tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9788686479609925912024-03-13T03:18:06.107-07:00Adventures of Jeanie DeansJeanie Deans is a 60foot narrowboat built by Norton Canes which we are fitting out ready to move on to and begin the big adventure cruising the inland waterways at the beginning of April 2012.
Jeanie Deans gets her name from the Little Grey Men series of books written by BB (D J Watkins-Pitchford) which I read when I was at school and loved.Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09200588527268122525noreply@blogger.comBlogger110125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-978868647960992591.post-20965466053310332532015-06-17T12:15:00.001-07:002015-06-17T12:15:41.619-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We are now coming to the end of our (almost) three weeks on the River Wey. We have had a brilliant time, probably made better because if we had managed to book into the moorings in Little Venice on the dates that we wanted, we most likely wouldn't have come onto this navigation. The River Wey is owned by the National Trust and so we had to buy an extra licence to come onto the waterway. However I have to say it was money well spent. The River Wey is beautiful, giving the impression of being remote from civilisation and very rural, whilst in reality being in close proximity to much more urban areas. <br />
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We cruised the length of the navigation to Godalmining, a very quaint town, where we moored for a couple of nights before returning to Guildford. Also an interesting town to explore. One of the women from the horse drawn boat trip at Godalming recognised the origin of the name Jeanie Deans from the Little Grey Men. One of only a small handful of people to recognise the reference.<br />
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<b>Horse drawn boat trip at Godalming</b></div>
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Guildford had lovely moorings, but the members of the rowing club start early and it was not unusual to be woken by the sound of rowers and canoeists, early in the morning. I was amazed by the number of people out on the water in small boats for the whole time we were at that end of the navigation.<br />
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Heading from Guildford back towards Thames Lock there is some really beautiful countryside. We have found some lovely walks for the dogs, but strangely, to us, most of the public footpaths are enclosed within fences and really well populated. We are used to much more open fields, where the dogs can have a good run, and far fewer people.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Newark Abbey, which is on an island in the river</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The locks on this navigation are 13 foot wide, so slightly narrower than double locks on the canal system. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boats need to be secured at both ends in these locks</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There are a couple of very low bridges. Needed to take chimney and exhaust down to pass under!</td></tr>
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Mooring has been varied on the Wey. We had good moorings in Guildford and Godalming, however often, it has been a problem to get into the side, which means we have to use the gangplank. This is ok though as the dogs are very proficient at walking up and down it, even though they could most likely easily jump the gap. They are a bit lazy at times. <br />
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One mooring was a bit problematic as it turned out to be in the middle of a cow field. The cows were not there when we stopped but appeared later on. They were not problematic to us, but the dogs were a bit freaked out. Plus they then had a great time eating cow poo.<br />
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<b>This was the view directly outside our boat at one mooring</b></div>
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We are currently moored up near Walsham flood lock, a very attractive mooring, that in my opinion is the best mooring on this navigation.<br />
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<b>Mooring near Walshsam flood lock</b></div>
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This evening we were sitting out on the towpath having a glass of wine/ pint of beer and this deer appeared only metres from us. Fortunately the dogs did not spot it and it was happily grazing for some time before getting spooked and running off. Not sure what type of deer it is though.<br />
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<b>The dogs as ever are having a brilliant time!</b></div>
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We are now heading back to the River Thames and then onwards to Little Venice at the junction the Paddington Arm with the Regent's canal.</div>
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Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09200588527268122525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-978868647960992591.post-36161168789750228872015-06-03T10:00:00.001-07:002015-06-03T10:02:00.474-07:00After several eventful days we are now on a very peaceful mooring along the River Wey close to Ripley. There is a chicken curry cooking on the stove and the sun is shining, what more could anyone ask for.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tonight's mooring on the River Wey, Ripley</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Tonight's mooring on the River Wey, Ripley</span></td></tr>
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After our evening with friends we decided to stay on at |Cassiobury Park and spent a couple more nights there, visiting the funfair, without the dogs and finding walks with the dogs. Graham has long been hankering for a particular type of Dutch barge called a Tjalk, having fallen into conversation with a guy who has recently brought one over from Holland he was invited for a look round. He was somewhat disconcerted to discover that there is limited headroom inside and that he had to literally crawl on his hands and knees to reach some of the areas. Might have to rethink that idea then!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Faery house discovered by Graham when walking the dogs. I think maybe the Little Grey Men may have lived here!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can still have a garden when you live on a boat!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not often you see divers in the canal!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovely mooring just north of Uxbridge</td></tr>
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We stayed In Brentford for two days prior to setting out on the Thames on Monday. Very good visitor moorings, but somewhat spoiled as sadly some mindless cretin sprayed graffiti on the side of several boats ours included. The incident was reported to the Metropolitan Police, who were excellent with their response. Although obviously very little can be done. Fortunately Graham managed to remove it all. Took some photographs but won't be posting them as it is not something I wish to dwell on.<br />
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We left Brentford via Thames Lock at 1300 on a chilly and windy Monday. My first impressions of the Royal River is that you can keep it. However think this may be partly due to weather conditions so will have to suspend judgement for now. <br />
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<b>A selection of pictures from the Thames</b></div>
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Turned onto the River Wey about 5:30 Monday so a long day. We were given a warm friendly welcome by the National Trust guys at the lock. So far enjoying ourselves although it is somewhat frustrating that the locks are 13 foot wide. So need to open both gates to enter and exit, but can't share locks with another boat. Not that we've seen many other boats so far. The plan is to cruise to the end to Godalming and then take our time coming back.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coxes Mill on the River Wey</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pair of Egyptian Geese with nine goslings opposite last nights mooring at Coxes Mill</td></tr>
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Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09200588527268122525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-978868647960992591.post-716817284367758092015-05-24T08:58:00.000-07:002015-05-24T08:58:16.454-07:00In the 10 days since my last post we have travelled a fairly long distance in canal terms but a very short distance in motorway terms, roughly 28 miles I think. However that has included about 75 locks, which believe me is hard work!<br />
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Today we are having a day off and are moored up alongside Cassiobury Park, which is the outskirts of London, a short distance from Watford. Had a good evening last night meeting old friends that we hadn't seen for a long time. A very pleasant evening was passed in the Harvester at Croxley, which is in easy walking distance from the mooring. As the said friends live in London we shall be seeing more of them over the next little while.<br />
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On Friday 15th May we diverted off the mainline and wandered down the Aylesbury Arm. A very rural and picturesque canal. Stopping the first night at Wilstone, we had a meal in the Half Moon. Unfortunately they did not start serving food until 6:00 and as we arrived at about 4:00 rather too much alcohol was consumed while waiting to eat. The following morning we continued on to Aylesbury and the very pleasant moorings situated right next to the town centre. We had heard mixed reviews but we had a good stay and would definitely recommend the moorings.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turning onto the Aylesbury Arm at Marsworth Junction</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The top lock on the Aylesbury Arm is a staircase.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Truly tried to wander into the garden of this cottage</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mooring in Aylesbury</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Truly supervising lock operations</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There was plenty of water around on the Aylesbury Arm</td></tr>
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After spending the weekend in Aylesbury we made our way back to the main line and the delights of Marsworth Flight. Midflight I found a family of geese, parents and eight goslings sitting patiently in the lock waiting for a free ride up. They had obviously done this before paddling around while the lock filled and then as the gates opened floating happily out and off up the canal.<br />
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Having negotiated Marsworth flight we took in the Wendover Arm where we stayed overnight. This canal is currently under restoration and is only navigable for 1.5 miles. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heygates flour mill along the Wendover Arm</td></tr>
