Full Google Route
This link should give those of you with access to Google Earth (sorry old Mac users) our complete journey including the shopping trips (!) and train ride to the Horse Shoe Falls at Llangollen.
And here are all the photos.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Saturday, July 05, 2008
Route logging
Last Google Earth -28juneto5july.kml
As you will have noticed we have been logging our daily route and publishing it as a Google Earth file.
This has been done with the aid of a small box of electronics called a GPS bug (eBAY).
Then this data has been processed using LOCR to put the lat/long info in to the header of the photos - it is missing on some of them, I had trouble uploading photos at the beginning of the journey, and lost the info whilst editing.
The 'bug' can be set to turn on and off by vibration, or only work above a certain speed. Wonderful for use in a car but turned out not to be useful on a boat! So in the end I set it to record data every 30 seconds and just started it before we left in the mornings, and tried to remember to stop it when we finished for the day,
The only problem we encountered was after a tunnel you need to allow time to re-acquire the satellites or the logging stops.
I can give more details to anyone who wants it.
As you will have noticed we have been logging our daily route and publishing it as a Google Earth file.
This has been done with the aid of a small box of electronics called a GPS bug (eBAY).
Then this data has been processed using LOCR to put the lat/long info in to the header of the photos - it is missing on some of them, I had trouble uploading photos at the beginning of the journey, and lost the info whilst editing.
The 'bug' can be set to turn on and off by vibration, or only work above a certain speed. Wonderful for use in a car but turned out not to be useful on a boat! So in the end I set it to record data every 30 seconds and just started it before we left in the mornings, and tried to remember to stop it when we finished for the day,
The only problem we encountered was after a tunnel you need to allow time to re-acquire the satellites or the logging stops.
I can give more details to anyone who wants it.
Final stretch
18:26 05/07/2008 5.19 miles 7 locks
very wet start to the day so didn't hurry. Then made a dry run up to the Watford flight, we were second in the queue to go up with 5 coming down. This took about an hour as nothing can hurry progress through the locks. Eventually we cleared the locks and headed for the Crick tunnel (wet as usual) and our home mooring. Just got back in time to beat the rain.
Sitting quietly in the marina now gathering our strength for all the packing and tidying up required.
Water here does not need to be boiled!
very wet start to the day so didn't hurry. Then made a dry run up to the Watford flight, we were second in the queue to go up with 5 coming down. This took about an hour as nothing can hurry progress through the locks. Eventually we cleared the locks and headed for the Crick tunnel (wet as usual) and our home mooring. Just got back in time to beat the rain.
Sitting quietly in the marina now gathering our strength for all the packing and tidying up required.
Water here does not need to be boiled!
Possible water problems
19:54 03/07/2008 8.3 miles 3 locks (Hillmorton)
Easy passage through the locks, thanks to boats coming the other way, then the long straight through Barby and on towards Braunston. Hit by a tremendous heavy rain storm, with as usual nowhere to moor, so plugged on. Eventually it stopped and we were in Braunston looking for mooring by 1.30. We were going for water but of course we are now in the region on Anglian Water affected by the 'bug' so decided not to take any on board as we have enough and as the notices on the taps say ' there are no current recommendations for flushing and cleaning boats tank to remove the contaminated water' I wonder what is happening back home in Long Buckby? We will soon find out as we will probably be home by Sunday.
Easy passage through the locks, thanks to boats coming the other way, then the long straight through Barby and on towards Braunston. Hit by a tremendous heavy rain storm, with as usual nowhere to moor, so plugged on. Eventually it stopped and we were in Braunston looking for mooring by 1.30. We were going for water but of course we are now in the region on Anglian Water affected by the 'bug' so decided not to take any on board as we have enough and as the notices on the taps say ' there are no current recommendations for flushing and cleaning boats tank to remove the contaminated water' I wonder what is happening back home in Long Buckby? We will soon find out as we will probably be home by Sunday.
Seeing old friends at Rose
17:06 02/07/2008 10.7 miles
Ansty to Rugby, stopping as usual to top up the larder at Tesco. Unevenful journey through pleasant country. Usual busy scene at Rose narrowboats, we managed a brief word with Mick (and Crystal) on Ruffian, and later saw Phil from the Marina on his way up there for lunch. Moored as usual by the golf course, not quite nice enough for a BBQ
Ansty to Rugby, stopping as usual to top up the larder at Tesco. Unevenful journey through pleasant country. Usual busy scene at Rose narrowboats, we managed a brief word with Mick (and Crystal) on Ruffian, and later saw Phil from the Marina on his way up there for lunch. Moored as usual by the golf course, not quite nice enough for a BBQ
Greenfield site developments
17:43 01/07/2008 12.6 miles 1 (small) lock
Left our pleasant mooring for the journey through Nuneaton and Bedworth, we were interested to see on the way up the redevelopment being done on what was an old quarry, and took the opportunity coming back to ask a worker there what was happening, he said housing eventually, but having filled the hole they have to wait a couple of years to let it settle before building.
