Smethwick Stop Lock

We’re off again, on a leisurely cruise.

This morning we went up the Smethwick flight.  There was certainly no stop lock there as we went up.

We were intending to cruise along the old main line but …

On the top beam of the top lock there was notice of an emergency stoppage.

The old main line was shut.

I phoned the British Waterways number on the notice, just to double check and a very helpful lady explained that Spon Lane Bridge parapet was unsafe and the old main line was shut until it has been made safe.  We had to finish going up the third lock to turn the boat.

I suggested that it would be better for a stoppage notice to be posted at the bottom lock to stop other boaters wasting time climbing through 3 locks, then having to turn the boat and go back
down again.

Good idea, she said - but I thought we’d already done that - I’ll get someone to check it out.

We cruised the Engine Branch while we were there (and there were plenty of stoppage notices everywhere you looked), then started back down the locks.  As we went into the bottom lock I was pleased to see big stoppage notices had been put up since we were there an hour or so earlier.

Great news, until we reached the bottom paddles and found them locked with nice shiny locks and chain.  They weren’t there when we came up.

We’d found Smethwick Stop Lock.

Another phone call to the helpful British Waterways lady who apologised profusely and said she would arrange help.  Two minutes later she phoned back to say Eugene would be there in five minutes.

Sure enough, a helpful, smiling Eugene was there in five minutes and quickly removed the chain and locks.  Apparently BW have posted several stoppage notices at the bottom lock but the vandals remove them as fast as they put them up.

Someone decided the best way to stop boaters wasting their time going up the locks was to padlock them out of use, unfortunately not realising that we were still on the way down.  A BW response that was too quick and helpful.

We can confirm there were two A3 size notices attached firmly to the bottom gate when we left - but no idea if they are still there now.  Spon Lane locks at the other side were similarly marked.

So, after a couple of hours ascending and
descending the Smethwick flight we headed off
along the new main line where we are now.

Posted on Friday, August 31, 2007 at 19:21
Comments (0) Category(s): BCN

Four Counties Navigated

We’ve completed our southerly journey along the Shropshire Union Canal which also completes our journey around the Four Counties Ring, travelling anti-clockwise from Autherley Junction. We made the most of the excellent weather throughout the Bank Holiday weekend, although the canals were the busiest we’ve seen them all year. We headed up the Wolverhampton 21 (flight of locks) onto the Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN) as we headed back to our home moorings at Sherborne Wharf. We initially followed the old main line towards Birmingham before descending the only staircase on the BCN on the Gower Branch, and completed our journey along the New Main Line. Back home now, it’s time to work on editing the Llangollen Canal DVD, filmed during our previous expedition.

Posted on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 at 21:14
Comments (0) Category(s): BCN , Four Counties Ring , Shropshire Union

Chirk Castle

Towards the end of our long day climbing out of Manchester on 3rd August we passed Chirk Castle heading into Manchester as they started along the Ashton Canal.

It was 16:36 and I wondered how far they would get that evening.  We had spent all day climbing the Rochdale 9 and the locks on the Ashton Canal to get us out of Manchester.

I didn’t envy them starting that journey in reverse at such a late time in the day and cautioned them to think about how far they would get and where they could safely moor.

I didn’t take any still pictures of them as I was busy with the video cameras and filming for the Cheshire Ring DVD but looking back through the video I’ve been able to extract some reasonable still pictures .

It’s not the same quality as original stills, but still recognisable and that’s one of the advantages of filming in High Definition.

The first (taken from our boat) shows them leaving the lock with someone on the bank, enthusiastically running ahead to the swing bridge.  It also shows me with the second camera on the tripod near the lock gates taking the remaining footage.

The second shows them passing our boat, while the third shows an adult (Dad?) running after the younger ones towards the swing bridge.

The ducks just ahead have seen (or heard) them coming and are taking to the water quickly.

I wondered how far they would get and if they would be safe.

Now, from the comment below, I know that they arrived safely.  Well done to the Chirk Castle Mob.

Posted on Tuesday, August 14, 2007 at 14:13
Comments (3) Category(s): Ashton , Rochdale

The Wreck and the Ancient Mariner

The Wreck and the Ancient Mariner came visiting today.

Paul’s parents live in Gwernaffield, near Mold in North Wales.  That’s not too far from Chester where we were this morning.

After mooring just outside Chester last night, at Christleton, we headed into Chester for our planned rendezvous at the foot of the Northgate Staircase locks.

We were waiting there for Andrew to join us by train from Manchester when Paul’s parents came strolling up the side of the staircase locks.
 

They were well equipped with the essentials, including their “Wreck” and “Ancient Mariner” caps.

Then it was time for our cruise to Ellesmere Port and back.

It doesn’t sound the most exciting trip and it certainly wasn’t but it was nice a peaceful and gave us plenty of time to chat and get the latest news.

Ice Creams from the Boat Museum filled a pleasant afternoon gap before we headed back to return Paul’s Parents safely to their car at Chester.

