Week 6 253 miles 215 locks

17:32 27/06/2009 8.17 miles 10 locks
Good cruising day, spaced out locks which feel easier than when they are all together - Penkridge locks fills so slowly that I had time to nip to the paper shop, and it still wasn't full when I returned!

From 2009 Cruise

And after yesterdays rain it somehow feels 'fresher', less humid. Not much sun today but miles more canal with hair raising bends, one of which the gps said was 303 degrees. It felt like a complete circle.


16:42 26/06/2009 6.3 miles 1 lock

From 2009 Cruise

And weren't we lucky today, forecasts of thunderstorms at any moment, but they missed us until we had moored for the day - now it really is raining we a vengeance - knocks out the tennis too! The trip is interesting with only one 'stop' lock (between different canals so they didn't steal each other's water), round the corner and on to the Staffs and Worcs canal, and then a very narrow cutting in which you hope to meet no one, we did but luckily right at the far end, so he reversed back. Then miles of winding canal, some bends right angles, one or two feel about 270 degrees.

15:22 25/06/2009 10.2 miles 1 lock
Cool cloudy start, but the sun gradually came through the clouds and warmed things up. We set off for Wheaton Aston for cheap diesel, 49.3p/litre (plus tax for propulsion use), but having a generator and diesel heating you can claim for those, so not all of it is taxed!

From 2009 Cruise

Then down through one of the manner cuttings on this canal, not too gloomy today, but on a dark winters day they must be quite dam and cold. On through Brewood (pronounced Brood) for water and the only lock today, reached the mooring just after 1.30. While digging on the bank Bella managed her second dip in the canal!

19:08 24/06/2009 9.95 miles 0 locks
Sun, Sun glorious Sun! Blue skies all day, just what we needed for a good cruise, no locks and only a narrow shallow cutting to slow things down. Services at Norbury Junction after a long wait and then on to Gnosall Heath, rather busy there but we found moorings OK. Went for a shop and a quick pint and then a BBQ. Jay (dog from Whistler) had picked up a tick, but the village vet was close so they quickly removed it, and sold little plastic tools to remove the one. Apparently you have to rotate them so all the legs face the same way and then they come out cleanly.

From 2009 Cruise

16:32 23/06/2009 8.37 miles 12 locks
Glutons for punishment, we did another great batch of locks today. Out of the Audlem moorings at 9 and through the last two locks and then on to the 5 at Addeley, fairly fast water again, but no disasters. On to Market Drayton and a quick rubbish and dog stop, Whistler was just round the corner at this point. On up to the next 5 locks at Tyrley. These are set in a deep rocky cutting with little room to spare, so little in fact that as we approached the bottom lock we saw two boats stuck! The boat coming out was wedged against the rock face by the boat about to come in, both of them caught by the strong flow of water. We kept back well out of the way until they had sorted themselves out. Four more locks after this, not quite as fierce but two boats 'pinched ' locks from us instead of waiting which slowed us up. By the time we reached the mooring Whistler had been settled in for more than an hour.

17:10 22/06/2009 4.93 miles 13 locks.
From Hack Green to Audlem, lots of dead straight (boring) canal and then a large flight of locks. We stopped at the bottom for water, and then in the town for shopping, more excellent meat from the butcher (open on a Monday!) fresh veg from a 'deli'. The locks are quite easy, just a lot of them and at one locks the boat was hit by the 'bywash or overflow and tried to turn sideways in the canal, not being wide enough it jambed. I went back to help, and with full power and help with a rope from the bank we eventually got control back. Exciting at the time! Most of these locks are the same, the spare water from the pound above rushes down a shoot and pours in just below the lock to hit the boat on one side as it is attempting to
negotiate the narrow lock entrance.

17:42 21/06/2009 4.7 miles 2 locks
Still no sun, but it didn't really rain either, so no complaints. Saw our first Kingfisher having travelled all this way. It was being chased by a Moorhen, that is when you wish for a fast camera (or any camera that is ready!). We saw a second one later. Travelled down through Nantwich, the scene of our towing in reverse last week - month - one loses touch with time out here. Very peaceful on a Sunday morning.

