29th April 2013 - Alsager to Middlewich

Left Alsager mid-morning. It has become quite cold again with increasing wind. Locks are coming thick and fast. Stopped for lunch the stopped again shortly after at Wheelock to take on water. As we left 2 fishermen at the end of the wharf told us they had found a lost  baby duckling. Annie volunteered to take it on board and they readily handed over a little bundle of fluff.

'Duck' is only a few days old. We looked out for ducks with chicks and spotted one after only 5 minutes. Annie held it out, then put it in the water to swim after the mother duck and her chicks. Mum however totally ignored little Duck. We thought we had now lost him but he gave up chasing, turned round, and swam back to Annie! I guess that decided it.  We are now googling how to look after a duck...

Arrived at Middlewich in Cheshire which is where the Shropshire Union Canal junctions with the Trent & Mersey. We turned left onto the Shroppie, went up one lock and moored for the night. An 8pm finish gave enough justification for getting our tea from the Kings Lock chippie.

28th April 2013 - Stoke-on-Trent to Alsager

Set off mid-morning.  In an hour and a half we reached the southern portal of the Harecastle Tunnel. This is 1.5 miles long, one boat wide and very dark.  On arriving the Tunnel keeper told us four boats were on their way through from the other side and we would have a wait of 50 minutes to an hour.  We elected to use the time refilling our water tank and in the meantime another boat arrived behind us.  Once the four boats had all popped out in front of us, the keeper sent us through with Ceilidh in the lead.  We have done this tunnel before, and whilst it isn't easy, with two bikes on the back it proved an absolute nightmare!  The tunnel sides are quite irregular and its impossible in the dark to keep to the centre, so several times we bashed the bikes against the tunnel wall.  To use a motor racing term, I flat spotted my tyres - by dragging them along the tunnel wall!   Annie had to keep a torch shone on the bikes and shout out if they got too close.

Eventually we popped out of the north portal - covered in orange mud from the walls with badly scraped bikes, missing one fender and a small hole in the cratch cover.

Then followed two flights of six locks each up through Kidsgrove and Alsager.  Rain clouds appeared at 5pm, and still exhausted after the tunnel we decided to moor up.  20 minutes later the heavens opened.....

North of Stoke there is plenty of industrial dereliction

There are still several pottery companies operating however.  It can still be called "The Potteries"

Taking in water as we waited to go through the Harecastle Tunnel

27th April 2013 - Remained in Stoke

Alarm set for 5.15am to catch the 6.08am train to Reading.  Bike was covered in ice when I came to get it off the boat - bit of a shock!  Poor Annie has to remain with the boat while I am away all day.
Uneventful journey to Reading, lunch with Mum, Chris & James, back to Chris's for a cuppa and view James's latest metal detecting finds.  For a metal detectorist he is pretty good at finding flints!  Then Chris ran me back to the Station to catch the 20.10 train back.  Retrieved bike from bike store at Station and back at boat at 11.10pm.
Annie had walked to the shops, got rather wet and then pottered around the boat until I got back.  Not much fun - sorry Annie!

Our mooring in Stoke

26th April 2013 - Barlaston to Stoke-on-Trent

Made the mistake last night of mooring too close to an electrickery transmission sub-station.  They hum. Annie woke early to the hum and couldnt get back to sleep.  A sharp elbow and I was fully awake too.  It was a case of "I can't stand this any longer, lets get out of here"! So we got dressed, upped pins and moved off.... at 6.30am ! Oh good. A rehearsal for tomorrow's 5.30am start!

The plan for today is to get through Stoke and for me to buy my ticket for tomorrow.  We have been told by other boaters that the centre of Stoke - er - is not the *safest* place to park up for the night.  We were advised to park next to Festival Park where there is a marina, and loads of other boats moor quite safely.

Coming into Stoke we stopped opposite Stoke's footy ground to cut some wood for the stove.  We moored up just a couple of hundred yards from the Station and I bought my tcket for tomorrow - £18 cheaper than the ticket available on the internet.  Note to self: When travelling, always get as close as possible to the chap thats going to drive the thing before parting with any dosh.

That done, we went up several more locks and moored as close as we could to the Toby Pub in Festival Park. Had lunch at the pub, then took the bikes off and went a short cycle to check the lay of the land, closest shops etc.  Annie's tyre went flat and we walked back....

