burger whilst making new friends with a couple who had a black Miniature Schnauzer. We also spotted Brian and Diana on N.B. Harnser as they cruised passed, Brian commented that I was brave in leaving my broadband dongle on its little mast, Jacquie agreed, not wise to leave such a tempting little object so close to hand, I think I may have become to trusting.

Sunday morning had us strolling up into Braunston Village to buy a Sunday paper, accompanied by the lovely sounds of the Church bells. We met another local couple with a six year Schnauzer bitch and at, nearly, four months, Duggie was considerably bigger than her so maybe there is a bit of Giant Irish Wolf Hound in him as has been suggested, ohh I hope not. The return cruise in the afternoon was much colder than the outward bound but I wrapped up in lots of layers, safe in the knowledge that our stove was keeping the inside of SKYY toasty warm and I enjoyed the journey, passing several boats on the way. The engine was sounding sweet and all systems seem to be working well.

After tying up at our pontoon I immediately filled up with water as the word was, that the supply to all pontoons would be turned off on Monday as the weather was set to continue getting colder. I have now, two 25lt water containers on the rear deck, these I refilled with fresh water. When I ordered the containers from an EBay supplier, they showed a capped off bleed hole on the top, the ones delivered didn’t have this facility. I considered sending them back, but I drilled a small hole into the handle and this allows sufficient air into the carriers for a smooth transfer of water through the tap and down the short length of hose, as I tip the carrier over, my thumb covers the hole until the suction of water leaving the container starts to draw the air in.

I had two comments left on my previous blog, from Gary and 8542, both the comments were in Chinese characters, thanks for the comments, but regretfully I have no idea what is being said.

Less than a couple of months now before we set off for our planned, six months cruise up North, can’t wait, getting itchy feet now, but need some warmer weather to finish the repainting of the port gunnel to rubbing strake. The bottom blacking is booked so we should look quite smart when we set off. Yep I know it won’t last long.