UK Canals - Journey reports

Saltersford Lock

Up early this morning to take Gemma and Sam to Winsford to get a train back to London. Then return to our overnight moorings to await our booking for Vale Royal Lock. By midday we had reached Northwich and moored on the redundant trip boat wharf again for a big shop. For the next 3 days we shall be out of reach of any shops. After that the now 3 boats continued downstream to find a very pleasant moorings just before Saltersford Lock. Much time was spent trying to get a TV signal to no avail.

Anderton Boat Lift

We stopped at the services to get water.  Unfortunately the screwed connector on the water pedestal was missing and we had to make do with a push fit.  This kept blowing off and only when Sam found an old jubilee clip could we get a satisfactory fill.   Our friends were waiting near the lift holding moorings and as soon as the previous boats had gone down we waited there to wait for our "safety inspection".  Really just a few straightforward instructions.   At the appointed hour we were called in to the caisson, first the aqueduct conecting to the lift itself.  Doors were lowered behind, then opened in front and we moved gingerly into the caisson itself.  More heavy door lowered behind us and after a further wait, we started the descent, jerkily at first, then smooth towards the halfway mark when we crossed with the opposite lift going up with the trip boat. at the bottom another wait while levels were equalised, I suppose and then out onto the Weaver. Turning left we motored on to Northwich and found moorings on the abandoned trip boat wharf.  Apparently, due to Health & Safety concerns it is no longer allowed to go under the swing bridge, so I am told.   A quick visit to shops and a cafe lunch followed.  Then we returned to continue up river to Vale Royal where our friends were waiting.  Only a few minutes wait for Hunts Lock.  The locks are all operated for us, so no effort required.  The lock keepers explained that we would have to wait for the next lock until 3:15 because they were having to use the big lock of the pair and it takes a lot of water, so ockings are restricted. In phoning our progress ahead, we were then informed that if we were quick the lock would be waiting for us.  So we were!   The huge lock gates are operated by a water turbine driving a capstan with chains attached to the gates.  We were the only boat - in fact the last that day - and on meeting our friends we learned that we were infact the only three boats on this reach.   Lovely mooring, warm sunshine and lots of chatter.  The top picture shows us approaching the lift at the uper level and the lower, emerging.

Marbury Counyry Park

Arrived here quite late but pleased to find our friends as expected. This morning we manoeuvred into a position for the boat exam and some shopping. Then a wait, then once the paperwork was done a slow transit of the last 4 locks and then motoring.

On the Middlewich Branch

We stopped for water at Wheelock. Such good pressure that the hose shot out and watered the cabin. But it still took half an hour to fill the tank. Only met one or two boats on the way to MIddlewich, but as luck would have it one es coming down the lock at the junction with the Middlewich branch as we exited Kings Lock which meant hovering until their intentions were clear. We found a nice spot for lunch above the second lock, clearly popular as it turned out. Then on again to the winding hole to get us in position for bridge 28 in the afternoon tomorrow for the Certificate of Seaworthiness necessary for the Ship Canal. Then on to Anderton and the Weaver. Returning from the winding hole we found a sheltered place for overnight to make the best of the late afternoon sunshine.

Wheelock

After a massive full english breakfast (FEB) we set off, Sam at the helm under Pat's tutilage, Gemma and I with Alfie as towpath runners.  We were following narrowboat "Plan B" which was en route, slowly, to the Weaver.  They informed us that they were only going to do a few locks more, then stop for the day.  We passed them in due course.  The M6 crosses the canal at Hassel Green.  The noise of the constant steam of traffic was an unwelcome intrusion on the peaceful canal scene.  A brief vision into a parallel universe where everyone is rushing somewhere in isolation, such a difference to the slow relaxed passage on the canal where we can engage in conversation with passers by.  Nearly at the bottom of the flight of locks the boat had to wait while an opposite direction came up in the lock.  Sam said later that he had just remarked how good it was that the boat waited so quietly without moving.  Only when he tried to move he found that the stern was fast in the mud.  Took a bit of getting off too. Arriving at Wheelock with almost the whole mooring at our disposal we selected a spot and Sam did a textbook arrival and mooring.  Rubbish disposal, a visit to the "Cheshire Cheese".  Your writer needs a rest after walking all the way from Thurlwood.

