Finished and fitted

Thanks to Tooley's for our beautiful new chimney. We are thrilled with not only the appearance but also the performance. No more tar residue on the roof.

Pleased as punch with the finished product

Our new addition

We decided to treat Hunters Moon to a new chimney for the winter. Not just any old chimney but a beautiful handmade piece of history from Tooley's Boatyard in Banbury.

Work in Progress

Nearing the end of our 2018 season

Here we are at the end of September thinking back on another memorable season on the water. We have visited some interesting new places, met some lovely folk along the way, and had a a few adventures. The weather for the most part has been wonderful and at times, dare I say it, too hot, so we have been able to enjoy some tasty canalside bbqs, many long evenings sitting out and some pleasant walks.

Despite the strong winds and heavy rain last week the past few days have been a real treat with gentle breezes, warm, sometimes even hot , sunshine and warmer nights. We have been slowly making our way northward on the Oxford Canal playing leap frog with another boat,  WaterLilleys.  The owners Sharon and Terry have had an exciting summer. Terry has walked 600 miles on the SW coastal path while Sharon  has spent her time taking WaterLilleys down the Kennett and Avon to Bath single handed! Any boaters will know that is no mean feat and we take our hats off  to her. She was ably assisted by her four-legged companion Ziggy.

One of the delights of travelling on the canals  is these lockside encounters with  interesting people,  who you keep meeting as we all journey along the same route.

During our shopping stop at Banbury Sid had to make his usual visit to Tooley's Boatyard. This resulted in us ordering a new chimney. Not just any old chimney this time but a hand built,  made to measure 18 inch chimney. It is made from 4mm steel, has a double flue, fluted top, twin lifting handles and has brass plate with Tooley's (Hunters Moon beneath) embossed on it.

Photos will follow when it is delivered.

We were also asked to let everyone know about Banbury Canal Day on Sunday  14th October 10.30 - 4.30. Also a note for canal lovers, a book entitled ' Forging Ahead' ( a history of Tooley's Boatyard ), by Matthew Armitage will soon be available.

Stormy Weather

Having moored back in the sheltered waters of Oxford 's East Street moorings to sit out the tail end of Storm Helene, which had reeked havoc to parts of the US East coast, we then heard that Storm Ali was on it's way.

Fortunately, Sid had some jobs to do. Firstly, to repair the ceiling lining on Hunters Moon, which we noticed had dropped in a number of places and secondly to try and sort out our persistent water leak!

Being in Oxford we were able to source the necessary bits and pieces needed. So Sid filled his day with making good the ceiling.

The water leak somewhere on the hot water cylinder is another matter. Ideally we need to be close to a water point because the tank needs to be emptied and then refilled. Sid also noticed that the tank was in danger of falling through, the now rotting floor where it had been wet for so long so needed to make a temporary repair under the hot water cylinder  to prevent this happening. To this end we left Oxford on Wednesday morning, very early, before the stronger winds picked up and headed south to Abingdon.

We had a rather blowy journey but made it safely to Abingdon, where  'lo and behold' Bente was assisting the lock keeper!  It was so good to see her and Erik and to hear that Erik, although rather bruised and stiff, had not suffered any major ill effects from his fall.
The mooring we had hoped to go on above the lock was full so we went through the lock, ably assisted by Bente, and moored just below, which was an interesting experience! Just as we were coming alongside the bank the boat got caught by the wind and we were in danger of running aground on a very shallow patch of water not to mention bring carried toward the foot of the weir.  Jenny  managed to get to the bank with the centre line but could not hold it then we changed places and Sid could not hold it so, with us both back on board Sid tried to manoeuvre us out of trouble. Eventually, the lock keeper and another chap , having seen what was happening from the lock side, came to our rescue and we managed to get Hunters Moon securely tied up.

The very blustery afternoon was then spent  dismantling the bed, the hot water tank being under it,  emptying the tank, ascertaining where the leak was, making a temporary repair to the flooring, sorting the leaking connection and then putting everything back together again!

The suspect connection at the base!

Job done at my then we heard Storm Bronagh was bringing more gale force winds our way.

