Nb K2

Boat for Rent?

2011-06-12T15:25:00.007+01:00

You will see that I haven't blogged on K2 for a year... I have been on her about 6 times in the year, all for a days cruise that generally went to Hillmorton and back.
So she has become an unused holiday cottage, so I am wondering about renting her out. Based off the North Oxford she sits in a brilliant cruising area with so many options for everything from a couple of days to longer term. It would be good for her to be used, clearly by people familiar with traditional engines and controls. So if you know anyone, or would like a cruise in the Midlands area, then get in touch with me!!
Without sounding like an advert - she sleeps 4 easily, 6 at a pinch, full size bath and shower, central heating and 2 multi-fuel stoves.. better than a holiday cottage in my book! With her genuine 1954 engine, she looks and sounds amazing.
Anyway - enough of that. Ideally I would like boaters that wish to change their cruising ground, without moving their boat, but everyone considered!
Maybe I should get KeyWorth to set this up as a business site for others as well
Comments on the blog site will get to me, and allow me to communicate with you.

2 pictures

2010-05-02T20:16:00.006+01:00

Thought today I would post you 2 pictures for posterity, and for the record that would not be seen elsewhere.

The first one is is the saloon of Khayamanzi on her purchase, all those years ago, seen here on the left.

The second - on the right here, is the same view, as she slipped the brinklow moorings for the last time, to sail off to new owners and a new future.

Ok new settee, and no trinkets - but you know, as a live aboard, she has weathered the Andy storm very well!

Good luck to Khayamanzi - and if you become her new owners, do keep in touch with us, as we would love to know what she is up to for her second life.

Goodbyes....

2010-04-30T21:13:00.004+01:00

Well - first it was GleeMaiden that hauled up her anchor and left next door. Her crew going landside with their new home, and leaving 17w1 just as it was when K2 moved in 2 years ago now. Both boats had spent 18 months moored together, and it was a shame to see her go. But today, it was an epic change. Khayamanzi left Brinklow for good, under the command of someone other than my brother, as he too, moved landside into a lovely house locally.
So a day moving boxes for him, and realising that when you move from a boat to a house - you have no furniture!
Hopefully Captain Andy and Simba, enjoy their new lives, and I move up to Admiral of the Edwards fleet - although it's been depleted slightly....

Stretch her legs -

2010-04-12T21:19:00.003+01:00

Well the sea ones in any case!! After a winter of inactivity, due to too much work and not enough play, K2 finally got to poke her nose out of the marina, and blew all the cobwebs off!

the winter took its toll though - not winterised at all, as last year we used her all year round, the central heating failed, the starter battery failed, and it took a bit to get her running and warm again. Plus all that cleaning and dusting, to clear the insides - not to mention out of date food that needed throwing out!!

Still, the dogs had a great time - and took up their residence on the tug deck without a fuss!!

The weather was fantastic, and a really relaxing time was had, - plus I painted the blacking on the hull - pictures to follow!! wait for it....

seemingly

2010-01-28T19:58:00.004Z

Ice has gone and the temperature has risen - to a sweltering 4.5 now. Having managed to push over 900 miles this week, and it's only Thursday, I for one am pleased to see the tarmac again! However, the good old Bristish roads have taken the usual pounding, and the potholes and rough roads, have managed to take a toll on my back, courtesy of the most rubbish car I have driven for around 15 years - an Audi A4. Hopeless car, and extreme in its discomfort to say the least!! Even its satnav finds the longest possible way from Southampton to Brinklow. Tell it to do the quickest route, that apparantly is via every town centre, and not on the M40!!!!
Still I guess the next thing will be daffs and bluebells. The marina is fantastic in the spring, partly because of the masses of spring flowers that the harbour team have planted all around. The sky at least cheers everyone up, and makes it look good, soon be time to get out.

Marooned - part 2

2010-01-10T13:16:00.004Z

Ok - so the village is ice locked, but so is K2. So ice locked that she doesn't rock or even creak anymore! in fact no point in having mooring lines!! looks like you can walk across the ice - but don't try it, if you visit!

But today a thaw is on. Ice and snow melting gently - although more forecast during the week if you believe the weather man. Which I don't, seeing as we should have the warmest winter, and had a tropical summer - neither of which happened. More and more I'm beginning to be a climate change sceptic - seems that not all science agrees with the Co2 theory, but that fact seems to be glossed over. Climate change FACT, ranks up there with evolution FACT. Neiter proved - both just a theory, and both with very relevant opposing views that seem to be ignored by most.

However I am enjoying the coldest winter on record...

Marooned

2010-01-07T09:08:00.004Z

No not on K2 - although there are a lot of stories of that on the canals - stuck in ice with no water and a full toilet - not fun! No I'm marooned on land!!

There are 2 ways out of the village. One is down into the village and out the other side, and the other is - well, closed apparantly.

In fairness a lorry jacknifed on one of the corners yesterday, and hasn't been recovered as yet, so it is physically closed! as a neighbour in his 4x4 found out when he tootled off to see!!

The road on the right is the village road, and is one sheet of ice - I couldn't walk on it, let alone put a 2 wheel drive car onto it! In fairness the Quattro got out - although isn't back yet! - but my car remained off road!

So down to 2!!

2009-12-31T10:49:00.003Z

Firstly "Bunty" left home on Christmas Eve, to her new loving home - and by all accounts is living the high life. After a couple of days crying for Mum, she seems to have settled in well, and is adored by new parents and grandparents.

And boxing day saw number 2 get collected. She travelled like royalty in a specially designed dog bag along with new toy, and also spent a couple of days crying for Mum!! But has also settled in well, and is enjoying the life of an only and spoilt puppy.

So we are left with 2. One lovingly named Poppy - 'cos she's a real poppit, and the other Homar - 'cos she's homeless!!

Homar has all the traits of Dad - runs the other way when called, whereas Poppy will come straight in and even goes to her cage when told. After 2 dry nights, and dogs that whine when they need to go out - it almost feels like a pack again!!

Getting colder!

2009-12-11T00:54:00.004Z

At last it's getting colder, maybe all the bugs and colds will freeze away.! In fairness this time last year was quite cold!! Although as I am regularly asked - K2's cabin is a sultry 30+ with the fire going...

K2 was raffled off!! I offered a weekend's cruise for Children in Need to one of my customers. Someone won it I guess. Probably won't know who until the summer!! Don't worry - I will be strictly in charge at all times, so she won't be bouncing about the cut with a novice hand in charge...

Meanwhile on the land, puppies are now eating real food and getting fatter by the day. Another couple of weeks and a couple of them are leaving for their new homes. I think there will be tears!!

Moving on...

2009-11-11T19:04:00.006Z

With Shilah having the all clear from the vet, and four puppies getting fatter, now we seem to be getting over the worst, but not out of danger!!

Even Shilah is now leaving her pups in front of the fire and wandering around the place as if she owns it, which of course, she does!!

And at last - the cute puppy pictures that we expected day one, but have taken this long to even think about...

So now we are getting the kennel names sorted, hehe - so far one is called PooBear!! - I'll let you work out why.

Today the eyes should've opened - but as they haven't we are still glad that they can't see where they are going, so don't stray too far from each other - soon they will be everywhere!!

So K2 - well it got pretty cold, so nearly had to get the heating on onboard, but fortunately it has got a little warmer for the time being, so my electric and diesel bill is saved for a bit longer yet!!

We never said it would be easy.....

2009-11-06T19:54:00.003Z

So 1 puppy fades away - not able to poo properly, she is eventually put to sleep by the vet. Another is laid on by Shilah, and subsequently dies. Shilah gets mastitas, and she hasn't ejected everything from her Uteris, so runs a temperature, and we are feeding and checking dog and pups all the time.
So the blissful view of sleeping animals is rare!! and the human carers get more and more jaded, so that coughs and sneezes start!

Didn't know Puppy rearing was so much hard work and expense!!

Dogs and Blogs

2009-11-03T08:34:00.005Z

Sleepless in Seatle - Having waited for a week after the vet said "you're good to go" finally on Sunday night we went from this:

to this:

Finally off to bed at 0400hrs, after 7 hours of labour, and 6 puppies, only to be up at 0600hrs for a meeting, so slightly jaded!

So K2 still floats alone, with a fleeting visit from me to collect dinner suits for our industry bash in London tonight. It's OK - we have a babysitter for the puppies!!

Meanwhile, Duncan in Canada has joined the blogging world. My ex neighbour, he now tours in his "RV" - check it out on Http://islandertravels.blogspot.com

Yep - I'm alive!!

2009-10-26T22:30:00.004Z

Trouble is - have spent the last few weeks trying to turn a total jungle into a garden, and a bungalow that hadn't been lived in for years, into something resembling a home!! After skips and dump runs, can at least now see the end of the garden, and have found patios and paths that long since vanished under undergrowth and rubbish. Add to that our Beagle is about to drop puppies at any time, and K2 has languished without so much as a wave!
Anyway - determined that will change as I am pinning for the open wave, and the fresh air on my face, rather than the scratches and smell of wallpaper strippers!!
Watch out North Oxford, I may re-appear!!

Dredging the Ashby..

