NarrowBoat 'Quidditch' Travel-Diary

Summer Tour Memoirs 2007

2007-09-04T09:50:00.001+01:00

Our 'Summer Tour 07' comes to a disappointing end but despite the dreadful weather we had a great time!
Starting out back on May 29th we headed straight for the Llangollen Canal, arriving 10-days later. With some great foresight our plan this year was to avoid any rivers until August, when our rough schedule was to complete the River Thames. Looking back at our diary for 2006 at exactly the time of this years floods, we were placed on the rivers Avon and Severn. Having seen and heard first hand some of the horrendous stories from fellow boater's we're sure glad we completed that section last year!
Our first visit to the Llangollen turned out to be everything we'd imagined it would be. Stunning views, beautiful countryside and amazingly more than ample mooring. Our diversion onto the Montgomery Canal, if being truthful, was, although having all the scenery of the Llangollen, a little below expectations. To find the only decent moorings available to us some 4 hours sailing, overgrown and full of dog crap, it took the edge off it for me. However, Dee reckons it was only because I had the raging hump as it totally peed down for the final hour when all I wanted to do was to get moored and dry out!
The new Llangollen Basin moorings are an excellent place to stay for 48hrs, your provided with electric hook up and pleasant surroundings. A walk to the nearby Horseshoe Falls, where the canal begins it's journey and a trip on the Steam Railway are a must. Crossing the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct is every boaters dream, or nightmare, which ever way you look at it, either way it's a phenomenal piece of engineering!
From the Llangollen we spent our usual week long stay at Cholmondeston, Middlewich Branch of the Shropshire Union and hired a car to visit mum in Liverpool and later in the week picked up with some other boaty friends before completing the Harecastle Tunnel once again around mid July.
Continuing slowly South for the Thames we made our way down the Trent & Mersey turning at Fradley Junction onto the Coventry Canal on July 18th.
Saturday July 21st we made a short stop at Nuneaton where I cycled into the town centre to buy a couple of copies of Harry Potter and by the evening we where both engrossed and moored on the Ashby Canal at Bridge 3.
This was our first trip along the 22 miles of the lock free Ashby Canal and due to the River Thames remaining in flood we spent longer than planned. We thoroughly enjoyed the Ashby and had excellent days out visiting the Battlefield Line Steam Railway and the battlefield itself where King Richard III was defeated by Henry Tudor at the battle of Bosworth in 1485.
We arrived back at Wigram's on July 31st for a short break and departed for our final trip of the summer on Tuesday August 6th bound for the Thames, unfortunately we never made it!!
Arriving a day out from entering the Thames at Kings Lock, Oxford, we'd already decided to ere on the side of caution and abandon our Thames trip as once again the heavens opened for another 2 days of torrential rain. Needing to be back in Wigram's for Sept 1st we simply couldn't afford to get stranded. It was here that our decision was justified as we met a fellow boater who had only 24hrs earlier escaped the Thames just as the red-boards ('river-in-flood') were being hung! In his own words... I'd been stuck for 19-days earlier in the month and I'm damned if I'm going thru' that again'.
We'd forgotten how beautiful the South Oxford Canal was! Due to our abandoned trip we spent the final weeks of our summer re-discovering this picturesque section of the canal system, an unexpected yet enjoyable end to our tour.
So that's it for another summer tour. Our thoughts for this year..... well, the weather is the headline maker for all the wrong reasons. However, the most disappointing aspect for us this year has been the lack of courtesy shown by what seems to be a greater minority of boat owners and I emphasise 'boat owners' who constantly speed past without a care for moored craft or the environment. The BW cutbacks have also been apparent this year with more overgrown moorings than every before. To end on a positive note, once again we've met some lovely people, both on hire boats and privately owned, the wildlife has been plentiful and the countryside is as beautiful as it ever was.
'Better a bad day on the water than a good day in the office'...........

Dee & Keith 2007

Home-Base

2007-08-23T09:25:00.000+01:00

Saturday August 18th.. After moving down from Cropredy and completing the Claydon locks in excellent time we moored for the weekend at Fenny Compton in more torrential rain.

We were actually very lucky to get in as the whole mooring was full as we arrived but fortunately just as we drifted past a boat pulled away and we slotted in very nicely thank you! The weekend turned out to be another thoroughly wet one!

Monday August 2oth.. We set off from Fenny with the sole intention of arriving back at Wigram's around 5-ish this evening and had a very good transition through the Napton Flight. We completed the 9 locks in just over 1 1/2 hours, meeting up with John & Joan (NB-Tagine Queen) briefly at Adkin's lock, who were on their way up to Fenny.

So I suppose our summer has come to an abrupt and disappointing end! We're away at the beginning of September for a few days to celebrate mum's birthday and then shortly after returning we drive to France for a week on the French canals with Johnny and Pat (NB-Le-Hoddydod). We're really looking forward to this one guys! So in effect that doesn't leave much time to stray beyond our locality.

The coming bank holiday weekend is likely to be something resembling the M25 motorway along our local stretch, in what is affectionately known as 'Tick-over Alley' so our intention is to depart the marina and moor for the duration somewhere between here and Braunston. At least the weather for once is looking positive and we may even get to BBQ.

Mmmm.... am I sounding a bit down? I suppose it's always the way when we return after our travels.

As we gather our thoughts on this years summer tour, which we intend to post shortly I can't help but feel that the summer of 07 will become known as 'the summer that never was'

Good Call

2007-08-18T07:19:00.000+01:00

Tuesday August 14th... Well, as forecast the rain arrived in the early hours of this morning but although breezy the gale force winds that had also been forecast didn't materialise.

We laid up for the day as planned at Dashwood Lock and were able to get a walk in later in the evening. We spotted a couple of tree's that had fallen during the day but none fortunately in the direction of the canal. Our mooring ran alongside the river Cherwell so we were also able to keep a close eye on the levels which on the Tuesday evening had risen slightly.
Wednesday August 15th... Today was a much windier one with the persistent rain giving way to heavy showers, sometimes accompanied by the odd rumble of thunder. We moved only a short distance 'winding' just before Kirtlington and found a decent mooring once again parallel to the River Cherwell. By the evening we could see that the river was definitely running faster and had risen a good few inches.

Thursday August 16th... We set off northwards heading back towards Banbury and met up with a boat also going north as we passed through Northbrook Lock. They informed us that the Cherwell level boards were just entering the red zone. Between Shipton Weir Lock and Baker's Lock (pictured) around a few miles south of our location the canal and river share a common course, this can be hazardous if the river is in flood and these guys had luckily just passed through. We continued on stopping briefly at Lower Heyford for milk and bread, mooring for a short while at Summerton, which was solid with boats. We were able to squeeze in at the very end but after deciding we were too close to a bend moved on finding an excellent mooring just after Summerton Deep Lock.

Friday August 17th... As we continued on it was obvious that the Cherwell would pose no hazzard to us having probably reached it's peak but if we had any regrets as to whether we should have continued on to the Thames they were put to rest later in the day. As we arrived at Kings Sutton Lock we met up with a guy who told us that he'd been stuck on the Thames for 19 days last month and had passed through the Thames Locks at Swinford Bridge and Kings two days prior just as the red boards were going back up. He informed us that the lock keeper had told him not to continue but had told him that there was no way he was getting marooned again and so swiftly moved on escaping back onto the canal system!

We stopped in Banbury for supplies for around an hour and then moved on mooring at Cropredy for the night.

Talking of Banbury, a couple we'd spoken to earlier in the week told us that they wanted to moor in the town for the night and had moored next to a boat where, they'd been told, the owner had unfortunately mysteriously died aboard. His tools and wellington boots etc were still on the towpath exactly where they'd been left. Feeling a little rattled by the events they had moved on. The story made Dee and I laugh until she pointed out that the boat we'd moored next to had pots of paint, tools and wellington boots sitting on the towpath!!! We swiftly moved on after shopping.

Too Risky

2007-08-13T20:42:00.000+01:00

Friday August 10th… After leaving our overnight mooring we continued our journey south, eventually stopping just short of Lower Heyford.

Having checked our usual weather internet sites it was apparent that the forecast for the forthcoming week was looking grim. Gale force winds and torrential rain were being forecast for the Tuesday/Wednesday and so after discussing our situation over dinner we’ve decided to abandon our plans to go onto the Thames, we’re also running out of time as we need to be back at Wigram's no later than September 1st!
Thinking logically the flood plains surrounding the Thames area are still saturated and boggy, even the towpaths where we are now are still extremely soft and any further rain will simply have nowhere to go, other than back into the rivers! We really don’t think it will take much for the Thames to go back into flood and thus marooning us. This summer is so unpredictable were simply not going to take the chance.
We’ve actually met several boats at locks who incredibly had been stranded on the Thames for over 5 weeks during the recent floods and had some pretty horrendous stories to tell. One lady we passed, almost in tears, told us that she’d simply had enough, wanted to go home and would never complete a river again! Another couple told us that they were asked to abandon thier boat several times but refused and sat it out.
Saturday/Sunday August 11/12th.. After our decision to abandon our Thames trip we decided to remain at Lower Heyford for the weekend. The weather has been superb and the Lower Heyford marina now has an excellent café were you can get a great traditional afternoon tea. We took a train into Oxford on the Saturday morning, which was typically a ½ hour late, and enjoyed some shopping and civilization before we had withdrawal systems for the seclusion of the water and made our way back. On the Sunday night both Dee and I wrapped up well and camped out for a few hours to watch the Persied Meteor Shower. This is actually an annual event for us but this year the conditions were excellent, no moon and clear skies. We did see a few dozen meteors over an hour and a half but Unfortunately I have to say that this years display was disappointing, we eventually gave it in at around 1.30am.
Monday August 13th… After a lie-in we set off around 12.30pm and took on water before continuing south. The plan was to find a good sheltered mooring in the knowledge that the approaching gale would hit sometime in the early hours of Tuesday. We’d actually only gone 2 miles before we came across the perfect spot just after Dashwood Lock at bridge 209, a single mooring on armco and with good views of the River Cherwell and slightly sheltered. Here we’ll remain and will update in a day or two and let you guys know how we get on.

Steady South

2007-08-09T07:57:00.000+01:00

Tuesday August 7th... We departed Wigram's around 12.30pm, glad to be out once again and made steady progress through the surprisingly quiet Napton flight.

We eventually moored for the night just beyond Ladder Bridge 129 in the one remaining space available. Having climbed the Napton flight you get a great view of the surrounding countryside below.
Wednesday August 8th.. Today was wall to wall sunshine and the plan was to complete 10 locks and 10 miles and moor just to the north of Banbury. We knew that the going would be slow thru' Cropredy due to the Fairports Festival (pictured above) this weekend but grossly underestimated the popularity of this event. We slowly made our way past over 3 miles of moored boats, some of which I have to say were moored in some ridiculous spots, one even moored on the lock bollards! Fortunately we came through Cropredy lock with impunity but another boater told us later that he was part of an 18 boat queue on the Monday, good job our departure was delayed by a day! Mooring for the day at Bourton Lock around 5.30pm we were astonished to see a couple of the local constabulary cycling down the towpath shortly after. A first in over 4 years of boating but obviously in connection with the festival some 2 miles back, still a refreshing sight nevertheless! We'd also received information from a passing boat that the Thames, our final destination this year, was due to re-open today.

Thursday August 9th.. We completed a slow transition through Banbury stopping briefly for water and the essential milk & bread and met up with John & Joan off NB-Tagine Queen who although not currently out on the canals were shopping in the town. Amazing isn't it to think that what took us 2 days to complete on the canals took them 40 minutes in the car! I love the magic of boating!

Pushing on we completed a further 6 miles and 5 locks loosing an hour at Nell Bridge Lock where we formed part of a five boat queue. Interesting also to listen to the boatee grape vine. A lady passing through the lock informed us that the Thames was still closed and "There were many frustrated people further down at Thrupp who are waiting anxiously to get onto the Thames". A quick phone call to Nigel the Henley lock keeper informs us that the Thames is navigating as normal and that his lock is just about to drop off the amber warning onto green! We've always taken the grape vine with a pinch of salt and this was another story that's obviously travelled many a lock.

We are currently moored near where the River Cherwell crosses the canal and you can definitely see signs of the recent flooding with plastic bags and various washed through items hanging precariously about a couple feet above the waterline in the surrounding trees and bushes. The wildlife in this area seems abundant too, a Kingfisher, Green Woodpecker and in the evening we watched a Mink walking on the opposite bank and then swim silently by later. We listened to several owls roosting in nearby trees after sunset and there was plenty of activity in the bushes behind, probably mice, voles and hedgehogs. With the current weather it's just a pleasure to actually be able to sit out this summer:)

Break Over!

2007-08-06T19:33:00.000+01:00

It's Monday evening and Quidditch is serviced and ready to depart from our home-base at Wigram's Turn on our journey down onto the Thames.

Good job I decided to give her a good check over while we were in port so to speak, one of my fan belts was about to give up the ghost! I've also re secured our anchor which we are never without when navigating rivers.
The original plan was to set off today but a few last minute chores have delayed our departure until tomorrow morning (Tuesday 6th). We don't really know what to expect this time around with the foot and mouth outbreak still being investigated and what damage has been done to the system down near Oxford and further onto the Thames. Those areas were really hit bad by the recent floods. I telephoned our friend Nigel who's the lock keeper at Henley-On-Thames last Thursday and he informed me that at the top end around Kings Lock the river is still into the red. He also told me that a great amount of water was filtering down quite quickly and by the time we arrive down that end hopefully all will be well. You can put the vino on ice Nigel me thinks!!
Well that's about it really, just a short post to let our friends, family and keen followers know were back on the cut. A big thank you to those guys who we've met while out on our travels this summer and who have taken the time to sign our Guest-Book, we're always appreciative of that. Also, well done to Graham & Jennifer (NB-Best-O-Mates) who've made it onto the Lancaster Canal via the River Ribble, we look forward to hearing about your adventures.

High Pressure

2007-07-30T07:03:00.000+01:00

Well it's been five days since our last post,(sounds like confession), the longest we've gone so far this summer.

I use the term Summer lightly. However, what's this building over the UK? High pressure, yes I remember you!!
That's probably because Quidditch is heading back to our home-base for a week and not being the pessimistic type a definite coincidence that summer may have arrived at last. It appears that the jet-stream, which is the cause of our rotten summer and lying around 500 miles too far south, is making it's move northward at last.
On our previous post we'd visited the Battlefield Steam Railway and were heading back to Wigram's for a short break. Currently we're moored at Barby around 9 miles from home-base, it's 6am (yes I'm up Johhny!) and a cloudless yet chilly morning with an eerie mist rising off the cool water.
Over the past 5 days we've obviously moved off the Ashby Canal back onto the Coventry and making our turn at the stop-lock at Hawkwsbury Junction back onto the Oxford Canal. Andrew (Granny Buttons) we did see you moored at Hawkesbury but all was quiet so Granny must have been deserted.
It was the first time we'd completed the Ashby Canal having passed it on several occasions and I have to say that it was a pleasant surprise. As soon as it leaves Marston Juntion where you enter the canal it changes completely & dramatically. The industry and housing estates that accompany the Coventry Canal on this stretch suddenly vanish to be replaced by green fields, farms and trees. At the top end, only 21 miles from it's start, your in the National Forest and the scenery and wildlife is excellent, we saw several Stoat and a Peregrine Falcon during our week on the canal.
Nothing extraordinary has happened to us over the last 5 days although having once again avoided being hit this summer, thus far,the inevitable happened while moored and minding our own business at Grimes Bridge. Nothing too serious but once again the attitude of our assailant took the biscuit! "This IS our home you know" you ignorant git, enough said!! Coming thru' the 3 Hillmorton Locks is not a good idea on a Sunday and in the school holidays but a necessity due to our schedule! Pandemonium is an understatement with boats strewn in every orrafice of the canal. Fortunately we avoided any trouble through good humour and shear dumb luck. We've both finished Harry Potter and look forward to the film which we'll catch later in the week but it came as a shock when Dee reminded me last night that when we put back into Wigram's on Tuesday that's the first part of journey this summer complete. Bummer!!!!

Battlefields

2007-07-24T21:11:00.000+01:00

Sunday July 22nd… Today the weather had returned to something resembling the summer. In fact we nearly made it through the whole day without rain.

Passing through Hinckley we had a brief stop at Trinity Marina for bread before mooring just short of Stoke Golding.
Looking at this canal on a map it appears to be very much out on a limb. In fact the Ashby was originally intended to be a through route from the River Trent at Burton to the Coventry Canal near Bedworth, but this plan was repeatedly shelved. In 1792 however the Ashby Canal Co. was formed and a bill promoted, mostly by the owners of the Leicestershire limeworks and a new coalfield between Ashby de la Zouch, who decided that an outlet southwards was required from their various works.
Monday July 23rd… Today we moved around 5 miles on to battlefield moorings. From here we visited the Battle of Bosworth visitors Centre, the site of Richard III last stand, where there’s an excellent walk around the battlefield culminating at the Shenton railway station, part of the Battlefield Line Steam Railway, which we hope to visit on Wednesday.

