Firstly, thank you to everybody who contacted us offering a lift to pick up our car.

On Wednesday we travelled to Slimbridge to meet up with Ray & Caz on their boat Rose.

We have not seen them for over a year, and hearing that they were near, was too good an opportunity to meet up again.

On Thursday we took the boat back to Saul Junction Marina, where we have a new mooring. No 86.
Not far from our old mooring.

We stayed on the boat Thursday night, and met up with the friends we have made in the marina.

Today we drove home.

Turning into the Stroudwater canal at Saul Junction

 

 

Entering Saul Junction Marina

 

Our new mooring

 

 

Sadly, this is it, the end of our trip.  We have had a great time, met some great people, seen some great places.

 

 

Can we thank everybody who has followed our blog throughout our travels. We have had 3,691 views. We hope you have found it interesting, as we have enjoyed writing it.

 

 

Sorry, but here endeth the blog

 

(until next time)





 

We had a great evening with Richard & Sally last night, eating in the Vinings restaurant.

This morning we said our goodbyes and set off around 10.30am.

We needed a pump-out at the Llantony wharf, continuing to Sainsbury's to stock up.

We then travelled the 8 miles to Saul, where we are currently moored approx 500 yards up from the footbridge.

After 5-1/2 months of travelling, it is a very funny feeling being back.

We will be spending the next few days meeting friends on the canal before going into the marina, then home.

Speaking of which?   Our car is currently in Quedgeley. If any friendly follower of this blog is free tomorrow morning, we could really do with a lift to pick it up, including 4 months of mail.

If you can help call Wendy on 07976444938 or Peter 07900186705

Thank you

We rang Upper Lode lock early this morning, and were informed that the Severn had gone down by nearly 2 foot overnight. However it was still too high to travel.

We were told to ring back at midday.

We rang back at 12.00. The river had dropped, but was 1.7 metres above normal. If we wished to proceed, they would open both Upper Lode lock and Gloucester lock, if we sign an indemnity form.

Basically this means we are not insured, but can travel.

Richard needed to get back, because he runs his own business, we had radio contact between boats, so we decided to go for it. Worst case scenario, if one of us broke down, we could come alongside and tie the two boats together and use one engine to power both boats.

However all went fine. A bit nervy for both of us, but we are now moored in Gloucester Docks

 

Gloucester Lock

 

 



 

Yesterday at 10.15am We were given the all clear, and set off through the Stourport basin, joining the Severn shortly after.

We had pre booked moorings at Upton on Severn, as we heard that Upper Lode lock near Tewkesbury was still in red, due to the River Avon still being in flood condition.

Our trip down the Severn, was probably the best we have ever experienced, warm and sunny all the way, despite a high current.

We arrived at Upton Marina at 3.40pm.

We have rung Upper Lode lock this morning, and we have been informed that the river level is currently 2 foot above the closure level.

Tomorrow we have rain forecast, so unless we manage to find a 4 hour window to travel back to Gloucester today, we could be stranded at Upton for a few days.

Will keep you informed

The River Severn is still in flood, although 2 boats did come up from Worcester yesterday, and they told us that in Worcester the river was in amber.

We are not planning on moving until tomorrow, so hopefully today the condition here may change.

Yesterday proved a very eventful day for us. We were hoping to have a lazy day, but all that changed around midday.

We decided to go for a pub lunch, so we left the boat and started to walk the short distance in to the town.

We noticed hundreds of fish all close to the surface near the lock, with a small crowd forming, to see what was happening.

The local tea room manager (Len) Told us that is was due to pollution, and that the fish were trying to get air. He also told us that this was the third time this year it had happened.

He explained that if you fill the lock and open the gates, then open the other lock paddles to create a current, the fish will enter the lock, which you could then drain and open, to let the fish in the basin below.

He told us he had contacted the Environment Agency

So with windlasses at the ready, we did as we were instructed, and sure enough, the lock was soon full of fish.

After letting them through to the basin, an onlooker confirmed that they had recovered very quickly. So we went through the process again. Filling the lock, open the gates, create a flow, shut the gates, drain the lock, open the gates.

We repeated this 6 times, before the Environment Agency arrived. However there were still hundreds of fish gasping for air.

