C.L. Peache's Blog, page 33

Day Twenty – Trent Lock – Monday 7th August

It’s Monday morning and I hope you will allow me a little moment to enjoy the fact I don’t have anywhere to be or anything in particular to do. ((Well actually you do Peachy as you’re catching the train to Newark today)) I know but I could change that if I wanted and I can work when I want ((Oh, come on are you now pretending all this vlogging, blogging, author stuff being work again!)) Hey, people would say JK Rowling or GRRM were working if they were doing this ((Oh, Peachy. Come on, that’s because they have a massive fan base. I knew those reviews were causing your head to swell.)) Despite Bracket’s opinion I’m still enjoying my moment of pleasure at not having to do or be anywhere unless I want to!

We have been trying to decide what to do re moorings. ((Oh first world problems here Peachy!)) As I’ve said we are collecting the car today as we need it for a couple of days and can park it somewhere close to where we are moored. We will need to top up with water soon and the water point is not too far away it would mean we would either have to carry on after we have used it, reverse back to where we are now or return back to Cranfleet lock – go through the lock, turn the boat in the river and then come back again as it isn’t wide enough on the two week moorings to turn the boat. We also need to do some washing which requires quite a bit of water. ((How much washing are you doing Peachy!)) Well, I would say a full load in our washing machine is only probably 1/5th of the clothes you can fit in one load in a normal washing machine so we are going with the wash little and often method.

Right, it’s 10.54 am now and it’s time for a bit of a tidy. I’m now up to date with the blogs and just need to copy them into WordPress and find pictures for them, add the tags and info and schedule them. If you’re not following my blog then click on my website and sign up – it’s free, to get notifications and this blog will pop straight into your inbox once live.

Soon it’s time to leave and we wander into Long Eaton to get the train to Newark. It’s a great location around here for accessing amenities. It’s strange going back to Newark and doesn’t actually feel like we have left when we arrive into Newark Castle, which is a stones throw from Kings Marina where we used to live. We are collected by Chris’s folks and go to collect the car, which is just as well as we have to go back to Newark on Wednesday for an appointment but also something breaks! ((Oh big cliffhanger there Peachy. People are gonna have sleepless nights waiting to hear whats happening!))

We make the most of the car and head to Decathlon as Chris needs new mud guards for his bike. Since these will be our main mode of transport once the car has gone and the even now… in supposed summer the tow paths a wet and muddy so mud guards are needed!

That’s it today. Not a massively eventful day. We both have some lovely stuff coming up but this means we cannot cruise as much as we would like and we really must start cracking on with some of the boat jobs soon! But i suppose the plan was always to start slowly.

Until tomorrow. x

Day Nineteen – Trent Lock – Sunday 6th August

It’s 19.28pm now and I’ve just realised I’ve missed writing up my blog for the last 4 days so now I’m going back to try to remember what happened. ((Oh dear, oh dear… I bet the last few blogs have been even worst drivel than usual! I thought you spent all these hours doing this stuff! And actually Peachy only ended up writing this one as it’s now 10.43am  on Monday 7th August)) mind blown. ((and she’d been flattening the dinette since 8.30am trying to catch up!)) In my defence it does take time to write these you know!

This morning we had a relaxed morning after a couple of drinks last night and I returned to bed with a coffee to finish reading my friend’s book The Tomato Runner – brilliant. Then we decided to top up the shopping and cycled off into Long Eaton again to see what we could plunder and pillage from Aldi – or should I say, pay for. It was a really lovely cycle ride through a farm – probably why there are so many bloody flies around here! Man alive the boat is filled with them. Although I’ve had to retract my belief that spiders don’t catch flies. It seems they do catch some of them but we would need Shelob and her family to take the ones on here! The joys of being near the river but they are better than the mozi’s!

Cycling through the farm brought back memories of back in the day when I used to be a nursery nurse/nanny/babysitter and I used to look after some children who lived on a proper working farm. The sounds and smells from the farm brought it all back. Does anyone else feel like something in their past was lived by someone else because it seems so long ago and now you feel like a totally different person? I suppose it’s a getting older thing. When you start taking about your past as decades ago you realise how old you’re getting!

Anyway, shopping returned to the boat we chill and watch some bike racing as people mooch past the boat on pushbikes and walking. ((I wonder if they realise an author is listening from the boat they are commenting on as they pass. Don’t be sharing your secrets on the canal path people it could end up in a book!))

