Back to the Thames

Monday 24th August 2020

Herons Breakfast

Today we got drenched, twice, and the second time lasted for about an hour. Two sets of wet clothes each, ten numb fingers for Brenda and we are promised more tomorrow.

Paddington Arm Bee Hives

Graham was up and at-em early, leaving Paddington basin just before 8am. A brief stop for a self pump-out at the offside sanistation on the Paddington arm and on upto Bulls Bridge through all the clawing floating weed. We turned left at Bulls bridge junction and headed down to Norwood top lock. All down through the Hanwell flight there wer boats travelling towards us and a couple of Volunteer lockies to aid us on our way. Graham found one of the Hanwell lock gates to be the hardest gate to open for a very long time.

After we left the flight Graham also noticed that the cabin alternator warning light was on. We continued down through Osterly and Clitheroe’s locks before pulling over on Brentford visitor moorings to swap out the alternator, always a spare handy of course. Whilst there Brenda decided to leave some surplus paperbacks in the sani-station as she remembered there was a book swap there last time we came this way. The BW key fitted the lock but a digital entry code was required as well to open the door. No-where is there a clue as to how boaters are expected to obtain the code. A bloke wandered up and went in the door, a few minutes later he emerged so she asked. He told her that all the local boaters know the code and then told her what it was. Another boater, nearby, also heard and wrote it down.

At Brentford lock, Graham asked the lockie about the situation at the sani-station. He said that he did not know the code but believed that it changed weekly. That is how CaRT stop boater’s loos and showers being used and abused by anyone. Yet Brenda got the impression that the bloke who told her the code was not a boater anyway. We asked how visiting boaters could get the code but the lockie had no idea.

Alternator swapped, a lock share identified, Graham went to set the guaging lock just as the heavens opened. We both got utterly drenched as we descended and then moored up waiting for Thames Lock.

Leaving Brentford looking back

Out onto the Thames and turn right, heading upstream/ No trip boats about so no bucking bronco moments this trip. We travelled through another rain storm up to Teddington lock where the keeper remarked upon how wet we’d got in a very short time. He also offered up the information that tomorrow was going to be worse as we were in the overture to storm Francis.

We continued up stream to Kingston where we moored on the visitor moorings on the North bank of the river, registered with the on-line moorings website for our free 24 hr pass and then sat down to a nice warming curry. We plan to explore Kingston-in-the-wet tomorrow morning hoping the bad weather will pass before we need to set off.

Overnight mooring ///pets.fund.film

Timelapse videos -  Bulls Bridge to Brentford https://youtu.be/8izPKYe-F8k 

Brentford to Kingston  https://youtu.be/PXma9UVulEw

A day in London

Sunday 23rd August 2020

Graham was up early and set off before I’d even risen from my bed. Breakfast was taken on the move because there are no locks on this arm and we had planned a busy afternoon.

It was a pleasant enough cruise into Paddinton despite the extra engine effort needed to plough through total cover duck-weed. A couple of paddle boarders were pleased that we cleared an easier path for them for a while. There are great lengths of moored boats and floating homes along here keeping our speed well down once we had passed Perivale.

It was strange to see plenty of empty moorings in Little Venice but it was just as well that we had booked a berth in Paddington Basin. The good news is that the basin now has a Coop (see previous posts) for ‘free stuff’ and a Brewdog bar. The bad news is the number of paddle boarders and go-boats to try and avoid.

Then off on our adventure – first we visited the Museum of London at the Barbican. Due to a lack of foreign tourists it wasn’t very busy and so we saw everything with ease. Then off to Petticoat Lane, where the market was packing up, to go for an early meal (with cocktails) at the London Steakhouse.

Once we had eaten, we then went to the Shard for our pre-booked visit to the viewing gallery, the second part of our Christmas gift from Matt and Alice – thanks! When you enter the Shard they take your photograph, I presume to sell it to you on the way out like flumes and roller coasters. The photographer says “smile please”. That made us laugh as we were all wearing masks – not even the photo that you’d want really!

Back to Jannock via the Brewdog bar where I had a cup of tea and Graham sampled several different beers. I discovered that I like Dead Pony Club which made him happy as he gave me the rest of his to go and try something else.

