Piscinis and Aumbreys

Wrenbury

Hello again,

Sorry to pester you with yet more ramblings but it’s been a busy week and Carl couldn’t fit it all in.

Anyone In?

I was looking through my photos and found that I had captured a blue tit, just popping into the stone wall by the first lock on the Audlem flight. I watched the crevice for signs of activity as I waited for the lock to fill, both parents were nipping to and fro with beaks full of tasty tidbits for the little ones.  I snapped a quick photo with my IPhone and was quite pleased with the result. We have both been busy taking photos this week, the change in the weather has brought out the hawthorn in all its splendour and the green fields are iced with cow parsley and sprinkled with buttercups, quite a sight in the glorious sunshine.

Buttercup Meadow

It’s been a mixed bag of weathers this week and what joy it was to finally hang up the waterproofs and fleece jackets and break out the sun cream, At Last!! We made some early morning starts in order to avoid the worst of the wet weather but I wasn't convinced that the sun was going to shine, even though it was forecast. In fact, I was so sceptical that, when we reached Audlem, I went to The Mill (Gift Shop and Assorted Boating Paraphernalia) and purchased a ‘Brolly Mate’. This gadget screws to the tiller and holds an umbrella over the steerer. Of course, as soon as I bought it, the sun came out and the rain cleared off back to Spain or wherever it came from!

Lift Bridge looming through the early morning mist

We moored early at the bottom of Adderley locks and watched as the late risers set off in the pouring rain, while we were tucked up with a nice fire going, eating hot buttered toast and drinking gallons of tea. The rain lashed down for a couple of hours before the clouds raced away across the fields and left us with a water-logged towpath and muddy mats in the cratch - Tricky would go out in it, even though I told her it was raining cats and dogs! We watched the sunset later and the sky lit up pink and orange, impossible colours which refused to be captured digitally.

Colours fading.

The Audlem flight was extremely busy and we were second in a group of four boats all queueing to go down the flight. Lock etiquette was working quite well and the boats Do-Si-Do’d as they crossed in the pound, one going up, the other going down. There was a small hitch in the smooth operation when we met the Chamberlain Carrying Co on their way to Market Drayton for the ‘Floating Market’. I chatted to Ruth, who was working the motor-boat Mountbatten, while Richard, her husband, was one lock below, bow-hauling the butty Jellicoe, single handed. I’m afraid I turned into a gongoozler and watched in awe as he fought the terrific run-off by the mouth of the lock and hauled the butty into the lock using a long line and brute strength. I took photos, but I didn’t manage to capture the raw energy of the scene. I hope to meet them again on their return journey up the Llangollen, which is their home patch and maybe catch them in action again, working their boats in the old fashioned way, bringing coal and diesel to boaters and keeping the working traditions alive.

Ruth Chamberlain on the Audlem Locks 

We spent a couple of days in Nantwich and walked into town with Tricky on the first morning, taking in the sights of the historic Welsh Row on the way. We sat outside the church and listened to a very talented young woman singing ‘Pie Jesus’ in the Market Square, then the smell of coffee drew us to a table in the dog friendly 'Nantwich Bookshop and Coffee Lounge'. I do love to people-watch and the man at the next table drew my attention as he was eating the most enormous breakfast and talking loudly on his phone, which was set on loudspeaker. Everyone, including me, listened avidly, as he rang his car dealer and ordered a Bentley Continental 6.75 litre and quoted an enormous sum of money for the budget. I slid my eyes sideways, under my (as yet) uncut fringe, to check him out, but he looked disappointingly ordinary. Carl says I’m nosey but hands up anyone who thinks they wouldn’t have been interested in that conversation!

