tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57809259055801015492024-03-20T04:08:26.202-07:00Carole, Paul & Steve on the canalCarolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14101378020421254595noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780925905580101549.post-65504635742077113582013-06-08T09:09:00.003-07:002013-09-08T09:33:54.637-07:00Trip to WalesWales trip, Llangollen & Montgomery canals 2013<br />
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Here we are again: Carole, Paul, Steve & Freddie the dog, aboard Weston Lady; 2 years older but perhaps not wiser! <br />
We have recovered from our Yorkshire trip in 2011 and made some really good friends, who we are still in contact with.<br />
This year we are off to Wales; our plans were nearly scuppered as a lock near us on the Aylesbury Arm collapsed and was completely in passable! Aylesbury canal Society and Canal & river Trust (CRT )to the rescue! They planned and orchestrated The Great Escape! We were craned out, along with 24 other boats and taken on a low loader to Willowbridge marina near Leighton Buzzard. <br />
Once out though, we were awaiting the safe delivery of grandchild number 6! Everyone well and we have said fond farewells to both our children and grandchildren!!<br />
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Boating friends waved us off from Soulbury 3 locks on Sunday May 26, grasping supplies and a box of tricks for those certain emergencies!<br />
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We casted off on Monday 27 bathed in sunshine, spirits high! Arrived Woughton on the Green at lunch time. Washing done, lovely walks and finished off with a Bar B Q! Great day.<br />
6 miles 2 locks<br />
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<strong>Tues 28th</strong> <strong>Day 2</strong><br />
Good job we had sunshine yesterday......rain, rain and more rain! Cruised to Wolverton; visited Tesco, did some much needed hoovering! Men steered....soaked, arrived Cosgrove 4pm, not happy bunnies!!<br />
<em>8 miles (</em><strong>14 miles) (2 locks)</strong><br />
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<strong>Wed 29 Day 3</strong><br />
We all love Cosgrove; tried to make the best of the rain!<br />
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<strong>Thurs 30th D<em>ay 4</em></strong><br />
Left Cosgrove 10.45, dry, Captain Carole steered! Arrived Stoke Bruerne 14.30<br />
<em>7 miles <strong>(21 miles) </strong>6 locks <strong>(8 locks)</strong></em><br />
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<strong>Fri 31st -June 2nd <em> </em>Day 5,6 & 7</strong><br />
Dry day & set off for Stoke Bruerne, at 9am entered Blissworth tunnel during passage passed 3 boats, exited 10.30. After passing Gayton junct. & Bugbrooke we went under Elliots Bridge!. Beautiful scenery, we moored at Weedon, meeting up with old friend called Malcolm! Had fantastic weekend; weather great! washed boat roof, windows & did the brass! Lovely walks & Bbq in evening.<br />
10 miles (<strong>31 miles)</strong> 2 locks <strong>(8 locks) </strong>1 tunnel<br />
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<strong>Mon 3rd Day 8</strong><br />
We left Weedon early in sunshine, each taking turns to steer & doing Buckby locks. Steve took us through Braunston tunnel & Braunston flight. We met a friendly Wyvern hire boat couple; Paul to the rescue at a tricky lock! We left <em>the Grand Union</em> at Braunston turn, after a visit to Midland Chandlery, and joined <em>the Oxford south canal</em>; very pretty and moored up 4pm.<br />
10 miles <strong>(41 miles) </strong>13 locks <strong>(21 locks) </strong>1 tunnel <strong>(2 tunnels)</strong><br />
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<strong>Tues 4th-5th Days 9 & 10</strong><br />
Very warm again & nothing but rolling hills, farms & wild flowers! We turned back onto <em>Grand Union canal</em> at <em>Napton junction</em>; all the locks are now 'sentry type' hydraulic paddles, we have not seen these before; interesting! We did <em>Calcutt & Stockton locks</em>, Freddie became confused; boat or tow path? She settled for a swim! We now have a new sink fitted! But that's another story......! Continue to Leamington Spa & Tesco! All very tired! Then we had some unexpected visitors....!<br />
16 miles <strong>(57miles)</strong> 23 locks <strong>(36 locks)</strong> <strong>(2 tunnels)</strong><br />
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<strong>Thurs 6th Day 11</strong><br />
Set off 9am for <em>Hatton flight!23 locks in total</em>, it took us 4hrs! Views are spectacular! sunny & warm, we continued through <em>Shrewley tunnel</em> & moored up in a beautiful spot by an embankment: fantastic!<br />
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<strong>Fri 7th Day 12</strong><br />
Left our beautiful spot amid warm sunshine, cruised to <em>Kingswood junction </em>to join the<em> Stratford canal </em>at <em>Lapworth link,</em> grounded the boat then immediately faced 19 <em>Lapworth locks!</em> But so beautiful & quaint, absolutely delightful. One hire boat family had a disaster; they dropped a windal into the lock and then could not shut the gate! Everyone helped with poles, hooks etc and soon we were on our way but they were minus a windal! We filled with diesel then moored at Hockley Heath for the weekend; I think we deserve a rest!<br />
5 miles <strong>(68 miles) </strong>20 locks <strong>(87 locks)</strong> 2lift gates <strong>(3 tunnels)</strong><br />
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<strong>Mon 10 Day 14</strong><br />
Had a restful weekend at <em>Hockley Heath, </em>ate out, weather fair. Headed for <em>Birmingham </em>today; visited a local 'yummy' bread shop near bridge 20; will visit again on our return! Cruised to <em>Kings Norton Junction & </em>joined<em> Worcester & Birmingham canal,</em> passing under a last open guillotine lock. Stopped at <em>Bournville </em>in hope of a visit to Cadburys but we were too late, will definately arrange it for our return.. Moored at <em>Gas Street Basin, Birmingham</em> about 4pm. Exciting & interesting here, a lot of canal history.<br />
15 miles <strong>(83 miles) (87 locks) (3 tunnels)</strong><br />
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<strong>Tues 11 Day 15</strong><br />
We leave <em>Birmingham </em>on <em>BCN Mainline </em>headed for <em>Wolverhampton</em> in the rain! The area is very built up but also derelict in places. Lots of 'loops' & wharfs from bygone industry. Arrived at top of <em>Wolverton 21 lock flight</em> about 3pm.<br />
13 miles <strong>(96 miles) </strong>3 locks <strong>(90 locks) (3 tunnels)</strong><br />
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<strong></strong><br />
<strong>Wed 12 Day 16</strong><br />
Left early, 8 am to start the descent of <em>Wolverhampton 21 locks </em>down to <em>Aldersley.</em> Slow going, single locks, with a chap single handed in front! Finished 12.30 and turned quickly onto <em>Staffs & Worcs canal </em>and then almost immediately onto the <em>Shropshire at Autherely junction.</em> The <em>Shroppie </em>holds some surprises for us: one village & lock was bombed in WW11 and a 'rookie' RAF chap lost his life by crashing into a hill. Further on there is a Nuclear bunker!Tight turn, used the services, & visited Morrisons! Continued to recomended moorings at <em>Brewood</em>, then the rain started! Canal narrow in places, overgrown & wild. We were very tired when we moored up 4.30pm!<br />
8 miles <strong>(104 miles) </strong>22 locks <strong>(112 locks) (3 tunnels)</strong><br />
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<strong></strong><br />
<strong>Thurs 13 Day 17</strong><br />
Left late at 11am. still bit tired! Some sun. some heavy rain! More open countryside. less depressing than all the overhung trees. Very heavy rain again. Moored <em>Norbury Junc, </em>at 3.30pm much nicer!<br />
11 miles <strong>(115 miles) </strong>1 lock<strong> (113 locks) </strong>1 tunnel <strong>(4 tunnels)</strong><br />
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Decided to stay at <em>Norbury Junc</em> for the weekend, wanted a nice pub and somewhere to eat for our 38th wedding anniversary on Fri 14th! Had a good weekend but an unwelcomed surprise: doing some general maintenence & inspection under back deck revealed a dangerously perished alternator cable. Guess how Father's Day was spent! Luckily we were moored right opposite the boat yard!<br />
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<strong>Mon 17 Day 21</strong><br />
After an eventful weekend we left at 8am heading for <em>Market Drayton.</em> Drizzly day through cuttings, we passed Knighton where an old <em>Cadbury</em> wharf was! <em>Goldstone</em> had really lovely moorings and through <em>Woodseaves</em> the cut was so deep/pure rock face and there was a really high bridge. <em>Tyrley 5 locks</em> were really pretty and we moored up after aqueduct near to <em>Market Drayton</em> at lunch time. we had a mooch around the town.<br />
10 miles <strong> ( 112 miles) </strong>5 locks <strong>(118 locks) (4 tunnels)</strong><br />
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<strong></strong><br />
<strong>Tues 18 Day 22</strong><br />
Left <em>Market Drayton</em> through <em>Adderley 5 locks</em> really pretty then before we know it<em> Audlem 15 locks!</em> Such pretty countryside, we saw an eel in one lock!, families of Canadian geese & swans! At some of the locks there were stalls selling home grown produce etc; really picturesque, of course the weather helps, it's really hot! We moored up almost immediately after the locks at <em>Audlem </em>and had a mooch!<br />
7 miles <strong>(119 miles) </strong>15 locks <strong>(133 locks) (4 tunnels)</strong><br />
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<strong></strong><br />
<strong>Wed 19 Day 23</strong><br />
Had lie in & left late! Warm & sunny again enjoying our trip until a speed freak tried to over take us; he was very close behind & in the end went off & annoyed other boaters. What is the point?! Went through <em>Hack Green 2 locks</em> where there is apparently a secret Nuclear bunker! Green & pleasant fields & cattle all around! Moored at <em>Nantwich </em>11am after short cruise will explore the town & shops for supplies! Very hot again!<br />
5.5 miles<strong> (124 miles) </strong>2 locks <strong>(135 locks) (4 tunnels)</strong><br />
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<strong>Thurs 20 Day 24</strong><br />
Set off early 7am to services and to beat the rush at <em>Harleston locks </em>where we join the <em>Llangollen </em>and immediately 4 locks! It's raining, but very pretty and a couple of flights of locks. We had just navigated <em>Baddiley</em> locks and thinking perhaps the rain was stopping when disaster struck! We saw <em>steam</em> coming from the airing cupboard and at the same time I called out that there was no water in the taps! You guessed, split hot water tank and the water was collecting at the bottom of the boat under our floor! Don't panic! We stopped and assessed the situation: priority is to turn off water and stay cool! Tool box out: isolate engine, disconnect this & that and feel grateful we are only 2 miles from a boat yard at <em>Wrenbury!</em> Tired, hungry & dirty with no water on board: lovely! We stayed put overnight after contacting boat yard and organised to meet them and order bits tomorrow......we didn't talk cost at this point...! but decided to get said tank out of it's hole!<br />
6 miles <strong>(131 miles) </strong>9 locks <strong>(144 locks) (4 tunnels)</strong><br />
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<strong>Fri 21st Day 25</strong><br />
Left early to get to <em>Wrenbury</em> boat yard: everyone so helpful and kind. Think we can get all the bits we need; but of course tank different so need different connectors, pipes etc and so it went on!<br />
We were going to stop over the weekend but we had planned to rest and look around, not be working, changing tanks stuck in holes! To help us cope Jason, Gabbi, Santi and valentina came to visit and cheer us up! It was a good weekend!! The weather was fine but quite windy and we did get hit by a hire boat in charge of a German tourist!!!<br />
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<strong>Mon 24th Day 28</strong><br />
Tank sorted but we are not: washing machine & drawers out & in a pickle: checking for leaks! Less windy and we set off through beautiful countryside towards <em>Grindley locks</em>, 3 in a staircase then 3 ordinary ones. A hire boat pulls out without looking and hits us broad side....wait a minute, it's only the same guy from the weekend! We meet some canoeists trying white water rafting down the bywashes! Not too clever! There is a queue at <em>Grindley</em>, but we are met by a friendly lock keeper....not! Nevertheless we spent a nice evening there.<br />
7 miles <strong>(138 miles)</strong> 10 locks <strong>(154 locks) (4 tunnels)</strong><br />
<strong><em></em></strong><br />
<strong>Tues 25th Day 29</strong><br />
Set of amid glorious sunshine & continue on <em>Llangollen </em>pass <em>Whitchurch </em>& a place called <em>Chemistry! </em>Beautiful scenery all the way to <em>Ellesmere, </em>we passed peat digging areas and 'mere's' which are lakes formed by the ice age and now a wild life haven; beautiful! We had to go through 'Miss Each bridge' which we did not miss! On to <em>Ellesmere tunnel</em>, not very long but has a dangerous current! We moored close to <em>Ellesmere basin : </em>fantastic quaint/one off shops as well as Tesco! We also found great walk round a Mere; lovely place, will come here on the way back!<br />
13 miles <strong>(144 miles)</strong> <strong>(154 locks)</strong> 1 tunnel <strong>(5 tunnels)</strong><br />
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<strong></strong><br />
<strong>Wed 26 - Thurs 27 Day 30/31</strong><br />
Continue in good weather pass <em>Frankton junc</em> for the <em>Montgomery canal</em>, beautiful scenery continues! Pass <em>New Morton locks</em> where a lady spoke to us who knew ACS! Set off next day feeling a bit tired, doesn't look far to our destination now. Narrow, twisty lengths of the <em>Llangollen</em> leads us to <em>Chirk aqueduct </em>which has a train viaduct as a backdrop; very splendid and a taster of what was to come! Once over <em>Chirk aqueduct </em>we face <em>Chirk tunnel,</em> which again has a strong current from <em>Horseshoe falls.</em> At exit of the tunnel we just missed CRT who were busy clearing a fallen tree from our path! Suddenly we are upon <em>Whitehouse tunnel </em>and bridge 27 where we almost have a head on with a Trip boat (some of them do think they own their bit of the canal!) We moored up in the rain and then walked over the legendary <em>Pontcysyllte Acqueduct: Wow<strong>!! </strong>Incredible! Awesome!!</em><br />
