Narrowboat Aussies

Month: October 2015

  • Caldon Canal and more 20/10/15

    Caldon Canal and more 20/10/15

    Stone, Staffordshire, UK

    [vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]You will all no doubt be pleased to know that we made it through the Harecastle Tunnel without incident or haunting!!! So after a short cruise along the Trent and Mersey Canal again we turned off at Etruria Junction to explore the Caldon and Leek Canals. We were just starting to get smug about getting through Stoke-on-Trent on a Sunday afternoon without incident when near Milton some under-stimulated young people decided to practice their already very good throwing skills by stoning us from a bridge. While the small rocks hailed down, Bob kept a firm hand on the tiller and Bron retreated to the relative safety of the cabin. We were lucky in only getting one small paint chip and no broken windows. But learnt a valuable lesson in timing. Never go through cities or potentially rough areas during times bored young people are likely to be out and about,

    The Caldon Canal, including the Leek arm, is very picturesque particularly the autumn foliage. It is often narrow, shallow and relatively isolated with minimal internet, phone and television coverage. So our few days spent there cruising tended to be relaxed, unhurried and peaceful. The towpath is in very good condition for much of it and the services facilities (where available) in excellent condition. Add a couple of excellent pubs and trouble free locks and its pretty much paradise. Rather overgrown in parts makes finding moorings difficult but there are plenty of spots that have been cleared and have mooring rings so we never had a problem with that.

    Whilst there our very good friend Max came to visit and sorted one of our unfinished tasks – a bead of sealant in the bathroom where the shower alcove meets the floor tiles. It has always looked unfinished and provided a dust and water trap –  but not any more!!! Happy and thankful Bron for this piece of work.

    We managed to travel almost the full length of each canal but made the sensible decision to not go through either the Leek or Froghall tunnels as they are somewhat small and the canal termination points can be reached easily by foot reducing risk of boat damage.So after a restful few days we arose in good time on Friday morning to get through the outskirts of Stoke-on-Trent early enough to avoid a repeat performance.

    Our goal was to get back onto the Trent and Mersey Canal and progress towards moorings in Stone in readiness for yet another trip to London on Monday for the eye hospital. We made it by late afternoon to a good spot just opposite the Wedgewood Pottery factory thinking that we only had a short hop on Sunday into Stone. Alas at our last of 4 locks (we thought that and as many miles would be it for the day!) we were informed by a boater heading up the locks that there was a working boat (diesel, coal, rope merchants mainly) rally in Stone and they were moored 2 and 3 abreast right where we were planning to moor.

    So after Bron scouted forward we descended  a further 3 locks and 1 1/2 miles and were lucky to find a spot very close to the town centre and much needed supply shopping.

    With supplies for a couple of days we made plans to get to London (outcome of appointment was mixed – the eye is healing but slowly so we still need medications for a while longer – follow ups at the end of November) and catch up with a bit of administration. Little things like doctor appointments, hair cuts, bill paying, finding winter moorings, catching up with family and friends both in Australia and here in England, and still more supply gathering have filled in our time since then. With a spell of bad weather due to hit overnight it looks at this stage as if we will not be off until Thursday when we will try for Great Haywood – where we spent considerable time over winter earlier this year.

    Lots of new photos in the gallery including one of our new vac (or hoover as they are called here in the UK!!) by popular request. Check them out and let us know what you think.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gmaps link=”#E-8_JTNDaWZyYW1lJTIwc3JjJTNEJTIyaHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZ3d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbSUyRm1hcHMlMkZlbWJlZCUzRnBiJTNEJTIxMW0xOCUyMTFtMTIlMjExbTMlMjExZDM4MzcwLjE3MzYzNzI1NzM4JTIxMmQtMi4xMzk3MDYzMDE1MDY5MTQ0JTIxM2Q1My4wNTM4NjY0MDkxMTY1MyUyMTJtMyUyMTFmMCUyMTJmMCUyMTNmMCUyMTNtMiUyMTFpMTAyNCUyMTJpNzY4JTIxNGYxMy4xJTIxM20zJTIxMW0yJTIxMXMweDQ4N2E0MTgzYTJhMmNlZjclMjUzQTB4ZTU5MDA1Y2UyYzU5ZDlhMiUyMTJzQ2FsZG9uJTJCQ2FuYWwlMjE1ZTAlMjEzbTIlMjExc2VuJTIxMnNhdSUyMTR2MTQ1ODY0MjQxODI1MSUyMiUyMHdpZHRoJTNEJTIyNjAwJTIyJTIwaGVpZ2h0JTNEJTIyNDUwJTIyJTIwZnJhbWVib3JkZXIlM0QlMjIwJTIyJTIwc3R5bGUlM0QlMjJib3JkZXIlM0EwJTIyJTIwYWxsb3dmdWxsc2NyZWVuJTNFJTNDJTJGaWZyYW1lJTNF”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

  • Friends and stately homes 10/10/15

    Friends and stately homes 10/10/15

    Bakewell, Derbyshire DE45 1PP, UK

    [vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]And the blessings keep coming!!!!

