Willington to Pilling’s Lock Marina
Today is Tuesday 22nd September and we stayed overnight here at Swarkestone. There is absolutely nothing here, save a water point and a crane which, we believe, was used to load and unload barges many moons ago, although no mention is made of this in the Nicholson Guide. The main point of interest is that, during the uprising of 1745, Bonnie Prince Charlie gave up his attempt at the throne of England and returned to Culloden, where he was finally defeated.
This morning we will be plodding on to Weston, which is just three miles away. Again, this does not have a lot going for it, except perhaps the 14th C church spire. However, the Nicholson Guide does say that the lock gardens are quite attractive. Hopefully they still are, but our guide is three years old now and many things have changed since we bought it. Also, even though the village boasts a store and a pub, they are quite a walk from the canal and there’s no telling if the store is still open. On one or two occasions, both on this trip and in 2008, we found shops to be closed down in some of the smaller villages.
Today is Wednesday 23rd September and it is beautifully calm out there, so we’ll have no problems battling gale force winds on our way to Shardlow. When we arrive there the first thing we must do is contact the boatyard that replaced our leaky Calorifier last year.
Over the past few days, my good wife has had reason to believe we have sprung a leak somewhere. She has been hearing strange murmurings from our water pump and, finally, when she could stand it no longer, she emptied the cupboard under our galley sink to check the pump. Sadly it was not leaking from there, or the associated pipe work. Sadly, because the only other and most likely place would be the aforementioned Calorifier, or hot water tank, as you land living folks would know it.
Lo and behold, upon emptying the cupboard that houses the offending piece of equipment, we espied a small puddle of water sitting underneath the tank. We eventually traced the leak to faulty welding where the vertical side meets the domed top. It’s only a very small seepage but, since these things can only get worse, we’re going to have to get it replaced asap.
Now, from what Wifey tells me and, as you all know by now, I have a terrible memory for such things, we were informed by the engineer who replaced the tank, that they carry a five year warranty, so we will have to remind them of that fact when we phone. However, they are on the Macclesfield Canal and we are almost at our permanent moorings, so we don’t know what will happen there. In theory they should arrange for the faulty tank to be replaced absolutely free of charge, but these things are never that straight forward.
Hopefully I won’t have to remind them of the Sale of Goods Act which, according to the nice Dom Littlewood on the One Show, states that faulty goods must be replaced, free of charge, within two years of purchase and that this Act has nothing whatsoever to do with any guarantees given by the manufacture, which would normally be one year from date of purchase. Incidentally, The One Show website also has a copy of a letter that viewers are free to download and use as necessary. Apparently quite a few people have used it to good effect. Hopefully this will not be necessary.
As a matter of interest, the total cost for the tanks and associated parts, along with labour, was £515.43p, with labour alone costing £105 and, as it was something of an emergency at the time, we were charged £30 for the engineer to go and fetch one from Midland Chandlery. Anyway, we will see what happens when we phone them today and, as a matter of course, I’ll let you know the result.
Thursday 24th September, at 06.40 and we are no nearer to resolving our calorifier problem. Having read Dom Littlewood’s blog and watched his video, it seems to me that Sale of Goods Act is something of a minefield. Also, when we telephoned the boatyard that repaired the thing last year, we were told the unit has only 12 months warranty. We are now awaiting a call from there as to what the boss man can offer by way of getting the job done, and quick, because our pump is now cutting in at five minute intervals and, although the leak is not gushing out, the longer we leave it the worse it will become.
Now, I am no plumber and so, yesterday afternoon, we popped along to the local boatyard and chandlery to ask their advice. He went into quite some detail about the pressure difference between the pump and the pressure relief valve on the calorifier, both of which are set as they should be. However, when we told him that we had turned off both of the valves that serve the calorifier, and yet still had the pump cutting in as before, he seemed to think we probably had a problem elsewhere in the system. All I know is, that we have to get the tank changed asap, otherwise we’ll have a flood on our hands. Also, whilst the tank is leaking and, even though we are soaking up the excess with towels, the support base for the calorifier, which is of timber, will eventually rot through, with disastrous consequences.
We have now decided that, once we have heard from Alan at Heritage Boats, we’ll make our way to Redhill Marina where, if Nick Bancroft is correct, there’s a very good boat engineer whose services we will endeavour to take advantage of. This means that, if all goes well, we’ll still be at our moorings by Monday. Meanwhile, once my good lady wife has completed her ablutions, we can switch the pump off, allow the tank to dribble out some more water and, whilst we are cruising and the water is heating up again, at least it won’t build up sufficient pressure to burst the tank, we hope!
The weekend is upon us again and, on Saturday 25th September, we find ourselves still moored at Shardlow. This is because the replacement of our calorifier took until about 2 pm yesterday and we really didn’t feel like cruising down to Sawley, which was our original plan. Instead we will make our way to Kegworth this morning, where Wifey will trot off to do some shopping.
On Sunday we will go on to Loughborough, where Sheila will, once again, trot off to complete the shopping, after which we will make our way to our final destination, Pillings Lock Marina. We spoke to Paul yesterday, who is the manager at Pilings, and he allocated us a temporary berth until Monday morning when, if we are no happy with that, he will move us to another berth.
Fortunately we have no rain of late and so we should find the trip on the Soar easy going. After we arrive at the marina it can rain as much as it likes.
This will not be my last entry, because I want to add our impressions regarding our new home before I post.
It is now 5.30 pm and I’ve just remembered something about yesterday and to give dire warning to other boaters, especially at this time of year.
As a child I well remember the excitement of at last being able to throw sticks up into conker trees in order to dislodge as many as I could, then taking them home and soaking them in vinegar and, when mum wasn’t looking, popping them in the oven to harden off. Well, that time of year has arrived again, only now the conkers are falling out of the trees without any help from little boys.
When we left the boatyard yesterday afternoon, we simply pulled out and reversed back into the space being vacated by another boater. Yes, you’ve guessed it, we moored underneath a conker tree and, for the rest of that afternoon and evening – although I heard nothing untoward during the night – we had to endure the sound of conkers falling from a great height onto the top of the boat. Fair makes you jump it does!
After two days of mostly cloudy skies, this evening has brightened up and is now pleasantly sunny and, since it is such a nice evening, I have no doubt we’ll pop across to The Anchor for a couple of drinks. Well, it’s almost the end of our travels for this year, so it would be rude not to!
Well, this is it, Sunday 27th September and, once the river mist lifts, we’ll be on our way to our new home. T be honest, I won’t be sorry to get there and relax for six months, this cruise, although very enjoyable in most respects, has been a bit of a strain on my legs. Hopefully I’ll have at least one knee sorted before we go off again at the beginning of April 2010, and that will go a long way towards improving or enjoyment. I say ‘ours’ because, quite obviously, Sheila must get a little peeved when she has to do all the running around for shopping and long walks with Rusty, all on her own.
We are currently moored by the side of a strip of land that adjoins the nearby marina. If we move just a couple of yards forward we could easily turn into the entrance to same and so, in effect, we are moored on private land. Apparently the owners of said land are aware that boaters do so and are happy for them to continue using these moorings at no cost.
Anyway, late yesterday afternoon, whilst we were enjoying a cuppa, along came two boats full of teenagers, and those boats turned into the marina and moored up. This was not looking good for our last evening afloat for the next six months. A short while after arriving, out came their fishing rods and pup tents, and they promptly set up home at the top of the strip of land and proceeded to party with a bar-b-que. But, much to our surprise, apart from the usual boisterous behaviour, they were no trouble at all and turned in soon after it got dark. Bless their little cotton socks.
Now, just as soon as Wifey is up and walked the dog, and we’ve had breakfast, and assuming the mist has lifted, we’ll be on our way. My next report will probably be tomorrow morning when, hopefully, I’ll be able to post this blog. I have been assured by the people at the marina that, provided we are on 3G, we’ll be able to use their Wi-Fi. Even so, since we are close to several big towns, we should be able to do so without switching to Wi-Fi, but we’ll just have to wait and see. All abreast for now folks!
When we arrived here yesterday afternoon, after more than six hours on the water, and pulled in to our temporary berth, we were not too sure whether to nose in or reverse in. You see, each jetty is only about 20 feet long, so the vast bulk of the boat is sticking out at back or frond, depending upon which way we entered. In the end we decided to nose in because, when it comes to the barge coming to do a pump out and topping up with diesel, this would give easy access. Also, with the water filler cap at the sharp end, that job would be easier. Finally, we keep our coal sacks on front, so there would be no need to trundle the bags through the boat.
All this became purely academic later on in the day because, after we had had our dinner, we popped across to the office to purchase electricity cards. In truth, it being Sunday afternoon, the office should not have been open, and we should have bought the cards at the cafeteria. Anyway, we had a word with the manager, whose name is Paul, about the possibility of a linear berth instead if the nose in job. To our surprise he immediately offered one such berth as a sub-let. This simply means that the berth in question is leased by a boater and managed by the marina and, since he no longer needed the space for his own boat, we could rent it from him via the marina office. In the event that he needed it back some time in the future, Paul would offer us another just as soon as it became available.
This linear berth will be a godsend when I have my knees sorted out, because I’ll be on crutches for about six weeks, followed by sticks until I can use the new knees without them.
Assuming the above diagram actually appears in the final blog, we are currently situated to the right at about Berth F32 and nose in. Later today we will be moving to the vertical pier at Berth H3, making life a whole lot easier.
Now, I did manage to get online yesterday and, although not particularly fast, it was steady. So, without further ado, I’ll post this final blog of our 2009 cruise. However, this will not be the last you’ll hear from us as we’ll be exploring the area as much as we can. For example, Rutland Water is not too far away, and that is somewhere we’re really looking forward to visiting.
Until the family gathering, wherever that may be, take care.
Dave, Sheila and Rusty.
ps Well, as you can see, the wretched diagram did not appear, so I will send it as an attachment to an email. I tried including the diagram I had saved from Pillings Lock site, but Blogger could not upload it because it was the wrong format.
Sunday, 27 September 2009
Sunday, 20 September 2009
Alrewas to Willington
Alrewas to Willington
A new week has started and, on Monday 14th September, we now have just 17 days and our 2009 cruise will be over. This means that, because we only have about 35 miles to go, we will need to stop longer at each place. Of course, you will already be aware of some, if not all, of these stops by the time I post this blog but, for your delectation and delight, here’s the plan.
Firstly we will stay here at Alrewas today and then, on Tuesday we’ll go on to Barton Marina, where we hope to stay for two nights on mains power. This will give a well needed boost to our sadly depleted batteries. Although, having said that, they are nowhere near as depleted as they were when we stayed at Nantwich.
