Maintenance trip Calveley 4/8/2020

Engine hours start: 608.4 end: 611.2 = 2.8 hours

Miles:5 Locks:0  Lock miles: 5

First boat went past this morning at 6:08!

Weather forecast not great for this morning so not rushing to get the 2nd coat of gloss on the cratch. Will probably head back to base early afternoon then put the 2nd coat on then. 

Rain continued through the morning so waited till about 11:00 to set off back to Nantwich. Stopped at Calveley services to top up the water and empty the rubbish. Used a fair amount of water washing the boat.

Even though I was careful getting into the cratch area I managed to scuff the new gloss paint so clearly not ready for a 2nd coat yet. Last night was quite cold and wet so it's not dried as well as expected. Will need to watch the weather forecast and pop back to apply 2nd coat.

Trouble free trip back to base. Mooring a little challenging due to stiff breeze coming up the basin.

Had lunch on board and packed up. Set off home around 15:15.

Maintenance trip Calveley 3/8/2020

Up early to continue work. First boats passed very early again.

Check the drying times on the paint and decided not to give Fertan the full 24 hours but get it rinsed off so I could prime the cratch area. After rinsing and degreasing the cratch area, I got a coat primer on. Was planning a 2nd coat but don't have that much on board so going to risk one coat.

Then got a 3rd coat of stain on the deck board. When dry, that is ready for the non-slip tape. 

Mid morning the farm across the cut started muck spreading. Absolutely revolting stench.... Not a pleasant atmosphere to work in.

While primer was drying, I walked into Bunbury to the Co-op, mainly to escape the stench. Unfortunately the Co-op had closed on the 31st July for a makeover!

So I walked back to the boat, collected the rubbish and headed off to the services at Calveley. After disposing of the rubbish, went to the cheese shop where I was able to get most of what I wanted. Got a couple of hot sausage rolls for lunch which made a nice change. 

After lunch, I applied non-slip tape to the deck boards. Involved a lot of measuring to get the spacing right. Looks pretty good I reckon. Quite decorative!

Final job for the day was to apply first gloss coat to the cratch area. Had hoped to put a coat over the paintwork on the front bulkhead but it clearly wasn't sticking. Will need sanding and priming. A job for another day!

Had pizza followed by yogurt for dinner accompanied by a couple of glasses of wine. 

This location has a fairly good 4G signal so I have been able to use the mifi router to connect both my phone and tablet to the Internet. 

Quiet evening reading and Web-browsing / YouTubing. 

Maintenance trip Calveley 2/8/2020

Interesting start to the day when I looked out of the front window to see the 2nd boat ahead of me at a 45 degree angle across the cut!

There had been some boats passing quite early ie 6:45ish and they were not hanging around so the other boat must have had its pin pulled. 

I got some clothes on and went to investigate. There was already one guy with a dog stood by the boat and another came off the boat in front of me. The dog walker had already tried knocking on the boat but no response. Either heavy sleepers or not there. I later spotted the padlock on the rear door - away...

I went to fetch a couple of spare ropes while one of the others investigated the stern rope (bow was still moored). He found the pin hanging in the water. 

I joined my two ropes and gave one end to the dog walker. Then walked the other end along the boat and handed it to the other guy to tie to the stern rail. It was then easy to pull the boat back in and re-pin it. 

Later in the day, the parents of the boat owner came for a short stay and I had a chat with the father. Gave him the tip about using two crossed pins which he took up. 

After breakfast I got started on the boat. First stage was to wash the roof then polish using the surface restorer we got at Wrenbury Mill during our recent trip. 

Next lifted the matting in the cratch area and rear deck. Plenty of accumulated muck under both. The front deck board was in poor condition as was the cratch floor. Washed both areas first.

Sanded the deck boards and got a first coat of wood stain on. 

Then worked on scraping / sanding / wire brushing the cratch area. Got that back to a reasonably firm surface then applied lots of Fertan to leave overnight. 

Got a 2nd coat of stain on the deck boards. Front board needs a 3rd coat as it was mostly bare before I started. 

Washed the poles and gangplank before replacing on the roof. Also the life ring which was particularly grubby... 

