Loading Daphne

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Sandbach & Daphne Emerging from Harecastle Tunnel

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Etruria Festival 5th - 6th June

Firstly apologies for the lack of posting recently we have had a few technical difficulties & life got in the way a bit. We will try & do better.

We left Fools Nook yesterday lunchtime having loaded Alton & Graham Beards' boat Daphne with coal in the morning. We had glorious weather and a lovely run down Bosley Locks. We had a fairly busy afternoon with customers and passed Stuart Hopper on the Coalboat Anne at Congleton Wharf.

We arrived at Red Bull Aqueduct at 10pm to find a couple of customers still waiting patiently for us. We then retired to the Red Bull pub to join George & Irene Boyle (nb Sandbach) for a well earned pint.

We are currently making our way in convoy (with Sandbach & Daphne)through Harecastle Tunnel and are meeting up with a photographer from the Sentinel Newspaper to take some publicity photos for the Etruria Festival.

If you are at a loose end this weekend, feel free to come down and see us at the Etruria Industrial Museum Festival, Stoke on Trent. There will be historic boats, classic cars & commercials, entertainment & childrens activities as well as the steam engines for the bone mill being in steam.

Let's just hope this lovely weather keeps up!
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Hiraethlyns' New Fenders

Robin was pleased with his new fenders which we delivered to him today
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NHK TV crew with us again on the Macc

Left to right:- David (Soundman), Ben (Cameraman) & Hiroko (Director)
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Someone Needs Sacking?

On Saturday we really struggled to get through the area where Grimshaw Lane Aqueduct had just recently been repaired. We were dragging the bottom and bouncing over debris before coming to a halt with a bladeful of rubbish & grounded mid channel. We where about 1/4 mile from the nearest bridge so spent 1/2 an hour moving coal to lift the stern and another 1/2 an hour crawling to the next bridge. After some some time on the shaft Brian managed to remove a large quantity of hessian sacking from the blades. Aghh the joys of boating!
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Alton on Bosley Locks

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Little & Large

Alton & Sandbach at Christleton Lock
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The Mersey to The Macc

Well we had a pleasant few days boating back leaving the Port Monday midday & returning to Fools Nook Wednesday evening.

We buttied up the wide locks with George & Irene Boyle on Sandbach, stopping at the Shady Oak near Beeston on Monday night. Arriving here at 7.30 Irene nipped over to the pub to find out what time they were serving food until, she was told that they had just finished! So it was back to the boat for tea. Later we persuaded Irene to come with us back to the pub to sample their beer. Alas on arrival at the pub at 8.50 we where told that due to the bank holiday they were closing at 9pm! Well suffice to say we will not be stopping at the Shady Oak again in a hurry.

Tuesday was our Wedding Anniversary & what better a way to spend it but on a lovely cruise from Beeston, through Barbridge, Middlewich to Wheelock. We had a fairly busy day with customers and even this early in the year there were queues of up to 5 boats at the locks along the Middlewich Branch. We tied up just below Lock 60 at Wheelock and we were joined by George & Irene for a meal at the canalside mill restaurant called Murats in its current guise. The meal was reasonable but a bit pricey. We then retired to the convivial atmosphere at the Cheshire Cheese for a few pints of Hydes bitter.

Wednesday morning saw us setting of at 7.15 following a boat up the locks. At lock 63 we saw John Jackson on the coalboat Roach. He was waiting for BW to come out and let him through the Wider off-side lock having been unable to negotiate the narrow towpath side lock the previous day. We decided to have a go at getting in the towpath side lock & after about 20 minutes of effort we managed to get Alton into the chamber & shut the gates. Once in the lock Alton came up fine when the paddles where raised. We had an uneventful journey up the Cheshire Locks & as the afternoon was pleasant we decided to push on to get back to Fools Nook. We had a lovely evening working up Bosley Locks in the fading sunshine.

We got back about 7.30, moored up & tidied round. Brian felt he had earned a pint so nipped down to Fools Nook where he had a pleasant time chatting to the new Landlord Stuart & Landlady Zoe. They had a new alcoholic ginger beer in called Crabbies which was a lovely change and a refreshing pint served with ice & lemon, a great drink on a warm evening.