In order of appearance we intend to stop as follows: Branston Thursday and Friday, Willington Saturday and Sunday, Swarkestone Monday, Weston Tuesday, Shardlow Wednesday and Thursday, Sawley Friday, the dreaded Kegworth Saturday and Sunday, Loughborough Monday and, finally, Pilings Lock Marina on Tuesday 29th September. We may have to make up another day or two along the way because we would rather begin our tenancy on the 1st of October. If this means paying for an extra night or two prior to that date, then that’s what we will do and, hopefully, the River Soar will behave itself once we’re on it.
Today, which is Wednesday 16th September, we are moored at Barton Turns Marina. We arrived here yesterday morning and will be on our way again tomorrow. Although we only have a short distance to go, we felt it would do the batteries some good to be hitched up to mains power for a couple of days. At £10 per night for moorings and electricity, we think that’s pretty reasonable. Our last stopover like this was at Llangollen, where BW charged just £6 per night whereas, at Nantwich they stitched us up to the tune of £15. Oh, and they have a Garden Centre too, but it doesn’t seem to stock enough plants for Wifey’s liking. All she wants to do is replant the small pots on the roof. The place is big enough, but obviously does not cater for boaters!
As you all know, I’ve been looking around for an Alfa 146 recently and have been using Auto Trader for this purpose. When searching through this company via their website, it is necessary to enter your post code and how far you are willing to travel. I put in the Pillings Lock post code and 40 miles, and found just one. At £695 it’s a snip, especially when you consider that, because of the new scrappage scheme, second hand car prices are catually rising. Anyway it is, I’m happy to say, with a car dealer, as opposed to a private individual. I don’t know about you, but I always prefer to deal with a trader rather than an individual, not that they are more trustworthy, but at least you do have some comeback if things are not to your liking.
So, I am now about to send them a holding deposit but, it occurred to me this morning that I will need full details of the vehicle so as to be able to purchase the Road Tax on the day I pick the car up. Unfortunately, since I am unable to go online from this marina, I can’t email the dealer, which does not bode well for our permanent moorings. I’m going to have to give the lovely (sounding!) Jayne at Pillings Lock a bell today and ask about that.
The marina here has a very decent looking pub, along with various shops, including a Butcher, Bake and Ice Cream Maker that also sells fruit and veg. There is also a Thai restaurant and deli and, of all things, a toy shop. The site itself appears to be surrounded by lakes and wildlife preserves, and so it is a pretty popular visitors spot. The deli has seating outside where folks can while away some time with a coffee and sticky bun. Except for the lack of Internet access it’s a pretty good spot to moor up at.
Tomorrow we’ll be off to Branston, which is where the famous pickle comes from.
Well, tomorrow has arrived at last, it is 06.20 on Thursday 17th September and I can’t say I like the look of the weather. Thankfully, although we have heavy cloud, we do not have a heavy wind to go with it. Branston is only
2 ½ miles away and we only have two locks to go through.
Now, although I mentioned the above named shop, I neglected to mention the rather excellent pie we purchased there. They call it their Marina Special and it contains steak, kidney, mushrooms and onion. We have visited many a butcher during the past three years, but we have never found one that lives up to it’s claims. This pie has really thick chunks of meat in it, much thicker than any we’ve come across before. The pastry is nice and crunchy, not soft and gooey like some we could mention, and the innards are real juicy with just the right amount of gravy. So, well done to The Butcher, Baker and Ice Cream Maker at Barton Turns Marina.
In addition they do many other cooked pies and savouries, including a rather delightful cooked sausage in a puff pastry wrap. If you can imagine a triangle of pastry, onto which is laid one sausage along the longest length, with the shorter sides wrapped around the sausage, what you get is a puff pastry wrap with the two ends of sausage exposed. They were really tasty too. Sadly very few marinas have shops built alongside them, which is a shame really as I’m sure they would be blessed with far more visiting boaters if they dis.
Now, on to the pub and the lake, which we walked partly around yesterday morning. In fact the whole site has only been constructed during the past few years and the pub is dated 2007. The trees are all very young and of quite a mixed variety. I don’t recognise most of them, but we did see oak and hazel nut, to name just two.
Naturally our doggie went for a swim but, who would have thought that the powers that be would site a notice forbidding such behaviour much too high for her to read?
Oh, and lest I forget, the meal at the Waterfront Pub was very tasty too. We settled for Coronation Chicken Wraps and a bowl of chips. Now, we were happy with the quality of the food but, and it is a big but, when I asked for a bowl of chips which, by the way, cost a massive £2.50, I did not expect a finger bowl of chips. It has long been recognised, that a packet of crisps attracts a profit of about 3000% and not a lot of people know that. However, just one, reasonable sized spud, went into the filling of that bowl. Beware you boaters who pay them a visit, portion control is very much a feature of this pub.
An, finally, for today’s entry, I bring your attention to yesterday’s news at six on BBC1, which, once again, went over the current unemployment situation. I have to confess a certain amount of confusion here because, on the one hand they mentioned a total of 4.7 million unemployed and, on the other hand they said that 5.9 million were receiving unemployment benefits?? As our friends across the pond would say, go figure!
It is now late morning on Friday 18th September and Sheila has just finished polishing the starboard side of the boat. Just occasionally she gets a bee in her bonnet and sets to with a will. As for myself, well, I’m still messing with the recipe book.
We arrived here at Branston yesterday, a little later than we normally would have after such a short trip, because we had to wait for the pump-out unit to become available at Barton Turn Marina, and that doesn’t open until nine am.
The lake at Barton Turn is quite a walk away, so we didn’t hear much from the local flocks of geese. Here though the lake is right next door to us and the geese seem to think we need waking up at 4.30 in the morning.
We took a good walk around part of the lake yesterday and discovered that it’s not just a lake, it’s a water park. It even has Dog Dipping areas where walkers are encouraged to let their dogs swim, rather than disturb the water fowl in other parts of the lake. Other activities, such as model boats and fishing, are also allowed, which makes a fine change from other lakes we’ve seen, where most such activities are banned.
Tomorrow we have a somewhat longer cruise, because we are going all the way to Willington, which is seven miles and two locks away, but we have to stop at Morrison’s for shopping, and they’re just this side of Burton on Trent. So, the plan is to leave at 7 am instead of the usual 8 o/clock. Willington is where we’re planning to stay the weekend, which will leave us with just over a week to our moorings, where we intend to be on Monday 28th.
It’s Sunday again and we’re at Willington as of yesterday. We came through here last year, or perhaps it was 2007, my memory aint what it used to was. However, last time we were her I distinctly remember it being much more peaceful than it is now. Unbeknown to us there’s a train line about 50 yards from the towpath and I feel sure we would have remembered that. Still, the service stops quite early in the evening, and so we don’t have our sleep disturbed.
The Green Dragon pub is just a short walk from our moorings, so Sunday lunch is no problem but, it looks like we’ll be visiting twice today. According to my dearly beloved, Sunday night is acoustic night, so we could be in for a treat. I am having to re-think my approach to the guitar myself, though I’m hanged if I can understand why I’m having so much trouble with it. Perhaps I’m just a little bit impatient – patience really isn’t my strong point, as you all know – or perhaps I just don’t have it in me to play the darned thing. Whatever it is I’m not giving up just yet. Also, I think maybe I’ve been taking the learning process a wee bit too seriously. After all I’m no spring chicken and I have no aspirations towards fame and fortune in the music industry. So, I think perhaps I should adopt a more relaxed attitude and take some tips from experts in the instrument, which is why I’ve been searching the Internet and downloaded a couple of short courses. We shall see.
We are hoping to be at our new moorings by Monday the 28th, on which day Alan will pay us a visit. This is so that he can take me to Chesterfield, where I have found a 10 year old Alfa Romeo 146 at the princely price of £695 and, since I now have a buyer for the RAV 4, I won’t have to find more than £200 to clinch the deal. I much prefer to deal with a trader when buying a car because, unlike a private sale, you do have someone to have a moan at if the car is not up to scratch. This company also run a credit check on the vehicle, so I should have no fear of somebody knocking on my door claiming the car is theirs. Full details as follows:
5 Doors, Manual, Hatchback, Petrol, 93,500 miles, Metallic Blue, MOT-08-2010. Service History, Leather Steering Wheel and Gear Knob, Electric sunroof, Electric windows, Electric mirrors, Alloy wheels, Central locking,
Foglights, PAS, ABS, Radio, Driver airbag, Metallic paintwork, Child locks, Adjustable steering column/wheel. Insurance Group:13A, HPI CLEAR, Only 2 previous owners.
Tomorrow we have not decided where we are stopping, so it will be a nice surprise for both of us!
After a very good Sunday, not only in terms of the weather, which was a most pleasant, sunny a warm day, but also in terms of pubbing it. At lunchtime we sat in the garden but, unfortunately, the nearest pears on the tree were too far to reach. Later on in the evening we returned, just for a couple of hours, to listen to a young couple perform a variety of modern pop songs on guitars. I have to say that the fellow was very good and really knew his way around the fretboard. The, very attractive young lady, who was tall and leggy and slender, with rather tight jeans, also played guitar, but I felt her voice was best suited to country music. I really could have sat there until closing time but, as we’re on the move again this morning – Monday 21st September – I did not wish to wake up with a mouth like a gorilla’s armpit.
We are now embarking upon our very last week of our 2009 cruise and we have decided to stop off at Swarkestone, which is about five miles away. Meanwhile, having managed to get online, I am going to post this blog, which will still give me time for one final blog when we arrive at Pillings Lock.
Have a good week folks.
Dave, Sheila and Rusty.
A new week has started and, on Monday 14th September, we now have just 17 days and our 2009 cruise will be over. This means that, because we only have about 35 miles to go, we will need to stop longer at each place. Of course, you will already be aware of some, if not all, of these stops by the time I post this blog but, for your delectation and delight, here’s the plan.
Firstly we will stay here at Alrewas today and then, on Tuesday we’ll go on to Barton Marina, where we hope to stay for two nights on mains power. This will give a well needed boost to our sadly depleted batteries. Although, having said that, they are nowhere near as depleted as they were when we stayed at Nantwich.
In order of appearance we intend to stop as follows: Branston Thursday and Friday, Willington Saturday and Sunday, Swarkestone Monday, Weston Tuesday, Shardlow Wednesday and Thursday, Sawley Friday, the dreaded Kegworth Saturday and Sunday, Loughborough Monday and, finally, Pilings Lock Marina on Tuesday 29th September. We may have to make up another day or two along the way because we would rather begin our tenancy on the 1st of October. If this means paying for an extra night or two prior to that date, then that’s what we will do and, hopefully, the River Soar will behave itself once we’re on it.
Today, which is Wednesday 16th September, we are moored at Barton Turns Marina. We arrived here yesterday morning and will be on our way again tomorrow. Although we only have a short distance to go, we felt it would do the batteries some good to be hitched up to mains power for a couple of days. At £10 per night for moorings and electricity, we think that’s pretty reasonable. Our last stopover like this was at Llangollen, where BW charged just £6 per night whereas, at Nantwich they stitched us up to the tune of £15. Oh, and they have a Garden Centre too, but it doesn’t seem to stock enough plants for Wifey’s liking. All she wants to do is replant the small pots on the roof. The place is big enough, but obviously does not cater for boaters!
