Narrowboat Morgana Le Fey

Thawed out

2012-02-18T14:56:00.000Z

By Tuesday this week the ice had at last disappeared from the canal at Batchworth so we decided to carry on with our plan of heading back to Cassiobury Park. The canal was ice free as far as Lot Mead Lock but above that there was still a lot of ice, it had been broken up by at least one boat going through but there were still lot of sheets about three quarters of an inch thick and about twelve foot square. We slowly made our way up to Common Moor, nudging sheets of ice gently out of our way, up through the lock through more ice and then, where the river joins the canal for a while, it was ice free to Cassiobridge Lock.

A bit of good timing meant that we were able to share the lock with another boat who was just heading for the waterpoint above the lock. From the lock I could see a space to moor by Rousebarn bridge and also that there was a lot of ice still beyond the bridge so we decided to stop there.

We paid a visit to Bob and Babs, who live just a short walk over the hill, then on Friday Babs brought two of her grandchildren, Robbie and Katie to visit. They seemed fascinated by the boat and the cats!

We will probably move up to our favourite spot in Cassiobury Park either tomorrow or Monday.

Since my last post we have travelled 3.1 miles and 4 locks

This year we have travelled 7.4 miles and 10 locks

In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels

In 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 1209.1 miles, 1096 locks, 56 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 40 tunnels

Frozen in

2012-02-03T17:15:00.001Z

Well, January was pretty uninteresting.

No luck for either of us with any work, we did manage to get a cheap deal that allowed us a trip to see the grandkids in Peterborough but apart from that we haven't been doing much.

We had considered heading north before the BW stoppage at Nash Mills started but then we heard that Tring Summit has been closed and drained to save water so we can't get much further north than Berkhampstead until they reopen that so we decided might as well potter around the southern end of the Grand Union until we can get past the summit.

We spent some time at Lot Mead just above Rickmansworth then last Monday came down to Batchworth intending to stock up, fill up our water etc and head back to Cassiobury Park for another couple of weeks before heading back down to Brentford, maybe having a look at the Slough Arm and maybe going in on the Paddington Arm. Tuesday was washing day, then to the White Bear to meet some other boaters and a chap from NABO who was talking about BW becoming a charitable trust then Wednesday was shopping day and turn round. Except that it was blowing a gale and by the time I had managed to turn the boat around I was frozen and fed up so decided we would stay here, intending to move today when the winds had died down. Then last night the canal froze, not very thick but if it is frozen here only 50 yards from where the river is creating a flow it is probably very solid further up. There has been no movement on the canal at all today so I am guessing it is pretty solid everywhere.

It looks like we could be here for another week at least.

So far this year we have travelled 4.3 miles and 6 locks

In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels

In 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 1206 miles, 1092 locks, 56 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 40 tunnels

Tale of woe

2011-12-26T12:41:00.001Z

My last post was fairly optimistic, Ray was working, all was well. All that changed on December 10th when I managed to total my car! Black ice + bend + brick wall !! One of those silly incidents, luckily at low speed so no damage to me. If it had been a more expensive car it might have been worth repairing but £600 of repairs on a car which only cost £400 didn't seem worth paying out. What made it worse was the fact that just we had paid nearly £200 to replace the exhaust. Losing the car has meant that Ray is now not working, but we are still both looking. Being without a car has also made things a bit harder when it comes to visiting family. We had planned to spend Christmas aboard anyway but now visiting Mandy for New Year is off the agenda.

We are moored by Cassiobury Park so have a nice view out of our windows, no houses! We had a quiet but enjoyable day yesterday with lots of good food and drink. Not many presents but being together is what counts.
We haven't travelled much this month. Just pottering around the Watford and Rickmansworth area. I can't believe the contrast in the weather to last year. There were buds on the honeysuckle in the cottage garden by Lot Mead Lock last week.

Since my last post we have travelled 4.6 miles and 7 locks

This year we have travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 1192.1 miles, 1093 locks, 58 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 40 tunnels

Hanging around

2011-11-22T18:28:00.000Z

Time to move a little way just to keep BW happy. The rules say 14 days in any one place then you must move to the next parish/village on your journey so as we had been moored at Grove Mill for just over three weeks we thought we should move. Our water tanks were running low anyway!

On Saturday we moved down to Cassiobury Park then yesterday we carried on to Common Moor, our old mooring spot from a couple of years back, pausing only to fill our water tanks at Cassiobridge Lock.
Ray has managed to get some work so we may be a bit better off but that depends on how much work he gets. No luck on the job front for me but I'm a bit restricted as Ray needs the car so anything I do has to be walking distance or public transport.

Nothing much to report, we had a nice Sunday dinner with Bob and Babs a couple of weeks ago, time goes so quickly, I can't believe it less than five weeks to Christmas.

Since my last post we have travelled 2.6 miles and 4 locks

So far this year we have travelled 456.8 miles, 437 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 1187.5 miles, 1086 locks, 58 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 40 tunnels

We're Back!!

2011-10-28T17:05:00.000+01:00

After one year, seven months and thirteen days we are back where we started!

Well, not quite actually because we started from Cassiobridge Lock near Croxley and we have stopped at Grove Mill which is four locks and about two miles from there but this is one of our favourite spots so we are stopping here for now.

We had a leisurely cruise down from Kings Langley to here. I nearly stole a lock from a wide-beam, when the lock is against us I always check for incoming boats and if there is a bend I can't see round I watch the water for any sign of movement. The problem was that is was so sunny I couldn't see anything except the glare off of the water. I was just starting to fill the lock when they appear round the bend so I quickly dropped the paddles and let the small amount of water out of the lock. At least it meant I had help opening the top gate which was much appreciated as that particular one is very heavy.

When we had almost reached The Grove we started to wonder if we would get moored as there seem to be more moored boats than we remembered but we got 'our' spot opposite the weir at the mill.

We have already seen some of our old acquaintances, Dave with his terracotta (red oxide primer) coloured boat and Dawn and her sister on Green Howard, also the chap who owns the plot of land next to the mill, it is still for sale so I can still hope for a lottery win!

Today's journey 3.5 miles and 6 locks

So far this year we have travelled 454.2 miles, 433 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 1184.9 miles, 1082 locks, 58 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 40 tunnels

Catch up

2011-10-27T17:46:00.002+01:00

I managed to forget to blog our journey from Winkwell down to Boxmoor, It was uneventful apart from the low water level in the pound between Boxmoor Top Lock and Fishery Lock. Some British Waterways work boats that were heading up ran a lot of water through to stop themselves from going aground but the level was still about a foot down. Ray kept Morgana to the middle of the cut so no problem just "interesting".

We have spent the last couple of weeks moored at Boxmoor, Ray managed to get an alternator from the breakers for £15 then paid a local garage a couple of quid to swap the pulley from the old one to the 'new' one as the new pulley was too big. Anyway we are now back to normal as far as power is concerned so no more expensive petrol!

Less than a week now until we collect the car so yesterday it was time to start heading for Watford, as we have tickets booked on the train for next week. We only did the short hop down to the facilities and Sainsbury's at Apsley then today we carried on toward King's Langley. We stopped about a mile before reaching there as the weather was miserable. The forecast for tomorrow is better so we might make it to Grove Mill. We may stop there as we can hop on the bus to Watford Junction from there and it is a nice spot.

Since my last blog we have travelled 3.4 miles, 9 locks and 1 swing bridge

So far this year we have travelled 450.7 miles, 427 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 1181.4 miles, 1076 locks, 58 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 40 tunnels.

Crazy seasons!

2011-10-12T19:08:00.000+01:00

A long time ago when discussing the weather with an American friend whilst living in Maryland I explained that they had seasons, so they knew what weather to expect and in the UK we had weather. I cannot recall any time when this has been more apparent.

Yesterday, whilst enjoying the 'autumnal' sunshine I picked blackberries, saw sloes, hawthorn berries, conkers and the turning leaves. All very appropriate. However, I also saw lots of butterflies, ladybirds, honeysuckle, forget-me-nots and cowslips, I also picked strawberries from my still flowering strawberry plants, hardly right for the season. What makes it more confusing is the weather forecasters dire warnings of snow by the beginning of next month and a winter colder than the last. If that is to be the case we will experience a drastic change in the next eighteen days, and the forecast I look at on line says the temperatures will remain in the mid-to-high teens until at least Saturday!

We continued our progress southwards, uneventfully, to Winkwell where we moored for the night. Tomorrow's journey will probably be our last for a couple of weeks unless we can pick up a cheap alternator at a breakers yard. Paying for diesel to cruise and petrol to provide us with power just gets too expensive. We intend to moor at Boxmoor which gives us reasonable access to shops and the necessary boaters facilities like rubbish disposal without being too much in a built up area. We will probably move down to Watford before the end of the month and then go and collect my car.

Today's journey 2.5 miles and 8 locks

So far this year we have travelled 447.3 miles, 418 locks, 2 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 1178 miles, 1067 locks, 57 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 40 tunnels

A day of mishaps

2011-10-09T15:37:00.003+01:00

We travelled down into Berkhamstead today.

Our first "mishap" is fairly serious, it looks as if our alternator has given up, that means we aren't charging our batteries so no power! We can charge our batteries from our generator but as that is petrol not diesel it gets very expensive. We now not only have the problem of finding a replacement alternator we also have to find the money to pay for it!

Our second "mishap" is a lot less urgent and cheaper to remedy, I managed to lose our "handcuff key" while walking between the locks, less than a fiver and probably not needed until next year as I think it is only the Birmingham and Manchester areas that use them to secure the lock mechanisms against vandals.

Our third "mishap" was merely painful as I managed to bang my knee when I was tying up when we moored leaving me with a nice bruise!

Today's journey 1.6 miles and 4 locks

So far this year we have travelled 444.8 miles, 410 locks, 2 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 1175.5 miles, 1059 locks, 57 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 40 tunnels.

Over the summit

2011-10-08T17:26:00.001+01:00

Today we travelled through Marsworth over Tring Summit and started on the long run down to Brentford, although we probably won't go that far just yet. We will definitely stop off in the Watford area for a few weeks and if the weather forecast is right will probably get stuck there until after Christmas. If we are going to have weeks of very sub zero weather it will make any plans to go visiting difficult as we won't be able to leave the kittens in an unheated boat.

Not many people were travelling today and we had the locks to ourselves. We did pass the coal boat in Marsworth, we waited a while for her at the bottom lock but she didn't catch up with us so I guess she had lots of customers. All the live aboard boats now have their roofs full of coal and logs ready for the winter.

We moored for the night near Northchurch ready for the run into Berkhamstead tomorrow. I'm still fighting my cold but beginning to feel a bit better..

Today's journey 6.7 miles and 12 locks

So far this year we have travelled 443.2 miles, 406 locks, 2 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 1173.9 miles, 1053 locks, 57 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 40 tunnels

Good progress

2011-10-07T17:53:00.002+01:00

Even though I wasn't feeling brilliant we made good progress today.

We were joined by Liz and Steve aboard RiverNile which made the locks easier. Liz and I walked between locks while Ray and Steve cruised. The weather was kind and the rain held off. They were heading for Tring as Liz has to travel into London tomorrow so we parted company before Marsworth Locks.

I had forgotten how many moored boats there are when you get this far south, I suppose a lot of people are mooring up for the winter or only travelling the minimum now. We managed to find a mooring spot just before the first Marsworth Lock.

Today's journey 3.3 miles, 7 locks and 1 swing bridge

So far this year we have travelled 436.5 miles, 394 locks, 2 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 1167.2 miles, 1041 locks, 57 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 40 tunnels

Plans scuppered!

2011-10-06T14:50:00.002+01:00

After a broken night's sleep we decided to brave the wind and move on. I wasn't feeling brilliant, I think Mandy has passed her cold on to me. After a mere two locks I decided I had had enough so we gave up and moored between Grove and Slapton.

We discovered today that our plans had been scuppered. We had planned to go down the Aylesbury Arm as a side trip on our way southwards but found out today that it is closed due to low water.

Today's journey 2.1 miles and 2 locks

So far this year we have travelled 433.2 miles, 387 locks, 1 swing bridge, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 1163.9 miles, 1034 locks, 56 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 40 tunnels

Through Leighton Buzzard

2011-10-05T18:13:00.001+01:00

I guess that summer is over now, the temperature has dropped and the wind is blowing a gale. Looking at the weather forecast we have the wind for the next few days so we probably will only travel short distances.

We managed the three locks without too many problems in spite of the wind, then carried on to Leighton Buzzard where we stopped briefly to pick up the things I managed to miss off of Monday's shopping list the carried on to below Grove Lock for the night. High winds and rain forecast for tonight, oh fun!

Today's journey 5.6 miles and 4 locks

So far this year we have travelled 431.1 miles, 385 locks, 1 swing bridge, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 1161.8 miles, 1032 locks, 56 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 40 tunnels

Still enjoying the sunshine

2011-10-03T17:25:00.002+01:00

On Friday I took a trip into Central Milton Keynes, spent very little money but walked miles.

We carried on enjoying the sunshine over the weekend, visiting Willen Lake on Saturday with the kids. It was very busy there, hardly surprising with the weather. The pub there was unbelievably busy, no doubt they had laid off all their summer staff! We had a lovely day, enjoying a picnic and a stroll around the lakes.

Today moved on so we could go shopping in Fenny Stratford then moved on to below Soulbury Locks for the night. My knees are complaining about the amount of walking I have done over the past few days so I think I will need a lazy day tomorrow.

Today's journey 7.3 miles, 2 locks and 1 swing bridge

So far this year we have travelled 425.5 miles, 381 locks, 1 swing bridge, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 1156.2 miles, 1028 locks, 56 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 40 tunnels

More sunshine

2011-09-29T17:23:00.000+01:00

Another unseasonably sunny day saw us complete our journey to Milton Keynes where we are meeting Mandy, Tony and the kids on Saturday. The weather forecast is for more of the same so a picnic at Willen Lake sounds like a good idea.

I probably commented on our journey northwards that the canal skirts round the edge of Milton Keynes and is surprisingly rural for much of the journey. We moored near Woolstone as that is the closest point to Willen Lake, about 20 yards from our mooring is one of the possible points where the Bedford and Milton Keynes Canal will join the Grand Union, if it ever gets built! Last I heard construction was to start in 2011 and so far nothing has happened, there are still issues with some parts of the route. It is hoped it will be complete by 2031 but I won't hold my breathe!

We will now have a couple of days moored up and continue our journey on Sunday, but probably only as far as Fenny Stratford so I can stock up a bit at Asda.

Today's journey 9.9 miles and 1 lock

So far this year we have travelled 418.2 miles, 379 locks, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 1148.9 miles, 1026 locks, 55 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 40 tunnels

It's a hard life, but somebody's got to do it

2011-09-28T16:56:00.000+01:00

You wake up in the morning, sun streaming though the windows, beautiful green countryside, ducks swimming past, a kestrel hunting in the field opposite, trees along the towpath laden with apples, sloes, rosehips and haws. After a leisurely breakfast you set off with the sunlight sparkling on the water at a sedate three miles per hour (or thereabouts). Hard life isn't it!

