Fenny Compton

We were blown  back to Fenny this afternoon.  Having left in strong winds in the spring so we arrived back in strong, challenging winds.  Definitely not the best of boating conditions!

Regular readers will know that we have had a great summer.  Who couldn't have in the wonderful weather we have experienced?!

We have clocked up close on 500 hours of cruising and done close on a similar amount of locks!  We have been blown about, suffered from the cold and the heat and watched the changing landscape from winter, spring, summer and now early autumn.

We live in an amazing country with some spectacular scenery. From the waterways it is a countryside where you never quite know what is waiting around the next corner.  Some of it better than the next but all fascinating.  As a friend quoted recently there is the good, the bad and the ugly.  Fortunately,  the good far outstrips the bad and the ugly! There are more lovely people around than there are not so nice and we are so grateful for the many lovely people we have met and who have helped us along the way.  Our paths may never cross again but they have been part of our journey and are thus, very important.

A narrowboat is such a wonderful way to enjoy and experience so much that would otherwise pass us by.

We count ourselves two very lucky people and are very thankful!

Although this is possibly the end of our long term cruising this year we are hoping to get some short trips in during the next couple of months especially if the weather stays mild but we would prefer less wind.  We will play it by ear.

Long Itchington

Another beautiful late September morning gave way to slightly overcast, breezy afternoon on the Grand Union Canal but it is still very mild and we are enjoying a nice drop of ale at the Two Boats. We had a jolly morning sharing the locks with a hire boat with 9 burly men on board. They were a group of ex Round Tabler's and for the past 15 years had enjoyed a long weekend together on the canals. They were very organised with a couple of chaps doing all the cooking and the rest sharing driving and lock duties. They insisted on Jenny having a break from locks so we climbed the locks like royalty and left all the hard work to them! Thanks to Pete and his mates from the Millbrook Round Table from Rochdale. Braunston to get a drive plate for the engine tomorrow then back to Fenny and then home.

Back to Warwick

We arrived back to Saltisford Canal Centre at lunchtime today having descended the 21 locks on the Hatton Flight in just under 3 hours. We shared the locks with a hire boat which was a great help. Unlike our ascent the weather was glorious. A beautiful late September morning. Making our way slowly home. 'Strictly' tonight and we have TV via our satelite dish. Hooray!

Birmingham

It was with a little apprehension that we made our way through the warren of canals through Birmingham this morning.  We need not have had any worries.

We descended the first 13 locks through Brum with the help of Tony.  Yes, he is another cheerful, helpful CRT Volunteer who had traveled the system extensively during his time of narrowboating and was well aware of how arduous a flight can be with just two on board.  He prepared all the locks for us as we travelled through the waterways history of Birmingham.  It is fascinating to see the old alongside the new and we should be so thankful that the easy option was not taken during the city's transformation of simply filling in the canals and building on top as has happened in other parts of the country.  Some amazing 20th and 21st century  engineering nestle side by side with pioneering canal engineering of the 19th century.

Tony left us at lock 13 and we proceeded to the Ashtead flight - just 6 this time - through bridges and walls adorned with graffiti, some better than others but still with the feeling of the thousands upon thousands of boaters who had passed this way over the years.  It would have been a far more threatening place in the 19th and early 20th  century.  On a Wednesday morning it was very quiet and once again we descended uneventfully.

At the Junction with the Grand Union he sense of history is all around.  The Fellows, Morton and Clayton boats of yesteryear would have been moored all along this stretch waiting for loads to take to London. The noise and bustle of canal life would have been rather different from the tranquil passage we experienced today.

Three and a half hours after our departure from our overnight mooring we arrived at our 25th lock and stopped for a very well earned lunch.  We both enjoyed this part of our journey enormously and are looking forward to passing through this fascinating city again.

The old and the new!

