Packet Boat

Packet Boat Marina, GU Slough Arm – Friday 2 November 2012

I apologise to my regular reader – I have been remiss in not keeping up with my blog.  Where to begin?

During the visit to RFCA I was asked if I could convert the existing ‘London Reserves’ history from Adobe into Word, of course I said yes but didn’t realise that the layout would require quite so much ‘tweaking’, bits of text ended up on the wrong lines, and sometimes the tables came out with the text from different columns on the same lines (convenient as a tab then re-aligns it) and at others it produced it in a block after the first column!  Very frustrating but all finished eventually.

On the medical front I have been for my annual flu jab, seen the diabetes nurse (had feet sensitivity checked, blood pressure and weight recorded), gone to Hillingdon Hospital for blood to be taken for all sorts of ‘counts’ and finally seen my GP who is satisfied with my progress, the blood counts are all within normal range and the diabetes is under control so I must be doing the right things.

Socially I have visited friends, attended a Regimental Dinner (black tie do – even on the boat I have kept some land clothes) and went to the AGM of the Unit Past & Present Association (at which I was re-selected to be Chairman).  Afterwards I went with a friend to see a film.  On the way the bus we were on had to go through Trafalgar Square where there was a display by the NFL football teams with their mascots, birds, animals and even one in a ‘stars and stripes’ zip-up sleep-suit (at least that’s what it looked like).  The bus was then ‘attacked’ by hundreds of extras from ‘Shaun of the Dead’ who were zombie-ing around and totally ignoring the traffic.  Yeh I know the film has been finished but that’s what it looked like.  When we eventually arrived at Leicester Square the queue for the latest Bond film went from the cinema round to the tube station, we’ve never seen that many queuing before. 

On Sundays I have attended Church (St Columba’s Church of Scotland in Knightsbridge) where I am an Elder.

On the boat and marina side I have continued cleaning, both inside and outside (as other boaters know it is a never ending job).  I am moored with water and electricity to the berth, and laundry, shower, toilets and pump-out facilities provided.  The pump-out is self-service and when I went to use it I couldn’t get it to work even though carefully reading the instructions.  It turned out that one minor instruction was, ahem, inaccurate.  The instructions say “insert card with metal stripe down” when it should have been UP!  I didn’t feel quite so useless when I found that out.

The weather has been as usual, sun, rain, wind hail, fog in fact normal British weather.

Packet Boat Marina, GU Slough Arm – Tuesday 16 October 2012
First job today was to try the new locks around the marina.  BWML have replaced all locks as it appears that some keys are still held by moorers who have moved away.  We now all have one key that will open the outside gate and the showers etc, residential owners’ keys will also open the car park gate and a BW key will allow access to the office through a pedestrian gate for non marina boaters who want to use the pump-out facility.  Then in to the office to surrender the two redundant keys.  I then headed in to Uxbridge for a six-monthly visit to a chiropodist, and then after lunch in to Hammersmith to see the optician, fortunately no new spectacles required.  The weather has been sort of lovely, the sun is out and nice and warm, but, it is very windy which drops the temperature.

Packet Boat Marina, GU Slough Arm – Thursday 18 October 2012
Wednesday I spent most of the day at the Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association (RFCA) in Fulham.  In a previous ‘life’ I was the historian for my Territorial Army Unit (256 [City of London] Field Hospital), and a history of the reserves in London is being prepared for publication in 2014, so I have been asked if I will update the part relating to the Reserve Army Medical Units in London.  Of course I said yes because it gets me access to another archive that may have some details missing elsewhere.
Today I have been down to Fleet in Hampshire to see my Dentist – a long way but he doesn’t hurt and knows my aversion (claw marks on the chair arm rests).  Another good visit as no work needed.  Both days have had the sun out.

Packet Boat Marina, GU Slough Arm – Monday 15 October 2012
Friday the sun was out and it was warm so I spent the day washing the outside of the boat.  I also made various medical appointments required so I will be busy this week.
Saturday I went off into Uxbridge for a look round and got a copy of the latest Pratchett book ‘A Blink of the Screen’ which is a collection of his shorter fiction.  Some I had read previously in magazines, papers and multi author anthologies but it is nice to have them together.
Sunday was my first day back at St Columba’s Church (in Pont Street, Knightsbridge) where I am an Elder.  The team I’m on are the duty Elders this month so there were responsibilities for me.  I am also a member of the Kirk Fabric Committee so the afternoon was spent with the rest of the committee inspecting the Manse (Minister’s home) to see what needs to be done to let the property.
Monday I have continued cleaning and sorting in the boat, this will take a few days due to the appointments for this week.

Packet Boat Marina, Grand Union – Thursday 11 October 2012
The weather has not been good so I have left the outside cleaning.  I have gone through clothes and taken some to the cleaners to get done properly, rather than washed in the on-board machine.  I have also sorted other clothes to go to the laundrette so that they get a better clean and dried rather than hanging about in the boat.  I have also started sorting out stuff that can be sent for re-cycling as not required (not used in over a year on the boat).
I’ve been to arrange an appointment with the clinic to see the diabetes nurse and getting my annual flu jab and tomorrow I will book routine appointments with the opticians (annual) and dentist (six monthly).  These have to be arranged around the cruising season.
I have already had requests to meet up when I return to London (?) for information about the Unit history so I will have to get that ready.

Packet Boat Marina, Grand Union – Wednesday 10 October 2012
I left at 08:30 and had gone through Stoker’s and Springwell locks and was waiting for Copper Mill lock to fill when I saw a wide beam rubbish container coming so I signalled that they could go ahead.  This seemed to come as a bit of a surprise to the crew as they are used to abuse for taking locks and jumping queues.  The wide beam takes one lock and the ‘tug’ which pushes it takes a second, so I went down with the tug and had to do no work, a good decision.  They were going through Black Jack’s, Widewater and Denham deep locks to remove a burnt out wreck near the A40 road bridge, so that left only Uxbridge and Cowley locks for me to do.  As there has been an almost continuous run of moored boats I have had even more comments about the quietness of the engine, including an angler who didn’t hear me approaching!
I have moored up and reported to the office, collected mail (threw away 99%) and electric cards.  Tomorrow (weather permitting) I will start cleaning.

Batchworth (Rickmansworth), Grand Union – Tuesday 9 October 2012
I left at 08:30, later than I planned but still had a good run as the sun has been out for most of the day and I have covered 13 locks and 6 miles.  The routine at locks has interested others as there were groups of gongoozlers as well as other boaters.  I have also been asked is the boat electric as it makes so little noise.  There have been about half a dozen boats going north, everyone is commenting on how few have been out this year.  I popped into TESCO here as it has a 2-hour offside mooring for boaters.  The way I have been working locks I should get to Packet Boat Marina tomorrow, then start the winter routines.

Kings Langley, Grand Union – Monday 8 October 2012
Saturday I moved as planned into Berkhamstead and managed to do some shopping and renew my Rail Pass.
Sunday I went to the local Baptist church, an interesting service but I knew none of the songs.  The sermon was on words at the end of the Lord’s Prayer which do not appear in the Bible!  I then went for lunch in the ‘Crystal Palace’ at bridge number 141 as they do a carvery on Sundays.
Today I headed on at 08:00 and have slogged through 16 locks in 6 miles, it has also been raining lightly all day just enough to eventually soak through.  I am moored near a railway bridge so I can adjust to ‘civilisation’ again after the countryside.

Dudswell Locks, Grand Union – Friday 5 October 2012
I am definitely ‘over the hill’ and everything is downhill from here on!  I stopped off at Cowroast marina to refuel and have gone on a couple of locks to find a mooring.  Today I have covered 11 locks and 6 miles and seen only 3 boats going north, but it is almost a continuous line of moored boats from Tring.  It has been cloudy all day with the sun struggling to break through, tomorrow I only plan to go into Berkhamstead (2 miles and 8 locks).  The boat I called Valhalla is actually called Walhalla and appears as the show boat in November’s Canal Boat magazine if you want to see what I meant yesterday.

