And then we were stopped - just for an extra day

Monday 8th December to Tuesday 9th December 2014

After all of the excitement of finally getting back to cruising we needed to stay where we were - we didn't know why but we couldn't use our debit cards - it could have been quite embarassing when we were shopping, but the credit card still had some life left in it.
So we needed to see the back - they couldn't help as Lloyd's has split from TSB and the bank in Nantwich is TSB.

But not to be beaten, Diane had a sudden brainwave - check the expiry date - sure enough they had passed their "best before" date - at least that answered that.
So we will need to see if new ones have been sent toWatford.

Diane had spotted just a couple of small spaces that needed a bit of filling, so Sainbury's saw us again; at least the trolley was left behind.

The sun had been replaced by intermittent showers, which we managed to dodge; made it back to the boat just in time as usual - another heavier shower as we made into the back conservatory.

The rest of the day was completed with some work (for me) and soup-making and reading (for Diane) - but eventually it was just relaxing.

So after a slightly longer stop than we would have originally planned we were going to head off again.

There was a brilliant sunrise this morning - not really a good sign for the weather ahead for the day, but a sight to enjoy whilst it lasted.
 

Really a superb sunrise.

The morning was not that bad at all - just like any other cold day that we could experience any other time of the year - the air was cold in itself, but without any breeze it didn't matter; unlike other days the sun was hidden behind the clouds and did not show itself at all.

I think we have been quite fortunate with the weather - we have read reports of ice on the canal at Braunston, Stone and Milton Keynes - but none where we are - yet!!
 

It really was not this cold - there were thermals
underneath and two pairs of gloves on the hands.

There were a few others around with their fleeces on
- keeping warm.

Our end plan is Chester but we are not exactly sure when that will be, but immediately it was to fill the water tank; rid ourselves of the rubbish and empty the cassette - the services block was barely 100m away so no sooner had we started than we moored up again.

The water tap at Nantwich services is notoriously slow - we weren't hugely surprised by this morning's effort, but with no time issues it didn't matter too much.

Finally with everything done we were off for a second time - today's little journey was not too far and certainly would be free from locks - surprised that Diane had failed to offer to do them all for today.

I was trying to remember the last time that we had headed directly north past Barbridge junction towards Chester and have to conclude that it was April 2008 when we had a hire boat - so it cannot be said that this is a water-road frequently travelled - we have been to Chester just twice by boat - the train seems to be our preferred form of transport to get there.

For now however we are only heading as far as Calveley where we have moored up in a stretch of moorings that I would like to say are extremely popular at the moment, but since we are on our own, that would be slightly incorrect.

Diane got on with putting a few Xmas decorations up, although her intention a few days ago was not to bother - I think she was influenced by Andy's efforts on Festina Lente.

The tree is up as the stocking...

...and the lights as well

For me, it was an afternoon of work - I am convinced that I had the better deal.

5 Miles

Totals: 2853 Miles, 2071 Locks, 97 Tunnels, 34 Lift Bridges, 151 Swing Bridges

We're off!

Saturday 6th December to Sunday 7th December 2014

It was a bit like waking upon Christmas morning, except that the presents were all to do with finally cruising again - Yippee!!

We just had the usual jobs to do before leaving - empty the toilet cassette; fill the water tank (two separate operations); use up as much of the electricity credit that we had; see Simon (the maintenance person) about the work done (we had no problems at all); defrost the ropes - yikes that's not usual, but we are talking about winter - guess we will just have to get used to that.
 

Morning has broken - and the frost along with it

In the process of using up electricity as well as a final clean, we managed to expunge the vacuum cleaner - the smell of burning electrics a dead giveaway. So that will be on the list of shopping to be done.

The weather was absolutely perfect for this time of year - very bright (and blinding) sunshine - where is the sunblock and sunglasses; cool air; no wind.

Set forth the ropes and a gentle push away from the pontoon - we were off - taking care not to touch either of the boats ahead of us; a gentle turn to starboard; get blinded by the sun; out through the exit and onto the Shroppie - heading northwards.

The sun on our backs was marvellous; clear skies - oh how we have missed this.

So confident were we that we knew where we were going that we left the Nicholsons inside.
 

Clear blue skies - perfect for cruising

and the countryside was wonderful

We were not expecting too many boats to be moving but sure enough at the second bridge there is a boat approaching us - fortunately for us (not so for them) they had the sun in their eyes and slowed right down - we would have been there first anyway but after passing them we looked back and could hardly see a thing - glad we didn't have that.

