24 July 2013 - Remained at Shepherds Patch, Slimbridge

Annie has been in touch with Jane, Jess's friend and arranged to meet her for lunch.  Jane suggested the Bell at Frampton as one she knows - this is not far away so we got the bikes out.

Frampton is a gorgeous chocolate-box picture of a village with a central green complete with cricket pitch, all overlooked by the Bell.  Had a lovely lunch and a great catch up with Jane - I am sure Jess's ears must have been on fire!

On our return I cycled in the other direction to Sharpness.  On the way passing through Purton which is known for its wrecks - many old and disused craft have been sunk along the banks of the Severn in order to prevent the banks being undermined by the fast flowing tide.

23rd July 2013 - Remained at Shepherds Patch, Slimbridge

Awoken at 4am by the mother of all thunderstorms.  The lightening flickering so much it produced almost continuous illumination.  Rain pretty hard too!

Cycled to Cam & Dursley station during the morning to reccy our trip back to Fleet - we have decided to leave on Friday.  Spent the rest of the day emptying 'Forget me not' of water under the floor that shouldn't be there.  When we finished it was floating higher in the water, but still no idea how the water got there.

Splatt Bridge (lovely name!)

22nd July 2013 - Gloucester to Slimbridge

Woken by the seagulls - who didnt stop squawking all night.  Several dozen were doing a tap dance on the roof.  Once dressed I shooed them off to find they had also been using the roof as a latrine.  It took a good hour with the mop to clean the roof and the paintwork still bears the scars......

After breakfast I went round the Gloucester Waterways Museum housed in one of the warehouses.  This was formerly the National Waterways Museum but that honour has now passed to Ellesmere Port. The displays seemed to me much better than those at Ellesmere Port.  Whilst EP is a much bigger and more spectacular site, the quality of the exhibits and overall experience is better at Gloucester.

After lunch we set off for Slimbridge to meet Pete and Wendy on 'Forget me not'. They have offered to keep an eye on Ceilidh whilst we are away at Scout Camp, as Colin and Anne wont be on the boat the full time.

First impressions were that the Gloucester and Sharpness canal is very wide - it was built as a ship canal and still takes large vessels from time to time.  We first passed beneath several main road bridges capable of being lifted, but not necessary for us as we could limbo underneath.  Further on however there are a succession of swing bridges, all operated by a Bridgeman.  Mostly they saw us coming and the bridge was open in time for our getting there, but occasionally we had to wait.

We got through Patch Bridge in the tiny settlement of Shepherds Patch after about 5 hours and Annie immediately spotted 'Forget me not'. Announced our arrival by sounding the horn as we went by and Wendy popped out to help us moor up behind them.  Then a short walk to the 'Tudor Arms' next door to meet up with Pete!

Sadly after some adjustments involving a chisel, 'Forget me not's' fridge was no longer working, so Annie knocked up a lovely salad tea which we all sat outside and ate.  Later on a replacement fridge arrived, which Pete and I somehow managed to fit and get working!

Fretherne swing bridge

Gloucester & Sharpness canal

21st July 2013 - Tewkesbury to Gloucester

Mike de-camped and joined us for a morning cup of coffee whilst we waited for the lock to open at 8am.  Got chatting and only just noticed the lock opening for another boat that had arrived.  We. joined it in the lock and went through - saying goodbye to Mike as we left.  It was his last day and his wife was due to pick him up.

Gloucester is still (just) a working dock and its approach can be a bit exciting apparently.  We were warned and instructed on how to approach Gloucester Lock after radioing ahead with our ETA.  In the event it was a bit of a doddle.  We shared the lock down into the docks with two other narrowboats - the one next to us broke loose and hit our side causing a few scratches but nothing serious.

Once out of the lock we crossed the basin, through a lift bridge and moored up opposite the college.  We had clearly arrived during a party - people, noise, music everywhere. An afternoon walk showed it to be a food festival and we spent a couple of hours exploring the centre going from stall to stall, visiting a dock side bar on the way back.

