UK Canals - Journey reports

Glasson

Our plan today was to reach Glasson at the bottom of the arm leading off the Lancaster Canal.  The 6 locks leading down to the basin and dock are the only ones on the Lancaster Canal proper.   We set off later by our standards  and first visited the well appointed service facility at Garstang with its newish pump out machine.  At least, it's not shown in the guide.  Then the generally slow cruise to the junction.  The top lock is immediately after the towpath bridge and the only way to deal with it seems to be to hover in the bridge hole unless you go the whole way, moor up on the main line and then only attempt to enter the Glasson Arm when the lock is prepped.   The lock was almost full, so we didn't need to wait long.   The bottom gate paddles are apparently typical of the Leeds and Liverpool, although we have never seen them before.   Wooden boards which swivel on the gate and pulled across by  huge toothed rack actuated by a pinion attached to a large handle.  Pat did not have enough strength to work most of these, so I spent most of the time lock-side.  Our friend traveling behind were very happy to help, but had their own boats to manage and I think the ladies had similar problems.   The arm itself is very rural and attractive and apart from one very low pound c used I suspect by leaking to gates at the end, no problem otherwise.   The basin at Glasson is huge and one quarter full of sea going yachts.   We have an attractive spot, but it might get a bit busy with day trippers at the weekend.

 

 

 

 

An evening view of Glasson Basin from the boat.

Garstang

Again, not far to go for us today.  Garstang promised a lauderette as well as some decent shops. so we can get bags of washing done.   A very pretty journey in warm sunshine, the first day that I have been able to start without the heavy duty jacket!   We arrived at 9:35, found a pleasant mooring in a central spot and also the launderette.   Then out to the shops.  Its the kind of olde worlde town with butchers, bakers and the kind of shops that make you instantly hungry.  The supermarket, Booths, was very well set out and again, made us hungry.   Top purchase was a wedge of Garstang Blue cheese, creamy and not too sharp.  This was demolshed with fresh bread and chutney. Fantastic.

Bilsborrow

A fine meal at the Hand & Dagger last evening.   This morning somewhat overcast again, but it improved as we went on, slowly.  The canal is very shallow in places.  Bilsborrow was reached at lunchtime.   Clearly a very popular spot as moorings were limited.  Outside the pub had possibilities, but too noisy and definitely no good for an overnight.   Our companions needed water and facilities and there was a short mooring adjacent with a wide grass strip which we could just get the four boats on, breasted up.  A short exploration through an alley brought us out onto the main road, a fish & chip shop and post office general store.  So a fish & chip lunch, then tea on the grass.

The Ribble Link

Our paperwork from BW stated that our departure time from Tarleton would be 7:13. However, when Harry the lock-keeper came to see us yesterday he said that was nonsense and we should plan to be at the lock at 8:00.  So we got there in good time, but while there seemed to be activity around the lock, the gates were not open and the swing bridge at the lock entrance closed against us.  There is nowhere to moor, so I killed the engine and hung on to a nearby narrow-boat.   At almost precisely 8:13 it all suddenly happened and the first two boats were let in.  My guess is that BW had forgotten it was summertime!   Nuggler was paired with Minnehaha and our turn came next.  

Heading straight out into the tidal torrent rushing up the River Douglas we wound our engines up and were able to make about 2.2mph on the GPS.  Nuggler at 1700 and Minnehaha at 2000rpm.   Slowly, speed picked up as the tide rose and the river widened, until by slack water we were doing about 5.5 mph.

Astland Lamp  A sharp right hand turn here!

  Turning at Asland Light we assessed our position and it looked as if the 1 3/4 hours we had been told we should take would be cutting it fine.  I increased revs to 2000 which gave another half mile per hour and we could see the green light at the entrance to Savick Brook.

 
  Entrance to Savick Brook

Just as we drew level with the entrance, the light was switched off.  A phone call confirmed that we were still OK for the sea lock and we should continue.   Still at 1700 revs we wound our way up the narrow channel through the sea lock to be greeted by our friends on the staging pontoon. 