The EA tested the water, and it contained 0.05% oxygen (fish need 40%)

After British Waterways and the EA finally agreed a solution (3 hours later, and now many dead fish) Aeroators were brought in

We started our engine and put it in gear also creating air into the system.

The EA worked throughout the night, and this morning, the situation has stabilised. Now they have to find the cause.

We are also featured in the Canal & River Trust web site. We were photographed going through a bridge on Wednesday near Kidderminster, and it is now in a feature. Follow the link below to see.
http://canalrivertrust.org.uk/news-and-views/news/bridge-restoration-on-the-staffordshire-and-worcestershire-canal

This afternoon our friends Richard and Sally will be coming to Stourport to pick up there boat which has been moored throughout the flood. And, hopefully the four of us will start our journey back to Gloucester tomorrow morning.

We left Wolverley yesterday morning and travelled 5-1/2 miles + 5 locks to Stourport on Severn.

We had glorious sunshine all the way, which was the perfect ending for our canal travels.

We only have a short section of the Staffs & Worcs through Stourport Basin, before joining the Severn.

 

Kidderminster Church

 

We have checked the Severn and it is in flood at the moment. We are on a 5 day mooring so will remain here until possibly Saturday.

Last night we visited my nephew Scott & Lex, who live in Stourport. We had a lovely meal and a long catch up. Thank you to you both. A great night.



Last night we walked into Kinver and had a meal in the White Hart. Pete had an all day breakfast costing £3.45. Exceptional value, and a really good helping

This morning we walked back into Kinver to do some shopping in bright sunshine.

We set sail at 11.10am, travelled 4.25 miles, including 2 locks and a tunnel. This is when we stopped at Woverley because of heavy rain.

The trip was very pleasant especially through the short sandstone clad area near Caunsall see below

 

 

At Debdale lock, the lock is built within the sandstone, with a cave, which used to be used as a storehouse.

 

Leaving the lock you can see the pickup point which is a great feature of this canal.

We have been included in Sue & Vics blog so we will give you the link if you wish to follow theirs
http://noproblem.org.uk/blog/feed/

Tomorrow we will be in Stourport.  With this continuous rain we may once again have problems with the Severn in flood. Still, we will only need 2 days to reach Gloucester. We will get there sometime (hopefully)

 

 

 



Last night we visited the Navigation Inn at Greenforge. Only to meet Scraggy from Saul Jnction. Was good to meet somebody we knew and catch up on canal gossip.

This morning we left around 10.00am. We travelled for 3 hours 45 mins to Kinver, including 5 locks, one tunnel, and an aqueduct, stopping for a while to top up with water and pump out the toilet.

We met Sue & Vic at the water point, they are continuous cruisers, and have been on the canal network cruising for 10 years.

The Staffs & Worcs canal is a delight to travel. Great scenery and some challenging bends. The locks are well maintained and mooring is freely available.

At one lock we noticed the gates to the house were miniature lock gates (see below)

 

 

Autumn is now upon us, but the changing colours of the trees, especially in the sun is very dramatic.

We should arrive in Stourport on Wednesday. The River Severn has gone down to Amber Alert, which means passage is safe with care. Although we have heard of lots of debris being washed down.

Last night after seeing a friendly face from the canal has made us homesick for the first time.

We have met some great people on our travels, especially Pete & Lynn on Blue on Blue, Jean & Mark on Ardanza.

We should be back in Gloucester this weekend if all goes well.

 

Today we have moved 1-1/2 miles to Greenforge. Which took us 1hr 20mins, including 2 locks.

We have a pleasant mooring, although it is overlooked by trees either side

The Staffs & Worcs canal is very unusual with the lock layouts (see below)

The lock is closed, but the little tunnel on the left is where you pick up the person who has operated the lock. So after you move the boat out of the lock, you stop to allow the peson to shut the gates and then rejoin you. Very clever. If you look at the third picture from yesterday's blog you will see a small tunnel on the left. That is where you pick the person up.

The bonus of staying so near to the lock is shown below

 

 

The Navigation Public House, complete with resident ghost, although we have been in there twice before and not seen it. Third time lucky.

 

 

The Severn is still in flood, but we are hoping to make it to Stourport by Wednesday. We will then hopefully not have to wait to long before we can make the 2 day journey back to Gloucester.

We are now at Swindon in Staffs.

