Wednesday 3rd August

Left Retford at 830, the sun was shining but not for long. It came and went and it became quite windy.

Met one of the cruisers from Shireoaks below Forest lower mid lock, he had engine trouble but was going the other way.

Stopped for lunch in Worksop outside the Canal Tavern. Decided to check out this pub. It has recently been refurbished and has a new landlord but had not started doing food yet. So, as it was gone 2pm, it was back to Wetherspoons again.

When we got to Shireoaks I drove Kate back to her car at West Stockwith. I then carried on home from there via the route that we had used on Sunday down the east side of the river.

Tuesday 2nd August

Left West Stockwith at 9.

Stopped for lunch at the White Swan, Drakeholes. The beer was good and we were even allowed to eat something other than the carvery.

Carried on to Retford and moored in my usual place on the west side.

Called in on the Rum Runner but they weren't doing food so we went the the Market Hotel. They had 3 interesting beers on, including 2 from the new Bradfield brewery in Sheffield.

Monday 1st August

Went shopping in Waitrose at 8.30 then left Newark at 9.00, and sailed straight in to Nether Lock.

On arrival at Cromwell lock there were two other narrowboats waiting who were both going to West Stockwith. They both went faster than us but we decided that we were going fast enough.

Had lunch on the way. By the time we got to Gainsborough we had an hour to kill so we stopped on the 'secure' pontoon. As soon as we did, two kids, who were already inside the secure gate, descended upon us. We decided to stay with the boat rather than risk leaving it while we went off for a pint.

Another boat turned up to kill time, but when the kids visited them they changed their minds and carried on.

We left at 15.30 and went slowly, as the current was quite strong, to cover the last 4 miles in an hour.

The tide started to come in at about 16.30 just before West Stockwith. This caused a flurry of activity anongst the other 3 boats as they all had to turn round again. All 3 boats managed to sqeeze in the lock together, and we moored against the wall to wait for the second locking, for which we were on our own.

After locking up we filled up with diesel, only 40l, and moored in the basin. Then Ian drove me back to Newark. I then drove to Shireoaks to meet Kate who was early.

Having left my car at Shireoaks we went for a meal in Wetherspoons in Worksop, then drove to West Stockwith.

As the Waterfront Inn was closed we went for a pint in the White Hart.

Sunday 31st July

A cruiser turned up at the lock before 9am and they seemed rather incompetent so I gave Dave a key to go and get the lock ready. The lock keeper turned up while we were going through but let us finish the operation by ourselves.

Moored outside the marina at Farndon and I drove Ian and Dave to Sawley where we had lunch in the Harrington Arms. Daves Moules were overcooked and had to be rejected.

After lunch we went went to Sawley marina where Dave left us. Ian and I shuffled cars to Farndon and Newark.

Moved Jacob from Farndon into Newark in time to get a reasonable moring. Then we did the the major car shuffle to get a car to West Stockwith, over 30 miles away. On the way back we stopped for a pint in Gainsborough.

Saturday 30th July

Left my car at Gunthorpe and Dave drove me back to Sawley, where Ian was waiting for us.

Left Sawley later than planned so had to stop at Beeston for lunch. Found the Jolly Anglers first but they weren't doing food, so we went to the Boat and Horses and had a quick lunch there.

After that we were stuck behind a dutch barge which was going rather slowly until Meadow Lane lock. When we got back onto the Trent we went at full speed to try to get to Gunthorpe, where I had booked a table at Tom Browns for 6.30.

Moored above Gunthorpe lock and got to the restautant just after 7pm. A good meal marred only by Daves dissapointing 'local' cheese board. Afterwards we went to both the other pubs.

Monday 18th July

Cooler and more wind today. Pottered slowly down to the first lock, Aston lock, in the hope that another boat would come along. No such luck, and I had to do all three locks with limited help from oncoming boats.

Jacob Mk 2 was still at Shardlow Heritage Centre. And obviously had somebody on board but no one peered out to look.

Filled with 70l of fuel at Sawley marina and went to ask about a short term mooring. For up to two weeks you can stay on the visitors moorings, at a price, which I paid.

On the way to Long Eaton station I stopped for lunch at the Harrington Arms.

Travelled to Shireoaks via Nottingham and Worksop. Then drove back to Sawley to collect all the dirty washing and have tea before driving home.

Sunday 17th July

As there is only one train on a Sunday that stops at Willington, which is the next station near the canal, Ian left at 9am to catch the first train of the day from Burton.

I stayed until the chandlery opened at 10am when I bought a proper seal for the water filler cap and a bottle screw for the front fender to hold it tight enough to stop it moving sideways. I fitted both of these immediately.

Stopped for lunch at Willington. Had a bit of an incident while mooring, something caught round the propeller and I crashed into the stern of the boat in front. No damage was done and the offending item turned out to be a fishermans keep net. Still it's only the second time in six weeks that I've had to go down the weed hatch.

There was a choice of three pubs so I chose the one which has Cask Marque plaque outside. I had an nice pint of mild and a substantial Pork Hock with mash and peas.

