Andys Triumph TR7

Another interest of the family is Narrow Boating on Britians canals.

This is an excelent way to relax, cruising on the UKs canals with the odd bit of exercise thrown in when negotiating locks and swing bridges. The family own a share in a 62 ft Narrowboat which we use 4 times a year. One week in each period Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter. The boat is equipped with all mod cons and is warm and comfortable in the winter months due to central heating and solid fuel stove.

Centurion under construction in Febuary 2003

Interior view of main saloon under construction.

Launch Day April 2003 at Rugby

Interior View of Lounge/Dining Area

Main Bedroom with Fixed Double

Kitchen Area

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In Febuary 2004 we cruised the Grand Union and Oxford Canals from Warwick to Cropedy, We had snow and ice to contend with, but thoroughly enjoyed the time away from the rat race. For 1 day we where frozen in above Calcutt locks, and at Braunston for 1/2 day.

Warwick, Kate Boats boatyard.

Frozen in at Calcutt Locks, Grand Union Canal

Entering lock above Cropedy

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2005 Canal Voyages

In Febuary 2005 we took a break on the Bridgewater canal, crusing from Anderton to the outskirts of Manchester, weather was cold as can be expected, but the boat was snug and warm, days where shorter so cruising was limited.

In Dutton Stop Lock

Waiting to enter Preston Brook Tunnel

Passing old working boats near Dutton

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In May 2005 we cruised from Anderton to Ellesmere Port and return via the Trent and Mersey Canal, Shropshire Union Middlewich Branch, and Shropshire Union Main Line through Chester. Weather was very kind to us with some nice, sunny, spring days, and only one dull, dark, rainy day.

Locking up Wharton Lock - Shropshire Union Canal May 2005

With a full crew of family on the Middlewich Branch of the Shropshire Union Canal, heading for Barbridge Junction.

Moored at our destination, Ellesmere Port Waterways Museum, an interesting day can be had here showing the Heritage of Britians Waterways.

Entering the massive Northgate Staircase Locks in Chester City Centre

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July 2005 saw a change of base from Anderton to Nantwich, Cheshire, enabling a trip up the Llangollen canal from Nantwich to Llangollen. Good weather for the first 3 days, then sun and clouds for 2 days, before becoming dull. We intended to check out the Montgomery Canal but a rudder problem caused by reversing at a tight bridge due to traffic, and thus hitting a parapet stone which had fallen in the canal damaged the skeg and rudder. Steering was limited so we missed the Montgomery out and headed for base for docking and repair.

Leaving a lock on the Llangollen Canal July 2005

Crossing Chirk Aquaduct, with railway Viaduct in the background.

What everyone comes to see on the Llangollen Canal, Thomas Telfords impressive Pontcysyllte Aquaduct, 1000ft long, 127 ft tall.

Crossing Pontcysyllte Aquaduct, 1000ft long, 127 ft tall.

Vertical view to River Dee, 127ft below from the aquaduct.

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March 2006 saw a return to the Shropshire Union Canal Main Line, we had our first experience of Narrow Boating on this canal 10 years ago, in a decrepid Hire Boat, that was falling apart. It was good to return in a decent boat. The canal is much improved, with a lot of vegetation and trees cut back, bank strengthening, improved moorings (thanks to Shropshire Union Canal Society) and deeper water. The weather was sometimes wet, mainly drizzle. Very windy conditions on some days made steering interesting. We cruised from Nantwich to Stretton Aquaduct and return, a distance of approx 66 miles in total. The boat performed well with no problems, and was as usual comfy and warm throughout.

Climbing the 15 Audlem Locks, in one of the nicest settings we have seen on the UK canals.

Looking back to Tyrely Bottom Lock near Market Drayton, another picturesque setting for a flight of locks.

Approaching the high Bridge 57 in the recently cleared Woodseaves Cutting, note the very narrow channel, fun when another boat comes the other way, just enough room to pass.

Passing old narrow boats at the former Cadbury Wharf at Knighton, here Cocoa and Sugar Crumb was brought by narrowboat from Bournville near Brum, blended with milk, and returned to Cadbury at Bournville as chocolate crumb by Boat. The last load was carried in 1961 by Charlie Atkins, nicknamed Chocolate Charlie for obvious reasons. The factory still produces chocolate here with the products delivered by lorry.

Unusual bridge in Grub Street Cutting near Norbury Junction.

Former Wharf at the end of Shebdon Embankment, once busy with agricultural traffic, now forming quiet moorings.

The recently renovated Shebdon Embankment, 60ft high and nearly a 1/2 mile long, a source of trouble when building the canal, and prone to leaks and slips in the near past, now thoroughly piled, dredged, and sealed, one of many improvements on this canal.

Waiting for lock to fill at Adderley Top Lock, strong wind has blown the boat against the towpath, and it took some shoving to get back to the middle of the channel.

That sinking feeling, Locking down Lock 2 of the Audlem Flight of 15.

NB Centurion approaching Lock 6 of the Audlem Flight in Windy Conditions.

Waiting for Lock 6 to fill, hanging about in the Bridge Hole makes life easier when Windy.

Taking on Water and Beer outside the Shroppie Fly at Audlem, Audlem Mill in background.

Bank strengthening work near Nantwich, pusher tug of to fetch more dredgings from further up the canal. British Waterways are doing a good job here, well done.

