Narrow boats SICKLE and CHALICE

Wolverton Iron Trunk Aqueduct Open Day

2012-02-26T21:00:00.000Z

( posted by Alan)

Graffiti gone, but still awaiting final colour scheme.

Well it was a gorgeously sunny day, we needed to go and check "Sickle" was in good health, and we fancied a pub lunch.

Mock up lock to replicate the days before the aqueduct.

It just happens that the Wolverton Trunk Aqueduct is not a lot further on, and BW were having an open day in connection with the renovation works currently in progress.

A very small tunnel under the canal

What's more, despite passing over it on a regular basis, we have repeatedly said, "we really should stop one time, and go and take a look down below", but somehow we never have.

You still need to be close to have no pipeline in your picture!

Actually there is more to see than I was really aware of, with the line of the original canal that used to drop down each side through 4 locks, and cross at the valley bottom, still very much present. There is even a "dummied up" lock, on the site of one of the originals.

Apparently the underside has never been painted.

What I had not previously realised is that the fact that the remaining Cosgrove lock, (the only one for miles around, since the aqueduct was built), is on the rather unusual line that it is, because it actually points out towards the original line of locks descending into the valley.


View across aqueduct towards the Churc

The aqueduct is still in a grey primer, or undercoat, but will shortly receive top coats in a three colour scheme that should further transform its appearance.

"Large Northwich" working boat "Purton"

The BW chap who gave a talk, explained that the project has grown, and as third parties have been found prepared to put in money, additional improvements are being added to original plans. These are as diverse as resurfacing a car park that was in poor condition at Cosgrove, (with much help from local volunteers), to the planned removal of the very ugly gas pipeline bridge that crosses the valley just beside the aqueduct, and completely spoils the apperance. (Apparently this pipelkne has not been used in many years).


"Small Woolwich" working boat "Southern Cross" and new owner

A further interest to us was that some ex working boats had come along for the event, and we were able to chat with the long standing owners of "Purton", as well as the fairly recent new owner of "Southern Cross".

"The Galleon" pub looked to be doing a roaring trade, including many dining outside on this rather fine day. On investigation it was obvious it would take a long while to get a meal, so we instead went to "the Plough" a few miles to the South at Simpson. I suppose our one regret that we were very short on time this weekend, or I'm sure we would have gone up in "Sickle". The problem is that it is the classic "half a day each way by boat, but only half an hour each way by car"!

Well done BW, anyway,including managing to get a lot of money for this project from outside places. One hopes it is a good omen for CaRT!

Remembering Charlie

2012-02-19T11:38:00.000Z

Saturday 17th February 2012 (posted by Cath)
Charlie was the best dog in the world. He is no more. This post is to help me to remember him.

At the Quarry - one of Charlie's favourite walks

Charlie came to live with us not quite two years ago. We got him from the local rescue centre and he was just over a year old. We were told that he had been with a family, with two children - 7 and 10 years old. The story was that the mother had to go back to work full time and he had found it difficult to settle. We guessed that this lively dog had wrecked the place.

In fact, Charlie had some issues, but he quickly learned what we thought was acceptable behaviour. He was also terrified of brooms and vacuum cleaners, but he also eventually came to cope with both of those.

the colour of autumn beech leaves

He was a gorgeous looking dog, long gold/ginger hair, ridiculous ears, and a permanent wag. We estimated some 20% of his food went to powering the wag. We were very grateful that his previous owners had never felt that they wanted his tail docked. It was common to get stopped in the street by people who just wanted to pat our beautiful dog. Charlie lapped it up, he was a real attention tart - half a chance and he was rolling over asking to have his tummy tickled.

David checks Charlie's paw

He loved people, you couldn't walk into the house without Charlie around your feet, looking up adoringly, desperate to be greeted, but knowing that the "rules" said he had to be sitting. So he tried to sit, his tail wagging so hard that he couldn't get his backside on the ground.

Out boating - August 2011

Charlie was bright, very bright, and he loved learning new tricks. He understood: sit, down, stand, heel, in (into a room or house), out, move (go somewhere else), spin (turn on the spot), paw, look (look at me), roll over, find, hold, jump (over something), hup (jump up), wait, stay, catch, go on, in the bin, and the names of everyone in the house - plus probably more that I can't remember. "Jump" was an almost vertical leap over an arm held out a couple of feet off the ground, or a thigh parallel to the ground - or a 4 foot gate, which he'd scrabble at until he managed it. "Find" was a favourite, since it usually meant that we'd hidden a treat somewhere, around the house, or in the garden. He could identify a log that Michael had picked up, rubbed his hands over, and then put in a pile of similar logs. We spent ages finding new, and challenging, places to hide things.

On the Thames, Easter 2011

He loved to sit on anything that had anything to do with any of us - from a discarded bag to a foot - I wasn't happy when he backed across the room to sit on my basket of newly dried washing though.

Charlie loved to be helpful - he could be given a piece of paper or card and told 'in the bin', and he'd happily take it from you, and trot over to place it in the waste bin. Only eight weeks ago, at Christmas, we put a waste bin in the living room and Charlie helpfully disposed of all of the wrappings for us. We were also getting him to deliver presents - "give this to Michael", "take it to Alan". My father was sitting with a £20 note in his hand, Charlie went and carefully took it from his hand, and delicately placed it in the bin.

Charlie on the Severn Valley Railway - August 2011

He could be trusted. He ate when he was told, not before. You could balance a treat on his nose, and he wouldn't move until you said 'go on'. Then he'd flip it in the air - if he missed it he'd wait patiently until you put it back on his nose. He knew it wasn't his until he caught it, mid-air - SEE HERE. Michael had even trained him to pick up biscuits and bring them to him - he could be asked to 'hold' a treat, and then hand it back to you, only eating it when you handed it to him and said 'go on'.

David and Charlie at Lechlade - Easter 2011

Charlie was a spaniel, a water dog, a duck retriever, but for a long time he couldn't understand swimming. The first time he encountered a lake he tried to walk on the water, stepping repeatedly onto it, and looking puzzled when his foot went through. Then, only last Easter, he tried to drink water from a sandy bay on the banks of the upper Thames, and fell in. He quickly discovered that he could swim, and kept trying out his new skill, just a few strokes at a time - each new sandy bay he encountered he would leap in, and try out swimming again. By the time we got back onto the Grand Union Canal, a few days later, it was hard to stop him leaping in anywhere. Three weeks ago, when friends visited, he was retrieving sticks from Marsworth Reservoir.

Sometimes he would surprise us. I brought him back from a very wet walk and he unexpectedly brought me a towel from his pile in the hall - he loved being dried (although that didn't extend to baths!) When his water bowl was empty he would carefully tip it up with a paw, pick it up with his mouth and bring it to you, placing it carefully in your hands.

In Milton Keynes, with Michael October 2011 (photo Chris Norris)

He also loved games. He had a 'tuggie', a rope tug pull, which he loved 'fighting' over. The 'fight' would sound really aggressive, with him growling and snarling as you pulled on the other end - but just one finger raised would have him sitting attentively, waiting for the game to continue with your 'go on'. He would chase after thrown balls on a walk until you were fed up with throwing, and only days ago he played happily trying to catch snowballs that Michael was making up from the few remaining bits of snow lying at one of his favourite walk places.

Alan spent huge amounts of time with him, walking him, visiting places that he would not have gone to without a dog to exercise - cafes, the local castle, woodland, an abandoned quarry. Every evening, when boating, we would go out for a walk, discovering new places that we would never have found without Charlie.

Charlie had so much potential, he learned so quickly, and he loved people so much. Then a few weeks ago he started to act strangely, hiding behind the sofa, growling if you approached him when he was seated under a desk. He was uncharacteristically defensive towards a friend's dog.

Earlier this week he made a completely unprovoked attack on Michael. I had been getting some food ready for him, but Charlie suddenly rushed at Michael and bit him on the arm. This was particularly hard as Michael had spent so many long hours training Charlie, and this was the dog that normally allowed you to take food from his mouth, or who would lie down if told to mid-meal.

We contacted the rescue centre, and the local trainer who had helped us with Charlie when he had first come to live with us. We had an appointment to see the trainer next Monday.

Then, two evenings ago, just after Michael had been patting him quietly, Charlie suddenly, without any warning, snarled and leaped up at Michael on the sofa, biting him and lacerating his nose. There was blood everywhere, Michael grabbed tissues as the family rushed around, getting dressings, finding car keys. We pressed dressings onto Michael's lacerated nose, and headed for A & E. I thought that Michael's nose was probably slashed from top to bottom, as I hadn't really seen the damage under the dressings for more than a moment or so. In fact, the wounds are messy, but have not gone through to the inside of his nose. He has had the wounds steri-stripped (they don't sew up dog bites, to allow any bacteria to come out), and is on anti-biotics.

The next morning we rang our vet, and asked to see the senior partner. He was wonderful, supportive and understanding, but explained that Charlie had developed 'rage syndrome', a very rare, but incurable, condition of red cocker spaniels. He told us that our wonderful dog could never be trusted again, that we would always be waiting for the next attack, and that Charlie would never be aware. He wouldn't know what he had done. No amount of training could make a difference, and he would be fine 99% of the time. The clincher for me was the explanation that a dog that is going to attack will almost always give a warning, a growl, a slightly snarling lip - Charlie wasn't doing that, he was just attacking, no warning. He told us we had a decision, but his strong advice was that Charlie could never have the same life again. It cannot be a choice in that situation, it doesn't matter how much you love your dog, you cannot risk the possibility that someone else might be harmed. The vet thanked us for making the right decision, we said goodbye to the best dog in the world, and left in floods of tears.

I thought, after the attack on Michael, that I would want everything of his removed from the house, every memory destroyed. But I don't - whatever happened, it wasn't Charlie's fault, he was ill, incurably ill. But I still love him, and I want to remember our lovely, clever, funny little dog. I was privileged to know him for nearly two years - he gave us so much in that time. We are devastated.

An Afternoon Winding Chertsey

2012-02-12T22:44:00.000Z

Saturday and Sunday 11th and 12th February 2012
(posted by Cath)
Sarah and Jim on Chertsey and Bakewell had invited us up to visit them, and as it was the first weekend of the half-term it seemed like a good idea to go now. It was cold, but not snowing, and the canal was free of ice. It's a couple of hours drive from our home in Hertfordshire, but we got there around midday and were shown into the warm, and welcoming cabin of Bakewell, where we were feed tea and delicious cakes from a local shop.

We began talking and the talk didn't stop until we left to go to our nearby hotel at about 10 at night. At times, I had to ask Jim to stop his story to allow me to recover, as I was laughing so much that I was crying. Sarah provided a really delicious meal in the evening.

Our hotel was a few miles away, straight down the A5 - and proved to be servicable with a good breakfast in the morning (veggie option too), for £55 for a double room for the night. We were slightly un-nerved when a siren started during breakfast, and we were asked to go outside until they had worked out where the fire alarm had been tripped.

Stretton Aqueduct

Back to Stretton as we had been promised a trip to the Bridge pub at Brewood on Chertsey. This time we went and had a look from the other side of the canal before we went into the moorings. The "Shroppie" was built by Thomas Telford - almost Roman in its straightness. Here at Stretton Aqueduct it crosses the A5 - a straight Roman road.

Chertsey and Bakewell - on the Shropshire Union Cana

Sarah has detailed how they recently added the new topcloths to Chertsey HERE, on her blog. I became quite obsessed with the 'strings' - so I took a lot of pictures.

Leaving the mooring

Then Jim winded the boat by the mooring and we set off towards Brewood with Alan steering. Sarah said there was a winding hole past the town, but they had never used it before - it proved to be very shallow and we began to wonder if we'd ever manage to get the boat turned and back to the pub for our meal.

I get to steer

Once Chertsey was pointing in the other direction I got the chance to steer. Although we own a historic boat I've never had the chance to steer a full -length boat before. I loved it! Although it seems a very long way to the front from the back.

Chertsey at Brewood

Back at Brewood the food in the Bridge pub was excellent. Then back to the mooring and more tea before heading off. In fact, it was completely dark by the time we stopped talking again, and we had to drive through patchy fog that was quite heavy in places. Our Sat Nav had a bit of a 'blonde' moment and sent us all over the place, which didn't help.

A great weekend, and thanks to Sarah and Jim.

Sarah steering

Alan Fincher Canal and RIver Trust Election Posters

2012-02-07T10:00:00.000Z

I have been asked to produce some simple posters that people can put in boat windows, or similar.

Here they are, (thanks Cath!).

Alan Fincher CaRT Election Poster 1

Alan Fincher CaRT Election Poster 2

Additionally the flyer and election leaflet are still here too.....

Printable Alan Fincher Election Flyer (Adobe PDF file format)

Printable Alan Fincher Election Leaflet (Adobe PDF File Format)

All these are PDF documents in Google Docs, which it should be easy to print off - let us know if you have any problems!

Alan Fincher - Canal and River Trust Council Independent Candidate - Election Statement

2012-02-04T10:00:00.000Z

Just four elected council positions must represent the disparateneeds of all boaters. I am independent,love boats and boating, and am already well networked with many boaterscountrywide. My first boats were forty yearsago, and I now boat at every opportunity, covering large distances and regularlyattend boating events.

Although deeply protective of the history and heritage ofthe waterways, I am fully realistic that people own boats for many reasons, oftenwith very different ideas of what is important. Categorising boaters into particular groupings is unhelpful and divisive,and I would aim to fairly represent everybody whatever their reasons for boatownership.

In my role within a large multinational I was particularlyrecognised as someone able to broker the best solutions to complex problemsthat had eluded others. Early retirementallows me to commit the necessary time, and to be easily contacted by those Irepresent.

Alan Fincher Canal and RIver Trust Election "Flyer" and "Leaflet"

2012-02-01T10:00:00.001Z

Hopefully the following link should provide direct access to my election flyer.....

Printable Alan Fincher Election Flyer (Adobe PDF file format)

And this one to a different campaign leaflet.......

Printable Alan Fincher Election Leaflet (Adobe PDF File Format)

As a determined "independent", if I am to prevail against the candidates being sponsored by the big "associations" I will need to persuade a lot of people who don't know me directly to cast a high preference vote for me.

Therefore I would urge anybody who is prepared to support my campaign to print off some of the above, and try and spread the message to other boaters.

(The flyer works best if you print each of the two pages on opposite sides of a sheet of paper, then "tri-fold" it. Most printers are OK if you simply turn over paper you have printed on one side, and feed it through again to print the other).

I'm pleased to say a fair amount of this is going on already, (without me leaning too heavily on my supporters!), but everyone I can get further spreading the message can only increase my chances of success. So even if you think there are only one or two people you might persuade, if I have managed to persuade you, then please have a go!

Canal and River Trust Council - Candidate List Issued and I'm On It!

2012-01-31T11:50:00.001Z

The BW wheels have turned very slowly since I got my election papers in in good time, and it was finally only late yesterday afternoon that I got an email confirming they had all passed scrutiny. It does beg the question about whether enough time was allowed to sort out potential queries in time for ballot papers to be prepared, and posted out to boat owners to arrive before the start date of voting, in little over a week, (voting is 8th February to mid-day 9th March).

Anyway it appears most other people got their confirmation yesterday and the final total of 33 candidates for just 4 "private boater" places on CaRT Council was confirmed this morning by a publication of the candidate list.

Link to list of candidates for Boater places on CaRT Council.

So now for the first time I know the full list of names I am competing against. Some further research is clearly now possible, but it is interesting to note already that it is far less than obvious from these 150 word "election statements" which candidates are there by virtue of being their as the nominated choice of a big "association", and which are independent of a "party whip". There are, for example 5 officially sponsored candidates of the Inland Waterways Association, (one actually also the choice of the Residential Boat Owners Association) . Or even arguably 6 IWA candidates, if you consider one is also being put forward by the Association of Waterways Cruising Clubs, itself a corporate member of the IWA.

