trane
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Posts posted by trane
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19 minutes ago, trane said:
I'm not sure about your belief that the situation doesn't look too bad. One of the very few cruising rings left without stoppages is the four Counties. The Stretch from Great Haywood to Middlewich is, as I understand it, largely dependent on water from the Macclesfield and Caldon canals.
The Caldon is at a historically low level at 67% (the previous low was in March 2014 at 85%) while the Macclesfied reservoirs are barely half full. Doesn't bode well for the start of the year.
Added to which, once the breach on the Macclesfield is fixed this will probably be heavily used by boaters trying to get North/South that cannot get down the Bridgewater because of that breach, further draining the reservoirs on the Peak forest.
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1 hour ago, David Mack said:
L&L reservoir levels are the lowest they have been at this time of year since before 1998. Elsewhere the picture doesn't look too bad.
https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/specialist-teams/managing-our-water/reservoir-watch
I'm not sure about your belief that the situation doesn't look too bad. One of the very few cruising rings left without stoppages is the four Counties. The Stretch from Great Haywood to Middlewich is, as I understand it, largely dependent on water from the Macclesfield and Caldon canals.
The Caldon is at a historically low level at 67% (the previous low was in March 2014 at 85%) while the Macclesfied reservoirs are barely half full. Doesn't bode well for the start of the year.
I'm not sure about your belief that the situation doesn't look too bad. One of the very few cruising rings left without stoppages is the four Counties. The Stretch from Great Haywood to Middlewich is, as I understand it, largely dependent on water from the Macclesfield and Caldon canals.
The Caldon is at a historically low level at 67% (the previous low was in March 2014 at 85%) while the Macclesfied reservoirs are barely half full. Doesn't bode well for the start of the year.
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Re the Shroppie Shelf-Yes, it's a menace. But it isn't present for all of the canal. There are good moorings, particularly in the villages, but also at isolated spots outside the villages. It's just a case of knowing where they are. Generally (very generally) when you see the metal Armco the bank has been repaired at sometime and you can get in to tie up without hitting the shelf. If you see other boats tied up this can signify a good mooring, but check whether they have tyres down as fenders.
For an out and back trip I would aim to stop in villages on the way out, mark down the rural moorings on your map and aim to stop there on the way back. While I like both canals, after Tixall lock you are near the railway, there is the motorway from Acton Trusell to the Gailey flight and Four Ashes chemical works above Gailey. Not always intrusive, perhaps a field away or behind a hill but always in the background.
Once you are out of Wolverhampton, under the Motorway Bridge the Shroppie is just more relaxing.
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While I would definitely second Worcester as a place to visit dont neglect Droitwich itself. Its a delightful town which has suffered badly from subsidence (salt mining) over the years. As a consequence the urge to pull down beautiful old buildings and replace with modern bland boxes (opinions may vary) wasnt there and we are left with some really quirky old buildings. Well worth a walk.
There are several supermarkets by the canal (Waitrose, Morrisons, an ALDI or LIDL?) and I recall several very pleasant pubs (Not on the boat so can't check the details). Just have the broad locks to the river which aren't my favourite.
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Rather than staying on the Staff and Worcester have you considered turning onto the Shropshire Union at Autherley Junction. There are only 2 locks until you get to Tyrley but the scenery just feels more rural (once you are out of Wolverhampton). While you have the pubs in Penkridge, there are options in the villages you pass on the Shroppie, at Brewood, Gnosall, Wheaton Aston, Norbury, The Anchor at High Offley, Goldstone Wharf.
There used to be a laundry at the Bridge pub in Brewood but its some years since I've been in and it may well be closed now. However I'm pretty sure there was one in Gnosall last year. (google shows it as Gnosall Laundry Services) which was pretty close to the canal. Best to ring and check they are still open--Also I may well be thinking of somewhere completely different so it would be best to check.
If you go this way and dont want to go into Market Drayton down Tyrley locks, wind at Goldstone Wharf. The map book shows a winding hole above the locks but there is a chain across it.
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4 adults sharing the work is a lot easier than having only one person on the tiller-8 hr days can be shared with 2hrs each. I do the trip on my own at least once a year--mind you it does take at least 3 weeks(usually a lot longer!)
