Alton's New Deckboard Sign

Anyone for "Smokeless Diesel"? It's really good!

Well we now have our new deckboard sign, it's surprising how small it is as Alton has a lower than original height cratch which doesn't leave a lot of room for signwriting. We believe that Alton first had this height of cratch when she worked in Willow Wren's NW fleet. It was not uncommon for working boats to have to dismantle their cratches to enter small factory or colliery arm for loading. But Big Woolwich's with standard sized cratches could not fit under some bridges in the North Midlands especially on the T&M around Stoke when running light, so boats running regularly in that area where modified with a lower cratch.
Renaissance Canal Carrying - keeping carrying on the canals

The Bell Operating as a Waterbus at Marple Locks Festival

Renaissance Canal Carrying - keeping carrying on the canals

The Hundson Hunslett Loco in Joel's Hold

Renaissance Canal Carrying - keeping carrying on the canals

Joel at Marple

The wooden motor boat Joel attend Marple Locks Festival, complete with a narrow gauge railway Hudson Hunslett loco as cargo in the hold.
Renaissance Canal Carrying - keeping carrying on the canals

Marple Locks Festival 2011

We had a very pleasant weekend attending the Locks Festival at Marple. The Sun shone & boaters and the general public were out in force. It was great for us to remain tied up whilst customers came to us for a change.

There was plenty going on with boat trips, guided walks and lots of stalls & displays in the park. Brian demonstrated fendermaking and we chatted to lots of people about Alton & our way of life, a lot of people were very surprised to see a narrow boat still working regularly. We had quite a few sales and have hopefully made more people aware of our business and what we do.

We've had some enjoyable (and rather late) evenings chatting & catching up with friends over drinks either on the towpath or up at the Ring 'o Bells. Tomorrow we will head back down the Macc to meet up with George & Irene on NB Sandbach at Fools Nook.
Renaissance Canal Carrying - keeping carrying on the canals

Alton's Schedule July 2011

Monday 1st: Oakgrove (Macc) to Marple
Sat / Sun 2nd/ 3rd: Marple Locks Festival
Mon 4th: Marple to Oakgrove (Macc)
Fri 8th: Road deliveries to Ashton & Staylebridge
Sat 9th: Oakgrove (Macc) to Marple
Sun 10th: Marple to Bugsworth & Whaley Bridge, return to Marple
Mon 11th: Marple to Oakgrove
Wed 20th: Road deliveries to Kidsgrove, Middlewich, Nantwich, Chester, Ellesmere Port, Anderton & River Weaver
Fri 22nd: Oakgrove (Macc) to Marple
Sat 23rd: Marple to Bugsworth & Whaley Bridge, return to Marple
Sun 24th: Marple to Oakgrove (Macc)

Note; the above schedule is subject to change depending on traffic & customer volumes. If you require supplies please contact us to ensure delivery
Renaissance Canal Carrying - keeping carrying on the canals

A Few more Photos

Ian Mac Steering Spey at Middlewich

Rebekah Fuller SteeringSpey at Middlewich

Pearl at Marston

Re-fueling Tudor Rose Cruising Club Boats at Anderton

Alton on the Anderton Boat Lift with the Beautiful Cruiser Jaqueline

Deliveries at Dutton Locks on the Weaver

Cherries Picked at Dutton Locks, Mmmm!

Mel and his Colleague operating Hunts Lock

Proceed at Pimblott's Old Yard

Alton Meeting GUCCCo Royalty Motor Duke on the Weaver

Big Northwich Stirling on the T&M

Tug Kennet at Dutton Dock

British Salt Works, Middlewich

Alton Heading back up the Cheshire Locks

Ann Marie Hiding from the Rain at Hassall Green

A Few Photos of our Latest Travels

We've had a very hectic month (even for us) so haven't had much chance to catch up on our blogging, but have managed a few tweets! Anyway as a stop gap we will post up a selection of photos of our latest trip to Nantwich, Chester, Ellesmere Port, Middlewich, River Weaver & Preston Brook.

