Almyne journeying in 2008
Wed, 1 Oct 2008
Spent another day just preparing for the journey up to Llangollen.
Reversed up to the boat yard and put in twenty litres of fuel at seventy two pence per litre. Not a bad price but I have been told that fuel is just sixty five pence per litre at Wheaton Aston, so I will save seven pence per litre on nearly one hundred litres, worthwhile.
Took the Morris up to Brewood and found a safe place to park it, then walked back the five miles to Autherley junction where I collapsed into a comfy chair and had a power nap for twenty minutes or so after which I did some updating to the web site. Hopefully I have nearly caught up, although there is still so much to relate that I have forgotten at the moment, I keep remembering little incidents that I must go back and put in on the relevant day.
Thu, 2 Oct 2008 5 miles 1 lock
I call it a lock but it is only a rise of six inches. Properly, it is a stop lock, just enough of a difference to ensure that boats stop (and pay their tolls). This one was put in to make sure that the Birmingham canals did not steal water from the Shropshire Union canal.
After my long walk yesterday I slept in till quite late, hence we set off at half twelve and motored along the Shropshire Union canal to Brewood (pronounced brewed).
The Shropshire Union is unlike any other canal I have been on so far, it passes through deep cuttings, alternated with being built up above the surrounding countryside. At one moment you are surrounded by trees and high banks in a very narrow channel and a few moments later you are gliding along overseeing a vista of fields as far as the eye can see with the odd farmhouse perched on a hillside in the distance or perhaps a church spire gleaming in the sun.
Pulled over at Brewood just after four and got nattering to the couple on the boat ahead of us. Well it was D'fer
who did the introductions as usual. He went racing up to their dog and started playing. The couple haven't spent a winter on board yes but are attempting it this year. They intend to over winter on the Llangollen and were telling us of the 'planned stoppages'. 'Planned stoppages' are where BW have decided that work needs doing and the work entails closing a stretch of canal. Sometimes this entails draining a section of canal, sometimes it means removing lock gates (to replace them) or that sort of thing. Anyway, they are real stoppages, sometimes lasting several months.
Offered to get them provisions in Wednesbury tomorrow when we go there but they declined. I gave them some of the new potatoes from the sack that we purchased a few weeks ago. I like purchasing potatoes by the sack, it works out so much cheaper than little bags, even if we have to throw half of them away. Much better to give half of them away.
Transferred the rest of the bits and pieces from the Morris to Almyne and settled in for a game of cards before bed.
Fri, 3 Oct 2008 3 miles 1 lock
Remember the chimney
Up early, breakfast a wash and set off to Wheaton Aston in the Morris by nine. Only three miles by canal but nearer six by car. Found a place to leave the Morris and walked back to Brewood, D'fer leading the way at a run. I must have fairly legged it all the way as it took me just forty five minutes to do the three miles along the tow path, which is not the smoothest of surfaces.
Back at Almyne I did the engine checks and was motoring along by nine fifty. I had spotted a couple of things to pick up during the journey when I walked back to Almyne, one a fold up chair and the other was a piece of ply big enough to replace the sagging and rotten weed-hatch cover board. Managed to collect both on the journey so now I have some more work to do.
Got to Wheaton Aston shortly after eleven and promptly set of to Wednesfield to get Rosanne's prescription filled, pick up the remaining items that she wants on Almyne and purchase the final items on the shopping list. That done we returned to Almyne again.
The garage at Wheaton Aston not only supplies the cheapest diesel on the cut but also looks like one of those oldie worldie garages that might just deal with real cars like the Morris, so I asked them if they could give mine a service and replace a tyre while I am cruising the Llangollen. No problem, but they cannot store it while I am away.
Walked back to where I had parked the Morris and started unloading it when a guy walked up to his car in the parking area by the BW facilities. I asked him what the rules and regs were about parking here long term and we suddenly recognised each other. It was Paul who helped us with the flat battery when we first picked up the boat.
Parking, no problem. Arranged for the garage to do the service etc while I am away and on returning to Almyne found a list of the stoppages on the back seat.
I think the couple that we had been nattering to yesterday must have printed them out and left them on Almyne on their way past.
The Llangollen is effectively blocked off from the rest of the system from November third till December nineteenth. Don't want to get stuck there.
Mind you, there is another stoppage along the Shropshire Union in tow places. If we can arrange to be between these two place on November third then we can stay there till Christmas at no charge, it looks like a good idea to me.
Stoppage list in exchange for a few potatoes, that's a good trade.
Sat, 4 Oct 2008 2 miles 2 miles
Setting
Memorial to Dave
Up early again, must stop this before it becomes a habit.
Got rid of all the rubbish and found out that the facilities for emptying the porta pottie are unavailable for a few days. Oh well, will have to wait till Norbury junction for that, could be a long wait.
Trotted over to the garage to collect the Morris keys so that I could move it to a different space, I had been occupying one that, although it is not reserved, is usually used by a resident. Sorted that and did the engine checks.
Set off at nine twenty and went straight to the garage again, this time to top up with diesel, 119.2 litres. I had been told that the tank holds 120 litres, but I guess that this is incorrect as I put in 20 litres two days ago at Autherley junction and I just know that I have not used all that.
The 'take off' for the diesel in the tank is not at the bottom, but about an inch or so above the bottom of the tank. This is to minimise the risk of sludge being drawn into the fuel lines, so perhaps the tank holds 120 litres of usable fuel. I will try not to run it down that low again.
Carried on cruising till just before twelve when I spotted the ideal place to moor up. A wide stretch of bank, nice and grassy, close to some trees but fairly open. The trees are on a slope away from the canal so they are not towering over us.
Pulled over and moored up. Task one, clear the back of the boat so that I can get to the weed hatch cover board. Everything off the back of Almyne and I cut some wood for the fire. It is beginning to get a little chilly, even in day time. Fire going, I took the piece of plywood that I picked up yesterday on to the bank and marked it up for cutting to replace the weed cover hatch board.
All I have to cut it with is a rip saw and there are several curves to be made. Cut it roughly to size and then traced the curves on to it. Cleverly, I used a power router to cut the curves. It took several 'bites' as it is not powerful enough to take out a quarter inch section right through the 20mm plywood, but no worries, it coped.
A long task, best completed in several small hits. During one of my breaks I took a walk along the bank and came across, for want of a better expression, a shrine. It is a little 'cairn' of stones, one of them beautifully painted with a house and the other detailing the person to whom it is dedicated. The way it is arranged with the protective palisade of timber and the collection of items included in the cairn is wonderful and makes you realise that there are still people who care.
Having got that shaped to size, with all the curves fitting nicely, I gave it it's first coat of paint on one side, carefully placing it well out of the way as my next task was to cut the logs on top of Almyne up to usable sizes for the fire.
Out with the chain saw and within ten minutes I had a stack of about 30 logs just the right length for the fire. Just need to let them weather a bit and split them into smaller lumps. An eight inch diameter log just doesn't fit the fire too well and doesn't burn too well either.
While I was doing all this Rosanne was busy cleaning Almyne from stem to stern and baking some fairy cakes for afternoon tea.
With most of the logs cut up, I tidied the tools away and cleared up, cut some more small stuff for the fire (lots of it around in the woods). Then I took a well earned break, a cup of tea and a couple of fairy cakes, to celebrate the completion of several tasks that I have been planning for some time.
Sun, 5 Oct 2008
EarlyMorningMist
EarlyMorningMist2
Woke up to the sound of rain on the roof. Not doing a lot today, glad I got all those little outside jobs out of the way yesterday.
No travelling today either.
Spent all morning playing cards and reading books. About two in the afternoon the sun came out and dried up all the rain, and insy wincy spider climbed the spout again. Well, the rain was dried up enough to collapse the gazebo and put it away by five, in preparation for travelling tomorrow.
Kept the fire going all day and the temperature inside Almyne got up to 38C, much too hot, so the doors and windows were wide open.
Later on in the evening we sat on the stern watching the stars and identifying those constellations that we knew and wondering if we should get a book on star gazing so that we can learn all of them.
Saw several shooting starts and loads of aeroplanes, I mention the warplanes just so that you realise that we can tell the difference.
Went to bed with a really good feeling inside, at peace with nature.
Mon, 6 Oct 2008 8½ miles 1 tunnel
High Bridge
The Viking
Set off quite early, while Rosanne was still asleep. In some ways I think that I should have woken her up as she missed Cowley tunnel and cutting.
The tunnel was originally intended to be nearly a mile long, but because they had so many problems with the roof caving in the tunnel eventually ended up as just 81 yards, the rest becoming a cutting. Shear rock walls both sides with tree roots clinging to the bare rock for nearly a mile.
Then along Shelmore embankment, nearly a mile of canal raised over 30 foot above the surrounding countryside with vistas, over the tops of trees, of the surrounding countryside and into Norbury Junction where we pulled over and moored up for a while.
Did not use the laundry or the showers, but it is useful to know that they are there. Did top up with water and emptied both porta potties while the opportunity was there.
Set off again a couple of hours later after investigating the area just in case we do get stuck here with the stoppages.
A short distance outside Norbury junction we got to Grub Street Cutting with High Bridge halfway along and then on to Shebdon embankment. The Shropshire Union really does exhibit the expertise of the engineers of the day with these deep cuttings through solid rock for a mile or more with no mechanical assistance at all, followed by the embankments that rise 30 to 40 feet above the surrounding countryside for a mile or more, again built without the aid of any mechanical tools, just the sweat and labour of men.
Eventually moored up just north of bridge 47 in a good little spot and had dinner from tins.
With the fridge not working too well we only buy enough meat for two days at a time, so tonight is the night for tinned meat. Two tins of minced beef with onions, a tin of kidney beans, a tin of plum tomatoes and lots of herbs and a little chilli powder accompanied by rice cooked in orange juice.
It was better than I had expected and there is enough left over for tomorrow as well.
Tue, 7 Oct 2008 7 miles 5 locks
Wooden Horse
Started of just after ten. Scenery much the same a yesterday, except that Woodsheaves cutting was even more spectacular than the others we have been through. I would take pictures but you just cannot get an idea of it from pictures, you have to see it.
The five locks at Tyrley were interesting. Because the locks are in the cutting, as near as dammit, the exit point is accompanied by water, lots of water. Leaving the lock is a bit like joining a river. The overflow from the pound above rushes in at the bottom of each lock pushing Almyne onto the opposite bank and if you are not careful it is easy to get stuck there.
The trick is to leave the lock as quickly as possible and just keep going till you are clear of the fast water. The nearest thing on the canal to shooting the rapids. (I may have used that expression before, but it does not change the sensation).
Arrived in Market Drayton just after two, in time for the heavens to open again, so hunkered down and lit the fire.