The Shard

North East view

Tower Bridge

The railway from Kent

Loo with a view

 

Our mooring in Paddington was /// deny.wolf.slate

A timelapse video of the run in is at https://youtu.be/FofVbQo8NTI

Onto the Paddington Arm

Saturday 22nd August 2020

After we set off, our first lock was Denham deep lock where we passed through solo following a single  boat in front of us and assisted by the crew of a boat waiting to ascend. Below this lock is a working

boatyard that has a narrow floating dry-dock. It was occupied by a working boat with all water having been pumped out.

Once past the apparently disused gravel wharf we passed under the A40, a road I’ve used many times to get into London when I was working, now used rarely by me. On through Uxbridge lock and down past the Boat Centre where a narrow boat was being craned out onto hard standing.

At the boat yard by Cowley Peachy junction I pulled in to try

and get some diesel but they were not open. Unfortunately the closed sign was on the office door which is not visible from the canal so we untied and continued on.

We continued down to Bulls bridge junction where we turned left onto the Paddington Arm. We followed a widebeam round the junction but they pulled over as they wanted to walk back to Tescos. We stopped shortly afterwards at bridge 20 and we went to explore Southall Broadway. The warm sun and the bustling street full of shoppers made us feel like we were on a capital H holiday. Add in the Asian supermarkets, the fabulous clothes and jewelry shops, the fabric shops (of course I did! two lots) and the restaurants and street food stalls with their tempting smell and holiday it was. Having bought freshly cooked samosas and jalebis for tea we wandered back towards the boat via an ice cream stall.

Back at the boat and there were a couple of children looking at Jannock, a girl of about 13 with her little

the Famous Jam-ole

brother 10ish. She asked “ is that your boat?” When we said yes they were both very apologetic for looking at it. We told them they were welcome to look and, but for Covid, we could have given them a ride up the canal (with parental permission, of course) She explained that they were from Italy, living in central London and visiting auntie who lived in one of the terraced houses facing the canal. As well as their beautiful manners, I bet they were both multi-lingual.

After a cup of tea we set off again – destination Willow tree park which is an excellent overnight mooring if you want to arrive at Paddington mid to late morning the following day.

Mooring location /// rinse.wash.barn

Timelapse video of journey can be seen at https://youtu.be/87U5nz6KJMM

The hanging Gorilla is still there!

Friday 21st August 2020

No rain today, just reasonable sunshine but with an added strong wind.

We started the day by passing through Common Moor lock and then passing down through all the residential boats moored on the offside. As we approached Lot Mead lock we could see what looked like a CaRT workboat there and so wondered if there was to be another delay to our schedule. However, it was an ex-CaRT workboat and they were waiting in the lock for us to share.

We also shared Batchworth but they stopped at Tesco’s for provisions. On arrival at Stockers we had to turn the lock and didn’t have to wait too long before they arrived to share – all the way to Copper Mill even though they stopped to pick up a butty en-route. The gorilla still hangs from the dis-used building above Springwell although he is now monochrome and his stuffing is starting to fall out. I suspect he’s been there all the time we’ve owned Jannock.

Once through the lock we stopped to fill with water and then moved around the corner from the Coy Carp and stopped again for lunch. Graham spent a couple of hours mending things including fitting the wooden end back onto the tiller as Brenda broke it off today.

On the move once more for a short trip down through Black Jacks and Widewater to moor for the night opposite Harefield marina. A Kingfisher sat on the stern rail of a moored boat did not flinch or fly off as we passed. Best photo chance I’ve ever had of one of these birds.

Our overnight mooring was /// expose.harder.dock

Today’s timelapse video can be seen at https://youtu.be/MlKBBhZadls

Assisted passage

Thursday 20th August 2020

It was sunny when we woke up and stayed dry all day – surprising some pounds still appeared to be low after all the rain we had yesterday and during the night.

We passed this boat moored near Hemel Hempstead – a tree had fallen into the canal just missing the stern. A stiffish breeze was Brenda’s excuse for some excessive bobbing about whilst waiting for locks to be set. Once again we seemed to be following the same inconsiderate boater as yesterday until Kings Langley when the bottom gates were closed on our arrival.

