Narrowboat WINDSONG

Bye-bye nb Caxton…

2012-01-27T12:52:00.001Z

It was a sad day today when I read the last blog update from nb Caxton. Several months ahead of nb Windsong in build, we followed her build faithfully, feeling a special affinity as she is Barnowl’s No 9 Boat, and we are Beacon’s No 9 boat. As we got to know Lesley and Joe better, Lesley and I found that a lot of our idea’s of what we wanted from a narrowboat coincided. However, Lesley and Joe fairly soon discovered that they wanted something different, and nb Yarwood was born.

So farewell nb Caxton – if and when we see her again she will have a different name – nb Manley Ferry. We hope her new owners enjoy her – we will give you a wave when we see you out on the cut. We will enjoy following, and hopefully sharing in some of nb Yarwood’s adventures. See you on the Fens Lesley and Joe!

nb Caxton – photo courtesy of the nb Caxton blog

Just a little Cassie update…

2012-01-07T12:49:00.001Z

Further to Cassie’s specialist appointment in November, and the blood test results, a new drug called Keppra has been added to her regime. As this drug is expensive, our vet suggested that she give us a private Vet prescription which would enable us to buy the drug at the local chemist – it turns out that it is between 50% and 100% cheaper that way. Pet Plan have approved the addition, so we are buying the drug (£103 per month) and claiming it back. The only thing that sticks in my craw is that this new vet charges for filling in the Pet Plan claim form! We have used numerous vets around the country over the years, first with our old retriever Rosie and now with Cassie, both insured with Pet Plan, and never before have we been charged to have the form filled in. I understand the theory behind it, as it does take up the vet’s time, but if it’s that time-consuming, why don’t more vets charge? I spoke to the Practice Manager (an accountant, what a surprise!) and his explanation as to why they charge when most vets don’t told me nothing, peppered as it was with many ‘with respect’ phrases. However he did say that they were currently re-working the charges, so perhaps they have lost customers through this already. Anyway, we need to stick with it until this 6 month prescription has expired then we might look around for another vet who doesn’t charge to fill in the form.

Anyhow, back to Cassie. She had gone six weeks without a seizure, and we were just beginning to relax and to believe that this drug might actually be working, when she had a fit early last Tuesday morning. She wasn’t right all day, and threatened another fit on Tuesday evening which never happened, then had another at 5 am on Wednesday morning! She seemed back to normal by Wednesday lunchtime. So now we just wait to see how long it is until her next one. Not sure which is preferable - 2 or 3 fits in a ‘cluster’ every 6 weeks, or one single fit every 2 to 3 weeks!

A trying day…

2011-11-23T15:55:00.001Z

Having been treated to the full range of reproachful looks from Cassie because she wasn’t allowed any breakfast, we arrived at the Animal Health Trust just outside Newmarket far too early for her appointment yesterday, as we were worried about traffic on the A14. It was a horrible morning, weather wise, thick mist and then rain, but we only got held up once, and arrived almost an hour before her appointment. We did paperwork then went for a coffee to kill some time. The setup at the Animal Heath Trust is very good, with a Visitor Centre and coffee shop.

During her appointment she was given a very through physical examination and we answered loads of questions – the neurologist was Spanish, and a little difficult to understand sometimes, but very good none the less. It was decided than she should have a brain scan and a spinal tap to make sure there were no underlying causes of her seizures, a tumour or infection, and some blood tests to determine the level of medication in her bloodstream. Her scan was not to be until 2 pm, so they took her away to wait – we were told to come back at 4.30. How come that killing four and a half hours is easy when you are doing something that you enjoy, but endless when your are forced to wait? Also, although we didn’t really verbalise it at the time, we were both worried about what they might find.

We went to Bury St Edmunds, looked round the shops, had some lunch, went to B & Q and still only managed to kill a couple of hours! By this time it was raining so we went back to the AHT, sat in the car and listened to the radio, had a walk, went for a cuppa, and then sat in the reception for half an hour in the hope that we might be seen early – huh, fat chance!! We had a damp journey home again in the dark, the A14 is horrible at the best of times, but even worse in the dark, but again, not too many holdups.

Anyway, the upshot is that there are no underlying causes of her seizures, so it is definitely Idiopathic Epilepsy. It’s a relief to know that she hasn’t got a brain tumour, but in a way, we wish they had found something that could be treated! We are just waiting now for the results of the blood tests and then it will be decided whether to increase her current meds or to add another one. I hope it’s another because all the increases in her current medication (phenobarbital and sodium bromide) she’s had over the last two years haven’t had much effect. All this yesterday cost between £1500 and £2000 and the new drug, if she is put on it will be expensive – roughly £100 a month extra. Thank goodness for Pet Plan! We have to be prepared for the fact that anything they prescribe for her might not make a lot of difference, 30% of dogs with epilepsy never have their fits controlled to an acceptable degree (which, in the eyes of the veterinary profession, is one fit no more than every 6-8 weeks)

Poor Cassie looks very odd now – she has a large bald patch at the back of her head where they shaved her for the spinal tap – a bit like a monk’s tonsure! She was a very unhappy dog yesterday evening – still wobbly from the general anaesthetic, and I suspect, in a little bit of pain from the spinal tap, it can cause a headache. She grumbled and groaned, and we were treated to the full range of reproachful looks yet again for putting her through so much indignity! She’s much better today, but still a little sleepy.

Hope her coat grows back quickly – she looks very odd at the moment!

Cassie…

2011-11-20T15:52:00.001Z

For anyone who has been interested in the course of Cassie, our Golden Retriever’s epilepsy, this is just a quick update. All year her fits have been getting closer together, she now has one about every two to three weeks, sometimes more often, despite increases in her medication. Our new vet here in Corby decided that it was time for her to see a specialist, so she has been referred to the Animal Heath Trust at Newmarket, so see a Neurologist. Her appointment is on Tuesday morning, so wish us luck. I will keep you updated as to their findings and opinions.

New Trust Logo…

2011-10-06T18:33:00.001+01:00

It’s been announced that the new waterways charity is to be called the Canal and River Trust – one wonders how much of our money has been wasted on the re-branding and the new logo!!!

Moved into our winter ‘moorings’…

2011-09-16T16:46:00.001+01:00

We have at last moved into our new home – or winter ‘moorings’. We have found a house to rent in Corby!! Yes, Corby – I know, I know!! Never in a million years would I have wanted to live here, but the road is a quiet, tree-lined avenue and the houses are 1930s red brick with bay windows in the living room and bedroom. Several people we have spoken to have told us that it is the nicest road in Corby. Anyway, we only have a six month lease to start with, so if we hate it we can look for somewhere else. Most of the boxes are unpacked now, and a couple of bits of furniture bought to fill in the gaps.

We may go out on the boat for the odd few days here and there until the weather gets nasty. Look out for the blog if we do, but unless we go somewhere or do something really interesting, there won’t be many posts for the next few months. Have a good winter everyone. TTFN

Still alive and kicking…

2011-08-26T16:22:00.001+01:00

This is just to let our regular readers know that we are still alive and kicking and haven’t retreated to non-blogger land! We have been staying with Mum in Northampton while we get an early start on looking for somewhere to live for the winter, and to return to whenever the weather gets to horrible for us wimpish souls to brave life on board. We have spent rather a long time in the car and have looked around lots of houses, the majority of which weren’t to our taste. Quite a few which were to our taste were unavailable to us because the landlord refused to have a dog in the property. Anyway, we have found somewhere and are just waiting for the references to come through before we can make arrangements to liberate our worldly goods from storage and set up home ‘on the bank’ again. More news when it happens.

Welford to Foxton…

2011-08-14T16:33:00.001+01:00

Yesterday morning we left Welford for Foxton. It was another damp and mizzley morning, with the promise of sunshine later. We had an uneventful morning, apart from some idiot we met at a bridge. We spotted him and went immediately into reverse well before he saw us. On doing so he sounded his horn very aggressively, (not the ‘Oops, have you seen me’ type beep, more the ‘Get out of my bloody way, I’m coming through and and bugger you’ type beeeeep) and continued coming at high speed through the bridge, straight for us. Rog had to reverse hard to avoid him hitting us! Then he had the cheek to smile sweetly as he zoomed past us. Needless to say, he got the ‘Pippy Death Stare’! I managed to keep my comments to myself until he was out of ear-shot! We arrived at Foxton in one piece, and moored up behind the Chandlery boat.

We could see a long way when we got the chance in between the trees which line the towpath on this stretch

A little work need with a chainsaw here

This morning we started down Foxton Locks at about 9 am to get to the bottom before the gongoozlers arrived and we had to fend off stupid questions. We didn’t have to queue, but there were two boats in front of us and one coming the other way, whom we passed in the centre pound. I was at the helm at the bottom, and totally cocked up the turn towards the swing bridge onto the Harborough Arm. In my defence, there was a boat moored very close to the lock, waiting to go up. Anyway, I managed to turn without hitting him, so that’s a bonus (I don’t usually do that sort of manoeuvring as I’m not very good at it!) We moored up just into the Harborough Arm and walked back up the locks to treat ourselves to breakfast from the cafe. The locky said I did very well in the locks, but I could only have one sausage as I cocked up the turn! I threatened to insert my windlass without anaesthetic, somewhere that the sun doesn’t shine! He laughed and said that someone did that to him last week, and he liked it! I have to admit that I called a halt to the conversation at that point!

It has been a very busy weekend here at Foxton, plenty of boats, and lots of people as it’s ‘Buskers Weekend’. Some buskers much better than others!

Tomorrow we are heading to Debdale Marina to leave the boat for a few days while we check out a few house to rent near Market Harborough. We will de-camp to Mum’s in Northampton so we can leave Cassie with her during the day then we won’t have to worry about leaving her alone on the boat for too long.

Nice and quiet when we started down the locks this morning

Little plant struggling to grow halfway down a lock wall

Really leaky gates to one to the locks in the staircase

Just about to enter the last lock

Saturday 8.7 miles and 1 lock

Sunday 0.3 miles and 10 locks

Welford…

2011-08-12T15:54:00.001+01:00

We made for the Welford Arm in misty drizzle this morning. We had a phone call yesterday evening from long-time RAF (now, like us ex RAF) friends Shirley and Andy to say they were going to be in the Leicester area today, and could they come and see us. We arranged to meet them in the Wharf Inn at the end of the Welford Arm for lunch. They stayed until 3.30 when they had to leave to go and do some Sainsbury’s shopping for Shirley’s mum. It was great to see you both again, and thanks for making the effort to come and find us.

Turning onto the Welford Arm

Up the jungle again

Shirley and Andy (and Rog and Cassie of course)

3.8 miles and 1 lock

No Medieval village here…

2011-08-11T15:54:00.001+01:00

This morning we left Crick, heading for Welford Junction. We planned to stop just short of the junction and make the short trip up the arm to Welford tomorrow. It is very empty on this stretch of the Leicester Section on the GU, but very pretty. Nothing much to take photos of except fields, trees, red-brick bridges and the occasional tractor. It started to rain quite heavily at one point, and after 20 minutes of getting wet the sun came out again. Shortly afterwards we found a nice spot to moor a little earlier that planned, just past Bridge 36 and in the shadow of Downtown Hill. We have had rain showers on and off since then, so we are glad we moored up when we did. I took a walk between showers to the site of the Medieval village of Downton. Nothing to be seen there now except for a stubbly field. Up on the top of Downtown Hill there is what looks like a gate-house or lodge to be seen, but neither Nicholson’s or Pearson’s mentions anything about a it. We have checked Google and OS maps and can find nothing, except several farms with ‘Lodge’ within their name. Very puzzling! Downton Abbey perhaps?!!

All alone!

Site of the Medieval village of Downton (or Downtown, depending on which map you are looking at)

Rain on the way again!

The mysterious lodge or gatehouse on the hill

8.1 miles and 0 locks

Watford Locks…

2011-08-10T15:57:00.001+01:00

We trundled off to Watford Locks this morning, wondering how long we would have to wait before being able to ascend, as we had heard reports that the average waiting time was between 3 and 5 hours. As it turns out we were in luck, we were third in the queue to go up (they were letting six at a time up and down). The first of the six coming down was exiting the bottom lock as we arrived, and we only waited just over an hour – it would have been slightly less, but a boat broke down in the 3rd of the staircase and had to be bow-hauled out and through the 4th lock into the pound above the 2 single locks to await repair. It was very windy, and we had a job to keep the bottom gates shut while we got to the paddle gear. We could have done with a locky to hold one shut while we let some water down, but, as usual, if you know what you’re doing they let you get on with it, which is as it should be I suppose. I didn’t take particular notice of the time when we started and finished, but I know we were through and on our way by just after midday. Next to negotiate was Crick Tunnel – it was raining in the tunnel! We have never before had to pass so many boats in a tunnel – 6 in all, with 3 more heading towards it as we exited – loads of boats going in the opposite direction to us – we wondered what they knew that we didn’t! We found a mooring just opposite Crick Marina, and decided to stop for the day.

Reflections – taken yesterday evening at Norton Junction

Watford Locks – in the first of the staircase 4 with the two single locks below

Rog preparing the last lock in the flight as it was so windy, so I could go straight in, but in the event I chickened out and made him take over at the helm!

