Pet Passport

We have a Pet passport that we use every year for EU travel. Our dog Poppy is a seasoned traveller and is now due for her first rabies booster. I thought it might be useful information for anyone else thinking of taking a pet abroad.  So first of all, it's only cats, dogs and ferrets that have to have a EU pet passport and strictly speaking they only apply to travel to and from the rest of the EU.

There are other countries that have accepted the EU pet passports regime. The full up-to-date lists are on the Government's website.
Take your pet to an issuing vet with its existing vaccination and health records. Your pet will need to have already been chipped and then vaccinated against rabies. You must also keep the vaccinations updated

If your pet has any vaccinations or treatment abroad, make sure the vet enters those details into the passport too. This is most likely going to be when treating a dog for tapeworms, which is compulsory when returning to the UK from all countries except Finland, Norway, Ireland or Malta.

It's worth pointing out that all dogs born since April 2016 have to be chipped before they are two months old anyway. So make sure it's right! If something isn't right, your pet could be placed into quarantine when you re-enter the UK, so it's worth double-checking everything.

Accidents Happen

Accidents happen, how many times have you heard that?

Well I think we are all aware of that little epithet. Usually as someone scrapes their hire-boat along your gunwale. Shouting falsehoods like 'Its a Contact Sport' which it will be if I can get my hands on you. I discovered long ago, that accidents start quite early on in life, usually around the time of conception. Though any memories of that event are thankfully vague.

Then there are also other things that we define almost as being 'Laws of Nature' that help us to reconcile the unwanted outcome. Its oft said that 'Toast always falls buttered side down." In other words and if an accident was not enough - the unintended consequences, also add another unwelcome element to the outcome.  Many years ago, I had this conversation with my then young daughter. She enquired "If toast was not buttered on one side did it spin?" We made extra toast and put it to the test. No, it does not spin, we tested the idea several times. Then we buttered one side, it was dropped to the floor and we discovered a new 'Law of Nature." Buttered toast never even hits the floor. As Paddy Murphy our erstwhile dog dashed in, grabbed it in mid air and then dashed off with the research evidence.

Boaters are no different to other people - just occasionally wetter.  But there are those who seem to want to tempt fate. Quite early on in my boating career I was advised to always empty your pockets when going on deck. In the unlikely event that you might slip and fall into the water. Things like electronic car keys, wallets containing pre-plastic notes and mobile phones have a much better chance of survival. Its such and unlikely an event is falling in, isn't it? Two people we know have actually disproved this theory by falling in within the last month. One claimed that it was for the first time in 25 years as a boater. The other has been known to do this previously - despite all the usual protestations.

I few years ago we were moored up in Thrupp on the Oxford canal. Its a popular place for the nearby cafe and to sit and watch the antics of inexperienced hire boaters. particularly when coming under a lift bridge and making a sharp turn at the same time.  There are also small boats available for hire in the same location. A stunningly attractive and well dressed young lady, accompanied by her boyfriend turned up. They decided to hire one of the small boats. The young fellow got into the boat first, without mishap. Sitting on the side, feet into the boat and then slowly transferring his weight into the boat. He then clung onto the side holding the boat into the edge, while his lady friend (she must have missed the briefing) just stepped straight into the boat.

Well to be more accurate - one leg stepped into the boat and the other remained on the side. The gap between side and boat started to widen as did her legs and with a splash, she was in an instant in the water. A couple of us gentlemen boaters (suppressing our laughter) rushed to her aid. Getting her to turn her back to the side, so that we could hold one arm each and with little effort hoist her from the water. It concluded with us, depositing her sitting on the wharf side. Where she should have been in the first place.

