Barlaston to Thurlwood with Unexpctedly Long wait for Tunnel Passage.

(Boat Sickle - posted by Alan)

Gate paddles on the deep Stoke locks are quite impressive, from on the boat.

Having discovered a really quite good convenience store right by where we were moored, cath nipped back to get some essential supplies - particularly "essential" were some further bottles of the very palatable white wine I had bought at a discount price the night before!  Whilst I was getting "Sickle" ready to leave, Cath returned past the bridge to find a Black Prince hire boat that had chosen to padlock a stack of bikes to its rooif, and only just pulled up when they had realised it was not goiung under by no small margin.  sadly Cath's attempts to be discrete resulted in a blurred photo, but we chuckled that further down bikes were unlikely to get under, even if not piled one on another.  I suspect they spent a lot of time later carrying them off and on again at the lower bridges!

Lots of very low bridges, needing frequent chimney removal.

I always enjoy the climb into Stoke on Trent, and up past Etruria and beyond towards Harecastle Tunnel.  Although little of it can be described as "picturesque", just about enough survives in terms of old buildings to make it at least "interesting", although I prefer the "run down" to attempts to over restore the "old" and try and blend it into inappropriate new surroundings - two bottle kilns juxtaposed into a modern housing development seem such an example.  However I was pleased to see that near Stoke on Trent Boat-builders an old building that had been completely burnt out, and looked (to me) unlikely to survive, was getting refurbished with a new roof.

Canal and railwsay in very close proximity.

As we left Stoke on Trent for the run up to wait for a passage through Harecastle Tunnel, a boat emerged from a side marina straight across our bows, despite having a lady perched on the front, who could perhaps have warned its steerer that he was about to get broadsided by a heavy icebreaker/tug!  The steerer seemed to think he was going to then swing around in front of us, but sensibly decided not to, as carried on, just clearing his back end.  A good result, as they then decided they were going to go very slowly, and we quickly lost them.

Waiting at Harecastle Tunnel South end.

At Harecastle nobody else was yet waiting.  The tunnel keeper indicated three boats were already in the tunnel coming South, and we might enter in perhaps three quarters of an hour.  In fact no such luck, as two boats came out pretty much on time, but there was absolutely no sign of the third.  You could see right through the tunnel, but no obvious headlight or boat.  Phone calls between the keepers at each end confirmed three had gone in, so we waited..... and waited......  and WAITED!  Eventually a boat did emerge, with no working headlight, and apparently no attempt having been made to illuminate the tunnel any other way.  People were stood in the front doorway, effectively blocking any cabin lighting that might have provided a bit of forward illumination.  The boat was covered in the red slurry that you might expect to pick up if you had bounced off the walls.  There was a bit of further delay, while, I imagine, the tunnel keeper wsa "educating" those involved!  And the name of the boat ?  "Going Places" - not very fast today, though.

"Going Places" emerges maybe 40 minutes after those it started with!

Although first boat at the tunnel, another had now turned up.  By the rules, we should then have been second in, as our engine smokes a fair bit, and "smoky boats" are usually sent in last, because the big extractor fans suck air back towards the South end, and hence potentially, any exhaust smoke past following boats and steerers.  However the tunnel keeper decided as we were experienced with Harecastle, but the following crew had never been through,m that we might be quicker, and sent us in.  Result!

We probably qualify for tunnel keeps "smoky boat" tag!

Almost immediately, at the North end of the tunnel, you commence the long descent of what boatmen called the "Cheshire Locks", but which has since acquired the name "Heartbreak Hill".  However we planned to pause after only a couple of locks at "Red Bull" for showers and laundry.  Here we got only half a result though - the showers were much appreciated, but Cath was told the tumble drier was out of action.  What BW didn't admit, but we were subsequently told, is that it hasn't apparently worked for at least eight or nine months.  What is the point of advertising facilities we hoped to rely on, if there is no commitment to keep them working ?  The only viable compromise was to do some washing of a few small items in the sink there, then try and rig a way of drying stuff in our engine room.

Twinned locks (and bridges), and impressive skies.

