Cruising Log 2007

12 January 2007

Had an appointment with a photographer from the Sunday Telegraph today, to take pictures in connection with a feature on the rising cost of boating.

Arrived at 10.30 in a howling gale and temperature in single figures. Ran up engine, checked dehumidifiers, bilges, coolant levels and generally tidied up. Checked ropes and mooring pins; was told that at least one boat in the marina broke its moorings during the week. Met John Robertson at 12.30 and he spent about an hour taking pictures. I locked up and left at 1.45pm and returned to the office. (And after all that - the paper didn't use the photos!).

1 1/2 hours battery charge

19 January 2007

Went to check the boat mooring ropes this afternoon after the big storm. 'Tambourine' survived. Happily Andy the marina owner drove in some extra mooring stakes along our side of the marina to stop our boats from taking off and landing in Suffolk. Thanks, Andy! But - we will have to work out some method of securing the boat that is more robust than the present arrangements so the pins don't pull out. I hammered all the pins further in and left at 2pm.

01 March 2007

Yet more gales over the past 48 hours so a flying visit to check the ropes and so on. While there I re-filled the dehumidifiers with fresh crystals. The new marina road is finished and looks good with ample room to park.

14 March 2007

Skived off from work a bit early after a meeting in Cambridge and arrived at the boat at 3pm. Got some coal from the garage in Soham, lit the stove and settled in for the evening. Re-filled the tank with water but had a problem with the Paloma; the 'o' ring on the drain valve has split and water pissed out everywhere. Called Keith who will bring a replacement tomorrow. Made some other phone calls, had a tinned steak and potato supper and turned in at 10pm. A beautiful afternoon and evening; pity it isn't always like this.

2 hours battery charge

15 March 2007

Woken at 6.45am by the noise from the tractors working in the next field. How come all farmers suffer from insomnia? Probably because they are worrying about the next visit by the scrotes from the Rural Payments Agency.  Had a giant fry-up breakfast.

Tidied up and made ready for the BSS inspection. This couldn't be completed as Keith didn't have the correct bore tube to connect to the gas pressure test point. We will have to arrange a further visit to complete the job. Another tinned steak and potato offering for lunch and then spent most of the afternoon on the phone for work. So much for a day off. Left at around 5pm.

2 hours battery charge.

6 April 2007

A beautiful day. We arrived at 1.45pm after a quick drink at the Maid's Head in Wicken. Started the engine and generally cleaned round after the winter ravages. Sorted out the usual damp bow-thruster problem. Fitted a new 'o' ring to the Paloma drain valve but it still drips slightly.  Gail and Jonathan of NB Safina joined us for a spag bog supper and a few vinos. Hit the sack around midnight. A good relaxing day.

4 hours battery charge

7 April 2007

Up at 7.30. Boiled eggs and coffee for brekky, walked dog, visited Gail and Jonathan on NB Safira and chatted to several other neighbours. Got some coal from the garage near Little Thetford and some other bits from the general store in Stretham. Spent the afternoon relaxing (i.e. falling asleep after lunch) and then generally wandered about, took a few photos with the new digital camera Steve has acquired, walked Tasha along the flood banks and generally did very little. Played scrabble in the evening after watching 'Dr.Who' - guess who won.........

3 hours battery charge.

8 April 2007

Another pleasant sunny day. Took the bow-thruster apart and did a serious dry-out and overhaul and put it back together again. Now it works! Gary and Becky came over to see us in the afternoon.

2 hours battery charge

9 April 2007

More chores today; cleaned out the bilges, generally cleaned over, topped up the batteries, oil, coolant levels and similar things. Measured up for new curtains which Meg is going to make, the present ones are starting to look a bit tired. Left for home at 3pm to give us time to mow the lawns and settle up with Lucy's kids for looking after the greenhouse for us.

2 hours battery charge

12 April 2007

Completion of the BSS inspection tomorrow. Arrived at 6.45pm. Nice warm evening. Stripped all the damaged mastic from around the outside chimney collar, cleaned it up and re-sealed it. Cleaned out the stove.  Soup for supper and bed at 10.

13 April 2007

Keith arrived at 8.15 and fitted the pipe to the gas test-point. BSS completed satisfactorily by 9.30am. Locked up and set off for Chester at 10 am.

