Hi

Its been a long time getting here but yes we are now out on the Cut.

We left this morning the weather was kind to us Dry and calm rather cold but really it was nice to be out.

WE are travelling to Manchester with Kath and John travelling together make it a bit easier especially the locks the first seven are the worst not only are we a bit rusty from having had the winter off, the first seven locks up the Rufford are some of the worst you can come across and are shattering if you are rusty or not, Danny was out early and had both boats filled with Diesel, Pumped out, Gas bottles fitted in record time. Having said all our Goodbyes We left the Marina Playing Land of Hope and Glory as loud as we could get it, lots of boaters were out waving us either Bonne Voyage or waving Glad to be shut of you, Who Knows ???? We are now moored up at Dean Lock for the first night the day was incident free Which is how I hope it will stay. Tomorrow we are going through Wigan and having an overnight at Booths Town Marina.

Today has been a reminder of why we chose this Life Style. Gliding along a peaceful unspoilt canal is a great way of putting sanity back into your bone.

Could’t get on the internet last night no signal.

We are now in Boothstown staying in the Marina overnight the trip today was again almost trouble free all except Plank lane this is just for the boaters. Plank lane is now Boater operated you have to use your BW key The operating unit is on the Liegh side and difficult to find it has restricted hours its closed between 8 and 10 am and 4 and 6 pm it would be nice if BW would inform people I had words with a BW inspector about the lack of information and the way he ignored Noreen and Kath who were politely asking for help. yes I did give him a bit of grief but he reach in his pocket and took a photo of my licence number so I took a photo of him and his car number der der der bloody pillock .

So Tomorrow sees us in Castlefield

And we have not yet got wet

Stay awake

Big Al

Hi Everyone

That’s it; I do believe that winter is now behind us and we can now see some nice weather ahead.

The other day I had to walk a few miles back to the marina after taking the car for its MOT, On the walk back and started to consider what a wonderful part of the world we live in. I know things look bad at times. I for one know how I can go off on one with things that irritate me, but when we look at these irritations that’s all they are; irritations, I for one love to have a good old moan But today walking through this special part of Lancashire I thought how lucky we are to live in such a wonderful place as Britain where we can to some extent say what we want, call who we want, moan about who we want and not be afraid of a knock on the door in the early hours when we would be taken away and probably never seen again. Sometimes I hate what I hear people say but I will defend to the death their right to say it. Today the sky was blue the sun was warm and all was well with the world, So we are getting short of water, service stations had run out of petrol, we have a set of complete morons trying to run the country, Pubs are closing, Police and Fire stations are closing, and every week we loose another soldier to a war that has no end and no reason.

But who and what we are has given us the resilience to withstand these little Irritation ( sorry loosing a soldier can not be described as an irritation) and the fortitude to get on with sustaining our special culture, a culture that has lasted and developed over 1000’s of years Lets not worry about Islamic invasions, Americanisation, Constricting European law, it will only happen if we forget or abandon our own heritage.

Today people is the beginning of Holy leading up to Easter a time for a new beginning.

Rejoice and be happy look at what we have not what we want I am more determined this year to enjoy life to its utmost

Because of this great weather I am two weeks ahead of schedule with the boat Old Buggerlugs is now ready for the off. We are away on St Georges Day 23erd April Quite apt. Can’t wait to get back on the cut meeting old friends seeing new places and making new friends

Keep an eye open for us

Go Bless

Big Al







　

Technology and Me

Hi Everyone

Is it me or are we loosing it, As my mobile phone is on contract, I was contacted by Orange saying I was due an upgrade and would I like to call in . As I am quite happy with my tariffs and phone though it is looking well worn I thought to leave it. However I was in town and though why not ??? I explained that I was perfectly happy with the phone and that it was perfect as a PHONE and would like one very similar, I then got the supercilious look from a sales man(boy)
The look that says you are over 60 and thick, Sorry sir they don’t make them like that anymore they have been replaced by these, I am then shown an array of phones and an explanation of what they do. I did try to explain that I did not require a mini lap top. Nor do I require to be shown where I am (yet) I normally know, and if I don’t I can read and have the power and politeness to ask. I do not need to know how many emails are awaiting a reply. Or Play music that only annoys everyone in earshot, watch films or sport whilst I am, well doing something else . I am not a technophobe I am just perfectly happy doing one thing at a time. As the young man had no definitive answers to why I would or should need these Apps he was now looking very depressed and confused ( I now know what they an Apps is ) he was even more worried that the type I wanted he did not have. Noreen was now taking me to one side and saying “just put the bloody phone back in your pocket and lets go!” I was not for budging, if I am on contract and ours is due for upgrade I want a upgrade we are paying for it . After nearly 1 ½ hours the by now knackered and considering suicide young man had a eureka moment and came out of his stock room with what he thought was the ideal one for me? I still wasn’t convinced as it is a touch screen phone, it will do all of the above you can even phone people on it! I suggested that as I was not going to require the Extras sorry Apps and it was their request I change my phone also it was not my fault that he could not replace like for like I should at least have a little discount on my contract. I could see now I had won he even turned off the bloody background music, even with his explanation that I was walking out with one of the most expensive phone in the shop. I repeated the fact that it was not as friendly as my OLD one. We did reach a very amicable agreement on my side anyway . Having shaken hands and left the shop in a very jubilant mode I met Noreen who had crossed the road to the coffee shop in disgust and embarrassment .

We have now had it three days and can even answer the thing now I have also managed to delete 99% of the Apps as the battery was only lasting 20 hrs. Enough I am sure that by now you have got the gist. Why has everything that is suppose to improve our lives complicates it even more????????????????

My real point is this |: there as more of us than them so why should we be forced to accept something that we do not want, need or otherwise ever use. I realise that its a changing world and I embrace change but why throw the baby out with the bath water. So if we do have to accept technology lets make sure its on our terms lets face it the sales people in these shops are no match for us of a certain age who have been around the block a few times

PS

My contract has been reduced by £15 a month that’s on my dongle and my phone ????????????



For those interested in the boating side things are going well, since last years accident I am not as mobile as I was, but I am managing; things just take a little longer. I have yet to service the engine, Change the batteries, paint the Roof, Gunnel and do some blacking then ready for the off.
We are assisting with the marinas exhibition at the Crick show so if anyone wants to catch us we will be there Sun Mon Tue I believe I will be doing my painting the itinerary is vaguely After Easter setting off for the LLangolan taking people over the Pontycsyttl? then down the Montgomery we will then hand over the boat to Matthew for the bank Holiday whilst we drive to Crick yes I said drive return from Crick, boat over to the Weaver to meet my brother for a weeks fishing then pick up Noreen's sister Mary she is over from Australia for their dads 90th birthday in July the rest you will just have to stay following the  Blog.  But as you can see its quite full though as the south may be short of water again we are staying away from the south anyway tried south of Birmingham twice first time Noreen broke her wrist second time I broke everything else. so we are staying were its safe. ish??

keep touch
Big Al

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