C.L. Peache's Blog, page 10

Boat DIY and spring showers…Day 251

Friday 29th March Day 251

It was more scraping, sanding and painting as we aim to try and get the roof sorted so one side is finished as the weather is being kind today. It’s a long job when you’re working with 60ft of boat but it’s very satisfying to get it done and more importantly it’s protecting the boat from rust and hopefully saving us an expense in the future by looking after it now. The other side we are going to tackle next week once we have turned the boat around ((Since I can see into the future I don’t think this is going to happen!))

Once done, I crack on with some more of the canal book as well as a bit of freelance work – although it’s pretty quiet on the email as most people who have set hours are off for the bank holiday but it’s nice to catch up as much as possible as next week will probably be busy as we finalise the exciting programme for this year.

The weather is very changeable in the afternoon as sunshine and rain fight for their right to dominate the skies and we are treated to an absolutely amazing rainbow across the boat. I even left my very tasty luxury fish fingers and chips ((WHAT!)) and went outside in Chris’s flipflops and coat as it was chucking it down, but the picture was well worth it. What a glorious setting it is at the end of the Ashby canal. Day done. Until tomorrow. x

Are you still reading these? Day 250!

Thursday 28th March Day 250

I am thinking of stopping my daily blogs… ((WHAT – not again?)) I’m just not sure they are interesting enough ((well, there is that?)) and maybe people are not reading them anymore. I know the time line is confusing as my social media is in real life, the blog is two weeks behind and vlogs usually the same. What does everything think? Would people prefer daily, weekly, monthly? ((Yearly??)) I will continue to write these as this is going to be the foundation of my canal book with added extras. Over to you…

Today is an example of why I’m not sure if it’s interesting enough to warrant a daily blog. We went for a walk along the very muddy towpath and the reverse of the walk we did last night. So, it was along the towpath, left at the tunnel, through the playground, past the village, ((Avoiding the pub)) down a long lane to find to find a no access sign to walk along the Ashby canal where we are moored. So it was back down the long lane, past the village ((Still avoiding the pub)) through the playground, right at the tunnel ((Please go left). It would make it interesting if you swam through the tunnel) along the towpath and onto the boat and then I barely moved all day as was working at the dinette. So that’s day done. Oh, other than the fact we emptied the toilet ((Too much information)) I really would be interested to know what you think? Day done. Until tomorrow. x

Countryside locations… Day 249

Wednesday 27th March Day 249

The seasonal spring weather is upon us and last night it rained with menace, so it took a while to get to sleep and its changeable all day so not suitable to getting the second coat of paint on the roof.

I’ve got work to do though as we are putting the finishing touches to the Newark Book Festival programme so lots of events to sort. I also upload my latest vlog to Patreon.

I’m afraid that’s it for the day as there wasn’t much else to report other than a stunning sunset to enjoy after dinner walk. This area at the end of the Ashby canal really is stunning and where we are moored we can see for miles over the over fields. We are reluctant to leave and have decided to stay longer ((I thought you were done. I was looking forward to getting on with more important things than reading your blog)) so we can get the roof done – weather permitting. Day done. Until tomorrow. x

Boat jobs and a food delivery… Day 248

Tuesday 26th March Day 248

I woke feeling like it was time to start making an effort and lose some weight – i think they say TV looks like you’re 2 stone heavier… so I pulled on my wellies and off I went ((I hope you had more than just your wellies on!)) do not buy a boat unless you get some wellies, they are an absolute must on these very, very muddy towpaths. I wander along the towpath and when I come to the tunnel I take a left as only boats can go through the tunnel – back in the day people would have ‘legged’ a boat through the tunnel. I find a nice walk around a playing field with a wonderful blossom tree and then it’s back to the boat and work at the dinette in the morning.

After lunch we decide to started on the roof whilst the weather is nice. Chris cleaned one section from the chimney which is about in the middle of the boat to the stern, then it was rust treatment and filler before I came along with a steady hand to paint. I was very chuffed with the line I maintained down the boat and it’s another step closer to bringing the boat back to life.

