Thursday 31 December 2015

Our 2015

This should have been a ‘Smilebox’ video but I’ve had problems loading it onto blogger, so second best here!

Imagine … the background is fireworks
 and the music is ...
 Rock around the Clock … so sing along with me!















HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Wednesday 30 December 2015

’tis a bit windy!

Our thoughts are with all those in the north and west of the UK experiencing the wrath that the recent rain and wind has brought these last couple of weeks.  I can’t think of anything worse than having your home flooded time and again.  We especially think of boaters in those areas and hope that they stay safe, warm and dry.

We are thankful that here in the south-east we have been spared such excessive weather.
 This morning’s sunrise after a night of rock ’n’ rollin' in the wind and even as I write this we’re ... Still Rockin’! (sorry!)
This made me smile this morning - a moorhen on the bird table opposite our mooring
 … and the mallards below waiting for the scraps!

Tuesday 29 December 2015

A different view

The view through the window this morning
 … and the view through the same window a couple of hours later.
 We’ve dropped down just two locks 
 … giving us much pleasanter surroundings.
We will sit out tomorrow’s heavy rain and 40mph gusts here.

Monday 28 December 2015

Shepherds warning and a change of plan

Our start this morning was not as early as we’d have liked but the extra half-hour in bed was welcome!
07:45 a real shepherds warning sky although I always thought that the expression meant snow on the way but not today, it’s been a grand day! 
 20 to 9 and we’re ready to reverse up Cowroast Lock and use the services, I walked ahead to set the lock
 Problem!
There’s a large round of wood stopping the gate from opening fully
George has managed to clear it and pushes the gate back to the wall.  You may just be able to see the wood in the bottom lefthand corner of the photo (click to enlarge if you want to).

 Forsythia an early spring flowering shrub!

Our plans have changed … originally we were going to continue to cruise northwards from Cowroast waiting out the stoppages south of us until end February’ish then turn and head south again. We’ve now decided to go south beating the stoppages as we go; we need to be through Kings Langley by 11th January, Stockers Lock by 8th February and the roving bridge at Cowley Junction by 15th February.  We shall turn left at Bulls Bridge onto the Paddington Arm and hopefully spend a few weeks in the London area before retuning to the Grand Union Canal and Uxbridge for blacking Still Rockin’s bottom in April … well, that’s the plan so far; it could of course change again!
… so, going south …  Dudswell top lock
 The breeze this morning is a bit on the chilly side for Molly!
 Approaching the outskirts of Berkhamsted
 The wind has had its wicked way with this umbrella!
Cruising with the sun in our eyes!  Can’t be bad for late December!
Gas Lock 1 where I met 1927 Fellows, Morton and Clayton boat Jaguar paired with what I think is hotel boat The Floating Boater.  You may just be able to see Still Rockin’ in the distance coming towards me, it’ll be a bit tight passing each other.
I do like this bridge below Berkhamsted Lock after pulling in to top up the water tank after running a couple of wash loads on the way down.
Lots of moored boats through Berko but we found the only space, just 62.5’ long, right outside the Crystal Palace pub, not the best mooring in town, nor indeed the the best pub...
… by bridge 141with Francis Egerton’s (3rd Duke of Bridgwater) commemorative plaque.

We hope we have a quiet night! Or at least a night without incident!

Friday 25 December 2015

Christmas day on Still Rockin'

Not too early and Santa has been.  Lots of lovely presents from lovely family





Molly loves to tear up paper ...












… especially when it’s wrapped around a present for her!








New toys!











Well, that’s one taken care of!





Play?

This morning once the sun was over the yardarm somewhere, I tried a very small (sherry sized) sloe gin that we made in October, it was very tasty but very potent; just the thing to start the day!

We’ve had a really relaxed day, good food, good wine, good company and the day’s not over yet!

Hope all you blog writers and readers have also had a lovely day.

Wednesday 23 December 2015

Ready and waiting

Last trip into Tring today
Church of St Peter and St Paul behind Market Square in the sunshine this afternoon (note the ‘snow’ and reindeer on top of the post box and colourful scarves around the posts).

I collected our Christmas roast and vegetables and of course a few treats and we’re now eagerly awaiting a few lovely relaxed days onboard Still Rockin’.

Monday 21 December 2015

Bring it on!

Early rise this morning, we’re on the move!
Not far though, just up Cowroast Lock to the services as the sun rises
 On the way down again and the heron is wondering where the water went!
Moored up once again looking back at the lock.
The water tank is full, the loos are empty and and Still Rockin’ is warm and cosy. We’re ready for anything the weather may throw at us over the next week.  In fact … bring it on!

Saturday 19 December 2015

To all of you ...


To all our readers



from George, Carol and Molly

Still Rockin!