Almyne 2009
Sat, 1 Aug 2009
Sunset1 8
Marcus
Westport Lake
Yesterday, while walking Richard
up to the telephone box, I spotted a notice advertising a Boat Safety Examiner (Ross Boats) and took a note of his telephone number.
I rang him and asked if he could do a 'pre BSS' for us and how much it would cost. At twenty pounds for this minimal service I was happy to go ahead with it.
He turned up about an hour later and proceeded to talk us through the whole process in great detail and by the time he had finished we realised that Destiny would get through her BSS with ease as soon as we could purchase some new fire extinguishers, or get the old ones refurbished.
Martin (for that is his name) had some fire extinguishers, so we purchased them from him and, hey presto, Destiny now has her Boat Safety Certificate.
Stayed put all day, raining and the children playing on the rides at the playground.
Just before three I looked out of the back of Almyne to see a boat racing along the cut, an enormous bow wave ahead of her and a wake behind that would have put the Queen Mary to shame. I leapt onto the stern and waved them down only to be totally amazed to see them change course and head right for me. Whoever it was on the tiller, put Marcus, the boat, into reverse and in the process pulled on the tiller.
The resulting collision was, to say the least, the worst I have experienced so far on my life on the cut. No obvious damage to Almyne apart from a little paint scratched off, right down to the metal work. Inside however, several dishes and cups were thrown onto the floor and broken.
I immediately composed an email to Shakespeare Classic Line, getting their address from the internet (and to date have had no reply).
The boat Marcus, pulled over and the occupants started taking photographs of Almyne. Now I am not sure what they were trying to achieve by this as they could only take pictures of the starboard side and the collision was on the port side, so they could not be showing that there was no damage. The only other thing that they would be illustrating was that Almyne was moored up at the time of the incident, so I could in no way have contributed to the collision. Strange!
At some point I hope that I will be able to get a response from the boat owners and some recompense for the damage.
Later on, Kath
and I accompanied Scott
and Kaia
to the playground and I spent a happy ten minutes pushing Kath on a swing. The playground is probably one of the best equipped that I have seen in a long time, catering for (almost) all ages.
Play time over, we returned to Destiny for a meal and a well earned rest.
Sun, 2 Aug 2009
3 miles 3 locks
2 miles
James Brindley
Recommended
Friends
Set off just before lunch and moored up at Etruria, Staffordshire after passing Ross Boats, where there is an industrial museum.
Visited Etruria Industrial Museum which has a working steam engine that powers the bone and rock crushing machinery used to produce the raw materials for Bone China made by Josiah Wedgewood when he built his factory here. We all thoroughly enjoyed our time there. Part of the days display was a group of Guild of Master Knot Makers who we got chatting to and I purchased another book on tying knots. One day I will get the hang of it.
Walking back to the boats we met a guy who wanted to chat and although he was quite helpful about what shops were where and so on neither Kathy nor I felt entirely comfortable with him, so we decided that we would move on a bit before we settled down for the night.
Just had to get a picture of James Brindley the father of the canal system as we went past his statue at Etruria junction.
Set off just after six and through the staircase locks a group of youths decided to give us some grief. One of then stepped on to the gunwale, so I told him that 'Piracy is still punishable by hanging, and by stepping on to my boat without permission he was committing an act of Piracy'. Then told him to get off. He did so, at which point I invited him on board. He seemed surprised, but it illustrated to him the 'etiquette' of boating. After that all the lads were fine, still a bit pushy, but no problem.
Shortly after this I spotted a couple of flower pot people, Reg and Bez, sitting in someone's garden and had to get a picture of them.
Just before we were reaching our planned destination Kath and Kaia
got pelted with apples by some lads on bridge 15 on the
Caldon Canal, good introduction. She rang the police, but of course as soon as the lads saw her on the phone they were off
like a shot. As far as we know the police did investigate but once we were settled Kath
rang them again to let them know that everyone was OK. The interesting thing was that the police had no way of finding out
where we were without a post code (or a road name) and of course there is no such thing as a post code on the canal.
They had no idea where Bridge 15 was on the Caldon Canal, perhaps they should get a new set of maps.
We moored up together and there were no more incidents that evening. At this point along the canal we were still in a fairly built up area so subject to the predations of the local yobs. Decided to move on early in the morning.
Mon, 3 Aug 2009
1 mile
Not far today, just along to Milton where there were some shops, one of which was a second hand book shop. We could have spent a fortune in there, but we have enough ballast as it is. Did choose a couple of poetry books and a short story book. Kath got a couple of books that she liked the look of too.
Went on into the main shopping area and stocked up on essentials for a few days.
Back at the boats I put in a cigarette lighter socket on Destiny so that Kath no longer had to have a flying lead direct from the leisure batteries to her inverter to power her laptop. One of those ten minute jobs that takes several hours but now it is done it makes life a lot easier.
During the evening Scott was complaining that he was bored and that there was nothing to do. We discussed loads of opportunities, but like all teenagers he could only see the obstacles. I told him the story
of my opportunity clock and he looked a bit aghast at the idea of rising before mid day for any reason.
Tue, 4 Aug 2009
4 miles 6 locks
Which Way!
Scott took my little story of
the opportunity clock to heart and woke us up at about half seven with tea and coffee. Kath did not seem to notice and I was not much better having been up during the night with my 'twitchy legs'. He did ask if he could use the computer on Almyne, and I could hardly refuse, so off he went and kept himself amused for at least an hour while I came too and woke up properly.
He then popped his head around the door and asked if he could make himself a bacon butty. The smell was so good I decided to become vertical so that I could make a bacon butty for myself and one for Kath, that woke her up nicely.
A mixed days travel comprising the occasional dry spell amongst a day of mainly rain and drizzle.
The first lock was no problem and we negotiated that with ease, then there was a fairly long stretch with only two lift bridges to slow us down before a flight of five locks in quick succession.
The first lift bridge was interesting as Destiny went through with no problem but when I was half way through I ground to a halt and then started going backwards even though I was on full throttle. I think that it was one of those freak occurrences where the bridge hole was very narrow and shallow and the boat in front was pushing water through it as well, AND the water level was a little low, but Scott pulled me through with the centre line.
The flight of five went smoothly enough with only a couple of inexperienced crews causing minor hiccups and then we were off on another fairly long run.
Nearing our intended destination I was amazed to see an island in the middle of the canal. Why? I asked myself as I passed it on my left, and I am still asking the same question.
Moored up about half four, tired and nearly dry, let the cats out for a run as they had been stuck inside for three days now, and had a cup of tea (coffee in Kath 's case) before settling in to get dinner and then a good nights rest.
Wed, 5 Aug 2009
Stayed put all day.
Kath spent a good part of the day registering with The Pagan Online College and getting all the information she needs to take a couple of courses, and enrolling on the courses and getting the first weeks lectures.
Scott and Kaia have constructed a 'bar' in their cabins, so Kath and I were invited along for the grand opening. There was a good selection of drinks available and a chalkboard with all the prices on them. Scott
was dressed up in his best bib and tucker, comprising black trousers, a black and charcoal striped shirt with a very natty white and silver waistcoat.
Kaia was dolled up to the nines in a very fetching black chiffon dress and her mothers high heels, so that she could play the part of waitress, and very well she did too.
Thu, 6 Aug 2009
Shadow went walkabout, so stayed put all day again.
Productive in its own way, as Kath knitted another scarf while I sorted out some more of the battery compartment that I am fabricating on the stern of Almyne to power the electrics on Almyne Too.
When I had enough of that I painted the back board for Destiny. Well, I got one coat of black on one side. Painting the back board entails two coats of undercoat/primer each side and two coats of top coat each side. I have to wait for each coat to dry before putting on the next (an obvious statement I know) so four coats in all on each of two sides means at least eight applications of paint. Perhaps this is why it is taking so long. as I don't manage a coat every day.
Lovely sunny day for a change so we didn't mind just mooching.
Scott and Kaia
invited us for a drink in their 'bar' again, and after a single can of beer, partaken of from small glasses, I felt quite tiddly.
I did manage to assist Kath with the dinner but only by chopping an onion and some garlic cloves. I think I was more of a disruption than a help for the rest of the meal.
Spoke to Blynda, she is intending to arrive sometime before lunch tomorrow and Gaynor
and Hilton are due to arrive sometime around ten tomorrow evening.
Kath has enrolled on a couple of courses at The Pagan Online College and needs some software so spent most of the day downloading it from the internet, very slow connection.
Fri, 7 Aug 2009
1/4 mile
With Shadow firmly ensconced in the children's cabin once again (he returned at about half one this morning, greeting Kath with a lick on the nose and a wet forehead). It was raining and Shadow was rather wet.
We did not get far today, only around the corner to the facilities at Endon Bank, where our weekend guests are due to meet us.
It was a lovely day, the sun shining and the breeze just enough to cool the skin slightly, so with copious quantities of water available is seemed a good idea to get the washing done. Out with the washing line and the twin tub and on with the inverter. Kath has a really good technique for the washing that is much quicker and more effective than mine, so I let her get on with that while I entertained the children, caught up on the web site and did a little more painting.
Blynda
arrived shortly after midday and we settled her into Almyne and then sat around chatting for a while, giving the children some time to get ready to visit with Steve
for the week end.
Blynda , Kath , Scott and Kaia
set off in the car around four saying that they would be a couple of hours, leaving me with instructions on how to finish the washing.
Only about three more loads and all the washing was done and hung out on the line to dry.
Pottered around till Kath and Blynda arrived back from their jaunt with loads of lemonade and other goodies for the weekend.
Gaynor and Hilton arrived shortly after ten and we all settled down for a good nights rest in preparation for a long day tomorrow.
Sat, 8 Aug 2009
3½ miles 1 tunnel
Pine Cones
After a late night I was surprised that all were up and ready to go by nine, so off we set. We had decided to go to Leek for the day, that way we could be sure of getting Gaynor and Hilton back to their car by lunchtime on Sunday, even if it rained.
The day was glorious and Gaynor took the tiller most of the way, thoroughly enjoying herself.
We arrived at the furthest extent of the navigable stretch of the Leek arm around midday, moored up (breasted against each other as there was only room against the bank for one of us) and set up camp, putting up the gazebo and the washing line, the tables and chairs and the stereo.
Now I don't know if other boaters are snobbish, or whether they had seen enough of the area, but both the one behind and the one in front soon moved off. This allowed us to pull Destiny backwards and moor her up against the bank - now we had both boats by the tow path.
Having done this and had a bit of lunch we set off into Leek to look around. Apparently there is a market in Leek today so we thought it might be fun to visit it.
It was only a five minute walk into town and fortunately it was all downhill on the way back, but the walk in took a lot longer for me than five minutes.
The market was interesting and I nearly bought a cask painted with roses for eight pounds, but Kath said it was not necessary. On the tool stall the guy had a draw knife for sale at twenty-eight pounds. Now I have wanted a draw knife for a long time, but never having used one and not knowing if I would get on with it I felt that it was a lot of money for a whim, so let it be.
Kath popped into one of the charity shops and found loads of school curriculum books for the children, they will be pleased that she was thinking of them over the weekend. While she was there I wandered around and spotted a craft shop. I rushed back to Kath and told her of it. She spent the next hour or so debating with herself which of the many items she should treat herself to this time and came away with a (small) bag of goodies for herself rather than the big one that she would have liked.
