NB SHUSH

More Ramblings

2010-09-07T02:45:00.000-07:00

Since the last witterings, we moved on up the Staffs & Worcester canal to Great Heywood for a few days, whilst there we met up with Eric and Elsie on Bendigedig and caught up on the latest gossip. Moving on from there we put the boat into Great Heywood Marina for a week whilst we went over to Norfolk, to see Lisa and Megan and Ffion our granddaughter's. Martin, Sophie and grandsons Ethan and Ptolomy came over to see us during our visit as well. It was great to see every one.

Once back at Gt Heywood we headed for Etruria junc on the Trent & Mersey and turned onto the Caldon canal, about 8 miles along the canal it splits, one arm going to Leek, the other going to Froghall. We took the Leek arm, but soon found the boat touching the bottom in some places, so we turned at Leek and beat a retreat back to Etruria junc. Whilst on the Caldon the weather was very kind to us, with just one day of rain.

At present we are moored at Stone on the T & M heading back to Gt Heywood junc

Moving On

2010-08-01T09:53:00.000-07:00

Two weekends ago, when I last did the blog we were just short of Worcester Basin, we moved down to the basin and on the Saturday we had a visit from Richard, Sian and kids Sophie and Ellis. They were on their way home from a Game Fair, it was really good to see you all and thanks for coming over.

Sunday lunch time and my sister Sheila and Baz my brother in law turned up for our trip to Stourport on Severn. After locking down on to the River Severn, we headed up stream for 12 miles and through 3 manned locks, (so nice not to have to do anything for once). The trip was made all the more enjoyable by the weather, it was a wonderful day, hot and windless, apart from the headwind we created as we moved through the water. We eventually moved up in to Stourport basin and found a mooring for the night. The following day Baz jumped on to a bus and went back to Worcester to fetch the car and they left us in the afternoon, after a great 2 days.

At present we are on the Staffs and Worcester canal making our way to Great Heywood.

This is catch up

2010-07-21T09:22:00.000-07:00

Try as I might I can't get my pictures to upload. So we will have to do the blog without for the time being.

When I left off last time we were on our way down the Coventry, we arrived at Sutton Stop for the left turn onto the North Oxford, but having spoken to some of the locals we decided to carry on down into Coventry basin which just happens to be in the middle of the City centre, so 'E' had a great day at the shops, it really is a very nice place to stop for a couple of days.

Having left Coventry we worked our way back to Sutton Stop and turned right onto the North Oxford and travelled down to Braunston where we saw nb Blue Diamond but no one was at home. We turned right onto the Grand Union canal heading for the first of the big lock flights, Lapworth 20, then next day we did Hatton along with Cape flights 23. On this flight we paired up with a very nice couple on their boat 'nb Tarka' which was a great help.

Following on from there we made our way to Kingwood Junction and turned left on to the Stratford canal and 12 miles and 30 locks later we were in Stratford Upon Avon Basin for a well earned rest. It's really lovely their, but the tourists can be a bit over the top, looking through the windows and taking pictures. Whilst there Lisa, Chris and the girls came for a couple of days. Lovely to see them,and the weather was so good for their visit.

On leaving there we retraced our steps to Kings Norton Junc and turned left on to the Worcester and Birmingham canal and then to the biggest flight of locks in the country Tardebigge 30 locks, we went down quite quickly 5 hrs 7 mins, thanks to a BW man who opened the last 10 top gates for us which kept us going.

Tonight we are 2 mls from Diglis Basin in Worcester, where we will lock down on to the River Severn and cruise up to Stourport on Severn.

To date we have covered 290 miles and 294 locks, however the locks to miles ratio will go down from now on.

Down the Coventry

2010-06-20T09:04:00.000-07:00

Over the course of this week we have moved on down the Trent & Mersey canal onto the Coventry, during our first evening halt near Streethay we were treated to a display of touch and go flying by an auto gyro and a microlight. Microlight's are common enough but auto gyro's are very few and far between and this guy could handle it really well

We have finally ended up at Hartshill, just outside Nuneaton for the weekend. The weather this week has been mostly sunny, a couple of cool days including yesterday, but today is very hot, inside the boat it is still 28deg and it's half five, not that we are complaining.

Tomorrow we move on down towards the Oxford canal

Sunday 13 June

2010-06-13T08:19:00.000-07:00

We moved on from the Shroppi last week and turned on to the Staffs & Worcester, shortly after we passed nb Cartref whom we hadn't seen since last year on the Macc, after an afternoon in Stafford we arrived at Tixall Wide near Great Haywood on Friday afternoon.

Saturday was a really hot day and we got a few jobs done, Sunday, not so warm and now it's raining quite heavily. Next week we will be moving on down the Trent & Mersey to the Coventry canal.

No pics this week my dongle signal is very weak.

Off at last

2010-05-26T09:15:00.000-07:00

Just after draining.

Pressure washed, awaiting the scraper

After first coat of Bitumastic

Waiting for BW to fill the dock

It's seems to have been a long winter. We left our Llangollen winter moorings as usual on the 1st April, but had to hang around for 5 weeks waiting to go into the dry dock at Ellesmere which we booked 14 month ago and the first 2 weeks in May were the earliest available. Bendigedig went in for the first week and I gave Eric a hand, then we swapped over and Eric gave me a hand, it certainly helped the week go faster.

'SHUSH' looked great for the first few days, then we arrived at Grindley Brook staircase locks plus 3 more after them, the rules are no fenders when using these locks and with the very strong by wash at the bottom of each it's almost impossible not to scratch some of the paint on the sides as you go down, hey ho it looked good for a while.

We arrived at the end of the Llangollen on Wednesday and turned onto the Shropshire Union canal heading for Autherley Junction , the end of the SU where we will turn on to the Staffs and Worcs canal. Our summer cruise is not set in stone this year we are looking at Oxford and Stratford on Avon at the moment but things could change.

Back at last, after 5 weeks of broken dongle

2009-11-09T13:15:00.000-08:00

This lucky fella has 30 young heifer's to keep happy!!!!

A warm wind less day on the Weston Arm of the Montgomery canal

One of Colin the lockies immaculate locks on the Monty

Just about to start crossing the Pontcysyllte Aquaduct behind Bendigedig

Halfway across the Ponty

Trevor basin, on a very busy day, we stopped to fill up with fuel before turning up under the bridge for Llangollen

Finally I have my dongle back from '3', first it was a suspect sim card, then it was scrambled software in the dongle. "we can't give a new dongle, we have to send it back to the manufacturers sir"!!!. so the whole job took nearly 4 weeks, partly due to my moving about.

We are in Llangollen now, arrived on the 30th Oct, there are eight of us this winter, staying till end of March. During this summers cruise to Leeds and back we have covered 608 miles, 440 locks and used 1123.23 litres of fuel.

Over the last four weeks we have been down the Mongomery, around Ellesmere, were we met up with Bendigedig, and finally up to Llan. Thats all for this year folks, unless something dramatic happens we shall be back on line in April

Oops it's Stuck

2009-09-13T10:20:00.000-07:00

Most narrowboats are 6 ft . 10 ins wide, this one must be at least 7 ft as she was stuck fast in the bottom lock of the Hurleston flight last week ( and yes, her fenders were up as required for this flight )

Morning mist at Hurleston Junction.

Sunset Friday evening 11th September on the Llangollen canal.

Well it's been another two weeks of cruising up and down between Middlewich, Clovely and Nantwich. Whilst in Nantwich, Eiddwen went to Crew shopping. We have been waiting for news on the stoppage on the Shropshire Union canal, whilst there was a chance that the leak might be fixed quickly, but it would appear now that it is going to be some time before that happens. So we have now moved on to the Llangollen canal and are presently in Swanley Marina for the weekend. Our son in law, Emyr brought the two granddaughters over on Saturday for a 2 day visit which the girls enjoyed again. Lovely to see you all. We will start slowly making our way up to Llangollen itself for the winter this week.

