Day Trip to Radford Semele

Today we had a trip out to Radford Semele.

We had lunch there before returning to the Saltisford Arm.

It was a lovely day, probably the last decent day this year so we made the most of it.

Keith.

Yucca Plants 2nd Flowering

Our Yucca plant is flowering a 2nd flower, but It won’t come into full bloom whilst the 1st is still flowering.

Keith.

Flowering Yucca Plant

Our Yucca plant is not only flowering again this year, but also has a 2nd flower appearing!

Keith.

Long Itchington to Saltisford Arm

A hot day was predicted so we decided to push on to out home mooring today so we could put Marmite on her lead and have all our doors open to keep the boat cool. Our garden needs some weeding but not too much and it actually looks like a cottage garden which is what Jo intended, Jo will start on it tomorrow.

Keith.

Bridge No.18 to Long Itchington

Moored at Long Itchington in the sunshine, and looking forward to a pub lunch which will save having to cook in this heat, change from salads, we had a salad yesterday and will have one tomorrow.

Keith.

Braunston Top Lock to Bridge No.18 Between Calcutt locks and Stockton locks.

Now moored at Bridge No.18 between Calcutt locks and Stockton locks after a great weekend at the Braunston Historic Boat Show meeting up with lots of friends, and taking part in the parade of boats on Saturday morning on-board Nuneaton & Brighton.

Keith.

Crick to Braunston Top Lock

Now moored above Braunston top lock, Nuneaton & Brighton stopped for a chat and a cuppa before we helped them down the locks, Jo had her first go at steering a breasted pair down the locks, I am so proud of her.

Keith.

Welford Junction to Crick.

Today it seems that at last things have started to actually warm up. We have been selling coal last week………………...…. in June! Can’t believe it really, but not complaining.

Keith.

Bridge No.60 to Welford Junction

Bright sunshine before Husbands Bosworth tunnel , rain the other side. Moored at the Welford junction moorings with Michael and Geraldine on “The Cheese Boat”, we had tea and biscuits with them and lots of chatter.

Keith.

West of Bridge No.60 to East of Bridge No.60

Now moored the other side of Bridge No.60 Foxton Locks. I have been helping Rosemary marking out the moorings for the festival this morning. This afternoon chatting to other boaters and the public and enjoying the sunshine.

Keith.

Bridge No.51 to Bridge No.60 Foxton Locks

Moored west of Bridge No.60 Foxton locks, ready for the festival.

Last night Marmite was sitting on Paddy kneading his tail, and he just lay there and let her do it!

Keith.

Mill Bridge No.40 to Bridge No.51 Laughton Hills

Now moored at Bridge No.51 Laughton Hills and enjoying the long awaited sunshine, perhaps having put our “Coal for Sale” board out has worked after all.

Keith.

Bridge No.21 to Mill Bridge No.40

Moored near Mill Bridge No.40.

Keith.

Bridge No.33 to Bridge No.21 Yelvertoft

We winded at Cracks Hill, Crick, and returned to Bridge No.21 near Yelvertoft.

My theory of putting our “Coal for Sale” boards out hasn’t worked in making things warm up, that wind still has a cold bit to it, brrrr, despite the sunshine.

Keith.

Welford Wharf to Bridge No.33

3½ tonnes of coal loaded today, and back out on the summit at Bridge No.33.

Keith.

Oops!

We won't be going far any time soon, at least we have a good mooring here at Welford Wharf. CaRT are doing an inspection Monday, hopefully they can do a temporary repair for now to get the lock reopened.

Keith.

Dry Docking

Wednesday morning we moved Hadar into the dry dock

Jet washing .

 

We only just fit inside the dock.

 

Thursday first coat of blacking on and Jo repainting the tunnel bands.

 

Saturday morning refloated.

Back out moored at the wharf ready for our coal delivery Monday.

Keith.

North Kilworth to Welford Wharf

Moored back at Welford Wharf, alongside Tysley, ready to go into dry dock Wednesday morning.

Keith.

 

Foxton Top Lock to Bridge No.43 North Kilworth

A drizzly journey this morning to Bridge No.43 North Kilworth.

Keith.

Union Wharf to Top of Foxton Locks

Back moored above Foxton Locks.

