Blacking Weekend: Day 1

After a slightly complicated process involving meeting up, a course, shopping, and a car shuffle, four of us (we have our friends Brian and Mike with us) were at Briar Rose at about 3.30, and ready to set off. We're heading up to Heyford Fields for blacking -- but actually set off in the wrong direction, towards Cosgrove. It's just that we have plenty of time overall, but not much this afternoon. We went down Cosgrove Lock, went along towards the Galleon where we turned around, and came back to moor just past the aqueduct. Brian and Mike had got off at the lock to have a walk, and Adrian joined them for the last bit and went down below the aqueduct to take a photo of Briar Rose going over.

It's been lovely and sunny this afternoon, but with a chilly wind. Tomorrow is also forecast to be nice.

2 miles, 1 lock.

Wine Not Whine on test

The boat test in the April edition of Canal Boat is Wine Not Whine, built by Smithwood Narrowboats. It was at the Crick Show last year unfinished, but has now been completed for the people who bought it.

Mercia again

I went up to Briar Rose yesterday afternoon, as I had a boat test planned today. I knew there was very little solid fuel on board so I bought a very expensive bag of logs at a garage on the A34 on the way. The boat was fine if a little chilly, but I soon got it warmed up.

This morning was nice and sunny, and I drove up to Mercia Marina for the boat test. It was reasonably sunny there too, although by the time we'd finished in the boat it had clouded over and there was some rain.

I could see that friends Jayne and Stephen were aboard their boat in the marina, so I sent them a text and they joined Andy and me for lunch, and also brought their son, SJ, whom I'd heard about but not met before. Our usual lunch spot, the Willow Tree, was heaving so we went to The Boardwalk instead. The food there was excellent, and it was nice to catch up with Jayne and Stephen.

Ortomarine on test

The March edition of Canal Boat is out, and includes my boat test of the first private boat built by Ortomarine, who are based near Droitwich.

Foggy

Frosty, frozen, and foggy this morning at the marina. I did the little bit of winterising that we normally do, then got in the car and drove up to Ventnor Marina for a boat test. It was foggy there too, and not quite as frozen; then about 11 the sun broke through, and we quickly went and got some running shots of the boat. The drive home was trouble-free.

Staying warm

An early alarm this morning, then out the door at just after 5.30 to get the train from Wolverton to work. It was very frosty. The big question of the day was whether the fire would still be in by the time I got back, some fourteen hours later. I'd piled plenty of coal in the stove before I left, and almost closed the lower vent -- and it worked, as it was still going. I didn't feel too bad about putting the Eberspacher on for an hour, as the neighbouring boat was running its engine. Tomorrow's forecast has improved considerably -- unless that also means the canal is frozen, which would be a problem.

Warming up

I came up to the boat this afternoon for logistical reasons: I have to be in the midlands on Saturday for a boat test, and shift times meant it was easier to come up after work today than tomorrow.

When I got here, the boat was pretty chilly. I got the Eberspacher going, lit the fire, and also ran the engine for a bit to help heat up some water. It was about an hour before I felt I could take my coat off, but it's now more than warm enough.