Game of Thrones

My favourite chandlers is closing its doors next month. Staff were always willing to help with enquires, one time helping me separate a stuck PRV valve from its connection so I could renew it.  The boat building side of the business - Wharf narrowboats - will relocate to Braunston marina.

Braunston chandlers at bottom lock.

Unfortunately their stock of Craftmasterpaints was almost depleted, I will now have to find another supplier.

We planned a trip to Crick boat show the following day where I was able to get some of the paint I required as Craftmasterpaints are a regular exhibitor there. One of FL's colours- light grey- has been discontinued but can be made to order.

G.O.T. seen at the show -... registered at Winterfell

 This year it only took us two hours at the show to see all we wanted, a quick half in the Red Lion and another in the Wheatsheaf before our taxi home.

This low flying military aircraft shattered a peaceful afternoon.

Boat for sale

From the Coventry canal, we turned through Hawkesbury junction and onto the North Oxford canal. 

Couldn't manage to get this clip the right way round

The new Houlton to Rugby link bridge.

We have travelled down from Stone with Roly & Bev, they are continuing on the Grand Union, a final cruise on NB Klara to put her up for sale with Rugby boats.  If you are in the market for a stunning narrowboat contact Rugby boats. Get in quick it won't be around long once it is videoed and uploaded to their site.

Sue and I helped to get Klara through Braunston locks. I was at the tiller while the rest of the crew worked paddles and gates...

.....even Bev.

You got to let go soon Roly

You can overfill a lock

After Braunston, we moved on to the South Oxford for a week so I could do some rubbing down & painting of the starboard rear panel while moored in a quiet spot near Flecknoe 

Another six panels to do.

SLOW DOWN!

The northernmost point of the South Oxford canal

Crop spraying by hand.

Lost in Fradley

After leaving the marina last week we have had a slow meander  down the Trent & Mersey and turning right onto the Coventry canal at Fradley Junction.

The Swan at Fradley Junction

You can't stop in Fradley without going to the Swan for a drink.

Bev and Sue at the Swan.

I was reunited with my wallet, I didn't know it was lost - A big thank you to Adam and Rocco the dog who found it on the towpath, to Kelly -  landlady at the Swan in Fradley who through social media's FB managed to contact my daughter. Still not sure how that works but glad that it did.

Stayed put in Fradley for a very wet day, the following day was drier but cold as we cruised southwards. We stopped at Streethay Wharf (Adam works in the paint shed here) to pick a bag of coal up, hopefully the last till next winter.

Hopwas wood bridge

Same bridge showing WW2 pill box

We moored below Tamhorn farm bridge on the outskirts of Hopwas, from here I walked into Tamworth in search of a dentist to refit a 20 year old crown that had come adrift. Riverside dental practice had me in the chair within half hour of walking in the door -  my own dentist in Stone couldn't fit me in as an emergency for two weeks. 

Sitting on the dock of the bay.  just for fun.

Only Fools and Horses

Yesterday we had a great time in London with our daughter and our friends, taking in the above musical. A well put together cast who captured the character and mannerisms of the originals perfectly. There's a good splattering of favourite snippets from the long running BBC series. If you like a bit of nostalgia, a good laugh, with hand clapping knees-up music and drama thrown in the mix, you will love this.