30 April 2007

Arrived at 10am. Loaded the new curtains on board, emptied the loo. Strimmed the grass around the mooring. Mended the broken under-bed drawer. A misty gloomy start to the day but it soon brightened up. Left shortly before 12.

11/2 hours battery charge

04 May 2007

Arrived at 9.30am. A bit cold but the sun soon burned through. Loaded up and checked everything over. Replaced under-bed drawers after coating the runners with candle-wax. Pizza for lunch. Derek B is unwell and can't come with us so we will travel solo. Left at 1.45pm. Worked through Upware lock with NB Sunrise (Mark and Carol, formerly of MC Lotta Lotta). Arrived at Reach Hythe at 4.45pm. Moored on the opposite side to the picnic area. Water still very shallow. Walked up to the pub at 6pm and had a good supper. Mark and Carol joined us for a glass or two afterwards; very pleasant. Bed at 11.30pm.

3 hours battery charge

3 hours, 1 lock

05 May 2007

Woke at 8.45am - very late for us! Fruit for breakfast then a dog-walk around Reach. Meg set to hanging the new curtains (looking very nice indeed). Steve changed the engine vee-belt and generally checked things over. Tightened up the  tiller-bar handle and other minor jobs. The water level has dropped and the bow is firmly aground but the stern is still floating so we should be able to pull off when the time comes. Had a coffee on NB Sunrise and talked about boaty things. Other boats began to arrive this afternoon; Peter and Jean on NB Arachne, John and Enid on MC Otters Way, Jonathan and Gail on NB Safina and the guy with the grey tug who used to moor at Littleport. We all went up to the pub in the evening and had a super meal and too much pop. A quick nightcap with John and Enid and bed around midnight.

                                                                                                                                               Boats at Reach Hythe

06 May 2007

Another grey morning. Steve was up at 7 and took Tasha for a 1/2-hour walk. A good bar-b-q at lunchtime and a gang from Upware Boat Club joined us; 14 boats in total. Bob Edson from NB Harlequin set the quiz and it was won by Mark and Carol so they have to set the next one! After the bar-b-q we spend the rest of the day lounging about and chatting to people.

                                                                                                                              Merry boaters at the IWA Reach Fair bar-b-q

07 May 2007

Reach Fair Day! A bit overcast and after clearing up the debris from the barbie we wandered around the fair a bit. The new IWA tent looks very good. A couple of pints in the outside bar on the green with Derek and then lunch on board. We had planned to leave in convoy with Mark and Carol but when we eventually got back to the moorings they had already left. We cast off at 2.30pm. Towards Upware lock we caught up with the youngsters from NB Harlequin in their dinghy and gave them a tow back to Upware. We locked through with Harlequin (have done this before!); they turned left and headed for Cambridge; we went right and stamped off to Popes Corner in good style. Cooked supper on board at the mooring and left as it was getting dark. A thoroughly fine weekend.

3 hours, 1 lock

25 May 2007

We have been busy refurbishing the kitchen at home so not much time for boating. Steve arrived at 10.45am; started the engine, emptied the loo, cleared out the stove grate and topped up with water. At around 11.30 it started to rain, so with the essential chores done I shut everything down and headed for home shortly before mid-day.

The first weekend day with no rain for the past 3 weeks. Arrived at 9.45am. Ran the engine up, checked the new curtain-hooks for size, cleaned out the shower-tray and bathroom (not before time) and one or two other odd jobs as well. Will leave around 11am I expect. The new electric post is in; I must check and see if one of the outlets is ours.

1 hour battery charge

(Gary’s log)

Arrived at the boat 11’ish, waited for Mark to turn up and set off at mid-day. Overcast and very strong winds. Stopped at the ‘5 Miles’ for a pint and again at the Bridge Inn at Clayhithe. Several heavy downpours en route. Moored at the Pike and Eel at Chesterton and had dinner there. The river is very quiet. Retired to bed quite early.

5 hours, 2 locks

Up at 8.00 am and chugged up to Jesus lock while the other lads showered and dressed. Lots of rowers around today; looks like a rowing event. Moored right next to the lock, secured the boat and went into Cambridge for the day in shops and pubs. Dinner at the Boathouse and then a heavy night in town. Managed to find a student house-party in the early hours and got back to the boat at 6am.