In the afternoon, as we wait for our food delivery, the biggest bee I’ve ever seen coming into the boat – clearly a queen. We very careful guide it outside, as much as I love bees that one was a whopper and it’s home was outside and not in our boat. The food delivery doesn’t go to plan as I have no signal on my phone and the delivery driver couldn’t initially find the address, but they get here in the end and then it’s back to the boat to unpack and the usual of deciding we don’t know what we want for tea because we have too many choices! Day done. Until tomorrow. x

We have conquered the Ashby canal! Day 247

Monday 25th March Day 247

To the dinette as we start another week, working on freelance stuff whilst Chris varnishes the wood in the bathroom. We are still trying to get through our snagging list of jobs to finish off as the weather is a little too iffy and cold to start the roof.

Around 11.30 ish we decide to head off and cruise as we need to get rid of the bags of rubbish etc. It’s a little drizzly but not too bad for March. We moor up for lunch at an aqueduct with only about an hour left to cruise and then it’s another canal which can be coloured in on the map. We are not trying to go quickly and are pretty much exploring every area we stay at, but we have already done a lot in the three weeks since we left Great Haywood marina.

After lunch we get out the tunnel light which is another job on the snagging list which needs hooking up to the mains. For now, we stick it onto the bow as its magnetic and plug it into the portable power bank to power it. It works like a dream as we tackle our first ever tunnel on The Plot. We have done this before in a hire boat but it feels different in our own and just as beautiful as we remember even in this grey day.

We soon reach the tunnel and relax when we realise the light works okay and we can see and that the boat fits. We did take the chimney off in preparation (wow you remembered!) and realise it’s proper filthy so that will need to be cleaned tomorrow as we don’t want to risk a fire.

We moor up before the winding hole and the end of the Ashby canal and later after tea, on we go for a very well timed walk as we have booked a Tesco food order to the canal address tomorrow and walking up we spot someone locking the gate! After a chat she very kindly tells us to let her know what time its coming and she will leave it open – how kind is that ((you’re so jammy))

As usual I have a crap signal – have I said before that i would never recommend having an O2 network if you’re living on a boat. Chris’s EE signal is so much better. Day done. Until tomorrow. x

Miles: 5 Tunnels 1

Narrowboat life, YouTube and author adventures… Day 247 – 253 / Mon 25th – Sun 31st

Monday 25th March Day 247

To the dinette as we start another week, working on freelance stuff whilst Chris varnishes the wood in the bathroom. We are still trying to get through our snagging list of jobs to finish off as the weather is a little too iffy and cold to start the roof.

Around 11.30 ish we decide to head off and cruise as we need to get rid of the bags of rubbish etc. It’s a little drizzly but not too bad for March. We moor up for lunch at an aqueduct with only about an hour left to cruise and then it’s another canal which can be coloured in on the map. We are not trying to go quickly and are pretty much exploring every area we stay at, but we have already done a lot in the three weeks since we left Great Haywood marina.

After lunch we get out the tunnel light which is another job on the snagging list which needs hooking up to the mains. For now, we stick it onto the bow as its magnetic and plug it into the portable power bank to power it. It works like a dream as we tackle our first ever tunnel on The Plot. We have done this before in a hire boat but it feels different in our own and just as beautiful as we remember even in this grey day.

We soon reach the tunnel and relax when we realise the light works okay and we can see and that the boat fits. We did take the chimney off in preparation (wow you remembered!) and realise it’s proper filthy so that will need to be cleaned tomorrow as we don’t want to risk a fire.

We moor up before the winding hole and the end of the Ashby canal and later after tea, on we go for a very well timed walk as we have booked a Tesco food order to the canal address tomorrow and walking up we spot someone locking the gate! After a chat she very kindly tells us to let her know what time its coming and she will leave it open – how kind is that ((you’re so jammy))

As usual I have a crap signal – have I said before that i would never recommend having an O2 network if you’re living on a boat. Chris’s EE signal is so much better. Day done. Miles: 5 Tunnels 1

Tuesday 26th March Day 248

I woke feeling like it was time to start making an effort and lose some weight – i think they say TV looks like you’re 2 stone heavier… so I pulled on my wellies and off I went ((I hope you had more than just your wellies on!)) do not buy a boat unless you get some wellies, they are an absolute must on these very, very muddy towpaths. I wander along the towpath and when I come to the tunnel I take a left as only boats can go through the tunnel – back in the day people would have ‘legged’ a boat through the tunnel. I find a nice walk around a playing field with a wonderful blossom tree and then it’s back to the boat and work at the dinette in the morning.