13 miles <strong>(157 miles)</strong> 2 locks <strong>(156 locks) </strong>1 aqueduct <strong>(1 acqeduct) </strong>2 tunnels <strong>(7 tunnels)</strong><br />
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<strong>Fri 28 & Sat 29 Day 32/33</strong><br />
Cooked breakfast to set us up! Through <em>Froncysyllte</em> and lift bridge and suddenly we are approaching <em>Pontcysyllte aqueduct</em>, how majestic 7 breathe taking! Hold onto your hats, here we go! We are so high, almost in the sky! Great views, but oh so narrow! lets get over quick but want to cherish the moment! We moor in <em>Trevor!</em> Jason & crew are coming to walk the acqueduct & have a ride on the boat tomorrow! We all have a great time, the kids loved the ride & we moore a bit under the bridge.<br />
1.5 miles <strong>(159 miles) (156 locks) </strong>1 aqueduct <strong>(2 aqueducts) (7 tunnels)</strong><br />
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<strong>Mon 1st July Day 35</strong><br />
We leave 8.45 to run the gauntlet down the final, narrow 4 miles of <em>Llangollen</em> to our destination at the basin. Scenery idyllic, very, very narrow with couple of passing places. Paul is on foot as look out for oncoming boats! We got to L<em>langollen Basin </em>and moored by 11.30. We have made it!!<br />
We explored all afternoon, saw a horse pulled boat, the legendary Horseshoe falls, the Marquee's being put up for world famous Eisteddfod music concert. On Tues we went on Llangollen Steam train to round off our stay here, as we alighted from the train we bumped into friends from ACS!!! We have to leave by 5pm Wed so will have a quiet day. We need to look at the map & replan our route as we have found out <em>Wolverton flight </em>is closed because of lock wall collapse! Sound familiar??!! We have also heard that <em>Aylesbury Arm</em> may not be open until Oct so we may end our trip as we started; by being lifted out & back in!!!!!<br />
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<strong>Wed July 3 Day 37</strong><br />
Drizzly, cold day; slow cooker on and off we set 3pm, not quite our return journey yet as we are going down the <em>Montgomery, </em>all booked in for Friday 12 midday. We experience all the narrow bits, shallow bits, racing hire boats etc! Back over the <em>Pontcysyllte aquaduct </em>& moore up just pass it. Thurs better weather for cruising to <em>St Morton Mount locks where we moored up for the evening.</em>Friday we set off early in glorious sunshine for the <em>Montgomery.</em> We are met at <em>Frankton junction staircase flight</em> by friendly lock keeper to help prevent any disasters! We moore up in good spot, but bit near the road. Scenery stunning; brilliant. We are finishing our evening meal and a small group appear with a canoe & proceed to have a quick paddle. Everybody gets out & then it appears there is a problem. The man has dropped his car/van keys in the canal! We spring into action with help checking grass banks, sea magnets for dredging & eventually a phone to call out a recovery man!!<br />
3 hours & several cups of tea & counselling later the chap turns up! Another hour later they were eventually able to retrieve the spare keys from the van. We waved them off just in time to have cocoa & bed!! In the morning we were enjoying a lie in when we became aware of splashing, shouting & a lot of hilarity. A sharp knock on the boat brought us to our senses; we were being surrounded by people in canoes who were going to play water polo & we were right in the middle of their 'pitch' with nets hung across the canal with pulley ropes! The chap asked us politely if we could move the boat a few feet, we obliged & settled down to some free entertainment! We went upto services just before <em>Frankton staircase </em>ready for Monday; idyllic, my little corner of heaven!<br />
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<strong>(256 miles) (158 locks) (4 aquaducts) (9 tunnels)</strong><br />
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<strong>Mon July 8 Day 42</strong><br />
Extremely hot again as we take short cruise to <em>Ellesmere.</em>We spend 3 dys here to explore the Mere's (lakes), activities, picnics, the town (delicatessen & bakery!) & launderette (mammoth wash!)<br />
3.5 miles<strong> (259 miles) (158 locks) (4 aqua) (9 tunnels)</strong><br />
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<strong>Thurs July 11 Day 45 _Sun 14th Day 48</strong><br />
Set off early before it's too hot heading for <em>Grindley locks</em>, we actually do meet the friendly lock keeper this time! We take short walk up <em>Whitchurch arm</em>. We navigate <em>Grindley locks</em> and continue to <em>Wrenbury; </em>memories of changing the burst hot water tank!! Spent the weekend here; lovely village but a few odd characters! Scarecrow weekend! We cleaned the brass too!<br />
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18 miles <strong>(274 miles) </strong>10 locks <strong>(168 locks) ( 4 aqua) </strong>1 tunnel <strong>(10 tunnels)</strong><br />
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<strong>Mon July 15 - Fri July 19 Day 49-53</strong><br />
Left <em>Wrenbury </em>really early to beat traffic. Hot & sunny but still busy through <em>Baddiley, Swanley & Hurleston locks.</em> Sadly we leave the <em>Llangollen canal </em>& join <em>Shropshire canal </em>again but stay nearby for few days. Wednesday we leave & go through <em>Nantwich </em>to <em>Hack Green locks;</em> I thought it would be good to visit the nearby de-commissioned <em>Secret Nuclear Bunker: </em>big mistake! Very realistic with some original equipment/documentation/security films, I found it very chilling & uncomfortable. To cheer up we continued to <em>Audlem locks </em>& village & moored up for few days ready to do the flight of 15 locks on Thursday at 7am to beat traffic & heat!! Friday we went through <em>Adderley locks </em>& continued to <em>Market Drayton</em> for the weekend.<br />
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17 miles <strong>(291 miles) </strong>26 locks <strong>(194 locks) </strong>1 aqua <strong>(5aqua) (10 tunnels)</strong><br />
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<strong>Mon July 22 Day 54 - Sun July 28 Day 59</strong><br />
Left Market Drayton to do <em>Tyreley locks,</em> misty, murky morning, all going well until we met a working boat who said one of the lock paddles broken & waiting for CRT! Minimal delay & team in wet suits turned up! Through <em>Woodseaves </em>cutting & moored at <em>Goldstone:</em> very pretty. Onto <em>Norbury junction</em> for a good rest!<br />
11 miles <strong>(304 miles) </strong>5 locks <strong>(200 locks) (5 acqua) (10 tunnels)</strong><br />
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<strong>Mon July 29 - Sun Aug 11th Day 60-74</strong><br />
Leave <em>Norbury</em> much rejuvinated, navigate a fallen tree in the cut & stay at <em>Gnosall</em> for couple of days; lovely village with good amenities & services. Thursday Aug 1st we leave for <em>Wheaton Aston</em>, lovely weather again. Grass cutters! Found a Spar shop; very hot & their fridges a bit suspect: chicken smelt off!!! Nevertheless pretty village! Tues we continued onto <em>Autherley junc</em>, this marks the end of <em>Shropshire canal</em> and the time to decide our fate concerning <em>Wolverhamptonflight!! </em>After much discussion & to stop crew descending into mutiny we head to <em>Great Haywood </em>via <em>Staffs & Worcs North </em>instead of going my chosen route: <em>Staffs & Worcs South</em> & rejoining <em>Birmingham Main line </em>via <em>Netherton tunnel. </em>I'm not upset! I just wanted to go home different route; I don't mind missing <em>Bournville </em>& lovely bakers/deli at <em>Hockley Heath!!</em> In fact it will/should be easier; less locks & <em>Shugborough</em> is beautiful! We navigate fallen trees, narrow windy bits, pass chemical plant & encounter terrible gnats & awful bites!! On Thurs we cruised to <em>Penkridge,</em>a delightful village & explored town, fishing shop & local bakers! The lock (10 3/4, Harry Potter!) gave a really weird illusion! We stay there several days, & decided to arrive at <em>Shugborough</em> on Sunday, this is where I bought my cabin crotchet! We arrived amid busy classic car weekend; the men where in their element, me & Freddie explored the R. Trent walks & views then finished it off with canalside cafe cream tea!<br />
30 miles <strong>(334 miles) </strong>8 locks <strong>(208 locks) (5 aqua) (10 tunnels)</strong><br />
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<strong>Mon 12 Aug -Fri 16 Day 75-79</strong><br />
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We left <em>Great Haywood</em> really early & I did a lot of the steering, I haven't lost my touch! lovely scenery & onto <em>Armitage (famous for toilets!)</em><em> & its tunnel</em>, the one with no roof now! I tried a bit of rock face climbing! I took us through the tunnel on Tues & we continued to <em>Fradley junc </em>to join the <em>Coventry canal.</em>We had such a surprise when we met friends, Annie & Ray, from <em>Cowroast!</em> We found a lovely, pretty nature reservs at <em>Fradley</em> in the evening. Wed we started off early to <em>Hopwas,</em>joining the <em>Birmingham & Fazeley canal </em>briefly, through the wooded <em>disused MOD firing range.......</em>! Managed to catch up with some washing.On Thurs we arrived <em>Fazeley junc </em>for services & shopping then joined<em> Coventry canal.</em>heading through <em>Glascote locks</em>, waved at Tamora ( Ian & Maureen) in Hudson's Marina & moored further on near Alvecote & <em>Samuel Barlows! </em>Will spend few days here resting, walking & re visiting old coal mine/faces. On our way up <em>Atherstone flight</em> we had 2 memorable incidents: our first experience of <u>canal rage, </u>shameful they were old enough to know better; secondly we saw <strong>Phyllis May 11 </strong>and <strong>Terry Darlington </strong>from '<u>Narrow Dog to Carcassone</u>' fame!!!<br />
27 1/2 miles <strong>(372 miles) </strong>4 locks <strong>(221 locks) (5 aqua) </strong>1 tunnel <strong>(11 tunnel)</strong><br />
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<strong>Sun 18 Aug - Fri 23 Aug Day 81- 85</strong><br />
An early start again, worth it really!, onto Springwood Haven to get topped up with diesel, cratch cover elastics, stove paint etc! Monday we cruised pass <em>Nuneaton,</em> munching our bacon rolls and arrived <em>Hawkesbury Junc </em>amid sunshine again; we are so lucky with the weather. We passed <em>Bedworth, </em>where we saw some amusing village people & a moving obstacle! Another friend, <em>Independence,</em> from <em>Cowroast</em> cruised pass & we have seen lots of enthusiastic CRT volunteers! We moored up in the afternoon at <em>Weedon</em> on Thurs and started really early Fri to get through <em>Blissworth tunnel </em>& go through 2 <em>Stoke Bruerne</em> locks. Many new CRT signs in evidence; £25 fine for overstay at 2 & 7 day mooring zones!<br />
58 miles <strong>(430 miles) </strong>29 locks <strong>(237 locks) (7 aqua) </strong>1 tunnel <strong>(14 tunnels)</strong><br />
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<strong></strong><br />
<strong>Sun Aug 25 - Sat Aug 31 Day 87-93</strong><br />
We had to leave our 48hr mooring zone and move to the bottom of <em>Stoke Bruerne</em> to another zone! Lovely area for walks: Paul, me & Freddie went through a few fields & got trapped by some marauding, nosey young bullocks! We ended up hiding behind fences & hedges & making a quick escape when the coast was clear! Marji & Steve came to visit & have lunch at nearby pub; great tosee them both. Tues we had to move onto <em>Cosgrove;</em> a real favourite of ours! We went & enquired about caravans!!! We had a lovely surprise, (cooked up by Steve & Lindsey) when Summayyah & Lindsey turned up bearing home grown & homemade rhubarb crumble! Delicious!! We haven't seen them for almost 4 mths: lots to chat about! We left on Thurs, after cleaning up a leaking paint pot in gas locker!, & cruised over Ouse aqueduct, onto Tesco at <em>Wolverton</em> but decided to carry onto <em>Linford Park at Milton Keynes.</em>Great moorings for Freddie. Friday we continues to <em>Woughton on the Green,</em>another favourite! More blackberries & apples for pies/crumbles! Sat we passed <em>Fenny Stratford</em> and onto <em>Willowbridge marina: </em>our final destination, for now. The lock at <em>Redhouse</em> is not repaired yet, so we have to wait to be lifted out, transported to the new <em>Circus Basin at Aylesbury </em>& put back in so we can make our way back to <em>Redhouse, </em><strong>but</strong>, another lock needs repairs so we still cannot get home..........! Nevermind, we will enjoy catching up with old friends at Aylesbury!<br />
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<br />
20 miles 7 locks 1 aquaduct<br />
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Anyway, the Welsh trip is over; it's been great , with a few interesting moments!! The grand totals are:<br />
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<strong>450 miles 245 locks 8 aquaducts 12 tunnels!!</strong> <br />
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<br />Carolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14101378020421254595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780925905580101549.post-61037658695553306232011-08-12T07:27:00.000-07:002011-10-26T08:17:11.744-07:00Journey to Yorkshire begins! Destination: Sowerby BridgeWell, the day is finally here when we start our long awaited journey to Yorkshire. The boat, Weston Lady, has had touch up painting, washed & brass polished in readiness. The crew, Paul, Carole, Steve & not forgetting Freddie, the almost human, Jack Russell, have had similar preparations!! <br />
Fond farewells to family and friends completed we set off from Aston Clinton at 10.30 bathed in warm sunshine. Paul and Steve share the steering and we all help with locks.<br />
At Puttenham Lock 11 up <em>Aylesbury arm</em> we come across a jammed paddle and lock gate; in our efforts to free this we managed to break the boat hook pole!! Everything had been going so well too!....British Waterways appeared and we left them to sort the lock and paddle. The next lock we catch sight of an elusive and notorious mink, a quick flash of a cute black creature!<br />