Marsworth Locks, Grand Union – Thursday 4 October 2012
Back onto 08:00 start, the sun was up but struggling with the early morning mist.  By about 09:30 there were clear blue skies with only a few fluffy white clouds so it has been a pleasant run.  There was no-one else going south so I have had to single hand nine locks.  There has been a few going north including the wide-beam ‘Valhalla’ which looks like a nuclear submarine, and is painted matt black with name and number in gloss black.  It does look lethal.  I have decided to stop while the sun is still shining.  Tomorrow will see me at the summit of the Chiltern Hills.

Leighton Buzzard, Grand Union – Wednesday 3 October 2012
A late start as I had to go to the post office to mail some bill payments.  This was in the local convenience store and two separate teachers had brought their junior classes to do some practical sums – first decide what you want to buy, then how much is it and have you enough money?  Then off to the lady at the till, pay and get change and receipt then leave.  In the car park I heard them checking that the till-run was correct, at least that will be useful rather than the notional apples etc that I had.
I started at 09:30 in sunshine but a cold wind (I had put an ear warmer hat on).  Today has been uneventful just another steady run.  I passed ‘Scarweather’ a Braidbar boat and was at Fenny Stratford by 11:00.  The lock has a rise of 13 inches, and a swing bridge across it so it is interesting, then on to the Soulbury Three where there were lock-keepers who did the work for me.  It started to rain as I was working the Leighton lock and has been on and off since, including rainbows, sunshine and thunder.  I have moored at bridge 115, having done 6 locks and 11 miles.  This will be the last of the long mile runs as there are now 66 locks in about 35 miles to go so from now on there will be more locks than miles back to Packet Boat Marina.

Gifford Park (Milton Keynes), Grand Union – Tuesday 2 October 2012
The satellite box is dead easy to set up, even I managed.  Put box on roof with handle pointing north and connect cables, go into boat and turn the bits on, use searcher to find satellite, watch TV!  Today was another 08:00 start but it was cloudy and decidedly chilly.  I was at the Blisworth tunnel by 09:00 and going through met a working pair, another working boat, and three hire boats.  The tunnel is wide enough for two boats to pass but has a wider middle section which is newer and made of concrete sections.  Of course none of the boats I met were in the wide bit, they all passed in the two end sections.  At Stoke Bruerne there were still a few boats from the weekend and I joined up with ‘Lady Claire’ to go down the locks.  There was a pair coming up at each one so it was an easy run.  It was then just a run to Cosgrove for the next lock (3ft drop), then o round the north of Milton Keynes.  The sun has been out for most of the day but it has also been cloudy.

Gayton Junction, Grand Union – Monday 1 October 2012
Yet another 08:00 start in sunshine with no wind (all the wind generators seen were turned off).  An easy run through the tunnel as I was following a hire boat which turned up the Leicester arm at Norton junction.  At the top lock there was a boat moored on the lock bollards, the lock-keeper thought I was trying to open the gates with the boat until I reversed to tie up!  On the way to lock 8 (Grand Union numbers start at Braunston) there was a working pair (boat and butty) travelling breasted up, and they had a problem in the bridge, at one stage it looked like they were jammed, but managed to move on.  Another breasted-up pair were just coming out of lock 9, and a friendly lock-keeper went ahead to ask another single boat to wait for me, which they did.  I then completed 10 to 13 with ‘Geya’, the lock-keeper walking ahead of us and setting the locks.  I then stopped to check the café and chandlery at Whilton marina.
There has been a steady stream of working boats as there was a Stoke Bruerne at war festival.  After the locks they were not breasted up but tied together on ‘snubbers’ with the engine boat towing the un-powered butty. 
Fun with boat names today has included ‘Tree Frog’ moored opposite ‘Lying Toad’ and the working boat ‘Ultima’ with its butty ‘Thule’ (what else could it be?).  I have also seen ‘Sanity?’ who knew all about the two Braidbars ‘Sanity’ and ‘Sanity again’.  Others boats seen included ‘Loie Fuller’ still at Stowe Hill Wharf, and one whose name I couldn’t see but was ‘Robson Family – Lord Vernon’s Wharf’
Today has been another 20 lock-miles with cloud patches but mainly sun until I moored when they sky went black and it started raining.  Tomorrow it is on to Stoke Bruerne.

Braunston Tunnel (West), Grand Union – Sunday 30 September 2012
Again I left at 08:00 in sunshine but it soon clouded over.  Hilmorton locks were all in my favour so an easy run through them.  It was a steady journey with only a bit of interest at Bridges 79 & 80 where the bridges are being re-built by C&RT.  The canal is down to one boat’s width to allow the work and, of course, there were boats coming the opposite way at both.  I moored by the ‘Stop House’ in Braunston while waiting for friends, then we went on through the six locks.  Today’s run was 9 locks and 10 miles and tomorrow I start by going through the tunnel.

Masters Bridge (Rugby), Coventry – Saturday 29 September 2012
Left at 08:00 in sunshine with a clear blue sky, there were no clouds.  Steady journey with only a couple of boats going the other way.  Arrived at Hawkesbury Junction at 12:00 and once through the 1 foot stop lock I had a quick lunch.  The clouds had started forming, so it was chilly in the shade, but no rain.  After lunch it was steady running until Newbold Tunnel which is 250 yards long and lit with different coloured lights.  Here there was a boater going the same way but very, very slowly, at one point I thought he was going to moor in the tunnel, but it turned out it was immediately at the end.  Just after this there were boats along the tow-path and six other boats coming the opposite way – today’s fun!  The run today has covered 1 lock and 21 miles and once moored I have been into the Tesco here as it is within easy walking distance and they will unlock the trolley wheels so you can get shopping back to the boat.  Tomorrow is a run to Braunston as I will be meeting friends there.

Atherstone Top Lock, Coventry – Friday 28 September 2012
Martyn arrived at 09:30 and has set up a VuQube for me so I now will be able to watch TV without struggling with directions etc.  After he had left I then proceeded up the Atherstone flight of 11 locks and have moored at the top ready for tomorrow’s run which, hopefully, will see me at Rugby.  The weather has improved, it was basically sunny with a couple of light showers.  All I’ve got to do now is put things back into cupboards where they belong.

Bradley Green, Coventry – Thursday 27 September 2012
This morning started in bright sunshine, but no joy with the rope.  I took a calculated risk to head off at 09:00 as I had been cutting since 07:30 and getting nowhere.  When I lost the feeling in my hands due to the cold water I went into the galley and put them into a bowl of hot water then back out.  Once I was moving the boat seemed to be running OK and as there was just the 2 Glascote locks on today’s schedule I continued on.  I passed ‘Cedar’ a Braidbar boat at Hopwas and at Peels Wharf there was a C&RT boat loose on the canal.  The locks were no problem this time as there was one coming down, and the boat ahead of me set them for me.  At Alvercote I called in to the boatyard to ask about coming out of the water, trying hard to keep away from the dog poo all along the tow-path – they only have a dry dock and it costs £250.  After a few questions it seemed the rope wasn’t causing other problems and will probably need a heat cutter to remove it, which they don’t have.  So on I went just as it started to rain.  I have moored opposite a sanitary station as I am meeting Martyn from Travelsat tomorrow for a demo of satellite dishes.  I returned to the rope cutting and after about ten minutes it all came away!  Just as well I didn’t spend the money.  The rain has stopped and now we have sunshine, typical British weather.

Hademore, Birmingham & Fazeley – Wednesday 26 September 2012
Another meal on ‘Eleventh Heaven’ and as always good company.  Up and ready at 09:00 with a brief stop to a pharmacy in the town, then onward.  There are no locks for the first few miles (between Rugeley and Fradley) so it was just a steady chug along.  At King’s Bromley Wharf I said goodbye as Chris and Les turned in.  A mile further on I came to the first of the 3 Fradley locks before the turn onto the Coventry canal with a swing bridge, lots of gongoozlers (watchers) at the locks (it seemed to be a coach trip!) and the only problem was the middle lock where one of the top paddles had not closed properly, even though being wound down, so the boat was being washed back.  Eventually I got it out to a cheer and went on.  The swing bridge was opened for me by a couple of walkers then again just steady run on to here.  The B&F was built along the proposed line of the Coventry canal the building of which had been delayed between 1768 (Act of Parliament) and 1799.  The change is marked by a stone set into the tow-path and the fact that the bridges have names rather than numbers.  Just before Whittington Bridge I passed “Banque a Barque” a Braidbar boat, we exchanged waves.  I have managed to pick up some rope round the propeller that I had difficulty with and gave up at 18:00 after 2 hours of trying.  Head down in the weed hatch gives me a headache – I will clear it in the morning.