Goodbye to Mike the canoeist

Gongoozlers around Gloucester lock

Leaving Gloucester lock into the basin

our mooring on the Visitors pontoon

Hitch hiker, noise generator and paint stripper manufacturer

Gloucester docks

20th July 2013 - Hampstall Ferry to Tewkesbury

Set off a relatively late 10am after enjoying a lovely dawn.  We were soon into Holts lock - all the River Severn locks are operated electronically by a lock keeper, so there is nothing for us to do, other then hang on to cables at the sides so the boat doesn't get buffeted about. We shared the lock  with a canoeist who we got talking to.  Thereafter we kept leap-frogging him all day.

Stopped in Worcester for lunch and to drop off rubbish. A couple of drunks stripped off and start swimming next to the boat so we moved off - and so we didnt have to pull any bodies out of the river.

We had planned to reach Upton upon Severn for our overnight stop.  As Upton hove into view at 5pm it became obvious something was happening.  Boats were moored nearly bank to bank, the town was full of thousands of people, live music was echoing around the riverside.  A full blown festival was going on!  A lady on a moored narrowboat signaled that we could moor up alongside them.  I reversed closer, but when we got within 10m and still couldnt hear what she was saying because of all the noise - we thought better of it.  We would get better sleep out in the country!  We waved our thanks and moved away.

It was another hour and a half to Tewkesbury, arriving at Upper Lode Lock at 6.45pm - 15 minutes before the lock was due to close for the evening.  Snag was, it was all closed and shut up!  Obviously the lock keeper had knocked off early.  We moored up above the lock, which was a lovely spot - and were soon joined by our shadowing canoeist!  We invited him onboard for a cup of tea - an offer he readily accepted.  Mike was retired and re-living his youth, canoeing the Severn from Welshpool on his own for a week.  After deciding the pontoon was too hard to sleep on, he paddled across the river to set up his camp on the opposite bank for the night.

Entering Worcester

Worcester Abbey

Big locks, just need to hang onto the side cables....

Mike the canoeist

Malvern hills

Festival in progress at Upton upon Severn

This section of the Severn still takes commercial traffic

19th July 2013 - Kinver to Hamstall Ferry

Woken this morning at 5AM! by a boat leaving early to beat the heat.  We set off after breakfast - around 9am.  The wildlife seems to be enjoying the heat and we have seen loads of Kingfishers.

Stopped at Kidderminster to get some supplies and met a motor and butty coming the other way through our first lock - being handled single handed! He is finding it too hard and has the pair up for sale (not surprised!) We were not delayed for long as soon on our way.

We were soon in Stourport where the canal junctions with the River Severn.  It was really interesting getting through the historic canal basins and negotiating the pairs of locks down to the river.  The last lock presented a few problems as there was a strong current in the river and hard for us to get out and return to close the gates.  Four gongoozlers readily agreed to help, and closed the gates for us.

The Severn is very different to the canal and is very like the River Thames above Oxford.  There are few moorings, other than those provided by riverside pubs, which is a real hardship.  We stopped for the evening at a pontoon below the Hamstall Ferry pub where we had a meal and a jar or two.

Single handing a Butty & motor in Kidderminster

The Bird in Hand...... no more to be said

Stourport's historic canal basin

Locking down onto the River Severn

Our mooring for the night

18th July 2013 - Brewood to Kinver

Annie was first up and keen to go whilst it was cool - so she set off!  Leaving me to get up and get ready on the move.  We have found out that one of the Wolverhampton flight of locks has collapsed and the flight wont re-open until mid August.  Unfortunately this is our direct route to meet Colin and Anne at Hatton.  Gave them a ring to tell them we may not be able to make Hatton, and Col told me that Bob, Anne's Dad is ill.  They were counting on Annes parents to look after the horses while they were away.  So back to the drawing board.