From 2009 Cruise

We ended up mooring at Hack Green, the site of a 'Secret Nuclear Bunker', not ver secret now as it is open to visitors and full of frightening things about the Cold War era and what might happen if we were attacked. Very interesting though and well worth a visit.

From 2009 Cruise

17:39 20/06/2009 0 miles 0 locks
Day of rest - walked up the locks at Hurleston a couple of times with Bella, poor weather. We watched the tennis finals from Eastbourne, and read a book or two. Let's hope the weather is more cheerful tomorrow.

Week 5 200 miles 175 locks in total

17:27 19/06/2009 8.86 miles 2 locks
Well what a windy day! Felt as if we would be blown away at times, certainly not safe to wear a cap. We made good progress despite the weather, only two locks. Stopped at Venetian marina between locks to change a gas bottle, they suggested that a slightly larger bottle would fit, and with some lateral thinking, they were right, so now I can buy gas at a better rate. Took on water at Barbridge junction and joined the main Shroppie Canal again, mooring at Hurleston junction by the Llangollen. We may stay here for a day especially if it is still as windy.

16:12 18/06/2009 4.93 miles 6 locks
Weather better today - off to Middlewich, good run, busy canal, lots of boats headed for the folk festival. Arrived at the big double lock, nearly first in the queue. The single locks beyond that had lots of boats waiting, but that meant helpers all around. Middlewich itself was chaos as usual, hire boats tied up 2 or three deep blocking the canal. Chris ahead of me managed to set the lock right on the junction for me, so we sailed around the worst bit in no time at all. No moorings available for shopping, eventually stopped on a mud bank and Mary went off. I bought diesel off a travelling barge and discussed the state of the world. Despite rumours the 'tax man' is looking at the red diesel sales and checking up, a number of itinerant suppliers like our one have given up due to the paper work. Moored above 'Winsford Top Flash', part of the Weaver Navigation.

15:16 17/06/2009 8.01 miles 0 locks

From 2009 Cruise

Back to our mooring at bridge 176, it would have been a lovely return trip through pleasant countryside, including a 'wide' and wildlife, but it rained. We have been lucky up to now, but today was the weather's revenge. We ploughed on through rain so hard I could hardly see, the combination of steamed up glasses and falling rain limited visibility, luckily there was not much traffic, sensible people staying moored, but we had to move off the 24hr moorings. The rained stopped just before 3 so Bella has been out and the Sat dish is up, for how long I don't know, I suspect the wind will move it before long.

17:58 16/06/2009 7.96 miles 0 locks

From 2009 Cruise

Good fast trip to Anderton, through wide winding canal. Busy at Anderton, we booked to go down in a couple of hours, but then crew mutinied and we changed plans. Chris and I went for a boat trip along the Weaver and up the lift, the ladies sat and rested!

From 2009 Cruise

19:13 15/06/2009 8.71 miles 6 locks.
Off to see if Middlwich is busy, it wasn't bad before the junction with the Trent and Mersey, apart from a small accident with a Black Price hireboat that didn't seem to notice I was already going through a 'narrow' when he tried to do the same! I reversed rapidly and mainly avoided him - he made no comment!
Once through the lock at the junction it was very congested as there are two hire boat fleets based here, and boats collecting for a folk festival next weekend. The promised thunderstorm didn't reach us so we ploughed on to find a mooring about two hours away from the Anderton lift, our target tomorrow.

19:12 14/06/2009 0 miles 0 locks
Day off, weather good, plenty of sun. Canal traffic busy, as it was the weekend and just outside a marina. We planned to sit it out until Monday when it might be less busy.

From 2009 Cruise

19:58 13/06/2009 2.5 miles (!!) 2 locks
Slow day - busy weekend on the Middlewich Branch, the wrong time to move - queued for 1.5 hours to get through each lock, went for services aqnd found their tank was full, so moved on the the new Marina At Church Minshull, we moored outside here last year and were woken by the sound of diggers at 7.30 in the morning. This year they are open and full, with a waiting list. Had to wait behind a hire boat, and then found they had the slowest(smallest) pump, but never mind, friendly staff. Whistler had gone on ahead to find the best 'grass'. We found them a bit later exactly where we moored last year. Nice site complete with picnic table. BBQ in the evening and toasted marsh mallows.