We moored here next to the Toby Carvery, Festival Park.

Missed this last night whilst parking up.  Watta mistakea to makea

Bottle kiln - not many left

Parked up while I went to the station.  Chaps & Chappess in reflective kit  at left were IWA Volunteers on a litter pick

Two more bottle kilns hiding behind a modern building.  Can see why they are called bottle kilns! 

25th April 2013 - Little Haywood to Barlaston

Weather rather threatening all day without actually raining.  Enough wind to keep you on your toes. The countryside through Staffordshire as far as the outskirts of Stone is pretty as a picture.  Once into Stone everything becomes far more industrial.  It was nice to see canalside mills and factories with lights on and people working in them though!  No dereliction here.
Stopped at 'The Star' at lunchtime right next to Stone Bottom lock.  Thereafter there is a flight of four locks taking us up through the town, followed by the Measham flight, a further four locks leaving Stone.  We pushed on and moored just outside Barlaston as beyond here Stoke-on-Trent begins and we dont want to stop in town overnight.....

Nice bit of bridge brickwork - it lead to a hall....

Cobbled horse ramp and worn steps

The Star at Stone Bottom Lock.  Lunchtime sustenance. Recommended!

Now I've heard of steel boats, glass fibre and wood, but I don't think this will catch on.

24 April 2013 - Hopwas to Little Haywood

The decision had been made last night for me to return to Reading as it is my lovely sisters birthday - and also about time I saw Mum.  After much research Stoke on Trent to Reading on Saturday seemed best - not least because the station is quite close to the canal.  This gives us three days of quite heavy travelling to make it in time.  So - an early start this morning is essential!

Get up at 7am, had breakfast and were set to go soon after 8.  Then we looked out of the window.  A huge transmission mast sat on the hill overlooking us, with all manner of dishes and antenna mounted thereon. Might this not indicate a good internet connection?  The connection was so good I almost didn't need a computer!  Right - lets contact Jess in NZ.  A quick text message sent and we were soon having a lovely chat with Jess via Skype in her hostel in Keri Keri. So despite our best intentions we didn't set off until 10.30.

The wind was up again during the morning.  At one point came a cry of "stop the boat!".  I slammed it into reverse and rammed the bow into the bank (better than brakes!).  Annie legged it own the gunwhale to the bow, picking up the boathook as she went, then leapt the gap to the bank and ran back down the towpath.
She had spotted the mat that lives in the cratch at the bow, taking off and landing in the drink.  It was swiftly landed and we continued on our way.

Wood Anemones carpeting the woodland floor at Hopwas Hays Wood

Stop the boat!

Old caravan holding up shed.  Could be towed by the Series1 Landy holding up shed from the other day

Moored up in Little Haywood, just coming into Staffordshire.  Beautiful spot but set between two railway lines so we get stereo Virgin trains.

23rd April 2013 - Mancetter to Hopwas

Set off at 9.40am.  Our long cruise without locks was sharply curtailed by the Atherstone flight. We started to go down at 10.30 but did not reach the bottom lock ( the eleventh) until 2pm - but on the way down we did stop to top up the water tank. On the way down we passed an old working boat, Victoria, delivering an old Springer narrowboat to London.

Looking down the Atherstone flight

At the bottom we came across another working boat built 1906, and its butty being operated by a lovely young family with 2 children - living aboard and home taught.  They appeared to be in some difficulty when we first saw them in the distance as they were taking rather long to go through the lock.  Then we spotted that not only were they bow hauling a 72ft butty with no motor - they had to fish out a dead deer from the lock first!

Victoria

At Fazeley junction we turned right onto the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal for a short distance before mooring up for the night just south of the village of Hopwas.

22nd April 2013 - Hinckley to Mancetter

After some discussion as to our next move, the unanimous vote was that we should continue heading for the Shropshire Union Canal and Llangollen.  We upped pins and headed back down the Ashby and turned right onto the Coventry Canal.  Stopped in Nuneaton to walk to the shops for the weekly shop, and buy some bits and bobs for the boat.  The rudder bearing is showing signs of imminent death so a grease gun is needed to pack the bearing.

At first sight it was a fallen down shed.  Look again and its being supported by what looks like an early Series 1 Landrover! Nathan might appreciate this.

