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Hello and welcome to the April edition of the newsletter.
As I write, the Easter holidays have just begun and so no surprise that on Day 1 (last Saturday), I saw a flurry of boat activity at the marina where I moor as well as a handful of hire boats out and about on a brief day-cruise I made (for which a video will be coming soon).
Other than that, the last month seems to have been a fairly quiet one, both news-wise and on a personal front.
But with spring now here (and the clocks turned forward), it's time once more to revive the "Captain's Log" section of the newsletter, detailing upcoming canal-related events, for which see below.
Cheers
David |
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*** News from the canal world. Send press releases (about canal topics!) to newsletter@cruisingthecut.co.uk *** |
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Unto the Breach, once more
The Canal & River Trust has published its initial findings into the reason a section of the Llangollen canal collapsed substantially last December, taking two boats into the breach and leaving others stranded.
The Trust says it was "most likely caused by a long-term, deep-seated leak beneath the canal bed that was undetectable to the Trust’s inspection regime, combined with a steep-sided, high embankment predominantly constructed of sand. This is thought to have eroded material below the canal bed and created a void"
The full investigation is continuing while repairs get underway and is considering other factors such as rainfall and fallen trees.
The Trust says it has already made changes to its inspection process as a result of the findings.
See https://www.tinyurl.com/whitchurchbreach
Going Under
A popular moorings and facilities point in the centre of Birmingham has apparently closed down after the company that ran it went into liquidation.
Sherborne Wharf's owners told the BBC it had been forced out of business by "a surprise rent demand from the Canal & River Trust". This was apparently for additional rent for the past seven years and was, the owners stated, "a sum no small business could reasonably absorb".
Boat owners living at the wharf say they've been left in limbo and that they could be out of pocket by thousands of pounds, having paid upfront for moorings.
The CRT is reported as being aware of the situation and that it will be "working with the liquidators to find the best way forward for the site and the boaters moored there" but there's no word on the allegation about the rent demand.
See the article at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2vy6zx565o
Catch of the day
Around 1,000 fish, which were washed into a farmer's field when a section of the Llangollen canal collapsed last December - see the top story, above - have now been rescued and returned to the canal.
Species recovered from the six-foot-deep pool resulting from the breach include roach, perch, gudgeon, bream and ruffe.
 CRT working to rescue the fish
A rescue team from the Canal & River Trust used low-voltage electricity to stun the fish temporarily, said to be a safe technique that enables the fish to be collected without harm. They are then lifted into aerated buckets and transported back to the canal.
The CRT says the fish appear to be in good health.
As for the breach itself, work so far has concentrated on making suitable access points and a compound for the heavy machinery that will be needed for the repair.
Deep Blue
An intriguing idea is to be tested on the UK canals this month, when some canal locks will be offered to inland scuba clubs for practise dives.
The idea is that divers will get to experience dark water swims in a controlled environment, as well as helpfully bringing up discarded debris found at the bottom of many locks such as lost mobile phones, car tyres and other items.
Obviously, the locks will be closed to boaters for the duration of each session, which could be several hours at a time or even some days if the scheme proves popular and overnight dives are requested.
The plan is to be given its initial outing on the Ashby Canal starting today, April 1st.
See https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/scuba-lock-plan/ for more |
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My recent videos
As predicted in last month's newsletter, March was a bit quiet on the video front for personal reasons but I just about squeezed the usual three videos out, albeit rather more sporadically than usual.
So in case you missed them, the very latest upload is a quick progress report on DIY improvements aboard my narrowboat, including the reason why the water pump failed as well as updates on the solar and Internet access aboard the boat.
Before that I managed to spend a rare sunny day working on Twiggy, the project boat albeit to limited success when the "gel coat filler" I tried was far too runny to fill any kind of hole.
And the first video last month was also on the narrowboat, where the aforementioned water pump was removed to investigate its "cut-in" pressure switch (to no avail) but which ended with the pump mysteriously having no voltage despite me not having tinkered with the wiring!
Click the links below to watch the vlogs (or go direct to my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@CruisingTheCut/videos) |
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What am I up to?
My diary for April is currently blank! However, I am (tentatively) positive that I should now have more time available for visiting the boat and even - gasp - maybe going on some 2-3 day cruises!
On that front, I'm pleased to say that I have already managed one quick trip out (the first cruise on the boat since I took my pub quiz team for a day out last October) and that video will be coming next, once I pull my finger out and edit it.
Plus with the spring weather gently warming up (well, on and off), the opportunity should be there for me to do some more bits on Twiggy, hopefully including using a more robust filler to patch up the various holes on the boat's interior.
I am also hopeful that I might get some elements of the cabin roof sorted too because once that's done, I can insulate and carpet the cabin. Ah, such dreams...
I've had a couple of offers of trips on other people's boats too, so it's possible there might be some alternative voyaging underway in the next month or two as well. But let's not count our chickens too hastily on that front... |
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Canal-themed events this month
Birthday Party
The National Waterways Museum at Ellesmere Port is celebrating 50 years since it opened with a big party over Easter.
Around 40 historic narrowboats and barges will gather at the venue in Cheshire, including Gifford, a former horse-drawn tar boat which is marking its own 100th birthday this year.
As well as the boats on display there will be boat trips, horse boating, harnessing and lock demonstrations, live music, craft workshops, stalls and family activities.
The anniversary is also being marked by projects including a renovation of the site’s Grade-II Listed Pumphouse which houses a Victorian steam engine that once powered dock machinery for nearly a century.
Preservation work will also be taking place on two National Historic Fleet registered boats: Gifford and ‘Basuto’, the oldest surviving Forth and Clyde puffer boat.
The Easter events runs from 3-6 April though the museum is open throughout the year (check website for specifics)
See https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/places-to-visit/national-waterways-museum
Foxy Lady
Also over the Easter break, the regular floating market at Foxton Locks takes place, with at least 15 trading boats according to their poster for the event. It's free entry and runs from 10am to 4pm each day.
Easter Bonanza
|n fact, while we're at it, there are also Easter floating markets at Great Haywood and Rugeley. You know the kind of thing: trading boats, home-made crafts and edible treats, duck hunts (not real ones!). Take a gander (!) at the Roving Canal Traders Association website for all the schedules: https://www.rcta.org.uk/markets-festivals-and-events/#!event-list |
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Final Thoughts
Just before I finish, a mention this month for long-time viewer of my videos Mark Willis, who is soon to undertake a charity endeavour supporting two very good causes, namely the Canal & River Trust, and Battersea Cats & Dogs Home.
On July 1st, Mark will undertake a 250 mile walk ("amble", he says!) from Worcester to Foxton Locks and back again, and he's looking for donations and sponsorship.
He reckons it'll take 23 days and he'll be accompanied by his tiny dog Nina (apparently more than likely sitting imperiously in the trolley Mark will be pushing containing his supplies)
The company he works for has a page on their website about the venture where you can offer a donation. See www.surplex.co.uk/donate
Good luck to them both!
Thanks for reading. Cheerio! |
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