We decide to visit the boating services and meet Arthur on the towpath and stand around chatting for a while. He’s made himself a new bed to fit on his boat and we try and pass on some of the limited knowledge we have learnt over the last year or so. It’s nice to try and help another boater.

Time for tea, catching up on the other Narrowboat YouTubers vlogs and then onto the dinette to update this. Tomorrow we are planning on catching the train back to Newark as we have a few things to sort out including selling the car which is the last object to go which will also help fund our trip. Let me know if you know anyone who is interested!

Until tomorrow… x
(just in case you need the link to my Narrowboat YouTube Channel… https://youtu.be/LZ3mrmDO6uA)

Day Eighteen – Trent Lock – Saturday 5th August

We wake up to the promised rain pounding on the roof but there is something very relaxing about lounging about in bed with a coffee and looking out of the window onto the canal. This idyllic morning doesn’t last too long as we put off emptying the toilet yesterday ((You know when you finally make this into a book it will be called something like ‘the bog guide to the canals’!)) but Chris is planning to see friends for the day and when it’s raining, I’ve delegated the toilet emptying as a ‘man job.’ ((It’s always Chris’s job what are you talking about!)) Well, that was part of the negotiations when we bought the boat. ((What, that Chris does everything and you flatten the cushion at the dinette writing blog, editing, doing jigsaws or lounging on the bed reading or ‘power napping’ the man deserves a medal!)) Hey, I do my fair share… I do locks and stuff like that!

Anyway, after discovering the way of getting to the cassette to the Elsan without having to wheel it far, especially on muddy, wet tow paths. Off he goes as seen in pic.

In the end Chris’s mate comes to the boat and three brews later and a good old chin wag they head off for a bit and leave me in peace. I don’t get much time alone on the boat so it’s quite nice just pottering and faffing about.

Later we decide to support the local pub with our patronage as the rain eases off a bit. We have a couple of lovely drinks in The Trent Lock pub before heading back to the boat. I do a bit of filming on the way back but we end up chatting to a guy who is wandering along the towpath with a massive box. Turns out this chap is called Arthur and he bought his narrowboat three months ago. So interesting chatting to liveaboards about their lives, what they do for work and why they bought a boat.  

Day done… until tomorrow… x

Day seventeen – Trent Lock – Friday 4th August

We are rudely awaken by the kids partying in the morning. I open the curtains to give the sheep a piece of my mind and tell them to keep the noise down whilst they are drinking from the canal! What a way to be woken up though. Other than the rumblings of a few trains throughout the night there is hardly any noise at night. It’s very peaceful here.

I was due to have a zoom call with a marketing team in India as my publisher Saga Fiction want feedback on how the process has been. Whilst I’m waiting, we decide to do a through clean of the boat. The only issue with this mooring is the number of flies! Man alive there are gazillions of them. They seem to be attracted by sunbathing on the cratch covers and then make their way in the boat. Certainly, if you cannot learn to live with insects then I don’t advise living on a boat! It always feels good to have the boat spick and span. ((Clean for those who don’t know what she’s talking about – also I looked the origin of this and here it is … Spick meant nails (or spike) and span meant wooden shavings. On a new sailing ship, the nails would still be shiny and the wooden shavings from the manufacture would still be present. Therefore, a new ship would be spick and span)) ohhh, interesting Brackets ((Well someone has to make this blog worth reading))

The zoom call doesn’t happen due to some kind of flux in that space time continuum again as we don’t quite get the time zone calculations right so we re-arrange for another day. Normally I would have waited but the afternoon was threatening rain and we wanted to cycle into Long Eaton.

Off we went up the cycle path, which takes you along some of the Erewash canal which we will be visiting at the end of this month to have the boat taken out of the water and blacked – scary! ((Blacking is basically the hull/bottom of the boat being treated and then blacked with bitumen to protect the hull from rust, pitting and rubbing and extends the life of the hull. Generally this has to be done every 2-3 years unless you use a two pack epoxy which can last 5-10 years)) Wow, you are on it with the info today Brackets.

I have a great charity shop haul of jigsaws and also find a phone bracket so I can video when we are cycling ((Oh YES!!! Peachy make sure your phone is in a waterproof case so when you fall in we can still watch the footage… pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee)) We have been on some lovely cycle rides and as long as the footage isn’t too shaky it would be great to show you more of the canal paths and towns we visit.

