C.L. Peache's Blog, page 27

It’s NaNoWriMo Time!

Wednesday 1st November – Day 108

((Pinch punch first day of the month and no return!)) Damn it! I got Chris this morning so I’m not too mad you got me! The change of clocks is still affecting us so we are awake at 6.30am and I get the coffee on. Checking the bowls, it does seem like the fix has worked and the windows are no longer leaking.

I set to tackling the mountain of pots I didn’t wash up last night after we had a fabulous pasta meal using up some left-over veggies. We really need a ‘proper’ shop but will have to wait until we get to Stafford area for the Aldi, as it’s too expensive to get a full shop from places like the co-op.

We have decided to stay near Penkridge for a few days as they have a bonfire do on Saturday night. Pots washed i decide to do then do a clothes wash as we are going to have a little cruise this morning with possibly only one or two locks depending on mooring spots so will have enough time to finish the wash so the power doesn’t drain our batteries.

I think I’ve spoken about NaNoWriMo before but basically, it’s a worldwide event which some authors take part in. The idea is to write 50,000 words in November which works out at approz 1,666 per day.  Today, I added 1,795 so pretty happy with that. Ideally, I like to get ahead early on but we have been faffing with boat jobs, editing etc but hoping i can get a good couple of writing days under my belt before we start cruising again.

Miles:1 Locks: 3
Wordcount: 1,795 total 1,795 If you want to be notified when I publish a new novel then you can follow me on Amazon

Getting post on the boat, leaky windows & how much did our narrowboat cost?

We um and ah for a while but in the end decide to stay put. On this stretch the boat services are very close together and then it’s a long stretch without them to Great Haywood so it makes sense. I have the last few days of vlogs to catch up on and this blog to update so decide to crack on with that in-between waiting for the notification for our Amazon delivery to arrive at the locker in a co-op not far away, this is one of the ways we get post and parcels when living on the boat.

We also decide to tackle the 2 windows which have been leaking, we’ve now siliconed them with sikaflex – which is horrible sticky black stuff but they remained dry with the overnight rain so that’s something and another job done! Fingers crossed that works in the long term and we don’t have to take out the windows when next in the marina.  

The internet is a bit slow here despite our aerial so it’s slow going with the uploads and downloads but I finally manage to film, edit and upload my vlog on how much our narrowboat cost and schedule some of the vlogs for the next 7 days as I plan ((Due to the time space continuum the vlogs are already on YouTube!)) to realise a vlog each night at 6pm.

It’s a shock as the darker nights are now with us so we enjoy watching a film called The Mummy with Tom Cruise. It looked like it got a slating when it came out but we enjoyed it. Tomorrow it’s the start of NaNoWriMo for me so time to finally crack on with some good old writing!

Day done. Until tomorrow.
If you want to find out how much our narrowboat cost click here.

Cruising in autumn… muddy and wet towpaths!

Monday 30th October – Day 106

It’s an early morning start as the clocks have gone back so it’s means we are awake at 6.30am so on goes the coffee pot! The drizzly rain starts so we decide a morning faffing on the boat is required. After lunch, it’s then time to untie the ropes and off we go as we have a little break in the weather. We are only a few mins from the services at Gailey and are soon moored up and it’s time to empty the cassettes, water and rubbish.

A chap walks past and has a giggle at the name of our boat. It never fails to make people chuckle and I point out that the boat is well named for us and he mentions the garage just up the road which sells alcohol ((Some reputation you’re building up Peachy!))

As we get ready to set off, I walk the very short distance to the lock and the family in front kindly help us with the lock. For some reason ((I can think of a few)) I thought there was only one lock to do today and I’m just making a coffee when Chris shouts he can see the lock landing! Oops, we arrive to a couple just entering in the lock in their boat so I wander up to open one of the gates and then let them crack on filling it as there is only one ground paddle working, then so pop back to the boat to finish my coffee. Then it’s our turn to get in the lock and very quickly ((yeah right, very quickly! On a narrowboat!)) we arrive to Boggs Lock.

