Lottie's tin-foil snack



Harecastle Tunnel with Brindley's old tunnel on the left





Lottie on the bow

Horseshoe shaped bridge

We cast off at 9.00 and reached the Harecastle tunnel at 9.30. The morning was cold and overcast with no signs of it improving. We had an hour’s wait at the tunnel as boats cannot pass in it and a boat ahead of us was reaching the far end. With three boats to come down towards us the Captain headed for the water point and filled up. Beyond the water point was the first Harecastle tunnel, which was built by Brindley. It is now disused because it has subsided. The roof certainly seemed low, even for boats being legged through. Fortunately the second tunnel was built because of the constant barge traffic and has been restored.



flying heron

While I was looking at Brindley’s tunnel Lottie raided a bin and shot off with the remains of a barbeque wrapped in tin foil. I couldn’t get near her as she ran off and tore into the foil. Obviously the contents were delicious as I trailed after her picking up scraps of foil. Unfortunately she ate some of the foil. I was worried she would be sick or get a blockage but the Captain felt confident the foil would pass through. Time will tell. The hound eventually let me catch her and stood smugly licking her lips. In spite of that we still had time for coffee before the first of the boats emerged.

Snake bridge

After a safety check and briefing we were allowed to proceed and the operator shut the tunnel door behind us and switched the fans on. This was the first time we have gone through the tunnel alone. It was easier than following other boats as we could see the arch of light at the far end. The roof drops down at random intervals but the lower levels are marked with white and yellow paint. It is awful to think someone was knocked overboard and drowned in the shallow water last year. It only took us 35 minutes to reach the far end and emerge into sunlight.



curving path up onto the snake bridge

Within minutes we turned onto the Macclesfield canal and cruised over the Trent and Mersey which had already started to descend towards Runcorn. The views across the fields to the Peak district were stunning. The imitation ruin of Mow cop castle dominated the skyline perched on a 1100 ft ridge above sea level. The views across to the north west and Manchester were also lovely but less spectacular. we passed several herons fishing - each one flew away as we drew level and circled round behind us.

Congleton Aqueduct

The afternoon was warmer with some sunshine but the wind was still icy. There were hardly any boats moving and the popular visitor moorings in Congleton were empty. Everywhere spring flowers were in bloom and trees were bursting into life transforming bare branches with light green leaves.
 

The bridges varied from low stone arched to tall horseshoe shaped bridges which were narrower at the base than the sides. The Macclesfield boasts of several snake bridges where the towpath curves up and over the bridge. They were designed so that a horse towing a boat didn't have to stop and undo the towing rope and then reconnect it when the towpath changed sides. 

time for a walk

Lottie enjoyed the afternoon
 now she was out in the countryside. Twice she stepped off the boat at a bridge hole to explore that part of the towpath and sniff around. Her attitude seemed to be ‘I’m going for a walk you can join me if you like.’

One of the strangest rural art pieces was the painted cow lying next to the canal. 

railway viaduct

We arrived at the often full moorings below Bosley locks to find only two other boats there, one of which had passed us at lunch time, so there was plenty of space. We enjoyed a peaceful evening feeling far from civilisation even though Manchester sprawled nearby.

What a cow!

flowers, football fans and restoration

blossom time

apple blossom

The morning was fine and sunny but the wind was still sharp as we locked up through Stone. After two locks we started to meet boats coming down. We often meet interesting people and share news while they lock down which sets the lock for us.

primroses

cowslips

flint mill half way up the flight

After a brief stop to get bread and a few other supplies in Barlaston we moored for lunch to build up our strength before tackling the Stoke locks.

