Saturday, April 02, 2011
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Chimney Side and Another Coal Run Complete
We returned to Ashton on Thursday 24th March to find that the repairs, painting and signwriting to the chimney side were complete. It was great to see our company name adorning Alton's cabinside, its been a long time coming, but the costs and time of maintaining & keeping a working boat in good condition are immense for a small business such as ours. Over the last few years we've had to do lots of work on other less visual areas such as re-bottoming, renewing damaged sections of the hull as well as repairs to the cabin structure. We had set our sights on getting Alton into a good condition for her 75th Birthday (this year) and we know the painting and signwriting will be the icing on the cake!
We had some discussion about the colour scheme and signwritting, but in the end we decided to use the original blue/blue Grand Union Company colours that Alton was painted in originally in 1936. As for the signwritting we decided to keep the same style and layout as the Grand Union Company, but with our own company name, and details. We think this gives a good combination between Altons historical & contemporary uses.
We set of from Ashton around Midday with myself (Brian) and Graham on board. We had a beautiful sunny day, but spent quite a bit of time with the shaft clearing the rubbish of the prop in the narrows. We were joined by George at Romiley and so where 3 handed for Marple Locks. We made reasonable progress up the locks but where frustrated by the stiff paddlegear, breaking a windless on one stiff paddle. We where later told by a BW worker that they where no longer allowed to oil the shafts as the oil could pollute the water! At lock 5 the top gate had no paddle, but the gear had been greased, its been like this since Sept/Oct last year and this makes filling the lock very slow and awkward with a full length boat. Two other locks had none operating paddles, as the racks had come of the gear, but we managed to fix this with the use of a crowbar.
Graham left us at the top lock about 6pm and we motored on Furness Vale for the night, where George and I enjoyed a few good pints of Unicorn in The Crossings (I also enjoyed a lovely complementary curry for tea).
On Friday morning Graham and his adopted dog Jake arrived and we loaded with coal & diesel at Whaley Bridge Basin.
After a bite of lunch we set of delivering around Whaley Bridge and Bugsworth. We had a bit of a problem with our diesel dispensing pump, so after a quick visit from George we were able to effect a temporary repair, allowing us to continue selling diesel over the weekend. After further deliveries at New Mills we tied up for the night and retired to the Beehive for a pint.
On Saturday morning we had an early start, but with a reasonable load on and the water level in the canal down by 3 to 4" it was slow going and we stuck in Turf Lea Lift Bridge for over 30 minutes. Once we reached Marple the wind really started to get up. We knew we were going to be busy so we grabbed some sausage butties for breakfast and then set too with deliveries. We had a very busy time around Middle Kayle & Higher Poynton, we really struggled with the howling wind and luckily we had some very patient and helpful customers. Unfortunately whilst trying to shaft the boat back out into the channel Graham went a cropper and took a swim. He soon got himself out, dried and changed, none too much the worse for his ordeal.
We continued our busy spell and where very grateful for the cups of coffee that kept us going and thanks to Sue for the quiche (if real men don't eat quiche, we don't care!). We finally tied up in Bollington well after dark. We walked down to the Vale, but they were not dog friendly, so we retired to the Holly Bush for a well earned pint, we planned to grab fish & chips or chinese takeaway for tea, but by this time we were too late, so we just hit the sack!
After loosing an hour due to the clocks going forward, we were still up before dawn to try and make up some time by making our way through Macc before any customers roused. We winded at Fools Nook, before doing some reloading and unloading at the wharf. We then made our way back up the Macc. It's at this time we start to see some of our winter regulars heading of on their travels. On Sunday we said goodbye to Ken & Barbara on Summer Breeze:
As well as the terrible duo of Gemini & Tilly:
At Fools Nook Swingbridge we managed to disrupt a big cycle race
We had a reasonable run back, but again struggling with the water levels being a bit down, getting stuck in Bridges 35 and 20. In Bollington we were joined my brother Mike and his friend Radka (who had been at the Treacle Market), they had a little trip on Alton where we supplied them with tea & cake, they returned the favour by bringing us some great beer from Tatton & Redwillow Brewery as well as cake and bread baked by my Mum :-) .