We found ourselves being further held up by an assortment of newbie single handers who seemed to have little idea of the whys and wherefores of actual boating, just how to move their home from A to B. One lady admitted that she’d never hammered a mooring stake in before, but was going to give it a go as the only space available near Grove bridge had no piling. I was impressed by the SSSI that had established itself in this boats rear fender.

Earlier, we had heard of a lock closure, with restricted use for narrowboats only, at North Grove lock (71). CaRT were moving

boats through on ropes to reduce the chance of the damaged top gate failing further. It had collapsed due to rotten timber and being hit hard by a boat. It was open from mid AM until mid PM with a lunch break in the middle. We were 4th in the queue when we arrived and it took one and a quarter hours before we were roped through – engines off and no crew allowed on-board during this operation. We were told it would likely be mid-September before the gate could be repaired.

A busy day with thirteen slow locks and a delay near the M25 ;^)

A timelapse video of this journey can be viewed at  https://youtu.be/FjAlM30n9O4

Overnight mooring ///tribal.zeal.sand

And then it rained.

Wednesday 19th August 2020

We woke to gentle rain, an improvement to the thunderstorms and floods of the last few days but enough to keep us tied up most of the day and tell ourselves it’s a holiday after-all.

We read, played games and re-organised our schedule out of necessity before finally deciding to set off at 4:30 in the afternoon. The rain was much reduced but accompanied us, coming on harder just as we moored up in Two Waters Park, above Boxmoor lock.

Fisheries lock

Our progress was impeded by a single hander ahead of us who had left all the lower gates open and paddles up as he’d left each lock. This gave us twice as much work to do, closing up and resetting paddles before filling the lock again. Luckily, we’ve perfected a technique to deal with the other top gate swinging open as Jannock enters through the single open gate – it involves Brenda moving the boat across to the far side and shutting that gate whilst I draw the first bottom paddle after closing my side.

Finally tying up at 19:10 meant the catering department decided on a tin of minced beef as the quickest dinner – classy eh?

Tonight’s mooring /// riding.nests.digits

Covid Limited Cruise–Part II

Tuesday 18th August 2020

Planned Blood bike duties performed, we arrived in Berkhamsted from home and moved back on board at about 4pm. Brenda to do housekeeping while Graham went off back home in the car to leave it there. After-all we will be nearer home at the end of our planned trip than we are now.

On the return run from Thame aboard the Di Blasi, a combination of a very hot day and lots of Buckinghamshire hills caused the clutch to overheat and seize up. Graham managed to free it and make it all the way back to Jannock OK.

Meanwhile, catering department set off to the chippie at Berko station. Bemasked, the customers queued patiently outside. “ one haddock, one rock and medium chips please” – it’s so rare to find rock salmon on offer she had to order it for very old-times sake, uni days in Brighton. She offered her contactless card to be told “ we only take cash” of which she had insufficient. She plodded back to Jannock ‘fish & chipless’

Cap’n Jannock hold the boats treasure chest and so, on his return from the car shuffle, he walked up to the chippie and fetched dinner while the table was laid.

Then he noticed how little juice was left in the batteries so at 8pm we set off south down the Grand Union and continued on to below Bottom Side Lock. It was dark when we moored for the night. All in all not the most positive start to our holiday.

Home for the weekend.

Thursday 13th August 2020

A bit cooler today so we set off down through six locks and Berkhamsted  before mooring below Rising Sun lock. To cheer us, there was a ‘help yourself’ bag of marrows at Gas 1 lock, thankyou, how thoughtful.

As we exited the last lock Brenda had a sad tear in her eye. A toddler, about 2, was watching us leaving the lock. Instead of the ‘normal’ wave he kept sending the new greeting of kissed fingers flung out toward us. Wonderful! but sad that Covid has fashioned his ‘new normal’.

We moored up behind a boat that had it’s engine running to charge batteries. Before we had finished tieing up, it’s owner had come out and appologised. No problem. He then said anything we needed, just let him know. Who siad modern youngsters have no respect? Most do.