The recent improvement in the weather has been much appreciated, I have finally managed to get some paint on various bits of the boat that were looking a bit tatty after this summers trip up to Leeds and back. The upper rubbing strips get scratched all the time and soon start to rust if they are left.

That's all for now folks

This fortnight we have covered 32 miles and 11 locks

A Quiet Fortnight

2009-08-31T10:05:00.000-07:00

Anderton Boat Lift, two boats in the left hand caisson going up.

And one in the right hand caisson coming down.

Out pops the BW trip boat.

Ptolemy in the museum, dressed as a lift operator 150 years ago.

First mate sorting out the drinks.

Due to the stoppage on Shebdon Wharf Embankment we were stuck at Audlem for five days. Since leaving Audlem a week ago, at BW's request (we were told on Monday morning that they had twenty plus boats coming down from Market Drayton and they needed the room, so please reverse down three locks and go ) so we went down to Nantwich, where nb Bendigedig caught up with us, ( they were further up the Audlem flight than us ) then we moved on to Middlewich. At Middlewich we split up temporarily, Bendigedig going south and Shush going north and on to Anderton having stayed a few days in each place.

Yesterday Martin and grandsons Ethan and Ptolemy came for a visit, and we took them to the Anderton Lift museum and whilst there two boats were being raised up to the canal from the river, they enjoyed that, after that we went and had some food, then back to the boat for a couple of hours before they had to go home. Thanks for coming boys, hope you had a good day.

This fortnight we have done 39 mls and 22 locks

See you all next time.

The Waiting Game

2009-08-16T08:56:00.000-07:00

Moving up in the lock que

The girls give a hand

Over night mooring

Last week was a quiet one with Eiddwen away in Norwich with Lisa and the girls for a few days, so I made my way up to Swanley Marina with Eric and Elsie's help up through Hurleston locks in readiness for their return on Monday. I booked in there so they would have somewhere to leave the car and if the weather was bad we could go into Nantwich, as it happened the sun shone it's socks off and we had a lovely three days with them. Thanks for the help in the lock que girls.

When they left on Wednesday, E and I Moved back on to the Llangollen for the night and the next day down the Hurleston locks and back on to the Shroppie, we got as far as Audlem on Friday night intending to catch up with Eric and Elsie on Bendigedig the following day, having spoken to them, we knew they were just below lock 14 on the Audlem flight that was ten locks above us.

The next morning when I was opening the rear doors I found a note from BW saying do not move your boat, we will be along later to explain. It turns out there is a hole in the base of the canal 12 miles ahead of us and the water in that pound has gone. So we may be here for a week or so, that's a real hardship !! as we are 100yds from the shops, 10 yds from two pubs and the same distance from the services for water etc, how lucky was that.

That,s all for now folks

Back on the Shroppie

2009-08-03T10:58:00.000-07:00

Arrived at the lock 9th boat in que, left lock 2 hrs later with 10 boats still in que

Day or two old calf with mother.

Harry Heron catching his breki.

No blog last week due to signal problems, so a double helping today. First lock, we joined the que for two hours, Minshull lock is very slow both filling and emptying. We filled with diesel at Venetian Marine, we wanted water as well but he was a jobs worth!!, so we didn't get any. After the last lock we moved down to Barbridge Junction and turned right, having decided to go down to Christleton for a couple of days. On the way we called at Calveley services for much needed water before cruising down to Beeston Iron lock for the night, next day we moved on to Christleton.

Eiddwen and I went into Chester the following day to get a few bits. Making our way back, we had a chaotic time at Bunbury Staircase locks, there are signs which we thought were idiot proof, that tell you how to use the staircase. However if you can't read ! the signs don't help. A pair of boats going up grounded on the cill between the two locks due to not having filled the top lock first. To top that the next boat down didn't empty the bottom lock first, so as they emptied the top lock into the already full bottom lock the water went over the top of the gates and nearly went into the small shop by the gates, hey ho just another Saturday on the Shroppie. Moving on we arrived in Nantwich on Sunday lunchtime. Eric and I will be around here for the next few days due to both the girls going off in different directions to do their own things.

In the last 2 weeks we have done 37 miles and 14 locks

That's all for now.

Retracing our Steps.

2009-07-19T02:57:00.000-07:00

This hill is known as The Cloud.

They are getting bigger!

At the bottom of Bosley locks, the rain has done some damage to crops.

Another quiet week, leaving High Lane on Monday, we stopped at Lyme Green, Bosley locks, ( we went down the 12 Bosley locks in just over 2 hours, and we weren't in a rush ) Dane aquaduct and Red Bull aquaduct. Friday we shopped in Tesco's and Saturday we moved down to Church Lawton and stayed till Monday.

The weather has been very mixed this last week, but it is looking a bit better today.

We covered 26 miles and 19 locks in the last 7 days.

Happy birthday to Martin, Ffion and Ptolemy. xxxxx

Peak Forest and return.

2009-07-13T08:09:00.000-07:00

Bugsworth Upper basin.

There are many of these signs around the basin.

Looking back down the upper basin.

All that's left of the old tramway that brought the limestone down to the basin.

The saddles that carried the sleepers. Up to 800 tons of limestone a day left here in forty boats.

Well it was a short week, we cruised up to the Peak Forest on Tuesday and turned down for the Whaley Bridge arm, didn't stop long!. Stopped at Tesco's on the way to the Bugsworth Basin arm and what a difference, the group of volunteers who rescued the basin from it's derelict state a couple of years ago have done a great job trans forming it to it's present condition. It was a pity we could only stop 48 hrs, because there was so much to see.

We left on Friday and worked our way back to High Lane for the weekend, jumped on the bus to Stockport with the girls, managed to find a B&Q and picked up some bits for a couple of jobs I have to do. Couldn't get this out on Sunday as usual, no signal on either of my dongles in High Lane (so it can't be that high!!)

This week we have covered 19 miles and no locks'

That's all folks

We're on the Mac.

2009-07-05T03:53:00.000-07:00

Locking up the Trent & Mersey canal, with the M6 in the back ground.

Some of the locks on the T&M were duplicated to speed up traffic.

A family of swans having some greenery for supper.

How does something so ugly grow into a lovely swan?

Climbing up the Bosley flight on the Macclesfield the scenery is getting better.

We have a visitor staying with us this weekend, Ben from nb Bendigedig.

Leaving Wheelock on Monday we worked our way up toHassall Green, Tuesday found us at Kidsgrove and the junction with the Macclesfield canal. Wednesday we turned on to the Mac and were at Congleton that evening and Thursday we got up to Lyme Green, Friday we cruised up through Macclesfield and Bollington and arrived at Higher Poynton where we are moored for the weekend.

Next week we are back to the old chesnut of getting Eiddwen a re-supply of tablets, when we left Llangollen her doctor gave her 3 months worth of tablets, which are now running out, so we start looking for a surgery that will give her a repeat prescription.

Eric & Elsie from nb Bendigedig, who we travel with, have gone home for their daughters wedding this weekend so we are looking after Ben the dog. We have had him before for a day, but not over night, as it turned out he has been as good as gold, no problem.

This week we have covered 43 miles and worked through 39 single locks.

That's all folks.

Another Scortching Week

2009-06-28T10:32:00.000-07:00

Moored at Moore!

Emerging from Barnton Tunnel

Anderton Boat Lift, Trent and Mersey down to River Weaver.

First Mate having a mad moment.

Moored for the Weekend at Wheelock

Wheelock looking toward Kidsgrove and next lock in the distance.

