12^th May

Woken up at 5.15 am by the Canal Cruising hire boat behind us putting on it central heating and then its engine; don’t know what the neighbouring house owners thought about it spoiling their Saturday lie in. 

We decided that as it was a lovely morning that we would get up and make an early.

As we left our moorings in bright sunshine we passed this little craft with the apt name.

* Along Shortly

It must have been our day for newly born creatures because as we headed towards Sandon Lock we passed this lovely young foal with the rest of the herd keeping a watch on him.

* New Foal

Later as we passed Aston Marina we spotted our first signets just waking up, they were only one day old from what a towpath walker told us. Further on as we passed some more just below some houses on the outskirts of Western.

* New Signets

We made good progress to Great Haywood even though all the locks were against us, and moored up, for lunch and to get a paper, just below the bottom lock overlooking the River Trent and out further to Cannock Chase.

 * River Trent

* Cannock Chase

Moving off after lunch we had good views of Shugborough Hall.

* Shugborough Hall

As we came out of Colwich lock we met Nb Elysium Days from Brinklow Marina on their way to meet up with their friends on Nb 4Evermore, who we had met earlier, and stopped to have a quick chat before they had to enter the lock.

We had hoped to moor just after bridge 69, where we had stopped on H3O, but they have now put a pig farm there and the smell was somewhat overpowering so we carried on trying to find somewhere  deep enough to moor. We eventually found a spot just short of the winding hole next to bridge 68 north of Rugeley with lovely views over Cannock Chase and a field of newly born calves next to us.

* Overnight mooring spot

* New Born Calf

When you look at Autumn Myst now you would think that we are real water Gypsies with our washing drying in the cratch. Perhaps we are becoming real narrowboaters!

* Water Gypsies

11^th May

Thought we would make an early start but Barlaston, being part of the Four Counties Ring, we were well and truly beaten by a hire boat passing us at 5.45am and then a couple more followed.

We decided to leave at about 8.00am and as we were preparing to move off Nb Sarah Kate was passing and asked if we had a Sandhills boat. I asked how he knew and it turned out that he was a friend of Mo and Ness on Nb Balmaha. A little further we passed Nb Caxton moored up with no signs of life otherwise we would have stopped to speak to them as we knew the previous owners Lesley and Joe and the Labradors.

The Canal is a small world and you can’t move without somebody knowing.

* Canal side Cottages

Although the locks were against us we made good progress and were moored up at Stone before 11.00am.

* Town Mooring in Stone

No sooner had we moored than we had a call from one of June’s school friends to see where we were as they lived nearbye; so a quick tidy round and they arrived for coffee. Spent the afternoon chatting about holidays and farming, as Jacqueline and David had recently retired from their dairy farm and were now enjoying a lie-in in the mornings and far off holidays.

* David and Jacquline   

Later we went to explore Stone and do some shopping. June of course had to visit her favourite dress shop and even tried to buy some shoes but to no avail. I on the other hand found some more bargains at Morrisons, a £10 umbrella reduced to £.3.00 and a selection of bread rolls reduced to 19p.

* The Last Lock before leaving Stone

* Ducks enjoying the evening sun waiting to go down the lock!!

 10^th May

The heavy overnight rain gave way to a warm morning with high cloud. Graham and Carolann had some finances to attend to in Stoke and were going to Church Lawton to catch the bus so we said our farewells and set off for the Harecastle Tunnel.

As we left Rode Heath we met 2 chaps loaded down with heavy packs walking in the opposite direction and passed the time of day with them.

Passing the BW Yard we noticed piles of new lock gates awaiting fitting, perhaps destined for the locks in the Wheelock Flight where BW were working on a couple of the lock chamber.

* Sets of Lock Gates awaiting fitting.

At the first lock we met up with the single hander who had left the moorings a short while before us and we helped one another through the locks up to Church Lawton. He had been a sailor and had sailed around the world, so narrow boating was pretty tame stuff for him, but he was giving up the boat and heading off to live in Thailand.

As we passed him in Church Lawton he passed us a bag full of Books and Magazines and wished us well on our travels. You do meet some lovely people on the cut.

On route we went under the Maccelsfield Canal as it comes back on itself from the Junction with the T & T at Hardings Wood Junction.

* Under the Maccelsfield

When we reached the Tunnel we met up with the 2 chaps we had seen walking in Rode Heath. They were enjoying a cup of coffee and June offered them a lift through the tunnel. They (David and Andy) readily accepted as they had had some hassle from Gypsies when they had gone over the top. They told us that they were doing a 50 mile walk for the NSPC charity through their company, JCB, and had turned around at Rode Heath to do the 25 miles back to home.

Derek the BW Tunnel keeper at the North Portal came and gave us a briefing on travelling through tunnel and we enjoyed a bit of banter with him and the lads. He told us that we would have to wait about an hour as a boat had just gone through and 4 more were waiting to come north. This was ideal for us as we could have a nice leisurely lunch.

We were let in to the tunnel at 12.05 and 35 minutes later were dropping the lads off at the other end with promises of putting their picture on our blog. As a parting gift they gave June some butter and tomato sauce.