Graham fetched the car from Marsworth and we set off home for the weekend. More Blood-biking duties over the weekend.

Mooring /// feast.dribble.nametag

Shade – an essential DIY need.

Wednesday 12th August 2020

After a night that was more African Queen than Up The Junction ( Arms – pub – geddit?) we got up slowly and enjoyed a fry-up taken on the cratch table.

We then took a little ‘cruisette’ deeper into Tring cutting and moored up in the deep dark shade offered by the large trees there-in. Cap’n Jannock then took on the role of galley-fitter-outer.  In this temperature, the fridge has really struggled so some ventilation holes were drilled into the work surface above to provide better convection of cool bilge air up past the heat radiator on the back. The holes in the floor were drilled many years ago during the last on-board heatwave. He then cut out a bit more of the end panel of the sink unit to allow better side access and install another shelf within.

DIY completed, we set off in sunshine and rain, it is British summertime after all, no matter how odd times are. We pulled over above Cowroast lock for water bemoaning the boats moored at NO MOORING signs for both winding and water points. Once the water tank was full, Graham prepared the lock but as we moved off a storm blew in pushing Jannock’s bows across the canal and jamming her between a boat on the long term mooring opposite and the inconsiderate sod moored in the winding hole. There was no where to go, she was jammed solid. Joining a mooring rope to the end of the centre line allowed Graham to pull her back across against the wind and assist getting into the lock. We got through the lock and tied up above Dudswell locks just as the storm struck full-on. Don’t want to do that again – fair put the whirl into whirlwind.

After dinner, we moved off again and made our way down to Northchurch where we moored below the lock, amongst the houses that shield the canal from the railway and main road.  ///torn.lurching.deserved

A day of two parts

Tuesday 11th August 2020

Being nice and rural, we were able to sleep with the back slide and front door open enough to ensure cool air all night – Yay!

However, it was soon a bright, sunny and very hot morning whilst we were ascending the Aylesbury arm and the thirteen locks between our overnight mooring and Marsworth where we pulled over, opposite the entrance to the arm, under a shady tree. /// nagging.shelving.squares  Graham set off to do some car minding and domestics whilst Brenda found a cool shower.

During our ascent, at lock 7 on the arm, Brenda spotted a black rustling thing out of the corner of her eye. She looked but it had gone. As the lock filled and there was little boat movement it returned. Another black stoat/weasel/mink/ferrety thing (delete which beasts were not it) We stayed very quiet and still, watching it watching us. It obviously wanted to cross the lock gates but not whilst we were there, so it retreated into the brambles from whence it came.

Graham found some Damsons during our run up the locks, they made a nice change from blackberries – all delicious.

At 5:30pm, when we completely lost the shade on Jannock, we set off from our ‘sea-esta’ at Marsworth with the outdoor temperature nudging 92F (33C in modern heat) in the shade. It was so quiet towpath wise that it seems everyone but us thought it too hot to cruise. We passed through the first three locks solo but caught up another boat by lock 42. This single hander had passed our shady mooring over an hour earlier. Turned out he was the definition of ‘slow boat’ – be it to China or anywhere else.

Brenda got the benefit of his boating experience whilst sharing the next 4 locks with him – he’s had his boat for 4 years! Graham attended to the locks using the trusty lock wheeling bike. Once out of the flight we moved towards Tring cutting before mooring for the night in the shade of a good tree, ate our dinner and then had 47 drops of rain whilst watching the lightning and thunder wheel around us.

The single hander passed us later going back to Bulbourne on his bike and told us how grateful he was for all our help – bless!  Mooring /// camcorder.belt.mush

A timelapse video for Marsworth flight can be viewed at https://youtu.be/w7D9-izlsgg

Farewell Aylesbury

Monday 10th August 2020

Wildlife of the day :- a black mink under Park Street bridge, Aylesbury

We were surprised by the number of people in and around Aylesbury basin last evening. Most of all by the family groups who were posing for ‘selfies’ and group photos. The view is of Waitrose (closed) and Travelodge’s entrance, the back of the theatre, a couple of boats that were NOT resplendent in roses and castles and plenty of annoying ducks and pigeons. There must be more salubrious photo opportunities in Aylesbury – after all, it’s only a short walk to the Park and the David Bowie statue.

