mikron tour 2010

SEE YOU

2010-08-26T17:09:00.000-07:00

And so to the final blog of the 2010 Mikron Summer season which has come all too soon. Just a moment ago it was a glorious spring at the end of a very long hard winter and we were setting out on Tyseley for our first canal shows. Now the leaves are falling into the muddy water of the Shropshire Union Canal the rain is falling again and the ducklings are grown. Who painted the Haws and the blackberries when I wasn’t looking?
It’s been a really good tour again, met so many nice people, had loads of great shows in marvellous venues and as always been helped on our way time and again by so many good friends of Mikron – too numerous to thank you all but you know who you are and that your help is appreciated so much by us all.
Final thanks go to the team who make it all happen - Marianne, Pete, Gemma, Rachel and Rick – who have been a tower of strength throughout. Look forward to seeing you all in the Autumn tour.

MORE RAIN

2010-08-25T04:56:00.000-07:00

Beyond a joke now. August must officially be a wash out as usual. Spencer at the Brandy Cask knows we are a harbinger of doom bringing storm and tempest with us every year. Fortunately David Millett of the Surrey and Hants Canal Society moved us into Fleet Football Club bar before the heavens opened. It’s still raining now at past midnight. When we get back to Gnosall and then High Offley I want fine weather – fat chance. It’s still very warm though and houses continue to be good so shouldn’t complain. Penultimate day’s boating tomorrow. Another year gone - shame.
Trecked up the Shroppie in drizzle and set up the marquee in rain but it cleared into a fine but very cold night. Mike Lucas paid us a visit and we talked boating and sang in the pub at High Offley till Olive chucked us out.

NEW PUMP OLD SEALS

2010-08-22T15:07:00.000-07:00

For reasons to complicated to go into the old seals are back on the pump and it’s weeping water again. Managed ok up the Severn and no replacements available so we are carrying on as it is. A great show at the Tontine Gardens courtesy of Stourport Forward with nearly 200 people on a site overlooking the wide beam locks from Stourport basin onto the Severn. Off at 7am on Thursday up the Staffs and Worcester – as lovely as ever but very slow going and showers turned to heavy rain which kept up all day. Stopped for water at Stewponey Wharf so the tanks were very full. A slight knock on a lock gate caused by much turbulence from the weirs due to the heavy rain and the tanks leapt forward and pulled off a hose. After a while Tyseley starts leaning to starboard. An inspection revealed the bows were full of water and all costumes and extension leads submerged.
Thankfully the Witts came to our rescue and met us at Wightwick where we arrived about 9pm after 14 hours more or less continuous boating and took all to be dried. Cycled to the Spar in Wightwick and picked up drinking water as tanks are fouled with bilge water and baby wipes for washing.
Collapsed into bed at midnight and set off at 6am in pouring rain again. Fixed hose back on tanks and filled with water which thankfully stayed in the tanks. Onward to our last lock of the tour on the Shroppie. Lovely show at the Witts who dried our costumes, fed us and lent us a marquee, extension leads and induced diabetic coma with white chocolate cheese cake.
Felt a bit tired and realised that 30 hours boating and 3 shows in four days was probably the reason why.
Packed into the van again – thanks Ed Fulcher for bringing her up to Gnosall and trying to get home from Gnosall to Tewksbury on his new bus pass. Only took him 12 hours and gave him the idea for next year’s Mikron show on the bus service called ‘A Comedy of Errors’ –nice suggestion Ed but it may have already been done. Have to look into it. And back to Pershore to the Brandy Cask. Promised rain which didn’t materialise but we did the show in the bar anyway to a packed house – literally.

UP AND DOWN THE SEVERN

2010-08-15T05:07:00.000-07:00

Took the van down to the Coal House in Apperley and cycled back visiting Odda’s Chapel on the banks of the Severn at Deerhurst on the way back a marvellously atmospheric Saxon chapel, lovingly but not over restored and the equally beautiful Saxon parish church. If only we had defeated the Normans at Hastings...
Past huge oaks in the water meadows. I was surprised to see the Severn so low. The muddy banks had wet mud about two metres above the water line. When we got to the Severn lock the keeper told us that it was an unusually high tide and to look out for trees in the river. The tide had just turned so we went on to Apperley.
Coming back to the boat before the show it had sunk a metre below the level of the jetty whereas when we arrived it towered over it. As we watched the shooting stars in the small hours, the water rose again and we slackened off the ropes to reach down to the jetty which rapidly disappeared under the surging muddy water. I had visions of having to dive down to release the ropes as we rose but of course the water soon subsided again and at dawn we were mud bound again with the jetty above rather than below us.
Similar experience at the floating moorings at Haw Bridge. Trees banging against the side of the boat and scraping off into the darkness. Discarded gas cylinders being carried upstream like a freight train and then coming back and wedging between Tyseley and the pontoon.
The current coming up so fast it takes the swans where they don’t want to go – hissing angrily. The wise ducks sit on the pontoon and wait for better times.

More trouble with the cooling system again. River Canal Rescue to our rescue again. Another impeller gone the way of all flesh – don’t know why for sure – may have had the water intake blocked accidentally as we waited at Avon lock but as soon as Rick noticed the water wasn’t circulating and the temperature was up the damage was done and more impeller bits strewn round the system. Now the impeller is replaced the seals on the water pump are leaking again. What Ho! The pump is off to be repaired again. Looking forward to seeing it back tomorrow. Our mechanic, Matt, is on the Sharpness lifeboat tomorrow but plans to come and stick it all back together sometime tomorrow afternoon or evening.

Typical August summer holiday weather, cold and wet with occasional sublime outbreaks of sun such as at Randwick when the fields steam the clouds rise and blue sky turns to a perfect pink and amber sunset with high streaky clouds.

AVON CALLING

2010-08-10T07:07:00.000-07:00

Great to be back on the Avon though sadly the Fleet Inn moorings are continuing to fall apart. Despite the pub closing next week and a fairly grey evening turning to drizzle we had a good turnout for Pedal Power. Quite a few people who came to Worcester came out again to see the other show.

Launched the new Ruby appeal – details on the Autumn tour leaflet – and hoping that we will not have to sell Tyseley to continue touring next year – our fortieth anniversary. Saw mink running along the side of the Severn as we came down and enjoyed seeing the gravel barges going up to Ryall wharf. Amazing the difference to the draught when fully laden with the water right up to the gunwhales. When empty the barges tower over the river. No wonder they need to keep right to the centre of the stream.

Spent monday morning climbing up Bredon Hill. A lovely day with high clouds and full sun on the ripening corn and the already harvested linseed fields. A touch of Autumn perhaps – winter ? Christmas? Had an amusing altercation with a group of walkers on the top overlooking one of the loveliest views in the country across the valley of the Avon and the Severn towards the Malvern Hills. They were pointing out landmarks to each other – as you do at the top of hills –
‘Look Gareth has spotted Upton on Severn over there’.
I heard someone say ‘That can’t be Upton on Severn it’s too far North’ - it was me. Soon I was surrounded by blue gortex, ordnance survey maps flapping in the wind and gesticulating binoculars...
‘Yes it is – look you can see the church spire and over to the left a little white round thing which is the school’
‘I can see a spire to the right of a round thing’
‘That’s not a spire – it’s a chimney. The spire is to the left’
‘But look it’s midday so the sun is more or less directly in the South so if I line up my map with my shadow Upton would be much further South’
‘But a half an hour on as it’s gone twelve now – and have you taken account of British Summer time?’
‘Well more or less directly South’
'You can see the Avon down there between us and that town and look there’s the Swan’s Neck with the wood behind it’
‘Ah yes ...But the wood is in front of it’
'To the East of it you mean'
‘Look there’s Nafford lock to the right’
‘That’s Strensham Lock’
'No it’s not the river bends twice before the Swan’s Neck – look at the map’
'What’s that village there then?'
'That’s Birlingham'
'It’s too close for Birlingham it must be Bredon'
'Bredon is behind the hill'
'But look there’s Pershore just behind it – you can see the abbey'
'Where – I can’t see any abbey'
'So where’s Tewksbury'
'Behind the Hill'
'What’s that then?'
'Oh yes It’s Tewksbury – or is it?'
'So where’s the Abbey?'
'I don’t know but there’s the motorway between here and the Malverns.'
'What the M5? Of course it’s between here and the Malverns...'
'What’s that then. The M50?'
'No no no. Look at the map there..'
'That’s Upton'
'No it’s not it’s Pershore!'

