Yelvertoft Marina

Following our overnight stop at Hemplow Hills, on Monday 26/3, we returned to the Marina, parking the boat for a few days over the Easter break, whilst we visited family. Back at the Marina following the holiday weekend, we are in the process of having a box made to store our anchor, and this is expected to be completed around the 15th April. Our intention is to stay put till then, before finally departing on our 7 month summer cruise. This morning however, we woke to clear blue sky and warm sunshine. It was far too nice not to be cruising. Sadly, the carpenter had phoned making arrangements to attend the boat for a final fitting of our anchor box. It was just after midday when things were concluded, we got underway turning right from the Marina. Once we cleared the outskirts of Yelvertoft village, we stopped for lunch. This was in the vicinity of bridge 22. Having secured the boat, Oscar the furry crew member, decided that a photo was required. He took up his position posing in the well deck, but was most put out, when he was photo bombed by a very noisy Chinook flying overhead.

Photo bombed by a Chinook

After a brief lunch we set off for the winding hole at bridge 28. On arrival we encountered a fisherman, who soon realised his swim was about to be ruined for the day. He took it in good grace though. Once winded, it was back to the Marina arriving a little under four hours after we had initially left. 

• Totals Monday 26/3. 5 Miles
•          Thursday 5/4. 6 Miles
• Running total 24 Miles 2 Locks

More wintery snaps

Well the snow clouds have cleared revealing bright blue sky and glorious sunshine. The temperature however has not risen above freezing today, and the clear skies are the reason it will drop like a stone tonight. Currently -2 and forecast to drop at the rate of one degree per hour reaching -10 by dawn. 

 

 

 

Yelvertoft in the snow

Well it had been forecast for several days now, but it is still a surprise when it arrives. We awoke this morning to about 5 inches of snow carpeting the pontoon, and the four legged crew could hardly contain himself. I on the other hand, was not looking forward to taking him out for his morning walk.

 

 

Looking at the forecast for the next few days, I think we have seen most of the snow, however on Tuesday, it is possibly going to reach minus 10 overnight, and that is blooming cold. Luckily we have plenty of coal for the stove.

Yelvertoft Marina

Yesterday after what was supposedly the coldest night of the year so far, we awoke to frost on the ground, and mist rising from the surface of the canal. After breakfast we gave the starboard side of the boat its winter coat of wax, then got underway heading for Yelvertoft. The sky was clear blue and we had uninterrupted sunshine, but it was cold. We had a very pleasant four hour cruise through the Leicestershire countryside, with a brief lunch stop near bridge 27. On arrival at the Marina we slipped into our berth just as cloud started to cover and the temperature began to drop. We have a few things planned over the next couple of weeks but if the weather is fine in early December then hopefully we will get out on the cut again before Christmas, otherwise it will be in the New Year.

Sunset at Yelvertoft

Just looking back through our previous logs there seems to be an emerging trend in our boating activities.

• Year 2015 - We did 652 Miles 327 Locks and 23 Tunnels 
• Year 2016 - We did 424 Miles 241 Locks and 17 Tunnels 
• Year 2017 - So far  274 Miles   60 Locks and 14 Tunnels 

Welford Junction

Nearly a month has passed since our last post, so here is a bit of a catch up. Monday 9/10, we set off from Norton Junction heading for the staircase locks at Watford. On arrival we were first in the queue, so began our ascent almost immediately. We also had the assistance of not one, but two volunteers. Our transit of Crick tunnel was unopposed, although we did receive our customary drenching at the northern end, due to the leaky roof. We know we are close to our winter mooring spot, when the Yelvertoft Marina wind turbine comes into view.

Being not quite ready to give up cruising just yet, at the entrance to the Marina we carried on. On arrival at bridge 21, we found a favoured spot of ours vacant, so stopped for the day. The next day we set about a few maintenance tasks. The hull of the boat is coated in a two pack epoxy paint, which is significantly better and harder wearing, than the more traditional bitumen. However even with the most expert helmsmanship skills, scratches and scrapes do occur and these need attention to prevent rusting. The product we have chosen to use is Hempel Multicoat, and its application by roller was very straightforward. With the port side of the boat completed, the following day we travelled to bridge 28 and the winding hole. There were plenty of spaces available, so once the boat was secured it was time to tackle the starboard side. We had been fortunate with the weather, but the forecast was changing, so on Thursday 12/10, we headed back to Yelvertoft, and after visiting the services dock we berthed in our usual spot. Friday 13/10 was gloriously sunny, but the wind was very strong. We were so glad we hadn't put off entering the Marina, as manoeuvring in these conditions would be next to impossible. It did not however prevent the next pre winter task, which was to wash the boat, and get a coat of protective wax applied. We now had a few days to kill before heading to Palma Mallorca for a long weekend.

