UK Canals - Journey reports

Oxford Canal:Brinklow and end of cruise

The forecast rain appeared overnight and although the bulk had cleared we were left with occasional showers of very fine rain - the sort where you don't really recognize that it is raining until you find out that you are all wet through.  Hillmorton was passed with the efficiency given with a larger crew for our part but the nearside bottom lock was out of action with a gate failure, so there was inevitably a bit of waiting around.   We had made good time though with very little other traffic evident thus far, so stopped at Newbold for lunch.   The wind at Brinklow was as before, so no problems there.  Another cold day however.  Here we are at the end of May having to be wrapped up to the nines and still feeling chilled through at the end of the day.

Oxford Canal:Braunston Turn

A short weekend jolly with a full boat, the passengers being our daughter's family including an 18 month old.  So all interesting removable objects which might be construed as decorating the cabin to be removed to save them from those inquisitive fingers, and storage space created for the personal effects which bill be brought along including a travel cot which conveniently just fits at the foot of the captain's cabin bed.   We selected Braunston as it offers the chance of the three Hillmorton Locks to motivate the 8 year old son.    A pleasant day with no problems, even a bit of broken sunshine to cheer us up although the cold wind persists.   We arrived at 13:30 in good time to get a mooring just past the junction.  A foray into the village found that the "Old Plough" pub has a decent kiddies play area.   Dinner that evening at the Boathouse was rather disappointing in the quality of the food and the feeling that the 2 for 1 offering was based on small portions. 

Oxford Canal:Brinklow and end of cruise

Having moored on the Coventry we first needed to make the 180 turn onto the Oxford Canal which I messed up slightly by starting the turn about 18 inches too soon.   One likes to do it in one!    Thence it was all straightforward to Easenhall Lane Bridge where there were works in progress and a delay of an hour.  Contractors had installed some sheet piling on the southern offside foot of the bridge and were awaiting concrete delivery from the road above to backfill behind.    Then off again.   Brinklow Marina is a windy place being situated with fine views across the loacal landscape with no shelter and the wind certainly didn't disappoint this time.    However it was blowing more or less straight down the mooring jetties so once the turn was made getting back in was not too difficult.

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Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal:Tixall Wide

Coventry Canal:Hawkesbury Junction

 

A still chilly morning with a blue sky and the first of 11 locks to climb up to Atherstone.  

All locks behave in their individual way, but those in a flight or belonging to an original canal company generally have some consistency. So once the idiosynchrasies are understood then a tecnique can be planned for dealing with them in the most efficient way. The narrow locks on the Coventry Canal all have stairs on the offside (opposite the towpath) lower lock landings, mitred bottom gates, three square wooden bollards offside, and fill slowly with a strong tendency for the boat to rush to the back of the lock when the top paddles are opened, but without a strong pull forwards afterwards. So climbing the Atherstone Flight with Pat going ahead to open both bottom gates, the boat enters slowly, then in neutral and as it drifts in, climb the stair with a centre rope, one turn loosely round the rear bollard allowing the rope to slip so that both bottom gates can be shut simultaneously, and then the trailing rope stepped on to stop the boat as close to the top gate as possible. Then the rope is transferred to the front bollard and looped round three times which locks it. Both top paddles can be opened straight up and the boat is prevented from surging back. Then it will stay in position lightly touching the top gate as it rises. The rope can be stowed ready for the next lock. When ready, the top gate is opened and the gate paddle dropped. If the boat in in gear (tickover) it will drive itself out, the lock can be crossed over the boat to drop the oppsite paddle and control of the boat regained, popping it into reverse (tickover) at the right moment to get off, close the top gate and have the boat return itself to board and set off for the next lock. Thus the objective of having the boat never stop moving is gained and a lock flight traversed in the most efficient way in the shortest time. Well, that's my story!
Having reached the top we continued on to Hawkesbury Junction. A few boats moving and no hold-ups although one could be a little critical of the channel partially obstructed at Starline Boats by moored craft making it single way working, but not a problem. The day was sunny spells, warm in the sunshine but very chilly in the strengthening wind, so we have to keep well wrapped up.

