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.

Summer trip on Shropshire Union (Wednesday 1/8/2018) - Barbridge Inn to Shady Oak

Engine hours start: 387.7 end: 391.5 = 3.8 hour

Miles:5 Locks:6  Lock miles: 11

Sunny start today, breezy, clouded over as morning went on but mild.

Waited for NB Riverside to pass before unmooring. We both paused at Calveley services and agreed to work the next locks in tandem. Ferociously shiny boat. Skipper does not allow wife to take boat into locks in case of touching - much use of bow thruster likewise. Amazed they deigned to share with us! However, interesting to talk boat design as theirs is a bespoke by Aquabuild(?).

Beeston Castle

Separated at Beeston Iron Lock of course as it is single working but paused for lunch above the next as they caught up with us.

Another top mooring within sight of but not in deafening range of Shady Oak pub. Riverside also stopping here - right at the end of the rings to ensure peace and quiet. Meanwhile our opposite neighbours are a pair of swans.

And another splendid meal at the Shady Oak. Food less expensive but helpings a bit smaller - good news, room for pudding!

Summer trip on Shropshire Union (Tuesday 31/7/2018) - Nantwich to Barbridge Inn

Engine hours start: 386.5 end: 387.7 = 1.2 hours

Miles:2.5 Locks:0  Lock miles: 2.5

The start of our summer cruise: supplies aboard - diesel checked - water refilled - will empty the toilet at Calveley - then smartly away into a lovely summer evening - sunshine and clouds, slight breeze.

Heading for Barbridge for dinner: burger for Andrew, liver for Alison.

Top Mooring!

Peaceful night having watched the International Space Station pass and seen Mars at perigee (if that's the word) looking large and decidedly pink in the night sky.

International Space Station (no really... it is!)

Shropshire Union (Saturday 7/7/2018 - Thurs 12/7/2018) - Painting boat roof near Hurleston Junction

Engine hours start: ?? end: ?? = ? hours

Miles:4 Locks:0  Lock miles:4

This was a pre-planned trip for Andrew to undertake the major summer project of painting the boat roof which had been looking increasing tatty with various patches of rust showing through. 

We had done a brief recce trip back in June to find a good spot near Calveley which would have access to services and buses. In the event I did not use that spot because of the incredibly hot weather that the UK has experienced this summer.

I travelled to the boat on Friday afternoon and quickly set off after unpacking the car. 

Arriving near Hurleston Junction, I spotted a place just short of the visitor moorings which had the potential for a little shade so opted to stop there instead. This did mean that I did not pass Calveley services where I was planning to top up the water so was rather nervous about running out of water. Was fine in the event.

I moored up using spring lines fore and aft and our new wheels procured from Aldi for coping with the Shroppie shelf. I knew I would be here for some time and did not want to be moved about by passing boats while up on the roof painting.

The actual time spent doing the work is a bit of a blur as I worked through the different stages:

1. Use scraper, chisels, wirebrushes and sanding blocks to remove any loose paint and rust
2. Apply Fertan to convert any remaining rust to an inert form. 
3. Wait 24 hours if possible.
4. Clean off the Fertan
5. Degrease the surface with panel wipe
6. Apply undercoat
7. Wait 16 hours
8. Apply gloss coat 1 (Dulux Weathershield)
9. Wait 16 hours
10. Apply gloss coat 2

We had already done the rear part of the roof during a trip to Chester.

I initially chose a seam line on the roof to work up to which represented around two thirds of the remaining surface. Had to get up early to do preparation and apply paint in the evenings in order to avoid the heat of the sun.

I was originally planning to complete this first area then return home to pack for a weekend at the Folk on the Farm festival on Anglesey. I would then return to the boat to complete the work.

However as I was getting near the end of the first section, I checked the forward weather forecast and saw that the weather was due to be unsettled in the second week with likelihood of some rain. So, I modified my plan and by staying an extra night and slightly pushing some of the above timings, I was able to get the whole roof painted before returning home.

I was a bit worried as the gloss on final section was distinctly soft when I was applying the final coat. Luckily it does seem to have baked on fine over the subsequent weeks.

While far from a perfect finish, it's a lot better than before and the rust has been dealt with. Will be looking to paint the handrails red during our summer cruise.



 

Shropshire Union (Sunday 10/6/2018) Bunbury to Nantwich

Engine hours start: 372.3 end: 374.5 = 2.2 hours

Miles:5 Locks:0  Lock miles: 5

Another beautiful day - sunny but a breeze to save from feeling sultry.

Tea / coffee for breakfast but nothing else as still full from last night's feast!

Many more boats on the move today.

Back at the mooring in time for lunch in cafe - full English breakfast - excellent.

Few jobs and stock checking before leaving mid afternoon.

Shropshire Union (Saturday 9/6/2018) Nantwich to Bunbury

Engine hours start: 370.0 end: 372.3 = 2.4 hour

Miles:5.5 Locks:0  Lock miles: 5.5

Travelled to boat on Friday evening. On Saturday morning, walked into Nantwich for the usual tour of the charity shops looking for books. Then to Aldi for lunch provisions.

Speaking to neighbour on return to boat heard sad news that another neighbour taken by depression - only 54...

Then set off towards Calveley to inspect towpath for likely location for Andrew to moor this summer when painting the roof.

Cruised to the winding hole just shy of Bunbury locks. First attempt unable to get close to bank but 2nd perfect. Very quiet spot as train line curves away and is hidden in embankment.

Had late lunch then got some sun / reading before walking to the Tollemache Arms for dinner - not cheap bu generous portions and thoughtfully done. Good beer as well - Unicorn and Wizard ales.