and finally, the Black Lion

Friday 29th June 2018

Wildlife of the day – Pike, Kingfisher and Heron

A beautiful day travelling through beautiful countryside. Once we had left the canal, we perused a Kingfisher flying ahead of us all the way down the River Churnett section before we stopped at our favourite mooring.

This is a Jannock first! We have never ever arrived at the Consall Forge (Black Lion) moorings before to find them empty. We had a choice of where to moor on the bank and all the birdsong and we didn’t even have to disturb the fisherman sat alongside the water point.

The water here is nice an clear so Graham took the opportunity to wash two months worth of grime from Jannock and make her look presentable again. Whilst we were here in the shade a heron, that we’d spooted fishing further up stream, came and sat on the bank by our bows. He made one attempt at a catch but missed the fish but immediately returned to the same spot and started to preen himself in a “I meant to do that!” fashion. He wasn’t in the least bit bothered by us so we had the priviledge of watching him for a good fifteen minutes.

Brenda’s second night off in two days so into the Black Lion for evening meal, where the steaks were very good (they will even cook them blue if you ask) and the paer and pecan crumble was superb. A total score of 11 out of 10. Graham loved the Thomas the Tank engine being vandalised picture in the Gents loos (shown below – thanks i-Phone)

The evening could only have been improved if a steam hauled train had passed us whilst we sat out the front of the pub and eat! No trains runnng until tomorrow and they are only diesel due to the fire risk from steam engines in this very dry spell we are experiencing.

Brenda

The Hollybush

Thrusday 28th June 2018

Today we mastered the ‘late start’ with bacon sarnies and Sunshine – not a common occurence on Jannock. We passed through Milton, Engine lock, two lift bridges (one electric – where CaRT staff were doing a safety check) and then Stockton Brook flight of four before stopping in the shade at Park Lane services for a siesta. Cat, Monkey and new team mate Duck had to pose on the potteries sculpture here for old times sake.

The only event, in an otherwise event-less day was that Brenda kidnapped and then washed my Tilley hat during the siesta to prevent it becoming a health hazard. Luckily it was dry by the time we set off again otherwise I would have mutineed!

We started again and passed down Hazelhurst locks before mooring just before the Leek arm aquaduct, just round the corner from the Holly Bush Inn. We have frequently passed the busy moorings at this pub and so stopping in the shade before getting there meant we should be OK for our evening meal tonight ( I’ve given Brenda the night off) As it turned out, the moorings outside the pub had spaces available but we were nice and quiet round the corner in the cutting.

Fish and chips twice for dinner tonight whilst sat in the shade outside the front of the pub. Excellent. Then back to Jannock to watch the football – Not England getting beaten by Belgium – my copy of Early Man that I received as a Fathers day present.

Graham

and onto the Caldon

Wednesday 27th june 2018

Discovery of the day – Jannocks smoke alarms are dual purpose, smoke and insect killer spray ;^)

We left our quiet overnight mooring and made our way towards Hardings Wood junction with the Trent and Mersey canal. As we passed the moored boats between bridges 96 and 97 I could see a boat heading towards us. As soon as we passed the last moored boat I moved across to give them room and spectacularly ran aground on a sand bank that was indicated by a traffic cone stuck over a spike in the canal bed. Jannock stopped so fast and lurched to the left and Brenda almost spilt tonight’s curry she was preparing in the slow cooker. I hadn’t spotted this obstruction as it’s very low level with no other warning. The oncoming boat was a canaltime with experienced crew who offered to snatch us off but I declined due to the restricted width available because of the moored boats. I wouldn’t want him to clout one. I hoped to push us off sideways but no luck.We finally managed to shift by me pushing backwards on the pole whilst Brenda put the engine in hard astern. With Brexit in mind, we’d still be there if it wasn’t for our Pole!

We were second in the queue at the North portal of Harecastle tunnel with alomost a one hour wait for the northbound craft to emerge. We followed a very smokey Anglo Welsh boat but once in the tunnel the fans kept his smoke to himself ;^)

At Westport Lake, the area was closed off with miles of Police tape with PCSOs dealing with pedestrians and a dive team in the water using a rib. It would seem that they found the body of the missing 13 year old at about the same time as we were passing, just before lunchtime today. The Police were allowing boats to moor there but not a happy place to stop.

We stopped at Capital gas in Etruria (other side of road bridge and canal from the marina – they have a gate on the towpath, ring the bell and ask for service) for a couple of 13Kg Calor cylinders – cheapest supplier for miles. Unfortunately the Holy Innadequate was closed so I didn’t get an excuse for a beer, maybe try again once we leave the Caldon.