 

Coventry Canal:Atherstone Lock 11

An early start again.  We hadn't got very far when we came across the sleeping fishermen.   The kharki tent.  The two rods set up on the bank on some kind of scaffolding with electronic apparatus attached.  Uh-Oh!  The lines are going to be right across the canal.  I had slowed down in anticipation already, then went into neutral and drifted.   The alarms went two blokes and a child shot out of the tent, one adjusting his trousers.  One line was retrieved, but the other was stuck somewhere and even though I reversed, it was eventually lost.    Most likely caught on a tree root, but not on my prop as they wished.     We just carried on.   What can you do?    Some traffic about, but mostly bnefore we reached Hopwas.    So we stopped at Fazeley for water and Pat went to get a paper and some biscuits using one of my Tesco "££ off your next shop" vouchers.   At Glascote we were briefly held up by a boat ahead and opposite direction traffic through the two locks.  At Alvecote we saw nb DRACO and stopped for a chat with Mike Wooding and purchase a replacement tiller pin.  This one has a drilled hole at the bottom to fit a pin.  Thereafter nothing until we reached our moorings at the bottom of the Atherstone flight.  A lovely sunny evening, but the wind is rising again and the next few days are not encouraging.

Coventry Canal:Kings Orchard Bridge

A messy sort of day and we lose our perspex side window for the second time.   Pat needing to replenish our stores and it being bank holiday and Tesco at Rugeley not open till 9:00 am we delayed departure as Rugeley was only an hour away.   Expecting the moorings at Rugeley to be full we were surprised to find them empty apart from one boat, whose skipper was pacing anxiously waiting for first mate to return from shopping.  So shopping done we tried to depart but had to hold back for a couple of passing boats which appeared to be rather slower than we would like once we fell in line.   We were then joined in turn by an even faster boat behind.  Our spacing which was good at first soon bunched up with obstacles such as moored boats and of course the Armitage Tunnel.  There also seemed an endless line of opposite direction boats.  After the "tunnel" there are several sections of canal which are very windy and narrow and it was here, bunched up between the two boats in front and opposite boats that some offside bushes go behind the side doors and smashed one closed against the perspex shattering it.   We were beginning to imagine the huge queue that must have built up at Fradley when the boat in front moored up, saying that they had had enough.  They too thought little point in going on, however we persisted.  Almost immediately the other boat in front decided likewise.  So we had an unencumbered run to Wood End Lock where we had no wait at all.   We imagined, therefore, that the next two locks would have no delay since Wood End would act as a sort of gatekeeper.  Wrong.  Shade House Lock either has a slow fill, or the volunteer lock keeper was being excessively cautious, so the turn round was slow and we were third in line.  Not much further on, the canal planner had us mooring at Kings Orchard Bridge, near the new marina just beyond Streethay Wharf.   Another cold grey day, though no rain, so mustn't grumble.

Trent & Mersey Canal:Wolseley Bridge

Rain forecast and it soon arrived in the form of the very fine variety.   Quite a few boats had opted for early starts, so apart from our first lock at Stone, we had traffic at Aston onwards.   The weather is chilling.  Where is the summer?   Boaters coming the other way spoke of glorious weather yesterday but we saw nothing of it.  Although there was little wind in the morning, today continues miserable for us.  We stopped at Gt Haywood to throw out rubbish (largely an accumulation of ash), take on water and replace a gas cylinder.  I was so chilled that I needed help having fallen over trying to get an empty cylinder out and the new one in.   How embarrassing!   Because we had delayed 15 minute we we third in line for Haywood Lock.   At Colwich we were No 2, and the tiller pin got caught up in the stern rope and jumped out into the water never to be retrieved.  Now have a screwdriver with a green handle.  Doesn't look so good.  There were 4 boats waiting to come up including at the end a Land & Water workboat and tug.  I thought workboats had priority, but seemingly no longer.   Our "booked" mooring at Wolseley Bridge was waiting for us and the wind is getting up making the windgenerator hum again.

Trent & Mersey Canal:Stone

After a quiet night we had a short cruise to the top of Stoke Locks.   There are two very low bridges on this flight which gave us concern for the safety of the wind generator stowed on the roof.  A modification last year allows us to fold the fin, but it is still the high point.   It cleared by millimeters, but a slightly higher water level would be critical.   We met one boat at the bottom lock, but on the whole very little traffic.  Even towpath walkers commented on the lack of boats, so at Trentham Lock where there is usually a queue we had a straight in and after stopping in Barlaston for provisions, at Meaford Locks, just one ahead entering the lock as we arrived.    Stone was very quiet and the moorings above the bottom Lock were empty.