We finally tied up for the night in Marple ready for a good start down the locks in the morning.
Monday morning dawned bright, we were joined by George Boyle and after a couple of deliveries we set of down the locks. We made good and fairly uneventful progress down the locks and through to Portland Basin. We continued down the Ashton with a couple more deliveries, winding above fairfield locks and finally back into the wet dock at Ashton Packet for Alton's docking number 4.
A big thank you to Graham and George for all there help again, It's good to have such good friends I can call on.
We had some discussion about the colour scheme and signwritting, but in the end we decided to use the original blue/blue Grand Union Company colours that Alton was painted in originally in 1936. As for the signwritting we decided to keep the same style and layout as the Grand Union Company, but with our own company name, and details. We think this gives a good combination between Altons historical & contemporary uses.
We set of from Ashton around Midday with myself (Brian) and Graham on board. We had a beautiful sunny day, but spent quite a bit of time with the shaft clearing the rubbish of the prop in the narrows. We were joined by George at Romiley and so where 3 handed for Marple Locks. We made reasonable progress up the locks but where frustrated by the stiff paddlegear, breaking a windless on one stiff paddle. We where later told by a BW worker that they where no longer allowed to oil the shafts as the oil could pollute the water! At lock 5 the top gate had no paddle, but the gear had been greased, its been like this since Sept/Oct last year and this makes filling the lock very slow and awkward with a full length boat. Two other locks had none operating paddles, as the racks had come of the gear, but we managed to fix this with the use of a crowbar.
Graham left us at the top lock about 6pm and we motored on Furness Vale for the night, where George and I enjoyed a few good pints of Unicorn in The Crossings (I also enjoyed a lovely complementary curry for tea).
On Friday morning Graham and his adopted dog Jake arrived and we loaded with coal & diesel at Whaley Bridge Basin.
After a bite of lunch we set of delivering around Whaley Bridge and Bugsworth. We had a bit of a problem with our diesel dispensing pump, so after a quick visit from George we were able to effect a temporary repair, allowing us to continue selling diesel over the weekend. After further deliveries at New Mills we tied up for the night and retired to the Beehive for a pint.
On Saturday morning we had an early start, but with a reasonable load on and the water level in the canal down by 3 to 4" it was slow going and we stuck in Turf Lea Lift Bridge for over 30 minutes. Once we reached Marple the wind really started to get up. We knew we were going to be busy so we grabbed some sausage butties for breakfast and then set too with deliveries. We had a very busy time around Middle Kayle & Higher Poynton, we really struggled with the howling wind and luckily we had some very patient and helpful customers. Unfortunately whilst trying to shaft the boat back out into the channel Graham went a cropper and took a swim. He soon got himself out, dried and changed, none too much the worse for his ordeal.
We continued our busy spell and where very grateful for the cups of coffee that kept us going and thanks to Sue for the quiche (if real men don't eat quiche, we don't care!). We finally tied up in Bollington well after dark. We walked down to the Vale, but they were not dog friendly, so we retired to the Holly Bush for a well earned pint, we planned to grab fish & chips or chinese takeaway for tea, but by this time we were too late, so we just hit the sack!
After loosing an hour due to the clocks going forward, we were still up before dawn to try and make up some time by making our way through Macc before any customers roused. We winded at Fools Nook, before doing some reloading and unloading at the wharf. We then made our way back up the Macc. It's at this time we start to see some of our winter regulars heading of on their travels. On Sunday we said goodbye to Ken & Barbara on Summer Breeze:
As well as the terrible duo of Gemini & Tilly:
At Fools Nook Swingbridge we managed to disrupt a big cycle race
We had a reasonable run back, but again struggling with the water levels being a bit down, getting stuck in Bridges 35 and 20. In Bollington we were joined my brother Mike and his friend Radka (who had been at the Treacle Market), they had a little trip on Alton where we supplied them with tea & cake, they returned the favour by bringing us some great beer from Tatton & Redwillow Brewery as well as cake and bread baked by my Mum :-) .
