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Canal 2008

In 2002 we purchased a week on a Narrow boat in April, a lifetime of one weeks holiday a year on a narrow boat. The boat is Shakespeare Classic called Ophelia and is moored at Barton Turn Marina, Burton under Needwood.

We left home at 10.00am the roads were clear, until we got to Marlbourgh 25 minute delay there, and a further 10 minutes at Stow.

King Lear is a very nice boat, different layout in the lounge and galley, and a shower not a bath. Ophelia is not very well, had we not rented King Lear for 2 weeks, we would have been given another boat for our usual week. Someone didn't seal the weed hatch and it has damaged the engine so until her new engine is in place she is out of commission.

We decided last year as we cannot complete a ring in a week, we would rent an additional week and do the Four Counties Ring, we are planning on doing it at leisurely pace and get to see a bit more of the country side.

We set of from Barton Turns about 3.00pm after loading the boat. The River Trent is normal height, a few days ago it was red, chatting to a lady at the lock about the levels, she had gone through here the week before and it was on red, it surprised us that it had drop so much in a few days.

We got to Alrewas at about 4.30pm. We unpacked and got ourselves sorted, we had brought double what we normally do and getting everything stored away took us till 5.30. We had 30 min doze before getting ready for dinner, we went to the George and Dragon where I had steak and Edward had home made steak and ale pie. We are moored by bridge 47, there is a lot of boats moored here today, the pubs in Alrewas have a good name and its a good overnight stop for the start or the end of a weeks holiday.

We have a good Internet connection here, we are using a 3 3G USB modem its a Pay as you go account we are pleased that we have such a good connection and our aerial is giving us reasonable TV the boats aerial is a bit weak.

We did 2 Locks today.

Day one - Friday 28th March

We woke to rain and wind, we had planned on leaving at 9.30, but decided to wait until the worst of the rain had passed over. We left Alrewas after 10.00 and made good progress to Fradley, two moored boats saw us coming out of the second lock and got in front of us, the locks were pretty quick at filling and emptying. A third boat got in front of us at the Coventry Canal junction, so there was a three boat queue through the remaining the locks.

After Fradley we made up time, it was still raining and the wind made it feel cold. By the time we got to Kings Bromley it had brightened up, we stopped for lunch. We had hail in the afternoon, by now we had our wet weather gear on and kept moving. We had intended to get to Great Hayward about 4.00pm, but arrived about 5.30pm we moored up in the same place as last year, near the iron bridge.

We went to the Clifford Arms again, looking forward to a fillet steak and salad, it was great. We sent our compliments to the chef, he came out to have a chat and told us about the ham he does. We told him we would be stopping at Great Haywood on the return trip and would try it then. He went into the kitchen and came out, with couple of thick slices of the ham for us to try for lunch the next day.

Nine locks today so we both felt tired and had an early night.
At Great Haywood the Internet signal strength was zero. Edward used an extension cable and placed the modem next to the window which gave us a weak but useable signal.
We also used our external aerial for the TV, so not only did we surf the net, but we were able to watch NCIS.

Day two - Saturday 29th March

We left Great Hayward about 10.00am, the weather was warm and sunny. The first lock of the day was set in our favour. It was slow going past all the moored boats and it took us an hour to get to Hoo Mill Lock. Here there was a queue, a master locky had told this women, if she is going solo all she needs to do is put the boat on tick over and after the lock is empty the boat will push open the gates for her, only it wasn't working!! I can't see how a master locky would tell her that, it can damage the gates. Then she instructed her crew mate how to open the paddles at the other end and kept the water flow low so as to not splash her boat.

By 12.30 the heavens had opened up and the wind was getting stronger, it was getting colder by the minute. We stopped for lunch just after bridge 84, and sampled the ham, it was very good and the slices were so big, we had some left over to have with the Turkey slices and veg we were having for our meal tonight.

Just as we were getting ready to move on again, a boat passed us at full speed causing our boat to move about a fair bit. We got to Aston Lock at 3.00 and the racer was setting the lock. He turned out to be a continuous cruiser and was actually doing what that women should have done. He had his boat in the entrance to the lock on slow tick over. He empted the lock and opened the gates, the boat went in on its own, I did help with the gates. I noticed he just allowed the paddle to drop, rather than winding it down, naturally he would be the first to complain if he was held up by maintenance work. The racer and I discussed where we were stopping, we were planning on Barlestone, another 8 locks, but as the weather was getting bad decided to stop in Stone. He said the new visitor moorings were open before the next lock. He was hoping to get to Stoke before stopping for the night, as he pulled out of the lock he said if this weather keeps up he may stop at Stone as well.