After about 20 minutes of this we parted none the wiser, all thoroughly annoyed and without wishing each other Good Day.

WORCESTER

2010-08-05T04:11:00.000-07:00

Finished the trip into Worcester in heavy rain but soon dried out and moored up at the back of the Commandery. Found ourselves sitting on the silt this morning as the pound had inexplicably drained in the night but British Waterways were 'aware' and soon had us floating again. Interesting number of rats and mice who took advantage of the dry banks to potter about on the mud and investigate all the nooks and crannies usually under water.

BEYOND ROWINGTON

2010-08-02T06:18:00.000-07:00

Tom O'the Wood sadly closed again but thanks to Mike and Jude Palmer, show sponsors in Rowington, they organised the village hall and given the steady rain it was a great success on several fronts. Lapworth flight and even the very shallow stretch around bridge 31 presented no problems the next day. Could be the rain and the fact that with dry bilges we are riding a lot higher in the water than last year.
A lovely trip up the Stratford - on - Avon canal and despite the Norton guillotine lock snapping at our heels we pushed through slowly but surely and made good progress to Alvechurch where so far the sun is shining and there is every possibility that we will perform outside on the wharf for the first time in three years. Fingers crossed.

BACK AGAIN

2010-07-30T17:05:00.000-07:00

A lovely day’s boating over the summit of the Oxford on leaving Cropredy in misty rain followed by bright sunshine and then soft rain again. Keith at the Wharf Inn has acquired two large Vietnamese pot bellied pigs who are on a diet as they are overweight. This doesn’t stop them drinking the slops though and apparently pigs have a complete tolerance of alcohol and never become drunk. A bit of drizzle in the early evening but still warm and overcast clearing to a beautiful sunset over the rolling Oxfordshire fields. The apple tree in the pub garden laden with fruit as summer moves steadily on. Off again at seven tomorrow but Gemma has promised porridge.
A long day’s boating along the Oxford starting in bright sunshine at 7am and then driving rain and then sunshine again. Sad to leave the Oxford which is very windy, very bendy, very shallow in places but uniquely beautiful and so English and crashed round the corner at Napton Junction and onto the M1 of canals, the Grand Union and up the big locks at Calcutt and on to the Boat Inn at Birdingbury. New landlord but very much keeping up the Mikron tradition with a good house, lovely food and now a marquee as well! We didn’t need it as the evening was fine and clear but bodes well for the future. Thanks Paul and Matthew for making us so welcome.
Off again the next morning and a moving day, plenty of locks and plenty of interesting things to see. Ended up at the Cape of Good Hope but never made it into the pub but sat and drank wine and played Uno in the Boat at the foot of the stairway to heaven. Ploughed up the stairway in good time, teamed up with a nice boat and did the whole flight in two and a half hours. It seems to get easier and quicker every year.
On leaving Hatton, getting round in the pound not as easy as it should have been, lots of mud and plenty of incompetence from me. Emptied the elsan – glad to see everyone seems to be chewing their food properly and up a very low canal to Rowington. Gemma made porridge with hand picked blackberries which seem to be very good this year – made into a lovely compote. Weather still grotty and steady rain as we set up in the village hall in Rowington as sadly the Tom O’ the Wood is closed. Thanks to Mike and Jude for organising the venue and for show sponsorship and wine and cheese...and cheese and wine.
Forecast says rain for next few days...

HOLS AND BEYOND

2010-07-26T05:42:00.000-07:00

Rain got the better of us again at Lower Heyford and we packed into Kizzie,s Restaurant to avoid the heavy showers and high winds that had continued throughout the day. As we finished setting up the wind dropped, the clouds lifted and the sun came out. It was too late to move by then so we stayed where we were. Then home for a week’s break. Got back to Hebden Bridge and on to my own little boat in the early hours of the morning. Ready for bed and a week off. Looking forward to the second half soon. Please let it stop raining now, the grass has gone a shade greener and the canals are full again. Time for some more sun...
Well the rain has been continuing but both shows at Cropredy were fine and warm and we played to large audiences. Thanks to Auntie Shirl for all her hard work especially in publicising the shows. Plenty of water in the Oxford Canal and plenty of hire boats but we had a good trip up to Fenny Compton and now anxiously watching the grey skies. More soon.

RAIN IN THRUPP

2010-07-15T04:07:00.000-07:00

Woke on Tuesday to find water falling from the sky in vertical strips and had to spend the day dozing, eating and doing crosswords out of pure shock. Fortunately the drizzle only continued during the get in and sporadically during the show so no major disruption. Great to see a large party of Oxford cyclists charging in at the last moment, everyone sporting at least one item of luminous yellow apparel, the sure sign of a cyclist and LED lights hanging off every rucksack. Thanks to Zoltan and Sam for making us so welcome – we really appreciate it.
Aynho is turning into a nice venue. Renee and Ali are settling in and have removed the largest of the concrete planters in the middle of the courtyard and so now there is a nice playing space. Rain bucketed down for about 15 mins and then settled into a calm dry evening.
Moving onto Banbury the Oxford canal is as lovely as ever. Fluffy clouds, sudden rain storms, poplar plantations thrased by wind and then sudden sun on the ripening corn fields backed by huge blue skies and high streaky clouds. And then rain again...

DAY OF FUN

2010-07-13T07:06:00.001-07:00

Got up early and got the bus into Oxford for company day of fun. Put our wages in the bank and then met up for coffee and cake in a pavement cafe. Bought food and wine in Sainsbury’s and went to see Rob Matthew (remember him? ex Mikron actor and co author of ‘If you go down to the woods’) in an excellent production of The Tempest in the gardens of Wadham college. A perfect day for it, we sat in the shade and drank wine and enjoyed other people running about shouting. A great production, very inventive but not tricksy with excellent performances, clear storytelling and a lot of fun. Rob was superb as the drunken steward, Stephano. Then punting of course, Gemma was the star and we glided round the little circuit from Magdelen bridge, feeding the ducks who were so tame (or so hungry) that they chewed your fingers if you left them unattended for a moment and leapt into the boat after crisps. By the time we had downed a pitcher of Pimms and stuffed ourselves with Korean food I had reached the shores of Lethe and had to be walked to a taxi and so to bed. As Rick pointed out it was a bit of a busman’s holiday going to the theatre and boating but fun all the same.