Another hot day – Cap’n Jannock jumped ship at 7am to return to Thame for some blood-biking duties. Then he had a shower after wearing his heavy motorcycle clothing before returning to the basin as 12 o’clock.

We moved Jannock across to the water point and filled up, then moved forward and moored under a shady tree. We remained there for the rest of the afternoon until 5pm but still the temperature wasn’t reducing much then but we set off anyway.

We made slow and frustrating progress through prop-tangling weeds and low overhanging trees. At Broughton lock there was a brief discussion whether to continue on for a further two locks when we noticed the bottom falling out of a large dark grey cloud further up the arm.

We moored on the piling above the lock just as the wind started building up, the air freshened and we heard thunder. We’ll do those locks tomorrow ;^) For the next halfhour we heard the thnder, saw the lightning but not a drop of rain.

Our mooring location was /// remainder.barman.slumped

Down into Aylesbury

Sunday 9th August 2020

As ever, the Aylesbury Arm is hard going. Admittedly NOT ‘miles and miles of poly round the prop’ – there is a lot less litter about this Covid year. Fewer litterers but the pickers are still about. Instead, round the prop we got weed, big weed, little weed and even last years weed. Luckily, with Jannock’s prop and shaft arrangement, most instances of weed can be cleared by throwing the engine into reverse and back again which seems to clear it OK. Therefore not too many trips down the weedhatch unlike another boat who was travelling down at the same time – we ended up having to pass her in the reed section.

As we neared Aylesbury there was less water too. Some sections of the reed tunnel were very narrow, only enough room for a single boat.

Below Broughton lock we met the junior Keens crew and so stopped to pick them up. Once they were settled we set off again down through the last two locks to Aylesbury basin. The heat meant that we couldn’t be as much fun as we’d hoped, the hot life jackets and toddlers are not the best combo.

We had some time aboard with them before abandonning ship to visit the local park and then across the road to home where a paddling pool provided fun and coolth.

Back to Jannock for us two once it was toddlers teatime and we spent the evening sat out in the shade of an office block trying to keep cool. Mooring location was /// couple.slowly.powers

A timelapse video of today can be found at https://youtu.be/xECjRvMjjhs

Onto the Aylesbury Arm

Saturday 8th August 2020

Another scorchio day so we chose a very late start and arrived at Jannock at about 4pm.

We readied the boat and set off towards Marsworth turn at just after 5pm. Unfortunately it was still quite warm so the steerer was grateful for the cool breeze within the locks generated by the water flowing over the top gates. This also had the effect of making most of the locks ready for us when we arrived with no need to fill first.

After doing nine locks we moored for the night out in the country above Puttenham top lock. It’s a good job the location choice wasn’t made specifically for being quiet. We found ourselves under a flight path and just across a field from a noisy village pub/disco. (No one said Covid was quiet ;^) And then the evening harvesting started.

A cool breeze joined the party and dinner was taken out on the foredeck. Then Cap’n Jannock got out his power tools and added to the general noise by ‘fine tuning’ the newly manufactured safety gates so that they were secure for our newest ‘crew members’ who are joining ship tomorrow.

Our mooring location is /// hardening.justifies.rate

A timelapse video of today’s trip can be found at https://youtu.be/JHpWveUE4QE

Easy run to Marsworth

3rd August 2020

After a peaceful rural night, today we had the luxury of sharing with a two handed crew who did ‘things’ exactly the same way as we do. They made all of the locks easy. Their lockside lady even got out a bicycle so that she could assist Graham with the setting ahead – excellent!

At Pitstone wharf, the sharp bend was made more complicated by two ‘breasted up’ moored boats just before the apex with a loosely tied widebeam behind. The offside willows are growing over the water again so that the two on-coming craft had very little vision ahead of them. Luckily no-one was mucking about or racing so all was safe and mainly serene.

We said farewell to our sharers as we pulled over to stop at Marsworth (teardrop.resembles.skyrocket) They were continuing up the locks, destination the Wendover Arm.