We finally tied up for the night in Marple ready for a good start down the locks in the morning.
Monday morning dawned bright, we were joined by George Boyle and after a couple of deliveries we set of down the locks. We made good and fairly uneventful progress down the locks and through to Portland Basin. We continued down the Ashton with a couple more deliveries, winding above fairfield locks and finally back into the wet dock at Ashton Packet for Alton's docking number 4.
A big thank you to Graham and George for all there help again, It's good to have such good friends I can call on.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Graham & his faithful friend Jake on Alton at Marple Aqueduct
George Boyle Strapping the Gate on Marple Locks
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Alton's Latest Schedule March 2011
With Ann Marie still away on holiday, I (Brian) will be joined by Graham Beard on the next run and George Boyle will be helping us by being on the tiller as we work Marple Locks.
Thursday 24th March: Ashton under Lyne to Whaley Bridge
Friday 25th March: Deliveries at Whaley Bridge & Bugsworth
Saturday 26th March: Furness Vale to Marple and on to Bollington
Sunday 27th March: Bollington to Fools Nook and return to Marple
Monday 28th March: Marple to Ashton under Lyne
Tuesday 29th March: Road deliveries to Sandbach, Middlewich, Nantwich etc.
Please note the above schedule may change slightly depending on traffic and customer requirements.
If you need supplies, please phone, text or email us.
Thursday 24th March: Ashton under Lyne to Whaley Bridge
Friday 25th March: Deliveries at Whaley Bridge & Bugsworth
Saturday 26th March: Furness Vale to Marple and on to Bollington
Sunday 27th March: Bollington to Fools Nook and return to Marple
Monday 28th March: Marple to Ashton under Lyne
Tuesday 29th March: Road deliveries to Sandbach, Middlewich, Nantwich etc.
Please note the above schedule may change slightly depending on traffic and customer requirements.
If you need supplies, please phone, text or email us.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Altons Docking No.3
We really are determined to get Alton into good shape before her 75th Birthday in July this year, so she is back on the wet dock at Ashton Packet for 2 or 3 more sessions of repairs and renovations. This is very difficult to organise with Steve and the Crew at Ashton having to work around our coal run schedules. We really appreciate the effort they are putting in and the work they are doing in very tight time frames.
The repairs on Alton are going fairly well, one or two jobs have been a bit bigger than we had hoped whilst others have not been as bad as we feared. On Tuesday morning work started in ernest with Steve assessing the condition of the repairs carried out to the cabin in October. These look to be standing up well to the weather, so next he looked at the rest of the cabin condition on the chimney side and at the stern. One area that needed some major attention was the joint of the counter / deck and the bulkhead. In this area the woodwork was rotten and the deck corroded. It was decided to tackle the chimney side first. The lowest plank was removed and the deck cut away to good metal.
Alan then made a repair plate which he trial fitted:
Then welded:
Before finishing with grinding:
Mean while down at the bows Steve was working with wood. He had removed the old rotten front timber known as the hood and made a new one.
He also removed one of the cants and made a new one:
Once the welding was finished Steve continued with the woodwork repairs to the back cabin before applying the primer coat of paint to the chimney side of the cabin:
I'll try and get some more photos of the work and update the blog before we start our next coal run with Alton on Thursday.
