Dr Bradley

After a boatyard worked on thye bot all morning, it was declared fit. I am now anchored in the estury as the engine died again. My friendly lifeboat is on the way.

Actually it was not the RNLI as Portishead lifeboat is an independent trust, though apparently they are in talks to amalgamate. Donation to the trust will bw made. I too am surprised. I had it done before I set off in March as I knew things like the Severn estuary were in my plan. I thought once in the year would be sufficient. Perhaps I'll be having words with the bloke that did t.

I'm in complete agreement with you.

Clean your fuel tank before going on the choppy stuff. I had it cleaned before I set off in March. Lesson - not good enough. Other lesson, choose the right weather and tides and the Severn estuary is nothing to be frightened of if you equip the boat right, have the charts and can read them. A great trip despite the problem near the end.

No. It is a wonderful efficient and free service. Cannot, and never have been able to praise them highly enough. (The AA as the fourth emergency service - what rubbish)

Not much. No panic, tried changing the fuel filters but to no avail. Bit tricky in a choppy sea. Contacted the coastguard on VHF who sent out the Portishead boat to tow me in. I was getting a bit close to shore when they arrived and was getting ready to drop the anchor. Someone coming to flush the system in the morning. Full trip should be on the website shortly

My trip down the Severn Estuary was yesterday. The navigation was far easier than expected as there are leading marks all the way though binoculars were required to find them. I followed the channel but now know that I could just go off in a straight line without problems when leaving at the top of the tide. I was thoroughly enjoying the ride despite it being somewhat choppier than forecast until the engine stopped

You'll have had a lot more views now from people not in the market..

The second version of the proposed winter stoppages (out 9/7 13) does not show the Castleford closure which was on the first version - 5th November to end of March. I'm glad about that as a slight delay anywhere would have prevented me getting home at all this year. It would have meant the whole of West Yorkshire was virtually cut off for 5 months.

I really have to stop at Wyre Piddle, such a great name. Where are you heading Mac, I see your in the West Midlands.

Been through Stratford and now at Bidford , a place of two pubs that quite obviously used to be many more. Just managed to moor about 2:00 when another boat agreed to move a few feet, thanks. I have been considering the differences between canals and rivers and have decided I much prefer rivers (though I prefer the sea even more!).

If you can't get off on the offside, get close to the bridge and tie the bow to the bridge. If the bridge swings away from the boat it actually pulls the boat part through. Untie the rope then step off the bridge onto the boat. This has never proved difficult. Drive through. Step off the boat onto the bridge and tie a stern line to the bridge. Close the bridge and the boat is pulled back to the bridge. Untie, step on and away. When the bridge is swinging towards the boat, leave a bit more room and there is a little more pulling of the boat towards you. In reality there is usually somewhere to stop the boat on the offside and a combination of the above and stepping ashore on the off is most efficient. The structure the bridge is built on often has room to land on and still swing the bridge, especially on closing the bridge.

That is so slow - and all that hauling. There was about 4 minutes of operating the bridge and 9 of faffing about. Ihave done the L&L many times, never had trouble with irate motorists and never taken that long on a bridge. My method is similar but drive the boat through and why on earth after closing the bridge did he haul it to the towpath side?

Moved on from Worcester, quite enjoyed the Tardebigge flight and am now at Lapworth, though will probably move on today or perhaps tomorrow.Looking forward to visiting Stratford (I expect lots of good pubs) and cruising the Avon. Then move quite quickly apart from a day in Gloucester, to Sharpness where I will sit and plan my trip down to Bristol.

I arrived in Lancaster to find those moorings full so carried on to try mooring on the towpath further on but could find nowhere to get close to the bank. I eventually turned and went back to moor on the trip boat moorings - but they hadn't started their season so that was OK. Certainly a difficult place to moor at weekends.

Don't make dates far in advance as I never know what might go wrong. Expect I'll be in Sharpness in about three weeks. I came through late evening. Where did you set off from - we must have been close.

Not very efficient at updating this thread recently, concentrating on the website but here's an update. After a pleasant stay in Audlem I moved on for my annual pilgrimage to the Anchor. A short one this time, three days instead of two weeks. Calling for an evening in the Navigation at Gnosall and who should be there but Ade (Their Not Whippets) who I always meet there even though his boat is on the Lancaster and he was only there that one night. On Monday I moved on to the outskirts of Wolverhampton. (Jan - as I was there that day I could have lockwheeled for you on the Autherley flight. In return you could have come and helped at Tardebigge). The Staffs & Worcs is a smashing canal and jumps in at number four in my top ten. The locks are well maintained, fill and empty quickly and I only found one stiff paddle. It is very pretty. I had half a day wandering on Kinver Edge which has great views, a hill fort and rock houses. All well worth seeing. I passed quickly and unimpressed through Kidderminster, though I am told it can be attractive away from the canal, and on to Stourport where I was impressed. Magnificant canal basins though the two lots of locks into the river are a bit hard to navigate in a wind. The bit I've done so far of the Severn, I prefer this river to the Trent and what a great way to enter Worcester, where I am now.

The Savick Brook Is narrow and twisty. I doubt a wide beam would go but ask CRT. The locks and the crossing itself would present no problem - even the one which is done backwards. The locks are overseen by lockies but you may have to do them yourself. Also the depth is limited but I can't remember what to.

So if the sun went out we would all have to go into marinas.

That;s theMiddlewich Festival over and about to set off down the Shroppie. Lot;s of good music, especially from the numerous Canadian bands and of course a fair amount of beer. Next stop the Anchor with a pause in Audlum.

It must be the coal, I fell in February (in the middle of the night) lifting a bag of coal. I have those steps at the back already mentioned and this allowed me to get out quickly. Without them I would have had to get heavy, waterlogged winter clothing off whilst in the water before I could pull myself out. I am fairly fit, a qualified lifesaver and experienced swimmer. I can see how people drown especially in winter - it can take only a few minutes for the cold to incapacitate. Everyone should try and plan a strategy for getting out, and perhaps even practise it on a nice summers day.

Well I've arrived in Middlewich in drizzly rain and soaking wet. I'm moored several hundred yards above the King's Lock. As soon as I moored and came below, the rain stopped. Now having coffee and warming up before I go wandering.

Perhaps that the problem. Would you recommend plbimg t'other in?

Last year I made a touge in cheek post about how horrible the Middlewich branch was. Only because there were no pubs and I really wanted a beer. Lots of replies about how good it is and where the pubs are. I'm on it again and have stopped at the Badger. The branch is good again. Tomorrow is Middlewich where I'll enjoy some music and weather permitting have some books out for sale.