Seasonal Weather

November is blowing its self out nicely tonight. Lets hope all the roof items stay in place! John assures me they will! Tie it down or lose it, those of you who are out on your boats on the canals.




Advent begins tomorrow and I refuse to even think about Christmas until this time of the year is upon us. We do not think it would be a good idea to have an advent candle on the boat, so we have decided to mark the passing of the days until Christmas with a "Blogger's Advent calendar" for all our readers. As from tomorrow, of course - so do return!



I have to confess though to having already bought most of our Christmas presents - this is extremely unusual and only because we have been places during the summer where I have spotted appropriate gifts. I would like to pop down to Bath's Christmas Market - not to buy but to look!

Our Old Boat

This narrowboat must know the "Shroppie" very well and could almost steer herself! Thanks to another blogger we have an up to date pic of Twelfth Night at Gnossal. If any of the TNOA read this - I think one or two do, was it you?

TN, as we knew her, is a 6 berth share boat with a very amicable set of owners. Built and managed for her owners by JD Boat Services, Gailey. Share boating is an extremely good introduction to all weather boating on the canals. We deliberately chose weeks in the winter so we could get an idea how we would cope in all weathers. Over five years we had snow, fog, sleet, gales (frightening ones!) and also some wonderful warm sunny days during these weeks.

We were very fond of her, impressed by her design and handling - so much so that JD Boats almost had the commission for Epiphany. They build and fit out the share boats as well as for the Viking Fleet based there. In the end distance of travel to the builder won out and we chose Colecraft and Bath Narrowboats!

The owners were dedicated to looking after her - and so enjoyed their time on her that they voted to extend the 10 year agreement for another 5 years before considering selling her. It is good to see her enjoying her "home territory" still.

"Up The Shroppie"

Many of those who blog seem to be on the system in the "Midlands". This being our old stamping ground with nb Twelfth Night we love seeing pictures and reading stories from that area. My favourite at the moment being nb No Problem's blog - pottering around on the Shroppie! As many of you follow Sue and Vic I know you will already be appreciating her wit and interesting comments.


The Shroppie bridges - 45 looking towards 46

The Shroppie is a beautiful canal and we used to join it at Autherley for short trips to Norbury Junction and Market Drayton (of Gingerbread fame - wonderful dipped in sherry!). One year we went all the way up to Hurleston Junction for a wonderful trip on the Llangollen Canal. That was our third trip on the Llangollen - two other on Anglo Welsh boats! It is a "cut and fill" canal so has cuttings and embankments. This is a lovely cutting near Brewood know as Stretton Spoil Banks.


The Montgomery Canal is reached from the Shroppie at Frankton locks. We really enjoyed our trip on this bit of restoration "in progress". As on other parts of the Shroppie in the past, the WRGies are working hard on this canal. They had a camp to rebuild the wharf wall at Redwith Bridge.

On our return trips we always felt sad when we got to this lock.

Wheaton Aston Lock was the last "real" lock (apart from the 6" lock at Autherley onto the Staffs and Worcs) before Twelfth Night's mooring at Gailey.

Benefits? Whose?

What will be the next blunder? I can only say that I am glad the the days of claiming child benefit are over for me. Follow the link to a pertinent website on our Website of The Day.

Click here to see a past nb Epiphany post on a similar topic. This will make you laugh and cry, with thanks to Sarah on nb Warrior for drawing my attention to it.

If you are in Birmingham or within reach of it why not attend this to find out more about what it means to you to have all your details on a machine at the mercy of its operators!

Shooting The Breeze

Not only is it pouring with rain - we are being shot at too! How ever it is no problem as we are cosy and warm in our narrowboat on the Kennet and Avon canal, and the guns are on Salisbury Plain - at least 3 miles away as the cow (sorry- typo) crow flies. The Army has an extensive training area there.

I watched Country File this morning and was fascinated by the bits about the new high speed rail link to the continent. More information is on the website. Would you believe that they have built the line alongside the "existing transport system". Some even hope it will supersede this. Now where have I heard that before?



If history really goes in circles and this may mean that motorways will become disused, then restored and used by highly taxed "middle class privileged" users who the government think are the idle rich!

Or maybe even some of the users of this restored system may even be those who break all the rules and get away with it so giving those who choose the lifestyle and keep the rules a bad name too!

Whatever - maybe we can hope that alternatives to the car and plane will become more available and easy to use!

Bones has broken it!

Well, well, well!

Over the last week or so Bones has been vying with Maffi and Derek and Dot
for "Top dog" (or should it be "top bitch"? sorry!) on http://www.hitsunlimited.com/, while acknowledging that No Problem
is much higher up the league table. Meanwhile we were happy to be around the 75th position. Fi isn't into this competitiveness...