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An early afternoon arrival at Berkhampstead allowed the opportunity for some retail therapy along the small but busy high street and I bought a hat from the market, much to Graham's disgust. He has no understanding of the importance of hats (or shoes and bags). Poor Jake got attacked by a goose on his morning walk along the towpath at Berkhampstead. One of the white farmyard types. In particular he did not like it trying to peck his tail as he went past.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pair of working boats breasted up to pass through the locks</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Totem pole canalside at Berkhampstead</td></tr>
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Leaving Hemel Hempstead we got a lucky break and paired up with another narrowboat to do the locks together. This makes life a lot easier. We had travelled with this boat earlier this year coming down Buckby flight so knew that we would get on together. As we were all continuing the following day we did the next stage together. They have now moved further on than us but we may see them further on as we have similar trips planned.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In spite of being so close to London the canal continues to be rural</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ornamented bridge</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Approaching the lock</td></tr>
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Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09200588527268122525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-978868647960992591.post-32886818135914378352015-05-14T06:42:00.002-07:002015-05-14T06:42:51.478-07:00After a slow start to the year it feels as though we are finally underway. This year we are heading south along the Grand Union Canal to London and the River Thames. Hopefully taking in several arms and rivers along the way.<br />
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At the moment we are having a day off from cruising due to the horrible weather forecast. It is raining, cold and windy. However not all bad as we are sitting in front of a small but cosy fire and have just eaten a good lunch of home made soup made chicken soup made from leftover roast chicken. <br />
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Today's weather is in contrast to the glorious day we had yesterday, which should have been a shorts day if I had bothered to change. Yesterday was a good day which included a late breakfast in the Swan hotel, the Wetherspoon's in Leighton Buzzard. A fairly long day though with several locks, all doubles so mainly heavy paddles and big heavy gates. Some are very picturesque though.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soulbury Locks showing the Three Locks pub, handily placed lockside</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeanie Deans in Soulberry middle lock</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Church Lock with what used to be Buckinghamshire's smallest Chapel (now a private house) adjacent</td></tr>
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Due to the forecast we had a longer day yesterday than originally planned and found a good mooring with a pleasant view over the Dunstable Downs where we are staying for today.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the mooring</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At different perspective of today's view</td></tr>
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Travelling by canal is always interesting and varied with widely differing countryside and outlooks often in relatively short distances. Wolverton is a case in point. We stayed here for a couple of days as Graham had an appointment in London and the railway station was close at hand. The moorings are outside a new development of flats and apartments and on the face of it not an ideal place to stay. However it was surprisingly quiet and peaceful. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Suprisingly quiet mooring at Wolverton</td></tr>
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However a matter of two miles to the north of Wolverton in the pretty rural village of Cosgrove the idyllic looking moorings are busy with boats and lots of towpath traffic.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aquaduct taking the Grand Union Canal over the River Great Ouse at Cosgrove</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the aquaduct, where we took the dogs for a lovely walk</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another view from the aquaduct</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wide beam boats are commonplace on the Grand Union </td></tr>
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Milton Keynes in particular is surprising for the very rural and picturesque aspect of the canal!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The suprisingly rural aspect of the canal through Milton Keynes</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This moored boat looked more suited to the seaside than Milton Keynes</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Passing through Milton Keynes</td></tr>
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As ever it is good to spot all the wildlife and too see all the various waterfowl chicks!<br />
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The dogs are of course continuing to enjoy life afloat.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Truly adopting her favourite position.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jake being Jake!</td></tr>
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Weather permitting tomorrow we will continue and head down the Aylesbury Arm to spend the weekend in Aylesbury.Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09200588527268122525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-978868647960992591.post-40019517349832571962014-08-18T12:46:00.000-07:002014-08-18T12:46:32.188-07:00Since leaving Manchester we have been very busy! We have been on four different canals and in the next couple of days will have moved onto the Trent and Mersey Canal. <br />
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The morning we left Manchester it was throwing it down with rain as we left. We were lucky enough to team up with narrowboat Bullfinch at the bottom of the Rochdale nine and had a good though not uneventful trip up the nine locks with them. Moored up overnight at Piccadilly Basin and had a wander around Piccadilly area of Manchester in the afternoon. Tried Krispy Creme doughnuts for the first time. Nice but not sure what all the fuss is about!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bottom lock in the Rochdale nine. nb Bullfinch waited for us in the pound above.</td></tr>
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The following morning we hightailed it up the Ashton Canal, as the advice is not to moor overnight on this canal. Have done the Ashton Canal twice now and to me it doesn't seem that bad. However we took the advice and completed it in the day. Turned into the Peak Forest Canal to moor for the night.<br />
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<b>The Ashton Canal</b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turning onto the Peak Forest Canal</td></tr>
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We spent several very pleasant days cruising the Lower Peak Forest Canal, which we have not been on before. It is a very picturesque canal with some beautiful scenery.<br />
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<b>Lower Peak Forest Canal</b></div>
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Only one flight of locks on the Peak Forest Canal, sixteen locks though some of them seeming really deep! The flight takes you up to Marple and the junction with the Macclesfield Canal. Marple Flight has to be one of the most stunning lock flights on the system. However it is not without its problems one of which is that the water level in the pounds gets very low. So low on the day that we went up that I got stuck several times.<br />
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<b>Coming up Marple Flight</b></div>
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Having come up Marple flight we turned onto the Macclesfield Canal and moored up to spent a few days in Marple. I was happy because I managed to buy some yarn I was short of to finish a cardigan, well chuffed as I originally bought the yarn a year ago in Marple and they still had stocks of it.<br />
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This time we managed to moor up in Macclesfield, which we couldn't do last year. Nice town with some impressive buildings and reasonable shops.<br />
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The Macclesfield Canal also only has one lock flight, with 12 locks! Another flight of locks set in lovely countryside.<br />
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<b>Bosley Locks on the Macclesfield Canal</b></div>
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We moored at the bottom of Bosley locks for a couple of nights and Graham went walking with the dogs to the top of the hill in the picture below, The Cloud. I did start off to go as well but decided before we began the climb that I probably wouldn't make it, so I went back to the boat and had a cup of coffee.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Cloud, that Graham walked up on his birthday!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mooring at the bottom of Bosley Locks</td></tr>
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Tonight we are moored opposite Ramsdell Hall and it is raining again. Still on the Macclesfield Canal next stop the Trent and Mersey Canal and Harecastle Tunnel.<br />
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Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09200588527268122525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-978868647960992591.post-46995661087312778972014-08-05T13:10:00.000-07:002014-08-05T13:10:01.082-07:00It's been ages since my last blog installment, but we really haven't moved far in the meantime. On Monday (28th July), which incidentally was our 30th wedding anniversary, we descended Wigan flight. Twenty-one double locks, on the short side for a boat of our length, and heavy, hard work to wind and push. Made reasonable time and stopped for an hour for lunch mid flight. Did not meet many boats on the flight and on the whole the ones we did meet did not help to speed us on our way. Spotted one boat coming up and in the lock below the one we were approaching, as the lock was empty I opened it and we waited for them to come up. The crew were lovely, but the ignorant git steering the boat enquired of his crew why I had shut the gates of the lock above. I pointed out that I was there and had not seen him until it was already shut, rude man! To add insult to injury they had shut the gates as they exited their lock and by the time we got there I had to lift paddles to fill the lock before we could open the gates. Also met a boat coming up that was stuck in a lock. They couldn't get the gate open. After much head scratching and muttering, they eventually worked out that they had left a paddle open. Once opened the lock filled and they were off! However there is some lovely scenery on the way down which rewards the effort.<br />
