Shiralee: Cruise 2014 # 18

Saturday 2^nd August to Monday 11^th August

 Sunday 3^rd August

 Yesterday was fun. There we were, sitting below the Red Bull lock and enjoying our breakfast, and there was the rain also. Thankfully it didn’t last long so we upped sticks and passed through two locks so as to be nearer to Tesco. We had to wait a while for it to stop, but we finally managed to get the shopping done.

 By the time we returned to the boat it was coming down quite hard, but we eventually managed to pass through the next lock and so on to the Red Bull aqueduct and the Macclesfield canal.

 This morning has started out bright and clear, so we might stay here and visit The Red Bull pub at lunchtime, or we may go on to Congleton.

 Monday 4^th August

 We decided to move along to Congleton yesterday morning; just one lock and five miles away; and we were there by 10 am.

 Sheila popped around the corner for the paper and, much to her surprise the pub there had been shut down and bulldozed flat about two years ago. We remember it as a very friendly, popular pub that did good food, so its closure came as a bit of a shock, especially when the only other pub near these moorings is pretty naff. However, that too was closed, for refurbishment.

 Now, if we wanted a Sunday lunchtime drink, we would have to walk into Congleton itself, which we eventually did and called into Ye Olde White Lion Inn. This is a very small pub having just the one bar, but it doesn’t seem to be bothered at overcharging for Stella, which came out at £3.65 a pint.

 Now, according to some bumpf that Wifey has about these moorings, Congleton is only 250 metres from here. Of course this is a load of rubbish, if anything it’s at least half a mile, if not more. The last time we cruised along the Macclesfield canal and stopped here, Alan and Chris met us and I had new knees. I distinctly remember having to sit down on at least two occasions on our walk into town. I can’t imagine where these people found the info, but it certainly wasn’t by walking the route themselves. On our return trip along here we took the bus into town, but that was midweek. However, since there is no Sunday bus service here, we were obliged to walk both ways. Aaaah!

 Wednesday 6^th August

 Yesterday morning we telephoned Heritage Boats; a boat hire company and marina just a couple of miles behind us; in order to book Shiralee in for her Boat Safety Certificate. Unfortunately they no longer carry out this work, but they knew a man who did and passed me over his number. Luckily for us he was able to do the job the same morning and he arrived at about 10.30 am. After giving our home a thorough going over and failing it on just three simple points, he went away at about half past one.

 The failure amounted to the re-fitting of a metal plate on the stern deck, the blocking in of a space between two of the batteries and the covering of said batteries. The aforementioned metal plate is to indicate where the Fuel Shut-off Valve is situated. The blocking in of the space between batteries is because the batteries are not a completely tight fit in their box – as if they could possibly move about anyway. The covering of said batteries is because all the terminals must either be covered individually, or have a rubber cover laid over them, to prevent the possibility of them being corroded by condensation.

 All of the above really is just so much hogwash!! But, simply because new directives are appearing all the time, and since the Boat Safety Examination only comes around every four years, there’s always something new for us boaters to contend with. In effect, because of these new rules, nobody can expect to pass muster when these tests are due.

 Now, when our friendly, local examiner, Martyn came to check for gas leaks, he actually found that there was one. Well, we’ve had this boat for eight years now and have never noticed any leaks, nor did it fail four years ago. Anyway, after tightening up all the connections along the pipe, and checking again for leaks, we still weren’t clear. Then, after a few more bits of messing about, our intrepid examiner discovered that the leak was coming from his own leak tester’s connection!! Duh!!

 The only thing that we didn’t have that would give us a pass was a sheet of rubber to lay over the batteries. For this we walked into Congleton and bought a very cheap set of car mats, which we will cut up and fit later today.

 Thursday 7^th August

 We spent yesterday and last night below the first of Bosley locks, having taken two hours to travel the five miles from Congleton. This canal is also a right mess, with tall weeds, reed beds and even tree saplings growing along the edge of the towpath. In some places the weeds and saplings are straining the support timbers and metal strips to breaking point. Indeed, the canal is a lot worse than when we came along here three years ago. It actually looks as though it’s not been touched in all that time, except at the main, designated mooring areas.

 Last time, after we had climbed Bosley locks, we were met with huge bunches of reeds, just floating in the canal waiting to wrap themselves around our prop. This year we found them between Congleton and Bosley locks, so they are still breaking away from their beds and drifting down through the locks. I’m beginning to wish I hadn’t bothered contributing my £3.00 per month to the new charity, because they certainly don’t seem to be earning it.

 Goodness knows what the Peak Forrest canal is going to look like, and that one is so much narrower than the Macclesfield.

 Friday 8^th August

 We had five miles of clear canal; no locks and just one swing bridge; to reach our planned stop at Oak Grove, where there’s a pub called The Fool’s Nook. Alas, upon reaching there and deciding to take the bus into Congleton, we found it up for sale. It didn’t look as if it was even open, but it wasn’t boarded up and we won’t know for sure because we won’t be trying it this time through.

