Coole Pilate

So after a week of relaxation, well doing maintenance tasks, today Saturday 26/5. was the day the crew returned to the boat. I winded in the entrance to Kings Orchard Marina and took the boat the short distance back to Huddlesford Junction where I winded again and took up a mooring close to the Plough PH. Not long after securing the boat the crew arrived and we had a spot of lunch in the pub. Then it was back to the boat for the short journey to Fradley. The moorings at Fradley are generally busy and we were lucky to find one spot vacant. The mooring area is tree lined and having moored here several times previously we know the one solitary spot where it is just possible to line up the satellite dish. Unfortunately we were not in that spot so there would be no telly that night. One last throw of the dice was to link the sky box to my phone hotspot and see what happened. Success, we had access to the on demand services and it later transpired that an evening of streaming tv only used 2.5 gigabytes of data allowance. After securing the boat we wandered off to the cafe close to the junction with four legs and had an ice cream each. Four legs ate his tub of vanilla ice cream really quickly and then thought he could have a lick of ours. He was wrong. The next day we set off early, well for us it was and passed through the swing bridge before turning left onto the Trent and Mersey Canal. We navigated three locks meeting a volunteer at the last, Wood End Lock.  

Trent and Mersey ahead    

Looking back at Fradley Junction

  Passing through Armitage famous for its toilets, we navigated the narrow ex tunnel which is now missing its roof. The crew hopped off the boat here to stop any oncoming traffic as this narrow is single way working only. Shortly afterwards we arrived at Rugeley and took a mooring near bridge 66. This was only to be a short stop to allow the crew to replenish supplies at the adjacent Tesco store. Next stop was to be Taft Bridge 69 by the pig farm and diesel barge. We found a spot on a solitary stretch of piling just long enough for one boat, so no neighbours. Monday 28/5. Our destination was Stafford Boat Club. We were not going to stay at the boat club moorings as previously, but we do know there is nice mooring just beyond Hazlestrine bridge by the club. First we navigated the two miles and two locks to Great Haywood Junction. We stopped for water then made our turn from the Trent and Mersey onto the the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal. It was close to lunch and so we moored for a short period at Tixall Wide. After lunch we continued the remaining six miles and one lock to our chosen spot.   

   

Mooring Hazlestrine Bridge

  Tuesday 29/5. Would be a more gruelling day. Eleven miles and eleven locks would be the tally, and a lot of the journey would also include close proximity to the M6 motorway. We passed through Penkridge with its Midland Chandlers store situated right next to the canal, rather like placing sweets next to the checkout. We got through wallet intact. Just prior to Gailey near Boggs Lock we stopped briefly for lunch. Then in the afternoon continued on towards Coven our intended mooring spot. First we had to navigate a stretch of canal which passes by a chemical works. Warning signs are in abundance prohibiting any stopping or waiting for any reason. Holding our breath we passed to two to three hundred yards of unspecified hazard before arriving at the Hatherton Branch. One more mile and we moored for the night just beyond bridge 74, Moat House Bridge. Wednesday 30/5.  We travelled four miles to Autherley Junction navigating a very narrow cutting without meeting any opposing boats. We turned right onto the Shropshire Union and passed through Autherley stop lock. It was about now that the rain came so we took the opportunity to stop and fill with water waiting for the shower to pass. More ominous were the forecast thunderstorms that were impending, and we wanted to settled before they arrived. Initially we were aiming for the village of Brewood, but settled for a mooring between bridges 7 and 8. Thursday 31/5. No thunder or lightning came during the night, although we did think we heard the odd rumble in the distance. The forecast was similar, thunderstorms later in the day, but no rain before 2pm. Well the Met Office got that wrong. Literally within a minute of casting off the drizzle started. Fortunately it only lasted for a couple of miles and once beyond Brewood it stopped. At Wheaton Aston we pulled in to Turners Garage for diesel. Reportedly the cheapest on the entire canal network. Not sure about that but at 68.9 per litre we filled the tank to the brim. After that we trundled on until arriving at Norbury Junction. Here we moored within the five day section then wandered off to the Junction Inn for lunch. I had the steak and ale pie and it was huge. We later found out they do half a pie for lunch and this would have been plenty. We had planned to stay put for a day, but then we heard on the towpath telegraph about a stoppage at Audlem Locks. 

