NB Alton

Yes, proudly sponsored by their main contractors ;-) Yes, we'll done for finding it. I was originally told they could replace the quoins over a weekend. Then they found others jobs that could be done. I expressed my annoyance with the lack of consultation & notice with David Baldachino at the User Group meeting, he told me to discuss it with the relevant person, which I did. They said they couldn't possibly amend it as there'd publicised it as an open day!

The bottom gates of this lock have been leaking badly for months. The quoins moved back in July, when they where then temporarily repaired by acro props, but this has been getting worse and many people, myself included have warned CRT that this was a problem. It seems like a boat caught on the top cull on Wed. I hear that another temporary fix should be completed by 4pm tomorrow. The Feb stoppage was not in any consultation of national stoppages, just announced in October, with the rider to let CRT know if this caused a problem. I let them know, yes it caused me a problem & they basically didn't want to know as this was their PR exercise and open day. Unlike North Wales & Border waterways who have been proffesional, helpful & courtious in helping us work round their stoppages, Manchester & Pennines Waterways have been the opposite. I believe that the 5 week Feb/March stoppage will still take place despite being told in the summer that the job could be completed over a weekend. I believe that CRT will not amend this stoppage as they have already publicised their open day. Cheers, Brian

Better late than never, only just catching up on this thread ;-), yes I'm sure we'll catch up again Ange, maybe we can join you & Dave on a one of you're walks when we get a day off. Only just seen you're reply Jed, we do keep fairly cheerful (most of the time;-)) because we love what we do. We're lucky to do what we do working an old boat on beautiful canals, meeting lovely people. I'm typing this whilst enjoying a fine pint of ale in the Wharf. Cheers, Brian

The best advice I had from a very well respected boat builder was, "don't buy a new boat as you're first boat, buy a secondhand boat similar to what you think you want & try that for at least a year or two to see what you really want." I bought just such a boat & the boatbuilder shook my hand & congratulated me on a fine purchase. I've never wished to purchase a new boat since. A 67'' x 12' boat is not an easy vessel to handle, & even a journey up from Braunston to near Brum would take skill, planning and patience. On the whole narrowboats are much more suitable for navigating the majority of England's inland waterways if that's what you wish to do. Don't take take the above as gospel, just my experience. Cheers, Brian

Another vote for the White Bear, serves a good choice of Ales. The Kings Lock in Middlewich is a boozer with a canal character, had some good nights in there with boaters & old boaters. Also The Lord Cobermere in Audlem is good for a pint :-)

We're boating on the lower Macc, just approaching Congleton. It's blowing a bit of a whoolie & the wind has a bite to it. Looks like working our way up Bosley Locks this afternoon should be interesting ;-). And yes Ang, Macc is in the Norf ;-) Cheers, Brian

We've reloaded Alton in Chester this morning, today we're heading south towards Barbridge. Tomorrow Sun 2nd Dec we're delivering through Nantwich & across the Branch to Middlewich. Mon & Tues we'll be through Anderton to Preston Brook where we'll wind & head south on the T&M to Wheelock. Wed & Thurs we'll be up the Cheshire Locks & the Lowe Macc. On Friday we'll reload at Oakgrove, prior to running up the Macc & Peak Forest to Whaley Bridge over next weekend. If you need fuels or other supplies just give us a call on 07791345004. Cheers, Brian

Nice one Andy, we've got a load of coal to deliver to the Shady in the morning, but we'll probably be too early for pint. The chef there is a good cook, shame it doesn't get more trade in the winter.

Great, we're tied up at Calverley & we'll be through the locks in the morning, heading for Chester in the rain ;-). I'm currently having a drink at the Tollemanche Arms, the Unicorn is borderline drinkable, but the Dizzy Blonde was like Vinegar & undrinkable, the Landlord didn't even have the decency to apologise. I'm now on the Guiness, but won't be coming back. Cheers, Brian

I spoke to Neil Rice from CRT on Friday & he confirmed that the Beeston Iron & Stone Lock stoppages would be completed on time (by end of tomorrow) & that Tarvin Lock stoppage will commence on Monday. He has very kindly arranged this window through the stoppages to enable us to make our deliveries through to Ellesmere Port. However the emergency stoppage at Bache means we'll be winding in Chester. Cheers, Brian

Thanks to everyone for a pleasant Mini banter, might catch up with one or two of you again during your sojourn on the Macc ;-) Cheers, Brian

Good to see you on this lovely frosty morning Jed, have a good evening in Poynton. We might still get to Marple if these dratted customers don't keep stopping us ;-). Might see you in the Wharf, Macc some time. Cheers, Brian

Cheeky is an understatement, TTP. Yes! We'll see you tomorrow any road :-), but if you can manage a pint at the Ring o'Bells they're on me ;-) Cheers, Brian

Wow! When I meet Richard Parry I'm going to give him a big man hug, I've been fighting these daft proposals for about 7 years and finally CRT have seen sense! I really didn't expect that, this is the 1st I've heard. A victory for common sense as as far as I'm concerned, well done to all involved :-))))))))))))

We'll be there eventually, only made it to Macc tonight at 6pm, Mad busy! George, Jan, Bazza, do you fancy a pint on me tomorrow? If so see you in the Ring o'Bells ( we may well be late!) I know there's lots of CWDF members on the Macc, so if you can see you in Marple :-) Cheers, Brian You could always turn round;-). See you tomorrow :-)

Thanks for the mention Darren :-), hope you guys are keeping well :-) Thanks Roger, all the best to you & Yvonne Pete does make a very fine fender in top quality materials, great guy. Joe is a real gent, he makes a good no nonsense fender, he taught me a lot as did Pete Flockhart. Both very talented craftsmen. Cheers, Brian

I would think that would be fairly achievable, we did the four counties in 5 days last October including selling supplies on the way as well as calling / stopping at the Bluebell at Hardings Wood, the Black Lion in Nantwich, the Anchor at High Offley, the Cross Keys T Penkridge as well as the Swan & the Royal Exchange in Stone. HTH, Cheers, Brian

Ah yes, I'd forgotten Foxton was on as well, I suppose you could always have one boat at Gnosall & one at Foxton Alan ;-) Your easily lead ;-) Chris

We'll be at Ellesmere Port Boaters Gathering over Easter, maybe you can arrange transport to come up for a sub banter again over the weekend. We'll have the kettle on & hopefully a barrel of beer on board if that's enough to tempt a few you to pop up & see some old boats. Cheers, Brian

You could try Rick on Auriga, possibly he comes up to Fradley? Or Chris Iddon on Merchant is listed as covering the Southern T&M. See http://www.lock13.co.uk/boats/coaldiesel.htm for contact details. For Mark on Calisto it is quite a difficult area to cover given winter stoppages/weather. HTH, Cheers, Brian

You are correct James on Archimedes does need to have update his name & phone, I'll pass this on to Martin. Butthis list does rely on people passing on changes of information. Over the past few weeks there has been quite a few updates to the list including changes of ownership of Bletchley & Heart of Gold. So please folk keep this list up to date by passing on any changes that you know of. Cheers, Brian

To my fairly limited knowledge of Englands Coalboats, it seems reasonably up to date. But if rather than having a pop, you'd rather update the info, just let Martin or myself know, or post on here any new information. I know, I'll regret posting from the pub on a Saturday night, but hay-ho, lifes to short ;-)

Have you got a photo, Joe Makes an excellent fender, if it's something slightly different it would be good to see a pic :-). Cheers, Brian