The Great Escape

The  Great Escape
freedom

Tuesday 28 September 2010

We need locking up!


What a day of locks! Heading up the infamous "Heartbreak Hill", twenty six locks in only 7 miles up from the Cheshire plain towards the Staffordshire border. We made it just over halfway up when we discovered a lovely mooring at a place called Rode Heath and a Marstons pub. Well,it was a no brainer, They do guest beers (this month it's Varsity to mark the start of a new academic year) and two meals for eight quid. There is a quiz night later, but it is unlikely we will still be awake by 9.30. Fresh air does that to you. Only 12 more locks to do tomorrow and then through the Harecastle tunnel. At just under 2 miles, and about 45 minutes to go through, I think it's the longest on the system, although don't quote me.

Monday 27 September 2010

Four Counties ring

We were in the marina doing some touch up painting and varnishing when a sunny day presented itself.... much too nice to be stuck in the marina getting cabin fever. So we cleared up and set off around the aforementioned ring. Headed off down the Staffordshire and Worcestershire canal towards Wolverhampton, hung a right up onto the Shropshire Union, up through Brewood, Market Drayton and Nantwich. Then another right onto the Middlewich arm to take us back to the Trent and Mersey.We are just south of Sandbach, heading south again towards Stoke on Trent. The weather , of course, didn't hold but the scenery has been stunning, the folks met along the way universally pleasant and helpful.
"I wish, I wish,"said  P.C. Bliss, "that life could always be like this!" ( Apologies to a children's book call Motormalgamation) Maybe we will get the painting finished on our return to Great Haywood.....or not. Better to travel than to arrive!

Saturday 11 September 2010

The Voyages of the Great Escape

We have hired narrow boats for many years and in the last two years had shares in The Wild Kitten, moored on the South Oxford canal at Fenny Compton and the Morpheus, moored at Gayton on the Grand Union. Both great boats: we have spent  a total of 16 happy weeks on them since October 2008.....but it just wasn't enough! So when we took early retirement in 2009 we finally took the slightly scary step of buying our  own boat,The Great Escape, currently moored at Great Haywood on the Trent and Mersey in Staffordshire.  We are gradually fitting her out, making her ours, and,after a long period at the brokerage gradually bringing her back to life.  We had a three week run down to Braunston and back in August and loved every minute.... can't wait for our next trip.