tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58107842010931836072024-03-20T09:46:54.819+00:00Travels in Narrowboat Lily PadReports of our cruising life afloat around the Inland Waterways of the UK in our narowboat.
Will gradually include links and will definitely reflect our observations on the British waterways and our views on boat design and features.
The life afloat started on July 10th 2007 and cruising commenced slowly on August 13th.Ianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00795967384515672158noreply@blogger.comBlogger101125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810784201093183607.post-21516468251762381352015-03-25T22:08:00.006+00:002021-07-26T19:49:58.905+00:00Returning home and saying goodbye<div><b>Returning to Debdale for the last time</b></div><div><br /></div>My apologies for typing this at the end of March, I thought I'd finished off my blog on Lily but found to my horror the other day the last few days were missing. Fortunately I kept a daily report.<br />
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Sunday 13th July</b> So this morning we were on The Shroppie and heading south, past Mkt Drayton & I started the engine to be greeted by an awful racket from the alternator belts. Lifting the rear deck I expected to find bits of belt all around, but both were in position, it was the alternator that wasn't! The weld to the bottom pivot tube had failed and the alternator was hanging loose from the top pivot bolt. I walked back into Mkt Drayton but looked at the boatyard & decided that were it to open on this Sunday they would almost certainly not be able to fix it. So I removed the protesting belts, minimised 240volt usage & we set off on a dull morning. Up 5 locks following others but meeting a couple of boats, it brightened by lunch to a glorious afternoon, made even better by the reception we got at Norbury.<br />
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We explained to the boatyard our problem and reversed Lily down the very restricted water to the dry dock & fastened Lily tight and wizards arrived to weld it back in place, then to adjust the straining bracket. By 4.30 and for £47 we were fixed, I stress this was on a Sunday, we can't speak highly enough of the work they did. We cruised on a little longer before mooring just past bridge 32 on a lovely evening, I kept myself busy repairing the boat hook I'd broken earlier in the day. With all the trouble we'd covered 12 miles and 5 locks.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovely mooring after a rather traumatic day</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Monday 14th </b>a lovely morning & belts were fine and we were away by 8.30, we need to get Lily back to base. We stopped at Wheaton Aston to fill up totally at 71.9p, though Norbury were similarly reasonably priced, at this price they are always busy & we had to wait for 2 other boats to fill and there were others queuing behind us. Moving on to the services we were then fairly smartly up the lock and cruised on past Autherley turning towards Gt Haywood. We stopped at 5 by bridge 73, it was overcast by then, though we had stopped just before Autherley to do a fairly major shop at Morrisons plus we had spent quite some time working with another boat to free Florence (from Chesterfield). They had moved a bit too far away from the towpath shortly after bridge 9 about 1 1/2 miles before Autherley and had got hopelessly stranded on a very large slab of rock. The boat was pivoting on it but would not come free, we tried towing it one way, then the other and all sorts with no joy then as I recall we set off with the bow rope being pulled and snagged the stern off, but it was nearly a case of calling CRT.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt7buii3emMuq0FxTK4I2PqDL_fSylFOfM0D6a8E266a5e_ly1D7SIINIjjlhmrujgLb9nYpKbPhlWTeutA8eskMHXWAmzUZSe_xh8tiispA-ZxD_jNpxUsfXk-oeEP6GDz4Mrj8-HxMQ/s1600/IMG_2438.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt7buii3emMuq0FxTK4I2PqDL_fSylFOfM0D6a8E266a5e_ly1D7SIINIjjlhmrujgLb9nYpKbPhlWTeutA8eskMHXWAmzUZSe_xh8tiispA-ZxD_jNpxUsfXk-oeEP6GDz4Mrj8-HxMQ/s1600/IMG_2438.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Florence very firmly stuck on rock</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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16 miles and 2 locks, and we heard from our buyers, Alan & Chris, that exchange on their house had been fixed for 25th July.<br />
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Tuesday 15th July</b> and another fine day, except our water bed had sprung a leak & I couldn't find the repair kit! I phoned a supplier and arranged for a kit to be sent to Rugeley PO. We moved on to Stafford & stopped before bridge 98. We went & took coffee & my notes say I'm sure I did something else but couldn't remember what & 9 months later I certainly can't! 12miles & 9 locks.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFdS2riSvaj6lSEzjg-jvA37PEc6XAoUeHiEg1fruQvJo8968Blz8HY9oAGTnThvsnr9DON9VVGfWwlFNHPGlVX_RVwtuKohv9T371B0ZGrA9zzhfmYgxyEwR0hhZDJj1QWkpd0aOfQi8/s1600/IMG_2441.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFdS2riSvaj6lSEzjg-jvA37PEc6XAoUeHiEg1fruQvJo8968Blz8HY9oAGTnThvsnr9DON9VVGfWwlFNHPGlVX_RVwtuKohv9T371B0ZGrA9zzhfmYgxyEwR0hhZDJj1QWkpd0aOfQi8/s1600/IMG_2441.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Draining water from the mattress </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
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Wed 16th</b> early coffee and away at 9.30 (this early coffee involved wandering to a trading estate to a Costa). At Gt Haywood we tipped the loo and then went on into Rugeley arriving at about 2, collected the repair kit & bought a few bits. I mended the bed & polished the port side of the boat. Another lovely day but rain in evening. 10 miles & 3 locks<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN3oPy4H7MTLm0ypEPssdv1APWM8TtdP58tf7iTPUEgYt21ApuMNxBnRNA3KjJImZohZqRqvz1-WJa9pJtzgrlmTOi4ytToHJuKgGYy77d7WXP5k3tLcOAcyvuRsSjN2Yn61oBdaM1d7U/s1600/IMG_2442.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN3oPy4H7MTLm0ypEPssdv1APWM8TtdP58tf7iTPUEgYt21ApuMNxBnRNA3KjJImZohZqRqvz1-WJa9pJtzgrlmTOi4ytToHJuKgGYy77d7WXP5k3tLcOAcyvuRsSjN2Yn61oBdaM1d7U/s1600/IMG_2442.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fuff & Jessie & plants cruise south</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYHpUtT_tkq0Il-48DiC7Pb3xzN_QxJoep9ygxzkQqfXWR2QhXw97kidObd2Xxs21ZOBmx0ksBV0NDkYFrlVJoFuc9EPhcSbBkkdhNTqk7CP2ylcFtHbZ2GFLr0jbiglRoGRvB9XAKK-U/s1600/IMG_2446.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYHpUtT_tkq0Il-48DiC7Pb3xzN_QxJoep9ygxzkQqfXWR2QhXw97kidObd2Xxs21ZOBmx0ksBV0NDkYFrlVJoFuc9EPhcSbBkkdhNTqk7CP2ylcFtHbZ2GFLr0jbiglRoGRvB9XAKK-U/s1600/IMG_2446.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Attractive moorings again, in Rugeley</td></tr>
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Thursday 17th </b>early coffee and away, filling with water at the waterpoint before Hansacre "tunnel" and completed refilling the bed. It was a steady cruise on a very hot day but with a lovely breeze. There was a bit of a queue at Fradley locks but we turned right into the Coventry half way down, I ran down to the services to tip the loo. We carried on to stop just past Tamhorn House bridge and my notes say "Hot hot hot" 14 miles and 3 locks.<br />
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Friday 18th</b> we were up & away early stopping at Tamworth to shop for the visit of friends on Saturday. Shop included coffee. It was misty at start but heated up quickly. We had an easy run to Fazeley apart from a visit to the weed hatch. At Fazeley we stopped at the services and bumped into friend Beryl, but not on Wasp, she was there on CRT duties. She took a photo unbeknown to us until we saw the front cover of the Jan 2015 Soundings, there Lily was with Carol heading for the mooring, a lovely surprise.<br />
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Away around 1 we had an easy run to Polesworth including the Glascote locks where I had to shout at the boat in front of us as he was trying to fill the lock with a bottom paddle open!! We arrived at Polesworth at 3 and wandered around a bit before we had a curry out.....not good! 9 miles 2 locks.<br />
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Saturday 19th</b> and we stayed put. Polesworth is an easy place to guide visitors to when they come from Leicester. We had a lovely friends from Leicester join us for a great lunch & chat. They love cruising but it is often all the way round the world, we even bumped into them in New Zealand in 2010! It poured down at times and several ex working boats passed us on their way to...?<br />
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Sunday 20th</b> and we were away at 7 (!!!!) having toast whilst cruising. We used the services before Atherstone flight and were into the first lock at 8.15. All the locks were for us, we crossed with 3 boats and were out the top by 10.30. We then had to recuperate by wandering into Costa and a few bits of fruit leaving at 12.30 and on to Hawkesbury. The weather was overcast at first but as soon as the mist had cleared it was a lovely day again. We stopped about 1/2 mile before Hawkesbury junction. 14 miles 11 locks<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdG5J37fwsC9Rq27_yX3Prq2fdigE-aetYp-ofMFuuglNKt8H1xJGpenaRpU9dPK3s4NbIUaNT1eenA78-IkgmOH_MGict-Jr7VPIJb8qhg-JOjtkdqrHNuIlWqNTIdOL7hEFHFFuPaGQ/s1600/IMG_2448.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdG5J37fwsC9Rq27_yX3Prq2fdigE-aetYp-ofMFuuglNKt8H1xJGpenaRpU9dPK3s4NbIUaNT1eenA78-IkgmOH_MGict-Jr7VPIJb8qhg-JOjtkdqrHNuIlWqNTIdOL7hEFHFFuPaGQ/s1600/IMG_2448.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What is this valve for on the Atherstone flight?</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carol enjoying a warm day cruising</td></tr>
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Monday 21st</b> and we were into our last week of boat ownership.. Another bright day but a bit cooler. We were off fairly early and had an easy journey to Rugby stopping just past Tesco for shopping & C !! 13 miles only<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6I_JRDcazv7YWyMP3nCMiXQhSwHA3YT2pbQpesuxnO3a4QR1ACy0-wLENz8Ow-YyIPyt9BuISZGkx70acy2CQxqKrjzrerPnfrcJehjeaqPEHjT0VNYxDJ_PMv_-NyffjM5SVq_W_nU0/s1600/IMG_2450.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6I_JRDcazv7YWyMP3nCMiXQhSwHA3YT2pbQpesuxnO3a4QR1ACy0-wLENz8Ow-YyIPyt9BuISZGkx70acy2CQxqKrjzrerPnfrcJehjeaqPEHjT0VNYxDJ_PMv_-NyffjM5SVq_W_nU0/s1600/IMG_2450.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaving Hawkesbury for the last time.</td></tr>
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Tuesday 22nd</b> was a lovely day but we didn't move as another friend came and joined us for the day.<br />
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Wed 23rd</b> early coffee and away about 8.30. Filled at Hillmorton and emptied at Braunston. We were retracing our first ever boating trip on Lily 1 when we brought her from Stoke Golding to Foxton in one weekend, never having worked a lock before, such tales we have from that first trip.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyk8mb8MKhL8iXHveGZIz1Gj1t2KwqgVBWKuIdSJycb7mjsVIA0USoWdnxaYKwksT1ce_0qfNHUoLkU2cs7ky-gKt6Yux-AVNCCPUOhcLkLQl_jt3rMt7P4R-ucvVIPyaqb3-cNiSHLws/s1600/IMG_2460.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyk8mb8MKhL8iXHveGZIz1Gj1t2KwqgVBWKuIdSJycb7mjsVIA0USoWdnxaYKwksT1ce_0qfNHUoLkU2cs7ky-gKt6Yux-AVNCCPUOhcLkLQl_jt3rMt7P4R-ucvVIPyaqb3-cNiSHLws/s1600/IMG_2460.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Filling with water & trimming flowers at Hillmorton</td></tr>
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At Braunston we met Trish Smith undergoing training to single handedly use her new boat. Husband Richard has become completely disabled from his waist down so it is all up to her now. It was a lovely day for her training.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPlcoVldFQH-ZEPUy8YZvorVP-JzFoE0NArb1egYTD20wzM0ocay7P87CK1vH8Zh-ZS63E8up0VIs7jTAskN_4kNCSZxT99fi_YpWtfPgGnteWoAvv0hidvCAfd6sFFwVbJSWIqrPlNBw/s1600/IMG_2463.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPlcoVldFQH-ZEPUy8YZvorVP-JzFoE0NArb1egYTD20wzM0ocay7P87CK1vH8Zh-ZS63E8up0VIs7jTAskN_4kNCSZxT99fi_YpWtfPgGnteWoAvv0hidvCAfd6sFFwVbJSWIqrPlNBw/s1600/IMG_2463.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boating through Braunston on a lovely day</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzim0y3TXAVh5TcQRkYB79DvMrzOrAsbqyJMQpKhLejSlpk0GkcjgcT31FZc-HBfrgr2EPfRWcCJkJyoefvtVRmUfgwILmhbm5Xup4ZfeUyrJe1qmjNIR0Eg7x1pcGEPcduMhpD5PHXt8/s1600/IMG_2468.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzim0y3TXAVh5TcQRkYB79DvMrzOrAsbqyJMQpKhLejSlpk0GkcjgcT31FZc-HBfrgr2EPfRWcCJkJyoefvtVRmUfgwILmhbm5Xup4ZfeUyrJe1qmjNIR0Eg7x1pcGEPcduMhpD5PHXt8/s1600/IMG_2468.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Someone has to work the locks. Note the life preserver!!</td></tr>
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We worked up the flight with another boat and crossed with several and met 2 boats in the tunnel, neither of them being an empty pair like the boats we met on our first boating weekend! As a final display I did a perfect turn into the Leicester Line at Norton Junction, my best ever, and my last! We moved on about a mile to moor in another favourite mooring spot.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_OdWmp4jzM_lvPc8oFkoNFdIDdQzGY506hzOzKJ1VbndeKxT7ffXEIvmmex61wUi0zZRlq9TyFROgKgP56BCxLBAb_6-8c5qeym5P4T7Rhiq4FTEExrMEnKgxXie9GU0kAlyqFLYGsyw/s1600/IMG_2470.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_OdWmp4jzM_lvPc8oFkoNFdIDdQzGY506hzOzKJ1VbndeKxT7ffXEIvmmex61wUi0zZRlq9TyFROgKgP56BCxLBAb_6-8c5qeym5P4T7Rhiq4FTEExrMEnKgxXie9GU0kAlyqFLYGsyw/s1600/IMG_2470.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What is this?? We have seen it close to Braunston the last 3 years!! Interesting Continuous Cruising??</td></tr>
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Thursday 24th</b> and with another hot day forecast we were again away early to get most done before it got too hot. We crossed with 3 in the Watford flight, newly refreshed by our Costa from Watford Gap services. Crick tunnel was empty and pretty dry and we stopped at the services by Edwards (can't remember new name). Went to have a quick chat with Barry @ ABNB only to find he'd retired, so that's why he never rang me back about selling Lily!! We bashed on and moored just before the Welford Arm on the Avon embankment to repaint the gunwales and back deck. 7 locks 14 miles.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhcFFid-pjVrn78TBSBv_22cG_abOp9DnRrrp9UJTG-6I3LkZZ8PvwUuvIOXFVlVqZZ3rS8F0pzVohBL-RXfSeyOXYXGqBnvW-xBuY4MkaSEBLFeOCyIMOa6TtsHRXRoDPQKRZ-Q2AJsA/s1600/IMG_2471.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhcFFid-pjVrn78TBSBv_22cG_abOp9DnRrrp9UJTG-6I3LkZZ8PvwUuvIOXFVlVqZZ3rS8F0pzVohBL-RXfSeyOXYXGqBnvW-xBuY4MkaSEBLFeOCyIMOa6TtsHRXRoDPQKRZ-Q2AJsA/s1600/IMG_2471.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Avon embankment and painting gunwales & deck</td></tr>
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Friday 25th</b> Another lovely day and away fairly early, slowly into Husbands Bosworth tunnel...our last and on to moor above Br 60 at Foxton to paint the other side. I walked to Debdale & collected a car, went to pick up keys to our house & turn on the freezer before getting Carol's car from its storage place and then back to Lily and polishing. 7 miles.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaving Husbands Bosworth tunnel<a name='more'></a></td></tr>
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Saturday 26th July 2014</b> and our final day of cruising. It was a lovely but very sad morning as we went down Foxton for the final time. We have no idea how many times we have been up and down the locks but we have enjoyed every trip. We moored up in a new space in Debdale as Nicky had let our old spot but we were stern on to a part where we could drive the car to.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Out of Foxton and a final few minutes of cruising to do</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I don't know why I'm looking happy, except boating has been a fabulous life</td></tr>
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Lily went up in the water about 2 inches after we had emptied the stuff we were taking and with that done she bobbed about like a cork. Lily's new owners arrived a couple of days later and we said our fond & sad farewells. We have loved our life afloat and have cherished all the times we have had on our waterways. We have met and made many friends and we have cherished our 3 Lilys.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A farewell with our oldest grandchildren</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A handshake and Lily is passed into the care of Alan & Chris</td></tr>
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This is the end of this blog, but I might do one for our trips in Bessie, our Bessacar motor home, we are enjoying trips further afield and on the Continent<span><!--more--></span><br />
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Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed it & found it interesting, I certainly enjoyed writing & assembling it & am going to get a copy of it all printed off for quiet nights by the fire (which we don't have) in my slippers.<br />
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Ian<br />
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<br />Ianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00795967384515672158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810784201093183607.post-64042610806328408852014-07-23T20:23:00.000+00:002015-03-25T22:10:55.788+00:00Leaving Liverpool going south<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thursday 3rd July</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> We had filled the tank from the fuel barge on Wednesday and topped up our water tank and ensured the flowers were watered too. We cast off at 8.30 with a group of & other narrowboats and one wide beam boat and made a fairly slow departure from the Canning Half Tide Lock into the Liverpool Link canal. Barbara & John on Aethelburg were right behind us</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-EwzNIgpeGay0kusbSIv-4JxKj0A1YJLnbm4F_rIXbICentXt-h2R90oQi72jBdp8Z-YUYPuFg1v3HQumIND3vPj87CWeJfKrebfpSoOPYYssfFWHtSDQt0cLUXAvf3g-WC5nVJq4C4/s1600/Liverpool+to+Norbury0094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-EwzNIgpeGay0kusbSIv-4JxKj0A1YJLnbm4F_rIXbICentXt-h2R90oQi72jBdp8Z-YUYPuFg1v3HQumIND3vPj87CWeJfKrebfpSoOPYYssfFWHtSDQt0cLUXAvf3g-WC5nVJq4C4/s1600/Liverpool+to+Norbury0094.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">waiting in the Half Tide Lock to rejoin the canal network</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and John & Diana from New Zealand followed them through.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil3Y0AAM_C2_24OM_Yeas_EH3Uk3bXLiQ9pTpe2TZJdtKLdmA9DL1niUVffOVUn_vButuS5DcxLbqZYAi7pbwmatIVcE0aCe5AWxFr7mQlMHdieQ-yhYXsDwCUOiat7Y_p0B9QwVLdbVQ/s1600/Liverpool+to+Norbury0093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil3Y0AAM_C2_24OM_Yeas_EH3Uk3bXLiQ9pTpe2TZJdtKLdmA9DL1niUVffOVUn_vButuS5DcxLbqZYAi7pbwmatIVcE0aCe5AWxFr7mQlMHdieQ-yhYXsDwCUOiat7Y_p0B9QwVLdbVQ/s1600/Liverpool+to+Norbury0093.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Eric & Debbie from Georgina were waving farewell from the lock side & photographing as we waited for the first lock. It was overcast with a light breeze and we had drizzle for much of the morning, brightening through the afternoon.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We managed the trip without collecting anything on our prop and we carried on to Maghull and stopped for a late coffee at 4, having covered 16 miles, 6 locks and 3 swing bridges.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sign on Top Lock gate at Stanley. If you obey this how do you use the lock?</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Friday </b>started dryish turning wetter as we cruised through to Burscough where we arrived wet and chilled and ready for our visit to Infusions for a coffee! We had covered 10 miles and 4 swing bridges before we stopped, and we re-provisioned.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Carol doing her gardening with the great Blue Mallard behind her </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Saturday</b> was a bright day but we stopped at Burscough, seeing Diana there and also Sokai at a mooring, Pete & Sue were away as he had a singing engagement in France, stopping until we had watched qualifying for the British GP and then set off on a lovely afternoon to get just past Apley Bridge in a really lovely mooring on a fabulous evening. Pushing ourselves we covered 6 miles & 2 swing bridges. I should point out that since we first cruised into Liverpool the swing bridges have been much improved, many more are automated totally, just one or two footbridges have to be swung by hand.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQ7Tl-UVWHc27CuWdo0Lhk71AeyDitFVX9dcXMTlNvKAFjrqSeR9u-UjGdT_LtnYPknMaBzWVlo4hsTTYVALEhmlDFLnLzTBa_WRI791WiDL6l2Sv3nu0C75O8LNVParBwdp6fhRbsjk/s1600/Liverpool+to+Norbury0079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQ7Tl-UVWHc27CuWdo0Lhk71AeyDitFVX9dcXMTlNvKAFjrqSeR9u-UjGdT_LtnYPknMaBzWVlo4hsTTYVALEhmlDFLnLzTBa_WRI791WiDL6l2Sv3nu0C75O8LNVParBwdp6fhRbsjk/s1600/Liverpool+to+Norbury0079.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Our lovely outlook from our Apley Bridge mooring</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Sunday 6th</b> another wonderful day and we set off at about 9. We were about to leave our first lock when another boat arrived and we arranged we would wait for them so we could share locks into Wigan. They were not the speediest of "lockers" but it helped a bit & we saved some water, plus we crossed with a boat at one lock. The secure moorings outside the CRT offices were occupied so we joined several others on the towpath whilst we enjoyed a Costa. Sadly the large mill engine was not steamed up but we watched the Grand Prix which finished an hour late because H&S required a damaged crash barrier to be repaired........not a fantastic race but at least the leading drivers were shaken up a bit. Race over and we went through 3 locks to moor alongside the beautiful Scotsmans Flash we stopped alongside on the way into Liverpool. Just 6 miles and 6 locks today.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJSOIP7e8iondwW_q-FsWhxAgtPWGzc6ByD1tTBLKTAZowx__xVA0-Tb5jY1Wg85Mb__3dSFar_oZvpGMdDfP3n_u-tAZlTdl3Fwzg6vTN62WSlDBOGbC8Ei6rwKT1yqhmAINL13JmoOU/s1600/Liverpool+to+Norbury0083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJSOIP7e8iondwW_q-FsWhxAgtPWGzc6ByD1tTBLKTAZowx__xVA0-Tb5jY1Wg85Mb__3dSFar_oZvpGMdDfP3n_u-tAZlTdl3Fwzg6vTN62WSlDBOGbC8Ei6rwKT1yqhmAINL13JmoOU/s1600/Liverpool+to+Norbury0083.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">mooring just east of Wigan on Scotsmans Flash</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Monday</b> We were away at 8 on a fine day to get to Leigh to meet an engineer from RCR. Each time we have come through this section I have wanted to stop at the </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><cite><a href="http://www.agcm.org.uk/">Museum of Mining</a></cite></span>, failing again this time, it will have to be by road. We arrived at the Plank Lane lift bridge at just past 9.30 which was fortunate as had we been earlier we would have had to wait! The engineer had come over from Hebden Bridge & the Tour de France rode past his house over the wee</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">kend, he said it was a fabulous sight. Away after lunch to Trafford Centre after a stop at Bridgewater marina to tip. Had a Thai buffet meal which seemed pretty good to me but it seems that Carol's body has now decided that something in Thai/Chinese food does not agree with her now! Just 13 miles.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPKSc2JKVoDGjmLwVveoY81glMA52K7l_N9G1zWrTWRallk4koac1aBj6dlWk6oeCWa5w854H2jOLlxJnuNHS35BflfalKOpNPjtvbv-VDAfjRM0kvm0RlbDWMUSrq9IYaG_0h-T9OW6k/s1600/Liverpool+to+Norbury0087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPKSc2JKVoDGjmLwVveoY81glMA52K7l_N9G1zWrTWRallk4koac1aBj6dlWk6oeCWa5w854H2jOLlxJnuNHS35BflfalKOpNPjtvbv-VDAfjRM0kvm0RlbDWMUSrq9IYaG_0h-T9OW6k/s1600/Liverpool+to+Norbury0087.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Carol in her large sun hat and lifejacket</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Tuesday</b> started with lovely weather but we had really heavy storms in early evening. We stopped at the Stretford Marina just after the turn to Castlefields. Really pleasant chap, topped up & tipped plus filled with diesel </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPRf2740Hs7eVBXoDmuDe2HAwzqotKsf4dNYzCd5rmlPYdM20gSiRN47HBRmEPoq8N-mYXRSu-082p08UFu5hTotIrhldDqXsa45c0T8yEf4LyBJC7KCtgOH9vjbq3hpcuYohb0jNQ8T8/s1600/Liverpool+to+Norbury0080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPRf2740Hs7eVBXoDmuDe2HAwzqotKsf4dNYzCd5rmlPYdM20gSiRN47HBRmEPoq8N-mYXRSu-082p08UFu5hTotIrhldDqXsa45c0T8yEf4LyBJC7KCtgOH9vjbq3hpcuYohb0jNQ8T8/s1600/Liverpool+to+Norbury0080.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This lovely view was not in Sale or Stretford!!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Stopping at Sale to get food for our friends visiting tonight Carol was delighted that Sale now has a Costa! Judy & Stephen arrived in a deluge and were entertained to a Greek meal featuring several dishes Carol had never made before. It was a triumph, even if she forgot the Pittas! It was a lovely evening, Judy had been a long time customer of our knitwear business and it is good to keep in touch, we knew her before she had her son, he has just finished his accountancy final qualifications!! Rain carried on through the evening and quite a bit of the night. 4 miles only. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Wednesday</b> another lovely day and on the wide, deep, lock and lift/swing bridge free Bridgewater Canal we made good progress, even managing to fluke arriving at Preston Brook tunnel as we joined the T&M canal right in the middle of the 10 minute passage time, had we been 5 minutes later we'd have had a 50 minute wait, though the boat that was following us clearly had faulty watches as they entered 5 minutes late and crawled through so slowly that I suspect the boats waiting to travel north had to miss a turn! We stopped just after 4 at a pretty spot just before bridge 213 after covering 17 miles and 1 lock, our first lock since Sunday, and even this only had a 6" rise.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxDGTIQFRD5-ZlOxET7ZoWS5oMRtZDyLTge90U3_bv86YE1QLG3JO6-B6X1pANDKCQJ1ry7kbtUGTq4h4oq3bONV10-TyO9p5oYYjxM2iLhN2Ba2HsKL5xU2ikYb8rvz4fiir_GGgRTnk/s1600/Liverpool+to+Norbury0084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxDGTIQFRD5-ZlOxET7ZoWS5oMRtZDyLTge90U3_bv86YE1QLG3JO6-B6X1pANDKCQJ1ry7kbtUGTq4h4oq3bONV10-TyO9p5oYYjxM2iLhN2Ba2HsKL5xU2ikYb8rvz4fiir_GGgRTnk/s1600/Liverpool+to+Norbury0084.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Near Preston Brook this interesting adaptation of an old warehouse</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Thursday 10th</b> and a fabulous day, sun hats on & Carol roasted her thighs whilst sitting on the back deck. Away at 8.30 we had a steady/fast cruise and arrived at Saltersford tunnel right on time (not that we knew what the passage times were!) to go though it and its mate the Barnton tunnel, both incredibly bendy. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA3EgTvfT7_rv0e8vz5Z2PnF4yjoL-uDpSR50gzm4W_i3LgRmpF9tR771WRO8BBGCCchltboKBmyW3bAQjTUPFJA0wgnHKXD0SnZO3XX6hjy-Gy-NVccFucLnHodJCz4yJnyGtee3EjeQ/s1600/Liverpool+to+Norbury0085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA3EgTvfT7_rv0e8vz5Z2PnF4yjoL-uDpSR50gzm4W_i3LgRmpF9tR771WRO8BBGCCchltboKBmyW3bAQjTUPFJA0wgnHKXD0SnZO3XX6hjy-Gy-NVccFucLnHodJCz4yJnyGtee3EjeQ/s1600/Liverpool+to+Norbury0085.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The repaired canal where it breached in 2012</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And all along the length new stop planks and plank holders</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">At the Anderton services we dropped onto the free water point alongside another boat with an equally well silenced engine as has Lily. We had a steady cruise into Middlewich where we had 6 locks and managed to cross with 2 boats, turning onto the Middlewich Branch and stopping just past bridge 25 opposite a field with several very young calves and their mothers having covered 17 miles and 6 locks before stopping at about 4. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZJauP4DYPspuc1TpxzXwsnHoV00YiE_8umdH3BqpEkuJvuXZvn92Qdayly8I0ugR0SRsVqQ3S8kY-6SNecdM9gW1hGw-YGO3JtSjBJsi8VgZVDk63G21YyRrea2_NtD5BBG33CTk2CPM/s1600/Liverpool+to+Norbury0088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZJauP4DYPspuc1TpxzXwsnHoV00YiE_8umdH3BqpEkuJvuXZvn92Qdayly8I0ugR0SRsVqQ3S8kY-6SNecdM9gW1hGw-YGO3JtSjBJsi8VgZVDk63G21YyRrea2_NtD5BBG33CTk2CPM/s1600/Liverpool+to+Norbury0088.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A very unusual canopy seen on the Middlewich!!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">After leaving the engine to cool for several hours I did an oil change. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Friday</b> and about 6 a boat raced past, another more slowly around 7. A fabulous morning and we were away around 8.30 and carried along to Barbridge juction at the end of the Branch, with queues at both of the locks on the way. Turning onto the Shroppie and heading south we had a good cruise to Nantwich where we used the services, then moored up and walked into the town for refreshment and shopping for fruit etc. Returning to Lily we cast off after 4 & with the afternoon cooling cruised through the Hack Green locks and on to Audlem where we moored below the bottom lock at 6.30.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">After a long hot day we consulted Trip Adviser and selected to go the the Lord Combermere pub, what a good choice. I don't like my beer cold generally but the Timothy Taylor Landlord was just perfect and it slipped down wonderfully. We both had their home-made burgers after garlic bread topped with mozzarella. Both were absolutely wonderful, we couldn't fault them and the pub was at a very pleasant temperature, well worth a visit. 17 miles and 4 locks</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Shroppie Fly early morning, will we pass it again?</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Saturday 12th</b> and the forecast another hot day so we set off at 6!!! It was misty and mild and about half the locks were set for us, or rather they had leaked empty over night! We stopped to top up with water on the way & get rid of rubbish and came out the 15th lock just over 3 hours later. Another 5 followed at Adderley, by which time the sun was full on, and we cruised on to Market Drayton where we stopped for lunch before wandering in to town for coffee. Back home Carol collapsed into a chair and we waited till 4 before setting off again, intending to go up the next 5 locks and on a bit further but it started to drizzle so we stopped at the bottom, thankful the washing had dried whilst we were having coffee. 20 locks and 7 miles. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The misty morning as a prelude to a lovely day</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span>Ianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00795967384515672158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810784201093183607.post-18499896911813475802014-07-03T22:07:00.001+00:002014-07-03T22:07:16.015+00:00Into and in Liverpool<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Sunday 15<sup>th</sup> June</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> A lovely day and we celebrated
Fathers’ Day by going out for a Sunday lunch. We rarely eat a roast on a Sunday
but sometimes we fancy it so we found that The Blue Mallard in part of the old
canal warehouse in Burscough Bridge was offering one. Trip Adviser gave the
place good reviews and our experience was very much in agreement with these.
Otherwise day was spent preparing for the arrival of Carol’s sister and husband
on Monday.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdSc_wln0XtGZGuPd0TPN5vfPex5PryRnzXA6NSc0pIIYfuBXYwJ0S13euFG5BJgTB7LTza9eETWbfSG8DQC7RLN3vtCm1tBUc07KVc_1BWP60ITKXSV9HjHCOT3jQAtvBVc2C_fZ4NTY/s1600/Into+Liverpool0069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdSc_wln0XtGZGuPd0TPN5vfPex5PryRnzXA6NSc0pIIYfuBXYwJ0S13euFG5BJgTB7LTza9eETWbfSG8DQC7RLN3vtCm1tBUc07KVc_1BWP60ITKXSV9HjHCOT3jQAtvBVc2C_fZ4NTY/s1600/Into+Liverpool0069.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Blue Mallard is on the first floor of the old wharf building</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Monday </span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">and Annette and Mike arrived at around
1pm after a journey slowed by traffic near Stoke. After lunch we went with them
to see Rufford Old Hall, a National Trust house only about 3 miles from
Burscough, but alongside the Rufford Arm of the L&L canal, but only if your
boat is under 62 ft long! We had been before but our second visit was most
enjoyable, more so because the weather was lovely.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnENiWgXsWFKscNUULjMV1tcBivpX0pq-VekaTWrJfe1g8eVMp5WyIfEXsVZo4oNi27qvQgDkmRPyu5By7ANag5B1wEg_O5SUYi9Tmhby8iBSXhS2sl_cvnsNHDWzpFG8ZJLfWKlo_gT0/s1600/WWT+reserve0058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnENiWgXsWFKscNUULjMV1tcBivpX0pq-VekaTWrJfe1g8eVMp5WyIfEXsVZo4oNi27qvQgDkmRPyu5By7ANag5B1wEg_O5SUYi9Tmhby8iBSXhS2sl_cvnsNHDWzpFG8ZJLfWKlo_gT0/s1600/WWT+reserve0058.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rufford Old Hall. I'm sure there are more pictures in our 2011 blog</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA-etjMDn7KmDNA1CVh4e1uL58pcCtYqsm8JM_NyGW9XRG38cs9De9nECf8zrupn7hmL7vWbrtDyDKhgRnt0SC9BHdt_VNTkHdtW8Pkiicrwv58uyu3-iS8F8vuS1z2QIlL-3qRvXIKG8/s1600/WWT+reserve0057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA-etjMDn7KmDNA1CVh4e1uL58pcCtYqsm8JM_NyGW9XRG38cs9De9nECf8zrupn7hmL7vWbrtDyDKhgRnt0SC9BHdt_VNTkHdtW8Pkiicrwv58uyu3-iS8F8vuS1z2QIlL-3qRvXIKG8/s1600/WWT+reserve0057.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carol & Annette enjoying the gardens at Rufford Old Hall</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">We
followed this by a drive along the coast south through Southport to let them
see this rather lovely old Victorian seaside resort and onwards down to Crosby
to see Gormley’s statues, “Another Place”. We had enjoyed our visit the last
time we were in the area when the tide was retreating and more and more statues
appeared, this time the tide had gone off pretty well to Wales so all were
visible. This place is well worth a vis</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGTPre_58a3swImg3kCMRWc8JTYxQPBleFhXTGxUMC0kEq_3KVksBlTnRfgFuVLfcyySNgoVl6kAhzFXKRux585y4PIQvTi4C-S4pEgivyyJh4z9-x4n_tuaGAGmQswg0ezqtqmPyt244/s1600/WWT+reserve0059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGTPre_58a3swImg3kCMRWc8JTYxQPBleFhXTGxUMC0kEq_3KVksBlTnRfgFuVLfcyySNgoVl6kAhzFXKRux585y4PIQvTi4C-S4pEgivyyJh4z9-x4n_tuaGAGmQswg0ezqtqmPyt244/s1600/WWT+reserve0059.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Carol & Annette found the Gormleys interesting</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Our drive
continued southwards, passing an old airfield to let Mike get his “fix” of
bagging as many as possible before we got home for a lovely meal. All in all a
great day. They decided they would stop in a nearby B&B so at least we
didn’t have the upheaval of making the dinette into a bed, though they were
most welcome to stay.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Tuesday 17<sup>th</sup></span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> and they arrived for coffee at
Infusions before we set off for the Wetland & Wildlife Trust’s <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Martin Mere Reserve</b>. I had seen notices
pointing the way for the reserve on the station in Burscough on previous visits
but we hadn’t been as it was too far for Carol to walk. Prior to this visit I
had looked up bits about the place and found that it used to be England’s
largest area of inland water until the mid 1700’s when Lord Scarisbrick, of
Scarisbrick Hall close by the L&L canal, had drained it to create
additional farmland. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Q6qIZ-TIhTFh4CkQsDpWRaJkFD4Xd-ZCmhKL5g12bhYEvE5dfvg1CvsnbjL29Zn1PR_lxQ17xUUfo4evALcQ4Ay_sdSHGMLr3KmkzPe7Ns_czLtPv1X-N0SDQE4bW-d1X6enAEcC060/s1600/WWT+reserve0060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Q6qIZ-TIhTFh4CkQsDpWRaJkFD4Xd-ZCmhKL5g12bhYEvE5dfvg1CvsnbjL29Zn1PR_lxQ17xUUfo4evALcQ4Ay_sdSHGMLr3KmkzPe7Ns_czLtPv1X-N0SDQE4bW-d1X6enAEcC060/s1600/WWT+reserve0060.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carol feeds one of the Swan Geese at Martin Mere</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">To say the
place exceeded our expectations is to put it mildly! All the staff were so
enthusiastic and knowledgeable and the weather was ideal, warm but not
oppressively sunny. One of the highlights for us was a small silent cruise on
part of the waters guided by Paul who had incredible knowledge as well as
possibly the most relaxing voice we had ever heard.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4tPKYfSIk2L1O2XzC2tIFs69ZYCIELPgJQJ31uzChRR6k8E2v1pjAiwQOOkkn2fdnz_hKAlm6LHcHFO3kpvfudZmi4s0rN1MUlj_lmN7P_FvbrIbgQi0rdLxv8_rMjfKUcS3LSon4bSo/s1600/WWT+reserve0061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4tPKYfSIk2L1O2XzC2tIFs69ZYCIELPgJQJ31uzChRR6k8E2v1pjAiwQOOkkn2fdnz_hKAlm6LHcHFO3kpvfudZmi4s0rN1MUlj_lmN7P_FvbrIbgQi0rdLxv8_rMjfKUcS3LSon4bSo/s1600/WWT+reserve0061.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carol listens intently as Paul describes some feature of the reserve</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Having
spent the day there pretending we knew something about birds, we headed back to
The Blue Mallard where we all had wonderful food, even better as we caught the
early bird menu at lower prices. The place is deservedly popular but not open
on Mondays.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Wednesday </span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">and Annette and Mike were with us
until after lunch and we tooltled along to Southport again to experience the
“Prom”. Another fine day though breezy and after getting to the end of the ¾
mile long pier, the sea was still another 2 miles away!! We could see Blackpool
through the haze and wondered just how fast the water flowed over the exposed
rather muddy sand when it decided to come in, it must be frightening and
probably faster than you could walk.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghaZWA31zmppqZSb9EFMEsnO6a5mKYfyJDoEtX5vp3REYzu558OerNcBftLWWliOEJ_xK2STsic3Y74N_nnmMifAmoybIB4QtFCAYvl0H_roE9rp1jgf_LDLDHfw9kM8HVRwIKildNSRU/s1600/WWT+reserve0062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghaZWA31zmppqZSb9EFMEsnO6a5mKYfyJDoEtX5vp3REYzu558OerNcBftLWWliOEJ_xK2STsic3Y74N_nnmMifAmoybIB4QtFCAYvl0H_roE9rp1jgf_LDLDHfw9kM8HVRwIKildNSRU/s1600/WWT+reserve0062.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was a fairly safe bet the sea was over there, but they couldn't see it!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtd2LA3USHZQMvADRBajSSBJMD8MZFcNQUYZvGacuVkzQgVRka80rybjwhOLK-xMSmWxiMqvgSZnuyn2qBeMleU99jEtsSCLp2UALWrHadnqumDMA427klri_N-awRVtefKe2Mj5IhpfQ/s1600/WWT+reserve0063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtd2LA3USHZQMvADRBajSSBJMD8MZFcNQUYZvGacuVkzQgVRka80rybjwhOLK-xMSmWxiMqvgSZnuyn2qBeMleU99jEtsSCLp2UALWrHadnqumDMA427klri_N-awRVtefKe2Mj5IhpfQ/s1600/WWT+reserve0063.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carol looks over the sand, Blackpool could just be seen in this view!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Carol fed
us again and we said farewell to them as they returned to Cossington and we set
off along the canal at about 3 making our way easily to just past bridge 26
covering 5 miles and just 2 swing bridges. Bright sun and a good breeze so
washing on the line & I decided to polish the starboard side, making my
shoulder ache like mad in the process but the effort was well worth it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Thursday</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> and yet another lovely day for our
easy cruise to finish just above bridge 10 ready for our 9am start at bridge 9
in convoy in the morning. I found that in Maghull on our way they had a Costa
so, not being pushed for time we stopped there where close to the canal there
is a good range of shops, including a rather odd situation. In the main square,
redeveloped I suppose in the 1970’s, there were two butchers, but not a
greengrocers, so both butchers offered fruit and veg as well as meat!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">After we
moored up we were joined by The Cat’s Whiskers who we met at Harecastle &
in Burscough, and another boat with owners from Ripon. 5 swing bridges today in
the 7½ miles covered.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuJwZYbl8tbOlE6S6y8ES5RuQzOcEhvCY7UDGXAjp3-KcP6CJ_fRRVVH4NX7oQuiD7N_8Zz7WrULdhfQZ1LsD6OKnKJq5p5MTJY6OF9SLNrOSaYwEEU4mQ6adaL7P2GhAtCuG7c8FGxX0/s1600/Into+Liverpool0070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuJwZYbl8tbOlE6S6y8ES5RuQzOcEhvCY7UDGXAjp3-KcP6CJ_fRRVVH4NX7oQuiD7N_8Zz7WrULdhfQZ1LsD6OKnKJq5p5MTJY6OF9SLNrOSaYwEEU4mQ6adaL7P2GhAtCuG7c8FGxX0/s1600/Into+Liverpool0070.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Our mooring above bridge 10</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Friday 20<sup>th</sup> June</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> and we set off through the last
manual swing bridge with the others to join 3 more at bridge 9 but more
importantly to meet up with friends David & Lesley who we met on the Macc
and who helped us up the Boseley Locks. They had never managed to cruise into
Liverpool on their shared owner boat and had jumped at the option of cruising
in with us and fortunately we were blessed with another lovely day. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb8eOnRPvitDi3s22HdmoxwTuMXWRpRFMp4uzZYYDJ4pRoG0D-hJKuGn4JbjwPAjxbRYeDn3PgB9cGnDdNUGsFDcSp5cT30c9uT8TG3Dy00Kv92ZOuV4u52MOAHLxDARQU4aIteOVtcGY/s1600/Into+Liverpool0071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb8eOnRPvitDi3s22HdmoxwTuMXWRpRFMp4uzZYYDJ4pRoG0D-hJKuGn4JbjwPAjxbRYeDn3PgB9cGnDdNUGsFDcSp5cT30c9uT8TG3Dy00Kv92ZOuV4u52MOAHLxDARQU4aIteOVtcGY/s1600/Into+Liverpool0071.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">David holds Lily steady at the top of the Stanley locks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0dfBAqqKaSOGCMLYrKa1PlkcFx0kaSMVcxLgJ10VKHlLtVq6zAMHD6LlCl8te_nfdcb6PrsQLsbewcLcAAxxDbJ6pcVI4OhSosjHWIPX28tn6obe85CavFd1fXJkyV9PgoyAA3Rgpf28/s1600/Into+Liverpool0072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0dfBAqqKaSOGCMLYrKa1PlkcFx0kaSMVcxLgJ10VKHlLtVq6zAMHD6LlCl8te_nfdcb6PrsQLsbewcLcAAxxDbJ6pcVI4OhSosjHWIPX28tn6obe85CavFd1fXJkyV9PgoyAA3Rgpf28/s1600/Into+Liverpool0072.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lesley winds the top paddle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />
<blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3IblmKmsYR80Vvj_nprEfOOtVPTN7zRhBWzajqU5UYx05evdJgd20rpY3sxAEUiDq1PTFDol4aTICKAsjNBobGmMEZAQZE3-gmxizc29GWCCp-siF3laGUXU5f0IsLijNdm51OmjBmP8/s1600/Into+Liverpool0073.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></blockquote>
</blockquote>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody></tbody></table>
</span></div>
<blockquote>
</blockquote>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bit of a conundrum, how do you work a lock this way????</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">At 9 the
CRT chaps closed the road and swung the bridge and let us through for our cruise.