So, here we are still on Abingdon waiting for the heavy rain at mind winds to move on.

ps Erik and Bente's boat 'Lady Louisa' came from Datchet not Le Boat . Just wanted to keep the record straight.  They moved on today so good luck to them in the strong winds. We wish you both well.

Decision Made

We have turn upstream onto the Thames from Oxford. However, after seeing the wind forecast for the week ahead have decided to turn round and head downstream. It was the twisty, turny and wide open nature of the upper Thames and the news that the remains of  Storm Helene was heading our way that changed our minds as we sat, listening to the wind building, on a beautiful mooring just above Eynsham Lock.

As Jenny stood in the galley, preparing vegetables for our roast lamb dinner, she glanced out of the side hatch and noticed a Le Boat hire boat coming in to moor a short distance behind Hunters Moon. As always, being very nosey, she looked out to see who was on board.  Just as well she was taking notice because the bank gave way under the chap who was endeavouring to secure the boat, resulting in him falling into the water between the bank and the boat. We leapt into action and ran to lend a hand. Erik,  who had managed to clamber onto the side of the boat, was very shaken as was his wife Bente, so we took control of making the boat safe  and Sid helped Erik to get to his feet and get inside the boat.

This lovely Norwegian couple, who have come to the UK for the past 20 years to cruise the Thames and who apparently know all the lock keepers, we're as you can imagine, grateful for our help and , after Erik had had a hot shower and felt much calmer, gifted us with a bottle of 'Norwegian  fire water'. Unnecessary but much appreciated. We had to sample it that evening and it certainly has a kick!

All in a day on the water!

Oxford

Arrived in Oxford and spent a very enjoyable evening with these two in the Old Bookbinders. The beer flowed and the steak was first class.

We spent a relaxed day on Saturday wandering through the busy but fascinating streets of this university city, doing a bit of shopping and enjoying the warm sunshine.

September 2018

We have returned to Hunters Moon after an eventful  break during August. It has been fun having our eldest grandaughter, Emily, to stay during the school holidays and we have caught up with family and friends. However, one thing we didn't bank on was for Sid to have a spell in hospital with cellulitis again.

Since his leg is still not completely back to normal we decided to have a very slow and gentle chug down towards Oxford instead of heading up to Birmingham as we had planned.

Gusty, challenging winds were with us for the first few days of our trip but then the sun has come through and given us a glorious autumn day.

We were able to catch up with our good friends  Jan and Tony whilst we were at Cropredy,  they only live and short distance from this lovely little canalside village now and we are due to meet our fellow boaters Sara and Pete in Oxford .

We haven't made up our minds about where we will venture once we get to Oxford, whether  to have a few days on the Thames, then whether to turn right towards Lechlade or downriver  somewhere or just turn round and head slowly back up the Oxford Canal.
It's hard making these important decisions!

The heatwave continues

Now nearing the end of our summer cruising we have reflected on this beautiful summer, which still continues , with the heat causing us to find shady moorings at the end of each day.
Little did we know back in early May when our shorts came out for the first time, that we would not be needing our warmer layers or waterproofs this season. It really has been glorious boating weather.

The quiet waters of earlier in the season, and even on our trip up the Macclesfield Canal, have given way to the very busy holiday season. Lots of hire boats  and fellow boaters enjoying this wonderful weather on the water.

We are currently sitting under a shady tree just below Hillmorton locks having yet another bbq. People around us are either watching the Wimbledon Mens Final or the World Cup final. The outcome of each we will catch up on later.

The past four days have seen us travel many miles, unusual for us to do 6/7 hour days , but with journey's end now in easy reach we can take it a bit more genteely!

Braunston, Napton and then Fenny Comoton lie ahead then we hang up our boating shoes until September and have fun with the grandchildren at home during the school holidays.

Not sure where we'll cruise in the autumn.  Bimbling round Birmingham was the plan but have just discovered Knowle Locks and Aston Locks are out of action and we are not sure we want to experience the Birmingham Mainline Canal having heard unfavourable comments. We are sure to vomit up with a plan that could change on a daily basis!! The joy of boating!

The final leg of our summer cruising

Still the summer heatwave is with us as  we return to Great Haywood Marina. The next day we  take the car to Fenny Compton Marina  ready for our arrival back there in a week or so. We then caught a rare bus from the village ,which took us to Leamington Spa where we caught a train to Stafford. Then after a short walk from the station we caught another bus to to the Marina. Thank goodness for our bus passes!

