Vegvisir 2024

And we're off! 6 weeks, then 1 week back home, then off again!

A gentle start on Sunday 27th as we loaded up our stuff on board. Andrew then went home so he could be at Conwy Folk club on Monday evening, stage managing for visiting guest artists. Meanwhile I was stowing the remaining gubbins and shopping for all our fresh foods. It felt like about 10kg as I walked the mile or so back from the shops! 

I then had a little chat with Linda and Mike in the office, who agreed that we could move round to their canalside wharf overnight, once they had closed up. This meant that Andrew could park up at 1am or so, and simply walk across the car park, instead of wandering along the towpath looking for the boat.

This is because you can't turn just anywhere in a 57' boat. On leaving our moorings, we can exit from our Arm onto the Main line in one direction only, heading north. It's then at least 30 minutes' cruise to the next winding hole (turning circle) and then 30 minutes back again.  One could, I suppose, leave the pontoon, reverse to the end of the Arm, turn there, and reverse all the way back up the Arm, presenting our stern to the main line and then allowing us to go south straight away.  But narrowboats don't do backwards at all well, even in ideal conditions.  And it was very windy, so far from ideal. Slightly alarmed by the concern Linda and Mike expressed about my moving the boat in such weather, but undeterred and with full confidence in my vessel, off I set.

Whatever was I worried about? The wind was due south, so rarely causing issues by blowing me off course, and the winding hole had some shelter so turning across the wind was not too problematic. I moored up for lunch before the forecast wind speeds peaked, put away the shopping and watched the surf go by, until I could settle into our overnight roost.

Tuesday morning, up and away well before we could be in anyone's way. Bye bye Nantwich! We had the Hack Green and Audlem locks to negotiate for our first day, which was still breezy but not a problem. Andrew took us in to Overwater Marina to see if they could supply us with a chimney cover: ours has blown off at some point over the winter. No joy, so off again. Andrew feeling stiff and wanting some exercise, I took over the tiller so he could work the flight of locks through Audlem. All went smoothly with nothing to spoil the mood. An oncoming boat turning a lock just as we approached it? Time to make some soup, then. Far more often we passed in the pound with locks set ready and open for us.

By 3pm we had gone through all but two of the flight and there was a cosy mooring with full solar calling to us. So we settled in opposite a nesting Swan, who refused to pose properly.  Here's the best she allowed me.

As you can see, it was still breezy and we are not yet battle hardened after our soft winter indoors. But we reflected that we'd passed or heard from a few boating friends already and were fast settling back into the groove.

Wednesday and Market day at Market Drayton down the line. Off we set into much improved weather, the layers peeling off as the day progressed. Suddenly stopped after two locks as we realised we were passing a chandlery boat! With a choice of chimney covers! Splashed out on the expensive one that could be clamped into place.

We passed a fuel boat as well. No need for them on this occasion but trading boats like these make a huge contribution to canal life. Five more locks then easy cruising to Drayton, where we went nowhere near the market.. with Baked On Board pizza boat having to cancel the festival due to a broken wrist, the chef not the boat obviously, we would have to supply our own pizza on Friday (it's a regular thing, some have fish, we have pizza). So off to the supermarket again.

Another quiet night, and onwards. We paused to fill up water and empty bins while the opportunity was there, and commiserate with the CRT worker sent to clear up the blocked loo. It was horrendous in there.. blowback from further up the line had caused a fountain to explode back out of the throne. Dear reader, I shall not provide photographic evidence,  in case you have a full stomach.

Another five locks, the Tyrley locks and their fearsome bywashes which pick up boats and toss them onto the sandstone cliffs opposite, if you let them. My turn on the tiller and a creditable performance, I believe. Through the deep cutting,  very unstable after all the rain so half a dozen landslip, but then, oh joy! Lots of room at Goldstone Wharf! Fine moorings, to give the towpath side of the boat a good scrub, and a fine pub as a reward for our labour!

Festival tomorrow!