The repairs on Alton are going fairly well, one or two jobs have been a bit bigger than we had hoped whilst others have not been as bad as we feared. On Tuesday morning work started in ernest with Steve assessing the condition of the repairs carried out to the cabin in October. These look to be standing up well to the weather, so next he looked at the rest of the cabin condition on the chimney side and at the stern. One area that needed some major attention was the joint of the counter / deck and the bulkhead. In this area the woodwork was rotten and the deck corroded. It was decided to tackle the chimney side first. The lowest plank was removed and the deck cut away to good metal.
Alan then made a repair plate which he trial fitted:
Then welded:
Before finishing with grinding:
Mean while down at the bows Steve was working with wood. He had removed the old rotten front timber known as the hood and made a new one.
He also removed one of the cants and made a new one:
Once the welding was finished Steve continued with the woodwork repairs to the back cabin before applying the primer coat of paint to the chimney side of the cabin:
I'll try and get some more photos of the work and update the blog before we start our next coal run with Alton on Thursday.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
High Days & Holidays
Well it's been a while since I've updated the blog and as usual life has been a bit hectic as usual.
After the fendermaking course weekend, I (Brian) and my Brother Mike decided to have a week off, staying with our friends Dan, Hilly, Annie & Tom at their wonderful converted coachhouse near Sowerby Bridge. We had a very relaxing time, sampling good food and ale as well as walking some of it of alongside the Rochdale Canal.
We walked up from Todmodern toward the summit, then back down again, stopping for an excellent late lunch at Stubbing Wharf, Hebden Bridge. At lock 13 we passed a very unlucky boat that had sunk, we felt very sorry for the poor owner.
We continued down to Luddenden Foot where we had a refreshing pint at the Weavers, before heading back up the hill to Oatsroyd.
Hilly and especially Dan are into their old Citroen cars (like us) so we went over to see work commencing on Dan's latest project a Citroen ID.
I was also very tempted to buy this Acadiane:
On Thursday it was Brians birthday and he had a very chilled out day going to see the Matinee performance of Brighton Rock at the lovely Hebden Bridge Picture House: http://www.calderdale.gov.uk/leisure/entertainment/picture-house/ . After a lovely evening meal and an amazing lemon meringue cake.
We retired to the Grove pub in Huddersfield: http://www.groveinn.co.uk/ . Wow what an amazing pub, about 18 to 20 real ales, lots of bottled beers from around the world, helpful & knowledgeable staff & to top it all a great Irish folk session.
On Friday the McGuigan Clan all gathered together to celebrate mine & my Sisters Aileens Birthday at Wagamamma's in Manchester. We had a delicious meal and it was great to catch up with all the family.
Friday evening was back to work with a vengeance. Unfortunately Ann Marie had hurt her back earlier in the day so she was on light duties for the weekend.
On Saturday we had a very busy day leaving Fools Nook well loaded about 7.30am, and reaching High Lane about 7.30pm. On Sunday morning our good friend Graham Beard joined us at Marple which was a great help as Ann Marie's back was still very sore. After another busy morning, Mike came to collect Ann Marie from Furness Vale, she's is heading of to Canada for a few weeks R&R, with her Sisters, Nephews and Cousins, lets hope she is fit & healthy on her return.
After a wet start, it turned into a lovely afternoon and we even stopped for ice-creams at Bugsworth.
After delivering around Whaley, we treated ourselves to fish & chips for tea and then boated back to New Mills in the darkness. We had a swift pint in the Bee Hive, good beer, but loud music and TV meant we soon headed back to the boat for an early night.
It was a good job we had an early night as we were up an away by 6am and in Marple by 8. We wanted a good run down the locks but we knew Mike on Iola had gone down a couple of hours ahead so they would all be set against us. Brian set the first few locks and at lock 13 saw a black cat crossing the gates, lucky or unlucky. Graham arrived at the top lock with Alton and as we started to work the lock we noticed some helpful gongoozlers were shutting all the gates on the locks below!
It turned out that the black cat at lock 13 was unlucky, as at lock 12 we were stuck fast (on a load of shopping trollies) in the bottom of the lock for over 2 hours and the top ground paddle was disconnected so we could't flush out! Eventually Kevin and another chap from BW came out and sorted the paddle gear and gave us a good flush out of the lock.