Until tomorrow… x
(Chips from the chippy in Long Eaton – lovely jubbly)

Day Sixteen – Cruising Day! – Thursday 3rd August

Cruising day today and it’s a glorious day for it. We do the usual routine of taking down the cratch covers, sorting out the bikes on the roof, making sure the anchor is ready, tiller on and all the other little faffy jobs done. ((This is going to be a long blog so if you happen to be ringing in sick – I hope you feel better soon, but then you can a lazy day recovering with an urn of coffee to read Peachy’s blog))

Our plan is to use the services at Beeston Lock. It’s a lovely but short cruise to the services where we spy another boater moored on the water point. Whilst we decide what to do; as if we moor on the other side these narrowboats are not the most maneuverable so trying to get it to the other side of the canal can be tricky. The chap from the boat hails us and suggests we double moor.  Exciting, we haven’t done this before ((This is where two boats are side by side and tied to each other)) It works surprisingly well and within minutes we are tied onto his boat and having a good old natter.

Once he’s finished we do the tricky untying. I will try to explain without the visual – you will be able to see it on my vlog this Sunday ((Oh well done, good link Peachy. You are learning!)) I didn’t video the whole thing as we were worried our ropes would garott him or his aerial as he slowly cruised his boat under our centre line rope. ((Ohh, this is a bit like a boating limbo?)) oh you’re right Brackets. Then Chris pulled the boat into the water point and we tied up. Hope that makes sense. ((Probably not Peachy but I shouldn’t worry you Yorkshire head about it as 97.23% of what you write, say and think makes no sense!))

It’s all hands to the deck as we set the water to fill the tank as this is the longest job as I’ve explained before. We ((That royal we again)) empty the toilet and take the rubbish to the bins. I then take a wander across the bridge and to the marina shop to get some milk and other essentials ((by this she means ice-cream!)) Well, we are on holiday! ((Actually you’re not Peachy. You said you were going have two weeks of holiday and that was up yesterday)) Well, we decided to extend it okay!

I go and set the lock – this means I check the paddles on the far side of the lock are closed so that no water can come into the lock and then I open the paddles on nearside of the lock to let the water out. This means the lock gates can then be opened and the boat can cruise in. Then it’s time to closes the paddles on these gates, close the gates and open the paddles on the farside and let water in so the boat rises to the level of the water on the other side. I will try get Chris to video me doing a lock at some point to show you ((Well, I think you’ve explained that pretty well. Even I understand it.))

It’s a lovely cruise as the sun has decided to join us and once we are on the move, I knock up a coffee to enjoy whilst we cruise. The river is so much higher than when we came through here about the same time as last year. I tried to find a picture from last year so I can show the difference but was unable to find one. I think the lockie said it was about a 3 feet higher or 1 metre roughly in new money ;).

We soon arrive at Cranfleet Lock which was a tricky one last year. We moor on the landing lock and I wander up as there is someone coming down which is handy as it means the lock is set in our favour. We open the gates and they cruise out and Chris brings the boat into the lock. These gates are very big and heavy but I have a technique which is basically sort of pulling/bouncing the lock to get some momentum to be able to pull it open/closed. Once it’s moving, i can go around the other side and push it with your backside ((I’m saying nothing! Nothing!))

One thing that did annoy me was there was someone there with a dog. It’s standard that people stop and watch boats in locks. We used to, but this guy just let his dog wander around the lock whilst I was working it and as I pushed the lock gate open it ran onto it! How dangerous this could have been but he just carried on sitting on the bench not saying a thing. There would be no way I would let my dog wander onto lock gates whilst they were being opened or whilst people were trying to operate them. Slight rant over. Apart from this guy everyone we have met with a dog have been lovely.

I don’t know if maybe they have done some work on the lock mechanisms or if I’m just more experienced at operating locks but this once goes pretty well. Again, there should be a video on the vlog – sorry I promise I’m not trying to push the vlog but it’s easier to show on video sometimes than explain. ((Yeah, coz it’s not as if you’re an author or anything so should be able to explain things properly, is it?!))

Lock all done and set correctly, we move on. Some locks are different as a general rule of thumb you close all the paddles on each side of the lock but with Beeston lock you leave one paddle up on either side. I think this is due to the water coming off the river and managing it down this waterway but that’s only my thoughts!

We arrive just near Trent Lock around 1ish, moor up and have lunch. The moorings closest to Trent Lock/Erewash canal are 48 hours but where we are is two weeks. I looked back at my blog from last year and on day 3 we had already passed this area. We are currently on day 20 (in real time) well, we did say we were going to cruise slowly!