Well it looks like Bones' rising popularity has made the owners of the web domain hitsunlimited.com resign - see here.

We'll give them a few days or so to change their mind - otherwise we'll have to remove the code from our website & blog, as soon as my laptop comes back from its repair under warranty.

In the meantime, keep watching this blog, and we'll look into an alternative.

Click For Pudsey, Don't Hide Behind The Sofa

If you haven't already click on No Problems Blog - they will donate 5 pence per click to Children in Need. Thanks guys - a brilliant idea.

For Children in Need entertainment you cant beat this. But please remember that disabled children, young carers and other disadvantaged children may not have the opportunities you and your children enjoyed. They may never have "hidden behind the sofa"

Keeping Warm

Those of you who are regular visitors to my ramblings may be wondering if we ever had our Webasto (diesel boiler for those who read this who do not recognise the trade name) fixed. We bought a new burner unit and it was refitted for us. Unfortunately the seal was not fitted correctly and after 2 days it failed again. Just in time for the coldest night for a while!

We took it to a Webasto agent at a local boatyard. They re cleaned the unit, reassembled it, tested it for an hour on the bench and it is now up and running beautifully. A useful lesson all round!

On Tuesday I had to spray and scrape the car windscreen, as there was a very heavy overnight frost. The boats in the marina looked wonderful - but no time to take a picture! The same happened on Thursday, in fact it was a heavier frost and the car thermometer read -0, going down to -3 during my journey to work!

We have a friend who sent us a weather map, which forecast that at midnight high pressure would be directly over us. That explains why the smoke from our chimney was vertical and that this morning we had ice around the hatch in the stern cabin and on some of the metal porthole frames.

However with both the Morso Squirrel stove and the Webasto we are cosy and warm, despite the outside temperatures. In fact, in the day the sun comes out and there is some real warmth in it.

I finally managed to plant our 3 planters with some bulbs today, with the warmth of the sun on my back. With my haphazard, late planting we may have some narcissus (ae?) (ii?) and muscarii amongst the violas.

Snap Shots

Introducing Snap Shots from Snap.com

I have just installed a nice little tool called Snap Shots that enhances links with visual previews of the destination site, interactive excerpts of Wikipedia articles, MySpace profiles, IMDb profiles and Amazon products, display inline videos, RSS, MP3s, photos, stock charts and more.

Sometimes Snap Shots brings you the information you need, without your having to leave the site, while at other times it lets you "look ahead," before deciding if you want to follow a link or not.

Should you decide this is not for you, just click the Options icon in the upper right corner of the Snap Shot and opt-out.

comments especially welcome

Advance Notice

Here is a date for your diary on the Kennet and Avon Canal. You would be made very welcome if you are in the area, either on your boat or by car. Plenty of parking and reasonable moorings!

Come and join in with the Carol Singing on Pewsey Wharf on Thursday December 13th, from 6.30 to 8pm. It will be hosted by The Waterfront Bar and Bistro.
Hot punch will be available and if you would like to eat it will cost only a fiver. It will be led by a certain "Big John" from nb Epiphany! The singing will be accompanied by a brass band.

Here is a snap shot of last year


It was a brilliant evening last year. A great opportunity for boaters and locals to get together. As always Graham, Jane and his staff made us all very welcome and are looking forward to doing the same this year!

I seem to remember - just, as the drink was flowing! - that we all repaired to the Bar and had really enjoyed the company of those who stayed for the whole evening! I also seem to remember that I was glad that John was with me as I boarded the boat afterwards!

So do come, bring your friends and voices, help us make it another excellent start to the festive season.

Afternoon At Caen Hill

Yesterday afternoon we had a wander down Caen Hill and a tea and cake at the Top Lock cafe. Their bread pudding and coffee cake are yumm!

I found this on BBC Wiltshire. Warning - might make you dizzy!

We were saying how lucky we are to have "a wonder of the canals" more or less on our doorstep, actually "boat step"! Even on a chilly, but bright Sunday afternoon there were a number of walkers. Of course the locks were closed. They close at 1pm in the winter.

As we left the sun was setting. There was one hire boat waiting in the evening light.

They would have to wait until 8 am to go down. The lock keeper unlocks the paddle gear and then the locks will be set for them already, as he lifted the bottom paddle after locking them at 1 pm.

There was autumn colour at the Caen Hill moorings in the pound between the top lock and lock 45.