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<b>Coming down Wigan Flight</b></div>
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<b>Some of the locks have significant leaks!</b></div>
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We completed the 21 locks in the Wigan flight and the two further locks on the Leigh branch and moored up at Dover Lock, where we were planning to have a pub meal. However the Dover Lock Inn is under new management, sadly no food and only rubbish beer. Had a meal on the boat after drinking three pints of the rubbish beer. Moored up for a couple of days at Dover Lock and then moved to Astley Green for the weekend. Had a very lazy few days before moving on to Manchester on Monday morning.<br />
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<b>Worsley on the Bridgewater Canal</b></div>
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<b>Barton Aquaduct</b></div>
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<b>Views of the Manchester Ship Canal from Barton Aquaduct</b></div>
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We arrived in Manchester mid morning Monday and after lunch set of for a look around. Graham has sorted out that there is a free bus service and so this morning after walking the dogs we set out to catch the bus and then have a good look around. Had a good day and discovered that the 'Dig the City' festival is on. Brilliant festival with loads of garden displays really enjoyed looking around the various gardens and displays. <br />
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<b>Coming into Manchester on Jeanie Deans</b></div>
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<b>Moored in Castlefield Manchester)</b></div>
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Tomorrow we move on! Up the Rochdale nine locks to Piccadilly. Moor up overnight and then an early start to complete the Ashton Canal in one day and moor on the Peak Forest Thursday evening.Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09200588527268122525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-978868647960992591.post-69934678982581520272014-07-27T13:09:00.000-07:002014-07-27T13:09:36.132-07:00This evening we are moored at the top of Wigan flight waiting to descend in the morning. I think it will be an early start as the fearsome Wigan Flight is a flight of 21 double locks. As they are also quite short (a maximum of 60 foot), like the rest of the Leeds Liverpool Canal it can be problematic going through with a 60 foot boat, especially if the gates are leaky as water floods into the back cabin if precautions are not taken! The moorings near the top of the flight are a bit shallow so we can't get the boat into the side this evening and need to use a gang plank. The dogs manage this quite well but are well able to jump to shore should they choose to do so.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moored near the top of Wigan Flight. Cant get into the side because it is too shallow!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mooring pin covers that I crocheted after spotting something similar on a moored boat at Skipton.<br /></td></tr>
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Today has been a fairly easy day following two long days with early starts to get through Burnley and Blackburn as apparently they are no go areas for mooring. Always unsure whether the horror stories have any substance but on balance prefer to abide by the received wisdom and avoid overnight stays. However neither place seemed that bad so maybe not as black as has been painted. <br />
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Although we had two long days on Thursday and Friday we also had some easy more chilled days. On Wednesday we visited Barnoldswick, known as Barlick by the locals, where we spent a couple of hours looking around the town, shopping and eating another lovely homemade pork pie and buying home made malt bread, delicious!! We moored for the evening at Salterforth on the visitor moorings, right outside the Anchor pub, where we had good beer and a lovely meal. We were the only boat on the visitor moorings overnight, no idea why.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One man and his dog at the services at the top of the very pretty Greenberfield Locks</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Salterforth visitor mooring right outside the pub! no idea why no-one else moored here.<br /></td></tr>
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Thursday was a long day with the six locks of Barrowford Flight, and a very hot day. Not helped by one of the pounds being so low we got stuck and had to go and run water down from the lock above. Always a pain!! Also almost got hit by a hire boat leaving a lock and apparently not knowing that you need to steer a boat. Graham not happy as he couldn't move any further over as too shallow. Before the locks we passed through Foulbridge Tunnel, where we had to wait for the traffic light signal before entering. Jake managed to fall off the back of the boat just before the entrance and had to be rescued. He has quite got the hang of swimming after the boat now instead of heading for the side. This makes it easier to haul him back onboard. Moored for the night at Hapton. Not too bad but a busy towpath and several motorcycles along, not sure that they are strictly allowed!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Approaching Foulridge Tunnel</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting to go through Foulridge Tunnel</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">North portal Foulridge Tunnel</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Poor Jake fell in!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't take my picture I'm wet (haha!!)</td></tr>
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Friday was another long day with another six locks, Blackburn Flight, seemed to be an easier day though in spite of having a very early start. Leaving early helped to beat the heat of the day and at least it was cooler for the locks. Moored at Riley Green overnight and had another pub meal. Nice but a bit pricey for what it was.<br />
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Saturday was another early start and yet another flight of seven locks. However met another boat at the top of the flight and shared locks. A fairly short day as we stopped at the bottom of the locks, Johnson's Hill Flight. Later in the afternoon walked back up the flight to the excellent Top Lock pub where we had a more reasonably priced meal. I had the special curry that was by far the best curry I have ever eaten in a pub and would give several takeaway and Indian Restaurants a run for their money. It was made by the manager to his own recipe and apparently the Top Lock are famous for their curries. <br />
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While moored at Johnson's Hill Flight we spotted the Piano Raft! This guy is taking his unpowered raft, which has a piano on the back from Liverpool to London, via Leeds. Had a chat with him this morning as he was moored in one of the lock pounds when we walked the dogs. Not sure how he will tackle the tidal Trent or indeed get up Foxton and down Watford locks as they are narrow beam locks and he is too wide. Grahm is pretty sure we saw this at Burscough last year so there may be another photo of it in an earlier installment. <a href="http://pianoraft.wordpress.com/">http://pianoraft.wordpress.com/</a> I have included a link to his blog for anyone interested.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Piano raft Kontiki</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Piano raft Kontiki</td></tr>
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Tomorrow is our 30th wedding anniversary and for a special treat I will be working the 21 locks of Wigan Flight!Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09200588527268122525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-978868647960992591.post-34318256382260752162014-07-21T13:22:00.003-07:002014-07-21T13:22:38.552-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This evening we are moored just outside a village called East Marton. When we arrived there were no other boats moored here and we spent an enjoyable evening sitting out in the sun and enjoying the peace. The views are beautiful! We have got neighbors now though. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption">This evenings mooring</td></tr>
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We spent a few days in Skipton, arriving there on Wednesday and leaving on Saturday morning. This was probably a day longer than we would have stayed, but it is such a lovely place we stayed the extra day. Had a great few days exploring this very picturesque market town and the many excellent pubs. We also had the best pork pie we had ever tasted. Still warm when we bought it and it was delicious. I've never had a warm pork pie before, it was so good we went back the next day for a bigger one. <br />
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<b>Coming into Skipton</b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trip boat on the Spring Arm, a canal built to carry quarried limestone</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the crew on this trip boat got left behind and had to run to catch up.</td></tr>
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On Saturday we travelled approximately 41/2 miles, with five swing bridges and three locks to Gargrave, where we stayed on Sunday. Nice mooring but not great for the dogs as it is a busy mooring spot. On Sunday there were three boats including us who all had two collies on board. Slight mayhem ensued!<br />
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We left Gargrave this morning behind two other boats who had paired up to do the locks, 9 to be done today, but no swing bridges. As we manouvered into the bottom lock and closed the gate another boat appeared so we waited and shared the whole lot. This made life much easier. Truly decided to be the star of the show today, she hopped off the boat as we came through one lock and sat down with a group of teenagers who were out canoeing. Then she almost got left behind at a later lock, as Graham did not notice her sneak of the boat and went without her. Because she was laying in long grass I only spotted her at the last minute, otherwise I think she had settled in to stay there.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cottage at the bottom on Bank Newton lock flight</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking up Bank Newton Locks</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sharing locks today made lighter work.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A wide beam approaching the lock we have just left.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaving the lock</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crossing in the pound</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top of the flight</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Poor Truly nearly got left behind today, here she is enjoying tonight's mooring</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jake the naughty boy!!</td></tr>