Back at the boats I got out both of the barbecues, put in some charcoal briquettes and dowsed them with barbecue lighting gel, a little more than is entirely necessary, but they both lit well.
Tea comprised a flame grilled burger on the barbecue, coleslaw, potato salad, a fresh salad with lettuce, radishes, cucumber, tomatoes and celery, with side dishes of mushrooms in oil, dill cucumbers, pickled peppers and cheeses, all accompanied by fresh bread and butter, washed down with a variety of beverages.
Blynda Gaynor and Hilton went to bed shortly after nine and Kath
and I sat up watching the sun sink below the horizon, chatting and enjoying the peace, quiet and dry weather till just after midnight.
A very pleasant day and evening.
Sun, 9 Aug 2009
3½ miles 1 tunnel
SidesAndUnder
Weed
Clearing Weed
The crew of Almyne, Gaynor, Hilton and Blynda were up and about when I took a cup of tea through for Blynda. Hilton was sat on the tow path with his early morning drink, Blynda was dressed and tidying up the cabin and Gaynor was pottering around in the galley.
I went back to Destiny and jollied Kath up a bit, although it was not necessary as she was already up and about.
Kath and I had kittens, cats and dogs tramping over us all night and consequently had not slept that well.
It is not fair to keep that cats locked up in the children's cabins all the time which is why we had let them have the run of the boat for the night.
Anyway, set off in the sunshine, improving my tan as we motored along with Gaynor on the tiller again. When we arrived at the junction of the Caldon Canal with the Leek branch we pulled over and moored up so that Gaynor and Hilton could see a lock working. While they watched that Kath and I walked a little further along to the aqueduct of the Leek branch over the Caldon, quite impressive.
Setting off again, I was on the tiller and approaching bridge 33 I spotted a lump of weed floating in the water.
Now, usually when encountering weed it is possible to just continue on slowly and let the bow wash push it out of the way. In this instance the bow wash just pushed the lump of weed into the bridge hole. Now this was not an ordinary lump of weed, this was a big lump of weed, in fact it was enormous. In other times it may well have been big enough to sink the Titanic. To cut a long story short this particular lump of weed got jammed between Almyne and the sides of the bridge hole, both sides and underneath as well. Not only was I jammed between the bridge sides with weed, I was also grounded on the weed that was jammed underneath me.
We tried in vain to pull Almyne back out of the bridge hole. After using the boat hook to pull out some of the weed and the boat pole to push some of it out of the way we managed to get Almyne back out of the bridge hole. After using the boat hook to free some more weed, we tried again. This time we managed to get Almyne three quarters of the way through the bridge hole and then got totally stuck.
Gaynor was all in favour of cutting it away with a bread knife. A good idea in its own way, but the weed was at least two foot six inches below the water line.
I sent Gaynor and Hilton off with the pram and all their gear to the facilities, only about a quarter of a mile away, Blynda accompanying them to bring the pram back.
Phoned the local BW office and was told by their answer phone service that they are not manned on Sundays. Phoned the BW emergency line and was told by their voice mail system that I should press button 1 if it was not an emergency and button 2 if it was an emergency. Being a responsible citizen I pressed button 1, only to be told that the voice mail system was full with 7523 messages and that there was no more room.
Phoned the emergency line again and this time pressed button 2. When the woman came on the line I explained that it was not a life threatening situation, but that I was clogging up the waterways with one boat behind me and another in front, neither of whom would go anywhere until I was out of the way. Several 'connecting you to' laters, I spoke to the emergency engineer who told me that he would have someone with us within the hour.
A short while later I had a return call asking if perhaps I had weed around my propeller. I explained the situation again. By this time there were several boats lined up in each direction and me still in the bridge hole.
One of the other boaters came along and offered to give us a tow, to which I responded in the affirmative (but dubiously).
At this point two BW guys arrived, (George
and Stuart
) one carrying a long rake like tool and the other a long saw on the end of an even longer pole.
Between them they cut away the offending weed and dragged it out of the canal on to the bank. I make it sound easy, they were at it for over an hour. All this time Kath Blynda myself and a guy from NB Little Treasure were pulling on the ropes to get Almyne to go backwards and then forwards to try to dislodge the remains of the weed trapped underneath Almyne.
Eventually I got free and had no option but to continue along the canal to the facilities, the earliest point at which I could moor up, leaving Kath Blynda and the two BW guys to clear up and sort out what was happening next.
Blynda helped Kath to cast off, bearing in mind that Destiny was moored up with stakes against a very weedy bank, using the gangplank to get on and off rather than trying to wade through the weed to get on and off Destiny. It was easier for Blynda to carry the mooring pins and lump hammer than to try to get them on board Destiny, so I met her walking along the tow path towards me.
Kath picked up George and Stuart along with my gang plank that they had used and my boat pole and brought them all along to the facilities where we all had a welcome beverage, with a little something in the coffees for the BW guys.
We had set off from Leek just after eight and now, at half three we were back to our starting point. The same journey had taken us just two and a half hours yesterday. No wonder we were all shattered.
Blynda went to bed early again, she is not used to all this fresh air and activity, and Kath and I were not long behind her.
Mon, 10 Aug 2009
Recovering from yesterday.
Kath and Blynda set off to collect Scott
and Kaia
from Nat
s, arriving back at Almyne shortly after four. Blynda set off home straight away and the rest of us just hunkered down and kept out of the rain. After an absolutely wonderful weekend, the rain and clouds were back. Perhaps we should send the children away more often.
Tue, 11 Aug 2009
Spent the whole day on the computers catching up on emails, web pages and such like, including the courses that Kath and I are taking over the internet. Part of the reason for it taking all day is that the connection is not good here and there was a lot of stuff to both upload and download.
Wed, 12 Aug 2009
Busy doing nothing, working the whole day through
Trying to find lots of things not to do
Busy going no where, isn't it just a crime
We'd like to be unhappy but we just haven't got the time.
We have decided that we will try and turn around before the end of the week and complete the Caldon Canal right up to Froghall.
Thu, 13 Aug 2009
Still doing nothing
Fri, 14 Aug 2009
7½ miles 8 locks
1/2 mile
Winded at the marina.
Arriving in Froghall at about six pm.
Sat, 15 Aug 2009
Barbecue
BuzzardAndKath4
Buzzard2
Went for a walk today. It was one of Kath's ten minute walks. We wandered along the tow path for an hour or so and then branched of on to a public footpath. This was no ordinary footpath, this was a challenging footpath. It first of all went through a bit of bog, then through a patch of stinging nettles. I should know by now to put long trousers on when we go for a Kath
walk.
Anyway, having negotiated these first hurdles we arrived at the hill. Now I thought that the only two mountains in Britain were Snowdon and Ben Nevis. I was wrong. Kath had found another. I knew it was a mountain when we broke off the path on to a road of sorts and saw the snow line a short way above us.
Walking along the road we found our destination, Kingsley Bird and Falconry Centre.
Kath Scott and Kaia
took the guided tour. I started on the tour, but the dogs were making so much fuss that I went back to them to keep them company and stop them barking.
While I sat there the proprietor of the centre came along with a twelve week old Buzzard and asked me if I would like to hold it. Not wanting to appear crass I agreed and I sat there for over an hour with this buzzard on my hand (I was wearing a falconers glove I might add) while Gareth and I chatted about his birds, his way of life and other interesting such things.
When the troop returned they all had a go at holding the buzzard.
Then the fun started, we chatted for nearly two hours about keeping birds and such and I think we have decided that we might just be getting a Harris Hawk.
The walk back to the boats went without incident although we were all buzzing after the experience and it took longer than usual to cook and eat dinner.
Sun, 16 Aug 2009
Approaching Tunnel2
Train Coming
Luggage
A day on the trains.
Up early and off to Froghall Station. Arrived there just on time to get our tickets (the equivalent of a day rover ticket) and jumped onto the train. Now there is something romantic about steam engines and the old railway system. It was romantic then and still is in these days of working railway museums. What with the choo choo choo choo, chuff chuff chuff chuff, choo choo of the engine and the clickety clack of the wheels over the rail joins, the smell of the upholstery and smoke from the smokestack we all felt as if we had stepped into a time gone by.
We chuffed all the way to Consall, where the train stopped to let off some passengers (and pick up a few new ones) and set off again to Cheddleton, straight through the station, into a tunnel, out the other side and then we stopped for the engine to be moved to the other end of the carriages, when we then went back to Cheddleton station proper.
The first thing to great us as we stepped on to the station was a hand operated barrel organ being worked by a gentleman in period costume. We spent several minutes talking to him and he let both Scott and Kaia
have a go at being the organ grinders monkey and turn the handle. They thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
We had a good look around the engineering shed at the other engines that are being renovated and then of to the authentic railway buffet for a bite to eat. Actually it would not be fair to call it entirely authentic as the food that they served was considerably better than I remember from BR buffets, although we did avoid the sandwiches.
Caught the diesel train from Cheddleton to Consall, where there was a children's activity day going on. First the punch and Judy show, then the face painting and then all the children's fairground rides, all for free!
We had been told about the local pub, the Black Lion and how good the food was so decided to at least pop along and take a look. There is no road access to the pub at all, just the railway, the canal and what must have been the original farm track. The only other way to the pub is down 'The Devils Staircase', two hundred steps and several bits of gently (after yesterday anything that is not vertical is gentle) sloping pathways. Halfway up Scott managed to find the only wasps nest for miles and persuaded one of them to settle in his hair. Not such a good idea as it got tangled and stung him on the top of his head.
Kath removed the sting and after a few moments Scott
was sufficiently recovered to continue the climb. On the way down he made a point of passing that particular spot with some caution, as did we all.
A pint at the pub, while Kath and I watched other customers trying to eat their way through a baguette (I think if we do eat here we will share one) and Scott and Kaia played with the waitresses son, a lad called Ryan.
Time passed more quickly than any of us had realised and before we knew it, it was time to catch the last steam train home, the four-thirty from Consall to Froghall.
Another day full of excitement and wonder.
Mon, 17 Aug 2009
2½ miles 1 lock
Of to the Black Lion pub so that we can enjoy the live music for Tuesday evening. We hadn't motored for more than three quarters of an hour when we remembered the piles of logs stacked up on the non tow path side of the canal. Now when we were moored up at Endon Bank we got chatting to Cat and Matt, who are tree surgeons. They had told us that there were loads of logs near Froghall that are just waiting for boaters to pick them up, so we decided that these must be those.
We pulled over and moored up, unhitched Almyne Too and poled her across the canal. It didn't seem to take long to get a full load on to Almyne Too and then get her back to Destiny and Almyne, where we unloaded from Almyne Too to Destiny.
Then we did another trip, and another. Break for something to eat as we were all hungry by this time, then off for another load. By the time we had finished it was well after three, so we set off again to get to the Black Lion.
Arrived there just after six and Kath noticed that even though we had been travelling for at least a couple of hours the batteries were not very well charged. Ominous.
Not a lot we could do tonight and since we were all exhausted we decided to have a meal at the Black Lion. Now I had calculated that we had cut the equivalent of six bags of coal and at five pounds a bag we had saved about thirty pounds. The meals and drinks at the pub only came to twenty-five pounds, so we were still in pocket.
Mind you, we would have popped over there for a couple of drinks anyway, so we are 'in pocket' more than I thought.
Scott and Kaia
found Ryan again and spent several hours playing hide and seek and making use of all the tyres in the play area, while Kath
and I took time out and just relaxed, something that we have not done much of lately.
