| This Month's Totals and Average | |||
| 13.96 miles | 0 locks | 6.30 hrs | 2.22 lmph |
Up promptly on a misty morning to go to Trinity, Atherstone, to assist with their coffee morning. After they finished and we had cleared up, I returned to "Paws" for lunch. The mist had lifted to give a beautiful sunny afternoon.
In the afternoon, I went round to the office for a replacement gas bottle, then emptied the loo and topped up the water.
Spent the remainder of the time on the SatTV problem. Eventually did a "blind scan" hoping it would pick something up (rather than attempting to add frequencies to the "preset" list). It worked! Full set of channels back again!
Wall-to-wall sunshine today, although very cold. Got away at 09:50 to return to base. Headed back past Sutton Cheney, noting that there were about 6 barges sitting on the ½-hour mooring and winding hole - looks like CRT may be going to do some large-scale works. Continued on past Shenton, noting a dredging excavator on a barge in the Battlefield winding hole - maybe its the start of the dredging work promised . Arrived back at base just after midday and got moored up.
A hot lunch on arrival, then finished the clearing away and shore-connection. Went for a walk in the sunshine, then had a quiet remainder to the afternoon.
Later in the afternoon, I received a CRT Notice advising of the dredging - today until 20 May, between Market Bosworth and Sutton Cheney - to also include bank works.
| 4.97 miles | 0 locks | 2.20 hrs | 2.26 lmph |
 custom.footpath.walks |
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After a clear star-filled night, today dawned overcast with rain. This was expected from the forecast, and my plan to not move was proven correct. Quiet day generally pottering, including getting a batch of laundry done. The rain cleared around lunchtime.
Heard a tawny owl calling as I went to bed.
A slow start on a lovely morning. Took my time getting moving, and finally let go at 10:20, continuing south for Stoke Golding. Moored just before 11:00 at the visitor moorings and took a walk up the hill for milk. Once back aboard, I had a lazy lunch.
After lunch, let go again and continued south for the next winding hole (at the other side of Stoke Golding). Turned and returned north to Dadlington, where I moored at one of my favourite places (just before Bridge 31).
A day of sunshine with scattered cloud, and a light but decidedly chilly breeze.
| 4.55 miles | 0 locks | 2.18 hrs | 2.08 lmph |
| protected.abacus.wheels |
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With a patch of settled weather forecast, I decided to head out for a short trip. Emptied the loo and checked the engine over during the morning, then had lunch while waiting for a short but heavy shower to run through.
After lunch, prepared "Paws" and let go just after 13:00. Apart from a short period of light rain, it was a beautiful afternoon. Headed south via Shenton, intending to stop at Sutton Wharf. Noted the trees just starting to bud. The canal is desperatly needing dredged, but apparently CRT have that planned for late spring. A lot of boats moored at the usual on-line places, more than I remember from previous years. A new section of piling and Armco has been put in just north of Shenton Aqueduct - looks like it could be a good mooring if dredged enough.
Arriving at Sutton Wharf, I found no spaces on the pontoon so had to continue on. Tried a spot just before Bridge 32 and actually got alongside. A quiet, sunny, remainder to the afternoon.
| 4.44 miles | 0 locks | 1.92 hrs | 2.32 lmph |
| folks.memory.leaned |
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Drove down to Atherstone again this morning for Communion at Trinity with Pam Deacon. Dull but dry start, drizzle arriving by the time the service finished. Wind increased during the afternoon, with heavier rain - stayed tucked up inside with book.
Wind had died overnight and the rain cleared - a lovely bright morning. Checked the TV frequencies against the website list and added a few that weren't on. Tried tuning again - better, but not a solution. One more thing to try once I turn the boat round (at some point). Took a drive out to the Four Shires Farm Shop for a couple of items. Sunny throughout.
