Cruising to Dheli

Here's a picture of our cruise to Dheli. Well the Dheli Diner anyway.

Excuse my poor spelling of Dheli yesterday!

Dehli Diner

On saturday evening we ventured to the newly opened Dehli Diner in what used to be the Bridge Inn at Saxilby.

How good is that. Taking the boat for an Indian meal and mooring right outside?

When I say the restaurant was newly opened I mean very newly opened, this was the second night. We had to wait a long while for our food, we were in there for over two hours but the food was well worth the wait. Everyone ordered something different and it was all very nice.

The place was absolutely packed with takeout orders and sit in diners. Hopefully after a couple of weeks they will get the service sorted out so that its a little quicker a this was the only thing we could really grumble about.

Lazy Saturday

It's been a lazy day so far.  We trundled around Lincoln this morning doing a spot of shopping, popped into Burton Waters to get some fuel and now we are enjoying the sunshine in Saxilby.

Lovely lazy days.

Decisions, Decisions

We have some decisions to make this weekend, namely where we are going on our last holiday of this year on board Naughty-Cal.

The original plan had been to head up the Ouse to York, but the tide times and lock opening hours are going to be far too restrictive for that. By the time we are there it will pretty much be time to turn around and start heading back.

So we are looking at Plan B which is heading out onto the Trent and pottering around for a few days around Newark and beyond. We have not been up that way for a long while. Trouble with this plan is unless we get some real rain in the next 10 days 9 days the water levels are already low and the tides are forecast to be tiny. We might not even make it out of Torksey!

So we are conjuring up a Plan C. Plan C currently involves heading down the Witham to Boston, this time with enough time to have a gentle cruise and enjoy the river. Stopping at a few pubs on the way down river. The plan then being to have a night or two on the Black Sluice. Despite the 19 miles of river being opened up in 2009 we have not as yet explored what it has to offer. Then it would be a relaxed cruise back upstream. Its been a while since we cruised the Witham without storming straight through the pretty villages and towns along the route.

Who would have thought a week on the inland holidays would take so much planning? OK we expect it when heading out to sea but come on. We only want a local cruise!

Cheesy

Remember that lovely cheese I showed you from the weekend?

Well last night I finished it off in a lovely cheesy vegetable bake. The blue cheese melted into a lovely cheese sauce and the remains of the smoked Blackbomber sprinkled over the top.

It was divine.

A little on the pungent side it does have to be said. The kitchen had a cheesy aroma for a while last night but come this morning it had subsided.

You can use any vegetables to make this dish. I just used up a few bits out of the fridge including potato, turnip, parsnip, carrot, broccoli, green beans, mushroom and onion. To give it a bit of a head start I par boiled the potatoes, parsnip, turnip and carrots as they take a bit long to cook, then it was into the oven for 30 minutes to bake.

Last night this was served with a lovely soft garlic bread.

Don't Bother

Cheap Chinese inverters. All I can say about them is don't bother.

We installed ours on saturday and within seconds of turning it on were deafened by the fan noise, scared to use it and quite frankly very unimpressed.

So we swiftly unwired it and filed it under B for bin. Lesson learned. When we get back from our next break I will order a decent one and install that in its place. One that wont set the boat alight!!

More Wrestling

So last night we spent the evening wrestling with Naughty-Cal's matresses. No that's not code for anything!

The mattress covers were the last piece of upholstery in the cabin that were due a wash, so we brought them home, duly removed them from the matresses in the comfort of the living room, stuck them in a nice long, warm wash and then spent an hour wrestling the matresses back into the covers. Not an easy job. People say its easier with the covers still wet and stretchy but trust me, it still isn't easy by any stretch of the imagination.

So currently we have a pair of matresses drying on the dining room floor. A quick glance at them this morning has revealed that they are much cleaner but they still look a bit curly and not quite in the covers right so tonight, when they have dried out we are going to stamp them down a bit and generally hope and pray that they return to some sort of normal shape.

Thankfully that is the last of the upholstery washing for a while. We just have the cockpit vinyl to scrub at the weekend but thats a much quicker job with the aid of magic sponge and EVM. We will have that clean in no time at all.