As you all know, I’ve been looking around for an Alfa 146 recently and have been using Auto Trader for this purpose. When searching through this company via their website, it is necessary to enter your post code and how far you are willing to travel. I put in the Pillings Lock post code and 40 miles, and found just one. At £695 it’s a snip, especially when you consider that, because of the new scrappage scheme, second hand car prices are catually rising. Anyway it is, I’m happy to say, with a car dealer, as opposed to a private individual. I don’t know about you, but I always prefer to deal with a trader rather than an individual, not that they are more trustworthy, but at least you do have some comeback if things are not to your liking.
So, I am now about to send them a holding deposit but, it occurred to me this morning that I will need full details of the vehicle so as to be able to purchase the Road Tax on the day I pick the car up. Unfortunately, since I am unable to go online from this marina, I can’t email the dealer, which does not bode well for our permanent moorings. I’m going to have to give the lovely (sounding!) Jayne at Pillings Lock a bell today and ask about that.
The marina here has a very decent looking pub, along with various shops, including a Butcher, Bake and Ice Cream Maker that also sells fruit and veg. There is also a Thai restaurant and deli and, of all things, a toy shop. The site itself appears to be surrounded by lakes and wildlife preserves, and so it is a pretty popular visitors spot. The deli has seating outside where folks can while away some time with a coffee and sticky bun. Except for the lack of Internet access it’s a pretty good spot to moor up at.
Tomorrow we’ll be off to Branston, which is where the famous pickle comes from.
Well, tomorrow has arrived at last, it is 06.20 on Thursday 17th September and I can’t say I like the look of the weather. Thankfully, although we have heavy cloud, we do not have a heavy wind to go with it. Branston is only
2 ½ miles away and we only have two locks to go through.
Now, although I mentioned the above named shop, I neglected to mention the rather excellent pie we purchased there. They call it their Marina Special and it contains steak, kidney, mushrooms and onion. We have visited many a butcher during the past three years, but we have never found one that lives up to it’s claims. This pie has really thick chunks of meat in it, much thicker than any we’ve come across before. The pastry is nice and crunchy, not soft and gooey like some we could mention, and the innards are real juicy with just the right amount of gravy. So, well done to The Butcher, Baker and Ice Cream Maker at Barton Turns Marina.
In addition they do many other cooked pies and savouries, including a rather delightful cooked sausage in a puff pastry wrap. If you can imagine a triangle of pastry, onto which is laid one sausage along the longest length, with the shorter sides wrapped around the sausage, what you get is a puff pastry wrap with the two ends of sausage exposed. They were really tasty too. Sadly very few marinas have shops built alongside them, which is a shame really as I’m sure they would be blessed with far more visiting boaters if they dis.
Now, on to the pub and the lake, which we walked partly around yesterday morning. In fact the whole site has only been constructed during the past few years and the pub is dated 2007. The trees are all very young and of quite a mixed variety. I don’t recognise most of them, but we did see oak and hazel nut, to name just two.
Naturally our doggie went for a swim but, who would have thought that the powers that be would site a notice forbidding such behaviour much too high for her to read?
Oh, and lest I forget, the meal at the Waterfront Pub was very tasty too. We settled for Coronation Chicken Wraps and a bowl of chips. Now, we were happy with the quality of the food but, and it is a big but, when I asked for a bowl of chips which, by the way, cost a massive £2.50, I did not expect a finger bowl of chips. It has long been recognised, that a packet of crisps attracts a profit of about 3000% and not a lot of people know that. However, just one, reasonable sized spud, went into the filling of that bowl. Beware you boaters who pay them a visit, portion control is very much a feature of this pub.
An, finally, for today’s entry, I bring your attention to yesterday’s news at six on BBC1, which, once again, went over the current unemployment situation. I have to confess a certain amount of confusion here because, on the one hand they mentioned a total of 4.7 million unemployed and, on the other hand they said that 5.9 million were receiving unemployment benefits?? As our friends across the pond would say, go figure!
It is now late morning on Friday 18th September and Sheila has just finished polishing the starboard side of the boat. Just occasionally she gets a bee in her bonnet and sets to with a will. As for myself, well, I’m still messing with the recipe book.
We arrived here at Branston yesterday, a little later than we normally would have after such a short trip, because we had to wait for the pump-out unit to become available at Barton Turn Marina, and that doesn’t open until nine am.
The lake at Barton Turn is quite a walk away, so we didn’t hear much from the local flocks of geese. Here though the lake is right next door to us and the geese seem to think we need waking up at 4.30 in the morning.
We took a good walk around part of the lake yesterday and discovered that it’s not just a lake, it’s a water park. It even has Dog Dipping areas where walkers are encouraged to let their dogs swim, rather than disturb the water fowl in other parts of the lake. Other activities, such as model boats and fishing, are also allowed, which makes a fine change from other lakes we’ve seen, where most such activities are banned.
Tomorrow we have a somewhat longer cruise, because we are going all the way to Willington, which is seven miles and two locks away, but we have to stop at Morrison’s for shopping, and they’re just this side of Burton on Trent. So, the plan is to leave at 7 am instead of the usual 8 o/clock. Willington is where we’re planning to stay the weekend, which will leave us with just over a week to our moorings, where we intend to be on Monday 28th.
It’s Sunday again and we’re at Willington as of yesterday. We came through here last year, or perhaps it was 2007, my memory aint what it used to was. However, last time we were her I distinctly remember it being much more peaceful than it is now. Unbeknown to us there’s a train line about 50 yards from the towpath and I feel sure we would have remembered that. Still, the service stops quite early in the evening, and so we don’t have our sleep disturbed.
The Green Dragon pub is just a short walk from our moorings, so Sunday lunch is no problem but, it looks like we’ll be visiting twice today. According to my dearly beloved, Sunday night is acoustic night, so we could be in for a treat. I am having to re-think my approach to the guitar myself, though I’m hanged if I can understand why I’m having so much trouble with it. Perhaps I’m just a little bit impatient – patience really isn’t my strong point, as you all know – or perhaps I just don’t have it in me to play the darned thing. Whatever it is I’m not giving up just yet. Also, I think maybe I’ve been taking the learning process a wee bit too seriously. After all I’m no spring chicken and I have no aspirations towards fame and fortune in the music industry. So, I think perhaps I should adopt a more relaxed attitude and take some tips from experts in the instrument, which is why I’ve been searching the Internet and downloaded a couple of short courses. We shall see.
We are hoping to be at our new moorings by Monday the 28th, on which day Alan will pay us a visit. This is so that he can take me to Chesterfield, where I have found a 10 year old Alfa Romeo 146 at the princely price of £695 and, since I now have a buyer for the RAV 4, I won’t have to find more than £200 to clinch the deal. I much prefer to deal with a trader when buying a car because, unlike a private sale, you do have someone to have a moan at if the car is not up to scratch. This company also run a credit check on the vehicle, so I should have no fear of somebody knocking on my door claiming the car is theirs. Full details as follows:
5 Doors, Manual, Hatchback, Petrol, 93,500 miles, Metallic Blue, MOT-08-2010. Service History, Leather Steering Wheel and Gear Knob, Electric sunroof, Electric windows, Electric mirrors, Alloy wheels, Central locking,
Foglights, PAS, ABS, Radio, Driver airbag, Metallic paintwork, Child locks, Adjustable steering column/wheel. Insurance Group:13A, HPI CLEAR, Only 2 previous owners.
Tomorrow we have not decided where we are stopping, so it will be a nice surprise for both of us!
After a very good Sunday, not only in terms of the weather, which was a most pleasant, sunny a warm day, but also in terms of pubbing it. At lunchtime we sat in the garden but, unfortunately, the nearest pears on the tree were too far to reach. Later on in the evening we returned, just for a couple of hours, to listen to a young couple perform a variety of modern pop songs on guitars. I have to say that the fellow was very good and really knew his way around the fretboard. The, very attractive young lady, who was tall and leggy and slender, with rather tight jeans, also played guitar, but I felt her voice was best suited to country music. I really could have sat there until closing time but, as we’re on the move again this morning – Monday 21st September – I did not wish to wake up with a mouth like a gorilla’s armpit.
We are now embarking upon our very last week of our 2009 cruise and we have decided to stop off at Swarkestone, which is about five miles away. Meanwhile, having managed to get online, I am going to post this blog, which will still give me time for one final blog when we arrive at Pillings Lock.
Have a good week folks.
Dave, Sheila and Rusty.
Saturday, 12 September 2009
Weston Lock to Alrewas
Weston Lock to Alrewas
It’s 6.10 am on Saturday 5th September and, despite that, it’s pretty darn cold in the mornings now. Supposedly there is a mini heat wave on the way, but they have yet to convince me of the fact. I get up from our bed two or three times during the night and I now have my heavy duty house coat ready to slip on. I think then, that we’re going to have to light our fire this afternoon.
I’ve noticed lately that the geese are now circling overhead in the late afternoon and evening I suspect they are now readying themselves to leave these shores for warmer climes. However, Wifey tells me that they have now acclimatised themselves to our winters and no longer migrate. Still, at least the swallows are still here but, according to my nearest and dearest, they’ll be off to Africa by the beginning of October. A very knowledgeable lady is my missus.
Today we’re moving on to Great Haywood for the weekend and, if we can moor up above the lock, then we’ll be able to call in at the local watering-hole. But, if we have to go down that lock and moor up further on, then it will be to long a walk back to the pub, so goodbye Sunday drinkie pohs.
We left Weston at 8 am this morning, Saturday with the intention of calling in at Great Haywood Marina for a pump-out, diesel, water, coal and gas, but not necessarily in that order. Unfortunately we had left it rather late and had to remove some of the waste ourselves. I suppose we should have gone straight on to Great Haywood yesterday, but the weather was not being that kind to us. Normally, when the red warning light comes on, we have a good two days before a pump out is necessary, but that was not the case this time. Too much info? Well, what you see is what you get, warts and all.
So, anyway, we arrived at the marina and were fortunate enough to get served straight away. The diesel and pump-out usually take about half an hour and today was no different. After the pump-out though, almost all boatyards give about a litre of concentrated blue, which, in the past, we would have poured directly down the outlet hole. However, after being advised that this was not the best way to do so, because it simply sits at the bottom without mixing with the water that’s added, we now pour it straight down the loo and flush a couple of times.
With the problems we’ve been having with the loo over filling after the flush, we’re very careful about ensuring the basin stops filling, and we do so by running one of the sink taps until the bowl stops filling. With me so far? Well, on this occasion, probably because there was now another boat waiting to come in, I kind of rushed things a bit. Yep, you guessed it, by the time Wifey had finished paying for the service and climbed back into the boat, there was water all over the floor and soaking into the hall carpet. She was not well pleased.