Emerging from Newell Street Tunnel

New over old and CRT Volunteer Tony

Sid's day at Cadbury World

Sid was so excited to be visiting his idea of heaven. The day was a bit overcast but it was not a problem as we only had a 15 minute walk from the canal, where we had managed to moor in a locked secure Canal and River Trust mooring. Sadly, there were two other boats moored who had obviously been there for some time thus preventing anyone else taking advantage of the security the locked area gave us. We arrived 5 minutes before Cadbury World opened and Sid's anticipation grew by the minute. Then the doors opened and he was in! It was not long before we had been given some free samples, which Jenny popped straight in the backpack since it was only just after 10.00am and she thought it was too early for Sid to have his first chocolate fix! Our day was filled with laughter and lots of chocolate tasting. We were like a couple of kids and managed to bring a smile to all the staff, who were excellent. Since our last visit (approx 15 years ago) the whole experience has grown with lots of extra additions. We went for a most interesting walk around the village of Bourneville after. What inspirational characters the Cadbury family were. We could do with some more like them these days. A policy of taking care of their workforce, making sure they were housed in an environment with lots of green spaces, and generally treating them with respect. This in turn benefitted everyone. An excellent day out. We have now moved on to Birmingham and have had a whistle stop trip around the city this afternoon. The new Library is amazing! The areas around the canal are full of history and the old and the new sit along side each other quite comfortably. Heading south from here on in with lots and lots of locks on our route!!!!

Sid and Jenny!

Sid waiting for Cadbury World to open

The Rest House in Bourneville village

The Library of Birmingham

Hunters Moon moored near Gas Street Basin, Birmingham

Saturday Afternoon in the Pub!

We climbed the Lapworth flight this morning - only 20 locks - and stopped at Lapworth top lock for a well earned lunch - butternut squash with ginger and spices, inspired by the 'Spice Men' or was it the 'Hairy Bikers' on TV ( watch so many cookery programs it gets confusing. However, this particular soup was a winner! Now, where was I, Oh yes, our well earned lunch at top lock. Once again we had the help of a lovely CRT Volunteer. This time Fran cheerily helped us through the flight imparting tips on moorings and general info on the way. I think we have mentioned before that we are always so pleased to see these volunteers who make a welcome addition to what can sometimes be a real slog. There was also a party of volunteers painting the lock beams. They were cheerful and helpful and we can see no reason for them getting such bad press in some of the mags. We have nothing but praise for them. We traveled a short way on to Hockley Heath where we decided to call it a day and thought we would sample some local ale!!

Wootton Wawen

On our return to Stratford-upon-Avon we decided to head back up the Stratford Canal rathee than head on to the Avon and then up the Severn. The wind and rain have returned and although the rivers are ok at the moment both of these are prone to sudden rapid,rises (Tewsksbury this time last year was under several feet of water). So,back up the Stratford we go and yet again encounter lock 53! This is the only lock that has ever defeated Jenny. With the help of our stern line being tied to the metal beam we eventually got the gate closed. The lock then slowly filled - almost as much water leaked from the bottom gate as filled from the top gate! Some volunteer assistance would have been more than welcome at this flight that rises out of Stratford! Things improved from then on and we climbed the Wilmcote flight with the help of Howard and Alan,cheery CRT volunteers who made our ascent of the 11 lock flight a quick and painless experience. Thank you to you both. It is always a very pleasant sight to see some help and to share a small part of our journey with these willing folk. Wootton Wawen is a little village with a Craft Centre, Farm Shop, very pleasant Tea Room (where we are at present taking advantage of their WiFi) a village store, pub and the the oldest Saxon Sanctuary in Warwickshire. We have spent a lovely afternoon soaking up the history of this amazing Church. Our onward journey takes us through remote parts of the Warwickshire countryside so we are hopibg the rain stays off so we can enjoy it and Jenny can do some more blackberry picking to go with the windfall apple we have acquired!!!

Stratford-on-Avon

Well, we are back in contact with the world after days of no signals.  It is interesting that even to someone who resents the fact that life seems to exsist around technology, there is a real feeling of being cut of from everyone when we can't get an internet connection.  However, we are now sitting in a very pleasant pub in Stratford having arrived here this afternoon - in the rain!

Now, where were we?  Since our last communication we have visited Warwick which is a very interesting town, we have also done the castle and thanks to Tesco we got a very good deal.

We have ascended the Hatton flight with the help of Paul, one of the Canal and River Trust Volunteers.  He made, what could have been a very arduous flight of 21 locks (in the rain) quite an enjoyable and informative event.  He gave us some very useful tips and mooring advice and we left him at the top lock feeling as though we had made a good friend.  Thank you Paul!

Mooring in the middle of nowhere is lovely but very black at night.  It is also so nice to hear just the noises of nature all around you rather than planes, cars and trains etc.  Thanks again to Paul for pointing us in the direction of an idyllic mooring.

