Easter week

I have been walking round a field with Molly getting her to run after sticks. I think about what my web site should look like. Then I have to learn how to tell the computer how to display what I want. The idea came in a flash but changing the code will take a while. Is it a sort of translation of intelligence? After it had rained on another day I was out again when some bloke told me to get off the field. The field is for livestock and I should have Molly on a lead and keep to the path.

It was wet and windy on Wednesday so we did not go out till late afternoon. Needless to say we walked to the next bridge along the towpath. No cyclists, fishermen or farmers to spoil the walk. The boat is hanging on to the ropes sheltered partly by a tall hedge. I had to wash the side after the storm because it was covered in green stuff off the hedge. The trees were loosing twigs and branches. Some trees elsewhere were being blown across the canal.

The Holy Day approaches and the queues at the lock grow to two or three. All unknown to me and no friendly faces! Such a shame that the weather changed so they all have to wrap up to explore the waterways.

Latest news is that the waterways have nearly been privatized to become the ‘Canal and River Trust’ with charitable status. So lets all look forward to seeing green shoots of prosperity after we have celebrated Easter.

Bits and pieces

We took the bus to Stafford to collect the train tickets.

It was wonderful to walk through the park from the station to the shops. The gardens were so colourful.

The local pond has almost dried up here in the field where I go walkabout with Molly. Seems that the rivers are getting low as well. Thankfully, at the moment, the Shropshire Union canal is full.

Where ever you are make sure that the lock below you is shut with all the paddles closed. I keep notes in my diary when it rains. On average it has rained on 2 or 3 days each month since 2010. So perhaps we are using more water now? During that brief hot spell in March the temperature in the front cratch went from freezing to boiling in one day! A huge range that made the boat groan and creek as it cooled down in the evening.

Much time and effort is being spent updating and reformatting our web site. I have done most of the navigable Rivers and included the Weaver.

Don’t panic for fuel over Easter holy days. Celebrate the new life that spring brings us with an egg for breakfast.

The times they are a changing

We have been in the habit of waking at 6:30 cos it is so light. On that Sunday half an hour later it was 8 o’clock and the news was on the radio! It is sunny again just like yesterday when I sat outside for a while.

It got quite exciting seeing some rain at Malaysia while those cars chased each other round the track. I wonder how excited we would get if it rained here.

BW is asking boaters to save water by sharing locks and shutting gates and paddles. “Some hope.” They won’t stop bad behavior without lock keepers being on hand to control the situation. Sadly it’ll be too late when there is no water left!

We have found that it is no good getting upset trying to ‘educate’ the holidaymakers. Seems that we will just have to think ahead about where we go this summer. Keep stocked up incase we get stuck somewhere.

Meanwhile I am staying put near Wheaton Aston while Ann is away visiting the grand children. By the way the price of diesel was 78.9p/l and my tank soaked up 146 litres.

Towpath Talk, April

Our thanks to those who read it and told us it was a feature. Fame at last? Not an April Fool either. It can be found on page 93. When we passed Norbury Junction the shop did not have the April issue so we have not seen it. Sue read it out over the phone to us and Vanessa mentioned it on Facebook. I have it now as a pdf file so have seen it on the computer.

What am I talking about? The item in question is under the heading 'Towpath Blogspot'.

Repeat repeat

Have I lost it? Help required. Seeemmss II am am repeating. Sorry dear readers, need a long rest. See previous two postings.

Moving south

We got a Gold License this year at great expense so we could go on the River Thames and Wey. The lack of rain over winter is causing restrictions to navigation to save water use. These may affect our plans. Our route south will be on the Oxford canal and some reports indicate problems at the summit past Napton. I think locks will be open for limited times. The canal system has its own reservoirs but they are all nearly empty now.

It may seem strange that a hosepipe ban can save on water use. We can understand it because our tank takes less than half an hour to fill and can last us over a week! There is something to be said for travelling with friends who care and help each other. Now we are on our own other boaters seem distant. A boater left his boat at a water point to go shopping. Not a word to us when he saw that we were waiting!

We are making good progress heading south on the Shroppie with plenty of water north of Market Drayton. It was a bright sunny Saturday that we climbed up the Audlem flight of locks. Unfortunately we had lost contact with no mobile signals. Pointing our tv aerial south got a good signal from Birmingham so we just relaxed watching a program about the restoration of a working boat called ‘Dover’ now kept at Braunston.

After some rain we were obliged to move further up the Adderley flight and on towards Market Drayton on Sunday. When we got to Market Drayton we discovered that Les n Jaq on Valerie were not far away. After shopping we moved on to meet them both.

An evening on board Moore 2 Life followed and we played an enjoyable game of cards.

