Monday 25 March 2013

Roydon - River Stort

Saturday, 16 March to Monday, 25 March

Another exciting week!!!!  Not!!!!  Getting a bit fed up waiting around to set off on our next adventure.    Although I have to say it is better being on the river rather than in a marina.

Pete managed to get away last weekend and left Susan and Mazey to keep me company.  Susan and Mazey had a happy couple of days and on Monday drove over to see her sister, Lorraine, and had a lovely bath!!!  Then they went to the woodland burial park and laid flowers on their mum's plot for her birthday before lunch in a local pub.  Pete had a great time in Portsmouth with friends, Tim, Karl and Paul.  They wandered around HMS Victory and other vessels.  Pete came back with a bad cold............

Tuesday, Susan went to Ware to attend a one day pastel workshop - ballet dancers in the style of Degas.  She said she had a great time and was very happy with the pictures she produced!!!

Susan's Red Ballet Dancer in Style of Degas

We did not hear from Rob, the guy who was supposed to be repairing the Alde boiler.  So no hot water or radiators.  It was getting a tad cold on the boat - Brrrrrrr.  Eventually, Pete took charge of the situation and ordered a new pump which arrived in super quick time.  It was delivered to Tim's house.  Pete has asked Rob to take back the other pump and get their money back!!!!  I wonder if this will happen.

On Thursday I got to move back to Roydon marina for water, diesel, pump-out and coal.  It was very cold and snow showers started.   Pete fitted the new pump and soldered the broken wires too.........

Snowed in Dreamer

Mazey exploring the snow

Walk to Brick Lock
Friday, Mazey went to the vet.  She has a temperature and is now back on anti-biotics and has had another biopsy of her tumour on her leg.  Another appointment has been made for Wednesday for results and to check her temperature.  Poor little dog.

Sunday was great fun, apparently.  Susan and Pete met friends in Theydon Bois, The Bull, for lunch.  A great time was had by all............

Jeff, Pete, Malcolm and Gerald

Jane, Susan, Una and Ruth
If Rob, the guy on the boat opposite, does not appear as promised so that we can get water from him we will have to move to get water again tomorrow elsewhere.  This time though we will not go into Roydon marina we will probably move to Fields Lock - towards the River Lea.  We will need to come back to this spot though as the vet appointment is early on Wednesday and the will car will be required to drive to the vets.

Wishing you all a very happy week.  Keep warm!!

Total 4 locks and 2 miles


Friday 15 March 2013

Roydon - River Stort

Monday - Friday, 11-15 March, 2013

Here's the thing - it has been an odd week.  After all the excitement of leaving the marina and setting off we have had a slow start.  In fact, I have not moved since Saturday.......

Monday, Mazey - the pretty Border Terrier - had to go to the vets for a check up.  She has to go back in a month for another review.  Phoebe "the little white dog" who has been an extra border for the past 10 days was dropped off back at her owners.  Monday morning the Aldi boiler flue light kept going out.  No hot water or heated radiators.  Rob, the guy in the boat opposite us, came over to check and then set off to order the part.......

Susan, Mazey and Phoebe 'chilling out'

Tuesday, Susan had to go to hospital for a nerve impulse check on her hands.......  The doctors are trying to confirm whether she has something called 'carpel/cubital tunnel'....  She has also developed a bad head cold and has been doing a lot of very loud sneezing and snuffling!!!

Wednesday, Rob did not turn up as the part had not been delivered.  It kept trying to snow....

Thursday the river had iced over during the night.   The morning was stunning with a bright blue sky and warm sunshine.  Susan cleaned me on the inside and did lots of washing.  Rob did turn up and re-fitted the pump as well as helped refill the water.  Susan goes out for food shopping.  A barn owl was scared off by a large black crow.  It must have tried to steal its eggs!!!  Once Rob had left, Susan decided to check out the new pump and put it on.   Within minutes the pump started to make a very loud noise - which frightened Susan - so it was switched off by Pete.  Rob came back over later that night and said that another 'bit' had gone and he would get it the next day!!!!  He re-fitted the old pump back on.  He said he would be back.......

Friday morning Pete switches the pump on and within minutes has to switch it off due to the noise...........  Pete waits in most of the day for Rob to come and sort it out.  No Rob..... Feeling unwell.....  Susan hopes he has not caught her cold....  Pete takes this as an opportunity to varnish my interior wood.  Susan goes and has her hair done in the hairdressers and a pedicure to cheer herself up.

Wonder if he will turn up tomorrow.........

Sunday 10 March 2013

Great Excitement - New Journey

Saturday, 9th March 2013

I am feeling really pleased with myself as we leave Roydon Marina - if it's possible for a boat to feel happy - I do!!!!  It's not been bad really but I much prefer the open waterways - don't like being in a boat park.......  Have been resting now for 12 weeks and can't wait to get going.

We set off on Saturday after a long wait as Susan did the last bits of washing, drying and cleaning!!!  Susan did not want to go until all the washing was dry but Pete was getting edgy as he wanted to GET MOVING - so did I!!!

We set off at 1:00pm to the service dock for pump out and then through the marina lock.  Susan, Mazey and Phoebie (a friend's dog) helped prepare the lock.  I think everyone did really well considering they have not done a lock for 12 weeks!!!  We turned left out of the lock and did one other lock before finding a mooring.  Susan decided not to close one of the upper lock gates as two ducks swam into the lock as we exited from it.  Not far, I know, but at least we have moved out of the marina!!!!

Susan and Pete have also commented that the internet signal is much better here than when they were in the marina.  One downside Susan says is that they have to keep turning lights off to save electricity.....

We have moored opposite Rob who owns a wide-beam boat.  Rob visited us last week and helped put in an expansion tank.  He has a small motor boat and was trying it out today - it sounded very much like Susan's hairdryer but a bit louder.  He has said that we can connect to his water pipe if we need to!!

Sunday, 10th March 2013

Since yesterday it has turned very cold and has been sleeting on and off for most of the day.  It has also been getting a bit breezy....  Another day resting for me.  Pete has been trying to sort out the generator which does not seem to want to charge my batteries and Susan has been sorting out old magazines, cleaning, cooking, etc.  Susan also walked to the local shop for provisions and used her backpack for the heavy stuff.  She said it was about 2 miles in total.

Susan also feeling tired - she says it's because she did two locks yesterday.  She had forgotten how heavy they were!!!  Only two boats pass us today - very quiet.

Total 1 mile and 2 locks