Thursday 25 October 2012

The Coal Man Cometh

Awhile back we tried to find some coal as there are not the usual coal/diesel working boats out here on the Great Ouse. We weren't allowed to collect it, but they happily delivered it to our mooring by The Cutters in Ely. 25kg sacks of 'Max Heat' which was fantastic - stayed in well overnight, burnt long and slow  and produced very little ash.
Thought we might have more of that before we leave (IF we can leave) so checked with Yarwood to see if they would like some (they would) and, subsequently, ordered 20 sacks, 'could you deliver tomorrow please?'. 'Certainly, we'll be there at 7.30 tomorrow morning'.
7.30. 7.30 am. Blimey, it's 19.45 now - I'd better head to bed!

We left the Lazy Otter in the murk - I set off along the floodbank with the dogs but Baxter wasn't having any of it, so I put him back on MR with Graham whilst Muttley and I continued on towards Popes Corner. What a grim walk - every style was bogged down in mud, cow poo and urine (the cows', not ours). I could hardly lift my feet for the weight of the mud on my boots, but there was nothing I could do about it - no bridge 'oles to be rescued like the canals. Even my little mudlark (aka Muttley) had a straight tail

 The piglets had a similar problem but maybe they are happier in it than we were. Yuk, yuk and thrice yuk!
Going to have to get used to early starts if we're going to get out of here. What with rain, high tides and River Nene lock stoppages (ignoring River Nene floods); if we do get out we'll be doing sunrise to sunset for a few days.

8 comments:

  1. Can you say "Hi" and pass my regards to the Yarwoods? All quiet on their blog recently.

    Sue, nb Indigo Dream

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    1. Will do Sue, meeting up with them later on today. They have been away in their caravan plus Lesley has been helping he r mum who has been a bit poorly. All ok again now so I'm sure she'll be blogging again soon

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  2. Hi both - hope you manage to 'get off' soon - where will you be heading for?

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  3. Hi Carol, the general plan will be to head South down the Grand Union to London; then Kennet and Avon. Overnight rain has scuppered (not literally) us. It will be March before we can leave - full info on today's blog

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  4. Looking forward to seeing your winter plans - when Lou feels a bit better (she's got an infection and quite poorly at the moment) we were wondering about coming to visit you for Sunday lunch at a suitably dog-friendly pub :-)

    Sue, nb Indigo Dream

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    1. Oooooooooh yes please, don't wonder; just come. Sorry to hear Lou is poorly again. You can take your pick of destinations between Downham Market, Ely, Brandon and Cambridge plus all points in between (and we have the car). Incidentally; do you have the doggie pub app?

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  5. There's a doggie pub app? How do we get it??

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    1. main web site is www.doggiepubs.org.uk
      if you Google doggie pubs app you can get it free on android and 69p on iphone. The criteria is dog friendly, good ale/wine selection and food that is value for money - sandwiches to fine dining. When we're out and about with the dogs I just put the place name or postcode in and it gives a list with a brief description - many link to the pub's website and menus. It can also list those nearest to your present location

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