Brief Trip North

[alan_fincher]

OK,

 

The weather is just too nice.

 

I'm hardly fit, although can now stand at the tiller.

 

The boat kitchen is all but back together.

 

Myself, Cath, David and Charlie need a trip.

 

We'll probably push up to somewhere like Stoke Hammond - maybe more, maybe less.

 

If you see us, make yourselves known! If we are trying to get a wet spaniel out of the cut, all help will be gratefully received!

 

(Note - just for once we'll accept that the bloke is doing the steering, and that the woman is working the locks. Just for once only, mind!)

 

Alan

[MartinClark]

We'll probably push up to somewhere like Stoke Hammond - maybe more, maybe less.

 

Call that "North"?

 

[Janet S]

Call that "North"?

 

Southern jessie!

 

Hope you have a great trip Alan!

 

Perhaps we'll bump into you on our big trip next month?

 

Janet

[alan_fincher]

Perhaps we'll bump into you on our big trip next month?

 

Janet

Hi Janet,

 

I already tentatively discussed with Allan the possibility of a "mini-banter" as you both pass through, somewhere in the Pitstone/Marsworth/Cow Roast area, possibly ?

 

There are a few other locals who may join in, depending upon timing.

 

I got the impression from Allan that the biggest difficulty might be your demanding schedule, and knowing where you might be when!

 

But one to aim for, certainly.......

[koukouvagia]

I already tentatively discussed with Allan the possibility of a "mini-banter" as you both pass through, somewhere in the Pitstone/Marsworth/Cow Roast area, possibly ?

There are a few other locals who may join in, depending upon timing.

 

Keep us informed - we're around most of the time.

 

An excellent time to go for a trip. Plenty of water, vegetation trimmed back, very few boats about, the Globe still unspoiled (unlike two others I could mention), the new marina at Grove to look at, where there's a conveniently sited diesel pump (no idea how much it costs, though). Don't attempt to help at Pitstone swing bridge - you'll do yourself another mischief

BTW look out for the Mandarin ducks between Soulbury and Stoke Hammond. I've never seen them on the GU before.

[Janet S]

Keep us informed

 

We will! I've started a blog on here which hopefully we'll be updating every evening. We've gone technical this time, and have bought ourselves a small laptop. It will save Moley and Cheshire~Rose having to relay my text messages!

 

We have a plan to stick to (don't we always!) but it isn't quite as punishing a schedule as we usually set ourselves.

 

the Globe still unspoiled

 

I'm glad to hear that, as we're planning to have a meal there on our first Thursday...they do a great blue steak, but charge a fortune for Southern Comfort!

 

We are going to try and arrive early at the Globe, as we still need to retrieve the sunglasses and the candle holder that we lost in the cut on our last visit....

 

Enough from me....let's get back to Alan and his planned trip.

 

Janet

[LEO]

Keep us informed - we're around most of the time.

 

An excellent time to go for a trip. Plenty of water, vegetation trimmed back, very few boats about, the Globe still unspoiled (unlike two others I could mention), the new marina at Grove to look at, where there's a conveniently sited diesel pump (no idea how much it costs, though). Don't attempt to help at Pitstone swing bridge - you'll do yourself another mischief

BTW look out for the Mandarin ducks between Soulbury and Stoke Hammond. I've never seen them on the GU before.

 

BW must be trying to please you, the level on the summit rose by a good 12 inches overnight, water by the lock was very chalky white though.

 

Now if you could make it down the Aylesbury Arm there used to be lots of Mandarin Ducks.

 

Leo.

 

PS Have a good trip Alan, hope the weather holds.

[Keeping Up]

BTW look out for the Mandarin ducks between Soulbury and Stoke Hammond. I've never seen them on the GU before.

Yes I was surprised to see them swimming past my boat this afternoon, I've not seen them at Stoke Hammond before.

[Sue1946]

I've seen a mandarin at Leighton Buzzard about 5 years ago. Also more recently at Buckby, but I have never seen any pairs. Always just seems to be one which is with a pair of mallards.

They are so exotic looking, I think they are lovely.

[alan_fincher]

We seem to be seeing more of the Mandarin Ducks, but I can't say I can recall exactly where it has been.

