THE STEALTH BOAT RESCUE
"S'Mine Too"

23rd - 28th July 2007

Monday 23rd July  (Cloudy with occasional showers)

• The crew anxiously gathered at Alan's house at 8-30am in eager anticipation of the mission ahead of them.  Quantities of provisions were loaded into Colin's Galaxy, who had kindly volunteered to ferry the lads down to the narrowboat, which had been abandoned at the Brinklow Marina some two weeks earlier.  The journey, through much rain, was accomplished in good time and the crew quickly located the boat, which appeared to be in good condition.  The provisions including adequate supplies of "Smoked Mackerel Fillets" were transferred onto the narrowboat and the crew quickly felt at home in the familiar surroundings.  The engine started promptly and  the usual engine maintenance procedures completed.  Before leaving, a visit was made to Tesco in Rugby where the fresh provisions were procured.
   
• Before departing, Neil telephoned the mobile phone for the owner of the Marina, only to find that he was on holiday !!   After Ron accurately navigated the narrowboat across the Marina, a man in the JCB digger was located and the Marina key left with him, as requested.  Closer inspection of the narrowboat by the crew revealed some deformation to the superstructure at the front of the boat that was not present during their last trip and a number of extra grazes down the sides.

               Leaving the new Brinklow Marina
  

• The narrowboat handled very well on the short journey down to Streeton Stop, where the very helpful staff at Rose Narrowboats, filled the fuel tank with 35½ litres of diesel, pumped out the toilets and installed a new 19Kg cylinder of Gas, at a total cost of some £52.  Shortly afterwards Neil prepared a healthy lunch of Salad and Smoked Mackerel Fillets, which was consumed in relays, due to the torturous schedule ahead of the crew.
   
• As the necessary servicing of the boat had been completed sooner than originally expected, the crew decided to go ahead of their published plan by taking the boat on past Ansty, through Bedworth and Nuneaton to aim for a night-time stop at the Anchor Inn at Hartshill, which had pleasant memories for the crew, from previous visits.  Arrival was estimated for 7pm.
   
• Whilst the crew were travelling past Bedworth, their curiosity was fuelled by seeing if the beer barrel and pumping system, installed by Cran, could be recommissioned.  Alan was chosen to test this possibility due to his pub cellar experience some 39 years earlier.  He quickly had the system connected with the help of written instructions prepared by Neil earlier.

Ron testing the newly installed beer dispensing facilities

• Alan negotiated the dangerously sharp turn at Hawkesbury Junction without incident and the journey continued towards Nuneaton and their destination for the evening at The Anchor Inn, well ahead of Plan.
   
• Dinners of Rogan Josh with rice and poppadom (except Neil) for only £2-50 was enjoyed by Alan & Ron, washed down with 3 pints of Mordue's ale (4.6%). Neil chose an alternative of Beef Stew, with crusty bread and roast potatoes at a mere £1-99.  The tired crew returned to the narrowboat at 10pm for small portions of cheese and biscuits with coffee.  They retired at 11pm ready for an early start the following morning.
   

Tuesday 24th July  (Sunny and hot all day)

• The crew rose at an early hour apprehensive about the long day ahead.  Neil prepared porridge for the crew and they cast off at 7-45am.  They were soon at Atherton top lock,  aware that a further 10 locks lay ahead of them in the Atherton Flight.  Although this was the first lock on the mission, the crew swiftly negotiated the locks, passing several craft heading upwards.
   
• Ron prepared an excellent breakfast of bacon, sausage and egg, with toast, which was consumed with gusto, after mooring just south of Polesworth.  It was noted that the fresh orange juice had been forgotten, but it remained safely in the fridge!!
   
• This section of the canal was busy with a constant stream of boats being passed, many of whom were unable to reach their planned destinations due to the Warwick and Banbury sections of the canal being closed through flooding.  The Braunston tunnel had also been closed due to a landslip, although the crew heard that boats were now passing through.
   
• A significant queue of boats waiting to go up the two Glascote Locks was witnessed, but the narrowboat suffered minimal delays passing down the locks.  Progress was assisted by several children who Alan press-ganged into operating the locks, with the approval of their attractive mother.

Waiting to enter the Glascote locks

• Shortly afterwards Neil prepared a healthy lunch of Smoked Mackerel rolls with salad, with freshly squeezed orange juice, which was enjoyed on the move as the boat approached Fazeley Junction, near Tamworth.  Progress remained slower than hoped due to a number boats ahead with inexperienced crews.  A passing skipper endorsed this view, by passing comment on the boat ahead of us as "Having No Fxxxing Clue".   However, significant progress was made by two daring overtaking manoeuvres achieved by Ron and Neil.
   
