Wiggins Hill Bridge - Birmingham and Fazeley Canal

I was going to use this cruise to catch up with this blog but I cannot find the notes.  The boat is 57ft long and 6ft 10ins wide.  Where it has gone is anyone's guess.  So here goes.  I will try and catch up when I find them.

 The mist was all around as we left the Basin at 0645 and there was a cruel wind.  Farmers Locks were all for us but as I crossed the first lock gate to do the paddle on the other side my knees complained so after that we only did one gate paddle

The sun did try to come out, but not very successfully.

We had vlockie help with several locks going down the Aston flight but the fun began at Milnworth top lock.  Firstly I got off the boat at the front but my windlass was on the back, so David threw onto the towpath for me.  It bounced onto the towpath and bounced again and then bounced straight into the canal.  We tied up, got out the magnet and fished it out.

The locks were for us (great), but top lock gate was jammed and I could not open it without help (bad).  David had to moor up the boat and come and help me budge the gate open.  Then getting the boat into the lock proved a problem - it tried to go in sideways, bouncing from side.

Finally, after 6 1/2 hours we moored up here, just outside Milnworth and before the pub .  Lovely and tranquill, Spring is springing, the bluebells are out and I got my first lungful of the beautiful scent of mayflowers.  Also I've had a couple of hours sleep!

So, starting off 3 different cards using the same photograph.  This time it's Cambrian Wharf

The first one is just a plain photograph matted onto silver card and then onto the white card blank.

For the second one I cut it into lots of rectangles and then put it together using sticky dimensional pads, raising it up in the centre so it has a sort of 3D effect.

And for the 3rd one, I did the same thing, except the rectangles and arranged the other way around.

Wheelock - Trent & Mersey Canal

Still coming down the Cheshire Locks (Heartbreak Hill).  Today we got as far as Wheelock.  This time doing 14 locks in 3 1/2 miles and taking 3 hours.  I feel like a rag doll.  I was promised a pub lunch but it never materialsed (again!)

Still, the weather has been good to us and this is the beautiful sunrise this morning.

I love this picture, it was taken outside the Bishop of York's palace on the River Ouse just outside York.

The moorhen is sat on her nest inside a tyre fender.  This time I used the picture I matted it onto silver, black, pink and then more black card before adding it to a pink card base.

The sentiment I made using a computer and matted that also onto pink and black card.

Rode Heath, Trent & Mersey Canal

The ferns growing on the lock wall were all spread out and looked like stars, very pretty.

We were up and off by 6.30 and then waited 1/2 hr for the tunnel to open at 0800, we were in it by 5 mins past and out again by 40 mins past.  Coming down Heartbreak Hill we met a nasty single hander who complained when I tried to help him and then started shouting and swearing at me, then he had a go at David when he came to my defence.  We just let him get on with it in the end and left him to it. Meanwhile there was a queue of boats waiting to come down.

Today we did 6 miles and 12 locks in 3 3/4 hrs - no wonder they call it Heartbreak Hill.  

Saw a kingfisher today, a very rare sight 

One of my waterways themed cards.  On this one I matted the photograph onto holographic silver card and light blue card.  I created a banner to go behind with patterned paper and plain blue card and added a 3D butterfly to finish it off.

Barlaston - Trent and Mersey Canal

 We left around 0454!! David couldn't sleep.  So we were in Stone by 0645.  I left David filling the water tank and walked to  Morrisons for milk, bread and a paper etc.  By the time I got back he was in Star lock and beginning to fill it.

One or two of the locks were a bit iffy.  I decided not to try and walk across this one.





 I always love going past this back garden.

We were moored up at Barlaston 0945 and then had a great lunch at The Plumes





All the locks on the T&M have a little bridge over the bottom lock which makes it easy to get around the locks, unfortunately when the gates are open they close off the bridge and you have to clamber over the lock beam.

They are pretty though, and this card was made using a picture of one.  The picture was matted onto white and green card and fixed to a white card blank then several colourful butterflies were added as decoration.