We cruised down to Blisworth tunnel in the company of two historic boats and one hire boat from Leighton Buzzard, then followed through at a reasonable pace to Stoke Bruerne, where we paired up with the hire boat to work our way down through the seven Stoke Bruerne Locks. The sunshine had brought the gongoozlers out and the cameras were clicking on the way down through the locks.

Nothing much else to say about the day, just another lazy day in the sunshine. We moored about 4 miles north of the northern edge of Milton Keynes.

Today's journey 8.3 miles, 7 locks and 1 tunnel

So far this year we have travelled 408.3 miles, 378 locks, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 1139 miles, 1025 locks, 55 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 40 tunnels

Ever southwards

2011-09-27T20:17:00.001+01:00

The wonderful Indian summer continues, where was this weather in July? I'm not complaining, I can enjoy it as much now as I would have then.

After months of not seeing a 'coal' boat we have seen two in the past four days, The Grand Union seems much better served than most canals. We bought a gas cylinder and a bag of coal before we moved off this morning. The coal seems redundant with temperatures in the mid twenties but as it is nearly October I thought we should start building up our stock. I don't suppose it will be that long before I want a fire that will stay in overnight.

Today was a beautiful day for cruising and we enjoyed a short cruise down to Gayton, stopping about a mile short of the junction with the Virgin trains for company. We enjoyed an afternoon sitting out on the towpath just chilling.

Today's journey 6 miles

This year we have travelled 400 miles, 371 locks, 34 lift bridges and 14 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 1130.7 miles, 1018 locks, 55 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 39 tunnels

Back in familiar territory

2011-09-26T17:55:00.001+01:00

Today almost had that "end of holiday" feel to it. After eighteen months of travelling canals that were mostly new territory we reached Brauston and were back on the Grand Union South where we have travelled before, not only on or outgoing journey last year but also on holiday when we were moored at Nottingham, when we brought Destiny down to Watford and when we first acquired Morgana.

The glorious weather continues and we journied up through Braunston Locks, through the tunnel and then continued down through the locks Buckby Locks. We had company for all of the locks, just as well because BW are asking you to wait up to an hour before you go through alone due to water shortages. The levels don't seem to be low but we do as we are told! We moored eventually at Weedon after a tiring day's cruising.

Today's journey 13.1 miles, 13 locks and 1 tunnel

So far this year we have travelled 394 miles, 371 locks, 34 lift bridges and 14 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 1124.7 miles, 1018 locks, 55 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 39 tunnels

Enjoying the sunshine

2011-09-23T22:17:00.000+01:00

We started out this morning in sunshine!
Up through Calcutt locks, pausing between 1 and 2 to fuel up, at a fairly reasonable price, then onwards to Napton Junction. We had decided to stop before we reach Braunston Junction. We will probably have a couple of days off as it is time for washing and boat cleaning and this is a nice spot. This afternoon we did a bit of reorganising and tidying but the washing can wait until tomorrow.

Ray has been catching up with family by phone, a great rarity!

The weather forecast is good for the next few days so we should get some good cruising in. It looks as if it will be the last week of October before we reach Watford.

Today's journey 3.1 miles and 3 locks

This year we have travelled 380.9 miles, 358 locks, 34 lift bridges and 13 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 1111.6 miles, 1005 locks, 55 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 38 tunnels

1000 locks

2011-09-22T19:34:00.001+01:00

We have now done over 1000 locks since Ray retired, that's a lot of winding of paddle gear and pushing of lock gates!

We moved on to reach Calcutt locks today, as we were leaving our moorings we saw a boat approaching from behind. We would wait for them after the second lock as we were hoping to get diesel from the boatyard there. Unfortunately they no longer sell diesel so we will have to get some from Calcutt's tomorrow morning, While we were at the second lock the boat behind caught up with us, in fact there were two boats, one of which was Phoenix, who we had moored next to in Warwick.

They went past us while we investigated the diesel situation, then we followed them up the Stockton flight. We all thought that there was another boat coming but even though we took the flight slowly to allow them to catch up so we could share the locks we were half way up before they reached the bottom. I guess they must have stopped at the boatyard or for water.

Phoenix and their travelling companion stopped for lunch at the top of Stockton but we carried on to Calcutt where they passed us mid-afternoon. We won't see them again this year as they are heading south on the Oxford Canal while we head for Braunston and then south on the Grand Union.

Today's journey 3.9 miles and 10 locks

So far this year we have travelled 377.8 miles, 355 locks, 34 lift bridges and 13 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 1108.5 miles, 1002 locks, 55 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 38 tunnels

Radford Semele to Long Itchington, almost

2011-09-21T18:46:00.000+01:00

After sitting out some wild, wet and windy weather yesterday we woke up this morning to sunshine and so it was time to move on. We need to reach a boatyard in the next couple of days as our diesel is running a bit low.

We travelled through the first three locks of the day, now climbing upwards again, then we stopped to take on water at Fosse Wharf. We seemed to be travelling against the flow of traffic, plenty of boats heading towards Warwick but nothing heading our way. not a bad thing as it meant either the locks were in our favour or there was a boat coming down through the lock so less work for me as they could leave the gate open as they left. We met our first wide-beam, on the move, for over a year.

The rain and wind had brought a lot of leaves and twigs down, and there was a lot of small debris in the canal so, inevitably, our weed filter got blocked. Ray now has clearing it down to a fine art! We completed our journey for the day up through the Bascote and just about half a mile beyond. So not quite at Long Itchington but within easy reach for tomorrow and hopefully getting diesel there.

Today's journey 3.9 miles and 10 locks

So far this year we have travelled 373.9 miles, 345 locks, 34 lift bridges and 13 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 1104.6 miles, 992 locks, 55 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 38 tunnels

Not very far

2011-09-19T16:45:00.000+01:00

I didn't bother to post yesterday as we moved less than a mile, just from Saltisford Basin up to the Cape.

Today we didn't put in much cruising time as it was time for a Tesco stock-up. We left our moorings this morning and headed down through the two Cape locks, then moored again just over a mile further on to go to Tesco. We couldn't get on the Tesco moorings as they were full so we had to lug all our shopping over the bridge, but I now shouldn't need anything much until we reach Milton Keynes. I like shopping in 'local' shops but they can be expensive for a 'big' shop.

After that it was on through the rest of Warwick, past Leamington Spa and out into the country near Radford Semele. I would have liked to see what Leamington had to offer but I think the cats would have gone mad if we had moored another night in town. We will have to visit next time we pass this way.

Tomorrow's weather forecast is for rain and more rain so we will probably stay here until Wednesday.

Today's (and yesterday's) journey 5.6 miles and 2 locks

So far this year we have travelled 370 miles, 335 locks, 34 lift bridges and 13 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 1100.7 miles, 982 locks, 55 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 38 tunnels

Warwick

2011-09-16T21:05:00.000+01:00

This morning it was time to tackle the 21 locks down into Warwick. We got ourselves organised and moved down to the lock moorings to wait for another boat to share the locks with. We didn't have to wait long before being joined by Mike and Sue aboard Ta Jo. They moor on the Stratford canal and I remembered seeing their boat because of it's unusual name.

We soon established a pattern, as Sue has a bike she was cycling ahead to prepare the next lock while I let the boats out and closed up. It worked really well. The two boats coming down behind us caught up with us but that wasn't surprising as they had four crew in addition to their steerers. Once the caught up their crew were kindly closing up behind us allow me to walk on, making it quicker for all of us. We then caught up with the two boats that were ahead of us, who were very slow. We made it down the flight it just over three hours, which isn't bad.

We then parted company with Ta Jo as we had decided to moor in Saltisford Basin and they were going on to the Cape about a mile further along the cut. The basin was very crowded and we breasted up next to Phoenix, who we had met yesterday, very carefully as they have a new paint job which is still a little soft two weeks after completion. No exploring today as I feel exhausted!

Tomorrow it will be time to explore Warwick, probably just wandering as I remember the castle is prohibitively expensive. We might move on on Sunday or maybe Monday.

Today's journey 2.1 miles and 21 locks

So far this year we have travelled 364.4 miles, 333 locks, 34 lift bridges and 13 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 1095.1 miles, 980 locks, 55 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 38 tunnels.

Hatton Flight in view

2011-09-15T20:11:00.003+01:00

After a day off yesterday to do some much needed maintenance and a bit of craftwork we headed off this morning in sunshine for Hatton. We intended a very lazy day, just travelling to the top of the flight ready to tackle the 21 locks tomorrow. I took a walk to the village shop in Shrewley while Ray took the boat through the tunnel, there is actually a tunnel on part of the horse path too! I stocked up on a few essentials then met Ray at the other end of the tunnel. A cup of coffee later we carried on to the moorings at the top of Hatton flight. After so long on narrow locks it is quite daunting to see the great flight of broad locks ahead of us down the hill.

We took a walk to see what we would be facing, the paddle gear seems to need a lot of turns but also looks fairly easy. We will probably hang around to see if anyone else is heading down tomorrow morning, sharing locks saves water and will also mean less work.

Today's journey 3.8 miles and 1 tunnel

So far this year we have travelled 362.3 miles, 312 locks, 34 lift bridges and 13 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 1093 miles, 959 locks, 55 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 38 tunnels

Up the Junction

2011-09-13T19:24:00.001+01:00

After an uneventful night, no loud crashes or tidal waves from falling willow trees, we pulled pins and headed for Kingswood Junction and beyond.

Compared to previous days there were a lot of boats on the move, probably because the weather was better. Progress was slow but we made it to Kingswood in reasonable time and then cut through the Lapworth Link to the Grand Union. We have decided to head 'straight' back to Watford as the long range weather forecast doesn't encourage us to plan any lengthy detours. So it is Grand Union all the way with the possibility of a trip down the Aylesbury Arm when we get there.

We moored for the night about a mile beyond the junction, ending up a mere 1.4 miles as the crow flies from where we moored last night. This is because the Stratford and Grand Union Canals run almost parallel to each other at this point.

Today's journey 3 miles and 9 locks

So far this year we have travelled 358.5 miles, 312 locks, 34 lift bridges and 12 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 1089.2 miles, 959 locks, 55 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 37 tunnels

I wouldn't moor there!

2011-09-12T18:37:00.003+01:00

We decided against moving yesterday as the weather was rather miserable but for once the weather forecast for today was right. It said that the wind would ease after lunchtime and it did.

So we made a late start and headed for Lowsonford, only seven locks and within striking distance of the junction for tomorrow. We made reasonable progress, got rid of our rubbish and negotiated the last lock of the day. I could see a nice gap in the moored boats, opposite the pub, looks like a good spot I said. We manouvered into the space, pulled the boat as far forward out of the shadow of the large willow tree on the opposite bank as we could, so our solar panels would get the sunlight and then the landlord of the pub appeared. He pointed upwards at the willow, explaining that it was in danger of falling into the canal after the strong winds, discretion was the better part of valour and we moved a bit further up the bank.

Hopefully we will make it up to the junction tomorrow.

Today's journey 4 miles and 7 locks

So far this year we have travelled 350.5 miles, 303 locks, 34 lift bridges and 12 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 1086.2 miles, 950 locks, 55 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 37 tunnels

Back to Wootton Wawen

2011-09-10T18:53:00.000+01:00

The promised improvement in the weather failed to materialise so we set off this morning still battling with the wind. The Laughing Cavalier, who was moored behind us, set off at the same time as us, they offered to let us go up the locks first but I was glad we declined. They had a booking for lunch and the gentleman very kindly reset the locks for me before moving on except when we met oncoming boats.

After the eleven locks we did a bit of offside foraging as there were some apple trees and plum trees overhanging the canal. The plums were past their best, several had rotted on the tree but we managed to get a few. I forgot to mention we also got some wild greengages a few days ago which I made into jam. We now have damson jam, bramble jelly, greengage jam, damson vodka, damson gin and damson brandy. Sloe gin and vodka to follow, also apple and blackberry jam and plum jam.

At our last lock of the day we met a party of walkers who were eager to do the lock gates for me, well I wasn't going to complain was I!

We moored up in the same spot where we stopped on the way down to Stratford, luckily before it started raining.

Today's journey 5.4 miles and 12 locks

So far this year we have travelled 346.5 miles, 296 locks, 34 lift bridges and 12 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 1082.2 miles, 943 locks, 55 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 37 tunnels

On the edge

2011-09-07T18:04:00.012+01:00

After a couple of days on the 48 hour moorings in the basin at Stratford we did the short hop out to the A46 bridge on the edge of Stratford.

Stratford has gone downhill since last time I visited. It was, inevitably, always touristy but 20 years ago it maintained some historic town charm. In the past it did have some interesting shops and pubs but now you can't move without falling over a souvenir shop or someone offering a walking tour of the town. It's alright if you have lots of money to spend and want to eat out, which we don't. I was happy to abandon the town center and moor at the foot of the eleven Wilmcote locks.

Tomorrow will be washing day, then another day to try and get it dry so it will be Saturday before we move on.

Today's journey 1.6 miles and 5 locks

So far this year we have travelled 341.1 miles, 284 locks, 34 lift bridges and 12 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 1076.8 miles, 931 locks, 55 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 37 tunnels

Stratford-on-Avon

2011-09-05T18:35:00.001+01:00

The weather forecast for the next few days is not nice, today is better than most but tomorrow gusts up to 45 mph are forecast, not a day to be cruising!

Based on the above we decided to do the run into Stratford today, lots more locks and not a lot of miles. The wind was making life difficult, the lock gates either blew shut and were impossible to open or blew open and were impossible to close. Twice an oncoming boat 'stole'our lock, the wind caught Morgana at a bridgehole, taking her off course, causing Merlin to swing and hit the bridge breaking one of the towing straps. When we reached the last lock before the basin, I had walked back to close the gate at the previous lock behind Morgana only to hear Ray shout, someone was about to raise the bottom paddle to empty the lock we were about to enter, the wind had closed the gate. What made it worse was the fact that the top paddles were still open so she was in danger of draining the pound! They had brought their boat under the bridge below the lock without checking that they could enter the lock. This meant they had to reverse back out from the bridge so we could go through the lock. All good fun!

When at last we entered the basin, struggling to manoeuvre because of the wind, there was suddenly smoke and an electrical burning smell!! In the short time it took for me to grab the tiller as Ray rushed to find the problem the wind took us and we were blown alongside another boat. The electrical fault was only a switch that had shorted but it was very scary! We then had great fun trying to reach the pontoons to moor, a case of 'if I was going there I wouldn't start from here', but with the aid of a couple of other boaters we eventually got moored.

We are definitely staying here tomorrow!

Today's journey 6.9 miles and 17 locks

So far this year we have travelled 339.5 miles, 279 locks, 34 lift bridges and 12 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 1075.2 miles, 926 locks, 55 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 37 tunnels

Wootton Wawen and beyond

2011-09-04T17:21:00.003+01:00

After our exertions of yesterday we started out a little later today.

