Steam!

 Sunday 25^th August; Denford to Froghall

There was sun when we got up, but not enough break in the tree cover for it to last, so by the time we left, soon after 9, we were cruising in full shade and it was very cold.  With tall trees and high hedges most of the way to Cheddleton, it stayed cold too.

Approaching Cheddleton top lock

As you can see in the photo the sun had been shining as we shivered our way along underneath the tree cover!  The bottom gates on the top lock were metal and awkwardly positioned over the wall of the little stone footbridge and I managed to twinge a rib – one I’d injured in the past – so that would be uncomfortable for at least a couple of days.  We moored below the locks on the shortish length of visitor mooring available behind a workboat and I prepared for the long trek up to the shop.  As I walked past the parking area a cheery voice said good morning, had I had a good walk?  On hearing I was from a boat, and off to the shop, he said did I realise it was such a long way uphill and would I like a lift?  He was waiting for the day boat Joshua which moors at the Hollybush pub, and had plenty of time before they were due, so I thought why not?  He is a gentleman of a few more years than me, his name is Rob and he is an unofficial volunteer at Wood’s lock.  CRT have offered to train him, but if he accepts their training he doesn’t get to choose where he works, so he stays unofficial.  It is indeed a long way to the shop and very steep, so I was jolly pleased he offered.  He helped us down Wood’s lock as Joshua was now on its way behind us.  We were soon down Oakmeadowford lock and onto the river section.

The Churnet comes in from the north below Oakmeadowford lock

There wasn't really any noticeable flow on the river, even though there wasn’t much green showing on the indicator board.  We didn’t moor to visit the Black Lion at Consall Forge, instead we continued past the footbridge and railway bridge and took the tight turn to cruise alongside the railway at Consall station, and below its famous cantilevered platform and waiting room above the canal.

Flint Mill lock marks the end of the river section and is the last place to wind a full-length boat if it won’t fit through the tunnel.  The old flint mill is now a private house.  The profile for Froghall tunnel hangs under the footbridge at the bottom gates, so we could tell we probably wouldn’t quite fit through.  But the thought of jamming in the tunnel by risking passage so horrifies me that it’s not an option!

The towpath side bottom gate doesn’t quite stay open by itself and I had to hold it open so Bonjour could leave the lock.

The channel from here to Froghall is narrow and winding, and visibility is not helped by the overgrowth of offside vegetation.  Cherry-eye bridge is so named for its resemblance to the red eyes of the old ironstone miners who rubbed them with ore-stained hands.

We winded at the (unmarked) winding hole and reversed back into a vacant spot between the two boats already moored here.  The first time we came here (on Chuffed) we hadn’t realised we had missed it until we saw the tunnel entrance round the bend!  After a late lunch we set off to see the sights.  We knew it was a steaming day on the railway as we had heard the whistle of the train before we arrived, but were too early to see it return to the station so instead we walked across the road to the far side of the tunnel and along the rest of the canal to the basin.

Actually this mooring basin is the Uttoxeter canal – all that is left in water.  Beyond the footbridge where we were standing is a small muddy pool, and that’s it.

Then we looked at the limekilns, which appear to be the same kind as at Consall Forge.  I failed to take a picture of the drawing mentioned, but the explanation is below.

We stopped at Hetty’s tea rooms for a very nice cup of tea from a proper tea pot.  The outside tables were all empty as it was such a grey gloomy day but inside was pretty busy.  Of course we were outside with the dog.

Back at the boat I settled to upload a blog post, as we’d had a couple of moorings with a poor signal and I'm getting behind.  Dave had been out walking the dog when he saw, through a gap in the trees, the steam engine returning to Froghall ready for its evening trip.  We knew from the website it was to be a murder mystery evening and would be a good opportunity for some photos!

Major Bixby – goody, baddy or murdered?  I know but my lips are sealed!

I spoke to "Major Bixby", fully in character with a very Home Counties accent.  The passengers were all dressed up for the occasion and sitting at tables with white cloths and table lamps like the Orient Express.  

Shovelling coal at the business end

First it was white smoke, or possibly steam, now it’s black and that’s definitely smoke!  Check out the soot stain on the bridge.

Off with a whistle and a cloud of steam

I am old enough to remember going on steam trains to the coast on holiday, and how tightly my Mum held my hand as we walked past the enormous engines at Fenchurch Street station.  I also remember not being allowed to run and watch from the footbridge on the way to school when a train was passing beneath!

I wouldn’t stand there if I were you!

Off for an exciting evening

The driver, stoker and guard all waved at the spectators.  The young mum on the bridge was enthusiastic, her little boy was agog, and I just had a big grin on my face.

5¾ miles, 5 locks, a nice pot of tea and steam!