January News Letter

Hi Everyone

This time of year the canal is not a very exciting place even the dog walkers are taking their dogs belongings home with them which leaves me no one to shout at I could always rely on them for a good old barny. Last week we had a little excitement as I assisted in craning two boats in and one out I know that sounds quite boring but believe me it was the high light of my week. The one we craned out I power sprayed it suffered from neglect over the winter and sank its only a 14ft sailing dinghy so nothing got ruined we will replace all the wood fittings and give it a good coat of paint be as good as new. Then I start on Buggerlugs I have to have her ready by April as we are off again and have lots to do and places to go and Peo;e to see.  I intend putting all medoica matters on ho;d until September.

I am quite busy with the paintings though the weather is playing hell with that getting the paint to harden off is a nightmare as one day is dry the next wet and the next damp I have started using the engine room as a drying room I know I hear you “Always bloody moaning” Noreen is still working in the cafe, she loves it, work is what she lives for and she loves being with customers when we had the business she use to keep me well away from customers ( people who know us know why????.)

At last I am getting some hospital appointments in I have had Mri scans, Electric probes making muscles jump, x-rays, all sorts of tests But I think they have now decided that that my cervical spine was damaged in the fall it means that when a signal leaves my so called brain it does not always arrive at its intended destination at times it causes some hilarity and embarrassment but on the whole its not life threatening I wake up every morning, I can dress myself and fish what else does a man want. I have a lot to thank God for.

I am on the hunt for either a Otter or a Mink what ever it is, There are definite signs about and it’s causing hell with the fishing I will have to take care what I do if its a mink then I am afraid its got to go if its an Otter then the environment will have to be informed and a party held in its honour.

February I have dedicated to catching up with friends so all expect a visit, we have Maurine coming on board for a few days we have a do with Marjorie’s and at the same time catch up with Silvia and Alan at the same time. Don’t worry plenty of time for the rest of you. We are still open for visitors.

God Bless you All

Big Al

Craning In

CHRISTMAS MERCHANDISING

I just thought as I was running out of time for Christmas. So I thought I would have a good old Christmas Rant
This year its about shopping . Today I was talking to Matthew he complained about how everything has gone up in price, but you get nothing extra except commercial wrapping that you do not want.
Here is a test try buying Mince pies without fancy Christmas wrapping that must put a penny on every pie
The super market shelves are full of cream but You cannot buy cream without it having rum or some other festive ingredient added . And where has all the normal food gone all the shelves are full of Christmas crap everything to con you to part with hard earned cash . I find it insulting to my intelligence to read some of the ads. Plenty of Turkey advertised as the best Turkey for Christmas So! what happens to it the rest of the year? believe me Turkey is turkey whether you have it Christmas, Easter , Thanks Giving it matters not its the way its cooked that matters . I saw a washing Machine which said it uses Hydrothermal Technology
Right lets translate Hydro Greek for Water , Thermal again Greek for To Heat so the term Hydrothermal Technology ( I shall not insult you with the term for technology) but all it means is To heat Water, now I’m no technologist but I do know its very difficult to wash clothes without hot water ?? Would that encourage you to buy it . Or the Collins version is : of hot water affecting Earth's crust: relating to, or produced by, the action of extremely hot water on the Earth's crust what has that to do with Wash day???????
And why are people leaving the supermarket with trolleys ready to sit out a siege . Noreen has to restrain me from shouting (For Gods sake they are only shut for two days) No matter how many come for Christmas you can’t possibly use that much food. And Now nearly every garage sells food 24/7 so why? .I want to know how families of 10 managed before supermarkets, fridges and freezers. I am not going to start (When I was a lad ) I realise we are in a different era But come on supermarkets and Merchandisers must think we are all stupid
Here are some of my stupid ads Look out for them and have a laugh non would entice me to buy or even look at twice:
Here are some adverts that really annoy me :