The next lock comes quickly ((again, pull the other one!)) and so does the threat of a black cloud menacing above and coming our way. We resolve to moor up once through the lock. There is a woman very kindly refilling the lock as we arrive. There is a general rule that if two boats arrive at a lock; one at each end then it depends how full/empty the lock is as to who gets to go in first. She said it was in our favour so opened the paddles to fill it for us as we are going down. We have a natter as you do and then her other half joins us and I have a chinwag with him about the impeding weather of doom. He tells me to jump on board so I get a rare treat of us both being in the lock.

The promised drops of rain arrive soon after and it’s raining in earnest as we try to find a piece of armco to moor up. Finally, we spot some and Chris starts putting up the cratch covers as I pull in the boat in and tie it up. The joys of boating at this time of year, the towpath is very wet and very muddy! It’s a good job we decided to moor up as soon after it proper chucks it down and we decide to stay put even though this mooring has the loud rumblings from the vehicles on the M6.

Later on, the rain subsides for a bit so we decide to brave the very muddy and wet towpath to get to the local co-op for supplies. I can see what boaters say about the towpaths in winter and we are thankful once again for our cratch covers to be able to get changed out of muddy wet clothes before getting into the boat. We have wellies and waterproofs and they are being well used at the moment!

I settle down to some writing and then the day is done. Until tomorrow… x

Miles: 1 Locks: 4

It’s great to see so many new people joining our YouTube journey. Click on the link if you want to find out more. The vlogs get a bit more polished and interesting from vlog 22!

Narrowboat adventures: Day 106 – 112 Mon 30th Oct – Sun 5th Nov

I know i keep faffing a bit with times for the blog as i work out which people prefer. It’s seems a mixture of all in one blog and individual days so this is the whole week ahead but if you just want to read each day then ignore this and check back tomorrow. Just remember they are a week behind as i have to live it before i write it!

Monday 30th October – Day 106

It’s an early morning start as the clocks have gone back so it’s means we are awake at 6.30am so on goes the coffee pot! The drizzly rain starts so we decide a morning faffing on the boat is required. After lunch, it’s then time to untie the ropes and off we go as we have a little break in the weather. We are only a few mins from the services at Gailey and are soon moored up and it’s time to empty the cassettes, water and rubbish.

A chap walks past and has a giggle at the name of our boat. It never fails to make people chuckle and I point out that the boat is well named for us and he mentions the garage just up the road which sells alcohol ((Some reputation you’re building up Peachy!))

As we get ready to set off, I walk the very short distance to the lock and the family in front kindly help us with the lock. For some reason ((I can think of a few)) I thought there was only one lock to do today and I’m just making a coffee when Chris shouts he can see the lock landing! Oops, we arrive to a couple just entering in the lock in their boat so I wander up to open one of the gates and then let them crack on filling it as there is only one ground paddle working, so pop back to the boat to finish my coffee. Then it’s our turn to get in the lock and very quickly ((yeah right, veery quickly! On a narrowboat!)) we arrive to Boggs Lock.

The next lock comes quickly ((again, pull the other one!)) and so does the threat of a black cloud menacing above and coming our way. We resolve to moor up once through the lock. There is a woman very kindly refilling the lock as we arrive. There is a general rule that if two boats arrive at a lock; one at each end then it depends how full/empty the lock is as to who gets to go in first. She said it was in our favour so opened the paddles to fill it for us as we are going down. We have a natter as you do and then her other half joins us and I have a chinwag with him about the impeding weather of doom. He tells me to jump on board so I get a rare treat of us both being in the lock.

The promised drops of rain arrive soon after and it’s raining in earnest as we try to find a piece of armco. Finally, we spot some and Chris starts putting up the cratch covers as I pull the boat in and tie it up. The joys of boating at this time of year, the towpath is very wet and very muddy! It’s a good job we decided to moor up as soon after it proper chucks it down and we decide to stay put even though this mooring has the loud rumblings from the vehicles on the M6.

