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.
Friday 23 September 2011
Mendip & Explorer go to Bourneville
Hi again everyone. Pugwash again. It is just after 20:00 BST and we have been moored at the BCLM since late afternoon. We have all eaten a large portion of fish and chips (the next most important thing after bacon butties). I think the lads paid a compliment - when I suggested changing the breakfast menu to cereals and preserves from bacon and fried tomato butties I almost sparked a mutiny! So went shopping in Birmingham this morning and stocked up on bacon, tomatoes and bread. Silly me!!
Trip trip from Birmingham to Dudley took the standard approx 3 hours with only 3 locks. So, in boating terms it was a very quiet and easy day. We are here until early Monday morning when we will set off back to Ellesmere Port and home moorings.
There are over 70 historic working narrow boats here at the gathering with more expected tomorrow. It is great to meet up with friends from around the cut (canal) and make new friends along the way.
Our official commemorative run has now finished, however, I have been asked to continue the blog for those following our journey based at the museum and fellow BMS members. I am of course, very happy to do so.
This situation, blogging in the dark, is a strange experience. Ten days ago I had not heard of blogs, a crash course and a lot of encouragement later here I am, siting in the well deck of a narrow boat in the dark, laptop on my knees with a head touch focused on the keyboard it is no wonder that it is attracting comments from other boaters as they walk passed.
Mike one of the team has just taken a photo of this strange event. I will down load it and attach it to tomorrow's blog. That's about it for now. More tomorrow. Thanks again for your continued support. Bye for now.
Trip trip from Birmingham to Dudley took the standard approx 3 hours with only 3 locks. So, in boating terms it was a very quiet and easy day. We are here until early Monday morning when we will set off back to Ellesmere Port and home moorings.
There are over 70 historic working narrow boats here at the gathering with more expected tomorrow. It is great to meet up with friends from around the cut (canal) and make new friends along the way.
Our official commemorative run has now finished, however, I have been asked to continue the blog for those following our journey based at the museum and fellow BMS members. I am of course, very happy to do so.
This situation, blogging in the dark, is a strange experience. Ten days ago I had not heard of blogs, a crash course and a lot of encouragement later here I am, siting in the well deck of a narrow boat in the dark, laptop on my knees with a head touch focused on the keyboard it is no wonder that it is attracting comments from other boaters as they walk passed.
Mike one of the team has just taken a photo of this strange event. I will down load it and attach it to tomorrow's blog. That's about it for now. More tomorrow. Thanks again for your continued support. Bye for now.
Thursday 22 September 2011
Mendip & Explorer go to Bourneville
Hello, Pugwash again. We are here - Bournville! We arrived a tad behind schedule but safely and totally without mishap of any kind.
As we came along side the towpath there was a large group of people to meet us. Indeed, a welcoming site. The group was led by Cllr. Nigel Dawkins, Tony Bilsborough, PR Director for Cadbury and Roger Jones. Roger is a retired Cadbury employee who was responsible for scheduling Charlie's loads between Knighton and Bournville. I very much enjoyed a conversation with Roger and we have arranged to meet again and discuss his work and the association with Mendip. Also meeting us were members of the board and Trustees of BW and IWA.
Following a photo call for the group and crew of Mendip they went aboard to inspect the cabin of the boat.
Earlier this morning a camera crew and producer from the BBC in Birmingham came aboard and filmed the trip from Gas Street Basin to Bournville. The was then transmitted at lunchtime as a feature news item on the Midlands today programme and repeated this evening on the early evening edition. Thanks to Cadbury for the most excellent buffet lunch for the guests and crew members some whom have been taken on a guided tour f the factory and a visit to Cadbury World.
This evening we return to Gas Street to overnight and restock the galley on the support boat Explorer. I am running low on bacon for the early morning butties! No bacon butties may result in a mutiny. In the morning we head to the Black Country Living Museum for a traditional boat gathering. More on this when we are there. I will update you all after we have arrived at the BCLM. Bye for now
As we came along side the towpath there was a large group of people to meet us. Indeed, a welcoming site. The group was led by Cllr. Nigel Dawkins, Tony Bilsborough, PR Director for Cadbury and Roger Jones. Roger is a retired Cadbury employee who was responsible for scheduling Charlie's loads between Knighton and Bournville. I very much enjoyed a conversation with Roger and we have arranged to meet again and discuss his work and the association with Mendip. Also meeting us were members of the board and Trustees of BW and IWA.
Following a photo call for the group and crew of Mendip they went aboard to inspect the cabin of the boat.
