Tunnel Lamp Trio

Since buying our boat in 2003, we have had three different tunnel lamps.

The first was a heavy lamp, possibly a search light type. The switching system was housed in the back of the light and had siezed, so I had by-passed it. However, the reflector and bulb holder were also bady corroded and when embarrassed by it's intermittant working, I eventually decided to replace it.

 n.b. Song of the Waterways in March 2003, just after we had bought it. Here moored at the late Geoff Dennison's berth on the North Oxford Canal. Note the tunnel lamp has a bow mast light. Here I am running the engine for the first time? Also, note the boat came without a bow tip fender – we ran down to Braunston that Easter to get fitted up with fenders and ropes by Pete at Tradline Rope and Fenders.

So in August 2009, I went the route of economy and bought a car spotlight!

This time mounted direct onto the front cratch board.

Coming down the South Stratford Canal.

First long cruise since retiring.

The car lamp was always an interim measure. So via the amazing e-bay, Chris sourced our third and current tunnel lamp.

This is a Butler spotlight, probably off a Massey Ferguson tractor, although I've seen a reference to them being used for the Ford Popular car.

When up on the Leeds and Liverpool last summer, Adam from PB Mechanicals mounted it with new wiring and re-paint to look a simple, understated and yet effective lamp - much more in keeping with the age and style of the trad.

Coming through Fool's Nook Swing Bridge, doing the 'long' Cheshire Ring due to the breach at Dutton – October 2012

 

  Close up of the Butler lamp – with the old light fitting/holes still in place!

 

Another Wintry Walk - 5th February

I had intended to meet up with the Ramblers, though unbeknown to me, it had been cancelled due to the snow. As it happened, the road into Macclesfield was closed by the Police due to a serious crash, I stopped at Oakgrove.

So parking at Fools Nook, I started off along the Macclesfield Canal towards Lyme Green.

Of possible interest to boaters, there were 5 boats moored along here to Bridge 47, 3 had fires lit and 2 weren't licensed! That makes 40% - a lot higher than the Canal Trust 4%!

Bridge 47

People who know this stretch will recall when this swing bridge was re-instated by (I think?) the Macclesfield Canal Society. There has been an energetic discussion about the footpath Right of Way and the bridge used to be closed to boats and needed opening for navigation. This was the case the last time we came through (September 2012).

Today, Bridge 47 was open, with no sign of a chain for walkers to pull it across to close it.
How would you get across? A One-way footpath!

The optimistic footpath way-mark!

Walking on, the view opens out after Bridge 46 – they say that the Macclesfield Canal is quite beautiful, I suspect living near/on it for all these years we took it for granted.

Coming back now the view is pretty wonderful.

Tegg's Nose Country Park in the foreground with Macc Forest behind

Using local knowledge, I walked across the fields into Sutton Lane Ends and headed up the road towards the Gritstone Trail.

  The feeder from the River Rossen that feeds Sutton Reservoir

 

There was plenty of water coming through

 

Having reached the Gritstone Trail, I turned east, uphill and onto very wet fields – although they were covered in a thin layer of snow. Although the path up to Ridge Hill and the Hanging Gate is not far, it took a while as I slithered around in the mud!

 Looking east

 

Looking west – any guesses where this is taken from?

It now started to snow and it was blowing hard as I descended back into Sutton and picked up the path through to Sutton Reservoir.

  Who went there? The bridge over a feeder stream

 Sutton Reservoir is full! This small reservoir is also known locally as Turk's Head Reservoir – I don't know why? Built in 1838 to hold about 98 million gallons (some 7 years after the Macclesfield Canal was opened).

Turks Head Reservoir – Telford's planning and William Crossley engineering

Looking back to the dam

Plenty of water in the overspill

This stream runs under the road and canal

My last stretch back along the canal was via the newish footbridge (Bridge 48A) over the canal. This was sponsored by the (new) owners of Canal Cottage when it changed hands some years ago. Boaters may remember access to the cottage used to be via a floating pontoon that looked quite precarious and narrowed the channel being moored on the bend!

Canal Cottage from the Footbridge

 

The newish Footbridge 48A

Finally back to Oakgrove and the car.

I reckon to have covered about 8 miles and climbed the 550 feet up to the Hanging Gate.

The Fools Nook Inn – originally called the Royal Oak dating from the late 1820's when the canal was built. Housed in cottages, these were demolished in 1841 to build the new pub of today. It was not until 1962 that the pub was re-named the Fools Nook.

Sadly, the pub has been closed since been flooded out just before Christmas with a flash flood.

  A wintry walk indeed!

 

 

 

 

Moving our Store - 23rd January 2013

When we moved out of our house in March 2003, we kept stuff that wouldn't fit on the boat (or couldn't part with?!) and put it into a store – in South Manchester.

During our boat re-fit when we rented a house in 2006-10, we expanded again and had moved it all into the house using the large cellar.

After the re-fit and we moved back onto the boat in September 2010, again what wouldn't fit went to store – in South Manchester. This was a 24 hour Access Store which suited us whilst working. We combined shopping at Handforth Dean with going to the store and then returning to Bollington.

