Saturday 10th November

Early start, but still with a cuppa in bed! We are on holiday after all!

We finished tidying and packing and chatted to an owner from NB Kallista. They have got an inverter with a fan that doesn't stop going even if it is off. So they were having to turn the power off to it at night time, bit boring.

We pulled along side NB Alcedonia to be nearer for a pump out when Ken and James turned up. It still bemuses us how they always pump out first the boats that the owners have already gone home from, leaving us waiting to find out what the damage is with the diesel and to say what split we'd like.

Today was an open day, WD was going to be on show to prospective new owners, so we'd booked a valet to make sure Dougie had the best chance of selling his share. Here's hoping she looked as good as she could do and more people were interested and wanted to buy our share! Each time we leave Elton Moss now could be our last time out on WD. We are buying our own boat which will be on the water in about a years time. It will be strange heading through Elton Moss in years to come and being on such familiar waters around Middlewich.

Peppers for breakfast and then the journey home. Even if we haven't sold our share by March next year we'll have had our last Peppers breakfast as WD is moving south. Oh well, they didn't do mushrooms or fresh tomatoes with their full cooked breakfast!

0 miles, 0 locks, 154 miles by car, 1 valet, 2 breakfasts, 1 packet fisherman's friends, 2 growing moustaches, 1 very meowing cat!

Friday 9th November

Cleaning day! BOO!!

With 10 locks still to do, wash the boat and pack we couldn't hang about in bed drinking tea for long this morning. One boat went past us heading towards Elton Moss whilst we had our cereal, so likely hood was that the locks would be against us. Micks cold was getting much better but mine was developing a nice cough. So I was looking forward to weezing down the locks.

Another boat appeared just above lock 56 so off we set before they could steal any of the locks that might be in our favour. Down the first few with only having to fill the single locks and then we were caught up. It turned out to be NB Alcedonia (another Carefree Boat) who had three chaps on board. We started going through the locks almost together. I'd let Mick into the fullest lock, lift a paddle on the lock next to us. By the time Mick was in our lock one of the crew from Alcedonia had joined us closing the top gate. They then would help with the bottom gates whilst they waited for theirs to have emptied. We got into quite a rhythm on the double locks. So we speeded down the last 10 locks of our trip and pulled in shortly before the water point at Wheelock to start our chores, well, after a cuppa and the last of the biscuits.

Out with the buckets and cloths. We are quite accustomed to washing the boat now, but I still have to tell Mick who does what and in what order. It must be his age! One side of the boat looking good and brass polished on that side off to fill with water and get rid of the rubbish.

We reached Elton Moss about 2.30pm to start on the the other side as the chaps from Alcedonia were packing their car and heading for home. This is the second time we've washed the boat in rain! It does seem strange but I'm sure it does make a difference, you at least know you've washed the mud off even if you can't tell.

Windows, oven etc cleaned, most things packed we were off to The Fox for some food. We knew it wouldn't be anything special as we've been before but didn't want to have to drive into Sandbach tonight. Starters were okay, followed by Fish and Chips and Liver and onions. My fish seemed incredibly generous, it was, as it was two fillets in one, which did mean that the middle wasn't cooked too well. A couple of pints of Bombardier and back to try finishing some wine off.

4.5miles, 10 locks, 1 heron, 1 soaking, 2 fillets of haddock, 4 pints, 1 washing machine

Smart gauge at start of day 97

Thursday 8th November

The start of Heartbreak Hill today. Bacon Butties with wensleydale and mushrooms to give us the energy. A couple of boats had headed past us this morning so we expected the locks to be against us, but turning the corner onto the Trent and Mersey one lock was ready for us and it was the one that you can leave the chimney on. We came across a boat coming up at the third lock helping to re-set it for us. Then stopped at Red Bull services for water and to get rid of rubbish. It now started to rain, waterproofs on. We started to play leapfrog with another boat who overtook us at the water point. But luckily the double locks on this stretch were kind to us having a chamber full. At the last double lock we met another boat coming up as we were going down. The single locks had to be filled, but at least it wasn't every one of them.