Weather wise it's been a glorious week, and we are still basking in 27 deg temperatures now. We left Oldfield Brow on Monday and worked our way to Lymm, Tuesday found us mooring at Moore, and Wednesday we were in the country above Acton Bridge.

Leaving there on Thursday we stopped at the Anderton Lift for a quick look around, as we were mooring a lady walker who was passing spoke to Eiddwen in Welsh and it turned out she was from Boncath in Pembrokeshire, a mere stones throw from Crymych where we used to live, isn't it a small world, unfortunately before Eiddwen could find out her name, she had to run to catch up with the rest of her party. We left Anderton and moved on to stop near Broken Cross for the night. Friday saw us in Middlewich, for a tesco run and some of the best fish and chips on the cut. Unusually for us we moved on a bit on Saturday to Wheelock where we are stopping till Monday, this is to lesson the number of locks we have to do next week. This week we have covered 38 miles and done 10 locks.

That's all for now.

Back on the Bridgewater

2009-06-21T04:19:00.000-07:00

Not big enough for dinner!!

After a very busy week we finally turned onto the Bridgewater canal on Thursday afternoon. We left Hapton on Monday morning, and by Tuesday evening we had cruised down to Adlington, Wednesday dawned wet and cold so we stayed put. Thursday was a long day for the girls with 9 miles and 23 locks, 21 of the Wigan flight and 2 round the corner on the Leigh branch. Friday, we sailed down to the marina at Worsley for Diesel and water, then on down to Oldfield Brow, Sale for the weekend. Last week we covered 55 miles and 36 locks.

That's all for this week.

Hapton, Lancashire

2009-06-14T06:27:00.000-07:00

On our way up to the summit

One more lock to go

In the summit pound, the views are wonderful.

Part way across the summit pound.

That's a good sign!.

Looking into Lancashire.

First lock on the way down.

Summit reservoir. Rumour is that the canal could close by August if they don't get some rain.

Only two to go in this flight.

Moored for the night below the first flight of locks.

We have had a very good week, progress and weather wise. We left Skipton on Monday morning and went through the first flight of four locks, the next day we did the other eight. On Wednesday we crossed the summit and left Yorkshire, moving into Lancashire, Thursday saw us through Foulridge Tunnel (1640 yds long ), another seven locks and down to Barrowford.

As we went through the town, Eric spotted a waste oil bank, so we stopped and left them some, that's the first waste oil bank we have seen on the system. Just after leaving the recycle facility we came across a Summerfield supermarket on the off side, complete with it's own moorings and access gate, so the girls did a little shop. Through Burnley and Rose Grove on Friday and down to Hapton for the weekend.

Thats all for this week.

Skipton

2009-06-07T07:23:00.000-07:00

St Anns lock Leeds.

Field 3 Rise locks.

Sir Titus Salts mill at Saltaire

Moored at Dowley Gap.

Looking down the Bingley 3 Rise.

Top of Bingley 3 Rise.

Probably one of the most photographed lock flights in the country, Bingley 5 Rise.

Half way up.

Bingley 5 Rise from the top.

Some parts of this canal are covered in Rhododendrons

We left Leeds last Sunday morning in warm sunny conditions, and worked our way up the first 13 locks as required by BW, ( they chain these shut at night ) the last two being triple staircases with lockies and a large number of the local youth intent on swimming in the locks as we were trying to get the boats in!!. The next day we picked up much needed diesel and some oil for a change coming up in the next week or so. The scenery as we move away from Leeds and climb up into the hills is getting better all the time now.

There are more staircase locks on this part of the Leeds / Liverpool than I've ever seen any where, 8 sets in the first 20 miles, culminating in the famous Bingley 5 Rise, most of them have lockies on duty to assist, so you tend to get through them quite quickly, the other thing is the fact that you climb quickly as well, 260 feet from Leeds to Bingley. There are also large numbers of swing bridges, 34 so far, the girls are getting used to them, however each one is different to the last, so you need to carry a Watermate key, a Handcuff key and a Windlass each time.

We arrived in Skipton on Friday afternoon, the visitor moorings here are 3 days max, in the middle of the town, next to the bus station and amongst the shops so are very convenient. The town is very nice with a market. As the weather forecast was for rain and colder temperatures this weekend we have decided to stay put till Monday.

Thats all for this week

Bye Bye Aire & Calder, Hello Leeds / Liverpool

2009-05-30T13:51:00.000-07:00

On the moorings at Stanley Ferry

That's river speed

These locks are enormous and are fully automated

There are some big boats on this navigation.

Like this, the Rix Owl is a 600 ton oil tanker and the tiddler on the left is me, we met on a bend and he was in a hurry.

There are some big Carp in Clarence Dock, this one had a taste for bread.

Clarence Dock Leeds, a very nice spot to spend a couple of days, next to the Royal Armouries Museum.

We have had a very good week, the weather has picked up at last and we arrived in Leeds on Thursday afternoon. All the locks on the Aire & Calder Navigation are fully automated and the traffic lights tell you what to do, the locks them selves are enormous to suit the commercial barges and tanker that use this part of the waterway. This meant that the girls had a break from winding paddles and pulling on lock beams for a couple of days.

Clarence Dock was a nice surprise, the moorings are pontoons with electricity and water and are kept very clean, although there are large blocks of flats on two sides and the museum on the third you don't feel closed in. There is a Tesco Express close by and plenty of shops to browse in, the moorings are 48 hrs but you can buy an extra day from the BW office just across the river, which is what we had to do as our son Martin and the two grandchildren Ethan and Ptolemy were coming to visit us on Saturday for a visit to the Armouries Museum. It's 6 months since we last saw the boys and of course they have changed quite a bit, they enjoyed their visit to the museum and afterwards we went for a meal before they left for home. Sorry boys I took pics with the wrong camera and can't put them on the blog.

Thats all folks

Talk next week

End of the Calder & Hebble

2009-05-24T08:03:00.000-07:00

Moored at Calder Grove for the weekend

The garden is growing, apart from the flowers we have Cos Lettuce and Cherry Tomatoes.

Looking towards Broad Cut Lower lock.

I'm a bit short on photo's this week, due mainly to the awful weather, we have had heavy rain almost every day. How ever we have moved along the Calder & Hebble to Calder Grove for the weekend, (where the girls managed to find a bus to take them into Wakefield for the afternoon on Saturday) and then we will drop down onto the Aire & Calder Navigation which will take us all the way to Leeds.

The weather has improved 100% this weekend, we are now basking in 24 deg wall to wall sunshine and it's very nice, also as it is Bank Holiday the boat traffic has picked up, and we are starting to see a few more boats moving about. Watched the Grand Prix, great race well done JB. Have moved on to Stanley Ferry for a couple of days.

Thats all for this week

Talk soon.

End of the Rochdale

2009-05-16T11:16:00.001-07:00

A quiet place in the country

Hebdon Bridge, services on the left and visitor moorings on right.

H B from the other end, a very nice town.

Name this!!.

This is Tuel Lane lock, the deepest working lock in the Country at 20ft

Sowerby Bridge Basin, end of the Rochdale, start of the Calder & Hebble Navigation.

Moored for the weekend in Sowerby Basin.

A quiet week after all the action of the previous week. We arrived in Hebden Bridge on Tuesday afternoon, Eric had to go home on Wednesday for a couple of days, so we stayed put until Saturday morning and then pulled the pins and cruised down to Sowerby Bridge.

The first lock coming in to Sowerby Bridge is Tuel Lane lock and at 20ft it is the deepest working lock on the whole canal system, it's operated by a lock keeper for safety reasons, when we arrived he was at lunch, so whilst we were waiting the girls went in to the local market and bought a few bits. After his lunch the locki came over to us and explained the workings of the lock and what he wanted us to do, he was very helpful and gave us information about one or two things ahead of us.

