Thanks Marilyn  and John Best wishes to you also.
We are still in Stoke at the moment Mum is not too well so we are not sure if we will
make it south of Stoke before we get stuck, Stoke lock flight closed 7 Jan to 21 Jan.
Mum is very anaemic now taking iron tablets hope they work soon I am going Mad
sitting in a house with the boat in a marina.I can't even do the odd jobs at home or
on the boat as we haven't got a car to get to the diy shops.
A Very Happy and Prosperous New year to all Our Followers and Friends
Love Beryl and Dave

Made it into the Marina Batteries fully charged on shoreline. We replenished the gas
bottles just before the bridge at Eturia £17.48 each best price I have found. We have
managed to get the majority of our food shopping done Taxi to Mums tomorrow
then we will be back in a house for a few days.Richard Turns up tomorrow poor fella
Stuck with Mum and Dad and Nan.Merry Christmas To all my readers.

Another good day Beautiful winter day cold but sunny we moved on to Stone had
 problems finding space why do people moor in the middle of visitor moorings so
 60' boats struggle to fit in and leave 40' spaces between them and their neighbours
Am I complaining again CHILL Its a fantastic life enjoy.  

We had very good day today set off at 10.30 and made it to just before Weston Lock
moored up at 1430 after a very enjoyable night with Maffi thanks. Even Hoobie had a
friend Molly not that it stopped him snoring so rude to his guest. We put world to right
until we threw Maffi out at 1030 pm we aren't late birds, I need my beauty sleep.
A very enjoyable evening again thanks Maffi.

Chilly

We are iced in so no moving today.I need to teach Hoobie how to shut the door
 behind himself. We keep warming the towpath.It is forecast to rain tomorrow so
 will wait a while. Christmas tree is up so we look all festive.

We have been moving about a bit up to Norbury junction and back had a shopping day

yesterday at Autherley junction it was cold but bright. This morning was cold but sunny
 we managed 2 miles towards Gailey when we hit ice so we moored up we are in no hurry.
We have until 21st to get to Eturia we are going into the Marina so we can go to Mums for
Christmas Little sister Ange isn't too good so Beryl is doing Christmas for Mum and any
others who are up to turning up should be coming out of hospital today.So we will be on
land for Christmas. Sokai will be connected to shoreline for the first time since we  had
the new batteries fitted.May I take this opportunity to wish all my readers a Happy
Christmas and a prosperous  New Year.
And Maria enjoy your retirement I don't regret going.

Sorry everyone I have been idle for a while but we have got all our Christmas cards out.
We have been to Combeswood canal trust basin and back to the Staffs & Worcs their
Diesel price is very good 81p a ltr and visitor mooring free for 7 days it was a little windy
when we left and I struggled to get out of the basin new box cover christened. We
stopped at Merry hill shopping center to ride out the storms and for a little retail therapy.
That was curtailed as our credit card was used illegally by some scrote so now we are
cardless until the new ones get to John and he can get them to us.We had problems with
our antivandle key so we bought a new one at Combeswood but it is as worn as our original.Looks like someone went into their shop and swapped their duff one and left it on the shelf  to be sold and we bought it so will have to buy another will check it this time we are moored at Wimbourne for tonight Beryl nipped to Sainsburys to do a little shopping got to keep me fed. A treat tonight meal in the Wagon & Horses. Well it is two for one 'Who me tight never'.
See you soon Dave & Beryl

Now moored at Stourbridge no designated visitor moorings a wasted opportunity, so we are moored just before the water point. We plan to stay 2 nights then move back onto Dudley we had hoped to go through Netherton Tunnel but it is closed for the winter major repairs needed so we will have to retrace our route back to Staffs & Worcs. I am attempting to work out what I need from Wickes / Screwfix to connect the wood burner back boiler to the radiators may as well spread the heat to the back of the boat.It's a
 mixture of compression copper and plastic pushfit connections.

Just for you John. I have got a couple of photo's of the New Pram cover and cratch cover
all done by  DB Covers

Happy now John 

A wet day in Stourport but we don't plan on moving, we went for a walk around the Basins
and then up into the Town its not a bad shopping area but there are more charity shops
 than proper shops. We are going to have evening meal in Weatherspoons for a change
will stay tomorrow night then return north to have a look at the Stourbridge canal. Beryl
is busy with another jigsaw.

Just to update everyone, we are currently moored on the visitor moorings at Kinver
on Staffs & Worcs awaiting Dave of Db Canopies to return with our new Pram cover
and cratch cover but its raining here at the moment so we are waiting for the forcasted
 bright weather. Unfortunatly we have had to overstay as there are only 24 hr moorings
 here. Not that they are queuing up for them not much moving at the moment. We had
 a glorious day yesterday we went for a walk to the rock houses and the Farm shop
at Kinver Edge. We where walking for 4 hrs so it will keep us fit it was very interesting.
Just a Few Photos.