Next day after visiting the market Valerie continued north while we went south to Knighton. The canal cutting through Woodseaves is strewn with fresh rock falls and shallow. We scraped over some rocks under the surface!

BW is actively trying to cut back trees and vegetation through this cutting. Two sunny days later we had got to Gnosall!

Long term plans

We got a Gold License this year at great expense so we could go on the River Thames and Wey. The lack of rain over winter is causing restrictions to navigation to save water use. These may affect our plans. Our route south will be on the Oxford canal and some reports indicate problems at the summit past Napton. I think locks will be open for limited times. Then I hear that the River Cherwell is a bit dry! The canal system has its own reservoirs but they are all nearly empty now.

It may seem strange that a hosepipe ban can save on water use. We can understand it because our tank takes less than half an hour to fill and can last us over a week! There is something to be said for travelling with friends who care and help each other. Now we are on our own other boaters seem distant. A boater left his boat at a water point to go shopping. Not a word to us when he saw that we were waiting!

We are making good progress heading south on the Shroppie with plenty of water north of Market Drayton.

Below Audlem

Audlem in the sunshine

It was on a bright sunny Saturday that we climbed up the Audlem flight of locks. Unfortunately we had lost contact with no mobile signals. Pointing our tv aerial south got a good signal from Birmingham so we just relaxed watching a program about the restoration of a working boat called ‘Dover’ now kept at Braunston.

After some rain we were obliged to move further up the Adderley flight and on towards Market Drayton on Sunday.

“Did I miss something?” It was like watching paint dry. We knew who won any way. BBC did their best but SKY?

Up to the Trent n Mersey and beyond

We moved to Anderton on Sunday morning while down on the Weaver. The gang came on board Moore 2 Life for a late lunch. We cooked the chicken and an apple crumble pudding. Our thanks to Carol for the wonderful vegetable dishes, gravy and death by chocolate pudding she provided. What a wonderful gathering of friends soon to face separation. But first our thanks to Geoff for arranging the Weaver trip for us all and to celebrate Geoff and Margaret’s anniversary.

On Monday we all moved on to the holding mooring and waited for our lift back up to the Canal.

Despite being out of season there were also two boats waiting to come down. We have all enjoyed our week down on the Weaver having discovered the river from one end to the other. Another time we will explore with more time to do it.

Now we plan our journey down south and leave our friends behind having enjoyed the winter months with them all. It is now a bit strange stopping for the night without the convoy. No choice but to have a cup of tea on our own boat after the days run!

Our electrical system alarm sounded off the other evening suggesting low battery voltage after a run. “Logically this could not be true so what caused the problem?” Voltage levels were ok at first but suddenly dropped when a load came on. After some consideration I switched the master battery switch off and on. Problem solved, a dirty contact.

After shopping at Middlewich and stopping the night on the Shropshire Union branch we moved on all the way to Hurleston during a cold foggy day.

North to Runcorn

The other two locks this way are three miles apart. We all set off one by one to get water and use the town facilities. Then it was full steam ahead to get to Saltersford lock passing the Anderton lift on the way. This lock and the next are much bigger than the previous two. We have to tie up alongside Seyella while Geoff throws ropes up to the lock keeper. George and Carol do the same. Once through the locks we all went at full speed on our journey north. Soon the river heads off to join the Manchester Ship Canal while we continue on the Weston Canal.

Industry now takes over from the open countryside.

We pass the Western Marsh Lock to turn at the end of navigation and return to that lock.

Here we can stop, get off and admire the view. Looking across the waters we see the Weaver on the left where it joins the Ship Canal and in the distance the river Mersey. All the waters heading round Runcorn to the right for Liverpool and beyond. On our return we head for a green field mooring 5 miles distant where we stayed for the night.

Geoff booked passage back through the locks at 11 am and noon so we set off first to get water. The others arrive just as Dutton lock is opening for us all. Must have done an average of 3 miles an hour between the locks but the wide deep river allows a higher speed. Going up the locks proved to be more difficult with the water pushing the boats away from the side as we went up.

Once through the locks we head for visitor moorings at Weaversham for the weekend.

South to Winsford

Next day we set off for Winsford passing the ‘Salt Union’ mines where rock salt is bought to the surface.

Mountains of it stored along the riverbank. The river gets quite narrow as we enter the ‘flash’ at Winsford. This is where the salt mines have collapsed and created shallow ponds.

All three boats turned here managing to avoid getting stuck. Our trip back was uneventful with all three boats cruising down the river in sunshine. The locks were once again being operated for us. We all managed to moor safely at the Northwich town moorings.

We tie to the odd bit of chain left by a previous age and climb over the barrier between road and river.