 The bus trip to Congleton was just to pass the time but, upon our return we decided that, with that stretch of canal being overgrown with trees on both sides, it was just too dark to stay. So, for the sake of an extra half hour of cruising and two miles of clear canal, we moved along to a wide and open space, just past bridge 46. (We actually found another suitable mooring spot along the way, but soon discovered it to be too shallow along there and gave up on that idea.)

 There’s an out-of-town shopping area nearby and we gave that a visit later in the evening. I still couldn’t find a denim jacket, not even at Matalan, which is where I bought the last one. However, we did find a Homebase store and popped in to check out the price of decking, from which I intend making a couple of new flower boxes. So, after I’ve decided on how big to make them, we’ll call in and buy some, along with all the other stuff needed to put a box together.

 When I got up this morning, just before six am, there was a pretty strong wind out there. But it’s now 20 past 6 and it seems to have dropped, so we might just push on to Bollington this morning. However, should that strong wind return, we’ll be staying put. Believe me, there’s no fun to be had cruising in a high wind.

 Saturday 9^th August

 Well, that strong wind returned and so we stayed put and walked down to the next bridge, where there’s a garage, from which we bought a Daily Mail. On our walk there I suggested that we might pay a visit to Homebase for the decking with which to make her flower boxes, but Wifey thought it might be better to leave it until we got back to Crick. Now, that wasn’t such a bad idea as it goes, but she also thought I could buy the decking in Harlow, when I visit Alan, and get him to cut it all to size on his bench saw.

 My bruvver is a very helpful bloke and will always help me where needed, but I could see no good reason for lumbering him with this particular chore. So, after some deep thinking; and after Wifey relented about buying from the local Homebase; we popped round there again and had a big spend-up.

 Some time ago my re-chargeable drill burnt out and, since I will need it for the flower boxes, we bought a new one. In addition to that and knowing there would be a lot of sawing of the 1 inch thick decking, we lashed out and bought an electric saw. Then, since we were already there, we also bought the decking which, at 2.4 metres long, is now taking up space inside the boat. It took me some considerable time finding three straight lengths, but we got there in the end. I would also have bought a box of screws for the job but, after phoning Alan for advice on size of screw, I realised I already have some that will do the job.

 All I have to do now is cut the stuff up and put it all together, to make two flower boxes, thus replacing the previous ones that were showing their age. As Alan would say; since we have just enough decking to do the job; ‘measure twice, cut once’.

 Sunday 10^th August

 After spending some time deciding on measurements for those flower boxes, I finally decided that I really didn’t have enough decking to make them at the dimensions I wanted, which meant another trip to Homebase before we left bridge 46. After that it was a nine mile run to our current moorings at Higher Poynton.

 After about five miles of gentle cruising, the weather started closing in with threatening black clouds. But we soldiered on and managed to get here without getting a soaking.

 We have now decided on making two flower boxes with dimensions of 21” long, 11” wide and 9” deep, which should give Wifey plenty to play with. Hopefully, by the time we have returned to the other side of Macclesfield; where we know there to be a decent sized garden centre; the boxes will be finished and we can buy some plants to fill them with.

 Unfortunately, what with the prediction of heavy rain from the tail end of Hurricane Bertha, I doubt if we’ll get much done today. These decking strips are 2.4 metres long and first need to be cut to lengths. Perhaps I’ll at least get that part done today, using my brand new electric saw.

 Tomorrow we should be heading off to Marple, where we may, or may not take the bus into Stockport.

 Monday 11^th August

 Yesterday morning dawned wet and windy and, as we suspected, stayed that way for the rest of the day. However, we did manage a drink at lunchtime at The Boars Head pub, just a short walk down the road.

 Now, running alongside the canal, but down the bottom of the hill and adjacent to the road, lies an old railway that has been converted into a walkway and cycle path. This old track runs for 10 miles between Macclesfield and Marple and, especially at weekends, has groups of walkers, cyclist and horse riders on it. Part of it at this end has been grassed over and has garden benches also. Great for picnickers and such, four of which were sitting at one of those benches, even though it was raining.

 The rest of the day saw plenty of rain and, what with living in a steel tube, started to turn rather cold, which meant Wifey had to get the fire going. But first she had to replace the old fire-proof rope around the inside of the door. This morning is the first of many where I haven’t needed to wear my cardigan.

 I’ve never been much for fishing and, as I mentioned earlier, this section of canal is very wide and attracts anglers, especially on good weather days. When we arrived on Saturday there was a tent standing on the bank right opposite us, with several rods already out and with floats bobbing about. We kept an eye on the lads that were fishing, but didn’t see them catch anything. Yesterday, despite the seriously bad weather, they were still there and still caught nothing and they didn’t wrap things up until quite late in the evening. It takes all sorts, I suppose!

 Needless to say, no sawing and drilling got done yesterday. However, this morning has dawned clear and bright, although somewhat windy, so we’ll either stay here and take the bus into Stockport, or move along to Marple and do the shopping there. More later.

 Meanwhile, as we have a strong signal, I’ll post these pages.

 Take care and have a good week.

 Dave and Sheila