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Tomorrow we are headed to Barnoldswick and beyond.Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09200588527268122525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-978868647960992591.post-51251457591699317412014-07-15T12:03:00.000-07:002014-07-15T12:03:02.186-07:00We had a lazy weekend moored up just beyond the troublesome swing bridge which is close to Shipley, where we walked for some shopping. Several boats passed through with varying degrees of difficulty but the local boats clearly knew the techniques for getting through and managed easily. One hire boat didn't manage it at all and reversed for what sounded like miles, presumably to a turning point and to go back the way they came. Found some good dog walks over the weekend and in spite of the towpath being really busy had a good weekend. Can't believe how busy the towpath is, loads of folk just out and about, cycling, jogging, dog walking and families just out doing whatever. Thought everyone was too busy inside or in cars these days! On Sunday our kettle sprung a leak, possibly as a result of being boiled dry a few days before. Had to manage with a saucepan until Monday when we went into Shipley again and eventually managed to find one in Argos.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Weekend mooring near Shipley</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Truly enjoying the sun</td></tr>
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After stopping in Shipley for more shopping and a new kettle we eventually got underway travelling a grand total of four miles, six locks and four swing bridges. All locks and bridges mostly behaved, although several locks had broken paddles, which makes for slow going. We shared the two lock staircase with a hire boat called Milly Moo. It was their first time out and only their first lock without an instructor. However we worked slowly through and everything was good. Although I lost my BW key at the locks and in spite of going back could not find it. Luckily we have a spare. The plan was to moor up at the bottom of Bingley 3 Rise flight, however on arrival the lock keeper talked us into going up and mooring in the pound between the 3 Rise and Bingley 5 Rise. This was a good decision as the mooring spot was much better. Shared the locks with Milly Moo again and thanks to the lock keeper had an easy trip up. While we were mooring up one of the lock keepers told us that our keys had been picked up and he would return them to us the following day. Brilliant news! Had a wander up the flight, some lovely views up here.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wXZpbfoJL2U/U8V1XmTsqHI/AAAAAAAADLo/KjgAkOccgWk/s1600/014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wXZpbfoJL2U/U8V1XmTsqHI/AAAAAAAADLo/KjgAkOccgWk/s1600/014.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeanie Deans and Molly Moo in the top lock of a 2 staircase. Showing the gate paddle winding gear that is common on the Leeds and Liverpool.<br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ground paddle winding gear. These can be hard to shift!<br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top of Bingley 5 Rise flight</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of the Damart factory from the top of the flight</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eEO5upG2998/U8V10cdtEGI/AAAAAAAADM8/YrA-GClavzc/s1600/034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eEO5upG2998/U8V10cdtEGI/AAAAAAAADM8/YrA-GClavzc/s1600/034.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View down Bingley 5 Rise</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U-wHNGPbsO4/U8V116CEyuI/AAAAAAAADNE/YbY3vBCxOOw/s1600/038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U-wHNGPbsO4/U8V116CEyuI/AAAAAAAADNE/YbY3vBCxOOw/s1600/038.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeanie Deans and Molly Moo moored at the bottom of Bingley 5 Rise</td></tr>
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This morning was a bit of a late start as we had to wait for 6 boats to come down the flight before we could go up. But when we eventually got underway it was another easy trip up. The lock keepers are brilliant and really help out. Filled up with water, emptied toilets and got rid of rubbish at the top. Milly Moo carried on but we came across them shortly afterwards with a load of rope wrapped round their prop, stopped to lend a hand as they had limited tools to do the job. <br />
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About half a mile from the top of the flight we were held up because Micklethwaite swing bridge, which had been re-opened this morning after a 30 hour closure, had broken again. The CRT guy who was there managed to open it and let us and another boat through. Not sure whether it had to close down again after that though.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Micklethwaite swing bridge!!</td></tr>
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We have found a good mooring for this evening and are not too far from Skipton now. This is supposed to be an interesting and picturesque place so I expect we will moor there for a day or two to have a look around.Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09200588527268122525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-978868647960992591.post-81076172300650611322014-07-11T13:38:00.000-07:002014-07-11T13:38:06.746-07:00After a lazy weekend in Castleford we left on Monday morning and headed to Leeds where we stayed for three nights. Leeds is a lovely city and well worth a visit, whether by boat or otherwise. There was no available mooring in Clarence Dock so we moored on a floating pontoon below the weir. A really good quiet mooring and no-one else moored there so it was good for the dogs as well. Good towpath walk so poor Jake didn't realise he was a dog in the city, which he hates, and he was perfectly happy.<br />
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While we were in Leeds we visited the armoury, which is a very well set out museum of the history of weaponry. I was amazed at how small some guns are.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zIULQ5iR6tU/U8A_WfSS1AI/AAAAAAAADIM/JXSXHLGxPo4/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zIULQ5iR6tU/U8A_WfSS1AI/AAAAAAAADIM/JXSXHLGxPo4/s1600/002.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Display in the iron room, the exhibits are all above and viewed through a mirror</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Men at Arms</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Warhorse</td></tr>
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Leeds market is also very impressive. The indoor market is housed in a beautiful old building and the interior is all of decorative wrought iron. Very stylish! Had a haircut in a small place in the market for a tenner and the cut was at least as good as I normally pay a lot more for, so Graham is well pleased.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leeds indoor market</td></tr>
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Left Leeds on Thursday morning. First lock was Leeds Lock, which is the last electric lock. From now on it's all winding and pushing, and I am told that the locks on the Leeds Liverpool Canal are heavy and akward, oh joy! <br />
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<b>Heading out of Leeds</b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leeds and Liverpool Canal</td></tr>
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We knew that Thursday would be a long day as the advice is that boats need to get beyond Newlay Locks, a staircase of three where a lock keeper is on hand to help boats through. This is a distance of only five miles but with 14 locks and four swing bridges. All big heavy double gates and with three sets of staircase locks. It took us 61/2 hours and we were both knackered by the time we stopped. On top of all that I put the kettle on and then got involved in opening locks and forgot about the kettle. A burnt kettle is not a good thing! Managed to salvage it so we could have a cup of tea though. A peaceful evening although we were moored with loads of other boats. Saw an owl when we walked the dogs late evening.<br />
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Today should have been an easier day with a short journey of four miles and five locks. Two sets of staircase locks a two and a three. Still took us four and a half hours plus an hours stop to eat lunch and fill up with water. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In Dobson Lock</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Huge gates in Dobson Lock</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View down the side of Dobson Locks</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top of Dobson Locks</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dobson Locks</td></tr>
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Found a good area to moor and decided after a bit of a recce that we would go through the next swing bridge and moor up in a nice sunny spot for the weekend. Big mistake!! The swing bridge would not move. At one point we had four blokes and two women shoving the bloody thing. It would not budge!! Eventually had to tie a rope on and reverse the boat and that shifted it. Just got moored up and spotted two other boats approaching behind. Went to lend a hand with the bridge but had to repeat the rope and reversing trick. Ridiculous!!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The troublesome swing bridge<br /><br /></td></tr>
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Hopefully we will have a chilled weekend before moving on towards Skipton on Monday.Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09200588527268122525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-978868647960992591.post-87778381878466304902014-07-06T12:49:00.001-07:002014-07-06T12:49:19.373-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We are currently moored at Castleford having arrived here on Friday afternoon. We wandered into town on Friday just for a look around and then on Saturday had an expedition to the supermarket to do the shopping. Today was spent just chilling out in the sun. We have a chimney that really needs sweeping but have put this off until another day. The moorings at Castleford seemed very peaceful at first, but quickly filled up, this is obviously a popular weekend destination.<br />
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J<b>eanie Deans moored at Castleford</b></div>
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On Friday we said goodbye to Matt on NB Tinkertoo whe we had travelled with up to Sheffield and then met with on the way back. We travelled together for a few days as it makes locks and swing bridges easier if you double up. Matt very kindly donated some tinned dog food, the dogs thought it was Christmas as they normally have kibble. Sadly the reason for the food was that Matt very lovely little dog Roxy died very suddenly whilst he was in Sheffield. He is obviously very upset but has now adopted a rescue dog from Romania. Good luck Matt hope it works out.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeanie Deans and Tinkertoo breasted up on the visitor moorings at Long Sandall Lock</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had a very rude awakening early morning as Humber Princess entered the lock!!</td></tr>
