Three Month Anniversary

Yesterday marked three months since we moved aboard Gracie - it seems much longer in some ways and in others a short time. We have learnt a lot and are now moving into late autumn - we haven't experienced a true frost yet, although there was one when we moored in Furness Vale on the Peak Forest canal.

Originally, we had planned on a marina life but this felt too much like a horizontal towerblock and they didn't like dogs - moral of story - if you have a dog don't moor at Macclesfield Marina (next to Hovis Mill). 

We have had an invertor fitted to generate 240 volt electricity and if you want work done; we can certainly recommend that marina. We will get solar panels fitted early next year; which will mean we don't have to run the engine when we run the washing machine (finally purchased last week - a twin tub). We have had a cratch cover out on the bow and a dodger and tonneau on the stern; which gives us a dining room/porch and a storage area when not cruising. 

We get coal, diesel and pretty much everything else from the coal boat, NB Alton, fortnightly and although during the winter we will use a lot of coal; next summer we hope to be able to get some wood and this will save that cost. We have to get Gracie blacked and get a licence. We are joining the association of Continuous Cruisers as well as the National Boat Owners Association. 

We are now meeting other liveaboards that live on these canals; old travellers - canals now being the only place left you can legally travel and stop for 14 days before moving on. Some are, like us, relatively new to canal life; but others have lived and worked on here for years. The canals are pretty empty now and peaceful - it is the start of the long winter nights and we are going to enjoy our first winter aboard.

It should be interesting over the coming weeks as it appears we might experience our first ice and snow - bring it on! 

As we are moored in Marple; I took a walk up to Marple Ridge today - what a lovely view - if you get a chance - walk up to the church from the Brick Bridge just past Marple Marina and walk the Apprentices Walk through and up to the church

Bonfire Night

Here we are between Halloween and Guy Fawkes. - All Saint's Day seems to pass people by and the weather is truly autumnal. Took the dogs shopping today ; there are lovely local shops in Whaley Bridge and their favourite has to be Wild's Butchers- they sit nicely outside because they know there'll be bones and they'll get a treat - today a sheep heart between them and a huge bone each to take home! Got dome lovely steak for braising which is on the stove marinating for dinner tomorrow.
Now; it's blowing a gale with rain and we're toasty warm with the cratch cover and stove!
Bought a pair of sheepskin boots each from the tannery in Pandora, Napier; New Zealand - brilliant for on the boat . We are getting there slowly!_

Living in the State of Gracie

We enter our third week of official continuous Cruising; having spent a lovely week in Whaley Bridge and continuing our  theme of shopping locally where we can; found the most fabulous butchers and pet shop. We notice that people are more relaxed out of the cities - do they have more time?  I don't think so; they just use it in a different way - we are so lucky to be living this life, it is so much more gentle - canal time!

The New Cratch Cover

We have finally had the Cratch Cover; Dodger & tonneau fitted - We knew it would make a difference, but had no idea how much until yesterday. Cover-It fitted it and also built a drop-down table, so we can use the well as a small dining room & sitting area. The window is immense & provides a stunning view out through the bow; but it is the tonneau that has caused us the most excitement! We now have a tent on the stern and so a huge storage area, sheltered from the elements,

The Cratch Cover

This week they are coming to fit the cover/board/Dodger & tonneau in stone - cannot wait as we will finally have cover on the bow & a cover for the stern. We're travelling pinto Whaley Bridge so Chris can move Gracie to Bugsworth Basin on Wednesday so they can get close with the van - it'll be nice to be able to have our meals at a proper table again as they are also fitting a drop down table to the cratch board.

Continuously Cruising

We have decided to give notice at Macclesfield Canal Centre and continuously cruise - this is comparatively easy to do around here & still enable me to go to work four days a week,  we came up to Marple on Friday and decided that we won't be returning to Macclesfield any time soon - moral of story - listen to  Chris's inner voice and buy a PO Box number. We are currently moored on the Peak Forest Canal just down from Marple Canal Basin

Bollington on the Macclesfield Canal

Since moving onto Gracie, we have made a conscious effort to buy locally and use the shops and services "on the cut" - we came up to Bollington last night because there is a Fish & Chip restaurant /takeaway - The Plaice, which comes highly recommended - if you get the chance to go = do try the Bollington Pudding - it is divine. Anyway, as I said we are trying to shop locally and therefore I went into Bollington and bought meat & veg from the butchers and then went into the bakery. The smell of freshly made vanilla/custard slices meant I had to purchase some - they were divine. However, no-one;s tills were working, so no chip & pin for those with cards. Then this afternoon, NB Alton (coal boat) came down the canal, sp we bought coal and her chip & pin wouldn't work properly either - it did the second time as I held it over my head - however, is Bollington in a dead spot? (it's an extremely pretty town with lovely shops though)
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