Winter cruisiing

Http://johnhelen-theemporer.blog.com

Christmas is coming!!!

We're picking up our daughter today, she has been with my Mother since finishing Uni for the hols, but I know she just wants to come home. I also know that she is worried about what home is these days. I'm afraid life on the boat won't be as easy or as 'flick of a switch' as living with Grandma, but hopefully she will settle into it. I have put some Christmas dec's up and acquired a very small artificial tree, just so it looks a little more seasonal. The thing is, that until we get to Ely we will still be relying on our power from the generator, so all day telly will be a dim and distance memory.
I am hoping that she will be with us for the last bit of the trip until we get home to Ely. John's not too sure about having her on board while we go through Denver. Its nice that he's so worried about her safety, never mind the galley slave - I'll be alright, seen it, done it and got the video and T-shirt!!!!
We are starting to prepare for Monday, checking diesel, oil, water etc. I'm going to get some extra provisions in today, as when we get to Ely everywhere will be shut for Christmas.
We phoned ahead to the marina and we are going to have to pick a key up today, they're closing for the hols as well. Looks like its going to be a very quite time and to be honest that's what we want after what we have had to go through.
All I want for Christmas is a safe mooring with electric and water. Its funny that our needs and wants are so much more simple than when we lived in a house. Then I would perhaps of wanted some fancy electrical gadget for the kitchen or maybe toiletries to fill up the shelves in the bathroom unnecessarily, things I would never use, they would just sit there filling space and gathering dust. Now it's a case of - I just don't need it anymore, I manage with what I've got. You can only wear one set of clothes at a time and when you have only got very limited storage you just can't have everything. Before we moved onto the boat, we got rid of so much stuff. Years and years of rubbish which we had just collected and stored. We were paying a mortgage just so we could store our crap. Now I know that every item on the boat is there because it needs to be and if we don't use it then it has to go. My Mum must be so proud of me, she has wanted me to have a good clear out for years.
I have a good feeling about the last part of our journey, it has been a long and hard one. At times I wasn't sure if I could physically or even mentally cope, but I have and I think it has made me a better person. I have seen how it has effected my husband and I am so proud of him for holding it all together. There were times he could have just cracked and walked away from it, but he didn't. As for our relationship as husband and wife, we are stronger now than we have ever been. We work well as a team and although there have been times that have caused us to be a little prickly towards each other, I know John is my rock and would never let any harm come to me. I trust him with my life and my home.
I think I will finish my blog at this point or at least until after Christmas and say - Yes I am happy!. Happier than I have been for a long time. Thank you John for my wonderful new home and my wonderful new life.

The Further Adventures & other stories - 17/12/07

My god this boat business is something else!!. We managed to move from Warmington on Friday 14thDec. The Environment agency chaps were a great help and were there ready at the locks ready to go at 8.00 am. They stayed with us for 3 locks to ensure that we were safe and they're help was very much appreciated. During our trip on Friday we stopped at Peterborough Boat Club and topped up with diesel (yet another helpful boater). I had phoned a good friend to say that we were going through Orton Locks and she came down on her bike with her baby daughter to see us through the locks. She was a much needed breath of fresh air and it was like I was staying in touch with reality (all be it briefly). Seeing Tiz really cheered me up and it gave me a real boost. Friday night we stayed on Peterborough embankment and met up with one of Johns friends and had a couple of drinks and ate later on the boat.

Saturday morning was calm and the water was still, we wanted to make an early start. Mother just caught us as we were just leaving and bought me some clean washing and a warm smile. We were ready for another day on the river. We got to Stanground locks 10 mins early and she saw us into the lock. We had a horrible experience trying to get out of the lock, as the bottom of the boat got caught towards the side of the lock, we tried to stay in the middle but it was quite difficult. The lock keeper had to let some water through in order to lift it enough to move. Once through, it was a steady slogg. There were some patches of thin ice on the way but it started to get worse at Floods Ferry, we were even breaking ice for some plastic boats that had got stuck and needed to return to Peterborough.

From Floods Ferry to March really wasn't that inspiring, just cold cold cold. We stayed in March town on Saturday night and had a take-away for supper. It was quite noisy that night, especially at kicking out time and we were woken up a few times by some drunken idiots on the bridge but other than that, it wasn't too bad.