I believe that based on just these election statements you might not realise there will be these 5 or 6 IWA candidates, (plus several others from other "associations"), receiving a block vote, simply because members of those organisations have been asked to vote for those candidates.

So there are choices to be made.......

Do you vote for a candidate to represent you as a boater because he is a trustee of a major association, and a key player in its hierarchy, (in the most extreme case the actual National Chairman of the IWA).

Or do you vote for a candidate that appears to want to focus on the needs of one particular "type" of boater, even though only four council places are available, and should, to my mind, at least, fairly represent all boat owners. (You can for example pick a candidate with a specific interest in people in boat share schemes).

Or do you pick someone totally independent of any association or organisation, committed to boating, boaters, and fellow boaters, whatever part their boat plays in their lives - someone sponsored and widely supported by a mix of leisure boaters and live-aboards, some cruising extensively, the others with sometimes anchored to a "base".

As we face the challenges ahead on the move from British Waterways to a charitable trust, I believe we are by far best served by all boat owners pulling together to try and get the best deal for all, and that trying to promote the needs of any one group unreasonably above another will be to our overall detriment.

That's why I am standing as an "independent", and receiving an ever growing amount of support. That is why I would ask you to cast a first preference vote for me, and give me the chance to prove this approach can win.

You can get in touch with me as follows........

Facebook group: Alan Fincher - Canal and River Tust Election candidate
(this is an "open group" - simply make a request to join if you wish to post).
Phone: 07901 - 864321
Email: alanforcrt (at) gmail.com (replace the spaces and (at) with the proper symbol).

You already know where our blog is, of course, if you want to find out more about me, my boats, and what boating we typically get involved in.

FURTHER UPDATE TO THIS POST:

As a result of multiple requests for clarification, this is my "take" on who is actively sponsored by an "assosciation". That is that the "association" concerned is actively promoting them as their chosen candidates, and urging their membership to cast their votes for them. (Others will be members of some of those organisations, and possibly officers or trustees within them, but are not actively being promoted by them, as far as I can tell).

All the following, (except my notes), are taken as quotes from directly available information......

Inland Waterways Association - IWA

is fielding five IWA sponsored candidates on behalf of allboaters;

Ivor Caplan a trustee of IWA and residential boater,

Clive Henderson national chairman of IWA ,

Paul Roper a trustee of IWA and chair of our navigationcommittee,

Vaughan Welch a trustee of IWA and chair of ourrestoration committee

Peter Scott a trustee of IWA and regional chairman

(Note: only 4places are on offer in these elections!)

Association of Waterways Cruising Clubs - AWCC

David Pearce - Council member of National Association ofBoat Owners (NABO) for the past 18 years - currently Hon Treasurer and RiversSecretary.

(Note: some havepointed out that AWCC is a corporate member of the IWA, making David Pearceeffectively the 6^th IWA supported candidate for the 4 elected placeson offer)

Residential Boat Owners Association - RBOA

Endorses candidate for CRT Council

Ivor Caplan is standing as a candidate for election tothe CRT Council, as a private boaters representative and is endorsed by theCommittee.

(Note: this makesIvor Caplan the only name to be directly sponsored by two associations – the IWAand the RBOA)

National Association of Boat Owners - NABO

Stephen Peters - Councilmember of National Association of Boat Owners (NABO) for the past 18 years -currently Hon Treasurer and Rivers Secretary.

Historic Narrow Boat Owners Club – HNBOC

The HNBOC committee has nominated

Sue Cawson for the Council and urges all club members tosupport her election.

Musings on the Canal and River Trust Council "Boater" Elections

2012-01-22T17:52:00.001Z

(posted by Alan)

Being an election candidate seems to have forced me into the modern world, and I now (kind of!) "do" Facebook, something I had not invested a lot of my time in until now.

In fact it has proved to be another good place to "meet" further boaters, and carry on some sometimes lively debate, not always on my own territory, (and not necessarily with a friendly greeting - although I have received friendly support most places!).

Anyway I now have my own fledgling Facebook group page, (an "open" group), in support of my candidacy.

Alan Fincher - Canal & River Trust Election Candidate

I have just done a couple of postings there about current state of play in the elections, and also an issue that I have uncovered. I'll repeat these here for those not comfortable in Facebook......

Knowledge of Other Candidates or Candidate Numbers

Unofficially, I have heard from two different sources that the number of candidates who will be competing for the 4 elected boater places on the CaRT council is about 40. I can't confirm that number, but it does not surprise me, as the only requirement to stand is to be a boat owner, and to find 10 other boat owners prepared to sponsor you.

It seems to me an odd election where the candidates may not only not know right up to the point polling commences anything about many of those they are competing against, but also not even how many there will be. In many cases only when I see the 150 word personal statements of other candidates will I know anything about them, (and even then perhaps not a lot). That point is not officially reached, say BW, until just before voting commences.

So far I am only aware of....

4 candidates supported by the IWA, all of them leading players within that organisation.
(One of these is also jointly supported by RBOA)
1 candidate supported by NABO, again a leading player in that organisation.
1 candidate supported by the Historic Narrow Boat Owners Club, (I am told, but I have not seen in the public domain).
6 candidates not openly supported by an association or club, as far as I can see, (including myself).
(I also believe one candidate has now withdrawn.)

Those last 6 are broadly "independent" I would say, although I would judge at least one to have an agenda that is very much based on the needs of only part of the boating community generally.

So maybe there are another 28 or so candidates that we may,or may not learn anything about much before polling commences. Unless you know of these people personally, or by personal recommendation, I rather think that will not now change.

There does seem to be a general lack of knowledge amongst many boaters that these elections are happening, and that they can have input into choosing who represents them on CaRT council for the next 4 years. (I think in many cases it is fair to say "lack of knowledge" rather than "apathy", although of course for some, it will be the latter!).

I would urge all boat owners to try and spread the message to fellow boat owners. Even if you do not want to give me your first preference, (or a high preference) vote, I think it is important that people are aware, and do vote for someone, so that a large number of boaters can be seen to have had an input into whoever ends up elected.

Potential Voting Problems For Continuous Cruisers

John Sloan in a comment to my previous post has mentioned an important topic I have been trying to first to get to the bottom of, and then follow up. The answer I finally got from the CaRT election pages, (actually from Sally Ash of BW), says.

“If you wish to vote electronically you will need your voting pack as it will contain your unique reference number which will be needed in order to cast your vote.”

I had feared this might eventually prove to be the answer, and can immediately see the difficulty that it could cause John and many others.

I have therefore also contacted the Electoral Reform Service. They acknowledge this as a problem, and say they are working with BW to see if a way can be found at this late stage to allow Internet voting by those who have been unable to receive a postal pack.

I am highly disappointed that no consideration seems to have been given to this matter until now.

I did also try submitting a news story to Waterways World to try and raise awareness on this, but their news editor has said he cannot use my copy, because it can be seen to be unfairly favouring one candidate above another. I’m also disappointed by this, as I would at least hope it identified me as someone prepared to try and be proactive in trying to sort out what I consider to be ill thought through. It is possible WW may use my story, but are not prepared to credit me as the person who first (as far as I know) raised the issue.

Oh, and even amongst the considerable time being spent "electioneering" , other "boaty" things still need to occur. Sickle has her first Boat Safety Scheme inspection under our ownership next week, and there were certain items I was just plain unhappy with. So yesterday a degree of "re-engineering" was going on in Sickle's engine room.

Of course, you simply can't make any change without testing it out can you ? Of course not! So a bit late in the day, Sickle enjoyed a short trip out just to prove everything still worked as expected.

Not only did she remain mechanically sound, but Cath proved that the Epping will make a very presentable job of cooking potato wedges, even when not burning at its best. So we enjoyed these with cheese, beans and peas, whilst perched on the cabin top chugging along in fading light.

Boating, hey ? I love it!

To Tinkers Bridge and back
Miles: (just!) 3.2, Locks:0

Standing for Canal and River Trust Council - More about me, for those who have asked.

2012-01-05T10:59:00.000Z

(Posted by Alan)

The Canal and River Trust Council election process limits candidates strictly to a 150 word election statement. The problem I see with this is that there will be a lot of candidates, (as it is relatively easy to find 10 sponsors), and hence there will be a lot of 150 word election statements that may actually say rather similar things. I think these will often prove inadequate to allow anyone who doesn’t actually know the candidates to make informed decisions and to sensibly choose one above another.

With "Sickle" at Braunston Historic Boat Show 2011

Whilst I hope for a lot of support from those who do already know about me, my boats and my love of the waterways, clearly as an “independent” candidate I need to attract votes from people who will not necessarily know who I am, or anything about me, if I am to win against candidates sponsored by big associations or clubs.

So if anyone wants to know more about me, this is my fuller boating CV, and why I would like to serve you.

I am 59, married, with 2 adult sons, and was offered and took early retirement almost exactly 7 years ago now. Most of my working life was in computing and information systems, the last 24 years of which were with a large multinational where I specialised in the technical side of computing, and for many of the later years heading teams supporting databases world-wide or in related consultancy roles.

I first came to canal boating in the early 1970s, initially through hire boating, then with family owned boats and eventually my own converted ex-BCN day boat, which, apart from the hull, I had to rebuild from scratch, including the wooden cabin top. However this was in the years when major structures on the canal could remain unusable for years, and long term tunnel closures on the Grand Union cut off easy access to most of the system. Family boats got sold at this time, and it was to be some years before I came back to boat ownership, although we did hire on occasions, and I was a regular canal visitor, even when not a boat owner.

With "Charlie" Caldon Branch, Trent & Mersey 2011

It was the opportunity to take early retirement that convinced me that the time was right to buy another boat. My wife Cath would carry on teaching for a while, but at least we now had the benefit of school holidays to actually use one, and really put in the miles, and we haven’t looked back.

“Chalice” is a 50 foot boat that has served us well for 7 years, although much has been done in that time to make her more suited to our needs. Alongside that I have never lost a love of the more historic boats, so when “Sickle”, (a 1936 working boat converted in the war years to 40 foot icebreaker tug), came on the market last year we jumped at an opportunity to own her in alongside “Chalice”. Currently “Chalice” is used for the longer trips, and certainly when more than two need to be on board, but the plan is that whenever we are able “Sickle” will visit the galas, festivals and historic boat events. It also means we get to understand the issues of the more deep draughted boats on the canals!

In 2011 we reckon we covered just under 1,200 miles, went through over 900 locks, and boated on about 90 days of the year, visiting up to 20 different waterways, (depending on exactly how you define “different”).

So I consider myself very much both “boat owner” and “boater”, even though we are not currently full time live-aboards. We now have a large network of friends around the system that we regularly meet up with, and these come from a wide range of different boating and boat owning backgrounds, many of them being permanently on the move.

On "Chalice" on the Worcester & Birmingham 2011

I am coming to this election just as a very committed and experienced boater - not as a member of any particular organisation or society. I believe that anybody elected as a boater representative to the council is going to need to be able to represent all boat owners, irrespective of the many reasons they may have for boat ownership, or their boating backgrounds. I think that for only four council members to represent all boaters it is best if they are truly independent, rather than nominated by any of the large associations or societies.

There is already much debate about what will make a good Council member, of course. I come from a work background where I was very used to listening to what people actually wanted and brokering the best solutions for them, even when faced with some decisions that already looked in danger of getting finalised when they really were not the best that could be negotiated. I am comfortable operating in an environment with large meetings or committee work, but as a safe pair of hands that can win over support by negotiation, rather than by coming to it with any dogma about how things must be done.

However, once I am convinced that something has not been thought through properly and is being handled badly, I will certainly be amongst the first to try very hard to get that remedied. Too many bad decisions have happened under British Waterways that there has never been a mechanism to challenge, and the CaRT council should be exercised wherever necessary to ensure that there is far more accountability about how things are run in future.

If you are happy for me to represent you, please not only cast your vote for me in the election, but please draw me to the attention of other boaters who might consider supporting me as well. There will be some very heavy competition for these Council places, some of which I feel is not in the best interests of boaters generally – I would like to be your representative if I can, and ask for your support.

Thanks,

Alan

Start the year as you mean to continue...

2012-01-02T22:00:00.001Z

(Boat Chalice - posted by Cath)

Sunday 1st January 2012
Having had an excellent year last year from the boating viewpoint we decided to begin the year in a suitable manner.

We knew we wouldn't be out for very long, but it was important for us to get out on the boat. We set off at about 2 pm on Jan 1st, but were fairly soon overtaken by rain so we stopped only 3 locks from our home mooring.

beginning to rain

A vegetable stew with cobbler was put onto the stove and we opened a bottle of Pinot and spent the evening playing cards and talking about what we want from this new year. Mostly we agreed that spending as much time on the boats as possible is very important.

It was a cold night, with the temperature outside falling to about 3 degrees, but inside we were warm.

Monday 2nd January 2012

Waking up to a bright, but cold, day

A very relaxed start to the day for us. Alan got up and took Charlie for a walk, I have to admit that I didn't surface until Alan brought me coffee in bed some time later - I then spent quite a lot more time dozing on and off.

We made proper porridge with oatmeal, then finally set off at about 11 am. We really only planned to get to Slapton so that we could wind and start the journey back. Despite being cold - probably only about 5 or 6 degrees C - it was bright - and a little windy. Not suprisingly there were very few other boats moving, but quite a lot of walkers, joggers, and cyclists on the towpath.

Bright sunlight, between Ivinghoe locks

Ivinghoe upper lock

Nearly home, not long to sunset

Last night's stew had been much larger than we needed, so on the way back I added some more stock and set the cast iron casserole back onto the top of the stove. We moored up for about half an hour to eat the rest of the stew - which was even better than last night, and finally got back to our mooring about half an hour before sunset.

Miles: 6.0, Locks:12

2011 - A Very Good Boating Year

2011-12-31T12:00:00.010Z

(Boats Chalice & Sickle - posted by Alan)


David & Charlie survey the Thames as we turn at Lechlade

So 2011 has drawn to a close, and we are pleased to report a very much fuller boating year than 2010, which was dogged by me breaking my pelvis early in the year, the urgent need to repaint Chalice in the Summer holiday, and my Mum falling ill, and passing away just after Christmas.

"Sickle" at Hawkesbury, soon after purchase.

Not that 2011 has not also had its issues. I knew he would be having cataract surgery early in the year, and have since suffered visual disturbances in both eyes, (apparently unrelated). Plus the aftermath of that smashed hip means I still don't leap from boat to bank as reliably as I might like. But these are small annoyances rather than show-stoppers, and in a year where my closest friend died suddenly of a heart attack, I am supremely grateful to have the health and the time to (very) regularly be out boating.

This was the year in which "Sickle" joined "Chalice", and our boating time started to be divided between the two.

"Chalice" makes its first visit to The Bratch

The 2011 stats are as follows.....

Days boated: 87

Miles covered: 1198

Locks worked: 917

Biggest surprise of 2011 - "Chalice" makes it through Froghall!

Waterways visited:

BCN
Birmingham & Fazeley
Coventry
Droitwich Barge
Droitwich Junction
Grand Union Birmingham Line
Grand Union South
Northern Oxford
River Severn
River Thames : Upper
River Thames : Lower
River Thames: Tidal
Shropshire Union : Main Line
Shropshire Union : Middlewich Branch
Southern Oxford
Staffs & Worcs
Trent & Mersey : Main line
Trent & Mersey : Caldon Branch
Trent & Mersey : Leek Branch
Worcester & Birmingham

"Sickle" at Braunston Historic Boat event

Boating events with Sickle

Stoke Bruerne Gala
Braunston Historic Boats
Linslade / Leighton Buzzard Festival
Stoke Bruerne Village at War

We have also had several opportunities to meet up with our many boating friends, the last as recently as a very large gathering in Loughborough, just before the New Year.

What do I expect from the Canal & River Trust council members?

2011-12-21T23:48:00.001Z

(posted by Cath)

Not surprisingly we've been discussing what the 'boater on the canal' needs from the 'boater representatives' on the Canal and River Trust Council. This is my take on it, Sarah (Chertsey) has her own points.

