Hello again

One of our regular walks


Thomas being Thomas

Southport beach (cleaned)

Rufford is the epicentre of Lancashire Ballooning

Well Hi everyone

I know I have been very quiet over the past few weeks, well since we returned to the mooring

One reason is that things are very quiet and the other is I am not sure that anyone is reading this stuff?? My last blog was my 10 most irritating moans, I actually sent to the RBOA magazine who kindly published it and to be honest I have had more response from them than you lot, Now I'm not complaining honest because I sometimes read this myself (but not often otherwise, I wouldn't publish anything) and I would have trouble responding to it. However if I get no response then I must assume I am talking to myself, which again is nothing very unusual.

So here we are back in the homestead of Rufford, as I said things are very quiet luckily the weather has been good so we are out and about a lot lots of walks and a bit of fishing here and there. Lots of our old friends from the marina have gone, the ones that are left are very quiet.

Quite unlike the boaters you find out on the cut, who all seem to be very jolly, or maybe its just the time of year?

Living so close to nature you tend to become part of it, here on the Marina we are very close to Martin Mere bird sanctuary and experience the comings and going of all the migratory pattens of the bird population of the north west coast, not only that its the feel of the changing season on breeze over the water, the way the change of wind and cloud formation determines the following days weather, the excitement of the hedgerow birds on a frosty morning scavenging for the few leftover maggots from fishing, watching the my pet Robin go from a scrawny little brown drab bird to a little fat red breasted nuisance as he piles on his winter fat

As I said living this close to nature maybe it gets into the human sole and makes you start your own preparation for the cold months to come, and part of that is becoming a bit solitary, as my neighbours seem to be doing.

Of course this year will be our first real winter when we are both retired. Though in one respect its great that neither of us will have to get up early and face the ice and snow which will be a relieve, on the other hand we have both always had a Job to do with people relying on us and having a worth, getting use to this quiet routine is getting rather difficult, when we are out cruising you are so busy and have specific tasks that keep you going. But now we are tending to get under each others feet so one of us needs to find a few hours work just for the convenience of not shooting each other.

I have a few paint jobs for the Marina but they will not keep me going for long in fact by Weds I will have completed them.

I have thought of being a Asda greeter " what do you think" in fact let me know what your ideal job for me would be?

Thanks for listening to my rambles.

Speak to you all again soon

I have selected a few pics since we came back

Grumpy old Boatmen

This is dedicated to our Kieth, Who became an expert at vandal locks and started me thinking?????

Grumpy Old Boat Men

Now I am by nature an easygoing sort of person I have no hang ups, no, mental malfunctions, and quite independent. I did my 22 years in the army so I have seen it, done it, been there, fulfilled all my ambitions, and satisfied most of my curiosity. Therefore, the easy life of living afloat suits me fine.

However recently I have found myself becoming more and more annoyed with little grumps, having watch Grumpy old men on the tele I thought I would write my own Grumpy old Boat men, lets see if these basic ten gripes ring any bells with you.

These are in descending order number 1 being just a little niggle and number ten being my pet hate (at the moment)