We had a slow journey as there were lots of boats on the move and the locks here are slow to fill and empty. It looks as if the blackberries may be worth picking in about a week so we may get some on the way back, there are some elderberries that look about ripe too. I seem to have missed the rowan berries though, maybe next year. I found a few cob nuts, but they aren't ready for harvesting yet either.

We managed to reach Wootton Wawen by about three, paid a visit to the farm shop and craft centre, then moved on about half a mile so we were away from roads so the cats could go out. As we are planning a couple of nights in the basin at Stratford they will probably be stir crazy before next time they have their freedom.

Today's journey 4.5 miles and 9 locks

So far this year we have travelled 332.6 miles, 262 locks, 34 lift bridges and 12 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 1068.3 miles, 909 locks, 55 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 37 tunnels

27 locks before lunch

2011-09-03T17:38:00.003+01:00

OK, it was a late lunch, but still not bad going.

We started out this morning at about nine and I had to pause to take a photo of Morgana (formerly Nanshe) passing Nanshe as we approached Lapworth Top Lock.

After that it was the long haul down the first eighteen locks to Kingswood Junction, a pause for dumping the rubbish and then on again down another nine locks. The Stratford Canal isn't very mooring friendly, I don't expect, or want beautifully mown banks with mooring rings everywhere but foliage less than five feet high so you can actually find the bank would be useful. It is a very tranquil canal though. We eventually moored just short of Lowsonford at about two thirty. I was feeling rather tired even with Ray helping me at many of the locks. I actually abdicated from lock duty at a couple of locks and took the tiller instead.

We are now a couple of days from Stratford-on-Avon where we will spend a few days.

Today's journey 3.2 miles and 27 locks

So far this year we have travelled 328.1 miles, 253 locks, 34 lift bridges and 12 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 1063.8 miles, 900 locks, 55 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 37 tunnels

An interesting meeting

2011-09-02T21:55:00.000+01:00

We have had a couple of 'cruise-free' days and enjoyed a visit from Mandy, Tony, Mikey and Dani. We went for a picnic, played games in the park then went for a meal at the pub, a good time was had by all! This morning I woke up feeling a bit achy but that isn't that unusual.

We paid a brief visit to the craft centre and then decided to head for the top of the Lapworth Locks. It wasn't very far but we plan to work our way through the locks tomorrow. I did my good deed for the day at the first of the two lift bridges as having lifted the bridge three other boats went through saving them some work. The favour was returned at the second bridge when one of the other boats worked the bridge and we cruised straight through. We moored just short of Lapworth Top Lock and wandered back to chat to the chap on 'Warwick' who sells fenders and other boat bits, I treated us to another mooring hook which I have been intending to buy for ages.

As it was a sunny afternoon we decided to take a walk down part of the flight, just for a stroll to buy an ice cream.

Moored by the top lock was a narrowboat called Nanshe, noteworthy because that was Morgana's name before we renamed her. I didn't think much more of it at the time. When we got back Nimue had managed to get herself into the garden on the offside of the canal so Ray coaxed her back to the lock so she could get back to our side. After a coffee Ray went to pick some sloes we had seen and I went to relax to ease my aches. As I lay on the bed reading there was a knock on the boat. I emerged to be greeted by a pleasant couple who said "You must be Lez". I did a bit of a double take and they explain that they were Clive and Helen,(hope I remembered the names right) the second owners of Morgana, when she was Nanshe, and that Jill Sweeney the third owner had been following our blog and told them we were here.

We had a nice chat, they are the owner's of Nanshe that is moored near the lock and had seen Gwynie in their garden, I think the cats must recognise boat lovers. It is nice to know that Morgana's former owner's still care about her, I have always felt she was a cherished boat and obviously she was (and still is).

Tomorrow it will be time to get to grips with all those locks!

Today's journey 3.9 miles and 2 lift bridges

So far this year we have travelled 324.9 miles, 228 locks, 34 lift bridges and 12 tunnels.

Since Ray retired we have travelled 1060.6 miles, 873 locks, 55 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 37 tunnels

Just passing through

2011-08-30T21:33:00.010+01:00

Today was a lazy day for me, no locks!

This morning we headed through the Netherton tunnel, we have seen very few boats on the Stourbridge and Dudley canals so where did we meet one? Halfway through the Netherton tunnel! It is a nice wide tunnel but it is always nicer to go through tunnels without meeting on coming traffic. Once through the tunnel it was onto the mainline, into Gas Street Basin and onto the Worcester and Birmingham, all of which we did in the opposite direction last summer.

The canalscape around Birmingham is full of contrasts, the remnants of Birmingham's industrial past and the heyday of the canals set against the modern development of central Birmingham.

The junction with the Wednesbury Old Canal

Approaching the motorway bridge

The centre of Birmingham looms

The bulk of the ultra modern 'Cube' dwarfs the canal below

Just past Bournville at Kings Norton a left turn took us onto the Stratford Canal through the disused guillotine stop lock.

We continued, pausing only to stop the traffic at Shirley Drawbridge, until we reached Earlswood where we are meeting the Hobbins' on Thursday.

Today's journey 21.9 miles, 1 lift bridge and 5 tunnels

So far this year we have travelled 321 miles, 228 locks, 32 lift bridges and 12 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 1056.7 miles, 873 locks, 55 swing bridges, 36 lift bridges and 37 tunnels

Stourbridge and Dudley

2011-08-29T22:23:00.044+01:00

From the canal Stourbridge doesn't look too bad as these photos show.

The next one makes an interesting photo, a canal bridge over a dry canal?

No, look at the scale, it is just a little bridge over the run-off.

I love the attention to detail!

After spending far too much money yesterday, mainly Ray not me for a change, it was an early start to attack the Stourbridge Sixteen and the Delph Nine (which is only eight locks but was once nine).

We had no problems at the first lock (16) but at the next (15) the bottom gates refused to stay shut, luckily a towpath walker volunteered to lean on one for me so that we could get the lock filled. Locks 14 and 13 were fine but the pound between 13 and 12 was about 16 inches below the normal level. Our plan was to stop at the Red House Glass Cone Museum which has it's own moorings but initially it was impossible to get close enough to the side to moor and we ran aground. One of the crew from the boat that was following us up through the locks went ahead and started letting water down as they ran aground in the centre of the channel.

Eventually there was enough water to allow us to moor and them to get through the pound.

After a pleasant couple of hours looking at the history of glass, exploring the workshops and watching the glassblowers in action we had to continue our journey. I could have spent much longer there.

Red House Glass Cone

Looking back down the flight to the Cone

The remainder of the flight was uneventful but hard work. I am sure it was not just my imagination that the lock gates are exceptionally heavy. After all too brief a break The Dudley No. 1 canal and the Delph locks loomed before me but once we had negotiated them I had time to relax. Moorings are few and far between, I didn't fancy mooring by Merry Hill Shopping Centre so we carried on through Blowers Green Lock onto the Dudley No. 2 canal and found a mooring next to a park just before the Netherton tunnel.

Today's journey 8.2 miles and 25 locks

So far this year we have travelled 299.1 miles, 228 locks, 31 lift bridges and 7 tunnels.

Since Ray retired we have travelled 1034.8 miles, 873 locks, 55 swing bridges, 35 lift bridges and 32 tunnels.

Stourbridge, gateway to nowhere

2011-08-27T16:33:00.002+01:00

Yesterday we spent our time dodging the worst of the rain and managed to complete our journey to Stourbridge.

The weather, as usual couldn't make up it's mind whether to be fine or not but we stayed mainly dry. The last couple of miles were a little a bit dodgy as a radiator hose split causing us to lose water and so the engine temperature was a bit high. We managed to make it to the moorings in Stourbridge then Ray had to spend this morning searching for a appropriate bit of hose. None of the garage service places had any but a very kind mechanic at Nationwide Tyres said he had some at home which he offered to bring to the boat for us. There are some very nice people around! He dropped it off a little while ago and Ray is now fitting it.

Stourbridge is uninspiring, there are some nice bits of architecture but the overall impression is one of a place that had seen better days. Lots of derelict factories or warehouses and boarded up pubs and shops, and, no, they didn't have a riot here!

Tomorrow is the Bead Fair at the Bonded Warehouse where we will both spend too much money, me on beads and Ray on stuff for his glass bead making. Although after me having had a go at glass bead making while we were at Barry and Alex's place I suppose that is for both of us.

Monday will, hopefully, see us braving our way up the Stourbridge and Dudley flights, 25 locks, ready to run the gauntlet of Birmingham on Tuesday. After that we will be heading for Stratford-on-Avon.

Yesterday's journey 5.4 miles and 6 locks

So far this year we have travelled 290.9 miles, 203 locks, 31 lift bridges and 7 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 1026.6 miles, 848 locks, 55 swing bridges, 35 lift bridges and 32 tunnels

Thank you brother!!

2011-08-25T19:38:00.000+01:00

Yesterday I was feeling very pleased with having reached our 1000 miles. However, my brother has pointed out that this equates to 1.9 miles per day since we started our travels! I'm still pleased with the 1000 miles anyway and we have had breakdowns, being frozen in, me working for nearly four months and most recently a two week break to look after animals. I'm sure he will be happy to know we managed a lot more than 1.9 miles today.

After a night of rain we bid farewell to the Shroppie this morning in sunshine and started heading down the Staffs and Worcester. There was a fair amount of traffic and we did have a few delays at locks, most notably at the Bratch Locks where we had to wait for three boats to come up before we could head down. The weather was kind to us and we had a dry day of cruising eventually mooring below Greensforge Lock for the night, where we found some mirabelle plum trees. Most of the fruit wasn't quite ripe but I managed to gather about three pounds of ripe fruit before the heavens opened.

Today's journey 11.1 miles and 17 locks

So far this year we have travelled 285.8 miles, 197 locks, 31 lift bridges and 7 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 1021.2 miles, 842 locks, 55 swing bridges, 35 lift bridges and 32 tunnels

1000 miles !!!

2011-08-24T20:49:00.000+01:00

Today we reached the 1,000 mile mark on our travels, and there is still so much of the canal system for us to visit. We have decided a nice bottle of red will be opened tonight to mark the occasion.

We are still on target to reach Stourbridge for Saturday night, in fact we might reach there on Friday. We have moored at the end of the Shroppie, ready to go down the Staffs and Worcester tomorrow. It is just under a year since last time we headed south on the Staffs and Worcester but this time we will not be travelling the full length but diverting onto the Stourbridge Canal at Stourton.

Today was a fairly easy day for me, only one lock, although I did have to rescue a boat that had come loose from it's moorings, twice! The first time it was it's stern rope that was adrift and it was blocking the canal just above Wheaton Aston Lock, we were waiting to come up the lock so I went and helped pole it back across the canal and retie it's rear line. I should have thought to check the front rope! By the time the boat that was waiting to go down had descended and we had ascended, it was across the canal again, firmly secured by the stern but adrift at the front. A judicious nudge from Morgana and a bit of manoeuvring managed to bring the boat closer into the bank so Ray, assisted by another boater, managed to haul it in and retie the front rope. Apart from that it was an uneventful journey.

Today's journey 14.8 miles, 1 lock and 1 tunnel

So far this year we have travelled 274.7miles, 180 locks, 31 lift bridges and 7 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 1010.1 miles, 825 locks, 55 swing bridges, 35 lift bridges and 32 tunnels

On the move again

2011-08-23T19:38:00.001+01:00

We have spent the last couple of weeks looking after some pigs, chickens and dogs plus our cats of course.

Barry and Alex have been away in their caravan and we have been staying at their house. When they came back they were minus four pigs and one chicken. The pigs had been sold so that was OK but the chicken got into the dogs' run and they obviously fancied chicken for dinner, oops! It wasn't a major problem as it wasn't laying and was destined for the chop anyway. I also managed to make another 3lb of damson jam,a bottle of damson gin and a bottle of damson vodka.

While we were there Gwynie managed to give us a scare by staying out all night and not even coming back first thing in the morning, we thought we had lost her but she reappeared late in the afternoon.

In some ways it was nice not to have to worry about how much power we were using or whether we had enough water but I missed being on the boat and was very glad to be back and on the move again today.

We are hoping to make it to Stourbridge for Saturday night, it shouldn't be a problem unless the weather turns very nasty. Today we were travelling familiar territory, back up the Shroppie through Tyrley Locks, past the site of the rockfall, past the Anchor where we were frozen in last winter and on to Norbury Junction. We stopped for a chat with Mal Edwards at the Anchor and also saw Pete's boats but he wasn't around. We moored up for the night between Norbury and Gnosall. Tomorrow it will be on to Wheaton Aston to fill up with diesel and hopefully reaching the junction with the Staffs and Worcester for the night.

Today's journey 12 miles and 5 locks.

So far this year we have travelled 256.9 miles, 179 locks, 31 lift bridges and 6 tunnels.

Since Ray retired we have travelled 995.3 miles, 824 locks, 55 swing bridges, 35 lift bridges and 31 tunnels.

Market Drayton

2011-08-05T17:36:00.002+01:00

After a delicious breakfast of toast and homemade damson jam we pulled pins and headed for Market Drayton.

As it is only a short journey with no locks we were moored by lunchtime. I took a stroll into town, nothing has changed much since we were last here, the Netto is now Asda and the Barnado's charity shop has closed down but everything else seems much as I remember it from earlier in the year.

We will spend a few days busy doing nothing so no blogging for a while.

Today's journey 2.9 miles

So far this year we have travelled 244.9 miles, 174 locks, 31 lift bridges and 6 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 983.3 miles, 819 locks, 55 swing bridges, 35 lift bridges and 31 tunnels

Damson Jam

2011-08-04T18:55:00.001+01:00

The weather this morning was decidedly unpleasant for cruising so I took the time to make about three pounds of damson jam. I would have made more but I didn't have any more sugar. At the moment I have only tasted it warm, but it tastes delicious!! I'm looking forward to toast and jam for breakfast tomorrow.

Around three this afternoon the weather cheered up and we decided to do the short journey up through the last two Audlem locks and then the five locks at Adderley. It took us nearly an hour to gather up the three cats, they weren't happy that we had decided to cruise so late in the day and wanted carry on catching mice. There was just enough traffic on the canal to mean that I had help at most of the locks from the crew of a boat coming down which speeded things up.

When we reached the top lock at Adderley I couldn't resist buying a couple of slices of cake from the farm shop there, they display their goods beside the lock with an honesty box. I've had cake from them before and it is really tasty.

We decided to moor at Adderley for the night and carry on to Market Drayton tomorrow. We have plans to see Barry and Alex this weekend and Market Drayton is as good a place as any to meet them.

Today's journey 1.6 miles and 7 locks

So far this year we have travelled 242 miles, 174 locks, 31 lift bridges and 6 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 980.4 miles, 819 locks, 55 swing bridges, 35 lift bridges and 31 tunnels

Lots of locks

2011-08-03T19:58:00.003+01:00

We made a relatively early start today, I needed to stop in Audlem for a little bit of shopping, the newsagent there has a good selection of beading magazines. I also needed to (belatedly) post Tim's birthday card, I did ring him to wish him happy birthday and explain that we were about three miles from a post box.