Up promptly this morning to drive to Atherstone for the service at Trinity. Returned to "Paws" for lunch and a quiet afternoon. Generally dull, but with occasional glimpses of sun. Still cold. Tentative arrangements to go back to Trinity next Sunday for Communion, and to assist at the pop-up café on Friday 28th.
Temperature dropped to 0°C overnight into Monday as the sky cleared. Beautiful sunny day, with the solar panels charging all day without the assistance of the hook-up. Spent most of the day (unsuccessfully) trying to reconnect my missing ITV and Channel 4 networks after they were relocated over the winter by the satellite companies.
Another beautiful sunny day on Tuseday, although bitterly cold - a second day on solar throughout. A quiet day reading and doing puzzles. Heard my first song thrush of the year, singing for all he was worth in the trees between the marina and the road.
Temperature a bit higher today (Wednesday) but the sun had gone and rain/drizzle was back. Got a load of washing done and topped up the water, emptied the loo, and did a batch of shopping, before more research into the lost TV signals - still no results yet.
Strong winds and heavy rain overnight. Dull start to the morning but it cleared by mid-afternoon (although the wind was strong throughout). Fetched more coal from the office, and dumped the rubbish. Quiet afternoon with puzzles and book.
Another quiet day on Friday, although I drove into Hinckley and had a walk into the town. Had a chat with Alan & Dianne next door, including the TV trouble - they recommended a website for the transponder frequencies (a job for tomorrow). Dull all day but considerably warmer than the past few days. Occasional showers.
Long lie Monday morning, then general pottering (clearing up final bits). Went shopping before lunch for supplies. On return, had a late lunch, then topped up the water. Had a chat with Alan & Dianne aboard "New Dawn" next door. The wind and propelled drizzle hadn't let up enough to take "Paws" over for fuel so had a quiet remainder to the afternoon whilst heating up.
Heating failed during Tuesday morning's heat-up - suspect lost suction on low tank level. After breakfast, drove back into Hinckley for the remainder of the stuff I didn't get yesterday. Once back and the items stowed, I drove round to the office for a jerry-can of fuel (in case it was so far down I couldn't make it the the fuelling berth. Poured that in, and the heating restarted - suspicions confirmed. After lunch, took "Paws" over to the service berth and topped up the fuel. Damp and cold, but with reduced wind. Resorted to a pair of gloves!
Another dull morning Wednesday, but the wind had dropped even further. Initially measured-up and ordered cables for the final leg of the TV saga, then took a trip round to Four Shires Farm Shop for veg and bakery, and Sparkenhoe Farm at Upton for cheese. Topped up the water, then had a quiet afternoon reading.
A bit brighter Thursday morning (the cloudbase had lifted a little), but still cold. Spent the morning updating paperwork and accounts. The ordered parts arrived just after lunch, so collected and fitted - hopefully another job off the list
A far sunnier morning on Friday, and it got better as the day wore on (although the temperature remained low!). Spent the day on 'house'work - cleaning, vacuuming etc. Loo dumped.
Rain/drizzle throughout Saturday. Generally pottered, including collecting a parcel in Barwell. Forecast for the coming week not great.
Got away from the house at 07:00, heading south for "Paws". A good journey down, although it started out misty, with occasional sunny spells. Quite windy over Shap. Arrived aboard just before 15:00, finding a number of changes of moorers over our side of the marina, particularly a new boat on the neighbouring berths both sides. Opened up and got services running again, No faults found. Unpacked the car and put stuff away. Finally cleared up and ready sit down quietly about 17:00. Dinner and a quiet evening with the tele.
"Paws" laid up for the winter.
The medical appointment (mentioned last month) was cancelled last minute by the company so, after a wasted 2 weeks, I'll be returning south within a few days.
Pat was volunteering (3rd-6th) at the local music festival (for both adults and school children) - she 'works' every year as an adjudicator's clerk).
Our routine catch-up with on Friday Fhi was cancelled due to an extended power and internet cut in her area.
