Almyne 2009
Fri, 1 May 2009
Another month over, where does all the time go to, it only seems yesterday that we had snow and ice all over the canal.
Egg and bacon butties all round, need a good start as it is likely to be a long arduous hard working day getting everything ready.
Arrived at Rockingham at about ten in time to wake everyone up with tea and bacon sandwiches to get them all started.
During the course of the day we assembled the 'cellar'. It does not matter where you are a 'pub' needs to keep the beer cool, so even if you are in the middle of a field (as we were) you still need a cellar. This one is in a twelve by twelve tent, with the chillers, beer barrels, casks of real ale, spirits, wines and soft drinks as well as the usual snacks of crisps, peanuts, pork scratchings and the like.
The Tea Urn was one of the first items of equipment to get up and running and Kath
manned it like a true battle re-enactor all day long, dishing out tea and coffee to everyone at will.
Scott
and Kaia
entertained D'fer
and kept themselves amused with the hammock swung between two trees in between helping to fetch and carry and finding the items that kept going missing.
Before we knew it the sun was going down and it was time to go back to Almyne for a rest. Fortunately the bar was up, the cellar was operational, the music system was functioning and the marquis was decorated.
We all slept well that night.
Sat, 2 May 2009
Saturday, the day of the practice runs.
This year the re-enactment was the battle of Gettysburg. The Unionists against the confederates. The two opposing camps were separated by a field and a copse of trees. The Living History camp was set of to one side with the market at the end.
Most of the tents in all three camps were cooking over open fires, some boiling up a good stew in those big cast iron cooking pots and others were roasting joints of meat in a spit over their fire, all dressed appropriately in period costume. We felt quite out of it dressed in our normal clothing.
We wandered around the market looking at the various offerings and some of them caught our eyes. Scott purchased a whistle and was well chuffed with it. He was blowing it all the way to the castle (that was where we went after the market) and all the way back. We were just approaching the family area, where we were camping when the organiser drove up and politely asked Scott
not to blow the whistle near the Unionist camp or the Confederate camp as the whistle is a 'call to arms' and all the occupants of both camps had been running around assembling ready for battle for the past half hour and no-one was actually sure why.
Scott was a trifle embarrassed but it was explained that it was no his fault as no-one had told him of the function of the whistle at this type of gathering. He was however told that it would be OK in the family area.
He held off till we were back at the family area before he used his whistle again.
It was about an hour later that a Unionist Medic and his surgeon popped their heads into our tent and informed us that they had been looking for an injured companion for nearly an hour and that they had eventually found him swinging in a hammock beside our tent, happily blowing his new toy. They were very nice about it and explained that the whistle was also a request o assist and injured person and that even though Scott was in the family area the whistle could be heard in the Unionist camp.
After that Scott put his whistle away and busied himself making a bivouac out of the gazebo, two ponchos and some string so that he could sleep under the stars for the night.
With everything up and going (and Scott sorted) there was not a lot for us to do today except put up our own tents and prepare for the evening when the bar opened and the Unionists and Confederates joined together to discuss the days events and down a few jars for refreshment.
I think we all collapsed into bed sometime after midnight when the last of the re-enactors went back to their tents to prepare for the real battle the following day.
Sun, 3 May 2009
Sunday, the day of recovery.
I'm not going to say much about today. Yesterday was sort of pay day. Free beer, free spirits (Kath had a bottle of Amaretto, which she shared with several others) free snacks, in fact if it was in the bar it was free.
Now I have never tried Amaretto before and was pleasantly surprised. It has a wonderful almond flavour (I do like Almonds and marzipan) and my very first taste had me hankering for more. So I indulged myself.
Yesterday was pay day, today is pay back day. Fortunately I have never had a hangover, so today I was functioning as per normal. Others of the crew were less fortunate.
Having compassion is one of my traits, so I bundled my guests into the ambulance and took them back to Almyne so that we could all go for a trip tomorrow, after all that is part of the reason for visiting.
We had a quiet evening playing silly games and watching 'Paint your Wagon'. The really good thing about that DVD is that there is an intermission in the middle. Scott took the opportunity to make us all an omelette, and I must say he makes a superb omelette. He can come and visit anytime he wants to.
Mon, 4 May 2009
8 miles 10 locks 2 tunnels
Up the canal, through the tunnel, through the locks, turned around, back through the locks, through the tunnel again and moored up in a little offshoot so that Scott could try a little target practice.
A quiet spot with lots of rising ground around and no one to disturb us.
Back to Foxton junction, turned around and back to Debdale Wharf for the evening.
A tiring, but very enjoyable day for all.
Tue, 5 May 2009
Up in time to have breakfast, load up the ambulance with all the luggage and get to the station in time for the train. Strict instructions not to get on the wrong train this time.
From here I went back to Rockingham to assist in the dismantling of all the equipment. A busy day and everything was finally packed up and ready to go by half seven.
Back at Almyne I grabbed a quick bite to eat and went to bed.
Wed, 6 May 2009
Spent the morning packing my own camping gear up properly, I had just thrown it in the ambulance yesterday, and preparing to go to Burbage .
The marina is due to black Almyne today, so there is little point in hanging around. Set off around nine and arrived at Burbage just after midday. Still had to keep an eye on the water all the way.
Spent the afternoon in preparation for my meeting tomorrow.
Thu, 7 May 2009
Got rid of all the rubbish and the two defunct batteries..
My meeting went fairly well and I now know what I will be doing in the immediate future.
From there I went to Trowbridge to see mum
and Peter
where I got some lettuce plants for the top of Almyne and had dinner of meat and thirteen vegetables - scrumptious.
Called in to see Blynda
on the way home, but she was not in.
Fri, 8 May 2009
Spent the morning attending to paperwork, got rid of loads of redundant stuff. Then I cleaned the bedroom and the office, will do the hall, kitchen and bathroom tomorrow.
Strimmed the back garden, so that is another task out of the way.
Collected all sorts of things to take back to Almyne that might be useful in the coming summer months.
Sat, 9 May 2009
Mooching, waiting, cleaning, tidying.
Sun, 10 May 2009
More mooching, waiting, cleaning, tidying.
We're both getting fed up and bored.
Mon, 11 May 2009
More mooching, waiting, cleaning, tidying.
One day just blends into another at Burbage , although I did pack the ambulance in preparation for returning to Almyne.
We're both getting fed up and bored.
Tue, 12 May 2009
Took a walk along the canal from Wootten Rivers towards Pewsey .
Bumped into Nellie
and Bindy
, complete with owners. Apparently Marcus
has had his hip operation but I am not sure how he is recovering.
It was good to catch up on some of the news from the K & A and D'fer enjoyed playing with his sisters for a while.
Back at Wooten Rivers I bumped into Dave
. He has had his shoulder replacement, but it did not go well and he is in more pain than ever. He is due to see the specialist again this coming Thursday. Went to his house and had a cup of tea with him and Chris
so lots more catching up on the local gossip.
Apparently John was lighting a barbecue and spilt lighting fluid on his trousers, now he is in hospital having skin grafts, it all caught fire.
Seems like the K & A is not a good place to be at the moment.
Wed, 13 May 2009
7½ miles 12 locks 1 tunnel
Left Burbage by seven and arrived at Debdale Wharf after an uneventful journey, about half ten. Unloaded the ambulance and David
set off to go to Devizes for an appointment this afternoon.
I did the engine checks and set off just before midday, stopping off about three fifteen for a bite to eat and to check my emails, all 1254 of them.
Dealt with the 'single click' emails there and then , leaving the rest for later.
Moored up just after seven, just as I was getting back into the swing of travelling again.
Dealt with all the serious emails, had some dinner, mash, corned beef and sweet corn. Didn't do any shopping so a bit short on fresh stuff. I hope to be able to do a proper shop in the next day or so.
Thu, 14 May 2009
8½ miles 12 locks
I had intended to be up early today, but with an overcast sky making it dull and a hard day yesterday I overslept and was not up till gone eight.
Breakfast of chips, eggs and beans (I haven't got any bread for my usual toast), engine checks and set off by nine.
Fairly uneventful day working wide (double) locks on my own, except for the one where I got chatting to a guy and did not notice that the mooring rope had slipped off the bollard and into the lock.
As I was going down in the lock, Almyne was in the middle of a lock and there was no way for me to get to her. I just had to wait till she drifted to one side. It was actually Almyne Too that was close enough to leap on to the back of, so that is what I did. Then walked along the top plank (I have learnt recently that the gunwale is the vertical bit and the horizontal bit is the top plank) to the front of Almyne Too and then leapt from Almyne Too to Almyne.
Won't leave the mooring rope unsecured again.
Arrived at Castle Park in Leicester just after four to find that almost all of the available moorings were occupied. There was just enough room to get the front half of Almyne on the mooring, so tied up with the front rope and the middle rope, leaving the rest hanging off the end of the staging.
D'fer went bananas on the stern while I walked the top plank to moor up and it was no till I walked back and then through Almyne to open the cratch covers that he subsided.