Thurlwood

A lesurely start with the tunnel not far away. Expecting a wait we were slightly unprepared to find ourselves at the back of a line of three boats just setting off.  Soon we were on the other side in the "tomato soup" water which emerges from the tunnel, stained with red ochre.  A quick shopping expedition to the nearby Tesco, then on to "Heartbreak Hill".  There are some 25 locks to deal with on this descent, single locks, but some paired.  Finding ourseves outside a pub at the right time and with some nearby picnic tables, we decided to stop, having promised ourselves a pub meal this evening.

Westport Lake

Set off at the usual early time for the 20 minute ride to Trentham Lock.  Who would believe it, but there was a queue of 2 boats at the lock already at 7:20 in the morning.  However we had plenty of time to get to Stoke to meet Gemma and Sam at the railway station.  Luckily there are mooring rings and a bit of bank grass at the bridge nearest to the station.  Their train was on time and soon we were ascending Stoke Locks with all the locks and traffic in our favour.  At Etruria we stopped for water, pump out and rubbish disposal.  There is a good pump out machine there with adequate time on the prepaid card to get a good job done.  The water pressure, however, is on the lowish side.  Lunch there, then on to Westport, stopping at the convenient mooring for fuel at Black Prince.  There were very few boats moored on the park at Westport, but in the fine weather, many people out and about.  Had a walk around and discovered Alfie's love of the water and his propesity for chasing off any water birds with the temerity to get on his bank.  Supper on board.

Barlaston

A very slow day not entirely unexpected.  Colwich lock is the first lock in many miles after Woodend, thus a queue tends to build up.  So we had a couple of boats ahead of us there and at Haywood Lock.  Further up it was worse.  We were finding a queue at each lock as more boats peeled off the bank to join the line.  At Aston lock things improved with only one ahead, but with stories from other boaters of 6 waiting to come down.  Then at Stone things improved.  Passing a long line of moored boats we were first at an empty lock.  Altough we found that we were following another boat, there was little delay.  However we reached Barlaston one and a half hours later than expected.

Rugeley

Tuesday 19

The early rush hour at Glascote Locks was three boats. We stopped at Fazeley for pump out cards.  Shortly after leaving Fazeley a "working" boat came up behind us, but circumstances meant waiting until after Hopwas to let him pass.  At Fradley we were fourth in line for the locks, but irritatingly the queue ended with us!  We got to Rugeley in time for a big shop experience in Morrisons, mooring close to the bridge.  The shop is too small and the isles are narrow and difficult to work around.  After that we got a very tasty curry from a nearby restaurant  to round off the day.

Polesworth

Pretty uneventful day really. It was meant to be a scorcher, but high thin cloud took the edge off it and the chill wind is still there in the background.  However, still sunburn weather.   Expecting to find a queue at Atherston Top we were pleased to find only one boat waiting, but opposite direction traffic slowed us when we did get going.  After the marina Pat was ahead as usual and was waiting at the pair of locks below.  The bottom gates were open so I waited, it seemed for an interminable time - actually half an hour in the end.  A boat was coming up, of course, and the excuse for the delay was that they couldn't get the top gate open in the lock below.  Pat subsequently told me that the reason was that they had left a bottom paddle up a few inches and had half drained the intermediate pound in the process.  We learned a while back - if the lock takes a long time to fill, check the bottm paddles.  Been there done that!   Actually, in spite of delays like that it is all factored in to the timing and we completed the flight in 2 and a half hours.   Stopping for water at the bottom, we moved on to nearer Polesworth and should be in good position for Rugeley and a big shop tomorrow.

Brinklow

After an hour this morning we reached Whilton locks. The bottom gates were weiring and as Pat attempted to lift the bottom paddles the lengthsman appeared saying that there was too much water at the bottom of the flight and would we mind waiting while he let some down. This took half an hour. After that we made good progress synchronising with opposite direction traffic after the first 4 locks. Lunch on the go then Braunston tunnel. We passed about 4 boats in the tunnel one of which stopped for is to pass. Not a good idea as it is easy to lose control as indeed his stern did swing out. After Braunston we joined the N Oxford Canal with the intention of stopping at Rugby for food shopping forgetting it wad Sunday and the supermarket would be closed by then. Hillmorton was passed easily all three locks ready for us with gates open. However we has a surprise encounter with one of my ex. Colleagues transiting in the opposite direction. Not stopping at Rugby in the event we followed the GPS direction indicator to the Sutton Coldfield freeview transmitter and stopped near Brinklow past the wood, seemingly popular moorings.

