When I arose at six this morning it looked like a promising day, the sun was shining and the birds were singing but as the day has worn on the clouds have gathered and it has made it a bit of an overcast dull day with the odd bit of sun every now and then.
Its been a busy day today, haven't really stopped again but at least it has made the day go quickly, Mick did half a day on Cloud nines wood work, Bernard took an engine out, Freddie blacked a boat, started stripping the grit off a the boat in the wet dock but then started complaining about his fingers tingling, (he is getting on a bit) so he then went on to pump out duties on the wharf, Graham is doing a fantastic job on the re cabin, it is looking superb! Thanks Graham if you are reading this.
Yesterday When speaking to That nice gentleman who popped in, Graham was his name, he said that he was on his way back home up North and was staying with some friends in Morecambe, I was telling him about the Ulverston canal, this is a canal that not many people have heard about, anyway I was saying that there was a lovely pub and restaurant at the end of the canal looking over Morecambe bay well take a look at this http://www.thebayhorsehotel.co.uk/ What a gem of a place, I stayed there several years ago and was very impressed, Take a look at the picture gallery on their website for some pictures of the canal and the stunning scenery, it isnt very often you find a real gem but when you do you shold tell everyone about it, I really must find the time to pay another visit to there again.
That's It from me today, its ten to six and I'm off home.
Simon
NORBURY WHARF LIMITED
Shop front in the summer
Thursday, 30 June 2011
Wednesday, 29 June 2011
Its disapeared!
Sorry if you were looking for the blog last night and couldn't find it, I honestly sat here and typed it before I locked up and went home, Honest guv!! I really don't know what has happened to it, usually if it has not been posted it will save a copy, but it wasn't even saved so I don't know!
It has been a busy couple of days and the sun has been shining here at Norbury, we have definitely seen an increase in the traffic on the canal over the last couple of days, the wharf has been non stop which has kept Fred busy,we have even run out of diesel today, don't worry folks its only on the one pump and I have a fresh delivery coming in first thing in the morning, the usual has gone on today with docking and undocking of boats, boats in for different jobs etc, but it has been quiet on the work force front as Steve is off with a bad elbow, Lee is on holiday, Mick is on his two days off, Jay is on a course and David is still on holiday!
I had a lovely conversation today with a gentleman who follows our blog, he wandered in and asked for me, I was a little hesitant in my reply as you never know I might have owed him some money! but I didn't, it transpires that he follows our blog and he popped in for a chat about buying a boat, it was a nice chat as he grew up by the Wyrley and Essington canal near Walsall Wood which is the first canal that I had a boat on so we took a walk down memory canal (lane) for a short while, it re kindled some of my enthusiasm for the black country canals, Thanks Graham!
If any of you who read this blog have not ventured on to the BCN (Birmingham Canal Navigation's) then it is a must before it changes for ever, it is one of the few places left where you get a real sense of what the canals and the industrial history is all about, you do have to look hard for evidence of the link between old industry and the canals but going on to canals like the W&E, the Walsall canal, The Tame Valley canal, to mention a few, will give you an insight in to the fascinating past.
I spent a lot of time cruising around the BCN when I had my first boat back in the eighties/nineties, I was fortunate to meet some of the 'old canal company' employees who were retired boatmen, they had a wealth of knowledge and some very funny stories as well, sometimes I miss that life before, the almost free lifestyle when BWB didn't seem to mind if you had been around too long, there seemed a much more relaxed feel to the canal system then , I suspect that people from an older generation would say that it was even more relaxed back in the sixties and seventies!
Anyway back to today and its about time I went home, until tomorrow.
Simon
It has been a busy couple of days and the sun has been shining here at Norbury, we have definitely seen an increase in the traffic on the canal over the last couple of days, the wharf has been non stop which has kept Fred busy,we have even run out of diesel today, don't worry folks its only on the one pump and I have a fresh delivery coming in first thing in the morning, the usual has gone on today with docking and undocking of boats, boats in for different jobs etc, but it has been quiet on the work force front as Steve is off with a bad elbow, Lee is on holiday, Mick is on his two days off, Jay is on a course and David is still on holiday!
