May 26

A week of change!

I explored the Weaver Navigation, which is the Weaver river but altered and ‘refined’ for navigation. There are weirs and locks to allow easy movement of big vessels, but there are almost none still using this waterway. There are certainly remnants of all sorts of mining and heavy industry along the river.

Having descended the Anderton lift, I went upstream on the Weaver, as far as Winsford Flash. This is a term for lake or slough, usually caused because of subsidence because of mining. This one is shallow, and therefore not for narrowboats except at your own risk just at the lower end. No sweat for me: I just  turned around and re-entered the river. There was no good mooring, so back to Vale Royal, where the mooring was a magic, quiet, restful place. The loudest things were the pitter-patter (or outright downpour) or raindrops. I stayed overnight there, then back down the locks (2) to Northwich, where I made arrangements to keep the boat for a couple of days as I fetched the car and went to the boat show (more anon.). Getting the car meant an ‘interesting’ journey Friday. It was pouring. I cycled to the train station in Hartford (the Northwich one is on the wrong line). About 5km. No biggie, except I was quite wet on my feet, as the water drained into my shoes. I have great waterproof clothes- except shoes. Then a 15 minute train ride to Crewe, and a 30km cycle to the marina where my car was stored. The rain eased as I cycled along, and the ride was relatively easy as this part of Britain is mostly flat (like Sask. though for those of you who understand coulees and draws). The last 3km were miserable as I faced a howling thunderstorm wind and torrential rain. I arrived at the car, stuffed everything in and changed wet things. Then, off to Braunston to get mail and all. Good drive, though the motorway (freeway) was like a parking lot at times: this is a bank holiday weekend (long weekend), and friday afternoon… Oh well, I was not in a rush (good thing!). Then back to Coventry where I could get an hotel (everything near Braunston was fully booked for the boat show.) Only about 30km back, but most people here would be aghast…

The boat show… Hmmm. I awoke to leaden skies, and fully, 100% humidity and that penetrating, soaking, continuous rain that doesn’t let up. Oh well. Off to Crick, where I arrived at 0945, for a 1000 opening. I parked in the ‘parking swamp’ and, returning my feet to the soaked shoes of Friday, squelched to the queue (line-up), and waited, and waited… At 1015, people were getting a bit cranky, because they had delayed the opening to lay down coarse straw-like stuff to make things dry. Well, a little less muddy perhaps, but definitely not dry. In the meantime, the large number of waiting people were standing in up to 5cm water/mud, so dry was a moot point. Finally, they opened, and into the show . This is the ‘big’ canal boatshow of the year, and the idea is to have an opportunity to see lots of different boats, styles, and techniques, s well as shop for stuff, see what is new, etc. However, because of the rain, the exhibit boats required you to remove shoes, put on booties, fold umbrellas, remove coats, then tour, but reverse the process on exit. Thus each tour took about 3 times as long, so there was just no way to visit many boats. By 1600h, I was done, cold, wet, and ready to leave. I had thought of staying over somewhere, and then meeting friends in Braunston/Daventry/Fawsley, etc. but there was absolutely no easy way to make that happen, so back to the boat I went.

Sunday morning led me to Hartford where I rand at St. John’s of the Open Door with a band that was about at the same level I am, with one experienced teacher. It was interesting not being the rawest rookie of the group. The church is evangelical, and not my taste, but they were welcoming and lots of families there (200+ people). It was still cold and raining, so I decided to stay onboard the boat. I lit the fire, and did odd jobs. Yea!

Today was MUCH nicer, so a good call on staying in yesterday. I went back up the lift, and after an unproductive jaunt following erroneous suggestions, I am north of Northwich, having gone through the Barnton and Saltersford tunnels, on the trent and Mersey canal. I’ll finish that tomorrow at Preston Brook then onto a brand new (to me) canal.

NOTICE: If you are new to my site, and/or have forgotten, just underneath the main picture are links. The first shows a map of where I am last reported to be. Canal Junction is a site with lots of info and very good maps of the canals. Jin Shead’s page is also a great site with lots of maps and good info about the canals. I try and update my location regularly. Hope this helps you navigate in the fog of distance and unfamiliarity with canals!