Our travels continued and we reached Marsworth, heading north on the <em>Grand Union</em> we cruised to Ivinghoe, just through the swing bridge near Pitstone. We moored up about 18.00, ( but we did have a long break for lunch) deciding to have a Bar-b-q as it is a beautiful evening.<br />
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Travelled 5 miles, 15 locks, 1 swing bridge.<br />
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<u>Mon 8th Aug</u><br />
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We spent a lazy weekend and didn't really move.<br />
However, today we set off determined to make some time up! Continuing north along the <em>Grand Union</em> we stopped at Tesco, Leighton Buzzard to pick up a few supplies. We noticed a cow had strayed onto the tow path! luckily some locals had reported this to a nearby farm. The day was going well, regardless of the many Wyvern boats we met!, so carried on and got through Soulbury and it's 3 locks. Moored up at 21.15, it had been a long day, but worth it.<br />
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Travelled 8 miles, <span style="color: blue;">(13miles),</span>8 locks<span style="color: blue;"> (23 locks) </span><span style="color: black;">1 swing bridge</span><br />
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<u>Tues 9th Aug</u><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQbYHIF4eGh2Ac7r_zp0YCfaySbyndw__T3D4FSYKe1FGGp80RHMBn1IfmQMLWpNapOU2PVBhtkCkLwnP_y1cPeZMLPOLaIneJJaHk2eIuY1yYmkGa-uynJc_PBN-3jvFqxH8wjqMKtLQ/s1600/new+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQbYHIF4eGh2Ac7r_zp0YCfaySbyndw__T3D4FSYKe1FGGp80RHMBn1IfmQMLWpNapOU2PVBhtkCkLwnP_y1cPeZMLPOLaIneJJaHk2eIuY1yYmkGa-uynJc_PBN-3jvFqxH8wjqMKtLQ/s320/new+017.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Woke to sunny day, took off at 09.00 and cruised with a Dutch family through Fenny Stratford. Planned to stop for lunch at Woughton on the Green, a favourite place of ours and Freddie loves the walks too! Had a drink in Ye Old Swan then relaxed. Early dinner at 17.00 and because the evening was warm and sunny cruised on to Great Linford (Milton Keynes) a beautiful spot, near bridge 76, just in time to hear church bells ringing....practice evening....lovely! Moored 20.00.<br />
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Travelled 12miles <span style="color: blue;">(25miles) </span><span style="color: black;">2 locks </span><span style="color: blue;">(25 locks) </span><span style="color: black;">1 swing bridge</span><br />
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<u>Wed 10th Aug</u><br />
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Left Linford at 09.00 amid sunshine and strong winds! Nearly had a head on with a chap who had moored just the other side of a bridge and decided to pop out whilst we coming through! He already had 1 broken leg....!Passed through New Bradwell and glimsed the 19th century restored windmill just before crossing the acqueduct leading into Wolverton. Collected more supplies from Tesco and had trouble casting off due to strong winds...had a couple of near misses with fellow boaters! <br />
Continuing northwards we navigated the Great Ouse aqueduct into Cosgrove and moored up about 11.00, time for a rest and recover from the wind. Had lunch, moved through the lock with difficulty as it was still windy, filled water tank and decided to call it a day. Had local fish & chips later...delicious!<br />
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Travelled 5 miles <span style="color: blue;">(30 miles)</span><span style="color: black;"> 1 lock </span><span style="color: blue;">(26 locks)</span><span style="color: black;"> 1 swing bridge 2 acqueduct</span><br />
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<u>Thurs 11 Aug</u><br />
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Left Cosgrove at 10.30 amid wind, rain and chaos at the lock! Wyverns galore.<br />
Showers continued along the way and arrived at Stoke Bruerne at 16.15, alas no where to moor! Very busy, had lunch at water point and topped up the tank whilst deciding what to do. Went through 5 locks and moored up for the night. Went to the pub, Steve had a bad day....but that's another story!!!<br />
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Travelled 7 1/4miles <span style="color: blue;">(37 1/4 miles) </span><span style="color: black;">5 locks </span><span style="color: blue;">(31 locks)</span><span style="color: black;"> 1 swing bridge 2 acqeducts</span><br />
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<u>Fri 12 Aug</u><br />
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We planned to start 06.30 today, seemed like a good idea at the time!! 2 locks left to do at Stoke Bruerne and then the Blissworth tunnel, before it got too busy, hopefully. This was managed without incident, Steve and Paul steered, we emerged into sunshine and stopped at Bugbrooke for breakfast. We continued through Nether Heyford and stopped just before Lower Weedon for lunch, and in fact for the day. Beautiful countryside round here. Time for a rest and to recover from the early start. The A5 & M1 are close by, also, of course, the railway.<br />
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Travelled 11 1/2 miles<span style="color: blue;"> (48 3/4 miles) </span><span style="color: black;">0 locks</span><span style="color: blue;">(31 locks)</span><span style="color: black;"> 1 tunnel 1 swing bridge 2 acqueducts</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinn5IA9rQOjIF5UH_WFrs-zLL4MIRcocupezW_flZCVrwmSRrSOeqN0QuK3XJRoKVCYVUrjMEwWKSyOmHwTVNQur7HRLzqN75-O0z6DUaor3wrbmk76AiOXeUi5S4uLvIEhovsF4w7lTM/s1600/new+030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinn5IA9rQOjIF5UH_WFrs-zLL4MIRcocupezW_flZCVrwmSRrSOeqN0QuK3XJRoKVCYVUrjMEwWKSyOmHwTVNQur7HRLzqN75-O0z6DUaor3wrbmk76AiOXeUi5S4uLvIEhovsF4w7lTM/s320/new+030.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><u>Mon Aug 15</u></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We spent a lovely quiet weekend, beautiful scenery, great walks and good weather, in fact we had bar-b-q! Met a nice guy called Malcolm whose travelling on his own and we exchanged a few tips, hope to see him again. We had a domino & card game evening and I was champion at dominoes!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We set off early, 7am, to tackle the Buckby flight; it was busy but we got through quite quickly. Found that canal side general store was closed. At the last 2 locks we met Roy & Annie on Panther and Mike on Independence, friends from Cowroast. What a joyful, allbeit brief, reunion on the bank!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We moored up just before Braunston tunnel at 11am for breakfast! warm day again so thought we would walk over the tunnel to see what moorings were like the other side. Good footpath and you couldn't miss the ventilation shafts! After late lunch and a rest we actually went through the tunnel at 5pm, emerged the other side at 5.45, no problems, Paul steered but ended up with a stiff neck. We noticed water levels low most places.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXahQiZPidE9SLzwpMOSEBj2TJHUgrtnDYqoh1Eq0vZyUEsXMBN2Fr5pro4eGO6CtddEMmw9XowneOfG_bPfbhxC6UfZB7LDr-Hmx32H0PgvLHMpxmwh2BBF0t8XO1JZ8uAL2hUc-iv3M/s1600/trip11+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXahQiZPidE9SLzwpMOSEBj2TJHUgrtnDYqoh1Eq0vZyUEsXMBN2Fr5pro4eGO6CtddEMmw9XowneOfG_bPfbhxC6UfZB7LDr-Hmx32H0PgvLHMpxmwh2BBF0t8XO1JZ8uAL2hUc-iv3M/s320/trip11+014.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Travelled 10 miles <span style="color: blue;">(58 3/4 miles)</span><span style="color: black;"> 7 locks </span><span style="color: blue;">(38 locks) <span style="color: black;">1 tunnel</span> (2 tunnels) </span><span style="color: black;">1 swing bridge 2 acqueducts</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><u>Tues Aug 16th</u></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Paul still has stiff neck so Steve on tiller. Set off 10.15 to do Braunston 7 locks, again very busy, but with traffic up and down it actually worked really well. We rang BW to confirm there was passage through Hillmorton double locks, 1 of each pair was closed to help save water, and all should be OK.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We cruised past Braunston with a quick peek in the shop for me! Passed the Midland Chandlery and Grand Union / Oxford canal turn and headed onto <em>Oxford north canal</em>. Again very beautiful scenery, Freddie enjoyed a swim in canal too! Moored just after bridge 88</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Travelled 3 miles <span style="color: blue;">(61 3/4 miles)</span><span style="color: black;"> 7 locks </span><span style="color: blue;">( 45 locks) (2 tunnel)</span><span style="color: black;">1 swing bridge 2 acqueducts</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><u>Wed Aug 17th</u></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Moved at 10.30 with Steve at the helm. Still heading north to Hillmorton locks along <em>Oxford north</em>. Calves near the canal drinking....so cute! Very windy & lots of bends with overhanging trees makes navigation a bit tricky at times. The Hillmorton locks were fine, took a bit longer because they were single, and just before the last one there was a narrow boat company giving training to a couple of would be boaters....caused chaos but entertaining! A BW man decided to open one the last lock to help move traffic on. Stopped soon after for lunch and then realised we were so close to Rugby we would continue after eating. Moored near bridge 58 by park area at 3.15 ready for Tesco in the morning!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIZOMye0himTzcf9-3f-EFkkdECPYAMgfV6XXMGJ9CXWMrwN7vDfPUa3s64fdIXQecWSdRqqA1VwveS8Fgneu_Sl0zUKI1GBuNmPmIil17OSHTE-dSVNI3EvJpMnUsRqLEr_Oo005XSgM/s1600/trip11+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIZOMye0himTzcf9-3f-EFkkdECPYAMgfV6XXMGJ9CXWMrwN7vDfPUa3s64fdIXQecWSdRqqA1VwveS8Fgneu_Sl0zUKI1GBuNmPmIil17OSHTE-dSVNI3EvJpMnUsRqLEr_Oo005XSgM/s320/trip11+017.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Travelled 8 1/2 miles <span style="color: blue;">(70 1/4 miles) </span><span style="color: black;">3 locks </span><span style="color: blue;">(48 locks) (2 tunnels)</span><span style="color: black;"> 1 swing bridge 2 acqueducts</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><u>Thurs Aug 18th</u></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Left Rugby 11am after visit to Tesco! Raining heavily and the day went from bad to worse when Steve dropped his phone in the canal.....again!! Very stressed, even more so after getting very cold and wet. We went through Newbold tunnel, which had coloured lights to give a rainbow effect...only tunnel with lights & not very long.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We went under M6 & M69, much better than being on it! Hire boat came round a corner and passed us rather quickly and then proceeded to bump into a moored boat, the owner was not very impressed! The rain eventually stopped about 5pm when we moored up at Hawkesbury Junction and turned north west onto <em>Coventry canal</em> ready for the morning. The men were cold, wet, tired & dispirited; the only thing that had kept them going was the aroma from the stew in the slow cooker! Yummy!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The men needed to get out and de-brief at the local pub, Greyhound, and de stress themselves!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Travelled 12 3/4 miles <span style="color: blue;">(83 miles) </span><span style="color: black;">1 lock (</span><span style="color: blue;">49 locks) </span><span style="color: black;">1 tunnel </span><span style="color: blue;">(3 tunnels) </span><span style="color: black;">1swing bridge </span><span style="color: blue;">(2 swing bridges) </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: blue;">2 acqueducts</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><u>Fri Aug 19th</u></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Dawned warm and sunny, continued north-west on the <em>Coventry</em>, heading for Nuneaton and Athestone flight.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Beautiful scenery, met a hire boat stuck across the canal and gave them a friendly shove to get them on their way! Aired beds and did washing then sat in the sun.We filled up with diesel near Nuneaton and I checked out the shop!(Starline Boats) We were going under bridge 19 and we nearly lost the bike as Paul hit the roof! Onward to Atherstone, flight is single locks, very picturesque and I picked blackberries for dessert. Good local shop at bridge 41, moored up quickly...everyone tired! Had a rest, dinner then domino tornament continued, guess who won??!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Travelled 13 miles <span style="color: blue;">(96miles)</span><span style="color: black;"> 11 locks </span><span style="color: blue;">(60 locks) (3 tunnels) </span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: blue;">(</span><span style="color: blue;">2 swing bridges) (2 acqueducts)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;"><u>Sat Aug 20th</u></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Had a lie in today, set off 11am. Beautiful open countryside & rolling hills. Passesd something that put me in mind of 'The Prisoner'......! Saw a war memorial, obelisk and a fine country mansion with a cannon out front pointed directly at us!! We went under M42 and moored up just passed Alvecote Marina for lunch and rest of the day. Searched for a nature reserve but were unlucky, although we did find coal! Near the Marina we saw Dell boy's car in the car park!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSnV5yCaU5Zk2_GvXWNoefqQEbpLv5uZqK5a4QeZnahj8Dnv-y0TKY3QWK44twY59W7oCWjE81ecpF8oi2Zkir2_Nbv346LDcupO98iLU01xM3UfdrLqEcXxG1Dj47h4pkDitnWEnufTA/s1600/blogtrip+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSnV5yCaU5Zk2_GvXWNoefqQEbpLv5uZqK5a4QeZnahj8Dnv-y0TKY3QWK44twY59W7oCWjE81ecpF8oi2Zkir2_Nbv346LDcupO98iLU01xM3UfdrLqEcXxG1Dj47h4pkDitnWEnufTA/s320/blogtrip+007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVfDGBxFHEEkhn61F0q6fx3AsphRNcavbJiG-43nxVSBVGkrSLf5yTJosU-ClT5OSz1EnA6FHg6qF75weftT9dVkMFUTgKCBQ4OZB5RvCIjkgBE_2eLx2qCFd58lxbpxzxy95lMRMMScE/s1600/blogtrip+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVfDGBxFHEEkhn61F0q6fx3AsphRNcavbJiG-43nxVSBVGkrSLf5yTJosU-ClT5OSz1EnA6FHg6qF75weftT9dVkMFUTgKCBQ4OZB5RvCIjkgBE_2eLx2qCFd58lxbpxzxy95lMRMMScE/s320/blogtrip+011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Travelled 5 miles <span style="color: blue;">(101 miles) (60 locks) (3 tunnels) (2 swing bridges) (2 acqueducts)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><u><span style="color: black;">Sun Aug 21st</span></u></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Set off 11am amid sunshine & green hills.Soon approached Tamworth: busy & built up! Went to Tesco Xpress at bridge 76/77 near Fazeley junction. Joined the <em>Birmingham & Fazeley canal,</em> very narrow with lots of overhanging trees. Moored up 2.30 and Paul went to try put the local pubs, verdict: rubbish!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Travelled 6 miles (<span style="color: blue;">107 miles) </span><span style="color: black;">2 locks </span><span style="color: blue;">(62 locks) (3 tunnels) (2 swing bridges) </span><span style="color: black;"> 1 acqueduct </span><span style="color: blue;">(3 acqueducts)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><u><span style="color: black;">Mon Aug 22nd</span></u></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Early start and set off 9.30am, we are blessed with warm & sunny weather again. The canal went from <em>Birmingham/Fazeley back to Coventry</em>! Passed a MOD shooting range & a disused air field. came to Fradley Junc and turned ont <em>Trent & Mersey canal</em>! We met Peter (coal man) & saw someone who moors at Bourne End on the Thames. Moored 2.30 in lovely quiet spot.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Travelled 11 miles <span style="color: blue;">(118 miles) </span><span style="color: black;">3 locks </span><span style="color: blue;">(65 locks) (3 tunnels)</span><span style="color: black;">1 swing bridge </span><span style="color: blue;">(3 swing bridges) (3 acqueducts)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><u>Tues Aug 23rd </u></div><br />
