Woodend Lock

Paul did a bit of fishing after F1 (oh dear Jenson) and managed to catch a little roach, was all he did catch although there were quite a few "that got away". Seemed every time he had a decent bite another darn boat came by.

Left the mooring around 10 and on getting to Colwich lock, there was a boat just going in and one facing our way on the lock mooring Paul muttered something along the lines of stupid place to moor then it transpired they had hit something under the water and damaged the prop. Had rung around a few marinas and only Streethay were prepared to come out to help. Now they had been sitting there since Saturday and as you have probably guessed they weren't members of RCR. Hate to think what the call out charge will be still the chap did say to Paul that joining RCR was now a priority bit late don't you think!.

Coming into Rugley the power station was on the horizon by the time we left Rugley (after a quick visit to Morrisons) it was more or less next to the canal.

Just past bridge 61 the canal narrows and there is only room for one boat at a time, there is also a BW sign saying to send a crew member ahead to make sure it is clear, how you would manage if you were single handed I don't know, any way off I go sprinting (well not quite) along to see what is coming I asked a passing cyclist if there were any boats coming the opposite way and he said there is but a way off. So I waved Paul on and kept going to the end of the narrows to find 2 boats not that far away, managed to tell the first one there were two boats coming through (in between gasping for breath) "Thanks for letting us know" he says "this is such an awkward spot". Well that is my exercise for the week don't think I will ever be running the marathon!

We hadn't made any plans as to where we may be stopping but we had just passed Kings Bromley Wharf when it became very overcast so on with waterproof anoraks and as we were going through a wooded section it didn't appear to be raining that hard but as we came out into the open again it was lashing down and very windy 2 boats were already moored up and just ahead of us was Woodend Lock and for once lady luck was smiling on us as just before the lock moorings was a nice little stretch of armco just our size so that is where we are now. The rain has just started again with a vengeance. Paul's happy we have the best TV signal ever.

I did put some pictures on this but do you think I could move them to the right place on the blog so I had to delete them don't know whats up with this thing must be the naff signal.

Couldn't resist this.

I know its a bit twee but had to post this picture of our name in the magazine. Well done to Beccy who did the art work while we were at Braunston, following Pauls design so well. She had never drawn piston or spanner before.

This is the view on either side of the canal, at least the Virgin trains are going quite slow here as there are signals close by.

And this is our mooring now, at least Paul has decent tele reception. Waved goodbye to nb Caxton and nb Matilda Rose as they passed us early this morning hope they have found a good spot with decent TV as I know Carol wanted to watch F1.

I do love this plant it reminds me of giant rhubarb such a stunner.

Had a nice meal in the Clifford arms last night it was very busy so we shared a table with a nice couple from Falkirk who had a shared ownership boat spent a pleasant evening with them. They must have left really early this morning as they haven't come past us.

Will spend the rest of the weekend here then move on Monday morning should make Fradley Junction and onto the Coventry.

Great Heywood and we are famous!!!!

This weekend it is the beer festival in Stone so it is going to be very busy glad we managed to get through it before hand. Close by last nights mooring which was at bridge 92 not 90 there was a live band in a pub garden quite loud but at 11pm they finished their set and peace rained again.

Decided to leave early before everyone else (mind you 2 boats went past at 7.30 and that's what I call early) Just ready to set off and 2 boats came along heading the same way as us. So yet again queue at the locks, still at least every one helped each other. At one lock a BW work boat was on the moorings so there was chaos as 3 boats were waiting with only room for one to tie up. An old boat in front of us was having engine trouble so he ran aground. I managed to get onto the towpath via the workboat then Paul tied up to it. The old boat very kindly let us go through before him, must have thought we were in a hurry. At another lock the chap from the boat in front said "your boat is in the magazine" he quickly nipped below to retrieve said magazine while his wife was busy sorting out the lock (this sounds familiar) and sure enough in the August edition of Canal Boat there is a letter about naming a narrow boat and a picture of OUR BOAT NAME. Don't know when it was taken or by whom but this is our five minutes of fame and we are going to milk it.

Carried on to Great Heywood where as to be expected it is very busy we finally found a mooring below the lock only down side is TV is rubbish so you can imagine how Paul is feeling its F1 this weekend so we will be moving to a better place in the morning.

We walked up to the marina to see if they had a Canal Boat mag but no luck there, chap in the shop said we would probably get one in the Spar which we did. Once back at the boat I had a quick reccy the other side of the bridge where there are lots of boats moored but it is open country tow path side as this is where Shugborough Hall is, hopefully there will be a space tomorrow. Back on the boat I was down below reading the magazine when Paul shouted me, there he was chatting to two nice ladies who told him they read our blog. Was nice to meet Carol from nb Caxton and Jill nb Matilda Rose they told us they would be moving on in the morning so hopefully we will be able to nip into one of their spaces.

It is 5.45 now and it is still busy with boats coming down through the lock. Dont know where they will be mooring but I'm sure they will find somewhere even if they travel for a couple more hours. Poor things.