After a while the rain eased off and eventually stopped, so I went into Market Drayton to get meat for a couple of days.
Chores done, I took D'fer for a walk. A lad was cycling past towing a trolly and asked what D'fer was (as many people do) so I got the chance to ask where he got his trolly from. Apparently he made it himself from an old golfing trolly. I must see if I can get a couple from a charity shop, they might just make a buggy for D'fer to pull.
On the way back to Almyne spotted a boat that was displaying a 'traders license', so got chatting to the owner. Apparently a traders license is about £60 per year more than a normal license and gives no more privileges than an ordinary license. Except that BW patrol officers tend to be more lenient with them and, more importantly, once the new legislation comes in in November about charging 'white' diesel prices for 'red' diesel, a 'commercial' boat still only pays 'red' diesel prices. With a difference of 40 to 50 pence per litre the extra cost of the traders license would be recovered in just 150 litres of diesel. I think I have purchased about 300 litres so far this year, so it looks like a good idea to me.
Wed, 8 Oct 2008 3½ miles 5 locks
Lazy start to the day mooching around doing this and that in between the rain showers. Rosanne did some more painting. I had noticed that the bilge pump was not working so started to try to trace the fault. One thing let to another and I ended up replacing the whole of the control panel, something that I had been intending to do for a long time now. Eventually took the bilge pump out and dismantled it. It was clogged up with bits of debris and once that was cleaned out I tested it again. Still no joy - it must have decided to meet it's maker. Walked along to the boatyard the other side of the bridge and purchased a new one, not as expensive as I thought it was going to be but still more than I hoped for.
The clouds cleared around three, so we set off towards Nantwich.
Hadn't gone very far when we spotted a boat reversing into a bridge hole, so we held back till they were sorted out. They were actually trying to get in top the boat yard moorings just past the bridge.
Got going again and who should be coming the other way but Chrissie
and
Richard
from Digitalis (Now changed hands) . I tried to stop and pull over but the bank was much too shallow to moor up. Tried again a few hundred yards further on but with the same result. By the time I found somewhere to moor up they had disappeared completely.
Carried on for a while and was hailed by a boat called 'Destiny' which was moored up. The guy on the helm asked if we were going to collect some wood, there was loads of it on the opposite bank, so I pulled over to join in the collecting. Between us we collected enough wood to keep us going for several weeks and they got enough for a bit longer than that.
We then carried on towards Nantwich assisted by the family on Destiny, Reg
, Kath
, Kaia
and Scott
.
Scott went ahead and set all the locks in our favour while Reg set the lock behind him as they went through. Kaia helped us through the locks. It all went very smoothly and we were in Nantwich before we knew it.
Thu, 9 Oct 2008 8 miles 17 locks
Having run out of two stroke for the chain saw I wanted to get to a garage. We all set off for Audlum where, so the guide said, there was a garage. Kaia did a wonderful job of the locks and Rosanne got really good at taking Almyne into and out of the locks. We did the first eleven in just two hours. Stopped at Audlum for a bite to eat and to try to get some petrol. While we were eating I asked a local inhabitant who was walking past where the garage was, and was told that it had closed a year or two ago.
Set off again at bout three heading for Nantwich, four more locks, past a 'Secret Nuclear Bunker' and then another two locks, arriving in Nantwich by five fifteen.
Kaia had been helping us all the way and stayed for dinner and Scott joined us a short while later.
They stayed nattering till quite late and we eventually sent them home and settled down for the night at about eleven as we were due to set out fairly early in the morning. Reg and Kath
wanted to get to Llangollen by Saturday for the children to get back to school for the Monday
Fri, 10 Oct 2008 12½ miles 4 locks
Up at half seven. Reg , Kath
, Scott
and Kaia
surfaced about half eight and after another natter and fond farewells we set off for Middlewich while they set off for Llangollen. We paused at the Llangollen junction to say our final farewells and then carried on towards Middlewich.
After several miles and a couple of locks we came across a marina, Venetian Marina to be precise and pulled over to see if anyone could look at and perhaps fix the weep of diesel from the diesel pump. I was told that a guy called Kevin could look at it but that he was in their Middlewich office, so set off again after arranging to call in there on our way past.
A couple of miles further on we passed Ron on NB Inky and I going the other way and this time we managed to pull over and stop for a chat. Caught up on all Ron's news. I originally met Ron at All Cannings when he was escorting Carol on NB Kentish Maid along the K & A.
He promised to send me the details of the diesel increases and how they affect boaters (and later on did so). He also gave me lots of tips about where to stay and good places to visit.
Got to Kings Wharf at Middlewich at about four and was asked if I could wait a while as they were trying to get a boat ready to go out. Put dinner on and lit the fire just after half six and settled in for the night, Perhaps they will have time to look at it tomorrow.
Sat, 11 Oct 2008 5 miles 5 locks
Up before eight as I did not want to miss a chance to get the weep looked at. Another long wait but took the opportunity to walk along to the garage and purchase a petrol can, some petrol and some two stroke oil for the chain saw.
While we were waiting for the weep to be looked at a boat came and breasted alongside us to fill up with diesel. Got chatting to him about diesel prices and the impending increases and picked up some more tips, both from him and the boat yard operators.
He went of to pay for his purchases and on his way back stopped off again for another chat. Asked about the weep and what I had done so far to correct it, so I told him. He suggested that it might be the little brass washer that seals the bleed off point for the injectors. Undid the screw and took off the washer. It looked a little ridged so took it in to the chandlery to see if they had one. They looked everywhere and eventually found that they did not have any that size. However the guy in charge 'annealed' the one that I had. Annealing is the process of heating the item up till it goes red and then letting it cool down naturally. With brass is softens the material so that it has a chance of being squashed when squeezed and making a proper seal. Replaced the washer and set off on our journey again hoping that it had done the trick this time.
Worked our way past a farmer spreading silage for a mile or two and then past the sewage works looking for somewhere to stop that smelt of fresh air not those strong country odours.
Pulled over at Wheelock, a little village in the middle of nowhere with a village shop. Topped up on everything from the BW facilities, did a little shopping and settled in for the night in preparation for a long day tomorrow. Expecting to do another long flight if the weather holds.
Sun, 12 Oct 2008 4 miles 14 locks
Set off bright and early. Although doing lots of locks is not a problem and not even hard work, the thought of more than ten at a time is still daunting. Rosanne has really got the hang of taking Almyne into and out of the locks and holding Almyne at the gates while I work the locks. She has the look and skills of a real boat woman now. We did the first eleven locks in just under three hours and pulled over at 'Lock 57' a cafe come bistro situated at lock 57. There is a little shop there so we had a look but there was nothing of interest so had a bite to eat on Almyne and continued.
Most of the locks on this flight are doubled, that is there are two locks at each rise side by side. Most of the locks were in our favour which made life easier and often when we met a boat coming the other way it was not a problem as they could use one lock while we were using the other.
Did the next five locks and three miles of canal in just over three hours ending up at Snapes Aqueduct just before the next flight of twelve locks leading up to Kidsgrove and Harecastle tunnel. Decided that we would leave those till another day as we had already done fourteen lock and that is enough for one day.
Noticed during the day that the bilge pump was not working, need to look at it before we take on so much water that we are walking in it.
Mon, 13 Oct 2008 2 miles 9 locks
Wet Feet
Dodgy connection in the control panel was stopping the bilge pump working, made up a new lead and that sorted the problem. Ran out of gas so changed the bottle and before lighting the fridge, which had not been working very well, took that out and gave it a good clean as best I could. There was a lot of dust around the little gas flame and and I think that is what was causing it to not get as cold as it should.
Checked the weep on the diesel pump - nothing, at last it seems to be cured. Lots of little jobs getting done and preparation for the winter going on apace.
Only did a couple of hours travelling today ending up at Red Bull facilities where there is a shower and laundry facilities. Made good use of them but it still took all evening to get the washing dry in the tumble dryer. Got nattering to the people on the next boat and found out where the local supermarket is, so wandered along there to make some purchases. Still not sure of the fridge so only stocked up for a couple of days, although they did have some of the wine that Rosanne likes so got a box of that.
Settled down to a game of cards for the evening and between each game I checked on the drying. It was done by the time we were ready for bed.
Tue, 14 Oct 2008 3½ miles 3 locks 1 tunnel
Ooops2
Ooops
I wandered in to Kidsgrove to the supermarket again to get as many boxes of wine as I could carry, but they only had three so made Kidsgrove proper for a wander around. Not much there really but found a post office so Rosanne could post a card and then returned to Almyne to brave the tunnel.
Although Harecastle Tunnel is the ninth longest canal tunnel in Britain , at 1.66 miles, it is the fifth longest in use. Of the others only two are used for normal navigation.
We entered the tunnel at one twenty five after a conversation with the tunnel keeper about what to do and what not to do. We were lucky in that the tunnel is one way and we did not have to wait for boats coming in the other direction so went straight in. D'fer was not too pleased about having to stay inside Almyne for the duration but rules are there for his safety.
I was expecting to see the opening at the other end soon after entering as it gives you something to aim for but there was no sight of it at all. I was beginning to think that maybe there was a kink in the tunnel but this is unusual and even more unusual for it not to be mentioned in the guides. We plodded on and on and on and still no sign of the other end. eventually I made out what looked like a pair of lock gates and could not believe that there was a lock in the middle of the tunnel. As we got a little closer the gates opened and I realised that they had put gates at the entrance to the south tend of the tunnel to stop boats going in while people were travelling from north to south. We exited at five past two and were mightily relieved to do so but at the same time filled with an exhilaration that was wonderful to experience. It really has the 'wow' factor and we just can't wait to do another of equal or greater length or maybe do Harecastle Tunnel again in the other direction.
We only travelled a short way after that and moored up at Westport Lake to recover from the not unpleasant ordeal.
Wed, 15 Oct 2008 6 miles 5 locks
We really seem to be getting in to the swing of things - getting up later and later. I was up round nine and started working on a site for Church
when mum
rang up. She was just setting off from Connie's and wanted to know where we were so that she could visit. I worked out where we were and where ?I could get to so that they could visit and gave them directions.
Had to set off almost immediately so as to get to the rendezvous in time. Moored up at Etruria an hour later, just after twelve and changed the gas bottle. A short while later D'fer started creating like mad on the back of Almyne and when I looked out Peter
was stood on the opposite bank. Walked round, over the bridge and we discussed the best place for them to park up and come over. Peter went back to the car and moved it to a convenient parking place and then mum and Peter walked to Almyne.
Spent a couple of hours catching up and exchanging all the news and after bite to eat and a cup of tea mum and Peter went on their merry way.