Carried on till just past Weston and moored for the night in the shade opposite Weston Grange, as it was still very hot.

Saturday 16th July

Another 8am start and the coldest day for a while. We even had the doors shut all night!

Stopped at Alrewas for lunch and tried the Geoarge and Dragon first, where they had a special, limited, menu for the village fair. We then moved on for another pint in the Crown while the parade was going past..

Stopped for the night on the Marstons visitor moorings in Burton on Trent. We had booked a table in the Old Cottage Tavern, where we both had Steak and Stout pie accompanied by their lovely stout.

Then on to the Burton Bridge Inn, where the bar had moved from its original position. It's now in between the two rooms.

Finally we went to the Coopers Tavern, as we had 5 weeks ago. It wasn't any busier than it had been then midweek, but at least there was a cheery barmaid this time instead of a grumpy old man serving.

Friday 15th July

We were woken up at 5.30 by the first train, but managed to get some more sleep until 7.30.

Set off at 8am and made it through Meaford locks in half an hour and Stone locks in good time. After that there was some waiting at most locks.

Got to Weston in time for an early lunch at the Woolpack on the village green.

Carried on down to Great Haywood junction where we stopped to empty the loo. We also succumbed to an ice cream, as by now it was very hot in the sun, though cooler in the shade than it has been for a long time.

Carried on down the Trent and Mersey, meeting no one at the next two locks.

Stopped for water at Ash Green.

Stopped for the night right outside the Plum Pudding which was excellent 5 weeks ago. The beers were the same but I didn't recognise most of the menu. We had an excellent three course meal not spoilt too much by the live singer. Where else can you get ice cream for a starter and soup for a dessert?

Thursday 14th July

Started at 9am. Met with horse drawn boat Maria again at Hall Green lock going the same way as us. Since we last saw them on Sunday they had been up to Bugsworth Basin. We saw them again later when we emerged from the end of the Macclesfield canal. They were heading north up the Trent and Mersey, we turned south.

Arrived at the north portal of Harecastle tunnel at 1315. There were no other boats waiting and the tunnel keeper advised that it would be about an hour before we could go through.

We went off to try the Harecastle pub, but they did not have any real ale so we went to Tescos to get some milk and sandwiches.

Started through the tunnel at 1335 and it only took about 30 minutes.

Stopped for the night above Meaford locks, right next to the west coast main line! Walked to the George and Dragon but they were fully booked for food so we carried on to the Darlaston, which is a family eating pub with no real ale. After our meal there we wnt back to the George and Dragon to try their three beers.

Wednesday 13th July

Set off about 8.15 to finish our ascent of Marple. Turned right at the top onto the Macclesfield Canal.

Stopped on Bollington embankment and walked though town to the Poachers Inn, where we had a cheap two course meal.

On through Macclesfield and down Bosley locks in record time, 1hr 30mins. We only met one boat in the flight so most of the locks were full.

Carried on till 8.15 having a sandwich on the move and moored at Buglawton, so that we could walk to the Beartown Brewery.

Tuesday 12th July

Left Stoak at 8am. The pound below lock 14w was now sufficiently full for us not to run aground this time. However when we got to 10w the pound below that was too low due to an obstruction on the cill of the bottom gates of 9w. We managed to get the bottom gates to close enough to use it and filled the short pound enough to get through.

Andy left us in Stalybridge at lock 6W and Ian and I carried on to moor below lock 4W again, for an early lunch.

We tried to go to the other GBG pub, but it, along with many others, was not open. However the Station Buffet was open and we both had the Archers mild.

On down to Dukinfield junction where we turned south onto the Peak Forest Canal. Decided to go part way up the Marple flight and we stopped for the night near the road above lock 8.

Went for one pint in the Navigation Inn then to the Italian Restaurant which was good and quite quick. After that we went the GBG pub, the Hatters Arms, then back to the Navigation Inn for a Robinsons Double Hop which we had not seen elsewhere.

Monday 11th July

7am start today in order to be at Wool Road for 8, when they unlock the locks for those boats booked on the days passage through Standedge tunnel. While waiting there we filled up with water to ensure minimum air draught for the tunnel.

We went up through the final 9 locks as the second of four boats, ahead of another boat from Shireoaks.

Near the tunnel mouth Jacob was measured to see if he would fit through the tunnel. The first guy said that Jacob was 1/2in too wide but it'll be OK. However he had to get a second opinion who said that we were 3/4in too wide and it would not be OK. So we had to turn round and go back the way we had come!

Dave and Andrew, who had come specially for the day to go through the tunnel with us in the passenger pod, went off to move their cars again.

Only one boat came through the tunnel from Marsden, and he unfortunately got to the top lock before we did, which held us up going back down.

Made it back to Wool Road where Dave drove us all into Dobcross for lunch at the Swan Inn, which is a Theakstons house with most of their beers.

After that Andrew and Dave left, and we carried on down as far as Roaches lock which apppeared to have good moorings below it, but they weren't deep enough for Jacob.

We ate in the Roaches Lock pub then walked up the hill to find the Rising Sun and the Church Inn, Mossley. Finally we went to the Tollemache Arms.

