Shiralee Cruise 2012 #9

Grindley Brook to the Weston Arm of the Montgomery


Monday 21st May

Ooops! Sorry, forgot to include photos in last blog. However, since the weather looks set to improve over the next few days, perhaps I’ll be able to take a few new ones.

Tuesday 22nd May

Fine weather all day yesterday and, just to get the ball rolling, we moved on another mile to Whitchurch, walked into town, found the bolts I needed for the TV aerial framework, did some shopping and bussed back. The weather looks set to be good again for today, so perhaps we’ll get some more work done.

Of course, being a hot and sunny day yesterday, and being as how we had to go into town first, I didn’t start on the aerial thingy until early afternoon. Bad mistake! By the time we’d finished - I still haven’t rewired the aerial – I was hot and sticky and completely knackered. Needless to say, that after rewiring the aerial this morning, I have no plans for exerting myself this afternoon.

Wednesday 23rd May

I thought my foot slogging days were over when I finished RAF basic training at Swinderby back in 1965. Not so. It seems that every time we moor up anywhere near a town of any size, there I go again. Monday was no different. We arrived here at Whitchurch and off we went. Of course we missed the bus. Can’t complain though, found the bolts I needed for the aerial and enjoyed a coffee whilst waiting at the bus stop. Well, you didn’t think I’d walk back, did you?

Yesterday, after sorting out the aerial on Monday afternoon, in the blazing heat of the hottest day of the year so far, we then folded back the cratch cover, removed the windows, rubbed the frame and windows down, gave it all a good undercoat and first topcoat. Again, all in the blazing heat of the hottest day of the year so far.

Today started out real well. Up at 05.10, washed and kettle on by 05.20. Dressed and struggling to change the empty gas cylinder over at 05.25. Finally, by 05.35 I am wrapping my laughing gear around my first cuppa of the day.

Later this morning, depending upon when Lady Ann decide to arise from her pit, we’ll move on to one of our favourite mooring spots along here, where I’m pretty sure I’ll be getting stuck in to some more painting. At the moment the front of the cratch is looking a bit ‘in your face’, because it’s glaringly bright magnolia. Later, assuming I’m not expected to sweat my cobs off in yet another hottest day of the year so far, it will be transformed into a beautiful deep maroon called Bounty by the manufacturers.

The longest and most delicate part of this operation will be the coloured diamonds down the middle, which I have yet to mark out. This design is quite popular with boaters and we have been thinking about it for quite some time now.

We still have lots of paintwork repairs to do, and I have yet to design the castles and roses for the back doors, but we’ll get there eventually and Shiralee will look as good as new. Well, almost.

Thursday 24th May

Yesterday morning we left Whitchurch and made our way to a short stretch of moorings at Whixall. Once upon a time there was a small shop here selling gifts and groceries, but it closed about two years ago. Even so, many boaters still stop here, only to leave disappointed. It also used to be that the grass here was kept short, but that too has ceased to be. Such a shame really because, despite the fact that there’s no mobile or Internet access here, this is a really peaceful spot and one of our favourites along the Llangollen.

Once again we put the fine weather to good use and finished the main paint job on the cratch. We are now left with the layout of the diamonds which, once we get to the Preese Branch, about half a mile away, I’ll be able to get stuck into.

The Preese Branch is a short stretch off to the left of us that leads down to a BW marina and chandlery, where we can pick up a new gas bottle and other odds and sods. If we stay for a couple of days we might even get some repair work done to the rest of the paintwork.

For the weekend we hope to be at Ellesmere.

Friday 25th May

Yesterday was HOT! VERY HOT!

We moored on the Prees Branch as expected and took a walk down to the BW marina and Chandlery. Would you believe it, they only open for one hour in the morning and one hour in the afternoon? What is more, they also have a credit card system for purchasing diesel. This means that you only have three options when paying, either 100% domestic, 60/40 propulsion/domestic, or 100% propulsion. Knowing full well that we use far more diesel for domestic purposes than we do for propulsion, we won’t be topping up at this place, or anywhere else offering the same deal.

Having completed the base coats on the front of the cratch, we finally got around to marking out the diamonds. All that’s left is to fill in the colours. Hopefully the weather will be kind to us over the next few days, when we’ll complete the job.

Today we’ll visit the local chandlery although, having peeked through the window yesterday, it’s unlikely they’ll have much of what we need then it will be back to the main Llangollen.

Saturday 26th May

We didn’t bother with the chandlery yesterday, preferring instead to be on our way whilst it was still cool. Only four miles to bridge 50, one of our usual stopping off places. However, despite the trees on both sides of the canal here, there was no escaping the heat. We did manage to fit the new tunnel light that we purchased back at Wrenbury, but that was all. No painting possible after that. Too darn hot, as the saying goes.

Today we’re off to Ellesmere and will probably stay for the weekend.

Sunday 27th May

Just for a change we moored outside the marina here at Ellesmere yesterday, where normally we would go down the arm towards the shops and town centre. Being outside the marina would make it easier for lugging back stuff we need from the chandlery. Not that we found much of what we needed there, just oil and a light bulb, the rest will be ordered for us on Monday.

