Captains Log 1st Leg of the new (Plan B) World Cruise.
Canal date 2nd April 2012
Start Location Dimmingsdale
Finish location Brewood
Miles 10 Locks 4
Time to move on now, I like it at Dimmingsdale, especially on the off side. But we are still on our way north. The weather is dry but cloudy and still rather cold.
We set off at 10.30 for a slow and leisurely cruise. The weather remained OK, cool but mainly dry with just the odd patch of drizzle. Very little traffic about, I found this surprising as it is the Easter week and most schools have broken up now. We stopped at Compton. I bought some odds & sods from the chandlers while Pam went into the village and bought some fresh bread and more importantly a steaming hot bag of fish & chips! After eating our fish & Chip lunch we set off again. We were soon turning left onto the Shropshire Union Canal. The lock as you join has only 6” drop. Hardly worth the effort. The Shroppie is a nice and rural canal. I always like travelling this one. We continued onto Brewood. The moorings are in a cutting and not where we would normally moor but Pam wants to get her feet looked at. I expect that we will try out the Indian restaurant and just possibly a pub while we are here. Well some one has to!
Showing posts with label Shropshire Union. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Shropshire Union. Show all posts
Monday, 2 April 2012
Sunday, 4 September 2011
Middlewich Branch to Aulem
Captains Log
Canal Date 04 September 2011
Travels 13 1/2 miles, 4 locks
Current Location Audlem -- Shropshire Union Canal
Thursday 1 September 2011
A nice sunny morning. We decided to stay here a bit longer, it is a nice quiet spot. After breakfast we and re-varnished lounge/dinning area. The varnish stinks vile now so we took the dog for a walk across the fields. What a supprise, we ended up at a pub, we soon decided that although we had not long had lunch, it was time for an early dinner. The food was very good indeed, especially as it was from the 2 for a tenner menu. We walked back to the boat. By this time the varnish was touch dry and much of the odour had gone.
Friday, 2 September 2011 Church Minshull
We spent a few hours replacing all the fittings and fixtures we removed yesterday, it took us much longer to put things back than it did to remove them. After latish lunch we set of to find new moorings for the weekend. We were aiming for a small village called Church Minshull, only about 2 miles along the canal. We stopped and moored up at the visitor moorings. Just as we had finished mooring up, a passing boat told us that the moorings are much nice 200 yards further on. So once again we set off in search of the better mooring site. It was worth the effort, canal is elevated above the surrounding countryside and the views are epic. It is still nice and quiet. The tow path is not used as much as most areas. A good spot indeed!
Saturday, 03 September 2011 Church Minshull
This is a nice canal, it is much quieter than I expected. It travels almost entirely through rural farming country. This location does have superb views but it suffers from the Shropshire union disease. There is a shelf below the water line. This caused two problems.
1- you can not get right into the bank,
2 - you can not get fenders down to the shelf so every time another boat passes we bang against the shelf causing a loud nd anoying crashing noise.
With these views it is a small price to pay.
We went for a walk to the village, the church is a fine building and looks far too prosperous for such a small village. It is a large and very well kept building, we were made very welcome when we looked inside. We then went next door to the other village essentials, the pub. This has not long re-opened after many years of being boarded up. It is very nice and up market as one may expect from this type of village. The food and service were second to none, but that is reflected in the prices.
When we returned to the boat, there were boats everywhere. We no longer have the luxury of having the bank to ourselves!
Sunday, 04 September 2011 Church Minshull to Audlem
Miles --- 13 1/2 Locks --- 4
We set off at 10.30 and was soon at the first lock. There was a queue of 5 boats in front of us. About an hour later we were through the lock and heading for the next, about 1 ½ miles away. I went nice and slowly so that any backlog would clear before we arrived at the lock. It almost worked. There was only one boat in front of us. After clearing that lock we were soon at Barbridge Junction where the Middlewich branch joins up with the main Shropshire union canal. It made a very pleasant change to travel mainly lock free, very different from out last few days of travel. The weather stayed dry and sunny but it does go cool when the sun goes in. There is still a lot of traffic on the canal, I do hope that it quietens down now the brats (Children?) are back in school. We made it to our arrival point, just before Audlem. It is the same place as we were last year, over the top of the river weaver. A nice spot indeed.
