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.
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
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’.
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’.
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
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.
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.
Sunday, August 26, 2012
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.
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).
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).
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
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.
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.
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
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.
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.
Monday, August 20, 2012
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.
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.
Friday, August 17, 2012
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.
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.
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
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.
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.
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
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.
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.
Monday, August 13, 2012
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.
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.
Friday, August 10, 2012
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.
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.
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.
Thursday, August 9, 2012
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!
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!
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
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.
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.
Monday, August 6, 2012
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.
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.
Friday, August 3, 2012
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.
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.
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
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)?
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)?
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