BOATS AND CANALS

We set off up Atherstone locks this morning at 8am and arrived at the top by 10am. They are a bit slow by narrow lock standards.

The wind has picked up and it is gusting quite strongly so when we spotted a good mooring near Hawkesbury we stopped. We have an 8 hour run to Braunston tomorrow and are booked into the Old Plough for dinner 18:30. The wind is due to drop overnight so everything is looking good.

Cheers Graham

We had a lovely day cruising to Braunston with lots of sunshine and no wind. We were lucky to get a mooring on the straight bit just before the junction. Dinner in the Plough was excellent. So now it is a short trip back to Calcutt tomorrow. Then down to the Wharf for pump out and fuel before the trip home.

It has been an excellent trip and has crossed off a canal on my must do list.

Cheers Graham

The canal was full of boats today. I think they may have heard about the promised good weather.

We had a nice cruise to Calcutt though and the wharf was clear for diesel and pump out. I sprang the front to get off the wharf and made the 180 quite easily as a result. The boat will spring to around 45 degrees. I think the curved back end helps.

It was a fantastic trip, enjoyed by all. Jo loved the Caldon. Long term followers will know about our fights with depression and I can now say this has been the most successful canal year ever!

Home now so it is time to wade through the snaps and put them on here. I am taking Jo out to dinner tonight so it may have to wait a bit.

Cheers Graham

I am glad that you both enjoyed your cruise, I was almost certain that you would. The route that you have taken is amongst our favourites.

Enjoy your meal and yes the photos can wait, but only a short while.

_________________
Maurice

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Foxshaw Gardens Online & Boats and Canals

thank you graham for a great report, looking forward to the photo's,many thanks

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.... my memory,s not what it used to be.
also my memory,s not what it used to be.

............................mike.

Two time lapse videos have been uploaded to YouTube, one covers the River Section down to the final winding hole and the other from Hazelhurst Junction to Erturia.

https://youtu.be/MNqchwC2yv8

https://youtu.be/YKCg1CftWOA

Cheers Graham

Caldon Canal River to Froghall

Thanks for the memories.

Caldon Canal Hazelhurst to Etruria

It's quite some time since I cruised the Caldon but I was with you all the way. I seem to remember that the locks took a little longer to empty and fill though. The very first time that Chris my son and me did the Caldon we had to wait to go up the Etruria Staircase, but we were entertained a couple of local families were having a real set to at each other

Thanks for the videos Graham.

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Maurice

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Foxshaw Gardens Online & Boats and Canals

We were entertained at the staircase by some young vandals!

The stats for the trip were 223 miles, 116 locks and 12.3 lock-miles per gallon.

Cheers Graham

First set of happy snaps - vaguely in order I think.

Armitage Tunnel





Boatyard railway.



On the south side of Stoke



Erturia Junction




Round House at Erturia which was level with the canal when it was built.



Staircase Locks on Caldon






We were following two working boats (new ones) with barges and a deep drafted cruiser. We all went through the first lift bridge together which caused a bit of a traffic jam. They all pulled over in the end to let us past.



More to follow.

Cheers Graham

More snaps:-

Cheddleton Flint Mill



Congleton Station





The moment of reckoning. It was only half way down the boat that we got even a little close to fitting.



Canoe finale.



Note the legal white light.



The end it was very shallow and the canoe stirred up loads of yucky smelling stuff



Heading back past the cafe. (I can recommend the cafe)



We didn't explore the Uttoexeter Canal as we woudl need to portage round this lock.



And then it didn't go far.



In this view from the bridge you can see teo arms at the end of the Caldon we went up both.



That will do for now. More to follow.

Cheers Graham

Thanks Graham. they bring back many memories.

_________________
Maurice

Please click to go to our associate sites

Foxshaw Gardens Online & Boats and Canals

More snaps

Where the canal leaves the river, Jo is happy because she likes steering Dotterel with some reasonable water under her hull. How fast?



Entering Leek Tunnel - we were being followed by another boat. Both of us wanted to moor at Leek but there weren't any spaces. We both turned round and then he overtook us whilst we went aground trying to moor, so we overtook him whilst he was aground trying to moor. We both made it in the end but were both bit aground.



Near Hazelhurst Junction I think.



The obstruction shown on the map. An old swing bridge I think.



We think these are masons marks in the stone work in the locks.





Bridge 9 - 2.5 inches above the cratch. We filled the water tank before this one.



At the top of the staircase.



Near Armitage



At the bottom of Atherstone





Going up Atherstone



New Bridge at Rugby



Last mooring at Bruanston





That is it. Now to plan the next trip.

Cheers Graham

It is that time of year again and Dotterel's hot water system has been emptied. We are up on the boat for a visit to Daughter. Tomorrow we head home and will empty the cold water pipes before we go.

Cheers Graham

So will it soon be time to start planning all those jobs that have to be done, but you are not looking forward to having to do them.

_________________
Maurice

Please click to go to our associate sites

Foxshaw Gardens Online & Boats and Canals

Jo and I were discussing this today. In the past I used to bring my Mum up to the boat to keep me company whilst I did the maintenance. It was good, some quality time with Mum and some work done. As a result maintenance happened in a fairly natural way as I went to see Mum regularly. Now that Mum can't come I need to plan time into my diary just for the boat.

I have a list evolving, today I fitted a tap to the hot water drain plug which will make things easier next year. Last year's modification to the drain plugs under the bath paid off today!

Cheers Graham