From 2009 Cruise

Week 4

17:45 12/06/2009 6.73 miles 6 locks (inc 3 lock staircase)
And so the gang set off through beautiful countryside and glorious weather! Today was what boating was all about. Two crews to work the wide locks, people coming out the lock or waiting to come in so only half the gate opening/shutting. The staircase was interesting due to the Angry Welsh (Anglo) hire base at the bottom taking up all the space, moored two deep, and two boats coming out to meet us. But all went well, and up we went. We are now moored on the Shropshire Union Middlewich Branch just round the corner from Barbridge junction. Services tomorrow and on to Middlewich for a shop. Again I hear you say! But remember we need fresh food and have a small fridge and even smaller freezer box in it.

19:59 11/06/2009 14.02 miles 8 locks
What a day - the rain had stopped after at least six hours of it yesterday, and we set off for Chester and the staircase lock, travelling with the same hire boat we came down with. Slight chaos at the locks, they stopped for water which delayed us entering the locks, the boat at the top wanted to come down, and 'new what he was doing'.

From 2009 Cruise

This involved leaving a paddle open and putting far too much water in to the locks, sorted in the end and off we went.

From 2009 Cruise

To Tesco's again! Then to the locks where a young lad offered to help, he was local and had just finished exams. So he helped right through the locks and we gave him a lift close to home. If all youth were like him. We ploughed on making up for lost time earlier in the week and taking advantage
of the lovely sunshine. Arrived at our chosen mooring to find Whistler there before us, having sailed this far and turned around. So the gang are all together again ready for the cruise to continue as planned.

From 2009 Cruise

17:54 10/06/2009 8.88 miles 0 locks
Off down to Ellesmere Port boat museum today, lousy forecast so kitted out with best wet weather gear, no rain at all! Very flat country, looks like a flood plain, excellent views of refineries and other industrial works. Had rocks thrown at us at one point but only one hit.
The museum was very interesting, a huge site with plenty of building and things to see.

From 2009 Cruise

It rained whilst we were having coffee, but the journey back was dry, although since then we have had a thunder storm and lots of rain, too much for the sat. dish, so no tennis.

17:28 09/06/2009 7.69 miles 8 locks inc 3 lock staircase
Off to Chester, a very historic place, the walk around the walls is much recommended - we declined the exercise! Shopped again instead. Fascinating mixtures of old, rebuilt and brand new buildings. The staircase locks under the city wall is something to behold, immediately followed by a right angle bend. Luckily we teamed up with a large hire boat with crew to spare, almost the only traffic along this stretch, must find out when they are going back!

Bella met cows close up today, she was not impressed, tail between legs and a quiet 'woof' as we left them. Where has the summer gone? No rain, but distinctly chilly today.

17:56 08/06/2009 6.07 miles 0 locks
Sat around in the morning enjoying a dry day and views over the fields to Beeston Castle (ruin).

From 2009 Cruise

Curlews in the field at night and apparently a Barn Owl, seen by our neighbours. There are nest boxes for them on the top of poles all along the canal. Then a pleasant run in near sunshine (can you have near sunshine?) along a gently winding canal section. Now moored outside Waverton just outside Chester, so it is an early start tomorrow and off to Chester and Tesco's.

From 2009 Cruise

16:51 07/06/2009 3.63 miles 6 locks.
Good start in bright sky - almost saw the sun! Double locks again, Luckily there was quite a bit of traffic so easy to share the locks, which always makes life easier. Lovely canal with rolling hills and woods. One of the locks was a unique 'cast iron' one (photo on the way back when it is not raining). Although a double, a BW warning says not to use it as such as 'due to the construction' two boats may get stuck!!
We are now moored at Wharton's Lock below Beeston Castle, an an impressive looking crag.

17:39 06/06/2009 3.21 miles 0 locks
Frustrating day spent in the rain, we moved slowly up past Hurlestone junction and the Llangollen to Barbridge junction and the Middlewich Branch of the Shroppie we will be taking later. Nothing much to see as it was so wet and miserable, we soon gave up and moored.
Whistler is still without an alternator so we will be going on without them tomorrow.