 

More unusual were what we identified as Cayuga Ducks near Wendover basin, (this is a "borrowed" image)

 

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3115/3179800771_e0f22306b9.jpg

 

(OK we were not there by narrow boat, but first I have seen on a canal)

 

We are currently moored in the middle pond of Seabrook Locks, one pound down past Julie (Water Rat.) on Jade P.

 

It would be very quiet indeed, other than we are not far from some Peacocks!

 

Very unusually we passed a Canal Time boat, (it seemed to be a "current" rather than sold off one). I've no idea where the nearest base is, but I can't recall ever seeing one down here before.

 

More tomorrow.....

 

Alan, Cath, David and a rather excited Charlie the dog, on his first proper trip out.

 

(I wonder what Charlie will make of Mandarin Ducks ? ...... Duck Pate, possibly ?..................)

[Guest]

(I wonder what Charlie will make of Mandarin Ducks ? ...... Duck Pate, possibly ?..................)

 

I'm guessing more likely to play with them than eat them...

[Ange]

Alan - you have no idea what North means until you end up for a prolonged period in the land of pies and barms!

 

Forget Watford Gap - where's the pie frontier!

 

(Absolutely loving it BTW - a Southerner abroad!)

[alan_fincher]

Hmm,

 

Not sure how long we will last, sadly!.......

 

Whilst Charlie is behaving himself impeccably, the engine has a few "issues", it seems.

 

Currently at Slapton, assessing whether to carry on for a bit, or turn back.

 

I think we will probably still go forward to Leighton, but possibly not a lot further than that.

[koukouvagia]

Whilst Charlie is behaving himself impeccably, the engine has a few "issues", it seems.

 

I wonder if the engine feels supplanted by the presence of Charlie and is sulking . Melvin, the Kelvin, once refused to start when the grandchildren came on board.

[alan_fincher]

I wonder if the engine feels supplanted by the presence of Charlie and is sulking . Melvin, the Kelvin, once refused to start when the grandchildren came on board.

You could be right Jim.

 

In fact things seem better than they did at first today, and we have pottered up slowly to be moored just below Three locks.

 

I'm fascinated just how much of the tow-path up this way has had what looks like fairly good quality hedge laying done on it - mile after mile in some cases. A quite impressive turn around.

 

Although Grove "Marina", (is such an arrangement really a "marina" ?), was less than half full, we noticed at least 3 boats there that have migrated up from Cow Roast. Looks like the latter could have made a mistake in continuing to increase prices with new competition coming on line. Certainly they have been advertising vacancies for some months now - not something I have seen previously. Diesel isn't very cheap at Grove, but is still significantly less than the last Cow Roast price I noted.

 

I wonder if Wyvern Shipping care that their hire boats are going past here after dark! (I wonder why the steerer and accomplice seemed to be dressed in velour dressing gowns.

 

Sadly I think we'll be turning around fairly soon tomorrow, but it's nice to be relatively "free" again after a period of enforced incarceration. Weather has been cracking.

[Richard T]

Alan, Glad to see that you are well enough to start boating again. If you are having problems in finding space for the zimmer frame on board, I can arrange for the loan of an inflatable one!! Seriously when are you going to get up to the midlands? Would love to meet you for a beer or three. Richard

[Ray]

My spies tell me that Grove marina is reputedly full (which may mean all berths have been booked).

 

Saw (and felt) a boat bound for there on Tuesday lunch time. They came out of the lock and tried to ascertain where their berth was, just tying the rear rope whilst their crew did so. The wind caught the front of the boat and it gradually swung across the cut and against the front of ours whilst we were moored for lunch. They managed to recover the situation with a push from the towpath by another boater. Then they moved towards their new "home" and ended up pressd against the towpath piling by the wind again, which is where they still were when we made our way into the lock to continue our trip.

 

We're bound for Stoke Hammond tyomorrow evening and home again the following night.

[LEO]

Although Grove "Marina", (is such an arrangement really a "marina" ?), was less than half full, we noticed at least 3 boats there that have migrated up from Cow Roast. Looks like the latter could have made a mistake in continuing to increase prices with new competition coming on line. Certainly they have been advertising vacancies for some months now - not something I have seen previously.

 

It will be interesting to see the knock on effect if the Proposed marina at Ivinghoe gets the 'Go Ahead'- planning application in.

 

Leo.

[Water Rat.]

Keep us informed - we're around most of the time.

