2014 Voyage begins - at last! Erewash Canal to Shardlow (2.35miles, 3 locks)

Our brief wait at Trent Lock on the Erewash Canal at Long Eaton (Nottinghamshire) ended up being a long week, after rain raised the River Trent water levels dramatically.
The following pictures show yesterday's little voyage.

Approaching Sawley locks on the River Trent

All week, we have been busy transforming the bare shell interior of the butty into a basic workshop, shop area and store with the additional 19feet we have gained through the recent stretch.

Gracefully steering along Sawley cut (sorry about picture quality)

As we have the car back now from the garage, we have been able to get the bits and pieces needed for the rest of the work and also were in the right place to have all the wood delivered.

Trent and Mersey Canal straight on!

So, yesterday, the water levels went down into the amber, enough for us to decide to move. Richard had spent most of the morning flushing and coaxing large branches and rubbish out from the exit of the lock and onto the river Trent, with not much success and it swirled around and came back in before we could set off!

Approaching Derwent Mouth lock in the sunshine

We filled up with water, emptied the cassettes, took the rubbish to the bin and set the lock up to go down onto the river.  Leaving the Erewash Canal, there was a tense moment as Richard struggled with the steering with all the rubbish tangled around the propellor.  He had got rid of it before leaving the next lock and normal steering was resumed.

Waiting to leave Derwent Mouth lock

I had leapfrogged the car to Sawley and met Richard at Sawley lock, ready with the gates open.  The blood pressure was up as I had run with Lister from the car park, but got there with loads of time to spare.  

The boys relax after a good charge around on the towpath

The intention had been to just get off the river and be within a walk to the car, so we had moored at Shardlow just above the Derwent Mouth lock.
Today, Richard finished the counter and shelving woodwork inside, we now have to wait for the sheets (side cloths) to be ready for collection.....

Butty Stretching - Part 4

Less than a fortnight ago, we arrived at Sheet Stores Basin to get our butty stretched to an overall 60 feet in length from around 40, and our motor boat reblacked.

All finished and ready to leave the basin this afternoon

So earlier in the week, once the team had finished all the work on the butty, we could begin all the painting works necessary.

A huge area has been created by adding 19feet to the butty

Paul kindly let us have access to the butty in the workshop, which was great, so that we could undercoat/prime the steel, bitumen the external steel sides and then 'red oxide' coat the interior.

Primer going on in various different colours as we had run out of grey!

View of my feet because I had painted all the floor area and had nowhere to go!

The finished interior with Richard hiding behind the ladder!

I have to say that Paul and his team have done a first class job of Echoes and we wouldn't hesitate to get them to do other work we may need doing in the future.  We are already thinking about alterations to the cabin on Echoes for next year if things go to plan!

Out of the workshop and ready for a relaunch, complete with a name!

Luckily, Paul had some tarpaulin which he had no use for allowing us to use it to temporarily cover over the centre stretched section to keep it dry until the new covers arrive later in the month.

Successfully relaunched and dry as a bone inside to my relief!

For more photos, PJ Barber have a Facebook page where they have documented the build PJ Barber Boatbuilder Ltd. Please 'Like' their page to get updates on future projects.

So today, we set off to Trent Lock (about 3/4 mile!) to wait for the river Trent to drop and enable our 2014 voyage to begin.......

Butty Stretching - Part 3

We have had a busy week at Sheet Stores on the Erewash Canal.

The boys keep everyone under close surveillance in the sunshine

'Echoes' - the butty, is almost complete, having been chopped in half and a section of 19 feet added to bring the overall length to around 60 feet.

The stern - including Boatman's Cabin, safe behind the closed door!

The first day in the workshop, the butty was carefully positioned with the floor plate lined up.  It was then welded into place.  We couldn't believe how quickly Paul and his team got on with the job!

The bow containing everything else which wouldn't fit in the Boatman's Cabin!

The following 2 days, bit by bit the sides and finally the bow of Echoes, were attached to the floor plate and all at once we had a recognisable boat.

Comfortably Numb ready for it's turn in the beauty parlour!

Meanwhile, Richard and Paul pulled the big boat out for some much needed attention.  The blacking is meant to be done every 2 years really, but we had left both boats for nearly 3.  Some radical attention was needed, considering the miles and locks which we cover in the season!

First a really good pressure wash fetches all the sludge and loose paintwork off

After leaving the bodywork to dry, the first coat of hull blacking goes on

We managed to get 3 coats on the hull to prepare it for another 2 years in the water.  Also, we sanded and reglossed the gunwhale (level part of the side below the green cabin sides) and the band above the blacked hull.  The tunnel bands had a sand and repaint to spruce them up.

Nearly structurally complete, Echoes is really starting to look good!

Yesterday, the rudder on the big boat had some radical improvements done after finding that the post holding it was slightly bent! This was taken off, straightened and new bearings put in the top of the rudder.
We always have to be careful steering along shallow sections of canal, because we pick up large amounts of rubbish. due to a completely unnecessary drop (2 inch piece of steel!) on the underside of the skeg holding the rudder.  This was cut off and the arm holding the rudder reattached creating a more streamline underside.  No more dredging hopefully!
More pictures to follow in the next part ......