After lunch we decide to started on the roof whilst the weather is nice. Chris cleaned one section from the chimney which is about in the middle of the boat to the stern, then it was rust treatment and filler before I came along with a steady hand to paint. I was very chuffed with the line I maintained down the boat and it’s another step closer to bringing the boat back to life.

In the afternoon, as we wait for our food delivery, the biggest bee I’ve ever seen coming into the boat – clearly a queen. We very careful guide it outside, as much as I love bees that one was a whopper and it’s home was outside and not in our boat. The food delivery doesn’t go to plan as I have no signal on my phone and the delivery driver couldn’t initially find the address, but they get here in the end and then it’s back to the boat to unpack and the usual of deciding we don’t know what we want for tea because we have too many choices! Day done.

Wednesday 27th March Day 249

The seasonal spring weather is upon us and last night it rained with menace, so it took a while to get to sleep and its changeable all day so not suitable to getting the second coat of paint on the roof.

I’ve got work to do though as we are putting the finishing touches to the Newark Book Festival programme so lots of events to sort. I also upload my latest vlog to Patreon.

I’m afraid that’s it for the day as there wasn’t much else to report other than a stunning sunset to enjoy after dinner walk. This area at the end of the Ashby canal really is stunning and where we are moored we can see for miles over the over fields. We are reluctant to leave and have decided to stay longer ((I thought you were done. I was looking forward to getting on with more important things than reading your blog)) so we can get the roof done – weather permitting. Day done.

Thursday 28th March Day 250

I am thinking of stopping my daily blogs… ((WHAT – not again?)) I’m just not sure they are interesting enough ((well, there is that?)) and maybe people are not reading them anymore. I know the time line is confusing as my social media is in real life, the blog is two weeks behind and vlogs usually the same. What does everything think? Would people prefer daily, weekly, monthly? ((Yearly??)) I will continue to write these as this is going to be the foundation of my canal book with added extras. Over to you…

Today is an example of why I’m not sure if it’s interesting enough to warrant a daily blog. We went for a walk along the very muddy towpath and the reverse of the walk we did last night. So, it was along the towpath, left at the tunnel, through the playground, past the village, ((Avoiding the pub)) down a long lane to find to find a no access sign to walk along the Ashby canal where we are moored. So it was back down the long lane, past the village ((Still avoiding the pub)) through the playground, right at the tunnel ((Please go left). It would make it interesting if you swam through the tunnel) along the towpath and onto the boat and then I barely moved all day as was working at the dinette. So that’s day done. Oh, other than the fact we emptied the toilet ((Too much information)) I really would be interested to know what you think? Day done.

Friday 29th March Day 251

It was more scraping, sanding and painting as we aim to try and get the roof sorted so one side is finished as the weather is being kind today. It’s a long job when you’re working with 60ft of boat but it’s very satisfying to get it done and more importantly it’s protecting the boat from rust and hopefully saving us an expense in the future by looking after it now. The other side we are going to tackle next week once we have turned the boat around ((Since I can see into the future I don’t think this is going to happen!))

Once done, I crack on with some more of the canal book as well as a bit of freelance work – although it’s pretty quiet on the email as most people who have set hours are off for the bank holiday but it’s nice to catch up as much as possible as next week will probably be busy as we finalise the exciting programme for this year.

The weather is very changeable in the afternoon as sunshine and rain fight for their right to dominate the skies and we are treated to an absolutely amazing rainbow across the boat. I even left my very tasty luxury fish fingers and chips ((WHAT!)) and went outside in Chris’s flipflops and coat as it was chucking it down, but the picture was well worth it. What a glorious setting it is at the end of the Ashby canal. Day done.

Saturday 30th March Day 252

It’s a beautiful bright start to the day and so we decide to crack on early doors with finishing the painting on the roof. That done, we get the push bikes out and cycle about 15 minutes into Measham to get some milk and bread. It’s Easter Sunday tomorrow and then bank holiday Monday which means it’s hit and miss what will be open. ((God forbid you miss out on a cappa!)) exactly!

It’s my first time on the electric bike this year and I feel a bit smug and maybe a little guilty as its up and down hills on the way to the village but my bike makes it easy. We might have treated ourselves to some chips as the chip shop was right next door to Tesco’s and it would be rude not to! Chips eaten, we cycle back. In the sun it’s lovely and warm but it’s still that time of year when it can change in a moment.

