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Book 8 |
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Book 8 |
Canal Cruising 2012
An eBook and website by Cyril J Wood
The title photograph shows a busy Staffordshire Arm at Castlefield, Manchester
Click here for the latest entries or on the required section below to follow links
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Chapter 1 - Canalmanac 2012 (in preparation) |
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Chapter 2 - Ring Ramblings (in preparation) |
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Introduction |
Chapter 1 - Canalmanac 2012 (in preparation)
We wanted a quiet New Year's Eve and Day so we stayed with out friends Michelle, Ian and Popsy Gilbody who also wanted a quiet start to 2012. After breakfast on New Year's Day we went for a walk to Thelwall Ferry. The weather was overcast but at least it was not raining! We were surprised to see Kevin Wilkinson... the ferryman, on duty and we decided to ask him to ferry us across the Manchester Ship Canal.
Kevin Wilkinson - the Thelwall Ferryman
Ange and Michelle decided to wait with "Lucky" and "Louie" at the ferry station whilst Ian, Popsy and I were rowed us across to the opposite bank of the canal. This was to be our first canal journey of 2012. Once on the other side we were surrounded by waterways both used and disused. To our right was the Manchester Ship Canal, to our left was a disused meander once part of the River Mersey, around the corner was a cut and Woolston Weir circumscribing the old meander with the remains of Woolston New Cut - once part of the Mersey and Irwell Navigation close by. Unfortunately the weather was less than ideal and it started to drizzle not long after we landed on the opposite bank turning to rain about tem minutes later.
Two photographs of the disused meanders on what was once the River Mersey
The River Mersey running from the right to Woolston Weir in the centre
A composite panorama of the same location with the river running from left to right with the meander to the left of centre
An aerial view of the Mersey's meander in the Woolston area with the MSC - bottom and Woolston New Cut - the straight line at the top
(Photograph - Google Earth)
After inspecting and photographing the various waterways we returned to Thelwall Ferry where Ange, Michelle and the boys had taken refuge from the rain and cold in the nearby (dog friendly) Pickering Arms. When we arrived the lattés were just being delivered. More hot drinks were ordered along with warming bowls soup accompanied by hot, fresh bread rolls, all of which was much appreciated and raised our core temperature in a short period of time.
The Pickering Arms in Thelwall Village... a stone's throw from the ferry
Once the food was consumed we returned to Michelle and Ian's and after saying goodbye to our friends we made our way home after a refreshingly quiet New Years Day with not an "Auld Lang Sine", "New York New York" or any of the other annoying "festive" songs in sight (or should that be earshot?) that have tortured us over the years.
The following week was unexpectedly brightened up when I had to go to the Post Office to collect a package the postman was unable to deliver. We do quite a lot of shopping on-line but usually have the orders delivered to the College where I work. But this package came out of the blue and could not think what it was as there was nothing outstanding that we were waiting for. The package turned out to be two copies of "Tiny Homes - Simple Shelter"... the American book about unusual small homes and dwellings written by Lloyd Khan. Lloyd had approached last year me after visiting "Canalscape" and requested photographs of canal boats and narrowboats accompanied by a couple of columns of text. As well as various canal cruisers and narrowboats "Total Eclipse" has a whole page to itself! I was most impressed with the quality of quality of printing and the standard of photographic reproduction... much better than many books printed in this country. Whilst the book is not everyone's cup of tea it is interesting to see some of the unusual small houses that people all over the world have built. The standard of photography is good as well! This publication can be ordered from any good book shop or direct from Amazon and other on-line booksellers.
The front cover of Lloyd Khan's book... "Tiny Homes - Simple Shelter"
The next weekend Ange and I visited the Fred Dibnah Heritage Centre with our friends Michelle and Ian. Fred Dibnah, who died of cancer in 2004, had been one of my heroes for more years than I care to remember and I even met once him when visiting a steam fair at Grappenhall many years ago. I have many books and DVDs about Fred and I was looking forward to visiting the Heritage Centre to see first hand the location where many of his projects took shape. I was not prepared for the sad tales that Leon Powsney... the owner of the Heritage Centre and one of the guides, told about the period after Fred's death and the acts of vandalism that had taken place.
Your truly and Alf Molyneux
(Photograph - Angela Wood)
Part of the Fred Dibnah Heritage Centre
The other guide was Alf Molyneux... Fred's friend and helper who accompanied him on many of his exploits and featured in Fred's last BBC series entitled "Made in Britain". We were shown around the yard and workshops, explored the house and even enjoyed a cuppa in Fred's kitchen before going into the workshop where seating had been installed where Fred's famous steam roller and traction engine once stood to listen to more of Alf's reminiscences. I could feel myself welling up when he told about how the steam engine, traction engine, steam roller and even Fred's Landrover were damaged by unscrupulous people stealing brass fittings, gauges and other items. The Landrover's windows were smashed and the workshops broken into and ransacked. The house did not escape either. When Leon, the current owner, bought the property the doors and windows were boarded up to deter unwanted visitors! Bit all was not doom and gloom. We laughed at the stories related by Alf Molyneux who spoke about Fred fondly... he obviously had great affection for him. When the presentation was over we were then given the opportunity to purchase memorabilia, DVDs, etc before returning to the car and making our way home after an emotional (for me) and informative visit which I would definitely recommend to anyone with an interest in the one and only Doctor Fred Dibnah MBE, steam engines and engineering. Let's hope that the Heritage Centre is a success and becomes one of the major heritage attractions in this country. "Did you like that?"... I most certainly did!
