I'm sitting here feeling very tired.
We were just getting ready to leave our moorings this morning when NB Moonshine arrived ready to go up the Wigan flight. We paired up with them, endured the heavy gates and stiff lock gear and the inevitable non functioning paddles on some locks. Of course the locks were set against us so had to be emptied before we could get the boats in, but we soon got into a rhythm, with one of us walking on to set the next one while we were still coming up in the lock. We nearly had a major crisis at lock 78, the eighth of the flight, we got both boats into the lock then couldn't get one of the gates closed. This particular lock is right beside a road bridge and because there is not enough room for the normal long lock beams they have a ratchet mechanism which winds to close the gates. However on one gate the ratchet wasn't engaging so winding the handle did absolutely nothing! A complex bit of ingenuity consisting of levering the gate from inside the lock with one boat pole and pushing it from the lockside with another boat pole plus a bit of help from a passing cyclist and we managed to get the gate closed.
We met another boat coming down when we were halfway up the flight and then another a couple of locks later so that made for a little less work as the locks were now in our favour. When we reached the top we stopped to dump our rubbish and fill our watertank and have a much needed cuppa.
We only moved a short way from the top of the flight to near Haigh Hall Country Park for the night. I expect we will have a fairly lazy day tomorrow as I will be feeling the after effects of today's hard work.
Today's journey 3 miles and 21 locks
So far this year we have travelled 325.2 miles, 197 locks, 5 swing bridges, 1 lift bridge and 9 tunnels
In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels
During 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 1526.9 miles, 1283 locks, 61 swing bridges, 39 lift bridges and 49 tunnels
Tuesday, 8 May 2012
Monday, 7 May 2012
Wigan
We had a nice meal last night at the Bridgewater Hotel in Worsley. Although their website doesn't say it they do still have a carvery but it would appear it may only be until about six on a Sunday as they were clearing everything away as we arrived. I don't know if that is normal as one of the barstaff mentioned they had been very busy. I didn't bother to ask as I didn't want the last leavings! Ray had a mixed grill and I had chicken with bacon and cheese. I allowed myself a treat of profiteroles as they are one of my favourite desserts but Ray isn't keen so we rarely have them.
We set off this morning in sunshine but with a bitterly cold wind. even in two years we have seen quite a few changes on the Bridgewater. the towpath is better than I remember in a lot of places, there is a new Tesco, canalside at Leigh, and Plank Lane Swing Bridge is now a boater operated lift bridge.
We are now back to the heavy broad lock gates, with 21 to look forward to tomorrow. We are moored at the bottom of the flight with no other boats so it looks as if we might be going up alone tomorrow.
Today's journey 10.6 miles, 2 locks and 1 lift bridge
So far this year we have travelled 322.2 miles, 176 locks, 5 swing bridges, 1 lift bridge and 9 tunnels
In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels
During 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 1523.9 miles, 1262 locks, 61 swing bridges, 39 lift bridges and 49 tunnels
We set off this morning in sunshine but with a bitterly cold wind. even in two years we have seen quite a few changes on the Bridgewater. the towpath is better than I remember in a lot of places, there is a new Tesco, canalside at Leigh, and Plank Lane Swing Bridge is now a boater operated lift bridge.
We are now back to the heavy broad lock gates, with 21 to look forward to tomorrow. We are moored at the bottom of the flight with no other boats so it looks as if we might be going up alone tomorrow.
Today's journey 10.6 miles, 2 locks and 1 lift bridge
So far this year we have travelled 322.2 miles, 176 locks, 5 swing bridges, 1 lift bridge and 9 tunnels
In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels
During 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 1523.9 miles, 1262 locks, 61 swing bridges, 39 lift bridges and 49 tunnels
Sunday, 6 May 2012
Onward, ever onward!
Today we did the long haul through the south western suburbia of the sprawl of Manchester, then the canal turns northwestwards, avoiding Old Trafford and heads towards Worsley and Wigan. We can't quite believe we are this close to Manchester and it isn't raining. Our only stop was a brief one for me to raid a cashpoint and buy some milk, apart from that we had a clear run through to Worsley. As we approached Worsley we saw the characteristic ochre colour of the water, a result of the iron ore which used to be mined here.
A check on the website for The Bridgewater Hotel showed that they don't appear to still do a carvery but their prices are still very reasonable so we are going to head there for dinner this evening.
As I didn't post any flowers yesterday here are three for today.
We saw our first goslings of the year today.