Butty Stretching - Part 2

I hope everyone had a serene and harmonious start to the New Year and that this will bode well for the future.  Sorry my nauseating optimism again, drives my husband mad sometimes!

Short trip down to the Erewash Canal on the River Trent

I have to say that I personally have not really enjoyed my time these last 2 months in a marina, so when Richard said let's go, I jumped up first!

The Trent Lock pub at Trent Lock, the entrance to the Erewash Canal and Cranfleet Cut

The weather was forecast to behave on Richard's first day off (New Year's Eve) and then get crappyly windy again, so we sorted and stowed a few items in the butty and set off down through Sawley Cut lock onto the Trent.

Nice to see people out and about feeding the swans and ducks

Making fast progress down the river, we soon arrived at the Erewash entrance.  The river was pushing a bit and this made the boats swing round rather quickly, ready to come in the entry to the lock landing.  Richard apologised as he thought we would hit the wall, but once he gave the old Lister another turn on the flywheel, we raced accurately under the bridge with the lock straight ahead.

Clearing twigs and debris off the rudder before attempting to steer in a straight line

A boat was sitting in the lock as we pulled into the side, waiting for us, we thought.  I jumped off into a couple of inches of flood water (amber boards) and went to see what was occuring. Apparently they were newbies.  I was a bit concerned as they gently exited the lock area onto a running River Trent and turned left to go down river.  Later, as we both cleared trees and rubbish from the lock and behind the gates, I turned and saw the same boat slowly going upstream.  I hoped they were ok and got to Sawley alright!

Wonderful Mississippi paddle steamer style houseboat, as I like to think of them

The Canal and River Trust must, more frequently, attend to the state of locks on our fascinating 200 year old system as it is falling into disrepair before our very eyes.  Trent Lock has both ground paddles out of action, which surely has to be a Health and Safety issue, especially when novices use the system.  It is also choked full of allsorts so we couldn't get the gates open and had to ram into the tree across the middle to get in.  What is more important, a new cycle track or safety/ upkeep of the system with the booming tourist trade on the canals in mind?    Just please take a look at these wonderful monuments once in a while and love our heritage as we boaters and canal users of all persuasions do.
Ok, I'm being naive as usual. Rant over, but seriously, I could cry sometimes!

The butty turning ready to come out of the water

Not realising that the yard were ready for us, we moored on pins just past the lock approach and settled down for the evening.  As if he were anticipating this, Paul called up and suggested now was the right time to get us securely moored in the basin, before the storm the next day.  The people in the boat opposite must have thought they were watching a Carry On film, as we jumped out, pulled the pins out and finished our short journey into Sheet Stores basin.

Sitting pretty, Echoes basks in her newly cleaned elegance (but with a lot of electrolysis concerningly!)

New Year's day, we walked Lister in the rain and wind to get the car from Sawley, but somehow it didn't bother us.  It is so great to get out for a walk together and with a dog (sorry Scoob) and not be on my own as I have been for most of the past 2 months.  Today, the butty was dragged out of the water, pressure washed and now resides in the workshop ready for some major surgery.
Back to work for Richard for a couple more days, ready to get the big boat out of the water when he gets back!

Happy Christmas and a wonderful New Year!

We would just like to say happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year to everyone who has followed us this year.  We have had a wonderful time attending the festivals on our route this year and intend to do the same in the spring.

The New Year brings the butty stretching and much fun in designing a new shop and workshop area.  I will be following the transformation from first 'cut' to complete 19 feet extension in the next instalment!

Thank you for all your support over the past year and come and say 'hello' if you see us on the towpath.

Best regards and seasons greetings

Ruth and Richard
x

Butty Stretching - Part 1

Today, we took the boats down to Sheet Stores to get Paul to have a proper look at the job.

Leaving the marina mooring

The weather was perfect and the Trent for once was behaving.

Looking back at the walkway over to the marina

Richard had breasted the boats together, for the penultimate time, thank goodness as it steers like an aeroplane wing.

Down to the locks to drop down onto the river - power station in full flow

Looking back to the railway bridge and the locks - with squinty eyes...

The river wasn't pushing much, so we glided gently with the flow and after a few minutes reached the entrance of the Erewash Canal.

Erewash Canal entrance

Woah, Richard had to hard reverse as the entrance is more than 90 degrees and the aeroplane wing is on the inside.  It was a push but he got it in without scratching anything!

Getting Richard to do the work for a change lol

I normally do the gates, but this time I brought the boats in, as the anti-vandal mechanism worked a treat on me!

Dragging a large tarpaulin out of the canal above the lock - wouldn't want that round the prop!

Such a good boater, taking it to the bin

Interesting porch arrangement!

Clearing the prop was a nightmare leaving the lock to travel along the short stretch to Sheet Stores.

One of many wonderful houseboats along the lower Erewash Canal

As the steering was rubbish, the canal and houseboats got closer to the edges of our boats.  It was so close at times, especially one houseboat which had a bay window.  But close doesn't count, we didn't hit anything!