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<b>On the Aire and Calder Navigation. The River Aire is a large river which makes it surprising that until we came up here we had never heard of it.</b></div>
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<b>Power station at Ferrybridge flood lock. The lock was open so we just passed through.</b></div>
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Tomorrow we are heading for Leeds for a few days and then heading up the Leeds Liverpool Canal.</div>
Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09200588527268122525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-978868647960992591.post-73375122864803063632014-06-30T12:49:00.001-07:002014-06-30T12:49:52.688-07:00Having decided that we would divert to Sheffield, we then found out that you have to book passage through Tinsley Flight, a flight of 11 locks up to Sheffield. Having phoned up and sorted out the booking we made our way slowly up to the meeting point with the lock keeper. Travelling up with three other boats, we arrived and moored in Victoria Quays, right near Sheffield city centre, on Thursday. Stayed over for a few days and travelled back down on Sunday. We were the only boat coming back. Most of the locks up here are big electric locks and are lovely and easy to operate, but the locks up to Sheffield are double locks with very heavy gates, some of which I struggled to open and close. The lock keepers are brilliant at lending a helping hand though so we did it without too many problems. The main difficulty was that the locks are short and even though we are the right size to fit in it was very tight and we ended up with a lot of water getting into the back cabin on the way down. Still got stuff drying on the roof now so just as well we have had a hot and sunny day.<br />
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<b>An impressive train bridge that slides across to allow boats passage </b></div>
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<b>A selection of views of the South Yorkshire Navigations</b></div>
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Last time we were up this way the gravel barges were still working, this has all gone now, but Humber Princess, an oil tanker still does two runs a week up to Rotherham. She passed us on her return journey when we were moored at Mexborough.</div>
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<b>Humber Princess</b></div>
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Boats at Waddington Lock</div>
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<b>The straddle warehouse, Victoria Quays, lit up at night</b></div>
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<b>The locks up here are huge!!!</b></div>
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Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09200588527268122525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-978868647960992591.post-73395829297038677122014-06-19T13:03:00.000-07:002014-06-19T13:03:12.618-07:00We had a very early start today! Up at 5:00am to walk the dogs and be ready to leave Torksey lock at 6:00am. A good trip but the last part was a bit hairy due us arriving approx 3/4 hour later than the optimum tide conditions. This resulted in having to turn into the lock on a flood tide rather than an ebb tide (bit technical for me, but think I have this right). Made turning into the lock fairly exciting, especially watching the boat in front attempt it in fairly spectacular style. At one point he was sideways on to the lock and being swept upstream by the flow of the tide. Wish I had some photographs but as I was clinging onto the top of the boat in a panic that didn't happen. This whole situation was created by all three boats that were leaving being given somewhat duff information from the lock keeper at Torksey about what time we needed to leave, apparently we should have left about 5:30am.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had a bit of a bow wave!!</td></tr>
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We are now moored up at Keadby lock on the South Yorkshire Navigations, arrived here at about 10:30 this morning and have chilled out for the rest of the day.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Keadby Lock</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeanie Deans moored at Keadby Lock</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spider T. A Humber Sloop moored opposite us at Keadby Locks </td></tr>
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We have had a busy few days leaving Nottingham on Sunday morning, down two locks and back out onto the Trent. This is a nice easy trips as although the locks are very large they are all automated and manned by the lovely Trent lock keepers. After leaving Hazelford Lock on Monday morning we completed a fairly short trip to Newark on Trent where we moored up on the floating pontoons and plugged into the electric hookup. The washing machine was busy that day. Spent an enjoyable afternoon wandering round Newark and chatting to the other moorers on the pontoon. Phoned the lock keeper at Cromwell lock to find out what time we could go through the lock and on to the tidal Trent. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Barge pub at Newark on Trent</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Newark Castle and the town bridge</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the mooring pontoon at Newark</td></tr>
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A late start on Tuesday as Cromwell is only 1-11/2 hours trip and we are not going through until 1pm. On arrival at Cromwell spoke to Tommy, the lock keeper who told us that we would be better going at 2pm so we had lunch and sat out in the sun.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the mooring at Cromwell lock</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The mighty Cromwell lock, gateway to the tidal Trent</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking back at Cromwell lock</td></tr>
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Passed through Cromwell lock and headed off to Torksey Lock. Moored up below the lock as not going through just waiting overnight until the tide is right to head off to Keadby. On arrival spotted Mike and Karen from Annoula, who we moored with over winter. Lovely to catch up with them and find out where they have been so far this summer. Also great to catch up with Simon, who we met two years ago on the Soar. He and his partner came over from Lincoln and we had a lovely evening with them.<br />
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We are now on the South Yorkshire Navigations and heading for Leeds although we may divert to Sheffield as well.<br />
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<br />Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09200588527268122525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-978868647960992591.post-34739665666699075452014-06-15T12:27:00.000-07:002014-06-15T12:27:44.470-07:00It's been a long time since I have even looked at this blog and I thought it was about time to get my backside into gear and actually write something. We had a good winter in Market Harborough and finally left, after a few false starts, on the 31st May. Having spent rather longer than we intended in Leicester and then Nottingham we are now well underway and moored up at Hazelford lock on the River Trent.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the boat at tonight's mooring</td></tr>
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Although it has taken longer to get here than it should we have had a good time slowly wending our way. Due partly to the River Soar being in flood and mostly because we decided to stay around for the River Festival we stayed in Leicester for four days. Had a good time and met some interesting people. Including a guy who moored up against us and was telling us about his all electric narrow boat that he has taken about 15 years to build. Fascinating bloke, worked as a technical person for the BBC for years.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coming into Leicester</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">C aRT work boat on the Soar</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading through Leicester</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Approaching the lock at Frog Island Leicester</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Very peaceful mooring before heading into Loughborough</td></tr>
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We left Nottingham this morning after a couple of days stop for shopping and a look round the city and dropped down two locks onto the River Trent. All the locks are now enourmous, but fortunately they are all operated electrically and are manned by lock keepers, who are brilliant! They are all very helpful and informative and generally have the locks ready as you approach.<br />
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<b>The locks on the Trent are on a much bigger scale than on the canals</b></div>
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<b>There are many different types of boat on the river</b></div>
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<b>Including a water skier!!</b></div>
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Tomorrow we head on to Newarke and then Cromwell Lock and on the the tidal section of the Trent.Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09200588527268122525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-978868647960992591.post-212265994505674792013-09-25T11:25:00.001-07:002013-09-25T11:43:30.483-07:00It's definitely starting to get autumnal now, with a misty start to the day most mornings. However it is still warm and we have had a few sunny days. No fire lit for several days now. We are now back on the Leicester section of the GU canal, and having come up Watford flight this morning are taking a slow cruise along the summit. We have to be back in Market Harborough for 3rd October as Graham has a train ticket booked, so rang up the wharf and are booked in for three nights from 2nd.<br />
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We had a lazy weekend moored up from Friday evening to Monday morning. In the middle of nowhere and no-one moored anywhere near us until Sunday evening. We found a good walk for the dogs over the fields and they had a good run every day. They are still worn out.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The weekend mooring</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Visitors trying to mug us for food! They're like a bunch of hoodies!!</td></tr>
