UK Canals - Journey reports

Ten days to Banbury

Pat, my wife and first mate has not been well these last few months.  The canal boat is Pat’s sanctuary but trips to the hospital rather keep us tethered to base, so when a window pops up we grab it.   There’s only so much you can do in a short period.  Our last trip was a visit to the Ashby.  A cruise short of the full length.  I wanted to do the London Ring again, but for a press on at all costs hire boater (as we once were) this is doable in two weeks.  I would rather take six and enjoy it.   So we will content ourselves to Banbury and back.   That should give us time to linger and enough locks for the time being.  After setting up the slow cooker with tonight’s meal we left Barby Moorings just around 8 a.m.   From the start there was opposite direction traffic seemingly in clutches.  I guess its the usual logic: the fastest at the back.  At Braunston Turn we turned right and pressed on aiming for just short of Wigrams Turn.   That turned out to take in all 4-1/2 hours.   This section is part of the Grand Union Canal and is blessed by loads of metal piling.   This attracts transiting moored boats, not long term stuff, and we have in the past fallen for its charms as we have today.   Sheet metal piling allows us to use our ready made mooring lines.  For the stern we have just an exact length of rope to give us a 45 degree fix with an eye for the offside stern dolly and the other end spiced into a robust piling clip.  This is pulled tight by the bow mooring which is a little bit more complicated as it includes a pully arrangement the pulling end going on the T stud in the normal way.

Ashby Canal:Stoke Golding

A short day in prospect.    It was only about 1 mile to our intended mooring for the night.  However, the boat will have to be turned for the return journey, and for that we have to continue on to Sutton Wharf, another 2 miles.   The nicest moorings for Stoke Golding, in my opinion, are a little further on from the main road bridge by the hire base, past the off-line marina.  Just past bridge 27 there is a sharp left turn and on the offside there are some C&RT 48 hour moorings with a picnic spot.  There is easy road access from there to the village and the nearest pub, the White Swan.  (Only open at 6pm most days).  Continuing on from there past the church, and sandwiched between the George & Dragon and an excellent Indian Restaurant is a small general store.    I was given a list of provisions to purchase, and with the help of the storekeeper, came through for almost all.

Return

Wednesday July 28th.  We set off early to get our visitors back in good time and got back to the moorings within the hour.  No traffic and not a lot of moored boats to slow us down.   I never seem to be able to predict where we will find loads of moored boats in the morning.   For example, the GU:Oxford section was virtually free this time round, but other times it has been solid nearly all the way.   The wind has got up again and it looks like another low pressure system is going to hit in the next few days.   Getting into the mooring is not dead easy in a crosswind and a crew member on the bow ready with a line is a good plan.

I have ordered new batteries.   We are planning a trip to Liverpool in August and although the batteries have not let us down they are over 7 years in use now and are long overdue for replacement.   Reading the voltage early every morning gives indication that the capacity is falling and once the voltage gets around 12.00, failure to hold a useful charge is not far away.   Don’t want this to happen while on a trip.

 

 

Coventry Canal:Hawkesbury Junction

Not really doing a cruise this spring as we often do but we are taking the boat up to the Peak Forest Canal for an appointment with the Boat Painter.   So after arriving at the marina we had a few jobs to do including fitting a slide out drawer for the inside of our middle cupboard (which doubles as a larder, bike store and wardrobe).   The thing was, the drawer had been made at home to measurements taken and the idea was that it would fit between the side walls of the cupboard, however, somewhere along the line I had not taken account of the door jambs and the door turned out to be slightly longer than expected.   Clearly measurement failure.   Anyway, somehow it fitted and the purpose, storage for the bakery, achieved.  Then we needed a pump-out.   Normally achievable at Brinklow but I was unable to raise the harbourmaster for a token so we were forced to get one done at Rose Narrowboats on the way.   A really thorough job done there, but £25!!!  The rest of the journey to our first overnight was pleasant in warm sunshine most of the time.  Plenty of moorings on the Coventry at Hawkesbury.