A guy on one of the other boats looked as if he might be going to offer me assistance as I was mooring up but he turned around and went back to his own boat. Having moored up I made myself a cup of tea and took it out on to the staging for a chat with the other boat occupants. Somehow, I don't think I fitted in as they explained that they were discussing the repainting on one of the boats, a mere £9000, and promptly ignored me, finished their conversation, went into their respective boats and pulled their curtains. Takes all sorts, I might just listen to loud music tonight. Well just loud enough to hear without my hearing aids in anyway.
Now although I have been to Leicester before I have never used a supermarket there, so when went shopping it took ages to find one. Having found one, I got some bread (I like my bread, almost my staple diet), butter, some cold meats for daytime sandwiches (I got hungry today and ate some biscuits) some bacon and some cheese, a steak and kidney pie for dinner and a couple of quiche's. Should keep me going till I get to Loughborough.
As is my usual wont, I got lost on the way back to Almyne and had to ask several people directions. Took me twenty minutes to find the supermarket and over an hour to find Almyne.
Had quiche, chips and beans for tea and then exercised D'fer in the park for half an hour or so.
A couple of DVDs and I was ready for bed again after another long hard day, the sort of day I really enjoy, travelling.
Fri, 15 May 2009
16 miles 12 locks
Woke up at half six and listened to the rain on the roof, Went back to sleep.
Got up at half nine, had breakfast to the pitter patter of rain.
Decided that I would wander in to Leicester Market and see if I could spend any money while it was raining. After an hour or so I realised that there was nothing there I needed, and by this time the rain had stopped, so walked back to Almyne, did the engine checks and set off towards Loughborough.
A couple of hours later I got to Birstall lock and the level indicator seemed to be in the red, just. The water did not seem to be flowing at all quickly, in fact there did not seem to be any flow on it at all, but discretion being the better part of valour, I moored up to wait for the levels to drop.
Had a bite to eat and about an hour later another boat came through Birstow lock, so I checked with them about the levels. It was now into the Orange, so 'proceed with caution'.
I did, and continued on to Loughborough, arriving just after half seven. A good days travelling.
Sat, 16 May 2009
23 1/4 miles 15 locks
What a wonderful day, full of excitement, fun, travel and challenges.
Up about half five, breakfast, a shave, a change of clothes and engine checks. Set off at six twenty.
Mixed motoring all morning doing three of the first six locks on my own. Then I hooked up with another boat that had four people on board, so they did all the work!
Arrived at Derwent soon after ten, and the approach to the first lock of the Trent and Mersey was quite scary with a very strong current coming in from the right, pushing me all over the place. Fortunately I had watched the boat in front having trouble so I was prepared and managed to compensate for the current well enough to get into the lock without trouble.
I left that lock first and motored for about a mile and a half to the junction of the river Trent and the Derwent and the Trent and Mersey canal. Crossing the flow of two rivers at once to get into the canal was even hairier than getting into the previous lock and I had to run the engine at full power and steer well to the left, just to keep in a straight line and enter the canal.
I looked behind me and the following boat very nearly got pushed into the Derwent section but just managed to recover and slip into the canals section with inches to spare.
Then I got to the six locks that gave trouble last year. In one of them the mushroom that holds the centre rope got pulled off. Well this year was not so different. First the towing bar got broken when the water pushed Almyne backwards against the rear gate.
Out of that lock and pulled over, moored up and made a new tow bar. Had a bite to eat and set off again. In the next lock the left hand centre rope fixing snapped leaving me with no centre rope on the left had side, so I had to use the front and back ropes instead, loads of hassle.
Re-arranged the centre rope for that side and set off again.
In the next lock there was a repeat of the tow bar breaking incident, so once outside I pulled over again and reinforced it.
Set off once more and this time I was accompanied by a couple that were a little more circumspect about how they operate the locks and I had no further incidents.
Eventually completed the first six locks of the Trent and Mersey, which are all wide ones. After that they become narrow locks again, so should have no trouble, except that which I cause myself.
Motored on for about another hour, half of which was in the pouring rain, but I did not care as my target for the day had been well exceeded.
I think an early night is in order.
Sun, 17 May 2009
17 3/4 miles 17 locks
Another early start, I'm beginning to enjoy this.
Set off at half six after a working breakfast of bacon, eggs, and tomatoes on toast washed down with two cups of black tea.
A much easier day than yesterday, no repairs to do all day long. Motored along easily and covered ground (water) surprisingly quickly. Now that the double locks are out of the way the going is much easier.
I'm aiming to get past Alrewas by the end of the day.
Alrewas was where we were held up for a week due to high river levels last year and with all the bad weather we have been having it seems likely that the rain will give me problems.
Cracked on apace and reached the river Trent section while the indicator was still in the green.
It might have still been in the green, but with Almyne Too on the back it was still a bit hairy negotiating the river section. I passed the outgoing weir with no problem and then further on reached the river entry point. Here I had to accelerate quite hard to make sure that the current did not run away with me, but negotiated that more easily than I had expected.
Into Alrewas where I stopped off for a bite to eat, a bacon sandwich, a ham sandwich and a beef sandwich, all with mayonnaise instead of butter (it was a bit hard) and sliced tomatoes with another cup of tea.
Set off again and as I was reaching Fradley I gave Matt
a ring to see if he and Ellie
were around. Apparently they are off to London to get some stock for their business, so I couldn't see them.
Through Fradley, on to Kings Bromley and into Rugeley . I stopped at bridge 65 rather than going on to bridge 66 where the supermarket is as, being Sunday and early closing, it was not sensible to try to go shopping. I could moor up where I was, and go along in time for opening in the morning.
Mon, 18 May 2009
16½ miles 9 locks
Up at half seven, no point in getting up any earlier as the shops do not open till eight. A quick breakfast, engine checks and off to the shops, motoring along one bridge to moor up.
Did the shopping, now I can eat for a few more days and D'fer can have some biscuits for supper again.
Just a couple of locks and five ,miles to Great Haywood Junction, where I leave the Trent and Mersey and join the Staffs and Worcs canal fro the long trek down to Autherley Junction.
Round about four I was approaching Penkridge (my target for the day) and I spotted Blue Haze ahead with Michael
and Vicki
on board from Devizes. I just had to pull over and have a cup of tea and a chat.
She tells me that one of her friends reads my site regularly and loves the descriptions of the meals. If this is you, send me an email and let me know your name, I will try to include more meal details.
Michael and Vicki offered to help me through the first lock and as they were setting off Vicki stopped to chat to a guy with a rather excited spaniel. I was amazed to see that it was Dowie, the guy that I met months and moths ago, the cartoonist.
He was walking back to get his second boat and told me to moor up just above Penkridge lock.
This I did and shortly after Dowie came along and we had a good long natter and another cup of tea. He is in the process of refurbishing the second boat and is making a good job of it. Mind you he has the contacts to get most of the bits and pieces free. His friend guts mobile homes and lots of the stuff in them is almost brand new. Amongst other things he told me that Tony was moored up just above the next lock, so after saying farewell to Dowie, I set off to go through yet another lock and say hello to Tony.
Now this guy is the master poacher and mostly lives off the land. Gave me loads of tips, but I am not sure if I could implement any of them
Anyway it was a good evening chatting and sharing a glass or two of wine.
Fell into bed sometime after ten.
Tue, 19 May 2009
26 miles 7 locks 1 tunnel
The usual start to the day and off by half six. If I am to get anywhere near Norbury Junction I am going to have to do some motoring today. If I get to Wheaton Aston that will be good.
The second lock out of Penkridge was a bit different. All the locks around Penkridge are fairly deep, but this one only had one ladder to climb into and out of it and it was set rather far back. So far back that I could not get to it from Almyne. I had to clamber off the back of Almyne on to the front of Almyne Too, walk along her top planks (I remembered) and then get on to the ladder from the back of Almyne Too. Not a major problem, just something that I would rather avoid.
A couple of locks further on I got to Gaily Lock, where I got rid of the little rubbish that I had accumulated. and set off towards Autherley Junction, no more locks till I get there, but there is a very narrow channel, where I encountered three boats coming in the other direction. Fortunately there are some passing points and all three of them found one in time for me to carry on through.
At Autherley junction there is a very sharp tight hand turn, made even more difficult with an extra twenty foot of dead weight behind me and I only just made it in one go.
Through the first lock and off to Wheaton Aston. From Penkridge to Autherley it had been sunny with the odd shower from time to time. This was to change. From Autherley to Wheaton Aston it was raining with the odd break in clouds to let me know that the sun was still there, somewhere.
Approaching Wheaton Aston lock the heavens opened and I got soaked, so once through the lock I carried on to the bridge where the refuelling point is, and then I stopped and got changed. Now Wheaton Aston is renowned for having the cheapest diesel on the cut and sure enough it was at just 46.9 pence per litre. The previous boatyard, just seven miles away was selling it at 85 pence per litre.
Need less to say I was delighted when I managed to get in just over one hundred litres. Purchased some oil and some fluid for the porta pottie and would have got a new gas cylinder if they had one in stock.