Rugeley, Trent & Mersey – Tuesday 25 September 2012
Last night’s meal was excellent – chicken in cream and chives sauce followed by crumble and custard.  I must learn to cook!  We set out at 09:15, it was overcast but not raining.  This stretch has the locks about 1 to 2 miles apart so it made for a pleasant run.  The threatened rain started just before we got to Hoo Mill Lock at about 11:00 and then just kept on.  We have moored just before the Brindley Bank aqueduct.  Last night we discussed seeing kingfishers and I had said that I’d only seen one flying, then today there was one that as I approached flew on to a low level branch just a boat length away.  It did that five times so now I know what they look like when perched, a lovely sight.

Sandon, Trent & Mersey – Monday 24 September 2012
On Saturday at about 9 the hire boat in front of us moved to finish her run at the yard above the lock, so Les and I moved ‘Ice Breaker’ into the empty slot.  Then I went off to have a look round town and do necessary shopping, not much but all essential.  In the afternoon we changed places so that Chris and Les could get a decent TV signal – they were blocked by some trees and in the evening we went to the Olives, an Italian restaurant.  The food was good, the service prompt and they had a live singer.  At the next table were 12 females all dressed in 20’s ‘flapper’ style with feather boas (when they left the staff had to clear up what looked like the remains of a chicken fight from the number of feathers).  We then went back to ‘Eleventh Heaven’ and watched how the song ‘Sing’ was made for the Queen’s Jubilee Concert.

Sunday Les and I went off to the Methodist Church in time for the published service but the building was closed.  There was a notice giving details of another service in a school but we didn’t know where it was so we went to the local parish church instead.  It should have been a family service as published but turned out to be a communion celebration.  The church is very ‘high’ with the ringing of bells at different parts of the service.  Afterwards we met Stephen and Jayne (Dolce far Niente) and all went to the Crown and Anchor pub for a Sunday Roast.  Excellent food with large portions.  The rest of the day was a ‘chill-out’ on our own boats.

Today we decided that we would try to get to Rugeley [6 locks, 13 miles] even though the forecast is for really bad weather, and as we both needed to fill water tanks started at 08:45 through Star Lock then onto the waterpoint.  Once both boats filled we moved off in heavy rain with windy gusts.  By 12:00 we had got to the Sandon lock [2 locks and 4 miles] and didn’t want to go further so we have moored and will continue tomorrow.  Tonight I’ve been invited to a meal on ‘Eleventh Heaven’.

Stone, Trent & Mersey – Friday 21 September 2012
The meal last night was great with lots of humour, but we were still ready to go by 9, the agreed time.  I had already rolled up the cratch covers and gone through the boat turning all the lights on, opening the side hatches and laying the roof lights out.  I have six magnetic lights to go along the roof which gives me a sort of ‘landing light pattern’ so that I can see the shape in tunnels.  Last bit was to turn off the main light switches at the back then when necessary I can flick all lights back on from the steerer’s position.  After saying farewell to Bill and Eileen we had a quiet run to the junction with a final farewell over the radio and moored just before the entrance to Harecastle.
The Tunnel Keeper came to take boat details (registration, name, number of persons, any pets) and give briefing details in case of an emergency.  We had a 30 minute wait as a boat was coming north (one way traffic) before the keeper phoned our details to the other end then we were off.  I led then ‘Eleventh Heaven’ and at the back ‘Last Flight’.  The headroom in the tunnel is quite low in places so you need to keep an eye out.  Once through it was lights off and the roof lights collected and back inside.
Then it was on through a further 12 miles and 14 locks to Stone arriving at 7pm, of course all the mooring spots were taken but we managed to find space for one at Yard Lock, so I am breasted up for the night.  Tomorrow we will watch for anyone moving and do a quick shuffle as there is a shopping trip planned.

Red Bull, Macclesfield – Thursday 20 September 2012
After yesterday’s efforts today has been an uneventful run.  We left at 09:15, covering nine miles and one lock (with a drop of 1 foot) and were all moored by 13:50.  This is almost the junction with the Trent and Mersey Canal and Bill and Eileen turn left to Swanley while Chris, Les and I turn right to go through the Harecastle Tunnel so tonight there is an “end of cruise” meal on “Eleventh Heaven”.  As we passed Ramsdell Hall we could see the Jodrell bank radio telescope dish against the horizon (it’s not always up) and at the stop lock when I started the propeller I hit a log that was underwater but fortunately no damage.

Lord Vernon’s Wharf, Macclesfield - Tuesday 18 September 2012
I returned as agreed on Sunday and spent the afternoon sorting the boat ready for a return to London this week.  Monday Bruce and Sheila (Sanity Again) headed off to the Peak Forest canal and as the paint shed was not required I remained inside giving Andy Russell’s poppies a good chance to dry before being rained on.  Tuesday started with a shuffle; I came out of the shed and headed off to warm the engine ready for a service while “Starshine” went in for painting.  Then back into the yard while the boat had an engine service (oil and filters) and the stern gland tightened, so mechanically she is ready for the trip.  After lunch “Load of Hay” arrived and I moved out again while they came in and moored, then I came back in the centre and breasted up on them.  “Segue” is also in the yard having a modification to her weed hatch.  The travel plan is to leave at nine on Wednesday with “New Dawn” (Bill & Eileen) and “Eleventh Heaven” (Chris & Les) until they head off at different points on route.  The invoice for work has been paid and farewells said in case Peter and Susan are busy.

Dane Aqueduct, Macclesfield – Wednesday 19 September 2012
“Eleventh Heaven” had to wait for some post so “New dawn” and “Ice Breaker” headed off at about 9am, with final farewells said.  Of course it was raining and even my goretex was letting the rain through!  Bill was OK as he had his umbrella up while steering.  Eileen opened the first swing bridge (a manual one) and I took the opportunity to put on a long coat.  At the Fools Nook swing bridge (electrically controlled with lights and drop down barriers) a guy in a Jag jumped the lights and was between the barriers as the bridge started to swing!  Thanks to a quick response from Eileen he didn’t end up in the canal but could easily have done so.  We were at the top of the Bosley flight (12 locks) at about 14:10 and through and moored up by 16:30 a good run.  While a cup of tea was being enjoyed we heard the Chris and Les had left at 13:00 and were at the top of the locks so I walked back and assisted them through.  I set the locks and opened the top gates, Les steered, Chris and I then closed the gates and opened the bottom paddles, then I went on to set the next while Chris opened the gates and dropped the paddles closing the gates after Les.  We got quite good and had them down the flight and moored in 1 hour 17 minutes.

Kendal, Lancaster  - Saturday 15 September 2012
A couple of weeks report.
The Braidbar weekend went well with no problems about all the boats along the canal.
The yard was decorated with a couple of sets of naval signal flags, bunting and Braidbar signs.  Then the tents were put up on the lawn ready for the visitors, the afternoon was spent setting up as much as we could and during the evening there was meal in the ‘Boar’s Head’ the local pub.
Saturday the visitors started at about ten and seemed to continue uninterrupted until about 5pm.  The evening was spent with a charity auction run by Bill and Eileen (New Dawn) and a ‘bring a choice’ meal to which I took cheese and biscuits (cheese strings and a box of ‘Biscuits for Christmas Cheese’) getting in the festive spirit!!  There was also a quiz set by Bruce & Sheila from ‘Sanity Again’.
Sunday the signs on the road had to come down along with the bunting over the bridge.  Lunch was a proper Sunday Roast at the Boar’s Head with Bill and Eileen, Chris and Les (Eleventh Heaven) and Stephen and Jayne (Dolce).  The evening was a Chinese take-away in the Tent with the owners who are still around.
Monday all the tentage was taken down cleaned, sorted, re-packed and put into the attic ready for next time.  Lunch was a sandwich from the surplus from Saturday.  This was on ‘Ice Breaker’ with the lunch crew from yesterday (we have also been meeting at the Trading Post for elevenses and afternoon tea – very civilised).  Just afterwards James and Dougie from ‘Chance’ paid a surprise visit and we then went to ‘New Dawn’ for a chat

Tuesday Jules and Jess arrived to deliver mail and mentioned that the Westmorland County Show was on this week.  A quick decision and as I am waiting for a piece to be delivered for the boat I went back with her to Kendal.  There were dog walks, and shopping trips and keeping out of the way as the house is being re-decorated.  The show was great, the rain held off for the morning and when it did start only lasted about an hour – long enough to get people into the tents to buy things!  We had dinner in the Romneys, which is the rebuilt pub just nearby, dogs are allowed in which is always the main criteria and the owner even brought over a bowl of water in case Jess wanted a drink.  The food was good, with decent sized portions.
I will be travelling back to Poynton on Sunday and I’ve had a call from Peter to tell me that the boat is in the shed having had her poppies (one on the gas-locker and one on the slide) re-painted as they had faded to a pink colour.