With just three weeks to go before we settle in to our new home at Pillings Lock marina, we have so far covered 261 locks and 493 miles, which took 261 ½ hours of cruising and burning 658 litres of diesel in the process. Nowadays we have to divide the cost of fuel between propulsion, which is charged at the same rate as car drivers, and domestic usage, which id VAT free. By the time we reach our moorings we would have spent over £500 on fuel, which aint bad for almost six months cruising.
Now, as we’re pretty close to the lock here at Great Haywood, it shouldn’t be too difficult a task for me to walk to the local pub, The Clifford Arms. According to the Nicholson Guide, there has been a pub on that site for almost 1000 years, yes, you read that right, 1000 years. Originally it was a coaching inn, but it is now described as a friendly village pub. We agree, because we have used it in the past.
Shortly after we arrived hear we heard the sound of music coming from the direction of Shugborough Hall and, sure enough, they are now belting it out good and proper. Sadly it’s a pretty long walk from here, otherwise I could be tempted to take a look.
Wrong again dad, it seems the concert at Shugborough Hall is for the local Girl Guides and Brownies, to celebrate their centenary. They certainly seem to be having a whale of a time, if their cheers are anything to go by.
It’s Sunday morning now and I’ve just remembered something from yesterday. We were about half way to Great Haywood and passing a line of moored boats, obviously long-term moorings, and noticed quite a bit of activity at the far end of the field. Loads of smoke, loads of kids running around, most unusual for that time of morning. As we drew abreast of the fire we noticed the pig, it wasn’t just any old pig, this was a whopper and it was being turned on a spit over the fire. I would love to have been there come lunchtime, and that’s for sure. This could well have been the last weekend before the start of the new school term and those kids were getting a rare old treat. Lovely!
Morning all, having been woken up at 06.30 this morning by our fluffly little tyke, I fear I’m a wee bit later that usual. It’s no almost 7 o/clock and I’ve just sat down with my first cuppa of the day. It’s Tuesday 8th September and we’re now about three miles out of Great Haywood, at Taft Bridge, which is named after the farm across the way.
When we arrived here yesterday morning we were surprised to see so many boats moored up, between the bridge and the bend in the canal I counted 12, in addition to which there are a couple moored on the opposite bank. However, in the grounds of the big house before the bridge there’s a marquee, which boasts a big sign telling us that there’s a meeting of The Boaters Christian Fellowship. Put that together with the fact that most of the boats here also display a similar sticker, and we now know why there are so many. Had it been a chapter of the local Hells Angels, we probably wouldn’t have stayed.
Today we’ll be off to Rugeley, which is another three miles away and where there’s a Morrison’s store. We’ve stayed overnight there before, in fact when we came through in May, but another boater warned us yesterday that there had been a spot of bother with local louts of late; walking by boats and throwing stuff off the tops and into the canal, and even trying to smash a window with a chair; so we’ll just stop for shopping and move on a bit.
It is now Wednesday 9th September and we’re at a little place called Handsacre, no mention of which is made in the Nicholson’s Guide. However, the pub on the green, which is called The Crown is, and is reported to be about 300 years old. We also know that there’s a shop nearby because we’ve seen people bearing gifts back to their boats. Beyond The Crown is another pub called the Old Peculiar, so we’re a little spoiled for choice here. I suppose we could give them both a try, one at lunchtime and the other in the evening, but I’m afraid those days are long gone for me now.
If we are to reach our moorings by the end of the month we have just 22 days in which to do so. Having taken a quick count, we now have about 43 miles, 23 single locks and eight doubles, which are on the Leicester Arm of the GUC. It looks like we’ll have to slow down to a crawl of 2 miles per day instead of our blisteringly fast three.
Strange to say, although we’ve passed through Handsacre on more than one occasion, the moorings have always been full and we’ve been unable to stop for the night, which is why, since we were fortunate enough to find a hole big enough for our 56 footer, we’re giving The Crown a try today. We might even test out their cuisine.
It is now late afternoon and we’ve enjoyed our pub visit, along with a few pints and a Ciabatta, mine with bacon and brie, Sheila’s with mild chilli and chicken. We also indulged in a bowl of chips, as seems to be our habit these days. Well, we try to avoid such stuff on the boat and save it for pub grub.
The pub itself appears to have been recently renovated, because the paintwork is all shiny and new and the bar is built entirely of timber. Along with the new carpet and down-lighting, we think they’ve done a pretty good job. Not too posh but clean and modern looking, definitely 21st century.
We are now moored just above Shadehouse Lock, which is just two locks short of Fradley Junction, which is where we’ll be heading tomorrow morning. Today is Thursday 10th September and, as we approached this lock, we kinda hemmed and hawed about pulling in for the night, even though it was only 10 am. So much so that we almost passed the most likely spot to pull in, which is at the very end of the moorings We do this whenever we can, because it pre-empts the problem of having to move a few feet either way in order to allow another boat to moor up. Being at the very end nobody can ask us to do so and, therefore, they are obliged to find somewhere else to pull in.
Down at the junction there is a pub that we paid a visit to last time we came through, and there is also a café, which is situated between the 3rd and 4th locks down. Now, since I enjoyed my Guinnesses yesterday and not wishing to appear greedy and something of a sot, we’re going to pay the café a visit tomorrow lunchtime, just for a change. They also have a gift shop next door, which makes this a very popular spot with boaters and locals alike.
Good morning from Fradley at 06.30 on Friday 11th September, where the day has started with a clear blue sky. I am usually up between 06.00 and 06.30 most mornings and, before the kettle whistles, I’ve dressed, opened the curtains to welcome the new day and have set the laptop up ready to update the blog. Today is no different in that respect, except to say that this must be one of the quietest, most peaceful spots we have ever moored at. The best of it is, that the moorings here are very much a rarity in that, we’re only a short walk from a very popular visitor’s area and, if we want to, we could stay here for 14 days.
We have thick woods opposite and a line of trees on the towpath side, with open fields stretching beyond them. During a really hot spell those trees would be a real blessing, because without them the boat would become unbearably hot inside. Only a few days ago I insisted we light our fire because the early mornings were becoming quite cold. The reason for this is the unreliability of our heating system which, if we haven’t run the engine for long enough, or we haven’t run the heater the day before, the batteries simply do not have enough power to run it. This will all change once we’re attached to mains electrickery at the marina.
We were considering moving the boat down between the 3rd and 4th locks today, so as to be nearer to the café and gift shop, but we’ve decided to stay here and I am going to be very brave and have a shot at walking it.
Morning all, it’s Saturday 12th September and I’m sitting here enjoying a cup of tea and a spot of lonesome time. The first thing I want to do is ask a question, and it is this: Why is it that the Microsoft Corporation think they knows what is best for your computer? As is my usual practice once I am dressed, I switch on the laptop and log on, though why I still have Sheila as a second user I don’t know.
Anyway, this morning I followed the same path and, lo and behold, instead of the pretty, blue, Microsoft ripple pattern on my desktop, I found the Acer screen and half my desktop icons missing. And there, in the bottom, right hand corner was a nag screen telling me my computer was at risk because I had Automatic Updates turned off. Well, of course it is turned off. That’s because I do not wish to inadvertently download and install anything that might actually harm my laptop, such as Microsoft Updates, as happened to my brother only a few weeks ago. And besides, I like my laptop the way it is, even though it does tend to mess me about from time to time, and that is only since it last crashed and I re-formatted the HDD.
There are times when I could cheerfully throw this thing into the canal, but today is not one of those days. However, I will be replacing it at the earliest opportunity, simply because I still find myself becoming quite frustrated at its little quirks and foibles.
How many of you remember the last family get together? I do, and I distinctly remember us all clustering around Carole and Bob’s shiny new Jaguar and, especially my remark about being in love. Of course, being pensioners and on State Pensions, there’s no way Sheila and I would even consider getting into debt for such a luxury, especially as we don’t need a car for six months of the year whilst we are cruising.
However, I have been considering getting rid of the Rav 4 for some time and, to that end, my brother has asked around to see if he can sell it for me. The good news is, he may well have found a buyer, in the person of a family member named Jayne. Of course, even if she does want it, we will still need it for a few weeks, because we’ll need to drive to our nearest GP and sign on, and I’ll need it in order to search out another car with which to replace it.
One of the sprightliest cars we owned was the Alfa Romeo 146, which was one of the cars we had when I worked for Chariots for Hire. We also had a new shape Celica and an MGF, both of which set us back a few quid. The Alfa however, is a different gether altomatter, because one of those can still be picked up for less than £1000, so that’s what I’ll e looking out for just as soon as we get to our moorings.
Today we’ll be off to Alrewas, which is just a few miles away and about 5 locks. Fortunately for me there’s a pub by the side of the canal, so Sunday is taken care of.
What a glorious day we had yesterday, and it looks like being another one today. Our Saturday evening pleasure was only marred by the twit behind us who, at about 6 pm, having just arrived, bashed on the side of Shiralee asking how long I intended to keep the engine running. The poor wee darling wanted to sit outside with his fellow boaters, and our exhaust fumes were becoming something of a distraction. When I explained that we needed to top our batteries up and would be running for a couple of hours, his response was, “Can’t you run it later”. Well, of course, I had to say “No, because then I would have to run it after 8 pm, which would mean non-compliance with our BW Licence rules”. He went away at that, but I could tell he was not a happy bunny.
Now, today being Sunday 13th September, and the nearest pub being only a five minute walk away, you can all guess where we’ll be at lunchtime. Still, whilst we are there, and if our neighbours are still behind us, they can sit outside while we’re away. I suspect though, that they’ll be on there way to pastures new by then.
Alrewas is quite a big Staffordshire town and, on previous occasions, I have walked to the shops and pub with Wifey, but I’m hanged if I can remember what it looks like. As with most canal-side towns and villages, the canal runs along one edge, in this case the eastern edge. It boasts a Post Office, butcher’s shop, chemist, tea rooms and a chippie, so it can’t be all bad. It also has a bowling green and a church, which is a very spacious building of mainly 13th century construction, noted for the old leper window, which now houses modern stained glass.
The town also touches on the River Trent, which once drove the local cotton mill, long since turned into housing. The name Alrewas is pronounced ‘olrewus’ and is a corruption of the words Alder Wash, which is a reference to the many alder trees which once grew in the, often flooded, Trent valley and gave rise to the basket weaving, for which the village was once famous.
Now, despite the fact that we are moored between buildings, which line both sides of the canal, I’ve had no problem accessing the internet so, without further ado, I’ll see what I can do to post this blog, warts and all and misspellings, etcetera.