Later on, the rain subsides for a bit so we decide to brave the very muddy and wet towpath to get to the local co-op for supplies. I can see what boaters say about the towpaths in winter and we are thankful once again for our cratch covers to be able to get changed out of muddy wet clothes before getting into the boat. We have wellies and waterproofs and they are being well used at the moment!

Miles: 1
Locks: 4

Tuesday 31st November Day 107

We um and ah for a while but in the end decide to stay put. On this stretch the boat services are very close together and then it’s a long stretch without them to Great Haywood so it makes sense. I have the last few days of vlogs to catch up on and this blog to update so decide to crack on with that in-between waiting for the notification for our Amazon delivery to arrive at the locker in a co-op not far away, this is one of the ways we get post and parcels when living on the boat.

We also decide to tackle the 2 windows which have been leaking, we’ve now siliconed them with sikaflex – which is horrible sticky black stuff but they remained dry with the overnight rain so that’s something and another job done! Fingers crossed that works in the long term and we don’t have to take out the windows when next in the marina.  

The internet is a bit slow here despite our aerial so it’s slow going with the uploads and downloads but I finally manage to film, edit and upload my vlog on how much our narrowboat cost and schedule some of the vlogs for the next 7 days as I plan ((Due to the time space continium the vlogs are already on YouTube!)) to realise a vlog each night at 6pm.

It’s a shock as the darker nights are now with us so we enjoy watching a film called The Mummy with Tom Cruise. It looked like it got a slating when it came out but we enjoyed it. Tomorrow it’s the start of NaNoWriMo for me so time to finally crack on with some good old writing!

Day done. Until tomorrow. x

Wednesday 1st November – Day 108

((Pinch punch first day of the month and no return!)) Damn it! I got Chris this morning so I’m not too mad you got me! The change of clocks is still affecting us so we are awake at 6.30am and I get the coffee on. Checking the bowls, it does seem like the fix has worked and the windows are no longer leaking.

I set to tackling the mountain of pots I didn’t wash up last night after we had a fabulous pasta meal using up some left-over veggies. We really need a ‘proper’ shop but will have to wait until we get to Stafford area for the Aldi, as it’s too expensive to get a full shop from places like the co-op.

We have decided to stay near Penkridge for a few days as they have a bonfire do on Saturday night. Pots washed i decide to do then do a clothes wash as we are going to have a little cruise this morning with possibly only one or two locks depending on mooring spots so will have enough time to finish the wash so the power doesn’t drain our batteries.

I think I’ve spoken about NaNoWriMo before but basically, it’s a worldwide event which some authors take part in. The idea is to write 50,000 words in November which works out at approz 1,666 per day.  Today, I added 1,795 so pretty happy with that. Ideally, I like to get ahead early on but we have been faffing with boat jobs, editing etc but hoping i can get a good couple of writing days under my belt before we start cruising again.

Miles:1 Locks: 3
Wordcount: 1,795 total 1,795

Thursday 2nd November – Day 109

We are moored up in nice spot and decide to stay here for a few days as there is another storm incoming and since we used the services yesterday, we are okay to loiter for a few days.

I spend the morning uploading more vlogs and trying to get them up to date and then it’s time to crack on with my book. I’m trying to upload and create the vlog within a few days of filming so I can vaguely remember what happened but also clear storage on my phone. Sadly, I didn’t receive my novel back from my publisher which I was waiting for so I decided to crack on with my psychological thriller. For those who don’t know. This was the first book I wrote back in April 2018 and it’s been faffed with so many times over the years but the time has never seemed quite right ((Just get on with it Peachy. We are all sick of waiting and your mum is going go apocalyptic on you soon if you don’t publish it)) I know, I know.

There are few reasons for the delay, ((5 years is more than a delay)) there have been other books to write, life has got in the way. I’ve set it to one side as I needed to decide on who were my target audience, I faffed about with tense and first person, third person and everything else in between as I’ve tried to make the book what I want it to be. This is the one book my beta readers are always asking me about 5 years on. They all still ask me about it now so it shows how well the characters and stories resonated with people. It’s going to be a series of I don’t know how many yet. I’ve written 2 and started on the third.

