And as the Sun sets slowly in the West, in the distance the rhythmic beat of the Bolinder faded into the evening sky until it could be heard no more only to be replaced by the soft tones of a lone bugler could be heard playing the last post, oh no sorry he is playing 'happy days are here again'.
As I stated in my last blog I have come to an end with Minnow's blog as I have started up a new blog here www.darley135.blogspot.com
I would just like to say thank you one and all who have followed my ramblings on Minnow's blog and for their support and I hope you will follow me over to my new blog for some more of the same sort of waffle, hope to see you all there, but untill then, as always
Don't bang 'em about
Blossom.
Monday, 25 April 2011
Sunday, 17 April 2011
The End of an Era
Well it’s been nearly two months since the last time I blogged, and to be honest, I just have not felt like it as I have been on an all time low, and this will be my last blog about Minnow. But let me start with a question:
What goes bop bop boperty bop – kerching?
Anyway back to this blog. Minnow is still up at Norton Canes and we have not been down to her for months, her brasses are all dull, her ropework is green and she’s looking a little unloved. Went down to her on Saturday though with a crowbar and broke the locks off the back cabin as the keys have still not been returned yet. The batteries were completely flat so I could not pump the rain water out the hold and I could not even charge them because we had taken absolutely everything home, including the genny and the battery charger weeks previously when we thought she was sold. I proceeded to spend the next two hours bailing the water out using only an old pot noodle tub! With this completed I waited for the arrival of a couple of new friends who I’d arranged to meet there. After initial meets and greets we set about having a bottle of beer in the glorious sun shine, then I was asked if I could fire the Bolinder up for them, which of cause I did and the threesome sat in the sun, drinking their beer and being gently rocked by Minnow’s Bolinder. Eventually the time had come for us to leave and so I locked every thing up and we walked back to the cars where I handed the keys over to Minnow’s new owner. So that’s it, Blossom is now boatless, but not for too long I hope.
So till next time
Dow bang ‘em about
A boatless Blossom
Friday, 18 February 2011
Fender Kickers and Time Wasters!
Well what can I say, Dawn and I are absolutely gutted. Things have been very quiet on the blogging front and there has been a very good reason why. I am a simple Black Country bloke and my view on life is very simplistic, most of this stems from my upbringing and my Father who taught me many things like ‘if something costs a penny and you only have a ha’penny you can’t afford it’ or ‘if something not bust, don’t fix it’
Back in September 2010, I reported on my blog THINGS THAT BECAME APPARENT PART 2 and about the decision to sell Minnow well from just after then until earlier this week we have been negotiating the sale and what follows is an account of the proceedings and from this you will see why we are gutted. I know its a bit longwinded but I feel this is part of the ‘healing process’
On 1st October, the day after putting it on my blog, I received an enquiry off a girl and her partner, the owner of a boat hire Company, stating that she was ‘seriously interested’ in buying Minnow, this then started us off on what I can only describe as a long drawn out wild goose chase!
7th Oct Asked if they could come over and have a look at Minnow and also if we could take her out, perfectly reasonable request so we agreed to take her out for a couple of hours up to the boat turn at Handsacre and back.
9th Oct Took Minnow out for a two hour ‘jolly’ with both of them taking turns on steering.
11th Oct Received an E mail requesting a second viewing and an out of water survey. Perfectly reasonable request.
12th Oct E mailed them and arranged to make a detour from our return journey from Norbury Junction and instead of going back to our mooring we went up
6-7th Nov Moved Minnow round to Cannock Extension Canal.
16th Nov Had Email off them stating that Minnow was on dock this week and that it was going to be surveyed.
25th Nov They asked for the keys to Minnow so they could go and have another look over her. Strange request!
26th Nov E mailed them informing her that it is a combination lock so no keys, but agreed to meet them up at the boat for them to look over and us to check out boat.
28th Nov Met them up at Minnow and they had another thorough look over her.
1st Dec Made an enquiry to Terry Bellamy about his large Woolwich motor boat he had for sale Darley, and arranged to go over on Sunday and have a look at her. (Love at first sight)
5th Dec Went to look at Darley and told Terry that we were definitely interested but explained the situation over selling minnow.