Theale, Kennet and Avon Canal

 Don't they know the towpath is unsuitable for horses?  AND!  Why do horse owners not have to clear up their horses shit like dog owners?

Off at 0545, but we had to wait at Aldermaston for the bridge to open so took on water and then stopped for a last DIY pump out at Tyle Mill.

When we were going into Padworth lock a young swan swam in, I tried to shoe it away, but it insisted.  It was a bit confused as the water went down, looking for a way out.  As I opened the bottom gate it shot out like a bullet.

By 12 o'clock we were moored up in Theale and then had dinner in the Fox and Hounds down the road.


 Thought I had better do a waterways card of the K&A.  A boat leaving Aldermaston Lock.  The photo is matted onto metallic card, white card and blue card.  The back panel was embossed using an embossing folder and blue dotty ribbon wrapped around it.  The whole thing was then stuck to a blue card blank.

Theal, Kennet and Avon Canal

OK, explain this one.  How do I half fill the lock if  I can't open the gate paddles?

Left Reading at 0645, had no trouble at Fobney Lock.

Met this at near the Running Man and Burgfield, not "Moored Like a Twat", just stopping off to pick up locks from the towpath.

The first test was would there be room on the visitor moorings at Theal?  There was!  So we were moored up by 1015.

Six big locks and 1 swing bridge and I was in bed for a snooze soon after lunch.

The boat horse that pulls the trip boat from Kintbury to Hungerford.  I have used the picture several times, this time I printed out a small glossy photo and a washed out larger one.

I matted the larger one onto red and silver card and wrapped black and white checked ribbon around it and tied it in a knot.  I added photo corners to the panel which was then stuck onto a red card blank.  The smaller picture was also matted onto red and silver card and added to the bottom right hand corner.

Oxford, Oxford Canal

Ah!  the tranquil canal.  Only the A34, another major road and the railway just behind.  Blissful!

The last drag into Oxford today.  Lots of static boats, 4 locks and 3 lift bridges.   The hawthorn was just blossoming by the locks and the smell was delicious.There were only 2 boats on the city moorings and one of those left just after we arrived, so we virtually had the place to ourselves.

I have made several cards using this picture of a coote on her nest in a liferaft.  This one I matted onto silver, green and pink card.

I took a piece of floral paper and rubbed the edges with green ink and fixed it to a white card blank and then added some embossed green card on top.  Then added the photograph.

Bridge 147 - Oxford Canal

 A really early start - 0545!  Noticed someone complaining on Facebook that people go past her boat very early in the morning.  Whoops!  Does she know she is missing the best part of the day?

Everything was going well until we got to the middle of Claydon locks and we were met by a CRT worker.  The pound between locks 20 and 21 was empty.  We had to wait for an hour for the water to be replaced.

Then it was on through Cropredy where we took on water and got rid of the rubbish and it was on to Banbury, stopping off for a pumpout at Sovereign Wharf (they are only open on Fridays, so we were lucky!).

A quick shop in Banbury (I have not been too well for the last couple of days and couldn't manage the town, in fact I never even got it to the front door of the mall!).  The it was on to a piece of piling between two open lift bridges.  And it was still only 1pm!!!

Two pretty boats on a pretty card.  I matted the photo onto silver, blue and red card and fixed it to a green card blank.  Then a topper of dandelions and a ladybird was added.

Audlum, Shropshire Union Canal

Sunrise on the Shroppie.  The start of a beautiful day.

We were in Audlum for 1115 and had the side hatch open all through the day.  I put my cards out for sale, but no one was particularly interested.

In the evening we went for dinner in the Lord Combermere pub in the centre of Audlum with old friends Jackie and Chris on Rainbow.  We had not seen them for several years, so it was great to catch up with them.  The meal was very good too.

One of the moorers in Gas Street likes to send friends cards with his boat on, it gets to be quite difficult to find something different to make.  This time I cut the picture into 3 rectangles and then backed each one with white card, matting them up onto the front of a red  card blank.  The sentiments were made on the computer and a butterfly was added for definition.