Understand that the role is to represent the needs of boaters first and foremost
Be available to the boaters that he/she represents
Be able to appreciate and understand the different needs of the people that he/she represents
Be able and willing to broker a solution to difficult problems
Be clear headed and able to see the long term implications of policies
Not be afraid to disagree if it is clear that a policy is unwise, or not adequately thought through
Be able to fairly weigh the disparate needs of the people that he/she represents, and give appropriate weight to those needs
Be able to bring considerable boating experience to the table
Have an appreciation of the history and heritage of the canal and a wish to preserve it in an appropriate manner
The representative cannot be a member of all boating groups, that is impossible, but the representative must be able to appreciate their needs and represent them fairly

This is what I want to see in the 'boater representatives'. The representatives may also be walkers, cyclists, anglers, or whatever, but their prime role is to represent the boaters.

Alan Is Standing For A "Boater" place on the Canal and River Trust Council

2011-12-15T20:13:00.001Z

Most British waterways boat licence holders will by now have received a letter entitled "Would you like to get involved with the Canal & River Trust". It is calling for candidates to stand for election, (in what will be just 7 elected positions out of a total of 35 positions in total), on the Council for the new Canal & River Trust. (I still want to abbreviate it CART, but CRT seems to be winning the day). Of those just 4 positions are for private boat owners, and I suspect many boating organisations and clubs will be trying hard to promote their preferred candidates for these roles - why wouldn't they ?!?.

But each boat owner with a BW licence will get the chance to cast a vote in an election where they may be able to ensure that people with a real commitment to boating generally get elected, rather than those with perhaps a much more specific agenda.

I have been persuaded by quite a number of people to put myself up as a candidate, and as I feel I'm ready for a new challenge, am very happy to do so.

You are allowed by the process to make an "Election Statement" that will be very strictly enforced as limited to 150 words only. I can understand the logic for this, but it is a considerable challenge in only a few sentences to try and state your reasons for wanting to take on the role, and the experience and qualities that might make a complete stranger wish to vote for you above other comers.

Anyway, I'm standing, and here are my 150 words.

Just four elected council positions must represent the disparateneeds of all boaters. I am independent,love boats and boating, and am already well networked with many boaterscountrywide. My first boats were forty yearsago, and I now boat at every opportunity, covering large distances and regularlyattend boating events.

Although deeply protective of the history and heritage ofthe waterways, I am fully realistic that people own boats for many reasons, oftenwith very different ideas of what is important. Categorising boaters into particular groupings is unhelpful and divisive,and I would aim to fairly represent everybody whatever their reasons for boatownership.

In my role within a large multinational I was particularlyrecognised as someone able to broker the best solutions to complex problemsthat had eluded others. Early retirementallows me to commit the necessary time, and to be easily contacted by those Irepresent.

A Perfect Weekend - Is It REALLY November ?

2011-11-13T22:00:00.000Z

(Boat Sickle - posted by Alan)

Fenny Stratford's shallow lock.

Circumstances had prevented us doing very much boating over the half-term week, so Cath and I were inevitably looking for an excuse for a short trip by now.

Sickle had not been visited for a week or two, and as it has rained a fair bit, we knew we ought to go and pump the water out, but we decided we would make a weekend trip of it, and spend last night on the boat.

Fuel boat "Ascot" servicing a customer.

Some heavy afternoon rain was forecast for yesterday, (Saturday), but as is often the case, the forecast wasn't even close.

We had cracking weather yesterday, and even better today. We lit the range yesterday, as we thought it would get colder in the evening, and it's the easiest way to have an available kettle for hot drinks, but by the evening realised it was simply going to be too hot overnight in the cabin if we didn't shut it down to go right out.

Unusually deserted Leighton - Apart from that shadow!

Virtually nobody else was moving, so we very nearly had the canal to ourselves both days. Highly unusual, (in fact I'd say almost unheard of), was the total absence of any other boat on the main Leighton Buzzard moorings. This proved quite useful, as whilst Chalice isn't usually troubled by the shopping trolleys, (generally floating over them), it can be quite hard to get Sickle to the bank. With that much space, when we were clearly trying to haul Sickle over trolleys, we just moved up a bit until we weren't.

Virtually the whole hire fleet, we think - 34 of them!

We had an excellent meal at "Ask" in Leighton Buzzard. I don't think all restaurants in this chain are equal, as we have been unimpressed elsewhere, but I can certainly say we have had three top rate ones on a row in Leighton.

Setting off back down Stoke Hammond Three Locks

We made a very relaxed start back to the moorings today, even managing to put a reasonable shine on the brass before we set off. The weather was brilliant and the autumn scenery quite stunning. Even the large numbers of fishermen seemed generally cheerful today.

"Three Locks" on a near perfect day.

The more I think about it, it really, really is a struggle to believe we were well into November.

To Leighton Buzzard and Back
Miles: 16.8, Locks: 12

Stoke Bruerne "Village at War" October 1st and 2nd.

2011-10-04T22:00:00.001+01:00

(Boat Sickle - posted by Alan)

Passing the fuel boat "Ascot"

Our first "event" with Sickle had been the Stoke Bruerne Canal gala back in June. We had thoroughly enjoyed this, despite rain having largely taken away the Sunday of the weekend. We were aware of the "Village at War" event at the start of October, but initially had no hope of attending, as it falls during Cath's term time.

And a steam launch that threatened to overtake me at times!

However Sickle being at Fenny Stratford placed us in the situation that she was less than a day's travel from Stoke Bruerne, and, apart from the flight of locks at Stoke itself, most of the route was lock-less miles, with just a single lock at Cosgrove to negotiate. It thus became apparent that I could probably single-hand Sickle most of the way, and that Cath could come up after work on the Friday, and work me up the locks.

Dappled in sunshine at Cosgrove lock

This is the first time I have really single-handed either boat over any distance, and, still suffering after my fractured pelvis, I lack agility to keep leaping on and off the boats. As we have had one or two "happenings" with Sickle I was a little nervous, but decided I felt brave enough to try.

Horse drawn ice boat Laplander - now steam powered

I got to Fenny by a combination of bike and train, but was not really ready to set off much before 11:00. On a good day, I really start to feel more comfortable with keeping Sickle "in channel" in the deepest water, and I generally made good progress. However obstructions in some of the bridge holes caused me some problems, and I was keeling over on stuff on the bottom far more than when we came South some months back through the same bridges. In one case I was deflected enough that the stove chimney got a bit grazed on the arch of the bridge. Not too serious, but I'd have preferred it not to happen!

Miss Lola Lamour

Perhaps I was getting a bit to confident, because as I entered Cosgrove lock the engine stalled on me! Fortunately I was at no great speed, and no harm was done. The rest of the passage up to the Stoke locks passed uneventfully, but after that distance on the tiller with no breaks, I was more than a bit tired. The crews of several boats I had passed had said things like "I hope you are not heading to Stoke Bruerne! - It is already totally double moored throughout, and there is nowhere to stop!" - all slightly worrying!

Where much of the money went!

Cath arrived with all the things I had been unable to bring to the boat, because I had not used a car - well nearly everything, having forgotten the loaf of bread I had asked David to make for her to bring along! We set off up the locks, again passing people telling us we had no hope of mooring in Stoke.

Typical of the quality of the exhibits.

In fact the "long pound" two locks down from the top was fully moored out, so options of stopping short were gone. We pressed on in failing light, and I held one lock below the top whilst Cath biked up to see if we could slot in anywhere. Good news - just one slot, and it was hopefully 40 foot, (just!). We carried on up the final lock in really very dark conditions. The boat fitted the space with maybe 6" to spare -a real result!

Land Girls - hard at work.

Its hard to describe the weekend in words, but harder still in pictures, as we somehow got into the swing of it enough to take very few usable photos. People always want to know about Sickle, and the fact it was a boat converted to an ice-breaker as part of the war effort generated a lot of interest at a war themed event.

Sickle well guarded on a trip down the locks.

What else did we do. Well we ate, (and drank), out a great deal, as we had not really brought food with us, and Stoke has no shops, but an excellent pub, and even an excellent "Indian". We spent far too much money, ranging from (real) 1940s clothes and shoes for Cath to German paratropper boots, (yes, honestly!), for me, after my "sensible shoes" disintegrated on our first jaunt around the site in Sickle. Also acquired was a rather nice old brass water pump - I've no idea what it may get used for, but it was just too nice a thing not to make an offer on. Despite getting a top up of cash in the pub, Cath was finally reduced to borrowing money from a work colleague to buy her final old clothes - a rather nice Astrakan coat.

I learnt to drive buses on one not much newer than this!

The weather remained superb throughout - spectacularly good for October, and a contrast to the very wet gala earlier in the year. This is great, as there had apparently been dangers of no further events if this one wasn't well attended. We met friends from the canal world, as well as giving a ride to the family that Cath knows through work.

Near perfect day for the return trip.

We spent far too long just chilling out on Sunday before starting off back South down the locks, and were running out of light before arriving at the bottom and finding all mooring places taken. Too dark to press on, we left the boat on a less that ideal spot, and vowed to tell BW why we had been forced to do so - I would need to come back very soon now to move her South again.

Approaching Cosgrove on the return.

In fact after just a day to recover on Monday, I set off back to Stoke to make the return trip. This was fairly uneventful, other than briefly getting thoroughly stuck on a mud bank at Wolverton, To be fair, I should have known better, having got myself into a bit of canal where I hoped it would be deep enough, but very clearly wasn't. It's probably the first time in our ownership that Sickle has not fairly quickly slid back off somewhere where she doesn't have enough water to float. Fortunately I extricated myself, but not without a bit of black smoke out the "tall pipe".

Sickle is a real ice breaker - this boat is an unconvincing imposter.

The rest of the journey back to Fenny was uneventful. Cath had been on a course, and arrived fed up, because it had been one of the poorest she had ever attended. Of course we then had to drive to Stoke to collect the second car, so were not back until quite late, and by then were both fairly exhausted.

A cracking weekend, and definitely one for next years diary, if they run one.

Fenny Stratford to Stoke Bruerne and Return
(with some short trips at Stoke)
Miles: 38.0, Locks: 24

North to Fenny

2011-09-18T22:00:00.001+01:00

(Boat Sickle - posted by Alan)

After a couple of months at Cow Roast, (thanks to Mike for a loaned mooring, for much of that time!), it was time to shift Sickle further North.

The plan was to drive to Cow Roast, but to take bikes, so we could go back there afterwards, and collect a car.

The move we wanted to do was more than a day, without going mad, but looked easily done in well under two. Leighton Buzzard was an obvious overnight stopping point, to allow us a choice of places to go and eat, so we didn't need to worry about cooking. The weather forecast didn't look too bad for the Saturday - just maybe a bit of light shower.

I rather enjoyed Tring summit, feeling I am starting to get more of an idea where the best channel is, and choosing engine speeds that mean we make good progress, but don't wrestle needlessly with the boat.

Approaching the middle lock at themain Marsworth flight.

We nearly always enjoy going down the Marsworth flight, and doing it on a sunny Saturday with an interesting boat, you get a lot of attention. Normally it is when you are distracted by someone admiring your boat that you then do something not very clever in front of a large audience! Today we managed to avoid that, I think, but with all the locks against us, Cath was buzzing backwards and forwards on the bike, and I think we learnt a bit about how to get along faster, as I was trying to climb on and off to do lock work too, but actually probably doing not a lot that speeded us up - sometimes its probably better to stay at the controls more, and leave it to her.

The sunshine gives no hint of weather to come.

By the bottom of the flight we had caught another boat which waited for us, and we then shared several locks with them. It was a very new and expensive looking narrow boat, but was wheel steered from a seated position. The couple in charge were very friendly, but the man explained to Cath that they were now taking the boat to brokers to sell it - it never ceases to amaze me how much people spend for a life on the water, only to offload the boat before not very long at all. Although they had boated a fair bit, the lady really hadn't got to grips with the wheel steering, and her husband was obviously very frustrated as she relied heavily on a bow-thruster for just about every move. This made my life a bit tricky, as I was asked if I "shadow" her into locks to help guide her in, but she had a habit of heavy use of bow-thruster at critical moments that sent me off course, and into the walls of the lock approaches!

However our partnership was quickly ended by a "systems failure" on Sickle. The "speed wheel", (basically a brass wheel, which is the engine speed control), had become stiffer and stiffer, and I was having trouble winding it away from "minimum". Suddenly I was holding most of it loose in my hand, leaving a stump that I couldn't turn at all!

The brazing between the two brass parts had failed, and at first I had little hope of effecting a fix. But when I realised we had an electric drill on board, I tried to drill through the two parts and bolt them together, (not elegant, but needs must!). It took several hours to solve, as the battery powered drill went flat, and the only available drill bits quickly blunted or broke. A second stroke of luck was a small and never used inverter on board, which allowed me to produce enough 240 volts from the boats 12 volt battery to recharge the drill just enough to complete the bodged repair.

The threatening clouds start to hang low.

We were now very much behind schedule, and hope of reaching Leighton buzzard before dark has now all but gone. Then "the weather" started! First dark clouds started to obliterate most of the daylight. These hung onimously very low over nearby hills, and lightning could be seen in the distance. Then came the rain, though never quite as much as initially looked inevitable. When lightning overhead produced an almost immediate crash of thunder I decided the time had come to at least fold up the umbrella!

By now we had been watching a rainbow at least 15 minutes.

Then on the long pound from Slapton Lock to Grove Church Lock, we were treated to probably the best double rainbow both of us agreed we had ever seen. I so wish we could have photographed it properly, but only a small part filled the cameras widest angle of vision, the camera was getting soaked, and then the battery started to die! The pictures fail to capture its magnificence, so you will just have to trust us!

At Grove in failing light.

By Grove Lock, (the last one before Leighton), it really was getting quite dark, although again my photographic "prowess" has managed to produce a picture that implies it was still quite light!

I decided not to put on the tunnel light, and to try and let my eyes adjust to the failing light, but long before arriving at the town centre moorings, had to call Cath out on to the front deck to help me spot what was what. I do like boating after dark sometimes, but after a longer and more tiring day than planned, by the time we moored up I was bushed.

We went to the same restaurant as we had done when we visited the Linslade Canal Festival, and once again enjoyed an excellent meal.

We decided not to hurry off the next day, but instead to wait and get a few things at the canalside Supermarket. With only a further 5 locks up to our destination, Sunday was an easier day than Saturday had been.

Destination Fenny Stratford.

Or so it should have been! We miscalculated planning our setting off for Bletchley station by bike, resulting in a bit of a rush to catch the train to Tring, which are fairly infrequent on a Sunday. I thought we had fully made it, as we settled on the train. Only then did I realise we must have left the single key for the car we were returning to on Sickle! David was not too impressed to receive a call to turn out on his bike to Cow roast with a spare key, but duly did so, and we finally arrived home after a weekend of enjoyable boating, but where we could have done without one or two of the things that happened!

Cow Roast to Fenny Stratford
Miles: 20.3, Locks:24

Putting Some Charge In Sickle's Battery, (lame excuse to go boating!).

2011-09-04T22:00:00.069+01:00

(Boat Sickle - posted by Alan)

Approaching Dudswell bottom lock.

While we have been off boating with Chalice, Sickle has remained tied up for over a month. It has rained a fair bit, and when it does her hold starts to fill up. An electric pump will get it out again, but this runs off her battery, also needed to start the engine.

And entering Dudswell bottom lock

So what better excuse, when you have just returned from a long trip in one boat to go boating in the other one - Sickle's batteries needed charging, (honestly!).

And descending Dudswell bottom lock.

