The weather has finally broken, at least temporarily. A pretty good storm has blown through, bringing some significant rain to most of the country, and high winds to the area I’m in. It’s been nice to get a decent sleep without the fan on, to actually tuck in under a quilt! As you can see, I’m in a marina…more on that in a bit.

On the boat front, something has happened. I was looking under a cupboard back aft for some tools and noticed that there was a bit of water on the plywood on the bottom next to the hot water tank. I thought ‘oh damn, a connector has come loose or broken’. I got a flashlight to inspect further and suddenly saw a flash of light through a hole in the floor.

It was full of water! I mean full. The space under the floor is about 5″ and full of steel ribs  for stiffness of the boat and brick ballast to help keep it upright. But it’s not supposed to have water in it. Ever. So, inevitably, I freaked out a bit. Everything was turned off, including the water pump. It couldn’t have come from the canal, there’s no below-waterline ports to let it in. I investigated every possible source, and concluded it was the shower drain.

To make a long story short, it turns out that the drain from the shower had fallen off, I have no idea when. The strainer was still in place, hiding the disaster underneath. The way the system works is that when you go into the shower, you turn on a ‘gulper’ pump that pumps the shower water over the side. It can pump air as well as water, so there was no indication that anything was wrong (I didn’t look over the side to see if water was actually coming out, never thought to!).

The result of this was that  every time I took a shower, I was adding more water to the sub-floor bilge space. And no, there’s no bilge pump in that area! The bilge pump is in the separated engine compartment since that’s the only place that water can actually make ingress from the canal.

I’ve pumped out the majority of the water using a combination of a hand pump, the gulper, and an electric pump I purchased from Amazon. As for fixing the problem, that’s an interesting one too. I had an engineer have a look and he agreed that pulling out the shower tray would be the very last resort, it would mean ripping the whole shower out (tiles and all). Not a pleasant prospect. The option we were going to do was to pull up some carpet in the hallway adjacent, and cut a hole in the floor. Unfortunately, upon further investigation, there’s a steel rib in the way. So I worked out a cunning plan to pull a new one in from the pump end with some string, and using that string to hold it up against the tray while screwing the sieve on (thus pulling the rubber seals against the tray top and bottom).

Well, that wasn’t as easy to do as it was to write. With the rubber gasket that came with the drain, the screw that holds it all together was far too short. So I removed the gasket, gooped the heck out of it with silicone, pulled it up tight with the strings, pounded the strainer as far down as I dared (with my biggest hammer) and the screw caught! I’ll let the silicone dry completely, add another layer, then hook it all back up and I’m in business. I’m glad I’m living alone, no shower for several days is starting to bother even me.

As I mentioned earlier, I’m in a marina. I was nearby when I discovered the shower problem and I was told that there was a good engineer that worked out of here (thinking I’d need help). So I booked in for a few days, and timed it just right! I had full electricity (heat!) and was nice and snug for the storm. I’ll fill my water, drain the black water, and be all set when I leave here. For those of you that are checking my location on Google Maps, I’m NOT at either of the large prisons next door. It’s just a coincidence. And there really is a marina here now, it only opend in April and it’s not even on all the satellite images yet (Maps no, Earth yes). Oh and by the way, send me a message if you’d like me to send you a Google Earth .kmz file that you can run as an animation to see my route so far. I haven’t figured out now to attach it to the blog yet.

The other advantage of a marina…food delivery. I’m getting a little low and there’s no stores nearby, but there’s delivery. I’m more than a little low, in fact. I was reduced to this for lunch (and yes, it was as bad as it looks):

I had a somewhat leisurely passage to Braunston from Banbury. It’s been scorching hot so I tended to find a shady(ish) spot and stop early. I’ve been pretty lucky for the most part, finding pleasant and/or cool spots. It’s still a bit difficult to sleep some nights, even with the fan. The route had a number of locks at the start and at the end (coming down into Napton) but the middle part was flat and winding. Some canals were built to follow the contours of the land rather than putting in lots of locks. Others have locks to make a more direct route. In this case, they did both.

Braunston is sort of narrowboat-central. It’s the meeting of several important canals, and has lots of chandelries and boat-yards. I got some particular paint I needed, some spare belts, and new chairs! I managed to finally get rid of the ugly couch too. While here I found a nice shady mooring and got some actual work done on the boat. I drilled, tapped, and mounted the first of my folding steps! Let me say, drilling holes in my boat wasn’t something I was thrilled about. I have a fairly cheap cordless drill, and fairly cheap drill bits. Oh, and fairly cheap tap and die set. So I had to be very careful or I’d be leaving bits in the side of the boat! It all worked out well, taking my time and drinking continously worked well. Here’s what it looks like:

I’ve been researching solar panels, and getting tons of great and conflicting advice! I think I’m going to do what Trump does, and take the last advice I got. There’s a great little boatyard here (where they also build boats) and they absolutely recommend flexible panels. They’re a bit more expensive but easier to install (basically just glue them to the roof) and can safely be walked on. As I’m on the roof a lot working locks, this is important. I won’t do it if I can help it, but knowing that I can will make it much easier. And I won’t have to drill a bunch of mounting holes. So that’s for coming weeks. I’ll probably order them online and pick them up in Warwick.

