Misty mornings return

Here we are back at Crankwood. And we love it!

Autumn is getting going now, the first trees turning golden, leaves clogging our propeller, spider webs glistening in the early morning dew, buying coal (no logs required just yet), cooking for free on the wood burner, yes, I think autumn is our favourite season.

We arrived here yesterday after a two week round trip to Middlewich in perfect spirits. Then we retrieved the car and drove to Leigh - and I, for one, saw my perfect spirits evaporate in an instant. Bloody traffic! As soon as we returned to Crankwood I was tranquillity personified again. It's amazing. Just get yourself a few hundred yards away from that other type of transport infrastructure (roads, that is) and you are in a different world. Anyway, enough moaning for the moment.

As some of you will know, LottieD has a cruiser stern, meaning we have lots of space at the back of the boat compared to a trad(itional) sterned boat. Why, then, have I spent seven years juggling plates, glasses, cups, etc whilst trying to steer? We passed a young couple on a holiday boat a few days ago, glanced at their boat, looked back at each other, and said "why didn't we think of that?"

Yes, they had a table out back as they moved. Genius! Of course, on the basis that it's five o'clock somewhere we tried it out with an alcoholic beverage! Really, we feel so stupid for not doing this sooner, say, in 2010!

If you have a real eagle eye you will spot the cracked plant pot housing our thyme. It got itself blown off the roof, as did our rosemary which we never saw again. Did storm Aileen do this, you ask? No. This happened the night before, you know, when the wind actually BLEW. Storm Aileen? Do me a favour. We place so much store on weather reports living as we do and it really irritates when you miss a day's cruising due to a rubbish forecast. Oops, I appear to be moaning again....

Finally, you may remember we told you about the Waxi service on the Bridgewater canal?

Well, it appears this leviathan needs priority over everything else on the canal as these signs have sprung up in a few places.

Yes, it's reserved moorings for a service nobody ever uses. In Sale, at the Trafford Centre... Grrr. It's a good job I'm not a moaner!

I'm a lazy boy...

...where this blog is concerned at times. Better do an update on what we have been up to! After the usual stops at Dunham, Lymm (claim to fame here. I helped Sooty's Matthew Corbett recover a boat that had pulled away from its mooring. I'll be on Love Island with the celebs at this rate!) and Stockton Heath we were all set for Preston Brook tunnel when I had a last minute change of plan and hooked a right turn into the Runcorn arm. I can think of no other reason for this other than I had drunk all my cider and was on the red wine at the time hic! 🍷

Drunk in charge!

This is a 5 mile run to a dead end at Runcorn where, at one time, the canal linked up with the Ship Canal and the Mersey back in the day. Now, however, it is a barely used stretch of water mainly used by the Bridgewater Motor Boat Club, who actually have quite a nice set up down there.

The lilies encroaching from either side attested to how little traffic comes this way but we quite liked it apart from the twin noisy terrors of the busy roads nearby plus the unending stream of planes approaching John Lennon Airport.

We overnighted part way down then completed the leg the next day, turning around and chasing a kingfisher for a good way as we headed for Preston Brook. Kingfisher sightings continued on the Trent & Mersey as we saw three others, one flying straight past us with a fish in its beak.

We got as far as Middlewich on the next day where I actually got a haircut, only the 3rd this year - what a tramp I am - and Charlotte brought the crew to see us on Saturday. As it happened, that weekend was when the Middlewich Roman Festival was taking place so we all trudged up the sodden fields for a gander. As a free admission event it was really very good. Everything was on display from painting to cooking (I legged it back to the boat for some wood. They were that rushed setting up in the rain that they had none!) to surveying, medical treatment and, of course, military hardware and even a Roman army display with an informative commentary. The boys spent the rest of their time as centurion and soldier and Frank the pug legged it into the Big Lock pub on his own for a look around!

We set off back yesterday, stopping at The Old Broken Cross pub in Rudheath (a first for us) overnight before braving the elements this morning. What a day! The rain soaked me, the wind dried me and the sun cheered me up alternately. I would grab my golf umbrella as I saw the squalls of rain approach, sometimes clattering into my herb pots with it in my haste and releasing a wonderful aroma of thyme or rosemary - marvellous! No kingfishers today but a couple of jays and wagtails passed by and we startled the odd heron or two. In other words, just a normal few days on the cut!