GOOD WEATHER

2010-07-10T03:32:00.000-07:00

The good weather this summer so far makes a massive difference to our enjoyment and success. We’ve had four great shows on the trot – Caversham Court in Reading where we played to about 200 people, the next day Goring Lock – guest of long time Mikron Friend, lock keeper Mike Eagles - where again about 200 and then Benson Marina, organised by long time Friend, John Dalton where about 130 people. When it’s cold and wet we often play to a very small crowd – this year it’s been great. Just hope the continuing dry spell doesn’t mean low water levels – all is well on the great Thames although there are rumours of possible closures of locks because of low water and at Day’s Lock today not much more than a trickle coming over the weir. But what will it be like on the summit of the Oxford? Another warm balmy evening at Long Wittenham – despite a home Aunt Sally competition, football on the telly, a folk night and a scout meeting at the pub (Sandra and Mel’s place is a real community centre!) we played to over 70 people half way down the garden and had a great night with many friends from the TUC, cyclists, walkers and boaters who all seemed to enjoy the show and hissed, booed, cheered and clapped in all the right places – and were extremely generous in the collection.
Wolvercote - another lovely show on the village green – people sitting on the grass with picnics, kids playing football and climbing trees, dogs invading the stage trying to get the actors to throw a ball for them. This is the summer we have longed for. It tried to rain but as soon as we brought the gazebo out of course it stopped. Walking back from the pub the glow worms are shining in the grass a luminous green more garish than high vis jackets and a toad scuttles across the path and back into the safety of the greenery. At supper on the bows Rick and I watched a couple of Kites swooping down to the canal to catch the many fish rising to the surface after the myriad of flies hovering over the water.
Gemma back to hospital world for check up on her finger and then on to Bablock Hythe. A truly wonderful summer’s day, blue sky and high clouds; boating very slowly behind a hire boat through the bends past Eynsham ; the Thames at it’s most beautiful. Hard to believe that this is the same river that surges past Tower Bridge. We all swam in the river at Bablock, it’s the only place to be when it’s so hot and then another warm still evening and a good show followed by beer and then tomorrow...a day off.

WOOLHAMPTON

2010-07-04T05:09:00.000-07:00

Great weather for the whole of our stay in Woolhampton and consequently excellent houses for the two shows there. Thanks to Margaret again for doing all our washing and taking all our recycling. On Wednesday we went by van to Lechlade and performed there for the second time. Thanks to Bob and Penny - not least for the lovely meal after the show. Got the water pump fixed - it needed a new one again which is the third in three years - being driven by actors is obviously hard work for an old narrow boat. Fought our way back along the Kennet and Avon through all the swing bridges and deep locks. Going through one lock with another boat we were pushed very close to the cill. The couple on the other boat said in their guide it says Maximum length of boat 70 foot if paired up. At 72 foot I let them go on and we went through most of the rest of the locks on our own and siting across the lock! If it's in the Nicholson guide I didn't see it. Moored up at back of Tesco in Reading now enjoying a jacket potato and baked beans in the cafe.

ON LEAVING HENLEY

2010-06-29T05:07:00.000-07:00

Mixed feelings on leaving Henley. The landlord of the Angel on the Bridge, Mark is so kind and hospitable that it is a pleasure to visit his lovely pub. We are allowed to moor up under the bridge in the centre of the town in the middle of the Regatta hullaballoo much to the irritation of passing fat cats in those little James Bond wooden speed boats. But on a hot evening the forecourt is packed with rowers and hoorays from the Regatta who have not come to watch a play about a Socialist Cycling Club but to down buckets of Pimms and go Ra Ra Ra at the tops of their voices all night long. We shouted the play into the milling crowd who crossed and re-crossed the stage staggering to the loo and the bar. There were three islands of spectators who tried to stay with us but to no avail. The level of noise and the level of happy indifference was just too great to overcome. We got to the end of the play - well done Rachel, Gemma and Rick for carrying on - but it was an unequal struggle and gave no pleasure to the audience - (both those interested and those not).
It was a welcome change to visit our long term friends at the Chichester Canal Society the next day and play to a very appreciative audience as part of the Chichester festival in Donnington Parish Hall.
We are now moored up at the Rowbarge in Woolhampton ready for tonights show having had a lovely days boating up the Thames and along the Kennet and Avon Canal which seems more calm and beautiful every time I do it. Like falling into a green tunnel past hay fields, little flint cottages and boiling weir streams.

HAPPY DAYS

2010-06-26T03:18:00.001-07:00

Much refreshed by lovely day of rest in Marlow. Nothing to do but eat a nice lunch with a bottle of Pinot Grigio, snooze in the park and swim in the Thames. Yesterday a lovely evening at the Bounty in the independent republic of Cockmarsh with a large and appreciative audience. And today back up the Thames to Henley. Sun shining, plenty of keen scullers practising for the regatta I guess. You might think there is discord between coal boats and plastic boats (much exagerated in my opinion) but it is as nothing to the steadfast aloofness between narrow boats and scullers who inhabit a different planet altogether. Huge fat carp turning lazily in the weeds at Marlow Lock like a whale.

DAY OFF

2010-06-24T06:37:00.000-07:00

What a long week. Last day off was on the 16th June and was spent in hospital world in Coventry. On the 17th we set off at 6am and boated all day arriving at Hillingdon about 12 hours later. The following day we went to HNBP for gas and water and life jackets and elsan and did the show in Uxbridge. Another early start and going through Camden lock bedlam (usual foul abuse from trip boats) and another show and then the travel to Limehouse and then the tidal Thames. Woke up with a hangover and full of curry from the night before and finished the journey to Walton on Thames. Did the show. Next day boated to Maidenhead setting off at 7 am again, dropped Gemma at the most expensive restaurant in the country at Bray and managed to ground the boat on the public jetty and worry adjacent gin palace owners. Then on to Maidenhead and loaded the set from the boat to the van, avoiding trip boats and did the show at Medmenham. Back to boat and next morning re loaded set from van to boat. Water pump leaking more each day - have to do something about it soon. A crazy lady jumped on the boat and informed us that Rick was an American thief who dyed his hair ginger. Chucked her off and set off, arriving at Marlow lock where the lock keeper was to provide moorings. No moorings. So we sat on the public slipway by the Two Brewers - beloved of Jerome K Jerome - and watched bits of the football (Englerland v Slovenia) and then did the show. Re loaded to boat and up to the public moorings beyond Marlow bridge in the dark. And so to bed. A great week, good fun, great shows lots of nice friends of Mikron - old and new - but I'm tired now. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

UP THE RIVER

2010-06-21T08:05:00.000-07:00

A truly marvellous day’s boating up the tidal Thames. A nice morning’s journey down from Kings Cross to Limehouse basin meeting previous Tyseley boat captain, Dan Wexler as we went past his home mooring at Wenlock Basin with surprise guest, Mikron board member, Ruth Carter. Interesting and historical trip through East London on the canal and then waiting in Limehouse basin for the correct tide and left in our little flotilla at 5.45 pm which consisted of Tyseley with Mikron team and our guardian angel Ian Tuplin, for moral support and nautical know how. Midnight Rambler with Dan, Ruth and – another nice surprise – ex Mikron actors, Ruth Cateroche and Rob Took. Del Brenner and crew on Tug Boat ‘Major’ from the London region IWA. And little wooden launch, ‘Club Claret’ with Commodore Clive Evans and crew – friends of Gemma’s from the Brentford Cruising Club.
As the waters equalized the Thames crashed through the lock doors and we were off like a bucking bronco with a Thames Clipper immediately sweeping past at high speed and giving us plenty of wash to cope with. Tysleley never felt unbalanced though and ploughed through and over the waves with no difficulty whatever. It was great to pass all the famous London landmarks along the river – Tower Bridge, The Globe, The Wheel, The houses of Parliament. With working out which bridge arch to use and with so many large fast river craft behind, beside and before it was difficult to take in all the sights but the exhilaration of the sun, the churning water and the rocking boat was a superb experience. All too soon the river was less crowded and less choppy and we were up at Battersea on the long stretch up to Teddington. We made good time with no problems. Ian had brought a huge brie and this washed down with Pimms was an excellent fortifying combination for the crew until we managed at last to find haven at Teddington and finished the day with Cobra beer and curry. Thanks to all who helped on this exciting part of the trip – all of the above and not least the Hillingdon Narrow Boat Project for the loan of 5 excellent life jackets.