Another late night after another exhausting day, but I would not change a moment of it all.
Tue, 18 Aug 2009
Moored up near the Black Lion pub at Consall. Got up early as there are lots of little jobs that need doing.
First off, checking the batteries on Destiny, for some reason they do not seem to be holding a charge. Checked the voltages at the batteries, all low. Checked the voltages at the alternator, varying between twelve point five and twelve point two, going down as the engine speeds up. Something wrong here, probably the alternator.
With little or no phone signal I had to start wandering around, up and down hills, along the tow path and over to the pub to see if I could get a signal so that I could ring Martyn Ross. On the way I chanced my luck and asked a friendly looking boat owner if he knew anything about alternators. He gave me a cautious yes, so I told him the problem. He told me to disconnect the wires to the alternator and check the voltages then. This I did and could detect nothing coming out of the alternator.
So, it seems that the alternator is shot. Now, how to get another mile from anywhere with no transport. The nearest place is likely to be Leek, where there is a scrap yard that will certainly have one, but walking Leek is several miles away and, as far as I know there are no bus services that will get me there.
As a temporary measure, and to check out the batteries, I moved Almyne alongside Destiny and got the jump leads out, charging Destiny's batteries from Almyne. Got them up to about twelve point five in an hour and a half. Now just need to see how long they take to discharge on a fairly normal load.
Having done that I rang Kingsley Bird and Falconry Centre and arranged to pop along there at about half six for a chat.
We left the boats with at least an hour to get there and cycled along the tow path to where the footpath branches off, arriving there at just on six o'clock. Now for the trek up the mountain that Kath had found for us on Saturday. With a short break halfway up we arrived at the top just on five past six, I must be getting fitter.
Gareth and Mel were very helpful and answered all our questions and it would seem that there should be no problems with keeping a Harris Hawk on board, most of the time it will sit outside on a perch in rain and shine. We will have to remember to put it outside when we have the fire on though as that would make it too hot.
A pleasant wander down the mountainside and back along the tow path to the Black Lion for an evening meal before going to bed, tired and full of excitement about the days happenings.
Wed, 19 Aug 2009
4½ miles 4 locks
Destiny
Setting off along the river we decided that it might be fun to travel beside each other for a while. Did not work too well, but as I started to go ahead I got some good pictures of Destiny afloat. A rather uneventful day really, pleasant travelling with a short break for lunch while the rain passed over and a smooth run to just below the flight of three locks at the junction of the Froghall and Leek arms of the Caldon, and had a meal at the Holly Bush.
After the meal we went back to the boats and Scott and Kaia
went to their cabins while Kath
and I had some quiet time on Almyne reading a book each. After a while Kaia
came along and asked if one of us could move a great big spider off her window as she was scared. I volunteered and went to Destiny expecting to see a daddy long legs (there are a lot about at this time of year) and was confronted by a larger than average Wolf Spider, you know one of those with a big black body and long hairy legs.
Not wanting to give the children cause for alarm I grabbed it in my hand, but, you've guessed it, it broke free. Fortunately it just stood quietly on the end of my index finger, so I walked out of Destiny and along to Almyne to show it to Kath. Knowing that she has no love of spiders on her person I stood outside Almyne and invited her to come and look at it. I think that some of the reason was to show her how brave I was.
Mistake. While she was exiting Almyne to come and view this monster it ran up my arm and across my shoulders along my back. I felt it running from one shoulder to the other, pausing, deciding that the first shoulder was more comfortable and running back. Kath took the torch she was carrying and deftly flicked it off me into the bushes, but I could still feel my hair tickling my back just like the legs of the Wolf Spider.
We both read for another hour or so before retiring.
Thu, 20 Aug 2009
1 mile 3 locks
Not far today, just along to the facilities to catch up on the washing and do a little maintenance to the boats. Arrived and moored up, using both the mooring points for boats to take on water etcetera, and just in time. Suddenly there was a plethora of boats seeming to come from all directions also wanting to use the facilities. We watered up Destiny and then moved her along to the 24 hour moorings and then tried to do the same with Almyne. Got Almyne watered up but now there was no space to move her to. The boats waiting to use the facilities had moored up using all the available mooring points. I wandered along the tow path and found a boat that was waiting to use the facilities and negotiated a scheme of action to get me into his mooring point and him into mine.
That worked.
Kath got stuck into the washing while I revamped my tow hitch.
Now the tow hitch that I had constructed has lasted since the Derwent episode last April, so it is probably about time that I reworked the whole idea. Took most of the day, but I now have a tow hook that sits comfortably on the back of Almyne and is rigid enough to withstand a few bumps and knocks. The bit that fits onto the little dolly on Almyne too used to get split and effectively made the tow hitch shorter and shorter. Now I have a nice piece of metal sitting in the locating groove. to take the strain.
While I was doing this Kath Scott and Kaia cycled into the local village and did a little emergency shopping. We have dome quite well since Blynda and co visited, bringing with them basic supplies like bread, butter and milk, but we have started to run out of some basics like coffee and lighter fluid. We still have more than enough lemonade and fruit drinks, as well as my renowned stock of red wine.
By bedtime there was only one load of washing that still needed drying so that got put into the dryer and left overnight.
Fri, 21 Aug 2009
8½ miles 9 locks 4 lift bridges
The intention today is to try to get to Etruria so as to be ready for Steve to pick Kaia
up on Saturday. Set off around ten and the travelling was very pleasant, let me try to describe it to you.
My favourite place is stood on the back of my narrow boat with the tiller in my hand, the sun warming my back and the breeze off the water caressing my face and body.
Either side of me I see Indian Balsam and Rose Bay Willow Herb in profusion, interspersed with pale pink Mallow, the large white bells of Common Bindweed and the deep blue of Vetch. On one side is a plunging meadow, a carpet of lush green sprinkled with the yellow and white of Buttercups and Daisies, Buzzards circling above and rabbits peacefully munching on their selected delicacies. On the other side is a rising wall of ever changing shades of green from the Oaks, Willows, Hawthorns, Mountain Ash and Elder trees, squirrels playing in the top most branches and Blue Tits and Chaffinches hanging upside down from the branches eating their favourite berries. Ahead of me I see a Heron, standing erect and stately as he waits patiently for dinner in the water below him and the iridescent flash of a Kingfisher at he streaks past me and disappears into the bushes on one side.
All around me are Mallard ducks, Moorhens, Coots and Canada Geese grazing on the water vegetation with the odd Water Vole bustling in and out of the reeds at the side of the canal.
I see the doors to my boatman's cabin in front of me and detect the aroma of bacon under the grill wafting toward me mixed with the gentle scent of Meadow Sweet from the bank side.
I hear the gentle 'Thump Thump' of the engine as it turns the propeller as it eases the boat through the water giving me an ever changing vista of beauty, peace and loveliness, the screech of the Buzzards overhead and the twittering of the hedgerow birds and occasionally the chirruping of the grasshoppers and shrews in the undergrowth.
Back to reality. Going out of the third lock in the set of five of locks at Stockton Brook I noticed the Runes and other symbols that Kath had spotted on the way up. I reversed back into the lock to take pictures but as there was a boat coming the other way I could not take too long over this process. I managed to get a few good shots, but most of them were blurred as I was trying to control Almyne and take pictures on the move as well.
All went swimmingly smoothly until I got to Planet Lock. Going through the lock was not a problem, but on the other side the banks are concrete and high, with ladders built into them to assist people who fall in to get out again. D'fer
had decided that he wanted to get back onto Almyne after running along the bank for a while so I pulled as close to the bank as I could to let him on and Almyne Too caught against one of the ladders. There was a resounding bang and all four ratchet straps snapped at once leaving Almyne Too meandering along the canal on her own and Almyne speeding off into the distance. Well not the distance actually but I did have to put Almyne into reverse to go back and catch the rope on the front of Almyne Too with the boat hook, drag that on board and hitch it to one of the dollies.
Now travelling like this is a nightmare. Almyne Too just wandered along,this way and that, first banging into the bank then bouncing off and careening across to the other side of the canal. Fortunately I did not have far to go until I could pull over and moor up, with the help of someone on a boat that I was passing (and banging Almyne Too into).
I managed to jury rig a tow hitch to get me through the last two locks where I promptly set about repairing the only two serviceable ratchet straps.
It was not long before Kath and Destiny turned up and we all had a well earned rest before dinner and bed.
Sat, 22 Aug 2009
Saturday, took a walk on the wild side, well, into Stoke actually, where we wandered around for several hours picking up little bits and pieces that we have been saying we want for some time.
Kaia was off with Steve
for the weekend again, again so it was just the three of us for the day.
Before setting off into Stoke I fitted the back board (at last) on Destiny and in the process D'fer managed to brush past me, knocking my spectacles off my face and into the canal. After a good hour trying to fish them out I gave up and now I have to sit well back from the screen with the resolution as low as possible so that I can see it. Makes for difficulties, but I am sure that I will manage until I get my spare pair, or get another pair made up.
The first stop was the mobile phone shop to sort out the phone for Scott which he had managed to lock himself out of some time ago. A simple solution, buy a new 'pay as you go' SIM card.
Kath got some home education books for the children, some wool and a few other goodies, while I got a pair of crocodile clips, a 3.5 mm stereo jack to 3.5mm stereo jack to see if I can plug the computer directly into the TV audio in, some M4 by 50 mm bolts with nuts and some cows hooves for the dogs.
We also spent some time on the market, which is almost as big as that at Leicester, purchasing cakes and biscuits and other goodies.
Back at the boats we were greeted by the people of the adjacent boat who handed me two of my fishing rods. They had been stolen by a group of youths and spotted by a couple of patrolling policemen who gave chase. The lads dropped the two rods that had been handed back to me but still ran off with the landing net and another roach poll, the four metre one.
One of the guys had been using the little roach pole to fish with and had been thoroughly enjoying himself, so I let him use it for the rest of the afternoon.
I was mostly put out by the incident as I have only recently replaced the landing net that disappeared at Fradley junction last December and it is mainly used to retrieve the balls that D'fer insists on dropping in the canal.
Used the bolts and nuts to fix the controls firmly to Destiny, which have been hanging by one very loose bolt ever since I have been with Kath and probably longer. The 3.5mm to 3.5mm stereo lead works well and now I can actually hear the music I have on the computer through t he TV instead of using the set of mains speakers the I purloined from Kath . She can have them back now.
A good productive day.
Sun, 23 Aug 2009
Sunday, a day of rest. Mind you I suppose it depends on what you mean by a day of rest. Now Kath enjoys staying in bed till midday, revelling in doing nothing, whereas I like to get up and do those things that have been bugging me during the week. With everyone else safely tucked up in bed doing their own thing, I can enjoy my own 'space' and quiet time doing what I like doing.
I got up as quietly as I could so as not to disturb Kath . Unfortunately, being a little deaf I am unaware of just how much noise I do make. Made Kath a cup of coffee and wandered along to Almyne, where I had some breakfast and settled down to do a little web site development for an hour or so. Satisfied with my progress I then tackled the problem of Scott 's rat trap that he purchased yesterday. One of the staples that holds the spring down had come loose rendering it useless. I had thought yesterday evening that a piece of coat hanger bent and shaped would do the trick but a bit fiddly and awkward to fabricate. This morning I had the inspiration of using a little picture hanging hook. It did the trick nicely and much easier than a coat hanger.
