A little ps

Just a little post script for those avid readers of our blog who are wondering what happened to Tomotina. She has done so very well and has received many favourable comments from passers  by. However,  she was so laden with tomatoes that two of her branches nearly broke off. She was splinted and supported and has been giving us a steady flow of ripe fruit for weeks. She will return to Chichester with us so we can continue to enjoy her harvest.

Percy pepper plant is looking very healthy and will also return home. Lots of baby peppers on him but we haven't picked any yet!

Percy Pepper Plant

A little pepper

Bye bye for now.

We may blog on our cruise, if we have time. If not we'll be back in touch in September

Our last summer cruising day

Having moored at one of our favourite places just outside Braunston the previous evening, next to a ripe corn field and being disappointed with the weather forecast of evening sun, which didn't happen, we were delighted to get a mooring tonight at yet another of our favourite moorings on the Oxford Canal. The sun was shining,  the chairs came out and so did the bbq. Tonight we had a lovely view over fields of barley, had some barbecued buffalo burgers and some tesco sausages, a couple of much deserved, glasses of vino and then,  the clouds built, the skies darkened and rain threatened so a rapid clear up took place and we decamped into Hunters Moon.

Approaching Braunston

Monday's view across the corn fields

Tuesday's view across the fields of barley

BBQ in the sun

but

look at the clouds building! 

Earlier we had ascended the Napton flight in the slowest time ever. We were following a boat trailing another 'sort of boat' (apparently the children's accommodation ), and they were very, very slow entering each of the nine locks! Tedious! It took just under 3 hours . So we thoroughly deserved our glass of wine, or two!

Lovely to see some warn sunshine and a lovely end to our summer cruising.

We go back into Fenny Marina for August when we are helping with Emily's school holiday cover, we have family to catch up with and a string of jobs we hope to get done around the house and garden. Also, this year, we are going on our Baltic Cruise in a bug boat,  not Hunters Moon,  so won't be starting our autumn cruising until mid September.

Not sure yet where we will head, maybe a Thames trip!

More of the same!

Rain seems to be following us at the moment.  We thought we had got away with it on Sunday but the skies opened during the morning and poor old Sid got soaked, again. Jenny stayed dry because, for once she did what she was told a went below as instructed!

We did manage to moor in the dry however, just below Hillmorton locks but it was not long before the rain fell again and continued most of the night.

The next morning, guess what, it was raining again and continued through the first two of the three locks. Our journey towards Braunston was damp and cold .Contemplating a fire! July!!!!

Spotted these two on the towpath at Hawkesbury Junction

Back to Hawkesbury Junction

We left Fradley Junction on Friday morning with a stiff westerly breeze blowing, but it was dry! Our intention was to get as far as possible along the Coventry Canal . We took a brief stop at Fazeley Junction to use the Elsan disposal then had a quick lunch break before heading through Glascote Locks, where there was yet another queue! It seemed to take ages to get through these two slow filling locks!

Wet Atherstone Flight

Trying to show the windy conditions along the Coventry canal

The wind was getting stronger and conditions were quite challenging.but chugged on. We thought Polesworth might be journeys end for today but we pressed on, past the 'poppyfield' mooring, one of our favourites and decided to get through the first two locks of the Atherstone flight which would give us a good start for tomorrow.  HOWEVER, best laid plans, Jenny was just preparing the first lock and the skies opened!  We just couldn't believe it. Driving rain in the strong wind then set in and by the time we moored above lock 10 we were WET.

Heavy rain and wind continued throughout the evening and might.  Miserable!

The sun was shining early on Saturday so we left our morning just after 08.10, very early for us!  Guess what?  There was a three boat queue at Lock 9 and the pound was very low. The working boat that was at the front of the queue had a deep draft andneeded some extra water to get him through. Water was let down from lock 8 and he was underway.  After this early blip we ascended the flight with the help of some  CRT volunteers at locks 3, 4 and then top lock.

Our next stop was at good ol' Springwood Haven Marina for fuel, and to catch up with old friends.  We then continued on our way towards Hawkesbury Junction.  With ten minutes to go before we planned to moor the skies opened again. By the time we eventually moored at a very busy Hawkesbury we were WET! Does this sound familiar?

Cheery Honeysuckle

Steady Progress

We have had a couple of uneventful days making progress southward.  From Stone we made our way to Great Haywood thus completing the Four Counties Ring and from Great Haywood we had a fairly long day ( for us) and arrived at a very busy Fradley Junction.

Summer seems to have disappeared at present with a distinct chill in the air today with a brisk westerly wind and heavy rain showers. Not the best of travelling companions and we don't like having to don full waterproofs in July.

Todays view from our kitchen window at Fradley Junction

Wedgwood and beyond

We enjoyed a fascinating morning visiting the famous World of Wedgwood . The factory tour gave us the opportunity to see various procedures in the manufacture of this beautiful pottery and also to talk to employees as they were working.  There was also the chance to have a go at pot throwing! Jenny made a unique item! She is very proud of her first ever attempt!