Today's expenditure over I set of again as it was still only just after two o'clock.
The rain with intermittent breaks continued all afternoon but I got to Norbury junction just before six, which left me enough time to make my own burgers so that I could have burgers, chips and beans for tea with a glass of beer, followed by a couple of glasses of wine, and still update the web site.
Another good day.
Wed, 20 May 2009
17 miles 21 locks
Planned to be up early again, but I think the past few days had caught up with me and I slept in till well gone seven. Working breakfast of bacon, eggs and beans on toast, probably won't eat again till this evening.
Set off at eight twenty covered the first nine miles without mishap, there were no locks, so that is not surprising, in just over three hours.
Reached the Tyrley flight of five and set off down them. At the exit of each of these locks is a water inlet for the overflow and it pushes the boat about a bit, so while the lock I was in was draining I walked to the next lock and got it ready. This meant that I could leave the lock I was in and go straight to the next lock without stopping and fighting the current of the overflow. At that lock I would walk back and close the gates of the previous lock and then walk on and prepare the next lock. Worked well for me.
Each of these locks has ladders leading down into the lock for single crewers like me. The ladders are on the opposite side of the canal to the tow path. This gave D'fer a problem. I would open the tow path side gate, walk around the lock and over the top gates to the other side and then operate the non tow path side gate, so that I was close to the ladders. I would then climb down and set off. D'fer unfortunately could not get the hang of running round in time to be picked up at the mouth of the lock and had to keep running all the way to the next lock. Lots of exercise.
This worked all the way down the Tyrley flight.
Back on Almyne, through Market Drayton, past Orwels Boat yard, where I first saw Kath and on to Adderley locks.
Here the situation was just the same as the previous flight and again a flight of five.
The first four went well, apart from the guy who was winding a paddle down and decided that it would be quicker to let go of his windlass. It spun like a top, flew off the spindle and right across the canal to land at my feet. I heard him say to himself "Won't try that again'.
He then asked me if I would throw it back to him, and held out his hands as if to catch it. I told him to step to one side and threw it on the bank behind him. If he had tried to catch it he would probably have ended up with a couple of broken fingers.
At the next lock the driver of his boat managed to get it caught on the overflow ledge and they were stuck there while I completed another two locks on my own.
At the fourth lock, D'fer doing his usual trick of waiting too late to get back on Almyne and then racing along the tow path barking all the way, took it into his mind to leap from the bank onto Almyne as soon as he thought Almyne was close enough. Wrong, Almyne was not close enough and he ended up in the canal.
With the high sides at locks there was no way he was going to be able to climb out and I was in Almyne trying to get into the lock. Took Almyne into the lock, slowed down and nearly stopped, leapt off on the side that D'fer was trying to get out at, only to see him swimming to the other side having given up where he was.
Back into Almyne over the lock out the other side and dragged him out by his collar.
He stayed in Almyne through the next lock without being told to.
(Just stood up to change the radio channel, my goodness I am stiff!)
Having completed ten locks I thought that was enough for the day and decided to pull over, but the sun was out, it was still only four o'clock and the next lock was upon me before I knew it. This was the first of fifteen, with a short pound after the eleventh.
I set off with enthusiasm, but after the first four I was not so sure. Fortunately there were several boats coming in the opposite direction so I did not have to walk back to the previous lock to close the gates very often.
Having completed the eleven locks in just two hours I decided definitely that I was stopping so pulled over for tea, chips, home made burgers (mince, finely chopped onions, a little chilli powder and some herbs bound together with an egg) and beans with two slices of bread spread thickly with butter, washed down with a can of beer. I'll sleep like a log tonight.
Target tomorrow, Wrenbury on the Llangollen.
Thu, 21 May 2009
2½ miles 2 locks
8½ miles 6 locks
Up early, this is the day for the Llangollen, Breakfast, eggs bacon on toast (run out of beans and tomatoes) and set of by half six.
Did the first four locks quietly so as not to wake the moored boaters and then reached a long stretch with no locks so could motor with impunity and enthusiasm. Nearly there, excited and happy.
At the next two locks there were boats coming through so they went really easily and from there to the Llangollen was just a straight run with no more locks.
Up through Nantwich, where there are boats moored all along the tow path and on the opposite side so I ad to slow down. This did not bother me as the sun was shining and everything in life was good. At Nantwich the heavens opened, thunder and lightning and buckets of rain; I pulled over and decided that if it was going to keep this up I would stay put as Kath had already said that she could organise getting me picked up for the weekend. (Although I would reach the Llangollen today it would take another three or four days to get to where she is moored).
Ten minutes later the sun came out again, with a vengeance, so I got changed and set off again.
An hour later I reached the Llangollen turn off, pulled into it and read the 'Introduction to the Llangollen' sign that BW have at the entrance to the canal.
MAXIMUM WIDTH 6' 10".
Of spit, oh bother, oh all the expletives I could think of. Almyne is seven foot and a quarter of an inch wide, TWO and a quarter inches too wide to go up the Llangollen.
To say I was disappointed is an understatement. Rang Kath and explained the situation. We hastily revamped our plans, so now I will be leaving Almyne somewhere for a couple of weeks and joining her on Destiny, her boat. I will return to Almyne every fortnight to move her and then return to Destiny. Keep this going till the end of June when we can all just travel.
Carried on up the Shropshire Union to Calverly. With nothing to aim at in particular I made use of the facilities and emptied the porta pottie, got rid of all my rubbish and topped up with water. I also took the opportunity (while it was raining again) to transfer some stuff from Almyne to Almyne Too and visa versa.
Then I had a shower, I think I needed one.
What I did not realise was that at the junction for the Llangollen the Shropshire Union canal becomes a wide canal with fourteen foot locks, well, not until I reached the first lock, which is actually a staircase lock,just two of them fortunately.
I squeezed into the lock with another boat and there were enough people around that I did not have to do too much work. The major problem that I could see coming up is that in a staircase lock it is twice as long and twice as wide as any other staircase lock that I have come across. Too deep, too wide and too long for me to hold with a rope. If I had to do it on my own it would be a nightmare.
Continued on to just before the next lock and moored up. Washed the floor, tidied up and made Almyne presentable. Kath 's friend will be picking me up about half seven to spend a couple of days with Kath before bringing us all back to Almyne so that we can find a suitable long term mooring for her.
Fri, 22 May 2009
Kath took me for a run along from Froncysyllte across the famous Pontcysyllte aqueduct to Trevor basin (Anglo Welsh) to empty her pump out and to get diesel, then we went to moor up at Whitehurst tunnel at Chirk.
We went to a night club for the evening. Nathaniel, her eldest son, has just started work for them and it is the opening night, so we went along to give support.
Sat, 23 May 2009
After a late night we were late getting up as well. A friend of Kath 's (Mike) took us to Wrexham (Wrecsam), to get some exhaust bandage and ties, for Destiny.
On the way back we collected Scott and Kaia
from Nat's (Kath
's eldest son) and returned to Destiny.
We decided to take a walk to the river on the way back to Destiny, which turned into a hike and then a trek and then a route march but although it took much longer than we had anticipated and the river was running much too quickly for the dogs to go for a swim we all thoroughly enjoyed it (except Kaia who was getting very wet and muddy and getting covered in nettle stings, but bravely fought on to the end).
Had dinner and we all went to bed, to get ready for an early start tomorrow.
Sun, 24 May 2009
We spent most of the day just mooching around, tidying things up and, most importantly, sanding down the floor boards for the stern of Destiny.
Jacky, one of Kath 's friends collected all of us, (Kath
Scott
Kaia
Rowan
D'fer and myself) and took us back to Almyne. With five people and three dogs and loads of luggage in the car it was quite a squash.
By the time we got to Almyne, had a bite to eat and watched a DVD it was getting late but everyone was so excited that it was difficult to sleep.
Scott was soooo excited that he had a tummy ache and was up half the night chatting to Ralph and Huey and Kath and I took turns emptying his bucket and consoling him.
Mon, 25 May 2009
5 miles 8 locks
Up early, this is the day for the Llangollen. All we need to do is go along three locks, turn around and back five locks and into the Llangollen.
Set off around half eleven, after breakfast for three, Scott was still feeling a little queasy.
The first lock was no trouble, and the next was just as easy. At the third lock there was a long queue. I think this was because although they were double locks, at this one there was a sign up asking boaters to be careful as this is a metal sided lock and there is a chance of catching a 'snag'. The queue of seven boats in front of us all went through singly, taking well over an hour.
We looked at it and discussed the situation with the boat behind us and decided to go through double. After that almost everyone went through as doubles, greatly speeding things up. Like everything on the canal, if you take it easy and keep an eye open for difficulties, they do not happen.
Through the lock, up to the winding hole, turned around and back to the lock again.
There was just as long a queue this way, so another hour and a half later were were through.
Back through the next two locks, hitched up Almyne Too and of again.
We eventually reached Calverly Facilities around six in the evening, but nonetheless we took the time to each have a shower.
Refreshed, we set off towards Hurleston Junction, but moored up a short way before at Barbridge Junction due to the failing light.