Cath was returning to work after the weekend, but we reckoned we could take Sickle in to Berkhamsted on late Saturday afternoon, then bring her back on Sunday morning. In the meantime we had arranged a drink and a meal with some friends. As Sickle was pointed North, I took her up to the former buffer depot at New Ground, and turned her to point South. I used to do this regularly with a boat I owned at Cow Roast in the 1970s. What a difference 40 years has brought - back then you could just motor down there, turn, and be back soon after. Now almost entirely the whole length is lined with moored boats, mostly local live-abaoards, but some from further afield, and many are very poorly tied up on slack lines. Sickle doesn't "crawl" easily, due to a big engine and large "blades", and very irritatingly has to be regularly taken out of gear in order not to draw the more poorly tied up boats around as she passes. That short trip is now not a lot of fun, to be honest!

Approaching "Bushes" lock in Northchurch.

Saturday late afternoon and early evening brought us pleasant but cool conditions, and it was good to be using Sickle again, although she handles so differently from Chalice that the first mile or two is still a bit of a shock! I was genuinely surprised on bits of the trip to Berkhamsted just how far from the bank I could be, even on the towpath side, and still end up aground. If the person who motored past me just above Gas Two is reading this, and wonders why my boat got dragged into the path of his whilst I waited patiently (static) on the mud for him I'd be happy to explain, but you could have chosen a better path and speed, sir!

Returning through "Gas Two" on Sunday before the rain set in.

Our friends has walked out some of the way from Berkhamsted, and met us for the final few locks. Berkhamsted has now become such a popular "temporary" mooring for so many boaters, (some boats to my knowledge having remained on "visitor" moorings there for over a year!), that finding a spot for even a 40 foot boat that late in the day was a bit of a challenge. Fortunately there was just one space we could squeeze into without working on further than we wanted to, (just as well it wasn't Chalice we were on - it would not have fitted).

After a pleasant evening in the town, and a generally quiet night, we set off back on Sunday, quickly catching a boat that had gone ahead of us.

Sharing "Bushes" lock on the way back up.

The fact that some rain was forecast for around 10 o'clock came nowhere near the reality of what actually happened! By 11 o'clock, it was absolutely lashing down, and Cath and I had travelled with well less than adequate clothing, both our coats failing the "waterproof" test after about five minutes, I'd say. I can't actually recall getting as wet boating in a very long while, although there are no pictures, as I doubt the cameras would have survived the deluge.

We tied up a rather wet Sickle, and went home very cold. I think a trip to do some drying off of things is now quite an urgent need!

Edited further to add:

It occurs to me also, that this is the first time Sickle has operated south of Tring summit in our ownership, placing her firmly on territory where I and my brothers know her firmly from as long ago as the early 1970s. I never photographed her in Berkhamsted then, but my brother Mike did. Some time we must try and do "then and now" photos, attempting to put Sickle as close as possible to locations we photographed her then. Here she was tied up at the old gas works site, a firm favourite for tying up BW maintenance boats at the time. I rather have a feeling that these days a lot of bushes might stop you tying Sickle against the bank, but I'm not sure without checking again....

Sickle in Berkhamsted, early 1970s [Photo: Mike Fincher]

Cow Roast to New Ground Buffer Depot to Berkhamsted to Cow Roast
Miles: 7.0, Locks: 14

Back to Base - 415 miles and 385 locks in 25 days.

2011-08-31T22:00:00.088+01:00

(Boat Chalice - posted by Alan)

There's not generally a lot to report when we get to this stage of any long outing. We are firmly on home territory, and barring the completely unexpected, know it is just a case of completing those familiar last miles and last locks back to our home mooring.

Much improved situation at last night's leaky gates.

Last night the top gates at the Stoke Hammond Three had been closing so poorly that passage through the lock was very difficult, and much water was being lost from the "Jackdaw" pound above. We hadn't got tools to try and clear any blockage behind the gates, but after we had got the last hire boats, and ourselves through it, had tried a bit of brute force to get the gates closing better. It appears we had been quite successful, as this morning leakage was at more "normal" levels, (compare last night's picture with today's).

Alan eyes up a possible "support vessel" for Sickle at Grove lock.

I enjoyed a bowl of porridge on the ever-lovely Jackdaw pound. I used to regularly traverse this pound nearly 40 years ago, when I assisted with the local hire fleet. We caught another boat at Leighton lock, and worked through with them, but both they and we then pulled over for a supermarket stop.

After that we travelled alone. We met a steady flow of boats travelling in the other direction, but never again saw any sign of anybody travelling the same way as us.

This oddity is apparently rather more than 7 feet wide.

Despite the severe problems with water supplies this summer, most pounds were still in quite good health, if anything generally better than when we had passed the other way. We did find the short pound between the Ivinghoe locks at least a foot short of water, but this probably has more to do with very leaky gates at the lower Ivinghoe lock, than with the drought conditions.

Grove Church, (or simply "Church") lock.

Below Slapton lock.

All too quickly we were going through the final three Seabrooke locks, the Seabrooke swing bridge, and were back on our moorings.

A good colour match ?

Between the final locks at Seabrooke.

It has been our longest summer trip to date, both in time and in distance, and although we didn't go where we initially planned to, we have visited a variety of completely new places, including the Caldon and Leek branches of the Trent and Mersey, and the newly re-opened Droitwich Barge canal, and Droitwich Junction canals. We would give a stong recommendation for all of these, although my "jewel in the crown" personally remains as the particularly delightful Staffordshire and Worcestershire canal. We even managed 48 locks in one day, another personal best. And we found time for two steam railways.

Until next year, then!

Stoke Hammond Three Locks to Cook's Wharf
Miles: 10.2, Locks: 10
Total Miles: 415.0, Total Locks: 385

Tuesday

2011-08-30T22:00:00.076+01:00

(Boat Chalice - posted by Cath)

Classic Stoke Bruerne view

Some weeks back on the trip out I managed to pull a muscle in my shoulder or neck, which I have largely managed to ignore. Alan has massaged it a bit, which has done a lot to keep it within tolerable levels, and I have taken painkillers when it got bad. The most important thing has been to keep active, as it isn't too bad during the day, but gets worse overnight while it is immobile.

I woke up this morning in real agony, barely able to get out of bed. It was the second really bad night in a row, where I had slept very little. I was so tired.

Alan walked Charlie, as although he has been trained to walk to heel, he can be very over enthusiastic, and any pulling on the lead would make the pain worse. After breakfast (and more painkillers) we set off, down the Stoke Bruerne flight, with me steering, and Alan working the locks.

Earnest discussion about student motivation

Part of the way down we met up with a couple on another boat, the man told me that he teaches piano in independent schools, and we had a very interesting discussion about education today - it left me with some things to think about how I teach some aspects of our courses.

They suggested that we go on ahead after the flight, and we headed off until we got to the big supermarket at Wolverton. All this time the pain in my shoulder, neck and head didn't get any better.

I went shopping, Alan came to help me carry the bags back to the boat. He took one look at me and said, "you can't go on, should we stop?" We decided that I would take some more paracetamol, and go to bed, he would steer around lockless Milton Keynes.

Filling with water at Fenny

Despite the roar of the engine only a yard or so beyond my feet I slept quite well for some time. I woke, still in pain, but much refreshed, just in time to get some coffee made, and help to work through the next lock, Fenny Stratford. After that I took over steering through Stoke Hammond and to the bottom of Soulbury Three Locks.

Despite it being quite late in the day we were passed by a lot of Wyvern hire boats heading north from their base in Leighton Buzzard - surprising numbers for that late in the day.

At Three Locks

At Soulbury we found that there were no moorings left on the piling below the lock, and it was impossible to get Chalice into the muddy side anywhere else. There is more piling, but we had come past it some distance back, and nobody fancied reversing that far. So we opted to go up through the locks. Yet more Wyvern boats were coming down, and others were waiting at the top.

This is an empty lock - all paddles down

We became aware of large amounts of water pouring over some gates towards the top, Alan went up to investigate and found the worst leaking gates he had seen in a long time. They were not properly closed, and there seemed to be something stopping them closing against the cill. David went off to find a 'keb' (big rake with tines at an angle), and found a BW employee, who said he was off duty, and the 'keb' is not a 'keb', it's a 'drag'. Fair enough, I've always known it as a keb - we have one on Sickle, which was not a lot of use at that moment.

Leaky gates

So, without a keb/drag, and with a concerned German hirer looking on, they tried to clear the cill, by closing one gate on it's own, as fast as they could, then the other. They met together much better after that, so we didn't think that we'd wake up to find the pound we were mooring in drained in the morning.

We, and the young German couple, moored just above the lock. I began to cook dinner, David took Charlie off for a walk.

Bat

Alan and I had finished our food, and it was dark, we were starting to wonder quite where David and Charlie had got to. David's phone was off, so I set off in the direction they had gone, with a lantern, only to find David returning with pictures of the bats that he had been photographing.

Stoke Bruerne to Stoke Hammond Three Locks
Miles: 22.7, Locks: 12
Total Miles: 405.0, Total Locks: 375

Another Bank Holiday Weekend Day - And More Queues.

2011-08-29T22:00:00.041+01:00

(Boat Chalice - posted by Alan)

We were now very much on one of our standard runs for Chalice's home moorings. Braunston is an obvious stopover, and typically we will then stop at Blisworth or Stoke Bruerne the next day, with our final on-board night being somewhere like Fenny Stratford or Stoke Hammond.

The second time we have passed "Dorado" on our trip.

To get from Braunston to Stoke Bruerne in a day is relatively easy if there are no hold-ups, but this was a Bank Holiday Monday, and we made a very relaxed start from Braunston. After the procession of boats past ours before we moved, we were not surprised to find several boats stacked up waiting passage through the bottom lock of the Braunston flight.

Whilst we were waiting we were treated to the sight of some young men on a pair of "Saisons" hire boats using their pole to push forcefully of the wooden cabins of some moored boats, with obvious damage being done. We looked at their smashed off tunnel light to, and wondered how they would be tackling the tunnel ahead. Curiously they asked if they would be able to get their boats in the locks together - this seemed a bit odd, as they must have already come through the 13 locks they were about to tackle in the other direction. For some reason the two boats stopped sharing locks at one point, and we ended up in a lock with them - an arrangement that fortunately didn't last long when a boat ahead saw us coming, and re-opened bottom gates to let us in!

We see some highly skilled hire boaters very regularly on our travels, but occasionally you get a set that are an accident waiting to happen. This lot were in the latter category.

These fenders struggle to fit anywhere at all.

At Long Buckby we were queing again. One of the boats in front was sporting the most oversized set of fenders we have yet seen on a narrow boat. These visibly were starting to jam it in the lock with a second boat as they descended, and we advised both boats it looked dodgy to proceed with these fenders down. By the next lock they were parked on the roof.

Out of harm's way!

In fact by a few locks we were sharing with this boat, owned by a delightful couple who had literally just bought it, and starting to take it home. Apparently they also sail, and assumed that similar fenders were sensible on a canal boat. The husband was very enthusiastic and keen to learn, but his wife was clearly finding lock work very taxing, and didn't want to handle the boat. They said they only needed to be at Apsley by the end of Friday - I wish them well, but think they may need a lot of assistance to meet that target, knowing just how many locks there are once past Leighton Buzzard.

Blisworth tunnel - nearly out.

By now we were looking at a late a arrival at Stoke Bruerne, and that was before we stopped for fuel at Stowe Hill, and also found a queue there, having to wait whilst two other boats were filled and the paperwork done. By the time we left, Dominic, the owner, said Stoke Bruerne was an ambitious target before nightfall. I'm pleased to say we made it easily, greatly helped by a completely clear passage of Blisworth Tunnel. I have no idea how "about 23 minutes" figures in the tunnel "hall of fame", but given the hot oil smell as we emerged, I don't think I would have liked to have pushed it any faster!

We had vowed that Braunston would be our last meal out, but after arriving as late as we did, Cath said she really didn't fancy cooking, and "the Boat" ended up providing us with some really rather good food.

Braunston to Stoke Bruerne
Miles: 20.6, Locks: 13
Total Miles: 382.3, Total Locks: 363

A Very Busy Day

2011-08-28T22:00:00.111+01:00

(Boat Chalice - posted by Alan)

We thought we would rather like to get to Braunston today. Although we had already been out and celebrated our wedding anniversary early a couple of days ago, we could now do it for real, after the dress rehearsal.

I don't think we were quite prepared for the boating day that followed, and had simply not expected it to be anything like as busy as it turned out. Two days ago, we had come out of Birmingham to beyond Knowle locks, and literally only passed one moving boat the whole day. Yesterday was much busier, as we worked down Hatton and through Warwick and Leamington, but I'm not sure we had still woken up to the idea of bank holiday weekend!

"Bottom seriously too close to top" at Bascote.

Our first locks were on our own, and only when we got to the 4 locks at Bascote did things really get going. We had noticed the occasional slightly low pound up until now, but a distinct lack of water in the short pound below Bascote staircase locks was enough to see the stern of Chalice firmly stuck, whilst the bows drifted aimlessly towards the mudbanks now visible on the right.

Opening move in the "Bascote shuffle"

However, I do think we got through Bascote with far less delays than would have been the case therafter. We were already setting up the staircase lock to go in at the bottom, when two boats arrived at the top to come down. "No problem!", we said, "we can do the Bascote shuffle". The owner boaters on one boat had been unaware it was possible to pass boats within the staircase, whilst the hirers on the second boat just looked totally bemused through what followed.

I'll not go into detail - as there are actually less effort ways of doing it than what those coming down went for, but basically two boats come down the top lock, with the water used to fill the lock Chalice was in coming up. Once equalised, and the gates are open, you shuffle boats Tetris style until each have changed chamber, then go on your way as normal.

Even amongst weird boats, this one is VERY weird!

We didn't stop around though to find how two boats coming out into the very low pound actually managed to pass the two already coming up from the lock below. I think it might have been "challenging". Meanwhile boats were arriving in droves to go down, and a distinctly large queue was forming - out of that one just in time, I think!

Line up of ex working boats at Warwickshire Fly Boat Company.

The Blue Lias.

Sharing at Stockton - another experienced crew eases the work!

We eventually ended up sharing most of the remaining ascent of locks through Stockton with an experienced crew. With our bike out to lock-wheel ahead, progress was as good as the boats ahead allowed us.

Stockton Locks come thick and fast.

Queuing at Calcutt Bottom Lock

However, at Calcutt locks, (the last 3 locks on the Birmingham main line of the Grand union, heading this way), we hit another queue. The situation here was further complicated by boats wishing to leave the marina at Calcutt, and work up these locks. They emerge well beyond the back of the queue. At first it looked like some queue jumping might occur, but in the end it was all very civilised and British. We stood around exchanging stories, and comparing dogs, whilst everybody was very careful to go on exactly their turn!

It has to be said the waiting here was unnecessarily long. Is it beyond the wit of crews going uphill to leave open the gates of the lock they are leaving, to allow a clean exchange with boats nearly ready to leave the lock above coming down ? It sometimes surprises me that people who clearly own their own boat still have little concept of how to get people through with the least delay at the busiest times.

Braunston Church

Anyway, no real problem. Braunston was still a realistic target, despite the delays of the day. The delays were not quite over, though, as a slow boat preceded a line of people behind him who might have preferred to go a bit faster, and did so all the way until nearly Braunston.

Festivities at "Braunston Village Weekend".

Braunston was packed out, with boats moored on every available slot we passed, including out onto the Puddle Banks. But just as we were about to pass the customer mooring at the Mill House pub, I spotted someone might be leaving. Yes they were, so we moored up straight outside the pub - we were not going to have to walk far to get to our Wedding anniversary meal, after all!

Above Fosse Locks to Braunston
Miles: 12.5, Locks: 19
Total Miles: 361.7, Total Locks: 350

Hatton - and on past Radford Semele

2011-08-27T22:00:00.001+01:00

After the first four lock

(Boat Chalice - posted by Cath)

We left our mooring by the Black Boy at about 9 am, and startedthe run to Hatton. Once again the weather has been changeable, sunny one moment, and a drenching downpour the next - you either spend all your time changing in and out of waterproofs, or just decide to keep warm by working the locks energetically.

The first boat we were working with pulled over after a few locks, but we soon caught up with a keen and experienced crew of hire boaters. The flight was busy, but we made fair time.