Walking into town from here is a slightly different route than usual, in that we take the road alongside the marina and past the cricket pitch. It also took us past a pub that doesn’t appear in the Nicholson’s Guide, called the White Hart and being the oldest pub in town. We might just be tempted to pay it a visit later today, if the weather is not too hot.

From Monday morning we’ll be heading towards the Montgomery Canal, where we’ll spend a week or so and then return to Ellesmere for shopping and prescriptions.

Monday 28th May

Yesterday we trotted off to do some shopping at Tesco. Nothing odd there, you might say but, in this instance definitely different. We bumped into Bill and Babs from Keksy’s Farm in Sawbridgeworth. Apart from a few days ago when I mentioned seeing them, we hadn’t met up for about three years.

Anyway, we spent some time going over recent events, as you do and, just as we were about to part company and complete our shopping, Babs had a bit of an accident and knocked over a case of bottled beer; Grolsch I think. It was then left to a member of staff to stand by until a cleaner could be found to clear up the mess.

You remember me telling you about the Whie Hart pub, the oldest in the town, well, it’s the oldest in Shropshire and doesn’t open until 13.00 on Sunday, which is not a lot of good to us people who like to get in early. So, we instead wandered along to the middle of town and found The Swan, a one bar pub which seemed to cater for just a small section of locals. Still, with the lager at £2.90 I wasn’t about to complain about lack of customers. Much too hot yesterday, even for a cold Guinness.

Today, before leaving here, we have to take another walk into town, this time to visit the local DIY store and to buy Wifey a birthday present.

Tuesday 29th May

We finally left Ellesmere yesterday morning at about 09.30, stopped off to pick up a gas bottle, stopped off again to fill up with water, and made our way to our current moorings at Bridge 63 where, I wasn’t surprised to discover, that we have no phone or Internet. Which meant I couldn’t let you all know where we were.

Some time ago we swapped Sheila’s phone for an 02 and tucked her old Orange away in the cupboard. Having dug the wretched thing out yesterday afternoon, we put the Orange SIM in but, for some odd reason, the phone wouldn’t recognise it and kept asking for the SIM. It was OK with the 02, but not Orange. I can only assume that we used that phone with the 02 SIM at some point and it has locked up to 02, and I have no idea how to unlock it. The chances of finding a shop that does such things, is pretty remote around here.

Sitting here in the wild and woolly Shropshire countryside, at 05.30, the outside view is of thick fog and nothing much else. All we need now is an early rising holiday boater to come by and give us a nudge. We’ve had enough of them doing so in high winds but, with this fog we could be in for a right bashing.

Hopefully, later this morning, if we can find a spot where the phone has a signal, we’ll be able to book passage down the Montgomery Canal today. We have to phone before 10.00 and the lock keeper starts boats moving at about midday. Apparently, in order to preserve the natural balance of this stretch of waterway, only a certain number of boats are allowed on the canal at any one time.

Just a short way down, after the four locks, is a mooring called the Weston Arm, which also has water and waste disposal facilities. We are hoping for two things today, that the weather stays dry and that we can get some painting done.

Wednesday 30th May, crumpet day!

Another thick, foggy morning, which means no work on boat until it dries off. Shame!

We are now on the Montgomery canal, moored for a couple of days on the Weston Arm, hoping to get some badly needed paintwork done. We managed a small amount yesterday after noon, despite the heat. The problem here is that, once the sun is up we have no shelter from surrounding trees or buildings, the whole area here is completely open.

Tomorrow we’ll head off to Maesbury, which is as far as this canal currently goes, about seven miles and four locks in total. The rest of the canal is being worked on by volunteers and, eventually, but who knows how long ‘eventually’ is, it will extend all the way to Newtown, which is a total of about 30 miles. Remember, volunteers only have so many free hours that they can work, and the Droitwich Canals took 38 years of hard work before they were finally re-opened, all from volunteer labour.

Thursday 31st may

Summer has now departed and we have rain by the bucket load. It actually started yesterday afternoon, thankfully after we had finished painting. It’s raining right now, at 05.30 and we should be moving on to Maesbury this morning, where we were intending to paint the other side of the boat. Maesbury is about seven miles and four locks away, and it is where the pub was charging £3.60 for a pint of Guinness last year.

I phoned Sandy yesterday; she’s the friend whose husband is looking after the car until they leave Mercia at the end of June. She tells me that all three pubs in Willington are holding a Beer Festival this Bank Holiday weekend. I can just imagine the chaos that will cause, especially as both Monday and Tuesday are Bank Holidays.

Now, back at Audlem, on the Shropshire Union, I took some photos of old plaques in a shop window; what you might call latter day bumper stickers; and I thought I might include a couple to round off this blog.

So, since we have a reasonable strong signal here on the Weston arm of the Montgomery Canal, let’s post, and the best of health to all.

Dave, Sheila and Rusty.

Shiralee Cruise 2012 #8

Hurleston Locks to Grindley Brook


Tuesday 15th May

Don’t moan, the man said, but what else are you supposed to do with this continuous rain? Looks like we’ll be staying here at the bottom of Hurleston Locks today.