So here we are until Monday, it's very quiet in the Basin, not far from the shops, and with just the odd shower it's ideal.

See you next week.

The week of the weedhatch

2009-05-10T07:58:00.000-07:00

Shush & Bendigedig moored for the night.

Working through the locks.

The views up here are just stunning, looking towards the summit.

Looking back from the summit.

Shush & Bendigedig moored below West Summit lock.

Ben having a rest.

The girls working us down from the summit.

Here's a novelty our first guillotine lock at Todmordon.

What a week, the BW guys met us on Monday morning just after eight at Ducie St. Being Manchester it was raining, but we started up the nineteen locks, one of them in front and the other with a lady single hander behind us. I have never been down the weed hatch on this boat since new, ( for the uninitiated, the weed hatch is a shaft of steel with a lid, over the prop, enabling you to get at anything fowling the prop without having to go over the side into the canal), but we were only a couple of locks up when every thing came to a halt, the first time it was a pair of trousers, next it was a sweat shirt, then a canvas sports bag, then plastic bags,then part of a tent, the bit with a 3ft plastic zip on, and a couple more bits over the day, at the end of the day I nearly had a wardrobe of clothes and a bag to carry them in, Eric had a pile of plastic rope and bags as well. When we finally moored up at Chadderton we were worn out.

Next day we headed up to Slattocks for water and a night stop. Weds and Thurs found us working our way up to the summit, where our crossing was booked for Friday morning. After crossing into Yorkshire we started making our way down ending up in Todmorden on Friday eve. We spent Sat moored in the town to do some shopping, then moved on Sun am to our present spot in the country in order to watch the Grand Prix.

We have had rain most days this week, but also some sun, Since Monday we have covered 20 miles and worked through 65 locks, we still have 48 miles and 58 locks to Leeds

That's all, see you next week.

Onwards and Upwards

2009-05-03T08:17:00.000-07:00

Sorry photo's are back to front this week.

Here we are sat just below lock 83 waiting for BW guys in the morning.

This is Bendigedig & Shush in Castlefield basin off Deansgate in Manchester.

We have had quite a good week for travelling, the weather on the whole has been very good, we have covered 51 miles since last Sunday, arriving in Manchester Castlefield basin on Sat around lunch time after doing a slight diversion to Worsley for much needed fuel. The two boatyards near to Manchester that were showing on our maps have closed since the maps were printed.

Any way, the girls went shopping as soon as we arrived leaving Eric and myself to fill the boats with water and then move them onto the little arm for the night. Although almost in the middle of town it was very peaceful down there and a good nights sleep was enjoyed by all.

No rest this weekend, we had to clear the first nine locks of the Rochdale canal today, in order to meet the BW guys on Monday morning at 8.30. The next 20 locks are chained up each night to prevent vandalism and each morning they have to be unchained. The canal climbs very steeply out of Manchester, consequently it is heavily locked, so we will be quite busy for the next few days.

Thats all for this week folks, talk soon

Middlewich

2009-04-26T07:22:00.000-07:00

On the Arm at Whitchurch on Tuesday evening

Grindly Brook middle staircase

Bendigedig emerging from Grindly Brook locks and First mate comming back with shopping

We have flowers in abundance this year, the pig looks good Lisa.

And more, the last couple of weeks of warm weather have made such a difference

We are in Middlewich Cheshire this weekend, enjoying the warm weather, yesterday, Saturday started with a heavy, cold shower of rain, then the sun came out and we basked in it all afternoon, we will be moving on Monday morning heading for the sevices at Anderton, then on to Preston Brook and the Bridgewater canal.

I had to buy an anchor, chain and warp this week due to the fact that we will be going on to a couple of rivers this summer, {what's the correct size of anchor for my 57 ft boat? think of a number, double it and multiply by the first number!!} no one seems to know, not even the chandlers are sure ''er, this one should be plenty big enough for you''. So I hope the one they sold me is ok.

The flowers have been doing so well, we decided to plant some Coz lettuce seeds this week, Elsie planted potatoes a fortnight ago and they are through already,

Thats all for this week folks.

Moving On

2009-04-20T11:54:00.001-07:00

York station waiting for the train

Moored on the Prees branch Sunday evening

Sunday morning and we moved over to the services in Ellesmere for water and rubbish, whilst there a holiday boat pulled in behind me, as the lady was pulling the centre rope tight it came off the mooring bollard and she fell backwards cracking her head on the concrete. Elsie called an ambulance and I held a towel pad on the wound, which being a head wound was bleeding profusely, eventually the ambulance arrived and they took her to Shrewsbury A&E for stitches.

Last week we went to York for three days, Lisa & Emyr were going to a wedding so they asked us to look after the girls, which we were delighted to do, we took them down to a local park were they played on the swings in the afternoon and had a nice time. We went up on the train from Shrewsbury, three hours later we were in York, the weather was very kind to us whilst we were there as well.

At the moment we are on the Prees branch waiting to get some fuel from the marina on Tues morning, then we shall be off.

Make and Mend in Ellesmere

2009-04-13T02:18:00.000-07:00

Coming up the staircase at Frankton locks

Eric fron nb Bendigedig and the Lockie giving points for

entering the lock with least number of bumps

Heading for Ellesmere

Photo's courtesy of Elsie from nbBendigedig.

We are still here at Ellesmere, getting some painting done and enjoying the warm sunny weather, although that is soon to change if the forecast people are to be believed. Eiddwen and Elsie have been shopping in Oswestry. The number of boats out on the water have increased dramaticaly this week, it being Easter and school hols. See you all next week.

On the move at last

2009-04-07T07:34:00.000-07:00

We left Llangollen in company with Bendigedig last Tuesday morning, Eric in front and me tailend charlie and cruised down to Hindford, a distance of 13.5 miles and 2 locks. After a chat we have decided to go down on to the Montgomery canal for a few days, to get a few jobs done whilst this weather is so nice. So we went down the locks on Thursday lunch and moored on the disused arm till Sunday, there are all the facilities here and it is so quite with stunning views. After coming back up the locks on Sunday we moved round the corner and stopped the night, Monday we cruised down to Ellesmere where we shall stay for a few days, we all have things to do whilst we are here.

The reason this is late this week is the new dongle is not as good as was made out when I bought it, Signal strength varies a lot on the canals, by the very nature of being out in the country most of the time, however I did point this out when purchasing said dongle but who ever you purchase from ''theirs'' is always the best regardless of it's actual ability, so I now have 'two' dongles and one of them had better work or they will be going for a swim!!

Will put some pics on next Sunday, as have not yet sorted them out. By for now

Summers Coming

2009-03-29T09:43:00.000-07:00

The Orchid garden in Singapore

Bondi beach on a hot Sunday

Victoria Peak Hongkong

It's nearly that time again. After 8 wonderful weeks in Australia this winter, which shortened our winter break considerably we are getting ready for our summer cruise with NB Bendigedig.

Our thanks to Eric, Elsie & Ben for looking after 'Shush' whilst we were away, we wouldn't have been happy going without them here to keep an eye on her. Thanks for the Daffs Elsie.

This year we are going to visit Leeds via the Rochdale and Huddersfield Broad Canals, from there to Liverpool via Wigan and then back to Manchester, onto the Ashton and Macclesfield Canals.

That's a lot of miles and locks but we are looking forward to it, and with no dead line to meet we can take our time and enjoy it, which is what narrowboating is all about, so if Tuesday is as good as the weatherman says it will be, we will be on our way

The end of our summer cruise

2008-11-02T08:10:00.000-08:00

Number one granddaughter checking the course !

Snow at the end of October!!

Are we nearly there ?

