Painted Bucket

Keith has finished painting Hadar's bucket and has signwritten the ash can that Jo painted.

A Nice Day Out.

Yesterday we told you all that we went to the Crick Boat Show and that we bought some porthole lace. Well I thought you may like to see a photograph of the Spider Web lace in place. We are chuffed with our purchases. If you are looking for Porthole Lace give Sylvia Hankin a try at Artist of the Waterways.

Today (Sunday) we got to go out with friends Viv and David on NB First Fruits. It was Viv's birthday and so we went to Launde Abbey. In the photograph below you need to look past the scaffolding to see the real beauty of the place. It is in a stunning location in the heart of the East Midlands. Thankfully the weather was much improved from yesterday. Today we had sunshine and a gusty wind.

We spent time wandering around the gardens and the chapel, which is really stunning. All the local churches supplied flower displays and in the grounds stalls were set up selling crafty things, plants etc. The Abbey has an amazing walled garden and in the walled garden they have a couple of green houses. One of then has cacti in them and it was a bit like the day of the triffids. The cacti were enormous.

Having enjoyed an excellent morning strolling around the Abbey and gardens, we settled down under a gazebo to enjoy a buffet lunch, before heading back the scenic way to the basin and a cuppa onboard on NB First Fruits. We really did have a fantastic day with Viv and David, so a special thank you to them both for taking us out.

Crick Boat Show

We have just got back from visiting the Crick Boat Show. We were offered a lift there, which we gladly accepted. It was a little damp, but we enjoyed it as we got to meet lots of our friends and had some good old chinwags with them all. Jo managed to pick up some porthole laces, some proper spider webs ones, which look really nice. She has been looking out for some for a few years now. I spotted a windy Klaxon, but it wasn't really what I was looking for at the price he was asking. It was nice to see the historic boats allowed back into the marina. We did notice though that the number of stalls is definitely done, as was the number of sales boats in the marina, I think this may be why they allowed the historic boats in to fill up some of the empty spaces!

National TV Fame at Last

For those who were fortunate enough to be watching the BBC's "The One Show" tonight you will have been pleasantly surprised to have seen the above photo being shown. They had requested people to send in photos of people with their trophies, so Jo sent our photo taken of us last year at the Little Venice Canal Cavalcade after we had won the Vic Trott Trophy for best dressed boat people, with us in our costumes standing on the stern of Hadar moored up in the pool. We were amazed to see them show it. What was truly amazing was that their guest was Hayley Mills who was Keith's childhood sweetheart.

Hadar Ploughing through the Ice.

Finally we have been able to post this video of Hadar, ploughing through two inches of ice during the winter of 2009/10 from Foxton to Market Harborough. On a normal day the journey time would be 1 hour and 50 minutes, but on this day it took us 6 hours and 40 minutes, arriving in Market Harborough in the dark.

Painting and Varnishing.

It has been a fantastic morning weatherwise, so this was our chance to catch up with some paintwork. It finally looks like the weather is warming up. Keith turned his attention to the galvanised bucket. He has had this bucket for many years. it used to be green with roses and Pisces signwritten on it, but the years have taken their toll on the paintwork and it was in need of some TLC. Keith is now painting it in the red, white and blue of the boat and will then signwrite Hadar on it.I turned my attention to our Ash Carrier which was a present from Mo and Nessa on NB Balmaha. It is made of galvanised steel and so could probably cope perfectly well without being painted for a while, but I thought it would be nice to give it some added protection. Not only that Keith can then put the boats name on it, so it is personalized to us.Our Galley doors also got my attention today. I like to varnish them at least once a year, twice if the weather allows. It helps to protect the woodwork, as we like to have them open in all weather.

With the morning jobs done, we are taking life easy in the afternoon, as neither of us wants to overdo things. Keith is now coming down off of his pain killers. This will take a few days and then we will know if he is really pain free. I am not pushing my shoulder to hard, as it gets very annoyed if I overdo things. I am hoping my Physio appointment comes through soon.

Keith has completed his latest Rag-Rug. An experiment of phsycodelic circles. Someone somewhere might like it! To date everything seems to be going really well in my recovery, still no pain. Whatever they did seems to have done the trick. Hopefully Monday my GP will start to take me off the Dihydrocodeine, which has to be done slowly, at least then we could actually get moving, even if we have to return to Harborough for my biopsy results, it would be just so nice to get moving. Mind you I still have to fix the engine before we can move.

The skipper is home.

Hadar's skipper is back home and is at the moment pain free. Keith has to wait for biospy results, which should be ready in 2 weeks, having had another cystoscopy, so we will not be moving just yet. He also had another procedure done on his Prostate, and time will tell if it has worked. So glad to have him back onboard. Yesterday was a busy old day for us both. I was so grateful to our friend Tina for taking us to and from the hospital, also for her staying with me throughout the day, as I waited for the phone call from the hospital to say Keith could come home. Tina and I actually had a girlie afternoon, with lunch at the Waterfront and a stroll around the Market Harborough shops, which was very enjoyable. All this was happening whilst poor Keith was going through his ordeal, but at last we finally feel he maybe making some progress, after all these months. We are seeing the GP on Monday to find out what is in the letter the hospital has given us and, if he is still pain free, we need to start taking him slowly off of the pain killers, which will be fantastic. So keep watching this space for further updates.