VIRTUAL RAIN

2010-06-19T00:34:00.000-07:00

Discovered for the second time that when on the internet weather forecast it shows an icon with overcast skies but no rain it means steady rain all evening from the time the get in is completed, right through ‘Good evening ladies and gentlemen, we are Mikron Theatre Company’, ‘There will now be a short interval’, ‘Thank you very much for coming’...the get out etc. Fortunately at the Packet Boat Marina we had the Floating Classroom – ‘Elsdale’ to come to our rescue and we picked up all the kit off the jetty and forced it into the bar and had a great ‘Pedal Power’ to a very enthusiastic audience of 25 people packed into a small space. It must have gone down well because we sold five copies of ‘Fellowship is Life’ – the book on the Clarion Cycling Club on which the show is based. For those of a statistical bent that's 20% of the audience.

17th June - MOVING DAY

2010-06-19T00:33:00.001-07:00

Had a glorious day’s boating down from Marsworth to Hillingdon. Set off at six am with swirls of mist on the canal and no one about. Past Cow Roast where we broke down for the first of many times last year. Tyseley in great form this year, running cool, riding high. Getting through the locks at a great pace – doing a journey that even according to Chris Clegg’s Canal Time Map should take 14 hours in only 11, very unusual for us to beat Mr Clegg. Seeing the clear waters and the water lilies of the lower Grand Union again and ending up at the Coy Carp opposite the Hillingdon Narrow Boat Project at 6 pm. We even had an hour for lunch. A perfect summer’s day.

HOSPITAL WORLD

2010-06-16T05:27:00.000-07:00

Just sitting in McDonalds in Coventry with waterside acrobat Gemma who decided to do a somersault off the stern and broke her finger. Good news is that we have been back in Hospital World in Coventry - the largest Hospital in the world ever - and the fracture is healing well and she won't have to have an operation. Also being in McDonalds there is WIFI I wanted to upload some nice photos of the Clampit family on tour which Gemma took in the first week but the signal is not good enough so that will have to wait until I reach proper civilisation - if that ever happens - seems unlikely in HOSPITAL WORLD.

WET, WET, WET

2010-06-16T05:23:00.001-07:00

Leaving Milton Keynes on a sunny morning heading towards the three locks at Soulbury I managed to fall in the canal poling off a mudbank that we had somehow got stuck on and landed in water up to my ankles. Only to fall over as I landed and soak myself thoroughly. Arriving at The Grand Union, a new venue, the sun was still shining and the weather forecast was light showers so we set up the gazebo just in case. Half way through the first half the heavens opened and bucketed down for the rest of the night. We struggled on with us under the gazebo and the audience under the pub’s large umberellas and a sheet of vertical water between us. Many thanks to Graham and Linda Cooper for taking our costumes to dry them. Continuing the theme we again got stuck fast on a mudbank approaching Church Lock at Grove the next day and Rick valiantly got in the water to push us out. The pictures of Rick changing his clothes on the bows wearing only a leather hat were interesting to say the least!
Luckily the rain left us alone at Marsworth although it was extremely chilly which fortunately didn’t deter a large and enthusiastic audience enjoying Striking the Balance. Thanks to our great friend, Beryl Hunter for feeding us, taking washing and doing so much to publicise the show and get a good house.

Great to see a large shoal of the Marsworth carp in the canal by the White Lion sucking the bread under the water like a lot of fat, bearded old men.

STOKE BRUERNE

2010-06-11T03:31:00.000-07:00

Typical freezing wind at Stoke Bruerne but a good show with many friends of Mikron who braved the cold – fortunately the friends of the museum kindly put up a marquee for us, but even so it was more like November than June. Set off at seven this morning expecting to meet lots of boats coming up for the festival but all is quiet and we got through the seven Stoke Bruerne locks by ten past eight and on to MK.
Just passed my favourite lock, Cosgrove, which always seems so peaceful and tranquil with cows grazing, the defunct Stratford Cut going off through the trees and a man made of wire using a boating pole (well it is Milton Keynes after all) by the lock pool.
Approaching the aqueduct saw my first Heron, still and intent poised above the water. Ducklings beware!

WEDNESDAY 9TH JUNE 2010

2010-06-11T03:29:00.000-07:00

Been a busy few days with great shows at the Admiral Nelson in Braunston and Badsey’s cafe at the Locks, Hilmorton. Our host Ian had known Mrs Thatcher in his time as a policeman and was particularly amused by ‘The Lady’s not for Turning’. On Monday we drove to Southwell for a new venue – The Hearty Goodfellow – and performed for a hundred jolly people in torrential rain in a marquee in their car park which was fun and we look forward to returning soon. Boating now to another new venue, The Narrowboat Inn at Weedon. Plenty of water in the canal due to heavy rain and not too long to queue at the Buckby flight.

Highlight of my day so far was seeing Rick try to chuck his coat back into the boat from the bank only to see it sail easily over the gunwhale and into the water. It amused me anyway.

RAIN AND SHINE

2010-06-09T05:41:00.000-07:00

BACK ON THE WATER

2010-06-06T07:33:00.000-07:00

The mikron blog is back. Just a very quick post to say we are back on the waterways at last. Tyseley is in great condition having been given a good going over by Paul Lorenz during the break and many little and not so little jobs sorted out. One example - Lots of brand new copper piping on the cooling system which is now (touch wood) working like a dream.

Also quite a few useful additions from Ian Tuplin on the move down, phone chargers (!), a 240v socket in the boater’s cabin run off the invertor and a beautiful new chimney with chunky brass bits and a new water can all done out in lovely traditional canal painting. Thanks Ian, Ruth and Paul.

Further good news, the bilges are dry and so Tyseley is bobbing about like a happy cork which is especially evident when Rick moves from one side of the boat to the other. This coupled with good water levels and dredging on the grand union means we have made excellent progress and boating is a joy.

More soon.

BACK ON THE ROAD AGAIN

2010-05-08T05:45:00.001-07:00

Well here we are again. Just coming to the end of our Spring tour. Striking the Balance is settling down very well. We had a great show at the Picket in Liverpool last night, organized by Union Learn of the NW Area TUC with a very enthusiastic audience who cheered (and booed) at all the appropriate points. It seems to be a subject that stirs people's passions - one way or the other! Back to Marsden for rehearsals of Pedal Power on Monday.

BYE BYE TYSELEY

2009-09-01T06:43:00.000-07:00

Finally left Loughborough at 7am on Friday and enjoyed last day's boating of the 2009 Summer tour to the IWA festival at Ratcliffe on Soar. Surprisingly few boats queueing at the locks so we got onto our moorings in good time. I nearly stuck Tyseley across the river winding round to face upstream but mercifully she just squeaked round and we pulled in with no more trouble than being lightly rammed amidships and shouted at by another boater who didn't realise that my turning round was more important than his progress up the river.