Number two granddaughter up to mischief

Sorry this is late, for some reason I get a signal on some nights and not on others. We had visitors last Wednesday afternoon, Lisa, Emyr and the two granddaughters, Megan and FFion. as it was half term they were staying until Saturday, They are looking forward to going on Thomas the Tank Engine on Friday at the station in town, he is here for half term. L,E,M and F lovely to see you all.

Elsie on Bendigedig was a mile nearer to Llangollen than us and rang to say that there was room to moor up on the line on Thursday morning, so we left our Sun Trevor mooring and started on the last 2 miles to Llangollen. Over night it had snowed !! so the landscape was transformed, the temperature wasn't that bad though. Megan stayed on the back with me, Emyr was on the towpath ahead of us, this section of the canal is single track in two places, so some one has to go in front to stop boats coming the other way.

We arrived, and found a spot which will do us for the winter. There are several old friends here from last year, and a few new faces as well. Well that's it until next year, hope you all have a nice Christmas and a better New Year than the one we are in.

See you all in April.

During our summer cruise we covered 630 miles, went through 388 locks and used 987 ltrs of fuel.

Back on the Llangollen

2008-10-25T08:06:00.000-07:00

Moored on the Llangollen half a mile from the Montgomery canal

Looking back up the Montgomery to the Frankton locks.

We get many helicopters around they are from the Services Training school at Shrewsbury

The first services and moorings on the Monty, the moorings are on the right and the services on the left. As we were tying up, who should come along but Angela and Trevor on Liberty Belle, we haven't seen them since July

Trevor moving over to make use of the services.

Well it's been an interesting week, we moved on to the Montgomery canal on Tues lunch time, and made our way down to the services, whilst there our friends on Liberty Belle arrived, we hadn't seen Angela and Trevor since July at Braunston, we were at the services then, and as they passed through without stopping, we didn't manage to catch up on the news. So a good chat was had by all, after watering etc. we moved across the arm to the moorings and spent the night there.

Weds saw us on the move, we travelled to Wootton and managed to find a mooring for both boats, the girls went off on the bus to Oswestry to do some shopping, and Eric and I went for a pint in the Queens Head, a very nice pint of Theakstons.

Thurs we moved, in terrible windy weather, on to the present end of the Monty at Maesbury Marsh, we turned and eventually managed to moor up, it was a real battle, the wind wanted the boat on opposite bank to were I wanted it and it took a while to get my way!. We stopped there until Sat and then moved back, in very windy weather, to Frankton locks ready for Sunday, locking out of the Monty back on to the Llangollen.

And so our Summer Journey is nearly at an end.

See you all next week.

Bye Ellesmere till April 2009

2008-10-19T07:36:00.000-07:00

The BW services point at Ellesmere, Bendi filling with water and Shush just finished and winded.

Last supplies coming on board before leaving our mooring.

Managed to get a bit of painting done this week, the floor of the front deck wanted a coat to freshen it up, so found some Hammerite in almost the same colour as the original. Have put one coat on and will try to get onother on this week. Eiddwen and Elsie have been to Oswestry a couple of times (Eric and I sent a email to the shopping centre warning them that they were on their way, so they could get in extra stock!!).

On our way at last, we left Ellesmere this morning after using the services, water, rubbish, etc. Making our way against quite a strong gusting headwind, this, combined with the natural 2mph flow on the Llangollen was making the engine work for a change, it also made one or two bends rather interesting as well.

We are going to spend a few days on the Montgomery canal this coming week, and are looking forward to that as we haven't been down the Monty before. At present we are moored out in the country where we like to be when we get the chance.

Thats all folks, see you next week.

Still around Ellesmere

2008-10-12T08:04:00.001-07:00

The Town Arm at Ellesmere on a warm Sunday morning.

We are the fourth boat down the line and Bendi is fifth.

Bendigedig winding at the bottom of the arm.

And returning to moor behind us.

Not a lot to report this week, the cut is getting much quieter with less boats about, we have moved on to the Town Arm for three days, as we have been waiting for some decent weather so that the paint brushes could get going. At last, today has been warm and dry and tomorrow is supposed to be the same, so out with the wet and dry this morning, some red oxide this afternoon and top coat tomorrow I hope.

E had her !! birthday on Friday so she had a trip to Shrewsburys shops and we went out for a meal that evening to the Thai Mere Restaurant in town and a very nice bit of grub it was too, we both enjoyed it.

Thats all for now, see you next week.

10 Day stop over

2008-10-05T12:15:00.000-07:00

I should have published these photo's two weeks ago but the lack of signal held them up.

Hurleston Locks the entrance to the Llangollen canal.

This is the trip boat on the Manchester Ship canal with a full load.

This was last Thursday on the Preece Arm, just before sunset with a storm coming in.

Last week there wasn't much to write about, a quiet week as they say. We moved on from Whitchurch to open country, then down the Preece branch to Whixall marina for services and diesel at 75 ppl, we then stopped for two nights half way back to the main line it was very quiet and peaceful.

We arrived in Ellesmere on Friday pm and plan to stay around here for the next 10 days or so. Hope the weather gets better as forecast, because yesterday the wind was very strong, and last night I don't think it stopped raining all night. I'm hoping to get some painting done in the next few days, that is if the weather picks up.

Note to Eric & Patsy in California

We are not far from your home town now, in fact Eiddwen is going there tomorrow to do some shopping.I hope you both enjoy the canals as much as we do, BW are starting to put prices up for us CC's, next year there is talk of an extra £ 150 on top of our licence to cover the use of services etc for 12 month cruisers, and the price of red diesel is changing on the 1st November. When we buy fuel after that date, we will have to declare how much is for propulsion and how much for heat and light, this will mean that boatyards will charge us at a higher rate for propulsion. The general consensus is 60/40 split when cruising, but when moored up I don't know yet.

That's all folks.

Signal at last!!!

2008-09-23T12:10:00.000-07:00

I have not had a signal since Friday morning, and am fed up with Vodafone's coverage around here in particular. So that is why the blog is late and that there aren't any photos this week and Vodafone's days are numbered, roll on November when my contract ends. I can check the signals of other companies and there are at least two who consistently beat Vodafone on strength.

After leaving Chester, we cruised up to Chrisleton, it was our 43 wedding aniversery so we went to the Cheshire Cat pub for a very nice meal with Eric & Elsie off Bendigedig. The following day we moved on to Beeston for the weekend, and what a lovely few days it was, we had a barbi on Saturday evening. On Monday we headed for Hurleston locks at the bottom of the Llangollen canal, we climbed the four locks and did another couple of miles before mooring for the night. tonight we are in Wrenbury and plan to stay here for 48 hrs.

Message for Eric from California, the designer wheel was the result of an argument with a lock gate, my bike has been on that carrier almost a year and has survived hundreds of locks, however sods law says that sooner or later you will forget it's there and the bike becomes the meat in the sandwich between 14 tons of boat and an imovable lock gate. The bike has a new wheel and now lies on the roof alongside Eiddwens.

Well as this blog is so late i've added on this weeks as well, the signal is a little better today. We are on the Whitchurch arm for the weekend and have been into town to do a Tesco shop this afternoon, the weather is very good at the moment so we are making the most of it. Hope to have more to say next time.

See you all next week.

At the end of the Shropi.

2008-09-12T10:12:00.000-07:00

There are 3 lots of water here, in the foreground are the museum locks at the end of the Shropshire Union Canal, the middle ground is the Manchester Ship Canal and the sandy bit at the top is the River Mersey at low tide.

This is the lower basin of the Museum complex, which we have almost to ourselves.

First mate going for a stroll.

Going down the first lock with our little helpers up on top.

Halfway down Northgate Staircase Locks at Chester, a drop of 32 feet in 3 locks.

In case you hadn't noticed, the pictures are in the wrong order. ie. first last, last first!!

