Week 8 and home

Total of 302 miles 141 locks

14:40 26/07/2010 3.57 miles 7 locks

And so to home! In the rain, not serious but made Watford locks more interesting!

Only a couple of boats in front of us in the queue, so we soon made it to the top and off through the tunnel back to our mooring. It seems strange to be back here at Crick after all this time away, still it will be nice to go home and see the state of the garden.

(later) Bushes all growing out of control despite the work of alison to cut them back, and we now have cows just over the fence, much to Bella's excitement.

17:23 25/07/2010 5.24 miles 6 locks

Sunday morning madness had set in and by the time we reached the Braunston flight there was a big queue, so we floated around for our turn, eventually locking through with a boatload of young families ( 6 adult 5 children) out for a long weekend, they had been told to 'see the tunnel', which of course involves doing all the locks twice, before returning the boat tomorrow. Now moored at Norton junction ready for the last run home tomorrow through Watford locks.

17:18 24/07/2010 7.23 miles 3 locks

Strange lack of wildlife around here, plenty of cows however! Proper herds all of one type unlike the ratbag collection we have in Buckby. Enough traffic at Hilmorton to make the locks easy, including a young mum who raced everywhere on her bike and insisted on helping us through the locks. We found a pleasant mooring outside Braunston and watched hireboats wizzing by.

19:34 23/07/2010 10.5 miles

Very slow run down to Rugby, a queue of 5 or 6 boats behind a Rose day boat, it eventually moored at Newbold - on the water point and went to the pub! Still it was a great relief to get out from behind them. They reapeared late afternoon having found the throttle thundering back towards Rose to return the boat before the end of the day. We shopped in Tesco and moved on to the golf course to moor for the night. The weather gradually improved with the sun coming out late afternoon.

16:51 22/07/2010 12.6 miles 1 lock

Today's cruise is through Nuneaton outskirts, not very inspiring, but suprisingly clean in the canal, I only counted one bike, and a water tank that had fallen off an allotment! Bedworth is even less inspiring eventually going past the large waterside rubbish dump (sorry it pretends to be a working boatyard), a huge school and finally a golf course, before we hairpin round at Hawksbury junction off the Coventry canal on to the North Oxford. As we pssed through the stop lock the heavens opened and we had steady rain for a short time with thunder in the background. It soon stopped however and we were able to moor in Ansty in the dry. Very tame Moorhen here it keeps trying to come inside the boat.

16:52 21/07/2010 4.61 miles 11 locks

Glorious day, mainly sunny with a bit of wind, headed off for Atherstone flight, and within the space of one lock saw Chris and Helen walking down the other way - what a difference having them around makes. Even so the locks fill extremely slowly, and at the beginning there was little traffic in the opposite direction, so it took around four hours. We rewarded ourselves with chips from the 'chippy'. We are now sitting near the BW Hartshill yard in the evening sun, drink in hand. What a hard life.

18:56 20/07/2010 10.9 miles 2 locks

Well don't speak too soon but we had an excellent days cruising, weather forecast horrible, we had warm air, sun and no rain! And talk about lucky, Glascote locks which had huge queues coming this way went we went down them, had no traffic at all, so we quickly zipped through ( quickly is not quite the word here they are the slowest locks to fill I think I've ever met). Not much wildlife around here, its strange how some parts of the canal have ducks, geese, kingfishers and moorens in abundance, whilst others hardly any. Tommorrow we pray for a fine day as Atherstone locks are hard work in the wet (or dry)!

20:19 19/07/2010 8.91 miles 3 locks

First away from our moorings in nice sunny weather, but we were in for a shock, the bottom Fradley Junction lock had a queue, 5 or 6 boats long. By the time we got through what felt like hours later there were even more boats in the queue. No idea why, but probably not helped by no boats coming the other way - very strange. We took on water at the junction and then got stuck behind two boats competing to see how slow they could go! We do not go fast, but having to drop in to neutral to avoid catching them up is a bit much.

Week 7

17:23 17/07/2010
rest and recreation day in Tixall Wide.


17:26 16/07/2010 9 miles 7 locks
 Good run in somewhat blustery conditions, water level way down in some of the pounds, which slows  progress. BW are doing a good job with 'spot dredging' through bridge holes and lock entrances, the crew
 we saw when coming the other way at Tixall, have now advanced about two locks, but there is evidence of
 their work all along the canal. They were distracted this morning helping to remove fallen Willow trees,  the winds last night brought a few down. Part of the route goes through Acton Trussell, it looks and  expensive place to live, with new canalside houses with extensive smart gardens.