Diane had made the executive decision that she would be doing ALL of the locks today and as we approached Hach Green Locks she was off at the bridge and was striding out to get there before the boat did - the luck was with her and she only had to open the top gate.

Thank you dear, push a gate open and bugger off!!

After that she deserted me - off to the next lock.

By the time she returned, I had the lock lowered; bottom gates open; and hauling the boat out - at least she closed the gates and lowered the paddles - in her defence the next lock was ready to go straight into.

One lock down...

Obviously she had completed her work for the day - I knew this because she hopped on the boat and left the lock to me to complete.

...next one, you're on your own

Once again there was a boat coming from the other direction so it was simple to leave the gates open and then hop on.
They, like the earlier boat crew, could not see anything in front, so were very grateful when we passed by and advised them that the lock was set for them and gates open.

We were heading for Nantwich for a few days, mainly for a full shop and fill the fridge and freezer as well as any spaces in the pantry - oh and of course there was a suggestion about Sunday lunch.

We moored up in one of the many spaces available and set everything up and off to Sainsbury. The trolley was full for the journey back and that meant carrying the new vacuum cleaner - just a short 2.7 km walk.

With early sunset it was starting to get dark when we got back and still a bit tired from the flights as well as all of the cruising and the couple of locks - we were tired and just flaked out.

Sunday was another glorious day - bright sunshine - and we still had other supermarkets to visits - it was almost as if they might have forgotten all about Diane if she didn't at least say hello to them all - so another trolley full, but this time the efforts from the day before had taken their toll and the blisters from Saturday when she wore her new boots (from Dallas) pretty much said to her to take it easy and let Ray take the shopping back to the boat and pack it away - which also meant solving the tetris puzzle that is packing all of the freezer food into the limited space left.

I returned to Diane about a half hour later to find her in The Cheshire Cat with the first glass of a lovely hot mulled wine well underway to being finished; her feet up and totally peaceful - it took a few seconds until she realised I was there - I did tread quietly so as to not wake her!

Lunch was lovely and we were a bit naughty - having all three courses on offer - something that we would know about for the journey back to the boat and for the evening.
 

Well cooked roast; fine glass of mulled wine - what else could
a girl want....

...Obviously dessert.
This was the naughty part - but it did taste lovely

Despite the sunshine which had put some power back into the batteries we still needed to run the engine for a couple of hours.

A light dinner was all we needed.

5 Miles, 2 Locks


Totals: 2848 Miles, 2071 Locks, 97 Tunnels, 34 Lift Bridges, 151 Swing Bridges

What do boaters want?

Thursday 28th August to Tuesday 2nd 2014

We spent some more time in Nantwich, during which we started work on some rust patches above the front locker and indeed got a bit carried away and stripped the paintwork on the gas locker lid right back.
The grinding went well but we needed a new wire brush to go on it - having worn the other completely out.

Easier said than done to buy a new one - the only ones available were the spindle-type that fit onto a power drill - not enough power/torque/speed for the job.

Eventually by asking around we were directed further away from the main centre to an area we had not ventured before - finding a large Sainsbury in the process as well as some other shops that may be handy in the future.

But still no luck with the wire brush, until we were sent in a different direction to a small power tool rental shop which also sold accessories - one of which was what we needed.

By this stage we had trekked the equivalent of halfway across the county and lunchtime had almost past by, but luckily a pub was just across the road - The Leopard (a Joules pub) - so we headed across; the menu looked good, but not half as good as the food tasted - what a little gem!
It's amazing the things that you find when you venture a bit further on.

We moved off on Saturday but only with the intentions of getting through the Hack Green Locks and then to moor up - more work to do on the front deck.

There was little boat movement when we headed off and precious little through the locks - just the one boat coming down at the same time as we were going up - so we crossed in the pound and into locks ready for each of us.

A couple of hundred metres on we moored up and got to work.

The boat traffic increased during the day - many more boats on the move at the moment - fortunately we had missed all of that.
Not so fortunate was the angle grinder I was using - couldn't stand the pace and burnt itself out - but enough had been cut back and so the painting began and by Sunday afternoon the primer coat and the undercoat had been applied.