I'd love this to go with Sickle!

I wouldn't say no to this either!

Outside the BW yard at Hatton

I was drenched when I took this, the weather was so changeable

Hanging gardens - orange balsam and other plants

Bushes heavy with autumn fruit

This summer is reported as being the driest since 1976, which has meant restrictions on boat movements on some parts of the system, but also an early autumn.

The hire crew pulled over at the nearest pub below Hatton, while we pushed on to the Tesco's in Warwick, and then up through Fosse Locks. David went for a walk in the evening, and got very wet, but also took some photos:

Rainbow bridge

Evening sky from the top of Bascote Staircase

Knowle to above Fosse Locks
Miles: 17.2, Locks: 27
Total Miles: 349.2, Total Locks: 331

It's Raining Again

2011-08-26T22:00:00.009+01:00

(Boat Chalice - posted by Cath)

We woke up at the usual time, to find that Lincoln had already gone, as had Jan and Dave who had promised to help John and Mary go down the Farmer's Bridge flight of 13.

Passing through Gas Street Basin towards Broad Street tunnel

A quick breakfast and we headed through Gas Street up to the turn off by the NIA. I had sent Jan a text, as they had promised to give us a hand too. Jan met us at the top of the flight at just gone 9 o'clock, Dave was already off setting locks ahead.

It was raining intermittently as we worked down the locks, but with four of us on the task I barely noticed the work.

lock under the buildings in Farmer's Bridge

The Farmer's Bridge flight passes old abandoned factories, modern apartments, under office blocks, and by the base of the Telecom Tower - there is a somewhat surreal feel to it

The locks are so close together that they have the pounds between them extended alongside the locks.

By ten fifteen we were leaving the bottom lock, Jan and Dave had done 26 locks - they promised to take it easy for the rest of the day.

Raining - looking from Ashtead top lock into Ashtead tunnel

At this point the rain really started, so that going towards the Ashtead locks we were in a downpour.

Ashtead tunnel is immediately below the top lock, with another lock not far below the end of it. It is an extremely narrow tunnel, so it is important to make sure that no one is in the tunnel before you go into the lock - and vice versa in the other direction.

We carried on through the rest of the Ashtead Locks, then up the Camp Hill flight, then miles of suburb until we got to Knowle - the first wide locks for what seemed like weeks. They have very wide pounds between the locks. We carried on a bit further, then tied up outside the Black Boy, where we decided to celebrate our wedding anniversary a couple of days early, and went to the pub for a meal.

More photos below:

under Broad Street Tunnel - towards the NIA


On the way down Farmer's Bridge

working hard - Cath and Jan

Some of the locks feel almost subterranean

Telecom tower - looking back up the flight

Jan and Dave close the last lock of the day

bottom gate of Ashtead Top Lock, from the tunnel

inside Ashtead Tunnel - trying to hang onto some paintwork

Birmingham to Knowle
Miles: 15.3, Locks: 30
Total Miles: 332.0, Total Locks: 304

A Much Less Hard Work Day.

2011-08-25T22:00:00.074+01:00

(Boat Chalice - posted by Alan)

Tardebigge Top - our only lock of the day.

We had hoped throughout the whole of this trip that we might spend at least a night tied up in Birmingham - it has become somewhat of a tradition on our big summer trips. However, we had already "borrowed" some time, both to visit the Severn valley Railway, then to stop at Droitwich where we had not actually planned to spend the night, until unexpectedly met Dave and Jan.

Inside Tardebigge Tunnel.

We still wanted to go to Birmingham, although were aware that plenty awaits us back home, and we can't e out too much longer. We decided we would push on from Tardebigge, and make the decision before Kings Norton, where the Northern Stratford canal could have provided a route home that didn't take in Birmingham.

Truly stunningly decorated narrow boat.

"Seaford" - Another Northwich boat in similar colours to "Sickle".

We had just a single lock, (Tardebigge Top), to start the day, if Birmingham was to be the destination. Almost immediately after that you enter Tardebigge Tunnel. I had been through this before, but had forgotten how much of it is unlined. IUt is very uneven, and although it is a tunnel where boats can enter from both ends at the same time, and you can pass, I wasn't really sorry not to have to do so.

The similar length tunnel at Shortwood is a more conventional arrangement, lined throughout. Again nobody else was about.

The slow moving boats finally exit Wast Hill Tunnel.

The much longer Wast Hill Tunnel, (or is it Wast Hills - both forms are used), proved a different prospect. We passed several boats coming the other way, which wasn't really the problem, but quickly caught up another boat going slowly and zig-zagging. This boat was in turn queued up eventually behind another. I hate being forced to travel slowly in the tunnels, but here we often had to take the boat out of gear, when even tick-over meant we were still catching up.

Outside the tunnel the first boat moved over, and waved the followers past - in my view the correct ehaviour if you want to move very slowly, (or your boat has a probblem, and can't move at normal speed). The boat still in front of us, having passed it, then speeded a little, but was still not travelling at a normal pace. It seemed that whilst he was happy to pass someone who offered, he did not see the need to offer the same courtesy to others.

Eventually he decided to stop, after which we completed the remaining lockless miles into Birmingham rather more quickly. (You can work out at this stage that we had decided not to forgo a trip into the city after all!).

Moored up in Birmingham.

We moored initially just to discuss intentions with Dave and Jan, but they quickly decided to stop at the same point too, which became our overnight mooring. They had already decided to meet up with some other members of the Canal World Forum, that they knew, but we had yet to meet. It was agreed an arrangement would be made for the evening, but that we would do our own things until then.

Not the best employment in the world ?

I'll not go into the mix-up that had Cath setting off to the shops without me, when I thought I was joining her, or the fact she had failed to take a mobile with her to sort it out! I was truly amazed to find her in Brum with no mental map, but a bookshop is always a good bet, so guess where I found her!

When we got back we went for an early meal with David, who wanted to be free for something else that evening. We found by then another boat tied up near us, which we knew to be further members of the Canal World Forum. Although Dave and Jan had helped them tie up, they had not realised this. They were not there then, but we left a note, before departing for a pub, where Dave and Jan had agreed to meet their friends. The others turned up too, eventually so we officially declared it a Canal World "Banter".

I was not aware of drinking more than usual that evening, but the following morning my head suggested I may have done. Cracking good company, anyway!

Top of Tardebigge flight to Birmingham
Miles: 14.5, Locks: 1
Total Miles: 316.7, Total Locks: 274

The Most Locks We Have Ever Done in a Day.

2011-08-24T22:00:00.000+01:00

(Boat Chalice - posted by Alan)

There are excellent moorings in Droitwich.

After an excellent night in Droitwich, it was time to press on on the remainder of the restored canals to join the Worcester and Birmingham. We had arrived yesterday via the Droitwich Barge Canal, with wide locks, that allow you to share with another narrow boat, but were now moving to the Droitwich Junction Canal, where the locks switch to narrow, so we could no longer share locks with our friends, although we had decided to travel with them.

We pass through one of the swing bridges in Droitwich.

Entering the culvert under the M5

It's nothing like as tight as Froghall Tunnel !

However, after a number of swing bridges, one of the first things you encounter is the very restricted tunnel that allows the restored canal to pass under the M5 motorway. Apparently it was a major coup that when it was first constructed, they were persuaded to make it big enough for boats, (just!), but it is not overly generous. Even in our shallow draughted boat there did not seem to be much depth of water either, and I can well believe reports of more deeply draughted boats getting grounded in it - based on experiences with Chalice, I'd not be too keen to try with Sickle!

View from the bottom of the new staircase lock

The first locks on this restored section are brand new ones, as a new stretch of canal has replaced the original ones. They are fairly stark structures, built in concrete, although do have gates and paddle gear that follow tradition. Certain features could be better thought through - the approaches into the locks are completely square cornered, meaning that if you fail to align perfectly you would strike them, and it is obvious boats are already doing this regularly, (typically older locks have an angled approach that helps "funnel in" anybody who has misjudged their approach).

One of the locks is a two lock staircase, and as we arrived there a hire boat had become firmly jammed as it was completing its ascent of the bottom chamber. A lot of brute force was being used to "unstick" it. I arrived too late to be certain, but the cause seemed to be it had jammed under a ledge above a weir at the side of the lock. Initially this didn't seem likely, but when we subseqiuently ascended the lock, we could see we could ourselves have got jammed, with the boat at a slight angle across the lock. We later made a BW lock-keeper aware of this problem, and he promised to check it out.

David puts the side ponds to good use.

The final three locks up to the Worcester and Birmingham are deep, and don't have the foibles of the new locks. Better still the "side ponds" here are fully restored, and, unlike most of the rest of the canals, where they have been abandoned, here you are actively told to use them, supported by a helpful lock-keeper. These water saving devices can save up to half the water used in working locks, and could have proved their worth elsewhere in the current drought conditions, had they not been deemed redundant some time ago.

We would endorse what we have read elsewhere - the prettiest its of these canals are on the Droitwich Barge Canal, with its reed lined channels and attractive bridges. The Droitwich Junction Canal is full of interesting features, but less picturesque.

Early in the long ascent on the Worcester & Birmingham.

Once we joined the Worcester and Birmingham at Hanbury Junction, you knew that it is a long hard slog of locks that ultimately take you to the summit at Tardebigge. There are fourty of them, in fact, and we never thought we had either the time, or the stamina to get anywhere near the top this day. I did, however, have my doubts about really being able to tie up in the very short pounds in the middle of the 30 lock Tardebigge flight itself.

Climbing the 30 Tardebigge locks.

We were still travelling with our friends Dave and Jan, with their boat following ours. We got a good run at the Tardebigge flight itself, with locks in our favour, but as David had turned out as a third crew member, we were trying to reverse all the locks as we left them, ready for Dave and Jan to go straight in to follow us

Some very serious radio amateurs live up this flight of locks!

Everybody was tiring, I think, but on several occasions I suggested to our friends they might like to stop, but they said they were still OK to keep going. Finally Dave said to me "having got this far, lets finish the bloody thing!", and ultimately we did just that. Well, being completely accurate, we stopped one lock from the very top, as the best moorings are there, and if stopping, it is best to leave the final lock for the following day.

This party of youngsters asked lots of questions!

We have never done this many locks in a single day before, but I must admit that I didn't find it as bad as expected. Last time we did Tardebigge I had really struggled with top paddles - sometimes I still did this time, but to nothing like the same extent. I may even be getting a bit fitter!

Getting towards the top of the flight.

There is no pub here to celebrate your hard work, so we agreed to meet later on Dave and Jan's boat for a few beers and maybe a glass of wine or two. By the morning they were complaining their recycling bins had become over full.

Dave and Jan follow us up the final locks.

Droitwich to top of Tardebigge
Miles: 8.0, Locks: 48
Total Miles: 302.2, Total Locks: 273

Back on The River, and a Newly Re-opened Canal

2011-08-23T22:00:00.110+01:00

(Boat Chalice - posted by Alan)

Moving in to the lower chamber of the upper Stourport staircase.

There is something fairly special about Stourport, and the complex basins and locks where the narrow Staffs and Worcs canal joins the River Severn. I first came here not by boat, and was fascinated by the place, only to shortly after manage to bring Chalice here, and to work through it.

Leaving the lower chamber of the first staircase.

So it was a real pleasure to know we were coming back here. But first we had been struggling with a leaking stern gland, but had very little grease left to put in it, so we filled with water, disposed of rubbish, and emptied toilets while we waited for the local chandlers to open.

The staircases don't align. so a bit of "to and fro" is needed!

Soon we were on our way, and descending the final two pairs of narrow staircase locks onto the Severn, an experience slightly tainted by the knowledge that a child had recently managed to die here having tried to cycle over a narrow bridge clearly unsuitable for the purpose. (British Waterways have now encased this bridge with much protective scaffolding, whilst near identical bridges on the same canal are left in "original" condition - apparently a repeat incident at these locks is felt possible, whereas an equivalent one elsewhere is not ?)

Waiting to leave one of the big manned locks on the River Severn.

Last time we did this trip we were complete "river novices", and urgently seeking advice about traversing the Severn. Now it all seems rather tame, although the anchor is still made available, and life jackets put on, including Charlie's. Even at what is near the limit of navigation for even boats of our size, it is still one big old river, with some quite big boats on it. I'd not necessarily fancy swimming to a nearest bank unaided, if I went in.

Even this can make you feel quite dwarfed in a narrow boat.

Apart from one big "mobile hotel", I think everything we saw on the river was narrow boats - different from last time when there were some seriously large and expensive "plastic" boats. This time we only planned to go through two of the big Severn locks, and making nearly 6 mph at other times, we were not on the river that long.


Charlie in "river mode".

Sharing the first lock of the Droitwich Barge Canal

Last time we came down the Severn the first place you could rejoin the canal network was at Diglis in Worcester. But that has very recently changed as two restored canals passing through Droitwich have re-opened. This was our target this time - to enjoy canals only opened less than 2 months ago, so we knew we would be turning off sooner than last time.

Unusual bridges and long reeds are features of this canal.

We also know that a couple we knew of through the Canal World Forum were following the same route as us, but were far enough ahead we had not expected to see them. So we were not a little surprised to see their boat entering the first lock of the Droitwich Barge Canal just as we were about to turn to join that canal ourselves. The explanation proved to be that they had gone down to Worcester and back on the river, resulting in us catching them up.

Alan and Dave compare notes about their trips so far.

We didn't really know Dave and Jan well up until this point, having, I think, only met them briefly once. However our meeting resulted in us being able to share the restored double locks that run all the way up to Droitwich.

In Droitwich - Charlie was really fazed by the floating pontoons!

We had been undecided about what we were going to do, and whether to carry on right through beyond Droitwich. Finding some very pleasant moorings in the centre of Droitwich, (it would have been very hard to moor anywhere else on this canal), we decided to stay and try and find somewhere to eat with Dave and Jan. The answer proved to be "Rossini", a rather more "posh" restaurant than our normal canal eating places, but which served us an excellent meal. "Rossini" is currently offering a 20% discount to visiting boaters, (you need to show a BW key!), and we can highly recommend it, based on our experiences.

We very much enjoyed our evening, and the the opportunity to spend time with other boaters.

Stourport to Droitwich
Miles: 14.7, Locks: 15
Total Miles: 294.2, Total Locks: 225

Probably my favourite railway - The Severn Valley

2011-08-22T22:00:00.095+01:00

(Boat Chalice - posted by Alan)

Strange reflections in Cookley tunnel.

By this stage of a summer outing we are usually at the point where we should be starting to head for home, but with no great enthusiasms to do so! Inevitably conversations start to be had about what we can still pack into the trip, and still be back home in time. This time was no different - we had decided to come the way we had, because we wanted to visit the newly opened Canals through Droitwich. But we also wanted to go into Birmingham later, if we could, (we always try to, on the summer trip), but that started to look like a step too far. (The added "complication" is that for various reasons this time we did not start until well into the school summer holidays - we have no flexibilty beyond a date Cath must be back by).

Chalice starts the days boating at Cookley tunnel.

Locks can even feature a canal-side cave.

But we had also never visited our favourite steam railway by boat either, the Severn valley railway, that Cath and I have been life members of for many years. The Staffs and Worcs passes under it.

I just love the settings of so many of the locks!

So the decision was taken to tie up at Kidderminster and do a round trip on the Severn Valley, our second steam train day on this trip, and to keep an open mind about a Birmingham visit, depending on subsequent progress. Advice from Canal World Forum members suggested that by Sainsburys would suit, so we moored there, and set off for the trek to the station.

Our motive power - newly out-shopped and gleaming.

We always enjoy the SVR, but usually visit at busy times, such as the massive Autumn steam gala. Visiting on a weekday gave a chance to see it at a less busy time, although the scale of operations at the SVR still guarantees at least 3 engines in steam to run the basic service.

Visiting super-power!

