These are the voyages of Ken, Annie and dog Peggy. As we cruise we will try and keep the blog up-to-date - internet access permitting of course. Ceilidh is a 54ft cruiser style narrowboat. It was built by J Pinder Ltd for Black Prince hire boats in 1995.
Sunday 22 August 2010
Sunday 22nd August
A nice lazy breakfast meant a late start - but we have no strict schedule. Easy day. Moored for the night just north of Days lock.
Saturday 21st August
Turned the boat around north of Godstow bridge in order to start the journey home. We arrived at Osney Lock in Oxford to find boats all over the place. I had to avoid a reversing trip-boat who was escaping the melee - he informed us the lock was broken and would be out of commission for several hours. A phone call from Claire at this point told me that she and her brother were on their way to join us.
We waited for them at the East Street wharf and then had to try and direct the two of them to us when neither we nor they had a map! Anyway I spotted Claires car driving by while I was on the phone to them and they managed to get parked in a side street. We had a lovely couple of hours chatting, then took them through the now functioning Osney Lock, to drop them on the other side and make their way back to the car and home. We went a little further before mooring up for the night.
We waited for them at the East Street wharf and then had to try and direct the two of them to us when neither we nor they had a map! Anyway I spotted Claires car driving by while I was on the phone to them and they managed to get parked in a side street. We had a lovely couple of hours chatting, then took them through the now functioning Osney Lock, to drop them on the other side and make their way back to the car and home. We went a little further before mooring up for the night.
Friday 20th August
George a nd Isabel arrived at the appointed hour and we set off at 10.45am to do the Oxford 'mini-ring'. This involves a bit of the Thames, turning right down the 'Dukes Cut' to join the Oxford Canal, then south till it joins the Thames in Oxford. A seriously overgrown channel called the Sheepwash Channel connects through to the Thames, then its back up the Thames to where we started.
George helmed for a fair bit - just showing that if you can drive a Dart 16, then you can drive anything! Isabel had a drive too. We had a thoroughly entertaining day, arriving back at Godstow at 5:30. Sadly the mooring we left this morning was taken, and had to moor up in a much moor exposed position - needing all 4 lines out as it was so windy.
George helmed for a fair bit - just showing that if you can drive a Dart 16, then you can drive anything! Isabel had a drive too. We had a thoroughly entertaining day, arriving back at Godstow at 5:30. Sadly the mooring we left this morning was taken, and had to moor up in a much moor exposed position - needing all 4 lines out as it was so windy.
Thursday 19th August
Not having heard from boatyard and notwithstanding a poorly engine we decided to head on towards Oxford and meet up with George and Isabel. Set off at 10am in a cloud of smoke which after 20 minutes reduced to a dull and manageable haze (just so long as you didnt breath it in). Stopped just after Godstow Lock opposite Godstow Nunnery at 1pm. This is a serious ruin founded by the Saxon Queen Evida. In the 14th century the Oxford Dons were prohibited from attending as they were causing too much grief.
Walked lady round the Nunnery site - Tudor architecture very obvious but a quick poke around in a (stone) lined water channel found loads of stone roof tile, several oyster shells (the Nuns dined well) and some iron slag (the Nuns also did their own iron founding!)
In the evening George drove down and picked us up from the boat to take us for a lovely meal round their gaff. Being a keen sailor it didn't take much to persuade them to join us for the day on the boat tomorrow.
Walked lady round the Nunnery site - Tudor architecture very obvious but a quick poke around in a (stone) lined water channel found loads of stone roof tile, several oyster shells (the Nuns dined well) and some iron slag (the Nuns also did their own iron founding!)
In the evening George drove down and picked us up from the boat to take us for a lovely meal round their gaff. Being a keen sailor it didn't take much to persuade them to join us for the day on the boat tomorrow.
