Alrewas and Pole Recycling

After the purchase of a new boat pole yesterday the old pole was carefully placed in the hedgerow on the tow path so it could be recycled by some other boater possibly in need of one. This morning Spot and I came across a thin chap walking towards us sporting a large grin and said old boat pole. “Found this last night but thought someone might come back for it so left it where it was, but they didn't reclaim it” he said. “It was mine” I said, “got a new one so left the old one for someone else to probably use.” “It'll do fine” he said, and walked off down the tow path whistling. Not sure he will be quite so happy when the first time he uses it to push his boat off the shallows and the pole snaps in half hopefully not skewering him through the lungs like a harpoon.


Cannot believe the weather change today: from blazing sunshine yesterday to overcast and 3-layered clothing today.Amazing sight today: just outside Willington we came across a huge free range chicken farm (Jan says must be at least 30 acres) covered in thousands of little brown chickens.

Little Brown Chickens

Today we were mostly travelling alongside the route of the old roman road, Ryknild Street (A38). In places it is so close to the canal that when it rains spray from the lorries lands on the boat. The traffic noise is loud, VERY LOUD! Had a minute's silence at Alrewas Lock where Jan lost her 20 year old Toggi cap this time last year when she fell in the cut! After 5 hours of road noise we finally arrived at the haven that is Alrewas. We ate tea, the sun came out, we drank Pedigree in the garden of the Crown Inn, All is right with the world.

Alrewas in the sun

Spot ate two bags of Pork Scratchings at the pub, by the time we returned to Tilly May she looked like a furry prune. All that salt had sucked the moisture from her. Anyone for salt cured Dog?

Dragon for Lunch

Spot keeping an eye on us

 A short hop to Willington today. No great rush this morning, took Spot for a long walk around the fields next to the Ragley Boat Stop then set off about 10am. We had noticed that the clock in TM's galley had stopped working so after some messing and a couple of battery changes the clock was declared knackered. Never mind, we pass Midland Chandlers on the way to Willington so we can get a new clock. One hour later and eighty quid lighter we wandered back to TM with various bits including a new 12 foot Ash pole. Just try walking around Mercia Marina with a 12 foot pole on your shoulder, it reminded me of an Eric Sykes film called The Plank. The new brass clock looks a treat on the wall in the galley.
A walk into Willington started with a visit to the Co-op and finished with a couple of pints sat outside The Dragon Inn - an extremely popular (and so very busy) pub. The afternoon was bathed in sunshine resulting in an army of folk walking along the tow path. Spot enjoyed posing for her loving public while we sat reading in the sun. If I had a quid for every person that asked what breed was Spot we could afford a new boat. She certainly promotes conversation even if you are engrossed in your book.
Back to the Dragon for an exceptional Sunday roast - staff at the pub were very attendant without being intrusive.  This is well worth a stop for good food and beer.
The photo is of Spot lying in the sun waiting to be fed.
While composing this missive I was disturbed by a strange splashing from outside the boat. On closer investigation it turned out to be couple using alternate transport to the pub.  They looked a little shaky on the way, God knows what they were like on the way back.

Lieca Photo of the day

Canoeing at Willington

We are finally off!

Trent & Mersey at Aston on Trent

Once the horses were sorted, the last of the clothes packed and the last minute shopping done we finally pulled pins at 2pm. The grand summer cruise got off to a shaky start after the gunnel got caught on a ledge in Shardlow lock. Fortunately good shove did the trick before things got real bad. One can only imagine the mickey taking we would get if we managed to sink TM in the first lock of our summer cruise in sight of the chaps at our home mooring! We managed Aston lock without incident but things again went pear shaped at Weston lock. The flow of water from the emptying lock forced the bow of Tilly May out from the bank to the point where I could no longer hold her. She was in danger of wedging across the canal, so I ran back to the stern and hit the throttle with tiller hard right. Tilly May ended up on the far side of the canal but control had been regained and we finished the lock with no more drama. Arrived at Ragley Boat Stop at about 6pm, by which time we were knackered and starving. A pint of London Pride followed by a mixed grill that would choke a horse and back to TM to write the blog with the sound of Jan snoring in the bedroom.
While at Crick show we met Monica and Terry Darlington plus Jim & Jess of Narrow Dog to Carcassonne fame. The Narrow Dog trilogy were a major influence on us getting our first narrowboat, and we are sure Spot sees herself as a female version of Jim. So to get me in the cruising mood I have started to re-read the books. This in itself has highlighted a few problems. Having purchased an iPad I thought I can read using said iPad and promptly gave my Kindle to Kate, Jan's sister. The iPad is great at most things but as a book reader it is too heavy and does not work well in bright sun, so back to Argos to buy another kindle. Short trip to Willington today me thinks.

