THE ONSET OF WINTER

I have had a few emails asking am I still in the land of the living or did the summer cruise do for me. Well I can assure all that I am still quite well I realise that the blog has been very quiet its just that time of year when very little is happening. Its also my favourite time the colours are spectacular here on the marina we have so many different trees that the variety give a dramatic display of colour. Also were we are we are in the migration path of birds arriving and departing for Europe the morning can be filled with a thousand waders, ducks, game birds but mainly very noisy geese at time it’s a bewildering sight. Unfortunately on Sunday night we had a large blue flash followed by a power cut, the blackout was caused by one of this years young swans flying into a power line that passes over the marina, as it was about 22.00hrs  I can only assume it had been spooked by a fox or some other nocturnal hunter, alas for the swan death was instantaneous we waited until morning fished it out of the water and buried it I hate to see animals floating down the canal it reminds me of the bad days of the 50s and 60s as a boy our canal (the Stockport branch of the Ashton canal was always full of dead animals I remember if you fell in it was a quick trip to Ancoats Hospital and a compulsory stomach pump, How we have progressed.

Buggerlugs is having its safety check done on Saturday I think I have got everything sorted the problem is every year they bring out another rule or change an old one so you never really know how it will end up, however I have been boating long enough now not to let little things like that bother me what will be will be.

I have started I new art form I am creating hatch doors with marquetry and inlay panels so far its been very experimental but I have two very nice panels, something new for the winter nights, painting on the boat in such a confined space is a no no especially with the sign writing enamels that I use that is reserved for the out doors on dry days, Or hopefully I will find enough room in my shed when it arrives???

I am afraid no photo’s again this time because I have lost my camera, I remember taking it with me to bring Dannie’s boat back from Swanley but have not seen it since

I don’t think I am destined to be a camera artist, I have an artist’s eye for a good photo but can never find the camera in time to take it I believe its my age.

My constant ranting and letter writing to the CRT must have paid off for the Rufford branch is closed for repair at long last they have condescended to repair lock five and the pound between it band lock 4 there has been a leak there for years. Or they have discovered what happens when you ignore a small leak that eventually escalates into the catastrophic breach at Dutton

I am afraid that’s your lot for now, very boring and mundane really but hey the winter can’t last for too long

May your God Bless you

Bi Al

Hi Everyone

Since we returned I have been trying in vain to do a few minor repairs and

Get her ready for the winter six months out on the cut takes its toll on paintwork and moving parts???  BUT like the rest of you I am awaiting to have a dry day

Last week I have managed to do a quick trip to Swanley Marina to pick up Danny's Boat and help with crewing it back here to Rufford. We managed it without incident in a total of three days.  I was really surprised to see the system so busy as we came out of Hurlston lock there was 6 boats waiting to go up, and had just pasted four boats going up, these going up were leaving locks into almost dry pounds. If only people would listen to advice and just slow things down and give the water time to recover the pounds are not empty because of the lack of water its just they are not allowed to recover between emptying’s. As we came back at the end of the season I noticed that almost every bridge hole, winding hole, movable bridge had one or two boats moored up for the winter. Please don’t get me wrong I uphold the right for everyone to use the canal to there advantage and permanent cruisers also have that same right. However that right should not impose on the rights of the rest of us to have an trouble free cruise when mooring please moor with the adage “for the greater good” a little more consideration would not go amiss. That rants over.

So!  We are all waiting for the rain to stop. Here on the marina we have been lucky last night the river Douglas came inches from breaking its bank though this morning with the ebbing tide it has dropped a few feet, Even if it does break through have the railway is between us and the river, even though I have my boat now on a long rope ???? Just watched the news and seen the moorings I use on the Weaver ten foot under water I have been on the Weaver when its in flood its not a very forgiving river I'm glad we came back early it appears nowhere is safe from flooding the worry now is not about too little water but having too much. Let’s hope that the new volunteers o f the Canal River Trust manage to keep the water levels correct, though lets face it BW never managed it. 

Keep a weather eye out

Stay Safe

BigAl

The Trains were suspended between Ormskirk and Preston 

As the river was threatening the Bridge

The danger has passed for now 

lets hope the next high tide leaves us alone??

I usually fish under this bridge.

back on our Mooring

Thomas and Granddad

Noreen found our first car, we had one in 1970

a Bond Mini Car 250 villiars engine no reverse

we traveled Cambridge to Manchester once a month

Good days ????????

Thomas is now ready to start studying for his GCSEs

He says if they mess my results up 

I'm going after them

Home again

Noreen and I are now back in our Marina after having a really good cruising season.

