UK Canals - Journey reports

Oxford Canal:Brinklow and end of cruise

Nothing much to say really.   Got to Hillmorton early enough to avoid any holdups and indeed was signalled in to a full top lock by a volunteer lock-keeper who was genuinely helpful.  He just appeared at each of the three locks at just the right time to manage the bottom gates for me, always a boost.   So I stopped at the bottom and moored up for coffee.   Then on to Rugby where of course there were moorings by the picnic area just when I don't want them so had to stick my nose in the air and cruise slowly by.    Met another boat in Newbold Tunnel.   I got the feeling he thought I should have waited for him but it is a two way working tunnel and I have been scolded in the past for waiting myself, so I didn't.   Then into Brinklow, close up the boat and return home to get the car.

Grand Union Canal:Bridge 100

Off early to get a crack at Stockton Locks without distractions.  Working alone through a flight of 8 heavy double locks might seem hard work, but these locks are actually a dream.  They are all the same, thus predicatable if worked without other boats disturbing the water and gate management is easy.   I thought about that for a while.   The options are either to exit the lock closing the gate at the lock throat, moor and prepare the next lock then cast off to enter, or walk up to the next lock while the lower lock is filling, get the gate open, walk back and go straight from one to the other.  I decided on the latter.   Using just one paddle (same side as the boat of course) the timing worked perfectly.   The boat stayed exactly where it was meant to while I was away on a long line back to the rear bollard.   I would never be able to do this with another boat in the lock unless the actions of the other boat were totally predictable also.  Total time from the moorings to the top 1hr 25 mins.   At the top progress is slow because of long lines of moored boats, then at Calcutt I met some friends, so a lot of chatting went on as they managed the gates for me.  Great help!   Finally the last bit of the day to Bridge 100.   This is an overnight spot we like.   It overlooks the valley with a low hedge (good for TV) and has deep enough water on piling.  It is near enough to Braunton for early starts up the locks if going south.   

Grand Union:Blue Lias

Pat returns home today.  Just the Cape Locks to do first and a short cruise to Leamington Spa for Pat and Alfie to get the train home.  Baby sitting duties call!  There were plenty of moorings on rings at Leamington just after the road bridge leading nearest to the station.    Once they were ticketed and waiting for the train I walked on to the Co-op store through the alley at the end of the moorings.   Then off on the final part of our 2014 cruise to our new moorings at Brinklow.   At Radford bottom lock I came up behind a boat just about to exit the lock going up.   I delayed by checking the weed hatch and took my time, but on reaching the lower Fosse Lock they were in the lock and offering to wait at the next lock.   The skipper kindly raised the offside paddle before I was secured causing Nuggler to go all over the place.    They were indeed waiting at the middle lock and we continued together until Wood Lock where a singleton was waiting and I dropped behind to be joined by a short narrowboat which worked out quite well.    It had been solid blue skies all morning and feeling the need to quench my thirst I stopped at The "Two Boats" for lunch and a pint and then moved on my own to the Blue Lias for the night (and another pint.   Thirsty work!)    At the last lock a family of swans moved in before I could get out and shut the gate.    Not a good idea to leave them in the lock, but a slice of bread did the trick and they all motored out leaving me to shut the gate, whereupon the other gate opened.    Did the swans know something I didn't?  

Grand Union Canal:Cape Locks

We intended to be first down the Hatton Flight so that we could descend at our own pace.  A tug and butty beat us to it, so progress would be slow perhaps.   Even more slow when the duty lock keeper told us that something was jammed in the bottom paddle and he was going to have to get the pound below drained to fix it.   However, the good news, the pair ahead had gone down and he would get us through.   We had already decided to do the flight using the least work principle, rather than the fastest time possible.

Hatton Locks - top section

 This worked well - only one paddle at a time, so no crossing the lock save for a walk round for Pat to monitor the opposite top gate.  So I only had one paddle per lock to wind and she likewise.   Roping the boat out stops the need for lengthy manoeuvering driving out and stopping to close the top gate, as the slowly constantly moving boat clears the top gate in time to close it and walk down the stairs to board.  Then a straight run from one lock to the already opened gates on the next.   We were not held up by the pair in front, although Pat did offer some help in closing up after them (for no thanks!)  We passed only 4 boats opposite direction.   There were plenty of moorings at Cape locks.  Supper tonight at Cape of Good Hope.