Decided to dismantle the deck mats. They just seem to gather muck & moisture under them. Their pointy feet seem to damage the deck underneath and are a literal pain if you have pulled one back to, say, access the stern gland greaser and kneel on the mat... Took pictures to remember pattern if we did decide to put them back...

I have a lot of non-slip tape on board waiting to be used so will try that on the deck. 

Pretty tired after a full day washing, polishing, scraping and painting so quiet evening with bresaola and salad for dinner followed by a yoghurt. All accompanied by a couple of bourbons. 

Maintenance trip Nantwich to Calveley 1/8/2020

Engine start 603.3 13:30

Engine stop 605.6 15:45

ADS solo trip Saturday - Tuesday to spend some time tending to the paintwork.

Got to boat around 11:30 after a food shop at Broughton Tescos. Unloaded car and then moved coal bags to car to clear the cratch area.

Replaced bed clothes and dinette cushion cover, emptied toilet and bought more blue & pink from the chandlery in between some heavy showers.

Lunched on Moroccan salad from boat stocks.

Set off around 13:30 as the showers cleared. Aiming for Hurleston where the moorings were empty when we came past last weekend. Naturally the moorings were completely packed today!

Could have moored at Barbridge but decided to carry on to Calveley. Went beyond the services and crossover bridge, span the boat in the cut and moored around 15:45 facing back towards Nantwich. Loads of boats out and about but securely moored using pins so not moving much as they pass.

Decent Internet signal here so will start typing up the logs from our summer trip as it is too late to start any work on paintwork.

Llangollen: Wrenbury -> Nantwich Basin 25/7/2020

Engine start 598.1

Engine stop 603.2 = 5 hours

Miles: 7 Locks: 9 Lock miles: 16

Leisurely trip back to base today. ADS keen to get home to his big bed! Also gives a free day on Sunday before AJS return to work on Monday.

Noticed that Baddiley Lock 3 top gate was leaking quite baddiley(!).

Had a chat with Mike Butler, one of the volunteer lockkeepers who maintains the Hurleston Volunteers Facebook page and has provided material for the Shroppie Fly Paper.

Noted the temporary repair on one of the Hurleston flight where the beam has split and been bolted together.

AJS drove back to base and managed the spin in the basin and reversing into our mooring spot with no problems (just a bit of coaching for the reverse!).

Lunch on board then packed up the car for the return home.

Excellent trip and very good to have finally done all of the Llangollen on our own boat. The Montgomery was an added bonus and it will be great when they manage to link the top end to the quite long navigable stretch further south!

Nantwich -> Llangollen Canal nr Bridge 2 12/7/2020

Engine start 538.7 12:15
Engine stop 540.7 14:13

2 hours / 3 miles / 4 locks


First trip out since Covid-19 pandemic started (or even earlier due to moving into new flat).

Arrived at Nantwich Basin around 11:00. First long drive for AJS since start of lockdown. Got everything on board, had lunch then set off about 12:15.

Hot sunshine. Quite a few boats but no queue at Hurleston flight. We obviously hit the lunchtime lull.

Boat in front of us could not get into Lock 2 so we were waved through and they had to reverse back down the first lock.

Filled up with water at the services then moved along to the good mooring between Bridges 2 & 3 which has a nice view of a farmhouse.

Went for a walk around Hurleston reservoir in the evening.

Middlewich -> Nantwich Basin 18/7/2019

Engine hours start: 523.7 end: 530.4 = 6.7 hours

Miles:11.5 Locks:3  Lock miles: 14.5

Off at 09:30. Generally fine, though now always convinced it would remain so. Queues for locks the main feature of the day.

Paused for lunch and water pump window shopping at Aqueduct Marina. A wide variety of skippers encountered , included the Novice Snail for the couple of miles. Everyone starts somewhere, I guess. 

The following day, we used the launderette at the Basin - very impressed - in order to have some clean clothes for a family gathering in Gloucester at the weekend.

