To Frankton Junction and cheeky birds at Ellesmere…

We had another fairly early start today, off at 08:30. Doing it this way you get an hour or two’s cruising before the traffic starts to build up.

We spoke to Carol yesterday evening; they are up near Crick and are going to have a look around the castle. We probably won’t catch up now till Llangollen.

The canal is very bendy on this stretch, following the contours of the hills, and it’s inevitable that you meet a convoy coming the other way on a blind bend!

Near Bridge 51 is the home of the Lyneal Trust, an organisation that specialises in providing holidays for disabled people. Most of these schemes seem to be run on canals in built up areas, I suppose it’s easier to get government funding. Anyone having the opportunity to use this one is in for a treat.

The Lyneal Trust.
Alongside Cole Mere and Blake Mere is delightful, heavily wooded and full of birdsong. There are some idyllic moorings in the woods along here.

Moorings at Cole Mere.

Canal boating seems to be the least chauvinistic of all leisure pursuits. It’s usually the female half of the crew who seems to be doing the donkey work, while the bloke stands at the tiller. Here, in a shallow winding hole near Blake Mere, the woman is hauling the bow of the boat round from the bank as the man stands on the stern.








More convolutions takes us to Ellesmere tunnel, one of 3 on the canal, and at 87 yards long, the middle one in terms of length.

Ellesmere Tunnel, West Portal.We stopped at Ellesmere services to get rid of rubbish and empty the loo. We’d filled up with water at Bettisfield yesterday, so we didn’t need that. I came out of the sluice room to see Mags surrounded by ducks and sparrows, all clamouring for breadcrumbs. I’d forgotten how tame they are around here.

Duck and Sparrow on roof, Meg looks on…About 3 miles past Ellesmere is Frankton Junction, where the Montgomery Canal heads off in a south-westerly direction towards Newtown. Only 7 miles is accessible from the junction, but restoration is ongoing. We may well have a look down here on the way back, it’s supposed to be well worth a visit.

The Double Staircase Lock leading down from the junction
Moored at Frankton Junction
We decided to stop for the night here. I was ready for lunch, Meg wanted a pee and the towpath is now on the left so I was able to rub down the left side of the gunwale area, prior to its second coat.
It’s been another coolish day, with just a few breaks in the cloud. I’ve lit the fire again this evening as showers move in.
Tomorrow’s weather looks a bit dodgy, windy and rainy. We’ll wait and see, if it’s not so good we’ll maybe stay here.

Locks 0, miles 6½

Painting, a hitch hiking duck and QUEUES!

Spent yesterday on the mooring at Quoisley. I had a few jobs to do, putting the second coat of black on the right side under the gunwale, adjusting the stern gland and a bit of carpentry for Carol.
The Rylards black I painted on really layed off well. I’m pleased with the finish. It’s just unfortunate that by the end of the week it’ll be scratched again.

Reflections in the Paint
We wanted to have a good day today, so were on our way at 08:30. Just 5 minutes took us to Quoisley Lock, alongside the main road. This is an unusual intrusion into the peace and quiet of this section, and luckily only lasts for a few hundred yards. The next 2 locks, Willeymoor and Poveys, follow in quick succession.

Willeymoor Lock and Willey Moor Lock Inn
The countryside around here is really beautiful, rolling fields with copses of broadleaf trees.
We’d got off relatively early so we could get through the bottleneck that is known as Grindley Brook Locks easily. Unfortunately, several other boaters had the same idea, and we arrived at 09:50 to join a queue of boats waiting to tackle the locks. There are 3 single chambers here, followed by a three rise staircase. We finally cleared the top lock at midday. There are some dozy b****rs about though, aren’t there. After the first 3 single locks, you have to report to the lock keeper before tackling the staircase. There’s only room for 3 boats (just) at the bottom, and the procedure requires 3 boats up and 3 boats down. So you can finish up waiting for ½ an hour or more for the go-ahead. Although there were already 3 of us waiting, boaters were still trying to come up the last single, instead of walking up to check on the situation. And I'm not just talking about inexperienced hirers, either! Consequently it was extremely difficult for the boats coming down to manoeuvre. I despair, sometimes.

