From terry@talwaldron.freeserve.co.uk Fri Apr 30 22:43:31 1999 Date: Sun, 17 Jan 1999 21:48:20 -0000 From: Terry Waldron Reply-To: canals@blacksheep.org To: mailing list Subject: Trip Report Christmas 98 New Year 99 Part 2 (longish) [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] Crew: Sue, Terry and Clyde Boat: nb Stella 28 December Went into Market Drayton for papers, bread and milk, a bit too early as no shops open, two shops opened at 0800 so got the provisions we needed. Back for a good warming porridge breakfast. The new houses opposite where we moored fit in nicely (in my view) with the surroundings, there are moorings for about 40 boats in front of the houses, some long term and visitor moorings on pontoon, I believe, by a phone call - looks like there is water and a sewage disposal point there but no pump out. We turned in the boatyard just through the bridge and on our way back at 0915. A wonderful cruising day, light wind, very good run throught the locks and took water at the Shroppie Fly at 1315, also went in for a meal and a couple of pints as we were watering up, water topped up just before we finished our meal, spotted boats coming through the lock so asked if they wanted the water point (if they had I would have moved off to let them in, as they didnt I stopped there until we finished our meal). Away at 1400 aiming to get to Nantwich Basin and use the laundrette. Wind getting a little stronger in the afternoon, getting dark before we got to Nantwich, Sue wanted me to moor up but I decided to run in the dark, Sue came on the back as an extra set of eyes in the dark (as we do not have navigation lights fitted we put on the front cabin lights, but not the tunnel light). Many boats moored by the aqueduct and many spaces to moor but, stubborn me, carried on and moored just before the bridge (92). Walked up into the boatyard and found the laundrette closes at 1700, it's now 1715 so have to find another one. Whilst coming down the Audlem Flight we were just coming out of one lock and could see the next lock, and someone on it dropping the water from the lock, they saw us but still carried on emptying the lock so I tied up to the bollards to wait for them, their boat was however still not in sight so I handed the boat over to Sue so I could 'help' them through the lock (there was no ' Im sorry I didnt see you' or any other apology nor even a 'thank you' when I helped them through by opening paddles, while their crew watched me, when they were ready and opening gates). When they came out of the lock (obviously a novice steerer) he was aiming straight for Stella and appeared not to be able to get the boat over to the middle of the canal, I ran back (Sue was putting the kettle on) and reversed Stella before he hit us and turned I round on the 'wrong' side of him and straight into the lock, he was then hard against the side and running along it. I handed back over to Sue and dropped her down in the lock, when I looked back as I was closing the bottom gates two of his crew were trying to pole him off the side, he still had not got into the lock so we left them to it wondering how they had coped with the preceding locks and how they would get through the rest. ( Not a hired boat but a shared ownership boat from a different company). Met another two boats from the same company but they were being handled much better, and were very courteous and helpful at the lock (I did thank them for helping me through while they were waiting for me as the lock was set in my favour). 12 Miles 22 locks 29 December Took Clyde for a walk up to the basin, frost on the ground and puddles frozen over, quite slippery under foot. A cold light wind when we set off at 0915. A good run to Barbridge, a Kingfisher swooped out of a derelict partially sunken narrowboat at bridge 100. Very windy as I turned into the Middlewich Branch, slightly crabbing between the boats but passed one coming from the opposite direction with no trouble. Stopped at Venetian Marine, all closed other than Kates Gift Shop, bought postcards. Wind gusting in all the wrong places, like bridgeholes. Finally moored at Middlewich Boats just before the first of the three locks. Had to pass a boat in among the moored boats, only just room for two to pass in places, no room in parts. Walked into the town to top up with provisions, not the best place to moor if you have to do shopping - The Moorings much closer. 13 miles 4 locks 30 December Bright sun, light wind, when we set off at 0900, met three more of the Ownerships boats through the locks. Stopped at the Old Broken Cross, Sue was going to walk to the laundrette while I had a pint, but she decided not to as it was a bit further than anticipated, I had a couple of very nice pints before we set off, Sue steering and me cleaning the brass on the roof. Finally moored just after Saltersford tunnel, beautiful view over the Weaver in what I thought was going to be a quiet mooring, but the large dogs at the house by the tunnel make a lot of noise. Coming through the flashes I spotted a large black bird which appeared to be a Shag but when I got the binoculars I could see that it was actually a Cormorant. 31 December Set off in bright sunshine and moored at Acton Bridge, took water, more coal, pumpout and diesel. Boat looking very dirty so washed down the roof and one side and then turned the boat and washed down the other side. Moored pointing south after bridge 209. Our friends Dave and Brenda arrived 1630 and we went to the Holly Bush for New Years Eve. A very good meal, champagne at midnight and fireworks, also in the company of the crew (and friends) of Sundance. 1.5 miles Acton Bridge to Middlewich and return in part 3