1. I tour mainly the north and come in contact with a lot of hire boats I find increasingly that these poor families on their hire boats have been told that the Cheshire ring is possible in seven days. Now this would entail apron 90 locks including the Manchester 8 and the Marple 16 both very busy places. Now for a family of four, Mum Dan two kids this cruise would mean starting at 6am and still cruising at 7pm. This with a small family is hell I have heard comments of never again, its too hard, the kids are board, holiday from hell So come on hire companies give these boaters routes to suit individual families, remember a dad mum and two kids means dad is almost single handed. They could enjoy a nice relaxed holiday with just a little thought by the hire companies. I believe that a lot of the trouble we encounter with hire boats could be alleviated by reducing the frustration of not meeting deadlines, who wants dead lines on a boating holiday.
2. Visitors Moorings. I love visiting Towns and Villages along the canal and find that the history of the village or town normally corresponds with the history of the canal. I am finding more and more difficult to access these places because all the mooring are taken up with permanent linear moorings or even worse boats spending 10 weeks on a 24 hr visitors mooring. Last week I fell out with a boater who was doing a refit on a 24hr mooring because as he said “it was close to a DIY shop”. Come on spend some money you tight fisted begger and put it in a marina.
3. Incorrect signage. Too many shops, pubs, and other traders are putting signs on the canal stating that their business is only 500 yards from bridge?? Well little do they know that for miles in each direction of their sign there are no appropriate moorings and even when there are you find that the 500 yards has miraculously turned into a Himalayan trek. On one canal I can not mention due to a restraining order (joke) there is a sign that says Ice cream ¼ mile, we did four fields, six stiles, a heard of cows and a brook. By the time we got there, I needed a ventilator not an ice cream.
4. Intolerance of Hire Boaters. It is annoying when you moor up and the only topic of conversation is “damned hire boats”, some private owners seem to think that they are the only ones who have the nautical skill to run a boat. Let’s face it we have been doing it for a long time and have just about got the hang of it, my answer to all those private owners saying how they were rammed by a hire boat, is “how were you on your first week? Give them a break, friendly advice is far better than a bucket full of abuse. I know I have complained about hire boats’ ramming me but that was drunken crews that thankfully are rare and not restricted to hire boats, most of the trouble from hire boats is the fault of either bad or very poor instruction. Holiday boaters are fun to be around and I find them eager to learn, they only have the boat for a few days and just want to have fun so come on lighten up and do as I do give way, give them the water, I am in no rush I have mine on a permanent basis.
5. Broken / damaged pump out stations. Having traveled three days with a loo that is almost over flowing only to find that the only one for miles is broken and has been for day’s even weeks. I have all the respect in the world for BW staff and consider they do a great job but please the most important job is to keep those pump out pumping. I know its sounds selfish but marina pump outs costing anything from ₤17.00 to ₤20.00 it is a cost I cannot afford.
6. Gravel on service points. What a stupid thing to do, you have a service point that entails quite a bit of water being spilt and what do BW do cover the area in very fine gravel mixed with some sort of cement dust that, when wet makes the best paint stripper I know, its fantastic for stripping your deck down to its bear metal, Someone please explain this to me, But it doesn’t end there I know miles of tow path with the same material it looks great and is wonderful for push chairs, wheel chairs, and cycles but absolutely the worst thing ever for boaters. Now if you want Posh the Leigh branch of the Leeds and Liverpool has the tow path Tiled
7. Anti vandal locks. Ok I know in some areas we need them to guard against the little people but let us put our heads together and design something more user friendly. After all most of the little villains I see on the canal have there own key or could make one at school in DT. Most cuffs are so old that they now often cross thread or some macho hunk decides to put 50lb torque when locking it. Or the barrel has worn out. So let us assign these antiquated cuffs to the history bin.
8. Inconsiderate Mooring, I know we all want some kind of privacy when we moor up though if you wanted privacy you should have stayed at home, why! in lets say 600ft of good mooring space can you only get 4 boats moored, I will tell you why, because you get 6 x 60ft boats moor with 40ft of space between each boat WHY do the other boats smell? Have you fell out, or are you just unsociable. Come on give us all a chance moor up tight especially in busy areas.
9. Inappropriate Mooring. People who moor close to bridges, so close you can not see other boats coming, or lining up is impossible, or so close that when through the bridge you have not enough length to get around the moored boat without scraping the trees on the non tow path side, My gripe is that most of these boats are continual cruiser’s that never move the only reason they moor near the bridges so their owners have an easy walk and no other reason. Are we going to have to go down the auto route and have double yellow lines around Bridges, Locks, swing bridges, lift bridges?
10. Dog Poo. My number one pet hate. A beautiful day cruising ruined by throwing your rope off ready to moor up only to find it covered in dog poo or all over your shoes even worse bare feet. I advocate scooping it up and depositing it on the dog owner’s doorstep. Why do we have to put up with this disgusting, unsociable, habit, for that what it is a habit these people few though they are, but effective in the devistation that they bring, they must take a perverse pleasure in knowing they and ruining people day.

We are back

Kieth doing his vascular exercise


Boat full 10 for lunch great day

Well I still have no internet and the blogs are mounting up.

Since my last e- mail we have been quite busy, Roger has returned to warmer climate although it was a short visit we packed a lot into it.

Arriving at castelfields on Sunday afternoon we met Gerry and Chris and caught up with all the latest gossip, they have now left Fettlers and we will miss them they were great neighbors but intend catching them on the next cruise out. Monday evening Keith joined us at Castelfield ready to travel with us to Rufford.