Wandered along to Forge at Etruria as last time we were her the blacksmith was in residence. I had hoped to get him to bend the mooring hook back into shape but, just my luck, he was not there today.
The two leisure batteries that I had been thinking of using on Almyne Too have been sitting in a little recess under the standing board at the back of Almyne for some time now and today I got them wired up to a battery isolation switch and connected together ready to connect to the boats charging system. Decided not to connect them up just yet as if I make a mistake and ruin my own alternator we will be really in the mire. I will wait till I have Destiny up and running properly before I mess with my own system.
The boat that was here yesterday and whose occupants had retrieved my rods for me moved off during the morning and about an hour later the lad came along with the landing net. A girl had found it in the bushes three locks up and asked him if he knew anything about it. He did and returned it to me.
Managed to get quite a lot of work done on updating the web site but have not uploaded it yet as it is still a bit bitty.
PCSO Victoria Smith popped along during the afternoon and spent a good hour or so with us recording the theft of the rods and such. She was amazed to find that most of the items that had been stolen had been returned and that there was only one roach pole still missing. She then just chatted about life on the canal and how she could see that it would be a most relaxing way of life, while partaking of a glass of orange juice and lemonade.
Steve Ludford returned Kaia shortly after seven, just in time for tea and bed.
Mon, 24 Aug 2009
Dessert Cake
Although we had intended to go along towards Westport Lake today, by the time we were ready the rain had set in and because Stoke Lock had been damaged there was a queue of boats waiting to go down towards Great Haywood so we decided that there was unlikely to be room to moor up, so we left it for today.
I have spent most of the day on the computers one way and another, completing all but one of my assignments for the course that I am taking this semester and updating the web site, as well as downloading six more audio books. Now that I can listen to the computer through the TV it makes this sort of thing worthwhile AND having a good connection makes it a viable past time.
Had a little trouble with one of the computers and in the process of trying to fix it totally locked myself out of it. Consoled myself by using the other computer for the evening and then had a quick look on the internet as to how to resolve the problem with the other computer, the answer was so simple, it had just slipped my mind.
While I was wrestling with the computer problem Kath used her ingenuity to make a cake for this evenings desert. The really clever bit was the way she managed to bake it with a hole in the middle for a filling. I have never seen this done before and I think it must be some ability that she has developed in her practices of Wicca.
Tue, 25 Aug 2009
1/2 mile
Just up past Etruria Industrial Museum to the moorings near Waterworld, where the children want to go swimming before we leave Stoke.
Walked along to the Festival Park retail where we found a good supermarket and stocked up on things like tissues, toilet tissue, long life milk, powdered milk, matches, and biscuits. Got some real bread as well.
(Milk has been a problem, the ordinary stuff gets left out by the children and goes off really quickly. Neither Kath nor I use milk so it is not something that we think of all the time. The long life should last much longer even when opened and the powdered stuff seems to be acceptable to the children at a pinch, so maybe this is the way to go in the long term.)
The other thing that I discovered recently is that Nan bread in a vacuum sealed pack lasts forever and will do for almost anything that ordinary bread will do, well, if toasted anyway.
On the way back we called in to the carpet shop to look for some cushion floor to use in the front cabin that Kaia uses. At the moment she has carpet down and the kittens have been using it for purposes other than that for which it is intended. We need to get rid of it soon. Kaia
was a little disappointed that there was nothing suitable and in the colours that she likes, but there are other shops.
Arriving back at the boats we bumped into the Smith family on NB Chequered Flag who we have been leapfrogging all the way from the Llangollen. I first spotted them on the K & A a couple of years ago. This is the first time that we have had the opportunity to stop and chat to them and they seem a nice couple.
After tea, Kath decided to bath the children so I took a walk along to the supermarket. It was closed! Nine o'clock on a Tuesday evening and it was closed. What sort of a town is this, do they still implement Early Closing on Wednesdays and not open at all on Sundays?
Wed, 26 Aug 2009
3 miles
Took a trip on my own today. As soon as we were up I removed the alternator from Destiny and set off to the scrap yard at Longport. Not a particularly pleasant journey as it was raining all the way there and all the way back, but successful in that I managed to get an alternator.
On the way back I called in at the boat yard and got a new cylinder of gas.
Now Destiny is pointing towards Harecastle tunnel and I am pointing away from Harecastle tunnel, so Kath will have to turn Destiny around as soon as I have fitted the alternator and made sure that it is working.
Kath Kaia and Scott
all went to water world for the afternoon. I had been invited but swimming and I don't get on very well ever since I swam over a woman in the swimming baths at Chichester some years ago. She thought that I had done this deliberately but without my spectacles I can see almost nothing and with them they get so wet I can still see nothing.
Anyway, while they were off enjoying themselves I laboured at the task of fitting the new alternator and testing it, only a ten minute job, but like all ten minute jobs it took several hours. Alternator fitted and working I ran the engine for an hour or so. Seemed to be working all right and the batteries seemed to be getting a charge, enough at least to last for dinner and into the evening.
Thu, 27 Aug 2009
Off to Wrexham today to go to Sammy's birthday party, it's her 21st.
Jackie
dropped us off in Wrexham where we met up with Nat
and Leanne
who took Scott
and Kaia
back to their place while Kath
took me shopping to get me something to wear to the party tonight. I think that she felt that I did not look the part in my boaters clothing, and she is quite right.
We all enjoyed ourselves at the party, Kath meeting up with lots of people that she knew and liked and some that she knew and did not like, but hell, as she said it was not her birthday party. Got back home to Nat's place in the wee small hours, only to have a call from
Jackie letting us know that her place had been broken into while we were all at the party and all her electronic goods had been stolen. Not a nice way to end the day.
Sammy21Today
Dancing Kath
Fri, 28 Aug 2009
Kath is one year wiser today. The day started with Nat
being given a letter by his landlord asking him to vacate the premises in two months. We spent most of the day looking at his tenancy agreement and the letter asking him to leave and formulating a series of questions for him to pose to CAB (Citizens Advice Bureau) regarding the whole thing especially the harassment that he has been getting from his neighbours.
Jackie took us back to the boats for about half seven when we found that Scott
no longer had a pushbike, it had been taken from the roof of Destiny in our absence.
While we were trying to find a picture of his bike Victoria Smith, the local community police officer happened along with a colleague, which gave us the opportunity to report this incident, which we did. During the ensuing discussion it appeared that her colleague remembered seeing the bike on the top of Destiny the previous evening at about eight in the evening when they passed by on their rounds.
Sat, 29 Aug 2009
6 miles 6 locks
Interesting
Easy travelling for the first few locks. At the first one the following boat crewed for me as I was on my own and Rowden, a guy that we have become acquainted with during our sty in Stoke-on-Trent assisted me through the next two. I paused at this second lock and let the following boat through ahead of me to give Kath on Destiny time to catch up. She had stopped off at the Etruria facilities to get a 'pump-out'. Unfortunately there were no cards available for purchase so she was unable to do this. At both of the following locks I was greeted by boats coming in the opposite direction so again had crew for them.
I carried on and moored up just past bridge 112 to wait for Kath and co and for a bite to eat. It was not long before they arrived and even though Scott went into a right strop because his mother fished a wooden pallet out of the canal and out it on top of Destiny where his bike used to be, we dragged him along to the Dolphin sports shop where I made a couple of purchases. This cheered him up a lot and for the rest of the journey he did nothing but pester us about when we were going to moor up.
We arrived at Trentham lock just after half seven, only to find that it was padlocked. Now we had heard rumours that the local youths had been opening the gate paddles and draining the pound above the lock, leaving boats grounded, but we were surprised that the padlocks were not the usual BW padlocks for which every boater has a key.
If they had been we would have been able to continue our journey quite happily. As it was we were now firmly stuck being unable to go forward because the lock was locked and unable to reverse two boats a coupe of miles back up the canal. My concern was that if the local youths were in the habit of causing trouble at this location of an evening or night time then with the lock no longer being available to them they would expend their energies on something else, namely Destiny, Almyne and Almyne Too.
I rang BW (again), explaining our situation and the fact that we were being accompanied by two young children. They arranged for Jim to pop along and see us to open the lock. He arrived shortly after eight forty-five and we were both through by nine fifteen.
Waving goodbye to Jim, we continued on our way, only a matter of a mile or so but evenings are coming earlier at this time of year, so it was dark before we left the lock.
With Destiny in the lead, headlights blazing, and Almyne in the vanguard with no lights, I did not want to blind Kath with my lights, we continued our journey. It was fun in a scary sort of way. The best way to navigate is to keep telling yourself that if you can see nothing in front of you it is because there is nothing in front of you.
I had to take a piccie of this sign as I had never actually looked at it before, and having had it pointed out it is really rather clever.
At the very top is a dolly with a rope laying across it. Just below that is a lock showing the gates and a boat leaving it. Below this is a kingfisher, a tree and some kilns. The bottom portion depict a fish and some bulrushes and the canal going in to a tunnel. All that from one piece of steel.
Sun, 30 Aug 2009
1 mile
I was up at six this morning and the sun was absolutely gorgeous and the morning improved as soon as I looked out of the window and spotted a kingfisher just sitting on the lowest branch of the tree right opposite the window warming himself in the sunshine prior to setting about getting his breakfast. It is things like this that make living on the canal so very special.
Went for a walk with the dogs and found that we were only a few hundred yards from the local shops. Moved Almyne along to the moorings at the 'Plume of Feathers' and walked back for Destiny. Did all the engine checks and OKed it with Kath that she was happy for me to helm her baby and set off. Only a few minutes but Kath
found it really rather strange being still in bed on her own boat while it was travelling.
Popped along to the shops for some basic provisions and then decided that we would go just a little further to where the tow path is really muddy (or so we are told). The idea is that we are less likely to be disturbed by walkers if the tow path is muddy and Scott wants to play with his new toy.
The tow path is really muddy and overgrown, but nonetheless we found somewhere to moor up and I'm sure that we will not have any other boaters trying to moor up close to us.
Scott played with his new toy while I played around with the batteries on Destiny, charging each one in turn and then seeing how long it lasted using the radio. None of them lasted long, so I still don't know if the batteries are bad or they are just not getting a proper charge. The next thing to do is to take them along to Almyne and charge them up there and then see how long they hold a charge, but as it is now quite late already I will leave that till tomorrow.
Mon, 31 Aug 2009
2 miles 6 locks
AlexAndScott
Up early again to attend to the batteries, I will solve the problem. So far I have ascertained that one of the batteries is dysfunctional and is pulling the others down, so I must get rid of that one and then do the same thing with the remaining three. Before we set off Kath had a wander around the derelict piece of ground beside the tow path, several acres of it, and collected some rather large teasels to use in flower arranging.
We eventually set of late afternoon and arrived at Stone where the BW facilities are shortly after six, topped up with water, emptied the porta potties and then moved a little further along to the boat yard in preparation to get a pump out first thing in the morning.
We had not been there long when a young lad on a Quad bike started racing around the boat yard premises. It turned out that he was the owners son and it was not long before he and Scott and Kaia
were enjoying themselves together, Alex (for that was his name) giving them rides on the back of the Quad bike.
Destiny was moored up at the boat yard and as there was insufficient room for Almyne to moor up against the bank I was double breasted against Destiny, so we were sticking out into the canal twice as far as usual. Mind you it made moving from one boat to the other really easy as we could step off the back of one directly onto the back of the other.