Well we enjoyed our first long distance trip of the year but its good to get back to base for a few days before we are out delivering again over the weekend.
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Historic Boats at Ellesmere Port Gathering

Historic Narrowboats Boats attending included:-

Acacia
Alton
Ariel
Buckden
Dory
Empress
Gainsborough
Kenilworth
Lacerta
Lamprey
Lead Us
Lindsay (on BW lock maintenance)
Malvern (on BW lock maintenance)
Petrel
Radiant & Regulus (based at Ellesmere Port)
Sandbach
Saturn
Spey (pictured with Gifford based at Ellesmere port)
Victory

Plus Wideboats:-
Parfield
Severn
Tug Kennet
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Oiling up Tug Worcester at Ellesmere Port Boat Museum

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Easter at The Port

We set of from Christleton at 7 and headed down the locks into Chester. At the staircase we where joined by Alex from NBs Witchcraft & Bewitched for the trip down to the boat museum.

On arrival at the Port we moored up in the top wide lock abreast of George & Irene Boyle on Sandbach. We then spent quite some time trying to clear our prop, eventually we moved about a ton of coal to bring the counter up and Brian stripped off to the waist and leaned in under the counter to eventually clear of the rope, plastic & wire off the blades.

It's been nice catching up with some old friends & we are looking forward to a pleasant weekend.
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Northwich to Christleton

Set of at 6.30 and had decent clear blue skies but still a cool wind. Made good progress up Middlewich locks and sold a bit of coal. Did a bit more trade at the start of the Middlewich Branch and then headed of to Barbridge. At the Junction we headed north stopping at Calveley services for a refreshing shower. We had a pleasant afternoon stopping for a chat with John Roberts & Big Al at Beeston Stone Lock. Once down the locks we made slow but steady progress along the long pound towards Chester passing GU motor Seaford (pictured) and Claytons motor Spey. We tied up abt 8 by the Old Trooper at Christleton.

We clothed up & headed of to get some food & beer at the Ring 'o Bells in the Village. We had heard good reports of this pub but we were left a bit disappointed as the range of cask beer was bland with a choice of Green King IPA, Courage Directors, or Ruddles County - no local or regional beer at all. The black pudding starter was very tasty, but the rump steak asked for as medium rare came well done. We later joined the crew of spey ( John Watson, David Macc & Tom) for a drink, they had also heard good reports this pub but were equally underwhelmed by the beer range saying that the Cheshire Cat where they were moored was better.

Anyway enough moaning and groaning, just a last days boating to go, down into Chester & along to the Port
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A Lift in the weather

Set of just after 7 from Marston & grabbed a shower at Anderton Services. Arrived at the lift at 8.30 but first passage we could get down was 10.15, which was then slightly delayed to a computer fault. We had a bit of banter & gossip with the lift operators and then out onto the River Weaver.

The weather was horrible with driving rain, sleet & hail. We made our deliveries at Dutton Lock, Saltisford Lock, Barnton & Northwich Town before Winding at Hunts Lock. Here there was a crane barge leaving the lock so as they followed in behind us we got to see the footbridge at BW Northwich Yard being swung open in a most unusual manner, we'd like to see the risk assesment on that job.

We managed to get the 4pm passage back up the lift & headed south again stopping at Broken Cross to diesel up the Claytons tar boat Dane & butty Clara. Here we managed to pick up some electrical cable around the prop & spent a fairly fruitless hour trying to get it off.

We tied up for the night at Bilinge Green Flash & had a very fine eveningin the company of Roy & Mel (NB India), Tom & Gaynor (NB Hunters Moon) and James & Heather (NB Matilda May). Good Craic and excellent music with Heather singing & playing the guitar and James on the flute & whistle. Thanks for a great night guys.
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Crane Barge at Hunts Lock

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Middlewich to Sandbach, Heading North???

We woke this morning to the phone ringing, our diesel delivery driver was up a bit early. Ann Marie nipped to the shops & then it was time to load a lorry load of coal onto Alton.