Taking a break.

Good morning.

We are having a 3 week break from selling coal etc, because I have been told to rest my shoulder. I saw the GP this morning and have been told I have adhesive capsulitis or the beginnings of a frozen shoulder to you and me. I am now on Diclofenic anti-inflammatories to see if they will calm the pain down. So with Keith going into hospital on Thursday as well, we have decided to take the boards down for the time being.
Between you and me Keith and I are falling apart ha ha ha. It must be something to do with getting older. Geesh I have only just turned 48 and feel 98 today. Still I will do as the GP says and hope that my shoulder will be back to normal again after the 3 weeks, otherwise it may mean a steriod injection Ouch.

Cressy Cruise re-enactment

On Tuesday we were joined in the basin by NB Heron and NB Jupiter, who are attempting to re-enact the iconic “Cressy” cruise. Ron & Mary Heritage from IWA Oxfordshire Branch left from Tooley’s Boatyard in Banbury at mid-day on 24 April 2010 in their narrowboat “Heron”.

From Banbury, the cruise headed north towards Braunston. They then came on to the Leicester arm of the Grand Union Canal and descending through Foxton Locks to Market Harborough, site of IWA’s first National Rally in 1950. We have enjoyed some interesting chats with Ron. After they leave us they are heading north through Loughborough. You can see her other destinations on the IWA site. We wish them well with the rest of their journey, as they cruise the same route Tom and Angela Rolt on NB Cressy took all those years ago.


Yesterday Keith and I travelled up to Kettering Treatment Centre, for Keith's pre-op assessment. Everything went well and he is booked in for next week, to have a couple of procedures done, with a hope to finding out the cause of his pain. By the time we got home we were both shattered, it felt like a long day, but infact we were home by 3pm. Later in the day we received a visit from Paul and Merleen, who used to have NB Lady Celine. Merleen very kindly bought me some beautiful Yellow Tulips, which are gracing our galley with their glorious colour. Thank you Merleen and Paul. It was wonderful to catch up with them, as they also have health issues at the moment. After a good old chin-wag, we wished them well, as they headed home. It was an exhausting day, but we are making progress at long last with Keith. Now we just have to keep our fingers crossed that, the hospital does not cancel next week. So please cross your fingers for Keith. Today we are taking things much easier.

We are a Mouse Mat.

This morning Keith and I decided to walk down into the town for some exercise and to pick up some new paint brushes. Whilst down the town we noticed signs up for a Crafts and Arts Fair near Joules Eating House, so on the way back to the boat we wandered in to have a nose around and this was what we found on the Piggin Perfick Stall. Hadar is now being used as a Mouse Mat. The photograph was taken on the 200th Anniversary Cruise from Foxton to Market Harborough in October 2009. If we had not gone in to the Fair we would never have seen it or bought it. £2.50 does not seem like a lot for a Mouse Mat, especially as it has Hadar on it. Piggin Perfick does limited edition products, Photographic and quilting, sadly they do not have a website.

We also found this large copper kettle and just had to buy it, it was a bargain and a lot older than our existing one which we bought at the 2006 Crick Boat Show. Keith washed it and Jo polished it and very smart it looks too glistening and gleaming on our stove in the boatman's cabin.

Hello, Goodbye.

Good afternoon folks.

It has been a manic couple of days. What with sorting out Keith's hospital appointments and painting the boat. The appointments situation at the moment is all done and now we just wait for the day to arrive. This was all thanks to PALS (Patients Advisory Liason Service). We completely recommend them if you are having problems with your hospital.


On Monday 26th May. We welcomed back Mo and Nessa (NB Balmaha) as they arrived back at the basin, to be reunited with their boat, after a very busy weekend, at their daughters wedding. Go to their blog and have a look at the fabulous photographs of the big day.

Like with any time away, their food cupboards and fridge were empty and they would need to do a shop for provisions, so we all decided that we would have a goodbye meal in The Waterfront Restaurant at the basin. So having walked Paddy and donned our better looking clothes, we walked the Twenty feet from Mo and Nessa's boat into the restaurant. Nessa had asked if we could be seated under the photograph of Hadar, which was really sweet of her. One of the waiters very kindly took the photograph for us. The meal itself was sublime. We all enjoyed our main course and even managed puds. If your in the Market Harborough area, come and have a meal at The Waterfront, you will not be disappointed.

Tuesday it was time to say goodbye to Mo and Nessa, as they left with Nessa's mum onboard for pastures new. It has been sad to see our friends go. But hopefully it will not be much longer and we will be cruising again. It was wonderful to see Mo and Nessa again. We always have so much to natter about and yes whilst eating our meal, the topic of conversation did end up with talking about toilets. Why is it that when chatting to any boater, you always have to talk about toilets?

So we are alone once more for a few days. We know that The Maisibert with Hilary and Andy is on its way to Market Harborough, so we will have a lovely time catching up with them. So watch this space for more news.

Success at last.

