From Tim_Boddington@compuserve.com Mon May 3 18:57:16 1999 Date: Mon, 18 May 1998 16:12:06 -0400 From: Tim Boddington Reply-To: canals@blacksheep.org To: NGc canals contribute AA Subject: Trip report - Blue Heron part 6 (long) [The following text is in the "ISO-8859-1" character set] [Your display is set for the "US-ASCII" character set] [Some characters may be displayed incorrectly] DAY SIX (12/5) Ansty to Braunston I had previously told Jeff Dennison that we would be at Ansty on Tuesday night but here we were on Monday night. The reason was not that we had gone along so well but that with the weather so poor there was simply no desire to stop and moor up if not essential. I phoned him but could only leave a message on the answer machine. We ate in this evening and I took a walk to the Rose & Castle. Now to me this seemed a reasonable pub with an emphasis on food - just what we look for when we want to eat out. I got a nice pint (Courage Directors I think) and sat down in the only free seat next to four chaps who turned out to be Royal Air Force engineers in civvies. On return to Blue Heron the potter in the house by br.14 was still at work. I think he was the potter who made the GIG96 plate, one of which hangs in Blue Heron. I have no idea why I didn't order one; it is really very nice. In the morning a rat-a-tat on the boat suggested that a man and his dog had arrived. Indeed, it was Jeff Dennison and Josher. We had an interesting 20 minute chat on the tow path about this, that and everything else besides before going our separate ways for the day. Nice to see you Jeff, and apologies for arriving on the wrong night (he had even re-arranged his evenings for us), and for going to the Rose & Castle! The day was dark, dank and cold. The cloud level was so low that when, later, we passed the Rugby aerials we could not see the tops even while travelling underneath them. Horizontal visibility was less than a mile, half a mile in places. It was very humid. The weather remained like this for two days. It was most unpleasant. The long cutting at Brinklow has been cleared at water level on the off side, opening it all up. Between bridges 37 and 43 we saw the only evidence of voles on the whole trip. Thea saw 2, one in the water and another preening on the bank. There was evidence of several runs along this length. At Rugby, br.58 I think, there were a lot of boats moving about in a narrow space and while concentrating on keeping out of trouble a lady called out to me that "she was looking for my wife - do you remember us - we moored next to you at Warwick?" We were already passing out of earshot as I tried to explain that we were not Stan & Judy, etc. She looked confused. I hope I haven't spoilt a wonderful friendship. I was beginning to understand the problems that purchasers of second hand boats must have if they don't change the name of the boat! The Lock Keeper was very active at Hillmorton and we sailed straight into a waiting lock. We were through all three inside 20 minutes. Onward to Braunston. The church steeple came into view through the mist as we came under bridge 86, hardly a mile from our destination. The line of moored boats started around br.89 and I realised that things would be tight at this Mecca of the waterways. A space loomed up just beyond br.90 and we slid into it, not quite within the mooring limit marked by one of BW's monolithic indicator posts. It would do. It also turned out to be the best place for road access (excluding private property) which would be useful for unloading our things to the car and getting the Voets' things in. Of course this plan could all fall apart because we would have to take the boat to the marina next day for a pump out. A walk about showed that there was actually lots of mooring nearer to the marina. Some had a 48hr limit which was OK for the time being but no good for leaving the boat while Stan & Judy arrive on Monday. Other space was that of permanent moorers who had gone cruising. We enjoyed a good meal and excellent beer at the Mill House. On Wednesday we moved to the marina for a pump out and gas and then moored up near the water tap (which we needed to use) beside the Stop House with the intention of staying nearby over night. The weather was miserable - 100% humidity and increasing temperature. Visibility was very poor and the sun really didn't come through. Trying to work on the boat - cleaning, painting - was not my cup of tea so I decided to go home and get the car (which I'd planned to do early next morning). I took the bus to Rugby, a train via New Street and Wolverhampton to Macclesfield (2 1/4 hours!) got the car and drove straight back - 6 hours the round trip. On my return I decided to visit the Plough Inn but on arrival there were only a couple in the bar and it didn't look attractive (warned off anyway by Jeff) so I took the field path to the Admiral Nelson. A long way, but a nice pint. I returned in the dark along the tow path. Thursday brought another day of mist and humidity and I painted the rubbing marks off the towpath side of the boat. We then moved up to the triangle and reversed out aiming for our original mooring at bridge 90 (which I already knew to be vacant). We reversed all along the moored boats without hitting anyone despite the worried looks of some boaters and slid into the mooring just as a boat came under the bridge aiming for the same spot. We were bigger. I washed the second side (which was now facing the tow path) ready for painting. When it was dry and I just started with the paint it rained for a few minutes. However it dried again and I completed it. It took most of an hour to get our things out and put the Voets' things in and we finally locked up and said goodbye to Blue Heron. We drove 100 yards to the Mill House for some lunch prior to driving home. There was a blinding flash, a crash of thunder and the heavens opened ... Postscript We all enjoyed the trip enormously despite the cold weather, and Thea will be happy to go again. We will be at Braunston next weekend where I have arranged to view certain boats. Mums the word. Tim Boddington 'The Macclesfield Canal - 1998/9 Guide' Now published at UKP1.95 or UKP2.50 post paid in UK 'Preparing for BS 7799 Certification' Now published by BSI DISC at UKP27.50