We left Brewood on Friday morning and shortly joined the Staffs & Worcs canal. Mooring shortly after at Compton. (No internet or telephone signal again)

Wallace (our dog) has been scratching a lot lately, and bald patches have appeared in his skin. So we needed to find a vet. We found a vet and made an appointment, then booked a taxi, (which did not turn up on time) when it did turn up, we turned it away, as we had booked another, which did turn up on time. (after we rearranged the vet appointment ).

It appears Wallace may have Scabbies (Mange) which he is now being treated.

Today we travelled 6.5 miles and negotiated 13 locks, which took us 5 hours. However we are no hurry as the Severn is still in flood, and the lockeeper at Bratch locks informed us that it will be at least another 3 days before the levels have dropped to enable navigation.

The Staffs & Worcs canal is very picturesque (see below)

6" Stoplock, joining Shropshire Union Canal to Staffs & Worcs canal

 

Bratch 3 rise locks (we are descending)

 



Leaving Bratch locks

 

 



We had an enjoyable evening at the Hartley Arms in Wheaton Aston.

This morning we moved forward to the service point at Wheaton Aston to top up with water and pump out our waste tank.

We then travelled 3 miles + 1 lock to Brewood (pronounced Brood to locals).

The rain has stayed away, and we have had a pleasant walk around the village. We have no mifi connection or telephone signal, so we have had to resort to going to a local pub with free wifi.  How unlucky is that

 

Crossing the A5 Watling Street Aqueduct

 

We have heard that the River Severn will be closed for over a week due to flooding, so we will be taking our time to reach Stourport, as we have already heard of queues.

 

Queing at Tyrley Locks

 

High Bridge, Grub Street Cutting

 

Very narrow section

 

We left Norbury Junction early this morning as we had heard of rain coming our way.

 

 

We completed the 7 miles to Wheaton Aston just as the rain started around 11.30.

 

We have also heard that the River Severn is in flood and closed to all boats.

 

Yesterday it rained all day, so we stayed put. We did venture out to buy some provisions.

 

It was in Norbury Chandlery that we saw an item we have been looking for all summer. We had been asking many boaters, where they had purchased theirs from, but most said they had bought one, and had it painted.

 

This one was the right colours for our boat, so we took the plunge and bought it.

 

 

What do you think??

 





We left Market Drayton this morning at 10.00am. The weather was overcast and cool.

After about a mile we came to the Tyrley Locks. A flight of 5. As we approached there were 2 boats waiting to ascend. As we helped them through, another 4 boats converged. The going was slow.

We have pictures but the internet connection here is so slow, we will post them tomorrow.

We continued for a further 5 miles, and then it started to rain. Not heavy but persistant.

The scenery, despite the rain, has been a total contrast to what we have seen in the last few months. Long sweeping valleys, deep embankements and shaded areas where trees intermingled across the canal.

We have arrived at Norbury Junction.

Tomorrow we are having a rest day

We left Nantwich yesterday, and the weather was overcast.

We had 6 miles and 4 locks to complete.

Shortly after setting off, it started raining, not heavy but light showers. But we continued.

We arrived at Audlem around 1.00pm, and set off exploring the village

Audlem is a very picturesque village. Above is the Church.

We had a meal in The Bridge, which was excellent. After that we visited the Shropshire Fly, for some live entetainment. The Shropshire Fly is an unusual pub which has a bar shaped like the front and side of a narrowboat. The entertainment was not to our liking, so we departed after 3 songs, and retired to the boat.

This morning we woke up to early morning mist

At 9.05am we set off. It was cool but the sun had burnt off the mist.

We completed 18 locks and 6 miles, to reach Market Drayton in Shropshire.

After mooring up we walking the 1/2 mile into the town. To be honest we were really disapointed. The place is really run down, with a lot of shops empty and to let signs were everywhere. The only booming trade we could see was Keebab shops of which we counted 5.

However, it has been a real nice day with sunshine all the way.

Tomorrow we hope to make it to Norbury Junction. A favourite place of ours.

Yesterday we travelled from Grindley Brook to Wrenbury (6 miles + 2 locks)
The weather was overcast and we did stop once because of a downpour, which we sat out.
Once again we had no internet.

Today we travelled 9 miles including 9 locks and 2 swing bridges.

We have now left the Llangollen canal and joined the Shropshire Union. We are heading home.