1. A Perfumed spray that lasts ninety days, which they claim is; one full season, However there are four seasons in a year 4x90 is 360 so what happens to the other 5 Days???? Of a normal year
2. Why would I want to know how many machines can fly? when advertising an airline I want to know what type of aircraft they fly. I do not want to fly by Lawn Mower, Washing Machine, or vacuum cleaner.
3. Now there is one that depicts a dancing bullock; dancing I may say to some bloody awful music which in its entirety looks like its covered in Chocolate
However to my great dismay its an ad for Gravy. What has a dancing Bullock looking as though is covered in chocolate to do with gravy

Except the spurious connection between the bullock and Beef
I have just spent two days trying to Score a joint of pork without using my hands, I failed.
But Morrison’s insist that their pork is only scored by hand . I can now assure everyone that there is NO other way ?????? So therefore no need to mention it.

I am not a Humbug and really love Christmas I just hate what the commercial world are doing to it
Lets bring back the excitement, the love , the Wonder of Giving and the sharing .

God Bless

Big Al

Season Greatings

Hi Everyone

Its that time of year when I wish everyone a

 Merry Xmas and a Happy new year

In the past week I have bumped into some old  friends. Monday I was at a IWA meeting I went to a talk on the river Weaver by Colin Edmondson if you ever get a chance to hear him talk about the Weaver go along he was so enthusiastic it was great  There I met Jim & Helen NB Val Jim and Helen assisted Noreen after I took my ride in the air Ambulance. It was great to catch up and even make plans for next season. Tues I met and old comrade who I haven't seen since we were on Duty in Kenya.  Bob and Norma stayed overnight on a flying visit between Canada and Northern Irland. That was a great night we had an awful lot to catch up on.. Thur was dinner with Kath, Di John and John that's about it 
Its been a great week for catching up
The year has been a strange on I hope that 2012 will lead us to calmer waters and pleasant cruising. 2011 has taught me a lot about myself and my friends and Family who have supported me through what has been a very interesting few months. I still cannot believe just how fortunate I am to have such wonderful people around me.  Of course all those who I have not mentioned and that is all of you who read my ramblings who also also have given me great comfort I thank you all. Christmas is a time to enjoy your Family and Friends I for one will certainly enjoy all mine.
The marina has given up the fight with the ever  increasing winter and has now a thin film of decorative Ice looking at my weather forecast by Thurs it should be all gone. But I have said it before I never worry about anything I cannot change.

I now intend to have a great Christmas and enjoy something 6 months ago I thought I would never see again
God Bless
Big Al

My Poor Barometer

I know that being British we are naturally at one with the weather. However after the last two weeks I am giving up with it, My Barometer has spun off its dial and how come we can have extra warm off season weather one day and typhoons the next. I use to pride myself on my knowledge of the weather. When I took my Glider pilots licence I even sat an exam on weather, but this lot has me completely Flummoxed

In the past week the boat has taken a right old bashing, yesterday quite early we took Buggerlugs for a pump out, Early as I take the opinion that the wind gets worse as the sun heats up the land. So before the wind really got started we were off. Noreen was on the bow dressed in all her weather safety gear looking like the man on a packet of fisherman's Friends, I was on the tiller when I heard her shout "turn her into the wind helmsman, drop the foresail, get ready with the anchor (I love old Naval Films) but honest it was like rounding the horn, all we needed was Capt Ahab on this whaler Piquod cutting across our bow shouting “their she blows” the rest of the marina must have been waiting for some fool to test the wind and the immobility of a 60ft craft (yes I was it) I have just done a quick calculation 60ft boat minus 7ft of cratch and 3ft of trad stern that leaves 50ft x 5ft of boat equating to 250sqft of sail to assist in sending the boat where you don't want it to go. Anyway because they saw that I managed to get there and back to my mooring without hitting anyone. Well actually We let the wind take us back I could have cut the engine. The upshot of all this was I finished up assisting another three boats across before the wind got really angry, then even polling was not an option, So every one now has been pumped out and filled with fuel lets hope in two weeks time the gales have subsided so we can do it all over again. Today we had four hours of torrential rain and 70mph winds I have sent a video of the best part of the storm. Today the waves were so high they were washing water over the stern, broadside on water was over the gunnels’ and washing the windows. I believe that's what they call the Joys of Boating one thing about this boating lark is you never get bored

As we are now in Advent I am starting to get the excited about Christmas and jobs we have to do, by we that I mean me and my boss (Noreen) are doing the Christmas fate on Saturday at least I have not been volunteered for Santa just the food I would rather clean gutters than do Santa I am looking at solar Christmas lights for my new garden we are even decorating the outside of Buggerlugs I don’t normally like too many Christmas decorations but hey lets go for it. Lets celebrate.