We set of again to find a spot to moor up that was a little further out of town then we had been for the past week, if for no other reason so that D'fer could have a good run without worrying about main roads and too many people.
Through Stoke-on-Trent, which was interesting seeing all the old pottery kilns beside the canal, and a couple of miles further on to a more rural area.
We moored up just before six and settled in for the evening.
Thu, 16 Oct 2008
Bogeys2
Bogeys
Spent most of the day working on the web site again, should be finished soon.
Rosanne was working on one of her paintings and when I am, bimbling about on board I tend to rock the boat so, as she was working on a particularly delicate bit, I took D'fer for a walk. We walked several
miles back towards Stone and I took the opportunity to get a couple of pictures of some bogeys that
have been placed beside the canal (and chained down) to be used a seats for walkers. A novel use of
old rolling stock that is no longer needed.
Further in to Stone I called in to a tackle and gun shop just to look around and was intrigued to find that they have a whole bunch of second hand air rifles, much like the ones I used to use as a child all those many years ago at Little Park Mansions. Nostalgia is not what it used to be though.
Back at Almyne Rosanne had finished what she was doing and as the afternoon was quite mild we enjoyed an hour or so just watching the world go past Almyne and chatting briefly to the passers by, one of whom remarked that she had seen D'fer a few days ago the other side of Stone - his reputation is spreading.
Didn't go anywhere as we were enjoying the countryside too much.
Fri, 17 Oct 2008 4½ miles 5 locks
Worked on the web site for Almyne for the morning and set off just after three, just for a change of scenery. Maybe we are becoming blase or maybe we are just getting used to it all or maybe we really are becoming boaters, but we really cannot remember what was different about today. One day drifts into the next and although each day is different unless I write notes there and then it is difficult to recall what happens on each day.
I know that we ended up just north of Stone and decided not to try the flight of locks through Stone today, so had an early night of it.
Sat, 18 Oct 2008 3½ miles 5 locks
Worked our way in to Stone for just after midday. Stopped off and did the usual stuff with Almyne, porta pottie and water top up.
Walked in to Stone to see the market but it was so small as to be easily missed.
With the fridge working properly we purchased meat to last at least five days so that we really can moor up away from it all. Set off again just after two to complete the last three of today's five locks and moored up in a beautiful little spot about two miles from the nearest habitation.
D'fer was delighted to be able to wander at will and was soon playing with a border collie. The owner started chatting and told us that the two dogs had been playing in Stone the previous day and that she recognised D'fer immediately.
For a change we had a quiet evening with no passers by, except for the one boat, a restaurant boat going past with lights blazing and lots of merriment on board.
Sun, 19 Oct 2008
Risky Business1
Risky Business4
Risky Business3
Another day of rest. Lots of little chores again, cut up some logs with the chain saw, after sharpening it. Caught up some more with the Almyne web site. Rosanne worked hard on her display boards and the flower pot.
Finished off the day with a Sunday roast.
Richard
rang, he is hoping to be able to visit on Tuesday, so we must make sure that we have provisions for him by then.
The early evening are becoming really noticeable, dark before seven, but looking on the bright side, the day will start to get longer again by December 21st.
Mon, 20 Oct 2008 2½ miles 1 lock
We had planned to set off just after midday, and we did. Just after the first bridge, which was a mere 100 yards from starting point, I spotted Dewie coming in the other direction and we both threw our boats into reverse and pulled over. Dewie has teamed up with a guy called Tony while they refurbish a new boat that they have purchased and we spent over three hours chatting and drinking tea and coffee while we caught up on each other news.
Dewie, although he is not particularly a dog lover, is getting a Cocker spaniel, partly I think because he was so enamoured of D'fer on our first meeting. He was most impressed by Rosanne's paintings of Roses and Castles, and that coming from a person who has had his art published and who had earned worthwhile sums of money from it, it quite an accolade.
Dewie and Rosanne got on like a house on fire, chattering away to each other in Welsh, leaving Tony and I to converse in English. I think Tony could probably write 'The Poachers Guide to the Canals' should he want to and was a mine of information about living off the land, none of which I will remember, but it was interesting.
I had told Dewie of our plans for getting a garden shed and he told us of a boat for sale this side of Great Haywood (where we are heading) that might just fit the bill and to keep and eye out for it.
We eventually went our separate ways just after four in the afternoon and made it to Weston-upon-Trent by nightfall. Richard was planning to see us there sometime on Tuesday.
Tue, 21 Oct 2008 2½ miles
Audience2
Audience1
Waited for a call from Richard till late morning and then gave him a ring. The previous evening he had rather overdone things and told me that perhaps this was not a good day to visit, so we set off again towards Great Haywood. We had only travelled for a couple of miles when we arrived at Hoo Mill Lock and spotted the 'Garden Shed' that Dewie had told us about. Sure enough in the windows were two for sale signs, each with a different number on it. I rang both, but both were on answerphone.
A short while later I had a call from Martin, the guy that was making Rosanne's pentagram necklace, to say that it was finished. While I was chatting to him I had another missed call. I rang that one back and it was one of the numbers that I had rung about the garden shed. We chatted and although he was asking more than I could really afford we arranged to meet the following morning at Hoo Mill Lock so that we could look over it properly.
Richard rang and told us that he had decided that he was fit enough to travel now and was on his way. I worked out where we were in relation to the nearest road and guided him in along a farm track to where we were moored up. He arrived and we spent another long evening chatting and catching up.
Neither Rosanne nor I wanted to get too excited about it but nonetheless neither of us could sleep well that night, partly because of the thought of actually getting a garden shed and partly because Richard snores loudly.
Wed, 22 Oct 2008 2 miles 1 locks 2 miles 1 lock
Garden Shed2
Garden Shed1
Garden Shed3
I say four miles and two locks but actually we ended up at our starting point.
Nick, the guy with the garden shed arrived just after ten, as we had arranged and Rosanne and I viewed it. It really is just what we want, so the negotiations began. An hour and a half and several cups of tea later we had agreed that I could hitch the garden shed up to Almyne and take it for a spin and I would contact Nick when I returned to Hoo Mill Lock to discuss things further.
Richard and I hitched the garden shed up to the back of Almyne with some ratchet straps and a couple of ropes and we all set off for Great Haywood. Rosanne took the pair into the first lock and I took over down to Great Haywood, checking out the performance all the way. It seemed to work well, but the major test was trying to 'wind' both of them at the turning point. It went far more smoothly than I had expected. Back up to Hoo Mill Lock and through it and on to the next winding hole, where again the pair turned with no more problems than if it were just Almyne. Reversing was considerably improved with the garden shed on the back so the tests proved that we could tow the garden shed and negotiate any of the normal hazards that we were likely to come across.
Rang Nick and we settled on a price, fortunately one that I could just afford. It has left us with about four pounds and thirty five pence to last till the end of November, but with the stores of tinned food that we have on board I think we can manage.
Nick lives at Shrewsbury, or close to it so was unwilling to drive all that way again but appreciated that we wanted to continue our travels so we arranged to meet at Wheaton Aston on Saturday to complete the transaction. I suppose that being on the canal it was unlikely that I could just run off with the garden shed and never be seen again but I still think that it was trusting of Nick to allow me to. Rosanne and I to started planning what we would do with the garden shed, what we would call it, what colours we would paint it, what we should put inside and so on. I just could not wait to get started on it, but Rosanne, quite rightly, said the we should really wait till the exchange was complete before doing anything, so I curbed my enthusiasm as far as I could for the time being.
Thu, 23 Oct 2008 12 miles 7 locks
Hmmmmm, Wheaton Aston by Saturday, a bit more ambitious that I should have been, but there you go, we all get carried away by excitement. Set off just after ten with a brisk wind hampering our progress all the way the target for the day being Penkridge , the one time capital of England (look it up).
Down to Great Haywood, along through Tixall Wide, past Radford Bridge down through Acton Trussel and in to Penkridge for twenty to six. It had just started to rain as we moored up and we were both tired and cold after a gruelling day in the wind, but comfortable with progress.
The garden shed had performed admirably all way with only the tiniest bit of fishtailing on the odd occasion.
We did have to stop off during the journey to tow a boat and its crew off the mud bank where it had got stranded but that is part and parcel of life afloat.
Fri, 24 Oct 2008 14 miles 7 locks
Started the day by walking in to Penkridge to Jaspers to get a loaf of bread and two small ratchet straps. The big ones that Richard had left with us did the job but used our mooring hooks making mooring up at anywhere other than on rings difficult.
Changed the ratchet straps over and stowed the mooring hooks for use later on and set off with forty five pence in the kitty.
Through Otherton, alongside the M6 for a mile or two and in to Gaily where we topped up on water and service our other needs at the facilities. We have started getting interesting comments about the garden shed and how well it matches Almyne and how they make a good pair, really rather pleasing.
On past Calf Heath, Hatherton Branch and on to Autherley Junction where we turned right up along the Shroppie towards Wheaton Aston . Going under bridge two we hit an obstruction under water which rolled Almyne rather alarmingly but no harm done, although Rosanne was convinced that we were going to roll right over and sink for a few seconds.
Realised that we would not make it to Wheaton Aston today and pulled over about a mile and a half short of Brewood just as it was getting dark.
Rang Nick to let him know of our progress and that we would be at Wheaton Aston by midday Saturday when he told us that Sunday would be much better for him. That took the pressure of a bit, although we still wanted to get to Wheaton Aston by Saturday to see Martin with the necklace.
Sat, 25 Oct 2008 5 miles 1 lock
Up extra early and after a quick breakfast set off at eight to get to Wheaton Aston to arrive by nine (ha ha). Again it was windy and overcast but, fortunately, not raining.
A hire boat ahead of us pulled over and let us past and then pulled in again behind us. The woman was walking along the bank with the guy steering. I wondered why they had done this but did not bother too much.
Got to the lock at Wheaton Aston and it all became clear. It was their first ever time on a boat and had never been through a lock before and wanted to see how it was done. I explained that a lock is like a bath with a plug hole at one end and taps at the other. You will never fill a bath if the plug is not in place and you will never empty a lock if the taps are on. Made sense for them and when we were through I went back to guide them.
Rosanne took Almyne down to the mooring point and moored up, another first for her.
I went straight to the garage and sorted out the Morris, picking it up on Monday so that I can get to the bank to get the money to pay for it.
Then Rosanne and I went down to see Martin and collect her necklace, she was delighted with it.
Peter
Rosanne's brother arrived just after one and we all sat around nattering for the afternoon until he left just before five when Rosanne got ready to see her daughter in Totnes for a few days. Jim
picked her up around eight and D'fer and I settled in for a quiet evening on our own. Early night with my book, ready to see Nick to pay for the garden shed tomorrow.