We passed the leapfrog boat having lunch and then pulled in ourselves to replenish the energy levels before the last four locks of the day.The bread from the beginning of the week was now stale so the ducks of Rode Heath were going to be lucky. Well some of them were, as there was an awful lot of them! I spotted one that didn't look like your average Mallard or white duck. It looked like it had got itself tarted up for a good night out on the town. So over our lunch I went from cover to cover of the bird book, but nothing. After searching the internet we reckon it was a Mandarin Duck, very flashy!

Leapfrog boat passed us shortly before we were about to leave, so the next lock had to be filled. We passed them shortly before lock 55 again so had the advantage of locks in our favour. We have stopped just below Lock 56 with the M6 droning on in the background. We last moored here at Christmas in a major storm, in fact we ended up mooring on the lock landing as the weather was so wild, this time we moved on a short distance.

Chickeny pasta tonight has finally finished off the Sunday Roast. Here's hoping there is something else on the menu tomorrow.

5 miles, 16 locks, 1 lesser spotted neck brace duck, 572 mallards, 4 leapfrogs, 2 boxes of tissues, 1 dishwasher.

Smart Gauge at start of day 99

Wednesday 7th November

We both definitely have colds now so a lie in was in order again. Then purely for medicinal purposes we had a full cooked breakfast, well we did also need to eat up the sausage mountain we'd bought! Then it was a slow pootle back to Kidsgrove to do some shopping. Helicopters seem to always follow us when we are out, this morning we had one flying very low around a farm on the hillside opposite. Maybe they would attack us when we turned our backs!

Near Bridge 70 we kept our eyes peeled incase we would get to see the Kingfisher again, but he was definitely camera shy today and didn't put in an appearance. I then left Mick to the steering and came inside to the warm for a little bit of a snooze. About half an hour later I was rudely awoken by the boat going into reverse, so my assistance might be required. No! We were going through Congelton where there are lots of bridges and coming from the other way was a coal boat, who with a deep draught was going very slowly. We waited for him to come through which took some time and then carried on. Looking back up the cut it looked like he was now trying to reverse back through the bridges!?

We pulled up at Heritage Boats for some more coal and a back up water cap key. There was already a chap moored up, buying coal, emptying his elsan etc, we asked if we could pull along side and he grumpily said "Well as you're there you might as well". Heyho, emptying your elsan must be quite depressing. Coal, kindling and a new key bought we headed off again, leaving grumpy to it.

The stop lock had to be filled and then we had to wait for what seemed an age for a foot of water to empty. Reaching Red Bull Aqueduct there was space to moor up in front of a chap who was blasting out music, So we went as far as we could away from him for a bit of peace and quiet. Mick went off to do some shopping for our last few days and to stock up on Lemsips.




The chicken left from Sunday was stripped and made a very nice curry.

9 miles, 1 lock, 1 helicopter, 1 heron, 0 kingfisher, 1 revearsing coal boat, 1 bag of coal, 1 grumpy man, 1 re-elected American President.

Smart gauge at start of day 93

Tuesday 6th November

This morning it was raining so we stayed in bed for a while longer than normal. I'd been aware of dripping noises from the stern gland last night and then had been woken with the bilge pump going for well over a minute and a half even though it was out of the sump. We both have colds which was another good reason to have a lie in. Cereal and then off. We had been thinking of getting to Macclesfield at least before turning round, but with colds and rain outside we decided to wind sooner and go back down Bosley Locks today so that we'd have a couple of days to go down Heartbreak hill and do our chores.

Fleecy waterproofs were order of the day as it was a constant drizzle, the sort that really gets you wet.Up to Royal Oak Swing Bridge, with the key of power I held 3 cars up, and then on to Broadhurst Swing Bridge. Out of all the swing bridges I've done in my canal days this one today is the first one that has beaten me. I've swung bridges that three firemen have had difficulty with on the Leeds Liverpool before! Mick had to lend a hand both to open and close it. Maybe it was because it was wet, maybe it was because the pushy arm beam was very short, but I was defeated. Then we winded and headed back to go through all the pushing and shoving again. At Royal Oak I held up another 2 cars.

