The end of this year’s boating season came unexpectedly early. There were a number of uncertainties in November, including when Bryn would be able to join us. It has become something of a standing joke that when he does the weather turns poor. This time we spent most of his visit under grey clouds. The second morning brought us more visibility, The Cloud was no longer in the cloud, though the air was still very damp.
After we’d confirmed our timings with Bryn, I had seen an update from Canal and River Trust (CRT) to their winter works programme. They were now going to close a pair of locks for several weeks to repair leaks. The locks are on the only route we have available to our planned winter mooring. I checked the distances and timings carefully and concluded that we could still get through in time, but we would have to keep moving, and we would arrive before we had originally expected.
The Macclesfield Canal has all its locks in one flight which we had gone through on Bryn’s first full day. To keep to our new timings we’d have to drive the rest of the canal in one day. We’ve been on this canal a few times now, and surprisingly often found ourselves in something of a hurry. During the day I got word of an appointment in Edinburgh for a scan the following week – that was earlier than I’d expected too, but the main excitement of the day was seeing some blue sky.
The following day we worked our way down the locks on the Trent and Mersey Canal known as Heartbreak Hill. The locks are just close enough together that getting back on the boat seems a luxury, but far enough apart that it can feel like a long walk. We’re all happy to walk, and a willing third crew member takes the heartbreak out of the experience. We’d gone as far as we needed by lunch time, but travelled a little further after lunch hoping for – and finding – a suitable establishment for an evening meal.
The next morning we went through the rest of the locks to Middlewich. During this section we had a repeat of worrying behaviour of the diesel engine. It starts from cold very reliably, and we’ve had no problem getting the batteries fully charged. If we then have more travelling to do, we’ll drive on electric for a while. Later, to charge the batteries, we run on diesel again. Several times the engine has failed to start at this point. It feels a bit like a flat battery, but I’m pretty sure it isn’t that. So far, trying again half an hour or so later, the engine has just started as normal.
I had a scheduled online chat with former colleagues that afternoon. We seemed to have a good network connection where we were, so stayed put for that.
The Middlewich Branch is a beautiful and peaceful canal with a number of very high quality mooring spots with uninterrupted views over the surrounding countryside. We didn’t do it justice, stopping only briefly for lunch before turning on to the Shropshire Union Canal. We carried on until we reached the staircase locks which CRT were closing a few days later. Although we had a full day in hand, it seemed wise to go through this pair of locks, just in case. There was an impressive leak in the middle gates, probably caused by boats rubbing at those points when only one gate is opened. This is not on the list of intended works for these locks, perhaps it matters little if the other gates seal well.
We moored up before the next lock. We were not now against a CRT imposed deadline, but had booked ourselves transport back to Edinburgh. On Sunday morning, we drove (all-electric) the last few miles and locks to the Tattenhall Marina. We found our mooring and had time to start preparing the boat to be left for the winter.
On Monday, we were ready earlier than I’d expected, so we got the earlier bus to Chester, giving us a bit more time to get lunch and do some sight-seeing. Our trains were on time, so the journey went very smoothly.
During the evening in Edinburgh I realised that the heating was not working – though we did seem to have hot water. I woke annoyingly early thinking about the problem. It dawned on me that the problem was likely to be the house thermostat. After some experimenting I confirmed that I could get the heating to come on if I bypassed it.
I hadn’t expected to get my bike out so soon after our return, but it was a pleasant morning for a bike ride to a DIY superstore (other DIY superstores are available) to purchase a replacement. It would have been nice if it had the same connections, but sadly it did not. However, it was on the wall and working correctly long before lunch time.
Yesterday I had my appointment for my CT scans. I’d chosen the time for my ‘flu and COVID jabs so that I could cycle to those on the way to the scan. I was a little early, but went in anyway and was seen almost immediately. Last time, I was told to wait ten minutes before leaving, but this time they said there was no need. So even after dawdling, I was at my scan appointment 15 minutes early. I’d barely sat down when I was called through.
On previous occasions I’ve been given a litre of water with some magic ingredient to drink in the hour before the scan. A change of protocol over the summer has dispensed with that. So my scans were complete by the time my appointment came around. I cycled back and was home again unexpectedly early.