Hi folks and welcome to our first blog

Hi and a big hello to all our family and our few friends to this, our first blog with Blogspot.

First of all, before we get to the subject of our plans for 2009, we would like to invite comments from you to our blogs. Without some kind of feedback, we have no idea what you think of the info and – possible – photos we might include. So, fingers to the keyboard folks, and keep in touch.

Also, if you can come up with some – sensible – suggestions as to what to include, we’ll give them serious consideration.

Now, on to our semi-planned route for April to November 2009.

Once again we’ll be heading in a general north westerly direction. As usual, because we’re currently moored at Bulbourne, on the Grand Union Canal, we’ll head towards Pitstone, which will take us through Marsworth. Having passed through nine locks, we’ll stop for the night. After that on to Braunston and, from there to Hawkesbury Junction on the North Oxford Canal.

We’ll now be on the Coventry Canal, which will take us to Fradley Junction and the Trent and Mersey Canal and onward to Great Hayward Junction with the Staffs. and Worcs. Canal.

Onward and upward to Autherley Junction which will take us onto the beautiful Shropshire Union Canal, or “Shroppie”, as it is affectionately known. Until you cruise this canal you can have no idea just how beautiful it is, assuming the weather is fine. There aint no such thing as a beautiful stretch of water if the heavens have opened up.

The Shroppie will take us to Hurleston Junction and the Llangollen Canal in Wales, which we cruised part of back when Wifey was working for ITT, or similar, based at Carrick Fergus in Northern Ireland. From what she tells me, we spent a week cruising, followed by a few days with Aunty Bob.

We’ll go as far as we can on the Llangollen, then return to Francton Junction and cruise down the short stretch of the Montgomery Canal to Queens Head. After that we’ll get back to the Shroppie at Hurlston Junction.

Now, it’s continuing up the Shroppie to Wardle Junction, which will take us onto the Middlewich Branch of the Shroppie to Trent and Mersey Canal, where we’ll eventually arrive at the Anderton Lift.

The lift will take us down to the River Weaver, where we will either go on to Winsford and return up the lift to the T and M, or we’ll go from Winsford to Runcorn and then back to the lift.

Whatever, we’ll eventually get back on the T and M and back to the Caldon Canal, which is one we missed last year, and cruise down to Froghall and back to the T and M.

After that, we’ll return to Great Haywood and, from there, who knows? We could, time permitting, venture onto the Staffs and Worcs again and on to the River Severn, finally getting on to the River Avon. But, and it’s a big BUT, this part of our cruise is very much in the lap of the Gods and the weather.

Watch this space. There’s no telling when our next entry will be. As you all know, we are subjected to the vagaries of the ether when trying to get online.

All for now

Dave and Sheila and, of course, Rusty, our tRusty Jack Russell.