Alton's Cabin Repairs

Repairs to Alton's cabin at Ashton Packet Boat Co are progressing well. Steve & Mike have stripped out all the area of rot and are put in new boards where necessary.

They plan to finish the work by tomorrow evening and we hope to able to take Alton out of the paint dock by Midday on Thursday.

Alton will be returning to Ashton Packet for furthur cabin repairs in the spring when the stoppages at Bollington & Hyde Bank Tunnel are complete.
Renaissance Canal Carrying - keeping carrying on the canals

Fendermaking Course at Audlem Mill - 30 & 31st October 2010

Over the last weekend we ran our autumn fendermaking course at Audlem Mill next to the Shropshire Union Canal. We had 5 Trainees, Dave from NB Hollinhurst,  Pat & Alan from NB Plan B...C,D,E&F, Paul from NB Honey and Pete fron NB Dragonfly.

On Saturday after a brief introduction, we soon got knotting, crowning a pair of side fenders. Later in the afternoon we started work on building the core of our button fenders. Also on Saturday we had the NHK film crew following us which managed to make headline news on the Audlem Website! http://www.audlem.org/newsitem-1-1-5493.html

Above:- Pat with her finished side fenders


On Sunday morning everyone turned up bright and early and no they hadn't forget to put their clocks back, they where just keen to get hitching. We soon completed our button fender cores and the set about covering the fender, half-hitching 100' of victory black rope. Everyone completed their button fenders and we were very pleased with the final results.

During the course we were all very well looked after by our hosts Peter & Christine Silvester who provided wonderful lunches, as well as plenty of tea and coffee and even cream cakes for afternoon tea!

Finally, well done to Dave, Pat, Alan, Paul & Pete, you where a great bunch to work with and it was a pleasure to work with you learning your new skills.

If you are interested in attending one of our courses the next introduction to fendermaking course is 5th & 6th March 2011 at Audlem Mill. To book your place phone Peter or Christine at Audlem Mill on 01270 811059.

Above:-  Alan, Pat, Dave, Paul & Pete with their finished Fenders.

Ann Marie at the Tiller towing a Houseboat on the LPF Canal

Renaissance Canal Carrying - keeping carrying on the canals

Alton on Marple Locks

Renaissance Canal Carrying - keeping carrying on the canals

Long Days & Shorter Days

The last few days have been very busy for us working average 14 hour days to get our deliveries done & Alton back at the yard at Ashton for the next round of repairs. We've really noticed the shorter daylight hours now and are glad we have a good headlight on Alton and very good head torches for ourselves.

Alton was launched off the slip by the crew at Ashton Packet in their calm efficient matter. We loaded our supplies and left the yard at Midday making reasonable progress despite a couple of low pounds & non operational ground paddles on Marple Locks. We tied up in Marple about 7pm and Brian retired to the Ring o'Bells to join the crew of The Bell (Pete & Tony) for a pint.

Sunday was a very frosty start and a busy day resulting in us selling out of diesel. We arrived back at Fools Nook in darkness.

Monday morning was another frosty start but we kept warm re-loading Alton with Coal & Diesel. We set off heading north at lunchtime making deliveries as we went. We finally tied up at 8pm at High Lane, very convenient for the Bulls Head for a pint and a chinese take-away for tea.

Tuesday we woke to heavy rain & did not want to get up! It continued to rain virtually all day, as we made plenty of deliveries through Marple and along the Upper Peak Forest to Whaley Bridge and Bugsworth. It was lovely to chat to a few new customers as well as catch up with old ones that have returned from their travels including Graham & Eileen on NB Gemini. It was another very late finish when we tied up at the back of the swizzles factory at New Mills.

Wednesday morning Ann Marie managed to drag herself out of bed at 6am as she knew we had a long day ahead. Brian eventually roused himself from bed at the Disley swing bridge and was almost fully awake when we reached Marple Top. We made good progress down the locks on a beautiful autumnal day, making a few sales as we went. We love to stop at lock 10 to chat with the gentleman who owns the adjoining cottage who has lived there over 50 years and has some great tales.
At the bottom of Marple we picked up a towing job to tow a houseboat to Portland Basin for its owner Ashley. We had a very slow afternoon on the Lower Peak Forest getting well & truly stuck getting out of Hyde Bank Tunnel. We then got a bladeful of rope & carpet near bridge 12, resulting in Brian stripping to the waste and reaching in under the counter to cut away the debris from the prop.