Eastonhall Lane Bridge 34 - North Oxford Canal

A beautiful sunrise.

There were so many boats moored on the GU/Oxford bit of the that we seemed to be on tickover all the way.

A left turn at Braunston took us onto the North Oxford canal, which was slightly quieter.  The plan was to stop at Hilmorton.  I told David I wanted to have lunch at the Greyhound at Hawkesbury Junction and he suggested we asked the kids and grandkids to lunch too.  "When will we be there?"  "Day after tomorrow".  "OK!"  So he phoned them up and asked them to come tomorrow! 

So off we went to get within cruising distance tomorrow......

One of my Waterways cards.  The photograph is matted onto silver, yellow and red card.

Three banners were cut from silver, green and poppy  flowered card and stuck onto a white card blank.  The photograph was then stuck over that and a butterfly  added to the bottom left hand corner.

Gas Street Basin, BCN

 A full moon at 0530 when we set off.  We arrived at the Aston bottom lock at 0745 and were finished at the top lock by 0930.  Then, on the the bottom of Farmer's lock at 0945 and found the pound full this time.  We got to the top at 1115 and were safely on the moorings by 1130 with the electic on and the washing machine going. 

A lovely short trip out, beautiful weather and great to be out on the cut again.

Now for a special Christmas card.  Marigold's new back doors on a birthday card!!!  Lucky Kim.

I matted the photo onto some silver glittered paper and then onto a white, square card blank.

Inside I matted a square of white card onto silver glitter card, then patterned paper and more glitter card.  I printed out the sentiment on the computer and matted that onto more patterned paper and spelt out Kim with peel-off letters.  Finally I added the Christmas roses.

Hunters Bridge 7, Shropshire Union

We were moored up under the Bridge pub by 0930, on moorings with a large ledge under the water.  Too deep for the fenders to work and too wide for the "wheel" fenders to be of any use and a long way from the bank.  So every time a boat went past or we walked along the boat we got a bump and getting on and off the boat (with short fat legs) was a chore. But we didn't intend spending the night there.

Caroline arrived with Ethan at lunchtime and it was another pub lunch.  Lucky me. In the month since we last saw him he has learned to crawl and got 3 teeth! 

The village was a picture in the sunshine and I fell in love with this building.  Almost makes me want to move on land if I could have a place like this.

After the guests left we moved on to here where we are within a stone's throw of the Wolverhampton 21 tomorrow.

An atmospheric picture of the lock onto the River Douglas at Tarleton.  The colours really matched the paper which I tore into shape and stuck onto the left hand side of a white card blank.

The picture was then matted onto white card, edged with deckle scissors and then matted onto lilac and gold card.  A photo corner was fixed to the top right and corner and a photo hinge to the bottom left hand corner.

I have fond memories of the Lancaster Canal.  We must do it again some time.

Bridgewater Marina, Boothstown, Bridgewater Canal

 Languishing in the marina.

The washing machine went non stop all day.

Tomorrow someone is coming to look at the electrics.

I walked into Boothstown to look for some shops and found an Italian, an Indian and a Chinese restaurant, a cafe, a hardware store, a dry cleaners and a Sainsburys.  It was a longish walk up hill though - at least I got to carry the heavy shopping downhill!

This picture was matted onto silver and light green card.

Some yellow card was embossed using the Cuttlebug and I smudged the edges with green ink, then wrapped some green ribbon around it and tied it in a knot.

A small daisy was stuck to the bottom right hand corner and the whole panel was fixed onto a green card blank.

Bridgewater Marina, Boothstown, Bridgewater Canal

After a slightly noisy start to the night - the boat behind started running the engine at 8.30pm and there was loud music coming from somewhere, we had a good night's sleep.  We were up and away by 0745 and off to Worlsley.

The entrance to the Barton Swing Bridge.  I see Peel Holdings have abandoned the bridge keepers, cottages.

The view west, from the bridge showing the road bridge and the M6 road bridge in the distance.