Lord Vernon’s Wharf, Macclesfield - Tuesday 4 September 2012
“New Dawn” (Bill & Eileen) and “Eleventh Heaven” (Chris & Les) are in the yard with two new shells and “Thomas Tallis” in the shed being finished, she is due out this week.  There are other Braidbar boats around.
Friday I assisted Susan in the office preparing signs to go along the towing path and then started tidying inside the boat and washing the roof.
On Sunday it was a visit to the local church which is a very nice modern building with about 20 in the congregation.  The layout made it seem like an informal meeting as there were chairs rather than pews, and there was no communion rail.  Afterwards back to the boat and do the weekly maintenance jobs.
On the Monday the yard staff started on the things I’ve requested – boards for the saloon doors, boxes to go in the cratch and other minor bits.  Bill and I put out the signs asking people not to moor between Thursday and Sunday.  This is because the Braidbar open day is next Saturday (8th September).  When “Sanity Again” (Bruce & Sheila) arrived I moved onto a mooring near the Trading Post, allowing them to take over where I had been.  When settled they then moved “Just Siviting” and breasted up next to me ready to take another bit of the canal.  Its all done with the best of intentions due to the number of boats expected – eleven.
Tuesday and I have finished washing the boat and because I needed to refuel I bow hauled “Ice Breaker”  to the fuel point.  “Just Siviting” was still breasted up so it amused the others as I pulled both boats along.  Its now on with the polishing.

Lord Vernon’s Wharf, Macclesfield - Thursday 30 August 2012
Only a short run today – from Marple to Higher Poynton, a distance of 4 miles.  At High Lane (about the halfway point) I saw New Dawn who were waiting for Peter to bring a new shell out so that they could tow it to Lord Vernon’s Wharf ready for fitting out.  I went on and moored at the water point and went in to see Susan while the tank was filling with water.  She had my ladder from Thorn Marine and also a gilet that I had ordered for the Crick Show but got missed (the supplier didn’t have maroon in my size).  Shortly after there was a call from Peter to say that they had arrived and all the yard staff went out to get the shell in as it has no engine at this stage.  A slick operation, obviously practised with each member knowing what to do with very few orders from Peter.

Once the water tank was full I moored just south of Bridge 15 (on this canal the count is from Marple at bridge 1) and tomorrow will start getting ready for the open day on Saturday 8th September.

Marple, Macclesfield - Wednesday 29 August 2012
The Ice Breaker effect on the weather is still working, I woke up to blue skies and white fluffy clouds, at 08:15 I started the engine and it has rained since!!  Notwithstanding, the run through the locks was good as I completed all 16 in four hours.
The technique that I was using was to get the boat into the lock, climb the ladder, close the gates and start the ground paddle filling.  A check that all was working ok then go up to the next lock and empty if it needed it (most didn’t as I was the first through and they had drained during the night) and open the bottom gates and lower any paddles.  Go back to the lock where the boat was and use the gate paddle to finish filling, open the top gate and lower both paddles then get the boat out, keeping hold of the ‘centre rope’, close the gate and get back on board and move to the next lock!  Phew!  It seems harder when written down.
One thing on this run was that the locks are close together so I could keep an eye on the boat.
There were lots of dogs and owners out, only one seemed too nervous – apparently she had never seen the locks in use and barked like mad at this boat appearing ‘out of the ground’.

Rose Hill, Peak Forest – Tuesday 28 August 2012
Not much to report as I have had a lazy weekend staying moored in one place.

Saturday – I was at the fallen tree last night as a couple of guys with chain saw and winch had come to clear the canal, it was all done by 23:30.  Spent the day doing maintenance jobs on the boat, it was sunny until the evening when the rain started.

Sunday I went off to church in Romily.  The service was brief and informal with a band playing for the songs and hymns, there were three christenings at the start with no tears (from the babies).  The minister has apparently only been here a year and is very up to date with technology, he had his sermon notes on his iPad and illustrative pictures on the screens around the church.  The church is decorated in a light airy style, with modern stained glass windows. Sunny all morning then rain in the afternoon

Monday I stayed in the boat reading and tidying up as it rained all day.

Tuesday I went walking around the local area and explored the two aqueducts over the river Goyt, one for the canal, the other for the railway.  I then walked up the Marple Locks.  There are 16 of them and there appears to be no mooring bollards below the locks so tomorrow is going to be fun.  Weather sunny all day.

Rose Hill, Peak Forest – Friday 24 August 2012
Last night I moored just by Bridge 6 (Manchester Road) and was just below the car park for the Aldi supermarket, it would be peaceful if the voice from a certain motor sales didn’t keep repeating “Warning - security has been activated, you are being filmed” every time there was any movement in their compound, this went on till about 23:00 and I heard it again at 05:00.  Jules, Mark, Jess and I went off to the Cheshire Ring Hotel last night as on a Thursday they do a ‘Curry and a Pint’.  The service was prompt but basic – just the way I like it.  The background music was from the 60s & 70s so at least I knew some of the words (but didn’t sing).
As I only planned to do 4 miles I had a lazy start and didn’t get up till 08:00, then a brief visit to a supermarket and away by 10:30 mooring at 13:00.  Just after this a day boat went past and it sounded like they were stopping for a lunch break, when their boat was still making noises after half an hour I went to have a look, saw that a tree had come down blocking the canal (we had both safely passed it earlier but they had winded and were going back to the marina) so I grabbed a saw and rope and went to offer assistance.  A bit of sawing and rope use and we managed to clear a single boat width and get the branches onto the footpath, some more cutting and the footpath was cleared.  C&RT emergency were told and will get some-one out to assess and remove the trunk of the tree.  I also warned a couple of boats of the obstruction.

Hyde, Peak Forest – Thursday 23 August 2012
My daughter turned up last night and we went for a meal, only to find after all that the restaurant was providing the food at the film show so we could have stayed to see ‘Captain America’ although you needed a radio to hear the words!.  The night was quiet as the flats around Ducie Street and the Piccadilly Village are well looked after and have control gates so only residents have access, A successful day, we left at 07:00 and had completed the 18 locks by 12:00.  Another boat followed us but initially there were no boats coming down until we passed one at lock 8 then the locks were in our favour as we passed boats going the other way.  There was a swing bridge on the Ashton canal and a very narrow entry to the Peak Forest canal which had a lift bridge to start with, so there has been lots of variety for Jules as she started out steering, then did the ‘land’ bits while I steered (her choice).

Manchester, Ashton – Wednesday 22 August 2012
I have moved from one canal to another – truly.  I have gone from Castlefield through nine locks to reach Ducie Street a whole mile away!  I’m moored up as my daughter is visiting and has offered to assist with the Ashton locks 18 of ‘em.  Started at 08:00 by turning the boat (watched by quite a few) and managed to contact with nb “I’m Crackers II” which was moored at the winding hole.  When I got to the first lock there was a family setting it for their boat nb “Beeston Castle”.  I left Ice Breaker to be operated by ‘Dad’ and went to set the next lock, I then had to return to see what the problem was as they were taking so long – the lock was leaking water at almost the same rate as they were trying to fill it – it took an hour!!  After that we got on wonderfully, I went to set the locks, ‘Mum’ and ‘Dad did the steering with help from 3 youngsters, who then dropped the paddles, closed the gates and then anti-vandal’ed the gear.  We were through lock nine just before 11:00!  They have carried on up the Ashton.
I’ve spent the day browsing round the shops, trying to avoid the crowds and enjoying the weather – although it has been cloudy, most of the day has been sunny.  In the car-park near here there is a ‘float in’ movie showing Captain America.  The car-park is near the junction so boats could get to see.  It’s part of a canal festival that Manchester is putting on.

