dogless

We're still moving along with a huge share of good fortune as the Cheshire locks are about to slam shut behind us. We've booked into Heritage for a few nights (£30 a night 😱😱) to go home for a funeral, but on return hope to head south on T&M (hoping Aston is back in working order), and then decide between Staffs & Worc or into Brum. Supposed to be blacking early September in Braunston. We live in interesting times 🌞 Rog

We walked up to Sandbach where there is the George (Ws always great value). Cheshire Cheese canal side, but I've actually 'beered onboard' today as I have Shipyard in the fridge, which I find a great warm weather beer. The Broughton Arms at Rode Heath is an OK drinkery/eatery and stop off point on the Cheshire locks. Bugger ... now I'm going to have to get another Shipyard as this talk makes one thirsty 😊 Hope life is good in Brum and you're making money. Rog

Came up the hill from Middlewich to Wheelock, slightly concerned at what levels may be like. They were fine. Hopefully that'll be the case up to Kidsgrove too 🤞 Rog

I've explained my thoughts. We disagree. I can live with that 😊 Rog

Not missing the point at all just disagreeing with it. Rog

Yes of course ... I was just using it as an example, sorry. Rog

I wasn't looking to get into an argument, but I'll try to explain my view once more. There are I think we can agree , those few who would seek to stay in one place permanently for their own reasons. If the navigation authority makes permanent changes (at times of drought movement requirement are suspended) some of this few would seek to use this to excuse their own desire not to move, and perhaps improvise on it (its too rainy to move, it's too hot to move, etc.) If I go through locks on my journey, I'm not wasting water, I'm using it to navigate which is the requirements of the navigation authority. I've been travelling around since February this year and haven't yet encountered any restrictions to navigation on my chosen route, other than timings at locks, but since I generally wouldn't seek to traverse locks other than between 8am and 4pm, this hasn't been a meaningful restriction to me (I know, I'm lucky). If I happened to be on the South Oxford at present (now Claydon is shut) I'd about turn, but using locks to leave isn't wasting water in my view. On the Leeds & Liverpool I think you're blocked in the pound you're in , so travel is impossible but so is enforcement whilst the locks are closed ... therefore no changes are required to the 14 days rule. I'll keep moving whilst I can, and hope that you can too ... I was merely agreeing that permanent changes to the 14 day rule aren't necessary ... the drought is short term, the potential adverse effects of rule changes could be long term as there are those that would seek to use it as a precedent going forward. Now where's that windlass, I've got Cheshire locks to do next 😊 Rog

Then move on as I will ... until such time as they've closed the locks and we therefore can't any longer. There's no need to create complications long term. Last year was one of the wettest on record. I'm sure the water issues will prove once again to be short term, exacerbated by poor reservoir management and repair. Rog

Have to agree. Those that want to stay put , generally do so. No need to complicate issues. Rog

We spent five weeks on the Llangollen, leaving mid June. It's always busy as there's so many hire firms. However we travel slowly and walk lots, so the queues don't really affect us. The one bad queue was at New Marton locks as we came back down, as there was an obstruction on a gate holding everyone up. We just moored, went for a walk, and went down early evening when the place was deserted. I don't think anyone should be put off the Llangollen ... there's lots of hire and share boats, but they're all happy, smiling, and in holiday mood ... it makes for a lot of fun. Rog

We were told there was a charge to moor ... but we weren't charged cos we used the pub. I (and I guess you) don't know the person on Facebook ... maybe they misunderstood ... maybe they were unlucky ... maybe they were making it up ? We've shared our experience ... if that's insufficient, why not ring and ask ? Rog

They may well in due course ... the pubs only been re opened a few weeks, and the issue of people mooring long term, brought to their attention. My guess is, this is their response. Of course it shouldn't be necessary ... very rude to moor on a pub garden if you're not going to use the pub don't you think ? Rog Recently at home in South Yorkshire I was charged £3.90 for a pint of Neck Oil. In Chester I was charged £6.10. We can refuse to pay, or buy something cheaper ... or sit in a bus stop with a can from the 'offy'. But I like pubs so pay up ... helps me drink less too 😁 Rog

We were told by the landlady it is £10 a night to moor. However we had lunch and then dinner in the pub and were not charged for mooring. I think the charge is to moor if you don't use the pub ... a deterrent rather than a money making scheme. Rog

It's clear quite a lot of dosh has been spent, but over many, many years (ten or more?). Lots of plant used to dig out and extend, all new jetties and pillars, new piling with full services for new on line moorings. It all looks new and expensive but empty ! A waste if its going to be used for a housing estate. Rog

So for whatever reason, the owner has decided not to put boats in yet. Maybe he wants the other place full first ? Rog

Heading north out of Middlewich we passed an empty marina (Orchard Marine was it called?) a few miles south of Broken Cross. I recall the marina was emptied many years ago for dredging and some kind of extension work, but it's been empty for many years. Came by today (must be five years since we've been up this way) and but for two boats it's still empty. Looks like all new jetties and service pillars, and new on line moorings with services provided, but all empty. Obviously been quite a bit of dosh spent, with a new office/service block too ... but all still empty years later. Anyone know the story behind the place ? Just simple nosiness 😊 Rog

It was a joke 😃 Rog

"Blackening" ? Do you to pay to insult and demean your boat ? Rog

Spoil sport 😁 Rog

Then stop over staying ... selfish. Rog

If posts are made in a thread no one reads do the words still appear ? Rog PS no peeping