Fabulous Old Building in Nantwich

Tricky was grumpy and refused to make the trip into town again the next day, so we went off without her and visited the beautiful church of St Mary’s. I do wonder at the descriptive language that is unique to church buildings. The Lady Chapel contains a piscina (sink), an aumbrey (cupboard) and a ‘host oven’ where the communion wafers were baked. The pews are furnished with kneelers, each one loving hand stitched and a beautifully crafted 'Jubilee Curtain' hangs over the glass porch. After the turbulence of the past year it was balm to sit for a while in the peace and tranquility of this beautiful old church. After a couple of hours of browsing and shopping in the town, we returned to the boat with new mats for the narrow corridor by the bed, two rucksacks full of shopping and a huge blister hanging off my big toe. I threw the offending sandals back in the ‘aumbrey’ in disgust and went to wash my aching feet in the ‘piscina’.

Hand Stitched Kneelers in St Mary's Church, Nantwich

The Llangollen Canal is as beautiful as ever. but there are hordes of boats making the pilgrimage to the Pontycysyllte Aqueduct. I met a solo boater, recently widowed, making his first trip alone, I hope we meet him again and more importantly, I hope boating brings him happiness. A boat came up behind us and I chatted to the wife, who told me she was born by the canal and only felt truly happy when she was afloat. A cheerful hire boat with 3 couples on board came along and, unusually, it was the ladies who were doing the steering and the men lock-wheeling. They were hoping to do the Four Counties ring in 6 days - not my idea of boating fun but I think they’ll do it - whatever floats your boat (groaning face emoji) Everyone is smiling now that the sun is out and finally, I remember why I love the Merry Month of May!

Goodbye till next week

I’ll be back next week to share the delights of Whitchurch, Ellesmere and the Montgomery Canal with you and to relive the joys of the many lift bridges along the way. I hope you’ve all enjoyed the Bank Holiday and I look forward to hearing from you, if you’ve got a minute.

Love from
The Floating Chandlers

PS We met a Hen Party in Wrenbury, more sedate than some we've seen.  I only mention it as two of the party were wearing Sumo suits – I bet they were nice and sweaty inside that get-up on such a hot day!

PPS   Williams of Audlem (Est. 1862) is a shop with much heritage and a really enjoyed the sparkling wit and repartee that Judith has with her customers.  I lingered to enjoy a chat with Judith about the famous till which has appeared on 'The Repair Shop'  - love that programme. Here's a photo from their shop page 

The Till is ringing again in Williams of Audlem

Nuclear Sheep

Moonlight at the Shroppie Fly

Salutations, dear reader, this is Captain Carl of the narrowboat Lady Aberlour. I’ve thrown together another jumble of random odds and ends for your perusal. The general boaty theme is not so much reservoir dogs, but more puddle possums. The finished tome will, of course, become part of the Hedgerow Jottings.

Sunshine After The Rain

We left Market Drayton last Monday under thick, lowering clouds and moored below Adderley locks. We timed it just right, as the heavens opened and tipped out all their excess biblical water from 12.30 to 3.30 in the afternoon. The towpath suffered greatly and became a Jurassic swamp. We were glad to leave the next day for firmer ground and finally moored in Audlem, Linda having tirelessly operated twelve of the fifteen locks of that flight. We decided to have fish and chips from the local chippy for tea that evening; such luxury! While I’m on the subject of food I must admit that it is very nice to be able to walk to nearby villages once more and have coffee and cake in the local teashops. The food and beverages are usually excellent and we’re rarely disappointed. Having said that, there was a place we went to years ago that made me wonder what the cook did for a living. Linda made some rock cakes a few days ago. They were so delicious! I hope that she’ll bake some more soon or, if not, some of her legendary scones.

Morning Coffee in Nantwich

Casting off the next day we followed the canal to one of our favourite moorings at Cool Pilates. It had been chilly and windy all morning, so I was glad to close the hatch and go below to get warm by the fire. Changing the subject, we saw an empty snail shell on the towpath recently. Perhaps a bird ate the snail. Or maybe the occupant left home to live life as a slug. Slugs are Gastropod molluscs you know and are related to squid and octopus. They are usually solitary creatures. However, if introduced to a country they’re not native to they can become gregarious. Yes, I was excited to learn this too. Now, only having one foot, they’re exempt from military service. They can’t march, you see. Some slugs are masters of camouflage. There’s a rumour that a grey field slug once disguised itself as a BBC mini-series.

