SPRINGING INTO MARCH!

AT LONG LAST SPRING HAS ARRIVED!.....

With over 2,000 miles of inland waterways to explore in the UK and Northern Ireland are you ready to set sail? Well after the long winter we are sure the answer is YES! but before you cast off onto our liquid highways, you need to make sure your narrow boat is in tip top condition before you embark on your first adventure.

THINGS TO DO THIS MONTH

 

 

Its time to de-winterise your narrow boat

It doesn't seem two minutes ago we were telling you how to Winterise your narrowboat! But now is the time to put things in reverse and get your boat ready for cruising. Hopefully if you left your boat over the winter months, you took our advice on how to winterise your narrow boat and you are now ready to get her prepared for some amazing cruising.

Simply Follow Our 5 Step Guide:

1. Water. In the winter you would have left the taps open, drained down and turned off the water system. Now is the time to turn off the taps and switch on the water pump. Once the water pump is back on, turn on each tap to let the water run through it. Start with the tap closest to the pump this will help push out any air locks. Check for leaks at each stage. Drain the tank and then refill it before you use the water.

2. Engine. Visually check the engine and surrounding pipework for any obvious leaks or frost damage. Check the oil and coolant levels in the engine. Change the gearbox oil.

3. Electrics. Turn on all electrical appliances and close all opened doors. Ensure the supplies on board are functioning correctly before use.

4. Stern and Prop. Check the stern gland and grease as necessary. Check the weed hatch rubber seal, for debris round the prop and make sure that the prop nut/split pin is secure.

5. Interior. Replace all your soft furnishings and other items that you removed over the winter to stop them getting damp.

KEEP FIT INSPIRATION

Hopefully we will now start to enjoy some better weather and we can embark on some new/old outdoor activities. If you are looking at ways to get fit then have ago at running. It's totally free and can be enjoyed at any time of day with friends, with your dog or on your own. If you haven't run before or for a while then build yourself up to running any sort of distance, don't try and take on long distances in the early stages this will only put you off and potentially you could injury yourself.

Jogging and running tips;

• Set yourself a goal. Don't set the bar too high to begin with you can always set harder goals in the future
• Buy a decent pair of trainers!
  
• Keep a diary to record your progress
• Run with a friend to keep you motivated and company
• Mix it up with interval training and different routes
• Join a running club to find new running buddies   
  

*Always seek your doctors advice before starting any new life style change.

MARCH HEALTH TIPS

To compliment your jogging/running regime make sure you have a balanced diet, stretch before and after your workout and get plenty of rest. 

Tracking devices are a great way to monitor your progress, so if the running becomes part of your regular routine consider purchasing a sports watch. Download some running apps that set training goals these are a great tool for newbies!

Cut down on Alcohol... Quit Smoking... Maintain a Healthy Weight... Stay Positive!

FOODIE IDEAS FOR MARCH

Why bother eating  seasonal food? Seasonal food is fresher and so tends to be tastier and more nutritious.It's also cheaper so be smart shopper and buy seasonal and locally produced foods. Seasonal ingredients you will be able to source this month include; Cockles, Oyster, Sardine, Venison, Winkles, lamb, wood pigeon, crab, langoustine, lobster, plaice, prawns, salmon, sea trout, shrimp, whitebait. Fruit and Veggies include; cauliflower, kale, leeks, purple sprouting broccoli, salsify, spinach, spring onions, swede, wild nettles, bananas, blood oranges, kiwi fruit, lemons, oranges, passion fruit, pineapple and rhubarb So lets start cooking...

THIS MONTHS TOP BOATING TIP This month we strongly advise you to organise blacking, engine service and any maintenance work needed with your local engineer or marina as soon as possible. At this time of year you will find that every man and his boat is wanting something doing, so get in there quick and book your boat in!.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IN THE MONTH OF MARCH WE CELEBRATE..

March, 2017 Daily Holidays, Special and Wacky Days: 1 Ash Wednesday - date varies 1 National Pig Day 1 Peanut Butter Lovers' Day. 2 Old Stuff Day 3 Caregiver Appreciation Day 3 Employee Appreciation Day first Friday in March 3 I Want You to be Happy Day 3 If Pets Had Thumbs Day 3 National Anthem Day 3 National Salesperson Day - first Friday in the month 3 Peach Blossom Day. 4 Holy Experiment Day 4 Hug a GI Day 5 Multiple Personality Day. 6 Dentist's Day 6 National Frozen Food Day. 7 National Crown Roast of Pork Day. 8 Be Nasty Day 8 International (Working) Women's Day. 9 Panic Day 9 Popcorn Lover's Day second Thursday. 10 Middle Name Pride Day. 11 Johnny Appleseed Day 11 Worship of Tools Day - (guys, you can relate). 12 Girl Scouts Day 12 Plant a Flower Day. 13 Ear Muff Day 13 Jewel Day. 14 Learn about Butterflies Day 14 National Potato Chip Day 14 National Pi Day- Why today? Because today is 3.14, the value of Pi. 15 Dumbstruck Day 15 Everything You Think is Wrong Day 15 Ides of March. 16 Everything You Do is Right Day 16 Freedom of Information Day 16 Incredible Kid Day - date varies. 17 Corned Beef and Cabbage Day 17 Submarine Day - (the hero sandwich or the boat??) 17 Saint Patrick's Day 18 Goddess of Fertility Day 18 National Quilting Day - third Saturday of month 18 Supreme Sacrifice Day 19 Poultry Day 20 International Earth Day 20 Extraterrestrial Abductions Day 20 Proposal Day 21 Credit Card Reduction Day 21 Fragrance Day 21 National Agriculture Day - date varies 21 Tea for Two Tuesday - third Tuesday in March 22 National Goof Off Day 23 Melba Toast Day 23 National Chip and Dip Day 23 National Puppy Day 23 Near Miss Day 24 National Chocolate Covered Raisin Day 25 Pecan Day 25 Waffle Day 26 Make Up Your Own Holiday Day 26 National Spinach Day 27 National "Joe" Day 28 Something on a Stick Day 28 Weed Appreciation Day 29 National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day 29 Smoke and Mirrors Day 30 National Doctor's Day 30 I am in Control Day (great day to buy a boat!) 30 Take a Walk in the Park Day 31 Bunsen Burner Day 31 National Clam on the Half Shell Day 31 World Backup Day

Looks like we are going to be VERY busy!

BOATING EVENTS IN MARCH

IWA towpath walks, Limehouse - Thames – Docklands 5th March 2017, 2:30pm to 4:30pm Westferry DLR (by cycle hire point) Get your walking boots on as you walk from Limehouse to Docklands    

Turnerwood Feeder Lock Open Weekend 11th March 2017, 10am to 12th March 2017, 4pm Turnerwood Feeder Lock Come along to Turnerwood Feeder Lock Open Weekend and see what works are happening around the site.  

Tringford Pumping Station Open Day  11th March 2017, 11am to 4pm Head along to Tringford pumping station Open Day and meet the experts.  

Stourbridge Lock 3 Open Day 12th March 2017, 10am to 4pm Lock 3 on Stourbridge Canal. Come along to Stourbridge Lock 3 Open Day, and take a look at the works happening around the site.    

Afternoon Tea at Standedge Tunnel & Visitor Centre Mother's Day afternoon tea and boat trip 26th March 2017 Standedge Visitor Centre. Treat Mum to something unique this year with a guided boat trip into Britain's longest, highest and deepest canal tunnel followed by a delicious afternoon tea overlooking the Huddersfield Narrow Canal.

CRUISE, JOG, RUN OR DRIVE. IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW YOU GET HERE JUST COME AND SEE US SOON!