Our journey now follows a much travelled route along the Trent and Mersey, then onto the Coventry Canal, North Oxford and then pick up the South Oxford which will take us back to Fenny.

The towpaths and the surrounding countryside are looking very parched after such a very long spell with no rain, however we did have some gentle rain overnight. It was a lovely sound on the roof of Hunters Moon. However, it was not enough to bring any greeness  to our surroundings.

After the waterways being very quiet on our previous trips this season they are now very, very busy. It has been quite a change for us but good to see boats being used rather than being stuck in marinas.

Change of plans, yet again!

This post is being written from home!

We sadly lost our joy of travelling on Monday, after the very sad and tragic events at Westport Lake. We had enjoyed a lovely afternoon wandering around the lake, eating ice cream and planning our bbq that evening. Our mooring was being afforded some much needed shade on yet another scorching day and Jenny was sitting watching the world go by finishing a piece of crocheted cabin lace when the world around us suddenly changed from a peaceful afternoon to every parents worse nightmare. Three young lads had gone into the water to cool off and one of them got into difficulties and only two of the lads came out! Helicopters , police, fire and rescue, ambulances and divers were on the scene very quickly and an eerie silence of disbelief hung over the area and a complete feeling of helplessness. Our mooring was just within sight of where the boy had last been seen. Searching continued until the light faded but the 13 year old had still not been found.

The events really shook us and we took the decision then to get back home as soon as possible to give all our kids and grandkids a big hug and although we did not know this young boy our hearts went out to his family who said goodbye to their little boy that morning before going to school never realising he would never return home.

Hunters Moon is now back at Great Haywood while we catch up with our families and thank God for them. We will return in a week or so to start the last leg of our summer travels when we have decided to get back to Fenny Marina for the school holidays when we will be looking after little Emily for a few days each week.

Last night on the Macclesfield Canal

The temperatures are set to sore and we return to the mooring where we saw out Storm Hector 10 days ago. It is such a beautiful place with views over open fields of cattle grazing. We whiled away a very pleasant afternoon relaxing in the hot sunshine, our little parasol providing some much needed shade. A BBQ in the evening eventually ended at nearly 10.00pm as we watched the sun sink in the west. A perfect memory to keep with us.

Tomorrow we face the Harecastle Tunnel again then we head towards the Caldon Canal.

Return to Macclesfield

It is very strange that the same stretches of canals look quite different going when going one way  then the other. You see things that were missed heading one way and views look entirely different heading back the other way. A change in weather conditions also make a big difference . With this in mind it has been a delight to return back down the Maccie .

Our return to Macclesfield was to  visit the Heritage Museum and to explore a little more of this famous silk town. Sid, having not recognised anything on our previous visit was delighted to find streets and buildings that he remembered from years ago. We learnt a lot about the town from the 1800's when silk production was at it's height and  there were over a hundred mills in the town to it's demise in the early 1900s. The  looked very different  from the town we see today not only with the grime in the air but also the huge number of chimneys that no longer exists.

The Peak Forest Csnal

The sun was shining as we turned onto the Peak Forest Canal and it was so good to see the surrounding courtyard bathed in sunshine. However, it was not all sunshine on board Hunters Moon. Sid was hit by a bout of vertigo a short distance into our journey. He felt very unwell so disappeared below and Jenny had to take command! As some of our followers know this does not happen very often! In fact never before!

The journey down to Whaley Bridge was fairly uneventful as we progressed along the canal  that follows  the 518 ft above sea level contour. The scenery is stunning as the canal twists and turns with amazing views across to the rolling and dramatic hills and valleys of the Peak District National Park.

The moorings at Whaley Bridge are set amongst heavy woods and by the side of a very busy road so after a stroll through the small town and a look at the Transhipment Shed that took a railway line and a canal dock and was last used in 1967, we took the short trip round to Bugsworth Basin.  We were unaware of the significance of the basin and really only went to look at the moorings at the advice of fellow boaters Ian and Jane.
It turned out to be a great suggestion from them. Despite the fact that the busy A6 runs right by the side of the basin it is a superb mooring.