We finally reached Portland Basin as darkness fell, the square bows of the houseboat having made the tow a slow job. We reunited the houseboat with its owner and continued on to Ashton Packet Boat Yard where we have left Alton again for Steve Kelly to start work on the cabin roof.
Renaissance Canal Carrying - keeping carrying on the canals

A Frosty Start. Sun 24th October, on the Macc

Renaissance Canal Carrying - keeping carrying on the canals

Alton being Launched of the Slip at Ashton Packet Boat Co.

Renaissance Canal Carrying - keeping carrying on the canals

Ann Marie keeping dry under the counter

Renaissance Canal Carrying - keeping carrying on the canals

Cabin Strings for FMC Motor Badger

Renaissance Canal Carrying - keeping carrying on the canals

King Cotton

Over the last couple of days Brian has managed to make a bit of time to complete a few special orders using cotton line. This is a button for a small woolwich butty elm.
Renaissance Canal Carrying - keeping carrying on the canals

Next Run Sat 23rd to Wed 27th October 2010 - Ashton to Fools Nook to Whaley Bridge to Ashton

Over the next few weeks our schedule will be a little out of kilter whilst we are having maintenance work done on Alton at Ashton Packet Boat Company.

Our Schedule for our next run is as follows:
Sat 23rd Oct - Alton launched off the slip around noon, then heading back along Lower Peak Forest Canal.
Sun 24th Oct - Macclesfield Canal, Marple to Oakgrove.
Mon 25th Oct - Loading at Oakgrove in the morning, then returning towards Marple.
Tues 25th Oct - Upper Peak Forest Canal, Marple to Whaley Bridge & Bugsworth, return.
Wed 26th Oct - Lower Peak Forest Canal, Marple to Ashton Packet Boat Company.

Alton will then remain at Ashton Packet Boat Company for cabin repairs until Thursday 4th November.

Whilst Alton is away from base we will still have supplys of fuel available from our butty St Austell.

Above: Alton on the Dock at Ashton Packet Boat Company

A few Gentle Taps to Straighten the Rudder Stock

Renaissance Canal Carrying - keeping carrying on the canals

Alan heating up the Rudder Stock

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Sacrificial Chine

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Docking October 2010

Alton is currently on the dock for maintenance and blacking at Ashton Packet Boat Company. Roger Lorenz has been down to inspect the hull, George Boyle has been down to check things out & give advice. Paul Dawson wielded his magic with the welder replacing an area of worn chine angle and adding a sacrificial chine at the engine room. Alan has been kept busy with a few jobs including straightening the rudder stock. Whilst Steve Kelly has been slapping on the coal tar and generally being in charge of proceedings.

Alton will be launched back in the water on saturday ready for another coal run to Marple, Macc, Oakgrove & Whaley Bridge before returning to Ashton for Steve to start work on the cabin.
Renaissance Canal Carrying - keeping carrying on the canals

Chine Angle Bottom Being Cut of at Engine Room for Replacement

Renaissance Canal Carrying - keeping carrying on the canals

First Coat of Blacking Going On

Renaissance Canal Carrying - keeping carrying on the canals

The Winch at Ashton Packet Boat Company

Renaissance Canal Carrying - keeping carrying on the canals

Alton on the Slip

Yesterday afternoon Alton was side slipped at Ashton for blacking & maintenance.

The job went very smoothly with the Ashton Packet Boat Crew working like a well oiled team. They worked the winch and trolleys with no fuss, everyone knowing their own job. In next to no time Alton was sitting high & dry on the dock.
Renaissance Canal Carrying - keeping carrying on the canals

Alton Passing Anderton Company Wharf, Middleport

Renaissance Canal Carrying - keeping carrying on the canals

Back up the Hill

Last week we made our return Journey from Acton Bridge on the River Weaver. After serving plenty of customers at the Acton Bridge Gathering and a run down to Dutton with Alex (Bewitched) & Liam (Ariel), we headed back up River in convoy with Sandbach. We got the 4pm passage back up the lift and then headed north to serve a few customers around Barnton before winding near Dutton & mooring up in the dark back at Anderton for a well needed shower. Monday was a lovely sunny day but we soon realised that we had been lucky to get of the River when we did as the Weaver was closed most of the day due to strong flow and levels about a ft up.

We tied up at Wheelock on Monday night retiring to the Cheshire Cheese for a pleasant evening in the company of George & Irene Boyle (Sandbach). Next morning we had a reasonably early start setting off up the hill at 7 and made good steady progress. We reached the tunnel at lunch time & we were waved straight in. We winded at Etruria below Bedford St staircase before stocking up the hotel boats Oak & Ash with Diesel, coal & gas. We stopped here for the night and Brian walked up to Hanley only to find one of his favourite pubs the Coachmakers Arms had shut (we hear it is reopening under a new landlord soon).