We got to Stone at 3.30 and pulled over in the new visitor moorings. It is very nice with tarred tow paths and well spaced rings. By now I was feeling cold and shivering, decided I needed to warm myself up with a hot shower and drink, after the shower I felt worn out so had a nap before cooking dinner. It was one our nights for on board eating, having the stove on helped warm us up and the cabin.

Five locks today
Weather Wet and windy
Internet Connection good with the modem on the extension cable in the window.
TV external aerial all the channels.

Day three - Sunday 30th March

I felt shivery yesterday afternoon and evening. Today it seems to have developed in to a tickly cough and cold. Still we pressed on, the weather this morning is sunny and quite mild, made quite a change from the last couple of days. We got through the 8 locks in Stone in about 2 hours, not many boaters about, at 10.00 on a Sunday morning.

We where remarking on the lack of anglers only to round a bend, in Hem Heath, and were presented with perhaps 10 or so all fishing the opposite bank with long rods. We slowed to a crawl and steered fairly close to them so as to not stir up the mud on the far bank.

After a lunch break we moved on to Stoke, the first part is quite depressing with run down buildings, major road junctions and the railway. The last 3 locks are in more pleasant surroundings and a young lad helped with the 4th lock and volunteered to set the last lock for us, then racing of to do it.

There are a lot of new commercial buildings and housing going up between Stoke and Middleport, the old Shelton Steel works has been flattened, what they intend to do with it I am not sure.

We arrived at Westport Lake about 5.00pm, the mooring rings had been placed at an odd pitch which did not suit the length of our boat. Some old salt came over and started to help and advise. He rambled on but did give some useful advice about the tunnel we will be going through tomorrow.

Westport lake is a pleasant mooring, on the east bank is a modern housing development though that is well back from the canal. The west bank is a park with a large lake set in a valley. There were many people about taking advantage of the sunny weather.

Weather was sunny and warm
Fourteen locks today.
The broadband Internet connection, at Westport, is maximum strength.
TV was good

Day four - Monday 31st March

We left our mooring at about 9.45am and arrived at Harecastle Tunnel at about 10.15am. We met the tunnel keeper who described the procedure, it turned out that we would be the first to go through today. He checked the horn and adjusted the search light so it would illuminate the ceiling. The tunnel keeper gave us good description of what we would find and what we should do if there was a fire or the boat broke down. We took on water before we entered the tunnel. We found out the hose had more holes then it should

The tunnel is two miles long, but one could just see the other end if you are coming from the south you don't get to see the other end. After we entered, the entrance is closed off and the extractor fans are turned on, creating quite a draft with a fair amount of noise. It takes a few minutes for ones eyes to adjust after which steering becomes quite easy. We had turned on the interior lights and opened the curtains which helps by illuminating the tunnel alongside the boat.

The tunnel is quite wide as the tow path was removed many years ago. There is about 1 metre of clearance on each side of the boat, so one can go through at normal cruising speed. The tunnel is reasonably high, except a section near the middle it has illuminating paint where it is low. Edward could stand up most of the way but had to duck down in the low section. The atmosphere in the tunnel is cool with slightly earthy smell.

After the tunnel we pressed on and stopped for lunch in Rode Heath at about 2.00pm having gone through 12 locks. We were quite lucky in that many of the locks were set in our favour as there was a number of boats travelling in the opposite direction. Overall we went through 16 locks ending up in Hassal Green for the night. We bought a few supplies at the local shop including some cough medicine.

The canal and countryside is really quite pleasant, being mostly rural. I am coughing better but still feeling rough, trust me to get a cold.

Today was another lovely day, sunny all day, little wind and quite mild, our heavy coats came off in the afternoon.
Sixteen locks today
Broadband connection is 2 bars.

Day five - Tuesday 1st April

The day started out bright, sunny and mild, though the wind was strong. This makes handling the boat difficult as a strong side wind blows the front of the boat round particularly when approaching a lock at slow speed.A strong side wind also makes life difficult when waiting for a lock, either it holds you to the bank making it very difficult to get off or alternatively keeping the boat against the bank so one can get on or off the boat.