2009-08-29T20:33:00.005+01:00

Yes they are! but only the bank side, not the middle bit where we all travel! We did our bit for the working boat gathering at Shackerton this week, and helped to shift the dirt in the middle to the newly dredged inside! With K2's 30" draft, we bumped and bounced our way up to the terminus and back again, with an overnight stop at Battlefields, and a superb mooring right in the middle of the canal! - nope the picture below is not K2 underway, but safely tied up for the night!!! Wouldn't like to be any heavier in a boat and butty arrangement! Still, it is such a beautiful canal, and Dad and I enjoyed the trip, and the views and history of this fantastic canal to no-where.

Wasn't the weather weird? Rain, and the faversham burning away, then hot and sunny, then cloudy and cold.... were never sure what to wear!

The top of the Ashby has been extended - by 50yards! A new stop lock has been put in, ready for the extension to be dug to connect a few more miles up, anyone got £14.2M to complete it? Of course it wasn't helped by the English Nature people, who insisted on a £125k ditch to be dug, and filled with water for "nature" to happen. (if you look hard you can see it to our st'bord) Hang on - the whole 20 odd miles of the Ashby is a "ditch" waiting for nature to happen - why dig a seperate one? Sometimes government quango's are a complete and utter waste of money, divorced totally from any reality of life, and as a result waste peoples money. (did I say "sometimes"? I haven't found a quango that hasn't been that yet - unellected, useless beurocrats, that waste our money on nothing.....)

Anyway, rant over - and so is the cruise. As K2 rests back on the timber of the pontoon she sits on, no doubt telling the tale of shallow canals, mud and odd moorings to Gleemaiden, Nerus and Helva. Arrival home via a refuelling stop alongside Ghosty Hill somewhere north of Sutton Stop, and superbly blocking the Coventry with three abreast, and Iain and Alisons real working boat sandwiched between two "customers" and a totally uneventful trip along the North Oxford. What next? K2 is back to being an office.

This is your captain - that's all...

Funny funny....

2009-08-23T12:01:00.003+01:00

Strange going back to K2 these days.. Whenever I arrive there Gleemaiden is all locked up, curtains drawn and no flowers and plants bristling from her. No more the cheery greeting from her crew, and the yarning of trips out and marina happenings - instead the silence of a boat left for shore leave.
Oh well, it happens to us all, and the marina is now refilling with the boats that have been out throughout the summer, and are now venturing in, as the sun comes out....
Neil and Ruth have returned from their big ship excursion, raving about cruises, and promptly set off on one of their own. Have to say Neil, the expert return in that howling gale was a master of seamanship - you didn't see the 3 previous boats sailing sideways down the marina as they attempted to dock !!

Phew!!

2009-08-09T09:30:00.005+01:00

July was a mad month! - I guess you know that as there have been no posts at all... for ages.

3 weeks on board K2 - using her as home base and office centre, whilst enjoying the boating life, showing the canal systems to Colleagues from New Zealand, and negotiating new contracts. Here's Jonathan enjoying the idea of steering K2 through the ditches, instead of a yacht out of Christchurch!

Finally, woosh - off to the sun. Well, I knew Andy was going out cruising, so decided to keep clear of the UK. Destination Cyprus for a couple of weeks for sun, sand and sea, and I worried about immigration control when arriving back home, as my skin colour didn't match the passport picture!

Great time though, and now after 5+ weeks, life can begin to settle back into reality again!! Who knows what August will bring! It started in the sun, homeless, and with an embryonic business, let's see how it ends.

No update!

2009-07-01T17:15:00.004+01:00

Nope, not from me!! As the marina slowly empties of boats for the summer - I'm left tied up! It's a little hectic, but not profitable! However I've been here - anyone know where this canal is!!?
Still - hope to get out soon (when the rain starts!!)

So where has Ernie gone!!?

2009-06-14T14:56:00.003+01:00

He used to be here and I followed the blog of Nb Ten Bob Note and Ernie, down the Oxford, along the Thames past the rowing club I used to row at, and then into Little Venice. - And finally into thin air....

So if you ae trying to find him from my site - you can't, but normal services will be resumed once I know if he has left the blogging fraternity, or just lost connection to his ISP.

Meanwhile - take care Ernie, and enjoy the Grand Union...

Lost Tally!!

2009-06-10T07:49:00.007+01:00

So Sheila has nearly finished K2, only a couple of scrolls on the sta'bud side and She's done! K2 shone in the evening light, and reflected on her new artwork that is finished Port side. It's amazing how different she looks.

Sheila is writing Nb Anoula 4 pontoons down from K2. So to help her out, I moved K2 to the leeward side of Anoula's pontoon that is currently waiting for her new occupant to come in. Sheila can put up her blue tent, paint the scrolls on my Starboard, write Anoula's name and use the K2 facilities that she has got used to!!

Whilst I moved K2, Tally was happy hunting down animals in the field, and didn't notice the relocation.

Time to leave, and I whistled and called, but no Tally - very unusual, as she comes running on the first call. The hunt for a lost dog was on, and I wandered along the waters edge, to find Tally sat on my pontoon, looking a little worried - ears down, and that sad look on a dogs face. She must've thought K2 had sunk!!! - or gone without her...

She was very pleased to see me, and quite excited to see K2!

Missed...

2009-06-08T15:46:00.005+01:00

Funny isn't it? Drove straight past K2 today! Stern in on the pontoon, my usual landmark of the tunnel light wasn't there, Had to embarrasingly back up to her..

Stern in of course, as the port side is now being written, but she's looking good, and Sheila has picked up some other work in the marina. She's caused a bit of a stir with the blue tent, and paint pots! Her work speaks for itself...

Have a look:

... And now the confession! Sheila finally spilled the beans today, that she was commisisoned by Ian and Sarah to paint K2 when she was born! So all the red / green and yellow painting is her handiwork! How fitting that she is now signwriting her as well.

Named Boat!

2009-06-04T18:37:00.008+01:00

Finally took the plunge! Ever since I bought K2, I kept part of the money aside waiting to get her signwritten. It was planned to do that once the loan was paid off and she is totally mine - but as my shares were virtually worthless when I was made redundant, I can't wait any longer (and the money isn't attracting any interest in the bank these days!) - So a little tarpaulin tent was erected around the back cabin of K2, like this!!.....

And in all the sweltering heat, Sheila sat inside, patiently sweating out each letter, one by one. It's an amazing art - and fantastic to watch, needing patience, a steady hand and arm, and a keen eye - all qualities I don't have!

The neighbourlyness and community spirit in the marina came to the fore. As I couldn't get to K2 before today, not only did Richard and Audrone provide cups of tea and coffee, but also allowed the pontoon to be completely blocked as Sheila worked away. Only hope that Neil and Ruth , who are behind me, or the owners of the new boat that snuck in behind us when we were all out, don't turn up - that could be interesting!! Here's Sheila at work with a sneak preview of a "work in progress". The picture below is a link to Sheilas' site- if you want to see more of her work or contact her.

A Blank Canvass

2009-06-02T12:40:00.006+01:00

Every good artist starts with a blank canvass - here's mine! In the streaming sun, I "T cut" the red panels down

and shined up all the paintwork. A good deal of

the yellow, as well as the red oxide needs redoing, especially on the tug deck - but I've other plans at the moment.

Of blue skies and hail...

2009-05-27T07:09:00.009+01:00

This particular cruising week started with a view out the back cabin doors like this! That should keep all the boaters at home, as unlike the hot sun - not even mad dogs and Englishmen would go out in that, Surely?

Thankfully, the sun worked very hard and eventually prevailed and the hotest bank holiday I can remember won through - with the resulting rush out of every marina in the land, and the North Oxford becoming the summer style thoroughfare that it is.

And so it was, that K2 joined the thronging masses, and queued up for the head South - well South East. In this picture are 6 boats - and that doesn't include the 2 behind me. Of course it might have helped, if the hire boat in front, had remembered to throttle up after the moored boats! Maybe a sign is needed - "you can speed up now, thank you for driving slowly past our village"

However, we were in no hurry. A fact illustrated by the few hours on the mid-line just before the tunnel. Drinking up the sunshine, drying the washing, and supping champagne with a strawberry following!!

In fact, that's where we should have stopped. Good company, a pub that was eager to serve us food - promising anything on or off the menu, sunny mooring, and a chilled out afternoon. But -

the girls wanted a play park, so they, could run off some energy, and they had their hearts set on going to the Bulls Head - knowing it to have an indoor, soft play area. So reluctantly we cast off and chugged off, where the afore said Bulls Head was found and food ordered.

It has to be said - the menu was hugely restricted - and the staff totally unwilling - or unable - to supply around the edges of the menu. So Fish, Chips and Peas - couldn't be "and beans", even though beans were elsewhere on the menu. Childs' omelette, couldn't become adults omelette - a fact that bothered me about the quality of the food. Surely if you are breaking one egg for an omelette, it isn't that much of a problem to break 2?

I'll let you decide on the food quality, by the left-overs here!!

That's my chicken curry, served in the dog bowl - It tasted of bits of chicken chopped into a curry sauce from the local chippy! And the historically "safe", Ham, eggs and chips, was .......

left for the dogs!!

Well congratulations - it was probably one of the most unpleasant gastronomic experiences I've ever had, and not even lifted by the attitude of the staff. We were just very pleased not to have dressed for dinner!!

Just to be clear...

