Wednesday 29 th April 2020 Once we had breakfast, the boat was made ready to move. A lot of things to put away after not moving for the last 10 days. After reversing to the winding hole and turning, we headed towards the chandlery and lock. CRT had issued a restriction to navigation at the railway bridge. The brick work is all to be repaired and pointed and we found repairs were underway, with a temporary footbridge in place and a work pontoon in the bridge hole itself. The guys were quick to remove both to allow us through. We stopped at the chandlery as Susan had got some heavy shopping for us and we ordered more rope off her. We then passed through the lock and filled at the water point. A couple off the boat moored next to the water point told us that the surface of the whole canal had been covered in a green slime that had begun to smell and had only dissipated with the rain yesterday. We saw much evidence of it all the way to Barbridge Junction once when we moved...
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Tuesday 28 th April 2020 After weeks, it seems, of sunshine and heat, we woke to a morning of intermittent drizzle that turned to rain in the afternoon. It was a miserable day all round. We saw no more than ½ dozen people passing and just the one boat. Thankfully, today, the water pump cured itself of continually cutting in and out. Normally, with the pump behaving this way, it would indicate a leak but none could be found despite regular checking. The problem then, could only be with the pump itself, either a knackered pump, defective pressure relief valve within the pump or shit caught under the non-return valves, again built within the pump. The intention had been to remove the pump and either replace it or check it over, but, with there being no isolating valves in the system, fit some at the same time. Firstly, we had to get some isolating valves and secondly, run the water in the tank down. In the meantime, we had been switching the pump on only when required...
Monday 27 th April 2020 After a broken night’s sleep, I was up before 5am. Yet more photos were put into the albums, it feels as though they will never finish. As soon as it was light enough, the poles were given a final coat of black paint and the wrap around fender was finished. Once Brenda was up we had breakfast. We had been seeing the rabbit daily hopping across the clearing whether we were outside or not and, while eating breakfast at the dinette, he passed slowly within 5 feet of the window. I went back to bed shortly after breakfast while Brenda cleaned another mat and sat outside in the sunshine reading. We have certainly taken over Syke’s Hollow in the time we have been here. It’s just as well we are the only boat here. There are four picnic benches in the clearing itself with another one each side. At one point we were using all four, one for the poles, one for the mats, one for the rope work a...
Sunday 26 th April 2020 The boat was turned and Brenda painted the starboard side gunwhales, after which we turned again, much preferring the view away from the Ventian Marina direction. The poles were given another coat of black and cream paint although the black paint had not quite cured and sanding it has led to a terrible finish. People walking past regularly, are commenting on watching the progress. We once again, walked to the chandlery and this time bought 8mm rope as they do not stock 10mm which we thought was required. About half of the fender was made, no easy feat when three lots of 10m of rope has to be pulled through with every set of crowns tied, but it is beginning to look good. Although we had both been busy, we still managed our Sunday dinner of roast pork with some gorgeous crackilng.
Saturday 25 th April 2020 Brenda had a very nice reply from the NMC this morning, the gist of which was: Dear Brenda Marie, On behalf of the NMC, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you for wholeheartedly for your service to your profession. Your career as a registered professional has made a big difference to the lives of others and we hope you feel proud of the important contribution you have made. ……………………………………………………… Thank you once again for all your hard work and commitment. We wish you all the best for your retirement. More photos were sorted out and put into albums and the poles were given another coat of black and cream paint. Brenda gave the port side gunwhales a coat of blackening. This job had been long overdue and the boat was looking quite grubby because of it. We walked up to the chandlery and, amongst other things, we bought 30m of 12mm rope as I was determined to learn how to make wrap-around fenders. At the moment, the chandlery ...
Friday 24 th April 2020 Our days have settled into a pattern of breakfast, the morning spent on jobs, a mid-day or early afternoon walk, sitting outside reading or ropemaking, dinner, TV and bed. We still have Syke’s Hollow to ourselves and cannot believe another boat has not moored in such a lovely spot. The first coat of black and cream stripes was applied to the barge poles, with the rabbit again crossing the clearing while painting. We walked as far as Aqueduct Marina, expecting to see a boom across the entrance as the place is closed but there were just warning notices at the entrance. Another set of cabin strings were made, taking just over an hour. It is a case of fitting them to the boat now, but the 5mm tap has broken so that job will have to wait until we can visit a DIY shop. The water system has been checked for leaks throughout the day, but none found, however, the pump still cuts in repeatedly. Halsall passed again in the late afternoon after her run t...
Thursday 23 rd April 2020 The French Grey paint had a ¾” skin on top. The paint beneath had gone off and was of a plastic consistency. Although thinned with white spirit, the finish is full of bits. The chandlery does not stock the make of paint, so the poles will have to wait although the coloured stripes can still be applied. After our afternoon walk, we again sat out on the benches. The rabbit again, crossed the clearing and only ran when Harvey chased it. Obviously, we are disturbing his daily routine. The first set of cabin strings were made and look quite smart hanging from the side of the boat. Like all rope work, it is repetition and once relearnt, they only took a few hours to make. Traditionally, these cabin strings were used when boats were pulled by horses and the towing ropes were hung from them to dry. Today they are largely decorative but will be used on Bridge Street to hold the back e...