Tuesday July 24th... Completing the remaining 9 miles of the Ashby in beautiful rural countryside we emerged from the 250yd Snarestone Tunnel at what is the present canal terminus, another 8 miles remain of un-navigable canal to Moira. Turning about we moored for the day at the southern end of the tunnel and thankfully enjoyed a lovely cloudless evening.

Wednesday July 25th... Setting off in more rain we moved the 3 miles to Shackerstone moorings and then walked the half mile to the Battlefield Line Railway. Unfortunately today the only train running was the DMU, diesel-multi unit. The station at Shackerstone is small but original and contains a superb museum recognised as one of the most interesting and unique collections in the country. Many of the items date back to last century with special emphasis placed on the local history.

Thank you once again to everyone who's emailed and phoned regarding our status in view of the weather. As many of you will know canals are not renown for flooding, in fact most of the canal sluices empty into nearby rivers when the depth becomes too much, our current canal, the Ashby, is about 6 inches higher than normal! We can tell you that we remain in constant touch with British Waterways who are excellent at advance warnings of stoppages via email and have therefore managed to avoid any serious trouble. However, we've heard from friends who are unfortunately worse off than us and who are currently marooned on various rivers, fortunately still afloat! By a shear coincidence we'd decided at the beginning of our tour that we'd navigate any rivers late in the season. A damn good call if you ask me!! Our trip down to the Thames in August is obviously in doubt though at this time.

Harry & the Ashby

2007-07-21T20:07:00.001+01:00

Thursday July 19th… Has summer arrived at last? We completed another long day but this time in glorious summer weather. Leaving our overnight mooring we continued our journey south stopping at Fazeley Junction where the Coventry Canal meets the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal and stopped for water, elsan and provisions once more.
After upping pins we continued through Tamworth completing the only 2 locks of the day at Glascote. Fortunately we’d had an email from BW informing us that these locks were closed yesterday for emergency repairs, causing very long tailbacks for the unwitting and subsequent delays. When we arrived the back-log had obviously gone but lock no.1, the repaired lock, was still extremely slow resulting a queue of 4 boats behind us by the time we cleared through.
We eventually moored at Meadow Lane Bridge just after Polesworth, by coincidence behind NB-Ethel Fidget and remarkably I noticed NB-Maria Jesse another Wigrams moorer pulling in a little while later. After a nice cool beer and chat with Ethel Fidget Dee and I barbecued for only the second time this summer, it was a lovely summer evening with a beautiful red sunset. Shortly after calling it a day the rain once moor returned!
Friday July 20th… Summer had vanished, was it only a dream? The rain had continued unabated for most of the night but to make it to the Ashby Canal by Saturday meant another day in the rain. Gearing up in our wets we duly set off around 11.30am for the Atherstone Flight, not my favourite locks as their renowned for being painstakingly slow. We eventually cleared through the 11 locks at around 2.30pm with very few locks in our favour and once again we were soaked to the bone as the rain had now become torrential. We knew we were mooring for the night in around another 2 miles so we battled on finally arriving at what was now a completely flooded towpath and in what had become a major thunderstorm. There’s one good thing about mooring in torrential rain and that’s jumping straight into the shower and settling down to some hot soup and in this case sausage baps, lovingly stored from yesterdays ‘summer’ BBQ! When we logged on later we’d received another stoppage email from BW informing us that the Oxford Canal was completed closed to navigation due to flooding, the brunt of which was around our home marina at Napton and the rain continues!
Saturday July 21st… Harry Potter day! We departed at around 11am and the sole aim was to grab 2 copies of the new Harry Potter books on our way to the Ashby Canal. The only possible solution was to moor at Nuneaton, not the most auspicious of locations. We moored just after bridge 20 and I duly unhooked my bike and while Dee remained on board boat sitting I cycled the couple of miles into the town centre. About an hour later I returned and haven't seen Dee since! I can't drag her away from the damn book, good job we got two copies!
Around 2.30pm I made the turn onto the Ashby Canal, new ground for Quidditch and we shortly moored for the night just after bridge 3. It's finally stopped raining too.

Seclusion Shattered.

2007-07-18T10:48:00.001+01:00

Sunday July 15th.. The weather forecast for today was correct! As predicted the rain came & stayed for the whole day, as did Quidditch.

We just couldn't’t face another wet miserable drubbing. We’d found our quiet secluded mooring in the middle of nowhere and it was a good call to stay put for the day and in fact we didn't even venture out. It wasn’t until around 6pm when I stuck my head out of the hatch that we realised a boat had snuck in quietly behind about a boat lengths back.

However, the big shock came at around 9pm just as I was settling down to watch ‘Rome’ on BBC2. I could suddenly hear a loud blurring music and it was getting louder, and then suddenly appearing out of the window was not one but two ‘hire boats’. I seriously could not believe my eyes and ears as both boats slotted into the tiny gap left by the earlier arrival and buttied up, our seclusion destroyed. I won’t even describe the antics that occurred the following morning, just prior to our quick and hasty departure, as the immediate towpath was turned into something resembling a Butlins holiday camp!’.
Monday July 16th.. After our early departure today we planned to drop down onto the Staffs & Worcester Canal at Great Hayward Junction and moor overnight at Tixall Wide (pictured) where we’d moored for a couple of days on our way up north earlier this year. We stopped for water and elsan and were surprised to find the door locked and a charge of £1 for use of the elsan, which is also not available once the shop closes at 6pm. How can there be a charge and why is this locked beyond the BW key as this is clearly a BW elsan and has been for years? I'll let you know the response to my email.

We’ve come full circle and the summer, if you can call it that, is already half gone. After securing our mooring at Tixall we took a stroll back to the junction and visited the local farm shop for a few provisions and on our return spotted NB-Castle Howard who we’d met several times on the River Avon and Gloucester & Sharpness Canal in 2005. Dee and I spent the evening playing scrabble and amazingly at around 9.30pm the two hire boats that had given us so much grief the night before drifted past. Fortunately the whole mooring was full so we were all spared the grief!

Tuesday July 17th.. After chatting for a while with Castle Howard we turned and headed back onto the Trent & Mersey Canal turning south once again. Knowing this stretch reasonably well we planned to moor around 2 miles from Fradley Junction at bridge 55 where we’d make the turn back onto the Coventry Canal on Wednesday. Just prior to Rugeley we bumped into NB-Ethel Fidget one of our neighbours from Wigrams who were on their way back down from the Macclesfield Canal and slowed very briefly to say hello. The day was showery and we only got soaked twice but it was a nice little jaunt in some occasional sunshine and only 2 locks.

Wednesday July 18th.. The day began with a brief chat with NB-Moody Blues, who came along side, they were on their way up to Stone and are also from our home marina.

Today we completed our transition of the Trent & Mersey Canal turning back once again onto the Coventry Canal at what was a very busy and hectic Fradley Junction. The weather today after a brief morning shower was beautiful and we ate lunch and dinner in the front cratch for the first time this summer. Just prior to mooring at Bridge 81 we stopped briefly so that Dee could jump off and secure a hire boat that had obviously been poorly tied and who's bow was drifting across a narrow section of canal making navigation difficult. These things happen but the most disappointing aspect was the fact that just prior to coming around the bend we'd passed two privately owned boats who had neither warned us of the danger or indeed took the time to stop and secure the boat themselves! After what I've witnessed so far this summer I'm getting a distinct and sad feeling that courtesy on the canals like in the rest of society is becoming a rare commodity!!

Steady Progress to the Ashby

2007-07-15T09:49:00.001+01:00

Thursday July 12th.. After our long day yesterday we completed the remaining 14 locks of ‘Heartbreak Hill’ mooring just short of the final one in a torrential downpour to visit the nearby Tesco supermarket.
At around 3.50pm we moved off, once again fully provisioned, completing the final lock on our approach to the Harecastle Tunnel. Our timing was excellent as we were waved thru’ the tunnel without any delay with 2 minutes to spare until the tunnel was turned. *(The tunnel operates a 1-way system allowing 8 boats access at a time. It takes around 50 minutes to complete the gruelling 2,926 yards).
This was the 4th consecutive year we’ve completed the Harecastle but this remarkable feat of engineering never fails to impress. There are altogether 3 parallel tunnels through Harecastle Hill. The first built by James Brindley, was completed in 1777, after 11 years work. As has become a tradition with us once we emerge at the southern exit we immediately moor for the day, this year mainly to dry out!
Friday July 13th.. Today we moved from the southern exit of the Harecastle Tunnel to Barlaston, 9 miles and 6 locks, taking a slight detour onto the Caldon Canal at Etruria for water & Elsan . It turned out to be a hard day in driving rain & for some reason the remaining 2 locks, in particular Stoke Bottom Lock, were painfully slow. We finally moored for the day absolutely soaked to the skin, even in full wet gear! However, it’s always a bonus to pass through Stoke city centre and out into the countryside once more with little effort and due to the appalling conditions not many other boats to hinder us.
Saturday July 14th.. As the weather for today was set fair, it was like the REAL summer out there, and we knew more heavy rain was coming tomorrow, we set off at a leisurely pace at around 11am progressing further down towards the Ashby Canal, which we hope to enter later in the week. The plan was to pass through Stone, which we have visited twice before and moor until Monday somewhere beyond & secluded, not being one’s to moor too close to town centre’s when where fully stocked. We sauntered through with the usual mass of onlookers at Star Lock, ‘for god’s sake get me out of here’ says I when Dee prepared the lock, it took an agonising 5 minutes to clear!
Immediately after clearing the lock to the designated moorings for Stone 3 boats pulled away simultaneously resulting in a slow transition to Aston Lock, our final lock of the day and inevitable queue. We finally cleared some 45 minutes later and found our secluded single mooring at Bridge 89.
In my earlier post 'Strim Your Own' I described how I’d prepared our own mooring using a strimmer which was picked up and posted by Andrew Denny on his site Granny Buttons. Well Andrew you mention in your piece that a strimmer would have come in handy on your visit to the Ashby where you say BW has ‘Vegged-out’ on it’s pledge to keep canalside vegetation under control. Well by an amazing coincidence Quidditch is on-route as we speak. So look out on the Ashby Canal cos Quidditch is on a mission!!!

Strim Your Own!

2007-07-11T20:23:00.000+01:00

Well we didn't actually leave Cholmondeston until Tuesday having met up with NB-Nesta once again, this meant that by the time we left we'd spent 8 days in total at one location.

Another good thing about our extended stay was that we were moored right next to Ivor & Mel aboard their diesel boat and so filled up with diesel at a reasonable 48P.

Even when we did eventually leave we only moved around 4 miles because we discovered that NB-Tagine Queen who we'd completed The Montgomery Canal with last month were making their way toward us.

We'd decided to meet up at a lovely designated 48hr mooring Dee & I had moored at last year overlooking Winsford Flash just short of Bridge 22. You can imagine our frustration when we arrived only to discover that not for the first time this year a designated mooring was completely overgrown.

It was finally time to take matters into our own hands and extract the strimmer for the first time this year!! I'd completed our 60 foot mooring when I called John aboard Tagine and establishing his ETA told him I'd strim him a mooring when he arrived. Around 45 minutes later, having spotted John coming thru' bridge 22 I began to prepare his 60 foot. Ten minutes later a stunned John & Joan, ("I thought you were only joking when you phoned"), moored bow to bow where we had an evening on the towpath drinking a nice little vintage at our newly tended mooring. A nice gift to the next person who moors once we've left in the morning.

My message to British Waterways, who have disappointed me yet again, is to supply all boat owners with a free strimmer once we've handed over our hard earned licence fee money! At least that way we can help in some small way with the upkeep of our beloved towpath. Just prior to departing this morning (Wednesday July 11th) we got an email from NB-Best'O'Mates who'd read the blog and discovered that they were only 4 bridges away at Bridge 26. We then met & buttied for a short while to catch up with Jennifer & Graham who are on-route to the Lancaster Canal via The Ribble and then continued on our longest day for a while, completing 19 locks and mooring just short of Bridge 144 on the Trent & Mersey. It was great to catch up with Best'O'Mates who we last met when completing the River Avon last year.

The Harecastle Tunnel beckons tomorrow!

Short Break

2007-07-07T07:30:00.000+01:00

After a 5 day lay-up we're now back on our travels again and heading across the Middlewich Branch for the Trent & Mersey Canal.
For the past 3 years we've moored at Cholmondeston for a short break from our travels to return to the normal world!
Cholmondeston is strategically placed with the Venetian Marina & Cafe serving a top breakfast and easy access to Crewe. From here we can hire a car from Enterprise who will pick you up & drop you off at the marina. Over the lay-up and having transport available we have the option do things like a major re-stock of food & wine and any other chores that require a visit to a large town, plus an opportunity to visit the cinema, this time to see Shrek 3.
I can also drive the 50 miles & pay a visit to my dear mum in Liverpool who doesn't get to see me as much in the summer.
Back on the tour again and the weather doesn't seem to have improved greatly. One example of not being prepared for the monsoon's this year is pictured above. We spotted this boat on the Shropshire Union Canal, one of several we've seen this year, which could be a casualty of the weather. The amount of rainfall we had in June has to filter somewhere and if your bilge is blocked and your boat lies unchecked for a while this could be the consequences. As your boat fills & fills with water it's eventually weighed down and then bingo!!
So that's it! Were back on the tour again and our thanks to Nick & Linda, you didn't name your boat, Andy from NZ and Carl & Cara who we met in Llangollen Basin on their hire boat, who have recently posted to our Guest-Book.

Monthly Log (June 07)

2007-06-30T10:30:00.000+01:00

Of course one easy headline for June would be the weather, it’s certainly been a record breaker for all the wrong reasons.
When we first set out from Napton in May our sole intention was to head straight for the Llangollen Canal to begin with and end on the Thames sometime in September. I’m certainly glad we didn’t do it the other way around, we’d probably still be flooded in at this stage!
Having spent most of June on the Llangollen we now prepare to come off and I have mixed feelings about the canal.
Arriving at Hurleston Junction and turning onto the canal from the Shropshire Union the first 25 miles thru’ to Ellesmere are amazingly quiet and you wonder what all the fuss regarding it’s busy reputation is about. Just after Ellesmere at Frankton Junction is the entrance to the 7 mile restored Montgomery Canal which requires advance booking. Continuing on from here thru’ to Llangollen there is a marked increase in traffic & you can see why the canal has it’s reputation as the busiest on the system. After the amazing Pontcysyllte Aqueduct from Trevor thru’ to Llangollen, the final 4 miles, requires great patience being both shallow & narrow. There are 2 sections which require you to send a crew member ahead to check for oncoming boats as only one can pass thru’, 2-way radios are very handy! Once into Llangollen pass right to the end where it opens out & you’ll find the basin with water & electric, £5 a night, 48hrs only, it’s well worth the effort. Have a day on the Llangollen Steam Railway too.
The Llangollen certainly is the beautiful canal we knew it would be and apart from the Caldon Canal it’s certainly the most rural we’ve done. However, being the busiest canal on the system and saturated with hire boats, for me it loses a lot of its charm. You could be on the Caldon for example and as the steam train passed by through Churnet Valley you got the impression of times gone by and maybe only a half dozen boats would drift by a day. The dozens of hire boats however and I would estimate that those have been around 80% of the traffic on the Llangollen, are on the go from 6am until 10pm. I use those examples from personal experience as we’ve been passed on more than one occasion at both these times. It seems to me that time is as critical for some on this canal as it is in their busy lives as they literally speed passed without a thought to moored boats or environment, trying to get to the nearest pub or to be first at the lock or water point. Over our 2+ weeks on the Llangollen we’ve met many nice people aboard hire boats and have even invited some into our home but we’ve also met our fair share of boats who simply don’t have a clue, or simply don’t care. In fact as I post this entry one is passing far too fast & totally oblivious to the moored boats! Surely a canal-boat holiday should be about escaping from the stresses of everyday life and soaking in the beauty and atmosphere that rural England & Wales have to offer. I wonder how many have spotted a Kingfisher diving for fish, a Buzzard, Water Vole or Meadow Brown butterfly or heard the many Chiffchaff singing while they rush up and down this canal! Obviously these are my personal views but I think it's a great shame that the minority don't actually grasp what a holiday aboard a narrowboat is all about.
Anyway to end on a positive, don’t be put off by it’s reputation or my moaning. Despite the traffic & the odd renegade hire-boat the Llangollen has it all, aqueducts, tunnels & exceptional and plentiful moorings, well tended and an example of how the rest of the system should be done if BW got their act together. With patience it’s well worth the effort, we’d certainly do it again.
(Pictured Above... Another Hire-boat loses it, panics & heads straight for us!)

