It was with heavy heart that at 8.30am FS was set free from her final mooring to travel up to Langley Mill. Our summer cruise has come to an end and although we may venture out sometime after Christmas, a lot depends on the weather, winter stoppages and more importantly, Covid restrictions. So with Ian in the car lock wheeling, Jenn deciding to walk almost to Langley, it was left to Jim and me to take Dire Straits and FS up the 8 miles and 11 locks.
Reeds and weed, still a big problem and one I can't see being rectified unless a weed cutter can be brought in.
I may have mentioned this before but several locks have low bridges on the approach. Not only that but due to the arch profile boats trying to enter the lock together, well it would be disastrous. Judging by the damaged brickwork I expect the reverse has happened by boaters trying to leave together!
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Hallem fields. |
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| Potters |
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| Shipley |
At Barkers lock gosh there was a big problem with the top gates. The water is pee'ing from beneath the cill. Another email will be sent to C&RT with photo. Looking at the winter stoppages this is not one of the locks due for an outage. It was also here where the Christmas tree was seen. Almost fully submerged it was a good job Ian saw it rise to the surface.
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| Barkers lock |
What a surprise to see C&RT at Shipley lock. Me thinks they are fighting a losing battle trying to remove the weed with a keb. Far more practical would be to "Get a proper weed cutter"!
Weather hadn't been brilliant today. Sun and showers. Quite a bit of rain this morning, not so much this afternoon. I was okay with the trusty brolly but Jenn not only got drenched on the walk but also with the blowback spray from opening a ground paddle. π
6 hours it took to reach Langley Mill. We did stop for a coffee break at Gallows for 20 minutes though. Noticed that all the moorings were all taken. Good job we have our own mooring. Jim and Jenn are due to go back into the basin but with dark clouds on the horizon, decided to put that off for another day.
So that's it for now. If we decide to take the Beast out for a week or more later on rest assured, you will all be the first to know.ππ
A few more photos of the journey
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| Another dive into the weed hatch. This time plastic bags was the culprit. |
This amazed me. 4 adults all together with their cygnets. Normally battle commences when two adult pairs meet.
8 comments:
Ahhh, I shall miss reading your travelogue and seeing all your beautiful pics too.
Have a nice restful break before venturing forth again.
We hired a motorhome and went up to Scotland doing the North Coast 500, the weather wasn't great, but we enjoyed it.
Have you motorhomed up north?
Bye for now, take care of yourselves, Ann Makemson xx
Thank you, Ann. Not a break we wanted just yet but needs must as they say. We, too, have travelled the 500, great fun and enjoyed it immensely. Xx
I too will miss your posts. Have a peaceful winter and stay safe. Here's hoping for a better 2021, but I am not holding my breath! Jennie xx
Thanks, Jennie. Hope for you to the rest of the year will be stress-free. Roll on Spring 2021 when hopefully we can all escape again. Xx
Lovely meeting you both today....wax my boat next time ? Kindest regards
Keep posting. We all need some sanity.
Your blog is so enjoyable
Best wishes
Sally
Thank you, Sally, I do miss not blogging but unless something exciting happens here at Langley, it's best I don't bore everyone with our mundane lives at the moment.
Halycon...Oh dear, if you gave me your name I'm sorry but the mind has gone blank. It was lovely to meet you too although not sure about waxing another boat. About killed me off doing ours (:
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