Boatdate:. 21102022

Canal: Lancaster

Location: Garstang

Heading: Nowhere today

Weather: Sun & Showers

Back in May some oiks stole our tonneau cover so we improvised a canopy out of a tarp to keep the water off the deck plates as they don't drain too well and if there's heavy rain we end up with more than one would want in the bilge.  This worked fine but is a bit of a faff to deploy taking longer to fix down and secure, particularly if there are high winds.

Today though, the very excellent Tom from Amrtrim came out and fitted a new cover for us and very happy we are with it too. Huzzah etc.

Boatdate:. 29092022

Canal: Lancaster

Location: Lune Aqueduct

Heading: South

Weather: Sunny, cool

Fuel Status: Middling

Beer Status: Critical

Crew Status: Flagging

Crossing the Lune Aqueducks again heading towards Lancaster services. Hope they're working today as they seem to be closed regularly because of vandalism.

Boatdate:. 26022022

Canal: Lancaster

Location: Hest Bank

Heading: North

Weather: Chilly wind but dry

Fuel Status: Middling

Beer Status: Dismal

Crew Status: Hungry

We met our friends Nick & Sara from nb Ivar III. This was an unexpected treat. They rescued us on our last crossing of the Ribble Link when our engine lost its cool. Truth is we need an extra skin tank fitting to provide sufficient engine cooling when we are having to welly the engine in tidal waters. They have cool, touch sensitive spotlights on their boat but I'm not jealous. Also the sunset across the Bay was lovely.

Boatdate: 11072021

Location: Jodrell's Bank

Weather: Less Schorchio but a bit thick

Signal Status: Weak

Went to Jodrell's Bank to get some money out but couldn't find a cash point so went back to boat.

Boatdate: 10072021 ***Panniversary Day*** 

Location: Nantwich

Heading: Nowhere

Weather: More Scorchio

Beer Status: Excellent

Crew Status: Sweatier

By 10 of the clock all the trading boats are open for business, including Paul on the Pizza boat but we have booked our evening slot so will just have to wait till then.  Anyway it's our Panniversary so we've brought a bottle of something bubbly to celebrate and help the Pizzas go down.

There are boats selling canal ware, clothing, plants, candles, nick nacks and arty things, pet paraphernalia, oh, all sorts really. 2nd mate finds some nice hippy clothes. 1s mate buys some plants and a nice traditional boaters bonnet and I get some horse brasses to wear for when I'm doing donkey work. 

1st mate looking bonny in bonnet.

2nd mate happy in hippy.

Good day had by all. Happy Panniversary. Cheers.

Boatdate: 09072021

Location: Nantwich

Heading: Nowhere

Weather: Scorchio

Fuel Status: Average

Water Status: Wet

Beer Status: Dismal

Crew Status: Sweaty

Showers much needed and 6am the perfect time. 2nd mate arrives by train this evening. I got concerned about a boat shipping water and listing badly some little way up from Pan. Rang CRT to contact the owner.

2nd boat up, after Poddler, whose Moorings we had to re pin. Boats ain't slowing down much round here and we are thumping up against the Shroppie shelf as they pass by. The shelf was caused by the way they built the foundations for the concrete edge. It sticks out more than a foot in some places and can make mooring up a right pain.

Had fun watching kingfishers flit about, one landing on the boat opposite.

Boatdate: 06072021

Location: Wrenbury 

Canal: Llangolen

Heading: To Nantwich

Weather: Hot

At the weekend there's a floating market in Nantwich and the 2nd mate is joining us by train from Manchester on Friday. We have three days to get there so we can dawdle.

There was a queue to go down Hurleston locks and the boat in front (Dutiful Duck) was one of the trading boats heading for the floating market. The owner had a wicked sense of humour and we had a good natter which passed the time pleasantly. I'll remember his name in a minute, or not. 1st mate went off to help boats up and down the locks to speed things up. Mr Duck quipped she'd gorn off with another fella and how lucky I was. 

Finally got down the locks and back n the Shroppy and not a lot of point going much further so we moor up just after the junction for the night.

     

The locks are bounded by open country and the 21 acre 85 million gallon Hurleston Reservoir. It is supplied from the river Dee via the Llangollen canal and supplies much of East Cheshire's drinking water.