Another day on Maud

We were travelling as passengers on the Wherry Maud from Sutton Staithe back to her base at the Forsythe Wherry Yard at Ludham. The wherry was due to leave Sutton at 1030, but first we had to drive to Womack Staithe to pick up another passenger, Simon and take him to Sutton. At Sutton we met up with John who had come down to see us off, John and I worked offshore together for many years but its been several years since we met up in the flesh.
While we were standing around chatting the crew were hard at work putting 3 reefs in Maud’s sail due to the very gusty winds

 

Life jackets on and the safety briefing done, eventually we were all aboard and off being pushed by the tender past all the moored boat to the end of the dyke where the crew hoisted the sail.

 

We were now sailing down the River Ant heading for Barton Broad, on the way we were overtaken by the museums steam launch

On Barton Broad we met the Broad's Authority launch towing yet another hulk away.Last time we were on Maud we saw them doing the same. Abandoned boats on the broads are becoming quite a problem

We did a circuit of the Broad dodging, or should I say they were dodging us, the yacht racing on a Sunday morning. as well as the yachts there was a family dog out for a Sunday morning cruise

Then the sail was lowered and we left the broad at the opposite end to where we joined it still on the river Ant. The reason for lowering the sail was the river is narrow and tree lined as well as the wind being gusty and against us.

 

    

 

 

The river Ant flows through the village of Irstead which has its own staithe as well as some very pretty riverside properties.

 

We were heading for our lunch time mooring at How Hill. The reason for the stop was not for lunch but to wait for the tide to pass under Ludham bridge. As we approached the moorings we found there was already another Wherry there, the Hathor.

 

We had hoped to drop in at her stern but when we arrived there were canoes moored both in front and behind her. Thankfully when the party of young people saw we wanted to come in they continued their journey and gave us space.

We had about an hour and a half at How Hill, it was a pity we didn’t have longer as it was one of the rare occasions that the house was open to visitors.

We wandered along and looked at the old wind drainage pump that is looking very sorry for its self.

 

It would cost a lot less to restore this back to working order than the large brick mill they are working on and its much more unique.    
We were away from the moorings at about half one, still being pushed by the tender with our sail lowered. Before we reached the bridge the mast had to come down. This is so well balanced that it has to actually be pulled the last foot or so required to clear the bridge.

As we neared the bridge we passed a rather nice traditional Broads Hire boat which no doubt is now in private ownership. The bridge is a very tight fit for the wherry, its so close that there is just room for a crew member to deploy a rope fender if necessary to stop her rubbing the side. Today it wasn’t required, as we didn’t touch a thing and the height, well there was just inches that way as well. A hire boat coming towards us had to hold back while we came through as there is no way we could stop and reverse.

Once clear of the bridge the mast went up again thanks to a block and tackle on the forestay.

Then the sail was hoisted using the two man winch mounted just in front of the mast . While this was going on a bit of quanting, a bit like punting was going on to keep the bows away from the moored boats and then we were sailing again. This photo was taken by Diana from the tender, now that it was no longer required to push us along.

You can see how low the gaff is and how small the sail with three reefs in. Look at the sky, you can see how its changed since we set off this morning in the blustery weather. It wasn’t too long before we were

passing St Bennetts Abbey, I didn’t know at the time but my friend, John and his family had driven there by car and then walked down to the river to photograph us going by, this is one of the photographs he took.

We had good sailing from here past Thurn Mill all the way to Womack. We also met and had a yacht pass us who was tacking up the river towards us before  turning and heading back.

As we turned down towards Womack Staithe from the River Thurn the sail was again on its way down followed by the mast, this is so that Maud can slide into the shed beside Albion, another ex working Wherry, but first a little historic motorised dingy had to be moved out of the way.

 

 

Once we had all said our good bye’s and thanked all the crew for a very enjoyable day we walked up the lane to the staithe carpark where Simon had left his car this morning, for the 10 minute drive back to Sutton Staithe, where we left some 6½ hours earlier to pick up our car and drive home.

 

Where we went

If you would like to help preserve this lovely old Wherry and have a chance to sail on her you can join the Wherry Maud Trust at Membership – Wherry Maud Trust or just go there and read more about this fine vessel .

Home Mooring

Last night we ate at the barley Mow, Pie and Mash with peas. The pies are home made and not a soggy bottom to be found.Real mash, not powder.
This morning we were away a little earlier as I needed to call in to Toolstation so moored for 15 minutes opposite Clifton Cruisers. Needless to say just as I returned to the boat a hire boat came by, but we didn’t follow them far before they pulled over.
A long stretch in Brownsover has been marked as “No Mooring” for several years but these boats were here on our outward journey and also our return. As I approached I could see a boat coming the other way, so I held back until they passed and then set off , however there was another boat some way behind and when he saw me coming pancaked,  Turned right against the off side bank and then hard left and he hit me right on the nose even though I was hard astern. By this time our bow was level with the end of the far boat, if he had just slowed or gone straight there would have been no problem.
We reached the bottom lock about 11 Am and had an hour and a half wait as there were 6 boats waiting ahead and by the time we locked up there was probably 8 waiting behind us. Once through the first lock we were in a queue again for the middle one, The abandoned boat is still in the mouth of lock 5.

There were three Volockies at the bottom lock but non at the others, I think all the other boats I saw going up were hire boats. At the moorings at the top of the locks this boat had anti rat plates on the mooring ropes but as they are against the bank there is nothing to stop undesirables just stepping aboard.

