Photo:
1. Solid!
2. Warmth on the inside.
3. Enough said! (it looks as though we're parked on a tarmac road)
4. Foxton village moorings at dusk.
The day dawned bright and frozen with a dusting of snow to go with it. The boat is locked in the ice so we're going nowhere until we climb back above the noughties overnight.
A hireboat came crashing through the ice this afternoon, crewed by a couple of frozen Aussies. I just can't imagine spending even a little time on a narrowboat in this weather without the warming glow given off by a trusty old woodburner. Still the welcoming glow from a canalside pub probably makes up for it on these long cold evenings.
Until the last day or two footpaths tended to head off through ploughed fields heavy with mud that clung to boots like sticky toffee, but with the arrival of this weather have now turned rock hard underfoot. Gunner and me can now walk for miles again without having to dodge the churned mess that cattle and sheep tend to leave in their wake.
With our bird-feeders conveniently placed in a tree next to the boat, inquisitive blue and great tits have started to drop in as the fruit of the hedgerows disappears. My only concern today, just as I was leaving the boat with Gunner for our evening walk, was seeing a pair of kestrels hovering above the canal bank not 30 yards across from us just as the light was fading. I hope they survive the winter. Has anyone fed kestrels hunting for prey in the wild?
27th Nov 2010, 21:24
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Photo:
1. Foxton basin.
2. Taking on water.
Shrouded in Fog we left Gallows Hill and headed for Foxton Basin. From there we turned north for Debdale Marina where we took on fuel and turned back to a mooring we'd passed earlier.
Mike and Nicky Goode who run Debdale Marina were very helpful in explaining the facilities available and offer a professional service in every respect with more enhancements to come in the new year. Great service, great people.
19th Nov 2010, 23:31
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Jo and Keith (nb HADAR) stopped by, on their way into Market Harborough, to deliver us another bunker of coal (3cwt). We've still got 1cwt left over from their last delivery, which proves how energy efficient the fire is, as it has been going 24/7 since well before then!
Arriving back at the boat in the dark after taking Gunner for his evening walk is all the more pleasurable with the welcoming glow of the fire and a steaming mug of coffee. We've also got some illuminated crystals in the window, which Ginny switches on to act as a beacon to guide us home in the dark.
17th Nov 2010, 17:53
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The days are getting shorter and the longer nights now much colder, so the fire stays 'in' to keep our floating home snug 24/7.
17th Nov 2010, 15:22
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Since arriving in the Foxton area Ginny has been shopping at 'Rural Trading's bespoke village store, located in the old skittle alley at the Black Horse pub in Foxton. It is well worth the walk, even when we're moored a couple of miles away, to buy fresh produce and everything else you would expect from a thoughtfully run village store. The store is so important to residents of the local villages as it is to us residential narrowboaters on the Old Grand Union Canal as it passes under Black Horse Bridge just a stones throw away.
Take a look at their website:
www.ruraltrading.co.uk/index.html
13th Nov 2010, 16:27
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Photo:
1. A damp and windy start at the 'Tannings'.
2. What a difference a day makes!
You can see from the photos that we're far from the madding crowd and pretty isolated from everything except the weather. Despite the vagaries of the wind over the past few days everything has remained in place and we've had surprisingly little rain (so far). Gunner's water bucket froze over two nights ago but the wind has since brought the temperature up a degree or two.
Passing gongoozlers have been inhaling the woodsmoke drifting from our chimney with relish and a certain amount of envy too. One gentleman asked if he could take some home in a bottle! Anyone who grew up around an open fire will know exactly what he meant and understand just how that simple aroma can evoke a deep feeling of comfort and nostalgia in many of us.
Don't forget to use the google map link in 'wilvir's current location' post to see where we are.
13th Nov 2010, 12:21
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At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them - always.
10th Nov 2010, 23:38
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Photo:
1. The approach to Union Wharf.
2. Residential moorings.
3. Wharf hireboat/timeshare fleet.
4. I've no idea what the sculpture represents! Ideas anyone?
We made our way to Union Wharf above Market Harborough today to service the boat (water, toilet etc) and top up supplies.
Rather than stay overnight on the visitor moorings we left to find a mooring out in the sticks that we'd passed by on the way in. We just love the isolation and peacefulness of the 'cut' and the opportunity to be on our own and really appreciate our surroundings. The weather was kind to us today too with only a couple of showers while we were moored at the wharf.
10th Nov 2010, 00:14
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