19 Sep
Sunset at Iver
Set off from Iver at 7am. Stopped for breakfast just before junction with main GU .
Biggest problem is Tramp, he doesn't seem to like the boat when it's moving and jumps off at the first opportunity then won't get back on and runs away if I call him. Only thing that seems to stop him is to put his lead on, he hates it round his legs.
Knackered so moored up just before the loch on what seemed a peaceful spot. Just got settled when a boat behind starts up a huge great generator. Hop it doesn't run all night. To knackered to move.
Had a hot shower and went to bed
Found out that I can just squeeze in and out of a lock with only using one gate makes things a little easier
Sep23
Not a bad day steady old plod. Stopped at Sainsbury's Hemel Hempstead, canal side, got some wine, shampoo, conditioner and washing powder.will have a day soon and use it.
Sep 25
Now at Bulbourne at the northern end of the Tring summit level. 7 locks down into Marsworth tomorrow. Not a bad day. Finding the locking easier now I've e developed a technic. Tramp is still being a big woos, wonder if he'll ever settle .
Sep 26
13 locks today, am knackered stoping the night at Ivinghoe, very quiet and peacefully.
Sep 27
Beautiful sunrise this morning
Chugged along nicely and arrived at Tesco Leighton Buzzard at 2pm.
Got some essentials then went to Homebase and got some heavy work gloves and some short wellies so no more wet feet in the morning.
Sep 28
Took a nice pic of the sunset last night.
Had a fun day with a bunch of hire boaters, hire Co showed them what to do at first lock then left them to it. One of them had tied up overnight on the lock mooring and when it was pointed out to them the guy said *we were here first*.
Had a good run today and got to Great Linford ( bridge 78).
Tramp fell in twice today, surprised it hasn't happened before. Jumped from the bow as I was tying up to do a locking. Fished him out and he ran off, managed to get him on the lead and back on boat where he ran strait through the boat still with lead attached and did the same thing trying to jump of the Sturn. Spent the rest or the day confined to his bed down below.
Then this evening after tying up for the night I let him off to go for a walk and he somehow stuck his face in a burdock and got covered in burrs which I then had to pull off his face. Not a happy doggy.
October 1st
Not a bad day today, had a fair run through the 7 locks at Stoke Bruerne, most with another boat and with the locks in our favour.
Stopped at the Waterways museum but there was some sort of coach party's so had lunch and proceeded to the Blisworth tunnel.
Got my bid powerful spotlight ready as the light at front of boat didn't seen to bright. It only lasted a few moments and had to do most of the tunnel almost blind.
Two things I will do differently next time make sure I've got a better torch and also turn the cabin lights on as it would help to see how close I was to the wall.
Seventeen miles to Braunston but want to stop at stow hill marina where Penarrow was built.
Looking at the map it all looks a bit confusing as to which way to turn at Braunston but I'm sure it will all be apparent.
Oct 2
Stopped at Stow Hill Marine where Penarrow was built only to find that although it still exists in name they no longer build boats there only doing repairs. The services are now run by Rugby boats Ltd. The guy there could only tell me that the builder has sold up and retired and that the people who took it over ran it down. Topped up with diesel as it was over 10p a litre cheaper than Iver and all heating fuel.
Now stopped at southern end of Norton Junction ready for the locks and Braunston tunnel tomorrow.
Oct 5
Sunset at Napton
Stopped at the shop at the bottom Lock of the Napton flight got some food and two mooring chains to make it Easter and save banging in mooring pins when on the Armco.
Stopped for the night at Napton top lock will probably stay Sunday then go on to Claydon locks Monday.
Sunset at Napton top lock
Oct 9
Still at Fenny Compton.
Changed fan belt as there was a squeaking . Didn't make any difference then found that alternator for the domestic batteries was very hot spoke to a guy who came and had a look we checked what amperage it was putting out 49 amps. The guy said just run the engine at tick over until the amperage dropped , after half an hour it was ok.