Passing Hillmorton Wharf it looks as if they have placed concrete blocks to prevent boats entering the basin where the floating lodges are all located.
We carried on past our marina and down to Dunchurch Pools marina to fill with diesel, the price has gone up 10p/L since we last had some, kicking my self a bit as we didn’t fill to the brim last time in the hope that prices might fall. On our way back I saw this one legged goose.

On the way we passed under way I call”WRG Bridge” This was a bridge repaired by WRG for CRT trying out using volunteers' for maintenance, Over the

 

years it has cracked again, but the other side is a very sorry state and looks like its creeping over.

I am always amazed what I se on the towpath, here we have two pairs of boots, his and hers

It was then back into the marina and pack up ready to go home in the morning .

Todays Journey

 

9¾ miles with 3 locks in 6 hours

Newbold

Well not a great deal to report today, a little rain first thing, enough to wet the deck but fine when we left at 10. As the day progressed the weather improved and we again saw lots of hire boats. Coming into Ansty the water was well up where the old loop use to run off and we counted 27 horses in the field there

A few mooring spaces in Ansty but that could  be boats that have already moved on this morning. A couple of spaces at All Oaks Wood but with the 14 day movement requirement being suspended many are staying put. We carried on to moor for the night at Newbold, I got the front rope on a ring but put a pin in at the stern.

Today’s  Journey 9 miles with no locks in 3¼ hours.

Ansty

Well it happened again, just getting set to go and a hire boat comes passed, then a boat comes the other way, then a second hire boat from behind. Now its really thick fine drizzle, the type that soaks you without watering the garden. Ten past ten and we are off, the drizzle stops, then we catch up with the hire boat, he has caught up with the first hire boat and we are not going fast enough to even charge the batteries. Next thing we stop. The first boat has come across a hire boat on the mud against the tow path with another boat also on the mud trying to tow him off. The tow boat isn’t moving but his prop wash pushes the boat he is trying to tow off the mud and into mid channel and he is now overtaking the boat that is still on the mud trying to tow him. It all adds to life’s interest. Then the first hire boat pulls over for coffee and we are away.I also pass the second boat later when he stops.

There is a lot of activity on the old quarry just by the junction with some very large new heaps of varying colours on top of the old workings. Out onto the Oxford and we turned left back towards Hawkesbury Junction. Most of the boats we have seen on the move have been hire boats.
I am not sure what CRT are doing about long term moorings now but the ones on the Coventry Canal near Hawkesbury junction are half empty.

 

As we approached the junction Diana hopped off to set the lock, I could see CRT just above the lock with a digger on a flat and wondered if they were waiting for the lock, but they were still pulling the stabilisers inline with the hull to make it narrow enough to fit the lock.

The long term moorings this side of the lock on the Oxford canal are similar to the Coventry ones, CRT must be losing £15-20K a year with them vacant.

We carried on to moor for the night at the furthest point from the motorway, this is about midway between the Coventry Cruising Club and Ansty visitor moorings.

Today’s Journey

 

8½ miles with 1 lock in 3¼ hours

Burton Hastings

Yesterday afternoon Diana spotted a wet bit of carpet next to where the water pump is mounted in its own tray to catch any leaks, it also has a water alarm that hadn't sounded because the ray was dry. There wasn't a leak on the pressurised side as that is below the floor. Lots of feeling and wiping found the inline strainer leaking. Gave it a good wipe dry, tightened the Jubilee Clips and it all felt fine, put a paper towel under it to check and half an hour later it was wet. The was the seal on the cap so its probably been weeping since spring time when I fitted a new one. Unfortunately as its in the suction pipe its not over the drip tray, another job to do.

This morning it was a cooked breakfast at the wharf, luckily we were there as soon as they opened as it soon filled up with some tables reserved. Once the tummies were full we drew Harnser back to the water point and filled the tank. Due to all of this it was 11am before we set off. We had had quite a bit of rain overnight and it was still showery at 9AM but also warm with it and we haven’t had any rain all day. The rain we had last night has pushed the level up a tiny bit.

 

There was what looked like an organised metal detector event going on in one of the canal side fields, I expect they are looking for moor items from the time of the battle. sorry about the branches

As well as meeting a few Narrowboats we also met these ladies who were picking Blackberries as they went.

 

You could almost say we had all our ducks in a row, except they are not our ducks.

As the day went on the weather got warmer and we decided to moor up at Burton Hastings for the night just opposite the end of the long term moorings that are looking very empty now.

 

Today’s Journey

 

8½ miles with no locks in 3½ hours

Sutton Cheney

A little after 10 we went and said goodbye to Mike at the ACA shop and donated some more tat. Then I walked back to the boat to set off while Diana opened the bridge/lock gate, its bit of a beast.

This is where I reversed down through yesterday, double moored one side and single moored the other. I am glad I did the reversing yesterday when there was no wind.

It decided to rain before we got as far as the tunnel, big blobs but not too heavy, a brolly took care of it. By the time we exited the South portal it had stopped. We had this a couple of times during the trip.
A Shackerstone we stopped to visit the farm shop at the end of the long term moorings for some savoury muffins and fresh fruit.
I often wonder what this old building use to be, was there a farmstead here at one time. Over the years the ivy has been getting thicker. I know people like to moor close to bridges for easy access but mooring to the piling under the bridge is pushing it to the limit.

We were hoping to see a steam train on our way to Sutton Cherney but the best we managed was a bit of smoke and steam with a few toots thrown in.

There were a couple of slots on the pontoons but we went past the water point to the one day moorings on the wharf, close and handy for tomorrows breakfast.

 

Todays Journey

 

10¾ miles with 1 stop lock in 4 hours