I know, I told you the last blog would be the penultimate one, but this has now run to seven pages and I’ll still have time for one more before we reach Pillings Lock Marina.
Cheers for now from,
Dave, Sheila and Rusty. Enjoy your Sunday.
It’s 6.10 am on Saturday 5th September and, despite that, it’s pretty darn cold in the mornings now. Supposedly there is a mini heat wave on the way, but they have yet to convince me of the fact. I get up from our bed two or three times during the night and I now have my heavy duty house coat ready to slip on. I think then, that we’re going to have to light our fire this afternoon.
I’ve noticed lately that the geese are now circling overhead in the late afternoon and evening I suspect they are now readying themselves to leave these shores for warmer climes. However, Wifey tells me that they have now acclimatised themselves to our winters and no longer migrate. Still, at least the swallows are still here but, according to my nearest and dearest, they’ll be off to Africa by the beginning of October. A very knowledgeable lady is my missus.
Today we’re moving on to Great Haywood for the weekend and, if we can moor up above the lock, then we’ll be able to call in at the local watering-hole. But, if we have to go down that lock and moor up further on, then it will be to long a walk back to the pub, so goodbye Sunday drinkie pohs.
We left Weston at 8 am this morning, Saturday with the intention of calling in at Great Haywood Marina for a pump-out, diesel, water, coal and gas, but not necessarily in that order. Unfortunately we had left it rather late and had to remove some of the waste ourselves. I suppose we should have gone straight on to Great Haywood yesterday, but the weather was not being that kind to us. Normally, when the red warning light comes on, we have a good two days before a pump out is necessary, but that was not the case this time. Too much info? Well, what you see is what you get, warts and all.
So, anyway, we arrived at the marina and were fortunate enough to get served straight away. The diesel and pump-out usually take about half an hour and today was no different. After the pump-out though, almost all boatyards give about a litre of concentrated blue, which, in the past, we would have poured directly down the outlet hole. However, after being advised that this was not the best way to do so, because it simply sits at the bottom without mixing with the water that’s added, we now pour it straight down the loo and flush a couple of times.
With the problems we’ve been having with the loo over filling after the flush, we’re very careful about ensuring the basin stops filling, and we do so by running one of the sink taps until the bowl stops filling. With me so far? Well, on this occasion, probably because there was now another boat waiting to come in, I kind of rushed things a bit. Yep, you guessed it, by the time Wifey had finished paying for the service and climbed back into the boat, there was water all over the floor and soaking into the hall carpet. She was not well pleased.
With just three weeks to go before we settle in to our new home at Pillings Lock marina, we have so far covered 261 locks and 493 miles, which took 261 ½ hours of cruising and burning 658 litres of diesel in the process. Nowadays we have to divide the cost of fuel between propulsion, which is charged at the same rate as car drivers, and domestic usage, which id VAT free. By the time we reach our moorings we would have spent over £500 on fuel, which aint bad for almost six months cruising.
Now, as we’re pretty close to the lock here at Great Haywood, it shouldn’t be too difficult a task for me to walk to the local pub, The Clifford Arms. According to the Nicholson Guide, there has been a pub on that site for almost 1000 years, yes, you read that right, 1000 years. Originally it was a coaching inn, but it is now described as a friendly village pub. We agree, because we have used it in the past.
Shortly after we arrived hear we heard the sound of music coming from the direction of Shugborough Hall and, sure enough, they are now belting it out good and proper. Sadly it’s a pretty long walk from here, otherwise I could be tempted to take a look.
Wrong again dad, it seems the concert at Shugborough Hall is for the local Girl Guides and Brownies, to celebrate their centenary. They certainly seem to be having a whale of a time, if their cheers are anything to go by.
It’s Sunday morning now and I’ve just remembered something from yesterday. We were about half way to Great Haywood and passing a line of moored boats, obviously long-term moorings, and noticed quite a bit of activity at the far end of the field. Loads of smoke, loads of kids running around, most unusual for that time of morning. As we drew abreast of the fire we noticed the pig, it wasn’t just any old pig, this was a whopper and it was being turned on a spit over the fire. I would love to have been there come lunchtime, and that’s for sure. This could well have been the last weekend before the start of the new school term and those kids were getting a rare old treat. Lovely!
Morning all, having been woken up at 06.30 this morning by our fluffly little tyke, I fear I’m a wee bit later that usual. It’s no almost 7 o/clock and I’ve just sat down with my first cuppa of the day. It’s Tuesday 8th September and we’re now about three miles out of Great Haywood, at Taft Bridge, which is named after the farm across the way.
When we arrived here yesterday morning we were surprised to see so many boats moored up, between the bridge and the bend in the canal I counted 12, in addition to which there are a couple moored on the opposite bank. However, in the grounds of the big house before the bridge there’s a marquee, which boasts a big sign telling us that there’s a meeting of The Boaters Christian Fellowship. Put that together with the fact that most of the boats here also display a similar sticker, and we now know why there are so many. Had it been a chapter of the local Hells Angels, we probably wouldn’t have stayed.
Today we’ll be off to Rugeley, which is another three miles away and where there’s a Morrison’s store. We’ve stayed overnight there before, in fact when we came through in May, but another boater warned us yesterday that there had been a spot of bother with local louts of late; walking by boats and throwing stuff off the tops and into the canal, and even trying to smash a window with a chair; so we’ll just stop for shopping and move on a bit.
It is now Wednesday 9th September and we’re at a little place called Handsacre, no mention of which is made in the Nicholson’s Guide. However, the pub on the green, which is called The Crown is, and is reported to be about 300 years old. We also know that there’s a shop nearby because we’ve seen people bearing gifts back to their boats. Beyond The Crown is another pub called the Old Peculiar, so we’re a little spoiled for choice here. I suppose we could give them both a try, one at lunchtime and the other in the evening, but I’m afraid those days are long gone for me now.
If we are to reach our moorings by the end of the month we have just 22 days in which to do so. Having taken a quick count, we now have about 43 miles, 23 single locks and eight doubles, which are on the Leicester Arm of the GUC. It looks like we’ll have to slow down to a crawl of 2 miles per day instead of our blisteringly fast three.
Strange to say, although we’ve passed through Handsacre on more than one occasion, the moorings have always been full and we’ve been unable to stop for the night, which is why, since we were fortunate enough to find a hole big enough for our 56 footer, we’re giving The Crown a try today. We might even test out their cuisine.
It is now late afternoon and we’ve enjoyed our pub visit, along with a few pints and a Ciabatta, mine with bacon and brie, Sheila’s with mild chilli and chicken. We also indulged in a bowl of chips, as seems to be our habit these days. Well, we try to avoid such stuff on the boat and save it for pub grub.
The pub itself appears to have been recently renovated, because the paintwork is all shiny and new and the bar is built entirely of timber. Along with the new carpet and down-lighting, we think they’ve done a pretty good job. Not too posh but clean and modern looking, definitely 21st century.
We are now moored just above Shadehouse Lock, which is just two locks short of Fradley Junction, which is where we’ll be heading tomorrow morning. Today is Thursday 10th September and, as we approached this lock, we kinda hemmed and hawed about pulling in for the night, even though it was only 10 am. So much so that we almost passed the most likely spot to pull in, which is at the very end of the moorings We do this whenever we can, because it pre-empts the problem of having to move a few feet either way in order to allow another boat to moor up. Being at the very end nobody can ask us to do so and, therefore, they are obliged to find somewhere else to pull in.
Down at the junction there is a pub that we paid a visit to last time we came through, and there is also a café, which is situated between the 3rd and 4th locks down. Now, since I enjoyed my Guinnesses yesterday and not wishing to appear greedy and something of a sot, we’re going to pay the café a visit tomorrow lunchtime, just for a change. They also have a gift shop next door, which makes this a very popular spot with boaters and locals alike.
Good morning from Fradley at 06.30 on Friday 11th September, where the day has started with a clear blue sky. I am usually up between 06.00 and 06.30 most mornings and, before the kettle whistles, I’ve dressed, opened the curtains to welcome the new day and have set the laptop up ready to update the blog. Today is no different in that respect, except to say that this must be one of the quietest, most peaceful spots we have ever moored at. The best of it is, that the moorings here are very much a rarity in that, we’re only a short walk from a very popular visitor’s area and, if we want to, we could stay here for 14 days.
We have thick woods opposite and a line of trees on the towpath side, with open fields stretching beyond them. During a really hot spell those trees would be a real blessing, because without them the boat would become unbearably hot inside. Only a few days ago I insisted we light our fire because the early mornings were becoming quite cold. The reason for this is the unreliability of our heating system which, if we haven’t run the engine for long enough, or we haven’t run the heater the day before, the batteries simply do not have enough power to run it. This will all change once we’re attached to mains electrickery at the marina.
We were considering moving the boat down between the 3rd and 4th locks today, so as to be nearer to the café and gift shop, but we’ve decided to stay here and I am going to be very brave and have a shot at walking it.
Morning all, it’s Saturday 12th September and I’m sitting here enjoying a cup of tea and a spot of lonesome time. The first thing I want to do is ask a question, and it is this: Why is it that the Microsoft Corporation think they knows what is best for your computer? As is my usual practice once I am dressed, I switch on the laptop and log on, though why I still have Sheila as a second user I don’t know.
Anyway, this morning I followed the same path and, lo and behold, instead of the pretty, blue, Microsoft ripple pattern on my desktop, I found the Acer screen and half my desktop icons missing. And there, in the bottom, right hand corner was a nag screen telling me my computer was at risk because I had Automatic Updates turned off. Well, of course it is turned off. That’s because I do not wish to inadvertently download and install anything that might actually harm my laptop, such as Microsoft Updates, as happened to my brother only a few weeks ago. And besides, I like my laptop the way it is, even though it does tend to mess me about from time to time, and that is only since it last crashed and I re-formatted the HDD.
There are times when I could cheerfully throw this thing into the canal, but today is not one of those days. However, I will be replacing it at the earliest opportunity, simply because I still find myself becoming quite frustrated at its little quirks and foibles.
How many of you remember the last family get together? I do, and I distinctly remember us all clustering around Carole and Bob’s shiny new Jaguar and, especially my remark about being in love. Of course, being pensioners and on State Pensions, there’s no way Sheila and I would even consider getting into debt for such a luxury, especially as we don’t need a car for six months of the year whilst we are cruising.
However, I have been considering getting rid of the Rav 4 for some time and, to that end, my brother has asked around to see if he can sell it for me. The good news is, he may well have found a buyer, in the person of a family member named Jayne. Of course, even if she does want it, we will still need it for a few weeks, because we’ll need to drive to our nearest GP and sign on, and I’ll need it in order to search out another car with which to replace it.
One of the sprightliest cars we owned was the Alfa Romeo 146, which was one of the cars we had when I worked for Chariots for Hire. We also had a new shape Celica and an MGF, both of which set us back a few quid. The Alfa however, is a different gether altomatter, because one of those can still be picked up for less than £1000, so that’s what I’ll e looking out for just as soon as we get to our moorings.
