Monday 21st January 2008

Took Bill for a long walk and got the papers.

Left Anderton (For more information about the Anderton Boat Lift press control and click on this link)

or  (For information about how to get to the Anderton Boat Lift press control and click on this link) and set off for Middlewich by 10.30am.  Watered up and tipped the rubbish at the BW site.  Weather wet to start off with and a little breezy but ended up quite sunny as we tied up in Middlewich at 3pm.  Worked on Blog and published the latest section up to yesterday.  Passed Tony on the way, he was facing back towards Northwich at bridge 180A (the old railway bridge).  Tooted but no response.  Sent him a text to let him know I had gone passed.  Got to King's Lock pub by 5pm.  Back to Beau by 6.30pm.

 

Not hungry so tucked up for the night.

Nature Time!!!!!

Decided I also like to liven the blog up a bit with references to the different flora and fauna we see as we travel around the system so here are a few I've seen recently.

My very special favourite is the Kingfisher and I hadn't ever seen one in real life until I moved onto Beau and started cruising the canals but have now been very fortunate to have seen many pairs from the River Soar, the Shroppie, the Llangollen Canal and even down the Prees Branch and the Monty.

Checkout this video press control and click on this link to watch the video

To find out more about Kingfishers press control and click on this link

These are the magnificent Buzzards, which seem to be quite plentiful in this area especially along the forested part of the Middlewich Branch of the Shroppie and in most other forested areas around Ellesmere etc. I've seen many in flight and some even being mobbed by Crows and even Seagulls.

 For more information about Buzzards press control and click on this link  ------  and check out the video

Another bird of prey I saw yesterday was a Marsh Harrier opposite the Lion Salt Works in Northwich flying over one of the small flashes.  It then roosted in a tree right next to the canal but I was too slow to get a real picture of it - bugger.

For more information about Marsh Harriers press control and click on this link

Although these are not currently to be seen I did see many fabulous examples examples of the Beautiful Demoiselle throughout my travels on the wonderful waterways of England and Wales.

For more information on the Beautiful Demoiselle press control and click on this link

I hope this is interesting for you cos I will be doing more so there.................

Tuesday 22nd January 2008

Took Bill for a long walk up the canal to Croxton Flash and over the aqueduct.  Met Shirley and Martin on the way back by the Big Lock.  Walked up to King's Lock chandlery to try and get a fuel filter and a water trap fuel filter and guess what, knobhead (i.e. the manager) gave me the wrong one AGAIN!!! So had to go back and get a refund.  Had a few beers early doors and got a takeaway curry and had an early night.

Wednesday 23rd January 2008

Usual constitutional with Bill.  Worked on blog and started to add new bits.  Quietish day.  Nicky and Mark called to see if I was going over to Barbridge.  Said yes I'd be coming over tomorrow.  Had a few beers with Gordon and Ian (the builders) and Fred and Meg in the King's Lock.  The lovely Maureen, from Wardle Lock was in as well so said hello and had a bit of a natter.  Chinese takeaway for dinner tonight, being really lazy but heck who cares.

Thursday 24th January 2008

Took Bill for a walk up into town to stock up.  Set off for Barbridge at 10.30am.  Very windy but clear blue skies. Lovely, though very slow, cruise over the Middlewich Branch.  Met Mark & Nicky just outside of the Venetian Marina where I dieseled up and pumped out.  Finally got to the Barbridge Inn in the DARK at 5pm.  Had a few beers with Mark and Nicky.  Mince and dumplings for dinner - mmmmmmm

 

Friday 25th January 2008

Walked with Bill up to and past the marina.  Tidied up and did the domestics inside the boat, not before time either, cor the carpets three shades lighter now.  Met up with Mark and Nicky at 2.30pm for an afternoon sesh.  Met another couple, Pete and Helen off Nb Capercaillie, and guess what? she works in ophthalmology, as I did 20 odd years ago and knows a lot of the people I used to work with in Manchester, Bolton and Bury i.e. Manny Rosen.  SMALL WORLD _ AGAIN!!!!