Swans & Cygnetts on Nest nr Kidsgrove

Evening on the Cheshire Locks

Night Boating on the Cheshire Locks

Tench at Wheelock

Sweden at Wheelock

Swans & Cygnets near Chester

Refuling Radiant in Chester

Alton Arriving at The Port

Apprentices & Volunteers having fun in the Bell Canoes

At the Port

Restoration Work on Mendip

Brian Oiling up Mendip

Peter and Brian Unclothing Alton

Peter helping with the Brasses

Peter at the Tiller

Run to Ellesmere Port & Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival - June 2011

On Monday morning we finished re-loading Alton about 10am and set of south down the Macc. We had a good run down Bosley with very few other boats around. We had regular stops along the lower Macc, reaching Hardingswood junction about 6pm. We started to make our way down the Cheshire Locks, seeing only one other boat moving all the way down to Lock 60 near Malkins Bank where we tied up in the Moonlight.

We wanted to make sure that we made good time to Ellesmere Port so we set off about 6.30am and had the locks to ourselves all the way down to Wheelock. We stopped for water & showers at Wheelock & carried on refreshed. We had more deliveries art Crows Nest & where in Middlewich before lunch (so no chips). The weather was glorious sunshine & we had a great trip along the Nee Cut over to Barbridge, with few delays on the locks. At the junction we turned left towards Nantwich, but had a fairly quiet run before we winded after the aqueduct. We decided to keep plodding on down the wide locks and finally tied up at the Shady Oak nr Beeston at 10.30. Brian was not impressed to find the pub had shut already as he had set his sites on a pint.

Another early start saw Ann Marie on the tiller & Brian snoring in bed. He managed to rouse himself before the next locks (just). We shared the locks with the trip boat for the disabled "Rainbows End". We had a good run sharing the workload between the 2 crews. Rainbows End tied up at Cow Lane in Chester & we continued down Northgate Staircase on our own. We tied up in Chester Basin & stopped for fish & Chips for lunch, what luxury. Just as we finished, Mike & Cath Turpin & crew arrived on Radiant & Regulus, on there way to the Braunston Rally. We fueled up Radiant & they headed off up the staircase. We had a busy afternoon on the Wirral canal & arrived at the Port about 5.30pm, it was great to have an early finish. We were warmly welcomed by the museum time who were celebrating the apprentices passing out. We were invited to join them & shared their delicious food of salads & burgers etc whilst watching the apprentices & volunteers canoeing & zorbing as well as musical entertainment from Tom Kitching & Gren. After all that we retired to the Thomas Telford Pub to meet up with Brian's brother & sister Mike & Fiona, it was great to catch up with them.

Next morning the rain was pouring down, but Dave & the team dragged Mendip out from under the shed so that we could fill her big boliner tank with diesel. This used the last of our supplies, so we waited patiently at the Wharf for our tanker delivery from stanlow. Shortly before noon it arrived & we could then re-commence our refuelling duties on the museum boats.

Once we had finished & the sun had come out to play we set off back for Chester. We had another busy afternoon and one customer even supplied us with sandwiches & donuts for lunch. From Chester we set of up the wide lock on our own, it was very quiet with few other boats on the move. Our aim was to get back to the Shady Oak & we arrived there at 10pm to find our last customer of the day waiting patiently. Brian had a bit better luck this time & managed a swift pint of Castle Rock before last orders.