Canal Date 04 September 2011
Travels 13 1/2 miles, 4 locks
Current Location Audlem -- Shropshire Union Canal
They say that you have not fully given up smoking untill you can not remeber when you last had a cigarette. It that rule applies across the board then I have given up falling in as I can not remember when the last time was
Thursday 1 September 2011
A nice sunny morning. We decided to stay here a bit longer, it is a nice quiet spot. After breakfast we and re-varnished lounge/dinning area. The varnish stinks vile now so we took the dog for a walk across the fields. What a supprise, we ended up at a pub, we soon decided that although we had not long had lunch, it was time for an early dinner. The food was very good indeed, especially as it was from the 2 for a tenner menu. We walked back to the boat. By this time the varnish was touch dry and much of the odour had gone.
Friday, 2 September 2011 Church Minshull
We spent a few hours replacing all the fittings and fixtures we removed yesterday, it took us much longer to put things back than it did to remove them. After latish lunch we set of to find new moorings for the weekend. We were aiming for a small village called Church Minshull, only about 2 miles along the canal. We stopped and moored up at the visitor moorings. Just as we had finished mooring up, a passing boat told us that the moorings are much nice 200 yards further on. So once again we set off in search of the better mooring site. It was worth the effort, canal is elevated above the surrounding countryside and the views are epic. It is still nice and quiet. The tow path is not used as much as most areas. A good spot indeed!
Saturday, 03 September 2011 Church Minshull
This is a nice canal, it is much quieter than I expected. It travels almost entirely through rural farming country. This location does have superb views but it suffers from the Shropshire union disease. There is a shelf below the water line. This caused two problems.
1- you can not get right into the bank,
2 - you can not get fenders down to the shelf so every time another boat passes we bang against the shelf causing a loud nd anoying crashing noise.
With these views it is a small price to pay.
We went for a walk to the village, the church is a fine building and looks far too prosperous for such a small village. It is a large and very well kept building, we were made very welcome when we looked inside. We then went next door to the other village essentials, the pub. This has not long re-opened after many years of being boarded up. It is very nice and up market as one may expect from this type of village. The food and service were second to none, but that is reflected in the prices.
When we returned to the boat, there were boats everywhere. We no longer have the luxury of having the bank to ourselves!
Sunday, 04 September 2011 Church Minshull to Audlem
Miles --- 13 1/2 Locks --- 4
We set off at 10.30 and was soon at the first lock. There was a queue of 5 boats in front of us. About an hour later we were through the lock and heading for the next, about 1 ½ miles away. I went nice and slowly so that any backlog would clear before we arrived at the lock. It almost worked. There was only one boat in front of us. After clearing that lock we were soon at Barbridge Junction where the Middlewich branch joins up with the main Shropshire union canal. It made a very pleasant change to travel mainly lock free, very different from out last few days of travel. The weather stayed dry and sunny but it does go cool when the sun goes in. There is still a lot of traffic on the canal, I do hope that it quietens down now the brats (Children?) are back in school. We made it to our arrival point, just before Audlem. It is the same place as we were last year, over the top of the river weaver. A nice spot indeed.
Wednesday, 23 February 2011
22 Locks & 3 different canals in one day.
Captains Log
Canal Date 23rd February 2011
Travels 10 miles
22 Locks
Current Location Billbrook (North of Wolverhampton)
We left BCLM later than planned, 11.00 - I could not make my mind up, was the weather going to get better or was it going to rain. We went for it, it is not going to rain on us is it?
I hoped we would get as far a Brewood tonight. We set off in cold but dry grey morning, Just as I said the weather was improving, it soon started to rain, slowly at first but soon it was raining proper rain. On route we asked a dog walker where the nearest shop was that may sell bread. She gave us specific directions. When Pam got there it was not a shop but a large factory bakery. Pam walked in and knocked on office door, they took her into the factory to pick her own loaf. You can’t get fresher than that!