On the way to Gloucester, stopped at Midland Chandlers at Penkridge to get a new water pump and accumulator tank. Managed to accidently pick up two accumulator tanks (but only paid for one). The following week Andrew stopped off to return the surplus one and the chap was so impressed that he gave us a 10% discount voucher!

Barbridge Inn -> Bridge 28, Middlewich 7/7/2019

Engine hours start: 474.8 end: 479.6 = 4.8 hours

Miles:9 Locks:3  Lock miles: 12

Sunnystart today, clouds bubbling up. Toasting in sunshine. Met a hotel boat pair at end of Barbridge moorings.

Through Cholmondeston lock by 11am and sun back out  - temperature rising beuatifully.

Sandwich lunch on the move, no faurther delay at locks and moored in outskirts of Middlewich just after 2pm for fiesta.

Important to use local businesses so down Kings Lock for a pint or 2 and coffee & walnut cake to go for pudding - a fine follow up to chicken wings and salad on board.

An early night with a long day scheduled tomorrow - aiming for Rode Heath to get well beyond the M6.

Nantwich Basin -> Barbridge Inn 6/7/2019

Engine hours start: 473.6 end: 474.8 = 1.2 hours

Miles:3.5 Locks:0  Lock miles: 3.5

Arrived Friday pm - To Ebenezers and Enzos for apero and dinner. Alison then back to boat and Andrew to Oddfellows. Andrew recovering from a cold and Alison starting one.

While at Ebenezers, reading a CAMRA magazine, we discovered a beer festival at Bollington on the Macclesfield canal next weekend - much more suitable to aim for than flogging over to Bugsworth.

Saturday morning lazing and listening to heavy rain. Sandwich lunch then shopping while car available.

Cast off as skies brightened; muggy weather replaced by fresh northerly breeze. Not much traffic though herons  - one ignored and the other flew at us head on to veer across the canal.

Top mooring outside the Barbridge Inn on opposite side ready for spot of refreshment. Delicious meal: Andrew steak and bacon burger and proper Eton Mess : Alison chicken fillet with tarragon cream sauce and lemon posset.

Nantwich to Middlewich 14/4/2019

Engine hours start: 450.0 end: 457.1 = 7 hours 
Miles:13.5 Locks:8 Lock miles: 21.5 

Start of a short trip in first week of Easter break for ADS. AJS present for first day's cruising. 

We had spent the previous day at the IWA branch AGM held at Wappenshall Wharf followed by a walk to Berwick Tunnel. We did a car shuffle to leave Alison's at Middlewich ready for the next day. 

Sunday started bright and sunny with a chilly wind. By 10:45 the sky had clouded and the wind was brisk - layers piling on. 

Spoke to the Findlays on NB Muddy Puddle at their Barbridge mooring. 

Bacon butties at 12:30pm just past Aqueduct Marina. 

Cold breeze all day and sun increasingly absent. As soon as moored up below Middlewich Big Lock, we got the fire lit. 

Dinner at the Big Lock pub before AJS returned home having fetched car from street parking on arrival.

Shropshire Union - Nantwich to Audlem 28 /2-1/3/2019

Engine hours start: 443(est) end: 446
.9 = 4 hours

Miles:8.75 Locks:3  Lock miles: 11.75

Short trip during February half-term.

Arrived at boat on Wednesday evening after work.

Had planned to cruise to Audlem on Thursday but persistent heavy rain all day. So just stayed snugly on board with books and the stove lit until about 8pm when we went to the Oddfellows for the Thursday quiz night.

Didn't disgrace ourselves even though we only had two on our team compared to at least 4 on most of the others. We have to admit to being weak on sports and geography though...

The Oddfellows kitchen still a work in progress so we got pie and chips from across the road and washed them down with a couple of pints each of Razorback.

Friday morning
Both went for showers before breakfast. While Alison had hers, Andrew swept the chimney while the stove was cold.

Finally got moving about 10:45. Our newly refurbished gearbox seems responsive.

Very impressed by the work done by the Hurleston Lockkeepers to clear offside vegetation. Much easier to navigate the Nantwich to Henhull stretch as we went to the winding hole.