Our very first family dinner all together, seated around the table, by which time it was too late for a DVD, but still too early to go to bed, but we decided to go to bed anyway.
Tue, 26 May 2009
12½ miles 13 locks 2 lift bridges
Up early, this is the day for the Llangollen (again), breakfast, eggs bacon on toast and set of by half eight.
Shortly after I set off Scott appeared in the doorway, still in his sleeping bad and hopped onto the stern to join me. Two minutes later Kaia
joined us, again in her sleeping bag.
By the time we reached Barbridge Junction Kath was up as well and we all enjoyed the trip from there to Hurleston Junction.
This is the really telling point. Can we get through the 6 ft 10 inch lock.
Kath went up and found Linda the lock keeper who said that she would try and get us through.
The really narrow bit is just ten feet inside the lock, so if we can get Almyne past that we are home and free.
The wind was blowing a gale and it was nip and tuck that we would even get the nose into the lock, let alone any other part of Almyne. By joining two ropes together, giving us a 100ft long tow rope, we hauled the nose around against the wind and got Almyne started into the lock. Inch by inch we crept along, expecting to hear the sides crunch and grind at every second, but we got in without a hitch.
Hooray, hooray, we are in the Llangollen. Walked back and bow hauled Almyne Too through the first lock and then hitched her up to Almyne again for the next three locks.
From there on, plain sailing. It is only the very first lock that has the width restriction on it.
Although the forecast had said it was going to be cloudy all day, the skies seemed to clear once we were motoring along the Llangollen and I am sure that this was not just the sunny disposition that we were all feeling after having achieved our goal for the day.
A few locks further on we pulled over at Wrenbury to do some shopping. Just basic supplies and provisions to keep us going till we reach Destiny at Whitehurst Tunnel.
Scott and Kaia went ahead to operate the electrically worked lift bridge. Scott was at the operating station with the BW key and started the process off. Kaia was opening he road barrier which can only be moved after the warning sirens have been going for about half a minute. Unfortunately, one elderly woman took it into her mind to ignore the warnings and ended up with a bump on the head where she got in the way of the barrier.
This held us up for quite some time, but we eventually got on our way.
We travelled for another hour or so with Scott on the tiller, Kath slavering away in the galley Kaia running backwards and forwards getting in everybody's way while I sat on the computer checking my emails and updating the website, until dinner was ready when we pulled over moored up and had dinner.
While we were travelling there was a little shower of rain which produced the most wonderful double rainbow I ever remember seeing. It was soo bright and clear, it really made the day.
As we where anxious to travel as far as we could today we set off again and managed another hour and ten minutes, arriving at Grindley Brook shortly before eight.
having moored up we took a walk along the towpath to view the Grindley Brook staircase flight in preparation for tomorrow morning and got waylaid by a cockatoo which was extremely vocal, putting even D'fer to shame.
we eventually got back to Almyne just before dark and battened down the hatches to try to keep the noise of the cockatoo at bay.
Wed, 27 May 2009
22 miles 8 locks 5 lift bridges
Up about half past six and had toast with peanut butter and marmalade for breakfast whilst everyone was still asleep. Did the engine checks and set off for seven thirty Scott woke up half way through the first lock and managed to climb up the ladder in time to close the back gates for me. Neither Kaia
nor Kath
were feeling too well, possibly the bug that Scott
was enduring a couple of days ago, they both stayed in bed all day sleeping it off. I think Scott
give it them because he had it yesterday for three days. I think it might be my turn next and I'm dreading it because I'm such a wimp when I'm ill and they'll put me to shame the way they have been so stoic).
So we managed to get through the first lock and the next two locks went smoothly. Then we reached the staircase. We read the instructions and filled the top two locks and emptied the bottom one. Opened the bottom gates and went in, closed the bottom gates and started filling it. When it was full, we opened the gates and went in because that was no problem. Closed the gates behind us and started filling it which seemed to take quite a long time. When it was full we opened the next set of gates and tried to go into the next section but came to a stop. It seems that the lock is only two foot six deep and Almyne is two foot nine deep so we were grounded. The only way we could get fully into the lock was to fill both sections from the top lock. Once we gained the extra three inches we got right into the lock closed the gates behind us and started to fill it properly and were on our way again.
Stopped off at the facilities and emptied the porta pottie. Now we were free and clear to travel so we set off hoping to make Ellesemere by the end of the day.
Motored along very comfortably for several hours while Scott fell asleep on two stools just inside the cabin and Kath wandered in and out not knowing what she wanted most, fresh air or sleep to settle her poorly tummy.
Got to Ellesemere by about half past two where we moored up and Scott dragged me into town to buy the best turkey pie in Britain . Took some photo's of Blackemere in Ellesemere on the way past.
On the way into Ellesmere Destiny Scott took over the helm for a while as the canal here is particularly shallow in places especially when there are boats moored up to squeeze past
Since we still had lots of travel time left we set off again at about three o'clock and kept going until just after six when, after having completed another five miles and two locks, we pulled over and moored up.
Another long and exhausting day, so dinner and off to bed for a well earned rest.
Thu, 28 May 2009
5½ miles 2 tunnels
Well, this is it, the last leg of the journey, nearly there, approaching the target, the end is in sight.
The sun came up bright and shiny, welcoming me to the Llangollen and rewarding me for the effort put into the journey from Market Harborough. 188½ miles, 136 locks in 12 days travelling. Not bad by anyone's standards.
Kath and I awoke with the sun, got up and started travelling by half seven. Kath
took the tiller most of the way, she had missed being helmsman for the past couple of days, while I stood back and took in the scenery.
We hadn't been going for more than a few moments when Kath mentioned that we were in an area that is usually frequented by several buzzards, when a rook flew over with what looked like a snake i nit's beak and landed in the field by the canal. A buzzard came out of no-where and pinched the snake from the rook, who, understandably, was a little miffed and gave chase. He was soon joined by another and the two of them harassed the buzzard for several hundred yards till the buzzard found sanctuary in a tree. The rooks could no longer attack it there so gave up. Interesting start to the days journey.
As we travelled, the sun came up higher and stronger and before long we were both down to our T-shirts, soaking up the warmth that had been eluding us for the past week or so.
Across Chirk Aqueduct (238 yards) through Chirk tunnel (459 yards) and a mile and a half to Whitehouse tunnel (191 yards) to moor up behind Destiny.
Kath was pleased to be back at her own boat, but did have to wait for her keys to be delivered by the person who had been looking after her cats.
Started unpacking Almyne Too to sort out all the junk and prepare to do a little work on her after all this time.
Scott set to with a will and before long the shelves were in and the work top cut to shape and size and in position.
I sort of sat around and sort of supervised as my tummy was playing up now (Oh oh) while everyone else was industrious.
As evening approached I repacked Almyne Too, loads more room inside now the shelves are in, and we settled in for the evening meal of 'the best turkey pie in Britain ', with accompaniments.
Richard
rang and told us he would be arriving about ten, so we organised a DVD for the children to watch, settled them on Destiny and went up the tow path to meet Richard.
As per usual when Richard visits we sat around till the wee small hours chatting and drinking. A wonderful end to a perfect day.
Fri, 29 May 2009
A relaxing day, Kath and co went shopping in town by bus while I stayed at the mooring catching up on internetty stuff.
Spent several hours sorting out some of the myriad of pictures that I have taken over the past few weeks and not yet had time to process, and even longer trying to upload them.
By the time Kath arrived back the day was nearly over so we spent the evening basking in the evening sunshine and quaffing a few jars before retiring for the night.
Sat, 30 May 2009
Just the right sort of day for getting wet clothes dry so I got the washing machine out, started the engine and set to. Only three loads, but each one has to be washed and rinsed twice and in my little tin tub, that takes a while.
There are some bands playing at 'The Mill' this afternoon/evening, so just after two we set off to Kath 's mooring which is much closer to 'The Mill' than our current location. Not far, but does involve one swing bridge and the Pontcysyllte aqueduct (the longest and tallest in Britain ). Kath
was kind enough to take the tiller while we crossed which gave me the chance to finish up the rinsing and getting the clothes ready to put on the dryer.
Moored up and met Mike and Orin at the moorings and sat and chatted for a while before walking up to 'The Mill' to enjoy a glass of beer (or two), some good music and good company.
We returned to Almyne before dark, but only just and enjoyed an evening meal of curry and rice before Scott and Orin set up camp in the woods adjacent to the mooring and retired to bed leaving us to a little 'us time'.
Sun, 31 May 2009
Woke to brilliant sunshine just after six. Crept out of bed and made myself some breakfast, peanut butter and marmalade on toast. Having reached the end of the peanut butter I gave the jar to D'fer, who carefully inserted his tongue s far as he could into the jar and cleaned nearly all of the remaining peanut butter out. I did make sure to keep an eye on him to make sure he did not try and crunch the jar.
A cup of tea and back to bed for a lie in. I always like to get out of bed before having a lie in, that way I know that I have had one and it was not just a dream.
