Sweden being loaded with chippings at Lime Kiln Basin today, probably a long time since a wooden narrowboat has been loaded. Sweden and Tench are now ready to travel to the Etruria Festival this coming weekend, we hope to be joining them there.

Keith.

Battery Cut Off Switch Key Failure

Interesting, had a battery cut-off key fail today, whilst in the switch. It is mounted under the floor of the boatman's cabin so has not been knocked. It has snapped across where the brass key passes through the plastic body as can be seen in the photo.

Keith.

Tench being Loaded.

Working narrow boat Tench arrived at Lime Kiln Basin today and was loaded with bags of granite chippings. This is the first time her new owner Matt has loaded her. As I said to him you never forget your first load. I still vividly remember Hadar's first load which we took on at Lime Kiln Basin.

Keith.

King's Bromley to Stone

Not quite what we intended, as we had originally planned to stop at Great Haywood for the night and probably tomorrow as well with the weather forecast, but seeing as we got there at midday we decided to carry on, and then carry on and then carry on, and all of a sudden we were at Stone. As we cleared Lime Kiln lock Roger signalled us to pull into the basin, which was excellent. So we are set up for a week moored here whilst it is half term, which is great, half term is a time not to be moving around for various reasons. We have already seen quite a few friends upon our arrival, so plenty of time to catch up with them all.

Keith.

Hopwas to King's Bromley

Yet another very windy day, but at least the sun came out and it warmed up throughout the day. We arrived at Fradley junction and I phoned to book a BSS examination, which, as he is rather busy at the present, we have had to arrange for next week when we arrive at Stone. This done we carried onto King's Bromley as Fradley was plagued with mosquitos.

Waiting to go into Shade House lock at Fradley.

Keith.

Alvecote to Hopwas

Pheww!! What a windy day. A short run to Hopwas, taking on water at Fazeley Junction on the way. A lot of boats on the move today. In fact ever since we set off there have been a far more boats on the move from previous years. Is there something they know we don't? A large enough space outside the Tame Otter was awaiting us when we got here, which was great.

Keith.

Kangaroo Departs

We had a real treat yesterday to see Kangaroo depart her mooring at The Samuel Barlow, Alvecote. It is so nice to hear the sound of a Bolinder, it sounds so much better than our National.

Too Windy

Well so much for painting today, it is was too windy, so we went for a walk around the nature reserve this morning. We got an amazing view from the top of the old mine spoil heap, we could see for miles.

During the walk we heard some baby bird chirping from a hole in a tree, so after lunch Jo went back there with her camera and found out that it was a lesser spotted woodpecker.

Atherstone to Alvecote

A slightly warmer start to the day. We set off to finish going down the last 6 locks of the Atherstone flight. At the last lock we Andy was waiting to see us through. I thas been a day of meeting up with boaters we know. At Polesworth we spotted "First Fruits" moored up so we pulled in for a few minutes of chat with David And Viv. As we were chatting narrowboat "No Direction" passed by and we said a quick hello goddbye, then just after we set off we passed "Copperkilns II" and had a very quick chat with Elaine and her husband on their way to the Ashby Canal.

We arrived at Alvecote and have moored opposite the Samuel Barlow, where we will be moored for the weekend. If the weather is kind over the weekend Jo hopes we can get a 3rd and hopefully final coat of blue on the starboard cabinside.

Keith.

The Golden Age of Canals

"The Golden Age of Canals" is being re-run tonight on BBC4 at 8:00pm, just in case you missed it the first time.

Keith.

Hawkesbury to Atherstone flight

A much better morning weatherwise, no chilling wind, sunny periods, Got down to 2 shirts and a waistcoat by the time we got to the Atherstone flight. We had hoped to moor at the top of the locks, but no room, so we carried on down through lock 5 and the 7 day moorings above lock 6. Looking closely at the map, we could actually be closer to the High Street from here than from the top of the locks, and a more pleasant spot to moor, more countryfied rather than industrial and urban.

Keith.

Rugby to Hawkesbury Junction

A reasonable run today, starting at 8:45am, and mooring up at Hawkesbury at 1:25pm. Just as we approach the junction it started to drizzle, but stopped as soon as we moored up. A lot of boats on the move today. Not many moorings here though, and by the look of things I think the boats moored on the visitor moorings have been here for quite a while. Where is a patrol officer when you need one!

Keith.

Hillmorton to Rugby

A late start this morning, but only a short run to Master's Bridge. We walked into Rugby town centre, we haven't been here before. We did some much needed shopping, and had a nice lunch in the Royal Thai Cuisine restaurant. One of the items we bought was a travel kettle. I recently had this brainwave to save using gas to boil a kettle, especially on the move. A travel kettle boils enough water for 2 mugs, and it is very low power, so the invertor can cope with it quite nicely.

The Golden Age of Canals on BBC4

For those who missed the program "The Golden Age of Canals" on BBC4, you can view it on BBC iPlayer for the next 10 days. The very first opening sequence was filmed onboard Hadar, and Jo is interviewed towards the end of the program. Listen out for Hadar's engine.

The program will be repeated on BBC4 this Thursday at 8:00pm.

Keith.

Braunston to Hillmorton

A late start this morning as I waited for Tradline to open, and then I had to return in ½ hour to give them time to wind the 60m of line I wanted onto a reel. This line is to replace the tempory lines we made when Hadar was first launched to hold up the side cloths, and some rope to make a pair of answer lines, which I may need later this year.