    We moved Celtic Maid to Gurnett, about 2 miles back from Macclesfield, to take advantage of the short warm and dry spell to undertake some much needed maintenance. Celtic Maid purred as we tubbed and scrubbed her and then touched up all the chips and scratches that a few months of tunnels, bridges, locks and minor run-ins with other boats incur. It was a big job but once done we were ready for the next adventure – this time with our friends Max and Jenny (previously of Dubai, now back in Youlgreave – just over the hills!).

    After relocating back to Macclesfield on Friday 2nd October and catching up with washing and shopping we prepared for Max and Jenny to arrive on Sunday morning. After a quick catch up and refreshments we set off back towards Kidsgrove along one of our favourite canal sections. The day was absolutely stunning – clear blue skies and bright shining sun horizon to horizon. A little nip in the air but they all soon warmed up once we got through the two swing bridges and onto Bosley Locks – 12 in all. With both Bob and Max on the windlasses and Jenny helping out on the lock gates we were soon at the bottom and set up on the towpath to celebrate with a bottle of bubbles and a few beers before the cool evening sent us indoors.

    We started Monday with a big breakfast and thought we only had about a 3-4 hour journey so left late. Unfortunately the water levels were very low and despite making allowances we progressed very slowly. It took closer to 6 hours to go 8 miles and one little stop lock!!!! Max took a turn on the tiller and enjoyed every second – despite trawling through low water and mud!!! We finally made it to moorings near the aqueduct at Red Bull where she waited patiently for us while we embarked on the next fun side trip.

    On Tuesday morning we walked to the train station in Kidsgrove to make the 15 minute journey back to Macclesfield to pick up the car (it took us two days by boat!!) and travel across the Derbyshire Dales to Max and Jenny’s home in Youlgreave. As soon as we hit the dales the weather changed from beautiful sunshine to rain and stayed that way for the rest of the day. We went for a lovely dinner at the Packhorse Inn in Little Longstone where we met up with Max’s brother Richard. Lots of laughs and reminiscing about the bad old days and altogether too much lovely food, wine and beers.

    Wednesday dawned a little overcast but looked good for our exploration of Chatsworth House – an absolutely gorgeous and much visited stately home in Derbyshire where Max works as a tour guide. The whole day was wow, wow, wow and despite the 50 photos in the gallery (of the over 300 that we took) nothing does this place justice except a first hand experience. From one jaw-dropping room to the next and one stunning vista to the next we were gobsmacked by how tastefully this home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire has been restored and presented to the public. The array of old and new is tastefully melded in paintings, art installations and gardens. Altogether far too much to see in one afternoon which was capped late in the day by a ride around the gardens in the golf cart to see all the amazing treasures that the gardens hold. Bron was struck with how much her mother would have loved to visit this place and now in its autumnal coat what a spectacular example of idealistic English countryside this estate is. There were a few tears shed in appreciation of the beauty….

    We do so hope that we can return sometime and explore the parts we had to gloss over this time and maybe see it in a different season. We were so fortunate to have such a brilliant guide in Max and it is easy to see why he loves his job. Not to mention the patience he demonstrated when we all got a bit ratty when in need of a tea break at about 4.00pm.

    But all fantastic things come to an end leaving memories much cherished. We bid our hosts an appreciative farewell on Thursday morning and caught the train from Chesterfield to London to attend yet another eye appointment. Things are still going well in that department thankfully and after a very quick visit with Chris and Sue, picking up our new vacuum cleaner in the process, we made our way back to Kidsgrove by train.

    We seem to attract delays on our journeys and this was no exception. All went well until Stafford when the points failed and we were stranded for a while before recommencing the journey – firstly bypassing our stop at Kidsgrove and then at the eleventh hour the points were repaired and we made our original stop – about 45 minutes late!!! Very tired we arrived back at Celtic Maid at about 10.15 pm and went straight to bed.

    Friday and Saturday were spent again on domestic tasks – washing, cleaning, shopping – but the highlight was swinging our new AEG Ergorapido 2 in 1 18V cleaner into action. How good was that! No more hands and knees with a dustpan and brush – heaven.

    Tomorrow its the Harecastle tunnel and points south along the Trent and Mersey Canal again.  There are many new photos in the gallery which give but a glimpse of how fantastic the last week or so has been.

    [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gmaps link=”#E-8_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”][/vc_column][/vc_row]