Happy Birthday Gabbi! Early start again, continue north on <em>Trent & Mersey </em>through Handsacre & Armitage, which has a tunnel but no roof to it now. It was removed due to subsidence from mining nearby, although still very narrow and only 1 boat at a time can pass through it. Arrived at Rugely, convenient for Morrisons, not very pleasant area. After lunch continued pass Brindley bank acqueduct and through bridge 68, also known as Christina's bridge, which has famous 'bloody steps'. The full story will be told at a later date! Reached a beautiful spot, Cannock chase & Shugborough Hall, would love to stay here for a few days sometime, lovely walks & local history. Met a couple of older couples on boats who were having bit of trouble with hitting things.....!Had a short wait at lock 22 because BW had to come to do emergency repairs. Passed Haywood Junction and stopped just pass Hoo lock 23. Skyped Jason & Gabbi...,.lovely!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfCxTKquOpTcHQyxXLuJGM3og9aFCfTma7Y-f2Fr8FFYfzaLtZAQZGeIf4c1BUDN48-OOokmxCZB2zetfRknxX55lpsGZUmzJl_B0iCpDffALL80oZb92ONIeFsoNeRGPobAVyeZoFbBk/s1600/blogtrip+029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfCxTKquOpTcHQyxXLuJGM3og9aFCfTma7Y-f2Fr8FFYfzaLtZAQZGeIf4c1BUDN48-OOokmxCZB2zetfRknxX55lpsGZUmzJl_B0iCpDffALL80oZb92ONIeFsoNeRGPobAVyeZoFbBk/s320/blogtrip+029.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Travelled 12 miles <span style="color: blue;">(130 miles)</span><span style="color: black;"> 4 locks </span><span style="color: blue;">(69 locks) </span><span style="color: black;">1 tunnel </span><span style="color: blue;">(4 tunnels) (3 swing bridges) </span><span style="color: black;">1 acqueduct </span><span style="color: blue;">(4 acqueducts)</span><br />
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<u><span style="color: black;">Wed Aug 24th</span></u><br />
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Set off 9.30 north west to <em>Weston Lock 24! </em>& Weston upon Trent & Trent valley. We have had A51 near by for several days...very busy & noisy at times. Approached Stone, a most beautiful canal village with handy shops! There is a sculpture of 'Christina' at bridge 94. History notes that she paid to travel on a working barge many years ago, reported to canal company office that she was in fear of her safety from the men, who were often drunk, then her body was found in the canal and dragged out & up the steps at, previously mentioned, bridge 68!<br />
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Travelled 9miles <span style="color: blue;">(139 miles) </span><span style="color: black;">7 locks</span><span style="color: blue;"> (76 locks) (4 tunnels) (3 swing bridges) (4 acqueducts)</span><br />
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<u><span style="color: black;">Thurs Aug 25th</span></u><br />
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Awoke to cloudy day & boat hooting, looked out & saw friends Chris & Gill on Eulalie! just back from the Caldon. Later we passed Stoke City FC, through Stoke on Trent with many old canal side chimney furnaces. Saw original site of Josiah Wedgewood's factory, but completely missed Caldon canal turn and statue of James Brindley! (Found them when we took a walk!) Bit built up, but of course this is the centre of original canal industry & development.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju1k7kQn-5HotPoYuMqJEGSx2_bp7PnucQZt_osOYVOWbxBNb_-2IS-zLyhCwRAlpxKgVoD0rzmC3NuoL1rVygajD4heLeXl76PWVNUyuD1qe1r26Accqi_PYb-uteGdtU5hinJlQgPA4/s1600/blog2+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju1k7kQn-5HotPoYuMqJEGSx2_bp7PnucQZt_osOYVOWbxBNb_-2IS-zLyhCwRAlpxKgVoD0rzmC3NuoL1rVygajD4heLeXl76PWVNUyuD1qe1r26Accqi_PYb-uteGdtU5hinJlQgPA4/s320/blog2+005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Travelled 8 miles <span style="color: blue;">(147 miles) </span><span style="color: black;">9 locks </span><span style="color: blue;">(85 locks) (4 tunnels) (3 swing bridges) (4 acqueducts)</span><br />
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<u><span style="color: black;">Fri Aug 26th</span></u><br />
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Set off 10am amid sun & showers. Onward to Harecastle tunnel, someone in the pub at Stone had spun a tale to Paul about having to have BW man onboard through tunnel, take everything off roof & even remove side navigation lights....!!! Needless to say we did have a safety chat from Mr BW as it is only one way traffic, we did see a painted skeleton! it took us about 50 mins. On exit we turned onto the <em>Macclesfield canal, </em>over the <em>Trent &Mersey</em> via an acqueduct, both of which were very narrow & tight. Through 1 lock an moored at 2.30pm for the day, in fact for the weekend, as it is bank holiday.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTSMDFa31yZPd1ixI4IlbeqYz1iLmAwJJKWTtJxfuktANbRmzoNgZp66x598xLA6t3C2hdcrMRsgYAq2QCqFIuwgohb_XSbooXe-o1zMDaDDr7-Rw3mdXV6lXa-7v_RSxfRl3rNBgKDaM/s1600/blog2+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTSMDFa31yZPd1ixI4IlbeqYz1iLmAwJJKWTtJxfuktANbRmzoNgZp66x598xLA6t3C2hdcrMRsgYAq2QCqFIuwgohb_XSbooXe-o1zMDaDDr7-Rw3mdXV6lXa-7v_RSxfRl3rNBgKDaM/s320/blog2+021.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Travelled 6miles<span style="color: blue;"> (153 miles) </span><span style="color: black;">1 lock </span><span style="color: blue;">(86 locks) (4 tunnels) (3 swing bridges) (4 acqueducts)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong><u>Tues Aug 30th</u></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWOe_QZwW-9DoSXv0Hb1KaPWKohSAf-TsubU3KmAHox0kywIg0YNB3Y9-LVl5leqPsnx-fSHCMJAQ94slZ_JyDBFlz5qQiT-0VTzJUxTfYTDRhO3EmebDLlsKYZR8Lxa_pYDzQwGLR3kw/s1600/blog3+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWOe_QZwW-9DoSXv0Hb1KaPWKohSAf-TsubU3KmAHox0kywIg0YNB3Y9-LVl5leqPsnx-fSHCMJAQ94slZ_JyDBFlz5qQiT-0VTzJUxTfYTDRhO3EmebDLlsKYZR8Lxa_pYDzQwGLR3kw/s320/blog3+004.JPG" width="320" xaa="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Restful weekend, no travelingbut a few chores. Early start, damp, drizzly & cold! Open countryside, vast, desolate & beautiful. Looming fells known as The Cloud & it was certainly swathed in cloudy mist. The air feels fresher here, quiet & impressive. Quiet day not many boats again, went over River Dane acqueduct and finally approached the Bosley 12 locks, rising about 120ft in a mile! Took us about 2 hrs & was good fun mostly, one chap who 'had been boating a good number of years & knew what it was all about' decided to empty our lock & then complain because he had to wait whilst the boat in front of him went into the lock we had just exited! Moored up about 4.30 just past shower/laundry block.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Travelled 9 1/2 miles <span style="color: blue;">(165 1/2 miles)</span><span style="color: blue;"> </span><span style="color: black;">12 locks </span><span style="color: blue;">(98 locks) (4 tunnels) (3 swing bridges) </span><span style="color: black;">1 acqueduct </span><span style="color: blue;">(5 acqeducts)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong><u>Wed Aug 31st</u></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Set off 9.15 and weather warmer heading north west, hilly in disstance but becoming more industrialised. Through to swing bridges and arrived at Macclesfield, saw the old Hovis building! then went to Tesco!! at bridge 37. Continued towards Bollington passing an old silk mill & also the White Nancy which was erected in commemoration of Battle of Waterloo. Moored up at Higher Poynton, really picturesque & near services.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Travelled 11 miles <span style="color: blue;">(176 1/2 miles)</span><span style="color: black;"> (<span style="color: blue;">98 locks) 4 tunnels</span> 2 swing bridges </span><span style="color: blue;">(5 swing bridges) (5 acqueducts)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong><u>Thurs Sept 1</u></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Sunny start heading to Marple junction with rolling hills in distance. Arrived 11.00 have been told it takes 4hrs to complete flight of 16 locks! Junction is mixture of built up & country areas, really lovely & here we join <em>Peak Forest canal.</em> The locks were very old, stiff, difficult & 1 broken paddle! We met a family & obliged by giving the daughter a quick ride---made her day! Sadly we met no boats to help with the descent. After lock 13 there was under road bridge for horse and very small man!! Once flight finished we came almost immediately to Marple acqueduct, road bridge & rail bridge....truly awesome! then saw 1st boat of the day. Continued after lunch through 3 tunnels, 1 without a roof! Went under M67 to emerge into more built up, dreary & neglected looking canal, stopped just after Lift bridge 1 at about 5.45pm ready for Portland junction & <em>Ashton canal</em> tomorrow.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Travelled 11 1/2 miles <span style="color: blue;">(188 miles)</span> 16 locks <span style="color: blue;">(114 locks)</span> 3 tunnels <span style="color: blue;">(7 tunnels)</span> 1 acqueduct <span style="color: blue;">(6 acqueducts)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong><u>Fri 2nd Sept</u></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Set off 9am on <em>Ashton canal. </em>Not an enjoyable day to say the least! Dirty canal, lock paddles broken, area looks drab & run down, people much the same, sadly! However, we were amused at a couple we met canal side!! We get sight of Olympic city & Manchester United football stadium. Arrived Manchester, Piccadily Basin 5.30 pm, ready for booked assisted passage, to set off prompt 8.30am, Noisy & cosmopolitan city, bit rowdy at times! Apparently very near recent riots.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjYhzIkrb2KlhrfTWHRHsBiNIg-pR2jMMV2Whe5Ezrkrd2axy8GFEg21N6p9SiJkH_sXCZvwBzhAYoQobnwres0-g_BAVou3IU_BT58fMana7j-dY8dFcJPwmH6FEIhliU3nRmnjWeYOQ/s1600/blog45+079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjYhzIkrb2KlhrfTWHRHsBiNIg-pR2jMMV2Whe5Ezrkrd2axy8GFEg21N6p9SiJkH_sXCZvwBzhAYoQobnwres0-g_BAVou3IU_BT58fMana7j-dY8dFcJPwmH6FEIhliU3nRmnjWeYOQ/s320/blog45+079.JPG" width="320" xaa="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Travelled 7 miles <span style="color: blue;">(195miles) </span><span style="color: black;">18 locks </span><span style="color: blue;">(132 locks) (7 tunnels) (6 acqueducts)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong><u><span style="color: black;">Sat Sept 3rd</span></u></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Morning arrives & we are ready & eager for our prompt start at 8.30am. This is were it starts to go horribly wrong!! No BW man by 9.45, so I start to make phone calls, of course being weekend I do not get much joy. I have to resort to the emergency number. To cut a long story short a man did turn up about 11am only to accuse us of not being ready or even there 1 hr ago. He reckoned he had been there at 8.30 and we were not in sight and he said we definately were not there overnight!! No matter that the security man vouched for us & car pick up man had been around since 7am! Mr BW was not going to assist us at all, just open first lock!! So bad mannered, with bad attitude; I began to compose a letter in my mind addressed to BW.........</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We asked about reported low water levels, obstructions in canal, broken paddles, unsafe moorings, need I go on? and we were told everything was fine. Needless to say it was the worse day we have experienced in the last 15 years of boating, constant problems and there was no way I felt safe to leave the boat to visit shops. To top it all at the other end of said 'assisted passage' it began to chuck it down with rain, but at least this Mr BW was civil and helpful. We had to continue for about another 3/4 hr for safe moorings overnight, bridge 75a, we met another boat there and they told us they had travelled from Manchester 2 days ago and their Mr BW followed them in his boat to help with afore mentioned problems!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We put it down to experience, but were too shattered to visit Rose of Lancashire pub so moored up, ate & collapsed into bed. Tomorrow's another day!