We set of at 11.30 down thru Middlewich stopping for a few customers in the town pound and below Kings Lock. By 4pm the black clouds caught us and gave us a good drenching. Near Marston Salt works we met George Boyle with his tug Sandbach just off the dock from Ashton Packet. We both winded & tied up at the Salt Barge. At 7.50pm they had stopped serving food so Ann Marie russled up an impromptu tea whist George & Brian sampled the Salt Barges fine ales (nothing to write home or to the blog about, we wonder why pubs are closing down every week). Anyway we have our own mini historic boat gathering here at Marston with the Claytons' Pearl, GU Titania, Alton & Sandbach.

Plan for tomorrow is to try & get the first passage down the lift, then deliveries at Dutton Lock, then Hunts Lock & hopefully back up the lift before end of play.
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Heartbreak in the Rain

We set of at 6 this morning in the rain & we were into the tunnel at 10 to 8. All the way down the Cheshire Locks the rain came down. We stuck in Lock 63 Malkins Bank Towpath side, it seems that the lockwall or centre island between the 2 locks is moving. With some help from Ade of NBs Walton & Serpens we managed to flush Alton out of the Lock. We also had help on locks 60 to 65 from Phil on NB Aurora.

A busy afternoon with plenty of customers around Wheelock & Crowsnest. We tied up at Kings Lock at 7pm, in time for a fish & chip supper, yum yum.

Tomorrow we are loading in the morning then making are way towards Anderton. We are hoping to meet up with George Boyle on NB Sandbach as he is coming the opposite way round the Cheshire Ring. Then Wednesday morning we are planning to go down the lift onto the Weaver.

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Viking Marauders on the T&M

Well after making reasonable progress down Bosley Locks this morning we dropped of the film crew at Buglawton & enjoyed a fairly leisurely few hours boating on the lower Macc, just stopping for 3 customers. With a bit of time to spare we decided to nip down to the Caldon to meet our friend on Skylark at Etruria. We reached Harecastle Tunnel just at 3pm (ensuring our passage) and we found the tunnel keepers at both portals to be chatty, pleasant & helpful - how refreshing!

At Festival Garden we stopped to supply diesel to Steve on Bream, when what should we see coming towards us but a Viking Longboat complete with a team of oarsman. Apparently Stoke had been invaded by the Vikings for a re-enactment weekend. This boat is a full size replica of a Viking raiding party vessel. Sometimes people say do you live on a long boat? We say no it's a narrowboat, you don't get Viking longboats on the english canals,- how wrong we where.
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Ben on the tiller

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Goodbye to the film Crew

We have had a fun few days with a film crew aboard producing a program for NHK Japanese TV. The crew consisted of Hiroko, (Producer/Director), Ben (Cameraman) and Dave (Soundman). They were a good team and we had a laugh and they didn't hold us up too much. We don't know what they made of us and our mad lifestyle but they mucked in well. We even got Ben on a windlass and on the tiller, just not at the same time. Cheers Guys!
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Alton is now a Star Class

Alton is again a star in a class of her own. For the next few days and again at intervals through the year we will have a Japanese TV crew aboard. They are producing a programme about the waterways and the English countryside. So don't worry if we look a bit mob handed as we make our deliveries. If any of our customers don't want to be filmed, just ask politely and we will cease filming.

Tonight we are moored at Higgins Clough Swing Bridge and had a lovely meal with the film crew at the Conti Italian Restaurant in Disley.

Tomorrow we plan to deliver from Disley, through Marple, Poynton and Macclesfield to Fools Nook
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Stoppage @ Grimshaw Lane Aqueduct, Bollington

Today we have been down to Bollington to check on progress on the stoppage. We have been assured by both BW and the contractors May Gurney that the aqueduct will be rewatered by 2pm tomorrow, so we should be fine for our journey down onto the River Weaver and to Ellesmere Port Boaters Gathering.

One thing that we could see that was really hampering the contractors was the shear amount of silt on the aqueduct and wharf, this despite the fact that this whole area of canal was being dredged by Blue Boar in January to March, though a lack of joined up thinking meant that they didn't dredge this area first.

Anyway we will be very glad to see many of our customers by boat for the first time in 5 months.
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Spring Clean & Maintenance

Well now that spring is here and we are getting ready to set off for Ellesmere Port, it's time to get a few jobs done. Ann Marie has been painting the cabin roof, tidying the cabin and restocking supplies. Brian has been going round with grease gun & oil can, changed the oil in the Petter PD2 and a few other jobs.