I had a lovely conversation today with a gentleman who follows our blog, he wandered in and asked for me, I was a little hesitant in my reply as you never know I might have owed him some money! but I didn't, it transpires that he follows our blog and he popped in for a chat about buying a boat, it was a nice chat as he grew up by the Wyrley and Essington canal near Walsall Wood which is the first canal that I had a boat on so we took a walk down memory canal (lane) for a short while, it re kindled some of my enthusiasm for the black country canals, Thanks Graham!
If any of you who read this blog have not ventured on to the BCN (Birmingham Canal Navigation's) then it is a must before it changes for ever, it is one of the few places left where you get a real sense of what the canals and the industrial history is all about, you do have to look hard for evidence of the link between old industry and the canals but going on to canals like the W&E, the Walsall canal, The Tame Valley canal, to mention a few, will give you an insight in to the fascinating past.
I spent a lot of time cruising around the BCN when I had my first boat back in the eighties/nineties, I was fortunate to meet some of the 'old canal company' employees who were retired boatmen, they had a wealth of knowledge and some very funny stories as well, sometimes I miss that life before, the almost free lifestyle when BWB didn't seem to mind if you had been around too long, there seemed a much more relaxed feel to the canal system then , I suspect that people from an older generation would say that it was even more relaxed back in the sixties and seventies!
Anyway back to today and its about time I went home, until tomorrow.
Simon
Monday, 27 June 2011
Bloody warm
We shouldn't really moan about the weather but isn't it funny how we English always moan about the it, Its either too cold, too hot, too muggy and so on! Today has been very very warm at Norbury, this hot weather does bring its own problems though with boats and we are now seeing fridges failing because its that hot, yesterday it reached 31 degrees and today it was in the high 20's its good though as it does bring the people out and our ice cream sales shoot through the roof!
It started early this morning, I was on my way in to work early but got held up by a load of cows in the lane just approaching work so I was slightly later than anticipated, upon arrival there were 2 boat already waiting on the wharf for services, that pretty much stayed like that all morning as we had a steady stream of boats in and out for diesel, gas and pump outs, that kept Ralph busy, we had two day boats out first thing this morning which Mick sorted out, one of our hire boats was returned after a short break and the family had a fantastic time, we also had to get two boats ready and they went out this afternoon with some happy holiday makers on for week, Poor old Graham has been welding all day, that isn't the nicest of jobs in the heat but he has cracked on and the cabin is really taking shape now, he is just in the process of putting in a new front deck, Mick has been on several different jobs all day including stripping the roof on a boat in for top side painting, I have not stopped in the office today and Jay has also been very busy, all in all a good day.
Angela did a good job yesterday, especially as it was the first time that she has done a Sunday by her self, I enjoyed her blog, its nice to have someone else write it as they have a different slant on things.
That's it from me for today, I'm now sat at home with a cool pear cider and enjoying the evening sun.
Simon
It started early this morning, I was on my way in to work early but got held up by a load of cows in the lane just approaching work so I was slightly later than anticipated, upon arrival there were 2 boat already waiting on the wharf for services, that pretty much stayed like that all morning as we had a steady stream of boats in and out for diesel, gas and pump outs, that kept Ralph busy, we had two day boats out first thing this morning which Mick sorted out, one of our hire boats was returned after a short break and the family had a fantastic time, we also had to get two boats ready and they went out this afternoon with some happy holiday makers on for week, Poor old Graham has been welding all day, that isn't the nicest of jobs in the heat but he has cracked on and the cabin is really taking shape now, he is just in the process of putting in a new front deck, Mick has been on several different jobs all day including stripping the roof on a boat in for top side painting, I have not stopped in the office today and Jay has also been very busy, all in all a good day.