Now I feel it’s the right time and I can do it justice. I feel like I’ve developed enough as a writer and whilst I’m sure the editor will pick up many mistakes, my writing is now at a point where I feel ready to get this book done!

So, during NaNoWriMo the aim is to work on two projects. One the editing and changing the point of view of the main characters and adding more description and detail to the psychological thriller and then when I receive my book back from the publisher, I will work on that which is more of the same! ((and some people say you don’t work hard!)) I know right, I’ve never worked so hard.

We have a wander into Penkridge for supplies before the heavy rain arrives and then spend the day faffing and re-arranging stuff on the boat. We are near a charity shop so are having a good clear out. It’s amazing how much stuff you can fit on a boat and it was feeling cluttered. ((We know you’re only doing it so you have more space for your Christmas decs!)) shhh Brackets!

Until tomorrow…x

Wordcount: 1,699  Total:  3,494

Friday 3rd November – Day 110

It’s been a beautiful bright day today and we cannot get enough of the solar so we get out the portable solar panel to charge the power bank so we are harnessing the as much sun as we can. It doesn’t provide much charge but it’s free! We’ve also noticed that the power bank will not charge to its maximum efficiency when it’s cold, they don’t tell you that on the info so we now put it somewhere near the fire to warm up before we charge it and that seems to work. Obviously not too close to the fire!

Today we decided the tackle the large unit we have in the living area. It’s a beast of a piece of furniture but is great storage and looks good on the boat. We want to try and lift the unit so it sits on the gunnels. That will then give a few precious extra inches ((I’m saying nothing)) in the main area. We also want to have a declutter as now we are way into our adventure, we know what we need and what we don’t need and a boat can feel cluttered very easily!

The boat has to be a mixture of practical and homely and requires a clever use of the spaces. Like creating any home, it all takes time and I’ve talked before about how we use the boat differently depending on our location, especially the difference between being in a marina and cruising the cut. When in a marina the boat is plugged into the mains so the items we have like the power bank we use to run the tv and the solar panel and various other bits and bobs we don’t need but they still need a place somewhere on the boat.

Anyway, the unit fits, hurrah, so we then order some new legs for it to match the cherrywood. Not only have we gained extra space in the main area but we now have room for baskets underneath the unit for things like kindling, logs etc for the fire which we means we can get rid of the drawer unit we were using – again creating space and getting rid of clutter. We also move the coat hangers around a bit to make that area look a bit better. Still more to do but every time we faff it becomes more homely ((Again… you’re just trying to clear the other unit so you have space for a Christmas tree!)) Shhhh, Brackets. Don’t tell Chris about my cunning plan!

I manage to get some writing done before I start on the wine after visiting the postoffice to collect the feet for the unit ((She has a few too many to drink…)) and we listen to some music to the odd firework going off. We were going to go to the bonfire do in Penkridge tomorrow but the weather looks suitably terrible for tomorrow so we will see!

Wordcount: 1,211 total: 4,705 before you say anything Brackets we were boat faffing all day!

Saturday 4th November – Day 111

We have a nice relaxed late morning lay in ((Due to the alcohol consumed! And late morning Peachy means 1pm)) I watch a bit of Peaky Blinders in bed before we fill ourselves with a veggie sausage and onion sandwich and tackle the unit to put the new feet on. As you can imagine the whole boat in an absolute tip as we have to move everything out and then I decide to also give the kitchen a really good clean. But hey ho, by then end of the day we have sorted it, put everything back and the boat is looking fab.

I sit down to update this blog as I need to get my wordcount in and I’m not quite ready to get started on the novel my publisher has now sent me. It’s not straight forward as I have to read the edit notes and the amend and add as I go along which takes a bit more thought ((50,000 words woohoo)) Wow, you’re right Brackets. I’ve just past 50,000 words on this blog since I set off on Wednesday 19th July! ((Tell you what, your year in a life living on the canals is going to take some editing when this is only 4 months into a 12 month adventure! Good luck with that Peachy!)) I think I will need it. Do you think I waffle too much?((Saying not one thing!))

