Still Here.

Since my last posting we moved to Branston on the Wednesday, then on the Friday Pamela, Nathan and Archie arrived to take us to the hospital in Burton for our ops. We booked in at 1-30pm and we left at 5-15pm feeling quite well but a little sore.On Saturday we went to the Open Gardens in Barton by car and had a very nice day. Then on Sunday afternoon we took the boat up to Barton Turns to water up for the week, turned round ,went back to Branston where we stayed for the week. We had to do this because we had to have complete rest. The only problem with Branston is we can't get on line, this is why I have not done a posting for so long. While there we were visited by our friends Vivian and David in their new boat First Fruits. It has been a year since we had last seen them so we had alot to catch up on. when we saw them last they were waiting for their boat to be build. In the evening we had a night out at the Bridge Inn, next to the mooring.
This Sunday Pamela, Nathan and Archie returned to move us to Willington for our second weeks rest. Nathan took the boat down with Marlene, while Pamela,Archie and me went by car via the hospital because my wound had started to bleed again. This was not a problem I was told, just put on a dressing and continue to rest.
So we are now moored at Willington until we are fit to move the boat ourselves, which should be around 3 weeks time.

Interesting weekend.

Over the weekend we finished the jigsaw and moved down to Willington. On Monday morning we decided to go on another National Trust day out. Between us we decided on Calke Abbey in Derbyshire. So at 10 past 10 on Monday morning we went to catch the 10.23 bus into Derby. It arrived at 11-23 just in front of the 11-23 bus, the driver said it was his fault. The driver then decided to go a more direct route, leaving the 11-23 to follow the scheduled route picking up passengers.
This proved to be a good move for us, as we arrived in Derby in time to catch the bus to Calke Abbey where we alighted at Ticknall where our National Trust handbook said we should. There it said we would have a half mile walk through park land. This done we arrived at the gate to the Abbey, where the man on the gate told us the house was another mile to a mile and a half further on. We had walked a short distance when we were given a welcome lift. By the time we reached the house we were ready for a drink and something to eat, this we had in a lovely little cafe. After lunch we went to start our tour of the house. It was an interesting house which had been made safe by the trust but not restored fully. The tour ended with a walk through a tunnel connecting the house with the brew house. By this time it was time for us to start our walk back to the bus stop, this time there was no lift. On the way back into Derby the hospital phoned to say the date for our minor operations would be Friday the 18th, providing we had two people to stay with us after the op. A phone call was made to Pamela and she agreed her and Nathan would come over to collect us from the hospital and stay with us. Today the date was confirmed.
This will be the second time Marlene and I have been in hospital together, hope it's not going to become a habit. So we are now making our way back to Branston to meet Pamela and Nathan and of couse little Archie. Tonight we are moored at Shobnal Fields where we are normally moored by our selves, but tonight there are another seven boats here.

The Yorkshire Rose.

It was another noisy night next to the A38 on Monday, so on Tuesday we moved on but not until the rain stopped. We arrived at Branston just before the rain came back. In the evening the sun finally came out and we walked round the lake. On Wednesday we stayed at Branston. When the weather cleared I took the opportunity to put two Yorkshire Roses on the side of Doublefracture. We bought then from a Graphics boat while we were at Alrewas. While still at Alrewas I had put two on the first side, now both sides were complete. Moored in front of us at Branston were a couple from Sheffield, They were telling us about their mooring at Shardlow. It sounds OK, perhaps we will look into Mooring there in the future, if we can get a place.
Thursday morning was wet again so we spent some time trying to finish the jigsaw we have been doing, however its all sky that is left so it is taking some time. In the afternoon we moved down to Shobnal Fields ready to go to the hospital for the results of some biopsies I had done. I'm pleased to say they were negative, good news. We aim to stop here again tonight, then head back down to Willington tomorrow.

Queues at Fradley Junction.