 20:03 15/07/2010 4.48 miles 5 locks
 Easy run down through Gailey. Looked bad at first, three boats at the locks in front of us. Luckily two  were taking on water and one was coming up. So all of a sudden we were first in the queue and away  through the locks. A couple more Kingfishers were spotted on the way, but nothing else of note. Moored  before the first of the Penkridge locks and met Jan for a pleasant lunch. Our mooring is opposite a  Moorhen nest, and we have spent a lot of time watching the male (?) bringing nesting materials, yellow  leaves, and only yellow, as well as various bits of green reeds. A Heron has fished next to that, and a  male swan has fought off Mallard chicks who might endanger his baby!

17:27 14/07/2010 9.17 miles 1 (stop) lock
 Made a good start as the weather forecast was foul, making good progress down the last of the straight  and narrow 'Shroppie', we will miss it when we turn the corner at Autherley Junction. Shopped at  Morrison's as usual and quickly turned out in to the Staff and Worcs Canal. More bends in the first two  miles than in the whole of the Shroppie!!. We decided to continue until the weather broke, but lunch  intervened and we moored just past Calf Heath Marina. It was damp on and off, but never really wet. We  have had sunshine since then, but now can hear thunder in the distance, so will batten down the hatches.

17:22 13/07/2010 10.1 miles 1 lock
 Last day with 'crew', but only one lock. Wheaton Aston was remarkably quiet, even the garage had no  customers. They have done a good job making a tidy landing stage, so filling up will be easier in  future. At the moment Norbury Junction are the same price, so no need to fill. We reached Brewood in  good time and were able to get Alison on to a 2pm Taxi, she was home via train to Birmingham by shortly  after 4pm. Worth remembering for the future. We moved on out of Brewood to Lower Pendeford farm moorings for the night,  eeing two or three Kingfishers as we went, so the cold winter did not kill them all off.

16:20 12/07/2010 9.66 miles 0 locks
 Woke up to rain, and it continued all day, so the 'man on the rudder' was left out in the rain whilst  the crew hid inside, very wise of them. A few other hardy souls out but mainly quiet with no excitement.  Services were taken at Norbury Junction as on the way out, a very pleasant and helpful staff. We soon  reached Gnosall  No-sull) and moored near a Pub for the night, and they serve food on Mondays so we  might be going out for a meal. Alison leaves us tomorrow, we will miss having crew.



16:15 11/07/2010 8.63 miles 12 locks
 Water looked a little low today, was that good, or bad? As it turned out good because the fierce by
 washes around the locks, first at Adderley and especially at Tyrley were almost entirely noticeable by
 not being there! It made the locks a much more pleasant experience. So much of this canal is on
 embankments or in cuttings as it is almost the only stretch of canal which did not follow the contour
 lines but plowed straight to its target.

Week 6

20:41 10/07/2010 3.95 miles 13 locks
Long flog to Audlem and back up the 13 locks, the ladies managed to shop whilst I was taking on water and chatting to Dave from Greensleeves. Very hot but overcast and muggy all day. Ended with a BBQ.

20:39 9/07/2010 2 miles 4 locks
Excellent quick trip down the Hack Green locks turn around and back up the locks with the gates all set for us by a following boat. Visited The 'Secret Nuclear Bunker', a possible seat of government in case of nuclear attack.

19:58 08/07/2010 3.2 miles 13 locks
Had a BW boat moored above us last night, guess what, in the morning they were broadside on across the canal, apparently not trying to turn just 'lost it'. 'We do know what we are doing they We were soon down the rest of the flight in to the Audlem moorings to set off shopping. Great place to shop Audlem, one of most things, and it is nice to see shops that were empty last year now with occupants. We were soon on our way again and through the last of the locks. We moored on a Shropshire Union Canal Soc. mooring before Hack Green. Mixed weather, no real rain, but not much sun.