 

Kennet & Avon Canal:Pewsey Wharf

Blue sky and a lovely warm day in prospect.  Pat and I shared lock duties today and this worked well, alternating lockside and helm.  At Great Bedwyn we passed the hire boat that we had seen at Kintbury and at the next lock their outrunner caught up with us, so we waited for them at the next.  They were, as most hire boats are, mob handed so from there on we had it easy.  Well experienced the team worked well and we said goodbye at Wootton Rivers, the last of the locks until Devizes.   Passing Crofton Pumping house black smoke could be seen emerging from the chimney.  It is a steaming day, but passing the feeder outflow at the bottom of the flight there appeared to be no water flowing so perhaps they hadn’t got steam up yet.  Arriving at Pewsey there appeared the expected long line of moored boats with nowhere obviously to moor up.   We chose the first emerging gap, but the boat ran aground.   Moving on, the next which gave a lot of trouble, gang plank again etc.  Then we realised that nearer to the actual wharf there was metal piling and there was indeed a space for us, just hidden from the first of the line.   So we have a decent mooring after all, piling and rings.

Northern Oxford Canal:Bridge 89 Braunston

The first day of our spring cruise, hopefully reaching Bristol.  There are still some yellow boards up on the Thames, but with levels supposedly dropping we are hopeful of passage from Oxford.  We should have left yesterday but events transpired to prevent that.  I use the web based canal travel planner to work out cruising legs, stopping places etc.   We want to be in Bath on the 12th May and given the plan worked out to leave yesterday, we left Brinklow a day and half behind schedule.   The wind was bitterly cold with showers forecast and by Hillmorton Locks it did rain.   Not at all pleasant in your face.   Pat injured her back 6 days ago and although improving does not feel in full lock working mode yet.   So a volunteer lock-keeper at the bottom was welcome, but we were on our own for the next two.   Just walking ahead and opening gates is an enormous help and greatly speeds passage and as I am not one to insist on remaining on the boat we were not delayed at all.  So we carried on, but by 6pm we had had enough and made up half a day.   Quiche and salad for supper.   As I was so cold it took a full bottle of wine to get back to normal.

Grand Union Canal:Widewater Lock

Our last day of this cruise. Just three locks to do. After Cowley, worked by volunteer Lock keepers, We stopped at Uxbridge Boat Centre to discuss repairs to our Squirrel stove which has "burst". Then on to Harefield Marina.

Grand Union Canal:Willowtree

As the boat has been stationary for two days, casual engine running is not enough to keep the batteries charged.  Yesterday was only 3 hours, with little sunshine and no wind.  This morning at 5:00 am the low voltage alarm was operating and the inverter off, so the engine had to go on almost as soon as we were up.   Fortunately we had no neighbours in residence to annoy.  We are almost back from this epic cruise, almost the largest ring one can do.  Just one more night as although we could get back easily in one day, it means having to load up the car late in the day and experience the rush hour.   We stopped at Greenford for water and then found what we had hoped for, our mooring at the Park.  There were one or two small maintenance issues to deal with, but otherwise table and chairs out in warm sunshine.

Leeds & Liverpool Canal:Silsden

A slow start this morning.   With no food in the freezer we needed to check out the whereabouts of supermarkets.   Luckily we found a Tesco Express store nearby in Morton Lane (Crossflatts) and for later, a Tesco superstore in Skipton near the canal.   So we went to the local one first thing and then to the bakers at the bottom of the hill for fresh bread.   No!   They don't sell fresh bread.  Wierd! Then to the butcher for bacon, eggs and pies.  The butcher seemed to be doing brisk business.  So we left after 9 am in the end and had no problems with today's ration of swing bridges.   Taking it very slowly we stopped in Silsden at midday and after lunch went to explore the town.   Just the main street shops with a launderette, bakers (no fresh bread here either) and a butcher.    Then the rain set in as forecast.

Winkwell

No holdups today. The pound between the two Ivinghoe locks had water in it and we had a friendly pair with nb Sammy Jo up Marsworth. Doing so well we carried on to Winkwell.

Fenny Stratford

We set off down the remaining 5 locks and soon caught up with a single hander, then had to wait above the bottom lock for a pair of "Wyverns" to get going off the water point. Later, shopping in Tesco at Wolverton, and then the long cruise through Milton Keynes. Fenny was our destination, but by the lock there was no chance of TV reception, so we moved up a little way to get a clear line to the transmitter and bingo! Good digital reception.

Crick

Arrival at Crick.

