Mondays are becoming the new Sundays for publishing the Blog !
Monday, we had a friend on board, so cruised from Kidderminster to Wolverley for lunch at the Lock pub, and then back to Kidderminster.
On Tuesday, we needed to turn around, so did 2 locks (twice) and 2 mile to get back to Kidderminster facing the “right” way. Just below one of the locks there was a loud bang as something hit the propeller, bending one of the fins. So we now have a little vibration on the tiller, but more vibration of the boat whilst in reverse gear. We reported this to the company, who were deciding whether to send the engineer out to see us.
Wednesday was a short motoring day, the weather turned to heavy/thundery showers so we moored up below Whittington Lock at lunch time and watched the rain for the rest of the day. Whittington as in Dick’s Grandfather reportedly lived there!
Thursday, we cruised to our weekend moorings in Stourbridge Basin, via the 4 Stourton Locks, the pounds (the bit between two locks) had really low water levels. We were following, and helping out, a guy working his boat and locks alone, in the last pound he grounded his boat, and we needed to release more water from above the lock to re-float the boat. Once in Stourbridge basin, we had to reverse park our 57ft Boat in a 58ft space! (“Thanks Rog” – Nic!). On an evening stroll round Stourbridge we found a Laundry to drop off a bag of bedding and towels to be done over the weekend, a blessing not be spending 3 hours in the Laundry watching the machines spin.
On Friday, Rog finally managed to speak to the Chief Engineer of the Company (and send him a better photo of the propeller damage, as the water is clearer in the basin – See Below), we have agreed that the propeller needs fixing at his boat yard, on Monday 9 August – So 55 miles and 90 locks to do next week! Then Roger caught the train back to Birmingham International airport to collect another hire car, so we could drive down to Lyme Regis for a family “do” at the weekend.
Monday, we returned to the Boat in Penkridge, with Roger’s parents. It is always a relief to find all was good with the Boat. Whilst we still had the hire car we did some shopping, to save carrying it too far. Then Roger had to return the hire car to Birmingham Airport, which was a bit of a trial, with busy motorways, no easy petrol station, then Hertz charging the credit card for an additional day’s hire, despite returning it on time (got it sorted and refunded). After Roger got back to Penkridge on the train, we moved only a couple of miles to get out of Penkridge, and off the 5-day moorings (we had already been on there for 5 days), unfortunately we ended up a little close to the M6. As we came out of a lock, there was an awful noise from the boat, so we quickly moored up and started to investigate, Engine OK, Gearbox – looked OK but we are no engineers, propeller – not OK – it had a mangled rope fender wrapped around it! After one wet arm, and only a little bit of swearing Roger dislodged the fender and all was well.
On Tuesday, a really hot day, we (now four) cruised for 13 miles and did 8 locks, passing Autherley Junction (Shropshire Union canal) and the Aldersley Junction (Wolverhampton & Darlaston Canal) mooring just below Awbridge lock, a much quieter spot.
Wednesday was another cruising day, with Mum & Dad, covering 5 miles but 11 locks. Dad helping out with the locks. it was so hot in the Boat that Roger took out some of the windows to get more air flow.
Thursday, we got to Kinver in time for lunch at The Bay Tree, and being another really hot day, the restaurant air conditioning was a bonus. After lunch we cruised again for another few miles, to get closer to Kidderminster. Tonight’s mooring was in a lovely spot, but was slightly spoilt by the biting insects having a good feast on us. Nic as usual had the most impressive swollen reactions to the bites, (despite the anti-histamine tablets!).
Friday morning was a short cruise to Kidderminster, as Mum & Dad, left us by train, via Birmingham up to York. We walked through the town centre, then cruised out of town, towards Stourport.
On Saturday, motored to Stourport, down in to the basin, where the canal meets the River Severn, given that the boat is not equipped (no Anchor, Life jackets) for rivers, we had previously made the decision not to do rivers. On seeing the River Severn, even that far upstream, we are both glad we made that decision. So, after using the services in the basin, we turned the boat around and went back into the canal. Lunch at The Black Star pub, then cruised out of Stourport, back towards Kidderminster, to meet up with a friend from the Isle of Man.