½ hour

Up again at 9 so not much sleep! Set off at 11am in light rain. Mark and Rob drove while I watched the French Grand Prix on the tv, only coming out to help with the locks. Lots of spectators at the locks taking pictures of the boat. Stopped at the Bridge again for some food – not that impressive. Made good progress from there on with the flow and the wind behind us and reached Popes Corner at 7pm. Very cold now and raining again. Tidied up, locked up and left at 7.30pm. A good weekend and we were very lucky with the weather considering the forecast and flood warnings.

4 hours, 2 locks

Arrived at 10am, washed the boat down and spent the rest of the day polishing. The paintwork looks better for it but it really needs another go and then perhaps a coat of wax. Gary had mentioned that the drive-belt was squealing again but it was OK today. Left at 5 just as the rain started!

4 hours charge

After the wettest July on record (even the Gt.Ouse was closed to navigation between Bedford and Earith!) it was a lovely sunny afternoon when we arrived at 4.30pm. Loaded up, ran the engine up and checked things over. After a read and a Tasha-walk we grilled a couple of steaks and opened a bottle of red. At around 8 we decided we were bored so we slipped the lines and motored up the Old West to the new EA moorings beyond the railway bridge. No-one else here, although a couple of boats on the mooring further up we could just see round the corner. It was starting to get dark when we arrived so we tied up, watched ‘Midsomer Murders’ on the telly and bed at 10.45pm.

2 hours charge, ¼ hour run

We left at 9am and had a nice steady run up the Old West. Arrived at Hermitage at mid-day. Through the lock and stopped at Westview for lunch and bought a new gas bottle. Left Westview at 2.30 and reached the long queue for Brownshill Staunch at 3pm. NB Fulbourne and several others were waiting along with a number of cruisers so we locked through ‘1 narrow-boat + 1 cruiser’ per passage. We went through with our friends on the steam launch ‘Ulysses’ (I think that’s right!) at 5.30pm.

                                                                                                                                     Waiting time at Brownshill Staunch

Reached the Pike at 6 and were lucky to find a mooring on the front as another narrowboat was leaving. Had a very good but rather expensive dinner at the pub in the evening and bed at 11 pm.

6 hours, 2 locks. 13 kg gas £18.00

We set off from the Pike at 9am and reached Brownshill only to find we couldn’t open the downstream control box – the lock appeared to be seized. A couple of passers-by told us that boats had passed through earlier that morning. After a bit of a wait we phoned the EA who promised to send someone out. Then another couple on a narrowboat turned up, stuck a screwdriver into the door frame and opened the door! We did feel stupid but he explained he had seen someone else do that on his way up. As we were locking through, Mervyn Day and his young lady colleague from the EA turned up to look at the box locks. Pointed out that they both needed new holding nuts and bolts and these should have spring-washers fitted.

As we locked through we met Ann Myall and her husband on their boat on their way to the festival site, and had a chat. After that, an uneventful trip back through Hermitage lock (where the ‘traffic light’ system had failed!) and down the Old West. Stopped for a brief lunch at Aldreth GOBA moorings. The remainder of the journey was sunny and pleasant. Reached Popes Corner at 6pm. Away after a quick supper and home by 8pm. A nice weekend and less traffic than we expected given the festival coming up.

6 hours, 2 locks

I’m a bit concerned about our cabin batteries; they seem to sag quite quickly so came down this evening to dump some bedding and get the battery dimensions in case I need to order new ones. Checked the off-load and on-load voltages and they are 12.6 and 12.5 respectively (load was the fridge and the spot-light) so maybe they are OK after all and I just need to re-tighten the drive belt since fitting the new one at Reach. Will consult the Tony Brooks course notes. Meg has brought us a shiny new Weber bar-b-q that fits in the bar-b-q hole and looks very smart – mind you, we haven’t used it yet….

We arrived at 4pm and unloaded, and mucked about unpacking and settling in. A chilli supper and a bottle of vino then watched a ‘Harry Potter’ video. It was raining and cold so we ran the central heating to take the chill off. The engine drive-belt is squealing a bit; I will tighten it up tomorrow.