Above lock 45 the setting sun caught the trees and Prison Bridge in the distance

Banter In Bradford

We joined in with a Canal Forum Banter yesterday evening. It was in Bradford on Avon at the Beehive Pub. A real ale pub.


As per usual we go lost on our way to Bradford!

It seems to be a place we really haven't got the hang of by road! The first time, we went to Bradford on Avon marina was to watch the relaunch of a narrowboat. That was OK, as we following a flat bed lorry with a repainted boat from Bath Narrowboats at Sells Green.

The second time was when Epiphany was launched at the same marina. We followed to begin with and then when the driver stopped for a break we went on on our own - and got lost!

In the end we had to ring for directions and got there just before the lorry arrived.

We couldn't miss the launch of our boat so were a bit stressed!

This time we looked at a map. Unfortunately that didn't help! We were OK until Trowbridge when once again we took a wrong turning. We went to the wrong bridge over the Kennet and Avon canal and after a detour via Trowbridge again, found the right bridge and the pub!

It was a good evening as there were 5 forum members there plus wives and children. Namely - Moley, Wriggle Fingers, Snibble, Big John and David Schweizer. For Big John and for the other members it was great to put names to faces. Of course the conversation centred around boats and canals but there were also great and lively discussions about the history of the area, hamsters, schools and universities.

Thanks guys - a fun evening.

Storytime

A story to ponder when thinking about consultations.

Once upon a time there was a mother who had a severely disabled son. He was 12 years old but unable to do anything for himself. They were in receipt of support services through their local social service community care team.

One day she received a letter saying that as of the first of the next month they would have a cut in these services due to a cut in funding from the government. She was invited to a meeting at her local Town Hall where the Director of the Social Services and the Senior community care manager would be present to answer questions. This consultation was an opportunity for service users to contribute to the direction of the service for the future.

Her first thought was "What a load of trollop. This happening to me now and anyway their minds are made up already. What a waste of time and money". "They don't care about me and my son whatever they say".

All sorts of emotions began to well up. Hopelessness, fear, money worries, despair, and finally real anger. "What do they really know about me, and what do they really think is important to us as a family". "My son is a human being, he has rights, as do I." "I shall attend their meeting, I shall speak from my heart and I shall also write to my MP".

In the night - sleepless as usual, she had a light bulb idea. "These high ups have no idea what it is like - they make decisions and forget who is affected by them. I am going to get up early, get my son ready for the day, get us both into the car and drive to the main offices of Social Care. I will go and see them face to face"

In the morning she followed her plan - a 5am wake up, 2 hours to get them both ready and another hour to have breakfast and get them into the car. Had she got everything? Wheelchair, nappies, mobile phone, drinks, lunch. Petrol in the car? Oh she was so tired already, but it must be done.

An hour later she arrived, unpacked the car, taking all the essentials, got her son into his wheelchair and entered the foyer. The receptionist said that the Director was in a meeting. She would wait. And wait. And wait. Finally her patience ran out. She bundled them into the lift, found the Directors office - knocked but there was no answer.

Now what. So determined was this mother that she continued to wait. Eventually the Director arrived. Surprised, he invited her into his office. She outlined her situation, her concerns and fears. She introduced her son and explained his problems.

The Director was thoughtful. "You know" he said, "I have never met anyone who has a real disability and I have never really talked to someone caring for someone like you son." He paused, "I am humbled and ashamed to say this and I promise to personally investigate your situation and what we can do to help you and the many others in your situation. I would like you to advise me what to do from your experience."

The mother replied "Perhaps now you know someone who is affected by your high up decisions you will consider talking properly to us before you make these decisions. Just because you hold the purse strings doesn't give you the right to think you know best". "Only someone who lives and experiences the situation day by day can make good decisions, so the next best thing is to talk to us and listen properly before making up your minds. Thank you"

The end to this story is that despite budget cuts this particular Director was able to make informed decisions because he began to understand and not assume. The mother won her fight and had the care reinstated and now feels more in control of what happens to her son.

Pie in the sky? No, a true story. Opting out if you care about something is not an option!

Calling All Boaters

Spotted in the November issue of BW's Boaters update:

"BW launched a public consultation on 8 October about licence fee increases over the next three years. To have your say, download a copy and send us your comments by Monday 7 January 2008. Chief executive Robin Evans and marketing & customer service director Simon Salem, have set aside four dates for hour-long, face to face discussions with waterway users on the subject: The dates and locations are:

Tuesday 4 Dec in Watford, 2pm, 3pm and 4pm
Thursday 13 Dec in Leeds, 5pm, 6pm or 7pm
Friday 14 Dec in Gloucester, 2pm. 3pm and 4pm
Sunday 16 Dec in Hatton (Warwickshire), 10am, 11am and 12 noon

BW licence holders and interested members of the public are invited."