Today's journey 15.7 miles
So far this year we have travelled 311.6 miles, 174 locks, 5 swing bridges and 9 tunnels
In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels
During 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 1513.3 miles, 1260 locks, 61 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 49 tunnels
A check on the website for The Bridgewater Hotel showed that they don't appear to still do a carvery but their prices are still very reasonable so we are going to head there for dinner this evening.
As I didn't post any flowers yesterday here are three for today.
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Dandelion, daisies and cherry blossom |
We saw our first goslings of the year today.
Today's journey 15.7 miles
So far this year we have travelled 311.6 miles, 174 locks, 5 swing bridges and 9 tunnels
In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels
During 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 1513.3 miles, 1260 locks, 61 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 49 tunnels
Saturday, 5 May 2012
Bridgewater Canal
We made a fairly early start this morning. Preston Brook Tunnel is not wide enough for two boats to pass so entry into it is timed, on the hour northbound and half past southbound, allowing time for boats heading in one direction to clear the tunnel before boats enter from the other end. We had a short journey and then the stop lock before reaching the tunnel for nine o'clock.
After we got through the tunnel, with a working headlight, we stopped at Midland Chandlers for a few boaty bits, mainly paint as we are looking a bit tatty. After a cuppa we were back on the move up the Bridgewater Canal to Lymm for an overnight mooring. We could have gone further but the wind had a bite to it so we decided to stop.
Our little kittens are growing up fast, their eyes are now open but my attempts to get a photo of them awake have been unsuccessful. Although we don't intend to keep them we had to name them so they are now Storm, Thunder and Lightning, in honour of the weather when they were born. Storm is the black one, Thunder the slightly darker of the two tabbies who's birth was the noisiest and Lightning the last born, who was born so quickly I almost didn't realise Nimue had given birth for the third time.
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The entrance to Preston Brook Tunnel |
After we got through the tunnel, with a working headlight, we stopped at Midland Chandlers for a few boaty bits, mainly paint as we are looking a bit tatty. After a cuppa we were back on the move up the Bridgewater Canal to Lymm for an overnight mooring. We could have gone further but the wind had a bite to it so we decided to stop.
Our little kittens are growing up fast, their eyes are now open but my attempts to get a photo of them awake have been unsuccessful. Although we don't intend to keep them we had to name them so they are now Storm, Thunder and Lightning, in honour of the weather when they were born. Storm is the black one, Thunder the slightly darker of the two tabbies who's birth was the noisiest and Lightning the last born, who was born so quickly I almost didn't realise Nimue had given birth for the third time.
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Our babies being snoozy |
Friday, 4 May 2012
Look no locks
We are now on the part of our journey where we have just over 42 miles with only one lock, and that one is a stop lock at the junction of the Trent and Mersey and the Bridgewater. After all those lock free miles we have a couple of locks then Wigan Flight to look forward to.
Today we were back to the chilly, grey weather of April, I'm glad we took some time to enjoy the better weather yesterday but also get so work done. We managed to clear out a binbag full of rubbish which we then dumped at the bins at Anderton. After that we carried on through the Barnton and Saltersford tunnels. We discovered after we entered the Barnton tunnel that our tunnel light had slipped on it's mounting and was pointing almost straight down so we came through with just the lights from inside the boat to light our way. That's not something either of us want to do again! We got it sorted before we reached Saltersford but I decided to walk over the top so I could get a rare photo of Morgana on the move.
As we left Saltersford tunnel it began to spit with rain which rapidly turned into a light shower so after another couple of miles we moored before we reached Preston Brook tunnel, we will tackle that tomorrow. There were a lot of boats on the move this afternoon both hire boats, some of them having just started out, and private boats. I expect we will encounter lots of traffic as it is a Bank Holiday weekend.
Here are a couple more of my collection of canalside flowers.
Today's journey 11.7 miles and 2 tunnels
So far this year we have travelled 284 miles, 173 locks, 5 swing bridges and 8 tunnels
In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels
During 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 1485.7 miles, 1259 locks, 61 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 48 tunnels
Today we were back to the chilly, grey weather of April, I'm glad we took some time to enjoy the better weather yesterday but also get so work done. We managed to clear out a binbag full of rubbish which we then dumped at the bins at Anderton. After that we carried on through the Barnton and Saltersford tunnels. We discovered after we entered the Barnton tunnel that our tunnel light had slipped on it's mounting and was pointing almost straight down so we came through with just the lights from inside the boat to light our way. That's not something either of us want to do again! We got it sorted before we reached Saltersford but I decided to walk over the top so I could get a rare photo of Morgana on the move.
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Morgana exiting Saltersford tunnel |
Here are a couple more of my collection of canalside flowers.