We have left the Grand Union behind us and have become accustomed, once again, to narrow locks of which we have descended, lots, on the Stratford Canal!  We have also crossed three aqueducts.  A small one then a bigger one, both of which Sid managed but for the last one Jenny had to take the helm and Sid disappeared below! She was a bundle of shakes at the end of it, but we did get across unscathed but with wobbly legs and a sigh of relief.  We may give the long one in Wales, whose name I can't spell (or say) a miss unless we can get someone to help us across!!!!!!!

The basin in Stratford is very busy and we managed to get the last 'proper' mooring.  If we hadn't wanted to leave the boat for a few days we would have ventured on to the Avon, where there are some beautiful mooring in the shadow of the RSC Theatre.

Home for a few days over the weekend then we are not sure which way we will head!
 

Royal Leamington Spa

Sorry, I omitted the 'Royal' yesterday!

Well, it had to change some time!  We woke to RAIN and lots of it.  Decided there was no reason to surface too early and we put off our shop at a brand new Morrisons until late morning hoping it might ease.  It didn't and Morrisons didn't have oatcakes either.  They are one of our favourite lunches!  Boo Hoo!  Maybe we have to get even further north before we enter oatcake country.

Leamington Spa in the rain is not the most inspiring town.  It does have a certain elegance and some beautiful flowers.  However, the Pump House that houses the museum, Library, Tourist Information and various exhibitions was a great find and they served excellent tea and teacakes - just perfect when you are damp and a bit downcast!

The rain prevented us from promenading in the Jephson Gardens, maybe next time, and after all the glorious weather we have enjoyed we shouldn't complain, but it was a shame.  Jenny did partake of the waters via a small drinking fountain outside the Pump House. Urgh!!!!!

We have managed to hop on to an internet signal where we are moored under dripping trees so no beer tonight and we don't have to get wet again.

Telly signal is better today so we will enjoy watching the final of Celebrity Masterchef (I hope Ade wins) and we are definitely hoping to get a good TV signal tomorrow night because Strictly kicks off! Hooray!  Sad aren't we?

Royal Pump Rooms

Flowers in the Rain!

More glorious flowers in Royal Leamington Spa

Autumn Cruise

It is lovely to be back on board and travelling again.  We are so lucky with the weather as well.  Almost as we left off in July except for the cooler, damper mornings and the nights have drawn in a lot.  Today we sweltered whilst descending the Stockton flight and our first staircase of locks at Bascote. Since our departure on Tuesday we have already come down over 30 locks and are now at the bottom!!!

Our spirits are high and we have enjoyed a couple of delightful evenings barbequeing on the towpath and watching the sun go down with a glass or two!

Tonight we have reached Leamington Spa and a pub - hence the blog update. We hope to explore the area tomorrow when rain is forecast and then move on to Warwick.

Blascote Staircase

Morning mist lifting over the Grand Union

Full Circle

We arrived back at Fenny Compton Marina this afternoon after a very slow and rather tiresome final 9 locks. It seemed every hire boat in and around the Oxford Canal wanted to ascend the Napton flight!

Napton Bottom Lock

We received a lovely welcome from Pat, the marina manager and we are back on our same mooring for August.

Now the promised boring stats:
We have passed through 262 locks
We have done 339 engine hours
We have been on board for 87 days
We have visited 3 different marinas(for our trips back home)
We have sampled 45 pubs, which only goes to show that we don't end up in a pub every night, as some followers might think!
Not sure how many different beers we have tasted (hic!) but can safely say most have been excellent!
We have met loads of lovely people and enjoyed some fabulous weather.
Off for a final beer at the Wharf now!
Oops! Sorry!
That is 46 pubs!!- before heading home tomorrow.

Back on board in September to continue our travels during the autumn.  We are thinking of Warwick and Stratford on Avon!

Watch this space!  Coming soon on Jenny and Sid's blog.............

Thanks for following our adventures.

Sunset over the Oxford Canal

Braunston

Nearly at this journey's end! Only 9 more locks and a couple of days and we will have completed the Thames Ring.

We might bore you with statistics in our next blog but at the moment we can say that we have gained a load of experience from the two rookies that started their narrowboating life just over a year ago.