The WRGies (Waterways Recovery Group) very crestfallen that there wasn't more rain, mud, tempest, flood and fire for them to contend with. Everyone has a beard, a beer paunch, shorts, big boots and a cowboy hat. Crossing the arena between the theatre and the toilet in costume I passed unnoticed as Itchington Scratchit complete with badge encrusted tattered waistcoat, flat cap and kerchief but got many strange looks when wearing my Fair Trade costume of black trousers, white shirt and black shoes as if to say - "who is this weirdo?" Short shorts prize goes to Mike Palmer of the WRGies and show sponsor of our show at the Tom O'Wood.

We had three sell out shows with minimal disruption from the blaring musack from the fairground, the marching band and the public address system and a great response from our home crowd.

Sad to say goodbye to Tyseley (and difficult to know how to say goodbye to a boat) but good to know that she is in Gandalf's safe hands on her journey back up to Leigh. It has been a real privilege to have been boat captain on such a beautiful boat all summer. Final thanks to Pete Toon (General Manager of Mikron) who has supported us all the way and to my long suffering colleagues Gemma, George and Rachel. I attach some pictures from Steve Morley which have all four of us together on stage. See you on the Autumn Tour.

FULL CIRCLE

2009-08-24T06:12:00.000-07:00

A lovely day's boating down the river Soar to Loughborough, setting off at 7am with sunshine sparkling on the water and willows waving against a clear blue sky. We passed the busy preparations for the IWA festival at Redhill in the shadow of the power station and then up the Soar - one of the most beautiful stretches of river I have ever seen - nearly as good as the Avon :-) Strange to be back in Loughborough which is where I started with Mikron two and a half years ago. The dent is still there on the bridge where I crashed into it during my first go on the tiller. I remember the first time we winded round in the entrance to the Grand Union and realised that Tyseley was not quite as manoeuvrable as more modern smaller boats. Now the BW Basin is fully operational with excellent shower, toilets, water, nice pontoon moorings and a good winding hole. Hoping that we can stay here for the rest of this week while we travel out by van to our various performances. The al fresco drinkers are still shouting over their cans of special brew and the little apple tree by the Nottingham Road Bridge is still there, this time covered in brightly coloured crab apples whereas when I first saw it, it was in full blossom. The beer in the 'Swan in the Rushes' is still great and the kebabs in 'Saleh' as good as ever.
Thanks to Liz and Colin Wicks for moving the van down from Shardlow for us and to Sophie at the Rose in Hose for stepping in at the last minute when the Black Horse closed down. Let's hope that the the Rose will become as successful a Mikron venue in future years as the Black Horse has been in the past.

TALES OF THE SHROPPIE

2009-08-20T05:39:00.000-07:00

As hoped the three shows on the Shropshire Union were very enjoyable and successful. Luckily we winded before mooring at High Offley as there was a breach shortly afterwards at Shebden which closed the canal. Despite heavy clouds all day and probably because we had collected the marquee from the Witts at Gnosall, the sky cleared and we had a lovely evening show with the usual huge appreciative crowd and a good sing song in the bar afterwards.
With a very threatening sky at Gnosall we set up the marquee, our gazebo and another gazebo - covering the Witts tiny garden in canvas - in expectation of a downpour which never materialised and again we had a great evening. Thanks to Mary and Barry and the boys for looking after us, doing our washing and feeding us.
We had another lovely clear but cold evening at the Junction Inn in Norbury and our third well attended show.
Then Gandalf (Mr Tuplin) arrived to take Tyseley up to Shardlow while we went off by van to the independent republic of Doxey where we once more enjoyed the marvellous Doxey hospitality. Thanks Jane and Jill and all the Doxey tribe. Then to Market Harborough to the lovely little theatre right in the town centre and finally to the rural paradise of Appelby Magna where we once again performed in the beautiful old school hall, enjoying the great hospitality and good company of Mr Gerald Box, patron saint of red wine, cheese and crackers.
Thanks to everyone for making our journey and visits so much fun. Finally we return to find Tyseley safe and sound and clean as a new pin, tucked up under a huge willow tree right outside the Clock Warehouse in Shardlow. So thanks once again to Ian and Ruth for all their help.

LORD SCRUMPY

2009-08-12T04:33:00.000-07:00

Sadly we are now on the last page of the summer tour schedule. The Coal House wasn’t flooded this year but the rain did it’s best to raise the level of the Severn and so we had a cramped but enjoyable show in the bar. Then two of the village halls that have remained with us over the years and now have a sizeable following. At Bishampton we went outdoors for the first time in a while and at Randwick we were in the packed village hall. We had many nice comments and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. Including us. After that the Haw Bridge, which was cancelled two years ago because it was under water and a van job last year because of the high water levels. This year it was a perfect evening and we performed in the garden to a packed and appreciative house.
With so many easy shows you can sometimes get complacent but Grimley was a wake up call to what pub theatre can be all about. The Camp House at Grimley is an independent republic where scrumpy is god and misrules his subjects with an iron will. It started with a group of teenage lads jumping off our boat into the water having medicated themselves heavily with the amber liquid and some other less legal additives. When I suggested to one that although you could swim in the river, it might be better to do it sober, he replied - “Nah..I’m stronger when I’m drunk”. I thought I was in the opening scene of Casualty for a moment.
I went for a walk up the river but got a text from Rachel – “Gang of lads climbing on boat, would you mind coming back”. In all fairness they obliged politely when asked to keep on the jetty.
The sun was baking and the scrumpy was flowing as we set up in the garden for the show. Politely moving picnic benches crammed with drinkers who had little thought of watching a play about the co-operative movement. By the time we started at 8 o’clock, there was a hen party and two large groups of young people enjoying a noisy evening out sharing the garden with us, a crowd of Mikron supporters, numerous extremely sociable turkeys and the ever raucous peacocks. We battled through the show, shouting above the din and finally reached the end of the play to much applause from our supporters, a crowd of abandoned children and the few who had been won over to our cause from the various parties of hedonists who whooped, screamed, argued and laughed around us.
Best ad lib of the tour in my opinion was from George as he was chased across the ‘stage’ by the largest turkey I have ever seen shouting - “Where’s Bernard Matthews when you need him!”. We were kindly helped to reload all our gear by a gentleman with incredibly hairy arms and who insisted in tottering dangerously with our boxes across the unlit jetty elbowing his way through the equally well oiled night fishermen who were by now making a party of it in front of our boat. He then kindly brought us all a drink and firmly lectured George on the perils of drinking bitter. Supporting himself by leaning with both hands on the end of the picnic table where we were sitting he solemnly declared – “A real man will drink beer....(long pause)...but he prefers to drink cider!” It was a discussion that was never concluded.
By contrast our journey up the river Severn the next day was wonderfully beautiful and serene, the sun shone, the kingfishers sped through the shadows with a glint of bright turquoise and the dense woods fringing the river could have been unchanged since time began. I would not have been surprised to see a herd of brontosaurus grazing in the shallows or a Viking long boat appear round the corner.
A couple of long day’s boating on Sunday and Monday and a damp and cold evening at the Fieldhouse Inn at Wightwick. But big thanks to Mike, the landlord for all his help and kindness in ferrying us and our gear up the hill in his pick-up and feeding us with marvellous pig roast.
Now here we are on the Shroppie at last, moored up at Norbury Junction with three potentially great Mikron venues coming up next week – The Anchor, Gnosall and Norbury Junction. I hope the lovely weather we had most of yesterday will return. Above – a picture of the Waterloo sunset from the decks of HMS President and Tyseley moored at the Haw Bridge on the Severn.

FULL THROTTLE

2009-08-01T19:09:00.000-07:00

With 50 years of experience as a boat builder Mr Pinder fixes the cooling system with some grease and kitchen paper, even though we have to borrow a ladder to get him into the engine room. Thanks John. And so off to Pershore.