Tuesday dawned wet and windy, this continued all day; the rain was relentless, I don’t think Keith realised how difficult traveling on the boat could be in bad weather, and as he says they don’t show this on Water world? Even with the weather, we still managed to get a pump out, fill up with water and pull in for shopping in Leigh. We pushed on in the afternoon and manage to get to our first destination by 2,30pm, which with all the weather and stops was a good time.

Wednesday was a better day, cold and cloudy but as we had to do eight locks so it was better that it was dull. Thursday the gang arrived, if I named them, all I would run out of space but let’s just say we had 10 for lunch, we all had a great day I believe John won the fishing match; this was only due to his tenacity and doggedness to stick at it. Amanda won the eating contest, Oh I love to watch people enjoy food. The rest of the day was divided up in eating and laughing which isn’t a bad way to spend the day.

Well folks that’s it we have arrived back in Fettlers the last leg down the Rufford was as always a bit sad though this time with all the problems we have had it was a bit of a relief

Now its time for sorting the boat out for the winter sounds a bit early and premature but I want to take my time over it.

I hope you will keep up with the blog and I may be doing a little children’s story for the winter we will have to see.

Thanks for sailing with us Oh by the way next year its Cambridge Noreen doesn’t know yet but it was her choice this year.

Speak soon

Buggerlugs

PS

Now at Maryanne’s,, Greg has managed to get me on line again he’s a genius

Sunny Stretford

Gerry & Chris"s boat next to us in Castlefield


Roger on the trip into Manchester

Hello from sunny Stretford, I think not.

Since we arrived last Tuesday it has not stopped raining, I would like to say welcome to Manchester but the Stretfordonians would have something to say about that.

The funeral we came for was yesterday (Thursday) and was very nice if that can be said but I am sure you know what I mean, Funerals are odd things as you know I do believe and I find no problem with saying goodbye to someone because by believe tells me they have returned to a better place so I never feel sad. Now I know some people say that this is a part of the brain covering up and disguising the reality of life and death but it works for me.

Even under these circumstances of Rogers mums’ funeral it has been great seeing him again we have been able to catch up. Last night we all went out for a drink, Noreen, Roger, John, Dianne, Alan and myself, and a lovely evening was had by all. Its hard to believe that we have been friends now for over 40 years, I often wonder if its because we all met through scouting and have a very similar outlook on life, that we have remained good friends for so long; maybe the above when they read this would like to commentAs we have the car here with us (Mat and Lorraine brought it over on Tuesday) we took Tom and Shirley to Bury market today Mackerel for tea and Black pudding for breakfast tomorrowWe have just sorted out next weeks cruise from here to Rufford. Meeting Chris and Gerry in Castlefield Basin on Sunday evening, Keith is joining us on Monday night, Tuesday we set off for Wigan and we should then have a day with the Belthorn crew in Astley Bridge on Thursday. Leaving enough time to get back to the Marina by Saturday lunch.END OF THIS YEARS CRUISE.

For the none boaters and boaters really a word about the wind. Here at the Watch house in Stretford the canal is a 1-mile straight line on a raised embankment that exposes itself to all the elements, especially the wind. In the past few days we have watched boats come down the canal as we call “crabbing” which means your boat progresses almost sideways as the wind catches the side of the boat and uses the side as a sail, and wants to pin you against one of the banks. The wind makes steerage very difficult.

Today I received two phone calls from people entering Castlefield basin with warnings of the wind strength and direction, as it was causing chaos amongst boaters. However, I am staying put, well anchored and roped up until Sunday afternoon when I hope this weather has moved south.

Tomorrow I am off to the Tatton park Vintage car rally with Roger that should be a good day out lets hope the weather changes,

At present I have no internet so this blog will just have to sit in cyber space until I can get on line

Speak Soon

Buggerlugs

Autumn

Fishing Match left in peace


Thomas doing a Nelson he's just missing a spy glass and a patch

Hi Everyone

I don't know if its me or the weather, but today we left Anderton early even though we were under a clear blue sky and not a breath of wind there was a definite chill in the air. Also other signs are showing an early Autumn squirrels are very busy, in some areas they are on a feeding frenzy taking no notice of human activity around them, I have noticed already that the sloe berry, and blackberry are so ripe they are rotting on the bush, I believe that these are signs of a very hard winter (again) on the boat its very noticeable that the nights are getting very chilly we have had to light a few fires and that is before the end of August which is very sad.