We made the top of the Wolverhampton 21 flight by 1.pm the rain had stopped, we were a bit damp! We stopped to eat some baked spuds - very tasty and warming. Many of the locks were set in our favour, but some were against us with the bottom gates wide open. We only saw one boat on the move today, it was "Roach" the coal boat fully laden an low in the water. It took us 3 1/2 hours to complete the flight, by the time we completed the flight is was dusk. We carried on looking for a suitable mooring site, why is it that when you are running out of daylight and looking for moorings all you can see are council estates with graffiti everywhere, we continued on and ran out of daylight before eventually finding somewhere in total darkness. We have travelled on 3 canals today The BCN, the Staffs & Worcester and The Shropshire Union.
Not bad for 1 day.
Canal Date 23rd February 2011
Travels 10 miles
22 Locks
Current Location Billbrook (North of Wolverhampton)
We left BCLM later than planned, 11.00 - I could not make my mind up, was the weather going to get better or was it going to rain. We went for it, it is not going to rain on us is it?
I hoped we would get as far a Brewood tonight. We set off in cold but dry grey morning, Just as I said the weather was improving, it soon started to rain, slowly at first but soon it was raining proper rain. On route we asked a dog walker where the nearest shop was that may sell bread. She gave us specific directions. When Pam got there it was not a shop but a large factory bakery. Pam walked in and knocked on office door, they took her into the factory to pick her own loaf. You can’t get fresher than that!
We made the top of the Wolverhampton 21 flight by 1.pm the rain had stopped, we were a bit damp! We stopped to eat some baked spuds - very tasty and warming. Many of the locks were set in our favour, but some were against us with the bottom gates wide open. We only saw one boat on the move today, it was "Roach" the coal boat fully laden an low in the water. It took us 3 1/2 hours to complete the flight, by the time we completed the flight is was dusk. We carried on looking for a suitable mooring site, why is it that when you are running out of daylight and looking for moorings all you can see are council estates with graffiti everywhere, we continued on and ran out of daylight before eventually finding somewhere in total darkness. We have travelled on 3 canals today The BCN, the Staffs & Worcester and The Shropshire Union.
Not bad for 1 day.
Monday, 17 May 2010
Market Drayton
Captains Log
Canal Date 17th May 2010
Travels 6 Miles
Locks 5
Current Location Market Drayton
OS Ref SJ 680 346
Why is it that you can find the perfect spot to moor up, no one else about, nice views, everything we like, only to find that although there are a hundred metres of moorings available, someone always wants to moor right next to me? It is the herding instinct built into most of us.
We are now low on important things like cake & puddings do time to move to the local town of Market Drayton.
We came across quite a lot of other boaters today; I think the sunshine brings them out. The other thing to ponder is why can you travel without seeing another boat until you arrive at a bridge hole or a very narrow section of canal? Never at a place where it would be easy to pass!
We have had a quick look at the town. It looks OK, well kept and with shops still selling things, so many towns now only have pound shops charity shops and estate agents.
Whilst in the pub the other night, another boater strongly recommended that we try the food at the Talbot in Market Drayton. What do you know; we are moored up right outside it. Now there’s a stoke of luck! I suppose we will have to try it out tonight.
Captains Log
Canal Date 14th May 2010
Travels 5 Miles (over 2 Days)
Locks 0
Current Location 5 miles South East of Market Drayton
OS Ref SJ 740 272
Moved on from Norbury Junction on the hunt for quieter pastures. We travelled for about 4 miles of lock free canal when disaster struck! The boat veered towards the towpath and the engine stopped. We were right outside a nice country pub serving real ale and home cooked food. As they say in all the best commercials “That will do nicely”
I did manage a few drops of ale and an excellent meal before retiring to bed.
Next morning the boat started and we set off again in search of a nice spot to stay for a few days, where we are is fine but it is just a bit too close to a pub for my wallet!