Prees Branch

2007-06-28T19:03:00.000+01:00

Tuesday June 26th.. The morning was spent recovering from yesterdays storm, clearing the roof of leaves & bits of tree.
Dee’s tomato plant which was doing so well had completely snapped off but I was able to save the roof troughs.
Around midday we moved the few miles into the Ellsmere Arm for more shopping and to meet up with Graham & Hazel from NB-Nesta who we first met when we moored at the Thames & Kennet Marina in Reading a few years ago. I should mention that we delayed pushing off from our overnight mooring by around 30 minutes due to the fact that the 3 stooges I mentioned yesterday on route from Llangollen passed us by just as we were about to push-off, enough said! In the evening we met up with NB-Nesta and enjoyed a decent meal in the local curry-house. It seems to be a tradition now that every time we meet up we have a curry.
Wednesday June 27th.. We said farewell to NB-Nesta who were moving up to Llangollen and only moved a few miles today to a nice mooring we’d spotted on our way up in-between bridges 51/50. One night in a town mooring was enough for us although we found the Ellesmere Arm, although full, pretty peaceful. If you do ever moor there try to moor away from the top end as there is a lot of building work going into the new Wharf. Around mid afternoon I rescued two lovely families on a 70ft beast of a hire boat who were trying to ‘wind’ (boaty term for turn around) and had got badly stuck. The remainder of the day was spent enjoying what turned out to be a sunny although chilly end. Later Dee made her home-made Steak, Stilton & Guinness pie which was delicious.
Thursday June 28th.. For those who have emailed to ask - Although the surrounding fields are flooded after the recent storm & the occasional brook or stream we pass is in full flood, we’ve not noticed much of a difference to the Llangollen except for a small increase in flow & around 3inch in depth. We are aware however of other canals being closed for periods & we are certainly glad we’re not on any rivers at present. Today we once again only moved around 3 miles to the Prees Branch of the canal and moored in a single mooring opposite Whixall Moss (pictured). This is a raised bog rich in flora & insect fauna, including mosquito’s! The peat surface remains inspite of the past cutting of the peat for garden use, and is now a SSSI, and an important site for rare insects & plant life which survive on the delicate habitat. In the afternoon we cycled down this pretty ½ mile branch section to Whixall Marina and then continued on further along the un-navigable section which is now a nature reserve.
NB.. Apologies to those who subscribe to our blog who have received email notification from ‘Feedburner’ of some very old postings. I don’t know why that happened and our apologies!

Pontcysyllte Aqueduct

2007-06-26T08:17:00.000+01:00

Friday June 22nd.. Turned out to be a 7 hour epic, completing Chirk & Whitehouse tunnels, Chirk Aqueduct and the fantastic Pontcysyllte Aqueduct.

The Pontcysyllte is easily the most famous & most spectacular feature on the whole canal system. Apart from its great height of 126ft above the River Dee and its length of 1007ft, the excitement to be derived from crossing this structure by boat is partly due to the fact that, while the towpath side is fenced off with, albeit widely spaced iron railings, the offside is completely unprotected from around 12inches above the water level, hence a sheer drop. I have to say that unlike Dee, who was unfased by the whole event I found it slightly daunting steering Quidditch across and looking straight down 100ft. We completed our epic by mooring in the Llangollen Basin at around 7pm.
Saturday June 23rd.. After our epic yesterday we took time out to enjoy the Llangollen visitor moorings and the added benefit of shoreline electricity. After breakfast we visited Llangollen town centre for shopping and took a trip on the Llangollen Steam Railway.
Sunday June 24th.. We walked the 2 mile remainder of the un-navigable section of the canal, which culminates at the well known Horseshoe Falls where the Llangollen Canal originates and then set off from the basin at around 3pm. The plan was to complete the Llangollen – Trevor section and after taking the return trip across the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct mooring just prior to the Whitehouse Tunnel.
I would say that the Llangollen – Trevor section is one of the most difficult sections on any canal, narrow & shallow with several sections only wide enough for 1 boat to navigate. Just the place you don’t want to meet total incompetents!!
One example was a hire boat that proceeded against us despite plainly seeing us, a clear BW sign informing you to stop & send a crew member ahead to check the section is clear & Dee actually telling them to wait. Another was a group of 3 guys ahead of us the whole stretch who instead of allowing us to pass were more intent on fishing & boozing & were totally incapable of navigating. Hitting every bridge and stopping dead, resulting in grounding, every time a boat passed the opposite way, it was like watching the ball of a pinball machine and not very funny. Despite having great patience with hire boat crews who are in general quite competent, helpful & willing to learn, I don’t believe I’ve seen as many useless individuals as we encountered today. I would simply ask anyone planning to hire a narrowboat to please do their research and use their common sense, it ain’t rocket science!
Monday June 25th.. Today we moved from our overnight mooring at Whitehouse Tunnel, 9 miles & 2 locks, to Frankton Junction in the most appalling weather we’ve ever experienced on a canal. With driving rain and strong winds it felt like the middle of February not the end of June. I must say that we felt totally sorry for a couple who we passed on a ‘Day Boat’ hired from Maestermyn Marine who were being blown & buffeted across the canal as the wind crashed in over an open field. We finally moored at around 4pm and within 10 minutes the fire was lit & the wine was out. Best place to be in winter…… I mean summer!!!

The Montgomery

2007-06-22T09:04:00.000+01:00

Tuesday 19th.. At around 11am we picked up with NB-Tagine Queen & made the 2hr run to Frankton Junction & our booked passage onto the navigable 7ml stretch of the Montgomery.
The locks both ways must be booked in advance & are only open & manned 12noon until 2pm after which they’re padlocked! Only 12 boats are allowed down daily and once a quota of 1250 boats is reached (annually) the canal is closed to traffic. Another point to bare in mind is the speed limit of 3mph which is enforced for conservation reasons.
Quidditch & Tagine were the last 2 boats in the 12 so a 90 minute wait gave us both time to catch up on the gossip. After emerging thru’ Frankton locks we completed the remaining 4 locks together & made the 7 mile navigable passage to Maesbury in around 4hrs. In the evening we visited The Navigation Inn which was directly opposite our mooring and had an excellent meal as the thunder once again rattled in!
Wednesday 20th.. After turning at Gronwyn Wharf, which is the limit of the navigation, we had a leisurely 4hr cruise back to Weston Wharf around a ½ mile from Frankton Junction, where the plan was to moor in position for the lock up at midday.
My impressions of the Montgomery are mixed. The canal is quite pretty & well serviced for elsan, bins & water but really nothing out of the ordinary & is straight & long for good periods of the 7 mile stretch. The moorings are poorly tended & un-inviting, they are overgrown & there are none after the Graham Palmer lock until you reach the ‘Queens Head’ (full on our visit) & Maesbury. Disappointingly the Maesbury towpath was full of dog crap and I have to say that Frankton Locks also had its fair share! The lock keeper who lives at Frankton is a really helpful chap and very chatty. In conclusion it was nice to have completed the section and well done to those who have restored it but it’s not the ‘Oh! you have to do the Montgomery’ a lot of people have raved about.
Thursday 21st.. You wouldn’t think it was midsummer’s day! Always fun to see ‘I wanna be 1st at the locks syndrome’. I could see by my strategic viewpoint, (and binoculars), from around a ½ mile away that the 1st lock back up had a queue of 4 boats by 9am, pointless really as the locks aren’t open until midday and the lock mooring is shallow & insufficient. So we had a leisurely breakfast and walk along the Weston Branch disused arm and were then treated to several card tricks aboard Tagine by the ultra-talented John.
At around 12.30pm we sauntered up to the locks and made a slow transition through, emerging as the last boat of the day at around 2.15pm only a ½ hour behind the 1st boat which had been queuing since 9am. At the top we moored for a cuppa with John & Joan before heading our separate ways, NB-Tagine back down to Ellsmere and Quidditch up to Llangollen which we should hit by Saturday.

Over the Border

2007-06-18T17:13:00.000+01:00

Friday 15th.. Torrential rain thru’ the night meant that a poor nights sleep was subsidised by sleeping in until around 10.30am.

As luck would have it though our 3 hour sailing today was in dry and sometimes sunny conditions. One thing that’s striking already about the Llangollen Canal, apart from the beautiful scenery, is the constant flow. There is a significant west-to-east current, thanks to the canals other role as a water conduit from the welsh mountains to the people of Crewe.
Our sailing today took us 7 miles and 5 locks but with Dee’s beady eye we spotted Kingfisher and a Tawny Owl which was roosting for the day low in an oak tree.
We eventually moored just short of Marbury Lock in sunshine but within the hour we were battered once again by torrential rain & thunderstorms.
Saturday 16th.. Leaving Marbury the canal again enters peaceful and remote countryside. Continuing thru’ 5 more isolated locks we eventually arrived at Grindley Brook Locks, 3 locks followed by 3 staircase locks. Saturday is definitely the day to pass thru’. Most of the large hire fleets are on turn-around day so we saw very few but bare in mind your location as there’s a mass exodus at around 4pm from the boat-yards!
Grindley locks are manned and 3 boats at a time enter at once. We were fortunately the third and navigated thru’ quickly but in pouring rain. At the top end there are 3 water points, elsan, bins and ample mooring during this quiet time. We took the opportunity to stop for a while & have lunch at the café & shop which overlooks the lock.
Moving on after lunch we eventually moored 2 hours later at Tilstock Park Lift-Bridge 2 miles from the Welsh border.
Sunday 17th.. With such a pleasant and secluded mooring we took a breather today & completed the house chores. This area is very remote and in fact we only saw 6 people all day apart from other boats.
Monday 18th.. Today we completed 8 miles in remote countryside with no locks and 1 swing bridge passing into Wales at around midday. The weather has taken a decidedly chilly note with persistent heavy showers and also of note is the increase in hire boats we are now encountering.
Arriving at Ellsmere we took the ½ mile walk into the small town to stock up on provisions and got totally soaked thru'. We’ve also nearly caught up with John & Joan aboard NBTagine Queen, (also from our Marina), who are on their return journey from Llangollen, they were originally 2 weeks ahead of us. Tomorrow the plan is for us both to book passage onto the Montgomery Canal but more on that in my next post!
(Sorry about the image but I’m unable to upload a decent photo for this post due to poor signal quality!)

Quidditch on Llangollen

2007-06-14T16:59:00.001+01:00

Tuesday 12th.. We began early today at 9am and after filling with diesel and water we departed Norbury Junction.

During our transit of the Shropshire Union Canal one big factor is the price of Diesel, cheap at current standards. (Norbury 44.9P, Wheaton Aston 41.5P, Market Drayton 44.5P) so if your following in our footsteps well worth a mental note as we’ve heard that the Llangollen is well over 60P!
Arriving at Tyrley Lock 1 in a group of 5 locks we were met by a 6 boat queue! Probably due to our early departure today as we don’t normally come across many queue’s,11am being our average departure time when the hoard of early risers have moved on.
Completing Tyrley locks we arrived at Market Drayton at around 3pm. If you moor in the section just before Lord’s Bridge (64) you can hammer Morrison’s for supplies and get a taxi back with all your many bags via the path at Windsor Drive for only £3, a real boaters secret.
Wednesday 13th.. After wishing Winnie well, ( A lovely old lady we’d met who lives in one of the houses that back onto the canal), we set off for Audlem. Just after leaving I spotted my 1st Kingfisher of the trip sitting on one of the moored boats, normally we’ve seen several by this time. We had a fantastic pass thru’ the 5 Adderley locks, completing them in only 20mins, and progressed on to the Audlem flight of 15 locks. These locks lower the canal by over 90ft to the diarylands of Cheshire. We completed 13 of the 15 in just short of 2 hours and moored prior to the final 2 locks in Audlem. Having completed 18 locks we didn’t much feel like preparing lunch so we treated ourselves to lunch at the Shroppie Fly. The Fly is a converted warehouse that serves ale from a bar shaped like a narrowboat. Although the food was expensive it was well presented and there was a lot of it. There’s also a useful book exchange there too. When we left the Shroppie the 1st significant rain of our trip had begun to fall.
Thursday 14th.. After a rainy night & morning we left Audlem and completed the 2 final locks of the flight. Continuing on in the rain we passed thru’ Nantwich eventually reaching the Llangollen turn around 2.30pm. Despite this being the busiest canal on the system we passed thru’ the 4 locks of Hurleston Junction with impunity and had arrived on the Llangollen Canal for our 1st visit.
(Pictured above... Dee prepares the 1st lock of the Llangollen Canal in damp & murky conditions)

BBQ Time!

2007-06-11T19:34:00.000+01:00

Friday 8th… We left Tixall Wide at our normal start time of 11am and after completing Tixall Lock a short time later we passed the entrance to Shugborough railway tunnel at the foot of some thick woods of Cannock Chase.
At Milford our navigation crossed the river Sow which is an early structure by James Brindley and continues on 5 locks later to Penkridge where we took on water and some food supplies. Passing quite close to the busy M6 motorway we finally moored for the day 4 locks later just short of Brick Kiln Lock,12 miles and 10 locks today!
Saturday 9th… Completing Brick Kiln Lock we progressed thru Gailey and on past the 2 lock Hatherton Branch. Shortly after Bridge 74 the canal widens where Brindley amazingly incorporated part of a medieval moat into the canal system. The rest of our route today took us under the M54 motorway and the final stretch of this section of the Staffs & Worcester takes us past the outskirts of Wolverhampton. Around 2pm we arrived at Autherley Junction & the stop lock for the Shropshire Union Canal and made the turn north.
Passing back under the M54 we continued north heading away from Wolverhampton, passing Brewood and eventually arriving at our mooring for today at Wheaton Aston. Tonight we had our 1st BBQ (pictured Above) of the season in glorious evening sunshine, today has been the hottest so far!
Sunday 10th… We set off from Wheaton Aston after cycling in to the village for a few supplies and passed thru’ the Cowley Tunnel and on thru’ Gnosall around lunchtime. Navigating past some beautiful countryside and a couple of large fishing matches, (1MPH), before reaching our destination of Norbury Junction around 2pm. In the evening we had a nice walk & spotted Warren & Lynne’s boat, One Chance, which is moored here. Warren & Lynne used to work at our home base Wigram’s Turn but are now happily running a caravan park in Cornwall.
Monday 11th.. Staying for the day we breakfasted at the Cosy Tea Café and spent a few £’S at the Norbury chandlery. The rest of the day was spent just chilling out in what I have to say is a very quiet Norbury Junction! Tomorrow we head for Market Drayton and then on hopefully entering the Llangollen Canal around the end of the week.

Tixall Wide

2007-06-08T09:55:00.000+01:00

Tuesday 5th… Departing our lovely view of the Lavender fields we set off at around 11.45am.
Just before departing I was greeted at the hatch by a familiar face from NB-Winifred who was walking his 2 Jack Russell’s along the towpath. We’d first met Ken & Mary on the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal at Sharpness in 2005 and have bumped into them each year since. Experienced boaters they’ve been living aboard narrowboat’s for over 30 years!
After chatting for a while we finally set off around midday and arrived at Fradley Junction an hour later, turning North-West onto the Trent & Mersey Canal. Progressing thru’ Handacre & Rugeley we finally moored at Taft Bridge (No.69) about 3 miles short of Great Haywood Junction.
Wednesday 6th… Having cleared some debris from our weed-hatch and checked the rudder we set off around 11am for Gt. Hayward Junction, completing a couple of locks en route and turning West onto the Staffs & Worcester Canal a short time later. A mile on we moored for the day at Tixall Wide.
Tixall is an amazing & delightful stretch of water more resembling a lake than a canal, and navigable to the edges. The wide is renown for it’s Kingfisher population. The evening was spent with a TV dinner & champagne while watching England beat Estonia. The Champs was to celebrate Quidditch’s 3rd birthday.
Thursday 7th… Today we had a day off and a lovely mooring so we completed some chores. The rule of thumb aboard Quidditch while sailing is that Dee does the innie & I do the outie! So while Dee completed the housework I gave the engine & shower pump a full service.
Around lunchtime we discovered that another boat we knew, NBChardonnay, was moored slightly ahead of use. We’d bumped into Mel & Trish several times last year while navigating the same stretch of the Shropshire Union. We took time out to catch up on the news with Mel who unfortunately looked a little rough having crashed his bike into the water the day before when the towpath crumbled from underneath him! A likely story Mel!!!
Unfortunately we didn’t get to see Trish who was down in London.
In the afternoon we cycled into Gt. Haywood for provisions and had a nice lunch in a café that overlooks Haywood lock. The evening was spent looking for the elusive Kingfishers! We saw none but did watch a Buzzard hunting prey.
(Pictured above is out 1st lock queue of the season @ Colwick Lock T&M Canal)

Lavender Hill

2007-06-04T20:49:00.000+01:00

Continuing on from Bridge 26 on the Oxford Canal, our Friday night mooring, we progressed steadily North during Saturday.