We moored up near Nantwich and walked into the town. A typical Cheshire town with black and white buildings, lovely to spend an afternoon in such a grand place. We had a lovely evening meal in a local pub, then walked back to the boat.

The evenings are getting shorter, and we are having to use torches. We have re-stocked the tealights, and the fire is lit most nights.

Tomorrow we are heading for Audlem, a canal town with bustling pubs and entertainment. We then have the Audlem & Adderley locks to contend with. (19 in total) before reaching Market Drayton, here we hope to spend a few days.

We are sorry, but the internet/tv signals are so poor here. Wendy has a 1 bar phone signal, Pete has none.

Uploading any photos are virtually impossible, but should improve.

We left Ellesmere yesterday morning. The arm where we were moored was very busy with hire boats trying to manoever, so we reversed out of it.

We travelled for 13 miles to Grindley Brook with no locks but 4 swing bridges, which took us nearly 5 hours. The weather is getting cooler so we take it in turns steering the boat to 2 miles each. We also light the fire each night.

Today we set off at 9.30 to fill up with water, then move to the BW pump out to empty our toilet tank. However the boat in front had problems, mainly because his waste pipe was blocked. Luckily for us because we had a heavy rain shower, so we stayed inside whilst he got soaked.

We made a decision, because of the weather, that once we had pumped out the toilet, we would do the 6 Grindley locks and moor up.

So today we have done 1 mile, 6 locks and it took us 3 hours, including water and pump out.
We have told other boaters, "If you want to rush, catch a bus"

Our friends Richard & Sally left Gloucester today, heading up to meet us on their boat "Indecision". We should meet them somewhere on the Shropshire Union Canal. We will then travel back with them to Saul Junction

On reflection, we have had a great time. Yes we have had our disagreements. But when you consider that we have been living in a space of 58' long x 7' wide for 5 months, it shows that after 22 years of marriage, we are still best friends.

Sorry for the delay (again) in updating the blog. We are getting nearer home, and everybody wants to visit us.

This weekend we had a lovely time with Pete & Helen.

We left Llangollen on Friday morning and travelled 4 miles back to Trevor. The only mooring space available was to reverse the boat over 300 yards to a place where the canal is very shallow, but we did it

We had a good meal in the Telford Inn

Next morning Wendy said that she would take the boat across the Pontysclyth Aqueduct.

 

We then continued to Hindford, letting Pete & Helen work the locks for us

 

We are now back at Ellesmere. And, heading home. In 3 days time we will be joining the Shropshire Union canal, then the Staffs &Worcs to Stourport on Severn. then 2 days on the severn, and back to the Sharpness Canal.

We arrived in Llangollen yesterday afternoon.
The trip in was as we expected, very narrow

You have 2 very narrow sections, one is 300 yards long the other is 500 yards long.

Wendy walked ahead using the radio to tell me what was happening ahead.

As we approached Llangollen the current from the River Dee which feeds the canal, reduced our speed to near crawling pace.

We are now in the Llangollen basin. It costs £6.00 per night to moor here, but with free water and electricity, we have taken advantage and the washing machine has been working overtime.

We can only stay a maximum of 48 hours, so we have to leave tomorrow.

We are expecting friends around lunchtime, and sadly that is it. We will be heading home.

We did have an incident whilst mooring in the basin. As Pete was reversing the boat to our mooring, Wendy jumped off with the centre rope, and we heard a rattle followed by a splash.

Our GPS mounted on velcro slipped over the side into the water. It contained all the data of our trip. We have been trying to retrieve it, even buying a fishing net, but to no avail. Luckily we backed everything up on our computer each evening, so we still have the data. I feel an insurance claim coming on, as it was quite expensive.

Some friends from our marina rang yesterday and asked if they could join us?  They will be leaving Saul Junction on Monday. We both thought that was really nice. We should meet them somewhere on the Shropshire Union Canal. We are both looking forward to meeting them again.

Hopefully once we rejoin the main canal network, our internet signal will improve, and we can resume the daily updates.

Today, we both agreed that we had not stopped for over a week and needed a rest. So we have stayed at Trevor.

Around mid morning we took the dog across the aqueduct and explored the surrounding countryside

The aqueduct is 1007' long, 11' wide and 5'3" deep. It is supported on 19 arches with each having a span of 45'. As it crosses the River Dee it is 126' high. Built by Thomas Telford in 1826. It is now a World Heritage Site.

