The very impressive Commando

 We set off the next day.  Amanda and David wanted to visit the Wedgewood factory along the way here so we went off second to Lesley and Joe who unbelievably wake up earlier than my David, I think the wee doggies have something to do with that.

So as I was getting my shoes on, locating my phone, a boat went passed us.  David moaned about missing the locks but it made no difference as they all needed turning anyway.

The boat that passed us was in the lock when I got there.  a family buzzing about opening gates and off he went without them, oh no, a single hander.

Well I emptied the lock, in came WaL and another boat arrived after him and the lady crew member came up to help.  She was very nice and we chatted,  I told her that the boat in front was a single hander, I didn't helping a bit but I am not doing all his locks for him, Reader this applies to all single handers.

We closed the gate together after WaL left and I walked on.

It was a good long walk to the second lock of the day, when I got within sight of the lock sadly there was the single hander's boat still moored up on the lock landing, the back doors were closed and I thought he must be inside having a coffee.  I thought we could go around him, but as we got closer still the lock gates opened,  a boat was coming out and down came the single hander talking to the crew of the exiting boat.

He took his boat into the lock and I walked up the slope and closed the two bottom gates for him as he climbed up the ladder.

I walked to the top of the lock, he had opened his paddle, he said to me "You can open that one"  I did so, but no good morning, no please, no thank you....

He asked me if we were going far today and I said yes.  Kinda hoping he'd say we could go past him....  no chance.

Well Reader then he sat on the edge of the gate with his back to me.   I considered him the rudest single hander that I have ever met.  

The husband of the boat following boat arrived too and said giggling to me that "You can cut the atmosphere here with a knife!  He continued, I haven't experienced this since I went to mediation prior to my divorce from my first wife.

We were both ignored but we shut the gate as he exited the lock, the man turned to me and with an almost imperceptible nod of his head, I said in voice that I hoped he could hear to the other crew, I suppose that half nod is by way of a thank you!

I vowed then that I was not going to help him again one jot.

Unreasonable...?  I don't think so.

WaL on the long run up to the locks in south Stoke, some parts here are nice!  I even saw a Kingfisher.

Several years ago I was concerned about this retaining wall.

This bit among others.  But it still stands.

CART are bound to keep this wee section of bricked towpath, probably at huge expense without enough income, but why why oh why are these historic bottle kilns allowed to fall into disrepair? 

Greenery growing out in all directions.

I love this lock, the canal, the ramshackle bridge and the modern, but unseen today train going over.  I waited down below until I heard the rude man's engine leaving then went up and emptied it.

Now at this lock a while ago, the victorian building in front,  if I remember correctly had a sold sign on it or acquired for clients sign.  I was looking forward to seeing what had been created, but no joy.

This is where they, CART I mean to say have created a living hedge. Full of bugs eating the rotting wood.

Yes there are a few brambles in it but it will be full of insects too.

We have one at home but David isn't very keen on what he calls a rubbish heap.

Here's the unloved building.

 

So on went and I was glad to see the rude man had moored up at the mill here, on a mooring that said no mooring.

We did the last lock and cruised on towards Westport Lake.  Passing Lesley and Joe at the visitor moorings where they'd stopped for lunch.  What I haven't mentioned was that all morning the wind was getting up, when we arrived at Westport Lake it was fairly busy and we went to the end leaving no Git Gaps and up to another boats button.  By now I had the middle rope and was hanging onto it for dear life with the wind behind me blowing WaL out again...  I yelled into the boat in front where I could see a man and asked him to help me!

He ran out out and grabbed a rope while David secured the stern and finally got the bow in, there are mooring rings here which are inevitably hopeless for WaL as they are never in the correct place.  Any with grateful thanks the man departed for the tunnel for the following day.

About ten minutes later Lesley and Joe hoved into view.  We of course went out to help, Lesley was on the side with the middle rope intending to throw it at David on the shore and I  had reached for the bow rope, I bent down to pass it through the ring stood up and Lesley was hanging off the hand rail!

It all happened so quickly, I dropped my rope and shot along the rail on the gunwales to help her, by now she was hanging on commando style to the rope alone (I was quite impressed)  with David holding the rope up to keep her out of the drink .  

I realised that I could not lift her from when I was, Joe also had approached from the stern and thought the same so Joe brought the boat in closer to the bank and Lesley maneuvered herself along the bank, David kept the boat off of her, another man came running from along the moorings to help but she walked in the mud holding onto the bank to WaL right in front.  

She pulled herself up and climbed up to a standing position on the rudder first and hey presto, was out.

If that sounds easy, I dare you to try it! 

She went in immediately to shower, and we three roped up Hogarth with a spaghetti of ropes as she too is the wrong size for these rings.