All of you keep well

Big Al

Settling down for winter

Settling down Mind and Boddy


Today being Remembrance Sunday I was on parade its the day that brings many memories not only remembering my comrades, but many other memories come to the fore.

Its that time of year, for me its a very melancholy time of, We now put the summer behind us the autumn with its wonderful colours has almost gone and left us with mere memories and past us on to winter I know its not officially winter yet but I have scraped my car of ice twice this week, slipped on frosty leaves, though the other morning we were treated to a beautiful mist rising off the marina, I know you can get Misty mornings in the summer but not with the mist smelling of cordite mixed with bon fire smoke it always reminds me of a live firing exercise in the army.
Autumn began with a subtle change in the light, with skies a deeper blue, and nights that suddenly become clear and chilled. The rustle of leaves under your feet, For me the Autumn comes to a halt with the first frost, the flocks of migrating birds becoming much larger and now they seem to have an urgency about them , the harvesting of the of the last of the years crops is in, The time of year when settling down is in order when travelling is done,. Time now to remember the Spring, Summer and Autumn just gone. Also for me its a time to remember absent friends , not to be too Maudling but this time of year or more precisely the first two weeks of November I put aside to remember; as most people know I never look behind only forward except for these two weeks, In these two weeks we celebrate All souls day and Remembrance Day. Both of which give me the opportunity to pay my respects, and remember those who did not share my luck, But hey what a year ???? I am still available for tips on Blacking your boat or tips on health and safety?????

Now most of nature is starting bedding down for winter which is only just weeks away, I always feel I should be doing the same and getting myself bedded down.

This winter though I intend to stay ahead of the game Next week I shall concentrate on the boat engine and car engine getting them ready for what ever winter throws at us I am not looking at forecasts if it happens it happens there is nothing I can do about that except be prepared, One fantastic thing about the boat as long as you are prepared you can sit out any winter, I know continuous cruising is different but even that can be

“fun” at times ?? As long as you are prepared So my tip for the day is “be a good scout and Be Prepared)

Noreen’s brother Bob and his wife Norma are coming from Canada for a visit at the beginning of December

Only for a day on the boat ,so we have lots of vacancies in the social calendar this time of year we are always short of visitors so if you want a visit just give me a call we would love to see you .

Sorry no pics you must be fed up of the sight of me

God Bless

Big Al

Hi Everyone

Very sorry to report that very little is happening on board Buggerlugs, I have been attempting to winterise her I have managed most of it however it has been a struggle I thought on leaving hospital IO would just carry on as before (stupid idea) but I have just soldiered on things take a bit longer but hey nothing else to do. Noreen is enjoying her two days a week in the cafe its gets her from under my feet and I can do all those man jobs?? done whilst she is away. I have had a few painting jobs on the go and finding it a lot easier now we have a garden lots of room for spraying and even more room for storing and drying.
I have not wrote the blog for a few weeks because I have been to four funerals all of which were great friends, these Departure's have left me doing a lot of thinking and wondering what could have been. That may sound very macabre but hey I am still here and I must not feel guilty. I suppose At my stage in life I am going to get periods like this.
Buggerlugs is still playing host to many family and friends and continuing hosting many enjoyable evenings with good wine good food good port and most of all good friends now that is how we should live our life's forget about the recession riots and demos surround yourself with good friends and good food and sod the rest of the mad world. Concentrate on what is really important
As these pics show we have been enjoying the last days of Autumn
God Bless
 Big Al

Visitors can always get rest and recuperation

Or if its our Kieth just fishing will do

Thomas and Nunu (gran) Enjoying the last gorgeous

days of Autumn on Southport sands

I am