Sun, 26 Oct 2008
Early to bed and early to rise, so the saying goes. An early night last night so I was up by just after nine, good for me in this weather. Took D'fer for a short walk, but as the first thing he did was to sniff around and look for Rosanne's scent, which he soon found, and went bounding off along the towpath in the direction that she had left in. Up on to the bridge, over the bridge and in to the car park of the pub. I caught up with him and took him back to Almyne, hoping that he would not be running off all day long. Martin popped along and invited us for a cup of tea on his boat and we sat around chatting till nearly midday, when Nick was due to arrived to settle up on the garden shed. I waited for nearly an hour before he turned up and then realised that I had been up at eight and that i had forgotten to put the clocks back, so I was an hour ahead of everybody else.
Nick and co arrived and they were sort of pleased to selling the garden shed and sort of tearful to see it go. I reassured then that it was going to a good home and would be loved and gave then the web site address so that they could check on progress in the future if they wished.
Ran up the engine for a couple of hours to try to get up to date with the web site until D'fer started creating about going for a walk. Took him the opposite way to Rosanne's route past the lock and along the tow path for a couple of miles. On the way back I bumped in to Mark
, who invited me for a cup of tea and a chat. Whiled away several more hours talking about his projects and plans and our projects and plans until well after dark, when I wandered back to Almyne for a bite to eat and some more web site updating.
Mon, 27 Oct 2008 1 mile 1 lock
Up early, breakfast and over to the garage to pick up the Morris. Drove to Stafford and found a bank. They required two forms of identification and as I only had one they asked me to ring my bank to get clearance. That was an unlooked for hassle but went smoothly enough. Got some money so back to the garage, paid them and I was free and clear to do my own thing.
Took Martin and Cari to Cannock to do some shopping. Cannock has everything. Martin and Cari wanted a Lidl so we went there first. I got the bits and pieces that I wanted and so did they. Then off to Asda for some more bits and pieces.
They then showed me a Big D store. The Big D store is truly enormous and I got the ratchet straps that I wanted and could have spent loads more money there if I had it, but fortunately I did not, so saved several hundred pounds.
Back to Almyne for just after two, a quick bite to eat and fitted the ratchet straps. Now there are four small ratchet straps holding the garden shed in tow rather than two very large ratchet straps and two long ropes, with the ends dangling all over the place. Looks a lot neater and seems to perform in just the same way.
Did the engine checks and reversed to the garage to fill up with diesel. 55.4 litres, so that is how much diesel it has taken to do the 'Four Counties Ring', when I get time I will work out how many hours engine running and how many miles that is.
Set off towards Brewood but stopped after just one mile and one lock as it was beginning to get dark and cold.
Moored up, lit the fire and settled in for the evening.
Tue, 28 Oct 2008 11 miles 1 lock
Up with the sun at just before seven. Set off at half eight after a quick breakfast heading towards Penkridge . By half nine the weather had taken a turn for the worse and it was beginning to drizzle. Plodded on, determined to get to Autherley junction if no further. The target was Autherley junction by twelve, making an average speed of just two miles per hour.
Cleared Autherley junction by half eleven, still in the drizzle and was getting very cold and a little bit wet. Started looking for somewhere to pull over and have a hot cup of tea and a warm up.
Eventually found a suitable mooring point some three miles further on at Cross Green.
Put the kettle on and set the fire. It just would not catch properly and after an hour and two cups of hot tea and a bowl of soup I set off again, aiming for Gaily lock.
Then it started snowing. Apparently this is the first time that this area has had snow in October for seventy years, I just hope it doesn't last.
Pulled over opposite Hatherton Marina and moored up. My fingers were frozen as I don't have any waterproof gloves and handling wet ropes is a sure way to get cold quickly. It took twice as long as it should have done, but I was not going to rush things however cold I was.
Tied up safe and sound I set to to get the fire going properly, that took nearly two hours, most unusual.
With the fire going and tea on the go I started to warm up, next time I am going to get the fire going properly before I set out.
Warmed and fed I decided on an early night, particularly as I want to get to Penkridge before the end of tomorrow and it might take several short trips, warming up in between each lock on the way.
Didn't turn out that way as I made a new bell rope for the hatch as the old one had rotted and broken.
Wed, 29 Oct 2008 3 miles 3 locks
Frosty Morning
Rigid Rug2
Rigid Rug
Up with the sun at just after six. A beautiful morning with a really heavy hoar frost everywhere. Got the fire going good and proper (it was down to 47F) and made sure that it was heating the boat through before I did anything else. Breakfast eaten and I was fit to travel. Well I thought that I was fit to travel. To do the engine check I have to lift the rug that sits over the engine covers (it helps to deaden the sound). That was rock solid, so I stood it up at the back and did the engine checks and then put it back down again.
Started the engine. When I came to untie the mooring ropes I discovered that a wet rope frozen solid is a bit like a bar of steel, rigid. Got out the hammer and chipped the ice off the fore rope and then battered it into submission to get it off. Repeated the process with the aft rope.
Set off in brilliant sunshine which was gradually thawing things out. Arrived at Gaily shortly before nine and stopped for a cup of tea and a warm up. It was mostly my fingers that were non functional. When I tried mooring up the rope was still rigid and I had to manhandle it around the bollard. Got rid of the rubbish and emptied the porta pottie. Decided not to top up with water as I have to squeeze the residual water out of the hose before I put it away and that is always very cold work. In this weather it would be just unbearable.
While I was mooching around warming up a boat came up through the lock and pulled over for water. Their hose would not fit so I looked for an alternative connector. Didn't have one so got my hose out any way so that they could fill up. As the hose would have to be squeezed anyway I decided to fill up with water after all.
The guy on the other boat came along and gave me a pair of waterproof rubber gloves, just the ticket, now it will be much less of a problem emptying the hose. He also gave me a bag of coal that apparently won't burn on his fire. What a good trade, a bag of coal and a pair of gloves in exchange for use of my hose
Set off again and after having worked through three locks, wearing the waterproof rubber gloves, pulled over to do some wood chopping and such while the sun is still out.
Thu, 30 Oct 2008 2 miles 3 locks
Enough logs chopped yesterday to last me a while so off to Penkridge today. Set off just after eight and arrived in Penkridge for half nine. Apparently the busses run from Penkridge to Wheaton Aston at ten to the hour every hour, so should be no problem catching one of them to pick up the Morris.
Walked in to Penkridge and studied the bus timetables and checked with a local person. I was at the wrong bus stop. Found the right on and along came the bus. Just one pound for D'fer and I to go to Wheaton Aston, good value.
Even better value when you realise that the bus went the long way round calling at every village and hamlet on the way, and some that could not even be called Hamlets, but got there in the end.
Collected the Morris and drove straight to Wednesfield to collect Rosanne. Rosanne had only just woken up so had a cup of tea while she got herself together.
Set off to Almyne calling in at Cannock on the way to do some shopping. One great deal was three chickens for a tenner, too good to miss, especially as at this time of year we can leave them in the cratch to keep cool if there is not enough room in the fridge (which is working quite well at the moment).
Back to Almyne and settled in for the evening as it was already getting too dark to go anywhere.
Fri, 31 Oct 2008 14 miles 9 locks
Sunny autumn day with quite a long way to go. Set off at nine with an ambitious task ahead to get past Great Haywood junction if we can. Although the frost had melted away it was still pretty chilly, even when there was no breeze. Did the first few locks through Penkridge and then we were in to open countryside.
Rosanne stayed inside keeping the fire going and handing me cups of tea every thirty minutes or so, while D'fer shared himself between me on the back of Almyne and the fire to warm up a bit.
Rosanne told me how she liked to open the back doors to hand me a cup of tea and see my grinning face looking back at her - it made her realise just how much I enjoy being at the tiller. It was only when we had moored up and I went inside and warmed up a bit that I could tell her that it was not a big cheesy grin, it was either frostbite or rigour mortise setting in and pulling the muscles in my cheeks tight that made me look like that.
We had intended taking a break at Tixall Wide for a mug of soup and a warm up but as we were running a little late I had my soup in a mug at the tiller. Past Great Haywood, where approaching the bridge hole I sounded the horn, one long blast to indicate that I was coming to a blind junction, but still when I reached the bridge hole there was another boat racing around the bend and rushing straight at me. Now the 'highway code' of the canal simply says that the right of way in a bridge hole is the one who gets there first so it was my right of way. However, to avoid a collision I threw Almyne into reverse and threw the tiller over so as not to hit them too hard. Fortunately they did the same and we did not hit. By this time they were the wrong side of me to get around the junction and I was the wrong side of them to turn where I wanted to go. Ten minutes of manoeuvring and I was on my way leaving the other boat to sort itself out. I sometimes wonder if any of them have even got a copy of the 'rules of the canal', let alone read it.
Two more locks and a couple more miles and we were approaching the Hobbit Hole, but we moored up several hundreds yards short, partly because there were 'rings' to moor up to and partly because the guy on the boat that we were passing shouted out that he liked the garden shed and that he had tried to buy it several years ago.
Pulled over and moored up, well tried to but as soon as I was near the bank the guy came up and told me the best way to tow a boat like the one I had behind me. The five minutes instruction was informative and interesting but then he went on to tell me how I should use the ropes to hold the garden shed for the best towing performance, followed by five minutes of describing the method of linking two boats together for towing. At this point I politely told him that I was going to tie Almyne to the rings and when she was secure I would come back for a chat. He left me to tie up and then promptly returned to describe to me how he tied his two boats together so that there was no 'fishtailing' of the towed boat and that it would work just as well with my two.
By this time I had got the idea and started to steer the conversation in other directions, but no, he was straight back on to the pros and cons of the various methods of tying boats together for towing.
Rosanne popped her head out of the hatch and the guy immediately pounced on her and told her how he had wanted to buy our garden shed several years ago and the best way to tie them together to make towing easier.
Now I think that Rosanne must be a little quicker than me because having had it explained once she retired inside and left the guy to tell me in great detail how to link two boats together with ropes so that the towed boats rides along smoothly and does not affect the towing boat too much.
I my years of sales training and learning I have come to understand that the best way of reinforcing new information is 'spaced repetition', but believe me, after a while it can get very boring and too much repetition can become counter productive.
Sometime after dark I managed to gracefully extricate myself from the 'conversation' and retire to Almyne for refreshment and food, so very welcome after a day in the cold.
After eating and a couple of games of cards I had an early night while Rosanne did some of her craft work.
I wanted an early night as we had planned to get in to Rugeley fairly early to get D'fer a bone and some biscuits and a couple of other bits and pieces to set us up for a fortnights travelling.
Roast chicken for dinner tonight, with all the trimmings.