Kilworth Wharf

Our 6 hours a day scheme should have taken us to Husbands Bosworth tunnel north, but there were no moorings there, so here we are, the next possible spot. We left at 7:50 this morning and eventually found ourselves behind another boat whose crew helpfully opened both swing bridges for us. Arriving at the bottom of Foxton we made a beeline for the lock-keeper to book in and found we were 5 in line, about an hour wait. The flight was very busy with gongoozlers in the sunshine and we picked up a temporary crew to work the gates. Alfie got the hump because dogs have to be on a lead at all times. The flight is full of potential hazards, the locks themselves and the various side ponds with fast flowing water. None of it is fenced thank goodness but a dog did drown last week, fell into a pond and got sucked through a culvert. Take care!

Kilby Bridge

Threatened with dreadful weather today we left early. Gates of first three locks were open and paddles left up. It turned out this was not so good. The pound above Limekiln lock was about two feet down. I bumped slowly along the bottom up to the next lock, but ran aground finally within a few yards of the Gates on a pile of rubble. BW were already in attendance and suggested that I tie onto the railings while they ran water down. After an hour there was enough depth to continue. Still no rain! So we carried on, past the centre of Leicester with its lines of empty mooring rings and the "safe" pontoon with only one out of four spaces vacant. Finally arrived at Kilby Bridge by about 4 pm. Only then did the rain start.

Naburn

Yesterday we were Locked out at Selby at 9:20 on a spring tide. A very helpful lock-keeper gave us a good briefing both for leaving and returning. Lots of flotsam but avoidable. Without pushing it our max speed over ground reached 9 mph initially. Arrived at Naburn 12:00. Stopped here overnight on good moorings.

Selby

A leisurely start, first a bit of varnishing and front fender resiting. Then off to Selby. The water is very clear and teeming with small fish. However, blanket weed is developing in places though not to such an extent as to be a problem. The banks are high and there us not a lot else to see. We moored before the swing bridge - a very busy road. Best done early in the morning. Tesco not too far away.

Calder and Hebble Canal - Brighouse

The canal was reopened this afternoon. It takes a long time to refill a mile. BW did their bit and had pumps running higher up the canal. Even so, the pound was still a foot down. We were very thankful that we had the good fortune to be held up on the moorings of the "Colliers Arms" a Sam Smith pub with an excellent choice of beer and first rate menu. As we left it started to rain and stopped when we reached Brighouse.

Sowerby Bridge Basin

We have now descended Tuel Lane lock and were helped down the following two by Lee and Darren, who we had met previously at the summit. Diesel, pump out and gas at Shire Cruisers. The much hyped Tuel Lane lock was a bit of an anticlimax really. The curved tunnel under the road junction was easily navigated. After descendng the two locks 1 and 2 we leave the Rochdale Canal and join the Calder and Hebble. Good moorings in the basin. In summary, a very short cruising day.

Rochdale Canal - Day 6 - Tuel Lane lock moorings

Because of the recent dry weather severe restrictions have been placed on the use of the Tuel Lane lock, the deepest in the UK. For the last few days it has been completely closed. However, a change in the weather with thundery showers in the last day or two has allowed an easing of the total ban and now 4 boats per day in each direction can make passage. I am pleased to say that we had a phone call this morning to say that we can go through tomorrow. This meant leapfrogging our planned overnight at Hebden Bridge which we have now done. A pity in a way because Hebden Bridge looked interesting, however we should not miss the opportunity to pass this pinch point.

