A new home at Braunston

A steady run to Braunston with a mooring close to the Boathouse. We had a couple of showers during the day which made a change from the bright sunshine. Not that I am complaining. When we set off from Shardlow the weather forecast for the week was unsettled. We have had a glorious week of sunshine.
All in all, we have had a good cruise. The pups have loved the boat and have started to get into a boating routine. We had a few mishaps and overstretched ourselves on a couple of occasions. We still love cruising on Tilly May and now look forward to cruising from our new base at Braunston Marina.
We arrived at Braunston Marina on Monday morning and were made to feel very welcome by Tim, the owner. We have a mooring is the quietest part of the Marina.

Brea contributing to discussions

In the past, we have been out on extended cruises where we would be on the boat for a month then leave TM in a marina for a week before returning to cruising. The plan going forward is to change how we cruise. The move to Braunston will give us a number of possible cruising routes and many options. If we are feeling tired we can just TM as a flat or a short day trip. We have a list of possible trips ranging from 1 day to 2 weeks and everything in between. Who knows, when we are boat fit we may do the Thames trip.

For the benefit of Mr Kite and Newbold on Avon

The towpath changed sides once we passed through the stop lock before we moored at Hawkbury, so I was able to clean the other side of Tilly May. Poor girl is by no means perfect but she now looks like someone loves her. No locks today, one small tunnel and a steady chug to Newbold on Avon for a meal in the Barley Mow pub. The trip turned out to be a little more eventful than we anticipated. Half an hour into the cruise we came across a boat on a linear mooring that was well and truly stuck on the mud. They were due to go for blacking so needed to get off. After some serious tugging with our stern line on there stern we managed to get them off. The new mooring ropes were up to the job.

Nice to get a little shade from the sun

We were treated to a fantastic aerobatic display put on by a Red Kite that seemed to follow us no more then 50 ft above our heads. Unfortunately the camera was inside so no photos.

We passed under the M6. Every time we go under a major motorway it reminds me of the days when I was travelling 50000 miles a year. I watch all the poor sods zoom by as we chug underneath. Thank god for boating!

Nice Photo of Maggie

On the home stretch we came across a hire boat with a new inexperienced crew. Sometimes I wonder at the poor training these holidaymakers are given. As we approached a blind bent they appeared and panicked. Engine straight into neutral so all steering gone. Then full throttle and overcompensation and a big bang as they hit Tilly May. Much apologising. Hay Ho boating is a contact sport.

The Barley Mow pub did us a good steak and we sat and chatted to the folks in mother homes parked up at the pub. The Barley Mow is a pub that allows motorhomes to stay for free if they use the pub. It seems to work as there were at least 4 vans all spending money in the pub.

A few spots of rain but nothing to write home about.

The plan is to moor up just short of Braunston because we need to sort the paperwork out before taking our new morning. Best to do it Monday morning rather that arrive late Sunday afternoon.

Atherstone Flight CRT Hero

We awoke to blue skies and bright sun. We posted a blog yesterday which on inspection this morning has been condemned as crap. This is as a result of trying to write a blog when knackered so we will compose future blogs in the morning when refreshed.

We had a pleasant night moored at the bottom of the Atherstone flight ready for the accent tomorrow. I managed to finish cleaning the roof so Tilly May is starting to look loved again. Tea was homemade meatloaf and Jersey Royal potato’s, one of my favourite meals.

As we were about to set off we spotted a CRT volunteer doing a litter pick of the towpath. He said he would walk back to the services then join us an the bottom lock to help us through. Manor from heaven! I am ashamed to say we did not know his name, considering he spent two and a half hours walking the full length of the Atherstone fight helping us through all 11 locks. We are so grateful to our anonymous hero. Jan managed to help him on the first 6 locks but towards the top there were more CRT volunteers so we both stopped on the boat. Thank you to all the CRT volunteers at Atherstone, you made a hard day very enjoyable. We expected the journey up the fight to take us all day. We planned to take a couple of hours break in the middle then moor for the night at the top of the flight. 

Jan, Maggie and our anonymous hero.

As a result of the volunteer help we decided to push on the Hawksbury Junction. Bad move! By the time we arrived we were both knackered. Too knackered to even walk to the pub so Gammon and fried left over Jersey Royals for tea. We do not seem to learn from our previous mistakes. 

Maggie on lookout

The Maggie roof restraint needed some minor adjustment but is working very well. As official boat lookout she takes her job very seriously. Brea can now spend her time sitting majestically on the stern with us without getting pestered by the “little brown bugger”.