Here’s some shots of Braunston and it’s famous double bridge:

The trip has become more of a way of life now, rather than an adventure. The novelty is wearing off, which is good as I’m doing fewer pubs and spending more time just enjoying the scenery. I also feel like a bit less of a newbie, even though I still hit stuff and over-steer. I’m getting better though. Another thing I’ve noticed is that I’m far less concerned about what’s coming up, where I’ll moor, or how long it’ll take. I’m more laid-back about everything, it all seems to work out fine. It’s particularly good if I start looking for a mooring by the early afternoon, there’s always plenty of spots. They fill up later. Having said that, there’s almost always remote spots along the towpath, just pound in a couple of pins and you’re done. Along these canals there’s miles of ‘proper’ moorings though, with either Armcote (metal railing to moor to) or rings in the ground. It’s an indication of how many more narrowboats use this area than down along the Kennet and Avon. That was almost all bank-side mooring with pins.

The people seem to be a bit different up here, I guess it’s a function of just how many boaters there are. Way more owners, fewer hire-boats. And they seem a bit less inclined to talk. I had been led to believe that people up here would be far friendlier and more talkative than near London but I haven’t found that. I suspect it might change when I get on the Grand Union Canal. The Oxford Canal (which I’ve been on for the last while) is a narrow canal with narrow locks. Only one boat at a time. The Grand Union has wide locks, like the K&A did. This allows two boats at a time, and encourages cooperation and chatting. So we’ll see, maybe things will change. I did meet several people today along the towpath and had good chats, they all seemed pretty friendly. It’ll be interesting to compare once I get moving again.

I am leaving in the morning, but still don’t know which way! I’ll figure it out soon I hope. I have some time to kill before needing to be anywhere so I might just head up a random canal and seem where it goes. I should be careful though, there’s lots of locks and long tunnels around here! I might end up going up a flight that I have to come back down. That can be a long day…

 

 

So I upped stakes and left Oxford a day sooner than I had planned. It was so hot, I didn’t think I could manage more sweltering museums (pretty bad, huh?) so I headed north. After a couple of fairly long days, I got to Banbury and moored up in the centre of town, just past the lock. It was a really pleasant town, lots to see and do.

I stocked up on groceries, did some laundry, went to a very cool OLD chandlery (more on that in a bit), and met some YouTube stars! It was great to have a chat and get to know you a bit more Kath and Annamarie.

So Banbury is known from a nursery rhyme, unknown to me but everyone here seems to know it. It’s about Banbury Cross, a woman with bells on her toes, and more. In the centre of town is a beautiful statue in it’s honour:

Tooley’s Boatyard is the oldest chandlery and boat repair yard in the UK (according to them). Apparently, when they built the monstrous (and somewhat ugly) mall along the canal, they weren’t permitted to tear the boatyard down. So they built the mall completely around it! It’s got a terrific little museum, tons of old stuff for sale or on display, and a great place to get work done on your boat…

After overstaying a bit, I headed north towards my next goal, Braunston. However, I didn’t go far, about three hours, and found a gorgeous spot to moor up. Quite remote, quiet, and beautiful scenery. Exactly what I had read about, and came here for.

Turns out it was a good day to stop a bit early. It rained! Not for too long but it was enough to cool the boat a bit. The water levels have been quite low of course, there’s been no serious rain the country for many weeks. I’ve been scraping the bottom a lot when passing other boats, got quite stuck a couple of times. It’s very muddy however, and not that difficult to push or drive off.

Some are doing their best to help the situation:

 

What can I say about a place that saved a blackboard that Einstein used during a lecture to write some equations that showed that the universe changed size over time? Even if he did make some arithmetical errors, this is the type of history that is everywhere in Oxford.

Oxford is one of the oldest, and most respected places of higher learning in the world. Everywhere you look through the town it’s full of specialized colleges, libraries, churches and divinity schools, and students. It’s exciting, invigorating, and a mecca for a geek! I’m in heaven.

I had a tour of the Bodlean library, where there are manuscripts and books from the beginning of books. They still have some chained to the shelves, the way they used to be. I also saw the spot where they filmed the “Restricted Section” in Harry Potter. Chained books and all. (no pictures allowed).

The Bridge of Sighs. Named either after the one in Venice, or because the only bathroom is across the other side. Depends on who you believe.