2009-05-09T00:54:00.002+01:00

...and to answer all those questions and emails - thank you !! - I love Coventry basin - it seems a waste only because no-one goes there. What would be great is a rally of some sort, it is pretty, lots of potential, but empty.

Oh probably working boats would fight for the dredging to get there - K2 did!!!

Sent to Coventry - but came back again!!

2009-05-04T08:58:00.011+01:00

I like Coventry Basin. I was there a couple of years ago, and then considered it a waste of a basin, so I sent the boys trip to Coventry. Well, via the Greyhound. We had the choice of a run to Atherstone, or Coventry, and chose the later!!

It was a quick stop - long enough for a coffee and cake, then nosied back into the canal again.

The canal from bridge 5 down to the basin is very shallow, with black mud swirling under our counter all the way, and the engine fighting for every yard. On the way back Ivor set his satnav up, showing a grand 2 mph at 950rpm. The same engine on the North Oxford saw us running at an eye watering 4mph. Prooving K2 isn't the slowest boat on the cut, but also that she prefers clear water under her keel (if she had one!)

I love bridge 1 - There is enough air draft by 2mm, and plenty of evidence that some boats didn't quite make it!

So an uneventful trip, passing the Ricoh arena; Tesco's; Chris and Yvonne on their lovely 70foot live aboard that they had built especially for them; a natter at Rose on the way through; and NB Clarence on their way out for a drink at the Greyhound, and in to an empty pontoon.

Gleemaiden has gone to Banbury, and Nerus left after us to head for Napton. So it was a quiet night, just like the old days, with just us! In fact we were the only pontoon to be totally empty for a night - good cruising guys us lot!!

We had a rush off to Southampton, and managed to sneak off K2 just before the rain started!!

My final picture is the inaugeral new lighting of the old oil lamp that I have spent 2 years cleaning!! Now installed in the saloon, it throws a lovely light, and plenty of warmth too, and looks fantastic.

It's hard work...

2009-04-28T07:17:00.006+01:00

...this boat upkeep thing. Spent all day yesterday polishing up the three brass rings on each of K2's 3 chimneys. (well 2 chimneys and an exhaust!)

Here's the before and after shots of the exhaust stack...
Elbow grease, as my Mum used to say, and the effects are being felt today - still looks much better.

Finally finished polishing the vintage brass oil lamp as well. That's a milestone, as I bought the lamp way back before I got K2, and have only now finished it.

Now the question is - where to hang it?

No rollercoaster but brass instead

2009-04-19T09:21:00.008+01:00

Forgoing the opportunity to go to Alton Towers for an adrenalin filled rush, I toottled over to K2 instead! So what to do? Lovely sunny Saturday, I could go out, and join the "M north oxford cut", with the hoarding masses, or stay put and enjoy the sunshine.

I stayed in -

And washed bedding, starting sorting the saloon, and polished all the brass on the Ol' Donkey till he gleamed. Cleaned off all the oil as well so that he came back to the condition he was in in when I got him.

A sparkling engine in the sunshine was a great sight, but sadly he wasn't turned over.

Stories abounded in the marina of heroism and rescue, of daring exploites and battling with the wind,

Then the pontoon shuddered, and a new boat, blew straight onto it, and off fell the lady from the back counter! Early bath - we told her it was the initiation rite, and she had passed with flying colours. Apparantly the water here is not warmer than the cut - but I don't intend to test it myself!

Bugsworth Basin

2009-04-17T08:00:00.004+01:00

Ok, so I cheated. Wanted in Sale, Manchester, a lovely drive across the Peak national park was called for, and a small deviation from the return route saw me in this delightful spot. Steeped in history of lime kilns and working boats, it was a lovely place to wander for an hour. I loved the "weigh bridge" more accurately known as " the guaging stop place". A stop lock, with calibrated sides, designed to measure the boats cargo weight, and therefore set the approporiate toll for traffic. The Eureka moment in real application!

Spurred on by pictures like this -

of K2 before she was K2, I think I need a major declutter. Julie has something to do with it too, not the clutter, but the declutter - if you follow me. Emptying a 4 bedroom house into K2 has taken its toll, and she isn't quite as sparkly as the picture shows. It won't take a lot to regain that early day lustre, but I need to be a little more ruthless in what I hoard.

If you're in a hurry, you have the wrong hobby.

2009-04-11T17:59:00.006+01:00

So there we were again, rushing to meet the 2100hrs end of food time . K2's 1954 engine pounding away at a full 1100rpm! But we headed for a fantastic place, and the staff are so accomodating they made sure we had food and drink even though we arrived bang on 2100! Thanks Guys - couldn't recommend you enough.

Of course the weather forecast was so wrong all week, predicting rain when glorious sunshine occured. That is untill K2 pulled off the moorings, then the predicted rain came in torrents! So after a couple of days that was it, back on the wood again, so everything can dry out.

Come on sun - where are you? Still a little fun was had on the inflatable kayak!!

Old friends and little trips!

2009-03-28T07:21:00.005Z

So business colleague and friend of around 20 years arrived on Friday for a meet up and chew the cud session! (Actually I think it was an excuse to get his motorbike out, and have a couple of hours run!)

Despite the wind of 25mph, that some say render boats tricky - we pushed out for a short run . Ian took to it like a duck to water, once he realised that you didn't steer K2 like a motorbike! Next time Ian - locks....
It always amazes me how quickly a day goes by at 3mph - and as usual we were back too quickly, and another day on the water had passed by!
Still - as Ian spends his spare time racing track days on his bike, to slow him down, and have him enjoy it, was a big result!! But then who can't sit in the spring sunshine on the water and not enjoy it?

The sun is shining

2009-03-17T14:30:00.004Z

and K2 shimmers in the early morning light. Soon be time to lose the coal and peat from the tug deck, so the patio can be used again! Have to dig down in the garage to find the chairs and patio heater!!

Actually just trying out the new camera - It's a Canon IXUS 8515 and is brilliant. It does all I need and more- "quick, point and shoot"

That's it - candid and not so candid, I will get used to it. Actually the real benefit is that it has a rechargeble battery, my previous cameras (plural) ate batteries like they were going out of fashion, meaning I never had a charge when I wanted it - so this should be a lot better. I'll let you know!!

Cabin Crazy!

2009-03-13T09:31:00.006Z

I know, I know - but the promise of a sunny day, plus the lure of cheap diesel , where you can self declare the tax meant a trip out was a must! But now the pontoon is full, and I have 2 boats to squeeze between. Luckily, we are blessed with more space between boats than many marinas I've seen.

Once out, the cut was fantastic - sunny spring day, with warmth and blue skies, and the hour out and the hour back, went by way too quickly.

Diesel was the usual busyness, as the hire boats had all been painted and were moored up on the wharf, waiting the first customers of the year. They do look great boats, (if you look past the red and green!!) and they seem to look after them very well. - K2 just about squeezed in for diesel, as you can see, and just about turned in the arm without touching either boat or bank, before heading back for home.

It's about now, I envy the CC'ers - and get the "outdoor lust" back.

Knock knock.... Who's in?

2009-02-28T20:52:00.007Z

So headed off to Birmingham on Wednesday to visit my mate Fred at RBS - hoping he would share some of the £693K annual pension of his.
Actually visiting the head of Lombard vehicle management, owned by RBS, who is a friend of mine, hoping he would share some of the work he has on!!!
When I came out of their underground car park in the city centre, there was a sign right in front that said "gas street basin", so thinking, one friend to another, I set off to re-park the car, and walk into the basin. NB Mr David was easy to find, but alas David and Brenda were no where to be seen. I posted a card through the back cabin hatchway, but guess it will probably get lost somewhere!! Last time I saw Nb Mr David was at Lyons Boatyard when I picked up K2, a lot of water has gone under her keel since then.
At the other end of the walkway, away from the basin, is the home turf for the "Away for a while" holiday and restaurant boats. Andy and I met these guys a couple of years ago when out on Khayamanzi, they were filming for a Japanese TV show about quant little England!! Guess what - they weren't on board either!!
So a fruitless visit, and I drove the 27 miles back to K2, remembering that the trip took a week to complete a year ago!!

Warning...

2009-02-16T09:21:00.006Z

7 people injured and 2 killed in the Langdales since 1st February 2009 - (Hang on, it's the 14th and I'm climbing them.) ""The use of crampons and ice axes are essential"" That was the stark warning nailed to the post at the bottom of the path. OK - sounds fun to me!

It actually wasn't too bad at the lower levels, the thaw well and truly on it's way, but most certainly the higher levels were a white out - where snow and cloud merge into one invisible path, walking becomes harder, and navigation a little more important!

The farm at the bottom of the Band had it's usual bucket out for collection towards the ambleside mountain rescue team - who by the sounds of it, have been very active over the last couple of weeks, and

need every penny we can spare. Still though, youngsters were walking past in trainers and no rucksacs - no wonder people get hurt in the hills. I had all the gear, could've stayed out for a couple of days, and still felt unprepared for the higher levels. These mountains need our respect.

The hotel maintained it's charm, and stories and song abounded in the hikers bar during the evenings idled away in front of the roaring fire, steaming clothes, and chilli-con-carne half 'n' half!! With no mobile signal, no WiFi hotspot, only a good old payphone in the bar, the place is a pilgramage for me in the "get away from it" bid.

This picture courtesy of the hotel

Where K2 went out, got stuck and came home!

