Norbury Wharf Limited

wet n windy

2012-02-22T16:21:00.002Z

It started out wet and windy and its carried on being wet and windy all day, it hasn't been cold but and it hasn't really rained heavily but the bind has been blowing around here today, its also been grey and overcast all day, so all in all not the nicest of days.

Its been a quiet day today, not many people around although I don't blame anyone for not venturing out side, the yard has seemed quiet as well, Bernard has been in working on boats down the dock and around the yard, Fred has been in doing similar, Matt and Simon have been in and so have Steve and Arron yet they have all had their heads down and have been cracking on with their jobs, do not get me wrong I am not complaining about the lads working, it just seems as though they have kept out of my way, and I haven't been in a grumpy mood!

Tomorrow is going to be a busy day, we have Ember to dock, we have Steelaway to put in to the painting dock and we have the two day boats to re launch after their winters rest on the bank, so we will all be busy first thing.

Until tomorrow
Simon

Nice suprise

2012-02-21T17:22:00.002Z

Its been a lovely day today, the birds have been tweeting, the sun has been shining, although it did rain at one point but not for long, its been like a spring day again!

Its been a busy day today, at least I haven’t been lonely today as Angela has been in and kept me company, She too has been busy catching up with her paperwork and looking after customers, we have seen quite a few people around looking at boats for sale, its a sign that the nicer weather is on its way, Simon has almost finished the welding on the day boat, just about four inches to go and then she will go back in the water, he has also fitted a new top rudder bearing so that will be nice and smooth, Mick has been paneling around a water tank today on a private boat as well as doing some plumbing, he never gets bored here as he is always doing something different, matt has been painting Ember while Fred has been blacking, It might just be a record for Fred as he has blacked three boats today! He has also been washing engine rooms out, Steve and Aaron are back on the moorings so hopefully they will be finished soon.

I had a visit today from a chap called Tony Brown, he used to work here many years ago and now lives in the village, he is part of the Norbury historical society and they have produce a book detailing the full history of Norbury junction and its many characters over the years, I was fortunate enough to get a sneak preview and it looks fascinating, there are some excellent photos and some excellent photos of the boat yard, I even get a mention, it will be on sale soon, I will let you know when it is.

That’s it from me for today
Simon

Lonely

2012-02-20T16:59:00.002Z

Sorry for the lack of blog yesterday, I was at work with Angela as David was off enjoying himself and I had a rather busy day, I ended up leaving late as it was because i wanted to finish a quote that I had been working on, Today I have been lonely as I have had no David and No Angela, no Lorraine only Joyce to keep me company, I have been very busy as you can imagine! Its been a great day though and I am glad that it has been quiet as I would not have coped on my own if it had been really busy!

The lads have all been busy, Bernard has been down in the dry dock all day, he has been welding some chine angle production strips on to a shared owned boat and blacking the hull sides as well as servicing the engine so he has been a busy boy, Mick has finished a few jobs off on Princess as that is off out tomorrow and he has finished off re commissioning Opal 2 as that is out shortly,he then started on a private job that requires a lot of interesting jobs, that will keep him busy now until the end of March, Matt has been painting Ember, this is the last of the hire boats that is being done and after that he will be on to private work, I am sure he will be glad to see the back of the hire boats, Simon came in today to carry on with the welding on the new day boat and he is nearly finished, it will be finished tomorrow and me and David will be launching both day boats on Thursday.

That's it from me for today, until tomorrow.
Simon

2012-02-18T16:42:00.002Z

We like to be able to offer a good discount to our customers as and when possible. Today is no exception... We have reduced the hire fees for Monarch by 18% for both short breaks and weekly hire during 2012. Please find an up-to-date price list on our website.

Simon has been getting on well again with the plating work on Bounty, that was until we had torrential rain. I checked the forecast and it was due to last all day, so he rigged up a bit of shelter. Unfortunately the high winds caused havoc with this and still managed to get him soaking wet! It's impossible to weld in that situation so we decided that he would call it a day and make the hours up on Monday - let's hope the weather is better on Monday...

TFI

2012-02-17T16:02:00.002Z

I am always glad when Friday comes around as I usually get the weekend off but not this week as I am working this Sunday, but I am still off tomorrow though, Its been a very busy day today as we have had several boats turnaround and some of the hire boats go out as well, the tea room and shop have been really busy as well, it hasn't helped by the fact that we have had several large stock orders come in today which Angela and Loraine have had to price up and put out on the shelves.

As you can imagine all of the lads have been really busy today, far too much has gone on to try and keep you up to date with, to be honest even I don't know what everyone has been up to, with the exception of Simon, I know what he has been doing, he has been plating on the day boat, and he has nearly finished, and he has also made a cracking job of it! David has been a bit elusive today as he has been on every boat out side today checking to make sure all is done and sorted, he has only just come in to the office so we will have some catching up to do now.

Not really much more I can add so that's it from me for this week, I hope you all have a good weekend.
Simon

Coming and going

2012-02-15T16:46:00.002Z

Some days you just don't know if you are coming or going, its been a manic sort of day today, one minute as dead as a Dodo and the next its been as lively as a lit fire cracker, we have not really stopped all day, Angela has been backwards and forwards between the tea room and the office while I have been dealing with customers, emails and the phone all day as well as looking after Fred and the other lads when they have needed something!

The weather this morning was glorious, the birds where on the wharf first thing, I reckon they thought that spring had definitely arrived early, the sun was coming up and as I was opening up this morning I looked around the wharf and thought how luck I was to be working in such a lovely place, as I write this blog its still light and it is lovely to drive home in the light and get home in the light, it wont be long now before its light at 6, then 7, then 10, wonderful and we will still be seeing boats moving until late, roll on them balmy summer days.

Until tomorrow.
Simon

The power of the written word!

2012-02-14T12:50:00.003Z

David has mentioned recently how much more time both myself and David are spending doing promotional work for Norbury, this is being done in conjunction with a friend and customer of ours, Peter. Well it just goes to show that at last we have hit fame, well not literally, our new 'Norbury news letter' that we are publishing monthly is now being followed on Twitter by Timothy Spall, I am chuffed that he is following our news and blog, I think that the series that he did recently about his voyages around our coast in his barge was excellent!

I have finally removed my coat! At long last the temperatures are back up again and some warmth has arrived at Norbury, albeit a bit of warmth but none the less its better than the cold! Its been a bright day out on the wharf and the sun did put in an appearance at one stage, roll on spring time, not long now!

Its been a busy one today, I think that we have been blessed as we seem to be the only stretch of canal that isn't frozen solid, we have eight boats out in all and we have had reports that there is ice on the Staffs and Worcs canal but I have heard nothing form the other boats so they must have found some free water elsewhere, or are they all stuck out side the Anchor?

The lads have been busy, Simon plating the day boat as well as a few minor jobs here and there on other boats, Mick has had his head stuck in Pippin doing gas, Matt, well guess what, he has been painting another boat, Fred has been blacking and tidying up in the dock while Joyce has been spring cleaning and me and Angela have kept our eye on the shop and tea room, well I haven't relly been involved in the tea room, can you see me in a pinny!!

That's it from me for today.
Simon

Hanging around

2012-02-13T16:52:00.003Z

Hire boaters and share boaters heading out from Norbury for a couple of weeks will often head north to try the Cheshire ring, passing through Manchester.

One of the highlights is the Marple Aqueduct – a Grade One listed structure that carries the Peak Forest Canal as it links with the Huddersfield Narrow and the Ashton and on into central Manchester – and now you might to get to see more of it than in the past.

Specialist contractors with a head for heights are helping the aqueduct to shrug off the trees, bushes and clinging ivy that have obscured it from view.

They will abseil around 100 feet from the Marple Aqueduct – also known as the Grand Aqueduct - to carefully remove years of vegetation which has taken hold and has been undermining the structure’s masonry.

Marple Aqueduct is an impressive feature of the Peak Forest and is also designated as a Scheduled Ancient Monument site. It carries the canal high above the River Goyt, on three stone arches and was built between 1794 -1801.

British Waterways’ national vegetation contractors will be carrying out the works which will take up to one week to complete.

Mark Ashton, contracts manager, British Waterways, said: “It will be a rare opportunity to watch the contractors hanging over this magnificent aqueduct to remove the overgrown vegetation which has built up over several years.

“The work that we are doing today will be the first step in safeguarding this important piece of local and national heritage for generations to come and visually it will make a huge difference to its overall appearance.”

An application to Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to carry our further works to underpin the structural integrity of the aqueduct is being considered in the near future.

It’s an endless job moving boats…

2012-02-12T16:46:00.004Z

It’s an endless job moving boats… We spend hours in a week moving boats around so we can swap the boats on both the Dry dock and the Painting dock. The ice makes the job even longer at this time of the year, especially when your fingers feel like they are going to drop off. The other alternative is to put layers of clothes on, but then the fear of falling in to the icy cold water and floundering around like a drowned rat does concern me. Not only is it easier moving boats with two people, it is also a lot safer if one of you slips or gets into some sort of trouble. I gave Fred a hand on Thursday and the following pictures set the scene!

Starting Reflections engine.

Using Reflection to break the ice up down the arm.

Nearly at the dock!

That's Fred enjoying moving boats!

When I went home last night it was freezing hard and I was shocked to awake to it being a lot milder today, although only 2 or 3 degrees. Subsequently it made shifting boats a lot easier. We docked a boat this morning for survey and then swapped it for a boat called Envoy which is on the dock for pressure washing and blacking. This boat has spent many years at Shebdon and is a boat that I’ve got a real soft spot for. Although she was built in the early seventies, a recent survey showed that there was very minimal wear on year hull. The good thing about older boats is that they tend to have lovely lines and they steer like a dream, which is more than true about Envoy.

Lets hope that the weather is going to warm up a bit now…

Best regards,

David.

2012-02-11T17:38:00.000Z

It's been a busy day today. We have had four hire boats go out, three shared boats and new occupants in Wharf Cottage that has kept everyone busy. Billy has been in today to give us a hand whilst Fred has been on his favourite duty of pumpouts, Mick has done the internals and Simon has been checking the engines over.

Bill has given Simon an taste of what show rounds on the hire boats are all about. Lorraine has been busy in the tea room and Ange has been looking after the customers and oncoming hirers in the shop.

It looks like it is going to be another cold one tonight. He froze hard again last night, apparently it went down to about -15°C here at Norbury! Although it's been nice having the sun out today, it has still been cold - it doesn't look like it is going to let up yet...

Hope you all have a good evening.

Until tomorrow.

Regards

David

Keeping an open mind

2012-02-09T18:05:00.000Z

If someone asked me for just one thing that I have learnt since I started working here at Norbury some seven years ago, it would have to be "keeping an open mind". I wouldn't say that I used to judge people, situations etc. on first impressions, but I have learnt that you have to allow things to grow on you over a period of time.

The latest "platform" that has grown on me is Twitter... I first Tweeted (as it's apparently called by Twitterer's!) was back in August 2009 when I setup @norburywharfltd. I don't think that I pushed it as hard as I should have done as other things were on our minds. So by December 2010 I allowed it to lay dormant with just thirty odd Followers. So when Simon and I were approached and asked to start Tweeting again, I must say that I was a bit apprehensive. It soon became apparent that it needed someone else on our side and probably a new and improved Twitter profile, so we enrolled the help of a good friend who agreed to take on the job and knows what's what. The new profile just had to be @norburynewsnow, which fits in incredibly well with our first recent monthly release of Norbury News (available upon request david@norburywharfltd.co.uk). Be it the weather, stoppages, restrictions, updates, news, offers, gossip - we've got it all. The good thing with Twitter is that it also sends Tweets via a text message to your mobile phone, so no matter where you are you can keep upto date with everything that is going on.

I must admit that I find it difficult to let go of something that I have helped to setup. There's also three of us now who are admins on our Facebook group, as it is just impossible for one person to keep on top of it all and keep up with the questions that we are asked - let alone letting you all know what we have been upto. My time is much more valued in the office these days, even being out on the yard seems to be a thing of the past - although Bernard and Fred manage to encourage me out on occasions. So if you haven't already, sign up with Twitter and start following @norburynewsnow.

Simon and I do try to write a blog each day, which I know Simon has mentioned in the past is just sometimes impossible. It's six o' clock now and I'm still waffling on about Twitter, but I just wanted you all to know that we are working hard to improve our service and try to offer some of the best prices available.

Talking of prices... Simon has been to a trade show in Birmingham today. He's been after new suppliers for the stock in the shop, so we can offer different toys, gifts and confectionery for this up and coming season. It's not easy, but I can assure you that we are working hard at it!

Anyway, I best be off home or else Annie will think that I have deserted her.

Best regards,

David.

Bloody cold!

2012-02-07T15:57:00.002Z

It is sometimes difficult to convey in words a scene that you see everyday and maybe take for granted, it is even harder when the person reading the description might have never seen the place before, I say this as this blog is read by a wide audience and I wish that had the time to put photos on when ever I see something outstanding.

Today started with me reluctantly peeling back the curtains to an amazing scene, I really did think it had snowed again, although I only live six miles away and we did not escape the snow like Norbury did so this morning it was a wintery scene that covered the land scape, my drive to work was like driving through an avenue of snow covered trees, the hedgerows were were like icing covered cakes and the roads were like ice rinks! the road in to Norbury was particularly bad and I seemed to skate my way in to work, upon arrival the locks were frozen solid and it took several minutes of a lighter flame on them to make them free up, as the day wore on the temperature just about made it up to 0 degrees, (the lowest temperature here last night was -12) I had to go out this afternoon and the trees were still heavily laden with ice and the hedgerows were still like icing sugar cover cakes, as I was driving back along the main road from Newport some four miles away the scene over the fields was like something out of a fairy tale, in the distance across the open fields stood a completely white covered village surrounded by green fields that were not covered in frost or snow, Norbury stands a little higher than the surrounding area so it is a bit more exposed and as such it feels the extremes in the weather, It looked stunning I just wish that I had a camera to snap the scene, The temperatures are set to plummet again tonight so if you are out and about take care, if you are on a boat get that fire stoaked right up, I know that as soon as I get home I will be turning the central heating up, lighting a roaring fire and locking Jack frost out for the night.

Until tomorrow
Simon

White stuff!

2012-02-06T16:30:00.003Z

Where on earth did that lot come from over the weekend, don't panic about your boats here at Norbury because we only had the lightest dusting of snow here but elsewhere there was a right proper covering of the white stuff, I was in the Derbyshire peaks this weekend and that didn't escape the snow, we had about 6" where I was staying and once we got up in to the hills there was considerably more, in one place it was up to my knees, thankfully this was only drifts and it did not impede our progress, today started cold but not really freezing like the weekend where temperatures were down to minus 10 at Norbury, in fact it was that cold in the Peaks that the drinks in my car had frozen over night! the day brightened up towards lunch time and know we have such a 'pea souper' out there, believe it or not I cannot see the British waterways service block on the opposite side of the canal.

Its been quite a busy day today, pretty much boring stuff really, nothing exciting has happened other than i have got to get off as I need to go and look at a boat stuck in a field that we need to organise a crane and transport to move, so that's it from me for today, I hope you all have a safe night if you are out and about.

Regards
Simon

Search for forgotten family foods

2012-02-05T16:59:00.002Z

Is there a meal you remember your mother, or even your grandmother making that you never seem to see these days? If there is, the traditional tearoom at Norbury Wharf is keen to hear about it – and it could win you a free day out for 10 people on the beautiful Shropshire Union Canal.

The tearoom, already a favourite with visitors who enjoy the waterside views and observing the passing boats, wants to revive interest in the forgotten foods of the past.

All customers and internet followers are being asked to dig deep in their memories to recall the meals that delighted them as children.

It might be a meal you recall sharing you're your parents as a child, such as faggots and grey peas or a family speciality.

It could be the proper version of dishes that have become a shadow of their former selves such as steak and kidney pudding or Victoria sponge. Whatever it is you can help the tearoom to start a collection preserving the flavours of the past.

Lorraine Bailey, who runs the tearoom, said: "We operate in a very historic location here at Norbury on a canal system over 200 years old and we have a lot of customers who appreciate the traditional way of doing things.

"With fast food and ready meals we are in danger of forgetting some of the great flavours of the past so we want peoples' recipes and memories of when they enjoyed a particular speciality.

"The one we like best will win a trip in one of our day boats for up to 10 people and we are hoping to serve up some of the recipes in the tearoom as specials to see what our customers think of the forgotten foods of Britain. We’ll name the dishes after those who told us about them."

Norbury Wharf’s Ltd’s new magazine is already featuring some forgotten foods – currently Bath Chaps, a type of cured pork, made with pig cheeks.

If you remember a delightful dish from your youth, just e-mail Norbury with the recipe and something about your memories of eating it. Send your e-mails to info@norburywharfltd.co.uk and put Forgotten Foods in the subject line.

Alternatively write to them at Forgotten Foods, Norbury Wharf Ltd, The Wharf, Norbury Junction, Staffordshire ST20 0PN.

The one that best hits the spot will win a free trip on one of Norbury’s day boats for up to 10 people, during which you can explore the lovely Shropshire Union Canal.

This competition closes at the end of March and the winner must take their trip mid week during April 2012.

If all this talk of traditional dishes has whetted your appetite you may want to know more about the Norbury Wharf tea room.

It may be traditional but it is far from being in the dark ages, with free WiFi access and a free internet terminal.

It is a favourite with cyclists and walkers as is fully licensed and always offers a range of homemade cakes.

It is open for breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea and customers can catch up with the canal news from the shop copies of the waterways magazines and national newspapers.

Advice for potential and existing narrowboat owners is always on-hand from canal experts Simon Jenkins and David Ray.

That was a cold one. Brrrr...

2012-02-04T16:53:00.002Z

When I got up this morning the boat didn't rock at all and as I was standing in the bathroom brushing my teeth there was a large crack as the ice gave way and allowed Ant to lean slightly to the side that I was standing. After a strong cup of coffee I flung the doors open and let Annie out, she resisted at first and I soon realised why once I had put my boots on and looked outside myself. It was freezing... A good three inches of ice formed last night down the arm.

