UKvacationsAfloat

12/12/2024

A beautiful photo in consolation (apologies on behalf of Meta for the clumsy share)…
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/14LUsNpTf2/?mibextid=WC7FNe

Well, every month we make a plan for our delivery schedule....... things rarely go to plan, but this month it seems just impossible to make any plans to deliver by Fuel boat Halsall ! Halsall is currently stuck near Hatherton by a tree which fell in storm Darragh on Sunday. We reached the tree on Tuesday morning & reported it to CRT who knew nothing about it, yesterday they came out to asses the situation & have passed the job on to contractors. Getting reliable information from CRT has been extremely difficult this week, constantly we are told to look at the website stoppage pages, but many of the stoppages that began on Sunday, still weren't on the stoppage system at 9am yesterday, CRT's communications internally & externally have been appalling, with in the end CRT staff having to ring customers to find out what information other CRT staff have told them. It's frustrating, annoying & very disappointing aaaaggggghhhhh!!!!

So in summary, we're not able to proceed forward with our planned round trip around the Four Counties Ring (the 3rd time in a row we've been thwarted), due to the fallen tree at Hatherton, then the fallen trees at Woodseaves cutting have now been described as a landslide (& a stoppage notice finally being issued at 11am yesterday 4 days after the event). We cannot turn around & go back as the long awaited (4 years) stoppage at Parkgate Lock to fix the ground paddle started on Monday & isn't due to finish until 20th December. So we're stuck & have reverted to road deliveries.

We're currently delivering on the whole of the Shroppie, Autherly Jn to Ellesmere Port & the Branch by road. So if your need any fuels & are near a road access point please order on 07491 149149 & we'll do our best to deliver, but please be patient as we do our best to work around the current stoppages

On a positive not, the lovely image below is our sister boat Alton delivering on the Peak Forest by photographer Mark Lomas

10/11/2024

05/10/2024

23/08/2024

***2 TREES DOWN LOWER SHROPPIE***
Currently there are 2 blockages, at Gnosall and Brewood. Full Canal & River Trust notices here
https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/notices/29305-gnosall-heath-side-of-cowley-tunnel
https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/notices/29304-tree-down-bridge-13-school-bridge-brewood-shropshire-union-canal

18/08/2024

14/08/2024

We have just added this festival, taking place in Northwich over the Bank Holiday weekend, to our August schedule! Free entry with a small charge for camping!

04/08/2024

Ahoy there! Summer bargain anyone? We're offering 25% OFF remaining 7 Night holidays in August* to readers of Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust Cut Both Ways magazine which members will have received this week.
Just find our ad in the magazine, scan the QR code and use the ad page number in a PROMO CODE in the form PAGExx when booking.
Contact Us for further information. Saturday starts from Gailey Wharf, fuel extra.

31/07/2024

***NAVIGATION CLOSURE SHROPSHIRE UNION AT AUDLEM***

***UPDATE Thursday: a crane is required which will be onsite this weekend. Next Canal & River Trust update Saturday AM***

Apparently due to vandalism of Lock 10 in the Audlem flight. Full Canal & River Trust notice here:
https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/notices/29051-lock-10-audlem-lock-flight-shropshire-union-canal

24/07/2024

***CLOSURE TOMORROW (THURSDAY July 25th 9-4) Lock 17 Fradley***
This popular spot will be conjested tomorrow for certain. The Black Country Ring route is not affected - the lock is the first AFTER Fradley Junction on the T&M - but expect passage to be slow.

Full Canal & River Trust notice here https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/notices/29002-lock-17-junction-lock-fradley-junction-alrewas-trent-and-mersey-canal

20/07/2024

***CLOSURE Shropshire Union Canal at Lock 13 Tilstone due to a sunken boat***

Full Canal & River Trust notice here https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/notices/28967-lock-13-tilstone-su-034-002-tilstone-shropshire-union-canal

19/07/2024

***Temporary closure at Ebstree Lock 27 on the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal on Monday 22nd July, from 10am to 2pm only***

Full Canal & River Trust notice here https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/notices/28962-lock-27-ebstree-lock-staffs-and-worcester-canal

12/07/2024

***Navigation CLOSURE notice***

From Canal & River Trust: “A large tree has come down from the offside of the canal and has completely blocked navigation just below Lapley Wood Bridge 17. Towpath is also closed”

Full notice here https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/notices/28899-below-lapley-wood-bridge-17

28/06/2024

In the run-up to the general election next Thursday, I thought it was worth posting the latest edition of the Canal & River Trust Boaters update. 
The canal system plays a key role in environmental conservation, water management and by no means least of all contributes to the positive mental health and well-being of its users and the general public.
The CRT comes in for a huge amount of criticism on many boating forums but I for one would like to trumpet their maintenance efforts and, most recently, rapid response to several infrastructure issues in our local area. This they do with tight financial constraints and minimal support from central government.
Let’s hope on July 5th a new government moves funding for this relatively unsung national resource up the priority list in recognition of its contribution to the nation.


https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/boating/boating-news-and-views/the-boaters-update/boaters-update-28-june-2024