This is the blog of Norwyn & Sheila aboard their narrowboat Shell Bell.
Didn't take long to fill
The past three days we have been busy getting ready to move house. We have had an interesting time putting stuff in boxes and dumping rubbish in the skip that eventually arrived first thing Wednesday morning. It was due Tuesday afternoon. It didn’t take long to fill the skip with Scott’s help!!. But alas still no date for our move, so we decided that on Friday we would go back on board Shell Bell and have a week cruising in the direction of Loughborough. We can only go for a week because Shell Bell is booked into Aqua narrowboats to have her bottom blacked! more on this in future blogs.
Bank holiday Monday was dull and overcast so it didn’t seem to matter that we had a lot of forms to fill out with regards to our house move. The packing of boxes also began so the day was spent deciding what went into the box or what went into the bin. Although it was bank holiday the estate agents were open so after lunch we returned our forms and attempted to get a date for our move but alas no date yet. In the evening we went for a walk by the river Waveney in nearby Beccles the town where our new bungalow is situated.
After a good nights sleep and a reasonable lie in it was time to start getting ready to travel back to Bungay to check on how our house move was progressing. So, following a brunch of sausage sandwiches and tea both sets of parents said there goodbyes and left the kids in peace to enjoy their new flat. We were following Cliff and Chris from Knaphill to the M25- they had sat nav you see, After reaching the M25 we parted. We had a good run up to Bungay via the A12 arriving home around 16:30. Scott had been keeping an eye on the house and everything was fine, just a mountain of mail to open. Form filling and packing will start in the morning.
It was a reasonably early start this morning. Around 9am, having been joined by Cliff and Chris (Claire’s parents) ,the team set to work moving and cleaning. Things went well although the constant up and down stairs from one flat to another was taking its toll on our calf muscles. By lunchtime most items had been moved, although the dreaded heavy three seater sofa remained. But fear not, the cavalry was due to arrive after lunch in the shape of Colin, Claire’s younger brother. The extra muscle proved invaluable when moving the sofa. By 5.30pm the move was completed and the new flat was looking good. We all settled down to watch the football – Man. Utd. v Barcelona -whilst eating a marvellous chicken pie cooked by Ben, served with lashings of wine. A late night was on the cards!!!
Today we made ready to leave Shell Bell and travel to Surrey for the weekend. We are going to help Ben and Claire move house. After tidying the boat and turning off the water and gas we were ready to leave. We had a good run down the M1 and M25 albeit at a far faster pace than we had been used to of late. It took around 2hrs 45mins to get to Knaphill and about another 30 mins to find Ben’s house (no sat-nav now). So, arriving about 2pm we got to work helping with the move and after a nice evening meal at the hunters lodge we went to bed so we could be up early ready for the finish of the move tomorrow.
Pram cover in place on Shell Bell
Today was spent getting a few jobs done on the boat. Cleaning the oven and more brass plus windows was Sheila’s challenge, while Norwyn thought, that because of the weather (wet and windy) we should have a fire. He had a pile of wood which he was determined to get through. This kept us very warm and the washing dried in no time. Next job was to put the pram cover back on. This took longer than we had anticipated because we had the frame on the wrong way round to begin with. Once this was sorted we soon had the cover on, just in time for the next downpour.
This evening we went to a meeting in the tearooms about British Waterways becoming a charitable trust within the next twelve to eighteen months. We found this very interesting.
Now to get ready for the weekend as we are going to Surrey to help our youngest son Ben move house.
water feature in the centre of Derby
Derby Cathederal
We decided to be landlubbers today and take a trip into Derby. There was a bus called ‘The villager’ which would take us and bring us back. V3 was the one we wanted and soon we were on our way into town.
The shops were great; we went round the markets; stopped for lunch and then headed for the Cathedral and the Silk Mill Museum. Unfortunately this was closed to the public at the moment due to work being carried out. However we had a good walk along the river before catching the bus back to Willington. Remember, the V3. We had just missed one which meant an hour wait until the next so we found another market to explore.
Back at the bus station all seemed well. Norwyn had checked with the lady and we got in the right queue for the V3 (remember). A bus arrived and Sheila asked the driver if this would take us to Willington. BUT the bus didn’t know if it was going to be a V1 or a V3!!!! If it was going to be a V1 we would end up in Belper. The bus finally made the decision to be a V1 and so we had to wait a few more minutes for one that had decided it wanted to be a V3 and take us safely back to Willington. These buses – they have a mind of their own!!! You don’t have this trouble with narrowboats.
Sheila's first loaf ??
As we made our way back from Stretton the wind was still strong, but slightly less so than yesterday. There were more boats on the move so we moved very slowly at times (especially past the fibreglass ones). The entrance to the marina is a doddle now and we were soon moored up. Norwyn fixed the piece of wood back on to the jetty!!!!! Well ,boating does seem to be a contact sport.
After lunch it was time to do a few jobs. Sheila was cleaning the brass vents in the cabin while Norwyn tidied up the cratch as we have decided that the red box must go. It’s taking up too much space. By late afternoon Sheila decided to bake a loaf of bread whilst Norwyn thought it would be good to have afternoon tea.
Shell Bell at moorings in Mercia Marina
Norwyn says that the noises I hear in the night are ducks picking at the weed on the hull. This won’t happen once she is blacked. Who is he trying to convince? Does anyone have any other ideas? It sounds as if we’re in a submarine!!!!
Pumping station from the towpath
With high winds forecast, we had decided to stay put today. And sure enough we had the rain lashing down and the wind blowing, although Shell Bell held tight to her mooring. We had to go into the village to get some supplies and there were one or two jobs to do as well. Norwyn has started to stain and varnish inside the cupboards. As always there is washing and cleaning to do and a vast pile of ironing today (twoTshirts). It is lovely to have different views from the kitchen window and have ducks swimming past with their babies.
When the rain stopped we went for a walk along the towpath. We came upon a sign advertising Claymills Victorian Pumping Station, which we could see from the towpath but could not visit because it wasn’t open today. Something to consider for the future.
Pumping station sign on the towpath
More expense today. Children, your inheritence is under threat!!! Ha Ha. When we bought Shell Bell Norwyn bought a bargain of a hose on ebay. He should have heeded Kirsty’s advice. “buy cheap, buy twice” for that is exactly what has happened. The hose got twisted and finally split on us so that when we took on water we were also subjected to a cold shower. Some people passing by also had this pleasure.
So as we left Branston we called into Shobnall marina and bought a new, flat hose, 20metres long; just what we need. We continued on to Horninglow basin to take on water. Here Captain Norwyn had to perform a very tricky turn. He
New hose this is what you said we should get Marcus
The mural at Horninglow
managed perfectly. Getting out was just as difficult but no problem. At Horninglow basin there is a huge canal mural.
We then headed for Stretton where we took a walk into the village and will return tomorrow to shop.
Alas we noticed that we had lost a fender – more expense boys!!!