Another month over, where does all the time go to, it only seems yesterday that we had snow and ice all over the canal.
Egg and bacon butties all round, need a good start as it is likely to be a long arduous hard working day getting everything ready.
Arrived at Rockingham at about ten in time to wake everyone up with tea and bacon sandwiches to get them all started.
During the course of the day we assembled the 'cellar'. It does not matter where you are a 'pub' needs to keep the beer cool, so even if you are in the middle of a field (as we were) you still need a cellar. This one is in a twelve by twelve tent, with the chillers, beer barrels, casks of real ale, spirits, wines and soft drinks as well as the usual snacks of crisps, peanuts, pork scratchings and the like.
The Tea Urn was one of the first items of equipment to get up and running and Kath
manned it like a true battle re-enactor all day long, dishing out tea and coffee to everyone at will.
Scott
and Kaia
entertained D'fer and kept themselves amused with the hammock swung between two trees in between helping to fetch and carry and finding the items that kept going missing.
Before we knew it the sun was going down and it was time to go back to Almyne for a rest. Fortunately the bar was up, the cellar was operational, the music system was functioning and the marquis was decorated.
We all slept well that night.
Sat, 2 May 2009
Saturday, the day of the practice runs.
This year the re-enactment was the battle of Gettysburg. The Unionists against the confederates. The two opposing camps were separated by a field and a copse of trees. The Living History camp was set of to one side with the market at the end.
Most of the tents in all three camps were cooking over open fires, some boiling up a good stew in those big cast iron cooking pots and others were roasting joints of meat in a spit over their fire, all dressed appropriately in period costume. We felt quite out of it dressed in our normal clothing.
We wandered around the market looking at the various offerings and some of them caught our eyes. Scott
purchased a whistle and was well chuffed with it. He was blowing it all the way to the castle (that was where we went after the market) and all the way back. We were just approaching the family area, where we were camping when the organiser drove up and politely asked Scott
not to blow the whistle near the Unionist camp or the Confederate camp as the whistle is a 'call to arms' and all the occupants of both camps had been running around assembling ready for battle for the past half hour and no-one was actually sure why.
Scott was a trifle embarrassed but it was explained that it was no his fault as no-one had told him of the function of the whistle at this type of gathering. He was however told that it would be OK in the family area.
He held off till we were back at the family area before he used his whistle again.
It was about an hour later that a Unionist Medic and his surgeon popped their heads into our tent and informed us that they had been looking for an injured companion for nearly an hour and that they had eventually found him swinging in a hammock beside our tent, happily blowing his new toy. They were very nice about it and explained that the whistle was also a request o assist and injured person and that even though Scott was in the family area the whistle could be heard in the Unionist camp.
After that Scott put his whistle away and busied himself making a bivouac out of the gazebo, two ponchos and some string so that he could sleep under the stars for the night.
With everything up and going (and Scott sorted) there was not a lot for us to do today except put up our own tents and prepare for the evening when the bar opened and the Unionists and Confederates joined together to discuss the days events and down a few jars for refreshment.
I think we all collapsed into bed sometime after midnight when the last of the re-enactors went back to their tents to prepare for the real battle the following day.
Sun, 3 May 2009
Sunday, the day of recovery.
I'm not going to say much about today. Yesterday was sort of pay day. Free beer, free spirits (Kath
had a bottle of Amaretto, which she shared with several others) free snacks, in fact if it was in the bar it was free.
Now I have never tried Amaretto before and was pleasantly surprised. It has a wonderful almond flavour (I do like Almonds and marzipan) and my very first taste had me hankering for more. So I indulged myself.
Yesterday was pay day, today is pay back day. Fortunately I have never had a hangover, so today I was functioning as per normal. Others of the crew were less fortunate.
Having compassion is one of my traits, so I bundled my guests into the ambulance and took them back to Almyne so that we could all go for a trip tomorrow, after all that is part of the reason for visiting.
We had a quiet evening playing silly games and watching 'Paint your Wagon'. The really good thing about that DVD is that there is an intermission in the middle. Scott
took the opportunity to make us all an omelette, and I must say he makes a superb omelette. He can come and visit anytime he wants to.
Mon, 4 May 2009
8 miles 10 locks 2 tunnels
Up the canal, through the tunnel, through the locks, turned around, back through the locks, through the tunnel again and moored up in a little offshoot so that Scott
could try a little target practice.
A quiet spot with lots of rising ground around and no one to disturb us.
Back to Foxton junction, turned around and back to Debdale Wharf for the evening.
A tiring, but very enjoyable day for all.
Tue, 5 May 2009
Up in time to have breakfast, load up the ambulance with all the luggage and get to the station in time for the train. Strict instructions not to get on the wrong train this time.
From here I went back to Rockingham to assist in the dismantling of all the equipment. A busy day and everything was finally packed up and ready to go by half seven.
Back at Almyne I grabbed a quick bite to eat and went to bed.
Wed, 6 May 2009
Spent the morning packing my own camping gear up properly, I had just thrown it in the ambulance yesterday, and preparing to go to Burbage .
The marina is due to black Almyne today, so there is little point in hanging around. Set off around nine and arrived at Burbage just after midday. Still had to keep an eye on the water all the way.
Spent the afternoon in preparation for my meeting tomorrow.
Thu, 7 May 2009
Got rid of all the rubbish and the two defunct batteries..
My meeting went fairly well and I now know what I will be doing in the immediate future.
From there I went to Trowbridge to see mum
and Peter where I got some lettuce plants for the top of Almyne and had dinner of meat and thirteen vegetables - scrumptious.
Called in to see Blynda
on the way home, but she was not in.
Fri, 8 May 2009
Spent the morning attending to paperwork, got rid of loads of redundant stuff. Then I cleaned the bedroom and the office, will do the hall, kitchen and bathroom tomorrow.
Strimmed the back garden, so that is another task out of the way.
Collected all sorts of things to take back to Almyne that might be useful in the coming summer months.
Sat, 9 May 2009
Mooching, waiting, cleaning, tidying.
Sun, 10 May 2009
More mooching, waiting, cleaning, tidying.
We're both getting fed up and bored.
Mon, 11 May 2009
More mooching, waiting, cleaning, tidying.
One day just blends into another at Burbage , although I did pack the ambulance in preparation for returning to Almyne.
We're both getting fed up and bored.
Tue, 12 May 2009
Took a walk along the canal from Wootten Rivers towards Pewsey .
Bumped into Nellie
and Bindy , complete with owners. Apparently Marcus has had his hip operation but I am not sure how he is recovering.
It was good to catch up on some of the news from the K & A and D'fer
enjoyed playing with his sisters for a while.
Back at Wooten Rivers I bumped into Dave
. He has had his shoulder replacement, but it did not go well and he is in more pain than ever. He is due to see the specialist again this coming Thursday. Went to his house and had a cup of tea with him and Chris so lots more catching up on the local gossip.
Apparently John was lighting a barbecue and spilt lighting fluid on his trousers, now he is in hospital having skin grafts, it all caught fire.
Seems like the K & A is not a good place to be at the moment.
Wed, 13 May 2009
7½ miles 12 locks 1 tunnel
Left Burbage by seven and arrived at Debdale Wharf after an uneventful journey, about half ten. Unloaded the ambulance and David
set off to go to Devizes for an appointment this afternoon.
I did the engine checks and set off just before midday, stopping off about three fifteen for a bite to eat and to check my emails, all 1254 of them.
Dealt with the 'single click' emails there and then , leaving the rest for later.
Moored up just after seven, just as I was getting back into the swing of travelling again.
Dealt with all the serious emails, had some dinner, mash, corned beef and sweet corn. Didn't do any shopping so a bit short on fresh stuff. I hope to be able to do a proper shop in the next day or so.
Thu, 14 May 2009
8½ miles 12 locks
I had intended to be up early today, but with an overcast sky making it dull and a hard day yesterday I overslept and was not up till gone eight.
Breakfast of chips, eggs and beans (I haven't got any bread for my usual toast), engine checks and set off by nine.
Fairly uneventful day working wide (double) locks on my own, except for the one where I got chatting to a guy and did not notice that the mooring rope had slipped off the bollard and into the lock.
As I was going down in the lock, Almyne was in the middle of a lock and there was no way for me to get to her. I just had to wait till she drifted to one side. It was actually Almyne Too that was close enough to leap on to the back of, so that is what I did. Then walked along the top plank (I have learnt recently that the gunwale is the vertical bit and the horizontal bit is the top plank) to the front of Almyne Too and then leapt from Almyne Too to Almyne.
Won't leave the mooring rope unsecured again.
Arrived at Castle Park in Leicester just after four to find that almost all of the available moorings were occupied. There was just enough room to get the front half of Almyne on the mooring, so tied up with the front rope and the middle rope, leaving the rest hanging off the end of the staging.
D'fer
went bananas on the stern while I walked the top plank to moor up and it was no till I walked back and then through Almyne to open the cratch covers that he subsided.