Today we’ll be off to Alrewas, which is just a few miles away and about 5 locks. Fortunately for me there’s a pub by the side of the canal, so Sunday is taken care of.
What a glorious day we had yesterday, and it looks like being another one today. Our Saturday evening pleasure was only marred by the twit behind us who, at about 6 pm, having just arrived, bashed on the side of Shiralee asking how long I intended to keep the engine running. The poor wee darling wanted to sit outside with his fellow boaters, and our exhaust fumes were becoming something of a distraction. When I explained that we needed to top our batteries up and would be running for a couple of hours, his response was, “Can’t you run it later”. Well, of course, I had to say “No, because then I would have to run it after 8 pm, which would mean non-compliance with our BW Licence rules”. He went away at that, but I could tell he was not a happy bunny.
Now, today being Sunday 13th September, and the nearest pub being only a five minute walk away, you can all guess where we’ll be at lunchtime. Still, whilst we are there, and if our neighbours are still behind us, they can sit outside while we’re away. I suspect though, that they’ll be on there way to pastures new by then.
Alrewas is quite a big Staffordshire town and, on previous occasions, I have walked to the shops and pub with Wifey, but I’m hanged if I can remember what it looks like. As with most canal-side towns and villages, the canal runs along one edge, in this case the eastern edge. It boasts a Post Office, butcher’s shop, chemist, tea rooms and a chippie, so it can’t be all bad. It also has a bowling green and a church, which is a very spacious building of mainly 13th century construction, noted for the old leper window, which now houses modern stained glass.
The town also touches on the River Trent, which once drove the local cotton mill, long since turned into housing. The name Alrewas is pronounced ‘olrewus’ and is a corruption of the words Alder Wash, which is a reference to the many alder trees which once grew in the, often flooded, Trent valley and gave rise to the basket weaving, for which the village was once famous.
Now, despite the fact that we are moored between buildings, which line both sides of the canal, I’ve had no problem accessing the internet so, without further ado, I’ll see what I can do to post this blog, warts and all and misspellings, etcetera.
I know, I told you the last blog would be the penultimate one, but this has now run to seven pages and I’ll still have time for one more before we reach Pillings Lock Marina.
Cheers for now from,
Dave, Sheila and Rusty. Enjoy your Sunday.
Friday, 4 September 2009
Bridge 8 to Weston Lock
Bridge 8 to Weston Lock
Yesterday, which was Wednesday 19th August, we arrived at CrossGreen, on the Staffs and Worcs Canal. Our trip took us the final three miles of the Shroppie and through the Stop-Lock at Autherley Junction, where we turned left and made our way to a very narrow stretch of this beautiful canal.
I can find no notes about this narrow stretch but, just like your average, narrow country lane, it does have a couple of passing points. As you would expect, since it does bend a bit, there is certain to be another boat coming from the opposite direction. Fortunately, in our case there was only one. The fun really starts when you arrive at a passing point, only to find two or three boats coming at you. All you can really do is sit and wait until they’ve all filtered through, and hope they are just a wee bit careful.
We arrived here at around 10.30 and settled in for our cuppa before Sheila took pooch for a walk. Our Rusty does tend to pester to go out on arrival at new moorings. It’s not that she’s desperate to spend a penny, she just wants to sniff and investigate, as dog do.
The nearby pub, which is called The Fox and Anchor, is one we’ve visited before and boasts a rather nice patio area with parasols and big, round wooden tables. Thankfully my dicky tummy has now settled down and so, whilst my dearly beloved pops off to the local book shop – she managed to but a bag full of books for £10 last time – I’ll wait for her in the pub. To be honest I’d rather go with her, but I know my knees wouldn’t make it.
On Friday we’ll probably make our way to Gailey Top Lock.
Good afternoon folks. We’re now at Gailey Top Lock on Friday 21st August and, as you have no doubt noticed, I’ve drifted away from the rather regimented way of giving day and date at the start of the day.
Once again we were rather lucky because, having cruised the five miles from Cross Green, it only started to rain a short while after we had moored up. I only hope we’ll be equally lucky when we enter the River Soar on our way to our new moorings. Once again we will pass through Kegworth Shallow Flood Lock, and we all know what happened the last time, which was back in 2007. Can you imagine the shame and ignominy at having to spend another 10 days there due to flooding? I can, and I don’t think I’d be able to hide my face from my new neighbours.
Tomorrow we’re off to Penkridge, where there are very good moorings, and we’ll stay for the weekend.
We had a pretty good weekend, spending Saturday just chilling out and, on Sunday we took advantage of The Bridge pub, although we really weren’t hungry enough to enjoy their delicious meals. Well, that’s what it says on the pub sign, so it must be true I suppose. We returned to the boat to find our neighbour, Keith and his wife busily making rope fenders and knitting small items of kiddies clothing. I leave you to guess who was doing what. I must confess, our Keith makes a rather good home brewed bitter, which didn’t sit too well on top of the Guinness.
It is now Monday 24th August and we’ve moved on from Penkridge, through four locks and four miles. We are just outside a little place called Acton Trussell which, according to Nicholson, is in Staffordshire and boasts a telephone and a store. Apparently the west tower of the local church dates from the 13th C and is topped by a spire that was built in 1562. Apart from those little snippets of info all that can be said of the place, is that it is overwhelmed by modern housing. So much for Acton Trussell.
Next stop Weeping Cross and the Radford Bank pub, which is beside the canal at Radford Bridge, which is designated bridge 98. We may or may not partake of food there, which is served all day, but we’ll certainly take some refreshment.
Good morning from Weeping Cross on this Wednesday 26th of August, where it is, as promised by the nice weather people, absolutely peeing down with rain. Our plan for today was to move on to Tixall Wide, which is a very open and much wider stretch of canal just a short distance before Great Haywood and the Trent and Mersey Canal. But, as there is a pub nearby, that does a rather good Carvery – so I’m told – it looks like we may have to stay for today. With a little luck we the weather will settle down and we can move on later today. But, since we don’t much like travelling late in the day, there’s a very good chance we’ll stay anyway.
Weeping Cross, unfortunately, is yet another small town where the shops are too far away for me to walk to. However, Wifey popped in there yesterday and has managed to book herself in for a haircut, which she’ll have done at 9 o/clock this morning. As for me while she’s away, I’ll give the guitar a plonk or two. I downloaded a new guitar programme yesterday which I’m rather keen to have a go at and so, hopefully, she’ll be away long enough for me to get to grips with a new method of playing. Not that you could call my current, feeble efforts playing, but I do at least try.
If we can’t leave today for Tixall Wide, then we’ll have to pass it by tomorrow and go directly to Great Haywood, where we’ll get pumped out and top up with diesel and water. Alternatively, we may still stop at Tixall Wide, then go on Weston. Our aim is to be at Barlaston by Sunday so as to meet up with Carole on Monday.
For the first time since we started cruising in 2006, we’ve actually managed to find a mooring spot at Tixall Wide, which is an extra wide stretch of the Staffs and Worcs about a mile short of Great Haywood Junction. We stayed for two nights at Weeping Cross, mainly because of high winds and pouring rain but, this morning, Thursday 27th August started out quite bright, with a very light breeze and we managed to set off about 8.15 am.
Most of you probably know and have experienced the wasp menace this summer, as have we. Since they, along with bees and other flying insects, are great pollinators, we don’t kill them when they invade the boat. Instead Wifey usually picks them up with a towel and turns them loose outside. I don’t normally bother because they eventually find their own way out. However, soon after switching on the laptop, one of the little blighters popped in and buzzed around the window next to me. Without more ado I copied Wifey’s habit and promptly picked it up with a towel, with the intention of depositing it through the side hatch. I thought I was doing a good deep, but the wasp thought otherwise and dug its nasty little stinger in my finger. I tried again, with the towel doubled up this time, and was successful. Message to self, ‘be more careful in future’.
Darn me, I’ve just had to dispose of another one! The cooler weather can’t come soon enough for me. Just as well I’m not allergic to their sting I suppose.
Wifey has just left to take a walk down to Great Haywood and the local farm shop, where she’s hoping to find a few bits and pieces. No doubt she’ll buy herself an ice cream but, as it’s almost a mile there, I’ll miss out on the goodies this time.
Tomorrow, weather allowing, we’ll make our way to Weston. Carole has now decided to wait until we get to Pillings Lock before she pays us a visit. This makes sense because, having consulted wit British Rail, she has discovered that it will be much cheaper that way. Our run up to Barlaston is now open to variation of timing, but we’ll still try to be there for the weekend.
We are still on two minds whether to do the Caldon this year. Naturally the weather has a bearing on that decision because, if we get any heavy rain before we get there, we may find a flood situation along the river stretches, and that would never do.
It’s Friday 28th August and the weekend is almost upon us. The weather forecast for today is supposed to be heavy rain and high winds, sweeping across the country from the west. At 06.30 though we have a clear sky and a light breeze rippling the water. With a bit of luck and a tail wind, the latter of which we do have, we’ll make Weston before the nasty stuff hits us. From my reckoning, since we’ll be turning left at the junction, the foul weather will hit us from the port side, but I have every intention of outrunning it, I really do hate to get a soaking when I’m cruising.
The weekend is now here, on Saturday 29th August, and we have a clear sky, with some heavy clouds to the east. The weather men tell us that, of the three bank holiday days today should be the better of them. Today’s plan is a short, four mile cruise to Weston, where we’ll stay for Sunday. We have now abandoned plans to do the Caldon because, rather than keep to their current level of discomfort my legs have decide to attack me at the left hip, so much so that I’m having trouble sitting down, and I can only lie in bed on my right side or my back.
It would take a month, at three miles per day, to get to our moorings if we take in the Caldon as well, so we’re going to go as far as Stone, then turn around and head off down the T&M to the Soar and Pllings Lock, which should take no more than a fortnight. Unfortunately I am now having to take my painkillers again, but I’m keeping them to a minimum. So much for an enjoyable retirement, eh?
Well, it’s now Bank Holiday Monday and the last day of August and, weather permitting, we’ll be setting off towards Stone, which is where Terry and Monica Darlngton live. They are the retired boaters who, a few years ago, took their boat across the channel and cruised down to Carcazonne in France. They followed that a couple of years later with a run down the Intra-coastal waterwayof the USA, braving alligators and such. They are both in their 70’s and quite mad.
We won’t be going quite as far as Stone today because, for one thing, we don’t know which shops will be open and, for another, since the canal breach I spoke of a couple of weeks ago, has still not been repaired, we don’t know how many boats will be moored there. If we can’t moor up, we can’t go shopping, and we badly need supplies. It is rather a long walk into Stone, and I have actually accompanied Sheila before, but I am not able to do so now.