 

 

 

 

All too soon our time in Palma visiting our son was over, and it was back to a dreary and increasingly colder UK. Back on the boat we were still not quite ready to stay put in the Marina, so on Wednesday 25/10, we headed out onto the cut once more. Our destination was back to bridge 21 a whole mile away, where I would stay whilst the crew popped home for a few days.

Mooring by bridge 21

  Me and the furry crew member enjoyed our respite, and also undertook a few more maintenance tasks. We also benefited from the clocks going back, enjoying an uninterrupted extra hour of sleep. The crew returned on Monday 30/10, then on Halloween we headed off for Welford Junction, a location sufficiently rural to avoid trick or treaters. On arrival we found a spot on the long straight section with mooring rings, and after securing the boat we went for a walk along the canal, to have a look at the progress of the still under construction North Kilworth Marina. The latest estimate for opening is Spring 2018. They still have a lot to do to meet that date. Wednesday 1/11, we moved off after breakfast, and at Welford Junction turned left heading towards Foxton. Soon we were entering Husband Bosworth tunnel, aware that CRT were conducting a tunnel inspection. We encountered the working boat in the middle of the tunnel and it bounced us hard into the tunnel wall. I was expecting to see damaged paintwork, when we emerged into the daylight, but fortunately we had escaped unscathed. The remainder of the cruise to Foxton Locks was pleasant, and after filling the water tank, we walked down the flight to the Foxton Locks Inn for lunch.

Taking on water at Foxton Locks

  Thursday 2/11, we took four legs for a walk down the flight of locks, turning around at Debdale Wharf a trip of about four miles. Back at the boat with the weather fine and dry, it was time to wash and wax the starboard side. This was the last of the exterior, winter maintenance tasks completed. Friday 3/11, we travelled back towards Welford. Our transit of Husband Bosworth tunnel was unopposed, and once through, we stopped at North Kilworth Wharf to obtain diesel and coal. We hope this small business survives the new Marina, when it eventually opens. Continuing on to the junction we turned left, and travelled the short arm, to the solitary lock and Welford. After winding at the end of the arm, we popped into the Wharf Inn for lunch. We also booked in for a Sunday roast.  Saturday 4/11, we took the furry crew for his daily walk, and opted to have a look at the nearby reservoir. whilst we don't like wet weather it certainly needs a prolonged period of rain the replenish these levels.

Low water at Welford

  Over the past few days the weather has become distinctly colder and this morning was no exception. Up until now we have in the main relied on our diesel heater to warm up the boat but now the solid fuel stove has been put into use.

At lunchtime we wandered off to the Wharf Inn for our roast dinner. I opted for the pheasant and would thoroughly recommend it. Back at the boat we decided to move back to the junction in readiness for our return to Yelvertoft tomorrow.

Mooring at Welford Junction

   

• Totals Monday.      9/10.         7 Miles 7 Locks 1 Tunnel
•          Wednesday 11/10.        2 Miles
•          Thursday.   12/10.        3 Miles
•          Wednesday 25/10.        1 Mile
•          Tuesday.     31/10.        7 Miles
•          Wednesday.  1/11.        7 Miles 1 Tunnel
•          Friday.         3/11.         8 Miles 1 Lock 1 Tunnel
•          Sunday.       5/11.         1 Mile 1 Lock
• Running total 266 Miles 60 Locks 14 Tunnels 

   

Yelvertoft Marina

Just a short post today. Having spent yesterday with the hatches battened down due to wind and rain, it was nice to see the sun this morning. We had two options today, either moor near the Marina at a favoured spot by bridge 22, allowing the crew to collect the car for a trip home, or get back on our berth and plug into shore power for the weekend. The latter won. The trip was an uneventful but pleasant cruise through the Northamptonshire countryside, until we turned into the Marina. The wind had gradually been picking up, and by the time we turned in, it prevented the bow from turning and we were in danger of being blown broadside against the boats on the end Pontoon. Seeing this impending danger, a quick burst of reverse was required to allow for another run in, this time under much more power than previously. Our second attempt at re-entry was successful. Me and four legs now have a lazy long weekend to look forward to.