We set off again under clear skies enjoying the sunshine. Many trees were still bare with the first buds opening while others had opened the first yellow-green leaves of spring. Celandine and other white flowers coated the banks and cherry blossom abounded in back gardens. the Captain was surprised to see cowslips which once used to be common.

top lock

looking back towards Etruria and the Caldon Canal

As we cruised from Trentham the towpath was busy with people walking to the Brittania stadium – clearly Stoke were playing at home. Many were wearing supporters tee-shirts, some were alone but most were in small groups and we passed several families. The potters crowds grew as we neared the stadium but the supporters all appeared well behaved and in good spirits. As we passed the stadium supporters came towards us from Stoke. All together we must have seen more walkers in an afternoon than we normally see in a whole cruise.

lift bridge into a Marina

We continued to meet boats through Stoke often reaching the lock as a boat was leaving it. This made for a speedy climb through the locks. The waste land around Stoke has been cleared and regenerated. We passed a working pottery which we had just read about in a magazine. It has recently been restored to its former glory and the whole area around it has been regenerated. It is good to see these historic buildings in business again.

restoring the derelict pottery

We moored at Westport lake which was bustling with people. There were fishermen fishing, cyclists cycling, dogs out exercising their owners, families playing and children scooting about on scooters. Meanwhile the ducks geese and swans were nesting around the lake.

Lottie enjoyed her trip round the lake even though she had to stay on the lead due to the nesting birds. I guess the whole area smells fabulous to a dog. As always it was a peaceful evening at Westport lake.




the pottery's old loading bay

Bump and Squeeze

First lock of our trip



Shugborough  House from the canal

Blind corners  can be tricky when meeting a 60ft long boat.

It was cloudy all morning and the wind was cold. We reached Colwich lock to find one boat waiting to go up before us. By the time we left the top of the lock there were four boats waiting behind us, so we just beat the rush.We cruised by empty moorings opposite the beautiful grounds of Shugborough  House. It was good to only have the one boat ahead of us at Great Hayward lock as we often have to wait an hour or more there.

At bridge 75 we met another boat on a blind corner. A walker signalled to the other boat to stop as we were virtually in the bridge hole and waved us on – but the other boat had been cruising fast and not slowed down in time. We collided in the bridge hole and our boat was pushed sideways so that the curve of the bridge nearly swept our travel chimney off. The Captain pointed out proudly that if he hadn’t changed to the travel chimney we would have had it swept overboard or worse still been wedged under the bridge. Fortunately we slithered through the bridge with neither boat’s paintwork or bridge damaged.

We approached Great Hayward Marina slowly as there were many moored boats and found the canal temporarily blocked by a boat turning onto the canal from the marina. We inched forward allowing them to complete their manoeuvre but another boat steamed out of the marina without looking and sliced past our bow. We had a super close up of their rear as they sliced round in front of us.

one swan nesting

The Captain let them draw ahead as Hoo Mill lock was just around the corner. When we reached the lock the boat was waiting on the lock pins even though a boat had left the lock and passed them. The couple waved us into the lock and apologised for cutting us up. What a charming gesture, far more in  keeping with the friendly nature of canal folk. They had assumed the way was clear because of the boat pulling out in  front of them.

When the Captain found the next moorings empty he moored up for lunch glad to get out of the cold. Normally those mooring are full of boats. Where is everybody?

and another

After lunch we cruised on under thick cloud attacked by a wintery wind. This stretch of canal was dominated by nesting swans spaced evenly along its banks. Every pen was settled on a high nest so there should be loads of cygnets in a few weeks.

warming up

 

We met quite a few boats so most locks were in our favour which helps when the wind is keen. Lottie felt the cold an ran round madly at several locks to warm herself up. A true lurcher she hates being cold and several times asked us to light the fire by going inside and looking at it wistfully. At Sandon lock she slipped into the field on the off side and started gobbling muck that had been spread over the field. The Captain rounded her up and ruefully announced “I think we are in for a smelly evening.”

Armitage toilets and tunnel

toilets galore



Armitage Tunnel

After a good journey north I loaded the boat while the Captain filled with water reconnected the water pump and got the ropes out of storage.



lovely scenery by the power station

The weather was cloudy with some sunshine as we cruised round to Rugeley passing the Armitage Shanks works where sometimes toilets are piled high in the yard waiting to be transported out. There were few boats moving – unusual for this stretch of canal and Lottie was very excited. She had three walks along the towpath as if she had to check everywhere for changes since the winter including walking ahead at the now roofless narrow Armitage tunnel to make sure we didn't meet anther boat in the middle. Her sniffer was working overtime. We moored not far from the bloody steps where a gruesome murder of a young woman called Christine took place back in the days of horse drawn barges.

the site of Christine's murder

After checking out our mooring Lottie was delighted when the Captain lit the fire and settled down on the sofa nearest the heat source.

cruising postponed

After stacking all our stuff needed for the first cruise of the season in the hall, the car refused to start. Lottie jumped into the back and lay down and was puzzled when we didn't load the car. Worse still the engineer couldn’t come over until 5.00. Fortunately he arrived with a battery which fixed the problem. Maybe it was just as well as it was the hottest day of the year so far and would have been sweltering work dragging all our stuff from the car along the pontoon to our boat. We left the provisions in the hall overnight and Lottie our thieving hound left them alone. Maybe she is a reformed character now she’s 6 years old.