• The crew's spirits were much lifted by the thought of reconnecting the beer barrel again during the long hot afternoon.  This was later accomplished and proved most popular with the weary crew.

• After Alan consulted with a work colleague who lived in Handsacre, the Ash Tree at Armitage was selected for an evening stop although due to the distance a late arrival was anticipated.  The Ash Tree allegedly offer a "2 for 1" meal deal which greatly intrigued the crew.  Alan's colleague Steve, checked out the pubs in advance of the arrival, but suggested the Spode Cottage as being the most appropriate for their needs, due to the Ash Tree being full and with a lack of mooring facilities.   He guided them past the sights of the Armitage Shanks toilet factory to a noisy mooring spot, where the crew enjoyed steak dinners and 3 pints of Pedigree ale.  Afterwards returning to the boat at 10-30 to update their accounts and consume coffee without cheese or biscuits.  The exhausted crew calculated that they had travelled 27½ miles with 16 locks in the 12½ hour day, making them considerably ahead of their published plan.
   
• As the forecast for tomorrow is poor, the plan to reach Stone by the evening may prove to be ambitious and they retired at 11-30 to ponder the day's exertions.
   
• Revised instructions had been telegraphically received from Cran during the day, requesting a change of plan due to the lack of suitable mooring places on the Bridgewater Canal.  Alternatives included possible destinations on the Macclesfield or Peak Forest Canals.  Further instructions were awaited.
   

Wednesday 25th July  (Cloudy with showers in the morning turning hot and sunny in the afternoon)

• The crew awoke during the night to hear rain beating on the roof of the narrowboat, although it had stopped by the time they arose shortly after 7am.  Neil prepared statutory porridge and they slipped their moorings at 7-40am, to negotiate the perilous "Plum Pudding Rocky Cutting". 

The narrowboat being carefully negotiated through the "Plum Pudding Rocky Cutting" by Alan

• Although it soon started to rain, this did not last long and good progress was made past the sights of Rugeley Power Station to stop for a superb breakfast (with Baked Beans) just before Weston-on-Trent.  After breakfast the crew studied the maps of the Macclesfield Canal and although new ground to the crew, calculated that a final mooring location towards the end of the picturesque Peak Forest Canal would be achievable.  Details were telegraphed to Cran (at the shore base) to investigate the options.

• Showers continued during the morning, but at 2-30pm the sun appeared with noticeable heat.  The final location for the evening still remained open with options of Stone (excellent Star Inn, by the lock), Barlaston or possibly Hem Heath which boasts a Toby Inn.
   
• The narrowboat arrived at Stone at 3-30pm and moored adjacent to the Stone Chandlery to fill with water.  Neil and Alan visited the chandlery and purchased a new door catch for the front door and a replacement "Traditional Narrowboat Fender (Donkey's Dick) required due to an unfortunate incident with a protruding bolt on a lock gate.  The new catch was fitted together with the fender, before departing to continue up through several locks towards Burlaston.
   
• The continuing warm weather made it essential that the crew again connected the beer barrel and enjoyed a number of glasses of Bitburger, before arriving at "The Plume of Feathers" in Burlaston.  Having inspected the pub and menu, advice was taken from a young lady and the crew decided to continue towards Hem Heath.  One further lock was expertly negotiated before the crew tied up adjacent to Bridge No 106 at 7-40pm ready for a visit to the Toby Inn.  The crew enjoyed a splendid Gammon & Turkey carvery with lashings of vegetables, washed down with 3 pints of Banks Bitter.
   
• The crew returned to the narrowboat at 10-30pm for desirable cheese with coffee, during which the accounts were updated.  The crew reflected on their days exertions and concluded that it was a less pressured and more relaxed and enjoyable day.  They retired to their bunks for a well deserved rest, pondering their revised target destination for Thursday of Congleton, passing Jodrell Bank.
   

Thursday 26th July  (Overcast with rain around lunchtime, but sun in the afternoon)

• The crew awoke during the night to the sound of rain on the roof of the narrowboat, although again this had stopped by the time they arose shortly after 7am.  Ron divided the porridge rations, although final preparation and serving was left to the porridge expert.  They left their moorings to continue on their mission northward, soon reaching the outskirts of Stoke.   Before reaching the first of the five Stoke locks, the crew were able to gaze at the sights of the Stoke incinerator.  The very deep locks were swiftly negotiated by the experienced crew, who noted a significant queue of narrowboats at top lock waiting to head downwards.
   