2009-02-09T07:42:00.011Z

The plan was simple. Saturday a nice run out, moor up below the locks, then on Sunday a nice run home.

For a change, the ice in the marina was thin and K2 popped out of there easily, and the cut was lovely. But as we went on the ice got thicker, and our pace slowed as we crunched through, leaving a smaller channel where we had been. South (or is it East) of cruisers, K2's bow rose up out of the water, slid along as if on skis and then stopped, stalling that old donkey of hers as the prop thrashed against its own water load. 28tonnes and she just remained there, not even cracking the ice across the canal!

So there was only one way forward, and that was backwards!!

OK - reversing through cut ice is easy, she virtually followed her path back, up the cut (ice) through the bridge, past the moored boats and to the winding hole that had totally clear water, and was easy to turn in.

In my turn, I waited for a boat to pass me. A light live-aboard seeking his 2 bridges. ""Can't get through"" I advised, to which the reply was ""It's been fine up to here so far"". Good luck, I wonder how far he got once the well known ice breaker K2 had given up!!

So back to home (easily as someone had sliced through the ice for me - hang on, that WAS me!) where the ice had thickened and made it difficult getting back into my pontoon where instead of the quiet night, it was a noisy one, as we laughed our way through the evening, mainly about ice and trainsets!!

73, 17, 1 and a few...

2009-02-05T16:49:00.009Z

Crawled out of bed at the crack of dawn today. There was a conference in Oxford run by a software house who are thinking of developing a suite for vehicle remarketing. I fancied going. (well was invited!!) So 0600 on the road, that was a little white, crawling through the snowfall at 15mph. (I know Andy, but my 2 rear wheel drive car doesn't like ice) An hour after leaving I was 20 miles from home!

Every mile was covered with great concentration, and at painfully slow speeds, with an eventual halting on the M1/A43 slip road, Junction 15.

Look at the SatNav - every road off the M1 is closed, with queing traffic on every main road. 73 lorries parked (or maybe, slipped) up on the exit, the service station, and the roundabouts onto the A43, which by the way, the police had closed, but failed to advise drivers on the Motorway.

Eventually sneaked through the service station and back onto the M1 southbound to Junction 14, where exactly the same was happening. The A45 was closed, and lorries were parked all over the place, making it impossible to do the simple exercise of "round the roundabout and back"!! Here's the wonderful view out of my window that I gazed at for an hour and a half!!

When I finally got northbound on the M1, long after the conference had finished there was a 17 mile tail back from junction 14, glad I wasn't at the end of that!

So home exhausted and frustrated at 1600, having driven only 114 miles, and got within 43 miles of the conference.

B R

2009-02-03T20:34:00.006Z

Board Room
Bed RoomBritish Railways
Hang on - how did that get in here?

Update...

2009-02-02T11:34:00.004Z

Well, just to prove some people read this blog, comment was made that I hadn't updated it for a bit! That's because nothing news worthy had happened!! The Automotive sector is in it's worst recession, even given the early 90's, compounded by the recessed financial markets. So if you are in Automotive funding and leasing ....... you are probably, like me, not in it at the moment!! Many of our big players have closed funding lines, vehicle residual values are at an all time low, whilst maintenance costs soar, and to balance the books, companies are shedding staff like confetti, or like the snow that is falling outside.
K2 is being used only as a floating meeting room rather than the longed for elongated holiday, as the need to earn money is more pressing! The upside is, the snow is lovely, and I can sit in the warm and enjoy it building up on those branches until with a woosh they give in to the weight of snow, and empty themselves all over unsuspecting walkers and passers by.
HeHe!!

Jackanory.....

2009-01-22T10:47:00.007Z

The story so far...

a car accident - see previous post. So is now reliant on my car for escape from the little village in any way.

So we pick up the story on Tuesday, when a decision after school to head by bus to Leicester to go to Fosse Park - a journey by car of 15 to 20 minutes.

Leaving the house at 1545, the local Bus didn't materialise, so a gallant neighbour drove to East Leake for a £5 bus to Loughborough, at which arrival was at 1635.

The Bus from Loughborough to Leicester was late, (£4.50) and consequently got held up in rush hour traffic, so passengers were deposited, and various drunk and singing men in Leicester bus station at 1745, for the 3 mile trip to Fosse Park.

Meanwhile - I had left Oxford, 100 miles away at 1640 and was journeying across the M40, A43, M1 towards home, when I got the phone call - "where are you?" ""On the M1"".

So I diverted, drovethe extra 9 miles into Leicester city centre, and then out to Fosse Park - where arrival was just after 1830. 2 Hours and 45 minutes, 2 cars, 2 busses, £9 and a considerable walk and wait later.

Shopping took half an hour, and I was home by 1930hrs.....!!

So if you are ever tempted to use the rural bus network - don't bother, buy yourself one of these, and just keep going!!

Incidentally - the carbon footprint of her journey - given the mileage and the fact the bus only had 5 people on it, was far higher than if she had taken my 3litre mercedes and belted it all the way there and back, and that doesn't even account for the 2 cars involved as well!

So there you are...

Now I've upset the bus enthusiast, the green lobby, the anti 4x4, and probably a bunch of other anoraks - but I don't care, Jeremy Clarkson is my hero !!!

Trains, Big and Small

2009-01-19T18:35:00.005Z

Joining the train debate - there seems to be a few. Here's fellow boaters on NB Caxton in Loughborough looking at real ones. Now that I can get interested in...

Or you can hide in a shed and play with this instead, as per Andy, Simba and anyone else on NB Khayamanzi.

So there you have it.. Can you tell the difference? Fantastic detail on the models, but you can't beat the real thing...

My good old O gauge languishes in Dads loft after the house clearance last week, but there again, it was built the same year as K2's donkey!

Room 1208

2009-01-12T16:45:00.005Z

Horrid weekend, starting with a horrific car accident that left us in a ditch - courtesy of a farmers dog that ran uncontrolled out into the road in front of her. Our car control and Vorsprung durch Technik saved us from anything worse, although both were covered in glass and bruised. However, within a few hours, I was on the road in a van to pack up my house, ready for the new tenants moving in this week, and a Saturday and Sunday of hard slog, loading the remaining contents of the house into Room 1208!!
Saturday night was so icy at -8c. Me, a long wheel base van and my trailer, crawled the last 15 miles at next to no speed, to ensure we didn't end up in another ditch. Painful and tiring driving.
So now - house empty, room 1208 full, K2 full, and the trailer parked at the farm where the Pony is, I can catch up on the weekend, and wonder where it went to.
It wasn't fun - and I need a break now! but no such luck - ...

Of Swans, Ice and Winter trips..

2009-01-04T22:45:00.006Z

First - the Swans.. Look what they have done to my bow fender!! Real rope has its down side clearly. As I can't shoot the perpetrator, I've simply sent the picture and the bill to HRH, who owns the thing. Hope she is insured...
Second Ice... News Years day, and the ice in the marina was already so thick, that it took all of the 28 tonnes of K2 to smash our way off the pontoon backwards. With a number of watchful spectators - (are they still gongoozelers if they live on a boat and are watching you?) - K2 eventually found her way to the open water of the cut. The marina had an inch and a half of ice, yet the cut was clear! Anyway 3 other boats went in after I had come out, so I guess they were grateful that a heavy boat cut the ice.
Now for anyone wondering about the cold on boats... K2's new saloon thermometer registered 36c overnight news years day - all for one pile of stoveglow and the bubble! It was -4.5c outside!!
It's a good run - passing 3 boats out, and none on the way back!!
However the pub was shut. Despite a sign and voicemail assuring us they were open 7 days a week for dinner - so a short wander up the road to the Hotel. I have stayed there in a former working life, but they were shut as well. Then an enterprising manager - ran out after us, offering blue cheese and brocoli soup, followed by Roast chicken and vegetables, and rubarb crumble for £12 a head!! deal done!! so 4 star hotel, roaring fire, and the only guests - we ate like Lords and Ladies!!
Is that snow on the ground? Probably, but not enough to shout too loud, really wanted it to snow, but that was the best it did, and the cut is still not iced over completely!!
Still now the marina is even thicker - the washing machine bubbles, and the bath water linger on the top of the sheet ice as if to prove a point, that even hot water won't penetrate the cold, and K2 now doesn't move without creaking and groaning...
The ancient mariner comes to mind "the ice was here, the ice was there, the ice was all around - it creaked and growled, roared and howled like noises from the... "" what was it again? English Literature was 24 years ago!!

Have a great 2009.. With me out of work - and the man from BMI also redundant after 17 years - it will be an interesting year!! may yours be prosperous....

Christmas on board...

2008-12-30T12:30:00.006Z

Ok so it was a little squeeze - 7 of us in the saloon, with the heat building up, dinner was served via an assortment of make-shift benches and anything acted as a seat!! However presents were opened, food was eaten, and everyone had a good time

K2 now has a ships bell and a fantastic thermometer to tell me how cold the inside really is!! Oh and a 2 way telephone so that we can communicate between the back counter and the galley, despite having an old thumper in-between!

Home is now being rented out properly... Bit of a nightmare really as it will cost me more, and I need to store all my furniture somewhere, but the hassle of watching it deteriate will stop hopefully, when a family uses it as home. So if anyone knows where I can store furniture, as well as a trailer, that would be brilliant. K2 will house some of the additional things, but she can't take too much more - as NB Mr David commented when I first loaded her - she's a narrow boat not a 4 bedroom house!! Watch this space, she's about to become a 4 bedroom house !!!