Sunday, arrived back in Kidderminster, dinner and drinks at the Watermill pub.
And another late published blog, this time our excuse is another weekend off the boat.
Had a lazy day on Monday, didn’t move the boat, but we did walk back to Great Heywood to the farm shop for strawberries.
Tuesday, we followed a slow boat, towards Acton Trussell, then walked around the village, the canal book, says Acton Trussell “is best viewed from the canal”, it is obviously a commuter village but lots of nice houses and expensive cars. They were holding a Scarecrow competition (see photo below). We think this was a strong competitor! Roger had another hair cut sat on the bank, only one boat passed whilst cutting.
Wednesday, we moved back to Penkridge, to moor the boat for a few days, went to Penkridge market, a traditional market, where you could buy almost anything.
Thursday, Roger caught the train to Birmingham airport, via Wolverhampton to collect a hire car, so we could drive to Pocklington to celebrate Roger’s parents golden wedding anniversary.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday were spent with family celebrating.
On Monday, after recovering from Birthday week, we cruised to Gnosall (no, we are not sure how to pronounce it either). We walked around Loynton Moss country park, and ended the day with Chips in Gnosall Heath, and were entertained by the crew of the boat moored behind us singing.
Tuesday we cruised only 6 miles and 1 lock to Wheaton Aston, we had a nice walk across the field to the village.
Wednesday was an even shorter cruising day with only 4 miles covered to Brewood (pronounced “brood” we had to look it up), a changeable weather day, rain & shine. A walk into Brewood involving the purchase of sausages. Saw Speedwell Castle allegedly built by an apothecary from the winnings of a bet on a horse called Speedwell.
Thursday -onto a new canal – the Staffordshire & Worcestershire canal via Autherley junction, we headed north towards the Trent and Mersey canal at Great Heywood to join the dots of our travels.
Friday – we intended to cruise to Penkridge, however following a couple of chats with boaters heading in the other direction, it transpired that there was an angling competition in Penkridge, involving 64 anglers, so we decided to moor up near Bogg’s Lock and walk to Penkridge instead of cruising. (mooring would have been difficult).
Saturday, we did cruise to Penkridge involving more locks, including Penkridge lock, where we had to wait to fill with water and use the lock, as there were a few boats around, including a cruiser being propelled by a guy with a long stick.. a la… punting, a very strange sight. Whilst helping another boat through the lock, we lost a windlass into the lock, after a paddle dropped suddenly. The crew of the other boat had a magnet so attempted to fish it out, they did get one out, but not the one we lost, but hey ho we got a windlass. A rusty old windlass but still a windlass. (it has since cleaned up OK and works).
Sunday we cruised to Great Heywood, then fuelled up and turned around to head back down the Staffordshire and Worcestershire canal, looking out for a good phone signal so we can stream the football! We are moored up at Tixall poised for kick off.
Another blog posted on a Monday (rather than Sunday), this time our excuse is Nic’s birthday weekend.
On Monday (last week), we cruised towards Whitchurch, mooring a couple of bridges outside the town.
Tuesday morning, we cruised down the Whitchurch branch of the Llangollen canal to get close(ish) to an Aldi. The branch is only about 200 yrds long! The Whitchurch branch was busy and we were lucky to get a mooring. After shopping we headed out of the Llangollen canal, 2 lift bridges and 10 locks! we moored in Nantwich back on the Shropshire Union canal.
On Wednesday morning, Nic visited the local laundrette, “what fun!” then we had an easy cruise down to Audlem including the first couple of locks in the flight of 15 locks. as it was Nic’s birthday week we started celebrating with dinner at The Lord Combermere pub in Audlem, enjoying a really nice meal and a couple of drinks! On the walk back to the Boat we found a tenner!
Thursday, we have to complete the rest of the flight of locks, but were rewarded with a stall at the top lock selling all manner of cakes and pies, the Chocolate Brownie was fab. We then had to do another flight of 5 locks.
On Friday we made it to Market Drayton, a nice little town with old half-timbered buildings. After a walk round there was time to sit in the sun, and listen to Wimbledon, until the weather broke in the evening.