The basin was opened in 1796  and it became one of the largest ports on the narrow canal network. It was built to tranship limestone from the tramway to the canal.. There are three basins, now used for moorings, but the site was closed in 1927. After much restoration it has secured Scheduled Monument Status and to wander through the wharves, down the tramways and to imagine the activity, noise and the hundreds of men working on the site is amazing. There is a small exhibition chronicling the restoration with some great photographs of the massive amount of work that has taken place to preserve a major historic  site.
After a rather noisey night ( the A6 is almost motorway size) we left the basin to head back up the Upper Peak Forest Canal to Marple Junction.  It was a wet and very breezy journey but Jenny got us safely back.

Marple Junction

Canal and River Trust new logo and signage! Why?

As we reach the top of the Macclesfield Canal where it meets the Peak Forest Canal we can reflect on a lovely journey up this very pretty and scenic waterway.  The weather has turned overcast and rather cool but at lest it is dry.  Quite a change from the first day or so of this  leg of our adventures.

However, summer is now officially here and so are the long June evenings. The hedgerows are turning more colourful with honeysuckle, dog roses,  rose bay willowherb, periwinkle,  foxgloves, yellow flags and many more that Jenny can't name, dotted along the towpaths, which are now dry and cracked from the lack of rain.  Better than muddy towpaths!

Lots of blossom on the brambles!

Should be some good picking in a month or two

One of the significant things we notice as we head north is the friendliness of folk we encounter.  Not just along the towpaths and fellow boaters but passers by in the villages and towns, the shop workers and even some anglers!

Clarence Mill, Bollington

The aqueduct at Bollington

Hunters Moon is moored up there

Here she is!

The little river Dean flowing through Bollington 

As mentioned in an earlier post we are unable to proceed round the Cheshire Ring due to a damaged lock so we will head into Derbyshire and explore the Peak Forest Canal up to Whaley Bridge and the Bosworth Basin.

The problem lock 11 on the Marple flight

Looking down the flight.

Maybe another time!

Onward into Derbyshire

Macclesfield

Entering Macclesfield

The old Hovis works, now luxury flats

One of our goals on this journey was to visit this historic town famous for it's silk production.  Back in 1997 Sid did some work for a company called Reiter Scragg in this charming Cheshire town and it he was delighted to see machinery made by this company in the Silk Museum. Derek, our tour guide, gave us a fascinating tour of the museum in the Paradise Mill which houses the only working Jacquard silk hand looms in the country in their original location.  We were mesmerised as we saw how silk emerged from the moths cocoons through to the shanks that are then spun on to bobbins and shuttles and then onto the looms, all of which we saw working.  Derek demonstrated how the pattern cards were designed and made  and also showed us the 'boss's' office, which was set up exactly as it would have been, baker light telephone, typewriter,  nibbed pens, inkwell and blotters and much ,much more. Sadly, we both remembered far too many of the items!

Bobbin winders

The original weaving floor

Children were used to wind bobbins on this wheel by hand

Sid at work 1800's style

The day had started very wet and cold and the afternoon ended with a huge thunderstorm but we were quite safe on our pontoon mooring and were nice and cosy as we had a low fire on the go! Our first this June!

Storm Hector

Unfortunately Storm Hector kept us on our mooring today. Although some brave boaters did take to the water we decided to sit tight and enjoyed a windy towpath walk in the afternoon.

On to Congleton to take on provisions tomorrow then we will see where we get to.

Mow Cop and Wilbraham's Folly

Hunters Moon hunkered down at her mooring 

On to the Macclesfield Canal - 'The Maccie'

We turned onto the Maccie this morning at Hardings Wood Junction after a smooth passage through the 2926 yd Harecastle Tunnel  - Jenny doesn't like tunnels!

Hunters Moon heading into the tunnel

The doors close behind us

About to emerge from the gloom

We found a beautiful mooring from which we walked across open fields and through a herd of cows ( peaceful ones) to Little Moreton Hall, a National Trust property where we stepped back into the  late 1500's. This stunning Tudor building built by the Moreton family has a quirky charm with it's crooked walls and wonky floors and a long gallery, which is the length of a cricket wicket ,  22 yds.  An unexpected little gem.