Wednesday 16th May

Surprisingly enough, no sooner had Wifey dressed and sat down to brekky, the rain stopped and the clouds started clearing. So, we gave it a while, just to make sure it was going to stay that way and, at about 07.45 we set of for Hurleston Locks, of which there are just four, all clumped close together. By 0915 we were through them, watered up and moored at Burland. Later in the day, after the rain made its dramatic return, several boats did stop, either for the occupants to dry off, or simply for a spot of lunch, but nobody else stopped overnight.

Burland is a place we have stopped at in the past and, at the designated moorings there is room for just two boats, although it is possible to tie up using hooks or pins all along this stretch of the Llangollen. The village boasts just a small shop and not much else that can be seen from the canal. It doesn’t even appear to have a bus service, although, if there is one, it doesn’t cross the bridge in front of us.

Today we will stop at the local marina for coal and diesel, then we’re off to Wrenbury. We like Wrenbury because, just a short walk across a field full of cows, is the village with a Post Office, Surgery, Hairdresser and Stores with Off Licence. Further along the canal is a Holiday Hire Company and a caravan park, along with a couple of pubs, one of which is rather posh and expensive, the other being a normal village pub that does reasonably price beer and food. That one is for us and is one we’ve sampled on our last trip up here.

Thursday 17th may

So, what’s this about Global Warming? For the past month, 21 days have had rain at some point. This morning is no different although, I have to say that, when we cruised the Llangollen last year, albeit somewhat earlier, the situation was very similar.

Yesterday was, in complete contrast, bright and sunny for the most part, although the wind was pretty chilly at times.

Just a couple of hundred yards from our moorings at Burland, lies the Swanley Marina, which is where we spent two days last year, mainly in order to give our batteries a well needed boost. Yesterday though, we simply had to wait for them to open in order to fill up with go-faster juice and purchase some coal.

After that it was simply a matter of cruising the 4 miles and 5 locks to Wrenbury, which we easily achieved in just 2½ hours.

We were going to walk into the village for a few bits and pieces, but decided to leave that until this morning. Instead we took a stroll along to the local chandlery looking for a new Tunnel Light and Horn. But, with the chandlery there simply to satisfy their own needs for their hire boats, the only item that attracted us was the brass light.

We asked the receptionist there about a horn but, although she felt sure they had some, she didn’t know where they were kept. She did promise to give me a call just as soon as their engineer returned from whatever mission he was currently on but, to date, we have heard nothing.

With the Tunnel Light costing £57 and a similar amount probably being asked for the Horn, if they have one, there’s a good chance we’ll wait until we find a bigger chandlery with a more varied selection.

Now, I’m not one to cast aspersions upon any particular group of people. Not being perfect myself I don’t expect others to be either.

However, if even a small percentage of the following is true, I have to wonder just how stupid we are when it comes to electing the people who tell us what to do and, more importantly, what NOT to do.

According to information recently received by yours truly, of the 635 members of the House of Commons that we, as tax payers, actually employ:

29 have been accused of spouse abuse
7 have been arrested for fraud
9 have been accused of writing bad cheques
17 have directly or indirectly bankrupted at least 2 businesses
3 have done time for assault
71 cannot get a credit card due to bad credit
14 have been arrested on drug-related charges
8 have been arrested for shoplifting
21 are currently defendants in lawsuits
84 have been arrested for drink driving in the last year

Their collective expenses for the past year alone have cost YOU a staggering £92,993,748!!! And that, in case you are wondering, averages out at almost £150,000 EACH!!

On top of that, and despite their behaviour, all 635 members are assured of the very best in Gold-Plated Pensions.

WOW! Don’t you wish you could be an MP?

“Incidentally: If you get an E mail telling you that you can catch Swine Flu from tins of ham then delete it. It's Spam.”

Yesterday evening, for only the second time since leaving Mercia, we actually watched TV, but just the one programme, Lewis. But, with the plot being so convoluted, I have my doubts about watching the next one in the series. In fact, as I understand it, this will be the last series although we will get the repeats.

Friday 18th May

We have a slight drizzle of rain this morning, probably because we’re moving on again. No doubt it will get heavier before we go. But, that’s just my cynical side showing. As usual, depending upon the weather, we stay or go. A light rain is bearable. A howling gale is not. If we do manage to get away we’re hoping to reach the bottom of Grindley Brook Locks, which is about 5 miles and 4 locks away, with a couple of lift bridges in between.

Yesterday we had the pleasure of seeing a Woodpecker climb a nearby telegraph pole, and watched a Wren flying to and fro with material for its nest. Whether this bird had finished by the time we settled down for the evening, I have no idea, but it was certainly at it for most of the day. The material it carried back always looked the same and could have been discarded swans feathers.

We also purchased a solid brass tunnel light from the local chandlery. This will be added to the new horn, as and when we find one. After that, and when we can find a few days of dry weather, we’ll be prettying up the front of the boat with some painted triangles and such, prior to fitting the aforementioned items.

The reason for the prettying up is because the timber of the cratch is looking a wee bit drab and so, instead of simply rubbing down and re-varnishing, we thought we’d try doing a reasonable paint job.

The next thing will be the back doors, where we intend to add some panels with roses and castles on. I also might add a dragon and fair maiden. Well, why not? On top of those two jobs there are quite a few scratches that need repairing. Where we’re going to find the time and, more importantly, the weather to carry out these tasks, your guess is as good as mine.