This coming weekend is our last before our final holiday onboard of the year. We had planned to visit York and Hull but the tide times dont look great and the tidal locks are now on winter opening hours which has not helped either. So instead we are going to have a run up the Trent possibly to Newark, but also want a run the other way to West Stockwith as well. So it will be a relaxed week of river cruising rather than a charging around week as our other holidays have been this year. It will make a nice change, this will be our first inland holiday for sometime now and our first run up the Trent this year. 

Mind you with river levels as low as they are at the moment it could be anything but relaxing!

Quiet Weekend

Well the quiet weekend went really well, it was anything but!

Unexpected saturday meal in Wagamama's.

 Cheesecake chopstick challenge. I won that!

 Afterdinner cocktails in The Electric Bar, Hilton Hotel.

 Saturday evenings meal becoming Sunday brunch!

Sunday dinner.

Spare Mooring Again

So we find ourselves on our spare mooring once more.

More Cleaning

Who said boat ownership was relaxing again?

They were a down right liar. Last night after a full and busy day at work we both found ourselves cleaning and preening boat upholstery once more.

Liam was busy scrubbing yet more of the removable cabin upholstery, then using the Vax to suck out the water and leave it almost dry. I found myself ironing the cabin curtains and refitting the stupidly fiddly plastic hooks that clip them to the eyes and runner on the boat. You don't realise how many curtains there are in such a small space until it comes to time to wash and iron them all. And then the task of refitting them on Friday evening!

To top it off we have yet more cleaning to do next week. Next week its the turn of the bedding and mattresses. Then thats it. You know when you start one of those jobs and then realise just how big a task it actually is? Well this was one of those tasks. But hopefully, next weekend, not the one coming up, it will all be done and wont need doing again for another year or so. 

Fingers crossed anyway. You know how it goes when you spent ages cleaning something? It gets stupidly dirty straight away!!

1000

So it is the 1000th post on the blog today. Will it be anything exciting? Will it be anything different? Well no. Its midweek and its business as usual. 

Nothing exciting happens midweek. Last night was just the usual drive home after work, made all the worse by the huge roadworks scheme currently ongoing in Sheffield. They are resurfacing and making good all roads in Sheffield, all the footpaths are being relaid and all of the street lights are being replaced with new columns and LED lighting. It will be great when they are finished but at the moment it is causing traffic chaos. Its anybodies guess which roads will be closed on which days. On top of this there are several larger highways improvement schemes on the main commuter routes in and out of the city. The main one bothering us at the moment is the removal of the Leppings Lane roundabout and its replacement with a new signalized junction. Sounds great but the traffic it is currently causing has to be seen to be believed and we have to pass this to get too and from home to work.

Anyway enough of that, when we finally did land at home, better late than never I suppose, it was the ususal midweek pattern of cooking dinner, last night it was Chicken Enchilladas, bunging a load of washing in the machine and then chilling out in front of the TV to watch a film. Last night it was Lone Survivor, a 2013 film following the story of  failed US Navy Seals mission, Operation Red Wings in Afghanistan. A great film.

Weekend Jobs Already

This weekend's jobs are already stacking up thick and fast, who said boating was relaxing?

Our new inverter arrived yesterday. We don't have much in the way of luck with them so we have not splashed out and bought an all singing, all dancing expensive one, (we tend to blow them up) but have opted for a larger capacity one in the vain hope we can actually not blow it up by accidentally leaving something turned on too powerful for it. The last few have all dies the same death when we have forgotten to turn off either the battery charger or the immersion heater!

This inverter is small enough to fit in the same place, under the rear cockpit seat as the smaller capacity ones we have used previously, so the only real modification is going to be running some thicker cables to the batteries which shouldn't be a difficult job.

With the new inverter fitted it would be rude not to try it out over the weekend so I suspect we will be having Sunday lunch cooked in the slow cooker this weekend!

Another Relaxing Weekend

We had another relaxing weekend in Lincoln this weekend. No rushing around, no schedule to keep, just a weekend of chilling out and kicking back.

It was the Asylum steam punk festival in Lincoln so we had a wander round the cathedral area where the event was held before heading back down the hill to the Brayford Pool area of the city.

The only real jobs for the weekend were refitting the upholstery we had removed to wash and scrubbing and washing the fixed upholstery which we did yesterday afternoon. It already looks much better but it isnt quite 100% dry yet so we have left the windows open to air the boat and let the dampness out. We have taken the curtains and shower curtain home this week to give them a good wash which leaves just the mattress covers to bring home and wash next week. We will then have a fully washed interior. Time to start on the exterior then!