Wednesday 18th August
I was wary straight away. It was good he rang - dont get me wrong. But he said his name was Giles. Something not right when the repairman speaks with a posh Oxbridge accent and is called Giles. And another thing! It had been arranged for him to arrive 'soon after 3pm'. I was therefore expecting 5pm. But here he was at 1pm saying sorry, cock up on the time keeping front - could he call in 15 minutes. OK no problem we arent going anywhere.
Burned out valve seat was the diagnosis - Giles went straight to it. An education obviously pays. Would send quote, no probs, shake hand, gone in 15 minutes.
Mum and sister came over and joined us for a meal at the Kings Arms and coffee back at chez nous.
Burned out valve seat was the diagnosis - Giles went straight to it. An education obviously pays. Would send quote, no probs, shake hand, gone in 15 minutes.
Mum and sister came over and joined us for a meal at the Kings Arms and coffee back at chez nous.
Tuesday 17th August
Abingdon to Oxford. An early start was agreed and implemented, with bacon and egg butties on the move. Mid morning I suddenly noticed smoke from the exhaust - no, much more smoke than usual... and you know what they say about smoke. Cutting the engine to tickover we headed to the bank (towpath side in case we needed to be recovered). A passing boat gave us a helpful nudge in towards the bank and we were close enough to deploy the plank and knock mooring pins in and make fast.
Opening the engine compartment let of a mini nuclear-cloud of smoke and steam into the lower atmosphere. Once cool, an examination of the engine revealed it was only a water hose that had come loose. This was quickly fixed and we were on our way again. Arriving at the next lock I dropped it into tickover.... and whoof! - the smoke was back. This time there was no obvious cause and the early afternoon was spent tinkering and scratching heads. In the end had to phone RCR (the inland waterways version of the RAC) who were with us within an hour. Now the experts were on it! And in far less time than it took me to do - he came up with the same conclusion - sorry guv - dont know what it is... but it looks like its inside, so I cant do anything now.
So they will be in touch tomorrow. In the meantime we are marooned in a beautiful Thames-side spot with an en-suite canal-side pub selling great ale and doing good food. Waiting for the repairman is going to be tough!....
Monday 16 August 2010
Monday 16th August
Day dawned sunny and cool - but that soon changed! Ah the English weather. By 10am it was sunny and hot!
Having moved out into the countryside yesterday, today was mostly travelling through the back of beyond. Drop dead gorgeous views of far away hills, pretty villages and HUMONGOUS houses. There is some serious money alongside the Thames. Spot the helicopter parked on the front lawn - but its good to see he is off-setting his carbon footprint with several giga-watts of solar panels.
After ripping a fender off in a lock, we stopped at Abingdon to visit a chandler for a replacement then stayed the night.
Having moved out into the countryside yesterday, today was mostly travelling through the back of beyond. Drop dead gorgeous views of far away hills, pretty villages and HUMONGOUS houses. There is some serious money alongside the Thames. Spot the helicopter parked on the front lawn - but its good to see he is off-setting his carbon footprint with several giga-watts of solar panels.
After ripping a fender off in a lock, we stopped at Abingdon to visit a chandler for a replacement then stayed the night.
Sunday 15th August
Set off after breakfast - through Blakes lock and turned left onto the Thames. Bought a 15 day licence at Caversham Lock, the first we encounter on the Thames. These locks are huge, but so much easier than on the Kennet and Avon - there is a Lock Keeper to do all the hard work for you! All we have to do is pass bow and stern lines around a bollard and hold on like grim death. Got as far as Wallingford by 4.30pm, which coincidentally was the end of our attention span. All the moorings in the town were taken, so we steamed through disappointed - but 500 yards after the town bridge we spotted a nice gap in the trees and went for it! A beautiful spot! and for free (unlike the town wharf).
Saturday 14th August
Well so much for good intentions! In the end we stayed were we were all day in Reading. Took the opportunity to shorten all ropes so they couldnt foul the prop if dropped in the water.
Saturday 14 August 2010
Friday 13th August
Set off from marina at 9.45am and turned right for Reading - weather overcast. A vote among the scurvy crew decided that we were going to head down to Reading today and turn left onto the Thames. Plan is to meet George and Isobel mid week in Oxford and after that we may travel on to the head of the navigable Thames at Lechlade.