We arrived at Hawkesbury Junction mid afternoon and made an uneventful pass through the stop-lock and turn onto the Coventry Canal in lovely sunshine. Last week being the school half-term week the canals were naturally busy but one thing that has struck us over the past few days is the increase in the amount of cruisers using the system! I have to say also that a good few were un-licensed. Another thing that is striking is the lack of grass cutting at mooring points that is evident along the whole stretch of our journey so far. The exception being Atherstone which has a working boat gathering next weekend. Is this the shape of things to come with the so called funding cutbacks? I seriously hope not!
On the Saturday evening we moored overnight at Bridge 34 of the Coventry having traversed slowly through Bedworth and Nuneaton, passing Marston Junction where the Ashby Canal meets the Coventry. We hope to complete the Ashby Canal later in the summer.
We had originally planned to stay at Bridge 34 just short of Atherstone locks until Monday but it was such a lovely day on Sunday we decided to progress. It turned out to be a good decision as we had a very easy passage. Surprising really as these locks are renowned for being slow fillers and when we passed through in 2005 we had a nightmare 5 hour transition.
We completed 9 of the 11 locks in no time and decided to moor just short of the final 2 locks in a lovely mooring with freshly cut grass around 2pm. Out came the chairs and sun brolly for the 1st time this summer and the rest of the day was just a delight.
Setting off at around midday today we completed the final 2 locks and took on water at Bradley Green. Passing through Polesworth we moved sedately through Tamworth where the canal runs through suburban housing, turning in a wide sweep south-west past Tamworth centre towards Fazeley Junction, through the only 2 locks on this stretch at Glascote. At Fazeley Junction the Coventry Canal meets the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal and then continues north-west to Fradley junction where we turn onto the Trent & Mersey Canal, hopefully on Tuesday.
Tonight, Monday 4th June, we’re moored at Tamhorn House Bridge opposite a beautiful lavender field, which is pictured above.
(Saturday 2nd June - Monday 4th June - 31 miles - 14 locks)

Long Day

2007-06-02T09:37:00.000+01:00

Having been moored near Barby on the Oxford Canal since Tuesday awaiting Dee's dad's arrival we finally set off yesterday (Friday 1st June) at around 11.30am.

We were delighted to see her Dad, Jane, Miranda and Lucky the Labrador who are currently touring the UK in a motorhome from Spain. We had an excellent dinner in The Rose Inn at Willoughby on Thursday evening which it turns out is now owned by an old friend of mine, Andy.
Bidding them farewell on the Friday morning we took the decision to put in a long day to make up some lost ground, the sun was finally shinning too after yesterday's frequent thunderstorms.
After completing the 3 locks at Hillmorton (our 1st this year) and taking on water we stopped at Rugby for around an hour to buy a new TV and a few food supplies.
Continuing on at around 4.30pm we finally moored for the night at Bridge 26 on the Oxford Canal, an idyllic and quiet mooring we knew from previous visits. Although it was great to see Dee's dad and family I finally feel as though we're back doing what we like best. We had wall to wall sunshine today and tomorrow promises to be more of the same.
(Tuesday 29th May - Friday 1st June - 19 miles - 3 locks)

'Current Onboard Weather Station'

Temp @ 10.00Hrs : 23c - Current Weather : Clear
Wind : Calm - Pressure : 1011mb Steady
Sunrise 4:49am Sunset 9:18pm

First This Year

2007-04-30T10:09:00.000+01:00

With the visit of Pete and Michelle from Reading, Quidditch got her first sailing of 2007.

In fact astonishingly this was the first time we had ventured beyond the marina since ending our Summer 06 tour in September. What greeted us was a shock to say the least! The traffic on this stretch of the canal system seems to have increased 5 fold. We knew that the newly increased size of Calcut Marina (200 extra berths) would have an impact but where have the rest come from? Who knows what it's going to be like when Vetnor Marina eventually launch their extra 200 berths?
While having breakfast at bridge 103 on the Sunday morning it was like being on the canal version of the M25 motorway. This section of the system already known as 'Tick-Over Alley' has certainly earned it's name. For us I'm afraid it's taken away the tranquillity of mooring at bridge 103 our favourite local spot, gone are the days when one or two boats would drift by enroute to Braunston.
Nevertheless, Pete and Michelle thoroughly enjoyed their short stay and insight into the boaty way of life. Pete goes away with the unfortunate accolade of The Quidditch All-Time-Top-Snorer!!
Dee and I now look forward to the end of May when our Summer 07 tour begins, late this year due to our 3 week Scottish camping and twitching trip.

Tour 06 Ends

2006-09-29T12:03:00.000+01:00

Our final trip of Tour 06 was to take Quidditch to Welford for hull blacking. We’d booked our dry dock from Monday September 25th.

Located at the very bottom of the Welford Arm (Leicester section of the Grand Union) we estimated that the journey would take 2 days sailing. Setting off from Wigram’s on Friday 22nd we moored overnight just 40 minutes down at bridge 103, one of our favourite short trips. This would give us a head start come Saturday. This would also be a new stretch for us, as we’d not as yet ventured the other side of the Grand Union past Braunston locks.
Setting off around 9.30am Saturday we arrived at the 6 Braunston double locks and locked thru’ with NBAnnie from Braunston Marina, completing the top lock at around midday. NBAnnie was well off for crew so Dee had a reasonably easy transition.
Next came another first as we completed the 2042 yard Braunston Tunnel. This was the first time we’d completed a two-way tunnel and after passing several boats within, including a working boat being towed, we emerged into a wooded cut 20 minutes later.
At Norton Junction we turned north on the Leicester section heading towards Crick. From here the canal meanders through light woods and rolling fields before the motorway (M1) and railway takes over, the canal literally passes the back door of Watford Gap services!
Arriving at Watford Locks we were presented with a small queue of 5 boats and a 90-minute delay. After negotiating the locks, which includes a staircase of 4 single locks (this the reason for delays), we continued on navigating the Crick tunnel at around 4.30pm. 1528 yards long, the tunnel was opened in 1814. All tunnels built in this area suffered great problems in construction. Quicksand’s caused the route of the tunnel to be changed and greatly affected work. Stephenson found similar difficulties when building the nearby Kilsby tunnel for the London to Birmingham Railway.
We moored for the day overlooking Crack’s Hill, a curious looking tree topped mound!
Sunday we had a leisurely journey and after turning onto the Welford Arm at Welford Junction we arrived at our dry dock at around 4pm, passing thru’ the one 3ft lock at Welford, the only lock of the day.
Leaving our dry dock Wednesday 27th our work complete the journey back was excellent with no delays at Watford Locks and making good time we moored at Ball’s Bridge (N0.3) for the night. Thursday 28th we set off around 11am arriving back at Wigram’s at about 4pm our journey complete. The one event of note on our way back occurred just as we emerged from the Braunston tunnel when 2 hire boats collided head-on within! Fortunately no serious damage but we were sure glad we passed the oncoming boat outside of the tunnel!!

Claydon and Back!

2006-09-15T14:17:00.000+01:00

Once again we're back in port for the weekend having returned to drop off an old friend of ours who's visiting from Dubai.

Don't let the picture put you off!!!

What a contrast! From Villa to narrowboat! Still, we'll be enjoying Dave's hospitality when we visit him for the whole of October.
Our trip up to Claydon was uneventful with the odd exception.
As we approached lock 11 of the Napton flight I was surprised to see the gates, left open by the exiting boat who'd clearly spotted us, closing as we approached. Despite sounding my horn several times to alert the nice lady to our impending arrival, alas it was to no avail, once again we'd had the lock turned on us! A waste of water and bloody annoying. When I asked the question 5 minutes later 'WHY' it was the old chestnut 'I didn’t see you'. Well that's interesting I said I certainly saw you. I was then told as they departed the lock that I was a very rude man! Personally I can't think of anything ruder on the waterways than turning a lock against an approaching boat. Unfortunately there seems to be less and less consideration as more boats appear on our canal system. I'm still unsure whether to name and shame.
Anyway Dave was amused and all in all I think he had a real good time. Although he did complain on departing this morning about aching muscles he never knew he had.
Claydon from Napton is actually a good trip to complete over 5 days. Plenty of locks, good views at bridge 130, the Bygones museum and even a medieval village to investigate at Wormleighton. It gives your guest a good idea of what life is like aboard a narrowboat. Lots of physical work at the locks, the great outdoors and plenty of food and wine. A stop at the Wharf, Fenny Compton for lunch is also a nice treat.
The weather was excellent apart from yesterday morning when we had torrential rain. Having said that I was at the tiller for the duration while Dee and Dave enjoyed the comforts of the cratch cover! Mind you they worked hard later as we completed the return trip thru' Napton flight. A 13-boat queue from the top lock resulted in a 4 hour stint before reaching the bottom lock in bright sunshine and almost cloudless skies.
Despite being the middle of September there's still very little sign of the tree's starting to loose foliage. This years yields of fruit are astonishing. Blackberries, Sloe and Elderberry are in abundance with some bushes keeling over from the sheer weight. Dee's baked here 3rd blackberry and apple pie this month, not that I'm complaining. Lots of Swallows are still visible but we haven't seen a Swift now in over a week.
We're heading off again on Tuesday 19th in continuation of our Autumn Tour.

Monthly Log ( August)

2006-08-31T15:47:00.000+01:00

Well unlike the fantastic weather in July, August has seen spring, summer and autumn all rolled into one.

There’s not been one evening this month where we’ve been able to sit out and enjoy the late summer sunshine, let alone BBQ!
During August we’ve continued our journey south down the Trent and Mersey Canal, once again completing the Harecastle Tunnel and navigated the beautiful Caldon Canal (See earlier post ‘Caldon Canal’). One note of advice to anyone planning to visit the Caldon is to fill up on fuel. Stupidly I decided to forgo a top up as we passed thru’ Stoke-on-Trent only to discover that the Caldon has nowhere to re-fuel. Well there is one unofficial place but we only discovered that on the way back down! Situated in-between bridges 28/29 you’l find an extremely well stocked farm shop and very helpful owners who will happily sell you diesel from jerry cans at 52p a litre, we bought 60, a lifesaver. The home made steak and stilton pie was also very delicious.
After exploring the Caldon we returned to the mainline Trent and Mersey Canal progressing south and mooring at Stone for shopping and lunch on the 21st. Continuing south down the Trent Valley we reached Great Hayward Junction where the Trent and Mersey meets the Staffs and Worcester Canal on the 22nd and moving on passed thru’ unattractive Rugeley, mooring a couple of miles north of Fradley Junction. On the 24th we took the turn onto the Coventry Canal at Fradley and moored for a walkabout and lunch, moving on later in the day.
Over the final week of August we’ve completed the Atherstone flight of 11 locks which only took a couple of hours this year. Last year we took over 4 hours to complete the same stretch due to a water shortage in the filler pools! On the 29th and in torrential rain we made the turn onto the North Oxford Canal, the home straight for Wigram’s Turn, our home marina! From here we’ll be moored on Monday September 4th our main Summer 06 tour complete. Were has the time gone?
Over the month we’ve reached 2 milestones, firstly, ‘Quidditch’ reached her 1000th cruising hour and secondly, on the 26th we reached our 100th day out on tour.
This month we’ve lost my favourite hat, Dee’s favourite umbrella and a portable table. Don’t ask how we managed to loose a table! Today the 30th we were hit for the first time this year by a passing boat, while moored and nothing else around! Always baffling and made worse by the reaction of the other idiot!
The wildlife has been as interesting as ever with large numbers of Buzzards and we’ve even spotted several Quail feeding in open view! Swallows, Swifts and Martins are becoming fewer as the days move on obviously an early migration back to Africa. Who can blame them!
Peacock and Meadow Brown butterflies have also been numerous this month. Finally for the first time this year we managed to spot a Barn Owl, in 2005 we saw many but very absent this year. The trees and bushes are yielding vast amounts of fruit with large numbers of blackberries to be picked and pies to be made. And the autumn looms ever nearer.
(Pictured Above... Dee at Consall Station on the Churwell Valley Steam Railway. The Caldon Canal is literally just below the platform to the left.)

'Quidditch' Milestone

2006-08-24T19:49:00.000+01:00

After breakfast (Friday 18th) we set off to cover the remaining section of the Caldon Canal and then back onto the Trent and Mersey main line.

It turned out to be a very long day.
Having navigated the un-savoury part of the canal we got held up for at least 90 minutes at Etruria staircase lock in a group of 4 boats. These locks are extremely slow on filling and the top lock has to be re-filled before another boat can proceed. The Etruria lock is the only one of it’s kind in Staffordshire, thank goodness!
Turning South back onto the mainline Trent and Mersey ‘Quidditch’ reached somewhat of a milestone recording her 1000th hour of cruising. We decided to progress thru’ the built up area of Stoke-On-Trent in the late afternoon. At around 6pm we finally moored for the day just North of Trentham after an 8hour stint.
Our plan now is to gradually make our way back down to our home base at Wigram’s where we need to moor for a week to attend some family events. Then we’ll be setting off again for another 3 weeks out. Where has the Summer gone? We can’t believe that last night we had to put the central heating on as the temperature plummeted! August weather has so far been a disappointment.
Over the weekend we laid up at the visitor moorings just after bridge 104, a stones throw from the Wedgwood Factory.
On Monday we continued down the short distance towards Stone and gave up around 1pm having been forced to queue at every lock. This time of year is one of the busiest with holiday boats and particularly on this stretch with boats completing the Four Counties Ring. After mooring we cycled into Stone for provisions and lunch. On our return we met one of the holiday boats who'd been behind us earlier at a lock still in a queue only 2 locks on, we'd been gone 90 minutes!
Tuesday afternoon we took a steady pace down the Trent Valley mooring just prior to Great Haywood Junction where the Staffs and Worcester Canal connects.
Wednesday started off not too bad despite the forecast of rain but deteriorated quite rapidly as the day wore on. We moored eventually at around 4.30pm in torrential rain and thunder around a mile from Fradley Junction. Tonight (Thursday 24th) we’re moored just north of Tamworth having taken the turn onto the Coventry Canal at Fradley, stopping briefly for lunch. Amazingly there's not a cloud in the sky!

Caldon Canal

2006-08-17T23:40:00.000+01:00

Since our last post on August 10th we progressed south down the Trent and Mersey Canal and last Friday August 11th we completed the 2926 yard Harecastle Tunnel.

After mooring at the southern end overnight we continued South picking up our next turn onto the Caldon Canal at Stoke on August 12th.
Today, Thursday August 17th we’re moored just short of bridge 28 on our return journey back towards the Trent and Mersey main line.
The Caldon Canal – or, more correctly, the Caldon Branch of the Trent and Mersey – was designed as an outlet on to the canal system for the Caldon limestone quarries near Frogall. It was opened as a single branch to Frogall in 1779, tramways being constructed to bring the vast quantities of limestone down from Caldon low quarries a couple of miles to the east. Eighteen years later the Caldon’s owners, the Trent and Mersey Canal Company decided to build a secondary branch from the Caldon Canal to Leek. When you approach Hazlehurst the canal divides. One stretch heads towards Leek the other to Frogall. When you first turn onto the canal at Eturia your first thoughts are ‘my god we’re are we heading’ the area is very built up and should I say very ‘uninviting’ in parts but once bridge 19 is reached the canal breaks out and becomes more rural. Trust us it’s well worth it! We chose to complete the Leek stretch first crossing the main line over a large aqueduct and the scenery was breathtaking. After completing the 130yd Leek tunnel only a small stretch of this section remains so we turned back thru’ the tunnel and moored overnight at a beautiful and idyllic spot within a lagoon.
Returning to Hazlehurst we turned to complete the Frogall stretch, this time navigating under the aqueduct which 2 days ago took us up to Leek. The main line to Frogall is superb and mostly enclosed by steep and thickly wooded hills, totally unspoilt! We passed Cheddleton where the Churnet Valley Steam Railway (pictured...) begins it’s journey down to Frogall, the canal actually runs within yards of Consall station. Here we moored for 2 nights next to the lime kilns and explored the area spending the whole of Wednesday riding the train. This morning prior to torrential rain and thunder we set off on the final length turning at Flint Mill Lock and mooring back at Consall. We then completed the final stretch of canal by cycle. Frogall tunnel is only 4ft 4 inches high and cannot be taken by Quidditch.
Well that’s our week on the Caldon. The canal itself is a difficult one to navigate, low bridges, very shallow and narrow in places and takes good skills when passing other boats. The scenery at the top end of both stretches is breathtaking, the best so far. Totally unspoilt and you definitely get a sense of being completely cut off from the rest of world. 10 out of 10. Tomorrow, Friday 18th we continue heading back towards the T and M main line.

River Weaver

2006-08-10T09:49:00.000+01:00

Thursday August 10th.. After spending an interesting week on the River Weaver we are currently moored on the Trent and Mersey Canal at Elworth, just west of Sandbach.