Doctor Fred Dibnah MBE... one of my lifelong heroes
(Photograph - James Daly)
After Lymm CC's AGM in February the social events started off with the Valentine's Dance. We stayed on board the boat which was surrounded by ice but once the solid fuel fire was lit the boat was cosy and inviting. Ian was missing from our table as he was unwell. He missed out on wonderful food, great company and good entertainment. One memorable moment was the Club's Chairman... John Melling took part in Mister and Misses with the Club's Webmaster... Mel Blakey (no - they are not a couple).
Mel Blakey and John (Rosie) Melling taking part in Mister and Misses
A couple of weeks later we spent the weekend at Lymm for a chill-out. Ian and Michelle moored their boat alongside our and after catching up with all the news we went for tea at the Barn Owl near the Club's Agden moorings. After chatting to The food was good even though my steak and ale pie turned out to be a casserole with a pastry lid! We returned to a nice, warm boat and went to bed. The next morning, after a lie-in we helped out moving furniture and tidying in the Clubhouse whilst Phil "Big-boy" collected annual subscriptions and mooring fees.
The tidied part of the Clubhouse adjacent to the bar
Phil "Big-Boy" Anderton collecting subscriptions and mooring fees
Ange accompanied Michelle to their house as they were expecting a delivery. Ian took his boat back to their mooring and I collected him and took him home. After a cup of coffee we said goodbye to our friends and made our way back down the M56 and M53 motorways home after a wonderfully chilled out weekend. Shame we had to go to work the following day!
In Canalscape Book 7 I mentioned that my books were on sale in New Zealand on the Mighty Ape website. Whilst "Googling" my book titles to check metatags I noticed that they are also on sale in Australia at Nile.com (AU$22.37) which is Australia's largest bookshop and in India at Infibeam.com (ζ826 - Rupees) the format of whose website is suspiciously "Amazonian". It is really strange to see the books advertised for sale on the other side of the planet and at prices displayed in unusual currencies.
The "Duke's Cut" page on Australia's Nile.com - AU$22.37
The "Duke's Cut" page on India's Infibeam.com - ζ826 (Rupees)
March was going to be a busy month as far as boating was concerned. First off we had Gary from Coverit Canopies coming to give us a quote on a new rear deck canopy due to the existing one coming to the end of its life. The style we settled on was one where the existing windscreen was replaced with an extension of the canopy coming down to the cabin roof with a roll-up clear section for the windscreen. We had originally planned to box-in the area beneath the handrail but this would prove to be difficult due to the curvature of the handrail so we decided to have the "dodger" replaced as well.
Michelle and Ange accompanying the singer at the Saints and Sinners evening
Ian (saint) and yours truly (sinner)
(Photograph - Phil Anderton)
Saints and Sinners Parade
(Photograph - Phil Anderton)
There was a Saints and Sinners social in the evening at the Clubhouse. In true fashion Ange and I turned up at to event in appropriate dress... Ange as a Vicar and me as a sinner in black. As well as good food courtesy of Derek Ridpath a singer entertained us and got Michelle Gilbody and Ange onto the stage as backing dancers in what was reminiscent of a scene from the film "Sister Act". A great evening with everyone entering into the spirit of the occasion and enjoyed by all.
A couple of days after the Saints and Sinners evening we were invited to the BBC at Media City on the banks of the Manchester Ship Canal at Salford Quays for the launch of the Webwise Manchester Ship Canal project. After being given refreshments we had the opportunity of seeing the films made last November (see the end of Canalscape Book 7 - Canalalmanac 2011) when I was followed by a film crew for a day taking photographs at Warburton Bridge and afterwards at home demonstrating what I do with my photographs. The series of short films were going live that day and can be viewed at http://www.bbc.co.uk/webwise (my film is number 14 and Graham Bridge's film, which may also be of interest, is number 8).
Part of the Webwise Manchester Ship Canal Exhibition
My section of the exhibition
The launch exhibition was impressive, well attended and I was very pleased with the end result (even if I didn't like any of the food on offer). A map of the Ship Canal spanned two walls of the display area with photographs of each contributor and their work at relevant points on the map. A special Webwise newspaper was distributed along with DVDs of the films. Ange and I were accompanied by Ian and Michelle and we met many friends there including the team that produced the films, Stuart Wood (no relation) the Mersey river pilot who I had first met at Radio Merseyside many years ago when being interviewed for a piece about the "Duke's Cut" and the "Big Ditch" and Graham Bridge from Runcorn Locks Preservation Society and BMBC.
Colin Stone (Producer), yours truly and Angela Roberts (Assistant Producer)
(Photograph - Angela Wood)
The cavernous interior of BBC's Quay House at Salford Quays
Ange and Michelle in one of the "Collaboration Pods"
The presentation was held on the fifth floor of Quay House... the northern home of the BBC and what an impressive building it is. As well as a cavernous atrium spanning five floors featuring "collaboration pods" it overlooks the MSC. its location gave me the opportunity to take a few of photographs of Salford Quays from the fifth floor which offered superb views of the Ship Canal. Unfortunately, I had to take the photographs through the windows and the self-cleaning glass used didn't seem to be very self-cleaning but Adobe Photoshop helped to remove any obvious blemishes on the resulting images! This was a fitting conclusion to the project and I hope that my piece (as well as the other contributors) encourages people to use information technology in the pursuit of their passions and for the photographically orientated to take photographs of their locality for future generations to enjoy.