This weekend we are in The National Waterways Museum in Ellesmere Port. We are staying for a few days in the lower basin of the museum, and as you can see, we don't have a lot of neighbours! On the way we stopped a night in Chester having had a walk round the shops during the day.

This museum is the best waterway museum I have been in, they really have tried to make it customer friendly, with touch screens every where and some excellent information boards alongside the exhibits.

The weather has finally sorted its self out and so far we have had 3 excellent days. We had a nice walk along the Manchester Ship Canal this morning, and did the last of the exhibits this afternoon, so tomorrow I have got an engine oil & filter change in the morning and the GP in the afternoon, so a restful day!!

See you all nextweek.

Onwards and upwards

2008-09-06T02:32:00.000-07:00

My engine is now complete again, Steve from Kings Lock boatyard at Middlewich came on Wednesday morning and removed the piece of bolt left in the head, fitted a new bolt and re-torqued it. Thanks Steve. After looking at the weather forecast for the next few days, we have moved on from Nantwich out into the country side and will stay put until Sunday and then move on towards Chester which is our next goal.

Thursday evening I lit the fire for the first time since last March, it went quite chilly early evening so we had to bite the bullet and get the chimney out of the front locker, along with sticks and coal, whilst trying to avoid the the rain. Half an hour and we were lovely and cosy again. you forget how quickly the fire warms the place up.

No photo's this again this week, my vodafone signal is just not strong enough to download them.

End of the summer?

2008-08-30T12:17:00.000-07:00

Spot the Heron

The weather doesn't seem to get any better, although, we can't complain there haven't been many days since leaving London that we have failed to move due to the rain. Speaking to family in East Anglia and friends back in Pembrokeshire we seem to have sailed up the middle of the country and avoided most of the bad weather that they have seen.

At the moment we are moored up part way down the Audlem flight of 15 locks, a few miles from Nantwich, we arrived here yesterday lunch time and are staying till Monday morning, we try not to move on Sundays if possible. I had a few photo's to put on the blog but am having trouble transfering them (it keeps crashing). I am going to try another phone company in a couple of months when my contract runs out. Even though I am only getting 2g on mine most of the time, if I look at the other companies they are showing 3g in the same location, so, Vodafone your days are numbered if your signal strength doesn't increase. Still waiting for progress on the engine front, watch this space.

A Visit to the Show

2008-08-23T12:53:00.000-07:00

We left Great Heywood last Tues and made our way down the Staffs & Worcester canal to the Inland Waterways Association's National Festival held this year at Pendeford at the head of the Shropshire Union canal.

Arriving at Autherley Junction there were several boats queing for the lock on to the Shropi, IWA helpers were controlling it, so we waited for their call to go through the lock, 2 hours later we made the turn and moved on down to a nice mooring for the night. Saturday we walked up to the show and spent the day looking around and spending money. At least the weather was warm. We moved on later in the day and are now out in the country on a quiet mooring.

Sunday we made our way down to Brewood and had Lunch at the Bridge Inn very nice too. we moved on a bit further and stopped for the night, on Monday we cruised on down to Norbury Junction which is where we are now. I'm hoping my engine problem will be sorted this week, I went to the Vitas stand at the show and spoke to them and it would seem that the engineer is iminent. we shall see.

Sorry no pics this week, will try harder for next week.

2008-08-16T12:23:00.000-07:00

Tixall Wide, more like a lake than a canal. There are lots of Kingfishers here

Balloon leaving Shugborough Hall, several nights a week in the summer weather permitting so we are told.

Well, weather wise it's been a mixed bag again this week. We left Atherstone last Sat and cruised slowly up to Great Heywood, where we arrived Thurs pm and we are staying till Tues, waiting for tablets for Eiddwen and doing a bit of cosmetic work on the outside of the hull, these narrow locks take off more paint than the double locks on the GU, or maybe it's me!!

We are here on Tixall Wide, it really is a lovely spot, and a great favorite with many boaters. I'm afraid the picture doesn't quite do it justice. Tomorrow I have to go back to the junction to get diesel ( it's only a mile ), when we arrived in Great Heywood we moored on the 48 hr moorings, so had to move on Saturday. I couldn't get any on Saturday when we moved up here because it was change over day at the boat yard and they don't wan't to see any one then. It's the first time I have let it go down so far, I've only got about 20 litres left so a big bill this time!! Will let you know next week.

Changeable weather

2008-08-09T07:17:00.000-07:00

Tucked up for Sunday

Well weather wise it's been a changeable week, Hot at the start and very wet at the end. We arrived in Atherstone on Weds pm, Eric had to go home to Newport so we moored up for three nights. Set off again on Sat in a real downpour, so did six locks and three miles and stopped out in the country just before lunch, and with a good signal for Sky we are nice and cosy for rest of the weekend ( The Eisteddfod is on S4C as well as the Olympics )

On Thurs a 30 footer moored behind us with a retired couple on board, they went shopping and locked themselves out, so I went over with some spanners and took their hatch off so we could open the door. Eiddwen and I then went shopping and when we came back there was a little thank you card pinned to our door, Now wasn't that nice of them, with people like that there is still hope for the rest of us!!

My engine problem still hasn't been resolved, however the correct people are in the know and I await their pleasure, in the meantime we are cruising slowly onwards.

Beware the Yellow Peril

2008-08-03T08:25:00.000-07:00

End of the day

Sorry this is late, I couldn't get a signal on Sunday night.

Well I think this week has been hotter than last although this weekend the breeze has picked up, and we have had a little rain, it is still very close and muggy. We left MK on Monday pm and progressed through Blisworth and Braunston tunnels up to Braunston, (I hate tunnels, although we didn't have any incidents this time) arrived there late Friday, we left there Sunday pm and are out in the country at the moment a few miles short of Rugby.

Funny thing happened on Friday morning, I was checking the oil and water before setting off, when I saw a yellow thing on the floor of the engine bay, now the engine bay is painted white and the engine is yellow so it grabbed my attention. It turned out to be the Hex head of one of the cylinder head bolts, these bolts are stretch torqued and it looks as though there was a flaw in this bolt, you would swear it has been cut off with a hacksaw. I'm lucky in a way as it is the bolt between no's 1 & 2 injectors so the engine is still running with care, just as well as my calls to the engineer have still not been answered, I think he is on holiday. However I did take advice from one of the boat yards near by, they said it was a reasonable risk to keep going slowly untill I can get it fixed.

Hot, Hot, Hot.

2008-07-27T10:07:00.000-07:00

Here are the boys

We are in Milton Keynes this weekend, arrived on Thursday pm and decided to stay till Monday, Eiddwen needs a repeat prescription so we have to hang around for a couple of days. You would think that the tablets she requires have to be paid for by the people running the surgeries !! it is getting harder and harder to find someone prepared to authorise them. This time it took a visit to two surgeries to get a signature. the problem is that the doctors will only give a months tablets at any one time, which is fair enough if you could get a repeat prescription without any hassle, but that is not the case, when you go into a strange surgery they treat you like a leper.

"ooh we can't do that here you must try somewhere else" What a way to run the NHS.

What a cracking week, it just got hotter towards the weekend. We left Bulbourne Junction on Monday am in fine weather and it just got better, such that we seemed to do less each day due to the heat. Martin, Sophie and the grandsons, Ethan and Ptolemy came over today for a visit, along with sophie's mum Sarah it was great to see them all. Sarah has been driving Eiddwen round the surgeries because living here she knows were they are. Thanks Sarah, your help has been invaluable.

Lots of Locks

2008-07-20T07:47:00.000-07:00

Heading under the M25 near junction 20, Bendigedig in front of Shush.