16:05 07/07/2010 8.55 miles 12 locks
Early start from Goldstone Wharf hoping to beat the rush through Woodseaves cutting. We succeeded in this not meeting a single boat. The locks at Tyrley had just the right amount of traffic, one boat in each lock going each way, so we had a fast and uneventful passage despite the fierce bywashes. We soon passed Market Drayton and were soon in the 5 locks at Adderley, all without rain. The weather deteriorated then and as we came out of the last lock the rain really started, however we moved on down to the top 2 locks at Audlem, seeing 2 Kingfishers as we went. We are now safely moored with the rain having stopped and the sun trying to come out. What a difference having extra 'crew' makes to operating all those locks.

17:39 06/07/2010 9.99 miles
 Quick run in the sun up to Norbury Junction for the usual services and then on through the cutting, which starts with the interesting double arch with inset telegraph pole. Not much traffic and a nice stretch of canal. We started to list the birds seen so far, Herons, Crows, Kingfisher (1), Cormorant, Buzzard (see photo last week), Baby owl being harassed by Magpies, he was sitting tight on a pole. Swans, Ducks, Geese. Not doing too bad so far.The final stretch of the canal starts to give views over to Wales, not to be visited this year. Moored opposite the pub and tried for a phone signal, but rubbish, that's canal travel for you. Tomorrow we head through Woodseaves cutting (narrow) and then through 12 locks, so I suspect an early start and a good breakfast is called for.

20:06 05/07/2010 8.2 miles 1 lock
Moved on from Bridge 7 to Brewood to await the arrival of Alison, worked well, taxi delivered her just before 1, and we were soon underway again, heading through very straight canals towards Norbury. As usual on this canal there are miles of on-line moorings, why don't they build marinas here rather than up the Leicester Section? Found a good mooring in Gnosall ready for the run through Norbury.

Week 5

20:20 04/07/2010 5.91 miles 1 lock
Early(ish) start to get around Autherley Junction and on to Morrisons before finding a mooring for the night. An interesting stretch of canal, with a short very narrow section where the canal builders could only cut a narrow cutting through hard rock, luckily we met no one. The junction was clear so we navigated the hairpin bend and entered the stop lock. Having searched in the grass for rings we eventually moored to go shopping. Stocked up again we moved off a couple a bridges to moor to meet Alison on Monday. Unfortunately the wind was howling and the guide books suggestion of one foot out from the bank was more like three. Bella refused to walk the plank, so after a conference we decided to move on, and arrange for Alison to catch us up by taxi.

14:47 03/07/2010 4.95 miles 1 lock
Good start to the day, Gailey lock was left for us to go through, otherwise its a difficult lock, with the entry under the A5 and invisible in the dark. Then the water point was empty and the rubbish bins clean and tidy. Viking Afloat opposite were busy turning boats around, typical Saturday morning activity for a hire fleet. After leaving Gailey the canal winds in an alarming fashion through the middle of a chemical works past Calf Heath marina and on to Slade Heath for the night.

19:44 02/07/2010 2.2 miles 4 locks We met up with friends from Crick (Evenlode) in the morning so exchanged news, they have had a very exciting journey, including crossing the Mersey! Then we walked around Penkridge before setting off to Gailey.A very pleasant country run, apart from the motorway coming and going beside the canal.


19:37 01/07/2010 4.68 miles 6 locks
Well we cannot sit around all the time so we set sail for Penkridge, 6 locks and plenty of country views, but also of course the M6 motorway in the distance! Stopped at Midland Swindlers (Chandlers) for essential spares as the shower pump was on its last legs! Luckily they had a service kit at a very reasonable price, so I was all prepared for a night of hard work in Penkridge. Our friend Jan lives here and luckily was in, so we went to the pub for lunch and took advantage of her kind offer for a major shop using her car! The evening was spent inside a cupboard mending the shower pump, it certainly sounds a lot more healthy now.

19:36 30/06/2010 Sat around for a day enjoying doing nothing.

19:12 29/06/2010 6.6 miles 1 lock.
On the move again having spent a week enjoying Tixall Wide, we turned around and went for water and gas at the Junction, before heading once again up Tixall Wide and on the the first lock. This was made more interesting by a BW Dredger in the lock mouth, luckily we arrived before he attempted to dredge the lock otherwise we would have been held up for some time. We were soon away and cruised around Baswich, Weeping Cross to our mooring at Wildwood, just before the next lock.

Week 4

19:09 28/06/2010 End of week of R & R !