Just looking at your timings you have 7 days travel with the first day Audlem to Middlewich (8 hrs) and a 10 a.m start. Usually hirers pick up the boat from 3p.m. Unless you have made an arrangement with the boatyard to pick up early or have an 8 day hire I cant see you making Middlewich on the first day.
May be different with a share boat but they still tend to need a changeover for someone to work on the boat.
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From what little I can read of the itinerary it looks like the OP is attempting the Four counties in a week. A four hour day would surely put a lot of pressure on the rest of the journey, not allowing for the inevitable holdups ( slow boats, queuing at locks, bad weather).
Thinking of the route, I don't think the OP will get pretty moorings AND a good pub. Most of the moorings near pubs are uninspiring. There are nice moorings-particularly on the Shroppie-where you can sit outside on an evening but in the villages/towns you are either overlooking houses, overlooked by trees, opposite on line moorings.
I'm not sure I would describe the moorings in Penkrige as good. The ARMCO near the Boat PH and above Filance lock badly needs repairing.
Anyway I wouldn't consider Penkridge
I've never completed the four counties in less than 56 engine hours. I accept some of that may be warming the engine or sitting out a day in bad weather but I would try and stick to 8-9 hour days early in the week if you are going round in a week.
I remember meeting a group who had stopped at Market Drayton for lunch,never left the pub and were now trying to catch up with a 14hr day. Also a man with 2 days to cover a distance I take 24 cruising hours to cover. I'd rather have a short day at the end of the week--less stressful.
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If you need to go down the weedhatch in winter I keep a bucket of hot water to hand which I tip down the hatch. It does keep the water at a more manageable temperature and can be topped up as required, providing you have been running the engine and have a calorifier of hot water.
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I'm a bit confused by the latest restriction notice from CRT regarding Hoo Mill lock on the Trent and Mersey.
Please be advised that there will be restricted passage at Lock 23, Hoo Mill Lock, on the Trent & Mersey Canal due to a partial collapse of the by-wash culvert.
Operations team will attend the site daily at 9:00 AM, 12:00 PM, and 3:00 PM to ensure the by-wash weir remains clear. Efforts will be made to manage water levels by running water through the lock, reducing the risk of further erosion.
To facilitate this, the lock will be closed daily from 3:00 PM until 9:00 AM the following morning to help reduce upstream canal levels. Passage through the lock will be available between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM each day.
As i read it, during the day they will be running water through the lock to prevent erosion of the culvert. But they will then close the lock from 1500hrs to 0900 hrs., and this will somehow reduce upstream water levels. Being a simple soul, I would have thought closing a lock overnight would increase the upstream canal water level. Surely allowing a boater to use the lock would take a lock full of water with them, reducing the upstream water level.
What am I missing?
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How sure are you that this problem is down to diesel bug? You mention that you can run the engine to charge the batteries, and the engine only cuts out when cruising. Have you checked your fuel filters for diesel bug--If the filters are clear perhaps the problem lies elsewhere.
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One of the attractions of boating is that you get to meet a very wide selection of people. Most are pleasant-some are great company who you can share a drink with or spend an afternoon chatting to. And then there are the arrogant know it all's who dont give a damn about anyone else. It isn't a case of whether you are single handed or have a crew. It doesn't matter whether they have a shiny new boat or a boat that has, shall we say, seen better days. Some people will help others-some expect you to run around helping them without ever offering to help you. The good thing about being on a boat is you can spend time with the former and can move on to get away from the latter. You don't just see it at locks--the popular mooring that has space for 2 x 60 footers that is occupied by one boat with a 2 x 30ft space fore and aft comes to mind.
My advice to the o.p would be to enjoy boating while you can. Try and get a routine --accept help if you want but if you are not happy with what someone is doing, or they aren't doing something you are comfortable with, don't be afraid to tell them. Don't let other boaters rush you because they want you out of their way. It's your boat/your lock and you should be in control of how it's worked.
