UK Canals - Journey reports

Shropshire Union Canal:Tattenhall

A funny day really, billed as the best of the weekend, it turned out to be blighted by regular heavy showers of rail & hail.  We set off at the usual time and got our first wetting at Bunbury staircase in company with another narrowboat.   Being hire boat changeover day the Anglo Welsh Base below the lock was stocked with boats awaiting crews making progress difficult due to narrowing of the waterway.   We stopped at Beeston just as another heavy shower started and were settled in there for the night.   It became apparent, however, that we had no telephone signal and no TV.  TV we can do without, but being out of touch can be stressful in this modern world.   As the weather has cleared up and become quite pleasant, if still cold, we moved on to Tattenhall.

Shropshire Union Canal Middlewich Branch:Cholmondeston Lock

The forecast yesterday had given a rather dismal outlook for this morning, but on the day it was the afternoon that turned rotten.  So disregarding the forecast we left in the morning and had a chilly windy but dry cruise with sunny spells.   There are nicely signed visitor moorings in places of likely interest, such as beautiful views.

Church Minshull from the canal

 The first we encountered was looking over the River Weaver and Winsford Top Flash and further on, Church Minshull and the Weaver again.   By 11:00 threatening black clouds were looming.  Time to call it a day.  We are not in any rush.   I took the opportunity in the afternoon to refill the stern tube greaser.  What fun!

Shropshire Union Canal Middlewich Branch:Bridge 25

More snow overnight, but this time turning to slush in slightly warmer air and easy to dispose of.   In fact a pleasant morning with plenty of sunshine and in the absence of much wind feeling warmer.   We had an almost unopposed run down the remainder of the Cheshire Locks, only meeting a couple of boats at the end and in favourable circumstances.  Pat nipped off at Wheelock to visit the local convenience store and we pressed on into deteriorating weather, finally having had enough once continuous rain had set in.

Trent & Mersey Canal:Rode Heath

Yesterday afternoon the weather did turn unpleasant with wind and snow.  The snow was followed in early evening by clear skies and so thid morning the bank was still covered with a frozen crust.   The same applied to the boat, making the wind generator demounting impossible until a few bowls of hot water had cleared the roof.  We set off at 8:00.   Harecastle tunnel doesn't open until 8:00 and when we arrived at the southern portal some 30 minutes later we were just in time to see the back of one boat entering and another waiting.    We were stopped by the tunnel keeper who asked us to test our light and horn.  The light worked but the horn didn't, possibly frozen.   Without a working horn we cannot get passage because that is our only way of communicating with the outside world.  Fortunately we have a portable gas powered one, so all was satisfied.      It was warmer inside, so the remaining ice had gone when we emerged, some 30 minutes later.   The tunnel really is low in places, the wind generator fin clearing the roof by only about 10 cm and it is easy to imagine how a boater recently lost his life in there.  The tunnel light shines ahead but once the front of the boat has past any given point the roof is in darkness  again and if not paying attention, sudden changes in height can be missed.  We now use a torch on the boat roof to keep the tunnel roof always in sight.    Carrying on, we were behind a coal boat (nb Roach).  The crew were setting the paired lock for Pat on the way down the first 6 locks and she was closing up for them.   Needing a couple of bags of coal ourselves, Pat got them to leave a couple on the lockside for us to pick up.  Rode Heath was reached in decent weather which deteriorated as forecast.

Trent & Mersey Canal:Westport Lake

A frost overnight, bright and sunny this morning but that freezing north wind in our faces making it less than pleasant.   We had a boat well in front, so unless we have a perfectly positioned opposite direction, all locks will need emptying first - and so it was.  Stoke Locks are all deep, the first and last especially so.  The first is a bit of a slow fill, but the top lock is much faster.    The wind generator needed reversing into the rear hatch for the very low railway bridge just before the second lock, the only place so far that I have had to do this since the modification I made to the tail fin.      We stopped at Black Prince for diesel.   90p per litre.   I was informed that it is much cheaper at Longport, but we stuck with the 90p all in.   Our last fill at Braunston was 99p.    Interestingly, when we passed the pump at Longport it had 57p posted on the side, but tax would be extra of course.   Still a much better deal.    The weather this afternoon according to the TV forecast is heavy rain showers, thunder, lightning, hail, snow, cat & dogs, the complete spread.  

Yes! It snowed.

So we shall stop here at Westport Lake and see what tomorrow brings.