Saturday 26th January 2008

Took Bill out for his constitutional and met up with Mark, Nicky and Cassie to get a bus into Nantwich.  It's a special day in Nantwich today as there will be a recreation of the Battle of Nantwich between the Parliamentarians and the Royalists in full dress costume.  Got to the Black Lion (apparently the oldest building in Nantwich) by 11am in time to grab seats by the window to watch the parade.  Fantastic pub and excellent Weetwoods Beers.  Did a quick shop after the parade and back to the Lion.  Had a bag of chips and got the bus back to Barbridge and a few more beers before turning in for the night.  Excellent day.

 Sunday 27th January 2008

Took Bill for a 2 mile hike to the top of the Hurleston flight of locks at the beginning of the Llangollen Canal in beautiful weather.  Met a family at the top and walked back with them to Barbridge and it turned out they live on a narrowboat in PILLINGS LOCK MARINA which is about a mile from where I started my travels in Barrow upon Soar and in fact they new my boat as they had seen me pootling up and down the River Soar waiting for my house sale to go through.  SPOOKY - I'll say it again it's a SMALL WORLD.  Went into the Barbridge Inn about 3pm with Paul off Nb Grumpy Git and Mark off Nb One Way of Life.  Nicky joined us later and we had a great afternoon.

Monday 28th March 2008

Up early and took Bill for a quick walk.  Set off for Nantwich by 9.30am in beautiful weather.  Got to the visitor moorings by 11am and watered up at the BW point.  Tied up by 11.30am.

Walked down into town and had a few in the Black Lion.

Tuesday 29th January 2008

Stripped the bed and got all my washing ready to do.  Took Bill right down past the aqueduct and back to the boat.  Had to leave him aboard whilst I went to the laundrette.  Set two machines going and went to the cafe next door for a full English.  Lazy afternoon reading.  Paul of Nb Grumpy Git tied up here this afternoon and will meet up with him at 4pm to got to the Lion for a beer or two.  Got some chips and gravy to go with my steak and kidney pie and a sausage for Bill.

Wednesday 30th January 2008

Met Paul at 10am and walked into town to do some shopping at Morrisons.  Met up again at 4pm for a walk to the Lion.  Terry, the landlord, introduced me to a guy from East Boldon who when we got talking knows all the pubs in Fulwell, Sunderland (my home town) and even thinks he knew my dad as they drank in the same pubs.  This is getting really weird now.

Thursday 31st January 2008

Took Bill up to the BW point to tip the rubbish, then into to town to get a pair of Crocs - yeah!  These will replace the ones I wore out last year.  Mark and Nicky have gone down to the picnic moorings between bridges 83 and 82 near Hack Green where everyone knows where the SECRET NUCLEAR BUNKER is cos it says so on the map!  Weather last night was atrocious with VERY HIGH WINDS gusting up to 70 mph apparently, hail stones and torrential rain.  I tried to follow them down to the new moorings but couldn't get Beau away from the tow path because of the winds.  Nicky called to say their trip was a nightmare due to the still very high winds and the dredgers and barges working further down the cut.  So I retied the boat and will try again tomorrow.  Good excuse to go to the Lion again anyway.

To be continued in

1st to 10th February 2008 - Closures, More Closures and Kicking Heals 'Till March

Thursday 10th January 2008

The weather was awful today so decided not to to move.  Took Bill for a walk along the canal and got the papers, even he didn't want to stay out for long.  Spent most of the day indoors updating the Blog.  Tony text to say he was on his way over and arrived at about 3.30pm.  Arranged to meet later in the King's Lock pub.  Good laugh with the builders again and a guy called Fred (who is going to buy a boat) and his dog Meg (another B. Collie). Fish and Chips for dinner and an early night.