Along this stretch of the canal many of the locks are duplicated, that is there are two pairs of locks side by side. At lock 59 while I was getting our lock ready I noticed a single hander approaching from the other direction, well the wind had blown him sideways across the canal. I quickly opened the other pair of lock gates for him so he could steer straight in. He was most appreciative helping with our locks and closing ours when we left.

The country side along this stretch between Hasell Green and Ettily Heath is really nice. We stopped for water and rubbish disposal at Wheelock. A little later we noticed a Calor Gas sign at a boat yard and pulled over, after a lot of bossing about I finally got the rope through a ring they were rather small after a few minutes of trying to do the ropes, a rather surly bloke, dressed in white overalls and wearing breathing apparatus and goggles came out wanting to know what we wanted. He gave me quite a shock dressed like that a bit like in the movies when they are putting you in quarantine, he calmed down when we said needed gas, I think he was in the middle of painting a boat in the shed.

Along this stretch of the canal there is little Armco barrier or rings so if we wanted to stop for lunch we would have to use pins. there was no let up with the wind so we kept going. By 2.30 we passed the Ah Bisto factory and were beaten to Rump Locks by some youngsters who instead of waiting a few minutes for us to arrive, which is normal canal etiquette (and saves water), drained the lock and kept us waiting. At this instance the heavens opened up, the front of the boat was tied up but Edward got soaked holding the stern of the boat to the bank and I got soaked waiting to work the lock.

Just after the lock we noticed there were some rings, so we moored up and had a late lunch (3.00pm). The sun came out as soon as we stopped as always. After a quick lunch, we then carried on to Middlewich and turned onto the Middlewich Branch of the Shropshire Union Canal.

Just after the turn was the last lock of the day, the turn into the Wardle Lock was very tight just enough room for one boat. I helped a boat through the lock and emptied the lock as I was doing the one paddle a lady came out of what was the lock keepers cottage and helped with the lock. She told me all about the area and how she had been on the canals all her live, she had been in this cottage for over 30 years her husband who was a lock keeper, and now he was gone she liked nothing better then helping at the lock. After Edward got into the lock and it was high enough for him to get off the boat he went to open the paddle a bit more and she got very bossy with him, telling him to leave as it was. I explained to him it was broken and she had set it so it would be easy for the next boat to do he was not impressed. Just down from the lock we moored up for the night, for a built up area it was very quite and tranquil.

We both had showers and decided to have a meal onboard as I did not feel like finding a pub with my sniffels and cough.

Weather was windy, sunny and wet.
Fifteen locks today
Our broadband connection is 5 bars.

Day six - Wednesday 2nd April

We had a leisurely start today. We walked to the local Sommerfield supermarket and got a few provisions. We moved off just before 11.00 and simply admired the country side. Much of the canal is straight and quite high up so there are many fine views.

We found a nice spot for lunch at the proper time, compared with yesterday.

Around 3.00pm arrived at Barbridge Junction and moored up for the night. Edward went in search of a pub for the evening meal, it was a long walk along the towpath to the bridge and and then a even more long walk pass the boat to the pub which didnt do food tonight,he continued along the road to another pub and crossed the bridge back to the boat. We decided to eat on board.

Weather was a mixed the wind was not as cold as before.
A quiet uneventful day with only 3 locks.
Our broadband connection is 1 bar, but perfectly usable.

Day seven - Thursday 3rd April

We left Barbridge at about 10.00, the weather was feeling a lot milder then yesterday. There were no locks until the afternoon, the 2 Hack Green Locks were easy to set, could be I am feeling better.

We arrived at the Audlem Locks about 2.30pm, we decided to do the first 4 locks and moor near the Shroppie Fly and attack the rest of the hill in the morning. We had a short walk to the village and went into the local store to get some provisions and asked the lady in the shop where was the best place to eat, she responded the Shroppie Fly. The meal was mediocre, with only a few choices, they hadn’t restocked since the previous busy weekend.

Weather was mild and we had our coats of by lunch time.
Six locks today
The Internet connection was good but would only connect at 53.6k, which made it unusable.

Day eight - Friday 4th April

Today was sunny and mild from the start which was nice as we had 21 locks to tackle today. Straight away we climbed the remaining 11 locks out of Audlem. Fortunately a boat had come down the locks earlier so all the locks were set in our favour. All the locks were in good condition so were relatively easy to operate, but they involve a lot of walking as there is no crossover bridges at the deep end.