I went through the History of Science Museum, and saw the Einstein blackboard, many microscopes and other ground-breaking scientific instruments (the ACTUAL ones, not copies). There are the actual notes of many important discoveries and ideas. So much science history here that it’s quite overwhelming.

I watched as proud and relieved students graduated and prouder (and more relieved) parents took photos and cried. If ever there is a degree to be earned that means something, I have to think it’s one from here. I don’t mean to disparage other universities, but this is Oxford for God’s sake. The home of learning in English history (sorry Cambridge).

The Radcliffe Camera, an actual working library (well, more a reading room now for the Bodlean Library). Seldom open to the public, it’s another iconic symbol of Oxford and learning.

I’ve moved on from Oxford now, the next blog will likely be from Banbury. I’m going to stop there for a couple of days for laundry and some shopping. Please keep commenting, it’s great to hear what you have to say. I miss everyone, but continue to be having a fantastic adventure. Thanks for all the positive thoughts!

While in Reading I restocked some things, bought some new items, and visited London. It was a great little break, ending with an amazing overnight trip back up the K&A to The Cunning Man Pub. This was the location of my misadventures with water in my fuel on my first couple days out, so it had some memories. However, this time it was memorable for other reasons. Chris and Julie (from the Crick Boat Show camping blog post fame) dropped by and we puttered up the 5 miles and 4 locks for an overnight visit. It was fantastic. Just toodling along, it felt like a long-weekend in 24 hours. We caught up, drank a little, and just had a very enjoyable time together, again. Can’t wait to do it when they’re able to.

So now I’m heading up the Thames toward Oxford. As fast as I can. It’s not that I don’t like the Thames, it’s beautiful countryside, it’s just not a friendly little comfortable canal. There are far too many huge fibreglass yachts speeding past me (both directions). And one of them asked me if I was from Texas! That didn’t sit very well. Then the same fellow said to avoid a certain pub because the only have ‘pub food, not a real restaurant’. I didn’t stick with that boat, needless to say. It’s a bit sterile on the Thames. Very wide, very distant compared to the intimacy of the K&A. But, there have been some things to see. Amazing estates, wildlife, cool boats. And this. Such a typical English scene, a medievel steeple and nuclear power station in the same frame. I love this place.

I’m looking forward to Oxford and the narrow canals northward. Still making plans as to where I’ll go but I think after a stop in Braunston (narrowboat central) for some shopping, I’ll head to Stratford on Avon for some more (real) Shakespeare.

Oh, and I’ve made a valuable addition to the boat, as it’s the hottest summer since 1976 apparently. I have been pretty much roasting in this metal tube, not getting any work done on it. It’s simply been too hot. So I bought a fantastic awning:

I’ll add more to this later possibly.

Okay, it’s later (the next day, Friday the 13th so the computer tells me). I’ve made it to Oxford, have a great mooring (again!) within walking distance to the city centre and in a nice neighbourhood. Oh, and literally across the path from a pub name The Punter. My luck continues. Here are some pictures from the last couple of days, I’ll probably do another post about Oxford. I just got told what I need to see in Oxford, sounds like it’s for me (museums, old buildings, libraries).

Wow, what a city. London really has it all…shows, events, history, traffic, people. And an endless supply of each. I spent Friday going from museum to museum. British, Natural History, Science, even the Royal Geographic Society (not really a museum but very historically significant). I geeked out all day! Yes, there’s the man himself, he presides over the Natural History Museum main hall.

For the evening’s entertainment, my friend Joanne and I went to the Leicester Square Theatre to see a production of Romeo and Juliet. Now, I’m a bit of a Shakespeare fan, but this one ANYONE would like. It’s called “Shit-Faced Shakespeare”. Their blurb states:

Shit-faced Shakespeare is the hilarious combination of an entirely serious adaptation of a Shakespearean classic, with an entirely shit-faced cast member.

With one cast member selected at random and given four hours to drink before every show we present to you classical theatre as it was always meant to be seen. With a gin in one hand, a cup of wine in the other and a flagon of ale in the other… What could possibly go wrong?

I actually had pain from laughing, it was as funny as advertised. Absolutely a must-see (unless you REALLY like Shakespeare, then you might find this a bit blasphemous).

Saturday was filled with a visit to the Tower, the World Cup (WIN!!!) at an outdoor pub in the shadow of the Tower Bridge, and pausing to watch the London Pride festivities. So much glitter! The train on the way home was filled with song (“It’s Coming Home”), rainbow flags, and facepaint. Truly a weekend to remember.

 

The weather continues hot and dry. And I mean hot (for here). Living in a metal tube that’s fully exposed to the sun all day is becoming a little difficult. I’m not complaining yet, just wishing the awning and large rechargable fan I’ve ordered would arrive! Hard to sleep…the cold showers all day and night only help a bit. The cold ciders day and night help somewhat more.