At the top of Bosley Locks we filled with water. A boat was coming out of the top lock who said that there were three more boats coming up behind him. Marvellous, no filling locks today. We stopped in the lock to get rid of rubbish and use the shore based facilities. A CART chap was there who said he hoped we had a key as he didn't! There were pictures of the breach at Preston Brook in the window of the service station. CART man said that he'd been there and boy what a mess. He said it looked more like a quarry than a canal!

So down the locks we started with it still raining. At the next lock a Claymoor boat was coming up, the chap said that there were more behind him, so the locks would be set for us. Coming out of that lock there was one boat in the pound and another coming up, below there was yet another. It seemed that there were 5 chaps to 4 boats, each one helping the others through, backing up to locks to help with gates etc, quite efficient and also very handy for us. They are hoping to be back the other side of Preston Brook at base on Friday. They have volunteers to help them down Marple. We worked our way down with it gradually stopping raining. But with each lock there seemed to be more and more water in the pounds. So by the time we got to 11 and 12 the locks were drowning under water. Don't quite know what could have caused this other than the bywashes not being very efficient for the number of boats going through.

At the bottom we turned the bend and decided to moor up for the night on Dane Aqueduct so that we could have a view even if there weren't going to be any fireworks tonight! We had a chat with a chap from a boat that was moored up, there's been very little chatting to people on this trip, unusual. Gradually the cloud has come down and it's spitting again, so no view!

Left over stew and spag bol tonight. Hope they go together!

They did!

6 miles, 12 locks, 4 swing bridges, 5 held up, 2 herons, 1 dead sheep, 1 silly hat, 4 lemsips, 67 sneezes, 2 slices of cake, 2 biscuits,  1 dishwasher, 0 view, 0 fireworks.

Smart gauge at start of day 99!

Monday 5th November

This morning was quite stunning. Not a cloud in the bright blue sky, frost everywhere and the canal gently steaming. Mick had become a bit snotty last night and really wanted some fishermans friends so he set off on his bike to find the nearest shop only to get a puncture on his way back. He had to walk most of the way back and they had only had Halls Soothers!

A large bowl of porridge for the both of us to help us with the cold, fleecy lined trousers and thermals donned we were ready for the off. Mick popped the bilge pump back into the sump (the stern gland is leaking badly) and went to start the engine, but no luck. He tried several times before having to open up the engine to check to see what might be up. It turned out to be a loose connection to the engine starter battery which he tightened up as best he could. Several boats had come past us whilst we had breakfast but all going in the opposite direction then one came up through the stop lock, but luckily stopped for water behind us so we headed off in front of them.

We pootled along the long pound towards Bosley Locks in the sunshine. It was very chilly and I was glad of the extra layers. Lots of Robins were playing on the tow path and we disturbed a Kingfisher perched on the off side. Just as I got my camera out he turned to show us his best bright blue side but only for a very brief second, nowhere long enough to focus on him before he fled.

Lunch below the locks for added energy. Only 12 locks today, they should be no problem. The first lock was nice and empty. We've been up these a few years ago now with Mick's sister Kath helping to crew. Handy to have two crew as there is no way over the top gates, it's a long walk round. I seem to remember them being more remote than they are but maybe that was because it was misty when we did this section of the Cheshire Ring. A sharp turn to the left for Mick, a little tricky without bow thrusters, and straight into the second lock.Good luck ran out at the fifth lock which was full, this carried on til the last lock. Coming out of the 11th somehow WD got stuck. I had gone on ahead and expected Mick to be not too far behind but when I'd emptied and opened the gates he was still back at the previous one. It took him quite a bit of tooing and froing to get off the bottom.

The sun was setting over the valley below casting long shadows, so where to moor for the night. We hadn't got quite as far as hoped but really wanted a good vantage point to see fireworks. Above the locks there was a large hedge and permit holder moorings, So we carried on towards bridge 49. Navigation lights were needed for the last part of the day, hedges turned into trees. We tried pulling into the edge and eventually succeeded with a large step onto the tow path.

A casserole popped in the oven, and we were ready for our fireworks. 6 small rockets, sparklers and a big finale firework made up our display. The advantage of being on the boat was that we had a very large biscuit tin to keep the fireworks safe, all 18 tonnes of it!

