Seasons Greetings

The marina froze over during the recent cold spell giving us our first taste of winter weather.  We watched with amusement as the marina ducks skated to a halt after flying across for some scraps.   Our stove kept us warm enough but we hadn't topped up our water tank and the taps were out of action.  Luckily there was a quick thaw and this didn't cause us any problems but it was a timely reminder. 

Christmas is fast approaching and we enjoyed another weekend trip visiting friends and family.  First stop was Viking Marina and where we enjoyed a good chat with John, Cath and the kids.  Mary-Anne & Donald showed us the progress they've made with the fit-out of their new narrowboat - they've been busy since we last saw them.  We were also lucky to see some of the other guys - Dave, Steve and Brian.  

Then onto Rotherham where Bess was delighted to see Georgie at Nic and Gaz's but not so happy to be left when we went to meet Pat and Karl at the Orient Express, our favourite Asian restaurant.   

Georgie poses for the camera but Bess would rather carry on playing.  

We stopped overnight with Nic and Gaz and on Sunday morning the kids introduced us to Wii.  We were quickly hooked and had some fun trying out the fitness games.  

Our trip was completed with a visit to see Shaun, Laura and the kids before returning to Tattenhall. 

There has now been over 1000 page views on the blog which is an impressive following.  We hope you continue to enjoy the blog next year and wish all our readers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. 

Cheshire

During our journey it's been interesting to travel through different regions, all with their own characteristics.  The landscape, industries and architecture have all been distinctive and as we called in the shops we noticed the changing local accents.   Tattenhall Marina is situated in rural Cheshire overlooked by Beeston and Peckforton Castles which are perched on the Cheshire Sandstone Ridge.  The local architecture reflects the prosperity of the county.  Ornate red brick buildings, some with barley sugar chimneys, are typical of the towns and villages we've visited. 

On a bright sunny day we went for a walk along part of the Sandstone Trail footpath.  The steep walk through the woodland up to the ridge was very different to the flat towpaths.  We soon had to stop to admire the view and catch our breath!  The view from the top over the Cheshire Plains was stunning and worth the climb. 

Bess looking a bit apprehensive about posing on the edge.

This undemanding lifestyle gives me time to pursue my interests, one of which is drawing and painting.   For several years now Mum, Sarah and I have been regularly setting ourselves a topic for an artwork and set a date to reveal the finished pieces.  On the day of showing we usually send each other an email with a photo of the picture and so Mum gave our challenges a name - OLAs (On Line Art).   

The topic for the picture below is 'Four Squares' which I've interpreted as 4 coloured ink squares in a pencil drawing of Castle Coombe.    

Mum had a special birthday this week, her 80th.  Sarah came over and we all stayed at Mum and Dad's to enjoy a family weekend which included an excellent lunch at the Red Lion in Dodleston.   

Sea-side

Winter is a new challenge for us - our previous experience of Brent III in winter is limited to bright frosty weekends which were always very enjoyable.   One of the main concerns for a boater is condensation which can quickly build up in the confined space.  Good ventilation is the resolution and so far this seems to be working for us.  

My other concern was drying the washing.  There are tumble dryers on the marina but using them every time would be expensive.  As we cannot use the washing line the wheelhouse has been taken over as a drying area.  This works very well especially on a windy day with the back doors open.   

Since my last blog the weather has turned and our waterproofs are being put to good use.  As Bess didn't have a jacket we took her to buy one and she wasn't the only dog trying on coats in Pets at Home that morning.  

Bess in her new coat

Bess isn't the only one with new attire, I've bought a bright pink cycling helmet but there are no photos of that for the blog!

The coast of North Wales isn’t far from Tattenhall so we decided to take Bess on her first trip to the seaside.  The beaches of Prestatyn were deserted and Bess enjoyed chasing across the sand but she wasn’t so sure about the sea.   

The seaweed looks interesting. 

Not sure about that wave.

Bess avoided getting wet in the sea but the next day she had a soaking.   As we were setting off for a walk she stepped back off the jetty and went straight into the water.   She soon dried out in front of the stove and enjoyed a drink of warm sweet tea but hopefully she’ll watch her step in future.

Shaun, Laura and the kids were lucky with the weather when they came to visit us on Sunday.  We enjoyed a walk around the ice cream farm looking at the animals, the goats and miniature horses were very friendly and stood to be petted.  Of course some of us couldn't resist sampling an ice cream.  As always we enjoyed the visit, chatting and catching up with all the news.   