Mollusc 

You know dear reader, we used to enjoy listening to Radio 2. But that was years ago. Since it was changed from Radio 2 to Radio Mostly Tat we hardly ever bother with it (with a few exceptions). Alternatives are difficult to find. There are commercial stations, but that means listening to the adverts. I don’t know which is worse; the adverts themselves, or the speeded-up talking that concludes them. You know, the calm voice that vomits forth ten words a second about terms, conditions and exclusions.

Secret Bunker

Before we knew it, it was Thursday morning. We were up early with the dog - again!  The weather was warm and sunny, so we decided to have an early morning cruise. It wasn’t long before we passed the sign for the secret nuclear bunker. We visited this place once, and highly recommend it. This vast, underground complex was declassified in 1993. Entering the place through massive blast doors, you’re immediately taken back to the ominous days of the Cold War.

Towpath Warriors!

From here we descended the two locks at Hack Green. A short way from the locks were some sheep on the towpath. They’d obviously escaped and must have tunnelled their way out in a bid for freedom. Three of them, Tom, Dick and Harry, were clearly the ring leaders and no doubt were carrying forged papers. You could tell they were giving orders by the “we’re in charge” vibes they gave off.

Stained Glass in St Mary's, Nantwich

A couple of miles or so from Hack Green lies Nantwich, which is where we moored up. We like visiting this picturesque town which offers a good variety of shops and many listed buildings. St Mary’s Church is particularly impressive. Another building I couldn’t help noticing was the old police station. This was also a magistrate’s court with associated cells. It’s now flats/apartments. Closing down police stations and reducing police numbers is an astonishingly gormless policy. Why are so many top decision makers such clueless dunderheads?

Police House, Nantwich

We left Nantwich early on Saturday morning and a short while later turned hard left at Hurlestone Junction, immediately tying up ready to ascend the four locks onto the Llangollen canal. There was already a narrowboat in the first lock; its crew had raised the top paddles to fill it, but unfortunately they’d left a paddle open in one of the bottom gates, partially draining the pound above. Consequently they became grounded. The crew were novices, but Linda came to their rescue and gave some much needed guidance on correct lock procedure, then went on to the next lock to let some more water down. The grounded vessel was eventually refloated and they continued on their way up the flight. By this time another boat had tied up behind us and the “first mate” kindly helped Linda run enough water down so that we could all pass through the four locks.

Llangollen Canal - waiting for the sun to shine!

At the top lock something got caught up in our propeller, badly affecting steerage and forward motion. I tried a quick burst of reverse (this sometimes clears the prop of rubbish) but this didn’t work. I managed to get the boat into the lock and turned off the engine. While Linda slowly filled the chamber I removed the weed hatch and put my hand down into the murky depths. I found a combination of carrier bag, brambles, two ropes and some thin sticks hopelessly tangled round the prop. Even using a knife it was a battle to remove said items, but eventually I was able to lift the tangled mess clear.

By early afternoon we were moored in a quiet spot near the village of Wrenbury and that’s about the size of it for this week. Bye for now,

The Floating Chandlers

PS We intend to cross the Pontcysyllte aqueduct on this trip. It’s quite an experience, I can tell you, especially if you aren’t overly keen on heights, like what I’m not. It took ten years to plan, build and test this aqueduct you know, and was opened on 26th November 1805. Pontcysllte is really hard to pronounce. According to one version on Google it is vocalised as “Pont-Kus-Sulth_Teh”. Sadly, dear reader, I cannot confirm how accurate this is.

