Unsatisfactory response.

This morning we have received a reply from the Staffordshire County Council regarding buses no longer stopping at Great Haywood Marina on the bridge over the canal. Well I’m afraid that they seem to be completely overlooking the safety of pedestrians, merely concerned about the possibility of road accidents.

Needless to say I have replied pointing out 2 very simple remedies that would satisfy everybody's needs and concern’s. Banging my head on a brick wall? Probably, but you have to stand up and be counted and have your say.

A further response has now been received and my emails are being passed onto another authority (Area Highways) Apparently what I suggested  comes under this authority not that of Transport. Ah well perhaps we might get somewhere after all.

Slowly improving.

0 locks, 0.85 Miles. Now moored at Great Haywood Junction.

First and foremost we would like to thank all those lovely people who have sent Dot Get Well messages, there are too many to thank personally but you know who you all are. Dot’s condition has improved to the point where she is now able to eat and drink a little, but the side effects are that she is left drowsy and light headed which will hopefully wear off as she improves.

Well with the week-end nearly upon us we decided it would be wise to go to Anglo Welsh today for diesel, water and pump out as the week ends are not a good time to call when they are very busy with their hire fleet. It was a wise decision because upon arrival we found ourselves 3rd in the queue and there has been a steady stream of boats calling in ever since.  We finally got to meet Carol and George on Nb Rock ‘n’ Roll who we have only met fleetingly in the past.  Great to meet you both finally and hope you enjoy the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, we did.

George and Carol on n/b Rock 'n' Roll with Derek.

Carol with us outside their boat Rock ‘n’ Roll, courtesy of George the photographer.  I have included this one so that our friends in New Zealand can see that Dot is here too.  The comments were that all the photos are of myself and not Dot, that’s what happens to photographers.

Now a message for the Towpath Telegraph. Since our arrival we have found out that some bright spark in the council health and safety has deemed that the buses stopping to pick up and drop off on the bridge over the canal is dangerous and the buses are no longer permitted to stop here. If you want to catch the bus into Stafford you now have to walk up into the village via the railway underpass where there is no footpath for several hundred yards and run the gauntlet with the oncoming traffic. Now what is more dangerous I ask you! Needless to say I saw red at this and have sent off emails to the council and Arriva buses, as of yet no response. Even resident boaters in the Great Haywood marina are up in arms over the situation.

2214 locks, 4249.07 miles, 91 tunnels, 130 swing bridges and 58 lift bridges since Nov 2006

A day to forget.

Today was a day that Dot wouldn’t want to repeat very often. She suffers from Trigeminal Neuralgia, which if you don’t know what this is look it up on Google and it will scare the pants off you. Well it has been in remission for the past 3 years but over the last few months has been rearing it’s ugly head again and finally yesterday gave her hell all day and half the night.

Only one thing for it but to call an ambulance this morning as she had been unable to eat or drink for 36 hours. We were whisked off to Stafford hospital which has been receiving a lot of bad press lately. We found the A&E staff very helpful and despite a sign indicating a 2 hour wait we were in the system being processed within an hour. This medical condition is a rare one and not many in the medical profession are aware of it but low and behold the Eastern European doctor who attended Dot knew exactly what it was. He soon had Dot stabilised with a strong pain killer injection and a saline drip as she was dehydrated.

After a few tests to preclude any possible misdiagnosis we were given a prescription and letter of referral to our own doctor and were on our way back to the boat within 4 hours. Pretty good for the NHS.

Back at the boat it was nice to meet up with Mike and Denise on Nb Densie who we cruised with in the London area and have crossed path’s several times over the last couple of years.

Hopefully Dot will get a good night’s sleep on her new stronger tablets and be bright eyed and bushy tailed in the morning. Apparently the tablets supplied back in 2005 in NZ were much stronger than the prescription she received in the UK in 2007 hence the fact they had become ineffective.

Your place or mine?

1 Lock, 2.66 miles. Now moored at Tixall Wide.

Our overnight moorings didn’t work out too bad with only 1 train headed by a noisy diesel engine going past early this morning. The canal wasn’t particularly wide at this point and there was a lot of passing boats so we decided it might be wise to move on before we got sideswiped by 1 of the many hire boats.