Finally after a week I've managed to get on the net. On the Tuesday after my rant we moved down the Coventry Canal as far as Huddlesford Junction where we turned round, then moored for the night on a 24hr mooring. Meanwhile Stephen had phoned to say he would be calling to see us on his way back down the country. So early Wednesday morning we set off heading back to Alrewas to meet him. The early start was so we would pass through Fradly Junction before it got too busy. The best laid plans and all that, when we got there there were three boats waiting to go down the lock in front of us. With mooring room for only two boats we found our selves holding the boat mid canal and trying not to block the junction. Two hours later we cleared the last off the Fradley locks and cruised down into Alrewas. Around five o clock Stephen arrived. On Thursday Marlene and I went into Lichfield to do some shopping, while Stephen had a well earned rest. Since leaving Reading he had done around 1000 mile, getting as far as Ripon in North Yorkshire. On Friday Stephen left on the last leg of his journey back to Reading, Marlene and I stayed on at Alrewas until this morning. On the Saturday we took the bus to Sudbury Hall (a National Trust property) as we travel free on the buses and being National Trust members it was a cheap day out. before leaving Sudbury we also paid a visit to the village fete. As is our habit Sunday was a quiet day at the boat, good food, good wine and a chance to watch the wild life. One of the pictures is off Moorhen chicks that came floating by on some reeds. I spent some time watching mum coming and going with food for them.
This morning we left Alrewas and are now moored opposite Barton Marina after collecting some mail and a new gas bottle.The other two pictures are approaching the lock at Alrewas and Sudbury Hall.

Broken Chain.

Since my last blog we have not done very much. I feel though that I need to have a rant about inconsiderate boaters who pass moored boats far too fast. We spent a quiet day on Sunday with a good Sunday dinner and a bottle of wine.
This morning we decided to move on again, but before we left several boats (not just hire boats) went past at too higher speed which broke our mooring chain. People don't seem to realise the damage they can cause. This happens quite alot just lately. Please have some consideration for other boaters. I know that you probably are considerate, but I have to rant at some one. There I feel alot better now.

Damp day.

The traffic on the A38 never seems to stop, day and night.Came to Alrewas on Wednesday and moored just above the lock. It's been a bit cooler these last few days. we have taken the opportunity to walk some of the local footpaths. Walking around these pleasant pastures makes you appreciate how much countryside is still here despite all the building and roads.
Thursday we sat and read most of the day while the washing dried, then took a walk before our evening meal. Yesterday we took the bus into Barton, both had our hair cut then went to the Library. It's quite busy on this stretch of the canal.
Today we intended to move to Fradley Junction, however it is raining quite hard this morning so we are staying here for now. We will move this afternoon if it clears if not then we will stay and have a meal at the local pub. the forecast is better for tomorrow. It cleared up so we made the move to Fradley and had our meal in the Swan. tonight we are moored just down the Coventry canal.

Leaving Branston.

It was another hot and sunny day on Sunday. We took a walk to the park with Archie, then a walk round Branston lake. Having had our exercise we sat in the sun and had a drink before lunch. Alas, after lunch it soon got to the time for Pamela and Archie to go home. It had been a great weekend, over all too soon. While looking at the moon through our scope we got talking to a young man who was monitoring the bats in the area. Yesterday we decided to stay at Branston for one more day. Moored in front of us was a couple we had met when we were on our way to Shardlow. Eric and Gill had been on television with there boat Iduno. In the afternoon Marlene and I walked up to the top of the ridge over looking the canal and Branston. In the evening we had a great sun set.
Today we left our mooring and cruised up through Tatenhill lock to Barton Turns where we stopped below the lock to water up. Marlene phoned Richard to see how he had got on at the hospital. He had broken his foot playing football and was in plaster up to his knee. We are now moored alongside the A38 just passed Barton Marina drying our washing. We passed Mike who was moored near us in the marina, he was walking the dogs, he asked how I'd got on at the hospital, nice to see you Mike(he's a reader of the blogg). Tomorrow we intend to move on to Alrewas.