On Saturday, following a recommendation we cruised in the rain, with another 5 locks to the Wharf inn at Goldstone for lunch, including the Ice cream Sundae (see photos below) the lunch was worth cruising in the rain!
Sunday had a lazy day did not cruise anywhere, managed a lovely walk to Cheswardine, before the heavens opened with an amazing storm, we were so glad that we were not cruising!
Spent a very rainy Monday wandering around London, Trafalgar Square, Soho, Covent Garden, South Bank, St Paul’s Cathedral, Fleet Street and the Strand, then Euston Station for a train back north to Chirk and the Boat.
On Tuesday we went back over the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct after having to waiting only for a couple of kayakers to paddle over, however when we got to the other side it was carnage, there were about a dozen boats attempting to form an orderly queue and failing miserably, together with ½ dozen moored boats and 3 boats getting water from two taps. What fun!
We joined the queue for water adding to the carnage!
After collecting new glasses at the weekend, Nic was again able to see in tunnels, so skippered the two tunnels near Chirk.
We then met friends (you know who you are!) for lunch at The Poachers pub in Chirk, another good catch up. Then a quick shop for fresh fruit and veg at the Sainbury’s – in the Dobbies garden centre, who knew?!
On Wednesday, we had booked passage through the Frankton locks (4) on to the Montgomery Canal, as only 12 boats a day are allowed it is a quiet canal, which is navigable for only 7 miles, narrow and ‘overgrown’ in places, we moored up about halfway down it.
Thursday, we walked to West Felton (Picture below). Then, after Rog dragged ½ a tree out of the canal, which was threatening to block the navigation, we cruised to the end, turned around and moored up in Maesbury Marsh, and ended the day with a pint (or 2?) at the Navigation Inn.
On Friday we cycled to Pant, partly along the un-navigable canal but then even the towpath was closed, so we ended up on the roads. Had a lazy afternoon listening to a rain storm and in the evening we even lit the fire !! in June !!
Saturday we cruised back up the Mongomary canal for our booked passage back up the locks on Sunday morning, and spent the evening sitting in the Sun.
On Sunday after using the services, and washing the outside of the boat, it was up the Frankton locks, back on to the Llangollen canal, cruising east along the canal we have already done (in the other direction) then moored near Whitchurch.
This Week
Total
Locks
18
200
Miles Cruised (approx.)
40
378
Spent a very rainy Monday wandering around London, Trafalgar Square, Soho, Covent Garden, South Bank, St Paul’s Cathedral, Fleet Street and the Strand, then Euston Station for a train back north to Chirk and the Boat.
On Tuesday we went back over the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct after having to waiting only for a couple of kayakers to paddle over, however when we got to the other side it was carnage, there were about a dozen boats attempting to form an orderly queue and failing miserably, together with ½ dozen moored boats and 3 boats getting water from two taps. What fun!
We joined the queue for water adding to the carnage!
After collecting new glasses at the weekend, Nic was again able to see in tunnels, so skippered the two tunnels near Chirk.
We then met friends (you know who you are!) for lunch at The Poachers pub in Chirk, another good catch up. Then a quick shop for fresh fruit and veg at the Sainbury’s – in the Dobbies garden centre, who knew?!
On Wednesday, we had booked passage through the Frankton locks (4) on to the Montgomery Canal, as only 12 boats a day are allowed it is a quiet canal, which is navigable for only 7 miles, narrow and ‘overgrown’ in places, we moored up about halfway down it.
Thursday, we walked to West Felton (Picture below). Then, after Rog dragged ½ a tree out of the canal, which was threatening to block the navigation, we cruised to the end, turned around and moored up in Maesbury Marsh, and ended the day with a pint (or 2?) at the Navigation Inn.
On Friday we cycled to Pant, partly along the un-navigable canal but then even the towpath was closed, so we ended up on the roads. Had a lazy afternoon listening to a rain storm and in the evening we even lit the fire !! in June !!
Saturday we cruised back up the Mongomary canal for our booked passage back up the locks on Sunday morning, and spent the evening sitting in the Sun.
