Take that hill !

Big day today, our first set of locks without assistance from a willing crew. The captain at the helm and the lock keeper at the windlass. Narrow locks are so much easier, you can walk across the boat to get to the other lock gate! It all went smoothly and without drama.





We made the top of the flight and turned left. Towards Whaley Bridge, the canal terminates there, so we'll have to turn around and back track, but it's very scenic, high in the hills with fantastic views. With a chandlery en route with chimneys hopefully in stock.

Moored up for the night now, a few miles short of Whaley Bridge in the most remote spot we could find, peaceful.

That's a lot of locks

Lock keeper here, This daily blog is going well! We set off from Appley locks on Monday a very very slow day we averaged about 1mph, no need to rush these things. We spent the night at Ince Moss where we dinned on pate and champagne while we watched the sun go down.





Then another very slow paced day to Worsley where we moored up for the night.



Then came the busy day, Woke by the good ???? captain at 5.20am and set sail at 5.30am. We went over Barton aqua duct over the ship canal and into Trafford park, passing united's stadium and on into Manchester and the first lock where we were greeted by a choice of three different possible directions, each as promising as the next. We chose well and the nightmare began. It didn't bode well as the first lock despite the torrents of water gushing into it took an eternity to fill. Eventually we were underway again. For a canal that goes straight through the city centre you'd struggle to find it. It's tucked away out of sight and passes underneath many of the buildings. Working locks underground was a new experience. Finally we saw the sun again and stopped for a brew.







Refuelled by a cuppa and rested from the nine wide locks through town, we hung a right onto the Ashton canal, an our first venture onto a narrow canal, by eck it were tight! For our next new experience we arrived at our first narrow lock and rattled our way through the jaws, unavoidable much to the annoyance of the captain! I like narrow locks, Easy to work and fill up quickly and they were also hydraulic which made life a lot easier. Though they are very tight and on a couple of occasions got the boat wedged in on its fenders, still learning. Another eighteen locks done and no more until Marple, Twenty seven in a morning is more than enough.

Then we arrived at the Peak Forest canal and it got even tighter just making the turn onto it was a challenge! The next surprise was a lift bridge, crewman Kelly was sent ashore to deal with it, carry on that man. Just in time to raise it stopping some policemen that wanted to cross.

By this time I was at the helm and got to take us through our first tunnel with only a couple of inches either side and not much more above you don't get any room for manoeuvre over chimneys either, oh dear, still learning!

Today has been a day of rest recuperation ready for the sixteen locks up to Marple tomorrow, oh joy.

Calm Waters

Hi Lock keeper here, we have become becalmed! spent a whole day in the same spot. Luxury, whole day of rest. We are in a lovely secluded spot off the tow path side at the bottom of the redundant Appley locks.




As promised by the good Captain here is a picture of a Kingfisher we saw en route to the wedding. I've come to regard the sighting of a kingfisher as a good omen. It didn't disappoint. We had a fantastic wedding day with beautiful weather.


Lets hope we see many more Kingfishers !

setting sail

So this’ll be the wedding day then… I’d better go get dressed… but no, I’ll post some words and a couple of photos… narrowBoat Kingfisher is at Harral Brokerage in Northwich, that was last week’s trip, Jenian profile picture shows kF breasted up with Maya, just prior to setting off. the Lock Keeper managed a fabulous shot of a feathered kingFisher t'other day but you can wait for him to post that - he might be busy for a wee while though...
This week Maya descended Wigan flight, leaky gates, overflowing pounds, dry pounds, all manner of challenges but with the able assistance of Master Kelly, all went well.

Y'know, when you're cruising along the M6, if you've nowt to do, you might cast your eye down below to Dean locks at Gathurst, wonder what the lorry driver in this piccy was about...

A pleasant night passed at Appley Bridge, then backed down two locks into the Rufford Arm. Pub lunch at The Ship made up for the meagre rations that crew had received on the voyage thus far. Anyway I have to get the word 'beefTastic' into the conversation today, its a brother thing... the older the audience the more points I get - so does this count Steven?
PS can't work out the columns but I'm sure you can work it out.... best go get frocked :-)

Lock keeper meets his nemesis

Tomorrow I challange my nemesis, the Wigan flight. Maya is sat at the top of the flight ready for an early morning assault. With a little help from our friends we'll get down.

Departure

Setting off this evening...

Of the gladdest moments in human life, methinks, is the departure upon a distant journey into unknown lands. Shaking off with one mighty effort the fetters of Habit, the leaden weight of Routine, the cloak of many Cares, and the slavery of Home, man feels once more happy.

Sir Richard Francis Burton (1821 -1890)

Unknown Lands? oh yes, going 'dahn sarf' and everything...

so what have we forgotten? think we have the essentials; each other, sense of humour, bit perspective, love and compassion, curiousity. All is well.

The lock keeper

Hi everybody !

The lock keeper signing in. Kingfisher has gone and I take up my new role as first mate to the good captain. Main duties, working the locks hence the groovy title. With three runs of the Wigan flight under my belt i'm almost qualified. Final preparations for the mega voyage are almost complete, a crew has been press ganged, errmm volunteered. Just need to stock up on hot chocolate and biscuits and we're set to go!!!!!

dear dear dear oh dear dear dear

oh dear dear dear me no.
its all a bit much, this.