The boat traffic increased even further on Sunday - it was strange - Saturday had boats coming from Nantwich and Sunday they were all heading towards Nantwich - at one stage there were 8 boats queued for the locks; we were chatting to one couple on a boat - the skipper of which had broken her leg but was able to steer.
We had finished our work so the windlasses came out and we helped them through the locks as well as a couple of other boats as well - to speed the process up - everyone was in a good mood and plenty were helping as well - just as it should be.

runaway sheep on the towpath or were they out to greet us?

Monday and we managed the final 2 miles of our journey and now very happily moored up as we start get ready to leave the boat.

the skipper has been out enjoying the sunshine, but for now
she has gone back inside.

The final coat was applied to the gaslocker and pleased with the outcome - certainly a lot better than it looked before.

the front looking much much better...

...and the lid too!

There is always a list and we have been and continuing to cross things off and now all has been done.
 

Beautiful blue skies and warm sunshine - did we miss the summer?

There are precious few things in this world that boaters really want (or need) - access to water; full gas bottles and diesel tank (and access to re-supply); somewhere to properly dispose of the waste; and our power supply, however that might come; understanding and consideration.

So far so good and they're friendly to boot!

5 Miles, 2 Locks

Totals: 2843 Miles, 2069 Locks, 97 Tunnels, 34 Lift Bridges, 151 Swing Bridges

Dog-gone it's time to act!

Saturday 23rd August to Wednesday 27th August 2014

With plenty of time on our hands there really was not a lot of need to move, which was a really good reason to stay put - the rain predicted for Saturday was another good reason, but it didn't seem to stop us heading off for a spot of shopping.

Why oh why didn't we wait just an hour, or at least take umbrellas bigger than a handkerchief over a small wire frame.

Things to drop off at the charity shop - things that we had found during our movement of the cupboards - at least  they will be a little lighter next week.
 

Breakfast - poached eggs on spinach and
flat mushrooms with hollandaise sauce -
I could take this more often

After we returned, there really wasn't much chance of doing a lot, so we took it easy - read as I only did a few hours work and Diane made use of the hot water available.

It was clear enough in the afternoon to get the starboard gunwhale sanded, primed and topcoated - now just the other side to be done

Sunday - weather outlook - brighter, a few small showers, periods of sun, mostly cloudy.
Our 48 hours were up so off we cruised - just 1 lock and heading for the Church Minshall area.

There was a little bit of a wait at the lock but not much; we tried mooring up near the farmshop at Church Minshall but there was a decent enough ledge/restriction and we couldn't get close enough, so we moved to the other side of bridge 14 and moored up on the designated moorings right near the bridge.

A walk into CM was the order of the day, especially since we discovered that there was a pub - The Badger Inn - which was not marked in our copy of Nicholsons Guide 4.
To say that the walk down the road is fraught with danger is really a given, but without a clearly identified alternative we walked (no running here!) the gauntlet.

The road of death - just enough for the cars - not anyone walking
- and there was plenty of walking

Pub was easily found; the village was quite charming without having much else apart from the lovely buildings.

an unusual portico

The Badger Inn

A nice quiet drink at The Badger; a look over the menu, but we declined; and then a good walk to the other end and back to a public footpath - the road was definitely too hazardous to contemplate a return journey.

Thrashing through the path and jungle environs, we stumbled upon others lost in search of the end - fortunately we were each looking for the end that each other had just come from.

well almost jungle-like

Who's that trip-trapping over my bridge?

Not all of the scenery was dark and overgrown whilst we
walked back along the public footpath

Back on the towpath we reviewed other moorings along the way where we had landed and a quick decision to move to a quieter location, so back at the boat we readied everything and moved just a short 500 metres to south of bridge 13 and a view over the valley - simply beautiful.
 

The view across the valley from the new moorings

Unfortunately we were on pins and still some of the passing fools on tillers don't understand about tickover.
We ventured outside and the boat approaching, upon our appearance suddenly decided to slow down (a bit); when I spotted the two pins at the stern pulled out and the rope dangling in the water, a blast about speeding boats (as a general blast) and they slowed to tickover - complete and utter "dicks".

A few of the boats previously moored in front of us had moved and we were able to move down and moor up on rings.
We are getting absolutely fed up with the number of people who don't give a sh_t about moored boats - first it was the Bridgewater and now the Middlewich branch - they suddenly remember when you make an appearance. It is not hire boaters only - a 50/50 split with them and non-hire boats - we did recognise a few as share boats as well.
I am trying hard to go along with Diane wishes and not saying anything, but it is getting close to breaking point. Such inconsiderate b_____ds.