Top
Spent another day just preparing for the journey up to Llangollen.
Reversed up to the boat yard and put in twenty litres of fuel at seventy two pence per litre. Not a bad price but I have been told that fuel is just sixty five pence per litre at Wheaton Aston, so I will save seven pence per litre on nearly one hundred litres, worthwhile.
Took the Morris up to Brewood and found a safe place to park it, then walked back the five miles to Autherley junction where I collapsed into a comfy chair and had a power nap for twenty minutes or so after which I did some updating to the web site. Hopefully I have nearly caught up, although there is still so much to relate that I have forgotten at the moment, I keep remembering little incidents that I must go back and put in on the relevant day.
Thu, 2 Oct 2008 5 miles 1 lock
I call it a lock but it is only a rise of six inches. Properly, it is a stop lock, just enough of a difference to ensure that boats stop (and pay their tolls). This one was put in to make sure that the Birmingham canals did not steal water from the Shropshire Union canal.
After my long walk yesterday I slept in till quite late, hence we set off at half twelve and motored along the Shropshire Union canal to Brewood (pronounced brewed).
The Shropshire Union is unlike any other canal I have been on so far, it passes through deep cuttings, alternated with being built up above the surrounding countryside. At one moment you are surrounded by trees and high banks in a very narrow channel and a few moments later you are gliding along overseeing a vista of fields as far as the eye can see with the odd farmhouse perched on a hillside in the distance or perhaps a church spire gleaming in the sun.
Pulled over at Brewood just after four and got nattering to the couple on the boat ahead of us. Well it was D'fer
who did the introductions as usual. He went racing up to their dog and started playing. The couple haven't spent a winter on board yes but are attempting it this year. They intend to over winter on the Llangollen and were telling us of the 'planned stoppages'. 'Planned stoppages' are where BW have decided that work needs doing and the work entails closing a stretch of canal. Sometimes this entails draining a section of canal, sometimes it means removing lock gates (to replace them) or that sort of thing. Anyway, they are real stoppages, sometimes lasting several months.
Offered to get them provisions in Wednesbury tomorrow when we go there but they declined. I gave them some of the new potatoes from the sack that we purchased a few weeks ago. I like purchasing potatoes by the sack, it works out so much cheaper than little bags, even if we have to throw half of them away. Much better to give half of them away.
Transferred the rest of the bits and pieces from the Morris to Almyne and settled in for a game of cards before bed.
Fri, 3 Oct 2008 3 miles 1 lock
Remember the chimney
Up early, breakfast a wash and set off to Wheaton Aston in the Morris by nine. Only three miles by canal but nearer six by car. Found a place to leave the Morris and walked back to Brewood, D'fer
leading the way at a run. I must have fairly legged it all the way as it took me just forty five minutes to do the three miles along the tow path, which is not the smoothest of surfaces.
Back at Almyne I did the engine checks and was motoring along by nine fifty. I had spotted a couple of things to pick up during the journey when I walked back to Almyne, one a fold up chair and the other was a piece of ply big enough to replace the sagging and rotten weed-hatch cover board. Managed to collect both on the journey so now I have some more work to do.
Got to Wheaton Aston shortly after eleven and promptly set of to Wednesfield to get Rosanne's prescription filled, pick up the remaining items that she wants on Almyne and purchase the final items on the shopping list. That done we returned to Almyne again.
The garage at Wheaton Aston not only supplies the cheapest diesel on the cut but also looks like one of those oldie worldie garages that might just deal with real cars like the Morris, so I asked them if they could give mine a service and replace a tyre while I am cruising the Llangollen. No problem, but they cannot store it while I am away.
Walked back to where I had parked the Morris and started unloading it when a guy walked up to his car in the parking area by the BW facilities. I asked him what the rules and regs were about parking here long term and we suddenly recognised each other. It was Paul who helped us with the flat battery when we first picked up the boat.
Parking, no problem. Arranged for the garage to do the service etc while I am away and on returning to Almyne found a list of the stoppages on the back seat.
I think the couple that we had been nattering to yesterday must have printed them out and left them on Almyne on their way past.
The Llangollen is effectively blocked off from the rest of the system from November third till December nineteenth. Don't want to get stuck there.
Mind you, there is another stoppage along the Shropshire Union in tow places. If we can arrange to be between these two place on November third then we can stay there till Christmas at no charge, it looks like a good idea to me.
Stoppage list in exchange for a few potatoes, that's a good trade.
Sat, 4 Oct 2008 2 miles 2 miles
Setting
Memorial to Dave
Up early again, must stop this before it becomes a habit.
Got rid of all the rubbish and found out that the facilities for emptying the porta pottie are unavailable for a few days. Oh well, will have to wait till Norbury junction for that, could be a long wait.
Trotted over to the garage to collect the Morris keys so that I could move it to a different space, I had been occupying one that, although it is not reserved, is usually used by a resident. Sorted that and did the engine checks.
Set off at nine twenty and went straight to the garage again, this time to top up with diesel, 119.2 litres. I had been told that the tank holds 120 litres, but I guess that this is incorrect as I put in 20 litres two days ago at Autherley junction and I just know that I have not used all that.
The 'take off' for the diesel in the tank is not at the bottom, but about an inch or so above the bottom of the tank. This is to minimise the risk of sludge being drawn into the fuel lines, so perhaps the tank holds 120 litres of usable fuel. I will try not to run it down that low again.
Carried on cruising till just before twelve when I spotted the ideal place to moor up. A wide stretch of bank, nice and grassy, close to some trees but fairly open. The trees are on a slope away from the canal so they are not towering over us.
Pulled over and moored up. Task one, clear the back of the boat so that I can get to the weed hatch cover board. Everything off the back of Almyne and I cut some wood for the fire. It is beginning to get a little chilly, even in day time. Fire going, I took the piece of plywood that I picked up yesterday on to the bank and marked it up for cutting to replace the weed cover hatch board.
All I have to cut it with is a rip saw and there are several curves to be made. Cut it roughly to size and then traced the curves on to it. Cleverly, I used a power router to cut the curves. It took several 'bites' as it is not powerful enough to take out a quarter inch section right through the 20mm plywood, but no worries, it coped.
A long task, best completed in several small hits. During one of my breaks I took a walk along the bank and came across, for want of a better expression, a shrine. It is a little 'cairn' of stones, one of them beautifully painted with a house and the other detailing the person to whom it is dedicated. The way it is arranged with the protective palisade of timber and the collection of items included in the cairn is wonderful and makes you realise that there are still people who care.
Having got that shaped to size, with all the curves fitting nicely, I gave it it's first coat of paint on one side, carefully placing it well out of the way as my next task was to cut the logs on top of Almyne up to usable sizes for the fire.
Out with the chain saw and within ten minutes I had a stack of about 30 logs just the right length for the fire. Just need to let them weather a bit and split them into smaller lumps. An eight inch diameter log just doesn't fit the fire too well and doesn't burn too well either.
While I was doing all this Rosanne was busy cleaning Almyne from stem to stern and baking some fairy cakes for afternoon tea.
With most of the logs cut up, I tidied the tools away and cleared up, cut some more small stuff for the fire (lots of it around in the woods). Then I took a well earned break, a cup of tea and a couple of fairy cakes, to celebrate the completion of several tasks that I have been planning for some time.
Sun, 5 Oct 2008
EarlyMorningMist
EarlyMorningMist2
Woke up to the sound of rain on the roof. Not doing a lot today, glad I got all those little outside jobs out of the way yesterday.
No travelling today either.
Spent all morning playing cards and reading books. About two in the afternoon the sun came out and dried up all the rain, and insy wincy spider climbed the spout again. Well, the rain was dried up enough to collapse the gazebo and put it away by five, in preparation for travelling tomorrow.
Kept the fire going all day and the temperature inside Almyne got up to 38C, much too hot, so the doors and windows were wide open.
Later on in the evening we sat on the stern watching the stars and identifying those constellations that we knew and wondering if we should get a book on star gazing so that we can learn all of them.
Saw several shooting starts and loads of aeroplanes, I mention the warplanes just so that you realise that we can tell the difference.
Went to bed with a really good feeling inside, at peace with nature.
Mon, 6 Oct 2008 8½ miles 1 tunnel
High Bridge
The Viking
Set off quite early, while Rosanne was still asleep. In some ways I think that I should have woken her up as she missed Cowley tunnel and cutting.
The tunnel was originally intended to be nearly a mile long, but because they had so many problems with the roof caving in the tunnel eventually ended up as just 81 yards, the rest becoming a cutting. Shear rock walls both sides with tree roots clinging to the bare rock for nearly a mile.
Then along Shelmore embankment, nearly a mile of canal raised over 30 foot above the surrounding countryside with vistas, over the tops of trees, of the surrounding countryside and into Norbury Junction where we pulled over and moored up for a while.
Did not use the laundry or the showers, but it is useful to know that they are there. Did top up with water and emptied both porta potties while the opportunity was there.
Set off again a couple of hours later after investigating the area just in case we do get stuck here with the stoppages.
A short distance outside Norbury junction we got to Grub Street Cutting with High Bridge halfway along and then on to Shebdon embankment. The Shropshire Union really does exhibit the expertise of the engineers of the day with these deep cuttings through solid rock for a mile or more with no mechanical assistance at all, followed by the embankments that rise 30 to 40 feet above the surrounding countryside for a mile or more, again built without the aid of any mechanical tools, just the sweat and labour of men.
Eventually moored up just north of bridge 47 in a good little spot and had dinner from tins.
With the fridge not working too well we only buy enough meat for two days at a time, so tonight is the night for tinned meat. Two tins of minced beef with onions, a tin of kidney beans, a tin of plum tomatoes and lots of herbs and a little chilli powder accompanied by rice cooked in orange juice.
It was better than I had expected and there is enough left over for tomorrow as well.
Tue, 7 Oct 2008 7 miles 5 locks
Wooden Horse
Started of just after ten. Scenery much the same a yesterday, except that Woodsheaves cutting was even more spectacular than the others we have been through. I would take pictures but you just cannot get an idea of it from pictures, you have to see it.
The five locks at Tyrley were interesting. Because the locks are in the cutting, as near as dammit, the exit point is accompanied by water, lots of water. Leaving the lock is a bit like joining a river. The overflow from the pound above rushes in at the bottom of each lock pushing Almyne onto the opposite bank and if you are not careful it is easy to get stuck there.
The trick is to leave the lock as quickly as possible and just keep going till you are clear of the fast water. The nearest thing on the canal to shooting the rapids. (I may have used that expression before, but it does not change the sensation).
Arrived in Market Drayton just after two, in time for the heavens to open again, so hunkered down and lit the fire.