Winded and then Alison took the tiller to head back through Nantwich towards Audlem. Andrew got off at Marsh Lane Bridge to walk to the Hack Green locks. Got chatting with some people from the Small Task Team Volunteers who were laying some towpath.

Trouble free trip through the Hack Green locks. Couple of boats coming the other way meant the locks were both set for us.

At Audlem, Andrew had the idea of reversing up one or two locks to the visitor moorings. While he turned the boat, Alison walked up and confirmed that there are 48 hour moorings on rings above the first lock. Lovely quiet spot within easy walking distance of the village. First top mooring of the year! Engine off around 14:40.

Time to relax before checking out the pubs later!

Llangollen & Shropshire Union (26-31 Oct 2018)

Engine hours start: 421.2 end: 435.9 = 14.7 hours

Miles:16 Locks:18  Lock miles:34

Solo trip for Andrew for October half-term. Came to boat after staff development day.

Spent day in Nantwich on Saturday (27th) and stayed in basin to watch fireworks from the Spooktacular.

Bright sunny start on Sunday 28th October. Quite cold with ice on the roof. Clocks went back last night. Aiming for Wrenbury today.

Set off around 09:00. Arrived at Hurleston to find a queue of 3 boats ahead to go up the flight. Luckily with so many other boats I got lots of help with the locks and didn't have to climb a single lock ladder. Was even able to follow a boat through the first lift bridge at Wrenbury.

Only downside was getting very cold through lack of exercise! Moored up by 15:20. Fire and kettle on.

Monday 29th October
After a trouble-free trip to Wrenbury, the planned cruise then went awry...

After buying a bag of Excel from Wrenbury Wharf, set off about 10:00 and got through the main Wrenbury lift bridge without issues. However, then noticed that the alternator light was on and the rev counter was dead. Revving the engine had no effect.

Stopped as quickly as possible since one reason for alternator not working is a broken belt which would also stop the water cooling pump working. Belt was OK and no sign of loose connections but still nothing on rev counter. Battery volt meters both showed 12.5V which should have been over 14V if the alternator was working.

Rang RCR at 10:13 then settled down to wait. Had not lit fire earlier as was due to be cruising so got that lit.

Engineer (Jake) arrived around 13:15 and soon confirmed that the alternator was dead. He didn't have a suitable replacement in the van so took ours back to base in Stafford. Unlikely to be back with replacement today.

Quiet afternoon. Went to Cotton Arms for a few pints before returning to boat for pizza & salad.

Tuesday 30th October
Phone call from RCR confirming that the engineer would be at boat later so went to shop for milk, baguette and scones. Also got a bag each of kindling and logs from Wrenbury Wharf. RCR office had promised further call with engineer ETA but this didn't happen. Engineer arrived about 13:30 just as I was about to ring to chase.

Refitting the alternator was straight-forward and all now seems OK. Reviewed cruising plans. Not enough time to reach Whitchurch comfortably and there are no winding holes after Thomason's Bridge. The Wrenbury Frith lift bridge had been lowered but I noticed it was now raised so took the opportunity to go down to Thomasons winding hole and turn the boat ready for the return trip.

Considered another trip down to Cotton Arms but it started raining so stayed on board and had a nice tea of baguette, cheese, salad and jam. Text from daughter saying projected completion on her house purchase is 9th Nov! Watched Ricky Gervaise DVD Ghost Town. Very good. Some echoes of Groundhog Day: redemption through good works and Sixth Sense: I see dead people. Rather overfilled the stove and only made it under the duvet about 2am!

Weds 31st October
Set off around 09:15. Reasonably trouble-free passage through the two lift bridges; as much as single-handing through lift bridges ever is... 

Boat seems rather reluctant to engage forward gear. Need to check gear box ATF fluid level. Also lubricate gear lever cable. 

Through Baddiley 3 locks and Swanley 2 locks without issues. Some traffic in both directions so got some help with some of the locks. Considered mooring overnight before Hurleston flight but decide to push on. Very good decision as there were 4 lockies on duty so was able to stay onboard and have all the locks worked for me!

Back to base at 14:15. Fire and kettle on. Want to make a template of the bottom step drainage hole to plan the gutter arrangement that I want to make to avoid rainwater going into the engine bilge as currently happens.