Approaching the Sea Lock

The boat behind did make it and with the sea lock now closed and after a 10 minute wait, the water level being low enough to get under the road bridge, we continued.   The link is nothing like I had imagined.   The locks are well spaced out and the channel between at least in the lower stages, very narrow and tortuous. 

Looking back at the narrow channel

 As we were the last pair through, the BW lock-keepers were working the locks for us, security locking the paddles behind us as we went.

Reversing into the staircase locks

  Finally we reached the deep staircase 3, reversed in as advised, and appeared at the top basin to a champagne reception courtesy of Claire - a gift to Minnehaha.  

Finally!

So we had made it without any real stress; no overheated engines and at an intermediate tide.  Pictures when I get a good 3G signal on the dongle.

After lunch we moved on up the Lancaster Canal to the Hand & Dagger the traditional first night stop I am informed, for a fine meal.

Tarleton

I have the sort of feeling that were are at the end of the world here.  The towpath gave out about a mile back as the canal, according to Nicholson's guide, follows the line of the old River Douglas, winding between reed banks.  At Tarleton, the visitor moorings are actually excellent.  Because we had onl;y a short way to go today, and the moorings were suitable, I started the day by blacking the startbord side of the gunwale, having done the port side up on the Macclesfield.  It needs a mooring low on the waterline.  Once mobile, our target was a pump out and water using the facilities at Spark Bridge.  This done we continued on and by lunchtime we had reached Tarleton. After lunch, we set about getting ready for tomorrow.  Getting the anchor out and extending the warp to 30 metres plus, fixing up the VHF (expected to be a waste of time, but its there if we need it) and generally tidying up.   Afternoon was otherwise spent chatting with our cruise companions, but at 5 pm, Harry, the lock keeper appeared to bief us for tomorrow.  BW has given us a 7:13 start.  Wrong, its 8.am.  Its a neapish tide, so we were informed that we might not have time to make Savick Brook before the tide lock has to close.  In which case we would need to go on to Preston Marina, or we could delay until Monday when conditions would be better, but there would be more boats.   It transpires that one boat, not of our group, has decided to wait.  So were are only four and we will give it a go.

Rufford

Leaving Wigan, out next objective was Parbold for minor shopping.  A pretty village.  Pat explored and found that she needed to go right on the bridge for some shops.  I spent the time cleaning and polishing.   Soon after we had reached the junction with the Rufford Branch. 

 We were confronted with the swing bridge and the top lock and unusual paddle gear. 

The swing bridge was swung, now aiting for the lock to fill at the top lock 

This paddle was a bit stiff

Never before seen paddle gear  .

 Pat had trouble unlocking the bridge.  It is basicaly a screw unwound with the handcuff key on a very crude padlock arrangement attached to a chain.  The screw, when unwound was not clearing the hasp of the lock and needed to be pushed out using the finger bar on the handcuff key.  Only one ground paddle was operative, so filling took a while.  Then with all the bother of unlocking and locking we decided to only use one bottom paddle, so this lock took ages.  We speeded up a bit after that, but stopped after lock 4 for lunch.   It didn't take much longer to get to Rufford, where there are two marinas, one right under the bridge, one left.   We needed diesel and decided to go left (St Mary's Marina).   Diesel was 71p + propulsion tax.   We were told later that the other marina was 60p.  However, service was good and cheerful and we were on our way shortly after and joined our companions for the crossing on Sunday, bankside.

Wigan

Deep Canal with little rubbish,so good fast run through to Wigan Pier.   We are a bit gutted that the sanitary station shown in the latest Nicholson's hasn't been here for 4 years.   A local tells us that other facilities are also disappearing because of lack of (BW) money.  Our last hope for pumpout before the crossing is Sparks Bridge on the Rufford Arm.    We will water there hopefully and have to find diesel sometwhere before also.  Hopefully we will be able to stay here tonight.   There is a bit of grass for the dog.