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Travelled 6 1/2 miles <span style="color: blue;">(201 1/2 miles)</span><span style="color: black;"> 21 locks </span><span style="color: blue;">(153 locks) (7 tunnels)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong><u><span style="color: black;">Sun Sept 4th</span></u></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Slow start due to aching & sore limbs!! Set off at 10.30 with Robert & Dave, so much easier with 2 boats in the locks and 2 lots of crew to help. Went through Slattocks and under A627M road culvert. The canal is improving and much more pleasant surroundings. We cruised until Castleford, outside The Royal eating house and treated our selves to an enjoyable meal & drink.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Travelled 4 miles<span style="color: blue;"> (205 1/2 miles) </span><span style="color: black;">13 locks </span><span style="color: blue;">(166 locks) </span><span style="color: black;">1 tunnel </span><span style="color: blue;">(8 tunnels)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong><u><span style="color: black;">Mon Sept 5th</span></u></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Plan was to get to Littleborough, plan aborted weather abysmal, stay put!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong><u>Tues Sept 6th</u></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Better day, so left Castleford at 10.30, became windy with showers. Headed through Rochdale, Smithybridge and arrived at Littleborough about 4pm.It had been a hard day again with difficult locks & paddles, either broken completely or damaged due to subsidence. There were some terrible strong inlets that shoved the boat into the wall! In the end we were cold, wet & very tired so I just rang Julia to let her know we had arrived but would see her the next day. After we had dinner & recovered somewhat, I suddenly heard a tapping & there was Julia! She had come to find us, just what I needed, what a lovely surprise!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Travelled 5 1/2miles<span style="color: blue;"> (211miles)</span><span style="color: black;"> 4 locks </span><span style="color: blue;">(170 locks) (8 tunnels)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong><u><span style="color: black;">Wed Sept 7th</span></u></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Robert & David decided not to move to so we agreed because weather unsettled & we could do with a rest! I contacted Julia again she kindly took me to Tesco for supplies and then we met up with Bernadette in the evening for a meal & good chat, fantastic!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong><u>Thurs Sept 8th</u></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We are leaving Robert & David & going for the summit moorings regardless of weather, passage booked for Fri 9am. Weather started wet & misty but eventually cleared and ws very warm, clear & we could admire the beautiful views. It was like being on top of the world!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The soil here is so full of iron it makes the water look black, but when we were going through the locks the running water looked like ribbons of gold, incredible!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The moorings at the summit are fantastic; views, walks & safe for the dog. The lock keeper is the last one , in the north, living in a lock cottage!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKuYTNFXubsxM1uq1W5vPXZwS9gfyR1wqb8GoxP9FqeUHhVlfqse8AnAJDOoGzClLnL6mzH4f_ppqEhyphenhyphenVBIa-dind0MdKAGWtXSaJlf4QYRlGLqB_BtisLKc82u_VNVzLGWupijJdIqic/s1600/blogafterhell+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKuYTNFXubsxM1uq1W5vPXZwS9gfyR1wqb8GoxP9FqeUHhVlfqse8AnAJDOoGzClLnL6mzH4f_ppqEhyphenhyphenVBIa-dind0MdKAGWtXSaJlf4QYRlGLqB_BtisLKc82u_VNVzLGWupijJdIqic/s320/blogafterhell+006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbc_S0xDK86vgxM90scxZwcEyO5trFDteN5Nlvep4iX0nc_o2lgH_8ebKHtgdThEspcLvWPES7vxcVH0FUP3w2uPqwQ9kIOt_yB_3wBN49YkwPA7MvrszEBjw6lVGeM5jFQj0bAk1Mb1I/s1600/blogafterhell+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbc_S0xDK86vgxM90scxZwcEyO5trFDteN5Nlvep4iX0nc_o2lgH_8ebKHtgdThEspcLvWPES7vxcVH0FUP3w2uPqwQ9kIOt_yB_3wBN49YkwPA7MvrszEBjw6lVGeM5jFQj0bAk1Mb1I/s320/blogafterhell+011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Travelled 1 1/2 miles <span style="color: blue;">(212 1/2 miles)</span><span style="color: black;"> 9 locks </span><span style="color: blue;">(179 locks) (8 tunnels)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong><u><span style="color: black;">Fri Sept 9th</span></u></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Day dawned with slight drizzle & little mist, but not too bad. Fantastic views! Heavy day with difficult locks, arrived Todmorden about 4.30pm, having caused a cascade of flooding because the water levels were so high! Steve was locking & at one time the water was about 5 inches over his feet, he left his socks on the lock for posterity!!! The final lock was a guillotine lock, not a pretty site and it took us ages to get oput of it due to high water levels......long story!! Paul not feeling good.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF4mqSBZ388JRIZoGaFAvvzqt1bNxSnYUaSYhZAwWshyphenhyphenymMINbiYLYbkF3rAPC5xi0eNn-oBW4h5dzJDnchEbMHpV1JJEwBwhR8NHHZypMIAPFRIUZJQzk_68QAK0FHyb2S11If1u-eqM/s1600/tod2hehdenblog11+031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF4mqSBZ388JRIZoGaFAvvzqt1bNxSnYUaSYhZAwWshyphenhyphenymMINbiYLYbkF3rAPC5xi0eNn-oBW4h5dzJDnchEbMHpV1JJEwBwhR8NHHZypMIAPFRIUZJQzk_68QAK0FHyb2S11If1u-eqM/s320/tod2hehdenblog11+031.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEkYNBcMda55c4ofT7KNHw_dW69oWP9S50VXVanPq0l8mMfx1r2yNrdh4U1b1UEVgxbspfVqlYy0mJwnook382g5mZGhVleM1Ecv9oI_ESVCAsMmniFOLb_sABSBK2EJGAgkjqhL_GM9M/s1600/tod2hehdenblog11+035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEkYNBcMda55c4ofT7KNHw_dW69oWP9S50VXVanPq0l8mMfx1r2yNrdh4U1b1UEVgxbspfVqlYy0mJwnook382g5mZGhVleM1Ecv9oI_ESVCAsMmniFOLb_sABSBK2EJGAgkjqhL_GM9M/s320/tod2hehdenblog11+035.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Travelled 4 miles <span style="color: blue;">(216 1/2 miles) </span><span style="color: black;">19 locks </span><span style="color: blue;">(198 locks) (9 tunnels)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong><u><span style="color: black;">Sat Sept 10th</span></u></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Paul not too good, we're locking today, started off with egg & bacon at 10.30 am amid warm sunshine. Lots of hire boats from Sowerby, the locks were ok with some lovely scenery. We arrived at Hebden bridge about 2.30pm and by now it was very hot! Paul & Steve went to investigate the area!! Julia popped down to see me. We've actually made it, nearly!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Travelled 4 miles <span style="color: blue;">(220 1/2 miles) </span><span style="color: black;">9 locks </span><span style="color: blue;">(207 locks) (9 tunnels)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong><u>Sun Sept 11th</u></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Travelled with another boat part way towards Sowerby Bridge. Some people always have a tale to tell plus a few horrors too!! We didn't want to go too far because as we hit Sowerby, the tail end of hurricane Catrina hit us!Lots of rocking, clanging & being blown about! We discovered our canal book was incorrect when we found ourselves approaching Sowerby locks & Tual tunnel. The Tual lock holds 160,000 gallons water and if your boat is longer than ours they extend lock to hold 190,000 gallons, it is the largest & deepest lock on the waterways! You are meant to book this passage but the nice BW guy got us through once we had explained our plight! Thanks to Billy Cox, a very nice Mr BW man!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1DN9BwzcESDJdc7VTSiyRaTXqs5j2_gR5n4pTGamcQzKS3A-cIMdFVfwoOS4kZlNe4xSvsB6kMiC4IqngZgHCl7uZk8vTvapUXLpYApgKCbx-FpgKR5_S4pVEEuV7hKbGnhmtoP_0d5I/s1600/sowerbyblog+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1DN9BwzcESDJdc7VTSiyRaTXqs5j2_gR5n4pTGamcQzKS3A-cIMdFVfwoOS4kZlNe4xSvsB6kMiC4IqngZgHCl7uZk8vTvapUXLpYApgKCbx-FpgKR5_S4pVEEuV7hKbGnhmtoP_0d5I/s320/sowerbyblog+015.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi88rqX-TlO4Xd6ikqb9DSruq45ywWMVfkIlNEdQ4SerLUOARYNs-bqaEK9S16dWlIRFZSYuln_hHaUnCGzaw9du_kORlHJgHbHEU3v7IJGjS_OOsBlUksY-zwo1hTnZZNtvv4gmqinN-U/s1600/sowerbyblog+023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi88rqX-TlO4Xd6ikqb9DSruq45ywWMVfkIlNEdQ4SerLUOARYNs-bqaEK9S16dWlIRFZSYuln_hHaUnCGzaw9du_kORlHJgHbHEU3v7IJGjS_OOsBlUksY-zwo1hTnZZNtvv4gmqinN-U/s320/sowerbyblog+023.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Travelled 5 1/2 miles <span style="color: blue;">(226 miles) </span><span style="color: black;"> 9 locks</span><span style="color: blue;"> (216 locks) <span style="color: black;">1 tunnel</span> (10 tunnels)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong><u><span style="color: black;">Wed Sept 14th</span></u></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Set off about 10.30 after filling up with water, diesel, gas etc. Sad farewell to Julia, we had a meal together last night; a thankyou for doing our washing!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We joined <em>Calder & Hebble canal </em>at Halifax junction and immediately had to go through 3 Salter & Hebble locks. It was a very tight turn and we needed to use a 'Spike' for the locks, one of which was another guillotine lock!! A pretty canal with river Calder beside us. We wanted to get to Brighouse, but some how we missed the moorings and had to moor up just after Cromwell lock...very nice</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyEekgdQL49sR9bY7XAs-4XTMnRE44sdujhTWFzs0YW3HoumIugpUdG1jmH6xjKO14HnWiJKw34RD4t90i4gSKklXAkrjZVgameP6orwMGlFKIuaaGvGX923k8EqmDaIr-m3hoTtlNNvk/s1600/huddersfieldblog+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyEekgdQL49sR9bY7XAs-4XTMnRE44sdujhTWFzs0YW3HoumIugpUdG1jmH6xjKO14HnWiJKw34RD4t90i4gSKklXAkrjZVgameP6orwMGlFKIuaaGvGX923k8EqmDaIr-m3hoTtlNNvk/s320/huddersfieldblog+018.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Travelled 6 miles <span style="color: blue;">(232 miles)</span><span style="color: black;"> 8 locks </span><span style="color: blue;">(221 locks) (10 tunnels)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong><u><span style="color: black;">Thurs Sept 15th</span></u></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Today was going to be an unforgetful day but we didn't know it when we set off. It was a chilly autumnal morning which developed into a lovely warm day. We continued onto Brighouse locks where there was a reed island in the lock! Paul & I were locking, Paul decided to ride bike & had to take a diversion from tow path, I got on boat.We were meant to meet at next lock, Anchor flood pit, about 1/4 mile away......we didn't see him for nearly 4 hrs! When he didn't emerge we waited about 3/4hr, then began to wonder what to do.He didn't have his phone! A moored boater came & spoke to us & said how complicated diversion was and that canal became a river navigation and there was no tow path, in fact where we were was almost impossible for Paul to get to!! Some walkers told us they had spoke to him at Coopers Bridge, which is the start of <em>Huddersfield broad.</em> Steve & I quickly got going, but it took about 1-1 1/2 hrs as there were a couple of locks too. We got to Coopers bridge....no Paul. I am now anxious & tearful, thinking Paul will panic, get more lost etc; I am ready to call BW or police. We carried on <em>Huddersfield broad</em> fot 2 locks to find decent place to moor, I have asked all walkers & cyclists but noone has seen Paul. Steve & I are at our wits end when suddenly, out of the gloom, appears Paul! I did cry but all he did was to moan about why we had taken so long!!! I was just glad to see him, moans & all!! He had cycled almost to Huddersfield!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Everybody was fraught & tired so no one spoke much, just ate dinner (slow cooker had given up the ghost to add to problems!) chilled then went to bed!! Tomorrow is another day!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Travelled 4 1/2 miles <span style="color: blue;">(236 1/2 miles)</span><span style="color: black;"> 9 locks </span><span style="color: blue;">(230 locks) (10 tunnels)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong><u>Fri Sept 16th</u></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Left behind Coopers bridge & Colne lock trying to be positive. Continued on <em>Huddersfield broad</em> doing really well, considering the horror stories of the Huddersfield that we had been told (navigated a couple real tight bends) Paul on the tiller, sore feet from cycling! We were approaching Falls lock 8, when I noticed paddles had been left up so pound above was very low. In fact we found a couple stuck in the mud!! BW were on their way so we just had to sit tight in the lock. ! 1/2 hrs later a very nice man appeared and let down some water and we were then soon on our way. We continued onto Aspley marina near Huddersfield University and moored up about 2.30pm. Had a rest, lunch, drink & launderette</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyoNgBvarIorXnO-4VMToiYSyosLyCIChnoCy-Lp6zJFjSzHO_ahHGujIxXFQrIiP8NwpsEWC6eSgPNJ3DZwbCzgeUj9hCmK6nEgMxWDPkBzex2IbviAlJ6WAXx-bbG6-E3tgk9hkm3_k/s1600/hudderstoslaithblog+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyoNgBvarIorXnO-4VMToiYSyosLyCIChnoCy-Lp6zJFjSzHO_ahHGujIxXFQrIiP8NwpsEWC6eSgPNJ3DZwbCzgeUj9hCmK6nEgMxWDPkBzex2IbviAlJ6WAXx-bbG6-E3tgk9hkm3_k/s320/hudderstoslaithblog+011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Travelled 3 1/2 miles<span style="color: blue;"> (240 miles) </span><span style="color: black;">7 locks </span><span style="color: blue;">(237 locks) (10 tunnels)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong><u><span style="color: black;">Sat Sept 17th</span></u></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Decided to put in a busy day! We filled with water & supplies and set off on the <em>Huddersfield narrow.</em> We immediately had a very narrow tight bridge to get through then 2 short tunnels! Country side improves, quite pretty and the locks are not too bad. The canal is a bit low in places but Paul manages really well, there is in fact plenty of water...many full locks to empty. Then it begins to rain & rain & rain, Steve & I are soaked!!! We came across a gaggle of geese at a lock, they were lovely! We moored up at Slaithwaite at 4.30pm, will rest tomorrow.