Wey Lass

Hi Ian Sorry for the delay in replying. I occasionally still do some crewing but I'm not always free to do it, so should be able to pass some opportunities onto you. I'll PM you. Penny

These receipes do sound good. Gonna get the ingredients and start the Xmas pudding one today. Think that when I do the final bit of straining the mixed fruit, I could then use it in my xmas cake which will make a nice moist boozey cake. Best not have the vodka and cake at the same time though else I could end up well merry! :-)

Ok Steff no probs. What I'll do is send him a text as not sure if you're currently cruising and are able to answer the mobile. Give me a call whenever its convenient for you to chat. Be great to see you all again. Recall that you're heading my wey (get it?) soon. x

Hi Steff My cooking is great. Currently got a fab curry recipe ticking over in my slow cooker for a dinner party this evening. :-) May be able to help you out depends when? Think we may possibly know each other? Is your boat name TR its initials and are you onboard with Anna & James? (If so I was with you on cruise 12 and helped you with the GU locks downstream from Hemel Hemstead?) If you do one more short post back you'll then have 5 and will be access the private message service on here so we can discuss the details more if you so wish. Penny

I agree. Recently done a trip from Hemel Hempstead downstream to Brentford and it was good. Really enjoyed it down as far as Cowley. If your near Bulls Bridge then you've not got much further to go up until it improves. Interesting what you say about the Oxford, as that's what I'd like to try next year if I get the chance. Enjoy the rest of your trip.

Hi Richard H. Its about a quarter of a bottle of sugar as it will settle and pile up ontop of the blackberries which are already half way up: hence fill sugar so level in bottle now 3/4 full. I used to weigh it out but to be honest doing it by eye is far easier and works just aswell. One of my friends has made raspberry vodka which is very nice too. Sweeter and more like a syrup. I just put the blackberry one on as usually you can find them for free, especially along the towpath. Sloe gin is also a good one to do but its knowing where you can find the sloe bushes late summer/early autumn time.

Blackberries are now becoming ripe and ready for picking along the towpath. If like me you don't like crumble, here's an alternative idea of what to do with them. You'll need the following. Blackberries Caster Sugar Vodka (cheaper the better, ie basics or economy brand) Clean empty wine bottle with screw cap Small plastic funnel if you have one so as to avoid making a mess. Wash blackberries and put in wine bottle until its about half full. Pour in sugar (using funnel if possible) on top of the blackberries until it reaches about 3/4 full. Top up with vodka. ( 1 wine bottle will use about half a 75cl bottle) Give it a good shake and leave to brew for about 3 months shaking it as follows. Daily for the 1st week. Every 2-3 days for the 2nd week and then weekly for the remainder. After 10-12 weeks approx., strain the contents through a sieve, squishing out all the goodness and vodka of course, out of those blackberries which you can then bin. Pour liquid back into your bottle and you'll have yourself a lovely tipple.( You may want to taste it and add a little more vodka or sugar here, depending on your individual taste.) This keeps for ages and I sometimes pour it into the small wine bottles to give away as pressies. You may want to keep it all for yourself though, as it does taste good. (Not sure if I should mention here that there must be other recipes for non-alcoholic drinks made from blackberries available, but hope if you do make the above, you like it too.)

How exciting!! That's great that you're now able to sell up and follow your dream of living aboard.Good luck with your house sale paulstoke. Hope you find the boat you're looking for. My first narrowboat needed a refit and we did the layout with the galley at the back doors which worked really well.

Ok thanks. Looks like I need to do just a few more posts then.

Hi Mark I would love to be able to come and help you and your wife out in September. Like yourself, I'm also new to the site so need a few more posts. Is it 5 we need before we can PM do you know? Penny

Hi Barry Thanks for your reply. I would love to join the trust and help out on your Wey runs. Wow, can't believe I got a reply so quickly and also to help out on Historic narrowboats of all things. Jackpot!! I'll contact you later today if that's ok. Kind regards. Penny

Flexible, practical and experienced ex-narrowboat owner who misses boating on the River Wey/ Thames. If you need an extra pair of hands onboard for locking, tea making duties, etc maybe I could join you for a cruise along the river? Good knowledge of canal boats.