Simon has finished the engine service off on a boat that we have had in and then we've been lighting heating systems and checking boats over. The plummeting temperatures have certainly made the boats very cold inside.

Mick has done a few of the checks on the boats and has been working on a private boat this afternoon.

Ember and Debdale have been collected today and we have also got people in the cottage.

There's not much more to report really.

Best regards,

David.

Makes a change

2012-02-03T12:40:00.003Z

It does make a change when the weather forecasters get it right and they have certainly done so this week, it dropped much colder yesterday and last night was bitter, when i left home this morning it was measuring -6 in my car, it did warm up a bit by the time I arrived at work, it was -5 fortunately the sun has been beating down the rays all day and I mean beating down! it has lifted the temperature to a massive 0 degrees! It could get colder over the weekend, I hope you have all protected your boats against this cold snap as it might just have caused some damage if not.

Sorry I didn't write up the blog yesterday as we were incredibly busy, today has been a busy day but not like yesterday, Billy has been finishing off the shared boats and going around our fleet and running engines and heating systems up to put a bit of warmth in to them, Matt has been painting Windsor, Steve has been finishing off bits of trimming on different boats, Simon has been fitting a sump drain pump on to Debdale, that's a bit of an unusual design, the front deck drains through two metal tubes welded in to the front deck and then it goes through a central channel and to the back of the boat to the engine bilge, any water is then pumped out over the side with the bilge pump, unfortunately it looks like the central pipe has corroded which has caused the inner bilge to keep filling up with water, so we have fitted two new deck drains, some flexible hose which goes to an automatic bilge pump which is mounted in a box and then any water gets pumped out over the side of the boat, As long as the owners keep the filter clear it will perform perfectly, after Simon had finished fitting that he then went out to Phantom that decided it wasn't going to start for the people that are on it, once he had returned he then started an engine service on a private boat, David has been messing with his computer for most of the day ( I think it is just an excuse to stay in the warm!) Angela has managed to stay in the warm all day, me on the other hand have been out and about picking up bits and bobs for the boats and freezing my ........ off!

That's it from me for this week, I Hope what ever you are doing you have a safe and warm weekend.
Simon

Bracing!

2012-02-01T11:05:00.003Z

To say that it is bracing is somewhat of an understatement, i thought yesterday was cold but today is even colder, we are lucky in as much as the sun has been shining all day and apart from the bitter cold it has been a stunning day here at Norbury, the temperature over night dropped down to around minus six yet there didn't seem much frost around on my way in to work this morning, the boats however had a hard frost covering them, the canal has no ice on it apart from the sheltered parts like our slip way, the sun has been shining all day which had melted the frost by around ten this morning, I just hope that the temperatures pick up by the weekend or we might have to consider draining the boats down!

It has been a very quiet day today, there doesn't seem to be much pattern at the moment, last week we were very busy and yet this week is the opposite and is very quiet, the lads on the other hand have been busy today, Fred, Simon and Bernard have docked Sphinx today for its winter hull maintenance, Fred has pressure washed it, David will ultrasound the hull tomorrow to see if it needs any plating, Bernard has been on all sorts of things, mainly in engine rooms, Simon is still getting to know his way around the place, Arron has been concreting mooring spikes and rings in on the new moorings which are looking excellent, another few weeks and they will be finished, just a new electric point to install and the water, Matt has been painting Reflection and that is ready now to come out of the dock, Micky is on his gas refresher course in Wales,Angela has been doing paperwork while Lorraine has been out cleaning boats, and that about sums up the activity for today.

David is back in tomorrow and we will all be working hard to finalise the new Norbury news letter and the contacts that want to receive it and this week we have a couple of boats due to go out so we will be a bit busier come Friday and Saturday.

That's it from me for today, I'm off home to put my feet up by a roaring fire and thaw my hands out, I hope you all stay warm.
Simon

Dither dither dither!

2012-01-31T16:04:00.002Z

The title says it all really, Good God its been a cold day, even though the temperatures are above freezing it has seemed colder than when the temperatures were in the minus figures, I have just come in from a very quick spell outside and I can hardly feel my hands, roll on home time and a roaring fire, hot shower and some hot food!

Its been a bit busier today, we even had a queue of boats on the wharf this morning for services, I reckon that folks are gearing up for a cold spell, Bernard has been complaining about the cold today and to be fair so has mick, and Fred, Fred has had a nice steady day today, a bit of blacking before his breakfast, humped a few tons of coal (I do try to keep him active so that he doesn't feel the cold) He has turned a hire boat around ready for its departure on Saturday, Bernard has been on and off several boats today, lagging exhaust, engine servicing, welding a rudder cup, Simon has been thrown in at the deep end (not literally) we have Phantom out at the moment and they have ran it out of diesel so Simon had to go and sort that out, it isn't the easiest of engines to bleed and get going again and it was his first breakdown to go to, Matt has been painting yet another hire boat, he will be sick of them by the time he is finished, only another six to go and then that's it for another year, Micky has been finishing the re wire on Peters boat, that's all done now so he can now crack on with the gas on Pippin when he returns from his gas course on Saturday, I have gone boggle eyed after spending several hours collating email addresses for our new mailing list for the new Norbury news letter and Angela has been quite busy in the tea room as well as collating email addresses and doing all of her paperwork, its amazing just how much paperwork is generated in this job.

That's it from for today, I hope you all stay warm tonight!
Simon

Stunning Monday morning

2012-01-30T14:12:00.003Z

The forecasters said we would be having Artic conditions now, people were saying over the weekend that they had seen snow but we must be lucky as still we have only been having some good frosts over night and during the day the temperatures have picked up as the sun has come out to shine, my drive in this morning saw the temperature just dip down to minus one for about ten minutes and by the time had reached Norbury it had warmed up by two degrees, the sun over Norbury this morning was a sight to behold, it was simply stunning, a giant orange ball hanging low just over the buildings, it carried on shining all day long, i went out side at ten o'clock and the birds were making a hell of a racket, twittering and chirping away, I hope for their sakes it doesn't drop too cold, as I stood in the door way having a coffee and looking out over the fleet, you could have mistaken today for a day in the spring apart from the cold, the canal was like glass, not a ripple, not a stir, not a whisper of wind, smoke rising from the chimneys on some of the boats that had stoked their fires up, Stunning!

It has been a very quiet day today indeed, the phones have been reasonably quiet, the shop has been the same, the tea room has been virtually empty but there is always something going on here, Peter has been in today to do some promotional work for us, David has been in and out of the office today,he has been however trying hard to stay inside in the warm, but without much success, Micky has been on Pippin fitting the new Alde gas boiler that is required, Matt has finished off the painting on Sphinx and Steve has made further headway with the part refit that we are currently working on, so that completes the sum total of today's activities really, lets See what the rest of the week brings.

Talking of how quiet things have been, I was in Newport this morning and that too was very quiet, Sat morning I went to Stafford and that was uncannily quiet, the chat on Face book over the weekend has been quiet, where has everyone gone, has there been a national holiday and no one has told us!

I'm off home now for a nice quiet night in so until tomorrow
Simon

Crunch crunch

2012-01-29T16:46:00.000Z

There was a good frost again last night. As I walked to the car this morning to start the engine so that the windscreen was defrosted enough for me to drive to work, the grass was crunching underneath my feet. It's remained little above freezing today and listening to the weather forecast it sounds like it's going to stay like this for a bit. Hopefully it will kill off some of these colds that seem to be spreading around and dragging on. The weather has certainly confused the bulbs this year. There are crocuses and daffodils just starting to poke their first leaves out of the ground in our flower beds here at Norbury. I am a little concerned that the temperature is going to plummet as only a few of our boats are drained down. If the cut freezes hard for a couple of days, we'll have to put the heating on to stop pipes freezing and subsequently bursting. After a period of about a week, we will then have to drain them down as the cost of gas for the central heating out ways the cost of the labour involved in draining the fleet down. Let's keep our fingers crossed that it doesn't last that long!

Ange and Lorraine have looked after the shop today, whilst Joyce has completed the spring clean on Ember. Joyce did have to lend a hand in the kitchen over the busy period at lunchtime, but she has virtually finished cleaning the boat now. I don't seem to have got anywhere fast today! By the time I had finished in a couple of meetings, updated the brokerage adverts, fixed my computer (yet again!), shown a number of customers over the boats for sale, replied to emails and answered the phone the day seems to be over. Hopefully my computer will work efficiently now and I can have a full day infront of it tomorrow...

Mick has been hard at it in Peter's engine room again today, connecting up his new wiring, inverter/charger and fitting a new alternator. Peter sent me this picture not long ago captioned "Mick hard at it and doing a great job" - another happy customer :-)

Well I am sure Simon will keep you updated during the forthcoming week and I look forward to speaking to you next weekend.

Best regards,

David.

It's how winter should be

2012-01-28T17:03:00.003Z

It was another cold one last night. I took Annie out in thick frost this morning. It's how winter should be: with the grass across the field crunching underneath your feet. There wasn't a cloud in the sky as the sun came up, which soon took the temperature to above freezing, although only just above! Fred has been moaning that he has been cold all day, but he still stands outside in the cold at break time to have a cigarette, rather than stay in the warm and have one as he negotiates his way back down the dock - you can't teach an old dog new tricks!

Mick's been hard at work doing the electrics on one of our moorers boats today. Peter, along with his partner Nicky own a boat that was built back in the 1970s by Malcolm Braine. It is a good strong boat and they have been making some vast improvements. A traditional boatman's cabin has been fitted and earlier this week it was grained. I had an inspection yesterday and it really does look a treat. I'm not a great fan of modern boats; as my love and passion lies with historic boats, but I must say that it stands out against the crowd. I'm looking forward to a trip out on her when she's ready to go boating - first stop the Anchor!

Fred and Simon docked a boat this morning, which Fred has pressure washed and then he got on with some internal works on the hire fleet. Simon has been doing some jobs on the boats and has been replacing the bottom rudder bearing on Phoenix. Bernard has serviced another engine and been running the engine up on Sphynx, that we have recently had reconditioned.

That's it for today, have a good evening and we will catch up again tomorrow.

Best regards,

David.

Going nippy

2012-01-27T16:48:00.003Z

It has been a lovely day, the sun has been shining most of the day, we did have a very a light shower earlier on but then the sun came back out and it's been a proper wintered day, it started off very cold and as I am typing this the temperature has dropped again, the forecasters reckon that wea re in for artic conditions over he next few weeks, I certainly hope not, it feels like we are heading for spring and it would be lovely to have a nice erly one and then an Indian summer.

Its been a busy day again, I can't comment on what everyone has been up to as I have been out for part of the day, shopping for the shop, banking, collecting David's repaired computer and viewing a boat that might be coming in for sale, then this afternoon I helped Simon to re arrange the engines in the container, for anyone that doesn't know, we have a massive amount of second hand engines from all eras some aincient and some not so old, we also have a massive stock of gearboxes, everything from old parsons mechanical gearboxes and lister gear boxes to the latest PRM hydraulic gearboxes, so if you are in the market for some second hand spares for a vintage engine or a cheaper second hand spare for a BMC or something similar give us a ring we might just be able to save you a lot of money.

That's it from me for this week, I am sure that David will keep you entertained over the weekend, so until Monday, I hope you all have a nice weekend.

Simon

What a day!

2012-01-26T18:39:00.002Z

I hope we don't have too many days like we have had today, the day didn't get off to a great start as I was suffering from a slight hangover from last night so I wasn't the brightest star in the sky, as the day progressed it was evident that what could go wrong would go wrong, almost every job that the lads did seemed to either take twice as long or it went wrong, we had a move around of boats today and I thought that I would help out, the first hire boat I went on to I untied it and then went to start the engine only to find that the battery was flat, I should have trown the towl in at that point and gone home, then the boat that we had just put in to the painting dock was to wet to start preparing so that left Matt with afew hours spare, the engine that we have just had reconditioned which Bernard has just put back in to a boat has been damaged by the company who did the rebuild, David's computer gave up the ghost today and we finally declared it dead, so as you can see its been one of those days!

Let's hope tomorrow is a bit better, until them.

Simon

New day new start

2012-01-24T13:28:00.004Z

Where on earth did all that rain come from in the night, I drove to work this morning in the pouring rain through puddles that were in places that I have not seen that much water before, we must have had a serous amount of rain in the night, the levels in the canal were also up today, it has rained on and off for most of the day, the temperature was bitterly cold this morning and I feared we would see some snow later however it warmed up considerably so I am glad, as you can imagine it has been a grey and dank day on the wharf but I cant moan as in general we have been lucky so far!

We welcomed Simon to the team today as a new engineer, Simon brings with him a wealth of knowledge from the motor industry, as well as having run his own successful business, and he has a passion for boats, he is currently building his own boat so if you see him around the yard give him a wave.

It hasn't been quite as busy today although Tuesdays can be a bit quiet but we have had enough on to keep us out of mischief, Bernard has been fitting anodes, sorting out a few jobs on Sphinx and has also been doing some safety certificate rectification works on one of the boats that was sold the weekend, Micky has finished with the re wiring job and has now moved on to a boiler fitting job, Matt is painting as usual and Fred is moaning, as usual, bless his cotton socks! He has been down in the dry dock blacking, varnishing and a whole host of other jobs on boats, the weather has been too bad today for Arron to crack on with the moorings but I am sure he will have a goo tomorrow.

That's it from me until tomorrow
Simon

Flat out

2012-01-23T17:09:00.003Z

I see from talking to David that he has had a busy weekend and today has been the same, we have been flat out all day today, since opening the door this morning until now, we have not stopped, the phone has been ringing all day with enquiries, bookings for hire boats and the usual, the tea room has been busy too over the lunch time and we have even seem several boats on the wharf for services!

The lads have all been busy on different jobs, Matt has started on Phoenix winter touch up, Mick has been on a rewiring job, Steve has started on a bit of a re fit and that has been the sum total of engineers in today except we have had a visitor in the form of Jim who came in today to help out with the blacking of a couple of boats that are on the dock that we have just sold, its amazing just how many people we end up with helping out, my two uncles came today to lend a hand, we call them the 'Chuckle Brothers' I think you can imagine from their name the sort of mischief and trouble they cause, at the end of the day they do help out and it is very much appreciated, all we need now is my dad to turn up and then we would end up with the three wise men, well more like the three musketeers!

One of the things I love about this job is the friends we all make in the course of our normal jobs and how nice they are and how funny they are, I know that David mentioned that everyone from work and several customers went out on Friday for a social evening, it was a shame I could not make it but I needed to go down to Southampton to do a job this weekend, this weekend saw one of our good customers and now friends Peter and Sandra, they came up and took Summer wine out for the weekend and I know that they all had a lovely time. We wont mention Lorraine, That's for another day!!

That's it from me for today
Simon

Well what a day it has been today...

2012-01-22T17:12:00.000Z

Ange was off today so we roped Joyce in to give us a hand. The day started out with a plan! Joyce was going to look after the tea room and once it was all setup she was going to nip over and do a bit of cleaning on Reflection prior to the lunchtime rush. Lorraine was going to stay at the reception to take phone calls and look after the customers in the shop whilst I was going to catch up on some paperwork (brokerage mainly), but that soon went out the window. About 11am we had a sudden mad rush with walkers and cyclists in the tearoom that lasted for in excess of two hours. It was that busy, that I had to help out too as poor Joyce and Lorraine just couldn't cope with the number of customers. I have never seen the tearoom that busy in January during my seven years here! We coped, everyone got served in turn and we remained jolly :-) We did chuckle to ourselves that Ange had picked the right day to have a days holiday...

It quietened down this afternoon and Lorraine was able to get on and do some tidying and cleaning in the office and shop whilst Joyce looked after the steady flow of customers in the tearoom.

I've managed to get the brokerage paperwork sorted for Old Henry and she is now advertised on our website. This boat is ready to step onto and sail away. Click here for further details www.norburyhire.co.uk. We have also completed on Patricia M and Lillian Rose. Heather Belle is under offer - just one day after I did all the sale particulars. Is the economic climate picking up???

Mick has been working away on one of our moorers boats, doing a bit of re-wiring and installing a four stage charger. Aaron and Steve have now got all of the deckboards laid on the moorings, as promised. I'll set to tomorrow organising some gravel.

I've still been battling with my computer. The damn thing has decided that it hasn't got a genuine copy of windows installed although we bought it pre-installed. I might have to take it to the doctors in Newport to get it fixed, but I fear that it is going to cost in excess of £100. If anyone's got any bright ideas, I'd be only too willing to listen (and learn)!

Best regards,

David.

Squelching in mud

2012-01-21T16:32:00.005Z

Ange organised a meal over at the Junction Inn last night; to which the majority of the staff attended, as did a number of our customers who were about for the evening. A great night was had by all and it was good to see lots of familiar faces and some old friends that dropped by to say hi. I think Joyce, Ange, Lorraine and I were last to leave (yes, we know we are dirty stop outs!). Ange, Lorraine and I also had to have a swift drink on Lorraine's boat before we retired for the evening... I think there were a few sore heads around this morning, but it was well worth it! (A big thank-you to Peter and Sandra Quick for suggesting the idea in the first place and I do hope you are enjoying your time aboard Summer Wine).

I also feel for our moorers now who are squelching up and down the moorings in the mud the has been created while we are doing the improvement works. My best shoes are now in a rather poor state after slipping and sliding up the towpath last night. I do apologise and the final length of decking will be laid tomorrow and we are making arrangements for the gravel path to be laid. I'll get on the case again on Monday morning!!

It rained hard in the night, which is much needed. The weather hasn't been too bad during the day, but it has been quite windy - that caused Bernard and Fred some trouble with shifting boats around! It has now dropped a bit cooler again.