The trip back from Manchester was uneventful Keith came along to help swing those awful locks in Wigan all boaters note that I am starting a campaign to renovate those locks out, they have been in that deplorable state now for four years to my knowledge.

How do they expect boaters to visit Liverpool when the first have to run the gauntlet of Wigan anyone who is not 6ft, 18stone and built like a brick sh—h----  can not possibly work those locks. They are dirty, full of rubbish, nothing works. To think in the centre of those locks is the North West Head office for waterways, how ironic is that,  If I worked there I would be ashamed to go to work.

To those who are regularly reading  the blog  ( Sad People) It may have sounded that I was not having a good time, those who know me better will know I am happy when moaning ??????????????

This season has been quite an achievement for me; and Noreen as she is the one that has to calm and control my enthusiasm for jumping on and off the boat, and all the other athletic things I once did! but now have to think twice about it.

The Boat Log states:

560   Miles

395   Locks

  21   Tunnels

  43   Swing Bridges

As I said before on a previous blog “ not bad for two pensioners”. I also know full well that there are many others just like us who have done more, cruising the system and enjoying life, Personally I am just so pleased that I have been able to do it; as last year it was feared that I would not be able to go cruising again. But by the grace of God here I am.

I am now sat hear watching the para Olympics that makes my little mishap and subsequent recovery dissolves into insignificance against those athletes, the guts and determination of those athletes is so awe inspiring.

So we now settle down for the winter I have a few projects on I want a shed, sort out the garden, give the engine a full service I have heard some knocking though its more annoying than dangerous but it needs sorting, then there is the inevitable painting after six moths cruising. I also want to do a lot more writing I must finish my book. Iys called “A Kit Bag Full of Rubbish” obviously antidotes of 22 years in the army don’t worry all my old comrades names will be changed to protect the guilty?

Its strange to be sat again on the mooring I keep wanting to start the engine and check the battery levels. Wondering how many locks tomorrow or what time to start off. Looking were the next pump out, diesel, or water point is. OH the simple joys of boating I will really miss it

I will still be writing the blog just to keep you all amused over the dark nights ahead

God Bless

Buggerlugs

Stratford upon Avon

Hi Everyone


As you can see we are back up and running Gregg has once again breathed new life into the lap top and I am on the blog again one thing I will say here is if you get email from someone you don’t know delete it, I paid the price of curiosity
My last blog was I believe was just after we set off for Stratford upon Avon I will start as we left Anderton travelling down the Trent and Mersey to Middelwich then through aunty Maureen’s lock onto the Shroppy link on through Barbridge, Nantwich, Market Drayton, Audlem, down to Auderley junction up the Wolverhampton flight, then to Birmingham through Farmers locks cracking on to King wood Junction joining the Stratford canal from here it’s a straight run into Stratford upon Avon we managed all that in a matter of 8 days now considering the
Weather and other problems we had on the way. 118 miles 126 locks and 2 lift bridges in 8 days is pretty good going for two pensioners
The weather was bearable, I do not know why people get so worked up over it our skin is waterproof and though it was wet it was still very warm. The cruise as far as Auderley junction was great even the Audlem flight only took a couple of hours as we got all the locks for us with a boats coming down, filling up with fuel, water, gas and a pump out at Norbury was over and done with in 45 mins we were on fire then we hit Auderley junction as we all know the stop lock there is a bind especially with boats hitting it from three directions but here you have the added problem of Napton boats who in their infinite wisdom have moored all their hire fleet right up to the lock gates, reducing all alighting points for your crew to get off and work the lock, and all access to the lock, I had to go direct bow onto the lock wall with bow button touching the lock wall Noreen did her impression of a acrobat and swinging from a overhanging branch landed on the lock wall. Having explained the problem to Napton Boats in my normal composed voice and charming manner, their reply was Tough S--- we have the right to be here. I left leaving them in no doubt at my displeasure over their attitude to boaters, and others matters referring to their hospitality that I shall not bore you with only to say they are not on my Christmas card list
Other that that episode (which did not really detract from a great day) We did Norbury to the to of the Wolverhampton flight in one day the next day we were in Birmingham; moorings again were very scarce yet we again struck lucky by a very nice young man waving us into a mooring under the bridge outside Waterworld he said it belong to one of the water taxi’s but it was in dry dock so we had a good mooring for a couple of days were we ate in restaurants did some washing, shopping and running repairs. Now leaving Birmingham is always a problem especially when you use the Farmers Lock route they are awful almost as bad as Manchester However we are use to them and know enough to take things very slow
Soon sailing through Solihul one has to realise that it is still waiting to join the rest of the world in the twenty first century though its nice to see that they are clinging on to traditions especially the festival of throwing old Christmas trees into the canal How sweet is that????????
The rest of the run into Stratford was pleasant enough and Stratford itself is very nice well worth a visit we had intended to go onto the Avon up through Tewksbury then on to Stourport BUT I was too tight to pay the £50 they wanted to go onto the Avon which I consider to be a complete rip off what makes the Avon so special that you have to pay twice.
The return trip we decided to change the route by going through Kings Norton then up into Birmingham via the University and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (just to pay our respects) So from Stratford upon Avon to Anderton in seven days I know we are Go
As this was our third attempt to get to Stratford we should call this trip a success as we have got there and back with both of us unscathed and the boat intact unlike the first two attempts. We met lots of old friends and made lots of new ones on the way All in All a very good trip
I will post this now and catch up later now I have the PC back