She was a good sport, she was quite good humoured about what had happened. She was chuckling away and shaking her head at her own predicament. Her carefully groomed hair now plastered to her face.  She sat quietly for a few seconds  in a small but growing puddle. Then she started to remove things from her pockets - car keys, and a few other things, then came a rather expensive looking mobile phone. The chuckling stopped with the realisation that her most cherished item - like the Norwegian Blue Parrot was now very much deceased and very much dead. A few boaters gathered round and brought towels to help her dry off. But her face now was filled with bitter disappointment for her much loved (and now angelically heading for mobile phone heaven) Smartphone.

But I digress.

Exposing anything electronic to water is just about the worst thing you can do. Certainly the worst thing that could happen to your smartphone is being given an unexpected bath in canal water. Now some mobile-manufacturers have started to construct water resistant phones. I have never found a true definition to 'water resistance' other than a number of metres and for a period in time. Because its only relative to what you are comparing it to and like the toast, its also subject to external circumstances. I treat such claims with a large shovel of salt. 

I am something of a sceptic when it comes to devices and the protection from external elements. I had a wristwatch that was supposed to be Static-proof, Waterproof, Anit-magnetic and Shockproof. All of which are good selling points. However, in my case the watch caught fire. Apparently it was not described in the manufacturers literature as being fireproof.

But I digress again.

I had a trawl of Google the "Internet Know-It-All" and the worlds most popular place to drop a phone into water, is apparently the toilet. Though it did not state whether that was pre or post flush. But it seems that there is now an IPR (Ingress Protection Rating) to give some idea of how waterproof your phone is. IP ratings start at IP11 all the way through to IP69. The first number tells you the protection offered against dust and dirt while the second number indicates its protection from water ingress.

Look, no matter the claims of the manufacturer. Its not a general invitation to take your phone into the sea, bath or shower with you. Its like those cork balls for your keyrings. We all have them and quite often we then ensure that there are sufficient keys attached to sink the ball with ease. So some people apply belts and braces technique and have a key float with two balls attached. However, if one ball is hard enough to accommodate in your pocket, two is practically impossible. Then there are those one-use-self-inflating key rings that are supposed to inflate like a life vest if you drop your keys in the water. Unlike one ball or two, you can't actually test them for working - without testing to destruction.

You could get a waterproof case for your phone, but the case will then add weight and size. No manufacturer so far supplies their phone with self inflating mini life vests or one or more cork balls. Smartphone waterproofing has its limits. Your waterproof seal can wear away and speakers can still sound muffled after everything dries out. Nothing in life is ever guaranteed only death and taxes.

Samuel Langhorne Clements

Samuel Langhorne Clements, is better known by his pen name of Mark Twain. The name taken from the sounding line used when testing the depth of water under a vessels keel. He was an American writer and humorist. Mark Twain wrote the classic American novels 'The Adventures of Tom Sawyer' and 'Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.'

I read them and 'Pudding Head Wilson' several times as a child. I have gone on to read much more as an adult. He honed in his writing a distinctive narrative style, friendly, funny, irreverent, often satirical and always eager to deflate the pretentious. He would certainly be on my bucket list of dinner guests for a convivial evening.

Well known for his one-line-quotes such as: 'I don't like to commit myself about heaven and hell - you see, I have friends in both places.' He was also know for his short pithy comments such as: 'Go to Heaven for the climate. Go to Hell for the company.' He was revered in his lifetime for his political observations such as: 'Suppose you were an idiot, and suppose you were a member of Congress; but I repeat myself.' 

 

Not forgetting a quote that seems so true today: 'The very ink with which history is written is merely fluid prejudice.'

Before turning his attention to writing for various newspapers. He was a boater of sorts and in real life for a time a river boat pilot on the Mississippi. Often his writing would have a waterways influence in it.

Fisher Folk

While we are out cruising we generally slowdown for fishermen. For some reason the well worn fishing spots are also where rubbish on the bank or in the water margins often accumulates. Sweetcorn tins, crisp packets, soft drink bottles and beer cans. About three or four times a year we go out on well advertised canal clean ups and litter picking. By some coincidence we never ever get any fishermen joining us for a litter clean up. 