Manchester, Rochdale – Tuesday 21 August 2012
Left Lymm at 09:00 and stopped at the water point next to a pub called ‘Ye Olde No 3’ which is reputed to have 3 ghosts (or is it running short of spirits!).  After this is was just a peaceful chug up the canal.  There are no locks, the canal is wide and there were very few boats.  When the railway bridge at Sale is passed there is a long two mile straight and although the map shows it runs through an urban area it feels like the country with trees and parkland on both sides.  A bit further and there is a junction called ‘Waters Meeting’ where the Bridgewater canal continues to Salford and beyond while the Rochdale canal heads towards Manchester city centre passing Old Trafford on the way.  Gradually the scenery becomes more industrialised and urban and after a few bridges the Manchester Ship canal can be seen running just below and Pomona lock (the join between the two canals) is passed.  There are lots of moorings around Castlefield but they get full fairly early in the day.  The city centre is only a mile away, although there are three free bus routes to take people around.  These are not just for the ‘more mature’ but for every-one (probably to reduce the number of cars brought in).  The sun has been out all day, there was one minor shower lasting about 5 minutes – the umbrella salesmen were doing a roaring trade.  There has been a message from Susan – she has collected my emergency ladder.

Lymm, Bridgewater – Monday 20 August 2012
Saturday I wandered around the area, quiet village with buses to other places!

Sunday I went to church in St John the Evangelist in Walton.  This is a Victorian Church founded by Sir Gilbert Greenall (of the brewery) and Consecrated in 1885.  It is set in spacious grounds that are laid out with various paths, giving pleasant walks including one down to the canal.

Monday I thought that I would be travelling in rain which had started at 06:00, but by 09:00 the sun was out and I headed off as I needed to go to the banks in Stockton Heath.  On the way back I stopped at Thorn Marine and bought an emergency ladder (for climbing back onto the boat) and managed to come away without it.  After a couple of phone calls Susan (from Braidbar) is going to collect it on my behalf.  Apart from the early rain the weather has been lovely all day.

Moore, Bridgewater – Friday 17 August 2012
Yesterday I did not report as my daughter visited and we did the tourist ‘Anderton Lift’ thing, taking the trip on the lift then the river cruise.  It was very interesting and I had been chatting to a group who had two wheelchairs and offered to give one a push onto the boat thinking that would be all.  We got to go on first, and then when the trip was finished and we were supposed to get out at the bottom of the lift (the charge is for a one-way trip) the crew allowed us to travel back up in the lift because of the chairs.  We then took Jess (who had remained in Ice Breaker) on a long walk and then went off to ‘The Spinner & Bergamot Inn’ for a meal.  The bad weather that had been forecast did not materialise, glorious sun all day.

Today I started at 09:00 and had a quiet run to the village of Moore; there were three tunnels, all only wide enough for one boat and having time restrictions.  You can go north between the hour and twenty past for Barnton and Saltersford tunnels; and the hour and ten past for Preston Brook tunnel (times depend on the length of the journey through as the southbound boats start on the half hour).  Just before the Preston Brook tunnel you come to Dutton Stop Lock with a drop of about 9 inches, after the tunnel you are on the Bridgewater which is owned by the Manchester Ship Canal Company.  BW (now CRT) Licenced canal boats can cruise on this for seven days without charge.  Where I have moored there is a canal boat with a red warning notice on it as they have stayed beyond the seven days, I’ll have to see how efficient their check-ups are as I travel.  It started raining as I was mooring, having been dry and sunny until then.

This week I have travelled on the Shropshire Union Canal, Middlewich Branch, Trent & Mersey Canal and now the Bridgewater Canal.  All have been fascinating in their own different ways.

Just after mooring a boat went past with two adults on board allowing three children to sit on the counter (the bit where the steerer stands) with their feet in the water!  They can only be inches away from the spinning propeller; I hope no emergencies cause the steerer to do any sudden moves.

Anderton, Trent & Mersey Wednesday 15 August 2012
Yesterday I bought a newspaper because it had a headline I could relate to: “Chocolate can halt dementia”, I always knew that my chocoholic cravings were really doing me good!!
Their weather forecast for three days is:
          Wednesday    Strong winds, torrential rain
          Thursday    Blustery, heavy rain
          Friday        Wind and rain
I therefore decided to start early to avoid the worst of the weather.  Others were already going towards Middlewich and I was in the “Big Lock” at 08:15, but no-one to join me so carefully operated and safely through.  The canal is wide, but that only means that the reeds have more room to grow – for long stretches they have reduced the canal to just over one boat width, although there was a river cruiser that initially looked like the reeds had just grown round it but as I went past it became like a car in a garage, an ‘arm’ had been cut through the reeds giving it its own private marina.  At one of the wide stretches (due to subsidence from salt extraction underground just like coal mining) nb Chance pulled out so there was some company from there on.  I passed them when Doug had to get off to let Oscar (their dog) have a walk.  I have moored just near the Boat Lift and will stay here tomorrow as family are visiting.
The threatened rain did hold off until I had moored, then the hoses were turned on.

Middlewich, Trent & Mersey Tuesday 14 August 2012
A planned (09:00) late start as it was only a short run to go but the first boat off the moorings was at 06:30 although he did leave quietly.  Just two (down) locks on the Middlewich Branch, I got help at both but there seemed to be problems with the last one, it took for ages to queue and get through.  I then turned onto the T&M and did the first three locks (all down) both single handing and helping other boaters who were going up.  Tomorrow I start with the Middlewich Big Lock (a 14ft lock) as the canal was going to be wide from here to Wigan.  The Croxton aqueduct had to be replaced and was reduced to 8ft 2in!  A cloudy start to the day but then the sun came out for another gloriously sunny day.
When moored I did some maintenance and James and Doug (on nb Chance) went past.

Church Minshull, Middlewich Branch Monday 13 August 2012
A quiet week-end, did some shopping, boat maintenance, made some phone calls and caught up on correspondence.  Oh, also went for a Chinese meal with some others; Peter & Susan from Braidbar, James & Doug from nb Chance and Stephen & Jayne from nb Dolce far Niente.  It was a party for Chris & Les from nb Eleventh Heaven as it was his birthday and was organised by Bill & Eileen from nb New Dawn.  Chris’s mum, family and friends had also come along (a total of 29 people).  Les had also been ‘in the know’ about the birthday bit but got a surprise herself when a 10th wedding anniversary cake was brought out complete with eleven yellow ducks on it!  (The same number that are painted on each side of their boat).

Sunday it was off to Church, according to the local map there is a Methodist Chapel in Welsh Row, but the building is closed and the bits at the back have been converted into houses.  Instead I went to St Mary’s in the middle of town.  It is a 14th century church that was ‘restored’ in Victorian times, by stripping the reformation plastering and removing most of the memorials that had been there.  Initially I thought that some artwork high up in the nave was medieval and asked if they planned to restore it.  I got a definite no as it is part of the Victorian improvements and it has become almost unreadable.  There is also a stone pulpit carved in 1601 which looks fine, but it had originally been a ‘three deck’ pulpit and Sir Gilbert Scott (the Victorian architect) had only the top deck retained during his renovation.  All stone removed had been sent for scrap as part of the builder’s wages!

After the service I asked about the Methodist chapel and was told it was on the opposite side of the road from the old one, on the way back to the boat I still could not find it.

Today I started out at 08:45 to go down to wind the boat then headed off to Barbridge Junction to join the Middlewich Branch.  There has been only a couple of locks and both had boat crews going the opposite way so locks in my favour and helpful people to operate them.
The sun has been out all weekend but today has been cloudy and very windy, although there are afew blue patches in the sky.

