I didn't post on Monday, when you are travelling back along a canal there is sometimes not much to say or photograph, but here's a brief catch-up.
Sunday early evening we did go to The Hollybush Inn at
Denfold, canal-side and just around the corner from our mooring it was a lovely
little pub, just the type I enjoy, no TV on show, no fruit machines just a log
fire, good beer, friendly staff and obviously a dog friendly pub, the food was
very reasonably priced, £8.25 for Sunday roast, it was average quality but the
portion size was more than adequate, overall I would be more than happy to use
it again. We left around 7pm as I wanted to watch the F1 on TV otherwise I may
have been tempted to stay a bit longer!
Monday we did the return leg to Endon, stopping at the
services to fill and empty before moving on to the towpath mooring we had used
on the downward leg, not much to report on the cruise, it all went smoothly, up
the three Hazlehurst Locks (12-10) taking us back up to the summit and past the
junction with the Leek Arm again, just a couple of snaps.
The Stockton Brook flight of five locks (9-5) was soon upon
us, dropping us down 41’ 11”, care was needed due to the slippery surfaces and wet leaves, an early slip while stepping onto a lock landing for me was a timely reminder, we past this old Victorian Pumping station now
looking rather unloved and sad.
Two lift bridges which after a bit of discussion we
negotiated in the leap frog fashion we had used previously, Rod had considered
dealing with the manual one solo (he has not been through one solo yet) to test
out the method but knowing there was a boat following he opted to leave it for
another time.
There’s a farm of sorts by the second lift bridge and a chap
was ‘walking’ four sheep along the grassy canal edge with the hillside behind
him, well it saves mowing it!
The last lock of the day Engine lock (4) is 12’ 1” deep and
takes a while to fill and empty, Rod went through first and moved on to the
same mooring we had used on the way down, by the time I had turned the lock for
myself the boat behind had caught up, so I had a bit of help and the lady crew
member closed the bottom gates for me, a nice end to a nice leisurely cruise,
not bad for Late October!.
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| Engine lock, needs a bit of attention to the leaking gate and there was a C&RT surveyor looking at it as we went through. |
Current mooring:
Lift bridges look so simple on the internet to non boaters. It's the time it takes that is my main concern if I am keeping others from their travels.
ReplyDeleteI often obtain a helping hand to close the top lock gate when going uphill, but only if I can see it closed properly from my boat as I move away. I can always moor up and do it myself if not successful.
Lift bridges look dangerous enough without involving others!