The Ashton and Rochdale 9

Well we knew it wouldn't be easy.  We set off at 6:45.  A hire boat had passed us on the mooring about 2 minutes earlier, but there was no sign of it ahead.  Pat said it was "going well".  The canal appeared deep at the top and the boat was making good progress in spite of a bit of rubbish on the prop from time to time.  We reached the first lock and there was the hire boat, stuck half way out of the lock.  THey were trying to pull it out with a rope.  I opened the top paddle and  flushed them out only to ground again immediately after.   As the top pound was down about a foot, I decided to let a lot of water down and fill it, because if they grounded, then we certainly would.   This done they got moving and we soon followed.  It was still touch and go getting out of the lock.  The BW lock keeper appeared and seemed quite happy with what we had done, and more to the point, that we were no longer stuck.  Then a bit further on, after one very stiff swing bridge, the boat ahead seemed to be spending too long prepping a lock.  Pat went down to investigate and reported that the lock wouldn't fill because the bottom gates would not close properly.  He had tried using his pole to clear the presumed ostruction but it was too short to reach the cill.  I had a go with my long one and got nowhere.  However, by opening the other gate fully, then slamming the bad one we managed to shift the obstruction only to have it jam the other gate as if it was a long object.  This time the pole worked.   However, filling the lock took a lot of what was left in the pound and they were now listing severely and stuck on the bank.   More water let down!   All this malarky had taken us a lot of time to which one must add the messing about with paddle locks and the lack of decent lock landings below to facilitate exits.  So we finally reached the top of the Rochdale 9 after 6 1/2 hours exhausting work.  Then we had the fun of the 9; the lock with no towpath access by Canal St really upset Pat, who had walked on.  There is a short bit of new pontoon at the top and a landing below to get on and off, but no good if you are on the other side of the wall.  We reached Castlefield at 15:30, exhausted after what had not really been a long day in our experience.

Portland Basin

We set off down Marple Locks at about 8:00am.   These are deep single locks and the water pressure on the bottom paddles makes them the stiffest I have ever had to use.  Continuous winding is just not possible in some cases with a standard windlass, but a different puchase necessary on each quadrant.  Each lock has a bottom end bridge, so there is no need to leap gates, but the bottom access is non existent for most except for a few stone steps leading into mid air and fenced off.  Clearly something is missing, though I can't see any trace of what.  We got down the 16 in 2 hours 20 minutes and carried straight on to Dukinfield Junction and Portland Basin. 

At the bottom of Marple Locks - View from the Goyt Aqueduct through the arches of the nearby railway viaduct.

  A mega shop in Asda followed.   Sadly, today, I have to report that no TV picture is possible due to large blocks of flats all round.  Rather unexpected actually, so we'll have to use the internet.

Mooring at Dukinfield Junction.  Portland Basin is in the background. 

Marple

Not far to go today so a late start.  We dawdled along, partly by intent but also to pass lines of moorings.  On arrival at Marple we found that the towpath moorings leading up to the junction were being upgraded and unavailable.  However, there was just room for us along with two other boats just at the corner.  We repaired to the Ring o'Bells for lunch.  The Sunday roast was first class and there is an extensive a la carte menu on offer.  I would put this in the top class of pub/restaurants.  TV reception is now good on the short stub aerial, so I have folded the large aerial away in its cupboard to reduce roof clutter before the Ashton Canal and Manchester.  Down Marple tomorrow.

Limited visitor moorings at Marple 

Anson Engine Museum

Another lazy day really.  We reversed back down the canal to get water and visit the "Trading Post" for diesel, solid fuel and sundries.  Pat bought a coal scuttle for home.   Then back to the mooring using the same pin holes as before.   Made a visit to the Anson Engine Museum in the afternoon.    If you are into vintage internal combustion engines this is a must.  There was a Gardner Group visit going on while I was there.   Mostly stationary engines going back to the mid 19th century, many are working.   I was fascinated by the 10foot high massive atmospheric engine clattering away producing all of 3 HP.   Nothing of canal boat engines though.  Returning I continued the rust spotting exercise, polished and laquered the roof hatch (finally) and one or two other small repairs, like whipping the end of the centre rope.

A quiet day

Had a look at the batteries this morning.  The little eye in the top was green.  I hope that means they do not need attention.   Then we walked into Poynton, ostensibly for some shopping.  Passed the entrance to the Anson Engine Museum on the way.  A target for tomorrow.   One the return used my bus pass outside London for the first time.  There were about half a dozen passengers, all with passes, except Pat who held up proceedings by having to offer money - £1.90 and the driver had to look it up!