 A lighthouse to guide you on your way...

We moored up at a very busy Worsley waterfront.  The Sale Boat Club were out in force.  And at 1130 we were invaded by family.  11 of us sat down to a disappointing lunch in the Bridgewater Hotel and then David took some of them on a quick cruise along the canal (making them walk back!)



We said goodbye to the family and went on to the marina at Boothstown and purchased a couple of nights with electricity, and asked for someone to check out the electrics as something is not quite right.  The washing machine has been going mad ever since.

More waterways cards.  This picture I matted onto silver, green and red card. 

Then I used an edge trimmer to make a card ribbon and wrapped some green ribbon around the centre of it and then added the green gems.

Trafford Centre, Bridgewater Canal

Castlesfields can be a bit noisy, so we decided to move off to the Trafford Centre, stopping for water on the way.

David loves this fountain.  It is soo tacky and not weathering very well.

We have spent most of the day hanging onto the furniture and fittings on the boat as the local boaters go speeding by.  I know the Bridgewater is deep and there is not so much pull on the moored boats, but there is a limit.

Idle women.  Matted onto silver and blue card.

I decorated two edges of the patterned paper with a border punch and used some ink to wipe along the two straight edges.

White lace ribbon was wrapped around the paper and the panel was stuck it onto a blue card blank.

To finish off I added a blue butterfly and three glass gems.

Castlefields, Bridgewater Canal

Today we took the tram to Bury Market.  David said it wasn't as big as he remembered it, but it seemed big enough for me.

I stayed on the tram on the way back and went on to the Lowry Centre (now called Media City UK).  More bad news, the two craft shops that were there last time (3 years ago) had gone too.

I was on a roll with these canal themed cards.  This one was matted onto silver, red, dark and light green card.

I made another red "ribbon" using a border punch and wrapped some red gingham ribbon around it.

I finished it off with a glass gem and a red butterfly.

Castlefields, Bridgewater Canal

David set off at 0645 (I stayed in bed for a bit longer).  As we approached we were passed by two boats, so, hopefully, there would be room.

Past the Old Trafford stadium.  David did his obeisances. 

There were two boats on the water point and one more waiting, so we went straight down the side arm, winded and found a mooring.  It was very busy with boats.  Then it was into Harvey Nicks for lunch.

This photo was matted onto silver, red and blue card.

I only used the paper punch on one side of the red card and covered the centre with some floral paper and wrapped the twine around it, tying it in a knot.

This card has a glass gem in the left hand bottom corner.

Lymme, Bridgewater Canal

We were in Lymme by 0815 and there was a space next to Graham on Hakuna Matata.  We caught up on gossip and then he set off South.

It was a lovely day, so I put the cards out.  And guess what?  I actually sold one!!!!

This time I matted the photo onto gold, red and green card.

Again, I made a paper "ribbon" using a border punch and wrapped some twine around it.

Finished off with a red gem in the bottom right hand corner.

Cliffe Lane Underbridge 18A, Bridgewater Canal

Ducklings!!

I took the bus into Warrington.  Bad news.  The craft shop is closing down.  That's another one gone.

When I got back we set off along the canal to a quieter spot we know, moored on the off side.  Moore is a great mooring, with 3 rings, but it is very close to the road and, consequently very noisy.

More boats.  This time matted onto silver, red and green card.  The paper "ribbon" was punched out and twine wrapped around it.

Two sets of green gems are stuck to the top corners.

Moore, Bridgewater Canal

Into Preston Brook Tunnel at 0800 and out 15 minutes later.  We got diesel and a £20 pump out at Claymoore, and then into Midland Chandlers for a water pump and a look around.

We moored up outside Moore Post Office at 1030 to await the first lot of visitors at lunch time.

The second set arrived at tea time and we went off to the Red Lion for a meal before it was back to the boat and a couple of bottles of wine.  

Boats in the mist.  Green base card, maroon, silver and white matted photo and maroon punched "ribbon" tied with twine.  Finished off with three green gems.