Chris wanders off on the Electric bike to go into Long Eaton which is the closest town to get himself some essential supplies. ((By this everyone now knows it means alcohol or food!)) and I start doing some clothes washing on the stern, some swans joined me but I’m not sure they were actually helping very much!

Right, I will leave it here. Sorry it’s been a long one but more to say when it’s a cruising day. We are probably going to stay in this area for a bit as we have things to do including going back to Newark to sort out a few things so the blogs should be shorter! ((small mercies!))

Until tomorrow… x
(in the picture you can see the arrow on the sign… when we came through last year there was a bank of sand/silt in front of it with various birds standing on the bottom. Shows how much more water is in it this year!)

Day Fifteen – Just a bit further down the canal – Wednesday 2nd August

We wake up to a bit of a drizzly day but the toilet cassette waits for no-one ((Oh, I’m out. Honestly just because literally everyone asks about the toilet within about 2 minutes of a conversation does not mean you have to talk about it in every other blog!)) Actually, Brackets this is for a reason so pipe down. It’s not far to Beeston Lock where the facilities are on a pushbike but to far to wheel the cassette, it could probably manage it but so it doesn’t get damaged or muddy we come up with a cunning plan. ((I doubt it Peachy but go on))

We secure the cassette in a bin liner ((Yeah coz people are not going to realise what it is!)) and strap it to the back on my electric bike! ((Oh God, please tell me you fell in. Please??)) no, but I’m not going to lie, it was close lol. For those who haven’t been on an electric bike before it, well mine is, quite stiff to get the momentum and then the motor kicks in and it’s proper speedy and so I admit that with the contents swishing about ((I’m going to be sick)) it was slightly unstable until I managed to get my balance. ((I’m so disappointed. You really need to get a camera on your bike. Imagine if you’d fallen in and not captured it – that would have been YouTube Gold – you would probably have at least 2 more subscribers))

Anyway, it was a successful trip and another thing made easier as we get used to life as continuous cruisers.

Later on we make the most of the sun making an appearance and go for a bike ride minus the cassette. I know many people have moaned about the summer but I do sometimes wonder what they expect. It’s the UK! It’s summer and not so long ago we were all moaning about the ridiculous heat wave. Then again if we couldn’t talk, moan or comment on the weather what would even be the point of being British.

We don’t go too far down the cycle path back towards Nottingham as I’m still getting used to the bike but it’s lovely watching the reflections off the clear canal water. Then it’s back to the dinette and the usual jigsaw, editing, blogging and social media. I honestly spend probably 30-40 hours a week doing all this stuff ((what do you want? A medal? Some people actually work for a living Peachy!)) I’m not whining about it Brackets. I’m just saying I didn’t know how long it took to do all this stuff but I do love it. ((I think you might have said this on another blog but I cannot be bothered to trawl though all the blog to check. I’d rather stick my circuits in canal water.))

It’s also interesting, ((It probably isn’t Peachy)) how differently we use the boat depending on the mooring. At Hazelford, Gunthorpe and Holme we were always on the stern with the chairs reclined taking in the beautiful views trying to ignore the mozi’s but on the canals we have not used the stern in the same way. The boat changes as our location which is not something we expected.

Right, that’s it. Until tomorrow… x
Picture is my work station!

Day Fourteen – somewhere between Nottingham and Beeston – Tuesday 1st August.

I know you’re reading this on a different day due to my blog being behind but Pinch Punch 1st of the month and no return! Sorry, couldn’t help it!

Talking about the space time continuum it’s now Thursday and for some reason I haven’t updated the blog. Not sure why, anyway I will try and remember what happened ((oh what sweet hell are we in for – I might give myself the day off… on the other hand I might stick around to see what she says!))

It was a peaceful nights sleep until the banging started. We peered out but couldn’t see where it was coming from but yesterday we had spotted two of the big generator/engines they use to pump water in/out of the water. I think they are usually water for farmers fields. As we go for a bike ride to have a look at the canal museum/café near Beeston Lock we spotted yesterday, we see some blokes using large hammers to beat the machine into submission and sure enough their technique works as when we arrive back BOTH machines are chugging away.