Returning to the boat, we set off again about 5pm for another couple of hours.  Found a lovely mooring with a fantastic view just outside Mancetter village.

Panoramic view of our little bit of heaven tonight

21st April 2013 - Hinckley to Sutton Wharf & return

Today we are taking Annie's Auntie Winnie for a day out on the canal and lunch.  Snag is she is now 91 and not too steady on her pins.  Based on our adventures in 2010 we had a carefully worked out plan!  The canal passes beneath the A47 Dodwells Road as it leaves Hinckley.  This is only about a mile from Wins, and there is a convenient walkthrough from the towpath to an adjacent road.

When we arrived there were three other boats moored there but a gap *just* big enough to take Ceilidh with careful manoeuvring  The bikes on the back are a particular hazard.  After off-loading her bike, Annie cycled to Win's, ordered a taxi, and returned about 45 minutes later with the young lady in question. Win hopped aboard nimbly, with only a little help and after a quick cuppa, we set off.

The early morning sunshine clouded over but by lunchtime it was still quite pleasant.  We had been following another boat for a 30 minutes or so and they decided to use Sutton wharf to turn their boat round.... and had got stuck!  We managed to manoeuvre alongside them and moor up.  Annie hopped ashore and helped them wind.  (Wind is boat-speak for doing a 180 turn and is pronounced the same as the blowy stuff that gave us gype most of the rest of the day).  

The Wharf Restaurant were very good and served our meals on our plates so we could eat on the boat and avoid having try and get Winnie ashore. Incredibly the lady remembered that we had done the same thing 2 years ago!  After a nice meal and some rather expensive cake, we winded Ceilidh and set off back.  The wind had got up and it was now quite cold but there was a lovely hot stove in the saloon so all was well.... except for the poor helm :-(

Arriving back at Hinckley our gap at the mooring had been taken by another boat.  We had to stop right under the bridge, blocking it, to let Win off for her taxi.  We inconvenienced a couple of passing boats for a few minutes but they didn't mind when we explained. Moored up for the night opposite Trinity Marina.

Our Saturday night mooring

A lovely day out

20th April 2013 - Brincklow to Hinckley

Best day of the year so far!  Bright sunshine and 16 - 18 deg C. Just as we were setting off another boat came by, meaning we were following them all the way to Hawksbury Junction - the end of the North Oxford where it meets the Coventry Canal. No problem! It was a lovely day.  At Hawksbury there is a 'stop lock' dropping just 1ft down to the level of the Coventry followed by a 180 degree turn which can be a mission, especially with a pub full of people watching (all sitting outside making the best of the nice weather).  Stopped at the water point to top up and also clear the weed hatch - we had picked quite a lot up for some reason. It is then a short (45 minute) hop to the junction with the Ashby Canal wither we were bound.

We popped out from under a bridge ready to make a nifty 90 degree turn to the right straight under another bridge into the Ashby.  This canal contains no locks so it isnt Annie's favourite.  She misses the social aspect of getting off the boat and meeting other people going through locks.

We  moored up by bridge 13, and walked to 'The Lime Kilns' pub at bridge 16, an old coaching inn on the A5.  A 60th birthday party was in progress so we made ourselves scarce in the corner and had a meal.  Joined in a chorus of 'Happy Birthday' before returning to the boat.  A boat came passed in the pitch dark as I was making a phone call on the rear deck.  Chap remarked that at least he was sure no-one would be coming the other way!

One field contained about 20 Shire Horses.  The next - these two little guys

Yet another working boat with butty in tow - a tight squeeze past them!

Tiller firmly clenched between his buttocks, this chap was playing the bongos as he helmed

19th April 2013 - Napton to Brincklow

The weather man didnt do too well.  It was supposed to be cooler but the wind should have gone down.  He was only partly correct - it was much cooler and the wind was as strong as ever!  We had just passed Wigrams Turn when we caught up with a slower boat in front.  He in turn was following a motor and butty.  These are the traditional working boats - the motor, 72ft of history fully laden with an aging 2 cylinder Bollinder engine towing a 'butty' - essentially another 72ft engineless hull.  Pretty, but not fast.

Fortunately at Braunston they turned right down the Grand Union canal whilst we turned left onto the North Oxford.  We arrived at the Hillmorton flight of threee double locks, the only locks of the day.  Boaters were helped by at CaRT volunteer lockeeper which was great as they are busy locks.