Sunset
Oct 11
Ran the engine at tick over for 15 minutes before leaving Fenny Compton, no problem. 12 locks later and am moored up just past Cropredy a good days run. Have arranged a winter mooring at Abingdon via Email expensive but need to be near Greens boats for the slipway and getting the bottom blacked.
Saw my first Kingfisher today, had other possible sightings but this was the first definite one,
Oct 13
Waited for the rain to stop then headed off wanted to get beyond Aynho weir lock, this is where the river Cherwell crosses the Oxford canal and can flood and be very dangerous. The canal can be closed between Neil Bridge Lock and the Aynho Lock and as I have to be in Abingdon by the end of the month I didn't want to take any chances. As it was sailed straight through and moored up at Aynho wharf for the night and possibly tomorrow if its raining.
Oct 16
What a horrid day started to rain just after I left the mooring wanted to get beyond the Cherwell river stretch, much easier than the previous stretch, was glad to get to Thrupp and went on the first mooring I found, glad I did as most seem to be private. Boat got stuck going astern, linkage jammed, and banged into the boat behind, thank god for big stern fenders.
Oct 17
Walking the dog this morning when a young lady came up to me and asked if I was Les, said I was. She said she was a friend of @maffi and to call her Bones. My first actual contact from twitter that I've met apart from @lugermatt who I met at Heybridge and winchelsea.
Managed to move the boat to a better mooring where if I sit in the forward well I can get the Internet.
Oct 18
Got a Tweet and DM From Sam and Jon @green_boats. Saying to put the kettle on as they were going to pay a visit.
It was great to meet them ( 2 lots of twitter friend in 2 days) these are the couple who will be doing the blacking of Penarrow in March next year.
They turned up not only with treats for tramp but a loverly bottle of organic claret for me also with the offer to help me take the boat down onto the Thames to where they are moored, which will leave me only a short trip to Abingdon.
They are hoping to bring @galoot and @ nb_coqui 2 other twitter friends and followers .
Exciting times.
Oct 20
What a day, it started with having to back Penarrow up to the pump-out station and struggle to get on the mooring because of the wind.
Then Jon @workboatpug turned up to help move the boat down to the Thames at Oxford and not long after the rain started and it didn't stop until we arrived at Sam's mooring.
The canal was as always only with Jon doing the locking. The River was a new experience all the locks being maned or automatic. Had to pay for a Thames licence £57 (just for a week)
Arrived at where Sam is moored and meet Penny @galoot
Oct 22
Got boat ready for tomorrow and the last few miles to Abingdon.
Visited @galoot on her boat with Sam and Jon, promised when I came back to boat over the winter I'd get in touch so as to meet Jef, he being away.
Oct 23
Set off at 11.30am for Abingdon. Three locks with a long stretch between Sandford and Abingdon locks, felt really remote with very few places to Moore. Pluss the wind was strong in places so kept the revs up on the engine to make sure I had steerage which meant I arrived at Abingdon marina at 2pm much earlier than expected. Thankfully the lovely Velonia ( Susan) @nbthegreenman and her husband were there to greet me and help secure a mooring. Will have to move onto the designated one tomorrow when the wind dies. Must say the lock keepers were brilliant and a great help.
Oct 26
Took Tramp for his walk yesterday just before dark, flushed a pheasant out and chased it across the field thought it was great fun so then tried it with some geese who promptly turned on him. Came racing back with his tail between his legs and a surprised look on his face.
Oct 27
Everything packed away or ready to take home. Extra mooring lines and chain on in anticipation of pending storm. All switched off and shut down.
Jo came and collected me and tramp and we were home buy just after 1pm
All in all a great trip although rushed at times because of getting to Abingdon before the lock closures on the Thames at the beginning of November. I learned a lot which will make future trips easier. I met and enjoyed the company of some really wonderful people and hopefully have made lots of new friends. Met some of my twitter friends which was fun to do and will hopefully meet many more in the future.
Things I must do for next year are to get solar panels fitted,a cabin top booster arial for the iPad ( 3G). And make somewhere so that I can have the camera handy .
At the moment I'm making fenders from all the replaced mooring lines and making plans for next year when hopefully I'll be cruising for at least 7 months