We end up deciding to move the pull the boat up the canal slightly to get away from the worst of the noise and actually it’s not too bad. I would imagine that come winter we will have to get used to that as people maybe fire up their engines/generators to get hot water/heating as they cruise less. Because the noise is consistent/constant – one or the other or both it one of them where you just keep tuning into it but realise what it is and tune back out. I know some people hate the sound but it’s like with my early days of writing. I knew some writers who couldn’t write unless the conditions were perfect and I decided that just wouldn’t be realistic to have those conditions, so I used to go to busy coffee shops to write so I learn’t to drown out the noise. I’ve written on a busy ferry when crossing from North to South Island in New Zealand. In busy coffee shops in York and anywhere I’ve found myself. ((Alright show off!))

Anyway where was i? Chris interrupted me I’ve forgotten. ((never mind Peachy. Not good to look back just move on…))

Oh yes, the bike ride earlier. Highly recommend if you’re in this area to pop to the Canalside Heritage Museum – what a fabulous place. Really interesting to read all the history and the gardens are amazing. Not to mention the homemade food available. Lovely place.

I think that was it for today. I did lots of the usual uploading/downloading for the vlogs as well as faffing. ((soooooooooooooo interesting Peachy! At least it was short so we can be thankful for that.))
Until tomorrow… x

Day Thirteen – Holme Lock to ‘between’ Nottingham and Beeston Lock – Monday 31st July

I feel the need for speed ((Hand on a minute there Peachy you do remember you sold your motorbike to fund this adventure don’t you? The only speed you can muster now is when you hear an ice-cream van outside or catch sight of a Costa coffee in the distance.))

It’s time to cruise but before that we empty the Elsan just in case the one at Meadow Lane isn’t working and am I pleased we did. Rank does not cover the state of the Elsan at Notts. I will add it to my next vlog with a warning to watch it wearing your marigolds! We remove the sides of the cratch covers ready to set off and sort out the bikes. It’s not a quick process but by about 9 am we are on the move. It’s a real shame to leave these moorings. It’s a lovely area as are the people we have met.

We moor up on the pontoon which is across from Notts Football ground so we can tie up and both head up to ‘set’ the lock as I remembered from last time that they were a bit stiff. We then take down the rest of the cratch covers as it will be too high to fit under the bridges. I will try and pop on a photo so you can see what I mean for those who haven’t seen the boat.

I go back to the lock as chris unties and guides the boat expertly into the lock. We close the gates, fill it up and then move the boat onto the side so we can fill up with water. It feels bloody brilliant to get back onto the canals. I really enjoy river life but it’s like the boat knows it’s back where it should be. The engine doesn’t need to work as hard and we feel like we can relax more. It’s not that we are worried or anything like that on the rivers but they are naturally more dangerous than the canals – as a rule!

Water filled we carry on cruising through Nottingham. It’s surprisingly quiet today. Maybe because it’s a Monday and the weather is very changeable. Much to our relief we manage to fit under the tunnels without any problems and soon arrive at Castle Lock. It’s about 11.30 am and all quiet with only a couple of gongoozlers. We make short work of it and just before we cruise out of the lock, the promised rain arrives. We continue a little bit further and then moor up to have lunch then make our way to Sainsburys to stock up. It’s only a few minutes’ walk away so good for the heavy shopping ((you mean Beer and Malibu?)) No, erm tinned things and stuff like that actually.

Lunch done we decide to crack on and eventually spot a nice mooring between Castle Lock and Beeston Lock which suits us just fine. It’s lovely and peaceful ((Wait until tomorrow Peachy. Just wait!)) now you’re doing it with the click bait and building the tension. ((Yes, but I’m good at it!))

There are some beautiful willow trees lining the side of the canals here. The water is quite shallow and it’s mesmerising to watch the reeds in the gentle flow of the water and all the little fish going about their day. The only thing which hasn’t been good the last week or so is the mosquitoes… ((Ohhh, I’ve been waiting for this one. I’ve got a story about it…

“Hey Bob.” Bob says.

“Hey Bob.” Bob says stretching, just to confirm his nickname of Big Bob.

“How’s it going?” Bob asked. All mosquitoes are called Bob but no-one knows why. Possibly something to do with them not having a large capacity for remembering things – a bit like Peachy you could say.

Big Bob waited a few minutes deciding if he should spill the intelligence he’d come across in the past few days. It was a tough decision but Big Bob knew he wasn’t known for his ability to keep a secret, which annoyed him sometimes but he’d long ago decided you are who you are. Mother Nature was stubborn at best and it was safer not to question her thought process as there were worst things to be. His kind didn’t get a long life span but they had the ability to pass on juicy gossip and there was a lot to be said for that.