Grand Union Canal:Hatton

We left early to get a good start at the Lapworth Flight down to Kingswood Junction.   Pat as usual went ahead setting the next lock in turn.  The bottom gates are mostly mitred so it was possible to "jump the gates" (really just stepping) for me to open the second gate, then down the step ladder and motor out, stop at a suitable point and return to close them.  The first four locks are quite widely spaced and easy access below was either bridge holes or wing walls.   For the rest of the flight there was time for Pat to return and close the towpath gate for me.  The offside gate was closed using a rope on the handrail pulled from the boat.   At Lock 15 a hireboat had pulled off ahead of us with Australian and German crew.  They appeared to be having a little trouble at first but actually didn't hold us up once they got going until Bridge 35 where the arch of the bridge appeared to threaten their chimney and handrail.   The towpath alongside the tail of the lock was a running river of water apparently and in the end they settled for the pole to push the boat against the towpath to get out safely.   Strangely, Nuggler had no issues here.  Our chimney was down anyway but one can only assume that their cabin is of a squarer design.   Roughly three hours overall and we were on "home" territory again on the Grand Union.  Shrewley Tunnel was very wet after all the rain recently.  Mooring were found on the towpath just after the bend following Hatton Station.  Our usual stop on the piling by the cottages was occupied.

Stratford on Avon Canal:Lapworth Top

Some free time yesterday, so visited the Prince of Wales Pub, the rather conspicuous preserved old and attractive looking pub at the back of the convention centre, found the large Tesco Metro on the main shopping street below the city hall and much later went for a stroll round Brindley Place and its canalside bars with Alfie.   The place was very crowded and very noisy.  Obviously the place to be, but we were the only boat by Tindall Bridge and mindful of the stream of drunken partygoers likely to be returning from the bars late at night I chained the bow rope at the bollard.   Bollards are less than ideal in a situation like this as the ropes can easily be slipped off and the boat cast adrift.   Sure enough this morning at about 5:30 I felt the boat bumping which it shouldn't have done because fenders were out.  The stern rope had been taken off and an attempt had been made on the bow rope by taking it off the bollard and the T stud, however the chain had prevented it from completely detatching from the bollard.   It was no trouble to re-attach the mooring lines, but I was reminded of a boater we met on the Thames who had a supply of tie-wraps which he used to crimp the lines at a bollard.  A determined vandal, he said, could cut a rope but mostly it is just opportunistic in the heat of the moment and they are easily deterred.    Good advice I thought, but never put tie wraps in my tool kit!

There had been thunder and heavy rain overnight and intermittent rain before we left, and once we departed it set in again this time heavy and continuous.   So we were thoroughly chilled and wet by the time we reached Lapworth, when of course the rain stopped.  Made a pigs ear of the turning onto the Stratford Canal.   Really you need to set it up before  going through the bridge hole.   Enough for today.   Lit the fire to dry our clothes.   

Birmingham & Fazeley Canal:Tindall Bridge:Old Turn Junction

The small park where we were moored last evening got quite noisy after 6pm with kids having fun on the various exercise machines dotted around.   Made me a little nervous for a while but at dusk all was quiet and we had a peaceful night.   Off early for Birmingham.  There was quite a lot of grassy like weed to start with and using reverse to pick up dog walking crew generated rubbish on the prop.   Got rid of this at the main-line 3 locks.   The last toll island before Birmingham has a lot of bushes protruding on the righthand side (in direction of travel)  I have a vague memory of having trouble there before churning up silt and not wanting the boat side scratched unnecessarily I opted for the left side.  Just when I got nicely lined up a boat appeared round the corner ahead and with the drag of the narrows it was evident that he would have to wait, which he didn't like.   Just unlucky I guess considering it was only the fourth moving boat seen thus far.

Arriving at Old Turn we turned left for Cambrian Wharf in the hope that there would be moorings there.   No such luck.  It was jammed solid.  So we turned the boat and moored on the towpath right under the work site at the Arena.

