Trent and Mersey/Caldon Christmas(UK)

Subject: Trent and Mersey/Caldon Christmas(UK)
From: greg stephens
Date: 17 Dec 02 - 04:21 PM

The Boat Band/Steamhead flotilla will be in festive action. Any Mudcatters with gaily painted barges in the region, do make contact. Sessions will be had. Beer will be drunk. Probably pottering Harecastle Tunnel/Leek/Consall Forge for the week round Christmas(Xmas shopping/busking Hanley on the Sunday), then maybe north to Anderton Lift and Weaver about New Year.

Subject: RE: Trent and Mersey/Caldon Christmas(UK)
From: GUEST,The Admiral
Date: 18 Dec 02 - 03:17 AM

Happy Boating!

Subject: RE: Trent and Mersey/Caldon Christmas(UK)
From: Banjo-Flower
Date: 18 Dec 02 - 04:37 AM

Some people have all the luck! have a great time,shall you make the Nodding Donkey?

regards

Gerry

Subject: RE: Trent and Mersey/Caldon Christmas(UK)
From: greg stephens
Date: 18 Dec 02 - 12:47 PM

Romping, I think, not Nodding, if you mean the one at Hassall Green. We aim to pass that around 10 on Friday morning, so it will be a bit early for a refreshment stop. First serious port of call will be the Blubell at Hardings Wood that night, though I suppose a lunchtime pint in Rodeheath or Church Lawton is not out of the question.

Subject: RE: Trent and Mersey/Caldon Christmas(UK)
From: AggieD
Date: 18 Dec 02 - 12:54 PM

Have fun guys. If you do the same next year we may come north to join you, our new boat isn't in the water until January 2003, so won't make this year.
The nearest we'll make to the water at Christmas will be the boaters dinner at Stoke Bruerne. Anyone else going?

Subject: RE: Trent and Mersey/Caldon Christmas(UK)
From: Ian
Date: 19 Dec 02 - 04:15 AM

Is there a pub still open at consall forge. many years ago the stoke Folk Club used to gather there on a Summer Sunday lunch for a session.
Also the boat at Cheddleton. Have a good trip.

Subject: RE: Trent and Mersey/Caldon Christmas(UK)
From: greg stephens
Date: 19 Dec 02 - 01:56 PM

The Black Lion at Consall Forge is still going strong, we spent Christmas there a few years back with a big mob of boats. We think we cant get that far this year, the lock just before it is reputed to be closed, so Cheddleton may be the end of the line. We shall see.

Subject: RE: Trent and Mersey/Caldon Christmas(UK)
From: greg stephens
Date: 04 Jan 03 - 06:33 AM

A good time has been had by all. No wintry weather at all, just rain, but a freeze looks to be starting now so we may soon be stationary for a while. Music was made at the Holly Bush, Denford, the Black Lion, Consall Forge( River Churnet living up to its name, boat bobbing like a cork), and the Foaming Quart at Norton Green. We'll be having a singsong at thre Holly Bush, Denford, on Wednesdsay, Jan 8 if anyone fancies turning up.
Stoppages are on now, Cheddleton and Stockton Brook locks are off, so we'll be in the Leek/Chedddleton/Stockton Brook triangle till March.

Subject: RE: Trent and Mersey/Caldon Christmas(UK)
From: Pied Piper
Date: 04 Jan 03 - 06:48 AM

I visited the Anderton Lift last year, and an impressive piece of kit it is. The problem with it as a tourist attraction is
1 No pots of tea available (I think they're fixing that this year)
2 The ridiculously slow speed of the lift; It takes a good 15 minutes to raise its passengers. From the bank it's a long way from exciting.

Happy New Year everyone PP

Subject: RE: Trent and Mersey/Caldon Christmas(UK)
From: AggieD
Date: 04 Jan 03 - 01:17 PM

Glad you had a good time, we may make it along next year, or see you around the system when everything re-opens. Hope you don't get iced in.

The last time I travelled on the Anderton lift was the September before it closed, & I can assure you it was certainly exciting then. We were three boats travelling together & It needed several of us to pray that the lift keeper would let us up before he closed, & with lots of cajolling he did. It was a pretty scary ride. One of the guys then got stung by a bee & had to be transported to hospital as he had such a bad reaction.

Subject: RE: Trent and Mersey/Caldon Christmas(UK)
From: greg stephens
Date: 04 Jan 03 - 01:27 PM

Well Pied Piper, re the Anderton Lift: there may not have been a teashop, but you could have easily slipped into the Stanley Arms(or Tip as it is affectionately nicknamed) where you could have could have got a cup of tea, or indeed a pint. It's right by it.
And they have managed to speed the lift up a bit now, there were a lot of teething troubles. It could of course be speeded up enormously(and made much more entertaining for vistors) by opening the end of the approach trough and letting the boats go with the resulting waterfall...perhaps you should suggest that to British Waterways?