We finished the day with a spirited descent of quite a few more of the Cheshire Locks, some of which, (but by no means all), are still twinned.  A couple were going down in a short modern boat, and without really agreeing it, we ended up with a co-operative arrangement where Cath was often setting locks ahead of them, (we had a bike out by now), but equally they were often drawing a paddle to refill a lock for us, before they carried on ahead.  It all worked very well.

Our improvised "drying room".

We decided as we had missed out on a pub the night before, we might like to go to one tonight, so stopped on very pleasant moorings at Thurlwood.  We could have carried on, but had already done a fair amount of locks, and the extended delay at Harecastle made this an obvious place to stop.

Barlaston to Thurlwood
Miles: 14.8, Locks: 18
Totals for extended trip....
Miles: 165.4, Locks:97

Tixall Wide to Barlaston, with Rain as the Main Theme.

(Boat Sickle - posted by Alan)

Leaving Tixall Wide

We spent a very quiet night at Tixall Wide - a total contrast to the wild conditions when we were there 4 nights ago.

Unusual, but attractive, bridge

Once we reached Great Haywood junction, instead of turning right, and retracing our steps from the outward journey. we instead made a left turn to carry on further up the Trent and Mersey canal.

Heavy rain in Stone

The trip North from here starts gently, with periodic locks, and we were reminded that when we passed this way last year, we were initially following a dozen young men on a hire boat on a "stag" event, but when we subsequently passed their boat the next day, all we got to see were dozens of abandoned beer cans.  The distinguishing feature of today though was not a stag party, but the highly variable weather.  A lot of the day was spent in heavy rain, though mercifully not with the horrendous winds of a few days ago.

More rain.

The locks start to kick in more at Stone, where there is a flight of four, which for some reason the Nicholson's guide comments as being deeper than most on narrow canals, but which are certainly no more so than other locks further up this canal.  By Stone it was raining heavily, and, failing to find anywhere convenient to tie up, that didn't mean a long walk, a planned trip to replenish supplies was abandoned.

Still raining

Instead we pressed on, ascending the further four lock flight at Meaford, and stopping at Barlaston.  The plan here was to get a pub meal, but I had failed to concentrate on the time, so when we arrived in the pub at less than  ten past eight, they had already stopped serving food.

I'm running out of rain captions.....

In fact the pub looked very uninviting, with few customers and no atmosphere, so although Cath was initially disappointed at cooking after a hard wet day, we in fact enjoyed a good meal on the boat, supplemented by a quite decent bottle of wine I managed to pick up at a local convenience store, even though it was now well after 9:00 pm on a Bank Holiday.  The store, it seemed, wanted business rather more than the pub!





Tixall Wide to Barlaston
Miles: 14.1, Locks: 12
Totals for extended trip....
Miles: 150.6, Locks: 79

Retracing our steps - Calf Heath to Tixall Wide

(Boat Sickle - posted by Alan)

On the move again, after a couple of "no moving" days.

Somewhat knackered tired after our several days partying with Dave and Jan at Calf Heath, we now needed to decide if we, (and "Sickle", which has developed a very infrequent "heart murmur"), were up for a further week of boating, that would take us considerably further from home.  We decided we were, despite weather forecasts for forthcoming days that really didn't look the best.

Passing through Deptmore Lock

So (I'm guessing!) somewhere around what should have been lunchtime, (had we not done excessive breakfasting), we said our farewells to the many friends still at Calf Heath, and set off to retrace our steps back North up the top part of the Staffs and Worcs canal.

Good progress, whilst not trying to break any records.

We had found our trip down from Tixall Wide fairly heavy going, with Sickle often bouncing through shallow water, even in what should have been the deeper parts of the canal.  I can't explain why, but there was far less rubbing the bottom on the way back, even though levels were the same - perhaps we had knocked some of the "humps" off on the way down!  Another benefit was nothing like the same number of boats moving in our direction.  On the way down we had had to wait for many of the locks as previous boats worked through, but our return trip seemed a lot quicker, with little queuing.

Back at Tixall Wide - This time without the breaking waves!