We tackled the first three locks of the Audlem flight, then moored for me to do the bits I needed to do. After a coffee we pressed on and tackled the next ten locks of the flight leaving us just two to do tomorrow.

Where we moored above the lock there are a couple of damson trees, the towpath and bank were littered with damsons, most of those on the towpath were beyond redemption but those that had landed on the grass were perfect. Ray collected about five kilos of them while I was preparing dinner, they will become damson jam, damson gin, damson cheese and damson anything else I can think of!

The next story requires your visualisation skills.

Often when we moor dog owners are concerned that their dogs may chase and injure our cats. we always assure them that our cats can move fast enough to escape their dogs and if not they are capable of defending themselves. We had a wonderful illustration of this tonight.

Picture, if you will, a lively medium sized dog, enthusiastically barking and diving into the hedge where Lance had dissapeared to hunt for mice and voles. Imagine a couple of seconds later a yelp and the sight of the dog dashing back down the towpath to its owners hotly persued by Lance. It really was funny, luckily the dog's owners thought so too!

Today's journey 3.8 miles and 13 locks

So far this year we have travelled 240.4 miles, 167 locks, 31 lift bridges and 6 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 978.8 miles, 812 locks, 55 swing bridges, 35 lift bridges and 31 tunnels

Slowly progressing

2011-08-01T23:10:00.001+01:00

After making sure we had all the supplies we need for the next week we pulled pins and made our way through Hack Green locks to the moorings at Coole Pilate. The locks were fairly busy but no great delays as most people were travelling in the opposite direction to us.

We have intended to stop here before but have never got round to it. The mooring have a nice wide area of bank with picnic tables and barbecue stands which makes it a popular spot. We chose it because it means we can get the clothes airer out without cluttering the towpath and it is time we did some more washing!
We did our good deed for the day by lending our barbecue to "Debdale", they had a little disposable barbecue but needed more grilling space.

As it was a pleasant evening we dined al fresco, for us it was pasta with goats cheese and walnuts, then we joined the folks off Debdale for some chat and elderflower 'champagne'.

Tomorrow will be a non-cruising day to get the washing done then it will be off to Audlem.

Today's journey 3.1 miles and 2 locks

So far this year we have travelled 236.6 miles, 154 locks, 31 lift bridges and 6 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 975 miles, 799 locks, 55 swing bridges, 35 lift bridges and 31 tunnels

We have been around here too long!

2011-07-30T17:43:00.002+01:00

Today we carried on our journey to Nantwich.

We were just going through the first Hurleston Lock when I saw Chris and D'fer walking up the flight. I don't know if D'fer remembered me or just responds to his name being called because when I called him he came running up, tail wagging. Chris and his mate Rob, who he has been travelling with, helped us down the flight then we made coffee and spent some time catching up on what has been happening for the past 11 months.
We were keen to get to Nantwich as we were nearly out of bread and milk and Chris wanted to get on his way towards Chester so we went our separate ways, who knows when we will meet up again. He is planning to head for the South Oxford for the winter and we are heading for the Grand Union South.

We definitely spent too much time around here, we have been greeted by dog walkers and boaters like old friends. we even got recognised by someone in Morrisons! We didn't see any of my old work colleagues though.

Our plan is to stay here until Monday, then head up to the Coole Pilate moorings.

Today's journey 3.3 miles and 4 locks

So far this year we have travelled 233.5 miles, 152 locks, 31 lift bridges and 6 tunnels.

Since Ray retired we have travelled 971.9 miles, 797 locks, 55 swing bridges, 35 lift bridges and 31 tunnels

Our last night on the Llangollen

2011-07-29T18:07:00.002+01:00

Today we continued our journey towards the junction with the Shroppie at Hurleston.
The day didn't start very well, I had walked down to prepare the lock while Ray untied Morgana, unfortunately he got overtaken by a hire boat while he was doing it so I had prepared the lock for them. I wasn't impressed at having to do the first lock of the day twice!

After that things went fairly smoothly, a bit slow because there were lots of boats on the move but we arrived at Hurleston late afternoon, decided to call it a day and go down through the Hurleston Locks tomorrow morning. Chris, who we travelled with last summer and bought Merlin from, is moored at the bottom of the flight, so it will be time for coffee and a catch up tomorrow morning. He is heading for Chester before turning round and going up the Llangollen.

Today's journey 10.3 miles, 8 locks and 2 lift bridges.

This year we have travelled 230.2 miles, 148 locks, 31 lift bridges and 6 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 968.6 miles, 793 locks, 55 swing bridges, 35 lift bridges and 31 tunnels

Curry, wine and a late night

2011-07-28T16:55:00.001+01:00

Yesterday we carried on down through Grindley Brook and onwards reaching Willeymoor Lock in the early afternoon. It took us over three hours to get down through the six locks, mainly due to the queue of boats waiting for passage but we did stop after the fifth lock to get cheap diesel from the Shell garage. It is at least 10p cheaper than any of the boatyards and 30.5p cheaper than the marina at Ellesmere.There is the inconvenience of lugging it back to the boat in cans rather than dispensing straight from the pump but on 80 litres the saving makes it worthwhile.

Once we were at Willeymoor we rang Barry and Alex as they had invited us for a meal. They collected us late afternoon and then it was back to their place for nice evening of beer, curry, wine and a late night chatting and catching up. I went to bed around midnight but Ray didn't make it to bed until about two.

After a lie-in this morning we got back to the boat early afternoon but neither of us felt like doing much so we stayed here and will move on tomorrow.

Yesterday's journey 2.5 miles and 7 locks

So far this year we have travelled 219.9 miles, 140 locks, 29 lift bridges and 6 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 958.3 miles, 785 locks, 55 swing bridges, 33 lift bridges and 31 tunnels

Going north to head south

2011-07-26T22:15:00.020+01:00

We have spent a pleasant few days moored here at Ellesmere, we actually got our barbecue out for the first time this year. Today it was time to part company with Kathy, although we will, hopefully, see her in between times, we probably won't cruise with her until at least this time next year. Our plans aren't fixed yet but we think we may head for the Kennet and Avon next spring.

After a lovely farewell lunch in the sunshine we headed off down the Llangollen to Whitchurch, heading basically northwards towards the junction with the Shropshire Union at Hurleston Locks. After an uneventful journey we moored opposite the 48 hour moorings at the Whitchurch Arm. Tomorrow we will head towards Grindley Brook and beyond to meet Barry and Alex for dinner.

Today's journey 12.5 miles, 5 lift bridges and 1 tunnel.

So far this year we have travelled 217.4 miles, 133 locks, 29 lift bridges and 6 tunnels.

Since Ray retired we have travelled 955.8 miles, 778 locks, 55 swing bridges, 33 lift bridges and 31 tunnels.

Ellesmere and the rules of the cut!

2011-07-20T20:13:00.002+01:00

After a busy day of wood cutting yesterday the roof of the boat is as full as it can be, so is the roof of Destiny. We had intended to move up through the top Aston lock to Queens Head but Gwyn went missing so we stayed where we were. Kathy moved Destiny up and just after she moored up she saw Gwyn on the bank, we think she must have been hunting near the lock, heard Destiny's engine and followed it.

We walked up to the pub to meet Kathy and some friends of hers for a drink, but we left Gwyn on board Destiny for the night and collected her this morning as we cruised past.

There were a lot of boats travelling both ways through Frankton Locks and it was well after two before we were all at the top. I feel sorry for the boats behind us as there were five more to come up after us.

When we eventually left the Montgomery matters were complicated by a boater who obviously hasn't read the Boaters Handbook or thinks the rules don't apply to him. Kathy had great difficulty exiting the Montgomery as Y-Not had moored opposite the junction (a big no, no). she was left without enough room to turn and although she engaged full throtlle in reverse she couldn't avoid hitting him. Understandably he wasn't happy but if he hadn't moored where he shouldn't he would not have got bumped. Her profuse apologies were apparently met with a blank stare. We only just made the turn and we are twenty foot shorter than her. Perhaps there should be the equivelent of the driving theory test for boaters!

After that is was an uneventful journey to Ellesmere where we saw Y-Not again moored at the end of the arm where the boats have to wind. Hope he didn't get bumped again by anyone!

Today's journey 7.3 miles and 6 locks

So far this year we have travelled 204.9 miles, 133 locks, 24 lift bridges and 5 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 943.3 miles, 778 locks, 55 swing bridges, 28 lift bridges and 30 tunnels

Heading back

2011-07-18T21:24:00.024+01:00

Today it was time to head back towards Frankton Locks, I have booked passage for us all on Wednesday so we would have time to collect and cut lots of wood ready for the winter from the pile we saw on the way down.

Before we went anywhere we had to travel down to the winding hole to turn Morgana round then it was time to head back up through two of the three Aston locks to the woodpile! After a leisurely hour's cruise through the flower lined banks we reached our destination.

The swing bridge at the entrance to the disused Rednal basin

We spent a couple of hours collecting and cutting wood, tomorrow it will be more of the same then Wednesday will be a journey up through the locks and on to Ellesmere.

Todays journey 2.9 miles, 2 locks and 2 lift bridges

So far this year we have travelled 197.6 miles, 127 locks, 24 lift bridges and 5 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 936 miles, 772 locks, 55 swing bridges, 28 lift bridges and 30 tunnels

What no water?

2011-07-17T18:48:00.037+01:00

We have enjoyed a week of relaxing and exploring.

I ended up making bread on Monday as neither the farm shop nor Canal Central sell it, but I always have the makings of bread just in case so it wasn't a problem.

We took the "every two hours" bus service into Oswestry to get some shopping, I'm beginning to think I could walk further on a regular basis as buses are getting ridiculously expensive, £3.20 for a six mile round trip. Ray is definitely going to have to sort out his old codgers bus pass this winter!

Amongst our other exploring we went to St Winifred's Well, where a spring rises underneath a half-timbered cottage, formerly a courthouse now a holiday home. Very calm and peaceful.

Our major expedition of the week was to walk to Llanmymnech, which is where the Monty is "in water" again. It is a round trip of about eight miles, some of the towpath is good and some of it is fairly heavy going, at least as footpaths go, it is reasonably level.

At bridge 81, where the navigation ends for us, there is a board across the canal under the bridge to stop you going any further. The canal is in water for about another third of a mile.

You carry on past a nice new looking lift bridge, as it isn't numbered I suspect it is a new one not a replacement, probably put in to allow a farmer access to the other side of the canal now there is water in the way!

Shortly after that you reach the point where the water ends in a bed of reeds by a nice new road bridge and arrive at the stretch that is currently being restored.

The end of the water

Part of the section under restoration

The section currently being restored is just over a quarter of a mile long and the hope is that it will be rewatered next year. After that the canal bed alternates between being a dry nettle filled ditch and a damp reed filled ditch for the next three miles. It's path is still clearly visible, and most of the bridges appear to be intact but there is a huge amount of work to do before there is any hope of the canal being re-opened. The remains of an old wharf where limestone used to be loaded can still clearly be seen. Eventually we reached the water again just before reaching Llanymynech.

A bridge across a ditch!

The remains of the old wharf

Water again!

We completed our walk to Llanymynech and the Welsh border where we stopped at the visitor center for a coffee. The England/Wales border runs down the main road there, some of the houses are in England but as soon as people step out of their front doors they are in Wales. In the days when all Welsh pubs were closed on a Sunday there was one pub that had it's front bar in Wales and it's back bar in England so everyone used to drink in the back bar on Sundays!

After our coffee it was time for the four and a bit mile trek home, we arrived back tired but glad we had made the trip.

Not quite the end

2011-07-10T20:37:00.008+01:00

We carried on down the Monty to Maesbury Marsh today, not quite the end of the navigable stretch but close to. Kathy and I took a walk to Gronwen Bridge, which is where you have to turn round and come back. We are on a 48 hour mooring at the moment but there are spots to moor between here and the end which are derestricted so we will move a little over the next couple of days.

From Queen's Head to here there are far more spots to moor. we spotted a "chainsaw opportunity", a pile of dead wood beside the towpath, if that is still there on our way back it will get cut up and be on our roofs drying for the winter.

Our plans are flexible for this week, some walking, some washing and hopping on the bus to Oswestry for some shopping. There is an excellent farm shop here so fruit and veg isn't a problem and Canal Central is a cafe which also stocks some groceries but if we are not going to be back at Ellesmere until about Wednesday next week we will need some other bits. Kathy needs to get shoes and stuff for the kids anyway as they are going to a wedding on Saturday.

Today's journey 2.2 miles and 3 locks

So far this year we have travelled 194.7 miles, 125 locks 22 lift bridges and 5 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 933.1 miles, 770 locks, 55 swing bridges, 26 lift bridges and 30 tunnels

I love Monty!

2011-07-09T18:21:00.011+01:00

My phone call this morning managed to secure us passage through the Frankton Locks onto the Montgomery Canal. Luckily there was a small narrowboat in the queue to go down so we were able to get Scott's little fibreglass cruiser sharing the locks with that so it wasn't too bad.

It is a good job that we have to turn round and come back the same way as my camera battery is flat so I haven't got any pictures yet, this is such a pretty canal. It is so peaceful. BW only let about 8 boats per day through the locks and as it is possible to get all the way to the end in one day a lot of people come down one day, back to the lock flight the next and back up on the third. we intend to spend about ten days down here so we can go exploring the length of canal that is being restored but isn't navigable at the moment.

Much of the canal passes through a nature reserve and there is a huge variety of wild life. I have definitely fallen in love with the Monty.

We moored for the night at Queen's Head, opposite the pub of the same name. The only bad thing about this canal is the lack of mooring spots, but I'm told it is easier to find places further down. On the stretch we went through today the reeds are very thick which would make getting into the bank hard and what we could see of the bank didn't look very stable.

Another day without internet signal but this will appear eventually!

Today's journey 5.3 miles and 5 locks

So far this year we have travelled 192.5 miles, 122 locks, 22 lift bridges and 5 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 930.9 miles, 767 locks, 55 swing bridges, 26 lift bridges and 30 tunnels.

Back to England

2011-07-08T21:32:00.026+01:00

Last night Kathy's cat, Molly, gave birth to five kittens. We saw the first three born before we headed off to bed and she had another two overnight.

We headed back into England today, re-tracing our course past Chirk and across the aqueduct. A stop at Chirk Marina for diesel left me soaked to the skin as the glorious summer weather continued (not!) and trying to turn the boat around in the wind to get back out of the marina took three times as long as normal.

Sadly, one of Scott's guinea pigs died today, very sad. It hadn't shown any signs of being ill. We stopped at a pretty spot just before we reached Maestermyn and buried her beside the towpath. We decided to stop here for the night. I'm going to ring BW in the morning to see if we can book to go onto the Montgomery Canal tomorrow lunchtime. It could be fun negotiating the lock flight, only four locks but just three of us to handle the boats and the locks as Scott and Kaia are away for the weekend.