This weekend we are at Bulbourne Junction near Tring, having passed Rickmansworth, Kings Langley, Hemel Hempstead and Berkhamstead on the way. The weather was fairly kind to us last week, keeping dry for most of the time, just as well, as this section of the GU is very heavily locked, 52 in 30 miles, we managed 14 one day, the girls were pretty tired that night, however it makes life easier being able to get both boats in at the same time.

Spent Saturday afternoon in the engine bay doing a fuel filter, engine oil and filter change. The engine has done 522 hours since launch last October, this is the fifth change i've done, it takes a while, due to the engine and gearbox being so close to the bottom of the boat, you have to suck the oil up through the dipstick tube with a small pump, works very well though.

Bye Bye London

2008-07-12T08:17:00.000-07:00

London from the EYE !

Our visit to see Lisa, Emyr and the girls

Going up to the basin to turn

Waiting for Eric and Bendigedig to come through the bridge hole

Eric turning behind us

That empty space is where we spent our 14 days in Little Venice,

Bendigedig on the inside and Shush on the outside

Sorry there wasn't a blog last Sunday, we went up to Norwich for a couple of days to do a bit of business and see L & E and the girls. Eric & Elsie kept an eye on the boat for us, many thanks both. Whilst in the Capital we managed to get around a few of the sight, the Eye, Camden Market, shops for E and a couple of museums for me, and also one or two pubs. It still amazes me how quiet LV is considering it is surrounded by flats and one or two roads after 11.00pm ish we have not been disturbedthe whole time we have been here.

Well our two weeks in London came to an end, and on Friday we slipped our moorings went up to the basin and turned heading for Birmingham. We did the 13 miles to Tesco at Bulls Bridge, did a shop and spent the night on their moorings. Saturday found us heading for our first lock at Cowley, two more followed including a fill up with diesel at 82 ppl that's the best price for a long time. We ended up in the country near South Harefield. Today Sunday has been very hot all day, makes a nice change. This morning a voice on a passing boat hailed us in Welsh and asked Eiddwen what we were doing this far south, she said we were on our way back from London and what was he doing here, I live here he said have done for many years, nice to talk the talk again. Our dragons attract a lot of attention from ex pats.

London

2008-06-29T11:19:00.000-07:00

Tesco's in Rickmansworth provide moorings for boat shoppers, as do several supermarkets down here.

Saw this piece of "Art"on the way in.

The last lock before London

Paddington Basin, our second choice of mooring.

Little Venice, our first choice. All boats are moored two a breast here due to popularity of site.

Well we finally arrived at Little Venice in the Borough of Westminster on Saturday afternoon and managed to moor up on a couple of boats already tied to the bank. On Sunday afternoon we swapped around and found a slot for Bendigedig with Shush on the outside. You are allowed to stay up to a maximum of 14 days here. There are a lot of boats around this weekend according to the locals but it's all very friendly, and boat people are helpful souls on the whole.

We had a good run down this week, the weather has been great. We stopped out in the country Monday night, Rickmansworth for two nights, (Erics back has been giving him trouble this week and he has been in a lot of pain), then a night out in the country again, Friday night we were at Tesco's Bulls Bridge, and Saturday we did the last 13 miles into Little Venice.

There are a lot bars and restaurants in this area and they seem pretty well suplied with customers, especialy as it has been so warm this weekend. We plan to do some sightseeing this coming week.

Double Breasted

2008-06-21T09:18:00.000-07:00

Last uphill lock before the summit at Tring, from here on it's all down hill

Waiting for the lock to empty

This was the 14th and last lock of the day, so the lockies are getting a bit tired.

"I've just bought this"!

We are in Hemel Hempstead for the weekend and although we are in the middle of the town with some very nice houses along the towpath, it's so quiet and peaceful here you would think your out in the country. There are so many boats moored around here, there wasn't enough room to moor one in front of the other as we usualy do, so we breasted up with Bendigedig on the inside, due to the fact that this is a wide canal we can get away with it.

The supermarket is 400 yds one way and the pub is about the same the other, sat reception is great so it's a very good spot!!. The weather has been good too this weekend, some showers on Sat morn, sunny pm and all day Sunday it has been warm and sunny.

Last week we had a lot of locks, and it will be the same for the start of this week, we still have 26 locks and 33 miles to go. However, we will get there in our own time, it's not a race and the idea is to enjoy it at a pace that suits us, and thats what we are doing.

Leighton Buzzard

2008-06-15T12:14:00.000-07:00

Here we are in LB the towpath is a bit overgrown here,you have to cut a path in the grass before you can moor up.

The local canoe club had a race today and several dozen boats were going up and down the canal.

This is Ben, Eric and Elsie's dog, he loves to watch the world go by.

Having spent a couple of very pleasant days in Milton Keynes earlier this week, (although the canal meanders right through the centre of the town, you feel your in the country it is so quiet). We walked across a lovely park into the main shopping centre on Weds before we cruised down to Leighton Buzzard. Elsie had to go home to Newport this weekend so we are here till Monday, it's a nice town, plenty of shops and eating places.

Martin called on Friday evening with a new camera I'd ordered and had delivered to him, so no excuses now, and Sarah, Sophie's mum came for lunch today so we caught up on a multitude of things. The weather this week has been very good, dry and warm for the most part.

A week nearer London

2008-06-08T13:44:00.000-07:00

Daylight at last, coming out of Blisworth tunnel 3057 yds long

Another lock in the Stoke Bruerne flight

No by-wash on this canal any excess water comes straight over the top of the gates

Both the girls waiting for the lock to empty.

It's been a funny few days this week, we started ok on Mon, then due to the torrential rain on Tues we didn't move that day. Weds & Thurs we made progress, then on Fri, Martin and our lovely grandsons Ethan & Ptolemy came to see us, we had a great day and they left in the evening after a very nice meal in the local pub. Sat was a rest day and we started again on Sun. Firstly we filled with diesel at 86.3 ppl, we passed one yard selling at 93.2 ppl but left it in the pump, did Blisworth tunnel, 7 locks, filled up with water after the locks and then did a couple of miles, now moored up in the country with the satelite on watching the Canadian grand prix. It's a hard life on the cut !!!

Photo's from Sunday and Monday

2008-06-02T10:52:00.000-07:00

Braunston Church

Both boats from the church

Monday

First wide lock

First mate waiting for lock to level

Shush emerging from Braunston tunnel

Last day on the narrow canals

2008-06-01T09:29:00.001-07:00

This weekend we are at Braunston Turn where the Oxford and Grand Union canals meet, we arrived on Friday and managed to find room to stay on the 14 day moorings, just before the turn onto the GU. The village is very pretty, with a church that is visible for miles due to it being on a hill. I'm having trouble with my internet signal and can't upload the photo's at the moment, I will try tomorrow

We bought diesel this week at 84.2 ppl, it's going up at quite a rate of knots at the moment. The weather has been very kind this w/end, we walked on Sat pm for a couple of hours and had a pint in one of the local pubs. Saw nb Dover in the marina here that's the boat that was rebuilt on the tv series, she has a new owner.

Tomorrow we start down the Grand Union canal, 6 locks first then Braunston tunnel 2042 yds long, because this is a wide canal all the locks from here to London take 2 boats side by side, so it makes locking through a bit quicker for us. From here we have 103 miles and 90 locks to go.

Family weekend

2008-05-25T13:23:00.000-07:00

Megan & Ffion with Mamgu

Ffion the supervisor

Megan the butterfly

NB's Bendigedig & Shush

During the last week we cruised up the Ashby canal to the end at Snarestone, turned and went back as far as Shackerstone on Friday pm. Our daughter Lisa and our two lovely granddaughter's, Megan and Ffion came later on Friday, to stay till Sunday pm. All the girls went to the zoo at Twycross on Sat morn, I stayed behind to look after Morgan, Lisa's dog. In the afternoon they did some shopping with Elsie from Bendigedig our travelling companions. Sun was a quiet day after all the excitement of yesterday. After Lisa and the girls left on Sun afternoon we pulled the pins and cruised 6 miles down to fill with water and empty the rubbish and loos. We have to be off the Ashby and a few miles further on by Tues morn to have some pre-booked servicing done. Thanks for a lovely weekend Lisa, great to see you all.