Sunset1 8
Marcus
Westport Lake
Yesterday, while walking Richard
up to the telephone box, I spotted a notice advertising a Boat Safety Examiner (Ross Boats) and took a note of his telephone number.
I rang him and asked if he could do a 'pre BSS' for us and how much it would cost. At twenty pounds for this minimal service I was happy to go ahead with it.
He turned up about an hour later and proceeded to talk us through the whole process in great detail and by the time he had finished we realised that Destiny would get through her BSS with ease as soon as we could purchase some new fire extinguishers, or get the old ones refurbished.
Martin (for that is his name) had some fire extinguishers, so we purchased them from him and, hey presto, Destiny now has her Boat Safety Certificate.
Stayed put all day, raining and the children playing on the rides at the playground.
Just before three I looked out of the back of Almyne to see a boat racing along the cut, an enormous bow wave ahead of her and a wake behind that would have put the Queen Mary to shame. I leapt onto the stern and waved them down only to be totally amazed to see them change course and head right for me. Whoever it was on the tiller, put Marcus, the boat, into reverse and in the process pulled on the tiller.
The resulting collision was, to say the least, the worst I have experienced so far on my life on the cut. No obvious damage to Almyne apart from a little paint scratched off, right down to the metal work. Inside however, several dishes and cups were thrown onto the floor and broken.
I immediately composed an email to Shakespeare Classic Line, getting their address from the internet (and to date have had no reply).
The boat Marcus, pulled over and the occupants started taking photographs of Almyne. Now I am not sure what they were trying to achieve by this as they could only take pictures of the starboard side and the collision was on the port side, so they could not be showing that there was no damage. The only other thing that they would be illustrating was that Almyne was moored up at the time of the incident, so I could in no way have contributed to the collision. Strange!
At some point I hope that I will be able to get a response from the boat owners and some recompense for the damage.
Later on, Kath
and I accompanied Scott
and Kaia
to the playground and I spent a happy ten minutes pushing Kath on a swing. The playground is probably one of the best equipped that I have seen in a long time, catering for (almost) all ages.
Play time over, we returned to Destiny for a meal and a well earned rest.
Sun, 2 Aug 2009
3 miles 3 locks
2 miles
James Brindley
Recommended
Friends
Set off just before lunch and moored up at Etruria, Staffordshire after passing Ross Boats, where there is an industrial museum.
Visited Etruria Industrial Museum which has a working steam engine that powers the bone and rock crushing machinery used to produce the raw materials for Bone China made by Josiah Wedgewood when he built his factory here. We all thoroughly enjoyed our time there. Part of the days display was a group of Guild of Master Knot Makers who we got chatting to and I purchased another book on tying knots. One day I will get the hang of it.
Walking back to the boats we met a guy who wanted to chat and although he was quite helpful about what shops were where and so on neither Kathy nor I felt entirely comfortable with him, so we decided that we would move on a bit before we settled down for the night.
Just had to get a picture of James Brindley the father of the canal system as we went past his statue at Etruria junction.
Set off just after six and through the staircase locks a group of youths decided to give us some grief. One of then stepped on to the gunwale, so I told him that 'Piracy is still punishable by hanging, and by stepping on to my boat without permission he was committing an act of Piracy'. Then told him to get off. He did so, at which point I invited him on board. He seemed surprised, but it illustrated to him the 'etiquette' of boating. After that all the lads were fine, still a bit pushy, but no problem.
Shortly after this I spotted a couple of flower pot people, Reg and Bez, sitting in someone's garden and had to get a picture of them.
Just before we were reaching our planned destination Kath
and Kaia
got pelted with apples by some lads on bridge 15 on the
Caldon Canal, good introduction. She rang the police, but of course as soon as the lads saw her on the phone they were off
like a shot. As far as we know the police did investigate but once we were settled Kath
rang them again to let them know that everyone was OK. The interesting thing was that the police had no way of finding out
where we were without a post code (or a road name) and of course there is no such thing as a post code on the canal.
They had no idea where Bridge 15 was on the Caldon Canal, perhaps they should get a new set of maps.
We moored up together and there were no more incidents that evening. At this point along the canal we were still in a fairly built up area so subject to the predations of the local yobs. Decided to move on early in the morning.
Mon, 3 Aug 2009
1 mile
Not far today, just along to Milton where there were some shops, one of which was a second hand book shop. We could have spent a fortune in there, but we have enough ballast as it is. Did choose a couple of poetry books and a short story book. Kath
got a couple of books that she liked the look of too.
Went on into the main shopping area and stocked up on essentials for a few days.
Back at the boats I put in a cigarette lighter socket on Destiny so that Kath no longer had to have a flying lead direct from the leisure batteries to her inverter to power her laptop. One of those ten minute jobs that takes several hours but now it is done it makes life a lot easier.
During the evening Scott
was complaining that he was bored and that there was nothing to do. We discussed loads of opportunities, but like all teenagers he could only see the obstacles. I told him the story
of my opportunity clock and he looked a bit aghast at the idea of rising before mid day for any reason.Tue, 4 Aug 2009
4 miles 6 locks
Which Way!
Scott
took my little story of
the opportunity clock to heart and woke us up at about half seven with tea and coffee. Kath did not seem to notice and I was not much better having been up during the night with my 'twitchy legs'. He did ask if he could use the computer on Almyne, and I could hardly refuse, so off he went and kept himself amused for at least an hour while I came too and woke up properly.
He then popped his head around the door and asked if he could make himself a bacon butty. The smell was so good I decided to become vertical so that I could make a bacon butty for myself and one for Kath, that woke her up nicely.
A mixed days travel comprising the occasional dry spell amongst a day of mainly rain and drizzle.
The first lock was no problem and we negotiated that with ease, then there was a fairly long stretch with only two lift bridges to slow us down before a flight of five locks in quick succession.
The first lift bridge was interesting as Destiny went through with no problem but when I was half way through I ground to a halt and then started going backwards even though I was on full throttle. I think that it was one of those freak occurrences where the bridge hole was very narrow and shallow and the boat in front was pushing water through it as well, AND the water level was a little low, but Scott pulled me through with the centre line.
The flight of five went smoothly enough with only a couple of inexperienced crews causing minor hiccups and then we were off on another fairly long run.
Nearing our intended destination I was amazed to see an island in the middle of the canal. Why? I asked myself as I passed it on my left, and I am still asking the same question.
Moored up about half four, tired and nearly dry, let the cats out for a run as they had been stuck inside for three days now, and had a cup of tea (coffee in Kath 's case) before settling in to get dinner and then a good nights rest.
Wed, 5 Aug 2009
Stayed put all day.
Kath
spent a good part of the day registering with The Pagan Online College and getting all the information she needs to take a couple of courses, and enrolling on the courses and getting the first weeks lectures.
Scott
and Kaia have constructed a 'bar' in their cabins, so Kath and I were invited along for the grand opening. There was a good selection of drinks available and a chalkboard with all the prices on them. Scott
was dressed up in his best bib and tucker, comprising black trousers, a black and charcoal striped shirt with a very natty white and silver waistcoat.
Kaia was dolled up to the nines in a very fetching black chiffon dress and her mothers high heels, so that she could play the part of waitress, and very well she did too.
Thu, 6 Aug 2009
Shadow went walkabout, so stayed put all day again.
Productive in its own way, as Kath
knitted another scarf while I sorted out some more of the battery compartment that I am fabricating on the stern of Almyne to power the electrics on Almyne Too.
When I had enough of that I painted the back board for Destiny. Well, I got one coat of black on one side. Painting the back board entails two coats of undercoat/primer each side and two coats of top coat each side. I have to wait for each coat to dry before putting on the next (an obvious statement I know) so four coats in all on each of two sides means at least eight applications of paint. Perhaps this is why it is taking so long. as I don't manage a coat every day.
Lovely sunny day for a change so we didn't mind just mooching.
Scott
and Kaia
invited us for a drink in their 'bar' again, and after a single can of beer, partaken of from small glasses, I felt quite tiddly.
I did manage to assist Kath with the dinner but only by chopping an onion and some garlic cloves. I think I was more of a disruption than a help for the rest of the meal.
Spoke to Blynda, she is intending to arrive sometime before lunch tomorrow and Gaynor
and Hilton are due to arrive sometime around ten tomorrow evening.
Kath has enrolled on a couple of courses at The Pagan Online College and needs some software so spent most of the day downloading it from the internet, very slow connection.
Fri, 7 Aug 2009
1/4 mile
With Shadow firmly ensconced in the children's cabin once again (he returned at about half one this morning, greeting Kath
with a lick on the nose and a wet forehead). It was raining and Shadow was rather wet.
We did not get far today, only around the corner to the facilities at Endon Bank, where our weekend guests are due to meet us.
It was a lovely day, the sun shining and the breeze just enough to cool the skin slightly, so with copious quantities of water available is seemed a good idea to get the washing done. Out with the washing line and the twin tub and on with the inverter. Kath has a really good technique for the washing that is much quicker and more effective than mine, so I let her get on with that while I entertained the children, caught up on the web site and did a little more painting.
Blynda
arrived shortly after midday and we settled her into Almyne and then sat around chatting for a while, giving the children some time to get ready to visit with Steve
for the week end.
Blynda , Kath , Scott
and Kaia
set off in the car around four saying that they would be a couple of hours, leaving me with instructions on how to finish the washing.
Only about three more loads and all the washing was done and hung out on the line to dry.
Pottered around till Kath and Blynda arrived back from their jaunt with loads of lemonade and other goodies for the weekend.
Gaynor
and Hilton arrived shortly after ten and we all settled down for a good nights rest in preparation for a long day tomorrow.Sat, 8 Aug 2009
3½ miles 1 tunnel
Pine Cones
After a late night I was surprised that all were up and ready to go by nine, so off we set. We had decided to go to Leek for the day, that way we could be sure of getting Gaynor
and Hilton back to their car by lunchtime on Sunday, even if it rained.
The day was glorious and Gaynor took the tiller most of the way, thoroughly enjoying herself.
We arrived at the furthest extent of the navigable stretch of the Leek arm around midday, moored up (breasted against each other as there was only room against the bank for one of us) and set up camp, putting up the gazebo and the washing line, the tables and chairs and the stereo.
Now I don't know if other boaters are snobbish, or whether they had seen enough of the area, but both the one behind and the one in front soon moved off. This allowed us to pull Destiny backwards and moor her up against the bank - now we had both boats by the tow path.
Having done this and had a bit of lunch we set off into Leek to look around. Apparently there is a market in Leek today so we thought it might be fun to visit it.
It was only a five minute walk into town and fortunately it was all downhill on the way back, but the walk in took a lot longer for me than five minutes.
The market was interesting and I nearly bought a cask painted with roses for eight pounds, but Kath said it was not necessary. On the tool stall the guy had a draw knife for sale at twenty-eight pounds. Now I have wanted a draw knife for a long time, but never having used one and not knowing if I would get on with it I felt that it was a lot of money for a whim, so let it be.
Kath popped into one of the charity shops and found loads of school curriculum books for the children, they will be pleased that she was thinking of them over the weekend. While she was there I wandered around and spotted a craft shop. I rushed back to Kath and told her of it. She spent the next hour or so debating with herself which of the many items she should treat herself to this time and came away with a (small) bag of goodies for herself rather than the big one that she would have liked.
Back at the boats I got out both of the barbecues, put in some charcoal briquettes and dowsed them with barbecue lighting gel, a little more than is entirely necessary, but they both lit well.