Summer Cruise 2017 Report ❷⓿

Summer Cruise 2017 Report

Our short but sweet summer cruise to Liverpool proved to be quite entertaining in more ways than one. It was our first organised trip which made a significant change to our usual canal and river cruising style. 

Working a group of boats through locks rather than just our own was one major  change. Normally if bad weather comes about, we usually moor up and sit it out. Whereas in a group and working to a schedule meant at times boating into the rain.

Would we do it again - yes, but with a couple of changes. Not working to a schedule other than a point of arrival time and date would be one. Departing earlier to have more time to enjoy the journey and no fixed arrival back time. The real enjoyment came from the leisure time barbecues when sharing food drink and the usual conviviality.

Cruise Total:
319.2  Miles:
152     Locks:
40       Swing / Lift Bridges:
22       Tunnels: 
145.2  Engine Hours

Elapsed Days:
24    Days Total:
19     Moving Days: 
16.8 Average Miles Per Day:
2.1   Miles Per Lock:

Accumulated Total:
Miles: 3019 .5
Locks: 1888
Swing / Lift Bridges: 402
Tunnels: 82
Pump Outs: 28
Engine Hours: 3955.9

 

Summer Cruise 2017 ❶❾

Summer Cruise 2017 (19)

Now Subtitled: "The Magnificent Two go to Liverpool" Nb Rose of Arden team up with various boats to enjoy a summer cruise along the inland waterways.
 
Plardiwick Bridge 36 to Hawne Basin

Date:  13/08/2017

Overnight the weather cold and odd short showers. By moring it was a uniform grey sky but no rain.

Morning:  Early start from Plardiwick Bridge 36 at Gnossall and we just chugged along heading for Cowley Tunnel and eventually to Autherley Junction stop lock. Intended to get some diesel at Wheaton Aston - but closed on a Sunday!  At Autherley Junction we topped up the diesel tank. 99p a litre ouch! Kerching! At the next boat yard along it was only 69p a litre.
 
Afternoon:  The sun was quite hot by lunch time. Which coincided with the start of a 3 hour climb up the Wolverhampton 21 flight of locks. We we had done the first 14 when help arrived in the shape of - John off Kalkara and Paul off Our Little Nightmare. Everyone paused at the top for a meal provided by Janet and Rose before setting off again, through Wolverhampton Tunnel.

Evening:  As the late afternoon light started to fall, it was a steady chug through weeds and debris through to Coseley Tunnel, Once through the Factory Locks (Which Bones had set in our favour) it was down onto the Birmingham mainline. To Dudley Port Junction, then turning first right and then through Netherton Tunnel and turning onto the Dudley number two at Windmill End. Next was Gosty Hill Tunnel and it was getting quite dark as we arrived at the basin.

Wildlife:  Rat, Grey Squirrel and Rabbit.

Birds: House Sparrow, Tree Sparrow, Dunnock, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Rook, Jackdaw, Starling, Blackbird, Mallard, Mute Swan, Pied Wagtail, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Robin, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coot, Moorhen, Cormorant, Grey Lag Goose, Canadian Goose, Kingfisher, Grey Heron, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Kestrel, Buzzard, Thrush, Herring Gull, Greater Black Backed Gull, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Black Headed Gull, Common Tern, Swallow, House Martin, Swift, Pheasant and Jay.

Butterflies: Meadow Brown, Common White, Small White, Comma, Tortoiseshell and Red Admiral.

Bats: Pipistrelle, Daubentons,

Damselfly: Common Blue Damselfly,

Dragonflies: Four Spot Chaser.

Today's Total:
Miles: 27.9
Locks: 26
Swing / Lift Bridges: 0
Tunnels: 5
Pump Outs: 0
Engine Hours: 13.6

Accumulated Total:  
Miles: 3019 .5
Locks: 1888
Swing / Lift Bridges: 402
Tunnels: 82
Pump Outs: 27
Engine Hours: 3955.9

Summer Cruise 2017 ❶❽

Summer Cruise 2017 (18)

Now Subtitled: "The Magnificent Two go to Liverpool" Nb Rose of Arden team up with various boats to enjoy a summer cruise along the inland waterways.