Week 3

16:26 05/06/2009 0 miles 0 locks
Sitting around day - windows cleaned, rust painted, more washing done. Plenty of sitting in the sun. Grey sky now, so we have retreated inside to watch tennis.

20:55 04/06/2009 6.18 miles 2 locks
Lashed the two boats nose to tail and set of at 8.45, three miles and 2 locks to Nantwich basin where and engineer awaited us. At the locks we let a boat overtake as we tied back together and he kindly carried on in front warning those coming the other way that a towed boat was following. This made negotiating bridge holes and blind corners much easier. So apart from a napton hire boat that panicked and ended up broadside on to us all went well. Once at the arm we had to work backwards round a hairpin bend and reverse a few hundred yards - interesting.

From 2009 Cruise

We left Whistler there and carried on to find a mooring. The good news is that not ALL the wiring is burnt out, the bad news was a new alternator is required, possibly tomorrow or saturday. We will wait here a day and see. We can walk up the Llangollen for exercise.

From 2009 Cruise

19:59 03/06/2009 3.11 miles 13 locks
Another interesting day!
The plan was to tackle the locks to Audlem shops, stock up, especially from the best butcher this side of Long Buckby. All of that went fine. We moved off through the rest of the locks and on to find a mooring. On the way found the answer to last years huge cluster of ducks around a bridge, today a woman was there feeding them with bags - and bags - of bread.
Anyway we moored and Chris did his daily check to ensure the alternator was not falling off again - this time it was much more serious, the wiring loom had melted! No signs of fire no smell but clearly a melted loom. This does not bode well for our combined journey. Luckily we are within 3 miles and two locks of Nantwich boatyard, so the plan is either under his own steam (fire?) or being towed Chris willmove his boat there, and await their verdict.
But as some compensation, the sun came out this evening and we all had a great BBQ with meat from the butcher.

14:10 02/06/2009 8.51 miles 12 locks.
'Saved by the Fire Brigade'!
Early start to get through Woodseaves cutting and up to the locks at Tyrley before the rush, the cutting is one of those minimal jobs, cut out as little rock as possible, and hope two boats don't meet. We had a clear run, although the temperature was cold compared to out in the sunshine. No problem with the lock, so on past Market Drayton to Adderley locks. Another 5 done and only two more before stopping for the day. Then came the problem, Chris and Helen on Whistler were ahead of us and sailed through fine. When we came to open the bottom gate of the first lock it stuck, try again same result, ask for help from strong young man in boat behind, same result. He called up more of his crew and eventually four hefty, as it turned out firemen, shifted it. Thanks Dudley fire service!

From 2009 Cruise

An evening visitor!

18:16 01/06/2009 7.41 miles 0 locks
I forgot about the swarm of bees yesterday - there Bella and I were minding our own business when this loud buzzing started, and the sky went dark! Slight exageration, but a very visible swarm flew low over our heads, so load other boats heard the noise.
Chris and Helen joined us again this morning and we cruised on up the Shroppie, through wooded sections, cuttings in the rock, and our first sight of the Welsh hills.
The boat looked so dusty this afternoon that I washed one side, the other will have to wait until the tow path changes sides.

19:15 31/05/2009 4.1 miles 0 locks
6am dog walk, unfortunately before the paper shop opens on a Sunday. Another very hot day, we headed of for services at Norbury Junction to find it extremely busy, all the half term holiday makers must be returning - we had to wait for 1.5 hours. We once again left Chris and Helen waiting for an engineer, as the bolts had fallen out of the alternator! They are now repaired and setting off to join us tomorrow. Watching the tennis from Paris now.

17:25 30/05/2009 10.5 miles 1 lock
Busy day, in glorious sun. A reminder of what it was like for us all those years ago when we first met a lock! In front of us was a family on a 'Napton boat' - where we used to hire, wondering what to do at the lock. Soon sorted, and on they went. We all stopped for water, we needed gallons as the washing machine has been in constant use. Then on to the 'cheap' garage selling 'red' diesel 121 litres for £70.7 According to the spreadsheet that works out at 1.72 litres/hour. This garage is incredibly popular, due to low prices, and hence very busy, boats were queued up all over the place.
We are now moored at Gnosall Heath, washing hung out in the sun.