Alton Stuck in Hydebank Tunnel Portal Again!

Renaissance Canal Carrying - keeping carrying on the canals

Roses & Castles.

Well Steve has now finished the graining & decorating of Alton's back cabin, very smart it looks too. We've still got a few little jobs to do but the end of the Marathon session of works looks to be nearing completion. A big thank you to Steve & the team at Ashton Packet for all their hard work.

We set of from Ashton at lunchtime and after a few deliveries around Portland Basin, we are now heading up the Lower Peak Forest Canal. Hopefully we will get up Marple Locks this evening. Then tomorrow we are loading at Whaley Bridge before heading of to Bugsworth & New Mills. On Saturday we plan to make deliveries from Marple to Bollington. On Sunday we will run from Bollington, through Macclesfield to Oakgrove, Br 49.
Renaissance Canal Carrying - keeping carrying on the canals

Kennet Safely tied up at Frodsham Wharf

Renaissance Canal Carrying - keeping carrying on the canals

Self-unloading Coal Ship on MSC

Renaissance Canal Carrying - keeping carrying on the canals

Tankers at Stanlow on MSC

Renaissance Canal Carrying - keeping carrying on the canals

Kennet pushing it's way out of the small lock at Eastham on MSC

Renaissance Canal Carrying - keeping carrying on the canals

Rake at Work on the Mersey at Eastham

Renaissance Canal Carrying - keeping carrying on the canals

Dredger at Work on the Mersey at Eastham

Renaissance Canal Carrying - keeping carrying on the canals

Tim & Liz Leech and Nigel Bowker aboard Kennet on the Mersey

Renaissance Canal Carrying - keeping carrying on the canals

Tug Kennet on the Mersey & MSC

Yesterday Brian decided to have another day of boating on someone else's boat on a new stretch of water. He joined Tim & Liz Leech on their tug Kennet, along with Nigel Bowker (an experienced Mersey Skipper) for a trip from the Salthouse Dock, Liverpool to Frodsham on the River Weaver.


Over to Brian:- We set off from the dock about 2.30pm and headed down through the docks to the lock out onto the Mersey. At 3.15pm the lock gates opened and out into the choppy water we went. The wind was fairly strong from the west and Kennet made good progress across the river to Tranmere with the spray coming over the bows. It was great to see Rock Ferry & New Ferry (where I grew up) from a small boat on the water.

We made great progress, with the incoming tide we were travelling at about 10 knots. Approaching Eastham we saw a large dredger & rake at work and then went straight into the small ship canal lock. The lock seemed to have a leak on the bottom gates and after over half an hour we had to use Kennet to give a hefty shove on the gates to open them.

Whilst this was going on one tanker entered the big lock and another tanker set off in front of us heading for Stanlow refinery. Liz made us all a cuppa (& lovely flapjack) Tim steered a steady course, whilst Nigel was a mine of information on the River and MSC. We kept an ear on the VHF and we were pleased to hear that the grain barge Loach (one of Nigel's) would be passing us on it's way back from Frodsham to load at Seaforth. It was great to see this 300 tonne barge running light back down the MSC.

We turned off the MSC at Weston Marsh and headed up the old River Weaver to Frodsham. The channel twisted and turned and Nigel explained how difficult it was to navigate a laden barge up this route following the markers. We arrived at Frodsham just 3 hours after setting off from Liverpool, we all thoroughly enjoyed the day out on these wider waters. A big thank you to Tim, Liz, & Nigel.
Renaissance Canal Carrying - keeping carrying on the canals

Sandbach above Stanley Locks

Renaissance Canal Carrying - keeping carrying on the canals

Sandbach at Eldonian Village

Renaissance Canal Carrying - keeping carrying on the canals

Sandbach on Stanley Locks

Renaissance Canal Carrying - keeping carrying on the canals

Sandbach Below Stanley Locks

Renaissance Canal Carrying - keeping carrying on the canals

Liverpool Link on Sandbach.

Last Friday, Brian decided to have another boatman's holiday & joined George & Irene Boyle for their trip out from Liverpool on the Liverpool Link Canal. It was a fascinating journey through the docks and up Stanley Locks. We've passed these locks hundreds of times by road, but have never seen a single boat in them. Brian really enjoyed the day and it made a big change for him to hug the tiller, whilst he got this new cut under his belt.
We had a few problems with weed & rubbish around the prop, but George had a couple of good salvage finds out of the cut, gaining a bike & a gang-plank.
We finished the very pleasant day, by being joined by Ann Marie for an excellent meal at the Ship at Haskayne. A big thanks to George & Irene for a lovely day.
Renaissance Canal Carrying - keeping carrying on the canals