“There was the person who sent ten puns to friends, with the hope that at least one of the puns would make them laugh. No pun in ten did”

Now, it’s not as if I don’t have enough to occupy myself with in the early a.m., but I’ve now set up my page on Facebook. So, anybody out there reading this that also has a Facebook page, please let me know. If I find enough ‘friends’ I shall probably keep it going. If not…….!!

Saturday 19th May

Ah, Saturday, the weekend is upon us, a time when we try our best to avoid cruising. Saturday morning is the time when many holiday boaters are returning their craft, whilst the afternoon is when they are starting out. So, although you have probably spotted the fact that we have cruised on most Saturday mornings, this has only been in order to be at a 48 hour spot for the weekend and our sacrosanct Sunday lunchtime drink.

Today we only have less than a mile and six locks and we’ll be moored up for the weekend. The locks are those at Grindley Brook, the bottom of which we are currently moored. If we get our skates on and leave early, we could be at the top and moored up before other folks have had their breakfast. We know for a fact, that there are at least two holiday boats ahead of us, so we really do need to move early.

Yesterday started dull but calm, with the threat of rain, but enabled us to reach our current moorings without problems. In fact we did have some light rain, but we made the 5 miles, 2 lift bridges and four locks in 2½ hours.

Sunday 20th May

At last, the weather seems to be improving and, although a wee bit cloudy this morning, it’s certainly much warmer.

Yesterday, since we had no other plans and the weather not too bad, just a bit drizzly, we decide to set out early and go through the six Grindley Brook Locks, three of which are staircase. Fortunately we got away before the holiday boaters, otherwise it could have taken us all morning. Two of the holiday boats contained American holidaymakers on their first time out but, even so that ½ mile or so took us 1½ hours, even with the aid of the lock-keeper.

In the afternoon we watched a pair of Sedge Warblers going about the business of feeding their young. At least, we assume that’s what they were doing, because they were flying hither and yon, but coming back without nesting materials. Their song is quite charming although, with my limited hearing range, I have to really perk up to hear them. They’re only tiny birds, similar in size to a Wren, so it could have been one of these that I saw at Wrenbury.

Today we’ll stay here and sample the beer at The Horse and Jockey. Tomorrow we’ll toddle off to Whitchurch, which is only about half an hour away, and we’ll get the bus into town.

I’ve changed my mind about using screws for the TV support section and will be looking for some long bolts instead. Somehow I don’t think the screws will be strong enough, especially in strong winds.

Monday 21st may

Our intention today is to take the short run up to Whitchurch, but that depends upon how long it takes for the sun to burn off this thick fog. When I sat down to the computer I could clearly see the outline of a tree in the field opposite, that tree has now completely disappeared.

This state of affairs has not prevented the sedge warblers from going about the business of feeding their young

Yesterday was quite pleasant, with our visit to the Horse and Jockey, where they do not keep Draught Guinness, but do sell the canned stuff, something I won’t pay pub prices for. Sadly I had to settle for a Beck’s lager instead. They also don’t sell decent salted peanuts, only those bullets called Bobby’s Nuts. These have never been a lot of cop and I believe are now made by Walker’s who, you would think, would have enough savvy to know how to process peanuts so as to be edible.

Now, from here until we reach Ellesmere, which is several stops away, I’m not too sure of the signal strength on the dongle. I do know that there are several places along this stretch where the mobile is pretty useless. Therefore, and since I have already typed up eight pages of this current adventure, I shall proceed to post this blog.

Hopefully my comments about our esteemed and crooked parliamentarians doesn’t get my collar felt by the fuzz, otherwise you probably won’t receive any more such info.

All the best for now from,

Dave, Sheila and Rusty.

Shiralee Cruise 2012 #7

Audlem to Hurleston Locks


Wednesday 9th May (contd)

Despite having come down 11 locks, the moorings between locks 11 and 12 are still about 60 feet above the houses. On the opposite side to the visitors moorings lies a stretch of BW moorings, although there do not appear to be many boats there at present. This is probably because many of them have moved to the new marina, which is below lock 15, and at which we stayed last year for a couple of days. We will also be calling in there tomorrow to pick up some coal. Yes indeed, it is still not warm enough to let the fire go out.

The pictures posted in Blog #6 are all from last year and were taken by Wifey with her Fujica. If the weather stays reasonable today I’ll try to take a few more with the Olympus. Not that there’s anything wrong with those that Wifey took last year, it’s just that we have none of the moorings and locks, nor of the Shroppie Fly pub, which is where we should be this afternoon for a lunchtime snack. We also only have the one photo of the town, and that’s of the church, so we do need a few more.

We have a new, free magazine called The Tillergraph, a copy of which we picked up at Audlem Mill gift shop yesterday. Inside the magazine is an article entitled Liveaboard Life, which concentrates on blogging. It’s written by a boater named Kevin Blick, who lives aboard his narrowboat ‘Star’.

Kevin has some pretty good pointers regarding blogs and what to put in them and, more to the point, what not to include. For example, moaning about anything to do with boating is a definite no-no, as is the dreary and hum-drum stuff that everybody has to do in a normal day, like shopping and cooking etcetera. He also suggests that a drop or two of humour goes a long way to ensuring the success or otherwise of the blog.