The water seemed clearer than before and though Lily picked up some debris at
one point a quick run in reverse seemed to clear it. After our stop at
Litherland at the facilities we were on to the Stanley locks and the most
impressive bit of our cruise. All the CRT bods, employed and volunteers were so
incredibly keen that everyone should enjoy experiencing their city, it was
fantastic. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDCwQJMr1e2d_RH8eoyJIqlWygRoFVa6nDRPVVxhyUaKpMQ4LwKMAJEKsr2Ex4NnX-guIcc3ohHq73FYiCPLpIm4vQisWdteWds1SiePSXEL-O2UHGGA-aT8RsyTQ_C548hE_iej8QrUY/s1600/Liverpool+walk0067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDCwQJMr1e2d_RH8eoyJIqlWygRoFVa6nDRPVVxhyUaKpMQ4LwKMAJEKsr2Ex4NnX-guIcc3ohHq73FYiCPLpIm4vQisWdteWds1SiePSXEL-O2UHGGA-aT8RsyTQ_C548hE_iej8QrUY/s1600/Liverpool+walk0067.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The newly renovated Rum warehouse now an hotel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6oYS_abikCbYbPERdOTIHUbZSeVuwcyT0qlWI8c4YGY0QMCzoqcTpxS_wj4PE6LE0DS2tA2hGYY-kbZFQlzpEamwRenJ4WzM53bqbe93J91XJiEC-QNFyLnWOfqrTkAcuSjSPp8V6OLc/s1600/Liverpool+walk0068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6oYS_abikCbYbPERdOTIHUbZSeVuwcyT0qlWI8c4YGY0QMCzoqcTpxS_wj4PE6LE0DS2tA2hGYY-kbZFQlzpEamwRenJ4WzM53bqbe93J91XJiEC-QNFyLnWOfqrTkAcuSjSPp8V6OLc/s1600/Liverpool+walk0068.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The wonderful Tobacco Warehouse awaits a solution but I understand the concrete grain silo is to be demolished</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">It was
also lovely to hear that the old Tobacco warehouse is to get a facelift
initially while people decide what to do with it as the floor to ceiling height
is only 6’6” and too low to be lived in being designed to best and economically
accommodate bales of tobacco, not people. Initial plans were to remove
alternate floors till a structural engineer pointed out that this would ruin
the structural integrity of the building. It was lovely to see that the
building opposite to the Tobacco warehouse had been renovated from a rum
warehouse into a new hotel and conference centre, as it was to see that a new
watersports centre had been established just a bit further on our journey of 12
miles in total. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">On our
last visit I moaned at the under utilisation f the tremendous Salthouse Dock
facility because BW only allowed 6 boats at a time to enter and leave but this
trip there were 9 of us as 3 boats had arrived at bridge 9 early the day before
& they had been let through, I assume when the outgoing boats passed
through, on the day before and had spent the night on the secure moorings at
Litherland. When we entered Salthouse Dock I was flabbergasted to see nearly
all the moorings were full!! Last time only perhaps a third were being used, it
was great to see many enjoying this destination. I also espied our old friends
Sokai moored up and found that the main reason the dock was full was because
two flotillas had come across The Mersey from Ellesmere Port a few days
earlier.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Arriving
at around 2.30 and having enjoyed great sandwiches on the way we retreated to
Albert Dock where we found a second Costa had been created! We all had to go
in!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">All in all
a lovely day and a great 2 week stay planned with grandson Sam due to join us
on Monday for a week with his sister Hannah coming on Thursday.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Saturday and Sunday</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> and with lovely
weather the place was heaving with all sorts of people several boats left on
Saturday & I didn’t count how many arrived on Sunday but Eric &<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>on Georgina was one and we had a good old
natter with Pete & Sue on Sokai, catching up on the past 2 years, we had
first met at Wigan on our way into Liverpool on our first trip & then down
in The Secret Nuclear Bunker near Nantwich the following year.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><b>Visitors</b> enlivened our stay with Sam joining us on the first Monday and reveling (as we knew he would) in the architecture, both old and new. He and I walked back to Stanley Dock on the first evening and wandered into the frontage of the old rum warehouse, only to be quickly ushered out as it wasn't open officially and only being used for part of a major conference within the city. It was lovely to look at bits we had not seen from the water.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZQOrJKXt6U8O6Mk96tgmU8NSPA9UZwaXhuRxAozVnmWPWuOavty78ISePyYPLrt8w7KJ9tqeYZbYBxc6XlL_iiveuAcisUoDDCy2OIZMx1jcCjX02MNa1st0vC6-7y7WLQEAJDGlDzrQ/s1600/Liverpool+walk0064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZQOrJKXt6U8O6Mk96tgmU8NSPA9UZwaXhuRxAozVnmWPWuOavty78ISePyYPLrt8w7KJ9tqeYZbYBxc6XlL_iiveuAcisUoDDCy2OIZMx1jcCjX02MNa1st0vC6-7y7WLQEAJDGlDzrQ/s1600/Liverpool+walk0064.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Princess Dock, a new lock and the wonderfully shaped bridge</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXcOULlAh5MndSiE2TMfxw8j92QmfTYU1-Vf762fFQIDBQzwhBL2OeX7U6SJDQrK_d6JNMB3unspFoIIjkIi-_KXWaL0X8wgoXyFpZ4v7AvNevdn2nKgzfMPsGv5CdHUnIuKhbW_P2A7E/s1600/Liverpool+walk0065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXcOULlAh5MndSiE2TMfxw8j92QmfTYU1-Vf762fFQIDBQzwhBL2OeX7U6SJDQrK_d6JNMB3unspFoIIjkIi-_KXWaL0X8wgoXyFpZ4v7AvNevdn2nKgzfMPsGv5CdHUnIuKhbW_P2A7E/s1600/Liverpool+walk0065.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Sam views the bridge closely</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpeijrNu_xa7b6YiSO3p2pZSU3gL2LRKA6VCv0dbpiOuqvG4xF2UHzs5sehGJ3rq5nHjGjqFvWg3NaJdlAyB-O5UrU-7A6YRDCJ6CnUZq85FC1K7FAD4KAkTO4OCliPgl0cTOILg_Q4oE/s1600/Liverpool+walk0066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpeijrNu_xa7b6YiSO3p2pZSU3gL2LRKA6VCv0dbpiOuqvG4xF2UHzs5sehGJ3rq5nHjGjqFvWg3NaJdlAyB-O5UrU-7A6YRDCJ6CnUZq85FC1K7FAD4KAkTO4OCliPgl0cTOILg_Q4oE/s1600/Liverpool+walk0066.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Wonderful mix of old and new looking towards the new docks past Jessie Hartley's tower</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">I took the train back to Leicester on the Tuesday for a hospital appointment and to do some work on our little house that had been recently vacated, returning on Thursday evening with Sam's sister Hannah who was with us until their parents arrived on Sunday morning for a day with us before taking everyone home.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM4lMwdycOtLYjYrhl3gt4BdDfdAyDpBkFys8cFDPhY5JDQKOFHQPcT8WICwAuiVf-GAaQLfo9YC7tC7MuJrBepHnbKsbdUkwKaLAr9bezzYi-6ZPD_izN7_D-TO4a1EmiqaUO4lk0GlY/s1600/Liverpool0054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM4lMwdycOtLYjYrhl3gt4BdDfdAyDpBkFys8cFDPhY5JDQKOFHQPcT8WICwAuiVf-GAaQLfo9YC7tC7MuJrBepHnbKsbdUkwKaLAr9bezzYi-6ZPD_izN7_D-TO4a1EmiqaUO4lk0GlY/s1600/Liverpool0054.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Family gathering on the back deck, garden flowering well.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">During our stay the weather was pretty good and got a lot warmer. We took the kids (!) to see the Lion King touring production at The Empire and all raved about it. We also went to The Royal Court to see Lennon, which we though OK though other boaters thought was good.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1aL_qrM49V1QeTZFsgFyOzG_54wAfbQfyDu1r8mbPM1uE_VaJYzmGBmuGpXVTGG3YM_H2gbS66OLcjtxPntq16SDVn5bK8wwQeYDYAh_Bx5b-3bGR4eM306ddenpJSw2dKzS0A2O8I7w/s1600/Liverpool0056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1aL_qrM49V1QeTZFsgFyOzG_54wAfbQfyDu1r8mbPM1uE_VaJYzmGBmuGpXVTGG3YM_H2gbS66OLcjtxPntq16SDVn5bK8wwQeYDYAh_Bx5b-3bGR4eM306ddenpJSw2dKzS0A2O8I7w/s1600/Liverpool0056.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking back from the Tunnels I came upon this, a memorial to the 15 Liverpudlians awarded a VC during WW1 and especially Captain Chavasse who was awarded 2 VCs!!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">We discovered two new places to visit, one being the Williamson Tunnels, about 300yds further out than the Wigwam, the other was the Western Approaches bunker between the Liver Building & the old Town Hall. Both interesting, the approaches more so but I was staggered by the size of the tunnels. Grayson Perry tapestries were being displayed in the Walker Gallery. We all thought we'd hate them but they were tremendous.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTp-RaK4SdSFtUJo6_ldxmHPIl6h-X7iULFGk3bUlBTsH3tQSEScW3W3A_BAyn73daujxnV7-qPVh2kxjyUTDIBOZcm8EgwPaFdZrHmiDvwILRZro2w7LCLuTqQDo6kfDqrMzHBqzC9s8/s1600/Liverpool0055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTp-RaK4SdSFtUJo6_ldxmHPIl6h-X7iULFGk3bUlBTsH3tQSEScW3W3A_BAyn73daujxnV7-qPVh2kxjyUTDIBOZcm8EgwPaFdZrHmiDvwILRZro2w7LCLuTqQDo6kfDqrMzHBqzC9s8/s1600/Liverpool0055.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I happened upon this statue of Eleanor Rigby scuplted by Tommy Steel</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Before our return I had another trip to Leicester as the hospital had moved my appointment on a week but neglected to contact me in the manner I said they needed to. When I rang Nicky back at Debdale after I tried to check in on the first visit she found the letter when I told her to open any post. Grrrrrrrr! Second visit was good, eye problem improving!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">At various times during our stay flotillas departed, one numbering 15, and lesser numbers arrived, so that after our group of 7 narrowboats and one widebeam left on the 3rd there were probably only around a dozen moored with well over 20 spaces, yet an incoming boat we met said they were not allowed to stay long as the dock was fully booked. I find this very hard to believe.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Amongst the incomers were Eric & Debbie on Georgina from Debdale, and our group on the northern wall included a lovely couple from my favorite city in New Zealand, Napier, enjoying their first summer cruising the canals on Molly Rose, and they were part of our outward group as well as John & Barbara on Aethelburgh from Somerset. </span>Ianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00795967384515672158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810784201093183607.post-4093020011499374152014-06-15T08:55:00.000+00:002014-06-15T08:55:04.243+00:00From Macclesfield through Manchester and onto Burscough<b>Tuesday 3rd June</b> We had returned on Monday afternoon and having experienced the uncrushed surroundings of our First Class journeys sincerely hope we can do so again at a bargain price. I hadn't realised that the lovely mill I included in a photo last time was the original Hovis Mill. Carol reckoned it was a pretty uphill traipse up from the station but definitely not the same as the one that featured in that old Hovis advert!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm8z2xJICVJeVAvPbDQuxbnVrPbzGj2d4xnbITryS0sFfOJ5sexeXnMS4v3gQw3U2ZtKUqud0g-KJVyHovxi8nbfanwgKKjh9ojV0hTehR6Mt_LDVQU0E4c33aQcZkp2rdG0hZGBoJ8ms/s1600/Macc+Fence+posts.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm8z2xJICVJeVAvPbDQuxbnVrPbzGj2d4xnbITryS0sFfOJ5sexeXnMS4v3gQw3U2ZtKUqud0g-KJVyHovxi8nbfanwgKKjh9ojV0hTehR6Mt_LDVQU0E4c33aQcZkp2rdG0hZGBoJ8ms/s1600/Macc+Fence+posts.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aren't these fence "stones" incredible, they will not rot off!</td></tr>
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We re-provisioned and coffeed before climbing up the hill again and refuelling and settling our bill and away about 12.30. It was dry but overcast and we cruised slowly through Bollington past two large mills and moored past bridge 21 at 3 (hard working again!!)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Passing through Bollington, note mill chimney</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<b>Wed 4th</b> was another good day and we moved on to Marple where we filled with water at what must be the slowest tap on the system, fortunately we were not too empty, I spoke to someone at the tap on our return and he had been filling for 90 minutes! We turned into the Peak Forest Canal and went gently to Whaley Bridge where we moored just past the turn to Bugsworth and moored outside the Tesco store. Grandson Sam and his girlfriend Linde arrive on Thursday and this seemed a good place to direct them to, except there was absolutely no signal!! I found one at the end of the arm, but it came and went in very few yards! Anyway all sorted before we had a very wet night!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amazing stonework on skew bridge</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<b>Thursday 5th </b>and I spoke to Tesco & got permission for him to park his car on their car park. We stocked up with additional food as he has hollow legs. A wet morning so Carol thought a good home made soup would be good as well as freshly home baked bread......it was & we all loved it. We then set off back to Marple and got a pretty poor mooring with stern well out but we got the bows fairly close in and we left Carol at home and walked down the Marple flight as I wanted to get a view of the aqueduct and railway viaduct. A lovely flight and some absolutely staggering stonework on the locks, but no view of the aqueduct! A rather dull day spoiling the views but a lovely evening.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkaM-wS7T0qN2synxyvLVXZ8p9mtne5xoXa6KUqCSahbkFmKeo-AcBwAzVtmLOTwGY1Qkd2hfrdnCxkSCSI1HQF8dhsHOD12FwBaf-XID53cE8xMWFxbqjBHfoTZNHJYDw_6bjxYzBnO0/s1600/Sunset+from+Marple.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkaM-wS7T0qN2synxyvLVXZ8p9mtne5xoXa6KUqCSahbkFmKeo-AcBwAzVtmLOTwGY1Qkd2hfrdnCxkSCSI1HQF8dhsHOD12FwBaf-XID53cE8xMWFxbqjBHfoTZNHJYDw_6bjxYzBnO0/s1600/Sunset+from+Marple.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset from rear deck in Marple </td></tr>
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<b>Friday 6th</b> and to Carol's delight when I walked into Marple to get her newspaper I saw a Costa shop so we all decamped and had a drink of choice, Carol particularly enjoying it. A really lovely day and it was wonderful to be up in the Peak District, the only trouble was trees alongside the towpath got in the way of photos. Also the Peak Forest & the Macclesfield are both shallow and Lily is deep draughted so progress is slow and she is brought to an almost complete stop in bridge holes.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Horse pass under road</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">By horse pass dives to lock tail</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">End of the dive!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0A6zs0Pf67_TZVzSvJW0YAK2B-ZW5i2iSOd5EE0X7DMF3HYjameY-qeyB3LuFANKmOaTV_hBLft4kpiAdmP0Ho2tUoD-4VyEqi872Uhvv3V9aGGonMBP2ASDjtJERxWn27Wwqgw493XY/s1600/Marple+Lock+c.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0A6zs0Pf67_TZVzSvJW0YAK2B-ZW5i2iSOd5EE0X7DMF3HYjameY-qeyB3LuFANKmOaTV_hBLft4kpiAdmP0Ho2tUoD-4VyEqi872Uhvv3V9aGGonMBP2ASDjtJERxWn27Wwqgw493XY/s1600/Marple+Lock+c.JPG" height="200" width="132" /></a></td></tr>
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We turned into Bugsworth Basin to moor and how beautiful it is! A lovely mooring and a lot to spook round, except when we turned the ignition switch off nothing happened so I had to get down to the engine to stop it, I had a quick look but couldn't see anything wrong.<br />
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After a lovely early supper Sam and I walked to Tesco to collect his car but I forgot to look at the map to check the route back by road. We covered quite a few miles and used some very narrow roads but got back safely! After the meal we chatted some more before they headed home, it was great to see him again and to meet Linde who is reading Architecture with him at Oxford.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoqP6sy-OQQ00Tj6qOXe0mU65F7LI5l3Jd2L7CMuKnJmWmmnin22Xnq0XC-Afgn5tmhaWQ6SL4PpXSmqsZxX9Si2ttxVMvkw0ehriWQQYB62IR0D_FigHBg417QGy1X1yqV_zuZ9mWboI/s1600/Bugsworth+bridge.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoqP6sy-OQQ00Tj6qOXe0mU65F7LI5l3Jd2L7CMuKnJmWmmnin22Xnq0XC-Afgn5tmhaWQ6SL4PpXSmqsZxX9Si2ttxVMvkw0ehriWQQYB62IR0D_FigHBg417QGy1X1yqV_zuZ9mWboI/s1600/Bugsworth+bridge.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bridge in Bugsworth</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhGxTekMD52QcWyUUljWAYGctCCwIxur0P5uLTSAHXfye_6mNUuTrhtDzyIljgH8HSkX0Kwt3i3iw2OYYeEkgTvS-rgaj2JxhxDGJHacajttY-tKPmQ4UpMYhjeCdWMDbbk5or7KM2k0s/s1600/Bugsworth+model.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhGxTekMD52QcWyUUljWAYGctCCwIxur0P5uLTSAHXfye_6mNUuTrhtDzyIljgH8HSkX0Kwt3i3iw2OYYeEkgTvS-rgaj2JxhxDGJHacajttY-tKPmQ4UpMYhjeCdWMDbbk5or7KM2k0s/s1600/Bugsworth+model.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The model of the basin when working</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our mooring</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHlL1eZVU7WNydQWvduMPIwyIl25v-BW1YigeWZM2l41tc1G07P53Y1wmEG7wP1LeuAJ-PcqsxGzA46_-Ye41xhYeMHDfWBywiHaUmbs2b2aqIFiBHl4f9iPQQCh85zZCJJiHky4A5tIw/s1600/Bugsworth+sunset.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHlL1eZVU7WNydQWvduMPIwyIl25v-BW1YigeWZM2l41tc1G07P53Y1wmEG7wP1LeuAJ-PcqsxGzA46_-Ye41xhYeMHDfWBywiHaUmbs2b2aqIFiBHl4f9iPQQCh85zZCJJiHky4A5tIw/s1600/Bugsworth+sunset.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another lovely sunset</td></tr>
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We stayed put on Saturday and I remembered we are in RCR so I called and was told they would be with us by 4. Mark was a bit late but he soon spotted a loose wire and a bit of funny wiring.....wiring that was last touched by other RCR mechanics! Earlier in the day I had done an absolute for us. Never in 25 years of boating have we ever run out of gas, but this morning we did! I will never understand how we did as I always replace a bottle as soon as it is empty but this day as we operated the changeover switch between cylinders nothing happened. I seriously wonder if the spare bottle had leaked empty because I hadn't tightened up the union. Anyway Carol had the presence of mind to ask Mark if he knew where we could get some, he rang the lovely couple on diesel boat Alton and they were about to arrive in Whaley Bridge! It was about 9 when we got our two bottles and a top up with diesel, as did the boats near us!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIiQoGHyBBtBF_Js-iCS3AM5ZsJyUXikQ2d2QBCehGuHpQ5hG0YPs8dtIojWuRdJvgm3coXgjKFViNAnHvZzI7QMsgvn7oeMukknYa8EuQkLCzSi5LDYN2VKSxrIRQYGiqY9KiK7LqwoE/s1600/Alton.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIiQoGHyBBtBF_Js-iCS3AM5ZsJyUXikQ2d2QBCehGuHpQ5hG0YPs8dtIojWuRdJvgm3coXgjKFViNAnHvZzI7QMsgvn7oeMukknYa8EuQkLCzSi5LDYN2VKSxrIRQYGiqY9KiK7LqwoE/s1600/Alton.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Relief, and for the boat behind, a pump out!</td></tr>
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Sunday dawned a glorious day and we tootled back into Marple, and whilst doing so were contacted by a couple who wanted to look over Lily as I had put an advert for her on Apollo Duck. Though Lily is always pretty spotless we gave her an additional clean and met Alan and Chris who seemed very impressed. We also fitted in watching the Canadian GP and a Costa.<br />
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We had lingered around on the Peak Forest so that we didn't descend from Marple and into Manchester over a weekend. The reports I read say it is much better than of yore but discretion seems better than valor! <b>Monday 9th June</b> after emptying and enjoying a coffee we set off down the flight just as it started drizzling, before it turned into a deluge<b>!</b> The locks were pretty easy to use and I was amazed that each lock had a footbridge over the tail and these were made of stone and the king stones actually had some carving on them. Such workmanship and I'm pretty sure it was in Millstone Grit stone which must have been very hard to work.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the carved king stones on a footbridge</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<br />
We were following a boat on the way down and crossed with two in the flight of 18, exiting the bottom lock as the sun came out for a lovely afternoon. I was fortunately wearing shorts so my legs dried quickly and the material of the shorts dried quickly too, my soaking sandals were another matter, I put them on top of the rocker cover of the engine.<br />
<br />
Sadly part way down our bow thruster got totally jammed & we couldn't clear it. I made a couple of calls and we are into the Ashton Packet Co at 9 on Tuesday. We moored just past the lift bridge before Duckinfield Jn in a wonderfully quiet and picturesque spot, who would have thought it looking at the map?<br />
<br />
<b>Tuesday 10th </b>and we were away not long after 8 on a lovely bright warm morning. I was very proud of how Carol took Lily round the junction, especially with a moored boat restriction space for our turn. We were at the boatyard just after 8.30 and watched and waited as one boat after another was moved to let us access the cradles. It must have been just about 9 when we eased Lily in and located her bows onto the trolley for her to be partially winched up the slope until the bow thruster tube was clear of the water. I then got onto the most wobbly boat I've ever been on to work at the blades with a mooring pin. Eventually I got things turning, there was a piece of stick about 15cm long and the diameter of my thumb wedging the two sets of blades onto the drive column. It <br />
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took a lot more poking around before this offending stick popped out!! Can you see it? It is that little blob just above the staging by the thruster outlet!<br />
<br />
Lily was lowered back into the water and job done.....<b>EXCEPT</b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goose chat & cuddle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
By Lily's stern the lady on the boat was cradling a half grown white gosling, so Carol got talking and got her cuddle and found out that she had noticed each year that the clutch of eggs was eaten by the males in the gaggle. This year she and her husband bought an incubator to hatch the eggs and have now raised the brood.<br />
<br />
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This winch motor was high tech once, but it works today too.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b> </b><br />
I calmly said Lily was winched out, which was true, except that I looked at the motor for the winch and saw it was a twin cylinder motor that looked to be attached to a steam boiler. It was until about 10 years ago but a compressor does the work now, boiler inspections are too costly. The whole dock and yard is owned and run by steam engine nuts and there are narrow gauge tracks around it that were used to move the spoil as they excavated it in the '70's. They were a lovely bunch, do consider them for slipping and blacking, it is an eye opener!<br />
<br />
Away about 10 we made steady cruise to Fairefield Junction after we had reversed to collect my jumper and life jacket carelessly left behind. My old Nicholson said there was an Elsan point & water there, but we were only able to fill and work our way down behind a boat that seemed to be making slow progress. When we were about 6 locks down we caught them up & Sharon asked if she could borrow my anti vandal key. They had bought 2 from a Black Prince depot and they were of too great an outside diameter to fit into the holes, despite Duncan filing them down. We had to stop as our prop was horribly fouled and it took a good half hour to work off the polypropylene bag and straps.<br />
<br />
Away and onwards but as we got to about lock 6 the wind got up and very black clouds were around, and at lock 4 I was nearly blown off my feet by a gust! Out of this lock and swing right and hard astern!!! The bridge was incredibly low. We had moved the flower troughs to the edge of the roof previously but now Carol had to thread them through the lowest points, but it was touch and go.<br />
<br />
As we reached the bottom of the flight I recalled there was a Costa nearby and we were a bit cold so I picked up a takeaway to revive us before we moved onto secure moorings at Picadilli Village at about 5.30 on a by now lovely late afternoon!<br />
<br />
<b>Wednesday 11th</b> and a lovely morning and Sharon knocked to see if we wanted to work down the Rochdale 9 together......can a duck swim!<br />
<br />
We actually had a pretty good run down, some gates were hard to move because of the water pouring over them and I'm certain Sharon would not have managed a lot of them on her own, but together we made a good team. The only lock that nearly defeated us was the bottom lock as the winch mechanism to open one of the bottom gates had failed and I really thought I was going to break the chain on the other one as I struggled to open it. I reported it to CRT forthwith!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This wild garden was lockside about half way down the '9'</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lily approaches Deansgate Station near the bottom of the '9'</td></tr>
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<br />
<br />
Duncan and Sharon went on to the sanitary station whilst we reversed into a mooring so I could go and buy tickets for a train journey from Liverpool to Leicester on 24th for a hospital visit before we moved to the san station and on the the Trafford Centre. We have heard from Alan & Chris that they want to see Lily again and mooring here will give a pleasant bit to cruise along and is easy to find. Fingers crossed for Thursday!<br />
<br />
<b>Thursday 12th June</b> Alan & Chris arrived at 2 and we set off for a cruise over the Barton Swing Aqueduct and on a bit, about turn and then back past our mooring to wind and moor. Carol told me I had talked too much on Sunday, so I tried not to do so but there were so many things to describe and show. It must have been past 6 when we all sat down, they said they wanted her, we agreed the price but then they said the buyer for their house had done this and that etc and that they would be moving out mid July, assuming this and that happened, but there was a very strong probability that it would happen. They knew we had a cruise planned, but could we complete it by end July? Deep swallowing as we had our daughter and her girls booked in for the last 2 weeks in August. Even deeper swallowing as we had told our letting agents to let our house for another 6 months from July 1st.<br />
<br />
A big day and lots of questions but they are a lovely couple who we know will look after Lily as we do and who is to know where we'll find other suitable buyers?<br />
<br />
Well on Friday morning I rang the agents to find the owner of the franchise whom we had generally dealt with had sold it, and the other chap we know had just gone out & would be doing viewings all day. We tried to get him to call us but without success.<br />
<br />
So we set off and got to Leigh were we did a bit of shopping before moving on the stop alongside Scotsmans Flash near Wigan in a lovely mooring, mooring with Eric & Debbie on Georgina from Debdale. Apart from our homelessness concerns it was a lovely day.<br />
<br />
<b>Saturday 14th</b> and another lovely day, the sun has got to Carol's shoulders. We moved off about 9 & up 2 locks to turn left onto the main line and at the next lock meet up with ab Australian couple who we shared several locks with before they stopped to meet family. We then carried on through the remaining 2 locks and swing bridges to moor at Burscough Bridge at 4. <br />
<br />
We will stay here until Wednesday morning as Carol's sister and her husband are joining us on Monday morning.<br />
<br />
Total distance so far this year 218miles, 133 locks and 10 swing/lift bridges.Ianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00795967384515672158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810784201093183607.post-14880414024888763812014-05-31T11:48:00.000+00:002014-05-31T17:50:23.069+00:002014 and our final cruise with Lily Pad for sale<b><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</b><b></b><br />
<b><span style="font-weight: normal;"> I had not realised I'd failed to close off last year's cruise, so a
brief (you must be joking its Ian writing!) resume of why this is our last
cruise</span>. <b>I'm also on a crusade to get everyone to wear a lifejacket when
working a boat.....read on to find out why.</b></b><br />
<b>
</b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wear a life jacket</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<i>Last year as we cruised to Trent Lock on the T&M I ran an incredibly high temperature, I had got a urine infection. Yes I was better the following day when I had the gigantic mixed grill I pictured but two days later when we got to Burton on Trent I walked to the hospital to get some pills, only to be told that generally men don't get them, its a female speciality, largely because of how we are constructed. The doc gave me a pretty thorough going over before he gave me some pills, but wanted me to get to a hospital to find the results of the culture tests a week later.......I wasn't sure how I would.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Back to Lily, Carol thought I'd eloped I'd been so long. Next day Barry & Cathy on Goldie drew alongside for coffee and cake, gluten free for Cathy, & I was due a test later in the month to see if I had developed this problem too!!! Two days later or so we had done the necessary at the CRT facilities at Fradley and Carol had moved Lily into the junction lock. I'd shut the bottom gates and walked to the top paddles when she called me to say one of the gates had opened. I turned to go and close it and disappeared from view and didn't respond to her calls.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Horrified she clambered on the the roof of Lily (a first for her) and then climbed the loft ladder (another first) and found me completely collapsed by the top gate! I had rather cleverly collapsed into the recovery p<span id="goog_481514949"></span><span id="goog_481514950"></span>osition and had a pulse, but Lily was moving out the lock! Fortunately a car stopped alongside me on the road & asked if he could help and as he was a P.C. he had pretty good First Aid knowledge & could look after me whilst she sorted out Lily, and the landlady of the pub saw what was going on and volunteered to call an ambulance, and then a chap moored below the lock said he'd sort Lily out & look after her, letting Carol become a nurse again.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Well Burton on Trent hospital were fantastic, I had a night in coronary care, had test after test, including an MRI scan on my head, no stroke but the remnants of my brain showed up. Then Carol remembered I had previously been found to have kinks in my carotid arteries abut 10 years before, so it became pretty obvious I'd collapsed because I'd turned my head too far/fast & cut off the blood supply to my enfeebled brain.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>The upshot was I had loads more tests over the following month at Burton but decided we'd like to get Lily back to Debdale, but how? Wonderful Barry & Cathy came along, asked what was amiss and immediately volunteered to amend their planned cruise and work us through the locks up to Watford. I donned a foam collar to prevent me from turning my head too fast and I started wearing my lifejacket all the time we cruise. Whilst the canal may only be 3ft deep but if you are dead to the world you can't put your feet down to stand up & your mouth will remain under the water......hence the lifejackets.</i><br />
<i>( A picture of our saviours will follow but it is in my old computer....did I tell you I hate Windows 8!)</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Our immense thanks to Barry & Cathy for helping us home and to all the others who helped, and we have met them all this year. The lifejacket point has very topical importance this week following the death of a newly retired boater in the Harecastle tunnel. I spoke to the tunnel keepers on Sunday as we waited to pass through but as yet they don't know how he ended up in the water. However it is pretty certain that had he been wearing a lifejacket even if he'd fallen in because of a stroke he'd have floated and his wife would have been able to see him. Fellow Boaters please think about this!</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>OK after we'd done the doctor bits I was allowed on on a probationary cruise and we went to Oxford to pay a visit to our grandson who had just started his Architecture course, and I pretty well behaved. I don't step over from one open gate to open the other one, I use my boat hook instead to push it open or pull it shut. Because of me passing the test we are on a cruise to cover what we failed to do in 2013, ie Liverpool again and also the Macc which we've never done plus some other new bits before we stop. We might stop sooner than we actually want as Lily is listed on Apolloduck.com and if we find a buyer we will work to accommodate our buyer.</i><br />
<br />
<b>Tuesday May 6th 2014</b> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaRNPh9erRqleybF7_6j76e4BJaBadgCOMpTkmU-E8WHfjvFjehncPjBLoejW_NubR2qMllKBOQvcaU5hkKSvO9ZMHicD9eihYWANUDDycM-sLV35967ed05HhvcLoX0eZcoXt_TvduY8/s1600/Carol+ready+to+go.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaRNPh9erRqleybF7_6j76e4BJaBadgCOMpTkmU-E8WHfjvFjehncPjBLoejW_NubR2qMllKBOQvcaU5hkKSvO9ZMHicD9eihYWANUDDycM-sLV35967ed05HhvcLoX0eZcoXt_TvduY8/s1600/Carol+ready+to+go.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carol ready for the off, garden planted</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
So we set off with freshly polished paintwork, newly blacked bottom and really looking pretty lovely, or at least Carol & Lily were, and it was sunny & warmish as we left Debdale. Nothing special on our cruise to Watford except about 24 hours after we had unhooked from the mains we had an alarm squealing as we stirred on our second day. Urgent looking to see what it was, until I remembered our alarm is linked to the mains input when we are at Debdale so we know when the mains has tripped out, which is far from unusual and I've even rung the boatyard from Majorca before now to get them to sort out our power, saving ruined fridge & freezer. I needed to change it to battery power, problem solved!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf6D-JFtzUR5x8gWspRupKJrHvmOjRxpLsSKCXVQA8C6cw8X2IHJWdLnv85JNMWeNzaYwmgw64vx-ag5WqM33jOQKFbP8mRqj4XxcJ7cn-JFI3slmEvchAaJi00oC5-4FODPSkUOhr8Uw/s1600/Lily+with+us+about+to+take+her+up+Foxton+for+the+last+time.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf6D-JFtzUR5x8gWspRupKJrHvmOjRxpLsSKCXVQA8C6cw8X2IHJWdLnv85JNMWeNzaYwmgw64vx-ag5WqM33jOQKFbP8mRqj4XxcJ7cn-JFI3slmEvchAaJi00oC5-4FODPSkUOhr8Uw/s1600/Lily+with+us+about+to+take+her+up+Foxton+for+the+last+time.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lily at Bottom of Foxton before our last trip up with her</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Thurs 8th May</b> we had arrived in Braunston the evening before having had several showery interludes on the way on Wednesday, but this morning I got rather wet walking to the shop to get Carol's newspaper and a few other little bits, It eased off by late morning but we had drizzly interludes on our way to Rugby, and over the next several days we didn't travel far each day but just enjoyed changes in the scenery.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSy1T0eqeKSHK3gSjSRhtS2cQEVWKeeyJ_OeWB-0dvOJ6S1KwevDF-URjaGKw257Tyav3FMlhtDO_n1bpPhlOZV9d50RJQeWdK6E1JpIwpFsHs75eM6eW9wCtBVM9b541xZjnhVjyuTxo/s1600/Spring+view+on+Leicester+summit.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSy1T0eqeKSHK3gSjSRhtS2cQEVWKeeyJ_OeWB-0dvOJ6S1KwevDF-URjaGKw257Tyav3FMlhtDO_n1bpPhlOZV9d50RJQeWdK6E1JpIwpFsHs75eM6eW9wCtBVM9b541xZjnhVjyuTxo/s1600/Spring+view+on+Leicester+summit.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovely Spring view on Leicester Summit</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We also had a friend join us for supper in Polesworth on a lovely evening and the weather had got a bit warmer, in fact we didn't cruise on a lovely day as we were in Tamworth on Wednesday 14th and did an Orange Wednesday to watch Love Punch which we great;y enjoyed, sad people that we are! Whilst in Tamworth I walked to the rail station to get tickets to get us back to Narborough for the funeral of a long standing friend who had sadly been reduced to a shell of his former self by Vascular Altzheimers, it was a pretty long walk.<br />
<br />
<br />
On to Fradley to give thanks to the landlady of The Swan and on to Gt Haywood where we happened upon the chap who sorted Lily out for Carol.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPjoszgTnmBp-dtqwKseCLjMwVwyomm4TK15RugEtzq1TvmjMuwtk_q8M2Clp7hp7iTvTnJWkAiQpi8Y4pJLOrIe135MOilkwLkPBLGR1NG9PRRyuZQ9lqs6Ncatpn5eYgVlWP8c_Uo5M/s1600/Shugborough0027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPjoszgTnmBp-dtqwKseCLjMwVwyomm4TK15RugEtzq1TvmjMuwtk_q8M2Clp7hp7iTvTnJWkAiQpi8Y4pJLOrIe135MOilkwLkPBLGR1NG9PRRyuZQ9lqs6Ncatpn5eYgVlWP8c_Uo5M/s1600/Shugborough0027.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I visited Shugborough whilst at Gt Haywood</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovely gardens and great time to view</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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We then had a family Sunday 18th on a fortunately fabulous day so that our niece, her husband & their two lively youngsters were able to see the canals at their best.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mark brought Lily into a lock for first time</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">James helped me with steering</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Natasha and Sophia on front deck as the lock filled</td></tr>
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After they had left Carol needed some rest but we needed to be in Stone on the 20th to get to the funeral and I believe we just missed the retrieval of a youth's body from the canal in Stone. The standing around at the funeral & the follow on from hard work with the kids meant that we also stayed put on Thursday 22nd, celebrating my birthday with a curry.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Radio Leicester umbrella comes in handy</td></tr>
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<br />
We moored alongside Festival Park in Stoke for a couple of nights, and I
really put the boat out for our anniversary on 24th as we went to the cinema.