6th Dec They sent me an Email making an offer on Minnow (below the asking price)
7th Dec Telephoned Terry and explained that I had been made an offer for Minnow and that was what I could offer him for Darley and he went away to think about it.
8th Dec Terry telephoned me and we agreed on a verbal offer for Darley.
19th Dec E mailed them accepting their offer for Minnow
21st Dec Received an Email off them asking if they, along with his engineer from the boat yard could strip the Bolinder down remove the piston, de-coke engine and piston then re-assemble the engine, while I supervised them. Also that they would not hand over any money until I had showed him .Strange request.
23rd Dec Sent them an E mail agreeing to supervise them stripping the engine and also requesting for us to be able to take all our personal belongings off minnow. I also asked them to comfirm that theirs was a confirmed offer. (Copy pasted below)
“What we are really looking for, I suppose, is confirmation of a committed offer from yourselves, even if money doesn't change hands until later, as we have still got to confirm our offer for Darley which we of cause can not until we know Minnow is sold, my fear being loosing Darley if Terry gets another/better offer, as well as I think it is unfair on him to keep him hanging on.”
27th Dec Recieved an E mail off them confirming their offer and stating
“Sorry for the delay in responding, I only just caught up with my partner. It is a confirmed offer, but he, not knowing anything about bolinders (or even boats come to that) would like to make sure the engine is ok, Strip it down, rebuild it, under your supervision before handing over any money. They will do the work on the engine, you just observe, advise and teach.“
18th Jan Sent Email to them asking for access to the moorings so we could remove all our things.
20th Jan E mail arranging to go over to Minnow on Sunday to remove personal items off Minnow
23rd Jan Went down to Minnow and they looked over her again while we packed things away.
29th Jan I Went down Minnow and removed half of our belongings bedding, clothes, food,etc,etc. Loaded car full and took them home.
30th Jan We Went down Minnow and removed the other half of our belongings loaded car full and took them home.
1st Feb Received Email off them asking if after stripping the engine and re-building it could they take Minnow out down to the winding hole, and also for my bank details for the money to be paid into my account by BACS.
5th Feb They sent me an Email stating.
“He has just asked me to send you a quick e-mail. He wont speak to his accountant until Monday and wanted to let you know that the money will be with you by Wednesday at the very latest, he just needs advising on the best way to pay for her. If he can go through the company he can transfer it Monday evening.”
6th Feb Spent day down at Minnow stripping, de-coking and re-building her Bolinder. Started her up and found a water leak on the expansion box so I would not take her out boating.
7th Feb Received a telephone call off Terry about Darley and were we definitely interested as he had someone else interested. I told him that we were having Darley and explained about the money being transferred to me by BACS by Wednesday 9th and that as soon as it had I would be paying him for Darley.
13th Feb Went down to Minnow and fixed the leak on the expansion box then started the Bolinder and took her down to the winding hole just down the canal then we went for a jolly up to Pelsall Junction and back with all three of them taking turns in steering her and changing gear etc. On return to the mooring I changed the locks on Minnow and handed the keys to them.
No hint as to what was coming
15th Feb Recieved an Email from them to see if I had a photograph of Minnows head gasket as they had found somewhere in Oldbury that could make a small batch for them. Emailed her back stating that, Unfortunately I did not have any photo’s of the head gasket.
So still no hint of what was coming!
17th Feb Sent an Email to him at 8 15am stating.
“Hi (person) Dawn and I were expecting the money to have been transferred by now, is there a problem.”
17th Feb As I had not heard anything by that evening, I sent an Email to the girlfriend stating.
“Hi 'the girlfriend', I sent (him) this Email this morning, but as yet have not heard anything so I have sent this copy to you. Could you let us know what's going on.”
Malcolm Edge to him
show details 8:15 AM (10 hours ago)
“Hi (person) Dawn and I were expecting the money to have been transferred by now, is there a problem.”
Blossom & Dawn.
