Hello again to your all. Pugwash's last blog for this trip. We are back at our home moorings at Ellesmere Port. We arrived at approximately 13:30 BST Thursday September 29, day 13 of the trip.
After mooning overnight in Chester near the Old Trooper we cast off at 08:15 and headed through Chester city centre clearing the three staircase locks in good time thanks to some very slick lock wheeling by the crew which was augmented by Liz and Jeff for that section of the morning, we thank them for their help.
Leaving Chester behind us in warm sunshine and cloudless skies we headed for the National Waterways Museum at Ellesmere Port and home. During that final three hours we had aggreed via mobile phone calls to meet our friends onboard "nb Alton" whilst en route. Alton is a fuel boat and travels around the "cut" refuelling boats with not only diesel but coal and many other supplies and services. They do a fantastic job for all the boaters. We met them about 30 minutes from the Port and took on diesel.
Once all of the "domestics" had been done on the two boats we all left to return to our respective homes.
Finally, on behalf of the trip organisers, the crew and everyone connected with this wonderful trip we thank you sincerely for all of the interest in this blog and the truly wonderful reception we have received along the way. Your feedback via various means has been an engouragement to the organisers and crew alike. That is our last big trip of the season. We hope to welcome you to our museum at sometime in the future and watch out for the next blog in the coming weeks and months. Thanks again, bye for now.
Thursday 29 September 2011
Wednesday 28 September 2011
Mendip & Explorer go to Bourneville
Hello everyone. Pugwash here at the end of Day 12, Wednesday 28th of September. The day has seen us boating to 10 1/2 hours from Audlem to the the outskirts of Chester. We are currently moored above Christleton Lock.
The day has been hot and sunny., one passer-by told me the temperature was 24 C. A great September Summer! The boating was a mixture of small towns and open natural countryside. Fantastic views across Cheshire's rural landscape. All of which are totally missed by the traffic hurrying along the M6 motorway a few miles away from our idyllic 4 mph! In fact it was simply the perfect boating day. It is now 21:50 and I am again sat in the well deck writing this blog and do not need to wear a coat! How good is that? As the saying goes.
In the morning we set off at at 08:30 and complete the last few locks into Chester city centre them down through the famous staircase locks and at that point we are approximately 3 hours from our home port and the end of our trip. Well not quite! We have the two boats to make clean and tidy and sort out all of the equipment and personal baggage that has been so much a part of our lives for the past 13 days.
What a fantastic trip it has been. A ton of stories to tell, Hundreds of photos to review and catalogue. I am certain that within a very short time of returning the recollections will start and events will be recycled many times to anyone that wants to listen and even if they don't. :-))
Within a day or so of returning home I will post my final blog of the trip. So after this one there will be at least one more. I have already been told that this will become a regular feature of all trips away from the museum with any of our historic boats. Talk to you again soon. Thanks for following our wonderful trip.
The day has been hot and sunny., one passer-by told me the temperature was 24 C. A great September Summer! The boating was a mixture of small towns and open natural countryside. Fantastic views across Cheshire's rural landscape. All of which are totally missed by the traffic hurrying along the M6 motorway a few miles away from our idyllic 4 mph! In fact it was simply the perfect boating day. It is now 21:50 and I am again sat in the well deck writing this blog and do not need to wear a coat! How good is that? As the saying goes.
In the morning we set off at at 08:30 and complete the last few locks into Chester city centre them down through the famous staircase locks and at that point we are approximately 3 hours from our home port and the end of our trip. Well not quite! We have the two boats to make clean and tidy and sort out all of the equipment and personal baggage that has been so much a part of our lives for the past 13 days.
What a fantastic trip it has been. A ton of stories to tell, Hundreds of photos to review and catalogue. I am certain that within a very short time of returning the recollections will start and events will be recycled many times to anyone that wants to listen and even if they don't. :-))
Within a day or so of returning home I will post my final blog of the trip. So after this one there will be at least one more. I have already been told that this will become a regular feature of all trips away from the museum with any of our historic boats. Talk to you again soon. Thanks for following our wonderful trip.
