To Vicarage Farm

Diagnosis on electrical problem is new batteries to be bought and alternator not functioning efficiently. Oh well, more expense.

We took advantage of the break in the rain to begin our return to our home mooring. The sun came out and it was a beautiful cruise as far as Grebe. After that is became a bit chilly but we ploughed on as it was still dry. Moored up about 6 pm.

My work on the bedroom window seems to have fixed the leak. Had an early night.

Sunday morning brought more sun and we had a leisurely start to the day. The rain began about midday and more damage caused by the big freeze became apparant. Water started dripping down, alarmingly fast through the ventilation mushroom in the roof. On inspection it was clear that frost had gotten in under the paint and worked it's way through. Rain can now leak in. Now the rain can get in so remedial works are needed. As a temporary measure we have covered the offending mushroom with a tarpaulin and will effect a proper repair when the weather is dry. This month has been one thing after another needing to be fixed. After such a deep freeze I don't suppose that is surprising. In some ways it was lucky we were aboard when this latest leak occured or we could have come aboard next time to find water damage inside. At least we can do some repairs and hopefully prevent internal damage.

To Marsworth

Boat now blacked. Met Deana from NB Nile, moored temporarily just beyond Cowroast. Filled water tank and sorted loo etc and then David cruised to Bulborne. I took car to Marsworth and then walked up to Bulborne to the top lock. On the way I met some people on NB Wirral Wanderer. Didn't recognise them so stopped to ask if the old guy still owned the boat. They told me he had died a couple of weeks ago. They were his daughter and her family who were sorting things out. Another boater has adopted his lovely cat. I expressed by sadness at hearing the news. I never knew his name but saw him often down at Berkhamsted last year and on this stretch more recently. RIP old guy. He was a real character, usually to be found on his stern reading and having a smoke. Now know his name was Tom Barry.

Walked on up to top lock and then steered whilst David did the locking. Moored up almost opposite Wirral Wanderer.

Seem to now have a problem with electrics. Batteries dodgy and alternator not working efficiently. Ah well, more expense. One thing after another. That's boating. Thank heavens for guys like Ed Boden, marine engineer, who are so available and so helpful.

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Visit

On Tuesday morning we took Gil to see the boat in the dry dock. He was very interested to see it out of the water.

To Cowroast

Friday 18th February.
Left our mooring at Vicarage Farm at 10.30 to go to Cowroast. The boat is booked in for blacking on Monday 21st. Roy came down to help us with tis trip which meant we could make light work of the locks. We made very good time even though travelling as a single boat and reached the top of the Marsworth flight at 13.30. the weather was overcast and pretty cold. Those on lock duty kept fairly warm, but the steerer got very chilled. We then stopped for a welcome hot lunch which we had prepared on Thursday and which was re heating during the passage up the lock flight. David then walked back to Marsworth car park to get the car and Roy and I cruised along the summit. It was sheltered in the cutting but was extremely raw along the stretch after it and we were pleased to get to Cowroast where we moored up. We saw only two moving boats all day. We left the keys with Darren at Cowroast and returned Roy to his car back at Vicarage Farm. Thanks Roy.

WINDING

Sunday 6th February; A very windy day on the cut, but we needed to cruise down to Slapton to wind as we had been notified that lock 33, Ivinghoe, was to be closed from Monday 7th to Friday 13th. We need to be facing Marsworth as we have an appointment in Cowroast in a couple of weeks. The trip proved uneventful, except that some one had travelled earlier leaving gates open and paddles up. This thoughtless behaviour results in extra work for those coming along behind. Boat turned well just before the bridge at Slapton. Back at our home mooring we saw two beautiful swans fly in. There were also great views of the Chiltern scarp and Invinghoe Beacon.