Having got to the top we continued for 20 minutes on the level then climbed the 5 Adderley Locks. Again they were in our favour. We took on water and some diesel at Market Drayton then moved on. The first two Tyrley locks were difficult to enter with alot of cross current. All 5 locks were set against us which meant we had to empty them and open the bottom gates. I got Edward to set the 3rd lock. While he was doing that I decided to steer out of the 2nd lock, but got into trouble once out of the lock as I couldn’t shut the gate without getting off. I waited for Edward to come back and I then steered the boat through the 3rd lock with Edward instructing me. Edward then set the remaining 2 locks and I took the boat through on my own. We moored at Goldstone Wharf and had a really nice meal in the Wharf Tavern.

The weather stayed sunny and mild
Twenty one locks today,
Internet connection was the same as yesterday, strong but unusable.

Day nine - Saturday 5th April

The canal to Wheaton Aston is marked by several high embankments and aqueducts from which one gets fine views over the countryside. Progress is slowed by permanently moored boats, around Shebdon and Norbury Junction. Four years ago Norbury was empty of boats but today its full of boats and instead of an hour to get through it took a lot longer, even Gnosall Heath was full of boats.

The weather was steadily getting worse so we stopped for lunch at Gnosall and headed on to Wheaton Aston for the night. We had a meal at the Hartley Arms.

Today started cold and overcast and got worst by the end of the day.
No Locks today.
Internet connection good.

Day ten - Sunday 6th April

We woke up to 50mm of snow, though it was sunny most of the day. The snow soon melted. The wind was cold, particularly in the morning, though the wind tended to be behind us taking the edge off it slightly. An uneventful day, again progress was slowed by permanently moored boats. The various cuts, such Lapley Wood, were particularly attractive with the sun highlighting the snow in the overhanging trees.

We had a pump out at Autherley Junction, they were doing something to their electrics so we had lunch by which time the electric was on and the pump out finished its like a big vacuam cleaner, We went through the smallest lock and continued through the Peneford Rockin Narrows where a boat had come loose from its moorings and one boater was getting annoyed as we passed so we stopped to help him make it secure, we continued on our way pass the chemical works and on to Coven. We had a Sunday roast at the Fox and Anchor at Coven the service was not as good as before rather slow and the meal had been left to stand under hot lights, we knew this has the chef had left not long after we had ordered.

The weather was mixed again no rain a bit of snow, it could have been comming of the trees.
Two locks today.
Internet connection good

Day eleven - Monday 7th April

Again it has been sunny all day, though the headwinds combined with the boat speed probably made it feel colder than it was. The canal meanders to Penkridge where we had lunch. Just prior to our arrival there the U-boat holding the front buffer broke going into the lock to fast. We pinched a U-bolt from the anchor chain to fix it. We took on water at Penkridge then moved on I noticed a Shakespear boat had moored at the lock mooring while they went off to sightsee their front buffer was in need of repair.

After Acton Trussell the canal takes a long sweeping curve with nice views in all directions. We should have moored there just before lock 42, but pressed on. After Baswich the canal is somewhat depressing following the railway line and crosses a potential flood plain.

From Milford the scenery picks up, by now it had started to rain with some sleet so we decided to moor at Tixall Wide. Here the canal becomes a small lake with nice views.

Weather cold wind, sunny with sleet late afternoon
Eleven locks today.
Internet connection good.

Day twelve - Tuesday 8th April

The day started sunny and mild but got colder later on. We had a lie in and left about 10.45 making good progress to Rugeley. Edward went to Morrisons for a few supplies, just missing a down pour. He returned at the tail end and didn't get too wet. We had lunch and set off in bright sunny conditions.

We moored at the high end Fradley, there was only just room so the front of the boat was against Armco barrier and the stern was off the bank about 1 metre because of a ledge. We used both pins to hold the stern in place.

Weather sunny with showers
Three locks today.
Internet connection good.

Day thirteen - Wednesday 9th April

The last full day started off sunny and mild and remained so all day except around 2.00 when it rained briefly.

We left at 10.30 and got thru Fradley locks quite quickly, including taking on water, as a several boats were going thru in the opposite direction I visited the British Waterways shop and got a little wooden narrow boat.

We arrived at Alrewas about 12.45 and had an extended lunch. We set off about 2.30pm and arrived at Barton Turns 3.45pm. Just before 4.30 Donna came over to make sure we had gas and to see how we had got on particularly, as we have had the best of the British weather could throw at us, we enjoyed it and may do another two weeks in the future.

Weather sunny and mild as always on our last day.
Nine locks today.
Internet connection patchy and slow.