Tomorrow we are hoping to cruise to Stafford. It’s funny really that you get the feeling to move. Apparently, there is some link to the canals with Chris’s family which we will have to find more about so maybe it is like coming home to him. I never thought I would live on a boat but I’ve always been up for adventure!

Wordcount: 844 total: 5,549 ((Is that all?? You have literally had all day!)) Yeah I know but I have editing and stuff today which takes up the time. ((I suggest you get on with if you’re going to have a few days off next week to see friends!)) Yes Boss!

Until tomorrow… x

Sunday 5th November – Day 112

It’s up early for me as I wake up at 5am and it’s one of those rare times where I felt refreshed and decide… well why not, so I got up and cracked on with writing. I managed about 1k so was pretty happy with that as I’m also editing as I go along. It lovely to watch the day dawn as the moon is still bright in the sky and the wispy red clouds of dawn make way for a beautiful day to cruise.

First job, is to take the Elsan to the services on the trusty electric bike as we intend to stop at Stafford for a few days and the next boat services point is Great Haywood once again! ((Don’t forget to tell everyone how you forgot to put the lid on the blue liquid you use for the toilet so it leaked into the carrier bag)) Yes, yes, you don’t have to tell everyone every mistake I make! I wonder if it will be like this every year as we approach winter, that we end up loitering in one area for a while before setting off for a new canal and a new stretch when the weather changes.

We then pop to the boat moored behind us as Chris got talking to the couple and she is writing a canal book so we got chatting and exchanged emails so I can hopefully help her ((She does really she will never be a success if she listens to you…)) Hey… ((well to be fair you did advertise your fantasy series and sold one book so you know… next stop…)) we end up chatting for an hour and then at 10am it’s off we go.

First up of four locks today on the Staffordshire and Worcester canal is Longford Lock after only a few minutes and then in short order Park Gate Lock and Shutt Hill Lock. In between doing locks I have the washing machine on the go to make the most of generating electric whilst cruising. I pop in to finish off the washing and then make us a coffee and some toast as by this point we have been cruising for an hour and a half and since I was up early I want food.

Food and coffee consumed I stay outside to enjoy the beautiful blue skies and views. It’s a little chilly but we will take this kind of cruising weather any day of the week.

Before too long we arrive at Deptmore lock – this is the deep one if you remember from the way up. Stunning views from this high up. Once out we cruise past the fields which flooded on the way up. I’m going to try and show some before and afters on the vlog when I get around to editing it. ((That will be out in like 2026 so don’t hold your breath!)) Actually, it should be vlog number 47 which will be live on Sunday 10th December! (Ohhh, get you being all organised. Remember whose telling you this people, don’t hold your breath!))

We arrive at our mooring spot near Radford Bridge and then it’s a quick visit to Aldi for essentials and then I treat myself to a power nap since I was up so early. Then the afternoon is filled with making a Sunday dinner, editing my novels, writing this blog and just possibly a film.

Right, that’s it for this week. Don’t forget the vlog is alive and last week I put a vlog up about the cost of the narrowboat and then one each night so plenty to binge watch on a rainy day.

Miles: 5 Locks: 4

Until next week… xx

Wordcount: 1,202 total: 6,751 ((Down on the wordcount again Peachy! Tut Tut!))

YouTube link… https://youtu.be/RpFzn0FUGUA?si=MyNmdg1acvQA8WGB

Cruising day. It all gets a bit Barry Manilow!

Sunday 29th October  Day 105

We decide to cruise today and eventually stop somewhere near Gailey Lock and the services. It’s a gorgeous day and the sun is dazzling as we set off. I decide that since we’ve cruised this area I will set to and do the washing so as not to use our batteries. I stick on a classic bit of Barry Manilow. (( Barry ‘flippin’ Manilow!?!?!? I knew you were old Peachy but come one!)) Hey, don’t diss Barry. This morning memories of being in the living room at home when I was kid, mum ironing, good old Barry on the record player. Happy memories. ((I’m surprised you can remember!))