Later on in the evening we start chatting about the London plans and before we know it, we have booked some moorings in Paddington Basin in London for 5 nights towards the end of May. It costs £25 per night but you’re guaranteed a mooring on a pontoon with electric. As I’m sure you can imagine, even if you’re not a boater, it’s a whole different world when it comes to boating in London. It will be our first experience and I put a message on the Facebook page and received some lovely suggestions, replies and also honest opinions – basically, forget all the rules and get stuck in lol.

At least if we have a CRT mooring we know we don’t have to double or triple moor. There is also lots of other things going on, we need to look at extra licences for the rivers and also the big trip along the Thames and under Tower Bridge! A lot to sort out but we are ready to get this adventure on the water ((I see what you did there!)). It feels exciting actually having something booked and to aim for. I wanted to be in and out of London before the summer holidays so hopefully with a bit of luck it should work out but who knows – it only takes a landslip or broken lock for things to change but this is today’s plan. Day done.

Sunday 31st March Day 253

The clocks changed last night, so of course we spend the day saying “well it would have been so and so time”. We desperately need water – you can tell the boat is sitting higher at the bow ((You could just sit in it to balance it out!)) and I cannot remember the last time we filled up. Our vague plan this morning is to fill with water and then get this spot back and finish painting the other side but after the short trip to the winding hole and then staring fill up, we end up having the standard towpath convo with another boater and I check the weather, which turns out looks decidedly spring like grim rain for the next two weeks so once filled with water we crank it! Not only that it ends up being our longest cruise yet at!

The powerpack has a mind of its own and decides to come on today so I put a wash on to clean the duvet sheets etc. I also manage to tie a washing line from the duck hatch in the middle of the boat to one of the coat hooks so basically across the whole of our living room. If you want to see what this looks like pop and look at this tour of the boat. It works really well with the windows open and the fan on to dry large items ((I’m saying nothing!)) like the duvet covers.

Another reason for getting to Hinckley today is that we need some kindling as well as usual milk, coffee etc. Also, we are kind of keen to crank it now we have a firm date for moorings and we have approx. 198 miles to cruise and 174 locks which according to the canal planner we use. ((You can barely manage to even move most days!)) exactly that’s why we need to crank it off the canal we have done, back up the Coventry, do all the Atherston flight and then turn onto the Frazeley junction towards Birmingham and the grand union canal. I think due to all this dodgy weather it wouldn’t surprise me if there are more details to the opening of the Oxford canal so we have decided to leave Coventry arm for another day ((I’m sure they will be devastated!)) Another week done! Cruising miles: 9 /1 tunnel

Friends, cake and racing… Day 246

Sunday 24th March Day 246

It’s a beautiful sunny morning so we got stuck into cleaning the boat and even cleaning the oven ((What do you want? A medal?)) and the windows as due to the muddy tow paths and the ropes which dangle on them in the process of mooring up, they are a mess.

We have possibly decided that we are going to tackle the outside of the boat and hang around on the Ashby canal for a while rather than turnabout and go back to the Birmingham canal in our plan to get to London. It could be a gamble which doesn’t pay off if they end up extending the opening of the part of the Oxford which is closed due to the landslip – as it stands opening on the 19th May.

There are various rust patches which need attention and now we are somewhere near with the inside of the boat and the weather is getting to the point we can rust treat and paint the outside, we figure why not use this time to get these jobs done. There are plenty of places to moor with either decent hard standing or towpath. We will see how we get on!

My good pal Karla visited today as we moored near a community centre so she could park and after showing her the boat and all the jobs we went into Market Bosworth for a little meander around the farmers markets before heading into the café for possibly some cake ((Cake for dinner??? I can feel a diet coming on Peachy)) I know. Everytime I watch my vlogs I think about editing out the double chin – must make an effort and eat less and do more! The nicer weather and lighter nights will help ((you hope))

After a catch up it was back to the boat for more vlogging action. I might possibly be up to date soon as if we stay on the Ashby canal as I won’t be filming so much cruising and just the DIY and I’m already a week ahead so that’s good. Time to have a Sunday dinner and watch Moto GP. The end of another week. How fast is this year going and when you read this it will be April! Week done. Until tomorrow/next week. x

Spring weather has arrived! Day 245

Saturday 23rd March Day 245

Rain. Sun. rain. Sun. sun. Hailing. Rain. Sun – oh yes folks, Spring has Sprung in the UK! We loiter around in the morning watching a bit of bike racing and I did some more editing on the canal book and then after lunch we decided to brave a cruise as I’m meeting a friend tomorrow and want to be near a place she can park.