Maybe super-soaker water-guns might do it - not so effective when they are already soaked.

Anyway a couple of nights moored there were still very pleasant - the weather for Monday dictated a non-moving day - very pleasing to see so many souls getting drenched and me staring them down to not speed.

Back moving on Tuesday - 2 locks to negotiate - a slower boat in front of us, but that was better than being behind the 5 boats in the queue immediately behind us - ooh that was a bit of a wait for them.
 

I have found Diane's new boat - as did the three ducks on the roof.

Nantwich reached and we moored up on the 24 hour rings; a walk into the town for some supplies - yep, you guessed it - milk was top of the list - reckon that we might buy a butty next year with room enough for a cow.

We did meet up with Corinne and Mark (nb Dee O Ghee) and had a bit of chat with them and met them again on Wednesday when we were getting water (as we moved to the 48 hour moorings) - we also met Charlie the 'Ridgeback.

With Corinne and Mark and their boat; Charlie declined the
chance to be in the shot

They are going to really enjoy it all when they can get onto the boat full time, but for now they are doing well and enjoying it muchly.

Water tank filled, cassettes now empty we moved another 400 metres - I needed a haircut and we just enjoy the walk into Nantwich so that was another couple of hours that went by.

A late decision to sand and prime the port gunwhale will show it to be a wise decision tomorrow when it only needs topcoating.

One last decision that I am contemplating, is buying a Border Collie and training said dog to be able to round Diane up in any clothes shop that she goes into and direct her back to the door - might be a good investment - should save more than the cost of the dog food.

The final option to speeding boats - sit down
with a pleasant glass of red!

14 Miles, 3 Locks

Totals: 2838 Miles, 2067 Locks, 97 Tunnels, 34 Lift Bridges, 151 Swing Bridges

No Ice Cream for you

Saturday 12th July to Tuesday 15th July 2014

We completed the usual chores as we headed off - water, elsan and rubbish - and through the locks to complete the Audlem flight.
 

Outside the Shroppie Fly getting water.

our first lock for the day

Once through we only had a short cruise and we pulled into Overwater Marina to talk to them about mooring for 3 months whilst we head home.

As they say, you only have one chance to make a first impression and I have to say we were well pleased with what we saw.

We managed to talk to Simon in the workshop about the work we want to get done - again we were well pleased with what he had to say.
It is always other things that go on around and things that you overhear which help to fill in gaps in the overall picture, and it was those that made the decision a bit easier.

The upshot is that we have booked for the 3 months that we will be away; paid the deposit and now we don't have to go on looking at that.

A coffee and something to eat in the cafe completed a bit more of the scene - the fact that it was a lovely sunny morning was sheer bliss.

After all of that we headed off again - this time just a further mile up the way to the mooring length between bridges 82 and 83 where the Shropshire Union Canal Society has very kindly provided seats and stands for BBQs.

The weather had been predicted to turn a bit windier, less sunny and a stronger chance of rain in the late afternoon/ early evening - that didn't deter "she" from the desire for a BBQ - as she would say - "it would be rude not to make use of what had been provided".

So the  BBQ came out, fuel and firelighting equipment - presto, it was alight - even in the wind - then it wasn't and finally it was again.
We are getting better at this.
 

a study in concentration

Without too much charring of the food we did settle down for dinner - the clouds were getting a wee bit darker but fortunately the rain held off until after we had finished and everything was back inside.
It was fortuitous really with the rain - it managed to kill off the hot embers, thereby eliminating the need for us to do anymore about them until morning.

As expected, the play-off for 3rd and 4th in the World Cup went the way of Holland with Brazil giving another insipid performance.

On Sunday, after some moderate rain (it was neither light nor heavy), we set off under grey clouds, but with optimism about it getting better.
We only wanted to go as far as Nantwich for a couple of days.

Approaching Hack Green locks we saw the sign for the secret Nuclear Bunker, but decided that since we would be coming back this way soon it could wait until then, but more importantly there was a boat exiting from the lock.

It what can only be described as the perfect way to do 2 locks, we entered the lock where the gates had been left open; descended; gates opened; another boat coming up and out of the next lock; passed in the pound; entered the lock; descended; gates opened with the help of the person on the boat ready to come up - through in just 10 minutes - why can't they all be like that.