The last time we passed through Bedford St. staircase we spotted that the instruction sign alongside the top lock was incorrect. All that there is there now are two poles where the sign used to be. With all the new logo’d signs that have appeared everywhere else in the area I’d have thought they would have replaced the instruction sign as a priority.

As we passed through Hanley Park we picked up a large amount of white fabric around the prop so had to tie up to one of the bankside mooring rings to visit the weedhatch – first time this year! We moored for the night close to Mill Farm on the outskirts of Hanley under a nice shady tree and had a Brenda curry for dinner.

Graham

and on to Hardings Wood

Tuesday 26th june 2018

A leisurely start, the sun was already up and heading for ‘scorchio’ but Graham managed to wash the shady side of the boat before it got too hot. We cruised to bridge 68 where we stopped for a water fill at a water point not marked in the 2015 edition of Nicholsons guide Volume 5.

Then on to Congleton as the temperature approached the predicted scorchio so we moored under total arborial UV protection – OK, shade alongside the Queens Head, to sit it out. The irritation was that we’d moored downwind of a bakery baking chocolate cake. Correction – a Waitrose’s mincemeat factory and an oat millers. We have some posh porridge with cocoa nibs in, so perhaps they make that. The smell forced us to have chocolate cake for lunch.

A couple of boat jobs done, a slob about and we were on our way again at 5pm. The sun was still high and hot but less so than earlier. How a field of handle barred McCattle were coping we do not know. We moored up before the A50 aquaduct for the night immediately before the Maccy joins the Trent and Mersey.

The cruise plan curse got wurse. We set off to find the Blue Bell pub at Hardings Wood. we had to drink at Plan B, the Canal Tavern as the Blue Bell has a stoppage for a refurb. They did an interesting range of slush – only £3.50p with shots in.

There were a group of early teens strutting their stuff, innit, around the adjacent lock. The boys were showing off on the road bridge and lock balance beams; foolhardy at beast. The landlady came and told them to stop it and be safe. Mild mouthyness got them reminded that a kid died in Westport lake yesterday. “Yeh, but he was mucking about and in the water” was the reply. So, nothing like falling off a lock or bridge into the canal then. “We can swim” – not after a bash on the head as you go in.

Brenda & Graham

A day out in the car and then Bosley locks

Monday 25th June

Today, we decided on a VERY late start. The weather forecast was ‘scorchio’ and we wanted to visit Jodrell Bank so what better than to visit it on a school day, weekday? It was well worth the visit and we learnt lots. As well as the ‘science bit’ there is a lovely wood and garden area, plenty of room for kids to run and picnic.

Scorchio was right, so once we had finished there, we did a ‘postman pat’ tour around the area – best we could find was a half timbered village church, unusual and very picturesque (what no picture? – Ed).  There are a lot of lovely halls hereabouts. This hall and that hall, even the gatehouses look tres’ posh!

A late lunch and then back to Bosley top lock. At 10am this morning lock rage was breaking out as we went to the car. A volunteer lockie (VL) was filling the top lock to let a waiting boat descend. Mr Rage stomped up from below the lock and demanded that he needed water letting down now!! Lockie said water would be let down when the boat had descended. That was not good enough for Mr Rage-going-puce. There were boats stranded on the bottom, no one afloat, water, now! Lockie was polite, Mr Angry was not.

I realised that he had his boat against the bottom gates in the low water pound below, he hadn’t bothered to check what was happening at the lock and expected to go in first. I went up to the VL and quietly explained what Mr Numpty hadn’t mentioned so they turned the lock to let him in before passing the waiting boat down through.

Come 6:30pm, when we had decided that it was cool enough to do the 12 lock flight as the sun went down, we were not surprised to end up aground in the top lock pound due to low water levels, not least because I had to move over to give a deeper draught boat half a chance of reaching the lock.

We took 95 minutes to complete the flight with most of the locks being in our favour due to the ascending deep draughted boat. We tied up on the mooring below the bottom lockon the towpath in the cool and watched the moon rise – again!

Brenda

And so we set off home

Sunday 24th June

We reversed back from Jannock’s mooring the short distance to the winding hole, turned her about and set off back towards Macclesfield. Brenda spotted this ballet dancing scarecrow at a bankside property as we passed.

On through lovely countryside, past Macclesfield and through both swingbridges, the second being worked for us by a hire boat crew heading North – thanks! I spotted this boat with the largest rope bow fender I have ever seen.