For our part we now have to continue down the Staffs and Worcester canal south, before making a decision, so we turn through Dudley and enter Birmingham that way, or so we continue south to the River Severn?

At lunchtime we came through Bratch locks - a small staircase, operated by a pair of lock-keepers.  A very picturesque section of canal.  By 3pm we were both struggling in the heat, so moored up in the shade near bridge 38.  At 5pm a hire boat shot passed pulling out our mooring pins, so as it was cooler we decided to continue.  Got to Kinver and found a place to moor at 8.30pm.  11 hours of travelling time today!

Annie operating Whitewick Mill lock

Bratch locks

Bratch No2

Bottom of Bratch locks

Dunsley Tunnel

17th July 2013 - Cheswardine to Brewood

Just about to set off and an elderly walker came by wanting to chat.  Told us all about the murder at Park Heath Bridge a few years ago - two up from where we are, and his deciding to turn around and walk the other way when he saw something suspicious floating in the water - leaving two ladies to discover the body.

After 'murder bridge' we passed Norbury Junction, followed by Gnossall and Wheaton Aston. Stopped at Wheaton Aston sanitary station for a pump out which was just at the hottest part of the day.  We were both feeling the heat by the time we reached Brewood so pulled in into the shade of a cutting.  Walked into the village for some shopping and a pint (or two).

Old Cadbury Wharf

The unique High Bridge near Norbury

Boat Inn, Gnossall

Cowley tunnel near Gnossall

16th July 2013 - Audlem to Cheswardine

Audlem flight face us today - 15 locks followed by two further flights of 5 each in quick succession.  And its HOT.

Well we managed the first lock or two no problem - but then caught up Motor 'Ferrous' pulling its Butty 'Susan'.  The pair are owned and lived on by three generations of the same family.  This was slow - very slow, all the way up through the flight.

Ferrous and Susan

Eventually they stopped for lunch so we managed to get passed them!  Through all of this we had a shared ownership boat behind us complaining they had to be somewhere and how long it was taking.  In the end we pulled in for water and let them by.

A feature of this Shropshire Union is that it cuts straight through the countryside rather than following the countours.  This means it has several high embankments, as well as several deep cuttings.  The cuttings get quite narrow and it was along one that we met 'three men in a boat'.  They kindly pulled over to let us by, but as they moved into the side the boat lurched over.  I asked if they were OK and they said they were fine - but I stopped and waited to see if they could get off the underwater obstruction.  They couldnt!  In the end we backed up to them and took a rope.  With is pulling and their reversing they finally popped off.

Moored right out in the country again at bridge 50 outside Cheswardine.

The Shroppie Fly pub

Manhandling 'Susan' through a lock

Three men in a boat

View from bridge 50

Our mooring at bridge 50

15th July 2013 - Middlewich to Audlem

To beat the heat we set off at 7am and had bacon butties for breakfast on the go.  Met 'Turn of the World' broken down and being towed by a kind gent, which slowed us down coming onto the main line at Barbridge junction.

Coming through Nantwich, Annie spotted Nb.Wakanui moored up - belonging to Mick and Sue from Frouds Bridge.  They had gone shopping so we decided to moor up and wait for them.  We then noticed that the boat moored behind us was Nb.Patience - Paul and Chris whom we had got talking too on the Llangollen Canal.  Eventually Mick and Sue came back and we had a quick chat with them, as well as a catch up with Paul and Chris.

Set off again at 4.30 with a promise of cooler airs, before mooring up just north of Overwater Marina at bridge 80 ready to go up the Audlem flight in the morning.

A misty start

The Barbridge Inn

Sunset

14th July 2013 - Northwich to Middlewich

Hot and sleepless night with a dog seeming to bark all night.  A warm but uneventful journey until we got to Middlewich.  After filling with water and Annie popping to the shop to get some provisions, we set off up the locks to the junction with the Middlewich branch of the Shropshire Union.