Our plan for a good vantage point over Macclesfield for the fireworks didn't really pan out. We've heard hundreds but only seen one rocket! Unfortunately there is a big hill in front of us. Oh well! 

11 miles, 12 locks, 4 robins, 1 kingfisher, 1 very snotty nose, 50 tissues, 1 stew, 4 dumplings, 6 rockets, 5 sparklers, 1 finale, 683902467 unseen fireworks.

Smart gauge at start of day 90.

Sunday 4th November

We woke incredibly early for us but still had our cuppa in bed with yesterdays papers.

A full breakfast was needed before we started on heartbreak hill. So sausages, mushrooms, tomatoes, toast, poached eggs, and Ben Vickers favourite black pudding were had. We started out at 9.45, it takes a long time to eat one of Micks breakfasts!

Unfortunately after we had moored last night NB Alcedonia and another boat went past us and headed up the locks, which meant that for most of today the locks were set against us. Okay when there are only a few, but when it's heartbreak hill!

There wasn't much coal left on board so we needed to stock up, which we did at Lock 57 whilst watching everyone rushing by on the M6. We managed to keep the fire in overnight but weren't sure it would get going again, Mick stoked it up and we waited to see if smoke would appear from the chimney.

A short break in the locks enabled me to put the kettle on, but as I arrived with the coffee, tea and biscuits the next lock loomed, so we drifted up to it. So that I could finish my tea, Mick emptied the lock and then we were off again.

At Rode Heath there were two Claymore boats moored offside. They are a hire company who are based on the other side of Preston Brook where a breach occurred about five weeks ago. They are in the process of collecting their boats that ended up the wrong side of the breach. We reckon they have about 3/4 of the Cheshire ring to do with every boat to get them back to base before winter sets in.That's a lot of locks!

One the gates on lock 51 just wouldn't open fully. No matter what I did it just wouldn't go all the way. Mick came with the boat hook but the lock was too deep to reach the water and the boat didn't even help to nudge it open. So we opened and closed it several times until whatever was in the way got dislodged. Then back on up the flight. We resisted the urge to moor just above lock 49 Halls Lock where we have woken to snow and sun on two occasions. The day was still young so on we pressed. By now the fire had taken hold and smoke was appearing from the chimney.

We only passed 2 boats coming down the locks today which made life a little bit easier, but we still must have been following someone as we only had a few locks in our favour.

For most of the day light aircraft and microlites circled us, makes a change from helicopters.

At Red Bull we stopped to fill with water. Howard had rung yesterday to appologise for still having the key for the filler cap in his pocket, easily done, so we used a screw driver which worked very well. We'll buy a back up when next near a chandlers. The tank filled quickly, rubbish deposited too. Apparently there are now recycling facilities at Red Bull, but we hadn't been on board long enough to make proper use of them.

Onwards as it was only 3.15pm, at least another hour of daylight ahead. So I walked on to empty yet another lock. Last Christmas when we came up lock 42 there were floral tributes to a teenager who had been trying to impress his girlfriend by jumping the lock and had slipped and died. It looks like there is now a bench and small area set aside in remembrance for him which is a nice touch.

At lock 41 we decided to go for the right hand lock of the pair as the bridge is much lower on the left one and the chimney doesn't fit. There is currently scaffolding and awnings around the bridge which made it hard to judge as to the clearance, so Mick removed the chimney anyway, just incase! This pair of locks are always so filthy, full of litter, where are the Wombles when you need them!

We turned right onto the Macclesfield Canal and pootled along past the moored boats and then veered round to the right over the Trent and Mersey to start to look for a mooring for the night. Red Bull aqueduct looks like it is full of winter moorers, so no luck there. Following round the bend we thought of trying to pull in. But the Macclesfield is notoriously bad for being able to pull in at the side which we found out just as we met two boats coming the other way. So on we plodded in the fading light to the stop lock. As we approached it I saw a flash of blue zooming up the cut ahead of the boat and then again, a Kingfisher with its back just catching the last of the days sunlight, what a treat.