* David and Andy at the Harecastle Tunnel

As it was still early in the day and we felt quite fresh we decided not to moor at the south end of the tunnel but carry on through Stoke with its Bottle Kilns and passed the junction with the Caldon Canal at Etruia. We had a couple of boats in front of us at the deep Stoke flight of locks but still made good progress to Barlaston where we moored up for the night near to the Wedgewood Factory and Museum.

* Bottle Kilns preserved amongst new office blocks

* Etruia Junction with the Calden Canal

* Mooring at Barlaston where the canal and railway follow the same route

8^th May

Nice bright sunny morning with a hint of early morning mist. Sat watching the Grebe fishing at the side of the boat whilst we had breakfast.

* Morning Mist on the Flashes

* Grebe Fishing for Breakfast outside the boat

Just as we set off two other boats left their mooring in front of us and we had to follow them all the way to Middlewich. On the way we stopped at the Waste Disposal Site which is adjacent to the canal and provided the ideal opportunity to dispose of the old engine oil as well as our household rubbish. Just as we left we were passed by the Canal Voyages Hotel boats.

* Canal Voyages Hotel Boats

We decided to stop for shopping and so did the boats in front so when we came to set off again we now had three boats in front of us to go up the Middlewich locks but hey ho that’s boating and why rush particularly as the weather was warm and we could enjoy the sun.

Fortunately the boats in front turned off towards Barbridge so we had a good run to Wheelock. On the way out of Middlewich we passed a colony of young Swans sandwiched between the canal and the main road.

* Swan Colony

We moored up at Wheelock close to the San Marco Italian Restaurant and booked a table for the evening to celebrate Carolann’s BIRTHDAY, I am too much of a gentleman to say her age but she is over 21.

It was a great meal and was preceded by Champagne on Autumn Years.

9^th May

Reversed back to the Water point and filled our tanks before tackling the next 14 locks to Rode Heath.

* June Working the Locks

A lovely warm day and most of the locks were in our favour so we made good time to Rode Heath where we moored up opposite a Swans nest. The Cob came over immediately to see what food was available and the Pen decided to leave the nest for a short rest. Soon the local Mallards had joined in and June had a full time job feeding them.

* Mom leaves the nest

* Locals call to see what’s going.

6^th May

June sat watching a large Dog Fox whilst having breakfast on a bright sunny morning. Soon on our way travelling through Lymm, and on to Stockton Heath where we stopped for the Sainsburys shop and drop off some rubbish at the recycling centre.

* Leaving Lymm

* Useful garden Shed

The canal was busier than we had seen for the many weeks as it is Bank Holiday and the Watch House and Lymm Cruising Clubs were out on their Club Cruises, we must have seen over 50 boats, most travelling back to their mooring in order to avoid the rain and wind forecast for Monday.

We arrived at the Preston Brook Tunnel with just 5 mins to wait before we could go through. At the south end of the tunnel we were buzzed by bats flying low over the boat and my head. There were several boats waiting at the other end and more waiting to come through the stop lock, they were the stragglers of the Lymm CC on their way home. The last one got through the stop lock just before their tunnel transit time was up.

Motored on and moored up overlooking the Dutton Lock on the River Weaver in a lovely sunny spot. It was a lovely afternoon so we decided to take a walk down to the river and explore the area.

* Dutton Lock

* Weaver Sluice at Dutton Lock

* Don’t leave your boat on the Weaver

* Old Inspection Boat being renovated

* The front Steering position with the wheel on the side.

As we walked back to the boats we spotted a very realistic Scarecrow, at first we thought she was real.

* Scarecrow

Climbing the hill to the canal we could hear what we thought was a drum beating and it seemed to be getting nearer. As we got back to the boat two Dragon Boats appeared around the corner at full speed.

* Dragon Boat Racing

* 2^nd Dragon Boat

Later on after dinner I decided to go for a walk along the canal and around a few corners bumped into a chap enjoying a glass of Whiskey on the bank outside Nb Buttons. I stopped to chat and never got any further with my walk as he was a most interesting guy who had been in the Merchant Navy and was a Vindi Boy like Max, on the Sandhills narrowboat of the same name. I promised to pass on his details to Max so that they could talk about old times..

7^th May

Although the forecast was for a really bad day we awoke to brilliant sunshine so June and I decided to go for an early morning walk before the rain. As we passed AY Carrolann stuck her head out and asked if we wanted to travel until the rain started.

We thought it was a good idea and so we left our mooring at 7.30 heading in the direction of Middlewich not expecting to get very far. However, although the wind got stronger, the rain did not look like coming and so we sailed on through the Saltersford and Barton Tunnels, again just arriving at the right time to go straight through. We continued on passed the Anderton Lift and decided to take the risk and travel on to the Flashes (an area like the Norfolk Broads) where we moored up just in time for lunch and a short shower.

The area is teeming with bird life, Buzzards, Grebe, Reed Bunting, even a Swan who poked his head through the hatch to be fed.

* Cheeky Swan

* Reed Bunting

The forecast rain did not materialise so we could have carried on to Middlewich. Even with all the sophisticated computers they still can’t forecast our weather. Lets hope tomorrow is fine as we want to push on to Wheelock to celebrate Carolann’s birthday at the local restaurant.

