what is the future?

I was out last night dropping Becks off to collect a boat down near Chester and on the way home I dropped in to the Shady Oak pub near Beeston, we had a nice meal and a couple of drinks, I spoke with the bar man and asked how busy they had been over the bank holiday, he said that they had been quite busy but after the bank holiday it had just died a death, we sat there and it was very quiet, there had been a few people in for meals but they had all left by about 9 o'clock, it made me think how long can these small canal side rural pubs last in this poor climate, take valued little ale houses that we all love like the Anchor at High Offley, it survives purely on its income from the canal, we all need to support them more if we want to see them survive, I look back over the years that I have been boating and I think of all the pubs that have long gone, such a shame, we are slowly loosing our traditional canal side pubs and a tradition that once gone will never return.

Its been a busier day today although still not many boats around, I have had the figures today for August and it makes interesting reading, The wharf seemed to be busier this year than last year, we certainly did more pump outs and definitely supplied more fuel as well, the shop also saw more people through the door, however it wasn't by a massive amount and certainly not as good as some previous years,the hire boats were busier and the day boats have definitely been busier, could it be a sign of more people spending time in this country rather than going abroad?

We have had three day boats out again today which Graham and Bernard saw out, Graham then carried on with his cabin replacement and Bernard carried on with his engine replacement, Matt has been preparing a boat for a repaint and that is it because Ralph is off today Fred is on Holiday, yep you read it right, Fred is on holiday, his poor missus will be on the phone soon begging us to ask him to come back earlysoshe can have some peace and quiet! We miss Fred when he is not here! David is off, Jay is off and Mick is off so a quieter day all round.

That is it from me for today, it is 5.45 and I am off home so until tomorrow.
Simon

I'm Back!

I'm back from my holidays and it now seems a dim distant memory! I had a superb time, for anyone who is interested I went boating, I left on my boat from my mooring on the river Hamble near Southampton and went down to Dartmouth in Devon which is about 90 miles away, it took about 5 hours, I spent a few days exploring the river Dart and then went around to Salcombe and stayed there for a couple of days, I then went up to Weymouth and spent a few days there, that was excellent and we were very lucky with the weather, its was great to see all of these places alive with people and Weymouth was packed, however all of the Harbour masters were reporting that the visiting numbers of boats were down massively than previous years, another sign of the times? but it is funny that they don't bring down their mooring rates to encourage people to visit them by boat, they are all controlled by the local councils so they don't have the finical constraints on them like small businesses do, I personally think that they should be offering deals to attract people to visit which in turn would bring further revenue to the town and the shops, thus helping the local economy! We had a superb mooring in the Harbour at Weymouth but it cost £33 per night, There is a lot to be said for cruising on the canals as the costs are a lot lot less, I think that I might be reverting back to canal cruising at some time in the not to distant future!

Back to work with a bump as usual after a holiday although today has been relatively quiet in comparison to the last few weeks, there haven't been many boats around today and the shop has been quiet too, not much to report on the work front, a couple of days boats out today a breakdown on one of our hire boats, Bernard removed an engine that needs replacing and Matt has started on another full repaint, I have noticed a considerable drop in the temperature today and I suspect by the amount of coal and smokeless fuels that have been sold so have other people, I haven't even managed to get my coat off today! That's about it for today.

until tomorrow
Simon

A cold bank holiday Monday

We had three day boats out again this morning, which Ralph saw to.

Mick’s been fitting La Valeria up and has now fetched it out of the dock. Here’s a picture for you. Matt has done a superb job and I think he should feel very proud.

Cheryl and Jay have been busy in the tearoom whilst Ange and Lorraine have been manning the shop and tearoom.

We’ve had quite a lot of interest in the brokerage boats over the weekend.

Simon is back tomorrow to keep you entertained.

I’ll be back at the weekend.

Best regards,

David.

Bank holiday weekend...

I hope that you enjoyed reading Lorraine’s blog yesterday, she’s a real character and good fun to work with! You were meant to have it on Friday, but unfortunately our internet connection was playing up – I think I have fixed it now (fingers crossed).

We all had an extremely busy day yesterday with the hire boats turning round plus three dayboats, the holiday cottage and both motorhomes. It’s been a bit quieter today although we had three dayboats out again this morning and Summer Wine went out at about midday.