 

 

Trent & Mersey Canal:Barlaston

Just one hire boat waiting for us at the second lock, then no other boats moving until we moored up near Bridge 104 at Barlaston.  We took the opportunity there to go and visit "Wedgewood World", the factory (which we didn't go round), the shop (which we looked around in envy, though Pat did buy a small present) and the Museum.  Every article that was ever produced seems to have been recorded as an exhibit together with a very detailed account year by year of the experiments and fortunes of the family.   I cannot imagine how much this must have cost to set up and the factory is much larger than I has guessed.    For any following, from Bridge 104, cross the railway line, then immediately left and straight on through the car park and past the back of the factory. There are no obvious signs at this point.   Visitor parking and the entrance will become apparent.   The visitor area is large and somewhat confusing initially, dining hall on the right, shop ahead and museum to the left.   I had expected a sign like "Entrance", but it was "Welcome".   All very modern leaving me with the feeling of being very under dressed wearing my "Boris" hat.

Trent & Mersey Canal:Stone

A bright cold damp morning with a little early weak sunshine, then it all went downhill with a chilling wind in our faces and light rain later.   Our first two locks were all ours, but the third had a queue of two waiting and thus we were always waiting from then on.  By Stone, below the first lock (Star Inn) and we had had enough.

The "Art Boat" at Gt Hayward

  At Gt Hayward Lock we passed this "Art Boat" with its awning obviously set up to milk the large numbers of tourists that pass by in this location, near to Shugborough Hall.  I have never seen one like this before (obviously haven't been out enough) but it looks a superb structure.

We ate in the Star Inn in the evening passing five youths looking miserable hiding from the rain under the bridge.  Sad really that there is nothing for them.   The menu was surprisingly rather limited - mostly burgers & steaks.  Our steaks however were excellent although lacking a small spot of greenery the plate looked somehow lacking.

Given the current weather promising to last well into next week we have settled to leave out the Caldon.  Plans need us to be in Chester early next week and we are now behind schedule if we were to do the Caldon.   Four days will not be enough.

Trent & Mersey Canal:Little Haywood

From our mooring we reached Fradley after 75 minutes, picked up a tail at the locks and another just after Woodend Lock.   All OK until the Armitage "tunnel".    As you can see in the picture the entrance is BLACK.   The tunnel is very short, but turns left just after the blackness and is narrow for about 200 yards.   So a member of the crew has to enter the tunnel on the towpath and check that the way is clear before signalling to the helmsman that the way is clear.  So I instructed Pat.  "What kind of signal should I give", says Pat.  We settled on starjumps.   Now you can see Pat there walking towards the tunnel entrance.   What can you notice about her?  Yes, she is dressed in black.  So as soon as she entered the tunnel she disappeared.   I must have been waiting outside for five minutes before I had a phone call to say where are you.  I've been doing star jumps for the last 5 minutes.   All this caused a tailback of boats behind, which then in turn caused mayhem for one opposite direction hire boat at a narrows.  Such fun!

 

Coventry Canal:Kings Orchard Bridge

As planned we set off early down the 11 lock flight hoping for a clean run.  All the locks were against us to start with and only when we met a couple of upcoming boats towards the end did that change.  I had the feeling that we were not quite so nimble this time.  The bottom mitre gates are sheeted on the bottom side with a few exceptions leaving nothing to grab hold on to close one side from the boat when leaving and the locks are deep making the top handrail difficult to reach.   This means stopping to close both gates using whichever side has the best landing.   Pat of course will already be prepping the next lock.  However, all said and done we took 2hrs 15 minutes which I am not complaining about.   Pressing on we had a good run to Fazely picking up one in front from the B&F at the junction and then one behind later.   At Hopwas school bridge an opposite direction day boat went into reverse and lost control putting the boat across the canal.   Hard reverse then gave us all manner of rubbish on the prop including hard stuff, probably branches and we lost all propulsion for a while.  Needed to moor and visit the weed hatch.   We did find a coal boat shortly after which will keep us warm for the next week.  The forecast is still for more freezing weather.   Finally stopped at Kings Orchard bridge for the night, near the entrance to the marina.