Good morning everyone.

Keith and I are very happy this morning, because at 9.00 am this morning, I recieved a phone call from the hospital to offer Keith not one but two dates on which he could have his exploritory operation. We have gone for the earlier date of the 13th May. So we will now keep our fingers crossed that this appointment does not get cancelled. We are expecting confirmation in the post within the next couple of days. It's surprising how lots of emails to different people and organisations, over the weekend can work wonders. We would like to thank everyone for their support and advice. Have a fabulous day.

Little Cutey's

We had some very cute little visitor's to the Basin at Market Harborough this evening. Thirteen fluffy bundles and their mum. Mum was being very protective and proud of her brood. We just have to hope that they all survive.

Happy Birthday

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Happy Birthday Jo, lots of love Keith xxxx
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Water Can Painting Finished

Keith today finished painting the water can he started last year by adding the name Hadar to it. This is the first time he has attempted freehand sign writing, and he is quite please with it. Previously he has only ever patched up existing sign writing. It now sits proudly alongside the other can, where it has been all winter, but without a name on it.

Best of Friends

One way for Marmite to keep her paws warm!

Auction Success.

Keith and I had a successful morning at the auction. Keith bid on two lots and got both of them, which was very exciting.

The first lot was a Measham treacle-glazed kettle on a stand, " A PRESENT TO Mrs EMERY 1880" ---- 24cms, (9½").

The first of the teapots which was in the second lot is a Measham treacle-glazed teapot "MRS H MOLD, NEW END FROM MARY", 18cms, (7").

The second teapot in the second lot is also Measham "JAMES ASHWORTH SPINNERS ARMS 1881", 20cms, (8").

The third teapot in the second lot is also a treacle-glazed Measham teapot, "MR & MRS HICKMOUGH, WARRINGTON 1882", 20cms, (8").

The kettle and one of the teapots look very smart in our table cupboard in the boatman's cabin. These are our very first original Measham items and we will cherish them very much.

Red Roof and Rag Rug

Good evening.

It has been a wonderful day weather and work wise. With the sun shining from early doors, it meant that I could carry on with the boat painting.
Anyone who has a boat knows that you never stop doing work on the paintwork. To keep it looking nice you must keep on top of it. So my first task of the day was to to paint the roof. Last year I painted one end whilst in dry dock, so this morning I set about doing the other end and the handrails. Once that was done, I painted the cratch and touched up the paint around the portholes with undercoat, ready to put some gloss on tomorrow.
Whilst working on the boat, I helped to rescue a Black Labrador which had fallen off the bow of a boat moored on the Sanitary Station. The Lab was unable to get out on her own, so along with the owner, we hauled her out on to the bank. Thankfully she was absolutely fine after a rub down with a towel. I think the owner was shaken up more than the dog.
Keith had a busy day finishing off yet another Rag Rug. This one he has made for our back cabin and very nice it looks too. This is the fourth large one he has made. I think that he has the patience of a saint to sit and do Rag Rugs all day, it is not something I could do all the time, but it is keeping him busy and takes his mind off of his pain. If the hospital does not get a move on, he will have made enough rag Rugs to open his own Market Stall he he he.
With the weather set to stay nice for the next few days. I will be trying to get all of the outside paintwork up together.

A Busy couple of days.

Hi Folks.

It has been a busy few days in the Market Harborough Basin. The hire boats are going out pretty much everyday now, so the holiday season has begun in.
Keith is still pretty much the same, no better and no worse. And still he waits for the hospital appointment, which will tell him he is to get his exploritory operation. Until then he has to carry on taking the pain killers.
Over the weekend Foxton had an Easter Extravaganza, where boaters and others got together for a fun weekend. Amongst those taking part in the weekend were Geraldine and Micheal on The Cheese Boat and Graham and Carol on Tia the Ecover Boat.
Yesterday Geraldine and Micheal came to Market Harborough for provisions and very kindly delivered our Cheese and Chutney order, which we were very excited about. It was so nice to see them both again. I last saw them 3 years ago, so we had plenty to chat about, whilst they waited to use the Sanitary Station. We bought Cheese and Chutney from them and they bought Coal and Toilet Blue from us. Using any of the Official British Waterways Trading Licensed boats is what will bring more Official trade to the canals of the UK, which has to be a good thing. We will see Geraldine and Micheal before they leave Market Harborough.

Last night the sky began to look very menacing over the Waterfront Restaurant, with a pink glow running through the dark clouds. It looked impressive.
Today has been a glorious day, with wall to wall sunshine. It was so nice that Keith decided to sit outside and work on his latest Rag Rug. He also got the opportunity to chat to passers-by and boaters who were looking for the office. We also had a visit from Maggie (NB Forever Young). It was wonderful to see her. Having made us all a coffee, we got down to some chatting about everything and anything. I managed to get some brass cleaning done and other jobs, in between the chatting. Even Marmite and Paddy made the most of the warm sunshine. Marmite laid out on the roof and Paddy on the back counter. We have let the saloon stove out now, as it is very warm. If it gets chilly during the evening, I can always re-light it again. We will see what the next couple of days has in store for us both.