We now stock a wide range of good quality Morris Oils & Greases including 10W/30, 10W/40, 15W/40, 20W/50, SAE 30 & SAE 40 as well as stern tube grease & multi-purpose grease.
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Easter Schedule 2010

Our Schedule Below is dependent upon the Bollington, Grimshaw Lane Aqueduct stoppage being completed by Sat 27th March.

Friday 26th March: Saturday 27th March: Whaley Bridge - Gurnett( Macclesfield)
Sunday 28th March: Tuesday 30th March: Gurnett (Macclesfield) - Anderton
Wednesday 31st March: River Weaver
Thursday 1st April - Friday 2nd April: Anderton - Ellesmere Port
Saturday 3 April - Sunday 4th April: at Ellesmere Port Easter Gathering
Monday 5th April - Friday 9th April: Ellesmere port -M'wich - Fools Nook (Macc)
Saturday 10th April - Sunday 11th April: Fools Nook (Macc) - Whaley Bridge

If you require any supplies just give us a call, text, or e-mail and let us know your order

A Few More Photos from the Audlem Mill Fendermaking Course

Here is a few more photos of our apprentices Colin (nb Collette),Susy (nb Orma Grace), Nick (nb Journeyman), Colin (nb Pelestry).

Ellesmere Port BW Trade Meeting

On Thursday 11th March I attended the BW Trade Meeting at Ellesmere Port Boat Museum. It was a reasonably useful meeting with a chance to vent my frustration regarding our problems with the stoppages this winter. We also heard a bit more about BWs plans to introduce "Operators Licences", and I just hope this doesn't significantly increase our operating costs or bureaucracy.

Anyway whilst I was there I managed to see a few coasters on the ship canal and it was good to see progress being made on the repairs on the wide locks (especially as this involved putting historic working boats to good use)

Fendermaking Course at Audlem Mill

This weekend saw us gluttons for punishment running our Spring Fendermaking Course. What a fun weekend it was with a good gang of apprentices getting stuck in and learning new skills. We had Colin (nb Collette), Suzi (nb Orma Grace) Nick (nb Journeyman) and Colin (nb Pelestry). Saturday saw us making a pair of side fenders, this was slow going at first but soon everyone picked up the technique of crowning and went home with at least 2 side fenders.

Sunday started of frosty but the atmosphere in the workshop was warm and friendly with plenty of banter as we all got to know one another. In the morning we completed our button fender cores, then the half hitching commenced in earnest. By the end of the weekend everyone had sore hands but beaming smiles, happy with thier achievements. We have been asked if we will consider running a more advanced fendermaking workshop, so if there is sufficient demand we will arrange one this winter.


A big thank you to Peter & Christine of Audlem Mill, for being such wonderful hosts for the course, keeping us supplied with coffee, tea, biscuits and cakes. As well as providing lovely home cooked lunches, we really appreciate the effort you go to. If anyone is passing through Audlem do pop in and make use of thier super shop.

Well done to Colin, Suzi, Nick & Colin, you were a great bunch - keep on knitting!

BW Maintenance Work on the Macc

This winter has been a frustrating one for us with scheduled stoppages not starting on time, exasperated by poor communication of these changes from BW. However we are very happy that some significant maintenance work is actually taking place.

At Marple the very poor moorings between bridges 2 & 3 have been the subject of a lot of work including dredging & piling, we just hope they are now deep enough to get Alton somewhere near the bank.

Current Prices March 2010

Our current price list for fuels is as follows:-

Diesel 68p/l base price (plus appropriate propulsion duty at your chosen declaration)
Taybrite (20Kg) - £8.50
Pureheat (20Kg) - £8.25
Anthracite (20Kg) - £7.75
Oxglow (20Kg) - £7.50
Housecoal (20Kg) - £6.50
Petcoke (20Kg) - £6.25
Logs - £4.50 / £3.25
Blazers - £3.95
Kindling - £3.25

We now also stock Parrafin in pre-packed 4 litre containers at £6.00

Peak Forest Canal Towing Blog

Our good friend George Boyle has recently established a new canal enterprise with his new tug Sandbach. To follow Georges progress just click on the link (in the right hand column) to his new blog. We were Georges first towing job with Sandbach towing our butty from Walsall to Macclesfield last autumn. Good Luck with the new venture George!