God Bless

Buggerlugs

Vacancies

We are now taking bookings for late summer bookings

Me and My NuNu

Catch of the day

I have to do Everything

Keep out of my way Im still learning

You need a password to get in Here

Round them up and move them Out

Thomas our last guest of the summer has just left, We now have no guests and none on the books. Thomas is returning at the end of the month for another week of complete mayhem, its great having him on board he is a typical little lad his favourite words are Why, How, When, What if, he loves dirty hands, mucky wellies, and silly songs about falling on your Bum. I must be every mothers nightmare, teaching how to Hunt, Fish, shoot, make a fire, cook outdoors use a penknife and every other dangerous activity boys (and girls)just love. He can now check the battery level and start the engine to recharge them and, knows why and how it works. (something it took me years to grasp) He has tried to steer the boat but unfortunately is not yet quite tall enough to see over the top. Though he does know how. A foot note here must be that everything is done with the greatest of care and utmost safety, He is my grandson and I take as much care of him as I did with my own, They are still here to tell the tale (Maryanne would say only just) I see nothing wrong with teaching them about the world around them, Noreen teaches the cooking especially making biscuits they just love that, my two could swim, ride a bike, shoot , climb, abseil, cook out doors, knew how to care for and respect themselves and others before they were seven They could also think through a problem and come up with an answer maybe not the right one but never the less the answer would be theirs Many people tell me Both now are what is classed as nice honest people and if I can help bring Thomas up the same then I will consider life worth while. I hope Thomas enjoyed us as much as we enjoyed having him, things on Buggerlugs next week will be a lot quieter

Although the weather has been changeable we have had some really good days hot and sunny and some wet and windy but that’s what makes boating so exciting you never know the minute.

Where next? Not a clue we have a few phone calls to make to see if we can get a cancellation passage into Liverpool once we have that date then we can decide were next

Enjoy life

Be Good

Big Al

　

　　