Keith.

Foxton Top Lock to Union Wharf, Market Harborough.

Now moored at Union Wharf, Market Harborough, looking forward to seeing many friends who live here.

Keith.

Welford to Foxton Top Lock.

Moored above Foxton Locks​ where we will spend the weekend and hopefully do some trade.

We are moored near Richard and Ruth, so at least we are in good company. Had a couple of ales with them in Bridge 61 for the evening.

Keith.

Welford Lock to Welford Wharf

Big journey today, moved from just above Welford lock to one of the towpath moorings near the wharf, and then ½ an hour later moved to the wharf itself, ready for our Tesco delivery tomorrow.

Keith.

Yelvertoft to Welford Lock

Now moored above Welford lock, just in time too, we had just shut the boat up when we had hailstones!

Keith.

Braunston Top Lock to Yelvertoft Marina

Now moored opposite Yelvertoft Marina, rain stopped play, but not before Jo had her first ever turn at taking Hadar through locks at Watford, she did OK. She took the helm at the 1st of the 4 staircase locks and took her up through them and even into the single lock at the top. She said she actually found it easier than she thought she would.

Keith.

Boat House Braunston to Braunston Top Lock

Moored above Braunston top lock, behind Aldgate. Had a great journey up the locks in company with Tony & Sue, made a nice change to share the locks with another boat, and lots of boats coming down the flight setting the locks open for us.

Keith.

Napton Junction to The Boathouse, Braunston

Moored in Braunston opposite “The Boathouse”.

Had lunch there Saturday, Jo’s favourite curry, Pasanda was on the menu, so 2 of those washed down with Marston’s Pedigree, rude not too really!

Keith.

Claydon Top Lock to Napton Junction

Sunny day travelling across the Claydon/Napton summit to just past Napton junction, we have even been sitting out on the towpath enjoying the sunshine, both Paddy and Marmite enjoyed rolling in the gravel of the towpath. Staying here tomorrow to avoid the rain.

 

Taking on water below Napton locks.

 

Keith.

Cropredy to Claydon Top Lock

A great run up onto the summit, a tad breezy up here so we have moored just above Claydon top lock.

Keith

Banbury to Cropredy

Having had a great weekend at Banbury we winded and headed back north to Cropredy.

Keith.

Cropredy to Banbury.

We let go at 8.00 am and our first port of call was the Sanitary Station, where we filled up with water, empty the rubbish and both the toilet cassettes.

We were very fortunate that at the locks we met boats coming up, so the locks were left ready for us.

it is sad to see Bourton Lock cottage is still not finished. We met the couple who were doing it up in 2009 and they seemed in full flow as to what was going to happen to the cottage. But it looks like nothing much has happened since.

A nice smooth cruise into Banbury, which was extremely quiet boat wise, which was somewhat of a surprise.

Having tied up at 10.45 am, we shut the boat up and strolled into the town to see what changes had taken place. We were actually hoping the Top Wok Chinese Buffet was still there and phew it was. So that was where we had a scrummy lunch. We had a lovely chat with the lady running it as we ate a very good lunch. With being pleasantly full, we had a walk around the town and of course did the charity shops, where we found Keith a couple of tank tops and I got some more DVD’s for 70p each in the Katherine House Hospice Charity Shop. Banbury is a fabulous town, but like with many towns and cities it has empty shops and is suffering.

We are going to stay here for the weekend, so we can enjoy Banbury a bit more.

Jo

Welcome aboard our working boat Hadar. Pull up a chair and join as we cruise the waterways of the UK selling coal. Hadar was built by Roger Fuller in Stone Staffordshire in 2007 and is everything we wanted and much more.

Claydon Top Lock to Cropredy

Safely arrived at Cropredy, had a quick walk around the village, not much changed in 5 years.

 

Polling station is open but not very busy.

Keith.

Wormleighton to Glebe Farm

Windy day to be travelling, was raining soon after we set off but didn't last for very long. We are now moored and being buffeted by the strengthening wind at Glebe Farm just north of Claydon locks.

Keith.

Marmite Enjoying the Bank Holiday Sunshine.

Paddy found a shady spot.

“I better check that Paddy isn’t up to mischief!”

Keith.