Hawkesbury was busy, it is always a tight turn off the Coventry through the stop lock, this time complicated by a large trip boat out of the Coventry basin moored outside the pub.
Left our pleasant mooring for the journey through Nuneaton and Bedworth, we were interested to see on the way up the redevelopment being done on what was an old quarry, and took the opportunity coming back to ask a worker there what was happening, he said housing eventually, but having filled the hole they have to wait a couple of years to let it settle before building.
Hawkesbury was busy, it is always a tight turn off the Coventry through the stop lock, this time complicated by a large trip boat out of the Coventry basin moored outside the pub.
Assisted passage through Atherton locks
15:48 30/06/2008 5.1 miles 11 locks
Lovely clear blue sky greeted us this morning, a good start to the locks. Arrived at the bottom lock at 10 to find Chris and Helen waiting to assist us through, they had kindly volunteered to drive from their nearby home to help.
Quite a bit a traffic up and down which always helps, and more water than when we went the other way many weeks ago.
By 12.30 we were out the other end of the locks and wishing saying thanks to our assistants. A short cruise later we moored in the countryside, able to sit and enjoy the sunshine (and the tennis).
Lovely clear blue sky greeted us this morning, a good start to the locks. Arrived at the bottom lock at 10 to find Chris and Helen waiting to assist us through, they had kindly volunteered to drive from their nearby home to help.
Quite a bit a traffic up and down which always helps, and more water than when we went the other way many weeks ago.
By 12.30 we were out the other end of the locks and wishing saying thanks to our assistants. A short cruise later we moored in the countryside, able to sit and enjoy the sunshine (and the tennis).
Expensive diesel (Crick is only 85p)
20:03 29/06/2008 17.3 miles 2 locks 7.5 hours
Early start for the long journey down to Atherstone locks. Mixed weather mainly dry and cloudy. Used Streethay services for the first time, Diesel now up to 95p a litre - just wait till November when the tax regime changes.
Watered at Fazeley Junction, and continued on through torrential rain to moor below Polesworth within easy reach of the locks at Atherstone tomorrow. Pleasant weather resumed with a nice sunny evening.
Early start for the long journey down to Atherstone locks. Mixed weather mainly dry and cloudy. Used Streethay services for the first time, Diesel now up to 95p a litre - just wait till November when the tax regime changes.
Watered at Fazeley Junction, and continued on through torrential rain to moor below Polesworth within easy reach of the locks at Atherstone tomorrow. Pleasant weather resumed with a nice sunny evening.
Shopping again and on to Fradley Junction
19:59 28/06/2008 14.2 miles 5 locks
Said goodbye to Tixall Wide at 9 and returned to the mainline, hoped for services at Haywood junction, but it was hireboat changeover time so we carried on.
Pleasant weather, a smal amount of traffic at the next 3 locks to keep us company.
Shopped at Morrisons in Rugeley, this should see us through to the end (bet we stop at Tescos in Rugby)
Kings Bromley Marina was closed for services so we carried on again, reaching Fradley Junction late afternoon,
to find little boat traffic but no moorings close to the junction. We knew of a mooring outside the busy area however and were soon settled in watching tennis again.
Said goodbye to Tixall Wide at 9 and returned to the mainline, hoped for services at Haywood junction, but it was hireboat changeover time so we carried on.
Pleasant weather, a smal amount of traffic at the next 3 locks to keep us company.
Shopped at Morrisons in Rugeley, this should see us through to the end (bet we stop at Tescos in Rugby)
Kings Bromley Marina was closed for services so we carried on again, reaching Fradley Junction late afternoon,
to find little boat traffic but no moorings close to the junction. We knew of a mooring outside the busy area however and were soon settled in watching tennis again.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Tixall and a day of rest
Latest Google Earth route-
15:32 26/06/2008 7.29 miles 3 locks
Left the mooring passing a very posh house with lawns down to the canal side and a man in the distance riding his mower.
And so back to Tixall Wide exactly four weeks since we were last here. As we arrived late lunchtime the moorings were very busy and we just managed to squeeze in.
The evening was spent having a 'goodbye' meal with our friends from the trip Helen and Chris, they leave us in the morning to return to their mooring at Kings Bromley just a short trip away. It has been nice having company for the last few weeks.