Glorious week - watching the tennis, meeting friends. Alan and Dorothy on their way back to Crick on Dorothy May, and John and Mo on Josephine II. They entertained us to a great meal on Saturday night. Bella watched hot air balloons, and we enjoyed the sunsets.

Week 3

19:45 23/06/2010 day of R & R

19:38 22/06/2010 11 miles 2 locks
Prompt start in the sun, with a good run up through Handsacre and Armitage (all your bathroom china made here) and on to Rugeley to shop, via 4 young men paddling surf boards 'for charity', they don't appear to know how heavy a narrowboat is! Stocked up at Morrison's for the next few days, bizarely the moorings were empty at lunchtime, still lots of working boats moving south for the Braunston show. The move south explains the emptiness of Tixall, normally this has a small cluster of working boats, but today none. There is one small sunk boat, apparently the owner 'was taken away by the police' !

20:27 21/06/2010 8.88 miles 3 locks and a swing bridge.
Glorious day - but very busy boats everywhere which made the first half of the day very slow and frustrating. Mad Dogs, Englishmen, and Boaters go out in the Midday Sun ! Said goodbye to Chris and Helen as they turned around to return to their mooring up the Ashby, sorry to see them go. Fradley Junction was busy but with some moorings apart from the water point which was two deep. Probably CanalTime boats moored for the day. Not much traffic around the corner, just enough to help us through the tree locks and we headed on up to Kings Bromley and a lovely mooring under the trees, a cold beer was very welcome.

19:53 20/06/2010 11 miles 2 locks
Bright start to the day although it took a while to warm up, the canal winds around Tamworth, to Glascote locks where there was a short queue (4 boats), lucky for us we were not coming the other way as by the time we reached the bottom of the locks there were at least 12 boats waiting to come up, some of them might still be there now! We watered at Fazeley Junction (for Birmingham), we carried on north to Hopwas and found a Chris sunning himself at a nice country mooring. Tomorrow Chris and Helen turn back for home,so we ended the day with a joint BBQ.

17:54 19/06/2010 5 miles 11 locks (Atherstone)
Well back to locks with a vengeance today, the 11 at Atherstone, at least it didn't rain this year. The guide book describes them as extremely attractive and varied. That is, varied in the time they take to fill, slow or very slow!Around three hours top to bottom about par for the flight, the sun never appeared and the wind cooled us down, we moored in another favorite site away from the trains before Polesworth. Too cold for a BBQ, although the sun has now appeared to warm the evening up.

Week 1

19:13 11/06/2010 6.64 miles 1 (tiny) stop lock
Jim the Engineer phoned to say he had the new heater, so we sat and waited and very promptly he arrived, fitting was fast as it was a' drop in' replacement, then we played with the diagnostic software for ages testing out all its functions! I think Jim likes the idea of an ex IT man looking over his shoulder. Eventually much poorer we were on our way up towards Hawkesbury Junction and the Coventry Canal. Soon we turned in to the Ashby and looked for a mooring, a glorious sunny afternoon and evening.

16:17 10/06/2010 10.7 miles
Prompt start in the dry to move on up to the shops at Rugby. Saw an old friend 'Crystal' now working for a new boat yard having left 'Rose narrowboats'. Stocked up from Tesco as usual and moved off again, mooring and canal were remarkably quiet. Pleasant if cold run up through cuttings and across the countryside to Rose boats and on to Ansty, it got colder and more windy as the day wore on, so I was in fleece and waterproof by the time we arrived at our moorings opposite the pub.

18:50 09/06/2010 8.53 miles 3 locks
Watered at Braunston and then up the North Oxford and through Hilmorton Locks - just the right amount of traffic to ever lock was in use and then ready for us - bliss. Slight panic later as I noticed the heater coolant was rapidly vanishing, the coolant was being heated from the calorifier and expanding through the clamps put on to stop us losing it whilst the heating was missing, a gallon of coolant ended in the bilge. Moored in our usual place by the golf club.

16:17 8/06/2010
Found an Engineer to look at the water heater, after valiant efforts on his part (thanks JIMM) it still failed, needed spares would cost nearly as much as a new unit! So we ordered a new unit and will have it fitted en route to the Ashby

19:26 07/06/2010 2.24 miles 6 locks
Started out just before 10 and arrived in Braunston a bare 2 hours and a bit later, tremendous run, straight through the tunnel , well not straight Braunston is known for its kinks.No smog so we could see right through. Only three boats coming the other way so an easy passage. Just moored above the locks and made coffee when more boats arrived so we quickly teemed up and shot down the locks to Braunston. All in all a record run.

