Gypsy Rover

Passing Ansty Today, as we headed northwards filming the Oxford Canal, a familiar looking boat approached and the steerer shouted "Hello Paul". It was Gypsy Rover’s new owner, taking over from Derek & Dot who are still managing a little cruising with help from their friends. We didn’t stop, as we were filming in the limited sunshine. Hopefully we can meet again later.

Posted on Monday, 20 September 2010 at 19:48        Comments (0) 
Category(s): Blog Readers , Bloggers

Sunrise

Travelling south along the Oxford Canal this morning we reached Hardwick Lock as we approached Banbury. A lady, from Sunrise queuing below the lock had come up to help and recognised our boat as she was a blog reader. She introduced herself as Carol, from Norfolk, with Mark holding the boat below. She had found our blog from reading Sue’s No Problem Blog.
Thanks for introducing yourself, it’s always nice to meet blog readers in person, however briefly.

Posted on Tuesday, 17 August 2010 at 21:47        Comments (0) 
Category(s): Blog Readers , Oxford

Passing a Blog Reader

The weather had been very unpredictable over the last few days. The decision to moor up yesterday turned out to be right with strong winds, heavy showers accompanied by thunder and lightening. The noise of the rain was deafening in the cratch while venturing there to take the photo. Today we made it as far at Loughborough and moored in the recently refurbished basin before the showers arrived.

Just before we left we had a comment left on our blog by Nick Ferrar saying he was cruising the opposite way round the Leicester Ring so we would be passing somewhere. He explained he was cruising on a boat from Oxfordshire Narrowboats so when we spotted one of their fleet coming round the corner we had the camera ready. There was just time to check it was Nick as we passed - hopefully he’ll leave a comment when reaching home to name the other four crew members.

Posted on Thursday, 15 July 2010 at 20:33        Comments (2) 
Category(s): Blog Readers , Leicester Section

Gypsy Rover

After an early start we made our way up the Atherstone flight. We know they are slow to fill but they seemed even slower than usual. At lock 3 I chatted to the crew of Tugby who had been checking out or website already. I didn’t ask their names but I wonder if they are Robert and Nicky Fleming? We continued on, passing this wonderful telegraph pole, approaching Nuneaton.
We passed Marston Junction, where the lock free Ashby Canal heads off to the left under the bridge. Looking at the remains of the narrow stop lock through the bridge it’s easy to forget this was built as a broad canal. Tonight we’re moored at Hawkesbury Junction. Tomorrow we should catch up with Derek & Dot on Gypsy Rover before continuing towards Braunston Turn before retracing our steps as we film for the next of our our DVDs of Canals and Waterways.

Posted on Monday, 14 June 2010 at 20:59        Comments (0) 
Category(s): Blog Readers , Bloggers , Coventry

Hatton again

Thursday was another Hatton day. This time to help Derek & Dot on Gypsy Rover and Derek & Carrie on Uccello climb the locks. Arriving at Warwick Parkway station at 09:20 it was just a few minutes walk to the waiting cup of coffee on Gypsy Rover. It was still raining, so we decided to wait and I spent the time updating Dot & Derek on where to go around the Birmingham Canal Navigations.	By 11:30 the rain had stopped and we were heading up the flight. Gypsy Rover leading the way most of the time, with Uccello close behind.
I think I’ve more photos of Dot steering other peoples boats than steering Gypsy Rover. A quick fill up with water at the top, then on to Hatton to moor close to the station. I was plied with sticky buns and carrot cake from the two boats, with plenty of coffee. I spent the following night on our own boat in Birmingham before more locks the following day.

Posted on Saturday, 6 February 2010 at 13:27        Comments (2) 
Category(s): Birmingham Section , Blog Readers , Bloggers , Blogging , Grand Union

Boats and Boaters

Were shuffling around a little in our cruising as we fill gaps in our filming when we have been rained off during our last cruise.

Today we passed Whittington and there was Jannock, with no visible crew, so I couldn’t call out to them as last time.

At least I got a picture of the boat this time, perhaps I’ll manage to capture both the boat and the crew next time.