Well I'd have liked to have had action shots but no chance in that small gale.

I went off and prepped supper and later all the team piled onto WaL for cocktails and supper, which was a chicken tomato and bean one dish with only 500 calories a head.  Over drinks I retold the singer hander story to them and David Lewis had waited alongside the moored man at the mill, he'd chatted and said he was a nice man.

I think he meant a nice misogynist.

Bitter tears of regret.

Well, it did stop raining but kind of in the way that made you think it could start again at any minute.

That kind woman Amanda lent me some waterproof booties and this pretty coat, my old wreck is still damp in the bathroom. 

David and I looked out to see that the Lewis's on NB Caxton, which was moored in front of us bar one other boat had already departed.  I blame that sweet dog they are looking after as he wants a nice early walk, so they may as well take the boat too.

After a small amount of faffing we too set off.  The Stone locks to do today and on up to Barlaston.

The water levels had risen a bit overnight, that was better for the Club boats who were all going down Aston lock and thus doing so would make this pound lower again.

We had a message from Lesley who had moored four locks up the eight where the two vintage boats were moored, unsurprisingly we wanted to get in front of them...

Amanda's pretty coat I started out in.

Still wet, David has his hood up.

Brobat, coming clean around the bend.

So hard to photograph turnover bridges, they should be considered works of art.

Coming into the 7th lock, absolutely no one about. 

This is a crime against humanity.

Total joy.

More joy.

So this is what every captain should do, close the gates going uphill himself, David is nicely trained while I prep the next lock.

Last lock.  A debate ensued with myself here, the rain had stopped and it had warmed up.  I took off the coat, I was walking the rest of the way to Barlaston.  At the first bridge I took off my fleece too.

Pretty row of old workers cottages here.

Has this hobby gone a bit far?

We arrived at Barlaston without incident, saw the other two boats and we went a bit past them to secure a sunny spot for the jolly old solar panels.

The car was here already here.  I had suggested a few days ago a little jaunt for those interested finally for me to visit the Moorcroft factory   HERE  Every time we have passed through Stoke I have wanted to visit this factory and every time we have been here it's either been a Bank Holiday or the entire factory is on holiday.  Today was neither.   I have a few choice pieces of Moorcroft at home and was keen to add another.  

I opened up the website to see that a month ago "With profound sadness" the company had ceased trading.

HERE

Reader I could have cried.

So the jaunt went ahead but to the Emma Bridgewater factory.  Now don't get me wrong, Emma Bridgewater's china is massively in demand, very successful, but is stamped on designs are without skill of the individual, as compared with the Moorcroft china that in today's world have no buyers.  I could weep. 

I did however buy my mum a mug for the very inflated price of £20 that she will love.

HERE .

Well Amanda and I enjoyed ourselves and on return found all the team crammed into Hogarth's well deck.

We crammed in too. 

Lef to to right, Lisa and Joe.

Rest of the team, Lesley, David (mine), Amanda and David (Hers).

We all went to the Plume of Feathers that evening, sad to say that although we have enjoyed several meals here, the recent change of management shows in the basics.  It wasn't terrible, but it wasn't great.

I had Katsu chicken, with salad and sweet potato fries.  

Wallop goes the diet.


 

Oh no, not again!

The next day's weather was rather nice, I did my 10,000 steps by walking back down the canal, onto the road towards the village of Salt, I walked for 5K steps then turned around and walked back to the boat.  When I got back I did some knitting, an unfinished project for the grand baby in New Zealand.  Later we toddled along to Hogarth for Barbie-Queued sausages and halloumi, the three ladies all contributed salads.  It was a rainy afternoon and brave Joe was outside cooking.  Such a hero.

We had been trying to learn the card game of Cribbage when we were just the two boats and four of us.  But now David and I taught them a new game called Sh*thead!  

(Apologies for the language)  

Its a game for any amount of players.

Much laughter followed.  All in all a lovely restful day.

The next morning we staggered our departures, Amanda and David were first away.  We are heading northwards to Stone, but there limited moorings below the Star Inn lock and we hoped to all get in. 

This is WaL approaching Sandon lock

Poxy Canadian geese, in the past we have seen dozens and dozens in the fields around Weston, thank goodness many less this time.  

One of my favourites and my first Foxglove of the year.  I have tried many times over the years to harvest the seeds of my garden plants and spread them far and wide for the following year but I think David hoes them away.

Cows in buttercups.

I'd guess at a Belgium Blue, but Mr Lewis will correct me.

I got off the boat to walk on the tow path after Aston lock as the tow path is hard there with light grit.  I am also blessed with Plantar Fasciitis in one foot, so walking on terra firma is more comfortable, you may not see here but the forecast rain arrived early. 