On Wednesday we made our way back through the tunnel and up the Macc, getting back to Fools Nook by evening.
Renaissance Canal Carrying - keeping carrying on the canals

Sandbach near Saltersford Locks River Weaver

Renaissance Canal Carrying - keeping carrying on the canals

George & Irene on the Lift.

Renaissance Canal Carrying - keeping carrying on the canals

Ariel at Acton Bridge on River Weaver

Renaissance Canal Carrying - keeping carrying on the canals

Acton Bridge Steam & Boat Gathering on River Weaver

Well we've had a lovely chilled out weekend (a real change for us). We've spent time nattering over cuppas & pints. There was a good turn out of historic boats including Dukers Parfield & Iris Abbot, river tug Kennet, and narrowboats Alton, Ariel, Empress, Greenlaw, Kenilworth, Plover, Radiant, Rudd, Sandbach, Shad, Stamford, Thea & Victory.

There was a wide variety of steam powered transport including a modern steam powered narrowboat, various traction engines and rollers (full size & half or third scale models) and even an eccentric steam powered milk float. Also in attendance where a selection of Landrovers (including a 110' Forward Control Ambulance), and some vintage tractors and motorbikes. All in all a very eclectic mix.

On Saturday night we walked up the hill & over the canal to the old thatched pub the Holly Bush where we enjoyed a very good meal with George & Irene (NB Sandbach) and Liam (NB Ariel).

Today has been rather damp to say the least, but it was back to work for us. With Liam & Alex aboard we set off through the boat club moorings then down to Dutton Locks where we winded before returning to Acton Bridge to diesel up plenty of the boats at the gathering. This afternoon we have made our way back up river in company with George & Irene on Sandbach and are now waiting at the bottom of the Anderton Boat lift waiting for our passage back up to the T & M.

Renaissance Canal Carrying - keeping carrying on the canals

Cheshire Run Part 2

Well it's definately autumn. We have had a busy few days but it's been great to meet a few old customers & friends. Thanks to Roy & Mel on NB India for the proper coffee and the lovely fruit cake. At Cholmsdon we met up with NB's Witchcraft & Bewitched & did some in flight refuelling. Then at Nantwich we met up with the lovely Jane Selkirk & Mac aboard NB Hero (Jane is going to work her painting magic on our very tired water can. Returning through Barbridge we called in to our regulars customers on Elleni trying to escape!

We returned to Middlewich nearly empty (stopping to have a brief chat with Maureen at Wardle Lock, who was feeling "a bit better"). Having reloaded with coal and diesel we proceeded to Anderton, going down the lift on the first passage down this morning. We have had another busy day first travelling upstream, through Hunts & Vale Royal Locks, before just missing the last passage through Saltersford Lock this afternoon.

We are tied up tonight at Barton & will be spending the weekend at the Steam Rally, Leigh Arms, Acton Bridge.
Renaissance Canal Carrying - keeping carrying on the canals

Cheshire Run Sept 2010

Well we have had a very busy few days making our way down from Whaley Bridge to Middlewich meeting some lovely customers both old & new. Alton is already looking increasingly high in the water. We plan to deliver across the Middlewich Branch to Bunbury & Nantwich before returning to Middlewich on Thursday to load with coal & diesel. Then on Friday the plan is to go down the lift, head up stream for deliveries up to Vale Royal lock, before winding and heading down to Acton Bridge to attend the steam rally at the Leigh Arms over the weekend.
Renaissance Canal Carrying - keeping carrying on the canals

More Photos of NB Rosemary from Tony Corrie

A few more interesting photos from 1967:-

Above: Rosemary as bought

Mitzi on the tow path

Rosemary after caulking and blacking

Letter from South Africa

We had a lovely couple of e-mails from Tony Corrie in South Africa, recounting some of his memories of buying a working narrowboat in the 1967. He bought a wooden motor called Rosmary from Gas Street Basin, Birmigham from a company call A.J Clarke. The boat had it's engine removed when he purchased so his first job with the help of his brother & a friend was to bow haul the boat down to Stourbridge. At Stourbridge the boat was docked and repairs commenced.

In 1968 Tony sold Rosemary on and emigrated to South Africa. Tony enclosed a number of interesting photos which I have posted below. He may be returning to the UK canals in the future and it would be great to have a pint and a chat with him when he does.