We were treated to the pleasures of the newly restored Churchward designed Great Western 2-8-0 freight locomotive, number 2857. This had one active stint of service on the SVR, but has been out of use for some time while its enthusiastic owning group have carried out another comprehensive rebuild, including much boiler work. Lovely to see, although I often prefer the SVR when smaller locomotives pull the big trains, giving them a challenge, and producing a bit of noise. 2857 hardly struggles with its 8 coach train, even on the long climb at Erdington Bank.

I should have loved to travel with the visiting "9 freight", (an even bigger freight engine, with 10 driven wheels), but time did not permit - hopefully it will still be on loan there for the Autumn Steam Gala.


"Take your dog with you by rail".

Charlie experienced his second steam railway, (unless his former owners ever took him to one!), and behaved well throughout, even when loud whistles sounded, or safety valves lifted as he sat by a locomotive. This dog understands his place in our family, and doesn't seem to mind our slightly cranky interests!

Charlie checks everything is in order.

Really very good artwork under a Kidderminster canal bridge.


There were lots of these, each representing a decade.

Caldwell Lock - another in a striking setting.

All to soon it was over, and, sadly, our trip down to Stourport also meant we were coming to the end of this trip on the Staffs and Worcs, (well nearly - there would be a final fling through the last locks tomorrow). Weatherspoons supplied the evening meal - always fine, despite our first choices, and much of the beer, being unavailable due, we were told, to a very busy day.

Cookley to Stourport on the Staffs and Worcs
Miles: 7.5, Locks: 6
Total Miles: 279.5, Total Locks: 210

Probably my favourite canal - The Staffordshire and Worcestershire.

2011-08-21T22:00:00.000+01:00

(Boat Chalice - posted by Alan)

Locking through Autherley Stop on to the Staffs and Worcs

After our overnight stop just before the Autherley Stop lock, at the end of the Shropshire Union, we were ready to turn onto the Staffs and Worcs canal.

Gate paddles make for quickly filled locks.

We were particularly looking forward to this, because we had very fond memories of our only other trip on the S&W with Chalice, and also ecause we were about to explore part of it we had never done before, including the famous locks at The Bratch.


These faces are a regular feature - I don't know the story, though!

Towcester usually operates on our home canal - very surprised to see it here!

Cath crosses one of the more minimal foot bridges.

The Staffs and Worcs is a canal very, very different in character to the "Shroppie" - not surprising as it is a very early build, whereas the "Shroppie" came towards the end of serious canal building. The "Shroppie" is very straight, as it freely switches from long wooded cuttings, to open embankments. The S&W is winding - often adventurously so, and if you only visit it occasionally, you could seldom guess what it will look like around the next of it's many bends.

The design of The Bratch results in this between gates turbulence.

Also, unlike the "Shroppie" that clusters it's locks together in flights, the S&W can often be guaranteed to give you one or two locks every mile or so, or sometimes even closer than that, but never more than three together. I like my boating broken up y locks, and the S&W does this to perfection.

Both sets of gates need to open to move between chambers at The Bratch

Also the locks are some of the prettiest, with round ended balance beams, and have exceptionally easy to operate geared paddles on most locks. Add to that Brindley's circular overflow weirs at many locks, and all kinds of variants of bridges across the foot of locks, and it really is a gem for canal enthusiasts.

Classic view of The Bratch.

The Bratch locks are fairly unique, as far as I know. Often referred to as a staircase, this isn't strictly accurate, as each lock chamber has it's own dedicated pair of gates, with no sharing of a gate between adjacent chambers, as in a true staircase. However, because there is effectively no canal to speak of between the gates of one lock and the next, the small area of water you can see the turbulence in above, where the paddles empty to and fill from, is actually extended to large ponds beside the locks that act as the otherwise "missing" canal.

Curious tunnel back to the boat at The Bratch.

The locks have to be worked in a certain way - hence the paddle gear that these days has been given colour coding, but actually effecient lock-keepers are on hand to help the uninitiated do things in the right order, and to control how many boats pass in one direction, before no more are allowed for a bit, so boats can pass the other way, (as boats clearly cannot pass in the lock flight). We had possibly expected queuing, but in reality there was none.

Emptying the lower lock at Botterham staircase.

Not content with the oddities of The Bratch the S&W also sports a number of true staircase locks where the same very large gates act as the bottom gate of a top lock chamber and the top gate of a lock chamber. These staircases can catch out novice crews, particularly if a footbridge blocks the view of one lock from the other. and it is not obvious you are dealing with an unusual lock type. None-the-less such locks generally have no keepers, and you are left to work it out for yourselves.

Bellatrix is an immaculate "Small Northwich" "Star Class".

We passed some really interesting old boats on this stretch, some I was unfamiliar with, some immaculately presented. and sometimes both together!

Cath approaches yet another of the regularly occurring locks.

I't is hard to remember all we saw this day - the canal is so varied, and offers so much. It is also remarkably under-used, considering it's beauty - you simply do not get a fraction of the boat numbers that we experienced on canals in Cheshire. It's really not that easy to understand why, other than ultimately it is a through route in its lower reaches only if you then venture out on to the River Severn - perhaps that is what deters some narrow boaters from the S&W ?

Alan's turn to cross a narrow foot-way.

The thing I like least about this canal, is that there is simply not enough of it! In just one day we had already covered the majority of the part south of Autherley, where we had joined. We had left ourselvesthe prospect of a short day the following day, as we had other plans.

Autherley Junction (Shropshire Union) to Cookley (Staffs and Worcs)
Miles: 18.4, Locks: 23
Total Miles: 272.0, Total Locks: 204

The "Shroppie" has some similarities to a Roman road.

2011-08-20T22:00:00.114+01:00

(Boat Chalice - posted by Alan)

Working boats at an old Cadbury wharf.

The way the Shropshire Union (or "Shroppie") Canal works if you join it at Barbridge Juction, as we did, is that the vast majority of the locks are in the three flights we tackled yesterday at Audlem, Adderley and Tyreley. This still leaves you a long way from the Southern end of the canal at Autherley Jucntion, (on the outskirts of Wolverhampton), but with nearly all the locks done.

Former Cadbury wharf.

We had already passed "Marquis" once (at Fradley).

We could predict, therefore, that today would amount mostly to clocking up the miles, and that how quickly might depend upon other traffic - it's not often a canal where a slow mover is going to want to let you past.

Probably the most photographed bridge on the canal ?

I have to say much of the "Shroppie" is very beautiful. You alternate between looking out across wide areas of countryside, sometimes from the top of impressive embankments, to being plunged into deep dark cuttings, often showing signs of being cut straight through rock. It also has many near perfect bridges, most neat and small, but some impressively tall ones in the deep cuttings, and even the occasional highly ornate one.

Tunnel cut through unlined rock.

However, being one of the last built canals, it is also one of the straightest, often running for a mile, or even several miles without any real deviation. This does tend to mean you have long periods where it all looks much the same, and you have already seen what you will see for the next quarter of an hour or more, (just not from quite so close, at first!). I miss some of the excitement of a more windy canal, where you never know what is coming around the next bend.

"Thea" is a "Middle Northwich", like "Sickle", but was once a butty.

A few things broke up the "sameness" of such a day, however. We stopped for some diesel at Norbury Wharf, (at a very good price, by current standards), and were served by a chap who both owns and boats with historic boats, so we spent quite a long time chatting there. There is a single lock at Wheaton Aston, standing alone in miles o otherwise lock-less canal, and we also made a brief shopping stop at Brewood.


Strange boating gear - this one wasn't getting married....

And I'm not sure, but don't think this one was either.......

I think it may have been this one about to wed!


Crossing the A5 at Stretton Aqueduct.

We had decided we would stop in the open, well short of the end of the canal, but in practice moorings were either too shallow, or had underwater ledges, (or both!). In the end we pushed forward right to the end o the "Shroppie" at Autherley. This proved an excellent choice, as there was a circular walk, with some parkland for Charlie to burn off some excess energy on.

Unusually ornate bridge.

Goldstone Wharf near Cheswardine to near Autherly Junction
Miles: 23.4, Locks: 1
Total Miles: 253.6, Total Locks: 181

We Thoroughly Enjoy Three Lock Flights on the "Shroppie".

2011-08-19T22:00:00.143+01:00

(Boat Chalice - posted by Alan)

Finally into Hack Green Locks after a delay.

We probably should have learnt from yesterday! The canals around here are very popular at peak season, as the unprecedented (for us) queuing for locks proved. So when a string of south-bound boats passed us as we were having a leisurely start to the day, I guess we should not have been surprised when we did get going, and reached our first "Shroppie" locks, that several of those boats were all sat there waiting ahead of us. In fact we were only fourth in line, but I guess it still took in excess of an hour before we were through the two Hack Green locks that we might otherwise have worked through in a fraction of the time.

Audlem locks - the "touristy" bit of them!

This was all slightly worrying, because after this comes three lock flights, the first being that at Audlem, with fifteen locks. A massive new marina has been built near Audlem in recent years, and I had images of boats turning out from there to augment the queue we had already seen. In practice quite the reverse happened, as the boats we had been following dropped out one by one, and we went almost immediately into the lock at the bottom of the rather lovely Audlem flight.

Cath had already decided she would head off for some shopping, so David was asked to turn out to work locks. When David is working locks, I find I have to go up a gear, and be a bit more attentive! If he is not held up by others, it all happens rather quickly. Gates shut, and three paddles straight up before you know it! (Where the locks retain a third paddle at the top end, in the middle of the gate, they fill very much faster than those where it had been removed as part of gate replacements).

David carries freshly purchased scones back to Chalice.

I really enjoyed this flight, which we positively rushed up, even after Cath took over lock duties from David, (I have to actively adjust to Cath's rather less manic pace, though!). What a pleasure to get a move on after a whole heap of delays at various locks before these. I didn't time it, but without any rushing, and a fair amount of waiting for people coming down the flight, I'm sure we probably bettered two hours for the 15 locks, including the purchase of some excellent scones from a lady at the top of the flight.

Climbing Adderley Locks.

Could it possibly carry on ? Well, yes it could! We also found no queues at the five Adderley locks, and despite a top gate that Cath was unable to close without help from another crew, I think we did the 5 locks in around 45 minutes, with most set against us.

Rock cutting and bottom lock at Tyrley.

I'm not averse to a bit of delay - it can be quite fun chatting to others also waiting, but I am not a fan of long delays! Once the early delays were out of the way, what a delight today was. Our third lock flight was Tyrley, and again we just went more or less straight up it, this time probably under 40 minutes or 5 locks. Only 2 of the 27 locks today, (the first) involved a lot of waiting, and I thoroughly enjoyed working the remainder quickly and efficiently.

Attractive buildings at Tyrley Top - last lock of the day.

Uphill, these are not always the easiest of locks, as very strong by-wash weirs discharge across the lower mouth of them at varying angles, ready to push the unwary into the lock apron or wall on the opposing side - you do need to come in at a bit of a lick, but of course it could all then be a bit more dramatic if you do misjudge it!.

Cuttings hewn from solid rock are a regular feature of the "Shroppie".

View from bridge returning from Wharf Tavern

We decided to push on a few more miles, and try for a pub meal at the rather remote Wharf Tavern at Goldstone Wharf, near Cheswardine. Good beer, and an excellent meal gave us a good end to an ultimately very rewarding day.

Nantwich Embankment to Goldstone Wharf near Cheswardine
Miles: 15.7, Locks: 27
Total Miles: 230.2, Total Locks: 180

A lot of queuing

2011-08-18T22:00:00.097+01:00

(Boat Chalice - posted by Cath)

Going back up through the three locks

We spent quite a lot of time working out what we were going to do next. We had a vague idea that we would go down the Anderton Lift, and onto the River Weaver again. This time to do the whole length of it, from the docks, up to the end of navigation at Winsford. However, after a bit of thought we realised that we would have to do short days (for us), as the locks can only be operated by the lock keepers, and they have regular hours. We decided that given our limited time, we would rather set off and spend some time nearer to Birmingham, and maybe do some bits of canals that we hadn't seen before.

Winding was easy, we were no more than 100 metres from the nearest winding hole, and we were quickly on our way back up the three locks that we had come down yesterday, and back to the Middlewich branch of the Shropshire Union Canal.

We knew from our previous experience that Wardle Lock, at the very beginning of the Middlewich branch is a bit of a bottleneck, the reason being that boats are arriving at the branch from both the south and the north on the Trent and Mersey, it is on the "Four Counties Ring", and there are several local hire boat firms with people wanting to go through this way. We arrived at the lock to find that we were boat four in the queue.

Wardle Lock is just after a bridge which is at the beginning of the canal - there is a boat's length below the lock, immediately after the bridge. When we were here before, people were using this mooring to wait for the lock to become ready with boats coming down, this time, for some reason, they were waiting around the corner, on the Trent and Mersey. Because of this boats were having to leave the lock, then negotiate the narrow bridge, and turn onto the T & M, with other boats passing - it was taking a good five minutes extra per lock, and more boats were joining the queue.

Alan managed to persuade the hire boater in the queue ahead of us to go and wait around the corner, below the lock, so that as soon as it became free he could use it, which speeded things up a bit.

The long wait

At the next lock we had to wait for a few boats, but it wasn't too bad - then we got to Minshull Lock - we were tenth in the queue below the lock. It took over 2 hours to get through - why it needed to take that long I really don't know, but the long delays at the locks knocked our hopes of getting very far. The hirer we had spoken to earlier that day at Wardle Lock had to get his boat back to Brewood by Saturday, and was beginning to think that he would have to go late into the night.

Going into Minshull Lock

Barbridge Junction: Admiral Class - Mountbatten & Jellicoe

The road to Wales - one day.....

Barbridge is the end of the Middlewich Branch, we turned left, towards Nantwich. It was raining intermittently. We passed the end of the Llangollen Canal, it wouldn't have taken a lot to make me turn that way.

We eventually moored in Nantwich, shortly before the aqueduct, Charlie got a long walk in the gathering dusk.

Middlewich (Trent and Mersey) to Nantwich (Shropshire Union)
Miles: 14.1, Locks: 7
Total Miles: 214.5, Total Locks: 153

Descending "Heartbreak Hill"

2011-08-17T22:00:00.067+01:00

(Boat Chalice - posted by Alan)

Sadly derelict, but atmospheric twinned lock.

The Trent of Mersey Canal falls continuously from Kidsgrove (near where we started today) to Middlewich (our likely ending up point). It does so fairly spectacularly, as to descend all the locks, including the final three narrow ones into Middlewich, is 32 locks. We had done three of them last night, so 29 to go.

Passing the trading boat "Hadar" - not an old boat!

The boatmen sometimes knew this as "Heartbreak Hill", but in reality these are nice easy locks, sometimes in flights, sometimes on their own, and the descent is not at all arduous.
[Subsequent note: It has been suggested since I wrote this that it is not in fact an old name for these locks, but a relatively recent one. I think this is probably correct - boatmen I believe generally referred to "the Cheshire Locks".]

Thurlwood - Cottages front onto the canal.

Another lovely feature of these locks is that many of them were twinned - two narrow locks sat neatly side by side. Many still remain with both locks operational, although others are locked out of action, and in some cases completely derelict. At other places the second lock is long since in-filled. If you don't know them well you can't predict whether the next ones will be twinned, allowing queues of boats to pass through twice as fast, or whether you will hit a single one, where several boats are stacked up waiting their turn. (Yes, it really does get that busy on this canal).

Example of a working pair of twinned locks.

In practice we only hit one substantial hold up, which I remember as being Lock 57. Here we did have quite a wait, (although nothing to compare to what has happened subsequently!)

Charlie oversees progress.

Despite the occasional hold-up, I really like the T&M, and really enjoyed being back in the swing of lots of locks, after periods whete we have often done long lock-less stretches.

Salt is still a major industry - they use big shovels.

The canal is a firm favourite of mine, but the long approach to Middlewich is somewhat marred by the canal being paralleled by a busy road for several miles.

At this stage our plan was still to continue further North up the Trent and Mersey, and good places to tie up only start appearing after you have passed the junction where a branch from the Shropshire Union joins, and locked down the final three closely spaced narrow locks. Again there was a bit of queuing, but really not that bad.