Of Oil, Heavy Oil, and vintage engines...

2008-12-01T09:37:00.002Z

So of course, it had to happen given the high price of red diesel now.. apparantly the RN DM3 can run on old engine oil. difficult to start in the cold I guess, but then a little diesel may help that along.
Anyone got experince of this sort of thing? I know it would mean a tank conversion, filter replacements, and so-on, but it could mean cheaper running, and no declaration of tax that is incorrect.....
hmmm

Picture or two - to keep us all going...

2008-11-19T16:33:00.003Z

For no particular reason, except that it is boring moaning about diesel prices, sad talking about the economy, and we all need to remember cruising days!!

At least I'm not a super-tanker with $100m worth of crude oil on board - so no fear of pirates in the UK inland waterways. Having said that - my Dad was passing yesterday and went on board with a friend to help himself to Cheese and crisps and hot drinks when I wasn't around - is that piracy???!!

Thick me....

2008-11-14T09:33:00.002Z

OK - so I don't get it!!
I paid £1.10 a litre for my diesel. Apparantly that is split 60% at full fuel duty for propulsion, and 40% at discounted rate for generation and heating. Forget the fact that that is all wrong and daft in the first place. However, how come given that equation - I can buy white diesel at 100% full fuel duty for £1.07 at the most expensive garage in Warwickshire and Nottinghamshire. I can only guess the boatyards are now ripping us off.....
Anyone got a 57foot trailer and hoist?

Long lost friends

2008-11-13T17:12:00.005Z

After many a phone call, email, text and any other method of communication you can think of, finally Dave and Sheila made it to K2 to visit. Haven't seen Sheila for about 4 years, and Dave for about 2... So in the wind and rain that is our winter, or late Autumn if you look at the colour of the trees, we luxuriated on Fish and Chips and cruised out and back, via the bank.... No not the one that we own and doesn't have any money, rather the mud one, courtesy of Sheilas helmsmanship and my non-watchful eye!!
Still it was a great trip, and good to be out and about for a bit! Filled with diesel - £1.10, that's a shock from the old 84p thing. First time I've filled up since November 1st, so best I get used to it I suppose! I could rant about Europe, and our governments confusion, or just accept that taxes and death are the 2 certainties in life and get on with getting the cheque book out!!
Now K2 is snug as a bug, and shut down against the wind and rain, and I'm heading for a hot soak in the bath!!!

Pictures!

2008-10-28T12:00:00.005Z

So being a rude blogger - forgot to post the picture of Nb Ten Bob Note - so here it is, with my apologies to Ernie, that it was taken but not published!!

A picture exchange means a couple of pictures that I would never be able to take...

Your view, just so you can recognise me coming the other way down the cut... All Oaks is a lovely spot - and is a beautiful backdrop to a cruise start. Here we are really fortunate to have such a lovely starting point.

Oh yes, and second picture, K2, yes she does go round in one go!!

Out and back...

2008-10-27T16:28:00.010Z

Out Saturday at 0800hrs for the first ever flotilla cruise! A long day saw the fleet moored up in a fantastic spot just below the locks, and down the cut from a winding hole, perfect for me to turn and continue up the flight on Sunday.

No sooner had we turned out of the marina, than who should we pass than Ernie on NB Ten Bob Note (again for me!!) although Andy hadn't crossed paths before.

An uneventful, but beautiful run to Atherston, with us passing very few boats along the way.

With a Sunday roast on Saturday, and a fried breakfast on Sunday, I was geared up and ready to head for home, but forgot the reduced hour on daylight, so didn't quite make it back to the marina on Sunday night, so ended up a mile out, a fantastic spot, although hopeless for mooring as it has a concrete bank side that you can't stake to. I couldn't continue as my tunnel light didn't work, never mind, another job for John when I'm back in the marina!!

Beautiful Autumn days

2008-10-23T09:29:00.005+01:00

I think they are my favourites!! when the sun is so weak and low that it casts a mist all day, and the stove in the back cabin keeps you warm and cosy whilst cruising along. Nothing on the canal at all, (well apart from NB Ten Bob Note, who I played ping pong with, passing or being passed by Ernie 3 times during the day!!) so blue skies, sunny weather and empty water - better by far than summer!!

Passed a fishing convention though - no not the human kind, 3 herons within 200 yards all on the same bank side, all very reluctant to fly off when I went past. Of course they could've stayed, I would even have slowed down for them!

Well the ol' donkey has been serviced, and he sounds good as well. Ingenious little brass tap allows you to pump out the engine sump, and the gearbox sump, just by swinging a lever across, so that was easy..

Here's two rare pictures one of blue skies, and the other of me - errr, actually my shadow! I thought it was a bit of fun seeing myself cruising along the hedgerow...

Too many Birds

2008-10-12T21:24:00.007+01:00

Spent the weekend acting ferry (car ferry that is) I have a new pony. They take some looking after! and I can't even see her being harnessed up and saving the legs of my DM3 by hauling K2 down the canal!

All too unpredictable for me, my donkey kicks in every time, and answers to the call of the controls when I ask....

The canal still has too many of those black and white geese things. I hate them - apart from making a mess and squarking a lot, I can't see the point of them!! I for one will be glad when they all fly off for the winter... this pack ( can't think of them as a flock) only just got out when I went past... I'm sure they felt it was their right to stay in the water.

Tourism Traffic...

2008-10-11T08:59:00.007+01:00

Thursday and Friday - best days of the year, weather wise, or so it felt! Hardly October as K2 made her way out glorious sunshine and blue skies!! Just one of those days that made you glad to be out on the water. And to add to it all, and back into the countryside again, there moored up was Nb Ten Bob Note. I've been following Ernie's blog even before I got K2, very envious of the wandering waterway life-style, so it was great to stop for a minute and say hi, and meet boat to boat.

As usual had no mobile network, but a great pub that Ivor and I ate well in, and was relatively empty, as we had a choice of moorings, before being joined by Tom and Jay on Friday.

All the way I held K2's tiller only for the locks - felt very strange having so many people desperate to steer... and greet all the other passing boats!

It was a great 2 days - passing too quickly, and now heading into a busy weekend....

Dry Bottom

2008-10-08T22:18:00.003+01:00

Finally I can see steel again in the dry bilge! Not only did John fix the calorifier, finding a plastic push fit joint that hadn't push fitted, but he also pumped out the water that was sitting there.
John - previously of Bluewater boats, but now on his own as "all things boat" -
""Washing machines??"" I used to fix those....
"""Chain saws??""" I used to sharpen and mend those....
""""Electrics??"""" my speciality....
In fact anything other than carpentry.
Luckily John is a fantastic asset to us, and to use his vast skills of fixing "anything on the water". Cheers John - mines a pint of the landlords best ale please... (lol)

Where??

2008-09-25T11:36:00.003+01:00

EST
Seemingly work could be available for me the world over - except the UK!! Following up on the old "friends and family" stuff, potential roles for me in Australia, Saudi Arabia, even Oman could be available. Can I get K2 to any of those? Someone took a Narrowboat across the channel - think the Bay of Biscay, or rounding the Horn could be tricky - not to mention the Southern Ocean!!
Still the job centre had some good roles - under Transport and Vehicle Management - "tractor driver" cool!! Ok so what about Finance and Leasing? - "bank cashier / administrator"
Hmmm - left to the job centre it could be a while before I get back to work!!
Oh - top job though... Under IT "data entry clerk"......

What day is it?

2008-09-21T20:26:00.005+01:00

Trouble with being part of the great unemployed is that every day ends up looking like the one before it! So I know what day it is by the blog date at the top! It's the lack of brain power that kills me off, I need to be active and thinking, and at the moment the mind does somersaults as it has nothing concrete to concentrate on! At some point soon, I shall head off for something / anything to do just to get active again! There's only so many dog walks they want!
Don't get me wrong, I am well over the expected 3-5 things towards a new job a week that is expected - that happens before 0900 on a Monday morning!!
Well, to scratch some wicked rumours that have circulated that Ivor spent his 2 days reading magazines - here he is lock wheeling for me - well OK!!! Still it had lock gates and paddle...

Mini Cruise and future board.... ?

2008-09-19T10:28:00.006+01:00

I love these autumn days of still water and sunshine! So K2, me and ex-colleague Ivor trundled off for a couple of days to "chew the cud" and discuss various opportunitues that could be ahead of us. It was great, and a number of "thoughts" came out the back of it.
Some of which included, on the water, activities, even more so, as he poured his way through the adverts in Waterways World!!

After the normal mooring greetings to fellow boaters in front of us, that lasted a good half an hour of chat and yarnings, and saw us popping back and forth between boats for a bit, Ivor concluded that he had spoken more to my overnight neighbours, than he had to his house neighbours - but that's the way isn't it?!!

The sun came up and lifted the dew, it was all too quick that we were back with another 2 inches of water in the dry bilge! Seems like it's not coming from the wasing machine, rather from one of the pipes under the engine room floor, connecting the calorifier up, that's a pain in the neck job... and I'm going to let someone else do it for me!

Statistics or Lies..