Busy day at Grindley Brook.
In the Staircase

After this there were no more hold ups, and we made good progress on the long 19 mile pound towards the next locks. The few lift bridges caused us no problems, although we had a couple of close encounters at blind bridges. Mags even found time to give a duck a lift!

Mags' Hitch Hiking Duck
Over Whixall Moss, and the long straight to Bettisfield, and we moored soon after bridge 50.
It’s been a fine bright day, warm in the sun but cool when it went in. The evening has cleared to unmarked blue skies, now.

Moored near Bettisfield.
Locks 9, miles 12.

Grave thoughts in Wrenbury

We got away from our overnight mooring at 10:15 this morning. Just around the corner was the first of the 3 Baddiley Locks, and was empty so we were in and through quickly. The next 2 had boats coming down, so we were able to enter as soon as they were clear.

In Baddiley Locks

We came upon Carol shortly after the top lock. Reg the cat had gone walkabout, so she couldn’t follow us till he turned up.

By 11:30 we’d arrived at Wrenbury, and moored up just before the rebuilt Wrenbury Church Lift Bridge. This had been dismantled for repair last year when we came through. It carries the footpath into the village, through the churchyard.

Wrenbury Church

I had a look around the graveyard, and spotted this inscription on a crypt.
“Who on this should cast an Eye
Think of your own Mortality
Remember that you follow must
And lie here till ye turn to Dust”

Makes you think, don’t it.

After a visit to the handy general store in the village, we set off again to Wrenbury Mill, the Alvechurch Boats hire base. It was very busy here, as it’s turn-around day, so most of the boats were in, being preped for new clients this afternoon. We timed it right, after last week’s hirers got back, and before next week’s sets out.

Wrenbury Mill Lift Bridge
We moored for lunch soon after the lift bridge, to give me a chance to touch up the damage on the new paintwork below the gunwhale. It had suffered against a damaged piling at the waterpoint above Hurleston locks. The towpath changes sides at the next lock, so this is the last opportunity to get to the left side for a bit.
Meg thought we’d stopped for the day, and made herself comfortable on the grass. She wasn’t keen on setting off again!

The face says it all…. Aw Dad, do we have to?

We didn’t go too much further, though. Through Marbury Lock, then another mile or so before stopping near bridge 25.

Moored for the night
The traffic has built up this afternoon as we’ve been sat here. A lot of the boats we’d seen moored in Wrenbury Mill basin seem to be heading for Llangollen.
Carol cruised past later, heading up towards the pub at Willeymoor Lock. Reg had turned up finally, wondering what all the fuss was about.

It’s been another cool day, with odd sunny spells and just one short sharp shower.

Locks 4, miles 6

Three different canals (well almost) and a close encounter of the blogger kind...

I didn’t bother to post last night, we only cruised for a couple of hours in the afternoon, then spent the evening on Corbiere’s paintwork.

Me and Meg, Posing
We ended up just past the Weaver aqueduct, a ¼ mile before bridge 8 and Minshull Lock. Just along from here a brand new marina is being built, Aqueduct Marina.

New Marina Development
Moored just down from us were the Bywater Hotel Boats pair, Rose and Karnataka
Today we were on the way at 09:50, heading towards Barbridge Junction. Minshull Lock was in our favour, so we were through in no time. The Health and Safety Police had been around on the lock side, I see.

We carried on to Venetian Marina just before Cholmondeston Lock. We filled with diesel and replaced an empty gas bottle. The red stuff is 87p here, but will go up another 2p after today’s delivery.

I see the tanker drivers working out of the Shell refinery are out on strike for more money and picketing the gates, and there's another fuel protest convoy on the M6 between Cheshire and Lancashire tomorrow. I'm glad I live on a boat....