   

Views for side hatch Norbury Junction

Friday 1/6. We took four legs for a walk back to the village of Gnosall,  little over two miles away. As we had passed through the other day we had seen a nice pub and wanted to check it out. The Navigation PH is dog friendly and the food was very good. The walk between Gnosall and Norbury takes you along the Shelmore Embankment, and the towpath is excellent for walking. Later in the evening the thunderstorms arrived. We had some torrential rain as the storms skirted around us, but an hour or so later it was all over. Saturday 2/6. The notice came through that Audlem Locks were open again, so we set off for Market Drayton. We had eleven miles to travel which included the five locks at Tyrley, and the very narrow and dank in places Woodseaves cutting. We also knew that friends of ours on Barolo No.3 were also at Market Drayton. We arrived just after lunch and then in the evening went with our friends to the Red Lion PH. This was my first visit here and they have a fine selection of ales. The food is also of a high quality and I can recommend the lamb shanks. On return to the boat we spotted this.

Cygnets getting a ride

  Sunday 3/6. We set off for a favourite location of ours just below Adderley Locks. If we were really lucky we would have it to ourselves. The weather was glorious and we had completed the four miles and five locks prior to lunchtime. At the top of the flight is a farm shop and there is a stall by the canal selling pies and cakes etc. Inside the fridge were some homemade pork pies, so a few purchases were made.

   

Mooring below Adderley Locks

A couple of years ago the crew spotted some otters in the early morning playing with a fish they had caught. No such luck on this occasion but the setting is perfect. Monday 4/6. Ahead of us were the fifteen Locks of the Audlem flight. The crew was going to be busy. As we passed a boat moored by the top lock we were told no boats had come up today. This meant that possibly all the locks would be against us. As we passed through Lock four we could see the repair that had been carried out a few days earlier. It seems a boat either broke or lifted out the heavy beam with the cast plate that protects the cill. It does not look much but it required some heavy lifting gear and substantial wedges hammering in to fix it.

  

Cill buffer beam

We moored at the bottom of the flight on pins and for the first time on this journey we encountered the 'shroppie shelf', a concrete shelf hidden below the water line that grinds on the hull every time another boat passes. Tuesday 5/6. We set off the short distance to Overwater Marina for services then took a pontoon mooring whilst we visited the cafe for brunch. I had some very tasty cheese oatcakes before departing for the moorings at Coole Pilate about a mile away. These moorings are a lovely setting but also have picnic tables and barbecues. The towpath is wide and grassy and will allow me to finish weatherproofing our boat plank and poles.

Mooring at Coole Pilate

We will spend a couple of days here before heading for Nantwich and an appointment with a dentist.

• Totals Saturday 26/5. 5 Miles
•           Sunday 27/5. 9 Miles 3 Locks
•           Monday 28/5. 8 Miles 3 Locks
•           Tuesday 29/5.11 Miles 11 Locks
•           Wednesday 30/5. 7 Miles 1 Lock
•           Thursday 31/5. 11 Miles 1 Lock 1 Tunnel 
•           Saturday 2/6. 11 Miles 5 Locks
•           Sunday 3/6. 4 Miles 5 Locks
•           Monday 4/6. 4 Miles 15 Locks
•           Tuesday 5/6. 2 Miles
•           Running total 197 Miles 76 Locks 6 Tunnels

 

Audlem

Yesterday afternoon back at the boat, we heard someone knocking on our roof. It was the crew of nb Sarah Kay, another Hudson boat that was actually at the Crick Boat Show, along side us in 2014. As both boats are a similar age it was great to be able to discuss service and maintenance tips. It was also a good excuse to visit the Shroppie Fly P.H. for an evening drink.

This morning we were up with the lark and underway by 8 am. Nb Sarah Kay had got away even earlier. There was a fairly heavy mist hanging over the canal. 

       

       

Today we were planning a short 1 mile journey to the pound between locks 3 and 2. We found ourselves following another boat closely up the flight, meaning all the locks should have been set against us. The lady on the boat ahead however very helpful, lifting a paddle on the bottom gate as they exited their lock meaning it emptied for us by the time we got to it. We arrived at our destination  two hours after setting off, just as another boat was departing. We had timed it to perfection, by lunchtime the pound was full of moored boats. 

After lunch we walked up to the top lock, and the canal side cake stall that we knew was there. I chose raspberry and almond slices, whilst the crew opted for melt in the mouth shortbread biscuits.

Two boats ahead of us was nb Spirit of the Wind. We have played leap frog with the crew over several months. Today we had tastings of boat brewed elderflower wine and sloe gin in the afternoon sun.