Trading narrow boat Alton - this IS an old boat.

Once again essential supplies were taken on board from a conveniently located Tesco, and we went to the "Big Lock" pub, (so called because it sits beside the one wide lock on the stretch), for an evening meal. Enjoyable enough, but not spectacular either, although I think by then I had perhaps got over-tired, and would not fully have appreciated even top-rate nosh!

Red Bull (Trent and Mersey) to Middlewich
Miles: 12.3, Locks:29
Total Miles: 200.4, Total Locks: 146

Off the Branches, and Onwards to the North through Harecastle Tunnel.

2011-08-16T22:00:00.003+01:00

(Boat Chalice - posted by Alan)

Once many basic cottages, now just one luxury house.

After an overnight stay just outside Leek, we set off again to work our way back to the main line of the Trent and Mersey. It started as a bit of an indifferent day weather-wise, and the fact that the Leek Branch has no locks left me outside alone for much of it, while Cath got on with things inside. On the return I found it easier to judge where the very shallow parts werte, and how to find the deepest bit of the channel in those parts. Somehow it seemed less of a slog than when going the other way.

We regained the Caldon Branch at Hazlehurst Junction, and after a while were tackling our first locks. I really like this canal, and am very pleased we decided to squeeze it into this trip.

Entertaining Charlie at the unusually named Planet Lock.

Even as we approached the mix of decaying or demolished factories at Etruria, and the new build housing, I had a more positive feel than I did when we had first passed through.

The boat ahead enters the tunnel - 2 minute gaps are used.

As usual with us, we had an outline plan, and then that got amended. We found ourselves back at Etruria far earlier than even the most optimistic timings from the canal planners. Although we couldn't now be guaranteed a passage of Harecastle Tunnel that day, there seemed to be a reasonable chance we might get through that night if we pushed on.

I have to say this is where my frustration kicks in! British Waterways publish the following.....

The Tunnel will open for passage daily 8.00am - 6.00pm. To be guaranteed a passage, craft must arrive by 4.00pm.

Last craft in the Tunnel at 5.15pm IF the Tunnel is free both ways.

Any enquiries of Tunnel 5.15pm availability please call 01782 785703 in office hours.

After Froghall Tunnel, Harecastle seems enormous!

We would miss 16:00, (though not by a lot), but be there way before 17:15, so I rang that enquiry number. In true BW style the lady in the office repeated verbatim the stuff about needing to be there at 16:00 for a guaranteed passage, and had no access to any information find out the days possibilities beyond that. So why, oh why, give that enquiry number? It's a waste of my time, and, equally, it is a waste of hers too.

The boat ahead nears the Northern end.

Anyway it transpired that there were some slow movers in the tunnel, which once out, would allow a final batch of boats North, which we would join. In fact it was 17:25 before we were called in, so even the 17:15 thing was not tightly adhered to. We wondered why the boat behind us never came in, and another one replaced it - we learnt later he had not tested his tunnel light, which proved to not be working, and had been stopped from entering.

We emerge - Brindley's original abandoned bore on the right.

The last time we did this tunnel we were the very first boat of the day in to it, and travelled it very fast, quickly leaving behind those following. Today, no such luck, as we joined the slow convoy. In fact times on the photos indicate only just over 40 minutes, but it really did seem ridiculously slow. I did get to notice things like painted skeletons that one misses with a faster passage though!

Many of the locks on this stretch are still twinned.

It is generally recommended not to moor too near to the Northern portal of the tunnel, and to be frank, the whole environment is uninviting enough that you wouldn't really choose it as an overnight stop unless desperate. Fortunately you only have to go down a small number of the delightful twinned locks before it is a whole different prospect.


One of David's sunset images.

I think we moored after three locks, at a quite delightful spot. We were later treated to a phenomenal sunset, and we sat there thinking just how much we enjoy boating when a day ends so spectacularly.

Leek (Leek Branch) to Red Bull (Trent and Mersey)
Miles: 19.0, Locks: 14
Total Miles: 188.1, Total Locks: 117

THAT Tunnel, an Interesting Mill and a New but Shallow Canal.

2011-08-15T22:00:00.201+01:00

(Boat Chalice - posted by Alan)

You virtually pass below the railway waiting shelter.

Onwards towards the end of the Caldon branch at Froghall. Particularly after Consall much of the canal becomes extremely narrow, and there are considerable lengths where passing two boats would be quite impossible. Possibly we were being a bit cavalier in heading into these stretches without having someone walking ahead. However, this bit of canal was seriously underused, and only a couple of times did we pass anything, and never really at a difficult point.

It would have been great if the Churnet Valley railway had been running today, as it parallels the canal for quite a while, but it was a "no trains" day on the timetable - well at least we got to sample it yesterday!

We fail the tunnel heigh test fairly convincingly!

The thing that most people who don't know the Caldon branch intimately may still know, is that at Froghall it ends in one of the tightest tunnels that you are normally permitted to take your own boat through unsupervised. The published dimensions of craft that should normally attempt it vary depending on the source you look at, but nothing I have seen fails to show that Chalice should be at least six inches too tall! We had always assumed passing this tunnel was quite impossible for Chalice.

Plenty of room!

However there are gauges on exiting the final downhill lock, that are supposed to show if you will pass through the tunnel. Chalice failed this test by less than expected, but was still clearly several inches too high at the extreme cabin sides - the determining factor, really! Various Internet sources reported the gauge as pessimistic, and we started to wonder if we could inch her through.

That's me at the back!

To be honest, Froghall, before the tunnel, and where many boats were moored is not attractive. Clearly a very large slice of industry has been fairly recently demolished, and it is now a bit of a wasteland. Walking over the tunnel, to the very much prettier end of the Caldon, and the one restored lock and basin on the otherwise defunct Uttoxeter Canal looked a much better place to say we had managed to get to! So we decided to give it a go, accepting we were likely to damage paint on the cabin grab rails, (you can always put it back!).

There was less smile once I had inspected the paintwork.

I failed the initial attempt to get in, and did most of the damage done when most of the boat had yet to enter! Once in, from the back, to me it looked impossible, but Cath and David began to walk it through, carefully trying to maintain a gap as little as one inch on each side. The worst, lowest part, is actually near the beginning, and once past that, it became obvious it was after all possible. We used very little engine, relying almost entirely on people power, but eventually emerged at the other end.

Winding at the limit of navigation.

There is a water point at the end of the branch, so although we had relatively recently refilled the front water tank, we brimmed it again, in the hope it might produce an extra half inch or so of clearance for the return through the tunnel, by bringing the nose down further. We then locked down through the single lock at the end, aided by a very bemused lady who seemed fairly disbelieving that we were about to turn around and go back up to leave!

Working back up the single restored lock of the Uttoxeter Canal.

Return trip through Froghall tunnel.

We realised on the return through the tunnel that moving someones weight from the back to the front of the boat further improved the clearance, so on the return I moved to the front before the very lowest bit. Coming back made a lot of use of the lessons learnt on the trip through the other way.


Water wheels at Cheddleton Flint Mill.

We then retraced our journey up through Consall, but had noted the Flint Mill at Cheddleton on the way down, and rather hoped it would still be open today. Fortunately it was, so we pulled up directly on the attractive wharf outside. This is place was a little gem. Free admission, and refreshingly with no novelty shops or tea room. I'll freely admit to complete ignorance before our visit of the vital part that flint played in the pottery industry, or any of the detail of what was required to mill it. Two working water wheels were both driving milling equipment, and someone took some trouble to explain some of the detail. Recommended!

Where the flint is ground - not sure if it has a special name!


Chalice waits on the wharf.

The mill site from the wharf.

Curious water-spout at a paddle in the Hazlehurst flight.

We then carried on to Hazelhurst, and up the locks to the summit locks to the summit, where the Leel branch joins, and our next planned part of the journey. A very tight 180 degree turn found us on one of the shallowest canals Chalice has yet to visit, and the first mile or so were very slow, whilst we learnt that it really was a case where more than minimal use of power started to work against you. The first part has lots of moored boats - quite a contrast from the Caldon, but once past these, it also got generally a bit deeper, and progress improved.

Turning from the Caldon branch on to the Leek branch at Hazlehurst.

On the very tranquil but often shallow Leek Branch.

Leek Tunnel.

The short and rather odd shaped tunnel before reaching the end at Leek seemed positively palatial compared to the one at Froghall. This really is a canal that just ends, before it reaches the town who's name it takes. In fact even the last winding hole for a boat even Chalice's length is several hundred yards before the end. The end really is just a slightly muddy widening, where the unnavigable feeder flows in which supplies the water from a reservoir still some distance on.

You are not near Leek at this point, just near an industrial estate on its outskirts. An uninspiring but longish walk found us at a large Morrisons, where Cath and I loaded up with as much essential groceries as we felt reasonably able to carry back to the boat. The mooring spot however was rural, and very pleasant.

Consall Forge to Froghall Basin (Uttoxeter Canal) and back to Leek
Miles: 13.0, Locks: 11
Total Miles: 169.1, Total Locks: 103

Carrying on down the Caldon, and Charlie's first steam train.

2011-08-14T22:00:00.112+01:00

(Boat Chalice - posted by Cath)

My neck was still bad, so Alan had to do most of the lift bridges and the locks. We set off through increasingly rural and attractive countryside.

Disused Victorian Waterworks

Hazlehurst Aqueduct

After Hazelhurst Aqueduct, which carries the Leek branch of the canal over the branch to Froghall we went down a short flight of locks. At the bottom a boy was selling drinks and crisps, "cheaper than the pub". Although he certainly wouldn't have had any trading licence I applaud his enterprise. He was polite, had a printed list of what he was selling, and the costs, as well as plastic cups, and a bottle opener for those who wanted to drink immediately. He could have been doing so many less constructive things, but had chosen to make a bit of pocket money from the passing boaters and walkers.

Interesting 'obstruction' in the canal

At some point during the afternoon we decided to see if we could get to Cheddleton station, as the Churnet Valley Railway was in steam. It was a 'Toyland' theme day, presumably because the owners of the Thomas the Tank Engine franchise have priced themselves out of the market, and designed to attract families with children, but they are only in steam on Sunday, and Wednesday at this time of year, and we thought it would be nice to go for a trip up to Froghall.

We passed Cheddleton Flint Mill, and then found a mooring a mile or so further on, near to the railway. Charlie got to go on his first rail trip, he was a little surprised by the steam engine, but took it in his stride. It's a very attractive trip, but ends up at Froghall, in an area of concrete wastelands, where huge factories have been demolished. All of the employment in the town must have been in these factories, where are those people now? What will happen to the brownfield sites, is there any point in putting more housing there?

Passing the Black Lion at Consall Forge by Train.

Froghall - a chimney remains in demolished factories

Back at the boat we set off towards Consall Forge, with the intention of mooring, and having a meal in the Black Lion, which overlooks both the canal and the railway.

Lime Kilns

By the moorings are huge lime kilns, which used to be used to produce quicklime for making the soil less acidic. Layers of limestone and coal were fed in at the top, and quicklime was take out at the bottom. In the past boats carried tons of this out to the Midlands areas for fertilising the fields and improving crop yields, but the ones by the moorings were out of use by 1848.

Charlie got a walk up the canal, then we all went to the pub, and had our meal in the garden in the evening sunshine.

Steam engine at Consall Forge

Engine Lock to Consall Forge (Caldon Branch)
Miles: 9.1, Locks: 13
Total Miles: 156.1, Total Locks: 92

A long day - South of Stone to well past Stoke on Trent.

2011-08-13T22:00:00.138+01:00

(Boat Chalice - posted by Cath)

The Star pub at Stone.

I woke up with a pain in the neck - I could barely get out of bed. I suppose that I had pulled a muscle in my neck or shoulder yesterday, which had then stiffened up overnight. It was agony, so I knew I'd be doing very few locks. I started taking painkillers to allow me to move about a bit.

Tow-path tunnel at Stone.

Family of ducks who insisted on sharing the lock.

We had a plan to get up to Stoke on Trent, and then moor below the staircase locks at the beginning of the Caldon branch of the canal, quite a few locks, but we ought to be able to do it by about 5:30 or 6:00 pm. The locks are scattered along the whole of the route, in some small groups, but also lone locks. Then there is a flight of five up into Stoke, and the beginning of the Caldon branch.

.

Passed very nearby by a Virgin express train.

Etruria Bone and Flint Mill.

Near the top of the Stoke flight we passed the Bone and Flint mill at Etruria, outside wasa pair of Admiral class working boats, "Lindsay" and "Keppel".

The staircase lock at Etruria.

We made good progress, and found ourselves at Etruria a bit earlier than expected. I suggested that if the others were OK with the idea, we should press on up the Caldon branch for an hour or so, to be out of the main town. So we turned right and headed for the staircase locks.

View of the gates between the two chambers from the lower one.


Passing from lower to upper lock of the staircase.

The staircase locks are quite deep, and there are big drops from the locks onto the parkland around, which has resulted the in the locks being surrounded by white painted railings, making them look rather like a water treatment plant.

Charlie helps David look at his paw.

Soon after this Charlie began limping very badly. He was very patient while we checked his paw, although we couldn't find anything. He relished the attention, and seemed OK after a while, although we don't know what had caused it.

Charlie always enjoys any excuse for attention!

When we had proposed going up the Caldon branch, we had been told, "You'll like the Caldon", but also, "don't stop at Hanley Park". The park is not far above the Planet Lock, and in the early evening there were families out enjoying the park. Then we came around a corner to a group of perhaps 25 young men, standing around, leaning on walls or bikes, chatting. Seeing us one of them leaped over a small wall and ran up to the boat, waving his arms and shouting, "Scrapyard, Scrapyard". "Where I find scrapyard for dis boat?"

Bottle kilns stand alone - a likely feature in a new housing estate ?

It wasn't clear what he was asking, as he was heavily accented, was he saying that the boat should be scrapped? Was he thinking that he could buy a second-hand boat from a scrapyard? The other men watched intently, some laughing. If I had been alone it would have been quite threatening, as we had to go through a very narrow gap at that point, and if any of the group had decided to board the boat there would have been little we could have done, fortunately we were all outside, and after a brief interchange with the young man, we carried on, and they ignored us.

I didn't like the beginning of the canal a lot, obviously it wasn't going to be rural immediately, and we've seen a lot worse. It was a mix of very new housing estates - quite large and imposing houses - and urban dereliction: abandoned factories, graffiti and razor wire. It was also quite badly overgrown at the bridge holes, with quite large bushes or trees scrapping the paintwork as we passed. There was also, even in quite green bits, quite a bit of rubbish floating on the canal. Then, after a couple of miles it began to get more rural, and I began to think that I might get to like it after all.

We moored just below Engine Lock, very rural, and with a really nice walk for Charlie through the fields - however, the local populace don't appear to have bought into the idea of picking up after your dog, and the towpath even in this area was covered in dog poo - despite warnings of a £1000 fine.

Because of my neck I had worked very few of the locks, Alan really knew about the 19 locks at the end of the day.

Weston on Trent (Trent & Mersey) to Engine Lock (Caldon Branch)
Miles: 21.1, Locks: 19
Total Miles: 147.0, Total Locks: 79

Steady Progress - Lots of Miles - Only Sporadic Locks

2011-08-12T22:00:00.043+01:00

(Boat Chalice - posted by Alan)

Surreal sight of shrink wrapped loos at the Armitage Shanks factory.

Someone on Canal World Discussion Forums has been forcefully expressing their view that boating blogs are interminably boring. Whilst the obvious response to that is "if you find it so boring, simply don't read it!", it is of course true that just recording a days happenings isn't going to be of the greatest interest to the public at large, if nothing out of the ordinary actually happened.

Artmitage "Tunnel" has long since been opened out.

That said, we have a family member who rings us to check we are OK if blog updates don't happen regularly, so even on "nothing much happened" days, the blog still serve a purpose for us.