5 miles and 7 locks

Catching up…

2011-08-10T15:18:00.001+01:00

I was beginning to bore myself with the blog so I thought I’d have a couple of days off, and give our readers a rest from my drivel, but it’s time to catch up now or I’ll forget it all!

On Monday we had a short journey, with nothing to report, and moored up about an hour from Braunston. There was a lot of harvesting of fields going on by our mooring, so it wasn’t the quietest in the world but interesting to watch how these huge Combines make short work of the field.

Yesterday morning we set off for Braunston. It didn’t seem as busy as usual as we approached, and there were a few mooring spaces which we have never seen before. We stopped and watered up and emptied loo cassettes and then continued on towards the locks. We wanted to go to the chandlers by the bottom lock, but as we approached it was obvious that it was rammed with boats waiting for the lock, so we managed to pull in to a mooring space before we got there and walk the rest of the way. Purchase made, we waited for the lock, and were lucky enough to share with a great foursome on a hire boat – obviously experienced, and a great deal of fun. The chap at the helm was an ex fireman, so there was a lot of joshing going on, and some friendly insults along the way. We seemed to be up the 6 locks in no time at all. We carried on to Norton Junction and found a mooring just after we turned onto the Leicester section on the GU. We tied up and wandered down to the New Inn for some lunch, but we missed it by a couple of minutes – they stop serving at 2.30 by the bar clock, which is 5 minutes fast – so be warned! When we got back from the pub we set to making use of our purchases from the chandlers. We have struggled to find something to put on the rear deck to make it non-slip, but rubber matting was always too thick as we have an upswept stern and the back doors only just clear the deck when opening. When we met up with Triskaideka a couple of weeks ago (they have the same stern as us) we noticed that John had lifted his back doors with washers and put some rubber matting down – doh, why didn’t we think of that??!! We had bought the matting and the washers at the chandlers. It was a tricky job, but didn’t take too long – the matting had to be cut to shape, and we had to use nine washers on one of the doors to lift it high enough to clear the matting. But we are very pleased with the result, and Cassie likes it too as she doesn’t slip when jumping on or off the boat.

Lovely morning

Sunken boat on the approach to Braunston

The famous Horsley Ironworks bridges at the junction with the South Oxford

The obligatory photo of Braunston Church

Exiting Braunston Tunnel

Our mooring

Our handiwork – and very pleased we are with it too

Monday 3.2 miles and 0 locks

Tuesday 7.1 miles and 6 locks

Off in a hurry…

2011-08-07T16:29:00.001+01:00

Amid strong towpath rumours of an impending closure of the South Oxford due to very low water levels, we decided that we didn’t want to get stuck on the summit and would move down Napton today, however long the queues were. We were lucky and arrived to find that we were third in the queue. The ‘towpath telegraph’ being what it is, on the way down we were told that BW had a meeting tomorrow and in all likelihood it would happen, then later that someone had phoned BW and had been told that it was going to happen! However, there were still scores of boats going up the locks and reports that hire companies (Black Prince, Calcutt Boats, Viking Afloat to name but three) hadn’t told their customers not to go this way! Restrictions have been in place for a fortnight, so they can’t say they had no warning. More fool them – they will be the ones who will have to recover the boats if they get stuck on the summit, and have to refund people’s money if they can’t get the boats back in time for next weekend’s change-over day. Of Napton Boats there was no sign so they are obviously on the ball.

We started the day in glorious sunshine, but by the time we were halfway down the flight we were getting the odd shower or two. As we finished the flight and headed onwards towards the Bridge pub, the heavens opened and yet again Rog got drenched (I disappeared inside!) We managed to find a mooring by the pub, so I’m being treated to a meal tonight as recompense for being dragged out of bed before I was ready this morning. The sun is shining again now!

Napton Hill in the sunshine as we started down the flight

7.6 miles and 9 locks

Ladder bridge…

2011-08-06T17:00:00.001+01:00

We had a nice little cruise this morning from the top of Claydon Locks. Good job we are on the summit as neither of us was in any fit state to be tackling a load of locks today. Cassie had her latest fit at 1 am this morning, quite a severe one, and we were pacing the very dark towpath for an hour with her weaving around our legs in anti-clockwise circles. She was very distressed and disorientated and almost impossible to control, almost falling into the water several times, despite being on a very short lead. She quietened down after about an hour, and after we had settled her we were able to go back to bed. However, I couldn’t get back to sleep and was still awake at 4 am. I dropped off soon after that, but was very restless, waking numerous times until Rog got up and made some tea about 7.30. I hauled myself out of bed around 8.15 and we were underway by 9. We stopped at Fenny to top up the water tank, and reached our planned mooring at Ladder Bridge by midday. It’s the nicest place to moor on the summit – with views over towards Napton. We may stay here tomorrow and catch up on some sleep!

Napton Hill in the far distance

Our mooring

6 miles and 0 locks

A miserable day and a good day…

2011-08-05T16:34:00.001+01:00

Yesterday was a miserable day – we knew the weather would not be good, but we had to move as we needed water, and to empty loo cassettes, and the cupboards and fridge were nearly bare. So we set off for Banbury in drizzle and by the time we arrived it was pouring - we got wet walking to and from Morrison’s and even wetter servicing. The Elsan was almost blocked, and I just managed to empty the cassettes before it blocked completely! (duly reported to BW.) The rain stopped for a while so we decided to move on a little and get out of Banbury (which was rammed anyway, the only mooring to be had was right beside the Industrial Bakery which was horrendously noisy) As we approached Bourton Lock the heavens opened and it came down like stair rods - we got soaked to the skin. Enough was enough, and we moored up just above the lock. Then we discovered that we were sitting just above a ledge so we banged down on it every time a boat came past or someone filled the lock. It was okay when the boat traffic died down though. So all in all a thoroughly miserable day, we were glad when it was over and we could go to bed!

This morning we awoke in a much more cheerful frame of mind – the sun was shining and the air was a lot fresher than it has been of late. Our goal was to at least get through Cropredy before we stopped today as we have been hearing tales all week about how rammed it was with boats arriving for the Fairport Convention Festival, and they were right! The water point was empty so we topped up the tank and then continued on. There we boats moored solidly from about a mile before the village, some breasted up, all through the village on the visitor moorings and all the way to the next lock. I took a photo, but the lens on my camera was fogged up so it was no good. We found a nice little mooring spot just above Varney’s lock and were considering stopping when we were told that the restrictions that have been in place all week on Claydon Locks might well turn into a total closure so we decided to press on and get them out of the way. We were also warned that there were anything between 8 and 10 boats queuing for the bottom lock, so we prepared ourselves for a long wait, just hoping that we would get started before the cut-off time of 3.30. It turned out that we were number 5 in the queue, and we only waited an hour before starting up the flight. We had a pleasant and quick trip up the locks with boats coming in the opposite direction all the way, and everyone helping each other and having a laugh and a good time. When we reached the top there was a space on the moorings so we grabbed it as we weren’t sure what else would be available along here.

Queue for Claydon Bottom Lock

Yesterday - 4.5 miles and 4 locks

Today – 5 miles and 10 locks

Twyford Wharf again…

2011-08-03T16:09:00.001+01:00

Had a short and unremarkable journey today, and we are now moored at Twyford Wharf, the same place as we moored on the way down. It’s very hot, but not as humid as yesterday.

3.6 miles and 3 locks

Lunch with my girls…

2011-08-02T17:06:00.001+01:00

We stayed here at Aynho today to meet up with Emma and our 3 granddaughters who were coming to lunch. We had a lovely lunch at the Great Western Arms, and then back to the boat for a couple of hours.

Lizzie and Emma watching the ducks

Lizzie and Granddad

Three gorgeous girls, L to R, Milly, Lizzie and Flo

The lovely birthday card they bought me – to make up for me never being able to get a photo of a Kingfisher!

Yesterday and today…

2011-08-01T15:26:00.001+01:00

I really couldn’t be bothered yesterday to break out the computer and do a blog, so I’m catching up today. Yesterday we moved from Kidlington Green to Lower Heyford. It was another beautiful morning so we got an early start to beat the Sunday rush. We were at Thrupp before 8.30 and finally caught up with Bones, who came over to the water point and had a chat, Maffi also appeared a few minutes later. We hung around until after 9 o’clock to see whether Annie’s Teas Room would open early as we had a hankering for bacon butties by then, but we were to be disappointed as it didn’t open until 10. We had to move off then as we had a boat breasted up to us at the water point by then and they were about to do a pump out. We really didn’t want to be between them and the wharf while that was happening! We waved goodbye to Bones and continued on. 2 locks later we were even hungrier so I dashed down into the galley to make fried egg butties and eat before we arrived a Pigeon’s Lock – we needn’t have worried though as we then hit the morning queue! This time we were fourth, and there wasn’t room for a queue that long, it was mayhem, with boats everywhere! It was an hour before we were through. We eventually moored at Lower Heyford, having first moored for an hour or so a little way above Dashwood’s Lock, but we were banging and crashing on a ledge which was very uncomfortable, so we moved.

Bones waving goodbye

Rog had help from these two cuties at one of the locks, about the same age as our granddaughters, Flo and Milly

Mayhem at Pigeon’s Lock

Lovely day again

This morning we set off for Aynho, where we plan to meet up with Emma and the girls for a birthday (mine) lunch tomorrow (not sure yet whether son-in-law Ben will be able to join us or not). Just before the first lock the Anglo Welsh in front of us pulled over to let us past – and we hit the lock with another boat just setting it for themselves – I helped as Mrs didn’t seem to do anything but stand and watch, letting Mr do the work (she did make a half-hearted attempt to help with the gates). We followed them all they way to Aynho, plenty of time for them to get ahead, but each time we arrived at a lock, there they were, only just emptying it! We filled with fuel and bought a few provisions at Aynho Wharf and then carried on to moor a little way before the lift bridge. When we moored here last week to await Triskaideka’s arrival, it was empty – today it was jammed when we arrived, and we have been lucky to get a space at the very end, just before the bridge.

Sunday 8.7 miles and 7 locks

Today 6.3 miles and 3 locks

Oxford to Kidlington Green…

2011-07-30T16:02:00.001+01:00

Cassie and I went for a wander down Sheepwash Channel yesterday evening, to look at the Thames.

Scary under the very low railway bridge

Leading out onto the Thames

Looking back up the Channel

Isis Lock

St Barnabas Church, whose bell rings every hour, right by our mooring!

What a difference a day makes! After grey cloudy skies the last few days, we left Oxford in blazing sunshine this morning. We went down Isis Lock, turned and came back up as it is only possible to wind a 50ft boat above the lock. After watering and getting rid of rubbish on the way out, we continued on and moored just below Kidlington Green Lock this time, a much nicer mooring than we had on Thursday night.

Leaving Oxford in the sunshine

Tonight’s mooring

4.5 miles and 4 locks (Isis twice)

Oxford…

2011-07-29T16:59:00.001+01:00

This morning we set off for Oxford. We were shocked at the state of the Visitor moorings as we neared the city – most were overgrown and virtually impossible to get into – hence the fact that nobody was there. I said last year that Oxford doesn’t give much of a welcome to it’s water-borne visitors as we came up the Thames – the same can be said about the canal! We continued on and managed to get a mooring opposite College Cruisers, just before Isis lock, in the shadow of St Barnabas Church, whose bell rings every hour – I won’t hear it tonight, I wear earplugs!

We went into the city centre this afternoon and took an open-topped bus tour of the city – we’re not into getting sore feet tramping around the sights on foot! A quick wander around looking for somewhere to buy a few provisions afterwards, and we were back at the boat by 4 o’clock. Rog went for another wander after a bit and found a Chinese take-away which we will use tonight. We contemplated going out for a meal, but we don’t like leaving Cassie alone too much and as she was on her own most of the afternoon, we decided that we shouldn’t leave her again this evening (especially as her next fit is due any day now!) We will go down Isis lock and turn and head on out again tomorrow morning.

Dukes Cut and Lock leading to the Thames – not this time!

Visitor moorings?

A few views of Oxford sights follow, but I can’t remember which was where, the Colleges all seemed to blend into one!

The New Bodleian Library

The Ashmolean Museum

5.2 miles and 4 locks

The best laid plans…

2011-07-28T16:51:00.001+01:00

We planned to have just a short cruise today, a couple of hours to get us a little nearer Oxford. That proved to not be the case. Lower Heyford was rammed with boats at Oxfordshire Narrowboats, with only just room to squeeze through, and day boats being taken out everywhere. We had a lovely mornings cruise and passed several nice mooring spots with an hour of leaving the Heyfords, but it was a bit early to stop. A couple of locks later we started looking – not a hope in hell! The bank was far too overgrown to be able to get in, and any likely spots were already taken. We continued on, through Enslow, past Hampton Gay and on towards Thrupp. We remembered from last year that it would probably be impossible to moor at Thrupp, and that turned out to be right. There are far too many ‘Permit Holders Only’ moorings and very few visitor moorings. On and on we went, until at last we found a space in the exact same spot as we moored last year, just above Roundham Lock in Kidlington. We have even tied to the same scaffolding post that is stuck in the ground! We had planned to have a slow tootle and arrive in Oxford on Sunday,but it looks like we will be arriving tomorrow instead – lets hope there are moorings to be had!