During the afternoon it came on raining heavily - so we decided to chuck it in and do the last bit in the morning. Sadly there was already a boat moored at our favourite spot above Fobney Lock, so we went on through and headed on into Reading.
The last lock above Reading is County lock - that's when everything began to go pear shaped! I dropped Annie off above the lock so that she could walk down and prepare it - but then made the mistake of setting off straight away, arriving before it was ready. Normally you can drift in slowly or stop the boat altogether in the lock entrance. Not County Lock! Most of the river is taken up by a wide fast-flowing and very noisy weir. County lock is immediately to its side, separated from the weir by only a piling wall, with a thin plank on top.
I parked the boat against the rail whilst Annie opened the lock and we then had to haul the boat to line up with the lock using ropes. As we hauled over the boat we could hear the dog barking from the boat.... er but she sounded panicky and a little far away... She's not being washed down the weir? I shouted (the boat was in the way so we couldn't see) Running round we did see her. She had climbed off the boat and was standing on the 4inch wide plank! no wonder she was panicking with a raging torrent on either side. We quickly pushed the boat back across the lock mouth and I was able to reach down and grab her harness, lifting her onto the roof. Here she stayed, with all 4 legs splayed out looking completely phased!
With the dog safely on board and recovering we moved through the lock and moored to the platform just downstream. Here is the tricky bit! The platform contains a set of traffic lights which control the narrow section of river through the town centre. It is so fast flowing and narrow that 2 boats cannot safely pass and very hairy at the best of times. The traffic lights went to green giving us an easy 12 minutes to navigate the tricky bit. We quickly untied and Annie took up station at the sharp end with me at the blunt end waggling the sticky thing. Pushed it into gear - and we were off! down the log flume! ....except we weren't. 30 seconds after untying the centre rope (which the dog had knocked off the roof and we hadnt noticed) had made its way to the back of the boat, in an instant wrapping itself around the propeller which stalled the engine. Silence! We are now in the current, with no power (essential to maintain steering) and heading down through the town centre shops. Aargh!
So I shouted for Annie to come back - there was a small chance we could lasso a bollard before we got too far from the bank. Except Annie didnt make it. Splash! rushing back down a slippery gunwhale she had fallen in.
We are now in the current, with no power (essential to maintain steering) and heading down through the town centre shops - with the crew in the river. Aargh!
With some effort Annie managed to make it to the back of the boat and climb back on using the rudder plate as a step. Note to self:
1. Its impossible to lift waterlogged crew member out of the water
2. Always use the throw line and life belt to secure anybody in the water
3. Dont forget to tie the end of the rope to the boat Aargh!
Safely on deck Annie managed to cut through the rope between the roof and propeller - now as taut as a bow string. I had thrown open the engine compartment and opened the weed hatch giving access to the propeller below. The rope had turned around the prop several times and now loose could be quickly removed. Screwing down the weed hatch and slamming the engine cover shut I cranked up the engine - it worked! Incredibly all of this had only taken a couple of minutes and we were still under the bridge at the entrance to the Oracle. Serenely we motored out to be watched by the crowds of Friday afternoon shoppers - people with children waved at us and we happily waved back. Bet they wondered why the helmsman was covered in weed, the scurvy crew dripping from head to toe, and the ships dog bedraggled and shivering! Shall we moor up dear? Yes lets!
Whilst Annie is blessed with a magnificent leg kick from her swimming days, when she surfaced from falling in, her leg came into contact with the bottom of the boat rather sharply - which swelled up rapidly. We feared a break. A phone call to my sister Chris and she dropped everything to take Annie for a nice sit down and chat at A&E. After 3 hours it was determined she was fine and should live a little longer, returning to the boat at 10.30pm. Well what can you expect from a Friday 13th? We resolved to put it all behind us and set off bright and early tomorrow morning.