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| Red Campion |
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| Ransoms |
Today's journey 11.7 miles and 2 tunnels
So far this year we have travelled 284 miles, 173 locks, 5 swing bridges and 8 tunnels
In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels
During 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 1485.7 miles, 1259 locks, 61 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 48 tunnels
Thursday, 3 May 2012
Sitting in the sunshine!
At last, sunshine and no wind and rain!
We are sitting in the sunshine at one of our favourite spots, Brambles Cutting Picnic Area on the Trent and Mersey. There is only enough space for two boats to moor, possibly three if they are short ones. It is on the offside so you don't get any dog walkers or cyclists. It is the site of an old claypit where the clay was dug to line the canal when it was built.
We arrived here yesterday lunchtime after negotiating the turn from the Middlewich Branch onto the Trent and Mersey and working our way down through the Middlewich locks. The flowers are beginning to bloom along the banks of the canal.
Gorse bushes and bluebells
We decided we are going to stop here today and get a bit of tidying and general maintenance done, then we will move on tomorrow.
Yesterday's journey 5.3 miles and 6 locks
So far this year we have travelled 272.7 miles, 173 locks, 5 swing bridges and 6 tunnels
In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels
During 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 1474.4 miles, 1259 locks, 61 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 46 tunnels
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| Bramble Cuttings |
We are sitting in the sunshine at one of our favourite spots, Brambles Cutting Picnic Area on the Trent and Mersey. There is only enough space for two boats to moor, possibly three if they are short ones. It is on the offside so you don't get any dog walkers or cyclists. It is the site of an old claypit where the clay was dug to line the canal when it was built.
We arrived here yesterday lunchtime after negotiating the turn from the Middlewich Branch onto the Trent and Mersey and working our way down through the Middlewich locks. The flowers are beginning to bloom along the banks of the canal.
Gorse bushes and bluebells
We decided we are going to stop here today and get a bit of tidying and general maintenance done, then we will move on tomorrow.
Yesterday's journey 5.3 miles and 6 locks
So far this year we have travelled 272.7 miles, 173 locks, 5 swing bridges and 6 tunnels
In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels
During 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 1474.4 miles, 1259 locks, 61 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 46 tunnels
Tuesday, 1 May 2012
Wild and windy
We decided that as it wasn't raining we would move on, probably not one of our best ideas. We were a bit sheltered from the worst of the wind where we had moored overnight and it was only once we were on the move that we realised just how nasty it was. At least there were other boats at both locks we went through which made life easier, one lovely chap even did all the work at Cholmondeston Lock for us so we could just go straight out without Ray having to stop to let me get back on board.
When we were amongst trees or in a cutting it wasn't too bad but there was one stretch, just after Venetian Marina which is very open and we were going down the canal constantly fighting a crosswind. As we had started out we decided to make some progress but as the morning went on the sky darkened and we didn't fancy adding rain to the cold and wind so we moored at a spot overlooking the River Weaver by lunchtime. the first spots of rain fell as we were mooring. It is now very grey and miserable outside so we are inside, toasty warm with the fire going.
The view across the river is quite nice, or would be in the sunshine, I'll try and get a photo tomorrow before we leave, at the moment it is tipping it down.
The prospects for progress tomorrow look good, no rain and a lot less wind so hopefully we will be able to get to Middlewich, pick up some groceries and then even carry on a bit further.
Today's journey 4.5 miles and 2 locks
So far this year we have travelled 267.4 miles, 167 locks, 5 swing bridges and 6 tunnels
In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels
During 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 1469.1 miles, 1253 locks, 61 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 46 tunnels
When we were amongst trees or in a cutting it wasn't too bad but there was one stretch, just after Venetian Marina which is very open and we were going down the canal constantly fighting a crosswind. As we had started out we decided to make some progress but as the morning went on the sky darkened and we didn't fancy adding rain to the cold and wind so we moored at a spot overlooking the River Weaver by lunchtime. the first spots of rain fell as we were mooring. It is now very grey and miserable outside so we are inside, toasty warm with the fire going.
The view across the river is quite nice, or would be in the sunshine, I'll try and get a photo tomorrow before we leave, at the moment it is tipping it down.
The prospects for progress tomorrow look good, no rain and a lot less wind so hopefully we will be able to get to Middlewich, pick up some groceries and then even carry on a bit further.
Today's journey 4.5 miles and 2 locks
In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels
During 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels
Since Ray retired we have travelled 1469.1 miles, 1253 locks, 61 swing bridges, 38 lift bridges and 46 tunnels
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