It was shortly after here that I discovered I need a new rain coat, this one is 14 years old and the hood is too short and all the seams leak.

This smelt divine.

So as we approached Aston lock, we had messages and then a phone call from Amanda, whose boat was in front to say that two vintage boats were ahead of them, but one had gone aground just before the first bridge completely blocking the canal.  

I think it was due to low water plus the number of boats moving that day.   David Lewis who was helming Caxton, tried in vain to tow him backwards but it wouldn't budge.  

Amanda who was on the towpath helped the helm of the second vintage boat, a fuel boat to pull it free with the boats centre line, this was all unseen to me as we were still below the lock, by now there were three or four boats waiting to go into Stone and boats the otherside waiting to leave Stone.

After some considerable time the fuel boat was at the side and the vintage boat was also at the side but sticking out into the canal, so boats could only edge past taking care themselves not to go aground on the offside, one passing boat did and a further delay ensued, but the Lewis's had escaped.

Well, I guess it was half and hour or forty minutes later when we could ascend the lock.  I walked on only to find that the bloody vintage boat after this rush of boats had passed him, he had decided to have another go at moving, of course the pound was even lower now for these two deep draught boats because of the boats that had gone passed and used the lock.  

Added to the mix were a flotilla of clubs boats that were coming up from Tixel Wide and intending to turn around and retrace their steps the next morning.  I did ask myself with the knowledge of the low water in front of them why not simply turn prior to the lock, but no they all just kept coming and the pound got lower.

I went forward to ask if I could help pull, yes was the answer from the fuel boat helm, so I took the bow rope and joined in the pulling backwards.  It moved a bit, but only a bit.  

More fruitless attempts.

David was hovering amongst boats on private moorings drifting without much space to go anywhere.

Then as the rain teamed down on the proceedings, the vintage boat owner went and fetched a winch which he inserted into the ground and attached his stern rope to.  This rope had two large knots holding the pieces together..... When I saw the state of it I moved well well out of range as I predicted it breaking and the winch flying through the air.

I didn't have long to wait.

He tried again then with three large knots.....

Finally with the fuel boat pulling and two of us on ropes it did move back to the side where it had been maybe an hour before.

I walked on, no thanks for my efforts but hey ho.  I told the oncoming boats to wait for three boats to come though the bridge as if those (including WaL) didn't vacate they wouldn't have anywhere to go.

Well by now most people were soaked to the skin, I walked ahead as no chance of getting back on WaL as the water was low.  

I marched on to the visitor moorings and saw that there was a space newly available and within a short while David brought WaL onto it. 

David Lewis helped pull us in, hardly seemed worth putting the tonneau cover on as the deck was completely soaked already but he did.

Sadly no spaces for Joe and Lesley on Hogarth so after they watered up they carried on up another four locks to find a space.

Well the drama didn't end there as about three hours later who should appear but the two vintage boats again.  The fuel boat helm was heard to say she had pushed the other boat through every bridge hole (About 4 or 5 bridges) they had arrived together at Star Lock and the very same thing, got stuck and were there for a good 90 minutes. 

We didn't see the end of it here as when the rain stopped and the four of us had had hot showers and draped the wet clothing, shoes and coats all over the bathroom,  we went to the Joules Pub. 

Having our second drink,  they went passed the pub window, 

it was over four hours since David Lewis had offered help.  

I too had offered WaL too to tow him back, but rejected.  They would have been better off waiting a night for the water levels to return to normal, but that's folk for you.

Amanda had a ringside seat watching the whole thing at Star lock.   If you can't make it out the vintage boat in the middle, he in turn had pushed a hire boat onto the mud to the right and the fuel boat was on the left.  No other photos due to the rain.

When I took off my soaked trousers, I gently shook them out and the turn ups were full of grit from the towpath which went all over the floor, marvellous.

Supper was leftover salmon pasta.

 

Mustered and no Git Gaps

So Reader, 

Here we are again happy as can be.

We drove back up to WaL in Great Haywood marina arriving later in the afternoon, this time using two trolleys to unload despite fully intending to be travelling light this trip.

The other team members were already mustered and at the ready in Tixel Wide, this included the Lewis's who up till now had been slaving in France installing a new bathroom.  So glad to have them back.

We unpacked, well I made the bed up, we had snacks and I suggested that we whizz over on bikes to Tixel.  We did and left the boat looking a little like a bomb had gone off.

We arrived and were warmly greeted by the three dogs, that is to say two Dachshunds and a new crew member, Fletcher, he's a big dog, a labrador cross fox red retriever lots of energy and friendly with it.  The later belongs to Amanda and David Lewis's son and is enjoying a holiday afloat.  Also, hugs were had by their owners, Amanda, David, Lesley and Joe.  