This probably won't appear for a couple of day's as I have no internet signal.

Today's journey 7.5 miles, 2 locks and 2 tunnels

So far this year we have travelled 187.2 miles, 117 locks, 22 lift bridges and 5 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 925.6 miles, 762 locks, 55 swing bridges, 26 lift bridges and 30 tunnels

A little bit further

2011-07-03T16:24:00.001+01:00

Yesterday we moved from Trevor down to the Whitehouse Tunnel. I think I probably walked further than I cruised as I was dispatched to take photos of the boats going over the aqueduct. Whilst waiting for Ray and Kathy to go across I spotted this boat and awarded the"Idiot of the Week" to the person standing on the gunnel. Standing on a five inch wide ledge, holding on with one hand, the other hand in your pocket with only an approximately eight inch wide metal edge between yourself and a 126 foot drop onto the rocks and the River Dee below you is just plain stupid. Even the most experienced boaters get caught by gusts of wind crossing the aqueduct and it just takes one bump!

Ray and Kathy made their way sensibly across.

Ray with Morgana and Merlin

Kathy with Destiny

We aren't planning on travelling very far this week as Kathy has a busy week with family and friends and the weather forecast is lousy, so it will probably be at least Saturday before we go down onto the Montgomery Canal even though it is less than a day's journey

Yesterday's journey 2 miles and 1 lift bridge

So far this year we have travelled 179.7 miles, 115 locks, 22 lift bridges and 3 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 918.1 miles, 760 locks, 55 swing bridges, 26 lift bridges and 28 tunnels

Trevor, again

2011-06-30T20:41:00.005+01:00

After a morning of wandering enjoying Llangollen and the River Dee it was time to do a bit of shopping. Llangollen is very 'touristy' but if you manage to look beyond that it is quite a nice place. At least it has managed to hang on to a few 'real' shops, very good butcher and greengrocer. Also an interesting deli. Not all boring shopping, nice new pair of earrings for me! After that it was time to start heading back to Trevor as our 48 hours was up.

Apart from having to go up to the basin to turn round the return journey was faster as the Llangollen Canal, being fed from the River Dee, has quite a fast flow on it. Apart from the minor interest of helping another boater who had run aground and nearly having a head on collision at a blind bend through a bridge we had a restful journey in watery sunshine. We were soon back at Trevor moored next to Kathy again.

We now have a quiet week of boring stuff like washing and maintenance before we head down the Montgomery Canal. We may head up to the Whitehouse Tunnel at the weekend.

Today's journey 4.7 miles

So far this year we have travelled 177.7 miles, 115 locks, 21 lift bridges and 3 tunnels.

Since Ray retired we have travelled 916.1 miles, 760 locks, 55 swing bridges, 25 lift bridges and 28 tunnels

The end of the canal

2011-06-28T21:31:00.077+01:00

Yesterday we completed our journey to Llangollen. Kathy, Scott, Kaia and Sarah (friend who is staying with them) came with us and then returned by bus. The canal seems to cling to the side of the hill for most of the route and in places is too narrow for two boats to pass so you have to send someone ahead to make sure the way is clear. We moored just before Llangollen Wharf, where the horse drawn boats operate from.

Horse-drawn boat on the Llangollen Canal

British Waterways charge for the moorings here, but you do get a free electric hook-up which saves on diesel for charging the batteries so some of the cost is offset. Most boats don't take advantage of this as the hire-boats aren't supplied with a land-line for power. the maximum stay is 48 hours so we parted with our cash to the nice BW man.

The last stretch of the canal, even the horse-drawn boats don't do this bit!

The canal continues past Llangollen to the Horseshoe Falls on the River Dee but you cannot take a private boat the last couple of miles, it is even narrower and more shallow than the stretch from Trevor to here. I don't think we would make it even if it was allowed. the horse-drawn boats manage it as far as the Chain Bridge Hotel because they have a shallower draught than powered boats.

The Chain Bridge across the River Dee

The end of the Llangollen Canal

We took a walk up to the Horseshoe Falls this morning, enjoying the sunshine and the fabulous countryside, then spent the afternoon just wandering before returning to the boat. We did wonder about getting the steam train back but they appear to only do a 'round trip' fare for the entire seven miles of the line which would have been a bit expensive for a 'one-way' two mile journey.

The Horseshoe Falls

Tomorrow we will probably do a bit more wandering before heading back to Trevor.

Yesterday's journey 4.5 miles

So far this year we have travelled 173 miles, 115 locks 21 lift bridges and 3 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 911.4 miles, 760 locks, 55 swing bridges, 25 lift bridges and 28 tunnels

Trevor

2011-06-23T21:54:00.042+01:00

I am confused! At the southern end of Chirk aqueduct there is a sign that says 'Welcome to England', at the northern end there is a sign that says 'Welcome to Wales', so where are you as you cross the aqueduct?

Looking across the Chirk aqueduct towards the tunnel

The railway viaduct towering above the Chirk Aqueduct

After you cross the aqueduct you enter the Chirk tunnel, after that it is a relatively straight run up through the Whitehouse tunnel to Irish Bridge. the canal then turns westwards to run parallel to the River Dee in the valley below before it turns north again to cross the Dee on the impressive Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. We moored before the aqueduct and walked into Trevor to meet up with Kathy as we weren't sure whether we would be able to moor near her. As she is moored at the end of the arm, so there is nowhere to go past her we were able to go back and fetch Morgan and Merlin and breast up next to Destiny.

Morgana crossing the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct

The view down into the Dee Valley from the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct

We will probably be here at Trevor for a few days, then we will head up to Llangollen, do a bit of sightseeing, turn round and come back.

Today's journey 4.2 miles, 1 lift bridge and 2 tunnels

So far this year we have travelled 168.5 miles, 115 locks, 21 lift bridges and 3 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 906.9 miles, 760 locks, 55 swing bridges, 25 lift bridges and 28 tunnels

Onward to Wales, almost

2011-06-22T20:06:00.005+01:00

Today we continued our journey in the "glorious summer weather" to Chirk Bank. The Montgomery Canal branches off to the south at Frankton Junction, we intend to explore that later. we carried on heading west and north following the Llangollen up through New Marton locks, the last on the canal. Most of the traffic was in the opposite direction to us as the hire boats from Whitchurch and Wrenbury were heading back towards their bases. There were queues to come down through the locks but nothing else going our way.

Apart from a couple of showers, and some very gusty wind it was a good day cruising. This afternoon we actually had some sunshine as we moored up at Chirk Bank.

Tomorrow we have the prospect of two tunnels and two aqueducts before we reach Trevor and meet up with Kathy and Co.

Today's journey 8 miles and 2 locks

So far this year we have travelled 164.3 miles, 115 locks, 20 lift bridges and 1 tunnel

Since Ray retired we have travelled 902.7 miles, 760 locks, 55 swing bridges, 24 lift bridges and 26 tunnels.

Midsummer's Day

2011-06-21T20:58:00.004+01:00

What a contrast to last year! I can remember being up on the Aire and Calder sitting up all night, with our bonfire, watching the glow from the sun move slowly across the horizon between sunset and sunrise. Not this year!

After a day yesterday doing the washing, today we moved on up to Ellesmere where we stopped to check out the local services. we didn't need much except for potatoes but it is always worth knowing what is available if you need it. Whilst checking out the town we got absolutely soaked, then it was back to the boat for a spot of lunch before we moved on, topping up with water on the way as our tank was severely depleted after the washing and a bath last night.

The sky continued to be black and threatening so we only moved a short distance out into the countryside before mooring up. Then the rain came down again, then a bit of sunshine then more rain. Any hope of an outdoor celebration of midsummer was out of the question so it was just a brief indoor event with lots of candles and a nice meal.

Today's journey 3.2 miles and 1 tunnel

So far this year we have travelled 156.3 miles, 113 locks, 20 lift bridges and 1 tunnel

Since Ray retired we have travelled 894.7 miles, 758 locks, 55 swing bridges, 24 lift bridges and 26 tunnels

New territory

2011-06-19T18:39:00.002+01:00

Yesterday we strolled into Whitchurch to top up our supplies, there is a butcher there who sells a really good white pudding. Unfortunately my cheap coffee supply at Lidl was closed for refurbishment, we still have a couple of jars so we aren't going to suffer caffeine withdrawal.

We are now travelling previously unexplored (by us) canal. We waited until after the hirers would have returned to base at Viking Afloat before we set off, we didn't want to get caught up with any "racing to get back on time" boats. Like most the days so far the weather looked as if it could do anything so we decided we would go as far as the weather let us without getting wet. As it turned out we could still be cruising now, we had a few black clouds, but no rain. A pleasant day's cruising, if a little chill considering it is June.

A lazy day drifting beside green fields and wooded banks, very calm and peaceful. No locks, just a few lift bridges so an easy day. We eventually moored beside Blake Mere, just short of Ellesmere. A very nice spot, overlooking the lake, the only disadvantage is that there are lots of trees which means not a lot of light on my solar panels. The lack of locks meant I had time to finish the cabin lace I have been working on for the engine room porthole. So I now have a brand new, pristine curtain on the window.

My new cabin lace curtain

Monday is washing day so we will stay here tomorrow, besides that it is rather a nice back garden!

Today's journey 11.2 miles and 5 lift bridges.

So far this year we have travelled 153.1 miles, 113 locks and 20 lift bridges

Since Ray retired we have travelled 891.5 miles, 758 locks, 55 swing bridges, 24 lift bridges and 25 tunnels

Back at Whitchurch

2011-06-17T20:21:00.012+01:00

The weather forecast for today was not very promising, it looked as if I would be very wet by the time we reached the top of Grindley Brook Locks. As it turned out the forecast was wrong, so unusual! It wasn't a nice day but it stayed dry all the way to Grindley Brook. There were a few times when I thought our luck would desert us but despite delays due to heavy traffic on the canal the rain held off. Then we had a self impossed delay to top up with diesel from the garage at Grindley Brook, where they sell red diesel cheaper than the boatyards but you have to lug it to the boat in cans.

We got to the top of Grindley Brook locks with a slightly blocked weed filter and an engine threatening to overheat so we stopped to top up with water while the engine cooled and Ray cleared the weed filter. As the rain was just about holding off still, just a few spots we decided to carry on to the visitors moorings by the Whitchurch Arm. It is a nice spot there, about 20 minutes walk into the center of town but you can walk along the bit of the arm that still exists and follow the old route of the canal most of the way to the town center.

Tomorrow is a no cruising day, time to shop and tidy up then Sunday will see us carrying on towards Ellesmere.

Today's journey 5.1 miles and 9 locks.

So far this year we have travelled 141.9 miles, 113 locks and 15 lift bridges

Since Ray retired we have travelled 880.3 miles, 758 locks, 55 swing bridges, 19 lift bridges and 25 tunnels

Lots of voles and a pheasant!

2011-06-16T18:23:00.000+01:00

Yesterday we had a day enjoying the novelty of sunshine. The cats enjoyed themselves catching lots of voles and occasionally bringing live ones home for Ray and I to play with. I was not impressed when they managed to loose a live one on the boat, luckily they managed to recapture it later.

In the middle of the afternoon I heard a slight commotion on the bank and I looked out along the towpath to see a hen pheasant lying in the middle of it. She was still just about alive but beyond rescuing as her throat had been effectively cut. I did the kindest thing and broke her neck. I am a little confused as to the legalities. I know it is the closed season for hunting pheasants, does a pheasant killed by a cat count as roadkill, as it was my cat that killed her does that make me a poacher? I'm not saying that I did, but if I butchered and cooked it would I be breaking the law. Does pheasant casserole with leeks, mushrooms and bacon sound good?

Today we delayed setting off until the rain had stopped but I still got soaked at the top of the three Baddiley locks when another downpour caught us. There were lots of boats on the move, with queues at every lock but only one or two boats ahead of us each time. When we got to Wrenbury I took a stroll into the village to buy milk, leeks and mushrooms. Then it was time to stop the traffic at the lift bridge and carry on up through Marbury lock after which we decided to call it a day and moor before we reached Quoisley lock.

If the weather isn't too unkind we should get up through Grindley Brook tomorrow and hopefully reach Whitchurch.

Today's journey 5.6 miles, 4 locks and 2 lift bridges

So far this year we have travelled 136.8 miles, 104 locks and 15 lift bridges

Since Ray retired we have travelled 875.2 miles, 749 locks, 55 swing bridges, 19 lift bridges and 25 tunnels.

On the way to Llangollen

2011-06-14T22:55:00.001+01:00

It was really nice not to think about moving the car or where I was going to park. I feel as if I know this part of the Shropshire Union almost as well as I know the Grand Union around Watford.

We made a reasonable start, back to Nantwich (again!), had a quick chat with Dave as we passed his mooring, he has acquired a mooring up at Northwich so by the time we pass through again he will have moved on. Then it was onwards to Hurleston Junction and on to the Llangollen Canal. We were fairly lucky with the Hurleston locks, they weren't too busy but we did meet boats coming down at three of the four which made life easier.

After a brief stop to do the usual rubbish dump and take on water we carried on through the two Swanley locks and moored out in the countryside between there and Baddiley. It is a nice spot here with just the cows for company on the other side of the canal, very quiet.

After a vaguely Thai influenced dinner of pork with veggies, pineapple and coconut milk I decanted the strawberry vodka that has been sitting aging for the past four or five weeks. We had to sample it, of course. It has worked quite well.

Today's journey 10.5 miles and 8 locks

So far this year we have travelled 131.2 miles, 100 locks and 13 lift bridges

Since Ray retired we have travelled 869.6 miles, 745 locks, 55 swing bridges, 17 lift bridges and 25 tunnels.

No more driving!!

2011-06-13T20:22:00.006+01:00

Today was my last day of driving instead of cruising fo a couple of months at least.

Yesterday we stayed where we were because the weather was so awful, neither of us saw any point in getting soaked through. There were a few hardy, or foolish, folk who went past us. It wasn't just wet, it was windy and quite cold too, weeven lit the fire for a couple of hours.

We set off mid-morning for Audlem, me by car and Ray by boat. I met him at Hack Green locks to help him through there, then drove up to Audlem and walked back down to meet him below the bottom lock. Once we were turned round and facing back the way we had come we rang Barry to arrange to drop the car off.

After that we drove over, spent a pleasant afternoon chatting and drinking coffee, then Barry drove us back to Audlem.

Today's journey 5.3 miles and 2 locks

This year we have travelled 120.7 miles, 92 locks and 13 lift bridges

Since Ray retired we have travelled 859.1 miles, 737 locks, 55 swing bridges, 17 lift bridges and 25 tunnels.

Back in Nantwich

2011-06-11T16:43:00.001+01:00

We got back to Nantwich in time for a late lunch today.

