The quiet, unassuming lady locking down in the double locks at Tamworth, who noted the rather fast and unyielding pace of some motor cruisers. She said "It's ever so satisfying when I look back and they're caught in the brambles on the other side".
A youngish lad, suntanned and smiley and with a bicycle laden with camping gear. He rides along the waterways carrying his own windlass so he can help out with locks, simply because he loves the world of the canals.
Malcolm of Alvecote Marina, who when asked if we could have a mooring for the night at the marina, replied "What's wrong with the towpath?". We said we'd like an electric hook up to run washing machines and he offered us a mooring right by the pub where we'd have to 'breast up', a manoeuvre we've never attempted before. "Just put them side by side, T-bar to T-bar", he advised. Hmm… Anyway, we managed it without damaging anything and spent an enjoyable evening in the pub and then a day off pottering and catching up with chores.
Moored at Alvecote Marina
Mike on Draco (the pale blue boat in the photo), also owns the 121-year old 71' wrought iron hulled Success. The bottom (the boat's, not Mike's) was originally elm now replaced with steel. The new rudder and tiller had cost £2000. Does this make the boat a nautical equivalent of Trigger's broom, which he'd had for 25 years, with 11 new shanks and 12 new heads?
Mike of Draco had been an electrical engineer in a former life and now runs a canal ware shop and has several rescued animals and birds on board including German Shepherds and cockatiels.
Alvecote has several historic boats and the boatyard opposite was rebuilding a wooden hulled
narrowboat on hardstanding with its enormous timbers visible, beautifully joined and ready for caulking. There were also two boats operated by Narrow Boat Trust volunteers, which carry coal to London, selling mainly to houses backing onto the canals.
Narrow Boat Trust coal carriers
Swallows nesting under the eaves
A pub local
Blue Adeline's 1500W inverter packed in and we decided we don't need a large one after all, especially since they cost £900+. The alternative we've come up with is to use the three 12v sockets for charging phones, MiFi dongle and (via a 300w inverter from Maplin, cost £39.99) the laptop and camera battery. The 12v Cello television with DM Log Periodic aerial is excellent (so far). We can do without a microwave and we'll hook up at a marina once a week or so when the laundry needs attention. Simples!
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