On Sunday after using the services, and washing the outside of the boat, it was up the Frankton locks, back on to the Llangollen canal, cruising east along the canal we have already done (in the other direction) then moored near Whitchurch.
The boat has not moved this week, it is still in Trevor basin, hopefully…. We are currently in Kent and publishing this short entry from my phone rather than my laptop.
An easy day on Monday, then on Tuesday, we were invited to dinner by Nic’s Aunt near Chester, and never refusing an invite, we went, the journey involved a 3 mile bike ride, a train and then a bus, we then stayed overnight.
Wednesday we returned to the Boat. On Thursday we attended a funeral near Leyland, so more trains, a bus replacement, then returned to Pocklington with Mum & Dad.
Having started to consider our options from October, we have had the offer from family to use their motor home. So given previous experiences with the van, on Friday we sold the van to webuyanyvan.com ! Having first emptied its contents into Roger’s parents newly cleared out Garage! Then headed to Kent to visit Nic’s brother and family, who we have not seen in person since last February.
So all in all, a busy week and back to the boat for a lie down tomorrow!
On Monday we visited the pretty village of Wrenbury. On Tuesday we visited the picturesque town of Whitchurch, where we had to deal with 4 lift bridges, which take a hell of a lot of winding with a windlass to open and then close again. We moored in the middle of nowhere on Tuesday night, it was so remote, and the tow path was overgrown and so far below the level of the canal, that Nic didn’t even set foot of the boat (Roger did the mooring up!)
On Wednesday, after another lift bridge, (thankfully we followed another boat through so we didn’t have to do the winding), we moored next to Blakemere (nr Ellesmere), so across the towpath, there were a couple of trees and fishing spot (we do not fish, but a good set up for the chairs) then a fabulous view onto Blakemere. That fabulous view included lots of wildlife on the mere including a Heron, Great Crested Grebe, a couple of Kingfishers, a Buzzard, Turns and many more. It was a wonderful mooring spot, one of our best … and we have to go back past it on the way out of the Llangollen Canal, so will probably stay there again, if we can get it..!
Thursday, we passed the end of the Montgomery Canal, with a passing thought that we would go and do it, however you have to book passage via the locks for between 9 and 12 noon and they only allow 12 boats a day down, so we couldn’t do it.. but after talking to a few fellow boats about it, we’ll be booking it on our way back. (follow the blog to find out more … !)
On Friday we cruised all the way to Trevor over the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, a World Heritage Site (photos below) a stunning piece of architecture, designed by Thomas Telford, we were also really lucky with finding a lovely mooring spot in the Trevor basin, a small tree lined canal arm. We are just past a boat yard, in a dead end – a chap who had just spend a week on a hire boat came to talk to us and said “if I’d have known this was here, I would have just reversed the boat into here and not cruised anywhere”.
On Saturday, given the restricted draft (depth) of the rest of the Llangollen Canal, up to Llangollen, and the fact we were actually on sure of the draft of Life in Slow Motion we decided to not take the boat to Llangollen but cycle the towpath (National Cycle Route 85). We are thankful that we did, as the canal is really narrow and windy, hats off to the first time boaters who hire from Trevor boat yard and cruise straight to Llangollen.
On returning to the boat, Nic gave assistance to a fellow boater, who it transpires has had a mild stroke. Mainly just checking on him every few minutes, until his family arrived to take him to hospital.
Today, Sunday we have walked along the River Dee, to the Ty Mawr country Park then back along the canal. on this walk we needed to go alongside a road for part of it, we were wondering how busy it would be on this glorious weekend, however it turned out that the road was closed to motor traffic, as part of the roadside had slipped into the valley and was awaiting repairs, so in actual fact it was a very peaceful road!
Our regular readers will have noticed that we usually publish our blog on Sundays, however yesterday (Sunday) following a long day, helping novice boat crews through the Hurleston 4 Locks, then getting ourselves through the same plus a 5 more locks followed by a beer we completely forgot to write the blog, so here goes…
Last Monday we cruised 8 miles with 5 locks into the centre Chester, a nice mooring near a large weeping willow tree.