Beautiful Bridgewater

What a perfect morning.

The tranquility is a reflection of our mood. Is there a better way of life than this? What more satisfying morning regime is there than heating your water on the towpath using whatever natural fuel is available 

before doing a little tidying up prior to pulling pins and moving slowly on?

On a day like this, it's simply unbeatable.

Squirrel problems again (not really)

No, not the wood burner this time but one of the grey, furry variety. We were tied up at the Old Boat House at Astley Green on Sunday, a spot we've used many times previously. This time, however, there's acorns to be had and one little chap was going for it! As he laid waste to the tree above us we were the recipients of his debris. The sound of acorns hitting the roof was like someone letting rip with a small hammer!

 Still, it was a minor inconvenience as we sat on the rear deck, vino in hand. Later we were joined by this holiday wide beam, where a six night cruise from Manchester to Runcorn would set you back £1795 for six people! 

On Monday we headed off past Boothstown basin, going under the now complete bridge at Vicar's Hall Lane. I took a snap after passing through, capturing the Astley Green pit head gear in the background (I don't just throw this together, you know 😉)

Last night it was BBQ time

then fire pit time

then Gaz light time until around 10.30

Today we are in Sale after picking up this hitchhiker 

I'm not sure but I think that is a honey bee with some sort of tag attached?

Right, it's time to visit Tesco's to stock up on goodies for Wilson, who is having a sleepover tomorrow whilst Logan is doing the same at a friend's house. Last bit of babysitting as they both go to school next week. Poor Wilson!

I'm board (geddit?)

I don't know, but it seems there's a never ending stream of jobs to do on this boat. Rust treating, "grass" laying, flue replacing (that reminds me, I need to clean up and paint the chimney deck casting) and waxing. Latest on the list is replacing the forward locker covers because they looked like this

Despite numerous coats of edge protection they've finally given up the ghost, and that after only four years. Replacing them is one thing, obtaining the material is quite another! The material in question is a type of laminated board called Hexagrip and Travis Perkins want to charge around £170 for a 8'x4' board! As if! Last time I managed to get some offcuts from a trailer manufacturers for £35 or so but they appear to have gone bust. I did find a place in Nantwich that would have supplied an 18mm board for £84 and thought I would just have to stump up. But I was reckoning without Elaine's dogged determination to ensure we don't waste potential wine money!

She found a van lining business near Dewsbury that was selling small offcuts that were just perfect size wise, if a little thinner at 12.5mm. So, over we went and bought six pieces - for a fiver each! Lovely jubbly! We now have these

and materials enough for two more pairs. Should see us right for ten years at least 💷💷💷

On the move again

Having left the car at Charlotte's house (we had a great night over in Kirk Sandall with Dave and Chris!) we are free to move on from our spot here at Burscough wharf. Also, the grandkids are away with Dad this week so no babysitting duties 🎉. Only kidding! Actually we had a good day out with them last week in Worsley woods, racing leaves and sticks

before tackling something a little more strenuous 

Thankfully, it wouldn't take my weight!

Yesterday we got a bit active first thing - using the boat services, painting the new stove pipe, visiting the chandlers for supplies, fixing the roller blind Elaine tore from its mounting (she doesn't know her own strength!) then waxing the boat to get her gleaming again. After all this it was time to watch others being active so we called in to watch a bit of cricket just off the towpath (with the obligatory pint, of course).

After this it was carry on to the Ship at Lathom for one last scoop then back to LottieD for a top class Sunday roast - perfect! Actually, on our previous visit to the Ship we bumped into Paul and Clare who, it transpires, live locally. We last met thirteen years ago in Tahiti when they were honeymooners and we were celebrating Elaine's fortieth. Details were exchanged and we will arrange to meet up as soon as possible, probably when we leave the boat here and go to France (again) for our wedding anniversary. It's a hard life!