Now we are moored in Audlem, we decided to re-locate our store – nearer and more convenient AND downsize a bit! The rental cost saving is a modest £20pcm though the reduced travel costs in terms of time and petrol are significant.

Having decided to “Go for it!”, we chose the Crewe Go Green Van Rental.

  SWB Transit does the job

We loaded on the Sunday and brought the van back to the marina for an early start on the Monday – the day of the fresh snow!

Cold and white start to the day!

The people at our new store had offered for us to use the empty store adjacent to ours in order to sort out our stuff (downsize?)

 First load for sorting!

 

The second load came down on Monday and the job of packing the new store began?

Will it all fit?

Chris finding and sorting!

  

 The temporary sorting space – almost there!

 Hurray – it fits?!

Snowy Scenes - 18th January

Like most of the country, we awoke to our snow on the Friday. As we knew it was forecast, we had planned to stay indoors as the wind got up and a good 2 to 3 inches fell.

By the time we needed to get out, the main roads were clear and even our farm lane had been gritted and was OK though passage restricted in the odd place.

The track around the marina was, by now, compacted snow and icy in places – needing careful driving.

A happy snowman!

January Micro Cruise!

January 6th Overwater Marina

When we came into the Overwater Marina in October, we had asked for a bow-in berth.

The idea was that we would use the front hold as our entry into the boat. In fact, this hasn't happened and even for our visitors, we have used the stern deck and boarded through the Boatman's Cabin. This is better for wet jackets and shoes etc.

Autumn berth looking across the marina pool

With the dark nights and icy weather, the walk to the end of the pontoon to step onto the back has a certain heart raising aspect.

Also, we seem to be hidden from the Vodafone signal more than before.

So we asked to move to a stern-in berth and have been allocated back to our first 2011 berth on K9. Already this feels better and is more convenient and will be safer when the snow comes?  When our grandchildren stop over, it will be safer for them.

Back to K9, tucked in!  

Our boat viewed from the opposite bank – we have the black sheeted hold and the elegant TV ariel (good signal)

So on 6^th January, we took a wintry Mini Cruise around the marina. Several boaters have warned about the challenge of squeezing into a stern-in berth – some claiming it is impossible with even the slightest breeze! Anyhow, we managed it well this time!

 Shortest cruise ever?!

Running (Strictly Style!) - 27th December

Sir Bruce: Although this is a last run of 2012, it's also the 1^st of the new season.
Anton will be performing the post–festive jog along the muddy canal towpath, a 55 minute, 7km slowstep.

Sir Bruce: Here he is in training!

Finishing a very wet Great North Run – in my road running era – in 1980?

Sir Bruce: Well done indeed – marvellous to see such enthusiasm in the rain! Over to you Len.

Len: I like to see the contestants having a go – and you certainly did that for me.

Yes, it could have had more balance and flowed more but for a first run it was a solid beginning to the season. Well done son!

 

Bruno: Anton – you dark horse – going out at 3.30pm in the almost dark.
A slowstep of slithering simplicity safely shuffled. Go for it – you know you can do more!

Craig: Your steps were lumpy and stacato, you completely stopped at the benches

for a stretch and slipped several times. However, you showed more movement on the return. Not a complete disaster darling!

Darcy: Plenty of enthusiasm for such a difficult first dance. I would have liked to have seen  more poise in the upper body, work on your core will help.

Sir Bruce: Plenty of suggestions there – off you go.

Tess: Craig said 'your steps were lumpy and stacato'.

Me: I can agree to that – I was uncertain how it would go after the festive fun. The return section was better and I felt more at ease coming back. I can certainly improve.

Tess: The scores are in!

Craig – 5 ; Darcy – 6 ; Len – 7 ; Bruno – 7

Sir Bruce: Til next week then, keep running!!

Early Winter 2012 – Ice and Anticipation!

We've had one spell of cold weather, sufficient to ice the Marina pool over. With prolonged sub-zero temperatures, the marina turn off and drain the water supply pipes as these run under the pontoon and are therefore vulnerable. We topped up our tank (about 170 gallons) and have an electric fan heater we leave on frost protection – a benefit of being on mains hook-up in the Marina.

2cm thick ice

Boatman's Cabin fire lit

Having enjoyed this year's Carol Concert playing with Rode Hall Silver Band, we headed to Durham to stop with our Northern Woollies.

The occasion (apart from the exchange of the families' presents) was to enjoy our Grandson's nursery Nativity Play – held in the local church and excellent it was too.

The whole of the nursery group; children, parents, grandparents, helpers and friends walked through the driving rain to their warm and welcoming village hall for a cup of tea and Christmas bites.

And then a special Christmas visitor arrived and gave out a seasonal present to each Nursery child – being an educational establishment – FC brought a book (and chocolates)!

For us adults, we had the pleasure of sharing the excitement of the little ones, and memories re-kindled of past enjoyment at this great time.

So, in anticipation of the festive occasion, I wish you all a Happy Christmas, wherever you are and whatever you are doing!