We sat out the next day having waved Chris and Helen off. Pub lunch and watched the tennis. The real journey home starts tomorrow.
15:32 26/06/2008 7.29 miles 3 locks
Left the mooring passing a very posh house with lawns down to the canal side and a man in the distance riding his mower.
And so back to Tixall Wide exactly four weeks since we were last here. As we arrived late lunchtime the moorings were very busy and we just managed to squeeze in.
The evening was spent having a 'goodbye' meal with our friends from the trip Helen and Chris, they leave us in the morning to return to their mooring at Kings Bromley just a short trip away. It has been nice having company for the last few weeks.
We sat out the next day having waved Chris and Helen off. Pub lunch and watched the tennis. The real journey home starts tomorrow.
Rain and Stone locks
17:08 25/06/2008 6.6 miles 9 locks
9.30 start, Mary went to collect milk and papers, by the time she came back it was time for the rain coats as we had a really heavy rainstorm. I battled on, unable to see due to rain on the outside and steam on the inside of my glasses!
Eventually the rain stopped and we tackled the Meaford flight of locks. Some of these were very heavy. We noticed that the broken towpath in one place still (after 4 years) had the orange safety barrier up with no sign of repairs, instead a lot of work had gone in to re-routing the path across the lock and up the other side.
A short cruise later we came to the first of the Stone locks. This is a traditional boat building place and still has boatbuilders in evidence.
After what seemed a long day we found nice moorings just outside Burston village - which boasts a nice village pond with private fishing and a Pub banished to the outskirts.
The sun is shining and all is right with the world!
9.30 start, Mary went to collect milk and papers, by the time she came back it was time for the rain coats as we had a really heavy rainstorm. I battled on, unable to see due to rain on the outside and steam on the inside of my glasses!
Eventually the rain stopped and we tackled the Meaford flight of locks. Some of these were very heavy. We noticed that the broken towpath in one place still (after 4 years) had the orange safety barrier up with no sign of repairs, instead a lot of work had gone in to re-routing the path across the lock and up the other side.
A short cruise later we came to the first of the Stone locks. This is a traditional boat building place and still has boatbuilders in evidence.
After what seemed a long day we found nice moorings just outside Burston village - which boasts a nice village pond with private fishing and a Pub banished to the outskirts.
The sun is shining and all is right with the world!
The Tunnel and Stoke Potteries
17:36 24/06/2008 11.4 miles Harecastle Tunnel 7 locks
7am start (!!!) - through one lock and in to the queue for the tunnel - this was plotted the evening before, as the tunnel opens at 8am and you need to be in the line so the tunnel keeper can count you and tell the other end how many he has, the one with the longest queue gets to send his boats through first. As it turned out only 4 boats were there for our journey south and tree waiting for us to emerge 35 minutes later at the other end.
Whistler leaving Harecastle
a 'challenged' Challenger
After that it was on down through Longport, Middleport and Etruria. This is Stoke on Trent country, and the potteries so there is plenty of Industrial Heritage to see. Bottle Kilns and potteries old and derelict, as well as new and in use.
A lot of work is going on in the Canal area and the whole area has improved tremendously over the years.
Finally through the last lock and past the Wedgewood Factory to moor at Barlaston.
Bottlekilns
Waste China
7am start (!!!) - through one lock and in to the queue for the tunnel - this was plotted the evening before, as the tunnel opens at 8am and you need to be in the line so the tunnel keeper can count you and tell the other end how many he has, the one with the longest queue gets to send his boats through first. As it turned out only 4 boats were there for our journey south and tree waiting for us to emerge 35 minutes later at the other end.
Whistler leaving Harecastle
a 'challenged' ChallengerAfter that it was on down through Longport, Middleport and Etruria. This is Stoke on Trent country, and the potteries so there is plenty of Industrial Heritage to see. Bottle Kilns and potteries old and derelict, as well as new and in use.
A lot of work is going on in the Canal area and the whole area has improved tremendously over the years.
Finally through the last lock and past the Wedgewood Factory to moor at Barlaston.
Bottlekilns
Waste China
Up to Harecastle
19:24 23/06/2008 3.97 miles 12 locks
Good weather - lots of locks, some working pairs - some being mended and some totally abandoned and filled in.
Arrived in time for a late lunch and a shopping trip to Tesco.
The plan is to make a 7am start tomorrow and up through the next lock to be in the Harecastle Tunnel queue in time for the forst run through in the morning.
Good weather - lots of locks, some working pairs - some being mended and some totally abandoned and filled in.
Arrived in time for a late lunch and a shopping trip to Tesco.