Fazley and a good curry

After a quick check and a sight tighten of the new belt we filled with water and set off from Fradley to Fazley. In the past we have stopped here and had a really good takeaway Indian from the Ivory Tusk. The food has not changed it is still top quality.
We were up early to head to the top of Atherstone flight. Stopping at the Co-op to pick up supplies. By lunchtime we were hot so stopped for a drink and a bite in the middle of nowhere.

Lunch

The new dog rail on the roof works well and Maggie is loving the roof view now she cant jump in the cut.

Brea is taking to life on the stern with the pilot.

The pups have had a good day today they are now both fast asleep.

Were in the Rhythm

After a good meal and a good nights sleep we awoke feeling refreshed and ready to push on. We are starting to regain our cruising rhythm.

We intended to stop at Arewas and then do the same at Fradley Junction. After some discussion we decided to continue through Arewas to catch up on lost time yesterday. The run alongside the A38 is not one of our favourite cruises in fact the only section I like is passing through the 7ft bridge. I have to confess I do this “Thread the Needle” manoeuvre at high speed just for the fun of it - my apologies CART.

After the puppy miss-adventures of the first day we now have a system that seems to work. I have attached two old leads to the stern rail and use these to attach the two pups new leads. This gives them room to walk around the stern without the option of jumping off the side. The pups have such different temperament, Brea (we have now decided she can inherit the title of “Spot”) is very laidback but Maggie is always on the go so I have a plan. We think Maggie will be much happier on the roof but currently cannot be trusted. I have cleaned a section of Tilly Mays old centre line. This is smooth like climbing rope. I will use cable ties to attach this from the centre ring to the central heating vent. This will run the the stern half of the boat. I will attach a stiff webbing lead to the rope with a loop and more cable ties. With the lead adjusted to the right length Maggie can run the roof without the possibility of falling off. Well that is the theory. First Tilly May needs some basic cleaning. As you can see I have started on the roof and have finished one side. I hope to finish the other side when we get to Fradley as the towpath will have switched sides.

We moored at Fradley Junction at 2:30pm. Five hours of cruising. We were pleased with our pace and have adjusted our cruising speed to a maximum 3 lock/miles an hour with a maximum cruising time of 5 hours. That gives us a maximum of 15 lock/mile daily cruise which has us moored up by 3pm each day.

Finally - we had a great meal in the Mucky Duck. I had a fantastic Coates Steak and Ale pie from Arewas that would have choked a donkey (Please do not feed donkeys Steak and Ale pies they are Vegan). See you tomorrow campers.

Old friends and new belts

Sunday morning at Willington. The sun was out and we felt refreshed. We hit a three boat queue at the Dallow Lock and were just cruising past Shobnell Fields when an old familiar face appeared out of the side hatch of a moored boat. It was Steve and Ang. We had spoken to them some years ago when they were thinking of having a boat built and becoming liveaboards. We kept in touch as both me and Ang had out hips replaced in Derby at the same time. They were waiting for RCR as they had a engine water pump fail. 

Crossing The Dove

We moored for a chat and a cuppa and finally decided to stop for the night. Had a great catchup and were in bed by 9pm. Still tired from Saturday so just managed to cook beans on toast for tea. 

Jan slept for almost 12 hours so it was gone 10am by the time we had said our goodbyes to Steve and Ang and headed off to Fradley. Alas we managed only 100 yards before the engine started to make a horrible sound so we limped to Shobnel Marina to try and source a replacement alternator belt. I have to say that Steve and Mat at Shobnel Marina looked after us very well.

We finally stopped at Branston and had a very nice meal at the Bridge Inn.

Finally you can see the state of Tilly May. She needs some long turn TLC. 

We are off! Braunston or Bust!

Finally the day had arrived. It was Saturday and the start of our cruise to Braunston. It was the first time Tilly May had left her mornings in Shardlow for well over two years. Things did not do quite as planned. It took us an age to get everything loaded and ship shape so departure was delayed until 2pm. 

The plan was to reach Willington but I though that a little optimistic so we tried for The Ragley Boat Stop. It being a Saturday the world and his wife was on the move so no moorings at The Boat Stop. The same situation at Stetson, boats as far as the eye could see. We finally moored at Willington at 8pm. We were both totally exhausted! As usual we had overdone our first day. You see, it was not just Tilly May that had moored up for two years. We are both far from boat fit and were soon flagging so 6 hours on the move after spending all morning loading had finished us.

The day had not been without its excitements. Maggie fell into the cut from the roof so Jan had to run back down the towpath to fish her out. Half an hour later she is back in after falling off the stern. Luckily I had anticipated this eventuality and had attached temporary netting around the stern so the dogs could only fall off the side not directly onto the prop. Not to be left out Brea missed her footing getting off the boat and slipped backwards into the cut. Both pups baptised on the first day.