19:24 06/06/2010 Day of rest! Already! Watched Mens tennis final in the afternoon.

19:22 05/06/2010 3.57 miles 7 locks
Left Crick Marina via the services, cruising at last after waiting for family member to leave hospital.Easy trip in the sun to Watford locks, and only a short wait before zipping down them and on to Norton junction.Moored as usual at the beginning of the restricted 48hr moorings, the first place the sat tv works! Watched the ladies tennis from Paris.Entertained by a thunderstorm in the evening, Bella was not quite sure what to make of it.

Bella-from-8-weeks-to-9-months

Cruise map and rudder mended

Well its raining (again), glad we arrived home when we did, talking to others at the Marina it seems we were lucky with the weather.

The rudder came out without much trouble and has been straightened and shipped back in its hole - three man job to lift and guide it back in to place, all done whilst leaning over the stern. Very exciting.

Today I've changed the bearing it runs in, and started to repaint the 'swan neck' or steering arm, too hot believe it or not when I was there, but now chucking it down!

For those of you with Google Earth access, this file shows where we went. If it tries to run a tour do not be alarmed, the dates are wrong at the start and I've failed to correct them for some reason, we really started mid May not April.

2009 Cruise

View a photo slideshow of the cruise

Week 8

Total mileage 337, locks 251, Engine hours 229, actual travelling time 190 hours.
16:50 12/07/2009 5.16 miless 7 locks
Home sweet home! Well Crick Marina anyway. Unusually Watford flight didn't really have a queue, so we only had to wait for a couple coming down before we were in the flight and up, up and away. No one in the tunnel, and before we knew where we were we sailed in to our home mooring. If the rain holds off its the 'last' holiday BBQ tonight and then sort ourselves out for going home tomorrow.

16:28 11/07/2009 4.22 miles 6 locks
Took Bella shopping early this morning and came back with a paper and freshly baked croissants for breakfast - dog waking up early has some advantages! Set off before 9 to join the queue for Braunston lock flight, the first double locks we have seen for weeks. Plenty of traffic so we had a fast run through, the forecast was poor, and we had a little drizzle but nothing serious, through the tunnel in 20 minutes, the BW 'average' time, I don't know how you can do it faster if there is any traffic coming the other way. Reached the junction and turned on to home water for the first time in 8 weeks - moored up before the heavy rain and settled in for the day, getting our strenght up for the home run up Watford flight tomorrow.

16:48 10/07/2009
A rest day, walked Bella, shopped, food and Chandlery. Found the blue paint at last which matches the original Enigma colour, so I will be able to do some touching up at last when we get back to base. We are moving off tomorrow as the angle is deemed walkable on (just).

16:48 10/07/2009
Decided to move on today - single handed! The sitting around is partially because the crew injured their ankle on the rotten Oxford canal towpath and has taken to its bed!
Anyway plenty of people boat single handed - just not me. Luckily no wind or rain, so the 3 locks at Hillmorton should be a doddle. Plenty of boats coming the other way, so didn't have to empty a single lock, just fill VERY gently, as the boat was washing around all by itself.
All went well and so we cruised on to Braunston. Found a good mooring despite it being quite busy, we craftily arrived after lunch, so those only stopping for a lunch break were moving off.

16:48 8/07/2009
Another day of rest!

13:38 07/07/2009 day of rest.
Sat around reading and avoiding the torrential rain, as I write this we are having a load thunderstorm, Bella is not impressed, it keeps waking her up!

13:33 06/07/2009 10.6 miles 0 locks
Gentle cruise from Ansty through the North Oxford canal, mainly wide and straight, with large bridges. The only busy bit being around Rose Narrowboats at Stretton. Always busy there as it is a working boatyard, hire boat centre and shop. Saw Mick and Crystal ex lock keeps from Foxton, Crystal works part time turning round the hire fleet, they seemed in good spirits.
Moored up at our usual spot by the Rugby golf club, this year you can watch the golf as the hedge has been trimmed and laid.