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July 2007 - Boat has now moved to the Kennet and Avon Canal, in July we spent a week on the canal, first cruising down to the edge of Bath, then turning round and cruising up the massive Devizes Locks.

Moored at Dundass Wharf.

Pulteney Bridge - Bath.

Approaching a typical Kennet and Avon Swing bridge.

Bridge swung to allow passage.

Traffic Island on a canal? New aquaduct near Bradford on Avon.

Near Devizes, having just left one of the 29 Locks found in a 2 mile stretch.

Ready to enter Lock 1 of the 16 Caen Hill Staircase locks, a truly daunting experience.

Getting near the top of Caen Hill locks, good company with a narrowboat Halycon from Welford.

Looking down the Caen Hill flight, near the top. 29 locks in total in 4 and a 1/2 hours.

Cruising along the Vale of Pewsey.

Typical Wiltshire canal scenery near Honeystreet.

Wide beam barge Unity at Honeystreet Wharf.

Vale of Pewsey white horse.

Narrow, reed lined section near Pewsey.

Locking down alone on Caen Hill Flight, a little harder work with no other boat for company.

Job nearly done, Caen Hill completed, only another 6 of the 29 to go.

Plenty of good size Carp in the Kennet and Avon canal.

Cruise over, a look at Bradford on Avon.

Quaint streets in Bradford on Avon.

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June 2008 - Another move, this time to the Wey Navigation, we spent a week there in June, cruising up to the head of the Wey Godalming, then back to Weybridge. Entrance to the Thames was not possible as the Thames was in flood.

Walsham Flood Gates, open in normal conditions.

Getting Newark lock ready.

Newark Priory.

You can even "Triumph" spot from the canals.

Idyllic moorings near Guildford.

Head of Navigation at Godalming.

Sharp turn near Guildford.

Unusual architecture at Guildford.

Remains of Chapel near St Catherines Hill.

Hardworking Crew.

Pretty spring time stretch of canal.

Coxes Mill near Weybridge.

Thames in Flood at Windsor and Eton which stopped further progress.

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October 2008

Early October 2008, which promised some decent Autumn weather, we set out from pyrford on the River Wey heading for the Thames, the day started out foggy, but the sun quickly burned away the fog.

Foggy start on the River Wey.

Reaching Weybridge, we locked down the last of the manual operated locks, Thames Lock, and onto the Thames.

Waiting to enter Thames Lock at Weybridge to lock down onto the Thames.

Leaving Thames Lock, finally on the Thames at last.

Taking the turn into Shepperton Lock. So much more space to use than a canal.

Overtaken by a cruiser above Shepperton.

Approaching the turn to Chertsey Bridge.

With so much space available, cruising speeds are faster than on canals, on the sunny Sunday we where overtaken many times by big cruisers, bombing along with their Gin or Pimms glasses in their hand.

Overtaken again near Staines.

Monday was a duller day, but it was very mild and no wind. We cruised from Runnymede, past Windsor Royal Park and the Castle, Past Windsor and Eton, up to Maidenhead, before mooring on an Island near Cliveden House (or eyot as they are called on theThames)

Windsor Castle from the Thames.

Heading through Windsor and Eton.

Boulters Lock, Maidenhead, big lock, little boat.

Brunels Famous Sounding Arch over the Thames at Maidenhead.

Clivedon House, with islands amidst a lovely wooded section of the Thames.

After turning at Marlow we traced our way back down the Thames to Windsor, weather was brighter and quite warm.

Typical large houses seen all the way down the Thames.

Lock full of boats at Maidenhead.

Heron keeping an eye out for its dinner.

A couple of racers heading our way.

Moored at Windsor.

After a overnight stop at Windsor we carried on back down the Thames to the River Wey, another good bright Autumn day.

Bright Autumn scenery on the Thames near Old Windsor.

Leaving Windsor Royal Park for Staines.

Typical Thames Wier, to be kept away from at all times.

Another big lock to ourselves.

Back to the small locks on the River Wey.

After a night moored in Pyrford marina, we spent the last day with a short cruise in sunny weather up the River Wey.

Less room for manouvre on the River Wey.

And locks we have to set manually, a shock after the luxury of Thames locks.

Newark Abbey.

Cow!

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Cruising from Gayton, we headed up the Grand Union towards Braunston, good weather up the Buckby locks, we turned right at Norton Junction on the Leicester Line, before heavy showers on the Watford Staircase locks.

Negotiating a typical bridge on the Grand Union.

Mooring out of sight and sound of the nearby M1 the sky cleared for a good sunset.

Climbing the Watford Staircase Locks.

Sunset near Watford Locks.

We then negotiated the long Crick Tunnel, before cruising through some lovely, quiet countryside, towards Welford.

Nearing the end of Crick tunnel. Moving over to let another boat past.

Typical Northants scenery.

Heading back down to Crick.

Bridge to negotiate.

Leaky Gate.

Leaving a Watford Staircase Lock.

Gill Steering, leaving the last of the Buckby Locks.

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We enjoyed good weather as we headed down the Grand Union, through the 2 mile long tunnel to Stoke Bruerne, then accross the Northants plains to Wolverton, crossing the River Great Ouse by aquaduct. Then through Milton Keynes towards Leighton Buzzard, before Climbing the Chiltern locks, then turning at the busy Marsworth Junction.

At the boatyard.