We managed to summon the energy to walk to The Dragon for a pint and a meal but neither of us were much company so we wondered back to Tilly May and went to bed.

Just to finish the day I managed to tip Jan out of the bed a 3am by slipping and falling on her side of the bed. Hope tomorrow will be a better day. Too tired to take photos will do better tomorrow.

The flying dog buggers off!

The sun had not yet broken through the cloud when we arrived at today's designated dog walking spot. The air was warm and still, so a pleasant morning for some puppy training. Armed with whistle and a bag of treats we set off along the concrete road, not a sole in sight. Three quick pips on the 210.5 whistle and both Maggie and Brea came hurtling back for a treat, all going well. I took the opportunity to take a couple of videos of the pups running about before spotting Phil a fellow dog walker on the other side of the field with his three charges. Maggie and Bob are old friends so she shot off to play. Poor Brea is still a little unsure of the wide world so she stayed close to me but by the time we arrived back at the car she and Bob were best mates.

Maggie has started to not come back when we get to the car because she knows we are going home. Today I sat with the boot open for half an hour feeding treats any pup what would come to me when called. It seemed to do the trick. Just as all was going well a lady with a pushchair and a Boxer dog appeared. Maggie decided to head off with the two of them and no amount of whistling and calling had any effect. The lady with the pushchair just kept walking and talking to Maggie so I had to chase after them until I could get in front and grab the little bugger.

Crew training continues at a pace!

Brea the Munsterlander and Maggie the Border Terrorist

Yesterday was the first day that Brea was allowed out into the real world. All her jabs are done and she is now 13 weeks old so off we went for her first walk. Maggie as senior crew was leading the way.
Armed with a bag of nice training treats and my trusty whistle we were off! So this is how it works. I blow the whistle, you two come running back to me and then you get to eat nice bits of Hot Dog sausage. Alternatively, I blow the whistle, you two take no notice so I eat the Hot Dog sausage. No change there then! Maggie is the self appointed leader of the pack and is unsure about the whole bribery with treats thing.
As you can see from the photo Maggie does not run she flys a few inches above the ground. To the naked eye she appears to run but every photograph clearly shows her with no contact with the ground.

We now have a plan. We set off to Braunston on 18th May. This gives us some time to get the girls used to life on Tilly May and allows us a little more time to get her ready for her first cruise for 2 years. We are not sure how we will hold up stamina wise but we have plenty of time so we can build up the stamina as we go. The great thing about narrowboats is you can stop almost anywhere.

Maggie learning to fly at a very early age

With two new puppies on board I have been considering safety issues. To that end I have acquired some blue plastic safety fencing which is now cut down to fit around the back of the cruiser stern. This should stop the little darlings falling off the back straight into the prop, plus with a little extra fence we can enclose the stern to keep the crew on board when moored.

Maggie caught just after takeoff.

Boot camp training for new crew

The new crew are now living and training together. Maggie the Border Terrier is now 19 week old and Brea the Munsterlander is 9 weeks old. They are bonding well. Neither have been on Tilly May as Brea cannot go out for another 4 weeks.
The plan is to move Tilly May starting the second week in May. This means both dogs will be out and about so most of the boat training will be on the job. We have started a sweepstake on who will fall in the cut first. My money is on Brea. Maggie is very nimble and quick. Brea is a bit less coordinated. However you never can tell, quick can get you into all sorts of trouble.

We are back!

Well we are finally back blogging and getting Tilly May ready for cruising. A lot has happened in the last couple of years. Both Jan and myself have been a bit under the weather. The good news is we are both on the mend and looking forward to cruising Tilly May in the spring of next year.
Poor Tilly May has been seriously neglected and is in need of some love and attention. We have only just been able to get down to see her so now we can spend time getting her ship shape. Mechanically things are not too bad because the chaps at JD Narrowboats (where she is moored) have looked after her with regular services and a new boat safety certificate. Bloody hell the spiders are massive!!
Its going to take some time to get the old girl back to her former glory but the same could be said for Jan and me.
We will be moving TM to a new mooring at Braunston in the spring to take advantage of some new cursing destinations. The move in tinged with sadness because we have enjoyed our time at JD Narrowboats in Shardlow. The boys have looked after TM and us very well and we will miss them greatly. Heartfelt thanks to Andy and Darren.
In preparation for a new cruising season we are recruiting new crew members. Unfortunately we lost Spot (Ships dog) before Christmas, she is now cruising the great waterways in the sky. The new crew will be Maggie the Border Terrorist, currently 8 weeks old and due aboard next week. We will be joined in April by Brea the Munsterlander. Not exactly sure of the date because she is yet to be born. Watch this space for more updates.