Wednesday 22 nd April 2020 The barge poles etc were given another coat of primer. Brenda walked up to see Susan at the chandlery. She had kindly agreed to accept a package of vape juice. With all the vape shops closed Brenda had been running dangerously low. In the afternoon we sat on the benches in hot sunshine. Brenda continued with the chair covers and reading while I attempted to relearn the continuous crowning knot to make cabin strings. We again had the local family walk pass. The kids love the dog as m uch as he loves them. He recognises them from afar and it’s great watching them all play together. Highlights of the day: first thing in the morning we had a Jay feeding off seed from the feeders that had dropped onto the ground. Although part of the ugly crow family, this is a lovely colourful woodland bird that is not often seen; a Heron sat most of the day just ...
Tuesday 21 st April 2020 Brenda stayed in bed while I sorted out yet more of the family photos. I have been suffering from sunburnt lips that have erupted into sores. They are quite painful and have been keeping me awake. However, they are getting much better under Brenda’s care. After breakfast, the roof tools that were never painted, two barge poles and a spare broom handle, were sanded and primed. All the tools except these were painted in the first few months of being on the boat almost two years ago, but these were never done. I suppose that without the lock-down, they would have waited longer yet. However, there is time and here at Syke’s, there are picnic tables and BBQ stands to rest the work on. In the afternoon we walked to Minshull Lock about a mile away and enjoyed trying to identify all the wildflowers that have appeared. We spent the remainder of the day sat on the benches reading, before coming in to cook dinner. Lamb cutlets with cauliflower cheese a...
Monday 20 th April 2020 We did not really have a feel for the moorings at Calveley. No real reason, but there are much nicer moorings close by. So at 10:30, after saying goodbye’s to Lol and Jackie, we set off, cruising to the winding hole above Bunbury Locks and stopping at the services at Calveley. We did not really need the services but thought, if we topped up with water, dumped rubbish and emptied the loo, we could stay longer in the countryside before once again having to run the gauntlet of servicing and shopping. Brenda visited the nearby farm shop while at the services. The shop is attached to a large cheese factory and also has a café. Very shockingly, the café was open. The shop sold a good selection of goods but unfortunately, not even to avoid a big shop in Nantwich. At Barbridge Junction, we turned onto the Middlewich Branch. We had forgotten to dispose of the bag of rubbish tied onto the roof that contains the debris from our sea food cook-in. Naughti...
Sunday 19 th April 2020 Primrose Day and Brenda’s 60 th birthday. Brenda had boiled eggs and soldiers in bed, with Prosecco and Orange Juice on a tray, accompanied by a port glass of wild flowers I had picked while walking the dog. The only present I had to give her. She had few cards and less presents but throughout the day she received phone calls, messages and video clips from lots of people which she greatly appreciated. Lol and Jackie knocked about 10 o’clock with a card and a present. The four of us sat down in the afternoon, acknowledging social distancing, to a lovely barbeque we had put together. The first barbeque we had since last year. Jackie, bless her, had bought a cake in Nantwich for Brenda’s birthday into which she had put a candle. The sun was hot but an intermittent breeze made it feel much colder. We all retired inside at 6pm. While it was neither the birthday we had anticipated or planned for, there will be pe...
Saturday 18 th April 2020 We thoroughly cleaned and polished the boat through after which, we had a quiet afternoon. The weather was not great, cold and damp, raining and generally overcast and miserable. However, we can’t really complain, there has been little rain lately. Post-Corona, we will no doubt be restricted in cruising options due to water shortages. With the year the country as a whole is having, we have revised our cruising plan for this year. If there is any anyway. The boat is booked for a repaint early next year at Streethay Wharf on the Coventry Canal not far from Lichfield and Fradley Junction. With this in mind, we had intended to head for London via Birmingham but, at the rate we like to travel, this would not now be feasible and so we have decided to wait for the lifting of Corona lock-down before we decide on a new schedule. We do not get a feel for this mooring. Moorings down the Middlewich Branch are much better. The Calveley straight is about...
Friday 17 th April 2020 We left the mooring just after 8am for the 2 mile run into Nantwich and moored on the embankment just before the aqueduct, very handy for the town. Neither of us were looking forward to the day ahead and so, without further ado, we headed off with our rucksacks and sack trolley. Welsh Row was almost completely deserted and eerily quiet. We had to queue outside Boots and the Post Office. The fishmongers were open and the butchers seemed to be doing a roaring trade making up bagged orders for home delivery. We were not allowed in the shop itself but were served from a table outside the door. At Morrison’s we queued for 30 minutes before Brenda entered the store while I stayed outside. Just as well it wasn’t raining. Once Brenda emerged, we loaded our bags and trudged the mile back to the boat. Once unpacked, we made a second journey to Morrison’s, buying many more heavier goods and alcohol as we found the sack trolley a great help. We reckon...
