Jim

This is Jim, though I think of him as Bird-Man. He was actually quite happy to be photographed but doesn't do 'camera smile'. Good for him!

Every morning for the last 10 years, he's done a circuit of the valley, feeding birds along the way. A group of pigeons meets him outside a pub for the first feed, then swoop across country to meet up with him as he rounds the towpath near my boat for a second feeding. Some perch on his arm.

Then futher on, the jackdaws gather and he carries different food for different birds. There's bread for ducks, pigeons and geese, seeds for little birds and dog biscuits for jackdaws, a couple of squirrels and ..er my dog. In fact it looks like every tow-path mutt knows Jim and he seems to have time for them all.

Sail-boat

A lovely moment on the water today.

I was heading back to my mooring after visiting the water-point when I came across a boy sailing his beautiful model boat. I suppose he was 'driving' it really as it was remote-controlled. There were no other boats around and I slowed, then stopped to watch and cut the engine too. His boat moved so quietly! He made it dance up and away from mine, overtaking me, then back down along my sides.

Still blethering...

Ok, the 'flight' moment has passed and I find I still want to blog. However, I don't think this will be a boat blog anymore, as I'm on a fixed mooring now and will have nothing to relate. But I still want to write up some of the things that happen to me and about people I meet and to keep a record for myself. (If I'm on your boat blog-roll, you may want to remove me, won't mind!)


I had great help in getting near my mooring, from Simon on nb Tortoise. Without his cheerful energy, I'd have still been languishing back at Sandbach, waiting for the wind to drop. Anyone else thinking of inviting him aboard, do ask to sample his excellent apple crumble!

I had been going to spend a second night at Marple junction but changed my mind after some lads chucked a half-eaten pack of jelly on my solar panels. I darted out and chucked the pack after the escaping gigglers which wasn't a good idea cos my dog leapt after it and ate the lot before I could rugby-tackle him to the ground. No adverse reactions to the high sugar content, thank goodness, although I was sorry to see his poo didn't emerge in a beautiful jelly-mould shape as I'd hoped.

Anyway, I continued up the canal, managing one lift bridge well, then making a ridiculous mistake with the second. The boat was hanging well back from the bridge as I tied up the bow and started winching up the bridge with the windlass. Then I noticed the boat drifting gently forwards and that I'd left too much slack in the rope. Faster and faster I turned the windlass but it winched only a few inches at each turn and the boat continued drifting forwards until it crunched into the half-open bridge. Having broken one half of the glass-fronted cratch cover a year or so ago (when the gear cable snapped and unable to slow and stop, I hit a tree), I've now done in the other half.


My mooring is pretty and the surrounding landscape exciting - all plunging ravines and rolling hills. Makes me want to paint. Here's the view I have in front of my boat.


It's what I wanted of course. To have a base. To not be burning diesel just for the pleasure of travelling. But knowing I'm here in one place is also a bit scary for me. I immediately set out on a five mile walk as though to reassure myself that I can escape if I want!

Last post

Hey gentle reader (yes, all 2 of you!).
I'm giving up this blog, but if anyone wants to get in touch for any reason, you can always contact me via my craft website (link over to the right).
If you're boating, keep an eye out for Blackbird. There are a couple of 'Blackbirds' out there so yell 'Carrie!' to make sure ;-)
If you're dreaming of boating, do it! It's lovely.
I sometimes add stuff to the L.I.L.O website (low impact life on board: link on the right) and if you're interested in 'greener' boating, check it out. It's been compiled by people finding practical solutions that don't wreck the waterways and is a good way of meeting other like-minded boaters too.
Love, rage, peace & solidarity
- Carrie x

Spring fare

This month I have mostly been eating... (ok, not mostly, I've had SOME..;-)
nettles, ramsons, Jack-by-the hedge, hawthorn leaves and cleavers. Just taking some leaves from some plants where they're abundant.

Moving on & mooring up

So, I'm on the Shropshire Onion canal, watching Spring arriving as I head further north. My doggy friend has taken to kipping out on the back deck - a sure sign of raised temperature.

Even I, with all my rooftop tat can fit under these bridges.

The view outside my side hatch:

At Market Drayton, I changed the oil and filter and also the fuel filter and I do feel pleased with myself, even though I must admit to having excellent guidance in the form of John - ex-engineer off the P&O ferries! Without his help, the bleeding of the engine afterwards would have all gone horribly wrong. He was travelling in convoy with 2 boat buddies and I was glad to see them at Adderley locks to be able to return the favour and do a bit of lock-wheeling.

I've been sorting out my planters and seed boxes, anxious to put my rainwater roof to it's secondary springtime use: a greenhouse.

Here I am, coming down through Audlem's 15 locks -starting at dawn to avoid the Easter holiday-makers. How dare they use MY waterways?!

Oh yes, I've got a mooring! I'm so so glad. It's oop north, so I'm heading for the Macclesfield canal, via the Middlewich branch (no horrible Harecastle tunnel for me). I already feel as though things have changed. I'll have a base. I may even get to know people for longer than two days - aaaggghh!

Skillshare

I had a good weekend in Hebden Bridge with the Callis boat community, learning how to maintain my engine and do some 12V electrics. Lovely laid-back people sharing their skills for free. I'm looking forward to changing the fuel and oil filters now, something I'm ashamed to say I've always paid someone else to do!

I didn't get that mooring I tendered for and feel more disappointed than I thought I would. Someone swooped in, paying £500 above the guide price, which presumably then pushes up the 'guide price' on all the other moorings in the area afterwards? Oh well, I'll just have to keep an eye out for other places.