UK Canals - Journey reports

Oxford Canal:Brinklow and end of cruise

We had moored on the arrival side of the junction last night, so just the stop lock and then the 3 1/2 hour cruise to Brinklow.

Coventry Canal:Hawkesbury Junction

We had a really good run up the Atherstone Flight.  Most of the locks where against us but that makes no difference with the luxury of a full crew with a "lock-wheeler" (no wheels) prepping the next lock, waiting to see the boat in and helping close gates then moving on to the next.   At lock 7 there was a report of slow boats ahead, but they couldn't have been that slow, because they had no impact on our progress.  Two volunteer lock keepers helped with the last two giving Pat a chance to nip over the bridge for paper and milk and the luxury of a rubbish disposal, this time only half a bag but one cannot look the gift horse etc.  Hawkesbury was reached at 1:30 pm in good time for relax and a beer before our dining event.   The food lived up to expectations and the children were well catered for.  Our journey had included a half hour stop at Springwood Haven for diesel and pump-out.  

Coventry Canal:Atherstone Flight Lock 10

Family arrived rather later than hoped due to very heavy traffic out of London and beyond.   I had checked out a site to leave thei car in a council car park by the library, so once unloaded that was dealt with and at 5 pm we set off for the bottom of Atherstone flight to give a good start the next day for Hawkesbury Junction where we have a booking (week ahead due to its reputation and popularity) in the restaurant at the Greyhound.   Travelling at this time in the evening means that random moored boats are all over the place, so constant speed changes, but equally the Bradley Green Services were free for a water top up and a chance at last to get rid of three rubbish bags that had accumulated since our last chance of disposal at Fradley Junction.  Nothing available at Fazeley any more apparently in spite of the sign saying there is.   Surprisingly there were no boats moored at the bottom of the flight, so we went up two locks and nothing in that long pound either.   So we stopped there for a quiet night.

Coventry Canal:Polesworth

Here all day doing odd maintenance work.  Still no sign of hydraulic fluid supplies.  Checked out the Bull's Head pub nearby.  An old working man's pub might be the best description, so no fancy decor but friendly welcoming service.  There is an indian restaurant upstairs accessed though a rather dodgy looking alley at the side but well worth a visit.  The decor is warm and not overstated with comfortable seating and first class not overpriced food.

Coventry Canal:Polesworth

An easy run today.  No queues at Glascote Locks.  Our only issue was with overgrown offside vegetation on the sharp right hand curve coming out of Alvecote obscuring the view and a near miss with opposite direction traffic.  Sporadic overgrown vegetation in awkward places has been a recurrent theme.  On arrival we found an ideal mooring before the Tamworth Road bridge with a decent bank and mooring rings spaced at intervals such that  they were perfect for the 18 metre boat but so far apart that very long lines were needed to give adequate fore and aft control for surging and nothing to control lateral movement.  So ... big fenders.   We are waiting here to meet family who will be joining us to Brinklow.   Exploration of the village reveals much of interest, the Abbey Church set in attractive surroundings with an old gate house, the Abbey founded in the year 800 and a large park/recreational area.  This is an old coal mining town, though nothing obvious remains apart perhaps from some canal loading wharves.