Thursday 1st Nov
Packed and home in the morning.

Summer trip on Shropshire Union (Thursday 9/8/2018) - Bunbury to Hurleston (via Nantwich)

Engine hours start: 414.9 end: ?? = ?? hour

Miles:7 Locks:0  Lock miles: 7

Carried out the revised plan. Returned to our home mooring in the Nantwich Basin. Emptied the bins and then took the car round to Morrisons to stock up for the weekend.

The weekend event is the Annual Lock Wind organised by our branch (Shrewsbury District and North Wales) of the Inland Waterways Association. We help boaters through the Hurleston lock flight and encourage donations. There is also a stall with cake, chutney, jam, second-hand books etc. for sale.

Needed BBQ food for the evening social plus supplies for the rest of the weekend since there are no shops nearby.

As we passed through Hurleston towards Nantwich, Alan Platt was already there with his boat Coriolan. 

The restocking trip went very smoothly and we arrived back at Hurleston in time to nab a good mooring midway along the rings.

Andrew was applying the third and final coat of gloss when our IWA Branch Secretary came to ask how long we were staying... The new beard was obviously an effective disguise!

We had a little rest in the boat before people gathered for the evening BBQ. A very enjoyable evening with plenty of nice food, drink and good company.

Off to bed ready for the exertions of the weekend.

Summer trip on Shropshire Union (Wednesday 8/8/2018) - Christleton to Bunbury

Engine hours start: 409.3 end: 414.9 = 5.6 hour

Miles:10 Locks:6  Lock miles: 16

Another fairly prompt start at 09:40. Heading for spot between Bunbury and Calveley that we had previously identified as a good spot for painting (which Andrew ended up not using for the main roof job...).

Trouble-free cruise with usual tickover past Golden Nook. Paired up with another boat through the various locks.

Moored up around 15:15 at the target spot. Applied second coat of gloss to handrails.

Walked into Bunbury to the Dysart Arms for a very nice dinner and beer.

After dinner, we started off towards the Coop in the village where we were planning to stock up with food etc for the IWA Lock Wind weekend at Hurleston Junction. However seeing how tricky it was likely to be to negotiate the narrow roads with no footpath with a load of shopping, we changed out plans. New plan is to return to our moorings at Nantwich Basin. There we can empty the rubbish and use the car for a supermarket trip before returning to Hurleston.

Summer trip on Shropshire Union (Tuesday 7/8/2018) - Stoak (Bridges 138-139) to Christleton

Engine hours start: 403.3 end: 409.3 = 6 hours

Miles:8 Locks:7  Lock miles: 15

Having been on pins above bridge 138, we notice that there is Armco below it - useful to note as the Bunbury Arms in Stoak is well worth a return visit.

Lots of gongoozlers at the Tower flight in Chester!

Masking visible on the starboard handrails

Moored in Chester at 12:30 for a quick hour of charity shops. Attempted scientific comparison of Greggs and Pound Bakery fell apart when exactly comparable products proved to be unavailable: but Pound Bakery is cheaper, it is noted.

By now the hot start to the day has faded with clouds and a cool breeze. Lifted slightly on reaching our top mooring at the Cheshire Cat for the first coat of red gloss: but by sunset the breeze was cooling again. We have become far too used to mid 20s Celsius!

Omelette and salad for supper, early night.

Summer trip on Shropshire Union (Monday 6/8/2018) - Stoak (Bridges 138-139)

Engine hours start: 402.3 end: 403.3 = 1 hour

Miles:0 Locks:0  Lock miles: 0

Ran engine for 1 hour to charge batteries.

Alison drafted in to clean off the Fertan. Then team work to apply the masking. A fair breeze up the canal so two pairs of hands definitely beneficial to avoid newspaper taking flight. Applied undercoat to handrails. Just 3 coats of gloss to go...

Waited out the heat of the day then went to the Bunbury Arms in Stoak. Excellent pub, beer and meal.

Glorious sunset.

