Wanderer Vagabond

Passed under Nanney's Bridge (bridge 8 )lunchtime today, no issues whatsoever. There are workmen on the bridge and scaffolding, but no sign of canal closure nor any sign that there ever was. Without signage on the canal itself I don't see how it could be closed since, having spoken to a few hire/share boaters on the way down, some were totally unaware of any problem there so if there wasn't a sign telling them the navigation was closed they wouldn't know (they just rely on what the boatyard may tell them, they weren't checking the CRT website). So with a high level of confidence I'd say just 'come on down'

Looking at the relevant roads on Google mapping, it isn't really a case of any 'long detour'. If someone were going from Reaseheath or Beambridge to Winsford (the closed road is Winsford Road) it would actually be quicker to via the B5074 through Church Minshull. What I suspect is happening is that people are following their Satnavs and if the route is blocked in this way think is simply easier to move the barriers. There are a variety of ways around this obstruction for a motorist which I why I said they should put a couple of 1 tonne builders bags of sand blocking the road along with the normal barriers. For boaters there is no other way around.

Currently on the Middlewich Arm and intending to get through Nanney's Bridge tomorrow as it's only 6 miles away. I spoke to a boater coming from that direction into Wardle Lock as I passed through and her comment was,"The bridge is fine, they are working on it at the moment but the closure is just a rumour". I'll let you know tomorrow if there is any truth in this 'rumour'

Wheelock, where the customer adviser from CRT sent me an e-mail telling that there isn't an Elsan point here, that'll be the Elsan point into which I emptied our 2 full cassettes earlier today

Yes, we stopped off at Red Bull Services intending to use the Elsan point, which turned out to have an 'Out of Use' notice on it (with no mention that I could find on the CRT website)

Out of curiosity, how was Kidsgrove? It had a bit of a reputation a few years back for free-ranging feral kids causing problems, I thought that period had passed......until. I stopped off at the Lidl just the north side of the tunnel coming through and was listening to one of the cashiers relating recent events in the shop. Apparently a group of feral youth had come into the store, shoplifted like there was no tomorrow and when staff then tried to throw them out, started throwing bricks at the place from the car park. On the other hand there was a small boat called 'Bowt' moored there with no-one aboard and looking undamaged, so as with many of these things, sometimes you're lucky, sometimes you're not and sometimes it's just an urban myth.

I would also suggest that if one cannot swim, 3ft of water is plenty deep enough to drown in, even without the cold. As you try to wade across to the side and slip in the muddy silty bottom, trip over a car tyre or shopping trolley and go under panic will soon do the rest.

Which is kind of silly, if there is a danger of vehicles coming off the road through the parapet, why are they scaffolding before installing a proper road closure. All they need are 2 x 1 tonne builders bags of sand placed centre of the carriageway either side of the bridge along with lesser barriers and warning signs and, surely, the job's a good 'un. We are still heading that way, expecting to get there Wedn esday or Thursday (depending on weather), I hope it is on one of the 'open' days

I've still got that 'teenager' inside who thinks he can still do that sort of thing the effect was rather lost however when some young sprog on the side of the pool said, rather loudly,"You look like a seal coming ashore". I was going to say,"Would you like a slap little boy?" but thought better of it

I would guess you'll be coming past us at Westport Park, Stoke on Trent then if you are heading up the Macc. We're here until Monday as we've booked the 9.00am slot through Harecastle.

Back during lockdown I went swimming in the Great Ouse at Ely (all swimming pools except Jesus Green Lido at Cambridge were shut). Getting back out wasn't too problematical, although I'd had the opportunity to work out how I was going to get out before I got in. When I finished swimming I then stood on the skeg in front of the rudder, then climbed up onto the rudder and finally onto the back button before getting onto the back deck. I'm not saying it was dignified, but it worked

Whilst I accept that it probably sounds a bit counter-intuitive but on my 'training' sessions getting out of the swimming pool onto the side without using the ladder, I often make a bigger mess of it when it is a pool where the water is level with the side. Swimming to the side, catching hold of it and hauling myself up (usually in the deep end) onto my elbows and then clambering out seems to work better when the side is 6 - 9 inches above the water level. Don't ask for an explanation 'cos I haven't got one, it just seems that is the case🤔.