Nantwich, Shropshire Union – Friday 10 August 2012
A note was left under my mooring line during the night:
“An Ice Breaker poem, Candy is dandy but liquor is quicker”.  I wonder who?
Anyway another glorious day once the sun had got up!  Only four locks (at Hurleston at the bottom of the Llangollen Canal) then a turn onto the Shropshire Union and a short run to Nantwich.  Just after turning I came up to a winding hole and a canal ‘rush hour’ – one boat was winding, one was coming towards me and another was behind me!  We all did what we should and there was no aggro or shouting, so not like the roads then!! I will stay here for the weekend to do any shopping & use the laundry in the marina.

Burland, Llangollen – Thursday 9 August 2012
A short pleasant day – left Wrenbury at 09:00 and covered 4 miles and 5 locks by midday, on schedule as I have told friends who live round here where I will be each night.  Once the sun had ‘burnt-off’ the clouds the day has been glorious – high level mares tails and very warm.  At the last lock I managed to drop the windlass, a quick check where and I tossed the ‘Sea-Searcher’ magnet in its bag onto the lockside as a guide.  When the boat was moored below the lock I went back and a very, very helpful dog from one of the other boats brought me the bag!!  I knew what side I had dropped the windlass but because my marker had been moved I had to fish further than I needed, however I managed to recover it.  I have moored just north of Platt’s Bridge (number 5) a spot that should be quiet but get the early morning sun, no sooner had I tied up than three other boats did the same.  A family of swans (two adults and five large grey ones) decided that I should be feeding them and were most upset when they realised that there was no food for them so off they went hissing to the other boats.

Wrenbury, Llangollen – Wednesday 8 August 2012
Last night went ‘ashore’ to a friend’s for a meal and back aboard by 23:00.  Today was another quiet cruising day – I started the locks at 09:00 and was through the Grindley six by 10:00.  While the locks were working I chatted to the lock-keeper about the problem I had going up, the volunteer had reported to the office about boats being caught on the cill in the middle lock, but, importantly, hadn’t said the two boats were going UP not DOWN.  The office therefore took it that it was boater’s error.  When it happened when the lock-keeper was there he immediately stopped the use of the flight, and checked the cill where there was a bit of concrete re-inforcing bar exposed that must have caught on the base-plate of the boats.  He then called it in as emergency but continued to allow the use of the lock (on two-up two down) and when the engineers arrived the locks were shut briefly and the protrusion was cut off.

There were no other boats heading down and I met a boat coming up at each of the locks after the flight of three; that has continued for the complete ten locks I’ve been through.  I also had luck at the Wrenbury lift bridge (it requires a key and controls the traffic with lights) as a boat was just going through as I approached and they held it for me.  I have moored just past the Church lift bridge (the last one on the Llangollen) and have seen how to really annoy the locals – a crew (not holidaymakers) wound the bridge up and then got back on their boat and just left it up in spite of the signs.  Other boats coming along all thought that it was supposed to stay open so they left it as well.  Shortly there was a family group of two adults, two dogs and about ten kids on the bridge side of the canal with no way of winding it back down.  I walked up to the bridge and threw them a windlass so that they could lower the bridge.  My good deed for the day!

Grindley Brook locks, Llangollen – Tuesday 7 August 2012
A quiet cruising day – I left at about 08:00 with very few boats about and a flat run to do (no locks).  There are some lift bridges on this stretch but they seemed easier to operate and I got to the locks at about 13:30.  The clouds did not clear until about 16:00 and the sun has been out since then.

I will be going down through the locks tomorrow and I hope they are kinder than on the uphill journey.

Ellesmere, Llangollen – Monday 6 August 2012
Saturday I continued to put the boat back to rights, putting things away into cupboards that had been emptied while the boat dried out and going round with the polish on the wood.  The routine maintenance also filled in time as also did a walk to the local village, the church looks a bit run-down, but is obviously still used (if only for funerals) as the cemetery has a large area of ‘new’ gravestones.  I was back on the boat when at 16:00 (4 in the afternoon in August) I had to turn lights on in the boat as it had got so dark!!  Very quickly after that it started raining and it was impossible to see the other side of the canal.  Until then it had been a sunny day.

Sunday I went off to the local Methodist church which has a regular congregation of about a dozen.  Every-one was friendly and I was introduced as being ‘off the boats’.  The Church Warden had noticed Ice Breaker and had seen the Boaters Christian Fellowship logo so was half expecting some-one.  Chatting after the service he had guessed I might be ex-military because of the St George and the Union flags that I fly.  We also got talking about family names dying out I said that names could be used as middle names which could also help future genealogists as it had me when researching a Drywood family.  I managed to get further back because the youngest son had been given the name Harrisson.  It turned out that was his name (complete with double ‘s’) so maybe a cousin as its an unusual spelling?  The building was a replacement for one put up by the navvies when they were building the canal.  Fine weather all day with sunshine and only a few clouds.

Monday started with an overcast sky with blue bits trying to be seen.  I headed off at 8:30 to the Marston locks, where I was carefully observed by a Swedish holiday crew as it was their first lock, another boat was going up so they will have had two demonstrations before having to work the lock themselves.  Mostly a quiet run until coming across a line of moored boats with one coming the other way, one of the moored boats decided to pull out also coming towards me.  This canal is not wide enough for four boats!  It is a good job I’ve got bow thrusters and plenty of power as they seemed determined to go between me and the moored boats on my side of the canal.  After a bit of discussion on the two boats they passed in convoy and I could get on to Ellesmere for the night.

St Maqrtin’s Moor, Llangollen – Friday 3 August 2012
Yesterday I did the tourist bit with a quick bit of shopping and a haircut, then down to the station to catch the train to Carroc.  I am not a train ‘anorak’ so do not know “alle ye korrect wordes”, I was on a nostalgia trip.  The train was pulled by a steam engine and had all different carriages, going I was in one that had seats in fours around tables.  On the return I moved into a compartment in a corridor carriage.  It was like I remember train travel with some exceptions, the country’s gone smokeless so no heavy black soot, the staff were all volunteers so the coupling of the engine to the carriages was a lot more gentle (no ramming the first one and sending a ripple down the whole train).

When I’d got back it was off on the horse drawn boat (drawn by Geordie), a totally different experience, no engine, no propeller, and able to hear the clop-clop of the horse’s hooves.  We passed another horse drawn boat, so got to see the old skills (dropping ropes) and how the ‘engine’ looked after itself.  When the rope was dropped Geordie went off and started chewing the hedgerow, and also found time for a quick pee and to leave a deposit on the towpath while pulling the boat.

Afterwards I returned to the boat and started returning bits as everything seems to be ok after the flood.

Today I decided that I would start the return journey early and was ready at 07:15 (not early enough as one left half an hour before me.  This time I was travelling with the flow on the canal so the engine was only running as fast as if I was going past moored boats and at 08:00 was approaching the first of the ‘narrow’ stretches which is on a blind corner and bridge.  I sounded the horn and was just through the bridge when another boat, ‘Pandora’s Box’, came up to the next corner We both slowed and managed to jam one another, full reverse from both did nothing so a call to the emergency line who advised that someone would be with us as soon as possible.  By 09:00 there were some boats heading down and one heading up (down is with the flow of the canal) when the C&RT man arrived.  He then took a few pictures, talked nicely to other boat crews, loaned a pair of ropes, and supervised the tugging of both boats apart.  The one that pulled Pandora’s Box then went back to a sort of layby so that passing was possible.  By 20 past I was on my way again.  That was the excitement for today – after this an uneventful run down to bridge 13 where I will stay for the weekend.

Llangollen, Llangollen – Wednesday 1 August 2012
No I am not following the American format [NY-NY] but have been giving location then canal in the heading and do not want to confuse myself or the few readers I may have.  I was up early and the camera was recharged so walked out onto the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and took photos, there was no-one else around (dog walkers not yet up).  I also walked down to the river and got pictures from there, it is spectacular seeing the light construction of the canal trough from underneath.  I also took a picture of the handle for ‘pulling the plug’ and draining the aqueduct for its five yearly maintenance and lost property recovery checks.

After removing excess weight from the boat I headed for Llangollen, and the flow of water really makes it feel that you are going uphill.  I was a single boat but kept meeting groups of boats coming down, as usual at places where there is no passing places or at blind bridges.
Today has been mixed from the weather view – dry first thing then threatening rain but the sun came out as I was mooring and when I went into the town.  Since then there have been showers (some heavy) and sun.