BCN:Wolverhampton

We left our moorings and set off for Autherley Junction.  It took a little longer than expected due in part to another long line of moored boats associated with the Wolverhampton Boat Club.   Turning onto the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal at the end we found the turning for Wolverhampton easily enough with its bridge and lock immediately after.    Then we were on the climb.  Not all the locks had similar architecture unlike the Shroppie and the lockside bollards are wooden square ones, useless for letting a rope turn slip to gently slow a boat.   So in order to work in a standard way it was a matter of slowing the boat to minimum forward movement and climbing up the lock ladder to close the offside mitre gate.   Pat went on immediately to prep the next lock leaving me to fill the lock, exit and close the top gate.   This worked well with no delays and the 21 locks were completed in 3 hours including an opposite direction in our favour.  The only setback was at lock 2 when I lost the boat, i.e. the boat was in the canal with nobody on board drifting slowly further away.  There is always a degree of sloshing in a short pound, so when the boat appears stopped for me to get off and close the top gate, it might suddenly be caught up in the water movement and decide to leave on its own.   Solution was simple - just to leave the top gate open, open the downstream, paddle and generate a reverse flow in the canal.  The boat quickly came back.   At the top we found a pleasant looking 24 hour mooring with grass for Alfie and train noises from the nearby railway viaduct and station.

Wolverhampton Top Lock & Basin

Shropshire Union Canal:Bridge 8

Following a tip off we aimed for Bridge 8 today.  It was hailed as the last decent mooring before Autherley Junction and a good starting point for the Wolverhampton 21.     Norbury wharf advertised re diesel as the cheapest anywhere at 79.9p/L, so we had a fill.   The queue at Wheaton Aston was only one boat long fortunately and so we arrived at Bridge 8 which lived up to expectations.  Grass and rings just how we like it.

Shropshire Union Canal:Wharf Inn (now closed)

We had a clear run up Addersley Locks and only one opposite direction to wait for at Tyrley.  We stopped at what was the Wharf Inn at the end of the Shobdon Embankment.  Now up for sale.   The rear fender was dismantled for the rudder work and it is very difficult to get it back the way it was.   It is now drooping.   Some adjustment was attempted using the gangplank and Pat to support its weight.

One way to support the rear fender to make adjustments

Shropshire Union Canal:Adderley Bottom Lock

An early start with the prospect of the long Audlem flight ahead.   Once you are used to the fierce bywashes typical of this canal there really in no problem other than the traffic.  There were opposite direction boats almost every lock and this time almost always out of synch.   The bywash at the lock above the Shroppie Fly is particularly difficult to counter as it discharges just before a bridge hole.    Plenty of mooring below the next flight at Adderley, but it was full by the evening.

Shropshire Union Canal:Nantwich

We woke to heavy rain, but by the time we were ready to leave it had stopped and the day turned out quite good.   We came up behind nb Tertious Navis at Wharton Lock, had a wild time being thrown around in Beeston Iron Lock (Pat didn't read the red sign first) and Tertious Navis was waiting for us in the Stone Lock.   A great couple, envious of the Braidbar.  They were destined for the Llangollen.   We carried on the the Nantwich embankment to moor for the night.   The only significant event was a fishing competition that must have lined at least two miles of the towpath.  Reminded me of the Crocodile Dundee film where he is in New York trying to say "G'day" to everyone.    Gave up!

Shropshire Union Canal:Tattenhall

Slow but steady progress this morning up the staircase locks and to a temporary mooring nearest to Tesco's supermarket as we could get.   We need to stock up as the Shroppie can be a bit lonely in places.   Then onwards again.   The first three locks presented no problems.  Two were full and one empty thanks to an opposite direction boat.   The next two are reasonably close, so once in to the bottom Pat went off to prep the next.   I hadn't reckoned with the idiosynchrasy of the one.  The ground paddle culvert opens much further into the lock than normal with the flow striking the boat at the front and even though it was secured with a centre rope it was not enough to stop the bows crossing the lock rapidly and to hit the other side causing stuff in the cabin to go all over the place.  Minor internal damage.  Then as soon as the flow was clear of the bottom of the boat, the rebound sent it all back again.   At the next lock I was ready and had a bow rope on first.   Once on this level we were retracing our path, Christleton, Waverton and then the mile and a half of moored boats.  We gave up half way and stopped for lunch, then continued on to the 48 hour moorings outside the marina at Tattenhall.  Not quite as far as we had originally proposed, but the weather is warm and humid with hazy sunshine.  Rain is threatened later on, although study of the rainfall radar from the Met Office suggests it will be nothing like that suggested on the TV evening news the night before.