We just got clear of the marina service mooring and into the lock as Carol arrived, at the head of 3 or 4 more boats. So we moored above the lock and I helped the boats up, to speed things along, while Carol went shopping.
It wasn’t much of a hold-up, we were on our way again by 12:00.

Barbridge was busy as usual, but we turned out onto the Shroppie at the blind junction without incident, Carol following.

To Barbridge Junction.
We turned onto the Llangollen Canal at Hurleston Junction 1½ miles further on.

We were lucky at Hurleston, a queue of boats coming down the locks meant that we were able to shuttle from one chamber to the next easily.

Hurleston Bottom Lock
Between Locks 2 and 3
We did the necessary emptying and filling at the top of the flight and pushed on, past Swanley Marina, to the Swanley Locks. I was delighted to be met at the first lock by Sarah, aka Greygal. She’d been keeping an eye on the blog so knew we were around, and had spotted us passing the marina entrance where they moor. So she jumped into the car and headed us off at the lock!
It was great to meet her, I was so excited I didn’t even get a picture! It really made my day. We’ll try to meet up at some point while we’re in the area, so keep watching, Sarah, and I’ll keep a bottle (or 2) on ice!

We finally ended up just past bridge 12. It must be a popular spot, there were already 4 boats here when we arrived so we slotted on to the end of the mown section, in the weeds.

This is the view from the side hatch as I sit here typing…
Carol pushed on a bit further, to moor near a road bridge so Sonja could get to the boat. She’s staying with Carol next week. Another hand on the sandpaper and paintbrush, maybe??

It's been a grey day, as you can see from the photos, with a bit of drizzle around noon, But the cloud started to break up later in the afternoon, giving us a glimpse of the sun.

Locks 8, miles 7

Heading South Again… Reunions and LOCKS!!!

Well, we’re off on our travels again!
We set off at 09:15 this morning, heading towards Middlewich. It was a grey overcast start to the day, with a few sunny spells, but cool with a breeze from the north. Definitely a change in the weather.

Last evening we were surprised to see the L&L short boat “Severn” chug past, heading south. Surprised as it’s unusual to see broad beam boats on this section, although it was originally built to take them, from Preston Brook to Middlewich. The tunnels at the north end have suffered subsidence over the last 200-odd years, and Croxton Aqueduct, to the south, was rebuilt to narrrow gauge after being damaged in a flood. We'd seen this boat before, in fact last August, on the Bingley 3-rise staircase on the Leeds and Liverpool.

What they’d actually done was travel from Worsley on the Bridgewater, down onto the Manchester Ship Canal at Pomona Lock, onto the Weaver at Runcorn them up the Anderton Lift onto the T&M. They just wanted to see how far they could get. It wasn’t much further, though. A short way past us there’s a bridge with the deck removed. The sides have slumped a bit, narrowing the channel and putting a limit on their journey. So they had to reverse back ¼ mile to the flash to turn around and moor for the night.

Severn

On down to a very busy Middlewich, and the first lock we’ve had to work ourselves since leaving the Rochdale on the 9th May! (I’m not counting the piddling little 2” at Dutton Stop Lock).

Middlewich Big Lock




A pause to drop off a week’s accumulated rubbish, on then on through the 3 narrow locks to Wardle Junction. Another first for a while; it’s been over 9 weeks since the last narrow one, on the Chesterfield Canal. Mags hasn’t lost the knack though; she managed them all with remarkable style, not damaging the new paint at all.







The moorings in the town are all about full. There’s a Folk and Boat Festival on this coming weekend, and everyone has arrived early to get prime spots.
Not for us though. I’m afraid folk music and busy moorings don’t do it for me.

I’d planned to stop at Kings Lock Chandlery for diesel, gas and some black paint, but the moorings there were full, so we toddled on up Wardle lock, past another load of moored boats, and back out into the country. We caught up with Carol waiting near bridge 26, and the dogs had a happy reunion. It was just like that scene from Wuthering Heights!

It's only been 5 days, girls!

We spent the rest of the day sanding paint on Corbiere, with Mags the foreman looking on....