Discovery mode

Now we can discover the Weaver. The river is very calm and peaceful once we get past the salt processing factory. Geoff had kindly arranged all the bookings for the lift and locks for our trip to Winsford and back. So now our convoy is ‘racing’ along the river and passing Northwich.

British Waterways operators were opening the first huge lock. The lift was push button operated but winding huge handles opened the locks. So it was just as well they were being done for us. The locks are wide enough for all three boats to go in side by side. No need for ropes as the lock gently filled up.

The next lock at Vale Royal is a further 2 miles up river and by the time we got there they were being opened.

The visitor moorings were less than a mile further on where it was easy to get off and tie up to rings. This northern river is quite unlike that southern river Thames. This one has a good towpath and moorings are free.

Come on down it is free!

We were first at Anderton in July 2002 on our way back from discovering the Leeds and Liverpool canal. At that time the lift had only just been restored to working condition and we took a ride on the trip boat. That cost £3.50 then and taking our boat would have cost £30.

Now it is free. Then it was our turn going in the right hand channel with Rock n Roll.

The lift has two caissons full of water that can take two narrowboats each. They go up and down 50 feet independently using hydraulics taking boats to and from the Trent n Mersey down to the River Weaver.

Geoff was already at the bottom and was waiting for us to come out.

The river is navigable from Winsford at the southern end to Runcorn in the north, a total of 20 miles and 4 locks. Geoff and Margaret went down first in Seyella and another boat.

Salty towns

Middlewich Locks
The Romans were here first, found the salt and realized its value. “Are you worth your salt or salary?” Middlewich and Northwich is where we are. The salt is under the ground and gets pumped out as brine. The entire area is sinking as the salt is removed. The canal is getting deeper as the sides are built up to prevent the water escaping.

The bridges have flat tops and have to be raised to allow boats to pass under. We have moved on to Anderton.

Salt is Sodium Chloride. Made from two elements Sodium and Chlorine both of which are toxic! Chlorine is Bleach. Mix Sodium with Fluoride and you get toothpaste! Sodium, Hydrogen and Carbon make Baking powder. Sodium and fat make soap! So now you see its value!

The junctions

We seem to hurtle on to the end of the Llangollen Canal with help from George and Geoff lifting the paddles at each lock. The water flow from the Dee is also pushing us on through the bridge holes! We managed to stop for supplies at Wrenbury after Ann ‘lifted’ that bridge for us all. (Just stop the traffic and press the button).

The plan is to do the Weaver as we are up north so we head for Anderton.

Left at Hurleston

then right at Barbridge.

On a mission then, doing 10 lock miles a day setting off at about 10. “Not too hard really.”

We stopped just past the new Aqueduct marina and enjoyed some afternoon sunshine.

We have all really enjoyed being on the Llangollen this winter. It has been quiet and ice free with some spectacular views in Wales. The company has been good as well and we may get up this way next winter. The Shropshire Union Canal Society doing a good job looking after the canal east west between Ellesmere and Middlewich, and north south between Birmingham and Chester. They even provide picnic tables at the visitor moorings.

Ellesmere, Prees and Whitchurch

It was not long before Seyella arrived behind us. We had got the post and were busy sorting out the paperwork. Then took advantage of the shops to stock up. Sunshine encourages us all out for walks to the mere. We were to move off on Saturday but it turned cold and windy and snowed over night. That evening we had a mix of fish n chips and a Chinese takeaway on board Seyella.

After we cleared the snow on Sunday we set off to the Prees branch for diesel n gas. The visitor moorings are after lift bridge 2 so we stopped there.

The Sky signal was difficult to find due to the high hedge so up went the digi aerial for a clear picture using Geoff’s box again. The digital ‘freeview’ signals seem far better these days. The old analoque signal was never good at the best of times, which is why we got the Sky box. It is time now to consider an up grade to a wide screen digital TV.

We went into Whixhall Marina for our gas n diesel. Good value at £22 for the gas and 87p/l on offer at the zero rate for the diesel. We all then walked down the un navigable section of the ‘branch’.

Another half mile to Waterloo bridge is in water but full of reed and now a ‘nature reserve’.

The original line of the canal beyond the bridge is dry.

Another days cruising got us to Whitchurch. Here the arm is now open for visitors and that is where we found Balmaha.

We chose to lift the bridge and stop just beyond it on visitor moorings.

Our first evening together was on Seyella where Geoff the Cheff made pancakes for us all on Shrove Tuesday. Actually Margaret had made the mixture earlier in the day. After shopping the next day we had tea n cake on board Balmaha.

Mo n Nes moved on next day. See you later on your way back some where.