By about 13:30 it was getting a bit hot so we moored up in a nice wooded area, under a shady tree and listened to the birdsong coming from both sides of the canal. Just after 3 we set off again down to Bosley top lock where we moored up on the rings ready to pass down the flight tomorrow evening. We have a trip out in the car planned for tomorrow. I went to fetch the car from Higher Poynton and returned back to Jannock at 6pm, just in time for tea.

fter tea, we moved across into the facilities mooring and I did a pumpout whilst Brenda had a shower in the sani station. She then reversed Jannock back across to out recently vacated towpath mooring and I then walked back for a shower as well.

Graham

The start of the trip home

Saturday 23rd June

Busy, busy. Last night we joined Cutwebbers, who were moored at Aylesbury basin, in the Old Millwrights Arms. Who knew? a good pub, good beer and a pizza buffet all within a very short walk from the basin. An excellent evening with good friends.

Today, we returned to Jannock at Higher Poynton on the Macclesfield canal, dumped our stuff on board and then started our holiday with a visit to Lyme Park – of Pride and Prejudice and Mr Darcy in a wet shirt fame. It was amusing overhearing visitors who had mixed up fact, fiction, TV locations and an American lady who seemed unaware that it was a book. The grounds and park plus a picnic could be a whole days visit in themselves. Graham loved the way that NT had leveled the billiards table in the games room using beer mats under the bottom of the legs.

Back to Jannock via the shops to provision for the next few days, we un-packed and chatted with the crew of the boat moored next door and then off to Alan’s for a ‘do’. We had a lovely evening full of laughter and silliness all based on a balcony overlooking Jannock. New friends!

You may have spotted that Jannock has overstayed ay Higher Poynton. When we left her here lock 13 of the Marple flight had just been repaired after a collapsed wall some 8 months ago. The first few boats through found that now lock 11 is impassable to boats longer than 45’ that are more than 6’9” wide with many getting stuck. Therefore Jannock is un-able to pass so we left her outside Alan’s house (without CaRTs permission due to not being able to get hold of the right person) until we could get time for another holiday to bring her back home again.

This yearstrip has been the ‘stoppage cruise’ so far. Unable to get to Huddersfield because of the Marple issue, unable to get to Liverpool due to a culvert collapse that has drained one pount on the Leeds and liverpool canal. We decided we would turn and return to Brinklow but it would be good to do the Caldon canal on our way home. It seems that is currently closed as well so we’ll see if they can mend it before we get there. The good news is that there were no ‘nastygrams’ on Jannock when we returned to her a month after mooring her on a 14 day mooring.

Brenda

Our plans are foiled.

Sunday 27th May

The sun was up, the wind was also up but the crew wasn’t so Cap’n set off single handed.

Note to crews visiting Bugsworth basin with mini-cabin-boys (no sexism intended, ‘its’ traditional) – steam can be let off in two places. Walk up to the Navigation and a) take balls and picnics past it, pub on your left, and there is an open area of grass with no risk of falling in, ahead of you. b) Take the road, with the pub on your right, and walk up to the village. Turn right, past the club and there is a childrens play park down on the right with swings etc.

We approached Marple flight. It’s closure has made us change our summer trip plans. With the re-opening of lock 13 last week, it seems that boats are now getting stuck in lock 11 due to the walls shifting there as well. We will take Jannock back to Higher Poynton and leave her outside Alan’s house until we hear the flight is open again.

We came across another boat, well and truly stuck on an underwater obstruction. It seems the skipper had chosen the length of nice piling to moor against for lunch and had run aground trying to get to it. He didn’t want us to try and pull him free using the bow rope and so after two failed attempts to get him afloat using his stern rope, Graham took the bow rope and snatched his boat off of the obstruction.

We stopped at Higher Poynton bridge for a fill of water and then winded just after the flash and tied up outside Alan’s house. We then took a stroll down Anson road to visit the Anson engine museum. It’s a treasure trove of engines through the years, uses and technologies. The staff are so friendly that we got the benefit of their knowledge and even got a lift back to the boat at chucking out time by one of them.

Back at Jannock and nb Black Pig hove into view and then stopped for a chat. It appears that they were also in Bugsworth basin last night but had arrived just after we had finished our walk around and returned to the boat – shame!

Sorry – can’t find the pictures on the laptop, they must be at home.

Brenda

A wet trip to Bugsworth

Friday 25th May 2018

This morning, it seems that the Royal Wedding pound guinea has run out in the ‘lovely-weather-meter. And building sites are not neccesarily noisy places. At 8:30, I checked and there was work going on. Huge cranes are very quiet.