Bernard and Fred have swapped the boats in the paintshop. Opal II is now out and sits proud with her new lettering on. Here's a picture of her on the Wharf this afternoon.

Mick has now finished the gas tests etc. on the hire fleet for the next couple of weeks. Today he has begun on one of two electrical jobs that he needs to get done before the end of the month and then he is off on a gas course to update his ticket.

Lorraine has been cleaning Ember today and covered the tearoom during lunchtime. Poor Ange has been in the shop for most of the day as I have been out and about completing a few jobs and talking to customers. Oh and I forgot - trying to fix my computer as it seems to be having seizure.

Have a good evening.

Regards,

David.

Not enough hours in the day

2012-01-20T17:10:00.001Z

I am sorry that neither Simon or I blogged yesterday, but we were incredibly busy. We will still starring at computer screens, replying to emails and answering telephone calls until 6.15pm... It's good that things seem to be picking up, but there just aren't enough hours in the day!

It looks as though we have sold another boat this afternoon. I am intending on docking and blacking her tomorrow along with another boat that is going on for a survey. I am also in the process of advertising another boat "Old Henry" which will be live on our website tomorrow.

Everyone's been busy with winter maintenance today, so there isn't anything too interesting to report.

That's it from me tonight.

Until tomorrow.

Regards,

David

Was that it?

2012-01-18T17:06:00.002Z

I drove home last night in sub minus temperatures, my drive was thick with frost the trees were heavily laden with frost and by golly it was cold, I lit a roaring fire, cranked up the heating, had a red hot shower and put my feet up thinking that today was going to be pretty much the same, however the forecasters certainly got it right for a change because this morning there was no frost, no ice, just sun, maybe that's it for the winter, lets hope! It has been really warm today, all day long and there was a lovely sunset over Norbury just before five tonight, and it is getting lighter longer now.

Been a busy old day, Matt finished off the painting of the boat in the dock so Fred, Matt and I have spent a couple of hours swapping boats and moving brokerage boats around and then Fred spent a while tidying up the boats in the basin, it looked like they had been tied up by a blind person as they were all over the place, we lifted an engine back in to one of the hire boats today and Bernard has been fitting that back up, Fred has been doing a bit of varnishing in between moving boats, Angela has been holding the Fort while I have been outside and Lorraine has been cleaning the boats, its a massive job at the end of their winter maintenance as they have also stood over the winter so they need a good going over before they go out, and they are starting to go out.

That's it from me for today
Simon

Frozen hands

2012-01-17T15:55:00.003Z

I know I said yesterday that it was going to get warmer but I didn't say when but I really d hope that it is sooner rather than later, I have been in the office for most of the day but my hands are still like ice blocks, I have had to go out side several times today and when I have returned to the office my hands have been painful they have been that cold, I feel sorry for any of the lads who have been working outside today, upon arriving at work this morning (a little later than usual, but that is another story) I noticed that the main canal had frozen over from last nights sub zero temperatures but amazingly a boat had been through and there was a seven foot wide channel down the middle of the canal, it just goes to show that there is still some movement on the canal early in the morning at this time of the year!

It hasn't been an overly busy day today, not many people around and the phones have been quiet, I have caught up on everything that was outstanding for me to do, I can now turn my attention towards advertising and promoting, jobs that often only get half of my attention because of more pressing jobs, the lads however have all been busy, poor old Fred has been outside moving boats by himself for most of the day as well as humping some coal to some good customers at one of our local pubs, Bernard has been in engine rooms all day, Mick has been doing the winter maintenance on Ember, its amazing just how much wear there is on the boats, but Ember did have a good season last year, Matt has been applying paint and poor old Steve has been working outside on the moorings, not really much more to report about today so I will say goodnight for now.

Simon

Has winter finally arrived

2012-01-16T18:00:00.002Z

Has winter finally arrived I asked my self as I approached Norbury this morning, the roads were covered in a heavy frost and upon my arrival at work the boats looked like they were covered in snow, it wasn't snow just a very heavy frost, something I haven't seen before,it wasn't a haw frost just very thick frozen moisture, the main canal was free from ice but the arm down to the dry dock is still frozen, I see fro David's previous blog that the arm was frozen over the weekend and it hadn't thawed, the temperature is set to remain below freezing tonight but as the week progresses the forecast is for it to warm up, the temperature did get above freezing as the sun came out but in the sheltered areas the frost remained all day and that includes on the lane leading to work, so if you are planning on visiting Norbury then take care on the approaching lanes.

Today has been a busy one ,we have seen a few people in and around today, obviously not put off by the cold, Joyce has had a few folks in the tea room, Matt has been doing painting on a couple of boats in the dry dock and he started preparing one of the new hire fleet for a touch up, Mick has been on several boats today doing gas check, a bit of wiring on summer wine which decided to play up when it was last out and Steve has been cracking on with the moorings with Arron, it looks like come this weekend the last of the boards will be put down and that pretty much completes the decking, there is still the gravel to put down, the electrics and water to sort out but the biggest job is nearly over, I will get some pictures of it once the last boards have been put down , it's been a big job and it's taken a lot longer that originally anticipated but then again what jobs ever go to plan!!

That's it from me for tonight so until tomorrow, I hope you all stay nice and warm tonight.

Simon

One giant jigsaw puzzle

2012-01-15T16:35:00.000Z

I drove to the Anchor last night. It was the first night that I had been in since August and I must say that I hadn't realised how much I had missed it. I sat drinking a pint of 6X infront of one of the two roaring fires, talking to friends and listening to musical interludes is just very special - it feels like home... I much prefer pubs to be like the Anchor; down to earth and friendly atmosphere, than being like a pub in one of these large chains like Punch taverns...

I knew it was going to be cold this morning, but apparently it dropped as low as -5°C during the night, which left the arm frozen over (as the picture below) shows.

We have currently got an interesting collection of boats down the arm. Firstly we have got the big Woolwich motor boat Calstock tied abreast of the little Woolwich butty boat Nebulae. Both of these boats were built by Harland and Wolff at Woolwich, London (yes, they also built the Titanic, but they built that in Belfast) for the Grand Union Canal Carrying Company during the 1930s. Also built for the same company was Canis Major. She was originally a butty, but converted to a BCN style tug in the 1970s. Lurking down behind Calstock is the Ant, built for British Waterways by EC Jones of Brentford in 1960 and unfortunately due to her design she wasn't popular with the boatmen due to her bluff design. Ant was one of the last carrying boats to be built. We have two boats built by Malcolm Braine at Norton Canes and I believe both of them were built in the 1970s. Finally we have a Fellows, Morton and Clayton replica motor boat called Arabia that was built by Roger Fuller in the 1990s. We also have a selection of shared owned boats, hire boats and private boats - It's one giant jigsaw puzzle to get into the dock...

Here's a view looking towards Gnosall at about 8.30 this morning. Everywhere was extremely peaceful and by looking at the smoking belching out of the chimney's on the boats, I guess everyone was tucked up in the warm...

Staverton has also been out on her maiden voyage with her new owners today. She has been getting plenty of tlc over the weekend in preparation for her journey to her home mooring in the weeks to come. I was lucky to get this picture as I was walking back over from the dry dock this afternoon - luckily I had the camera in my hand!

The sky has been amazingly clear again today as the picture below shows. Those are our Brokerage boats in the foreground looking over the top of the fleet and our shop front. I reckon it will be a cold one again tonight!

I hope that you have all had an enjoyable weekend and are looking forward to what this week may bring.

Until next week. Best regards.

David.

It’s certainly been one of those days today.

2012-01-14T16:10:00.002Z

After coming round this morning with a coffee from a cosy night’s sleep on the Ant it was soon time to head to work to open up for the day. After flinging open the cabin doors my breath was taken away by the cold air that hit me. It’s amazing how warm you can be in the confines of a boat’s cabin. We had a hard frost last night which had left the cabin tops of all of the boats frozen over and the decks slippery. The temperature was well below 0°C and it has stayed that way for most of the day.

Mick and Bernard got on with preparing Phantom and Phoenix for their occupants that collected them this afternoon. It soon became apparent that there was a fault with Phantom’s charging system and upon further investigation Bernard and I put it down to a faulty alternator. We did some modifications to the brackets that support it and managed to fit a standard alternator that we keep on the shelf in the shop. Not long after it was time to strike the engine up and check that all was working correctly. Hey Presto – it worked fine…

While I had my head in the engine bay on Phantom, Ange came across the yard to tell me that the customers in Wharf Cottage had a problem with the heating. Upon investigation there appeared to be a fault with the boiler itself. A call to our normal boiler engineer followed; unfortunately he was away for the weekend. Simon was about on the yard and managed to locate another engineer through one of his friends. He was here within minutes, identified the fault and got it up and running temporarily. He will be returning over the next few weeks with a replacement part and to give it a good service.

Lorraine has been quite busy in the tearoom this morning and over lunchtime. It quietened off this afternoon; as usual, and she has managed to finish the spring cleaning on Princess and has been tidying in the shop and hoovering the office. Ange has looked after the customers, who have collected Phantom and Phoenix, helped Lorraine, caught up on her day-to-day paperwork and has made progress with giving the office a bit of a spring clean.

Mick has done some more gas work and Bernard has finished the engine service on Honeystreet that he was in the middle of. Poor old Fred has been moaning about being cold today. He did the gas, pumpout etc. on Phantom and Phoenix, finished the blacking off on Honeystreet and helped me swap the boats in the wet dock. I’ve let him go early today – yes early! He is off out to a birthday party tonight and did ask me before Christmas if he could get off a bit earlier.

That’s about it for today. It’s going to be another cold one, so batten down the hatches and stoke the fire up.

Until tomorrow. Best regards. David.

What a week!

2012-01-13T15:53:00.002Z

What a week it has been, for lots of reason, but the weather has been mostly superb and today is certainly no exception, I have been out since lunch time, I had to go and look at a boat up in Lancashire and I had sun all the way there and back, it has been very cold, up in Lancs there was even frost still on the ground and that was just after lunch, the boats were covered this morning in frost at Norbury but as soon as there was some heat in the sun it soon disappeared and according to David the sun has been shining ever since, as Type this blog the sun is slowly going down over the Newport canal again, I can just see a rosy glow through the bridge'ole'

We have had a busy week, that's why the blog has been a bit sporadic this week, we have even seen some boats on the wharf for services, the lads have been busy getting the fleet boats ready for the new season which is now looming upon us, we are getting boats ready to go out tomorrow, amazingly we have boats out this early and we have Phantom going out for three weeks, talking of Phantom below are some picture taken today of the newly decorated rear doors that David scumbled and Tim our decorative artist painted this week, they were starting to look a bit worn so David persuaded me that it would be a good idea to have them freshened up, I am glad he twisted my arm as I think that they look really good and the two boats are the only two traditional boats that we have and they are the best booking boats in our fleet. I have done it again and have messed up with the text and pictures being in the wrong place so I do apologise.
That's it from me for this week, no doubt David will keep you up to speed with events over the weekend, I hope you all have a lovely weekend. Simon

Still and Moody

2012-01-11T15:43:00.005Z

I am not talking about my my ex missus when she was asleep, more like the picture over Norbury as I write this blog, I am just looking out of the window as the sun is disappearing behind the bridge over the Newport branch, it has been another glorious day today as it was yesterday, the picture below was taken yesterday morning at 9amI really cant get to grips with how to set this blog out using photo's, that's why I don't usually put any on! sorry for the short post as time gas the better of me so that's it from me for tonight
Simon

Global warming!

2012-01-09T13:25:00.002Z

They blame it on global warming! Is that the case or is it just one of those things? I don't know, all I do know is that this weather is most peculiar, January and the temperatures are in double figures, the birds are also confused, the plants are confused, so I am not alone, over the weekend Saw me in Stratford upon Avon and Birmingham, the weather their was Good and yesterday I had my breakfast outside sat by the old stop lock in Gas Street in Birmingham, the sun was shining as I sat there without a coat on drinking my cuppa tea, anyone that knows me well will tell you that I always feel the cold, it is a rarity to see me with out a jacket at this time of the year, I hope that the winter is behind us now and that we are not in for any nasty surprises! One can hope.

It has been a very busy day today, I don't know where the hours go, I caught up on emails, a few calls and some paperwork first thing, then we offloaded the trailers load of scrap and rubbish, nipped to the bank and then I had to go and look at a couple of boats that are coming in to be sold on brokerage, that's was my day done and sorted, David has been busy all day with loading the day boat with materials for Steve who is nearly finished with the decking on the moorings, just about 60 tonnes of Stone to lay down and that will be 99% done on the moorings, David has been working on the computer as well as taking photos of boats that we are currently about to market, he even helped Joyce out in the Tea room when she had a bit of a rush on at lunch time, I don't think a pinny suits him though! Matt has been painting in the dry dock, I bet he will be glad to be back in the wet dock tomorrow as it is a dam site warmer in there, Mick has been doing gas tests again all day as well as repairing several gas appliances that were in need of some attention and that leaves Graham who has been down in the dry dock fitting a new rudder end and bottom bearing, a set of anodes as well as straightening the rudder support (skeg) on a shared owned boat, they do take a severe battering below the waterline and do need looking after, that's why they are dry docked each winter, the same as out hire fleet! That's the trouble with boats they do need regular maintenance!

That's it from me for today
Simon

08/01/2012

2012-01-08T17:12:00.002Z

When I took Annie out for a walk this morning, the sky was clear over Norbury as the sun started to show it's face. All around the sky looked really threatening and we were lucky to have brilliant sunshine until about midday. Only a few miles down the road in Newport, Shropshire it was relayed to me that it was "tipping it down"! We had a few short showers over lunchtime and it has been a glorious afternoon and as the sun set a brilliant red sky suggests that tomorrow will be virtually the same. I must admit that a few clouds have gathered now, but the weather forecast is for temperatures to drop to about 7°C this evening. That's amazing for January isn't it?

Lorraine has been busy in the tearoom today with cyclists, walkers and customers from the shop. Ange has given her a hand at the busier times, in between catching up with paperwork and generally tidying the place up. I'm sure that items in this building have legs and get up and move as they always seem to end up in a different location to where they were last put. Maybe this buildings haunted, but I can honestly say that I've never seen or felt in this building. As for the docks... ... ... well thats a story to be told another day...

Mick has virtually finished on the shared owned boat that he has been working on and has gone back to gas tests. I've hardly seen him today, but I am sure that he hasn't been asleep...

I've caught up with loads of little jobs that I've wanted to get done. I've also made some amendments to the homepage of our hire website - www.norburyhire.co.uk.

We also have another boat for sale. William of Ockham is a 35 foot cruiser stern narrowboat built by Liverpool boats and is in outstanding throughout. Virtually all of the appliances have been replaced within the last few years. She is ready to step onto and go boating! Full details can be found here.

That's it from me. Simon will be back in the office tomorrow and will no doubt keep you up-to-date with what everyone is up to.

Until next week.

Best regards,

David.

Special offer...

2012-01-07T16:44:00.000Z

I'm sorry that neither of us blogged yesterday. We were exceedingly busy with one thing or another: I had a meeting in the morning, we pulled a Springer up the slipway and rolled her with the help of the Matbro to the hardstanding next to the painting dock where she will be having a new bottom fitted come March. I also had the pleasure of handing the keys for Atlas over to the new owners. They are regular customers here at Norbury and bought their previous boat from us just twelve months ago. They have done alot of work on it and decided to upgrade just before the New Year. I am in the process of advertising her, which will become live on our website tomorrow - so keep your eyes peeled for a real gem...

Whilst we were busy outside, Ange and Lorraine held the fort in the shop and tearoom.

It's been a bit of a quieter day today, which has allowed us to get on with our jobs.

Mick is still ploughing through gas tests, appliance servicing and filling in Landlords certificates, but he has a little bit of a reprieve this afternoon as he is doing the internal checks on one of our shared owned boats. It does get a bit tedious when you are doing the same job day-in-day-out, so I am sure he is glad of the change.

Fred has been painting today down in the dry dock - well prepping, priming and undercoating to be precise! He moans quite a bit about doing it, but I think he enjoys doing it really...

Bernard finished an engine service that he was in the middle of this morning and after lunch we both swapped the boats in the painting dock. Sovereign Lady is now out looking splendid and Debdale has gone in to have a makeover. Here's a picture of Sovereign Lady leaving the dock. Bernard has now started on her winter engine service.

Ange and Lorraine have been occupied in the shop and tearoom for the majority of the day today. We have had a steady stream of customers in the tearoom, obviously much quieter than summer days but nonetheless it's good to see some familiar faces. We are now doing a SPECIAL OFFER on ALL DAY BREAKFASTS for just £5.50 including toast and a cup of tea. Come on down and see Lorraine, she is sure to greet you with a beaming smile and look after you like your royalty! From your warm seat in the tearoom you can view the canal basin here at Norbury through the large glazed double doors leading out onto the seating area on the wharf that can be utilised on finer days... For the more adventurous, don't forget that our dayboats are still available for hire daily from as little as £7.50 per person (conditions apply).

It seems to be turning chiller outside again. I have just been outside and came back in shivering. Lets hope that we are not in for a freeze...

That's it from me today. Until tomorrow.

Regards,

David

One way or another

2012-01-05T16:52:00.000Z

Today is my first day back since New Year's eve. I've been quite lucky this year as my days off have fallen just right with the days that we have been closed or on minimum staff. I'm sure that Simon will get me back sometime during the year - I'm just waiting for him to announce that he is off on holiday next week (mind you he has gone home early)...

I had a good New Year's eve. At the last minute I decided to join some friends in the New Inn at Buckby, Northamptonshire. I proceeded to join them for a couple of days boating before returning to my own boat and getting on with some jobs. Here's a picture of Sue and I descending one of the locks in the flight at Braunston under the watchful eye of boatman Ron Withey. The boats are Sue's ex-GUCCCo Thea and South Midland Water Transport's Kangaroo which was built by Yarwood's of Northwich for Fellows, Morton and Clayton and can be seen captained by Lawrence Williams regularly around the canal system throughout the year.