Nannys Bridge 8 to Plardiwick Bridge No 36

Date:  12/08/2017

Overnight the weather was cold and overcast - it was the same in the morning.

Morning:  pulled the pins at 8:00 and headed off down the Shropshire Union Canal (Middlewich Branch). To the first two locks. Not much on the move, so quickly passed through. Fun and games at the entrance of the Llangollen Canal and Shropshire Union Main Line. Hire boats and boat owners at loggerheads about who was next in the lock. So we were at the Junction of the Birmingham and Liverpool Junction Canal - Main Line and the Chester Canal.

Afternoon: Audlem flight of 16 locks there was little moving on the flight and the first six locks were in our favour. Next it was Market Drayton and the Adderley Locks before cruising on to the Tyrley Locks.  

Evening:  We had never done much night cruising - and then only by accident.  However, we followed a boat that was proceeding at tickover and refusing to move out of the way for about an hour and a half. When the boat paused to ask another boater some question - we squeezed by. So we now pushed on in the gathering gloom to Norbury Wharf stopping later at Plardiwick Bridge for the night.

Wildlife:  Grey Squirrel.

Birds: House Sparrow, Tree Sparrow, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Rook, Jackdaw, Starling, Blackbird, Mallard, Mute Swan, Pied Wagtail, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Robin, Long Tailed Tit, Coot, Moorhen, Cormorant, Canadian Goose, Kingfisher, Grey Heron, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Kestrel, Buzzard, Greater Black Backed Gull, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Black Headed Gull, Swallow, House Martin, Swift and Pheasant.

Butterflies: Meadow Brown, Small White Tortoiseshell and Red Admiral.

Bats: Pipistrelle, Daubentons,

Dragonflies: Ruddy Darter, Four Spot Chaser.

Today's Total:
Miles: 31.7
Locks: 29
Swing / Lift Bridges: 0
Tunnels: 0
Pump Outs: 0
Engine Hours: 14.5

Accumulated Total:  
Miles: 2991.6
Locks: 1862
Swing / Lift Bridges: 402
Tunnels: 77
Pump Outs: 27
Engine Hours: 3942.3

Summer Cruise 2017 ❶❼

Summer Cruise 2017 (17)

Now Subtitled: "The Magnificent Two go to Liverpool" Nb Rose of Arden team up with various boats to enjoy a summer cruise along the inland waterways.
 
Lymm Bridge 23 to Bridge 8 Middlewich Branch

Date:  10/08/2017

Overnight the weather cold and windy with occasional light showers. By morning it was grey and gloomy.

Morning:  Cast off at 8am and headed through Lymm. Quite a good run before the locks. Not many boats on the move and frequent boats moored out on their own requiring us to slow down. Met up with Shane and Wendy to find out that their boat had broken down in Preston Brook Tunnel.

Afternoon:  By the early afternoon we were approaching the Middlewich branch. It was persistently raining when we met up with a chirpy smiling hire boater asking which way to go for the sunshine. Turned out to be Billy Brag

Evening:  The rain started to get a bit heavier and so we moored up a bit sooner than intended.


Wildlife:  Grey Squirrel and Rabbit.

Birds: House Sparrow, Tree Sparrow, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Rook, Jackdaw, Starling, Blackbird, Mallard, Mute Swan, Goldfinch, Robin, Blue Tit, Long Tailed Tit, Coot, Moorhen, Cormorant, Canadian Goose, Kingfisher, Grey Heron, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Kestrel, Lapwing, Buzzard, Herring Gull, Greater Black Backed Gull, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Black Headed Gull, Swallow, House Martin, Swift, Jay the highlight being a  flock of about 200 Lapwing.

Butterflies: Small White.

Dragonflies: Four Spot Chaser.