Since the weekend we've had some heavy rain but fortunately we've not been affected by high water or floods.  During the bad weather we battened down the hatches and stoked up the fire.  There is now plenty of time for relaxing and occasionally tackling those little jobs which need doing.

Faster Travel

Dad's car gave us the freedom to travel but also a slight culture shock.  30mph seems very fast compared to our sedate 3mph on the canals.  Kev decided a smartphone would be useful and so we drove into Chester, the car park fee was another shock.   The salesman was perhaps surprised by our main reason for a smartphone - the maps and GPS to guide us when we're back on foot and trying to find a shop.  We opted for a Nokia Lumia and although we've spent some time with it there are still some features which have us perplexed.       

On Monday we ventured out onto the motorways and drove back to our starting point at Goole.   Before arriving at Tattenhall Marina we received an email from Sue at Viking Marina.  Sue and John have always provided an excellent service and did so again with our faulty battery monitor.  They liaised with the manufacturer and had now received a replacement monitor for us.   On arrival at the marina Bess raced excitedly up the stairs into the chandlery.  We enjoyed a chat and cup of tea with Sue and John, were pleased to see Ray and Anita who called in and then it was time to continue our journey to Rotherham.

As soon as we arrived at Nic and Gaz's house Bess and Georgie, Nic's staffie, started an energetic game.  I don't think Bess was too upset when we slipped out leaving her behind, especially as she got a walk in the park.  

We met up with Pat and Karl for a meal at a favourite Chinese restaurant.  Pat and Karl started our adventure by selling Brent III to us and it was great to see them.  The conversation flowed and all too soon it was time to go.  

Nic and Gaz had kindly offered to put us up overnight, a good ending to the day.  We were very impressed by their log burning fire which radiated an enormous amount of heat.

On Tuesday we returned to Tattenhall.  There were roadworks on the Woodhead Pass, a good excuse to take the scenic route and call in for fish and chips at Compo's in Holmfirth.  

Back on board Kev tackled some maintenance work including replacing the interior lights - again.  Before starting the cruise we replaced the fluorescent lights with low consumption LEDs bought for a bargain price off eBay.  Initially the lights worked well but we soon noticed blocks within the lights had stopped working.  It transpired the bargain lights did not tolerate voltage fluctuations.  Kev has now installed LEDS with a higher tolerance and they also give a better quality light.  A lesson learnt about bargains which appear to good to be true!

Tattenhall Marina

Tattenhall Marina has moorings for over 300 boats but is not full to capacity.  We picked a jetty and sailed round to our temporary winter home.  Hooking up to shore power enabled us to use our appliances without concern for the batteries which have been running low lately.  They will benefit from a long charge now we are moored up. 

This marina has only been open for about 4 years and it still shows as a field on Google Earth.   The field has been transformed into well kept grounds with paths and roads to all the jetties.  It has all the facilities we require including underfloor heating in the showers, very luxurious. 

We settled in, Kev slotted the TV aerial into it's bracket and I filled the whirly-gig on the roof with a load of washing.  Shortly after a member of staff came to see us.  We had unknowingly broken 2 of the marina's rules.  Our TV aerial was taller than the regulation 3 feet above the roof and washing cannot be hung out.  Whoops!  The washing came in but we're allowed to keep the aerial up.  We were also given a copy of the marina's 38 rules before we broke anymore!

Tattenhall Marina.  Brent III is in the centre of the photo.  The white bridge on the far side is the entrance into the marina from the canal.

Tattenhall village is 1.5 miles away and has a selection of shops including a small supermarket and a butchers which will be useful.  Travelling through Shropshire and Cheshire we have been surprised how many of the small villages have butchers and their meat has always been excellent.  As we were ready for a big shop we ordered on-line from ASDA who deliver to the marina. 

Closer at hand is the Cheshire Farms Ice Cream Farm.  This is a local attraction with playgrounds and activities, a children's farm, gift shop and an ice cream parlour.  A multitude of flavours are on sale, how many can I sample before we move on?  I started with chocolate fudge cookie and a walk round the animals including Elvis the fallow deer and two woolly alpacas. 

We took a taxi over to Mum and Dad's in Chester and enjoyed spending the day with them.  There was plenty to talk about and Mum cooked a favourite meal for lunch.  Dad has kindly lent us his car for the winter which will be very useful and make a big difference to our stay at Tattenhall. 