Little Moreton Hall

The Maccie passing over the Trent and Mersey

The sweet aroma of honeysuckle fills the air

A pretty bridge

Seems like another change of plans

Overcast skies greeted us today but we shouldn't complain after weeks of beautiful weather.

It was a slow climb through the Stoke Locks and we had a brief visit to Middleport Potteries. We plan to make  a full visit on our return trip.

However, we will have to rethink our planned trip round the Cheshire Ring.

Our change of plans is due to the Marple flight on the Peak Forest Canal, having been repaired during the winter and being declared open, has a big problem on lock 11. The sides are falling in!

So, no Cheshire Ring for us unless the CRT can perform  a miracle and sort things out before we arrive at the top of the Macclesfield Canal some time over the next week or so.  So, we will still explore the Maccie and the Upper Peak Forest Canal to Whaley Bridge.

In the meantime we are moored at Westport Lake , which is just south of the Harcastle Tunnel.

Westport Lake

For all your plumbing needs!

Day 2 of this summer leg of our journey

Sunshine all the way from our  peaceful overnight mooring to Barlaston.

Statue of Christina Collins ( in Stone)

who met an untimely end 

on the Trent and Mersey Canal in 1839 ( For Dave)

Our return to Great Haywood

It has been a busy couple of weeks since we left Hunters Moon at Great Haywood Marina.  With it being the school half term we had the delight of having our 6 year old, Emily to stay for a couple of days, then Emma and Kevin ' s wedding, then Sid had a hospital appointment, which resulted in us having to stay at home for an extra week for him to have a follow up appointment with the consultant.  This gave us the opportunity to get down to the New Forest  in order to catch up with our other two grandchildren.  So, along with seeing middle son,  Adam and making contact with youngest son, Simon we managed to fill our time at home quite nicely.  Sid has been signed off so now it's on with summer cruising.

We returned to Great Haywood in beautiful sunshine,  much as we left it. However our delight at being back on board was soon quashed as Sid was about to start his engine checks when he discovered the engine bilge full of oil and the engine registering no oil! We have yet another leak this time an oil leak.  Sid discovered a split in the oil filter he had replaced when doing a engine service a few days before we left Hunters Moon to return home. Fortunately,  he had bought a couple of new filters with him ( always prepared is Sid), so after a quick visit to a garage to get some oil a new filter was fitted, oil replaced and the engine was running once more.  Crisis averted!

Since we are yet again in the vicinity of our good friends Dave and Val we arranged to meet up on Sunday. It was so good to see them and hear of their caravan exploits as well as to catch up with all their family news. We enjoyed very pleasant lunch with a very pleasant couple of beers in the Clifford Arms followed by a short walk for Dylan to stretch his legs back to the marina.

Sorry Val!

Dave, Val,  Jenny and Dylan

Farewells said and promises of another get together, possibly very soon, on our return down the Trent and Mersey Canal  Sid and Jenny decided to enjoy a late afternoon cruise to take us out of the marina and start our trip north towards the Macclesfield Canal and the Peak Forest .

The end of our spring cruise

This has been by far our best spring cruising in Hunters Moon. The waterways have been surprisingly quiet and the weather has been so kind to us. We have needed some warm layers at times but  our waterproofs have remained firmly out of sight.  We have had  days of clear blue skies with temperatures soaring over the early bank  holiday. We have been reminded that it is still only May by a coolness in the air especially on the river. Aren't we lucky?

So, we are  now very near Great Haywood Marina on a beautiful  mooring  called Tixall Wide  from where we will walk, bus, train and bus back to Fenny Compton Marina to collect our car .

An Elizabethan gatehouse overlooking the Wide

Hunters Moon needs a good clean up both inside and out! She has a thick layer of dust  coating the outside due to the very dry countryside and she has been used as target practise by some  birds so we plan to have a day of cleaning and making her shipshape for our return in early June when we are heading further north to explore the Cheshire Ring.

First sighting of little cygnets

Photos along the way

A hairy caterpillar 

Little robin keeping Jenny company by a lock

An interesting garden gate

Suddenly slipped back to the 40's

Beautiful scented lilac blossom 

Sid discussing electric bikes 

Twelve little ducklings and mum!

Cooling down!

Jeremy Fisher?