Curious Cow

Moonlit Mill in Audlem

Addlington

Puddles after the heavy rain 

Moody sky at Cool Pilates

Night Night

Hack Green

Rainy Skies and Surfing Beans

 

Sleepy cygnet still in bed

Morning All

What a very wet week it's been.  We used the last of the sunny weather to move from Brewood ready to go shopping in Newport on Tuesday morning.  We caught the bus from outside the Navigation pub in Gnosall, leaving Tricky sleeping in her new favourite place - a blanket outside the bathroom.  We don't know what we have done to offend her, she has a perfectly good bed with us in the saloon (living room) but prefers to sprawl across the width of the corridor, where she is right in the way.  So where was I ... oh yes, waiting for the bus in Gnosall.  There was a 'hold your breath' moment as we flashed our bus passes at the machine.  Mine is well travelled, but Carl was using his for the first time, and we were both relieved when it beeped acceptance and we trundled off to town to find Waitrose and B&M for supplies.  We couldn't resist making the most of the sunny morning and found a table outside Deli 49 for our very first latte of the boating season. Carl was overcome with the success of the bus pass and decided to order the Full English breakfast to celebrate.  Unfortunately for him, just as his breakfast arrived, the heavens opened and it pelted down.  Being English, we put up our rain hoods and ignored the beans trying to swim off Carl's plate.  My handbag filled with water (I'm still drying out a soggy letter, but I fear it is beyond hope) and my best going-out trousers clung soddenly to my thighs while the cushion I was sitting on soaked up the rainwater and transferred itself to my bottom.  The waitress rushed out with a brolly and helped us clear our plates to a table inside, everyone thought it was jolly good fun and no-one minded in the slightest about the puddles that dripped off us.  Five minutes later, the sun was shining again  - don't you just love our English Spring weather!

Before the rain came!

We took an evening stroll along the towpath one evening and rediscovered the Stafford to Newport Greenway.  A very pleasant place to take in the views over the Shropshire fields, green and luscious thanks to the recent rains.  I think we might have walked further but, in the distance, I glimpsed a cow coming round the corner.  Now, I know I'm a country girl but I'm very cautious around cattle.  Who knew how many more of his mates were out for a 'moo'ch into Gnosall for a pie and a pint!  Back at the boat, we watched the sunset and crossed our fingers that the next day would be dry so we could be measured for our new cover.  

Evening Stroll on the Greenway

We arrived in Norbury in bright sunshine and met with Tony from Bethsaida Covers.  It's a very interesting process - first he unrolled a huge sheet of thick tracing paper over the cratch structure and then began to create a paper pattern using tape and a marker pen.  Unfortunately for us, a huge black cloud hove over the horizon before the job was half finished and we watched anxiously, as it edged across the valley towards us.  When the first drops of rain fell, there was no choice but to abandon the measuring and get the old cover back on.  Tony has so much work on that we don't know when or if he will be back.  We have waited here patiently for a suitable gap in the weather, hoping to get the job finished but this is the third day of high winds and rain and we may have to chug on without getting any closer to a new cover.  (very disappointed emoji).

Tricky and Carl braving the rain!

So, here we are, still moored in Norbury with the solar panels laid flat and everything on the roof tied down to prevent it blowing into the next county when we are hit by sudden squalls.  The wind blows hard through the gap in the trees next to our boat.  The gap meant extra power to our panels when the sun was out but now we are being battered as the wind tussles with our ropes and rocks us till the glasses tinkle together in the cupboard.  Tricky usually waits for the worst of the rain to come along before asking to go out and Carl has raked out a particularly fetching pair of 'sawn off' wellies from the bottom of the 'shoe step'   He trudges along the towpath, following Tricky, who is urgently looking for the  'toilet' - why do dogs need to sniff every blade of grass before eventually finding the right spot? Apparently, there is a shortage of wellies so I'm thinking we might put these beauties on Ebay, they might be worth a few bob towards the new cover.