“Well,” Bob asked. Knowing Bob had something to tell him.

Big Bob leaned in closer, “See that narrowboat over there. The Plot?”

Bob looked over to the boat moored up next to the river and smiled.

Big Bob had a matching grin.

Bob said, “That good?”

Big Bob nodded, “I had myself a ten course meal. I’m telling you, Bob. It’s the tastiest blood I’ve ever had. Do you remember once Bob said the best blood was in Yorkshire. It turns out he wasn’t lying like we thought he was Bob. Something about those pale Yorkshire legs.” Big Bob smacked his lips.

“Right then.” Bob said, his stomach rumbling as he set off.

Big Bob relaxed back. He couldn’t drink another thing.

See there, Peachy. That’s a good story. Stick with me kid and you will go far!))

Well, I can only apologise. I tried to delete the story!

Until tomorrow. x

Miles/Distance: Roughly 8 miles I think!
Locks: 2 (Meadow Lane Lock & Castle Lock))
Tunnels: 0
Swing Bridges: 0
Facilities…
Toilets: Yes but I would recommend wearing a full haz suit to enter – video of it in vlog 3 of the journey which should be out on Sunday! It’s not for the faint hearted!
Elsan:  Yes – as above
Bins:  NO – they have been removed so people have just been dumping the rubbish where I presume the bins were.
Showers: Yes as above. Probably last used to film a horror movie.
Waterpoint:  Yes – easy to moor next to and use. Good water pressure.
General: I think the above says it all and the videos finishes the picture!

(picture is from Hazelford Lock but thought you can just about see the size of the cratch covers!)

Day Twelve – Holme Lock – Sunday 30th July

((Here we go… another boring blog from Peachy. Wait for it…))
We enjoy a pile of scrambled egg made in the frying pan as the microwave drains too much power and a few slices of homemade toast before watching more bike racing and then I decide, because I’m an adult, and no-one can tell me what to do, to go back to bed and finish reading fellow Saga Fiction Author Neerja Pawar’s romance novel – loved it. I put a link in an earlier blog if you want to read it. ((Told you! That’s a few seconds of your life you won’t get back!)) After that it’s a bit of social media to catch up on. I’ve made the new vlog live on YouTube and since it’s Sunday I will have hopefully added another one. ((Actually Peachy ended up putting the vlog on yesterday because it was raining and she thought she might have more victims sitting at home and hoped that would be sooooooooooooooooooo bored they would watch her vlog! But as i’ve said before if you fancy a good sleeping aid then go ahead and watch them.))

A bit later… we make a little pack up and have a wander around the Holme Pierrepont area and sit watching other people exercising whilst we munch on sandwiches and crisps before heading back to the boat to collect our 2 large water containers. As we did our clothes washing yesterday, we aren’t sure how much water we had left in the tank so it’s handy having the containers to use for drinking water ahead of hopefully filling up at Meadow Lane Lock tomorrow. There is a water point here with a good flow but it would require a bit of a manoeuvre to get the boat back near the lock where the water point is so we are banking on it being okay at the next one ((I’m sure you said in an earlier blog that you will fill up whatever!)) I did but when we arrived, we didn’t want to miss out on a space so didn’t want to moor at the water point only to miss the mooring. We had filled up at Stoke on Wednesday so think we should be okay.

I’m feeling a bit sleepy so not sure if it’s a coffee or a nap required. ((Oh, you do have such a hard life Peachy! It’s make no wonder you’re tired, I mean all this writing, vlogging, jigsawing and reading is so draining you poor thing. You’re probably boring yourself to sleep… ))

I had a nap and then a coffee before settling down to a jigsaw and listening to my audio book ((I rest my case)). The promised rain has arrived but it’s lovely and cosy on the boat. All day long there has been the distant sound of cheering as people take part in the event at Pierrepont. Finally, the fireworks start at possibly around 11.30pm. I feel so sorry for the ones who have only just finished they must be absolutely exhausted.

Oh, when we were chatting the boater, think his name was Rob he suggested tying like a flagpole to the bow (front) of the boat which is at the height of the tallest item on the roof then if that doesn’t fit under a bridge/tunnel we know we have to pull over and do some serious demolition work on the roof boxes. I think we should be okay for this stretch but I know some of the canals are very low.