2008-09-16T17:40:00.008+01:00

So - here's the selubrious offices of my new employer! The job centre (lol) where I have to go once a fortnight to tell them what I'm up to.

I am officially a statistic - a number on a screen, and they might even pay expenses towards interviews! Wonder if they will pay the fuel for my 3.0litre Car!!

Still after 2 hours in that place, discussing my new employment contract!! a nice cup of double expresso coffee on the canalside in the old Fellows Morton and Clayton warehouse made up for the effort!

Tomorrow K2 goes for a swim for a day or two....

Bar-B-Ques, Jamming and Yards of Ale

2008-09-15T09:33:00.007+01:00

Saturday night was BBQ night, so we all gathered as the sun went down for an evening of revelry, MC'd very ably by Harbour Master Andy, and entertained on guitar and vocals by Eric, who completed two 1hour sets for us
Over 150 people were there, with some boats having found their way back to the Marina specially for the evening, as the word had spread along the cut that a great night had been promised...

The only thing that didn't go down too well was that elusive yard of Ale. With 4 candidates lining up for a go, it seemed the 2 cases of beer that I offered the winner was going to be safe, and would probably head back to K2. But with the party in full swing, both cases got used up as people tried for the ulimate prize!
However a good night was had all round, and it was the wee early hours that everything finally subsided, and beds were found for everyone, even those strays who as yet don't have a bed of their own in the marina managed to find willing owners to pull out the spare bed and put them up..

Sunday was the calm after the storm. A fantastic windless day. Here's K2 in a total flat calm, not sure I've ever seen her reflection like that in the marina!

So, into another week, in which K2 will become a cruising board room, as various business discussions that are under way will be continued, whilst drifting down the cut and back!! I like this life - but could do with earning some money soon!!

Stitch in time..... blah blah

2008-09-08T16:10:00.004+01:00

Ever since I got K2, my washing machine has been leaking... still assuming it was leaking into the bilge, and assuming I was pumping that out - I haven't been in a hurry to fix it! So it came back to bite me...

After a weekend out - (more on that later) I was wondering why we seemed heavier than usual, so pulled up the engine room floor on my return, to find the dry bilge with 2 inches of water in it. being a high quality fit out, there is no inspection way in the back cabin (!!!) - so floor up, to find the 2 inches equated to 4 inches at the stern. So hand pump and bucket, and the water foamed up nicely to give away it's origins!!OK - so I'll fix the washing machine, once I've dried K2 and me out!

Now, being a responsible dog owner (and not wanting a £500 fine) we pick up our dogs poo - which is more than can be said for... now is it BW, or the local council?? Either way this poo bin at the stop house, show there are more responsible dog owners than binmen (sorry bin people!)

So back to work - and I'm liking my new office !!! If only it gave me an income!

Redundant - anyone got a job?

2008-09-01T12:26:00.004+01:00

Well, after 12 years, seeing the business through many changes, and enjoying the challenges it has set me, today is the first day of a new future, without getting up and rushing off down the motorway somewhere for someone.
Over the weekend the business was sold to new venture capital funders, and despite rave reviews by the funders due diligence team of me, and my guidance of the business, the new owners wanted a slimmer business, and so 4 of the business directors find themselves looking for something to do.
At this stage I still can't realise the dream and vanish! having K2 to pay for, so it's onto the hunting for work thing.. something I've never done, as work has always found me!!
Hey well, meanwhile K2 will see more of the cut, not just the marina..!

Of Beagles and Bridges

2008-08-25T10:43:00.005+01:00

Out quicker than expected!! the great thing about boats is you can go whenever, an Aston Martin driving experience, and Dan jumped out of 130 miles an hour, and onto 3 mph, as we chugged off for dinner. lovely food, though not great service.

The only winding is done miles away, so K2 went through the stop lock, turned and then joined the queue for that stop lock again!! Which was when another Beagle joined the pack. Bruce was not small, but a happy half hour was spent in which Labrador raided the pub, and nearly got left behind, and Beagles enjoyed company!!

One thing I love on the canals is the bridges - everyone different, everyone hiding a boat coming the other way!! but I think they are lovely. Ivy covered, smashed to bits, or modern, they all have their own character.

Is there a book of canal bridges anywhere...?

And so to return...

2008-08-22T14:52:00.006+01:00

In reverse tunnels look exactly the same as outbound. Both again passed uneventfully, well except for the boat that thought was one way, and sat resolutely in the middle of the tunnel, until K2 pushed them onto the wall!! no damage done though, although quite a lot of amazement expressed by the other boat that they passed us!! Presumably they though my tunnel light was the light at the proverbial end!!

British Waterways are doing a great job dredging the Norton junction and Leicester section. The guys were great, allowing us through both ways without a pause, despite a big sign saying "STOP" and ask for permission to pass. Anyways fella's - keep up that work, K2 loves it when she can swim without dredging.

And so to locks. Contraversially, we passed through them late enough to be getting dark, and cruised on another 40 minutes to one of my favorite morrings, but you know what? you get the cut to yourself late at night, and early in the morning, and it's great!

3600yards of tunnel, staircases and rain

2008-08-21T09:22:00.005+01:00

Well the rain - it was a lovely day until we got to Watford staircase, then it poured!! but Andy the lock keeper remained cheerful!

A tunnel, flight, the staircase and crick tunnel, and finally moored up outside crick marina. Nearly wasn't though, thanks to some boater who had moored across the winding hole, who assured me the banks were fine to moor on... 40 minutes later K2 woke up again from her 45 degree slumber, and slid back into the deep channel! You should never trust a boater moored across a winding hole!!

Passed ABNB at crick who had sold me K2. I think Barrie was surprised when I rang and said " hey look out the window, I'm sat here!!"

Here now

2008-08-19T18:38:00.004+01:00

Amid grey clouds, and a fire to keep warm in the back cabin - ended up winter cruising, back doors shut and stove burning away... Is this August??
Locks all in my favour, with willing helpers on each one, sometimes too willing, as K2 bucked up and ran forward with all paddles opened in a mad rush. Fortunately no damage!! We are now moored in one of the busiest places ever - just outside - yet with little mobile network. How can that be?
Tomorrow the tunnel...
Popped into the workshops in the marina to view our soon to be new neighbour NB Clarence. Certainly is a pretty boat, and being fitted out well. Hope she meets the Mid September deadline, still seemed loads to do !!

Parallel - "You what??"-

2008-08-14T14:11:00.005+01:00

See that little switch? the one above "spare"....

Guess what it does!!

Well after stripping the horn and navigation electrics down, wondering why they sometimes work, and sometimes don't, 4 hours later discovered that "parallel" means it runs the power to the switch at the back controls, to power the solenoid, to turn lights and horn on...

Now before you laugh - there IS a nav lights and horn isolator on the fuse board, AND a switch at the back , and without either of those the lights and horn don't work, so why another switch, and why called "parallel" what does that mean...
Anyway, it meant a great 2 hour cruise (lol) so we made a good helmsman out of her!!

K2

2008-08-08T09:21:00.004+01:00

It wouldn't be right for me not to pay tribute to the 11 climbers who lost their lives this last week on K2, recognised as the most difficult climb of the high peaks. Whilst some are saying they shouldn't have pushed for the peak, when others were turning round, you have to remember that they were very experience high altitude climbers, and an ice avalanche can occur at any time, without warning.
And before we critise the experts who high climb, remember lives are lost every year on the UK's mountains, by people "tourist" climbing without the correct gear, or regard for the environment they are entering.

Fender ' off....

2008-08-05T10:06:00.006+01:00

New purchase of 3 rope fenders from my house neighbours dad (lol - got that?) at Get Knotted, a business he has run for many years. Ideal business - at Warwick top lock, right next door to a pub!

The fenders look great and will be put into use this week to replace those black rubber ones!

Dogs on Tour - eat your heart out!!

2008-08-04T10:23:00.005+01:00

One blog I love to follow is that of the 2 humans and five dogs that tour under the "Dogs on Tour" banner. Witty and fun to read. - Hang on..... 5 dogs????
We had 4 this weekend on K2, 2 beagles, a labrador and a german shepherd... here's the weekend crew!! Certainly would not like to be anywhere but tied up with that lot running around, there seemed to be dogs everywhere.
Well, times are changing, and K2 may well be off the pontoon soon... who said life was dull?

Why, Oh why do we have holidays?

2008-07-30T14:51:00.003+01:00

Arrived at East Midlands airport on Monday evening, bang on time. No complaints at all about the Turkish airline... Oh except that half an hour before boarding in Dalaman I got a text warning us about the bombing in Istanbul. Just what you want to hear!! So thoughtful about it, that it wasn't until I was on board, that I realised I was still carrying the bag that we were going to dump - containing 2x2 litre bottles of coke, an aerasol spray, pens and pencils - all things resolutly removed from us at East Midlands.

By the way Dalaman airport - starve there! Imagine this.... ""Bottle of becks and a small wine please"" (click click, weeerrre buzz) ""that will be £13.78"" !! needless to say the bottle of becks and small wine remain languishing on the bar..

Still, I digress. Back on time, and even into the office Tuesday for 07:45, all set to clear my desk, then a phone call - ""had I got the details of the customer visit to Hove today??"" nothing in my diary, so into the car and a dash down to the South Coast. it's Wednesday evening now, and I still haven't got as far as finding my desk, let alone sorting out K2, or emptying the car full of stuff from the house visit over a week ago!!

