Wednesday 4 May
Yesterday we left Barbridge with the sun shining and the wind still blowing, our intention was to make it just a short cruise of about three hours and moor just before the Audlem flight of locks a flight consisting of 21 locks. All was going well; the canal, after the bank holiday weekend was very quiet with just the odd boat passing who like us were in no hurry to do anything. We found a lovely mooring just 20 mins away from Audlem As it was only lunch time and we could get a good signal on the telly we decided to have a early end to the days travelling. So we set out our stall we even got the washing out to dry in the fresh air. However we were only moor 20mins when half way though another wash cycle we ran out of water, this was the first time ever we have actually ran out. This then required a new strategy in our half day the nearest water point was up the first three locks of the Audlem flight. Having filled up, and found a enough room to moor we decided now to spend the night there and continue the rest of the locks the following day.
Wednesday morning we started early to avoid the “rush” we only got as far as the first lock when all the alarms on the engine started to sound I discovered that yet again we were short on water, this time in the engine as no other boats were about I decided to do the maintenance in the lock 20 mins later we were on our way again this thim only for Noreen to fall A over T and bruising her knee. Now leading a a flotilla of boats we ascended the locks after 2 hours of opening, closing filling and emptying locks we passed the last through the last one about 11.00am another hour later saw us arriving in Market Drayton were we topped up the water (we both had a shower last night and Noreen did some more washing) I also did a pump out Mooring in Market Drayton can be difficult as the banking can be very shallow but we were very lucky and found one just near the bridge. We had a quick walk into the town and found Netto did a little shopping but we will have to visit Morrison’s tomorrow to complete the rationing of the boat.
But the most spectacular part of the day would be the past two hours fishing which had me catching a good number of Roach one of at least 1½lb
Thursday
Two and a half mile round trip to Morrisons and Lidl (enough provisions now to survive a siege) Noreen is quite right in her provisioning, there are very few places to shop between here and Wolverhampton and Noreen likes to be prepared for any visitors. Back to the boat 12 miles and four locks. we had to negotiate the narrowest part of the canal were the BW lads were dredging, to get the boat past I had about 2” each side, even the BW crew said I did well to get past?? we have moored up, washed the whole boat, had lunch and had half an hours fishing and it is still only 14.15.
We now await the arrival of Carol and Keith. Due to having pushed on Tuesday and get water we have arrived here a day early but at this pace of travel a day either way is nothing.
I am having trouble with internet signal again so this may be a bit late
Big Al
Yesterday we left Barbridge with the sun shining and the wind still blowing, our intention was to make it just a short cruise of about three hours and moor just before the Audlem flight of locks a flight consisting of 21 locks. All was going well; the canal, after the bank holiday weekend was very quiet with just the odd boat passing who like us were in no hurry to do anything. We found a lovely mooring just 20 mins away from Audlem As it was only lunch time and we could get a good signal on the telly we decided to have a early end to the days travelling. So we set out our stall we even got the washing out to dry in the fresh air. However we were only moor 20mins when half way though another wash cycle we ran out of water, this was the first time ever we have actually ran out. This then required a new strategy in our half day the nearest water point was up the first three locks of the Audlem flight. Having filled up, and found a enough room to moor we decided now to spend the night there and continue the rest of the locks the following day.
Wednesday morning we started early to avoid the “rush” we only got as far as the first lock when all the alarms on the engine started to sound I discovered that yet again we were short on water, this time in the engine as no other boats were about I decided to do the maintenance in the lock 20 mins later we were on our way again this thim only for Noreen to fall A over T and bruising her knee. Now leading a a flotilla of boats we ascended the locks after 2 hours of opening, closing filling and emptying locks we passed the last through the last one about 11.00am another hour later saw us arriving in Market Drayton were we topped up the water (we both had a shower last night and Noreen did some more washing) I also did a pump out Mooring in Market Drayton can be difficult as the banking can be very shallow but we were very lucky and found one just near the bridge. We had a quick walk into the town and found Netto did a little shopping but we will have to visit Morrison’s tomorrow to complete the rationing of the boat.
But the most spectacular part of the day would be the past two hours fishing which had me catching a good number of Roach one of at least 1½lb
Thursday
Two and a half mile round trip to Morrisons and Lidl (enough provisions now to survive a siege) Noreen is quite right in her provisioning, there are very few places to shop between here and Wolverhampton and Noreen likes to be prepared for any visitors. Back to the boat 12 miles and four locks. we had to negotiate the narrowest part of the canal were the BW lads were dredging, to get the boat past I had about 2” each side, even the BW crew said I did well to get past?? we have moored up, washed the whole boat, had lunch and had half an hours fishing and it is still only 14.15.
We now await the arrival of Carol and Keith. Due to having pushed on Tuesday and get water we have arrived here a day early but at this pace of travel a day either way is nothing.
I am having trouble with internet signal again so this may be a bit late
Big Al
No comments:
Post a Comment