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Travelled 5 miles<span style="color: blue;"> (245 miles)</span><span style="color: black;"> 21 locks</span><span style="color: blue;"> (258 locks)</span><span style="color: black;"> 2 tunnels</span><span style="color: blue;"> (12 tunnels)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong><u><span style="color: black;">Mon Sept 19th</span></u></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After such a busy day on Sat we awarded ourselves a rest on Sun! saw Julia again & had a walk round market in Slaithwaite. Left about 10.00, dry but dull. I was ahead & opened the second lock of the day (no 24) and there was so much water it raised the levels just as Steve was going under a rather low bridge!! The next lock was another guillotine lock that I had to wind by hand, (hard work)very low bridge and guillotine not much higher....hoped it wouldn't cut Paul.s head off! Quiet day after that, beautiful scenery and we moored at Booth lock 31E about 1.30pm. Paul & Steve took Freddie for walk up to tunnel mouth & see whats what and I did, guess what, cleaning & dinner!! Caught up with e mails & composed a letter for BW regarding manchester incident. Skyped Vicky in the evening and spoke to family. Working boat & horse arrived late, will get photo tomorrow.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Travelled 2 miles <span style="color: blue;">(247 miles)</span><span style="color: black;"> 10 locks</span><span style="color: blue;"> (268 locks) (12 tunnels)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong><u><span style="color: black;">Tues Sept 20th</span></u></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Set off about 10.00, fine rain, managed to get photo of working boat & horse. Boat who passed us yesterday evening to go to tunnel emptied all the pounds! Mr BW came and rescued us and gave us a hand from lock 34E. Moored at trip boat moorings at Marsden just before tunnel at about 1pm. Afternoon for final preparations & moving up a bit to tunnel mouth. Paul gone to pub!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Travelled 1 mile <span style="color: blue;">(248 miles)</span><span style="color: black;"> 11 locks </span><span style="color: blue;">(279 locks) (12 tunnels)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong><u><span style="color: black;">Wed Sept 21</span></u></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Up early in anticipation for tunnel!! This is the longest, deepest and highest <span style="color: black;">tunnel</span> in UK. I got a superb photo showing our boat, train tunnel, river on viaduct and road!!Went in at 10.30am, Steve steered with BW man on back, it took 1 3/4hrs in more or less total darkness through tiny rugged rock passage !</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We exited at Diggle, quick lunch, re accoustmed our eyes and set off on the flight. Wind blew up, cold but beautiful then disaster hit! Got string & metal stuck on prop and came to a sudden halt in lock 30w! 1 hour later...continued down to Uppermills lock 22w. So tired & stressed from tunnel decided to eat out!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Travelled 6 miles<span style="color: blue;"> (254 miles) </span><span style="color: black;">11 locks </span><span style="color: blue;">(290 locks) </span><span style="color: black;">1 tunnel</span><span style="color: blue;"> (13 tunnel)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong><u><span style="color: black;">Thurs Sept 22</span></u></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Woke up tired! Decide to have late start, visit Huddersfield canal society at Brownhills, called into local Spar then visited saddleworth local museum....great!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After lunch, felt disinclined, but had to carry onto Roaches Lock 15 to moor up. Locks etc all good, water levels fine , feeling happy with the world, when I realise there is bit of tow path diversion!! I end up goingthrough housing estate and end up 2 locks ahead!! I let the men sweat a bit before letting them know where I am....I <strong>did</strong> have my phone...!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Travelled 2 1/2 miles <span style="color: blue;">(256 1/2 miles) </span><span style="color: black;">7 locks</span><span style="color: blue;"> (297 locks) (13 tunnels)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong><u><span style="color: black;">Fri Sept 23</span></u></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Sunny day, left Roaches happy and full of enthusiasm! Locks a bit stiff & dodgy but not too bad. Had a short tunnel, only 250 yds!!!!! then came to a lock....and it all went wrong!!! Couldn't open both paddles, the vandal locks had been vandalised! so lock would not fill...we were going nowhere! The men really struggled but then got out their mechanic tools and began to dismantle lock!!!not quite, just vandal lock, so we could fillit up! Sorted! We continue pass services, pylon and want to moor near Staylybridge. Paul goes ahead on bike , only to return to inform us that BW suggest we moor outside Tesco because some vandals have emptied the pound and no one will be <span style="color: black;">moving</span> for 36hrs! We had visit from local police with contact numbers in case of any problems??!! Thank you & goodnight!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf0DQx0QH6LqSELzC2TyQ6xm8dNi3dOpIfq2dazAWEH0CiAt1ckAUM5C3Ievcq1X0DSKVOhIqi2sdRaQU6Dx29wq4FYl0-wkY4Tzy2hGp4-g-UsMT3tBh4jrpwDYzHWGAGNot-ivrJtfU/s1600/standedgetostaylbrigeblog+062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf0DQx0QH6LqSELzC2TyQ6xm8dNi3dOpIfq2dazAWEH0CiAt1ckAUM5C3Ievcq1X0DSKVOhIqi2sdRaQU6Dx29wq4FYl0-wkY4Tzy2hGp4-g-UsMT3tBh4jrpwDYzHWGAGNot-ivrJtfU/s320/standedgetostaylbrigeblog+062.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Travelled 3 1/2 miles <span style="color: blue;">(260 miles)</span><span style="color: black;"> 7 locks </span><span style="color: blue;">(304 locks) </span><span style="color: black;">1 tunnel </span><span style="color: blue;">(14 tunnels)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong><u><span style="color: black;">Sat Sept 24th</span></u></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Dull day decided I needed some retail therapy, so went round Stalybridge. Meant to be a rest weekend, but BW inform us that we can now move, there are 4 boats now. Being kind people, Steve & Paul help Old John through first 2 locks ( 5 in total) another guy takes over then; 2 other boats who have been impatient more or less push in, so we end up being the last boat to go at about 3.30pm. Guess who gets stuck at last lock when the water runs out!! Some fishermen help but in the end we have to call BW, 1 1/2 hrs later, wet through with rain we get on our way! We cant wait to get to Portland basin at Dunkinfield Junction so we can get on <em>Peak forest canal,</em> we actually are on <em>Ashton canal</em> for short while too. Hurray we have made it to the place where we moored on the way here just before Lift bridge 1.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Travelled 2 1/2 miles <span style="color: blue;">(262 1/2 miles) </span><span style="color: black;">6 locks </span><span style="color: blue;">(310 locks) </span><span style="color: black;">1 tunnel </span><span style="color: blue;">(15 tunnels)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong><u><span style="color: black;">Mon Sept 26th</span></u></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We did actually rest on Sun! I found the local church, we went for a walk then visited great museum at Portland Basin, great!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We decided to get up early & crack on. Left at 9am amd immediately came across a boat over the canal; he was collecting wood for winter! Through lift bridge and a long way till we reach Marple flight locks (16)! Under M67 and 3 tunnels, one of which has no roof now! We heard through tow path telegraph that there is trouble with water levels at Marple! but no worries because when I rang BW at 11.30am they were aware and on their way. We got to Marple 1.30pm and surprisingly no BW and no water! 2 1/2 hrs later and everybody fraught BW come and eventually sort it out. We caused a lot of interest during our wait.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Never mind, finished the flight, turned under a bridge onto <em>Macclesfield canal </em>only to be met with chaos! One chap wanted us to stop so he could get back to <strong>his</strong> moorings, somebody had broken down and Old John was going to tow him and we wanted water! We left as quickly as we could and carried onto High Lane, and moored up for the night! Pub for Paul, he needed it, quiet for me! Steve nearly lost windlass, so had to run back & then try to catch boat! Glad today is finished! Very tired</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgelfteDNqY5_xYlMTwzU4sV6PV67AT9FaUY3h1FaqxoRM6Tr2x_eafQXerxO0gahObfI0mjINyp8Wqd405-UEzk0PvyZlJu4PLtC4A_Wwt5TTxZX0qMdTqTXy2wYO69lf-fOvRqrOUX0M/s1600/highlanecongletonblog+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgelfteDNqY5_xYlMTwzU4sV6PV67AT9FaUY3h1FaqxoRM6Tr2x_eafQXerxO0gahObfI0mjINyp8Wqd405-UEzk0PvyZlJu4PLtC4A_Wwt5TTxZX0qMdTqTXy2wYO69lf-fOvRqrOUX0M/s320/highlanecongletonblog+011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Travelled 10 miles <span style="color: blue;">(272 1/2 miles) </span><span style="color: black;">16 locks</span><span style="color: blue;"> (326 locks) </span><span style="color: black;">3 tunnels </span><span style="color: blue;">(18 tunnels)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong><u><span style="color: black;">Tues Sept 27</span></u></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Left High Lane early 9am, amid warm sunshine! No locks today, just want to do about 15 miles to position ourselves for Harecastle tunnel early Friday. Did washing, made bread, (useful jobs!) Recogniused some familiar things: Old Adelphi Mill which used to be a Silk Mill and Old Hovis Mill near Macclesfield, glimpsed the White Nancy, a memorial to Battle Waterloo! Pass Gurnett where James Brindley started his apprentiship. Lovely 'snake' or 'swop over' bridges, moored up about 5pm near Crow Holt bridge 52, ready for Bosley 12 lock flight in the morning!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD_Ac-0iKZQPsZpPFY2vZQS7UV6pNuXGN25kq4bhwvDu2nzsH4PUy-E6su43Vb4bUn0_QwR-648J8VSNbzCYXgVwxD0hvqKpIQD2SeogC-IovPsMmOcc_ZxyhuI3b2bCxTkp9JRW98Ecc/s1600/highlanecongletonblog+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD_Ac-0iKZQPsZpPFY2vZQS7UV6pNuXGN25kq4bhwvDu2nzsH4PUy-E6su43Vb4bUn0_QwR-648J8VSNbzCYXgVwxD0hvqKpIQD2SeogC-IovPsMmOcc_ZxyhuI3b2bCxTkp9JRW98Ecc/s320/highlanecongletonblog+021.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWTWJ9e-6x53kOw8bwGPPTls0hfrDQTVDRbluXm3DrzGrWVMQ1Xgm5e33qt_AB6frkWdAknpRBps7sjvG4y9VK-YPeM-FT_uEmLLJJFM-TULPAWpHS238QUr1fqi80eSlGtbVDMX_7LPc/s1600/highlanecongletonblog+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWTWJ9e-6x53kOw8bwGPPTls0hfrDQTVDRbluXm3DrzGrWVMQ1Xgm5e33qt_AB6frkWdAknpRBps7sjvG4y9VK-YPeM-FT_uEmLLJJFM-TULPAWpHS238QUr1fqi80eSlGtbVDMX_7LPc/s320/highlanecongletonblog+014.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Travelled 12 1/2 miles <span style="color: blue;">(285 miles) (326 locks) (18 tunnels)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong><u><span style="color: black;">Wed Sept 28</span></u></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Another sunny, hot day dawned! Set off 9am to do Bosley 12, all going really well until bit of congestion at a bridge!Freddie having fun running & rolling in fresh cut damp grass...ever seen a green dog?? Lunched near Congleton with stunning views over valley to viaduct.Carried onto Morris bridge 89, where we stopped on outward journey. Short day for tomorrow now!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb4cFdGmlGy1PPUg5ZbrVqlq6GUrWzHPxDJheCYTCr5e8GYL_UoUUwKaAVIReUiXicW0kBRVR5TJGjBwuxIzYa21oSeU7-QeZTvpSbmbXrYIn-FPsjylRbXnaSprqH0GSK5GWChVjklSM/s1600/highlanecongletonblog+039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb4cFdGmlGy1PPUg5ZbrVqlq6GUrWzHPxDJheCYTCr5e8GYL_UoUUwKaAVIReUiXicW0kBRVR5TJGjBwuxIzYa21oSeU7-QeZTvpSbmbXrYIn-FPsjylRbXnaSprqH0GSK5GWChVjklSM/s320/highlanecongletonblog+039.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Travelled 9 miles <span style="color: blue;">(294 miles) </span><span style="color: black;">12 locks </span><span style="color: blue;">(338 locks) (18 tunnels)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong><span style="color: black;"><u>Thurs Sept 29</u></span></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Very hot and sunny again! Quiet day, slow & late start! Shopping & visit to Chandelry. Set off at 4pm just to get onto the <em>Trent & Mersey</em> ready for Harecastle tunnel. Visited Tesco!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Travelled 2 miles<span style="color: blue;"> (296 miles) </span><span style="color: black;">1 lock </span><span style="color: blue;">(339 locks) (18 tunnels)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong><u>Fri Sept 30th</u></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Up early, Paul on a mission to be first in queue for the tunnel! Steve steered, what a breeze compared to Standedge tunnel!! Developed into very hot day again, pushed on because we wanted to get to Stone so we could rest over the weekend. Pass Stoke-on-Trent and it's flight of 4 locks, it's quite built up here but soon changes to lovely countryside. Arrived Stone about 4pm, it's a lovely town & there is a Farmers market and a Food & Drink Festival going on over the weekend....great!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQd-_o70wKE7bEebvGLkvXnrG3RB39vFgyV88zdOc1t2-bGwXD5d9vQ0SRyj1B_JpD2xUmHCtQo_4hlM5TdrCsJ1FpEpXH36o7QctgSMggNtVHLFsa1Bs54uHHV5-73sX1J8gyUm3wTrk/s1600/stonehaywoodblog+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQd-_o70wKE7bEebvGLkvXnrG3RB39vFgyV88zdOc1t2-bGwXD5d9vQ0SRyj1B_JpD2xUmHCtQo_4hlM5TdrCsJ1FpEpXH36o7QctgSMggNtVHLFsa1Bs54uHHV5-73sX1J8gyUm3wTrk/s320/stonehaywoodblog+004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Travelled 13 miles<span style="color: blue;"> (309 miles) </span><span style="color: black;">10 locks </span><span style="color: blue;">(349 locks) </span><span style="color: black;">1 tunnel </span><span style="color: blue;">(19 tunnels)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong><u><span style="color: black;">Mon Oct 3rd</span></u></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What a great weekend; looked around market & generally had an easy day Sat. We saw Amaryllis from Aylesbury basin.....mutual territory!!! To top it all Jason, Gabbi & family visited Sun! Wonderful!