Separation

All three boats stopped below the locks at Marton and stayed a couple of nights. An increase in the number of moving boats is quite noticeable as the children are on a short holiday.

Geoff took us all for a walk in the country. Both he and Ann had magic maps to guide the way. There are usually posts with arrows to show the way and styles to climb over. However, when we got to a farmhouse there were none. We wandered about knowing where the canal was but fences and locked gates prevented us getting to it. Eventually we just got under a fence and jumped a ditch. “It was quite an adventure, getting back just before sunset at 5 pm.”

The convoy has now split up. Rock n Roll are going down the Montgomery, Seyella stopped at Frankton while we continued on to Ellesmere to collect post. Next day Seyella continued to Ellesmere for post as well!

Dinas Bran

Ann and friends Carol, George n Geoff climbed up to that old castle up the mountain in Wales. The boys got there first with the dogs. The ladies went the long way round!

Yes, the voting has happened. So easy on the Internet. My choices were based on people I personally knew. I did not read much about the candidates statements of good intent. I voted for five people mainly relying on knowing them or their sponsors. Let us all hope that we like the result. At least there has been a huge response from boaters. Four on the committee does not seem enough but time will tell and things can change.

We have turned round now and gone over the 'Ponty' again. Not so good when it is cold n damp. Then on through the two tunnels and over the Chirk into England.

Sorry for this brief account but I seem preoccupied by sorting out loads of pictures, reading family history and finance.

Llangollen

When the canal arrived at Trevor across that wonderful ‘World Heritage Site’ the company that built it ran out of money. The intention was to continue north to Chester for a supply of water from the river Dee. At Trevor the canal is 126 feet above that same river. Luckily the river is level with the canal 6 miles west just past Llangollen. So the company built a ‘feeder’ that just happened to be wide and deep enough for narrowboats! Often the ends of canals are very unattractive like the one at Oxford but this one is well worth going to the end.

The final miles are a bit slow going due to the narrowness and the flow from the Dee.

Views of the mountains and across the Vale are worth seeing. Our trip in February was grey n misty. At this time of year the marina was empty and the winter moorings by the facilities were full.

The town below the canal provided us with all the essentials.

Horseshoe falls is a further mile and a half further west of Llangollen and is where the canal gets its water. The path is much improved all the way from Trevor and makes for easy walking.

Moving across to Wales

We are perhaps fortunate to be on the Llangollen canal. Many reports from other canals mention ice! Geoff heard that there was ice on the Montgomery so it was just as well we did not go that way. We all stopped at Chirk Bank on the English side of the aqueduct. Later in the afternoon we walked across to enjoy the view as the sun dropped to the horizon. The surrounding countryside has changed. Now the canal hugs the steep hills twisting and turning above the valley before jumping across to the other side. We had filled the diesel tank at Burland for £1 a litre (self declare) and that was 2 1/2 weeks ago! “Guess we must be a bit less than half full by now.” We had passed one hire boat company but they do not sell the stuff to passing boaters. Luckily for us Chirk Marina would fill our tank if we can get in about midday. They were breaking up the ice in the morning. We got in OK and they charged us 95p/l and accepted our ‘declaration’. The EU still insists on two rates of tax on our fuel. There is one rate for moving the boat and one for ‘domestic’ use.

Geoff got to Trevor first. He reported that there was a space but only along side Seyella and it was icy! Geoff and Mags was waiting and escorted us across the grand ‘Ponty’. “It is an amazing and quite scary thing to cross over the valley so high up.” There is only a thin metal wall on one side and a walkway on the other.

We squeezed passed all the hire boats and under a very low bridge to get to the visitor moorings. Rock n Roll is waiting for visitors before coming over.

Wherever we are we have to make the best of it. Gremlins can attack at any time! Ann’s camera suddenly complained about its memory being full! Geoff managed to reformat the memory after getting the days pictures off. Then we could not get a signal from the ‘Sky’. The terrestrial signal provided a list of channels but no picture! Geoff to the rescue again! He lent us his spare Digi box so we then got pictures. Time to think about getting a new digital TV. Apparently LED is more efficient than backlit LCD.

I wonder when the Canal & River Trust will have its own website? I found ‘The Waterways Trust’ but that is not quite the same. DEFRA is worth a look for news about the new Trust.

Barmy barby

George n Geoff enjoying the out door life

George just cannot help him self, he lit the Bar Be Q! The last time we saw that happen there was snow on the ground at Gaily. This time it was only 3 degrees C outside and near those locks at Marton. An ‘American’ supper with cooked food contributions from each boat. We were not silly, we all sat inside Seyella and consumed it all sitting at table and in chairs by the roaring fire. So cosy and warm inside the side doors were opened for a while!