18th Feb Eventually received an Email off him stating:
“Hi Blossom,
I have been agonizing over Narrowboat Minnow since the cleaning of the head, the leak and my difficulty starting her. I try to convince myself that I can handle her, but, the more I think about it, the more I realise that I can't. So it is with great regret and many apologies that I must inform you at this very late stage that I have had a change of heart. I'm sorry. I will arrange for the keys to be returned this weekend. Regards”
Well what can I say, and this has been going on for the last 6 months! now you probably all understand why Dawn and I are so angry. Now I have the unpleasant task of telling Terry that we are unable to have Darley even though we have made him a confirmed offer. All I hope is that Terry does not think the same of me for I am certainly not a time waster and would not have made him the offer if they had not already confirmed their offer for Minnow. Finally they can both look out if ever Dawn (The Rottweiler) meets up with them again when were out and about for all along she had a suspicion about his genuine interest saying he was a time waster from the very beginning and thought he was only trying to impress his girlfriend and was leading us on and putting new obstacles in the way as things progessed.
And so to ‘whats next’. Don’t know, for now we have got to find another mooring for Minnow as we have told our previous mooring to stick their £30 per month un announced increase where the sun don’t shine making it over £2300 per year for nothing more than a wharf to tie up against with no facilities. We have also got to take all ‘the basics’ back to Minnow before we can move her, and then there is still the question of what we will do with her for as i said in that previous blog, old fools and Bolinders so we either try and sell her again or take the Bolinder out and put something else in which Dawn can handle. I am sure time will tell but for now its good bye to my Big Woolwich and my Petter PD2 so till next time, there’s always some things you would:-
Love to bang ‘em about
Blossom.
Saturday, 18 December 2010
Iced in and nowhere to go
When the boats are fast, In the icy blast,
And the strong Nor'easters roar'
Then we pay the price of the frost and ice,
In laying up and waiting for a thaw
Well I'm sitting looking out of my patio door at a lovely Christmas scene and thinking s**t! Minnow has been iced in up the Cannock Extension now since the end of November and looking at the way the snow is coming down here it does not look likely to be moving her back to Kings Bromley for a while yet. We were hoping to get out on her between Christmas day and New years day but that does not look too hopeful at the moment, but you never know. Our poor old Yellow Labrador (15 1/2 years old) is in a bad way at the moment, when I came home on Thursday he was in a terrible state being unable to stand and completely disorientated. We took him straight up the vets, suspecting that he had had a stroke. The vets prognosis was Peripheral Vestibular Syndrome. This is most common in older dogs and is caused by a swelling of the nerves between the inner ear and the brain, where balance is controlled. She gave him an injection of Steroid I think, and said that about 50% of dogs respond well to this treatment and that we should see a marked improvement in the next 24 hours. I am glad to say we have as over the next two days he seems a lot more settled, he is eating and now able to get up and walk about, albeit it very unsteady as if drunk. We understand that most dogs get over this and go on to have a happy healthy life, although we realise that 15 is already a 'good innings' for most dogs. At the moment he is being given 'special treatment' during his recovery and has the full run of the bungalow being allowed to lie down just where he wants, and needless to say he is taking full advantage of the situation. So for the rest of his time with us we will be taking extra special care of him and will try not to bang 'im about
Blossom
Thursday, 11 November 2010
That was another week (end) that was.
The week was soon round again and we were loading up the car and heading off to Minnow. We dropped one car off at Norton Canes and then drove up to the Red Lion at Great Chatwell where we met up with the gang for a bonfire, fireworks and food and the odd drink or two. As Dawn works until late on a Friday we did not get there until after the fireworks but went into the pub to join Dave Ray, Lucy Waldron, Sue Cawson, Mathew Burge and Kaz, Matt Parrott and Sarah, Mike Pinnock and Lawrence Williams and a good time was had by all. Back to Norbury and Minnow fire lit and to bed. A lazy start to the weekend's boating as we collected diesel, oil and water before we setting off. Every time we travel this way we always stop at Norbury and Dawn had said that she would like to stop in Gnosall and try out The Boat, and so the first days boating was only an hour and we tied up and went for a meal at The Boat. 
The Sunday morning and we were off for 6.50am and had a good clear run down to cut end where as we approached the stop a boat came round the turn and into the stop lock. It was Rocket Ron and Brenda Withey after an exchange of greetings and words we were both on our way's Ron having warned me of low pounds up the Wton 21. As we made the turn at Aldersley Junction we were met by Horace Foster and Trish and passed them in the bottom pound again greetings, a few words and then farewells.