A guy on one of the other boats looked as if he might be going to offer me assistance as I was mooring up but he turned around and went back to his own boat. Having moored up I made myself a cup of tea and took it out on to the staging for a chat with the other boat occupants. Somehow, I don't think I fitted in as they explained that they were discussing the repainting on one of the boats, a mere £9000, and promptly ignored me, finished their conversation, went into their respective boats and pulled their curtains. Takes all sorts, I might just listen to loud music tonight. Well just loud enough to hear without my hearing aids in anyway.
Now although I have been to Leicester before I have never used a supermarket there, so when went shopping it took ages to find one. Having found one, I got some bread (I like my bread, almost my staple diet), butter, some cold meats for daytime sandwiches (I got hungry today and ate some biscuits) some bacon and some cheese, a steak and kidney pie for dinner and a couple of quiche's. Should keep me going till I get to Loughborough.
As is my usual wont, I got lost on the way back to Almyne and had to ask several people directions. Took me twenty minutes to find the supermarket and over an hour to find Almyne.
Had quiche, chips and beans for tea and then exercised D'fer in the park for half an hour or so.
A couple of DVDs and I was ready for bed again after another long hard day, the sort of day I really enjoy, travelling.
Fri, 15 May 2009
16 miles 12 locks
Woke up at half six and listened to the rain on the roof, Went back to sleep.
Got up at half nine, had breakfast to the pitter patter of rain.
Decided that I would wander in to Leicester Market and see if I could spend any money while it was raining. After an hour or so I realised that there was nothing there I needed, and by this time the rain had stopped, so walked back to Almyne, did the engine checks and set off towards Loughborough.
A couple of hours later I got to Birstall lock and the level indicator seemed to be in the red, just. The water did not seem to be flowing at all quickly, in fact there did not seem to be any flow on it at all, but discretion being the better part of valour, I moored up to wait for the levels to drop.
Had a bite to eat and about an hour later another boat came through Birstow lock, so I checked with them about the levels. It was now into the Orange, so 'proceed with caution'.
I did, and continued on to Loughborough, arriving just after half seven. A good days travelling.
Sat, 16 May 2009
23 1/4 miles 15 locks
What a wonderful day, full of excitement, fun, travel and challenges.
Up about half five, breakfast, a shave, a change of clothes and engine checks. Set off at six twenty.
Mixed motoring all morning doing three of the first six locks on my own. Then I hooked up with another boat that had four people on board, so they did all the work!
Arrived at Derwent soon after ten, and the approach to the first lock of the Trent and Mersey was quite scary with a very strong current coming in from the right, pushing me all over the place. Fortunately I had watched the boat in front having trouble so I was prepared and managed to compensate for the current well enough to get into the lock without trouble.
I left that lock first and motored for about a mile and a half to the junction of the river Trent and the Derwent and the Trent and Mersey canal. Crossing the flow of two rivers at once to get into the canal was even hairier than getting into the previous lock and I had to run the engine at full power and steer well to the left, just to keep in a straight line and enter the canal.
I looked behind me and the following boat very nearly got pushed into the Derwent section but just managed to recover and slip into the canals section with inches to spare.
Then I got to the six locks that gave trouble last year. In one of them the mushroom that holds the centre rope got pulled off. Well this year was not so different. First the towing bar got broken when the water pushed Almyne backwards against the rear gate.
Out of that lock and pulled over, moored up and made a new tow bar. Had a bite to eat and set off again. In the next lock the left hand centre rope fixing snapped leaving me with no centre rope on the left had side, so I had to use the front and back ropes instead, loads of hassle.
Re-arranged the centre rope for that side and set off again.
In the next lock there was a repeat of the tow bar breaking incident, so once outside I pulled over again and reinforced it.
Set off once more and this time I was accompanied by a couple that were a little more circumspect about how they operate the locks and I had no further incidents.
Eventually completed the first six locks of the Trent and Mersey, which are all wide ones. After that they become narrow locks again, so should have no trouble, except that which I cause myself.
Motored on for about another hour, half of which was in the pouring rain, but I did not care as my target for the day had been well exceeded.
I think an early night is in order.
Sun, 17 May 2009
17 3/4 miles 17 locks
Another early start, I'm beginning to enjoy this.
Set off at half six after a working breakfast of bacon, eggs, and tomatoes on toast washed down with two cups of black tea.
A much easier day than yesterday, no repairs to do all day long. Motored along easily and covered ground (water) surprisingly quickly. Now that the double locks are out of the way the going is much easier.
I'm aiming to get past Alrewas by the end of the day.
Alrewas was where we were held up for a week due to high river levels last year and with all the bad weather we have been having it seems likely that the rain will give me problems.
Cracked on apace and reached the river Trent section while the indicator was still in the green.
It might have still been in the green, but with Almyne Too on the back it was still a bit hairy negotiating the river section. I passed the outgoing weir with no problem and then further on reached the river entry point. Here I had to accelerate quite hard to make sure that the current did not run away with me, but negotiated that more easily than I had expected.
Into Alrewas where I stopped off for a bite to eat, a bacon sandwich, a ham sandwich and a beef sandwich, all with mayonnaise instead of butter (it was a bit hard) and sliced tomatoes with another cup of tea.
Set off again and as I was reaching Fradley I gave Matt
a ring to see if he and Ellie were around. Apparently they are off to London to get some stock for their business, so I couldn't see them.
Through Fradley, on to Kings Bromley and into Rugeley . I stopped at bridge 65 rather than going on to bridge 66 where the supermarket is as, being Sunday and early closing, it was not sensible to try to go shopping. I could moor up where I was, and go along in time for opening in the morning.
Mon, 18 May 2009
16½ miles 9 locks
Up at half seven, no point in getting up any earlier as the shops do not open till eight. A quick breakfast, engine checks and off to the shops, motoring along one bridge to moor up.
Did the shopping, now I can eat for a few more days and D'fer
can have some biscuits for supper again.
Just a couple of locks and five ,miles to Great Haywood Junction, where I leave the Trent and Mersey and join the Staffs and Worcs canal fro the long trek down to Autherley Junction.
Round about four I was approaching Penkridge (my target for the day) and I spotted Blue Haze ahead with Michael
and Vicki on board from Devizes. I just had to pull over and have a cup of tea and a chat.
She tells me that one of her friends reads my site regularly and loves the descriptions of the meals. If this is you, send me an email and let me know your name, I will try to include more meal details.
Michael and Vicki offered to help me through the first lock and as they were setting off Vicki stopped to chat to a guy with a rather excited spaniel. I was amazed to see that it was Dowie, the guy that I met months and moths ago, the cartoonist.
He was walking back to get his second boat and told me to moor up just above Penkridge lock.
This I did and shortly after Dowie came along and we had a good long natter and another cup of tea. He is in the process of refurbishing the second boat and is making a good job of it. Mind you he has the contacts to get most of the bits and pieces free. His friend guts mobile homes and lots of the stuff in them is almost brand new. Amongst other things he told me that Tony was moored up just above the next lock, so after saying farewell to Dowie, I set off to go through yet another lock and say hello to Tony.
Now this guy is the master poacher and mostly lives off the land. Gave me loads of tips, but I am not sure if I could implement any of them
Anyway it was a good evening chatting and sharing a glass or two of wine.
Fell into bed sometime after ten.
Tue, 19 May 2009
26 miles 7 locks 1 tunnel
The usual start to the day and off by half six. If I am to get anywhere near Norbury Junction I am going to have to do some motoring today. If I get to Wheaton Aston that will be good.
The second lock out of Penkridge was a bit different. All the locks around Penkridge are fairly deep, but this one only had one ladder to climb into and out of it and it was set rather far back. So far back that I could not get to it from Almyne. I had to clamber off the back of Almyne on to the front of Almyne Too, walk along her top planks (I remembered) and then get on to the ladder from the back of Almyne Too. Not a major problem, just something that I would rather avoid.
A couple of locks further on I got to Gaily Lock, where I got rid of the little rubbish that I had accumulated. and set off towards Autherley Junction, no more locks till I get there, but there is a very narrow channel, where I encountered three boats coming in the other direction. Fortunately there are some passing points and all three of them found one in time for me to carry on through.
At Autherley junction there is a very sharp tight hand turn, made even more difficult with an extra twenty foot of dead weight behind me and I only just made it in one go.
Through the first lock and off to Wheaton Aston. From Penkridge to Autherley it had been sunny with the odd shower from time to time. This was to change. From Autherley to Wheaton Aston it was raining with the odd break in clouds to let me know that the sun was still there, somewhere.
Approaching Wheaton Aston lock the heavens opened and I got soaked, so once through the lock I carried on to the bridge where the refuelling point is, and then I stopped and got changed. Now Wheaton Aston is renowned for having the cheapest diesel on the cut and sure enough it was at just 46.9 pence per litre. The previous boatyard, just seven miles away was selling it at 85 pence per litre.
Need less to say I was delighted when I managed to get in just over one hundred litres. Purchased some oil and some fluid for the porta pottie and would have got a new gas cylinder if they had one in stock.
Today's expenditure over I set of again as it was still only just after two o'clock.