So, from this day hence I will try to avoid the mundane, in so far as it probably holds little interest to you, my avid readers, and will try to inject some more interesting info with, if possible, a dash of funny/peculiar/odd happenstances as they crop up.

Of course, this means that some of the daily entries may be a little short or, if nothing of interest occurs during that day, no entry at all. Perish the thought!

There, that’s almost two full pages added to the previous blog. Who’s a clever boy then?

Thursday 10th May.

Unlike most days for us retirees, yesterday was full of stuff to do. The first of these was a walk to the bottom of Audlem Locks where we know there to be a canal-side shop. Last year this little cabin-by-the-lock didn’t have a great deal to offer; just eggs and a small amount of fruit and veg. This year has shown a vast improvement and includes a whole range of meat products, funny ornaments, such as Bill and Ben Flower Pot Men on strings and a peculiar Corn Dolly.

It seems that the young owner and his missus have some kind of competition going as to who can find the most bizarre item to put up for sale. One item is a bright, glass bowl with a long, thin stem to it. I thought perhaps it was for adorning the roof of the boat, whereby it would catch the rays of the sun – when we finally get some – and sparkle. But no, the darn thing is for filling with water and sticking into plant pots so as to water the plants. How weird is that when we have all this rain?

Talking of which, by the time I had taken 45 photos along the canal and in town, collected paper and milk, and enjoyed a snack at the Shroppie Fly, the heavens opened up and it didn’t stop raining for the rest of the day. But, once again, the rain gods were smiling upon us, because we only had to suffer a mere dampening, as opposed to the drenching we would have had to endure had we stayed in the pub any longer.

I have to say though, that I was a little disappointed with the pub this time around, because it didn’t really live up to its reputation or our expectations. We arrived at about 12.30 and found only a few customers there, so we were served quite quickly. There was only one young man behind the bar, with the boss/owner/manager, sitting at the customer’s side of the bar fiddling with his iPad. When he finally moved it was to disappear behind the scenes – possibly to do the cooking? – never to be seen again.

I wasn’t impressed with the food either because, although it was tasty enough, it could have been hot rather than just warm. Also, and unfortunately for him, the lone barman was left to cope with the gradual influx of customers all on his own for the next hour that we were there. Nobody came to help him and we could see him becoming more and more frustrated with his situation.

Oh no, nothing like the normal state of affairs, where there would be at least two people serving and, on busy days, another taking orders for food.

Today, unfortunately, we have heavy, leaden skies and drizzle which, by the time we get moving – if we actually do – will probably increase to a downpour and we won’t be going anywhere. Our plan is to pass through the remaining four locks, call into the marina for coal, then move on for a couple of miles and moor up in the sticks for a night or two. We really would like to be in Nantwich for market day on Saturday. Wouldn’t it be nice to get some decent Spring weather?

Incidentally, and changing the subject somewhat, we have only erected out aerial twice, with the intention of watching just one programme – Country File on Sunday evening – and we haven’t missed it at all the rest of the time. I am now seriously considering getting rid of the telly and replacing it with a decent record deck, or even a Hi-Fi unit that also plays LPs, of which we have quite a few nestling underneath our dinette.

Saturday 12th May

Yesterday was a disaster cruise wise, we actually managed to move about ½ a mile and had to pull in due to high winds. You had to see the waves rippling down the canal to believe the strength of the wind.

Our initial intention was to visit Overwater marina and pick up some coal but, with the wind that strong and knowing the layout of the marina, we decided to wait until we reached Nantwich and get some there. Unfortunately this will mean a long-ish walk with our barrow, but it’s better than negotiating the marina.

Anyway, where we moored up there was already another boat about 50 yards ahead of us and, later in the day, when the wind was even fiercer, they tried to move off. Their efforts failed miserably, as we knew they would because, as fast as they pushed the front out with their pole and before they had a chance to get moving, the wind pushed it back in. At times it was quite comical to watch. Eventually they gave up and stayed the night.

Today is bright and sunny and we’re moving on to Nantwich, with a bus ride to town and the Saturday market. It’s only four miles away with two locks, so won’t take us very long.

Monday 14th May

We have just spent a really great weekend at Nantwich, mind you, it was a bit of a job getting here. After leaving our overnight moorings just a short distance from Overwater marina, we hit some pretty high winds again and decided to stop again, this time at a picnic area called Coole Pilot – sorry, the book doesn’t tell us where that name came from – and, after about half an hour and a cuppa later, with the wind easing off somewhat, we moved on and finally made it. The wind did seem to pick up again along the way, but we gamely pushed on and finally arrived at about 11 o/clock.

A walk into town was next on the agenda, mainly because we wanted to visit the market for new plants for our boxes, and a further walk into Morrison’s which, as you would expect, is as far away from the canal as it is possible to be. Shopping over we caught the bus back and my legs gave me a good telling off later.