We walked across the River Dee on an old toll bridge dating 1678

On our return it started raining, and has continued all afternoon, so were glad we stayed put. We did venture out to the Telford Inn and have a well deserved meal and drink this evening.

We had a really good time in Ireland, staying in Belfast for 2 nights, then Dublin for 1 night.

We left the marina at Ellesmere on Friday morning, and stopped overnight at Hindford. The weather has been really good, but alas no internet signal.

Yesterday we went through 2 locks, and moored up at Chirk, on the Welsh border. Once again no internet signal.

Today, our friends whom we went to Ireland with, joined us at Chirk.

We have travelled 4 miles to Trevor, Going across Chirk Aqueduct, through Chirk tunnel, then through Frontysclythe tunnel, finishing up crossing the Pontysclythe aqueduct.

Chirk Aqueduct

 

Waiting to cross Pontysclythe Aqueduct

 

Crossing the Aqueduct

Not much room for error

 

This afternoon we had our first Bar B Que. (only September) and an internet signal.

 

 

We are sorry for the slow updates, but the signals here vary so much

 



 



 

  

We woke up yesterday morning to find rain and really dark clouds all around. So we waited and waited.

At 1.00pm the skies cleared and we set off.

We had 3 locks to go through before the Grindley 3 rise.

The first lock was easy, however, the Llangollen is fed by a river, which means a constant current flowing all the time. As we waited to approach the second lock, the overflow channel had such a force of water flowing through it, it pinned us to the side. So much so, we had to wave the next boat through to the open lock, so we could free our boat up and proceed. The force of the water was so great, it was the first time we had to use full power to push the boat through it. We did hit the brickwork on entering the lock at full speed, but the Llangollen is very narrow in places.

We completed the Grindley rise in rain, but proceeded on. Finally mooring in the middle of nowhere.

It was very cold last night so for the first time since May we lit the fire.

Today we did 8 miles through very agricultural scenery, and arrived at Ellesmere. On approaching the town we passed the lake Mere which the town is named after

We will be staying overnight in the arm leading into the town, then tomorrow, we wll turn the boat around and moor it in the local marina for a week. This is because we are travelling to Ireland for 5 nights with friends in North Wales. We have wanted to see the "Titanic" exhibition in Belfast, since it opened lat year, and our friends have arranged it all for us.

Unfortunately this means the blog will not be updated next until Friday 7th September. But thank you all for following our little adventure. (So far 2800 views) 

We did make it to Wrenbury last night, but only just, before the heavens opened again.

We had a very nice meal in the Cotton Arms, before returning, once again in the rain.

Today we walked into Wrenbury first thing this morning, which is a very picturesque village.

On returning to the boat Pete did his engine checks, before we set off.

 We did 7 miles and 4 locks today in glorious sunshine.

We are now at Grindley Brook.

The Llangollen canal is hire-boat heaven. Although it is the private boaters who show no respect for other boaters. We did however help a hirer today who had become wedged on exiting a lock. Now as every boater knows, if you get stuck, revving the hell out of it will not help. They thanked us for our help and continued slowly.

Tomorrow we have 3 very close locks followed by the Grindley 3 Rise locks, which, weather permitting should set us on our way to very easy cruising to Ellesmere.

Yeterday we left the Trent and Mersey and joined the Shropshire Union (Middlewich Branch)

The weather was very pleasant, if fact we wore shorts.

As you can imagine on a Bank Holiday weekend it is very busy.

We did 10.81 miles including 7 locks before we reached Barbridge Junction. This is where we join the main line of the Shropshire Union Canal (Shroppie).

We moored up for the evening and visited Ye Olde Barbridge Inn. Very busy but able to sit outside until around 8.00pm.

We had heard that a festival was on at the Jolly Tar pub. But on approaching we could hear loud heavy metal music, which is not our taste.

Today we set off and after a mile on the Shroppie we joined the Llangollen Canal at Hurleston Junction.

 

 

After 4 locks and filling up the water tank, we have set off for Wrenbury. However heavy rain has halted our progress, but we hope to continue later.

 

 

As we are now in more countryside, we sometimes find it difficult to obtain a signal on our mi-fi unit, as it works on the same principle as a mobile phone. So please  bear with us.