Posted on Saturday, August 11, 2007 at 20:46
Comments (1) Category(s): Shropshire Union

Takin’ Our Time

Moored at Dukinfield Junction, just onto the Peak Forest Canal last week I was talking to two fellow boaters.

They were asking about the journey through Manchester and wondering if it really was safe, and how long it took.

I think I worried them a little when I explained it had taken three of us some four hours to climb the Rochdale nine locks - and that was when we were fresh in the morning.

They would be facing the Rochdale nine locks later in the afternoon, after tiring themselves out on the Ashton Canal.

There were just two of them because one of the family had appendicitis and another was keeping them company back at home.

They set off very early the following morning, before we were up to wish them good luck.

This morning we passed the boat safely on their home mooring near Barbridge Junction so I assume they arrived safely.

So, K or M Jones from Takin’ Our Time, leaves us a comment to say how you got on through Manchester.

Posted on Friday, August 10, 2007 at 18:39
Comments (0) Category(s): Middlewich Branch , Peak Forest

Middlewich Arm

We’ve completed the filming for the Cheshire Ring DVD and that’s all safely saved away ready for editing when we get back after this trip.

Now we’re continuing our trip around the Four Counties Ring for that DVD.

Heading north up the Trent and Mersey this morning we turned left in Middlewich onto the Wardle canal and then, almost before we knew it we were on the Middlewich Arm of the Shropshire Union Canal.

The Wardle Canal is around 150 feet long and sits between the Trent and Mersey and Middlewich Arms.

It’s probably the shortest ever canal and, depending on which story you believe, it was either built by the owners of the Trent and Mersey Canal to retain control of the junction, or was built to circumvent an Act of parliament which stopped the Shropshire Union and Trent and Mersey canals connecting (directly).

Now we’re moored near Church Minshull with these splendid views from the boat.

Tomorrow we will be heading northwards on the Shropshire Union towards Chester and Ellesmere Port before completing the Four Counties Ring.

Posted on Thursday, August 9, 2007 at 19:55
Comments (0) Category(s): Middlewich Branch , Shropshire Union , Trent & Mersey

Charlotte No. 1 and Charlotte No. 2

We’ve just had a guest aboard for Monday and Tuesday.

Susan’s friend Charlotte (No. 1) travelled by train to Marple where she came aboard Waterway Routes for her first cruise.

Charlotte had visited the boat at it’s home moorings in Birmingham but that’s not quite the same as a real cruise.

Susan showed Charlotte around the boat while I was still at the Post Office dispatching more Leeds and Liverpool DVDs for one of our customers.  Then it was time to set off.

Turning almost immediately left from where we were moored on the Peak Forest Canal we headed south down the Macclesfield Canal.  A chance to enjoy the glorious scenery and for Charlotte to try her hand at steering.

Not too difficult once you remember which way to move the tiller and learn to wait for the boat to respond slowly to the movements of the tiller.  The big zigzags along the canal soon became small zigzags as Charlotte settled into the role.

Soon I was able to perch on the roof for this photograph while Charlotte watches carefully for oncoming boats.

Working the locks at Bosley was no problem.  A little timid at the first, like all newcomers to canals, then quickly getting into the swing of things.

Well, 12 locks is a sensible number to get into practice.  With double gates at both ends of the narrow locks the extra pair of hands was very useful.

En-route we passed Charlotte No. 2, so Charlotte is not quite unique.

Charlotte No. 1 headed back home from Kidsgrove station on Tuesday afternoon - I think she enjoyed the trip and hope we’ll see her again soon.

Posted on Wednesday, August 8, 2007 at 19:43
Comments (1) Category(s): Macclesfield

Cheshire Ring

We’ve been busy making the most of the fine sunny weather recently with the filming for the Four Counties and Cheshire Ring DVDs.

We headed up the Trent and Mersey to Preston Brook where it turns into the Bridgewater Canal.  The junction where the canals meet end on is inside Preston Brook Tunnel.  Is this the only instance of canals meeting within a tunnel?

Then we did the whole of the Bridgewater Canal, including the branches to Runcorn and to Leigh and spent Thursday night moored at Castlefield Basin in Manchester.

Our son, Andrew, turned up on his way to work on Friday morning.  This was his first week in his new job and he seemed to be enjoying it.

Friday saw us climb the Rochdale 9 - the broad locks through the centre of Manchester - and they were hard work. Three and a half very tiring hours to do these locks, before turning right onto the Ashton Canal for another 18 locks to Dukinfield Junction.

Then, today, we climbed the Marple flight on the Peak Forest Canal which is, I think, the second steepest flight of locks in Britain (after Caen Hill).  A rise of 214 feet in 16 locks in just under a mile.

Tonight we are moored at Strines on the Peak Forest Canal.

Tomorrow we will be heading for Marple via Whaley Bridge and Bugsworth.

Posted on Saturday, August 4, 2007 at 19:42
Comments (0) Category(s): Ashton , Bridgewater , Cheshire Ring , Peak Forest , Rochdale , Trent & Mersey