4^th May

It was overcast but dry with a cold breeze as we set off the short distance to Leigh where we moored right outside the Aldi Store to do our shopping. Later we went and explored the town which was much bigger than we had thought with indoor and outdoor markets and a bustling high street as well as large Tesco and Lidal  stores.

We then motored on a short way and moored up just after bridge 59 for the night.

Graham and Carolann came to dinner and just after they had left at about 10.30pm we spotted a light coming towards us; it was a narrowboat which decided to moor on the opposite bank just short of us. Very strange travelling so late at night!

Just before going to bed we looked out and because the sky was so clear we had a fantastic view of Venus.

5^th May

* Early Morning on the wide Leigh Branch with its Crystal Clear Water and shoals of fish

Left the mooring on a bright and sunny day with virtually no wind heading towards Manchester. As we crossed the Barton Swing Aquaduct we could not help but think that it had taken us five and a half days to get there from Liverpool but the previous week it had only taken five and half hours when we did the trip up the Manchester Ship Canal.

* The Canal Leaving Worsley where the iron in the water turns it a red/brown colour

We passed the massive Trafford Shopping Centre with its impressive entrances; luckily the girls did not ask to go shopping.

* Boaters Entrance to the Trafford Centre

As we turned west at Waters Meeting we stopped at the recently opened Stretford Marina for a pump out, coal and water. Excellent service at a reasonable price so will use it again when we are up this way. They are due have a diesel tank fitted next week so will need to check their prices. It is run by two brothers and the one makes wooden flower containers to the design of your boat, what a clever idea.

Luckily we had decided not to go into Castlefields (Manchester) as there was a Rock Festival taking place over the Bank Holiday in the basin and lots of boats from the Sale Cruising Club passed us on their way to it so we would not have been able to moor there.

This week it is the turn of the Canadian Geese to hatch their chicks and they were all down the canal to Waters Meeting, soon we will see the Swans hopefully

* Canada Geese Chicks

After an easy journey we were able to moor up at Bollington Under Bridge and booked a table at the Swan with Two Nicks for an evening meal. As we were sorting the boats out the Diesel and Coal boats came along so we filled up with diesel at a reasonable price of 86p per litre. Most of the other boats moored along the towpath also filled up. The boats are operated a lovely young couple who had a rabbit on the stern of their motorboat.

* The Coal Boats

1^st May

Set off in a strong cold wind which always seemed to be against us. The canal was much busier than we had experienced coming down with several boats on there way to Liverpool and as we came to Sacrisbrick Marina two boats went in front of us and we followed them all the way to Burscough where we moored for the night just before it started raining.

After lunch the rain stopped and we did some Tesco shopping and then I changed the engine oil and filter and did the usual maintenance jobs on the boat for the 300 hour service.

* Autumn Years on the Leeds and Liverpool

* Looking back down the lovely Leeds and Liverpool

2^nd May

This morning we travelled through the lovely Douglas valley with beautiful views across to the rolling wooded hills to bridge 44 where we moored up for the day. Great spot overlooking the river and woods so we got the chairs out and enjoyed the afternoon sun, well at least some of us did as June decided to clean the polish off the rough walk areas on the roof with a toothbrush!! Graham washed Autumn Years and Carolann and I supervised from the bank.

* June opening one of the many Swing Bridges

*Afternoon enjoying the Sun

Later we walked back to Appley Bridge and found a post office and general stores.

In the evening whilst playing cards, 2 Fallow Deer were spotted coming out of the woods into the field next to the boat and treated to a great sight.

3^rd May

Whilst having an early breakfast we spotted 2 Roe Deer in the field right next to the boat; as soon as we opened the cratch they dashed off to the cover of the wood. I had hardly made a sound but they picked up on in it.

* Roe Deer

We motored off towards Wigan spotting our first Canada Geese chicks and then meeting Jane and Colin on Nb Slow Gin. They moor near to us at Brinklow and were on the VHF radio course I did at Balsall Common. We revered back and had a quick chat; they were off to Liverpool for 4 days and then going up the Ribble Link .

At Wigan we passed the famous Wigan Pier and then filled up with water mooring up for the day at Pennington Flash again.

* Wigan Pier

* Wigan Pier

June had been steering the boat and made a great job of bringing her into the mooring.

* June at the Helm

* New Lift Bridge and unfinished Marina at

Plank Lane

30^th April

Bright sunny morning, thank goodness, for our journey out of Liverpool. We were so relieved that yesterdays rain, hail and wind had stopped.

We motored around to the first lock out of Canning Dock and waited for the BW team to arrive which they did at 9.45am. This time there were no crowds to see us off as there had been for our arrival.

We then made good time across the dock to the Stanley flight of locks. There were 5 boats in the convoy out of Liverpool and we all met up at bridge 6 to await BW’s arrival to let us through. Fortunately a maintenance team were there and they let us through as they had to have the bridge open to test it.

BW were at bridge 9 to meet us and we went straight through mooring up for the night just before Coxhead swing bridge.