The Cobb is dead. Long live the Webber!

Before we started our summer cruise last year I invested in a Cobb BBQ. Its the one the Hairy Bikers used, so I thought it would be great on the boat. The first trial was at Alrewas with two very nice steaks from Coates butchers. It was not good, the Cobb steamed rather than grilled and the meat was over cooked. I persevered over the summer but I have decided to give it best and get a portable Webber BBQ.

Cobb BBQ

The Cobb has its advantages, you can cook on the roof of the boat as the outside does not get hot. I have come to the conclusion that the reason the outside goes not get hot is because the inside does not get very hot. The Cobb is now redundant, which is a great shame as the bloody thing was very expensive!

The Webber is a standard kettle BBQ with short legs so I should have no problem with this.

Meet the Jumbo Joe, now installed on Tilly May ready for a trial run at Alrewas when we finally get going. I hope I can use the Cobb coconut shell based charcoal with the Webber or I will have waisted another fifty!

Almost time to Cruise!

It has been a long time since I last posted on the blog. Tilly May is serviced and almost ready to go. Today we sat outside the New Inn in Shardlow and talked about our summer plan. Whilst chatting we watched a nice trad narrowboat, Edan, moor in front of the pub. After a chat with the couple from Edan we both experienced a sharp increase in tiller hand itch. The decision was, this years summer cruise will start on or before 1st June, a little latter than last year but the summer is running a little late. Last year we planned our route, this year the initial plan is to turn right and head up the T&M for a bit. Edan is heading up the T&M so we may see them again later in the summer. Have a good cruise Edan.

Spot fell in Zouch Lock!

We moved off early today so as to avoid travelling in the heat of the day. In no time we arrived at Loughborough basin, taking the last available mooring. Then a trip to tesco to pick up food for dinner tonight, take on water and off.

We had decided we would spend the night between Zouch and Kegworth as it is one of our favourite picnic spots on short days out.

All went fine until we reached Zouch Lock. We locked down with another boat which I let go in front as we intended to stop before the next lock. I had just left the gates when a shout came from the top gates and the chap on the bottom gate said your dog has fallen in the lock! Panic!

Jan and Spot crossing the locks

We are not sure what happened but one second she was behind Jan crossing the gate and the next she has standing on the cill of the empty lock. She is generally very careful on the gates but not this time. As soon as she realised she couldnt jump out she bark so Jan saw her and told her to sit. By this time the first boat going up had started to enter the lock. This was not a problem as Spot was not in the water, so I reversed TM back into the lock until the stern fender touched the cill and Spot jumped onto the stern.

Fortunately Spot appears to be in good health, which is amazing as the drop to the cill must be six feet.

Water water everywhere and not a drop to drink

Yesterday was a long hard hot day back on the boat. Not that we are complaining, any day on TM is a good day especially if the sun is shining.

The day started with Colin giving us a lift to East Midlands Parkway station followed by a short train journey back to Leicester. You have to walk past the Market to get back to Castle Garden so we thought we could get some provisions, but the Market is closed on a Monday! Never mind we picked up some milk and bread and headed for a butchers we saw on the way home, but the butcher did not sell cooked meat so no ham sandwiches! Back on the boat by 11:30 just in time to see Brenda, Mick, Lynda and Ken return to their boats.

To fill in the gaps, we decided to go home last Thursday as it had rained for most of the day and the locks were red boarded so no movement. I didn't blog as I thought it not good to advertise TM was left unattended in the middle of Leicester. On that note, the secure mooring at Castle Gardens is good and secure. The pontoon gate is locked with a BW key and the whole park is locked at 8pm. We will stop here again as it is only 10 mins walk to the city centre.

We needed more water and a pump out so we pushed on looking for services as the extended stay in Leicester had put some pressure on our resources. No water points no marinas with pump out, even the water point at the Hope and Anchor was switched off. By 7pm we reached Mount Sorrel Lock and decided to call it a day and go to the pub!

Today was a short run to Barrow and a pump out at Meadow Farm Marina. We moored at the marina while I went to look for Clive, as instructed by the folks on the boat opposite. Clive was a very nice chap who arrived with the mobile pump out which soon sorted out growing problem. We also managed to take on water so when we moored above Barrow Deep Lock we were both in need of a shower.

Had a very good take away curry from the Indian opposite The Boat House pub and now off to bed.