Coventry Canal:Fradley Junction

We still have an irritating intermittent fault on the left hydraulic bowthruster.  Don't need the bowthruster you will say and that is true, but every now and again it is very useful.  Thinking it must be an electrical fault because the right works reliably I have checked wiring as best I can, but have no circuit diagram and do not wish to start taking things apart.  Certainly the control switch is OK.  Then I had the sudden idea that it could be the fluid level which is on the red line in the reservoir.  So where to get some HLP22 hydraulic fluid.   The search is on!   We waited at Rugeley for opening hours to try a motor factor there, but no luck.  They only had HLP32.  So we have moved on to Fradley Junction, Fazely tomorrow.    Leaving Rugeley we met a regular stream of opposite direction boats, stopping at Armitage tunnel for one.   Soon we came up behind a Canal Cruising Co hire boat having some difficulty getting off the bank, just round a corner requiring an "emergency stop".   They were a little slower than us ahead which really doesn't matter but they kept slowing further trying to get us to overtake.   On a narrow shallow canal it very tricky to overtake a moving boat.  Firstly it can take a long distance, other boats can suddenly appear ahead and the water dynamics are such that strange things happen.  It is best to pull in, jump ashore with a centre rope and wait for the overtaking boat to pass.  So we held back and in the end they got the message.   Why rush anyway, Woodend Lock was not far ahead and we would have to wait.   As it happened, there was no queue and we were soon on our way.   Volockies were at the three Fradley locks.   The first, Shadehouse Lock has very low bottom gates such that the button rides up over the top.   Just managed to catch that in time as the paddle was opened.  At Middle Lock the volunteers have invented a large board which they can hang on the bottom gates to indicate to the Junction Lock Keeper which way boats are going so that unnecessary cycling of the lock can be avoided.   Very clever!  Actually it was agreed that the day was very quiet with few boat movements.  Certainly we were expecting queues.   Having failed to get into a mooring between two boats, one very kindle shifted for us, so we are secure.   But it is a long haul with a heavy rubbish bag to the services.

Trent and Mersey Canal:Rugeley

We moved along to bridge 66 to be nearer to Tesco and a big shop for stores.  Very few boats here, mostly transient shopping too.

Trent and Mersey Canal:Rugeley

The towpath has recently been strimmed and the canal is covered with grass cuttings.  All went well until Aston Lock. Just couldn't get the boat to move out.  The propeller was so heavily fouled.  The weed hatch produced handfuls of grass and even after cleaning progress was very slow as more was picked up, until we were out of the lock and into clear water.  Never would have imagined grass would do that, but I suppose the grass has been allowed to grow too long.   It was as we were approaching the lock that I ran a memory rewind realising that I had no recollection of returning the mooring piling hook that I used at kidsgrove.   Sure enough it was missing and I had left it.   Not the first time.  It just takes a bit of distraction.   I have to have a plan to stop this happening in future, always assuming that we can get a replacement.   They are getting hard to find as most chandleries only stock the wretched "safety pin" type.  Gt Hayward junction was mayhem as usual, but infact there was not a lot of traffic about.   Only two boats moored on the long stretch below the lock.   However, we had a long wait at Colwich Lock as the ground paddle is out of use and one has to treat the gate paddle with caution.   At Rugeley there was only one boat moored between bridges 67 and 66, so we stopped at 67 as being the most convenient for the Lion Street Launderette.  (Hours 8am to 8pm 7 days a week, but attended only between 10am and 2pm, so have those coins ready.  Incidentally the machines will not take the new £1 coins. The old ones will become illegal tender from October and are disappearing from change fast!

Trent & Mersey Canal:Stone

First thing today we needed water and rubbish disposal. So we headed for Etruria services which means entering the start of the Caldon Canal. There is the full bag of works here including pump-out if you want that. Fill was slowish and by the time we had reversed out nb Maggie Ann, with which we had struck up chat with at the Harecastle entrance, was at the Stoke Top Lock landing. We followed them down without too much delay as they were kindly cracking the back paddle for us when leaving ahead, at least for the first three, then we got mixed up with opposite direction stuff. Below Stoke the canal seems quite deep and so fast until Trentham. Below Trentham Lock there always seem to be boats moored, no doubt because of the nearby Wedgwood Pottery visitor centre. Worth a visit!

Waiting at Meaford Top Lock. One boat has just gone down. Pat in red jacket.