Visitors

For many schools it was half term last week and we noticed an increase in the number of hire  boats on the canal.   For us the week was special because we had some visitors.

Sarah joined us at Nantwich and we enjoyed walking round the town with it's old timbered buildings and a look round St Mary's Church.  This church has a magnificent modern stained glass window, The Creation Window, in memory of a local farmer.  It also has an active tapestry group and fine examples of their work is found on the kneelers, altar cloth and wall hangings.  Sarah stopped overnight so we had time for a good chinwag!

The beautiful Creation Window in St Mary's Church.

    From Nantwich we moved onto Barbridge Junction where the Middlewich branch connects the Shropshire Union to the Trent and Mersey Canal.  We were accompanied for a while by a kingfisher, a flash of electric blue skimming the water and perching on branches until we were almost level, then off he'd go again.

On Friday Nic, Gaz and the kids drove down to see us bringing some logs to replenish our stock.  We enjoyed seeing them and having a good chat to catch up with all their news.  

Bunbury Locks are the first wide locks we've seen since Burton on Trent and are also staircase locks.  The top and bottom lock share the middle lock gate so as we came down the top lock emptied straight into the bottom lock.  

As we approached Tilstone Lock we could see there was a problem.  Various Canal & River Trust staff were on the banks and a work boat was in the lock attempting to lift out a large piece of ironwork.   Apparently this was the buffer bar which had been damaged.  We chatted to the staff while the bar was manoeuvred  precariously onto the work boat.  The staff were very apologetic for the delay but we were soon on our way. 

On Sunday we approached our winter moorings at Tattenhall Marina.  We were early but we decided we would moor up rather than continue on to Chester to turn round and come back.     

Bess enjoys sitting on the front step by the stove in cold weather.

Our journey from Coole Lane to Tattenhall Marina.  Since leaving Viking Marina we have travelled 308 miles and come through 94 locks.

Descent

Our journey continued through rural Shropshire and the canal remains at a constant level by the use of increasingly spectacular embankments and cuttings.  Shelmore Embankment is nearly a mile long and in places stands 59 feet above the land to the west.   Through Woodseaves Cutting the steep sides tower above us along it's 1.5 mile length.  We are reminded of the challenges of creating these cuttings when we passed a landslip which obstructed the canal earlier in the year.   There is still some debris in the canal but the remaining channel is wide enough for boat traffic.   

Deep cuttings require tall bridges but High Bridge is unusual.  It was built with a bracing arch  which has since made a convenient site for a telegraph pole.   

High Bridge but Bess is more interested in the canal-side.

By Tuesday we've sailed 24 miles along the Shropshire Union and have only come down 2 locks.  This week it's payback time. 

After descending 33 feet through the 5 Tyrley Locks we moored up at Market Drayton ready for market day on Wednesday.  Market Drayton is a picturesque town with some old timbered buildings which replaced the original buildings destroyed by fire in 1651.  Sadly many of the shops in the town stood empty but the market was impressive, stalls lined the wide streets and open spaces selling a variety of goods.

During our travels I've been trying to identify the birds we see.   Easily identifiable but unexpected were a pair of mandarin ducks who came for bread with the mallards at Market Drayton.  

Our next descent was 31 feet through 5 locks at Adderley with a good mooring at the bottom.  We stopped overnight because the first of 15 locks in the Audlem flight is just a mile further on. 

The 15 locks lower the canal by 93 feet and are separated by short stretches of canal called pounds.  These allow us to pass boats coming up and reduces the amount of work.  The gates are left open for the approaching boat and the boaters help each other to wind up the paddles to empty or fill the locks.  We were lucky, the locks were busy as we descended and as well as having some assistance there is time for a chat with the other boaters. 

Audlem village visitor moorings start after lock 11 and so we moored up for a day and then stayed another.  We called in at the canal-side pub, the Shroppie Fly.  A flyboat was the horse drawn canal equivalent of express delivery.  The bar in the pub is a replica of the front half of a flyboat, complete with a fender.  

Moored up at Audlem - the pound between locks 10 and 11 is in the foreground.   Brent III's wheelhouse is an unusual sight on this canal.  

This morning we came down through the remaining 4 Audlem Locks and continued on to the visitor moorings at Coole Lane Bridge.  This week we've descended 157 feet through 25 locks.

Our journey from Gnosall to Coole Lane Bridge.