Coventry Canal:Kings Orchard Bridge

As planned we set off early down the 11 lock flight hoping for a clean run.  All the locks were against us to start with and only when we met a couple of upcoming boats towards the end did that change.  I had the feeling that we were not quite so nimble this time.  The bottom mitre gates are sheeted on the bottom side with a few exceptions leaving nothing to grab hold on to close one side from the boat when leaving and the locks are deep making the top handrail difficult to reach.   This means stopping to close both gates using whichever side has the best landing.   Pat of course will already be prepping the next lock.  However, all said and done we took 2hrs 15 minutes which I am not complaining about.   Pressing on we had a good run to Fazely picking up one in front from the B&F at the junction and then one behind later.   At Hopwas school bridge an opposite direction day boat went into reverse and lost control putting the boat across the canal.   Hard reverse then gave us all manner of rubbish on the prop including hard stuff, probably branches and we lost all propulsion for a while.  Needed to moor and visit the weed hatch.   We did find a coal boat shortly after which will keep us warm for the next week.  The forecast is still for more freezing weather.   Finally stopped at Kings Orchard bridge for the night, near the entrance to the marina.

Coventry Canal:Atherstone

Today we just moved the boat a few yards to get better TV.   The main job was putting finishing touches to the roof paint.  It has to be dry to walk on before we can go further down the lock flight.  Here's the view from the top of the flight.

Coventry Canal:Atherstone

Atherstone is one of our standard overnight mooring locations, partly because there is access to provisions, partly because it places us at the top of the 11 lock flight ready for an early start and because there are decent moorings.   Today was the best of the year so far with unbroken sunshine and starting to warm up.   Shame that more cold is forecast in a couple of days time.  On arrival preparations were made for the last third of the roof painting.   Of course it is too hot to paint in the daytime in full sun, but by 5 pm the roof was in shade and cool enough.

When we were away on holiday in January, our mobile phone battery got so far discharged that it would not take a charge any more.  We went to an electronics shop to get a new battery and were told that we didn't need one.   What we needed was this device.   It is an 11 AH battery with two USB ports and a charging port.    The salesman plugged the phone into it and bingo.  Everything worked again.   We have found it really useful on the boat for recharging both our mobile phones at night.   Previously this was difficult as the inverter doesn't like little things like mobile phone chargers and it starts cycling on and off when the phones are charged and makes irritating noises.    The gadget on the other hand is a "big boy" and the inverter likes it.   There is probably enough charge in it to satisfy 6 phone charges.    It is really useful of course if you are away from a power charging source for any length of time like being out in the mountains.   I use it for railway walks.

 

Coventry Canal:Coventry

Today we went to Coventry.  Never been there before.  From Hawkesbury in the past we have always been "on a mission" going on somewhere distant and have not had an inclination to do the 2 hours it takes do cruise the other end of the canal.   To be honest, for some unknown reason I also had negative feelings about Coventry perhaps from a single report of a bad experiences maybe.    We were pleasantly surprised I have to say.  The towpath is in excellent condition throughout, the canal was clean with very little rubbish visible on the surface.  Of course you never know what is under the water and there were two occasions when the boat rose up as if traversing a solid underwater obstruction and there was also a spot with the inevitable supermarket trolley creating a scraping sound.   The basin at the terminus seems well cared for.  We took the opportunity to do a bit of shopping and visit the cathedral which was awe inspiring, the new next to the old which was destroyed in the war.   So I would definitely put Coventry on the todo list.

It's an easy walk into the centre from the Canal Basin which is up on the side of the hill, hence the steps you see through the arch.

We have returned to Hawkesbury to do the roof painting phase 2.

Oxford Canal:Hawkesbury Junction

Back on the boat after a weekend interlude we have moved to Hawkesbury Junction on a chilly overcast day.  A contrast to yesterday's sunshine.  I have been waiting for an opportunity to paint the boat roof.  This has been put off for two years now mainly it has to be said because the opportunity or the conditions were not there or not right.  It is really all about trying to keep the rust at bay and the black patches where spot preventative treatment has been carried out are threatening to cover the whole roof.    Today was an opportunity, not sunny and hopefully little chance of rain showers.   Being on the move day to day means that the roof can only be painted in sections, so here's today's effort.

First section painted

Oxford Canal:Braunston

Last evening we decided to refresh our emergency food cache.  This consists of a "Fray Bentos" steak & kidney pie, the tinned variety and tinned potatoes. Please understand that we don't like throwing food away, but were a bit taken aback by the "best before date" on the tin which gave it as 2007.   We reckon it has been bought in 2005.   The tin looked good (probably good South Wales Steel) so we enjoyed it and lived to tell the tale.  The tin of potatoes looked blown, so they were ditched.   A new Fray Bentos has been purchased and put in store.