Sunday was going to be the big day, we really needed to push it to get through Salters Lode and Denver, we wanted to be the other side in order to get to Ely (home) on Monday. It was a miserable day, there was thick ice all the way (1" thick). We didn't think that we would get through Marmont Priory, she had told us that she was iced up. When we got there the locks were free of ice, but painfully slow to get through, it must have taken us nearly 45 mins to clear them. It was more and more ice all the way. Just after Upwell and Outwell we had to have an emergency stop. Rope had caught round the prop and John had to get his arms in the weed hatch up to the elbows in the icy water. I had to have a bowl of hot water ready so he could thaw out between trying to cut the rope. I have never seen my husband in pain before and I didn't like it, watching him constantly put his arms in the icy water and then dip them in warm water to get the feeling back and then back in the icy water.
Throughout this trip, I have felt an intense pride for my husband. He has gone up against things that he has never come across before and not let anything phase him. I don't think anyone I have ever known could live up to him.
We eventually got to Salters Lode about 2.30pm on Sunday. As we reached Nordelph we were joined by a walker and thought it was odd that he was walking in pace with the boat, not difficult though as we were struggling to do 2/3 mph due to the ice. When we reached Salters, we realised that he was a fellow boater, stuck in the ice for three days and very grateful that we had broke it up for him, allowing him passage back to March. After a few words of advice from him to us and visa versa, he made his way and we checked in with the lock keeper. The keeper was quietly confident that we would get through, although he did say that we had missed a better tide the day before. He saw us through the lock and consequently we immediately became stuck on a silt bank. After some forwards and back action we got free and had to really open up to get the boat forwards, then push it nose first into the bank, to allow the tide to turn us around. Scared! is an understatement for what we felt, I had thoughts of being stuck on a tidal river over night and ending up out at sea. After some heart jumping moments and a wave to the keeper, we made our way up to Denver where there was somebody there to see us through. Unfortunately there was that much silt in the channel, we couldn't get any clearance to see us through, we tried and tried to no avail, we had no other choice but to go back to Salters. We knew that in returning we would not have another chance to move until Christmas Eve!.
We felt so disheartened and miserable as we returned and I knew that John my husband was at his lowest, he so wanted us to get to Ely, he had tried so hard to get us there.
Getting back into Salters was worse than getting out, due to the tide going out. There was less water and we had to creep back in as we were just getting stuck all the time trying to get back into the lock.
When we got back to the landing stage, we moored securely and thought about our lot. There was absolutely nothing we could do but just to wait it out, this was going to be our home for awhile. Luckily there was a very local taxi, virtually next door, so he ran us into Downham Market for a much earned drink and something to eat.
At this stage John is really feeling the pressure and I can't blame him after standing at the tiller for three very cold days and we are stuck yet again.
So, its a case of thinking about what we have got, instead of what we haven't got. We have got food, water and heat. A warm dry bed and a generator when needed. We can arrange for the car to get picked up from Warmington and we only have a week left of work. We might be stuck in the middle of no-where again but when all said and done - Home Is Where The Boat Is!!!!!

Becoming a home - 11/11

On Monday evening, even though we had to walk across two fields, manage the logistics of two dogs, food and water over and through two sets of gates, taking into account the ankle-depth mud - we did make it HOME!!! at the end of the day.
The boat was comparatively warm and cosy and I soon got into the swing of getting the tea on, even though I had to peel potatoes and wash up in about 1" of water. John got the generator on and we were soon watching a bit of telly while the dinner was cooking. Due to the pressures of the day, John forced himself to indulge in a beer and I had the obligatory glass of red wine. I actually felt really really comfy, warm and well fed. Home comforts make all the difference.
Today, the water flow still seemed fast, but it was clear skys and and an icy start to the day. We got the dogs ready, empty petrol can for the genny and made our way to the van over the cold, wet fields in the semi-light of the early morning. It was quiet at the office and I got into rearranging the filing, John went back to the boat as soon as he was able and tried to sort out the lack of water problem. While he was there the Environment Agency turned up as they were aware that we were stuck and they were a great help. They helped John with the carrying and emptying of 20 litre water containers, its nice to know that they are concerned with our welfare (even remembered that we were there). They told John that although the water levels are going down, it will be a few more days yet. That leaves it a bit of a close call to get through the rest of the locks before they are all closed for the winter. We are reliant on so many influences in order to get to our permanent mooring, so maybe for the time being, home is where the boat is!

