The Current: News and Views of the ER II - Aug-Sep 09

Hi Guys, Just a quick note I know I owe you a phone call and proper email. But we are run ragged right now we are in the middle of the two cheese selling weekends. At the same time we trying to work on the boat. I will have some new pics up real soon. In fact I think there is some there now. All is well with us hope it is the same for you. Talk soon!

Talk about FEAST! Thanks David!
One of the 'fun' things about living at Yeatsall Farm, is that the Farm boasts its own flying field.
On August 31, they had an Open House Fly In and anyone who could still manage to putter, zoom and squeeze into those WWI or WWII outfits (including the planes!) were welcome.
Here is the latest from Helen who gives us more info about The Day at The Farm:
As an added bonus, we had what the owner of the farm called 'Fun Day' on August 31st. It was an event he and his family host every year to raise funds for the Staffordshire Fire and Rescue people. We thought there would be a few planes flying in (Yeatsall Farm has it's own airfield and hangars, it's such a cool place!) and a BBQ - turned out to be a huge deal: many, many planes flying in and out, including a Russian Antinov (very scary), over 200 vintage cars and motorbikes (Frank, we thought of you immediately!), huge radio-controlled models of tanks running around the farm followed by kids, fire and rescue demonstrations (the kids loved that part, setting cars on fire and putting them out), an entertainment stage with singers, etc.. all day long, a steam-powered tractor pulling a gypsy caravan (took them 4 hours to get here from 6 miles away!) plus all the food/drink was by donation only, recommended amount being a pound for everything, including pints of ale! We know quite a few of the pilots here now and I was lucky enough to go up with one of them - in no short time, we were up flying over the beautiful Peak District, what an experience! I believe David has included a shot of me in the plane (it's a Luscombe, to those of you in the know)
* Since I had so many wonderful shots to share, I thought the best thing to do was put them in slide show format on here.
If you find it's moving too fast for you to view, then move your cursor to the bottom right and you can pause, back up or fast forward.
Enjoy! I know we did.

September 09 - ERII Interior Shots - More Work

Helen writes:
"On the boat front, things are coming along nicely, we are taking a lot more time to finish this boat out to a higher standard than last time (yes, those of you who were lucky enough to see her will wonder about that, but trust me - this boat is WAY nicer!) so progress isn't quite as fast as last time. However, we moved onto a half-finished boat then and are determined not to move onto ER II until she's completely done! Having said that, apparently your boat is never finished until you sell it...:

Hiking the Yorkshire Dales - Abbots Bromley Horn Dance

Helen writes:
"The following Monday was the Abbots Bromley Horn Dance (Google it!), one of the stops always being here at Yeatsall Farm. This event has been going on since the 13th century, very ancient and not just a little a bit weird.! David and I got roped into doing the horn dance by the owner, Richard, and his son, Greg - let me tell you, those horns are heavy!! Unfortunately, because we were dancing, there are no pictures of us - but you'll get the general idea from some of David's shots.

We did a lovely hike in the Yorkshire Dales with Heather and Jamie a couple of weeks ago, one of those 'Let's make up our own walk' type of thing, started out rainy and misty but broke out into the most glorious afternoon sunshine, as you will see from David's pictures. Just a perfect afternoon and we finished off with a pint at the pub in Appletreewick, a charming village in the Dales."

The Current: News and Views of the ER II

August 17-2009

Last we heard, our stalwart Helen and David were still 'fighting the good fight' with knuckleheads who :
a) installed the wrong Tiller Bar (the ER II is a 'cruise stern' Narrowboat and the tiller these eejits installed was for a Traditional one - TOO DAMN HIGH!)
Which means You Can't Sit Down To Steer.

b) the brand spanking newly designed windows (do I hear an oh oh?) LEAK!
The response from the guy who designed them?
'O I actually don't like those windows anyway!'
Then why the hell would you sell them?

We just shake our head over here and are heartily sorry that Helen and David have to put up with such loons.

Never mind - here are some shots of the interior work and a bit of a Hike around the area as well.

Stairs In Place, Hot Water Tank InstalledNorth American Plumbing with Drain OversideBiggest Sink on the Canals

Oot and Aboot;

Even Vertically Challenged Helen had to Duck for This OneRipening Fields of Barley, Alrewas StaffordshireOrgreave Hall, Staffordshire Blessings on all who view these