It was an advantage to go past Anglo-Welsh at Bunbury mid morning after the hirers had brought the boats back and before the new lot took them out. Pausing only to dump our bin bag at Calverley service we had a trouble free run back to Marsh Lane bridge. It was still very windy and there was one sharp shower but not too bad.

I did a quick supermarket trip to stock up before we leave the car at Barry's for the rest of the summer. We should get up to Audlem in the next couple of days depending on the weather, the forecast isn't very promising.

Today's journey 8.2 miles and 3 locks

So far this year we have travelled 115.4 miles, 90 locks and 13 lift bridges

Since Ray retired we have travelled 853.8 miles, 735 locks, 55 swing bridges, 17 lift bridges and 25 tunnels

Flaming June

2011-06-10T22:30:00.000+01:00

Today we had intended to get close to Nantwich and to start with it looked as if it would be no problem. We cruised from Tattenhall up to Beeston Iron Lock enjoying the sunshine. when we were filling Beeston Stone Lock the sky darkened and I could see flashes of lightening in the distance. By the time the lock had filled the wind was getting stronger and the sky darker so we decided to moor up.

The threatened rain never materialised but the wind would have made cruising less than pleasant.

I think the cats summoned up the weather so they could have more time to play. The girls gave us a scare this evening by disappearing until nearly ten o'clock. They are normally good about coming back, something to do with supper being at eight. Just when were were begining to get really worried Gwyn appeared and so we headed in the direction she came from and eventually found Nimue about half a mile down the towpath.

Tomorrow we will make it to Nantwich.

Today's journey 3.9 miles and 3 locks

This year we have travelled 107.2 miles, 87 locks and 13 lift bridges

Since Ray retired we have travelled 845.6 miles, 732 locks, 55 swing bridges, 17 lift bridges and 25 tunnels

More of Chester

2011-06-09T21:16:00.006+01:00

We decided to hop on the bus and go back into Chester this morning. Nothing very exciting, just a visit to the '3' shop to amend my phone contract, a bit of shopping and then completing our circuit of the city walls. Ray did buy me a very unseasonable present of a remnant of fur fabric, just about enough for me to make myself a jacket.

When we returned to the boat we decided to move on so we could let the cats have a bit of freedom. Easy going as there weren't any locks but slow because there are so many moored boats, I think that one stretch here is the longest continuous lenghts of moored boats we have encoutered anywhere.

We eventually moored up just short of Tattenhall Marina, a bit noisy because of the closeness of the railway but nice countryside apart from that. Lousy internet signal here so this probably won't show up until a lot later.

Tomorrow we should get quite close to Nantwich.

Today's journey 5.2 miles

This year we have travelled 103.3 miles, 84 locks and 13 lift bridges

Since Ray retired we have travelled 841.7 miles, 729 locks, 55 swing bridges, 17 lift bridges and 25 tunnels.

Need more moorings!

2011-06-08T23:35:00.024+01:00

We continued our journey back to Chester stopping enroute to look at the old dry dock which nestles between the Shropshire Union and the branch which take you down through three locks onto the River Dee at Tower Wharf. The branch to the Dee is rarely used these days. Thomas Telford's warehouse there is now a pub/restuarant.

The dry dock at Tower Wharf

The branch down the the River Dee

Thomas Telford's Wharehouse

Our plans for the day were thwarted by being unable to find a spot to moor in Chester so we had to carry on up the five locks that take you from the centre of Chester up to Christleton where we moored by The Old Trooper. At least we had the company of a couple of chaps from Edinburgh who were on holiday for three of the locks which meant less work for me.

Having a pub within staggering distance was too great a temptation so we decided to go for a beer and a bite to eat. Unfortunately, as it is a Harvester, the range of bitter was limited and the only one on the hand pump was off!! So a bottle of red was indulged in instead, the food was remarkably good with the only disapointment being the baby new potatoes. I know obesity is a problem in this country but if they were the babies I would hate to see the parents! Ray did comment that he has eaten smaller jacket spuds!

We will decide in the morning whether to get on the bus back into Chester or just to carry on our journey.

Today's journey 3.6 miles and 8 locks

This year we have travelled 98.1 miles, 84 locks and 13 lift bridges

Since Ray retired we have travelled 836.5 miles, 729 locks, 55 swing bridges, 17 lift bridges and 25 tunnels

There and Back Again (apologies to Tolkein)

2011-06-07T22:43:00.005+01:00

Okay, so the title wasn't original but that is what we did yesterday.

We left our moorings late morning, got about 300 yards and had to stop because the weed filter was clogged and so the engine started to overheat. If I haven't mentioned it before our engine takes water from the canal to circulate round the engine to cool it then spits it back out into the canal, in the circuit is a weed filter, need I say more? The filter was block with grass cutting, water plants and mud, lovely!! Ray managed to clear it, mostly, but the water flow still wasn't as good as we normally expect. We managed the mile and a half, past the landscape of oil storage depots and refineries, up to the Boat Museum at Ellesmere Port, where we turned round and moored for a spot of lunch.

We didn't visit the museum as we were there only a few weeks ago at Easter. It is good to see so many old boats that have been 'rescued' but sad to see the state of some of them. At Easter there were also a lot of working boats visiting. It does give me and excuse to put some of my photos on here.

Gifford moored at Ellesmere Port

Unidentified Narrowboat negotiating Whitby Locks

Mossdale, in need of repair?

After lunch Ray had another look at the weed filter and removed a two foot length of canal weed that was partially blocking the pipe.

Then it was time to head back towards Chester, the weather was "changeable", sunshine one minute, then rain and even hailstones at one point. We moored for the night about half a mile before the Northgate Locks. Tomorrow I have to go into Chester again to change my mobile phone contract which I couldn't do until after Monday. We may complete our walk round the city walls if the weather is good. Depending on what we decide to do, we may overnight in Chester or we may start heading back towards Nantwich.

Today's journey 9.2 miles.

This year we have travelled 94.5 miles, 76 locks and 13 lift bridges.

Since Ray retired we have travelled 832.9 miles, 721 locks, 55 swing bridges, 17 lift bridges and 25 tunnels.

Heading for Ellesmere Port

2011-06-05T23:05:00.002+01:00

We have spent some time in Chester enjoying the sunshine (and showers). We walked most of the way round the city walls, we would have probably done the full circuit but my knee was aching and we were both getting hungry! The cats were feeling a bit "stir-crazy" as we had to keep them in so after a pleasant couple of days in Chester sightseeing and shopping it was time to carry on with our journey northwards towards Ellesmere Port today.

We made good time down through the Northgate staircase locks, they are a bit slow to fill and empty as they each only have one paddle. I was surprised how rural a lot of the canal is, I have done the journey by road and I remember it as a lot more urban. I think that the canal is screened from a lot of the housing and industry. We stopped a little short of Ellesmere Port on the Shropshire Union Canal Society moorings so that we could let the cats have their freedom. They celebrated by catching several voles, two of which they brought on board to play with, still alive!! I was not impressed. We managed to "persuade" them to recapture them and take them back outside.

We indulged in an excellent dinner of 'Lamb and Black' (Welsh lamb stuffed with black pudding) and a nice bottle of red wine. Tomorrow is a day for doing the washing and some more of the painting on the outside of Morgana so we will be here another night. Then it will be down to Ellesmere Port for water, turn round and start heading back.

Today's journey 7.3 miles and 3 locks

This year we have travelled 85.3 miles, 76 locks and 13 lift bridges

Since Ray retired we have travelled 823.7 miles, 721 locks, 55 swing bridges, 17 lift bridges and 25 tunnels.

The beautiful City of Chester

2011-06-02T22:40:00.001+01:00

Yesterday ended up being a lazy day. We visited the market in the morning, excellent value on meat, fruit and veg. Unfortunately I had stocked up well before we left Nantwich but if the timing is right we might visit again on the return trip. After that we had a lazy afternoon, we decided not to move on as the weather looked as if it could change any moment. As it turned out it didn't rain but never mind. The cats enjoyed another day of freedom, they will probable not get an opportunity to run free for the next couple of days.

Today we moved on to Chester, after a few months of narrow locks I had forgotten just how heavy the lock gates on broad locks can be. We did meet up with a few people so I didn't have to do all the work on my own which was good. Apart from that it was an easy day's cruising, a bit slow at times as there are lots of moored boats on this stretch. We moored up only a short distance from the cathedral and are ready for a touristy day of sight seeing tomorrow. We did take a stroll through the city last night before dinner just to get our bearings.

Today's journey 10.8 miles and 8 locks.

This year we have travelled 78 miles and 76 locks.

Since Ray retired we have travelled 816.4 miles, 718 locks, 55 swing bridges, 17 lift bridges and 25 tunnels.

On the move at last

2011-05-31T19:38:00.000+01:00

We were going to start heading towards Chester yesterday, but the weather was so awful that we decided to postpone until today.

We made rather a late start and it was lunchtime before we had finished dumping our rubbish and taking on water at the services but then it was off down the cut, which of course was when it started raining. Luckily it didn't last long and we were soon cruising in alternating shade and sunshine on towards Barbridge. It was a bit unusual for me to be cruising somewhere that I know better by car, but until we got to Bunbury we were in what was my area while I was working on the census.

The Shropshire Union is uninspiring between Barbridge and Calverley as it keeps close company with the A51, if I wanted HGVs for company I would use the car! After Calverley you escape the road but are soon joined by the railway, but at least there aren't too many trains.

The canal banks are a herbalist's delight with a great variety of plants growing wild, they could also be a poisoner's delight as I spotted foxgloves and belladonna!!

After an uneventful journey we moored above Beeston Stone Lock for the night. Nimue and Gwyn decided to go visiting other boats as usual but unfortunately decided to jump on one which had only stopped to pick up their crew after coming up through the lock. They both had a slight panic when they realised the boat was moving off, as did the lady on board. Nimue managed to jump ashore but Gwyn jumped and missed so ended up a soggy moggy!!

This evening the cats are spending their time stalking ducks and hunting, Gwyn managed to catch a young rabbit, it appear unharmed and there wasn't enough meat on it so we made her let it go. If she can catch a full size one it will be rabbit stew for dinner

We plan to visit Beeston Market tomorrow before we move on so probably won't get very far.

Today's journey was 8.4 miles and 3 locks

This year we have travelled 67.2 miles, 68 locks and 13 lift bridges.

Since Ray retired we have travelled 805.6 miles, 710 locks, 55 swing bridges, 17 lift bridges and 25 tunnels.

Freedom, well almost

2011-05-23T14:26:00.000+01:00

I have to confess to feeling a little bereft. My contract with the ONS, working on the census may have only been for a few short months but now it is over (apart from the final collection of laptop etc) I realise I will miss the great team of people I was working with. Hopefully, we will stay in touch.

Morgana is now almost free of census "stuff" and life can return to normal. We are now embarking on a round of visits to friends and family while we still have the car and then we will be heading north to Ellesmere Port. In a way I'm glad we weren't planning to go anywhere today, it is extremely windy. I realised it is nearly eight months since I have really cruised with Morgana as most the time I have been driving the car while Ray cruised. My waistline has suffered from the lack of lock wheeling and walks along the towpath and to the shops.I'm sure I'll soon be back in the habit of walking everywhere.

We haven't travelled at all since my last post, we should have moved on today but as the census stuf is being collected tomorrow we will be here for a couple more days at least.

Work and more work

2011-05-09T14:32:00.000+01:00

The past few weeks have been mainly work and more work. At least now the end is in sight and we can start looking forward to some travelling next month. My contact finishes at the end of May and then we will be off on our travels again. We have managed to have a bit of time to do what we want to do but it hasn't been easy.

We enjoyed a few beers and some music at the Nantwich Music Festival, paid a visit to Kathy and Co. for Scott's birthday and visited Ellesmere Port (by car) to see the working boat gathering on Easter Monday.

As ever our plans are flexible but heading up to Ellesmere Port is in the plan, so is going to Llangollen and also cruising as much of the Montgomery canal as is possible. Apart from that we might go back to the Trent and Mersey to cruise the stretch between the Macclesfield canal and the Middlewich branch which we missed last year. At the moment our plan is to head south for the winter, but that could change.

Since my last post we have travelled 3.3 miles and 4 locks

This year we have travelled 58.9 miles, 65 locks and 13 lift bridges

Since Ray retired we have travelled 797.2 miles, 707 locks, 55 swing bridges, 17 lift bridges and 25 tunnels.

Lurking and Working

2011-04-07T09:03:00.002+01:00

It has been ages since I last wrote anything, mainly because I have been busy working. now that census day is over and all my staff are working I will, hopefully, be a bit less frenetic and a bit more administrative.

At long last we are now travelling under our own power, i was going to say steam but that isn't a good word to contemplate with a diesel engine. We did travel a bit further up the Llangollen with Kathy towing us but I was missing seeing the countryside so she dropped us back at Whitchurch where we waited to get the injector pump sorted while she carried on to Ellesmere.

Once the pump had been replaced we found a fuel leak on one of the fuel lines, so had to replace that too. At last the engine was running, then the fan belt broke, luckily we had a spare!

Once everything was sorted we moved down to Grindley Brook, found an oil leak, sorted that (mostly) and then headed down to the top of Hurleston Locks.

On Monday on the way down we met up with Richard aboard "Maid of Fibre", I think that's right, apologies to him if I got it wrong. He was travelling single handed and trying to get to Wheaton Aston by last night. A tall order with all the locks he had to negotiate, especially as he was trying to move his car each evening. Ray, being the kind person that he is, and also being a bit stir crazy after spending so much time on Morgana not going anywhere, offered to crew for him on Tuesday. They managed a very impressive 18.1 miles and 31 locks. I picked them both up from Goldstone Wharf after work, dropped Richard back at his car, and took a very tired Ray home.

We will be staying here for a couple of weeks, then probably move down to Nantwich for the Music Festival over Easter weekend.

Since my last post we have travelled 18.4 miles, 15 locks and 9 lift bridges

This year we have travelled 55.6 miles, 61 locks and 13 lift bridges

Since Ray retired we have travelled 793.9 miles, 703 locks, 55 swing bridges, 17 lift bridges and 25 tunnels

Moving slowly on

2011-02-13T09:13:00.000Z

We have continued our slow progress northwards to Hurleston and then on to the Llangollen Canal. Still being towed by Kathy, as our attempts to track down a second-hand injector pump have been unsuccessful. We don't have the money for an exchange replacement one at the moment.

We spent nearly a week at Tyrley while Destiny's water pump was fixed, then a few days in Market Drayton before moving on to Audlem. We spent a few days at Audlem, celebrated Imbolc, enjoyed the folk music at the Shroppie Fly on Monday night after Ray and I had been to Mandy's place for the weekend.
We moved on to Nantwich on Tuesday after the wind had died down. Thursday saw us move onto the Llangollen and we are now just outside Whitchurch "enjoying" yet another windy day. I have to work tomorrow so it will be at least Tuesday before we move on. Kathy and I are starting to feel Spring is on it's way as we saw snowdrops on the bank at the bottom of Audlem flight, catkins on the trees on the Llangollen and even our first daffodil.