For the most part the weather was fine on Saturday and most of Sunday, when we took another walk, this time to a pub called The Star in the village of Acton. From our moorings this is about a mile away and means a long walk along the towpath, crossing a bridge, walking through an estate and back along the main road. The layout of The Star is somewhat different from most village pubs, in that the bar to the left of the entrance has been set aside as a restaurant, whilst the bar to the right is split into seating and a games room.

This pub boasts a few real ales and cider, along with the usual lagers and such. It also has a monthly Wine Evening where meals are £20, accompanied by the wines of course. Must be a good deal because this month’s meeting is already fully booked for the 28th. Assuming we return this way, we’ll probably stop off for a meal, only we’ll try to moor up closer to the bridge.

At one point yesterday, whilst we were enjoying a cup of coffee, I chanced to spot a water vole swimming along the opposite bank. The animal seemed somewhat panicky and was trying to find some way of leaving the water. This canal in particular is lined with huge stone slabs, which are probably about 6 or 8 inches high, so impossible for such a small animal to climb over.

However, just opposite our boat is a section of stone that has broken away at some point, leaving a chunk of stone resting on the canal bottom, with a small gap between it and the other piece. On the first pass the vole didn’t seem to consider this a possible point of egress and, having come back and passed it a second time, we really thought it was going to die from exhaustion but, it eventually turned around again and climbed up into the crevice. It stayed there for quite a while, cleaning itself up and resting, after which it climbed to the top and disappeared into the long grass. I did manage to take a few snaps of the creature but, with the stone crevice being quite dark and not having a powerful enough telephoto lens, I don’t hold out much hope of anything decent.

Today we have to leave these moorings but, since we didn’t arrive until late morning on Saturday, we’re going to take a bus ride into town again. This time I need to pick up some bits and pieces that will enable me to re-position our TV aerial. After that we’ll be off to the bottom of the locks that take us onto the Llangollen Canal. At present the rain has stopped and the wind from last night has calmed down, so, with luck we’ll get going today without having to fight more gale force winds.

Tuesday 15th May

…..and another wet start to the day, when will it end?

Yesterday morning we had intended to take the bus into Nantwich for some bolts, which I wanted to use in building a framework for the aerial to sit on the roof. But, being the tight fisted wallah that I am, I decided that the 2 ½ inch screws in my tool box would do the trick. We therefore left at about 08.15, with the intention of topping up with water and going on to Hurleston Locks and the Llangollen canal.

When we arrived at the water point we had to hover in mid stream whilst another boater finished what he was doing, after which I pointed the nose in the right direction and moved in to moor up. Just as I was easing the bow in to the hard-standing we heard an almighty bang, looked up and saw that the boat in front, which was already half way under the bridge, had been rammed by another boat coming the other way.

Now, the boat under the bridge was barely moving at the time, so the other boat must have been going at a fair old lick for the bang to have been so loud. Obviously the offending boater didn’t even bother to slow down when he saw the other boat coming towards him.

Anyway, several minutes later, as we were topping up with water, the owner of the damaged boat came running past in pursuit of the other boat. He eventually caught up with it and, when he came back, asked if we might bear witness to the event and I duly gave him my mobile number and name and thought no more about it.

So, when we arrived at the moorings below Hurleston Locks, what with there being a queue of boaters waiting to go up, we pulled in and moored up, by which time the wind had picked up again and so we decided to stay put until this morning. Methinks this was probably a big mistake, because it is now teeming with rain. Still, this is the beauty of being retired and living on board our boat, we are in no hurry and, if necessary, we’ll stay here for another day.

I’m waiting now for the rain to ease off so that I can take the pooch out.

Back to yesterday, where the saga of the head-on battle between ‘Percy’ and ‘Snowgoose’ took another turn. Some time after mooring up, along came the damaged boat, ‘Percy’ and, after the owner spotted me waving to him, he pulled in to show me the damage. Now, although I couldn’t see the dent to the offside, Dave Mullina, the owner, invited me in to see the damage caused to the inside.

Apparently the force of the impact was so severe as to cause cabinets and his shower stall to detach themselves from their fixings. So much so that, after asking the local boatyard people at Nantwich to give him an idea as to costs of repair, discovered that he was looking at about £3,000 worth. Naturally I gave him my email details too, since I would have no way of receiving any insurance forms by post until we returned to Mercia.

Apparently, when Dave caught up with the old idiot on ‘Snowgoose’, the fellow said to him, “So, I’ve been hit by holiday boats before, it’s no big deal”. To which Dave replied, “You’re not on a holiday boat, and what does that have to do with it anyway?” At that point he hadn’t had a chance to inspect the damage otherwise I think he would have thumped the man. Fortunately Dave does not live on his boat, which begs the question, what would we do if it happened to us?

All for now, and here are a couple of extra photos that I took at Audlem.

Boaters operating Lock 12 at Audlem

The Shroppie Fly at Audlem

All abreast from,



Dave, Sheila and Rusty – who still hasn’t been taken out yet ‘cos it is really tipping it down.



Dave, Sheila and Rusty

Shiralee Cruise 2012 #6

Gnosall to Audlem

Monday 30^th April

Hi from Gnosall. Yep, we’re still here, but will be heading about two miles towards Wheaton Aston this morning in order to turn around and come back to Gnosall. I know, confusing huh? Not to worry, all will be explained.