Trent & Mersey Canal:Westport Lake

Early start.  Pat went ahead and prepped the first two locks while I did a stealth departure.  Unfortunately the previous boater had left a top paddle open on the first lock and before Pat spotted it water levels in the next pound had dropped considerably.   I was grounded in the lock.   As the bywash was running there seemed no harm in letting some water down which we did just sufficient to get moving.   We were on our own up the hill apart from one boat which set off behind us from Hassall Green and until Rode Heath when single locks, boats ahead and opposite direction traffic caused small delays.   We reached the top by about 1 pm and to our good fortune just caught the back of the one boat ahead setting off into the tunnel, so no wait.   Transit time was 25 minutes Pat said!    Three boats waiting at the other end and plenty of mooring space at Westport Lake.   Climbing "Heartbreak Hill" as has been called was made much easier by the tip I had received after I lost the boat on the Wolverhampton 21, that of just exiting the top of each lock at slow tickover, popping it into reverse tickover before jumping off to close the gate.  The boat came back to me perfectly every time.   Also, having resited the front fender button, allowing the boat to ride up the top gate as the lock fills worked perfectly.

 

Pat likes ducks, so I had to take this photo of a Canada Goose creche.   The ducklings are all being shepherded along by the two adults and are kept orderly to a strict discipline.   No messing about allowed.

Trent & Mersey Canal:Wheelock

Last night we were a little ahead of plan and this put us in a position to reconsider the next overnight.  Wheelock was on the cards as that makes us ideally placed for an early run up the Cheshire Locks to the Harecastle tunnel.  That would make us virtually 2/3 day ahead.   Needing diesel we stopped at Kings Lock Chandlery and were given fast and friendly service there.  A lunch stop at the top of Kings Lock and then 2 1/2 hours more to Wheelock arriving just after 3.    Wheelock seemed very busy and the moorings after the pub were all full except for the very last which pleased us really as we will not disturb anyone leaving early in the morning.   There is a small convenience store just along the street which got us milk, awaiting a bigger shop on Saturday.

Shropshire Union Canal:Calveley

Yesterday had been very windy with blustery heavy showers.   I had gone to Caernarfon to do a railway inspection and actually had a dry, even sunny from time to time, day.   Here is a photo taken just outside Caernarfon as the powerful ex South African Garratt locomotive starts the train up a steep 1:40 incline on its way to Porthmadog.

Today we had been promised good weather, but the TV weather showed showers likely just where we are and the overnight strong winds had not abated.     So we set off at our usual time.  The wind made everything a struggle.  The locks were all against us which meant formally mooring up every time to keep the boat under control.  These double locks are heavy and the architecture such that the upper paddle action is not standard in any way requiring ropes to keep the boat from crashing about.   Perhaps we are just doing it all wrong, I just don't know.   Anyway it took us 2 1/2 hours to do 5 locks.    Needing a pumpout we stopped at Tattenhall Marina (£14.50) and quickly done but the wind in this rather exposed situation was challenging.   Beeston Stone lock, where we had received a bashing last time went more or less satisfactorily this time.   The ground paddle culverts appear to discharge from the lock cills.   A useful strategy might be just to use a centre rope to a rearward bollard and use the engine to keep it tight.   Our last lock was the Bunbury two chamber staircase.   Below the lock is the Anglo Welsh Hire base and the mass of moored boats there make access a little difficult especially at busy times, however there was some space of the wharf to allow us to wait for an opposite boat to exit.

Shropshire Union Canal:Chester (Cow Lane Bridge)

We are moving back to what we know as "The Tesco Moorings" in Chester.  But it was raining heavily when we emerged in the mornibg so we waited a bit to see what happened and the rain did lighten and the forecast was promoising.  So we set off at about 9:30 with the intention of stopping for water at Tower Wharf.   nb Noah's Ark passed and offered to make up a pair for the Northgate staircase locks which we accepted gladly.   They are large heavy gated locks and necessarily slow as there are three chambers all of which have to be set up correctly at the start.   So by the time we were ready so were the locks.   The top two chambers had been filled and the bottom emptied for us.  As we emptied the middle one into the bottom  it became apparent that we were short of the required level and I had the impression that all was not well - we might even be gowing down again.   Sure enough, the bottom paddle had not been closed properly.   Virtuaqlly immediately after leaping up and rectifying this the next gates were being opened and I felt sure that we would not get over the cill of the middle chamber being at least 30 inches down.    However, we did and the next fill from the top made us much less lower than I expected.   So the moral is that there must be a lot of leeway for doing things wrong in the design.