We passed through Rugby - the first big population centre since Banbury - and the Newbold tunnel.  This used to be brightly lit but we were disappointed to see that many of the coloured spotlights were not working.  At last the wind dropped during the afternoon and we had a lovely journey entering into the midlands.  Decided to moor up near the village of Brincklow before we got too close to the M6 which we can just hear in the distance.

Knocking the pins in, I noticed lots of bits of coal lying around on the side, presumably the result of a incident involving a coal carrying boat.  Managed to scavenge enough to top up the fire.

The mornings queue.  Not as stressful as the M25 however....

Who dat down dare?

The not well-illuminated Newbold Tunnel

Open-cast coal mining operations

18th April 2013 - Fenny Compton to Napton bottom lock

Not too cold this morning but it remains very windy.  Annie kept the wood burner going though to cook our tea on it - makes a magnificent slow-cooker.  About 12.30 we spotted Nb Whistler parked up in front of us.  This belongs to our friends Graham and Jan whom we met at Frouds Bridge marina.  They set off just after us but passed whilst we were at Theale.  They have remained a day in front most of the way.  We parked up in front of them (just as it started to rain hard) for a chat and cup of tea.  They are heading up to York, but might cross the Pennines afterwards so we may meet later in the summer.
We set off again after lunch and continued along the very long 'summit level' which winds around the hill sides following the contours.  Once we reached the Napton flight Annie took her bike off the back of the boat to cycle between the locks - moving on ahead to prepare the lock for the boat each time.  At the bottom we topped up with water and moored up on the '14 day' moorings.  After tea we walked to the 'Folly' pub for a swift one.

Annie staying mobile. The bag is to collect firewood along the way

Several lovely cars parked in adjacent farmyard - including these two lovely Connaught F1 cars

17th April 2013 - Cropredy to Fenny Compton

Went to bed last night under a lovely canopy of stars, to awake to a cold, wet and windy morning.  So what can we do this morning?  I know - lets watch Margaret Thatchers funeral on telly!  To be fair, it was a piece of history.

Funeral watched (we know how to have a good time!) we set off at noon.  During the afternoon the weather slowly became windier and windier - as we got higher and higher.  I had to stand, braced legs apart holding onto the tiller - and not a pub in sight!  The last few locks up to 'the summit' are the Claydon flight and the boat was almost unmanageable.  Fantastic views = no hedges or trees in the way = no obstruction to the blowy stuff.  Only crashed the boat once.  We wanted to turn right, but the now gale force wind wanted us to go left.  We ended in a compromise and we went straight on.  Only the canal didn't.....    Annie went on ahead to set the next lock each time so lot of walking back and forth!  Tomorrow she wants to use her bike.

At the top of the Claydon flight is the Wharf Inn, where we have stopped before.  We moored up and wandered round to the Wharf for a swift one.  Quite busy with boaters - you can tell spring is breaking out.

Our lass with windlass

Hare today gone tomorrow

Waves with white horses on them!

16th April 2013 - Kings Sutton to Cropredy

Upped mooring pins at 9am in beautiful sunshine heading to Banbury. Moored up next to Morrisons for the food shop, then moved through the town to moor up in the centre.

A thoroughly modern town with shopping centre along one bank - yet with the canal running through. Unlike many towns it has not turned its back on the waterway but has made it a fantastic central feature with walkways overlooking it. Even the shopping centre has been built in the style of the canal-side warehouses that once stood here.

I wandered along to Tooleys boatyard - bizzarly set in the midst of modern glass buildings - a tiny 19th century throw back of ageing brick workshops, lathes and stores - all grade 2 listed and all still a fully functioning commercial business! Bought a fuel filter for our Isuzu motor.

After lunch we cast off again to make the most of a glorious day. The higher we get (all the locks are up) the more we get buffeted by the strong wind. Finally parked up just outside Cropredy as I didnt fancy navigating the narrow gap between the lines of boats in Cropredy in this wind. A beatiful sunset in a huge sky followed by a magnificent display of stars.