After a while the rain eased off and eventually stopped, so I went into Market Drayton to get meat for a couple of days.
Chores done, I took D'fer
for a walk. A lad was cycling past towing a trolly and asked what D'fer was (as many people do) so I got the chance to ask where he got his trolly from. Apparently he made it himself from an old golfing trolly. I must see if I can get a couple from a charity shop, they might just make a buggy for D'fer to pull.
On the way back to Almyne spotted a boat that was displaying a 'traders license', so got chatting to the owner. Apparently a traders license is about £60 per year more than a normal license and gives no more privileges than an ordinary license. Except that BW patrol officers tend to be more lenient with them and, more importantly, once the new legislation comes in in November about charging 'white' diesel prices for 'red' diesel, a 'commercial' boat still only pays 'red' diesel prices. With a difference of 40 to 50 pence per litre the extra cost of the traders license would be recovered in just 150 litres of diesel. I think I have purchased about 300 litres so far this year, so it looks like a good idea to me.
Wed, 8 Oct 2008 3½ miles 5 locks
Lazy start to the day mooching around doing this and that in between the rain showers. Rosanne did some more painting. I had noticed that the bilge pump was not working so started to try to trace the fault. One thing let to another and I ended up replacing the whole of the control panel, something that I had been intending to do for a long time now. Eventually took the bilge pump out and dismantled it. It was clogged up with bits of debris and once that was cleaned out I tested it again. Still no joy - it must have decided to meet it's maker. Walked along to the boatyard the other side of the bridge and purchased a new one, not as expensive as I thought it was going to be but still more than I hoped for.
The clouds cleared around three, so we set off towards Nantwich.
Hadn't gone very far when we spotted a boat reversing into a bridge hole, so we held back till they were sorted out. They were actually trying to get in top the boat yard moorings just past the bridge.
Got going again and who should be coming the other way but Chrissie
andRichard
from Digitalis (Now changed hands) . I tried to stop and pull over but the bank was much too shallow to moor up. Tried again a few hundred yards further on but with the same result. By the time I found somewhere to moor up they had disappeared completely.
Carried on for a while and was hailed by a boat called 'Destiny' which was moored up. The guy on the helm asked if we were going to collect some wood, there was loads of it on the opposite bank, so I pulled over to join in the collecting. Between us we collected enough wood to keep us going for several weeks and they got enough for a bit longer than that.
We then carried on towards Nantwich assisted by the family on Destiny, Reg
, Kath
, Kaia
and Scott
.
Scott went ahead and set all the locks in our favour while Reg set the lock behind him as they went through. Kaia helped us through the locks. It all went very smoothly and we were in Nantwich before we knew it.
Thu, 9 Oct 2008 8 miles 17 locks
Having run out of two stroke for the chain saw I wanted to get to a garage. We all set off for Audlum where, so the guide said, there was a garage. Kaia
did a wonderful job of the locks and Rosanne got really good at taking Almyne into and out of the locks. We did the first eleven in just two hours. Stopped at Audlum for a bite to eat and to try to get some petrol. While we were eating I asked a local inhabitant who was walking past where the garage was, and was told that it had closed a year or two ago.
Set off again at bout three heading for Nantwich, four more locks, past a 'Secret Nuclear Bunker' and then another two locks, arriving in Nantwich by five fifteen.
Kaia had been helping us all the way and stayed for dinner and Scott
joined us a short while later.
They stayed nattering till quite late and we eventually sent them home and settled down for the night at about eleven as we were due to set out fairly early in the morning. Reg
and Kath
wanted to get to Llangollen by Saturday for the children to get back to school for the MondayFri, 10 Oct 2008 12½ miles 4 locks
Up at half seven. Reg
, Kath
, Scott
and Kaia
surfaced about half eight and after another natter and fond farewells we set off for Middlewich while they set off for Llangollen. We paused at the Llangollen junction to say our final farewells and then carried on towards Middlewich.
After several miles and a couple of locks we came across a marina, Venetian Marina to be precise and pulled over to see if anyone could look at and perhaps fix the weep of diesel from the diesel pump. I was told that a guy called Kevin could look at it but that he was in their Middlewich office, so set off again after arranging to call in there on our way past.
A couple of miles further on we passed Ron on NB Inky and I going the other way and this time we managed to pull over and stop for a chat. Caught up on all Ron's news. I originally met Ron at All Cannings when he was escorting Carol on NB Kentish Maid along the K & A.
He promised to send me the details of the diesel increases and how they affect boaters (and later on did so). He also gave me lots of tips about where to stay and good places to visit.
Got to Kings Wharf at Middlewich at about four and was asked if I could wait a while as they were trying to get a boat ready to go out. Put dinner on and lit the fire just after half six and settled in for the night, Perhaps they will have time to look at it tomorrow.
Sat, 11 Oct 2008 5 miles 5 locks
Up before eight as I did not want to miss a chance to get the weep looked at. Another long wait but took the opportunity to walk along to the garage and purchase a petrol can, some petrol and some two stroke oil for the chain saw.
While we were waiting for the weep to be looked at a boat came and breasted alongside us to fill up with diesel. Got chatting to him about diesel prices and the impending increases and picked up some more tips, both from him and the boat yard operators.
He went of to pay for his purchases and on his way back stopped off again for another chat. Asked about the weep and what I had done so far to correct it, so I told him. He suggested that it might be the little brass washer that seals the bleed off point for the injectors. Undid the screw and took off the washer. It looked a little ridged so took it in to the chandlery to see if they had one. They looked everywhere and eventually found that they did not have any that size. However the guy in charge 'annealed' the one that I had. Annealing is the process of heating the item up till it goes red and then letting it cool down naturally. With brass is softens the material so that it has a chance of being squashed when squeezed and making a proper seal. Replaced the washer and set off on our journey again hoping that it had done the trick this time.
Worked our way past a farmer spreading silage for a mile or two and then past the sewage works looking for somewhere to stop that smelt of fresh air not those strong country odours.
Pulled over at Wheelock, a little village in the middle of nowhere with a village shop. Topped up on everything from the BW facilities, did a little shopping and settled in for the night in preparation for a long day tomorrow. Expecting to do another long flight if the weather holds.
Sun, 12 Oct 2008 4 miles 14 locks
Set off bright and early. Although doing lots of locks is not a problem and not even hard work, the thought of more than ten at a time is still daunting. Rosanne has really got the hang of taking Almyne into and out of the locks and holding Almyne at the gates while I work the locks. She has the look and skills of a real boat woman now. We did the first eleven locks in just under three hours and pulled over at 'Lock 57' a cafe come bistro situated at lock 57. There is a little shop there so we had a look but there was nothing of interest so had a bite to eat on Almyne and continued.
Most of the locks on this flight are doubled, that is there are two locks at each rise side by side. Most of the locks were in our favour which made life easier and often when we met a boat coming the other way it was not a problem as they could use one lock while we were using the other.
Did the next five locks and three miles of canal in just over three hours ending up at Snapes Aqueduct just before the next flight of twelve locks leading up to Kidsgrove and Harecastle tunnel. Decided that we would leave those till another day as we had already done fourteen lock and that is enough for one day.
Noticed during the day that the bilge pump was not working, need to look at it before we take on so much water that we are walking in it.
Mon, 13 Oct 2008 2 miles 9 locks
Wet Feet
Dodgy connection in the control panel was stopping the bilge pump working, made up a new lead and that sorted the problem. Ran out of gas so changed the bottle and before lighting the fridge, which had not been working very well, took that out and gave it a good clean as best I could. There was a lot of dust around the little gas flame and and I think that is what was causing it to not get as cold as it should.
Checked the weep on the diesel pump - nothing, at last it seems to be cured. Lots of little jobs getting done and preparation for the winter going on apace.
Only did a couple of hours travelling today ending up at Red Bull facilities where there is a shower and laundry facilities. Made good use of them but it still took all evening to get the washing dry in the tumble dryer. Got nattering to the people on the next boat and found out where the local supermarket is, so wandered along there to make some purchases. Still not sure of the fridge so only stocked up for a couple of days, although they did have some of the wine that Rosanne likes so got a box of that.
Settled down to a game of cards for the evening and between each game I checked on the drying. It was done by the time we were ready for bed.
Tue, 14 Oct 2008 3½ miles 3 locks 1 tunnel
Ooops2
Ooops
I wandered in to Kidsgrove to the supermarket again to get as many boxes of wine as I could carry, but they only had three so made Kidsgrove proper for a wander around. Not much there really but found a post office so Rosanne could post a card and then returned to Almyne to brave the tunnel.
Although Harecastle Tunnel is the ninth longest canal tunnel in Britain , at 1.66 miles, it is the fifth longest in use. Of the others only two are used for normal navigation.
We entered the tunnel at one twenty five after a conversation with the tunnel keeper about what to do and what not to do. We were lucky in that the tunnel is one way and we did not have to wait for boats coming in the other direction so went straight in. D'fer
was not too pleased about having to stay inside Almyne for the duration but rules are there for his safety.
I was expecting to see the opening at the other end soon after entering as it gives you something to aim for but there was no sight of it at all. I was beginning to think that maybe there was a kink in the tunnel but this is unusual and even more unusual for it not to be mentioned in the guides. We plodded on and on and on and still no sign of the other end. eventually I made out what looked like a pair of lock gates and could not believe that there was a lock in the middle of the tunnel. As we got a little closer the gates opened and I realised that they had put gates at the entrance to the south tend of the tunnel to stop boats going in while people were travelling from north to south. We exited at five past two and were mightily relieved to do so but at the same time filled with an exhilaration that was wonderful to experience. It really has the 'wow' factor and we just can't wait to do another of equal or greater length or maybe do Harecastle Tunnel again in the other direction.
We only travelled a short way after that and moored up at Westport Lake to recover from the not unpleasant ordeal.
Wed, 15 Oct 2008 6 miles 5 locks
We really seem to be getting in to the swing of things - getting up later and later. I was up round nine and started working on a site for Church
when mum rang up. She was just setting off from Connie's and wanted to know where we were so that she could visit. I worked out where we were and where ?I could get to so that they could visit and gave them directions.
Had to set off almost immediately so as to get to the rendezvous in time. Moored up at Etruria an hour later, just after twelve and changed the gas bottle. A short while later D'fer
started creating like mad on the back of Almyne and when I looked out Peter was stood on the opposite bank. Walked round, over the bridge and we discussed the best place for them to park up and come over. Peter went back to the car and moved it to a convenient parking place and then mum and Peter walked to Almyne.
Spent a couple of hours catching up and exchanging all the news and after bite to eat and a cup of tea mum and Peter went on their merry way.