The weather was not good so it kept us out of the rain but isn't it typical
that there really wasn't anything we wanted to watch, though Superman was OK. The
next day, Sunday, we reached Harecastle and I quizzed the tunnel keeper about a
fatality in the tunnel on 20th when a chap disappeared of the stern of his boat
inside it whilst his wife was below comforting their child who was disturbed by
the darkness. There are all sorts of stories going around about it, but the
keeper said it will be best to wait for the inquest.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carol did a bit of gardening waiting for our turn through Harecastle</td></tr>
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We had a longish wait and got talking to others who were waiting, including
Cat's Whiskers which we remembered from previous cruises. I'm not so good at
remembering many things, but Roger from the boat reminded me we had met in
Chester in 2012, recalling us trying to sort out Mazie's pram hood after a
branch punctured it. They are on their way to Liverpool on June 20th.......as
are we!<br />
<br />
The forecast for Sunday was forecast to be wet but it was OK in the morning
but was tippling down as we exited the tunnel! I confess to making a terrible
hash of turning into the Macc, but after a bit of a wait we got through the
stop lock before mooring at Scholar Green as the weather improved. I booked
into the for dinner after asking a few locals if the food was good, our
Nicholson says it is, but it is 15 years old!! They assured us it was and we
thoroughly enjoyed our meal after we'd watched the Monaco GP.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1bxiFyLlRnZsow-f_rNbGxJOE8QHAK5fX-cYCVMMzh98Yu4fbP44g2P9Jlf6T-fbaGyDoHEIr22j5n3ptN1DPyFjUbkLyHxwo5ysIbJ7d7vWjhafEYgc3R4lFzM7vjG5T3EaK7YjgjF4/s1600/Macclesfield+view.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1bxiFyLlRnZsow-f_rNbGxJOE8QHAK5fX-cYCVMMzh98Yu4fbP44g2P9Jlf6T-fbaGyDoHEIr22j5n3ptN1DPyFjUbkLyHxwo5ysIbJ7d7vWjhafEYgc3R4lFzM7vjG5T3EaK7YjgjF4/s1600/Macclesfield+view.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunny morning at Scholar Green</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Monday 27th was a lovely day and we cruised into Congleton, on the way
realising that our old Leics IWA friends lived not far away. We called them
& they invited us for lunch to see their home they "downsized"
into on Tuesday with David arranging to pick us up on his way back from seeing
his physio. It was a long walk down to the town for Carol but the smell of a
Costa dragged her in, but the haul back up to Lily was hard for her, but we had
a lovely mooring just by the aqueduct at the old wharf.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg42HDMsP94D2lZcR6yE_DGOwG3qwluE9jEN7smEGEd-1NP5YsfRAue9Q3AUg8h3iLYCeBUwALYzZlLnV-zoqJ3vJMmYKbdWIl5lMGX9Ojs-20SbpQjQnZLROAZ84n7gvYChj41pnJF7g4/s1600/With+David+%2526+Lesley.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg42HDMsP94D2lZcR6yE_DGOwG3qwluE9jEN7smEGEd-1NP5YsfRAue9Q3AUg8h3iLYCeBUwALYzZlLnV-zoqJ3vJMmYKbdWIl5lMGX9Ojs-20SbpQjQnZLROAZ84n7gvYChj41pnJF7g4/s1600/With+David+%2526+Lesley.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
We had a superb time with David and Lesley and a lovely meal, but for
someone who read Maths at Oxford his spacial awareness failed him when the
"downsized", save for the fact they lost a staircase in a lovely
home. After they brought us back on a day that was forecast to be wet we
carried on in the sunshine to moor just before the Bosely Locks, and with our
friends saying they were coming to help work us up the flight of 12 the next
morning, despite a truly foul forecast.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcC62e94Yu6cYDoVbVG1kvxLp6deH1g8GtmRyKInJMk3Pw79zDvpvNtI1VEfFzztgZzUFInYsjR76u98YB-g06Hyr9nJ5jaQnT6PkeBprD7XU495Ckmal_-vwMeB3ESjNDIpCrREztnJc/s1600/Boseley0029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcC62e94Yu6cYDoVbVG1kvxLp6deH1g8GtmRyKInJMk3Pw79zDvpvNtI1VEfFzztgZzUFInYsjR76u98YB-g06Hyr9nJ5jaQnT6PkeBprD7XU495Ckmal_-vwMeB3ESjNDIpCrREztnJc/s1600/Boseley0029.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boseley Locks, but what is off side handrail for?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Wednesday 29th May</b> and it had rained heavily overnight and was
pouring as we got up, hoping D&L would see sense and leave it to us, but
bless them around 9.30 they appeared on the towpath having driven through
sluicing rain on their way. Almost by a miracle the rain eased to a light
drizzle and though it was occasionally a bit heavier, it did not warrant all
the waterproof clothing we were wearing. I was so glad to have them as the
locks have a pair top gates but no foot board and nothing for me to use my
boathook on the operate the off-side gate with from the towpath side. Without
them I would have had to keep walking to and fro each time! We had to run a bit
of water down and had to wait for a few other boats but we were out of the top
in 2 hours, filling with water and using the other services and then having
some of Carol's delicious soup and sandwiches for lunch.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54wLCkrBgM8UtRtXSqOa3MBDeOkXYCKYOL3X57TAb4ofSlbYVGFWXCVzs0wE_ylkC6B8p4IxWZhTKX7TEwIKKch9VgBDywe3m5wkwoi865l0OAQfl3rSWahMPAbD0JoQzSWPJ76Prgzg/s1600/Table+set0023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54wLCkrBgM8UtRtXSqOa3MBDeOkXYCKYOL3X57TAb4ofSlbYVGFWXCVzs0wE_ylkC6B8p4IxWZhTKX7TEwIKKch9VgBDywe3m5wkwoi865l0OAQfl3rSWahMPAbD0JoQzSWPJ76Prgzg/s1600/Table+set0023.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rain easing towards the top</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was a fond farewell after lunch but not before we invited them to join us
at Maghull on June 20th to experience the cruise into Liverpool, something they
had never been able to manage on their time shared boat. We then cruised into
Macclefield and squeezed ourselves into the spaced they had for us to moor in
over the weekend whilst we train it to see the family in Chichester<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsKg1yNjz2q9O188BIwOkOoQw4TCw22JeJssOjlgqOiDLpOtIAJ0DY2Own4BAkl9UEoTQ13i6PzmR_656QMSU-itGplU6hqHOBNXryvWq0YVuYdc9KyjUapSUqqiyddvbtcBHyItHir0U/s1600/Marina+in+Macclesfield.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsKg1yNjz2q9O188BIwOkOoQw4TCw22JeJssOjlgqOiDLpOtIAJ0DY2Own4BAkl9UEoTQ13i6PzmR_656QMSU-itGplU6hqHOBNXryvWq0YVuYdc9KyjUapSUqqiyddvbtcBHyItHir0U/s1600/Marina+in+Macclesfield.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Very crowded moorings, it took ages to fit Lily in!</td></tr>
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<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOYItplU8tP0b9PeeJIDjw5-qDajjvvAGAcHCfuDx9-EokjCV4b-VSN6nq5KpMeRbMUshho0TVN54FE-gh5kKuDOfLjla83dfd3I9El5pF1ps706OfSf2RN-Ax8CNR-fD7FRHm18gqNn8/s1600/Our+garden+at+end+May.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOYItplU8tP0b9PeeJIDjw5-qDajjvvAGAcHCfuDx9-EokjCV4b-VSN6nq5KpMeRbMUshho0TVN54FE-gh5kKuDOfLjla83dfd3I9El5pF1ps706OfSf2RN-Ax8CNR-fD7FRHm18gqNn8/s1600/Our+garden+at+end+May.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carol's garden is progressing but better weather would help</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Just an aside (yes another!). I'd tried to buy our tickets in Stoke on
Friday but a bit before I got to the booking office their reservation system
had gone down. I had found an option that would have cost us just over £70 for
the two journeys, though a return ticket was nearly double this!! I went to
book in Congleton, but had looked up the prices before I went to find it would
cost us around £110 for the two journeys, but then I noticed the trip down
traveling First Class would only cost £3 more, though returning first class was
about £20 extra. We have opted for this, but how do they come up with their
prices??!!<br />
<br />
So in 3 weeks of cruising we have slogged our way 140miles and 76
locks, all but 6 of these were narrow.....I'm exhausted!<br />
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<br />Ianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00795967384515672158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810784201093183607.post-87900817256257658972013-05-11T21:11:00.001+00:002013-05-11T21:11:38.156+00:00Starting out again<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well we had intended to set off earlier in April but it just didn't work out, just too many things to do & people to see. As the start of May came & we were still tied up desperation was setting in. We rushed around putting things back into store, bringing other things out and generally trying to get away......but we still had a problem with our charging system. Around mid-March Debdale got around to making the fitting for the large alternator, not bad since they were told it needed doing at the end of September! The problem was that when I switched the engine off the warning light for the domestic circuit came on, and stayed on until either a small wire was taken off the alternator or the Adverc was unplugged.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There was much head scratching at the Marina, and also by Adverc. Mike & Steve tried several things, then they thought they had found the problem (some fancy stuff about it now being a self exciting alternator) and proposed something else, then at last Steve thought long and hard about it and on Thursday afternoon he came to Lily & sorted her out!!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not wishing to defer our departure longer we set off at 4.15pm and cruised to just before Kibworth Top Lock for our first night of the year's cruise. The next day we pootled down to above Newton Top Lock and wandered over to the garden centre, or more particularly to the coffee shop!! The rest of the day gave us sun, strong wind, heavy rain, thunder and hail, a perfect Spring day! We cruised to Kilby Bridge where we arrived just before 4 other boats arrived, surprisingly good timing for us. We had only met a few boats during the day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sunday 5th. Now Carol enjoys her fix of coffee (preferably Costa) but I need my fix of the Sunday Times, so before we set off on this glorious day I walked into Wigston to get my paper........and coincidentally a takeaway Costa. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL06WCnmooBOcv1Jx1XSy5qxSMtqv_IQdUbrtM52Ui6zJ2y0N_fsE5mm8-L2s3cLWNDaEE7mNTIM5MToEZDn0f10fUB6Q5oW_7H4YDm6LKByuwY80mKqimCUZjsGcLbeLFsk3yAysXRwE/s1600/Coir+roll.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL06WCnmooBOcv1Jx1XSy5qxSMtqv_IQdUbrtM52Ui6zJ2y0N_fsE5mm8-L2s3cLWNDaEE7mNTIM5MToEZDn0f10fUB6Q5oW_7H4YDm6LKByuwY80mKqimCUZjsGcLbeLFsk3yAysXRwE/s1600/Coir+roll.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Any idea why they have put coir rolls in front of piling?</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We wanted to top up before the trip through Leicester and waited while Pete on Sunbeam finished, and said he'd wait for us at the lock which lead to a lovely day of cruising through to Kings Lock. We crossed with a few boats on the way, with one couple a bit too close for comfort as they rushed from Bush's lock! As we were working through Blue Bank a charming lady appeared and asked if we had any spare Stanley knife blades. She had rope round her prop and her blade was blunt. Pete & I said we'd sort it for her........she was 81 and working through single handed!! A lovely lady Anne on Double-U gives hope to us all and Pete dived down her weed hatch on her Sea Otter, but found my pruning saw (dirt cheap from Wilkinsons) was best. Soon he was pulling out rope, which being navy nylon looked very much like the others on her boat and sure enough it was one of her over long bow ropes that had been plucked off her front deck by an overhanging branch! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Despite her problem she was more concerned about the boat that had gone through the previous locks with her and insisted I gave them her phone number. We found them near to Kings Lock with the shear pin on the drive of their outboard gone, no spare and no idea where it was!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We moored top side of Kings as I wanted to paint the mile post we had bought in remembrance of Carol's mum. It was a good job we did, we normally moor below the lock but there were already 3 boats filling the spaces and over night there were 6 boats moored there. In all the years we have boated & walked there we have never seen as many there. Managed our first BBQ.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Monday 6th and a cracking day. We set off with Sunbeam fairly late, all the other boats had gone before we left. A volunteer lock keeper helped us through Kings and we had a lovely trip to Leicester, saying farewell to Pete & Sunbeam as we tied up at Mill Lane bridge to buy a few fresh salad items. We were surprised that the Sainsburys that used to there is no more, so it was over to Tesco before we moved to Castle Gardens for a refreshment break. Coffee over on the lovely day we crossed quite a few boats on our way to Birstall where Carol counted 43 people watching us through.......but they had come to watch a Duck Race, not us. Restricted moorings below the lock as CRT are in the process of major towpath wall reconstruction, but we got a mooring enabling our daughter to collect us & take us for a superb BBQ at their home.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tuesday 7th and another scorching day, but the forecast for the rest of the week is poor. Sally joined us for a gentle cruise to Loughborough. We stopped alongside Beryl, </span><a href="http://www.rboa.org.uk/" style="text-align: center;">rboa</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> secretary for coffee & to meet her new dog, Lister. A lovely dog from a rescue home after she lost Scumble, we enjoyed looking at her vast garden and catching up on news. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyvwr5Ea6RCfFIZEShByreP7qV9hm-R9S7zr0WRnbSlj-LM8djG3PGvU2tpMJk4s_zcn2LGtzW8z0Csdppo8qIApTUOOTJwkamVvqRtFpguFKFkJdX6EQ768Dj1x3FwWjmYVsc6slvMP8/s1600/Lister.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyvwr5Ea6RCfFIZEShByreP7qV9hm-R9S7zr0WRnbSlj-LM8djG3PGvU2tpMJk4s_zcn2LGtzW8z0Csdppo8qIApTUOOTJwkamVvqRtFpguFKFkJdX6EQ768Dj1x3FwWjmYVsc6slvMP8/s1600/Lister.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beryl & Lister at Mountsorrel</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Away to Loughborough we prepared for John & Wendy Evans to join us for tea and home made goodies......Carol even does gluten free suitable for coeliacs. We stopped just before Chain Bridge and had another good chat.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wednesday 8th & Carol was a bit crook from too much fun, her back objecting, so we spent the day in Loughborough, catching the latest Tom Cruise film (we wouldn't bother to watch it again) and giving her a rest, I washed the port side of Lily, letting the rain wash it off. On Thursday we set off after using the facilities but the weather had turned, getting cool, with strong squally winds and rain showers. I noticed one of my fingers had gone white with cold but we carried on till we were above Derwent Mouth Lock where we moored, alongside the sewage works but the wind was in the right direction! I wasn't feeling too good and got worse as the evening went on, got a good temperature over night, so we stayed put on Friday & I spent most of the day in bed trying to get warm, something that has never happened before. The weather was awful too! The first week's cruise was just 43 miles and 42 locks.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMKGPmcR9sb0DOVEqDXWg7Or4e-oeCi8EU-zyltyMsvfyS71W82_HPBVbknp6oxyE9ViKeZCL8X2F3ZW5MZMxa-Js4qHW7NLv40SNuUev0anjC88x-yB6ff1Aua-vm0vzxC1NxFuylmnI/s1600/Dandelions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMKGPmcR9sb0DOVEqDXWg7Or4e-oeCi8EU-zyltyMsvfyS71W82_HPBVbknp6oxyE9ViKeZCL8X2F3ZW5MZMxa-Js4qHW7NLv40SNuUev0anjC88x-yB6ff1Aua-vm0vzxC1NxFuylmnI/s1600/Dandelions.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What an incredible year for dandelions</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Saturday 11th and nearly fit again. I was not 100% and treated locks with care and the foul weather didn't help. We had strong winds, heavy showers including hail, so it was far from ideal cruising. We moved slowly on, but stopped to watch qualifying for the Spanish GP. This over we delayed our departure till after the downpour, only to get caught by several more. At Swarkestone the boat Club was about to race its "yachts" as we left the lock.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxh5DxqHhyphenhyphenhPGpQrbXzYFTUbNo5PLr60Nxou3p-F7Z83NNALyXN9SDGABkzCDghBCXLIFBm1E1tYYfYDvWqAS5Y3WJFfAVdWgJfGKRYaV8BSNME8kqtfeyWMS9P62UtLASPapSCAFzedQ/s1600/yacht+race.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxh5DxqHhyphenhyphenhPGpQrbXzYFTUbNo5PLr60Nxou3p-F7Z83NNALyXN9SDGABkzCDghBCXLIFBm1E1tYYfYDvWqAS5Y3WJFfAVdWgJfGKRYaV8BSNME8kqtfeyWMS9P62UtLASPapSCAFzedQ/s1600/yacht+race.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swarkestone yacht race using polystyrene chip trays<br />A lovely range of ages taking part.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Through more squalls we carried on to the Radley Boat Stop where I shuffled a boat along to let Lily in. We then ate in the restaurant which is not Cordon Bleu but just look at the platter I had as a mixed grill, and a proper one including kidney & liver. There was no way I could manage it all so I reckon we have meat enough for the two of us tomorrow!</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhxlO978-HOWam9b2IUcKVWrwmOFactyFCtYZd02mUJt7OLDAADJkspnoWtcU5DWJ00fygSXfnNy1jWvW6CvXxTuqg7O8s3fKBw_ReuodkvhWIJVUlR-dMoSc5H6lc2wN7T89hIQeDTzQ/s1600/mixed+grill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhxlO978-HOWam9b2IUcKVWrwmOFactyFCtYZd02mUJt7OLDAADJkspnoWtcU5DWJ00fygSXfnNy1jWvW6CvXxTuqg7O8s3fKBw_ReuodkvhWIJVUlR-dMoSc5H6lc2wN7T89hIQeDTzQ/s1600/mixed+grill.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A small repast that beat me!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I didn't mention previously that for the past winter I fitted double glazing to all windows in Lily. Last year I made them for the portholes and the Houdini hatch and they worked wonderfully, so last Autumn I bought a piece of 4mm polycarbonate plastic and had fun trimming it to shape. Having succeeded & found it fitted well,I then bought another 3 pieces and once trimmed to shape I attached a draught proofing strip to the plastic, put them into place & sealed round them with decorators caulk, which I used as it doesn't set solid. Come Spring by going round the panes with a palette knife and scooping out the caulk I was able to return Lily to having opening windows after having had a condensation free, drip free Winter. The polycarbonate is not cheap at about £50 a window but it made for a much more comfortable boat.</span>Ianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00795967384515672158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810784201093183607.post-10808435595292175252013-01-06T20:45:00.000+00:002013-01-06T20:47:11.274+00:00New Year blog<br />
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<span lang="EN-GB">Happy new
year to All.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">I threatened
I might get into blog again whilst at base and decided there were a few things
to get off my chest so here we are. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">It has been
an incredible day today, sunshine most of the time with little wind and
unseasonably mild......and a few weeks before Xmas several daily papers assured
us we were to have an incredibly severe winter!!! Anyway I celebrated by
getting one side of Lily polished & intend to do the other one tomorrow,
the idea being to protect the paintwork from the sun & winter elements.
Sadly of course we have suffered from the effects of the rain of the majority
of 2012. We were lucky to get back along the T&M before it slid into the
Weaver, unlike friend Masie we met in Chester, Sale and Northwich last year.
She made it back via the Peak Forest which was hard work for a single hander
but she went back to Salthouse Dock to use the Yellow Submarine boat that is
moored there as a floating apartment where they had a family Xmas and raved
about it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Going on
about slips just by Lily in Debdale soil has slipped down an embankment and
into the canal, closing it to navigation. CRT engineers are to inspect it
closely on Monday & Tuesday to come up with proposals to restore
navigation. Because it is part of a SSSI they will have to agree what they do
with Natural England. It seems that some time ago BW moved some reeds from the
off side to the towpath side to enhance it and currently CRT are saying that changes
in boat wash caused by this might have disturbed to toe of the embankment.
Whatever it was, the embankment had stood for around 20 years since Debdale
placed the spoil arising from the excavation of the marina extension. I attach
two photos which show that it is hardly a catastrophic collapse, but the stuff
that has slipped looks to be a terribly wet slurry that would drip through your
fingers if you tried to hold some. I fear it will need a great deal of
excavating and the field above the embankment was very “sloshy” as I walked
over it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">We are
returning to Liverpool for next summer to act as floating hotel for grand-daughter
Hannah in June as she will be taking part in a cheer-leading competition in the
Liverpool arena, just by Albert Dock. I think we will have to make out outward
journey via the Peak Forest as the repair to the T&M might not be completed,
but as we didn’t travel it last year it will be new water to enjoy, though it
will be a lot harder work. After that we don’t know what to do, though as we will
be hosting our youngest grand-daughters it might be a good idea to get south as
they live near Chichester.Still it will give us something to ponder.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">I mentioned
in my last blog that our domestic alternator had gone wrong. It was sent away
to the supplier who much to my amazement said it was beyond economic repair!! I
found it hard to believe but ended up being relieved of £480 for a new one. It
isn’t fitted yet as I am (still) waiting for Debdale to fit a new mounting. The
old one is nearly right but the bore of the mounting is a metric diameter
whilst those on the alternator are imperial size, it being an American made
unit. We are anxious to get it refitted soon so we can go off for a bit of a
cruise over the winter to check it is OK for our big cruise. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">We were not
done with power problems. Whilst going over to fill with diesel I found that
the engine could not be turned off and the ignition warning light was “on” and
no charge was registered. I called RCR about this as I feared the rewound
alternator they fitted last summer could have failed. Sam Matts from Foxton
Boat Services was sent out which was a good job as Debdale have had poor
experiences of RCR’s but they rate Sam & are prepared to let him work in
the marina. We did not stay around whilst he sorted it, but gave him a cuppa
& a mince pie (Carol’s are incredible!!). He found that the problem lay
within the connector block on the umbilical cord from the engine to control
panel. This is not the first time we have had this so I reckon the person that
made the connections must have been having an off day. All sorted now, but
another reason to want to go for a cruise.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">The other
week we went to Foxton to go into a lock. Very interesting, especially the flow
splitter in wrought iron that splits the inrushing water from the paddle and
stops, or at least reduces, the wearing away of the brickwork. That in the
lower levels of the chamber was mostly original brickwork as was the wrought iron piece!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">This next
Thursday I am giving a talk to our local IWA branch about our trips into
Liverpool. I’ve never done this before with “slides”, though of course it will
be all digital and I am supposed to do it in PowerPoint, except I’ve only made
one presentation like this before and also it is going to be presented off an
Apple & it doesn’t like my Windows based show.....its a job for Monday when
I go over to Mountsorrel to recreate it on Beryl’s computer on Wasp.
Fortunately the Soar has now come out of flood, though I’m not sure that the
derailment near to Pillings Lock below Barrow has yet been resolved, this too
caused by excessive water flow. This link should take you to the report in the Leicester Mercury.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><a href="http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/Chaos-tracks-Leicestershire-freight-train/story-17701116-detail/story.html"> http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/Chaos-tracks-Leicestershire-freight-train/story-17701116-detail/story.htm</a>l</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Finally for
now, I completed in November fitting double glazing to the saloon windows,
having sorted it out for the port holes last year. I’ve bought 4mm thick
polycarbonate sheet & cut it to shape (or nearly so!) with my jig saw &
then finished the shaping with a “Surform” file. I placed window insulation
foam around the inside edges of these sheets so this would rest on the metal
frame. I then put the sheets in place and ran around the join between pane and
frame with decorators’ caulk......which of course works on Lily as she has
white window surrounds and the caulk is white. In spring I run around the edge
of the panels with a palette knife, removing the caulk which never sets really
hard, and ease the panels out....or at least that is the plan, but it worked on
the portholes. In the meantime NO CONDENSATION!!! Cost £50 for each main window
plus a few pounds for the foam and caulk.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">I'll be back, perhaps, let's hope all the closures get completed in time for the cruising year!</span></div>
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Ianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00795967384515672158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810784201093183607.post-17463489133226488662012-10-01T20:21:00.001+00:002012-10-01T20:21:10.503+00:00From Loughborough back to Debdale<br />
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Monday 24<sup>th</sup> September</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> The rain that started falling during Sunday afternoon
carried on all night and all through the day. The river Soar was obviously
going to go into flood and we preferred to be tied up in Loughborough rather
than being stuck at a lock. We did various things including catching the new
Sweeny film using Orange Wednesdays, we enjoyed it, but it didn’t need a lot of
brain power! I also saw another Spitfire fly over! We contacted Mike & Jo
on Sarah Kate to find they were shut in at Zouch cut with the flood gates
closed.</span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Thursday 27<sup>th</sup></span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> and we reversed into Loughborough basin to use the
services and to top up with fresh fruit from an excellent fruit shop on ?Church
Gate. As we got back to Lily, Mike & Jo arrived and we arranged to set off
after lunch, though Mike added that Jo needed to do a quick (?) shop. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">It was 2.15 when we
set off, reasonable weather but some showers as we made our way to Mountsorrel
where we stopped for the night and arranged for Beryl from Wasp to come over
for a wine fuelled natter after we had eaten. The five of us had a really good
chat and realised how much had passed since last we did so.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH-LIMqVHFQxmf2TQTzerIBYaic6br0_cghhjpdMNWWJ8y1FIJzSBmxQRkmrgwVLiNS3VownqW62srtxPTIMnWCFqUUhiQHNFMehjjQcylkxAk7oFX256SVIKHTo4aHNCqRKJyyZIM_ZY/s1600/Mountsorrel+group.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH-LIMqVHFQxmf2TQTzerIBYaic6br0_cghhjpdMNWWJ8y1FIJzSBmxQRkmrgwVLiNS3VownqW62srtxPTIMnWCFqUUhiQHNFMehjjQcylkxAk7oFX256SVIKHTo4aHNCqRKJyyZIM_ZY/s400/Mountsorrel+group.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above Mountsorrel Lock, Lily & Sarah Kate on towpath<br />Beryl's Wasp moored offside on her land</td></tr>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Friday 28<sup>th</sup> </span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">we set off just past 9 as there was slight drizzle,
and by the time we had travelled the short distance to Sileby Mill it was very wet! We stopped there to
add 100 litres of fuel at 92p and then carried on to Leicester. We didn’t share any
locks and only met a few on our way to mooring at Castle Gardens in Leicester.
Our daughter joined us for the run from Thurmaston into Leicester, the rain having
stopped by the time we arrived to pick her up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyGk_wtvJmwo_f_TLKF8NIvEleLclW4T1Or_5MOqhRCYTT5itBOOINj1lsEeBA2lQOMeQBTtAyhdLRbyy6SFoTXQIDLOtuiBScIxYilFD_6bjHxnERDIbQ1qmY43wUxFSHhz7MsN04qB0/s1600/tarmac.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyGk_wtvJmwo_f_TLKF8NIvEleLclW4T1Or_5MOqhRCYTT5itBOOINj1lsEeBA2lQOMeQBTtAyhdLRbyy6SFoTXQIDLOtuiBScIxYilFD_6bjHxnERDIbQ1qmY43wUxFSHhz7MsN04qB0/s400/tarmac.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above Junction Lock a super quality towpath being built as part of<br />a Sustrans route, just further along work has started on a new bridge<br />at the river Wreake junction that is being built to a navigable height.</td></tr>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Saturday 29<sup>th</sup></span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> and a wonderful day forecast, with poor weather on
Sunday, so we set off after a Costa by 10 and made our way up the locks. We
found that the first 4 locks were against us and that the towpath gate was
open......someone wasn’t shutting them! We caught them up at Kings Lock, before
which we had crossed 3 boats, and another came down as we went in, but the
other boat said they’d stop at Blue Bank for us to join them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj81EoWRifLArMU-SIavbUxEd8TR_KYaIiC4_QTGI_SBGL2JAEYL_f9KWnM4a28s7apwYqXG6gDlj3O52sxa1ihKI2h0-VTNBEMo7VbO0OzQhXjUDaMQuOEluKIwgo5Ot08Pdxr6TRd2wQ/s1600/Landscaping.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj81EoWRifLArMU-SIavbUxEd8TR_KYaIiC4_QTGI_SBGL2JAEYL_f9KWnM4a28s7apwYqXG6gDlj3O52sxa1ihKI2h0-VTNBEMo7VbO0OzQhXjUDaMQuOEluKIwgo5Ot08Pdxr6TRd2wQ/s400/Landscaping.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At Freemans Lock new landscaping replaces old brambles etc</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The other boat crew were lucky they
did catch them up as they had just collected the boat from Pillings Marina near Loughborough
and were taking it to Bath. One of the men had a boat already and he had
forgotten to bring a BW key and the locks from Kings Lock through to Kilby Bridge
have many paddles locked, so they were not going to progress far. They said
they had been shutting gates as the gates behind them......no they hadn’t, and
they were clearly going to be yet other “Continuous Moorers” near Bath. The
incredible thing was the one helming the boat was moaning to Carol about lack
of maintenance, so she said it was significantly because so many people were
not paying mooring fees or boat licences. For good measure she pointed out that
they might have difficulty getting up Foxton Locks as their licence had expired
2 months before!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZWh-WzNc9pZiSfJDA9Mg45PcTjkfFCqsrC-s5PlnorFC9V52oYlEGbU8mzU-Rx5PZgDaIpHKfPaki8NTS_wQkhlkNvhV3_k3kdx1YFXVvzDdumdn-a98_2yQNA0wwGDTbYZYzRCkbguo/s1600/Tie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZWh-WzNc9pZiSfJDA9Mg45PcTjkfFCqsrC-s5PlnorFC9V52oYlEGbU8mzU-Rx5PZgDaIpHKfPaki8NTS_wQkhlkNvhV3_k3kdx1YFXVvzDdumdn-a98_2yQNA0wwGDTbYZYzRCkbguo/s400/Tie.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big locks, big wash but the bow rope holds Lily from banging around.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5zSsyTBd1LOO5ONtsaMKCORRYDtjQDCQ1aCzYnou4pZMymfLIPupt8UyCJaMq4ZTUWUGDZiR923Pw_9xOoatWlSzAAZmfYODXSQPRwpq1AZPPifzmVlmZlBNGVIiUNpN7x-Sx06eR-Io/s1600/Top+half+mile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5zSsyTBd1LOO5ONtsaMKCORRYDtjQDCQ1aCzYnou4pZMymfLIPupt8UyCJaMq4ZTUWUGDZiR923Pw_9xOoatWlSzAAZmfYODXSQPRwpq1AZPPifzmVlmZlBNGVIiUNpN7x-Sx06eR-Io/s400/Top+half+mile.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In Top half mile Lock, lovely sunny late afternoon</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">We worked steadily
with them to Kilby Bridge where they stopped to get milk & cigarettes, we
carried on to Wistow where after 12 miles and 22 wide locks, and after walking
I suppose 5 miles, we were very tired.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Yw3KKU8qFnskDfBDqrwrG7GQpwPLANbxsp-s8w_k7FX1qefT1Z5Wq7XVNT8cq2oC3a3bTlZoiHYiGfMxMc-vJkszBns1sGD1jGhYghvtQa7Qm3Znem58gM_hX4QbiaH3d5UDGGVx6HI/s1600/Cows.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Yw3KKU8qFnskDfBDqrwrG7GQpwPLANbxsp-s8w_k7FX1qefT1Z5Wq7XVNT8cq2oC3a3bTlZoiHYiGfMxMc-vJkszBns1sGD1jGhYghvtQa7Qm3Znem58gM_hX4QbiaH3d5UDGGVx6HI/s400/Cows.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These cows greeted us as we reached our mooring</td></tr>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Sunday 30<sup>th</sup></span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> the last day of our annual cruise dawned overcast but
far better than the forecast rain and wind! I was casting off as a Canal Time
boat came past so I told them we’d catch up with them at the next lock. I don’t
think they understood why I said what I did, they were three very pleasant
members of an Afrikaner family and had not realised two boats could share a lock.
We had a very pleasant time working with them, father was 70 he said, looked
under 60, mother was petite and daughter a charming woman who had left her
husband at home whilst she came to spend 3 weeks in the UK with her parents.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">At Kibworth Top Lock
we bade them farewell as they set off before us, it had been a pleasant way of
working through the 5 locks. Sadly as we exited Saddington Tunnel, having just
passed a day boat, I noticed a warning light on. I expected that we had again
thrown a belt off our domestic alternator but investigations later show it is
more serious & is going off for checking....thank heavens we got back and
are able to stay plugged into mains power.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLmk2btXhyphenhyphen7ZJq6IFRYbVDsJgNSNnk6TOb9VSA_OpmQmjofKrIkoMdCQDSI1vHioHi9mxGdDO-opVIDyPpa_S61uWZu33mNeYR4YWZyg9wgai1LfHzfljFva6wuD5spgdAmBy5Rx9gY9Y/s1600/Back+at+Debdale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLmk2btXhyphenhyphen7ZJq6IFRYbVDsJgNSNnk6TOb9VSA_OpmQmjofKrIkoMdCQDSI1vHioHi9mxGdDO-opVIDyPpa_S61uWZu33mNeYR4YWZyg9wgai1LfHzfljFva6wuD5spgdAmBy5Rx9gY9Y/s400/Back+at+Debdale.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We execute a 180 degree turn into our home base at Debdale Wharf</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">So our trip ends, we
covered 596 miles, worked through 463 locks and around 20 swing bridges. The
engine ran for something near 700 hours, but when the engine alternator didn’t
run the clock didn’t either so it is an estimate. We were away for 22 weeks</span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><b>Finally </b>I don't normally blog whilst at base but we intend to head out for short trips and also I've got quite a few photos I meant to put in during the cruise but managed to forget to do so. Look in every now and then. Next cruise proper should start in April 2013, thanks for looking.</span>Ianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00795967384515672158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810784201093183607.post-83543081941589738032012-09-24T17:45:00.004+00:002012-09-24T17:45:51.307+00:00From Fradley to Loughborough<br />
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<b><span lang="EN-GB">Monday 17<sup>th</sup> September </span></b><span lang="EN-GB">Bright at first but not warm and
showers by 5. We pushed across to the water point at first and had a pretty
awful cup of coffee before we set off around 10.30, joining a line of boats
descending and meeting boats coming up. Between Fradley & Alrewas we met Mo
& Vanessa on Balmaha, moored up alongside and had a good natter with them
& Mo’s cousin and wife who were moored with them. Mo’s coffee was much
better.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_WoSrwL8vurvB892hJ30MXFjcMj8JmhsPiLk4fgR2m8x2B7Orh7Iq8NQQwYo_rZVa30VqZC3osB4u8uSjKtXH2jT_yWEy_wdSFtIzNfchA7HTziubGm1j2TuRrTIK3xJ-2vaTSKrXB-U/s1600/Balmaha+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_WoSrwL8vurvB892hJ30MXFjcMj8JmhsPiLk4fgR2m8x2B7Orh7Iq8NQQwYo_rZVa30VqZC3osB4u8uSjKtXH2jT_yWEy_wdSFtIzNfchA7HTziubGm1j2TuRrTIK3xJ-2vaTSKrXB-U/s400/Balmaha+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lily leaves Balmaha</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB">It was a
great chat but we had to get on, we had an appointment to meet Mike & Jo on
Sarah Kate that evening in Burton on Trent. We had a bit of queuing at locks
and it clouded over and the breeze got up but we made it to tie up with Sarah
Kate just before the footbridge to the park in Burton.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga14sSghVdqraQMX3I7HAa7JUHA9Xks_RF5mdqt-BXkksZ1nqCwyTC16jYgvW-ZiBnc0Cz3FEyy9RfKPHjapa8MmCYf_qnMMBW3g7UF8_dzGV5kSAZNqJ4J2GTuzw80_Lc2gdMravbRSY/s1600/Alrewas+weir.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga14sSghVdqraQMX3I7HAa7JUHA9Xks_RF5mdqt-BXkksZ1nqCwyTC16jYgvW-ZiBnc0Cz3FEyy9RfKPHjapa8MmCYf_qnMMBW3g7UF8_dzGV5kSAZNqJ4J2GTuzw80_Lc2gdMravbRSY/s400/Alrewas+weir.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alrewas weir was not so well protected when we first went past it.</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB">After we
had eaten they joined us in Lily for a good old chat. There are two significant
coincidences we have with them, the first is how we became aware of is their
boat. Sarah Kate was launched, fully fitted, at Thurmaston boatyard on the day
the shell of our second boat was also launched. In Mike & Jo’s care she has
been much improved as well as growing quite significantly longer and she shows the
love they have for her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">The second,
and much stranger coincidence came to our mutual knowledge about two years ago.
A schoolfriend of Carol right from the early years of her education joined the nurse
training scheme at Leicester Royal Infirmary with Carol. Sadly through illness
she did not achieve her State Registration until a year after Carol, having
dropped into the following set of trainees. During a communication around two
years ago she mentioned she had another old nursing friend with a boat called
Sarah Kate! Yes Jo was in her set, what a coincidence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicxlhiiQtTYV4sqe7H9kQWyWWB1TkQiBt81ldSEafvwdn_abiuwsohl2FVP96gjYkGpK1HrWctRxinHoEh_2y12Ei0rScuHo3Cs1v7sYN7uKTqocrg3iRaDGJNmNpx8ftsQvtlUGwOA14/s1600/Sarah+Kate+in+BoT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicxlhiiQtTYV4sqe7H9kQWyWWB1TkQiBt81ldSEafvwdn_abiuwsohl2FVP96gjYkGpK1HrWctRxinHoEh_2y12Ei0rScuHo3Cs1v7sYN7uKTqocrg3iRaDGJNmNpx8ftsQvtlUGwOA14/s400/Sarah+Kate+in+BoT.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike approaches his mooring spot.</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB">I regret I
forgot to take photos of both meetings, but Mo & Jo provided images, thanks
both.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB">Tuesday 18<sup>th</sup> </span></b><span lang="EN-GB">Mike & Jo moved away quietly
whilst I was doing my morning exercises, heading towards Nottingham to where
they have never been by boat. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpOFfMsE-Vsr2jQPX6ns6cQ_svfIVy9AAXfNbiSWVIPZpdb8OVaVywJu6WbC_t2miGeKxI8LkxHGn6XL13iJZVIZKEFx7hCxRdBs4HBdBxVBDyS8T1geDylLaTF067eRYxfcFesoR3Egs/s1600/old+Morris.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpOFfMsE-Vsr2jQPX6ns6cQ_svfIVy9AAXfNbiSWVIPZpdb8OVaVywJu6WbC_t2miGeKxI8LkxHGn6XL13iJZVIZKEFx7hCxRdBs4HBdBxVBDyS8T1geDylLaTF067eRYxfcFesoR3Egs/s400/old+Morris.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I've not seen one of these old Morris cars for I guess 40 years</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB">The trouble
with Burton on Trent as far as Carol is concerned is the smell of the brewing,
but I of course love it, and we were moored near to Marston’s brewery. The
other big problem is that it is a very long way from the canal to the major
stores. In the past we have walked there and struggled back, but regrettably
Carol’s back problems mean a walk like this is completely out of the question.
However, just east of our mooring the number 3 bus runs every quarter hour down
to the supermarkets & coffee houses. We have visitors coming on Thursday
and Carol had another feast to prepare. We did some of the purchasing in the
morning and after lunch I left Carol resting whilst I caught the bus to go to
the National Museum of Brewing. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifKCjSbR6V0ekW_3asInYf7Bqdl6-cFyZMHg46KSClqu-VsJ_0gL0P78vjFgdV31mW8Chtm765VateWsXnm7wnmQ7zM6pvpxNEcXoHva-DPWPo-ftsFFdl0N6uOeAS5sKYX9PLdj0gx00/s1600/Brew+hse+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifKCjSbR6V0ekW_3asInYf7Bqdl6-cFyZMHg46KSClqu-VsJ_0gL0P78vjFgdV31mW8Chtm765VateWsXnm7wnmQ7zM6pvpxNEcXoHva-DPWPo-ftsFFdl0N6uOeAS5sKYX9PLdj0gx00/s400/Brew+hse+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "brewery visit lets you see a sort of reconstruction of a brewery. I went on a <br />
tour of Marstons during an IWA Festival, there we were in the actual brew house</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB">It was very interesting, I spent well over 2
hours there and finished in their bar for my 4 samples of beer. I tried Worthingto E, Red Label, White Label and one from Rock in Cornwall. It was very interesting trying them
as a tasting, the Cornish beer was not in the same league as the Worthingtons, the E was a drink I
used to enjoy when much younger, but the White Label was by far the best of the four, if only you
can find it!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBmcg9hSyLUBTQK47WxR_EcvSdLMFMMmuhC6eDe_OBu3YdUg50bP5Haq_rFA0A34AlUO1rkeukjMAIcDvevZ1tJ84ddIxyY0xKdd91ddgU5pSMUQdjYu8ixVnAE0467-zfqydzbFjD0KM/s1600/stables.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBmcg9hSyLUBTQK47WxR_EcvSdLMFMMmuhC6eDe_OBu3YdUg50bP5Haq_rFA0A34AlUO1rkeukjMAIcDvevZ1tJ84ddIxyY0xKdd91ddgU5pSMUQdjYu8ixVnAE0467-zfqydzbFjD0KM/s400/stables.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The brewery a justly proud of their horse drawn vehicles</td></tr>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB">Wednesday 19<sup>th</sup></span></b><span lang="EN-GB"> and after getting fresh soft fruit
we moved on to Willington, mooring just before the road bridge in a lovely spot
and much further from the rail lines than where most people moor. Weather was
reasonable but wet overnight, Carol prepared some of the dishes in advance for
our guests on Thursday.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5pq4lqzSA8MJy_6MtQ00lFuf9JQxV4gk9QmjMIbK-WdQR00wLLh70dEPtCRC4cducjQivFUli9G4XhvHVKRsYNXRh5ByOf8IMh_WW8dZtjoT5J6TeCNTsPAKYB0q47eQeHo-7C1Nf8PI/s1600/Dove+aqueduct.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5pq4lqzSA8MJy_6MtQ00lFuf9JQxV4gk9QmjMIbK-WdQR00wLLh70dEPtCRC4cducjQivFUli9G4XhvHVKRsYNXRh5ByOf8IMh_WW8dZtjoT5J6TeCNTsPAKYB0q47eQeHo-7C1Nf8PI/s400/Dove+aqueduct.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The old stone bridge over the river Dove</td></tr>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB">Thursday 20<sup>th</sup> </span></b><span lang="EN-GB">and it was damp at first but
brightened so that I was able to polish the brasses before our friends arrived.
We cruised down to Stenson and back before mooring up for a typically
magnificent meal made by Carol. During the cruise the weather stayed dry but cool
and overcast, during lunch it lightened, and as we chatted and played cards out
came the sun! It was a most enjoyable way to spend a day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMH9Q7KKoN-c0Y5_JnLnOB0LANovd-iv-sEHwoXvFielumwiUBJTQnXB8yEPT2P385TqpBgDF2yNljENzl6eO2a2Fv9CdWvAovr_pDjHtn-SYMYn_NwqLhw7zom07iRhWyGtPQFSAeJaQ/s1600/Tony+&+Liz+lunch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMH9Q7KKoN-c0Y5_JnLnOB0LANovd-iv-sEHwoXvFielumwiUBJTQnXB8yEPT2P385TqpBgDF2yNljENzl6eO2a2Fv9CdWvAovr_pDjHtn-SYMYn_NwqLhw7zom07iRhWyGtPQFSAeJaQ/s400/Tony+&+Liz+lunch.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Friends after they had eaten very well!</td></tr>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB">Friday 21<sup>st</sup></span></b><span lang="EN-GB"> A very wet day, but we had arranged
to have some of our family for lunch on Sunday in Loughborough and we had to
move on. We reversed back to the winding hole and went about, used the services
and got cruising about 10.15. It rained with differing intensities all day and
it was breezy and cool, even I had fingerless mitts on! Our first large lock
since the few we did up the Rochdale on August 5<sup>th</sup> was that delicate
little one at Stenson! We met boats at most locks but only shared one and one
of the top gates at Swarkestone was horribly jammed but fortunately in the closed
position and the other gate did open. I reported it to C&RT, hopefully they soon got it sorted. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">We carried
on till we got to Red Hill when we’d had enough and we moored just before the
flood lock at 5. Quite a big day for us, 9 miles and 9 wide locks, but 15 years
ago I reckoned that on a long summer’s day we could get from Thurmaston to
nearly Alrewas, but we never actually did quite that much! No pictures in the awful weather!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB">Saturday 22<sup>nd</sup></span></b><span lang="EN-GB"> and a lovely day after a cold night
with big condensation inside Lily. We were away by 9.20 meeting with a
fibreglass cruiser at Ratcliffe Lock and shared this and Kegworth with them. They had sold the boat after renovating it and were delivering it to Thurmaston. </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNNFIFfBSoey7Uz6h5odowCSOQMsNZ5Mn_ozYp-okQ35OJM8zCXZmiKNVTBwKRa-T3OvTH1wQNBKtHMT_4p080KtbPS6nQZa1cDZdOI4Hnx7duyRR4ZPJfhyphenhyphenVcc680lrb9offbG9sA-Hs/s1600/Ratcliff+Power+Stn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNNFIFfBSoey7Uz6h5odowCSOQMsNZ5Mn_ozYp-okQ35OJM8zCXZmiKNVTBwKRa-T3OvTH1wQNBKtHMT_4p080KtbPS6nQZa1cDZdOI4Hnx7duyRR4ZPJfhyphenhyphenVcc680lrb9offbG9sA-Hs/s400/Ratcliff+Power+Stn.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carol passes Ratcliff Power Station</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">By
the time were at Zouch sweater & jacket were off. </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNNMleIIpNM9P3pbOXef38aOtEInAcUE42c562fFOm3xOYHcF1F2prtE9R8ZAATxQScN5wb0m5MgtPKywgTZ_BtLgeMb0KopudagIxq6yrQ4NBXQN2U2Qucn1U7jF9gdf8Tvck3OcA_Dk/s1600/Normanton+on+Soar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNNMleIIpNM9P3pbOXef38aOtEInAcUE42c562fFOm3xOYHcF1F2prtE9R8ZAATxQScN5wb0m5MgtPKywgTZ_BtLgeMb0KopudagIxq6yrQ4NBXQN2U2Qucn1U7jF9gdf8Tvck3OcA_Dk/s400/Normanton+on+Soar.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The river past Normanton on Soar is lovely</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">At Bishops Meadow we shared with another narrowboat and then we stopped to watch qualifying for the Singapore GP, before moving on to moor just
through Chainbridge. We had intended to moor in Loughborough Basin but two long
broad beam boats and about 3 others had pretty well filled it, in fact if we
had ventured up there I’m sure we’d never have been able to turn.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB">Sunday 23<sup>rd</sup></span></b><span lang="EN-GB"> started dry but overcast but it was
raining by mid day and carried on doing so through till we went to bed and
there were heavy showers after this. The forecast for Sun night/ Monday is
awful with heavy rainfall and strong winds, perhaps we should have pushed on
through to Kings Lock to get off the river. We didn’t as we had organised for
our oldest daughter and family to come for lunch in late afternoon. It was off
for a coffee first, quick shop to make sure this week’s chicken was totally
fresh!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNsO4t2la_dpoZAIp58ICQAdXDMud4bh76-HrPJU7VxuhtdjgDnUGFy-A5CILYor0vdeBvMpKVsSB2BftuS5GU4Guvwr8Wq-a4Uz7D-gPeSLDyvupy0dqXfgHecS8isBqDEfclfyA_QZE/s1600/Hannah+bday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNsO4t2la_dpoZAIp58ICQAdXDMud4bh76-HrPJU7VxuhtdjgDnUGFy-A5CILYor0vdeBvMpKVsSB2BftuS5GU4Guvwr8Wq-a4Uz7D-gPeSLDyvupy0dqXfgHecS8isBqDEfclfyA_QZE/s320/Hannah+bday.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Very tasty & chocolaty!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
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We had a
lovely afternoon and evening, great food and several board games. It had been
Hannah’s 15<sup>th</sup> birthday the day before so we had some girly pink fizz
at first and a very yummy cake Sally had bought for her later. Now if the Soar
can just avoid going into flood!!!!</div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Ianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00795967384515672158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810784201093183607.post-49332485001925334932012-09-16T19:50:00.001+00:002012-09-16T19:50:34.970+00:00Slowly homewards, eating well<br />
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Monday 10<sup>th</sup> September</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> The weather was overcast most of the day and we were
in sweaters. Intermittent rain and a downpour in the evening, not great
weather. We set off to Leek tunnel but decided not to pass through it as it
doesn’t really get you to Leek, so we winded and battled our way back around
the twisty canal, rubbing on the bottom in many places, pretty but it would be
better on warm sunny day. We returned to
Hazelhurst junction to find it crowded with boats, so we decided the defer our
trip to Froghall until the spring and made our way back to Etruria. We stopped
to pick up or water filter, noting that the cycle Tour of Britain was to pass
on that road the following Thursday. 13 miles and 8 locks<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDm3wo0cr8WPmkzoHbtRUVMdRkBwIWZQQQS2NJJ7dQeT_2O1JRmEk9obS_20hq4gJgs0RDRxB7GV0_eFO0GOFrxyMusTy7TMAyo5D6qawuXAtJas7OoFgFQ8PgIDt_rJlt6LEPd1tzzA0/s1600/wonky+horns.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDm3wo0cr8WPmkzoHbtRUVMdRkBwIWZQQQS2NJJ7dQeT_2O1JRmEk9obS_20hq4gJgs0RDRxB7GV0_eFO0GOFrxyMusTy7TMAyo5D6qawuXAtJas7OoFgFQ8PgIDt_rJlt6LEPd1tzzA0/s400/wonky+horns.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This wonky horned beast was along the Caldon canal</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Tuesday 11<sup>th</sup></span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> Very wet overnight, starting cloudy with a cold wind in
the morning and we saw friends Mike & Jo on Sarah Kate filling with water
at the water point in front of us. They being ready to set off & we having
other things to do, we arranged to meet in Stone in the evening to talk over
the 2 years or so since we last met.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">By the time we were
ready to set off there were boats everywhere. A boat had just gone down the top
lock, I reset it, but a boat coming down from Stoke blocked us from turning in
to use it, so we followed that boat down, and before we had left the lock 4
more boats had arrived! </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTveMq9d4Tyn2OQyEnB9fS7v5lJUnUc4b0L5aWwMflbeyL-5y7dkKKu843gjpTA_U-Jys9ID1qZO3yMzQUIioC_a-Kxbu3sXysARDeMIC00mW0BQpVNeX8LXoU8jhHxHtdG9enW_HS_1A/s1600/Incinerator.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTveMq9d4Tyn2OQyEnB9fS7v5lJUnUc4b0L5aWwMflbeyL-5y7dkKKu843gjpTA_U-Jys9ID1qZO3yMzQUIioC_a-Kxbu3sXysARDeMIC00mW0BQpVNeX8LXoU8jhHxHtdG9enW_HS_1A/s400/Incinerator.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This structure alongside the canal in Stoke is a refuse incinerator,<br /> unlike those in Leicestershire it is still working</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">We met and followed boats all the way through to Stone,
and started to hear Stone mooring were full!! Then Jo rang to say they had not
found anywhere to moor in Stone and we would have to defer our chat! We stopped
as soon as we reached the outskirts of the town in a lovely quiet mooring. 8
miles 10 locks<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTWMMFZnt5y6EXDid31N6g40oa1a-tqL-ZnKG6246oM8rmPkvmfQlxuipG7aYp7ai1UdJlizaLaMFcrfll83iFTf5a6grllxdCOXArllnnAQisydBaMuAqJKumRiBUXEcWYXtrXgvNH-E/s1600/bridge+cleaning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTWMMFZnt5y6EXDid31N6g40oa1a-tqL-ZnKG6246oM8rmPkvmfQlxuipG7aYp7ai1UdJlizaLaMFcrfll83iFTf5a6grllxdCOXArllnnAQisydBaMuAqJKumRiBUXEcWYXtrXgvNH-E/s400/bridge+cleaning.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The problem with Carol's garden this year!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">On the last three
nights Carol has really excelled in the galley with excellent Singapore
Noodles, brilliant Lamb Dhansac and a very good Chicken Tikka Marsala. All in
wonderfully low fat format, giving Carol great pleasure in the cooking and both
of us in the eating.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgke54-BgyLd2r2MvEyPYy8xcwVdWBcuQy1ZCVFrXYVG4WGauB-tyjEAKtELyHAB349fJDrcucYkZQO2m_D3c4bLuPFe7S-ZkpyaojeBYIPkrbZjLRCPb5hhdTeA0oFpFvcUlXEbrvkBZo/s1600/kingfisher.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgke54-BgyLd2r2MvEyPYy8xcwVdWBcuQy1ZCVFrXYVG4WGauB-tyjEAKtELyHAB349fJDrcucYkZQO2m_D3c4bLuPFe7S-ZkpyaojeBYIPkrbZjLRCPb5hhdTeA0oFpFvcUlXEbrvkBZo/s400/kingfisher.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We saw many kingfishers this week</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Wednesday 12<sup>th</sup></span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> A bright start with little wind and warming as the
day went on. We shopped & coffee’d in Stone before getting away, but
turning into Aston Marina to collect a porthole glass that had been delivered
there, and topping up with fuel at 81.8p. We carried on for about half a mile
before finding a lovely spot to stop. 3 miles and 5 locks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8hoRPyBPKCmGKJfqSSp5YB5avOLr5U8AKU-1xrja-iykBw3uMCfRypFw2Fr8M6RSJrv0-x1jpgz01NeX8ceEUqQlAUG_bklrTyhK_wHgQMfo1RkW2zzlnOqDitOf9ijB_hFcTL54HtKs/s1600/Carols+garden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8hoRPyBPKCmGKJfqSSp5YB5avOLr5U8AKU-1xrja-iykBw3uMCfRypFw2Fr8M6RSJrv0-x1jpgz01NeX8ceEUqQlAUG_bklrTyhK_wHgQMfo1RkW2zzlnOqDitOf9ijB_hFcTL54HtKs/s400/Carols+garden.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carol and her garden on a sunny day</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Thursday 13<sup>th</sup></span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> A surprisingly pleasant day after a really cold night,
shorts were on again! Away at 9.20, we caught up with 2 boats at the first
lock, and 3 others arrived before we left, and boats came up too. We made
steady progress, surprisingly the water point at Gt Heywood was free, so we
topped up before we queued at the next lock before passing through easily to
Rugeley where we stopped at 3.15 just before bridge 67. We then headed into
Costa & booked a table at the Royal Harris, a Chinese restaurant as I
though Carol deserved a break. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtv5CfbWgrl3gy4RyTV6PDNUlrxHMPOmZ_cQkloGoGpI88xHzzRG_yyN2Q0zrIGLDheZ8mJw1t3M0VlcGe-q7ABqyhn_nD-TVf4VZ0NMCbtdH7caVBCNeFv4Gv4c-A_yVy-JRHjEWdEFg/s1600/speed+camera.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtv5CfbWgrl3gy4RyTV6PDNUlrxHMPOmZ_cQkloGoGpI88xHzzRG_yyN2Q0zrIGLDheZ8mJw1t3M0VlcGe-q7ABqyhn_nD-TVf4VZ0NMCbtdH7caVBCNeFv4Gv4c-A_yVy-JRHjEWdEFg/s400/speed+camera.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A home owner has a great idea for slowing down boats</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The coffee was good,
the meal pretty good, it operated on a buffet system, but where you order what
you want & it is cooked fresh for you. The Shoulder of Mutton in Foxton
does the same, and in our opinion is better, but we both ate well. 11 miles 3 locks<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Friday 14<sup>th</sup> </span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Mostly bright with a cool strong wind. We stocked up
for friends visiting for Sunday lunch, and collected repeat prescriptions. We
didn’t rush as we only wanted to get towards Fradley but we had a pleasant
cruise stopping for the night above Woodsend Lock. The heating was put on! 6 ½ miles.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6obUplItdsqikVHB-Peh4Wfs-UQCppXX5GB74xUEG7UyNsBQsANVfLSRUElN3Hmdqs460nXQSFAiyzkAOkXL0lCJX0hNktyOK2yeF_S2_7QpHgA-hOoIIgMka-wJnpgy9o6-6_RDRzmc/s1600/woodsend+lock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6obUplItdsqikVHB-Peh4Wfs-UQCppXX5GB74xUEG7UyNsBQsANVfLSRUElN3Hmdqs460nXQSFAiyzkAOkXL0lCJX0hNktyOK2yeF_S2_7QpHgA-hOoIIgMka-wJnpgy9o6-6_RDRzmc/s400/woodsend+lock.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above Woodsend lock</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Saturday 15<sup>th</sup></span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> A glorious day, and all we did was cruise down 3
locks and moored opposite the services block in Fradley. A volunteer was
marshalling boats going down into the junction, and warning people about fresh
paint on the lock gates. Volunteers from Coors Brewery had repainted them a few
days before but sadly the paint was only dry on the surface but sticky and wet
underneath! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">After stopping we
sample the cafes coffee (pretty good) and then Carol set to preparing food for
Sunday lunch whilst I cleaned & polished. We enjoyed a walk around the
nature reserve, picking some blackberries, and then a pint in The Swan. 1 mile,
3 locks<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Sunday</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> Disaster, the chicken had gone off!! It was in date but with this much
pong we were not going to eat it!! Fortunately Carol had some chicken pieces
she could interpret into a great meal. Our friends dined royally and we had a
great day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Ianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00795967384515672158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810784201093183607.post-99333392076006062012-09-11T20:05:00.001+00:002012-09-11T20:05:33.438+00:00A Spitfire Week<br />
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<b><span lang="EN-GB">ASpitfire Week <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB">Mon-Wed </span></b><span lang="EN-GB">We were away from Lily, having left her in
Aston Marina near Stone. It was an impressive place with a very good, but
expensive farm shop. We had concerns that our power supply had dropped out as
we tried to poll our alarm system but though it responded on Saturday, it
didn’t on Monday. To our relief all was well when we got back, the alarm just
doesn’t seem to want to react to text messages any more, another job to sort
out when we get home!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEZGDPmpLO1D4xSWv32lwDqMuGvbG5x52u9gjVoJuBr5QI3oxKfGjXdjiZke_yjIssOxXSA8P9qzdl2c-10NHzQK-U2BTFY6BvXZOIXhJlNCpevxI779Ayder6PmO-lhOMohQxPNv3lBU/s1600/Aston+Marina.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEZGDPmpLO1D4xSWv32lwDqMuGvbG5x52u9gjVoJuBr5QI3oxKfGjXdjiZke_yjIssOxXSA8P9qzdl2c-10NHzQK-U2BTFY6BvXZOIXhJlNCpevxI779Ayder6PmO-lhOMohQxPNv3lBU/s400/Aston+Marina.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aston Marina entry, don't try to get in by turning right and over the bridge<br />as the sign above Aston Lock tells you!</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB">On our way
home we stopped in London to meet Rowan & Suzanne from Wellington NZ whom
we met while descending Hatton Locks 4 years ago. We had a lovely natter but
neither the coffee nor the meal we shared was up to much, I intend to write and
complain over both.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhONfgZsqlfVCzBfoPP6sFrju2vj0ZqovuysnORSr7ffhXKjL8dasez02KSs5z9k6atmj87FUthIT8OT5AA0cFuL1Lg97NVrSrYnXxKSiyMV4kKCbNEAy2t31-BsK5zRYqkHq9KPDSNTGU/s1600/Rowan+Suz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhONfgZsqlfVCzBfoPP6sFrju2vj0ZqovuysnORSr7ffhXKjL8dasez02KSs5z9k6atmj87FUthIT8OT5AA0cFuL1Lg97NVrSrYnXxKSiyMV4kKCbNEAy2t31-BsK5zRYqkHq9KPDSNTGU/s400/Rowan+Suz.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Rowan & Suzanne in a pub nr Trafalgar Square</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Why a
Spitfire week? Well on the train from London I looked out the window of the
train and saw a Spitfire flying over. Then on Friday I heard that distinctive
sound of a Merlin engine, but trees obstructed my view, but on Saturday as we
moved away from the Etruria Staircase Locks I heard the sound of two of these
engines and saw a pair of Spitfires flying over. I suppose it was around this
date 72 years ago that they were battling away over Southern England.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB">Thursday 6<sup>th</sup> September</span></b><span lang="EN-GB"> was a bright day, warmish but with
a cool wind. We used the mains power we had paid for to clean the boat and
polish around before setting off for Stone. We cruised there and moored above
lock 29 and re-provisioned at Morrissons, enjoyed a coffee and a Thursday
curry. We were surprised when Mick from Aligator, (and we’re sorry we can’t remember
his wife’s name), sat down at the table next to us! Earlier this year they were
moored alongside us in Debdale whilst they completed work on their new home,
living aboard, and with her having her ankle in plaster! What a coincidence! 2miles & 4 locks<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB">Friday 7<sup>th</sup></span></b><span lang="EN-GB"> and the weather was lovely with
much less wind. Aligator passed us at 7.30, it was much later that we joined a
busy set of boats climbing and descending. It was steady work and we met boats
at most locks halving the work. After the late start it was 5 by the time we
moored at the end of the Caldon. 81/2 miles and 11 locks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJOnXLk07P-AqUBv0wOqkTYYDzI2hS3rBzE007J-l0UgWLsYt7pPLp-oRTGPUsUD2MSRw8zNtc_FWryOXH8zSWH4NqBVuXNlqqLbdMZhNhrI0oLqKK-pt1tczwZBGX3DAAhjXNNHN3m_A/s1600/Caldon+jn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJOnXLk07P-AqUBv0wOqkTYYDzI2hS3rBzE007J-l0UgWLsYt7pPLp-oRTGPUsUD2MSRw8zNtc_FWryOXH8zSWH4NqBVuXNlqqLbdMZhNhrI0oLqKK-pt1tczwZBGX3DAAhjXNNHN3m_A/s400/Caldon+jn.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The end of the Caldon</td></tr>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB">Saturday 8<sup>th</sup></span></b><span lang="EN-GB"> a fabulous day of weather.