Rochdale Canal - Day 3 - Summit

The first two boats went up the first lock just (48) above the moorings at 9:35 but it was gone 10:00 before we could go in. The reason was that the next lock is narrow due to subsidence and can only take one narrowboat at a time and it did not seem wise to fill the lock below with boats in the pound above. However, the bywash was running intermittently, so there was plenty of water. The first lock was a "leave empty". After lock 47 (the narrow one) there is a longish pound with a sanitary station, but no obvious place to leave the weed hatch harvest from yesterday. There was also a couple of moored boats making a total of three since we started on the canal. A boater with a cruiser moored in a tiny side arm at lock 46 helped us through. At lock 44 we were delayed and I spent a while trying to moor at the lock mooring despite being about 6 feet off the bank preferring to do this rather than mess about with the risk of getting the prop fouled yet again. The delay was an empty pound ahead and the boats ahead not being able to get out of the lock. Their bankside crew went up to let some water down and eventually got through, the lock being ready for me just as I succeeded in mooring up. The pound was indeed down and again we waited to fill the lock until the boats ahead were safe. Emptying the lock ahead gave us just enough water to scrape over the cills and no trouble in the pound itself. As I entered, the BW guys, Lee and Darren, appeared and worked us through the remainder of the locks up to the Summit moorings below top lock 37, including more narrow locks. The feeder into this pound was running and continued to do so for at least 4 hours, so my impression is that water is there. It's the local management that may be a problem, but this can occur on any canal. The narrow locks do mean, however, that at least one lockful of water must be provided for each boat whatever the sharing arrangement elsewhere. The moorings are good and well cared for. The lock keeper lives in the lock cottage. Thanks to Darren and Lee whose help was much appreciated and recommended the Summit pub for good homecooked food. Dog friendly and great company.

Sutton Bridge

Today, after lunch, the moving party upped sticks and moved a couple of miles down the navigation to Sutton Bridge. A pleasant towpath mooring away from the main road and sheltered from the strong wind. Chairs out and various beverages and topics of conversation until supper time. Tomorrow the party will cast off at 07:20 and hopefully descend the one lock to the Manchester Ship Canal for the run up to Salford Quays.

Devil's Garden

A large field on the south bank of the Weaver surrounded by woods and hills. Clearly a popular spot. We arrived yesterday from Acton Bridge early enough to accommodate all four boats. There was only one lock to pass. On arrival, tables and chairs out and a BBQ in the late afternoon.

Saltersford Lock

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

Marbury Counyry Park

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

Reading

We are due at Napton for the annual Cutweb Rally on the 15th September, and now that the IWA National Festival is over we should have had the luxury of two weeks to get there.  Perhaps a cruise up to Lechlade, or just a lingering journey.   However, Pat's Mum is not very confident on her own and Pat has had to return home, so it makes sense for me to return home too.  Today I have positioned the boat at Reading on the Council Moorings (£4.40)  ready to leave it in Thames & Kennet Marina tomorrow.  Then a quick journey back home on the train.   Leaving Beale Park at 7 am I had to work Whitchurch Lock manually - many winds of the handle.   I am certainly out of condition!  At Mapledurham lock there is a temporary water point above the lock and by the time I had filled the 3/4 empty water tank it was time for the lock-keeper to come on duty.  So that was better!   Took advantage of the nearby shopping centre to browse around, but there's nothing useful to me there.   Re-filled the wine rack and tried re-adjusting the movable ballast (4 large flagstones). The boat always seems to have a slight list to port.  Is that due to the junk or "wine cellar" in the various lockers?  Moving one flagstone made an impression, but to do a proper job I need a helper.  Don't want to drop one on my foot.

The IWA Festival

This year we joined members of the CUTWEB Internet Boating Club (CIBC) in a block booking for the festival. This allows us to moor up together on the pre-allocated moorings.    I was second out from the bank on a raft of 5.  As the banks are typically shallow, staging was provided and gangplanks still needed, but once the boats were dovetailed stern to stern it made a very secure arrangement.  This was the first time we had joined with other members and our towpath gatherings became a feature, with much fun and laughter.  Two members entered the illuminated boat parade contest and put on good appearances.   The theme was "diamonds" and the winner had a projection of Marylin Monroe singing her famous song at the front of the boat as well as all the usual coloured light display.

The Festival itself took advantage of the lake and there were many boats on display, some commercially, others not - like the excellent showing of dutch barges.   The format followed the usual pattern with entertainment in the arena and trade stands as well as the waterway societies and groups.  Sue Day gave a daily boat horse harnessing demonstration having pulled Betelgeuse loaded with coal for a token reach on the Thames. All our friends were agreed that chandlery was very poorly represented.

Next year the festival we be on the Great Ouse at St Ives.  There is much concern that this will be a difficult venue to reach for a mass of boats, as Salters Lode Lock has a lot of silting problems greatly restricting its availability with each tide.  I gather that every effort is being made to address this problem by the Environment Agency.  As of this moment it is our intention to attend, other factors permitting.