It was incredibly windy again in the night and we had some quite torrential down pours. Listening to the weather forecast it sounds like there may be a bit of ice about tonight, so be careful if you are out and about.

Well it's been a busy day here one way or another. Not with passing boats, but with catching up with where everyone has got to and with work on the boats. Technology can also delay proceedings... My computer decided it wasn't going to send any emails (it's obviously become lazy) so that took me about an hour to sort!

First job this morning was to grain the rear cabin doors for both Phantom and Phoenix. We are abit short of time to get these done so I did pop in yesterday afternoon to apply the base coat. I'll give them a coat of varnish in the morning and then they will have the Roses and Castles applied and a few coats of varnish before the boats go out a week on Saturday. I'll take a picture and post it for you when they are back on the boat.

Graham has also returned today after his long Christmas break as did Lorraine yesterday. Everyone has been busy with winter maintenance today. Matt is making a good job of sprucing Sovereign Lady up. It's amazing how a bit of paint and polish really brightens a boat up and transforms it into a real gem. Fred has been varnishing and delivering coal. Bernard has been servicing engines and Lorraine has been outside cleaning.

We have bid both off our Motorhomes a fair well today too. For those of you that have kept an eye on our hire boat website (www.norburyhire.co.uk) will have noticed that we had removed them for the forthcoming season. They have done two years service and I am sorry to see them go, but we need to focus our efforts on the hire fleet as it is quickly expanding.

Well that's about it from me today.

Regards,

David.

You would not believe it

2012-01-03T08:44:00.003Z

Its amazing that two days back to back can be so different, Yesterday was glorious all day long, sun all day until it went dark, last night it remained pretty calm until the early hours when the wind got up and the rain started, I awoke to the pitch black, howling wind and pouring rain, the drive to work was in the dark, its funny because the last two weeks have been dead on the roads, I only travel about 6 miles to work and not along main arterial routes but none the less they still have traffic on them, not usually much though but this morning it was one long snake like trail of cars with there lights on all heading towards the towns, I sometimes forget how lucky we are to work out in the sticks and avoid all the traffic! Well the weather has remained grim all day, it did brighten up a bit this afternoon but the temperature dropped, it has been blowing a 'hoolie' all day and the rain has been on and off all day too, A big roaring fire is required and batten down the hatches for later.

Things are back to normal now, I am so glad as the Christmas break really interferes with our winter maintenance and it seems like a massive amount of fuss and upheaval just for a couple of days off! Anyway as I said things are back to normal, Fred and Steve have undocked the two private boats on the dock and put Phantom on for its bottom to be blacked and another couple of jobs at the same time, Mick has been getting wet outside this morning changing an alternator on a shared owned boat and then back to gas checks for the rest of the afternoon, Matt has started on Sovereign Lady's exterior coach work touching up and painting, Angela has been catching up on her outstanding paperwork generated by having a few days off while I have also been catching up on ordering bits for the boats and bits for the yard that could not be ordered because the country goes mad over Christmas and everywhere seems to shut down, we have also seen a few people around looking at boats and we seem to be inundated at the moment with people enquiring about boats that we have for sale, its funny how it goes, it might be dead quiet for a couple of weeks with enquiries ad then everyone wants a boat at the same time, we have also been quite busy with hire bookings today, I suppose that now Christmas is out of the way people are now thinking about their summer holidays.

That's it from me for today, until tomorrow
Simon

The first day back.

2012-01-02T09:09:00.013Z

The first day back to work in the new and what a day, I have inserted a couple of photos of the wharf this morning when I arrived, the sun was coming up over the junction inn and was a stunning bright orange just like you see in the spring and summer, once I had opened up I took a couple more pictures of the wharf with the sun still coming up in the back ground, it was warm, the birds were tweeting and the wood pigeons were cooing away merrily in the back ground, it is very unusual to hear the birds this early in the year and in the mooring. The basin was still and the water was like a mirror as you can see in the photo, no one was stirring and there are not many visiting boats at the moment and we have none out either so it was all quiet as I opened up the wharf ready for a busy day.
We have been on skeleton staff again today as its the first bank holiday this year and with no boats out and not much moving it seemed pointless in being fully staffed, Bernard was supposed to be in with myself and Cheryl, Angela came in at 11 just to see us through the busy lunch time period in the tea room, Mick was supposed to be off but he decided to come in and catch up on some of the backlog of gas safety jobs that are now piling up, I suspect that Bernard had forgotten that he was supposed to be in today as he doesn't normally work on a Monday, we will wait until tomorrow to see what he says! Back to normal as from tomorrow, normal opening times and the staff rotation is back to normal so we should see some more people in, although David has done well as its his days off on a Tuesday and a Wednesday so he has had a nice long couple of breaks this year, and some of the others have of course had the whole Christmas period off as one long holiday!

As I suspected its been quite a busy day we have had a few boats in on the wharf, we have seen plenty of people looking at boats and the Tea room has kept Cheryl and Angela busy most of the day, over the festive period we have sold two boats so it just shows that it pays to be open! We could do with a few more to sell so if you are thinking of selling do give us a call.

As we are closing at 4 o'clock today that's it from me.
Simon

The end of 2011

2011-12-31T16:03:00.004Z

Well it's unbelievable to think that today is the last day of 2011 and tomorrow it will be 2012. A lot of water has passed under the bridge (literally). The past year hasn't been a bad one for the majority of us, but lets hope that the next one is even better. I for one hope that this country can pull it's way out of the current recession and our economy begins to grow once again.

It's been a bitsa day today, but we have managed to get Aquamarine out of the paintdock. She sits proud sporting her new lettering and Sovereign Lady has now gone in. Here's a picture for you.

Bernard has been cracking on with engine servicing, Mick with gas and Fred has been helping me most of the day - so I'm exhausted now!! Joyce and Ange have both been busy all day, mainly in the tea room and answering telephone calls etc.

All the best for 2012. Happy New Year.

Regards,

David.

Happy New year

2011-12-30T13:14:00.003Z

As I am not in over the weekend I wont get the chance to say

HAPPY NEW YEAR

All the very best and I hope you all have a very good 2012 boating season
Cheers,Simon

Vile day!

2011-12-29T10:58:00.005Z

What a horrible day today has been, its been wet, windy and cold, a direct contrast to yesterdays wonderful weather here at Norbury, I thought as I sat in the office that we would be dead quiet today and to be honest it has been quietish , however we did sell a boat so things are not all that bad!

We have seen a few people in today to get essential supplies like diesel and coal and quite a few people looking at the boats that we currently have for sale, some of the lads have been in today, Bernard has been finishing off the fitting of a new gearbox and engine servicing, Fred has pretty much been varnishing all day on different boats while Matt has been painting in the warmth of the wet dock, Cheryl has been in looking after the tea room although given the poor weather today she hasn't seen too many customers which has given her chance to get the floor painted in the chandlery, we have had a change around again in the chandlery and I dont know how we manage it but we have more room and more shelf space and we got rid of a section of shelving, it doesn't make sense other than we are becoming more efficient in how we are displaying our stock, new year is fast approaching and just to remind you that we are only closed on new years day and we have changed our opening times for the days leading up to and just after so check out our website for the opening times.

That's it from me for yet another day.
Simon

Christmas?

2011-12-28T11:55:00.003Z

What happened to Christmas, no soon as we broke up we were back at work, I had a nice family Christmas and I hope you all had a nice one too what ever you were doing. Well its back to work as I said and nothing changes except that the weather is superb, blue skies and sun, its very windy here today but at least its not raining and mores the point it ain't frozen like it was this time last year.

We have been busy today, we are still on a skeleton staff as we have people on holiday so you do tend to feel it a bit more, we have had a day boat out this morning and a cracking day they have had, we have un docked Pippin and docked two private boats for blacking, we have also put yet another boat in to the painting dock for Matt to weave his magic and make it look new again, Bernard has been kept busy making an engine fit and engine bay after fitting a new differnt gearbox yesterday, Fred has also been busy with varnishing one of our hire boats internals, Angela has been kept busy in the tearoom with a steady stream of customers and I have been kept busy with the usual day to day stuff and moving boats around, we have that many boats here in the winter that when we dock boats it is like one of those square puzzles where you move one block so that you can move another, it takes three times as long to dock boats at this time of year just because of moving boats out of the way and then moving them back again, we really could do with more space, I bet most boat yards say the same!

That's it from me for today, so until tomorrow.
Simon

ding

2011-12-27T17:13:00.002Z

that noise is all i have heard today from people wanting to be fed and watered in the tea room.
hi everyone, i hope you all had a good christmas and didn't eat or drink too much.
as the title suggests we have been busy here at norbury today, there has only been me, mick and bernard here and the tea room has been really busy with cyclists and walkers. mick has also been busy on the wharf with diesel, pump outs and bottles of gas, so all in all we have not had time to be bored. mick has had to come and do the washing up for me as i couldn't keep up (sorry simon, but i couldn't), everyone who has been into the tea room today wanted feeding, unfortunately i could only do toasted sandwiches or cold sandwiches as when i switched the cooker on this morning we were plunged into darkness, i did try again but the same thing happened but no one went away disappointed i'm glad to say.
bernard has been working on the engine on pippin, i haven't seen much of him today so he hasn't been making the usual nusiance of himself.
it will be back to normal tomorrow and i'm sure simon will fill you in, if he doesn't i will, so until next time byyyyeeeeeeeeeee ange.

It’s starting to feel a lot like Christmas.

2011-12-23T16:56:00.002Z

I just can’t believe that it is nearly Christmas. It doesn’t seem twelve months ago that we were sitting here saying the same thing last year. I think that the majority of us will be dashing around the supermarkets tomorrow to get the final bits and pieces, and be putting the last of the preparations together for Christmas Day.

I’d just like to say that we would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas, that’s not just from me, but from all of the team here at Norbury. It is a pleasure to work with such great friends and customers alike and we thank you greatly for your continued support.

Although you may see us around from time to time over the next few days (we just can’t keep away you know), please don’t forget that we are actually now closed until Tuesday. Here are our opening hours for the next week – just incase you haven’t spotted them around the yard or on our website.

Saturday 24th December - CLOSED
Sunday 25th December - CLOSED
Monday 26th December - CLOSED
Tuesday 27th December - 10.00am to 4.00pm
Wednesday 28th December - 8.30am to 5.00pm
Thursday 29th December - 8.30am to 5.00pm
Friday 30th December - 8.30am to 5.00pm
Saturday 31st December - 8.30am to 4.30pm
Sunday 1st January - CLOSED
Monday 2nd January - 9.00am to 4.00pm

Have a good one.

Best regards,

David.

What a lovely day

2011-12-21T14:17:00.002Z

Its amazing to think that today is the shortest day, we are now on our way towards spring time, roll on those lovely long days, We have been blessed with the weather this winter though and today has been amazing, its been like a spring day today here at the wharf, the sun was seriously warm today out side, its just a shame that it has gone dark by 4 o'clock in the afternoon!

Its been another quietish day, no boats on the move but then I suspect that people are now tied up for Christmas in their favourite spot, Fred and Bernard have docked Pippin today for its winter hull clean and blacking, its a new hire boat to us and the first time we have seen her out of the water and I am very pleased indeed with her condition, she is in excellent condition and only requires the minimum of attention, Matt has nearly finished the painting on Phantasy and Quartz so they have now had a new lease of life for yet another season, Bernard has carried on with engine servicing and I have been out moving boats and going through them to make sure that the ones that are going out this week are all fine, we are definitely winding down for the Christmas break, Steve has gone on his holidays, Mick is on his days off, Graham is off today and David is off so it does seem very quiet indeed, Cheryl and Julian have arrived back safe and sound with the new boat to go up for sale so keep your eyes on our website for its details, its called heather Belle.

Finally thanks to Fred and Lisa Webster who are good customers and an avid readers of this blog for sending us a lovely Christmas card, Merry Christmas to you too.

That's it from me for another day.
Simon

Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas!!

2011-12-20T16:37:00.002Z

The title could be the title of a Christmas hit single? but I think it represents what it has been like on the wharf today, Everyone must be out doing their Christmas shopping as it has been dead around Norbury today, one boat on the wharf for diesel and a hand full of people in for diesel and coal and that's about the lot, Even Angela has been quiet, at one stage I had to nudge her as her snoring was keeping me awake......................................................................only kidding, I wasn't asleep!

All of the lads have been busy today, Fred blacking, Bernard engine servicing, Mick doing gas tests, some plumbing and looking at one of our very good customers poorly gas cookers on his boat(its terminal) and Matt has been cracking on with touching up the paint work on Phantasy and Quartz in the wet dock, Cheryl and Julian are on their way back to us with yet another boat that is to go up for sale and I have been catching up on paperwork, advertising and many other jobs besides, I sometimes wonder when we are busy how on earth do we manage to get everything done and dusted in our day as even when it is quiet like it is now we still only manage to get everything done!

Anyway that's it from me for today, sorry for the lack of blog yesterday, I was out delivering Julian and Cheryl but I will try my hardest tomorrow to muster up some interesting stuff.
Simon

18/12/2011

2011-12-18T16:07:00.005Z

It was another chilly one last night, that left the roads a bit treacherous for the journey to work this morning. We opened up and the poor old Landy wasn’t having any of it. Her battery has eventually died. It just goes to show that this cold weather will soon expire a slightly tired battery! Mick soon got that sorted and towed the advertising boat upto the end of the lane.

It’s amazing the amount of interest that the boat generates. It has been seen by hundreds (possibly of thousands) of people around this area and at the rallies/shows that we have taken it to. Most people that I talk to have seen or heard of it. I suppose it’s quite unique and at the end of the day, that was the purpose of building it – to show what we can do at Norbury.

Talking of boat building I have added a new page to the website today – “Welding and Fabrication”. I will expand it as and when I get more pictures, but it certainly shows what we can offer. Please visit the page HERE.

Matt came in this morning to just finish a couple of bits and pieces off on Pippin which allowed Mick and I to swap the boats in the dock just after lunch. It is unfortunate that we don’t have more waterspace (we’d probably fill that aswell!) as it takes sometime to shuffle all of the boats into position to access the dock. It was certainly cold moving the boats around and the ropes were all frozen. My gloves kept my hands warm until they got wet.

Anyway, here’s a picture of Pippin in all of her glory. She is still due to go on the dock and there are some internal works to complete, but she does look well in our livery.

Just to show how cold it has been today, I captured this picture of the view down the arm at about 3pm which shows that the ice on the canal hadn’t melted.

Lorraine has been giving the cottage a spring clean, so Ange has been manning the tea room. There were quite a crowd in over lunchtime, but it’s a vast difference to those summer days…

I can’t believe that in a weeks time it will be Christmas Day, it doesn’t feel like five minutes ago that we were celebrating Christmas last year.

I’m off down to Stoke Bruerne after work for a Christmas Party in the Indian restaurant located adjacent to the top lock. Stoke is a place that I have a real soft spot for. When I was young I used to insist that we tied there for atleast one night when we were passing through. We used to visit the Boat Inn and have a game of Northamptonshire skittles - which I have some great memories of. In my teens I spent many hours there working on a number of different boats and I also lived there for a short while before coming to Norbury. If I ever move back onto the bank, I think it will have to be at Stoke Bruerne…

Have a good week and lets keep our fingers crossed that the weather is going to warm up somewhat (that’s what the five day forecast says anyway).

Best regards,

David.

Trainees...

2011-12-17T16:23:00.002Z

I went to visit some friends in Penkridge on my way home last night. By the time I headed back onto the A5 it had dropped below freezing and upon arriving home the cabin top of the boat was frozen solid. Listening to the weather forecast and looking at the weather conditions I feared the worst for traveling this morning, but I was quite surprised when I awoke to rain pitter pattering on the cabin top. When I took Annie out for a walk I soon realized that the temperature hadn’t actually risen that much and although it was raining, the roads still had a thin skim of ice on them. I got to work without a hitch although one corner between Gnosall and Norbury was a bit hair raising. As the other staff arrived this morning they all had stories to tell about sliding in the ice. Poor Ange did a nice pirouette in the village and Graham virtually went straight on into the field by the church. Bernard had actually driven through several inches of snow to get here and Fred thought that his tyres need more air in because he couldn’t keep control!

It has snowed a couple of times during the day, but it’s not too bad at the moment. Let’s hope it warms up a bit…

Fred and I undocked Monarch this morning and docked Sovereign Lady for her annual inspection and blacking. I was a bit unfortunate whilst we were moving boats around and managed to get a rope caught in the blades (propeller). I really don’t know how I did it and it was the first time ever! It just shows how easy it can happen. Fred was the only one to see it happen and yes, I did have my tail between my legs. I subsequently had to suffer putting my hands into icy cold water to get it off again. All I could think is “trainee”. Just shows that we can all make mistakes (occasionally!). I personally blame the rope, but I won’t make any long-winded excuses as it was my fault!

Fred has subsequently pressure washed Sovereign Lady. Bernard has drained the dayboats down and has been servicing the engine on Monarch. Mick has drained the motorhomes down and plugged them in to keep the batteries topped up and the cabins aired with the heaters on low. And Graham has been making yet more deckboards and has also fitted Pippin up in the dock. Lorraine has manned the tearoom and has been cleaning in the cottage. Ange has been making curtains for Pippin and doing office work.

Let’s hope the driving conditions are a bit better tomorrow morning.

All the best.

David.

Cranes, waggons and boats

2011-12-16T16:15:00.004Z

High winds and heavy snow were forecast over night last night, so I was pleasantly surprised when I woke up this morning and peered out of the porthole to find it drizzling with rain. I must say that I was somewhat relieved! By the time I was just a few miles from Norbury the snow had started to fall and upon arriving at Norbury it was white over. I'm pleased to say that it seemed to disappear as quick as it came, but it has now turned bitterly cold. Let's hope that we are as lucky tonight...