Today's Total:
Miles: 34.6
Locks: 7
Swing / Lift Bridges: 0
Tunnels: 3
Pump Outs: 0
Engine Hours: 12.1

Accumulated Total:  
Miles: 2959.9
Locks: 1833
Swing / Lift Bridges: 402
Tunnels: 77
Pump Outs: 27
Engine Hours: 3927.8

Summer Cruise 2017 ❶❻

Summer Cruise 2017 (16)

Now Subtitled: "The Magnificent Two go to Liverpool" Nb Rose of Arden team up with various boats to enjoy a summer cruise along the inland waterways.
 
Parbold Bridge 37D to Lymm Bridge 23.

Date:  10/08/2017

Overnight the weather was  overcast and cold. By morning the overcast was breaking up and there was some patches of blue.

Morning:  8:00 we pulled pins and headed off for the locks. We were accompanied by Nb Fenland Breeze. Everything went to plan hopping between various swing bridges and locks. Taking it in turns to set them up. By lunchtime we were in Wigan and at the Eli Meadow lock (89) close to the stadium. I had just entered the lock and was waiting for the other boat to join me. Soon the cry went up - man overboard - or in this case woman overboard!

Somehow The lady helming Fenland Breeze had caught a rope on her leg and it dragged her overboard. I backed the boat out of the lock. She was clinging to the centre line. I asked if she could swim. The answer was Yes. So I urged her to swim for the bank to get her away from the boat and any risk from the propeller. A couple of strong men on the bank had her lifted out in no time. I reversed up to her boat and roped it onto mine and drew it over to the bank. Time for hot shower and a change of clothes. Though she did observe that the water was warm. No injuries to note and though the adrenaline had by now kicked in. A cup of sweet tea and a chance to relax put everything right.


Afternoon:  We turned onto the Bridgewater canal and it took almost an hour to clear the first two locks. They are hard to open and take a long time to find a level. Then it was head for Plank Land swing bridge before the rush hour shutdown.  After that it was a steady plod on in the nice warm sunshine.  There were few boats on the move.

Evening:  At 8pm we moored up in Lymm by bridge 23.


Wildlife:  Hare and Rat

Birds: House Sparrow, Tree Sparrow, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Rook, Jackdaw, Starling, Blackbird, Mallard, Mute Swan, Pied Wagtail,  Robin, Great Tit, Coot, Moorhen, Cormorant, Canadian Goose, Kingfisher, Grey Heron, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Kestrel, Buzzard, Herring Gull, Greater Black Backed Gull, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Black Headed Gull, Common Tern, Arctic Tern, Sedge Warbler, Swallow, House Martin, Swift and Pheasant.

Butterflies: Meadow Brown, Common White, Small White, Comma, Tortoiseshell, Peacock and Red Admiral.

Damselfly: Banded Damselfly, Common Blue Damselfly,

Dragonflies: Emperor, Ruddy Darter, Four Spot Chaser.

Today's Total:
Miles: 36.4
Locks: 8
Swing / Lift Bridges: 4
Tunnels: 0
Pump Outs: 0
Engine Hours: 12.1

Accumulated Total:  
Miles: 2959.9
Locks: 1833
Swing / Lift Bridges: 402
Tunnels: 77
Pump Outs: 27
Engine Hours: 3915.7

Summer Cruise 2017 ❶❺

Summer Cruise 2017 (15)

Now Subtitled: "The Magnificent Two go to Liverpool" Nb Rose of Arden team up with various boats to enjoy a summer cruise along the inland waterways.

 
Salthouse Dock Liverpool to Parbold Bridge 37D


Date:  09/08/2017

Overnight the weather  was cold and overcast with a few light showers. By morning the overcast was broken with a bit of blue sky way off in the distance.