Sonning

Went out shopping again first thing, for milk & bread.  Then set off at 9:10 with the need today to take the opportunity for the last pump-out and water before Beale Park and the Waterways Festival. This was done above Shiplake Lock with no hold up.  I had anticipated a queue!   Then on to Sonning  to find a mooring which I found before the bridge (£5.00 for overnight with money to be put in a letter box in the fence).    Went to have a look around the village.  Apart from the busy road to and from the narrow bridge, the place is quiet and very pretty, although I suspect, dead.  Nobody about, no shop, no children - in fact the more I think about it, it was like one of those spooky movies where the zombies come out at night.   Went back to the boat and did a bit of boat paint touching up.  Got to keep the rust at bay.  Tomorrow, Beale Park - a bit early - but what the heck.

Henley-on-Thames

Boats had started moving as early as 7:00, so at 7:45 I set off for the nearby Cookham Lock, knowing that this would have to be a manual job as the lock keepers do not come on duty until 9:00.  In the end the lock was operated by a committee of 4 skippers, one coming down and three to go up.  Also a learning experience for one, who didn't know it was possible to operate the Thames Locks manually.   Apart from the early morning fun, a straightforward run to Henley arriving at 13:15.   A shopping expedition followed and some cooking practice after that.   A half decent fish pie and a cake experiment that went wrong.

Tidal Thames to Teddington & beyond

Last night boats kept arriving until well after dark.  Just as we were retiring (OK a bit early) LYNX arrived from Battlebridge Basin.  They had been told by the lock-keeper to moor up next to us as we were due to lock out together this morning.  A long spell of gossiping followed and Pat prepared bacon rolls for the crew who had come straight from work to help the skipper.  This morning, everyone was up on cue, and the lock keeper let us into the large Limehouse Lock at exactly 07:00.  BW had a large crew on duty to deal with the 16 or so boats which were to follow us on the tidal Thames cruise organised by St Pancras Cruising Club.   The benefit of having a tide early on a Saturday moring was obvious.   The lower pool was like a millpond and our three boats, St David joined us) had an easy run up river.   LYNX got a little carried away and shot ahead, only to be held at the Richmond Weir.  We were quickly handled by the Teddington Lock Keepers and as it was only 11.00 am we carried on.   About this time, Pat had a phone call to say that her mother was ill and that there was nothing for it but for her to return home.  We decided to do Moseley Lock together and then she would leave to get a train back to London from Hampton Court Station.  I would then have to carry on single handed.  I had not done the Thames single
St David aims for Tower Bridge.  Note the
smooth water in early morning and no trip boats

handed upstream before, so was a little concerned, however the first few locks went very well.  Using the centre rope with the boat coasting into the lock, nicely lined up and with the engine off (a refinement after Sunbury Lock) I lassooed a bollard from the roof and stopped the boat using it.  Tie off, with the rope at about 45 degrees.  Then step off the roof at the front of the boat with the bow rope (previously placed on the roof) and set up a holding position on a bollard again at about 45 degrees in the opposite direction.  This held the boat beautifully - untill Bell Weir Lock that is.   This has a side fill, and the operation went spectacularly wrong with stern of the boat shooting out uncontrollably.   No problem, there was no other boat to get in the way, but I need to know this in future to set the stern rope in addition.  Runnymead was the first decent mooring I came across at 17:00 hrs and took it.   A lonely supper of last nights leftovers, but a gorgeous bottle of Argentinian wine.

The Runnymead mooring

Limehouse

After heavy rain overnight and more this morning, we left Paddington at 08:00.  Arriving at Camden we let down the first lock, then waited for another boat ("Sunset") which had just appeared behind.  We descended the remaining two with them.   On the way to St Pancras lock we came across a boat being bow hauled.  The chap had suffered a burst hose and needed to get back to St Pancras, so we offered a tow which was accepted.  At St Pancras we came across a small craft and joined this one, but they stopped at Kings Cross for a can of petrol, so after the tunnel it was "Charlotte", a Broxbourne hire boat.   They lasted one more lock and we were on our own for the remainder, stopping at Victoria Park for a quick lunch.   The promised rain threatened several times but never appeared.  Mooring on the "wall" at Limehouse was a total shambles, with no boats lined up tidily according to length, so mooring alongside was not possible.   We elected for the opposite side.