NB Rock 'n' Roll

Saturday, 20 November 2010

Market Drayton to Shebdon Embankment (but not kingfisher today unfortunately)

The photo below was taken on the 27th April this year - the water diviner is employed by BW to find a leak in the embankment (can't think how with all that water around)

the above picture was taken today at the same place - we could see a pile of clay puddled against the edge of the canal beneath the water line and these two BW boats protecting the area - it looks and sounds to me like the famous boy who put his finger in the dam to stop the flood!

waiting in the bottom lock at Tyrley watching the force of the water coming from the pounds above and calculating how I will enter lock 4 without mishap - I shouldn't have worried, the Axiom propeller did its job once again.

we wondered what this crop is - although it's a lovely golden colour it seems to be dying - perhaps it should have been harvested some time ago

there is a huge field of it here at the locks - anyone know what it could be - George thought maybe sugar beet - I've no idea at all.

approaching bridge 60 and the top lock Tyrley

entering Woodseaves Cutting ...

... and passing under these iconic arches

the arch from a slightly different perspective

the sides of the embankment are magical

the trees form their own arches

what a view

Approaching Newport Road Bridge (45) with the ex-Cadbury's Bournville factory wharf in the distance - the smell was lovely as we passed - according to the Nicholson's Guide the factory now only produces dried milk, but we're positive we could smell chocolate!

We reached our mooring for the night at about 2:45 where we found Sue and Vic on No Problem. I'd seen from their blog yesterday that they were moored here so we took this opportunity to say hello properly and have a chat. We're meeting up with them again this evening to share a bottle of wine (or two) - looking forward to that.

Friday, 19 November 2010

The Kingfisher between Audlem and Market Drayton

We moored last night below the bottom lock at Audlem and made an early start today up the 15 locks

a cold misty morning - zero degrees at 07:15

but hopefully the sun will melt it away (08:20)

We pulled the pins and set off at 08:45

George approaching lock 3 after opening the gate for me at lock 2 (09:13)

I love this scene at Audlem (09:31)

the wash from the upper pounds was fierce to get through in places (09:52) but the Axiom propeller did what it said on the tin! At between 14/1500 revs it cut through the flow easily, was easy to manoeuvre, and slid into the locks like a hot knife through butter - and stopped quickly too without any noise of reverse thrust - magic indeed!

I couldn't believe it when this foam came up over the top of the front cratch - it's a good job it wasn't windy - I'd have got it full in the face! (11:14)

leaky gates - this one took ages to fill the last few inches and the weed hatch had to be emptied before we could get out of the lock - time for a quick cuppa! (11:31)

nosey cows! (12:18)

a peaceful scene - apart from passing a single handed boater going up the locks in front of us we didn't see another boat moving all day. He very kindly let us pass and we returned the favour by setting the locks for him behind us. (12:28)

nosey sheep too (13:14)

they were using the lock beam to scratch their backs!

then came the very free range chickens for a look as I came up this lock (13:24)

and then came the kingfisher - he played tag with us for about 2 miles (13:25)

his back (14:11)

his front

his gone!

he's here again (14:26)

and nearly gone again (you can just see the flash of blue near the top left corner)

his front again (14:31)

his back again - and then he was gone again

a bit blurred this one as he was about to take flight again (14:32)

hiding in the leaves (just left and down from centre) (14:33)

what a beauty (14:35)

just as he took flight again this time away from the canal - he'd had enough fun with us for today

and then the mist came down for a while and it was very cold.

We arrived at the visitor moorings at Market Drayton at 15:15 - just starting to darken.

6.5 miles, 20 locks, a 20 minute stop for lunch, in 6.5 hours - a good day indeed.

Thursday, 18 November 2010

We're leaving Overwater Marina today

We've enjoyed our short stay here, forced I must say by the winter stoppages above Hack Green Locks. I've been having tests at the Countess of Chester Hospital since late August but am pleased to report that everything is as it should be and now we can continue with our journey. After spending the majority of the summer 'till now it will seem strange to be 'on the go' nearly every day - we want to go as far south before the winter proper sets in and then continue in the spring on towards the K & A.

We've had lots of very windy and wet weather whilst moored here but last weekend during a very cold but dry sunny Saturday we walked into Audlem just because we could! This is George and Molly taking a rest at the bottom lock on the way.

and the peaceful scene behind us.

The colour of the trees tells me that autumn is very definitely with us now in fact it's so cold lately that it could already be mid-winter

The nights are drawing in so quickly ....

... these pictures were taken at 20 past 3 in the afternoon and the sun is already starting to set.

I was very lucky to catch this Cormorant out of the water mid-afternoon on Tuesday this week.

George has gone to get rid of the car we purchased when we first arrived in the area at the end of May and used for work and my hospital appointments - as luck would have it we sold it back to the company he purchased it from with the loss of only a few pounds so we're pleased with that, although again I have to admit that I might miss it for the ease of shopping etc., but that was not what we signed up for when we started our adventure - so here we go again - looking forward to seeing fellow boaters and bloggers out on the cut!