OK, Andy has given up reaching the Bristol channel on the K&A, having seen enough locks for a lifetime! Here's a thought then, strap one of these onto your roof!!

Turkey - Hot and High

2008-07-25T17:55:00.002+01:00

39 degrees, 6,650 feet and climbing..... it's a bit quicker than a rope!! lol

Turkey - don't eat the chicken!

2008-07-23T08:51:00.003+01:00

It's Sun, sea and mountains in western Turkey for me!
So much to do I could spend all week on the water, but the first day was spent asleep! Probably a lot to do with a total night lost in flying and transferring and the 2 hour difference.
Andy is back mobile again, so whilst it took me 15 minutes at 547 miles an hour to go from East Midlands to Oxford, it will take Andy all week at 3 miles an hour, and you can follow the progress of both.....

No Pictures!!

2008-06-30T09:30:00.004+01:00

However, last week that famous toilet broke again! It was the vacuum breaker, that broke! The result was loads of fresh water all over the bathroom floor - Again!! Still nothing that £27 and a weeks flight from the USofA couldn't fix. So 5 minutes before friends Matt and Jo and family, Suzi and Dan, daughter number 3 - Cara, and Julie and Chelsie all turned up for a visit and bar-b-que, I was under the toilet again. Hey but it's fixed and OK now.

And I've a new china-mans hat for the chimney...

Well, mucho food was eaten, and wine drunk, but I couldn't persaude my guests that they really needed a cruise, so K2 remained glued to the pontoon. Well actually, not quite. The high winds and boat movement are stretching my new mooring lines, and so she now sits a couple of feet away from that wood!

Well, that's it for now, Oh - except for a random picture of K2 in the rain, on the Grand Union.

Swapping water for the road..

2008-06-25T08:12:00.005+01:00

Few days of blogging quiet, due to a London to Paris bike ride, in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care - the Leasedrive chosen charity. After clogging a road up in central London with 14 riders and 4 support vehicles, the open road took over, and 4 days later everyone arrived safely in Paris, and Marie Curie are £16,000 plus better off. Fantastic opportunity, and a very worthwhile cause.

Back to K2, still with a leaky washing machine, a vacuum breaker for the toilet on order from the States, no internet, and now finding the wind has blown the top hat off the chimney. No amount of dredging with the sea searcher found it, so it's off to the chandler for a new one, and some bolts!!
This weekend sees a group of people coming up to spy on K2 - so could be a fun time...

BogExpert !!

2008-06-13T09:39:00.008+01:00

One down, a few to go!! With thanks to Lee Sanitation at Fenny Compton, and especially Michael, who emailed through the exploded toilet view (LOL!) So I exploded my toilet and stripped out the solenoid and rubber flange, cleaned them and put them back together, and now the toilet is flushing ok again - and I am an expert on the finer workings of the Vacu-flush bog system!

Now, where's my club hammer and crowbar to take a look at this little lot?!!

Going wrong !!

2008-06-12T15:49:00.004+01:00

A list of things beginning to unravel on K2! I'm sure some of them are due to the fact that although she has never been used, she has sat idle for over a year since fit-out completion.
Here's the list -
1. Toilet - the fantastic vacuum loo, last night started to fill with fresh water even when everything is switched off - the only way to stop it is by switching off the water pump. This could be the water valve that has got stuck, but I can't seem to fix it, despite having taken the toilet and flush system apart!
2. Electrics - the Master Volt system doesn't seem to be synchronized to the batteries, so it thinks they are 100% charged when in fact they are not!
3. The Makuni heating system leaks water, so the radiators get de-pressurised.
4. The brand new washing machine leaks water in it's spin cycle

Oh well - keep plodding on, and fix this lot one at a time!

Boat to Boat!

2008-06-10T09:23:00.017+01:00

The Arcadia - 3 days on board last week as part of the IT Directors Forum. 3 days of working hard!! 3 days of being slightly contraversial as usual.. The most interesting sentence all week was from one "consultant" who said the CIO needs to be a business director who is competent at IT. I was almost the only one who agreed!!
Tell you what though, whilst the bath in Arcadias' cabin was smaller than the one on K2......
The exhaust stack was slightly bigger!!

However, Friday nights mooring was Gurnsey, Saturdays was Hilmorton - as you already know!!

There is no contest where I would rather be, and which company I would rather keep.

Homecoming.

2008-05-30T08:45:00.002+01:00

Arrived and being well looked after. Considering as soon as we arrived we tipped everything out, and re-loaded K2. I suppose that's what a shakedown cruise is about, finding out what you do and don't want! So I now have a car full of stuff going back home!
May well go out over the weekend, but ferrying people about, and things to do, may keep K2 firmly on the pontoon... but I've already got - "let's get going" fever!!

Away from it all !!

2008-05-27T22:57:00.002+01:00

Thanks to T-mobile, 2 days of no blogging! technology eh? Still 40 something locks, first staircase, a tunnel, 2 turns diesel and water later, and we are at Braunston turn. A short run to "home". Question is if we run home or carry on past!!
In common with the boat in front of me tonight "I need to be in Bath in August" and the boat behind "We're heading to the Weaver for the winter"" we'll do whatever tomorrow brings..
By the way - I've joined the vintage engine repair team!! Running into the lock, forward, and little reverse, then forward..... come on forward.... why she's going backwards now... OK - down below, kill the engine - ahhhh, the linkage has dis-assembled itself from the ceiling.!! screwdriver, screws, 15 minutes and the engine was back on, and we were off again !!
Hang on - the gearbox is new! the 1954 engine has been running perfectly!!

A lot of "firsts"

2008-05-25T11:30:00.005+01:00

First cruise starting... Stratford canal is 4 inches short of water and with a very heavy boat drawing 30inches, we bumped our way along the cut getting stuck mid channel 3 times, once under bridge 6!
First lock... Lapworth top lock no 2.
16 lock miles and we now wait moored at the top of lock 6 ready for the flight tomorrow.
Don't bother with the Boot Inn at lock 14. What a rubbish place. no food, too busy can't eat outside - load of jobsworths that left us hungry and fed up...
Tomorrow is rain! so 16 locks in the rain sounds about right for the inaugral cruise.
Tried to load the video of the first engine start - blogger failed it, so I'll try with a better connection sometime! great start

A lot of "lasts"

2008-05-23T19:19:00.007+01:00

Last sleep, last breakfast, last all sorts of things today, as I filled my poor car to lorry standards, and got to K2 by midday, leaving an empty looking house, and a very empty bedroom behind. Now it's all ready for Steve to start moving his stuff into it next week.

However by the time the bed was made the under tug deck bed 'ole had been turned into a very cozy place, and plenty of room for all my clothes, and 3inches of storage under the bed for sheets, blankets and even the summer duvet.

Whilst I've been loading K2 this week, I've provided amusement for the occupants of NB Mr David in the yard having repairs on their windows. As fellow bloggers, check out their site, as they make and sell greeting cards from their narrowboat.

Well off for the start of new things tomorrow...

She's mine!!

2008-05-20T20:15:00.005+01:00

Caused much amusement as I unloaded the car into K2!! ""It's not a Tardis you know - It's a NarrowBoat""
But Tardis she is, as everything went in - only I now don't have a clean T-shirt at home to go out in !!
Friday afternoon off, and the car will be loaded again for the final run before the re-positioning cruise Saturday.
Hurrah !!!

And While I'm blogging - Suzi's room did get let, from August, so the house is full and that's a big weight off my mind.

Inventory!!

2008-05-19T19:35:00.004+01:00

50Kg coal, large bag of logs, 2 bags of peat, 3 crates of wine, 2 shepherd hooks, 8 toilet rolls, bag of ropes, Wok, 2 saucepans with lids, clothes airer, TV theatre, 24 T shirts, 18 shirts, boxers and socks, DVD's, Dyson, chain saw, box of kitchen stuff, coffee table and 2 dog beds.
Oh and a DAB radio, 5 pictures, a mirror and a brass bedside lamp!
And all in a convertible!!
Well in K2 by tomorrow night...

A new canal..

2008-05-16T15:54:00.006+01:00

Well, if there was one, I would be the first on it! Instead a design concept for K2's logo. Not a bad start, but she looks prettier from the starboard side, so pictures will be taken!!

As of now, my insurance is covering K2, first step towards ownership, and Barry at ABNB has confirmed that all the mountains of cash are now sitting in ABNB's client account waiting for completion on Monday.

Weekend ahead of sorting and clearing stuff, and showing the house off to a Girl who may want Suzi's room from August. Hey! It's my last weekend on terra firma...

Sceptics!!

2008-05-13T22:06:00.000+01:00

OK so was I!! I doubted that the trailer would go into the garage, (See post of 1st May!) and everyone who knew me took one look and laughed.

Well it has !! much to my neighbours relief I'm sure... AND the door shuts!!

Tonight another car load of things - microwave, all my climbing and walking gear together with the first food items. I have one more load to go next week before the re-positioning cruise.. and way too much to go in!

No pictures...

2008-05-12T23:22:00.000+01:00

But...
Contract signed and sent.
All paperwork completed.
Completion due for the 19th.
Thursday, another car load for K2.
Hopefully only one more after that, before the final move in just prior to the start of the weeks re-positioning cruise.