Matt has now finished painting La Valeria. I will get you some photographs when we bring her out of the dock tomorrow.

That’s everything from me today.

I’ll be back tomorrow.

Best regards,

David.

A post from Lorraine

Hi it’s Lol here! David has asked me to do the blog today, against my will… I have been working here for 6 months on 1st September and it has been a very enjoyable, but eventful time…

Ange and Lorraine sporting some of our new stock.

I used to work on cruise ships – a slightly larger scale than narrow boats on the canal! In both jobs I have met great people and have had great working relationships with my colleagues. It was hard work on the cruise ships, especially at the height of the season but at the same time having a laugh too, I try to do the same here.

The very first time that I met the staff at Norbury was when I came clambering out of the canal like a drowned rat. Ange was the first to spot me as she was having her break on the Wharf. I had fell into the canal off of the front of my boat when we were pulling in for diesel. That wasn’t to be the last time either… The last time it was self inflicted! Too many beverages and not of the non alcoholic type either.

Have I mentioned that I don’t like water and that I never have? I can’t swim either. You may ask yourself “why has she sailed on cruise ships and work at the Wharf?” The reason is because I want to.

I was offered a job at the Wharf after falling in and this is my first blog as you have probably gathered.

Oh yes, my job role here apart from avoiding falling in the canal again consists of working in the tearoom, I clean the boats and have always got a mop in my hand. I also work on reception when needed or when Simon, David and Ange can put up with the numpty – yes that’s what Simon ‘the boss’ calls me, bless him! Other than that I generally float around (no I’m not on drugs haha) well I’ll go now as I need to clean the day boats and we are going home soon.

Luv Lol x

no internet, no blog :(

hi, we have tried honestly, we didn't even realise that the internet was down, too busy and it was gonna be so different today, you'll have to wait til tomorrow when we get it sorted, keep a look out, ange.

Andari’s up, up and away

It rained hard during the night. That hard infact that it even woke me up at one point! By the time it was time to get up and take Annie dog out for a walk it had started to dry up and by the time I arrived at Norbury, the sun was starting to shine. It’s threatened rain a couple of times today, but until now it has held off. I hope that it continues to hold off all evening as I will be avidly watching Mikron’s performance of Hell and High Water at the Anchor this evening – I will hopefully see some of you there??

We had three day boats out again this morning which Graham saw to. Fred has been down in the depths of the dry dock blacking the two boats that we currently have on there and painting the counter bands. It certainly doesn’t make life easy for him having two boats on the dock as he has to climb over a bostock or two, but he does little grumbling – well what I hear anyway! Here’s a picture for you.

I’ve also got a couple more pictures for you all today. We had a haulage firm in to crane Andari out this morning as it has now moved to a different location. Here’s a picture of the driver setting up…

And another of the boat safely on the wagon.

We can arrange cranage, haulage and provide hard standing for any size of (narrow) boat at very competitive prices. You can drop us a line if you would like further information.

Graham hasn’t made much progress on the cabin job today as he has been down in the dry dock fitting anodes, replacing a bottom rudder bearing and doing some plating work. Bernard has been doing some work on Debdale and has also been on a breakdown to a private boat at Market Drayton.

Matt’s settling in to his new role as resident boat painter here at Norbury and he is getting on very well with the boat that he has got in the dock called La valeria. He should have her completed for the weekend. Here’s a picture to show you his work so far. I’ll get you another one when we slide her out of the dock on Sunday.

Ange and Lorraine have been busy in the tea room today, whilst I have been trying to catch up on emails and correspondence from customers and generally keeping a beady eye on the whole sit and generally keeping a beady eye on the whole site.

One last picture for today. Here’s a picture of the progress that Steve and Aaron have made up the moorings.

Becks rang earlier, she was descending the locks at Atherstone on Sovereign Lady when the engine faided away and eventually stopped. Luckily nothing serious, but she has learnt the hard way that the tank requires diesel in it! It's a good job that I have friends in that area to jump in and help us out (thanks Lol)... She's underway again now and is on a marathon to arrive back here for Saturday morning - give her a wave if you see her!

Have a good evening and I will be back again tomorrow.

Best regards,

David.