Stuck at Warmington!!!! - 10/12/07

Well would you believe it! Being at Fotheringhay was taking its toll, walking across two fields and two stiles 2 or 3 times a day was just getting too much. On Friday morning (7/11) we looked outside and it was as calm as a mill pond, so using our vast experience (not) we decided that we would make a move. Getting under the Fotheringhay bridge was an experience never to be forgotten. Due to the current we swept up to the bridge at nearly a right angle, we nudged the left hand side and John managed to scrape us through very very slowly. He knew that the clearance would be tight and we very nearly lost the headlight, but John got it through and yet again our hearts jumped into our throats. We managed just over a mile before we got to Warmington locks and they were open!!!! Mainly due to our naivety we went straight in, forgetting that fenland locks are reversed in the winter due to the heavy flow. We soon realised that the gates were padlocked and we were stuck in the lock. The water flow was fast and scary and until we tied securely we were in reverse. After reading the signs at the lock, we knew that we were in trouble (again!). We phoned the appropriate agency and explained the situation, although they were very helpful - there really wasn't anything we could do, we were definitely up the creek without a paddle. The people on the other end of the phoned agreed that we could moor up lock side as it was probably more secure that anyway else. It was a fact, that if we couldn't get through, no-one else was even going to try. John and I managed to reverse out of the lock, very very slowly and secured up. So now we were really stuck, John got the generator working the electric fine, but the heating was an on going problem and by now we had run out of water. We managed a very cold and miserable Friday night, I went to bed in tears and then John decided that Mum and Uncle John would come and pick me up Saturday. At least we are close to Peterborough which is where Mum lives.
I was definitely beginning to feel the pressure, by the time Mum came I could not stop crying, I was cold and miserable and my dream bubble had burst some days ago. John has been a rock, taking everything in his stride and calmly trying to eliminate each problem as it arises. We got to Mums and had lovely hot baths, hot drinks and a warm bed. The dogs have been amazing, so well behaved, I couldn't ask for anything else of them, as long as they are with us they are happy. We went out for another meal on Saturday night, this is all very well and good, but all I wanted to do was cook for my husband in my own kitchen and keep house (boat) like every other wife does.
Sunday morning brought with it new enthusiasm. John went of to the boat very early, determined to have all systems up and running. I cooked a meal for Mum and myself and although I enjoyed cooking, I wished it was in my own kitchen with my own things.
John phoned late morning to say that the heating and the cooker was working, with a few tweaks here and there he had managed to sort it out. John went for a well earned pint with some mates that he hadn't caught up with for a couple a weeks and I met up with him in the afternoon so that we could get back to the boat before dark. Mum had said that we were welcome to stay another night or even as long as we wanted, but this was something we had started and we were going to see it through, no matter what. After all home is were the boat is!
So at 4.30 on Sunday afternoon, we got back on board with the dogs and our clean washing courtesy of Mum. The generator was powered up and we watched the telly and at the same time I cooked scrambled egg and bacon sandwiches for John and also managed to produced a bacon and potato soup. I even managed to wash up in about 3 mugs of hot water. Domestic life aahh!!!
Monday we have to work, but I intend to get back to the boat and make sure that I look after my husband a little better, I might even try and make him some more cakes!

Blooming rotten weather!!!!! 1/11 to 3/11/07

Things are just fitting into place, we have started to feel really comfortable on the boat and (when everything works) everything is just fine and dandy. We were still stuck at Northampton Boat Club for the weekend due to the wind. We had been given the go ahead to move on Friday but the weather let us down. No real problems as the club continued to be accommodating, so we decided to move on Monday. We had taken mother home to give her a break from us and the dogs, its also gave us a chance to spend some quality time. Overall a nice weekend, I even made some fairy cakes in my range on Sunday, just to prove to myself and John that it is just the job.
Monday and its all systems go, we started early - posted a thank you through the door for the Boat Club including a donation for the electric used. We had done the checks and filled with diesel so we were confident that it was going to be a good day. John and I worked well together and soon found our places with regard to lock duty. I realised that getting back on the boat whilst still in the lock was a definite no! mainly due to the old arther in the hip. So we got it so that I would stay on the boat and keep it steady in the lock and John would finish opening the gates before jumping back on board. We did from Weston Favell right through to Lower Ringstead 19 miles and 15 locks. It was near pitch black when we moored up at Ringstead but we had had a good day, we were extremely tied but felt as if we had achieved something.
Tuesday another early start and again we worked extremely well, the day was fantastic and although a little gusty at times, we managed good time again. We did Woodford to Fotheringhay 15 miles and 12 locks. We had been given some very worthwhile information from some chaps at the NBC about low bridges, but I still I have never seen John jump on the roof so fast in order to save the stack, evening the satellite dish was down and still nearly scraped a couple of bridges. We had a closed call in one lock, we had noticed that there was a lot of junk floating around but hadn't realised something had got caught under the boat and as the water was going doing we were stuck on it and we were at a very scary angle for a few seconds, it gave way and we regained level, but I never thought I would feel so scared. We were held up for a time at Perio Lock as some workmen had just been called out for emergency repairs to the gates. It was starting to lose light and we really needed to get moving but after making them a coffee, they did the gates for us and we were on our way again. It was a lovely evening (red sky at night) as we got to Fotheringhay, just a we were mooring up we saw a fisherman catching the biggest carp I have ever seen, we saw him land it and I was sure it was at least a 10lb.
My uncle and Mother met up with us at The Falcon, where we had a much deserved meal. Mother was to stay with us now for a bit longer, or at least until past Peterborough. Mum is a great help, although nearly 70 with two new hip joints, she can put us to shame with regard to fitness.
Bad news - we can not get the rotten, worthless heating going. The electrics are rubbish and John is really struggling to get it going. So no heating!!!!!
Wednesday - is there someone up there who doesn't like us very much, we can't move because the weather is so poor, high winds and pelting rain, so we are having to spend the day moored next to a sheep field, which is fine in high summer, but in the middle of a rotten wet winter - no fun at all. John bought a little generator so we can have some power while we are at a standstill. Let me think shall we have the heater on or a cup of tea, because you certainly can't have both. Got the say, I feel pretty miserable at the moment, we don't really understand the systems on the boat very well just yet and we need to get moving so we can get somewhere we can call home for the winter.
Thursday - had to go to work! They're going to think we work for someone else at this rate. The weathers really bad so we wouldn't have gone anywhere anyway. Feel really bad that we have had to leave Mum with the dogs and nothing but the genny for power, but she insists that she will be fine and I really know that. Just feels like abuse of the elderly. Hopefully tomorrow will be a more productive day.