It has proved a bit of an emotional visit to Braunston with both of us in very reflective mood. It was just last summer, the end of June, whilst we were moored in Braunston that we received the news of Paul's illness. A phone call that changed our lives!

Tooth Fixed

At last Sid has shiney new crown!

Jenny did lots of domestic duties (and some retail therapy) while Sid was at the dentist on Thursday.

We have now arrived at Bugbrooke and hope to be in Braunston Saturday/Sunday. After Jenny driving over the Iron Trunk Aqueduct and Sid driving through the third longest tunnel on the system and meeting yet more lovely people we are enjoying a well earned pint at The Wharf.

Still hot and sunny! Rain forecast tomorrow.  Boo Hoo!!

Entering Blisworth Tunnel

A Little cooler in Wolverton

Phew! At last it is just a tad less humid and a jot cooler - still hot and sunny.  We did have just one thunderstorm yesterday with some wonderful lightening and RAIN.  It was lovely!!!!

Since Berkhamsted, we have been through loads more locks, met a lovely couple of girls on Little Gem, one French and one German, who we shared many locks with and some good humoured banter!

The canal has got very busy now with lots and lots of hire boats with lots and lots of noise on board and at moorings and not just the noisy kids but adults who want everyone to hear their music and foul language. Couple of snobs, aren't we?!

Our other gripe is dog poo.  We have been plagued by it on the towpath of late.  There is really nothing worse than trying to moor and picking your way through piles of sh....t!!!!  Sid and Jenny are not amused!  We found one nice clear spot only to wake in the morning to two fresh piles by our mooring ropes - not at all nice, and we don't blame the dogs!

Since our last blog we spent a lovely evening with Rosie and Steve.  they texted on Sunday to ask where we might be later in the day, we told them and although they had a ghastly journey we spent the eve of Rosie's birthday on board sharing Pimms, wine, beer and a sort of picnic come barbeque.  Great fun!

The Tring summit was so beautiful and we travelled through some stunning countryside.  It was also a relief to start going downhill.  Jenny finds descending locks much easier but we think we star climbing again on Friday.

We have now arrived at Wolverton so that Sid can catch a train tomorrow to get his tooth finally fixed.  Jenny is being left in charge, again!

We have been surprised at the canal in Milton Keynes.  It passes through some lovely parkland and is not nearly as urbanised as we expected.  Leighton Buzzard was interesting and Cosgrove, just down the canal from here is very pretty.  We went for a lovely walk this afternoon and crossed the aqueduct, which Jenny has been informed she will be driving over on Friday when we head towards Blisworth and the third longest tunnel on the canal system!

'Iron Trunk' Aqueduct, Cosgrove

'Iron Trunk' Aqueduct over the River Ouse

Cooler in Berkhamstead

Much better day today for tackling 15 locks.  We shared them with a lovely couple, Stuart and Louise and their children Rebecca and Oliver who although only 10 and 6 were great at helping with the locks and they enjoyed operating the swing bridge at Winkwell.

We should reach the summit tomorrow and go downhill from thereon!!!!

Apologies for hastily written blogs of late but my battery keeps going flat- the laptop is fine though!

The Rising Sun, Berkhampsted

Still Very Hot, hot, hot

At last we are enjoying a beer!

 Since Tuesday we have: travelled to Teddington, motored down the tidal Thames to Brentford (all OK), entered Thames Lock and the Guaging lock at Brentford on the Grand Union, climbed the Hanwell flight (pictures for Jenny's mum attached), Jenny has suffered from the heat, moored at Tescos between Southall and Hayes, spent Thursday ascending the Grand Union in company with 'Esprise' with Richard and Vanessa on board (they were heading for the IWA Festival at Watford), and today we have just done 15 locks and an 8 hour day. This means we have done 35 locks in 3 days so we thought we deserved a beer.

Any ideas as to how to stay cool on a steel narrowboat? We did come across one odd chap who kept diving into the canal. If you could see how dirty the water is you will understand it is not for us.

Onward uphill tomorrow!

Lock on the Hanwell flight

Not sure what happened to these last two photos!!  Will try and redo at some time.

Still hot, hot, hot!

We are not complaining but it is SO hot.

 We returned to Shepperton Marina yesterday and must thank Steve for, yet again helping us out by lending us his car. Little did we know,however, that we were going to be joined by Glorianna, the Queen's barge in an adjoining berth. What a magnificent vessel,94 feet long,10 ton and powered by two electric engines. Sadly, she was not rowed in by 18 oarsmen! Loads of photos and will put them on the blog when we update next time with the laptop.