Overnight one of our gas bottles became empty and just past the end of the
Caldon towards Etruria Marina, on the towpath side there is a firm selling gas
at £17.50 inc VAT!!! I wandered along to replenish our stock, then we walked to
the Costa at Festival Park before returning to view the Etruria Museum. It was
a Steaming Day, but not till 1pm and having enjoyed steam in many places, we
made do with viewing the preserved works. Quite interesting but not very
photogenic, though whilst I was finishing off my viewing, Carol was sitting on
some steps alongside the canal arm and watched a kingfisher flying to and fro.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6nAchP6daRnTE9itTWLu5Sfb9kzMT8TabIVX6oNXCwWI6qyNLbsnAXR5AMbV_qCWvozC6kUu9anSOVn7xJ9gV3lvB9IXSreM8qZHCjQnw6sBpjw5YHH_9GXB_SdLASEswk7N1tMGu_4A/s1600/Leaky+lock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6nAchP6daRnTE9itTWLu5Sfb9kzMT8TabIVX6oNXCwWI6qyNLbsnAXR5AMbV_qCWvozC6kUu9anSOVn7xJ9gV3lvB9IXSreM8qZHCjQnw6sBpjw5YHH_9GXB_SdLASEswk7N1tMGu_4A/s400/Leaky+lock.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water pours between the gates within the staircase locks</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB">We enjoyed
our lunch then reversed to the junction and turned into the Caldon Canal and up
through the staircase pair, after using the services to top up our water. Two Spitfires flying over gave an emotional sense to this bit of the cruise. We
stopped at Ivy House lift bridge so I could walk to Screwfix to replace our
water filter cartridge. I had bought 2 cartridges around Xmas as they need
changing every 6 months and had no idea whether I’d be able to buy one at
replacement time. When I fitted the new one, it leaked!!! I have not previously
checked closely for leaks after replacing them, thank heavens I did so this
time. Fortunately when I refitted the one I had removed, it was water tight,
and fortunately too Screwfix has centralised computer records that showed when
I bought the faulty one.......except they had none in stock, I need to call by
on our return cruise. I also bought some oil from the motor spares shop next to
Screwfix, an oil change is due.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEvZ1V80HeiVpMb4C9xe1qtponG5sFOYcnskKIXgPmI7LlfoHQP_Z2CZRkPjr7KhkZwIIirIaGqDZi70dr4x0zWFao9lJGVf51DmHxpu6CmkgQZ1Un-SJFzvkPkcEKS_1pzFS5f6qvXGU/s1600/Bottle+Kilns.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEvZ1V80HeiVpMb4C9xe1qtponG5sFOYcnskKIXgPmI7LlfoHQP_Z2CZRkPjr7KhkZwIIirIaGqDZi70dr4x0zWFao9lJGVf51DmHxpu6CmkgQZ1Un-SJFzvkPkcEKS_1pzFS5f6qvXGU/s400/Bottle+Kilns.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bottle Kilns near the Caldon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCPKdL1muaJkXuGMyswxB_S4nnvhB8Y_yUT1Wu0A7uexmN_6Njxbjhj29fMr2-stiRm9bPmLvkRXrguNr4DLF64JTC-74w8KzdKgRhLRg2I2hzzbgvRMDKC3nGZj_bdcIoWfeaB5na5Gs/s1600/Great+plants.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCPKdL1muaJkXuGMyswxB_S4nnvhB8Y_yUT1Wu0A7uexmN_6Njxbjhj29fMr2-stiRm9bPmLvkRXrguNr4DLF64JTC-74w8KzdKgRhLRg2I2hzzbgvRMDKC3nGZj_bdcIoWfeaB5na5Gs/s400/Great+plants.jpg" width="257" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fantastic plants by some apartments</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span lang="EN-GB">This bit of
the Caldon far from attractive and is narrow. Old pottery works have largely
been demolished, though some of the grander office buildings have been
converted to other uses, but several of the typical bottle kilns have been
preserved to retain some of the old character. We carried on to bridge 15 and
moored up with several other boats in a near rural setting. The fine dry
weather had resulted in Lily becoming very dusty so I washed off the towpath
side in the evening after watching the qualifying for the Italian GP. Just 3 1/2 miles. 3 locks and one lift
bridge.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvNGcsusfSTvnZmzcSGeUZzu0nq_tNuq1pgXJF-DM9AtxkxzdUlUoBBYI8BFj_IcOxRtGEWPcFETlJf2n1NPqrUqAY3u626naG-l_-UC4DCLYLpzEREyCllIO-17ZJV25YCplCR5INqQA/s1600/Level+crossing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvNGcsusfSTvnZmzcSGeUZzu0nq_tNuq1pgXJF-DM9AtxkxzdUlUoBBYI8BFj_IcOxRtGEWPcFETlJf2n1NPqrUqAY3u626naG-l_-UC4DCLYLpzEREyCllIO-17ZJV25YCplCR5INqQA/s400/Level+crossing.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This old level crossing was alongside our mooring<br />I can't remember how long ago it was since I saw gates like these.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6GM63EkHi9w1R1InjmgKklGk7K_rqV3x8TbINoEDzDn43zHM2kdNgPuzzSPANKezJeDCsocdcU2ITOoMJK0QKXHWCK2M2ec1PZcevMj3jKYcH7Z2S7kbVJGeU8-pV22sgFJQnXTxVc8w/s1600/Mighty+Trent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6GM63EkHi9w1R1InjmgKklGk7K_rqV3x8TbINoEDzDn43zHM2kdNgPuzzSPANKezJeDCsocdcU2ITOoMJK0QKXHWCK2M2ec1PZcevMj3jKYcH7Z2S7kbVJGeU8-pV22sgFJQnXTxVc8w/s400/Mighty+Trent.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The mighty river Trent flowed near our mooring</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB">Sunday 9<sup>th</sup></span></b><span lang="EN-GB"> another lovely day, warm and mostly
sunny with little breeze. I walked to the nearby village to get my Sunday Times
fix, Google Maps showing a shop nearby, but I asked a local just where it was
& he was guiding me far away, so I returned & we set off around 10.15.
We stopped at br 18 in Milton & I got the papers on a short stop, during
which I saw a very old car, I’d guess from around 1915 but couldn’t spot its
badge, driving through the village. </span>Away again we caught up with a boat at
Engine lock, in the country now. I could hear water flowing under the grass
along the off-side edge of the lock, is this a problem for the future for
C&RT?</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_QoslAnvVbS-KWfep15ShSFZ3Ez1w7q6r-cBx1EZNofvyapV92CjqdlQvUc0JdLvbyadHl7wMJwdQqW__BBYQN4wxaQEHvKf9dQ6fsRjdyb313zIf05pWmRb8GttsfCsI9GUDnxirVCg/s1600/Stockton+Brook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_QoslAnvVbS-KWfep15ShSFZ3Ez1w7q6r-cBx1EZNofvyapV92CjqdlQvUc0JdLvbyadHl7wMJwdQqW__BBYQN4wxaQEHvKf9dQ6fsRjdyb313zIf05pWmRb8GttsfCsI9GUDnxirVCg/s400/Stockton+Brook.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This lock side sculpture shows images reflecting the history of the area<br />It mention the Spitfire.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span lang="EN-GB">The other
boat opened the first lift bridge, I did the second then we had the 5 locks at
Stockton Brook near where R.J.Mitchell, the designer of the Spitfire was born
with iInteresting sculptures at lockside. We stopped for lunch just past and
then after using the services we moved onto the Leek branch, but it was
incredibly shallow. </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5h9oQTPLaiQIugf_enyQxdONj7lbYSGR7lNzXQAn0RDzikfDfC7PYaBrfdk2dyvXciEaybR4WLTihaFpygC2E1E3doZIV-uwjE0qzfqwnWdeyDVUPJcnnt4Q2-iGT9_nETX_OhMeuDPY/s1600/Hazelhurst+jn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5h9oQTPLaiQIugf_enyQxdONj7lbYSGR7lNzXQAn0RDzikfDfC7PYaBrfdk2dyvXciEaybR4WLTihaFpygC2E1E3doZIV-uwjE0qzfqwnWdeyDVUPJcnnt4Q2-iGT9_nETX_OhMeuDPY/s400/Hazelhurst+jn.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turning right towards Leek</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">We met Alligator just after the junction, were discussing
as to whether to bother going along it with it so shallow, but stopped just
past the Hazlehurst Aqueduct to watch the GP. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZv1KQvkWZF2z8SNFDL3JPGyThilgqVbvX5pq1CwWmmSW-lNyGjJagZhLodE2ewTRmk6RdsIi18YbkwEm6LN6T8Jms14T7z-7B_F-4cDISQflwpRNoZmiEOo7j61cuNQXEHqaI9fBNgF0/s1600/Hazlehurst+mooring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZv1KQvkWZF2z8SNFDL3JPGyThilgqVbvX5pq1CwWmmSW-lNyGjJagZhLodE2ewTRmk6RdsIi18YbkwEm6LN6T8Jms14T7z-7B_F-4cDISQflwpRNoZmiEOo7j61cuNQXEHqaI9fBNgF0/s400/Hazlehurst+mooring.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mooring at Hazelhurst Aqueduct</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">6 locks, 2
lift bridges & 6 miles.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Ianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00795967384515672158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810784201093183607.post-79510247226536592072012-08-31T18:41:00.000+00:002012-08-31T18:41:06.432+00:00Up Heartbreak Hill and down to Stone<br />
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Monday 27<sup>th</sup> August</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> Only a short blog this week as we are leaving Lily on
Saturday for a trip to Chichester with a stop in London on our way back to see
our friends from New Zealand who are coming over for a week’s stay after
visiting the boatyard in China where their new Off-Shore cruiser is being
built. It looks very impressive and getting it from China gets them a lot more
boat for their money. I must say it hardly seems a direct connection going from
NZ to China to UK, back through Bali to see their son & family & then
home, but we are glad we are going to see them again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ9mT0XurEWWL0F-poJ3hzUbruVUabT8AUYSZsfsDPSYKiUrG9FXrSmiTBP09d_azXZQQa9N_67EtAyR9tNCV91TzPaHnhue_ZDaHJY4P2mr-HpwpZYljGay124AHOR8BHd_aDoPtmO-8/s1600/Pretty+water.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ9mT0XurEWWL0F-poJ3hzUbruVUabT8AUYSZsfsDPSYKiUrG9FXrSmiTBP09d_azXZQQa9N_67EtAyR9tNCV91TzPaHnhue_ZDaHJY4P2mr-HpwpZYljGay124AHOR8BHd_aDoPtmO-8/s400/Pretty+water.jpg" width="326" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nothing particular to do with Monday, just a pretty!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Anyway, onto boating,
and on Monday it was Bank Holiday, lousy weather and lots of boats moving, so
we stayed put in Wheelock, and took the bus into Sandbach. We also ate at San
Marco restaurant at the wharf, which was OK, not cheap & we will not stop
again. Shame as it is a lovely setting and has made over the old wharf building
in a pleasant way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil6FAkDrUN4OeS5bhw7bULvOi6OhKEIzsZ_It9mcFbgu9KwrlOAY0ubTHWvo9Gia6TQCG3NLEbrmkviCsFQ-FzIlJ4NYN3GOy46EtdJskHCVbmzhaMLLqdotLKmtENhFeXiv4_8r75pxs/s1600/First.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil6FAkDrUN4OeS5bhw7bULvOi6OhKEIzsZ_It9mcFbgu9KwrlOAY0ubTHWvo9Gia6TQCG3NLEbrmkviCsFQ-FzIlJ4NYN3GOy46EtdJskHCVbmzhaMLLqdotLKmtENhFeXiv4_8r75pxs/s200/First.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-8fng1DKe-XNPtch1uMFuJ21Wg9ngdhrcmp73md9C6VDUJja-VmeCky5AedpaUhmgY-8Y0G6drGYfWNCg64_iuqgWD8W7I84JXzoTVQHps8o0IYRKdaqw_mNKGRgCox4C4OpcheF3LT0/s1600/Second.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-8fng1DKe-XNPtch1uMFuJ21Wg9ngdhrcmp73md9C6VDUJja-VmeCky5AedpaUhmgY-8Y0G6drGYfWNCg64_iuqgWD8W7I84JXzoTVQHps8o0IYRKdaqw_mNKGRgCox4C4OpcheF3LT0/s200/Second.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sandbach really worked hard<br />naming its streets</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVnaUYchTwzIWoE7do14hREmgOaMMXeyWnNUe8tv2yWLXCPEBBdwBHVfdbWcZDbqbP4I_SP2WFZCQAI2XEX_QnWExHkWiO5DqrlEpgloXyrX1yVpe1UholJrkBX330bIBAVv5OyQA67SA/s1600/Third.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVnaUYchTwzIWoE7do14hREmgOaMMXeyWnNUe8tv2yWLXCPEBBdwBHVfdbWcZDbqbP4I_SP2WFZCQAI2XEX_QnWExHkWiO5DqrlEpgloXyrX1yVpe1UholJrkBX330bIBAVv5OyQA67SA/s200/Third.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">I noticed signs mounted on the side of the Aldi store in Sandbach. It and the adjacent stores have been built on the site of the original ERF lorry factory and the signs give a potted history </span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Tuesday 28<sup>th</sup></span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> and a fine day and quite warm. After early morning
chores in Costa & topping up the water tank it was 12 before we were away
hitting the locks. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ7zCaIrTqBRJjnTnM91lQy2wrsGp4AWod8ZKpPr36eQBpY36sadXM4aHVOrPWs8NRL3JoPHZMV9NdRKUrMZKFmDSAxylfpgXvxQzqFr5JaZfKh7P3TQOZXwj5NWYpOakbjPhu-p25aD4/s1600/Mooring+spikes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ7zCaIrTqBRJjnTnM91lQy2wrsGp4AWod8ZKpPr36eQBpY36sadXM4aHVOrPWs8NRL3JoPHZMV9NdRKUrMZKFmDSAxylfpgXvxQzqFr5JaZfKh7P3TQOZXwj5NWYpOakbjPhu-p25aD4/s400/Mooring+spikes.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This mooring spike was bent by passing boats, some load!</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">We crossed several boats at locks and seeing surveyors at
work for a possible new marina not far from the M6 crossing. We stopped for the
night just past lock 49 after 5 hours of cruising covering 5 miles and 18
locks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfbpAJe1t5BVu8kN8ekDvoZFBD0Cj3YrOTHZyVTfF1mtOiHdPbgEbHLhW6RXq4PtP7n67vNzNT540ZBPIq8i1yPna2yGewiZ4wiHEHWxgcOhJii2ywsRXU2qPn-89sRpuLEam67qSWY7Y/s1600/Rubbish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfbpAJe1t5BVu8kN8ekDvoZFBD0Cj3YrOTHZyVTfF1mtOiHdPbgEbHLhW6RXq4PtP7n67vNzNT540ZBPIq8i1yPna2yGewiZ4wiHEHWxgcOhJii2ywsRXU2qPn-89sRpuLEam67qSWY7Y/s400/Rubbish.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wrapped around the prop shaft this was hard to remove</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Once stopped I had a
look, or rather a feel, of the prop as we had a “tinkling” though drive seemed
OK. I pulled off some fishing net and poly bag with much heaving and a bit of cutting,
but there was a metal rod wrapped around the shaft with a length sticking out
past the blades. The chrome plated bar was about 4mm diameter, not in a spring
steel but in a fairly robust metal and I heaved and strained for a long time
without success. Eventually I got out a mooring spike, in fact the one that
cleared the bow thrusters last week, and I eventually managed to pry it off the
shaft, with a little bit of fine nylon net through the hole in it. Rotten
really as we always are very kind and polite to fishermen yet they get back at
us like this!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Wednesday 29<sup>th</sup></span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> The forecast was that the overnight & morning
rain would clear around 12, but it had stopped by 10.30 so we were away, only
for drizzle to start a short while later. We were following an ex-Challenger
boat, all smartly repainted, on its way from being shown at Nantwich, with 6
shares to sell! The rain stopped and started several times before we got to Red
Bull services where we got rid of our rubbish when as we entered the lock it
threw it down. I told Carol to say below, I drew a paddle just a bit to let
Lily rise slowly, and stopped under the road bridge, but I got wet. When the
lock was full I opened the gate but stopped on board to eat my
sandwich......and a boat came!!! The deluge eased somewhat so we moved on to
the next lock and repeated the procedure, as did the rain. It had eased by the
time the lock was full, but I don’t think
have ever been so wet, my shorts needed wringing out and my boots with
their waterproof sock were squelching!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiErSe2wGfb94ZTuhUSkLbo0a_ibr7c5h5NbadPWb2Dl53YWQ_JeT0nytdF8NwscbthUKqSF3xtpBQacMKBvk_R1bbYUMWDM0wdxA5ZWCuBHAkl5FAWTnhO5ea1KO6ZPYdaNYFLWKojtn8/s1600/Roof+cleaners.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiErSe2wGfb94ZTuhUSkLbo0a_ibr7c5h5NbadPWb2Dl53YWQ_JeT0nytdF8NwscbthUKqSF3xtpBQacMKBvk_R1bbYUMWDM0wdxA5ZWCuBHAkl5FAWTnhO5ea1KO6ZPYdaNYFLWKojtn8/s400/Roof+cleaners.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carol's spiky plants brushed the tunnel roof</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">We had a short wait
for Harecastle tunnel and discussed what we should do with the flowers on the
roof which were clearly going to hit the roof. We shuffled them around and went
in following the Challenger boat, which had a horribly noisy exhaust. About 50
minutes later we were out, the plants survived but the roof of the boat was
covered in debris, the Cordilines had acted as a good brush for the lowest
parts of the roof!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">We carried on for
about an hour longer before mooring near Etruria Marina and going to the
adjacent cinema on a 2 for 1 deal to see a not great film. 6.5 miles and 8
locks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Thursday 30<sup>th</sup> </span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">started dry and bright but with a cool breeze, I
reckoned it was more an October temperature, not August. Costa before starting
and then away at 10.15. We met several boats at the locks and the breeze eased
and it warmed up a bit. We stopped by Stoke railway station for me to get the
tickets for our trip. I had done quite a bit of research on-line to get the
best price, but the booking clerk came up with a new wheeze that has saved us
£20+ on the return ticket, I just hope there is not going to be a problem!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">After lunch we were
away in a pleasant afternoon, again meeting boats, and as we were near Stone
where we wanted to stop, we were told the moorings looked full top and bottom
of the bottom lock. I looked at the Google map for Stone & decided if we stopped
above lock 30 we would be probably nearer to our target than in the other
spots. We stopped and there were mooring rings set up for us to use and a quiet
spot. It was Thursday, our target was a Wetherspoons curry. Excellent and
Ruddles was only £1.69!!! 9 miles and 10
locks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuciuRKiU_kVRFbu1AUjz53C4FHRoWaOO5HIUe45oARg7hs_D3BZNX-9L2p2idsO5xTJ6EHCMaRDEiVBvl6Cew8cFib5trIUqfsrxDJCLEsCJR2yu6_hQCZDuREYPYOQEEdJCHAXdj29A/s1600/Joules+brewery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuciuRKiU_kVRFbu1AUjz53C4FHRoWaOO5HIUe45oARg7hs_D3BZNX-9L2p2idsO5xTJ6EHCMaRDEiVBvl6Cew8cFib5trIUqfsrxDJCLEsCJR2yu6_hQCZDuREYPYOQEEdJCHAXdj29A/s400/Joules+brewery.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The old Joules Brewery's incredible cast iron lintel on Newcastle Rd</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Friday 31<sup>st</sup></span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> It had been cold overnight, some places had
experienced an overnight frost!! It dawned bright, but again the breeze was
cool. Coffee & paper plus buying an extra birthday present to give to granddaughter
Emily who is 10 today meant it was around 11 when we set off. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAnrxoEWR3SxHmUptmD4BcArxMT52g8KazdA0-IQLD-IR35u4q93p-qAPhoAn3zEP8nrEsI5T-GdOulo7om8FfjEKUzRjPsg0zgCKC343zjlKqxkC6KL6mka8NxLW3DHuEJg60Q7UEAOY/s1600/Stone+brewery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAnrxoEWR3SxHmUptmD4BcArxMT52g8KazdA0-IQLD-IR35u4q93p-qAPhoAn3zEP8nrEsI5T-GdOulo7om8FfjEKUzRjPsg0zgCKC343zjlKqxkC6KL6mka8NxLW3DHuEJg60Q7UEAOY/s400/Stone+brewery.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This old brewery also has another use now</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPlMAUJF0gyv0ve9KO45vvHoE94aVCy0SNd0Di1PY7Xbm5Dk7290hqdKWZr6C6vYL3YF2JL3wDSAAeCpIF8WeNy0h23Yo2z-l7geH58TLRlfDi_j3yMz-QMNwZgq6XToigG2nyvMI_iM8/s1600/Violin+maker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPlMAUJF0gyv0ve9KO45vvHoE94aVCy0SNd0Di1PY7Xbm5Dk7290hqdKWZr6C6vYL3YF2JL3wDSAAeCpIF8WeNy0h23Yo2z-l7geH58TLRlfDi_j3yMz-QMNwZgq6XToigG2nyvMI_iM8/s400/Violin+maker.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seen in Stone, I don't ever recall seeing a violin maker before</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Volunteers were
helping at lock 29 and again at the bottom lock which was pleasant. We followed
an incredibly smart boat, still owned by its original family after 35 years,
beautifully repainted, only the basic style and registration number hinted at
its age. Still on its original Lister engine, oil changed every 250 hours,
blacked every 3 years and not re-plated, amazing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Below the bottom lock
we stopped for lunch and then pootled onto Aston Marina where Lily is to stay
whilst we travel away. Very impressive place and it has a wonderful deli and
butchers. The Bistro looked OK but seemed expensive, we resisted the temptation
to book for Xmas day at £79.95 a head!! We used the on-site laundry to finish
off our washing. Just 2 miles and 5 locks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Ianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00795967384515672158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810784201093183607.post-8691582823342996302012-08-26T20:34:00.000+00:002012-08-26T20:34:12.135+00:00In Manchester, away and on way home<br />
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">August 12<sup>th</sup> to 21<sup>st</sup></span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Sam & Hannah came
to stay for 3 nights and we showed them things, firstly at the Trafford Centre
where we caught a film before moving into Castlefields. We enjoyed having the
kids to stay and they enjoyed Manchester. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiBepS38shywo_JdPLnlj-3svDFyATmz3jG-UCPPMulMSewNdJtUhvxx5sn6Hx54uYo84THMY4lwpxDjELo2nz2-2WfPsvFW9hnOJk_3ZVvEWS_T39uR8J9niEQZsqh34jlJxEGjffCNk/s1600/Ga+n+kids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiBepS38shywo_JdPLnlj-3svDFyATmz3jG-UCPPMulMSewNdJtUhvxx5sn6Hx54uYo84THMY4lwpxDjELo2nz2-2WfPsvFW9hnOJk_3ZVvEWS_T39uR8J9niEQZsqh34jlJxEGjffCNk/s400/Ga+n+kids.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carol happy with our grandchildren</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhz0HbhTAwMBfm0sPU_phQXIAK9aMGUTsym0_oP9KGi88CpoJg5iIVtNJpltEEaOL7bSV0UDZr1330Xo5bLty5K4QV5ZJyuXHr6R32eUNdzJSCgyU0RV9ttfTSk1JH4G1NoB2c9eVEM34/s1600/Rochdale+bottom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhz0HbhTAwMBfm0sPU_phQXIAK9aMGUTsym0_oP9KGi88CpoJg5iIVtNJpltEEaOL7bSV0UDZr1330Xo5bLty5K4QV5ZJyuXHr6R32eUNdzJSCgyU0RV9ttfTSk1JH4G1NoB2c9eVEM34/s400/Rochdale+bottom.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bottom lock of Rochdale canal at dusk<br />
the Beetham Tower behind</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">We decided that the
moorings by the YHA in Castlefields had been very quiet during our stays &
seemed OK for a stay for our trip to Forfar for Carol’s aunt’s funeral. I rang
Bridgewater Canal Co & told them of our problem and they sanctioned our
stay. Leaving on Thursday morning we returned on Monday, getting off the train
at Deansgate Station just a couple of hundred yards from Lily. All was well,
but we need to sort out wiring to let us keep the alarm switched on whilst the
rest is off, a job for the winter. The amazing thing for me on our visit was seeing a red squirrel from cousin Isobel's kitchen window, the first one I ever recall seeing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBpb0JL6Vvv6NvgO3XO_rBMngiRI-Ux8g_T0pQJhfCZkZWvtGEKTuAcV6Vb3p3Vej1pBM2GP_ThJnhaPF7GfAAiKpXgPlUBFS4XHiDLUFDziUfAty1TULJytRAvDzInHhpJ5IAgbOKdkU/s1600/YHA+mooring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBpb0JL6Vvv6NvgO3XO_rBMngiRI-Ux8g_T0pQJhfCZkZWvtGEKTuAcV6Vb3p3Vej1pBM2GP_ThJnhaPF7GfAAiKpXgPlUBFS4XHiDLUFDziUfAty1TULJytRAvDzInHhpJ5IAgbOKdkU/s400/YHA+mooring.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The mooring outside the YHA, Lily was moored on left.<br />
Note fantastic Museum of Science & Industry dead ahead.</td></tr>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Wednesday 22</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: x-small; line-height: 115%;">nd</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> Carol was
knocked up by the train journeys etc so we did little on Tuesday except leave
Castlefields, using the services and noting that some boaters can’t read the
sign I made about rubbish disposal and had again started dumping it near the
Sanitary Station! We cruised to Sale and stopped there till Thursday, with me
polishing the starboard side and Carol resting, though we did replenish our
stores.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Thursday 23rd </span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">and after a coffee and lunch we set off on a
reasonable day. We filled with water past Hyde at Ye Olde no 3 and then stopped
at Heyford Marine and asked if we could try getting Lily far enough up the slip
to expose the bow thruster tube. Second attempt worked after we had pumped all the
water out of the newly filled tank and had filled with fuel at 87p. My feet & knees got
wet but my cossie stayed dry. The blades were jammed but I could feel something
trapped and with a few judicious pushes with a mooring spike I got them to move
a bit and then I got out the bits of plastic that were jamming it and after 5
minutes work all was well. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEy-QWDMIg1W7C68D6_FmFJroquAJ0xtuBn7U122GEKTgCAxNobfvnQVlUA2P8BxGZZ6EX-Ni-kU4Q7A05Q2TVedEOdBjxqM0Ik8cygIUbWMiVOq84Yciocvf-aiGFAi-62wS3ENp8Xfg/s1600/Bow+Thrust+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEy-QWDMIg1W7C68D6_FmFJroquAJ0xtuBn7U122GEKTgCAxNobfvnQVlUA2P8BxGZZ6EX-Ni-kU4Q7A05Q2TVedEOdBjxqM0Ik8cygIUbWMiVOq84Yciocvf-aiGFAi-62wS3ENp8Xfg/s400/Bow+Thrust+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Preparing to poke about</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjph2WYcIcoLQwS8lLav7Iu_oupjoRt1d0JKXe5zXzzYCipKIEyaE_PR2FmgKSaIbg9qSN7JI73qR_Cr9DJq0jlsltnOlWaT7YvIKz8YLKOHm0bt-KJSSC_rLi6tSLmqZPNssZePGGKrSM/s1600/Bow+Thrust+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjph2WYcIcoLQwS8lLav7Iu_oupjoRt1d0JKXe5zXzzYCipKIEyaE_PR2FmgKSaIbg9qSN7JI73qR_Cr9DJq0jlsltnOlWaT7YvIKz8YLKOHm0bt-KJSSC_rLi6tSLmqZPNssZePGGKrSM/s400/Bow+Thrust+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trying to see what is jamming it</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy_NAH__Qy3RrxrqRT_AS7EKzHe2zQtAKBXsvJJGqDFmfaNFt2sBKSLJjDGOa_bT9mWE9ujalQbI9vvEcXhL2UI9RLWxpUsN7udUzwkYTN45oiqDwDe8vEZX2KkMVmqOoRaBe_sO4NXwY/s1600/Bow+thrust+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy_NAH__Qy3RrxrqRT_AS7EKzHe2zQtAKBXsvJJGqDFmfaNFt2sBKSLJjDGOa_bT9mWE9ujalQbI9vvEcXhL2UI9RLWxpUsN7udUzwkYTN45oiqDwDe8vEZX2KkMVmqOoRaBe_sO4NXwY/s400/Bow+thrust+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And this was all that jammed it, a thin plastic moulding!!!</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">We couldn’t get Lily back out from the slip so
despite Stuart having knocked off for the day he started up an incredible
machine, built to haul Vulcan bombers, and gave Lily a slight push down the
slope and she was afloat. We filled with water and moved on about a mile to
stop for the night just past 6 having covered 7 miles but having sorted the bow thruster.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Friday 24<sup>th</sup> </span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Surprisingly good weather despite the forecast though
we needed a jumper much of the day. Away by 9 we had a steady cruise to
Stockton Heath where we took refreshment & got fresh fruit before moving on
to Claymore to pick up the glass, except it had not arrived. I called Worcester
& got the impression it possibly had not been sent. I’m getting him to send
it to the marina in Stone where we are stopping on Sept 1<sup>st</sup> to 6<sup>th</sup>.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigRN8yyAuTgCASQq7SIR64jhK4OZQTWZYotXyYOMW0WHJJG__7Y89HoaTCzF1TFKlknHAorjE3S4Mv-uG3KfLvPTnpe4f52rtHNoPk5LhJR1wmij0gr4Dw4ssFno6V0XeIq3JBDuFf5ME/s1600/Moore+shop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigRN8yyAuTgCASQq7SIR64jhK4OZQTWZYotXyYOMW0WHJJG__7Y89HoaTCzF1TFKlknHAorjE3S4Mv-uG3KfLvPTnpe4f52rtHNoPk5LhJR1wmij0gr4Dw4ssFno6V0XeIq3JBDuFf5ME/s400/Moore+shop.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The shop & P.O. at Moore is useful and the bin by the canal has recycling.</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">We arrived at Preston
Brook tunnel with 15 minutes to wait for our passage time, so I tethered Lily
with the centre rope.....bad idea. Just as we were about to cast off 2 boats
arrived & I waved them past. Sadly the canal was shallow and as the first
boat passed a bit fast Lily moved and with the rope attached to the roof she
moved and rolled badly, throwing open many doors in the galley! I’ll not do it
again!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk_k36fecDDQ8G9ClY4ueam5kQzDH7Qwg_0Y6OIcQh_81omxnJQC1XPH_VidcLyqxXPjuXsYB7D3leSK0mQitj5TfffDrclVgiyUqNtfKLAjCaB8m82kaNr0lYIhzm42pSANyOfKwtsZQ/s1600/Pennywort+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk_k36fecDDQ8G9ClY4ueam5kQzDH7Qwg_0Y6OIcQh_81omxnJQC1XPH_VidcLyqxXPjuXsYB7D3leSK0mQitj5TfffDrclVgiyUqNtfKLAjCaB8m82kaNr0lYIhzm42pSANyOfKwtsZQ/s400/Pennywort+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One large area of Floating Pennywort, <br />
there were many clumps between Dutton Lock & Anderton</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">At the lock past the
tunnel there was quite a lot of Pennywort, I’ll moan at CRT & contact the
local IWA about it. We carried on a bit from there to tie up at night with
enough time to touch up a bit of paint before the rain came, just past br 213.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Saturday 25<sup>th</sup> </span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">and a pleasant day with just one heavy shower whilst
cruising. The first boat past was at 6.30 and many more had done so by the time
we cast off at 9.15. We met several boats and arrived at Saltisford tunnel for
a 15 minute wait for our passage with 4 other boats. We arrived at Anderton
around 12, found a mooring and visited the cafe.....but the coffee was poor. We
met and chatted with several other boaters before moving to the sanitary
station and then on through Northwich to Middlewich. We met far fewer boats
after we had left Anderton, though one decided to hit us and another gave us a
very near miss, both at bridge holes where they were travelling too fast. We
arrived at Middlewich at 4 and moored up alongside the children’s park. A
wander into town showed a newly reopened pub, the White Bear, which was very
pleasant. 15 miles and 1 lock.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><b>Sunday 26th </b>It had poured with rain overnight but the forecast for the day was good, though it didn't look too good at first. We bought papers and set off around 10.30 and at each of the locks through Middlewich we crossed with boats descending and this was the case for much of the day with only about one lock having to be emptied by me. We arrived at Wheelock and tied up around 3.15 and we set off up to see Sandbach, a town we have never visited before. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjFxfP4ogB-X1tLIyAYxVCZ8cmnvAz50ZWCHlKMLcFzEIGNASy6KeD2f2qAvsnAgDPh1bMQQNITWtRknSd0Mc6bOOJQrlH4-9O3DESZ6u49Y8Phw4kUQ-CdZbBXxiw8wVYfu3MMY1KUTo/s1600/Sandbach+square.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjFxfP4ogB-X1tLIyAYxVCZ8cmnvAz50ZWCHlKMLcFzEIGNASy6KeD2f2qAvsnAgDPh1bMQQNITWtRknSd0Mc6bOOJQrlH4-9O3DESZ6u49Y8Phw4kUQ-CdZbBXxiw8wVYfu3MMY1KUTo/s400/Sandbach+square.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cobbled square in Sandbach with several really old pubs in it.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHOxH9LxpFchRcaMWxpOGUv-zuLIDr50XZtahMnT5B7QCLrwnctUKYEKVM_DBsfFY9AvoWMBIN16puxd9yRNO_cPEh-v88ewl4uPVaYM4nq4CD7wMCnDFF_0JP5pmVJ91YSRzMbY87xRo/s1600/The+Crosses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHOxH9LxpFchRcaMWxpOGUv-zuLIDr50XZtahMnT5B7QCLrwnctUKYEKVM_DBsfFY9AvoWMBIN16puxd9yRNO_cPEh-v88ewl4uPVaYM4nq4CD7wMCnDFF_0JP5pmVJ91YSRzMbY87xRo/s400/The+Crosses.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These old Saxon crosses were reassembled in the square after <br />being recovered, having been broken by Cromwell's men</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The walk totally upset Carol's back, even the Costa couldn't sort it, so I left her reading papers whilst I took a wander around the town. I had meant to take my camera, but I had forgotten it, so I took some using Carol's phone to use its camera. Suffice to say it is well worth a visit if you can manage the walk, a cab brought us home. </span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">With an atrocious day forecast tomorrow we may well stay put and if we do will go to the Italian restaurant by the services block which comes recommended. 6 miles and 8locks.</span><br />
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Ianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00795967384515672158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810784201093183607.post-46945955229243702712012-08-12T13:15:00.003+00:002012-08-12T13:15:35.233+00:00Little cruising and hosting guests<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span lang="EN-GB">Monday 6<sup>th</sup> August</span></b><span lang="EN-GB"> and we spend some time in
Manchester before heading off to Sale for overnight mooring. Little that was
exciting except that whilst winding at Castlefields something got stuck in the
bow thrusters and would not come out with the usual left then right blowing. In
fact the motor sounds horribly jammed and I’ll have a look and poke about at
Sale.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span lang="EN-GB">Tuesday </span></b><span lang="EN-GB">and we cruised the half mile from the town
centre to tie up just before the rowing club, and it pours! Carol’s sister,
Annette, and husband Mike, arrived around 11.30 with it still raining &
whilst they get sorted down below I cruised Lily to Dunham Massey. It had
cleared by the time we arrived and we had a pleasant visit, when they saw it
they realised they had paid it a short visit previously when they stopped to
have lunch in the restaurant as they drove north. We stopped overnight.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjRZSmdj1tfvAIb_II43qj6pmsDcpD-A8TyhoBZszJY81DICl8RpQbj1tcCXlYN3WbBl3fZw4ooY1DbqgcM5AiPJECMiBjJXG3gz7oIel6sAzSkWMu9a7vgBZe0YrePNpf9FFZXOS-1bM/s1600/Mike+&+Netty+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjRZSmdj1tfvAIb_II43qj6pmsDcpD-A8TyhoBZszJY81DICl8RpQbj1tcCXlYN3WbBl3fZw4ooY1DbqgcM5AiPJECMiBjJXG3gz7oIel6sAzSkWMu9a7vgBZe0YrePNpf9FFZXOS-1bM/s400/Mike+&+Netty+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Annette and Mike, happy faces at prospect<br />of delicious ice creams at Dunham Massey</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj30IxscKJ4AB1TYHA4Iyp2r9m2C44wKPVpNH7C1mSxWv90eB_ScD6sn0JZleH_kIn8p6rMHZNHEv7md6XpYExCsNoWhyaaCrhX7H9sBOdveSSCme3vbv2nxzaNZh9cEy2ElIlDmPAt8fQ/s1600/Dunham+Massey+sunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj30IxscKJ4AB1TYHA4Iyp2r9m2C44wKPVpNH7C1mSxWv90eB_ScD6sn0JZleH_kIn8p6rMHZNHEv7md6XpYExCsNoWhyaaCrhX7H9sBOdveSSCme3vbv2nxzaNZh9cEy2ElIlDmPAt8fQ/s400/Dunham+Massey+sunset.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lovely sunset by Dunham Massey</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span lang="EN-GB">Wednesday</span></b><span lang="EN-GB"> and a lovely day. I winded Lily whilst they
got ready for breakfast and then we headed into Sale first to visit Nero for
coffee and then to Castlefields, topping up with water as we entered. After lunch
we took the tram to Media City and all enjoyed our visit to the Lowry Centre,
for us it was a re-visit but there was still plenty to see that was new. We
took a pleasant amble over the Ship Canal and between the BBC buildings.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8sstNnaRFIymhhbGAM4Rq6COW3rXCBRQX9wD_Eyg6IYp2HfRvQcumKtTn1dZCDFe__OckACjml4ukTkdNnvKnj1S-Ycss4f2CEm26e3yIDmrY1Jd025Xf2YWC6kqci45M5uTMjila-yw/s1600/Great+building+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8sstNnaRFIymhhbGAM4Rq6COW3rXCBRQX9wD_Eyg6IYp2HfRvQcumKtTn1dZCDFe__OckACjml4ukTkdNnvKnj1S-Ycss4f2CEm26e3yIDmrY1Jd025Xf2YWC6kqci45M5uTMjila-yw/s400/Great+building+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This incredible building is probably over 15 years old, it looks brand new and<br />the lift bridge is reflected in its glass. Much of it it occupied by a council whilst<br />their offices are repaired.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixH8viqHiurqHEGBfLQnRLQXa7BIOy4CoatRMkU80hOTuJstllIdnGAZ_Cq1RKK4J4bjfcpwko2elS-s_4vg3zaAm3BTBoYt2ZQhIYqH1nnPFD6yItLlsaX1JwxQQIPI4EotEjhYP1BX8/s1600/Lift+bridge+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixH8viqHiurqHEGBfLQnRLQXa7BIOy4CoatRMkU80hOTuJstllIdnGAZ_Cq1RKK4J4bjfcpwko2elS-s_4vg3zaAm3BTBoYt2ZQhIYqH1nnPFD6yItLlsaX1JwxQQIPI4EotEjhYP1BX8/s400/Lift+bridge+blog.jpg" width="297" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the lift bridge that wouldn't <br />and spoilt our Ship Canal cruise</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As with the
night before, Carol fed us royally and I tweaked their mattress so that it was
a bit softer, they had not slept too well the night before. Very odd as
previous visitors have found it very comfy, Jenny wanted to take it home with
her!!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span lang="EN-GB">Thursday</span></b><span lang="EN-GB"> the weather is great & we headed into
Manchester on the free bus, stopping to view the City Art Gallery, St
Anne’s church and the Royal Exchange. They
treated us to a “light lunch” at Patisserie Valerie, so light we only had a
sandwich at night! We then split, the girls looked at a shop or two whilst Mike
& I spent a shortish time in MOSI.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguDbQ083PvlM5BH1Z2Eaup6P0BbARm2-nwUuK9S1bKLRZbx2IVpbAaYG7dyFBd-HbF7peTOw-fhnZpnZcvUs2eb4AAGucrwzT5lQoFvkeXL1hzDPyCpAr5jNNAA77uuMCIE6QlLpNTgcI/s1600/Live+steam+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguDbQ083PvlM5BH1Z2Eaup6P0BbARm2-nwUuK9S1bKLRZbx2IVpbAaYG7dyFBd-HbF7peTOw-fhnZpnZcvUs2eb4AAGucrwzT5lQoFvkeXL1hzDPyCpAr5jNNAA77uuMCIE6QlLpNTgcI/s400/Live+steam+blog.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At MOSI the engines were in live steam<br />cosy on a winter's day, hot when we visited.</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Around 4 we
reassembled refilled and dashed to Sale to send them on their way. They enjoyed
their stop in Manchester, Annette had never been, Mike had only done stopovers
as an airline pilot. They vowed to return.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span lang="EN-GB">Friday and Saturday </span></b><span lang="EN-GB"> and more great weather. I tried to get my hand
into the bow thruster tube but the gap between bars welded across it to stop
logs getting in did not give enough space for my arm. I had intended to get
into the water, by the bank it was about 4 feet deep, on the far side of the
boat it was around 6 feet. I had a fish around with a pruning saw plus tried a
mooring spike to turn the prop, but it was no good so we set off to the nearest
winding hole, shown as being just the other side of Altrincham bridge but if it
was there we couldn’t see anything we could use. Another half mile or so there
was a small mooring basin where Lily managed to turn. Back at the rowing club I
tried to clear the bow thrusters from the port side but without success, we
need to get the tube out of the water to see what is wrong.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Having
failed we moved on to the centre of Sale and stayed until Sunday afternoon.