The second part of Toms birthday treat was a few days away on  The Queen Mary 2 this entailed a quick flight from Manchester to Hamburg were we boarded the QM2 after boarding we sailed down the Elbe across the North sea though the straights of Dover and on to Southampton were again we took a quick flight back to Manchester a fairly hectic few days.
Six weeks ago I would not have thought it possible as Tom was really not up to it However his remarkable recovery over the past 6 weeks enabled the party to go ahead the credit for the admin and the conviction ( I for one needed convincing to take a 90 year old just recovered from a broken hip on a 2 flights and a cruise ) would work goes to the organisation skills of Mary(Noreens sister) It was Mary who organised the whole thing flights, Taxies, wheelchairs, everything we needed to get ourselves and Tom from A to B as the party consisted of eight you can imagine what the logistics involved.
As our first leg was a flight to Hamburg at 7.00am we arrived in Hamburg in plenty of time to board QM2 and settle in before dinner
Now the QM2 is slightly bigger than Buggerlugs it has 13 decks, not including engineer and engine decks 9 Dinning rooms, 2 night clubs, three theatres, 13 bars plus one English bar and accommodates 2500 guests, need I go on it is enormous. after a quick shower and change as we all had to dress formal for dinner (if you want to know how you can get enough clothes for formal dinning and three days casual wear into a Carry-on case weighing no more than 10kg then just ask us we are experts) Dinner was delicious and a very joyous occasion after which we all took a walk on deck. Having so many of us made moving Tom easy as we all took turns on the wheelchair duty, by now QM2 was leaving port and we were treated to a spectacular review.
As we pulled out of Hamburg we were given a rousing send off, it appeared that the whole of Hamburg had turned out to wish us bon voyage, a flotilla of boats had massed to our stern ready to escort the QM2 down the Elbe to the open sea there were all kinds of boats Sailing yachts of every size, pleasure craft, commercial Barges, Dutch Barges, inflatable’s coast guard, and a beautiful Paddle Steamer every craft you could imagine all blowing horns and sirens. On our starboard the river has its hotels and holiday houses 1000 of guests at these hotels were waving frantically from the balconies from one hotel we had a 12 gun salute then the Paddle steamer broke out in a very loud rendering of Rule Britannia which 90% of the passengers joined in with, which was great as half the guests were German. We now glided down the river on a very calm and beautiful summer evening. As the sun was well passed the yard arm we settled Tom and Shirley in their cabin and us younger ones? Went to explore the bars ??????????? However the early start and the hectic exciting day played its toll and we too were soon settling down in our own staterooms on king sized BEDS
Now the food on board is a strange affair for a start you don’t pay for any food or soft drinks Dinner as I said has a dress code but all other meals are quite relaxed breakfast, morning tea, Brunch, Lunch, Afternoon Tea, Tiffin and then Dinner, plus room service 24/7 I tried to attend them all but failed I was quite devastated but I just put it down to my age ??
By now the first full day, Tom was really looking well the sea air, good food and good company had started to work. As I said the ship is enormous and there was so much to do, we only covered a ¼ of it.
The only thing I was not happy about was the fact the Capt never called on my services or advice, you would have thought knowing he had another experience boater on board he would have exploited the fact But obviously he had enough help
I believe that Tom having shared his birthday with his family (Bob and Norma, Mary and Rodger Noreen and myself plus Shirley Has greatly improved his recovery rate. The fact of having his family around him, spending time and going that extra mile to ensure his momentous birthday was celebrated with some style and Panache has made his recovery much brighter
but all good things have to come to an end Bob and Norma are returning to Canada via Northern Ireland though they are returning in the Autumn , Mary and Rodger started there return to Australia today
As many families grow older and have greater individual responsibilities therefore they tend to drift apart. As an extended family we are doing well to stay connected. We will miss them all and God willing will see them again soon.
Noreen and I will continue our summer cruise on Tuesday having a couple of jobs to do for Tom on Monday. For the first week we have Thomas Jnr with us. Now that is going to be fun

Setting out from Hamburg

only six of the eight the other two are behind the camera

The grand stair way

just like my boat all the guest just sit around????

Sun deck a waste of good wood

What a lovely couple

Communications are essential

I struggle with telle

One of the six pools. Im having one fitted on my boat in the cratch

Thats it! we have just completed Toms 90^th Birthday weekend celebration

It all began last Sunday when Mary and Roger arrived from Australia, they joined us ib Barbridge They had arrived to us via Venice and Amsterdam, Mary really wanted to experience the life on the Cut So I considered a quick dash from Barbridge to Stretford would do the trick??????

They arrived on Sunday lunch time after a quick lunch and the safety drill?? We were off only a few miles just as a taster we moored for the evening around bridge 24 on the link it was a lovely summer evening with no TV, phone signal or internet, which I thought was typical and worth experiencing, next morning 07.15 I wanted to get through Middelwich early before it started to back up Mary had already completed two locks and we considered her Trained But we didnt take the weather into consideration it was raining when we left at 0715 and still raining when we arrived in Northwich at 16.30 we where all like drowned rats, Mary wanted to experience everything about the canals and she did, the evening on the Weaver was great we even found time to go to Weatherspoons for our evening meal (My birthday treat) Tues Noreen and mary got a hire car and shot up to visit Tom arriving back in time to slip the mooring and catch the last lift back to the canal we then had a quick dash North

We did the first two tunnels and moored up, Weds gave us the last tunnel and on to Lymm as the weather had now changed this was a much better experience arriving early in Lymm and getting a mooring near the chippy gave us plenty of time to take a nice walk around the Dam. This then only left Thurs as we had now joined the Bridgewater no more locks, open canal, wide bridges and little traffic so by lunch time we were at our destination 500 yards from Toms front door and the beginning of the birthday celebrations Sat evening Noreen arrange a Family reunion party at Sale water park 28 dined and it was a re-good-do Different to most Mancuniun family reunions there were no punch ups. Sunday was a celebration Mass again a very meaning full occasion.

We are now sat in Stretford Marina waiting for Weds morning when we all fly off to Hamburg were we join the Queen Mary for a cruise back to Southampton I know I can hear you why are you going on a cruise??? Well I will tell you; all food is included all day every day. And I am sure that when the captain realises he has got another captain on board he will call me to the bridge for some advice and let me have a go ???????????

The above Does not give justice to the four days trip from Barbridge to Stretford our guests seem to enjoy what the system has to offer even the weather did not put them off

Mary & Rodger Lymm Dam

Time off from the locks

Ready to celebrate

his 90th

Mary says in Bigger than anything in Australia

However they don't have canals?