15th April 2013 - Kirtlington to Kings Sutton

The day dawned bright and ....warm!  So we decided to set off asap.  With no particular timetable to stick to we have not been moving terribly quickly so a new sense of urgency has struck the motley crew.
Our friends on Nb Whistler, Jan and Graham who are a day ahead of us texted to say they had got cheap fuel at Anyho Wharf.   The receipt was delayed in the ether and arrived just as we were approaching Anyho.  Needless to say we stopped and managed to find a spare corner in the tank for another 70 quids worth (at 93p/L I was well chuffed).   Bright sunshine prevailed in the afternoon but a strong wind.  As the canal crosses exposed fields side winds become quite difficult and the boat ends up crabbing along the canal.  Quite easy to do - until you come to a narrow bridge gap. which you have to suddenly line up for.

Going through Somerton deep lock we managed to knock our bow fender off.  A lady in the boat waiting to come down was already opening the lock gate, when I asked her to stop for a moment as it would be easier to retrieve the hanging fender from the gate.  She hummed and huffed that they were on a tight time schedule (on a canal?) and only closed the gate again when she saw we weren't going anywhere without out very expensive fender.  It took only moments to retrieve and we were surprised how quickly she had cast off and was aiming into the lock even as we were coming out.  As we passed - crash! she was blown right across in to the trees on the far side.  Just deserts and a small ( and not very sporting) cheer from the crew of Ceilidh.

Stopped at The Pig Place who run a farm shop to get eggs.  Sorry we are sold out of hens eggs, we only have duck eggs!  Looking forward to a couple in the morning!

Moored before we got too close to the M40 which we are heading towards and will be following for some time tomorrow.  A gorgeous spot but with the steady rumble of civilization in the distance....

Lady narrowboater getting just deserts

Breath in!

Funny wide lock on a narrow canal.

14th April 2013 - Thrupp to Kirtlington

Sadly we cannot receive BBC on the TV so were reduced to listening to the Chinese Grand Prix on Radio 5 live.  To tell you the truth we thoroughly enjoyed the commentary as on radio, you have to concentrate on the race, much more than when watching TV.
After breakfast we went a walk around the village - and found there isn't one.  Thrupp comprises 2 pubs, a few houses, and several hundred boats.  The majority of residents are water based.
Walked across to the Boat Inn for 1.30pm to find Chris and Mum already there.  Had a lovely meal - I would quite recomment the Golden Hen ale too!
After a cuppa back on the boat Chris and Mum set off for home and we cast off and set off from our mooring.  The aim was to get back out into the sticks and moor up.  About 7pm we found a lovely spot next to 'Caravan Swing Bridge'.  you look at the bridge... then wonder - why does a fully functioning swing bridge end in a ploughed field with no track on the other side.  A second glance reveals a decrepit set of iron wheels and springs.  Could this be the caravan that gave the bridge its name?  Google provided the answer straight away....

Photo taken in 1976 when the caravan still existed!

Mum & Sister & boat

13th April 2013 - Wolvercote to Thrupp

A beautiful morning with rain later said the forecast - so off we set!  Our first lock, is right next the the Dukes Cut, which is another entrance to the Oxford off the Thames.  We arrived at the same moment as a (large) group of lads and a couple of girls.  They asked for help as to how these canal lock thingies worked....they had already knocked their rudder off and had had to call the mechanic out to fix it!  So we spent a bit of time giving them some tuition - and they subsequently followed us along the canal.
Further on, Annie was walking between lift bridges and began talking with a South African lady walking along.  Apparently she spends 6 months in this country each year just walking.
We arrived in Thrupp early afternoon and moored up outside The Boat Inn just as it started to rain.... heavily!  After tea we went for a quick one, and to book a table for a meal as Mum and Chris are dropping in tomorrow.

Annie giving lock-handling lessons

Then they followed us.  Not sure where the sailor came from....