Thursday 30th July
Still in sunny Pershore, the view of Bredon Hill obscured by driving rain all day yesterday has raised the water level at Pershore lock to two feet into the red. The debris is pouring steadily down the river, the weirs are roaring the ducks are paddling hard and little groups of boaters gather on the shore discussing the latest information. People still leave in their boats but we head back to the moorings, the launderette, the market and the public toilets at the back of Asda and wait. Don’t want to wrap Tyseley round Eckington bridge on the way back to Tewkesbury.
A good show last night packed into the bar of the Rock of Gibraltar at Enslow Bridge, a very generous collection and great Greek food provided after the show by our hosts – Faith and Stamatis. Will ring the lockkeeper at Avon lock early afternoon and hope for good news.

No good news so we stay at Pershore another day. Up at six the next morning and paddle down to the lock to check the levels. Still on red but down a long way so back to bed for an hour and then paddle down to the lock again. The level is just a centimetre above the amber so ring the lock at Tewkesbury and the whole river is on amber so decide to go for it. The best day’s boating of my life. Went past the lock and back upstream to avoid crashing the gates and swung round on ropes to get in. Left the lock gates at 10.00am and powered through the swirling current at the two Pershore bridges passing the stranded boaters on the moorings and sped past the plastic boats, keeping the speed up to keep steerage. The river looks so beautiful, sparkling in the sunshine, Bredon Hill looking serenely down and the woods and fields speeding past. A few gentle curves and then Nafford lock. We get on the moorings easily but have to clear the lock of debris before entering backwards. The indicator is on red but this is the narrowest part of the river so after consulting the lock keeper again we carry on. The weir, which I thought would turn us round actually pulls us in and a few hairy moments before it pushes our nose slowly downstream and we are on our way to the swan’s neck. No problem here, just a quick burst of power out of the curve and we are on our way to the next obstacle, Eckington Bridge. Again the power of Tyseley puts us in exactly the right place and keeps control all the way through. We stop for water and sewage and then on to Strensham lock. Going in backward we have to stop a tiny punt with an outboard following us in as we have to straddle the lock. The wind is coming directly upstream so there is nothing to pull us round as we exit. Instead we reverse right across the stream and spin round to catch the current off the weir to bring us round. A straight run into Tewksbury where the river is on green by now, turn on a rope with the help of the lock keeper and back into our mooring on the weir stream.
Jumping straight into the van we motor to Shugborough Hall in Staffordshire for the night’s show and then back to Tyseley to catch a few hours sleep before setting off for London and HMS President on the banks of the Thames, where I am sitting now looking out on the now calm high tide waters and the lights of ‘Sea Containers House’ across the river.

WORKING BOAT?

2009-07-25T03:44:00.000-07:00

Just sitting in the shade waiting for the fourteenth man to come and fix stuff on Tyseley since we started the tour. Another impeller has shredded itself and we are grounded again. The cooling system failed in the first week of the tour and Darren from Cowroast Marina came and replaced the impeller and cleared out debris. He recommended a new water pump so Ralph from Denham Marine came and fitted one at Brentford. In London the boiler started producing a pretty ball of flame and a big bang when lit, so Dave came and cleaned her out at Henley and advised us to get a new one but she should last to the end of the tour. At Woolhampton the shower started leaking and Mark the plumber came and advised us we needed a new thermostatic mixer unit and he and his brother Dave fitted it two days later. The boiler gave up the ghost finally in a great jet of steam and a big bang and a window shattered suddenly so David from Oxfordshire Narrow boats fitted a new boiler at Aynho and the new glass at Fenny Compton. Ian fixed the rudder and fitted it back with the help of two assistants from Calcutt Boats. In between we had Mike from River Canal Rescue for the rudder and another River Canal Rescue guy who put us in touch with Tony from Pinders Boat Builders who cleaned out the cooling system and put in the latest impeller. I am now waiting for Mr Pinder senior who will be the fourteenth man.
On the bright side, Bredon Hill looks as lovely as ever with the beautiful River Avon winding around it on a perfect English summer's day. I went for a swim in the river in the early morning and got grumbled at by an ancient angler for disturding the fish - he commented loudly to his companions that had he had his gun it would be a different matter.

RUDDER VERSUS CILL

2009-07-17T08:51:00.000-07:00

The rudder on Tyseley is very big. I know this now because I have seen it in it's full glory - lying on the towpath like a beached whale.
That crunching sound that every boater dreads assailed our ears in the bottom lock of the Napton flight having made excellent time from Fenny Compton with a 6am leave and much fighting our way through the shallows of the Oxford canal. We had managed to sit the rudder neatly on the cill coming down and she popped out of the skeg and bent round like a hairpin with the full weight of the venerable lady Tyseley sitting on top of her.
Now members of River Canal Rescue we got a prompt visitation from Mike who managed after three hours and much impact engineering to get the swan neck off and the rudder dangling by a rope in the canal. Admitting defeat he contacted Calcutt boats who sent Ian out to us, again very promptly and he managed to pull the rudder out as we pulled Tyseley forward on ropes. Getting the rudder onto the towpath we could see firstly the impressive size and secondly the serious damage - the stock was bent at an angle of 45 degrees. Despairing of ever being able to continue the tour by boat we got the van from Aynho and went by road to the Boat Inn at Stockton for our next show.
There in the bar was Ian. 'I fixed the rudder' he said calmly. He had shredded the shaft with oxyacetylene, heated it to red and used the weight of a JCB to put it straight again and then welded it all back together. And he was coming to fit it at 8am the next morning!
The next morning we backed into the lock to give us space below and with two extra helpers from Calcutt boats Ian pulled the rudder back up, fixed on the swan neck and incredibly we were on our way less than 24 hours since the accident. We stopped in at Calcutt boats for Ian to make a final adjustment and for us to express our sincere thanks for the great service. Thanks once again Ian and Calcutt Boats.

BACK TO THE GRINDSTONE

2009-07-13T03:51:00.000-07:00

Not much of a signal at Cropredy so just a brief post to let you know we are all back from our hols and wandering happily up the beautiful Oxford canal. Here is a picture of our home for two days as guests of Sarah and David at the Wharf house mooring in Cropredy (and looked after as always by lovely Auntie Shirl). The weather still good, fluffy clouds, the odd shower but plenty of sunshine too. The good weather gave us a better than expected house for Fair Trade last night and advance bookings for tonight are pretty good too. George and Gemma put loads of new photos on Facebook which I think you can see if you join the Mikron group. If not I will upload some to the blog when I get a better signal. Just off to the local shop now to see if I can interest them in 170 quids worth of loose change! Or shall I have a nap?

AIN HO? ARN OH? I KNOW?

2009-07-02T01:24:00.000-07:00

Much discussion on our third passage along the Oxford between Thrupp and Heyford about how to pronounce Aynho. But we arrived there in good order and kept dead in the middle as much as possible, much to the dismay of various trip boaters who scurry to the sides as we hold an unwavering course right until the last minute, swinging back behind them with a cherry 'Morning!' and plenty of wash. Had our last water based show last night at the Great Western Arms. It's been a long time since Mikron was at this lovely location and although it was a perfect hot summer's evening the house was small but perfectly formed although I think slighty bewildered at finding a dramatic rendition of everything you ever wanted to know about the Co-op (and some you probably didn't) with music and mob caps in the courtyard of a charming rural pub restaurant. The new landlords Rene and Ali were very welcoming, despite being given no clue about our arrival by the previous owner when they took over only a month ago. The wharf owners and mooring warden, Pat did all they could to publicise the event and Rene and Ali have asked us back next year so let's hope this can develop again into a great Mikron venue. Back on the van today and off to the Wey and Arun, the Basingstoke and the Chichester canals. They do drive at 3 mph on the right hand side on the M40 don't they?