The rain with intermittent breaks continued all afternoon but I got to Norbury junction just before six, which left me enough time to make my own burgers so that I could have burgers, chips and beans for tea with a glass of beer, followed by a couple of glasses of wine, and still update the web site.
Another good day.
Wed, 20 May 2009
17 miles 21 locks
Planned to be up early again, but I think the past few days had caught up with me and I slept in till well gone seven. Working breakfast of bacon, eggs and beans on toast, probably won't eat again till this evening.
Set off at eight twenty covered the first nine miles without mishap, there were no locks, so that is not surprising, in just over three hours.
Reached the Tyrley flight of five and set off down them. At the exit of each of these locks is a water inlet for the overflow and it pushes the boat about a bit, so while the lock I was in was draining I walked to the next lock and got it ready. This meant that I could leave the lock I was in and go straight to the next lock without stopping and fighting the current of the overflow. At that lock I would walk back and close the gates of the previous lock and then walk on and prepare the next lock. Worked well for me.
Each of these locks has ladders leading down into the lock for single crewers like me. The ladders are on the opposite side of the canal to the tow path. This gave D'fer
a problem. I would open the tow path side gate, walk around the lock and over the top gates to the other side and then operate the non tow path side gate, so that I was close to the ladders. I would then climb down and set off. D'fer unfortunately could not get the hang of running round in time to be picked up at the mouth of the lock and had to keep running all the way to the next lock. Lots of exercise.
This worked all the way down the Tyrley flight.
Back on Almyne, through Market Drayton, past Orwels Boat yard, where I first saw Kath
and on to Adderley locks.
Here the situation was just the same as the previous flight and again a flight of five.
The first four went well, apart from the guy who was winding a paddle down and decided that it would be quicker to let go of his windlass. It spun like a top, flew off the spindle and right across the canal to land at my feet. I heard him say to himself "Won't try that again'.
He then asked me if I would throw it back to him, and held out his hands as if to catch it. I told him to step to one side and threw it on the bank behind him. If he had tried to catch it he would probably have ended up with a couple of broken fingers.
At the next lock the driver of his boat managed to get it caught on the overflow ledge and they were stuck there while I completed another two locks on my own.
At the fourth lock, D'fer doing his usual trick of waiting too late to get back on Almyne and then racing along the tow path barking all the way, took it into his mind to leap from the bank onto Almyne as soon as he thought Almyne was close enough. Wrong, Almyne was not close enough and he ended up in the canal.
With the high sides at locks there was no way he was going to be able to climb out and I was in Almyne trying to get into the lock. Took Almyne into the lock, slowed down and nearly stopped, leapt off on the side that D'fer was trying to get out at, only to see him swimming to the other side having given up where he was.
Back into Almyne over the lock out the other side and dragged him out by his collar.
He stayed in Almyne through the next lock without being told to.
(Just stood up to change the radio channel, my goodness I am stiff!)
Having completed ten locks I thought that was enough for the day and decided to pull over, but the sun was out, it was still only four o'clock and the next lock was upon me before I knew it. This was the first of fifteen, with a short pound after the eleventh.
I set off with enthusiasm, but after the first four I was not so sure. Fortunately there were several boats coming in the opposite direction so I did not have to walk back to the previous lock to close the gates very often.
Having completed the eleven locks in just two hours I decided definitely that I was stopping so pulled over for tea, chips, home made burgers (mince, finely chopped onions, a little chilli powder and some herbs bound together with an egg) and beans with two slices of bread spread thickly with butter, washed down with a can of beer. I'll sleep like a log tonight.
Target tomorrow, Wrenbury on the Llangollen.
Thu, 21 May 2009
2½ miles 2 locks
8½ miles 6 locks
Up early, this is the day for the Llangollen, Breakfast, eggs bacon on toast (run out of beans and tomatoes) and set of by half six.
Did the first four locks quietly so as not to wake the moored boaters and then reached a long stretch with no locks so could motor with impunity and enthusiasm. Nearly there, excited and happy.
At the next two locks there were boats coming through so they went really easily and from there to the Llangollen was just a straight run with no more locks.
Up through Nantwich, where there are boats moored all along the tow path and on the opposite side so I ad to slow down. This did not bother me as the sun was shining and everything in life was good. At Nantwich the heavens opened, thunder and lightning and buckets of rain; I pulled over and decided that if it was going to keep this up I would stay put as Kath
had already said that she could organise getting me picked up for the weekend. (Although I would reach the Llangollen today it would take another three or four days to get to where she is moored).
Ten minutes later the sun came out again, with a vengeance, so I got changed and set off again.
An hour later I reached the Llangollen turn off, pulled into it and read the 'Introduction to the Llangollen' sign that BW have at the entrance to the canal.
MAXIMUM WIDTH 6' 10".
Of spit, oh bother, oh all the expletives I could think of. Almyne is seven foot and a quarter of an inch wide, TWO and a quarter inches too wide to go up the Llangollen.
To say I was disappointed is an understatement. Rang Kath and explained the situation. We hastily revamped our plans, so now I will be leaving Almyne somewhere for a couple of weeks and joining her on Destiny, her boat. I will return to Almyne every fortnight to move her and then return to Destiny. Keep this going till the end of June when we can all just travel.
Carried on up the Shropshire Union to Calverly. With nothing to aim at in particular I made use of the facilities and emptied the porta pottie, got rid of all my rubbish and topped up with water. I also took the opportunity (while it was raining again) to transfer some stuff from Almyne to Almyne Too and visa versa.
Then I had a shower, I think I needed one.
What I did not realise was that at the junction for the Llangollen the Shropshire Union canal becomes a wide canal with fourteen foot locks, well, not until I reached the first lock, which is actually a staircase lock,just two of them fortunately.
I squeezed into the lock with another boat and there were enough people around that I did not have to do too much work. The major problem that I could see coming up is that in a staircase lock it is twice as long and twice as wide as any other staircase lock that I have come across. Too deep, too wide and too long for me to hold with a rope. If I had to do it on my own it would be a nightmare.
Continued on to just before the next lock and moored up. Washed the floor, tidied up and made Almyne presentable. Kath 's friend will be picking me up about half seven to spend a couple of days with Kath before bringing us all back to Almyne so that we can find a suitable long term mooring for her.
Fri, 22 May 2009
Kath
took me for a run along from Froncysyllte across the famous Pontcysyllte aqueduct to Trevor basin (Anglo Welsh) to empty her pump out and to get diesel, then we went to moor up at Whitehurst tunnel at Chirk.
We went to a night club for the evening. Nathaniel, her eldest son, has just started work for them and it is the opening night, so we went along to give support.
Sat, 23 May 2009
After a late night we were late getting up as well. A friend of Kath
's (Mike) took us to Wrexham (Wrecsam), to get some exhaust bandage and ties, for Destiny.
On the way back we collected Scott
and Kaia
from Nat's (Kath
's eldest son) and returned to Destiny.
We decided to take a walk to the river on the way back to Destiny, which turned into a hike and then a trek and then a route march but although it took much longer than we had anticipated and the river was running much too quickly for the dogs to go for a swim we all thoroughly enjoyed it (except Kaia who was getting very wet and muddy and getting covered in nettle stings, but bravely fought on to the end).
Had dinner and we all went to bed, to get ready for an early start tomorrow.
Sun, 24 May 2009
We spent most of the day just mooching around, tidying things up and, most importantly, sanding down the floor boards for the stern of Destiny.
Jacky, one of Kath
's friends collected all of us, (Kath
Scott
Kaia
Rowan
D'fer and myself) and took us back to Almyne. With five people and three dogs and loads of luggage in the car it was quite a squash.
By the time we got to Almyne, had a bite to eat and watched a DVD it was getting late but everyone was so excited that it was difficult to sleep.
Scott was soooo excited that he had a tummy ache and was up half the night chatting to Ralph and Huey and Kath and I took turns emptying his bucket and consoling him.
Mon, 25 May 2009
5 miles 8 locks
Up early, this is the day for the Llangollen. All we need to do is go along three locks, turn around and back five locks and into the Llangollen.
Set off around half eleven, after breakfast for three, Scott
was still feeling a little queasy.
The first lock was no trouble, and the next was just as easy. At the third lock there was a long queue. I think this was because although they were double locks, at this one there was a sign up asking boaters to be careful as this is a metal sided lock and there is a chance of catching a 'snag'. The queue of seven boats in front of us all went through singly, taking well over an hour.
We looked at it and discussed the situation with the boat behind us and decided to go through double. After that almost everyone went through as doubles, greatly speeding things up. Like everything on the canal, if you take it easy and keep an eye open for difficulties, they do not happen.
Through the lock, up to the winding hole, turned around and back to the lock again.
There was just as long a queue this way, so another hour and a half later were were through.
Back through the next two locks, hitched up Almyne Too and of again.
We eventually reached Calverly Facilities around six in the evening, but nonetheless we took the time to each have a shower.
Refreshed, we set off towards Hurleston Junction, but moored up a short way before at Barbridge Junction due to the failing light.