Earlier this morning a camera crew and producer from the BBC in Birmingham came aboard and filmed the trip from Gas Street Basin to Bournville. The was then transmitted at lunchtime as a feature news item on the Midlands today programme and repeated this evening on the early evening edition. Thanks to Cadbury for the most excellent buffet lunch for the guests and crew members some whom have been taken on a guided tour f the factory and a visit to Cadbury World.
This evening we return to Gas Street to overnight and restock the galley on the support boat Explorer. I am running low on bacon for the early morning butties! No bacon butties may result in a mutiny. In the morning we head to the Black Country Living Museum for a traditional boat gathering. More on this when we are there. I will update you all after we have arrived at the BCLM. Bye for now
Wednesday 21 September 2011
Mendip & Explorer go to Bourneville
It's Pugwash again for the second time today. We have arrived at the Gas Street Basin in Birmingham. We have met the Board and Trustees of British Waterways. They were all very interested in the project and we thank them for their compliments. The day has been dry and the wind gathered later in the afternoon and is now proving to be a chilly evening. We have a chill out evening and leave our moorings at 08:30 Thursday for the short trip (1 1/2 hours boating) to Bourneville. More tomorrow. Bye for now.
Mwndip & Explorer go to Bourneville
Hello again, It's Pugwash here. Wow, what a an evening we had yesterday. After we had moored in the basin in Wolverhampton. We had some wonderful people visit us. Several members of Charlie's family arrived the principle one of which was Charlie's last surviving direct descendant,his daughter, Irene. It was a fantastic honour and privilege to welcome them on board and discuss many stories and the working history of the boat from a "first hand" perspective. The family spent over 2 hours with us and it seemed like 2 minutes. A fantastic moment and certainly the highlight of the trip. It simply does not get better than that!
Today we have boated to Birmingham and are currently moored just north of the city for lunch. On arrival at the Gas Street Basin we are being met by members of the British Waterways Board and Trustees. Indeed an honour and we are all looking forward to meeting them and welcoming them aboard.
Tomorrow we reach the climax of our trip when we arrive in Bourneville. More about this tomorrow evening.
The weather today has been much improved, with sunshine and light breeze. It is great to be out of the wet weather gear. Bye for now talk to you all again tomorrow.
Tuesday 20 September 2011
Mendip & Explorer go to Bourneville
Hello everyone. It's Pugwash again. Sorry I didn't blog our progress last night: we were moored in a no signal area, Far from the madding crowds, if you will allow me a quote.
Well now yesterday was a kinda long day we boated from Market Drayton to Knighton were we moored up for an hour and a half and visited what is now a Premier Foods facility. Back in Chocolate Charlie's day it was a Cadbury site producing chocolate crumb, as I mentioned before. We were met by the location manager and a large number of his team. They had strung up bunting and applauded and took a lot of photos as we were made very welcome with speeches, coffee and some lovely goodies. Finally, before we left, the most important part of the proceedings, we loaded a token cargo into Mendip's hold and set off for our overnight stop at Norbury Junction and guess what happened next.............wow, you got that right - we found a pub about 80 metres from where we moored. However, before entering the noble hostelery for the dry weevily bread and the tot of rum we had the daily boat domestics to complete. Then we were off!
This morning dawned very wet in heavy rain so it was full set of wet weather gear on before we even opened the boat! we have boated to Wolverhampton today and have just moored for the evening. After yesterday's 11 1/2 hour run we had a short day today of only 9 hours. Today we travelled the Wolverhampton 21 flight which for non boaters is a flight of 21 locks raising the canal 132 feet on to the Birmingham Canal Network. (BCN). This flight took just over 2 hours to complete not quite a record but close.
We have moored in what was the Fellows, Morton & Clayton (FMC for short) yard by kind permission of British Waterways the present owners. There has been a lot of interest in our trip by passing boaters and we have again continued to distribute a lot of explanatory leaflets. Additionally, walkers and cyclists have taken lots of photos and taken a lot of leaflets. Morale on both boats is high and we are nearly at the high point of the trip. More about this over the next two days.
Finally, we thank an old friend of BMS, Dave Rae of Norbury Junction Wharf. He stayed open later to allow us to refuel the boats and recharge our water tanks.
Well now yesterday was a kinda long day we boated from Market Drayton to Knighton were we moored up for an hour and a half and visited what is now a Premier Foods facility. Back in Chocolate Charlie's day it was a Cadbury site producing chocolate crumb, as I mentioned before. We were met by the location manager and a large number of his team. They had strung up bunting and applauded and took a lot of photos as we were made very welcome with speeches, coffee and some lovely goodies. Finally, before we left, the most important part of the proceedings, we loaded a token cargo into Mendip's hold and set off for our overnight stop at Norbury Junction and guess what happened next.............wow, you got that right - we found a pub about 80 metres from where we moored. However, before entering the noble hostelery for the dry weevily bread and the tot of rum we had the daily boat domestics to complete. Then we were off!