After Barlaston we found offside vegetation growth troublesome, partly obscuring visibility ahead on corners, but also passing opposite direction traffic. At Meaford, the second lock down has a top paddle culvert obstruction which makes filling very slow, so we had quite a wait at the top as boats were sensibly not turning the top lock round but waiting for the opposite traffic. The problem is posted on the lock beam with a very elegant permanent looking notice promising action, but to be honest it is a very difficult problem to deal with and would, I am sure involve draining the lock just to investigate. If the culvert has collapsed then I imagine that a new gate with a gate paddle would be the way to go. Arriving at Stone there were no moorings to be found in the central area, so we continued on to the end of the line below the bottom lock and the 14 day moorings.

Trent and Mersey Canal:Westport Lake

Had a good run up the rest of the Cheshire Locks.  Three before Red Bull we got a holding tank red light warning, so really perfect timing to check out the user operated pump-out at Red Bull.  Worked perfectly although it took us ages to get the boat positioned for an offside access port given the rather short pipe provided in the cabinet principally because the bollards were in the wrong place.  Couple of the CRT bank staff thought it was funny and that I just needed a shorter boat.  Well can't complain.   We did get the job done.  The hire boat following us thought we were in the queue for the lock even though we had pumpout tubing all over the place and as the boat coming down said he had left the gates for us we assumed that the lock was ours.  Just as everything had been put away and I started for the lock in a final approach Pat told me to back off.   The lock had been taken.   Red Bull Lock cannot be seen from the landing.  It is round the corner, but it put me in a poor position reversing furiously and going all over the place.  The secret of good canal boat handling is anticipation.   Then a shopping stop for Kidsgrove TESCO, lunch and on towards the tunnel.  We were second in line with a 30 minute wait.

Waiting for the tunnel clearance.

 CRT certainly have upgraded their safety advice since the old BW days.  Each boat skipper was given a miniature lecture, all for the better of course, and included horn and light check.   We were let in at one minute intervals with at least 3 boats behind us.  By the time we got to the other end, 37 minutes later, we were 4 minutes behind the leader.  Rather that than up his backside.  The tunnel is very low in places requiring heads down in a half crouch, so the wind generator has to be moved. The one behind was very far behind.   We stopped at Westport Lake.   Good moorings in a pleasant location.

Trent and Mersey Canal:Rode Heath

First objective today was to visit King's Lock Chandlery for diesel. Passing a sunken boat a few hundred yards from the mooring, our first obstacle was Middlewich Big Lock - 14 feet wide and the last double lock for the rest of our trip. Pat found that the top gate walkway was broken in a not very obvious way and potentially dangerous. We were second in line for the lock with two boats going up ahead of us, not auguring well for the next narrow lock where there would immediately be a queue.

Finally! First in the queue for the Middlewich bottom lock. There appeared to be a solid obstruction below the water preventing a neat line-up.

So it turned out, but made longer by a hire boat ahead who's crew had absolutely no idea of what to do when faced with a lock. Once we got moving all went smoothly and we got our diesel. From there on we had a very easy time with opposite direction boats fitting in perfectly, usually just coming out of the lock ahead as we approached. The fact that there were so many turned out to be due to a festival taking place at Middlewich the following weekend. Arriving at Wheelock, normally an overnight stopping place for us, we had made such good progress that we decided to carry on and stop somewhere else up the hill. Our good luck continued, pairing with a CRT workboat for the first two paired locks. There are some nice moorings at Rode Heath with spendid views, so that's where we are.

Trent and Mersey Canal:Bridge 178

Because Preston Brook Tunnel has a kink and is single file entry is timed, in our direction for 10 minutes from the half hour. Needless to say getting there at the right time is helpful. We were first in line at the entrance with 10 minutes to spare. Only one other boat joined us. The stop lock at the other end looked leaky and neglected, the paddle gear rusty and squeaky. However the level difference is only a few inches so functionally it doesn't matter I suppose. After the tunnel the canal does afford some dramatic views over the Weaver Valley. Two more tunnels follow. Saltisford is really windy and more like a fairground ride. That too is on a timed entry basis but this time we are allowed 20 minutes. Then comes the Anderton Boat Lift. The Anderton Trip boat was just making its entrance as we passed. Then most importantly, our first opportunity to dump our domestic rubbish in 3 days. Our mooring for the night was a computer generated suggestion based on dividing our total trip time into equal segments. It was noticeably quiet. No road noise, no trains. But no mobile signal.