Muddy Waters character boat ‘Jolly’ awaiting day hire at Oxfordshire Narrowboats.

Tight squeeze

Looking back at Oxfordshire Narrowboats

Wild and woolly Oxfordshire

9.3 miles and 5 locks

Kissing Cousins…

2011-07-27T17:29:00.001+01:00

First we had the Beacon Twins (Windsong and Serenity) now we have Kissing Cousins! Ali and John on nb Triskaideka (Beacon’s latest launch, No 13) duly arrived at Aynho at about 6.45 yesterday evening. We first met Ali and John at Sawley Boat Show two years ago when Windsong was newly launched, have always got on well, and have seen each other from time to time over the intervening two years. Conversation started immediately, then we rang the pub to check they could fit us in for a meal, showers were had and off to the Great Western we went. We had a really lovely meal, which made up for the not so good one in the Red Lion the other evening, and chattered non-stop as we caught up with each others doings since we saw them last. They have certainly been getting around since Triskaideka’s launch in June. We needed a torch to light our way back to the boats, and were invited for coffee. It was well past midnight when we stopped talking long enough to look at the clock, and decided it was time we left and went to bed. This morning we continued yacking for a while until it was time for us to leave. It was lovely to see you both and Triskaideka looking so wonderful. Enjoy the rest of your travels and we will see you in the winter we hope.

Kissing Cousins, Triskaideka and Windsong, nose to nose

Ali and John

We made a brief stop at Aynho Wharf for water and to change a gas bottle and continued on to Somerton Deep Lock, where we were 5th in the queue, with an equal number of boats waiting to come up. An hour and a half later we were at last through. Another two locks later we were still looking for somewhere suitable to moor, and have ended up a little way past Allen’s lock at Upper Heyford. Not our ideal mooring spot as it’s quite hemmed in with trees, but good enough.

Trying to pull away from Aynho Wharf – the Napton Narrowboats hire boat is going backwards, with a crew member balancing on the roof with a pole – pretending to walk a tightrope maybe?

No 5 in the queue for Somerton Deep

Fed up with waiting

Down the lock at last

Church, Manor House and 15th Century Tithe Barn below Allen’s Lock

5.4 miles and 3 locks

Only 3 locks? Felt like 9 or 10!…

2011-07-26T16:01:00.001+01:00

I was surprised to discover that we’d only travelled 3.6 miles today and done 3 locks – it took an unprecedented 3 hours as we had to queue at all of them. And it felt like 9 or 10 because I worked all of them at least 3 times if not 4! Ok, not on my own, but I helped everyone up or down. There seems to be a marked lack of willingness to help others this year. It’s boring waiting in the queue if you don’t go to the lock and wind a paddle or two, and open a gate or two, and have a chat while you are doing it. If we didn’t do that, the only person we would speak to is each other.

Moored now just north of Aynho Wharf, and hoping that nb Triskaideka makes it this far today coming in the opposite direction. If not we will see them tomorrow.

Aynho Weir lock – it is only about 8 inches deep, so diamond shaped to allow more water down each time the lock is used.

Aynho Weir

There is a railway line just over the other side of the canal, and when this train stopped for signals, we saw the name of the loco and thought it fitted our travels this year:

When Russ was with us he took this lovely photo of Cassie, and he’s just emailed it to me – I thought I’d share it.

3.6 miles and 3 locks

Cropredy to Twyford Wharf…

2011-07-25T16:45:00.001+01:00

It was a lovely relaxing day yesterday. We did a bit of domestic stuff then Rog settled down to fish while I got stuck into my book. We spotted a ‘celebrity’ passing us during the afternoon:

Yes ‘The’ nb Muddy Waters – I’m sure everyone has heard of the Muddy Waters series of children’s books by now – we buy them for our granddaughters, and they love them (pity I missed Muddy’s face by a few seconds)

Two of the characters have been turned into real boats – Muddy is for holiday hire, and Jolly is a day boat – both can be hired from Oxfordshire Narrowboats

We also had a lovely sunset, but the photo doesn’t do it justice

This morning we set off for Banbury. It was another lovely morning, but with a chilly wind to start with. We queued for the first and second lock, and Cassie found a huge pile of weed that had been pulled from the canal yesterday – she had a lovely time rummaging around in it – but she was filthy and stank by the time she got back on the boat – that dog just loves to be dirty!

Just north of Banbury, where the M40 crosses the canal, there is a lot of work going on. A new marina is being built apparently, and also a flood barrier is being built between the River Cherwell and the canal. The noise from all the diggers and lorries, plus the roar of the motorway was deafening!

Hope the bridge had been strengthened!

On the way into Banbury we spotted another ‘celebrity’ boat:

We beeped, but nobody was home – again! One day we’ll catch up with you, Bones!

We stopped in Banbury, but it was so busy and by now the weather was roasting hot, that we made a quick dash to the M & S Food Hall to pick up a few supplies, then got out again quick! We really don’t like crowded shopping centres any more. We hurried out into the peace of the countryside again and are moored near Twyford Wharf – well, it’s as peaceful as it gets around here – we can still hear the motorway.

6.3 miles and 5 locks

Red Lion on it’s last legs?…

2011-07-24T16:31:00.001+01:00

Our visit to the Red Lion last night was something of a disappointment. We have been there several times in the past, the most recent just last year, and have always been impressed with the quality of the food, the choice of ‘guest’ beers and the ambience. Last night however, there was only one draught beer on, and John Smiths keg. They had ‘run out’ of draught Guinness, draught cider, and one of the lagers. The menu was much depleted from last year, and, although the food was okay, it was rather overpriced for what it was. Rog had a pasta dish which was very tasty, and I had ‘pie of the day’ – gammon and mushroom, which was also okay, but a bit burnt around the pastry edges, and a bit dry around the cut edges – I suspect that it had been heated up in a microwave. To add to that, although there were more than six tables full of customers (it being Saturday night), there was only one waitress on, a goth with white makeup, who really didn’t seem to care. She was quite rude to the family of 6 on the next table when they asked for some drinks, and told them curtly that they’d have to get up and go to the bar. Plates were not cleared after we had all finished our meals, but the waitress didn’t seem to even look at the tables – and it certainly wasn’t because she was rushing around taking orders and delivering food. After we had sat with our finished dinner plates in front of us for almost half an hour, we decided that we wouldn’t bother waiting for pudding any longer, and paid up and left. To add insult to injury, there was a 50p surcharge for using a debit card! Credit card, yes, but we’ve never had to pay a surcharge for using a debit card before. The draught beer ran out as we were paying the bill, and so did a group of customers who had just walked in! This definitely had the air of a pub about to go belly-up. And yes, you might all say we should have gone to the Brasenose Arms, and you will be right, but we’ve always liked the Red Lion.

This morning we moved just a mile out of Cropredy and found a nice quiet mooring out in the countryside.

1 mile and 0 locks

Fenny Compton to Cropredy…

2011-07-23T15:45:00.001+01:00

It was foggy this morning! Very unusual to get fog in July, but it was a very wet night, and when the sun came up this morning I suppose that caused the fog. It cleared very quickly though, and by the time we set off, although cloudy, the sun came out occasionally. The goal of the day was Cropredy, but with the idea that if we found a likely spot before then we would stop. But that never happened, so we continued on, through the five locks at Claydon, and three more, until we arrived at Cropredy. As we approached we saw that, even though it was barely 12 o’ clock, it looked rammed. We thought we weren’t going to be able to find a space, but as we came around the bend we saw that although the back end of the moorings above the lock was rammed nose to tail with about 8 boats, the rest was free. Seemed a bit odd though, perhaps they all belonged to a cruising club. We locked up and went to the shop, in the hope of finding more of the fantastic pork and red onion sausages that we bought last year, but sadly there were none – pork and chive instead! We have booked into the Red Lion for a meal tonight.

Elegant iron turnover bridge

Fenny ‘tunnel’

The first of the lift bridges, marking the border between Warwickshire and Oxfordshire

Claydon Top Lock – and the end of the Oxford summit

5.7 miles and 8 locks

Summit day…

2011-07-22T15:15:00.001+01:00

No, not a trip up Everest, but the summit of the S. Oxford. Eleven empty miles, apart from Fenny Compton. And what a lovely morning it was, blue skies with fluffy white clouds, such a joy to see the sun again. Within about 15 minutes of setting off we were behind a very slow boat sporting a slow-revving Russell Newbury engine, and helmed by ‘Mrs’ (‘Mr’ was off the boat taking a walk, we discovered later) So slow in fact that Rog had to keep coming out of gear to avoid ramming them up the rear end. The first few miles of the summit is tortuous, with one bend following another, and you often seem to be going back on yourself. Poor ‘Mrs’ was fighting the tiller at every turn, and came practically to a standstill whenever a boat appeared coming the other way. She was determined though, that she wasn’t pulling in to let us past, so we had to be very patient. After about 45 minutes of this, she picked ‘Mr’ up at a bridge, and proceeded to get off the boat herself for her walk. Things proceeded a little quicker after that but when we were still up close behind them (not able, with our modern engine, to go any slower than tickover) after another 45 minutes, we heaved a sigh of relief when she stopped walking and he pulled over to moor up. We waved cheerily as we sailed on by, gritting our teeth in the process! . I know it’s not possible to cruise fast along here, and we don’t ever cruise particularly fast ourselves, but sometimes people with slow revving engines forget that not everyone can go as slowly as them without coming out of gear, and hence loosing steerage. Anyway, we enjoyed the rest of the morning’s cruise, taking in the wide-open countryside with barely a building to be seen. We stopped for water at Fenny Compton and decided that lunch in the pub was called for, so we moored a little way past and walked back.

Oh, what a beautiful morning…

oh, what a beautiful day!

Up close and personal!

Empty landscape

A bridge, seemingly in the middle of the field

This is the famous aerial, which quarters the landscape, sometimes in front, sometimes behind, sometimes to the left and sometimes to the right, then in front of you again – it’s very disorientating!

6.9 miles and 0 locks

Oak and Ash are at it again…

2011-07-21T16:16:00.001+01:00

We left our mooring at Napton Junction this morning, amid skies threatening to actually be blue! Didn’t last long though. It seemed to take us forever to get around Napton Hill to the bottom of the locks, and even longer to fill with water, the tap there is so slow. We gave up when we were three quarters full and started up the locks. It was slow going after the first few as hotel boats Oak and Ash were ahead of us, with one boat between us and them. We weren’t sorry there was a boat between us as we’ve had come across the Martin Reed, the ex-vicar before - http://nb-windsong.blogspot.com/2009/07/name-and-shame.html . It wasn’t long before word started filtering back to us about another row he had got into with a couple of singles handers who were travelling together. Seems one of them ‘stole’ his lock, and it almost ended in fisticuffs, according to a family who were on the scene! I wonder how many people on the canals he has upset over the years. But, in all fairness, one of the single handers did turn the lock ahead of us, and then proceeded to get back on her boat when I walked up to the lock as if she expected me to do all the work for her, which I would have offered to do anyway. And, like a fool, I raised the paddles for her and let her out of the lock when it was empty. I should have just sat down on the lock beam and waited. I got a grudging muttered ‘thanks’ as she exited, but no eye contact. What’s the matter with people? It seems to happen more and more. I’m sure it’s just a reflection on society in general these days, but it’s very sad that everyone doesn’t chat and help each other out any more. Still at least the majority of people that you meet are still friendly.

We are moored now just above Marston Doles – we managed to keep dry today, but it has been raining on and off since we stopped.

Napton Hill and windmill – excuse the squiggly lines in the sky, my camera lens was mucky!

This cow was eyeing Cassie up from over the other side of the lock…

…and Cassie in turn was trying to stare it down

Cassie made a new friend at Marston Doles top lock – that’s a 12 week old Beagle puppy called Digby almost buried underneath her – I think he was hanging onto her ear at the time!

For Les and Jaq – hope you can come home very soon, Mr and Mrs Biggs!

4.6 miles and 9 locks

Not far today…

2011-07-20T16:06:00.001+01:00

We tootled up to Calcutt Locks this morning, expecting to re-fuel at Calcutt Marina. It’s changed a lot since we were last this way – it’s huge now, instead of just a hole in the ground with a few boats moored. The services were up between the second and third lock and as we came up to the entrance, which, for those of you who don’t know it, is opposite the first lock landing, 2 boats came shooting out of the marina right in front of us, the first of which went straight into the lock with the boat that we had been following! Needless to say, we were gobsmacked – never have we seen such blatant rudeness! The second moored up to wait for the lock, apologising, and saying we could go before them, but seeing as we would be sharing the lock with them anyway, there wasn’t much point. I volunteered to work these three as Rog worked all the Stockton 8 yesterday, but it was really to keep him from having a rant at the bloke who ‘stole’ our lock! When we arrived at the service point there was one boat already there, and one waiting, so we decided that we’d re-fuel at either Wigrams Marina or Napton Marina. At Napton Junction (aka Wigrams Turn) we continued straight across the canal into Wigrams Marina and topped up the tank. By the time we had finished the clouds had thickened and blackened and it was starting to rain, so we moored just past the junction. It’s still raining now, so I think we made the right decision.