The Manchester Ship Canal looking towards the Lowry as seen from the BBC's Quay House...
... and looking in the opposite direction towards the new Media City Footbridge
On our way back to the carpark we saw two Maybach limousines (rich-man's Mercedes Benz) and a Rolls Royce Phantom waiting for their (no doubt) distinguished passengers. The first Maybach looked as though it was made from chrome plated steel and was mirror-like in appearance, even though it was actually covered in a plastic membrane to give this appearance. It had a personalised number plate "RYM4N" which I now know belongs to Theo Paphitis... the millionaire owner of Ryman's Stationers and one of the dragons in the "Dragons' Den" tv programme. I was lagging behind taking photographs (no surprises there then!) and the others waited for me to catch up. Whilst they waited they met Peter Jones and Hilary Devey getting into their limousines and also from the TV series "Dragon's Den". Hilary Devey told Ange and Michelle that she was going to partake her "guilty pleasure" from the cocktail cabinet in the back of the Maybach. A few more names to add to Ange's list of personalities spotted!
Dragon's Chariot..."RYM4N" - Peter Jones' "chrome" plated Maybach limousine
Ange took her grandaughter Shannon to Euro Disney a week later and as it was not my scene I took advantage of her absence to go up to Lymm on the Friday evening to do some work on the boat when I had finished work for the week. Seeing as the car was empty except for myself I took my giant projection screen up and left it in Ian Gilbody's garage in preparation for the "Saturday Night at the Movies" film show I am due to give the following weekend. On arrival my arrival at the boat I put the domestic batteries on charge to give them a bit of a boost as they were a little on the low side. The next morning I started the engine (it started first time) and took the boat to the Clubhouse to fill the water tank. Much to my relief here were no leaks caused by frost thanks, no doubt, to my fitting a drain-off valve last year. Next I returned to our mooring to spring clean the boat's interior. When I had finished that and as the weather was just perfect with not a cloud in the sky (a passing boater observed the summer had come in spring) the exterior got a good washing followed by a couple of coats of much-needed Mer wax polish (Wax on, wax off... two coats now Biff!).
The view from our moorings on near-perfect spring morning with not a cloud in the sky
A nice, tidy interior cleaned and polished
Wax on... wax off! Two coats now Biff - er Squirrel!
(Photograph - Mr Self Timer)
Whilst checking the engine I noticed that the stern gland was dripping a little faster than I would have liked so gave it a tighten up. To make sure that I had not over-tightened it I went for a little cruise to just past Oughtrington and back... mission successful! The only cause for concern was that the domestic batteries did not appear to be holding their charge. As they have not been replaced for a couple of years maybe now is the time for new ones. After finishing my jobs... all of which I had accomplished, I packed up my things into the car. It was a shame to leave the boat on such a beautiful day but I had jobs to do at home in preparation for Ange's return. Before I left I had a quick chat to Derek Ridpath about arrangements for the "Saturday Night at the Movies" film show then it was time to do battle with the M56. One occurrence that made me smile was when I was overtaken by a Suzuki Ignis almost identical to ours and both the driver and passenger waved. This was the first time a fellow-Ignis driver had waved to me. Maybe this is the shape of things to come just like Volkswagen Beetle and Morris Minor drivers do!
On the way home from work later on in the week I was crossing the bridges leading to Wallasey and saw the sun setting over Wallasey Docks. Needless to say I had to stop and take photographs. The resulting photograph was sent to Granada Reports who used it as a background to their weather report. Below is a screenshot of the weather feature with a full-size version of the photograph.
A screenshot of the Granada TV Weather...
... and a full size version of the photograph used
It was with deepest sadness that we learnt of the death of "Auntie" Maureen Shaw from Wardle Lock Cottage at the junction of the Trent and Mersey canal and the Shropshire Union Canal's Middlewich Branch (the Wardle Canal actually!). Maureen was born on a narrowboat and was was one of the original boatwomen who grew up working the oil boats that plied the canals between Ellesmere Port and Birmingham. She was adopted into the Jinks boating family and became one of the last professional horse boaters before marrying boatman Jack Shaw. Maureen lived for many years at Lock Cottage at Wardle Lock which she regarded as "her lock". Ironically, the cottage was sold by auction two days before her death.
Maureen Shaw's coffin on board nb "Tay" passing through "her" lock one last time
(Photograph - Bob McCulloch)
We had known Maureen for many years and admired the way that she guided novice boaters through "her" lock. The last time we saw her she asked me to trim the brambles overhanging the entrance to the lock before we entered. She even supplied a pair of hedge clippers for me to do the job! We first noticed that Maureen had left her cottage last summer and were told that she had gone into sheltered accommodation. She passed away on 17th March 2012 in Leighton Hospital, Crewe after a long illness. We were not able to attend her funeral on the 30th March but we were told that her coffin was to be transported on board a traditional narrowboat through her lock and down the Middlewich Flight one last time on the way to the funeral. The boat in question was the ex-Thomas Clayton oil boat "Tay" and was the sister craft to "Spey" on which she once worked. About fifty mourners followed "Tay" along the towpath on its way to St Michael's Church in Middlewich where the funeral took place. I am grateful to Pauline and Bob McCulloch for supplying the photographs and allowing me to use them.