Baking Day today Christmas cake made Loaf of Bread and some short bread got to
 make full use of the oven when used. We had a late start as Beryl wanted to get
 everything mixed before setting off. We are at the visitor moorings by the Fox & Anchor
Cross Green on Staffs & Worcs

Family reunion today Mandy (daughter)and Tash  turned up today John (brother in law) turned up yesterday We had a meal in the Radford Inn last night it was very good and only £4.19p it is an all day carvery.We waited for Mandy to arrive and then went for breakfast at same pub only £3.99p each as much a you can eat so we filled our boots.we repaired the roof boxes I modified above Stone. For everyone at work I am finally down to below 16st it feels great I would like to get down to 15st. My middle age spread is disappearing John took Mandy to Oxley Marine just past Autherley Junction to abandon the car so they can cruise with us for a few days. It will be strange to have a crew.

Here they come just for you Jaq The After photos
The new Kitchen/Dinette

 

Beryl is Greatly pleased with it all she has actually got a bigger Kitchen on the boat than she had in the bungalow.
We are currently in Stone. I have finally got around to servicing the Engine Thanks Les I got the filters from that place in Stafford you told me about cheaper than anywhere else thanks.
I think we will move on tomorrow, to Great Haywood then on down the Staffs & Worcs.

Well how time flies when you are enjoying yourself we left the boat with Rob and returned late Tuesday
Wow we were impressed with the new Kitchen/Dinette
Before 

After will have to wait David Bailey Hasn't taken it yet as she wanted to wait for the new cushions.
We returned to Eturia to fill the water tank and empty loos. We stayed until today Sunday the cushions weren't finished until yesterday afternoon.We are now just outside Stone we need fuel tomorrow and are meeting Ann (sister in law) in Stone tomorrow. Well thats about all for now Bye

Leisurely week, We moved from Festival park to Eturia at the industrial museum. We needed to hang about until tomorrow before going up to Engine Lock on the Caldon for Rob Shone to start fitting the new kitchen, dinette and cratch board.I have been busy I have moved the Tv Ariel  mount onto the side of the boat and hoobie has had a few long walks. The advantage of staying here is that we can use the BW facilities and 2 washer loads were done. We left him on board yesterday walked into Hanley and mooched around the shops we could both go in not one holding the dog outside. I have spent each
 evening trying to work out the relative positions of each vent on the Squirel stove to keep it in, burning smokeless fuel its most certainly a work of art still not successful yet. We met Mum in Hanley today we went home had lunch then went with Mum Sister Brother in law and niece to crematorium to put some flowers on the Garden of remberance it is 5 years since Dad died. Mum goes every year so it was nice to here to go as well this year.

2 weeks Where does the time go. Since my last blog we have been back to Heritage to get the Bike Rack fitted a very neat job done very pleased with it.  But to turn round I
 ended up going back through Harecastle tunnel and returning because the navigator thought there was a winding hole at the tunnel entrance and there wasn't Beryl decided to stay at the North portal with Hoobie as he spends the entire tunnel journey barking not at all happy.Any way we were reunited after my detour and and moored at Heritage for them to do the job. After completion we moved on towards Congleton. We were minding our own business sitting out a thunder storm when there was an almighty crash outside coats on out we go to see the roof boxes floating in the cut a gust of wind had lifted them and deposited them the contents were still neatly piled on the roof.So every thing was salvaged and repositioned. onward to Congleton.We spent 3 nights at the wharf at Congleton waiting for Beryls Doctors results to come back only to be told that the Doctor put 2 different date of births on the form and sample so the lab rejected it Beryl assures me she gave them the right date well I used to come home from work complaining enough about miss labelled specimens.So a wasted journey up to Congleton. So of we went back to Red Bull and Met brother in law with deliveries.Had a very nice meal in the Red Bull pub. We ended up staying 3 nights as the heavens opened Monday & Tuesday 24th 25th we had no reason to get wet. we moved on Wed through Harecastle tunnel Hoobie now Knows that the CR&T man has doggie treats in his pocket.Poor man was pestered to death. We stopped at Westport lake for 2 nights we walked into Burslem with coming from the potteries I knew Burslem years ago well I did leave in 1974 boy has it changed all the potbanks and terraced houses have gone but the money has run out and they have have not been replaced with anything.
We moved on on Friday to Festival park and put the boat in the Marina so we could go and stay with Mum it was her birthday on Friday. Unfortunately there were no hookups available so we are back on board today running the engine. We saw Richard back on the bus back to Litchfield  we want to find the upholsterers tomorrow as the Dinette is being rebuilt next weekend. So it back onto the Caldon for us next week then we can make our way south for the pram cover fitting.Then we will be free to go where WE want, not following tradesmen.Mandy (daughter) is hoping to get to us around 20 Oct so that will be nice.by then I will have list of things to do with the car sorry her car. You can stop nagging now John

