Thursday, October 06, 2005

kingfisher facing right


kingfisher facing right
Originally uploaded by richard.bignell.
Nearly our last breakfast, and this beautiful bird perched outside our window - a perfect end to a glorious holiday.

Monday, October 03, 2005

Double Rainbow at Polesworth

This rainbow was a complete arc with just the hint of a second one outside it.

Now we are in to October the days are definitely less warm, although we have not lit the stove yet.

Moored at Ansty tonight, with only Rugby (Tescos) Braunston and then back up to Crick to go.

Learners through Rugeley


Learners through Rugeley
Originally uploaded by richard.bignell.
Coming in to Rugeley to go shopping we met a train of barges being towed by a tug and had to make way for them. Later when moored the remainder of the barges appeared and got in to a pickle trying to avoid moored boats, a boat coming head on at them and the wall! It was interesting watching them extricate themselves. I'm glad we met them all where we did and not at a lock.

Great Haywood Bridge under smoke

Back at Great Haywood we were surrounded by activity, with working boats making their presence felt (heard), there was no mistaking the thump thump thump of the engine making all this smoke.

Danger man at work


Danger man at work
Originally uploaded by richard.bignell.
Almost the only queue of the trip, with five boats waiting to go down the lock. It is getting noticeably quieter now, with fewer hire boats out.

Monday, September 26, 2005

stepping after prey


stepping after prey
Originally uploaded by richard.bignell.
Moored at Barlaston (site of Wedgewood factory) I watched a heron for a long time sitting preening its feathers. It was joined by a Magpie - but totally ignored it.
Here he is stepping gently after his prey - I wonder what they really eat - I have never seen them catch anything!

great haywood bridge


great haywood bridge
Originally uploaded by richard.bignell.
We spent a happy couple of days here and then moved on up the Trent and Mersey canal towards Stone (and Stoke on Trent).

Friday, September 23, 2005

sun over Tixall Wide


sun over Tixall Wide
Originally uploaded by richard.bignell.
We sat here for a day of unbelievable sunshine (Thursday). Friday it rained however and so we delayed the start of the next leg of the journey.
Good news of the day is that we may have a house at last!

lost my boat


lost my boat
Originally uploaded by richard.bignell.
I'm sure there was a boat here just now!
Charlie examines the lock at Great Haywood.

the coalman


the coalman
Originally uploaded by richard.bignell.

Friday, September 16, 2005

preparing for a cold night

Some people must have listened to the weather forecast!
We are settled in for the night at Ansty - off tomorrow to Hawkesbury Junction and up the Coventry Canal

beyond rose narrowboats


beyond rose narrowboats
Originally uploaded by richard.bignell.
We pass through the swing bridge at Rose Narrowboats and carry on up the beautiful wooded canal. The sun is shining but this can be deceptive - in the trees and when it is hidden by a cloud it is quite cold and we are wearing at least two (if not three) layers of clothes.

Horsley Iron Works cast iron bridge

Day three sees us shopping in Tescos and then on up the North Oxford Canal. This is one of many iron bridges over the tow path leading to now disused pieces of canal

Tuesday, September 13, 2005

Enigma at Crick


Enigma at Crick
Originally uploaded by richard.bignell.
The voyage begins.
Wednesday 14th September 2005. off at last to places unknown.

Sunday, June 12, 2005


Testing the Cratch Posted by Hello

Moored on her maiden voyage Posted by Hello

Moored on her maiden voyage Posted by Hello

Plans Posted by Hello

the power house Posted by Hello

Crew Posted by Hello

Dinnette Posted by Hello

Dinnette Posted by Hello

Crane at work Posted by Hello

Crane at work Posted by Hello

Oven and Wine storage Posted by Hello

Control centre Posted by Hello

More of Pete's Roses and Castles Posted by Hello

Oil fired stove Posted by Hello

Fitting out Posted by Hello

Detail of the bow Posted by Hello

Beginning of the pointed end Posted by Hello

Cratch painting (by Pete) Posted by Hello