The last lock of the day should have been in our favour, but no! We pulled in just past the water point at a 48hr mooring and awarded ourselves a cuppa with a slice of cake. We had missed lunch!
After we'd been moored for a while the sound of an engine approaching, followed by a headlight. Another boat has moored just behind us on the waterpoint. Tonight we can hear fireworks but not see many as we are in a cutting. TV failed to tune, last episode of Downton tonight. Mick has persevered and got the satellite dish working for the first time in an age, so we will be okay now. It seems that if you avoid plugging the humax into the external aerial box and just go direct to the dish out of the window it works.

Roast chicken, a bottle of Crabbies to start with and then wine to follow, finished just in time to watch Downton in a very cosy boat. With half an hour to go a sudden gust of wind affected the dish and we lost signal. After tinkering a little with it we discovered that if we both sat on the edge of the sofa we regained signal, so next advert break Mick adjusted the dish again and we could sit back to watch the remainder.

Smart gauge reading at start of day 97, it got to 92 before we started the engine.
7.5 miles, 25 locks, 4 miles walked, 1 heron, 3 microlites, 4 planes, 1 kingfisher, 1 chicken, 1 very successful fire, 1 right turn, 3759 rockets, 25 bangers, 1 dishwasher and 2 very full tummys.

Saturday 3rd November

We set out from York as early as we could manage having to stop off to stock up on food for our week and buy a few fireworks for Monday. This always takes longer than you want it to, then the M62 was slow with its management work going on and became slower as we reached Manchester. So we decided to head onto the A580 to try to get to Elton Moss a little bit quicker.
On arriving at Elton Moss the new gate procedures were in operation, they had had a visit from some nare do wells a couple of weeks ago so the gate is now locked with a combination lock from the inside. This was far easier for me to do than the old high tech screw driver shoved through the hasp. But the gates are still hard to push and pull, but we got there in the end.
Ken and James were around finishing off the turn arounds. Their Movember moustaches starting to show! Luckily they had already completed WD so we unloaded, checked the handover form, no new faults, so we were off at 2.30pm. This was a bit later than we'd hoped for but still gave us a few hours before the sun was going to set.
We headed south towards Wheelock (thank you Howard for leaving it facing South). On our week at Christmas last year we only managed to get to Wheelock before the light faded and we were hoping to get that bit further on this occasion  Pootleing along I  made us a sandwich each and opened up the chocolate banana cake with a cuppa. At Locks 66 I jumped off and found the right hand lock half full and the left one empty so opened it up which gave Mick a bit of tricksy manoeuvring to get into it. I set the lock going and went to walk over the the top gate, the small pound between the locks here looked like it was 3 ft lower than it should have been with mud getting more and more visible as the boat rose in the lock. Nothing for it other than to open the paddles on the next lock and let some water down if it was needed. Mick started to try to leave the lock but there just wasn't enough water to even get over the cil. So feeling slightly naughty I opened up the gates of the lock above and opened both the ground paddles. It took quite a few minutes for the mud to disapear and WD to be floating again. By the time we'd got into the lock and filled it, the pound above looked like it had dropped by at least 9 inches. Someone must have left a paddle up at some point or the short pound must leak.
It was starting to get dark and a large rain cloud was looming so we decided to pull in for the day. At least we'd got two locks further than at Christmas. As we moored up the heavens opened, with no waterproofs on I was glad we were stopping before the next five locks.
Stove lit (it has new fire bricks, the chimney has been re-cemented, so we shouldn't die of carbon monoxide poisoning this week), showers taken and spaghetti bolognaise being prepared by Mick the fireworks started all around us.
There have been constant explosions all around for the last 3 hours, some quite impressive home displays and some made up of 50p rockets. I suspect our display on Monday will be a bit like the later. Our aim is to try and get to somewhere with a good vantage point on the Macclesfield for Monday night, so that we can have a good free display whilst letting our few cheapskate ones off.

2.5 miles, 2 locks, an empty pound, 2 herons, 1 helicopter, spag bol, 1 soaking, 503927 rockets, 2765199 bangers, 3704 roman candles, 35 catherine wheels (not visible from the boat).