haggis

We had an excellent couple of weeks on KELPIE and now we are home we realise how lucky we were. We did the Four Counties ring and we found the canals quiet with just the occasional queuing at locks in busy places . We were held up in Stone for a couple of hours while they let water down onto the pound with the hire fleet and after we got on our way we found the level down a bit . By the time we got to Stoke the level was about a foot down and we headed for harecastle expecting to wait till the next morning but no, we got through almost right away. Moored at Red Bull overnight and had a good trip down to Wheelock with almost all locks for us . The next day the level was even further down with boats going aground on lock landings but we made it back to Park farm ok It was only later that we found the locks on Stone and the Cheshire flight were closed and they apparently still are. We were very lucky indeed not to be caught by these closures and we feel sorry for those who are, especially the hire boats.

I don't think it is now just a case of saying where you moor. You have to provide proof (contract ? ) of your mooring.

It think the curtains would need to be extra heavy to make brass sag

I think not letting anyone see into your boat is an ' in thing ' On our recent trip we saw a lot of boats with black windows which I presume are non see through. Each window was surrounded by a wide black frame which to my mind did nothing to enhance the appearance of the boat. Each to their own taste however and it would never do if we were all the same

We find that brass rods top and bottom work a treat. When the curtains are open they have tie backs attached to little rings and when the curtains are closed they meet in the middle and no one can see in. The bottom rod is to hold the curtains against the sloping boat wall. They look good and are functional We have the top hoppers of the windows open behind the curtains Unless I am not understanding the question

Hard to know where that is 🙂

Not surprisingly, the T & M has been closed between locks 41 and 71. Glad we came down a couple of days ago.

The problem with this boat is that it was probably hired in Anderton and this was their first lock, some 10 miles away

We have just come down Middlewich big lock and it is small wonder the canal is getting short of water. I walked ahead and there was a Diamond Resorts boat in the lock with two guys standing on the back and the ladies at the top gates. I was told that they had been waiting ages for the lock to fill. The reason being that one of the bottom paddles was still up more than a foot. I wound it down then explained to the guys about the white markers and how important it is that we do don't lose water , especially just now. I then explained to the ladies about the white markers. The attitude of the guys on the back of the boat surprised me. It was almost as if " so what ". I can only hope that they are a bit more careful in future

It is very shallow between Wheelock and middlewich with boats going aground on lock landings. The C&RT guy at one of the locks said it had been suggested that they close one of the paired locks and it was under discussion

We just came that way and no problem. It wasn't till we got onto the T & M that we started encountering low pounds.

We have in the past too but we are not spring chickens any more - and it got hot 🙂 Quite a lot of double locks not working and the method of letting boaters know seems to be a red and white chain ( quite small links ) across before the top gates. No signs that I could see. Chains are fine in good light but if in the shade they are virtually invisible. In fact there is one less now 🙂 Now that we are in Wheelock I feel a meal out is called for. Sadly. The Cheshire Cheese isn't doing food tonight ,( we are due them a visit ) The last time we were here it was the Indian which was ok but having had an excellent Indian in stone, that didn't appeal . That leaves the Italian where we hope they don't have good memories 🙂. One time two of us downed 2 litre bottles of red wine with our meal and I have a vague recollection of going back to the boat.🙂

We have been on the T & M for a few days and the water levels is certainly down. We were held up in Stone for a couple of hours while they filled the pound which has the hire fleet in it and since then it has been getting shallower. By the time we got to Wheelock ( down the Cheshire locks) the level was well over a foot down. I don't think I have ever seen the canal so quiet. Only about 6 moving boats today.

I think today proves that I can still do locks ! Himself says 23 locks, and 6 miles with only a half hours break for a bite of lunch ! Fortunately it was quite dull when we left Red Bull but the sun came out later which made it hot work 🙂. Never been so glad to see Wheelock.

Tim, after a couple of years of indifferent health I had open heart surgery last July and it knocked me for 6 and I thought that was how it would be for the rest of my life. However in December I started to feel a little bit better and have continued to improve. We are now boating and I am managing locks again. Something I thought I would never be able to do again. Hang in there and be patient ( not easy, I know) and you will get there.

Oh, how nice to hear that you are on the mend and thank goodness for the NHS. Your body has had a lot to contend with and it will take time to get back on track but you will get there. Remember, only the good die young so us naughty old codgers must keep flying the flag.

I've found where all the moorhens are - Barlaston ! Lots of adults and quite big chicks and a few very small balls of fluff They made my day after a 2 hour delay while C&RT let water down to top up a very low pound in Stone.

Well, we didn't get far this morning. Came up Star lock as another boat came down and I walked on to set the next one to be met by a chap from the boatyard telling me to moor up as we wouldn't get out of the lock as the next pound is low and they are letting water down. The boats in that pound are sitting at an angle. Paddles now taped up and he will let us know when things improve. He reckons about an hour but with leaking gates, who knows. C& RT guy has just been he reckons two hours. There are two boats waiting at the other end and they are closing Star lock as there is nowhere to moor in this pound

Thank you everyone for your helpful suggestions. In the end we went to Cavalli and had an excellent Indian meal. It gets a 10 out of 10 from us and we will definitely go back . Tha fact that Indian people were eating there was a promising sign.

We are moored in Stone and the Thai restaurant is not open today and as we are a wee bit tired of pub grub I thought I would ask the " foodies ' on here where is recommended. Indian ? Chinese ? Italian? Mr Google tells me there are lots of restaurants here but which are recommended ?

It is interesting how different birds seem more popular in certain areas. On the Shroppie ducks were by far the most common with just a few moorhens and coots and the odd goose. Now on the T & M there are loads of geese and fewer ducks but I have seen slightly more moorhens. I wonder if there were different types of bird flue in different areas which attacked one type of bird more than others. I seem to remember a more even spread of all types of waterfowl on the canals.

At home it is the herons which catch the moorhen chicks and take them back to feed their young. Don't think I have seen herons attacking any chicks on the canal but they probably do.

I just thought I would let you know that I have finally seen a moorhen chick. Just one but it's a start. There seems to be far more moorhens now that we are on the T & M bit not do many ducklings.

Well, we have had a meal and some Butty Bach. I would rate the food at 7 out of 10 but might have been lower if they hadn't included a couple of chocolate mints when we got the bill. 🙂 Not got a burning desire to go back.

We haven't been for years and I will report back . It used to be pretty good but it may well have changed and is probably under new ownership 🙂