Sunday 10th July

This morning we met a traditional working boat being towed by a horse! It had come from the festival being held at Dukinfield Junction. So when we got there there were a lot of boats.

Turned east onto the Ashton canal which becomes the Huddersfield Narrow at the first lock,1W. Up through the first three locks and moored below lock 4W in Stalybridge.

Went to the Station Buffet for lunch where Dave and Andrew arrived by train from Liverpool to meet us.

Stopped for the night in Uppermill. We could not find a pub serving food so we resorted to the chippy. Then we drank in the Waggon Inn, where there was a quiz on, but at least it didn't have loud music like all the other pubs did.

Saturday 9th July

Dave left early this morning as there were engineering works affecting services around Manchester..

My brother Adrian, his wife Nadia and their two children Elliot and Erin arrived at 10am. Set off up the canal to Whaley Bridge first, then back to the junction, up to Bugsworth Basin and back to New Mills.

Adrian and family then left, and Ian and I went to meet Andy near the station. We went to a Robinsons pub for lunch as the Beehive was not open.

After lunch we carried on back to Marple where we went down the flight of 16 locks in 2 hours despite the stiff bottom paddle gear.

Moored in Romily for the night. Ate in the Spead Eagle, then a pint in a Robinsons pub, then to the Duke of York which had a few interesting beers.

Friday 8th July

Set off from Macclesfield at 9.30. It was a lovely sunny morning then clouded over in the afternoon but at least it was warm.

Stopped for fuel at Bollington Wharf.

Stopped for lunch at High Lane where we went to the Royal Oak. They only had Burtonwood Bitter, but the sandwiches were good.

After that we carried on to the end of the Macclesfield Canal and turned right onto the Peak Forest Canal at Marple.

Stopped for the night at New Mills. There were no visitor moorings so we went on the long term moorings.

Walked 1 1/2 miles to the Pack Horse Inn where we ate and had three pints. Then back to the the Beehive, which was noisy, where we had two Storm beers from Macclesfield.

Thursday 7th July

Left Congleton shortly after 9am on an overcast day. Made it through Bosley locks a bit slower than our usual pace due to the boat in front.

Ians parents joined us for a ride from the top of the locks to the swingbridge at Fools Nook, Oakgrove, where we all had lunch. Unfortunately due to a power cut yesterday they didn't have any real ale. The only rain we had today was while we were in the pub.

Carried on to Macclesfield where we moored near the old Hovis mill.

Started in the Waters Green Tavern then walked out of town to the Railway View, which was supposed to do food but wasn't. Had a pint there anyway as we knew that there was a Wetherspoons as a last resort. However they recommended a pub further out of town to eat which we tried. This turned out to be the Old Kings Head, a Banks pub which we had passed on the canal one mile before we moored. I had an excellent fish platter.

Walked back into town to the Sun Inn which only had two strong beers, so we moved on after one pint to the Prince of Wales.

Wednesday 6th July

Left Wheelock at 8.30. Today it was a mixture of showers,wind and even some sun later on.

No delays through the locks so we stopped for an early lunch at Broughton Arms, Rode Heath. They only had Marstons Bitter and Pedigree so went on to find the Royal Oak. This turned out to have 6 beers. While in there we heard the announcement about the 2012 Olympics.

After that we carried on up the Cheshhire locks to Hardings Wood junction where we turned off the Trent and Mersey onto the Macclesfield Canal.

Stopped for water above the stop lock, then carried on to Congleton. We moored for the night opposite the wharf which is now redeveloped.

We went to the Wharf pub to eat then on to the Brewery Tap of the Beartown brewery.

Tuesday 5th July

Set off at 9.15 having got some milk at the boatyards shop. Down to Barbridge junction where we turned on to the Middlewich branch. Stopped at the first boatyard to get gas, as we had emptied one cylinder this morning.

Stopped again Venetian marine where I bought a couple of bits in their well stocked Aquafax chandlery.

Stopped near bridge 14 to walk into Church Minshull for lunch at the Badger. However we found that it is closed until further notice.

Back to the boat, set off and had soup while under way.

Turned south in Middlewich to go up the Trent and Mersey. We were going to stop for a pint in the pub at Rumps Lock, but this was closed and displaying To Let signs. So we carried on in the rain to Wheelock.

Went to the Nags Head to eat, then to the Commercial Hotel and finally a pint of Hydes in the Cheshire Cat.

Monday 4th July

Rained all morning. Got up at 9 am to do an oil change. The boat which had been in the dry dock since Friday had been broken into.

Left about 11 and paired up with Meanderer to go through the staircase. Stopped for an early lunch at the Harkers Arms.

Set off after lunch in the rain. Had a long afternoon to get to Bunbury by 7.30 where we moored above the staircase.

Walked into Bunbury to the Dysart Arms where we had booked a table for 8pm. They had 4 ales and all were sampled by at least one person. The best was Weetwood Eastgate. Had a 3 course meal there, which was excellent. It is in the same small chain as the Harkers Arms in Chester.