We feel it is an important opportunity to make BW aware of Boaters opinions and feelings and the more that attend and/or respond the bigger the point we can make. An big response gets a big message across and it cannot be said later that no one objected to the increases.

To book a place at one of the consultations look here
If by any chance they say they cannot take any more bookings let's turn up in any case!

If you are unable to attend please do respond in writing by downloading a response form

Once again we need to be proactive, not inactive! Please do spread the word to all you know who would be interested , even if they are not boaters but they do understand the issues boaters face.

"Be Prepared"

Question - As I am now a qualified First Aider (again - my certificate lapsed 2 years ago) as of today, will I ever use the lessons I learned today?

I suppose it is all about the motto "Be Prepared". Is that the Scouts' or Guides' motto? Never having been either I am not sure. In many ways I hope I never have to use the skills. Working with elderly people in the community it is a good idea to have some idea of what to do but First Aid is only First Aid and not treatment. It's first and primary purpose is to preserve life until more skilled help arrives.

So this evening I feel today was worthwhile after all.

To continue the theme of "Be Prepared". - The day started badly - a non functioning Webasto.

So being hooked up, (the electricity pod is fairly near!) on went the immersion for hot water. An advantage of being in a marina. But you can see why we like to get out on the cut as often as possible.

A dead stove, so no heating from there either! Sod's law, if one fails so will the other! It serves me right as I was saying last night that as long as I am warm I am happy! So you can imagine my mood this morning, an early morning at that. I am not a morning person so I was definitely not a happy bunny. A hot shower, food and John's TLC restored me enough to go to work!

This evening still no joy from the Webasto so we need a "man who can" tomorrow, but lots of heat from the stove and after a meal and I am now contented! Spooks to look forward to on the box and a quiet evening relax. We are still really glad to be on our narrowboat! Living on it we have to "Be Prepared" for anything!

From Food To Fascinating Facts

It is great that we can now chose to have a lazy Sunday- after 20 years of regular church attendance!

Today we had what we call a Canadian breakfast. This mouth watering meal is usually about 10am and consists of bacon, summer fruits, cinnamon eggy bread (sometimes waffles) and for a real treat real Canadian maple syrup. Sadly we do not have the latter at the moment as, like Cornish pasties, the best is the authentic product made in the place it is named after. It can be hard to find such a good quality product in supermarkets, or even so called specialist shops! I have yet to find it here.

Talking about authenticity - I have just uploaded our video of our Avebury visit here. Very topical as the talk locally and nationally last week was about Silbury Hill which is part of the Avebury World Heritage site. I pass it frequently on my way to work and find it fascinating.

The BBC broadcast a documentary last week - narrated by one of my favourite presenters/archaeologists, Neil Oliver (Coast and various). It seems there are still no real answers as to why it was built! Once it is open to the public again we really must visit it.

We think Wiltshire is a very special place. Particularly this area with its prehistoric links, spiritual atmosphere and monuments and not least the "wide open skies" that we see as we travel both by narrowboat on the Kennet and Avon and road.

A Winter Lament

I heard on the radio yesterday that we have had an "Indian Summer". Very little if any rain in October and warm temperatures too. It was up to 18 degrees C in some places yesterday and certainly the sun has some warmth in it today.

It is strange however that all my senses say it is winter!- Sight (dark mornings and evenings, leaves turning and dropping, smoke from chimneys, fewer boats on the move). Smell (rotting leaves, wood fires, diesel). Touch (cold metal, frost, damp cold wood). Hearing (changes in bird calls, fewer boat engines, less "people noise") and yes, even taste (yummy winter puddings).

It is no wonder some days seem topsy turvy, disorientating and strange. That is not because I have been "indulging"! Though I have to say it helps to lift the gloom of winter evenings. Ice and snow seem not to be part of our winters any longer, certainly very rarely in the West Country. However, we were amongst this ice on the Shroppie in January 2004

This week three years ago we were also "winter cruising"on the BCN on Twelfth Night, here we are moored at guess where!

Travelling through the BCN, here are a few snaps. There was still a bit of colour to offset the industrial gloom

Old meets new


So now I turn back to some of the summer fun, photos and experiences to remind me that the winter is really quite short and it is what you make of it that counts. So some positives about winter -
Glowing stoves, sharp crisp days (where are they?), winter light at midday, fewer boats when cruising - well on the go anyway! Christmas, New Year, and holidays. Best of all, looking forward to Spring!