Another day done. Tomorrow it’s time to be on the move again. X

Day Eleven – Holme Lock – Saturday 29th July

We are woken in the night by a banging on the side of the boat… had the pirate duck found us or was it the zombies trying to climb aboard? Or was someone trying to break in and steal my coffee? Turns out it was a buoy we had left dangling on the river side of the boat so at 4.45 am Chris got up and climbed out of the bow doors to move it. It was light at this time so thankfully no torch was required and we were soon back to bed.

We set off on the bikes at about 8.30am as we’d promised ourselves a Wetherspoons brekkie! I think it’s roughly a mile to the famous Trent Bridge Cricket ground and we also pass Notts football ground. It’s a really interesting ride/walk down here and I would highly recommend it you manage to secure a mooring at Holme Lock.

Also, I will confess we expressed shock at how lovely everyone was on the path. There were dog walkers, runners, runners with dogs attached to them, cyclists, just walkers, horse riders but… we could not believe how friendly everyone was. This stretch should be the pinnacle of which every shared path aspires to. Dog walkers very kindly held onto their dogs and moved to one side as we passed by. Everyone smiled and said hello. It was a perfect synchronicity of everyone just enjoying their chosen means of transport and being nice. Cyclists keep to one side and respected the walkers and runners. I admit other times you feel some trepidation at a moan or someone being awkward but not here. It just shows when everyone had the same mentality, we can all share and enjoy the same stretch. ((Come on now Peachy. Confess you’re being paid or something to write this? This is one of your works of fiction isn’t it?)) not at all, it’s exactly as I said.

I did worry at one point as it looks like they are all set up for a triathlon at Pierrepont ((OMG can you imagine you getting caught in that?? I would literally pay to see you run, cycle and the belly flop like a hippo into a lagoon to do the swim part. I… I’m… I just cannot stop laughing!)) Well, I’m glad you find it entertaining. My days of doing challenges like this are long gone. I walked the Yorkshire Three Peaks for charity and that about broke me – well in fact I did fracture my hip the second year I did it. ((Oh, here she goes. Now she’s gonna share the fact that even with a broken hip she did the walk faster than the previous year)) Well I did! ((Peachy it was over ten years ago – you cannot dine out on it forever.)) I can, you watch me. I was very proud of what I achieved.

Getting back to the boat we stop and have a chat with a fellow boater. I love chatting to people who are seasoned boaters and are happy to share their knowledge and wisdom and are not condescending because we are ‘new boaters’. Everyone was new once and I think sometimes seasoned boaters do forget this. What’s wrong with new people coming onto the waters? Yes, they might be naive and yes, they might make mistakes but don’t we all.

Chat done we set to cleaning the boat and getting the washing done. Which as I’ve explained before is a longer task on a boat but we love that. Although being moored here it’s very strange as in regular intervals there are people rowing past the boat from the Pierrepont park. Some of them came so close to boat I nearly offered them a cup of coffee. In fact, when we were chilling on the stern last night someone shouted over and asked us to pour them a merlot! Lol. ((Oh, well you do have that plan to sell rum and gin on the boat Peachy. You would just have to be careful not to sample more than you sell!))

It’s 14.53 as I type this up. I try to get this done on the day because if you watch my vlogs you will know exactly how good my memory is! I’m going to schedule a few blog posts which you will have already read if you’re following this from the beginning and then it might just be a little reading session as my tbr pile is mounting up.

We decided to have a cycle to a local co-op which was about a mile away from where we are moored. It was lovely and felt like a suburb of London. ((Come on now Peachy. Tell them what you did.)) alright, I was getting to it! I was desperately clutching my 3 small bottles of rose when the worst thing happened… i felt one of them slip and my hands were so full with thing like salad, eggs ((cinnamon swirl…)) that I couldn’t catch it and it smashed on the floor ((Oh I wish I’d been there)) Chris carried on putting the stuff through the check out trying to pretend he’d never seen me before as I went to tell one of the staff. They were very lovely about it. I offered to clear it up but they cracked on. ((I can see why people laugh at your misadventures. You don’t even try to make this up for entertainment you are literally a walking disaster!)) I know Brackets, it’s getting older and being peri menopausal, I just don’t know who I am some days. ((Don’t worry Peachy at least everyone can laugh at you – that’s some consolation.))

Later we relaxed with a few drinks, caught up on bike racing and then it was off to bed to the sound of the water lapping against the boat. X