Ready for winter

With our new chimney installed I can't wait to light up!

The local welder had the new chimney made up and ready to go last Friday so Gary wasted no time in installing it. Before he got going, however, I got in first and tidied the satellite cables that had been drooping in their trunking for about four years!

Gary cut away a bit more of the roof as he was concerned about how close to the chimney it was then he packed the space with lots of fire rope.

With everything in place all that remained was to paint it in stove blacking and we are now good to go. Hope fully, that's a job we'll never have to tackle again but, if not, I feel confident of doing it myself next time.

Today we left the marina (get those lights switched off 😉) and are now tied up at Heaton's Bridge where we left the car yesterday. Tomorrow we'll drive to Burscough then walk back for Lottie, getting rid of the car after our trip to Doncaster on Friday for little (!) brother Dave's retirement get together.

After that it's slowly eastwards for us as we head to the river Weaver and the Anderton Boat Lift - should be fun!

Fixing the Squirrel.

The Morso Squirrel wood burner, that is. As I may have mentioned previously a component has dropped onto the baffle plate and I can't get it out, meaning I'll never be able to sweep the chimney. Also, the bottom collar connecting the chimney to the stove is badly cracked and is a health risk. The last straw, however, is that the chimney itself has rotted through.

Not good!

Work started today and the first job was to get the old chimney out in one piece as it will be the template for its replacement. Here we are, covered up and ready to go.

After considerable hammering by our professional Gary

the chimney eventually came away, leaving a hole in the roof

and revealing just how clogged up the chimney was

When you look at this it's a wonder the fire was still burning OK. 

Gary cleaned everything up and was able to remove the part of the stove that was causing the problem. In fact, it was a part that should only be fitted to chimneys in excess of 4m and should never have been installed 😡

Still, the good news is that all we need is a new collar and a new chimney, which is to be welded up by a local fabricator. At one stage I thought I might need a new stove like the one, coincidentally, being installed in the boat next to us.

It's quite a dinky little thing and only costs about £230, unlike ours which are now going for £800+ but, if anything, are too hot for our boat. I've been informed of a local guy who will cut firebricks to reduce the size of the firebox rather than buying Morso genuine (and ruinously expensive) accessories. Think I'll give him a call. We can have a smaller fire, burn less fuel and hopefully be able to keep the door closed this winter!

Move over Titchmarsh.

Do you want to know the secret to a perfect lawn? It's ............. A sharp Stanley knife! I got stuck in over the last couple of days and Lottie has gone from this

Treat that rust!

...to this

Rear

Front

I even had enough "grass" left to enable one of our neighbours to "turf" the front of his boat too. 

Having got this done before we fly on Thursday means we will have lots of time to tart up other parts of Lottie when we get back from holiday, always assuming the chimney situation gets resolved easily - and cheaply! I'm expecting £300 minimum for that, we paid £250 to keep the boat here, just drawn out the holiday spends and paid £890 for Lottie's boat licence today. Plus we want new fenders when we get back and they're £65 each. Could be time for Elaine to rejoin the ranks of the employed at this rate 😉

Stuff the planet!

With all these lights on it can only mean one thing.

Yes, we are back in the marina and plugged into the mains! Actually, Daniel the marina owner has put us in a great spot, right in front of the coffee shop.

Also, as a nice bonus, the previous occupant left quite a bit of electricity on the meter so I've got the immersion heater on and Elaine's watching early evening TV. Living the dream or what? Tomorrow, I might even watch some morning NRL on Premier Sports! I know, I know, decadent isn't it 😉

After our holiday we will have 11 days left in here so we plan to get Lottie spruced up a bit and get a new chimney fitted. Also, we will lay new artificial grass front and back using very generous offcuts from Charlotte's new rear "lawn". So it's not "stuff the planet" at all, is it? Using electricity already paid for and artificial lawn that would've been skipped were still (pale) green I think 😇

Kendal

As we have the car here we decided to have a day out and visit somewhere we've never been. First impressions of Kendal were not great due to the constant stream of traffic.

Things improved greatly, though, when we found the pedestrianised bit.

We really liked the place and found that the numerous "yards" added lots of interest.