Shropshire Union Canal:Tower Wharf

Only an hour and a quarter today and we were in Tower Wharf moored above the locks of the Dee Branch which goes down to the River Dee.  Unfortunately the bottom Lock has been neglected and is silted up, so access is no longer possible.   We were befriended by a local "resident", an ex soldier who sleeps rough on the canal side and makes a living from the tourists.  A nearby nesting swan was a worry because of Alfie, but he kept well away.  We wanted the opportunity of exploring Chester and went up into the walled part of the city and immediately found a cheese shop.   It is always our game to see if they have Garstang Blue on sale which they did.   That meant fresh bread - all we need for a great lunch.   The centre is pretty with original buildings, small fronted shops and lots to see.  The walls encircling the city are complete and can be walked all round giving views over the race course, the river and then through the town, past the cathedral and then overlooking the deep rock cutting of the canal.

The weir gate that effectively stops craft getting from the locks onto the tidal section up onto the non-tidal river.

Bridge on city wall

Shropshire Union Canal:Ellesmere Port and Boat Museum

We set off early and after passing through the deep rock cutting arrived at the top of the three lock staircase.    Not early enough in some respects, but because we were pleased to see a boat leaving the bottom lock leaving both lower locks ideally placed for a straightforward descent.  Other wise we might have found ourselves first prepping them ourselves.   There is only one paddle for each and the empty (or fill) very slowly.   However the three locks were soon accomplished and turning the sharp corner at the bottom we found Tower Wharf.   Indeed, as the guide book says, a lovely place to overnight, dog friendly (grassy banks) and a pleasant outlook.   The locks leading down to the Dee were evident as was a covered dry dock and boatyard.  

Moving on we eventually arrived at Ellesmere Port, much greener than expected.  None of the heavy industry evident from the canal as we had surmised.   The Museum was much larger in extent than we had imagined with much to see in the various basins.  It has been pleasantly landscaped and looks very clean and tidy.   The buildings have been well restored and there are many exhibits as one might expect.  Perhaps the ony criticism is that there is not enough by way of interpretation boards for some of the more technical items.   I still don't know exactly how a Bolinder semi-diesel works for example.

After lunch we turned and retraced our path to a lonely mooring with decent grass bank in warm sunshine and with good wind.   The wind generator is happy.

Shropshire Union Canal:Chester (City Road Bridge)

It didn't take long to reach the first of the locks which were easy to work although lack of integral lower lock landing meant mooring up below each time to walk back and close the gate.  It took about 3 hours to descend all 5 locks and find mooring on rings where I will stay to await Pat's arrival later.   Good time to explore!   Pat's train was early arriving and after the short walk back to the boat she settled in, took stock and set off for Tesco to restock the boat.   

Shropshire Union Canal:Waverton

Arrived back at Tattenhall Marina at about 1:30pm.   There is a bus service from Chester which stops nearby (41A) but it is only 2 hourly service.   Fortunately it connects neatly with the right train from London.   After a pumpout (£14) I set off single handed in the Chester direction with the intention of stopping before the first of the locks.   This worked out well with a nice mooring just past the main bridge in Waverton, but took longer than expected owing to slow passage necessary for the mile and a half of offside moorings at Golden Nook Farm.  Nice little earner?   There is a Post Office and small stores, south on the bridge road, but only really good for bread & milk.

Shropshire Union Canal:Tattenhall Marina

This end of the Shroppie really is beautiful.   The verges are well maintained giving it a manicured look. The nearby properties also seem to take pride in maintaining thier banks.

Beeston Stone Lock

 Saw another workboat out again today.  Mostly we never see CRT staff out and about.   We are in a bit of a rush as we are putting the boat into the marina to return home for a few days, but definitely on the way back we will have to dawdle round the Beeston area.

Arriving at the marina we were impressed by direction signs to the visitor moorings/pumpout diesel etc.   The marina is well laid out and has good facilities.   Boats are out of the water being worked on.  We saw some replating being done.   Tattenhall itself is about 25 minutes walk away with useful shops, although the nearest pup shown on out out of date Nicholsons is closed and boarded up.

Tattenhall Marina from the railway bridge with Beeston Castle in the centre background