She's Passed

 As we hang up our boaty gear until September we just wanted our readers to know that Hunters Moon passed her BSS today with a couple of advisories. Hooray!

In view of the fact that Sid keeps HM in great condition it should be no surprise but, much like a cars MOT, you just never know what the tester might pick up on or if rules have changed. 

A celebratory drink tonight we think, then a clean around inside and out tomorrow. Then back to Chichester for the school holidays.

See you in September. 

ps

Jenny will post some photos when we get a strong signal. We have a problem with getting them off the camera. Perhaps we'll get to grips with it someday. 

Bye

Homeward Bòund

And so we wend our way slowly back to Fenny. The water is very busy now and the weather continues mixed. It looks like turning much more settled for when we return home.  Never mind we have had a good time reaquainting ourselves with this stress free and tranquil way of life and will look forward to returning in the autumn, all being well. 

We were accompanied by about 120 sponsored walkers at the weekend who were raising money in support of Macmillan. They were walking the towpath from Coventry to Corby over the weekend. They were from a logistics company in Coventry, Gefco, and made a heartwarming  sight in their bright green T shirts as they tackled some very uneven and very, very muddy terrain after the heavy rain of the previous week. Hope they raised loads of money!

Sid has nearly finished his polishing, which he is pleased about, and Hunters Moon is looking very shipshape and we are getting used to the new catch cover.

We are having to return to Fenny a little earlier than we would have liked because we are having our BSS test on Thursday at the marina so fingers crossed HM is considered worthy of her certificate!

Some views of the Ashby Canal

 

Top of the Canal at Snarestone

Blue skies over Leicestershire at last!

Tranquil mooring

 

Our Adventure Continues

Thanks to our good friend Sara, who has reminded us that we haven't posted anything on the blog since leaving Fenny Marina. The fact is we have just been bimbling along the south and north Oxford Canal and watching the world go by and also in our defence, communication signals have been pretty rubbish. It seems very strange in these days of instant and constant links with the world via Internet or mobile phone that we are sometimes completely cut of from everyone. Now back with the human race so here is our update.

The waterways have been very busy with hire boats, as we expected, but with a fair few private boats as well. We have had no problem mooring, even in Rugby, where we ventured into Tesco for our very first 'big supermarket' shop in 15 months or so!

The weather has been very mixed with grey overcast skies giving way to brighter skies during the afternoon. In fact it has felt and looked very much like autumn on occasions.  We have had a couple of beautiful evenings when we have been able to sit out and enjoy the sun going down.

However, Saturday morning was very rainy and Sid got rather wet on our trip to Hawkesbury Junction while Jenny stayed below and did some domestic chores! The rain stopped just as we got to a very quiet Hawkesbury. In the past we have had to moor a good way off the actual junction but this time there were only two boats moored before the stop lock and once round and on the Coventry Canal there was a long stretch of vacant moorings. Very strange!

Rain and thunder kept us company most of the warm, sticky evening and Jenny got stung  by a bee!

On Sunday we arrived on the Ashby Canal and despite a damp start the sun came out and it actually turned warm but not for long. The the clouds gathered and we have been treated to some hefty showers. So, we decided to stop early and hunker down. Roast lamb, roast potatoes, fresh veg and a nice glass of red sounds the perfect way to spend a damp summer Sunday.

A beautiful sunny morning took us further along the Ashby on Monday. It is very quite on this most picturesque of canals with far reaching views over the Leicestershire countryside and once again we are enjoying just chugging along.