17:47 05/07/2009 11.3 miles 1 lock (stop)
So off on the final homeward run, down through Nuneaton, saying goodbye to Chris and Helen as they turned up the Ashby and continued on around Bedworth to Hawkesbury Junction, took on water and hairpinned around to go through the stop lock and on to the Oxford Canal. Arrived at Ansty expecting it to be full, BW in their wisdom made some of the mooring permanent permit only some years ago, and there never were many! However we were in luck and the last mooring was free - even better the hire boat behind had been to the pub for lunch and soon moved off, so we backed down to get away from the bridge.

Week 7 297 miles 234 locks

14:15 04/07/2009 2.08 miles 0 locks
Very late start today as we are only going round the corner to the Anchor Pub for a farewell meal tonight. We have been travelling together since 17th May. Whistler continues tomorrow up the Ashby Canal, as we continue on down the Coventry to Hawkesbury Junction and the Oxford Canal. Bella is much improved today, but doen't think much of her 'pasta' diet. Hopefully we can put her back on normal food in a day or two. Should be home in under a week from here.

17:47 03/07/2009 4.14 miles 11 locks 1 vet visit!
Well what a day. Started at 6.50, to beat the rush to the Atherstone lock flight, shouldn't have bothered, no other traffic. Part way up we discovered why, the heavens opened and did we get wet, not much shelter in the middle of the flight. The crew have added a proper waterproof to her Birthday present list. The current one left her as a prize entry in a 'wet t shirt' contest! Not a happy bunny. We cleared the locks and stopped off to take Bella to the vet, dodgy tummy, very dodgy. So £50 lighter in pocket we were soon on the way, starve her for a day, antibiotics for a week, and Kaolin. Hope it works. The sun is out now and Murray is trying to lose the tennis! Lost!

20:48 02/07/2009 11.4 miles 2 locks
Early start (7am) in an attempt to avoid the threatened heat. Many other boaters had the same idea so it was not quiet and peaceful like it can be sometimes early in the morning. Interesting canal, one end is the Coventry, whilst the middle section today is the Birmingham and Fazeley - all in the building history, this bit has named rather than number bridges. The teo locks at Glascote were no problem - it is here that the canal winds across the middle of Tamworth in a big northerley loop, coming out the other side to turn south again through Polesworth, where we are now, within easy reach of the Atherton lock flight tomorrow.

From 2009 Cruise

20:19 01/07/2009 9.55 miles 3 locks

From 2009 Cruise

A VERY hot day today -mad dogs and boaters go out in the midday sun! Made good progress despite the slightly bent rudder. Quite calm through Fradley Junction, sometimes this can be very busy, but today there were even spaces at the water point. Eventually saw Chris walking back towards us, they had run imoveably aground whilst trying to moor, and their engine would not re-start! We towed them off and both moored up safely, and waited for RCR again, they know Chris's boat quite well by now. Water in the diesel apparently disturbed when they ran aground. Soon cured. Listened to Murray win, and Laura lose.

17:10 30/06/2009 10.8 miles 2 locks.

From 2009 Cruise

Had a sitting around day, obligatory for Tixall Wide, walked Bella, watched tennis etc.
Today we started on the familiar homewood treck along the Trent Valley. Shopped at Rugeley and found moorings outside Kings Bromley.
Not quite the end of the story however, as we were sitting peacefully relaxing when a large shout came from Chris behind us as a boat scraped his side, the next thing we knew was a huge bang and we were rammed. Looks like a small dent and a bent rudder, non fatal. We shouted at the boat to stop, which thet reluctantly did, and took the hire boat company's number. The boat cleared off quickly.
This could run and run.....

From 2009 Cruise

20:11 28/06/2009 5.83 miles 2 locks
Late start as we didn't have far to go, only two locks and a long windy, wooded bend around Stafford. Saw the home of RCR (canal AA). We also saw a pair of Cormorants and a Reed Bunting, so the wildlife count improved. Tixall is still without much wild life having not yet recovered from a mink invasion a few years ago. Some large function going on at Shugborough, we can hear the 'music', so we may stay put tomorrow to lets the crowds get through the first few locks away from us.

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.

Week 2

12:59 29/05/2009 Rest day.
Sitting in the sun doing nothing, except the occasional bit of housework and dog walking.

From 2009 Cruise

12:51 28/05/2009 0 miles 0 locks
Shopping in Morrisons and a wondeful shop selling car, household and pet things. So stocked up with spares to mend the headlight, dog chews and a plunger to clear the sink - back to normal life.
We then cruised up the short run to our chosen rest stop for a days R & R. A very nice mooring on the Shropshire Union Canal.