These yards are really alleys leading to a variety of different open spaces. Some have quaint houses hidden away but still in the heart of the town.

Many of the rest just contain small businesses but some (our favourites!) contain pubs like Smokies Bar

Just £1.50 a pint and free cheese biccies! Happy days!

Nose to tail at Burscough

It's pretty busy with boats here at Burscough, where we've been since leaving Gathurst on Sunday.

Can you see the mill and chimney in the background? Well, we were moored all the way back there initially. We moved up to the services on Monday and managed afterwards to reverse into this spot just a couple of boat lengths back, opposite the free car park (yes, Wigan Council, FREE car park!). It's a very handy spot with great connectivity and access to all amenities, albeit far from our more rural preference.

Remember last year and my post about the Pennywort that was clogging up the canal around here? Well, the C&RT have done a great job of cutting it back - it has totally disappeared, so credit where it's due. In fact, speaking of cutting, they recently came and cut the grass alone the towpath. It must be done, of course, but the result is this.

Lottie, covered in grass and with filthy, dusty windows. The woman on the boat right in front of us shot out to brush up only for the guys to return with a leaf blower and blow it all back again!

With our trip to France coming up in two weeks we had decided to put Lottie back in Scarisbrick Marina just to be safe. We have booked a four week slot and are due in there next Friday. Ooh, the luxury! All the lights on, immersion heated water, washing machine turned back up to forty degrees C and daytime TV if we wish - we really are spoiling ourselves 😉

It's not all good though. I've had another look at our wood burner and we have a definite problem. Something has collapsed from the flue onto the baffle plate above the firebox and its jammed solid. We have a specialist coming to take a look later and I'm bracing myself for a new chimney as a minimum, possibly a new wood burner too. The current one is a Morso and they retail around £800! I can get a new one for a fraction of that so may ditch the Morso if the repair costs are too much.

The annoying thing is that, if I had the knowledge beforehand, I could have looked after things much better than I have. When we started this life, no one told us anything! We've learned as we went along - fires, engine, stern gear, gearbox, water filtration. I'm an expert now, but it comes at a price! Still, it's a pretty pointless life if you don't accumulate knowledge as you shuffle along.

We have the car here now so will be getting about a bit before we fly away. We are definitely watching Logan in his home game on Sunday. He won his second Opposition Coach MOM last week. He would have had Miners MOM but the coach, rightly, chose someone else. He now has:-

Most Improved Player

Top Tackler (2)

Opposition MOM (2)

MOM (4)

I promised him a superhero replica shirt for every award plus a fiver when he scores (he scored last week, too). At this rate, I'm going to have to go back to work 😉

Finally, I'll finish off with his little brother Wilson. We had him for a while yesterday as we picked the car up and we had our second profound conversation as I took him to the toilet. The first one was a few weeks back wherein I asked him why I had to wipe his bum. He responded in all seriousness that it was because he didn't want to get poo on HIS finger! Yesterday, back in the toilet, he asked me if I had a fat belly because I ate too much food. When I answered in the affirmative he fixed me with a stare and said, "Don't.......eat.......FOOD!" I might have to start work and go on a diet at the same time!

Weather

Someone once said, "there's no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothes." A survival expert also once said, "any idiot can be uncomfortable". Well, yesterday, us two idiots were wearing the wrong clothes as we went for a walk in Elnup Woods.
The length of the grass in places caught us by surprise, so whilst we were dry at the back

we certainly weren't at the front 

We both have waterproof trousers but didn't think we would need them. When will we ever learn? Even if much of the way is easily manageable 

it only takes a few yards of overgrowth to necessitate a full strip down when you get home.

Drip dry!

So, when I woke today to another wet, coldish day I bit the bullet. Out goes my normal attire of t-shirt, short and one and a half pairs of flip flops, in comes shirt, pullover, jeans, thick socks and slippers, i.e. the right clothes. Here, have a laugh at my selfie face!

Nice and warm again!

We were planning another walk today but our boots are still drying out so we'll get the train to Burscough for a Tesco Shop and will see about a walk tomorrow.