Bridgewater Canal:Preston Brook

Leaving our mooring the true size of the embankment became apparent having left the shelter of the woods reaching open vistas.   The Oughtrington services incl. pumpout were spotted with a sign saying "Sorry no water".   Lymm was as busy as ever  being a weekend.   The canal is deep enough and wide enough to give a good speed on quite low revs and one can pass other boats with much more way on than on narrow canals without causing any disturbance, so Stockton Heath was soon reached.   The book says that services are available north of the bridge 16, but presumably this means shops.  Pat made a quick sortie to Sainsbury's Local there.  Thorne Marine has services canalside which we have used before.  Always preferable to doing a marina tour.  The wind was getting quite strong on the exposed sections nearing Preston Brook, but the moorings before the junction are more sheltered

Bridgewater Canal:Bollin Aqueduct

Heavy rain this morning so the "yachty suit" came out which together with boots, long johns, and a pullover kept me warm and dry.  I was a little concerned to get to Plank Lane Lift bridge before 8:00 as there is a closure period until 9:30 for the rush hour.  Like an idiot I forgot this was Saturday, hence no rush hour, hence no closure!   This is a single track bridge and so has traffic lights.  Pat saw a car coming and waved it on not realising that it had to stop for the traffic lights, then just as the barriers were about to come down it decided to go for it, thanking Pat.  Could have been another barrier strike accident as last week.  The moral?  Just press the button and let the technology do its job and don't try to direct the traffic.   The rain eased off by about 10:30 and it warmed up a bit.   Crossing the Barton swing aqueduct over the Manchester Ship Canal is always an awe inspiring treat, then on to Waters Meeting and the Bridgewater.  Finally we stopped near the Bollin Aqueduct.   This really is a major embankment across the Bollin Valley and one can only admire the determination of the builders in the late 18th century.

Leeds and Liverpool Canal:Dover Locks

Having spent the last four days at Parbold we are now moving on again.  There are a number of objectives.  1. Shopping at ASDA Wigan. 2. Get water. 3. Dump rubbish. 4. Get to Poolstock Locks between 2 and 3 pm.   All 4 were achieved except rubbish disposal.  It seems there is nowhere (other than perhaps boatyards) of disposing of rubbish until Preston Brook.   Appley Deep Lock was very slow to fill as one ground paddle is U/S.  Thereafter no problems.   We were on our own until Wigan Bottom Lock when another boat joined us for the next 4.   Poolstock Locks were not locked as per the advisory notice, so the 2 - 3 pm opening was not extant and we passed straight through.  Actually  the pair of us picked up an extra boat (One Eyed City) at lock 2.   This one went through with our partner and luckily I spotted that he had tied up his centre line to the lock ladder and just as the boat descended his free line ran out.   Fortunately caught in time because a few seconds later the knot would have tightened beyond being undone and most likely the lock ladder would have been torn off the wall.   It seems that this single hander was shall we say "inexperienced".  We are now on the Leigh Branch at Dover Locks.

Enjoying the sunshine at Dover Locks

 The locks are no longer in existence, just the narrows.  I guess they were once functioning as stop locks or safety locks in case of breach.

Leeds and Liverpool Canal:Newbold

Even shorter day today.  Just four swing bridges and a dawdle.  The usual problem however approaching a mooring hotspot.  How far down the line of boats do you go before finding out that you have landed in a permanent mooring zone and there are no more spaces?  So we pulled up right at the end of the line and Pat walked down to find out.   Yes there were spaces nearer the bridge and these are not permanent moorings, well at least no sign.  Good enough so we continued down.  Then when I had finally bashed a mooring pin into what seemed like concrete the notice saying that this was only 24 mooring.  However, it looks like this applies only to the bit of tidy wharf near the bridge and not to the sloping edged bank further back.   So that's where we are.   There are no signs saying where the 24 hour mooring extends to.