Weedon

Very few other boats moving this morning but we did pick up one to join us for the Stoke Bruerne flight. "Passing through". Proved a very efficient combination and we followed them through the tunnel. Many gongoozlers at the top of the flight. Passed Draco and Success at the tunnel side moorings and spoke to Mike and Krystina. After that there seemed a constant stream of opposite direction stuff. So busy all of a sudden. Stopped at Weedon but no TV signal, so moved round the corner. Result. Lovely sunny evening for sitting out.

Giffard Park

Hello!   My name is Alfie.  I am the dog that looks after the boat called Nuggler.  I definitely do not allow any other dogs on board and keep watch to make sure.  However, I do like playing with other dogs on the bank outside the boat and sometimes chase after them which makes Nana cross.  I am very proud of myself and know exactly what to do at locks to keep an eye on the humans to make sure they do everything correctly and I know when to jump off and back on the boat even if it is moving.  I am very well behaved because Nana keeps telling me what a good boy I am.  Even though my main job is to look after the boat I do like to go exploring and would really like to go and play with all those big white dogs in the field which Nana calls "sheep", but she won't let me and shouts a lot.  Today was alright after we started, but then we had a long bit of cruising which made me rather bored, so when we stopped I went exploring and got shouted at again for being in somebody's garden.  It's a dogs life!

Ivinghoe

Up early as usual.  The lock was ready for us.  In fact most of the locks up to Cowroast were in our favour today, so we made really good progress.  It was reported to us by an opposite boat that they had woken this morning to find their boat aground at a jaunty angle.  This was at Berkhamsted, the long pound by the park.  The effects were still evident when we got there although enough water, but some boats were still listing on their moorings and we picked up a whole load of rubbish from the bottom on our prop.  The low pounds were evident as far as Bushes Lock, and the Northwich pump was running.   Only when we got to Marsworth did we get any small delays with other traffic.   At the bottom two, nearer to Pitstone, as we approached crowds were standing around the lock and blue shirted BW staff were obviously in attendance.  One approached us and we were relieved to find that it was a film set for a few days and not some major disaster.   There was a big generator on a BW flat, lots of equipment and crowds of support staff standing around.  Lower down, one of the Pitstone trip boats was obviously doubling as a dining and rest facility.   Fortunately our delay was minimal and we were worked through by the BW guys.  It was now about 4 pm. and were are ahead of schedule, so decided to do the three Seabrook Locks and found some piling just above Ivinghoe top lock with a good view to the Oxford Freeview transmitter.

Boxmoor

Having spent a couple of days "messing around" at Widewater - above the lock, including a trip to Wales for a track inspection on the Welsh Highland Railway, today we start our trip in earnest.  Our targets are Stoke on Trent, to pick up a crew, Middlewich to get a certificate of Seaworthiness to satisfy the Manchester Ship Canal requirements, then meeting our friends and transiting the MSC - on 2nd May.  So we need to get a move on.   All locks against us up the Batchworth.  We took an hour out at Tesco, Rickmansworth for the inevitable "big shop"  Meeting up with another boat we joined them as far as Grove Bridge.   At Lot Mead Lock, although there appeared to be nothing wrong when we approached - the usual top gates open etc, it took ages to fill.  A look at the bottom gates revealed a huge leak at one gate cill, and one ground paddle placarded out of use.  BW was notified, but we needed an instant solution, so with three of us on the gate we managed to get it open in the end.  Was it just debris, or something more fundamental?   Moving on after Cassiobury, there were no real problems.  Waiting at locks for community boats is not a problem.  The paper factory at Nash Mills has been demolished leaving a huge pile of crushed rubble.  Ideal for removal by boat, one would have thought .  However the lock landing has been modified by building out the approach wall which intrudes into the sight line for the lock slightly but, more importantly is far too high.  Dangerous in my view and most likely not designed by a boater.   Intending to stop at the top of Apsley Locks, we moved on to a nicer location, with a park popular with dog walkers, below the lock we call "cricketers".  Yes, there is a cricket pitch next to the canal

Moving again

Nuggler leaves Harefield for the north this morning.