Maureen's sister watching over the coffin on board nb "Tay" in Middlewich
(Photograph - Bob McCulloch)
Last May we helped on the Federation of Bridgewater Cruising Club's stand at the Liverpool Boat Show later renamed Spring on the Liverpool Waterfront (see Canalscape Book 7). One thing that we discovered was that the FBCC did not possess a set of display boards to put the photographs of the Bridgewater Canal that I had supplied on. We managed to borrow a set from the Boat Museum and they were transported across the Mersey from Ellesmere Port to the Albert Dock by barge! I promised Dave Stewart... the FBCC chairman that I would put on a fundraiser so that a set of boards could be purchased. I planned "Saturday Night at the Movies" to be the fundraiser and arrangements were made for the 31st March 2012 to be the date of the show. I made a selection of films from my collection that would be of interest to members including films on the Manchester Ship Canal, Canal Heritage, Lymm Cruising Club, two "Webwise" films and my newly digitised audio/visual presentation... "Canalscape".
Lymm CC Clubhouse converted into the "Lymm Odeon"
The 1500 Ansi Lumens/SVGA Sony VPL CS7 video projector...
...and the rest of the presentation equipment used at the Lymm Odeon
Yours truly in action
(Photograph - Michael Dawson)
Lymm Odeon Usherettes - Ange and Michelle
The clubhouse was converted into the "Lymm Odeon" complete with "kissing seats" and usherettes (Ange and Michelle Gilbody) selling popcorn, etc. I had brought my monster screen, Jamo D266 loudspeakers, Denon PMA 355 UK amplifier with the signal sourced from my Toshiba Satellite with background music fed from an iPod. I had borrowed a Sony VPL CS7 video projector from work to provide the projection facilities whose 1500 Ansi Lumens and SVGA resolution were more than sufficient for the task. Admission was £3 and there was a raffle in the interval with food provided by Derek Ridpath and his team consisting of Phyllis Greenough and Lynda Whalley. The show was a great success and enjoyed by everyone. In total £250 was raised for the FBCC which will go a long way to fund the purchase of the display boards. On a more personal note, this was the first time I had used the computer and a video projector for a presentation and I have to say that it was a lot easier than using "analogue" projectors... both slide and ciné (even if I did have difficulty with one of the DVDs not reading). The loss of quality over analogue sources was not apparent and it has encouraged me to look into the purchase of a video projector in the future. Quite a few members of the audience remember my previous presentations at the Club and they can't wait to see them in high-definition with a digital sound track. I shall have to get cracking on them although I have scanned many of the photographs for them already.
The next morning we returned Lymm CC's Clubhouse back to its normal layout and loaded the equipment into the car. After breakfast I did a couple of jobs on the boat ready for our Easter cruise the following weekend. The alternator drive belt had been squealing and required tightening. Access to this area of the engine required removal of the steps from the rear deck into the cabin... a task that I didn't relish and Ian Gilbody helped me to remove them. The alternator belt was tightened and checked for slippage by starting the engine. When we were satisfied that all was correct Ian suggested removing the lip off the bottom of the steps to make removal easier. We borrowed a small angle grinder, removed the offending lip and greased the guide that the steps slide down into position. The removal of the lip has indeed made removal and refitting of the steps easier and it is no longer a two person job to remove and refit them. Mission successful!
The Bridgewater Canal at Dunham Massey
We had taken the Thursday before Good Friday off so that we could make a quick trip to the shops and then load the car before make our way up to Lymm for the Easter Cruise. This cruise was in two parts. The first part was to Boothstown just past Worsley and the second part was to Castlefield in Manchester. We decided to give Boothstown a miss and spend the extra time at Castlefield. It also meant that we would be able to secure a better mooring. Well... that was the theory anyway! We had arranged to meet Michelle, Popsy and Ian at Dunham Massey where Shannon (who was accompanying us) and Popsy could play out in the fields. We moored close to the Obelisk and we were surprised that we were the only boat moored there as it is usually a popular mooring. Good Friday dawned bright and dry if not as warm as it had been the previous week and we cruised up towards Manchester. Just past Oldfield Quays we came across an old Dawncraft cruiser that had been sunk and we gave it a wide berth as there was no way of knowing if it was partially afloat and would be drawn towards our propeller. As it turned out, it was still partially afloat but it did not move too much and was not too much of a hazard to navigation.
Sunken Dawncraft just past Oldfield Quays
We made good time to Manchester and went into the Castle Quay arm towards Deansgate. The only moorings to be had were at the far end close to Grocers Warehouse where boats turned around. I did not feel happy about mooring there so we retraced our tracks and went into the Staffordshire Arms where there was plenty of space. I couldn't believe how irresponsibly boats were moored at Castle Quay. Some had large gaps between them and a couple even had to be moored at an angle due to the irresponsibility of others. We witnessed one boater struggling to get his elderly dog on board. When you consider that Castlefield is one of the premier city centre mooring destinations in the North West and pride of place goes to scruffy residential boats (complete with the obligatory stacks of pallets and generators running up to 11pm) permanently moored on one of the two working water points it doesn't give a good impression to visitors. Especially when the adjacent Potato and Giant's Wharves and empty and there seems to be no reason why boats cannot moor in them.