Bridge 90

We were determined not to be caught out by the weather today so before we set off we put our over trousers on and the waterproof jackets were close at hand. Pulled the pins at 9.15 through Barlaston and on to the locks at Meaford and yes you've guessed it there was a queue. We couldn't get onto the lock mooring and there were 2 waiting and two moored boats so we ended up quite a away from the lock, I walked up to help out like you do, there was a hire boat in the lock which seemed to be doing every thing at snails pace, never mind as long as they are safe. At last they were through next boat went in and bugger me before Paul could get onto the lock mooring another boat snuck in. I think he realised we were before him when Paul came along side. After lots of emptying and filling it was our turn by this time I must have done the gate paddles quite a few times but as usual when its our turn we don't get help, the sneaky boat made a very loud comment about Paul's use of the bow thruster saying "if you had a bow thruster you weren't a proper boater" and if you couldn't steer with out one you shouldn't be on a boat. Paul was steaming, he said to me, go really slow they are winding me up.
The lady did come up eventually and helped open the gates to let Paul out, then before we had shut them her husband was opening the paddles to fill up the lock I was lost for words. This is how we carried on for the rest of these 4 locks. At some point the boat in front had overtaken the hire boat so now I was stuck with a novice in front and a know it all behind. So we really had fun at the locks in Stone. Won't bore you with every little detail but at one lock as the hire boat came out (with a boat coming in) he decided to get out his bread and feed the ducks. Why do I get the NUMPTIES.
After leaving Stone we carried on for about another 20 minutes and are now moored up on Armco just before bridge 90.
Oh yes Paul decided to give the camera a trial run this morning, screen was fitted up picture was perfect what could go wrong, well the sun shone for a start so we had glare off the water, then we realised the screen was too far away to pick out any detail (either that or Paul needs new glasses) so the screen has now been moved closer under the sliding hatch, hopefully this will cure one of the problems. As for the glare we are hoping to get some camera filter paper which we think will solve the problem. Failing that it will all have been a complete waste of time but it kept Paul amused and he does like a challenge.
And the weather well it didn't rain in fact it was warm and muggy and I must have lost a few pounds wearing those darn over trousers while doing those locks. Is it any wonder I was getting some strange looks when everyone else was in shorts and sandals me I'm in waterproof trousers and boots, but at least IT DIDN'T RAIN. Now I know if I wear my wet gear it stays dry!!!!!!!

I'm all wet again Mr Mannering!!!!!!

This morning no end of boats went by on their way to the tunnel the first one being a hire boat at 7.45. The chap on the boat moored in front of us was busy removing stuff from the roof so I said to Paul should we do the same "no we will be okay" was the reply oh well we will see I thought to my self. We needed to empty the cassette so pulled onto the mooring BW man came up told us there was no rubbish just elsan so Paul nipped off the boat and promptly tripped over a mooring ring he did go down with a crash. The boat that had been moored in front of us came through and was able to make their way through the tunnel then once Paul was back on board it was our turn. We were told the procedure if we had a problem then under the chains and away we went. Only the two boats in the convoy. New headlight was great and we had our high beam light on as well with me pointing it at the wall so Paul could judge the distance. Now I think I have mentioned before how I hate tunnels but feel I have to keep Paul company on the back and of course I have to hold the torch. We were doing really well and as it was our first time in this tunnel I was was feeling confident, then as some of you probably know the tunnel gets lower and narrower so consequently the solar light in the flower bucket took a knock as did the chimney (only a short one we aren't that stupid) then all of a sudden the side jumped out in front of us as Paul had lost his concentration and we hit it with an almighty crash, we were doing so well keeping in a straight line in the middle of the tunnel but hey ho we were soon back on course the bikes scrapped the wall at one point and I was feeling physically sick but suddenly we could see the light at the end of the tunnel (no pun intended) and we were through. Three boats were waiting hope they managed the journey without mishap. We had only just left the tunnel when it got very black and then the heavens opened luckily we managed to get under a bridge to put on our wetties what is it with this part of the country does it always rain so hard.

At the locks at Etruria there was a queue now there's a surprise, all going down but we did meet a couple of boats coming up while doing the restof the locks so it turned out okay until we got to the bottom lock where there were 4 waiting to go down and 5 coming up that was fine but the lock was so slow in filling and seem to leak rather badly so it took an age to get through. Rest of the journey stayed dry I'm pleased to say and we finally made it to bridge 104 and our mooring for the night got here just a the right time as an hour later this mooring was full.

After I took this 3 more boats came in front of the front boat, we are the third one back. Obviously this is a very popular spot. Now lets hope tomorrow stays DRY if I get wet one more time I might shrink.

While I was writing the blog Paul has been busy sorting out cctv Screen and this is the result. The view is of the boat moored in front of us with the train line in clear view. Obviously when you are looking at the screen it is a lot clearer than a reproduced picture via a camera. So now Paul is just in the process of putting the mounting up which will enable us to take the screen down when we are moored up. WHOSE A CLEVER BOY THEN.

Stayed put.

After being woken in the night to the sound of rain hammering on the roof and getting up to it still pouring down we have decided to stay put till tomorrow. In a break in the weather we walked into Kidsgrove, Paul found the leads he wanted and we went back into Tesco as I had forgotten to top up the phones. Once back on the boat the rain came down again, by now there was plenty of traffic passing heading for the tunnel most of it had come up through the locks on the T & M, a few boats came the other way and turned onto the Macclesfield and everyone looked very wet. So irrespective of the weather tomorrow we are moving on.
Paul says he feels like "Pike" in Dads Army saying "I'm wet again Mr Mannering" hopefully it will be fine and we will stay dry for some of the journey.