Oh OK - a quick piccy then !!

Hey - where's all the room gone !!?

2008-05-09T17:02:00.000+01:00

You know what it's like, things get bigger in your mind, so K2 had become an Ocean liner for space.. except it's not! Well the half of the airing cupboard I took up fitted in the back cabin cupboard!! Where does the Dyson go? or the iron, - bother the wine rack doesn't fit! Good job she has the most cavenous hole at the bow (!!) - the front section of the tug deck is a huge outside locker, into which various things vanished, and into which a lot more will vanish by the seems of it! Oh and she has coal and wood on the roof now, so life is being breathed into her...

Bag Boy!

2008-05-07T13:45:00.001+01:00

Borrowing an Audi Estate in the sunniest and hotest week so far this year, while she drives my convertible! Typical!! However, it does enable me to ship a pile of the larger more awkward stuff up to the Boat over the next couple of days. So crockery and cutlery, bottles and bedding, paddles and bouyancy aides all enroute! Oh, plus the obligatory coal and wood!!

Ian, as good as ever, has allowed me to put my things onto (his) boat, although it seems she may be fully kitted out - we'll see when I next get there!

Meanwhile, my kitchen cupboards are a little emptier...

Big check

2008-05-06T13:02:00.001+01:00

Oh sorry, Cheque! Well actually, electronic transfer to ABNB for the full amount I'm paying - ouch! and another to the Marina to pay that up, and one to BW for my license, and lastly one to the insurance company. Diminishing values in that order....
Looks like completion is set for the 19th May, that's great, as I want to re-position her over the week of the 24th onwards.
Hopefully Ian will allow me to start putting things on board as of this week, so I can move on by car, rather than van, just waiting to hear back from him to that affect.

Garage sale

2008-05-01T23:03:00.001+01:00

How on earth do you get a double axle trailer into here!! ?

I need to get this sorted, as parts of the house need to be decanted into the garage, as well as the trailer in only three weeks.

I heard today that K2 is now being gently warmed up with her heating on, so that the wood goes back to shape ready for the final work to be done prior to my completion. I have to say, Ian and Sarah are so far, being brilliant.

Today is the 1st May. by the 1st June, I may not only own K2, but be living on her as well - exciting? yes - very! nervous too!

I was right!!

2008-04-30T16:28:00.001+01:00

Buses - that's what Lodgers are... As I predicted, I waited a week, then 2 came along together.

Anyway I now have my Master Bedroom rented out from the 1st June - to a Guy called Steve! (Must be OK with a name like that!) and with Shankar already in my third room, Suzi's room can wait until July / August, which will allow her to get a bit nearer to University departure dates... and for which a lovely Girl from Sheffield is already interested.

Spoke to ABNB today (the boat broker!) and everything seems to be plodding along. All being well K2 will become mine Mid May, and I'll move her during the half term (end of May). Oh yes - that is the view you will see coming the other way round the cut to me!!

Stop the midnight sleep!!

2008-04-29T00:04:00.000+01:00

Telephone conversations to a minimum due to dogs eating the cable!! So the famous hole in the floor was filled and the frame first coat painted, and the garage sort out was started - another job (and a half) ticked....
And another person round the house tonight, I know what will happen - I'll end up with 3 people wanting the room, still all the jobs are flying by quickly, maybe I'll rent out the boat!
HAHA - it's OK, only joking!
Compare this picture with Sunday 20th!

Dear Sir, Ref: Marine Finance

2008-04-27T20:29:00.001+01:00

Is it on - or off? come on, open that fold up.....

""Further to the above,"" (yes yes blah blah) ""we have pleasure to advise a facility has been secured with RoyScot Larch Ltd. (a member of the RBS group)""
Fantastic - anybody want my room from mid May / 1st June?
Weekend was busy - Whilst I, equally busy moving furniture, putting up blinds, selling a playroom full of toys, selling my Canadian from Ebay, and showing 2 people round my house / room.
I travelled 414 miles and 4 different vehicles later, including Andys Shogun and a Transit van - I'm ready to go back to work for a rest!!
But now the real work starts - I will feel happier when my room is rented out, but I need to clear the garage, as well as finish all those jobs previously listed....

Another day, another dollar.

2008-04-24T21:41:00.000+01:00

Today sent the balance of the boat deposit to the Broker. That's a hole - but not as much of one when I write the cheque for the rest of my balance! 25% of the price... goody - can't wait!!

On the DIY side tonight painted the Kitchen. Ever since I moved in, and knocked that famous door through from the Kitchen to the Dining room - I've needed to paint over the plaster - so now it's done. Matt has agreed to do my floor, skirting and edging for me, so now I'm cracking on with carpet cleaning, and making good the house.

Is it worth it? Well - my brother found this on my pontoon today - WOW, that feels real, and the picture on the right could be my tug deck view..... I'm dead excited!!

Failed!

2008-04-22T21:52:00.000+01:00

I have decided - DIY I hate! It was simple tonight, walk the dogs then cut a piece of Lino into my Ensuite, releasing an underlay for the little bit of flooring pictured previously.
The dog walk was great - the lino cutting went wrong, and the resultant mess in the music room and kitchen means I went backwards tonight, rather than forwards, and resulted in a desperate plee to Matt (mentioned below as well) "I've had enough - please sort it for me"
Reality is, I haven't even cleaned the house properly for weeks, let alone cut the grass, because of all that has been going on. I now need the rest of the jobs completed, so that I can get on and clean, repaint where needed, and get it looking like a house someone could live in.
So tonight I'm fed up, with a house that feels like that wretched Fourth Road Bridge, and the plans for this week in tatters!

£10bn? Don't need that much!!

2008-04-21T22:11:00.001+01:00

Woke to the expected news that RBS was shifting strategy, and was launching a rights issue to raise more than £10bn! As my key lender - can I borrow 30 seconds of interest please?

My trip to B&Q became a run to Homebase, as Matt (one of my good mates) is having a pitch battle with B&Q, as their internet pricing is different to their in-shop pricing. As he runs his own business in the trade, the difference cost him the profit on one job alone!

Anyway - this is my newly seeded lawn, and the St Georges flag isn't a worry to my neighbours, rather a vain attempt to keep the pigeons off the seed.

The astute of you will notice that "seeding the lawn" wasn't one of my target jobs this week, however the forecast of warm wet weather made me think it was a good time to get the seed down. So get in your boats, as we are now in for some unseasonally hot and dry weather !!!

However, I did get the tiling finished in the bathroom, so thats one job off the list! - I used 6 of your tiles, so the other 14 will be winging their way back to you!!

Keep that work going!!

2008-04-20T20:27:00.000+01:00

Weekend away, and now back with a growing list of work at my house. However brilliantly, I found a set of tiles that will finish off my bathroom perfectly. So tonight I shall chip off the old tile adhesive, and tomorrow is a trip to B&Q !! Increasingly I just want shot of this house.. but I have to be patient as the various funding bits of paper shuffle about!

Here's the offending floor between the music room and kitchen that needs tiling, and then the frame painting. Maybe I can get those three jobs done this week. Then I need to get the skirting on, and finish off the wood floor edging!

The good things though - I loaded my first set of ebay sales tonight, so hopefully some stuff will start selling; I updated my Flatmateclick.com site to see if I can generate interest for my bedroom and I got the receipt for my boat deposit today, so I guess at least that side of it sounds good!

Emotions are a roller coaster - !!

sqUEeze

2008-04-17T08:52:00.001+01:00

Credit crunch! Got home to a letter from my marine mortgage broker saying - "Dear Sir, we require further information on

1. Renting out your home

2. The whereabouts and funding of the deposit.

So more work - and I hate that detail stuff... off to the Estate Agent, to get letters proving what the house will rent for, and contacting Isa's fund managers to get valuations to send through. But they will take a few days to receive, as they can only be sent through the post to my home. So mean while, - my account is lighter by the brokers deposit (as apposed to the financial deposit) but I still have to prove the total financial deposit.. hmmm confusing, and complicated as I moved the brokers deposit around accounts to get it to my cheque account!!

Come on Guys, I want to borrow 75% of the value of a boat that I have got for the best price on the cut, and I have way more value in my house than you are lending me. I think I'm an OK bet !! Well would have been if Gordon Brown and the banking fraternity hadn't been so greedy that they wrecked our economy, and still can't 'fes up, and put it right for us.

The Follow Up...

2008-04-15T20:20:00.000+01:00

So that's what 2 tons of pebbles looks like when you have shovelled them from the front of the house and into the pathway at the back!! (Actually, I only shovelled about half a ton - the rest had been done by my Dad by the time I got home from work!!)

Money laundering today... shovelling cash from account to account to get the cheques off for deposit and marina deposit, phew that was hard - haven't written a cheque for months... haha!!

I wasn't alone in that arena though. Gordon Brown was desperately trying to work out how he got the economy so wrong, with all his banking croonies, and my Brother was up to tricks too!

Under Offer

2008-04-14T22:06:00.000+01:00

Many a slip between finance and everything else... but the offer is made and accepted, so this unregistered Mel Davis 57 foot tug with a 1954 DM3 could become K2. Pontoon 17W1 at Brinklow Marina could become home!

Told you - interesting week...

Could I live here.....

2008-04-13T21:09:00.001+01:00

Well, it might be my new home...!

Interesting week ahead.