One of the empty wharves at Castlefield crying out to be used
We visited the Castlefield Hotel for tea and have to say that the food is both inexpensive and good quality. We had lamb steaks which could not be faulted! The following morning we caught the Metro Tram to Bury to visit the market. We first went there last year and it is a shopping experience not to be missed. As the tram whisked us along we passed stretches of the Manchester, Bolton and Bury Canal, parts of which are in the process of being restored but I don't think that it will be cruisable in its entirety during my life time. I did not succumb to the lovely black puddings that were sold in large quantities in the market.. or the pies that many stalls had for sale but I did buy a new kettle for the boat (even if I did have to take it back and swap it for a more modern version). It was soon time to catch the tram back to Manchester and after a quick detour into the Arndale Centre (no Leica shop for me either) it was time to return to the boat after good day out.
The Manchester, Bolton and Bury Canal near Radcliffe doesn't look as if it needs too much work to make it cruisable
Participants in the Easter Bonnet Parade
Sunday was the day of the Easter Bonnet Parade and the Children's Easter Egg Hunt and in true fashion the weather wasn't brilliant. The Easter Bonnets were very kindly judged by Jo Williams off nb "Last Un" from BMBC Runcorn. After the games everyone started to leave and make their way back towards Lymm. We retraced our steps to Dunham Massey where we planned to moor for the night and on the way passed the sunken Dawncraft at Oldfield Quay. The owners had removed some of their possessions from the boat and draped bedding etc over the towpath fence. They were desperately trying to rescue the boat by levering it out of the water with a plank on a lifebelt used as the fulcrum in the hopes that the water would empty out sufficiently to refloat their craft. It didn't look as though they were having a great deal of success and our hearts went out to them. Unfortunately there was not much we could do to help and felt guilty carrying on our way. We spent the evening with our friends and the next morning... Easter Monday, dawned extremely dull and showery. After breakfast we started the engine, returned to our mooring, loaded the car and went home. This was the first cruise of the season and we live in hopes that the weather warms up and makes a change for the better.
The front cover of the first issue of "Waterways World"
The following week was brightened up when the latest edition of "Waterways World" dropped through the letter box. It was the fortieth anniversary edition and it came complete with a reprint of the very first edition... Spring 1972. It made fascinating reading and there were quite a few things in it that made me smile... an article on the Bridgewater Canal entitled "The Duke's Cut" (Hmmmmm... isn't that title copyright?), an advert for Deans Marina at Christleton plus another advert for camping/hire boats from Starkey's Farm on the Llangollen Canal (the proprietor was none other than Chas Harden's father). The boats made me smile as well... brand new Norman and Callumcraft cruisers to name but two. It will make a good addition to the collection of "Waterways World" magazines that are in my loft. We now look forward to the fiftieth anniversary of this erstwhile publication that all dedicated canal enthusiasts look forward to every month. I wonder how many changes we will have seen by then?
The title page of "The Duke's Cut" article showing Dunham School Bridge
For a while now we had been thinking about replacing the futon in the boat's front cabin with a larger sofa bed one that opened in a different fashion. We had visited our local furniture shops and saw a leather one for £169 that fitted the bill exactly except for the colour... it was red! Next the Argos, eBay and Amazon websites were visited and after seeing many that fitted the bill we eventually ordered one from Amazon which was identical to the one in the shop, was brown and cost less than £100. The sofa bed was delivered to work and I had measured the inside of the car to make sure that it would fit for transportation.
The brown leather sofa bed we ordered from Amazon
When it was delivered a couple of days later the delivery truck driver asked me where I wanted it and I told him in the back of my car. "Do you have a Volvo estate or something big?" he asked. When I said that it was a Suzuki Ignis he smiled. put it in the back of the car and beat a hasty retreat. It protruded from the back of the car by a good two feet but after removing some of the packaging and angling it at forty five degrees with the front passenger seat right the way forward the tailgate could be closed... Just! My colleagues came and sat in the car wondering how I would be able to drive safely with it loaded this way. Quite easily as it turned out. It could not slide forward should I have to brake suddenly, I could operate all the controls in the normal manner, see behind well enough and just had to lean forward slightly to see to the left. We have transported larger items in the past without any problems but I have to admit that I was looking behind after I passed a police car in a lay-by on the A41 to see if they were following me (which they weren't)! Once home was reached Ange, who arrived just behind me, helped me carry it into the hall where it would stay temporarily until being taken up to Lymm. You might be asking how is it going to be transported to Lymm? Well, the answer to that is... in the same way I brought it home from work but it would have to be when I am going up on my own due to the passenger seat being right the way forward. Gary from Coverit Boat Canopies was coming to make the canopy template the following week and I would have to take a day off work to move the boat to the canal frontage at the Clubhouse so that he had plenty of space to work. I planned to take the sofa bed up then and bring the old one home until a new owner could be found for it. I should be able to find some unfortunate person to help me lift the old one off the boat into the car and carry the new one onto the boat so watch this space as getting it onto the boat should be a sight to behold!