I’m pleased to say that the rain has now gone, it’s a bright and sunny day, with only a light, but cold, breeze.

We decided yesterday that, since we really do want to go to Market Drayton, then we would have to turn around and head back the way we came. However, since we still need more stuff for the fridge and I still need to fill my prescription for this month, that we would turn around and come back to Gnosall and then, tomorrow morning, we will take the bus into Stafford.

From Gnosall the trip should be somewhat faster than it was from Wheaton Aston, where it took in lots of country lanes and a couple of outlying villages. We would also like to shop at Sainsbury’s and visit the 02 shop to have them enter a PIN onto my mobile. I suspect that, when Lyndsey, their sales girl, entered it when I upgraded, she misheard and entered the wrong code, which would account for why I am unable to do anything with it.

Tuesday 1^st May

A beautiful day yesterday and quite warm, more rain last night though, the towpath now looks like a herd of elephants have passed through.

Gnosall is a very pretty village, with two pubs within easy reach of the canal, a very good butcher and a friendly mini-market. Unfortunately the welcome to boaters doesn’t extend to making the towpath easy to walk upon. From experience of past visits we know that, even a short period of rain turns the towpath into a mud-bath. Householders are not expected to traipse mud into their homes from the streets, why should visitors to this charming village be expected to suffer it? Not good enough Gnosall! Clean up your act!

Today we’re off to Stafford, for a bit of shopping and prescriptions, and to call into the 02 shop again. Tomorrow, all being well with the weather, we’ll be heading towards Market Drayton, hopefully the fallen tree the other side of Goldstone Wharf has been cleared.

Wednesday 2^nd May

Would you believe it, Boots, the biggest chemists in the country, did not have my diabetes test strips in stock. What’s more, they didn’t even recognise them and had to order them in for today. So, after spending all that time travelling to and from Stafford, Sheila has had to take the bus there again this morning but, on her return, came the bad news, Boot’s supplier was unable to get hold of any.

Now, the little gadget I now use is, in fairness to Boots, a fairly new addition to the medical profession. But you would think that such a huge company would be aware of this and would keep supplies in stock, wouldn’t you?

Today, much later than usual, we made our way to Norbury Junction and will stay for tonight. We can’t really stay much longer because there is a rally going on here this bank holiday weekend and all the visitor moorings have been reserved for those boaters attending. No matter, we won’t be there long enough to cause a problem.

Jemima Puddleduck at Norbury junction

I’m pleased to say the weather has been pretty good to us today. Wifey is now on the blower to BW to see if the way is now clear after Goldstone, and has been told that it is now all OK, but that we should pass with caution. Covering their butts I call it.

Friday 4^th May

So, what happened to Thursday? We-e-ll, I just didn’t get around to entering anything when I first climbed out of the pit, I was so busy looking at stuff online that, by the time I had taken Rusty out and given Herself a cuppa, I completely forgot about it.

Still, apart from a gentle cruise from Norbury to Shebdon Wharf, all of three miles and no locks, oh, and rain later in the day, a-and discovering that the local pub is not open at lunchtimes, nothing untoward or exciting happened yesterday.

Once again the sky looks rather bleak this morning; we might have rain and we might not; and we’re off to Goldstone Wharf again this morning. There the local pub is open lunchtimes and we have promised ourselves a pub lunch, since we missed yesterday’s one.

On Saturday we will, once again, attempt to get down the five Tyrley Locks to Market Drayton, only a week late but, better late than never.

Saturday 5^th May

We have a pale, pink sky to the east, but with luck we won’t get the clouds and rain until we hit Market Drayton. The plan for today is to leave early-ish, say 07.30, an get through the five Tyrley Locks ahead of the competition, the approach to these locks from both ends is quite narrow, so it’s best to avoid meeting other boats if possible.

Yesterday was great. We left Shebdon Wharf before nine o/clock, took a slow amble to Goldstone Wharf and arrived at about 10.15. Mooring up here can be a pain, because, unlike most places it is not possible to tie up with the ropes angled ahead and behind the boat. Due to the odd lengths between mooring rings, our 56 foot boat ends up with the ropes pointing towards the centre and I also secure the centre line so as to avoid excessive movement when other boats pass.

The Wharf Tavern at Goldstone is a very pleasant pub with good food and a selection of real ales. Not that I go for that kind of thing, I find such drinks far too sweet and cloying. But then, that’s my palate, spoiled by Guinness and Lager over the years. Anyway we indulged in a pub lunch yesterday consisting of a chicken and chilli sauce baguette, with side salad and chips. The chips were particularly weird, all wrinkles and holes, most peculiar. Still, they tasted like chips, so who’s complaining.

Sunday 6^th may

At last, sunshine, most of yesterday and this morning has started bright too. This is just as well, because Market Drayton has a Farmer’s Market today and, since we also have Morrison’s shopping  to do and the usual Sunday drinky-poos, and it’s a fair old walk into town, we would prefer to do all this on a dry day. Sheila also wants to buy some new plants for the flower boxes, I do believe it’s going to be a busy day.

Actually, after arriving here yesterday morning we took a slow walk into town for a few bits and bobs from Wilkinson’s, so I’m going to be stretching my legs two days running. It’s all necessary exercise, but my legs do give me gyp during the night following such walks.