Sadly we heard that Carol’s sole surviving aunt had died after a slight fall.
Now we have to organise where to leave Lily whilst we go up to near Arbroath,
but not until we have had our oldest grandchildren stay. Olympic action kept us
happy, plus I walked along to Sale Cruising Club to see if there is a
possibility of us getting a visitor mooring there.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sale
Cruising Club seems to be a thriving place and on Saturday night they held a
social evening, hosting visitors from just along the cut at Lymm Cruising Club.
Their club house on the off-side was a very cosy place and it was good to see
many members joining in. I managed to get the phone number for the moorings
officer and am trying to get through. Good club it may be but don’t bother
looking at their web site as it doesn’t appear to have been up-dated since
2002!!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sunday</span></span></b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> and the weather breaks, a heavy shower by
13.30, still waiting for the kids but Sam had been out clubbing til 4 am this
morning. When they arrive we are taking them to see the Trafford Centre plus
the swing aqueduct.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Z6kh7xi5aeMJYnwqnWT9bRvx5crNOtpDr8-EpMojl5zOkWBU5UDxjqDVwVR3OqJRo3VnyKZ0p_ATWIVMLx46ZK9jq_fgJbOhfhoLLftfg4Gr9752rBW5cc6LCVFtLBEgZM7Jm_k711s/s1600/Gelert+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Z6kh7xi5aeMJYnwqnWT9bRvx5crNOtpDr8-EpMojl5zOkWBU5UDxjqDVwVR3OqJRo3VnyKZ0p_ATWIVMLx46ZK9jq_fgJbOhfhoLLftfg4Gr9752rBW5cc6LCVFtLBEgZM7Jm_k711s/s400/Gelert+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gelert moors at Burscough and has been out for her summer cruise, all the<br />way to Preston Brook. It takes up a lot of canal and they keep their stove<br />burning all year round, even on days when we have all windows wide!!</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Contact from the kids and they set off about 2.15, when they arrive we'll head off to the Trafford Centre to show them it tomorrow. </span></span></div>Ianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00795967384515672158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810784201093183607.post-55932242435653144732012-08-08T21:13:00.000+00:002012-08-08T21:13:06.487+00:00From Burscough to.......where????<br />
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Monday 30<sup>th</sup> July</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> Our plan after returning from our rail trip is to go
through Manchester, up the Ashton Canal and onto the Peak Forest Canal and on
Tuesday 7<sup>th</sup> to have Carol’s sister Annette & husband Mike
(otherwise known as Gadget) join us at Marple Junction. Then over two days lock
free cruising to Bugsworth and along the Macclesfield Canal. He’s organised car
parking at Marple and were all set BUT suddenly notification came from CRT to
say they had got a significant water leak on the Marple Flight, had closed it,
but were working hard to resolve the problem.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">We started up the
freezer and fridge after our trip and got the garden watered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Tuesday</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> and we re-provisioned and had a farewell All Day Breakfast at Infusions
Cafe, boy it was good as was the coffee. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit53i3APXkRACoN9GHRgomBUyZgj_irokWPmWlzlFNUcEKwXouXPQPmRpLj0m5y9jIQ2iHSRFDenZ0YGxh1i_arYIrp7NmX33kwhZvw7yclD0d5EzGAiPRxrJq38jtueR8d4VmvjHm8nc/s1600/Infusions+team+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit53i3APXkRACoN9GHRgomBUyZgj_irokWPmWlzlFNUcEKwXouXPQPmRpLj0m5y9jIQ2iHSRFDenZ0YGxh1i_arYIrp7NmX33kwhZvw7yclD0d5EzGAiPRxrJq38jtueR8d4VmvjHm8nc/s400/Infusions+team+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The happy team at Infusions</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Then it was farewell to all as we
filled and emptied and set off on a reasonable afternoon, but it got worse.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikPOtXqhgrI0mke5tO2mjA9SMWYbFxyPVCU2NJECypZ4i_4-LiNyFISqYzIadXXqmH9cwqS5muZbyhh39GdaNWS5Ewaff9mxvgKa73boVg_gX6Gb0wTEn59rjNp8lwiSeLtVGvCKpoxk8/s1600/Burscough+Wharf+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikPOtXqhgrI0mke5tO2mjA9SMWYbFxyPVCU2NJECypZ4i_4-LiNyFISqYzIadXXqmH9cwqS5muZbyhh39GdaNWS5Ewaff9mxvgKa73boVg_gX6Gb0wTEn59rjNp8lwiSeLtVGvCKpoxk8/s400/Burscough+Wharf+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaving Burscough Wharf note horse boat</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">We
joined up with two other boats at our second swing bridge where they were having
problems getting it open, though when it eventually opened they had no idea
what caused the problem. The other boats stopped at Parbold & we carried on
but it started to rain hard. We went up Appley Lock, reversed back into the old
lock pass and tied up soaked! We dried off enjoying Olympic competitions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Wednesday </span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">was cool and cloudy most of the day with rain showers
and drizzle, what a summer! We cruised through Wigan though lock 88,
Pagetfield, was undergoing work by CRT and they told us we would need all
paddles up to fill it as there was a big leak and they were going to fetch a
boat to try to sort it out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">As we passed the CRT
office in Wigan nb Lady had been recovered by the lads, but the front door
glass had been smashed, it looked as if it had been broken into. Three locks on
as we reached lock 2 on the Leigh Branch I was approached by a gentleman who
had found a load of documents and a document case that had been smashed open. I
looked at the papers which were very damp from the overnight rain. They were
clearly from Lady with drawings for a re-paint, invoices from insurers and
Sileby Mill, one of the owners was from Melton Mowbray, not far from our winter
base. I gather all the papers and set off back to the offices, leaving Carol on
Lily, in the lock, letting it leak empty whilst I hoofed it back. The owner was
grateful, his rudder had broken so he had left the boat moored at the
lock.....perhaps he should join RCR?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Good deed done we set
off to Leigh, arriving in improving weather, except it threw it down as I
walked about a mile to get two new domestic alternator belts....yes we had
shredded one again, I really thought and hoped we were over that problem. Not
only that but there is a small blue wire disconnected from the alternator and
we are having trouble getting sensible charge levels. So far this week a meagre
17 miles, 8 locks and 4 swing bridges.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Thursday 2<sup>nd</sup> August</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> we took coffee in Costa and set off after 11, and
after I had polished the starboard side of Lily.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVphb8oDV0NPz1bkVjRqI89PMbU1NSqFIV5mQe59cymB5FQ2CluuYqZjeZ9cxqHZE8stS_uZtQuCOmJwnFJUGn8cfXZUBC5l2AnzabEWyXSsKpj2ioKIPStdMVZdXzRlD3p_4uqkN2ouQ/s1600/Leigh+wharf+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVphb8oDV0NPz1bkVjRqI89PMbU1NSqFIV5mQe59cymB5FQ2CluuYqZjeZ9cxqHZE8stS_uZtQuCOmJwnFJUGn8cfXZUBC5l2AnzabEWyXSsKpj2ioKIPStdMVZdXzRlD3p_4uqkN2ouQ/s400/Leigh+wharf+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaving Leigh Wharf</td></tr>
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<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEwOg6deEIOAwSVZquV3fDfCKqsfixSUBYseD8wVTN4lhG32MMw4YVU_AVPWM1ffQMvT4uPrQaUqa66Pd0bh9flz1BtklVCkLQRzIseEnOWHmg1wcVHqBPUu_9uHdSkRxl85BIl-d3Drg/s1600/Weedcutter+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEwOg6deEIOAwSVZquV3fDfCKqsfixSUBYseD8wVTN4lhG32MMw4YVU_AVPWM1ffQMvT4uPrQaUqa66Pd0bh9flz1BtklVCkLQRzIseEnOWHmg1wcVHqBPUu_9uHdSkRxl85BIl-d3Drg/s400/Weedcutter+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bridgewater Canal Weedcutting at Leigh</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">We stopped to fill with diesel
at Bridgewater Marina where I moaned at their 93p price to be moaned back at
because they said they barely cover their costs. They also moaned that the
diesel boats effectively cheat by not paying a commercial licence costing £2000
pa. I think a lot of this ties in with items I have read in the press about
heating fuel supplies being effectively mostly controlled by one company,
though they trade under many names.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHcNQdWlYbdcSnRBqn3FDl1AunzDMw5wCqhy8eZM9BhMFguXMl7S3zh3Pb9kCL5TR5AhLO-G4fEXCLJYAChSO2DvdLSVOyrD2wU4qYv63dL0ZmeZwMoKc-chyphenhyphen1B1V9fEfgRy_yIoUnHbc/s1600/Rusty+water+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHcNQdWlYbdcSnRBqn3FDl1AunzDMw5wCqhy8eZM9BhMFguXMl7S3zh3Pb9kCL5TR5AhLO-G4fEXCLJYAChSO2DvdLSVOyrD2wU4qYv63dL0ZmeZwMoKc-chyphenhyphen1B1V9fEfgRy_yIoUnHbc/s400/Rusty+water+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rusty water between Worsley & Baron Swing Aqueduct</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">We cruised on to
Sale, but winded above br 36 and reversed the last half mile to Sale and moored
up. It was of course Thursday so we treated ourselves to a Wetherspoons Curry
at the J.P.Joule, named after the founder of Physics who lived nearby. Peak
Forest still closed, alternatives being considered. 13 miles.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Friday</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> and a pretty good day and I polished the port side as well as the
brasses. I spoke to Debdale and was advised where the wire needed fixing and as
I unbolted the terminal I found the broken link, let’s hope it works. There
seems to be an improvement in charge rates but I think there is going to be a
big investigation over the winter. Then the news about the peak Forest was they
had found the leak at 8pm the night before, done a temporary repair and boats
were to be allowed through over limited hours next week with permanent repair
work being done outside these hours.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">So we bought all the
food for our visitors and enjoyed a day of Olympics.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Saturday 4<sup>th</sup></span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> a bright day with slight showers. Lovely fish shop in
Sale sold Carol a tasty dressed crab, I decided on the healthy option of a
pizza from Aldi! After coffee in Nero we were away at 11.30, only to be stopped
by the Police as we approached Old Trafford. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqLP7j4rSHfSU2S4Ys5PoiVsdNF1pYLdhXF3-tIbwhDIHCvsdr6ZeZzXVefuIyKaF6slREVe1de_mcSUUjQWiRF_x53UkeuWoXG7BnD0I3hid5E-F-4OtFcpi-OHLC_MaAanZXzVrCcoY/s1600/Police+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqLP7j4rSHfSU2S4Ys5PoiVsdNF1pYLdhXF3-tIbwhDIHCvsdr6ZeZzXVefuIyKaF6slREVe1de_mcSUUjQWiRF_x53UkeuWoXG7BnD0I3hid5E-F-4OtFcpi-OHLC_MaAanZXzVrCcoY/s400/Police+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carol charms her bobby</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">An Olympic football match meant we
had to be checked out for bombs. The search officers plus the man on point were
all great, and the other officer point man on the city side will have plenty of
pictures of Lily to look at! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">At Castlefields we
filled and emptied and then moved to the bottom of the Rochdale 9, a flight
many have told us is hard work.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCkux_nAwY3Y6Cx-oFvo4z6qKH4ut8skJY8-VNwBe6AsaeaEhnq-nuuArWPTBMdIfalu9LMnPlUR98ngHiFYsNJ7r4pcopv_ptP_AGGvS59qmrGvIfJy8BdlkzVnvayYiuaXNKpxy2oIM/s1600/rubbish+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCkux_nAwY3Y6Cx-oFvo4z6qKH4ut8skJY8-VNwBe6AsaeaEhnq-nuuArWPTBMdIfalu9LMnPlUR98ngHiFYsNJ7r4pcopv_ptP_AGGvS59qmrGvIfJy8BdlkzVnvayYiuaXNKpxy2oIM/s400/rubbish+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rubbish at Sanitary station smelled to high heaven. Why would <br />
you add yours to it when it is obviously not being cleared?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlyl3JBshSyHEDlmorPkF7sUmDdC0067ADjW_1KOmlKLIf2MK8DDhWJojH_zDh_yN2V6KBju4fnF5hN1l7Q1CKn3iOZue-YeEegtW5LoD8_UTaZRxR3lqgZ14TH-XIjA-MOvRn-TUpNVg/s1600/Rubbish+bin+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlyl3JBshSyHEDlmorPkF7sUmDdC0067ADjW_1KOmlKLIf2MK8DDhWJojH_zDh_yN2V6KBju4fnF5hN1l7Q1CKn3iOZue-YeEegtW5LoD8_UTaZRxR3lqgZ14TH-XIjA-MOvRn-TUpNVg/s400/Rubbish+bin+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just round the corner opposite the YHA is this<br />
City Council rubbish and recycling facility!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Well the first lock took 20 minutes to fill it,
I didn’t time how long it took to empty it first. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsFNQGh09FU9l7Z6AwiJ5OSh0zipMapjwTPfMplODLgX1J8EHMOs7Jl6dMkyYstKZPpg6RrEtTxcMJAaImnbhD6OvoifUR4j0M_NH8QV1Xgz7txWSMQiPLF2MLczU85StmXy_hBIJ_-b8/s1600/Burger+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsFNQGh09FU9l7Z6AwiJ5OSh0zipMapjwTPfMplODLgX1J8EHMOs7Jl6dMkyYstKZPpg6RrEtTxcMJAaImnbhD6OvoifUR4j0M_NH8QV1Xgz7txWSMQiPLF2MLczU85StmXy_hBIJ_-b8/s400/Burger+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Burgers etc being cooked canalside, <br />
Carol tried to blag one but failed.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTczcpKaQ8PNld6vkN2JNq6o37TZlmjwX-VoP3fSuYLtTm0F9V6A3hLb76q9OSUKe2qdy0BNNH8hNF8CFt5jwL5LdYNDQqPXbtrbo6E8MwS0J9x8VsUfYnhTuFRcuWAcf-6qz5UhsShrA/s1600/Lock+helpers+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTczcpKaQ8PNld6vkN2JNq6o37TZlmjwX-VoP3fSuYLtTm0F9V6A3hLb76q9OSUKe2qdy0BNNH8hNF8CFt5jwL5LdYNDQqPXbtrbo6E8MwS0J9x8VsUfYnhTuFRcuWAcf-6qz5UhsShrA/s400/Lock+helpers+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fortunately there were helpers around to get the gates open</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Several locks had water
cascading over the top gates but they generally were not too bad, except that
many of the ground paddles had no catch piece to hold the paddle post up. I
found an empty soft drink bottle and used this to jam it up so I could open the
paddle on the other side.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwjnfLs7WeSEIu30RLXBKubsuyoLd4nLh-b8uEkImDyr4lul1KNJ54tU5ex4vK1M7768Bx8vSKPgSa_prA2z99MQJgpyC7CAXn0QkZ8UaWPk5PirazQtKfoXNsAPsiFAxYVwqnno0EPd4/s1600/Windlass+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwjnfLs7WeSEIu30RLXBKubsuyoLd4nLh-b8uEkImDyr4lul1KNJ54tU5ex4vK1M7768Bx8vSKPgSa_prA2z99MQJgpyC7CAXn0QkZ8UaWPk5PirazQtKfoXNsAPsiFAxYVwqnno0EPd4/s320/Windlass+blog.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj91SRjaOP2AL5ql_ddtD_poEl7k1al6cRg9YiulCpo1iIFdpNVHClYnHrhVkGyhs1QdWy4igjhxUH78s_C1ezZQNksqFBu4FnVeA6J9_6woZTwQzvfkLdI73IVnUfvSBEKQDrShyphenhyphenDorHo/s1600/Jammed+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj91SRjaOP2AL5ql_ddtD_poEl7k1al6cRg9YiulCpo1iIFdpNVHClYnHrhVkGyhs1QdWy4igjhxUH78s_C1ezZQNksqFBu4FnVeA6J9_6woZTwQzvfkLdI73IVnUfvSBEKQDrShyphenhyphenDorHo/s320/Jammed+blog.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Then we reached the
lock after Oxford Road, lock 88 and the bywash was coming out of a 12” pipe at
a torrent, water was 2” over the top gates. I got the bottom gate open and the
bywash stuck Lily to the wall, so hard so Carol needed full power to get into
the lock. Once in I was standing in 2” of water as I lifted to ground paddles
but at least the lock filled quickly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">As Lily rose up the
next lock we saw the reason for the water torrents as two boats were coming
towards us, then we met another one at the next lock, so that explained it all!
We cleared the last two locks and turned right into the Ashton, intending to stop
for the night in the basin close by where there was supposed to be no access to
the outside, except two youths walked across the parapet of the next bridge and
dropped down into the moorings. Accordingly we moved on about 100yards further
to moor at Paradise Basin with two other boats, one of which looks to be a
permanent moorer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Then I opened my
emails to find that “due to a safety issue Marple Locks are closed ufn!!!!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Sunday 5<sup>th</sup> August</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> we turned around and descended to Castlefields, quite
an easy trip with several locks set for us, passing 3 boats as we went. Several
locks had water flowing over the gates and quite a number have no catch pieces for pawls
on the paddle racks for the ground paddles, I improvised. A pleasant day and we
enjoyed the Olympics. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmPkHDW7_wYNKVq_wLwsZyhXdwILxFUVavU1u6N3VIGvR7CZmOuaXtZ6zPAxIRvLb3IwZQq6nRe8JSU0oDIXXA5CLY8DUPw1Gl-FGLfaQ3FT9UgySvXV45JpKKbkJnAMjeZUj-uxvQUmo/s1600/Roch+Bott+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmPkHDW7_wYNKVq_wLwsZyhXdwILxFUVavU1u6N3VIGvR7CZmOuaXtZ6zPAxIRvLb3IwZQq6nRe8JSU0oDIXXA5CLY8DUPw1Gl-FGLfaQ3FT9UgySvXV45JpKKbkJnAMjeZUj-uxvQUmo/s400/Roch+Bott+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaving Rochdale bottom lock, water cascades over the top gates.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>Ianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00795967384515672158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810784201093183607.post-91778124799966035302012-08-01T18:30:00.001+00:002012-08-01T18:35:00.529+00:00A week away from Lily<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Monday July 25th</b> Forgot to mention last week Ann & David whom we travelled the MSC with came for tea last Sunday. We were supposed to give them a call before we left the dock in Liverpool but couldn't find where I had put the piece of paper with their phone number on it. Carol found I had put it in her glasses case....I don't think! It was good to see them again, especially as it meant extra cakes!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On Monday we caught our first train from Burscough Bridge Station at 9.36 and because of our route via Leicester didn't arrive near Chichester until 16.30 after using 3 trains and the tube. They worked pretty well to time though we only caught one train by the skin of our teeth, a wait of 11 minutes disappeared. When at St Pancras we saw a hoard of photographers waiting at the Eurostar exit, Carol enquired who was coming, but we were not interested enough to wait for to see the Brazilian Basketball team.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We had a lovely few days with Clare & girls including 2 days when we saw not a cloud & spent one of them on the beach building sand & shingle castles plus splashing in the sea.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We returned home via Leicester where friend Jenny put us up, returning our hospitality of 2 weeks before. Our trip was delayed by shuffling the train through different tracks, including tube lines, with us passing right alongside The Shard which was pretty impressive. On the Saturday we all went to our friend Stan's 70th party. He had hoped for a dry day and got it but it was far from warm, but we had a great time catching up with friends again. We had of course watched the Olympic opening ceremony the night before and from then on it has been hard work watching, having the Hungarian GP to watch too. When we got home I found we could retune our satellite dish to pick up 24 Olympic channels...but we only have 2 eyes each!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lily was fine when we got home, but our return trip was upset by trains breaking down in Sheffield leading to a much delayed train that was full to bursting. Friend Ralf had watered Carol's garden and all looked fine. No pics, they are all of family & friends.</span>Ianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00795967384515672158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810784201093183607.post-36961906632639299392012-07-23T18:05:00.000+00:002012-07-23T18:05:30.052+00:00Burscough, trips to Southport etc<br />
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We stayed
moored at Burscough Bridge for the week & used public transport to do
things, trying to avoid the weather.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMGPs219KLC0MC5DJBcfMlA9Bw7nZ6BaHIAdcHcDrZ0comK5HofiBWM1OBK1Te9il1pyBnXZpWgY1KKW6gzgJUZ2yjPD1JL9Zj5Bg8PayGgZylnGYb4RTTwmH8ZPwgyevIlvV0Me4_Azc/s1600/bowthruster+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMGPs219KLC0MC5DJBcfMlA9Bw7nZ6BaHIAdcHcDrZ0comK5HofiBWM1OBK1Te9il1pyBnXZpWgY1KKW6gzgJUZ2yjPD1JL9Zj5Bg8PayGgZylnGYb4RTTwmH8ZPwgyevIlvV0Me4_Azc/s400/bowthruster+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We use our bow thruster to let us reverse to/from water points. When<br />we tried this in Burscough it didn't work well at all, fortunately using the<br />boat hook I was able to pull this canvas bag out!! It works fine again now.</span></td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On an iffy
day of weather on Monday we took the train to Southport. Carol decided we
urgently needed some new pillows & Dunelm sells them in the town. Before we
caught the train I managed to perplex the ticket staff when organising our
tickets for next week going to Chichester & then back with a stop off in
Leicester for a friend’s 70<sup>th</sup>. We have a problem with trains from
here as Carol can’t abide using Virgin Pendolino trains as they make her feel
queezy. I spent ages on-line fiddling routes to avoid them whilst getting the
best deal but even so I occupied one of the station staff for well over half an
hour, but even so we managed to get one ticket going the wrong way on the wrong
day!!! All sorted and 9.37 Monday we are away.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In
Southport it was wet at times, poor visibility, but going to the cinema using
free tickets kept us in the dry! Ice Age 4 was hardly brain stretching but was
enjoyable.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My cousin who hosts our stored clothes called in for a bite of lunch and a natter on Tuesday as she drove to stay with a friend at Lytham St Annes to watch the Open Championship. </span>
</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRuCPBJatLT-SLK6Wk8VxRduTmFZGxH7It5_DclJDpZCMLUEUSO6HyatcW3ttQJ_-Le9borZRWQNI76Kbu8mpkCpGGeMIowXinUBj3xolrcWE0bWaxeCfjxmPBI2aduck9aSiG2NVvuJA/s1600/Gormleys+sea+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRuCPBJatLT-SLK6Wk8VxRduTmFZGxH7It5_DclJDpZCMLUEUSO6HyatcW3ttQJ_-Le9borZRWQNI76Kbu8mpkCpGGeMIowXinUBj3xolrcWE0bWaxeCfjxmPBI2aduck9aSiG2NVvuJA/s400/Gormleys+sea+blog.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A "Gormley" looks towards Ireland as another <br />appears out of the waves.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0bQ7CAF_DMb9VVV08GVITZ0Z6OiwTEketWNF7BRtlLU3rwrj3CBNZNS6bulFSKYEYZXDIAP5YR0vW8wS1I7jPDZ-H4GZr2z6yxfFw_R5WGRAIAuRpDg3ItKwAu7LBWKK5xv_5j8zS4L4/s1600/Gormley+Lpool+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0bQ7CAF_DMb9VVV08GVITZ0Z6OiwTEketWNF7BRtlLU3rwrj3CBNZNS6bulFSKYEYZXDIAP5YR0vW8wS1I7jPDZ-H4GZr2z6yxfFw_R5WGRAIAuRpDg3ItKwAu7LBWKK5xv_5j8zS4L4/s400/Gormley+Lpool+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Telephoto foreshortens the distance to Liverpool.<br />It was about 13.30 by the Liver Building clock</span></td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On Wednesday we decided to get to see Gormley’s men in the sea at
Crosby but training it to Soputhport & then to Crosby station. As we
wandered to the sea it decided to drizzle a bit more and then the sun joined
the wind in welcoming us to the beach. We loved seeing them, especially with
sun shining on them, though the wind added sand to our sandwich! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAYezKBSr1VUOZ4VkR9KkFKM1mFLkiTedl6Ma1bcN73ZogVEXLcvVbVv-czYYjaXwVHHyYy-G0FBP_4YoAb_vPSWKM1IUNP2dIkuigPrrqvuZBQqbOgc8WBCLIchuYr_W93RI9On4CEkI/s1600/Modesty+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAYezKBSr1VUOZ4VkR9KkFKM1mFLkiTedl6Ma1bcN73ZogVEXLcvVbVv-czYYjaXwVHHyYy-G0FBP_4YoAb_vPSWKM1IUNP2dIkuigPrrqvuZBQqbOgc8WBCLIchuYr_W93RI9On4CEkI/s400/Modesty+blog.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Carol thought at first modesty was required</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjzw5JeQT4OHbxE8asOx6ns0y3dha4cPBpAwddSXUzVblZrLEXJda8J6QJVaJe4KG6QFvJYdJnNDZClSe3tQkaDhls7WYD7ub91crewQHedtDXooaLHcrimhm_j4hW-kufdpq2apAlFxo/s1600/Jelly+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjzw5JeQT4OHbxE8asOx6ns0y3dha4cPBpAwddSXUzVblZrLEXJda8J6QJVaJe4KG6QFvJYdJnNDZClSe3tQkaDhls7WYD7ub91crewQHedtDXooaLHcrimhm_j4hW-kufdpq2apAlFxo/s400/Jelly+blog.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There were many large jellyfish left by the tide.</span></td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Back to
Southport and using Orange Wednesdays we saw the new Spider Man film, again
enjoyable. It would have been more sensible to have gone to Crosby Beach from
Liverpool, bear this in mind if you want to see these statues. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6opzALD0OJuKQiFPkSKUARc2kNIEgEVnjQfik34JeTFZrihO-ruB1pGztAp4Frv0xoUkfcIJsE9AkINpQQd5t3UnP7NneCIU8YmtWa4dIcR2fcjvzkmHHU6IokrLNiVMuW2xyjWyXTIQ/s1600/Hug+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6opzALD0OJuKQiFPkSKUARc2kNIEgEVnjQfik34JeTFZrihO-ruB1pGztAp4Frv0xoUkfcIJsE9AkINpQQd5t3UnP7NneCIU8YmtWa4dIcR2fcjvzkmHHU6IokrLNiVMuW2xyjWyXTIQ/s400/Hug+blog.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Eventually Carol though he needed a hug!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When we
came out of the cinema, having enjoyed the film, we were able to see Blackpool,
but were not able to see the sea at Southport, it goes out a very long way.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhug8NHHfbsOi0ERd5A2NExboBsp6-gqjfaSrITCS8fpYtSH9P3387hy6ufyXC9fzQxp4sKwCd2TDeMH6DmRVbdHxRcxlX1W70p3S0fpdg4TcPpT5-l2vY31-agHY_lghwTKXPJp701Nc8/s1600/Blackpool+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhug8NHHfbsOi0ERd5A2NExboBsp6-gqjfaSrITCS8fpYtSH9P3387hy6ufyXC9fzQxp4sKwCd2TDeMH6DmRVbdHxRcxlX1W70p3S0fpdg4TcPpT5-l2vY31-agHY_lghwTKXPJp701Nc8/s400/Blackpool+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Blackpool viewed from Southport Pier</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghg-QxfKWL0BcJ5r4I37gD2ajK61tS6q3mRSYSXoomFP-9zN-Tz_W1eTlHAoZHLXSsseOrXirOnEJe_qVR6o5iL5H7AJu6bnghBWqHVvJDPa3cWHC4sKfNl7eSoPpZxTdVQY5vow_qd4c/s1600/Southport+sea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghg-QxfKWL0BcJ5r4I37gD2ajK61tS6q3mRSYSXoomFP-9zN-Tz_W1eTlHAoZHLXSsseOrXirOnEJe_qVR6o5iL5H7AJu6bnghBWqHVvJDPa3cWHC4sKfNl7eSoPpZxTdVQY5vow_qd4c/s400/Southport+sea.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The sea is somewhere out there but I wasn't prepared to walk to it.</span></td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thursday
was a gardening day for Carol as Carol rearranged her troughs whilst I scrubbed
the roof clean with no obstacles on it. It didn’t seem to be hard work but my
back has been giving me gyp ever since!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWVBGfars-B-712FfiLc9opSsInAsPG1ALX7a660eeWnP1Ge3f3KDG1DDEQoDiGxZ7PgscBa9zHMrLz1TgvZBYKiuKFD3BPLbKzOGY70Xc1UdWClVeZiNvnYiUmNDFTV4c6vOQg3fE9HI/s1600/Tomato+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWVBGfars-B-712FfiLc9opSsInAsPG1ALX7a660eeWnP1Ge3f3KDG1DDEQoDiGxZ7PgscBa9zHMrLz1TgvZBYKiuKFD3BPLbKzOGY70Xc1UdWClVeZiNvnYiUmNDFTV4c6vOQg3fE9HI/s400/Tomato+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The toms are growing well but in other <br />years we have already been picking them</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbHR3PF03b7EiCmpp29OVNDmoVPFP1xXjqWBxdpDXWZxCqlliJYWTGxWI1_XNuXyFEAx5sbQa1i5Ba1vc-Vxgb-TAzes-M5mLe0qyqt3OT6nQannA6BZgQvWFpyYBR_1JFr0IRhH8nPyI/s1600/Chille+1+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbHR3PF03b7EiCmpp29OVNDmoVPFP1xXjqWBxdpDXWZxCqlliJYWTGxWI1_XNuXyFEAx5sbQa1i5Ba1vc-Vxgb-TAzes-M5mLe0qyqt3OT6nQannA6BZgQvWFpyYBR_1JFr0IRhH8nPyI/s400/Chille+1+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The chilli looks healthy now but no fruit to be seen</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7e53d-hL3THmTPQwHIR7nJKngtzYg4EgAg7BUy7zsnS3UDbC7FVUN21i8Ry2jECjkFCB6elQtNGDR9Bgws1l0y2ZWGRCrsSxDLUHBFuOqhkkYFhSSHJMU1p0p8sCtWSMLfj-lin1OexM/s1600/New+flowers+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7e53d-hL3THmTPQwHIR7nJKngtzYg4EgAg7BUy7zsnS3UDbC7FVUN21i8Ry2jECjkFCB6elQtNGDR9Bgws1l0y2ZWGRCrsSxDLUHBFuOqhkkYFhSSHJMU1p0p8sCtWSMLfj-lin1OexM/s400/New+flowers+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The replanted planters, the pansies had shot their bolt</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On Friday
we took the train again, but this time to Wilmslow as we had been invited to
supper with friends with an overnight stay. Again working out the most cost
effective route took some doing, whilst avoiding tilting trains. We had a
lovely time, meeting someone who joined the supper that I hadn’t seen for
nearly 30 years, but who is now also a boater, & who is married to a chap
for whom someone we know from Debdale used to work. Amazing these coincidences.</span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHoyVkx1UEehyphenhyphen_PWK0Wh0M9VlYqRUGUxxtffenLo_rJmQGsmXhIi4oV6_gEs-tupVhnDHluqrpKS-v4RGG2FK7dTurnlTnm_G6sVhOcaTuNbFCTAWQsG7YfZswziJmSoTwRF1dX8eicjI/s1600/Fuel+flat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHoyVkx1UEehyphenhyphen_PWK0Wh0M9VlYqRUGUxxtffenLo_rJmQGsmXhIi4oV6_gEs-tupVhnDHluqrpKS-v4RGG2FK7dTurnlTnm_G6sVhOcaTuNbFCTAWQsG7YfZswziJmSoTwRF1dX8eicjI/s400/Fuel+flat.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This old barge delivers fuels to boats in the Burscough area</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>Ianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00795967384515672158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810784201093183607.post-74903971804470914062012-07-15T15:10:00.001+00:002012-07-15T15:10:43.868+00:00Second week in Liverpool<br />
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Monday 9<sup>th</sup> July</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> really quite a pleasant day and our friend Jenny from
Kirby Muxloe joined us about mid day, our friend Beryl brought her as she is
visiting some old friends from her school-days up here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPpmd7CIQwWHJjuC0WtfSN5jqdZ3zW-icqe3dqash6gISC7zh4mDRJAA-Y5aY_HxILWahu4WG3FKbcVgASd1y4MZPQ3DrvIEAYiSE3WwG7YwVRxZfemk7MLE1aJpDysPXXg8QghnSC4aY/s1600/Superlambanana+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPpmd7CIQwWHJjuC0WtfSN5jqdZ3zW-icqe3dqash6gISC7zh4mDRJAA-Y5aY_HxILWahu4WG3FKbcVgASd1y4MZPQ3DrvIEAYiSE3WwG7YwVRxZfemk7MLE1aJpDysPXXg8QghnSC4aY/s400/Superlambanana+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jenny, Beryl & Carol and a Superlambanana. These things are all around the <br />
city having been first created in 2008 when Liverpool was Capital of Culture.</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In the afternoon we
went to Tate Liverpool and viewed their Turner, Monet & Twombly
exhibition. The curator considered that these three artists, one each from the
18<sup>th</sup>, 19<sup>th</sup> and 20<sup>th</sup> century, had contributed
similarly to the way art changed in their time. Our initial impressions of
Twombly were not too good but a chat with one of the attendants helped explain
things and we were better able to appreciate his work. The other two.....well
we love their work and it was great to be able to see their work together and
in galleries that were not thronged with people. It cost us £9 each, not cheap
but worth it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPQA1sKux6BTA-w1c9xshiQRyUL5SbkUG8m0IMC4RCcagD_Pz49imTmU4kEBLZrq9lNptO6pTweAqi8KhP6K63I_8Xbg_qoXOG4xWIImoYqAnsMjKgm85ayeVI4pkGg9ji5XLjZMxdG1U/s1600/Wheel+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPQA1sKux6BTA-w1c9xshiQRyUL5SbkUG8m0IMC4RCcagD_Pz49imTmU4kEBLZrq9lNptO6pTweAqi8KhP6K63I_8Xbg_qoXOG4xWIImoYqAnsMjKgm85ayeVI4pkGg9ji5XLjZMxdG1U/s400/Wheel+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The wheel seems to have additional lights this year</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvFcIHwjXP4N-9iS9zCHZlCPo-p-_ztpEQt09El5HMiJQ1d3DnM6tFLLl-KP7ZtHjpx-ge_957j9wV8CU5QAjcTgz-4265vsAvDnhA0IksyUQ8PmOrG5jXchc9XZW8ciJLEGh0t5QwCik/s1600/Sunset+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvFcIHwjXP4N-9iS9zCHZlCPo-p-_ztpEQt09El5HMiJQ1d3DnM6tFLLl-KP7ZtHjpx-ge_957j9wV8CU5QAjcTgz-4265vsAvDnhA0IksyUQ8PmOrG5jXchc9XZW8ciJLEGh0t5QwCik/s400/Sunset+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lovely sky over The Pumphouse. BW logo on canopy yet to be changed.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Tuesday 10th</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> we took Jenny to get a coffee at Nero before we caught the red tour bus
for a tour of the city. We usually take these as they give extra snippets of
info and offer a 24 hour hop on/hop off service. We hopped off at Paddy’s
Wigwam first and enjoyed our visit to the RC cathedral. We had intended to
visit the crypt but there were gowns and caps everywhere as it was a degree
day, as it was all week, and it was closed to visitors. This basement level is
apparently enormous, designed by Lutyens before 1933 it was to be the second
largest church in the world in a classical design, but money ran out and
construction, started in 1933, stopped when the crypt had been completed in
1958. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhexnz9ghWAxrqNSWDGUd-VaIq8DH2q-SO_gOO7H0wtmxkpmXGRcziAxZxD8Pcff-oxsOlBYPHbYFQUuajDJFERH1DZfQiliJrZJG7IlcJ3c8THlgabi0jiRqsgHjLSOBDmYJabFgP11LE/s1600/Stations+of+cross+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhexnz9ghWAxrqNSWDGUd-VaIq8DH2q-SO_gOO7H0wtmxkpmXGRcziAxZxD8Pcff-oxsOlBYPHbYFQUuajDJFERH1DZfQiliJrZJG7IlcJ3c8THlgabi0jiRqsgHjLSOBDmYJabFgP11LE/s400/Stations+of+cross+blog.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wonderful Stations of Cross around the Cathedral.</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Construction of the
modern design by Sir Frederick Gibberd was started in 1962 and finished in
under 5 years, using modern materials and methods. Sadly soon after completion
flaws in the construction started to show up. The architect was sued, but the
eventual repairs cost such an astronomical sum that had the final cost been
known before they were started, the building would have been demolished. This
would have been a shame as it is a wonderful building.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCsC6Eare9nP4JIVJ88kZVSrB5MQSQ1CLkNhg1hKP4iUc46i9ORxTfkSMJz5BGx2bV6XKWewSec2WIg5kuPf0CESpiOsBros_248VSCExc69PzkrdyrwnjOirG2SKTssmZJ6oUgu-VedU/s1600/Cathedral+model+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCsC6Eare9nP4JIVJ88kZVSrB5MQSQ1CLkNhg1hKP4iUc46i9ORxTfkSMJz5BGx2bV6XKWewSec2WIg5kuPf0CESpiOsBros_248VSCExc69PzkrdyrwnjOirG2SKTssmZJ6oUgu-VedU/s400/Cathedral+model+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Original design for RC cathedral</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We had hoped to visit
the Anglican Cathedral too, but it was occupied by graduating students. A shame
for Jenny, she was not able to see it during her stay.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAU5KNzyoTF3a6vDD7flMrffsRSTYGDmK4XaBeYlyjsfPLBSAly41_umQG1MQL00yb_Ots-FUadBEl0PX6uFekaClz1e9gaz4vVIsdKyBTyD8RfEbrmos7lDuoRPyYOVldBIDssQNU2f0/s1600/Chevasse+Park+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAU5KNzyoTF3a6vDD7flMrffsRSTYGDmK4XaBeYlyjsfPLBSAly41_umQG1MQL00yb_Ots-FUadBEl0PX6uFekaClz1e9gaz4vVIsdKyBTyD8RfEbrmos7lDuoRPyYOVldBIDssQNU2f0/s400/Chevasse+Park+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This park is 2 floors up on top of a car park, Albert Dock behind</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij1yDBd16y6OW2A_MBgdE6ua4ezeqY4JllO3cWbJMDjmbnhHQvp8IxTt6LjBKYgtGDble9xe57vKyjsHmtPNVqu4xztkOqvO-sYX7Sseg6mhb5RMBLgI_lmZbrXXhiJxazmE-WKWxGPss/s1600/5+years+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij1yDBd16y6OW2A_MBgdE6ua4ezeqY4JllO3cWbJMDjmbnhHQvp8IxTt6LjBKYgtGDble9xe57vKyjsHmtPNVqu4xztkOqvO-sYX7Sseg6mhb5RMBLgI_lmZbrXXhiJxazmE-WKWxGPss/s400/5+years+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fizz to celebrate 5 years to the day since we moved afloat, and sill loving it!!</td></tr>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Wednesday </span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">A lovely day, if breezy, and we took the extended
Mersey Ferry cruise and got some lovely views, shame we hadn’t had them on our
MSC cruise last week. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The wonderful waterfront</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9urDYgjsT3GiykQMJBzfTYYtFsc-o4fUdWhP2UPaW2nchdoLkrz6aqNM_VleU1K9kJYU4k2cnP3GmB0-rUYuwpOxUimhQaMKPgRTOqwL0GO_xpSErlL5Xf54A5e_IdslxARp4lFRUQ5Y/s1600/Liver+Clock+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9urDYgjsT3GiykQMJBzfTYYtFsc-o4fUdWhP2UPaW2nchdoLkrz6aqNM_VleU1K9kJYU4k2cnP3GmB0-rUYuwpOxUimhQaMKPgRTOqwL0GO_xpSErlL5Xf54A5e_IdslxARp4lFRUQ5Y/s400/Liver+Clock+blog.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Liver Bird and what was the largest clock face in the country</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We then took one of the little yellow buses that do
various circular routes around the city centre to get to the Radio City tower,
whilst we could see the tower, finding the door into it was not easy. We were
greeted to wonderful views of the whole Mersey estuary, over to Snowdon,
Llandudno, couldn’t quite see Blackpool tower, but generally had a great visit.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiiuEl9t4sKW88dnYCg9WOz5Lv4IwZAAWF0DA_le6P9fwaqiCXl3hyUKyhkokTnOtRmNcOi1x1sebv6XMI9aI7UCElnAFGq_Lv8ODWPq9MbtPRSskM6_JxjZhgTNqPaC9GidNPAQkUhoY/s1600/Cathedral+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiiuEl9t4sKW88dnYCg9WOz5Lv4IwZAAWF0DA_le6P9fwaqiCXl3hyUKyhkokTnOtRmNcOi1x1sebv6XMI9aI7UCElnAFGq_Lv8ODWPq9MbtPRSskM6_JxjZhgTNqPaC9GidNPAQkUhoY/s400/Cathedral+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One view from the tower</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Jenny said she fancied an ice cream as we got down and we went into
Wetherspoons and had a chocolate brownie Sunday with lashings of Belgian
chocolate sauce. Definitely not low calorie but scrummy! Carol took a yellow
bus home & Jenny & I walked, stopping for a bit of shopping. I had
ordered repeat prescription for us both, getting them sent to collect Poste
Restante at the Liverpool 1 post office. I had expected them her today, pills
running low, but no post.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTtcylm_mtoI7qS4_F0CaIgiZu49719TlQ29nIxiAn7ESWwwMiYKTjpFbswq5tAMUSZF2Hne6XAOeW3byd0pc4h7qN9u4A-x0G4GgmFm5dMAQ0Y6pjOUKUNh0KxZ1uh9EYn4N3_fw4bz8/s1600/piano+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTtcylm_mtoI7qS4_F0CaIgiZu49719TlQ29nIxiAn7ESWwwMiYKTjpFbswq5tAMUSZF2Hne6XAOeW3byd0pc4h7qN9u4A-x0G4GgmFm5dMAQ0Y6pjOUKUNh0KxZ1uh9EYn4N3_fw4bz8/s400/piano+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pianos have been placed all around the city for people to go and play.<br />
The glass opening in the paving is a view into the old dock we visited last week.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGCMRuOEDayEMK7VhKOeFgDCS_7jCDPqgwO_j_zuVCcaQrQgyyGX404exkzD9HsIDrL21axJ0UQ38lCpWRi3qBZvOtEQQaOfHsfc7OKVNB36ZtB4QcNiTmM2dqlGT9hM7AJsp47kxw-d0/s1600/Gates+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGCMRuOEDayEMK7VhKOeFgDCS_7jCDPqgwO_j_zuVCcaQrQgyyGX404exkzD9HsIDrL21axJ0UQ38lCpWRi3qBZvOtEQQaOfHsfc7OKVNB36ZtB4QcNiTmM2dqlGT9hM7AJsp47kxw-d0/s400/Gates+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These wonderful cast iron gates used to be to the Seamans Mission, were damaged<br />
in the war, removed to Avery (Scales makers) as they had bought the firm that made<br />
them where they were restored and returned to nearly their original position recently.<br />
The Golden Eagle on the white wall behind was where America stationed a person to<br />
support American sailors in Liverpool during the late 1800's.</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">With a guest aboard
Carol has been really letting go with her food, life is good!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Thursday 12th</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> and another lovely day and we are to meet Beryl around 11 as she is
picking us all up, taking us to her old school near the cathedrals. The
Anglican one was again closed to visitors, but we had a spook around the area before
enjoying lunch. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0FSPgM3sILmx83jPX2wqn8omUr5SoXgvDsaDu13DDGOa0AFR_iTlY8UEuIMxwJbZsh7Dyktcs_IZXf7Hb0um3ZyJCR30AVLZooeMZ64TsUVqhKnVmZ_OFG0NzIEwzPelyS3BfzYCbpd0/s1600/Liverpool+Institute+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0FSPgM3sILmx83jPX2wqn8omUr5SoXgvDsaDu13DDGOa0AFR_iTlY8UEuIMxwJbZsh7Dyktcs_IZXf7Hb0um3ZyJCR30AVLZooeMZ64TsUVqhKnVmZ_OFG0NzIEwzPelyS3BfzYCbpd0/s400/Liverpool+Institute+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Liverpool Institute was where Lennon & McCartney first met</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ8h75Xs_1D5p9bfoS1I9DfCDAcJEdFj50lI3TzEyEJ566zywzUJCnKvGY_Z7X2YFSgYdW2BHA2jWuUqXQ9WS2mktxy5ZP8nhXjny-U4F_jn1DWGCYGDPUlKEB_Ir5SjLKRkaRUcUByGA/s1600/Model+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ8h75Xs_1D5p9bfoS1I9DfCDAcJEdFj50lI3TzEyEJ566zywzUJCnKvGY_Z7X2YFSgYdW2BHA2jWuUqXQ9WS2mktxy5ZP8nhXjny-U4F_jn1DWGCYGDPUlKEB_Ir5SjLKRkaRUcUByGA/s400/Model+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This photo shoot was taking place near our lunch spot, the chap on right holding the parasol</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEIUkG2aXS0UsNlZ9qTvy9ZVSel9wsZlV5EiiKptXysYX25rfErI0rYLg7X08hkQABnxH7m26gUqRANKOahW22fggezLa8VbxhERt9LUkX3fWWdXPxbatsYYL-PFExIbmZaGOIAiAROxM/s1600/Philharmonic+pub+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEIUkG2aXS0UsNlZ9qTvy9ZVSel9wsZlV5EiiKptXysYX25rfErI0rYLg7X08hkQABnxH7m26gUqRANKOahW22fggezLa8VbxhERt9LUkX3fWWdXPxbatsYYL-PFExIbmZaGOIAiAROxM/s400/Philharmonic+pub+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Philharmonic Dining Rooms are fantastically ornate, visit them!</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">They left and we went by bus to see St Georges Hall which is a
magnificent building near Lime St station. The tour route takes you through the
cells and court room first before reaching the viewing gallery around the hall.