Thursday 16 th April 2020 Another lovely morning dawned. Cold with mist again swirling over the surface of the water, but clear skies and sunshine. As on most mornings, there were a few planes passing high overhead although we do not see any more throughout the day. We had a lovely breakfast of smoked haddock and poached eggs. Trouble was, as sometimes happens, the fish repeated all day. At 11am we had a quiet few moments as Don was being buried. It is a cruel fact of Corona that many people are being cremated or buried without the send-off they are due. Certainly Don was a popular guy, a native of Middlewich where he had lived all his days and his funeral should have been well attended. We then moved off, headed for Nantwich and shopping, a thing we were dreading. We watered up above Cholmondeston Lock, doing a wash at the same time and then cruised as far as Hurleston Junction where we moored, ready for the short hop into Nantwich tomorrow. We had a walk up to ...
Wednesday 15 th April 2020 We sat on the picnic benches talking with Lol and Jackie in the morning when Jackie, bless her, appeared with a nurse doll that she had been knitting over the last few nights, to give to Brenda. They then left us at 12 noon. As they were passing us on their way to Barbridge, I sounded our hunting horn, to which Lol replied with an even bigger horn. The buggar. Syke’s Hollow became very empty and almost lonely without them, even Harvey was sad and subdued. The rest of the day was spent with myself fitting the centre line fairleads, including turning the boat twice, and Brenda continuing with making the saloon chair covers. We had a few local family groups out walking the towpaths and it seemed, they had to apologise for passing us, such has the Corona Virus affected us. We feel so lucky to be leading the lives we are during this Corona Virus lock-down. At least we are able to sit outside and enjoy fresh air and sunshine in peace. Other t...
Tuesday 14 th April 2020 With a clear sky last night, and Syke’s being so sheltered, we awoke to the grass and the ropes being all white with frost and a mist swirling on the canal as the sun rose and burnt it off. We had always envied boats on the canal when we lived in Middlewich on mornings like this, knowing they would be all warm and snug inside. The bow details were given their final coat of red paint; it totally transforms the front of the boat. Brenda went for a walk with Jackie and I sat with Lol. It was another lovely warm day although the chill sent us back in about 4pm. We were sat in the front cratch when we heard Halsall approaching from her run to Acton Bridge and now en-route to Ellesmere Port. Both looked knackered again and Roberta’s face was black with coal dust. We passed them a couple of cans of Guinness and a Coke, all we have left apart from boxes of wine, as they passed, for which they were grateful.
Monday 13 th April 2020 Neither of us had slept particularly well and it had seemed like a long night. It was a cold and windy morning compared to the last few days. The red detailing on the bow and the handrail were given another coat of paint, after which we walked once again to Syke’s Hollow. Harvey has never been a dog that has needed, or wanted, much exercise, but as he gets older he needs less. After the mile to Syke’s, and the mile back, he really flags. We walked up to the water point and filled the water containers, then decided to move down to Syke’s Hollow. Syke’s is one of the locations we had always wanted to moor but, with cruising, it is not a place you would normally stop. However, it is much more sheltered and further away from the never-ending, empty trains. We winded just before Syke’s and reversed to the moorings. A lovely spot, sheltered and sunny with lots of bird life. Lol and Jackie followed us down. They too, had become fed up of th...
Sunday 12 th April 2020 (Easter Sunday) This time last year, we were well into the cruising season and attended the Easter service at Shakespeare’s Church in Stratford-on-Avon. This year is so very different. The handrail and bow detailing were painted in their first coat of red paint. The finish on the hand rail is not great, but the sides and hand rail are being repainted next year anyway. Brenda started making fitted covers for the reclining chairs in the saloon. Harvey sits and sleeps on them and we use throws, but the fitted covers will be so much better and look tidier. We largely kept to ourselves and had our traditional Sunday dinner. Roast beef with Yorkshire Puddings.
Saturday 11 th April 2020 Halsall passed by in the morning and we bought a gas bottle from them. The chandlery is a few pounds cheaper, but we like to spread our money around and support the fuel boats where we can. So, after just 3 day’s rest, although one was taken up loading the boat, Lee and Roberta are off on their rounds again. Halsall setting off on her rounds The centre fairleads had previously been removed and holes drilled and tapped for the new ones. However, before they can be fitted the handrail has to be painted where paint has been removed or worn off. We have always wanted to highlight detailing on the bow in red, the bow stem post, hatch hinges and handle, but had never really had the chance. So before painting the handrail, these were taped off, rubbed down and primed. All the time we had spent sitting with Lol and Jackie, unbeknown to us, there was a Mallard sitting on her eggs not 4 fee...