In the afternoon a bit of rust spotting on the roof but the day which had started cloudy was now cloudless and realy warm in the sunshine out of the breeze.   George, who was restrained on a lead by my chair becase he barks furiously at all passing dogs and then chases after them (he can't yet be aware that he has lost his nuts) got challenged by one very large black dog and backed himself into the canal.  With wet fur you realise how small he really is.  Anyway, his first ducking.

Rest day

In deciding our route to Tarleton for the Ribble Link we have taken the hard option.  It's not that we are masochists with all the extra locks, risking the bandits on the Ashton Canal and of course the dreaded Rochdale 9.  Pat hates the Rochdale 9 by the way.  For me it's a challenge, but she sees it from the lock operative's point of view.   No it was necessary because a fault had been detected with our solid fuel stove during the recent BSS exam.   Thanks to the eagle eyes of Andrew, our examiner, who looked behind the stove, a difficult look, he found that the blanking plate which covers the unused rear flue exit hole was gaping open.  That we have not had any flue gases getting into the boat as evidenced by the carbon monoxide monitor was lucky.  I  wanted to visit the Braidbar boatyard where the stove and flue had been recently overhauled, to get them to look at it.   Credit to Braidbar, the plate was removed this morning and a broken stud which secures the thing was found.   It was all fixed and back in place one and a half hours later. Job done.   Not knowing how difficult this would have been, particularly if spares were needed, I had allowed a few days.   So we will stay here and enjoy our view, take a few walks and visit the nearby Anson Museum.

Higher Poynton

An early start as usual.  There were a few boats at the bottom of the Bosley flight.  The bottom lock was empty - a good omen.  This lock flight is unusual in having mitred gates at each end, so working this first lock gave us an opportunity to work out a plan.  Our procedure is always that the next lock should be ready so that delay between locks in minimal.  So Pat would shut the bottom gates using the lock bridge to cross, then open the ground paddle towpath side and immediately walk on to the next lock.  Using the roof, I would then climb offside and open the other ground paddle, then finally use the boat to cross to open and close the top gates. The locks behave in a docile manner, but there was a tendency to run forwards during the late stage of filling, so I used the centre rope to tie off to a rear bollard and pinned the rudder back to prevent any damage there.  The routine settled down very quickly and we transited the 12 locks in about 90 minutes.   The Macclesfield Canal is notoriously very shallow and the good news is that there is a lot of dredging going on.  Nevertheless progress is slower than on the deeper canals.   By Macclesfield I was feeling the effects of the cold wind and we stopped for lunch.  Pat discovered the Coop just up the hill from the Puss in Boots pub and was happy.  Pressing ever on we passed the impressive aqueduct and converted mills at Bollington and were soon at Higher Poynton.   Mooring is always at a premium here for some reason.  There is a whole line of immaculate permit only moorings towpath side (with a lot of spaces shown here) between bridges 15 and 14 and no vacant space on the visitor moorings in the run up to bridge 15. We moored beyond bridge 14 with the best view, Freeview TV and 3G+ internet. (Photo below)

Macclesfield Canal

A lazy day.  We left the mooring late at 7:45 and stopped at Congleton to have a look.  Stopping by bridge 76 we went up the steps to the pub, then back over the main road bridge where we found a neat row of shops including a baker, a post office/newsagent and a farm shop.  We aimed to be in position to get an early start up Bosley flight tomorrow, but found a good quiet mooring just after bridge 63 with beautiful views over the Cheshire plain and the pennines including the bit we wil climb tomorrow.