During the afternoon it came on raining heavily - so we decided to chuck it in and do the last bit in the morning. Sadly there was already a boat moored at our favourite spot above Fobney Lock, so we went on through and headed on into Reading.
The last lock above Reading is County lock - that's when everything began to go pear shaped! I dropped Annie off above the lock so that she could walk down and prepare it - but then made the mistake of setting off straight away, arriving before it was ready. Normally you can drift in slowly or stop the boat altogether in the lock entrance. Not County Lock! Most of the river is taken up by a wide fast-flowing and very noisy weir. County lock is immediately to its side, separated from the weir by only a piling wall, with a thin plank on top.
I parked the boat against the rail whilst Annie opened the lock and we then had to haul the boat to line up with the lock using ropes. As we hauled over the boat we could hear the dog barking from the boat.... er but she sounded panicky and a little far away... She's not being washed down the weir? I shouted (the boat was in the way so we couldn't see) Running round we did see her. She had climbed off the boat and was standing on the 4inch wide plank! no wonder she was panicking with a raging torrent on either side. We quickly pushed the boat back across the lock mouth and I was able to reach down and grab her harness, lifting her onto the roof. Here she stayed, with all 4 legs splayed out looking completely phased!
With the dog safely on board and recovering we moved through the lock and moored to the platform just downstream. Here is the tricky bit! The platform contains a set of traffic lights which control the narrow section of river through the town centre. It is so fast flowing and narrow that 2 boats cannot safely pass and very hairy at the best of times. The traffic lights went to green giving us an easy 12 minutes to navigate the tricky bit. We quickly untied and Annie took up station at the sharp end with me at the blunt end waggling the sticky thing. Pushed it into gear - and we were off! down the log flume! ....except we weren't. 30 seconds after untying the centre rope (which the dog had knocked off the roof and we hadnt noticed) had made its way to the back of the boat, in an instant wrapping itself around the propeller which stalled the engine. Silence! We are now in the current, with no power (essential to maintain steering) and heading down through the town centre shops. Aargh!
So I shouted for Annie to come back - there was a small chance we could lasso a bollard before we got too far from the bank. Except Annie didnt make it. Splash! rushing back down a slippery gunwhale she had fallen in.
We are now in the current, with no power (essential to maintain steering) and heading down through the town centre shops - with the crew in the river. Aargh!
With some effort Annie managed to make it to the back of the boat and climb back on using the rudder plate as a step. Note to self:
1. Its impossible to lift waterlogged crew member out of the water
2. Always use the throw line and life belt to secure anybody in the water
3. Dont forget to tie the end of the rope to the boat Aargh!
Safely on deck Annie managed to cut through the rope between the roof and propeller - now as taut as a bow string. I had thrown open the engine compartment and opened the weed hatch giving access to the propeller below. The rope had turned around the prop several times and now loose could be quickly removed. Screwing down the weed hatch and slamming the engine cover shut I cranked up the engine - it worked! Incredibly all of this had only taken a couple of minutes and we were still under the bridge at the entrance to the Oracle. Serenely we motored out to be watched by the crowds of Friday afternoon shoppers - people with children waved at us and we happily waved back. Bet they wondered why the helmsman was covered in weed, the scurvy crew dripping from head to toe, and the ships dog bedraggled and shivering! Shall we moor up dear? Yes lets!
Whilst Annie is blessed with a magnificent leg kick from her swimming days, when she surfaced from falling in, her leg came into contact with the bottom of the boat rather sharply - which swelled up rapidly. We feared a break. A phone call to my sister Chris and she dropped everything to take Annie for a nice sit down and chat at A&E. After 3 hours it was determined she was fine and should live a little longer, returning to the boat at 10.30pm. Well what can you expect from a Friday 13th? We resolved to put it all behind us and set off bright and early tomorrow morning.
Thursday 12th August
Before going on a journey - test the brakes.
Anchor? - check
10m of chain? - check
18m of rope? - check
Tied to the boat? - oh bugger!
Anchor? - check
10m of chain? - check
18m of rope? - check
Tied to the boat? - oh bugger!
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