Tuesday 27 September 2011
Mendip & Explorer go to Bourneville
Hello again, It's Pugwash. We have moored for the night at Audlem. We arrived shortly after 17:00 and had a leisurely natter with the team that joined us from the museum to help us through the long flight of locks. Jeff and his wife Liz and Derek and his wife Trish. Also joining us was Martyn, as I said early today, Martyn has replaced Mike who left today. Apart from being a nice guy, the good news is that Martyn also likes bacon butties!
We had an excellent meal and service at "The Shroppie Fly" pub.
While we were coming down the flight this afternoon we met the Audlem Brownie Pack out for a walk and a project along the tow path. We engaged them in conversation and handed out leaflets and pens which were appreciated. They were all very interested in our trip and its story.
Tomorrow is our penultimate day. We expect to arrive back at our home moorings, The National Waterways Museum, Ellesmere Port during Thursday afternoon. However, as every boater knows life on the cut (canal) is far from an exact science. In short we arrive when we get there :-)).
That's it for now folks. More tomorrow.
We had an excellent meal and service at "The Shroppie Fly" pub.
While we were coming down the flight this afternoon we met the Audlem Brownie Pack out for a walk and a project along the tow path. We engaged them in conversation and handed out leaflets and pens which were appreciated. They were all very interested in our trip and its story.
Tomorrow is our penultimate day. We expect to arrive back at our home moorings, The National Waterways Museum, Ellesmere Port during Thursday afternoon. However, as every boater knows life on the cut (canal) is far from an exact science. In short we arrive when we get there :-)).
That's it for now folks. More tomorrow.
Mendip & Explorer go to Bourneville
Good morning everyone. It's Pugwash again with another update for you. It's 09:50 on Tuesday September 27, Day 11 of our trip. We have been boating since 07:45 this morning. It is a lovely morning and the sun is starting to burn back the mist on the water. At 06:30 this morning as it was getting daylight the mist and semi light created a wonderful atmospheric scene (photos attached).
Yesterday can best be described as a long day. We left our moorings at the BCLM at 07:00 and boated for 12 hours non stop. We were delayed for over an hour by a long queue at Wheaton Aston lock. Our arrival at Norbury Junction saw darkness setting in. We relaxed over a good meal at the Junction Inn and retired before 22:00.
This morning we got underway at 07:45 with a planned destination of Audlem. Mike will be leaving us tonight to prepare for a visit to family and Martyn is joining us for the remainder of the trip. We are of course sorry to see Mike leave however we welcome Martyn aboard.
That's it for now folks, more late.
It's now 12:35 and at last I have a signal again. The Shroppie's deep cuttings stopped it.
Yesterday can best be described as a long day. We left our moorings at the BCLM at 07:00 and boated for 12 hours non stop. We were delayed for over an hour by a long queue at Wheaton Aston lock. Our arrival at Norbury Junction saw darkness setting in. We relaxed over a good meal at the Junction Inn and retired before 22:00.
This morning we got underway at 07:45 with a planned destination of Audlem. Mike will be leaving us tonight to prepare for a visit to family and Martyn is joining us for the remainder of the trip. We are of course sorry to see Mike leave however we welcome Martyn aboard.
That's it for now folks, more late.
Sunday 25 September 2011
Mendip & Explorer go to Bourneville
It's Pugwash again. It's Sunday evening and six of us, the crew of the 3 boats, Mendip, Explorer and Mignonette got together and had a Chinese take a way and ate on Explorer. A relaxed and chatty meal.
The day started, in weather terms, dull and overcast and by mid morning had turned into heavy persistant rain which lasted into the afternoon. Around 13:00 we moved Mendip out of her museum moorings onto an outside mooring ready for aour 07:00 start in the morning.
The rain disappeared by early afternoon and the rest of the day was sunny. Thanks to Joe Hollinshead for the donation of two antique brass handles for Mendip. That's it for now. More tomorrow. Good night.
The day started, in weather terms, dull and overcast and by mid morning had turned into heavy persistant rain which lasted into the afternoon. Around 13:00 we moved Mendip out of her museum moorings onto an outside mooring ready for aour 07:00 start in the morning.
The rain disappeared by early afternoon and the rest of the day was sunny. Thanks to Joe Hollinshead for the donation of two antique brass handles for Mendip. That's it for now. More tomorrow. Good night.