I lasted a few minutes on the stern before going back in the boat as it’s so cold even though there are blue skies ((Wimp!)) I know, I’m a fair-weather cruises kinda person and Chris insists on being the captain so he has to cruise in all weather conditions. I did make him hot drinks ((So kind!)) anyway, I have work to do so crack on with that. ((Oh yeah. Any excuse to not go out in the dodgy weather!))

We cruise for a couple of hours before arriving at the mooring near Market Bosworth. There are two water points here as well so it will probably be a washing day on Monday when we cruise, so we can fill the tank straight back up again. Moored up we decide to wander into the historic town which is about a 20 min walk ((they are so exhausted they end up going to the pub! They are old so don’t think too badly of them)) Actually, it was mainly to visit he second oldest building in the town The Red Lion Pub built in… ((oh pull the other one and save it for the canal book)) well, the canal book will have more of a history element to it so i will.

With black clouds threatening, we walk back to the boat with our shopping. A hire boat has moored behind us and they ask us how far it is to walk into town as they have had enough of ‘barging’ ; this makes us chuckle. I’m sure someone might have told them that’s not the right term but we just point them in the right direction and tell them to enjoy themselves. Like in all walks of life, hire boaters seem to get it in the neck and rightly so sometimes they go too fast or do things wrong but we were all novices at one time ((Remember all the boats you’ve crashed into and how you both couldn’t even moor one of hire boats!)) exactly. I’m all for people having fun and enjoying the canals. Day done. until tomorrow. x Cruising Miles: 3

We spot some amazing things on the towpath… Day 244

Friday 22nd March Day 244

Today we left the lovely mooring at Hinkley as it was time to cruise as we need the boat facilities. There are a distinct lack of places to empty our bins; in point of fact, I think the only place is at the end of the canal as all the others have been removed which is a bit annoying so we just have to stash the bags in the bow until we get to the end. Apparently, people were dumping so much rubbish at the one near on the rubbish bins they got rid of it. I don’t know if that is canal gossip or the truth but I’m sure we have all seen signs of people fly tipping! I don’t think it’s really the answer that we should go without a service because of other people’s actions but there you go.

We manage to film a baby Muntjac deer on the towpath – what an amazing animals we are lucky enough to see, as we spot a few water voles as well. There is so much wildlife to enjoy on this canals and we feel so privileged to see it.

We cruise for another 5 miles today from Nutts Bridge to Sutton Wharf mooring which is near the Battle of Bosworth, so once the rain has stopped we take a wander up and enjoy the stunning views across the countryside.

There is nothing much to report at the moment on the book front as I’m waiting to get my book back from my publishers for editing and I’ve been working on the canal book. I really need to set aside some proper time to work on thriller novel as I’m more than ready to get stuck into the series. Day done. Until tomorrow. x Cruising Miles: 5

The benefits of a power nap… Day 243

Thursday 21st March Day 243

Today we broke our bodies by wandering into Hinkley and around the charity shops and buying some shopping we needed. I don’t know how far it is but it was one of those when you feel like you’ve been walking forever! A bit like when we walked the Yorkshire Three Peaks and after 11 hours you wondered if the end was in sight so you could lay down.

When we get back to the boat we both have a power nap ((You’re both so old!)) then powered by coffee after the nap I record the vlog about living in the marina over winter; which has been really popular. Our subscribers are increasing most days which is good. Hopefully I will be able to share reaching that all important 1K subscribers in the not too distant future.

I never used to like power naps but as middle age has arrived i’m all for them. My strict rules are no napping after 2.30pm and for no longer than hour and a strong coffee must be consumed afterwards. Then you’re good to go.

We decide to stay put rather than cruising so I spend the rest of the afternoon faffing. If you haven’t already please do check out our YouTube channel and subscribe – it’s free! Day done. Until tomorrow.
YouTube Channel – Watch our narrowboat adventures here