Back in the Trent Valley

Not blogged for a couple of days so here is a catchup. From Coven Heath we pushed on down the Staffs and Worcester Canal stopping for the night at Baswick bridge 96. We walked to the Radford Bank Inn which is a Crown Carvery. We did not hold out much hope but we were tired and hungry after 15 miles and eleven locks. We had a massive carvery for £5.79 each. It was pretty good food, for the money it was fantastic, it fed both of us with lots of leftovers for spot.

Photos below show how deep some of the cuts are on this stretch of the canal - not just deep but narrow with few passing places but extremely impressive.

Bit overgrown around here

Back in the Trent Valley

River Sow Aqueduct

Tixall Wide

 Tixall Wide is supposed to have a good population of kingfishers.  We didn't see any here but have seen plenty while we've been out this year - Jan even saw one catch a fish and fly off.  They are an extremely shy bird and very difficult to get anywhere close enough for a photo before it shoots off in a very low straight flight in amazing speed.

Gets narrow here

Jan's Photo at Fradley Junction

Next day found us at Fradley Junction. We managed to just fit on the 48h moorings below the lock mooring. It is amazing how many times we manage to fit 45ft Tilly May onto the last mooring space. A meal in the Mucky Duck. We had done quite a few locks in the last few days, one observation we have noted this trip is the large number of boats that arrive at a lock and stop with their boat and do nothing to help the boat in front but are happy to accept help from the boat behind. At times when we have encountered a queue of boats it was not unusual to see 6 or 7 people standing by boats talking while one person struggles on the lock.  So saying, there was  plenty of movement going up towards the junction and there seemed to be a lot of seasoned helpful boaters; also we had help on a couple of locks from Fradley by 2 CaRT volunteers and later from IWA volunteers at Branston Lock - the latters had a stall selling cakes and other goodies which Chris could not resist!!

Moored last night at Stenson after picking up some milk in Willington. We had already decided that the Dragon would be packed on a sunny Sunday (we were right it was heaving) so we pushed on and found a good mooring at Stenson. Had a very nice kebab at the Bubble Inn and suffered with the hot weather during the night.

From Endor onto the Staffs and Worcester Canal

Had a nice meal in the Boat Inn last night. It is obviously a popular location as we had the last free table on a Wed night. We set off from Gnosall with a plan to get into the Staffs & Worcester. This section of the Shroppie is amazing! Once through the Cowley Tunnel the scenery looks like Endor (2 points for SciFi specialist who can identify Endor)

Cowley Tunnel

Once in a wile you appear out of the trees onto a raised embankment with views as above. Panoramic photo taken on my little Sony.

We finally moored in the middle on nowhere just past Coven Heath. Had salad an new tatos for tea. Jan woke about 4am and took the last 2 photos. Nooks like a nice day.

Long Day - Tree Down - Flights in Abundance

Having had to moor up on previous night due to "tree down over canal" we decided to move on earlier than usual today so set off at 8.45am having made sure Spot had been out for walk, TM tidied up, etc.  Only a few boats passed us going upstream by then.  Having tackled first 3 locks on Audlem flight on our own, thought "should not be a problem" - think again!!  We were soon followed by nb Ibex (working boat built 1927 and recently bought by young couple, moored at Norbury Junction with friend Peter on board).  Peter was brilliant through the locks with us: as we entered each lock Jan and I opened the lock and got TM into lock, once lock filled up with TM ready to move out, Jan then went up to the next to 'set' it leaving me and Peter to exit TM and enter Ibex, was fast and furious passage (Jan: felt like a working passage).  This went all the way onto the top lock of the Audlem flight, then (no rest for the wicked) we pushed on (or were pushed on by Peter) to the next Adderley Flight of 5 locks.  Again, same routine followed and we were soon through there.  Does this guy ever slow down?  Onto the next flight, Tyrley Locks - could not lose this chap.  Same routine and we sailed through the locks in short time.

Cannot thank Ibex crew (small baby on board) and Peter enough helping us through the locks.  Stood looking down the Audlem flight, there was a boat in each of the 15 locks coming up - only 2 boats were going down!

At the end of the climb of the 3 lock-flights, we had been through 22 locks, covered 10 miles, all from 8.45am to 4.15pm.  Amazingly, due to Peter's help and the couple on nb Ibex, it was nowhere as an arduous task as would have been thought.  Although a cup of tea was welcome at the end mooring!