We carried on hoping for a mooring past the pub, but had to return to the visitor moorings by the city walls.  There we met some homeless gents who had pitched a tent in a weedy alcove.   They were complaining bitterly that there was nothing in the system for them but the immigrants got everything.  A dog of theirs  - a puppy in fact had been savaged by another and they had received help from the police and free  veterinary care for the animal.   Pat felt sorry and bought a couple of tins of dog food for them.  After our shopping expedition a space further on had become available.   There are many bars and some nightclubs along the canal street by the waterfront.  There are reports of problems and perhaps a Friday or Saturday night might be problematic.   We spent a very quiet Monday and Tuesday nights here.

Shropshire Union Canal:Knolls Bridge

Exploring the local area there is a well maintained path from the bridge which leads to a country park and the hospital.   The path leads to the hospital car park and through there one can access the Liverpool Road and a useful Morrisons.

Shropshire Union Canal:Knolls Bridge

We moved on a short distance to find a quiet spot for a couple of days.  We found this just past Knolls Bridge on the Ellesmere Port Branch where there is a recognised 48 hour mooring with rings.   At Bridge 133 there is a large well maintained winding hole.

Shropshire Union Canal:Tower Wharf

Back on the boat we moved down to Tower Wharf today.   This is not very far but involves the three chamber staircase locks at Northgate.  Hidden by the top lock is a waste disposal site, so I aimed to set the bows on the right hand side of the lock throat to allow Pat to jump off and jettison our waste bag, which she did.  However, there is a lock weir there which pulled my stern over and a nice muddy bottom to boot which made it impossible to get off under power, even with the bows stuck on the lock gate the stern would just not move.  Even also when the lock was filled at the by wash ceased.    There was nothing for it but to dive under the bed and retrieve an extra length of rope to extend our stern line, and pass it to Pat from the bows via the lock gate.    This did the trick.   The locks are impressive being formed out of the living rock.  They are slow to operate, however, so we arranged to pass an opposite direction boat in the centre chamber.

Waste disposal is under the bridge in the shade. The lock weir is on the curved landing to the left of the bush

Railway Interlude

Off to Snowdonia today to do a ride report on the Welsh Highland Railway.   A windy day again and on the mountainside below Snowdon it was  cold sitting in the open saloon.   I took cover in a heated coach on the way back!

 

Waiting for departure at Caernarfon

 

See Railway Video for more info

Shropshire Union Canal:Chester (City Road Bridge)

We reached Chester in 4 1/2 hours.   Beeston Iron Lock which we did first could be a trap for the unwary.  Firstly there are red notices around saying that it is strongly advised to treat it as a single passage lock as there is a risk of boats hanging up.  Secondly it has no lock ladder and single handing needs a bit of thought and careful preparation.  There is a lock bridge, so roping out is tricky and there is no convenient lower lock landing to make re-boarding easy.    Opposite direction traffic helped us.   We moored before Cow Lane Bridge (nearer to Tesco, but a short way back there is a large Waitrose now).