Andy's Birds of Prey

I had a super visit to the Cornish bird of prey centre. It was thrilling to see the birds in action at such close quarters and I learnt more about various birds of prey from Andy’s display.

I watched the Hawks, Falcons & Eagles display but later on there was an owl display. Andy introduced his smallest hawk followed by a pair of falcons and ended the display with a swift eagle chasing the lure as Andy swung it through the air. its aerial acrobatics were amazing and too fast for my cameraman.

The whoosh of the birds flying overhead scared the youngest grandchild. she slid off the bench and curled up by her mother's feet well out of the flight path and peeped through her fingers. after that all she wanted was to go on the swing again. 

 

 

 

The centre was well laid out and well worth a visit. the shop had some interesting items for sale including some superb birds of prey carved from wood, owl embelished tee-shirts and my books.

The Centre also had other attractions. My eldest grand daughter was thrilled by the zip wire ride while the youngest was happy on a swing. I had the happy task of signing books while my husband pushed the swing to the chant of more Grandad!

Fifteen Questions for Andy Grigg, the owner of The Cornish Bird of Prey Centre

 

1            When did you first get interested in birds of prey?

At the very young age of ten but didn't get to own my own bird until I was 12.

2                What’s the best thing about running the Cornish Bird of Prey Centre?

Rescuing the many unwanted Birds/Animals and giving them a forever home here at the centre.  Educating the public about the Art of Falconry and how things have changed over the years.   Also getting to do what I love to do each day, Flying my Birds.

 

3                And what’s the worst?

Having to deal with unruly children.  It's generally not the child's fault but the parents who want peace and quiet, so send the kids off to make their own fun.  Kicking/Throwing stones around the centre, chucking food to the birds etc, just so the parents can sit, have a cup of tea in peace and constantly be on their phones.  When you tell them what their child has been up to we then get a mouthful and get told you're not a child friendly establishment.
 

4                Have you ever had an embarrassing moment?

When flying the birds during displays and they decide they don't fancy chasing the lure and they want to show their real natural capabilities, and go off and catch a rabbit.
 

 

5                Do you offer education experiences for schools?

Yes we do offer educational trips into schools.  We generally take a selection of birds with us.
 

6                Tell us about you working experience before you opened the centre.

Before purchasing the centre in 2007 we ran our own business called "Passage School of Falconry" where we worked all around the UK doing Displays at Country Shows and other tourist attractions, Falconry Experiences and School Talks.

7                Did you like bird or animal books when you were a child?

No, I was never very good at school.  I didn't like being indoors, I just wanted to be out with my birds.

8                What did you want to be when you were twelve?

I always wanted to be a Falconer.

9                What is your proudest achievement?

Meeting my wife and having three lovely daughters.

10             What would you like to see happen in the future?

Stop the poaching of animals to the point of extinction and world peace.

11             What are your fondest memories?

Walking the dogs with my mum.  She sadly passed away 2 years ago at only 57.

 

12             Tell us about your hobbies away from the birds.

I don't really have any hobbies, as the birds are my life.  Having over 100 birds to care for day in and day out, I don't really have time for hobbies.  I do however love dogs, especially watching gundogs working.

13             Where do you hope to be when you’re 70?

I would love to be retired and have my own croft up in Scotland.  I know its never going to happen though as my wife and kids do not like the cold.

 

14             What would be your dream holiday?   Again my dream holiday is to go to Scotland, in the middle of  no-where, with nobody else around, just me and the birds.

 
 

15             What superpower would you like to have?

I would love to be able to fly. 

 

Thank you Andy for your interesting interview. It has been a pleasure to meet someone who is doing what he always wanted to do - and still loves it.