A Long Day - 19th July 2019

Friday 19^th July 2019

Aqueduct Marina to Shady Oak, Beeston

9 miles, 8 locks

Just before I start today I have a postscript to add from yesterday.  Sue, Monty and I went for an evening stroll to find the Weaver Aqueduct.  On the way we found a fellow boater cooking pork steaks (they smelt very good) surrounded by the most fabulous floral display from their roof.

 We found the aqueduct, however a good view of the River Weaver is hard to come by – it is no wonder we missed it when travelling along on the boat

So, to today – where to start – I could say it was wet, but that would have been a massive understatement.  There is not nothing much more dispiriting than to wake to the sound of rain hammering down on the roof when you know you cannot roll over and hide.

First things first – get ourselves prepared – it takes so much longer than you think it will.  Collect together the waterproof trousers, jackets, hats, buff (Chris), gaiters & boots (Jennie) and a coat for Monty.  Then you have to fight your way into it all.  Booted and spurred we were on our way shortly after 09:30.  For the most part the camera stayed safely on board.  Just a couple of shots which say it all really.  I think Ken must have been laughing somewhat hysterically!

Monty was fighting a losing battle trying to lick himself dry!

By the time we were in the first of the staircase locks at Bunbury (13:15) there was a brief reprieve from the wet stuff

On past a long line of Anglo Welsh boats being made ready for the next set of holiday makers

And just for Irene and Ian – Merlin is at her home base and looking good

The day just seemed to go on and on.  We were looking for somewhere to moor, but we were in an internet desert.  Most days we could manage without, but our plans post Chester had been to head south down the Shropshire Union to Autherley Junction, where we would have turned left onto the Staffs & Worcs and headed north again.  However this morning a notice from C&RT popped into our in-boxes with the information that the lock at Wheaton Aston will be closed from 31^st July to 7^th August.  We were due to go through it on 3^rd August!  Too many days to make up to get there in time and there are time constraints the other side that means we cannot wait, so nothing else for it but some major re-planning.  For Ken this involved a marina stop, an engine service and a hire car booking, so internet was going to be essential. By the time we got to Stone Lock it was getting on for 14:30.  

It was decided we would stop below the lock for a swift lunch break – the weather was not conducive to eating on the run.

First we had to get through the lock with a hire boat ahead of us and another to come up it took a while.  Monty is usually more than happy to cross these bridges, but he was having none of it here – I guess it was because there is a slight arch rather than being completely flat, but who knows what goes through a Border Collie’s mind?!

There were rings below this lock, so a swift mooring was achieved and we were all inside when the heavens opened again but this time accompanied by thunder.  We untied and set off again after about 20 minutes once the rain had stopped having consumed a swift sandwich.

What we did not know was that there was another cloudburst to follow just as we were trying to negotiate the next lock – Beeston Iron Lock.  Despite being a lock designed for two boats it can only take one at a time now as the sides have bent in over the years and two boats would end up wedged.  We made it through and caught up with Sue and Ken at the next lock – Wharton’s where we could once again pair up.  Fun and games as you leave that lock and have to contend with the torrent of water from the by-wash as you emerge.

Four very wet and bedraggled humans and one very soggy dog were immensely grateful to find working internet near The Shady Oak pub below Beeston Castle.  No one was going to be able to enjoy much of a view today!  We just hunkered down with wet clothes dripping everywhere hoping against hope that most would be dry enough to wear the next day.  It was an early night for us after a rather trying day.