Mention must be made to the state of the lock paddles and gates: all mechanisms really well maintained and the gates light-weight.

Adderley Flight

Adderley Flight

 The top of the Tyrley Locks was total chaos! By the time we managed to get through the melee we counted 26 boats that had finally got passed the downed tree and were now waiting to go down the flight.

Woodseaves Cutting

No sooner had we entered Woodseaves Cutting than we saw the CaRT boat with the chaps that had removed the tree.

Working boat Woodseaves Cutting

By the time we reached the sight of the downed tree there were four working boats moored(including nb Ibex) collecting the wood. Most boats looked like they had a year's supply of wood. It must have been a big tree!

We finally moored at Goldstone Bridge next to the Wharf Tavern. Probably one of the most dog unfriendly pubs we have been to.  Spot found a new friend - picture above.  Friend very interested in coming aboard TM - could be something to do with a bit of Spot's tea left in her bowl?!

While at Goldstone we met nb Melusina and her new owners of 3 hours. Watched them unload a van full of stuff onto the boat - mattresses, etc just before the heavens opened!  and talked to them about what they will be doing. nb Melusina is unusual in that her engine in front mounted.  Saw them again this morning: mum in Marigolds cleaning.

Shebdon Embankment looking over to The Wrekin

We set off heading to Norbury Junction, first onto Shebdon Embankment then back onto Grub Street Cutting. Switching between huge views and tree tunnels.

Knighton Cadbury Wharf

Grub Street Cutting

Norbury Junction and the catch-up with the working boats

Ibex moored at Norbury Junction

We have moored at Gnosall planning on going to the Navigation Inn but we will have to walk a little further because it is closed. Boat Inn here we come.

Audlem and Working Boats

A shortish cruise yesterday. After all the rain we took time to dry stuff and move up five locks to moor in the centre of Audlem. Last weekend there was a historic boat festival here so we were lucky to find a mooring. Tilly May is surrounded by old working boats, most of which are fascinating and quite magnificent having been well restored. Moored opposite us across the canal is Saturn the horse drawn boat we saw at Middlewich a couple of weeks ago.  No horse seen and it has no engine, so will be interesting to see how it moves!

Before we set off yesterday from Henhull I walked Spot down the towpath and got talking to a chap on a live-aboard nb Jezebel. Ashley is a birdwatcher by profession. He told me about doing breeding bird surveys and bat watches and guided birding walks. He was involved in two companies, Bird Information Ltd, which rented pages to keen bird watchers so they get the latest information about rare bird sightings. Also he operates bird watching tours in Spain via Aquila Bird Tours. It is amazing the interesting people you meet on the cut.

Above horse statue created from old working boat parts

Panoramic of Cheshire Plain

The baby River Weaver

Due to a tree fallen across the canal at Woodseaves Cutting , there was no access further up the locks so ...... off to the pub! Had a good pint and a super meal at The Lord Combermere.  Good service and dog-friendly.  Also called into the local craft shop where we bought the Canal Companion books ready for next year's southern trip (also bought some dominoes and a pack of cards for when we get bored - is this senility creeping in?!!)

Wet Nuggets on Locks

What can we say about yesterday. It Rained! All day it rained. From the moment we got up until the moment we went to bed it rained. It rained big drops, it drizzled. It rained from the north, from the south, from the east and from the west. It rained straight down. It rained horizontally. Did I mention it rained.

Even through the rain the countryside was beautiful and we passed some fantastic houses. The properties below were picked out by Jan as our next home.

Apart from the persistent rain the other irritation of the day was the six boats waiting to go up Minshull Lock. There were 6 boats in front of us when we arrived at the bottom of the first of 2 locks.  We waited until we were third in the queue then Jan went up to help out. She was joined by another lady who was presumed be from the boat in front of us.

Jan: as per yesterday, 3 of the boats in front of TM were hire boats and hardly any of the boats' residents helped and those who did, didn't seem to know what to do. After an hour's waiting we were in the lock. By the time Tilly May was in this first lock there was now another six boats queuing; nine people stood like nuggets on the towpath chatting and one poor lady on the lock doing any work - it turned out she was from the boat behind us and was helping me to get the queue moving quicker so we could get out of the rain.  However, she couldn't move up the lock until a hire boat of 4 lads had come down - they stood on the bank under an umbrella waiting for the paddles to be done for them! I think the lady would have been be there for some time.  Sorry to be a whinge but I do find it frustrating when this is supposed to be team work.

Last weekend was a historic boat rally at Audlem so we expect to see a few old boats today. In fact the first working boat passed us at 8am this morning. They must have left very early to get here for 8am.