Then over tea, a story was told to me of a lady who had walked past the two boats and struck up conversation with David Lewis.  This lady, Gill or Jill, knew that NB Caxton (Now David and Amanda's boat) had Lesley on it in the past and also a dog called Fletcher.  Now unknown to Jill this new Fletcher had been named after Lesley's old dearly departed dog Fletcher.  Bearing in mind that Lesley hasn't blogged since 2015, although she on Facebook now, very impressive Jill getting all those threads corect!

Then Gill was kind enough to be complimentary about this blog Reader! 

It was just a shame that I didn't arrive earlier to have met you Jill.  But as you live in the vicinity of the marina and see us buzzing about do stop us and say hello.

Well as David and I sat on the bow of NB Hogarth and drank tea, it started to rain.  We hopped inside while it passed but ended up staying a bit longer than intended but the rain persisted.  In the end Lesley donated the dogs towel to dry off our saddles and off we shot.  The rain got harder and lasted some time.

Good for the reservoirs I guess after the fantastic hot cruise we had the previous weeks, you can hardly complain. 

Back on WaL and amongst the debris, David cooked the breaded fish to have with peas, we stayed overnight to give the fridge and freezer time on the hook up leckkie as both were completely rammed.  Something we hate to do but always manage.

The next morning we departed on a much brighter day.  As David and I approached Hoo Lock I went up to empty it and met Hogarth there about to depart.

We followed on about 20 minutes behind and unknown to us Caxton was filling at the water point.

Hoo Lock had had a problem back in April with the collapse of the by-wash, CART had lowered the level of this pound accordingly   but the morning we had last come through it was so low boats could hardly move, we had understood that it was to have completed the works but not quite however the lock was operational.

Just behind the lock and the new pipe is visible.

.... and sandbags.

It was a very nice run up to Weston, we had moored up by 10am!!!  Fabulous mooring here with open views.  We stayed a couple of nights here.  

Nice moorings, the boat on the left departed soon after we arrived, us finishing our cruise beforehand.

With 3 dogs in the team who like Walkies, the ladies went off.  I did more boat organisation after walking up between locks and later again the Lewis's went for a long hike over five miles.  Too long for me.

WaL at Weston Lock.

Cheesy salmon pasta

If you squint you'll make out Hogarth, then WaL behind then Caxton, leaving no Git Gaps, another boat did arrive later in the afternoon.

 

  

Hot days and sunny flags.

So Reader for the rest of the trip we ambled back down the Ashby.  The weather went from boiling and "It's too hot to sit out in, where is there a tree?" to "God almighty get the bloody heating on!"  I carried on my daily walks which I am getting into, David initially said he missed me on the back on WaL chatting nonsense but that has fairly quickly changed to him listening to his podcasts through his Bluetooth hearing aids, then when I do get back on, he pretends to listen to me, nodding sagely here and there while still listening to something else.

We had a couple of nights just north of Stoke Golding, on a south facing bend.  On the way up Lesley had spied this mess on one of her walks.  We were told that boaters in yoghurt pots had driven up to here, discarded all this over the farmers hedge and into his field, he in turn had put it back onto the towpath and who could blame him.  

But when we arrived back down the entire lot had gone.  

Thank you to whoever was responsible for the clean up.

People are disgusting.  So upsetting that it was a boater.

We weren't really short on time but it was really time to leave and return to Great Haywood.  I have a week of appointments coming up, David on the other hand doesn't.

We hopped and skipped our way back up the Coventry canal and then turning onto the Trent and Mersey.

We passed Al and Del again too.  Fingers crossed we'll see them by and by.

NB Derwent 6 utterly utterly gleaming and the reason is Del who takes great pride in her and just to remind you Derwent 6 is 17 years old.

I was on the bridge at the junction making sure the coast was clear for both boats to go Brobat, that is as my brother used to say, clean round the bend.

The Coventry shortly before Nuneaton.

Shortly before Springwood Haven marina.  A handy bench under a tree where i waited and got back on,  It was very hot this day.

Luckily no one waiting for this lock!

Two locks to go on the Atherstone flight.

Moored up after the Atherstone flight at Grendon.

Lesley, always so affectionate, 

I'd not ever noticed these before, that's walking for you.  What I presume is an original milestone.  If you can't make it out it says 2 1/2 on the left side and 5 on the right side

The very first yellow flag Irises I saw.  When we return I expect there will be masses, a joy to see them every year. 

Well it was a lovely fun trip, an interlude really as we were prevented from hightailing down the Severn to Gloucester.

The company, the food and by golly the weather.  David already gloom and doom saying that we have had summer and June is bound to be wet....... blah blah blah

We will be back shortly after a short spell at home, mowing the lawns and playing with the grandies.

Stay tuned.