 

We are currently at Scholar Green on the Macclesfield we filled up at Heritage boats
 asked about getting the Bike rack fitted, will walk back and ask tomorrow when office staff are in. We are averaging 1.21hrs to the ltr which I am quite happy with we are using about 90lts a month. Must get on ebay and order some oil and various filters engine service due soon. I had better do it myself after 22 yrs on Aircraft Ground equipment, Mainly diesel engines at the end petrol went out of fashion with the military.
we were threaten with heavy rain today we are still waiting for it.

Another week just flies by since last week we have been to Frogall unfortunately Sokai is
 too tall to go through the Frogall tunnel so we didn't quite make it to the end. We then returned to Densford and went up the Leek Branch. We stayed 2 nights so that we could go to the market on Wednesday bought no end of fruit so plenty of vitamins for me. We are currently on the 24 hr moorings at Park lane Endon got the last space 2 other boats permanently moored on 24hr mooring Canal & Rivers trust men working here but no action against the over stayers, well they went off in the car this morning. I don't think they are cruising. Will get to Milton tonight and go and see Mum. Maybe meet her in Hanley tomorrow.

We spent Last night at Shelton just North of Festival Park we had a good night. We walked into Hanley to do some shopping. and transfer money to pay the credit card bill.
 We went north to Longport and winded and returned to the Caldon canal. Beryl struggled with lock 1 paddles and I had to assist in the end. Had a meeting with Rob Shone to get a new dinette fitted and a new cratch. We have lit the wood burner tonight
now it has turned warm and I am cooking its got warmer again.

We arrived here at Weston on Friday Brother in law John is due to meet us tomorrow
with the generator and the wood for the top boxes. John and Carol turned up at 4 o'clock
Had a very nice meal at the Saracens Head. We spent Sunday trying to get the generator
running it will start but not keep going looks like it will have to go back. We then started
assembling the top boxes we decided that one plank high was enough we made 2 boxes
and they look great we now have rather a lot of wood left. We should have made 4 and
put a for sale sign on 2 as they have only cost £10 quid each in wood . Had visitors today
my Sister brought my Mum to see the boat First time they have been to visit not sure if
 they fancy the lifestyle a little to basic I think.We are moving on tomorrow up to Stone.      

We are making our way back North. We are at Rugeley we have dropped Richard
in Litchfield and had a visit from Dave of DB canopies to be measured for a Pram
cover .We have decided that it will give us more drying space in the winter and protect
the back hatch.
One question why does everyone seem to be in such a hurry, to be on the cut you must
either be one holiday or retired so chill out. Every morning since we got on the canals
 someone has come past us at 7am This moring at Fradley it was 3 boats. I'm quite
happy getting up at 8.30 and cruising at 10.00. I was cut up at Fradley this morning
He waited til I was midway along his boat then pulled out his wife was at the lock he
said well he watched me turn onto Trent and Mersey from the Coventry but didn't
move til I was level with him. I was not amused. I suppose I must chill out too. Anyway
the Sun shined today so it wasn't to bad.It rained while we were walking around Rugeley
so me and Hoobie sheltered while Beryl did a little shopping. So we all stayed dry.

Where does a week go. We have had an eventful week we left the Ashby canal
on Monday arrived at Springwood Haven Nuneton Where Onboard Energy took
a look after after which it was decided to replace the domestic batteries and the
inverter was capput. Savings have taken a hit but what a difference. We can use
what we want Thanks Kevin a very neat instalation. Today we ended up with trying
to find a vets Hoobie ripped a claw yesterday finally got one in Pets at Home
Tamworth. He is now minus a claw the nail had to all come off completely.
He is a little drowsy now but not licking it to much up to yet. We are currently moored
at Hopwas.

The Terminus of the Ashby canal was very pretty but a little breezy two attempts to turn
but no audience so who's counting. Wedding anniversary on Friday 27 years I would have
been free by now Ouch!!!! only kidding wouldn't change a thing. I mean I took her to all
the exotic places in the world Wildenrath Germany Etc. Had a lovely meal in the Globe
guess who didn't pay again. We are currently moored at bridge 5 having got soaked in a
 thunder storm Hoobie was not impressed my wax coat £45 from Barnstaple market
worked great and I was still dry inside it. Now we have moored up it has stopped raining.