Willow Sculpture at World of Wedgewood

The Unique Pot!

The facilities at Wedgwood were excellent with a charming tea emporium,  an elegant dining hall and the cleanest and fragrant public toilets we have every come across.

The staff were so helpful and cheerful. A thoroughly good experience.

Since it was another bright and breezy afternoon we left our mooring and made our way towards Stone. The canal still seemed rather quiet and we passed very few boats as we made our way through the locks to Stone. The last of which is outside a well known canal side pub, The Star. The thought of a refreshing beer after a good day was too strong so we took the first mooring we could find past the lock, moored rapidly and walked back the short distance to join the many patrons enjoying the afternoon sunshine.

Stone Boatbuilders

Stone's old Brewery

A good day all round!

Harecastle Tunnel

The sun was shining and 'Heartbreak Hill', the name given to the 26 locks that climb up to the tunnel, was behind us and as we reached the northern portal Jenny was very pleased to see a boat already waiting to go through. Two more boats joined us as we waited about 45 minutes for the boats travelling north to clear the tunnel. And so we entered the dark and very long tunnel! As mentioned bore,  Jenny doesn't like tunnels especially spending 45 minutes in one but this time she had a feeling of protection with a boat in front and two behind. It was quite fumey but uneventful and it was lovely to emerge into the bright sunlight about 40 minutes after entering.

Waiting to go through the tunnel

It'll be all right Jenny, I'll look after you!

Emerging into the sunshine

The Southern Portal

A brief lunch stop followed before chugging through pottery country -  Longport,  Middleport , where the Great British Throwdown was filmed for BBC tv, Etruria and Stoke-on- Trent. With the weather beautiful we carried on to Barlaston , the home of Wedgwood Pottery which we planned to visit the next day.

Middleport Pottery

Stoke-on-Trent

Etruria Industrial Museum

We found a lovely shady mooring where we enjoyed a bbq what the evening cooled. Perfect!

Quiet Sunday on the Trent and Mersey

Having begun our journey south we  were anxious to get ahead of the usual Saturday stampede of hire boaters from Middlewich but had to stop briefly  to stock up on provisions. We made swift progress through the Middlewich Locks only to be halted at Kings Lock by the aroma of fish and chips! We made a quick decision to stop and have a small portion for an early lunch. We then ploughed on with little traffic on the water.  We found a very pleasant mooring and enjoyed a quiet evening.

A damp countryside

We woke to rain yet again but got on our way early. A short stop at Wheelock facilities was followed by the first lock of 'Heartbreak Hill'. Despite every lock, some of them being duplicate locks, being set against us and an unpleasant 'mizzle', we made good progress up towards Hassell Green where we stopped for a quick lunch break. We then pressed on as the skies cleared and a hot sun broke through as we ascended the locks.

At last the sun comes out

During the whole of our ascent only  6 boats passed us going down.  Where is everybody?  Middlewich had been manic, apparently the Llangollen Canal was rammed with hire boats and we had found the Shroppie very busy!  Today the canal was all but deserted.

We managed 20 locks before our steam ran out and we moored on a busy towpath at Church Lawton,  just 6 locks short of Harecastle Tunnel.

Guess what we are going through tomorrow? 2926 yards! Jenny doesn't like tunnels!

Anderton Boat Lift - Going Up!

We enjoyed a good morning with a trip around the Boat Lift Exhibition followed by a hearty breakfast. We were booked on the 1.40pm  lift, which would take us back up to the Trent and Mersey. Another thrilling experience and this time we were all on our own. Sid had a but of a wobble as we neared the top, it is a bit daunting to be 54 feet up in  the air on the transom with nothing behind you!

Approaching The Lift

View form the transom as we go up.

It is very high!

River Weaver from the Lift

Ever helpful staff once again saw us safely out of the caisson, into the holding tank and across the aquaduct and back onto the canal.

Now back to Middlewich and upwards to the Harecastle Tunnel, heading south and homeward.

Anderton Boat Lift - Going Down!

What an amazing experience, to descend 54 feet on a narrowboat from the Trent and Mersey to the River Weaver. The Boat Lift built in 1875  and designed by Edwin Clark and converted to electric power in 1909 is one of the 'Seven Wonders of  the Waterways'. It lifts and lowers boats in two water filled caissons each able to hold two narrowboats.  We have to thank the Heritage Lottery for funding it's restoration having fallen out of use and in disrepair for close on 20 years. It reopened in 2002 and is now a major visitor attraction in the area.

Sid conquered his fear of heights to thoroughly enjoy the experience and wonder at the magnificent engineering of the Victorian age.

Anderton Boat Lift

We went on a little bimble on the River Weaver before mooring for the night.

Middlewich

The sun is shining and we are feeling much happier after our two very soggy days. As we were chugging along we noticed some activity up ahead on the off side. An heroic boater had spied a very young calf in the water that was unable to climb out. The boater had temporarily moored his boat and raced back to haul the calf out and the anxious mum let him. I am sure she was very grateful! We had to admire his quick action to save the poor beast.

Bedraggled calf reunited with it's mum!