A video of this trip is at https://youtu.be/VM0Zr7Mt3PM

A numpty at Grove lock.

2nd August 2020

Wildlife of the day  A Red Kite swooped down and took something, probably tasty, from the canal.

Graham started off at silly-o’clock while I stayed a-bed – I blame the drugs!

As usual, it was a pleasant cruise through Milton Keynes with the added bonus of lovely sunshine. There were a few boats about and it pleased us to see more hire boats out. At Fenny Lock we paired with some newby hirers who were out for an extended weekend on a Wyvern boat – the consolation prize for not being able to take their planned holiday in the USA.

Grandad was at the tiller and quite perplexed by it all. Most of the family stayed inside and were leaving him to it. He ttok the ‘Jannock School of Boating’ short course through Stoke Hammond, Soulbury and Leighton locks and was quite enjoying himself so they decided to continue on to wing below Grove lock before returning to their base. They came from Barry in South Wales and had heard about the hordes that had turned up there this weekend, they were pleased to be away.

When we arrived at Grove lock a ‘numpty’ and his crew were busy tying his sailaway boat to the lock landing so that they could go to the pub. When asked he reasoned that this was the only place available to moor. We pulled across and tied to a moored dumb barge opposite whilst the lock was prepared and Graham pointed out that where he had tied up was reserved for boats to use when locking up or down. They then proceeded top pull his boat back and tie it across the winding hole.

This was when the hirers arrived and tried to turn their boat there with great difficulty. We awarded them 10/10 for their efforts when they finally made it round.  ‘Numpty’ could not work out what they were doing as he thought they were just going up a side arm. Graham then pointed out that it was an official turning point and that he should not moor across that either. There were about 4 boats moored after the winding hole so moving back was not practical so once were were in the lock Graham told him that he could moor against the dumb barge like we had which would leave both the winding hole and the lock landing available to other boats. As we entered the lock this is what he did.

Brenda took Jannock in through the open single gate and a child in the pub garden shouted “that’s amazing” and both he and his little brother clapped. There was a lovely ripple of laughter around the garden so she took a bow and curtsied to yet more laughter.

We moored for the night ‘out in the sticks’ (under.burst.economies) below Slapton lock and later the ‘numpty’ cruised past and were very pleasant by now. As they returned the other way later, they even slowed down to pass us.

Down the locks and onto Milton Keynes

Saturday 1st August 2020

It dawned much cooler today, all the better for tackling Stoke Bruerne’s six locks. We had spent a pleasant evening chatting with a couple on a hireboat who were packing up to return their boat and go home today. No social distancing problems here – just normal canal life separated by the distance between the moored boats. They were already thinking about their next family trip and asked us what was our favourite canal. We were unable to choose, and sometimes the events that stand out are the serendipitous ones that could never be repeated. We realised that even the calamities had merit, if only for comedy value. I suspect we made their life more difficult by talking of canal trips that they hadn’t much considered by the sound of it.

We descended Stoke Bruerne locks easily, if not slowly, sharing with nb Victoria. Most of the delay was due to boats coming up and the slowness of the boats in front of us. A couple of ascending boats weren’t sure what to do or where to go but the wide pounds gave plenty of room to dance around each other.

A group of dog-walkers were going up the towpath towards Stoke Bruerne. They all had greyhounds with them, we’ve never seem so many all together. All were rescue dogs and their rescuers meet up most Saturdays for a group walk. The dogs were all beautifully behaved but it bothered me that so many dogs need rescuing once their racing days are over. Is it sport, or just gambling with the dogs being considered disposable?

At one point, north of Milton Keynes, we met a very large Orange thing approaching us. Obviously an ex-liferaft from a big ship but taking up a lot of space when you finding it coming towards you round a corner.

We moored for the night a Linford Park (readily.fattest.mystified) which brought back memories of a holiday cruise taken nearly 40 years ago with our Mum’s and brothers (Gary and Adam) and a very small Simon aboard. We walked round the park, the Almshouses and up into the village. A pleasant evening constitutional.