Tea comprised a flame grilled burger on the barbecue, coleslaw, potato salad, a fresh salad with lettuce, radishes, cucumber, tomatoes and celery, with side dishes of mushrooms in oil, dill cucumbers, pickled peppers and cheeses, all accompanied by fresh bread and butter, washed down with a variety of beverages.
Blynda
Gaynor and Hilton went to bed shortly after nine and Kath
and I sat up watching the sun sink below the horizon, chatting and enjoying the peace, quiet and dry weather till just after midnight.
A very pleasant day and evening.
Sun, 9 Aug 2009
3½ miles 1 tunnel
SidesAndUnder
Weed
Clearing Weed
The crew of Almyne, Gaynor, Hilton and Blynda
were up and about when I took a cup of tea through for Blynda. Hilton was sat on the tow path with his early morning drink, Blynda was dressed and tidying up the cabin and Gaynor was pottering around in the galley.
I went back to Destiny and jollied Kath
up a bit, although it was not necessary as she was already up and about.
Kath and I had kittens, cats and dogs tramping over us all night and consequently had not slept that well.
It is not fair to keep that cats locked up in the children's cabins all the time which is why we had let them have the run of the boat for the night.
Anyway, set off in the sunshine, improving my tan as we motored along with Gaynor on the tiller again. When we arrived at the junction of the Caldon Canal with the Leek branch we pulled over and moored up so that Gaynor and Hilton could see a lock working. While they watched that Kath and I walked a little further along to the aqueduct of the Leek branch over the Caldon, quite impressive.
Setting off again, I was on the tiller and approaching bridge 33 I spotted a lump of weed floating in the water.
Now, usually when encountering weed it is possible to just continue on slowly and let the bow wash push it out of the way. In this instance the bow wash just pushed the lump of weed into the bridge hole. Now this was not an ordinary lump of weed, this was a big lump of weed, in fact it was enormous. In other times it may well have been big enough to sink the Titanic. To cut a long story short this particular lump of weed got jammed between Almyne and the sides of the bridge hole, both sides and underneath as well. Not only was I jammed between the bridge sides with weed, I was also grounded on the weed that was jammed underneath me.
We tried in vain to pull Almyne back out of the bridge hole. After using the boat hook to pull out some of the weed and the boat pole to push some of it out of the way we managed to get Almyne back out of the bridge hole. After using the boat hook to free some more weed, we tried again. This time we managed to get Almyne three quarters of the way through the bridge hole and then got totally stuck.
Gaynor was all in favour of cutting it away with a bread knife. A good idea in its own way, but the weed was at least two foot six inches below the water line.
I sent Gaynor and Hilton off with the pram and all their gear to the facilities, only about a quarter of a mile away, Blynda accompanying them to bring the pram back.
Phoned the local BW office and was told by their answer phone service that they are not manned on Sundays. Phoned the BW emergency line and was told by their voice mail system that I should press button 1 if it was not an emergency and button 2 if it was an emergency. Being a responsible citizen I pressed button 1, only to be told that the voice mail system was full with 7523 messages and that there was no more room.
Phoned the emergency line again and this time pressed button 2. When the woman came on the line I explained that it was not a life threatening situation, but that I was clogging up the waterways with one boat behind me and another in front, neither of whom would go anywhere until I was out of the way. Several 'connecting you to' laters, I spoke to the emergency engineer who told me that he would have someone with us within the hour.
A short while later I had a return call asking if perhaps I had weed around my propeller. I explained the situation again. By this time there were several boats lined up in each direction and me still in the bridge hole.
One of the other boaters came along and offered to give us a tow, to which I responded in the affirmative (but dubiously).
At this point two BW guys arrived, (George
and Stuart
) one carrying a long rake like tool and the other a long saw on the end of an even longer pole.
Between them they cut away the offending weed and dragged it out of the canal on to the bank. I make it sound easy, they were at it for over an hour. All this time Kath Blynda myself and a guy from NB Little Treasure were pulling on the ropes to get Almyne to go backwards and then forwards to try to dislodge the remains of the weed trapped underneath Almyne.
Eventually I got free and had no option but to continue along the canal to the facilities, the earliest point at which I could moor up, leaving Kath Blynda and the two BW guys to clear up and sort out what was happening next.
Blynda helped Kath to cast off, bearing in mind that Destiny was moored up with stakes against a very weedy bank, using the gangplank to get on and off rather than trying to wade through the weed to get on and off Destiny. It was easier for Blynda to carry the mooring pins and lump hammer than to try to get them on board Destiny, so I met her walking along the tow path towards me.
Kath picked up George and Stuart along with my gang plank that they had used and my boat pole and brought them all along to the facilities where we all had a welcome beverage, with a little something in the coffees for the BW guys.
We had set off from Leek just after eight and now, at half three we were back to our starting point. The same journey had taken us just two and a half hours yesterday. No wonder we were all shattered.
Blynda went to bed early again, she is not used to all this fresh air and activity, and Kath and I were not long behind her.
Mon, 10 Aug 2009
Recovering from yesterday.
Kath
and Blynda set off to collect Scott
and Kaia
from Nat
s, arriving back at Almyne shortly after four. Blynda set off home straight away and the rest of us just hunkered down and kept out of the rain. After an absolutely wonderful weekend, the rain and clouds were back. Perhaps we should send the children away more often.Tue, 11 Aug 2009
Spent the whole day on the computers catching up on emails, web pages and such like, including the courses that Kath
and I are taking over the internet. Part of the reason for it taking all day is that the connection is not good here and there was a lot of stuff to both upload and download.Wed, 12 Aug 2009
Busy doing nothing, working the whole day through
Trying to find lots of things not to do
Busy going no where, isn't it just a crime
We'd like to be unhappy but we just haven't got the time.
We have decided that we will try and turn around before the end of the week and complete the Caldon Canal right up to Froghall.
Thu, 13 Aug 2009
Still doing nothing
Fri, 14 Aug 2009
7½ miles 8 locks
1/2 mile
Winded at the marina.
Arriving in Froghall at about six pm.
Sat, 15 Aug 2009
Barbecue
BuzzardAndKath4
Buzzard2
Went for a walk today. It was one of Kath
's ten minute walks. We wandered along the tow path for an hour or so and then branched of on to a public footpath. This was no ordinary footpath, this was a challenging footpath. It first of all went through a bit of bog, then through a patch of stinging nettles. I should know by now to put long trousers on when we go for a Kath
walk.
Anyway, having negotiated these first hurdles we arrived at the hill. Now I thought that the only two mountains in Britain were Snowdon and Ben Nevis. I was wrong. Kath had found another. I knew it was a mountain when we broke off the path on to a road of sorts and saw the snow line a short way above us.
Walking along the road we found our destination, Kingsley Bird and Falconry Centre.
Kath Scott
and Kaia
took the guided tour. I started on the tour, but the dogs were making so much fuss that I went back to them to keep them company and stop them barking.
While I sat there the proprietor of the centre came along with a twelve week old Buzzard and asked me if I would like to hold it. Not wanting to appear crass I agreed and I sat there for over an hour with this buzzard on my hand (I was wearing a falconers glove I might add) while Gareth and I chatted about his birds, his way of life and other interesting such things.
When the troop returned they all had a go at holding the buzzard.
Then the fun started, we chatted for nearly two hours about keeping birds and such and I think we have decided that we might just be getting a Harris Hawk.
The walk back to the boats went without incident although we were all buzzing after the experience and it took longer than usual to cook and eat dinner.
Sun, 16 Aug 2009
Approaching Tunnel2
Train Coming
Luggage
A day on the trains.
Up early and off to Froghall Station. Arrived there just on time to get our tickets (the equivalent of a day rover ticket) and jumped onto the train. Now there is something romantic about steam engines and the old railway system. It was romantic then and still is in these days of working railway museums. What with the choo choo choo choo, chuff chuff chuff chuff, choo choo of the engine and the clickety clack of the wheels over the rail joins, the smell of the upholstery and smoke from the smokestack we all felt as if we had stepped into a time gone by.
We chuffed all the way to Consall, where the train stopped to let off some passengers (and pick up a few new ones) and set off again to Cheddleton, straight through the station, into a tunnel, out the other side and then we stopped for the engine to be moved to the other end of the carriages, when we then went back to Cheddleton station proper.
The first thing to great us as we stepped on to the station was a hand operated barrel organ being worked by a gentleman in period costume. We spent several minutes talking to him and he let both Scott
and Kaia
have a go at being the organ grinders monkey and turn the handle. They thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
We had a good look around the engineering shed at the other engines that are being renovated and then of to the authentic railway buffet for a bite to eat. Actually it would not be fair to call it entirely authentic as the food that they served was considerably better than I remember from BR buffets, although we did avoid the sandwiches.
Caught the diesel train from Cheddleton to Consall, where there was a children's activity day going on. First the punch and Judy show, then the face painting and then all the children's fairground rides, all for free!
We had been told about the local pub, the Black Lion and how good the food was so decided to at least pop along and take a look. There is no road access to the pub at all, just the railway, the canal and what must have been the original farm track. The only other way to the pub is down 'The Devils Staircase', two hundred steps and several bits of gently (after yesterday anything that is not vertical is gentle) sloping pathways. Halfway up Scott managed to find the only wasps nest for miles and persuaded one of them to settle in his hair. Not such a good idea as it got tangled and stung him on the top of his head.
Kath
removed the sting and after a few moments Scott
was sufficiently recovered to continue the climb. On the way down he made a point of passing that particular spot with some caution, as did we all.
A pint at the pub, while Kath and I watched other customers trying to eat their way through a baguette (I think if we do eat here we will share one) and Scott and Kaia played with the waitresses son, a lad called Ryan.
Time passed more quickly than any of us had realised and before we knew it, it was time to catch the last steam train home, the four-thirty from Consall to Froghall.
Another day full of excitement and wonder.
Mon, 17 Aug 2009
2½ miles 1 lock
Of to the Black Lion pub so that we can enjoy the live music for Tuesday evening. We hadn't motored for more than three quarters of an hour when we remembered the piles of logs stacked up on the non tow path side of the canal. Now when we were moored up at Endon Bank we got chatting to Cat and Matt, who are tree surgeons. They had told us that there were loads of logs near Froghall that are just waiting for boaters to pick them up, so we decided that these must be those.
We pulled over and moored up, unhitched Almyne Too and poled her across the canal. It didn't seem to take long to get a full load on to Almyne Too and then get her back to Destiny and Almyne, where we unloaded from Almyne Too to Destiny.
Then we did another trip, and another. Break for something to eat as we were all hungry by this time, then off for another load. By the time we had finished it was well after three, so we set off again to get to the Black Lion.
Arrived there just after six and Kath
noticed that even though we had been travelling for at least a couple of hours the batteries were not very well charged. Ominous.
Not a lot we could do tonight and since we were all exhausted we decided to have a meal at the Black Lion. Now I had calculated that we had cut the equivalent of six bags of coal and at five pounds a bag we had saved about thirty pounds. The meals and drinks at the pub only came to twenty-five pounds, so we were still in pocket.
Mind you, we would have popped over there for a couple of drinks anyway, so we are 'in pocket' more than I thought.
Scott
and Kaia
found Ryan again and spent several hours playing hide and seek and making use of all the tyres in the play area, while Kath
and I took time out and just relaxed, something that we have not done much of lately.
