At Last - Wi-Fi is returned

Ages since last post I know. The marina Wi-Fi has been down since the first lot of heavy rain and wind. Thankfully it is now back up and running.

So what has been going on since my last post. In short, not much. Unfortunately I have had to work. A 48 Hour Guaranteed Pass Course in Stamford. Obviously this has taken up much of my time. The pupils test was today and sadly she failed. However another test will soon be booked and I am sure she will pass next time as she was so close this time.

However, back to life aboard.

When we first moved on to Jolli, our dogs were nor particularly fit, and due to their age, we were unsure that they could make it to the pub and back. Our fears were groundless and during the snow covered days it was our want, to walk around the marina, down the lane, and finally through the village high street to the local. We had planned to due this last Sunday, but owing to the incredibly rapid thaw and all that rain. The aforementioned route had become an absolute quagmire. We deemed it unfair to other pub users to take two very wet and muddy dogs and so left them on Jolli whilst we went for Sunday Lunch.

However Gail and I took the same route and I took a couple of pics of Tess's bed fellows that had escaped their winter home

 

I don't know what it is about calves but they are so cute and these two were happy to pose.

 

Maybe it is knowing that they are both cute and very tasty that gets me all excited

 

So we got to the local and our table was reserved. "Would you like to see the menu?" the young lady behind the bar said. "That's alright" we replied. "We'll have two roast beef lunches" said we, our mouths watering at the prospect.

 

"Sorry, we're not doing Sunday Lunches today." said young lady. "There's been a mix up," she added.

 

I wanted to enquire what the mix up was. Didn't the chef know it was Sunday? Were they going to do Sunday Lunches on Monday? WHATS THE BLOODY MIX UP?

 

Gail could sense my general feelings on this rather inane statement and, placing a calming hand around my throat, dragged me from the pub saying to the young lady behind the bar, "That's OK, we'll leave it thanks"

 



So we walked backed to the marina. The calves were still there, looking tastier than ever, got in the car and went to The Wheatsheaf at Crick. I have to say, it was a blessing in disguise. It was the best Sunday Lunch I have ever had, and without doubt, we will be going back there again. Lovely pub, pleasant and friendly landlord and top notch grub. Spot on. Can't recommend it highly enough. And there hadn't been a "mix up"

OK, rant over. I've finished work now until Monday, and I'm really looking forward to tomorrow (Friday). We've got a couple of friends coming to join us, and we are all going to cruise up to Welford Wharf and have lunch at the pub there. Gail, Jolli and I will stay there for next week, as my work next week is in Wigston and Welford is closer.

Don't know how internet will be there (Apparently I have to buy "a dongle" whatever that is), so next post may be tomorrow or maybe not.

Stay safe and happy

 

 



Yet another Snow Day........ Yi.........

Can you see that my enthusiasm for this wonderful weather is wearing a bit thin. I was supposed to start a 48hr course today (Monday)  in Stamford. Fat chance of that. Would you want to give driving lessons to a nervous learner driver in this weather? No, me neither. So what could I do but stay on good old Jolli and treat myself to another day of leisure.

But I am getting ahead of myself.

Yesterday was a typical Sunday. Typical that is, if you are live-a-board in this weather. As it was a Sunday, what could I do but go to the pub at lunchtime. The days of "The Sunday Lunchtime Drinking Session" seem to have passed into glorious memory. Not so in our adopted village. The local was heaving.

 It used to be a tradition at home. Fathers and sons would go to the pub, whilst wives' and mothers' cooked Sunday dinner God that does sound it bit chauvinist, doesn,t it. But that's the way it was.

Since Gail was still away with work and "I daren't drive in these conditions" commitments, I had nobody to please but myself.

 

 

So off to the pub I set, with dogs, a £10 note and high hopes in my heart. As I left the marina the temperature crept up to a blistering -2 C. Saying a wistful "Goodbye" to Jolli we set off.

 



 

Feeling a little like Captain Oates. "I'm going outside now, and I might be quite some time", we carried on.

 

 

A short walk from the marina is a lane with various farm buildings and I was fully aware of this, as was Tess. The dogs are fully "Cattle aware" and I had no worries about this, Tam and I continued with the walk. After about 50 yds or so I became aware that Tess was no longer with us. Running back, and shouting like a lunatic, (Bit pointless as Tess is profoundly deaf), I found her. there she was, lying with two very young calf's in about 18 inches of cow sh*t. The calf's were clearly unworried, as one of them was trying to lick Tess's ear, I so wish that I was quick enough to take a picture. But by the time I had got the camera out Tess had seen me and was happily trotting towards me, with a look on her face that said, "Ah, there you are. Come on then, lets get going." 

 

We got to the pub and spent a great couple of pints. The smell that Tess emanated was blamed on an

old man that nobody liked, I was happy to go along with this supposition. So with people eating their Sunday Lunch and the flies (figuratively speaking that is, it's too cold for flies) gathering around Tess, we set off back to Jolli.