Just across from where we’ve moored there’s a family of swans, with half a dozen cygnets. Of course, soon as we were tied up, they were over, begging bowls in hand (beak??).
The parents were very insistent, and both Carol and I got sharp pecks when there was nothing left to eat!

ASBO Family
Locks 6, mile 5½.

I've just checked my mail, and this is just in from Waterscape-

Red Bull Elsan & Pump Out

Wednesday 11 June 2008 until further notice

The Red Bull Elsan & Pump out is closed with immediate effect due to apparatus failure.

Engineers have been called and will be on site on 12 June 2008.

Further updates will be posted on Waterscape once engineers have inspected the apparatus.

The nearest Elsons are at Endon, Bosley, Harecastle North, Wheelock and Etruria.

The nearest pump outs are at Endon and Bolsey locks.

British Waterways apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

Enquiries: 01606 723800

More stoppages on this waterway:
http://www.waterscape.com/canals-and-rivers/trent-and-mersey-canal/boating/stoppages

You can find all stoppages at the url below:
http://www.waterscape.com/things-to-do/boating/stoppages

Please do not reply to the email. It has been automatically generated.

If you wish to unsubscribe from stoppage alerts, please send an email to feedback@waterscape.com and put "Unsubscribe Stoppages" in the subject line.

I guess you'll just have to keep your legs crossed!!

I love the dry humour- " British Waterways apologise for any inconvenience this may cause".

Shopping, an unlikely visitor and a NEW PROP!

On Sunday we took the boat back up to the marina, picked up the rental car and did a big grocery shop. Then back to the flashes to moor.

Chris of Fenny Fuels is feeling the pinch with the recent massive fuel price increases.
Later on in the day, with both side doors open to the sunshine, we had several visits from swallows that were skimming the surface of the water for insects.

This one perched on the curtain rail near the dinette, had a quick look around, then flew back out again.

Monday the car had to be back at Enterprise, so I walked the mile or so to the marina, took the car back up into Northwich and was dropped off back at Orchard by 11:00. This is one of the reasons I use Enterprise all the time; the pick up and drop off service is extremely useful. The rates are competitive, too. We got a Fiat Punto from Friday AM to Monday AM for less than £45.

On my return I had a chat with Gary, and he offered to change the prop as a final solution to the noise problem. Luckily, he had one of the same size on the shelf. He was able to fit us in on the dry dock early today, so at 07:00 this morning we were turning into the mooring basin.

We tried to reverse in to the dock, but Seyella sits pretty deeply and she wouldn’t go over the outer lifting beam. So we turned around and ran in bow first. Unfortunately this meant that Gary and Lee were working from the dinghy as that particular dock is only 50’ long. (The other is longer, but a paint job was in there).

Old Prop still in place.

However, an hour later we were afloat again, with the new prop fitted.

Shiny new Prop.
The moment of truth came as we backed out of the covered dock and turned towards the entrance. We were all keyed up with anticipation as the revs were steadily increased. 700 rpm, just the exhaust note, 750, still the same, 800, just a little mechanical noise, 850 rpm, and the exhaust note drowned out any shaft noises. The new prop had solved the problem!

Manoeuvring around to get on the diesel dock for water and loo emptying, and I discovered that the singing now occurs at 850 rpm in reverse. As I explained to Gary, we spend most of our time going forward, so I can live with that!!

It was a joy to cruise back to the flashes at 800 rpm with just the thrum of the exhaust, and no irritating propeller noise. What a relief to finally fix what has been a long drawn out problem.

I’ve got to say that Orchard have been very helpful, fitting us in at short notice for the blacking, and now the prop change. Thanks, guys.

Off to Middlewich tomorrow, to catch up with Carol.

Locks 0, miles 4.

New Paint, Disappointing Prop.

It’s been a mixed week of weather, some hot days, some cool days and the odd shower thrown in for good measure.

Carol continued removing all the paint from the gunwhales on Corbiere. A long job, but getting it back to bare metal means that she will get a far better job in the end. I couldn’t do much to help, so decided to do my own bit of painting.