Well we got our Full House at Braunston Marina, Gas,Diesel & Pumpout.    All DIY there and getting the gas cylinder into the locker the hardest part - they are heavy enough when balancing on the bow.   We were three hours to Marston Doles from Fenny, then held up a while because the pound below the lock was well down and the previous boat ran aground in the bushes maneuvering around a moored boat in an unhelpful place.  A flush of water got him going.   Speaking to the volunteer lock keeper later on he explained that it seems that the two locks are not balanced, so from time to time they have to let water down.   So a well known problem.

We have moved on just past Braunston Turn in good position for the morning.

Oxford Canal:Fenny Compton

Stiill in Banbury, we needed to turn.  There is a very nice clean winding hole just beyond the moored boats after bridge 168, so Pat got off to do some shopping at Morrisons while I turned.  Then we set off back towards Rugby, mostly behind another boat all the way to Fenny, but no hold-ups.   We have a "red light", i.e. the holding tank needs emptying and happy that we would arrive at Fenny in time we could get that dealt with there. We also need gas and diesel would be useful, so a "full house".    So we were disappointed to find that Wednesday is early closing.    Never mind, on to Braunston tomorrow to guarantee service.  Can never really understand the hours at Fenny Marina.  Not open till 10:00 and close most days at 16:00.  We are obviously alone in wanting service outside those hours, but it is not the first time we have been caught out.  What such a shame is that it is nice wharfside service.   No having to negotiate the complexities of finding a diesel pump inside a large marina.

Oxford Canal:Banbury

We left the mooring above Cropedy at 8:00 and had a very straightforward run to Banbury.   Needing water we stopped at the water point between the lifting bridge and the Town Lock - the last on the canal with mitred bottom gates.   The 14 day mooring (with rings) near the path to the station road was vacant so here we are!    The Environment Agency in still showing red and yellow boards including a no go at Osney, so we would be unable to get on the Thames there.    If then by mid next week the Thames is open we can continue.  If not its plan B.

Pat had discovered a small problem with my work on the calorifier.   There was no cold water in the shower.    I had not tested it obviously.   Investigation revealed that the cold supply to the shower cubicle was not even connected and there was no obvious point at which this could be done.  A new pipe run would have to be established, however, all my spares had been taken home, believing the work done.   I needed a new set of connectors.  At Cropedy I had established (or so I thought) that there was a Screwfix store near at hand, so organised a "click and collect" order.  In Banbury I discovered that it was a 26 minute walk away.   Google maps gave me the route, so I set off.  Before long I found myself on a major arterial road with no pavement, only grass verges and in places protruding bushes.  The only way to cross the road was to scale the dividing barrier, traffic roaring past at 50-60 mph.   Not a pleasant experience at all.   Then to my dismay, the store, shown on the map as being on this dual carriageway actually had no access except from side roads accessible by a half mile detour.   So it was through the bushes, scale a wooden fence and bingo.   On the way back I found the cycle path through Spiceball park, even so I had to traverse the fence and dual carriageway, half expecting a police car to pull over any moment.  Back at the boat, using push fit plastic it only took a few minutes to actually do the job.   No need to drain anything if the ready assembles pipework could be connected it to the supply quickly.  It could.

Very few boats have passed us today, but all mostly at speed, so the mooring will have to be attended to tomorrow.

Oxford Canal:Cropedy

It looked as if we were the firsst up the Napton Lock Flight.    Many of the locks were empty already so we had a very energy efficient almost casual ascent.  Two pounds were down on water, always a hazard when first up, but not enough to worry Nuggler.    Then the long, slow cruise along the summit pound where it is notoriosly shallow.    Fenny Compton was quiet - plenty of moorings, but we were aiming for Cropedy.    A "plastic" boat overtook us just after the "tunnel" that is not a tunnel.   There is plenty of room to pass other boats except for a short 100 yards or so at the eastern end.    Presumably this is where the original tunnel was, but the cutting does not seem any deeper here than elsewhere, so it would be interesting to see early drawings.    We stopped on the metal piling designated "Cropedy North 24 hours" not wanting to risk there being no moorings below the lock as after it is all long term moorings.   We have been caught out before!