The weather had improved no end

 

Here's a picture of the neighbours boat taken from the galley window

 

The mince meat stew was great, helped by a couple of dumplings.  Lets see what tomorrow brings.

 

Stay safe and warm out there

 

Sunday Morning and another snowday -Yip.....

 

Its wears off a bit after a few days doesn't it? It's still pretty, it's still fun and it's still cold out there and the forecasters have said that we will get more snow about lunchtime. I can reliably inform you all, that, unless they are planning an early lunch, they are wrong. It's 9-30 am and its snowing now.

 

Sunday morning, no wife, Gail is still stranded at her mums'. (She did get a new car. A Ford Fiesta. Don't have any details yet) Only 4 cans of beer in the fridge. And I have just discovered that my meticulously planned stew will now be mince in gravy as I got the wrong bl"%dy meat out of the freezer last night. Have you ever noticed how much frozen mince looks like frozen braising steak. Never mind it'll do fine I am sure.

 

The dogs and I did walk to the pub yesterday, about a 15/20 minute walk along a lane come bridle path. This being the quickest way to the pub. (See Pics) The only other people I saw on the way were about a dozen or so children, dragging sledges and making their way to "Crack Hill", the local sledging site. I so wanted to go with them. I have always loved sledging and reckon I could still give the younger generation a few tips. Memories of Spiney Hill in Raunds have just come flooding back. We used to spend hours there in the winter trudging up the hill and then speeding down. I remember one particular winter when the snow was that bad, and the traffic so light, that we could carry on and sledge right acros the main road, the towns main high street. 

 

On the way there

 

 

Met a very pleasant couple in the pub, and later found out that they are living on the marina too, and passed a couple of hours drinking, talking and doing the Mail Crossword with them

 

On the way back

 

The plan for today is much the same as yesterday. Get the boat jobs done. Walk to the pub and back, lunch, snooze, television, bed. What an exciting life I lead.

 

Maybe post later. See ya.

 



Snow Day "Yipeeeeee"

Yesterday, what a day. I did get all my boaty jobs done, including emptying "The Shitter" as the cassette toilet has been lovingly named. Hereafter to be called "The S" so as not to offend my more delicate readers. Took a  trip into Crick, to the Co-op, to load up on essential supplies. (Beer and milk).

The snow was rather persistent wasn't it. Snowing virtually all day. when I came back from my brief shopping expedition, the roads were beginning to cover nicely. I haven't seen what they're like this morning (Sat), I can only guess that they are extremely hazardous and to be avoided at all costs.

The dogs did get a long walk yesterday and thoroughly enjoyed it, as did I. What was only intended to be a brief, "wee-pooh" walk (for the dogs that is, I have mastered the use of the toilet)  turned into a bit of a hike.

 

 

The marina now has a pretty good covering of between 4 to 6 inches

 

 

The ice this morning is about 3 inches thick, so I'm guessing there'll not be a lot of boats moving today

 

The top of the hill was the final destination of our walk and conditions were a little inclement. Although the dogs didn't seem to mind much. Somebody told me recently, a wise old sage from the local village. "There ain't no such thing as bad weather mate, just bad clothes". He may have a point.

 

Although Tess, not in the habit of wearing clothes, would probably have had something to say on that point.

 

Tam just ran around like a puppy as usual.

 

Have to go now folks. The dogs have just informed me that they feel up to a walk to the nearest pub at lunchtime after they had a chat with "Bella" the dog next door, on this mornings constitutional. Her owners are going as well, so we'll make a little social outing of it.

 

Very nice.

 

 

 

 



A Mallard named Jesus (well, he looks as though he's walking on water)

 

 

An old chap from our home town (Monty Fulcher) used to say "If ice in November will bare a duck, then the rest of the winter, slush and muck."

 

I don't know is there is a country saying regarding ice in January, but there sure aught to be. It should be something along he lines of "If January ice will bare a duck, the rest of the winter, boody cold". At least its proving to be so, so far.

 

This picture was taken last night before we had any snow. The ice was about 1/2 inch thick. I guess that by know it has to be about an inck or so.

 

We're having no problems staying warm on Jolli though. Although I have noticed a marked increase in coal consumption.

 

The snow started yesterday evening at about fivish and apart from a break during the night it has been more or less constant ever since. The snow is now laying on the jetties a couple of inches deep and with the wind whipping upi around the marina it is almost blizzard conditions. And I have to go outside and get some coal from the office and fill the water tank before it freezes solid. Woe is me.

 

If the dogs think they're getting a long walk today they can think again. It will be a quip nip around the marina and then back to our lovely stove.