Jenny's brother and sister-in-law, Graeme and Annette, came to visit us on Monday evening.  We enjoyed a lovely picnic by the water and watched the sun go down with a few drinks.  It is so nice to have balmy evenings like these - most unususl for this country.

Glorianna and Hunters Moon at Shepperton Marina

Jenny, Graeme, Annette and Sid enjoying a summer evening picnic.

Hot! Hot! Hot!

Nothing quite like the English summer! One day raincoats and jumpers and the next we are all sweltering - not that we are complaining! Having spent a lovely weekend moored at Hampton Court we are now at Walton and have had a very pleasant afternoon with Sid's sister, Karen. She has just returned from Greece and as have other friends so we thank them for bringing the sun back with them!

 The river takes on such a different atmosphere in the sunshine with craft of all shapes and sizes taking to the water. The downside is that everywhere gets so busy - you even have to queue for ice cream!!

Sunset over Hampton Court Bridge

Home tomorrow!

Hampton Court

The sun is shining the Thames looks beautiful and we are enjoying a very pleasant evening with Rosie and Steve at Pizza Express. Had a lovely day at Hampton Court Palace where we found some cool shady places to while away the day. Summer has arrived at last!

Which one is the dummy?

The Elegant New Walton Bridge

He allowed us to look round his splendid pad!

Return to the Thames

Farewell River Wey and The Thames beckons

We left the beautiful River Wey on Tuesday with a little sadness.  We had enjoyed such a good three weeks cruise and shared some special time with so many family and friends .  The Wey is so tranquil and meanders through some truly  lovely countryside.  We also left behind the disappointment of the Basingstoke Canal but we will most likely return some time in the future.

Moored back on the Thames at Weybridge we eventually found the station so that Sid could return to Chi to get his crown sorted.  A five hour round trip bought him back with just the repair he had done, because the dentist could not remove the crown - it was so well stuck - and was worried she might break it.  He is however, returning on our next visit home to get it done properly!!!!

Another glorious day on the Wey.

Sorry about the break in communication again but rest assures all is well. Since our aborted trip on the Basingstoke Canal we have been very busy. We took the decision to give it a miss this year and do it another time as we have to be off the Wey on Tuesday and we could only get on the Basingstoke at a weekend - no wonder it is considered an unfriendly canal.

Deserted and unused Basingstoke Canal

 However, this did us a favour!

 We enjoyed a great day at the Brooklands Museum using our bikes to get there and we enjoyed a 'flight' on Concorde! Then we had a most interesting bike ride along the Basingstoke Canal. It is a deserted canal with loads of algae and a very sad feel about it. We were astonished at the money that has been ploughed into it and no boats using it! The towpath however, is wonderful! A great shame!!!

Sid and bike on the excellent Basingstoke Canal towpath

 Then,on Friday we had a lovely visit and boat trip with Jenny's sister Rosie and her husband Steve. The weather was not kind to us and we all got wet but had a most enjoyable time. We had a delicious lunch at the New Inn at Send before they returned home and we ventured a short way to moor in the most idyllic spot.

The Burrows and the Isons on a 'Grand Day Out'

Back to Guildford again where Richard and Kaye came to see us. It was so good to see them and we enjoyed a lovely lunch and a very pleasant afternoon in the sunshine.

The Battens and the Burrows at Depdune Wharf

We planned to have little trip today but Sid lost his dental  crown in the night (luckily he didn't swallow it) so we went to A and E to see if they could do a temporary repair. The bikes came in useful again to get us there but sadly the Royal Surrey could not do anything but Tesco could! We bought a crown repair kit and returned to the boat where Sid fixed it! Dentist next stop.

We had a lovely walk along the towpath this afternoon and found the Chapel on St Catherine's Hill and are now enjoying a pint in the Brittania.

The engineer will be here tomorrow with our repaired water heater and Sid will try and get his tooth sorted, then we are back on the Thames.

Thwarted!

Left Pyrford to get on the Basingstoke Canal but discovered that we could only get through the first lock, which was locked, on a Saturday or Sunday.  Having entered Lock No 1, Sid managed to reverse out of the lock and the 500 metres down to the junction.  We were not amused!