We often say how we feel this adventure has taken us back in time. I suppose it’s having the time to think about the past and events. That when you’re just naturally happy all those good memories come back. When you’re stressed or not happy in life it’s difficult to recount those times. ((Your happiness must be off the chart to sing along to Barry Manilow!)) I dare you not to sing out loud to Mandy or tap your feet to Copacabana. ((If I had either of those things I still wouldn’t do it!)) You don’t know what you’re missing!

Anyway, we have a lovely cruise and washing done I make a sweet potato and coconut soup before we decide to tackle the bow again ((Royal We)) and get the messy, horrible job of grinding the floor finished. Hopefully this will be the last of this job and we can get on with rust protection and painting so that’s another massive job done for winter.

Right, I better go as once Chris has finished in the bow I’m going to have to clean the outside of the boat as it makes a right royal mess. Another week done and we are going to study the maps and stoppages on the canals so that we can see where we can cruise to before we head into the marina in December. We might possibly go up the Trent and Mersey but who knows with us!
Miles : 4
locks: 0

Sorry i keep faffing about with blog days/times. I’m trying to find what works. Let me know if you prefer daily or just the weekly blogs. I will try posting each day with a full weeks round-up on sunday evening!
Until next time. Xx

Narrowboat faffing!

Saturday 28th October – Day 104

Today we decide to stay put so no cruising. We have a wander back into the village after a morning of cleaning and faffing on the boat and watching some bike racing. We tackle a few little jobs like tacking up the wires for the aerial we installed and add a few bits to the shower room. I’ve said before, I’m looking forward to sorting this room out as one our winter project.

Today we finally sorted out our plan for the winter. I think I mentioned before we have the opportunity to visit Jersey in January for a few weeks as I need to do research for my book ((tell us another one)) which should fall really nicely as hopefully I will be getting the Jersey book back in the next few days so I can work on that through November. Email it back to my publisher for edits and comments and then I can tweak some specific scenes when I get to Jersey. We didn’t want to leave the boat on the cut for that amount of time and we were really struggling to get in Marinas. Luckily we have manged to get in Great Haywood Marina which has worked out really well as it’s in a great location and easy to get to trains etc and friends are not too far away.

In the evening we decide to visit the pub as its about 2 mins away. After a few drinks and a lovely meal, it’s back to the boat. Rookie mistake though as we forgot our head torches so the phone torch has to do the job as we navigate the slippy and muddy footpath. ((Oh I wish you’d fallen in!)) Hey, that’s not very nice. I think I’ve done my job of falling in ((You only went up to your waist. That doesn’t count and anyway no-one filmed it so doesn’t count!))

In the evening I peer out the window as it’s so bright I wonder if a boat is cruising at night but it’s the full moon illumining the sky. How wonderful to watch the reflection in the water. The north star is very clear. Wonderful.

A long cruise today!

Friday 27th October Day 103

Today will be our second longest cruise at 9 miles. ((You’re not going to break any records are you Peachy!))

We are off cruising by 10am and with no locks to do today we make our way to the junction to turn around! We run out of milk ((Wait call the emergency coffee addict number! How can you have a cappa without milk??!!)) I know! We find a little mooring spot on the route near a pub and walk over a field and road and into a little village called Coven ((Well, you would fit right in there wouldn’t you? Sorry, couldn’t help myself!)) which is apt as it’s nearly the witching time of the month!

Supplies purchased we carry on the cruise going through a really narrow stretch. Oh, just remembered just as we set off, we were treated to a kingfisher just casually hanging about on a branch a few feet from the boat! Didn’t fly off as we approached. I did get a little blurred video of it but was too busy looking at it! Then moments later a heron flew across the canal. There is certainly plenty of wildlife on the stretch as we meet a ‘gang of ducks’ further along.

We arrive at the shroppie junction and turn the boat around and back in the direction of Great Haywood. I didn’t think we would be coming back up this area for a long time but here we are going around in circles again. I was determined we weren’t going to rush this journey and if we decided to crack on up the Shroppie we would be rushing. Also there seems to be a massive shortage of space available in marina’s ((No, they just don’t want you in there!)) and if we don’t get a marina over winter we will have to change some plans so it’s back to the drawing board so to speak!