Another queue greeted us at our first lock today but since the sun was shining and with a jovial atmosphere amongst fellow boaters the time soon passed. However,  a rumour was travelling that there was a problem down in Middlewich at the locks. Apparently 'they', whoever they might be, we're draining ' big lock'! The folk on the boat in front of us immediately got on their mobile to CRT only to be told that as far as they were concerned there were no seduced works taking place nor any emergencies on the Middlewich Locks. We had already planned to stop before the locks in order to pop into Kings Lock Chandlery in search of 'the socket' and to do some shopping. We would then have a stroll along the canal to see what the problem was.

Hunters Moon emerging from the 100yd long Wardle Canal onto the Trent and Mersey

Firstly, Sid found his socket so he is a happy chappy. Secondly, we found the boat jam above the 3 Middlewich locks! Apparently there had been a leak on ' big lock', (this lock gets its name from being a double width lock on a canal that only has single locks on all it's length!  Not sure why! ). The leak had caused the pound to empty with one poor boater stuck in the middle.  The problem had been fixed and water was being brought down when we arrived but it would be some time before boats started to move again. Then, lastly we found Tesco.We finished our shopping and little tour round the town and returned to Hunters Moon. After a refreshing cuppa we decided to head off, hoping things would have cleared. We sailed through the locks in no time as a steady stream of boats were heading up the locks. They had had been waiting over four hours!

We moored before 'big lock' and witnessed a constant flow of boats coming up and passing us well into the early evening.

An eventful day!

Jenny sporting her best Christmas Present ever -  A cross bodu windlass holder!

Cruising in July

Back on Hunters Moon after another emotional and hot week back home.

It is a long drive up to Overwater Marina and although we share the driving we both feel the effects the next day.

Jenny's first crop

Look what a swan did to this one!

Must have found them as tasty as we do

We had to be fairly with it on Thursday morning because Hunters Moon was due for her BSS examination. This is a bit like an MOT for narrowboats. After a thorough inspection Martyn,  the inspector found 4 advisory points that he wanted corrected before he would issue our certificate.  The Scheme has certainly been tightened up or, Martyn was a stickler on an inspector!  At least Sid has a few small jobs to sort out now. And, at the time of this post, a few days on, two of the faults have already been rectified!

The next day we were due to get the red car to Fenny Compton Marina, to await our return at the end of the month. We had once again booked the Co Wheels car from Overwater. We picked it up and Sid drove the hybrid Toyota Yaris and Jenny stuck to the familiar Citreon. It was a slow and very busy journey, which we anticipated with it being a Friday but arrived back at Overwater nearly 7 hours later having stopped at Warwick Services for lunch, exhausted but pleased to have the Citreon in place ready for the end of this part of our cruising season.

We set off from Overwater on a bright and breezy Saturday morning . Just 30 minutes along the Shropshire Union Canal, heading north, we came across a beautiful mooring. So, still feeling the effects of an emotional week and a lot of driving we moored, with a little bit of distraction by way of a stray bullock on the towpath. An interesting half hour or so followed as brave fellow boaters tried to herd the bewildered bullock to safety.  Eventually the farmer arrived with a large stick and managed to steer the bullock back from whence it came.

Cattle on the Cut

Little did we know that we would still be on that same delightful mooring until Monday morning. Sid used the time to do two of the four rectifications.  The weather was beautiful do Jenny took advantage of it by sitting around a great deal and busying herself with this and that!  We certainly made the most of this much needed pause by taking breakfast  and lunch al fresco and bbqs on the picnic tables and bbq stands provided by the Shropshire Union Canal Society.

Our kitchen/diner

The view from our garden!

Sunset over our beautiful mooring

It rained on Monday and rained and rained!  We chugged along to Nantwich and did the  necessary shopping, our provisions were getting low having had our two days stay at Coole Pilate, and also to try a seek out a particular electrical socket that was needed for another of the inspection rectification.  Unfortunately we had no luck with that. A short journey , in the rain, out of Nantwich bought us to a pleasant mooring by Hurleston Junction. Being wet and chilly by this time we lit the stove!  Yes, July 10 and we needed a fire!!  We did see on the television that Wimbledon was bathed in hot sunshine- down south!

Approaching Nantwich Aquaduct in the rain

Tuesday dawned overcast but the forecast rain was absent so we move onto Bar bridge Junction where we moved onto the Middlewich Branch of the Shropshire Union. Shortly before the first lock it started to rain again and this set in for the day.  A long queue waited for us at  Cholmondeston Lock. Sid took advantage of this to nip to Venetian Marina in search of his socket, with no luck again.

Waiting in the rain outside Aquaduct Marina

We chugged on in the rain, calling in at Aqueduct Marina, once more in search of the ellusive socket and once more with no luck.

At last, moored for the afternoon and evening and still the rain fell.  So, another fire to dry us out and cheer us up. On checking for a tv signal we noticed the sun was still shining at Wimbledon for the tennis.

At least our boating friends, Sara and Pete should be having some great weather for their trip down the Oxford towards the Thames.