Change in the weather

2008-05-17T11:28:00.000-07:00

Next in line for the lock

Following nb Bendigedig

The week started so well with sunshine, and ending in rain, what's new?. We turned on to the Coventry canal this week, the weather seemed to have brought out a lot of boaters, as we found ourselves queueing at quite a few of the locks. We have seen a few sights this week, the woman standing in the bow of her shiny boat with a pair of hedge clippers cutting anything green that came within 2 feet of her. The hire boat that waited until Eric was nearly alongside and then pulled out in front of him, causing us both to back peddle in a hurry, and to rub salt in the wound he then cruised along in the middle of the cut so slowly we had to keep taking our props out of gear. In the end we gave up and moored for the night.

The girls had a little exercise Thurs & Fri 11 locks and a shop at the Coop just to keep their skills up to date. Elsie put Bendigedig into a couple of the locks, well done Elsie, I'm still working on Eiddwen, but it will happen. This weekend we are moored near Hartshill.

Bank to bank sunshine

2008-05-11T02:58:00.000-07:00

Sunday in the country

Well what a glorious week of sunshine. We left Great Heywood on Thurs pm after Elsie returned from a quick dash home to Newport. The weather was starting to get better as we left and it has just continued to improve, we moored in the country on Thurs eve and then went down to Rugeley on Fri morn, did a big shop at Morrisons as they are by the canal, carried on and moored for the weekend in the country half a mile from Fradley Junction, where we will turn on to the Coventry canal.

Had a bbq last night first of the year and very good it was too, It's now Sunday 11.00 and the temp is climbing through 23c. I have the engine running for an hour just to top up the batteries, We run twice a day when we are moored up just to keep them fully charged for the telly etc, the other must, is a clear view to the South East for the satellite signal.

Have borrowed a pic from Elsie for this week, must replace our camera soon as we get to a town as it's a pain without one. Thats all folks see you next week. Hi Bethan received your email thanks.

Out in the country

2008-05-05T03:52:00.000-07:00

We are not far from Cannock Chase, and have been all week. It has given us time to do some servicing and touch a bit of the paint work up between showers. Narrow boats tend to get scratched a bit along the sides going in and out of locks, there are strips of metal called rubbing strips which run along the length of the boat to protect the sides and these take most of the scrapings, so it's nice to put a drop of paint back on them now and again.

This place is very quiet and teeming with wild life. Swans and Geese have nests just a few yards from where we are moored, the heron comes each morning for a feed of fish, he seems to do very well.

We plan to move on Thursday all being well

Two become Five

2008-04-26T12:25:00.000-07:00

Turning onto the Staffordshire & Worcestershire at Autherley Junction
Entering the last lock on the Shropshire Union
First mate waiting to open the gate

We left Norbury Junction last Monday and cruised to Wheaton Aston where Eric, Elsie and Ben caught up with us on Wednesday pm. From there this week we have cruised to the end of the Shropshire Union and turned left on to the Staffordshire & Worcestershire canal heading for Great Haywood Junction and the Trent & Mersey canal.

The weather this week has been a mixture of sun and showers, however today it has been glorious sunshine all day. Stopped for a little shop which just happened to have a pub next door, so had a pint as it was nearly lunch time. We didn't moor up untill 6.30 this evening, mostly due to the 10 locks we have descended today, the girls having walked a fair number of the pounds (the water between two locks is called a pound ) between them. We are moored out in the country near Wildwood and will stay here till Monday.

This week we have covered 30 miles and 12 locks.

London bound

2008-04-19T08:31:00.000-07:00

We left Audlem on Monday morning, and finished the last 11 locks before lunch, after food we did the 5 at Adderley then cruised to Market Drayton. As we arrived I saw a sign for diesel so decided to fill up, 84.5 litres @ 64 ppl not bad. Stopped 2 days at MD, Left on Weds morn did the 5 Tyrley locks and went up to Goldstone Wharf stopped 2 days, left Fri am and had a hard day battling up to Norbury Junction against a very strong cross wind which tried it's best to park us on the bank but didn't succeed. We will stay here till Monday, this week we have done18 miles & 21 locks, we aren't rushing because we are waiting for NB Bendigedig to catch us up, they are leaving Sandbach today, so should be with us in a couple of weeks. See you next week

What a week

2008-04-12T14:20:00.000-07:00

Sunday morning we woke to a landscape covered in snow, what a surprise, about an 1" had fallen overnight. Monday pm I took my first dip in the cut, well it was a sort of slide in feet first up to my waist. The girls had set the lock and opened the gate for me, I pushed the boat away from the bank and missed my footing and slid into the cut!!, by the time I got out, the boat had drifted over to the other side of the canal, Eric went and retrieved it for me. Half an hour later, a shower and clean set of clothes and we were on our way again. We stopped in Wrenbury for 2 days whilst Elsie went home to see their new grand daughter.

We arrived at Hurleston Locks on Thursday noon, the end of the Llangollen Canal and turned on to The Shropshire Union Canal, Elsie & Eric turned left to go to Sandbach for some work on the boat, we turned right and headed for Nantwich for 2 days and then on to Audlem, which is where we are tonight. Just returned from a meal at the Shropi Fly, not bad at all . The weather today has been horrendous sleet & hale most of the day. The last week we have covered 35 Miles and 25 locks.

We will meet up with the 2 E's in a couple of weeks, somewhere near the Trent & Mersey Canal, we will then go down the Coventry, and then the Oxford, on to the Grand Union and then make our way to London together which is the destination of our summer cruise. See you next week.

End of the Winter

2008-04-05T09:48:00.000-07:00

We left Llangollen on Monday 31/03 in company with Eric, Elsie & Ben the dog on NB Bendigedig, and made our way down to Trevor for fuel, Eiddwen, Elsie & Ben taking the towpath for a couple of miles. The first night we stopped near Gledrid, the following morning the wind had picked up and by the time we arrived at New Marton Locks we had a very strong cross wind which made, holding, for entering, and leaving the locks really interesting. Because of the time taken at the locks we found a nice sheltered spot near Hindford and put the pins in early for the night. Weds we went on down to Ellesmere, watered and dumped the rubbish and then moored on the arm for two days. Whilst on deck Friday morning a voice said hello Alan, it was Marion & Richard on NB Cartref arriving from Trevor where they had been having some work done on the boat, they are planning to stay a couple of days here. The weather was sunny and warm until we were ready to leave this Sat morning, the temp has gone down with a bump, so we watered and set off for a spot in the country near Fenns Bank, which is where we are tonight.

2007-12-21T03:31:00.000-08:00

We arrived at the boat on Monday, having been back to Pembrokeshire for 10 days. Eiddwens brother & sister in law went back to Aus having been here for 11 months, and we went to the Xmas party of the company I used to work for. We had a lovely time, and it was good to see lots of familiar faces .

Having trouble with connections at the moment my vodafone is playing up will put some more up soon

2007-12-03T07:47:00.000-08:00

At present we are at Llangollen on winter moorings, along with 7 other narrowboats boats, a real friendly group. The town is very pleasant and the shop keepers very helpful. Last Saturday the Xmas lights were swiched on and it drew a large crowd to the main street. It really is a beautiful place here, quiet, clean, and with a wonderful view. Untill we start moving next March there won't be a lot to report, however I will put something in each week when I can.