Still Here

Ok so it’s been a while since my last post, I arrived here on Monday 23^rd Feb and was only stopping for a look around on Tuesday moving on Wednesday subject to weather, so on Tuesday as planned I walked along the towpath to Iron Bridge Lock (77) and crossed over the canal to investigate Cassiobury Park, I would imagine that in the summer this would be a very popular destination for picnics, a very large open space with a river running through it, a large well laid out children’s play area with paddling pools and a miniature railway, all sadly closed for winter, I may have spent the £1.50 and had a ride on the railway J there were lots of dog walkers and joggers, it took me about two hours to wander around and then rejoin the canal at Cassio Bridge Lock (78) on my way back to the boat.

Having a cup of tea on the rear deck I got chatting to a neighbouring boater who told me there was a closure at Locks 72 and 73, about 3 miles in the direction I wanted to go, until 27^th February, I hadn’t had an email (I am registered for updates) so later I checked the C&RT website and he was correct, so I thought I’d do some more painting, and having walked about a 5 mile round trip to Brewers I got started,

the area I needed to work on was the rusty floor and drainage channel around and under the engine cover,

if you like it’s where I stand mostly when on the move. In between rain showers I eventually got all the rust removed and the paint  on and dry by yesterday, I thought I would give it today to harden and be on my way tomorrow.

Whilst all this was going on I had some new neighbours turn up, a friendly little group who travel around together, a German, an Irishman and an Englishman, no joke coming up I promise.

Today whilst chatting with them I mentioned I would be off tomorrow and they looked surprised asking me where I was going and then informed me that the locks either side of us were closed for gate replacements, again I had not had an email about this, I had plenty of other emails for this canal but not this particular closure, I checked the website and it’s closed until the 13^th March so here I will stay.

This is the German chaps boat, those of you familiar with Kevin ’Bloody’ Wilson may recognise the meaning of the boat name 'DILLIGAF' but I won’t explain it here, (google it) he does get a lot of interest shown in his floral roof garden and it’s nearly all positive.

Passed this house which looks like it could have been owned by someone wanting a log cabin.

So that’s it for now, not much happening until 14^th March