Kubrick 2

Lots of trophies on show

Including 'Oscars'

These costumes were from 'Eyes Wide Shut'

Kubrick

Last month we went to the Museum of St.Albans to see an exhibition about Stanley Kubrick.
He used to live between St.Albans and Redbourn.
It was very well presented and we spent quite some time there.

Carbon Monoxide detectors

Carbon Monoxide detectors always seem to be a bit of a let down. They promise so much and yet apparently deliver so little.
There's the reassuring blinking green light - that's OK. Then there's the 'digital display' which sounds very grand but never moves off zero. Of course, you don't want it to move off zero but the occasional '1' might be nice - just to show it's working.
We have the same detector at home and on the boat. The one on the boat is probably more important as the boiler on there is a bit old now, but that one also just sits and blinks - and reads zero.

Smoke detectors

Smoke detectors are great. They just sit there doing their job - or are they? It's always a problem to test them as you never fail to get totally shocked by the volume of the 'siren'. You know it's loud. You know you're about to press the button. So why are you always taken aback when it goes off? It's not just me either, I have to make sure that Poppy has gone out for a wander or she just panics (more than me). Worse still if her cat flap is locked and she gets a flat nose.
Smoke detectors are great - but...

What about Carbon Monoxide detectors then?

Big game hunter

We have/had a mouse (or a rat!) in our garage which was tucking into SWMBO's wild bird seeds. So yesterday I set our humane mouse trap and baited it with some of the seeds and waited...
This morning - here it is!
The camera just wouldn't focus properly on the shiny plastic side of the trap, but you get the idea - it's a mouse.

Here's he/she awaiting release at the bottom of the garden.

I didn't have to actually release it as this was it's sudden break for freedom.
Look out for the cats, mouse - oh, don't come back please.

The bells!

Last month SWMBO went to a service at St.Albans Abbey for the solemn consecration of the new ring of 13 bells.

In case you ever get to meet them, their names are:

ALBANUS, PETRUS, JACOBUS, ANDREAS, IOANNES, IUDAS, SIMON ZELOTES, MATTHAEUS, MATHIAS, BARTHOLOMAEUS, JACOBUS ALPHAEI, THOMAS and PHILIPPUS.

I've no idea which ones these are!

Back to normal...(2)

Not much chance of doing today's ironing then? - Oh dear.

Back to normal...

Not much chance of reading today's newspaper then?

nb Stella - Conclusion

ETRURIA - REDBOURN

We drove home in two and a quarter hours which was pretty good, then collected Poppy from the cattery - she then did a lot of shouting for the rest of the day. I can't say I blame her, I would have done the same if I'd been locked up for three weeks!
After a thoroughly enjoyable and relaxing time, it was nice to get home.
Here are the two maps of our progress over the nineteen days (you may need to click on them to enlarge them).
153 miles and 122 locks

Thank you to everyone who has shared our journey with us - it was good to have you on board, and we hope you enjoyed the trip!

Back to 'normal' blog posts for a while now - and a rest...

nb Stella - Day 19

KIDSGROVE - ETRURIA

The Harecastle tunnel was the main excitement for today! We were last of a convoy of three boats through the 2919 yard tunnel. The tunnel keeper at the south portal told us that the first boat was too slow, the second boat was too fast and our time of 38 minutes was about right. We later found out that the first boat's tunnel light had failed after about 75 yards and they were quivering wrecks when we spoke to them

We then moored at Westport Lake for SWMBO to go birdwatching while I cleaned the outside of Stella for our next owners. As a valet had been booked I didn't worry too much about the inside which we had kept very clean anyway

We moored at the Toby carvery next to the marina for the night and had an excellent meal alongside a fair few 'larger' members of the population!

nb Stella - Day 18

HASSALL GREEN - KIDSGROVE

Another glorious sunny morning - after a night of continual rain

We had a lunchtime stop at Rode Heath and gave The Broughton Arms some money

Then...

BW maintenance! Lock gate replacement at No.52

Lock gate removal at No.52

This gate was installed yesterday

Stopped for water at Kidsgrove and decided to stay put for the night as it is walking distance to The Red Bull

nb Stella - Day 17

MIDDLEWICH - HASSALL GREEN

First thing, SWMBO cycled back in to the centre of Middlewich for our newspaper and to buy this jigsaw from a charity shop. We had seen the jigsaw as we wandered around town last night and thought it summed up the holiday very well - a leisurely lunchtime stop at a pub

The double locks in the Wheelock flight were interesting as you never know which set of gates will open for you. We could have used our mobiles, but what's the rush - just wait and see

Not the one on the right then!

Another fine sunset this evening

nb Stella - Day 16

CALVELEY - MIDDLEWICH

Overnight at Calveley after a very soggy morning and pleasant afternoon

Early morning (well, before SWMBO was up!) at our mooring in Calveley

The Badger in Church Minshull being renovated. I wonder if the Sunday church services will be timed to finish at noon? Oh, by the way - look at that sky

Opposite The Badger and the church