We set of again to find a spot to moor up that was a little further out of town then we had been for the past week, if for no other reason so that D'fer could have a good run without worrying about main roads and too many people.
Through Stoke-on-Trent, which was interesting seeing all the old pottery kilns beside the canal, and a couple of miles further on to a more rural area.
We moored up just before six and settled in for the evening.
Thu, 16 Oct 2008
Bogeys2
Bogeys
Spent most of the day working on the web site again, should be finished soon.
Rosanne was working on one of her paintings and when I am, bimbling about on board I tend to rock the boat so, as she was working on a particularly delicate bit, I took D'fer
for a walk. We walked several
miles back towards Stone and I took the opportunity to get a couple of pictures of some bogeys that
have been placed beside the canal (and chained down) to be used a seats for walkers. A novel use of
old rolling stock that is no longer needed.
Further in to Stone I called in to a tackle and gun shop just to look around and was intrigued to find that they have a whole bunch of second hand air rifles, much like the ones I used to use as a child all those many years ago at Little Park Mansions. Nostalgia is not what it used to be though.
Back at Almyne Rosanne had finished what she was doing and as the afternoon was quite mild we enjoyed an hour or so just watching the world go past Almyne and chatting briefly to the passers by, one of whom remarked that she had seen D'fer a few days ago the other side of Stone - his reputation is spreading.
Didn't go anywhere as we were enjoying the countryside too much.
Fri, 17 Oct 2008 4½ miles 5 locks
Worked on the web site for Almyne for the morning and set off just after three, just for a change of scenery. Maybe we are becoming blase or maybe we are just getting used to it all or maybe we really are becoming boaters, but we really cannot remember what was different about today. One day drifts into the next and although each day is different unless I write notes there and then it is difficult to recall what happens on each day.
I know that we ended up just north of Stone and decided not to try the flight of locks through Stone today, so had an early night of it.
Sat, 18 Oct 2008 3½ miles 5 locks
Worked our way in to Stone for just after midday. Stopped off and did the usual stuff with Almyne, porta pottie and water top up.
Walked in to Stone to see the market but it was so small as to be easily missed.
With the fridge working properly we purchased meat to last at least five days so that we really can moor up away from it all. Set off again just after two to complete the last three of today's five locks and moored up in a beautiful little spot about two miles from the nearest habitation.
D'fer
was delighted to be able to wander at will and was soon playing with a border collie. The owner started chatting and told us that the two dogs had been playing in Stone the previous day and that she recognised D'fer immediately.
For a change we had a quiet evening with no passers by, except for the one boat, a restaurant boat going past with lights blazing and lots of merriment on board.
Sun, 19 Oct 2008
Risky Business1
Risky Business4
Risky Business3
Another day of rest. Lots of little chores again, cut up some logs with the chain saw, after sharpening it. Caught up some more with the Almyne web site. Rosanne worked hard on her display boards and the flower pot.
Finished off the day with a Sunday roast.
Richard
rang, he is hoping to be able to visit on Tuesday, so we must make sure that we have provisions for him by then.
The early evening are becoming really noticeable, dark before seven, but looking on the bright side, the day will start to get longer again by December 21st.
Mon, 20 Oct 2008 2½ miles 1 lock
We had planned to set off just after midday, and we did. Just after the first bridge, which was a mere 100 yards from starting point, I spotted Dewie coming in the other direction and we both threw our boats into reverse and pulled over. Dewie has teamed up with a guy called Tony while they refurbish a new boat that they have purchased and we spent over three hours chatting and drinking tea and coffee while we caught up on each other news.
Dewie, although he is not particularly a dog lover, is getting a Cocker spaniel, partly I think because he was so enamoured of D'fer
on our first meeting. He was most impressed by Rosanne's paintings of Roses and Castles, and that coming from a person who has had his art published and who had earned worthwhile sums of money from it, it quite an accolade.
Dewie and Rosanne got on like a house on fire, chattering away to each other in Welsh, leaving Tony and I to converse in English. I think Tony could probably write 'The Poachers Guide to the Canals' should he want to and was a mine of information about living off the land, none of which I will remember, but it was interesting.
I had told Dewie of our plans for getting a garden shed and he told us of a boat for sale this side of Great Haywood (where we are heading) that might just fit the bill and to keep and eye out for it.
We eventually went our separate ways just after four in the afternoon and made it to Weston-upon-Trent by nightfall. Richard
was planning to see us there sometime on Tuesday.
Tue, 21 Oct 2008 2½ miles
Audience2
Audience1
Waited for a call from Richard
till late morning and then gave him a ring. The previous evening he had rather overdone things and told me that perhaps this was not a good day to visit, so we set off again towards Great Haywood. We had only travelled for a couple of miles when we arrived at Hoo Mill Lock and spotted the 'Garden Shed' that Dewie had told us about. Sure enough in the windows were two for sale signs, each with a different number on it. I rang both, but both were on answerphone.
A short while later I had a call from Martin, the guy that was making Rosanne's pentagram necklace, to say that it was finished. While I was chatting to him I had another missed call. I rang that one back and it was one of the numbers that I had rung about the garden shed. We chatted and although he was asking more than I could really afford we arranged to meet the following morning at Hoo Mill Lock so that we could look over it properly.
Richard rang and told us that he had decided that he was fit enough to travel now and was on his way. I worked out where we were in relation to the nearest road and guided him in along a farm track to where we were moored up. He arrived and we spent another long evening chatting and catching up.
Neither Rosanne nor I wanted to get too excited about it but nonetheless neither of us could sleep well that night, partly because of the thought of actually getting a garden shed and partly because Richard snores loudly.
Wed, 22 Oct 2008 2 miles 1 locks 2 miles 1 lock
Garden Shed2
Garden Shed1
Garden Shed3
I say four miles and two locks but actually we ended up at our starting point.
Nick, the guy with the garden shed arrived just after ten, as we had arranged and Rosanne and I viewed it. It really is just what we want, so the negotiations began. An hour and a half and several cups of tea later we had agreed that I could hitch the garden shed up to Almyne and take it for a spin and I would contact Nick when I returned to Hoo Mill Lock to discuss things further.
Richard
and I hitched the garden shed up to the back of Almyne with some ratchet straps and a couple of ropes and we all set off for Great Haywood. Rosanne took the pair into the first lock and I took over down to Great Haywood, checking out the performance all the way. It seemed to work well, but the major test was trying to 'wind' both of them at the turning point. It went far more smoothly than I had expected. Back up to Hoo Mill Lock and through it and on to the next winding hole, where again the pair turned with no more problems than if it were just Almyne. Reversing was considerably improved with the garden shed on the back so the tests proved that we could tow the garden shed and negotiate any of the normal hazards that we were likely to come across.
Rang Nick and we settled on a price, fortunately one that I could just afford. It has left us with about four pounds and thirty five pence to last till the end of November, but with the stores of tinned food that we have on board I think we can manage.
Nick lives at Shrewsbury, or close to it so was unwilling to drive all that way again but appreciated that we wanted to continue our travels so we arranged to meet at Wheaton Aston on Saturday to complete the transaction. I suppose that being on the canal it was unlikely that I could just run off with the garden shed and never be seen again but I still think that it was trusting of Nick to allow me to. Rosanne and I to started planning what we would do with the garden shed, what we would call it, what colours we would paint it, what we should put inside and so on. I just could not wait to get started on it, but Rosanne, quite rightly, said the we should really wait till the exchange was complete before doing anything, so I curbed my enthusiasm as far as I could for the time being.
Thu, 23 Oct 2008 12 miles 7 locks
Hmmmmm, Wheaton Aston by Saturday, a bit more ambitious that I should have been, but there you go, we all get carried away by excitement. Set off just after ten with a brisk wind hampering our progress all the way the target for the day being Penkridge , the one time capital of England (look it up).
Down to Great Haywood, along through Tixall Wide, past Radford Bridge down through Acton Trussel and in to Penkridge for twenty to six. It had just started to rain as we moored up and we were both tired and cold after a gruelling day in the wind, but comfortable with progress.
The garden shed had performed admirably all way with only the tiniest bit of fishtailing on the odd occasion.
We did have to stop off during the journey to tow a boat and its crew off the mud bank where it had got stranded but that is part and parcel of life afloat.
Fri, 24 Oct 2008 14 miles 7 locks
Started the day by walking in to Penkridge to Jaspers to get a loaf of bread and two small ratchet straps. The big ones that Richard
had left with us did the job but used our mooring hooks making mooring up at anywhere other than on rings difficult.
Changed the ratchet straps over and stowed the mooring hooks for use later on and set off with forty five pence in the kitty.
Through Otherton, alongside the M6 for a mile or two and in to Gaily where we topped up on water and service our other needs at the facilities. We have started getting interesting comments about the garden shed and how well it matches Almyne and how they make a good pair, really rather pleasing.
On past Calf Heath, Hatherton Branch and on to Autherley Junction where we turned right up along the Shroppie towards Wheaton Aston . Going under bridge two we hit an obstruction under water which rolled Almyne rather alarmingly but no harm done, although Rosanne was convinced that we were going to roll right over and sink for a few seconds.
Realised that we would not make it to Wheaton Aston today and pulled over about a mile and a half short of Brewood just as it was getting dark.
Rang Nick to let him know of our progress and that we would be at Wheaton Aston by midday Saturday when he told us that Sunday would be much better for him. That took the pressure of a bit, although we still wanted to get to Wheaton Aston by Saturday to see Martin with the necklace.
Sat, 25 Oct 2008 5 miles 1 lock
Up extra early and after a quick breakfast set off at eight to get to Wheaton Aston to arrive by nine (ha ha). Again it was windy and overcast but, fortunately, not raining.
A hire boat ahead of us pulled over and let us past and then pulled in again behind us. The woman was walking along the bank with the guy steering. I wondered why they had done this but did not bother too much.
Got to the lock at Wheaton Aston and it all became clear. It was their first ever time on a boat and had never been through a lock before and wanted to see how it was done. I explained that a lock is like a bath with a plug hole at one end and taps at the other. You will never fill a bath if the plug is not in place and you will never empty a lock if the taps are on. Made sense for them and when we were through I went back to guide them.
Rosanne took Almyne down to the mooring point and moored up, another first for her.
I went straight to the garage and sorted out the Morris, picking it up on Monday so that I can get to the bank to get the money to pay for it.
Then Rosanne and I went down to see Martin and collect her necklace, she was delighted with it.
