Fudge

The local intelligentia have successfully drained the pound. CRT attempting to refill but it's taking a while. Been here since 11am and it's only 1/3 full. Scroats sabotaged the paddles so they couldn't be lowered.

Update. First two boars just going up.

Bunbury staircase on the Shropshire Union canal is currently closed due to a car tyre jamming the middle gate in an open position. CRT have been to investigate and lifting gear is required to remove the tyre.

The Clifford Arms at Great Haywood and the Woolpack at Weston, both within a short walk of the T&M, allow pooches of all varieties.

Thank you Martin, I have to confess to having looked at your virtual tours in the past and found them very interesting. I love the Bridgewater too, so can get my fix when not on board.

What great pics. Thanks for sharing your very special occassion with us. Brings back happy memories of the day Rebus was launched.

http://www.bridgewatercanal.co.uk/uploads/File/Mooring%20List%202012.pdf.pdf The above link (hopefully) takes you to the Bridgewater Canal website's very useful PDF of official moorings. I did a bit of research for a friend of mine recently. S&A Marine at Cliff Lane, Grappenhall, have linear moorings which were charged on a annual basis at the rate of £0.70 per foot per week inc VAT. Should be close enough to Warrington. Their number is on the list but in case of link failure (which will be my fault entirely) it's Tel: 01925 262322. Great canal, the Bridgewater. If I lived closer I would love to use it more.

Hello! We moor at Aston and can't speak highly enough of the place. The staff are lovely, so friendly and there is a generally nice atmosphere about the place. Plus it's already on the 4 Counties Ring. Rates are pretty good for the area, facilties are good and are due to be improved. It's actually nice to see the mooring fees being reinvested in improvements. And there's a cracking bistro and farm shop on site. Stone town centre is within walking distance (about 1.25 miles) and has everything you need. Pontoons are good and the gap between our boats is slightly wider than our previous marina (King's Bromley). Lovely cruise down to Great Haywood (about 3 hrs). Nice pubs on route too (Greyhound at Burston, Dog and Doublet at Sandon, Hollybush at Salt, Saracens Head and Woolpack in Weston and the Clifford Arms in Great Haywood itself). Hope this helps. Good luck with finding the right place. There are plenty to choose from, just depends what you want from your mooring.

Has anyone got any more info on this stoppage and whether the lock is now in use again? Hoping to head down later today/early tomorrow. Many thanks all.

My brother now moors his David Piper here, after moving down from Whixall earlier this year. He likes it and as it's on the system, finds getting out and about without the regular trawl down the Llangollen a real bonus. The mooring fees are'nt bad for a newer marina. Cheaper than Aqueduct certainly and probably Overwater. Not sure about Swanley. It does suffer from "wind" but the views make up for that, and many of the newer marina's have wind issues anyway. You can take the number 41 bus from the village into Chester I believe, and the village does have some eating places. If we lived nearer, it's where we would moor. Great local cruising. Oh, and as it's part of Lakeland Leisure, you can moor at Great Haywood or Saul on a flexi scheme, providing they have room. Handy if you want to explore another part of the network without paying extra fees.

Yes, head North - it's lovely! We used to be based at King's Bromley and always gravitated this way! Here's a handful of pubs on route: The Old Peculiar - Handsacre - about 40 mins cruise from KB - does a great pie and good beer (Theakstons pub)! Plum Pudding - Armitage - now an Italian The Ash Tree - Armitage/Rugeley - cheap and cheerful 2 for 1 type food The Wolseley Arms (Vintage Pubs) - Wolseley Bridge (also Shimla, Indian). Garden centre and interesting Antique shops here too. The Clifford Arms, Great Haywood - great beer and food - dogs also allowed (if on lead). Moor by Shugborough - lovely views and walks, and the village is handy too. The Canalside Farm Shop is excellent if a bit pricey. And there is a handy Spar with fresh counter. Great place to stop for a day or so. The Woolpack, Weston, also Saracens Head. Pleasant Moorings. The Hollybush, Salt - nice walk to village and lovely food but mooring is right next to railway. The Dog & Doublet, Sandon - excellent food and beers. Arts and Crafts style pub - just watch the walk along the road - no pavement (moor above lock). The Greyhound, Burston - great pubs for food and beer. Pleasant 10 minute walk through pretty village with duck pond. Great mooring. Aston Marina - pricey but good quality bistro and excellent farm shop. Can moor in marina for overnight fee and use facilities. Stone - you can spend a day or so here - too many pubs to mention, but popular canal ones are: The Star (next to lock) and The Swan. Food at Dolce Vita, next to lock, is good but the portions are huge! Enjoy!!! PS. Not sure when you are doing your trip, but check the stoppage for Aston Lock.