Graham started the day with a walk down into town to get his data SIM checked out by the 3 shop, as you do ;^) That done, he set us off in the rain, drizzle, dry greyness with the promise of brighter always in the distance. As we went through Higher Pointon G’s workmate Alan came out to say ‘Hello’ (we’ll see him again in a couple of days)

At Marple junction, where there is/was a closure in the lock flight, there was no indication that they were open or still closed, apart from a boat moored in the mouth of the top lock which indicated that the flight may still be closed. However, it was all new signage and new CaRT logog a go-go. Did all the signs here need replacing? Indeed many signs have not yet been updated from the logo before the last, even with stickers. Was a new and expensive logo actually needed, was the old one broken? The last two at least alluded to CaRT’s stewardship of the environment which is more than the new ‘sinking tyre’ does.

As we approached the peaks the weather worsened but chunks of blue sky appeared in the cloud. Through the wooded approach to New Mills the air was pungent with the smell of wild garlic, prolific in the woods. New Mills is the home of Swizzels-Matlows; as we came to the factory the smell was overpoweringly sweet and fruity and brought back childhood memories (and tooth decay).

We came upon a boat that we are familiar with and found that the owner has a brilliant take on recycling to faciliate a back deck cover. A Reliant Robin has been cut up and adorns nb Del Boy aka Trotters Independant Traders.

Brenda

And into Macclesfield

24th May 2018

After a nice peaceful night, we set off at 9am to ascend the Bosley lock flight. We have to say that a sunny morning in May, with lovely weather and nature all a blossom, is hard to beat. The woodland birds sang for us all the way up the flight of 12 locks. We settled into a system as we were having to turn all the locks from 12 to 7 due to another boat being in front of us. We met a black cat at lock 12 so decided it was good luck for the ascent. At lock 7 we met a southbound boat being assisted by a vo-lockie and so things got easier then. At lock 5, two vo-lockies past us walking down the flight, but apart from emptying one lock for us they continued on.

Once out the top lock, Graham went and had a shower in the Sani station whilst I made a pot of tea. Then he went off on the Di Blasi to fetch the car from Stone. It started and ran well so the ackling he did at Hem Heath obviously sorted the problems. On his return we had lunch and then cast off towards Macclesfield. Although lovely and sunny it began to blow a hooley. The boat travelling in front of us had a fine display of rubber ducks on the roof until some of them took flight. The Jannock crew, now affiliated to Staffs and Worcs Fire and RESCUE Service, saved them using our fishing net to recapture them. We hoped the rest of the collection were better secured otherwise it could turn into a charity duck race.

Onto Macclesfield where we moored by bridge 40 and then walked down into town to see the sights. There are some very interesting buildings and reasonable shopping with an Aldi as the most prominent supermarket near the town centre.The town’s history is in the bricks and mortar. We spotted some weavers cottages, the windows at the very top of the buildings allowed the best light for fine work, possibly in silk.

We had to check out Wetherspoons in the ‘Society Rooms’ – originally a Vicarage with an extension built by the Useful Knowledge Society as an Art and Technical school. Useful knowledge was the 3Rs. Next door is a lovely old library built in the 1890s. Whilst their Curry Night was too good to miss, G also found ‘Windsor Knot’, an excellent beer brewed by the Windsor and Eton brewery especially for the Royal Wedding – ironic. He also bought me a wonderful Rhubarb and Ginger Gin Liquer, it seems I really like Gin ;^)

On our walk back to the boat, we spotted the ultimate caravan to have parked in your front garden – gorgeous!  Back at Jannock and a 10 minute cruise moved us further out of Macclesfield onto a pontoon mooring opposite a floodlit building site – we’ll see what time they start work tomorrow morning.

Brenda

Working again

Wednesday 23rd May 2018

Today I was working from Home aboard Jannock again. This time Jannock is the Staffs and Worcester Fire and Rescue Marine vessel, Inland Waterways division. After the inquiry into the death of a boater within Harecastle tunnel, one of the recomendations was to enable FRS communications inside it. Today, Tony from Staffs FRS set up a fireground radio with a directional aerial at the Southern portal of the tunnel and as the other FRS representative didn’t show, I tested how far we got through before it wouldn’t work due to poor signal.

I was surprised at the evidence of collision damage with the roof where the height changes abruptly. The warning paint has been totally smashed away at some locations. I bet the boats suffered severe damage to the corners of the roof when this happened.

Once this little job was complete we turned left onto the Macclesfield canal at Hardings Wood junction and made our way to Hall Green lock. Only a rise of about 30cms but still enough time to buy myself a book from the selection on sale at the lock cottage. Brenda donated a few books to the collection as well. Once through, we stopped to fill with water at the end of the lock landing before continuing on our way.