Next morning we had another early start before stopping at Calverly for a shower, only to find there was no hot water bbbrrr! It was a bit chaotic at Barbridge Junction as boats in different directions hailed us for fuel. We had a slow journey back across the Middlewich Branch, but finally made it to Wardle Lock, where we met up with Alison, Rupert & Peter. We were looking after our Godson Peter for the weekend whilst his Mum & Dad went to Scotland for a wedding. Alison & Rupert helped us down the first 2 locks, then Matt Parrot & Rebekah Fuller helped on the next 2, which saw us down in the Town Pound. We tied up in front of Saturn & Thea on the Town Wharf, along with Sweden & Tench. After saying hello to the other boater we quickly clothed up & headed of to the boaters get together at the Boars Head. It wasn't as well organised or attended as previous years but we still had a very pleasant evening catching up with other boaters & Peter kept everyone entertained playing his made up game of a cross between shuv 'appeny & air hockey, using items varying between a 2 pence piece and a pan of hotpot on a tray with Bills hat on top! Suffice to say a good night was had by all!
Renaissance Canal Carrying - keeping carrying on the canals

Atkinson Lorry with 5 Gardner Engines on Board at GER Bugsworth

Renaissance Canal Carrying - keeping carrying on the canals

Gardner Engined Landrover at GER Bugsworth

Renaissance Canal Carrying - keeping carrying on the canals

Ferrous at GER Bugsworth

Renaissance Canal Carrying - keeping carrying on the canals

Gardner 3LW in Hyskier at GER Bugsworth

Renaissance Canal Carrying - keeping carrying on the canals

Putnal Field at GER Bugsworth

Renaissance Canal Carrying - keeping carrying on the canals

Garner 2LW in NB Magic @ GER Bugsworth

Renaissance Canal Carrying - keeping carrying on the canals

Alton at Gardner Engine Rally Bugsworth

Renaissance Canal Carrying - keeping carrying on the canals

Whaley Water Weekend & Gardner Engine Rally at Bugsworth

We reloaded Alton with diesel and solid fuel on Tuesday & Wednesday and on Thursday morning we set of heading North. We were running the round a couple of days early so it was a bit quieter than usual. The water levels were about 4" down and as we also had a reasonable load on we soon started getting stuck in the bridge holes around Macc. Other boats were also struggling, including one which couldn't get onto the water point in Macc. We phoned the BW office at Red Bull & they agreed to feed in more water. The situation gradually improved over the next 2 days. The weather was a mixed bag and we had some bright sunshine & the odd short heavy shower. We tied up for the night in Marple and had a pint at the Ring 'o Bells before tea.

On Friday morning we had to serve some customers in the arm near Marple top lock, we really struggled to reverse back into the arm stirring up the silt. With the water levels still down a bit we stuck hard in the first lift bridge on the Peak Forest Canal & had to be helped through by the crew of a following boat bow hauling us. We continued on to Whaley Bridge before tying up at Bugsworth where preparations were in hand for the Gardner Engine Rally. Brian went for a wander around looking at some of the engines & chatting to the boaters. We then retired to the Navvy for a pint or 2, where they had on Abbeydale Dalmatian which was delicious and a very good brew from Whim Ales at only £2 a pint. We dragged ourselves away from the bar and returned to the boat for our tea.

On Saturday morning we where up and away by 7am (well Ann Marie was, Brian was still lazing in bed). We tied up in Whaley Basin for the Whaley Water Weekend and where soon joined by George Boyle on Sandbach. We had a pleasant day chatting with the public & customers and handing out our leaflets & cards. There was plenty for people to see and do including free boat trips, classic cars, stationary engines, fun fair and all sorts of stalls for local groups, charities & small businesses.

Towards the end of the afternoon we returned to Bugsworth where it was very busy & a bit chaotic with boats all moored around the winding hole & the wind blowing down the valley. We served a few more customers & had a last look round the engines on show before heading back down the Peak Forest Canal to Marple.