The day has remained fine with a clear sky, which will hopefully help in viewing the Perseids Meteor shower tonight. The sky will be quite dark where we are so hopefully it will be a good show.

       

       

We will stay put for a day or two depending on the weather, which is reported to get a bit rough on Friday. Our next destination will probably be Market Drayton due to the need for services.

Totals 1 Mile 9 Locks

Running total 409 Miles 201 Locks 17 Tunnels

Audlem

Yesterday I got very closely acquainted with the hot oily green thing at the back of the boat. It was engine service day, fortunately it went without hiccup. The engine has now run just over 500 hours since new, and we have been retired and living afloat for a year.

This morning the weather was changeable, but we had used up our 48 hours at Hack Green. It was a shame to leave as it is a nice spot. Today we were aiming for Audlem. There is a flight of fifteen locks there, but we were planning to stop by the village which is only four locks up the flight. The rain came just as we approached the bottom lock, however it was only a passing shower. We ascended the four locks and found plenty of mooring space in the pound between locks twelve and eleven. It was just after 12 noon which is a good time to arrive at your end destination, especially if it is a popular spot. Late enough that most will have moved off after their breakfast, but too early for most to be stopping for the night. Lunch was had at the 'Shroppie Fly' then into the village to visit the co-op. Last time we were here in Audlem, I was cheated out of a chicken kebab takeaway as we had a small leak to deal with. So I intend to make up for it this time. We plan to stay here today and tomorrow, then aim for another of our favourite spots at the bottom of the Adderley locks.

       

                                            Mooring in the pound between locks 12 and 11 at Audlem.

Totals 3 Miles 4 Locks 

Running total 408 Miles 192 Locks 17 Tunnels

Audlem/Overwater Marina

Yesterday we had a plan. After spending an extra couple of days at the foot of the Adderley flight due to it being a picturesque and peaceful setting, it was time for us to leave. The plan was to descend 11 of the 15 locks at Audlem then stop for a day or two. 

       

The picture above was the moment we passed from Shropshire into Cheshire and at this point all was well. At least we have reached the right county for our wedding date, it has only taken three months so far. We continued descending the flight, passing an example of a barrelled roof building, historically used by carpenters, stonemasons and blacksmiths maintaining the locks.

      

You can just make out the number on the balance beam, number ten only, one more to go today, or so we thought. After the next lock we moored in the sunshine, and were ideally placed for trips into the village of Audlem. I was particularly looking forward to my tea. I was going to have a chicken kebab from the village takeaway, something I have not had for nearly a year.

After securing everything away, and in preparation of a relaxing afternoon the crew drew to my attention a wet floor in the shower room. Further examination revealed that it was not the case, that I had splashed around excessively having a morning shower, but that we had a leak. It was a simple to reach joint in the plastic push fit plumbing that was seeping, but the system pressured by the water pump meant that a significant amount of water was collecting on the floor. Rather than the old fashioned brass compression fittings that could simply be tightened with a spanner or two, this new fangled push fit stuff requires a special key to unlock. A special key that I do not have in my toolbox. So with the system depressurised, we had no water, no toilet flush and a wet shower room. A few phone calls later and the staff at Overwater Marina informed us, if we got to them they would fix the problem. 

We set off once more. Goodbye to our nice sunny spot at Audlem, but more importantly goodbye to my chicken kebab.

We passed the famous 'Shroppie Fly' P.H. which was historically a wharf and warehouse. The old crane still present at the front.

     

Inside the bar is shaped like the bow of a narrowboat. We have eaten here a couple of times and it is also dog friendly. The ' fly ' relates to the so called fly boats, that used to travel the 80 miles from Ellesmere Port to Birmingham in a little over 24 hours. They used to travel day and night and required a regular change of horses. The fly boats were used to transport perishable goods so needed to operate to a strict timetable. Only three more locks and about half a mile to cruise before we arrived at Overwater. We had been directed to a berth and good to their word, a couple of hours later the leak was fixed. It took about 5 minutes with the correct tools, so a HEP2O key is now on my shopping list.

Overwater Marina is a bit larger than our spot at Yelvertoft, but the layout is nice with islands in the centre which breaks up the boat park look. It also has a good set of services including a cafe and won Marina of the year 2015. Due to forecast rain over the weekend we have booked to stay here till Monday.

      

The furry crew member was not too impressed at having to do 15 locks instead of the planned 11 and thought that if he stared long enough he would get the comfy seat. He was wrong.

Totals 3 Miles 15 Locks

Running total 268 Miles 126 Locks 11 Tunnels