Does anyone know any further history regarding Rosemary? It would be good to know if she is still about today.

September 2010 Schedule

Well we are hoping for a nice Indian Summer, but just in case you are wanting to stock up with coal ready for winter our current schedule is as follows:-

Sat 4th Sept: Oakgrove to Marple
Sun 5th Sept: Marple to Whaley Bridge & Bugworth return
Mon 6th Sept: Marple to Oakgrove
Sat 18th Sept: Oakgrove to Marple
Sun 19th Sept: Marple to Whaley Bridge & Bugsworth return
Mon 20th Sept: Marple to Oakgrove
Sat 25th Sept: Oakgrove to Marple
Sun 26th Sept: Marple to Whaley Bridge & Bugsworth return
Mon 27th Sept: Marple to Bosley
Tues 28th - Wed 29th Sept: Bosley to Middlewich
Thurs 30th Sept - Fri 1st Oct: Middlewich to Nantwich to Anderton
Sat 2nd & Sun 3rd October: Acton Bridge Steam Rally, River Weaver

Renaissance Canal Carrying - keeping carrying on the canals

Alton's Pride

Last week Stuart the Landlord of the Fools Nook Inn at Oakgrove had a very special brew on tap & very nice it was too!
Renaissance Canal Carrying - keeping carrying on the canals

IWA National Waterways Festival at Beale Park

Over the August Bank Holiday we attended the IWA Festival at Beale Park near Pangbourne on the River Thames. We had a stall in the craft marquee selling a variety of rope fenders, mooring lines and other boaters supplies. The weather was fairly good on the whole and we had plenty of customers for our supplies and enough custom orders to keep Brian busy for a while.

We had a few good evenings in the beer tent (Enville Ales where in good nick) and it was good to meet old friends and make new ones. It was especially pleasing to see so many loaded working boats tied up at the re-creation of a historic wharf.

We returned back to base on Tuesday and have spent the rest of the week busy unpacking, loading Alton and working on fender orders.

(In the photo:- our stand in the craft marque)
Renaissance Canal Carrying - keeping carrying on the canals

Cheshire Run 24th July - 5th Aug 2010

Well finally we have been able to get back into a routine and we are heading North. See below for our approximate Schedule, but just be aware that due to traffic we may be delayed. For more up to date information just give us a call or text on 07791345004 or see our Twitter feed as Coalboat which we will try and update daily.

Sat 24th July to Sun 25th July - Fools Nook (Macc) to Whaley Bridge
Sun 25th July to Mon 26th July - Whaley Bridge to Congleton
Tues 27th July to Wed 28th July- Congleton, Kidsgrove, Middlewich, Calveley to Nantwich
Wed 28th July to Fri 30th July - Nantwich, Middlewich to Anderton
Sat 31st July to Sun 1st Aug - River Weaver (Dutton, Northwich, Vale Royal, etc)
Mon 2nd July to Thurs 5th Aug - Return from Anderton, via Middlewich to Fools Nook (Macc)

A Very Big Thank You

Both myself & Ann Marie would like to sincerely thank Graham (NB Daphne) & Terry (NB Serendipity) for very kindly operating Alton over the last weekend run (12 & 13 June), their help was much appreciated at this difficult time. We got plenty of reports of their good service & I think they enjoyed themselves even if they did return home a little damp & jaded.

Thanks also to all those many customers, friends & suppliers who passed on such kind messages of support & sympathy. It really is a great help to know that we are in peoples thoughts and prayers.

A final thank you to all those kind people who looked after me when I was boating back to Fools Nook on Sunday single handed, I was inundated with cuppas, beers, cake & even 3 offers to cook my tea. You really are a great bunch!

(In photo: Graham Beard steering Daphne)
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Weekend Run 12th - 13th June

Unfortunately after an 18 month battle against cancer Ann Marie's Mum - Pat, passed away earlier this week. Whilst we are away at the Funeral and spending time with family, our good friends Graham (working boat Daphne) and Terry (NB Serendipity) have offered to operate Alton in our absence. They plan to operate from Fools Nook to Marple today (Saturday), then Marple to Bugsworth & Whaley Bridge on Sunday. Please be patient and go easy on them! If you need to get in touch with them this weekend just call or text Graham on 07811417167.

Finally thank you to all those who sent messages of support, condolances & sympathy. It does help to know we are in peoples thoughts and prayers at this difficult time

Historic Boats at Etruria Festival

Sandbach, Alton, Daphne & Ibex
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Daphne heading south from Harecastle

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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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