Nightfall at Norbury

On Saturday we awoke to a calm, still and drizzly morning.  Brolly up and we were off just after 8am and hoping to reach Market Drayton in time to bag a mooring somewhere suitable to be collected for a home cooked Sunday lunch with Shropshire family.  The brolly was up and down for the first few hours and then, as we arrived at Tyreley Locks, the sun peeped out and it was briefly hot and steamy.  It didn't last long and we were glad to tie up in Market Drayton and throw a log on the stove to warm us up. 

Surfing down the Tyrley Locks - the run off here is quite fierce

 We're cosy and warm in the cabin tonight, full of roast chicken and apple crumble and tired after a day of love and laughter with our family, who we've missed so much. The rain is beating on the roof, Tricky is snoring loudly from her makeshift bed outside the bathroom and I am racing to finish this before the laptop battery runs out. Such is life on board the Lady Aberlour. I'll be back next week, we're hoping to get to Audlem and maybe, if the sun comes out, we might be able to share the beauty of the Shroppie in spring.

Love as always from

The Floating Chandlers

ps Woodseaves Cutting was even more dank and dismal than usual and we had to tip toe around some serious landslips with our fingers crossed that we didn't meet anything coming the other way.

Landslide!

Pps Met 'Tench' coming out of the top lock at Tyreley – a very beautiful old working boat and I managed a few photos as he chugged off.

Tench

Family Fun

More Prawns?

St James, Acton Trussell

Good Morning from the Sunny Shroppie, 

It's Linda here again - I hope you have been enjoying Carl's jokes while I have been gathering my thoughts for another Jotting.  We’ve been retracing our steps this week, back through Rugeley and Great Haywood and mooring once again on Tixall Wide. The Lady Aberlour has been reclining luxuriously in our new marina for a week while we made a trip home. We had a riotous time planned.  Jab on Sunday, dentist on Tuesday and voting on Thursday. All went well, no adverse reactions to our top up jab and it was heaven to arrive back at the marina (Kings Bromley, if you’re curious) to find our boat afloat (we were often grounded at our previous abode) and a handy car parking space nearby. Tricky’s not too keen on the wooden jetty that we're tied to, she tip toed daintily along it, jumped aboard and took a flying leap into the sanctuary of her bed. Carl and I trudged backwards and forwards with assorted bags, boxes and rucksacks-it's always exciting setting off on a cruise once the car is unpacked.  Finally, we are ready and as we reversed out of our berth, it was a relief to find that the Lady Aberlour behaved perfectly in the deep water and swished her rudder as we moved off through the narrow entrance and out onto the canal. We’re off on our travels again!! There was a small exchange of pleasantries between the Captain and his first mate (me) as we set off - only a few cross words, much to the amusement of our neighbour, on a boat called Marmite.

Our new neighbour

I am usually fairy well organised when it comes to getting the contents of the land based fridge/freezer/veg basket to the less spacious fridge/ice box/larder in our floaty home. For some reason, I failed to deal with the large bag of ‘Christmas’ prawns in the home freezer before we set off last Sunday morning, so they were packed into the electric cool box along with several assorted containers of a tomato based 'something' and a block of frozen pastry. I stowed it in the car knowing full well that our tiny boat fridge couldn’t begin to contain it all. Consequently, for our evening meal that night, Carl and I waded man and womanfully through a whole bag of Best Prawns, without benefit of the usual salad accompaniment. They formed a pale pink lake on my plate, with a side order of radishes and tomatoes and a couple of toasted bagels for Carl while I tried to disguise mine in amongst a generous slathering of cream cheese on wafer thin slices of brown bread. I’m still trying to work out what to do with the pastry!

Unusual wildlife

There was only one boat in front of us at Tixall Lock when we set out early last week - that’s a good start to the day! We met the African Queen coming down the lock and the whole roof was shimmering in the sunlight - it was covered in ornaments made out of old tin cans. I called to Carl to take a photo so I could show you but but he was too busy casting off and getting the boat into the lock, so you’ll have to imagine how they might look.  We were taking on water at Spode when we met up with the Betsy Trotwood and her crew who went by the names of Dozy and Dim (that's the name of their You Tube channel) we shall follow their adventures and you can too if you like - here's the link Dozy and Dim  I managed to get a photo of their boat today but Dozy and Dim were nowhere to be seen.  You do meet some very interesting people living on boats.

