Carrying the cross

Today, Good Friday, is one of the most important days in the Christian calendar, when we remember the death of Jesus on the cross. In our Norfolk village we carry a large wooden cross through the streets between the parish church and the Methodist church, alternating the direction each year. The walk is done at a slow pace and takes about half an hour.

We walk in silence - well, that's the idea, anyway. This year we ended at the Methodist church where we had a service followed by hot cross buns.

This is the first time we've been at home for Easter for a while. Over the last few years we've been at Tamworth/Polesworth, Nantwich and Market Harborough, all by boat.

Seeing Nutfield reminds me ...

As we passed through Blisworth two weeks ago there was Nutfield tied up. I was saddened recently to read of the death of someone closely associated with Raymond, the butty usually seen with Nutfield.

I first met Steve Miles at a book signing at a boat festival a few years ago, although I knew him only as Geoffrey Lewis, his pen name. Since then we exchanged greetings whenever our paths crossed, usually on the cut somewhere. He was always cheerful, friendly and ready to chat. Steve Miles made a big contribution to the waterways through the Northampton Branch of the IWA, the Friends of Raymond and the Buckingham Canal Society, being a past chairman of the last two organisations. He wrote detective stories and children's fiction, weaving in tales of the canals. Steve died on 9th November 2016, aged 69.

Mike Freeman has written an appreciation of Steve Miles on the Friends of Raymond website.

Lock against you with exit gates open? It's not always a lazy boater's fault

As we climbed Stoke Bruerne Locks a couple of weeks ago nearly every lock was against us, as I think I said at the time. Some locks' top gates are balanced such that they swing open when the lock is full. Lock 19 is one example.

Until I went to close up after Jan had steered Jubilee through I had thought that we were following a boater who couldn't be bothered to close the gates after leaving the lock. Then I shut one gate only to see the opposite one open by itself.

To empty the lock in this scenario you might think you need three crew - one on each top gate to hold it shut and one to raise paddles the other end. But all you have to do is crack open a bottom paddle a little and then walk to the errant top gate and close it. The slight flow of water out of the lock will tend to pull the gates to. Then the lock can be emptied as normal.

Picture perfect?

At the end of March we left our mooring at Thrupp Wharf Marina, saying goodbye to our neighbours Paul and Pam on Intrigue and to marina owners Roy and Val. The weather was breezy but sunny and warm for spring.

Few other boats were about and we were enjoying being on the move. Do you like my picture? No, of course it's not perfect, but I'm quite pleased with it.

We didn't chase this heron for long.

Insurance quandary

Jubilee's boat insurance is due for renewal in a few days and I am unsure of the best thing to do. We have been with EIS (Euromarine) for the last five years and have been very happy with them, but we have had a quote from a rival for considerably less. The difference is probably because EIS is insuring the boat on an "agreed value" basis, whereas the competitor is quoting on a "market value" cover. EIS is able to insure the boat for the price we paid for it as we haven't had it valued since then. As I understand it, this becomes relevant only in the event of a total loss, through fire or sinking, for example.

Is it worth paying an extra 30% to be "sure"* of getting the full payout in this very unlikely scenario? We're talking £40 per year. I have to decide by the end of the week.

I suppose all insurance is like this.

*Reading through the list of exclusions in the policy I don't think you can be sure of anything. The list of get-out clauses is vast.

Wyming Brook walk, Sheffield

A couple of weeks ago, on 28th March, we drove up to Sheffield to visit Andrew. He took us to Wyming Brook, a tributary of the River Rivelin to the west of the city.

Andrew led us on an excellent walk through the trees, down to the Rivelin Dams reservoir and back up along the brook itself.

As we set off from the car park the sunlight was filtering through the trees. Andrew also filtered through the trees.

What looked at first glance like dandelion is actually, I believe, coltsfoot.

When we climbed up by the brook it had started to rain, but the trees sheltered us to some extent and we didn't get too wet. The rain didn't last long.

It was a delightful walk. Andrew appreciates having countryside such as this on his doorstep.

On to today, and what amazing summer-like weather we've been enjoying! As we walked in shirtsleeve order to church this evening for a Palm Sunday service of music and readings the aroma of a barbecue wafted tantalisingly over us. I think we'll be down with a bump tomorrow as temperatures ten degrees lower are forecast.

It's a daffodil, all white?

Jan says it's common, but perhaps I have a short memory. Whatever, I was surprised to see this daffodil in our garden amongst the usual yellow (and yellow/orange) ones.

Despite the development of gardens nearby for housing we still get some wildlife. Today I managed to photograph this visitor.

As far as I can tell from the internet it's a speckled wood butterfly.

In other news, our boat is being worked on at the Grand Junction Boat Co. A mushroom vent has been resealed and two windows are receiving the same treatment. A small gearbox oil leak will be investigated, and the engine coolant will be replaced with a fresh mix of antifreeze. All should be ready for us after Easter.

Holland at Gayton

FMC boat Holland motored past us at Gayton Junction four days ago, looking splendid in the sunshine.

I must phone the boatyard tomorrow to see if they've done anything to Jubilee ...