May 2022
Late April actually, and we leave Aston Marina where Nick, Sandra and crew have looked after us really well for the last couple of years,
Late April actually, and we leave Aston Marina where Nick, Sandra and crew have looked after us really well for the last couple of years,
Our last few days cruising in 2021, we joined the Staffs and Worcester Canal at Autherley Junction
Back onboard Chrissie again, collected her from Longport Wharf after servicing and a few jobs. On our way now to Llangollen, using these canals, Trent and Mersey to Middlewhich, Shropshire Union Middlewhich branch to Barbridge Junction, a brief section South on the Shroppie before joining the Llangollen Canal. And then a return trip using the Shroppie South to Autherley Junction, Staffs and Worcs Canal to Great Haywood Junction, Trent and Mersey back to Aston Marina.
Chrissie is on dry land in Stoke Boats for some well deserved TLC, blacking, antifreeze change, top plank painting, stern colours repainted, fitting a “bubble tester” in the gas line for regular checking of any small gas leaks etc.
Mid September and on our way to Longport from Aston Marina Stone by train to collect Chrissie.
Decided to stay in the Marina and visit friends locally.
But we’ve been very busy getting Chrissie ship-shape after 2 winters of neglect.
Due to the pandemic we have been away from our Narrowboat for at least 18 months, including 2 winters.
Unsurprisingly
We have talked many times over the winter about where we might go on Chrissie this year, and it all depends on the pandemic.
Ideas such as
Looking back over a few of our Narrowboat cruises I came accross this that happened to us, It may brighten your day in these awkward times.
Due to Covid-19 and the first lockdown in March, then all the restrictions we haven’t managed to cruise at all this year.
Before the second lockdown started on 5th Nov we spent 2 nighs aboard Chrissie in Aston Marina where she’d been since late March, to prepare her for this winter all alone.
Despite being untouched
…with no secure long term mooring (an insurance requirement).
So at the last minute we secured another Marina mooring at Aston Marina in Stone. Only 13 miles and 4 locks away, so we hastily travelled to Stafford and moved her to Aston, where she is now.
We’ve now heard (25/06/2020) and with easing of restrictions, that we are allowed to visit and stay overnight on the boat and cruise if we want to, yipee.
Before the pandemic…..
Fradley Junction again, but we arrived quite late in the day and mooring was at a premium. The only spaces were turn right down a lock, but we wanted to go Left, eventually. So I turned L at the junction…….
56 miles and another 17 locks. Not a bad ratio of locks to miles though. This completes the Leicester Ring, and we head back towards
27 miles and 23 locks, 3 tunnels, Husbands Bosworth 1166 yards, Crick Tunnel 1528 yards and Braunston Tunnel much longer at 2042 yards.
Familiar territory now. It takes……
Only 18 miles but 24 locks and 1 800 yard tunnel, but 4 overnight stops to break it up. Still heading South but once through Blue Bank Lock the route swings South East towards Foxton Locks and Junction but we go straight on to……
Contact details.
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