We eventually reached the bottom of the flight only to have more bad luck getting stuck in the northern portal of Hyde Bank Tunnel for about half an hour.
After a few more deliveries on the Lower Peak Forest Canal, we headed to our destination just before nightfall. Alton is now safely in the wet dock at Ashton Packet for round 3 of it's repairs, with work continuing on the cabin, counter, foredeck, cants etc. I will keep you updated as the work progress's over the coming weeks.
After the fendermaking course weekend, I (Brian) and my Brother Mike decided to have a week off, staying with our friends Dan, Hilly, Annie & Tom at their wonderful converted coachhouse near Sowerby Bridge. We had a very relaxing time, sampling good food and ale as well as walking some of it of alongside the Rochdale Canal.
 |
| Mike nr Gauxholme on the Rochdale Canal |
We walked up from Todmodern toward the summit, then back down again, stopping for an excellent late lunch at Stubbing Wharf, Hebden Bridge. At lock 13 we passed a very unlucky boat that had sunk, we felt very sorry for the poor owner.
We continued down to Luddenden Foot where we had a refreshing pint at the Weavers, before heading back up the hill to Oatsroyd.
Hilly and especially Dan are into their old Citroen cars (like us) so we went over to see work commencing on Dan's latest project a Citroen ID.
I was also very tempted to buy this Acadiane:
We retired to the Grove pub in Huddersfield: http://www.groveinn.co.uk/ . Wow what an amazing pub, about 18 to 20 real ales, lots of bottled beers from around the world, helpful & knowledgeable staff & to top it all a great Irish folk session.
On Friday the McGuigan Clan all gathered together to celebrate mine & my Sisters Aileens Birthday at Wagamamma's in Manchester. We had a delicious meal and it was great to catch up with all the family.
Friday evening was back to work with a vengeance. Unfortunately Ann Marie had hurt her back earlier in the day so she was on light duties for the weekend.
On Saturday we had a very busy day leaving Fools Nook well loaded about 7.30am, and reaching High Lane about 7.30pm. On Sunday morning our good friend Graham Beard joined us at Marple which was a great help as Ann Marie's back was still very sore. After another busy morning, Mike came to collect Ann Marie from Furness Vale, she's is heading of to Canada for a few weeks R&R, with her Sisters, Nephews and Cousins, lets hope she is fit & healthy on her return.
 |
| Ann Marie hands over the reigns to Graham, He hands her, her flowers! |
After a wet start, it turned into a lovely afternoon and we even stopped for ice-creams at Bugsworth.
After delivering around Whaley, we treated ourselves to fish & chips for tea and then boated back to New Mills in the darkness. We had a swift pint in the Bee Hive, good beer, but loud music and TV meant we soon headed back to the boat for an early night.
It was a good job we had an early night as we were up an away by 6am and in Marple by 8. We wanted a good run down the locks but we knew Mike on Iola had gone down a couple of hours ahead so they would all be set against us. Brian set the first few locks and at lock 13 saw a black cat crossing the gates, lucky or unlucky. Graham arrived at the top lock with Alton and as we started to work the lock we noticed some helpful gongoozlers were shutting all the gates on the locks below!
It turned out that the black cat at lock 13 was unlucky, as at lock 12 we were stuck fast (on a load of shopping trollies) in the bottom of the lock for over 2 hours and the top ground paddle was disconnected so we could't flush out! Eventually Kevin and another chap from BW came out and sorted the paddle gear and gave us a good flush out of the lock.
We eventually reached the bottom of the flight only to have more bad luck getting stuck in the northern portal of Hyde Bank Tunnel for about half an hour.