Morning:  We prepared for our departure at 07:30. Topping up water tanks and stowing things away in cupboards. We were at Man Island lock at 07:50 to be met by lock keeper Sid and his crew. We paired up with Nb Milly crewed by Jane and Willem. Three tunnels (St Nicholas Tunnel, Cunard Tunnel and Museum Tunnel) and what is known as "Sid's Ditch" then up the flight. By 09:30 we were exiting the top lock. We headed for Litherland swing bridge and the first trip down the weed hatch.


Afternoon:  At 12 noon  pm which was our appointed time we started for Swing bridge 6 which is operated by CaRT. there were 7 boats in the convoy. Periodically at various swing bridges the convoy would loose a participant. Usually because one was being tardy in keeping up and people waiting to cross the bridge were grumbling. Soon their was a nucleolus of four boats. Nb Milly, Nb Remembrance, Rose of Arden and Nb Fenland Breeze. Late afternoon we were entertained by a cyclist who rode off the towpath and into the cut. His cycling partner was in hysterics and we were finding it hard to keep a straight face. He climbed out - then went back in to recover his bike.

Evening: By 7:30pm the last two in the convoy had, had enough so we moored up at Parbold Bridge 37D.  Food, weed hatch, shower and beer in that order. By 8:30pm we were treated to an amazing sunset.

Wildlife:  Rat and Rabbit!

Birds: House Sparrow, Tree Sparrow, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Rook, Jackdaw, Starling, Blackbird, Mallard, Mute Swan, Goldfinch, Coot, Moorhen, Cormorant, Canadian Goose, Kingfisher, Grey Heron, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Buzzard, Greater Black Backed Gull, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Black Headed Gull, Common Tern, Arctic Tern, Sedge Warbler, Swallow, House Martin and Swift.

Butterflies: Meadow Brown, Common White, Small White, Tortoiseshell, Peacock and Red Admiral.

Damselfly: Banded Damselfly and Common Blue Damselfly,

Dragonflies: Emperor, Ruddy Darter and Four Spot Chaser.

Today's Total:

Miles: 28.8
Locks: 6
Swing / Lift Bridges: 16
Tunnels: 3
Pump Outs: 0
Engine Hours: 14.0


Accumulated Total:  

Miles: 2923.5
Locks: 1825
Swing / Lift Bridges: 398
Tunnels: 77
Pump Outs: 27
Engine Hours: 3903.6

Summer Cruise 2017 ❶❹

Summer Cruise 2017 (14)

 
Salthouse Dock Liverpool
 

Date:  3-8/08/2017
 

The weather in Liverpool has been quite changeable from rain, wind and sometimes hot sunshine - I suppose its a typical British summer. Memories of Liverpool will always be of the sunshine. While we are attending a wedding function it was however, time to catch up some outstanding maintenance tasks that need to be carried out.

1) Maintenance of the solar panel system. This required remounting of the panels and re-cabling the system to the controller and then into the battery bank.

2) The leisure battery bank finally gave up the ghost and I found some Exide RE550 115ah at a good price. Which were delivered right to the boat. Changing over the batteries should be a straightforward task. However its a tight engine hole and a confined space in which to work.

3) Now we have given the paintwork a good clean and a bit of a shine. Plus the usual touch up of any knocks, scrapes and chips. While there is a myth that boating is a contact sport the reality is, boating is not a sport its a way of life. So don't knock it.

4) An oil and filter change is due and I have some of the materials to hand. However the boat is OK for another 30 engine hours.

Summer Cruise 2017 ❶❸

Summer Cruise 2017 (13)

Subtitled: "The Magnificent Six go to Liverpool" As Nb Kalkara, Nb Alchemy, Nb My little Nightmare, Nb SWJKSDL and Nb Heavy Metal (BellOil) Nb Rose of Arden team up to enjoy a summer cruise along the inland waterways.

 
Litherland Swing Bridge to Salthouse Dock


Date:  03/08/2017

Overnight the weather  was cold and windy. By morning the wind was still building and we were battered by a heavy downpour at first light.