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Yesterday was a long day coming from Hillmorton, through Braunstone and round Norton Junction onto the Leicester section. The trip up Braunstone locks was lengthy due to the flight being busy, mostly with boats ahead of us. We did manage to share locks for most of the flight though. Mainly uneventful apart from meeting a very bossy woman, who was coming down the flight, who tried to organise me at one of the locks. I walked away and left her to it. Can't stand being bossed around!!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Stop House at Braunstone</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marina entrance at Braunstone</td></tr>
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Today was a much more relaxed day coming up Watford locks, a flight of seven in total including a staircase of four. Usually there is a wait to use these locks as the lock keeper operates a queueing system. But there was no-one else around when we arrived so were able to go straight up. More boats soon arrived though and we were followed by three more boats and there were two waiting to come down when we got to the top.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking back to the bottom lock</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Going into the bottom of the staircase at Watford</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lock keepers hut at the top of the flight</td></tr>
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<br />Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09200588527268122525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-978868647960992591.post-10136978990135293632013-09-17T12:13:00.000-07:002013-09-25T11:12:38.481-07:00We are now well and truly heading home to Market Harborough and it feels as though summer is over. At lunchtime we moored halfway up Atherstone flight, in the rain, and after eating lunch and lighting the fire, headed into Atherstone to pick up some provisions from Aldi. Now snuggled in front of the fire eating cake and drinking coffee made with milk. Don't think we will be going anywhere else today as it is still raining.<br />
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In spite of the rain, today was a good day. Atherstone locks were busy as usual, but that makes for plenty of people to talk to at the locks. Met a couple out on a Kate Boat. They had been talking about having a boating holiday for several years and this is their first trip. They are really enjoying themselves with the exception of being given advice from another boater in a pretty negative way. Shame because even the most experienced boater was a novice at one time and we all get it wrong sometimes (me more than most probably). Also met some potential winter neighbours who seem very sociable.</div>
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We had a busy few days after leaving the Caldon Canal just over a week ago. Heading down through the locks at Stoke on Trent and through to Stone. Moored up overnight at Stone and ended staying the next night as well. Had a meal in the Star, a Marston's pub right next to the lock. There was a special offer on the grill menu, buy one get one free, so I had a steak and Graham had a mixed grill, a real meat feast.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These bottle kilns used to be a common sight around Stoke on Trent</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The industrial end of the Caldon Canal</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More industrial scenery on the Caldon Canal</td></tr>
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From Stone we had an uneventful few days, with the exception of meeting a very strange bloke at a lock. We chatted in the usual way that you do whilst waiting for the lock to fill/empty. Never met the bloke in my life before but he managed to have a conversation with me that included the words 'perky' and 'orgsasm' (he said them not me). I was a bit taken aback but decided to treat it as a joke. Graham was less than amused when I told him!<br />
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Just beyond Rugely we met up with Sheila and Jim (not Tom, sorry Jim), who we met at Keadby last year. They now have their own boat 'Islonian' and it was good to catch up over a couple of beers and another meal out (whoops not going to lose much weight at this rate).<br />
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At Fradley Junction we turned off the Trent and Mersey and onto the Coventry Canal. We found a good mooring in the middle of nowhere and stay put for the weekend. The dogs had a wonderful time running in the fields and swimming.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Truly loves to swim and is very tolerant of me wrapping her up in a towel</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not sure that she likes it though!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The toll house at Fazely Junction</td></tr>
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<b>Some old working boats seen on route</b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">an old working boat exiting the bottom lock on Atherstone flight</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeanie Deans coming into the bottom lock</td></tr>
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The moorings at Atherstone are pretty busy but we managed to squeeze in. Hopefully tomorrow we will still be floating. But last time we moored here on our way up the flight, the pound was virtually empty next morning because someone had left a paddle up. </div>
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Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09200588527268122525noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-978868647960992591.post-58287463407097487162013-09-08T13:28:00.000-07:002013-09-08T13:28:00.473-07:00It has been a very long time since my last post, so apologies to all who follow it. My only excuse is that we have are returning along the same route that we travelled earlier in the year, along the Trent and Mersey Canal.<br />
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We spent a few days on the River Weaver, over August bank holiday. Which was very relaxing. Had some lovely sunny weather and found a quiet mooring where the dogs could just spend time on the towpath and we could chill out with an ice cream or a beer. An uneventful trip down and back up in the Anderton Lift.<br />
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A busy few days when we came off the Weaver with plenty of locks and Harecastle Tunnel to negotiate. Turned up at the tunnel just in time and were waved through by a very cheerful tunnel keeper. Mind you we had planned on having a coffee while we waited so didn't get that until we were through.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No time for coffee at Harecastle Tunnel!</td></tr>
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We are pretty much headed back to Market Harborough now, however with plenty of time to spare before we are due at our winter mooring we decided to spend some time exploring the Caldon Canal. The Caldon Canal branches off from the Trent and Mersey at Etruria and although initially very industrialised around Stoke on Trent and the Potteries, later travels through some lovely countryside and is very quiet and peaceful.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Etruria Junction onto the Caldon Canal</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Statue of James Brindley (who built the Trent and Mersey Canal)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bedford Street staircase lock at the bottom of the Caldon Canal</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Graham operating the staircase lock</td></tr>
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The Canal was originally built to transport Limestone from quarries near Froghall. A further branch was later added that carried the Canal to Leek. There is an aqueduct that carries the Leek branch above the main branch. We were heading for Leek first and having filled up with water and emptied the toilet at the services we headed for the junction.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Approaching the junction to the Leek Branch</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turning onto the Leek Branch</td></tr>
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The Leek Branch is an attractive and quiet stretch of water with a tunnel at the end leading to moorings. Because the last half mile of the canal and the basin has been filled in the canal now terminates somewhat abruptly. Due to this you now have to turn longer boats when exiting the tunnel and reverse into the moorings. This seems to put some people off and they either moor before the tunnel or just come through turn round and head back. We found a good mooring and stayed overnight and the next day. Did some shopping at Morrison's and had a look around Leek, which has a small but good town centre.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leek Tunnel </td></tr>
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<b> Inside Leek Tunnel</b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading out of Leek Tunnel </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This looks like a lovely place to live</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This looks like a row of cottages but seems to be two properties</td></tr>
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Having completed the trip to Leek, we headed down to Froghall. This branch of the canal is very narrow and twisty and is a test of steering skills in some places. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turning the junction from the Leek branch and heading for Froghall</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coming into Hazelhurst top lock</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cottage at the lockside</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking back at Hazelhurst bottom lock</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hazelhurst Aqueduct, which carries the Leek Branch over the main line.</td></tr>
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<b>Working flint mill museum at Cheddleton</b></div>
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Consall Station on the Churnet Valley Railway (operated by enthusiasts) has the platform and waiting room cantilevered over the canal, which is very narrow at this point with room for one boat only.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The waiting room looks a bit precarious to me!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Consall Station</td></tr>
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The tunnel at the Froghall end of the canal is unusual in being very low and narrow. We were unsure whether we would fit through. However the boat just brushed under the tunnel profile that was set up on the last lock so we decided to give it a go. We had to take down the chimneys and exhaust stack and Graham even removed the tiller pin. It was tight but we did it. It was well worth doing as very few boats even attempt it and there are very nice moorings in the basin.<br />
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<b>Froghall Tunnel</b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovely moorings at Froghall Basin and only one other boat there.</td></tr>