A lunch of filled Staffordshire Oatcakes (when in ……… do as ………. ) was taken on the move and we finally moored for the day at the bottom of the Bosley lock flight. We have stayed here before, it is a beautiful rural location well away from road or rail.

Tomorrow we are hoping to tackle the lock flight before it gets too warm.

Yesterday, whilst visiting the museum, we promised we would mention the forthcoming Etruria Canal Festival that is on over the first weekend in June. Forgot to last night so here it is now. Visit http://etruriacanalsfestival.org.uk/ for more info.

Graham

Through Stoke and onto Harecastle

Tuesday 22nd May 2018

We decided to moor at a spot at Hem Heath, where we know it to be very quiet, last night. There was an ‘advice notice’ on a house back gate that, for once, we respected. Usually it’s a case of “I don’t want any smelly/noisy/holiday/any/view spoiling botas outside my house so go away” and many seem to be supported by CaRT. This was different, warning boaters of the risk of bombardment by a kiddie with a disability. We moved on a short way and found another suitable place that was equally quiet except for singing birds as the sun came up.

G’s first task was to turn the back cabin into a motorcycle repair shop and get Jannock’s transport department working again. It’s good to have skills and a boat load of tools but the spare part he really wants is in the garage at home.

We set off and made our way to the bottom of the Stoke flight. Our ascent was good with G using the lock wheeling bike to good advantage. As Jannock came up the 2nd to last lock, the top lock (on which he had already opened a paddle to drain the half lock full of water) had the top paddles opened by a single hander who admitted he was new to all this lark and hadn’t responded to the sounding of Jannock’s klaxon when I spotted what he was doing. G rushed up on the bike and rescued the situation.

Once out of the flight, we moored outside the Toby Carvery and went in for lunch. After that we worked off the calories by walking into Newcastle to visit the Brampton Museum and Gallery. En route we had an attack of house envy as we walked along leafy suburban streets past lovely detached properties. The museum was good and free and we finished with a cup of tea in the park outside.

We then returned along the main road and visited a fabric shop where I spent a lot of time caressing lovely fabrics and wishing that I had reason to buy some. Back onto the road back to Jannock and once across the by-pass, we stopped at the Holy Inadequate – an excellent pub with a wide selection of good beers and ciders that boasts it’s own brewery out the back.

I dragged eventually Graham out after I had finished my excellent Woodhalls Whubarb cider and we returned to Jannock, untied and moved up past Westport lake to the Southern portal of Harecastle tunnel. We are expecting visitors just after 8am tomorrow morning.

Brenda

30 minutes ruined a day

Monday 21st May 2018

The spot where we moored in Stone last night had two tiny Pansies growing out of the bank right beside Jannocks rear deck. Never seen any that small before. My finger in the picture gives an idea of size.

Brenda went shopping in Stone this morning whilst I did a car shuffle. When I tried to start the DiBlasi it didn’t want to play. I finally managed to get it going and made the trip back to Alvecote with no further issues. I decided I may have a fuel supply issue – faulty petrol hose, tap or float chamber valve. Drove back to Stone in the car but then the DiBlasi refused to start at all once I’d unloaded it. Did a strip down on the towpath but fuel supply was fine. However, I was unable to get a spark on the spark plug so I must have an intermittent fault in the wiring somewhere. Put it back in it’s bag to sort tomorrow and we set off towards Star lock.

This mornings weather was fine again and we met two boats heading south as we passed up the four locks in Stone. Then onto the Meaford flight where watched an NPAS helicopter circling a spot over to our starboard side as we passed up on our own with every lock set against us – we’ve obviously lost yesterday’s luck.

This latter fact was backed up by a 30 minute heavy rain storm from 3:45 until 4:15 once we’d cleared Meaford and made our way through Barlaston. Brenda went inside and made a cup of tea whilst I stayed put and braved the storm. I felt really sorry for the Southbound boat we had passed just above the Meaford locks – they would be working their way down the flight during all this rain. Then only bonus was that Jannock looks much cleaner now than she did earlier.

We think CaRT deserve recognition for all of the offside vegitation management that has occurred since we last passed this way. It’s great now that all the trees have been trimmed back revealing the full width of the navigation channel and also improving views ahead around bends etc. Thanks folks.

We tied up on piling at Hem Heath, just up from bridge 106. Sheilded from the railway by the offside houses and far enough away from the bridge for a quiet night. As I was sorting out the TV aerial, I spotted a small bird of prey (Harrier?) grabbing a baby bird from the towpath just in front of Jannock and trying to carry it off. However it was not climbing very well and so dropped the prey when it saw me on the front of our boat. The baby bird hopped off into the bushes alongside the towpath.