Even though we had had a wild and windy night at Tixall on the way down, we decided it would be a very pleasant stop on the way back, and so it proved to be.  Now amazingly calm and serene, we enjoyed a much needed rest, before we would start the next bit of Sickle's first big trip with us, the following day.  Whilst sad to have bade farewell to our friends, I'm not sure either of us would have had the stamina for a further night's bantering".  As it was widely reported that the many who had stayed on were only showing marginal signs of slowing down, perhaps these two "oldies" escaped just in time!


Calf Heath to Tixall Wide
Miles: 14.6, Locks: 12
Totals for extended trip....
Miles: 136.5, Locks:67

The Banter Breakfast at Calf Heath

(Boat Sickle - posted by Alan)

Some banters have become quite famous for the breakfast events that take place, usually before all but the most hard core "banterers" start to make their departure.  (Well, being totally accurate, the really "hard core" banterers don't necessarily make it to breakfast....).  We have been to big breakfasts when "bantering" by hotel, not by boat, but had yet to experience one of the big DIY events.

The Marina at Calf Heath had been unable to lay breakfast on for us, but agreed that we could use it's facilities to host it.  So instead the facilities of the many boats on site were used to cook up massive amounts of food, which were then shipped along the tow-path - even Sickle's tiny cabin range providing some of the "veggie" option.

The pictures seem to have come out a bit random, but here are a selection....

Mrs & Mr "Paddy R", "Smudge" & "Mike31"

"DaveL" & "Purple Faerie"

"Postcode" & "Dr Bradley"

The general chaos

Mrs & Mr "Chris B" (aka "Baldock") plus "Evil Edna" and partner

Me with "Paddy R"

"Bazza", "Mike31", "Matty", "Chris B" & "Cheshire Rose"

Well, yes......

Myself, "RLWP" & "Bazza"

Breakfast generally

"Lemontoes" & "Mike31"

"Hedgejog"

"Postcode", "Dr Bradley" & "Chris B" (the boater formely known as "Baldock")

"Mrs Chris B" & "Mrs Strads"

"DaveL" & "RLWP"

The Calf-Heath Banter(s).

(Boat Sickle - posted by Cath)

 Good Friday

After drinking far too much last night we had a late start. Jan took us shopping at Sainsbury's in Cannock, where we bought far more than she did - I suspect she wondered where it was all going to go to in our tiny cabin - so did we!

We spent rest of the day watching boats arriving for the banter, and talking to friends, old and new. In the evening we headed off to the bar again. I was staggered to realise that it was 12:30 when we finally got back to the boat. During the evening an 'adopted banterer', who was moored with everyone else, but "has never been on the Internet", discovered that it was a wedding celebration, and bought Jan and Dave a drink and a snack - Dom Perignon and a bag of pork scratchings.

Saturday

Very bleary start, but more boats were arriving, and people began to turn up by car, to 'camp'. Alan disappeared for hours, drinking coffee and talking on other boats, I had a quiet morning in the boat, tidying up and doing other essential things.
We ate lunch and started the process of washing, both ourselves and our hair. Then into the hold to dig out the party clothes and hats for the evening's banter.
The rest of the banterers strolled off down the towpath to be seen by all on the live web-cam on Matty's boat, but I wasn't yet ready.
About three we headed for the pub. We had a great time, I spoke to so many people about so many things. There was a buffet in the evening, and drinking and singing went on into the early hours. I finally realised that I couldn't keep going much longer at about 10:30, so went back to the boat - to be woken by Alan coming back some hours later.

We Arrive at Calf Heath Well On Schedule

(Boat Sickle - posted by Alan)

I've no idea if it would have been safe to fly this yesterday!

As Cath has already reported, our night at Tixall Wide has to be one of the wildest on record.  After an exhausting day yesterday battling through driving rain, we both could have done with a quiet night, but the reality could hardly have been different.  The winds clearly dropped as the night progressed, but with the counter of the boat sitting right in the line of the prevailing direction, the relentless "slap-slapping" continued even as it became a lot calmer.  I think I slept more than I expected, but this was certainly only because I had managed to get unusually tired before-hand.