12th April 2013 - Osney to Wolvercote

I had got all the train times off the National Rail Planner website.  Pretty nifty.  3 changes... OK till I got to North Camp. It was then I understood the little man symbol next to the departure time... I had to WALK to Ash Vale.  15 minutes in the rain - ho hum!
The meeting went well - I am a trustee for a charity - the Bernard Butler Trust and we hand out grants to engineering students for their studies. The subsequent meal was pretty good too!
Just as I was arriving back in Oxford, Annie phoned to say she had had a visit from the Osney Lock Keeper who asked how long we were staying, as with the days rain he was likely to red board his section of the Thames in the morning.  Decision made!  as soon as I got back we fired up the engine and set off the short distance to the junction with the Oxford Canal.  Because of the strong flow in the river, and a number of idiot boats moored either side of the entrance, we had to make a 2nd attempt at turning off the Thames.  All your school physics lessons come back to you at times like this - to very action there is an equal and opposite reaction.....  Current is this fast in this direction, I need to turn up the wick on the engine and point that way....
We headed out of Oxford past a seemingly endless line of moored boats.  At last away from everyone we spotted a nice looking pub through the fields and slammed the brakes on (well as well as we could!) and moored up for the night.  Of course we had to visit the pub - the Plough at Wolvercote - too.  10/10 !

Jericho, Oxford.  Cliffs on either side. Posh penthouses on the left, social housing flats on the right.  We heard screams from one side telling the other side to shut up!

The Plough at Wolvercote and our mooring.

11th April 2013 - Christchurch Meadow to Osney Lock

The rowing eights start early.  We know this because they woke us early.  The fenders had shifted and their wakes were banging us against the side! Spent the morning making the most of an excellent internet connection by catching up with emails.  After lunch we moved nearer to Oxford Station as I have to take the train to Farnham tomorow for a meeting.  We moored the boat between Osney lock and bridge - very narrow and fast flowing. Finished the afternoon by walking into town and catching up with our food shopping.

Ceilidh parked up for the night.  Osney Bridge in the background.  So low  you have to limbo under it!

10th April 2013 - Sandford to Oxford (Christchurch Meadow)

Jess is safely in NZ and settling down.  So much so that she is no-longer on UK time and texted us at 5.30am.  Thanks Jess - keep them coming! :-)

Decided as we are working on the boat, that we should put the NAME ON THE BOAT.  This little item has been outstanding since we bought the boat - ahem 4 years ago!  During the winter we ordered the name in vinyl lettering from Funky Monkey Ltd. It cost - er - a lot.  So I was a bit miffed when a tiny box dropped onto the doormat containing a tightly rolled bit of plastic.  The destructions advised the stickers should only be applied in optimum weather conditions ie. an air temperature of 10 deg C or more.  Our newly purchased  thermometer said it was 9.5 and slowly rising.  As as soon as it hit 10 we went for it!

In the event we were really pleased with the final result - and the instructions were rather good too.  Kind of took the sting out of the price :-p

With Ceilidh resplendent in her new livery and sporting a natty tent on the bow, we set off after lunch the short distance to Oxford.  We moored up opposite Christchurch Meadows.  The university rowers - eights and fours were practicing and plowing up and down past us.  Their not insignificant wakes moved us around slightly, making a hideous noise as we rebounded off hidden rocks below the waterline.  30 minutes dextrous fendering and we thought we might get a good nights sleep.....

Our new livery

More flood damage

9th April 2013 - Abingdon to Sandford

A cold wet morning.  Had a look around Abingdon Chandlers until the rain stopped, made a few (expensive) impulse purchases and set off up the lock, just catching the lock keeper before he went to lunch. Arrived at Sandford lock about 3pm and a quick vote amongst the scurvy crew (democracy rules!) agreed we were too cold so we moored up above the lock.

After a warming cuppa, ventured out to complete the fitting of our cratch cover.  Our old cover was completely shot.  New covers cost upwards of £600 so in true Harrassed-Millington fashion we scavenged one out of a skip that had been thrown away.  Perfectly good one - and it fits!

Ceilidh with her nice new cratch cover (with porthole windows!)

8th April 2013 - Dorchester to Abingdon

Got up early and with the intention of good exercise we set off on a walk to the adjacent hillfort of Wittenden Clumps.  The walk was - er very vertical and we needed the seat at the top to get breath back.  Once the eyes had stopped swimming a gorgeous (if hazy) view was revealed. From the hillfort were views of the neolithic earth banks cutting across a bend in the river at Dorchester to form a defensive position.  A truly prehistoric landscape!

The windswept viewpoint

Little Wittenden from the top

The river from the top - it would take us most of the day to reach the far point!

Back on the boat we set off through Days lock - the wind made it difficult to get out!  We kept on going all the way to Abingdon, mooring in the park at free moorings provided by the town.  We said thank you to the town by having a good walk around it and visiting a couple of hostelries on the way back!