You could try Bridgewater Marina, based at Boothstown, Worsley: Tel: 0161 702 8622 Website: www.bridgewatermarina.co.uk They have a couple of hire boats and are a day closer to Liverpool than Preston Brook. Nice people too.

Wow! We were one of the last "lucky" boats heading north on 25th September, and managed to sneak passed the activity at Croxton before they closed the canal at the Aqueduct, hours before the Dutton Breach. Having seen the photos of your convoy, I now wish we hadn't been so lucky! What an amazing experience. The photos are fabulous!

I use a Nokia C1-01. It's a very cheap, basic model, has a basic camera and very basic internet connection, but has a good signal. Coupled with Tesco Mobile (PAYG), who I believe use O2 and other providers, coverage seems to be really good.

Probably far too much thinking on a Friday afternoon but I have mixed emotions about e-readers, Kindles etc... On the one hand I think the technology is excellent, reducing the number of paperbacks we have lying around and the storage nightmare that creates. The environmental impact of production and destruction is reduced. Downloading a book happens in seconds which makes the effort in purchasing published work minimal, thereby hopefully increasing the revenue for authors, publishers etc. However, I find the impact that electronic publishing will have on employment causes me some concerns. My brother works for a paper mill so his own employment could be affected, along with printers, drivers, retail staff etc. I am also a little concerned about the impact on some charities who rely on 2nd hand book sales to bring in some much needed cash. I know we have to progress, but at what cost? Once I get my head around all that I might consider one, but I do still love the feel of a book.

Oh yes, I miss Rebus terribly. She was only launched last April (2011) but is very much a part of my life. I feel so much happier on my boat. If I have a stressful week, even if I'm in a grump, as soon as I step onto Rebus I begin to feel better again. I'm only able to get down to Rebus at the weekend and go without fail, even if it's just for a couple of hours. I try to compensate by walking the town locks here in Atherstone during my lunch time. In fact I've just had a small "fix" by closing the bottom gates for a single handed boater. Feel better for that but must remember to bring a windlass to work!

It also feeds the Monty too!

We are with Collidge & Partners. Never had to claim (yet, touchwood) but their premiums have been good so far and they are a friendly bunch when you phone.

Hi, The Swan, or Mucky Duck as it's known locally and by boaters, has a great atmosphere and serves well kept beer but we've not done too well on the food front there - okay, but no more than that. However, the food at the Kingfisher Cafe, next door, has been excellent and great value whenever we've tried it. Enjoy!

Hi, Congratulations on the new purchase. Having done some research lately on Linear moorings on the Shroppie, I believe Top Farm Moorings (at Croughton, between Chester and Ellesmere Port) are run by J. R. Blackburn (Farmer) Tel: 01244 381104. Also, Golden Nook moorings at Hargrave, near Chester, might be able to accomodate you. Tel: 01829 781272. I do know that Barbridge "marina" (Midway Boats website) also have linear mooring vacancies at a reasonable price, especially if you don't mind mooring towpath side. Barbridge would give you the best cruising options! Good luck and most of all, enjoy! PS. Great Haywood to Barbridge via the Trent & Mersey then Middlewich branch likely to take around 3.5 to 4 days.