During our week on the river we completed the full navigable stretch from Winsford Flash on the south end to Runcorn and the industrial section to the northwest. Winsford Flash is a large expanse of water in an attractive setting among wooded slopes which was created by subsidence following salt extraction in the vicinity. The rivers navigable length is only 19 miles and has 5 manned locks. It rises in Peckforton Hills and proceeds via Wrenbury, Audlem, Nantwich, Church Minsall and Winsford to Northwich and Frodsham and is just over 50 miles in total. Originally a shallow and tidal stream, it was long used for carrying salt away from the Cheshire salt area.
The mineral was carried down by men and horses to meet the incoming tide. The sailing barges would load at high water , then depart with the ebbing tide. In 1721 three gentlemen of Cheshire obtained an act of parliament to make and maintain the river as a navigation from Frodsham to Winsford and is still navigable today. Maintenance appears to be an issue for us! The locks are badly out of date and the huge Vale Lock is till operated manually. Moorings on the river are few and far between and from Dutton Lock on the northern end be careful of the shallow banks and rock when approaching anything that looks moorable. However, the scenery on this stretch is beautiful, no houses or roads are seen for long periods.
The industrial top end of the river to Western Point won’t be everyone’s cup of tea but we found it fascinating. After passing the giant ICI complex you reach Weston Marsh where there is a lock down (pictured Above...) onto the Manchester Ship Canal, well worth exploring. Beyond, the navigation runs right along side the Ship Canal from which its separated by a tall bank. Eventually, after passing the entrance lock up onto the now abandoned Runcorn and Western Canal you arrive at a low 5feet swing bridge and unless your pre-booked and certified to enter the Ship Canal this is where your journey ends.
On Sunday we moored unexpectedly overnight at Dutton Lock which failed just as we were about to enter, the repairs took most of the afternoon. On the Monday we booked passage on the Anderton Boat Lift for 4pm and cruised up to Northwich first for shopping and lunch. By 5pm Sunday we were back ont the canal system.

Monthly Log ( July)

2006-08-02T12:57:00.000+01:00

Well there’s one main headline for July and of course it’s been the weather. July was extraordinary.

However, writing our log this morning (August 2nd) in strong winds and rain situated on the River Weaver it seems long gone.

Over early July we entered the Staffordshire and Worcester Canal at Stourport moving off the River Severn and made our way North. 26 miles, 33 locks and 5 days later we moved thru’ the stop lock at Autherley Junction and onto the Shropshire Union Canal. The Staffs and Worcester Canal didn’t disappoint us once again and remains one of our favourites. On route we visited Stourport, Kidderminster and the rock houses at Kinver.
On entering the Shropshire Union we continued North over the coming weeks stopping at Wheaton Aston, Norbury Junction, Market Drayton and Audlem. The highlight was our visit to Hack Green Nuclear Bunker, once completely hidden and secret but opened to the public a few years go. Well worth a visit - If you can find it!!!!
Prior to the middle of the month our plans changed. We decided to forgo our planned visit to the Llangollen Canal for the 2nd year in succession. The recent breech on the canal and the time of year – (Lots of holiday boats) – had put us off. This canal is probably best completed out of season.
We turned East onto the Middlewich Branch of the Shroppie and moored at Cholmondeston on July 13th. Here we would stay for 7 days. While Dee visited a friend in Reading for a while over from Barbados I took the opportunity to hire a car and visit my old mum in Liverpool who wasn’t too well. A week later we turned about and set off for Chester and Ellsmere Port. This turned out to be a good and bad decision! (Read our recent post ‘The Badlands’). After returning from ‘The Badlands’ we moved back onto the Middlewich Branch eventually turning North onto the Trent and Mersey and on towards the River Weaver.
So July has been an excellent month with one exception and our tans are progressing nicely too. The wildlife has been good with the exception of Barn Owls. Plenty last year but none this! We’ve increased our knowledge of wild flowers, butterflies and birds and look forward to the coming month. The adventure continues....
Pictured... Dee at the Anderton Boat Lift.

Anderton Boat Lift

2006-08-01T17:06:00.000+01:00

After leaving Billinge Green Flash on Sunday July 30th – (Sunday! What were we thinking!) – we continued on towards the Anderton Boat Lift on an extremely busy stretch of the Trent and Mersey Canal.

Having gave way to 3 oncoming boats moving thru’ bridge 181 just after leaving we were stunned when a holiday boat decided to overtake us throwing the whole procedure into chaos! I won’t repeat my reaction to the person on the helm, sufficed to say that he got the message! We eventually moored at bridge 196, Marbury Country Park, on a very frustrating day. Later in the afternoon we cycled the mile up to the Anderton Boat Lift for a sortie of what was required for tomorrow.
Monday morning 31st July and in rain and wind we made our way to the boat lift (pictured). This is an amazing and enormous piece of machinery built in 1875 by Leader Williams (later engineer on the Manchester Ship Canal) which connects the Trent and Mersey Canal to the River Weaver 50feet below. Having booked passage for 1pm ‘Quidditch’ was lowered the 50feet onto the Weaver Navigation. The whole amazing procedure took around 30 minutes. Turning West after leaving the lift we moored for the day. It was an incredible experience we’d recommend to any boater.
Tuesday August 1st and we moved off up the Weaver to Northwich. After stopping for a stroll and some shopping we left Northwich and completed Hunt’s Lock at around 1.30pm. Vale Royal lock for a 3.15pm passage was our next destination, this lock has timed entry and exit to conserve water. As I write this post we’ve just moored, the only boat in the vicinity, at 4pm after locking thru’. The lock keeper told us that we’ve been the only boat thru’ today and the last, ours was the last passage of the day. From here and just up a nearby hill is the remains of the old Vale Royal Abbey (believed to have been founded by Edward I and later dissolved by Henry VIII, who else!) Well worth a visit.

Rural England

2006-07-29T20:30:00.000+01:00

Having had a good and uninterrupted nights sleep on the outskirts of ‘The Badlands’ we set off at 8am as planned and made for the staircase locks of Chester on our return journey.

Passing thru’ the locks after only a half hour we moored in the town centre and went for a walkabout. There’s actually loads to see in this Roman city. You can walk right around the city over the old city gates and past the defensive turrets, including King Charles’s Tower above the canal. We also walked down to the River Dee and past the old amphitheatre which was being excavated. There is also a Tesco supermarket 500yds from the mooring which enabled us to fully stock on food and drink.
At 2.30pm and after treating ourselves to a McDonalds we set off up the 5 locks and out of the city. We completed the stretch after around 2 hours. Although we enjoyed the city we were glad to be back in rural England and this lovely stretch back towards Beeston Castle. Our intention was to moor just after Waverton in a lovely spot we’d stayed in on our way down but unfortunately the spot, quite capable of handling 2 boats, was taken up by a single craft who’d selfishly moored smack in the middle. Another example of a thoughtless idiot. I must remember to name and shame these selfish sods!!
Sufficed to say we soon found an equally inviting mooring with ample shade. Tonight (Tues 26th) was the hottest this summer with the temperature at 10pm still in the high 20s.
Moving down on Wednesday we spent the evening once again with Mel and Trish, NB-Chardonnay, still moored at bridge 109 and barbequed.
On Thursday we continued South stopping at Chas Arden for diesel, Elsan and water, turning back onto the Middlewich Branch and mooring once again at Cholmondeston at around 5pm.
Friday began with a breakfast treat at Venetian Marina Cafe and then we moved on eastwards heading towards the Trent and Mersey Canal. Friday night we moored in a lovely spot with superb views to the west over the River Weaver and Winsford Top Flash.

Today Saturday July 29th began at around 10.30am locking thru’ onto the Trent and Mersey at around 1pm. Turning North towards our next destination of the Anderton Boat Lift which will drop us 50feet down onto the River Weaver. We continued thru’ the 3 locks at Middlewich arriving at a wide 14foot lock. This used to represent the beginning of a wide, almost lock-free navigation right thru’ to Preston Brook, Manchester and Wigan (very convenient for the salt industry when it shipped all of its goods by boat), but this long since redundant. We moored at 3.30pm in our first rain for almost a month just prior to reaching Billinge Green Flash.
The above picture is of a recent unknown visitor to Quidditch!!

The Badlands

2006-07-24T21:19:00.000+01:00

Well, as planned we duly set sail on Thursday morning (20th) and after reversing 50yds to the nearby ‘winding’, (boaty term for U-turn), we continued and made a right off the Middlewich Branch and back onto the Shropshire Union proper heading North to Chester.

The weather was once again stunning with temperatures into the 30s and after briefly stopping at the boat services yard at bridge 104 we moored just after. Although we hadn’t been going long it was just too hot to continue and we stumbled on a slightly shaded mooring and simply pulled in! The only downfall to the mooring was the continuous intrusion of horse flies which can give you a nasty bite.
Progressing towards Chester the next day we had great views of Beeston Castle, a landmark which can be seen from places up to 30 miles away. After passing thru’ bridge 109 we were suddenly flagged down by NB-Chardonnay who were moored immediately after. Having passed and been passed by Mel and Trish on several occasions over the previous weeks we decided to moor for the day and it wasn’t long before the beer and wine appeared. In the evening Dee and I had a meal in the Shady Oak PH after discovering our chicken joint had gone off! We stayed the whole of Saturday as well in more 30c temps and joined Chardonnay and some of their friends in the Shady Oak for a few more beers later in the evening.
On Sunday we moved off around 11am and continued on what is a lovely stretch of canal finally mooring just prior to Waverton in an excellent mooring recommended by Mel and Trish.
Today Monday 24th has to go down as our worst day to date! Setting off with the intention of finally hitting Chester and progressing towards Ellsmere Port Boat Museum our day finally ended at 4.30pm. Our advice to anyone wishing to come this way is to turn around before the staircase locks in Chester. The scenery prior to entering Chester is well worth a visit. However, the 5 locks leading down to the city are a nightmare. None have top gate paddles and they all take a long time to fill. The Elsan (toilet disposal) is actually in the middle of lock 5 and in full view of the public! The water point is 100 yards behind were a nice gentleman allowed his dog to crap not 5 yards from me, without clearing it up! The canal goes straight thru’ the middle of town and frankly for such a beautiful city there’s really nothing of interest to see. When you reach Northgate Locks, a triple staircase, your confronted with youths diving into the lock to swim and a strange odour of wacky backy! They were no hassle, just a real nuisance. Furthermore, once you leave the City you enter what we have now nicknamed ‘The Badlands’. A stretch of canal surrounded by houses with so much weed and rubbish in it beggars belief. Having progressed out of ‘The Badlands’ we finally aborted our attempt to reach Ellsmere Port when the propeller jammed with weed, plastic bags and god knows what else. We have now at last turned about and after several attempts managed to get Quidditch moored for night heading back towards Chester.

Ahoy!

2006-07-17T21:50:00.000+01:00

No we haven’t got lost we’re up and running again! Computer problems!

The journey continues...

Departing Wheaton Aston we continued towards our next destination of Norbury Junction. Just prior to leaving we saw the cheapest diesel so far at 43.7p (Tavern Bridge 19). It makes you wonder how prices of 63P are achieved on the Gloucester and Sharpness!
After passing under Cowley Tunnel, (This short tunnel was originally designed to be much longer – 690yds – but most of it was opened out at an early stage during construction – 1831 – because of dangerous faults in the rock, and now only 81yds remain), we stopped briefly at Gnosall for shopping.
Passing over the huge Shelmore embankment we reached Norbury Junction. This is where the Newport branch used to lock down from the main line. Here there are excellent moorings, chandlery and coffee shop, not to mention the pub. We made the decision to lay up for the weekend having got a satellite link for the impending finale to the World Cup. Later in the day we had a long walk to Loynton Moss Nature Reserve, (bridge 39). This is a floating bog with an interesting plant community. We saw Spotted Flycatcher amongst other things and many Meadow Brown butterflies. Watch out for the horse flies! Dee got bitten several times but unusually I wore jeans instead of my customary shorts and survived.
Leaving Norbury we continued on, over-nighting at Market Drayton and after completing the 15 locks of the Audlem flight we visited the famous Shroppie Fly pub. This is a converted warehouse on the canal side, the main feature being the bar, which is shaped like a narrowboat. The most disappointing thing is the food price. I resent paying an amazing 12.95 for Gammon and chips!!! The whole menu was extremely pricey for a pub! We ended up having a portion of chips each.
After Audlem we moved down slightly to just North of bridge 83, Coole Pilate, where there is an attractive picnic and barbecue area. From here we cycled to and visited Hack Green Secret Nuclear Bunker, (pictured). This is an excellent and unique day out discovering the world of ‘Nuclear Government’. I found the whole thing really sinister!
Last Thursday July 13th we passed thru’ Nantwich and bypassed the Llangollen Canal Turn making a right shortly after and headed east along the Middlewich Branch, mooring at Charlmondeston Lock at around 2pm. Here we remain until Next Thursday 20th. The plan is to hire a car for the weekend and for me to visit my old mum in Liverpool who’s not too well at present. Dee has made off to Reading to visit her friend for a few days who’s over from Jamaica. The plan this Thursday is to turn about and head for Ellsmere Port.

Shropshire Union

2006-07-06T19:52:00.000+01:00

Thursday July 6th @ Wheaton Aston. After leaving Whittington Lock at around 10.30am on Monday we continued on thru’ Kinver.

This section of the canal is shrouded by delightful scenes. On both sides are cottages, pretty gardens, moored boats and a very low bridge! Tall steep hills rising to over 250ft appear on the east bank. The canal then leaves this damp, mossy area and bends round to Kinver Lock. Continuing on we pass thru’ the charming and diminutive Dunsley Tunnel a rough-hewn bore carved out of the rock, with overhanging foliage at either end. The next lock is at Stewponey, accompanied by a toll house. We pass the Stourbridge Canal turn at Stourton Junction which would be the first of many locks that carry this canal up towards Dudley and the Birmingham Canal Navigations. Not on our list for this year.
A few miles on and just prior to Rocky Lock in 33 degree heat we decided to moor having found excellent tree cover in idyllic surroundings. The rest of the day was spent crashed on the bank. In the evening we were entertained by an array of bird life in the woods opposite which included Nuthatch, Sparrowhawk and Tawny Owl’s.
Over the next few days we plan to navigate through Wombourne and the outskirts of Wolverhampton, not the most auspicious of areas but nevertheless pleasant in parts. After passing thru’ Wombourne on Tuesday we moored at Dimmingsdale Lock, luckily just prior to a thunderstorm. On the Wednesday we progressed north on the Staffs and Worcester, stopping at Compton for diesel and water. At around 2pm we entered onto the Shropshire Union Canal at Aldersley Junction. We then completed a very long day, mooring at Wheaton Aston at around 5.30pm last night. Today, Thursday, we laid up for the day having been woken by a thunderstorm at around 5.30am and torrential rain. Dee stayed aboard and I cycled some 8 miles into Pentkridge for a few provisions. Tonight we’re having a curry take-away.

Monthly Log (June)

2006-07-02T12:59:00.000+01:00

Well it’s just on a week now since our last post at Gloucester Dock and already I find myself writing our June monthly log too.

(Pictured.. Quidditch moored at Slimbridge with Dee's dingy).

In brief June was spent primarily on the rivers. We arrived on the River Avon at Stratford on June 1st and progressed along the whole extent of this beautiful river progressing thru' onto the River Severn at Tewkesbury. After arriving at Gloucester Dock on June 9th we moved onto the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal and here we stayed to explore, visiting Sharpness, Saul Junction and Slimbridge, until finally returning to Gloucester Dock. On June 27th we headed out and northward. The weather was exceptional apart from the odd torrential downpour and not too busy until the build up towards the Saul festival this weekend. We now leave these waters for the 2nd year in succession perhaps to return in a future year but for now we say farewell.
Since leaving the dock on Tuesday (a day late due to torrential rain) we progressed out of Gloucester and onto the River Severn mooring for the night at Tewkesbury once again. After leaving Tewkesbury on Wednesday morning we had a brief stop at Upton on Severn Marina to empty our Elsan toilets, (Gloucester was unfortunately broken!) and continued on thru’ Worcester mooring at the extremely attractive Bevere Lock at around 5pm, one of our longest days. This is the 2nd time we’ve passed straight thru’ Worcester! In our opinion Worcester council does nothing to attract the boater. The moorings are poor. You have a choice of mooring right under a busy road bridge or alongside Worcester race course, which at the time of passing had a race meeting in progress. Well maybe some peoples idea of a dream mooring!
We eventually arrived at Stourport on Thursday and moored river side, surprisingly the only boat there overnight. We’d completed the 43 mile Gloucester to Stourport stretch in 2 days as planned.
On Friday morning we locked thru’ Stourport Basin taking on drinking water and thus returning back onto the narrow canals.
Today we’re currently moored at Whittington Lock on the beautiful Staffordshire and Worcestershire canal just short of Kinver. We arrived here yesterday in 30 degrees and managed to achieve a tree sheltered mooring and satellite signal, only to have our hopes dashed by yet another England shootout! Lets not dwell. Here we stay until tomorrow when we move off northward heading up towards the Shropshire Union Canal which we hope to enter later in the week.
P.S. HAPPY BIRTHDAY PATTIE XXX

Return Leg

2006-06-23T11:06:00.000+01:00

Friday June 23rd 10am. Gloucester Docks.
We arrived into Gloucester Docks yesterday on our return leg of the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal at around 12.30hrs.

