Liverpool is Fab!

Despite the dodgy alternator, we scraped our way out of the marina in extremely windy conditions to travel towards Aintree. We moored on the 'Melling Straight' with nb Gloriana. Next morning, again pretty windy and cold, we did the last few miles and swingbridge by 9.30 to join 6 other boats all going to Liverpool with our BW escort. We were joined by Chris's sister and brother-in-law who were, like us, very excited to be making this trip - for me it was my first ever visit to Liverpool. Two swing bridges on, and after stopping at Litherland for facilities, also for most of us to remove Liverpool's rubbish from our props, we set off the last stretch to meet the BW team at Stanley Locks. A good flight down and soon we were weaving our way through the docks - following the buoys marking the route. Eventually turned into the lovely Albert Dock and then into Salthouse where we found very good, wide pontoons (with elec hook up!) and water points. Time for a very late lunch.

We then had four whole days to explore this wonderful city. The low moorings were quiet despite being in the centre of town and beside a very busy wide road. We managed to squeeze a lot in - 2 cathedrals, Red Bus Tour, Maritime (and Slavery) Museum, the Beatles Story (fantastic and with 2 sites it takes ages if you hear and read everything, as we did!), marvellous echoing circular Reading Room at the Library (now closed for restoration), Mersey Ferry trip, Crosby beach to see the 100 Gormley statues. There was so much to do, much of it free, and we didn't even go shopping! It would be easy to fill the allowed 2 weeks stay - without exhausting yourself as we did! It really was a fantistic stay with wonderful moorings.

The return journey was also good - apart from managing to catch a runaway buoy on our rudder, the 2 concrete blocks stopping the gates from closing on the 2nd lock (no they were not from our buoy), a sunken car and another stop at Litherland to leave the prop rubbish behind.

Next day I was back in the marina on hook up. As the alternator had worked intermittently on the trip, they returned the new one eventually ordered and said they didn't know what to do next. Chris and Mary went home and the next day I left the marina to moor outside. The following evening the alternator worked but, of course, Bank Holiday friday it didn't. Luckily I was opposite Mersey Motor Boat Club (my cunning plan - I am a member of AWCC via Cutweb) and they were able to give me a hook up for the weekend etc. Now waiting for their highly recommended resident engineer to find a solution to my baffling problem. The mooring also gives me a chance to go to visit son Steve and family in Devon next weekend, so I will definitely not be leaving here until at least 12th May.

I'm Free - Oh no I'm not!

Having spent a lovely winter in Fettler's Wharf Marina at Rufford I set off on Monday 12th back to the mainline at Latham (Rufford Junction). I was accompanied by my daughter, her husband (and almost toddler Louise) who live locally and had offered to help me up the 6 heavy locks to the junction. It was a lovely, sunny day and we had a good trip up the locks to arrive in time for Louise's tea.

I had gone into the marina in October with battery charging problems which the owners had promised to put right for me, meanwhile a hook up was most welcome this year. Nothing was done by February, well it was a cold winter, but I then went away for 5 weeks and by the time I returned they were busy, despite keeping in touch with them. By the time I left they told me that there was no problem with the output to the batteries. Of course by the time I got to the top of the locks I knew that this was not correct so Wednesday pm I arrived at their new sister marina at Scarisbrick in need of an urgent hook up. Am now waiting for a new alternator! How am I so unlucky - I had a new alternator March 06, then another 2 years later in April 08 in Ely. This one has only lasted 18m (until October 09) when it failed again. Not to mention the new PRM gearbox I had in September (after only 4 years since the previous one).

The other problem here is that they have closed all the services bar water at Rufford Junction and also ALL the services at Burscough. Anyone coming this way should bear in mind that services are only in Wigan (by BW office), down the 6 locks on Rufford Branch, or in Litherland (needing a booked BW escort). All this makes it rather difficult to cruise slowly and explore this lovely part of the L&L - which BW Wigan don't seem to understand my wish to do!

Meanwhile I am getting lots of jobs done at my mooring in front of the wonderful coffee shop, providing entertainment for the visitors and answering all their questions... yes I do live on board, no it isn't cold in winter, yes I am very lucky to travel all over the country, yes the locks are hard work but it is more fun than going to a gym.