TIME FLIES

2009-06-26T06:51:00.001-07:00

Can't believe it's five days since the last posting. I seem to have been quite busy. It was great seeing Mike Lucas at Long Wittenham ( I took the precaution of winding Tyseley before he arrived but in fact she went round easily - although we scared one plastic boat off the mooring) and Vashti and Richard at Wolvercote Green and Bablock Hythe. The weather has been lovely and we've had some excellent boating and some very good beer(!). Thanks to Marina for breakfast and Judith for doing our washing and doing a lot of work to really get a good house at Wolvercote - which she did with great success. Sad to say goodbye to the Thames at Duke's Cut but looking forward to the Avon after the break. With the low water level the turn off the river in Oxford was much easier than previous years and passers by on the foot bridge stopped to watch as we slipped effortlessly under instead of scurrying for the bank as Tyseley and the bridge locked horns - as on some past occasions. We are back on the Oxford and there are lots of boats, lots of mud and not a great deal of water. As predicted Gandalf (in the shape of Ian Tuplin) returned to the towpath and helped us fight our way into the bank a mile past Thrupp as there was no mooring to be had anywhere - not even for ready money. Met the mooring warden, Mike, and hopefully he will find us somewhere to unload when we return on Sunday. Just to make you jealous I attach the view from my bedroom window at Goring Lock. It's a hard life but someone has to do it.

EPIC JOURNEY

2009-06-21T10:55:00.000-07:00

Something of an epic struggle from Woolhampton to Reading. Water levels were rather low for two Dutch barges that were labouring up to Reading and everywhere we went there were dire warnings from other boaters that they were grounded in locks and across the stream. When we eventually caught up with them one was stuck solidly in the centre of the channel just downstream of the turf lock. We let a few locks worth of water down to float him off with no effect and then had to decide whether to wait for BW who were on their way or try and sneak past. We decided to try and sneak past and going slowly we managed to get nearly by and were just cheerily shouting – ‘ See you at the Abbey Ruins’ when we stuck fast. We tried everything. Rocking, poling, cutting a channel by going back and forwards. Twice we managed to move forward a few feet and then grounded again. The barge skipper was on the phone to BW gleefully announcing - ‘Now Mikron are grounded as well!’ With renewed determination we poled the bows right out into the stream, put Tyseley in slow forward and pulled on the barge’s ropes to inch forward agonisingly slowly – but we were free!
Other notable events were an encounter with a willow tree that had the crew pressed on their faces to the front deck, winding above Woolhampton in the winding hole clearly marked ‘Max 60 foot’, two members of the company managing to expose themselves to fellow boaters while showering, Rachel finding that the sure way to arrive at a lock is to make a cup of tea and seeing a tramp find (and finish) a bottle of vodka in a litter bin by County lock in Reading – who throws bottles of vodka away I wonder?
The next morning I woke to find the bows of the Dutch barge looming above the back cabin so they managed to make it after all. My first question – ‘what time are you leaving tomorrow?’ (because I want to make sure I'm in front of you)
Now here we are all set up, fed and watered in Benson and above is an (almost) live picture of the event.

REHEARSALS

2009-06-16T07:45:00.000-07:00

Seem to have spent my whole life outside (and inside) the Rowbarge at Woolhampton. But it's not all lounging around in the sun you know. I attach a picture of the dedicated Mikron cast having a line and song run through of 'Fair Trade' after a gap of over two weeks since the last performance. Just in case you thought it was all beer and sandwiches. Big thanks to Margaret and Charles, two local friends of Mikron, for letting us use their shower while ours is still leaking steadily into the River Kennet and for doing our washing. Also to Guy, Kyle, Fred and everyone at the Rowbarge for many things - not least the parsley for the fish pie that Rachel is cooking tonight!

DAYS OFF - YELLOW THING IN SKY

2009-06-11T06:39:00.000-07:00

Thanks everyone for your comments, please keep them coming. Sorry to hear about NB Blue Goose - isn't it the way that just when you think you know what you're doing you can mess up in a big way with boating. Tyseley is an expert at dropping you in it and of course only when there is a large and appreciative audience to enjoy one's humiliation.
We have had two lovely shows recently. First at the Bounty in the Independent Republic of Cockmarsh. Thanks David and Sue for the usual warm welcome, copious amounts of good ale and lots of singing Beatles songs into the night. Then a great new venue - The Angel on the Bridge at Henley. Thanks Mark for your kind welcome, lunch and again drinking into the wee smalls. The shows went down pretty well too.
Unfortunately we had our second Henley show cancelled so we have extra days off. Gemma and I are boating slowly on to Woolhampton and Rachel and George have gone home for a well earned rest. Also after days of regular rain there is a curious round yellow thing that has appeared in the sky...I wonder what it is?

MARLOW

2009-06-07T11:06:00.001-07:00

Arrived yesterday evening cold and wet after a long day's boating and annoyed a group of Polish fishermen who were drinking whisky round a camp fire on the public moorings and didn't take kindly to being asked to move so we compromised and left our behind out in the stream so that they could stay where they were. They did offer me some whisky though. Highlight of the day for Gemma was managing to knock an obliging skiffer's glasses into the river with one throw of a wet rope. That'll learn him to be chivalrous to lady narrowboaters at locks. As we were being pressed forward by a number of 'gin palaces' we couldn't stop to help but the narrowboat behind us who was stopping to eat his breakfast on the lock moorings (!) had a magnet and when last seen they were dipping hopefully. Tremendous thunder storm and torrential rain in the night which terrified everyone except George who slept through it. A leisurely day in Marlow buying food, eating lunch, shopping and banking as we had done all the boating yesterday. Managed to unload on the public slipway, designed for rowing boats of maximum length ten foot which left us sticking out into the stream almost across to the weir, much to the surprise of the plastic boats still trolling up and down into the lock. Luckily the landlord of the Two Brewers found us a mooring at the end of the garden of a beautiful riverside mansion, undergoing restoration. And we had help from the caretaker Tony in carrying our gear up to the pub. Fortunately we are in the barn at the back of the pub as it looks like more rain. Small prayer - please don't let the Avon be in flood again this year, Lord. The gas boiler is on it's last legs but the gas man cometh on Tuesday I hope.

TALES OF THE THAMES

2009-06-05T06:22:00.000-07:00

Going out on to the Thames much less choppy than last year and a calm journey up to Walton on Thames. Tyseley with new water pump seems to be running well but weeps oil on to the exhaust pipe when pushed too hard so we will retain a sedate pace and hopefully keep going. Sailed blithely past the Swan (our next venue) and had to turn round at the next bridge. You can't do that on a canal. Managed to persuade the boats on the 24 hour mooring to budge up and let us in. Took the kayak out for the first time this year, current very light and then obligatory night time swim at end of which cut all the fishing line off the prop. In the morning we found that someone had untied our three mooring ropes, obviously hoping we would drift off down the river in our sleep. Luckily we were wedged fast on the gravel at the edge and there was so little flow we didn't move! The pub has some awnings we can perform under tonight if it rains which it has been, on and off, since early morning.