Red Bull Aqueduct

We left Barlaston early as usual and reached Trentham Lock about 15 minutes later.  This is a favourite log jam spot where during the day an accumulation of boats arriving irregularly from the long pound after Meaford form a queue.  Not so early in the morning.  The lock was empty and the gates opened easily the reason for which we found out when the top gate did not want to open, the bottom paddles were both an inch up.  Pressing on we climbed Stoke locks without interruption meeting our first opposite direction at the top.  Needing a pump out we headed into Etruria moorings at the top of the Caldon Canal where there is a BW sanitary station complete with card operated self service pump out. Good job I've still got an unused card as BW do not sell them there and the museum was closed.  However, I was informed that I could get a replacement from the tunnel keepers.  Moving on again we got a shock at Longport to see Roger Millin at the helm of 'SANITY', then moment later, Bruce and Sheila Napier on their new boat, 'SANITY AGAIN'.   Sanity was on the way to the brokers and the new boat to the Crick show.  The morning thus far had been very cold, at least from the perspective of one standing on the back of a boat for hours.   Oh how I would relish the chance to run between locks with a windlass in hand, but Pat is possessive about her windlass.  Arriving at the Harecastle tunnel south entrance the sun came out and it was suddenly warm.  The tunnel keeper informed us that we only had 10 minutes to wait and kindly telephoned his colleague at the other end to have a couple of prepayment cards ready for us in exchange for 'the right money'.   As this would be a £20 note it did not seem too onerous a request but the reason was probably that he was waiting for us at the other end and clearly intended to make the exchange rater like a railway signalman exchanging tokens on the fly.   We moored up after a few hundred yards to make a quick visit to Tesco then carried on to a nice bit of piling just past the Red Bull Aqueduct.   The chair came out in the sunshine, a beer was consumed and the port side of the boat washed.   TV here a bit difficult and only achieved ultimately by switching the big aerial to vertical mode to receive transmissions from Fenton. Good 3G for the Internet though.

Fradley Junction and Rugeley

An early start because we didn't want to get caught behind a very slow boat that was ahead of us yesterday evening making its way to Fradley Junction.   In short we never found it, so maybe it went up the Birmingham & Fazeley.   It took us 3 3/4 hours to reach Fazeley which was more of a mess than ever, mainy because of moored boats breasted up on both sides so that one had to weave in and out to get through never mind opposite direction boats.

   

(Above) Looking up towards the lock. Little room to pass and scant places to land for the lock.

(Below) Looking back.  We could have used the pump out facilities here but it would have blocked the channel pretty well.

It took us 1 1/2 hours to pass the three locks, but in lovely weather and pleasant company.  Pushing on we reached Rugeley by 14:30.   Lots of boats on the move.  One really needs to sound the horn at the skewed road bridge by the Ash Tree pub.   Two boats did, we heard them and waited, then got the all clear.   No trouble mooring for the Morrison's supermarket close by bridge 66.

Fazeley Junction

We got off to a good start but it was short lived.  Approaching Atherstone we were warned by a moored boater that the flight had been shut the night before due to a blocked culvert.  Sure enough when we got there a notice was there and two boats already waiting overnight. We joined them and Pat went down to recce after a while and found the workmen looking down a hole with the intention of putting a camera in. We learned later that they had pulled out a whole load of branches and other vegetation.  Slowly a queue was building and a lot of boat cleaning and brass polishing got done in the now warm sunshine.  At about 11:00 a BW person appeared, opened all the paddles and disappeared.  At 11:30 we thought we would tempt fate and have an early lunch,but fate wan 't tempted and it was only after 12:40 and a false start that we got moving, slowly.  Opposite direction boats started to appear and it wasn't until 15:00 that we reached tghe bottom.   Our idea of reaching Fradley was now out of the window.  On the way to Polesworth we encountered 'ADA', friends Ross and Judith that we had first shared many locks with on the K&A.  They were doing the Warwickshire Ring.  Finally, following a very slow boat, we decided to stop at Fazeley Junction.   A text message informs us that our daughter no longer wants us to have the dog.  Oh well!

The Anchor - Mini-GiG

There was quite a thick frost on the boat this morning and the mop was frozen to the roof.  After about half an hour of cruising we came up on LEVICK and PILGRIM two boats we are to share the Ribble Link passage with.  After a brief chat we agreed to meet at the 'The Anchor' for an evening meal in the pub where a fourth boat FAIR FA would join us, thus constituting a Cutweb Mini-GiG.  At Springwood Haven we spotted SPUITEN DIYVEL (probably spelt wrong - sorry) the boat we had shared the tidal Severn trip with, so stopped again for a chat and catch up.  Then FAIR FA joined us.  After another while we moved on and all four boats came together at the Anchor.   By now the sun was warm and the winds light, so chairs and tables came out for 5 hours of chat over wine & beer.  The meal in the pub later was a little noisy, but the food good (2 for £10 carvery) and the beer excellent. (Everards)   All wanting an early start we retired about 9:30.