Approaching Wigrams Turn – the entrance to the Marina is directly opposite

Looking back up the GU

2.6 miles and 3 locks

A ‘red letter’ day…

2011-07-19T15:36:00.001+01:00

More of that in a moment.

Waiting for the first lock of the day to discharge it’s occupant which was none other than our namesake, whom we first saw and photographed last year near Napton. We had a quick chat and then he was on his way.

The other ‘Windsong’

The ‘red letter day’ – we had someone to share locks with! Having done the first few locks alone, being closely followed by 2 boats who were rapidly catching us up, we did the decent thing and pulled in to fill with water, and to let them pass. Before the next lock one of them stopped to moor at Long Itchington, so we caught up the other boat and shared the rest of today’s locks with them – a lovely couple on nb Autumn Gold. We flew up the Stockton Flight, and it made a nice change.

Windsong and Autumn Gold sharing the locks

We are now moored a little way above Stockton Top Lock. It’s very familiar here as our share-boat nb Kinver used to be moored at Stockton Top Marina, and we have stopped here many times on a Thursday evening ready to have it back early on the Friday change-over day. There are apple trees here, loaded with fruit, but not ready for picking yet. Pity, they would have been a great accompaniment to the blackberries I plan to pick later on.

Tonight’s moorings

3.4 miles and 14 locks

Why do things happen in 3’s?…

2011-07-18T17:03:00.001+01:00

We stayed put yesterday due to the inclement weather, and moved up to Radford Bottom Lock this morning, a journey of 15 minutes or so to await the arrival of the ‘gas man’ to fix our grill. As Rog tried to get away from the bank in the wind, he resorted to using the bow thruster – or at least tried to use it – it’s dead! No power to it at all, not even to the switch to turn it on. While we waited for the gas man, Rog checked connections, fuses and anything else he could think of, and eventually called Neil at Beacon for ideas. He suggested everything Rog had already checked and a few more things besides, but nothing worked, so we will have to do without it until we get to Napton (there is a Sidepower agent there). So back to doing things the old-fashioned way for a day or two. So that’s three things – the bog, the grill and now the bow thruster. However, the bog seems ok, the grill is mended, lets hope the bow thruster is as easy!

The grill mended (it was a very minor thing, one Rog could have fixed easily, had he known), it was past midday so we set off up the locks, planning to moor up again as soon as we found a clear spot. Not such an easy task – the pounds are very low and we tried several times to get in to the bank, but it was too shallow. The only deeper spots had ~~crusties~~ other boats moored on them. We eventually found our ideal – a space in the reeds, just big enough for one boat, below Bascote Locks.

We went for a wander this afternoon and came across a Kate Boats hire boat struggling to get past a BW work boat which had completely come adrift from it’s moorings, and was sideways across the canal, it’s mooring pins dangling on the ropes in the water. We helped them to pull it in to the bank and secure it, but it won’t last for long – the pins were bent almost to right angles, so it will soon be adrift again, it will only take one boat to pass it too fast. When we got back to the boat I phoned BW and reported it as a hazard, but whether they will send someone out to secure it properly is anyone’s guess. Why is it that when boats come adrift, 8 times out of 10 it’s a BW workboat?

Not much to photograph today, one lock looks much like another, and one tree looks much like the next as well!

Our mooring in the space in the reeds

3 miles and 6 locks

Wet, wet, wet…

2011-07-16T15:58:00.001+01:00

I know we said yesterday that we were moving on today regardless of the weather, but we didn’t expect it to be this wet! By the time I had worked the two Cape Locks in Warwick, we were drenched to the skin. Rog had the big brolly up on the back of the boat, but it didn’t make a lot of difference. When I had finished the locks I went inside to dry off, so didn’t see any of the passage through Warwick, and Rog braved the pouring rain as far as Tesco’s. By the time we got there the rain had eased off a bit, and stopped when we got back with the shopping. We continued on through the arse-end of Leamington to find somewhere out in the country to moor. I also didn’t see any of Leamington because I was trying to find a home for our mammoth shop. We are now moored just near the village of Radford Semele, the sun is shining, but the wind is howling a gale. We have been kept entertained by watching the hire boat crews panicking and ending up all over the canal.

Our mooring for tonight and probably tomorrow

4.6 miles and 2 locks

Hatton Flight…

2011-07-15T17:25:00.001+01:00

What can I say about Hatton? It was hot, hard, work! We came down the 21 wide locks alone, having waited about half an hour at the top for a boat to appear. Half way down we could see a boat following us about 3 locks back, but, when Rog got the ‘nockers’ out to look, we discovered it was two boats sharing locks, so we continued on alone. The candlestick gear was stiff and needed a lot of winding before the water started to flow. We started at 10 am and finished the last lock at 1.40, so 3 hours 40 minutes – not bad as there were only the two of us. We checked out the mooring situation in the Saltisford Arm, but all they had was one right outside the office, and we didn’t fancy that so we continued on to the Cape of Good Hope pub, where we quenched our thirsts with a few pints of cider. The moorings here are not the most salubrious, so even if the weather is crap tomorrow, we will move on down to the Tesco the other side of Warwick and then go and find somewhere a bit nicer to spend the rest of the weekend.

Grill update – have spoken to the engineer who will probably come out to us on Monday to fix the grill, so Weetabix or cooked breakfast till then!

The first 4

Dragonfly sculpture between the fourth and fifth lock

Halfway down, looking back

In lock 11, Rog checking through the ‘nockers’, how many boats following

Originally Hatton was a flight of narrow locks, the wide ones being constructed in the 1930s. The narrow locks were retained during construction so boat traffic was not interrupted. The narrow locks are still visible – wish they were still in operation!

The Saltisford Arm

3.7 miles and 21 wide locks

A bog blog…

2011-07-14T17:28:00.001+01:00

We have had 2 things go wrong today – first the grill decided not to work. It was lighting ok, but as soon as you released the knob, the flame went out. It has happened intermittently in the past, but we’ve always got it to work by holding in the knob a bit longer. After much mucking about we decided to phone Spinflo, who seemed to know immediately what was wrong, (the flame failure device, as we suspected) said they would send the parts to their local chap, who would phone us when he had them, and arrange a place for us to meet. Best of all, it’s still under warranty, so won’t cost us a penny!

Next, and potentially a disaster, the loo malfunctioned! We have a Dometic Vacuflush cassette loo, which does have a mind of it’s own, and goes wrong with alarming regularity. This time it refused to vacuum up – so was unflushable! Out came the Instruction Manual, and luckily, there is a Troubleshooting section – there was either an electrical problem or it was blocked – we decided that blockage was the probable cause. Couldn’t see anything with the trap open, so I donned my Marigolds, (Rog doesn’t do toilets!) and got down and dirty with the 1 inch diameter orifice at the bottom of the base. I poked around into the pipe with an old water hose – the only thing we had that was flexible enough to go round into the pipe. Didn’t think I’d done any good, but, lo and behold, when Rog turned the switch back on in the electrics cupboard, it started to vacuum up. We flushed it through a few times and it seems to be ok now – disaster averted (this time!) We are considering changing the loo for an ordinary Thetford cassette, but that will mean re-configuring the shower room (serious dosh!) as there is no room to pull out a cassette either from the side or the back. The only one that would be ok is a Porta-Potti, and we don’t want to go back to one of those. So, if anyone knows of a loo where the cassette will pull out of the front, please let us know.

Back on the Grand ‘Onion’…

2011-07-14T17:11:00.001+01:00

Yesterday we continued up the Stratford to Kingswood Junction, and turned onto the GU. It was nice to have wide bridges again! We moored near the Tom o’ the Wood pub at Turner’s Green, but decided to eat on board.

Goodbye to the Stratford

Nice wide bridges

This morning we moved on, through Shrewley Tunnel and moored, with difficulty, by Bridge 56, which is right beside Hatton Railway Station, so we could put Mum on the train back to Northampton. She had a wait of over an hour for the train, and I felt really bad just leaving her there to wait on her own, but she insisted that she’d be fine. We then moved on a short way to near the top of Hatton Locks which we will tackle tomorrow morning. Mum phoned when she got home. She was home within 2 hours of leaving Hatton – not bad with 2 changes of train, and a taxi.

Pretty Warwickshire countryside through a bridge

and after the bridge

Shrewley tunnel

Mum waiting at the station as we cruised past

Moored about 10 minutes from the top of Hatton Flight
View from the side hatch

Wednesday 6.3 miles and 17 locks

Today 3.5 miles and 0 locks

Stan Clover Lock-Stratford-Wootton Wawen…

2011-07-12T16:39:00.001+01:00

On Sunday we returned to Stratford to moor at the recreation Ground again. It was a hot and sunny day and the Rec Ground was rammed with people, as expected. In the afternoon we were treated to the Salvation Army Band playing on the bandstand, and then later on a local ‘Songs of Praise’ was held, with the band providing the accompaniment.

View upstream from our mooring at Stan Clover Lock

We collected Mum from the station yesterday morning, and spent the rest of the day catching up with family gossip.

The Avon is so clear you can see the bottom

This morning we set out on the return trip up the Stratford – we have decided to hang a right at Kingswood Junction and go down the Grand ‘Onion’ to Warwick (Hatton flight? – no problem after Tardebigge!!) We thought we would have to call BW out at Lock 39 as something was jamming the gates, first Rog couldn’t get the bottom gate open enough for me to get in the lock, then couldn’t close it. I climbed the ladder to help, but still no joy, so Rog got back on the boat and I let some water down to see if we could flush it out. No luck. Rog then made use of the pole and said it felt like a brick or something. He managed to move it a little way and then with strong use of the prop, he managed to blow it out of the way and I got the gate shut. We moored up at Wootton Wawen, and asked the next boat to come through if they had any problems at the lock and they said they hadn’t, so it looks like it’s ok now. We will have a meal in the Navigation tonight.

Mum watching me work

Must be the narrowest bridge on the whole system, barely room to squeeze through

Sunday – 2.9 miles and 2 locks

Tuesday – 6.9 miles and 18 locks

Down the Avon…

2011-07-09T18:15:00.001+01:00

This morning Rog was woken up at 6.30 by lots of banging and crashing and loud voices outside our porthole – they were setting up stalls for some kind of market. We were glad that we had decided to move downriver for the night. We untied about 9 am and headed off. The sun was shining, not quite ‘river weather’, but nearly, and the Avon was very pretty. Two locks later (very hard locks, I hasten to add!) and we found a delightful spot just above Stan Clover lock. We settled in for the day and then went for a walk after lunch around Luddington. There were some lovely cottages, a manor house, a village green, a cute little church, and not much else! Back to Stratford tomorrow.

Leaving Stratford

Anonymous(or Weir Brake) Lock

The railway bridge, remnant of the former Stratford to Cheltenham line which is now a footpath called The Greenway, part of National Route 5

Stan Clover Lock

Weir at Stan Clover Lock

Lovely mooring

Luddington Church

Gorgeous ‘chocolate box’ cottages

2.9 miles and 2 locks

Stratford on Avon pictures…

2011-07-08T17:34:00.001+01:00

This morning, we said a sad goodbye to Russ and waved him off to the station – we have loved having him with us for a few days, not least for his muscle on the locks, although at 6ft 2in and with a build like a brick s**t-house, he does take up a lot of room! We are missing him already. Cassie is suicidal, and refuses to have anything to do with us! She has spent most of the day curled up on her bed giving us evil looks, and has been very badly behaved on her walks!

After doing a bit of shopping we went down the lock to moor at the Recreation Ground on the Avon. The weather today has been very mixed, sunshine one minute, then heavy rain the next. We shall be hanging around for a few days as Mum is coming to see us on Monday. Tomorrow the plan is to go down-river for a few locks, as long as the weather is ok, and then return here on Sunday, ready to pick Mum up from the station on Monday morning.

Bancroft Basin

Royal Shakespeare Co theatre

Beautiful buildings at every turn, but spoilt by heavy traffic, so I gave up trying to photograph them!

“Alas, poor Yorick”

Prince Hal

Falstaff

Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn, and caldron bubble

The ‘Bard’ himself

‘David Bailey’ at it again!

Holy Trinity Church

The RSC from our mooring – not the prettiest of buildings

Our mooring at the Recreation Ground

Stratford has a huge flock of Swans – these are but a few

‘Who’s the Daddy?’ This large cob spent his time patrolling behind all the other swans, keeping them in order!

Tramway Bridge, by night

Bancroft Basin by night

0.25 miles and 1 lock

Third time lucky…

2011-07-08T16:53:00.001+01:00

We made it to Stratford yesterday! We left Wooten Wawen under threatening skies – we knew we would get wet at some point, but the rain held off until late morning. After Bearley or Odd lock, we came to Edstone Aqueduct. Realizing it was a ‘proper’ aqueduct with only the trough at one side, Rog make a fast exit down the steps, leaving me to grab the tiller – luckily Russ isn’t afraid of heights and was there to take the photographs! At 28ft high and 475 feet long, it is modest compared to the Pontcysyllte that we did earlier this year, but is still impressive in it’s own way. When we were over, Russ told his Dad that he could ‘take his dress off’ and come back out now! We had just started to work the Wilmcote flight of locks when the rain that had been threatening all morning caught up with us – and came down in stair rods! We were waiting for an Anglo Welsh to come up the lock, and Rog was helping, with me walking down to fill the next lock. We got soaked! A lock or two later, the sun came out again and everything started steaming. That wasn’t the last of the rain, but it was the worst. We had several more heavy showers after we had moored in Bancroft Basin, but we were snug by then so it didn’t matter. Later we had a wander around Stratford, and bought our licence to go onto the Avon.