Summer trip on Shropshire Union (Sunday 5/8/2018) - Ellesmere Port to Stoak (Bridges 138-139)

Engine hours start: 400.4 end: 402.3 = 1.9 hour

Miles:2.5 Locks:0  Lock miles: 2.5

Third and final coat of gloss on handrails first thing. Then went round the museum - still interesting despite rescue of old boats into storage before they rot away. Some sort of dispute involving the council and Peel Holdings means most of the lower basin is not accessible. Sort it out folks! 

 

Mind Like Water top right

Walked a mile or so to find Aldi - then a quick lunch and away. Ran engine for half an hour before setting off so we could get the fridge back on.

However only got through the first bridge when it became obvious that we had to stop as little propulsion. Checked weed hatch and prop seemed clear but still problems when we set off again. Large burst of reverse seemed to dislodge a large chunk of wood that must have been underneath and rolling into the prop whenever we selected forward gear...

Moored down the cut a couple of miles where, once the first heat of the day had passed, Andrew started work (heroically...) on preparing the remaining third of the port-side handrail and all of the starboard side. Scraped and Fertanned.

Reward was BBQ and chocolate mousse!

Summer trip on Shropshire Union (Saturday 4/8/2018) - Ellesmere Port (National Waterways Museum)

Engine hours start: 400.4 end: 400.4 = 0 hours

Miles:0 Locks:0  Lock miles: 0


Stayed moored at the National Boat Museum. 2nd coat of gloss on handrails. 

Mind Like Water 3rd boat down

Then walked to Cheshire Oaks for a very successful shopping trip. Alison needed a new waterproof coat and lighter weight fleece. Found a nice one in North Face. Would have been happy to pay the already reduced ticket price but it was then halved at the till. Result! 

Then got shoes for Andrew and sandals for Alison at Clarks - both on buy one get one half price. Had a nice lunch at Prezzo with discount because we had tickets to go to the cinema - Mamma Mia 2 - lovely film, laughed out loud at how they managed to work "Fernando" into the plot!.

Long walk back to boat in increasing sunshine. 

Summer trip on Shropshire Union (Friday 3/8/2018) - Cheshire Cat to Ellesmere Port (National Waterways Museum)

Engine hours start: 394.1 end: 400.4 = 6.3 hour

Miles:10 Locks:8  Lock miles: 18


Off fairly timely this morning. Noted desirable moorings by Wharf Tower as we passed after an uneventful passage into the city. - 2 locks full and waiting!

Were in time to pair up with NB Calluna, the skipper of which had been playing guitair and harmonica outside the Barbridge Inn on Tuesday, to descend the staircase.

They had said they were stopping in Telford Basin and would join us a day later at Ellesmere Port. But they continued in our wake. Not much space in the basin...

Slow last couple of miles as a bit weedy - will perhaps need to check the weed hatch. Will be moored for a couple of days so it may drop off the prop of its own accord.

Next coat of paint on the handrails. Had a pleasant meal the The Galley overlooking the Ship Canal. Saw a large ship being pulled along the ship canal.

 

Summer trip on Shropshire Union (Thursday 2/8/2018) - Shady Oak to Christleton

Engine hours start: 391.5 end: 394.1 = 2.6 hour

Miles:6.5 Locks:0  Lock miles: 6.5


Beautiful sunny day. ADS applied undercoat to handrails (front two-thirds of port side) in the morning: had light lunch then set off for Christleton. We pulled over to let the boat following go by, only for him to receive orders from within to pull over to appreciate their lunch. Justly too - it smelt delicious!

We then passed 4 canoes, lashed together in pairs, moored on a bend with quite a lot of vegetation on the off-side. No-one in sight but cheerful shrieking from the brook down the embankment. Got past without incident.

Arrived at Christleton to find our 3rd top mooring in a row just outside the Cheshire Cat with a lovely tall brick wall for shade and sonic shelter. Andrew went one way to Waverton to check out the local shops, Alison the other way into central Chester to pick up a prescription. In England so had to pay - horror! Retail therapy produced a lovely cotton blouse and a Jasper Fforde book.

Had a drink in the Cheshire Cat before returning aboard for chicken fillet, salad and yoghurts.