Arriving at Wardle lock there was chaos.  Boats arrive from both directions on the Trent and Mersey, mostly to turn down the Middlewich branch which turns off at right angles - so two canals feed into the branch, with all boats having to go through Wardle lock at the junction.  The problem occurs because boats queue back around bends so not everyone can see everyone else, and there was deadlock, with "Well I'm sure I was here before you".....  The matter was further complicated by the hire boat syndrome with lots of crews being slow and inefficient at getting through the lock - or having no idea at all!  We soon had them sorted.  Once we were on the scene we gave everyone their order (no questions!) and I managed the queue while Annie helped as voluntary lock keeper on the lock to get everyone through efficiently.  Nevertheless we took 3.5 hours to get through!

We did another hour on the branch before mooring up in the middle of nowhere by bridge 19.

Negotiating our way through a fishing competition

13th July 2013 - Ken return to Northwich, Annie remained with boat.

Anne remained with the boat, catching up on the 'chores'.  It was a really hot day and she recorded 38deg C in the cabin.  I drove over to Reading and had lunch with Mum, Chris and James. Julie is in Fleet and offered me a lift back by car which I much preferred to do, rather than travel by train on Sunday - 6.5 hours! So I got back to Fleet for 6pm for J to pick me up.  Got to boat at 10pm, quick cup of coffee for Julie and we sent her on her way.

12th July 2013 - Ken to Fleet, Annie remained at Northwich

Set off from the boat for the 30 minute walk to the station at 8.30.  Annie came too for the walk before returning to the boat for the day cross-stitching and listening to the test match.  My trip via London was uneventful, arriving in Fleet mid-afternoon.  Then with no-one to pick me up, and being (naturally) too tight for a taxi, I spent an hour walking home around Fleet Pond.  In the evening we had the Scout Group BBQ to mark the end of term.

11th July 2013 - Little Leigh to Northwich

Set off around 9.30am, again before it got too warm.  It wasnt long before we were into the Saltersford tunnel which was nice and cool.... We moored up next to Anderton Marina and unloaded the bikes for a cycle into Northwich.  Popped into the station and bought a ticket for Friday back to Fleet.  This will be a flying visit and Annie will stay in Northwich by the boat.  Called into the 'Salt Barge' pub on the way back for a half and also spotted a nice mooring nearby for Annie whilst I am away We later moved Ceilidh to be near the Salt Barge - which is alos closer to the station for the morning.

Back through the tunnels.....

10th July 2013 - Little Bollington to Little Leigh

Set off early in order to try and beat the heat - but actually it turned out to be a little cooler today.  Stopped at Midland Chandlery at Preston Brook to buy one or two spares for the boat.

Moored at Little Leigh - the site of the Dutton wash-out in the background.

9th July 2013 - Manchester to Little Bollington

The weather is beautiful and slowly getting hotter.  Sadly my gentle pursuasion of the tiller swan neck has left me with a sore back.  This ruled out our continuing up the Rochdale Canal as the 'Rochdale nine' as they are know, the first nine locks out of Manchester are notoriously heavy.  We have decided its about time I caught the train home to visit Mum so we have been looking at some alternatives and returning to Northwich would appear to be the best option.

We travelled right through the hottest part of the day and were exhausted by late afternoon, so we decided to moor up at Little Bollington which seemed a nice spot.  It was also close to Millington Hall so I thought an exploratory bike ride might be fun.  Off-loaded my bike and went a lovely ride, finding the Hall, the building now just an 18th century farmhouse but formerly the seat of the Millingtons of Millington.

After tea we cycled down to a pub I had spotted quite close to the boat.  Originally it was called 'The Swan with Two Necks' now strangely the Swan with Two Nicks. Hmmmm

Winding the boat in Castlefields

Our mooring spot in Castlefields

Leaving Manchester