' Hello' - Joined together on the Grand Union canal

Moored at Lower Shuckburgh

It took us three unhurried days to slowly make our way along the seven lockless miles to Napton to meet up with Roly and Bev for lunch at the Folly Inn, a bit of a diversion from our intended route north on the Grand Union

'Hello' - On our way back from the Napton shop we bumped into Phil, Lynn and Freddie haven't seen them since Stone  -  dinner in the pub was arranged and as they were going to Birmingham we could share the Grand Union double locks as far as Kingswood Junction where we would turn off on  Stratford on Avon canal.

Next morning we set of for the three Calcutt locks stopping for water just below them and stopping to moor for the night after. A two hour trip -  the bank side chairs came out and we continued where we had left off the night before with wine, ale and tea.

Today the two ships were roped together to descend the Stockton flight, this enabled an extra pair of hands with the lock wheeling, leaving a single helmsman to steer the boats between locks. 

Lock cottage.

Two Boats pub.

A short stop at The Two Boats, not for refreshment but to use the Co-op in Long Itchington

Clutter boat.

The Cape of Good Hope.

We stopped overnight adjacent to the Cape of Good Hope. Even though I had promised myself to drink only real ale's till next winter (being devoid of my tipple in Spain) I had an Estrella that was on tap.

The following day we set off early at 07:30  to get up the Hatton flight of 21 locks.

Freddie kept an eye on proceedings from the crow's nest.

Lynn Phil & Sue working hard getting the catamaran in between locks...... I was - erm - offering encouragement.

Behind you!  😇😅😅😀....another lock.

First class skippering from Phil

Three hours from bottom to top ... we all agreed that it was a very enjoyable morning.

The following day the sun still shone as NB Valentine led the way through a very wet Shrewley tunnel, Sue did her best to protect the washing drying in the uncovered cratch from the leaking brick roof of the tunnel. Two miles later we pulled in on a high embankment overlooking some gorgeous countryside.

In the evening we all had a leisurely stroll to the Tom o' The Wood pub for a well deserved Doombar  or chardonnay and a lot of laughs.

Today it was time to say goodbye to our companions of the last week as they set sail northwest for Brumsville and we head south for Shakespeare town, both boats using the Stratford on Avon canal. We have had a joyful week with friends Phil & Lynn and would like to do it again soon, but as it is with this boating lark who knows when our paths will cross again.

Back on Board...

.... our daughter kindly collected us from Heathrow and deposited us back to the boat after we spent the night in Dunchurch Park hotel. 

It was blowing a hooley by the time we had sorted the boat and headed out of Barby marina, the rain made for a damp welcome home. 

Nikita tillered to Braunston - through the tight bridge 'oles, plenty of traffic, narrow sections and tight bends, taking to it like a duck to water, this being her first time at the tiller. 

We spent the night at skinny bridge before returning to Braunston to drop Nikita off to make her way to Gatwick and a flight home.

'Manly Ferry' Paul  was feeling well enough to pay us a visit today while we were in Braunston bringing along little Bombo for a good catch up and a cuppa aboard FL.

We have decided not to head for the Thames this year, from here we are going to head North Westish, probably heading for Stratford on Avon first.

There's a yellow weather warning in place from Sunday morning until Tuesday so cruising  will be fun.

Winter escaped

RBS 6 Nations

I have not blogged for a while, basically we are escaping the British winter in Mojacar again, mostly doing what we have done the previous two winters. 

But for the diary....

We had a great weekend in Rome, there to watch England v Italy at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday. Great atmosphere in the ground as England slowly wound up the heat on an improving Italian side, Italy scored three tries but England were worthy winners at 15- 46

 As always on these trips good company always makes the day  Roly, Brian, Eva and Jay made up our group from Mojacar only disappointment was our mate Paul was unable to make the trip this time.

Our daughter didn't want to miss the game and arrived with her Malta based friend Gill, via IOM -Gatwick - Malta - Rome.

Saturday afternoon after visiting a few of the cities tourist hot spots we were in Scholars Lounge, voted the worlds best Irish bar in 2017, to watch Wales v Scotland and later France v Ireland. All the six nations were represented in the busy bar. Wales overpowered the Scots  34-7 while Ireland won with the last kick of the game which sent 5 of the 6 nations present in the bar into uproar.

 

My Brexit beating passport finally arrived, so I can remain in the union... at least for travel purposes... in honesty nobody knows how issues will affect British citizens but it will be nice to have as I'm prone to losing stuff when traveling.

I was in Scholars bar wearing my emerald jersey cheering my other boys on when a bloke said to me your accent doesn't sound very Irish (I have a Londonish accent). I told him I was proud of my Irish ancestry and had a passport to prove it.

 " Oh" he said "you are one of those plastic paddy's "  and walked off.

HNY

Merry Christmas

What a difference two hours make....

From this .....

to this.........

Maughold

When I got up two floppy eared black faces were looking at me expectantly for an outing,  so I took  the two labs for  a walk around the cliffs near Maughold village and a swim at Laxey beach.

Maughold church

Maughold lighthouse

Laxey beach

Nostalgia...... boats & bikes

Clearing out some clutter I came across some old photos

Sue holds fore & aft lines in Temple lock

Above picture is of the first Thames boat we owned, back in the 80's it was rare to see a narrowboat on the Thames.

...................................................................................................................................................................

Princess 32

Birchwood 33GT our last Thames cruiser

Rest Days getting readied to be lifted in after  winter  at Penton Hook. marina 

Nikita loved the Stone lion at Beale Park

On our  old fishing boat out of Castletown IOM

... and some old racing photos

Oulton Park track day

Donington park - Rocket Ron Haslam race school

Jurby IOM race meeting (novice orange bib)

Oulton park race meeting

Cadwell park race meeting

Endurance team and pit crew

Le Mans start to 4 hour endurance event

I'm in there somewhere

My meagre racing trophies

Lastly one for the road.

Remember

This pin reminds me of my old mate Jack Lilley who was an army despatch rider  during the Dunkirk evacuations.

Not all work no play

Lots of chores to be done at home.. what a bore they are ... mainly in the gardens. The old Landrover has come in handy for the numerous trips to the amenity site to get rid of two years worth of cuttings from trees and shrubs. I have now got the front garden under control  but the rear garden full of overgrown rhododendrons, conifers, tall birch tree, and a dead elm tree will be done by a local gardener. I have clambered up these garden pests in the past but now it is either beyond me or I just can't be arsed. 

It's not all been hard work though our daughter has treated us to a superb meal out at Mcfarlanes.

And some long walks with the dogs

Our girl planned a surprise microlight flight as a birthday treat for Sue.

Sue and her pilot.

No way in the world you would get me up in one of those contraptions, Sue loved it.  She had a half hour flight from Andreas air field down the coast to the lighthouse at the point of Ayre, over a ship wreck and a low pass over Jurby airfield runway.

Bit of a squeeze getting in to the thing.

I  had a treat too when I was taken up to Grenaby Estates for an afternoon of clay pigeon shooting, being a complete novice I was surprised how many I actually hit, Nikita is a regular shooter and it showed.

Hill walking south of the island