Our very first family dinner all together, seated around the table, by which time it was too late for a DVD, but still too early to go to bed, but we decided to go to bed anyway.
Tue, 26 May 2009
12½ miles 13 locks 2 lift bridges
Up early, this is the day for the Llangollen (again), breakfast, eggs bacon on toast and set of by half eight.
Shortly after I set off Scott
appeared in the doorway, still in his sleeping bad and hopped onto the stern to join me. Two minutes later Kaia
joined us, again in her sleeping bag.
By the time we reached Barbridge Junction Kath
was up as well and we all enjoyed the trip from there to Hurleston Junction.
This is the really telling point. Can we get through the 6 ft 10 inch lock.
Kath went up and found Linda the lock keeper who said that she would try and get us through.
The really narrow bit is just ten feet inside the lock, so if we can get Almyne past that we are home and free.
The wind was blowing a gale and it was nip and tuck that we would even get the nose into the lock, let alone any other part of Almyne. By joining two ropes together, giving us a 100ft long tow rope, we hauled the nose around against the wind and got Almyne started into the lock. Inch by inch we crept along, expecting to hear the sides crunch and grind at every second, but we got in without a hitch.
Hooray, hooray, we are in the Llangollen. Walked back and bow hauled Almyne Too through the first lock and then hitched her up to Almyne again for the next three locks.
From there on, plain sailing. It is only the very first lock that has the width restriction on it.
Although the forecast had said it was going to be cloudy all day, the skies seemed to clear once we were motoring along the Llangollen and I am sure that this was not just the sunny disposition that we were all feeling after having achieved our goal for the day.
A few locks further on we pulled over at Wrenbury to do some shopping. Just basic supplies and provisions to keep us going till we reach Destiny at Whitehurst Tunnel.
Scott and Kaia went ahead to operate the electrically worked lift bridge. Scott was at the operating station with the BW key and started the process off. Kaia was opening he road barrier which can only be moved after the warning sirens have been going for about half a minute. Unfortunately, one elderly woman took it into her mind to ignore the warnings and ended up with a bump on the head where she got in the way of the barrier.
This held us up for quite some time, but we eventually got on our way.
We travelled for another hour or so with Scott on the tiller, Kath slavering away in the galley Kaia running backwards and forwards getting in everybody's way while I sat on the computer checking my emails and updating the website, until dinner was ready when we pulled over moored up and had dinner.
While we were travelling there was a little shower of rain which produced the most wonderful double rainbow I ever remember seeing. It was soo bright and clear, it really made the day.
As we where anxious to travel as far as we could today we set off again and managed another hour and ten minutes, arriving at Grindley Brook shortly before eight.
having moored up we took a walk along the towpath to view the Grindley Brook staircase flight in preparation for tomorrow morning and got waylaid by a cockatoo which was extremely vocal, putting even D'fer
to shame.
we eventually got back to Almyne just before dark and battened down the hatches to try to keep the noise of the cockatoo at bay.
Wed, 27 May 2009
22 miles 8 locks 5 lift bridges
Up about half past six and had toast with peanut butter and marmalade for breakfast whilst everyone was still asleep. Did the engine checks and set off for seven thirty Scott
woke up half way through the first lock and managed to climb up the ladder in time to close the back gates for me. Neither Kaia
nor Kath
were feeling too well, possibly the bug that Scott
was enduring a couple of days ago, they both stayed in bed all day sleeping it off. I think Scott
give it them because he had it yesterday for three days. I think it might be my turn next and I'm dreading it because I'm such a wimp when I'm ill and they'll put me to shame the way they have been so stoic).
So we managed to get through the first lock and the next two locks went smoothly. Then we reached the staircase. We read the instructions and filled the top two locks and emptied the bottom one. Opened the bottom gates and went in, closed the bottom gates and started filling it. When it was full, we opened the gates and went in because that was no problem. Closed the gates behind us and started filling it which seemed to take quite a long time. When it was full we opened the next set of gates and tried to go into the next section but came to a stop. It seems that the lock is only two foot six deep and Almyne is two foot nine deep so we were grounded. The only way we could get fully into the lock was to fill both sections from the top lock. Once we gained the extra three inches we got right into the lock closed the gates behind us and started to fill it properly and were on our way again.
Stopped off at the facilities and emptied the porta pottie. Now we were free and clear to travel so we set off hoping to make Ellesemere by the end of the day.
Motored along very comfortably for several hours while Scott fell asleep on two stools just inside the cabin and Kath wandered in and out not knowing what she wanted most, fresh air or sleep to settle her poorly tummy.
Got to Ellesemere by about half past two where we moored up and Scott dragged me into town to buy the best turkey pie in Britain . Took some photo's of Blackemere in Ellesemere on the way past.
On the way into Ellesmere Destiny Scott took over the helm for a while as the canal here is particularly shallow in places especially when there are boats moored up to squeeze past
Since we still had lots of travel time left we set off again at about three o'clock and kept going until just after six when, after having completed another five miles and two locks, we pulled over and moored up.
Another long and exhausting day, so dinner and off to bed for a well earned rest.
Thu, 28 May 2009
5½ miles 2 tunnels
Well, this is it, the last leg of the journey, nearly there, approaching the target, the end is in sight.
The sun came up bright and shiny, welcoming me to the Llangollen and rewarding me for the effort put into the journey from Market Harborough. 188½ miles, 136 locks in 12 days travelling. Not bad by anyone's standards.
Kath
and I awoke with the sun, got up and started travelling by half seven. Kath
took the tiller most of the way, she had missed being helmsman for the past couple of days, while I stood back and took in the scenery.
We hadn't been going for more than a few moments when Kath mentioned that we were in an area that is usually frequented by several buzzards, when a rook flew over with what looked like a snake i nit's beak and landed in the field by the canal. A buzzard came out of no-where and pinched the snake from the rook, who, understandably, was a little miffed and gave chase. He was soon joined by another and the two of them harassed the buzzard for several hundred yards till the buzzard found sanctuary in a tree. The rooks could no longer attack it there so gave up. Interesting start to the days journey.
As we travelled, the sun came up higher and stronger and before long we were both down to our T-shirts, soaking up the warmth that had been eluding us for the past week or so.
Across Chirk Aqueduct (238 yards) through Chirk tunnel (459 yards) and a mile and a half to Whitehouse tunnel (191 yards) to moor up behind Destiny.
Kath was pleased to be back at her own boat, but did have to wait for her keys to be delivered by the person who had been looking after her cats.
Started unpacking Almyne Too to sort out all the junk and prepare to do a little work on her after all this time.
Scott
set to with a will and before long the shelves were in and the work top cut to shape and size and in position.
I sort of sat around and sort of supervised as my tummy was playing up now (Oh oh) while everyone else was industrious.
As evening approached I repacked Almyne Too, loads more room inside now the shelves are in, and we settled in for the evening meal of 'the best turkey pie in Britain ', with accompaniments.
Richard
rang and told us he would be arriving about ten, so we organised a DVD for the children to watch, settled them on Destiny and went up the tow path to meet Richard.
As per usual when Richard visits we sat around till the wee small hours chatting and drinking. A wonderful end to a perfect day.
Fri, 29 May 2009
A relaxing day, Kath
and co went shopping in town by bus while I stayed at the mooring catching up on internetty stuff.
Spent several hours sorting out some of the myriad of pictures that I have taken over the past few weeks and not yet had time to process, and even longer trying to upload them.
By the time Kath arrived back the day was nearly over so we spent the evening basking in the evening sunshine and quaffing a few jars before retiring for the night.
Sat, 30 May 2009
Just the right sort of day for getting wet clothes dry so I got the washing machine out, started the engine and set to. Only three loads, but each one has to be washed and rinsed twice and in my little tin tub, that takes a while.
There are some bands playing at 'The Mill' this afternoon/evening, so just after two we set off to Kath
's mooring which is much closer to 'The Mill' than our current location. Not far, but does involve one swing bridge and the Pontcysyllte aqueduct (the longest and tallest in Britain ). Kath
was kind enough to take the tiller while we crossed which gave me the chance to finish up the rinsing and getting the clothes ready to put on the dryer.
Moored up and met Mike and Orin at the moorings and sat and chatted for a while before walking up to 'The Mill' to enjoy a glass of beer (or two), some good music and good company.
We returned to Almyne before dark, but only just and enjoyed an evening meal of curry and rice before Scott
and Orin set up camp in the woods adjacent to the mooring and retired to bed leaving us to a little 'us time'.Sun, 31 May 2009
Woke to brilliant sunshine just after six. Crept out of bed and made myself some breakfast, peanut butter and marmalade on toast. Having reached the end of the peanut butter I gave the jar to D'fer, who carefully inserted his tongue s far as he could into the jar and cleaned nearly all of the remaining peanut butter out. I did make sure to keep an eye on him to make sure he did not try and crunch the jar.
A cup of tea and back to bed for a lie in. I always like to get out of bed before having a lie in, that way I know that I have had one and it was not just a dream.
© Chris Giles 2021
To make comments, point out errors or contribute please send an email to 