Onward to Nantwich - just 3 miles away.

Our first experience of Nantwich was when we were on a hire boat; came across the embankment in a bad cross wind - a boat approaching wanted to hold in the middle of the canal, we reduced our speed as much as possible with the wind - still they wouldn't move over - result we hit a moored boat - not hard, but we hit it.
We were still too inexperienced to yell obscenities at the offending person.

Since that time, Diane has not held fond memories of cruising Nantwich and now as we approached with the cross wind there were revived memories.

Fortunately we avoided any repeat of our first time - we have learnt to take the line that we needed and the boats coming towards us were more polite in their course as well.
 

Nantwich aqueduct - from above...

... and from below (that woman is in the photo again)

We moored up at the top of the walkway ramp and made our way into town for a look around and ultimately lunch - it being Sunday.

It was a very lovely lunch at Wilbraham Bar and Grill - the service; the food; and the price.
 

Sunday lunch - very very nice indeed

It is amazing how the fresh air; the humm of the engine and the general feeling of the freedom you have on the canals, all conspire to make one feel really sleepy - that is what happened again in the afternoon as we sat to watch Stage 9 of le Tour - Diane was only kept awake by the race and my snoring.

Feeling a refreshed after that brief interlude we saw the end of the race, read for a while and then readied ourselves for the WC Final.
 

Diane found a pattern and created this

Diane suggested that we go out for a walk up to the chandlery to see about a couple of things - all the time promising that we could get an ice-cream when we got there.
The weather had turned again since the morning and it was a glorious sunny day - perfect ice-cream weather, and I was looking forward to one.
 

obligatory photo with the horse

Somewhere down there is a shop with an ice-cream with my
name on it - pity it was closed

I now understand how she strung the kids along all these years with promises - we got there - the chandlery was closed and so was the bl___y cafe.
No ice cream - I had been dudded!

No chance of falling asleep watching this game - it held your attention as the expectation of a goal at any time remained a probability.
Eventually the goal came and Germany won it's 4th final - well done!
As Australians, we do not have the prevailing view of Germany or Argentina in sporting terms or any other way you may want to look at it - it was a good match -perhaps not a great match - we simply enjoyed the contest!
 

Sunset on a near perfect day

Back to work for Monday and after getting a lot of that done we headed off.

We were starting to see a lot more boat movement - after all this is a busy canal with so many people doing the ring; the weather was good and it wasn't school holidays just yet (at least I think not yet!)

We neared Hurleston Junction and there were boats in both directions waiting - apparently a boat had got stuck in one of the locks causing a queue of boats down below - I  guess there would have been a queue above the locks as well.

We stopped at Barbridge to take on water - after a short wait for the boat that was just about done we moved across.

spotted this just up from Hurleston junction

Well just as we were ready to leave a couple of boats were coming along, so we decided to allow them to go through.
The first wanted to wind at the junction, the second held back; then there were two more boats coming along; the first had winded and moved back to allow the second to turn the corner - the delay in this meant that by now a boat was coming under the bridge from the Middlewich branch and wanted to turn left to head south.
There were 6 boats there all trying to squeeze through the narrowed space by the water point - where we just wanted to get away from.

Eventually, and with no problems at all, the first three boats - virtually all in the junction cleared away - we weren't waiting for any other boats to come through and truth be known it was better that we moved next anyway. Around the turn we went and all was fine.

So some slow cruising past all of the boats - no need to go quickly as we all knew that getting through Cholmondeston Lock would be slow with boats in numbers all heading that way.
Correct we were indeedly.

There were three boats ahead to go down and boats down below wanting to come up - so a bit of a wait; sunny day by now - who really cares about a delay - and we were all in good spirits.

We moored up just past the marina on the straight just there - far enough away from the railway line.

It was a lovely spot and allowed us to empty out the decks below in the engine bay - the time had come to start preparing the area for painting - also a chance to sort out what was still wanted and what would be leaving us for good.

The area has been treated with Fertan and places found to store everything - all is right with the world.

Oh and I did eventually get my ice-cream
 

Sums it all up in our boat

12 Miles, 7 Locks

Totals: 2656 Miles, 2030 Locks, 91 Tunnels, 32 Lift Bridges, 151 Swing Bridges