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Set off today 9am, bit dull but sun peeping through!Lovely scenery, just doing few locks and want to make for Great Haywood. Paul & I locking, Steve on tiller & Freddie just pleases herself! Went through Weston lock again and pass turning for Staffs & Worcs canal, continued through Haywood lock, very busy, but then moored near Shugborough Hall & Park. What a delightful place! Lovely walks & countryside, river Trent meandering by, Shugborough house in distance & the lovely grounds & bridge. We took our bits & pieces & had a b-b-q beside the river!! fantastic! I spoke to a lady about ordering window doillies & points....bit expensive....I'll think about it!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrc_o3NhuLo_SkrLCW7zujRF7XwwI9GjPGrr66Tiszxvj1udOJ28By6Ufo_hhUnrbkD-VROGo1DqOhqV9izJv2ThV-LyjRK7S_-jFjXlb07pJFlAnZir3Suc3hhgj9deRUFVav2TmZG3Y/s1600/stonehaywoodblog+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrc_o3NhuLo_SkrLCW7zujRF7XwwI9GjPGrr66Tiszxvj1udOJ28By6Ufo_hhUnrbkD-VROGo1DqOhqV9izJv2ThV-LyjRK7S_-jFjXlb07pJFlAnZir3Suc3hhgj9deRUFVav2TmZG3Y/s320/stonehaywoodblog+011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Travelled 10 miles <span style="color: blue;">(319 miles) </span><span style="color: black;">8 locks </span><span style="color: blue;">(357 locks) (19 tunnels)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong><u><span style="color: black;">Tues Oct 4th</span></u></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Set off 9am, bright sunny day again! Want to try & get to Fradley junction & get onto<em> Coventry canal. </em>We left with chilly sunshine & the Trent meandering beside us, didn't want to stop at Rugeley this time, carried on through Armitage & open top tunnel into open country side & canal side villages. Made good time & arrived Fradley & moored on <em>Coventry canal </em>about 3pm. Filled water tank, visited shop & pub.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Some lovely local ducks, geese & heard an owl overnight!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGa94dGHgFVJy_REMDgZmeMlZ5xi5iKIWVxlh0X9HHg6unHodI-3ThAmP45rv81rM5EOiSJLWUC4v0zXJFBexmDKYrZqS-1OI2IBKGOMo32ORI756kazTLi38bf8JGUaTCdZVqKhmKVys/s1600/hopwastamworthblog+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGa94dGHgFVJy_REMDgZmeMlZ5xi5iKIWVxlh0X9HHg6unHodI-3ThAmP45rv81rM5EOiSJLWUC4v0zXJFBexmDKYrZqS-1OI2IBKGOMo32ORI756kazTLi38bf8JGUaTCdZVqKhmKVys/s320/hopwastamworthblog+003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Travelled 13 miles <span style="color: blue;">(332 miles) </span><span style="color: black;">4 locks </span><span style="color: blue;">(361 locks) </span><span style="color: black;">1 tunnel </span><span style="color: blue;">(20 tunnels)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><u><span style="color: black;"><strong>Wed Oct 5th</strong></span></u></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Overcast day & extremely windy, difficult to steer boat but thankfully no locks today. Continued south pass junction for disused <em>Wyrley & Essingham canal</em> and onto <em>Birmingham & Fazeley canal!.</em> Went through Hopwas and had a walk in the woods with Freddie...used to be a MOD firing range! We saw 2 'pill boxes' left over from the war, they were for the Home Guard to protect the waterways should Hitler invade! Moored up soon after at about 3pm, Paul & Steve visited The Tame Otter for a bit of local culture</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpihFzDatm8TMuKxUsqPMJX99vvV7WS6C-4HAZof70wbrInmVHJ3ILEonhkrGebYc79AhSuHQW35HmwSKyR-AM2VJDGlNB7B4zhssLdEq4zs_nBnnc2OjH7jSwWhG-JEeJhyBr-zY9M0Y/s1600/hopwastamworthblog+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpihFzDatm8TMuKxUsqPMJX99vvV7WS6C-4HAZof70wbrInmVHJ3ILEonhkrGebYc79AhSuHQW35HmwSKyR-AM2VJDGlNB7B4zhssLdEq4zs_nBnnc2OjH7jSwWhG-JEeJhyBr-zY9M0Y/s320/hopwastamworthblog+021.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Travelled 8 miles <span style="color: blue;">(340 miles) (361 locks) (20 tunnels) </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong><u><span style="color: black;">Thurs Oct 6th</span></u></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Set off about 9.30 and it's very windy again! Go under A5 7 Bonehill bridge to approach Fazeley junction and get onto <em>Coventry canal</em> again. We pass Hudson boat builders & saw Amaryllis, from Aylesbury, moored up! we stopped near Alvecote marina & Samuel Barlow's pub again so we can have a meal Sat.(Chef''s night off) We are here for the weekend because Paul & I have to go to Wycombe & London for appointments (again!) and need to be near train station (Tamworth) It's shallow all along here till Atherstone, in fact they closed locks at Tamworth just after we got through because of bad leaks. Had lovely walks up old 'slag' heaps & saw memorial to miners & round nature reserve. Paul & I go on Sun.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Travelled 6 miles<span style="color: blue;"> (346 miles) </span><span style="color: black;">2 locks </span><span style="color: blue;">(363 locks) (20 tunnels)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib092IjS_vN4mjMueE_-9SThlUTrXb2xx5G_CDEjYVEcQtmvtDZLSxQJURPP3nVoygjJJ48gVW7bgrkPaTm0FeW6XxDYSN5WRKCMXFNewjuli9muPuJL0jXgzVoGKWrF99eqlPz-wW7Rs/s1600/hopwastamworthblog+028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib092IjS_vN4mjMueE_-9SThlUTrXb2xx5G_CDEjYVEcQtmvtDZLSxQJURPP3nVoygjJJ48gVW7bgrkPaTm0FeW6XxDYSN5WRKCMXFNewjuli9muPuJL0jXgzVoGKWrF99eqlPz-wW7Rs/s320/hopwastamworthblog+028.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong><u><span style="color: black;">Thurs Oct 13th</span></u></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Paul & I got back yesterday, to find old friend, John, moored up beside us! Great reunions all round! Freddie pleased to see us. All went well at hospital appointments and we had a great weekend with kids & grand kids!! Paul has started a garden project.........!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We set off this morning early, 8.30, to tackle Atherstone flight it is bright but chilly. The locks, all 11 of them went well, although quite shallow in places, we go under M42, fill up with diesel again and I visit the shop! We moor up at Springwood Haven for the night, nice woods for Freddie to explore, we feel tired, busy weekend with trains etc!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Travelled 10 miles <span style="color: blue;">(356 miles)</span><span style="color: black;"> 11 locks </span><span style="color: blue;">(374 locks) (20 tunnels)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJs5uvM0yMV58mGYL_HZoOK8SvCpaRJE-hbnFYd_TRYc40n322IJ3rcOVnbwA5uTT9f0BameXAr9yueBrcaKpCXL4jZ9yDpmOx9HYoWeHPnZ5Y6qC-ysPrrOsY3MSpH-_zWyPGLCaiIiw/s1600/tamwthhawkesburyblog+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJs5uvM0yMV58mGYL_HZoOK8SvCpaRJE-hbnFYd_TRYc40n322IJ3rcOVnbwA5uTT9f0BameXAr9yueBrcaKpCXL4jZ9yDpmOx9HYoWeHPnZ5Y6qC-ysPrrOsY3MSpH-_zWyPGLCaiIiw/s320/tamwthhawkesburyblog+006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong><u><span style="color: black;">Fri Oct 14th</span></u></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Dawned chilly but sunny and soon became quite warm. No locks today and not too far to travel, so I decide to catch up with the washing & usual chores! Leave the men to do the steering. Through Nuneaton, Marston and stop at Hawkesbury; near where we did on the way up. Moored at 1pm, lunch, walk the dog then relax with book & coffee! Men gone to see if the pub has changed at all??!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Travelled 11 miles <span style="color: blue;">(367 miles) (374 locks) (20 tunnels)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong><u><span style="color: black;">Sat Oct 15th</span></u></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Chilly start, in fact frost on the roof of the boat! Real murky misty autumn morning but turned into warm beautiful day. Filled water tank and turned onto <em>Oxford canal </em>at the junction then onwards to Rugby. Pleasant day & countryside, through Newbold colouful tunnel and moored in almost the exact same place in the park....very convenient for Tesco. Watched rugby on TV</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnQq0CP6rJNRv1jhqYbJPBr3u9pXnf6qENa8vQT3rtub0gXHbEwPN5eC_b7De72Jf3i_lLyPAKLlp13yOk1uXCxTVkVsRQIgtE7_jaMxShyphenhyphenZyZoPfVmaqJi0_wb4ejQMzIuwluen_4ySM/s1600/neboldtoweedon+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnQq0CP6rJNRv1jhqYbJPBr3u9pXnf6qENa8vQT3rtub0gXHbEwPN5eC_b7De72Jf3i_lLyPAKLlp13yOk1uXCxTVkVsRQIgtE7_jaMxShyphenhyphenZyZoPfVmaqJi0_wb4ejQMzIuwluen_4ySM/s320/neboldtoweedon+003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Travelled 12 miles<span style="color: blue;"> (379 miles) </span><span style="color: black;">1 lock </span><span style="color: blue;">(375 locks)</span><span style="color: black;"> 1 tunnel </span><span style="color: blue;">(21 tunnels)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong><u><span style="color: black;">Sun Oct 16th</span></u></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We are going to travel a little today, even though we usually rest over weekend, Paul anxious to be getting back & we are aware of stoppages!! Beautiful day, sunny with early morning light frost. Pretty countryside , we are heading for Hillmorton tandem locks, which have 1 of each pair locked. We manage them easily, meeting a few boats. Under M45 again, Braunston beckons on the horizon for tomorrow & we moor up about 11am. Take the opportunity for sewing, reading & resting!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Travelled 6 miles <span style="color: blue;">(385 miles)</span><span style="color: black;"> 3 locks </span><span style="color: blue;">(378 locks) (21 tunnels)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong><u><span style="color: black;">Mon Oct 17th</span></u></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We set off 9am and it's definately colder, but promises to improve! Steering to Braunston to climb the flight of 6 locks, which we did in the company of a hire boat; nice family, especially Auntie Doris, 80 yrs old!!! Continued through the tunnel, passing one boat, (Steve will elaborate??!!) and onto <em>Grand Union canal!!</em> We are getting nearer to home! Moored up just pass tunnel for rest of the day, about 1.30p</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVQictO7nkBQsvrr6G9XHIYrJQMSuE0G1HjwK3Tu460sKEMnqQ_VyurFuJHWyWsJNsLQ4O4sAm7XKeRVk5bC0cmmzsp8ZOBXVmZBqtyz05Ka5-EBJKRrIYun8HF3p6NGCIgxXe9G824pc/s1600/neboldtoweedon+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVQictO7nkBQsvrr6G9XHIYrJQMSuE0G1HjwK3Tu460sKEMnqQ_VyurFuJHWyWsJNsLQ4O4sAm7XKeRVk5bC0cmmzsp8ZOBXVmZBqtyz05Ka5-EBJKRrIYun8HF3p6NGCIgxXe9G824pc/s320/neboldtoweedon+019.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Travelled 8 miles <span style="color: blue;">(393 miles) </span><span style="color: black;">6 locks </span><span style="color: blue;">(384 locks) </span><span style="color: black;">1 tunnel </span><span style="color: blue;">(22 tunnels)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong><u><span style="color: black;">Tues Oct 18th</span></u></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Chilly bright day, set off 8.30am, we want to get through Buckby flight today and moor up at Weedon. It's nice moorings there and we hope to meet up with Malcolm. Locks managed without incident but canal shallow in places. Became very windy & cold, moored at about 3pm.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;">Travelled</span> 8 miles <span style="color: blue;">(401 miles)</span><span style="color: black;"> 7 locks </span><span style="color: blue;">(391 locks) (22 tunnels)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong><u><span style="color: black;">Wed Oct 19th</span></u></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Lovely to stop at Weedon overnight, great walks for Freddie but sadly didn't see Malcolm. Set off early again, bright but chilly. Went through Bugbrooke, Gayton & through Blissworth tunnel, we plan to moor after 2nd lock at Stoke Bruerne and have a rest day tomorrow! We go under Candle bridge, where, you guessed it, the boaters used to get candles for the tunnel!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXpBprXUy4K6ujTxxzb2CCqgWdwR2e-KY2lFsfshSNSmQcIfZEDZry_Ptyrqyd7uEdmS23GUjxziHOe7BXEQa0YsFTWyvwrQoQvxAdaHkl6UXH_39EZBQelv24CMnhqQNo0cx8iGatR5o/s1600/weedontostokebru+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXpBprXUy4K6ujTxxzb2CCqgWdwR2e-KY2lFsfshSNSmQcIfZEDZry_Ptyrqyd7uEdmS23GUjxziHOe7BXEQa0YsFTWyvwrQoQvxAdaHkl6UXH_39EZBQelv24CMnhqQNo0cx8iGatR5o/s320/weedontostokebru+002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Travelled 10 miles <span style="color: blue;">(411 miles) </span><span style="color: black;">2 locks </span><span style="color: blue;">(393 locks) </span><span style="color: black;">1 tunnel </span><span style="color: blue;">(24 tunnels)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong><u><span style="color: black;">Fri Oct 21st</span></u></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We had an enjoyable & restful day yesterday, ready for another days' hard work, except Freddie! Sunny & bright we continue down Stoke Bruerne flight and met a couple who were very interested in 'water management'!</div>Will explain on request! We saw Amaryllis again on our way to Cosgrove, wonder who will be first back??!! We moored by early afternoon and had a walk down Buckingham Arm, quiet.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Travelled 7 miles<span style="color: blue;">(418 miles) </span><span style="color: black;">6 locks </span><span style="color: blue;">(399 locks) (24 tunnels)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong><u><span style="color: black;">Sat Oct 22nd</span></u></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Cold & windy this morning, met hazel by chance & had a quick chat. Good journey, stopped at Wolverton to visit Tesco, onward to Woughton on the Green-- one of our favourite places! Moored at 1.30pm, had lunch & walked round the green & village--it never changes. On our return we met Malcolm & Annie, who were moored in front of us, they are grandparents of India, who is a friend of Daniel & Luke! They also moor at Aylesbury, so we will be seeing them at Bonfire celebrations too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Travelled 10 miles <span style="color: blue;">(428 miles) (399 locks) (24 tunnels)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong><u><span style="color: black;">Sun Oct 23rd</span></u></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Set off late as it is weekend and Paul was watching rugby! Onward to Fenny Stratford, through to Stoke Hammond lock and moored just before Soulbury 3 locks. I had been for a walk with Freddie and discovered lovely apple & pear tree, so did a bit of scrumping! I was sorting my flowers on the boat when I suddenly heard a shout; it was Chris & Gill from Eualilie, how lovely to see another familiar face, we will catch up at Christmas dinner with Cowroast moorers.