We hit the bottom lock at 11.59am and did not get to the top lock until 2.55pm thanks to a combination of very low pounds around locks 11 to 8 aggravated by four boats returning from the BCNS bonfire and travelling down the locks in convoy with two boats sharing pounds, the overspills were really running on the pounds below.
We pulled Minnow round into Broad Street basin and made use of the facilities for the night emptying bins, toilet and having a wash in red hot basin full of water. Another early start on the Monday waiting for day break at 6.40am heading off in pouring rain and really high winds. Just as we came out of Broad Street tunnel we picked up a blade full and throwing the Bolinder into reverse to clear it we were caught by the high winds which slewed Minnow across the cut and we ended up well and truly grounded right outside the new posh apartments. It took another twenty minutes with shafts, rocking and the Bolinder ahead/aster at full chatt before we eventually cleared and were off again to make the turn at Horseley fields Junction and head off along the Curly Wyrely. Apart from getting soaking wet and changing into dry clothes half way through the journey was quite dull and un eventfull apart from just after going through Little Bloxwich Bridge when Dawn, who was wearing my High viz work Jacket said she was going into the cabin for a warm. I handed her my empty mug off the cabin top and asked if she would make me a drink while she was down there. Off she trotted along the cabin gunnels with my cup in hand and as she got level with the engine 'ole door she suddenly disappeared into the inky black, freezing cold canal, and of cause I did not laugh (well not then anyway) As Dawn reached the edge of the cut and climbed out she was still gripping tmy favourite mug which she proceeded to smash on the towpath in temper! By just after 1.00pm we were tying up on the Cannock Extension canal at Norton Canes Boatyard, where we have left Minnow for the moment. With the car loaded up we set off home for Dawn to soak in a hot bath and get some warmth back into her bones. The moral of this weekend being, if you have a favourite mug,
don't let Dawn bang 'em about
Blossom
Tuesday, 2 November 2010
That was the week (end) that was
Oh my god what a week end. It would take me forever to write down all the happenings in such a short space of time. Arrived up at Minnow by about 7.30pm on Friday after stopping at that excellent chippy in Gnosall again and eating fish and chips, this time with clean hands. Dave Ray, manager at Norbury Wharf Limited came over and said that one or two were joining him in his converted river class boat Ant at about nine for a drink or two and for us to come over if we wanted and that was the start of the boozy weekend for at about nine Dawn and I, Sue Cawson, John Blunn and Mavis Waldron and a couple who Dave knew who I can't remember their first names but surname was Ghost (very apt for halloween) The evening went on till quite late and several pints of cider and a bottle of port later, apart from a glass that Sue had, we ambled (staggered) back to Minnow at about four in the morning after listening to hours of David's crap CD collection of boy bands from the eighties going full blast. At about five in the morning Lucy Waldron arrived and went over to Dave's boat where he was fast asleep in the chair still clasping the nearly empty bottle of Jack Daniels and the music was still playing full belt! Saturday morning came too soon and after a good full English, courtesy of Dawn we were ready to face the world along with many other's who were all cleaning brasses and cleaning boats down ready.
By early afternoon there was quite a collection of working boats around the basin with Minnow, Thea, Lion, Sickle, Kangaroo and Australia, Empress, Bootes and Battersea. By about 8.00pm the evening had started with the beer tent open with a selection of real ales, Holdens Golden and Enville brewery as well as Stowmill cider and Carling Larger for the girls. On the wharf three cut down oil drums were stocked with logs and a bag of coal each for people to gather round as well as tables and chairs in the marquee. At about nine the crowds were entertained by the band Meet On The Ledge who played for well over two hours followed by a computer full of music for all tastes, except when Dave took over as DJ and played eighties boy bands again. After about twelve pints of cider and well into the early hours, somebody suggested that we start Kangaroo and Minnow's Bolinder's in unison and so Lawrence and I set off back to the boats and put the lamps on and kicked both Bolinder's off to the delight of the crowd. The revelries continued until about four in the morning when sadly it all came to an end. But there was still Sunday left, as earlier on the Saturday it had been planned to go off for a jolly up to the Anchor Inn for a diner time drink, and then come back to Norbury for a communal Sunday Dinner provided by Lucy. At about 9.30 on the Sunday morning Dawn and I made our way over to the Cafe and had ourselves a full English to set us up for the day. At about midday Lawrence fired Kangaroo's Bolinder up and set off with Australia followed by John Blunn on Lion and then us on Minnow followed by Sue on Thea. Unfortunately there were two large fishing matches being held north of Norbury and along with the miles of moored boats, progress was quite slow and with the Anchor Inn shutting at 3.30 we were running out of time.