I have paid £12 to moor for the full 48 hours (this includes access to electricity and water at each mooring.  Tomorrow I will become a tourist – there is a steam railway, horse drawn passenger ‘fly’ and a local museum, so enough to fill the day.

The saga of the flood seems under control, I have had an electric heater running on cold air while I’ve been travelling (so as to not drain the batteries) and now that I am connected to the mains I’m going to run it while I’m moored here.  That should dry out any remaining moisture I hope, then I can return everything to proper places and look ship-shape again (or should that be narrowboat shaped)?

I have been in a no internet area this is what should have been published

Whitchurch, Llangollen – Friday 27 July 2012
I have moved away from Grindley Brook one whole mile to Whitchurch – Jess howls if the humans are doing things and she cannot see – so I put her on the roof (with her bed and a lead on) and she travelled better than I thought she would although she probably thinks her owners won’t find her now the boat has moved.
It looks like I might have got the worst of the water out of the boat as there was no pooling this morning, a mop with the magic cloth and a quick blow with a hair drier left the bottom of the boat dry.  I have left all the access panels open to allow air to flow freely through the bilges to speed drying where I cannot reach.  I’ve followed Peter’s advice with regards to tanks - water is quarter full and diesel is topped up so any remaining water should run to the back of the boat, I’ll just have to keep an eye on it for a while.
Jess and I have been out for a walk along the towpath, she really is excited by all these new smells and at the moment it’s a case of lots of sleep.

Hampton Bank, Llangollen – Saturday 28 July 2012
Jess was picked up last night, she was delighted that her human had found her after being dog-napped. Today a friend came for a trip on the boat, the original plan was to moor ar Bettisfield but there were no spaces available so we went on to Hampton Bank.

Hampton Bank, Llangollen – Sunday 29 July 2012
Walked up to village to go to church, there is a choice of two, an Anglican and a Methodist.  On arrival I found that both the Minister / Leaders had gone to other churches for services.  Attendance in church is dropping off so parishes are being joined and the minister does the “rounds”.  Stopped to chat with a couple who were looking for a Catholic church for their daughter’s wedding, they are not having a lot of success.  Boats have been passing in each direction all day.

Hindford Bridge, Llangollen – Monday 30 July 2012
Ten miles today and as I went past the Ellesmere arm I stopped to visit the town, a newish Tesco has been built at the basin and retirement homes are being built just the other side.  There is an old crane at the end to give an idea of the wharf’s history.

Pontcysylite, Llangollen – Tuesday 31 July 2012
A day of twos – two locks (New Marton), two tunnels (Chirk is 459 yds and Whitehouse is 191 yds) and two aqueducts (Chirk 70 ft above the valley and Pontcysylite 126 ft above the valley).  It is really noticeable that this canal has a flow – the engine has to run much harder to maintain speed when you go through a bridge ‘ole, and it is worse through tunnels and on the aqueducts where the width is reduced to only slightly more than the boat.  It has rained for most of the day but the sun came out just as I approached the Pontcysylite and on the down side the camera batteries packed up!!!
The crossing lived up to expectations, it is heart stopping with awe inspiring views, I even managed a brief look down into the valley
I have moored at Trevor and will do the last four miles tomorrow after I have taken some pictures.

Grindley Brook, Llangollen – Thursday 26 July 2012
Tuesday I had no signal, Wednesday and Thursday were busy so here goes:

Tuesday I started out at 08:30 in brilliant sunshine, at the junction with the Llangollen Canal there was a queue of four ahead of me, however, once it was my turn it all went smoothly, with locks made ready by boats coming down.  Obviously this is a popular trip as were boats going past all day.  The handbook warns that because this canal has a flow of water the locks can be ‘difficult’ due to bypass weirs, with the rain that we’ve had they have been and care is needed steering into the locks.  Distance travelled was nine locks and seven miles, and I moored by the Wrenbury Church lift bridge which will be my next task.

Wednesday started with Braidbar no 90 ‘Mary A’ going past then on to the lift bridge (for a footpath) with controls on the non-towpath side.  The Wrenbury lift bridge was for a road and needed a key to operate the traffic lights and drop barriers.  There was a boat ahead of me and they kept it up while I went through.  Between there and Grindley Brook were four locks spaced out then three locks close together our boats met up at each one.  Use of the staircase of three locks were under the control of a C&RT lock-keeper and because there was a queue at each end it was “3 up 3 down” so there was a bit of a wait.  Due to this being a very popular canal Wednesdays are particularly busy with holiday boats as those on their first week are going up and those on their second week are going down.
When it was my turn the first lock was ok but something caught the front of the boat in the second lock and water went into the cratch and the boat started to tip forward.  A quick shut of the paddles by the lock-keeper levelled the boat.  He then stated that I was the second single-hander it had happened to that day!  Through the last lock again was ok and then I moored on the visitor spot and had a look.  Water had got in and the saloon was awash – I mopped up and moved what I could into the dinete area leaving the front steps and the two seats stacked to leave the floor as clear as possible.  A call to Peter at Braidbar to reassure me of what I needed to do to reduce damage and where to look.

Thursday and a quick check of the saloon showed that the surface water had all gone.  A check of the bilge at the rear of the boat gave a different story, over an inch of water.  If the area under the floorboards is 30 feet long and six feet wide that is 15 cubic feet of water.  The day, fortunately has been hot and dry while I’ve pumped out the bilges, using a power pump initially, then when it got too low for that using a suction bottle (meant for draining oil, but it was clean) and when that stopped working going on to the ‘magic’ cloths I bought at Crick.  As soon as I thought I’d finished more water would arrive. I’ll see what it’s like on Friday.
Jess has returned, she must like the boat.

Nantwich, Shropshire Union – Monday 23 July 2012
Jess was picked up last night and mail delivered so I took the day off (sort of) to sort it out – stayed moored on the Embankment and went into town to deal with things in the banks.  The bench seats around the town Square all have year numbers on the ends and a plaque stating what happened at that time, a sneaky way of getting people to know their local history.  Also got a laundry load done at the Marina.  The sun has been out all morning but it is clouding over now.

Nantwich, Shropshire Union – Sunday 22 July 2012
Saturday was spent enjoying the sunshine, walking along the Nantwich embankment where seats have been provided all along it for walkers who may be tired.  I spent time sitting on the benches and reading.  There is also a picnic area with a sculpture of a horse (“no climbing allowed”) and other sculptures of a dog and fish which were put up when the embankment was restored.  Braidbar no 45 ‘New Dawn’ and no 133 ‘Eleventh Heaven’ went past together, a stop for water was aborted due to the speed of the tap – not enough hours in a day type thing.  They are heading along the Llangollen so will pass them again.
Jess arrived in the afternoon and has had fun with all these new dogs to meet and the smells and boats and ducks and people and EVERYTHING!!  It’s amusing watching her trying to get the rubber fender out from the side of the boat – it makes squeaky noises like her toys at home so I must have put it there just for her to play with.
Sunday and Jess woke at 06:00 to go out, the smells have obviously not changed because she was running all over the place then breakfast and we were out on a long walk at 08:00, got back to the boat at 14:30 and she spent the afternoon sleeping.  Evening and we went out again and met up with the canines from other boats (one also had a cat that just looked disdainfully at Jess but she didn’t pull as she does at home).  She goes back home tonight so no cruising with her – yet!

Nantwich, Shropshire Union – Friday 20 July 2012
Another strenuous day (ha?) as I’ve travelled three miles and two locks to get to Nantwich where I’ll stay for the weekend.  The town looks nice with buildings of all periods mixed in.  There is even a recently built row with Victorian style 2 up - 2 down, Tudor timber framed style and Georgian town house all in a terrace (that’s the 20th century bit of architecture – copy others).  The town centre, however, still has houses and shops from earlier times that have not been knocked down and replaced with 60’s steel framed buildings.  Buildings have been converted from original uses, eg the old Cheshire Constabulary building is now flats, as is the old town Savings Bank.  The names carved on the buildings have not been obliterated as in some other places.
The weather has been sunny with the odd shower.  And I’m hoping that I will get to look after Jess this time as I’ve given directions to get to me.
I forgot to report that yesterday I saw Braidbar 110 ‘Nomad’ as I went past the Overwater Marina on the way to Hack green.  And number 60 ‘Smudge’ has just gone past.