If it stays bright this morning it would be an ideal time to repair some of the damage to our paintwork. For those of you unfamiliar with the construction of narrowboats, below the gunwale and above the waterline is a protective strip called a ‘rubbing strake’, which is supposed to protect against scratches when coming in to land. So, how come the paintwork still gets damaged between this and the gunwale? Me no understandee! I suppose, without it the damage would be much worse.

Wifey is saving our pennies quite vigorously on this trip because, we not only have to pay for our moorings for the winter, but we also need to have the bottom blacked. This entails taking the boat into dry-dock and having the paintwork, below the gunwale and down to the underside, all scraped and jet blasted to remove nasty deposits, then re-painted a nasty, sticky, gungy black. This does not come cheap and, lucky old us, we’ll be able to take a short break at a local B&B, one which allows dogs. Alan and I once carried out this work ourselves, back in the day when we moored at Kecksy’s Farm in Sawbridgeworth, and it is a rather messy job.

All being well weather-wise, we might even outstay our 48 hours tomorrow and continue with the paintwork. We also have plans for brightening up the front of the cratch and the back doors. The front with pretty coloured diamond shapes and the back doors with Roses and Castles, where I might even slip in a Fire-Breathing Dragon or two, just to be different. The latter job will have to wait until we get to Audlem, where there’s a rather good chandlery and gift shop and where I should find a book on the subject of roses and castles.

Before we get back to Mercia we want the boat all gleaming and shiny again. It’s been looking pretty sorry for itself these past couple of years.

Hopefully, if we take Wifey’s camera with us today, we’ll have a couple more photos to include in this blog. Unfortunately the weather has not been conducive to camera work lately. But, it seems to be brightening up now and, now that we have our Blogger back, things are looking up. Whoopee!

Monday 7^th May

Well, so much for the camera yesterday, having taken it with us into town, we had so much to do that we completely forgot to use it. However, from what Wifey tells me, we do have some of Market Drayton on the computer, all I have to do is find them.

As for the Farmers Market, that wasn’t there either, despite the huge sign by the side of the canal advertising the fact. It would have helped had the person who designed it had left space for the date. As it is the sign simply tells you there is a market on Sunday, which is not much help really, and it is blooming frustrating to walk all that way for nowt!

The Tudor House Hotel, Market Drayton

We did manage to get all the shopping, but we did so after a quick half at the Salopian something-or-other pub, a real spit and sawdust, one bar place. Wot? No Guinness? Shameful. I’m afraid a lager had to suffice.

Once again we have a calm and bright start to the day and we have five locks and four miles to go this morning.

Tuesday 8^th May

Yesterday we managed five locks and four miles to the bottom of Adderley Locks and, pretty soon after our first cuppa, we had some rain. Later in the day it became a veritable deluge and carried on for the rest of the afternoon and evening. It never ceases to amaze me just how many people continue cruising in nasty weather. I realise that some are holiday boaters and wish to get on with the business of enjoying their holiday, but how does anybody enjoy cruising in such a downpour?

Thankfully this morning has dawned bright and calm and so, with a bit of luck the 12 locks to Audlem should go well. This will bring us to moorings opposite the Shroppie Fly, a pub that does real good food. Also I have to try for the test strips that I need for my blood sugar tester.

My diabetes nurse at the surgery in Willington introduced me to a new testing machine but, when I first presented the prescription to the local chemist, they had to order the test strips in. This should have warned me and now, having found that even Boot’s have had none in stock, I’m chasing my tail from town to town, trying to find a chemist who has them. Even Boot’s were unable to order them in. I now have less than three weeks supply left, at which point I’ll have a serious problem without a new batch.

Now, I had hoped to post this blog today, what with it being pretty long but, as with most things Internet-wise, connection can’t always be relied upon and, our moorings at the bottom of Adderley Locks is a poor place for the Internet. I don’t think I’m going to have much success at Audlem either, the moorings there are pretty enclosed and I don’t remember how successful we were there last year.

Ah well, you’ll have a long read when I do finally post.

Wednesday 9^th May

Yesterday was a real boon to us, having 11 locks to pass through in just two miles, with the sun shining and only two boats ahead of us, we considered ourselves to be pretty fortunate. We left the bottom of Adderley Locks as early as half past seven, but still we were beaten to the top of Audlem Locks but, with the fine weather we really couldn’t complain at the three hours it took to get through them.

When we’ve moored at Audlem in the past we’ve usually settled for the moorings outside the Shroppie Fly pub but, since we were approaching from the opposite direction, we stopped above locks 12 and tied up besides the underwater ledge. This can be a bit of a pain when other boats pass by, simply because normal fenders don’t stop the underside of the boat from hitting the ledge. However, some time ago we purchased two go-kart tyres and fixed eye bolts to them. Now, with the tyres being so much wider than fenders, we’re pretty much shielded from the bumps.

Once again, after our cuppa, we moseyed on into town to order my test strips. Hurrah! It seems the Boot’s here at Audlem can get them in for today.



The Church at Audlem



All in all a pretty good day yesterday and this seems like a good place to stop and post. But first I have to locate some photos.

All abreast

Dave, Sheila and Rusty