Angela did a good job yesterday, especially as it was the first time that she has done a Sunday by her self, I enjoyed her blog, its nice to have someone else write it as they have a different slant on things.
That's it from me for today, I'm now sat at home with a cool pear cider and enjoying the evening sun.
Simon
Sunday, 26 June 2011
morning all, angela here, this is the first time i've been let loose with the blog, so greetings everyone. what an absolutely beautiful day it is here at norbury. i was a bit disappointed when the alarm woke me up this morning and i looked out of the window only to see that the sun wasn't shining :( by the time i was ready to come out to work the sun came out too :)
we have had walkers and cyclists piling into the tea room keeping jay, jack and the girls busy.
mick and ralph have undocked annon this morning and then docked taliesen for blacking and a survey. both day boats have gone for a fun day out.
sumo has come out of the wet dock after having her roof painted and has now swapped places with cobweb.
what a hot busy day we've had, both day boats are now back without any issues and ralph is filling them up with water ready to go out again tomorrow (2 tomorrow simon, i have written it in the diary:)
anyway i'd better get off as simon has been shopping today and bought a load of stock for us to put out lol !!
until the next time, bye for now ange.
we have had walkers and cyclists piling into the tea room keeping jay, jack and the girls busy.
mick and ralph have undocked annon this morning and then docked taliesen for blacking and a survey. both day boats have gone for a fun day out.
sumo has come out of the wet dock after having her roof painted and has now swapped places with cobweb.
what a hot busy day we've had, both day boats are now back without any issues and ralph is filling them up with water ready to go out again tomorrow (2 tomorrow simon, i have written it in the diary:)
anyway i'd better get off as simon has been shopping today and bought a load of stock for us to put out lol !!
until the next time, bye for now ange.
Saturday, 25 June 2011
Barmy day!
Its been a very very busy today, Saturday is our other turnaround day as some of you will already know and it all went very well indeed, we did have a a couple of small issues which the lads sorted out in due course, the weather has been relatively kind to us today which has made the day go OK.
So we had two day boats out first thing, six hire boats returned, seven boats out this afternoon and a motor home, everyone has worked very well and all of their hard work is very much appreciated, we now have a new show round girl (Becks) who did a superb job and as our hire fleet will be increasing next year she is a welcome addition to our friendly crew, we currently have 10 hire boats, two day boats but next year we will be increasing the fleet by at least three or even four boats, we will be needing another engineer for them so if anyone fancies a job drop me a line.
Everyone in the office has worked well today and Angela has worked her little cotton socks off, thanks Ange x, amidst all of the goings on today I even managed to iron out some issues with the computers at long last!
Thanks for the message Ira and Carrolin, your mooring has not changed much so you will still find it! we will be doing your last and that may take some time!
Well that's it from me until Monday, I am off tomorrow so I wont write up the blog, Not sure if Angel will or not, I boubt she will have time, so until Monday, I hope you all have a nice weekend.
Simon
So we had two day boats out first thing, six hire boats returned, seven boats out this afternoon and a motor home, everyone has worked very well and all of their hard work is very much appreciated, we now have a new show round girl (Becks) who did a superb job and as our hire fleet will be increasing next year she is a welcome addition to our friendly crew, we currently have 10 hire boats, two day boats but next year we will be increasing the fleet by at least three or even four boats, we will be needing another engineer for them so if anyone fancies a job drop me a line.
Everyone in the office has worked well today and Angela has worked her little cotton socks off, thanks Ange x, amidst all of the goings on today I even managed to iron out some issues with the computers at long last!
Thanks for the message Ira and Carrolin, your mooring has not changed much so you will still find it! we will be doing your last and that may take some time!
Well that's it from me until Monday, I am off tomorrow so I wont write up the blog, Not sure if Angel will or not, I boubt she will have time, so until Monday, I hope you all have a nice weekend.
Simon
Friday, 24 June 2011
All change
Sorry I haven't 'bloged' for a couple of days, we have been busy here at Norbury with the usual day to day stuff that goes on and we have been making a few changes to how we operate, so I haven't really had the time think about the blog.