A timelapse video for the locks can be found at https://youtu.be/6g-wCGWhvhE 

A video of the rest of the trip through Cosgrove is at  https://youtu.be/WQzB_2s4ShU

Through Blisworth tunnel

Friday 31st July 2020

The heat of the day was lifting by the time we arrived at Jannock in the early afternoon, aided by a drop of rain.

We set off towards Blisworth tunnel. For a change, the temperature within the tunnel was luvverly, if a bit smokey and drippy. With Jannock’s new LED tunnel light we were able to admire the mineral deposits on the walls and roof more than ever before. The soot deposits of yesteryear reminded us of how smokey this tunnel would have been in days gone by. We could clearly see the rebuilt section done in the 1980s, as well as the patches on patches throughout. So many different shapes, sizes and colours of brick.

We have started using What3Words to identify our overnight mooring locations. Tonight we are at succeed.appraised.trackers.

A couple of hours then moor up.

Friday 24th July 2020

Graham went off early on the DiBlasi to do a car shuffle from Brinklow. I did a little light houskeeping, but only after a lay-in. On his return, we set off as the cloud broke and sunshine set in. There were quite a few boats about - private, hire and dayboats. We made our way to the 14 day moorings at Wrights Lane Bridge 'snack.cubs.yesterday' as we had to return home for a week.

Two flights of locks and a tunnel.

Thursday 23rd July 2020

Today we hit two flights of locks with the good fortune of sharing them with two pleasant and expert crews. The first was Braunston flight which we sahred with a couple of Kiwi's who had got many miles of canals beneath their boat. 

The second were a family of first time hirers with who we shared Buckby flight. The young lad steerer had gained a lot of skill in his short experience. Brenda suggested that he had a go at entering and leaving locks together. Reluctantly he agreed and then proceeded to do it very well. It made life a lot easier for the crews of both boats. One of the pounds was very low and not having the confidence to remain close to Jannock, he started going aground. Brenda explained how fewer revs, or even reverse would solve the problem. He had a go and was off almost immediately. They had enjoyed their holiday and were taking the boat back to the hire base. There was a box of 'free stuff' outside one of the lock cottages so Mumhad a good rummage and came back with all sorts of stuff for Gran, Grandad and daughter.

Cap'n Jannock fitted a new LED tunnel light during the enforced rest - marks out of 10 = 10. What a difference! It's so much easier when you can see both sides and the roof, but not dazzle on coming craft. As we were shutting up for the night we noticed lots of bats skimming for insects so we watched them until there was no light left to see them by.

Overnight mooring 'wolf.minimums.each' and today's video is at https://youtu.be/fwGF1kxXOjY

2020 Cruising starts here

Wednesday 22nd July 2020

Yay - we are off! This year we have decided to record our overninght mooring locations by using the 'what3words' location recorded in the front well deck. Our mooring at Brinklow is 'quilting.districts.skin' if you want to see where Jannock has been since October.

By this time last year we had visited Liverpool and Chester and was on our way to Birmingham - city breaks all round. With all the extra time in dock, Jannock has benefitted, inside and out, with some tlc. Bills all paid and space reserved for next winter we left Brinklow at 10am.

The weather was almost perfect - just a little too breezy to allow for easy manoeuvring between the locks at Hillmorton when numpties can't decide what to do or where they are going. It was a novelty not to have to bob about waiting as boats are queued for locks. This year the Cap'n has been messing about with timelapse videos to record our travels. Hillmorton is at https://youtu.be/mQ6QamRk1Bk for your pleasure.

an early finish at the top of the locks (unspoiled.snaps.handsets) simply to get a take-away Indian meal from Exotica Bengal Quisine up on the shopping parade at Hillmorton. Definitely worth it - an excellent meal as always.

Our take-away order was ready to collect at 6pm, Jannock's bike ensured a speedy delivery (all downhill from the restaurant). We found out tha they will deliver to the towpath if requested.On their desert menu they list a 'Nutella Nan bread' , and on their main menu they have a 'design your own Nan bread' option. They reacted positively to Brenda's request for a 'Peshwari Nutella Nan' and wondered why they hadn't thought of it. She now claims to have invented it. The sun was still out so we decided on an evening cruise to Barby. New mooring location is 'deeper.thing.trick'