The entrance to Sheet Stores, off set from the canal just like Trent lock below.

Getting into the entry was interesting, as we had to go past and then back into and under the bridge.
The 'appropriately moored for the challenge' widebeam just past this entry made life even more tense as the angle increased to reverse in.

Up on the trailer ready for scrutiny, my butty....

Paul greeted us as we tied up under the bridge and separated the boats.  Next, we walked the butty around to the trailer waiting in the water.  After a couple of attempts at dragging it out, the butty decided to play ball and dropped centrally on the trailer, and off she went up the ramp.

So, now we wait until New Year for D Day.  The steel is ordered and we are back in the marina unscathed.   We are so excited about it.  the butty will be 19feet longer matching the length of Comfortably Numb and therefore easier to breast up, bigger shop/storage area and cheaper trading license!

As we think it all is going well, notification form the garage that the car's ecu has gone and so we have to arrange the final demise of our wonderful Renault Scenic.......bu$$er

Welcome to our brand new website!

At last I managed to pluck up the effort to create a proper website to support our butty shop.

www.chamberlaincarryingco.co.uk

Christmassy horseshoe ready to dangle over your door

I am trying to populate it as fast as I can with things for sale and portfolio/ gallery pictures as well as updating the diary for next year's cruising.

Orders and product enquiries
As you probably know from my display in my butty during the summer months, I do have a wide range of products for sale.  If there is something you would like a price on or to check availability, please use the Contact Us page on the website.
Also, if I am given enough notice, I would be delighted to take orders and give feedback on the item's progress for completion.  When it is ready, I will issue an invoice including relevant Post and Packing.

Shipping - postage and packaging charges
There are 3 flat rates of postage/packaging, so many items can be put in the same basket for just one charge.

• For thin packages ie. less than 2.5cm thick up to 500g - £3.10pp
• Wider than 2.5cm. signed for but less than 1kg - £4.20pp
• Collect+ - tracked courier service up to 2kg in weight for £5.89.  Very reliable trustworthy company.

Please have a good look around and copy the link to your friends.  Thank you very much and don't forget, any enquiries or comments, please use the Contact Us page on the website.

I look forward to hearing from you!  Thank you for your support  Ruth

Post 100! Whittington to Sawley (32 miles, 18 locks)

So this is my 100th post since I started blogging a couple of years ago!

Small milk churn I completed for Sawley Marina the other week - it's in their window!

Martin and I had left Whittington weeks before and arrived at Fradley unscathed, ready to meet Richard with the car.  During that time we had found out that Martin had got his posh engineering job near Oxford, so dutifuly we had celebrated with a HUGE takeaway chinese from Lichfield.

Martin with Lister 'on his knee' and asleep - he forgets he has back legs!

Leapfrogging the car became something of a bore for me, as I wanted to be back in the boats helping.  Richard had booked a day off and started to move the boats with Martin down through the locks at Fradley.

Coming through into Alrewas village, I walked ahead to prepare the next lock down onto the river section.

Parking the car at Alrewas, I walked half way back to Fradley in time to meet the boats as they had completed Common Lock, so I was too late, but at least we knew we were all ok.

A miserable day, hence the hi vis - but the river was behaving after all the rain - for the minute!

The heavens opened, as we bid our farewells at Alrewas lock.  I watched as the boats sailed into a lovely storm and guiltily jumped back into my heated car to meet them next at Barton Turns, about 3 miles away.

The boys relaxing - Lister with his nose wedged against the metal door frame.... they have also swapped beds

I joined the crew and we carried on through Burton on Trent to moor overnight at Willington. Richard had arranged to meet his brother Ian there for a lift back to Barton to fetch the car, for work the next day.

Stenson Lock - me on my own to do the boats - I hate that lock it's so deep!

Martin and I did the next section of canal on our own again, a little more confident, but knowing there were some horrible deep locks in our path!  Stenson was first, and I let a couple of boats go past before I had enough courage to get it done!  The big boat went in and then I dropped the cross-straps one by one to swing the butty in.  And it went in a dream, (better than Richard!) and we dropped down the lock slowly and cautiously.

Safely out of the lock we composed ourselves!

Separating the boats coming out of the lock, I cross-strapped again and aimed for the towpath to pick Martin up.  Unfortunately, I had forgotten that damn bywash (we had had a lot of rain and it was running well) and ended up in the trees.  Martin managed to vault across to get on the stern of the butty and I floored it to regain the correct line for the boats.

I love this sign - makes me chuckle everytime we come past!

I had decided by this time that we would call it a day and moor before the next big lock at Swakestone - what a chicken!  Richard met us there with the car for another day off the next day.

Nearing Sawley cut and thank fully the river was still in the 'green'

Richard was pushing to get the boats safely to Sawley where we had booked moorings, before the river came right up, as it did only the next day!  I had leapfrogged the car again to Shardlow, helped them through the Clockhouse lock and then met them at Sawley.

Floyd aficionados will understand the irony in the proximity of the blue boat!  In good company.

So here we are, probably for the winter, depending on Richard's work.  Next on the list, finish creating my new website and then ......   stretching the butty.  Now that will be an adventure.......