Shropshire Union Canal:Beeston

When we last looked, three boats were moored with us pointing downhill.  This morning there were only two.  We found the third two locks down, so must have left in the evening.   We left early as usual and had a good run down the flight passing only one boat.   Of note was the high bywash flow, such that the outflow in one case rather than blowing the bows out, sucked them onto the side making escape very tricky even with the bow thruster.   With Pat going ahead to prep the next lock it remained for me to close the bottom gates on leaving which in general was done by roping one shut from the boat and ascending the side stairs to close the other.   At Audlem a couple of pedestrians helped shut them for us.  2 hours for the flight.  Just after leaving the bottom lock, a boat which we thought was leaving moorings to start up the hill (so we left the gates open for it) turned out to be adrift across the canal.   A moored boater used a boat hook to push it away so the we could get by but it seemed  wrong to just leave it there, so looped a rope on its stern dolly as I went by and pulled it into the side further on.   Thinking that the owner had perhaps died, or left the boat to go elsewhere I was surprised when as the boat hit the side a body popped out with a lump hammer in hand and proceeded to whack a pin in.  Just a mumbled "thanks mate" was all I got.  Further on I had forgotten all about Hack Green Locks much to Pat's annoyance as she thought she had some time off.   There was an opposite boat which we passed between the locks, but our chasing boat had already turned the top lock round in front of them.  Hurleston Junction with the Llangollen was a mele of boats waiting for the lock which is really in an awkward situation just at the junction, so forming an orderly queue from boats coming in different directions and having to queue on the main line is difficult.  So crew were running about trying to find out what position in the queue random boaters thought they were in.   We reached Beeston at about 2:30.  The cafe on the road below the iron lock closed at 4 pm, but had run out of food after massive demand during the day, they told me.  So Pat made a fish pie.

Shropshire Union Canal:Audlem Top Lock

Raining this morning and still cold.   About 2-1/2 hours motoring to the top of Tyrley with scarcely sight of any other boats moving until we started down the flight. However we did have sight of kingfishers - a pair - in the cutting before.   One was just keeping pace with the front of the boat zipping from perch to perch and them suddenly a quick dart to the water and the bird had a fish which he immediately took back to the nest way back.  On the flight, all went to plan for the first 3 locks, then an upcoming boater had the last but one lock set against us while yet still only just in the bottom lock and slow with it.    This then held up a boat coming down behind us.   All unnecessary as we could easily have passed in the pound below.    Tyrley Locks seem to be mostly in a rock cutting which continues as a cutting well beyond the bottom lock.    I was contemplating why our forefathers had deemed it necessary rather than start the locks further back and not have to dig som much out.   Then we came to the high embankment before Market Drayton and the penny dropped.    They must have worked out how much spoil they needed for the embankment.   The rock would no doubt also have been used to good purpose.    We stopped in Market Drayton opposite Talbot Wharf for some last minute shopping.  Then on to the top of Audlem flight.   We came upon it rather suddenly in a shallow cutting overshadowed by trees but otherwise allmost deserted.  Pizza night!

Shropshire Union Canal:Anchor Inn

Rain was forecast for later in the day so an early start, though notmal for us, was a good idea. We made good progress although around Brewood there seemed to be miles of moored boats offside. Sometime after crossing the A5 on a aqueduct we started to catch up with a slow mover ahead. However, what with having to wait for opposite direction boats at bridge holes we didn't actually catch up until Gnosall where they stopped. The plan was to stop at Norbury Juction for diesel and we did indeed. It was entertaining because there was an unoccupied boat on the diesel wharf so we breasted up, phoned the office and a helper came out to hand us the fuel line across the bows of the other boat. (£0.59.9) Carrying on once again we found the mooring rings outside the Anchor Inn appealing so stopped there as the rain started. We did attempt to visit the pub later on, but it was shut and looked very deserted although not to such an extend that the closure looked permanent.

Shropshire Union Canal:Bridge 8

What a change (at least to start with). Blue skies, little thin high cloud, and the wind has dropped. We had an excellent road as well, all the locks in our favour and many with boats just exiting, so gates open, except Gailey where we had to wait. However, the clouds were bubbling up to produce some really dramatic CBs which gave up occasional showers of very heavy rain and hail in one case. Through it all though we made good time and have caught up with our timetable. It's good to be a little ahead if possible to deal with the odd unexpected. One boater remarked that "It's going to be busy today, because so few moved yesterday" and this was true. We had an opposite direction in the narrows and just as I was settling up for the rather obtuse angle into the Shroppie at Autherley Junction a boat emerged wanting to turn left. This evening we stop at Bridge 8, a quiet spot we used last year.

Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal:Radford Bridge

After lunch it looked as if the weather was clearing so we decided to continue on.  Aguably this was a mistake because it soon became apparent that the wind was still strong and gusting and the rain started all over again.   After half an hour of this we decided to stop again and give up for the day.   Our first attempt at mooring failed due to shallow water, the second attempt failed as we hit a solid underwater obstruction by the edge of the piling, and I mean solid!  We were going very slowly but the boat just stopped dead with a bang.  So knowing that there are decent moorings at Radford Bridge we continued on.   We did find moorings there, and quite sheltered too.   As we had eaten too much already today, comfort eating I suppose, we enjoyed a chicken Caesar salad for supper.

Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal:Tixall Wide

More gusting wind overnight again but at least no rain to start with.   We reached Great Hayward Junction after about 2 hours.   Very few boats about.  There were only three moored at Rugeley as we set off.  Then the rain started and as we turned into the S&W Canal the wind & rain was in our faces.   Very unpleasant, so we stopped, put the kettle on and had a slice of the amazing coffee and walnut cake which Pat had knocked up during Monday's cruise.   If we stay here today we will be about 3 hours behind the plan.

Trent and Mersey Canal:Rugeley

Day 3 of our trip to Chester.  The promised rain started last evening and overnight the wind got up and the wind generator started humming, although it seems very much quieter after the base board mods.  This morning the rain had stopped and there was very little wind.   This turned out to be an illusion.   In fact we were just in a very sheltered spot and showers were being driven through by a very strong wind that reached a peak just after midday.   Fradley was quiet and with a lock-keeper to help through the middle lock.   The crosswind at Woodend Lock did give some cause for concern, but judicious use of power got the nose into the lock bridge without mishap.   Thereafter, shelter from trees made things more easy most of the way.   We arrived at Rugeley at 13:00.   There is a new Tesco on the towpath side by bridge 66.   How they will make that pay with Morrison's on the other side in competition I don't know.  Better access must be a factor if that is so.   For our part it is nearer to the canal.

Coventry Canal:near Hopwas

A much brighter day in prospect with sunshine to start with but still a cold wind.  Shorts and shirtsleeves lasted until we reached the bottom of the Atherstone Lock Flight, but then more cloud and the continuing wind put a stop to that idea.  The flight went uneventfully with just one boat ahead of us it did mean that we were always having to wait to fill locks.   The boat ahead was a hire by the look of it and Pat's tip to the helmsman that it wasn't necessary to moor up after every lock on the lock moorings, rather rather to pick the crew up at the tail of the lock on the landings provided, went unappreciated.    We made good time to Glascote but there found ourselves at the end of a long queue leaving to an hour or more delay.    There was even time to put some water in the tank whilst waiting first in line for the lock when we eventually got there.    The late Steve Hudson's boatyard looked forlorn and abandoned with a couple of grey base coated shells and many empty pontoons.    Once past Fazeley we continued on past Hopwas where the pubs were doing a brisk trade on what was left of the bank holiday.   We stopped for the night just past the wood.

Coventry Canal:Atherstone

A very miserable start to the first day of our month's cruise to Chester and wherever.  Dark grey skies, raining and that unpleasant Brinklow wind that we have grown used to.   Brinklow Marina is quite exposed and lovely though the views of the surrounding countryside are, it is inevitable that if there is wind, it blows at Brinklow.  Our aim was to reach Atherstone today as part of the plan to reach Chester on the 11th to enable me to get to Bangor and Caernarfon for a Welsh Highland Railway track inspection.  Go or not go?   Well it looked horrible, but after all its only rain and the canals are generally quite sheltered from the wind.  So we went.   Just as we about to leave a red light on the holding tank showed itself.   To delay here would mean a wait until 10:00 am to get a token, so we went off anyway.   Passing Rose Narrowboats base 45 minutes later we saw staff in attendance who were happy to do a pump out for us, so that problem solved.  The downside was that they charged £20 for it.   Now it was certainly a lovely pump out, done with love and care, rinsing the whole shebang, but hit the record as the most expensive ever.   I am really going to have to get a bathroom logbook set up to get a handle on the unit cost of the toilet business (pun intended).  Its looking like 50p for a big one and we could offer a discount if people wanted to club together over the little ones.   Moving on, rain stopped about 10:00 and the afternoon brightened up but with the odd heavy short sharp shower and even a clap of thunder.    We arrived at Atherstone almost exactly at the time the "Canalplan AC" computer planning software predicted.    A bit of relaxation first, then a trial run of the technique for replacing the windgenerator stays with stainless wire.   Supper was one Pat made earlier.   A beef casserole washed down with the rest of the Cabernet Sauvignon that I started yesterday!