Marathon and the River Stort

21st April to 26th April, 2013

It has been a very busy time since we last blogged.  The most exciting event was when Susan's niece, Emma, ran the London marathon.  Her time was an amazing 3 hrs and 52 mins and she raised an even more spectacular £6,000 for the KIDS charity.  Well done Emma!!!

Emma in the Queen Victoria Arms, Loughton

25th April, 2013

I got to move from Roydon Mill to Hunsdon Meade.  On the way we went under a bridge which was very tight.  Pete had to crouch down.  This bridge cuts off the River Stort navigation if there has been a lot of rain and the water is high.  You can understand why??

Pete 'ducking' down under bridge on the River Stort

On the way we went through Roydon lock which is now open to customers for drinks.

Roydon lock

Mazey and Pete - resting!!!

We moored in a beautiful spot overlooking Hunsdon Meade Nature Reserve.  The only downside is the mooring is a bit difficult - Pete put my bow in near the towpath and my stern was adrift a good few feet.

View from Hunsdon Meade Lock

26th April, 2013

Another chilly, but bright day with scattered showers!!!  Mooring is, once again, difficult along this stretch.  The countryside is stunning and it is very quiet on the way.  All the available moorings have been taken by other boaters!!!  Above Hunsdon Meade lock there are mooring rings and a pretty place to moor.  However, we have just set off so Pete says that we should continue.......

At Parndon Mill lock all the paddles have to be closed on exiting the lock as they leak.

In Harlow Town, Burnt Mill lock is part automated and Pete and Susan needed a British Waterways key to operate the lower gates.  Thankfully, Dave, a volunteer helped us through.  He was very friendly and chatted away to both Susan and Pete.  This is a very busy area by the Harlow train station which is at the back of the main shops.  There are 14-day moorings but again these were being used.  Water was not available due to a boat mooring at the water point.

Dave, Burnt Mill Lock.

After the lock there is a pretty canal pub, the Moorhen, there are moorings here but they are also being used.  Beyond this was a BW sanitary station supplying water and pump-out.  Showers were available too.  We managed to fill-up with water, as I was a bit thirsty........

The Moorhen

Latton lock is in a very quiet part of the river.

At Harlow lock there, again, are limited moorings, 2 boats, but not able to moor here as planned as two boats are here already!!!  Opposite to the lock is a very pretty pub called the Harlow Mill.

Eventually we manage to moor up near Pishiobury Park where we can see the Beckham's family home just as the downpour starts, to the relief of Susan and Pete.  Mooring here my bow was in close to the towpath and the stern was out quite a bit.

Total 4 locks and 4 miles

Roydon Marina to Stanstead Abbots and back to Roydon

17th April, 2013

It's been a while since we last chatted.  Haven't done much really.  Poor Mazey has been under the weather.

Mazey - Snug and cozy!!

She had a grade 1 Mast Cell tumour on her leg which had to be removed.  After the operation, Pete and Susan did not leave her alone for 2 weeks.  They carried her everywhere as she was not allowed to put pressure on her back leg.  It was a worrying time. They decided after the initial check-up, following the operation, to take her to Cumbria for a rest.  It was Easter.  Unfortunately, after one day in Cumbria, Susan put her back out whilst cooking dinner which left Pete looking after everyone!!!!!  He did remarkably well.

Stansted Abbots mooring

I was left in Roydon Marina whilst the family visited Cumbria.  Once back, Susan then had doctors, hospital and physio appointments.  Her back and knee are getting better but not 100% yet.

Monday, 15th April 2013

The final vet appointment was on Monday.  He said that Mazey had the all clear and could now walk off the lead.  Thank God!!  She will be monitored regularly to see if any more growths have appeared......

So it was with great excitement that we left the marina - it was a windy day!!  Pete did a sterling job of backing out of the mooring slot and turning around at the service block without andy incidents.  Susan managed to work the locks, without too many yells of pain, and Mazey was able to jump on and off the boat without hurting her leg.