Our daughter needs to place one of her scottish highland terriers with us, so we have agreed to meet at Rugeley on Saturday evening.  The aim thus is Fradley Jn. tomorrow.

Mooring for the TV signal

Pat went ahead to work the lock and we were soon on our way to Braunston.  Exiting the tunnel the scale of the work to stabilise the bank by the entrance is evident. Huge quantities of water are draining from ground water drains built into the bank.  The short section to the lock is also being dredged and the offside bank restored.  Just above the last biut oe lock we met up with Mike Wooding and Krystina. Their new boat (now named 'Allsorts') was emerging from the dry dock after a paint job and Draco is due in for the same treatment.  Aiming for Rugby shopping we carried on.  Traffic increased considerably with a steady stream of opposite direction boats, but then nothing at Hillmorton.  We found a mooring at the park but it is not a nice place to stay and we need good TV.  So after lunch we set off looking for a good TV signal.  It is Masterchef final tonight!  Using the GPS on Sutton Coldfield to get a good sight line we finally stopped near bridge 37 on the N Oxford.  Good Freeview, but the bank is soft and passing boats do not always slow down enough.

Buckby

Following routine checks I had to tighten the alternator belt this morning.  Its the new one, so not nexpected I suppose.  Once I had the right tools it took only a few seconds, but I never have all the right ones in the right place at the right time!  We had a clear run through Blisworth Tunel, though the wetest I have known. The wind is stronger and just as cold in the morning and in spite of a forecast sunny day mostly high overcast.  A slow start up Whilton Locks due to multiple Gayton Bpoats all reaching their first lock, but once up we found our favourite mooring free in the pond just below top lock.  Spag Bol tonight!

Stoke Bruerne

A chilly morning again. Not much wind to start with but it got up later.  Not very pleasant.  But after we moored up at Stoke Bruerne the sun came out again and in the cutting entrance it seemed quite pleasant.  But we get ahead of ourselves.  Pat needed provisions and the best stop is at Wolverton.  Guessing that the store would not be open early we dawdled along, allowing one boat on its way to Braunston for blacking, to pass.  Apparently he had had a problem with the ice. Once we got there, Pat only had to wait till 09:00 for the store to open and then was nearly trampled in the stampede when in did.  Once we got moving again there was a steady stream of boats, needing a wait at Cosgrove and at the bottom of Stoke Bruerne flight where we teamed up with 'SPICE of LIFE' for the climb.  Experienced boaters clearly because we were both working from the same sheet without any discussion, like entering the locks synchronously.  Loads of gongoozlers at the top and a mooring just for us in exactly the right place for good Freeview from 'SANDY'.   Time for a nap and a bit of rust spotting on the back deck.  Tonight, Pork chops with onion sauce, roast potatoes and brocolli.  And a bit of Pinot!

Great Linford

A leisurely start this morning.  After negotiating Grove Lock we cruised to Leighton Buzzard, first taking water just before the town bridge and then moving on to the shopping moorings.  Of course, being Easter Sunday the supermarket was shut.  No worries, the petrol station will do for what we need.   I then took our crew to the station to meet their train home.  Then we carried on.   I was pleased to see that Willowbridge was open and as we drew up help was immediately at hand to get us some more solid fuel while I filled with diesel (75p + propulsion tax).  Very friendly service indeed.   I was told, when asking, that it had changed hands two years ago which might explain why I had previously a negative view now definitely changed.  Carrying on, Fenny lock was operated largely for us by some enthusiastic children under supervision on the gates.  Then through Milton Keynes we saw more moving boats that we had over the preceding 3 or four days.  Stopping by the Giffard Park pub at Gt Linford for the night we have an excellent Freeview signal from "Sandy".

