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548 days ago

Two trips to Muriel this Bank Holiday weekend - neither, I'm afraid to say, to take her out of the marina. We're in a funny old situatuion at the moment, one where we're happy and sad at the same time. We had hoped to be out on Muriel most of the summer, but due to our house not selling we are both still working - sad. We had hoped, despite this, to be using Muriel on our days off, but as Jack, our ageing and sick labrador, is still with us, this has not been possible - happy. Yes, happy, because Jack is still here. So, in the short time we have left with him, one of us stays at home to look after J while the other goes to Muriel. A trip last week saw the engine run up and the batteries charged, while on another, Sue took keys for Foxton Boats who are going to sort out some of our warrenty issues. I had hoped to take Muriel out this weekend on my own - the weather, though, has had other ideas. On Saturday it was very windy and today, Sunday, just plain wet. There ...

The Pan

552 days ago

The Pan I was reading Granny Buttons’ blog the other day and was interested by the entry on the boat-friendly food processor. Well, we have another very boat friendly bit of kitchen kit that was given to us as a wedding present last year. We admired The Pan, used it once or twice like any other pan, but mainly kept it in its box so as not to damage it. It is after all a very nice looking pan, and our kitchen cupboards are a bit of a mess, well a lot of a mess really. You open them, lob something in, and shut them quickly before something else falls out. Then, whilst kitting out Muriel, we decided to give The Pan a nice home in a well ordered kitchen (or should I say galley) where we could put it to good use. And good use it was put to. In fact we used it for every single meal of our trip. So, what is so special about The Pan? Well, it is constructed so that it will keep food hot for up to 2 hours. We ...

Revenue and Customers

561 days ago

We've discovered a fantastic new way that can get you out of doing anything you don't want to do. And the thing that makes it oh-so special is that you don't actally have to refuse to do the thing, whatever it might be - in fact the very opposite is true. You agree to do it; you put it in writing that you will do it; when asked why you haven't made any effort to do it, you act horrified - but still don't do it. It's simple, time and money saving, and above all, it don't half get up peoples noses - especially if they are a customer who has just spent a lot of money on a new narrow boat from your company (If you don't want to know who that company is, look away now) at Hanbury, a boat that was built in Poland. The technique goes something like this: DAY 1 Phone rings a few times and is answered promptly, adding an air of efficiency. " Hello N.. and .... Boat Company, how can I help you" "Hello, Mr M here", polite, softly spoken, controlled ...

Maiden Voyage - Hanbury Wharf to Pillings Lock

565 days ago

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All That Glitters is Not Old

566 days ago

Hanbury Wharf to Pillings Lock We pulled out of Mountsorrel Lock and headed north, towards Pillings Lock and the marina where we were to berth Muriel. The two-week cruise from the New Boat Company’s base at Hanbury Wharf on the Birmingham and Worcs to the Grand Union had seen us pass through 164 locks, including the Tardebigge and Hatton flights, and much of it in wind and rain. Finally, on the penultimate day and with the end in sight, we had descended through Leicester ; no mean feat in itself. We were proud and relieved, our spirits buoyed. But, coming out of Mountsorrel Lock on what was a lovely Spring morning, we saw something that made our hearts sink. A new Aqualine Madison, just like ours, waited to enter the lock, but where Muriel’s sides where scuffed, she was spotless, her paint blemish free. Where Muriel’s rubbing strakes were gouged, she was still in black. Muriel was filthy, ...