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I'm finding it more and more that I have to stay with my boat rather than going to help at a lock as it seems that many boaters nowadays seem incapable of steering into a lock. They therefore stay at the back of the lock landing, ignoring you behind them and not moving up. On occasion I have moored ahead of them just to get on the bollards to tie up. It generally attracts some comment from the man who is standing guard by his stationery boat. I then go up to help the woman who is not infrequently struggling with the paddles.
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The best advice I would give is to not be worried about other boaters and their offers to help. Yes its great to have help but last year, as an example, I had a problem at a lock when a log caught between the boat and the lock wall and the boat hung up. I would rather get off the boat and work the lock, even if there are other boaters offering to help. On this occasion I spotted the problem, dropped the paddle and then refilled the lock/flushed the boat free. The boaters waiting to come up didn't have a clue why I dropped the paddles-I shudder to think what would have happened had I been at the stern trying to communicate with them. I have had "helpers" lift all the paddles then walk off back to their boats or wander off to talk to their friends--I prefer to be on the lockside when the boat is in a lock and I'll work it myself.
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If you have access to a previous survey does it give a figure for the boats draft? Assuming the surveyor can use a tape measure, it would seem that the boat is sitting 100mm lower in the water than expected. this may not be a problem if you intend to sit in a marina but an extra 4" draft on an already deep drafted boat could make cruising a chore.
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You might want to think about how to get down from the roof if you're going down a lock flight. Can be fun if it's wet (or icey)
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You could try James Parry. He used to work for a share boat company before he went on his own so, unless you have a really obscure engine he should be able to sort you out. I'm not the only boater to use him in the marina and have never heard a bad word about him. Always done a good job for me.
Being mobile he will come to you in his van and lives, I believe, in the Middlewich area. 07539874309
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I have a lot of respect for Farmers. Just a week ago I was by a field where the farmer was still working at 9p.m. and was back again at 0530. It's not an easy life. It's when they spread slurry in a field next to you at 7p.m when you've settled down with a glass of wine, now that is annoying.
Talking of sounds of the countryside I was passing Hurleston Locks one morning a while back and the only sound I could hear sounded suspiciously like a trombone. I didn't stop although there seemed to be a lot of mooring spots available! Anyway thanks to the OP as it put me above Audlem flight the day before it was closed.
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In their first post the OP stated that "someone" has examined the engine and at their request the OP purchased some parts. This engineer/mechanic/boater then never returned. Assuming that that someone have some knowledge of marine engines if we knew what parts were requested we may get some idea what they believed the problem is.
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Rhode Heath if you want a pub. Church Lawton (by the Church) if you want a quieter mooring. Some good footpaths if you have a dog/enjoy a walk
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When I bought my own boat the first thing I invested in was a hinged tiller arm. It has become second nature to lift the arm whenever I go into reverse, whether I intend a long reverse or just bringing the boat to a stop in a lock/lock landing/mooring. I can then step on/off without catching the arm, and the tiller cannot catch the lock wall when in a lock and I am up working the paddles. I had hired for many years and had found the rigid tiller to be a nuisance and potentially dangerous.
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I moored under trees during the recent heatwave and stayed there for a few days, running my engine for an hour to an hour and a half a day. There was a house on the non towpath side across and along from me. On the saturday I became aware of a noise and on looking out saw the resident of the house was throwing stones at my boat. He told me to move my boat. Being annoyed but not angry I tried to talk to him, explaining the unusual circumstances regarding the heat and need for shade as to the reason I was where I was but said householder went from telling me to move to threatening to torch my boat. If i ever left my boat just see what happened, as an unknown person would likely put my windows in-there would be no witnesses. I had to this point kept my temper, just explaining I had every right to moor where I was and i did not want to move, but at this point i suggested that if an unknown person damaged my boat they were just likely to start breaking windows of houses next, as unknown vandals do, and his house seemed to have a lot of windows. At this he walked off telling me to move my boat and not come back.
I initially intended to stay where i was but decided that I was on the cut for an easy life so I reported what had happened to the Police and moved on. 18 years on the cut and he was by far the most objectionable waste of space I have ever met. I was moored just north of bridge 86 on the Trent and Mersey in a spot I have moored in several times before.