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We stayed for two nights on the excellent moorings in the basin. Such a shame that not many boats manage to get through the tunnel. We walked back to Consall Forge to the pub and sat in the garden enjoying a beer. The dogs were quite interested in the chickens, but behaved remarkably well.<br />
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We are now moored near Etruria Junction having spent 10 days on the Caldon Canal. We will be heading back onto the Trent and Mersey tomorrow.Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09200588527268122525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-978868647960992591.post-26812062930831308542013-08-19T12:20:00.000-07:002013-08-19T12:20:00.759-07:00It is now a week since we left Liverpool and travelled back up the link and on to the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. At the moment we are on the Bridgewater Canal, moored up near Dunham Woodhouses and Dunham Massey Hall, once the seat of the Earl of Stamford.<div>
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The trip up the Liverpool link was enlivened by the tales of the lock keeper, which involved a toaster, cheese on toast and a kitchen fire. He kept us all entertained for the morning!!</div>
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We shared locks from Liverpool and up onto the Leeds and Liverpool with Amphora, a boat owned by a couple from New Zealand, who spend the summer here cruising the canals and then return to NZ for their summer. They were heading of up the Bridgewater to a borrowed mooring and to spend some time in Manchester. Passed the boat today and they went past us this evening. Think they are headed back to Rugby, where the boat is moored and then heading to Italy for a holiday, before heading home, what a terrible life!! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goodbye to Liverpool</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaving Liverpool</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sharing the lock with nb Amphora</td></tr>
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We had a lazy weekend moored up near a place called Astley Green, where we managed to moor with no other boats nearby for the whole weekend. Bliss and the dogs could just mooch around on the towpath. We celebrated Graham's birthday with a meal in the nearby pub, although didn't go on Saturday as planned due to the heavy rain and a ten minute walk along a muddy towpath. Lovely sunny day on Sunday though so we went then.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A quiet weekend mooring with no other boats in sight!</td></tr>
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We stopped at Worsley to top up with water, a very attractive place and the site of the Duke of Bridgewater's coal mines. The Bridgewater Canal was constructed to carry his coal to Manchester. I think he made a few shillings out of the deal as he ended up the richest nobleman in England.</div>
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Today we again crossed the Barton swing Aqueduct, which takes the Bridgewater Canal over the Manchester Ship Canal, and can be swung open to allow ships to pass through. An amazing feat of engineering! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barton swing Aqueduct</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Manchester Ship Canal from the aqueduct</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Manchester Ship Canal from the aqueduct</td></tr>
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We also stopped for a look around the Trafford Centre, an incredible shopping and leisure complex which defies description. Unfortunately I didn't have the camera, who knew you needed a camera in a shopping centre! It takes shopping to a whole new level. Seriously if you are ever nearby it shouldn't be missed.</div>
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Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09200588527268122525noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-978868647960992591.post-40956900772634009452013-08-11T13:56:00.002-07:002013-08-11T13:56:37.248-07:00Tonight is our last night in Liverpool. We have had a fantastic time here as there is loads to do and Liverpool is a brilliant place to visit. We have visited the Maritime Museum, the Museum of Liverpool, both cathedrals and had a brilliant day out with a £4.80 (per person) day ticket, which included use of the buses, trains and the Mersey ferry. Brilliant value and a good day out!!<br />
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Some piccy's of some of the things we have seen/done here.<br />
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<b>There is a well established China Town in Liverpool with the largest Chinese Arch outside of mainland China!</b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The famous Superlambananas situated all over Liverpool! (look it up on Google)</td></tr>
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<b>The Old Dock Experience was an interesting tour of the first commercial wet dock in Britain! Liverpool 1 is now built above the dock!</b></div>
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<b>The Cunard Liner Queen Elizabeth docked in Liverpool for the day</b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Pirate ship made from driftwood, at New Brighton</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Liverpool from across the Mersey</td></tr>
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<b>Liverpool from the Mersey Ferry</b></div>
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Liverpool's two cathedrals!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Metropolitan (RC) Cathedral aka Paddy's Wigwam. A strange and very modern building, but very beautiful inside</td></tr>
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<b>Liverpool from the tower of the Anglican Cathedral</b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Bells!!!</td></tr>
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Tomorrow we go back up the Liverpool link and onto the Trent and Mersey Canal. Not sure where we are going next!!Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09200588527268122525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-978868647960992591.post-3165161855883025152013-08-02T13:28:00.002-07:002013-08-02T13:37:28.693-07:00Well we arrived safely in Liverpool on Wednesday. Bit of a crap day weather wise as it rained persistently throughout the most interesting part of the trip!! Other than the rain a good day though. We came down with nine other boats, seven of which were travelling together, part of Lymm Cruising Club. This is their summer trip.<br />
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Liverpool is an excellent city and I would recommend a visit to anyone. There is loads to do and I am sure there will be a further post describing some of our exploits here. For now however some pictures of the trip down and the moorings in Salthouse basin, which are excellent.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovely place to live on the Leeds Liverpool Canal</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Journey into Liverpool</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Viaduct at Stanley Locks</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeanie Deans and Rainbow Lorikeet going across the pound with the tobacco warehouse in the background</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Tobacco Warehouse supposedly the largest brick built warehouse in the world!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tobacco Warehouse from a different perspective. It is a huge building!</td></tr>
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<b>Coming into Liverpool through the dock area and the new Liverpool canal link opened in 2009</b></div>
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<b>The moorings in Salthouse Dock</b></div>
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We will be moored here in Liverpool until 12 August. Loads to do here and there will be another post with more pictures later. Tomorrow there will be loads going on as part of the Liverpool Pride March, which I think is the first official event here. Looking forward to it!</div>
Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09200588527268122525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-978868647960992591.post-23281585428578441262013-07-27T11:49:00.002-07:002013-07-27T11:49:34.496-07:00This evening we are back on the main canal system and are moored on the Rufford Arm just before Spark Bridge. Today has been a long day, we left the mooring at 9:30am and didn't moor up until 5:15pm. Now taking it easy after a most welcome shower! Drinking a gin and tonic and anticipating the delicious chicken curry that I cooked yesterday for this evening's meal.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the top staircase lock that you have to reverse into</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You have to reverse into the staircase because there is no room to turn a boat at the bottom.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Negotiating the Savick Brook</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turning onto the Ribble</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Narrowboat Take Five on the Ribble</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looks idyllic</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeanie Deans making good progress on the Ribble</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Asland Lamp! Turn left here or next stop Ireland</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back into Tarleton Lock!</td></tr>
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<br />Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09200588527268122525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-978868647960992591.post-57395785047309227922013-07-26T12:21:00.004-07:002013-07-26T12:21:55.813-07:00Tonight is our last night on the Lancaster Canal. Although we have had a wonderful time here and are a little sad to be going, we are now looking forward to the next part of the trip. We are moored up about 2 miles from the top of the staircase lock, where we meet tomorrow at 11:15am to begin the trip back across the River Ribble to the main system. Tonight's mooring is quiet, apart from the bleating of sheep and a couple of other boats moored nearby. The Canal is a bit on the shallow side though and we are moored about 4 foot from the bank.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tonight's mooring is a bit shallow!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last evening's visitors</td></tr>
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We enjoyed our stay in Garstang although it was so hot that we did not make it to Blackpool. A good place to stay though and pass the time of day with other boaters. Garstang, it turns out has a long history. For anyone who is currently watching The White Queen, the ruined castle here was built by Lord Thomas Stanley, and was gifted to him by Henry VII for his part in the Battle of Bosworth Field.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moorings at Garstang</td></tr>