There seems to have been a hive of activity here at Norbury today. Everything always seems to happen at once! By the time the flat bed arctic and crane arrived; to transport the 57 foot boat that we have had on hard standing here for sometime, to her new home near Blythe Bridge, the diesel tanker, gas waggon and septic tank waggon also arrived, which caused what you could call "organised chaos"! I am sure that it gave the spectators across on the towpath something to talk about in the pub tonight...

Unfortunately I couldn't get a picture of us craning as Fred and I were hanging on to a rope attached to each end of the boat respectively, but I did manage to get one once it was loaded, so here you go.

Graham has been manufacturing deck boards and tidying up some tatty edged ones along with welding the stem post up on Monarch. Unfortunately the hire boats do suffer some knocks and bangs throughout the season. Although the stem posts (that's the very front of the boat where the side plates meet) are of robust design they can split if they hit a stationary object; such as a cill in a lock, hard enough and at the wrong angle.

Fred has blacked Monarch, helped me with craning and been doing his normal duties around the yard, whilst Bernard has been servicing Phantom's engine. He has done quite alot of work on her. The engine is the easiest to get to, so if you have been around the yard in the last couple of days you may have heard him chuntering whilst he folds himself up to get to the engine.

Mick has been carrying on with the gas certificates for the boats and completing some work on Princess attributed to the Boat Safety Certificate.

Ange has been busying herself with making curtains and Lorraine has been doing some cleaning on the boats and around the yard.

Have a good evening and I'll catch you tomorrow.

Best regards,

David

Too busy

2011-12-15T15:38:00.002Z

The title doesn't reflect the amount of customers that we have seen but it does explain why I missed writing the blog last night, I was just too busy yesterday to write it up, I am only kidding about customers as yesterday and today has seen many more people around, its getting colder so people are stocking up on winter fuels, the weather although cold has been very nice indeed and we have been blessed with bright sunshine for the last couple of days, a stark contrast to this time last year which saw us plunged in to temperatures more akin to the Antarctic.

As I said it has been a busy couple of days on the wharf, and the lads have all been busy as well, Fred with blacking and pressure washing boats, painting deck board edges as well as delivering coal to some of our regular customers, Bernard has been winter engine servicing, Steve has been tidying up the moorings before he disappears abroad for his holidays, Graham has been making new deck boards and re edging some of the existing ones on the hire fleet while Matt has been putting the finishing touches on to Pippin which is our latest addition to the hire fleet, it has been painted in our fleet colours of grey, black and red and it looks superb, as I write this blog it is in the process of having its sign writing done by our sign writer, I am sure that David will post a picture of it when it comes out of the dock on Sunday, Matt has also been out today to another boatyard to deliver some parts for an engine for one of the boats that was on its way back to us to be sold but it didn't make it!

That's it from me for another day
Simon

Just another cold damp day in December

2011-12-13T16:34:00.002Z

I think a big well done is in order to David for his first attempt at the lock video and getting it on to the net, it is his first attempt and it does need a little bit of tweaking and maybe some music or even better a Bollinder in the distance with its rhythmic beat, thanks for your constructive comments left so far, if David hasn't seen them I will make sure he does, watch this space or indeed our website for more videos to come in the not too distant future I hope.

Well it ain't far off Christmas now and only 12 days to go but it seems to be getting quieter the closer we get, although saying that, yesterday we had boats queuing on the wharf for services so you never can predict what is going to happen, I have said before that Tuesdays are quiet days; The days are really getting short and the weather is really starting to turn vile, as I sit and write this blog it is throwing it down and the wind is blowing a right hooley,it is gusting that hard the tiles are rattling on the roof and the doors are creaking, it has been hailing today and the temperature has dropped severely, the lads that have been working out side have given up early as they cant feel their fingers!

Freddie and Bernard docked a boat first thing for blacking and Windsor which is one of our new hire boats came off the dock looking refreshed after having been blacked, Freddie delivered a bit of coal to some of the local boaters and then pressure washed the boat on the dock while poor old Bernard finished off the service on an engine and then looked for a small problem on Debdale which is one of the shared boats that we look after, it appears to have developed a problem of oil/water emulsification in the engine, as yet he cant find the cause of it and I am now wondering if someone hasn't accidentally put some oil somewhere they shouldn't, tomorrow will see us running the engine up to temperature too see if it occurs again.

Anyway that's it from me for today, I am going to go and do battle with the wind, I just hope there are no trees down on my way home.
Simon

Water...

2011-12-11T16:00:00.003Z

I was amazed to wake up this morning to find that we hadn't had a frost and that all the ice that had formed last evening had melted. Driving to work the thermometer was reading 5°C which is a bit different to yesterday morning. By lunchtime it began to rain persistently and as yet it hasn't stopped.

We certainly need the rain to top the reservoirs up that feed the canal. I was talking to a Waterways employee who is working on water control at the moment. He was explaining that the majority of the reservoirs are still desperately short of water. Now is the time of the year that the reserves need to be built up to avoid water shortages and stoppages through the warmer months. I know it's not much fun squelching up the towpath, knee deep in mud to get the next lock ready, but we really shouldn't complain about the rain. It's one of the key factors that keeps the canal system usable.

I've taken a few pictures around and about today. Here's Pippin in the middle of her make over. The red will form the coach line and handrail. Once masked up, the main panel and kick panel colours can be added which will turn her out resplendent in our grey, black and red livery.

Down in the dry dock Windsor is patiently waiting to be flooded off of the dock following being blacked. Bernard took advantage of her being out of the elements yesterday and serviced the engine. Mick has been on her today to do her Landlord's certificate. Every boat that is used by more than one party (ie. not privately owned) has to be certificated by a Gas Safe engineer each year. Mick is our Gas Safe engineer and he basically has to ensure that the boat's gas system is sound, that there are no leaks and that all the gas appliances (boiler, cooker etc.) are functioning correctly. This entails a service of each appliance and a gas test which takes him approximately one day.

We are always limited on space, but even more so at this time of the year. You may find that when you are passing we are shuffling boats about. Here is a view looking up the arm from the dry dock towards the basin this morning. It takes alittle bit of working out to ensure that the boats are in the correct place for ease of getting the next one on the dock.

I'm getting well into writing in code now. I made a video back in the summer, very simple I know - but it's my first time at that too! Now I have been struggling to publish it to our website, but the more I read about code and embedding objects, the more I understand! What a learning curve it is and certainly not a five minute job... I just need to work out how to add some background music now to make it a bit more jolly. I'm sure it will be of interest to those of you that have never worked a lock. Let's see if I can embed it into the blog too! (here goes everything!)...

Well it looks like it's going to be a cold and damp evening. So, I suggest that you sit with your feet up by the fire and look forward to what this week may bring. That will certainly be what I shall do!

Have a good week.

Best regards,

David.

Cat ice...

2011-12-10T16:45:00.004Z

As I was driving into work this morning the thermometer in the car was reading between -3°C and 0°C. It was certainly a sharp frost that we had in the night. Although the trees and the countryside look really pretty following a good freeze, it isn't the best weather to be working in. Upon arriving at Norbury I was amazed to see the first signs of "Cat Ice" on the canal. Now that does mean that winter really has arrived with avendeance! I managed to catch a picture before the sun melted it or a boat broke through it which would disperse it into little fragments.

It has remained cool most of the day, but I'm hoping that it won't freeze too hard again tonight.

Phoenix returned this morning with regular customers and avid readers of this blog; Fred and Lisa Webster, aboard. I'm glad that you both had a really enjoyable couple of weeks on Phoenix and I hope that you have a safe trip back up to Scotland after the weekend. Speak soon...

The lads have all been getting on with the winter works on the fleet, which are progressing well. Unfortunately the girls are slightly held up with the cleaning as Pippin is having a full paint job in the wet dock. There's little point in giving the boats a deep winter (spring?) clean if they are going to get dusty again whilst they are in the dock. Pippin will be leaving the dock a week tomorrow and then we should be able to turn the other boats around much quicker, giving the girls some boats to clean.

That's it from me this evening.

Best regards,

David

Windy or what

2011-12-08T16:58:00.002Z

This wind plays havoc when you are boating maybe that explains why we have seen no boats moving today, I see from the weather reports today that Scotland have had gusts of up to 150MPH I really hope it doesn't start to blow like that down here, It has been blowing bad enough today!

Is it me or does it seem really dark in the morning and it doesn't seem to get much brighter throughout the day and come about three o'clock it goes dark again, I know we shouldn't wish our lives away but roll on spring time when the nights start drawing out, not many days left now until the shortest day!

Its been a very quiet day today, virtually no one around, we have all been busy though, the lads sorting jobs on the wharf, and my two uncles and my dad in the holiday cottage sorting out the central heating, it has been steadily getting worse for the last couple of years so they have come to sort it out and it looks like they have done it, a simple case of flushing the system through and fitting a pressure vessel and hey presto, a cottage that now gets really hot!

I might not be around tomorrow to do the blog as I have to gown down the smoke to look at a boat so if I don't make it back in time I hope you all have a pleasant weekend, I hope the snow that they have forecast stays away and I hope you don't all get blown away with the wind.
Simon

Fame on the wharf

2011-12-07T15:53:00.000Z

Yesterday a moorer of ours came in to pay his moorings and unbeknown to me he has a claim to fame, he once did a TV talent show, he posted the YouTube link on our Face book page, well yesterday he also showed off a bit of his talent, he is very good, I didn't realise that he had also done it in the summer on the wharf and entertained some of the tea room customers, here is a link if anyone should be interested.

http://www.savetubevideo.com/?v=K_CwKgZWqNs&feature=g-upl

If you see Dave around Norbury I am sure he would be only to glad to do turn for you and I do hope that we see him perform again in the summer, he might even have a regular spot and a summers day!

Its been another sunny but very cold day here today, no frost last might but the wind today is bracing to say the least, I wouldn't fancy boating today! Tied up today with a roaring fire would be the best thing I reckon, don't forget that we are fully stocked with winter fuels, make sure you are also fully stocked up, don't get caught out!

We had to collect a boat today for a customer and bring it down to Norbury for some work to be done, I dropped one of our local boat owners off to steer it back for us and then preceded to drive back my self, I thought I would take a slight detour past the Anchor pub but was stopped by two official looking people, they informed me that the bridge was closed due to a burst pipe, well I was amazed when I took a look. the bridge underneath was like a giant colander, there was water coming from every crack in the mortar and brick work, it was a right sorry sight, they informed me that BWB had been up earlier in the day and done nothing about it, then then informed me that the canal would need to be closed at the bridge for safety reasons, the boat managed to nip through before any official closure took place, if you are intending on coming on to the Shroppie I would phone BWB to make sure that all is OK.

That's it from me for today.

Simon

Being Prepared

2011-12-06T09:10:00.004Z

Its all in the preparation! A successful cruise in the winter is all about preparing yourself and the boat, firstly and the most obvious is to make sure that the steerer is wearing proper winter clothing, you often see people just wearing a jacket and jeans, the cold can be debilitating and when you are stood for several hours steering a boat in the cold it can be very tiring as well, even if you are lucky enough to have a roaring back cabin fire by your feet! I find that sailing gear is great and really keeps the wind out as well as the cold, when I boat in the winter I also wear wet weather leggings as you can guarantee that every lock your bum comes in to contact with will be wet, and a good pair of gloves is a must! Preparing the boat is something that most people take for granted but if done properly then it should perform without any issue, a winter engine service is a good idea and a clean set of fuel filters should be top of the list as well as making sure that the batteries are in tip top condition, the cold weather plays havoc with a poor set of batteries and will reduce there capacity very quickly, make sure you have full gas bottles, full water tank, empty toilet tank and plenty of supplies as you never know where you might end up being stuck, taking a few simple steps will enhance the winter boating experience and not make it a night mare.

Today started off very cold again, the car was covered in ice this morning and so was the car park at work, the canal isn’t frozen over as yet but another couple of nights of sub zero temperatures will I am sure start the canal freezing over, it needs to be very cold indeed before any significant amount of ice will form on the canal and hinder the navigation, lets hope we don’t have a repeat of last years weather, by this time last year we had several inches of ice on the 'cut' and that pretty much stopped all navigation up here on the 'Shroppie'

This weather does start to slow down the progress that the lads are making with regards to working on the boats but the sun shining does make it a little more bearable and today the sun has shone all day so although it has been a cold day at least it hasn’t been a miserable wet and windy day and the lads have all cracked on with maintenance on the boats.

I see that David has done a Facebook link, a 'like' button on our websites and also reinstated the Twitter page, well done David, I know it wasn’t easy, hopefully it will all help to improve our exposure and widen our audience, so everyone out there, try and help us out by clicking on any of our links, it really helps with pushing us up the Google listing.

That’s it from me for today, I hope you all keep warm tonight, its gonna be another cold one!
Simon

Another fine day

2011-12-05T12:46:00.002Z

It might be another fine day but my God it is cold, I think this morning was the first time this year that my windscreen was frozen over solidly, it rained in the night and then the temperature must have really dropped because the ice on my windscreen was frozen rain rather than frost, I have to say that we are doing really well with the weather this year, I know I have said it before but as I write today's blog the sun is streaming through the office window and apart from the cold temperatures outside and lack of customers in any great volume you would think its a summers day!

Its been a busy one today, we have had an amazing amount of people either in or on the phone about some of the boats that we currently have up for sale, is the market starting to pick up, or is it just one of those things? What ever the reason it has been nice after a lull in the enquiries! The lads that are in have all been very busy with either winter maintenance or private jobs, I had to nip out to do the banking and collect a new hose for our mini digger, Steve broke it on Saturday, talking of Steve he has just returned with the boat that Cheryl and Julian should have returned with yesterday, poor old Steve has said that it is the worst night he has ever had, no bed on the boat, a stove that was not very good, an engine that needed some nursing and flat batteries, this is the first bit of boating that he has done and it may well nearly be the last!

That's it from me for today
Simon

I've done it at last!

2011-12-04T16:09:00.002Z

It has taken me several weeks to work out the "code" for liking a page on our website, but I have succeeded today. It didn't take five minutes so I don't actually feel like I have achieved that much today, but I suppose I have really! I am so glad that it has worked. Once I had done that I had to go even better and put a "Join our group" button in the right hand border. I have also reinstated our twitter account that I had allowed sit dormant for virtually twelve months. So I now expect you all to be in regular communication, be it either e-mailing, commenting via this blog, adding a comment on Facebook or tweeting!

It is now my intention to share our blog everyday using these excellent social platforms to allow us to reach a much wider audience and let people know whats happening in and around Norbury. I am sure that it will take some explaining to Simon, so it could be an entertaining week - but I will get him there eventually.

It's amazing to think that when I came here over six years ago there was only one computer linked to the internet with a dodgy "dial-up" modem. We now have a integrated network running five computers. We have got a open Wi-Fi connection in the tearoom (which covers the tearoom, shop and wharf area), one in the office and the latest addition was another open connection in Wharf Cottage (which on a good day is accessible from the far-side of bridge 38). This has really brought Norbury into the 21st century and we are looking to improve on it all the time, but it obviously takes time, effort and money.

So what has been happening in Norbury?

It's been a damp old afternoon noon today. Steve has been dispatched upto Adderley to meet Julian and Cheryl who are fetching a brokerage boat back. Unfortunately they haven't made as much progress as they intended due to a slight problem with the charging system that meant that Mick had to go out to them this morning at Hurleston to rectify. They need to be back on their own boat at Norbury this evening as Julian is working away next week. So they will come back in the vehicle that Steve has gone to meet them in and he will sleep on the boat and do the last leg of the trip in the morning. Logisitics of boat moving can be hard work and this one has certainly proved that.

The owners of The Arkenstone have driven down from Scotland to collect their boat and return it to it's home mooring. They are over-the-moon with how she looks. It was interesting to hear that they have come down through snow for the first hundred miles - it must be on it's way!

Lorraine has been reasonably busy in the tearoom, but she has been helping Ange with going through all of the stock in the chandlery to ensure that it is all priced and is actually displaying the correct price.

Mick has been plodding on with the winter maintenance once he returned from Hurleston and Matt has been painting Pippin. I'll get a photograph of the progress so far tomorrow for Simon to put on his blog.

I hope that you all have a good week and I will look forward to talking to you again next weekend.

Best regards,

David.

Norbury on tour!

2011-12-03T16:48:00.003Z

As Simon explained yesterday, it was our staff party last night.

We started with pre-night out drinks in Wharf Cottage at Norbury. The taxi driver had to join us too as he was half an hour early. We then made the journey to a Casino in Hanley where we enjoyed a three course meal, followed by the chance to play on the roulette, black jack and poker tables. There were also other card games going on around us aswell as electronic gaming machines. It was a good atmosphere, complimented by the rather interesting singer/cabaret (no Lorraine wasn’t on top form at that point!).

I think that everyone that did do a bit of dabbling (sorry gambling) actually came away with as much (or more) than what they went with.

I wanted to get some pictures, but unfortunately I didn’t catch that many good shots, but here is a collection of some of the better ones.

Lorraine certainly kept us uplifted in the minibus on the way back to Norbury with her own rendition of “Que Sara Sara”! She really should think about auditioning for the X factor as she would keep thousands of entertained.

All-in-all a good night was had by all, but we have all been a bit slow at work today. So I too will apologise if any of our customers think that we weren’t our normal selves…

I think we will all be in for an early night tonight.

Best regards,

David

PARTY PARTY PARTY

2011-12-02T16:06:00.002Z

I will apologise in advance for any of the guys and gals who are in tomorrow and might seem a little 'slow' if you should see any of them , the reason for this is I am taking them all out tonight for our Christmas party, we normally do something really boring like go to a local pub, we eat to much, drink to much and usually fall asleep but this year we are all of to a casino for a meal, some entrainment and maybe a flutter on the roulette wheel or a game of cards, what ever we get up to it will be a good night and fun will be had by all, it will be an interesting evening as my partner is also having her Christmas party at the same place at the same time so a bunch of nurses and us lot will make a unusual combination!