• The trip through Stoke was uneventful passing further exciting sights such as the Civic Hall and then the Black Prince boatyard at Etruria, with whom the crew were very familiar, including the adjacent Toby Inn.  The narrowboat then entered new territory for two members of the crew, with only Ron having previous knowledge of this section of the Trent & Mersey canal.  The boat continued past the site of the old Shelton Steel works and into the pottery area where many young female workers in the factories took great delight in waving and blowing kisses to the experienced crew.
   
• Another near disaster was avoided when the narrowboat travelled over a submerged object beneath a bridge which tilted and lifted the boat on the left side.  The experienced crew took the necessary actions and were unperturbed by the event.
   
• The boat soon arrived at the south portal of the Harecastle Tunnel, where they joined a number of other boats for the next northbound convoy, which was departing in about 45 minutes.  The crew felt that this was a good opportunity to prepare a healthy breakfast of bacon, 2 sausages, with scrambled egg and beans, prepared mainly by Alan.  Afterwards the crew felt they had to decline a second round of toast.

Waiting for the convoy to depart through Harecastle Tunnel. Entering the Tunnel

• The convoy through the tunnel left just before 11-30am, taking 45 minutes to traverse the very wet and low roofed tunnel.  Washing up and other ablutions were undertaken by Neil and Alan, whilst Ron navigated the tunnel to a high standard.  The tunnel is fitted with doors and large fans, due to the absence of natural ventilation shafts.
   
• The tunnel was exited in heavy rain where Neil expertly made the very sharp and hazardous turn (without need for reverse gears) into the start of the Macclesfield canal on the journey to their planned stopping point for the evening at Congleton.  The other crew were astounded by the accuracy and skill of this manoeuvre and awarded him a score of 10 out of 10.
   
• The crew found the initial section of the Macclesfield Canal very picturesque, but due to the continuing heavy rain, extremely wet !!!!  However, after a mere 2 hours the rain stopped and the sun started to break through.  The crew's thoughts were immediately drawn to the beer barrel which was expertly and rapidly deployed.  Neil prepared the final rations of Smoked Mackerel Fillets, which were enjoyed with granary bread and salad. 
   
• The narrowboat arrived in Congleton earlier than expected at 2-30pm.  The location, in a cutting, appeared unattractive and therefore as the weather had improved, the crew decided to continue through to stop at one of several canalside pubs before Macclesfield for the night stop.  The views of the countryside lifted the spirits of the crew greatly as they continued to drink the draft Bitburger.
   
• The flight of twelve Bosley locks was soon before the crew, but the co-operation and team work with the crew of a slower boat ahead (with inexperienced crew), made short work of the task.  However, Ron managed to misjudge a sharp turn into Lock No 2 and travelled a very long and unusual route to eventually enter the lock.
   
• After exiting the last lock the crew eagerly awaited sight of the giant Jodrell Bank Radio Telescope.  However, after travelling several miles no sighting was made and the crew felt that it must have been moved.  After a further glass of Bitburger, the crew prepared to stop for the evening at "The Fools Nook" at Oakgrove, where a table was booked by Alan for 8pm.  After showers the hungry and exhausted crew hurried for their dinner and 4 pints of Thwaites and HSB Best Bitter.  The pub provided a splendid fare of Gammon and Salmon, with ample accompaniments, which was considered the best so far.
   
• After dinner the crew thought it beneficial to take a half hour walk to aid their digestion and as recommended by a local, took the hilly route to the local reservoir where many ducks were observed.  Afterwards on returning to the pub, a boating couple suggested a possible final mooring for the narrowboat at Furness Vale Marina on the Peak Forest canal.
   
• The crew returned to the narrowboat for coffee without cheese or biscuits and a well earned rest.
   

Friday 27th July  (Cloudy, but with occasional sunny intervals)

• As has become custom the eager crew rose at an early hour to enjoy compulsory porridge prepared by the porridge king, Neil.  After untying the boat Alan walked to the nearby electrically operated swing bridge, proceeding to stop all the traffic with flashing lights and barriers allowing passage of the narrowboat onwards towards Macclesfield.  Although the drivers disapproved of this delay, they obviously were unaware of the importance of the rescue mission facing the brave and intrepid crew.
   