Decided to return to Pyrford and think over a pint or two!!!!!!

Sid reversing out of Lock No 1 through the algae!

Pyrford Again!

After a great few days in Godalming catching up with family and friends and a delicious Sunday lunch at the Inn on the Lake,thanks mum, we headed off towards the Basongstoke Canal. We are enjoying a much deserved beer in the Anchor after Jenny had done 10 locks today and her shorts were feeling a bit loose round the waist and she was worried she might be wasting away with all that hard work and exercise!

Bowers Lock

A lovely Day

Jenny's Mum enjoying an afternoon boating

Still in Godalming having spent a lovely day with Doreen and our little Emily.  Marge and Rosie joined us for lunch on board together with little Harry, one of Rosie's children that she minds.  Once again Emily delighted us all and we make no apologies for mentioning our gorgeous little granddaughter once again.

We fed the ducks and watched the horse drawn barge as it left the Wharf. It is always sad to wave her goodbye and now look forward to seeing her again soon.  It was good to spend some quality time with Doreen (Dave's Mum).

The Horse Drawn Barge Iona

Godalming

To our regular viewers we are very sorry for the break in communication.  Since arriving in the Guildford/Godalming area we have had lots of visitors and therefore not the opportunity to get to pubs for internet access.

We had a very good if somewhat emotional weekend in Guildford.  Adam joined us on Sunday for a Fathers Day lunch, which was lovely and we whiled away a very pleasant afternoon and evening in the beautiful sunshine.  The only disappointment was that along the Wey in Guildford there was not one Ice Cream van.  A missed business opportunity for someone.

Adam and Sid on Hunters Moon

Another beautiful day on Monday and we had a visit from Simon and Lucy.  We enjoyed a very pleasant  afternoon and evening.

Simon, Sid and Lucy

The mooring was so good at Dapdune Wharf that we decided to have another night there.  It is a little gem in the middle of Guildford and the historic wharf is well worth a visit.  We played 'tourists' whilst we were in Guildford and visited the castle, which was a revelation to us both and Sid had never seen Alice Through the Looking Glass in the castle grounds before.

Hunters Moon at Dapdune Wharf

We moved on to Godalming on Tuesday and arrived at the Wharf in glorious sunshine once again.  Although it is situated right next to Sainsbury's and a retail park it is a delightful mooring with lots of river interest.

A very pleasant evening with 'old' friends on Tuesday evening was followed on Wednesday by a visit from Jenny's mum.  We had a lovely little cruise along the river and passed the horse drawn canal boat along the way.  Marge really enjoyed her afternoon and fulfilled a lifelong ambition to cruise in a narrowboat.  The sun shone once again, which made it especially nice.

We have been 'tourists' in Godalming today and discovered a whole lot more about this charming little town than we knew before.

"Can I have a ride too, please!"

Guildford

Arrived just outside Guildford on Friday evening after, what turned out to be a long day for us. We managed to rendevous with Rosie and Jenny's mum at the New Inn in Send at lunchtime. The sun was shining but we were still being plagued by strong winds.

Jenny and her mum.

By the time we got on our way again we had shed our overcoats and had a beautiful afternoon boating along the Wey, which looked so different in the sunshine. The countryside is so picturesque and our spirits were lifted.

The previous day we had been visited by Janice, Dave and Emily. We went for a little jaunt as far as Newark Priory and although it was breezy and we did have a little shower there were also small glimpses of sunshine. Emily enjoyed herself, Dave helped with the locks and Janice took the helm. Needless to say the day ended in the Anchor before we said our farewells.

Janice at the helm!

Today (Saturday) we had a short trip to Dapdune Wharf in Guildford. It is a very pleasant and safe mooring where we intend to wait for the wind to subside and the heavy showers to clear away. We will have a good look around the Wharf and are hoping to connect up with Adam, but so far he is being very elusive!

Hunters Moon passing under the M25

The mysterious and peaceful  ruins of Newark Abbey

The Wey is not only very peaceful, despite it's proximity to the M25 and A3, but also so well kept. So far we can only congratulate the National Trust for he splendid way it manages this beautiful waterway.

Now we are in the Guildford and Godalming area we are hoping to have some visitors.  We will be cruising in the area for the next week or so.  If you fancy meeting up give us a ring and we will arrange a get together.