Moored at Fazeley Junction I was looking out of the window and spotted a boat we had seen before.  It was Keith and Mandy on Takin’ our Time, with son and friend (whose names I’ve forgotten already – oh dear).  Just time for them to pull in behind us for a quick exchange of news.

We’re moored at Fazeley Junction, hoping to reach Atherstone and beyond tomorrow to complete another missing chunk of filming.  Then we’ll be returning to Fazeley Junction to see who else we spot.

Posted on Wednesday, 5 August 2009 at 20:18        Comments (3) 
Category(s): Birmingham & Fazeley , Blog Readers , Bloggers , Coventry

Tom Jones reads our Blog (and so does Jan)

Yesterday, a Black Prince hire boat passed us part way down Tardebigge Locks as we were making our way up.  I took the opportunity to film their boat for a little variety and, looking straight into the camera, the steerer shouted "We read your Blog".  We don’t usually have speaking parts but that seems a good way to make sure you’re included in the next DVD.

The lady asked if I could do something else with the filming, but I won’t reveal what, before introducing themselves as Tom & Jan Jones.

They are regular blog readers from New Zealand but living in Australia (I do hope I remembered that the right way round) but we didn’t have time to chat as we both had lots of locks to work.

It’s nice when blog readers say hello as we pass, so please do so – unfortunately we can’t recognise you if you don’t.

Today we’ve progressed onto the Stratford upon Avon Canal, heading towards Lapworth Junctions and the Grand Union Canal for more filming.

We’re moored at Hockley Heath, hoping to reach Catherine de Barnes tomorrow.

Posted on Friday, 17 July 2009 at 20:54        Comments (2) 
Category(s): Blog Readers , Stratford upon Avon , Worcester & Birmingham

Bloggers & Blog Readers

I was walking down Farmers Bridge locks on Monday afternoon, windlass in hand, and caught up with a familiar boat.  Don scores a hat trick as he appears in three consecutive blog postings.

He and Joy were escaping from Birmingham – Matt having returned to London, leaving them to the delights of Farmers Bridge Locks on their own.

I helped with a few gates and paddles as I passed on my way down the flight.

This story really begins back on 18th April when I helped Sue & Vic down the Rothersthorpe flight of locks.  I just appeared, windlass in hand, along the towpath.  In the comments Adam (from Narrowboat Debdale) asked if this service would extend to him when he was passing through Farmers Bridge Locks.

Well that’s a challenge to be addressed.  A careful watch was kept on Adam’s Blog and Sunday’s post indicated that he’d be climbing Farmers Bridge locks on Monday.

So, off I go to London, to cram in a morning’s work, then onto a train to Birmingham.  A quick dash to pick up a windlass from our boat – I’m sure Adam would have lent me one but it would have spoiled the effect to not have one in hand when I arrived.

Then off I go down Farmers Bridge helping Don & Joy a little on the way.  A few locks later I spotted a boat coming up with boater on the towpath.  "Are you Paul?" he asked, quicker than I could ask if he was Adam.

Adam quickly introduced me to Adrian and Adrian’s Mum and up we went, passing Don & Joy in one of the short pounds.

A chance to chat as we worked the locks, before mooring on the Main Line.

It’s almost 12 months since our boat appeared in the October 2007 issue of Canal Boat magazine and we were first spotted by Adam.

Now Adam writes the boat reviews for Canal Boat magazine and I offered him a turn on our boat to see just how quiet our electric power is.  A quick figure of eight around the the Icknield Port and Oozells Street Loops before Adam headed off back to Debdale and I headed off back to Bristol.

Posted on Wednesday, 17 September 2008 at 20:35        Comments (2) 
Category(s): BCN , Birmingham & Fazeley , Blog Readers , Bloggers

We caught them up

When we returned to Birmingham yesterday we spotted the blog readers we had passed the day before.  They weren’t going to get away without a proper photograph a second time.

Now we’ve formally said hello and used the camera to welcome Don, Joy and Matt – enjoying another canal holiday in England.

They follow other blogs, including fellow New Zealander’s Dot & Derek on Gypsy Rover and, I suspect, Sue and Vic on No Problem.

Posted on Sunday, 14 September 2008 at 15:08        Comments (0) 
Category(s): Blog Readers