ONWARD

2009-06-03T15:30:00.001-07:00

June and a heat wave. Dropped the Tuplins off at a bridge hole going through Little Venice. No time to say goodbye but like Gandalf in Lord of the Rings I feel sure that they will return in our hour of need. Spent three lovely days at the Canal Museum including a day off – the hottest day of the year – and went swimming at the Lido in Hyde Park which was great. Made a ridiculous fuss out of getting off the mooring at the museum much to the consternation of the local boating inhabitants. Note to self – watch the wind, it makes a difference. What is the problem with the Camden trip boats? We met one in a tunnel and had to back out to let him past. No problem you would think but the tirade of foul mouthed abuse from the skipper was unbelievable, quite unjustified and in earshot of his customers in the boat. I send him love and light, forgiveness and the earnest hope that he gets happy soon. Then a very pleasant and leisurely journey to Brentford.

FRIENDS OF MIKRON

2009-05-30T05:50:00.000-07:00

Well here we are at the Packet Boat Marina. It's 14.00, the sun is shining, we are moored up where we will perform tonight, there are showers, toilets, power, we are fed, watered and rested. How have we got here when thousands of years ago (yesterday) we were exhausted, broken down (poor Tyseley) and the best part of 20 hours boating from where we needed to be. The answer is the fabulous Friends of Mikron who have come to our rescue yet again. Thanks to the marvellous Morleys for moving our van, feeding us and doing our washing. Thanks to the beneficent Beryl Hunter for feeding us (twice), making a birthday cake for Gemma (happy birthday Gemma), doing our washing (what was left) and advertising the show up and down the canal in the Bulbourne/Marsworth area ensuring two excellent shows.
We left Bulbourne immediately after the show and watered up and then boated in the dark risking the fact that the engine had overheated and cut out twice in the day. Having met Ian Tuplin - down South on business - at one of the Tring locks he realised that someone (hem hem) had turned off the sea cock in checking the mud box and not put it on again so she had run dry. About 1 am she stopped again so we pulled in and moored up until morning. Getting up four hours later she went for less than an hour and cut out again near Cow Roast Marina. At the limit of my technical knowledge, despite many phone calls to Ian (who knows Tyseley very well from moving her over the years but was now home in Cumbria) we got an engineer from the marina who changed the impeller and fished the broken bits out of the thermostat housing. Now many hours late we set off again, running quite smoothly and Ian and Ruth kindly drove all the way from Cumbria to help us with the boating. We made good progress the rest of the day despite being well behind schedule but by the time the Tuplins found us we were on our last legs. They took over and boated on for 3 hours and then got up at 6am and boated on while we slept. We finally made it here early! So thanks to the Terrific Tuplins as well. What would we do without you all. Thanks and thanks again!

THE LONGEST DAY

2009-05-25T09:30:00.001-07:00

22/05/09
A perfect evening at Badsey’s with Ian and Lesley and friends. The sun shone, we had a great crowd including a party of South Africans we met going into Braunston locks and an American couple on their 25th wedding anniversary trip. Ian cooked us a lovely meal after the show and we enjoyed a few pints of Vicar’s Peril (or Ruin or something). Thanks Ian and Lesley.
23/05/09
An epic journey from Napton Bridge to Stoke Bruerne starting at 5 am, winding through the bends we got stuck firmly on the bank after half an hour and in poling off managed to drop the lovely brass hooter into the water (which wasn’t tied on as it should have been) but not realise it until we were on our way. This sacrifice to the river gods got us into Braunston before any one was about and we managed to buy a new one for seven quid which looks like a plastic surgical appliance but makes a noise like an aircraft carrier. We ran out of water just after Braunston and dared to stop for 20 minutes just to replenish and then onward to our tight schedule. George and Rachel getting very good at the boating now, bending in and out of the turns with ease and keeping impact navigation to a minimum. Speeding down the Buckby flight we met Steve and Mandy at Weedon to give them the keys to move the van from Welford to Milton Keynes and then onward. We made tea coming through Blisworth tunnel, gobbled it down at Stoke Bruerne and then set up and did the show by the museum. As we got up to set off again the next day at 8 o’clock George remarked somewhat wistfully – “wouldn’t it have been easier to come by van?”

OFF WE JOLLY WELL

2009-05-21T07:26:00.000-07:00

Well here we are finally on our way. Tyseley looks beautiful in her new paint and we have two shows under our belts – Fair Trade at the Wharf Inn Welford and Tales of the Thames at Foxton Locks Inn. Welford is very much the old style Mikron, with great support from Neil at the Welford Marina and Alex at the Wharf Inn that is very much geared to the local boating community. We have equally great support from Stephanie and Bob at Foxton Locks Inn who are catering for a much more touristy and ‘fair weather’ crowd.
A great day’s boating today. George and Rachel are natural boaters and have no trouble in bending Tyseley into (and out) of the many beautiful curves the canal makes on our journey from Foxton up to Badsey’s . Some of the canal is very shallow and there is plenty of poling off, reversing off mud banks and a useful tow from a couple from Yorkshire who come to the rescue of their fellow countrymen when they see we are from Marsden.
We have decided on key roles in the company already – George is Music Captain (as he has to whisper the chords to me during the show as I invariably forget them), Rachel is Cleaning Captain, Gemma is Bosun, food and fire captain and I am boat captain and general dogsbody. Apologies to our friend the lock keeper at Watford locks for knocking the metal top off the lock gates AGAIN this year. He was still fuming about it from last year. Sincere apologies (and humble advice to re drill them and put some carriage bolts in instead of gluing them on with shower sealant before the next 72 foot coal boat comes along and sits on top of them ;-).

TALES OF THE THAMES

2009-05-16T07:45:00.000-07:00

Opened Tales of the Thames at the Syngenta Cellar in the Lawrence Batley Theatre in Huddersfield last night. Lovely to have a capacity crowd of over 100 people and a very warm response from the audience. Sight lines are always difficult with the very wide staging but good practice for some of the other strange places we will be playing in over the coming months. George's family was there in force to support their boy and most of the Mikron team who had worked on the show. Big thanks to Rosie, daughter of Paul Lorenz (who looks after Tyseley) and Steph, who helped Katy with the costumes and props for both shows. Weather still very cold and wet. Where is the heat wave we have been promised ? Tomorrow we will be driving down to meet Tyseley and our first show is on Monday at the Wharf Inn, Welford. Sunshine has been requested!

FAIR TRADE

2009-05-02T11:30:00.000-07:00

Doesn't seem like a week already since we opened the new improved Fair Trade at the Mechanics Hall in Marsden. It went down very well and we received many favourable comments from the host of Friends, Well wishers and ordinary sensation seekers out for a good time on a Saturday evening in Marsden. Particularly nice to see Erica, coming back to see what we had done to the show since she was in it. Congratulations to her and Andrew as they are having a baby in August! Clever them! Since then a busy week of rehearsals for Tales of the Thames - really enjoying the excellent songs and the strong story with great characters. Only two weeks now till we will be meeting Tyseley in Wellford in her brand new overcoat.

WELCOME

2009-04-20T06:42:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Mikron 2009 Summer tour blog. We are now in the last week of rehearsal for the (slightly) revamped Fair Trade with new song, new scenes and (some) new actors. Bye bye to Dan and Erica and Hello to George and Rachel. Hello again to Gemma and me, Adrian. Dan's blog was so successful in 2007 - it was the only way his Mum and Dad had any idea where he was or what he was up to - that he received no feedback from his many fans and discontinued it in 2008. A great chorus of dissappoinment followed so here it is again. If there is anybody out there reading this please get in touch, join in, contribute, ridicule and have fun. More later. I am writing this travelling up from london to manchester on the train, through the morning mist and thinking that I will soon be travelling in the opposite direction on a brand newly painted Tyseley on the Grand Union canal.