We are now famous (or infamous!) as someone posted a photo of our boat convoy on Canal World. I'm not blogging very much, as nothing much is happening.

Since my last post we have travelled 29.7 miles, 46 locks and 4 lift bridges.

This year we have travelled 37.2 miles, 46 locks and 4 lift bridges.

Since Ray retired we have travelled 777.5 miles, 688 locks, 55 swing bridges, 8 lift bridges and 25 tunnels.

It wasn't us - we never touched it!

2011-01-14T16:35:00.003Z

This week has seen our first cruising of 2011. Our trials and tribulations continued as we developed a diesel leak from the injector pump on the short hop from The Anchor to Goldstone Wharf on Tuesday. Ray tried to resolve the problem on Wednesday intending to carry on towards Market Drayton on Thursday. After trying, unsucessfully, to continue, "the comittee" decided that we would carry on with Destiny towing us. This worked fine and got us as far as Tyrley Top Lock on Thursday where we stopped intending to continue northwards today.

About an hour after we had moored a gentleman in a rowing boat came along and told us there had been a rockfall in the cutting we had just passed through. Hence the title of this post! This has now closed the canal to the south of us for, according to BW, an indefinite period. Apparently there is a risk of further collapse.

None of this really mattered to us as we are past the closure. However, as we attempted to continue, with Kathy towing us, she noticed steam from her engine bay! Her water pump which was only replaced in October had failed! So we are now moored up, Morgana with dodgy injector pump and Destiny with dodgy water pump. Luckily Calcutt Boats who supplied her pump are happy to replace it so we should be able to resolve that problem soon.

This week we have travelled 7.5 miles

Goodbye to 2010

2010-12-31T14:38:00.000Z

It is New Year's Eve, the ice has eventually started to disappear from the Shopshire Union and maybe, just maybe we will be able to move on next week. After nearly five weeks frozen in here at The Anchor I will be glad of a change of scene. Pretty though the view has been! The company has been pretty good too, but I think we are all starting to go a bit stir crazy!

Unfortunately the thaw has come too late for us to hope to get onto the Llangollen and past the closures before January 4th so we will be on the Shroppie until February now. The snow has all gone and everything is rather grey and dismal outside.

2010 has not been a brilliant year for us, we have had some really good times and some really bad times. Ray says he will settle for mediocre in 2011 but I think you appreciate the good times more if you have to suffer a bit. There are things from 2010 I will treasure, like the good friends we have made and my memories of the places we have been, ther are things I will gladly leave behind particularly those people who are less than honest and the problems we have had!

However, I don't want to end the year feeling down so I will think about all the good cruising we have done and that which we have to look forward to next year. I will, hopefully, be working from February through until the end of May but we should manage to explore the Llangollen and Montgomery Canals while I am working and maybe the part of the Shropshire Union towards Chester. We haven't made up our minds yet where else we will go. Plenty of time to decide.

During 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels.

Cancel Murphy bring on Shakespeare!

2010-11-30T13:18:00.002Z

" When sorrows come, they come not single spies, but in battalions"

My last post listed our trials and tribulations and things happening in threes.

Ray managed to semi-resolve the problem with the car, we are now mobile but not completely fixed. Our Renault has two fuse boxes, one is mentioned in the owners handbook the other isn't. The first is a fairly normal car fuse box, little blade fuses for lights, horn etc. The second, cunningly concealed behind the battery, acts like a distribution board and has large blade fuses. One of these had corroded and broken off, problem is Ray cannot get the broken bit out! He has bypassed the fuse and we have a mainly working car, all the essential bits at least. The central locking doesn't but that is a minor inconvenience.

Luckily the car was running before my hospital appointment to have the stitches out of my finger so I didn't have to get to Stafford by public transport. All seems well with my finger except for the fact that they tell me it will be nine to ten months before the nerve is fully healed and that during that time I will experience various odd sensations ranging from numbness to pain! At least the scars seem to be healing nicely thanks to Doctor Lesley's scar treatment oil!

At long last the gearbox was put back on the boat last Monday, a bit of a pain to get everything lined up but working well. Problems solved you might think, however, on the previous Thursday Kathy's boat Destiny had refused to start we thought it might be her starter battery but even connecting her up to the generator didn't solve the problem. We charged all her batteries via the genny so she had power as Ray was tied up working on the gearbox. Then, on Tuesday,once we were sorted he started to try and resolve her problems. He thought the glowplugs might be the problem and luckily we had some spares because two of those he tested were duff. Those were replaced, Destiny's was engine running, the plan was to collect some wood, move down to the boatyard ready to fuel up on Wednesday morning and move to the Anchor at High Offley.

Wrong! When Kathy came back from wood collecting she could smell diesel! A split fuel line! So on Wednesday morning Ray and Kathy went off to get a fuel line, by the time that was sorted we had just enough time to get to the boatyard and get both boats fuelled up before they closed. Kathy and Ray then did a bit of night cruising to get to the Anchor while I took the car there. That was interesting as the pub is set back from the road, closed except at weekends in winter so no "pub" lights and looks just like a large house. So I thought I had taken a wrong turn and was at the wrong canal bridge so went off in search of the right one! After getting completely lost I found my way back to the Anchor and managed to park.

All well with the world at last? Not quite, when Ray turned our engine off on Thursday he found we had a diesel leak! As we were heading for Peterborough for the weekend Ray had no chance to even look at it on Friday morning so he is now in the engine bay trying to find the leak. This weekend was, as everyone knows, very cold, so we came back to a frozen canal. Also, in spite of Kathy's best efforts to keep the chill off the boat without burning too much wood and coal our water pump had frozen and so had the pipes! The pump has thawed but so far the pipes haven't. At least the boat is warm, although Ray isn't!

We did have a lovely weekend with Mandy, Tony and the kids to celebrate Mandy's birthday. One thing I do miss is having enough money to go visiting whenever I feel like it.

In the past three weeks we have travelled 3.1 miles

So far we have travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels.

Murphy is alive and well and living in Staffordshire.

2010-11-09T18:55:00.000Z

Murphy's law states that anything that can go wrong will go wrong and at the worst possible time. I'm not sure who's law says things happen in threes but they are doing their bit too.

At the moment we have an immobile boat, problems with the gearbox, an immobile car, problems with the electrics and an injured me, sliced finger open on baked bean tin lid and had to have surgery to repair the nerve. The lack of car means seeking work is virtually impossible, wouldn't be so bad if the boat was OK, at least we could go somewhere where a car was less essential. As it is we are stuck in the middle of nowhere, unable at the moment to resolve any of the problems, and unable to earn any money so exceedingly broke. Add that to a two mile hike to the nearest shop, apart from the limited tinned groceries available at the boatyard about half a mile away and the nearest bus route is about a mile and a half away. Life is not very good at the moment.

In the past four weeks we have travelled 7 miles and 1 tunnel

So far we have travelled 737.2 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels.

Busy doing nothing!

2010-10-12T19:04:00.003+01:00

In the two weeks since my last post we have travelled not very far and done not a lot!

On the Monday after my last post we did a bit of shopping, then moved the boats about three and a half miles north so we were somewhere we could let the kittens roam. We stayed there until Friday and then moved the huge distance of one and a half miles to Brewood. High speed travel that, five miles in five days!

We spent the weekend at Brewood, Kathy and I hopped on the bus to Penkridge for the market on Saturday and Sunday it chucked it down. On Monday (October 4th) we moved to Wheaton Aston where we did the empty loo,and rubbish, fill up with water routine. Most of the time we have been busy doing nothing. Kathy is waiting for Barney to come and fix her exhaust and we have spent a few days away from the boats going to Peterborough to see the Hobbins' and collect my car.

We arrived back yesterday, and so now the search for work begins. Oh dear, summer is really over.

In the past sixteen days we have travelled 8 miles and 1 lock!

So far we have travelled 730.2 miles, 643 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 24 tunnels.

Back on the Shroppie

2010-09-26T20:04:00.002+01:00

Kathy rang me just as we were heading back to the boat with our shopping to let me know they were on their way to meet us. By the time we had stashed the shopping and made a cuppa to get on our way they must have been most of the way up the flight. We were almost at the junction to go back onto the BCN and we saw Scott running towards us. We stopped at a narrow spot, probably an old stop lock, to pick them all up and they rode with us to the top of the flight.

We had only gone down a couple of locks when we caught up with another boat with only two on board so Kathy went ahead setting locks to speed their passage down so we wouldn't have to wait at every lock. It made it quicker for them and us. Scott, Kaia and I took it in turns to walk on and open up so Ray could go straight into the next lock. We were down the flight in about two and a half hours and then were quickly round the corner and onto the Shroppie moored up with Kathy. It is good to all be back together again.

Today's journey 4.6 miles and 22 locks

So far we have travelled 722.2 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 24 tunnels.

Almost the end of summer

2010-09-25T21:41:00.001+01:00

Yesterday I took a trip into Birmingham. The city center is much like any other city with the exception that it has an excellent market, or rather markets. If I hadn't had to carry stuff on the train I could have stocked up on food very cheaply. I did find a really good herb stall that sold both cooking and medicinal herbs so I spent a bit there. The Birmingham Bead Shop has a good selection at reasonable prices too.

I didn't manage to make it to the Jewellery Quarter, which is probably just as well as money is a bit tight at the moment. I had a good day and Ray enjoyed a lazy day on board.

Today we did the long haul from Bournville to Wolverhampton, slow going as there are a lot of moored boats in the centre of Birmingham. There are also a lot of places where the canal narrows as if you are going through a lock but with no change of level. I will have to do some investigating, they might have been toll houses or loading places in the past.

We took a slight detour at Wolverhampton to moor at the disused Bentley Arm so that we weren't right in the center. Tomorrow we will head down the twenty-one and that will be our real travelling over for this year. Kathy, Scott and Kaia are going to walk up to meet us in the morning and help us down through the locks.

Today's journey 18.7 miles, 3 locks and 3 tunnels

So far we have travelled 717.6 miles, 620 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 24 tunnels.

So many locks!

2010-09-23T20:06:00.001+01:00

We were up early and started up the Tardebigge flight at ten to eight. We fairly flew through the first twenty locks, averaging about eight minutes per lock. After that things slowed down a bit as we started to meet boats coming down. At one lock the water level in the pound had dropped so much that by the time we had filled the lock to go up they were aground, so I walked up to the next lock and let water down until they were afloat before we went up the next one. The entire flight took us four hours and twenty two minutes, an average of less than nine minutes per lock which is pretty good. At least I can say "been there, done that" if anyone mentions Tardebigge.

As it was only lunchtime and no more locks to face, we carried on the Bournville and moored up opposite Cadburys. The weather forecast for tomorrow is very windy and I fancy a break so I am going to investigate Birmingham while Ray has a lazy day.

Today's journey 12.4 miles, 30 locks and 3 tunnels

So far we have travelled 699.9 miles, 617 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 21 tunnels

Carrying on upwards

2010-09-22T21:47:00.000+01:00

Today's promised sunshine never really appeared, although it was quite warm.

We spent the morning following about half an hour behind the hotel boat "Periwinkle" up through the six Astwood Locks. With no traffic coming down it meant all the locks were against us. However, they stopped for lunch at Stoke Prior and we passed them before the six Stoke Prior locks. We managed the six in excellent time, partly because they were so close behind they were happy for me to go ahead and prepare the next lock while one of them closed up behind Ray. I discovered at the top lock that they had a taxi booked for their guests to go to the Avoncroft museum so they were anxious to make good time.

We are faced with the Tardebigge flight tomorrow, thirty locks spread over about two and a half miles. At the moment the locks are with us, so I reckon an early start is called for so we are the first boat through.

Today's journey 7.8 miles, 12 locks and 1 tunnel.

So far we have travelled 687.5 miles, 587 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 18 tunnels.

Lots of locks

2010-09-21T22:05:00.000+01:00

There are eighty locks between where we moored at Worcester last night and the junction with the Shroppie Union. today I worked through fourteen of them, only sixty-six to go!

The route out of Worcester is relatively inoffensive, although it is mostly through housing and industry the canal is mostly screened by trees so feels quite rural. Today was a good day for foraging, while we were travelling we picked up two largish branches and a pallet, to be chopped up for firewood and also about a pound of blackberries. Once we had moored at Tibberton we went for a walk and collected another couple of pounds of blackberries, a pound of sloes, half a pound of rosehips and about a pound of elderberries. The rosehips and elderberries will need adding to before we turn them into wine or syrup but we have enough blackberries for crumble and blackberry vodka and enough sloes for sloe gin. I could have had about a pound of mushrooms as well but as I already had over half a pound left from some a bought in Tewkesbury it seemed wasteful so I left them.

Tonight we are moored at Tibberton with the prospect of another twelve locks tomorrow and the thirty locks of the Tardebigge flight to look forward to on Thursday.

Today's journey 5.5 miles and 14 locks

So far we have travelled 679.7 miles, 575 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 17 tunnels

Long haul upstream

2010-09-20T22:36:00.002+01:00

Today we did an about turn to head back to the canal system. Luckily what wind there was, was mainly from behind us and the current was not running too fast. It was still a long haul from Chaceley up to Worcester, we managed about three miles an hour upstream compared to the six we were doing downstream. We were a little concerned about how well Morgana's engine would cope with the hard work against the current but she behaved beautifully.

We enjoyed a pleasant, warm day cruising up the Severn, with very little traffic on the river. At Worcester we turned onto the Worcester and Birmingham Canal which we will follow northwards to join the Birmingham Canal Network. After that it will be back to Wolverhampton and then the Shroppie Union for the winter. Nearly time to rescue my car from Mandy's drive and look for work. Summer has gone far too quickly.

Today's journey 19.3 miles and 4 locks

So far we have travelled 674.2 miles, 561 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 17 tunnels

Only a little way

2010-09-19T18:58:00.001+01:00

We were planning to meet Keith and Leesa at Haw Bridge, but when we went through Upper Lode Lock the lock keeper warned us that about five cruisers had gone down ahead of us all bound for Haw Bridge. As we did not fancy going all the way into Gloucester and moorings are few and far between we decided to stop at the Yew Tree Inn.

We were glad we did, the people were very friendly and the food was tasty and not overly expensive. The only problem was that mobile phone signal was virtually non-existent so trying to contact Keith to let him know we were a couple of miles further north on the Severn than originally planned meant me going for a half mile walk.

It was really nice to see Keith and Leesa again, hopefully now Ray is retired we may get to see more of them. Anyway we all enjoyed a nice Sunday lunch and a good chat.

On Saturday we travelled 2.8 miles and 1 lock

So far we have travelled 654.9 miles, 557 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 17 tunnels

Avon Calling

2010-09-17T19:22:00.000+01:00

This morning the river level had gone down enough for the locks to be reopened so we set off for Upton-on Severn. Only a short run, of twelve miles and one lock. It was a bit chilly when the sun hid behind clouds but apart from that a pleasant morning. I spotted another two kingfishers and several herons as we travelled. However, our plans to stop at Upton were scuppered by the fact that the mooring pontoon was already full with boats breasted up. As we were not desperate to stop we decided to carry on to the River Avon junction at Tewkesbury, which is where we are now moored below the lock.