Another late night after another exhausting day, but I would not change a moment of it all.
Tue, 18 Aug 2009
Moored up near the Black Lion pub at Consall. Got up early as there are lots of little jobs that need doing.
First off, checking the batteries on Destiny, for some reason they do not seem to be holding a charge. Checked the voltages at the batteries, all low. Checked the voltages at the alternator, varying between twelve point five and twelve point two, going down as the engine speeds up. Something wrong here, probably the alternator.
With little or no phone signal I had to start wandering around, up and down hills, along the tow path and over to the pub to see if I could get a signal so that I could ring Martyn Ross. On the way I chanced my luck and asked a friendly looking boat owner if he knew anything about alternators. He gave me a cautious yes, so I told him the problem. He told me to disconnect the wires to the alternator and check the voltages then. This I did and could detect nothing coming out of the alternator.
So, it seems that the alternator is shot. Now, how to get another mile from anywhere with no transport. The nearest place is likely to be Leek, where there is a scrap yard that will certainly have one, but walking Leek is several miles away and, as far as I know there are no bus services that will get me there.
As a temporary measure, and to check out the batteries, I moved Almyne alongside Destiny and got the jump leads out, charging Destiny's batteries from Almyne. Got them up to about twelve point five in an hour and a half. Now just need to see how long they take to discharge on a fairly normal load.
Having done that I rang Kingsley Bird and Falconry Centre and arranged to pop along there at about half six for a chat.
We left the boats with at least an hour to get there and cycled along the tow path to where the footpath branches off, arriving there at just on six o'clock. Now for the trek up the mountain that Kath
had found for us on Saturday. With a short break halfway up we arrived at the top just on five past six, I must be getting fitter.
Gareth and Mel were very helpful and answered all our questions and it would seem that there should be no problems with keeping a Harris Hawk on board, most of the time it will sit outside on a perch in rain and shine. We will have to remember to put it outside when we have the fire on though as that would make it too hot.
A pleasant wander down the mountainside and back along the tow path to the Black Lion for an evening meal before going to bed, tired and full of excitement about the days happenings.
Wed, 19 Aug 2009
4½ miles 4 locks
Destiny
Setting off along the river we decided that it might be fun to travel beside each other for a while. Did not work too well, but as I started to go ahead I got some good pictures of Destiny afloat. A rather uneventful day really, pleasant travelling with a short break for lunch while the rain passed over and a smooth run to just below the flight of three locks at the junction of the Froghall and Leek arms of the Caldon, and had a meal at the Holly Bush.
After the meal we went back to the boats and Scott
and Kaia
went to their cabins while Kath
and I had some quiet time on Almyne reading a book each. After a while Kaia
came along and asked if one of us could move a great big spider off her window as she was scared. I volunteered and went to Destiny expecting to see a daddy long legs (there are a lot about at this time of year) and was confronted by a larger than average Wolf Spider, you know one of those with a big black body and long hairy legs.
Not wanting to give the children cause for alarm I grabbed it in my hand, but, you've guessed it, it broke free. Fortunately it just stood quietly on the end of my index finger, so I walked out of Destiny and along to Almyne to show it to Kath. Knowing that she has no love of spiders on her person I stood outside Almyne and invited her to come and look at it. I think that some of the reason was to show her how brave I was.
Mistake. While she was exiting Almyne to come and view this monster it ran up my arm and across my shoulders along my back. I felt it running from one shoulder to the other, pausing, deciding that the first shoulder was more comfortable and running back. Kath took the torch she was carrying and deftly flicked it off me into the bushes, but I could still feel my hair tickling my back just like the legs of the Wolf Spider.
We both read for another hour or so before retiring.
Thu, 20 Aug 2009
1 mile 3 locks
Not far today, just along to the facilities to catch up on the washing and do a little maintenance to the boats. Arrived and moored up, using both the mooring points for boats to take on water etcetera, and just in time. Suddenly there was a plethora of boats seeming to come from all directions also wanting to use the facilities. We watered up Destiny and then moved her along to the 24 hour moorings and then tried to do the same with Almyne. Got Almyne watered up but now there was no space to move her to. The boats waiting to use the facilities had moored up using all the available mooring points. I wandered along the tow path and found a boat that was waiting to use the facilities and negotiated a scheme of action to get me into his mooring point and him into mine.
That worked.
Kath
got stuck into the washing while I revamped my tow hitch.
Now the tow hitch that I had constructed has lasted since the Derwent episode last April, so it is probably about time that I reworked the whole idea. Took most of the day, but I now have a tow hook that sits comfortably on the back of Almyne and is rigid enough to withstand a few bumps and knocks. The bit that fits onto the little dolly on Almyne too used to get split and effectively made the tow hitch shorter and shorter. Now I have a nice piece of metal sitting in the locating groove. to take the strain.
While I was doing this Kath Scott and Kaia cycled into the local village and did a little emergency shopping. We have dome quite well since Blynda
and co visited, bringing with them basic supplies like bread, butter and milk, but we have started to run out of some basics like coffee and lighter fluid. We still have more than enough lemonade and fruit drinks, as well as my renowned stock of red wine.
By bedtime there was only one load of washing that still needed drying so that got put into the dryer and left overnight.
Fri, 21 Aug 2009
8½ miles 9 locks 4 lift bridges
The intention today is to try to get to Etruria so as to be ready for Steve
to pick Kaia
up on Saturday. Set off around ten and the travelling was very pleasant, let me try to describe it to you.
My favourite place is stood on the back of my narrow boat with the tiller in my hand, the sun warming my back and the breeze off the water caressing my face and body.
Either side of me I see Indian Balsam and Rose Bay Willow Herb in profusion, interspersed with pale pink Mallow, the large white bells of Common Bindweed and the deep blue of Vetch. On one side is a plunging meadow, a carpet of lush green sprinkled with the yellow and white of Buttercups and Daisies, Buzzards circling above and rabbits peacefully munching on their selected delicacies. On the other side is a rising wall of ever changing shades of green from the Oaks, Willows, Hawthorns, Mountain Ash and Elder trees, squirrels playing in the top most branches and Blue Tits and Chaffinches hanging upside down from the branches eating their favourite berries. Ahead of me I see a Heron, standing erect and stately as he waits patiently for dinner in the water below him and the iridescent flash of a Kingfisher at he streaks past me and disappears into the bushes on one side.
All around me are Mallard ducks, Moorhens, Coots and Canada Geese grazing on the water vegetation with the odd Water Vole bustling in and out of the reeds at the side of the canal.
I see the doors to my boatman's cabin in front of me and detect the aroma of bacon under the grill wafting toward me mixed with the gentle scent of Meadow Sweet from the bank side.
I hear the gentle 'Thump Thump' of the engine as it turns the propeller as it eases the boat through the water giving me an ever changing vista of beauty, peace and loveliness, the screech of the Buzzards overhead and the twittering of the hedgerow birds and occasionally the chirruping of the grasshoppers and shrews in the undergrowth.
Back to reality. Going out of the third lock in the set of five of locks at Stockton Brook I noticed the Runes and other symbols that Kath
had spotted on the way up. I reversed back into the lock to take pictures but as there was a boat coming the other way I could not take too long over this process. I managed to get a few good shots, but most of them were blurred as I was trying to control Almyne and take pictures on the move as well.
All went swimmingly smoothly until I got to Planet Lock. Going through the lock was not a problem, but on the other side the banks are concrete and high, with ladders built into them to assist people who fall in to get out again. D'fer
had decided that he wanted to get back onto Almyne after running along the bank for a while so I pulled as close to the bank as I could to let him on and Almyne Too caught against one of the ladders. There was a resounding bang and all four ratchet straps snapped at once leaving Almyne Too meandering along the canal on her own and Almyne speeding off into the distance. Well not the distance actually but I did have to put Almyne into reverse to go back and catch the rope on the front of Almyne Too with the boat hook, drag that on board and hitch it to one of the dollies.
Now travelling like this is a nightmare. Almyne Too just wandered along,this way and that, first banging into the bank then bouncing off and careening across to the other side of the canal. Fortunately I did not have far to go until I could pull over and moor up, with the help of someone on a boat that I was passing (and banging Almyne Too into).
I managed to jury rig a tow hitch to get me through the last two locks where I promptly set about repairing the only two serviceable ratchet straps.
It was not long before Kath and Destiny turned up and we all had a well earned rest before dinner and bed.
Sat, 22 Aug 2009
Saturday, took a walk on the wild side, well, into Stoke actually, where we wandered around for several hours picking up little bits and pieces that we have been saying we want for some time.
Kaia
was off with Steve
for the weekend again, again so it was just the three of us for the day.
Before setting off into Stoke I fitted the back board (at last) on Destiny and in the process D'fer
managed to brush past me, knocking my spectacles off my face and into the canal. After a good hour trying to fish them out I gave up and now I have to sit well back from the screen with the resolution as low as possible so that I can see it. Makes for difficulties, but I am sure that I will manage until I get my spare pair, or get another pair made up.
The first stop was the mobile phone shop to sort out the phone for Scott
which he had managed to lock himself out of some time ago. A simple solution, buy a new 'pay as you go' SIM card.
Kath
got some home education books for the children, some wool and a few other goodies, while I got a pair of crocodile clips, a 3.5 mm stereo jack to 3.5mm stereo jack to see if I can plug the computer directly into the TV audio in, some M4 by 50 mm bolts with nuts and some cows hooves for the dogs.
We also spent some time on the market, which is almost as big as that at Leicester, purchasing cakes and biscuits and other goodies.
Back at the boats we were greeted by the people of the adjacent boat who handed me two of my fishing rods. They had been stolen by a group of youths and spotted by a couple of patrolling policemen who gave chase. The lads dropped the two rods that had been handed back to me but still ran off with the landing net and another roach poll, the four metre one.
One of the guys had been using the little roach pole to fish with and had been thoroughly enjoying himself, so I let him use it for the rest of the afternoon.
I was mostly put out by the incident as I have only recently replaced the landing net that disappeared at Fradley junction last December and it is mainly used to retrieve the balls that D'fer insists on dropping in the canal.
Used the bolts and nuts to fix the controls firmly to Destiny, which have been hanging by one very loose bolt ever since I have been with Kath and probably longer. The 3.5mm to 3.5mm stereo lead works well and now I can actually hear the music I have on the computer through t he TV instead of using the set of mains speakers the I purloined from Kath . She can have them back now.
A good productive day.
Sun, 23 Aug 2009
Sunday, a day of rest. Mind you I suppose it depends on what you mean by a day of rest. Now Kath
enjoys staying in bed till midday, revelling in doing nothing, whereas I like to get up and do those things that have been bugging me during the week. With everyone else safely tucked up in bed doing their own thing, I can enjoy my own 'space' and quiet time doing what I like doing.
I got up as quietly as I could so as not to disturb Kath . Unfortunately, being a little deaf I am unaware of just how much noise I do make. Made Kath a cup of coffee and wandered along to Almyne, where I had some breakfast and settled down to do a little web site development for an hour or so. Satisfied with my progress I then tackled the problem of Scott
's rat trap that he purchased yesterday. One of the staples that holds the spring down had come loose rendering it useless. I had thought yesterday evening that a piece of coat hanger bent and shaped would do the trick but a bit fiddly and awkward to fabricate. This morning I had the inspiration of using a little picture hanging hook. It did the trick nicely and much easier than a coat hanger.