Ian making the template for our cratch board
Saturday the 21st April was the day before the 2012 Opening Cruise and also the date of the Opening Cruise Dance. Before the dance Ian made a template for the cratch board out of scraps of timber from the woodwork shed. We discussed the possibility of making it out of steel but it would be more difficult to glaze so timber was agreed on. Liam Hewlett of Longford Canal Services punctuated our afternoon when he came past steering "Ariel" with their new butty... an ex-BCN "Joey" day boat, breasted-up alongside.
Longford Canal Services narrowboat "Ariel" with their new butty "Joe" breasted-up at Lymm
A pre-haircut Liam Hewlett at the tiller of "Ariel"
The theme of the dance was 1940's and some of us dressed up in period costume. Ange was a cleaning lady, I was Winston Churchill, Ian was a 1940's business man and Michelle was a 1940's lady. Many other club members entered into the spirit of the period but one of my favourites was Keith Moore who dressed up as a "spiv" complete with nylons and other contraband hidden within his pockets. We returned to a nice warm boat in the early hours after quite a few Smirnoff Ices and Sambucas.
Ange dressed up as a 1940's cleaning lady and me as Winston Churchill
(Photograph - Linda Whalley)
Many other members dressed up in 1940's clothes - notice Mrs Mop!
(Photograph - Phil Anderton)
We awoke early on Sunday morning with rain hammering on the boat roof. This was to be the pattern or weather for the morning. The sun did make a brief appearance but was scared away by yet more rain and later on in the morning even by hail. After the usual assembly and speeches in the clubhouse, the Commodore - Guy Burden unfurled the flag on the flag staff and was escorted aboard his boat by a ensemble of members dressed in their 1940's gear.
Members dressed in their 1940's gear escorted the Commodore - Guy Burden to his boat
The procession of boats making their way to Grappenhall
Thelwall Cutting shortly before the rain turned to hail
Shortly after he lead the flotilla of boats heading for Grappenhall the sun made one of its brief appearances and we joined in at the end of the procession. As we passed through Thelwall cutting the rain turned to hail and we pitied the boaters who did not have the luxury of a canopy to protect them from the elements as they steered. When we reached Grappenhall we turned around, moored and had lunch. The rain stopped before we set off to return to Lymm and even had bursts of sunshine.
Sunshine at Grappenhall on the 2012 Opening Cruise
When we reached Lymm we loaded the car and I put the boat back on its mooring. Earlier, I had asked around if anyone wanted our futon sofa bed and one of the members asked if they could have a look at it to see if it would fit in their boat. It fitted their needs exactly and after dismantling it we put it on their boat where I am sure it will give them many years of service. The resulting space on "Total Eclipse" is now ready to accept our new sofa bed which we will hopefully bring up to Lymm later on in the week when Gary from Coverit comes to make the template for our new canopy.
The untimely trench dug across the lane leading to Lymm Cruising Club
Gary rang me on the next Monday and arranged to come to Lymm on the Tuesday of that week to make the canopy template. I took a day's holiday in order to be there to move the boat and remove the old windscreen, etc. We persuaded Ange's son... Michael to borrow his father's van to transport the sofa bed to Lymm (and help me on the boat with it) as well, killing two birds with one stone. Accordingly, he came the previous evening to collect the sofa bed as I would be on the road early so as to move the boat to the narrow end of the arm in front of the Clubhouse. Talk about the best laid plans of mice and men... guess when the local council decided to dig-up the road across the lane that leads to Lymm Cruising Club. Well it had to be the day that Coverit were coming and when our new sofa bed was being delivered! Fortunately, they were only digging the top layers of tarmac in order to resurface the road and the resulting trench was only a few centimetres deep (even though it looked deeper) allowing vehicles to turn into the lane. At first the workmen were turning traffic away and Paul Durbridge, whose boat "Dominion" was on the slipway being painted had to have his paint, wife Tina and himself ferried across the canal from the towpath. He later gained access by car which is just as well as he had some quite heavy items to transport to his boat.
Gary from Coverit making the "dodger" template
In the meantime, I had brought "Total Eclipse" from her mooring to in front of the Clubhouse in readiness for Gary and his crew who were also making canopy templates for John and Beryl Moult's new boat... "Don Ross". I had been to Sexton's cake shop for necessary supplies of the steak and kidney and vanilla slice variety and the kettle was boiled ready for when they arrived. After an inaugural cuppa they started work by removing the old canopy and frame before fitting the new frame and the first template was for the "dodger" beneath the hand rail. This turned out to be quite challenging and took longer than Gary anticipated due to the top being rounded where it was to be attached to the handrail but changing to a rectangular shape where it met the gunwales. In the meantime, Michael arrived with our sofa bed and was also the unfortunate person that helped me carry it on board the boat. This actually turned out easier than anticipated. We lifted it onto the front deck where it balanced across the gunwales then turned it 180° and carried it through the front door into the cabin. It only required the feet to be screwed onto it and once in position it fitted like a dream as if it was designed to fit there. On reflection, I think we did the right thing by installing it before the cratch was fitted as there is no way that we would have managed it without removing the cratch and front deck canopy beforehand.