Not the Pontcysyllte, but big enough

Here it comes!

Getting soaked

Sun out again

Our very own ‘David Bailey’

Lock no 55 – the last lock on the Stratford

Our mooring in Bancroft Basin, underneath Will Shakespeare's statue

6.8 miles and 17 locks

Another day of meetings…

2011-07-06T16:58:00.001+01:00

We left Kingswood Junction a little later than planned this morning, due to not waking up as early as usual, but we were still on the way by 9 am, scuttling to get going in front of a boat which was filling the lock behind us! It was a day of sunshine and showers. We met Dianne and Peter on nb PlanB again, going in the opposite direction, and also Lindsey and Paul on nb Teapot, who Karen and Ian travelled with after we had parted company last summer, and we met at Karen’s 50th birthday party in the winter. We had a very heavy rain shower about half an hour before we planned to moor, Rog got drenched, but the sun had come out again by the time we got to Wootten Wawen and moored up. After lunch we went to the Yew Tree Farm Shop and Craft Centre just a short walk away.

Rain on the way

Yarningale Aqueduct

From below – the trough was cast by Horseley Iron Co in 1854

Another pretty barrel-roofed cottage at Bucket Lock, extensively extended

A tight squeeze exiting Preston Bagot bottom lock

Yew Tree Farm Shop and Craft Centre

Wooten Hall, a 17th century mansion which once belonged to Mrs Fitzherbert, mistress of George IV

5.6 miles and 18 locks

Dick-dancing at Lapworth…

2011-07-05T17:08:00.001+01:00

A broken night again as Cassie had a mini-fit about 2 am, and we were up walking the towpath again – well Russ was anyway. He came and woke us 20 minutes later, but by then she was almost back to normal, so we were back in bed by 2.35.

An uneventful cruise to the top of Lapworth. Russ worked both lift bridges which is what he’s here for, after all. We pulled up to the first lock just behind a Canal Boat Holidays hire boat, and we helped them through as they hadn’t a clue what they were doing. At the next lock they waved us through, which was unusually considerate, explaining that they would be very slow. A couple of locks further on we met an exodus from Stratford Festival, boat after boat coming up the locks – all getting out of our way which was great. Until locks 13 and 14! At lock 13, a Trust boat full of ~~Cloggies~~ (Dutch) was too impatient to wait until the pound had cleared before coming up the lock, consequently, there was a lot of dick-dancing before it was sorted out – the Trust boat just sat in the lock expecting us to move out of their way so they could go straight into the next. And Rog being polite, did so – even though he cursed and swore! The same thing happened at the next lock! This time was two Vicking ~~Aground~~ Afloat boats, crewed by ~~cheese-eating surrender monkeys~~ French bods! At least the first boat up the lock had the sense to get out of the way, but Rog still had to also get out of the way for the second boat to go into the lock! What a farce! We continued on to the basin and used the services, then through the next lock (no 21). By then it was raining big time and we decided to moor up. We will take the short walk up the connecting arm to the Grand Union and go to the Navigation for a meal tonight.

Hockley Heath

This is what I like to see!

Getting busy – they all knew we had an inexperienced helmsman so they got out of our way!

Dick dancing

Dick dancing again

Kingswood Junction with it’s barrel-roofed cottage, unique to the Stratford

6.4 miles and 19 locks

Crew at last!…

2011-07-04T16:47:00.001+01:00

After a relaxing day doing not a lot of anything yesterday, we set out before 8am this morning for our rendezvous with Russ at The Draw Bridge. Wast Hill Tunnel, at 2726 yards, took 28 minutes to complete, as opposed to the hour that the notice board states! Exiting the Northern portal, the urban sprawl of Birmingham soon becomes apparent, the rubbish in the water, and the graffiti are the biggest clues! Kings Norton Junction with the Stratford Canal came next, and no sooner had we turned onto the Stratford, and negotiated the former guillotine stop lock at Bridge 1, there was a clunk from the prop, and an old oil can floated up from behind – we had encountered our first ‘Birmingham bomb’ – 2 oil cans with a length of rope tied between them. The cans float and the rope sinks to catch the unwary, and it did! Some ‘weed hatch minutes’ later, Rog managed to untangle the rope from the prop shaft. A lady walking her dogs stopped to see if we were ok, she was carrying 2 carrier bags full of rubbish. Apparently she has been picking up rubbish from the towpath for twenty years. She was most apologetic, and said that she could only reach the rubbish on the towpath! Bless her, she seemed so embarrassed – as if it were her fault!! She warned us about a brown leather sofa which was floating a few hundred yards further on. We managed to avoid that hazard. We continued on, accompanied by frequent clunks and bangs from the prop, which spent more time out of gear than in, and reached The Draw Bridge about half an hour before Russ was due to arrive, which was as well because Rog had go down the weed hatch again when we got there – more rope! Russ duly collected, we set off again, through the electric lift bridge, and on to Dickens Heath, where there is a new ‘Designer village’. It was being built last time we came this way, almost four years ago. It was a ghost town then, and is still a ghost town! There is evidence of shops opened and already gone out of business, a few businesses still going, and a Tesco Express which is probably the most useful of all. Russ and I took a wander around and it’s just empty – we saw a few people wandering about and one or to on the balconies of the apartments but not much else.

The Junction House at Norton Junction

Kings Norton Junction

Former guillotine stop lock – graffiti decorated of course!

Weed hatch moment

The result

Anyone want a brown leather sofa?

Russ stopping the traffic

Dickens Heath Designer Village water feature – courtesy of Russ, the real photographer in the family!

9.2 miles and 0 locks

All of 45 minutes cruising today…

2011-07-02T15:05:00.001+01:00

We had just a very short cruise today, from Alvechurch to Hopwood, where we knew there were nice moorings. We were moored up and sitting outside drinking coffee and enjoying the sunshine by 10.30 this morning! It’s about the only decent place to stop before the environs of Brum close in around you! We will stay here tomorrow and then head for Kings Norton Junction and on to the Stratford Canal to The Drawbridge in Shirley to collect Russ on Monday – it’s about a 3 hour cruise from here so that will be just right to meet him around lunch time.

Lower Bittell Reservoir – there are some permanent long term moorings here, very attractive with the reservoir one side and heath-land the other

The other side of the canal from Lower Bittell Reservoir

The view from our side hatch today

Settled in for the weekend

2.5 miles and 0 locks

Tardebigge to Alvechurch…

2011-07-01T14:13:00.001+01:00

Just a very short tootle today, We came up the last Tardebigge Lock, through Tardebigge tunnel, through Shortwood Tunnel, and on to Alvechurch, where we have moored opposite the hire base. We went into the shop at the hire base to buy a new Pearson’s for the Severn and Avon, as it’s the one we need for the Stratford Canal (ours is 12 years old!), but they’ve sold out! Rog went for a tramp to the village for bread, milk and a few other essential supplies, and I had a walk with Cassie to scope out any other moorings – there are some visitor moorings about 10 minutes on, but they aren’t really any better than here, and at least we have a satellite signal here. We’ll be gone in the morning before the hire boats start arriving back. Rog has spent a while touching up the battle scars in the blacking which we have picked up over the last few days. We won’t be moving far for the next few days as we need to pick up son Russ at Solihull on Monday.

Tardebigge Top Lock – an impressive 14 feet deep

Bye bye Tardebigge – I had some help with this one from a group of teenagers on a trip

Entering Tardebigge Tunnel

3.2 miles and 1 lock

Tardebigge done…

2011-06-30T15:39:00.001+01:00

well almost! We enjoyed it so much we thought we’d leave the top lock until tomorrow – the moorings are better here. We were the first boat up this morning, and did the 29 locks in 4 hours exactly. We thought that wasn’t too shabby, considering there are only the two of us – all the locks were either empty, or we met someone coming down.

Entering the first lock at 7.20 am

Ok, bored now

Half way

Really, really bored now!

My friend, the robin, watching me work

Nice views from up here

Just a few more

Tardebigge Reservoir, just visible through a break in the trees

Big paddle gear, used to empty the pound into the reservoir

Now moored a little way below the top lock

2.1 miles and 29 locks

Stats

June 2011 – 98 miles and 127 locks

2011 Year to date – 500.3 miles and 384 locks

Poised for Tardebigge…

2011-06-30T06:52:00.001+01:00

This morning we left Oddingley for the bottom of the Tardebigge flight. We thought we were back on the Aylesbury Arm at one point, the canal is so overgrown with reeds. We passed the other end of the Droitwich Barge Canal (which, incidentally, isn’t ‘officially’ open until the weekend, but a few boats have been up and down in the last week) and it was bedlam! Two boats waiting under the bridge at Hanbury, to turn up into Hanbury Locks, one of which had to move out of the way so we could pass, and moored boats everywhere. We were later followed up Stoke Locks by a party aboard a Canal Boat Club (ex Canaltime) who had come up the Droitwich and been stopped at Hanbury yesterday by the locks closing at 3.30. They couldn’t get through until after 10am this morning, and were rushing to be back at Alvechurch by 9.30 tomorrow morning. Good luck to them – mind you, they were young and fit so Tardebigge should be no problem for them this afternoon. We are now moored at the bottom of the Tardebigge Flight, poised for action tomorrow. We visited the Queen’s Head and had lunch, then walked a few locks up the flight. There were no boats to be seen, but a couple have come past this afternoon. Everyone we meet has been saying how quiet the canal is.

No room for manoeuvre

Bedlam at the junction with the Droitwich

Up the junction

Pretty cottage at Astwood Lock…

…with a beautiful garden on the other side of the lock – the Sweet Peas smelt wonderful!

The Queen’s Head

Windsong’s mooring for tonight

Windsong just visible on the extreme left of the picture, poised for action just round the bend from the first lock

6.8 miles and 12 locks

Answering yesterday’s comments…

2011-06-28T15:45:00.001+01:00

The comments bit on the blog isn’t working again so:

Once the decision was made we stuck with it. We aren't particularly comfortable on rivers, but we know the Severn well from living near Shrewsbury for a long time, and it can be a bit of a bitch, so we thought better safe than sorry. Tardebigge doesn't seem so daunting today as the weather is cooler and set to stay that way all week - we'll cope! However, if anyone reading this feels like coming and lending a hand, feel free!!

Adam - you and Adrian could always take a day off and come and help out!!! :-)

Lesley – dodged that one – didn’t you!!! xxx

Karen & Ian – I know we were close, but as I said, better safe than sorry – and I never said you were mad, just brave. And thanks so much for telling me how many locks to Stratford!!! xxx

Oddingley…

2011-06-28T15:30:00.001+01:00

We fancied a day off today to catch up with a few domestic jobs but didn’t much like where we were moored as it was quite overhung by trees so we decided to move on until we found a better spot. Just under a mile later we were there – opposite the little hamlet of Oddingley. The photo is of the view from the side hatch. The church and the manor house are very old, dating from the twelfth century in the case of the church.

Change of plan…

2011-06-27T18:07:00.001+01:00

This morning when we awoke, the boat had tipped alarmingly and the ropes were tight as a guitar string and pulling us over – the river had come up over a foot overnight! It was now well into the amber and rising, so, not wanting to be caught and stuck if it went into the red, it was decided that we would leave the river at Diglis and go up the Worcs and Birmingham Canal to Kings Norton and do the Stratford Canal the other way around. Another factor was that the Stratford on Avon Festival is on next weekend which is probably when we were due to arrive, and it is bound to be rammed. I was looking forward to a week of not having to do locks and I can’t say I am thrilled at the prospect of doing Tardebigge, but I suppose we need to do it sometime! The canal leaves Worcester through the arse-end of town, so not much worth photographing. We stopped at the ~~Viqueen~~, ~~YellowPeril~~, ~~Viking Aground~~, Viking Afloat hire base for diesel and by the time we had got out of Worcester and found somewhere half decent to moor, it was 3.30. Now moored at Tibberton. The weather has been mostly hot, cloudy and very humid, with a couple of showers of rain – not pleasant at all. Hopefully tomorrow will be better.

Blockhouse Lock

Squeezed in amongst the Yellow Perils for diesel

6.7 miles and 16 locks

River weather…

2011-06-26T18:06:00.001+01:00

This morning we left Stourport and locked down the two staircase locks onto the River Severn. We hadn’t been going long when the sun came out and it became very hot. This is ‘river weather’ for Windsong – all the time last year we spent on the Thames the sun beat down, and again this year in April when we were on the Weaver, so ‘river weather’ has entered Windsong’s vocabulary! We arrived at Lincomb Lock to find that there was a planned power outage, and their generator had broken down! Three large cruisers and three narrowboats were waiting. To add insult to injury for the gin-palaces, the locky could only open one gate manually so anything over 10 feet wide couldn’t get in! Shame!! Two narrowboats went in and down the lock ahead of us, and we jumped in front of the cruisers and joined the other waiting narrowboat for the next trip down.