This morning dawned very wet in heavy rain so it was full set of wet weather gear on before we even opened the boat! we have boated to Wolverhampton today and have just moored for the evening. After yesterday's 11 1/2 hour run we had a short day today of only 9 hours. Today we travelled the Wolverhampton 21 flight which for non boaters is a flight of 21 locks raising the canal 132 feet on to the Birmingham Canal Network. (BCN). This flight took just over 2 hours to complete not quite a record but close.
We have moored in what was the Fellows, Morton & Clayton (FMC for short) yard by kind permission of British Waterways the present owners. There has been a lot of interest in our trip by passing boaters and we have again continued to distribute a lot of explanatory leaflets. Additionally, walkers and cyclists have taken lots of photos and taken a lot of leaflets. Morale on both boats is high and we are nearly at the high point of the trip. More about this over the next two days.
Finally, we thank an old friend of BMS, Dave Rae of Norbury Junction Wharf. He stayed open later to allow us to refuel the boats and recharge our water tanks.
Monday 19 September 2011
Mendip & Explorer go to Bourneville
Good morning everyone, Pugwash again. I was unable to blog last night there was no 3G connection. We arrived at Market Drayton 18:30 last night and after mooring and doing the usual boat domestic stuff went to the Talbot Pub for a good meal and a small glass of something. We had a relatively long day yesterday, 11 1/2 hours cruising. We were delayed through the 15 locks at Audlem. We were joined by several BMS members and the crew wish to thank them for their help up the long and sometimes challenging flight. They were Liz and Reg Phillips, Liz and Jeff Fairweather, Trish and Derek Speakman. Were were later joined by Di Skillbeck and Daphnie Luff.
Today we have a short boating day, approx 2 hours to Knighton. This is the first official engagement of the commemorative run. We will visit the site of the Cadbury factory where the chocolate crumb was made that Charlie carried to Bournevill. The plant is now owned by Kraft Foods. We are being greeted and given hospitality including overnight moorings. We will be loading a "token cargo" (crumb is no long used in the process) to deliver to Bournville on Thursday morning.
The crew moral is high and the weather has picked up. A whole day yesterday without rain and this morning has dawned bright and sunny, chilly but dry!!!!
We have just finished breakfast Pugwash style. Bacon, sausages and baked beans. Dave Skipper of Mendip has asked me to add that breakfast aboard Explorer is to be recommended and he and a couple of the crew did the washing up for me. NICE GUYS!!!
OK shipmates I have to sigh off for now it is getting to wards the time for more skippers duties before we head off into day 3. More later. Thanks for following the trip with us.
Today we have a short boating day, approx 2 hours to Knighton. This is the first official engagement of the commemorative run. We will visit the site of the Cadbury factory where the chocolate crumb was made that Charlie carried to Bournevill. The plant is now owned by Kraft Foods. We are being greeted and given hospitality including overnight moorings. We will be loading a "token cargo" (crumb is no long used in the process) to deliver to Bournville on Thursday morning.
The crew moral is high and the weather has picked up. A whole day yesterday without rain and this morning has dawned bright and sunny, chilly but dry!!!!
We have just finished breakfast Pugwash style. Bacon, sausages and baked beans. Dave Skipper of Mendip has asked me to add that breakfast aboard Explorer is to be recommended and he and a couple of the crew did the washing up for me. NICE GUYS!!!
OK shipmates I have to sigh off for now it is getting to wards the time for more skippers duties before we head off into day 3. More later. Thanks for following the trip with us.
Sunday 18 September 2011
Mendip & Explorer go to Bourneville
Hi everyone Pugwash again. When we arrived at the Shady Oak yesterday it was a bit too early so we went on to Beeston, South Cheshire. Great meal nd interst in our project in the Beeston Castle Pub. Nice people. A night punctuated with trains on a mainline and heavy rain saw us all up and ready to start our day at 05:30. Great bacon butties for breakfast. Boat checks done and ready to move off before 07:00 BST. A cold damp morning but horrah clear, nearly daylight sky.
We are making good progress on our journey with aan ETA into Audlem at approx 13:00 today. There we have a flight of 15 locks to negotiate. Some of our friends from the museum are joining us by road and wheel the locks for us. Many thankss to them all.
We are making good progress on our journey with aan ETA into Audlem at approx 13:00 today. There we have a flight of 15 locks to negotiate. Some of our friends from the museum are joining us by road and wheel the locks for us. Many thankss to them all.