Graham

And onward to Stone

20th May 2018

Wildlife of the day – A pretty Lapwing with two chicks.

After a very peaceful night and a bit of a lay-in we finally set off towards Handacre just before 10am. In Rugely, whilst I was in the shower, Brenda had a spot of trouble at bridge 67 where she met a cruiser who was not looking ahead and tried to pass through the bridge whilst Jannock was blocking it. After a poor exhibition of reversing by the cruiser, she was able to get into a gap in the moorings to allow it to pass through the bridge.

This incident was almost immediately followed by a joint canoe/dayboat debacle once we had crossed the aquaduct on the way out of town. The canoeists were awaiting one of their party to join them from the bank but were hanging around right opposite a moored boat – reducing the navigable channel to about 40% of normal. The dayboat decided to go into the bank before the moored boat to allow us through but was using his tiller back to front – a common newbie issue, however he couldn’t stop his boat so avoided a crash by powering out past it. Luckily he recovered and we got past so I offered him my best advice – Point the front end of the tiller at what you want to miss!

We met nb Ariadne again and this time the laydee gave me a prize for the best hat of the day – anyone with a better hat after 12:15 will have to be dissapointed. However, the receipt of this award has somewhat diluted the importance of yesterday’s bunting award.

At Great Heywood junction we stopped at the water point to fill Jannock’s tank. Brenda walked our rubbish to the skip and returned with a nice glass plant pot. Last time we visited here she found a nice hat in the skip and this has now become her boating hat.

We continued on, experiencing that rare event – every lock in our favour, to Stone where we moored up for the night on the five day moorings behind he Scout hut. I’ll do a car shuffle tomorrow morning before we continue North.

Graham

Royal Wedding Day

19th May 2018

We put up the bunting last night before going across to the Samuel Barlow for an excellent meal – never had a bad meal there! We put bunting along the handrails, inside the windows and had even left a whole run of bunting all along our street before leaving home yesterday morning. It just had to be done!

Graham was up early as he was working from home boat today. Monitoring the TVP event talkgroup he had a unique view of the wedding proceedings going on in Windsor.

We cleared Glascote locks quite quickly and as we passed Fazely junction we spooted that the residents in the new flats there had set up a big screen in the communal area on the ground floor and were having a Royal Wedding party. They cheered as we passed bedecked with bunting.  

A boat advertising stainless steel chimneys was moored just North of Fazely and I loved his unique rudder on the butty – made from stainless steel tube.  Later we passed nb Ariadne and a laydee appeared out of the hatch and told Brenda that we had won ‘the Prize’, What prize? The prize for the best bunting, “best decorated boat” she said! She didn’t ask us where she had to send the prize to – shame!

As we approached Huddlesford, I spotted nb Slow Motion heading south. This boat used to belong to our good friend Julian T. and he was on her when we first met him at Bathampton on the K&A in 2001.

Fradley was deserted with no traffic, apart from us, moving at all. We passed up the first two locks quite quickly, but had to wait for a descending boat at Woodend lock. Waiting above to descend was nb Kelpie with Ann and Ian aboard. We haven’t seen them since we passed them on the Soar many years ago.

We finally found a quite mooring in the woods between Kings Bromley marina and Handsacre having rejected a couple of likely spots due to the Oil Seed Rape being in bloom in the ajacent fields.

Graham

A very short day

Monday 7th May 2018

We left Poleworth after a nice cooked breakfast, the eggs matched the weather – sunny side up – that’s three days in a row now. We did a very short run to Alvecote where we moored Jannock on the towpath near the Samuel Barlow. I then went back to Brinklow on the Di Blasi and fetched the car. On my return to Jannock we had lunch, loaded the car and set off home very early.

Graham

The heat, tetse flies and Atherstone flight.

Sunday 6th May 2018

Another beautiful day. We set off and almost immediately greeted Terry (nb Grace) as he was crewing on the charity boat that passed us heading South. The passengers were amply supplied with pots of tea and having a good time.

As we approached Hartshill the Alpaccas were in the field beside the canal. As I was inside the boat, Graham took this picture just for me.

Further on, Graham was surprised at the change that has happened to Mancetter wharf. Obviously Rothens are moving in to use it as a base.

We met even more volunteers at Atherstone locks – they, and a procession of south bound boats working up the flight gave us a very easy path down with every lock set in our favour when we arrived.