Tomorrow (Monday) Chris and Mary arrive from Suffolk. We have an appointment with a BW escort at 9.30 am, Bridge 9, on Wednesday - when we go through Aintree, Litherland to Liverpool and moor in Salthouse Dock for 4 days. I have never been to Liverpool and we are all looking forward to this exciting trip - just keeping fingers crossed that the weather keeps reasonably fine.

Apologies - it is now March!

I had to give up the blog in September as access to a computer was impossible and didn't get mine fixed until November! The company went bust but I managed to retrieve my laptop - it had been repaired and was sitting in the London workshop.

To continue the cruise briefly, I continued slowly northwards to moor on the Rufford Branch at Fettler's Wharf Marina. Lovely smallish marina with a number of friendly liveaboards and only 15mins drive from my daughter, son-in-law and newest granddaughter born in April. Have had a great winter getting to know her.

Currently am down in Kent for a month childminding by day for my son and dau-in-law's 11m, 2.5 and 5 year old boys while they extend and decorate their new house ready to move on 22 March. Very hectic but great fun seeing so much of the children.

Returning to boat about end March, probably Easter, before heading back to the main line for Liverpool in April - with crew! Plans this summer are 6-7 weeks on the Lancaster, Wigan to Leeds, Rochdale (a first and with crew!) and then possibly to Ellesmere for the winter. Will re-commence post when I start cruising. It is nice to be back!

Chris and Mary take charge

Moved boat up to junction - nice and sunny now! Enjoyed a lovely weekend here - amazingly on two walks to Tixall did not meet any boaters I knew but did gain some info on Fettlers Wharf Marina on Rufford Canal. Also met few around me - including a lady I knew from Devizes whilst sitting on the junction wall eating ices from the Ice Cream boat - it is such a small world when boating!

On Tuesday Chris and Mary arrived to take the boat through Stone and up to Caldon Canal whilst I drove their car to sort out my house prior to selling. Decided I would rather a house near some of the grandchildren, rather than none of them!

I rejoined the boat on Wednesday eve - now at Milton. We had a lovely trip up Caldon and Leek (poor C&M had done the worst bit at the bottom, facing stone throwing children hiding from the now present BW staff). Alas not enough time to do more than brief exploring although had a lovely day in Leek - despite TIC saying there was nothing to see!

Made our way to moor nr Cheddleston station - very entertaining, then another night at Consall Forge after turning at Froghall - such a shame so few boats can get through tunnel and enjoy the lovely moorings in basin. Moored last night just before Milton and made a 7.30 start next day to get to Etruria before the troublesome kids get out of bed!

Moored overnight at Heritage Narrowboats Marina at Kent Green. In am I hired car, we collected C&M's from Caldon and we then set off in opp. directions - me to help Lesley and Phil move house with baby Louise - a very busy time!!

Moving on to Alrewas then Great Heywood

Went on through the now in use flood lock to the Derwent Crossing, flow rather fast, and soon entered Derwent Mouth Lock. Here lent lockies my Seasearcher magnet (they already had 2 in use) so that they could retrieve a piece of lock mechanism without closing the canal!

Moored 2 days in Shardlow, miserable rain, and had an unsuccessful gear box oil change - seems from the local expert and RCR my gearbox has had it and needs replacing - thank you PRM, this is my second new one in 3 years, or will be if it can be obtained!

Moved on to Willington where I was joined by daughter Lesley, husband Phil and 3 1/2 month Louise - her first trip on the boat. We went on in frequent showers to spend the night at Branston Water Park. In the afternoon Phil walked to get bus to retrieve car - got a real soaking in heavy rain. The next day we continued in lovely weather to Alrewas - where they left me in pm to wait for next crew!

On Wednesday 5 August I was joined by Les and Kathy (former boaters from All Seasons who I had first met on Thames in 07 and then on Great Ouse in 08. That afternoon we travelled to Fradley, then the next day after stocking up in Rugeley to Wolseley Bridge - where we were actually able to have a BBQ with Alrewas sausages - 3 types! After visiting Wolseley Centre - Wildlife Trust garden, we set off for Great Haywood. We had a lovely meal in Clifford Arms before Les and Kath set off home.

Computers! - great when they are working

Back to the blog at last! On 26th July I intended to download all my photos from our Lincoln trip - but the computer froze on start up repeatedly and still not fixed (now using son-in-law's computer till fixed). Couldn't write blog either which is why I have 'disappeared' since 13 July.