The plan is to make a 7am start tomorrow and up through the next lock to be in the Harecastle Tunnel queue in time for the forst run through in the morning.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Weather delays
22/08/2008 sat out the wind!!
21/06/2008 sat out the rain
14:02 20/06/2008 2.45 miles
Left Wheelock to tackle the first 10 (or so) locks on the way to Harecastle Tunel. Aimed for Hassel Green, a pleasant spot with cheap diesel and a small shop. But it was within loud hearing range of the M6 so we moved on a couple more locks to find a slightly quieter mooring. The weather held and we kept dry although the forecast wasn't too good.
21/06/2008 sat out the rain
14:02 20/06/2008 2.45 miles
Left Wheelock to tackle the first 10 (or so) locks on the way to Harecastle Tunel. Aimed for Hassel Green, a pleasant spot with cheap diesel and a small shop. But it was within loud hearing range of the M6 so we moved on a couple more locks to find a slightly quieter mooring. The weather held and we kept dry although the forecast wasn't too good.
Fish and Chips
19:35 19/06/2008 6.18 miles
Off early(ish) to get out of the Shropshire Union and on to the Trent and Mersey at Kings Lock - mad blind junction with two locks at right angles with a bridge blocking the view and complicated by a water point and Chandlery. That all safely negotiated it was off south through 'industrial' Cheshire including the 'salt mines'.
Moored for the night at Wheelock and had a Fish and Chip supper.
Off early(ish) to get out of the Shropshire Union and on to the Trent and Mersey at Kings Lock - mad blind junction with two locks at right angles with a bridge blocking the view and complicated by a water point and Chandlery. That all safely negotiated it was off south through 'industrial' Cheshire including the 'salt mines'.
Moored for the night at Wheelock and had a Fish and Chip supper.
Forced to move on
15:41 18/06/2008 6.2 miles
We had intended to sit the day out due to the bad weather forcast, but the noise of machinery changed our minds and we set of in threatening weather to head towards Middlewich. In fact it stayed dry and we had a pleasant run. Finding a mooring before the last lock within easy walk of Safeway. (Shopping again). This was the only time we got wet, as coming back laden with bags the heavens opened.
We had intended to sit the day out due to the bad weather forcast, but the noise of machinery changed our minds and we set of in threatening weather to head towards Middlewich. In fact it stayed dry and we had a pleasant run. Finding a mooring before the last lock within easy walk of Safeway. (Shopping again). This was the only time we got wet, as coming back laden with bags the heavens opened.
And out
17/06/2008 5.94 & 2.2 miles 
Reasonable day, set off early to tackle the last run down the Llangollen through a couple of locks and then the final flight of four at Hurleston Junction. Mary had to brave wizzing out of the last lock and joining the main Shropshire Union going north by herself - as the Llangollen locks are not very 'crew friendly' going this way, there is nowhere to get back on the boat! We cruised on up and moored just above a lock to wait to go through and in to the services in the morning. We walked along to have a look and browse the Chandlery, casually asking what time they were open in the morning only to be told that as all the staff were at the Cheshire show, they might not be! Hence the move down through the lock, services and on for a couple of miles to a mooring. Just by a new marina being built, it brought back memories of Crick's extension, with heavy plant working until the light went and off again at 7am in the morning.
Reasonable day, set off early to tackle the last run down the Llangollen through a couple of locks and then the final flight of four at Hurleston Junction. Mary had to brave wizzing out of the last lock and joining the main Shropshire Union going north by herself - as the Llangollen locks are not very 'crew friendly' going this way, there is nowhere to get back on the boat! We cruised on up and moored just above a lock to wait to go through and in to the services in the morning. We walked along to have a look and browse the Chandlery, casually asking what time they were open in the morning only to be told that as all the staff were at the Cheshire show, they might not be! Hence the move down through the lock, services and on for a couple of miles to a mooring. Just by a new marina being built, it brought back memories of Crick's extension, with heavy plant working until the light went and off again at 7am in the morning.
Nearly out of llangollen
6:00 16/06/2008 5.59.miles (liftbridge)
No more sitting around - off to Wrenbury shopping (again) via a manual lift bridge, and then a powered version - the operator gets the feeling of great power as they stop the road traffic and lift the bridge.
On for a few more locks to moor at Baddiley, just before the next set of locks. Weather reasonable but getting a bit cloudy.
No more sitting around - off to Wrenbury shopping (again) via a manual lift bridge, and then a powered version - the operator gets the feeling of great power as they stop the road traffic and lift the bridge.
On for a few more locks to moor at Baddiley, just before the next set of locks. Weather reasonable but getting a bit cloudy.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)