Pictured is the friendly Gloucester lock keeper John... The main feature over the past few days has been the strong wind. Unusual for this time of year and when your moored next to an estuary you really feel it too!
We’ve now completed this lovely canal and will stay in the docks until Monday. We then move thru' Gloucester Lock and off onto the River Severn for a 42 mile stretch, entering the Staffs and Worcester Canal at Stourport later in the week. We see the River Severn, although an attractive river in parts, as purely a means of getting from A to B. The Severn unfortunately has high banks on either side for many miles thus preventing a view of what is probably lovely rural landscape. Severn moorings are also extremely scarce and is therefore to our mind an unattractive proposition. This year are timing is slightly out as a Jazz Festival this weekend at Upton compounds the lack of moorings even further. Our reason for not leaving until Monday!
The Gloucester and Sharpness Canal.... Having completed this section 2 years in succession it’s fair to say that we’ve explored the area fairly well. However, there’s still more to do and see, but that’s for another time. Dee’s dingy has once again been deflated and back in the hold! This year we considered attending the Saul Festival but decided that that too is for the future. We enjoyed our visit to the WWT-Slimbridge once again, (a large section of the grass had been cut on our return, see earlier post) and as ever we enjoyed our break from the locks, the G and S has only swing bridges which are manned. That said we’re now looking forward to returning to the narrow canal sections and our journey northward.Later we're off to see the Devinci Code...

Sharpness

2006-06-18T11:44:00.000+01:00

Sunday June 18th @ 11am. Moored at Sharpness situated beside the Severn Estuary.

Across the water is the hilly ‘Forest of Dean’, where my grandfather was born! We arrived here on Friday at around 1pm in gorgeous sunshine. We’ll remain here until Monday, (after the weekenders have returned home).
This is the most Southerly point of our tour this year. The Gloucester and Sharpness Canal was built to bypass this dangerous stretch of the River Severn between Sharpness and Gloucester. Pictured is what remains of the old 22-arched railway bridge that used to cross the river here, some of the piers can still be seen at low tide. The bridge was badly damaged one foggy night in November 1959, when a vessel collided with it; the bridge then stood with a whole in the middle until it was demolished and the iron girders sold to – of all places – Chile, where they now form a road-carrying viaduct.
On Friday we cycled down to the Sharpness docks and the 1 and only shop that services this area, it’s also a post office. Last night, Saturday, we barbequed. At around 7pm the huge hotel boat ‘Oliver Cromwell’ passed by and turned. To our amazement she moored just off our bow sending another moored narrowboat who’d been here all day, scurrying away into the distance. We didn’t mind we had free entertainment for the evening and enjoyed the company. She left dead on 8 am this morning.
The weather is cooler today and breezy. I’ve also noticed a sharp drop in the water height. Later we intend to visit the ‘Sharpness Dockers Club’ where you can get a good, reasonably priced meal.
Tomorrow we make our way back Northward and return to Gloucester, likely stopping at Slimbridge and Saul Junction once again. Traffic will start building come next weekend as the popular Saul Festival nears. We’ll be on our way towards Worcester and Stourport by then!

Slimbridge

2006-06-15T11:07:00.000+01:00

Thursday June 15th 10am. Moored at Slimbridge.

After a couple of days we made our way down from Saul Junction on Tuesday morning stopping at Fretherne Bridge to visit the beautiful linear village of Frampton on Severn. The village is notable mainly for it’s green which is about 100 yds wide and fully half a mile long. The church of St. Mary at the South end of the village, near the canal, is mainly of the 14th C. Facing the village green is a Georgian mansion (1731/3) whose gardens contain a gothic orangery (1745) and an octagonal dovecote. Visits are only permitted by written application.
After 3 more miles we arrived at our next destination of Slimbridge in torrential rain. Here we plan to stay until after the next England match. We enjoy these moorings very much, firstly there only a 10 minute walk from Slimbridge Wildfowl Trust and secondly we can breakfast in the Boat Station Cafe and dinner at the Tudor Arms. Easy living!
One disappointing element to our visit this time around was the moorings. Last year we remember being able to moor either side of the canal after Patch Bridge but this year the West side is completely overgrown (pictured)! It’s also completely overgrown from Cambridge Arms Bridge to Patch Bridge, just short of a mile, prior to arriving. We managed to secure the last mooring. The East side of Slimbridge was taken solely by local boats, half of which had nobody aboard, and the 2 moorings on the West side, one of which was ours, the other being taken by a local boat, which also had nobody aboard. I’m all for wildlife preservation and BW’s initiative on not cutting certain stretches for this purpose but in my opinion these moorings should be 48hrs only (and enforced) and another half dozen established by good ground management! The swing bridge is also in a shocking state! (That’s my moan of the day!)
Yesterday, Wednesday, was a much cooler and overcast day but Dee prepared a packed lunch and we duly set off to visit the Wildfowl Trust, always a treat for us twitchers and had a thoroughly enjoyable time. We rounded off the day with dinner at the Tudor Arms. Today Summer has returned once again....

Saul Junction

2006-06-12T11:20:00.000+01:00

If your an England fan like me you’l be baffled as to what occurred in the 2nd half however, it’s the 3 points that count and we will get better!

We spent a nice and I have to say quiet 2 days in Gloucester Dock (pictured), only 4 boats moored on the pontoons when we left at around 11am. This morning (Monday 12th 10am) we're moored at Saul Junction on the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal and where awoken at around 6am by a nice thunderstorm. I say nice as I really enjoy storms. The weather has now turned humid and I fully expect more storms later. Yesterday afternoon we inflated our dingy for the 1st time this season and duly went a rowing! We intend to stay on this stretch for a while and with no locks, only manned swing bridges, it’s an easy life. We’ll progress over the next few days to our farthest point South, Sharpness. Sharpness exists only for it’s docks and their tall cranes, old and new warehouses and ever-changing display of foreign ships. The Severn is wide here and wild: the tidal range at Sharpness is believed to be the 2nd biggest in the world (only the bay of Fundy, sandwiched between Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, has a greater range) and the current is swift, especially when accompanied by the high winds that often race up the estuary from the sea. I think we’ll pass on locking through this time!

Gloucester Dock

2006-06-10T10:54:00.000+01:00

Saturday June 10th moored at Gloucester Docks.(Pictured)

On Wednesday we moved from our spot at Wyre Piddle lock with the plan of mooring at Pershore for the night. However, after doing a spot of shopping and once again wall to wall sunshine we made the decision to move on around 2pm. We progressed further South and on towards our eventual mooring at Tewksbury, where we’ll end our journey down the Avon and enter the River Severn.
By the time we reached Eckington Wharf we decided it was time to stop, the heat was beginning to get to us both. Here we moored for the night and were later joined by ‘Willow’ a 70 foot hotel boat enroute to Stratford. We awoke to another beautiful cloudless day on Thursday morning and after breakfast set off on our final stretch down the Avon to Tewksbury. On this final stretch the river widens by comparison into open meadows and farmland. The river passes under the M5 motorway surrounded by flood plain and beyond you can see the village of Brendon, where the fine 14th – C tithe barn can be seen from the river.
We arrived at Tewksbury at 1pm and moored just prior to the lock. After a stroll around the town in 80 degree heat we crashed for the day under some trees which we were lucky enough to be moored next to.
Friday morning and more glorious weather. We locked through from the Avon to the Severn at around 10am and made for the huge, manned Upper Lode Lock. Once through we progressed to Gloucester, no tides or Severn Bore, (Huge 8ft tidal surges), to contend with! After a 2 hour sail, passing only 4 boats enroute we telephoned Gloucester Dock of our imminent arrival and upon reaching the lock everything was set in our favour. At around 12.45 we were moored in Gloucester Dock. Here we’ll stay until Sunday and are already preparing for the England Vs Paraguay game!!

The Beautiful Avon

2006-06-07T09:38:00.001+01:00

Today June 7th we’re now on the Upper Avon on an idyllic lock mooring at the wonderfully named Wyre Piddle, just up from Wyre Mill which the traveller Charles Showell called ‘the ugliest, of which the Avon is ashamed’.
It’s now a sailing and social club. This lock is diamond shaped, the last of it’s kind on the river and is our favourite all time river mooring. Your literally marooned at this lock and free from the many gongoozlers (boaty term for onlookers) which are plentiful at Stratford.
Over the past week we’ve continued at a slow pace South-West from Stratford through Bidford-on-Avon and Evesham. We continued some of our journey with ‘Best O Mates’ who caught up with us once again at Luddington, where we moored at the Stan Glover Lock. We parted at Evesham yesterday having spent several days with Jennifer and Graham.
The Avon is a beautiful river and for me just out shines the Thames which we navigated last year. If you intend navigating the Avon the one thing one should bare in mind is the mooring availability. On the lower Avon from Stratford-upon-Avon to Evesham the mooring is idyllic and plentiful, from Evesham to Tewkesbury not so! After starting off from George Billington Lock yesterday morning and stopping at Evesham for lunch, we continued a further 10 canal miles, (our longest day to date), before finding a decent mooring. Fortunately having travelled the Avon last year we’re familiar with where the moorings are. Try to moor before the weekend! The moorings can fill up quickly with the many weekend cruisers which frequent the river.
One thing that’s surprised us so far is the lack of traffic. Not that we’re complaining. We’ve passed very few private boats, the majority of traffic being hire fleets. Even quieter this week after the school half-term. Both Dee and I don’t have any problems with hire boats but the one criticism we have of some irresponsible parties is the lack of respect for others. Speeding boats being the worst problem. Irresponsible mooring being the other. Enough said!
Last night we had our first barbeque, a feast of fish, burgers and sausages, my favourite food and Dee’s too provided I burn the sausages to a cinder!
The weather has been wall to wall sunshine and so at last our tans are starting to progress. The wildlife has been good but with nothing unusual to report. Plenty of Buzzards, Kingfishers, Cuckoo’s and Bats. We heard a Tawny Owl last night but still no Barn Owls.
Today we’ll move just a couple of miles to Pershore and then tomorrow on to Tewkesbury for a couple of days before leaving the Avon for the River Severn and Gloucester Docks.

Monthly Log (May)

2006-06-01T11:04:00.000+01:00

Well June 1st has arrived and we've finally made it onto the River Avon at Stratford-on-Avon and moored across from the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and yes it's raining!

Amazingly despite the major backlog of boats earlier the moorings at the basin and out onto the Avon were plentiful. Another mystery of where boats disappear to!

We’ve now been out for exactly 2 weeks. In this time we’ve completed our section of the Grand Union from Wigram’s Turn, turned South onto the Stratford Canal and arrived on the Upper Avon. 101 locks completed and 33 canal miles.
Our first fortnight has been dominated by the weather. Rain and more rain resulted in the closure of the River Avon for 9 days (in flood) and thus meant that our transit was a lot slower than anticipated. The River Severn, our next challenge in around 9 days time, was apparently 12 feet over height during this time!
Having said that we did manage to get some good cycling time in over the period. I don’t know whether it was this that caused my 18 year old mountain bike to give up the ghost on Tuesday! Fortunately we we’re able to walk to a nearby shop and purchase an ‘off the shelf’ replacement. God knows how many miles I covered on my old bike but I did manage to salvage wheels, tyres, seat etc. It’s now been laid to rest.
Quidditch has performed well and the central heating I installed over the Winter has already proved to be a success. As mentioned in earlier posts Celtic Kiwi who we discovered broken down at the Shrewley Tunnel is back underway passing us twice enroute, new prop shaft installed! To be fair the early stages of our tour have passed without much event apart from yesterday when I almost went for a swim in the Avon. I’m not offering much detail here but it involved a rowing boat, a passing site-seeing launch and me wearing only socks walking down the gunnels! Funny how these events seem to happen with about 15 tourists filming.
As keen wildlife enthusiasts we’ve nothing out of the ordinary to report. However, it’s already noticeable that so far we’ve yet to see any Barn Owls. Apparently it’s been a bad year for voles, their main diet. We have however seen good numbers of baby Mallard, Canada Geese, Swans and Moorhen.
Tomorrow (Friday 2nd June) we set off South-West down the Avon towards Evesham and Tewksbury. From here we’ll lock through onto the River Severn and make a 3 hours dash to Gloucester Docks. After a short stay in Gloucester we then make our most Southerly trip onto the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal and down towards the Severn Estuary. Stay tuned!

The Aftermath!

2006-05-30T22:36:00.000+01:00

Tuesday May 30th @ 22:40

As planned we moved off from Lowsonford at around 11am (Sunday) and progressed further South taking on water at Lowsonford Bridge.
Being school halfterm and Bank Holiday the canal was busy with holiday boats which only added to the termoil. As mentioned in earlier posts the River Avon remains closed so boats are now starting to back up. The news filtering down is that Stratford Basin is currently full!
We continued down and through Preston Bagot after completing 8 locks and managed to secure the one and only mooring available at Wooton Wawen at around 2pm.
Monday we decided to bike to Stratford to check out the situation for ourselves. Well that is to say we cycled to Wooton station and took a 10 minute journey by train into Stratford. After lunch at one of my old pubs (The Windmill) we checked out the basin which was indeed full. More so the backlog extended quite a distance back.
This morning (Tuesday) we progressed on to Stratford and so set off at around 10.30am. The Avon has finally receeded and re-opened but judging by the amount of traffic moving North it was still extremely busy! We continued our decent towards Stratford crossing the Edstone Aquaduct a half hour later. This aquaduct is around 200yds in lenth and is a narrow cast iron trough carried on brick piers across a shallow valley. Passing through Wilmcote where we moored last year and on past the famous Mary Ardens House we decended the 11 Wilmcote locks in good time and decided to moor just short of Stratford at bridge 62A, which turned out to be a good strategy. In the late afternoon we cycled into Stratford for a look and found the basin still full! The plan now is to set off early tomorrow (Wednesday) and try and secure a mooring on the Avon hopefully vacated by an early leaver. We shall see!!!

Delay On River Avon

2006-05-27T19:46:00.000+01:00

Saturday 27th @ 7.45pm.

With each day the weather continues to improve. Our transit up the 21 locks of the Hatton Flight was only interrupted by the occasional shower.

After starting the flight of double locks alone we were joined by ‘Scruffy Fox’ who were ahead of us at the start but decided to wait after we were about 5 locks in. We then completed the flight together, entering the final lock in just short of 3 hours.
At the top lock we stopped to empty our toilets and bins, which we had to complete from inside the lock due to a hire boat moored on the water point having lunch! Not the done thing!! We then continued on through a wooded cutting towards the Shrewley Tunnel and moored for the night.
On day 6 we moved off around 11am after a heavy downpour. As we approached the entrance to the 433 yard Shrewley Tunnel we came across ‘Celtic Kiwi’ a time-share boat from our home marina that had passed us that morning. They had unfortunately broken down. After checking that help was on the way we continued through. The Shrewley tunnel was opened in 1799 with the completion of the Warwick and Birmingham Canal. After emerging, stopping briefly at Turners Green to take on water opposite a beautiful old beamed house, we continued lock free until our turn onto the Stratford and Avon Canal at Kingswood Junction. We were looking forward once again to getting back onto one of our favourite canals and single locks.
After turning South and locking through the canal pursues a fairly direct and wholly peaceful course, apart from passing under the busy M40 motorway! By lock 28 we passed a barrel-roofed cottage, typical of this part of the canal and was given some plant cuttings by it’s sociable owner. After chatting for a while we moved on and met coming in the opposite direction ‘Patience’ another boat moored at our marina. After a brief chat we finally moored at around 5pm at Lowsonford, opposite the Fleur-De-Lys pub, an attractive 13th century cottage which once incorporated a bake house. This was in fact the first day we hadn't got wet!
With all the recent rain we checked with the River Avon Trust to establish if the river was in flood. We’ll be joining the Avon next week. As we had thought it was and so currently closed to navigation. We took the decision to slow down and so we'll remain at Lowsonford until the 28th.
Here we have so far enjoyed some good pub food, decent weather and some excellent company with Graham and Jennifer off 'Best-O-Mates' who we met having moored next to. We've also got some good cycling time in over the 3 days visiting Henley-In-Arden and Hatton. Are plan is to move off tomorrow, Sunday..

Rain, Rain, Rain...

2006-05-23T09:06:00.000+01:00

'Onboard Weather Station'

Current Temp @ 10.00Hrs : 10c
Current Weather : Scattered Cloud
Wind : WSW @ 8mph
Pressure : 1012mb
Sunrise 5:00 Sunset 21:04

Continuing down from Bickley’s Bridge the weather still seems to be the main theme so far. Rain, rain and more rain! Drought? What drought!

