President and Kildare at Stone

Today President and Kildare went to Stone and Local dignitaries jumped aboard to have to usual photo shoot and a talk was given about the boats and to my disgust he described Kildare as a dumb boat not a butty so now a whole load of spectators every time they see a butty will say oh look there’s a dumb boat there
One of the Original owners that put President back into steam Nick Bostock was there to see her
Tonite they are making there way to the Ash Tree and tomorrow Fradley Jct

President at Stone

ViV asked me to put this on but it slipped my mind Doh! RF

Wolverhampton 21 and The Great Weston

Had a great day out on the Wolverhampton 21 helping Pugwash up on his Birthday the primroses were out in full bloom it was a great shame that BW contract grass cutters had strimed loads of them so I picked them up and gave them to Pugwash as a birthday bouquet also not forgetting to mention Jim was also on hand to help the birthday boy.

The Carbon Fibre Windlass was in full swing mine has now been going for over two years and no ware and tear on it at all

Then for the best bit of the day into the much heard about off Roy that owns Gerald as its Thomas’s favourite pub in the area well Roy’s Real Ale pubs are the best guide anyone would need so it was Ham Egg and Chips all round washed down with some Top Brewed Belly Wesh.

Grimsby’s Bilged Out

Today was fun Grimsby was in need of a bit of bilged out so the task was started and 2 hours later still at it arms aching I think about 100 gallons plus must of come out of her It had been a while since she had been done but having her sheet ed up most of the time helps Then sweeping out the hold she is gleeming again

Moving Down The Staffs and Worcs Further

We Moved away from Penkridge on a loverly Sunny Day The Landlord from the Cross Keys Paul who has had a lot to do with the narrowboat industry over the years volunteered to come with us as he put it ” I’ve never been on a butty before. “
So I attended the coffee morning they were having as I was in need of a slice of Mare’s cake (very nice Victoria Sponge with homemade damson jam in it )
Paul dressed in a Pale Beige Bomber Jacket did make me laugh as I had visions of it being a different shade of muddy grease when he would arrive home. Waved off by the locals as if on a big adventure into the sun we went all went well and a great time and plenty of laughs was had.

We have just had some new stock in Handmade by Dawn Of Darley assorted colours very nice

We Have Plenty of Bagged Kindlin Now Ready to Go

Mixed Bags of Split Logs Available

Still Lots of Books in Stock.

More Supertherm Needed

We have now sold all our Supertherm so now there is a order in for some more It should be delivered for the end of the Week

Which will even Grimsby back up again after having a couple ton of Beech logs delivered last week

Penkridge Around Yuletide

We have had a few weeks at Penkridge
The Locals in The Cross Keys make us so welcome a good place for good old home cooked Food we can recommend it
Grimsby has be very much unloaded over the last few weeks she has now got a dirty load line. Her back cabin has had a fair amount of painting done Roses Daisies and a Castle also a whole load of brass ware put up
Monarch has at the moment got her generator off being repaired as it was playing uup big time for a while but the ballast has been well knocked about and she is well over to the left

Stone to Weston Lock

We have been on the move for the last few weeks around the Stone area it has made such a pleasant change to be in a bit of a different area the dogs have really enjoyed them selves running around the river and the grounds next to the canal
I have enjoyed the mooching. around the charity shops we went to the Poppy day service up at the top of the town outside Witherspoons which was a first in adulthood. I rather enjoyed my stay around here and will definitely be making a return visit
The on to Burston for a couple of days another great place for just a leisurely wander round the dogs thought it was fanatastic River to swim in as well as the canal. The Greyhound well where do I start food was. Excellent had a Sunday plate in there the Staff were very friendly and the field next to the pub had the most friendliest Pigs, Cattle and Donkeys also had a look in the Little Church opposite the Millpond well worth a visit. Grimsby got a good wash down whilst we were moored here got all the leaves of her and scrubbed her ropework. And then washed the sheets down

Then on to Sandon area that was very interesting the Patterdale went walk about for 5 hours we thought she had been down a hole but came back far to clean so that ruled that one out she was well and truly knackered We walked up to the local shop which sells most things but no alcohol which I thought be worth mentioning but does sell Bacon Butties

On to Weston village where we had a very pleasant week decided at last after having the black elastic and the hooks for the side sheets we finally did the job it was a really sunny day so that made it get done quicker
On moving from Weston which must of been the most windy day of November I fell flat on my back ( Och it really was painful and still is ) pulling Grimsby into the side after being well hindered by a X Ownership boat which had novices on it well enough of that fiasco and onto Haywood

Carbon Fibre Windlass Update

If you are worried about dropping your new pride and joy in the Cut, here is a simple solution. Fit a sleeve of insulating foam (for 16mm pipe) to the shank and secure it in place with waterproof  Duck tape.

O.K it may not be the last word in elegance, but it serves two purposes

• Helps prevent damage to the shaft of the windlass.
• Ensures the windlass now floats!

Danny Pulling Verbena

Danny in Action taking Verbena back down towards Star Lock lisa else