From 2009 Cruise

Started work on the headlight mending, which involved moving the horn to the stern and making a short cable for it. Luckily I first cut out a crimped connector in the bow to replace with one I bought, to find that was the fault. So a new crimped connector and all was well.
We had a nice BBQ and taking Bella for a walk later discovered our friends John and Mo from Crick two boats behind us, so we all chatted for a couple of hours.

17:21 27/05/2009 22 locks 8.56 miles.
Early start as we had to tackle the (in)famous Wolverhampton 21, 2 hours to get there from the Museum, and four hours hard slog down the locks. Luckily, although there are a lot of them, they all work well. So after nearly 7 hours we reached Autherly Junction at the start of the Shropshire Union canal.
So far we have travelled for 69 miles, and tackled 103 locks.

17:15 26/05/2009 0 miles 0 locks
Spent today exploring the Black Country Museum. Well worth a visit if you have not been, make sure you are there at opening time (10am), as you really need a whole day, especially if you want to spend time in the replica 'pub' from 1920! We didn't of course - well not for more than a couple of pints to test the local bitter.

From 2009 Cruise

The site is covered in buildings which have been imported from around the area and faithfully rebuilt, if they were leaning when taken down they still lean now. And include things like a Hardware shop, chemist, Baker, Nail & Chain maker, Coal Mine (replica) sweet shop, fish and chips shop, and school.

From 2009 Cruise

Wonderful.


18:20 25/05/2009 9.3 miles 3 locks.
Fairly peaceful night considering where we were moored - Bank holiday revellers were kind to us.
Out of Gas Street and up the Birmingham main line canal, almost like driving up a Roman road it is so straight, we made excellent progress, a bit weedy but nothing bad, so we soon reached the three locks that let turn down to The Blck Country Museum. Mooring was full so we breasted up with Whistler and settled out in our chairs on the bank making plans for tomorrow. A day off from cruising to visit the museum site.
Not as much sun as yesterday, but not the promised thunderstorms.

18:12 24/05/2009 10.1 miles 0 locks.
Late start, due to crew sleeping in!
An interesting cruise past Birmingham suburbs, Solihull, Bourneville, and Edgbaston. We had an emergency stop after this as Chris and Helen had an alternator fall off the engine. We all stopped and discussed the problem and called out RCR - the canal AA. We left them there and went off to find moorings at Gas Street Basin.

From

Fascinating place, Jazz bands playing, sun shining and all the latest fashions on display. Eventually C & H caught up with us and we sat on ourboat looking the young people at play whilst eating take out Chicken and Chips - with the occasional glass (bottle) of wine to help.

The first week.

From 2009 Cruise

13:45 23/05/2009 5.02 miles 0 locks !!!
Short easy day - and Bella slept until 6.30, a record. We all shopped in Hockley Heath, I'm told the butcher's was excellent, the BBQ tonight will prove it. We cruised gently through a long winding wooded portion of the canal, seeing little traffic, and only one heron. Once clear of the woods we moored before habitation started, it is really built up from now on with the outskirts of Birmingham rapidly approaching. Well nothing rapidly approaches on the canal. Tommorrow we head off for Gas Street Basin in the heart of Birmingham.

15:47 22/05/2009 4.82 miles 19 locks !!
Wow what a day! And it all started with Bella waking us up at 4am, then throwing things she found around at 5.30. Including my camera, which survived apart from a few toothmarks.
So we set off at 8.30 and headed up to Kingswood Junction where the Grand Union and Stratford canals meet. Basically two canals a few yards apart with a short link section between them. After that the locks started in ernest, and carried on for a total of 19, all narrow, so no helping each other out.
By the end we were bell and truly worn out.
Moored in Hockley Heath now working out whether to do 15 miles to Gas Street Basin tomorrow,or just five. I'll let you know.

16:33 21/05/2009 4.42 miles 17 locks !
So we could not put it off any longer - we had to tackle the rest of Hatton. With the ladies steering and Chris and I winding lock handles endlessly we made it to the top. Lucky with both the weather and the locks, most of them were sitting empty just waiting for us.

From

As seems usual now, the weather deteriorated as we came to moor, and we ended up wet again. This afternoon has been quite good with long patches of warm sun. Washing done and dried, all well with world.