River Ouse Navigation Closure

Notice Alert

River Ouse

Starts At: Naburn Large Lock
Ends At: Goole Railway Bridge

Friday 12 September 2014 11:00 until further notice

Type: Navigation Closure
Reason: Boat damage

Original message:

A vessel has struck the Selby Toll Road Bridge and has sunk upstream of the bridge. The boat was secured to the bank, however, we need to make sure that the boat does not drift away with the tide into the centre of the channel. C&RT Staff will monitor the boat over the next few tides. If the boat does not move the navigation will re-open at that time.

An update will be provided Saturday afternoon

You can view this notice and its map online here:
https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/notice/1632/river-ouse-naburn-to-goole

The Asylum

This weekend it is Lincoln's annual Steampunk Festival, The Asylum so we are going to spend the weekend in the city and find out just what Steampunk is all about. Should be interesting!

Sunset over Calver

This was last nights sunset over Calver in the Hope Valley.

Simply stunning.

Stamp End Lock, Lincoln

Notice Alert

River Witham

Starts At: Lock 1, Stamp End Lock

Ends At: Lock 1, Stamp End Lock

Tuesday 9 September 2014 until Wednesday 10 September 2014 23:59

Type: Navigation Closure 

Reason: Structure failure

Original message:

Due to an unexpected mechanical failure, we have unfortunately had to temporarily close Stamp End Lock to boaters.

Our M & E Team have now been out on site and assessed the problem.

They will be back on site first thing tomorrow to carry out the essential repair works.

They will aim to have the lock open again by Wednesday afternoon.

Please do not travel through the lock, until the works have been completed.

You can view this notice and its map online here:

https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/notice/1625/stamp-end-lock

Wrestling

You know how duvet covers are the work of the devil and impossible to get onto the duvet successfully the first time?

Well upholstery covers are much the same only a much more difficult shape to boot.

Last night we successfully removed the seat base covers and gave them a good wash in the machine. They have come up much cleaner, it does have to be said, but and its a big but, getting them back onto their foam bodies was an absolute nightmare. 

One of them doesn't look too bad but the other is a bit twisted and not quite settled back in right so, tonight we will try sitting on it a bit and see if it coaxes it back into shape. If not its off with them both again and into the wash again to get them wet. They are apparently much easier to put on wet, so heaven only knows how difficult they must be dry.

We will also give the pelmets as scrub tonight and use the upholstery cleaner to wet vac and clean then. Again one of them isn't too dirty but the one that goes over the galley picks up lots of dirt, grime and grease from cooking and needs more attention. In theory though this is a much easier job than last nights!

Upholstery

We have decided that it is about time we took the cabin upholstery home for a good scrub and freshen up before our final holiday of the year at the beginning of next month. So last night we bundled the saloon seat bases and pelmets into the car, which is easier said than done when the seating is pretty much as long as the car, with the intention of taking the seat covers off the foam and giving them a good long wash in the washing machine. The pelmets will have to be washed with the carpet cleaner as the fabric covers don't come off the backing plates. Then next weekend we will take the carpet cleaner to the boat to scrub up the fixed seat backs. Hopefully this will freshen up the cabin a little as I'm sad to say they are long overdue a good scrub!

Next weekend I will bring home all of the curtains and shower curtain and give them a good wash as well and then we should have a nice clean and fresh cabin once more, just in time for a week afloat heading to Hull and York.

Nice Day

What a lovely day.  So why not take advantage of it?

Which is exactly what we are doing swinging around the hook in Brayford Pool.

A Grey Start

It's a miserable grey start to the day here in Burton Waters. But despite the drizzle and mist we have made an early start to get the water pump fixed and on our way. Fingers crossed.

Busy Week

Its been a busy, busy week so far this week and it isnt set to get any less busy today.

On Monday we got back from the boat and settled in straight away at work. Before work I did our weekly shop, stuck it in the boot of the car and then hurried to work, finished the morning stint, rushed across the city to home on the norther outskirts of Sheffield to put the shopping away, grab a bite to eat and stick a load of washing in the machine, before heading back to work for the afternoon. After work we rushed across town once more to meet up with Liam's father and sister and the kids for an evening meal in the Walkley Cottage pub, then it was time to head home and sort out the washing to dry. It was gong 9.30pm before we even thought about grabbing a shower or sitting down to take a break.