Friday 11th January 2008

Weather cold but calm so set off for Wheelock after walking Bill and seeing Tony to arrange next meeting.  Left King's Lock at 10am.  Only three locks to do today and a nice easy cruise to the BW Depot at Wheelock.  Watered up and tied up on the visitor moorings by 2pm.  Walked Bill along the canal and went into the Commercial Hotel for a beer or two.  For those of you who may pass they way at some point you MUST go into the Commercial Hotel, it's fantastic, like stepping back 30 years.  The bar is tiny but comfortable with a roaring fire and the beer is great, mostly real ales.  There is also a snooker room (NOT POOL) with two full size tables.  The landlady's pets include a whistling parrot and a puppy basset hound bitch who tormented Bill for most of the afternoon, almost sitting on his head at one point, the little tart!  Anyway a great place to visit.  The Chinese takeaway opened at 5 so Salt and Pepper Spare Ribs and an Egg Foo Yung was the order of the day - excellent.

Saturday 12th January 2008

So near yet so far.  Want to get to Shardlow but can't get passed Yard Lock at Stone yet so will have to go around and down the Shroppie ready for when Audlem Lock 5 reopens on the 8th Feb and be past Audlem Lock 15 before it closes on the 11th Feb.

Took Bill for a long walk up the canal to recce the locks and see if there is a turning point closer than that marked on the map.  Good news, there is just above the first lock (66) there is a pound wide enough to turn Beau.

 

Chatted to another boater about Yard Lock in Stone but he knows no more than me, however, Bill was so excited to see this guy he put his front legs on the bow to try and lick him and promptly slipped on the ice and fell in the canal, only his bum went in though as I managed to catch him before he went in altogether, nitwit of a dog. Came back and took Beau up through lock 66 and turned around and came back down to Wheelock ready to go back up to Middlewich on Monday.  As you can see from the picture below, which I took out of the side hatch , what a difference a day makes in the weather.  Yesterday dark gloomy and drizzly, today not a cloud in the sky though very cold and frosty.  The ropes were like solid rods when I tried to untie them!!! 

Working on the Blog for the rest of this morning and will take Bill for another long walk before retiring to the Commercial for the afternoon.  Got to go to Bill's idea of heaven though first for some treats.

Sunday 13th January 2008

Took Bill for a long walk all the way up to the Romping Donkey at Hassall Green, about two miles each way.  Too early for the pub so went to have breakfast in the cafe.  Bill and I sat in the corner away from the other (2) customers and ordered breakfast.  Just as they were about to serve the waitress spotted Bill, who by now was asleep, and asked me to put him outside.  What in this weather, it's not fit for a dog - oh he is a dog.  Well I declined the invitation and told them where to insert their breakfast.  Even the other customers said it wasn't necessary for their attitude.  Hey ho, health and safety MY ARSE!  Came back to Beau and had breakfast here instead, much nicer.  Cold, gray, drizzly wet day again.  Passed under the M6 both there and back only to be reminded just how much I hate the thought of driving now - suckers.  Retired to the Commercial Hotel for the afternoon in much more salubrious company with black pudding, lamb rigs, sausages, roast potatoes and cheese and biscuits all on the bar to help yourself to and to top it all off, Weetwoods real ale at £1.94 a pint.  Who's a little piggy then mmmmmm.

Monday 14th January 2008

Walked Bill along the canal for a while and then down into the village to get the papers.  Also called in to Bill's heaven to get a dog whistle to see if that helps to train him plus a sticky lump of black stuff that Bill loves.  Set off for Middlewich by 10am on another gray dreary day,  But as I've said before, this certainly beats working.  No sooner started than the wind got up and the rain came in the other direction, so it wasn't long before I was completely soaked.  Bill had his new coat on so only his head and bum got wet.  Only seven locks to do today so not to trying.  Tied up at the visitor moorings just up fro The Big Lock by 3pm.  Dried ourselves off and set the fire.  Off to the Castle Lock pub for early doors and Graham and Ian the builders again.  Few pints and then back for Chicken, bacon and leek bake and pasta for dinner, yummee.