2 hours battery charge

We slept late and didn’t surface until 9.30. After a quick fruity breakfast, Steve went to Tesco via Roger’s boat Turno’the World moored in Ely and took Ros to Tesco as well. Got back to Ely quayside at mid-day. A quick shandy in the Cutter and then away home by 1.30pm. Chatted to Derek and Jonathan, a soup and bread lunch and then set to work to tighten the drivebelt and clean out the bilges (yuk). Put it all back together again, checked oil and water levels and engine now ready for the ‘off’. Derek and Jonathan came over for a mug of tea and left around 5.30. We had lamb cutlets, veg and gravy with biscuits and cheese afterwards. Fab! Then played Scrabble but it was such a bad game we abandoned it and nobody won!

2 hours battery charge

It is cold, dark, wet and windy. We bought coal from the garage in Stretham for the stove – it’s that cold – topped up with water, checked the diesel and left the marina at 3pm with NB Safina. Arrived at the Lazy Otter at 4pm. Audrey Smith on NB Muffin moored up alongside. It is very windy. We met up with Derek and Liz in the pub and the 6 of us had an enjoyable boater’s supper in the pub. Back on board at 10pm, played Scrabble (Steve won) and had a couple of glasses of port. Bed at 11.30pm.

1 ½ hours

Up at 7.30am. It’s cold, dark, wet and windy. We left the Lazy Otter at 9am. It was one of the most horrid boat journeys we have ever had. Reached Hermitage lock at mid-day. Stopped at the Pike to empty the loo and Steve dropped the loo cap in the cess-pit. Fortunately managed to retrieve it with a pair of stilsons. Left the P&E at 1.30pm and had a soup and sandwich lunch on the move. Reached St.Ives lock at 3.30pm. The EA staff had already legged off for the day and they are in trouble when I catch up with them at the festival. We locked through a couple of single-handers, then locked through ourselves with Jonathan and another boat (can’t remember the name). Proving you can get 3 narrowboats into St. Ives lock if they’re not too long! Reached the festival site at 4.30pm. A bit of banter with friends, reported to the Waterspace office, bought arm-bands for Gary and Becky, glass of wine with Jon and Gail on Safina and a pan-fried steak and garlic bread supper – and so to bed. It’s still blowing a gale and raining. It has to get better soon.

7 ½ hours, 3 locks

Spent most of the day on and around the boat today, having to move in and out as other moorers arrive. The site is a complete quagmire. Went to the boaters quiz in the evening but we didn’t win.

1 hour charge

The bad weather and the mud are really causing problems on the festival site. Many more boats have arrived now and our little group is all together. Went to listen to the folk music in the beer tent in the evening.

1 hour charge

First day of the festival. A good gate but the mud is incredible. It’s a real mess. Cathy, Andrew and the girls arrived, and Gary and Becky later on. We went to the official receptions and met a lot of people which helped to put faces to names. There was a show in the evening which we didn’t get to but when we arrived later after supper there was a good blues band playing in the bar.

1 ½ hour charge                                                                   

                                                                The 'IWA Cambridge branch' flotilla on Hemingford Meadow                                 Boats moored at the IWA 'National' at St.Ives 

26 August 2007

The EA has dropped the river level today to help the site drain and the mud is nothing like as bad as yesterday. Went on pontoon duty for a couple of hours and Gary bought me a pint and the world’s most expensive cheeseburger (£5!) to keep body and soul together while I carried on explaining to the general public what the words ‘Exit Only’ mean. It has been warm and sunny for a nice change and in the evening the illuminated boat display was superb and the atmosphere amazing; the whole of St.Ives seemed to have turned out to watch. Wonderful!

1 ½ hour charge

The mud has almost completely dried out but not so many people around today. Gary and Becky went home after breakfast. Steve went to a digital camera course in the morning which was interesting, mind you it hasn't helped the quality of the pictures on this web-site! Give it time, give it time! Then did a stint on the Waterways Information stand in the afternoon. There was a good folk band in the bar in the evening, but the site closed to the general public at 5pm.

1 ½ hours charge

The site has that rather forlorn ‘after the show’ look and feel about it. Lots of boats are on their way home, the marquees and tents are coming down and the landing stages are being dismantled.