We passed the entrance to the newly restored Droitwich Barge Canal, due to open next weekend. Rumour has it that 60 plus boats are booked to travel up it over the weekend – it’s going to be busy, glad we are doing this stretch now. We had a lovely trip down the river and are now moored in Worcester.

Waiting for Lincomb Lock

River weather – blue skies and blazing sun!

The start of the Droitwich Barge Canal

Our mooring in Worcester

Dragon racing training

Worcester Racecourse, just up the bank from our mooring

12 miles and 7 locks

Stourport…

2011-06-26T17:40:00.001+01:00

We entered Stourport yesterday morning in a very strong wind, watered and then managed to secure a mooring at the end of the basin, in front of The Tontine, which we think used to be an hotel and is now being converted into apartments and town houses. Just over from us was moored Beacon’s No 11 boat, Fruit of the Vine, but nobody was on board. We met up with Lesley and Joe from nb Caxton (and yes, Lesley, I have read your comments on your blog !!) who are moored there for a few months while their new boat is being built nearby. Lunch was had in the Hollybush and a good old natter and catch-up. Rog and Joe then went up the High Street to buy incontinence pads (no, not for me!) to soak up our diesel leak and Lesley and I set off an a hike to take Cassie, Fletcher and Floyd (their two black labs)for a walk. Well, it was a hike for me, but a mere stroll in the park for Lesley who has been known to walk 12 miles and more in a day! Up hill and down dale we went up on the common in Stourport. I had to have a sit down and a cuppa when we returned, but Lesley went on to cut the grass around their mooring – that girl has more energy than she can use up in a day! We later went out for a curry and yet more nattering and a good time was had by all.

nb Fruit of the Vine

Our mooring

The basin by night

1.5 miles and 1 lock

Cookley to Bullocks Lane…

2011-06-24T16:23:00.001+01:00

The sun was shining brightly this morning when we got up, but as soon as we put on our boots ready to set off, the clouds rolled in again, and that is how it has been most of the day – cloudy and humid with the occasional short spell of sunshine. We stopped at Sainsbury’s in Kidderminster to top up the shopping as we don’t know when we will be able to do a decent shop again. After I had put the shopping away and left to prep the lock, Rog had a visitor, Irene from nb Free Spirit, a fellow blogger. They sent us a message last night to say they were only a mile or so in front of us. Sorry I missed you, hopefully we will meet again in Stourport. We are now moored near Bullocks Lane Bridge, just short of Stourport. We want to go down onto the Severn and moor there, so we thought it best to wait until tomorrow morning.

In Debdale Lock, overshadowed by a sandstone cliff

Awaiting entry to Kidderminster Lock – this is the view one way…

And this is the view the other way! What a contrast!

The above are all part of a mural underneath the bridge which carries the traffic in the earlier photo – showing boys through the years, starting in the 1920s and ending at the present day – and very good they are too!

One of the old carpet factories, now home to Debenham Design

Caldwell Lock

6.1 miles and 6 locks

Problems…

2011-06-24T16:22:00.001+01:00

I’m having problems today answering comments on the blog, usually when signed in it automatically selects my profile for me, but it won’t even let me do anything today! So if you’ve commented, I’m not ignoring you, honest, I’ll catch up with the comments when it sorts itself out!!

Stewponey to Cookley…

2011-06-23T15:19:00.001+01:00

Another uneventful journey today. The Staffs and Worcs is very pretty along this stretch, with locks in some lovely settings, not much in the way of views though, as it is very overhung by trees or bordered by rocky cliffs for most of the way. Moored now at Cookley, as to go further would take us into Kidderminster. We will probably take advantage of the canal-side Sainsbury’s tomorrow.

Meadows, backed by confer plantations near Dunsley Hall

Hyde Lock

Whittington Lock

Stone post marking the county boundary between Staffordshire and Worcestershire. It was unveiled in 1999, and we last passed this way on the day of the unveiling – so it’s 12 years since we were down this way.

Austcliff – passing very close to the rock wall

4.4 miles and 4 locks

Fancy seeing you here!…

2011-06-22T16:49:00.001+01:00

Today was a day of meetings – not bloggers, but people we have met along the way.

We stopped at Greensforge Lock services to ‘do the necessary’ and were just filling with water when a familiar looking boat drew up behind us. It was nb ‘Plan B’, who’s owners, Peter and Diane, we first met at Crick when we were deciding who to ask to build Windsong. Plan B was built by Heartwood, who were our chosen builders at the time, and we were shown round her so we could see a boat that was a couple of years old. As most of our readers will know, we didn’t go with Heartwood in the end we chose Beacon Boats instead although we did keep in touch with Heartwood. We then met Peter and Diane again in the winter of 2009 as they were moored at Pilings. We had a catch-up while they were watering. They are going the same way as us so we may meet up again.

We started looking for a mooring spot early on today. The Staffs and Worcs is very overgrown and overshadowed by trees, and we needed an open spot to get a telly signal tonight as we didn’t want to miss ’The Apprentice’. We stopped about 12.30 just between Stourton Junction and Stewponey Lock. We went for a little walk up a few locks on the Stourbridge Canal, and there we met our next set of acquaintances – Nigel and Lorna on nb Goosander, whom we met in Manchester earlier this year and again a couple of time since. We helped them down a few locks, nattering all the way, but they had to continue on to Kinver for an appointment with Wilson’s about some seat covers. We will hopefully catch up with them tomorrow.

Peter and Diane, and nb Plan B

Spotted hidden behind trees at Greensforge Lock – an old warehouse or a pumping station? Anyone know?

Very overgrown – BW could do with getting the vegetation cut back

Stourton Junction

Lorna and nb Goosander

Tiny little arm, tucked away behind the first lock on the Stourbridge Canal, at the bottom of someone’s garden – what a lovely peaceful mooring that must be

Circular spill weir, all the locks hereabouts have them

The old Toll House – used to be a canal crafts and gift shop, now sadly empty

Stewponey Wharf

4.3 miles and 4 locks

An audience at Bratch…

2011-06-21T16:59:00.001+01:00

We left our mooring just south of Compton this morning, and three locks later we were at Bratch – just about the only place we remember from our last trip down this way about 10 years ago. Another iconic place on the canal system, subject of many a photograph and postcard. For those not in the know, Bratch was originally built as a staircase trio by Brindley, but was later changed into 3 separate locks with large side-ponds to save water. However, as the pounds in between the 3 locks are only a few feet in length, it still operates as a staircase, it being impossible for boats to pass each other in the flight. A swift trip down following another boat and we were at the bottom, having been gongoozled by a party of schoolchildren. We made sure we didn’t make any mistakes, as kids can be the harshest of critics! We continued on through several more locks, my favourite being Bumblehole Lock (I just love the name – very Dickensian!). Next were Botterham Locks, a true staircase duo. We were at Marsh Lock and were thinking of mooring soon when the heavens opened and I got soaked to the skin – I was wearing only a T shirt (and trousers and boots, obviously!) Rog pulled in after the lock and handed me my waterproof, and as I put it on, it stopped raining. Typical! However, I was glad of it as the rain hissed down again at the next lock, so we decided to call it a day and are moored in Swindon, with a chippy, so fish and chips for tea tonight.

An audience as we waited to enter the first lock at Bratch

The recognizable lock-keepers octagonal office

Cassie’s expression says ‘OK, what is occurring?’ as I walked back from checking that we could descend

Rog almost had another shower as we descended the second lock in Botterham staircase – it was very deep!

5.1 miles and 11 locks

Onto the Staffs & Worcester…

2011-06-20T16:44:00.001+01:00

It was a bright and sunny morning for a change as we set out for our last couple of hours on the Shroppie. A quick stop just before Autherley Junction to visit the Morrison’s for supplies, through the stop lock and onto the Staffs and Worcester. We wanted to get clear of Wolverhampton before we stopped, so past Aldersley Junction with the BCN main line and on to Compton, where we had planned to stop and visit Limekiln Chandlery. No chance of that, all the moorings were full, so down the locks we went and we are now moored just south of Compton near Bridge 55.

Crystal clear water on the first part of the Staffs and Worcs

Aldersley Junction with the BCN – up the Wolverhampton 21? I don’t think so!

Wightwick Mill Lock

Wightwick Lock

7 miles and 4 locks

A tree, some rain and a very early start…

2011-06-19T15:25:00.001+01:00

Yesterday morning we set out at our normal time, planning to stop for the night at the SUCS moorings just south of Brewood, as we love it there. “The best laid plan's” springs to mind! Just short of Rye Hill Cutting there was a long line of moored boats, with people standing about. ‘What’s up here’ we said. There was a tree down right across the canal. We pulled into the bank and I leapt off to go and see what the score was. Two BW blokes were in attendance, and as usual were non-committal, shaking heads and sucking teeth. ‘Well, we’re working as fast as we can, and there’s only the two of us, and once we’ve got the tree sawed up and removed, we don’t know what’s under the water’. ‘That’s fine’, says I, ‘I just wanted to know whether we needed to tie up or not’. About an hour later boats started to move through, but we had already decided to stay where we were for the rest of the day as it was hissing it down with rain by this time. So stay we did, but not quite as long as we had planned!

At 3.30am this morning we had a rude awakening! Cassie was stumbling about, having had a fit. Clothes on and dog manhandled onto the towpath, I proceeded to walk her up and down, up and down, on the lead, while she walked around me in clockwise circles, which is what she does after a fit (she’s blind at this stage of her recovery.) She was very agitated and took a bit longer than usual to come back to normal, but that was probably because she had been crashing into things on the boat before we managed to heave her off. By the time she was compos mentis enough to allow her to get back on the boat, we were wide awake and it was getting light, so we had a cuppa and decided to move on. So at 5.15am we pulled the pins, and set off, yawning, into the morning (bit of poetry there!!) Pity it wasn’t a nice morning, but it was peaceful, puttering along with only the birds for company. We watered at Wheaton Aston and by 8.30am we were moored at our chosen spot and I was cooking a long awaited breakfast. A day’s cruising all done before breakfast! However, I suspect that we will be falling asleep in front of the telly tonight, so an early night will be called for – I’m not at my best after only four and a half hours sleep! Just a thought – if we had continued our journey to here yesterday, Cassie would have had her fit in the same place that she had the first one, almost 2 years ago. This is also where Rog stubbed his toe which started all the trouble – how spooky is that? It makes us wonder why we love this spot so much!

Tomorrow we will leave the Shroppie and turn to starboard down the Staffs and Worcester – it’s a very long time since we cruised the southern end to Stourport, so it will seem like new waters for us.

Watering at Wheaton Aston at 6.30 this morning

Wheaton Aston Lock – a boat already on the move appearing through the bridge

The ornate, balustraded Avenue Bridge (No 10) carries the old road to Chillington Hall

The SUCS moorings just south of Brewood

12.3 miles and 1 lock

A day or two at Norbury…

2011-06-18T14:39:00.003+01:00

Thursday 16th June

We have hardly any internet signal here at Norbury, so these posts will be published once we have a decent enough signal, which probably won’t be until Saturday.

We have had our engine service, and are now moored up just below the junction. We had a text from our old friend Stu to say he was coming to see us today so we will stay put, probably also tomorrow as the weather forecast is for a rotten day, rain and high winds.

Stu duly arrived just after 2.30, and found us, where else but at the pub! It was great to see you again Stu, pity Fiona wasn’t here as well. Come and find us in August when you are over again, if you have the time and we aren’t too far away.

Moored beside nb Debdale, awaiting our engine service. This one’s for you, Adam and Adrian!

Unfortunately, no winding-hole near enough to take Stu for a quick spin, so he had to pretend!

Goldstone Wharf to Norbury Junction…

2011-06-18T14:39:00.001+01:00

Wednesday 15th June

We made the short trip to Norbury Junction without incident. It was a sunny morning, but 15 minutes before we arrived it started to rain, so we got a bit wet while we tied up. Later we walked to the office to find out where they wanted us for our engine service on Thursday morning, and bought a fender hanger to replace the one broken last year – the broken one is chrome, but, having failed to find one over the past year, we have bought a brass one for the time being – we’ll keep looking!

Grub Street cutting

The old Cadbury Wharf

The obligatory photo of Bridge 36 – the most photographed bridge on the Shroppie, if not the whole of the canal network. Hopefully we didn’t disturb the monkey-like creature who is said to haunt this bridge!

7.4 miles and 0 locks

Market Drayton to Goldstone Wharf…

2011-06-18T14:38:00.001+01:00

Tuesday 14th June

It was a beautiful morning when we pulled the pins and set off to meander up Tyrley Locks. We queued for a while at the first lock, and then again half way up, but all in all, not too slow a trip. This flight is another of our favourites, being the first place we came to gongoozle before our first hire-boat holiday, to watch and learn so we didn’t make complete arses of ourselves. After Tyrley, we entered Woodseaves cutting, and were glad to get into the shade as we were getting really hot by then. We moored just after the cutting at Goldstone Wharf, a couple of hours tomorrow to Norbury to await our engine service on Thursday.