The new sofa bed in position
After more liquid refreshment and one of Sexton's cakes Michael left to head back down the M56 and Gary started on the main canopy template... top bit first and then the side screens. We had long admired the canopy on "Hyland"... Brenda and Arthur Malcolm's boat. Theirs did not have a glazed timber windscreen but the canopy extended down to the cabin roof with a "zippable" clear PVC section which acted as their windscreen. As our timber windscreen had come to the end of its life as well as the canopy we had decided on a similar design to Arthur's. It would require an extra frame hoop but this alleviated the necessity for a windscreen and looked neater as well when erected. Where our design differed from Arthur's is that we wanted green PVC rather than canvas which required more maintenance whereas the PVC only requires the occasional wash.
Gary and his colleague completing the template for the side screens
Gary was assisted by one of his colleagues who had been working on "Don Ross" but as this boat was more straight forward than ours he finished it first and hence him giving Gary a hand to finish off. I was impressed by the ingenuity that Gary and his team demonstrated, especially the magnetic clamps used to hold the template material in place whilst it was shaped and cut to size. When Gary and co left I removed the last bits of the windscreen only to discover that there was rust beneath it. I scraped off what I could and wanted to give it a coat of red oxide but did not have any paint brushes with me. A job for another time! I am not required to be present when the canopy is fitted... possibly on Friday so we arranged to meet Gary to pay him the following day. I had also planned to cut the grass on ours and Peter Corbett's mooring in the afternoon but didn't get around to doing it (sorry Peter!) so I would do that on Saturday as well... weather permitting. I removed the carpet tiles as well as everything else off the rear deck and stowed them inside as the boat would not have a rear deck cover for a couple of days and there was rain forecast for the rest of the week. With "Total Eclipse" being forty feet long it is possible to turn her around virtually anywhere on the Bridgewater Canal. As it was a pleasant evening I took the boat back to its mooring via the winding hole just past the Lymm CC moorings... it is easier to approach the mooring from that direction anyway. My journey home was via Bidston Tip where I unceremoniously deposited the old canopy and windscreen in a skip. They didn't owe us anything as they must have been on the boat since about 1990. Let's hope that the new ones are just as long lived.
Looking towards Oughtrington from the winding hole at the end of the Lymm moorings
Friday afternoon I was at work and received a telephone call from Gary who told me that he had fitted the canopy and it looked great. We arranged to meet the following day at lunchtime when we would pay him. As I was walking along the moorings the following day I could see our new canopy from a distance. When we reached the boat it looked wonderful... exactly as we anticipated. The British Racing Green PVC matched the boat's paintwork and was nicely shaped to match the boat's line. The windscreen had a steeper rake than the old timber one had and gave a better view as well as a greater feeling of spaciousness. Closer examination showed a couple of things that needed slight modification such as there was no zip allowing the windscreen portion to be rolled up when necessary, flaps would need to be stitched on behind the cleats to prevent rain ingress and straps to support the side screens when rolled up. We also think that rain might enter where the handrails pass through the canopy and where the canopy attaches to the cabin roof. After discussing it with Gary we plan to fit a thin batten behind the windscreen to guide any ingress of rain water to the edges of the cabin roof where it will run down the cabin sides.
The completed and fitted new canopy by Coverit looks fantastic...
... and offers a really good view through the windscreen
Once we had opened the boat Ange went to inspect the sofa bed which was also to her satisfaction. Gary arrived and we pointed out to him the couple of modifications that we would like to be made. He promised to rectify them when he came to measure up for the cratch canopy. The business was concluded when we paid him and he left us in peace. As previously mentioned I didn't get the opportunity to cut the grass on Tuesday. Today we had plenty of time and as I cut the grass Ange brushed off any cuttings from Peter's boat and ours. Linda Whalley was having nb "Sapphire" repainted. As the painters passed our boat he pointed to our sign writing and told us that he had done it. After a quick chat Mike (as Ian Gilbody later told me was his name) and his mate excused themselves and left me to finish my strimming. The grass cutting was again interrupted by the sound of an approaching Bolinder. It was not long before the ex-British Waterways narrowboat "Rudd" passed our mooring looking good as well as sounding good. When we had completed cutting the grass we had a cup of coffee, chilled out for a bit then went home... missions successful.
NB "Rudd" passing our moorings
May Bank Holiday weekend featured a cruise to the wide between Saltersford and Barton Tunnels on the Saturday then onto George Gleave's Bridge near Daresbury on the Sunday. When we arrived at Lymm late morning and Ian and Michelle were waiting for us as they filled their water tank. I brought the boat to where the car was parked and it was not long before we were ready to leave. As usual the weather forecast looked grim and we left Lymm with the canopy up and planned to fold it when we reached Preston Brook Tunnel, We stopped briefly at Thorn Marine and reached the tunnel just in time for the 4.30 passage. Ange took the tiller whilst I collapsed the canopy but we didn't have enough time to do it properly, leaving it resting on top of the seats. When our cratch is fitted there will only be room for one headlight but we currently have two different types so we went through Preston Brook Tunnel with one of the lights covered up. The light left to illuminate our way was a Lucas Square Eight fog light which gives a narrow beam of light and did not illuminate the tunnel as well as I had hoped. When we came to Saltersford Tunnel the other light... a Radyot similar in shape to the Lucas but with a clear lens, gave a wider spread of light which illuminated the tunnel better.