                                                                    Dismantling the landing stages now that the show is over                                                           That 'after the show' look

We went round the town for provisions. In the afternoon our flotilla moved downstream so our landing stage could be taken down. The whole of the Cambridge IWA contingent took over the Oliver Cromwell pub in the evening and got rather noisy.

1 ½ hour charge, ½ hour run

We were moved off site today, so moved round the corner to the EA Dolphin mooring and tied up in the dog-leg with NB Arachne and NB Zadok. Roger filled with water at the Waites and then reversed up the dog-leg to say his ‘goodbye’s before setting off for Denver and the tideway at 11am. We went round the town, had a pleasant lunch in the Italian restaurant and went to the Dolphin with the others in the evening. Weather was delightful today.

Time to go home. We went round the Norris museum and the shops and bought Gary a beer tankard as a souvenier of the show. Cast off from the Dolphin at 11.30am and a simple gentle run to the Pike and Eel. (No EA staff on duty at St.Ives again!). Meg phoned ahead to the Pike marina to check they had got diesel and that there was room for us to go in to get diesel and water and do the loo. Ordered some extremely competitively priced batteries from the chandlery to replace the tired ones in the cabin and will pick them up later. After re-filling went round onto the front. Zadok and Arachne arrived later. Peter and Jean joined us for supper and later, Derek and Liz joined us as well. We played some games of Rummikub, demolished a couple of bottles of wine and had a really good laugh.

2 ½ hours, 1 lock

86 litres of diesel, £47.50

3 x 110 AH heavy-duty leisure batteries £175.00

After a dog walk, rubbish dump and domestics we left the Pike at 10.30am. A cloudy breezy day. A straightforward journey, nothing to remark on.

                                                                                   The G.O.B.A. moorings at Aldreth                                                     The E.A. moorings at Hundred Acre on the Old West River

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Photo © Derek Bradley

Stopped at the GOBA Aldreth moorings for lunch and reached the EA moorings at ‘100-Acre’ shortly after 4pm. Tied up just in from of Mark and Carol on NB ‘Sunrise’ and had a cup of tea with them. A quiet evening in watching videos and bed at 11pm.

4 1/2 hours, 2 locks

Steve had a very bad night with chest pains and so we were up early and after a quick breakfast and dog-walk we were away by 8am in order to get home as quickly as possible. Unloaded and sorted everything out and were home by mid-morning. A slightly unfortunate end to an otherwise amazing week. Wolverhampton next year!

1/2 hour

23 September 2007

We arrived with Tasha at 9.30am to do general boaty chores. A bright day but very windy. Changed the cabin batteries for the new ones and Meg gave the landing stage a coat of preservative. Left around 5pm as it was starting to get chilly.

17 October 2007

I don't know where the damned month has gone; so many demands on our precious weekends. Let's retire and play boats! The forecast is for widespread hard frosts tonight and for the next few nights so took an impromptu half-day off work to drain the water system and heater. Also emptied and cleaned the loo, cleaned the bathroom and shower and made some lists of 'things to do' (very long.........). It was a sunny afternoon but very cold. Arrived at 2pm and left shortly after 4.

1 1/2 hours battery charge.

04 November 2007

A cold and misty start but the sun soon broke through. Arrived at 10am for a winterising session. Topped up the engine header tank with 1 litre of antifreeze, charged the dehumidifiers with crystals, changed the new curtains for the old ones so the new ones don't get spoiled by spider-poo stains over the winter. Ran the central heating system to air everything through. After a big steak pie lunch, pumped the bilges dry, checked the stern gland and greaser, checked the mooring ropes and shut everything down. Cleared the food larder of everything perishable and loaded a box with all the 're-chargeable' bits and pieces to give them a long recharge at home. Had a chat with Lou off Aquila and left for home at 2.15pm.

2 1/2 hours battery charge

Antifreeze £5.75 a complete rip-off

09 December 2007

General check-over visit. Intended to install the new solar battery charging panels but having completed the wiring, I decided that it would be prudent to install fuses in the positive lins for protection in case the reverse-current blocking diodes in the panels fail. The job will have to be completed over the Christmas/New Year break. Arrived shortly before 10, left soon after mid-day.

2 hours battery charge

Solar panels £18.00