We are told that we all need to work into our 70’s in order to keep the state pension pot topped up. Regardless of the arguments for and against I suspect that the gain to state and society afforded by an army of volunteers would be lost. What they do would be lost or have to be paid for. And while I’m all political . . . . .  equality. There are many religious, cultural and social restrictions upon women to dress modestly. Seeing “summer blokes” out and about today we need equality. Chaps – at best you risk a nasty dose of sunburn in places that haven’t seen the sun for years, at worst, a session with the NHS for a skin cancer – and really – there is an aestetic case for most of us to be a little more modest at the very least. What would you say if the woman in your life dressed like ‘that’ in public spaces? Equality please, anything else is just  . . . .  pants!

We stopped at the bottom of Atherstone flight  for showers before moving up to Grendon Sani-station to refill the water tank. Brenda found these gates around the back of the Sani-station buildings – very unusual.

Then onto Polesworth for a peaceful mooring opposite the empty factory. A pair of towpath walkers informed us that an Eagles tribute band were performing in the Spreadeagle pub that evening but we decided not to be pseudo ornithologists.

Brenda

And we’re off!

Saturday 5th May 2018

Wildlife of the day – Jays

Shock of the day – a beautiful warm bank holiday weekend (after yet more winter)

We set off from Brinklow marina in glorious sunshine and no wind. This made extracting Jannock from the pontoon very easy – I hope it’s like that when we come back in the autumn.

A nice run up through Stretton and just before we passed below the M6, I spotted a Jet fighter parked in a filed alongside the motorway. Must have been fun getting that in there. Going by the sounds of shooting, I suspect it is a ‘militaria’ action site.

On through Ansty and just before Sutton’s the people who live on the offside with a collection of old commercial vehicles were playing with their Rushton Hornsby digger to an enthusiastic audience.

Onward to Hawksbury where, once we were through the stop lock, I managed to execute my best ever single turn around onto the Coventry canal. The Nuneaton trip boat was moored outside the lock on the offside and that forced me to take a slightly wider turn – it worked beautifully using a single throttle setting and no reversing.

On up to Bedworth where we stopped for a cup of tea and a natter with the crew of Grace in their canalside bungalow. A couple of hours later, we continued North until we just cleared Bedworth (near the old rubbish tip) where we tied up so that I could polish the starboard side of the boat and varnish the rear seat and tiller handle.

It was a nice peaceful overnight mooring with no intrusive train noises even though we were not too far from the railway – the joy of having a mound of earth between you and the track.

Graham

May the 4th be with you

Friday 4th May 2018

Wildlife of the day – Hares!

We spent the day getting ready for the off – a late start this year but there’s been a lot going on in our lives. Graham did jobs, I mostly didn’t. We stayed on the mooring overnight especially to visit “Essence of India” in Marton. It’s been a restaurant that Graham’s workmates have used frequently but we have always wanted to visit. It’s reputation was worth it – excellent food and slick, casual (even silly at times!) service with staff who not only really knew their stuff but seemed to thoroughly enjoy working there. Another one off of Graham’s bucket list.

Brenda

Appologies for an acute shortage of pictures.

I finally managed to catch up with the end of season posts due to finding the logbook – unfortunately, I can’t find any pictures that were taken during the days I’ve just posted.

Graham

Maintenance Day

End of season ‘chores’ day. Beds to be stripped, mats to be lifted and the subsequent washing to be taken home. The loo tank was emptied and the diesel tank filled up ready for winter.

The strong wind, the remains of another U.S. based hurricane no doubt, allowed Graham to prove that he’s gaining skill at getting in and out of our berth when Jannock’s sides are acting as sails and the weather gods are having a laugh. Storm Ophelia next week.

It all goes to prove that Trump isnt the only major problem the U.S. has, the devastaion reeked by wind powered fires, storms and floods make parts of the U.S. look like war zones. They can do little to stop the weather, sorting Trump out should be easier.

I could not work out why there was a petrol powered pump sat on the next pontoon pumping water from the marina, along a 15 foot hose and back into the marina again. Graham asked and it seems that they were testing the emergence pump that would be used in the case of a boat sinking in the marina. We never had that facility at our last mooring ;^)

Brenda

Autumn Soddit Cruise 2017

Friday 29th September

We arrived at Jannock on Friday evening, dumped our clobber on board and headed up to the Braunston Frier to get our supper of cod and chips – excellent! Then back to the boat for 4 games of Soddit before retiring to bed.

Saturday 30th September

We cast off and headed for Hillmorton at about 11am after breakfast and a protracted session of maggot drowning. As we approached Barby we found a long procession of Southbound boats headed by Brian aboard Autarky. It appears that they were all held up because somebody had fallen into the canal and caused a queue to build up whilst being rescued.