Do you know, out here on the waterways, especially around 6 am, and although it’s a clear sky with the sun about to rise, it’s rather autumnal in the mornings. This morning; Tuesday 1st September; it really is quite chilly.
As you all know, we have six domestic batteries, two of which have only been on charge via a landline for short periods of time. This means that, in order to ensure there is enough power in all the batteries to run the heater, we have to ensure at least five, but preferably six hours of engine run time per day. Yesterday, unfortunately, we only gave it about four hours, with the expected result of me, sitting here in what can only be described as brass monkey conditions.
So, you may tell me, run the engine if that’s all it takes. There are two very sound reasons for not doing so at this ungodly hour. One is that the noise will disturb Wifey and, since she does most of the hard work around here, she needs all the rest she can get. After all, I know I’m old, but she’s only six years behind me. He second reason is that there’s another boat nearby – although I doubt they are close enough to be disturbed – and we are not supposed to run engines before 8 am.
Today we are off to Stone, which is about four miles or so away, and is where Sheila will get some of our necessary supplies. We’ll probably stay overnight then, on Wednesday, go on to the nearest boatyard for diesel and a bottle of gas then, on Thursday, turn around and head for our moorings. I’m pretty sure though, that before we reach them, we’ll have the fire alight. There’s nothing worse than getting up early, or even in the middle of the night, as I often do, only to sit here in the cold.
It’s now Wednesday 2nd September and the mornings are definitely autumnal. We’re still at Stone and will probably stay until tomorrow, when we’ll head back to Weston. We still have about 60 miles to go before we reach our permanent moorings, and almost a month to do it in, so we’ll have to slow down a bit, to about two mile per day.
Over the past few weeks, since just before that nasty tummy upset, I’ve been doing my best to lose some weight. At one point I was almost 15 stone, which is a stone heavier than I’ve ever been in my life. As most people will tell you, it is best to weigh yourself once a week, at the same time and on the same day. I should have weighed myself yesterday morning just as soon as I’d finished my ablutions, but I forgot and so I did so this morning. Alas, where I was 14st 0lb last week, I’m now 14st 2lb. Really, neither of us is eating enough to starve an ant, a loaf of bread is taking several days to get rid of, and the butter seems to last forever now. As for the spuds, we hardly touch them now (Note to self: Must try harder) I must say, I am disappointed though.
Did you see the article about the stall holder at some fete or other? Apparently, because it was very wet underfoot, he put some cardboard down in front of the stall, so as to save his customers getting all muddy. Naturally along came the ‘elf ‘n’ safety idiots and said, “You can’t do that!”
“Why not,” says he.
“You could cause a fire with that down there”
The stallholder immediately pulled out a box of matches and shouted, “A thousand pounds to anyone who can set light to this here cardboard”. At which everybody laughed and the ‘elf ‘n’ safety idiots slunk away with their tails between their legs.
Priceless! You couldn’t make it up. One for Littlejohn I think.
It is now almost 7 am on Thursday 3rd September and it looks like we could be here for another day, because it has been raining most of the night and looks set to carry on doing so for the rest of the day. But, we’re not desperate for anything right now, not even water, so another day won’t hurt.
Yesterday lunchtime we spent in the pub across the bridge, which is called The Swan and is, most definitely a drinkers pub. They do not allow children in at all, they don’t do food, except rolls and pork pies, and they don’t have carpet on the floor, just quarry tiles throughout. My kind of pub!
The other pub, which is called The Star Inn, is right next to the lock and, when we tried it last year, we had to wait ages to be served. In fact, we had one drink then crossed the road to The Swan.
Tomorrow, hopefully, we will be able to make our way back to Weston.
Good afternoon, on a very blustery Friday 4th September, from the top of Weston Lock. Unfortunately the moorings at Weston were chock-a-block, so we had to move on the extra half mile. No problem about that because the spot we’re at has only room enough for one boat, and we’ll be first through the lock in the morning.
From Great Haywood Junction, right through to Stone, has been really busy this past week. This is probably because the breach in the Shroppie was quite severe and, as has been passed along the grapevine, looks set to take a couple of months to repair. As a consequence of that, anyone considering doing the Four Counties Ring, now has to turn back because they can’t go through Shebdon E,bankment on the Shroppie, because that’s where the breach is.
Sheila and I were talking yesterday about moving on this morning, which would necessitate turning around just before the lock at Stone, reversing up for the water point and then, having filled our tank, continue on back to Great Haywood Junction and beyond. There are signs both sides of the winding hole telling boaters not to moor there but, alas, as with all walks of life, there are those who ignore these signs, to the detriment of those wishing to turn about – like us.
Anyway, having received the report from Wifey, about the idiots who were moored there, I thought I would hobble down there and check for myself. Having decided that they didn’t pose a problem, I made my way back to the boat. As I approached the boat in front of ours, I was accosted by the female of the pair, whose name is Caroline. Her partners name is Tim. She asked if I was in pain, a fact that was patently obvious to all but a blind man, and asked if she could help to ease it for me.
Now, I am a rather sceptical bloke when it comes to faith healing, so my immediate reaction was to decline her offer. Instead I found myself accepting her offer and climbed aboard, which is when I discovered she was a Scientologist. I have no truck with Egyptologists, or any other ologists – not even Orangeologists – but, having read some of L. Ron Hubbard’s sci-fi novels and newspaper reports about those who follow is path, including the likes of Tom Cruise, I have to say I was a little apprehensive.
To cut a long story short, Caroline asked me to walk up and down the inside of her boat and asked exactly where it hurt me when I did so. From that point on she proceeded to lightly touch me at different points up and down my legs, feet, arms, hands and spine, advising me that I should concentrate on the area of my knee that was giving me the most pain. After about 10 minutes or so she asked me to walk the walk again and, to my utter astonishment, the pain had eased considerably. No doubt this was simply a case of mind over matter, along with my intense desire for some relief, but I certainly felt a little better.
Caroline herself confessed that the relief could only be temporary but, even so, it certainly did the trick for a short while. The problem I have is that I am unable to take pain killers because my calf muscles tend to swell up. So, having paid nothing for the treatment, and only £3 for her booklet that describes what is happening with this treatment, I think it was money well spent.
Once we get past Great Haywood Junction tomorrow, we’re hoping boat traffic will have eased off somewhat. Some schools are back to normal next week, so that should help ad, since we’ll be going past the junction, whilst those doing the Ring would turn right, we’re pretty sure it will all calm down from this weekend onwards.
Now, I’ve just plugged in my dongle and have successfully got online, so I’ll try to post this blog. Since we’ve now got less than a month before we arrive at our moorings, this will be the penultimate one.
Cheers for now, and enjoy your weekend.
Dave, Sheila and Rusty.
Yesterday, which was Wednesday 19th August, we arrived at CrossGreen, on the Staffs and Worcs Canal. Our trip took us the final three miles of the Shroppie and through the Stop-Lock at Autherley Junction, where we turned left and made our way to a very narrow stretch of this beautiful canal.
I can find no notes about this narrow stretch but, just like your average, narrow country lane, it does have a couple of passing points. As you would expect, since it does bend a bit, there is certain to be another boat coming from the opposite direction. Fortunately, in our case there was only one. The fun really starts when you arrive at a passing point, only to find two or three boats coming at you. All you can really do is sit and wait until they’ve all filtered through, and hope they are just a wee bit careful.
We arrived here at around 10.30 and settled in for our cuppa before Sheila took pooch for a walk. Our Rusty does tend to pester to go out on arrival at new moorings. It’s not that she’s desperate to spend a penny, she just wants to sniff and investigate, as dog do.
The nearby pub, which is called The Fox and Anchor, is one we’ve visited before and boasts a rather nice patio area with parasols and big, round wooden tables. Thankfully my dicky tummy has now settled down and so, whilst my dearly beloved pops off to the local book shop – she managed to but a bag full of books for £10 last time – I’ll wait for her in the pub. To be honest I’d rather go with her, but I know my knees wouldn’t make it.
On Friday we’ll probably make our way to Gailey Top Lock.
Good afternoon folks. We’re now at Gailey Top Lock on Friday 21st August and, as you have no doubt noticed, I’ve drifted away from the rather regimented way of giving day and date at the start of the day.
Once again we were rather lucky because, having cruised the five miles from Cross Green, it only started to rain a short while after we had moored up. I only hope we’ll be equally lucky when we enter the River Soar on our way to our new moorings. Once again we will pass through Kegworth Shallow Flood Lock, and we all know what happened the last time, which was back in 2007. Can you imagine the shame and ignominy at having to spend another 10 days there due to flooding? I can, and I don’t think I’d be able to hide my face from my new neighbours.
Tomorrow we’re off to Penkridge, where there are very good moorings, and we’ll stay for the weekend.
We had a pretty good weekend, spending Saturday just chilling out and, on Sunday we took advantage of The Bridge pub, although we really weren’t hungry enough to enjoy their delicious meals. Well, that’s what it says on the pub sign, so it must be true I suppose. We returned to the boat to find our neighbour, Keith and his wife busily making rope fenders and knitting small items of kiddies clothing. I leave you to guess who was doing what. I must confess, our Keith makes a rather good home brewed bitter, which didn’t sit too well on top of the Guinness.
It is now Monday 24th August and we’ve moved on from Penkridge, through four locks and four miles. We are just outside a little place called Acton Trussell which, according to Nicholson, is in Staffordshire and boasts a telephone and a store. Apparently the west tower of the local church dates from the 13th C and is topped by a spire that was built in 1562. Apart from those little snippets of info all that can be said of the place, is that it is overwhelmed by modern housing. So much for Acton Trussell.
Next stop Weeping Cross and the Radford Bank pub, which is beside the canal at Radford Bridge, which is designated bridge 98. We may or may not partake of food there, which is served all day, but we’ll certainly take some refreshment.
Good morning from Weeping Cross on this Wednesday 26th of August, where it is, as promised by the nice weather people, absolutely peeing down with rain. Our plan for today was to move on to Tixall Wide, which is a very open and much wider stretch of canal just a short distance before Great Haywood and the Trent and Mersey Canal. But, as there is a pub nearby, that does a rather good Carvery – so I’m told – it looks like we may have to stay for today. With a little luck we the weather will settle down and we can move on later today. But, since we don’t much like travelling late in the day, there’s a very good chance we’ll stay anyway.
Weeping Cross, unfortunately, is yet another small town where the shops are too far away for me to walk to. However, Wifey popped in there yesterday and has managed to book herself in for a haircut, which she’ll have done at 9 o/clock this morning. As for me while she’s away, I’ll give the guitar a plonk or two. I downloaded a new guitar programme yesterday which I’m rather keen to have a go at and so, hopefully, she’ll be away long enough for me to get to grips with a new method of playing. Not that you could call my current, feeble efforts playing, but I do at least try.