February Schedule

The Grimshaw Lane Aqueduct at Bollington stoppage dates has been altered again and is now due to start on Monday 15 February and complete on 26 March 10. The constant changing of the stoppage dates continues to frustrate us and makes it difficult to plan our own schedule.

Sat 13 Feb - Furness Vale to Bollington
Sun 14 Feb - Bollington to Macc then back to Marple
Mon 15 Feb - Marple to Furness Vale

Fri 26 Feb - Furness Vale to Whaley/Bugsworth
Sat 27 Feb - Furness Vale to Whitely Green nr Bollington
Sun 28 Feb - Whitely Green to Furness Vale

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I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass, as it Tinkles Under My Counter ....

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I Love the sound of Breaking Ice

Well looks like its another day of ice breaking, at least it is only about an inch thick at the moment. Our plan is to boat from Fools Nook (Macc) to Whaley Bridge over the next few days.

We are still waiting for confirmation of the rescheduled stoppage at Grimshaw Lane Aqueduct, Bollington, but once this commence we will be operating Alton from Furness Vale to Whitely Green winding Hole. Any Customers within or past the stoppage, please just let us know your orders & we will deliver by road.
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The Last of The Ice - Today at Bugswoth

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Back Boating!

Well with so many customers still needing pumpouts we have decide to an extra run this weekend. Today we boated from High Lane to Poyton, back to Marple and through to our mooring at Furness Vale. There were a lot of people very pleased to see us and so many people were appreciative of our efforts over the past few weeks.

Tomorrow we will head into Whaley & Bugsworth, then Back to Marple. On Monday we will head towards Macclesfield & Fools Nook

Our next run on the Macc & Peak Forest will be on 30 th Jan to 1st Feb running 1-way from Fools Nook to Whaley Bridge. We will then operate fortnightly from Whaley Bridge to Whitley Green (Bollington) until mid March (due to stoppage)

On Wed 27th March we will be delivering by road to Sandbach & Anderton areas.
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Delivering by Van, Wheelbarrow & On Foot

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Canal Delivery on Foot - Ice Over 5" Thick

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Alton Ice Breaking on the Macc 02/01/10

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The Big Chill - January 2010

Wow what a start to the New Year. We returned to Alton on Sat 2nd Jan and managed to break ice from High Lane to Marple, then returned to High Lane, but after 12 hours the ice beat us. We then commenced deliveries by road, (which was not without its problems). But using our van, a friend Landrover and out trusty wheelbarrow & sack truck we have managed to deliver many hundreds of bags of coal and thousands of litres of diesel to keep all our customers warm and cosy.

A big thank you to all those people who have mucked in to help us out over the past couple of weeks, from keeping an eye on our boats to driving us to isoloted places as well of course the numerous cuppas that have kept us going.

Hopefully the thaw that is well underway will continue and we can be boating again in the next few days.

Merry Christmas 2009 in the Snow & Ice

A Merry Christmas and a Happy & a Prosperous New Year to all our friends and customers. It has been a tough few days for us in the lead up to Christmas. We managed to get as far as Adlington at 10pm on Saturday 19th, then set off before 7am on Sunday morning. The ice was even thicker at over 2" and we really struggled to make headway. By 10.30pm Sunday we tied up for the night exhausted, but determined to be ready for another early start. Monday 21st December we began icebreaking at 6.30am, but after 3 hours we had only completed 220 yards. We decided that finally we would be sensible and admit defeat, so we resorted to delivery by road (which wasn't without it's problems). A big "thank you !" to all our customers and friends for all your help in getting the job done, our deliveries would have been very difficult without your help. Have a great Christmas.

Alton Ice Breaking on the Macc

Fender Course - Audlem Mill

We ran a fender making course weekend 31 October 09 - 1st November. Three people attended and completed 2 side fenders (some three) and a standard button. An enjoyable weekend. Our next course will be 6/7 March 2009 at Audlem, cost £95.00 (includes a kit with all materials and instructions to make 2 side fenders, standard button, a buffet lunch and refreshments). Contact Brian on 07791 345004 if you are interested.


Chris (NB Riverdance) completing his standard button

Graham (NB Star), Paul (NB Just the job) constructing a standard button