Morning:  We prepared for our departure at 10:30. Topping up water tanks. Nb Diligent Too joined us at the top lock. After having their boats ropes cut in the night.  Patrick and his partner were people we had met previously and along with Nb October were part of a trio of boats who shared an entertaining trip along the south Oxford canal and onto the Thames three years previously.


Afternoon:  At 1:30 pm which was our appointed time we started down the lock flight into the Liverpool docks. The wind was making it difficult to thread our way through the pounds. At the 3rd lock the wind direction changed altogether as it was being funnelled through a large railway arch.  Three tunnels (St Nicholas Tunnel, Cunard Tunnel and Museum Tunnel) and what is known as "Sid's Ditch" and we were ready to enter the maze of docks and passages.

The trip through the dock complex was aided by 'Sid' of Sid's ditch fame. Sid is a friendly member of the waterways team. Like the typical 'Scouser' Sid kept us entertained with a running commentary. On what was and what used to be.  The wind was blowing a gale and it required the boats to be powered forcefully through the system. We were soon moored up in our berth by 3pm.


Evening: Time to relax after our 13 day trip. Soon everyone was sat around in a large group. Sharing our experiences of the trip from Hawne Basin to Salthouse Dock.

Wildlife:  Rat!

Birds: House Sparrow, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Rook, Blackbird, Mallard, Mute Swan, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Moorhen, Cormorant, Canadian Goose, Grey Heron, Wood Pigeon, Greater Black Backed Gull, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Black Headed Gull, Swallow, House Martin and Swift.
Butterflies: Common White and Red Admiral.

Today's Total:

Miles: 5.4
Locks: 6
Swing / Lift Bridges: 0
Tunnels: 3
Pump Outs: 0
Engine Hours: 4.5


Accumulated Total:  

Miles: 2894.7
Locks: 1819
Swing / Lift Bridges: 382
Tunnels: 74
Pump Outs: 27
Engine Hours: 3889.6

Summer Cruise 2017 ❶❷

Summer Cruise 2017 (12)

Subtitled: "The Magnificent Six go to Liverpool" As Nb Kalkara, Nb Alchemy, Nb My little Nightmare, Nb SWJKSDL, Heavy Metal (BellOil) and Nb Rose of Arden team up to enjoy a summer cruise along the inland waterways.

 
Holmes Swing Bridge to Litherland Visitor Moorings

Date:  01/08/2017

Overnight the weather was overcast, cold and windy much as it has been for the last few days.

Morning:  Just as we were about to leave Holmes Swing Bridge round the bend came Tony on Nb Heavy Metal (BellOil). He has just caught up with us after leaving Hawne Basin 3 days and 4 hours before! Which is a distance of 154 miles. Including 10 Swing bridges and 70 Locks. Cosmic, bloody cosmic!

Afternoon:  By early afternoon we had reached our intended destination at Litherland. It proved to be quite a relaxing day with just the odd light shower.

Evening:  A shared barbecue with good boating friends was had by all. 

Wildlife: Badger.

Birds:House Sparrow, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Rook, Blackbird, Mallard, Mute Swan, Robin, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long Tailed Tit, Coot, Moorhen, Cormorant, Canadian Geese, Grey Heron, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Kestrel, Herring Gull, Greater Black Backed Gull, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Black Headed Gull, Common Tern,Swallow, House Martin, Swift and Muscovy Duck. 

Butterflies: Meadow Brown, Common White, Small White and Red Admiral.

Bats: Pipistrelle, Daubentons,

Damselfly: Common Blue Damselfly, 

Dragonflies: Four Spot Chaser.

Today's Total:

Miles: 6.0
Locks: 0
Swing / Lift Bridges: 3
Tunnels: 0
Pump Outs: 0
Engine Hours: 5.1

Accumulated Total:  

Miles: 2889.3
Locks: 1813
Swing / Lift Bridges: 382
Tunnels: 71
Pump Outs: 27
Engine Hours: 3885.1