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Day 42 (24/04/2013)Shardlow

Just a short hop from Weston-on-Trent to Shardlow today as we were delighted to have a visit from daughter no.2! We moored outside the Clock Warehouse so she could find us quite easily.   Leaving Weston     Approaching Shardlow     Moored outside the Clock Warehouse     another short hop tomorrow to Shardlow.................    
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Day 41 (23/04/2013) Weston again!

Been a fairly relaxed day today............we took a walk down to the River with the dogs. Well they enjoyed it!             Ever seen a dog trying to catch fish!?     He's not really....................      
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Day 40 (22/04/2013) Weston-On-Trent

Left Willington late morning............ decidedly chillier than when we arrived there! Stopped at Stenson Lock Cafe and Smiffy got his Full English breakfast today .Also managed to buy the last bag of coal from the chandlery at Stenson Marina..so we're ready if we have some chilly weather as forecast. Past the disused Derby Canal at Swarkstone and onto Weston-On-Trent where we are going to spend a couple of days.   Inside Stenson Lock         Swarkstone     Derby Canal Arm  
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Day 38 (and 39!) 20 & 21/04/2013

It was such a lovely day we set off quite early with the intention of having a Full English at the transport cafe on the A38. It closed just as we arrived..........such is life If only we hadn't stopped for diesel.............But never mind we managed to get 6 hours cruising in. Alrewas past Branston Water Park, through Burton Upon Trent, over the River Dove Aqueduct and onto Willington. Staying here Sunday too.............moored right near the Dragon and a table booked for Sunday Lunch!   It
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tillergirl

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Day 37 (19/04/2013) Alrewas!!

Finally!!! The winds have subsided and its been a pleasant day for cruising. Mind you we only got as far as Alrewas and decided we would stay here for the rest of the day. Its a pretty village and the old and new sit nicely side by side.   Leaving Kings Bromley     Fradley Junction - Entrance to the Coventry Canal     CRT volunteer lockie at Fradley Junction       Alrewas and carved bench         14th century painting inside Alrewas Church  
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Day 34 (16/04/2013) Kings Bromley

A lovely day again today but very windy. So we decided that we would overnight at Kings Bromley Marina.   Trent & Mersey View     Passed this very nice desres       Trent never very far away again today     Crossing the Trent     Smiffy made his own Aegir today       This cutting was a very tight squeeze       Next stop Alrewas............    
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tillergirl

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Day 33 (15/03/2013) Great Haywood

Today has been a pleasant day to cruise and we managed to get all the way to Great Haywood.   Weston on Trent is a pleasing little place     The River Trent was never very far away     Here at Great Haywood the Trent passes through the Shugborough Estate     A heron patiently waiting for that fish to come over the wier     And finally the entrance to the Staffs & Worcs canal    
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Day 32 (14/04/2013) Still in Stone!

Had an excellent weekend here in Stone catching up with friends. Spent a lovely evening out yesterday and partook of a hearty meal and a few ginger pops! We took a Sunday Morning stroll and captured a few interesting things on camera.   Welcome to Stone!     Wooden carving of "Chirstine" and plaque explaining why it is here       Canoeing on the River Trent       Joules Brewery Wharf (now closed)         And finally   Duckilings!!!! She has 18 (not all pictured) - w
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tillergirl

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Day 29 (11/4/2013) And onto Stone

We left pretty Westport Lake this morning around 9.30 and cruised through Stoke and Meaford Locks.   Stoke is a mix of the very old, the old and the new. Here's a few pictures   abandoned pottery         Middleport Pottery (still in use and been refurbished)     These flats are built on the site of Newport Pottery where the famous Clariss Cliff worked     entrance to the Caldon Canal       Get this 2 bottle kilns in the middle of a housing estate................I lik
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tillergirl

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Day 28 (10/04/2013) Harecastle and Beyond!!!

We left our overnight mooring around 11 this morning after Brian from NB Alton delivered some coal and diesel by road to us. He's a fantastic bloke - a true working boater!   Didn't take us long to get to the northern portal of Harecastle Tunnel but first we had to cross the Trent & Mersey on the Macclesfield     Its a sharp right turn from the Macc onto the Trent & Mersey and Smiffy did it perfectly!     And as you can see the water is full of iron! This is the bridge that
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Day 27 (9/4/2013) Simpsons Bridge No.85

Bosley Flight this morning in winds gusting up to 25 mph! Still we're through now     This hill is called The Cloud     Looking forwards on the Macc     Scenery.............       Tomorrow - the Harecastle Tunnel all being well and we arrive in time to go through.
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Day 26 (8/3/2013) Bosley Summit