 

 

On the down side, Gail rang from her mothers last night to say that her car's head gasket has blown and she had to call out Green Flag. It's an old car and we need to get her a new one. She has taken today off work and is going to look for a new one with her brother. I feel a bit useless sitting here, but we agreed that If I leave the boat to get to Gail, there is a chance we would not be able to get back, and we have the dogs to think of.

 

So, better get my boaty jobs done and get on with the day, maybe I'll post later. Until the next time stay safe and warm.

 

 

 





Rimey or Hoary

Here's something that's always puzzled me. When is a frost, "A Hoar Frost" and when is it, "A Rime Frost"

For example what do you think this is:

 

 

Well, I don't want to get into a long winded debate over this so make your own mind up. Here's a link to the now infamous Wikipedia to help

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frost

 

Today was a rest day for Gail  and a kind of a snow day for me. I collected a pupil at nine only to drop her off again at 9-30am. Her test is at 8-10am tomorrow morning and I KNOW that it will be cancelled so what is the point of her wasting her "paid for" hours until we know that her test is going to happen. I returned back to our lovely toasty "Jolli" by 10-30am

Gail had a friend visiting her in the morning. The ever lovely "Nicky". We all enjoyed tea and crumpets. Incidentally, Nicky, has a thriving dog sitting and kennelling business. You can board your dogs with her and they have a wonderful time on her farm, living with her own dogs, and enjoying all the cuddles and love that they would get at home. Providing that your dogs do not require manicures, pedicures or daily visits to the hairdressers. We board our own "babies" with Nicky and the buggers don't want to come home. I know that Nicky's very busy over the summer months, but if you would like details feel free to contact me and I will pass on your details. 

 

Today's dog walk was the same as yesterdays, but because of the colder weather it was again as fresh as the first time we did it.



 

The fog hardly lifted today. I suppose it will tonight, just enough to let all the heat out and give us a real hard frost for tomorrow

 

Kind of magical really. Like a frost tunnel.

 

Gail, with no "pooh" bag

 

Rime or Hoar. Made your mind up yet?

 

 

And back to "Jolli" or was it?

 

On Gail's insistence we had to go to the local after our arduous walk, not a lot of people about, but as you can see, the fire was welcoming and welcome, and last but not least, warm

 

 

 

At least Gail had someone to talk to and I could have a couple of pints in blessed warmth. Have I mentioned that it was very welcoming and very warm

 

And so back to "Jolli". Still warm and welcoming (I've heard that somewhere before) for lamb cutlets and roast vegetables.

 

Another cracking day.

 

Be careful out there on the roads all of you. The weather forecast is decidely, how shall I say, hmmm? Oh yeah. Crap

 

I reckon it was a "Hoar Frost". What do you all think?



Marina versus The Canal

Not much exciting happened today, so I though I would use today's post to do a bit of thinking out loud.

A point that has been causing me to ponder over the last few weeks, from the first day we moved on to "Jolli" actually. Is "What are the benifits to consider between life on a marina and life on the canal."

Obviously on a marina you have lots of material benefits, laundry room, dryers, toilets, mains electric hook up and showers to name but a few. You also have much better security that if you leave your pride and joy out on the cut all day, with just the dogs to keep it company. Lets be quite clear about this, our dogs in no way whatsoever would be a deterrent to burglars. In fact as Tess was making them a cup of tea, Tam would probably be offering them my slippers and a beer.

So lets go through these benefits. Laundry room, well we have washing machine on board. Dryer, its usually so hot in the boat that clothes get tinder dry in seconds, We have a cassette toilet and a shovel. Gail has broad shoulders and could no doubt learn to dig a decent hole in a few weeks, she is, after all, half Irish. We also have two spare cassettes and a key to the disposal points situated along the canal. Electricity? We have an inverter and a 2 ltr diesel engine to charge the battery bank (4 x 110 amp/hour leisure batteries)

So that only really leaves us with security to worry about. Well I suppose if you left your boat in the centre of a busy town, on a canal that may be a direct route back from the local nightclub to the nearest sink housing estate, where ASBO's are considered a badge of honour you may be asking for trouble. But surely your boat would be safe, moored up,out in the sticks, or next to a couple of like minded individuals.

 

I took some photos today whilst walking the dogs and it was this scene that let to the "in head" debate as described above. Yes, it looks lovely and picturesque but does it remind you of anything else?

 

It does me. It reminds me of a bl"*dy housing estate for boats. Exactly what we are trying to leave behind

  

 

It is pretty though isn't it. And I suppose it looks a lot nicer than a lot of housing estates.

 

 

All three photographs were taken from the hill overlooking the marina

 

 

I think that in all fairness both our minds are already made up. That is to say that come the better weather we will be off down the cut to further explore this alternative life style.

 

I would welcome any comments that any of you experienced live-a-board boaters may have and indeed any comments from anybody at all.

 

That's it for today folks. Stay safe and be happy.