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Following our sojourn in Garstang we moved a few miles to Bilsborrow, where we had planned to have a meal at Owd Nell's, a lively pub that we visited for a drink on the way down. We also decided to visit Blackpool from here as we did not get round to it before. Couldn't get there directly so caught a bus to Preston and then another bus to Blackpool. This was a rather circuitous route and we eventually arrived an hour and a half later. Managed to get back by a more direct route. <br />
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Blackpool is looking pretty good and was busy and lively. Due to the amount of time travelling took we didn't have that much time there. n Did all the essentials though: fish and chips on the seafront, ice cream on the pier and a paddle in the sea. I got splashed by the waves and got soaked trousers. Soon dried in the heat though. Had a pleasant evening with good food at Owd Nell's when we got back.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blackpool Tower</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">North Pier, Blackpool</td></tr>
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Looking forward to tomorrow's crossing and then carrying on to Liverpool. We are due to go into Salthouse Dock on Wednesday morning, which gives us three days to travel up to Liverpool where we have to wait to be escorted through the last two swing bridges and into the Docks.Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09200588527268122525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-978868647960992591.post-38675990362817764432013-07-16T13:06:00.001-07:002013-07-16T13:06:55.380-07:00Since the last blog instalment we have been busy. On Wednesday we moved a few miles along the canal and moored up near a place called Galgate. Found a good mooring where we could actually get right into the side and good wide towpath for the dogs to run around on. As it was still lovely and warm we sat outside in the evening and met an interesting bloke called Chris. He wandered along the towpath with a big pack on a trolley and wearing a kilt. He is apparently an ex social worker with some mental health issues and is walking the coast of Britain to raise money and awareness for MH charities, Mind and Penumbra. He is doing this without money and relying on others to feed and shelter him. After he left us he spent the night a few yards further down the canal as a guest on a narrow boat. He told us that he used to live in Corby, which is very close to where we lived before moving onto the boat. For anyone who is interested in his journey he has a facebook page 'walk a mile in my shoes'.<br />
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On Thursday after walking the dogs we caught the bus into Lancaster and spent the day there. Had an interesting tour around the castle, including the part that was HMP Lancaster until its closure in 2011. Very instructive, I think the inside of the prison may have dispelled some peoples ideas about prison being a holiday camp. It was pretty grim! I forgot my camera so no photo's sadly. The castle remains a working Court and we were also able to look around as no Courts were sitting.<br />
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Friday morning after calling into the facilities at Galgate we cruised down the six locks to Glasson Basin, intending to stop for the weekend. However it was so lovely there that we stayed an extra day and only left this morning. Had a good trip down the locks with another boat also heading for the basin. Big locks with some strange and heavy paddle gear so sharing locks made the work load a little lighter.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coming round the junction to the top lock</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An example of the paddle gear, very hard to open!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeanie Deans and 'Avent Got One' waiting to enter the lock</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coming into Glasson Basin</td></tr>
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Glasson Basin is a surprising place! Full of yachts and bigger boats. There is a lock out of the Basin into Glasson Dock and from there into the Lune estuary. The lock is opened at high tide to allow boats in and out.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Locking a boat up into the basin</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two to go down</td></tr>
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Glasson is only a small place but it is busy. For some reason it is a place to come for motorcycles, and on Saturday morning at least 29 Honda Gold Wing's turned up presumably on a club run. Brilliant sight with several trikes and a sidecar among them.<br />
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Also a smoke house in Glasson where we bought excellent kippers, smoked cheese and Morecombe Bay potted shrimps. A real feast! We had a very relaxing few days in Glasson Basin and found some good walks for the dogs. They got to swim in the estuary and get muddy. Spent most of the time outside as the weather is behaving itself for once. A bit too hot really, but I refuse to complain after the rubbish summer we had last year.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mooring in Glasson Basin</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who needs the Med!</td></tr>
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Moored up near Galgate this evening where Truly managed to roll in something disgusting and stink the boat out. Managed to clean her up, but think she will have to have a swim tomorrow.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So pretty but so smelly!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The naughty boy!</td></tr>
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Tomorrow we are heading to Garstang where we will stay for a few days to restock the food cupboards and hopefully to have a day out at Blackpool. Graham is getting quite into bus travel!Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09200588527268122525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-978868647960992591.post-43175117755197177152013-07-09T12:53:00.001-07:002013-07-09T12:53:23.591-07:00Tonight we are moored up at nowhere in particular a few miles outside of Lancaster. We are in a nice shady cutting, which with the hot weather we have had is a welcome change.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tonight's mooring</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from the back</td></tr>
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We have had a lazy few days since leaving Tewitfield. We moored up on Friday night at Carnforth where we did some shopping and went looking for a pie shop that had been given a good write up in the Nicholson Guide. But no sign of it so think it must have closed. Very disappointing as had been looking forward to pie for tea.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carnforth</td></tr>
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On Saturday morning we moved on to Hest Bank, where we moored up for the day on the way down. This is a lovely place to moor with views over Morecombe Bay. Had a good couple of days walking the dogs on the beach, which they love and on Monday we went into Morecombe on the bus. This was a bit hair raising!! The bus was running about 15 minutes late and the driver was driving like a bat out of hell. He also took a wrong turn to a chorus of all the passengers that he was going the wrong way. Apparently he had also gone wrong before we got on, which might explain why the bus was so late. Morecombe looks as though it might be struggling a bit, but it was fairly busy and the views across the bay to the hills of the Lake District were stunning.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hest Bank</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Views across Morecombe Bay at Hest Bank</td></tr>
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<b>The dogs enjoying the beach at Hest Bank</b></div>
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Called in at the facilities at Lancaster and met a bloke who was telling me that two years ago he had a heart attack, right outside a funeral parlour. It has made him think about his life and he has now bought a boat. Lancaster was very busy so we passed through and found a shady, cool mooring. <br />
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Today we crossed the River Lune on the impressive Lune Aquaduct, and at the weekend we will be going down to Glasson Basin to the Lune Estuary.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The River Lune from the aquaduct</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Lune Aquaduct</td></tr>
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<br />Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09200588527268122525noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-978868647960992591.post-75037580222256320762013-07-04T12:56:00.001-07:002013-07-04T12:56:33.593-07:00Lancaster Canal<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We are now moored at the top of the Lancaster Canal at a place called Tewitfield. We arrived yesterday and stayed for today so that we could have a look round and explore the Northern reaches of the Lancaster Canal, which used to go to Kendal but is now sadly not navigable. There are plans to re-open the canal as far as Kendal but this will take some engineering feats as the M6 motorway runs across the path of the canal. It is beautiful here and if not for the noise from the motorway would be a peaceful and idyllic mooring.</div>
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<b>The end of the Navigable section of the Lancaster Canal</b></div>
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This morning we went for a walk along the northern reaches of the canal towards Kendal. Apparently you can walk to Kendal and then catch a bus back, but not sure whether they would let dogs on the bus. Even if they did I think Jake might manage to get us thrown off. Apart from the obvious problems of getting the canal underneath the motorway and over or around a few other obstacles, the prospect of it re-opening seems good. The locks all look in good order, apart from the obvious difficulty of them not having gates and the canal has water in it, always a good start.</div>
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<b>The eight locks at Tewitfield are in good repair </b></div>
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<b>They need new gates though</b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sadly the M6 runs across the course of the canal now</td></tr>
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It's been a peaceful interlude moored up here but tomorrow we move on to Carnforth, where there is a Tesco close to the canal. Then we will take a slow trip back to Preston stopping at all the places of interest on the way back. We have another three weeks before we are booked in to go back to Tarleton so plenty of time to take it easy and have a good look round. Main places to see at the moment are Lancaster and Morecombe Bay, and possibly to see if we can get to Blackpool by bus. We are also planning to go down to Glasson Basin, through the only six locks in use on the canal. </div>
Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09200588527268122525noreply@blogger.com0