Its turnaround day today and everything has gone to plan, no major issues, 5 services done, 3 day boats gone and come back 1 hire boat gone out with some happy holiday makers on board and a boat blacked in the dry dock, the lads have worked very well indeed and they have all managed to get back on to some of the outstanding jobs on boats that we currently have in for work to be done, the weather has even been kind to us today which has made the day even more pleasant; We have had the final delivery of decking for the moorings, there is now a mountain of timer in our compound waiting for Steve to get it all put down, its going to look excellent when finished!
That's about it from me for today
Simon
Its turnaround day today and everything has gone to plan, no major issues, 5 services done, 3 day boats gone and come back 1 hire boat gone out with some happy holiday makers on board and a boat blacked in the dry dock, the lads have worked very well indeed and they have all managed to get back on to some of the outstanding jobs on boats that we currently have in for work to be done, the weather has even been kind to us today which has made the day even more pleasant; We have had the final delivery of decking for the moorings, there is now a mountain of timer in our compound waiting for Steve to get it all put down, its going to look excellent when finished!
That's about it from me for today
Simon
Tuesday, 21 June 2011
Longest Day
It has been a typically English summers day today, weather wise I mean, One minute we have had glorious sunshine, so much so that I have had my sweat shirt off! and the next minute it went as black as a coal miners crotch and threw it down, and then the sun came back out and it has been a lovely afternoon! Just a thought to cheer you all up, did you know that it is the longest day today? from now on it will start getting darker earlier and we are now on the run down to Winter!! Now that's a cheery thought!!!
We have been kept busy all day, even though it has been quiet on the canal, but as I write the blog Fred is just out side doing a pump out when he should be on his way home, he has been good today, he even started early so that he could catch up with some outstanding jobs, that cold he had last week has done him the world of good I think, Cheers Fred! Bernard has also worked hard today and completed several services as well as getting an engine up and running that has not run for a couple of years and he has also been fitting a new stainless stell tank in to one of the hire boats, Micky has been on the motor home getting it ready for its next holiday makers, I hope the weather is kinder to them that the last ones, and finishing some outstanding jobs on a private boat, Lee has been fliting from one paint job to another and trying to dodge the showers, We also had a large delivery of batteries today, so we are fully stocked with more fresh batteries in the chandlery, If you want some 110amphr at a fantastic price then you will not beat our price of £63.50 for three or more, we also now stock 135amphr at a very very good price.
I went up the moorings today and Steve is making good progress and cracking on well with works which is going to make them superb when all finished, I cant wait until they are all done, I will crack open a bottle of the fizzy stuff to celebrate!
I must get off as I need to go and view a boat that is at Wheaton Aston for some work and my tea will be going cold!
Simon
We have been kept busy all day, even though it has been quiet on the canal, but as I write the blog Fred is just out side doing a pump out when he should be on his way home, he has been good today, he even started early so that he could catch up with some outstanding jobs, that cold he had last week has done him the world of good I think, Cheers Fred! Bernard has also worked hard today and completed several services as well as getting an engine up and running that has not run for a couple of years and he has also been fitting a new stainless stell tank in to one of the hire boats, Micky has been on the motor home getting it ready for its next holiday makers, I hope the weather is kinder to them that the last ones, and finishing some outstanding jobs on a private boat, Lee has been fliting from one paint job to another and trying to dodge the showers, We also had a large delivery of batteries today, so we are fully stocked with more fresh batteries in the chandlery, If you want some 110amphr at a fantastic price then you will not beat our price of £63.50 for three or more, we also now stock 135amphr at a very very good price.
I went up the moorings today and Steve is making good progress and cracking on well with works which is going to make them superb when all finished, I cant wait until they are all done, I will crack open a bottle of the fizzy stuff to celebrate!
I must get off as I need to go and view a boat that is at Wheaton Aston for some work and my tea will be going cold!
Simon
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