As I write this we are cruising passed Nantwich Marina. Lots of interest in the trip and the crew are handing out information leaflets to boaters and canal walkers alike.
That's it for now. I am having issues with an intermittant 3G signal. Morre to come later. Bye for now.
Saturday 17 September 2011
Mendip & Explorer go to Bourneville
Hello again, Pugwash here again. We are well underway now. It's 15:15 BST and we have just pasted Waverton on the Shropsshire Union Canal. We have been cruising for 6 hours and have approx 3 more hours to do before we reach our fiest night mooring, The Shady Oak (a fine tavern indeed).
That's it for now. Watch this space. Many thanks to everyone that came to see us off and to those who are following our journey.
We had a great send off from Ellesmere Port this morning. The mayor (Angela Claydon) and a lot of other people, some museum staff and some BMS members.
The weather is a mixer of nearly sunshire and heavy showers. We have been in our waterproof clothing most of the time. There is a great team atmosphere on the boats with plenty of banter. We had good help through the locks around Chester from Mike Turpin. Mike will be joining the boats on Sunday night to relieve Steve Stamp our present leader. Lunch today was soup and bread and butter. Served with the expected banter some of it good natured ribbing. Like: we sent you on a food course and all you can serve is soup, I can get that at home. I calmed things by promising bacon butties for Sunday lunch! :-)))
We have bright sunsshine at the moment along with heavy rain as we pass the long line of moored vessels (about 2 1/2 miles near Hargrave. We now have a lovely strong rainbow to study. Joe is trying to get off the boat, spade in hand! OK as long as he share it!
Friday 16 September 2011
Mendip & Explorer go to Bourneville
Hello again, Pugwash here. I'll start by saying sorry for the misspelling of Bournville in the title. It is now the evening before the big send off. We are all excited about the trip and its significance.
Both boats are ready. The star of the trip, Mendip is looking wonderful. The guys in the Historic Boat Yard have done a wonderful job. I will include some photos of the boats as the trip progresses.
Today was all about the finishing touches and despite the weathers best attempts to delay us, in true baoter's tradition the work carried on and after a while we didn't even notice it was raining! The support boat, Explorer has all of the equipment and provisions loaded. The crew are ready to set off. Saturday, tomorrow, the Mayor of Ellesmre Port is visiting the Museum to give us a good send off. We ar very pleased that the Lady Mayor is giving of her time so early on a Saturday morning. We expect to be setting off about 09:00 BST. We have approximately 3 hours cruising to the City of Chester. The total days cruising will be approximately 7 hours ( short day in traditional boating terms.
It's been a long but very rewarding day preparing the boats so it's now time to get some rest and face the morning refreshed. Bye for now. Talk again soon.
Both boats are ready. The star of the trip, Mendip is looking wonderful. The guys in the Historic Boat Yard have done a wonderful job. I will include some photos of the boats as the trip progresses.
Today was all about the finishing touches and despite the weathers best attempts to delay us, in true baoter's tradition the work carried on and after a while we didn't even notice it was raining! The support boat, Explorer has all of the equipment and provisions loaded. The crew are ready to set off. Saturday, tomorrow, the Mayor of Ellesmre Port is visiting the Museum to give us a good send off. We ar very pleased that the Lady Mayor is giving of her time so early on a Saturday morning. We expect to be setting off about 09:00 BST. We have approximately 3 hours cruising to the City of Chester. The total days cruising will be approximately 7 hours ( short day in traditional boating terms.
It's been a long but very rewarding day preparing the boats so it's now time to get some rest and face the morning refreshed. Bye for now. Talk again soon.
Thursday 15 September 2011
Mendip & Explorer go to Bourneville
Hello every one. Pugwash here. I am the the blogger for the above trip. The reason for the trip which starts at The National Waterways Museum at Ellesmere Port is to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the end of the use of Narrowboat Mendip carrying chocolate crumb from Knighton to Bourneville. The boat was operated by Charlie Atkins, know to everyone on the cut (canal) as "Chocolate Charlie".
The trip from Ellesmere Port to Bourneville starts on September 17 and arrives in Gas Street Basin, Birmingham on the 21st and Bournville the following day. On the way home we are stopping for a weekend at the Black Country Living Museum (BCLM) for a traditional Working Boat Gathering. We arrive back in Ellesmere Port at the end of September.
If you see us en route give us a wave. If you are at the BCLM or Gas Street come say hello. The crew will be happy to engage you in convesation about the trip and the Museum and it work. As they say: watch this space! I am off to splice the mainbrace now shipmates. Talk to you again soon. 
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