After a few more deliveries on the Lower Peak Forest Canal, we headed to our destination just before nightfall. Alton is now safely in the wet dock at Ashton Packet for round 3 of it's repairs, with work continuing on the cabin, counter, foredeck, cants etc. I will keep you updated as the work progress's over the coming weeks.
 |
| Alton on Platform 4 of Ashton Dry Dock |
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Wednesday, March 09, 2011
Fendermaking Workshop at Audlem Mill
On Sunday morning we completed the cores and after grabbing a coffee we started half-hitching. Jeremy & Tim soon got the hang of hitching and covering progressed well. It took a bit of practice to get the right tension but they had soon finished hitching around the circumference of the fender. We then learnt how to splice in more rope and began covering the ends of the fender. By the end of the day both Jeremy and Tim had produced very well made button fenders that would look great on any narrowboat.
It was a great weekend and we really enjoyed passing on our skills to people that were keen to learn. Jeremy and Tim were great to work with and of course Peter and Christine at Audlem Mill looked after us very well with lovely food and we felt very welcome.
Our next courses at Audlem Mill is on 29th & 30th October 2011.
Renaissance Canal Carrying - keeping carrying on the canals
Tuesday, March 01, 2011
River Weaver and back to Whaley Bridge
Anyway back to the story. At 8am Tuesday morning 2 people were knocking on the cabinside, luckily we were up and about. One was a customer for coal, the other was Jason the BW Supervisor? for the Anderton Lift. Jason confirmed that they had a problem with their phone lines but he had finally got our message that we had deliveries down on the river and wished to use the lift. We discussed what we needed with Jason and he went off for half an hour or so to see what he could arrange. He returned to tell us that it was unlikely that he could get us down the lift that day but he could get us down the lift early next morning and back up when we returned later in the afternoon. So we made good use of the day and headed north up the T&M and through the tunnels to Preston Brook. We had a few customers on the way including at Tim Leech's Dutton Dock, where we caught up with Tim and Roy and had a quick look at GU boat Alcor on the dock for repairs to bottom boards and footings. We returned to Anderton that evening to a flurry of customers as dusk fell.
Next morning we where waiting at the lift bright and early, unfortunately so was everyone else. It was decided we would go down on the second passage, so the first two boats went down about 8.30am. Only one caisson was operating and one of the boats that went down was just winding and coming back up. Unfortunately on their return journey the caisson door would not raise. By about 11.30 BW staff managed to get the boat & crew out of the lift (much to their relief), but it was another couple of hours before they traced and rectified the fault (broken solenoid). So it was 1.30pm before we descended in the lift. At this time there was a lot of doubt from various BW staff that we would get back through the locks let alone the lift that night. We only had a handful of deliveries to make on the river but they where spread out and consisted of a few tonnes of solid fuel and reasonable quantities of diesel. We shot off up stream delivering first at Yarwoods, we opened up the engine and made good progress. Jason was good to his word (he knew we had to be back at Macc to reload on Friday) and really helped us by arranging for the locks to be opened late. We finally returned to the lift at dusk, the BW guys were ready and waiting & we went straight in, straight up and straight out, a big thanks to Jason & the BW team both on the lift and on the River Weaver Locks!
That night we did a bit more boating before tying up at Wincham Wharf where we enjoyed a very pleasant evening catching up with our friends Roy and Mel aboard NB India.
It was an early start next morning if we were to get back on the Macc. Brian was up at 5.30am and enjoyed a lovely early mornings boating before rousing our first customer from their slumber at 7.30am. At Middlewich we found that a BW crew with a workboat had just gone up in front of us, but good enough they lifted a paddle for us. At Chemic Locks (Booth Lane) we met up with our old friend George Boyle, who had very kindly offered to be Alton's steerer on the run back to Macc. George got on the tiller straight away and carried on up the locks passing the GU butty Serpens looking in good order (when we looked carefully we could see the joins where she has been re-lengthened with the original sides that had been previously cut out. We had quite a few more customers that morning, the sun was shining and it turned out to be a beautiful day. Some people describe the Cheshire Locks as "Heart Break Hill" but we have always found them a pleasure to work. George was in his element at the tiller and we loved working our way efficiently up the hill. We had our final few customers of the day around Red Bull (where we met up with Steve Wood on the Josher Motor Bream who had set us some locks as he went up the Red Bull flight in front of us) before tying up for the night up just past the aqueduct on the Macc just as the light faded. We treated ourselves to tea in the Red Bull Pub, where we had good food & good ale followed by a great evening of blue grass music. That really was a super end to a perfect days boating.