Queuing for Tyrley bottom lock

Waiting again for the next one

Waiting for the top lock

Tyrley Wharf

Bridge 58 – Woodseaves Cutting – we think this is the first time we’ve come through in the sunshine!

The site of last winter’s rock fall – cleared but still evident

Same place on 26th March this year

Moored at Goldstone Wharf

4 miles and 5 locks

Audlem to Market Drayton…

2011-06-13T15:44:00.001+01:00

Saturday 11th June

The morning dawned bright and clear, and the sun was shining as we set off up the flight, waving goodbye to another of our favourite places on the system. There was a short queue for the second lock we encountered, but from then on it was not too bad a trip up the flight, except for the fact that we had probably the slowest and least competent of hire-boat crews in front of us! Poor bloke had to have 3 goes at getting into each lock – misjudging it first on one side and ending up with his bow on the bank, then on the other side, bow onto the bank again, before he managed to get the little 35 footer into the locks! One particular time, when Rog went up to help while we were waiting, one of the wives had been sent on in front to check whether there were any boats coming down (unnecessary as none were in sight!) and Rog followed on intending to help get the next lock ready for them – Mrs had disappeared from view, and was at least 3 locks ahead, so Rog just emptied the lock ready for them! Don’t think she quite understood the concept!

Moored between locks 2 and 3 we spotted what we believe to be a fellow blogger’s boat, nb Bobcat, but there didn’t seem to be anybody about. As we exited the last lock, the clouds rolled over, and by the time we moored below the Adderley flight, rain was threatening. We were moored again in front of nb Delilah, and Cassie renewed her acquaintance with Murphy and Sadie, and we had another chat with Jane and Ian. After it had stopped raining we walked up the five locks to the Adderley Wharf Farm Shop (situated by Lock 1) where we bought bacon, sausages, chicken breasts and pork and apple burgers, also a Lemon Drizzle cake. Orders are also taken over the phone to be ready for collection – Simon 07710 312747 or Alison 07947 389098.

Early on

Having swapped over – Rog working now

nb Bobcat

The top of the flight

All this and much, much more!

2.5 miles and 13 locks

Sunday 12th June We had planned to go up Adderley Locks and on to Market Drayton, but it started to rain at breakfast time, and just got worse and worse so we decided to stay where we were. It turned out to be a wise decision as it was a foul day and didn’t stop raining, even for a minute, until about 7 pm. We had very little phone signal and no internet at all, so all this will be posted on Monday when we reach Market Drayton.

Monday 13th June A much better morning this morning, a very quick trip up Adderley Locks, with all of them in our favour, stopping only to buy some more bacon from the Farm Shop at the top lock as it was so nice we ate it all! A completely uneventful trip to Market Drayton saw us here well before lunch, so we moored, had a coffee and then set out for Netto for supplies. We have had an email from an old friend who is currently on a course at RAF Shawbury so we may have a visitor later on today, we will stay here and move on a little tomorrow. We have an engine service booked at Norbury Junction on Thursday morning, so we will have a gentle tootle, and plan to arrive sometime on Wednesday.

3.7 miles and 5 locks

Eggstraordinary!…

2011-06-10T18:10:00.001+01:00

We made the short trip to Audlem this morning, intending to go up four locks and then moor as we needed to go into the village, and it would be rude not to visit the Shroppie Fly and Audlem Mill shop as we were here. But a mooring became vacant just as we came up the second lock so we grabbed it! In fact it is nicer than those a little further up as there are no houses towpath-side here, just a field full of sheep. We were moored up by 10.30 so we sat in the sun with a coffee and then headed into the village to get our few bits and pieces. Lunch was partaken at the Shroppie Fly and I spent more money in Audlem Mill shop – I love that place! I can never go in without buying something. Back at the boat, we sat out a short sharp shower and then got into conversation with the couple on the boat moored behind us – nb Delilah. They have two beautiful Flat Coat Retrievers, and Cassie fell instantly in love with Murphy! We bought eggs and bacon at the little butchers shop which is situated in a tiny hut just beside Lock 15 – the eggs are all double-yolked and huge! The rest of Audlem Locks will be tackled tomorrow.

Too big for the box!

Murphy, Sadie and Cassie all hoping for a biscuit

The Shroppie Fly and Audlem Mill (again – sorry folks!!)

Peaceful little mews in Audlem

Audlem Church

Hoping for Pork Scratchings at the pub!

2.1 miles and 2 locks

Hack Green Nuclear Bunker…

2011-06-09T15:50:00.001+01:00

We had some very patient visitors to our side hatch yesterday evening, they were there again this morning…

Mr and Mrs Mallard hoping for some crumbs

Cassie had declined her normal morning walk for the chance to play with another golden retriever (the walk did happen, but she was knackered by the time we set off, and refused to go far, only to return to the boat and then suddenly have enough energy to resume her play-date with her new friend!) We left her to sleep it off and walked to the Secret Nuclear Bunker for a visit.

It was extremely interesting and well worth the entrance fee. Hack Green was a built as a radar station during the Second World War, and in 1983, £32 million was spent on re-building it as a bunker for use in the event of a nuclear attack on the UK. Selected Government staff would have been transported there if the threat became severe. It was then highly secret, but was de-classified in 1993, and subsequently opened as a museum. It consists of two levels (actually 3, but the middle level is not open to the public) with 27 rooms in all, most set up as they would have been when it was open, and some full of exhibits of equipment which has come from all over the UK and some from Russia. Rog did a Nuclear Attack plotting course early on in this career in the RAF, and had used some of the now obsolete equipment which was on display. The teleprinters and some of the radar equipment was also still in use when he joined up, and for quite a long while afterwards! That was scary!

The scariest bit, though, was the Nuclear Shelter Experience. A stark room with just chairs, and a ‘bucket and chuck it’ loo, lit with flickering red lights (hence no photos as they all came out black!) and bombarded with electrical noise, we sat and waited. Suddenly there was an enormous explosion and a bright flash! It certainly got the heart pounding and the adrenalin rushing! Not sure whether the flash would have been visible even inside the concrete bunker, but Rog thinks it would! About 2 thirds of the way round, there is a small cinema showing a film which was banned by the BBC at the time it was made, as it was too graphic and would cause wide-spread panic, but now being shown with special permission. It detailed the days, hours and minutes before and after a nuclear attack, and showed the hideous injuries and the horror of life afterwards for those who survived the initial blast. The film was 45 minutes long, and we watched for about 20 minutes before it became too gruesome to watch any more. It certainly made us think! When we had finished the tour, had a cup of coffee in the ‘Naafi’ canteen, and returned to the outside world, it made us aware of how thankful we were that it had never happened. Let’s hope that we don’t have nightmares tonight!

We returned to the boat and decided that it was too smelly on that mooring to stay any longer (the farmer was treating the fields on the other side of the cut to a dressing of slurry!) so we moved the half mile or so to the strangely named Coole Pilate moorings, which we had admired as we cruised past on our way up the Shroppie earlier in the year. There is a long stretch of moorings with picnic tables and barbecue stands, all cared for by the SUCS (Shropshire Union Canal Society) They do a great job, providing good moorings for visiting boats. Tomorrow, we will head for Audlem and the locks, and partake of a meal in the Shroppie Fly again.

Radar Head

The Bunker

Government Departments

Conference Room

BBC Radio Studio

UK Air Operations Centre – this one was originally at RAF High Wycombe

How true!

And to cheer you all up, the lovely moorings at Coole Pilate. If we have a nice evening we are going to make use of the bbq stand!

Cholmondeston to Hack Green…

2011-06-08T17:41:00.001+01:00

The weather was the same as yesterday when we set off from Cholmondeston this morning – but more so! Grey clouds threatening rain and windy. We had a few spits and spots but nothing significant. At Barbridge Junction we turned to port, back onto our beloved Shroppie proper. We soon reached Hurleston Junction and thought very briefly about turning onto the Llangollen and doing it all over again, if only to go to Snugbury’s for more ice-cream, and to complain that the tub of Raspberry Ripple I bought last time, had no raspberry and no ripple – it was just vanilla! But common sense prevailed, and we continued on to Nantwich where we filled with water. That done, we continued on to Hack Green, and up the two locks to our planned stopping place for tonight.

Turning onto the Shroppie

Hurleston Junction and the Llangollen – not this time!

Spotted still at Henhull Moorings north of Nantwich – this one’s for you Karen!

Thunderstorm going on just to the east of us as we approached Hack Green Locks – missed us though, thank goodness!

Moored above Hack Green Locks

7.7 miles and 2 locks

Back on the road (cut) again…

2011-06-07T18:08:00.001+01:00

Rog drove us back to the boat yesterday, we dumped the bags and the dog and went to do a massive shop at Sainsbury’s in Crewe. He then proceeded to leave me with all the shopping and luggage to unpack, and set off to take the car back to Northampton. It took me all afternoon!!

Rog came back this morning by train, and while I was waiting I filled the water tank, emptied the loo cassette and even took the TV aerial down. Gulped a bit when I went to the office to settle up – not the cheapest marina we have ever been in by a long way – but needs must!

He arrived back about 12 o’clock and we were just getting ready to set off when the heaven’s opened. Needless to say, we waited half and hour until it had eased off. Five minutes later we were in the longest queue for a lock that we have been in for years – we were no 7! We only waited an hour as two small boats went in together. We didn’t mind though, it was just great to be back on the cut again. We got a bit wet in another sharp shower while we were waiting, but by the time we were through the sun was shining again. Up another lock and we moored at Cholmondeston, just above Venetian Marina, where we moored at Easter, just in time to dodge another shower.

Queue at the lock

Moored at Cholmondeston, just in time to avoid the next shower

all of 1.7 miles and 2 locks

Aqueduct Marina…

2011-05-19T16:10:00.001+01:00

This morning we awoke to sunny skies for a change, but by the time we were ready to leave our mooring, it was starting to cloud up again. Just a short trip today to Aqueduct Marina, Church Minshull, to leave the boat for a couple of weeks while we go and move out of our winter cottage. Can’t say we are thrilled to be back in a Marina, but it’s only for a couple of nights, and everyone seems very friendly here, and, while not the cheapest Marina we’ve been in, there seems to be all the boater needs. There is also a cafe, The Gallery, where we treated ourselves to lunch. Rog will go by train to Northampton tomorrow and bring the car back so we can transport ourselves and Cassie back. So, this will be my last blog for a couple of weeks I’m afraid. See you in June.

5.4 miles and 0 locks

Back on the Middlewich Branch…

2011-05-17T16:16:00.001+01:00

We continued up the T & M this morning, in persistent drizzle (again!) through 5 locks and stopped at the boatyard after Kings Lock to top up with diesel. I have to say that it wasn’t my favourite bit of the T & M, very shabby and industrial as you get towards Middlewich. We turned onto the Middlewich Branch, very pleased to have completed the Cheshire Ring. Another lock, and we are moored in exactly the same spot as on our way down, on April 25th. On that day the sun was blazing down, and the temperature was 100 degrees in the full sun, (we got the thermometer out to check). Rog and Ian were in shorts, and us girls were wearing vest tops. Today the rain has just stopped, but not for long by the look of the sky, and we are in trousers and jumpers! Such are the vagaries of the British weather!

Today

Same spot on 25th April, the grass has overgrown a bit since then, with all this rain!

6 miles and 7 locks

Heartbreak Hill complete…

2011-05-16T15:50:00.001+01:00

Not a lot to say about today’s cruising really – same grey skies and drizzle, and more locks. We have now completed Heartbreak Hill, the 26 locks between Red Bull and Wheelock. They weren’t too bad, we had a nice couple on the boat in front of us, who were opening paddles to fill the 2nd lock of the duplicates where possible, as were we for the boat behind, and we met quite a few boats coming up, so all in all, lots of the locks were ready for us. We are now moored just a little west of Wheelock, with only 5 locks until the Middlewich Branch, which we shall easily make tomorrow. The sun keeps trying to come out now, so fingers crossed for a better day, weather-wise, tomorrow.

The Romping Donkey, a famous canal-side pub

Under the M6 – don’t envy the poor sods above us!

Tonight’s mooring, out in the country, just as we like it

4.7 miles and 14 locks

Starting Heartbreak Hill…

2011-05-15T16:43:00.001+01:00

The weather forecast for today was for a clear morning, with showers this afternoon, they were wrong! We left our mooring in the middle of nowhere in persistent drizzle. We officially joined the Trent and Mersey at Hall Green stop lock, then negotiated the very weird junction at Red Bull, where the canal crosses the T & M on an aqueduct, then turns left, left and left again to join the T & M proper, then 2 locks carry the canal down and underneath the aqueduct, these two are our first on Heartbreak Hill. We worked twelve locks before we decided to stop for the day at Rode Heath, and treat ourselves to a Chinese Takeaway tonight.

Ramsdell Hall – still on the Macc

Ornate railings separate the towpath from the fields below the Hall

Mow Cop, with it’s castellated ruin, known as Wilbraham’s Folly. The Folly dates from 1754 when it was erected to be seen from Squire Wilbraham's Rode Hall, a couple of miles away on the Cheshire Plain.

From the aqueduct carrying the canal over the Trent and Mersey

About to turn onto the T & M proper

The 1st lock of Heartbreak Hill – brown water, due to ironstone colouring the water

The aqueduct from below

Many of the locks are duplicated, which cuts down on queues

But a few of the duplicate locks have fallen into disrepair and been closed.