Tillers on parade
We were two of the last boats to arrive and after Ian reversed into a place next to "Midnight" we moored next to him stern to the bank. After tying up we erected the canopy and had tea before the Induction of the Rear Commodore Ceremony. This year's Rear Commodore is Paul Durbridge and his "poking stick" was presented to him by our President - Keith Moore.
Keith Moore presenting Paul Durbridge with his ceremonial stick
Paul lighting his first bonfire
After the ceremony Paul lit his first bonfire as the bar opened and burgers cooked. It was warm and dry and we had a good time chatting to our friends. All too soon it was time to return to our boats and go to bed. Next morning we were lying in bed deciding whether to get up or not when we heard Michelle on the loudhailer wishing everyone a good morning and announcing that breakfast was ready (bring your own plate). Ange and I looked at each other and started to laugh... what a nice way to wake up. After breakfast we tried to collapse the canopy neatly and found it difficult. Our old canopy folded up behind the tiller and we had a look at Arthur Malcolm and John Moult's canopies to see how they managed it. It seemed that the new one has to lie in front of the tiller. The arm was removed and after pulling the bars out of their supports we eventually managed to fold it up neatly before replacing the bars. With the canopy out of the way I removed the loose rust where the old wooden windscreen was, rub the area down with emery paper and treat the metal with rust remover ready for painting later on.
Boats preparing to leave Between the Tunnels
The smoking chimney on "Total Eclipse"
Whilst we waited for the queue for Saltersford Tunnel to abate I relit our fire as the weather had turned a little cool. I hadn't had the time to buy coal from our usual source so I had picked up a couple of bags from a local garage. I filled the coal scuttle and banked up the fire. I noticed that there was quite a lot of smoke coming from our chimney and when I looked more closely at the bag of coal it said in small writing "not suitable for smokeless zones!" Needless to say when we made a move for the tunnel "Total Eclipse" was at the back of the queue! It seemed that I had tempted providence when lighting the fire as the sun came out.
"Eclipse" pulling "Saisons" off the shallows near Acton Bridge
We cruised along the side of the River Weaver valley and after Acton Bridge we rounded a bend and saw Ian and Michelle's boat going in reverse. They had encountered a single handed boater who had run aground on the inside of a shallow bend. It seemed that the steerer had Tourette's Syndrome as he swore at everyone and everything in sight... including his boat! After a few attempts, the boat which was called "Saison" (a pale Flemish beer) was pulled of the shallows and was free to continue towards Preston Brook but not before he proclaimed that "You've made my day... the both of you!" No doubt I will get mileage out of this phrase for many months to come.
Narrows after Bridge 123
After this bit of excitement we followed "Saisons" towards Preston Brook in the warm Spring sunshine. Just before Bridge 122 there is a dell on the right hand side of the canal. A brief glance showed what appeared to be violet mist lying in the bottom of the dell. It was actually a blanket of bluebells lining the dell. Unfortunately I was not able to photograph this phenomenon but will "press M+" for next year. It was extremely slow going following "Saisons" so we moored just after Morris Minor Bend until we were due to catch the next tunnel passage. When we set off again we passed through Preston Brook Tunnel without incident and when we reached the M56 Viaduct we pulled in to erect our canopy. This proved easier that taking it down and we were soon on our way to George Gleave's Bridge where our fellow Lymm CC members were moored.
"Total Eclipse" at George Gleave's Bridge with the new canopy erected
Cattle descending to the canal for a drink
Children in the Rape Seed Field
When we reached the tail end of the moorings I painted the treated part of the cabin roof before we had our tea. Afterwards we watched a herd of cattle run down the field opposite to have a drink of water whilst standing in the canal. The antics of the cows had to be seen to be believed. Some of the children from the boat club had ventured into the adjacent rape seed field. The plants were nearly as tall as they were and when they eventually emerged they were covered in yellow residue from the plants. We sat on the back deck with Ian and Michelle chatting until it was time to go to bed. The next day dawned and was not as bright as the previous one but it wasn't raining like the weather forecast had predicted although we did have occasional showers on the way back to Lymm. By the time we had reached our moorings we turned around in the winding hole and put the boat to bed before carrying our things to the car and heading for home.
Chapter 2 - Ring Ramblings
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Our canal cruising experiences and milestones during 2012
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| 3rd January 2012 | "Total Eclipse" features in the book "Tiny Homes - Simple Shelter" |
| 13th March 2012 | BBC Webwise Manchester Ship Canal Project launched at Media City in Salford Quays |
| 31st March 2012 | Saturday Night at the Movies FBCC fundraiser at the "Lymm Odeon" - £250 raised |
| 5th April 2012 | Easter cruise to Castlefield, Manchester |
| 22nd April 2012 | Lymm CC Opening Cruise |
| 24th April 2012 | New sofa bed fitted |
| 27th April 2012 | New rear deck canopy fitted by Coverit |
| 6th May 2012 | May Bank Holiday Cruise to between Saltersford and Barnton Tunnels |
Tailpiece
The story most probably continues in...
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Book 9 |
Canal Cruising 2013
Finances, health, wife and time allowing!
or select another book below...
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"Canalscape" and "Diarama" names and logo are copyright |
Updated 18-05-2012