Next morning we set off under grey skies with slightly fuzzy heads. We made deliveries at Scholar Green, Congelton and Buglawton before arriving at the bottom of Bosley Locks. We hadn't seen a single boat on the move all day, but we soon realised that two boats where making their way up the flight ahead of us. We soon caught them up & we took turns in going ahead and setting some locks for them.
We arrived back at Fools Nook about 3pm and spent the afternoon re-loading Alton with supplies and making local deliveries by road.
There's no rest for the wicked and the alarm woke us at 6.30am Saturday morning, it was bliss to get a shower before we set off. It was pouring with rain as we made our way into Macc but by mid morning it had eased. We called in at Kerridge dock and then through Bollington. We were making good time but at Poynton we got busy again and by the time we were delivering to the Bulls Head at High Lane it was dark. We continued on to Marple, tying up near the Ring o' Bells, where Brian nipped in for a swift pint before tea.
Next morning the rain was lashing down and followed us all the way to New Mills, even so it was great to be back on the Upper Peak Forest Canal. We continued our deliveries around Bugsworth and Whaley Bridge, it seemed weird seeing so many boats on the move & meeting them in bridgeholes and blind corners. We finally moored up for the night in New Mills, we still had time to play cribbage whilst tea was cooking & then hit the sack for an early night.
Next morning Ann Marie set off before 7am leaving Brian in bed with a cold / man flu. He managed to rouse himself to steer for the lift and swing bridges before going back to bed. Unfortunately Ann Marie kept finding more customers on the return journey so she managed to drag him out of the cosy cabin at regular intervals. We arrived back at Oakgrove late afternoon and boy was it a good feeling to be back at base for a few days!
A big "Thanks" again to all our customers, our helpers Graham Beard, Mike McGuigan and George Boyle as well as Jason at the Anderton Lift and all the BW boys in blue who helped us on our way. We're looking forward to the same trip in April as we run to the Easter Gathering at Ellesmere Port Boat Museum, we should have recovered by then!
Renaissance Canal Carrying - keeping carrying on the canals
Monday, February 28, 2011
Braidbar's New Boat Marmite out for a Cruise on the Peak Forest Canal
Friday, February 25, 2011
George Boyle Back on Alton's Tiller on the T&M
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Gettin 'em Ahead - Nantwich to Ellesmere Port to Anderton
Our heads weren't too bad in the morning, so we had a coffee and brunch before striding out for a walk around Chester's Roman Walls. We pottered down to Northgate about 2.30pm just in time to see Jim Taylor and his BW team complete their work and see us through the locks. Brian didn't even really need to don his raincoat for the usual drenching he gets from the top gates so well done BW. Leaving Chester we passed the old Shropshire Union Yard, previously operated by Boatbuilder Dave Jones. Dave has now retired and new tenants have taken on the lease and where busy tidying the yard. They plan to still operate the site as a working boatyard and we wish them the best of luck at this historic location.
We made steady progress along the Wirral Canal arriving at Ellesmere Port just after dark. We then retired to Brian's parents for the evening relishing in showers and home cooked food as well as good company.
Saturday saw us making deliveries at Ellesmere Port Boat Museum, a very big thank you to Steve Stamp (EPBMS Chairman). We were then joined by Brian's Brother Mike for the journey back through Chester. He enjoyed his days boating and with his help on the locks we made good time reaching the Shady Oak nr Beeston about 7pm.