Trip was fine, although difficult to moor at Cromwell Lock - unless we used a hoist to get the dog off. Luckily we were able to moor alongside a 1 1/2 beam and use steps to get up middle height wall. The low pontoons were occupied by high 'yoghurt pots' (isn't that much better than 'plastic' or 'bobby' boats!)

To be brief, we loved the Fossdyke and Witham, very quiet and lots of places to explore. Lincoln was wonderful - especially the moorings opposite the market and outside Waterside Shopping Centre. So handy for climbing up to cathedral and castle - which we did so many times. We all did tours of the castle and cathedral - and Mary even got to ring bells on practice night. Could have spent even longer there. Son Steve joined us at Lincoln and we travelled on to Boston. The old pontoons are a bit strange but the view of the Stump was great and we had a fantastic sunset the evening our neighbour left. Even managed a BBQ!

Had a look at St Botolph's Church (I didn't know the Stump was the tower until I got there!), Maud Foster's Windmill - privately owned and do marvellous lunches and afternoons teas. After Steve left we went to the Black Sluice lock. Very new and so was the cafe - but it was closed, a window broken and unfurnished - why?!

Now it is time to return to canals before Chris and Mary have to go home, so sadly no time to explore more drains. On the way back up the Witham we stopped at Woodhall Spa (as recommended by Iain and Alison on nb Nobby) and found a delightful 50's type resort town. The museum in the tin cottage was very interesting but Kinema in the Woods was showing a film so closed to us and the spa building was sadly neglected - but hopefully to be restored in the future.

We returned to the High Street and had tea outside a cafe served by an elderly lady in Victorian clothing. Ebony was given a bowl of water and another with biscuits. We sat reading the cafe's historic books of the town. Got the bus back to boat! So many other villages we would have liked to explore more fully but running out of time.

The journey back up the Trent was marred by the heavy rain we had to endure most days. Chris and Mary left at Nottingham - after helping me get in food for next crew, meeting them an hour later when son Graham, Becky with Edward, Tom and baby Charlie. We had a look round Nottingham - the castle was very disappointing for entertaining children. Next day we travelled to Sawley, spending another night before the family set off on Monday pm.

Fast(ish) Waters and Sawley Cut

Had intended to spend a couple of days at Kegworth but after 4 hours of rain and a violent thunderstorm that wouldn't go away it was necessary to stay longer. Ebony was terrified of the noise and flashes and spent the time sitting and sliding off my lap or curled round my feet. Now every drop of rain and she fears the worst.

This resulted in the water level in Kegworth lock cut rising quite a bit although the flood lock was never shut - woke in the early hours to see water gushing past - guess they were letting a lot down over night.

It was nice to have company - Chris and Sue on Innisfree also stayed to sit out the weather - and we did a lot of socialising as well as exploring the area. I was lucky to be let in the museum, despite being shut, and although it didn't have anything about the river there was plenty about the village and the local sock industry! They even supplied royalty!

On Wednesday we all set off, saying goodbye at Ratcliffe lock. We were passed by a flotilla of lovely small steam launches. Redhill flood lock was open and traffic light green so I continued towards Thrumpton weir - it is really weird that you can't SEE the weir but can feel the pull of the water. By now I realised that the Trent was flowing pretty fast and soon I could see the water gushing over Trent Lock gates. Shall I moor here? Will I have difficulty mooring in the flast flow? Decided to go uphill to Sawley as planned. That was the loneliest mile I have done - no I don't think I will use the facilities to the right of the lock! Soon tied on the high lock moorings and then in the lock. Phew!

A first time hirer came up behind me as I left the lock - Newark had told them no problems on the Trent (they had been held up for 2? days at Pillings Flood Lock) and were now pretty disgusted to see the flow of the Trent and that the boards showed yellow at Sawley.

Now I have to wait until Monday when Chris and Mary join me to go to Lincoln and Boston. On Friday I took the bus into Nottingham. After a good look round, lunch in a nice cafe and a trip to the Castle - no dogs allowed but I was allowed to use their loos - there were none mentioned on the tourist signs in town. Then walked down the waterfront - couldn't resist seeing who was moored up as you never know who you might miss - and there was Sue (from Innisfree) about to work Castle Lock. Went back to have a cup of tea with them before I caught the bus back to Sawley.

Also saw the steam launches again - they confirmed that the had been on the Great Ouse last summer (which is where I had seen them before) and also on the Thames that year too.

Well I am now looking forward to our visit to the Fossdyke. Have been to Keadby twice before but this is a first for us all.