Wandered along to Forge at Etruria as last time we were her the blacksmith was in residence. I had hoped to get him to bend the mooring hook back into shape but, just my luck, he was not there today.
The two leisure batteries that I had been thinking of using on Almyne Too have been sitting in a little recess under the standing board at the back of Almyne for some time now and today I got them wired up to a battery isolation switch and connected together ready to connect to the boats charging system. Decided not to connect them up just yet as if I make a mistake and ruin my own alternator we will be really in the mire. I will wait till I have Destiny up and running properly before I mess with my own system.
The boat that was here yesterday and whose occupants had retrieved my rods for me moved off during the morning and about an hour later the lad came along with the landing net. A girl had found it in the bushes three locks up and asked him if he knew anything about it. He did and returned it to me.
Managed to get quite a lot of work done on updating the web site but have not uploaded it yet as it is still a bit bitty.
PCSO Victoria Smith popped along during the afternoon and spent a good hour or so with us recording the theft of the rods and such. She was amazed to find that most of the items that had been stolen had been returned and that there was only one roach pole still missing. She then just chatted about life on the canal and how she could see that it would be a most relaxing way of life, while partaking of a glass of orange juice and lemonade.
Steve Ludford returned Kaia
shortly after seven, just in time for tea and bed.
Mon, 24 Aug 2009
Dessert Cake
Although we had intended to go along towards Westport Lake today, by the time we were ready the rain had set in and because Stoke Lock had been damaged there was a queue of boats waiting to go down towards Great Haywood so we decided that there was unlikely to be room to moor up, so we left it for today.
I have spent most of the day on the computers one way and another, completing all but one of my assignments for the course that I am taking this semester and updating the web site, as well as downloading six more audio books. Now that I can listen to the computer through the TV it makes this sort of thing worthwhile AND having a good connection makes it a viable past time.
Had a little trouble with one of the computers and in the process of trying to fix it totally locked myself out of it. Consoled myself by using the other computer for the evening and then had a quick look on the internet as to how to resolve the problem with the other computer, the answer was so simple, it had just slipped my mind.
While I was wrestling with the computer problem Kath
used her ingenuity to make a cake for this evenings desert. The really clever bit was the way she managed to bake it with a hole in the middle for a filling. I have never seen this done before and I think it must be some ability that she has developed in her practices of Wicca.Tue, 25 Aug 2009
1/2 mile
Just up past Etruria Industrial Museum to the moorings near Waterworld, where the children want to go swimming before we leave Stoke.
Walked along to the Festival Park retail where we found a good supermarket and stocked up on things like tissues, toilet tissue, long life milk, powdered milk, matches, and biscuits. Got some real bread as well.
(Milk has been a problem, the ordinary stuff gets left out by the children and goes off really quickly. Neither Kath
nor I use milk so it is not something that we think of all the time. The long life should last much longer even when opened and the powdered stuff seems to be acceptable to the children at a pinch, so maybe this is the way to go in the long term.)
The other thing that I discovered recently is that Nan bread in a vacuum sealed pack lasts forever and will do for almost anything that ordinary bread will do, well, if toasted anyway.
On the way back we called in to the carpet shop to look for some cushion floor to use in the front cabin that Kaia
uses. At the moment she has carpet down and the kittens have been using it for purposes other than that for which it is intended. We need to get rid of it soon. Kaia
was a little disappointed that there was nothing suitable and in the colours that she likes, but there are other shops.
Arriving back at the boats we bumped into the Smith family on NB Chequered Flag who we have been leapfrogging all the way from the Llangollen. I first spotted them on the K & A a couple of years ago. This is the first time that we have had the opportunity to stop and chat to them and they seem a nice couple.
After tea, Kath decided to bath the children so I took a walk along to the supermarket. It was closed! Nine o'clock on a Tuesday evening and it was closed. What sort of a town is this, do they still implement Early Closing on Wednesdays and not open at all on Sundays?
Wed, 26 Aug 2009
3 miles
Took a trip on my own today. As soon as we were up I removed the alternator from Destiny and set off to the scrap yard at Longport. Not a particularly pleasant journey as it was raining all the way there and all the way back, but successful in that I managed to get an alternator.
On the way back I called in at the boat yard and got a new cylinder of gas.
Now Destiny is pointing towards Harecastle tunnel and I am pointing away from Harecastle tunnel, so Kath
will have to turn Destiny around as soon as I have fitted the alternator and made sure that it is working.
Kath Kaia
and Scott
all went to water world for the afternoon. I had been invited but swimming and I don't get on very well ever since I swam over a woman in the swimming baths at Chichester some years ago. She thought that I had done this deliberately but without my spectacles I can see almost nothing and with them they get so wet I can still see nothing.
Anyway, while they were off enjoying themselves I laboured at the task of fitting the new alternator and testing it, only a ten minute job, but like all ten minute jobs it took several hours. Alternator fitted and working I ran the engine for an hour or so. Seemed to be working all right and the batteries seemed to be getting a charge, enough at least to last for dinner and into the evening.
Thu, 27 Aug 2009
Off to Wrexham today to go to Sammy's birthday party, it's her 21st.
Jackie
dropped us off in Wrexham where we met up with Nat
and Leanne
who took Scott
and Kaia
back to their place while Kath
took me shopping to get me something to wear to the party tonight. I think that she felt that I did not look the part in my boaters clothing, and she is quite right.
We all enjoyed ourselves at the party, Kath meeting up with lots of people that she knew and liked and some that she knew and did not like, but hell, as she said it was not her birthday party. Got back home to Nat's place in the wee small hours, only to have a call from
Jackie letting us know that her place had been broken into while we were all at the party and all her electronic goods had been stolen. Not a nice way to end the day.
Sammy21Today
Dancing Kath
Fri, 28 Aug 2009
Kath
is one year wiser today. The day started with Nat
being given a letter by his landlord asking him to vacate the premises in two months. We spent most of the day looking at his tenancy agreement and the letter asking him to leave and formulating a series of questions for him to pose to CAB (Citizens Advice Bureau) regarding the whole thing especially the harassment that he has been getting from his neighbours.
Jackie
took us back to the boats for about half seven when we found that Scott
no longer had a pushbike, it had been taken from the roof of Destiny in our absence.
While we were trying to find a picture of his bike Victoria Smith, the local community police officer happened along with a colleague, which gave us the opportunity to report this incident, which we did. During the ensuing discussion it appeared that her colleague remembered seeing the bike on the top of Destiny the previous evening at about eight in the evening when they passed by on their rounds.
Sat, 29 Aug 2009
6 miles 6 locks
Interesting
Easy travelling for the first few locks. At the first one the following boat crewed for me as I was on my own and Rowden, a guy that we have become acquainted with during our sty in Stoke-on-Trent assisted me through the next two. I paused at this second lock and let the following boat through ahead of me to give Kath
on Destiny time to catch up. She had stopped off at the Etruria facilities to get a 'pump-out'. Unfortunately there were no cards available for purchase so she was unable to do this. At both of the following locks I was greeted by boats coming in the opposite direction so again had crew for them.
I carried on and moored up just past bridge 112 to wait for Kath and co and for a bite to eat. It was not long before they arrived and even though Scott
went into a right strop because his mother fished a wooden pallet out of the canal and out it on top of Destiny where his bike used to be, we dragged him along to the Dolphin sports shop where I made a couple of purchases. This cheered him up a lot and for the rest of the journey he did nothing but pester us about when we were going to moor up.
We arrived at Trentham lock just after half seven, only to find that it was padlocked. Now we had heard rumours that the local youths had been opening the gate paddles and draining the pound above the lock, leaving boats grounded, but we were surprised that the padlocks were not the usual BW padlocks for which every boater has a key.
If they had been we would have been able to continue our journey quite happily. As it was we were now firmly stuck being unable to go forward because the lock was locked and unable to reverse two boats a coupe of miles back up the canal. My concern was that if the local youths were in the habit of causing trouble at this location of an evening or night time then with the lock no longer being available to them they would expend their energies on something else, namely Destiny, Almyne and Almyne Too.
I rang BW (again), explaining our situation and the fact that we were being accompanied by two young children. They arranged for Jim to pop along and see us to open the lock. He arrived shortly after eight forty-five and we were both through by nine fifteen.
Waving goodbye to Jim, we continued on our way, only a matter of a mile or so but evenings are coming earlier at this time of year, so it was dark before we left the lock.
With Destiny in the lead, headlights blazing, and Almyne in the vanguard with no lights, I did not want to blind Kath with my lights, we continued our journey. It was fun in a scary sort of way. The best way to navigate is to keep telling yourself that if you can see nothing in front of you it is because there is nothing in front of you.
I had to take a piccie of this sign as I had never actually looked at it before, and having had it pointed out it is really rather clever.
At the very top is a dolly with a rope laying across it. Just below that is a lock showing the gates and a boat leaving it. Below this is a kingfisher, a tree and some kilns. The bottom portion depict a fish and some bulrushes and the canal going in to a tunnel. All that from one piece of steel.
Sun, 30 Aug 2009
1 mile
I was up at six this morning and the sun was absolutely gorgeous and the morning improved as soon as I looked out of the window and spotted a kingfisher just sitting on the lowest branch of the tree right opposite the window warming himself in the sunshine prior to setting about getting his breakfast. It is things like this that make living on the canal so very special.
Went for a walk with the dogs and found that we were only a few hundred yards from the local shops. Moved Almyne along to the moorings at the 'Plume of Feathers' and walked back for Destiny. Did all the engine checks and OKed it with Kath
that she was happy for me to helm her baby and set off. Only a few minutes but Kath
found it really rather strange being still in bed on her own boat while it was travelling.
Popped along to the shops for some basic provisions and then decided that we would go just a little further to where the tow path is really muddy (or so we are told). The idea is that we are less likely to be disturbed by walkers if the tow path is muddy and Scott
wants to play with his new toy.
The tow path is really muddy and overgrown, but nonetheless we found somewhere to moor up and I'm sure that we will not have any other boaters trying to moor up close to us.
Scott played with his new toy while I played around with the batteries on Destiny, charging each one in turn and then seeing how long it lasted using the radio. None of them lasted long, so I still don't know if the batteries are bad or they are just not getting a proper charge. The next thing to do is to take them along to Almyne and charge them up there and then see how long they hold a charge, but as it is now quite late already I will leave that till tomorrow.
Mon, 31 Aug 2009
2 miles 6 locks
AlexAndScott
Up early again to attend to the batteries, I will solve the problem. So far I have ascertained that one of the batteries is dysfunctional and is pulling the others down, so I must get rid of that one and then do the same thing with the remaining three. Before we set off Kath
had a wander around the derelict piece of ground beside the tow path, several acres of it, and collected some rather large teasels to use in flower arranging.
We eventually set of late afternoon and arrived at Stone where the BW facilities are shortly after six, topped up with water, emptied the porta potties and then moved a little further along to the boat yard in preparation to get a pump out first thing in the morning.
We had not been there long when a young lad on a Quad bike started racing around the boat yard premises. It turned out that he was the owners son and it was not long before he and Scott
and Kaia
were enjoying themselves together, Alex (for that was his name) giving them rides on the back of the Quad bike.
Destiny was moored up at the boat yard and as there was insufficient room for Almyne to moor up against the bank I was double breasted against Destiny, so we were sticking out into the canal twice as far as usual. Mind you it made moving from one boat to the other really easy as we could step off the back of one directly onto the back of the other.
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