This was set out for a celebratory dinner for registrars, had it not have been,
we might have been able to go into the hall itself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC9I0oEnpBvJ3oaTvmqvuNLxMw0PQ4YO1g79nnjcwfVFIDrwdH5Mf2HqNmQuQL3JN4AZsaUr1tZjK2iUW5Z_dHBJszN4H35HqfWl4E8XWSue8AitkZiEpyIVkI_awgUkQW7Y0QiDGYEFE/s1600/St+Georges+Hall+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC9I0oEnpBvJ3oaTvmqvuNLxMw0PQ4YO1g79nnjcwfVFIDrwdH5Mf2HqNmQuQL3JN4AZsaUr1tZjK2iUW5Z_dHBJszN4H35HqfWl4E8XWSue8AitkZiEpyIVkI_awgUkQW7Y0QiDGYEFE/s320/St+Georges+Hall+blog.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">After this I went for
an initial visit to the new Museum of Liverpool. Very impressive, as was the
enormous cruise liner that had arrived on the morning tide at 5am and leaving
at 7pm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHoS82peHPKiv8bmB23mKlrM7id3riPw9gh9aWP3POiqUiwjKuFqZv9jaK5ntneQ-WtsJ9eR7aW_enq2ICA3puiW_t-2PlgKVuOR5Hl_I_T-NUZYfGTOMws9QjHkL8TP_XWFbcfBe5hJA/s1600/Cruise+liner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHoS82peHPKiv8bmB23mKlrM7id3riPw9gh9aWP3POiqUiwjKuFqZv9jaK5ntneQ-WtsJ9eR7aW_enq2ICA3puiW_t-2PlgKVuOR5Hl_I_T-NUZYfGTOMws9QjHkL8TP_XWFbcfBe5hJA/s400/Cruise+liner.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVJyElN3wYyez8Au2b73CMXjUumF-B9Z3gqEdwvgmOTJ3bPg5HprKwEdpBb8sgbg38fTYjxB_f05-Qa54w9_ECwVOGMkd3JLxEyc2mZ52aKQqGLCcFI3eDAlYIVcBZ2Ce2a9JCy5dd2ig/s1600/Lion+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVJyElN3wYyez8Au2b73CMXjUumF-B9Z3gqEdwvgmOTJ3bPg5HprKwEdpBb8sgbg38fTYjxB_f05-Qa54w9_ECwVOGMkd3JLxEyc2mZ52aKQqGLCcFI3eDAlYIVcBZ2Ce2a9JCy5dd2ig/s400/Lion+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lion was built in 1837, in 1859 was installed as a stationary engine in the docks,<br />
rescued in 1928. She was the Titfield Thunderbolt in the 1950's film and then used <br />
on historic rail days, but now has retired. The rail carriage above is on a reconstruction<br />
of the Liverpool Overhead Railway that was demolished in 1956, the carriage was<br />
built around 1895.</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">This was the day that the River and Canal Trust took over running the canals and rivers from British Waterways but there was no celebration of the event in Liverpool.</span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Friday 13<sup>th</sup></span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> and the weather was awful! Fine drizzle at first,
getting faster as we walked for a coffee, easing off as we returned to Lily,
but really opening up as I cruised her to the marina to top up with fuel at 75p
(!!!) and tip the loos and get a new gas bottle. I was soaked by the time we
got back to our mooring, stripping off jeans, socks and shoes to put on dry
ones. Carol’s back was giving her hell so after lunch I set off into town &
yes the post had arrived! I had cleared the prop first thing, there was a big
collection of bags around it, but I decided I wanted a better tool for cutting
things off and bought a pruning saw which I think should work.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">After this I paid
another visit to the Museum, I need another long visit to see all they have on
offer. I hadn't realised that in 1946 "people" were concerned about the number of Chinese seamen in Liverpool and many were effectively kidnapped off the street & sent back to China, leaving wives & families in their homes wondering where they were. With the formation of Red China, they were not able to leave again. I must read more about this.</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Whilst on things I didn't know, I was reading (in Nero drinking coffee) an obit for an ex RAF bomber pilot who was shot down over Paris. The Gestapo sent him and about 160 others to </span></span><span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;">Buchenwald</span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> and effectively tried to starve them to death. He knew that RAF crew should have been prisoners of the Luftwaffe and he doggedly tried to get messages to them. He eventually did so & senior officers came to the death camp and were horrified at the conditions and forced the release of RAF prisoners into their care for interment in a Stalagluft camp. Sorry, nothing to do with boating, but this blog isn't just that!!</span></span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It was still pouring and I got soaked during the 10 minute walk home.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>Saturday 14th</b> and time to leave Liverpool. I popped up to Tesco to get a paper & brought coffee back to the boat, believing we should set off to be at the first lock for 9, then someone said 9.30, others said 9, so we got there for just past 9 & waited till 9.30!! The weather was bright but breezy with odd moments of slight dampness in the air. Before casting off I thought I'd check below the deck & found when I had refitted the weed hatch it had not sealed perfectly & I baled out several gallons and reset the cover. I intend to get a better sealing membrane than Debdale sell when we get home, there is still a slight weep but a drip tray is catching it!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6kIESw4Xbs4rDVJIr7_h5JBXfbL4C5AgdUgYtfw-xkGrxSX6bbJJ5LDbPv8rvT6fFF9tADWtuZdd4U5zlVx4zm9WLufEz69lF8XvqwyZURNYmePnzelO7xu18RQItfFqshID2rjsSmuw/s1600/Museum+Liver+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6kIESw4Xbs4rDVJIr7_h5JBXfbL4C5AgdUgYtfw-xkGrxSX6bbJJ5LDbPv8rvT6fFF9tADWtuZdd4U5zlVx4zm9WLufEz69lF8XvqwyZURNYmePnzelO7xu18RQItfFqshID2rjsSmuw/s400/Museum+Liver+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaving Albert Dock, Museum left, Liver Building, clock & bird ahead</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghMI6M22F-nRStuImbA4VjeYhzz2PaEPbBQzAF95loiny5a99UaTgNIBgQAH0KmtiSMEb4XCskXoamyNCeliY5Z2QU-J8tGvpIUxy9ya4cJ8U-JHpDFOPb7kei9ZV2fM5EU1YAf4zYqXk/s1600/Canning+half+tide+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghMI6M22F-nRStuImbA4VjeYhzz2PaEPbBQzAF95loiny5a99UaTgNIBgQAH0KmtiSMEb4XCskXoamyNCeliY5Z2QU-J8tGvpIUxy9ya4cJ8U-JHpDFOPb7kei9ZV2fM5EU1YAf4zYqXk/s400/Canning+half+tide+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In Canning half tide lock, entry to Albert Dock through bridge on left</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We shared locks with Will o the Whisp with Margaret and Nick, but they had to stop as they came out of the top Stanley Lock to clear their prop & then stopped at Litherland services to fill with water...I told them off for not borrowing our long hose that would have allowed them to use the tap by our mooring in Liverpool.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvBSVMXij-1UDpyBSXZTW7nKvQaLopqMFb9sPZHFpi1s6eu37drZylE5zfLGGRt0WYx9A28JStatEtl3de84wLinKKhtAs3gIcJaDSDv23CPz0OsyXRuCQI_RNY7XqqEPBEm7P7M-V8Kw/s1600/Coot+nest+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvBSVMXij-1UDpyBSXZTW7nKvQaLopqMFb9sPZHFpi1s6eu37drZylE5zfLGGRt0WYx9A28JStatEtl3de84wLinKKhtAs3gIcJaDSDv23CPz0OsyXRuCQI_RNY7XqqEPBEm7P7M-V8Kw/s400/Coot+nest+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some birds chose funny nesting spots!</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkGQwiEjPT7_iM5_NJZ6c96C3VcbMvcYESoN0zXZzf3OtqYnOAYE15O7vFBNZHv3yCQ9iU2zgAXVdxed1v3G-STSUVKX7KKauQDTputfrjAKv2xNBZycTinUzLi30D4jGcJ4a8Mpif1LQ/s1600/Lift+bridge+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkGQwiEjPT7_iM5_NJZ6c96C3VcbMvcYESoN0zXZzf3OtqYnOAYE15O7vFBNZHv3yCQ9iU2zgAXVdxed1v3G-STSUVKX7KKauQDTputfrjAKv2xNBZycTinUzLi30D4jGcJ4a8Mpif1LQ/s400/Lift+bridge+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Margaret with Peter on roof(!!) approaching lift bridge<br />approaching bottom of Stanley Locks</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Five boats passed through the first swing bridge, but only 4 of us went through the final BW operated bridge, BW were waiting for the stragglers but didn't hold us back. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA-QHaDHswz5Zjg5RIIulOWgTuYV6eHBFTgiHrAyPF9Mmmmeoar4rjRNC5oWsLKHLYihrtwk994XK7DMq_8_8fxHjePepJ3QQvgkXEkSfH1xl0LRy34s9ORaRK1prgMeMhVPayUGOSSzo/s1600/skid+lid+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA-QHaDHswz5Zjg5RIIulOWgTuYV6eHBFTgiHrAyPF9Mmmmeoar4rjRNC5oWsLKHLYihrtwk994XK7DMq_8_8fxHjePepJ3QQvgkXEkSfH1xl0LRy34s9ORaRK1prgMeMhVPayUGOSSzo/s400/skid+lid+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Approaching last controlled bridge we are alongside Aintree Racecourse. There was motorbike racing going on as we passed, we hope there was no head in this helmet!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgR8L3fCVZr0xccbdG7wkQWtRaolD4_b2WP6xuDbFLmLzEUSS-oZtttYyEinsE_WxxU5tC60MgrQIRJloD4oTWtgFDHEr7LPSHgK5y8Xhjb2ZbHikDYR2WvaOgjZxKfhsAtr5baIHn8gg/s1600/Beekeeper+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgR8L3fCVZr0xccbdG7wkQWtRaolD4_b2WP6xuDbFLmLzEUSS-oZtttYyEinsE_WxxU5tC60MgrQIRJloD4oTWtgFDHEr7LPSHgK5y8Xhjb2ZbHikDYR2WvaOgjZxKfhsAtr5baIHn8gg/s400/Beekeeper+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We have never seen a beekeeper at work live before. He said the <br />weather had been too cold for any honey to have been produced yet.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We passed out of the controlled area at 2.30 and the four of us cruised on through four more swing bridges before the other three stopped, we carried on with a single hander we met on our way through the swing bridges and stopped just past br 22, Ship bridge at 5.15. A lovely spot, bright evening but as it had been all day, with a cold wind. 17 miles, 6 locks & 8 swing bridges.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Sunday 15th</b> another bright breezy day with a cold wind, it reminded me more of a cool Spring day, not mid Summer!! Not far today just 2 swing bridges, the first of which ,New Lane, is BW controlled as it keeps jamming. If you are coming this way, make sure you get Waterscape (or its CRT successor) on-line up-dates. We collected 2 incredibly slow boats to follow, and also passed a long line of match fishermen, but by 11.30 we had tied up where we spent 5 weeks last year and were in <a href="http://www.infusionscoffee.co.uk/">infusions coffee</a> with the papers, Carol couldn't wait to get back to the friendly staff there. 6 miles 2 swing bridges.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>Ianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00795967384515672158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810784201093183607.post-17736838405637922962012-07-08T21:16:00.002+00:002012-07-08T21:22:07.174+00:00First week in Liverpool<br />
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Monday 2<sup>nd</sup> July</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> We returned to Liverpool Lime Street with London
Midland getting back to Lily around 2pm. I quickly checked the meter for
electricity & was relieved to find we were still powered up and in credit,
in fact with enough to last us till we have to move moorings. This is one of
the big puzzles here in Salthouse Dock, we were told by Wigan office BW that
the moorings in Liverpool were very popular this year and basically fully
booked. We had one mooring until July 8<sup>th</sup> then we had to move to
another.....but I counted around 20 boats moored up and about 25 free moorings,
plus other moorings on the opposite side. Very strange, I will be
investigating.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoIz3RDMZTNKos8USf92htu0UZrLWU1PbWMhFMSaTAfxQ7aSe42mHfeOuIuNvPDFl8TdbaA23rA8YP_a8ttlTHPfeMKYdcygv_X-4MEafH-K1H4yL_v-KrFxlT5DIMDI5xwexXD0HQURw/s1600/Splash+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoIz3RDMZTNKos8USf92htu0UZrLWU1PbWMhFMSaTAfxQ7aSe42mHfeOuIuNvPDFl8TdbaA23rA8YP_a8ttlTHPfeMKYdcygv_X-4MEafH-K1H4yL_v-KrFxlT5DIMDI5xwexXD0HQURw/s400/Splash+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All the girls scream just now!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDCLPiwRvupEVRbtoDm3yoYDPsreR459r7A8bYBh__QadE_4vUaBszp3gKWyw_mzbk-tJ3J6a-mY-k8h2BYC7FJ-OVKxvWr44aekly6kPY50g76eZxp6BIvlKyYXNXgPq3WycI1UoKYHI/s1600/wake+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDCLPiwRvupEVRbtoDm3yoYDPsreR459r7A8bYBh__QadE_4vUaBszp3gKWyw_mzbk-tJ3J6a-mY-k8h2BYC7FJ-OVKxvWr44aekly6kPY50g76eZxp6BIvlKyYXNXgPq3WycI1UoKYHI/s400/wake+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And this wake rocks our boat</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Our mooring for the
first week is no S2. If you are coming to Liverpool I recommend you avoid
moorings S1 to about S10 as these “Duck” trips splash about every 20 minutes at
peak times, and these first moorings are broadside on to the wake created, and
part of the trip is to make a big splash.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Tuesday 3<sup>rd</sup></span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> was a day of very mixed weather. We had been
recommended to make a guided tour of the old No1 Dock in Liverpool. These are
currently every Tuesday at 10.30, 12.30 and 2.30 and we were on the 2.3 trip,
fully booked, and with the Braunstone 3, ie the 5 people that moor together at
Braunstone & cruise together. This is a really wonderful visit, free,
booked at and starting at the Maritime Museum. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh53vsctwg5vM-CMJAVRVqdcn_eTbYxo53-Nz6__2Ai3CxsZ_Zm-7Tp5qx6devVZS-BGp_A58Neu6U5ixoyvmrcN7n_9HL7-pOdGFzUa7VSnGJCmWCL6ptX8L02QtzdE_t5U6zgIW6ZIlc/s1600/Braunston+boats+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh53vsctwg5vM-CMJAVRVqdcn_eTbYxo53-Nz6__2Ai3CxsZ_Zm-7Tp5qx6devVZS-BGp_A58Neu6U5ixoyvmrcN7n_9HL7-pOdGFzUa7VSnGJCmWCL6ptX8L02QtzdE_t5U6zgIW6ZIlc/s400/Braunston+boats+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Braunston boats</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The dock is under the
walkway alongside the Hilton and underneath it too, the developers protected
all the archaeology of the area before they built “Liverpool One”. We strongly
recommend a visit if you can.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKnO5WppCc3kNHnQv_MIOVbRw_A60m68dmPWq7JBfThzNqaQUGVTogV_0UexF117TbkAAREKGlLw8ZnNGuhQRdr3PAPn7-7U2Z_JwcWqbBQY-FEgOvwlZgkCEdloHS_B1ZMGynAs-rPQM/s1600/dock+walls+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKnO5WppCc3kNHnQv_MIOVbRw_A60m68dmPWq7JBfThzNqaQUGVTogV_0UexF117TbkAAREKGlLw8ZnNGuhQRdr3PAPn7-7U2Z_JwcWqbBQY-FEgOvwlZgkCEdloHS_B1ZMGynAs-rPQM/s400/dock+walls+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The old dock walls below the paving above</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTtu32impIj7E9u-l3y9lwK4Wq7QAY5URXZ_pDyImIg2RsH3IfVmvTcnpKAw-P2yIUcKmqB5nmQKG_3F1vte2AANjIkRHWKK3Udwc2ioSmvySvJf7TWc9Cere7rWtHx9qmo8SgjokKYUI/s1600/tide+levels+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTtu32impIj7E9u-l3y9lwK4Wq7QAY5URXZ_pDyImIg2RsH3IfVmvTcnpKAw-P2yIUcKmqB5nmQKG_3F1vte2AANjIkRHWKK3Udwc2ioSmvySvJf7TWc9Cere7rWtHx9qmo8SgjokKYUI/s400/tide+levels+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the paving this black line shows where the old dock walls were, the circles in<br />
it are fountains that rise to different heights relating to the variation in tide levels.<br />
The engraved measurements are those taken by William Hutchinson every tide every<br />
day for 29 years from 1764 to form major information for predicting tides and levels.</td></tr>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Wednesday 4<sup>th</sup></span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> we were up early for us and on the 9.10 Mersey Ferry
to Seacombe, armed with our coffees, to join a party to travel along the
Manchester Ship Canal to Salford Quays. We travelled on The Snowdrop and were
amazed to see that the trip was full with some 350 people. Because there was a
ship coming out of the Canal, but it was not ready, so we had a bit of a trip
around the river for about an hour till we could enter the canal. Sadly the
weather at this time was very mixed and with poor visibility.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXAGRwwOxuPB77Ugu7luWEyLC0yz812mNdlDN0Erks3bUN57aXNham1OEvXqwEm9MulNVSEagTIF_zSjgM76kFNqyICTm6K6xL3frH9A28rrU913Jq4vcMqTSNGXvt8Eb5fpslNhb52G8/s1600/Ship+exits+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXAGRwwOxuPB77Ugu7luWEyLC0yz812mNdlDN0Erks3bUN57aXNham1OEvXqwEm9MulNVSEagTIF_zSjgM76kFNqyICTm6K6xL3frH9A28rrU913Jq4vcMqTSNGXvt8Eb5fpslNhb52G8/s400/Ship+exits+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Helene Knutsen leaves the Ship Canal</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu9IDSJnW3fGCFGfrlapCqojrXNItZkQjqRm3VJ7CpHEUsddz0Q74O1KYPhT3PO_iKqRLoUAqK32rhfCjRsu7onjx_K4Rjica4cMxHLFWR6Vm0k5GeisYRhVZibIhPk2AIAdwYDDXDFP0/s1600/barge+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu9IDSJnW3fGCFGfrlapCqojrXNItZkQjqRm3VJ7CpHEUsddz0Q74O1KYPhT3PO_iKqRLoUAqK32rhfCjRsu7onjx_K4Rjica4cMxHLFWR6Vm0k5GeisYRhVZibIhPk2AIAdwYDDXDFP0/s400/barge+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This barge entered the lock after we left</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">As we walked onto the
Mersey Ferry I spoke to the couple in front to see if they were travelling too,
at that time I had thought there might be about 50 travellers. They were &
we got talking and when they heard we were from Leicestershire he told us that
he was originally from near Queniborough & had gone to school in Syston,
whilst she was from Wymeswold & had gone to Loughborough High
School.......I had attended the Grammar School about 100 yards away, though our
attendances only crossed for about 3 years, how amazing. We sat with Ann &
David throughout our trip.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGNZDP3qht2Rsu1Joz7AY-C5qCZAC5w3O1CE8I0iuW4T9htOhFwkECdD_yf0IKlevJGOXqDYZxhwuV_L28R9dPJgE6Y2FZPn9UNyBiJz0pG7EjE_2angR3tcFKwsoGMuGbaaO34SKh_T0/s1600/Friends+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGNZDP3qht2Rsu1Joz7AY-C5qCZAC5w3O1CE8I0iuW4T9htOhFwkECdD_yf0IKlevJGOXqDYZxhwuV_L28R9dPJgE6Y2FZPn9UNyBiJz0pG7EjE_2angR3tcFKwsoGMuGbaaO34SKh_T0/s400/Friends+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With friends Ann & David aboard</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The weather improved
generally through the day with intermittent showers and sunshine. Part way
between Ellesmere Port and the River Weaver we met a convoy of narrow boats
heading to the Shroppie. Our ferry slowed significantly whilst passing them, at
other times it created a very significant wash, breaking into waves at times. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2oHx3YRFFQN5zubmlpnJp_Nt8-xu-xO6c9dygof7jkGatUzj4r28fxmIjtbOho8ALjnZj77kCTsHjlZE-so328gAe4IZ2KOyRZJf2w0IGU9XoswSnitfDLNjHRgx9CqtSQVERtYfbEeQ/s1600/Shroppie+end+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2oHx3YRFFQN5zubmlpnJp_Nt8-xu-xO6c9dygof7jkGatUzj4r28fxmIjtbOho8ALjnZj77kCTsHjlZE-so328gAe4IZ2KOyRZJf2w0IGU9XoswSnitfDLNjHRgx9CqtSQVERtYfbEeQ/s400/Shroppie+end+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The end of the Chester Canal at Ellesmere Port</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHngD0keZjPaVH8x-z65OkrMzVK2iqU0jr-E6N8UbMM83o7QtbzgIhDMzX_hK0z7F-Y-sR1cejriXcRYSfDkIGcLgO17MQKQILV52KCY12g0Jk8YGWr-vzMsEosqk8xtzv8h3Rwk5ABAI/s1600/boats+cruise+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHngD0keZjPaVH8x-z65OkrMzVK2iqU0jr-E6N8UbMM83o7QtbzgIhDMzX_hK0z7F-Y-sR1cejriXcRYSfDkIGcLgO17MQKQILV52KCY12g0Jk8YGWr-vzMsEosqk8xtzv8h3Rwk5ABAI/s400/boats+cruise+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A flotilla of narrow boats on their way to Ellesmere Port</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We met another ship
travelling towards the Mersey and others being loaded/discharged at one of the
refineries along our trip.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLGt7MRK7TSTg_QP8Hx_3PVSc2anK9ssi6_XKpmLM1CIL-JYsYwBTVen7gnYKXltW0Sna2r3F19kwmZ7oSTi39OXQ-_6uhR7Ojx03cBCIMXMROiMiqHaVHiOJpRhKkfQ5tru9Akp_TZgY/s1600/ship+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLGt7MRK7TSTg_QP8Hx_3PVSc2anK9ssi6_XKpmLM1CIL-JYsYwBTVen7gnYKXltW0Sna2r3F19kwmZ7oSTi39OXQ-_6uhR7Ojx03cBCIMXMROiMiqHaVHiOJpRhKkfQ5tru9Akp_TZgY/s400/ship+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglPQ55N6hcC7pyOGi3amydwHrxGp_X_aMM_wASXHZaEev21k1-jGOAB8nCbOlaW1ZCO-XmrhvbYD5D-807fq05TMkirWpxaQKRbgV4uXO5jRiqb619AokKzqYqUYiXbyCgg4KT4jdE4vo/s1600/Weaver+mouth+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglPQ55N6hcC7pyOGi3amydwHrxGp_X_aMM_wASXHZaEev21k1-jGOAB8nCbOlaW1ZCO-XmrhvbYD5D-807fq05TMkirWpxaQKRbgV4uXO5jRiqb619AokKzqYqUYiXbyCgg4KT4jdE4vo/s400/Weaver+mouth+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On our left the Mersey, so close to the canal here as the Weaver flows in on right</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp1Uk39kbXH3VKdbMXHdaiOsH9d1ShQx7Un-9mngf85XzyCjsZ7IddVP9BGmfcOslQih0-tE-A6FkddJdn2SBeSiN_MHyji_rff_nhnf9UOgyKDruxLstoFw5Tk5ZcyRJ-LqGXXoL-Bo4/s1600/Runcorn+bridge+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp1Uk39kbXH3VKdbMXHdaiOsH9d1ShQx7Un-9mngf85XzyCjsZ7IddVP9BGmfcOslQih0-tE-A6FkddJdn2SBeSiN_MHyji_rff_nhnf9UOgyKDruxLstoFw5Tk5ZcyRJ-LqGXXoL-Bo4/s400/Runcorn+bridge+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bridges can have such grace, this is the Runcorn bridge built in the 1960's</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYWfuBMt1smCqVB5Z2rN-bSE_Z0dgLmoK8QfplZ4UZHEinfvFXrVLEPXv7jT4ITZrJVui1NoTDbjUBkP1cQq7R12Pc9mXCUq2OX_e4YWKTweQIwcinefwfc6AzLDz3JU1TuZgA1-RzJCI/s1600/Transporter+Bridge+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYWfuBMt1smCqVB5Z2rN-bSE_Z0dgLmoK8QfplZ4UZHEinfvFXrVLEPXv7jT4ITZrJVui1NoTDbjUBkP1cQq7R12Pc9mXCUq2OX_e4YWKTweQIwcinefwfc6AzLDz3JU1TuZgA1-RzJCI/s400/Transporter+Bridge+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just past the Runcorn bridge this used to be the end of the Transporter Bridge<br />
over both canal and river, alas no more, no doubt processed as scrap.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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</div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Having crossed the
MSC on three occasions on the Bridgewater in Lily we were keen to see the
Aqueduct from MSC level, but about half a mile short we waited a lock with the
aqueduct swung but the adjacent road bridge still barring our passage. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibOjbv1ajEJE8l71-WEx5awo3X6aAZankhKOmuf8nFt8Xu97At6AAyt3CcuWpv-7qXu39WmtLGYN0WsaNBjSkvLwEHscu9tsdKKAB0SfnzLbeAypbm5NvhYw_4VnCoO69uZZTuFzBF1Rs/s1600/Barton+Aqueduct+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibOjbv1ajEJE8l71-WEx5awo3X6aAZankhKOmuf8nFt8Xu97At6AAyt3CcuWpv-7qXu39WmtLGYN0WsaNBjSkvLwEHscu9tsdKKAB0SfnzLbeAypbm5NvhYw_4VnCoO69uZZTuFzBF1Rs/s400/Barton+Aqueduct+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The aqueduct swings closed, the road bridge already full of traffic as is the M6</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUNwnC36XqwzWiPy9p6IbZQSrF6X0phJ37itVbxA_d4j3VdTgMKfVEej3Ll7WSmFgyhAgKcpQjJuygQzKkmhzJtHzxKUuSscsNsBpH10lxmjtOA9PVkKSIAjpo_oTRW2f1jd0NYc1ixGA/s1600/Crane+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUNwnC36XqwzWiPy9p6IbZQSrF6X0phJ37itVbxA_d4j3VdTgMKfVEej3Ll7WSmFgyhAgKcpQjJuygQzKkmhzJtHzxKUuSscsNsBpH10lxmjtOA9PVkKSIAjpo_oTRW2f1jd0NYc1ixGA/s400/Crane+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A wonderful floating crane, but is it ever used?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">After an
age the Tannoy told us there was a problem at the next, and last lock on our
trip, Mode Wheel Lock in Salford. Divers were down but they were unable to get
the gates to close fully and it had been reluctantly decided we should exit the
lock, wind, re-enter, lock down and meet up with our coaches at the previous
lock. Great sadness, but as we reached the lower level, we were told the lock
had been sorted!!!! About turn and away to Salford, passing the magnificent
Barton Aqueduct, and the Trafford Centre.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We had a longish wait
whilst the Centenary Bridge was closed to road traffic & quickly raised to
let us through. It is the Century Bridge as it was built on the centenary of
the MSC.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgevigjNkJN2-eEFsK6Q1d5GXRxG9MQuuT_73NZb0IvIJKserIo4Pe5MU0IkZuhm7VNgAuGdR7YvzGlG8bUkWeDjDp6VAOHIYck0s__SWOXzaw1fPSZ9ZhcOm-C_IugjPn-stMBgegidQQ/s1600/Centenary+bridge+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgevigjNkJN2-eEFsK6Q1d5GXRxG9MQuuT_73NZb0IvIJKserIo4Pe5MU0IkZuhm7VNgAuGdR7YvzGlG8bUkWeDjDp6VAOHIYck0s__SWOXzaw1fPSZ9ZhcOm-C_IugjPn-stMBgegidQQ/s400/Centenary+bridge+blog.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">On to Mode Wheel, in
and up to high level, the top gates cracked open.......then nothing for perhaps
30 minutes. Then we were told before we leave the lock the two new pedestrian
bridges linking Salford Quays to the Imperial War Museum had to swing &
Lift. The swing bridge did, but the lift bridge resolutely refused to work.
After an age we were told our buses would be brought to the lock & we would
be discharged there. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-jKjxRBdEB8CNSvLIm4dAgp9UhQxunGTKfHIuds0bo0c6uQw1iybJZ9xfeOtIibKZzGZQZm3IibM2suROpi42zr3psAKr1-as5zux3E3SMJWWnEP6Gl7tWOPU2qF9mryMdV5JyrgvaxA/s1600/Salford+Quays+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-jKjxRBdEB8CNSvLIm4dAgp9UhQxunGTKfHIuds0bo0c6uQw1iybJZ9xfeOtIibKZzGZQZm3IibM2suROpi42zr3psAKr1-as5zux3E3SMJWWnEP6Gl7tWOPU2qF9mryMdV5JyrgvaxA/s400/Salford+Quays+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Journeys end, gates slightly open, MSC men puzzled, lift bridge behind not raised.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It was a shame, but
some people, mostly women, were upset not to be getting there 2 hour visit to
the retail outlets at the Quays. I could have told them they were not up to
much, but time was against it. As it was we were dropped off at Lime St Station
tired but happy. Wetherspoons provided a very quick & cheap ham and eggs
before we got back to Lily around 9. We recommend the trip which for wrinklies
is £35.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Thursday</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Carol was shattered after yesterday’s trip so she didn’t move much, but
amongst other things I went on another guided tour of the Pilot Ship in the
Maritime Museum, three trips each Thursday and Saturday. OK but not great, but
free! We went out with the Braunston crowd to a very good Greek restaurant for
their Early Bird deal. We enjoyed the food at Christadoulis and our evening
with the Tonys, Daphne, Margaret & Jenny. The weather in Liverpool was
lovely this day. Margaret's blog is well worth looking at </span><a href="http://nbhuffler.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background-color: white;">http://nbhuffler.blogspot.co.uk/</a> </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm1dOfmHohg8kZdltrtA4ip3ve6bLzkmb86tGtDEpplbSOawIux9wW1J1J35fl4bl7kSQhlpffhJxx0PIeG4KSwBFXgIZCbCOg4K89NuPVFyExy65Cb6UGTauO94ClvssWn7Zce65CcII/s1600/Liverpool+view+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm1dOfmHohg8kZdltrtA4ip3ve6bLzkmb86tGtDEpplbSOawIux9wW1J1J35fl4bl7kSQhlpffhJxx0PIeG4KSwBFXgIZCbCOg4K89NuPVFyExy65Cb6UGTauO94ClvssWn7Zce65CcII/s400/Liverpool+view+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Pilot cutter in the graving dock. Liverpool's Anglican cathedral behind.<br />
Everything is pleasantly close by, Lily is about centre of picture below the greenery</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy1QGWKGS5hNGOGlOzXlIu9J5KaBo08Q87_nta5NlIjbslfWLcNWTHBXZIrt1fVR5zEyxriwPg6-Y7rWb-TJrBLQLRf3KN8Gw0njp4ihc5VigsP4GHnht16qCfw_QMFn7Tt8M2ItljZT4/s1600/Propellor+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy1QGWKGS5hNGOGlOzXlIu9J5KaBo08Q87_nta5NlIjbslfWLcNWTHBXZIrt1fVR5zEyxriwPg6-Y7rWb-TJrBLQLRf3KN8Gw0njp4ihc5VigsP4GHnht16qCfw_QMFn7Tt8M2ItljZT4/s400/Propellor+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is one of the propellers off the Lusitania. I was surprised it was not bigger.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Friday 6<sup>th</sup></span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> and the forecast was terrible for much of the country
and not good for Liverpool, but really it was not too bad, though we had fairly
fast drizzle/rain for much of the day. Pianos had appeared in the city and we
spoke to a chap whilst having coffee and he was about to go to a launch event
as a member of the Liverpool Philharmonic Choir. A little later, walking back
from Tesco we heard singing & diverted to hear it, and one of the singers
got Carol to join in singing the Hallelujah Chorus.....but I didn’t have a
camera!! I paid a visit to the new Titanic exhibits in the Maritime Museum
which added more to its already great attractions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR_61bIakHX5cCH79vWX9uv54WDvLHBGWuf9Gpy-b0lexmhL6NqxVo8TJRrRrTv7FCfjJ_T8phW1YUtUGIIlrDjRQxMA5ZTk6DIxMopGswrrDFD5ejGElSjN7W-o6_yGpRSJRonvYyh1U/s1600/Billy+Fury+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR_61bIakHX5cCH79vWX9uv54WDvLHBGWuf9Gpy-b0lexmhL6NqxVo8TJRrRrTv7FCfjJ_T8phW1YUtUGIIlrDjRQxMA5ZTk6DIxMopGswrrDFD5ejGElSjN7W-o6_yGpRSJRonvYyh1U/s400/Billy+Fury+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Billy Fury performs near the Pilot cutter</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Last year we went to
The Empire Theatre to see Strictly Blonde, which was good but spoilt by the
sound reproduction, so I complained and at 5.30 we went to see Chicago there.
This touring production was absolutely stunning, the cast was superb, perfectly
sexy for the show and good singers and the band was excellent. If you see that
this show is nearby I recommend a visit, you will come out singing, smiling,
laughing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Saturday </span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">A surprisingly good day for weather, shorts back on, but occasional
light showers. British GP qualifying to watch, but extended by the heavy rain
storms at Silverstone, Ladies Final at Wimbledon plus the engine alternator was
refitted. I recommended Chicago to our friends & it looks as if some of
them went. Also, Georgina, ex Debdale, with Eric & Debs, has joined us in the Dock. Another coincidence is that they were
talking to another boater we will be meeting in Manchester who I used to do
business with, and whose husband was her manager!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We had to move our
mooring today, it is further from splashdown, and a walk along to our new
mooring the other day showed the power point had a tremendous amount of credit
on it.......but our new neighbours have spotted it too and are plugged in.