Lawrence was first there and he ordered twelve pints of beer ready for our arrival. With these consumed and an hour chatting we arrived back at Norbury just as it was getting dark, and just as the Sunday dinner was cooking. By six we were all called round to Lucy's boat and fourteen of us sat down for roast beef, roast pork, roast potatoes, carrots, peas, cauliflower, sweet potato mash and broccoli, it was absolutely superb. When finished we decided to have a drink of wine so I think four bottles of Lucy's wine were opened and consumed, followed by another three from off our boat then another six supplied by Dave and to finish off two bottles of Lucy's port. The evening passed all too quickly but the craick was brilliant with fourteen people sat in the well deck and the 'Dinette' of Lion the jokes, the humour, the sights (monkeys climbing trees at two in the morning and I believe that Lawrence saw an eclipse of the moon through Lucy's telescope! Long hard weekend's bring sore heads and I spent most of Monday morning recovering until Dawn drove us home in the afternoon after saying goodbye to all our friends and all hoping to do it again soon. Can't wait for the do at the Black Country Museum next year and of course for this bash next year. All I would like to finish off with is a massive great big thank you to all concerned for making this weekend one of the best, especially Simon and Dave from Norbury Wharf for making it possible, and don't bang 'em about too loudly
Cheers
Blossom
Thursday, 28 October 2010
Whining and Dining
In my last post I mentioned a couple of eating houses and said I would post more! As those of you who know me well would agree, I do like the 'odd pint or three' and are not one for 'small portions' I am not that keen on beer that has the bubbles inside it instead of on the top ( like certain soft southerner friends of mine) as a Black Country lad I was raised on Bank's mild and always enjoyed a head on my beer and served my apprenticeship on that brew until about 15 years ago when I took a liking to 'the black stuff'.
It's Guinness' porter that has me this way,
For it's sweeter than buttermilk and stronger than tay'
And when in the morning I feel kinda rough,
Me curse on Lord Iveagh who brews the damn stuff!
Any way one of the things I enjoy when out boating is stopping at different pubs along the cut and eating out and after having a rather poor meal and even worse beer one night last week end I thought I would make a blog entry each time we have either a good/bad meal/drink (as do quite a few) so here's the first.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
The Clifford Arms
Clifford Arms,
Saturday 23rd October 2010
| Cajun Chicken
12 oz horseshoe Gammon
TOTAL SCORE :50% COMMENTS: The prices charged were restaurant prices but the meals did not live up to restaurant quality. Both meals were served with cheap greasy frozen chips, and my horseshoe of gammon had been cooked far too much and as a result was dry and tough (fit for shoeing a horse) and Dawn’s Cajun chicken was nothing like any Cajun chicken she had ever had before. It came in a bowl and consisted of chunks of chicken breast in a very liquid sauce that resembled a Balti sauce. The best part of both meals was the salad dressing on the side of the plates, it was a pity as much effort had not been put into the meal itself. MENU RECOMMENDATIONS: Would not recommend the meals that we had although some of the other meals being eaten looked ok.. TOILETS: Ladies toilets Clean if not a little dated. Gents toilets smelt terribly. BEERS: Looked like a very good selection of six ‘real ales’ including Adnams, Speckled Hen, Bass, Directors however the Guinness was like vinegar and so was the cider so we both ended up drinking Vodka. COST: About £24 in total for both meals which, had they been restaurant quality meals would not have been too bad but the meals were no more than ‘pub grub’ meals. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX The Fox and Anchor Telephone: 0190279 8786
Alongside the Staffs and Sunday 24th October 2010
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