• Totals 3 Miles
• Running total 25 Miles 2 Locks

Yelvertoft Marina

On Thursday 19/5 we departed Welford after topping up the water at the end of the arm. As we winded we saw a narrowboat belonging to the Mikron theatre who travel the waterways putting on shows. There is to be a beer festival at the Wharf Inn in mid June and the Mikron are booked to perform.

       

During our time at Welford we explored the reservoirs that feed water into the canal system, and following our exercise we sampled the pub food on offer.

       

       

After passing through the single lock we arrived at the junction turning left for Yelvertoft, then enjoying a two half hour cruise through the countryside. We took up a mooring just after bridge 21 and this would be my spot whilst the two legged crew abandoned ship for the weekend. Myself and the furry crew member spent the weekend doing our chores ( relaxing ) and also doing a spot of fishing.

                                  

On Wednesday 25/5 the ships company back to full strength we made the short hop to Yelvertoft marina and our pre booked berth for the week. We are now safely secured and looking forward to visiting the Crick Boat Show.

Totals 19/5. 9 Miles 1 Lock

Totals  25/5. 1 Mile

Running total 120 Miles 70 Locks 5 Tunnels

Christmas at Yelvertoft

Since our previous post we have only ventured out onto the cut once. This was for a couple of days finding ourselves a quiet spot up by bridge 27. I was able to touch up the scuff marks to our hull sides, then all to soon it was back into the marina. The weather the past month or so, has been for the most part wet and windy, so putting a few extra coals on the fire with your feet up is not a bad way to let winter pass by. We have also done a few excursions, one of which was to visit the Christmas Market in Birmingham. I was impressed, it was as good as the ones I have visited in Germany, and we had a pleasant afternoon and evening, sampling gluhwein and eating bratwursts, with a little shopping in between.

      

      

      

 

      

Not to be out done by the festive lights of Birmingham we have adorned the boat with our own Christmas light show. Although not nearly as much as some of the other boats in the marina. I suspect that given how mild this winter has been so far, he may be the only snowman we will see this year.

      

Anyway that's all for now. So Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

     

Yelvertoft Marina

A brief update. On the 28/10 we set off from Welford Junction, for the three hour cruise to our winter mooring at Yelvertoft Marina. On arrival, we used the services and topped up the diesel, before mooring on the berth we left 8 months earlier. On the 31/10 we, along with a hundred or so other Marina users, dressed up in Halloween costumes for a bit of a do in the marquee. It was a great evening. Since then we have, with the benefit of having a car available, rejoined modern society visiting shopping centres and retail parks. This past week, the weather has turned much colder and the solid fuel stove has now been lit. It will likely stay lit now until March or April, depending what sort of winter we get. Today we had a Sunday roast at the New Inn, Long Buckby, before returning to a toasty warm boat for an afternoon snooze. Tomorrow, subject to the weather we are going to escape the confines of the Marina for a couple of days.

        

On our berth with the chimney smoking well, we have endured a few days and nights of high winds. The satellite dish has been moved from its usual spot on the roof, to the gas locker lid, to provide it some protection. This seems to have worked well, as it has not been blown off, despite some seriously strong gusts. Hopefully I will not have to deploy the very special, satellite dish retaining string this year, as it make the boat look untidy.

Totals 8 Miles

Running total 652 Miles 327 Locks 23 Tunnels

Yelvertoft Marina

Today we departed Norton Junction heading for Yelvertoft. We had a brief window between two weather fronts trying to avoid the rain. We set off at 0715 hrs passing within 30 yards of Watford Gap services on the M1, and arriving at the base of the Watford Staircase Locks just after 8. The crew checked in with the lockie and we were the first in line. We had a brief wait whilst some water was run down the flight to fill the low pounds. Usually this flight has restricted opening hours but for a trial period the locks have been left fully usable 24 hours a day. The problem is people using them are allowing the flight to drain overnight so this trial period may not last long if the problem persists. Once through the locks it was a short hop to the 1528 yard Crick Tunnel. As usual the northern end was dripping wet. We passed Crick Marina, then rounded Crack Hill. Navigating the final bend towards Yelvertoft Marina we had our first glimpse of the new slipway and wind turbine. We nipped into the marina for services and have decided to stay a couple of days as the weather is forecast to be bad. We now have the luxury of plug in electric and an unlimited water supply. We are booked to stay until Thursday when we plan to set off again towards Debdale.

Totals 6 Miles 7 Locks 1 Tunnel

Running total 616 Miles 307 Locks 21 Tunnels