Tuesday, we met Nic’s Auntie for lunch at The Old Harkers Arms pub, really good chocolate brownies.
Wednesday we cruised up to Ellesmere Port, the end of the Shropshire Union canal and the National Waterways Museum, which we visited on Thursday morning, before being taken out of lunch by Friends in return of a cruise down to the nearest Winding Hole and back to their car, and after the third turn of the day (turning is not so easy in a 57 foot tin box!!) we headed back in the direction of Chester, mooring up near Chester Zoo.
On Friday we made it back to Chester (a couple of miles) Roger visited the local DIY stores to buy some wheels, which could hopefully be used as fenders against the Shroppie Lip (see last week’s blog). Nic walked Chester City Walls. We then cruised on, via the Chester Staircase of 3 Locks, unfortunately when we got there it must have been the CRT volunteers lunch break, as they were nowhere to be seen, as Roger was driving Nic had to deal with the three locks. We ended Friday at the Cheshire Cat pub in Chrisleton for dinner, spending some “Dinning Out” vouchers we received for Christmas. A nice meal, Roger overdosed on Carbs, Lasagne with garlic bread and fries!
Saturday, we had a long day (for us) cruising back to the bottom of the Hurleston Locks the start of the Llangollen canal, we covered 14 miles including 6 locks, thankfully we had another boat with us through the double locks which made it easier. The new wheel fenders were moderately successful on the Shroppie Lip.
Sunday we were 4th in the queue for the locks, but there was a problem, as the pounds between a couple of the locks had emptied overnight, so the CRT volunteer was dealing with this before anyone could start their assent of the 4 locks. as changeover day for some of the holiday hire boats is Saturday, there were a lot of novice crews attempting their very first locks, as there was only one CRT volunteer on, Roger helped one of the novice crews up all four locks before starting again with “Life in slow motion”, so it took some time to get to the top, then we could see a boat in each of the other 3 locks and at least 4 more boats waiting to start (we couldn’t see the end of the queue). 5 miles and 9 locks for the day and moored up near Wrenbury.
On Monday, we returned to the boat in Middlewich, which thankfully was exactly where we left it and it started first time. As we had left the Van in Pock, Nic’s parents drove us back to Middlewich, and were our first overnight visitors and stayed on board until Friday.
After a quick shopping trip to Lidl to boost supplies, on Monday afternoon we moved the boat in the rain onto the Shropshire Union Canal. Not far just to get the boat away from the noisy Middlewich main Road. Our intention had been to go up to Chester, but there were ongoing works on the branch up to Chester after a breach in the canal banks and the work was not due to be completed for a few more days.
Instead, on Tuesday, we took the Shropshire Union south, (left at Barbridge Junction!), and headed for Nantwich. We moored close to the Nantwich Aqueduct, and those in Instagram will have already seen a photo of the grooves in the iron work, left by the ropes of the horse drawn barges in times past.
Wednesday saw us motor to Audlem for a lovely pub lunch at The Lord Combermere, before turning round to head back the base of the Llangollen Canal for our first mooring experience on the Shoppie Lip! This is a lip of concrete below the water surface which prevents the boat being tight up against the bank, and so our usual fenders are not substantial enough enough to prevent the hull of the boat banging against the lip when other boats pass, or when we move around the boat. Those in the know seem to have all manner of tyres to use as fenders to prevent the banging, if we are spending much time on the Shroppie, we will be getting ourselves some tyres!
As the weather had been relatively kind we had been making good time, so on the Thursday we decided on a trip up the Llangollen canal as far as the turning circle between Bridge 10 and 11. It was lovely to have an extra driver (Dad) and catering staff on board (Mum), notably lots of lovely homemade shortbread and scones.
Thursday we had a second night on the Shroppie Lip, before heading on Friday morning to Calveley for the rendezvous with Nic’s Aunt to take parents back to their car, and the inevitable Services stop.
Saturday was a domestic day, sweeping out the boat etc, then a lovely evening meal at Nic’s Auntie’s house complete with chauffeur service by Mum.
Sunday (today) has been glorious, so suncream on and a leisurely motor along towards Chester now that the Canal has reopened.