A fairly uneventful run to Hillmorton locks, where we overtook 2 boats going the same direction. Granted one had stopped above the bottom lock to empty their elsan, but the other boat was in one of the bottom locks, and according to Jo they had tried to use the lock we went inot, but he couldn't open the gate, so they changed over to the other lock. This meant the first lock was full so Jo opened it up and we went through and left before them. Jo reckoned from the conversation between the 2 men they were trying to do it scientifically. So much for science, knowledge and muscles win the day everytime. Not wanting to arrive at Rugby to find no moorings we decided to moor up below the bottom lock, and leave arriving at Rugby till tomorrow morning.

Keith.

Braunston Locks

A dull morning, but great for moving, so we did, down through the locks and have moored outside Braunston Marina. Another visit to Midland Chandlers today, and Tradline tomorrow before we set off up the North Oxford Canal.

Kieth.

Mountain Barn Bridge to Top of Braunston Locks

We both definitely have the bug to get moving, so much so, that we broke our golden rule and travelled on a Saturday. A colder day, but at least it was dry, if windy, but with a load of coal in the hold the wind doesn't affect Hadar so much. The new prop is performing well, we can certainly stop a lot quicker, and have been running at lower engine revs for the same ground speed. Once we left the Leicester Line at Norton junction and into the deeper water of the Grand Union Main line we really noticed the difference, she motors along quite nicely now. We had thought of stopping just after Norton junction, but the ringed moorings were all taken, so we carried on to the top of Braunston locks and have moored here for the night.

Our Summer Holiday has Started Today

With a good internet connection today I have been able to upload some photos from our dry docking. This is me Monday pressure washing the hull ready for blacking.

This is Jo undercoating the stern Tuesday morning.

This is Hadar in all her new glory before setting off from Welford this morning. We took on 5tonnes of coal this morning, and then set off on our summer cruise. taking the first bit of the new blacking off in Welford lock.

We are now moored at Mountain Barn Bridge, and may well be here for the weekend.

Keith.

Still at Welford

We came out of the dry dock this morning, but have stayed at Welford as we have a coal delivery here tomorrow morning.

Keith.

Blacking Finished

This morning we finished the blacking with a 2nd and final coat. We are now waiting for it to dry so we can be refloated and out of the dry dock. We have been taking photos but our internet connection is not good here, so I will post some photos once we have a decent signal.

New Prop Fitted

Whilst Jo and I have been blacking and painting Hadar, Les has fitted the new prop. This photo shows the two props the new one is the shiney one. This photo clearly shows the difference between the two. They are both 22" dia, but the new prop has 2" wider blades, thus this should give it the required extra water movement to be equivalent to a 27" prop.

The new prop is fitted.

If you know anyone who wants a 22" by 22" prop the old one is for sale, and as can be seen it has hardly any damage.

Keith.

Just What We Need

I like it when it rains overnight and then the sun shines in the morning. Much needed rain of course, for farmers, gardeners and boaters alike.

Painting the bow.

Yesterday whilst the sun shone, I managed to start work on painting the bow. I rubbed it all down and then undercoated the red area with this rather natty pink undercoat from Midland Chandlers. With it being so warm the undercoat dried in no time, so I then glossed the white border as well. Just as well I was not trying to do it today, because it is certainly not the weather painting.

Jo

Rain at Last!

Some rain at last, but no where near enough though. Equivalent to spitting in a cup of tea!

Welford Junction to Welford Wharf

A short trip up the Welford arm and an empty mooring at the Wharf did nicely for us to be ready to go into the dry dock Monday morning. We popped round to see Les to let him know we had arrived, and he showed us the new prop which had arrived. Look at the blades on that! The increase in blade area can be clearly seen compared to a standard prop, which will compensate for the small 22" diameter. When we take the old prop off I will take a photo of them side-by-side for a better comparison.



Keith.

Mountain Barn Bridge to Welford Junction

Another cool start to the day, and only a short run to Welford Junction, where we are now ready to go up the Welford Arm tomorrow, ready for dry docking Monday. The sun has just started to break through the clouds, so hopefully it may warm up a bit this afternoon.

Braunston to Mountain Barn Bridge

A good run up through Braunston locks this morning, stopping briefly halfway up to say cheerio to Ray and Jackie on Roehaise, who are returning to the land. Watford locks were very quiet and we came straight up them as soon as we had arrived. As we were passing a field of cows near Bridge 25 one of them decided to take a swim in the canal, so we stopped and Jo went to find someone to let them know. We have moored at Mountain Barn Bridge to enjoy the rest of the sunny afternoon, whilst it is here.

Keith.

Hadar moored at Braunston, the moorings between the 2 marina entrance bridges are completely empty, very different from when we passed through Thursday. Just after we had moved here from the Boathouse moorings, "Dover" came out of the marina, winded and returned into the marina. Have we just witnessed it's annual journey?

Bridge 103 to Braunston

A very windy day, which made it a bit interesting travelling this morning. I am convinced that these strong winds will remain with us until we load with coal, whilst the bow is light and vulnerable to wind.

We were able to moor at The Boathouse, and visited Midland Chandlers for some bits. We returned to the boat and had lunch at The Boathouse, before returning to Midland Chandlers for some other bits, which we needed to take measurments on the boat for. During our first visit to MC, we noticed Narrowboat "Boston" moored on the towpath opposite, so on our 2nd visit we decided to return via the towpath to see how Bruce was doing. He was looking very good and back to his old self, thank goodness. We took a long time to get back to Hadar, as we then chatted to and had coffee with Anne & Keith on "Oakfield" and then chatted to Tim & Jo on "Hampton".