The Grove Pub

Last evening we returned from a fine Thai meal at the CowRoast to find the boat listing more than we would expect.  We knew that we were on a shallow section because the stern had refused to come in nicely, so I slackened off the ropes and pushed the boat out.  This seemed to improve things but 10 minutes later we were sure it was worse again.  So I slackened off some more and set up a simple plumb line which proved that the list was indeed getting worse.   Because of our position, and being deeper drafted than most, we seemed to be the only boat affected, however this was suspicious of a paddle left up.   Armed with a windlass and torch Pat and I walked down to Dudswell Top Lock and indeed found that one of the ground paddles had not been let down totally.  Fixing it stopped the turbulence in the lock and the sound of rushing water so we could sleep easier, other boaters unaware of the problem they would have been in by morning.   So, after a big breakfast We left our moorings at 08:10 and took down the TV aerial (which I had forgotten) on the way to Cowroast Lock where we met two Wyverns on their way to London.  Tring cutting, (where Sam spotted a pike and a kingfisher) Marsworth, and Seabrook were passed without incident, but at Ivinghoe came up behind a very dysfunctional day-boat from Pitstone having a really good day out.  Our guests will leave tomorrow from Leighton Buzzard, so rather than moor there tonight we decided to stop at the Grove and finish the last bit tomorrow.  A decent mooring opposite the new marina.

The mooring opposite the new marina at the Grove. 

Looking north towards the pub with new marina offices in the background 

Cowroast

Gemma and Sam arrived last evening as expected, Sam in a smart city suit!  All the towpaths around are a muddy mess: not very welcoming.  We planned to eat in and Pat did us proud with Griddled Salmon, tomato and pepper salsa with ginger and lemon couscous. This morning up at the usual time, setting off after breakfast at 7:20. The weather was not pleasant. It was overcast with a bitterly cold wet wind, so a stop at Apsley for a warm, a bacon sandwich and water was welcome.  Continuing on we were alone on the water until Winkwell where we met up with 'WHISPER' (not the famous one) and through the bridge and next lock with them.   However we came up behind two other boats there, one of which was going to moor up because the boaters did not like being 'chased' apparently.   So we joined the other, waiting for us at the next lock.  This was 'OZZIE', the boat we travelled with briefly yesterday, and so we spent a very pleasant few locks working with them as far as Berkhamsted where we both stopped, us for lunch and them for the night.  I was not looking forward to continuing in the wet wind, which looked to be turning even wetter, but we need to get are crew to Leighton Buzzard tomorrow, so continue we must aiming for Cowroast. 

Our mooring  at Cowroast mixed in with a whole line of what appear to be winter moorers

 We got a surprise when, just as we were lined up for the first lock, a cat leaped out of the cratch, made it in one leap halfway to the bank, swam the rest very fast and scrabbled up the piling onto the bank.  It looked like it was going straight home.   Mummy will get a bit of a shock.  The final part of the day went very smoothly and we finally moored up in a long line of what looked like winter moorers below Cowroast Lock.  Our table is booked for the Thai restaurant at 'The Cowroast' this evening.

The Ribble Link

An opportunity arose to join a number of other CUTWEBBERS (www.cutweb.org.uk) on a trip to the Lancaster Canal, which inevitably calls for a crossing of the tidal River Ribble and a transit of the new link up to the canal proper.   So today we set off.   Canalplan says it will take us 14 days to reach Manchester (at 9 hours/day) and from there it is only about two days to Tarleton where the crossing starts.  So we have some time in hand, maybe for a small diversion.

There was frost on the boat early this morning and a very chill wind, but it was sunny, at least until lunch time.  The locks were in our favour with gates open as far as Stockers and then we stopped at Tesco, Rickmansworth for a mega shop.  That took us an hour.   At Batchworth we had to turn the lock around and it soon became apparent that we were now following another boat.   Sure enough, Pat caught the tail end as we reached Common Moor Lock and found them filling with water at Cassio Bridge Lock.  Thereafter we joined forces with 'MIKARA', a newly purchased boat with a new engine.  At Hunton Bridge we had a heavy shower of rain mixed with hail and the two Kiwi's aboard decided to wait it out.  We continued on for two locks joining 'OZZIE' and found a mooring in the pound nearly opposite the old Ovaltine factory, now a massive apartment complex.    Here we wait for crew to join us after work and for the weekend.

A trip to the weed hatch produced a couple of plastic bags, some string and fishing line.