Tuesday 15th January 2008

The weather was terrible first thing, there's been torrential rain since about 3am which finally stopped at 10am.  Walked Bill up towards King's Lock, once the rain had stopped, and then back through the town.  Got a pump to extract the oil from the gearbox when I do the oil change next.  Also got a couple of bottles of meths (for lighting the fire, honest!)  Did a top up shop at Somerfields and back in time for lunch.  Worked on the Blog until 4pm and then off for early doors at the King's Lock pub.  Met a chap moored further up the canal called Paul with his tiny dog Millie of Nb Grumpy Git (great name) which was featured in one of the canal mags last year.  Arranged to meet in the pub and swap stories.  Got a curry takeaway on the way back - mmmmmmmm.

Wednesday 16th January 2008

Heard from Tony this morning and he's on his way over here today.  Turned Beau in the winding hole about 100yds down the canal from where I was moored and took her up to the Middlewich Boatyard (3 locks either way) to diesel up all tanks and containers and to turn at the junction and water up.  Got back and tied up in the original place 2 hours later.  Messing with Blog again will publish in the next couple of days.  Waiting for Tony to arrive then off to the King's Lock for early doors.

 Thursday 17th January 2008

Tony has to meet with his doctors and manager at 10am today but will travel together up to Anderton after I have done a top up shop and got the papers.  Set off towards Big Lock at 10.30am.  Tony already cleared to go so we went through Big Lock together where Neil (Luge's mate) worked the lock for us.  Weather is awful with wind and torrential rain and am soaked already.  Huge gusts of wind actually blew a tree down right in front of Tony at Bilinge Green Flash but no damage done.  Stopped to get out of the rain at the Old Broken Cross Pub for a pint and a bite to eat - excellent food.  By the time we set off again there wasn't a cloud in the sky, though the temperature had dropped quite markedly.  Tied up at Anderton by 4pm.  Took Bill for a long walk through his favourite park, the Anderton Nature Reserve, and into the Stanley Arms for early doors.  Home by 7pm, dinner and an early night.

Friday 18th January 2008

Up by the crack of 9.30am.  It's been raining most of the night.  Got Bill into his coat and off around the nature reserve again and over to the village for the papers.  Breakfast over (11.30ish!) and took all the laundry to the BW depot half a mile back.  All clean and smelling sweetly now.  Had a snack for lunch and met Tony in the Stanley Arms for a pint.  Friday's Fish so on with the cooking.  Back out to meet Tony and all the other boaters in the Stanley Arms for 8pm.  Good laugh .

 

Saturday 19th January 2008

Excellent Long walk with Bill around the nature reserve.  Came back along the banks of the River Weaver where Bill, having decided he wanted a drink, promptly fell in!!!  However, he came out faster then he went in even though the river is quite fast after all the rain.  Had a very sociable afternoon in the Stanley Arms.  Home and dinner by 7pm and an early night.

Sunday 20th January 2008

Similar day to yesterday with the exception that Bill stayed dry today.  Tony's gone, apparently to Nantwich!  Called Nicky after I got her number from Claire (off my old phone) to let her know.  Also spoke to Mark and hopefully we'll meet up again soon.  Had another sociable afternoon in the Stanley Arms.  Cooked a huge Steak and Kidney pie for dinner and Bill and I scoffed the lot - mmmmmm

Tuesday 1st January 2008 - HAPPY NEW YEAR

Scenes from the Bridge Hotel

Had a great night in the Bridge, left the mutts on the boats and got to the pub by 9pm.  It was packed and I've never seen so many men dressed as WOMEN!!! (must be a welsh thing!!!).  However, most of the revelers moved on to other pubs quite quickly leaving the Bridge busy but civilised. good laugh with the gang.  Midnight came and went together with texts and phone calls from all over. I'd had enough by 1.30am and I want a reasonably early (well 10ish) start today.  Bill was my first foot for the boat so we will have a lucky year this year.  Had a good night's sleep and got up by 9am.  We have to get off the Llangollen Canal (at least through Baddiley Locks) by the 7th so have to start today.  Coffee and watered up, disconnected the cables and remembered to take down the chimney and set off for Trevor Basin at 10am.  Had to go up to the marina in Llangollen first to turn around and then headed off down stream.  Followed Mark & Nicky all the way and had a good 2 hour cruise to tie up in Trevor Basin in time to go to the Telford Inn to say goodbye to Rob, Sarah and all the friends I had made there.  Great reception and a bit of a boozy afternoon.  Had their famous Steak Pie for dinner and got back to Beau by 6.30pm and an early night

Wednesday 2nd January 2008

Up early to get Beau pumped out and dieseled up in the pouring rain and it's cold and windy too.  Eeeek. got to go back over the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct in bad weather again and the wind is blowing UP the valley this time pushing the boat towards the shear edge - help!!!