Miles: 9 miles
Locks: 1

A wet cruise!

Thursday 26th October Day 102

We wake up to a wet and drizzly day and the first day in a long time and everything is soaking wet. The covers, the ropes, everything. Luckily, we only have one lock to do which is Gailey Lock and it’s only a couple of minutes cruise. So, I go ahead and get that set and then use the boat services here. Really impressive tower here which I think used to be café or shop. Once we are through, I escape into the boat and leave the Captain to cruise as there is no point in us both getting wet!

Typically, as we moor up just past lunchtime near Gravelly Way Bridge and the sun comes out so Chris decides to tackle the bow as we are in the middle of nowhere so the grinder comes out and he sets to. It’s a filthy, dirty and noisy job but it has to be done and it’s going to be worth it as it’s becoming a great winter storage area for the coal and logs etc which means everything is nice and dry before we bring it into the boat.

Job done we settle down and there is the most amazing full moon lighting up the boat. What an absolute treat is it. Weirdly we are looking out and some kayakers go past in the dark!

Miles: 0.6 mile Locks : 1

Traffic jam on the canal!

Wednesday 25th October – Day 101

We leave Longford Lock and it’s a short cruise to Penkridge Lock and the services. We queue jump! Eekkk. It’s hard to tell on some of these lock landings as people do sneak in mooring at the end of them and so we thought the people were just moored as we didn’t even spot them being ready to cruise. I wandered up to the lock and someone was already on their way out so left the gates open and we cruised in. Then I got chatting to a woman and they were the other boat! She said she didn’t mind though as they were off to ‘wind’ the boat.

There were quite a few boats on the move and it was busy back and forth as we made use of the services before heading off. I’d started doing the washing when we set off as it’s the most efficient way to do it especially when we are about to fill with water. I pop back in the boat and set the washing machine to spin and drain when Chris shouts we are at the next lock! I missed that one when I checked the map so I made sure it wouldn’t flood the shower room and off I went to collect my windlass and tackle Filance Lock.

Once done it was back in the boat to finish the washing and then soon after we stopped at a place called Cross Keys as there was a co-op nearby so I set to making carrot and coriander soup and Chris went for supplies. Lunch over, we move on.

It’s the coldest day yet for cruising. It says its about 10 degrees but it feels colder. We arrive at Otherton Lock quickly followed by Rodbaston Lock, Boggs Lock and finally Bridge Kiln Lock where I get chatting to a boater who lives at Mercia Marina where we visited in September and where we bought The Plot. Anyway, it turns out we have made a rookie mistake and because we decided to cruise the staffs and Worcester and then onto the Shroppie we didn’t check the winter stoppages and sure enough there is some work being done on the locks on the Shroppie so we now have to crank it quicker than we expected to get past before the navigation is closed from 6th nov – 22nd dec! then some further up are closed from jan – feb so it’s going to be a tricky trying to find a canal we can cruise whilst being ready for them to open in spring! Oh well, I’m sure we will figure something out!

For now, it’s on with the plan and try and get past the stoppage before 6th November.

Miles: 3 Locks: 6

Visit to Penkridge. Day 100 of cruising the cut!

Tuesday 24th October – Day 100

Day 100! Wow how quick has that gone? Cannot believe we have been cruising the cut so long. Today we wandered into Penkridge and what a lovely place it is. Then it’s back to the boat and I crack on with editing as a few days cruising soon mounts up the vlogs and the days and weeks seem like they are all merging into one. It’s make no wonder i don’t know what day it is when i’m working on my blog in real time then editing it a week behind then the vlogs are being uploaded in real time but edited in the past ((You’re no the only one confused!)) My friend only came to visit on Saturday and it feels like it was weeks ago! Very strange getting used to not having a fixed timescale or routine like you have when working at a fixed place, living in a fixed place and having a routine

Short blog today. If you have more time then click over to Sunday’s blog where i share the full week’s adventures. Don’t forget that my vlog should be available on YouTube at 6pm tonight. They are slightly behind the blog adventure!