Someone should walk ahead to stop boats entering the other end, as you can't pass.

Single parent (?) at our overnight mooring

But this was a "nothing much happened day", and apart from a few delays around Fradley Junction, when boats were queuing for the locks we just made very good progress, exceeding expectations.

Fabulous floral display while walking to the pub.

Hopwas to Weston on Trent
Miles: 24.4, Locks: 7
Total Miles: 125.9, Total Locks: 60

A sunken boat - working boats - no diesel

2011-08-11T22:00:00.088+01:00

(Boat Chalice - posted largely by Cath, but finished by Alan)

The scene as we are told we must stop.

I took Charlie for a walk, and then we got going at about 9 am, knowing that we had to negotiate around a sunken narrowboat a mile or so north. It was raining intermittently as we came under bridge 36, and saw the boat in the middle of the cut. A man on the towpath waved us over, saying that they had already begun the raising of the boat, and as they had men in the water, we would have to wait. So we took the opportunity to watch the process.

Trying to stop water going in faster than it can be pumped out.

It was only a small boat, some 42', and, while not new, it was clearly cared for. One side was under water above the gunwales, while the other side was clear by a couple of inches. The team had already got an inflatable air bag attached to the outer side, to help with the process. The boarded up as much of the cruiser stern as possible with wooden sheets, and plastic sheeting, then began pumping water out. For a while it looked like nothing was actually going to happen, but they added some more sheeting, and the boat slowly began to tilt back again - with the danger of the side nearest the towpath going under as well. The men used more sheeting, and began heaving the boat towards the bank. Eventually, the whole boat was floating, although at a heavy tilt.

Afloat, but still listing heavily.

The owner, and his son, were present, although we didn't speak to them, so can't confirm the story, but we were told that the boat had been in the family for some time, and they had done quite a lot of work on it. The son had been using it for 4 days. He had taken the weed hatch off, but for some reason it had not gone back on properly - the men raising the boat said that the weed hatch sealing was missing. The result was a sunken boat in the middle of the canal.

Early in the descent of 11 locks at Atherstone.

We were eventually waved on through at about half past ten. When we got to the top of Atherstone Locks, I went off to the large Co-op supermarket, while Alan and David began to work down the flight.

At one of the locks I saw a damson tree overhanging the lock apron, and tried one of the damsons, thinking that it would be under ripe, but on the contrary, it was delicious. Alan isn't a great one for plums, but we pulled a bowlful from the tree while we waited for the boat in the lock below.

This is a perhaps unexpectedly beautiful setting.

Alan winds the side-pond paddle.

One of the Atherstone locks has a working side-pond. These formerly existed in large numbers as a way of saving half the water used as boats locked through. Sadly nowadays, virtually all have been taken out of use, and a single one in a lock flight is of little practical use. Still, we worked it, just to prove we could!

"Chertsey" no longer sporting her Red Oxide finish.

We knew we were getting very low on diesel. The Nicholson's guide said it was available at Grendon Dock. This sounded unlikely, and indeed it was not. However we did see our friend Sarah's boat "Chertsey" well advanced in receiving its striking new paint job.

Spectacular line-up includes 7 Joshers, 6 of them loaded!

Our next port of call for diesel was Alvecote Marina. There were many working boats moored, several heavily loaded. Unfortunately, the marina had no diesel, but told us that Fazeley Mill Marina should have some. A bit of calculation, and Alan decided that we could make it there.

There was a bit of a mix-up at Fazeley Junction, as Alan had wrongly understood that Fazeley Mill Marina was on our intended route, and he should still turn right. Fortunately the rest of the family checked, and we turned round and headed to where the now much needed diesel could be bought. Not so long ago fuel costs were not that big a boating cost compared to others, but increased cost and increased taxation means a fill like this costs over £175.

Retracing our steps back over the bit we had already done when we should not have, we then made our way up a piece of canal that should logically still be part of the Coventry, but for historical reasons is part of the Birmingham and Fazeley for a while. We moored at Hopwas.

The pie that I made from the damsons looked delicious, but was not to everybody's taste. Strangely only Alan, the one who is not usually a plum fan, found it acceptable, and actually finished his helping!

Hartshill (Coventry Canal) to Hopwas (Birmingham and Fazeley Canal)
Miles: 17.0, Locks: 13
Total Miles: 101.5, Total Locks:53

A Less Intensive Day!

2011-08-10T22:00:00.002+01:00

(Boat Chalice - posted by Alan)

We still don't really have any plans! Both Birmingham, and even Manchester had been cited as places we might try and pass through, but following the news of rioting in both these, (and other) cities, we are not feeling drawn to them at the moment.

"Taygeta" - Full length "Middle Northwich"

Still, now we are on our way up the Northern Oxford and Coventry canals, I guess the Trent and Mersey will follow, but today we had no particular objective where to end up.

"Taygeta" - "Sickle" was initially this length.

Which is probably just as well! We had agreed to call at Brinklow Boat Services, as we had an item to collect for Sickle - a "pigeon box" - the vented cover that goes on the engine room. Ultimately someone has one to sell us, but it's currently in use, (long story!), so they have kindly offered a loan of another for the time being. Brinklow is down an arm from "Stretton Stop", but we simply had no idea that this arm is as long as it is, or houses so many interesting boats.

Very convincing but totally new "Northwich" boat.

The owner of the pigeon box also owns Sickle's sister boat, (and another of the middle Northwich ice-breaker conversions), "Sextans", and is a mine of information about boats of many types. I hope we didn't interrupt his working day too much, but the opportunity to get a guided tour of the boats there was not to be missed! As well as some wonderful restoration work, they also build replicas of working boats. Their interpretation of the Grand Union "Northwich" boats is fantastic, and really the only thing that makes the replica distinguishable from the original is that the replicas are dead straight, and dent free, whereas the originals like "Sickle" and "Sextans" are full of ripples, and bear the scars of 75 years of use, in a wide variety of roles, ("Sextans" even having been a hire boat for part of her life). If I were in the market for a good replica boat, (I'm not currently!), this yard would be easily at the top of my potential builders list.

"Bexhill" - The first working boat I steered (Early 1970s)

We really spent longer at Brinklow than intended. The pigeon box is heavy, and Cath volunteered to start carrying it back to Chalice whilst I walked forther down the arm to look at more historic boats. I actually started to feel like I was walking through somebody's garden, so turned back, but was surprised not to catch Cath until she had carried a lump of steel all the way back.

"Dorado" - Another lovely tug - a "Woolwich" this time.

The rest of the day has been fairly uneventful and undemanding. We followed a couple of overly slow boats, both of whom might easily have waved us past. One did eventually, but not until after many many slow miles. The other trend has been for people with "top end" boats of the fake rivet "Washer Josher" variety to assume that they have a right to mid channel whilst pushing us into the bushes to scratch our paintwork only applied a year ago. In Sickle I would have called their bluff, I think, but we have been forced to give way a few times when more reasonable behaviour by the other steerer could have avoided it. Also it has been a very blustery day, meaning that it has been hard not to get blown to the side when forced to slow more than actually required, or even to keep stopping.

Classic Hawkesbury Junction View (Number 1)

We didn't experience these behaviours a month or two ago when we came down the canal, but probably passed a lot less "upmarket" boats then, who do seem to be the ones not showing a balanced consideration for others.

Classic Hawkesbury Junction View (Number 2)

We stopped at the Anchor Inn, near Hartshill. Thoroughly recommended, unless you don't like your chips very heavily "pre-salted". (My view is that I can always choose to add salt, but very hard to take it away!.)

The Anchor Inn, near Hartshill

Newbold to The Anchor Inn, Hartshill
Miles: 20.1, Locks: 1
Total Miles: 84.5, Total Locks: 40

The Northern Oxford Gets The Vote

2011-08-09T22:00:00.068+01:00

(Boat Chalice - posted by Alan)

The replies to a question on Canal World Forum seemed to indicate that the water saving measures British Waterways have in place on the Northern Oxford would not after all cause us excessive delay, so the vote was to revert to our original plan, and go North on that route. It was also suggested that it would be less busy at Hillmorton later in the day, so it seemed sensible to try and get through those locks today, if we could make good progress before then.

"Chalice" passes "Ocelot".

By pushing on to Weedon last night we had left ourselves with not too many miles to reach the lock flight at Whilton and Long Buckby. Despite it being very busy with people coming down, we actually worked the whole way up neither catching nor being caught by another boat. This flight can be a "pig" but today it was relatively easy. Part way up we met "Proper Job", (or just "PJ"), from the Canal World Forums who is doing the Thames Ring on his boat "Ocelot". He reported just how low he found water levels on the summit of the Southern Oxford - fortunately not where we are heading.

Braunston Bottom Lock

We pressed straight on to Braunston. I am developing a theme about boats that have tunnel lights quite unfit for purpose - usually a bright penetrating spotlight beam, rather that something that illuminates the arch of the tunnel, but does not blind oncoming steerers, Every passage of one of the long Grand Union tunnels now seems to be marred by these horrors, and the worst have left me protesting to their owners about just how dangerous they are. Some boats also now have multiple headlights, so blind you doubly.

Braunston locks are some of my favourites, being much shallower than those at Buckby, and far easier to operate. Again there was very heavy traffic going the opposite way, but initially we started the descent alone. We did catch another boat after a bit though, and shared for the remainder.

Straight through Braunston and turn right onto the Northern Oxford. Yet again much traffic towards us, but we had an unimpeded run through to Hillmorton. Charlie got a long walk with Cath, who I was surprised didn't ask to be picked up again sooner.

Padlocked paddles on half the locks

Hillmorton locks are paired, and normally some of the busiest in the country. To limit lock uses BW currently have one of each pair locked out of use, We feared long queues, but need not have worried. Clearly boat numbers are down, and we only had to wait for a couple of boats ahead.

The couple on the boat following us down approached us and said that it was their first ever lock - would we mind showing them how to do it? Cath stayed with them, working down a couple of locks, to make sure that they felt confident. A lovely couple, and it's nice when beginners feel that they can ask for assistance.

Hillmorton Top Lock(s)

These are very picturesque locks, and it is a route we have seldom used, although, unusually we have already passed them once this year, in the other direction, collecting Sickle.

Leaving a Hillmorton Lock

By now we were running well ahead of our expected schedule, so decided to carry on right past Rugby, to Newbold, where we knew a Co-Op would provide supplies.

I really must organise having a shave!

Weedon (Grand Union) to Newbold (Northern Oxford)
Miles: 20.3, Locks: 16
Total Miles: 64.4, Total Locks:39

A windy day - Linford to Weedon Bec

2011-08-08T22:00:00.028+01:00

(Boat Chalice - posted by Cath - again)

I took Charlie for a fairly extended walk through the parkland, then back along the other side of the canal. Alan did various engine checks - the fan belt had become loose, and he wanted to check it.

Unfortunately, we had moored next to a wasp's nest, so Alan opened the back of the boat up to find wasps crawling all over the roof. He managed to fix the fan belt without getting stung, and we headed off - with wasps realising one by one that they were getting further from home - the last few needed a bit of a push to get rid of them.

"Greenock" and "Bordesley" near Blisworth

I steered for a long way around the northern reaches of Milton Keynes - although the wind made it quite difficult, and you needed to keep a bit of speed on even when passing boats, to stop the boat drifting.

At Stoke Bruerne Alan took over steering, and David and I worked the boat up through the locks. Once again we worked up with another boat with an efficient crew. Then, on through the tunnel.

"Clover" and "Fazeley" head South, well loaded.

We kept going, thinking that we would get to Weedon, which we did at shortly after 6 pm. We moored on the embankment, although it was at the same level as the trains passing through, and was quite noisy.

Possibly the most interesting thing at the "Heart of England" pub.

We got changed, and headed off to the pub - we had decided to go to a 'Two for One' pub, as Alan and I had had some reasonable veggie meals in the one in Braunston. However, the service was extremely slow, we had to go and ask for them to come and take our food order, and they forgot to bring us one of the side orders (although they did not try to charge us for it). The food was really not particularly inspiring, and David's pint of orange juice was a staggering £7.20. OK, they had made it up out of mixer bottles, but it would have been nice to be told that they would have to do that. Not somewhere we'll be rushing back to.

We were wavering about where to go tomorrow. The original plan had been to go up the Northern Oxford, but measures due to limited water were making us wonder. Alan posted a question on the Canal World Forums to try and help us ascertain what the actual situation was, so we could make an informed decision.

Despite the West Coast Mainline next door, we slept well.

Great Linford to Weedon
Miles: 22.7, Locks:8
Total Miles: 44.1, Total Locks:23

Beginning the summer trip

2011-08-07T22:00:00.004+01:00

(Boat Chalice - posted by Cath - whatever it says at the bottom!)

Saturday 6th August

We usually have a very clear idea of where we are intending to go on our summer trips, although it is not unusual to find ourselves turning in the opposite direction to 'homeward', when we ought to be getting back. However, this time we aren't sure at all. The reason is the continuing drought. Two of the three routes to the Midlands are suffering water shortages, and locks are being restricted, so we are going to set off, and see where we get to.

Night time trip boat

We had needed to sort a few things out, so stayed at home for two weeks after the end of term. Although we got away on Sickle to the Linslade canal festival for a couple of nights last weekend we knew that if we wanted to get away then we had to just pack up and get gone. We rushed around packing things and finally turned up on Chalice at about 9 pm. We threw bags into lockers and cupboards, not really packing things away, just so that we didn't trip over things, and put some pizzas in the oven. At about 11 pm we heard loud 1980's music, and had one of the local trip boats come past the mooring with a party of revellers - although they looked pretty tired by the time that they came by us.

Off to bed, although Alan woke early, and drove back home to pick up the things that we had forgotten - like a plank (if there is a water shortage, we might find ourselves some distance from the bank).

Sunday 7th August

Passing the Narrow Boat Trust's "Nuneaton" and "Brighton"

Set off early, the day bright, but windy, and were caught up with by another boat when we got to the first lock. We travelled through several locks with them, until we got to the outskirts of Leighton Buzzard. Unusually it was a busy day for the southern Grand Union, with many more boats moving about than usual. I walked Charlie down through the Seabrook locks, only to have him leap in for a swim just above the bottom lock. To dry him off I decided to walk him down to the Ivinghoe locks - but with one moment of my inattention he jumped back in again - I gave up at that point.

Through Three Locks

The rain started as we got to Leighton, and I steered past the empty moorings which had been packed with bunting strewn boats only last week. Alan filled up our water tank while I went and got supplies at the big Tesco, and then we carried on again.

Charlie through Milton Keynes

It was still quite early when we got to Fenny, where we often moor on the journey north, so we decided to press on to Bridge 83, another favourite mooring spot. However, a bit of thinking meant that if we carried on even further, then we might be able to make Weedon Bec the following day - so Alan steered as I tried hard to make 'toad in the hole'. This takes a bit of ingenuity on a boat, as due to the slope from front to rear, it's not uncommon for one person to get a bit of dry sausage in a burnt layer of pancake, while the others get a mattress of partially cooked batter. I solved the problem by wedging a fork under one end of the pan, and turning it every 5 minutes until it began to set. It wasn't a total success (as there was a lot stuck to the pan) - but much better than last time.

in Great Linford

Alan spotted a space on the short term moorings at Great Linford, so we stopped, as we have often wondered about the place. After dinner we took Charlie for a walk in the parklands. Quite amazing, it's like something out of a Jane Austen novel (although with my limited knowledge of architecture I guess the buildings are probably closer to 300 years old than 200).

Charlie thought it was amazing, but given his propensity for plunging into any muddy ditch for a swim these days, he needed to stay on his lead.

Back of the Alms Houses and School House 1696 (I think)

Great Linford Church

in Great Linford

School House and Alms Houses

Back at the boat I spent some time planning for my new courses in September, then fairly late to bed. Once again, I slept like a log.

Cook's Wharf to Great Linford
Miles: 21.4, Locks: 15
Total Miles: 21.4, Total Locks:15