Oxford Canal:Napton

Into our usual routine, we started early. Last jobs completed we left the marina at 7:45 heading for Oxford, thence the Thames to Reading and the entrance of the Kennet & Avon Canal. Water levels have been high and the Thames still show a preponderance of yellow boards "Strong Steam Decreasing". The Kennet & Avon seems open but with similar advice. Not expecting many boats to be about we were surprised with the amount of traffic particularly later in the morning. It took us nearly 2 hours to reach Hillmorton, actually quite good time. Again, surprise! There was a lock keeper on duty and we had a lock ready for us. Pat helped get us rising and then, as is our usual plan, went on to get the next lock ready. I had never seen the water level so high. The top gate walkway is always wet, but this time it was so deep under the water that the lock keeper had to walk round the bottom gates and even then was at risk of wet feet. The water was up to the level of the lockside and was starting to flow around the gates. The lock keeper was suspicious that mistakes were being made higher up and set off to investigate. Pat had by then sorted out the hire boat waiting near the bottom of the lock above for it to empty. She had been greeted by: "We've been waiting here for ages." She pointed out that they could expect that if the didn't close the top paddles. The lock-keeper went up to let some water down into the last pound. A very patient chap. He told her that it was the second time today that he needed to do this. Fair do's. It was raining now with a bitterly cold wind such that even with 4 layers of clothes incl long johns I was cold and shivering desperate for a bit of global warming.  So anyone could get distracted. On we went shortly coming up behind a slow boat, so slow in fact that tickover didn't do it. This boat was weaving all over the canal and running into trouble at bridges. It turned out to be a Kate Boat and I surmised that the skipper who we eventually found in the front, was letting two novices have their head to learn by experience. Nothing wrong with that. These two managed eventually to get the boat near the towpath out of gear for us to pass, though not in a very good spot. They apologised. No need, but I told them that it did appear that they were over-correcting all the time. They understood. At Braunston we stopped by Midland Chandlers. Our cooley hat had disintegrated and I don't  like leaving the chimney open to rain. Inside the store I saw a lovely stainless short chimney and couldn't resist the temptation. However, by good fortune, I checked it back at the boat and discovered that it was too small by a couple of millimeters to fit on the roof. I tried a couple of others, but all the same. A refund was forthcoming and I left with the cooley hat. Passage onwards proceeded quickly, now in broken cloud with sunny spells and threatening CB's. We moored at Napton just in time to get inside before such a CB emptied a really heavy shower. Only one space left between the winding hole and the turn before the lock. Chicken Caesar salad. Lovely.

Spring Cruise - First preparations

Our aim, as for the last few years, is to try and visit the Kennet & Avon Canal again.   This was where we first cut our teeth back in 1999 or thereabouts.

We arrived at the boat early morning with several jobs in mind to get ready for the spring cruise starting tomorrow.
1. We brought a mains vacuum cleaner to use through the whole boat to remove dust accumulations, clean out the stove etc.
2. Having found the stove paint last visit, the stove was too hot then to black it. Now, with a cold stove it can be done, the central heating keeping us warm enough to work.
3. Pat discovered a problem with the fridge/freezer. We always leave it with the doors open, partly to let it dry out to reduce mould growth, and partly to defrost. There is a drain tool that inserts into the bottom of the freezer section to direct melted water into a receptical. Unfortunately, due to a communications lapse, we each thought that the other had tunred it off when we left a month ago, but it wasn't. The door had not been open enough for the light to come on. Now the whole of the freezer section was encased in ice, and the drawers were, on first inspection stuck solid. We needed to go shopping and use it thereafter, so Pat set to work and problem was solved. I am convinced that this had acted as a dehumidifer. The boat felt quite dry and lived in, albeit cold, when we had arrived..
4. When the fan is demounted flat on the roof for travel, the pointed tip of the rather heavy assembly rests on the roof. To obviate problems we used an old fleece wrapped around a small coil of rope to create a doughnut shape in which the works could rest. I wanted something better and a wooden stand has been fabricated at home out of a bit of recycled pallet. This needed finishing off.
5. The light over the Welsh dresser needed replacing. I have bought a strip of LED lights for this, but needs to be wired in and a new switch provided. Wiring: No problem. The switch is exercising me a bit, not wanting to ruin the face of the dresser, or butcher the woodwork. Still needs more work, but the final design is there.
6. I bought some more plastic decking squares to assemble on the roof to keep coal bags off the paintwork.
7. Finally, suck out the oily bilge water. This has been emulsified with Swarfega "Oil & Grease Remover". It stays in the wet vac for disposal at home with other oil waste.
Considering we have both been unwell for the last week, this work was good physiotherapy and after supper took us to bed early.