A Bitter Night

Current Temp @ 13.00Hrs -1c Feels Life -4c
Current Weather : Mostly Cloudy
Wind : N @ 8MPH
Sunrise 8:16am Sunset 3:59pm
Visibility 4.3Miles

Well the Marina is part frozen once again & the water is OFF! Good job we planned ahead & filled up the other day.
The snow that I anticipated last night didn't arrive but the temperature low was -3c with a heavy frost. Dee went back to work today but in the rush to leave forgot her Turkey & Cranberry Sandwich! She was not happy xx
Anyhoo were still planning to take 'Quidditch' out for New Years Eve, (Weather permitting) and it's even more exciting cos Johhny & Pat are coming too! They know who they are!!
Oh and by the way we spotted out 1st Moorhen on the Marina yesterday. The words out & the wildlife continues to drift in.

Were Back!

Were Back Aboard!


Current Temp @ 17.00hrs :
1 degree.. Feels Like -3
Current Weather : Scattered Cloud
Wind : N @ 10MPH
Sunrise 8:16am Sunset 3:59pm
Visibility : 6.2Miles


We arrived back this afternoon from Nottingham at around 2.30pm and judging by the weather rain chart opposite were in for some more snow tonight.
We travelled across from Liverpool to Nottingham on Boxing Day over the Snake Pass. The scenery was breathtaking. We tend to avoid the motorways at all costs.
We've had a great Christmas, visiting relatives in Liverpool & Nottingham, but it's always great to be back on board.

Christmas Arrives!

Christmas Has ARRIVED!!!!


Current Temp @ 11.00Hrs +7c
Current Weather Overcast
Wind NNW @ 8MPH
Sunrise 8:16am Sunset 3:56pm
Visibility 3.4Miles

Not quite the white Christmas we had last year, in fact it's very mild at the moment. However, look out for a cold snape from Boxing Day on....
Anyway, the shopping is done, the presents are wrapped and it was the usual price hike at the stores. I bet if I were to buy the same things in January I would have saved a fortune! BAH HUMBUG!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS XXX

12/12/05... Skype!

'QUIDDITCH GOES SKYPE'

Current Temp @ 11.00Hrs +7c
Current Weather Partially Cloudy
Wind NE @ 15MPH
Sunrise 8:06am Sunset 3:52pm
Visibility 6.2Miles

What is Skype? This is what they have to say on thier web-site! http://www.skype.com/

"Hello. We’re Skype and we’ve got something we would like to share with you.
What we’ve got is a simple bit of software we want to give you. It’ll let you make free calls to your friends all over the world. And we don’t want any money for it. It’s free.
You could think of us as the big, free Internet telephony company. We prefer to think of ourselves as a big group hug, even a present. Yes… that’s it… we’re a present… but without the ribbon".

If your lucky enough to have a broadband hotspot at your marina like us then Skype is for you. Even if you have a normal house with telephone line then it could be for you too! Skype allows us to use our computer as a telephone. We can now call anywhere in the world from aboard 'Quidditch'. As an example Dee called her sister in Australia for over 35 minutes and it only cost us 28P.
The advantage is that if who your calling anywhere in the world also has Skype, then your calls are completely free! If you sign up for Skypeout too then you get your own telephone number.

We're so pleased with our new facility that we thought it was worth a diary entry. Although you'd think Skype had paid us for the Ad!

06/12/05...Wash & Wax!

Wash & Wax...


Current Temp @ 11.00Hrs +6c
Current Weather Mostly Cloudy
Wind NNW @ 9MPH
Sunrise 7:59am Sunset 3:53pm
Visibility 6.2Miles

With the current mild conditions, by comparison to recent weeks, it was a perfect opportunity to give 'Quidditch' a good wash & shine. Having taken her across for diesel I then endeavoured to wash the whole 116Ft, (58' each side), plus another 58ft of roof! I can tell you I'm feeling it today!
To other matters, the marina is beginning to resemble 'Santa's Fairy Grotto'. That's not to say we're not playing our part of course! Our internal decorations are now complete & phase 1 of the externals are done. Pictures to follow...
We went for our curry on Saturday night with Graham & Hazel (NBNesta). If your ever in the Southam area & want a quick bite try 'The Balti Hut' http://www.chamois.net/balti-hut/
It's unlicensed so bring your own liquor! It's not the most salubrious of surrondings but we find the food top draw. Its great value too, £40 for 4 of us. The only downfall is if your non smokers like us there are no set non smoking areas. It can get a little chilly too if they move the heater from your table so bring a pully!...

03/12/05... Windy Night!!!

Current Temp @ 11.00Hrs +8
Current Weather : After another Stormy & Rainy night conditions much calmer.
Wind : W 9MPH

Last night was the wetest & windyest so far! We registered gusts of nearly 45MPH. This morning our resident Kingfisher was spotted perched on one of the boats. Fieldfare are in great numbers & many flocks can be seen over flying. On a sporting note, great win for Everton! 2-0 at Blackburn. The first time we've scored 2 the whole season!
Today has seen a marked increase in activity of fellow boaters begining to display thier exterior christmas lights. Me thinks a competition is starting to emerge. Better get a move on & put them all to shame! Curry tonight in Southam!

02/12/05... 'Goblet Of Fire'

Current Temp @ 11.00hrs : +7
Current Weather : Heavy Showers.
Wind STRONG from the SE @ 15MPH. Gusting 25MPH


A really bumpy night! Wind & rain pounded us last night with 'Quidditch' getting a good buffeting. That said I have to say that there is someting quite comforting about laying in your bunk (bed) listening to the wind & rain.
We went into Leamington to see Harry Potter & the Goblet Of Fire today. My rating out of 10 was an 8. As the movies progress they get a lot darker! Very enjoyable...

01/12/05... The Thaw!

Yesterday saw a rapid thaw after the past days snowfall.

Current Temp @ 11.00hrs : +9
Current Weather : Heavy Showers. Wind increasing from the SSE @ 15MPH.

We are now beginning to see more wildlife enter the marina. Only built this year it will take time. Mallard are becoming more frequent & we now have a resident population. No doubt aided by the generosity of the boat owners. Swan cygnets also frequent. More recently I have spotted Kingfisher, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk & a pair of Raven. A tiny Wren has also taken a liking to the newly planted reed & can be seen flitting in & out daily. Fieldfare mingled with Redwing are also common to the surrounding hawthorn, which still boast many berries. With the influx of many flocks of Waxing last winter throughout the UK it is my hope we may get a visit at some stage this winter. Here's hoping!