Mendip & Explorer go to Bourneville
Good Sunday morning to you all form the well deck on the bow of Explorer. It is 11:00 BST. We have been up and about for about 4 hours, cooked breakfast, washed up. Boat checks completed, we are running the engine to recharge the utility (leisure) batteries.
Later this afternoon the crew will reposition Mendip from her central moorings in the heart of the museum to a mooring that will allow us a smart start in the morning. We will be underway before 07:00 with 2 hours boating before the first big effort of the day - the 21 locks at Wolverhampton. We are very happy that we have some extra help meeting us at this long flight. Some of our freinds from the museum in Ellesmere Port are driving to Wolverhampton to augment the crew and will form the main part of the lock wheeling crew along with the crews from the three boats. Yes, three. We are joined for the return trip north by Steve and Anita on their own boat "Mignonette". It's great to have them with us.
I have attached a couple of picture taken at the boat gathering yesterday to give you a sample taste of what the scene looks like. Also I have included a picture taken in Birmingham on Tuesday eveening while we were waiting to welcome members of the BW board, IWA Board and Trustees of the new waterways charity.
Later this afternoon the crew will reposition Mendip from her central moorings in the heart of the museum to a mooring that will allow us a smart start in the morning. We will be underway before 07:00 with 2 hours boating before the first big effort of the day - the 21 locks at Wolverhampton. We are very happy that we have some extra help meeting us at this long flight. Some of our freinds from the museum in Ellesmere Port are driving to Wolverhampton to augment the crew and will form the main part of the lock wheeling crew along with the crews from the three boats. Yes, three. We are joined for the return trip north by Steve and Anita on their own boat "Mignonette". It's great to have them with us.
I have attached a couple of picture taken at the boat gathering yesterday to give you a sample taste of what the scene looks like. Also I have included a picture taken in Birmingham on Tuesday eveening while we were waiting to welcome members of the BW board, IWA Board and Trustees of the new waterways charity.
Saturday 24 September 2011
Mendip & Explorer go to Bourneville
Hello again, It's blog time again. Today has been both interesting and enjoyable. An opportunity to meet old friends and make new ones. As always the atmosphere is great. The boaters are one big happy group. Exchanging stories catching up on events and happening since last meeting.
There are over 60 boats present at the gathering the oldest was built in 1899 and still in great condition and working order, she arrived towing a number of "Joey's" narrow boats without engines and designed to carry loose coal. In their heyday a single narrow boat tug would have towed up to a dozen of these each carrying upto 25 tons of coal.
We were again privileged to welcome Charlie's daughter and other members of the family aboard Mendip. It was wonderful to meet them again and exchange stories and enjoy their company.
Tomorrow we continue our visit and look forward to further engage with those interested in the Mendip story and meet up with our friends.
Those of you that are following my daily dairy will recall that I mentioned that I was blogging in the dark and one of the crew took a photo of me doing it. Much against my better judgement I have given into the peer pressure to publish the picture. So here goes. Promise not to laugh too loudly at a man blogging in the dark. However, it is a lot of fun and is, thanks to you all, raising a lot of interest in our important and historic journey. Thanks again. Talk to you again soon.
There are over 60 boats present at the gathering the oldest was built in 1899 and still in great condition and working order, she arrived towing a number of "Joey's" narrow boats without engines and designed to carry loose coal. In their heyday a single narrow boat tug would have towed up to a dozen of these each carrying upto 25 tons of coal.
We were again privileged to welcome Charlie's daughter and other members of the family aboard Mendip. It was wonderful to meet them again and exchange stories and enjoy their company.
Tomorrow we continue our visit and look forward to further engage with those interested in the Mendip story and meet up with our friends.
Those of you that are following my daily dairy will recall that I mentioned that I was blogging in the dark and one of the crew took a photo of me doing it. Much against my better judgement I have given into the peer pressure to publish the picture. So here goes. Promise not to laugh too loudly at a man blogging in the dark. However, it is a lot of fun and is, thanks to you all, raising a lot of interest in our important and historic journey. Thanks again. Talk to you again soon.
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