We progressed, Saturday, through Bascote Locks (4) and continued down mooring just prior to Fosse Lock, pictured, thus completing 8 locks today. This mooring was idyllic. Just prior to Leamington Spa with nothing but countryside in view. The idea was to moor here until Monday. We had a good Satellite signal and we wanted to watch the Leeds V Watford playoff tomorrow. Saturday evening we took a 5 mile cycle ride to Asda in Leamington to pick up a few supplies. Remarkably the ride was rain free!
Monday we made our decent through Fosse Lock and continued West passing to the North of Radford Semele. The Grand Union then carves a fairly discreet course through Leamington where we stopped quickly for food supplies.
Leaving Leamington the canal swings North-West under a main road and crosses the railway and River Avon on aqueducts, to immediately enter the outskirts of Warwick.
We then passed around the North side of central Warwick and started our climb at Cape Locks (2), where we took on water. After climbing the 2 Cape Locks, the canal swings South to Budbrooke Junction, where the old Warwick and Napton canal joined the Warwick and Birmingham Canal. A short section of the arm to the East of the junction has been restored and has a winding hole, moorings and other facilities. To the West of the junction , beyond a large road bridge, is the first of the 21 locks of the Hatton Flight, a daunting site which we’ll complete tomorrow!

First Tour Post

2006-05-19T19:46:00.000+01:00

Days 1 and 2

The weather has not been kind for the start of our 2006 tour!

After leaving Wigram’s (pictured Right) and progressing up the Grand Union we arrived at Calcutt Locks (3) in torrential rain and thunder. I suppose it was the fact that we haven’t yet quite got our boating heads on that we both got totally soaked. Despite having our wet gear aboard we both only wore our jackets!
We moored soon after for the night to literally dry out. Phase one was complete though as we just wanted to get out onto the system on our designated date. Being out on the canals again is a pleasure. We had a full Indian meal for dinner on-board and just sat, chatted and drank until dark. Dasha unknowns to me had a bottle of champagne on ice to celebrate our voyage.
Day 2 and we think the weather has a grudge. After a blustery and wet night the morning was bright and dry but as soon as we left our mooring the heavens opened. Setting off around 11.30am we continued West and descended the Stocked Flight, (8) locks, in more torrential rain. The canal passes North of Stockton and you can see the remains of the old narrow locks beside the newer wider ones. There is a change in the landscape from here with the hills coming much closer to the canal, broken by old quarries and thick woods along the South bank. The quarries produce Blue Lias, a local stone and cement which was used in the construction of the Thames embankment.
We continued on through Long Itchington passing 2 more locks and moored just after Bickly’s Bridge for the night. An uneventful day really apart from the weather, we only passed some half dozen boats all day. Tomorrow and through the weekend we head for Leamington Spa, Warwick and on to Stratford Upon Avon. This is our first post this season and hopefully one of many. Stayed tuned!!

2006 Tour Details

2006-03-12T23:48:00.000Z

'Onboard Weather Station'

Current Temp @ 10.00Hrs : 4c
Wind Chill : 1c
Current Weather : Scattered Cloud
Wind : E (80Deg) @ 8mph
Pressure : 1022mb
Sunrise 6:21am Sunset 6:10pm
Visibility 1.3Miles

We're finally agreed on this Summers Tour!

We've been debating whether to cover some canals we did last year, particularly the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal. However, we're now decided on some back tracking and so here it is the 2006 itinerary.

Starting off on May 18th from our home base at Wigram's Turn and returning in October we'll head straight out onto the Grand Union Canal. We'll then be turning south later that week at Lapworth Juntion and onto the Stratford Canal for our 1st Waypoint of Stratford Upon Avon.

From Stratford we'll enter the River Avon and progress south-west thru' to our 2nd Waypoint of Tewksbury.

Below is a list of Rivers and Canals we'll be navigating during our 2006 Tour.

Canal /Rivers

Grand Union Canal - Stratford Canal
River Avon - River Severn
Gloucester and Sharpness Canal - Staffordshire and Worcester Canal
Shropshire Union Canal - Llangollen Canal, Wales
Middlewich Branch Canal - Trent and Mersey Canal
Bridgewater Canal - Aston Canal
Peak Forest Canal - Macclesfield Canal
Coventry Canal - Birmingham and Fazeley Canal
Oxford Canal

'View the above canals and river maps by clicking Here'.

The best laid plans etc... Well thats our plan anyway but sailing around the inland waterways can throw up many options and if it's anything like last year it wouldn't surprise us if the plan changes somewhat while we're en route! Our friends and family, or anyone for that matter, can follow our travels from this site as we post regularly during the tour.
We'll be returning in October, so roll on May 17th when we set sail.

Were Back

2006-03-06T19:08:00.000Z

Current Temp @ 19.00Hrs 0c
Feels Like -1c
Current Weather : Clear
Wind : W @ 4mph
Sunrise 6:42am Sunset 5:54pm
Visibility 5.6Miles

Were back aboard!!!

I just had to post this picture. Dee was certainly taken by surprise when we ordered a couple of beers in Barcelona. A good time was had by all. The weather apart from last night in Torrevieja, where it was blowing a gale, was better than we'd expected ranging from 15 to 20c. The one thing that disappointed me about our visit to Spain was the amount of graffiti! I can't believe the Spanish government are not acting to curb this obvious epidemic! Or maybe I can!!

One thing I can remember from my last visit here are the street sculptures pictured below (1) who frequent La Rambla's. These guys are just unbelievable and some of the costumes are tremendous.

If you ever visit Barcelona take the bus tour. The architecture is superb and the Sagrada Familia (Church of the Holy Family) pictured below (2) is breathtaking.

After 3 days in Barcelona we took the train to Alicante and then on by road to Torrevieja. Our train journey was superb and puts our rail system to shame. The views are spectacular, especially the Sierra Nevada mountain range. 4 hours 30 minutes later we arrived 'on time' in Alicante.

1.2.

It's Holiday Time

2006-02-25T17:14:00.000Z

Current Temp @ 17.00Hrs 4c
Feels Like -1c
Current Weather : Scattered Cloud
Wind : NE @ 16MPH - Gusting 29MPH
Sunrise 7:02am Sunset 5:38pm
Elevation 325 Ft
Visibility 6.2Miles
It's Holiday Time again!! If you've guessed the flag you'l know were off to Spain! Barcelona in fact for 3 days, then off to see Dee's dad in Torrevieja. Having visited Barcelona before I'll enjoy the long walks down La Rambla (pictured.. Top Right). This will be Dee's first visit so I also look forward to showing her the sites. The weather here has been very windy and cold over the past few days so I'm also looking forward to a slightly warmer climate. Having said that the current temperature over there is only just reaching double figures.

We look forward to posting our holiday snaps when we return. Espania here we come!!

As Normal

2006-01-25T16:55:00.000Z

Current Temp @ 17.00Hrs 2c
Feels Like -0c
Current Weather : Overcast
Wind : NNE @ 12MPH
Sunrise 7:58am Sunset 4:39pm
Visibility 6.2Miles

Well thought it was about time to post another diary entry but there's not that much to tell really.
Last Sunday we took 'Quidditch' up to our favourite spot on the Grand Union/Oxford Canal at Bridge 103. There was a good bit of traffic due to the nice crisp day but not many stayed out. When we woke in the morning we were the only ones there. The journey back was bitterly cold though! We're currently planning our Summer 2006 route. We've decided on the Macclesfield Canal & Llangollen Canals so far but not progressed any further. The days are getting a little longer now and I'm gradully completing my Winter Works List. I've now upgraded our domestic water system, fitted our Mikuni Central Heating, which is great in addition to our Kabola diesel fire and I've built one of two front chests.
Were looking forward to a nice break in Barcelona next month!

First of 2006

2006-01-07T22:14:00.000Z

Current Temp @ 13.00Hrs 1c Feels Like -2c
Current Weather : Snow
Wind : E @ 5MPH
Sunrise 8:16am Sunset 4:12pm
Visibility 1.9Miles

First diary posting of 2006.

After finally getting around to repairing my throttle cable, no choice really, I had to go for diesel and we had visitors coming, we were able, as planned, to take 'Quidditch' along to bridge 103 on the Napton to Braunston stretch for New Years Eve.
Unfortunately shortly after mooring, our domestic water pump packed in! The fortunate thing is, that our guests, John & Pat, are fellow boaties and are used to these slight boating inconveniences. Nevertheless, a good time was had by all and I have now replaced the offending pump. I've dumped Flojet and gone for a Shurflow.
Dee is unfortunately now back at work, a busy time in the holiday industry! Planning ahead we've now booked a short break in Barcelona for February, our usual month in Dubai, ('Look out Dave here we come') and a cottage in Scotland for a week in May prior to setting sail for the summer on May 15th. Who said boating life was dull?

A Bitter Night

2005-12-28T13:15:00.000Z

Current Temp @ 13.00Hrs -1c Feels Life -4c
Current Weather : Mostly Cloudy
Wind : N @ 8MPH
Sunrise 8:16am Sunset 3:59pm
Visibility 4.3Miles

Well the Marina is part frozen once again & the water is OFF! Good job we planned ahead & filled up the other day.
The snow that I anticipated last night didn't arrive but the temperature low was -3c with a heavy frost. Dee went back to work today but in the rush to leave forgot her Turkey & Cranberry Sandwich! She was not happy xx
Anyhoo were still planning to take 'Quidditch' out for New Years Eve, (Weather permitting) and it's even more exciting cos Johhny & Pat are coming too! They know who they are!!
Oh and by the way we spotted out 1st Moorhen on the Marina yesterday. The words out & the wildlife continues to drift in.

Were Back!

2005-12-27T16:57:00.000Z

Were Back Aboard!

Current Temp @ 17.00hrs :
1 degree.. Feels Like -3
Current Weather : Scattered Cloud
Wind : N @ 10MPH
Sunrise 8:16am Sunset 3:59pm
Visibility : 6.2Miles

We arrived back this afternoon from Nottingham at around 2.30pm and judging by the weather rain chart opposite were in for some more snow tonight.
We travelled across from Liverpool to Nottingham on Boxing Day over the Snake Pass. The scenery was breathtaking. We tend to avoid the motorways at all costs.
We've had a great Christmas, visiting relatives in Liverpool & Nottingham, but it's always great to be back on board.

Christmas Arrives!

2005-12-24T10:48:00.000Z

Christmas Has ARRIVED!!!!

Current Temp @ 11.00Hrs +7c
Current Weather Overcast
Wind NNW @ 8MPH
Sunrise 8:16am Sunset 3:56pm
Visibility 3.4Miles

Not quite the white Christmas we had last year, in fact it's very mild at the moment. However, look out for a cold snape from Boxing Day on....
Anyway, the shopping is done, the presents are wrapped and it was the usual price hike at the stores. I bet if I were to buy the same things in January I would have saved a fortune! BAH HUMBUG!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS XXX

12/12/05... Skype!

2005-12-12T14:02:00.000Z

'QUIDDITCH GOES SKYPE'

Current Temp @ 11.00Hrs +7c
Current Weather Partially Cloudy
Wind NE @ 15MPH
Sunrise 8:06am Sunset 3:52pm
Visibility 6.2Miles

What is Skype? This is what they have to say on thier web-site! http://www.skype.com/

"Hello. We’re Skype and we’ve got something we would like to share with you.
What we’ve got is a simple bit of software we want to give you. It’ll let you make free calls to your friends all over the world. And we don’t want any money for it. It’s free.
You could think of us as the big, free Internet telephony company. We prefer to think of ourselves as a big group hug, even a present. Yes… that’s it… we’re a present… but without the ribbon".

If your lucky enough to have a broadband hotspot at your marina like us then Skype is for you. Even if you have a normal house with telephone line then it could be for you too! Skype allows us to use our computer as a telephone. We can now call anywhere in the world from aboard 'Quidditch'. As an example Dee called her sister in Australia for over 35 minutes and it only cost us 28P.
The advantage is that if who your calling anywhere in the world also has Skype, then your calls are completely free! If you sign up for Skypeout too then you get your own telephone number.

We're so pleased with our new facility that we thought it was worth a diary entry. Although you'd think Skype had paid us for the Ad!

06/12/05...Wash & Wax!

2005-12-06T11:57:00.000Z

Wash & Wax...

Current Temp @ 11.00Hrs +6c
Current Weather Mostly Cloudy
Wind NNW @ 9MPH
Sunrise 7:59am Sunset 3:53pm
Visibility 6.2Miles

With the current mild conditions, by comparison to recent weeks, it was a perfect opportunity to give 'Quidditch' a good wash & shine. Having taken her across for diesel I then endeavoured to wash the whole 116Ft, (58' each side), plus another 58ft of roof! I can tell you I'm feeling it today!
To other matters, the marina is beginning to resemble 'Santa's Fairy Grotto'. That's not to say we're not playing our part of course! Our internal decorations are now complete & phase 1 of the externals are done. Pictures to follow...
We went for our curry on Saturday night with Graham & Hazel (NBNesta). If your ever in the Southam area & want a quick bite try 'The Balti Hut' http://www.chamois.net/balti-hut/
It's unlicensed so bring your own liquor! It's not the most salubrious of surrondings but we find the food top draw. Its great value too, £40 for 4 of us. The only downfall is if your non smokers like us there are no set non smoking areas. It can get a little chilly too if they move the heater from your table so bring a pully!...

03/12/05... Windy Night!!!

2005-12-03T17:23:00.000Z

Current Temp @ 11.00Hrs +8
Current Weather : After another Stormy & Rainy night conditions much calmer.
Wind : W 9MPH

Last night was the wetest & windyest so far! We registered gusts of nearly 45MPH. This morning our resident Kingfisher was spotted perched on one of the boats. Fieldfare are in great numbers & many flocks can be seen over flying. On a sporting note, great win for Everton! 2-0 at Blackburn. The first time we've scored 2 the whole season!
Today has seen a marked increase in activity of fellow boaters begining to display thier exterior christmas lights. Me thinks a competition is starting to emerge. Better get a move on & put them all to shame! Curry tonight in Southam!

02/12/05... 'Goblet Of Fire'

2005-12-02T16:03:00.000Z

Current Temp @ 11.00hrs : +7
Current Weather : Heavy Showers.
Wind STRONG from the SE @ 15MPH. Gusting 25MPH

A really bumpy night! Wind & rain pounded us last night with 'Quidditch' getting a good buffeting. That said I have to say that there is someting quite comforting about laying in your bunk (bed) listening to the wind & rain.
We went into Leamington to see Harry Potter & the Goblet Of Fire today. My rating out of 10 was an 8. As the movies progress they get a lot darker! Very enjoyable...

01/12/05... The Thaw!

2005-12-01T11:01:00.000Z

Yesterday saw a rapid thaw after the past days snowfall.

Current Temp @ 11.00hrs : +9
Current Weather : Heavy Showers. Wind increasing from the SSE @ 15MPH.

We are now beginning to see more wildlife enter the marina. Only built this year it will take time. Mallard are becoming more frequent & we now have a resident population. No doubt aided by the generosity of the boat owners. Swan cygnets also frequent. More recently I have spotted Kingfisher, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk & a pair of Raven. A tiny Wren has also taken a liking to the newly planted reed & can be seen flitting in & out daily. Fieldfare mingled with Redwing are also common to the surrounding hawthorn, which still boast many berries. With the influx of many flocks of Waxing last winter throughout the UK it is my hope we may get a visit at some stage this winter. Here's hoping!

31/07/05.. Monthly Journal

2005-07-31T16:16:00.000+01:00

Journal Entry...

Current Location :
Macclesfield Canal,
Bosley

Weather : Showery with Sunnt Periods
Temp : Top Temp 32c - Lowest Temp 10c

July 2005

Where has the summer gone?

When we last wrote we were in the fantastically named Wyre Piddle on the River Avon.
Today, August 12th, were moored on the Macclesfield Canal having just completed our climb of 118 ft up the Bosley Flight. A stretch of some 12 locks.
We are now well over 500 ft above sea level. This canal is one of the most underated & beautiful canals we have travelled so far. To the east we can see the foothills & mountains of the Pennines, some over 1200 ft high. Our journey hear over July has been picturesque & idyllic.
Leaving Wyre Piddle we continued south-west on the River Avon thru’ Pershore, arriving in Tewkesbury on Independence Day, July 4th. We stayed here for 48hrs visiting the beautiful Tewkesbury Abbey. From here we locked thru’ & emerged onto the Old Avon & turning left onto the River Severn. The Severn is a river that should be treated with respect! Tidal from this point on things can change quite dramatically & quite quickly. The locks are all fully manned & actually have a traffic light system for entering & exiting. They are also huge by comparison, being fully able to take a sea going ferry for example. When your in one of these locks alone on a narrowboat with the lock keeper 40ft above you, it can be quite daunting!
Navigating the River Severn we made a straight 4 hour dash to Gloucester Docks arriving in the late afternoon of the 7th. Fortunately there are no Severn Bores, (10ft tidal flows), until August so our journey was uneventful. We moored in the newly refurbished Gloucester docks.