We are now in Lyme we came in this afternoon and managed to moor 100 yards from the chippy, guess what we had for tea, its these little pleasure that you look forward too on the boat its not like at home where you can just nip out to the chippy when the mood takes you, but "by eck" they really taste better for the waiting. We should arrive at Noreen's dads tomorrow which will be a day early. Having had the new drive plate I have been extra careful though we made exceptional time today even with a stop for Diesel, Pump out and water we still made excellent progress.

Today whilst waiting to go through the Preston Brook tunnel. I noticed over on the far bank was a farm house, outside under the kitchen window were two chairs and stood on one of the chairs was a goat looking through the window, unfortunately by the time I had got my camera it had dismounted, then, when I put the camera away the goat mounted the chair again to look through the window, this happened twice more before I gave up trying to capture this phenomenon and let the goat to do its own thing.

Monday must be the new Sunday because we passed another three fishing matches, However all the anglers today were very nice and none of them hurled abuse, so I surmise that all the boats that had passed them today must have been good one who slow down and do the right thing, that makes it easier for the rest of us it only takes one bad boater to make it very unpleasant for the rest of us.

That's your lot for now

Keep smiling

Big Al

That's your lot today

Breakdown

Boats awaiting to go into the cow shed?



Hi everyone
I am writing again with more tales of woe, On Thursday we developed a clanging noise in the gear box, we decided to ere on the side of caution and have an engineer look at it. Fortunately we were calling in at Swanley Marina for fuel and pump out so we asked their engineer to have a listen and he confirmed my suspicions and warned not to go further because something was seriously wrong. The engineer cannot do anything until Monday so we have taken a birth in the marina for a few days, here we are being well cared for we have electric hook up, water, pump out and a laundry, and TV the only thing is there are no shops for miles so we will have to rely on emergency rations.
I will let you know what the engineer finds on Monday but I believe it will either be a broken drive plate or a twisted drive shaft which is consistent with hitting a submerge object, of which on this trip there have been many.
On the bright side we are having a great rest because here there is nothing to do but rest.
We have been for a walk around today exploring the place its very strange, they have a spraying service and a blacking service but it is in the farm buildings check pics very odd place to work on a boat.


Its now Tuesday and my thoughts have been confirmed its a broken drive plate, things did not go according to plan the drive plate was a cow to get out but hey that's life we have a new one arriving tomorrow and the engineer will fit it and we should be on our way again. The engineer has been very kind he even took Noreen to Morrisons today (it will no doubt end up on the bill)





We need now to start making our way back we have to be in Manchester for next Thursday as we have to go Rogers mums funeral Roger is on his way from Aus and we are all meeting up at Noreen's Dads





keep Smiling everyone





Buggerlugs

We are on the return Journey

ELLSEMERE

We have had five good days in Ellesmere, as I said in the last blog we managed to get just on the arm were most of the foot traffic have to pass your boat which was great for sales I almost ran out, I had a couple of small pots and a few wooden spoons left, Maryanne took me on a shopping trip to replenish stocks, now I have a lot of painting to do to get the shop looking like something again. Maryanne and I even went to a car boot on Sunday morning at Chirk it was huge! At least 300 stalls and 1000s of people plus car parking was free. We did very well at the stalls I managed to get some great bargains, I don’t know what it is but I just love car boots I am always amazed at what people will try and sell
Sat we spent the day at Maryanne’s were we did our big shop, Noreen had a bath or I should say a two hour soak I got the use of the garage and managed to get all my spraying done so now I can start the painting, the spraying is the worst and takes most of the time but using the garage it makes it so much easier and quicker than doing it on the canal bank.
Today Monday we have moved off down to the Montgomery canal its only 7 miles long as they have not completed the restoration work yet but its very pretty and its another canal we have done. Tomorrow we turn around and start the long melancholy return journey back to Rufford it’s a tedious journey not only because this years trip is coming to and end but the return trip is over ground that we have already covered, one pleasing aspect is you never know what’s around the corner after all this is Buggerlugs.