It was great to be back on the river, wind in my sails............  We found a mooring at Stanstead Abbots. Such a pretty village.  There are two pubs and many food outlets as well as a co-op.  Susan and Pete 'tested' the pubs just to see what they were like and came home with a chinese meal........

View to the bridge in Stanstead Abbots

View from the bridge in Stanstead Abbots

The moorings here are for 48 hours maximum.

Tuesday, 16th April 2013

Susan went shopping at the Co-op.  She said that she was aching everywhere.  She decided that she would walk to Amwell Nature Reserve and back, as it was such a lovely day.  It took her an hour to walk the two miles in total.  She needed to sit down for a bit to admire the view before she headed back......

Dreadful internet signal here.  Not able to play on-line scrabble or post blog.....  The evening was spent playing scrabble.  Susan won her first game EVER against Pete...... 

Wednesday, 17th April 2013

Susan and Pete turned me around this morning and we cruised back to Roydon - just around the corner from the marina.  Susan and Mazey walked from Lower lock to Roydon (under a mile).  Susan has another physio treatment tomorrow and will need to use the car to get to her appointment. 

This Sunday, Susan's niece, Emma, will be running in the London Marathon - her first one.....  The family will be going to cheer her on.  It is likely that we will stay here for a few more days......  Pete seems to be having problems getting the TV to work.  It worked here last time - though it is windy - so perhaps that's the problem...

Mazey is tired and now in her basket, fast asleep....

Total: 4 locks and 8 miles

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

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.........

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

Still resting in Roydon Marina

Welcome to 2013.....

It has been cold here and I am sure you have had some of that white stuff too.  I have only moved a few times since we last spoke to go to the service deck for pump out.  On one of these occasions Pete took me for a short spin around the marina lake.  I had fun!!  Great to feel the wind on my bow.  My family (Pete, Susan and Mazey) have been back and forth whilst visiting family and friends over Christmas and NewYear period.

Since we last chatted the marina has iced over a couple of times - the noise of ice cracking against my hull can be quite disturbing.  The hose pipe froze..... so no tap water either which meant rationing for a few days......  but all is well now.  The floating pontoon was very difficult to walk on for my family when iced up despite the rock salt.  The marina has also been flooded again which has made it difficult getting on and off the boat onto land for Pete, Susan and Mazey.  Wellies had to be put on and Mazey carried.  "All part of the adventure" Susan says.

Update on Mazey - she is still not fully recovered.  Yesterday she had to go to the vet hospital and have a camera put down her throat into her stomach.  She is OK today but was sleepy yesterday due to the treatment.  Poor Mazey.  Waiting on results - all concerned about her.........

Marina news: The body of the missing 38 year old man was found in the marina by the lock on Saturday morning.  He had been missing since December 21st whilst at a work party in Hendersons by the marina.  The police marine unit have been searching for him for all of that time.  Such a sad time for his friends and family.

There is a black swan called 'Sooty' who has made his home in the marina.  Susan likes to feed him if she sees him as he is on his own.  The other Swans do seem to tolerate him at the moment.

Our new adventure will start on 8th March, when we leave the marina.  Up till that time my family have a lot of visiting to do, leaving me alone again, starting with Cumbria.

I will try and get Susan to post more news before we head off in March, when she promises to do it everyday............  Take care friends.......

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Susan, Pete and Mazey will be leaving me tomorrow alone for Christmas.  I am a bit upset but I am surrounded by other boats so not completely alone.  There are some boats here who are already celebrating, with lots of pretty fairy lights.....  I do not have any.  Perhaps I will be decorated next year.  The only decoration I have is inside me - a cloth christmas tree that Susan purchased in Warwick at a craft fair....... and a few christmas cards.....

I wanted to take this opportunity of wishing you all a very happy Christmas and will be back on-line in January.  Take care and have a peaceful one......