The Police visited said householder. He claimed he had been nice but I had not been reasonable. Advice given all parties.
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This notice supersedes previous notices for the Caldon and Trent and Mersey canals.
Despite some recent rainfall, there has been no significant impact on our reservoir holdings that supply the Trent & Mersey and Caldon Canals as this has been absorbed into an already dry landscape. In order to protect our infrastructure and the wildlife that inhabit these waterways, we will be implementing closures on the lock flights below:
Trent & Mersey Canal
- Lock 41 to Lock 71 will remain closed
- Passage through Lock 40 to Lock 36 and Harecastle Tunnel will remain possible between 8.00am and 12.00pm daily until last passage on Sunday 7 August
- Lock 40 to Lock 29 will then close to navigation from 8.00 am on Monday 8 August
Caldon Canal
- Hazelhurst Locks to Froghall will remain closed
- Lock 9, Top Lock at Stockton Brook to Lock 1, Bedford Street, Etruria will be closed from 8.00 am Monday 8 August
Whilst these closures will prevent use of the lock flights, cruising between the locks and through Harecastle Tunnel (pre booked passages only between 8.00am and 12.00pm daily) will remain available.
The local team have been in contact with customers affected by the closure to assist them off the Cheshire Flight (locks 41 – 71). If you have not been contacted and are waiting to leave the flight, please contact our North West team on 0303 0404 040 as soon as possible.
We’re continuing conversations with customers affected on the Caldon Canal and the Trent & Mersey from Stoke to Stone (lock 29 to 40). If you have not been contacted and would like assistance in leaving this section, please contact our West Midlands team on 0303 040 4040 or enquiries.westmidlands@canalrivertrust.org.uk as soon as possible.
It is not clear how long the restrictions will be in place. We appreciate this is disappointing news for our customers and we hope that by providing notice of these closures, it will help our customers plan their upcoming journeys or move to alternative locations to avoid the impact of the closures on their cruising plans.
To conserve as much water as possible whilst these closures are in place, the lock flights will be padlocked closed and secured against operation with the gates ‘ashed up’ to reduce leakage. Implementing these closures now means that we can conserve water, allowing the reservoirs to start to refill should we have significant rainfall. Although the Trent & Mersey Canal will remain open north of Great Haywood junction, we are encouraging boaters to minimise travel towards Stone, and consider other available routes, to help conserve water in the area.
We apologise for the inconvenience this will undoubtedly cause our boating customers and boating businesses.
Our teams will continue to monitor our reservoir holdings and surface water feeders and we will provide updates on the water position throughout the closed period.
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15 minutes ago, doratheexplorer said:
I have a couple of pairs of shoes with vibram megagrip and they are excellent in mud, but I still wouldn't recommend them for wet gunwales, not enough contact. They are common on better trail running shoes in the £120-£150 bracket.
I think that there are different sole patterns and while "megagrip" is a specific compound the boot manufacturer can use it's own pattern. I've checked my shoes which are flat and have relatively big lugs that are siped. The lugs are not straight. They seem to put a lot of rubber in contact with the ground. Looking online the trail running shoes seem to have a different sole pattern to the hiking shoes.
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6 minutes ago, doratheexplorer said:
I have a couple of pairs of shoes with vibram megagrip and they are excellent in mud, but I still wouldn't recommend them for wet gunwales, not enough contact. They are common on better trail running shoes in the £120-£150 bracket.
They are the best I have found for the wet, having to cope with gunnels, roof and lock side. Siped soles are best for wet smooth metal but lose their advantage once you step on and off the boat. At the end of the day there is no perfect sole, but some are considerably worse than others
Canals and Water Shortage
in General Boating
Posted · Edited by trane
accuracy
I suspect the Caldon is low because of the Breach on the Macclesfield. They are taking water from the Caldon, and will have to continue to do so for the next 2 months until the breach is fixed.
Either way they would cross a summit fed by the Macclesfield summit water supplies, so wouldn't necessarily use any more water. I think you are perhaps ignoring the not insignificant number of boaters who turn up or off the Middlewich Branch of the Shropshire Union to avoid the Cheshire locks.