Sunday morning required another early start as we wanted to reach Broken Cross Northwich that evening. We were straight into the locks and had the cut to ourselves, passing the first boat mid morning on the nasty bend where the main road crosses the canal near Barbridge. There was more traffic and customers on the Middlewich Branch and we reached Middlewich about 3pm. We took a left turn at the junction and carried on down the locks and finally through Big Lock. The culvert has blocked or collapsed here so the water levels on the long pound were a little lower than usual, meaning progress was a bit slow. We finally tied up after 7 again at Broken Cross, Northwich.
Shortly after our friend Mike Askin turned up on his GU motor Victoria and he joined us for a chinese take-away tea in Alton's backcabin.
On Monday Mike headed off to the Anderton Boat Lift with Victoria and we planned to follow soon after, but not before we loaded coal and diesel. Our coal delivery turned up promptly and we were loaded in under an hour, but unfortunately our diesel supplier let us down due to a technical fault on the tanker. Eventually we loaded with diesel at 3pm, too late to get the passage down the lift. We set off north serving customers along the route to Anderton, before mooring up for the night just before the lift.
Renaissance Canal Carrying - keeping carrying on the canals
Monday, February 21, 2011
Finished Loading with Coal at Broken Cross, Northwich
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Deliveries at The Port
Renaissance Canal Carrying - keeping carrying on the canals
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Escape from the Macc
We made our way up the Upper Peak Forest Canal. At the 1st lift bridge we got talking to the local farmer and his wife and when they saw we sold red diesel, they asked us to fill up their tractor, so that's what we did. The rain continued to pour down as we made our deliveries to New Mills and Whaley Bridge until we tied up long after dark at Furness Vale. Brian retired to the Dog & Partridge for a swift pint of the excellent Gunpowder Mild whilst Ann Marie prepared tea.
Monday was another early start at 6.30 from Furness Vale. The sun came out and we had the canal to ourselves. We had a few customers to serve on the way back but we made good time and returned to Oakgrove about 4pm. We had hoped to nip into the Fools Nook Inn for a romantic valentines dinner but we had over 4 tonnes of fuel and supplies to reload and we didn't get finished until gone 9pm, so a take away chinese had to suffice.
The Alarm went off about 5.45 and we grabbed showers and made last minute preparations before heading off. We served a few customers and then set off down Bosley Locks, with the wind very blustery. We had a good road with the locks and at lock 10 we were joined by our good friend Graham Beard (owner of working boat Daphne) who had come to lend us a hand for a couple of days.
Below the locks we had quite a few customers before reaching Hardingswood Jn and started to head down the hill. A few more customers at Red Bull and carried on down the lock to reach Hassall Green about 7pm. Graham & Brian retired to the Romping Donkey to sample the Old Speckled Hen.
Wednesday morning we awoke to a hard frost and icy gunnels and lock gates, but very soon the sun came out to make a glorious morning. We enjoyed the journey down the rest of the Cheshire Locks, taking it in turns between the 3 of us to steer & lockwheel. Above Malkins Bank we saw the old working motorboat Malvern with a cargo of lock gates aboard. At Wheelock we fuelled up ex FMC motor boat Bream and chatted to its owner Steve. We continued to have a busy morning through Wheelock, Crowsnest and down to Middlewich. We had some chips from Kings Lock Chippy and then headed west along the Middlewich Branch.
Graham left us above Stanthorpe Lock and walked to Winsford to get the train home. We had a fairly quite afternoon but even in February we met a boat at Church Minshull Lock. We stopped for customers at Barbridge Jn and then headed south in the gathering dusk. We arrived at Nantwich about 7pm and grabbed well earned showers before retiring to the Black Lion for a pint of Peakstone Alton Abbey, agghh!
Renaissance Canal Carrying - keeping carrying on the canals
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