Peter
Rosanne's brother arrived just after one and we all sat around nattering for the afternoon until he left just before five when Rosanne got ready to see her daughter in Totnes for a few days. Jim
picked her up around eight and D'fer and I settled in for a quiet evening on our own. Early night with my book, ready to see Nick to pay for the garden shed tomorrow.Sun, 26 Oct 2008
Early to bed and early to rise, so the saying goes. An early night last night so I was up by just after nine, good for me in this weather. Took D'fer
for a short walk, but as the first thing he did was to sniff around and look for Rosanne's scent, which he soon found, and went bounding off along the towpath in the direction that she had left in. Up on to the bridge, over the bridge and in to the car park of the pub. I caught up with him and took him back to Almyne, hoping that he would not be running off all day long. Martin popped along and invited us for a cup of tea on his boat and we sat around chatting till nearly midday, when Nick was due to arrived to settle up on the garden shed. I waited for nearly an hour before he turned up and then realised that I had been up at eight and that i had forgotten to put the clocks back, so I was an hour ahead of everybody else.
Nick and co arrived and they were sort of pleased to selling the garden shed and sort of tearful to see it go. I reassured then that it was going to a good home and would be loved and gave then the web site address so that they could check on progress in the future if they wished.
Ran up the engine for a couple of hours to try to get up to date with the web site until D'fer started creating about going for a walk. Took him the opposite way to Rosanne's route past the lock and along the tow path for a couple of miles. On the way back I bumped in to Mark
, who invited me for a cup of tea and a chat. Whiled away several more hours talking about his projects and plans and our projects and plans until well after dark, when I wandered back to Almyne for a bite to eat and some more web site updating.Mon, 27 Oct 2008 1 mile 1 lock
Up early, breakfast and over to the garage to pick up the Morris. Drove to Stafford and found a bank. They required two forms of identification and as I only had one they asked me to ring my bank to get clearance. That was an unlooked for hassle but went smoothly enough. Got some money so back to the garage, paid them and I was free and clear to do my own thing.
Took Martin and Cari to Cannock to do some shopping. Cannock has everything. Martin and Cari wanted a Lidl so we went there first. I got the bits and pieces that I wanted and so did they. Then off to Asda for some more bits and pieces.
They then showed me a Big D store. The Big D store is truly enormous and I got the ratchet straps that I wanted and could have spent loads more money there if I had it, but fortunately I did not, so saved several hundred pounds.
Back to Almyne for just after two, a quick bite to eat and fitted the ratchet straps. Now there are four small ratchet straps holding the garden shed in tow rather than two very large ratchet straps and two long ropes, with the ends dangling all over the place. Looks a lot neater and seems to perform in just the same way.
Did the engine checks and reversed to the garage to fill up with diesel. 55.4 litres, so that is how much diesel it has taken to do the 'Four Counties Ring', when I get time I will work out how many hours engine running and how many miles that is.
Set off towards Brewood but stopped after just one mile and one lock as it was beginning to get dark and cold.
Moored up, lit the fire and settled in for the evening.
Tue, 28 Oct 2008 11 miles 1 lock
Up with the sun at just before seven. Set off at half eight after a quick breakfast heading towards Penkridge . By half nine the weather had taken a turn for the worse and it was beginning to drizzle. Plodded on, determined to get to Autherley junction if no further. The target was Autherley junction by twelve, making an average speed of just two miles per hour.
Cleared Autherley junction by half eleven, still in the drizzle and was getting very cold and a little bit wet. Started looking for somewhere to pull over and have a hot cup of tea and a warm up.
Eventually found a suitable mooring point some three miles further on at Cross Green.
Put the kettle on and set the fire. It just would not catch properly and after an hour and two cups of hot tea and a bowl of soup I set off again, aiming for Gaily lock.
Then it started snowing. Apparently this is the first time that this area has had snow in October for seventy years, I just hope it doesn't last.
Pulled over opposite Hatherton Marina and moored up. My fingers were frozen as I don't have any waterproof gloves and handling wet ropes is a sure way to get cold quickly. It took twice as long as it should have done, but I was not going to rush things however cold I was.
Tied up safe and sound I set to to get the fire going properly, that took nearly two hours, most unusual.
With the fire going and tea on the go I started to warm up, next time I am going to get the fire going properly before I set out.
Warmed and fed I decided on an early night, particularly as I want to get to Penkridge before the end of tomorrow and it might take several short trips, warming up in between each lock on the way.
Didn't turn out that way as I made a new bell rope for the hatch as the old one had rotted and broken.
Wed, 29 Oct 2008 3 miles 3 locks
Frosty Morning
Rigid Rug2
Rigid Rug
Up with the sun at just after six. A beautiful morning with a really heavy hoar frost everywhere. Got the fire going good and proper (it was down to 47F) and made sure that it was heating the boat through before I did anything else. Breakfast eaten and I was fit to travel. Well I thought that I was fit to travel. To do the engine check I have to lift the rug that sits over the engine covers (it helps to deaden the sound). That was rock solid, so I stood it up at the back and did the engine checks and then put it back down again.
Started the engine. When I came to untie the mooring ropes I discovered that a wet rope frozen solid is a bit like a bar of steel, rigid. Got out the hammer and chipped the ice off the fore rope and then battered it into submission to get it off. Repeated the process with the aft rope.
Set off in brilliant sunshine which was gradually thawing things out. Arrived at Gaily shortly before nine and stopped for a cup of tea and a warm up. It was mostly my fingers that were non functional. When I tried mooring up the rope was still rigid and I had to manhandle it around the bollard. Got rid of the rubbish and emptied the porta pottie. Decided not to top up with water as I have to squeeze the residual water out of the hose before I put it away and that is always very cold work. In this weather it would be just unbearable.
While I was mooching around warming up a boat came up through the lock and pulled over for water. Their hose would not fit so I looked for an alternative connector. Didn't have one so got my hose out any way so that they could fill up. As the hose would have to be squeezed anyway I decided to fill up with water after all.
The guy on the other boat came along and gave me a pair of waterproof rubber gloves, just the ticket, now it will be much less of a problem emptying the hose. He also gave me a bag of coal that apparently won't burn on his fire. What a good trade, a bag of coal and a pair of gloves in exchange for use of my hose
Set off again and after having worked through three locks, wearing the waterproof rubber gloves, pulled over to do some wood chopping and such while the sun is still out.
Thu, 30 Oct 2008 2 miles 3 locks
Enough logs chopped yesterday to last me a while so off to Penkridge today. Set off just after eight and arrived in Penkridge for half nine. Apparently the busses run from Penkridge to Wheaton Aston at ten to the hour every hour, so should be no problem catching one of them to pick up the Morris.
Walked in to Penkridge and studied the bus timetables and checked with a local person. I was at the wrong bus stop. Found the right on and along came the bus. Just one pound for D'fer
and I to go to Wheaton Aston, good value.
Even better value when you realise that the bus went the long way round calling at every village and hamlet on the way, and some that could not even be called Hamlets, but got there in the end.
Collected the Morris and drove straight to Wednesfield to collect Rosanne. Rosanne had only just woken up so had a cup of tea while she got herself together.
Set off to Almyne calling in at Cannock on the way to do some shopping. One great deal was three chickens for a tenner, too good to miss, especially as at this time of year we can leave them in the cratch to keep cool if there is not enough room in the fridge (which is working quite well at the moment).
Back to Almyne and settled in for the evening as it was already getting too dark to go anywhere.
Fri, 31 Oct 2008 14 miles 9 locks
Sunny autumn day with quite a long way to go. Set off at nine with an ambitious task ahead to get past Great Haywood junction if we can. Although the frost had melted away it was still pretty chilly, even when there was no breeze. Did the first few locks through Penkridge and then we were in to open countryside.
Rosanne stayed inside keeping the fire going and handing me cups of tea every thirty minutes or so, while D'fer
shared himself between me on the back of Almyne and the fire to warm up a bit.
Rosanne told me how she liked to open the back doors to hand me a cup of tea and see my grinning face looking back at her - it made her realise just how much I enjoy being at the tiller. It was only when we had moored up and I went inside and warmed up a bit that I could tell her that it was not a big cheesy grin, it was either frostbite or rigour mortise setting in and pulling the muscles in my cheeks tight that made me look like that.
We had intended taking a break at Tixall Wide for a mug of soup and a warm up but as we were running a little late I had my soup in a mug at the tiller. Past Great Haywood, where approaching the bridge hole I sounded the horn, one long blast to indicate that I was coming to a blind junction, but still when I reached the bridge hole there was another boat racing around the bend and rushing straight at me. Now the 'highway code' of the canal simply says that the right of way in a bridge hole is the one who gets there first so it was my right of way. However, to avoid a collision I threw Almyne into reverse and threw the tiller over so as not to hit them too hard. Fortunately they did the same and we did not hit. By this time they were the wrong side of me to get around the junction and I was the wrong side of them to turn where I wanted to go. Ten minutes of manoeuvring and I was on my way leaving the other boat to sort itself out. I sometimes wonder if any of them have even got a copy of the 'rules of the canal', let alone read it.
Two more locks and a couple more miles and we were approaching the Hobbit Hole, but we moored up several hundreds yards short, partly because there were 'rings' to moor up to and partly because the guy on the boat that we were passing shouted out that he liked the garden shed and that he had tried to buy it several years ago.
Pulled over and moored up, well tried to but as soon as I was near the bank the guy came up and told me the best way to tow a boat like the one I had behind me. The five minutes instruction was informative and interesting but then he went on to tell me how I should use the ropes to hold the garden shed for the best towing performance, followed by five minutes of describing the method of linking two boats together for towing. At this point I politely told him that I was going to tie Almyne to the rings and when she was secure I would come back for a chat. He left me to tie up and then promptly returned to describe to me how he tied his two boats together so that there was no 'fishtailing' of the towed boat and that it would work just as well with my two.
By this time I had got the idea and started to steer the conversation in other directions, but no, he was straight back on to the pros and cons of the various methods of tying boats together for towing.
Rosanne popped her head out of the hatch and the guy immediately pounced on her and told her how he had wanted to buy our garden shed several years ago and the best way to tie them together to make towing easier.
Now I think that Rosanne must be a little quicker than me because having had it explained once she retired inside and left the guy to tell me in great detail how to link two boats together with ropes so that the towed boats rides along smoothly and does not affect the towing boat too much.
I my years of sales training and learning I have come to understand that the best way of reinforcing new information is 'spaced repetition', but believe me, after a while it can get very boring and too much repetition can become counter productive.
Sometime after dark I managed to gracefully extricate myself from the 'conversation' and retire to Almyne for refreshment and food, so very welcome after a day in the cold.
After eating and a couple of games of cards I had an early night while Rosanne did some of her craft work.
I wanted an early night as we had planned to get in to Rugeley fairly early to get D'fer a bone and some biscuits and a couple of other bits and pieces to set us up for a fortnights travelling.
Roast chicken for dinner tonight, with all the trimmings.
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