Got over OK through the lift bridge the Whitehouse Tunnel (191 yds) the Chirk Tunnel (459 yds)and over the Chirk Aqueduct to get to Gledrig Bridge by 11am and have a cup of coffee and dry poor bedraggled Bill off.  The poor lad was soaked but insisted on staying beside me.  Mark & Nicky caught up just as I was leaving the Poachers Pocket Pub moorings so we carried on and worked the only two locks on this stretch of canal together.  Got to Ellesmere by 3.30pm very cold and wet. Had to thaw out for a while and then went up to the Market Hotel to see Hoot and Annie and the locals again.  Great reception again from one and all - thank you.

Thursday 3rd January 2008

Staying over in Ellesmere today though Mark & Nicky have decided to continue on today but plan to catch up with them below Baddiley Locks on Saturday.  Took Bill for a long walk through his favourite park with the ball twanger and gave him a good run around.  Went to the Coop on the way back and got most of the grocery shopping done and got the papers including January's Waterways World.  Saw Tony Saunders off Nb Bethsaida who makes and repairs canvas covers and asked him to come and look at my cratch cover to see if he can repair the tears that have appeared in it.  Unpacked the shopping made a cup of coffee and waived Mark & Nicky bon voyage just as Tony arrived.  Good news, the cover can be repaired and today for only £30 - good deal.  Took the cratch cover up to Tony and set off to Bill's favourite shop - the Pet Shop.  I want to get him some treats plus a grooming brush and his flea and worming tablets.  I also bought him a coat after he got soaked yesterday.  Bill's not happy and looks very glum wearing his new coat for the first time as if to say "why me? What have I done this time?" Anyway it's green and he matches the boat teehee.  Made him wear it round to the cheap cloths shop where I stocked up on more winter clothes.  Saw Tony on the way back and the cratch cover is ready.  Dumped the shopping and collected and refitted the cover while Tony replaced one of the poppers on the hull.  Paid up with thanks and arranged to meet later in the Market Hotel.  Put a casserole in the oven and off to the pub for a few beers with all the usual suspects & Tony.  Bade all farewell until November when we'll do it all again.

Friday 4th January 2008

Took Bill around the park one last time and then to the shops for the papers and some toothpaste and snacky bits.  Set off for Platt Lane at 10.30am.  Very cold again but dry and sunny at least.  Lovely cruise past the Meres.  Got half a tree stuck in the rudder on the long straight stretch just before the Prees Branch turning.  Canalcrime boat in front worked the lift bridge for me and managed to get tied up by 2.30pm.  Bad news though, the Waggonners Inn is closed! Heard briefly from Mark & Nicky though poor/no signal meant for a short garbled conversation.  Took Bill for a long walk and battened down the hatches for the night.