Day 2 on the Ashby canal a little shallow in places. very pretty and yesterday quiet but
 today is much busier.The inverter drained the batteries last night and we hadn't got the
TV on this morning after charging the batteries there is no out put from the thing teach me
 to buy a cheap one.I will have to bite the bullet and buy a better one. Struggled to find a
mooring this afternoon no chance at the Bosworth visitor center you must have to be
 there at 1100 to find one.

Coventry Basin Not a hive of activity but it is certainly close to the center.
We are going to stay a couple of days Retail therapy. Canal wasn't to bad
a little shallow in places, we ran over a few obstacles luckily nothing damaged
or tangled.

Another hot day, North Oxford Canal we struggled to find a mooring and the one we
 have is close to the Motorway.So we might just let the day cool then move on to The
Coventry canal.But how far do we have to go to get away from the M6.

Honest I'm not complaining but does it have to get so hot so fast I would rather get used
 to it slowly We had a 3hr siesta today we are just north of Napton junction. My computer
 Consultant (son Richard) is having problems getting the GPS to up date the Blog with
 our location.

Well we started the Hatton Flight so we had to finish it 61/2 hrs from Lapford junction.
We had an audience most of the way so Hoobie was happy lots of ear tickling
Hopefully we can make tomorrow a shorter day. Will try and have a look around
Warwich.

The Laptop is sitting on the boat roof no 3 signal inside. The sun is shinning so I'm not
 complaining we are moored at Lapwood in the Link. Railway a little close. 8hrs cruising yesterday don't want to do too many of them canal was busy but most going our way so we had to turn most locks just as well there is no water shortage anymore. Shorter day today moored up by 1400. Water filled and loos emptied. Only had a drink in the Fleur de Lys last night £3.15 a pint. well 2 actually and Richard didn't pay.Whats new.

I had better be a good boy and use punctuation in this post. I have been told off by Carol (Brother in Law's girlfriend). So I will be good from now on Carol. We have managed to move into the basin so the river can do as it likes now. I am limping well after my little tumble I have bruised my Knee.Done in the first lock on
Friday.

Finally cut the connection to the land Moved on to Bidford on Avon It threw it down all
night River on yellow took advice at boat yard told if we had the power go for it after first 
lock it turned red Thanks for 43 horses under my feet The sedate 3 hr cruise took 5 
1/2 hrsMoored at Stratford Bancroft Basin is full so still on Avon Mandy is Visiting Monday
 so will stay here for a few days Beryl says she does not want to see any more rivers 
Bye for now Oh and the Sun is shining

Plans to move on tomorrow put on hold river on red Hoobie is quite Happy sitting
on the bank watching the world go by. Boy have we had some rain.

I collected Mandy yesterday so she could take the car back to Barnstaple
It was her Birthday today so we went out for lunch and had Birthday
cake after tea. It was strange watching our car driving away. This is the first
time in 38 yrs that I have not had a car.

Guess what you can fit a quart in a pint pot nothing left on the bank
TV signal not so good reading looks favorite.

We have done it Living on the boat trying to find places for everything
You collect to much 'Stuff' we will down size. Still got too many items
How many screwdrivers do you need.

House ready to hand over 18yrs 5 months it feels strange sleeping in a hotel in
Barnstaple. We got rid off our faithful old sofas today they were old friends. Tomorrow the new life begins. Home is where the Heart is.

BW license applied for John (brother in law) will regret offering to be our mail forwarder
You do not realize just how much rubbish you keep until you have got to get it into a 60'
narrowboat be ruthless but 18 years accumulated crap is a lot. It was alright when we were
still in the RAF we moved every 3/4 years so not so much to sort through.But we are getting there
Strange feeling putting every thing into boxes to go to boat or upstairs to store, we are keeping one room for our stuff when we are to frail to cruise anymore and have to return to land.

Sokai is on the move unfortunately not with us on board  Brother in law has borrowed for 2 weeks  Tewksbury first then back up to Stratford returning to Hampton ferry eventually We are just painting another bedroom for the handover to the tenants.

River stable but not going down No phone call so must still be tied to the bank lots of water going past Ferry still closed Hope it drops for Friday have a few jobs to do on board.

Anxiously watching the web cam at Hampton Ferry. River Avon River a little high not been this high all the time we have moored here. Hope I tied them Knots well.

I have Done It I am No longer employed I have finally retired. Why do I want to leave such Nice workmates,  no I know why to cruise the canals at our pace stopping when we want to, to no ones beck and call. Oh Bliss!!!

At last

Well the electrician has almost finished just got to get  to Evesham to hand over the dosh I finish work  for good on Wednesday still got work to do on the Bungalow but the end is in sight.