  The narrowboat soon arrived into the picturesque town of Macclesfield, where the splendid "Hovis Mill" appeared before them.

  Alan inspecting the water filling progress during the stop at Macclesfield

   

• A further electronic communication was received from Cran during the morning advising that mooring facilities had been confirmed by British Waterways at Whaley Bridge.  The crew were much relieved by this important information from the shore base and continued their mission with added vigour.
   
• The narrowboat was moored briefly at Higher Poynton where the crew enjoyed their penultimate breakfast prepared by Ron.  The crew took a relaxing cruise down the remainder of the Macclesfield Canal in the sunshine, past several vast and historic Mill buildings.  They turned into the Peak Forest Canal at Marple and further enjoyed the beautiful scenery as they headed for their final destination at Whaley Bridge.  The crew took an opportunity to have a late lunch of soup and bread with a few pickled onions whilst stopped for a pumpout at The New Mills Marina in Newtown.
   

Entering the Peak Forest Canal. The Goyt Mill at Marple

• With the crew's relaxed state a catastrophe occurred shortly afterwards, when Neil sailed past the Furness Vale boatyard where they had intended to fill with fuel !!!  Options of pulling the boat backward for half a mile were dismissed as they considered their options.  However, Neil redeemed himself when he asked the owner of a large moored barge where fuel was available, only to discover that it was in fact a floating shop and fuel station.  The crew happily pulled alongside while the tank was filled with £36-00 of diesel and to their delight found that they also sold replacement "Traditional Narrowboat Fenders" (Donkey's Dick), as it had been noticed that the boat had lost yet another.

Filling with fuel from a floating Barge Shop

• After the excitement of the above events and with a full fuel tank and empty toilets the crew continued to their destination at the Whaley Arm of the Canal at Whaley Bridge and started looking for the proposed mooring location.  The crew selected a suitable place adjacent to the access bridge for the all night Tesco Extra store, turning the boat at the end of the Arm ready for an easy departure on its next trip.  After the exertion and tension of the rescue mission the crew immediately setup the beer barrel and commenced drinking quantities of Bitburger.  Alan took a 6 figure grid reference of the boat location to radio through to Colin in order that the crew can be collected on Saturday morning around 11am.  When the Bitburger barrel was finally disconnected Alan advised that it felt extremely light and must be almost empty.

• The crew felt relaxed on a successful conclusion to the dangerous and daring mission and considered it necessary to investigate the local drinking establishments for the evening.  "The Navigation" at Bugsworth Basins was selected as the starting place. After a long and difficult walk along the towpath the crew found themselves in the surroundings of the historical Basin and accurately located The Navigation pub, where quantities of Pedigree and "Slap & Tipple" were purchased.  Dinners of Fish & Chips and healthy Fish Pie and vegetables were secured.  In view of the vast quantities of Bitburger previously consumed only 2 pints of bitter were enjoyed whereafter the tired and competent crew returned to the narrowboat for the final portions of cheese and biscuits, with some coffee.
   
• The exhausted crew retired to their beds content with achieving their exacting tasks over the last week, aware that their next narrowboating adventure starts in a mere 5 weeks time.
   

Saturday 28th July  (Sunny with a few clouds)

• Although Colin was not scheduled to arrive to collect the crew until 11am, as had become habit the crew rose at 7-15am for final porridge.  They packed their belongings and commenced the task of cleaning and tidying the boat inside and out.  Although they had saved sufficient food for a final cooked breakfast, the crew felt unable to face a large meal, which may also have undone some of their strenuous cleaning tasks.  Once this was completed the crew took a walk around Whaley Bridge locating evidence of the tracks from old Incline railways that used to bring limestone down to Bugsworth basin, which was once Britain's largest inland port.
   
• After returning to the narrowboat, the final greasing of the prop shaft was undertaken, the electricity and gas isolated, and the boat closed to await its next outing by its owner Cran (see www.sminetoo.co.uk).  The transfer into Colin's Galaxy was swiftly accomplished and the journey to their homes started, stopping only for a quick visit to the Furness Vale Marina, where a replacement piling hook was purchased to replace one inadvertently left at the Oakgrove moorings, due to their eager departure.
   
• The intrepid crew relaxed on their journey home through picturesque areas the Peak District and Yorkshire reflecting on the success of their mission to rescue the stranded Stealth narrowboat.

The Original Plan"

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