Blast! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieVSsa4ypyvE46-DKnLrJNbSJZ8OsPPAJminI4WgGBPuKW779vrKUCZYqbCV7fOyxugMU00PwpJ9QBSDC7JUMxvPvmD-TZuyD3_heGlw4mMKflS2jNUyfymGTwfvzFPOpi1WRuqMDb7hw/s1600/Apt+boats+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieVSsa4ypyvE46-DKnLrJNbSJZ8OsPPAJminI4WgGBPuKW779vrKUCZYqbCV7fOyxugMU00PwpJ9QBSDC7JUMxvPvmD-TZuyD3_heGlw4mMKflS2jNUyfymGTwfvzFPOpi1WRuqMDb7hw/s400/Apt+boats+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These two ?boats? are to rent as apartments afloat in Salthouse Dock</td></tr>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Sunday 8<sup>th</sup></span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> basically a lovely day, except it gave us a shower
just after I had finished polishing the brass late afternoon, but this was
after I had painted the green paint on the bows. This fortunately had formed a
surface before the shower. I had repainted this area of gloss last October
whilst I blacked Lily’s bottom, but I found the paint I used was old &
would not go off to a gloss, and this was the first time I had been able to get
at the area properly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It was British GP
day, Sachsen ring Moto GP day plus mens finals day at Wimbledon. We decided we
wouldn’t watch Andy Murray as we seem to bring him bad luck......but that didn’t
work unfortunately. I saw some of the GP but then went painting, but I’ll catch
it later and I caught up with the bikes as I had a cuppa.....but I have yet to
see what happened in the Tour de France. What a busy day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnO5QAAN-xTGRvHD5w6gqzjHFdZGhm5ttkOJVg7OMhrbmOro5GQrxfOP3x2-RLd7DXAOQo5KzoIZlHLskZswUiQ25swVVfeaD3H2UrmYrnB7TEAgOe4t0geIQudq55WZIr_478M9evbWg/s1600/Buffet+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnO5QAAN-xTGRvHD5w6gqzjHFdZGhm5ttkOJVg7OMhrbmOro5GQrxfOP3x2-RLd7DXAOQo5KzoIZlHLskZswUiQ25swVVfeaD3H2UrmYrnB7TEAgOe4t0geIQudq55WZIr_478M9evbWg/s400/Buffet+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Plus we cleared the
boat as a friend is joining us tomorrow for 3 nights. We relaxed in the evening
by going out for a very good Chinese Buffet with our friends from Braunston who
are leaving tomorrow on their way to Preston. The <b>Buffet Star</b> was excellent and
only £7.50 a head, less 10% for OAPs!! A pretty good week, certainly one we
enjoyed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>Ianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00795967384515672158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810784201093183607.post-47187793075623467122012-07-04T20:49:00.000+00:002012-07-04T20:49:03.912+00:00Wigan to Liverpool<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfnoRo1mTTG7tr88fz7ONEbH6lTX0mhFBQdbuzHhpmCAN-xt0oN89N9trx-fm1fGaP-C_cCq3rtgAfCWSVl5_OCgb_xbvCJ7-KUhm_qifxeSHpJlKEL2q7QLf-FikdY8qIKsLO-5AOlxE/s1600/Duck+house+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfnoRo1mTTG7tr88fz7ONEbH6lTX0mhFBQdbuzHhpmCAN-xt0oN89N9trx-fm1fGaP-C_cCq3rtgAfCWSVl5_OCgb_xbvCJ7-KUhm_qifxeSHpJlKEL2q7QLf-FikdY8qIKsLO-5AOlxE/s400/Duck+house+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This lovely duck house might have been on an MP's expenses, but I doubt it</td></tr>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Monday 25<sup>th</sup> June</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> We took caffeine in Wigan first then I went into BW
Wigan Office to check details of our trip into Liverpool and to buy electricity
cards. I had intended to get one large card but we are being made to move
moorings halfway through our stay so bought two smaller ones. Away around 11 as we came out of the first
lock we met Cyril & ?Daphne Blackford from Ashby Canal Association and friends coming
up. A few friendly words then it was a scramble back aboard because the towpath
is some 5 feet higher than the water. We met other boats at other locks on this
day of lovely weather. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Just as we were
exiting one lock the charity trip boat Rose of Parbold cast off & made its
way in the same direction as us. Well they nearly didn’t move as we struggled
to keep behind them even at tickover. Really considerate boating. At the next
lock we met the worst boat we came across, an old Norman cruiser being moved
single handed from a boatyard on the Lancaster Canal and so he had already
managed the Ribble Link.......but I don’t know how! He was complaining that the
gear & throttle linkage to his outboard was not working well so needed both
gates open (!) but made no effort to help. Just pleased Carol no end after the
Rose effort but at least because of his very slow progress through the lock we were
no longer close behind the charity boat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh90VOCjxzWnrRFlCM3jBPan5iChVBSzHMZt66ETiiHQqZNBXKF35vazPNEMCl-ro-fzlvBHWTY0R5cx9bRXdzAtgUipr6rP0ynKZ1baKtg1VW7KWRgrKeD4PAaPsxX9viPWGcK8Lc2-3A/s1600/Crash+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh90VOCjxzWnrRFlCM3jBPan5iChVBSzHMZt66ETiiHQqZNBXKF35vazPNEMCl-ro-fzlvBHWTY0R5cx9bRXdzAtgUipr6rP0ynKZ1baKtg1VW7KWRgrKeD4PAaPsxX9viPWGcK8Lc2-3A/s400/Crash+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We are stationary here & Rose of Pabold, a widebeam, has just <br />
crashed into another widebeam on a bend</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We carried on through
three swing bridges, meeting two old flats returning from last weekend’s
Burscough Rally. We tied up at 5 after 10 miles, 5 locks & 3 swing bridges.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2YR9ef4wC4NUVmGuyFKL1hbwyYyXHodRDvD9pABNWngoIBFJb_IIjnfr7l7-uZwuNLJIz-5ygDAKOqlU7jlKEUlsfRx5Nz6rgt_Atg-bhmQH3JNioBQggcNU6_iSnqE23yN_LyIHQmiM/s1600/flat+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2YR9ef4wC4NUVmGuyFKL1hbwyYyXHodRDvD9pABNWngoIBFJb_IIjnfr7l7-uZwuNLJIz-5ygDAKOqlU7jlKEUlsfRx5Nz6rgt_Atg-bhmQH3JNioBQggcNU6_iSnqE23yN_LyIHQmiM/s400/flat+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meeting a flat close to Burscough</td></tr>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Tuesday 26<sup>th</sup></span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> and we were able to renew friendships made last year
in Burscough, and the coffee was great & I was able to tip my old engine
oil at Arthur’s garage. We decided to take a trip into Southport where we were
unable to see the sea as we had forgotten the binoculars! Weather was mixed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Wednesday 27<sup>th</sup></span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> and fortunately we receive Waterscape Stoppage
Notices as through these we knew that less than a mile from Burscough the New
Lane swing bridge was mis-behaving and was being operated by BW, but only
between 9 & 12 and 4 & 7. If I hadn’t seen this we’d have been stuck
the wrong side at 4 & faced with arriving at the collection point sometime
after 7 pm! </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiL-3h0ACETUworDcb-EECuykWaH-ARuROC-fRJS47ZEXkPZeBdbAoWkhi3CCXG1HQH_UC2GcCKgnzK7jURhaXQrkk1CNUhsUfIKjxnykWvz-qdYNk_C2yt0DPukp2EXUaGb7cRSKnpEQ/s1600/nest+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiL-3h0ACETUworDcb-EECuykWaH-ARuROC-fRJS47ZEXkPZeBdbAoWkhi3CCXG1HQH_UC2GcCKgnzK7jURhaXQrkk1CNUhsUfIKjxnykWvz-qdYNk_C2yt0DPukp2EXUaGb7cRSKnpEQ/s400/nest+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A boater has made this floating nest site</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It was lovely that the hand cranked bridge that caused me grief
last year is now a push button job, but I am contacting BW about the new
screens they have for these bridges. They have poor contrast on the screen
& no cover to cut down outside glare. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxU764OrZa1OeyzMM_R70zwZkEjnglJVktO5jwmKOdqGIntnRTh32rI7Lamcty2KqrgmJ518KfzGEEyqvyY2tcx-6WdtfHzn2QqblCb1KMBQRvlDXbyrTf7rXlp-ve5EmW1Xl8aftE7qA/s1600/obstruction+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxU764OrZa1OeyzMM_R70zwZkEjnglJVktO5jwmKOdqGIntnRTh32rI7Lamcty2KqrgmJ518KfzGEEyqvyY2tcx-6WdtfHzn2QqblCb1KMBQRvlDXbyrTf7rXlp-ve5EmW1Xl8aftE7qA/s400/obstruction+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The pan was moored on the inside of a bend with a road cone as a warning.<br />
I suspect it was placed there to warn of an underwater obstruction.</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">As it was we got there in good time
after a lovely cruise in warm weather, mooring where we did last year just past
bridge 11 after 12 miles & 7 swing bridges. We popped along to the two
other boats waiting for our trip and found out that they only found out about
the limited swing bridge hours when they spoke to someone in Burscough and if
they hadn’t they would have been cruising late!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_P2G1Ujh_bbjyE8xAoZUWSy_T6fsXtHMMUMlUuox9yVyX_qzO_bfjYtTaFvZ2RtnF4K1k964C-Wijlhzo7dFZPgYQECvaj1WYnMhHUMKWcAlyKCrS2FDM-Z-PaJ05P3vwG6bnZe9YZPM/s1600/br+10+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_P2G1Ujh_bbjyE8xAoZUWSy_T6fsXtHMMUMlUuox9yVyX_qzO_bfjYtTaFvZ2RtnF4K1k964C-Wijlhzo7dFZPgYQECvaj1WYnMhHUMKWcAlyKCrS2FDM-Z-PaJ05P3vwG6bnZe9YZPM/s400/br+10+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our mooring below br 10. We could see the towers of both Liverpool Cathedrals<br />
from this spot, provided we looked the other way from the way I took this!</td></tr>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Thursday 28<sup>th</sup></span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> and at 9 we waited for BW to swing the bridge with Roger & Teresa Fuller on Azelia and Glyn & Rosemary on their unconverted working boat Aquarius, and
soon after were cruising alongside Aintree race course. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4zQHLAYXnrM3IC0G2M0vV-YMa2maEojdD-8jIODVSS5g1dxi958k2w782CmNnLoAQyZ_jeospKf2gQe_P3txXSAUBFdHtNIJsYPrJwwc-pq2uELhyphenhyphen_4RdaS6s5RhczCSs76KkoDyMxUE/s1600/waiting+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4zQHLAYXnrM3IC0G2M0vV-YMa2maEojdD-8jIODVSS5g1dxi958k2w782CmNnLoAQyZ_jeospKf2gQe_P3txXSAUBFdHtNIJsYPrJwwc-pq2uELhyphenhyphen_4RdaS6s5RhczCSs76KkoDyMxUE/s400/waiting+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting at bridge 9</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Thursdays are supposed
to be “out” days but for some reason I don’t understand we were going in this
day & others were going out on Friday. Part way through we met up with 3
other boats that had spent the night at the Litherland services and we all went
down the Stanley Locks, we shared with Tony & Jenny on Josh 2. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK24FWcl7vVVgwPL6WQ8E8jncxDdIE9lYH4vlYfBmEv6ql_dMYvx_KWrH4VazNfeFcGqqyg8lGW8fgrK1xyVCLo3F0xqsv6RMV_uMt7NeiB2F1frYYxUHxYt0nSHLWRqERp-mCxUePYvM/s1600/Dock+turn+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK24FWcl7vVVgwPL6WQ8E8jncxDdIE9lYH4vlYfBmEv6ql_dMYvx_KWrH4VazNfeFcGqqyg8lGW8fgrK1xyVCLo3F0xqsv6RMV_uMt7NeiB2F1frYYxUHxYt0nSHLWRqERp-mCxUePYvM/s400/Dock+turn+blog.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Josh turns by the Jesse Hartley tower.<br />
Birkenhead is in the background</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnkBXaDWnaeccMKXdggsfJKysrykwc_igWYuHhQnp0Y5AghGg30B8h-N95V0e-jjCheBSPWNqUz7qkWB3TItiEuzNpaDH5UdaTV2c62eb6VcUH8yzbzqW_EAIwQ8KUZOkG-YXf8UgSQmU/s1600/narrow+path+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnkBXaDWnaeccMKXdggsfJKysrykwc_igWYuHhQnp0Y5AghGg30B8h-N95V0e-jjCheBSPWNqUz7qkWB3TItiEuzNpaDH5UdaTV2c62eb6VcUH8yzbzqW_EAIwQ8KUZOkG-YXf8UgSQmU/s400/narrow+path+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part of the route through a partially filled dock</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The pleasant
weather we had enjoyed so far began to change and a fine drizzle started at the
locks, but our luck held and it eased, only to throw it down just after we had
tied up on mooring S2. The wind got up through the evening and night and Lily was buffeted and blown making our ropes
and fenders creak & keeping us awake, about 25 feet of Lily sticks out from
the end of the pontoon! 11 miles and 5 locks and of course as it was Thursday
we had a curry!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Friday 29<sup>th</sup> </span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">and just after 10 Trevor from RCR came to remove our
engine alternator to get it rewound, now we were on mains power we did not need
to run the engine. He was the man who founded RCR and it was interesting
hearing from him about how it happened. He was also glad that the chap next to
us came across and told him how wonderful his men are, doing lots of jobs that
are not really in the job spec. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">After he had left we
were able to set off for Lime Street to return us to our car in Narborough to
spend the weekend celebrating our grandson Sam’s 18</span><sup style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">th</sup><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> birthday. The
trains were on time and we had a really wonderful time, even if some of that
time was spent hacking at Himalayan Balsam growing though slabs in the yard of
our flat.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMCOMGUPJlapyqKfao4frRoaZPVG21reWwu82J1mIM__uw66Ob7fSWnEZEuWlLQ00G6E37CTPcpFUZ2MCV31dan81LONybw3buAhUw0vmqMn0wbVdruDpVKy9ebxyv-hYbb1JzR6nBN4g/s1600/Sam+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMCOMGUPJlapyqKfao4frRoaZPVG21reWwu82J1mIM__uw66Ob7fSWnEZEuWlLQ00G6E37CTPcpFUZ2MCV31dan81LONybw3buAhUw0vmqMn0wbVdruDpVKy9ebxyv-hYbb1JzR6nBN4g/s400/Sam+blog.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sam at his party. Many of our boating friends know him<br />
from Leicester Festivals, but he has grown a bit since then!</td></tr>
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<br /></div>Ianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00795967384515672158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810784201093183607.post-81337893591746266052012-06-25T20:43:00.003+00:002012-06-25T20:43:39.107+00:00Via Manchester to Wigan<br />
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Monday 18<sup>th</sup> June</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> A pleasant day but not warm. We were recommended
whilst taking coffee (!!) to visit Grappenhall which was just 2 miles further
on from Stockton Heath. The old part of the village around the church is on the
south of the canal and includes a length of cobbled street, two recommended pubs (by
others, too early for us) and some pleasant houses.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipxPct2UF5AQMj8tg5LwCGBOwIiAM1MIiG2b7LoaeFoMAXJXYV0pEhnqqCIWQnXwMPLbJxnU9I2tAR1EKNTvkI_36DBaUb5iUYTP9C0GP94YWyeQaNaviLprQE2semGWZqsxJq9mNdurx4/s1600/reredos+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipxPct2UF5AQMj8tg5LwCGBOwIiAM1MIiG2b7LoaeFoMAXJXYV0pEhnqqCIWQnXwMPLbJxnU9I2tAR1EKNTvkI_36DBaUb5iUYTP9C0GP94YWyeQaNaviLprQE2semGWZqsxJq9mNdurx4/s400/reredos+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fantastic carving in this reredos</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The church was
heavily altered by the Victorians but had an incredibly beautifully carved
pulpit and had a magnificently carved reredos depicting the Last Supper. It was
carved by men working at nearby Dunham Massey (NT) that we visited last year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr2KrcrLtuikaZd6Y2SdqQ80j9ue43gCUd67icNzUqn-OaZoZU9N6oCsGesozvrL3EsEKWKYDfAOISdK-L9u1I9WexlE77PH21d77h9N5I5oWqBgHXnRTXempSXjSQfTgtRJxoG8tteXBA/s1600/saxon+font+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr2KrcrLtuikaZd6Y2SdqQ80j9ue43gCUd67icNzUqn-OaZoZU9N6oCsGesozvrL3EsEKWKYDfAOISdK-L9u1I9WexlE77PH21d77h9N5I5oWqBgHXnRTXempSXjSQfTgtRJxoG8tteXBA/s400/saxon+font+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This lead lined Saxon font was found buried when the church was extended.</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">One of the customers
sitting outside one of the pubs asked if we had seen “The Cheshire Cat”, and as
we hadn’t, pointed it out to us. Why on earth would a stone carver incorporate
this in his stone shaping?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirX3TmMHSPeqNWRpQGcLxikEP7x_NLWIfUAgJRFR3D-ZssWjcYt6qdKYU7UGs_GYX7EAhGMVXqEheUkKVyhUsWE1qXS7gSbuMiW40BJYvhaRlrUwDgrUXy4CbW45GNr780kkYTNEk_cAOH/s1600/cat+2+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirX3TmMHSPeqNWRpQGcLxikEP7x_NLWIfUAgJRFR3D-ZssWjcYt6qdKYU7UGs_GYX7EAhGMVXqEheUkKVyhUsWE1qXS7gSbuMiW40BJYvhaRlrUwDgrUXy4CbW45GNr780kkYTNEk_cAOH/s400/cat+2+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Cheshire cat on the church tower</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">We moved on, stopping
for water at a remote, but popular, water point before stopping near Dunham
Massey. It was a lovely evening so I polished the brasses and of course it then
rained overnight! A lazy 8 miles in the day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Tuesday </span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">was a lovely day, lots of sun and not too much breeze, though it was
cool. We moved into Sale to re-provision before reversing about a mile to moor
close to the house of two friends we were seeing that night. Had a good meal
and a wonderful evening after a hard 6 mile cruise!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizL3D-q_wsigSuhGN7gkdchYd6_l-3W3mQgrBQQHV8z8eOmhsoUSb7DR-OQd3YpG8abPgQ1t8GJHvmizUToVLhXzUJPhQHh5tH1SIDDAXCj1JWz3IjwMFXN712l1HLcbG0UoZLPB2dV6kl/s1600/Linotype+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizL3D-q_wsigSuhGN7gkdchYd6_l-3W3mQgrBQQHV8z8eOmhsoUSb7DR-OQd3YpG8abPgQ1t8GJHvmizUToVLhXzUJPhQHh5tH1SIDDAXCj1JWz3IjwMFXN712l1HLcbG0UoZLPB2dV6kl/s400/Linotype+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We could not see the Linotype offices last year until other buildings were demolished</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge3-r3kyWYZUyrCeurS4u-ZeionRX9VPIu9nuOF7ONnERA0KWmFqruT5YCeXqQsU-2-XzArXfjrjWqb3xfITppuQltjlCdxymHa1RvUbCGbS0xSrgyyiEKlMMYDWutCwvxix0Nde-i-xEl/s1600/sign+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge3-r3kyWYZUyrCeurS4u-ZeionRX9VPIu9nuOF7ONnERA0KWmFqruT5YCeXqQsU-2-XzArXfjrjWqb3xfITppuQltjlCdxymHa1RvUbCGbS0xSrgyyiEKlMMYDWutCwvxix0Nde-i-xEl/s400/sign+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It has been many years since we saw one of these fuel brand signs<br />When we started driving there were very many brands around</td></tr>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Wednesday & Thursday</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> we moved into Castlefields in Manchester and did city
centre things. I had noticed that my feet got damp when I wore one pair of
shoes, yet they looked sound, until I bent the soles and saw large cracks in
the soles! New shoes were bought from a firm that has its UK head office in
Lubbenham and we pass it each time we travel into Market Harborough from
Debdale. On Wednesday we entertained friends who were old customers of our
business years and whom we re-met when up here last year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">We also went to see
“Lady Windermere’s Fan” at The Exchange Theatre having been recommended to go
by Tuesday’s friends. We didn’t know what this strange structure was when we
entered the Exchange building, it held a theatre for around 400 people, we sat
in low “banquette” seats at stage level, and had to keep our feet in so the
actors didn’t trip over them. A very enjoyable evening, but the weather whilst
we were in the city was wet and windy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM560BZ4ZfvM2CXazc06DbgCXjDSONMMuNLr_48PCGUKYlur0cHBrTSwvjL6xz3SQTWGRKLnjg57EuL6Zmbf0G54hWtiyH7AymnBXisPxufJTLv4s9LGHBpYE6LdLWSNn0le5DZb1lMCOf/s1600/stage+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM560BZ4ZfvM2CXazc06DbgCXjDSONMMuNLr_48PCGUKYlur0cHBrTSwvjL6xz3SQTWGRKLnjg57EuL6Zmbf0G54hWtiyH7AymnBXisPxufJTLv4s9LGHBpYE6LdLWSNn0le5DZb1lMCOf/s400/stage+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The stage taken from my seat. We didn't need opera glasses!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtaFIfJlmVPkfxRJAdQVGcN9z8piMWtpyygVxg6Xzydqz7leSof6fmhy_aesTAnKO_8eS3ybEXyGv3GjpdGZMsFfiW8uSs0Raxn-MAINQQeArAdRl14v14x9SQrmm4CRE25S22w-UJaLka/s1600/theatre+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtaFIfJlmVPkfxRJAdQVGcN9z8piMWtpyygVxg6Xzydqz7leSof6fmhy_aesTAnKO_8eS3ybEXyGv3GjpdGZMsFfiW8uSs0Raxn-MAINQQeArAdRl14v14x9SQrmm4CRE25S22w-UJaLka/s320/theatre+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This weird structure, a bit like Tardis, is the theatre inside the fabulous Exchange.</td></tr>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Friday 22<sup>nd</sup></span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> and a foul day, but we had to move after filling and
emptying. Carol stayed below whilst I suffered the heavy rain and gusting
winds, but not for too long as we had decided to visit the Trafford Centre. We
had never been before and both were jaw struck by the place. It immediately
reminded us of Planet Hollywood resort hotel in Las Vegas, incredibly tacky but an incredible amount of money poured into its building, great fun. The best thing about the place was
The Pen Shop and was able to get some propelling pencil leads I have failed to
find in Leicester or on-line. The weather lifted a bit but we had more heavy
rain over night, we decided not to cruise on as the weather was bad.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqr6Atzgz9Wppuaspwmily7NZcZ8eysXxvDxfUoFyU7-l8b4USu0mX_bK1zJxjgAwZst1_D-_R1RIYabP0rdzETv3DfAKmViRo1mN4bCLfqs74y9xLvipR5kIMWdj8yv2SZMgj_VD6aFad/s1600/Food+ct+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqr6Atzgz9Wppuaspwmily7NZcZ8eysXxvDxfUoFyU7-l8b4USu0mX_bK1zJxjgAwZst1_D-_R1RIYabP0rdzETv3DfAKmViRo1mN4bCLfqs74y9xLvipR5kIMWdj8yv2SZMgj_VD6aFad/s400/Food+ct+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I found out later I was not supposed to take photos, but the main food court area is<br />designed to look like an ocean liner and Katie Price was due on stage to sign books</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFitSxvlG5Gn1BO4NOfRW_jbxaojy14KumU_58LkqOVTJ7hHTYPoH5eHbOns1Kubfhao9OVeQeHDd9_uRQxGnQau2NfnN0kFjvtD24d41rSfthyNl0-4ghxcbu3Brq0EIEv6tgBtnfehFS/s1600/Trafford+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFitSxvlG5Gn1BO4NOfRW_jbxaojy14KumU_58LkqOVTJ7hHTYPoH5eHbOns1Kubfhao9OVeQeHDd9_uRQxGnQau2NfnN0kFjvtD24d41rSfthyNl0-4ghxcbu3Brq0EIEv6tgBtnfehFS/s400/Trafford+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The statues are of marble, the columns of polished granite, the trees are false....of course!!</td></tr>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Saturday </span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Stayed at Trafford and watched qualifying for the European GP before
moving off. It was breezy but brightening and we cruised to Leigh in about 2
hours, we cruise fairly fast on this deep, wide, lock free canal. On this
occasion the Barton Swing Aqueduct was not closed, as it was both ways last
year. Over the two days we have managed 0 locks and 13 miles.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Sunday 24<sup>th</sup></span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> was a GP day with the broadcast to start at 12.15. We
had a coffee and bought some fresh salad and were going to stop until after the
GP until I noticed that the Plank Lane swing bridge a mile along the cut was BW
controlled and only operated between 10 and 2, with a half hour lunch break so
we set off, only to arrive and find it had changed to being boater operated so
we passed through under our own control and tied up to watch the race. Normally
the GP in Valencia is a boring procession, but not so this year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYQlrvMiLtq5-mPD1m3oEFwWWpyLJPltTSolP2sOS8QxbtvJSbiFcGDRItAPe43s6VQygC1HkSkX2oSg0kc6MsaE3x4TDcOeMpjAIb3dy7D01loc9aP01Z344YuJmqrNKhj4nDKlCo-TNW/s1600/Lock+winder+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYQlrvMiLtq5-mPD1m3oEFwWWpyLJPltTSolP2sOS8QxbtvJSbiFcGDRItAPe43s6VQygC1HkSkX2oSg0kc6MsaE3x4TDcOeMpjAIb3dy7D01loc9aP01Z344YuJmqrNKhj4nDKlCo-TNW/s400/Lock+winder+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The gate opening mechanism at lock 86</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj33LhADirQuEIZB7mkF_IFCtw2p64HexkmPFZMaMXo2vlpauWwwwmf55dHaWTZkgN5WWSDomfg5pdI0-xJTYXN5TPAmWJExEhSDyhL55_UmO5yjVM48sfWag907MQkTonDuwy2e_UP8tT/s1600/hogweed+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj33LhADirQuEIZB7mkF_IFCtw2p64HexkmPFZMaMXo2vlpauWwwwmf55dHaWTZkgN5WWSDomfg5pdI0-xJTYXN5TPAmWJExEhSDyhL55_UmO5yjVM48sfWag907MQkTonDuwy2e_UP8tT/s400/hogweed+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I walked part of the way up the Wigan flight & saw all these Giant Hogweed plants<br />I also paced out the lock length, Nicholson says they are 60 ft, I reckon they are <br />near 70 ft & on our return I'm going to measure them with my tape & we might go up!</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Race over we pushed
on to Wigan arriving about 5.30 mooring outside the BW offices after 6 miles
and 3 locks, a week’s total of just 33 miles and 3 locks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>Ianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00795967384515672158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810784201093183607.post-60935387713886956352012-06-17T17:36:00.001+00:002012-06-17T17:47:38.216+00:00From Chester to the Bridgewater<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Monday 11<sup>th</sup></span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> and to our surprise Carol’s phone was ready for
collection so we were away at 11.30 with Masie accompanying us, with me doing
all the lock work and the girls nattering on a fine day moderately warm and
some sun.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbqX4emJUEpLk7zxdv6aL-j0sA3Eju7bfmEpzamXZFFPipY6573hjk-VyCkQQtXJrm2ms3Pd_gdLp1JVhlGGjrTYKb-_XA74wEFY_dMDxffGE_2hchZ90yhIP8UEqsDaxeiEkhQ1MdGqic/s1600/Funny+boat+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbqX4emJUEpLk7zxdv6aL-j0sA3Eju7bfmEpzamXZFFPipY6573hjk-VyCkQQtXJrm2ms3Pd_gdLp1JVhlGGjrTYKb-_XA74wEFY_dMDxffGE_2hchZ90yhIP8UEqsDaxeiEkhQ1MdGqic/s400/Funny+boat+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Does Old Mother Hubbard live here?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We carried on to moor
outside Tattenhall marina, but the thing that disturbed our day was a phone
call with BW Wigan over booking into Liverpool. I asked to go in around 25<sup>th</sup>
June, and certainly to be there by the 28<sup>th</sup> as we are to return to
Leicester & want to leave Lily plugged into the mains. Wigan said that all
trips were full for June, last year we only had to give a few days notice!
Disaster was averted when they called us back around 4pm to say there had been
a cancellation & we would be going in on the 28<sup>th</sup>, hoorah!!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiggt4eBIeX0EVupoX6fPtlNMX2NYxdlnMKoMkQ1FRE_MdlNVAkmQfKPyCz690liSjFeEiGCTSSwCILiqHgJ06e7yyaXSuYBpOY6CVoI91KrAwA8F-nNa9I7dLyDa4qVMrmrtblCa7swmAj/s1600/Deer+&+fuel+store+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiggt4eBIeX0EVupoX6fPtlNMX2NYxdlnMKoMkQ1FRE_MdlNVAkmQfKPyCz690liSjFeEiGCTSSwCILiqHgJ06e7yyaXSuYBpOY6CVoI91KrAwA8F-nNa9I7dLyDa4qVMrmrtblCa7swmAj/s400/Deer+&+fuel+store+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deer on the land by Beeston Castle below which a WW2 fuel store was buried</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Tuesday 12<sup>th</sup></span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> started bright and sunny, but clouded up with a cool
breeze and we cruised on with Masie through to Nantwich. We crossed with a boat
in the Bunbury staircase, as did Masie following on. Masie was delighted that I
was able to work her through the Beeston Iron Lock as there was no lock ladder
and the lock landing stage through in
pairs due to the lock having distorted, so I had to do it twice over. (I heard
a few days later that this only applies with 2 full length boats as the
distortion is only at the top end of the lock). Calverley services were welcome
before we passed Barbridge and Huddlesford junctions. Over the two days 18
miles and 11 locks, and a walk into get a coffee!!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjABhLmBBxkMwcXNdc4crp7MfM3d_5ampucQWdNwUF4rJbv4yCNIIC08_g2IspxDcMWcSQQXsc3xxR1zALXd_NhqZH3gZ-b3JkXKIxvtPJy2_1iatRxo6-kqKHf2dZ8766QvDCDO0K6QagB/s1600/Sign+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjABhLmBBxkMwcXNdc4crp7MfM3d_5ampucQWdNwUF4rJbv4yCNIIC08_g2IspxDcMWcSQQXsc3xxR1zALXd_NhqZH3gZ-b3JkXKIxvtPJy2_1iatRxo6-kqKHf2dZ8766QvDCDO0K6QagB/s400/Sign+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Wednesday 13<sup>th</sup></span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> we cruised the short distance and two locks to Heald
Green where we moored on the SUCS moorings before going to see the Secret
Nuclear Bunker. Well it’s not secret any more but close to the canal and a very
interesting stop. It greatly worried Carol to read just what she had lived
through in terms of possible war scenarios without realising it. The bunker
started life as part of a radar base, and was developed at the height of the
Cold War to provide a secure, blast proof base from which to administer the
country in case of a nuclear war. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1xG2RigW_J_yyc-TJoe_vhEJQ8jxE3FCV61NreZqr_Lr0_R6OJrehW3B194zgnZjHxns890pL1XrbA6rLlHZAROjyQ3cX2kIDQHLeK9JHZWStEqegHqMU90uWC_OkmVHI-yhAH84rCods/s1600/Alert+state+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1xG2RigW_J_yyc-TJoe_vhEJQ8jxE3FCV61NreZqr_Lr0_R6OJrehW3B194zgnZjHxns890pL1XrbA6rLlHZAROjyQ3cX2kIDQHLeK9JHZWStEqegHqMU90uWC_OkmVHI-yhAH84rCods/s400/Alert+state+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The State of Alert is shown</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdRREWOFK_Ft-ic-Dq7z8_vJvps46WkdygQ3n1wEtFT2uFcpVg3zzmcHp2ZanRIEzEkK6X0mAavoZn7K4kAsjWX_K7A7iMzqZt2AdHhaQab4L1MXXAlPmZvQh5DjCsdIO_5HuYNKrks3OL/s1600/Warhead+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdRREWOFK_Ft-ic-Dq7z8_vJvps46WkdygQ3n1wEtFT2uFcpVg3zzmcHp2ZanRIEzEkK6X0mAavoZn7K4kAsjWX_K7A7iMzqZt2AdHhaQab4L1MXXAlPmZvQh5DjCsdIO_5HuYNKrks3OL/s400/Warhead+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The multiple warhead for a Trident missile</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXAc4XqWqhd3mhcKbXlUbl_zdzJu-922-Gxhc0jB2VFEjywnyGtYEuntJWP9FVaW-zKbm26qVa2AhXL_yZzAk2ueRVFtXaBTN37l9HHgFUfx64u7EOOf_3K7ZrEvHdrEAcMExtSMhTy952/s1600/bomb+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXAc4XqWqhd3mhcKbXlUbl_zdzJu-922-Gxhc0jB2VFEjywnyGtYEuntJWP9FVaW-zKbm26qVa2AhXL_yZzAk2ueRVFtXaBTN37l9HHgFUfx64u7EOOf_3K7ZrEvHdrEAcMExtSMhTy952/s400/bomb+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This nuclear bomb was in service from 1966 to 1998</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We had a near nuclear
experience on the lower level when I said to Carol “I know that chap” to which
she concurred, as did he, before we realised he was Pete who had phoned me on Jubilee
Sunday about tuning in a satellite tv. We had met in Wigan & Liverpool last
year and whom we had hoped we might meet again, with Sue & nb Sokai, this
year. When I told him about my booking problems he had said something had
cropped up that prevented them going to Liverpool, yet here we both were. We
shared a good natter over lunch and arranged to carry on with it in the evening
back in Nantwich.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzXBFbxw76q3Kf2lZ8gCWAkj2PINvNcPQ_Ix_w__v7v63-TTWh-eU7k-xYRU_ZPMEj64jB27hJM2R23McOVvShqiNrG3Eovxi7G_tDmNKa1GSGXKwsTplJlBxJpgrQwbdEbufTGfCYA7hk/s1600/Bang+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzXBFbxw76q3Kf2lZ8gCWAkj2PINvNcPQ_Ix_w__v7v63-TTWh-eU7k-xYRU_ZPMEj64jB27hJM2R23McOVvShqiNrG3Eovxi7G_tDmNKa1GSGXKwsTplJlBxJpgrQwbdEbufTGfCYA7hk/s400/Bang+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sitting with Pete & Sue experiencing the sound of a nuclear explosion nearby</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">To get back we
reversed down the two locks to the winding hole and got totally soaked as the
heavens opened! Anyway we didn’t see anywhere in Nantwich we fancied eating at
so we dined separately and then had a really good evening over a glass (or
two++) of red.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Thursday </span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">and after a quick beverage and fruit shop we left Nantwich and turned
towards Middlewich, the direction many others were using to get to the weekend
canal Festival. Weather was pleasant, if cool, so being 4<sup>th</sup> in the
queue for the first lock was no hardship. I had a good natter with the
treasurer of the Cheshire IWA, a sprightly 80 year old, who said their branch
too was suffering from a shortage of young committee members. We stopped where
we had last year but had forgotten about the ledge 6 inches below water level.
It mattered this time as the wind got up to very strong gusts and heavy rain
bashed us onto the ledge through the night, despite my best efforts at
fendering. It kept Carol awake much of the night, but not me!!!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsYNkDxTk7qtJx8frGgV7FHbfL3e6HDmGZKmy3pYH6CHyoKcRsFKGO5rcOJtMk-wAEFUdi2Ei_lj4SDiy4JLTvf4xEKSw_VvYvwRCz1AD4DBPHY1afRx4GKCirf2uKBAXUkSrxsxxyRoKV/s1600/Church+Minshull+mooring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsYNkDxTk7qtJx8frGgV7FHbfL3e6HDmGZKmy3pYH6CHyoKcRsFKGO5rcOJtMk-wAEFUdi2Ei_lj4SDiy4JLTvf4xEKSw_VvYvwRCz1AD4DBPHY1afRx4GKCirf2uKBAXUkSrxsxxyRoKV/s400/Church+Minshull+mooring.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Church Minshull mooring</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSe_Lknl1OPKLo4hjnyXbeFOTctgPLX-twq3bS2AV6NPqyXduJ9KRb3kH_APt7LGEwMiW_Y09U2KrmH8T1OGiEqWE0nkQXYvtLOhj8Eddy5mwC9D55FaGAP0cO7v0Xji5s2LXcWScfdlgM/s1600/Wind+damage+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSe_Lknl1OPKLo4hjnyXbeFOTctgPLX-twq3bS2AV6NPqyXduJ9KRb3kH_APt7LGEwMiW_Y09U2KrmH8T1OGiEqWE0nkQXYvtLOhj8Eddy5mwC9D55FaGAP0cO7v0Xji5s2LXcWScfdlgM/s400/Wind+damage+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The wind overnight almost blew this geranium overboard!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Friday</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> we were away before 9, it was fine and less windy. As so often happens,
I had cast off the bows and was about to do the same with the stern when a boat
came through the bridge! We met at the first lock, he was another spring
chicken going to man the IWA presence at Middlewich & then on the next
weekend to do the same in Northwich. The boat that arrived after us had its
crew already togged up in waterproofs & willies, yet it wasn’t raining,
they were prepared and by the second lock we certainly needed them! It was
exactly the same last year but this year we had quite a queue squeezing into
the short lengths between bridges already taken up by Festival goers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">At the Festival we saw
“Gerald” again, but not Roy, and also Jim Macdonald’s Elizabeth a very unusual
and old conversion of an old working boat that delighted Leicester IWA when
they joined us at one of our 1996 Golden Jubilee Harborough Festival, repeating
their attendance in 1946. Sorry, heavy rain, no pics. Lso saw Alton and filled
with diesel at 84p and the rain came down so heavily I expected Noah to float
by on his Ark! It brightened up a bit later as we cruised past Northwich to
moor but there were more showers, though it was mild. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We moored alongside
the old Lion Salt Works and were delighted to see that this scheduled monument
won one of the BBC Lottery appeals and is now in the process of being restored
to show how salt used to be made in the area.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirf-v3snGvWR7mTHpJoz-4dUSidzpp6of_NsNZHrn5T1bOnFJfEraadv33CGxCZqKcrxYO8eksPnTc2ec041wxf047KQ3m0H9nw8FQlUycjTbH-y52cUdYo2cDFhv6XaNFlejSsByMJxxk/s1600/Lion+works+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirf-v3snGvWR7mTHpJoz-4dUSidzpp6of_NsNZHrn5T1bOnFJfEraadv33CGxCZqKcrxYO8eksPnTc2ec041wxf047KQ3m0H9nw8FQlUycjTbH-y52cUdYo2cDFhv6XaNFlejSsByMJxxk/s400/Lion+works+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioApaurfb44MiiLaU4nMS_Tm0sh28UPDL9nExmy2X0mzpu0Hk9QSFTLj_Ag_DtWjE-LSZArUUeYArCxl7tNQGlxpOwdoBuxp2Tl-TQYhlodtJx2zYvC3Qze3b2JO42RspF39CvECc4oG1W/s1600/Salt+floor+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioApaurfb44MiiLaU4nMS_Tm0sh28UPDL9nExmy2X0mzpu0Hk9QSFTLj_Ag_DtWjE-LSZArUUeYArCxl7tNQGlxpOwdoBuxp2Tl-TQYhlodtJx2zYvC3Qze3b2JO42RspF39CvECc4oG1W/s400/Salt+floor+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The floor inside the building, plenty to restore!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Saturday 16<sup>th</sup></span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Started overcast and with a poor forecast and we
cruised to the Anderton services which are the last ones on the direct line to
Liverpool before Wigan, other than those at boatyards where charges are levied.
We intend to divert into Castlefields to hopefully have friends join us for a
meal, returning their favour from last year. There was one boat at the services
as we arrived, which we did a minute or two before another arrived from the
opposite direction, followed by another, replacing the original boat. These are
busy services and on one of the boats the crew knew Lily Pad from Loughborough
Festivals and knew friends Mick & Lynda.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">A steady cruise,
managing to arrive at Barnton tunnel as the tunnel was clear, only one boat
wide we were pleased to see it clear. We arrived at Saltersford just in time
for a passage, these being limited to 0 to 20 mins past going north, 30 to 50
mins past coming south. Heavy showers brightened(!) our way and we were glad of
the trees growing on the river Weaver side as they broke the strong winds. Carrying
on to Dutton Stop lock it didn’t attract me in for a swim like last year, but I
was not able to shut one of the bottom gates and there was nobody around to
help push, I reported it to BW.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Our luck held as we
were again just in time for Preston Brook tunnel (0 to 10mins past north, 30 to
40 mins past south) and entered the tunnel to see a light up ahead!! We checked
the time, we were right and carried on. We never got any closer and then they
left the tunnel, why do people use navigation lights in tunnels, or if they do,
why don’t they cover the white rear light? It gave us a few anxious moments.
The weather carried on not very pleasant when we were out the other end and we
carried on to Stockton Heath where we moored where we did a year before and
wandered in for essentials (Costa!!!).<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4eCY8qJpqt-JiCpd49oEKq2liMi05mpH4v3N6CRq4eWaQVKxdBkhEO3PC9D0Clx55nRr4-M7VCIYrsv6k5LKK0JWQF6d1sOr_HY8Fv7noB6Zkc72Cw_bSBHHcUAbzquRsb6KGmBJDHfoS/s1600/Stockton+mooring+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4eCY8qJpqt-JiCpd49oEKq2liMi05mpH4v3N6CRq4eWaQVKxdBkhEO3PC9D0Clx55nRr4-M7VCIYrsv6k5LKK0JWQF6d1sOr_HY8Fv7noB6Zkc72Cw_bSBHHcUAbzquRsb6KGmBJDHfoS/s400/Stockton+mooring+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our mooring at Stockton Heath</td></tr>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Sunday </span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">and as we have an appointment with friends 4 hours cruise away in Sale
on Tuesday we stayed put, watched the British Moto GP and cleaned the oven.
What a great way to celebrate Fathers’ Day! The weather overnight was very wet
but it brightened around 10 and the sun poked through. Calls from daughters wished me a happy Fathers' day, the words in an email from one got me damp eyed, but we needed papers & coffee. Carol took a coat, I packed one & didn't need it, great coffee & good papers & we decided we'd do "Sunday Lunch" at a pub and sought one out, the London Bridge by the canal was suggested. We stopped by at Thorn Marine to get an oil filter & fuel additive & asked if they were still threatened with redevelopment, which they are. Peel Holdings, owners of the Bridgewater and lots of other stuff have plans to build 5 homes on the site. This photo is of a protest meeting some time ago.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ7q-kKg2_LguL3NiwJ4pDhb8bvQ2FgGUpnpp5HnEtbUtMhRsCc3DrqJChPWRBfpz-nZEZbSPqhBa2Q0gwSpseLDnhrQnHUp97w_D7xTxhTPFx4XuIdYgAncks0_rJEqgr8GRx7hRKdeFc/s1600/protest+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ7q-kKg2_LguL3NiwJ4pDhb8bvQ2FgGUpnpp5HnEtbUtMhRsCc3DrqJChPWRBfpz-nZEZbSPqhBa2Q0gwSpseLDnhrQnHUp97w_D7xTxhTPFx4XuIdYgAncks0_rJEqgr8GRx7hRKdeFc/s400/protest+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thorn Marine protest a few years ago</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-MzIqwBfhFbbloeYxadgs_5t56F7px_0PLHvwpuot-Aja8_4yZ2AevyEWgNEn3yWv9X9K9ge1yZ4JZKhre_cEnwfEtKjK3cB7IkMhA2TDJr1vxAGsD8fPZK9mNNkPt-gTLbFzmZNGFM4b/s1600/Thorn+Marine+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-MzIqwBfhFbbloeYxadgs_5t56F7px_0PLHvwpuot-Aja8_4yZ2AevyEWgNEn3yWv9X9K9ge1yZ4JZKhre_cEnwfEtKjK3cB7IkMhA2TDJr1vxAGsD8fPZK9mNNkPt-gTLbFzmZNGFM4b/s400/Thorn+Marine+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thorn Marine now on the right of shot</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Back to Lily to start jobs, such as my special Fathers' Day treat of cleaning the oven plus watching the British Moto GP, and what a tremendous race it was!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEh9IeOtO_8qz88CRPKwdxGH4QYtI8K64AAhmkKjnuLbdLZxwsnvZ0cjYu6Aq2XVXGwy-TzhRmPcph4foX6iSOSjQPkpJ5VDth6Kx_SUQBlRchk6Af9TrxbBqm__vNPvoYuoN8-6YvrCIH/s1600/Oven+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEh9IeOtO_8qz88CRPKwdxGH4QYtI8K64AAhmkKjnuLbdLZxwsnvZ0cjYu6Aq2XVXGwy-TzhRmPcph4foX6iSOSjQPkpJ5VDth6Kx_SUQBlRchk6Af9TrxbBqm__vNPvoYuoN8-6YvrCIH/s400/Oven+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Whilst eating lunch I saw yellow jackets at work on the canal bridge by the pub. Coming out we found it was this large hole & the Police were about to close the A49 whilst it was repaired. We were glad Lily is a good 100 yards from here as there is obviously going to be a lot of noise from the repair. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHDq6Iq5Y4qKoS2YIY5U-wiCWsKLxxt31LzUw4ca-Nw3K8cEPg9zQG3H_SHK251LNm_ShMjc___Xy1NvdPYZjdhWkj5n78aRpTzLV46uv-FGcpiEzx9rPYxt7rW0UqG0VAEX3dZ8jUQz6m/s1600/Hole+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHDq6Iq5Y4qKoS2YIY5U-wiCWsKLxxt31LzUw4ca-Nw3K8cEPg9zQG3H_SHK251LNm_ShMjc___Xy1NvdPYZjdhWkj5n78aRpTzLV46uv-FGcpiEzx9rPYxt7rW0UqG0VAEX3dZ8jUQz6m/s320/Hole+blog.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The meal was pretty good & I got 3 special Fathers' Day pint glasses for nothing, the beer was from one of the oldest family brewers in the country J.W.Lees. I tried 3 of their bitters and enjoyed them all. As you can see from the photos, the weather turned to bright sun and warm as the afternoon progressed.</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">During the week we covered 54 miles & 24 locks</span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Final bit of a rant. I just received notifications by email about Wheaton Aston & Market Drayton services both being closed because of blockages. <b>When will people realised that elsans & pumpouts are for waste & paper only, not baby wipes, disinfectant wipes, nappies etc. </b>I feel sorry for people with full tanks because of these mindless individuals.</span></div>
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<br /></div>Ianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00795967384515672158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810784201093183607.post-76490365249632227342012-06-11T19:49:00.000+00:002012-06-11T19:49:08.199+00:00In and around Chester<br />
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Monday to Sunday </span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">I’m not going to break this down into days as we have
not gone anywhere other than a trip down and up the staircase 3 locks to use
the services which we did on a drizzly lunchtime, sharing the locks with a
Hardern hire boat on the way down. In their week’s holiday they cruised from
Beeston Iron Lock up to Llangollen and returned and then on back into Chester
for a night before returning to base. It would have taken us around 3 weeks I
reckon, they did it in one and a week of awful weather too!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj71dbXq3IPu3hakxZn6QAL2M0dwXuyudZffMXDaQCxmv-0dDPARja9TDyPfXRQivRR2JDAvaAhotkznFD4PMUgSqTOWvcpjksrGFI-3P8VHjiee00qTcHpu_bhO5u-IQdANcpl8kqSA2K/s1600/Heron+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj71dbXq3IPu3hakxZn6QAL2M0dwXuyudZffMXDaQCxmv-0dDPARja9TDyPfXRQivRR2JDAvaAhotkznFD4PMUgSqTOWvcpjksrGFI-3P8VHjiee00qTcHpu_bhO5u-IQdANcpl8kqSA2K/s400/Heron+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the canal herons never stand still while we pass, this one in Chester<br />must have got over his fears or have been very hungry, we saw it catch one.</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">On the way back up we
shared with Masie in Global Spirit who was spitting feathers as earlier that
day she had been cruising with her new cockpit canopy up and had torn it on a
low bridge! She later improvised with a brolly poked through the hole during
the downpours, with her mooring behind us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpe60IZVH23abRemZgB9rpHdliaZfg3I9xze6h4uN7xtyxSO8KdlYsTV5RaxJL5vxusrwxLUK3YubT_enTTtwmL5Zg0DhddeqZhJBzpVEOXtWnt18oCkZVD9jKmhrDj8qW8m8GL8480Vgq/s1600/Global+Spirit+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpe60IZVH23abRemZgB9rpHdliaZfg3I9xze6h4uN7xtyxSO8KdlYsTV5RaxJL5vxusrwxLUK3YubT_enTTtwmL5Zg0DhddeqZhJBzpVEOXtWnt18oCkZVD9jKmhrDj8qW8m8GL8480Vgq/s400/Global+Spirit+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Umbrella repair to hood</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Apart from those
exciting bits we joined in with the happy folks of Chester as they thronged the
streets on Bank Holiday Monday as their Giants paraded through the city and
then meandered around the stalls but resisted the temptations of the burgers,
cheeses etc on offer. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRllG8YXQPczogzFui9QhQ-DvTPHLlZOJX4seK8L8KQMDNlMflq_EC_868PziSMtGyDv9POFvVfRpjD4Jju0KYbRDexp1WdrqMZ134JlyT6oDQFycmI6vqNR2y7xzak_Yu9C_lgBPWRjgP/s1600/Crowds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRllG8YXQPczogzFui9QhQ-DvTPHLlZOJX4seK8L8KQMDNlMflq_EC_868PziSMtGyDv9POFvVfRpjD4Jju0KYbRDexp1WdrqMZ134JlyT6oDQFycmI6vqNR2y7xzak_Yu9C_lgBPWRjgP/s400/Crowds.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh31KaVL4AJvwRVFn3P_Kmki0TzGHPnAj17dir0SUsNypXJF4H25t8-n7IRK4ZFI-EKybM3J55Cqd_3wYa7V000-dSwvZUz6u2xetMaqGIMNMuyOg2iky2B1iwvHrZp78BR5eQmVsbmode8/s1600/Queens+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh31KaVL4AJvwRVFn3P_Kmki0TzGHPnAj17dir0SUsNypXJF4H25t8-n7IRK4ZFI-EKybM3J55Cqd_3wYa7V000-dSwvZUz6u2xetMaqGIMNMuyOg2iky2B1iwvHrZp78BR5eQmVsbmode8/s400/Queens+blog.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">We later took Carol’s new phone back to get a
refund.....and failing to get that from the shop have now started a “complaint”
with Orange. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We did various other
bits in Chester, but I noticed this wonderful brickwork. They were apartments built in 1889, commissioned by the Duke of Westminster to improve housing stock, but they only had a communal wash house and no internal toilets or bathrooms. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7VfYJfkeA1WRTmjrqH_gzns1Tcw3X8tk6HoL1wEuj6VItmAsB3pIZDBjUtg_32HrsMSvBIqoRisVZATswAE0b2PFbCq6OKjm73l9_xtb84yDxL8kAd1QO76Qrwnz1Ft8IJt93lAb8l4YH/s1600/Flats+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7VfYJfkeA1WRTmjrqH_gzns1Tcw3X8tk6HoL1wEuj6VItmAsB3pIZDBjUtg_32HrsMSvBIqoRisVZATswAE0b2PFbCq6OKjm73l9_xtb84yDxL8kAd1QO76Qrwnz1Ft8IJt93lAb8l4YH/s400/Flats+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">On Wednesday, whilst Carol went to a
service in the Cathedral I dropped her phone into a shop advertising phone repairs. He
told me they’d get it repaired by Friday morning, but when I eventually got
through to them on Friday I was told the parts had not arrived, but might be in
by later, but on Saturday it was sure to be done.......well it wasn’t, we are
now assured it will be ready on Monday.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc-BAPVi6A20C-FQ0Ef15LMJN_lZ67UQMSJp-8RBL-G-qiSUC9v_ZfLW6MUqyR1LF6id3SMKp3RuM0WWIXhB4wrqs1oC2Q_nEuUI6ZGYgrdombFKme_8KelkETw0ebT3vcLdOzBAzelbdJ/s1600/Chetah+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc-BAPVi6A20C-FQ0Ef15LMJN_lZ67UQMSJp-8RBL-G-qiSUC9v_ZfLW6MUqyR1LF6id3SMKp3RuM0WWIXhB4wrqs1oC2Q_nEuUI6ZGYgrdombFKme_8KelkETw0ebT3vcLdOzBAzelbdJ/s400/Chetah+blog.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A magnificent Cheetah</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Killing time we had a
lovely day at Chester Zoo which we gather is the largest in the UK. It and the
animals were in fantastic condition with very large pens and with the zoo
actively participating in working to help re-establish good herds in the wild. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-cJlROG_btQbFzlmeee4Gm-OmhYr2psycPxhZGEw5KA2QSWVmehMI36yDwarysORyfjEBks7QmxHA7dU2qX_4DavAvv7EBzHuG9oR2Fah4RFELCWUqwBc8yrDvYhuxuN9Y_2fXzHIgC84/s1600/Jubilee+train.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-cJlROG_btQbFzlmeee4Gm-OmhYr2psycPxhZGEw5KA2QSWVmehMI36yDwarysORyfjEBks7QmxHA7dU2qX_4DavAvv7EBzHuG9oR2Fah4RFELCWUqwBc8yrDvYhuxuN9Y_2fXzHIgC84/s400/Jubilee+train.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jubilee decorated zoo train</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">One reason we suspect it was in such good nick was that it is celebrating its
diamond jubilee and the Queen had visited it three weeks before us. It was a
simple 20 minute bus ride from Chester and we strongly recommend it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvNq-SM82iqWGn7FS3BtaT_tjpVNm8xyeCARTYxxV1VyCUzshQXZXihqSqogozs1pm4qdbIBRt_Ox6nSlpAspV5J0v0e0lvgMcWc1DFPKhWK8I2z7JRtSe1nXiKgkIBOHhJwu1diKIKMDQ/s1600/Rhino+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvNq-SM82iqWGn7FS3BtaT_tjpVNm8xyeCARTYxxV1VyCUzshQXZXihqSqogozs1pm4qdbIBRt_Ox6nSlpAspV5J0v0e0lvgMcWc1DFPKhWK8I2z7JRtSe1nXiKgkIBOHhJwu1diKIKMDQ/s400/Rhino+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This juvenile "Black Rhino" was very photogenic.<br />Black Rhinos have a semi prehensile top lip which gets a bit dark</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Last year when in
Liverpool we had talked (OK, I had talked) about going to Port Sunlight but
never made it, so on Friday we took the bus to get there and really enjoyed it.