Burrows Bridge, Shropshire Union – Thursday 19 July 2012
Today was a non-canal day as I’ve only travelled about two miles and moored up at Burrows Bridge then went off to see the Hack Green Secret Nuclear Bunker.  Some secret now as it shows up in guide books and on street maps!  This started out in 1941 as a Royal Air Force RADAR station during the Second World War, then became a top secret post from 1952 looking out for Soviet missiles, in 1960 it doubled as part of the UK’s Air Traffic Control and in 1966 was reduced to a standby station.  After a major re-build it was run by the Home Office as a Regional Government Headquarters (for use should a nuclear attack take place destroying Central government) when the Commissioner with his staff would then “lead the reconstruction of a post-war Britain from the ashes of a thermo-nuclear conflict”.  It was declassified in 1993 and has been turned into a sort of ‘Cold War’ museum that is well worth a visit, although depending on your viewpoint it could be chilling (listing the expected numbers killed or injured) or frivolous (instructions from Central Government to make an inner refuge from a door and some sandbags).  The ‘canteen’ is decorated like a services NAAFI, but the canteen staff were friendlier than I remember.

Moss Hall Aqueduct, Shropshire Union – Wednesday 18 July 2012
Today I’ve travelled about one and a half miles, but there were fifteen locks!  Ready to go at 09:15 and had moved ready to go into the first lock when the phone rang.  I let the next two boats through then at 10:00 was ready to go again.  It worked in my favour as at each lock there was a boat coming the other way so we left gates open for each other.  At Audlem Wharf (lock 13) the crew of the first boat I let through were having a lunch break, but came and ‘did’ the lock for me.  The sun has been out all day apart from a brief shower when all the boat crews got togged up in waterproofs (Pavlovian response?).  The shower only lasted about ten minutes then the sun was back and it’s been like a remembered normal summer’s day.
Moss Hall Aqueduct is where the canal crosses the River Weaver, it has a lovely view across rolling farm land covered in sheep and dairy cows.
Audlem is a tidy town with a positive Town Council, it has won awards as “Best Kept Village” and it’s easy to see why with clean streets, no obvious graffiti and flowers all around.  They have even produced a glossy brochure of a walk around town showing all the places of interest and giving the history when their use has changed (the Phoenix and the Crown Hotel were originally coaching Inns but are now the Co-op and flats).  It has been interesting following the walk.

Audlem Top Lock, Shropshire Union – Tuesday 17 July 2012
I’ve had a leisurely weekend.  Friday evening visitors arrived to admire ‘Ice Breaker’.
Saturday, spent wandering round the town which is looking very run-down although the town council have encouraged some ‘trompe-l’oeil’ on the empty shops and buildings, to make the place look less depressed.  There are a lot of charity shops but few local retailers due to supermarkets taking over (the town has Asda, Morrisons, Tesco and soon Sainsburys), what chance do small traders have?  The town was rebuilt following a fire in 1651, although there is pub that claims to be a survivor from the fire.  There are dozens of Union flags around the town, but the British Legion must have put them up or given instructions as they are all the correct way up!  One shop was flying the French Tricolor, but it was Bastille day.  It rained all day.
Sunday, church was St Mary’s early morning service.  The church has leaflets showing how it looked at different times, during the 18th 19th Centuries the walls were covered in plaster, but this has now been removed to show the stonework.  When he was young Clive of India apparently sat on one of the gargoyles at the top of the tower.  He was sent to India because he was a local trouble-maker (at one time getting money from shop-keepers as ‘protection’).  Saint Swithun’s day today - Sun out all day.
Monday, another rain soaked day, spent time inside, then out to friends for dinner.
Tuesday, short run of 4 miles and through the 5 Adderley locks.  I have moored up ready for the 15 Audlem locks tomorrow.  The sun is trying hard to come out, and so far we have not had any rain.
On Friday Braidbar No 105 ‘Nocturne’ went past and today No 61 ‘Shiraz’.

Tyrley Wharf, Shropshire Union – Thursday 12 July 2012
The rain is back.  Only the hardy souls out braving the weather and of course holiday-makers who, last winter thought they were booking a boat for during the summer.
Started the day by filling up with water, then I waited while a boat went through the top lock as it had drained due to leaks.  Boats at each of the locks so each one was ‘set’ ready for me.  It was still slow as the locks are fairly close together, so it’s a wait until they come out then we each left the gates and passed between locks.  Today was a short day as I’ve only travelled down the 5 locks into Market Drayton and these are set in a deep cutting with the trees closing in on both sides.  The overflow from the locks is quite severe, at one I was pushed into the trees.
At about 13:40 ‘Hazel’ Braidbar No 58 went past.

Tyrley Wharf, Shropshire Union – Thursday 12 July 2012
No travelling today as you are allowed to stop here for 48hour and I’ll get a break, and do some domestic chores.  I spent the early part of the day catching up on computer jobs and communications.  I then took the opportunity of a fine day to clean and polish the boat, yesterday’s wash was the roof only and this left streaks down the sides.  Cleaning today included ‘winding’ the boat twice so that I could get both sides to the towpath, and end up facing the way I’m travelling tomorrow.  Washing was quick, and the rinse and polish is supposed to be allowed to dry on its own when it won’t leave streaks or on a warm day use a cloth to dry it.  However, today was so hot (!) that it was steaming as I applied it, so I ended up doing the polishing a foot at a time.
Regular activity through the top lock (where I’m moored) with boats going up and down, the fine weather has brought them out.

Tyrley Wharf, Shropshire Union – Wednesday 11 July 2012
Correction from yesterday (if any-one is reading this and noted my error).  When I wrote “I was approximately 3 miles east of where I moored at the weekend” it was, of course, 3 miles WEST!! The A5 road runs in a straight line, crossing both the Staffs & Worcs at Gailey and the Shropshire Union near Brewood.  By car that would be about 3 minutes!
Now for today, as usual it was raining when I was ready to go, so I had put on winter weather clothing to cope and set off at 08:30, by 10:00 the sun was out and it remained out, although it had been a bit blustery.
This stretch of the canal is certainly varied; long straight runs with fields either side, high embankments which must have given impressive views before the trees grew so tall and deep cuttings where the walls close in and boats have to pass in a sort of ‘lay-by’.  The embankments have gates at either end (similar to lock gates) in order that if there is a breach they can be closed allowing the rest of the canal to continue to operate.  At the other extreme the footpath through Woodseaves Cutting has been closed.  It is waterlogged (under water in some places) and the bank on the non-path side of the canal has collapsed.  This has been protected by three large pontoon ‘balloons’ being put round it, reducing the already narrow width, of course that’s where I met a boat going the other way.
There have been no names that really caught my eye today and only one boat – it looked like a river cruiser had mated with a narrow boat!  Narrow boat bow and stern (looked like it was made in metal), it had a steerer’s cockpit with wheel, about a third of the way back.
As it was not raining I have washed the boat, then just like washing a car – it rained

Gnosal Heath, Shropshire Union – Tuesday 10 July 2012
Woke up early, cloudy with sunny patches, ready to go at 08:30 and guess what?  It had started raining – very heavy and it continued all the time I was moving. 
I have covered 1 lock and 12 miles today, at about 10:30 I was approximately 3 miles east of where I moored at the weekend, having travelled 24 lock-miles on the canal.  This way is more fun.
At Bridge 27 (near Church Eaton) there were a group of canoeists waiting to go in the water when I had passed, I warned them there was another boat about 200 yds behind me and as I went through the bridge there was a boat going the other way.  I warned him as well because from his direction it was a ‘blind’ bridge.
Today has been a day for enjoying boat names and thinking where they came from; ‘Water Gypsy’ and ‘Dunrushin’ are straightforward ‘T’mora’ a bit of fun.  Then there’s the pairs ‘Smaug’ and ‘Thorin’ (Tolkien – Hobbit and Lord of the Rings), ‘Rincewind’ and ‘Twoflower’ (Pratchett – Discworld ™).  I also saw another Braidbar (none for a few days), this was no 74 ‘Maple’.  So the journey has been enjoyable in spite of the rain.