Leeds and Liverpool Canal:New Lane

Not far to go today, so we took our time.  First to find a newspaper.  Bridge 25 looked like a possibility from the Nicholson's guide, although Halsall was not listed.  So we stopped there and walked up to the main road, but nothing, however there was a garage further along the main road and this produced a delicatessen, a small provisions store and, of course, newspapers.  It turns out that the garage is best approached from Bridge 26.   Proceeding on we thought that it would be a good idea to get a diesel top-up, so called in at Scarisbrick Marina.   As often the case we entered the marina through a bridge under the towpath, but where is the diesel point.  No signs.   Having done a tour of the place we were finally directed to a rather inconveniently placed wharf where there was a shed with a small sign there saying diesel/pumpout which we had missed.  The diesel pump pedestal was inside the shed.  However, we had very helpful friendly service including a water top-up.   Moving on again we stopped near our previous mooring at New Lane.  It had been a lovely sunny day on the whole, but promised showers did materialise late afternoon.

Leeds and Liverpool Canal:Haskayne

Rain for much of the morning.  We discovered this morning that one of the three boats moored with us had its ropes cut last night.  Our other neighbour was woken by his dog and saw a group of six hoodies laughing on the nearby swing bridge.  I too heard a thump on the boat at the same time co-incidentally with the wind generator suddenly stopping its hum, but that started up again and an inspection from inside at that time showed nothing wrong, so I was half expecting to see a dead bird on the roof this morning.  However we had no signs of anything wrong in the light of day.  Because of the rain, and not being in any hurry we set of much later than normal and very slowly.  Our first swing bridge was under maintenance after some faults but the engineers got it open easily enough for us.   Then the next was a stop for a visit to Morrisons nearby.  Pat has had an idea for a recipe spurred on by our excellent meal at Gusto on Tuesday night.  Then she saw an advert for a hair salon which backed on the the canal and got an immediate appointment.  Very lucky.   More swing bridges followed and our final stop for the day near the Ship Inn, Haskayne.  Visit planned for later after Sausage Surprise for supper.

Leeds and Liverpool Canal:Bridge 10

So we are back where we started and slowly retracing our steps back to Wigan.   We were joined last afternoon  by two boats, one had broken down in Liverpool and had been towed out by the other.  He had resolved his problems and the two intended leaving on the early slot for the two difficult bridges that can only be worked by C&RT staff.  Pat took the opportunity of some last minute shopping from Tesco and I continued working on the starboard locker.  A precautionary pump out and water top-up followed, then at about 10:45 two boats appeared going in our direction and we took the opportunity of following them through the swing bridge even though it was actually rather early and it would only mean that we would have to wait at Bridge 6.   I hadn't realised that they had worked the bridge themselves, so found them moored on the other side waiting to pick up their crew and I was now in front.  I got the impression that they were in a hurry, but whatever happened we would still have to wait at Netherton Bridge, which we did.  It seemed that the small of these boats had some sort of engine control problem and could only go fast?   So at Netherton they went first.  At Hancock's Bridge we had to wait again.

Waiting at Hancock's Bridge

  This is the very busy single track road bridge with traffic light control, so there is always a queue of cars waiting one side or the other.   It took ages for the bridge keepers to find a gap in traffic and then they wanteed to let two boats through opposite direction first.  Just as the bridge opened a blue light ambulance appeared, so they had to shut it again and start all over looking for a gap.  The two boats shot off ahead again leaving us and a broadbeam behind, so fully expecting them to have disappeared at the next swing bridge, they were waiting for us with the bridge open.   How considerate.  Now they would be behind the broadbeam as well and I rather think they wanted to crack on.  We stopped as this is bridge 10.  A lovely sunny evening, a field of horses one side and farm-land the other.