Dearing Diaries

Monday 1st January 2007-01-07

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Up to a gloriously bright start to the new year. Cruised on towards Braunston today. Almost lost our “new” aerial under a bridge-needed a bit of modification as we travelled so the assistant engineer had to climb onto the stern and do the job! Almost a Titanic moment! I managed under Paul’s direction..bit chilly biut all sorted ok! Loads of people about today..never seen so many boats out since the summer! Stopped at the water point in Braunston and got chatting to people who have known Hadrian for 10 years ..amazing! Moored just outside Braunston Marina safe and sound!

Tuesday 2nd Jan 07

Another beautiful day! Walked to the village and phoned friends near Milton Keynes. Arranged to travel to Stoke Bruerne and meet up…God willing. Left Braunston and travelled thro the locks with a lovely couple called Nicky and Darren on NB: HARMONY. Happy, relaxed chat and travel. They stopped for coffee and a warm up before going into Braunston Tunnel but we decided to travel on and went thro the tunnel with no problems! Moored at Buckby Wharf for a very windy night! Wonderful clear evening with the moon reflected in the canal!

Wed. 3rd Jan 07

We’ve been living aboard 10 weeks today! Set off to conquer the Buckby Flight a set of 7 locks going down hill! I have never experienced such very heavy lock gates and needed help on a couple of them. Thank you to the BW man and Terry who came to my aid! Travelled on thro the locks with Terry on NB:ARUN. Just going into the last lock we lost a windlass (yes another one!) off the boat so Terry and Paul spent some time trying to fish it out with a sea searcher magnet but to no avail! Finally got thro the last lock and eventually decided to moor at Weedon Bec but almost had a calamity! I hoped off the boat with the centre line as we came into the bank and I wrapped the line around a mooring bollard but it pulled up tight and tipped the boat over so badly that the drawers flew open, the ornaments flew off the shelves but thank God the TV survived!

Thurs. 4th Jan 07

Spent today looking around Weedon Bec, cleaning the indoor brass and resting!

Fri 5th Jan 07

Last stretch of the journey to Stoke Bruerne. Travelled thro Weedon, Nether Heyford and stopped at Gayton for water and do the loo etc. We saw 4 Kingfishers today and a Heron who stood on the bank and watched us go past! Got into Blisworth Tunnel and discovered that the headlight was pointing down into the water. Paul must have nudged it when he took the aerial down earlier! The assistant enginerr had to negotiate the stern in the dark and wet and alter the beam…very scary I can tell you but managed ok and suddenly Paul could see where we were going again! Arrived and moored at Stoke Bruerne wharf. Had a chat with a couple Jill and John from NB: SO LONG. They gave us a Christmas cake as they were due to return to their home on the train with 2 rucksacks but no room for the cake which some friends had given them whilst on the boat! Spent the rest of the day washing, polishing and brasso-ing!

Sat 6th Jan 07

Glyn, Rhiannon and John came to fetch us today to take us back to their home. We left Hadrian for an overnighter and so enjoyed our time with the Griffiths family. Such a lovely Christian family and wonderful hospitality,food, chat and a bath for me…lovely! Thanks to them all for having us and giving us such a wonderful time.

Sun 7th Jan 07

Went to church this morning with the family. The message….why not try Jesus? If you are having troubles that seem impossible Jesus is worth seeking out and inviting Him into your life. This is life changing and available to us all God loves us and wants us to know Him and we can do this if we accept Jesus. A briiliant service and then back for lunch which is now! So gotta go bye for now…will blog again when I can….mmmm smell that lunch………