A very full day today. We started off at 7:30 in order to arrive at Harecastle Tunnel when they open at 8:00. However the first run through of the day was north bound, so we had to wait until 10 to 9. The time was filled by cooking and consuming bacon sandwichs. An easy trip
We have done the “Cheshire locks” or Heartbreak Hill today, 25 locks spread out over 8 miles. It’s been very busy with boats. A the Lawton locks quite a queue built up. There are four locks close together. Three of them are doubled, but one isn’t. (There were all doubled in the past). This leads
The day started really cold and windy, but finished really warm and sunny. A 7:30 start again. Quite a few boats about and by the time we reached Wardle lock we were in a queue of four. While Heddi looked after the boat I walked along to Middlewich Narrowboats to have a word with Sandra.
To avoid the queues that build up at Grindley Brook we set off early to reach there by 7:30. There was no one about, the lockie hadn’t come on duty yet, so we went through unimpeded. A fairly uneventful run down to Hurleston. Except when Heddi had stern words with a hireboat crew who untied
Only about an hour’s travelling today. The day started with with a cooked full English, not easy for six in the limited space. A slow chug back to the Whitchurch Arm where we unloaded all the Downs family stuff into their car and waved them goodbye. We cycled into the town to do a bit
Another really warm sunny day. An earlyish start( with two small girls on board you don’t get a lie-in!) then on through the very pleasant countryside. We needed a pumpout. I called Whixall marine, but no answer. As it was a bank holiday I guessed they were closed. As we passed Maestermyn I asked if
For the last few days we have been having problems with the alternator. For most of the day it’s been charging correctly, but as the batteries get full it suddenly raises the voltage to over 15v, sometimes up to 16.5v. After much discussion on the Internet with people who know these things it was decided
A day of various hold ups today. At New Marton locks we came up behind a hire boat with some Americans on board. This was their first ever lock, and they couldn’t quite remember what they had been told by the hire company. So we helped them through. Later they pulled over to let us pass.
A lazy start, we tidied and cleaned while waiting for our guests. Daughter Nikki, son in law Paul and their two girls are joining us for a few days. They arrived at 11:45, unloaded, we had lunch and we’re away by 1:00. They brought the good weather with them. It’s been really sunny today. We
A very easy day today. We set off at our usual 7:00 start and arrived here at 11:30. A short wait at Grindley Brook staircase for 4 to come down before the lockie let us up. We needed a pumpout, but the machine was on the wrong side. Luckily there is a winding hole at