Approaching Rode Heath

7.0 miles and 13 locks

Bosley to the Middle of Nowhere…

2011-05-14T13:44:00.001+01:00

(This is yesterday’s blog (Friday) only able to upload today when Blogger came back on line.)

We awoke to sunshine this morning, the first we’ve seen for days, and we set off for Bosley Locks. After watering and loo-ing we were on our way. This is yet another flight of locks in a beautiful setting. They are probably the easiest dozen locks we have worked for a long while. The first few were against us, as per usual, but we soon met a stream of boats coming up the locks, so from lock 4 they were all in our favour, with lots of gates left open for us. Easily turned paddle gear and well balanced gates added to the pleasure. By the time we were at the bottom of the flight, in record time, the clouds had come over again, but at least we stayed dry. We continued on through Congleton to moor in the middle of nowhere, just past Bridge 80! There are no villages nearby, the nearest ‘feature’ is Watery Lane Aqueduct just ahead of us.

Just waiting for me to fill Lock No 2 or was it 3?

Almost half-way – still bright but becoming more cloudy

‘The Cloud’ dominates the horizon – 1126ft above sea level, and 700 ft above the level of the canal

Crossley Hall

Approaching Congleton

Three bridges close together, 74, 75 and 76, and all at different angles to the canal

Congleton Wharf – now apartments

Tonight’s mooring, and maybe tomorrow’s as well, if the weather forecast is anything to go by!

Peaceful view from our side hatch this evening

7.7 miles and 12 locks

Wood Lanes to Bosley…

2011-05-12T16:56:00.000+01:00

Another dull and cloudy morning, with the promise of more rain showers. When we left our mooring it was still dry, but before long we got wet. Again and again and again and again!!! Bollington looked nice, but no time to stop as we need to push on now so that we reach the Middlewich branch in time to take up our booked mooring for a fortnight while we go back to Northampton to move out of the cottage that we rented for the winter. All our goods and chattels are going back into storage and we will decide what to do in the autumn.

Today was a day of mills. I know we aren’t as far north as we have been on this trip, but all the mill towns make it feel well and truly ‘up north’. The Macc is very pretty, just a pity we are seeing most of it through a haze of rain!

We continued on through Macclesfield, again in the rain, and are now moored about 15 minutes short of Bosley Locks, ready to tackle them in the morning. Jodrell Bank is just visible in the distance, one of the huge satellite dishes just poking up beyond the trees.

Approaching Bollington

The impressive Clarence Mill, Bollington, now turned into offices and shops for small businesses

Adelphi Mill, Bollington

Elegant turnover bridge, typical of the Macc

Hovis Mill, Macclesfield, now apartments

Stone walled cutting on leaving Macclesfield, the other side is the same but hidden by trees and vegetation.

Looking back – stunning view, but again, the camera and the weather don’t do it justice

Electric swing bridge at Oakgrove

And the pub across the road!

Hansel and Gretel’s cottage, hidden in the woods

10.5 miles and 0 locks

Bugsworth to Wood Lanes…

2011-05-11T16:14:00.001+01:00

We awoke to dull skies this morning, with heavy rain showers forecast – and they were right! Sadly, we left Bugsworth Basin at about 9.30 and returned down the Upper Peak Forest to Marple. The sun did come out for a while, but I didn’t take any photos as I’d taken them all on the way there. At Marple we turned to port onto the Macclesfield Canal. Not long after that the heavens opened and the rain slashed down, not stopping until shortly before we decided to call it a day. I went inside, so didn’t see much of it, so again no photos. We are now moored for the night opposite Lyme View Marina, not far short of Bollington, and looking forward to Macclesfield tomorrow.

Goyt Mill at Marpleridge

Getting very wet, despite the brolly!

13.3 miles and 0 locks

Marple to Bugsworth Basin…

2011-05-10T12:47:00.001+01:00

Yesterday morning we waved goodbye to Russ and Nat, winded, and turned onto the Upper Peak Forest Canal. This part of the canal is absolutely beautiful, with stunning views and shady wooded cuttings. We continued on the old arm to Whaley Bridge, and were disappointed that it didn’t live up to our expectations, or our memories of it when we visited by car some years ago. We turned and went back the way we had come, stopping of for a brief visit to the canal-side Tesco to replenish supplies, and turned back onto the main line towards Bugsworth Basins, where we intended to moor for the night.

Shady cutting

Lovely views

The Swizzell’s facory – famous for ‘Love Hearts’ – the sweet sugary/fruity smell coming from it was very strong!

Kinder Scout – at 2,088ft above sea level, the higher point in Derbyshire

Newtown and viaduct

Whaley Bridge Basin – bit a of disappointment

We hadn’t been here long when we decided to stay an extra day to explore this amazing place. The setting is magnificent, with hills all around, and I think it’s one of the nicest mooring spots we’ve ever been in. The basins are very extensive, and have been sympathetically restored, with none of the ‘modern’ gadgets like the ones at Fradley Junction that I so despise. There are plaques in various places and brass plaques on the ground explaining the history, and a model to show the visitor what it looked like in it’s heyday. We are much impressed! There is space for lots of boats, and lovely little out-of-the-way mooring spots, loads of grass and landscaping, all beautifully cared for, but in an understated sort of way. Tunnels and arches abound, and nooks and crannies to poke about in. Altogether a most delightful place – we would certainly love to come back here again.

Lower Basin where we are moored

Middle Basin

Middle Basin Arm with the ruins of the old Lime Shed

Replica Wharf Crane

Upper Basin and Arm

Middle Basin with bridges leading to the Middle Basin Arm and the Upper Basin

The Wide

The village – Buxworth (the name was changed from Bugsworth

Our mooring spot

7.4 miles and 0 locks

Marple Locks…

2011-05-09T17:45:00.001+01:00

On Sunday morning we set off up Marple Locks at about 9.30, taking it slowly as we had strict instructions to save some for Russ and Nat. The 16 locks in this flight were an absolute pleasure to work after the Ashton Flight! Although the last boat to have used them went up on Saturday afternoon, the bottom gates of most of the locks are leaky, so the majority of them were empty and waiting for us. Yes, the bottom paddles of the few that were full were stiff, but not as bad as some we have done this trip. That probably makes the trip down harder work than the trip up.

Russ and Nat arrived just as I was preparing Lock No 8. As soon as the boat was at the top, Russ chucked his Dad off and insisted on driving the next one – Rog got off the boat looking very confused. ‘There’s something wrong about this’! he said. Russ let him back on after he had had his little drive, so we had our muscle working after all! We made short work of the rest, and turned onto the Macc for water filling and loo emptying. We moored just up the Macc, below the Ring O’ Bells pub and went for a late lunch, then idled the rest of the day away.

Shoulder height beams.

Pretty as a picture! They were all as pretty as this

Rog heading off to empty the next lock

Lovely view back

Russ at the helm waiting for Lock 9

Lots of gongoozlers about

Today we cruised the Upper Peak Forest to Bugsworth Basin, I’ll blog about that tomorrow as we have decided to stay here until Wednesday.

1.3 miles and 16 locks

Hyde to Marple Locks…

2011-05-07T16:04:00.001+01:00

We enjoyed our day off yesterday, doing some domestic stuff and washing the Anderton mud off the other side of the boat. We had a flying visit from Anne and David, ex of nb Nifty 50. We met them 11 years ago on their Millennium Cruise down to the Thames, and spent several days locking, eating and drinking with them, and have kept in touch ever since. This is the first time we have managed to get together though. They have recently put Nifty 50 up for sale as they are beginning to feel ‘past it’ (Anne’s words, not mine!!) Unfortunately the visit was very short because David had an appointment at 4.30, so they were only with us about an hour. We hope to be able to meet up again sometime next week while we are still in the area. After they had left we went for a walk and found a geocache.

This morning we set off for the short trip to the bottom of Marple Locks, stopping at Romiley to stock up on supplies. We had quite a bit of rain this morning, and got a bit wet! We will start up the locks tomorrow morning and await the arrival of Russ and Nat on a hastily arranged visit after realising that they would be in the general area visiting friends for the weekend. Russ arrived back from his aircraft-guarding duties in Italy on Wednesday. We will be glad of some muscle up these locks as, although a beautiful flight, the paddle gear is very stiff.

We went for a walk halfway up the locks this afternoon to suss them out, and helped a single hander up a couple. There are no rings or bollards between the locks for him to tie up to, so he is having to go and prep the next lock and open the gates before he can leave the previous one – very hard work for him!

Narrows on the approach to Marple Locks

Another aqueduct, another viaduct

Above the treetops from the centre of the aqueduct – the River Goyt 100 ft below

One of the locks

View back from Lock 7 with the single hander in the lock below

Visitor moorings below Lock 1 – they leave a lot to be desired! The bit you can’t see the other side of the boat has no bank!

3.5 miles and 0 locks

The Ashton Flight…

2011-05-05T18:03:00.001+01:00

really doesn’t have a lot to recommend it – 18 urban locks in grotty surroundings, every paddle gear requiring unlocking with a ‘T’ shaped ‘handcuff’ key, and all the locks against us bar one or two with really leaky bottom gates. We didn’t pass a soul coming down. So that’s 18 locks, 4 lots of unlocking and unlocking of paddle gear – and walking around the lock each time as there is no plank on the top gates (elfin’ safety!’) – you do the maths ‘cos I’m too knackered! Although, to give him his due, Rog did work a few of them and a swing bridge! After doing the 9 unpleasant locks yesterday as well, I was glad to see the back of Manchester – I don’t think we will be coming back this way again! However, we did have a good meal in a Chinese Buffet last night with the Cutweb crowd, so that is some consolation. It was almost back at Castlefield though, so we had quite a walk – we returned via the towpath where there was one, and walked the length of Canal Street – we saw some strange sights along there, I can tell you!!

We managed to water and empty loos at the top of the flight, and continued on to the Peak Forest Canal. We are now moored just between Hyde and Romiley, and will probably have a day off tomorrow before we tackle the 16 locks in the Marple Flight.

City of Manchester Stadium – built for the Commonwealth Games, no used by Manchester City FC

First goslings spotted

Rog working one of the locks

Hooray – the last lock done!

Duckinfield Junction onto the Peak Forest Canal

9.7 miles and 18 locks

Rochdale 9 conquered–alone…

2011-05-04T15:55:00.001+01:00

We set off from Castlefield at 8am this morning to beat the rush – we knew that 6 boats on a Cutweb Internet Boating Club gig were following us up at 10am and we wanted to be sure of a mooring at Piccadilly. Sadly there were no other boats to share with so we did them alone. I think this is the hardest flight we’ve ever done. The paddle gear was often so stiff I couldn’t move it, and several of the locks had gate opening and closing mechanisms consisting of a couple of pulleys and chains as there is no room for a lock beam. But we survived! We are now moored on the pontoons just above the Ashton flight, amidst the Cutweb crowd (Rog has been a member since the early days when it Blacksheep) who are all around us. They are a very friendly bunch, and they have invited us to join them for a Chinese tonight and we have accepted. Just a word of warning to anyone planning on mooring here – there is no way out! Luckily a judicious placing of a long boarding plank across a gap in the towpath under the bridge, and a very kind office building supervisor who had offered to open a gate for us has given us an escape path, otherwise there would have been no trip to the Chinese tonight!

First of the Rochdale 9

The world-famous Canal Street

Rog using the gate opening mechanism

The other end of Canal Street – a bar at one end called G-A-Y and this bar at the other – not too obvious then!

Subterranean lock

Cutweb gig

1.4 miles and 9 locks

Manchester photos…

2011-05-03T17:14:00.001+01:00

Manchester Ship Canal

Metro

Pomona Lock –onto the Ship Canal

The footbridge at the start of Castlefields quay – often shown in Corrie

The bit where Tony tried to drown Roy in Corrie

Turning point at the end of the Quay

Didn’t expect to find this in Manchester – a beach bar,complete with sand!

Looking back up the Quay

Waters Meeting and friends parting…

2011-05-03T16:45:00.001+01:00

It was with heavy hearts that we said goodbye to Karen and Ian on Serenity this morning, before we set off – we knew that we probably wouldn’t be stopping before we reached our parting point at Waters Meeting, Serenity to go left towards the Leeds and Liverpool, and us to go right into Manchester. We will miss them.

We passed through Sale, and were pleasantly surprised, although we never mind cruising through built-up areas as they can be very interesting, and there is always something to look at. Just as we were approaching Sale, we were attacked by a psycho swan, presumably guarding his mate on a nest somewhere nearby, although we failed to spot it – he wasn’t letting up until we were out of his territory. He would accompany us for a few yards, then drop back and then fly at us from behind. He did this again and again until we were clear and he no longer deemed us a threat. Just after Sale, we waved goodbye to Karen and Ian and continued on our way into the centre of Manchester, to moor at Castlefields Quay.

Psycho swan

The Old

And the new in Sale

Long, straight stretch of canal through Sale

Aqueduct over the baby river Mersey

Friends parting at Waters Meeting

Old Trafford (cough, spit!)

Our mooring at Castlefields Quay

11 miles and 0 locks