The lock keeper's hut has a line on the wall, above head height for me, which shows the level of the flood water in 2007. When you remember that this is on the lockside and the lock is about 8ft deep, that makes the flood water about 14ft above the river where we are now! I had a look online at some of the photos of the 2007 floods, as I can now identify places.

We took a stroll through town and had a wander around the Abbey. We only have about an hour's journey tomorrow to reach where we plan to meet Keith and Leesa.

Today's journey 17.8 miles and 1 lock.

So far we have travelled 652.1 miles, 556 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 17 tunnels.

River closed

2010-09-16T22:48:00.000+01:00

We were going to move downstream to Upton-on-Severn today but the river is officially closed!
We had stayed on the river as the park-keeper in charge of the moorings told us the 48 hour restriction only applies in peak season. So we decided not to move onto the canal.

I didn't think it had rained that much but I woke at about five this morning and the boat was tilting, only very slightly but enough for me to notice. Being sensible people we are aware that rivers are subject to sudden changes in level so we had moored with fairly slack ropes. However the river levels had risen nearly two foot in just over 12 hours! So there I was, at five in the morning, in my dressing gown, on the landing stage slackening ropes! Ray was a picture of sartorial elegance in t-shirt,boxers and bare feet as he assisted me.

As we watched the river level rise until it was washing over the landing stage, and saw fallen branches cruise past us we decided that moving was not an option. We later discovered that the river is officially closed and in flood conditions. We did see a couple of hire boats, breasted up, being taken to the safe haven of the canal by crew from the hire company. It will probably take about 24 hours for the levels to drop enough for them to reopen the river. Although the level is already dropping. This evening we were entertained by the dragon boat crews training on the river, obviously "river closed" doesn't apply to dragon boats.

However before all that happened we spent a pleasant day on Wednesday sightseeing in Worcester.

Worcester Cathedral

The West Entrance

The West Window

Worcester

2010-09-13T17:00:00.002+01:00

We are currently enjoying the delights of Worcester.

Getting from the canal to the river was time consuming as there are two pairs of staircase locks to negotiate and there were quite a few boats on the move. Apart from that we had a very pleasant journey down to Worcester. The river seems enormously wide after the canals. I even spotted a couple of kingfishers.

We arrived here yesterday afternoon and moored on the embankment by the racecourse. Not exactly rural but more pleasant than on the canal. Our main entertainment has been watching pupils from the King's School overturn their boats and end up in the water.

We will probably move onto the canal for a day or two tomorrow as these moorings are 48hr maximum stay and we still have five days to complete less than two days journey. We may even manage to do the tourist bit and visit the cathedral and museum.

Yesterday's journey 11.9 miles and 8 locks

So far we have travelled 634.3 miles, 555 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 17 tunnels

She who speaks to cows.

2010-09-11T20:52:00.002+01:00

Thursday saw us travelling down from Kinver to a spot between Kidderminster and Stourport. Anyone travelling on the Staffs and Worcester who needs to shop can probably get just about anything they need canalside in Kidderminster, there are two retail parks, one above and one below the lock. We only stopped to grab a couple of bits from Tesco then carried on. We found a nice peaceful mooring for the night where the kittens could be let out to play. That was until about seven, then the cows started! After about ten minutes I had had enough, so I shouted "Shut up you noisy cows!", much to Ray's surprise they did! I have now been renamed "She who speaks to cows".

On Friday we moved on to Stourport in wind and rain, neither of us fancied tackling the River Severn in 20 mph gusts so we stopped above the locks. Today was equally wet and windy so meeting up with Keith and Leesa this weekend is cancelled, or rather postponed to next weekend. We have found what looks like a good pub at Haw Bridge so that is where we are heading. It's a few miles north of Gloucester and we have seven days to do a three day journey, but as the weather forecast is a bit dodgy that is a good thing.

The plan for tomorrow is to head down to Worcester and spend a couple of days there.

Thursday's journey 8.2 miles, 7 locks and 1 tunnel

Friday's journey 1.8 miles

So far we have travelled 622.4 miles, 547 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 17 tunnels

Going south

2010-09-08T21:28:00.001+01:00

This morning was a little chilly, with no sun to burn off the dew until after ten. The day improved greatly and turned into a glorious afternoon.

I had a run-in with the lock-keeper at the Bratch, who was downright rude to me, which left me feeling stressed for most of the day. I don't do confrontations!

Apart from that we had a good day, nothing of note but lots of progress. We moored for the night at Kinver and went for fish and chips as I was still too wound up to face cooking. We should make it to Tewkesbury by Saturday afternoon, I hope!

Today's journey 9.4 miles, 15 locks and 1 tunnel

So far we have travelled 612.4 miles, 540 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 16 tunnels

Much progress, much rain!

2010-09-07T19:23:00.002+01:00

We made a fairly early start this morning, leaving Gailey about nine. As we had about nine miles before the first lock I got on with the washing as we went along. We had a slight worry about the engine as we were smoking more than normal and also running a bit hot. Ray moored briefly to check things but couldn't find any obvious problems so we carried on to Autherley Junction where we stopped for lunch. I walked up to Morrisons for some bread and milk in brilliant sunshine and walked back in pouring rain! Our lunch stop was a little longer than planned as we sat out a storm, including thunder!

When the rain eased off we carried on southwards in alternating sunshine and showers until we reached Awbridge Lock where we have moored for the night.

Circular weir at Awbridge Lock

Bridge with a gap in the middle for the rope to pull a butty into the lock

Today's journey 13.8 miles and 6 locks

So far we have travelled 603 miles, 525 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 15 tunnels

Windy weekend.

2010-09-06T21:03:00.000+01:00

On Friday we travelled to Gailey, not far but seven locks, which of course is twenty-one locks by the time we have got Morgana, Destiny and Foxy Lady through. As the weather was nice we had a barbeque when we reached Gailey and Martin joined us, then the "grown-ups" piled onto Martin's boat for drinks till about one!

Kathy and I went shopping in Wolverhampton on Saturday, we were very good and didn't spend much. We must have spent at least half an hour broosing through books in Hobbycraft. Kaia had gone off to her dad's for the weekend and Ray and Scott spent their time fitting the LED lights on Merlin. The weather started to turn a bit nasty on Sunday so Kathy and I spent most of the day inside, beading. Ray and I had intended to start off for Gloucester this morning but as we woke up to 20mph winds we decided it wasn't a good idea. So it was another day of beading for Kathy and I, while Ray helped Scott and Kaia build a den in the woods. The weather forecast for tomorrow is a lot better, just as well as it is absolutely chucking it down at the moment. It looks like we will only make it as far as Tewkesbury at best for the weekend.

Friday's journey 2.8 miles and 7 locks

So far we have travelled 589.2 miles, 519 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 15 tunnels

Penkridge

2010-09-01T23:19:00.001+01:00

After going shopping in Midland Chandlers, then waiting for BW to cut back a tree which was overhanging the canal and a bit unsafe we headed on to Penkridge. We moored up around lunchtime and headed into the market. It is well worth a visit, not a lot of food stalls but good for clothes and bits and pieces.

I had the bright idea that all this sunshine was far too good to waste so we decided to have a barbeque, the weather should have been like this for all of August.

We spent an excellent evening enjoying good food, good booze and good company. Tomorrow or Friday we will head back to Gailey then think about what we are doing for the next few weeks.

Today's journey 1.3 miles and 2 locks

So far we have travelled 586.4 miles, 512 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 15 tunnels

Heading south again

2010-08-31T22:18:00.000+01:00

I had to do a couple of amendments to yesterday's blog, I had lost a day somewhere ( blame the Black Russians) and my photo wouldn't upload, both corrected now.

Today, which is definitely Tuesday, we headed up to the junction with the Trent and Mersey to buy gas cylinders and turn round. On the way Ray and Kathy had fun on the Wide going round in circles!

Ray and Kathy playing on the Wide

After the necessary purchases at the boatyard and a quick trip to the farm shop which sells excellent cakes we started off back towards Penkridge as we all want to go to the market there tomorrow. We made it as far as Midland Chandlers but far too late to shop so we moored up and will go there first thing tomorrow. We need an engine stop cable and Kathy wants a light for Scott's boat.

We have all had a smashing day in the sunshine but are all shattered so an early night.

Today's journey 9.1 miles and 3 locks

So far we have travelled 585.1 miles, 510 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 15 tunnels

Still on a canal, honest!

2010-08-30T20:14:00.000+01:00

Saturday was Kathy's birthday, we just did a short run up to Tixall Wide so we had space to let the animals roam and a wide enough towpath to set up Kathy's gazebo without stopping people getting past. We had to moor just before the Wide as there were already to many boats moored. The name says it all, it is more like a lake than a canal.

This is why they call it The Wide

We had a nice day, Scott, Kaia and I had made a chocolate cake as a birthday cake for Kathy. We all had an alfresco meal together and were joined by Kathy's friend Martin from Gailey. I gave up at about midnight after several glasses of red wine, followed by a couple of Black Russians, I think it was gone two before Ray came to bed.

Today, Chris left us to head south to continue his mission of scattering his late wife's ashes on the entire system and tomorrow the rest of us will head up to the junction with the Trent and Mersey, turn round and head back southwards, Kathy is intending to stay within about a week's cruise of Wheaton Aston, I think but we may head all the way down to Gloucester.

Yesterday's journey 6.1 miles and 2 locks

So far we have travelled 576 miles, 507 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 15 tunnels

Lazy days

2010-08-28T06:48:00.002+01:00

We have had a very lazy week. I've lost track of the days but after our stop for sugar plums, which weren't quite ripe, we moved on to Gailey where we spent the weekend. We generally mooched around doing not a lot. The kittens enjoyed it as they had space to play and trees to climb. Gwynie went wandering about 250 yards down the towpath to make friends with the boaters who were filling up their water tanks and waiting to go through the lock. She is far too adventurous! I managed to get a cold from somewhere, so have spent a week feeling pretty rough.

Before I was feeling ill, on Sunday we treated ourselves to a carvery lunch at the Spread Eagle, nice but a bit pricey compared to the last one we had. On Monday "The Bead Boat" came past, Ray the Bead makes and sells lampwork glass beads on board, so I spent some money with him. He was heading for the Stourbridge Glass Festival, I would like to go, but not this year, I'm too broke!

Tuesday saw us move on to Penkridge for the inevitable shopping stop, there is quite a nice market there on Wednesdays, including a livestock auction of poultry, I saw three nice bronze turkey chicks that would have fattened up nicely for Christmas but I'm not sure where I would keep them on a boat!

Yesterday we moved on to a mooring just beyond Acton Trussel where there is a bit of space so the cats can roam, they were beginning to get a bit stir crazy as they had been confined to quarters while we were in Penkridge as we were to close to roads and gardens where they could have got trapped in a garage or shed. Acton Trussell is obviously the place to live if you have money in this part of the world, every house we could see was detatched with a double garage. The only problem with this stretch of canal is that it virtually follows the same route as the M6 so there is constant traffic noise, apart from that it is a nice spot.

Last Thursday's journey 4.6 miles

Tuesday's journey 2.3 miles and 5 locks

Yesterday's journey 3.2 miles and 5 locks

So far we have travelled 569.9 miles, 505 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 15 tunnels.

Doubling back and catching up

2010-08-16T22:07:00.001+01:00

Since last Thursday we have, as the title says, been doubling back to meet Kathy and Chris. I now need to do some catching up as I have been very lazy and not blogged.

Thursday was a day for shopping and cleaning, the weather was fairly horrid so I wouldn't have travelled anyway. On Friday we headed back north to the junction with the Shroppie and then up the Shroppie to Brewood.

Brewood is a nice village, well served with shops and pubs, we decided to stay there on Saturday as we were only about three miles from Wheaton Aston where we were meeting the others on Sunday. I recommend the bread from the bakery in Brewood.

Sunday saw us do the three miles and one lock to get to Wheaton Aston. On the way I saw a kingfisher, but didn't have my camera to hand, luckily he was in the same spot when we came back today.

The garage beside the canal at Wheaton Aston has the cheapest diesel I have seen anywhere on the canals, and a pump on the canal side. It was closed on Sunday but we filled up before leaving there today.

Kathy and Chris joined us mid-afternoon and so we spent the rest of the day chatting and catching up on the gossip.

Today we moved on back to the Staffs and Worcester but this time headed north towards Penkridge. Kathy knew a good place to moor with some sugar plum trees nearby, so we will go foraging!

Friday's journey 7.3 miles and 1 lock

Sunday's journey 3 miles and 1 lock

Today's journey 11.4 miles and 2 locks

So far we have travelled 558.8 miles, 495 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 15 tunnels.

There and back again

2010-08-11T19:08:00.000+01:00

We have just had a lovely couple of days, Mandy, Tony, Mikey and Dani have been visiting us. On Tuesday we had a picnic lunch, then went into Wolverhampton for a meal in the evening followed by a few drinks in the hotel bar. Luckily there is a good bus service between Wolverhampton and Compton.

Yesterday we took them all for a little trip down the canal, I wasn't sure how the kids would react but for the most part they enjoyed it. We only went down through three locks then turned round and came back, with a stop for lunch en route.

Tomorrow will be a "catch-up" day on shopping and cleaning, then Friday should see us on our way back to meet the others. I haven't managed to chat to Kathy since Monday so I'm not sure where they are!

Today's journey 5.6 miles and 6 locks

So far we have travelled 537.1 miles, 491 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 15 tunnels

Wolverhampton, almost!

2010-08-09T19:58:00.003+01:00

Today we carried on southwards to Compton, which is about 2 miles west of Wolverhampton to meet Mandy, Tony, Mikey and Dani tomorrow. We could have taken the boat right into Wolverhampton but that would have meant working up through 21 locks to get there just to turn round on Thursday and work back down the flight again! I didn't fancy that idea!

It was another fairly uneventful day's cruising, there was a lot of traffic which we always seemed to meet at bridges and as it was windy slowing down to allow another boat through the bridge meant getting lined up for the bridge afterwards was "interesting" at times. We also encountered a boat about to enter a narrow cutting with a blind bend but luckily they sounded their horn before entering and held back after we responded.

We are now on the Staffs and Worcester canal, undecided about what we are doing next. Kathy and Chris are quite a long way back, so we may head back to join them again. We want to be with Kathy for her birthday at the end of the month, then we may head down towards Gloucester, with a diversion, by road, to Peterborough for Mikey's birthday.

Barry was trying to convince Ray to spend the winter in this part of the world, but we are undecided at the moment. We only need about three weeks to get back to Watford so don't have to make our minds up until late September.

Today's journey 12.1 miles and 3 locks.

So far we have travelled 531.5 miles, 485 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 15 tunnels.