Its been a fab day today weather wise, it is like winter has finally arrived, i awoke this morning to a hard crisp frost and upon my arrival at work the boats were all covered in a hard frost, temperatures were down to -4 at seven o'clock so they would have been much lower in the early hour, if any of you haven't winterised your boats then now would be a good idea, all of the lads have been busy out on the boats today, Graham is back at work now so good progress has been made around the place, I have been out all day, dropping people off to collect boats that are due in for brokerage, but upon my return the guys in the office have told me that it has been a very busy day back at the ranch!

That's it from me for today, David will no doubt keep up entertained over the weekend.
Simon

The sun has got its hat on...........................

2011-11-30T11:43:00.003Z

hip hip hip horray................................. What a glorious morning it started out to be and I am glad to say that it has remained so all day, blue skies, no wind and not even that cold considering its the last day in November! Wouldn't it be fantastic if it stayed like this all winter? Winter boating when it is like this is just superb, Steve is working well on the moorings today and he is complaining that he is getting sun burnt, You just cant win with the weather in this country.

Its been a busy one here today, I suspect the good weather has helped, Angela has been down in the tea room as well as looking after her other admin jobs as Lorraine is off today, Bernard has been up to his usual tricks and down in the engine rooms of several boats as well as docking a boat with Freddie while Matt has been applying paint on the boat in the wet dock, that's it as Graham is still off, Micky is off and of course David is off too.

That's it from me for another day
Simon

Changeable

2011-11-29T14:23:00.003Z

Well after yesterdays temperatures I thought that I would open the curtains this morning and see snow, the opposite in fact, it was really nice, the temperature in the car was 10 degrees, what is going on with this weather, later on this morning the wind picked up, good God it has blown a gale all afternoon, bins flying across the wharf, chairs and tables flying around, it nearly took Cheryl off her feet (she is only little) later on this afternoon it started to rain, at one point when I glanced out of the window the rain was horizontal and I swear it was snowing! I suppose compare to this time last year we are doing well as it was a foot deep in snow with temperatures in the region of -20 bbbrrrrr that was cold then!

Its been a much quieter day today than yesterday but I do find that Tuesdays are generally quiet, David is off so is Angela which has left me and Cheryl to look after things in the tea room and the office,Amazingly we have had a day boat out today, poor people as the weather has not been kind to them at all, it came back early as well and I don't blame them! Bernard and Fred are back in today, that usually provides plenty of entertainment, they have been cracking on with different jobs on boats as well as delivering coal to some local customers, Matt has been preparing in the paint dock again, Mick has also been on several different boats while poor old Steve was working on the moorings, he did cut it Short however once the rain came down, he looked like a drowned rat when he went home.

Talking of home that's it from me for today, I have a nice roaring fire to get back to!
Simon

Dead!

2011-11-28T16:01:00.003Z

I don't always believe what I read in the papers or what I hear on the news, when it comes to the economic climate really think that a lot of it is media hype and it can quickly lead to peoples confidence in the country being knocked, this can then lead on to a false impression of what is happening, I always try to keep an open mind, however while I was out today it is evident that we are in difficult times, not only have we noticed a slight down turn in our trade but looking our local town of Newport I was amazed at the lack of people out and about, I went out to do the banking and it was dead, I also noticed the amount of shops that were shut or in the process of closing down, you would think that it is a sign of the times, what I don't understand is according to government figures there are more and more people out of work and less jobs out there to be filled, however we have been advertising for a new engineer now for months, we did the same thing last year and had no takers, we did find someone but he was through my own contacts and was being made redundant from somewhere else, this time we can not find anyone that wants an engineering job, its not the end of the world as the hew person is not to replace anyone but is an addition to our team! If any one starts going on about not being able to get a job then tell them to look harder, I know of other people who are actively seeking new employess who cant find any!

The winter seems to have arrived today, although the temperature reading on the car was only 3 degrees it has seemed a lot colder out there today, I was out side this morning with David moving some boats around, Windsor, which is the last of the new hire fleet to arrive and a 57 footer that has come in to be put up for sale, take a look at our website for her details, she is called Lilly Jo and is not very old, We have been quite busy in one way or another today, mainly in the office, the tea room has obviously been quiet but the phones have been keeping us busy in between our normal jobs, Mick has had a varied day on several different boats and Matt has been preparing one of our new hire boats for a complete colour change, that has been the total of the work force today as its Bernard's day off, Fred's day off and Graham ended up going to hospital.

That's it from me for today.
Simon

Wind...

2011-11-27T16:56:00.004Z

I dined yesterday evening on a friend’s boat. In the background the television was on which caught our eye from time-to-time. It’s always the way isn’t it? If the television is on, then you just can’t help watching it, in company or not! Anyway, the weather forecast came on and they were giving severe weather warnings for high winds. Well I must say that they certainly weren’t wrong. The boats were bashing together all night long in the lay-by, meaning that the plates that hang on my back cabin curtains were rattling all night. I nearly got up at one point and took them all down, but as there are 30 odd of them it wouldn’t of been a five minute job. Upon arriving at Norbury I spent a good half an hour picking chairs, tables, bins (and their contents) and general stuff up from all over the yard. It settled down by about mid-day, but I have just come in from outside and it has seemed to have gone mighty cold!

I’m sorry that there I didn’t put a blog entry on yesterday, but it’s difficult to find something to write about everyday, this time of year, now that we have been plunged into the winter. Although work is progressing on the winter maintenance on the fleet, nothing “exciting” tends to happen to inspire us to write a long and interesting blog entry. I do know that we have comments that even the mundane daily chores of ours are of interest to outsiders and people that spend much of their time working in the “city”! So, we do honestly try hard to be inspired.

We had four boats come back yesterday, which Fred dually turned around for the next time that they go out. One of the reasons that we do this is that it’s never a good idea to leave their fuel tanks virtually empty, as this increases the chances of condensation, fuel contamination and the likelihood of the Diesel Bug. We also pump the toilet holding tanks out, due to the fact that the sediment will settle to the bottom of the tank making the tanks incredibly difficult to pumpout, flush out and keep clean. It also gives us a chance to look over the boats and if there are any problems, they can be identified and rectified before the boats are next used.

Phoenix was collected by Mr and Mrs Webster, they are regulars here at Norbury and avid blog readers. I do hope that they have a good fortnight away and that the ice doesn’t impound them whilst they are away from Norbury.

Graham was busy putting a new complete stern gear into the boat that we currently have on the dock. He has also now finished plating the one-side of our new dayboat Bounty.

This is how the steel prior to overplating, that deemed it necessary!

And this is how it looks this evening.

Mick has been getting on with the winter maintenance on the fleet, though today he has been putting all the external fittings back onto The Arkenstone. She now needs an internal clean and she will be ready for the customer to collect. Here’s a rather late picture taken this evening of her in all of her glory. I think that you will quite rightly agree that she looks splendid.

The tea room has quietened right off now, but Lorraine did have a busy spell earlier, when she had to call on Ange’s assistance as she virtually had a queue out the door and food orders coming out of her ears. It’s so difficult to plan how busy we are going to be, and to be honest I expected it to be very quite this morning due to the wind in the early hours of the morning, but it just shows how wrong you can be!

Anyway, it’s time to get locked up before all of the light has disappeared.

Until next time.

Best regards,

David

2011-11-25T17:12:00.002Z

It's been a steady day today.

Mick and Bernard have been getting on with winter maintenance on the hire fleet. Fred has docked a private boat and pressure washed it. Steve and Aaron have made good progress on the moorings and Graham is progressing with the plating work on Bounty.

Joyce and Lorraine have been cleaning, tidying and generally sorting in the laundry and kitchen respectively whilst Ange has been getting on with her normal busy jobs.

Simon has been out most of the day having a look at some boats that will be coming to Norbury for brokerage - so watch this space.

Matt has been doing some finishing off on the boat that he has been painting.

Not much more to report today, so have a good evening. Until tomorrow.

Regards,

David

Guest Blog

2011-11-23T15:47:00.001Z

The Making of a Boaters’ Manifesto

It seemed like a good idea at the time... Kevin Blick, a former canal magazine editor challenged me about some negative comments about BW and the new Trust I had been making on Twitter and Facebook – we need something positive he said.

While I don’t withdraw any of my reservations about BW and the Canal and River Trust I could see that boaters, and especially those who live on the system or spend much of their lives on the water did need to face the new reality of the Trust and tell those creating it what was needed.

So was born the Boaters’ Manifesto. I asked for contributions online, some of you may have seen my request on Norbury’s Facebook page, and then I put them all together. Everyone looked at it again and we fine-tuned it before the manifesto, created by a group of boaters, was sent to the Transition Trustees, the IWA and the members of the parliamentary waterways group.

It is now being discussed by the IWA and members of the parliamentary waterways group and a direct meeting is planned with the Transition Trustees of the proposed new Canal and River Trust.

THE MANIFESTO

It says that waterways are about boats and boaters and the Canal and River Trust needs to listen to boaters more closely and have more representatives on the board.

It also demands that before the Trust accepts the legal burden of running the waterways it must ensure proper funding to keep all waterways open, navigable and properly maintained, otherwise it should refuse to do so.

Most controversially, the manifesto says boaters have lost faith in the most senior management of British Waterways and believe that the government should accept the cost of making them redundant to give the Canal and River Trust and fresh start.

Contractors also come under fire and the manifesto says the Canal and River Trust must develop a system of working that values full time paid staff and their skills above the expediency of using cheap contractors in order to maintain the skilled workforce the waterways require.

The manifesto asks the Trust to enforce a simplified set of mooring rules across the entire waterways system without fear or favour and to make it a priority to ensure non-boating users of the system make a financial contribution to its upkeep.

The manifesto also wants the Trust to ensure it is open to Freedom of Information Act requests and suggests that those who live on their boats, several thousand people, should be clearly represented at board level and consulted on all navigational issues.

RESPONSE

One of the Transition Trustees, John Dodwell took an interest in the first draft of the manifesto abd told organisers: “I agree with you that waterways need boats as much as boats need waterways. The role of boat owners and others in saving the waterways is undisputed.”

John says the Trust’s Council needs a good representation of passionate and knowledgeable boat owners but does not agree that the five currently suggested is inadequate.

He also doesn’t envisage the Trustees turning down the deal if inadequate funds are forthcoming from Defra. He said: “Personally, I can’t see that the Government will fill the gap to the extent that everything is perfect and there is then no need to seek donations etc.

One key demand of the manifesto is that the Trust should not have the current BW directors at the helm. John Dodswell has told the organisers: “Sorry but getting rid of the current directors now – in the midst of much change – doesn’t make business sense to me. Let’s get the handover to CRT completed first!”
He also seems to believe that contractors will still be doing much work for the Trust, saying: “Bear in mind that central contracts mean using bulk buying power to reduce costs. They provide flexibility.”

On the Freedom of Information Act John says: “At one level, the charity world is worried that if the Act applies to this Trust, then it will affect other charities; not being Government agencies, charities are not generally covered by the Act. At another level, the Trust would anyway follow closely the spirit of the Act.”

Anyone who wants to check out the Boaters’ Manifesto can find it here http://peterunderwood.blogspot.com/ along with John Dodwell’s comments in full or here www.facebook.com/groups/boatersmanifesto/ or on its own website here http://boatersmanifesto.weebly.com/index.html where you can add your name to a petition in favour of it.

DIFFICULT

I think the manifesto is a worthwhile document and gives a voice to real boaters – well I would, wouldn’t I?

Getting it together has been interesting, especially as the contributions have all been made online and opinions vary according to perspective. I am pleased that we have got agreement from such a disparate bunch on a simple set of demands.

If the Transition Trustees can move some way towards us there is a tremendous reward in sight for the new charity because experienced boaters who spend much if not all of their lives on the system have already got a great deal of personal and financial capital invested in it.

We need to see a successful organisation running our waterways and doing so in a way that allows our investment to remain worthwhile. If the Canal and River Trust can convince us they are the people to do that here is a great wealth of enthusiasm, commitment and knowledge amongst boaters that can be tapped in a way that BW could never manage.

My next task is to put together a team to present the Manifesto to the trustees from amongst boaters I have only met electronically, each speaking on a section of the manifesto and possibly doing so from a variety of BW regional offices on a video link.

Remind me again why I started this?

Its been grand!

2011-11-22T16:33:00.002Z

I can hardly believe how Lucy we are with this weather, it has been a grand day today and as I write up the blog this afternoon it is a stunning sunset over Norbury, its been a very cold day, I had a meeting this morning and we stood on the wharf while having a coffee and boy was it chilly, you just ask Ange because when I came back in i gently touched her neck with my ice blocks commonly know as hands and she nearly jumped through the ceiling!

Its been a busy day in way or another, a few boats on the wharf, Bernard has had a private boat in for an engine service, Fred has been busy down in the depths of the dry dock painting, Micky has been boiler servicing, replacing water pumps, fixing broken ducting pipes, check batteries and checking fridges , he does have a varied day, Steve is making superb progress with the moorings, they are actually in sight of completion, I shouldn't speak too soon as I don't want to temp Providence!

Our thoughts are with Matt (our painter) and his family today as it is a close relatives funeral and I do know that they have all suffered a great loss, I hope his day has gone OK under the circumstances!

It is a week of funerals, I good friend of mine passed away just over a week ago, for anyone that might have seen the lovely gardens and plants here at Norbury in the past, well they were looked after by Pam and Terry, unfortunately Pam passed away and it his her funeral tomorrow, her friendly vibrant and cheeky character will be sorely missed!

That's it from me for tonight.
Simon

On that not I will

A bit early

2011-11-21T15:33:00.002Z

Back to work with a bump, as usual, loads of stuff to catch up on so I am glad that it has been a quiet day today, I am posting earlier than usual as I have a late meeting to go to, if that makes sense!

Last week we had amazing weather down in the South of England, my plans changed a little because of the unexpected weather, my plan was to winterise the boat for the winter and 'put it to bed' with the view of not going to it again until next year however upon our arrival on Monday the weather was so mild I decided that I would have take the boat out for the last cruise of the year and then 'put it to bed' on my return later that week, we were treated to four superb days out on the water with no wind and plenty of sun, it was very quiet which gave us the pick of the best moorings, I think that if you get the weather right then some of the best cruising can be in the winter months, but sadly that looks like it was the last few days cruising for me for this year, I wouldn't mind doing a bit more but because I am now busy right up to Christmas with different things and work getting in the way that will be it!

It looks like everyone has been relatively busy last week at work, well that is what they tell me anyway! Everyone has been busy today, even Cheryl has been busy in the tearoom, I have been catching up with the weeks events and to that end I must get off or I will be late for my meeting so until tomorrow.
Simon

Change is good as a rest

2011-11-20T16:19:00.002Z

I've been in the wet dock for most of the day painting Summer Wine. She's had a lick of paint all over to tidy her up ready for next season. I must say that she has come up really well bearing in mind the original paint job was done some five years ago now. There's just the blacking and counter bands to finish off now, but Fred will do that when she goes over into the dry dock in a week or so. Cheryl has also been in the dock today with me. She has checked through all of the inventory onboard the boat, to ensure it is all present and correct. She has also painted the poles and plank and varnished the deck board (cratch) and top plank.

Ange and Lorraine have done a great job of manning the shop, tearoom and office. I think there has been quite a few customers through the door this afternoon inparticularly.

Mick and Julian docked an old working boat this morning. She's one of the Town Class boats built by Harland and Wolffe at Woolwich, London for the Grand Union Canal Carrying Company and is known as a Big Woolwich. Once the water was drained out of the dock, she had a survey which didn't pick any unforeseen problems. Following this Julian has pressure washed her off so that she will be ready to receive her first coat of blacking tomorrow morning.

Mick has been getting on with the gas servicing and landlord certificates that we have to complete each year on every boat that we operate. It takes a while to get through so that will keep him busy for the next few months along with the other jobs that we squeeze in too...

I think that's everything to report for today.

Simon is back tomorrow and I am sure he will be only too willing to tell you all about his adventures whilst he has been off on holiday.

Look forward to speaking to you all on Saturday.

Best regards,

David

2011-11-19T16:48:00.002Z

The day got off to a good start this morning with the dayboat departing shortly after nine in the sunshine. Unfortunately by the time the other boats went out this afternoon the sun had disappeared and it had got a bit chiller. It is now quite bitter outside, let's hope that this isn't the start of the freeze...

We've got familiar faces out on Sovereign Lady today. Mr and Mrs Millington have hired from us on numerous occasions and are out for a couple of weeks. They run a caravan park in Harlech, so have come for a well earned rest!

Give me Time has now been SOLD and I have taken an offer on Tom Sandles.

More to report tomorrow.

Best regards,

David

Pictures today

2011-11-18T16:23:00.003Z

I thought that I'd take a few pictures for you to look at today.

Firstly, Matt has finished painting The Arkenstone and we have had her on the dock for blacking and for a set of anodes to be fitted. Here she is nearly complete. Once she has had all of her fittings put back on she will be coming out of the dock and the customer's will be collecting her. Unfortunately I was unable to get on to her (due to the paint on the counter being wet) to shut the doors prior to taking the picture as I wanted to show you the rear bulkhead pattern. It isn't the normal design. It is very similar to that of the Shropshire Union fly boats and I pleased how it has turned out.

Graham has started over-plating our new dayboat Bounty. She has already served several years on the Welsh Canal and has suffered from an incredible amount of corrosion. Once she has been plated she will easily serve for another 20 years and following the paint job she will receive in the winter, along with some internal alterations she will be like new when she goes into service in the Spring.

The window/porthole apertures have now been cut in Kirsty Louise, that's the last boat that we put a cabin on. Matt has cleaned up around them and given the steel some protection ready for the windows to be fitted.

Matt has currently got Summer Wine in the dock for a lick of paint. I hadn't realised how faded the paint had got. It has done well though seeing that we painted her some five years ago now. She has introduced many people to the canal system and carried experienced crew. Once she comes out of the dock she will look like new! Joyce has also been doing some internal varnishing whilst Summer Wine has been in the warm and dry...