We set off this morning in good time to reach and descend the Bosley Flight. Weather was very chilly and blustery.     The wind started to become a problem around 11am. Twice it blew us to the side and twice we were grounded. When we got to the summit there were some people form CRT here effecting repairs to vandalised services. There was also a volunteer lock keeper here who advised us that we would at 60 foot be better mooring up for the night and seeing if the winds dropped in the
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tillergirl

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Day 24 & 25 (6 &7/4/2013) Gurnett Aqueduct

Its been a glorious day today, sunshine and blue skies. Its also been very much a wildlife day well apart from meeting coalboat Alton en-route!     We came across a Muscovey Duck or two     And also these strange ducks...............never seen ducks like this with tufts before     We passed the Hovis Mill in Macclesfield where Freedom Boats are based. Looks like the mill has been converted into apartments now       And since we got here early we found a nice spot to moor fo
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Day 23 (5/4/2013) High Poynton

Just before we left Whaley Bridge I took this picture. Does anyone know what it is?     Shame this happened to this boat     Flowering about a month late     Marple Junction   Along the Macclesfield Canal   Moored at Higher Poynton for the night.  
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tillergirl

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Day 21 (3/4/2013) Whaley Bridge

Woke up to find the upper basin where we moored was iced over and it was blowing a gale. Washing and cleaning done we have moved around to the other arm at Whaley Bridge. Not that Bugsworth isn't nice it is. The wind was blowing Limestone dust into the boat so we decided that it would be a shrewd move.   Can highly recommend The Fryery chip shop in the village.     Depending on the wind we may or may not make our way back up to Marple tomorrow.
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tillergirl

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Day 20 (2/4/2013) Bugsworth Basin

A chilly start to the day but nevertheless a pleasant trip down to Bugsworth Basin.   There is still some snow on the high peaks       And still some on the banks of the canal     Some splendid views along this part of the Upper Peak Forest     Arrived at our mooring for tonight  
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tillergirl

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Day 19 (1/4/2013) Marple

Stayed over in Marple and watched the Easter boaters come up from Bugsworth.   Still some snow on those hills         Heading down here tomorrow    
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Day 18 (31/3/2013) The Marple Flight

4 hours 16 locks and a little helper turned up windlass in hand to help us through. Hope it was worth the pint at the end Kevin.................you were a big help.       Lots of gongoozlers once we started to get into Marple. I don't think I've answered the same questions so many times in one day!! But then what goes around comes around..............we used to be exactly the same.   All the locks on the Marple Flight are pretty deep.         The end is in sight!       On
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tillergirl

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Day 17 (30/3/2013) Portland Basin to Bottom Lock, Marple

I am happy to report that have finally escaped the suburbs of Manchester and are currently sat waiting to descend Marple Flight tomorrow.   Had to stop part way for Smiffy to remove a huge length of banding that had wrapped itself around the prop and had fun with an oncoming boat on a shallow bend. We both ended up grounded whilst trying to pass each other!   Apart from that the day has been nice if not a little cold.   Woodley Tunnel           Entrance to Hyde Bank Tunnel  
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tillergirl

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Day 16 (29/2/2013) Portland Basin Marina

Decided to top the diesel tank up and top up with water so reversed back to Portland Marina. Overnight mooring with electric for 6 quid! Yes please!! Everything that needs charging is on charge.....phones, toothbrushes, shaver and camera.............best not waste the opportunity!       And we got in here so we must be able to get out!     We shall be leaving here tomorrow afternoon. Looks like we are set for the Marple flight for Sunday,
tillergirl

tillergirl

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Day 15 (28/3/2013) Portland Basin

OK so washing is boring but seeing as I don't yet have an automatic washing on the boat it was launderette time today.............mind you Johnson's Dry Cleaners offer a washing, dry and fold service wash for a fiver (small bagful) so they got it all!! Won't be ready to collect until Saturday. But we have moored at a nice spot so there's no hurry.   We paid a visit to Portland Basin Museum today............wow free entry! Highly recommend anyone pay a visit if they are in the area. They have r
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tillergirl

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Day 14 (27/3/2013) Piccadilly to the Peak Forest

Been a really long day today so this is only going to be a short entry .............set off from Piccadilly at around 8.30 this morning in the snow. Onto the Ashton where it continued to snow for most of the day.   Pleased this section of the canals is behind us. The Ashton is hard work.........long and arduous. Nowhere nice to moor so you just keep going...................     The nicest thing about today is where we are now moored.................peace and quiet at long last.    
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tillergirl

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Day 13 (26/3/2013) Trafford to Piccadilly

Well that was an experience and one we are not likely to repeat in a hurry!! I have never been so cold in my life...............sun, wind snow and then the Rochdale 9!!!   Don't get me wrong Manchester has a landscape all of its own and we don't mind some urban backdrop for a change. We found out today the Kellogg factory has an arm of the canal all of its own though I suspect its not used anymore.       This was one lock we didn't attempt to go through...............who would want to b
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