We travelled over the now famous Shebdon embankment; this is where the canal was breeched last summer causing the closure for many months. Not far past the embankment we came across a nice open and wide stretch of canal. This will do us for a few days. Unfortunately the phone signals of poor and the internet just is not there at all, but it is peaceful and glorious views over rolling farm land.
Captains Log
Canal Date 13th May 2010
Travels 12 1/2 Miles
Locks 1
Current Location Norbury Junction
OS Ref SJ 792 230
We set off earlier than usual today we were moving by 11.00 am, a proper early start.
No real plans other than to do a few hours to charge the batteries and to find a shop for fresh bread and provisions. We soon arrived at Brewood. For some reason, totally beyond my comprehension, it is pronounced “Brood” Is it me or do we have a strange language? We found a mooring and went into the village. A nice and well kept village, not where the average pauper would live!
I know that this may sound a little odd but we walked past 2 nice smelling pubs serving food and ate onboard instead. (I am sure that this state of mind will not last for long)
We continued our journey after lunch; the weather was bright with sunny intervals however when the sun goes behind a cloud the temperature drops dramatically. I went from tee shirt to jacket and back to tee shirt.
There was much more boat traffic than we have been used to, It must be the time of year, the majority of traffic is the hire fleets, we are now on one of the more popular cruising rings.
We eventually arrived at Norbury Junction. This used to be a major junction on the canal, now it is just a name, as all the other canals have gone; there is no junction any more! However all is not lost. There is a pub, so we had to try it out. Yes it worked, the beer was good, and the food was better. Too much for me, I had to leave some of mine.
We shall stay here overnight and move on to a more rural location where we will stay for a few days.
Saturday, 8 May 2010
Heading North
Captains Log
Canal Date 8th May 2010
Travels 4 1/2 Miles
Locks 2
Current Location Bilbrook
OS Ref SJ 888 040
After wandering round
Our first port of call was to be the chandlers about 100yds away to empty the loo tank, only to find that their pump was bust! We have our own pump but there is nowhere for miles to use it.
We continued through the lock and carried on then turned up the
Its lock free sailing for some time from here.
On route we came across our first sighting of new chicks, all yellow and fluffy. The look so cute. Pam would not let me collect any; apparently you do need quite a few to make a decent meal.
We found what looked like an ideal spot to moor up, however even though there was a plied bank and mooring rings we could not get anywhere near to the bank. It is hard to move the boat when there is no water under the hull! We eventually found a concrete edged bank and moored up to that.
Why did B.W. put a ledge under the water making it impossible to get to the bank? I am sure that they have there reasons. Perhaps it is a conspiracy to try to make me fall in yet again. (Strange and wondrous ways)
I expect to remain here for a few days, at least to let the weekend boaters go back to work and free up the canal. Dam traffic!!!!
Captains Log
Canal Date 7th May 2010
Travels 3 1/2 Miles
Locks 2
Current Location
OS Ref SO 883 988
After an extended stay at Dimmingsdale due mainly to us liking it there rather a lot and change of plans i.e. going away with the caravan at Easter, Going to the Falkirk Wheel, and going to
On Thursday, two boats moored up at Dimmingsdale and informed us that there was several more arriving for the weekend. We then decided that it would be best if we were to move before we became boxed in. So off we went, heading north-ish towards our first planned destination – Llangollen. Now as we set off at 5.00pm not exactly at the custom nary “Crack of Dawn” we did not get that far, only as far as the first chip shop in fact. (As they say around here “Its yam Bostin chippie”)
Moving away from Dimmingsdale was both exiting as we have not moved the boat for a few weeks, but also just a little sad. It is an ideal place. It is reasonably secure and the boss (Millie) can run around all day long without getting into trouble. Also it meant that I no longer have access to my petrol gobbling monster – V8 Disco, so it is walking to shops for the next few months!!!
We will stay here overnight before we move away from Wolverhampton and into the quiet backwaters of the
P.S
I have not fallen in the canal at all, not even a little bit, for weeks now. Even the bruises on my legs are almost healed! But I did walk into a barbed wire fence-top and poked a few holes in my head! Oh how I laughed!!!!
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