Betsy Trotwood - the abode of Dozy and Dim

We turned onto the Shroppie at Autherley Junction and were immediately jammed in the stop lock.  We tugged and heaved on the gate and Carl tried to coax the boat gently through the narrow gap but there was a most dreadful grinding noise as our rubbing strakes came into contact with the gate.  After several attempts and leaving a whole lot of our black paint behind, we managed to squeeze through and chugged off towards Brewood.  I did ring Canal and River Trust to report it but I'm not expecting any immediate action.  

a

Stubborn gate at Autherley Junction - heave ho!

As we came up to the single lock at Wheaten Aston, the lady on the hire boat in front waved at me happily as they chugged off leaving the gates open and the paddles up. I harrumphed quietly and reminded myself of this years boating resolution - to be kind to everyone we meet, no matter what the provocation. It won't be too hard (says she hopefully) as we are so happy to be back on board. It's so good to pick up the old routines of casting off every day in search of a new mooring spot and enjoying the quiet life surrounded by ducks and sheep. We drink scalding hot coffee on the back deck, as we chug along in the early morning chill, waiting for the hawthorn to burst from the hedgerows into its full, frothy glory. We count the ducklings as they paddle along frantically and cheep like wind up bath toys. The moorhens take fright and walk on water to escape into the reeds, the haughty swan glides by us but spoils the effect by suddenly upending and waggling its tail feathers at us. The geese are guarding their young, who sleep in piles at the waters edge and their mothers squawk a soft lullaby to let them know all is well as we pass by. The silly sheep, who gaze gormlessly at us from their green pastures, are often rescued from the water by passing boaters.  What causes them to suddenly hurl themselves into the water is a mystery - Kamikaze sheep! Carl had to go and roll a ‘cast’ sheep back to its feet in the field by Rodbaston Lock, the poor thing couldn’t get up immediately, so I guess it had been looking up at the sky for quite some time. That was our good deed done for the day so we continued on to moor above Boggs Lock, to find that in our absence, a wind turbine has been erected in the field behind the hedge. I fear that the modern world is encroaching ever closer into our ‘Magic Kingdom’, more and more new estates are being built by the canals and the fields are disappearing, to be replaced by houses and road ways. All the more reason to enjoy the waterways while we can. Now that I’ve got a few locks under my belt and I’ve started walking the towpaths with Tricky again, we both seem to have found a new lease of life. The Lady Aberlour is comfy and cosy when the rain is pelting down outside and, in spite of the showers, we have had many hours of blue skies and sunshine.  The gardeners amongst you will have welcomed the rain this week, Carl captured some stunning photos of a storm passing over us at Acton Trussell    

Storm clouds over Acton Trussell

This week we shall be hanging about near Norbury Junction for a while as we are having a new cratch cover made and we missed our appointment to get measured up by a whole year. I phoned the chap at Bethsaida Covers to apologise and he wasn’t in the least bit put out, but he is very busy, so we have to put up with our poor shrunken apology for a cover until he can fit us in. We made some extra long toggles in an effort to keep the rain out of the cratch - believe me, there's nothing worse than damp in your cratch!  

I'll be back again next week with more witterings from our watery world.  

Love as always from

The Floating Chandlers

PS  I'd forgotten how much I like Brewood - it was a delight to rediscover the landmarks, Speedwell Castle is right in the centre and is much photographed.  I couldn't resist taking this shot.

PPS We heard a toot toot from a passing boat and popped up to find Lisa and David on What a Lark pootling past.  Nice to see you again and maybe one day we'll be able to meet up for a proper boating chat.

Acton Trussell

Handsacre Sunset

 

Armitage tunnel

Tamburo - what a beautiful boat

Is it dinner time yet?

Deptmore Lock

Boating in the rain.