Saturday 5th January 2008

Set off early, 8.30am, we've a long way to go today and have to negotiate 5 lift bridges, a staircase lock (three chambers and 4 gates) and 7 locks all within 11 miles of cruising as well.  Managed to snap the tiller pin at the first lift bridge as the wind blew Beau backwards into it - bugger.  Caught up with two other boats who kindly worked the next three lift bridges for me.  It was so windy at Whitchurch I don't think I could have managed to work the bridge on my own.  Got down the staircase at Grindley Brook and was kindly helped through the next three locks by another boater - cheers matey.  All was going too well through the next three locks until we got to Marbury Lock.  Bill decided he would like to sit on the roof and watch me set the lock and it wasn't until the roof of Beau was level with the lock side as she dropped down in the lock that I found out why.  He did no more than jump off and leg it down the towpath towards Wrenbury.  MAJOR PANIC, I still had to get Beau out of the lock and close the lower gates and then chase after him at 4 mph!!!!  Fortunately the towpath was bounded on one side by a fast flowing stream and by the canal on the other so in theory he could only go forwards or come back.  Tied up half way between Marbury and Wrenbury and set off down the towpath to see if I could find Bill.  Still no sign, though met a couple of shamblers who said they hadn't seen him go past them towards Wrenbury, so where the hell was he?  I set off at a jog BACK towards Marbury Lock and still there was no sign of him.  What the hell do I do now, first notify Petback just in case, second set off back to Beau and hope he would come back on his own or even be there. I was really panicking now as it was beginning to get dark and just as I had almost got back to the boat my phone rang.  "Do you have a Border Collie called Bill?" a man asked - RELIEF washed over me - "Yes I do, where is he?" - "In the Cotton Arms eating a bowl of chips and being made a real fuss of" - Thank goodness for that - however, how the hell did he know that's exactly where I would have taken him that night anyway.  Cheeky bugger couldn't wait for his treats!!!! Thanks to everyone who looked after him.

Sunday 6th January 2008

Left Wrenbury at 9am.  Got down through the Baddiley locks (1,2 and3) without a hitch, with Bill tethered to the engine hatch cover IN his coat as punishment for yesterdays escapades.  Free and clear now.  They close these locks tomorrow for two months to replace some of the lock gates etc.  Just Swanley and Hurleston to go now.  Stopped at Swanley Marina to diesel up.  Watered up at the top of the Hurleston flight of 4 locks, though made a bit of a fist of the last lock whilst trying to close the bottom gates the wind blew Beau across the pound.

Decided to turn left here and go up to Barbridge.  Tied up at the Barbridge Inn at 3.30pm.   Mark and Nicky called and I let them know where I was (they had gone the other way and were tied up at Nantwich waiting for me - oops sorry guys).  Had a few beers and an early night. Another excellent days cruising with glorious weather.  This is what it's all about.

Monday 7th January 2008

Stayed over in Barbridge for another day as the weather is foul.  Very high winds and driving rain.  Still took Bill for a long walk along the canal in his new coat (he likes it now!)  Went to the chandlery at Barbridge Marina and got a new tiller pin and to see if they had pages for my log book.  Got back to do the domestics i.e. hoover and dust and generally tidy up.  Earned a few beers and an early night.

Tuesday 8th January 2008

Left Barbridge for Middlewich at 10am.  The dark ominous clouds soon turned into driving rain.  Bill at least had his coat on and it's already paid for itself in keeping him dry.  Got down through Wardle Lock and saw the lovely Maureen.  Up through King's Lock and tied up for the day by 2pm.  Absolutely soaked but hey, it beats working any day.  Went over to the King's Lock pub for early doors and a few beers.  Jemma, the landlady, remembered us (well Bill most likely) and I got talking to a couple of builders who turned out to be great characters and raconteurs.  Good pm home by 6pm and an early night.

Wednesday 9th January 2008

Staying over another day in Middlewich.  Walked Bill right down the towpath past all the locks as far as Big Lock.  Did a big shop in Somerfields and back to the boat.  Fiddled with the laptop for a while and answered my mail.  Took the filter back that King's Lock Chandlery sold me last year.  You may remember that when I did the oil change in Trevor they had sold me the WRONG ONE!!! and the guys from Anglo Welsh went to Wrexham to get me the correct ones.  Well, the manager here insisted it was the right one even though I had an ORIGINAL BETA 43 filter and you could plainly see they were nothing like each other.  He still insisted he was right and had fitted them to other Beta engines (poor buggers) And to prove he was right he called his filter supplier who promptly told him he was WRONG and I was RIGHT - Yeeha.  sucks to you matey! Anyway in the end he had the grace to apologise and give me 10 ltrs of oil and two (correct) filters FREE OF CHARGE - Justice done me thinks.