After Gloucester we joined the more sedate Gloucester & Sharpness Canal and headed to our furthest point South, Sharpness. Here you can head out onto open sea thru’ the huge sea lock, were we watched 2 large navy vessels, Pictured Above), come thru’ on their way to Gloucester.
Stopping en route for 4 days, in an idyllic mooring, to visit Slimbridge Wildfowl Reserve, we arrived in Sharpness on July 11th in 30 degree sunshine. This was the best weather of July. The mooring overlooked the Severn Estuary and it was no surprise due to the weather/scenery that we stayed on this stretch for 14 days. By mid July BW had issued a final warning regarding low water on the G&S with lock restrictions so we decided to make our way back to Gloucester for fear of being stranded. We stayed in Gloucester for the weekend with some new boaty friends we’d met in Sharpness & took a train to visit the Forest of Dean Steam Railway. This journey bypassed our Sharpness moorings from the opposite side of the Estuary.
Negotiating with the Lock Master due to the restrictions we arranged to leave at 10.30am the following morning.
Finally leaving the glorious G&S Canal and retracing our steps back up the tidal Severn we headed for Worcester & beyond to Stourport, passing Tewkesbury on the way.
This stretch of the Severn from Tewkesbury was the most unremarkable and simply a means of getting from A to B. High banks & little mooring meant we covered over 40 miles in 2 days.
From Stourport-on-Severn we entered the Staffs & Worcester Canal. Once again this canal turned out to be another jewel in the Inland Waterways crown. Heading North thru’ some beautiful scenery we eventually arrived back to earth on the outskirts of Wolverhampton having navigated thru’ Kidderminster & Wombourne. We knew we were back to reality when the long term moored boats had metal grills over the windows.
We navigated around Wolverhampton in torrential rain and weren’t surprised to see on the news later that a tornado had devastated a part of nearby Birmingham.
We left the lovely S&W Canal at Autherley Junction & turned North-West onto the Shropshire Union on the 25th. Our transition thru’ the ‘Shroppy’ took until August 1st. Stopping @ Market Drayton for supplies & visiting the Shroppy Fly pub at Audlem, which has a bar shaped like a narrowboat. We also took in the Audlem Village Transport Festival which was happening during our stop. The Shroppy is a pleasant canal but has a nasty shelf which when mooring at various places scraps the boat below the waterline. Not very nice at 5am! Upon reaching the Llangollen Canal turn we made the decision to leave this Welsh canal until next year. Although we had already made this decision some days ago we were justified by the queue of hire boats waiting to lock Thru’ as we passed. We continued on & turned East onto the Shroppy Middlewich Branch. This would take us thru’ to the Trent & Mersey where we would turn South & our journey home begins. On route and with time now on our side we made a detour up the Macclesfield Canal. This Canal I'm sure is every bit as beautiful as the Llangollen.
July has been a weather roller coaster with 30 degree heat & torrential downpours. One minute your in shorts the next your in a fleece! One unusual feature this summer has been the wind! I can’t remember a more windy summer.
Well that’s our current news guys so let us know how you all are.

30/06/05... Monthly Journal

2005-06-30T15:49:00.000+01:00

Journal Entry...

Current Location :
River Avon, Wyre Piddle.

Weather : Showers with Hot Spells
and Thunder Storms.
Temp : Top Temp 30c - Lowest Temp 14c

We can’t believe it’s another month!
As we write this journal we are moored at a lock in idyllic settings in the fantastically named village of Wyre Piddle on the River Avon in Gloucestershire.
This month we’ve had humidity, a flood, torrential downpours & thunderstorms. Try sailing a 58’ STEEL narrowboat in fork lightening, that gets the adrenalin going we can tell you!

Since we entered the canal system in Oxford at the beginning of June we’ve progressed through the North Oxford canal, completed the Napton 7 lock flight & turned westward onto the wider Grand Union on Tuesday 14th at Wigram's Turn, near Daventry.
From here we progressed westerly through Leamington Spa & Warwick. After passing through Warwick we completed the Hatton Flight. This is a gruelling flight of 21 locks which we completed in 5 hours in 30 degree temperatures. The tans & muscles are progressing well. After the Shrewley Tunnel, (433Yds), we turned left at Kingswood Junction through an extremely narrow cutting and turning left again emerging onto the Stratford –on-Avon Canal, heading South West.
This turned out to become our most favourite canal so far with beautiful rolling hills, forests & meadows mingled throughout. On top of that is the longest aqueduct in England, (Pictured Above), Edstone at 200 Yds long, which takes you over a valley with breathtaking views.
We arrived at Stratford in torrential rain & thunderstorms on Friday 24th at around 4pm. We moved thru’ the ‘Stratford Basin’, which is a basin mooring right smack in the centre of town and thru’ the Stratford double lock, which was loaded with gongoozlers, (boaty term for sight see’ers), and decided to moor out onto the River Avon at Bancroft Park. Here we laid over for 4 days. The reason we stayed here for 4 days apart from being an excellent place to visit & finding a great curry house, turned out to be a surprise to say the least!
The morning after arriving we were woken by various ornaments falling onto the floor at around 6.30am. When I stepped out of bed to investigate, the reason was apparent. Immediately I was standing at a 30 degree angle. We were listing badly due to the river being in flood & our ropes tightly secured the previous night, now pulling 'Quidditch' down towards the bank. Donning my wellies I slackened off averting any disaster & went to wake other astonished boaty persons. The river was closed to navigation for 30 hours after.
We are now progressing onto the lower Avon to Tewksbury and on to Gloucester Docks. From here we will complete the Sharpness Canal, which in places runs alongside the Severn Estuary and then turn and begin to move back north westerly up the River Severn. During our voyage up the Severn we’re hoping not to come across the ‘Severn Bore’, a 6 foot tidal rush which moves 25 miles inland from the sea. We have to get our timing right on this one!
Thru’ Worcester & Kidderminster we will then join the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal , the Shropshire Union Canal and finally onto the beautiful Llangollen Canal and into Wales.
On route we’ve met loads of nice people, particularly Pat and John Gibson on Hoddydod, many ozzie’s & yanks, who seem to love our waterways and not to mention more various wildlife. Amazingly we’ve actually witnessed a case of severe ‘boat rage’ along the way but we won't go into that one!

Let us know how you’re all doing.

31/05/05...Monthly Journal

2005-05-31T15:26:00.000+01:00

Monthly Journal Entry...

Current Location :
Oxford Canal

Weather For May :
Showery with Sunny Spells and Chilly Nights
Wind : breezy.
Temp : High 31c - Lowest -1c

May 2005

Hi everyone...

Just to let you all know how things are progressing. We have now completed our tour of the Thames and as of today June 4th we are back on the Canal System, entering the Oxford Canal yesterday evening in the pouring rain @ Aprox. 5pm.
From our start at Reading we travelled downstream as far as Churtsey (Mid'sex) staying over at Henley and then turned around to progress up to Sonning. At Sonning we met up with NarrowBoat Nesta who had just completed the Kennet & Avon Canal from Bristol.
On Sunday May 22nd we progressed together thru’ Pangbourne, Wallingford, Abingdon & Oxford, continuing on up to the highest point on the Thames at St. Johns Lock, Lechlade. We moored here for the bank holiday weekend. Lechlade is the farthest navigable point of the Thames and meets the presently unnavigable Thames & Severn Canal near Inglesham. This is currently under restoration. The stretch leading to Lechlade is by far the most winding & isolated part of the river we have seen.
From here we backtracked downstream towards Oxford before taking a sharp left @ Duke’s Cut and entering the Oxford Canal. We have waited 12 months to be back on the canals, (this is what ‘Quidditch’ was really built for) & Daria couldn’t wait to complete the 1st lock, even in the torrential downpour. Unlike Thames locks, canal locks are completely unmanned. It gets harder from here!
Our plan now is to continue northward thru’ Banbury, turning on to the Grand Union Canal at Wigram's Turn and then on to our next destinations of Leamington, Warwick & Stratford upon Avon.
Thus far we have had only 3 days where we haven’t seen at least one shower and one particular day were the temperature reached 31 degrees. But at least in between we see plenty of sunshine and the tans are progressing nicely. Living aboard a narrowboat means you become at one with nature and the wildlife has been amazing. We both now make a point of learning the many different wild flowers, trees, plants, butterflies & dragonflies . We’ve seen deer, owls, bats and many baby ducks, geese & swans, rescuing several on our travels. We are at one with nature! Oh god what are we saying? We passed a hippie boat yesterday with strange plants growing on the roof. I think we’ll pass on that one!

Happy travels everyone, let us know how you all are?

26/05/05...Eynsham

2005-05-26T17:42:00.000+01:00

Journal Entry...

Current Location :
River Thames, Eynsham.

Weather : Sunshine & Occasional Showers.
Wind : S.W.
Temp 18c

We left Abingdon around 10.30am & headed upstream towards Oxford.
Moored for lunch in Botley having navigated an Oxford boat club regatta. Went under low bridge just after Botley & had to remove chimney!
Came thru’ Osney lock with no problems this time! (Last year bringing Quidditch back to Reading we took this lock on the wrong side and got wedged against the weir wall).
When we arrived @ Kings Lock for the turn for Lechlade it all seemed much smaller than we remembered. Kings lock is the 1st lock on the Thames off the Oxford Canal which we navigated last year!. We we’re novices then though!
Moored @ Eynsham on a farmers field for the night, £5. Sat out in the sunshine watching a Hercules & Re-Fueler from Brize Norton doing approaches, then went & had a pub meal atThe Talbot, which was a real treat and not a bad meal either!

Nature Notes : - Nothing to report.

25/05/05... Abingdon Day 2

2005-05-25T17:24:00.000+01:00

Journal Entry...

Current Location :
River Thames, Abingdon.

Weather : Grey Start, Then Sunny.
Wind : S.W. 5 MPH
Temp 18c

Walked over to NBNesta, moored on the opposite bank and then went into Abingdon for lunch.

After lunch we walked down to the chandlery & I bought a British Ensign Flag for the front of Quidditch.
Daria cleaned the interior and I cleaned and sorted the rear chests. I fitted a hook for our large umbrella on the stern which will now give shelter on those hot afternoons. When they arrive!!
We had a nice dinner of Chicken, Bacon & St. Agure with mash & beans. Daria wasn’t sure but I can assure her it was lovely!
Watched the Champions League Final, Liverpool Vs AC Milan. Couldn’t believe my eyes! Liverpool came back from 3-0 down at half time to win 3-2 on penalties. I was stunned!
Went to bed at around 23.30. Being an Evertonian I don't think I'll sleep much tonight.

Nature Notes : - Nothing unusual. Kestrel hunting close to Quidditch.

24/05/05...Abingdon

2005-05-24T17:02:00.000+01:00

Journal Entry...

Current Location :
River Thames, Abingdon.

Weather : Overcast & Chilly.
Wind : Blustery.

Had a wonder into Wallingford for some bits first thing & left for Abingdon around 11.45am in very blustery conditions.
Pretty none eventful day which I didn’t particularly enjoy due to the un-inspirational scenery & very windy conditions.
We arrived in Abingdon @ around 4.30pm. A quick debate with Graham & Hazel (NBNesta) and we decided to moor in the town Centre, not my first choice by experience!
However, just the other side of Abingdon bridge are some really nice FREE moorings provided by the council. Well done them! You can stay for 5 days too if you prefer. Plus I got a Sky signal! Always a bonus for me! No walk tonight & kedgeree for dinner.
Had a visit from Graham & hazel late on then we then Played cards for a while before bed .
We have decided to stay here tomorrow.

Nature Notes : - Nothing outstanding but a rat on the bank!

23/05/05... Wallingford

2005-05-23T09:39:00.000+01:00

Journal Entry...

Current Location :
River Thames, Wallingford.

Weather : Sunshine & Partly Cloudy am. Heavy Showers pm.
Wind : Breezy.
Temp: 13c

Set off at 11am upstream towards Wallingford & Oxford.
Moored for lunch @ Goring. After a walk down into the village & lunch aboard we moved on to Cleeve Lock where we took on water.
Several hefty showers later we arrived @ Wallingford. What followed must have looked like a pantomime for any gongoozelers, (boaty name for rubber neckers), or fellow boaties!
With limited mooring we made a decision to moor on the far bank just past Wallington bridge. After ‘winding’, (boaty name for 3-point-turn), we approached only to nearly ground ourselves on the shallow bank. Reversing off we decided to butty on the near bank and moved in. Hazel then pointed out that they should be on the inside because of Harvey the dog. We moved off once again! When they secured we found that the bank was too high for Harvey so while
NB 'Nesta' waited we took 'Quidditch' back to the other side of the bridge to check out a space. We then grounded ourselves once again! This time with both Daria & myself on the bank with 'Quidditch' 6ft out in the water! After struggling against the wind & several more ‘winding’s’ we buttied together in the original mooring & secured. After a long evening walk after dinner, (Beef Stroganoff), we played cards & retired.
No Sky signal available! I really need to buy a longer cable!

Nature Notes : - 3 x Hobby @ Beale Park, 1 x Hobby @ Goring. Spotted Flycatcher. Great spot by Daria! A pair of nesting Kingfisher!

22/05/05...Thames Pangbourne

2005-05-22T09:23:00.000+01:00

Journal Entry...

Current Location :
River Thames, Pangbourne.

Weather : Sunny Start but Heavy Showeres Later.
Temp : 14c

Early start today for Daria! It’s a wonder to behold.
We set off upstream at 10.30am sharp for Pangbourne.
A sunny start to the day but at 4am this morning it was literally blowing a gale. *Note to self.. Do not moor under trees!! We were definitely touching the bottom on our mooring as well! Every time the wind gusted we jerked quite aggressively.
We had a brief stop @ Tesco again while NB 'Nesta' took on fuel & water @ Better Boating and then had a fiasco coming thru’ Caversham Lock.
Once inside the lock, having waited for 15 mins while the keeper was nowhere to be found, the boat behind us got his tiller caught on the gate. The lock keeper, who had pissed me off anyway regarding which capstan to use, simply walked without any urgency to help. By the time he reached the other end I had already helped pull the boat forward. This guy gets a zero from me! In fairness I don't think he was the regular keeper as Thames Lock Keepers are generally Top Draw! Finally, moored @ Pangbourne in torrential rain @ 3.30pm.
Had roast chicken for dinner & got a Sky Signal. No walk tonight! Weather was very wet & chilly so stayed aboard,

Nature Notes : - No walk tonight & nothing special enroute!

21/05/05... Staying Put!

2005-05-21T21:09:00.000+01:00

Journal Entry...

Current Location :
River Thames, Sonning.

Weather : Persistant Heavy Rain am
Sunny & Chilly pm.
Temp : 15/5c

Woke to very heavy & persistent rain around 8.30am. Having checked the BBC.Co weather site it was obvious we were not in for a nice day. Discussed situation with Hazel (NBNesta) and took the decision to stay put for the day. Went for a walk downstream towards Sonning Lock with Dee. Had a brief chat with NB 'Waterbed' who are moored the other side of the lock and came back to watch the cup final. Arsenal won on penalties 5-4 despite getting battered for most of the game! Dave, our friend in Dubai, will be sick I should think. No sat signal so used the free view box for the 1st time.
Cottage pie, beans & sausages for dinner and then another walk upstream to Thames Valley Nature Reserve. Tonight we were accompanied by Hazel, Graham & Harvey the dog. Nice walk. After having a coffee aboard NB 'Nesta' I watched the end of the Eurovision Song Contest, (load of rubbish) then we turned in for the night around midnight!

Nature Notes : - Cuckoo, probably same as last night (Heard in woods).

20/05/05... Today Was The Day!

2005-05-20T20:32:00.000+01:00

Journal Entry...
Current Location :
River Thames, Reading.

Weather : Sunshine & Occasional Showers.
Wind : S.W. breezy.
Temp 15c

Today was the day!
Although we seem to have already said it several times this year so far!
Set off from the Thames & Kennet Marina for the final time at around 2.30pm.
Our first port of call was Reading Tesco, located right next to the River, to stock up on wine, beer & of course food items!
Moved down stream after Tesco to Sonning to meet up with Graham & Hazel, ‘NBNesta’. This is where we are planning to spend our 1st night as proper River Gypsies.
Graham & Hazel filled us in on there epic voyage from Reading to Bristol on the Kennet & Avon Canal. I must say that NBNesta is looking far less pristine than she was when we last saw her! Thats the K&A for you!
After a dinner of Chicken Caesar Salad, (Daria forgot to buy Caesar dressing!), we walked upstream along the towpath to a local nature reserve. This was a really lovely walk. (see Nature Notes). We had to be very careful underfoot on our walk back as we were avoiding the many frogs who were migrating back to the river as dusk fell.

Nature Notes : - Cuckoo (Heard in wood). 2 x Muntjack, spooked while walking. Numerous frogs, unsure of type. Numerous Sedge Warblers, a singing Song Thrush. Female Mandarin with 10 young.

Began to rain quite heavily by the time we retired!