On Seyella, the panel between the gunwhale and the first rubbing strake is painted gloss black. Unfortunately it tends to get scraped in locks or on moorings, and was looking quite shabby after the winter. So I set to, sanding and priming, and got both sides done with 1 coat of gloss by Thursday. I’ll flat it and put a second coat on in a week or so.

Work in Progress....
One Coat of Gloss
We went back to Orchard Marina on Friday, to get into the dry dock for bottom blacking. Gary was ready for us, so we were straight in. I went into Northwich to pick up a hire car while Lee set about pressure washing the hull, then when I got back we dressed the prop to try to eradicate the annoying “singing” problem.

We left the boat with them and went up into Manchester to spend the night with Mag’s sister, did a bit of shopping and got back to Northwich this afternoon. The blacking was finished, so we set off back to the flashes after emptying the loos and filling with water.
This was the moment of truth for the prop. I gently opened the throttle into the noisy range and…… it was still there!!!

The chamfering of the edge of the blades has made no difference at all. I must confess to being a tad disappointed. I was convinced that it would be cured, or at least quietened a bit. Ah well, at least we’ve got a nice shiny black bottom.

Pity we had to moor in the undergrowth....
It was very busy, we had trouble finding somewhere to moor, but squeezed in. Everyone seems to be out on their boats this weekend.

The anglers are out in force too. One chap was dead chuffed to land this 27lb carp.

I’m after some assistance from you mobile internet users out there. I currently use a Vodaphone office card, plugged into the card slot on the laptop.
This has worked fine, but the contract is up in July and I’m looking for a cheaper option. Currently I get 250Mb for £30 a month and I know I can do much better, now there’s so much competition in this area. The new generation of USB dongle modems looks good, but I’m concerned about reception inside the boat. I’ve an aerial on the roof for the card (you can see the wire running from the card), which helps reception no end, but the dongles I’ve looked at don’t seem to have this facility. Are there any that do, or are there any other options? (other than sitting outside, of course!). All advice gratefully accepted.

Locks 0, miles 2

Mixed Weather and down to the Flashes.

Well, the forecast was right for yesterday. We had a bright start which deteriorated rapidly into rain, then cleared again for the evening.

I wish the weather would sort itself out, I had to light the fire again!
We didn’t move, but I took Meg for a walk back to Anderton to meet the girls coming back up the lift.

Corbiere exiting the Anderton Lift.
I’ve been doing some research, and have come to the conclusion, supported by someone technical at Crowther Propellers, that my noisy driveshaft is in fact a “singing prop”. No, not like Frank Sinatra, more like fingernails on a blackboard. The phenomena occurs when the water leaving the trailing edge of the prop blade curls back on itself, causing a vortex and producing a vibration in the water. It is impossible to predict; of 2 identical props one may “sing”, and the other not. The cure, apparently, is to grind the edge of the blade so that instead of being a half round in profile, it is more of a chisel edge. This allows the water to exit the blade cleanly, avoiding the turbulence. It is supposed to be 90% effective.
Obviously, this is a job to do out of the water, so I’ve been in touch with Gary at Orchard Marina, and booked Seyella in for bottom blacking on Friday. While she’s dry, we’ll dress the propeller. If the change of profile doesn’t work, at least it’ll have been worthwhile, with fresh paint on the hull.

We moved on from Marbury today, when Carol caught up. Through Wincham and Rudheath, past Orchard and finished up at Billinge Green Flash, one of our favourite spots on the canal. Quite a few other people think so too, there were half a dozen other boats here when we arrived, and a couple more have turned up since.

Moored at the Flash
There are plenty of youngsters around at the moment, near Broken Cross there are 5 moorhen chicks, the biggest brood I’ve seen.

They were scattered across the canal, so I only a picture of one.

The swans were much more co-operative….
Carol has taken advantage of the dry evening to strip a bit more paint from poor old Corbiere, this time at gunwhale level.

In fact it’s been a good weather day, warm with hazy sunshine.

Locks 0, miles 4½.