16:54 20/05/2009 5.84 miles 6 locks
The next stretch is very bult up, through Royal Leamington Spa, ideal for a shopping trip, beside local shops we spotted Somerfield,Lidl and eventually stopped at a large Tesco. Lunch in hand we set off to skirt around Warwick and tackle the bottom few locks of the Hatton flight, so fewer to do tomorrow! We managed a nice sit in the sun, beer in hand before the inevitable afternoon storm came and sent us hurrying for shelter.

14:23 19/05/2009 4.58 miles 10 locks
Excellent trip through the next 10 locks - the cook and bottle washer has now mastered wide locks, so I have been relegated to paddle winder! Easy(ish) paddles though, we were even helped through one lock by a member of the grass cutting crew, taking a break from strimming his way from Hatton to Napton and back every three weeks.

From 2009 Cruise

The rain (hail) came just as we moored, but the sun is out now so we may get a few outside jobs done this afternoon.

13:48 18/05/2009 7.9 miles 13 locks
Good fast trip to Wigrams Turn, very windy, but OK if you could keep up speed, nasty when slowing for moored craft.
Straight down Calcutt locks, so pleased with ourselves we decided to do the next 10! Still windy but dry, in fact the sun kept coming out. Decided to do the last two when we were stopped by a BW emergency repair of a lock gate but not for long, pity, as we had just got through the first and in to the second when the heavens opened. Rain so hard you couldn't see. Moored blind, and found there was aPub a few yards away so we are treeting ourselves tonight.

20:07 17/05/2009 6.14 miles 6 locks
Weather not too bad so off early from Norton Junction towards Braunston. BW are doing a lot of work along this stretch of canal rebuilding the bank.
About time too as in all the years we have known it the towpath along here has been in a really bad state with very limited mooring.
The tunnel was fine apart from just before the end when we met a ancient piece of 'tupperware' with no light, thank goodness for my hand lamp which made it easy to investigate the suspicious shadow between me and the tunnel exit.
We noticed that the landslip is the same as ever, half blocking the tunnel exit.
We joined the queue for the locks and were about to set off when the heavens opened, and continued to rain on us down most of the flight.
After a quick pit stop we continued on through Braunston and on south to bridge 100 to be welcomed - in the rain- by our cruising friends Chris and Helen. It was nice to sit down for a cup of tea and a chat.
The weather has bucked up tonight with a bit of blue sky, but the forcast isn't too promising.

20:16 16/05/2009 2.18 miles 7 locks
Off from Crick mid morning leaving the boat show preparations behind us, we hope they hav better weather this year - last year they were nearly blown away.
Watford lock held us up for a couple of hours as we missed the end of a 'convoy' down, and so had to wait for the queue coming up. It then all went quite, and we were the only boat moving.
We moored as usual just above Norton junction.

2009 Cruise

Thursday 15th May
And so it is about to happen. Tomorrow we set off on the long cruise.
Itinerary includes Black Country Museum, Elsemere Port, Anderton Boat lift and possibly the River Weaver.
Hopefully the rain will stop one day! The forecast for this week is a bit bleak - but never mind we can sit out the storms and move on when it clears up.
The newest crew member is looking forward to her trip.

Valletta day 12

The Feast of St Paul takes over entirely today - it is a public holiday, most shops are shut, the bells ring, and Bands play. We wandered around and watch the young men from the Pauli Society (looks like an excuse for a good drink the rest of the year) move various banners around and their big fan shaped device which blocks off a whole road. Some time tonight St Paul on his horse - we have no idea where the horse comes in to it - he looks more like St George than anything else - will be winched back down from his pedestal and carried by a dozen fit men on their shoulders around the streets, and back to the Church. The Bands are a cross between the Salvation Army and a dance band. They blow for a bit walk a bit, drink a bit and mill around, then it is all repeated again!

The photos include the Mid day gun, and the boy with the huge piece of chocolate cake, he was sweet. We also have video of the canon being fired and some of the other which were also fired in a salute to the Patron Saint. The Phonebox and Red letter box make you think of home, they are all over the town.

***************** The last photos are of he fireworks for the end of the Feast Day and night time views over Valletta from our hotel roof ************

We've just been sent some Crick marina photos - thanks graham - looks like the boats were nearly covered right up.

From Drop Box