End of year round-up Part 1

 March to July

Highlights of the year included our first visit to the River Nene and the successful installation of solar panels and wi-fi.  We had a few issues too, but what boater doesn’t?  There were extremes of weather – howling gales, torrential downpours and stifling heat, though in between, there was some glorious cruising weather!  But though Meg enjoyed every trip, sadly it was to be her last year aboard.

Young Meg, Boxing day 2013

We visited Bonjour for a few days in March to prepare for the year’s cruising and for the BSS exam which was due (it was much too windy and wet to consider cruising).  Our first two cruises were to set us up ready spend some time on the Nene in the summer, and stage one was to take the pretty way to Calcutt, via the Severn to Stourport then on to Birmingham via the Staffs and Worcester, Stourbridge and Dudley canals, through Birmingham and down the North Stratford to join the Grand Union at Kingswood Junction.  The first hitch was at Stourport where, after mooring on the pontoon below the lock up to the canal, we noticed a damp patch towards the rear of the cabin.  Did I say damp?  It was a puddle and we certainly couldn’t blame the dog - the cabin bilge was completely flooded!  We baled until dusk, discussing all the while what could be wrong – the water was completely clear so not river water thank God, the water pump wasn’t cutting in and it was dry under the calorifier, so any leak would be between the tank and the pump.  By the morning the bilge had filled again, but fortunately Starline Cruisers, just above the lock, were able to pump most of the remaining water out for us. 

Dave brings Bonjour round to ascend the first staircase locks at Stourport

The engineer wouldn’t investigate the water tank itself as it was inaccessible unless we removed the stove and cupboard built against the bulkhead, but he did spot that the water tank may not actually be connected to the filler hole.  Subsequent research showed this to be the case – the original fitter may well have got the tank and pipework in place before finishing the spray-foam insulation – which we understand can react with certain plastic hoses…  I thought the water tank was taking a long time to fill when it didn’t overflow over the well deck as you would expect!  Just quietly overflowing into the cabin bilge down the side of the tank.  Sorting that out is a job yet to be done.

Dave and Meg walk in the woods along the Stourbridge Extension Canal

We were blown all over the place on our way towards Birmingham and although the sun was often out it was cold and mooring was either very easy or extremely difficult depending on the wind direction! 

Lovely springtime weather at Windmill End

From Calcutt we cruised to Gayton ready to tackle the Nene on the following trip, but again we didn’t choose the direct route – we went along the lovely Leicester Line as far as Foxton and took in the Market Harborough and Welford arms before making our way to Gayton Marina.  We joined in the grumbles about towpath mowing (lack of) – this was supposed to be the visitor moorings at Foxton village.

In Welford we met Tyseley (but just missed being able to attend a performance) and I got to try zander and chips at the Wharf – delicious! 

Enjoying an ice-cream at Foxton locks

Over the next few days the weather became extremely hot and boats were seeking shade where they could.  Dave had been busy during this trip talking to other boaters about solar panels, and before our next outing he had ordered one with all the necessary bits for a working system.  On our return to Gayton we were in no hurry to set off quickly as there were 16 locks between the marina and the next mooring, so while Dave started organising the solar panel gubbins I went to the office to book our return visit and to see if they sold the Abloy key necessary to work the locks on the river Nene.  They don’t, but it was lucky I mentioned it as a 2-week stoppage had been notified just a couple of hours earlier which would have prevented us getting more than a couple of miles down the river.  In my concern to register for strong stream warnings (I am a bit of a wuss when it comes to rivers) I had totally forgotten about stoppages!  So we cruised south on the Grand Union instead.  The weather was turning very hot and our cruising and mooring times were carefully worked out, and Meg was walked early or late.

A late walk by the Ouse below the Iron Trunk aqueduct

Hot weather at Stanton Low

We moored early in Milton Keynes to get a fairly shady spot under the trees at Newlands Park, and Dave finished installing the solar panel system.  With great excitement he made the final connection – and it all worked!  even though there was only intermittent sun through the branches.  We went south as far as Tiddenfoot Water Park just past Leighton Buzzard before winding and coming back.  The hot weather had broken and we had some hours cruising in intermittent rain and rising wind before mooring at Campbell Park in a downpour.  We had more windy and sodden cruising on our way back to Gayton but the solar panel kept the batteries topped up nicely when the sun did come out – we are so delighted with it that Dave decided to add a panel next trip.

Meg relaxing in the shade at Blisworth

Keeping up to date with the news

Part 2 and the cruising stats to follow.