This was to be an easier day, but, exhausted, we didn't race to get away, and several boats had passed in our direction before we did.  The canal, (we had now joined the Staffs and Worcs), was unexpectedly busy.  We found several boats queuing for the first lock, and, although it abated a little as the day progressed, for most of the day we  seemed to be in a kind of Southbound "convoy", with very few boats actually travelling the other way.  This meant that virtually very lock was against us, and had to be "turned" - that is the last boat through has left it full, and we have to empty it first, before we can use it.

We first collected Sickle from here less than a year ago.

During the day, we passed "Parkgate Lock", at Teddesley, North of Penkridge, the exact location we picked Sickle up from after purchase, a little under a year ago. Back then we were learning to handle this very different boat, thinking it was perhaps harder than we thought!  Now, passing down the Staffs and Worcs after sampling a fair few others, it became apparent it is actually a relatively shallow canal compared to many, making it a challenge for a deep draughted boat in novice hands.  Today we were running over heaps of goodness knows what on the canal bed, in exactly the kinds of places you might best expect not to be - for example near the middle on a nice straight bit!  Others with deep draughted boats subsequently confirmed similar experiences, so maybe I no longer feel we did too badly with Sickle on our very first day with her!

Sicle passes historic pair Monarch and Grimsby

About to pass under into Gailey lock

Eventually Southbound boats started to pull over, and finally we were arriving at locks that did not also have boats waiting ahead of us.  This only happened late in the day though, so it felt a long day for the relatively low mileages covered, without a particularly large "lock count".

The distinctive lock house at Gailey is a famous canal landmark.

Sickle after arrival, opposite Hatherton Junction.

We eventually arrived at our target "Calf Heath", near Hatherton Junction, (which for many years has not been a junction with another canal).  I guess around half a dozen of the boats expected to attend the event we had come for were already present, interspersed with others not involved.  On our first attempt to moor we couldn't get any part of Sickle within three feet of the bank, but moving on down we did find a spot where we could float without jumping a gap - a good idea, if planning to have a few beers!


We then commenced our first evening of practice before the main party - something we would get another crack at tomorrow, before the real thing!

Tixall Wide to Calf Heath
Miles: 14.6, Locks: 12
Totals for extended trip....
Miles: 121.9, Locks: 55

Fradley to Tixall Wide on a Wild Day.

(Boat Sickle - posted by Cath)

Fradley Junction - We were going to Great Haywood

A relatively relaxed start to the day, although we hadn't slept particularly well as the boat kept banging against the piling of the towpath. We knew that we needed to use the laundry facilities at "the Swan", and when we peeped out of the cabin doors there was a blizzard outside. After breakfast Alan headed off to the showers and I went to find the washers/dryers at the pub. One of them appeared not to be working, and was filled with loose washing powder, but the other was OK, although the 'conditioner' dispenser was completely clogged and would not yield to poking and prodding. I put the washing on (£3) and then went back to the boat for half an hour. The dryer was £1 for 20 minutes, but it needed twice that to get it dry enough to pack away.

Wood End Lock - Not far from Fradley and already soaked!

After I'd had my shower we set off into what was now sleety rain for a very windy and wet day.  We took it in turns, with the other one staying inside to try to dry off a bit before the next lock or changeover of steering. Fortunately, Sickle is far less affected by the wind than our other boat, Chalice, which presents a much more sail like profile.

Through Armitage, then onto Rugeley, where we tied up near bridge 66 for the local Morrisons supermarket.

Moored at a windy and very wild Tixall Wide

By the time that we got to Great Haywood Junction it was no longer raining hard, but was still very windy. Turning left we decided to moor in Tixall Wide, largely because it has a reputation of being very attractive. We hadn't taken account of the wind, which was still very strong, and coming from directly behind the boat. The wavelets across the lake-like area of the Wide spent the whole night crashing under the counter of the boat, making regular booming noises - another disturbed night. We realised later that all we needed to do was to turn the boat with the bow into the waves - hindsight, eh?

Fradley Junction to Tixall Wide
Miles: 13.7, Locks: 5
Totals for extended trip....
Miles: 107.3, Locks:43