On Tuesday we had the same old routine of work but when we got home we decided to tackle the front gardens. Liam tackled the hedges whilst I mowed the lawn, did a spot of weeding and prepared a cracking evening meal of grilled mackerel, smoked paprika wedges and vegetables. After dinner it was then time to scrub the bathroom, change the bedding and put yet another load in the washing machine, another busy evening.

Last night was another busy one. We had work during the day then it was time to head back home and tackle the back garden. Again Liam did the hedges whilst I cut the grass and prepared dinner of vegetable cobbler. After we had sat down to our dinners and had a quick shower I then set about preparing tonights dinner of lasagne. 

We have Liam's mum coming around for dinner tonight so last night the lasagne was prepared. This morning before work I gave the kitchen a good once over so tonight we should have made ourselves a nice easy evening. Lasagne is cooked, I just need to make some homemade garlic bread and homemade apple tarts. The pastry is already made in the fridge and the custard so in theory it should be easy living tonight!

We shall see.

Hopefully we have now cut the hedges for the last time this year. Usually at this time of year they have slowed right down and given in growing for the year. The grass no doubt will want another cut or two before the year is out but we have lifted the cut height to the autumn/winter setting in the hope it has slowed down enough.

It looks like we have a busy weekend ahead to compliment a busy week. The raw water pump seals have arrived so that is Liam's job on Saturday morning. I have tasked myself with giving the cabin a good clear out and declutter in readiness for next months holiday on board and the bedding wants changing and just a general clean up and tidy. Thats Saturday gone then!

Wimp

Wimp.

Me that is by the way!

Liam went into the garage last night to get the hedge clippers and the lawn mower out and came back with a picture of this monster.

Needless to say I am not going in the garage until THAT has moved out.

Oh and to make matters worse there was a spider the size of a mouse padding around in the living room as we were watching TV last night.

I really am rubbish with spiders. Please leave me alone....

Raw Water

So here it is. The offending seal that caused us to have bilges full of River Humber, trust me we know it gave way on the Humber with the colour of the water I was pumping from the bilges. There is no mistaking that brown, silty water for anything else!

Actually there are two of these seals to replace but that is all. How can two small seals cause so much mess?

We have a bit of a clean up to do this weekend after the new seals are fitted as the water has sprayed all over the engine bay, again. These seals packed up about three years ago in similar fashion when we were on the Ouse. Again spraying dirty silty water all over the engine bay and into the bilges. At least this time we have caught it before the leak got too bad and we have managed to contain the bilge water and remove it before it has seeped anywhere untoward!

Its a stroke of luck that we found this leak as we were not planning on going into the engine bay last weekend. Thankfully we have now got plenty of time to fix the leak and make sure everything is running as it should be before next months final holiday of the year. Fingers crossed these seals sort out the problem.

Leaks and Leeks

Well what a cracking weekend that was. No need to venture far but we still really enjoyed our weekend bumbling around in Lincoln. Despite having moored just a couple of miles away for six years we rarely, if ever spend the weekend in this beautiful city.

Saturday was spent milling around in town, I had my hair done whilst Liam did a spot of food shopping in the markets and then we had a leisurely breakfast before sampling a few pints in a couple of the many establishments. During the evening we enjoyed a rather fine curry at the Modern Indian on High Street. A great way to end a great day.

Yesterday started slowly, with another leisurely breakfast in The Mailbox pub before heading back to the boat for a few beers to start the afternoon off nicely. Mid afternoon we made our way back to our own berth where we came across the first of the leaks, not leeks just yet!

On getting Liam's tool box out of the engine bay to lend some tools to a good friend we discovered the raw water pump seals had gone, again. So once more the bilges were full of water and the alternator was getting a soaking. Luckily we have caught it in time this time as we go away in four weeks again. So saturday afternoon was spent drying out the bilges and ordering replacement seals. All this hassle for a pair of seals costing just £15.

So with the first of the leaks sorted we sat back for yet more beers when we were joined by some more friends who usually moor in Lincoln. They borrowed a spare mooring for a few hours whilst we enjoyed yet more beers. 

And then for the second leek. Leek and mustard sauce this time to accompany our lovely rump steaks. The sauce was so simple yet so tasty. Simply fry some chopped leeks in a knob of butter. When soft add a carton of single cream and two table spoons of english mustard. Dead easy and a great way to end a great weekend.