Swimming pool and changing shed behind the fence. Nice if you can get it.

The obvious choice to head for was Tixall Wide, but knowing how popular this place is, would there be any moorings? Well luck was on our side and we got a very pleasant mooring and since our arrival we have now been joined by at least 10 other boats which extend around the bend out of sight.

Tixall lock with the beautifully kept lock cottage.

As it was a fine afternoon I took the opportunity to service the engine and have a clean up in the engine hole which has been neglected over winter.

The resident Swan (cob) has been to see us several times for a feed of pellets but his mate has kept her distance. The cob has built a huge nest pile opposite our mooring but his mate doesn’t appear interested. She seems to have built a small nest about 100 yards away and has been hanging around there. They were both swimming around when we arrived but she has settled down on her nest for the night. The cob however had an afternoon siesta on his nest but is now back on the water cruising up and down the moored boats looking for an easy meal.

2214 locks, 4248.22 miles, 91 tunnels, 130 swing bridges and 58 lift bridges since Nov 2006

Creeping closer to Great Haywood

6 Locks, 6.96 Miles. Now moored nr bridge 102.

We had done our dash at Penkridge on the 5 day moorings so it was time to move on. Today’s weather didn’t turn out to be the fine day that was forecast but we only had a few light showers.

Very nice canal side property on the Staffs & Worcs Canal at Park Gate Lock near Penkridge.

Sunday, might have known it, Fishermen!  Why do they all think the fish are on the opposite side of the canal?

There were plenty of the expected hire boats on the move, some having travelled quite long distance’s. Moorings along this stretch of the Staffs & Worcs Canal are scarce as we found out on several occasions getting stuck in the mud while still several feet out from the towpath. Seeing one boat moored just past bridge 102 we thought we would try again which proved successful. It is close to the railway line so we will see how it goes overnight. If it proves too noisy we will move again tomorrow down to Tixall Wide which should be quieter providing the moorings are not full.

Conservatory dining rooms at "The Moat House", Acton Russell.  Look at all those lovely Daffs.

Want a pot anyone? Quant little gardening trolley.

2213 locks, 4245.56 miles, 91 tunnels, 130 swing bridges and 58 lift bridges since Nov 2006

It Pays to Complain

While on our travels around the BCN we travelled over the Walsall Canal which was not an enthralling experience. At the end of the day I emailed BW to pass on my thoughts and details of problems incurred.

Yesterday, probably not the best day (April Fools Day) to respond but we received the following from BW West Midlands.

“Thank you for contacting British Waterways, West Midlands Office.

I have spoken to the supervisor for the area and he has informed me of the following.

The Walsall Canal is plagued by fly tipping, we have a rubbish removal boat that cleans the canal every 6 weeks and removes large quantities of rubbish each time.  Unfortunately, as this canal is classed as “remainder canal” we only have a small amount of money that we can use for its maintenance unlike the rest of the canal network which is given higher priority and a bigger budget.

We are doing all that we can to maintain the canal with the money we have and we also have volunteers at the moment who are assisting with the maintenance and clearing up.

If any extra funding is available in the future then we will be able to do extra works in the area.

The supervisor will take note of your comments and do all we can to make improvements.”

So there you have it, straight from the horse’s mouth so to speak.

Penkridge Market.

The weather wasn’t as bad as what is being experienced in Scotland or Ireland but it was very cold. Walking into the cold prevailing wind and light rain was stinging our faces as we headed into town to check out the market.

The market, partly open and partly under cover was still well patronised despite the weather. Even part of the farmers market section was in use selling live chickens, turkeys and ducks which gave it a real rural atmosphere with the roosters trying to out crow each other. We had to feel sorry for the open air stall holders  trying to keep warm in the freezing cold conditions.

The takeaway van was doing a roaring trade in jacket potato’s and steaming hot coffee but we opted to head back to the boat for lunch. We didn’t come away empty handed as I bought 2 casual tops and a cardigan to go with the trouser’s I picked up from the hospice shop yesterday. The latter were brand new with the original docket on them for £19, I got a bargain and only paid £4.