If we can’t leave today for Tixall Wide, then we’ll have to pass it by tomorrow and go directly to Great Haywood, where we’ll get pumped out and top up with diesel and water. Alternatively, we may still stop at Tixall Wide, then go on Weston. Our aim is to be at Barlaston by Sunday so as to meet up with Carole on Monday.
For the first time since we started cruising in 2006, we’ve actually managed to find a mooring spot at Tixall Wide, which is an extra wide stretch of the Staffs and Worcs about a mile short of Great Haywood Junction. We stayed for two nights at Weeping Cross, mainly because of high winds and pouring rain but, this morning, Thursday 27th August started out quite bright, with a very light breeze and we managed to set off about 8.15 am.
Most of you probably know and have experienced the wasp menace this summer, as have we. Since they, along with bees and other flying insects, are great pollinators, we don’t kill them when they invade the boat. Instead Wifey usually picks them up with a towel and turns them loose outside. I don’t normally bother because they eventually find their own way out. However, soon after switching on the laptop, one of the little blighters popped in and buzzed around the window next to me. Without more ado I copied Wifey’s habit and promptly picked it up with a towel, with the intention of depositing it through the side hatch. I thought I was doing a good deep, but the wasp thought otherwise and dug its nasty little stinger in my finger. I tried again, with the towel doubled up this time, and was successful. Message to self, ‘be more careful in future’.
Darn me, I’ve just had to dispose of another one! The cooler weather can’t come soon enough for me. Just as well I’m not allergic to their sting I suppose.
Wifey has just left to take a walk down to Great Haywood and the local farm shop, where she’s hoping to find a few bits and pieces. No doubt she’ll buy herself an ice cream but, as it’s almost a mile there, I’ll miss out on the goodies this time.
Tomorrow, weather allowing, we’ll make our way to Weston. Carole has now decided to wait until we get to Pillings Lock before she pays us a visit. This makes sense because, having consulted wit British Rail, she has discovered that it will be much cheaper that way. Our run up to Barlaston is now open to variation of timing, but we’ll still try to be there for the weekend.
We are still on two minds whether to do the Caldon this year. Naturally the weather has a bearing on that decision because, if we get any heavy rain before we get there, we may find a flood situation along the river stretches, and that would never do.
It’s Friday 28th August and the weekend is almost upon us. The weather forecast for today is supposed to be heavy rain and high winds, sweeping across the country from the west. At 06.30 though we have a clear sky and a light breeze rippling the water. With a bit of luck and a tail wind, the latter of which we do have, we’ll make Weston before the nasty stuff hits us. From my reckoning, since we’ll be turning left at the junction, the foul weather will hit us from the port side, but I have every intention of outrunning it, I really do hate to get a soaking when I’m cruising.
The weekend is now here, on Saturday 29th August, and we have a clear sky, with some heavy clouds to the east. The weather men tell us that, of the three bank holiday days today should be the better of them. Today’s plan is a short, four mile cruise to Weston, where we’ll stay for Sunday. We have now abandoned plans to do the Caldon because, rather than keep to their current level of discomfort my legs have decide to attack me at the left hip, so much so that I’m having trouble sitting down, and I can only lie in bed on my right side or my back.
It would take a month, at three miles per day, to get to our moorings if we take in the Caldon as well, so we’re going to go as far as Stone, then turn around and head off down the T&M to the Soar and Pllings Lock, which should take no more than a fortnight. Unfortunately I am now having to take my painkillers again, but I’m keeping them to a minimum. So much for an enjoyable retirement, eh?
Well, it’s now Bank Holiday Monday and the last day of August and, weather permitting, we’ll be setting off towards Stone, which is where Terry and Monica Darlngton live. They are the retired boaters who, a few years ago, took their boat across the channel and cruised down to Carcazonne in France. They followed that a couple of years later with a run down the Intra-coastal waterwayof the USA, braving alligators and such. They are both in their 70’s and quite mad.
We won’t be going quite as far as Stone today because, for one thing, we don’t know which shops will be open and, for another, since the canal breach I spoke of a couple of weeks ago, has still not been repaired, we don’t know how many boats will be moored there. If we can’t moor up, we can’t go shopping, and we badly need supplies. It is rather a long walk into Stone, and I have actually accompanied Sheila before, but I am not able to do so now.
Do you know, out here on the waterways, especially around 6 am, and although it’s a clear sky with the sun about to rise, it’s rather autumnal in the mornings. This morning; Tuesday 1st September; it really is quite chilly.
As you all know, we have six domestic batteries, two of which have only been on charge via a landline for short periods of time. This means that, in order to ensure there is enough power in all the batteries to run the heater, we have to ensure at least five, but preferably six hours of engine run time per day. Yesterday, unfortunately, we only gave it about four hours, with the expected result of me, sitting here in what can only be described as brass monkey conditions.
So, you may tell me, run the engine if that’s all it takes. There are two very sound reasons for not doing so at this ungodly hour. One is that the noise will disturb Wifey and, since she does most of the hard work around here, she needs all the rest she can get. After all, I know I’m old, but she’s only six years behind me. He second reason is that there’s another boat nearby – although I doubt they are close enough to be disturbed – and we are not supposed to run engines before 8 am.
Today we are off to Stone, which is about four miles or so away, and is where Sheila will get some of our necessary supplies. We’ll probably stay overnight then, on Wednesday, go on to the nearest boatyard for diesel and a bottle of gas then, on Thursday, turn around and head for our moorings. I’m pretty sure though, that before we reach them, we’ll have the fire alight. There’s nothing worse than getting up early, or even in the middle of the night, as I often do, only to sit here in the cold.
It’s now Wednesday 2nd September and the mornings are definitely autumnal. We’re still at Stone and will probably stay until tomorrow, when we’ll head back to Weston. We still have about 60 miles to go before we reach our permanent moorings, and almost a month to do it in, so we’ll have to slow down a bit, to about two mile per day.
Over the past few weeks, since just before that nasty tummy upset, I’ve been doing my best to lose some weight. At one point I was almost 15 stone, which is a stone heavier than I’ve ever been in my life. As most people will tell you, it is best to weigh yourself once a week, at the same time and on the same day. I should have weighed myself yesterday morning just as soon as I’d finished my ablutions, but I forgot and so I did so this morning. Alas, where I was 14st 0lb last week, I’m now 14st 2lb. Really, neither of us is eating enough to starve an ant, a loaf of bread is taking several days to get rid of, and the butter seems to last forever now. As for the spuds, we hardly touch them now (Note to self: Must try harder) I must say, I am disappointed though.
Did you see the article about the stall holder at some fete or other? Apparently, because it was very wet underfoot, he put some cardboard down in front of the stall, so as to save his customers getting all muddy. Naturally along came the ‘elf ‘n’ safety idiots and said, “You can’t do that!”
“Why not,” says he.
“You could cause a fire with that down there”
The stallholder immediately pulled out a box of matches and shouted, “A thousand pounds to anyone who can set light to this here cardboard”. At which everybody laughed and the ‘elf ‘n’ safety idiots slunk away with their tails between their legs.
Priceless! You couldn’t make it up. One for Littlejohn I think.
It is now almost 7 am on Thursday 3rd September and it looks like we could be here for another day, because it has been raining most of the night and looks set to carry on doing so for the rest of the day. But, we’re not desperate for anything right now, not even water, so another day won’t hurt.
Yesterday lunchtime we spent in the pub across the bridge, which is called The Swan and is, most definitely a drinkers pub. They do not allow children in at all, they don’t do food, except rolls and pork pies, and they don’t have carpet on the floor, just quarry tiles throughout. My kind of pub!
The other pub, which is called The Star Inn, is right next to the lock and, when we tried it last year, we had to wait ages to be served. In fact, we had one drink then crossed the road to The Swan.
Tomorrow, hopefully, we will be able to make our way back to Weston.
Good afternoon, on a very blustery Friday 4th September, from the top of Weston Lock. Unfortunately the moorings at Weston were chock-a-block, so we had to move on the extra half mile. No problem about that because the spot we’re at has only room enough for one boat, and we’ll be first through the lock in the morning.
From Great Haywood Junction, right through to Stone, has been really busy this past week. This is probably because the breach in the Shroppie was quite severe and, as has been passed along the grapevine, looks set to take a couple of months to repair. As a consequence of that, anyone considering doing the Four Counties Ring, now has to turn back because they can’t go through Shebdon E,bankment on the Shroppie, because that’s where the breach is.
Sheila and I were talking yesterday about moving on this morning, which would necessitate turning around just before the lock at Stone, reversing up for the water point and then, having filled our tank, continue on back to Great Haywood Junction and beyond. There are signs both sides of the winding hole telling boaters not to moor there but, alas, as with all walks of life, there are those who ignore these signs, to the detriment of those wishing to turn about – like us.
Anyway, having received the report from Wifey, about the idiots who were moored there, I thought I would hobble down there and check for myself. Having decided that they didn’t pose a problem, I made my way back to the boat. As I approached the boat in front of ours, I was accosted by the female of the pair, whose name is Caroline. Her partners name is Tim. She asked if I was in pain, a fact that was patently obvious to all but a blind man, and asked if she could help to ease it for me.
Now, I am a rather sceptical bloke when it comes to faith healing, so my immediate reaction was to decline her offer. Instead I found myself accepting her offer and climbed aboard, which is when I discovered she was a Scientologist. I have no truck with Egyptologists, or any other ologists – not even Orangeologists – but, having read some of L. Ron Hubbard’s sci-fi novels and newspaper reports about those who follow is path, including the likes of Tom Cruise, I have to say I was a little apprehensive.
To cut a long story short, Caroline asked me to walk up and down the inside of her boat and asked exactly where it hurt me when I did so. From that point on she proceeded to lightly touch me at different points up and down my legs, feet, arms, hands and spine, advising me that I should concentrate on the area of my knee that was giving me the most pain. After about 10 minutes or so she asked me to walk the walk again and, to my utter astonishment, the pain had eased considerably. No doubt this was simply a case of mind over matter, along with my intense desire for some relief, but I certainly felt a little better.
Caroline herself confessed that the relief could only be temporary but, even so, it certainly did the trick for a short while. The problem I have is that I am unable to take pain killers because my calf muscles tend to swell up. So, having paid nothing for the treatment, and only £3 for her booklet that describes what is happening with this treatment, I think it was money well spent.
Once we get past Great Haywood Junction tomorrow, we’re hoping boat traffic will have eased off somewhat. Some schools are back to normal next week, so that should help ad, since we’ll be going past the junction, whilst those doing the Ring would turn right, we’re pretty sure it will all calm down from this weekend onwards.
Now, I’ve just plugged in my dongle and have successfully got online, so I’ll try to post this blog. Since we’ve now got less than a month before we arrive at our moorings, this will be the penultimate one.
Cheers for now, and enjoy your weekend.
Dave, Sheila and Rusty.
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