It is amazing what Lord Lever achieved from making soap. The estate is like a
slightly more modern Bournville but with a lovely mixture of architect designed
houses. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW1PFqlmphv7yP4dUdf7tuNtQg42qeJawa9byV7iqKrEQwwHbPYmm6F9r30NMsLVLL92KTeQQ_49xD7fv7_IhC3q_DJB7aiUvYCxhvXhv0d3bqKdTDVJsUT-e9-FV4qNMat2pIP6sNDg8h/s1600/Sunlight+house+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW1PFqlmphv7yP4dUdf7tuNtQg42qeJawa9byV7iqKrEQwwHbPYmm6F9r30NMsLVLL92KTeQQ_49xD7fv7_IhC3q_DJB7aiUvYCxhvXhv0d3bqKdTDVJsUT-e9-FV4qNMat2pIP6sNDg8h/s400/Sunlight+house+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of many architectural house types</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">At a time when most rental property for workers was lines of slums at a
cost to build of just £60, his houses cost £250 to build, had indoor bathrooms
and hot and cold running water and each house had its own back garden. So it
could be seen he wasn’t exploiting his workers, setting an 8 hour working day
and organising that there were many sports and social clubs as well as
providing allotments and trying to get everyone to grow their own food and
arranging immense works days out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuAu_0yi2yR7HNLYBhueiHL0mszKCfE-Mz3BXz64F1EdMsZ1MULA5h23egZXmmGSwMGUieMDZF7zLQBHY6SKUGgIKJBZ5nHzKqCGLU6XQf00JQe8iIB0-n_ZDCNV3py13vxvpSmUVaLJKq/s1600/Memorial+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuAu_0yi2yR7HNLYBhueiHL0mszKCfE-Mz3BXz64F1EdMsZ1MULA5h23egZXmmGSwMGUieMDZF7zLQBHY6SKUGgIKJBZ5nHzKqCGLU6XQf00JQe8iIB0-n_ZDCNV3py13vxvpSmUVaLJKq/s400/Memorial+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lord Lever arranged for this incredible war memorial to the over 500 of his employees<br />who died in WW1. The bronzes are of an incredible an very moving quailty</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">In Port Sunlight is
the Lady Leverhume Gallery where are displayed some of the immense collection
of works of art he acquired.....as well as owning four very large
houses......from making soap!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">On Sunday I had
thought we might take the bus to Rhyl on the coast as I thought we might be
able to do it for free (bus passes). I was told we’d have to pay, and then I
saw it would take 2 hours each way and just knew our bladders wouldn’t make it,
so decided to go by train. People said we were mad as there was nothing to
really see and so we went to Llandudno and had a lovely day, including a bit of
a paddle and a trip up the Great Orme on the cable railway just as the sun
started to break through. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUFL2Wub5f-iSDLST4zI5pwRPpB_ZgTTJn67_21J_aOqQeVyG4BaAkBDCGBYFMBq7DXVoc9swhP9-gZRswUkGml4HesIz6HWWeIDfRnPSc8QXFsLzlmtCQ5uHBLZwHsWJ1sOVd4i5ZGd-w/s1600/Funicular+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUFL2Wub5f-iSDLST4zI5pwRPpB_ZgTTJn67_21J_aOqQeVyG4BaAkBDCGBYFMBq7DXVoc9swhP9-gZRswUkGml4HesIz6HWWeIDfRnPSc8QXFsLzlmtCQ5uHBLZwHsWJ1sOVd4i5ZGd-w/s400/Funicular+blog.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Descending from the Gt Orme </td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">We are so glad we did, both of us had been there in
our childhood but remembered nothing of the place. We can recommend the trip.
By the way Rhyl & Prestatyn looked dire and we have never seen so many
bungalows or static caravans, we were so glad we hadn't bussed there!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifcVQ3nqY2uoQpZMtG_mJheWkyBGKhMed5R-r6TvtdpvID6DsdPnTj0Y9s2ds61yp30swsfBTMnjhWBncHzNyzR519tTXNXPW1LYTUcG_qCwVLQOzltAzGTjQ9Rh1IGWYMQgmPvI4oUSkY/s1600/Conwy+Castle+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifcVQ3nqY2uoQpZMtG_mJheWkyBGKhMed5R-r6TvtdpvID6DsdPnTj0Y9s2ds61yp30swsfBTMnjhWBncHzNyzR519tTXNXPW1LYTUcG_qCwVLQOzltAzGTjQ9Rh1IGWYMQgmPvI4oUSkY/s400/Conwy+Castle+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Conwy Castle seen from the train</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghOYE1N9kjWsOgKQ0-Mkz0fVv1u1Zz2bOiiP6r7ziv_D8wrQMb_jUjskpoy6Etrs1kGALSNGqXhA054fE3uoYiSr1Ltsgkc5t48Yi860j9XZctnygCm6K2-iaRec7_DG0ouS6Nm_Q_B-JV/s1600/paddling+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghOYE1N9kjWsOgKQ0-Mkz0fVv1u1Zz2bOiiP6r7ziv_D8wrQMb_jUjskpoy6Etrs1kGALSNGqXhA054fE3uoYiSr1Ltsgkc5t48Yi860j9XZctnygCm6K2-iaRec7_DG0ouS6Nm_Q_B-JV/s400/paddling+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There are some things I have to do at the seaside</td></tr>
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<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ7AOsSR3bjiHmfX00NuOFfvVdadqkxyzzj0EejbNKyjLlLgvYC8pDwHhkU-DjSlq8uLacVlagKpxO0uitwgO9gefO_uW1ZWTjhb-x4SvMvlr0RR59yl64IKxfFmZkkbpPNkvu2o4LYt7y/s1600/sign+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ7AOsSR3bjiHmfX00NuOFfvVdadqkxyzzj0EejbNKyjLlLgvYC8pDwHhkU-DjSlq8uLacVlagKpxO0uitwgO9gefO_uW1ZWTjhb-x4SvMvlr0RR59yl64IKxfFmZkkbpPNkvu2o4LYt7y/s400/sign+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At Chester station we failed to hire a post horse and caught the train</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3fIB3w2nvKmxNeDO5e5pqk460fBRmUEZy0dHbSU3jeId96Mjbne1alq1pI1GlepLzVPtjC-jlegnN5kCXGavpCLsMS01yAyB7_wjng6tfDLfQOqZElKsi-mHnjHtAltu1yvwo2YJDGEYo/s1600/TV+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3fIB3w2nvKmxNeDO5e5pqk460fBRmUEZy0dHbSU3jeId96Mjbne1alq1pI1GlepLzVPtjC-jlegnN5kCXGavpCLsMS01yAyB7_wjng6tfDLfQOqZElKsi-mHnjHtAltu1yvwo2YJDGEYo/s400/TV+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And finally, these people love their view from their bedroom window<br />note the enormous TV filling almost the whole window!</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></div>Ianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00795967384515672158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810784201093183607.post-4200811468148595432012-06-03T20:39:00.000+00:002012-06-03T20:39:26.448+00:00Autherley Junction to Chester<br />
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Monday 28<sup>th</sup> May</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> fine warm and
dry day with clouds building towards evening. I walked off to the Morrissons
store to the east of the canal to get Carol’s paper and for fresh fruit before
we cast off at 9.30. For those who have not cruised on The Shroppie, it is a
remarkably straight, wide and lock free canal and along much of its length has
neat, solid, concrete edges on the towpath side. What is not easy along its
length is mooring as the profile of the canal has stone, shelving ledges to the
concrete, unless it is in a cutting where in many places 6 inches of water
covers a solid rock shelf that might extend up to 6 feet from the bank, so
beware!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Along the early part
of this day we saw a chap walking his two Dalmatian dogs, and carrying his
little black bag of dog present, but as we approached one of his dogs made
another donation to the environment, yet the owner made no attempt to collect
it. A we passed I asked if he was going to collect it, he said he hadn’t seen
his dog do it, got very irate and showed his little bag and said he always
picked up and frankly I think from his demeanour that had I been on foot he
would have taken a swing at me. I think he had seen it, saw that a hose would
have been best suited to clearing it.....and maybe his black bag comes out with
him every day, filled perhaps with soil, so he can pose as being a collector! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFVJjcdb91ARqEdeEAaXIGwPy6-U4MeS02b2q9ZIiJk3huY4dZmkUZ4kI0tTkb_-t_K9c6PmnSQZbK8bIGAehyWGZwzwZu2_Vta7Hn6WjmsFs7GeXeleiObHUNFcshW3UuJF1VWOyklLJu/s1600/Lovely+cutting+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFVJjcdb91ARqEdeEAaXIGwPy6-U4MeS02b2q9ZIiJk3huY4dZmkUZ4kI0tTkb_-t_K9c6PmnSQZbK8bIGAehyWGZwzwZu2_Vta7Hn6WjmsFs7GeXeleiObHUNFcshW3UuJF1VWOyklLJu/s400/Lovely+cutting+blog.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovely Shroppie cutting</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">This apart we had a
reasonable cruise to Wheaton Aston where we were 6<sup>th</sup> boat in the
queue. Two boats in from we saw Roy, dog Thomas and his historic boat Gerald.
He is always immaculately turned out and this day was no different with freshly
pressed shirt and trousers. We saw him last in Middlewich last June and he was
heading there again so we exchanged news etc whilst awaiting our turns. We
naturally filled with diesel needing a further 172 litres at 73p before
cruising on and met many boats including a line of 5 boats at one bridge
including 3 cruisers. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">At 4.30 we tied up at the start of the Norbury Junction
moorings where we tried to do a Bbq but were only able to finish off the
cooking as I couldn’t get the damp charcoal to burn well. It was noisy though
as the farmer was cutting grass alongside, at least it kept me company as I
polished the port side.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Tuesday 29<sup>th</sup></span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> started overcast and cool enough for Carol to put
trousers and sweater on and again it was 9.30 when we set off, but stopped
almost at once to empty things at the services block. It was slow through the
first cutting as there was the bole of a very large tree partway in the canal
with fenders around it, BW are obviously considering the best was to deal with
it. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnQgFmMJ5n4uY_yw2-tKBNG2FE4G73RlOI25DecD_jCoBUo1uxl9DFbiKSCgiZUGUmzfpBsUFP-qgLSiE8Y5_T3K2GvRNT64rYG0uBHCRYjiniXW6l5VZakGkQ7e68TCajCbtot8S6PB61/s1600/Tree+slip+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnQgFmMJ5n4uY_yw2-tKBNG2FE4G73RlOI25DecD_jCoBUo1uxl9DFbiKSCgiZUGUmzfpBsUFP-qgLSiE8Y5_T3K2GvRNT64rYG0uBHCRYjiniXW6l5VZakGkQ7e68TCajCbtot8S6PB61/s400/Tree+slip+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">We passed the first of many long lines of off-side moored boats on this
canal and met 2 boats in Woodseaves cutting, by now in sun, but the boats we
met had met 6 or 8 boats going our way. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">We reached the top of Market Drayton
locks just after 12 behind some complete beginners. I tried to help them but it
rather backfired, and also had some interesting chats with BW bods, including
the chap in charge of water.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The beginners stopped
for lunch after the locks and we carried on past many more moorings with it
getting warm to hot for a steady cruise to Adderley Locks. We bought some
lovely lamb steaks, burgers & sausages from the farm shop by the top lock
before descending the 5 locks and lucked into what we believe was the last good
mooring between the bottom of this flight and the start of the Audlem flight.
The Bbq was out again and this time it worked a treat and the lamb steaks were
thoroughly appreciated, and we had a lovely panorama view.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRYuKxoY45ZCqaA9EegaZq03ccv_pKDVDa5NVjRsUZkW6Ca6d7GuUPCIyG4u0rc1REX7vcodlnTucQmquQ5rxhjoLnOcspeP9I2oDw-RaTOBSZFt33L5sCyFzpxooMb7pQUi9I7L9kwONJ/s1600/panorama+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRYuKxoY45ZCqaA9EegaZq03ccv_pKDVDa5NVjRsUZkW6Ca6d7GuUPCIyG4u0rc1REX7vcodlnTucQmquQ5rxhjoLnOcspeP9I2oDw-RaTOBSZFt33L5sCyFzpxooMb7pQUi9I7L9kwONJ/s400/panorama+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lovely view by our mooring</td></tr>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Wednesday 30<sup>th</sup></span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> A bright day in the end after light cloud at the
start. Carol woke and was up at 7.15, disturbed by boat movements nearby, and
saw the 3 boats in front of us had already gone so she decreed we should get under
way at once with porridge on the hoof! Sadly we entered the flight of 15 locks
behind a very slow boat we had first encountered at Norbury. It is amazing how
on very easy locks some people can be so slow! In the flight we crossed with 4
boats and we stopped outside the Shroppie Fly to fill with water before
finishing the last 3 locks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi0R_gBJbI8oCPE-Rmzyd7RCxLNv4sp_PB4yML464nmPXfnO7Mh7ELSDz1SIXWMwsqm58AyYZ9JSNuJkEEIYRGqyYtWi7AcxXbNioLD1hgfUKHGE95hqBcSOzmZ2LFEJLjN04uDpV_HmU8/s1600/Attractive+cottage+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi0R_gBJbI8oCPE-Rmzyd7RCxLNv4sp_PB4yML464nmPXfnO7Mh7ELSDz1SIXWMwsqm58AyYZ9JSNuJkEEIYRGqyYtWi7AcxXbNioLD1hgfUKHGE95hqBcSOzmZ2LFEJLjN04uDpV_HmU8/s400/Attractive+cottage+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovely lock cottage by the Shroppie Fly</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdvpgVgIb_lVq4hCMRswZpsPSuw8BoSgDEUlHocBHO2z0icQv4WoW2XtSbQlprNIre3ffXmzTf7DT1rlgPMurfQ6KQLesPXyQ1Hrlo3G-rT8WmxF_W-_1SEnlo3fAl3iV9jkZrO3fdYPcs/s1600/Shroppie+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdvpgVgIb_lVq4hCMRswZpsPSuw8BoSgDEUlHocBHO2z0icQv4WoW2XtSbQlprNIre3ffXmzTf7DT1rlgPMurfQ6KQLesPXyQ1Hrlo3G-rT8WmxF_W-_1SEnlo3fAl3iV9jkZrO3fdYPcs/s400/Shroppie+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lily filling with water at Audlem</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">We had intended to
stop at Hack Green to visit the Nuclear Bunker, but had made an arrangement to
meet friends on Friday in Chester and wanted to get there in good time so have
decided on our return trip to make an excursion back there before carrying on to
Middlewich. On the lovely afternoon we carried on to Nantwich and arrived just
after 2, and guess what we were drinking about half an hour later? Well she
hadn’t had a Costa since Sunday!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpQkICuMlWuqvzo5UIZHKrkgKS5KpUL-MioVlizKsKkShN2DdiVDDU97kvOh4L4KzFcbeh1z1_J6ObCxAF97bypFnujlHf_fY72F6_q6C3p4ALSEy5cGIk6rSh6Zbf-8pa0FZNRzBXZe9J/s1600/clock+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpQkICuMlWuqvzo5UIZHKrkgKS5KpUL-MioVlizKsKkShN2DdiVDDU97kvOh4L4KzFcbeh1z1_J6ObCxAF97bypFnujlHf_fY72F6_q6C3p4ALSEy5cGIk6rSh6Zbf-8pa0FZNRzBXZe9J/s400/clock+blog.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great clock in Nantwich</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkXZpL_NTaDLCkGDxoWarHGjYhOXETGfiyFqzjfOVE5NT8lbmZrk6brMxpZ0s8Wwq5PpUnxPo_FyIJf7IgBymlIpdu_GMslw1mi64zHxzifDA0-0fvrkwHHqljQiHO5PnotpbH4VSUiVlm/s1600/Lovely+Riley+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkXZpL_NTaDLCkGDxoWarHGjYhOXETGfiyFqzjfOVE5NT8lbmZrk6brMxpZ0s8Wwq5PpUnxPo_FyIJf7IgBymlIpdu_GMslw1mi64zHxzifDA0-0fvrkwHHqljQiHO5PnotpbH4VSUiVlm/s400/Lovely+Riley+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fantastic Riley in concours condition in Nantwich</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF8eyoQN5A6npj0s8ekNUhE4-UMgtYdTt7h9AQwD26alg0MBalmxkoWEgY1U4RYv31OTLf2_bleEkJDHVvrmtEFcyWgl69FTyn87uDowfHI4iTZF1NFCpEOhwchq7E5StlRJApHotIy1hG/s1600/Wonderful+gate+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="337" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF8eyoQN5A6npj0s8ekNUhE4-UMgtYdTt7h9AQwD26alg0MBalmxkoWEgY1U4RYv31OTLf2_bleEkJDHVvrmtEFcyWgl69FTyn87uDowfHI4iTZF1NFCpEOhwchq7E5StlRJApHotIy1hG/s400/Wonderful+gate+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A marvellous gate in Nantwich</td></tr>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Thursday 31<sup>st</sup></span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> and the weather had changed ready for The Jubilee,
there was drizzle overnight and occasionally through the day, though I was
still in shorts Carol was in trousers. We had a steady cruise all day but most
boats turned off up the Llangollen or towards Middlewich. One boat was stuck
trying to get into the bottom lock of the Llangollen, I hope that it was just
that they had fenders down, other boats were waiting to use it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">We were surprised at
the number of boats we met coming from Chester and we met boats at most locks.
We called in at the cafe near the Iron Lock for a disappointing coffee, we will
not call in on the way out. After passing immense lengths of moored boats we
tied up just before the outskirts of Chester, but not before we had tried to
get into the side in about 3 three places but had been defeated by mud. We used
the services at Calverley shortly after the Middlewich Arm, these are the last
ones before Chester, our map shows another water/Elsan point alongside one of
the Chester locks but they have been discontinued because of continuous vandalism.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Friday 1<sup>st</sup> June</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> Was just a simple 2 hour cruise to a mooring just
behind the Bingo hall. Once settled and having had lunch we walked into the
city to Costa and then bought Carol a replacement phone as the glass on hers
has become scratched by texting and in bright light it is difficult to read. We
bought her an almost identical one, though it has updated features, and then
returned to dress Lily for the weekend. This is the first time since I had a
major accident at the National Festival on the Thames 6 or so years ago which
resulted in me now having a metal shoulder & restricted movement. We felt
we had to do something! Weather was reasonable during the day becoming lovely
in the afternoon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">We went out with
friends we made in Chester last year and had a lovely time and great food but
don’t ask me where other than it was near Tarporley & well away from the
canal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Saturday 2<sup>nd</sup></span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> the weather worsens, rain overnight and drizzle
through the morning. We had come here to join in with Jubilee festivities and
also to see polo being played on the Rodee, Chester’s famous race course, used
since the Romans were here. After lunch we made our way there, the sky grey but
the fine drizzle had stopped, and paid our £6 to get in. All we can say is that
we are glad we did so and if there is another tournament near to us we’ll go to
watch. It is fast and furious and hard. The ball is hard and it hit very hard
and if men or horses are hit by it they really know it, and riders also get
their legs crushed between horses as they try to ride each other out of the
way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWI6RPAKkqRbw3NWKEblL_UHNMOMh1fu-5RuxSl9IkYsIlxWw76gDxHHeQi12iAIWWNasfkw1MI0bbasmd4pkrqz_1crtdmf74yVwkl9nJCDPubcCgKTh0uF5g4TQ8wPF3yvNkI2ZMy_IW/s1600/polo+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWI6RPAKkqRbw3NWKEblL_UHNMOMh1fu-5RuxSl9IkYsIlxWw76gDxHHeQi12iAIWWNasfkw1MI0bbasmd4pkrqz_1crtdmf74yVwkl9nJCDPubcCgKTh0uF5g4TQ8wPF3yvNkI2ZMy_IW/s400/polo+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Carol talked to a
couple close by us as I was “treading in” divots between pukkas. Their street
near to or mooring is holding a street lunch and all day street party all day
on Sunday and they invited us to join in!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Sunday 3<sup>rd</sup></span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> Oh dear, what weather! We decided not to go to the
street lunch! We tried to return Carol’s new phone as though it is almost the
same model it needs finger touch not the tap of a pointer and our fingers are
too fat. Our daughter Clare wondered what was going on with very odd texts
Carol sent by accident as her finger hit the bit of screen to side of where she
aimed! That failed as the right person was not in the phone shop. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">But we consoled ourselves
by looking forward to watching the great procession down the Thames, but the
rain ruined the reception on our TV, so we decamped to Wetherspoons with Carol’s
iPad & watched their soundless TV but with the iPad giving us a live feed
from the BBC, though it was interesting to find it was about 2 minutes delayed
from live. The beer was good too, and we enjoyed chatting with others there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheZeXxqERgIcC0-QdCSmicTDZ6UjYxUR-lQ2dxTFrs6uZbw9IYGzliE7vVMI9uZlPb2a7A2Ui82BEwINIORAsLZvQOW_39d8HGl_tVJjMfYezmGo3V6T3dn08RARW8Ig41Ui1CHVUmjTaQ/s1600/Joseph+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheZeXxqERgIcC0-QdCSmicTDZ6UjYxUR-lQ2dxTFrs6uZbw9IYGzliE7vVMI9uZlPb2a7A2Ui82BEwINIORAsLZvQOW_39d8HGl_tVJjMfYezmGo3V6T3dn08RARW8Ig41Ui1CHVUmjTaQ/s400/Joseph+blog.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joseph is the Audlem flight volunteer lock keeper<br />sadly we first saw him at the end of the flight</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrc5Yi4fUK9ZFjFFDxzAdDsMoMRsEqYF39KjAF7YbYPaJEJn9C9rDC39g2P4aZGcLsDURZW3r_0wvUQ1VmxDhEl6mOhrsv0_y1trdXrZVav2ry8cKsqhFVTUR23mprvRaFq63RWeRFz0kO/s1600/Heritage+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrc5Yi4fUK9ZFjFFDxzAdDsMoMRsEqYF39KjAF7YbYPaJEJn9C9rDC39g2P4aZGcLsDURZW3r_0wvUQ1VmxDhEl6mOhrsv0_y1trdXrZVav2ry8cKsqhFVTUR23mprvRaFq63RWeRFz0kO/s320/Heritage+blog.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All along the canal there are these stop plank boxes<br />They are now "Heritage" objects and must be preserved.</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Our week included 39
locks and 58 miles.<o:p></o:p></span></div>Ianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00795967384515672158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5810784201093183607.post-79752358950216548672012-05-27T21:37:00.000+00:002012-05-27T21:37:03.959+00:00Through Birmingham to Autherley Junction<br />
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Monday 21<sup>st</sup> May</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> a lovely day and we returned from our trip to
Chichester at just after 2pm, the railway platform being just a couple of
hundred yards from where Lily was moored. We had a slight problem as our
domestic batteries were almost completely drained, yet all we had left switched
on was the inverter and the alarm it was running. Big mystery and still not
resolved, and the complete discharge has totally upset the alarm. I bought this
from Digitek in Leicester & they are very helpful, far better than our
previous one from a South African chap who used to moor in Debdale, so much
better to have technical bods on the end of the phone. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi615BO5cj0LKEH_3CoM8Ew-Cn2jW7ZR6_sQNVgcF8xfm3xXm6ffB8a-aY_fl-ONMxtM0kl8k9yatgYgzZlAx5hSxaU4ZA0IuMZ81k3gTmNIBkOdpgAVM8iLtVbUS-G26KlLTPJRFsxCwuU/s1600/Hearts+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi615BO5cj0LKEH_3CoM8Ew-Cn2jW7ZR6_sQNVgcF8xfm3xXm6ffB8a-aY_fl-ONMxtM0kl8k9yatgYgzZlAx5hSxaU4ZA0IuMZ81k3gTmNIBkOdpgAVM8iLtVbUS-G26KlLTPJRFsxCwuU/s400/Hearts+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the Stratford someone has made these hearts and<br />
has attached them to many locks</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Anyway, we started
the engine & cruised on to a lovely mooring a mile short of the Tam i th’
Wood, where we moored on the off-side & I was able to re-polish the
starboard side, which I will keep doing regularly as the paint has lost much of
its original lustre unless the paint is fed with fresh polish. Anyway, a couple
of hours of polishing and a few pence worth of polish is a lot cheaper than a
re-paint!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Tuesday 22<sup>nd</sup></span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> and I start getting my pension today and another
lovely day. We stopped to empty out at Kingswood Junction, in so doing we were
passed by Martin & Mo in The Tartan Rose. What a great chap, on his folding
bike he dealt with their locks, & then drew a paddle to start to fill the
locks for us. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMykpFycpi040yl0zj5aO4sqUQcBLp-9gMCq7lYV0EsobrBjl173fc_YyLku3ZgproYyFBlIHnPZWIGeP4pAPFeuoWoWdFyXXC9bezNtRg_zi_9GUexieI4mQOC6Upkl1umY8e-d54m7Fp/s1600/Lapworth+view+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMykpFycpi040yl0zj5aO4sqUQcBLp-9gMCq7lYV0EsobrBjl173fc_YyLku3ZgproYyFBlIHnPZWIGeP4pAPFeuoWoWdFyXXC9bezNtRg_zi_9GUexieI4mQOC6Upkl1umY8e-d54m7Fp/s400/Lapworth+view+blog.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lovely spot on the Lapworth flight</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">They cruise more speedily than Carol & I, they were on the
way to Llangollen whilst on their way to The Lee where he is Habourmaster for
the boats coming to the Olympics.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDNCXDDh0pLH-QVtCfc-RU1D81HEQFzlzZgjlYpDO5FmTi2PSbIbWAPgd3PnESvYkQK3ElLaY-MxVqdxu9k4b45tg32NFiYr2i4boUPe53kZ0y51TrAgKcoMBBfiwMh3kxNCrC14t3XvfQ/s1600/Birthday+lock+worker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDNCXDDh0pLH-QVtCfc-RU1D81HEQFzlzZgjlYpDO5FmTi2PSbIbWAPgd3PnESvYkQK3ElLaY-MxVqdxu9k4b45tg32NFiYr2i4boUPe53kZ0y51TrAgKcoMBBfiwMh3kxNCrC14t3XvfQ/s400/Birthday+lock+worker.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At work on my birthday</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It was a lovely day,
the first day for shorts this year. We crossed with a couple of boats in the
flight and stopped for lunch before finishing the last four locks. Two lift
bridges and a couple more miles and we stopped in Hockley Heath. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I had looked on the
internet about restaurants in Hockley & the best one seemed to be one that
had recently changed names, & on Google Maps it looked close to the canal,
but when I looked I saw the other 3, but not The Oak (new name). I asked a pair
of blokes taking a beer outside a club & they said it was about 15 mins
walk out of the village......so I decided we’d go to the large Miller &
Carter pub. On the way I hoped we were going to call in at the garage by The
Wharf to pick up my birthday present from Carol...they sold McLarens &
Rolls Royces, no joy!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Meal was good but not
cheap and rounded off a good day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpDZFHj9orOBOS0Y0EtICeuuhu5CWIQZfXnQbnCuzuM8-n81wfNTkm_4PZL11AiqsH0IGRbtpP2CpAZC4pZo15jQueMSnBsmzhvZCZ6IKU2QDA3M-W8BxutNEGMMiMcueAGFkWqpDEgvpF/s1600/Hockley+Heath+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpDZFHj9orOBOS0Y0EtICeuuhu5CWIQZfXnQbnCuzuM8-n81wfNTkm_4PZL11AiqsH0IGRbtpP2CpAZC4pZo15jQueMSnBsmzhvZCZ6IKU2QDA3M-W8BxutNEGMMiMcueAGFkWqpDEgvpF/s400/Hockley+Heath+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Hockley Heath mooring</td></tr>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Wednesday 23<sup>rd</sup></span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> and another hot day forecast so we set off a bit
earlier than usual at 8.30. Much of the cruise was in slight cuttings or where
the canal had plenty of tree cover, keeping it cooler than might have been. With
the slight cover the canal-side flowers were beautiful, obviously relishing the
warmer weather after the rains that gave better growing conditions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">One powered lift
bridge in the morning was where we caught up with a hire boat & the crew
operated it for us. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDfYP2M9utBwa0_FBeFGOcybIq0dPGavvy_BmlNh3pDclZOSYThouP8juGg5va8X1YiSIChlEW3T10owtKQIaQJ8oBq1U2n9yAm_vqyeJb7yhq63WE5PH5ohHDvq5_z1qyEVRnNnk-Gmu0/s1600/Kings+Norton+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDfYP2M9utBwa0_FBeFGOcybIq0dPGavvy_BmlNh3pDclZOSYThouP8juGg5va8X1YiSIChlEW3T10owtKQIaQJ8oBq1U2n9yAm_vqyeJb7yhq63WE5PH5ohHDvq5_z1qyEVRnNnk-Gmu0/s400/Kings+Norton+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rounding ?! Kings Norton junction</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Arriving at Kings Norton the boat in front made a bit of a
Horlicks of its right turn, so I took a wide line & we were looking good,
until there was a clatter from the prop. I snatched it into reverse and the
prop was absolutely jammed! Lily’s bows slowly floated into the bank & I
hopped off with a rope & started to pull her through the junction bridge.
Fortunately there were a few healthy chaps around who helped the pulling as the
canal was very shallow & I couldn’t move her on my own.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Once tied up I got
down into the engine bay & started down the weed hatch, but it was awfully
warm as the engine had been working for 3 hours. A quick feel around and there
was a 4inch diameter log jammed across the bottom of the weed hatch with one
blade of the prop that had cut into it. I set to with saws, not easy in the
working position. I tried prising it, chiselling it and everything, but it was
over an hour and a half before I was able to free it. I was a little shattered!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDPoIVYeJgLdma1V1vimKfLnbyrfY6b3QQ6NtkxjUXMxF4nnL6UC_WuMMYwoBcsb3bso9zyCwSCt7pSKK14fs7NY2KHcz0HunEPI1Ssy7NvjBLkXBzrVoiMIdKZSwHjKLR5X6J2R99kLCc/s1600/Weed+hatch+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDPoIVYeJgLdma1V1vimKfLnbyrfY6b3QQ6NtkxjUXMxF4nnL6UC_WuMMYwoBcsb3bso9zyCwSCt7pSKK14fs7NY2KHcz0HunEPI1Ssy7NvjBLkXBzrVoiMIdKZSwHjKLR5X6J2R99kLCc/s400/Weed+hatch+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At work in the weed hatch</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We carried on into
Gas St, stopping at Holiday Wharf to fill at another incredibly slow tap, what
is it with BW and slow taps, the one at Cambrian Wharf nearby is chronically
slow too. The other thing at these facilities is that BW have marked out the
length reserved for using the services, but they have only allocated 60 feet,
so when we filled our stern lay </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">alongside another boat.</span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Thursday & Friday</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> was spent in Brum. Thursday was our 43<sup>rd</sup>
wedding anniversary, I having carefully set our wedding day as 2 days after my
birthday so birthday cards to me remind me to get one for Carol!! Whilst having a coffee on our anniversary we sat alongside a lovely young asian couple & got chatting. You could have knocked me down with a feather when they told us they had been married for 11 years, she didn't look anywhere near old enough! Two kids at school and very happy couple, yet theirs was an arranged marriage, they only met on their wedding day. All we can say is that their parents must have done their homework well, especially as she had been born in the UK, he came over from Pakistan for their wedding. So, despite everything one reads or hears about arranged marriages, they obviously can work well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJr771H-j-XfqUVptAlH2QlWIZb8BqjDui-xkl64UOZPMHGLPBp0es66HdiaCsdfa5I0QFJZCC-WfBdafOplT-u3ATJZly_QZ3yNwjr6WMfBICJKV4OiCRC0A68c6hu6CbOtalr9_FvS0V/s1600/BMX+course+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJr771H-j-XfqUVptAlH2QlWIZb8BqjDui-xkl64UOZPMHGLPBp0es66HdiaCsdfa5I0QFJZCC-WfBdafOplT-u3ATJZly_QZ3yNwjr6WMfBICJKV4OiCRC0A68c6hu6CbOtalr9_FvS0V/s400/BMX+course+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BMX Championship course. I understand it took over 7000 tons of material</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">One thing we did was
go into the NIA and watched some preliminary rounds of the UCI BMX World
Championships. We had seen bits of this sport on TV & one Brit girl was
reckoned to be in with a shout at Beijing. It cost us only £5 each & it was
really quite interesting and we saw both the existing Olympic champ & World
champ plus European champs. I don’t know if we’d bother again, but it was truly
international, we were sitting with the crowd from Brazil numbering well over
50 plus large continents from many other countries.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjByFXGO9XCpOH5mZa77fzrWi6YLA5K_Ij-r66Q2x2ezTwLOYvw-7tYukTAaBXyQ6CZ-ZQKn312eFeM1DM8TWvw0zayUoYRYbEmGJ5yDR1OUjMesA9rkyVWvqDBbMSv8m-1QZ68lv-s4kEL/s1600/Brum+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjByFXGO9XCpOH5mZa77fzrWi6YLA5K_Ij-r66Q2x2ezTwLOYvw-7tYukTAaBXyQ6CZ-ZQKn312eFeM1DM8TWvw0zayUoYRYbEmGJ5yDR1OUjMesA9rkyVWvqDBbMSv8m-1QZ68lv-s4kEL/s400/Brum+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moored alongside the NIA</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We also bought new
straw hats to keep us cooler in the forecast hot days to come....I’ve got
another one somewhere, but where????<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Saturday 26<sup>th</sup></span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> another scorching day, but we decided to stay put till
after qualifying for the Monaco GP. We had put 100 litres of fuel in from the
fuel barge, I was rather shocked to see how low it was in the tank. 99p self
declared. Carol forced herself to enjoy a coffee before qualifying, plus we
used the lovely weather to get our washing dry in double quick time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNMSHXIycbBNkLzFgC8_cvvDo-QMhwcSfWCQp5sN100WiRJXKXKWs9srcfFlLev5JZCNqs2sOJrM5diWQDACHsEEUUrqRTd4YV3wKHC0kLOE-nPyUcDNzzH3WpYysKBYuDaLDnQDAYZcm0/s1600/Lovely+scene+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNMSHXIycbBNkLzFgC8_cvvDo-QMhwcSfWCQp5sN100WiRJXKXKWs9srcfFlLev5JZCNqs2sOJrM5diWQDACHsEEUUrqRTd4YV3wKHC0kLOE-nPyUcDNzzH3WpYysKBYuDaLDnQDAYZcm0/s400/Lovely+scene+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Main Line is lovely, you are almost unaware of the surroundings</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">We were away just
before 3 and covered 7 ½ miles and three locks till we stopped above the
Factory Locks a bit past 6.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I have signed up to
Groupon & we have had several good deals with them on their daily offers,
and in an offer today Digitek (the alarm company) have a deal on. It’s not the
boat alarm, but you might wangle a discount. By the way, our alarm is wireless
and has an internal siren, but it raises the alarm through a mobile phone call
to as many phones as you want, plus we can switch it on, off or check its
status with our phones.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>Sunday 27th </b>and another scorching day. Last evening I was reading the latest Towpath Talk and read about an arson attack on a boat in the yard on the offside just above the Factory Locks, all that was left is the charred remains in my photo. I don't think we would have moored here if we had known, as it was we had a lovely quiet night.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe56R1QIJkFPImR6rpmgm_Arz3D7r2-mMBsnJiErHSeJOh5iyndPb0n5ZK4W1gk_udot9HtckMqQc-OU6x3wcX3I8ZhW9hV3D7jBBSp6F1qiWBajy7kJt1vRJY_6VbSJzanN9f-tzGCij1/s1600/arson+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe56R1QIJkFPImR6rpmgm_Arz3D7r2-mMBsnJiErHSeJOh5iyndPb0n5ZK4W1gk_udot9HtckMqQc-OU6x3wcX3I8ZhW9hV3D7jBBSp6F1qiWBajy7kJt1vRJY_6VbSJzanN9f-tzGCij1/s400/arson+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arson near our moorings</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc5WouV3W-tQzUe7Q6vZN2Vh1wZHEFo4WzSKl6MpT5ygmkIj88gpN-_J-z3ge883_-R29xWXn5tmBEh2DoQyBm6BEQfMnU9pW38vfGND7OxscDZqOvpxEEC5qk_dCU-gMBf1y4psYi_0qs/s1600/Factory+Locks+moor+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc5WouV3W-tQzUe7Q6vZN2Vh1wZHEFo4WzSKl6MpT5ygmkIj88gpN-_J-z3ge883_-R29xWXn5tmBEh2DoQyBm6BEQfMnU9pW38vfGND7OxscDZqOvpxEEC5qk_dCU-gMBf1y4psYi_0qs/s320/Factory+Locks+moor+blog.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I walked to get papers, but HORROR.....no Times available! Never mind, we set off about 9.30 and cruised for around 4 miles through surprisingly lovely surroundings and meeting 2 boats. It clearly used to be heavily industrialised, with many steel works, but now they ave nearly all been cleared and many housing estates and retail parks. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkovlyP0EunuRuXmp_12Tb0NFSt9EKJ3_p520hV2Dq4z9fDfzpPu9Gsw0pe1b_0ViP93dRyb6qBFJ6E2DYMZUR7HSfFw0uvJjLeqEgODbptPQvoyGY0cRB9RM89ZnZ6IQp-GdOw4XZ-xzG/s1600/dereliction+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkovlyP0EunuRuXmp_12Tb0NFSt9EKJ3_p520hV2Dq4z9fDfzpPu9Gsw0pe1b_0ViP93dRyb6qBFJ6E2DYMZUR7HSfFw0uvJjLeqEgODbptPQvoyGY0cRB9RM89ZnZ6IQp-GdOw4XZ-xzG/s400/dereliction+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An old overhead crane, derelict.</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">About half a mile before the junction with the Curly Whurly we tied up for lunch & the Monaco GP. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf7-vXuJ6u5WPMvH8ALMUncquHr0O0h6iE-NzbsytEMDh5VpILu94gwrMUi1Gu4Y6NLCg4h91zaThKlGFSL0nw203VFMb32kpKv93nkTpJLql8b71ZOTDgfCyokXxMBYK0uKe_8AVIKTKn/s1600/parasol+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf7-vXuJ6u5WPMvH8ALMUncquHr0O0h6iE-NzbsytEMDh5VpILu94gwrMUi1Gu4Y6NLCg4h91zaThKlGFSL0nw203VFMb32kpKv93nkTpJLql8b71ZOTDgfCyokXxMBYK0uKe_8AVIKTKn/s320/parasol+blog.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Away at 3, only one boat had passed us while moored, but exactly as we reached Horseley Fields Junction a BW tug with a work boat in tow emerged, incredible timing! </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHjdTcHBr2_uGN9Xkq6gnJ7-rTS4fExkO7uFi3BJbKFGJi0PArPfQhJfbjVhFJ3Pr1O89V9c6wwjuJet_qk76YAAiQwrPpsc0PgGUIvmYHr4BV4mY6zypNvnFOjsblrhThIKVx8hTUTiDM/s1600/work+boat+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHjdTcHBr2_uGN9Xkq6gnJ7-rTS4fExkO7uFi3BJbKFGJi0PArPfQhJfbjVhFJ3Pr1O89V9c6wwjuJet_qk76YAAiQwrPpsc0PgGUIvmYHr4BV4mY6zypNvnFOjsblrhThIKVx8hTUTiDM/s400/work+boat+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The work party allowed us past first</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">A short while later we arrived at Wolverhampton Top Lock.......just as a boat was entering the flight! We had never done this flight before and it really was pleasant, though of course every paddle has to be locked with the Watermate key. We were glad to complete the flight of 21 locks on this warm day, turning into the Shroppie and tying up for the night at around 7.</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Our week totted up 44 miles and 45 locks. Now we are off to Chester for the Jubilee Weekend. </span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>Ianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00795967384515672158noreply@blogger.com0