On to Hillmorton where we moored above the locks for lunch and more fishing. Whilst the latter was happening I changed the gearbox oil on the box. I found that the oil cooler for the gearbox must have sprung a leak as there was evidence of water in the gearbox, the oil was a white emulsion rather than clear. This means I’ll have to do it again once we are back in the marina when I’ll have to fix or replace the oil cooler.

Through Hillmorton locks with a lot of traffic coming the other way. We stopped at the water point below the locks to refill the tank and it started to rain. We thought we’d be clever and stand under the oak tree to keep dry but the tap was so slow that the rain penetrated the leaves and we had to deploy an umbrella before it was full.

Once full, we continued on to moor alongside the golf course for the night. More games of Soddit played before hitting the sack at midnight,

Sunday 1st October

A short run through Rugby accompanied by rousing music through Newbold tunnel provided by Brian running the boat stereo at setting 11. We moored up in the cutting just before the entrance to Brinklow marina (No Fishing allowed within) and I fetched the car from Braunston whilst they fished.

Once I was back, we moved Jannock into the marina, tidied up and went home once Brian and Ian had fed the resident Carp with all our left-over bread.

Graham

Cutweb Rally 2017

The weather was not as good as it has been for past rallies, but the function room was available if needed. The sun did show itself during Boaters Games and general silliness on Saturday afternoon.

We had the honour of helping Lilly, nb Nuggler, celebrate her 4th birthday. Large slices of ‘Frozen Barbie’ cake all round. Thanks grandma Pat.

Much merriment during the quiz on Saturday evening especially during the infamous Cutweb speed raffle – we’ve got this down to a tee now ;^) Much jumping up and down during the Sunday evening horse racing event – Cutweb has a pony club now.

We moved Jannock back up the Stockton flight during Sunday afternoon as we needed to have her at the Bottom Lock dry dock for 11am Monday morning. The sun shone again and we had half a dozen willing helpers all determined to work off their Sunday roast dinner – great beef and loads of vegetables.

No one went hungry this weekend. As well as pub catering, we also had a ‘bring and share’ lunch and the leftovers were then consumed at the races. Home cooking is alive and well! The wild fruit harvest has been good this year so apples and blackberries featured strongly.

We walked back to the Blue Lias for the racing on Sunday evening before packing everything away and taking the car back to the boat when it was all over.

Another excellent rally. Thankyou to everyone who contributed, helped, participated and laughed the weekend away.

Early Monday morning, Graham set us off and we made our way to Braunston. We passed through Calcutt locks sharing with other boats then made our way to bottom lock for blacking.

Brenda

On to the top of Stockton

Cap’n Jannock was up and set us off early. Yesterdays rain had cleared and no more was forecast until later this afternoon so a quick dash to the top of Stockton locks should ensure a dry trip to fetch the car from Brinklow leaving Jannock in place for a quick desent to the Blue Lias next friday.

Autumn has come quickly, the fields are brown and ploughed, the birds are flocking and our heating pump isn’t playing. It’ll work fine all evening but after sitting dormant overnight, it resuses to start shifting the hot water around the radiators until it’s been hit with something. Then it works OK until the following morning. Blankets at the ready chaps!

We moored near an apple tree and so the weekends haul of fruit was completed. Blackberries next weekend?

Brenda

And off we go again

It’s time for the Cutweb rally so we set off from Brinklow in lovely warm sunshine – not like the afternoon a couple of weekends ago when Matt, Alice and Felicity visited us at the boat during a ‘work party’ weekend.

Felicity and I took a turn around the pond and watched a pair of kingfishers dart by, their plumage as bright and rich coloured as any jeweles ; turquoise and fire opal flashing past.

All was well until we passed Rugby. There we spotted a Pirate crew setting off. Even Tinkerbelle was dressed as a pirate. No doubt as stag do! Little did they know that their finery (and gossamer wings) was about to get drenched. At least their inflatable flamingo wouldn’t mind.

The rain eased as we entered the top lock at Hillmorton and we were able to gather Elderberries (for Elderberry vinegar) and plums for the freezer. I used the processing of fruit as an excuse to stay in the dry whilst Graham steered Jannock to Braunston. We tied up just north of the road bridge and walked through Braunston to bottom Lock chandlers and also to the dry dock to see Tim to finalise our arrival time a week next Monday.

We ate dinner in the Boat House and then returned to Jannock to prepare a mega betting spreadsheet for the horse racing game we are planning for the rally next weekend.

Brenda