Until tomorrow.

Best regards,

David

2011-11-17T17:12:00.002Z

A blog entry from Lorraine today.

Hello everyone. Queen numpty here. It's Lol in the tea rooms.

It has been very quiet today, but there is always something to do to keep me out of trouble ha ha.

Boss numpty head is taking us all out for our Christmas do in December to a casino in Stoke-on-Trent. I am really looking forward to it. I will have to behave myself and not do the Dick Emery famous walk. If you know me you will know what I am on about.

Well I had better get back to my kitchen and tidy up and mop the floor. David is busy and Joyce has been varnishing today amongst other duties and bless her she has been battling against a migrane all day. Well I will love and leave you all until next time.

I will let you know if any of us win at the casino.

Take care.

Lol xx

Where does the time go?

2011-11-16T16:42:00.002Z

Blanche announced this morning that there are only thirty eight days left until Christmas. I just don't know where the time goes to. There has been alot of water under the bridge in the last twelve months in one way or another.

I nipped into Newport this afternoon to get some supplies for the tea room and to do some banking. I must admit that I was surprised to see the Christmas lights already up. I suppose they are up in most towns/cities by now, but as I don't venture into these busy places on a regular occasion I wouldn't know.

Talking about Christmas, most of you already know that there is a superb open-air market hosted by Birmingham City Council. The Frankfurt Christmas Market is located in Victoria Square and stretches down New Street. It has always been a hive of activity when I have visited and has a superb atmosphere, especially at night. It begins tomorrow and runs until a couple of days before Christmas Day. If you haven't been before - it is a must. I-for-one will be organising an evening trip there shortly. Further information can be found here. Now there's an idea - why not hire one of our boats for a short break (Monday - Friday) and visit Birmingham in the coming weeks. It is truly the best way to visit this city (as it is also others). I'm sure we can work a good deal out for you!

There's been alot of activity from the staff at work today. I was going to get some shots of them hard at work - only to prove that we do some work occasionally! Unfortunately I lost the light by the time I got outside with the camera - so I will try again tomorrow.

Best regards. Until tomorrow.

David.

Welcome back

2011-11-15T16:37:00.002Z

I was sat in the Red Lion last night next to the open fire, that was roaring up the chimney (well it was when we had finished with it!), cosy, warm, with good company and enjoying a pleasant pint of Courage’s Directors bitter when I realised that I hadn’t written a blog. So being conscientious as I am, I decided to type one on my phone. Unfortunately when I went to upload it the Wi-Fi decided to drop out and I ended up pressing the wrong button, deleting all of the text. So I do apologise that you didn’t get a blog entry to read last night, but I did honestly try.

I’ll try again today!

It’s been quiet for the last couple of days at Norbury. Winter is definately here due to the fact that we have seen very little traffic on the canal. It also seems quite cold outside, although the thermometer in the car when I have been driving back and forth from Norbury reads 10°C.

We have welcomed back a little friend. Visitors to Norbury Junction will see that our Mandarin duck has returned. When I first came to Norbury in 2005 he visited each Autumn and stopped until the Spring. Once he had fertilised all of the Mallard’s eggs he used to disappear for the summer. Well he didn’t return last year, and we feared the worst, but it’s great to see him back. Here is a picture of him that I caught earlier.

Simon was concerned that we were (or rather that I was) going to eat the two tins of sweets that he had stashed away under his desk whilst he was away, so when he left to go on holiday he took them with him! One of our customers heard about this and thought that he was being unfair, so promptly went and bought us a tin from the supermarket (thanks Pete, ALL of the staff have enjoyed them!).

Jobs on the boats and around the yard have been progressing well – more about them tomorrow.

Until then.

Best regards,

David.

2011-11-13T16:19:00.001Z

I’m glad Ange filled you in yesterday evening with some of the events of the return of the dayboaters. I’m glad that the others don't turn up like that every time that they go out! They definitely upset Bernard. They must have been brave, because I certainly wouldn’t like to upset him!

Cheryl spent most of the morning cleaning the dayboat up, ready for the next time that she goes out. I think that is the first time this year that we have kept the damage deposit for any of the boats.

Julian and I undocked the two boats that we had on the dock and docked Amarige. That’s one of the boats that we have sold recently which is now on for blacking and a set of anodes to be fitted. It also needs a new bottom rudder bearing (cup) fitting, but I will have to give the owners a ring first to get the authorisation to do that. The poor chap has got a few broken bones, from being knocked down by a motorbike outside his own house. The accident happened the day before him and his wife were due to collect the boat from us, so up until now he hasn’t even been able to enjoy getting out on the canal.

There’s been a few boats out and about today, a couple have been on the wharf for services, but certainly a huge contrast to those long and busy summer weekends that seem so long ago now.

Lorraine has been kept busy down in the tea room. She’s had some assistance from Ange and Cheryl at the busier times, but she is superb at looking after the customers who come in for refreshments.

Ange has been busy with her normal office duties, looking after customers and with laundry off of the boats. Now all-but-one of the new boats that we will be operating next year have arrived, the inventory is being checked with a fine toothed comb and all of the bedding etc. is being washed and stored in the warm and dry for the winter months.

Mick is progressing with the diesel stove that he has been fitting to one of our moorers boats. When I went down to the dock earlier this afternoon he had just finished fixing it down and plumbing up the back boiler. He only needs to fit the flue pipe and commission the diesel system now, so I would imagine it will be up and running by this evening.

That’s about all to report from here today.

Best regards,

David.

2011-11-12T17:06:00.001Z

After all the rain that we had in the night, I thought that it was going to prove to be a miserable day, but it’s been quite the opposite. The sun was shining by 9am as the boats were returning from their weeks cruises. Although it has gone a bit chilly now.

We had one dayboat go out this morning. Let’s hope they aren’t as late back as the customer’s that went out this time last week! Princess has been collected and gone out for the week, and we have turned around three shared boats.

Talking of shared boats, we have had another boat confirm that they will be operating from here next season. That leaves just one space for a shared boat to be turned around on a Saturday. So, if you want to come to Norbury please do not hesitate to contact us ASAP. We send a warm welcome out to the owners of Still Dreaming and look forward to seeing you in April.

Best regards,

David

where has the week gone

2011-11-11T19:00:00.003Z

i just don't know where the time has gone this week, only 6 weeks until christmas and then it will be easter before we know it and we'll be well into the thro's of the season. i am really looking forward to it but we do need extra staff next year for washing and cleaning so if anyone is tempted give me a call.
it has been a reasonable day here today, we have turned 6 shared owned boats around, all have been collected by their owners and one has even gone out for 2 weeks, i do hope they have reasonable weather, but hey if they don't they will be nice and cosy on the boat with the fire going.
fred hasn't been too busy today but he does ask for me to get the keys ready for him on a friday morning cos he's lazy, then when he's finished with them he gets me to hang them back up for him, cheek, i wouldn't mind but he won't do anything for me. bernard has been in and out of the shop like he was on a piece of elastic, crashing through the door, we have asked him not to do it, he wouldn't if simon was here.
it is getting so dark at night now and when we leave work it is like the black hole of calcutta here. we have to negotiate our way through the gate, walk over to the other side of the road, up the side of wharf cottage when the light comes on and then goes off after about 5 seconds. lorraine said she felt like dick emery walking down the towpath last night over the cobbles, i can just see her now wobbling from side to side trying not to fall over, she is so funny. i had to smile today as we sent simon out shopping this morning, he came back with stationery, groceries and wine. the wine he bought was duly checked by lorraine and she had a moan at simon as it was only 8% abv, she said it was just like drinking fruit juice, he said drinking anything stronger makes you walk like dick emery, lol, he calls her lol aswell.
well that's it from me tonight, sorry it's a late blog, byeeeeeeee, ange.

Well I laughed

2011-11-09T08:25:00.006Z

Well I laughed when I read Angela's blog from last night, I was a little too busy to write one so Ange stepped in and wrote it instead, she has a unique way of saying things, well she has exposed the 'Numpty Club' here at Norbury, when someone gets something totally wrong then they get the title of chief Numpty, Not that it happens very often, well lorraine does get the title more often than most! and I won’t mention Fred as he has had his name changed by deed pole to Mr Numpty, so As Angela said last night if you want to join the ever expanding Numpty club then just drop her a line.

Its been a grey damp day today, one of those days where I could have stayed in bed for another hour at least, but not today though as there was far too much to get done, we had a day boat out first thing this morning, two boats going on the dock for blacking etc and I really needed to get the winter works schedules finished off as I am not around next week and the lads need to make a start on the boats as it is a big job to get 30 odd boats done as well as all of the other jobs that come in over the winter period, Matt has been progressing very well and the boat is looking superb, it will be finished this weekend so no doubt David will get a picture of it as it comes out of the dock, Graham has been busy as well, he has been adding some protection to the base plate of Defiant which if you didnt know is one of our day boats, he then started removing the stern gear of our 'new to us' day boat, the Bounty, it is very worn indeed and needs a new stern bush at the very least, Fred has been blacking and doing the last bit of grass cutting of the year and Bernard has been winterising boats, he is nearly finished and then he will be starting on the winter engine servicing.

That’s it from me for today so until tomorrow, maybe.
Simon

back to the grindstone

2011-11-08T18:34:00.002Z

hi all, yes it was back to the grindstone today after a week off and what a good week i had too. contrary to popular belief i was not "knocking a round off" it is now too dark to play golf after work and mark was working so i was off on my own til friday, we then went to london to visit my brother in stratford where the new olympic stadium is, it looks really good, we then went to see billy elliot the musical and that was just awesome.
i really can't beleive how many holidays have been booked over the last few weeks for next year and it is nice to see some returning customers, hi to lorraine lintern who has booked "pippin" for next year and also hi to kerry morgan who has booked "princess", look forward to meeting with you again in 2012.
fred has been up to his usual tricks today like doing my head in and bernard has attended a call out as well as other bits and bobs around the yard, fred was hoping to have half a days holiday but that didn't materialise (sorry fred) and mick has been finishing off some private work before we get stuck into the winter works on the hire fleet, we have got lots to do.
we have been quiet in the shop and tea room today which has allowed us to catch up on lots of jobs and for me to catch up on a weeks work, the joys of having a holiday.
simon has been busy going through all the hire boats looking at what work we will be doing and sending e mails back to me by mistake that i sent to him, i daren't send one back to him or he would call me a numpty, we're all numpties here at norbury even his girlfriend amanda, but we're past all that now aren't we amanda ?, we just welcome everyone to the numpty club so if you would like to join just give us a call and we'll enrol you, that's it from me tonight, teas ready, speak soon byeeeeeeeee.

Its toooooo short!

2011-11-07T16:30:00.002Z

I reckon that the weekend is far too short, but then I think that everyone else also feels the same on a Monday! The week days also seem far too short at the moment! I do like the winter when it is crisp in the air and a nice frost on the ground but I really don't like it dark in the late afternoon like it is now as I am writing this blog! It has been a seriously cold day today, I awoke this morning expecting to see a hard frost outside when I opened the curtains but it was just damp, I believe from David that there had indeed been a frost but then I reckon that because of the distance that he is travelling in to work at the moment he would be up earlier than me.

Its been an incredibly busy day today here at Norbury, we have sen quite a lot of boats on the wharf for services which has kept David on his toes, Micky has been fitting a stove, Graham has been welding in the dock, I have been for a play on our new day boat , what a Laugh that is going to be, I will post some pictures of it this week as soon as I get the chance, Cheryl has been busy in the shop and tea room as well as a bit of stock taking that had been over looked, Matt has been painting, and that is going to look superb when its finished this week, pictures to follow! Julian has been doing a bit of blacking and that's about the total sum of the activities today.

We have our Angela back tomorrow after her week of relaxing, knocking a few rounds off, doing London and generally enjoying herself, she will no doubt be well and truly refreshed after her break, I should just say that she likes her golf!

That's about it from me for today.
Simon

They arrived eventually!

2011-11-06T16:21:00.001Z

The dayboat eventually arrived back just before six last night! I wasn’t very impressed as I was supposed to be over in Tamworth for six thirty. I can understand the boats being a few minutes late, as you can never guarantee timings on the canal, but to be an hour and a half late is taking it a bit too far…

I was out boating last night, enjoying the fire work displays all around until we reached our destination for our very own bonfire, fireworks and BBQ. A great evening was had by all.

I was up early again this morning, walked Annie and then headed over to work. Although the traffic isn’t usually too bad at the weekend, thick fog slowed progress down this morning. By the time I arrived at Norbury it became evident that the sun was going to burn through the fog and a brilliant day has followed. At one point there wasn’t a cloud in the sky and most people were walking around in short sleeved t-shirts. It’s now started to drop cold again and I wouldn’t be surprised to see a frost tonight.

Mick and Julian have docked one of our new hire boats. Julian has pressure washed it off whilst Mick has been carrying on with the stove fit that he is in the middle of. He has also been out to a break down. One of our moorers experienced alternator problems down at Church Eaton and called for our assistance. They are now up and running again and heading back towards Norbury.

Lorraine has worked really hard today, with a couple hours of assistance from Cheryl. Ange off on holiday, so I have manned the shop, office and telephones whilst carrying on with some advertising work and no end of other bits and pieces I have ongoing. Not to mention a bit of invoicing!

I hope that you all have a good week ahead. I have got some painting to finish off on Ant if the weather isn’t too bad on Tuesday/Wednesday – so that will keep me occupied.

Best regards,

David.

Didn’t it rain in the night?

2011-11-05T17:16:00.001Z

Didn’t it rain in the night? It bucketed it down, but I suppose the canal system and the reservoirs need it to top them back up!

We have turned four boats around today and all the holiday makers have gone on their merry way to enjoy a bit of boating, now the canals are a bit quieter.

As I write I am sat here waiting for the dayboat to return. Hopefully they will be back for 5.30pm as I would like to get off on time to attend a bonfire/firework party.

I’ll try and blog a bit more tomorrow, but I am afraid I need to rush off! Have a good evening.

Regards,

David.

2011-11-04T17:02:00.000Z

As I was driving into work this morning, the weather forecast was for heavy rain, thunder, lightening and possibly a hail storm. Luckily it has actually been quite mild and dry until about half an hour ago when the heavens opened! This has meant that Steve and Aaron have had to stop work up the moorings because they were just working in a muddy quagmire.

We have turned five shared owned boats around today and got the hire boats ready that are going out tomorrow. The two boats that are currently on the dock have both been blacked. I think Fred thought that it was necessary to black himself too! I’m sure that his wife won’t be too impressed having to do more washing for him…

Opal II has also turned up from Oxford and I know that Reflection is on her way because I saw her in Tamworth a couple of evenings ago. There’s another two on their way that should arrive sometime over the weekend too.

Simon has been out-and-about for most of the day. He should have been back to the yard about three, but he unfortunately suffered a puncture which has delayed him to the point that he still hasn’t returned.

I hope that you all enjoy your evening and I will be back again tomorrow to update you on what’s been occurring here.

Best regards,

David.

Flat out!

2011-11-02T16:28:00.003Z

Sorry I didn't post anything yesterday, as the title suggests, I have been flat out for the last couple of days, I have had Angela off, David off, Lorraine off and Mick off today, not that it has been busy, but with four people off you do tend to be a little bit busier than normal, good job it has been quiet!

Not much to report really, I suppose the most exciting thing to happen is that we have had a blocked soil pipe in one of the cottages, not to exciting I hear you say, well not until Fred managed to loose a long section of the roding tool down the soil pipe which at that stage was full of s*** needless to say that when he reported it to me the air too was also full of s*** and lots of other expletives!! they have had to dig up the soil pipe to locate the roding tool, as I am writing this blog I am yet to hear how they have got on, I really do hope that they have sorted the problem, if not the s*** will hit the fan as the poor occupants of the cottage wont be able to use there loo tonight!

Apart from that nothing else too interesting has happened over the last couple of days, we have steadily been taking bookings for the boats for next year, one of the new boats turned up today which only leaves four more to arrive, Fred and Bernard have un docked two boats today and also docked two more, Interestingly for the past couple of years we have had a several empty moorings but this winter we are full to bursting point with moorings, so much so that we have had to start a waiting list again, we must be doing something right, either that or we are too cheap!

That's it from me for today.
Simon

Its Dark

2011-10-31T17:10:00.002Z

It's horrible, this time of year that is! When it goes dark earlier in the day it doesn’t feel right still being at work, I also think that all of the people who work here think the same because as it gets dark they slow down and try and skulk off early! It does make the evenings seem really long though, I wish this country would do away with swapping the hours around and just stick to British summer time, I prefer the dark mornings to the dark nights! It also makes the customers stay away.

Its been a quiet day, as you would expect really as it was the last day of the cruising season and it is now that BWB historically start on their winter maintenance program, we have been lucky this year as there are not many stoppages in our neck of the woods but even so the canal system does go very quiet, everyone has been busy here today though with our year end, stocktaking and finishing off the outstanding jobs prior to starting on this years mammoth winter maintenance program on our boats, alls being well work will commence tomorrow on winterising some of the boats before the bad weather descends on us, I don’t suppose that will be far away now, funny to think that last year it was only two weeks on from now that the snow came, Bbrrrr I am not looking forward to that, I hope you are all well and truly stocked up with your winter fuels?

That’s it from me for today
Simon

2011-10-30T17:11:00.001Z

That’s it. British Summer Time has ended and we are in for some dark nights ahead! I was amazed to find that my phone automatically updated itself. It did confuse me a little, but after taking a look at the clock I have on the bulkhead, all became clear!

Bernard got the dayboat ready this morning for the happy crew and I showed it out. They had a brilliant day in glorious sunshine. You just can’t predict what the weather is going to do at the moment. Yesterday we had rain and wind, today we have had sun.