 

An excellent time to go for a trip. Plenty of water, vegetation trimmed back, very few boats about, the Globe still unspoiled (unlike two others I could mention), the new marina at Grove to look at, where there's a conveniently sited diesel pump (no idea how much it costs, though). Don't attempt to help at Pitstone swing bridge - you'll do yourself another mischief

BTW look out for the Mandarin ducks between Soulbury and Stoke Hammond. I've never seen them on the GU before.

 

We saw those ducks, so pretty. And we saw Chalice on Saturday evening. Well done Alan.

[casper ghost]

I feel I need a cruise too, hardly moved the boat since September, what with one problem and another and now a major problem of my own making.. Got to get finished for the summer...

[alan_fincher]

Well a highly untypical days boating for us, but probably sensible, given as I'm recuperating, and Cath is trying to recover from all that has gone on too.

 

Today we went from just below Three Locks to, (errm), exactly the same spot just below three locks, (but pointing the other way).

 

O.K. we did manage lunch with Allan & Debbie at their Local in Little Woolstone, (very good), but "one and a half" locks in each direction was a bit less than our daily norm.

 

Had to spend some time convincing the crew of a Wyvern Hire boat that the one following would really fit in Fenny Lock alongside them.

 

We are now again moored directly opposite Tony Collins' old boat, and passed Ray with "On Schedule" tied up just a few hundred yards North of us.

 

Sorry to those who have contacted us, but we have not been organised enough to meet on this trip. We haven't been very good at predicting where we might be overnighting.

 

Unexpected event of the day was tentatively letting Charlie off the lead at Allan & Debbie's local. A bit scary, but for the first time we really have some idea as to just how quick he is, and how rapidly he can turn through 180 degrees. (Lesson learnt!.... )

[alan_fincher]

Now back home again, (sadly), after an excellent day spent working South again from Three Locks, sharing with forum member Ray.

 

Looks like I messed up borrowing a duck image the other day, and the post is now too old to edit.

 

So here are the Mandarin Ducks in the pound from Three Locks northwards to Stoke Hammond, (pictured at the Southern end, this morning).

 

 

 

These on the other hand are Cayuga Ducks, (very much bigger!), pictured near the end of the Wendover Arm just a few months back.

 

 

[alan_fincher]

What I should have added is that apart from me getting back to boating after a broken pelvis, this was also very much an important inaugural run to prove that out rescue Cocker Spaniel "Charlie" can make a good boat dog......

 

I'm pleased to say he has taken it in his stride very well. He is not phased by the boat, or the engine, and can get on and off in controlled manner, as well as sleeping aboard without us being disturbed.

 

He is being being taught to live with Ducks, (and Swans, and Moorhens, and all manner of other water-side birds), and although sometimes still excitable, really is doing remarkably well.

 

Here he is with his boat......

 

[Ray]

Many thanks to Alan, Cath and crew for leting us share the locks with them and making the journey back a lot easier. They even stopped mid flight to allow us to catch up with them.

 

The day's entertainment was then capped watching a certain waterway's organisation's attempt to remove a sunken wreck using a very large mobile crane, an articulated lorry and a portable pump that took ages to start. I think said organisation's representative spent more time on his mobile phone than paying attention to what was going on.

[alan_fincher]

They even stopped mid flight to allow us to catch up with them.

 

Drat!

 

That's rather damaged the image that some on the forum have tried to build up of as as mindless speed freaks.

 

Actually, I must point out that as Ray was never far behind us, then if we really travel too fast, so must he have been!

 

Seriously though, a real pleasure to work with a couple that really know what they are doing. Great to just put two boats side by side simultaneously into a broad lock on a really quite windy day, rather than much of the faffing around that can go on when sharing.

 

We greatly enjoyed ourselves, and it made trying to boat with a mending broken pelvis a whole heap easier.

 

I'd love to post pictures of just how big a crane, how big a lorry, and how many people BW actually think is necessary to lift a really rather small fibreglass boat. Unfortunately the pictures shot against the sun proved very poor, (Mr BW stopped me going around to photograph from the other side). With all that manpower, nobody seemed to have worked out that it's not going to be easy to load a V-hulled boat onto a flat bed lorry with full width flat timber baulks, and nowt else to pack under it.

 

It made a lovely cracking noise as they tried, though.....

 

Don't think that one will make it onto a tender list......