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Travelled 5 1/2 miles<span style="color: blue;">(433 1/2 miles) </span><span style="color: black;">2 locks </span><span style="color: blue;">(401 locks) (24 tunnels)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Early start, dog trying to be sick at 5.45am, Paul jumped into action & found himself outside with dog with nothing on but his coat! Freddie being sick, Paul affected by the cold suddenly a wee! good job no early morning joggers!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Through Soulbury flight nice & early, passed Eulalie & Zillion Rose again at Leighton Buzzard. Onward to Grove lock & moor up because it's nice for Freddie. Lots of geese opposite & looked impressive.No reply from BW regarding our passage down Aylesbury arm, still what's new there??!! Suddenly see a little green boat, it's Graham, Paul met up with him for a while. We had a lovely surprise when Lindsey tirned up this evening, she had conspired with Steve</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Travelled 5 miles <span style="color: blue;">(438 1/2 miles) </span><span style="color: black;">5 locks </span><span style="color: blue;">(406 locks) (24 tunnels)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong><u><span style="color: black;">Tues Oct 25th</span></u></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Another early start, Freddie still not quite right but no vomitting. Sunny but chilly, met a few boats at Seabrook locks and it's quite shallow in places.Onto Marsworth & hope to find somewhere to moor ready for going down Arm tomorrow. As we moored up we saw BW man who was letting someone up from the Arm so it made sense to all concerned that we went through too; we decided to just stop near lock cottage when the heavens opened and we were suddenly drenched!! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong><u><span style="color: black;">Wed Oct 26th</span></u></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Later start for the last day of our epic journey! Bright sunny day, lovely to see beautiful countryside of the Arm again. Met BW repairing banks & dredging further down. Freddie still a bit under the weather, but seems to know we are nearly home. Moored up at 12.15 and Ray & Pauline were home so we had a real reunion! Great to be back, pottered a bit with planys, cleaned windows then it rained. forgot Champagne for lunch so will have it with our dinner! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Can hardly believe we've actually done it and are back, it has been an amazing adventure and experience I will never forget. Thanks to everyone who has helped make it so memorable.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We will settle down for the winter, I wonder what next year will bring........???!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Travelled 2 1/2 miles (<span style="color: blue;">448 miles)</span><span style="color: black;"> 9 locks</span><span style="color: blue;"> (429 locks) (24 tunnels)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black;">What an achievement and blessing to be able to 'live' a dream.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Dedicated to Jonathan.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Carolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14101378020421254595noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780925905580101549.post-33474503997074034502011-07-19T04:59:00.000-07:002011-07-19T04:59:25.149-07:00Monday July 11 2011We are leaving Cowroast today to get back nearer base, we will stay at Marsworth for a week, to catch up with more friends. I was going to steer, I do find it difficult sometimes as there is Freddie, the dog, to cope with and she loves to jump in the canal and swim along side...dangerous if she gets too near the back! She has been known to disobey commands and wont get on board when asked and can cause a panic at a lock.<br />
Of course, I also have two men only too willing to give me advice......!!<br />
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Anyway the journey to Marsworth was uneventful and very pleasant, that is until we came to the last lock of the flight!<br />
Paul was ahead checking for a mooring, Steve had been left Freddie on the lead, not wanting to get on the boat. <br />
I steered into the lock fine, Steve lifted the paddles and I suddenly became aware we were listing a bit, on further inspection it was apparent our bow had become fixed onto the side of the lock! I yelled to Steve who immediately saw the problem and dropped said paddles, I and the boat were at about 40 degree angle and needless to say somewhat in a state!! Steve let some water into the lock and we swung off the side in a pendulum manner that was even more scary! <br />
I exited the lock in a state of shock, Paul completely unaware of the event wondered why I was not interested in the grass hopper on his arm! Steve and Fredddie tried to catch my rope and we came to a bumpy halt!<br />
Needing a cup of tea I went into the boat to find every cupboard and draw had been shaken open and their contents deposited on the floor! That finished me and I was reduced to tears; what was meant to be a relaxing afternoon ended up as a massive clearing up session. <br />
Never mind, alls well that ends well, at least no one was hurt and it was a timely reminder to expect the unexpected.<br />
We spent an enjoyable week with friends, had fun at a Barn Dance and arranged a farewell party. We also suddenly realised we need to get our Safety Certificate....more money!!<br />
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Have arrived back at our moorings near Aston Clinton, on Monday 18th July, minus my tomatoe plants!<br />
Thankfully we were able to fish them out the cut and repot them, lets hope they survive.<br />
Nice to be back 'home', short time to relax, a wedding, a 1st birthday and inevitable appointments to attend, THEN preparations to make for our JOURNEY! We aim to leave Aug 5, fingers crossed!!Carolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14101378020421254595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780925905580101549.post-45567488128295410542011-06-27T08:32:00.000-07:002011-07-04T06:35:07.987-07:00April 23 St George's Day 2011 CowroastWe have arrived at Cowroast for St George's Day celebrations! Great to meet up with old friends.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg27UQNDf0_8iKYpaiamXan9ZTIk-1fxuMeakNxT1uqSzfCU7C79Y8kjggt1B2O_lesYDId6E6BznyEQHTEeL5E1HWV2qAwpCtc097jaVK3Jia6DaHYRDugnrppUzQpkasaR6gbDs2SbYk/s1600/188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg27UQNDf0_8iKYpaiamXan9ZTIk-1fxuMeakNxT1uqSzfCU7C79Y8kjggt1B2O_lesYDId6E6BznyEQHTEeL5E1HWV2qAwpCtc097jaVK3Jia6DaHYRDugnrppUzQpkasaR6gbDs2SbYk/s320/188.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Lovely food & raffle to raise money for Charity. We were priveledged to stay in a friends' moorings, but we did cut the grass!<br />
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We took our leave and made our way slowly to Berkhampstead,Winkwell, Grove and eventually Rickmansworth for the Canal Festival. Along the cut we met up with friends & family making it a very enjoyable journey. Lovely stay at Grove with walks in Golf course<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKRf5sXp3S3pT8cAySRXfrnTcsOWJCzp1S4_rXqpKd0jcSjtuBJTnrsWD1Ctps4R_I80zyZbg5dYPIf-PWlZgjkUfQWIPn4h94bXqD98k0swG9q6zbPIYHMW5AgSBlEioMbyUCGx6-8vk/s1600/trip+034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKRf5sXp3S3pT8cAySRXfrnTcsOWJCzp1S4_rXqpKd0jcSjtuBJTnrsWD1Ctps4R_I80zyZbg5dYPIf-PWlZgjkUfQWIPn4h94bXqD98k0swG9q6zbPIYHMW5AgSBlEioMbyUCGx6-8vk/s320/trip+034.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg_6pBIsN_go5vqJQQ3m58xbQooMCOOqXr2-98HOZxmssldEdohOajBJVvQv_2OeAc6DdgrauVyvHw1kteqgT_WhVkGRM2QM2Xn7_DHbxPztCN9D8q6nawoDty8RE7TAGG_c6fo-Tsf60/s1600/027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg_6pBIsN_go5vqJQQ3m58xbQooMCOOqXr2-98HOZxmssldEdohOajBJVvQv_2OeAc6DdgrauVyvHw1kteqgT_WhVkGRM2QM2Xn7_DHbxPztCN9D8q6nawoDty8RE7TAGG_c6fo-Tsf60/s320/027.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTMVHDdfEiBjqZ0qSH65dqaGIdqsrrYg0k0-JZPI245souGxwcsjShBTYQJwTs10IRdId0nROVOrwJCPpI6dl6OU9gVPJRQURK7GuWU8h7aK_PbsyxOojisMBl95vfMI41g2B7UxFokCs/s1600/080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTMVHDdfEiBjqZ0qSH65dqaGIdqsrrYg0k0-JZPI245souGxwcsjShBTYQJwTs10IRdId0nROVOrwJCPpI6dl6OU9gVPJRQURK7GuWU8h7aK_PbsyxOojisMBl95vfMI41g2B7UxFokCs/s320/080.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Rickmansworth festival was a fantastic weekend, glorious weather, lovely walks around the lakes and entertainment thanks to Paul having a 'taster' session of canoeing! We also celebrated John's 60th birthday and helped Eve out with 30 school children, teaching them about how to work a lock!<br />
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Appointments and two Christenings were attended and we then made our way back to base slowly.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwngDNRNUh-Jwd7CgixHx6H1dW99nwq5vEkRHfPL9ymr151Vr1mJSMs7xkx38of0K1IZYHPH0D-dAnlaEHumpcKDdBpafpKeycaZmPn7u2qKIn-7EFVmEOWvXiWSZmBqilrAfjFxrN4u8/s1600/024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwngDNRNUh-Jwd7CgixHx6H1dW99nwq5vEkRHfPL9ymr151Vr1mJSMs7xkx38of0K1IZYHPH0D-dAnlaEHumpcKDdBpafpKeycaZmPn7u2qKIn-7EFVmEOWvXiWSZmBqilrAfjFxrN4u8/s320/024.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Arrived back at Cowroast towards the end of June. Glorious weather and beautiful scenery, met up with friends to celebrate their safe return from Australia and another friends' birthday.<br />
We hope to get back to Marswoth middle of July.Carolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14101378020421254595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780925905580101549.post-75138128576926079902011-06-09T14:34:00.000-07:002011-06-09T14:34:06.991-07:00Carole, Paul & Steve crew of nb Weston LadyThe New Year 2011<br />
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We were pretty much snowed in and waiting for the stoppages to end in March before we planned any cruising. Even when the snow melted we could not move due to lack of water as the pounds nearer Aylesbury had been drained, twice!....but that's another story.<br />
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Since end of March we left Aston Clinton and slowly made our way upto Marsworth and stayed a couple of weeks in glorious sun with our friends. We caught up with news from the weeks when we had been snowed in, celebrated a couple of birthdays and said farewell to some friends going on holiday to Australia.<br />
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There was an entertaining moment at the water and sanitation point one day; Paul was seeing to the cassette, Steve in charge of filling a large water canister. An unwitting boater was just finishing filling his tank, Steve took over the water tap pushing the pipe into said canister and proceeded to admire the scenery and how good life was. The canister was full and overflowed, the pipe 'snaked' out and Steve suddenly heard shouts of alarm! Paul was soaked, had dropped the cassette on his foot and was doing some fairly complicated dance steps! Steve, in his haste to help, grabbed at the writhing waterpipe only to accidently shower the unknown boater and cause a direct hit to face and chest. The boater was so surprised he took a step backwards only to become submerged in the canal!! Everyone rushed to help amidst shouting and waving of arms! Suffice to say everyone was safe and OK and we are now all firm friends.<br />
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Another time we were moored near the, now closed, White Lion pub for a few days. One morning the peace was shattered at 04.00 hrs by a film crew on manoeuvers to shoot an advert for a well known phone company!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwVZdZJOG0boY0GsHKT9WSqlmQnSOFAOSxjvETTj9udbtXmR-pUFQmdHyOrrTHVWrfFLiiXhKi_XfLBkv2YMCll8kEtTIMRpdC9JnPZZfmNLNqea5KsPu_NsDQ241dz3G-3_XXRshyEGQ/s1600/P1000322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwVZdZJOG0boY0GsHKT9WSqlmQnSOFAOSxjvETTj9udbtXmR-pUFQmdHyOrrTHVWrfFLiiXhKi_XfLBkv2YMCll8kEtTIMRpdC9JnPZZfmNLNqea5KsPu_NsDQ241dz3G-3_XXRshyEGQ/s320/P1000322.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div>We had decided to move on up to Cowroast for St George's Day festivities and found ourselves sharing the locks with our old boat, Bobtail. We exchanged names, news and even helped the new crew with the electrics!Carolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14101378020421254595noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5780925905580101549.post-25727108148760843132011-05-01T08:00:00.000-07:002011-05-01T08:00:02.854-07:00Retirement plans for Summer 2010Our dreams were finally being realised!!<br />
We were all retired, at last, and moved onto Weston Lady July 2010.<br />
Not many journeys were undertaken as we were expecting 3 new grandchildren over the summer and winter! Happily all arrived safely and Nanny was in attendance again and loving it!!!<br />
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The winter and New Year proved to be very cold with severe snow and icy conditions. We were frozen in at our moorings, at Aston Clinton, for about 3-4 months! We were never cold or without food and hot water, so I guess if we can survive that we can survive anything!<br />
Our boat, Weston Lady has certainly proved her worth.<br />
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The New Year, 2011, beckons and we wait for the Spring so we can start our adventures in ernest.Carolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14101378020421254595noreply@blogger.com0