Sunday morning started bright & breezy. We had a fairly busy time around Poynton before the dreaded rain came down. It lashed it down for the rest of the day & we both took it in turn to steer / get dry in the cabin. By 6pm we where back at Oakgrove ready to reload with a couple more tons of supplies ready for our run to Ellesmere Port, Middlewich & River Weaver. By the time we had finished we looked & felt like drowned rats. We were glad to be able to get a shower before grabbing some tea and a good nights rest!
Renaissance Canal Carrying - keeping carrying on the canals

Alton's Schedule - June 2011

2nd - 3rd:- Oakgrove (Macc) to Etruria
4th - 5th:- Etruria Canal Festival SOT
6th:- Etruria to Oakgrove (Macc)
9th - 10th:- Oakgrove (Macc) to Bugsworth & Whaley Bridge
11th:- Gardner Rally & Whaley Water Weekend
12th - 15th:- Whaley Bridge to Ellesmere Port (via T&M & Shroppie)
15th to 17th:- Ellesmere Port to Middlewich
18th to 19th:- Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival
19th to 21st:- Middlewich to Preston Brook & River Weaver
21st to 24th:- River Weaver to Oakgrove (Macc) (via T&M)
25th to 26th:- Oakgrove (Macc) to Whaley Bridge & Bugsworth
27th:- Whaley Bridge to Oakgrove

The above schedule is subject to change depending on traffic, to ensure we don't miss you, give us a call or text on 07791 345004.
Renaissance Canal Carrying - keeping carrying on the canals

Pottering about in the Potteries - Etruria Festival 2011

On Thursday 2 June we set off down the Macc on a glorious afternoon. We had a few customers to serve before the top of Bosley and then caught a few more with a bit of in-flight refuelling for a couple of boats on the locks.

We reached the bottom about 4pm after a reasonable run down the flight. We had a few more deliveries to do at Buglawton, Congleton and Scholar Green before tying up at Red Bull Aqueduct. Here we met up with George and Irene Boyle on Sandbach. We had a few drinks on the boats and a catch-up.

We had an early start (6.45am) with Sandbach to try and get the first passage through the tunnel. The levels were a few inches down on this pound and Brian didn't quite get round Hardingswood Junction and gave NB Buccaneer a bit of a bump, Sorry!!! We arrived at the tunnel about 7.15am and found ourselves about 5th & 6th in the queue with David Lowe on Swallow up at the front. The tunnel was smokey and a bit slow going with the levels being down but we plodded on and got to Etruria at about 10.00am where Blossom on Darley helped up tie-up.

We pottered round and watched the other boats arriving and Brian spent some time clearing a load of rubbish of Lindsays prop. It was good to see a few familiar faces including Henry Johnson on Perch and it was nice to later see him back at the tiller of Lindsay as I think he was the boats first steerer.

We watched Jo & Keith arrive on Hadar and later had a chat with them.

That evening all the boaters gathered  with our tables and chairs on the grass to enjoy a fish and chip supper (organised by Steve, Andrew, Dawn etc) and then settled down to a few drinks and a natter.

The weekend was good fun, Brian demonstrated fendermaking as part of the WOW activities for children and there were lots of visitors and people to chat to. On Saturday Roger & Teresa Fuller (Ibex) were presented with the Moorcroft Vase for the best turned out working boat, which was well deserved. On Saturday evening we had another boaters get together for an excellent curry night.

Sunday seemed to fly by, the weather had turned a bit showery but it didn't dampen our spirits. We had a few customers to diesel up before we left including working boats Sweden and Swallow. We then had a busy evening serving customers as we made our way back to Harecastle Tunnel Southern Portal where we tied up for the night with Sandbach.

On Monday morning we were in the tunnel before 8.00am and soon back on the Macc. At Red Bull Aqueduct we passed FMC Elk waiting to go on the slip to repair a damaged rudder.

We met plenty of boats coming down the Macc and had a few more customers, before stopping to do a bit of shopping at Hightown. In the afternoon we buttied up the Bosley Locks with George and Irene on Sandbach and enjoyed another lovely sunny afternoon.

We all tied up at Oakgrove and retired to the Fools Nook pub http://www.foolsnook.com/  for some good beer & wine and an excellent, well earned meal. A lovely way to top-off a great weekend!