Category: Continuous Cruising

Living on a continuous cruiser on the UK canal system under CRT rules.

Nene and onwards

Or not, as the case maybe.

Contacted one of the marinas – firstly, I was interested in knowing about staying, then I got to realise going on the Nene was going to cost and EA licence.

EA Licence

Basically means paying twice. If you’ve got a CRT, you’re going to stick to CRT waters.

If you’ve got an EA, you’re going to need to licence for each individual stretch.

Can work out costly.

For this boat, just to go on the Nene and surrounding waters was £800.

Not money I have lying around. Neither worth it, since we’ve already forked out to stay in CRT regulated waters for the next 9 months or so.

Marina

I spoke to this marina, who told me that, like the CRT, if you’re on their water, you’re going to be paying their rates.

Looks like a trip to the fens is out of the question.

At least for the moment.

I need to do some more work and save some more money up.

Gayton

Started raining and I really didn’t fancy getting wet.

Called it a day at Gayton have hung up my boots and started cooking some dinner.

Bourne End to Weedon

Or so it seems…..

In two days.

Done 15 locks in two days.

That’s in 40 miles.

Not Kennet and Avon style that’s for sure. These pounds are 10-15 miles long.

All you need do is put the boat in gear and sit back.

Dead easy.

Watch the world go by.

Grand Union Canal

Is like a Kennet and Avon where everything works, the locks function, the paddles don’t leak madly. Sluices open in the same uniform number of turns. You don’t need boards to get on and off your boat when you moor up.

Pounds are long.

There are many boat yards, places to stock up, get fuel.

So different to the Kennet.

BMC fuel pump problems

My boat has got a slight problem.

It’s leaking fuel.

The fuel leaks into the sump pan, and gently fills the pan up whilst wasting me money.

I’m currently heading to somewhere that can fix this problem.

This place recommended by ABC Marina in Aldermaston when they did my service.

It’s called Calcutt Engineering. I’ll be dropping in in the next few days, so I’ll give my verdict on them.

Otherwise, it’s been a long and hot day boating. I’m not settling down with my beer and going to watch a bit of telly, then go to sleep, ready for the day ahead.

Here’s some shots from along the canal

 

Heron hides in bushes
Continue reading “Bourne End to Weedon”

On the Thames again

This time, heading into London to pick up my post….

It started raining at around Marlow.

All my gear is wet, so I’m drying it out on the fire, as well as cooking my dinner….

Taking a narrowboat on the Thames

I wrote a guide about this last year.

It’s true, moorings are easier to find further down.

Currently I’m in Windsor. I can see the castle from my window as I eat my dinner and drink my Guinness.

Here’s some pictures from the journey along.

Aldermaston Wharf - West Berkshire
Aldermaston Wharf – West Berkshire

Continue reading “On the Thames again”

Hungerford -> Newbury -> Aldermaston

An outing with the new waterpump.

Works fine.

The problem now appears to be fuel leaking from the bottom of the fuel governor, a mechanism that acts similarly to the carburetor on a petrol car.

Anyhow, that’s not fixable by me at present, and I have to make the boat down to Aldermaston marina for an annual service.

So that’s what I did.

Here’s some photo’s from along the way.

Kintbury Locks.
Kintbury Locks.

Marsh Benham
Marsh Benham

In Newbury.
In Newbury.

Hungerford Marsh -> Hungerford

Not much of a move.

Had to go and get water, turn the boat around.

Marsh is about a mile or so out of town.

Now I’m moored right outside St. Lawrence church, by the swing bridge.

[map][/map]

Shrimps

Had a guy come past last night, wanted to catch fresh water shrimps under the boat.

I wonder if these may make a tasty meal….

Post Restanté

There aren’t any post offices around that do this service, I cycled to Kintbury yesterday to find that my mail had been returned to sender.

No post office in Hungerford. No post office in Kintbury. Makes it a logistical nightmare. Continue reading “Hungerford Marsh -> Hungerford”