Julian, Bernard and I have docked one of the brokerage boats and also Phantasy as we are now due to start winter maintenance. It’s seems like this year has flown by, so much has happened, lots of water under the bridge. I am sure that next season will go even quicker with more boats – and hopefully as smoothly as this.

Matt has been in for a few hours today to get ahead with the painting of The Arkenstone. Cheryl has been getting on with stock taking. Lorraine has manned the tearoom and Ange has been doing her normal daily tasks, ensuring that she is up-to-date as she is off on holiday for a week.

I’m off home to get some chores done tonight.

Have a good week and speak to you next weekend.

Best regards,

David.

Halloween

2011-10-29T17:23:00.002+01:00

I went to a Halloween party last night, which was great fun… It’s always good to catch up with friends too and hear the latest news from around the canal network. It's amazing the effort that so many people put into their costumes. I on the other hand felt a bit out of place, although I have never been keen on dressing up!

That meant that I wasn’t up as early as normal this morning, so Annie only got a very quick walk before I headed into work. The sun was shining although it was cold – I reckon it was the coldest night so far. One of our customers’s who travelled back from Wheaton Aston claimed that Jack Frost had paid a visit, although I am yet to see him!

All of the boats returned without issues and we have only turned two shared boats around, which has meant that today has seemed a bit quiet compared to any other Saturday.

We had a dayboat book last minute, which departed at about 11 and were back ontime for 4.30.

We have seen a few working boats through in the last few days which have included Iain and Clair’s ex-FMC motorboat Plover and John and Sue Yates’ ex-GUCCCo. Motorboat Buckden, both of which were heading in a southerly direction for the winter.

Not much more to report today, so until tomorrow!

Best regards,

David.

P.S. Don’t forget to change your clocks!

Interesting

2011-10-28T18:26:00.002+01:00

It was an interesting post by Peter with some unusual views and it is nice to see some interesting comments as well, I will keep my thoughts on the subject to myself, I will say that for many years I was a 'continuously cruiser' for most of the time I played by the rules however I did take advantage of the very slack BWB attitude in the winter and definitely overstayed on short stay moorings, however that was a long time ago and before it started to become such a big issue as it seems to be now!

I have been out all day today so I cannot really comment on what has been going on back at the fun factory, I have been to a popular spot on the canals to view one of the hire boats that is due to arrive with us shortly and while there I did notice a group of boats that had obviously taken up residence on the towpath side,and had been there for a good while, they are nothing more than dossers that take advantage of loop holes and hide behind 'human rights' these are the people that need taking to task in my opinion, lets see BWB or CART as it will soon be 'cart' them off, then I reckon continuous cruising should not be such an issue!

This is of course my opinion

I am sure that David will post some interesting things about what is going on this weekend at Norbury, so until Monday.

Simon

Boaters often get themselves into a bit of a state

2011-10-27T17:17:00.002+01:00

Another guest blog from Peter Underwood today...

Boaters often get themselves into a bit of a state over the continuous cruiser / continuous moorer debate, and that isn’t helped by British Waterways’ failure over many years to get a grip on the subject.

I am currently on the lower reaches of the Grand Union where, like the rivers and canals in London itself, those around Oxford and the Kennet and Avon near Bath, the problem is particularly obvious.

For some people it is the prospect of slowing down while passing miles of moored boats that causes them to break into a rant. Others object to those who fail to either pay for or display a licence and yet seem to manage to stay moored to the bank.

Others object to boats dumped for at least two weeks at a time by owners who refuse to pay for a mooring and some simply believe that because they pay to moor everyone else should, especially if they stay in one small length of canal.

Speak to any boaters, anywhere on the system and they will tell you of a boat that has been in the same position, tied up to the towpath, for months and even years. It is never moved on by BW staff and seems impervious to all rules and regulations.

Now I don’t know how those boats and their owners get away with it, it is one of the great mysteries of the waterways.

I hear unsubstantiated tales of BW staff being too frightened to challenge the owner and the conspiracy theorists hint darkly at back-handers or explain that, as the owner lives on board the Human Rights Act means they can’t be deprived of a home.

Personally, I blame inertia and confusion. Even the latest amendments to the Continuous Cruiser rules have left BW bankside staff unable to explain to boaters just how far and how often they have to move to be in the rules. As a result it is easier not to upset the status quo, especially in the areas we mentioned where many boaters live on board, work and bring up families locally, and don’t want to move very far.

You also get rumours springing up amongst those mooring in an area. One current at Rickmansworth at the moment is that if they buy a winter mooring BW won’t hassle them to move on for the rest of the year. I have contacted the regional manager for the South East to ask him whether there is any truth in that rumour but he hasn’t replied. Of course, it is only credible at all because of BW’s historic failure to deal with the continuous moorer issue.

Officially recognised residential moorings on the Grand Union at Rickmansworth

It is just that type of situation BW’s Head of Boating Sally Ash is claiming to be sorting out on the River Lee (popular because boats only need a river licence and so pay half the normal fee) by designating ‘zones’ and changing those who don’t want to move very far – but don’t want to pay for a very expensive London mooring - an additional licence fee.

I am told there are some clauses being built into those additional licences that may mean they are self-limiting; with plans to only give them to those currently on the river and rescinding them if they change jobs or their children finish school.

To me that seems pointless and the concept of a special licence for those who want to move within a limited area, especially if it goes to pay for the establishment of new visitor moorings and facilities that are also used by cruising boats – and if the capacity at any mooring site is limited to 50% of the space for those with the special licences – then everyone benefits.

I suspect something similar would be welcomed in those other continuous mooring ‘hotspots’

Of course, it would create more linear moorings, as will the London plan to establish more offside formal residential mooring sites on the Lee and elsewhere, but if you are annoyed by having to slow down for moored boats perhaps you should buy something sea-going instead.

One of the real virtues of our waterways is a slow pace of life, get used to it.

But the devil in all such plans is the detail of enforcement. Just as it is pointless having 48 hour mooring places in the depths of the countryside on the Shropshire Union when the canal is only patrolled every couple of weeks or so and the patrol officer has no way of knowing whether a boat has been there one day or 13 days, it is pointless having those roving permits for certain areas unless they are enforced.

The starting point is enforcing the rule that says every boat must have a name and its registration number displayed on both sides at all times – preferably painted on.

The number of boats we pass not showing a number, or a name and very frequently no licence, is growing all the time and just makes life even more difficult for patrol officers and licence checkers.

Get that right and you can start enforcing the same rules for every boater. I would suggest that, with the possible exception of 48 hour moorings at genuine hotspots, the 14 day rule ought to apply across the country to all boaters regardless of whether they are continuous cruisers. Let’s get rid of the complicated 5-day or 7-day moorings along with the 24 hour ones and just have two types – 48-hour and 14-day.

Apart from designated zones where a limited number of boats may have paid for roving permits over a short stretch, it will be easy to see whether a boat that was there two weeks earlier is still there, if sufficient visits are made by patrol officers.

Make it easier still by allowing other boaters and walkers to report, perhaps along with dated photographs, boats that have exceeded the 14-day rule.

I appreciate that this could catch those who want to leave their marina and visit the same spot three weekends running but I can only suggest they try somewhere different.

The same goes for unnamed boats with no registration number; they can be reported, with pictures and patrol officers told to check them out on their next visit.

The reality is that there should be no hiding place on the canals and the proper enforcement of much simplified rules will allow the vast majority who do not attempt to cheat the system to get on with their lives, whether as continuous cruisers, continuous moorers or occasional users, without harassment. Meanwhile, BW and then the CandRT can focus on the offenders.

Eventually the rest of us won’t be wondering why the same boat is in the same place on the towpath, with no licence after another 12 or 18 or 24 months.

ANOTHER sunny day!

2011-10-26T16:38:00.002+01:00

It is getting harder at this time of year to get out of bed when it is dark and of course it seems even darker until the clocks change this coming weekend, so don't forget folks, the clocks go back an hour on Sunday! it will still be a bit on the dark side however and when you are tucked up in a nice warm bed it is even harder still, just wait until the snow arrives, But that could be a long way off and judging by this incredible weather we are having, the sun has been shining yet again today and looooooong may it continue!

Thanks to Ange for writing the blog yesterday, and while she was making Marks tea! she really does know how to multitask, she does it very well at work too!

Its been a nice busy week so far but I guess that the kids holidays have helped that along as well as this wonderful weather, no day boats out today but we have had a hire boat go out for a few days, the lads undocked a boat today and promptly docked another one, Freddie then pressure washed it down, Bernard set to on servicing the engine while Graham welded a new set of sacrificial anodes on to the hull, Mags returned with a couple of small problems on her boat today, you will remember her boat (calm down) the one that has just been painted, she thought that the engine wasn't charging but all was fine so off she went again, a happy lady!

That's it from me for today.
Simon

multi tasking

2011-10-25T18:38:00.003+01:00

hi everyone, there isn't really that much news from norbury today. it has been quite busy in the shop and the tea room and as the title suggests, that is what i have been doing. cheryl has been cleaning the lads mess room today and it really was a mess, how they can eat their lunch in there is beyond belief, they never clean up after themselves and simon and david thought it a good idea for one of us "girlies" to clean it for them and they would take the hint, never in a month of sundays, it will be just as bad again in no time, as my mum always says it makes you wonder what their houses are like, probably spotless as they have their WAG'S to look after them. i had a lovely coversation with a lady in the tea room today (while the phone was ringing it's head off and i was in the shop on my own), but she was so sweet i couldn't ignore her. she asked me whether our canal painted ware was done locally and i assured her that it was as the gentleman that bought my boat from me 4 years ago did it for us, and what a good job he does, keep up the good work tim, customers like what you do. well that's that it from me today, i am multi tasking as i write this blog, cooking a birthday meal for mark my hubby, everything is almost done so i am going to plate up and enjoy, till next time byeeeee, ange.

Stunning

2011-10-24T10:51:00.003+01:00

As you know I have been down in London for a few days and I have to say that the weather has yet again been stunning as it is today, I think we are very lucky this year with this later good weather that we are having, long may it continue! Norbury is a bit different to London in terms of people, London was heaving, everywhere we went was packed so it is funny coming back in to work this morning as the place seems almost like a ghost town, it hasn't however been quiet today and we have seen a lot of boats passing through and the wharf has been busy, at one point we had boats querying up for services, that has kept David busy, as well as the wharf being busy we have had a day boat go out with the occupants of our holiday cottage, so while it might not be at the 'London' pace of things its none the less kept us all on the go today!

Mick is off this week so today we are a few people down today, Angela is off and so is Bernard and Fred, We do have Matt in and he is busy on preparation of the full paint job in the dock, Graham is also in and he is busy with making a new diesel tank for a boat that we are fitting a new central heating system on and Julian has blacked a boat in the dry dock.

The new brochure has been well received by folks and ALL of the first copies have gone, well done to David for making a good job of it, there are some more pictures to go in to it but they will be inserted once the new boats have arrived, the new boats have not yet been included on to the websites but that is all in hand and they should appear by the weekend (hopefully)

We might start to skip a couple of days with the blog over this winter as I don't reckon there will be too much to write, once we get stuck in to the winter maintenance it will be very repetitive, but if there is anything of real interest to report then we will do so.

That's it from me for today
Simon

It’s been a quieter day here at Norbury today.

2011-10-23T16:57:00.001+01:00

We haven’t had many boats passing by although we have had some friends up on their ex-working boats to top up with diesel. It’s amazing how many people go out their way and make a detour up the Shroppie just to buy diesel from us! Lucy also came up with The North from Wheaton Aston today for lunch along with a motley crew. They left here about 3.30pm so will hopefully be back for when I get home. Roast Beef tonight supplied by some farming friends in Wheaton Aston. I think there are only seven of us for dinner tonight, although we have catered for fourteen.

Mick and Julian have undocked Ralph’s boat and docked a boat that we have recently sold for pressure washing, blacking and a new set of anodes to be fitted which Graham will attend to tomorrow.

Mick has been on a breakdown to Cut End, nothing serious, just a morse control cable that had broken. It must be the day for cables breaking as when Ralph was manoeuvring his boat out the arm earlier, his broke too!

I’ve had a move round of boats down the arm again today! The arrival of a couple of winter moorers and another long term moorer is imminent.

Simon will be back from London in the morning, so he will keep you posted for the rest of the week.

Until next week.

Have a good road!

David

The brochures have arrived…

2011-10-22T16:42:00.001+01:00

As the title of this blog suggests, our hire boat brochures and day boat leaflets for 2012 have now arrived from the printers. Ange has been busy sending them out to customers that have requested copies and bookings are now starting to flow in. So, don’t miss out, send us an email with a postal address and we will send you a copy of the brochure to you. Don’t forget that we have seven additional boats for next season too, so I am sure that no body will be disappointed. As the boats arrive I will get some pictures of them and do a review of each one for you. Make sure you take advantage of the discounts on offer. Each returning customer will receive a 5% discount. Second and subsequent consecutive weeks booked attract a 15% discount and Flotilla’s receive a 5% discount.

We’ve had a busy day today. One day boat out this morning. We’ve turned a couple of shared boats around and seen four of our own boats out and also have new occupants in the holiday cottage.

Graham has started fitting a diesel tank into the front of one of our moorers boats that we will be fitting a diesel stove into next week.

Bernard has engineered the hire fleet and has been getting an engine up and running on one of the brokerage boats. It had suffered from fuel starvation. The fuel filter was blocked, so that has been changed. He then discovered that the lift pump was leaking so that has also been changed. It’s all up and running now.

Fred has been on his normal duties; pumpouts, gas, diesel etc. He has also washed all of the boats that have gone out and then done some jobs around the yard.

Lorraine has manned the tea room today, and Ange the shop. Cheryl finished cleaning the boats and has cleaned the cottage.

Until tomorrow,

Best regards,

David

Dark nights

2011-10-21T17:03:00.003+01:00

They are on their way... Dark nights that is. It's just gone ten past five and the light is already fading.

I really do enjoy the Autumn but it seems to come around so quickly. I'd be much happier if the summer lasted a lot longer, but then we would probably have even more water shortages.

It's been quite a busy day here today. We've turned a number of the shared boats round, sent two motor homes out and been cracking on with some jobs on a couple of private boats. The girls have been up to their normal duties, cleaning, washing, manning the tea room and ofcourse Ange has been in the office and shop.

The following video has not long been uploaded to e-bay. Sit back in front of your fire tonight, relax and take in some heritage! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sY8gHsQT-Y. The backing music was provided by a good friend of mine; David Blagrove.

That's it from me today.

Until tomorrow.

Best regards,

David

Down the "big smoke"

2011-10-20T12:45:00.004+01:00

Its funny to think of London as the "big smoke" as it was often referred to by many people and some boatmen, it was labeled as such since the late 19Th century, and applied in particular to the Great smog of 1952, You cant imagine London being covered in a 'Great smog' Well I hope it isn't this weekend as I am venturing down there, No doubt when I am there I will have a mooch around some of the canals (as you do) and maybe a trip along the Thames, this is of course a working weekend of research!!

I hope the weather over the weekend stays like it has been here today, it has been glorious, very cold this morning on my way in to work but the sun has been shining all day.

Its been a busier day today and we have seen quite a few boats passing, I don't usually notice many hire boats yet I have seen a few today. we have had a few boats in on the wharf for services of which David has taken care of, David has been outside most of the day moving boats around as we are now starting to fill up, once the hire boats have slowed down and the shared boats start to filter back in we fill up very quickly and then we have to shuffle all of the boats around to make so space for everyone, its a bit like a puzzle at times, wondering what boat will fit in to what space etc, Bernard has been busy all day again doing engine servicing, we do seem to have done a lot of engine servicing this year and its funny as Bernard commented on that fact as well and he never usually mentions the work load! Graham has been busy with making a new diesel tank for a central heating system and also making new deck boards for a boat, Poor old Matt was not feeling well today and his sander packed up so I suggested that he called it a day, I think he was very happy with that outcome! Fred has been off all week and he returns tomorrow so I suspect he will be grumpy in the morning, he has an easy day tomorrow, only a few pump outs to do, so if you are reading this Fred, don't worry you've got a nice easy day!

That's it from me for today and this week in fact, David will no doubt be writing up the blog and keeping you up to speed with the happenings over the weekend, so until Monday, and I hope you all have a lovely weekend.

Simon

12 Months!!!!!

2011-10-19T09:26:00.001+01:00

Thanks to Lorraine Lintern who sent Angela an email yesterday about hiring a boat next year and for pointing out that yesterday on the 18^th October the blog celebrated its first year, I find it hard to believe that it was a year ago yesterday that we started the blog, that is nearly 365 posts and amazing 36000 visitors! A HUGE thanks goes out to everyone that has replied to posts, read the posts, contributed towards the content, and Angela and David for taking the time to post things in my absence!

Its been a tough year for everyone in business and everyone in general, the government has squeezed us ALL as tight as they dare and this has caused a lot of companies to go under and many more companies to lay off staff and cut back, we on the other hand have had the same sort of year as previous years, albeit income from different areas, however we are feeling the pinch as our costs rise, we have had a good year in terms of hiring, this is one aspect of the business that seems to be up, which has made up for other areas that are down, I have taken the decision on the strength of this to increase the fleet as I have previously mentioned, Bold or foolhardy? well only time will tell, but what I do know is that sitting back and just accepting that we are earning less is not going to pave a way forward for the future for any of us, I think we need to invest more to earn more even if it is only going to be a small return on our investment, at least it is a return!

We normally have an end of season party in October, sadly not this year, as I said earlier, our costs have risen and to that end we will now have a party every other year, so sorry to all of our valued customers and friends who we enjoy seeing so much at the party, we are still here and you are all more than welcome to come down at any time and have a drink and a chin wag, as a lot of you already do!

I would like to take the opportunity through this blog to say a MASSIVE thank you to everyone who has supported us in everyway this last year, My family for all of there help around the place, all of my staff for there continued efforts, and most importantly, our customers, without you we don’t have a business!

Keep reading the blog!

Regards

Simon