She's here!

Sunday 26th June 2011

A new era

Stuart said: I bet your like a kid at Christmas.
When I arrived at Brookbank Stockport today, I was exited to say the least. I was finally (after 3 months of waiting, and almost 6 months of being without a sea boat) going to be going home with my new adventure partner!

Never named a boat before but: here she is.....Lavita-Sue.

The name is one of a good freind of mine who has helped me to get her home, I am most gratefull for the assistance given.

It wouldn't have been right going home past the canal without getting her wet!

So in the steaming heat, I worked my way through the crowds of towpath walkers and launched for the first of hopefully many trips together.

Unlike last weekend when it was a little overcast and drizzly, today was clear, sunny and hot. It seemed to make all the house boat owners go for a trip out, really busy.

As I paddled I thought I could feel something crawling on my legs in the cockpit, popping the deck I found it was beads of sweat trickling down my calfs! Never had that before.

Trying to capture the grin I must have permanently as I paddled was difficult, I am happy, honest!

Oh, and as everything is going down in size or loosing weight (Ha Ha), here's the new deck bag. A bit dear really, but nice. The old one (Northwater Peaked, black and bigger) is going on a well know internet auction site this week unless someone wants to buy it? 

I'm really pleased with this picture, I reckon its sitting about right in the water. Although I havn't got all my kit with me!

Arriving back home, I gave the hull a good scrub, T-cut and a polish. Looking good now, a couple of un-moveable marks but otherwise good.

Should I fit a keels strip now, or wait till later?

In her new home. The newly extended deck (yes, for the kayak) fitted perfectly.

Connor was really excited as we spent some of yesterday constructing a lift up door for it, and he couldn't wait to use it!

So there we are, the wait has been a somewhat anxious one at times, traditionally I've not really been one for waiting, or saving, or paying for things with my money instead of a credit card. This whole process has marked lots of changes. Selling the Aqaunuat back in Febuary was a difficult decision to take, it did however put money in the bank when we needed it ( I know the new owner will be enjoying it, in fact it went straight up to Scotland from here on 2 weeks of adventure).

No more credit cards! Plenty of adventure!

Heres to many happy years together!

Up, and then down on flat water

Saturday 18th June 2011

Peak Forest & Macclesfield Canals

Having seemingly not done anything bar work for ages, Myself and Dad hatched a Thursday night plan to do this trip we'd had in-mind for a while.
Starting at Buxworth basin on the Peakforest canal near Whaley bridge, we were to do a one-way trip to HighLane over the hills near Stockport.
I dropped the boats and Dad off at the start, drove the van 15mins to the end point, ran 1.3 miles along the tow path to the bus stop, road 17mins on the bus, and then ran another half mile to the canal basin.

Dad was there when I got back, which was good really, as he had the boats!

as you can see, I have the rather tug-boat-like Microbat river running boat, not ideal.

Good training for the muscles.

This basin at Buxworth has been restored and re-opened recently, and was in great condition.

The Peak Forest Canal Company had an Act of Parliament passed enabling them to construct a canal from the Ashton Canal's short branch crossing the Dukinfield aqueduct, to Chapel Milton, north of Chapel-en-le-Frith. A tramway would bring limestone to here from quarries between Peak Forest and Dove Holes

Setting off, I realised that this wasn't going to be an easy paddle. The wind was in our faces as we got under way, although we didn't really notice it again after that.

There were Joggers, cyclists, narrow boats and horses all using the canal and tow paths. Of course there was also us, I do feel a little, that we are vuneable sat there going fairly slowly, what did occur was that the horses, being live animals with a mind of their own, could easily be spooked by us, I didnt fancy the results of them jumping in on us!

Edale outdoor eduacation had got a few young people out throwing balls around at the Whaley bridge junction

These two guys were home made with plastic pots from seedlings.

This has got to be the biggest Cow Parsely around?

Sheltering from the torrential rain, it didn't take long to start dripping through the tree canopy.

What I didn't think about was when using the white water paddle rather than the touring paddle, it had no drip rings, so I would spend all day with wet hands, also it dripped on the deck constantly eventually leaking through and starting to fill the boat up.

A heron taking off, sadly he/she flew directly away from me, so the photo is not great.

Another canal-unique experience - passing under the swing bridges.

I felt the same here as I did with the horses! Didn't fancy having a half ton of beef on my deck!

At the Junction with the Macclesfield canal that signified us turning South, this Lock was DEEP, felt wierd sitting at the back of what was essentially just an old bit of timber.

Lunch stop - getting out on the canals always awkward, we managed to stay dry though.

Goyt Mill - I can't find a history of it, but it does house many businesses, Scalextric 8 track racing venue, kids play centre, a saddlery to name but a few.

Just after sheltering from the rain again, this time within site of the finish.

Having a coffee at the Trading Post - well deserved. 21 Km and very tired arms

A great day out - have a look here for an anylisation:

http://www.a-trip.com/tracks/view/77709

Riding with the planes

Saturday 11th June 2011

Manchester airport circumnavigation

We decided that today was going to be a family day and had 2 or 3 options dependant on the weather.
Metcheck said sunny - up until 10am anyway! We made the decision to travel 50 mins or so to Manchester airport and do the orbital route, 8 miles all off the road.

I picked up a leaflet about the route a few years ago and have fancied doing it for a while now. Its easy to follow having these sign posts all around. Some of the route goes along the side of main roads, and we did have to cross a couple. Getting close to the airport its self we used about 10 pelican crossings to get into the transport exchange area where there is a cycle centre and information place.

When we arrived here it poured it down with rain for about 1/2 an hour! Worst than that though, it seems the cycle centre has now disapearred I asked a policeman about it, and he said it went about 3 years ago, I had read old internet information!

It was a good place to shelter from the weather, and it had toilets.

We arrived at the Aviation viewing park and managed to eat lunch without the big black cloud above us bursting over our heads.

Then a Cathy Pacific Air Cargo 747 landed and caused a stir with all the people watching.

The big cloud pasted over, and strangely - hung around the runway threshold. It stayed there for about an hour.

Then finally, the Emerates A380 Airbus was pushed back for its taxi out to take off.

It normally takes off on runway 2 but today it used 24R the origonal runway, and thus allowed us to actually see it rotate and lift off almost infront of us - unfortunately through the mesh fence so rubbish pictures.

We left shortly after to complete our journey....

We had to pass under both runways, 24R was first. This tunnel is right at the end ogf the origonal runway, and when the wind is in the prevailing direction, you never see anything from the road, they have normally taken off by then.

Runway 24L was next, with about 300metres seperating the tunnels, there almost identical. What I cannot understand is why they bothered building the 2nd. It was stated that it was to have one runway on departures and one on arivals, never seen this happen - except when the A380 uses 2nd runway to leave on.

Another big waste of money, land, time and resoures?

Passing around the back of the 2nd runway we road along the outside perimetre track, passing many crash gates and the fire training mock up plane. The fire service had been practicing earlier in the day, but all was quiet now.

We passed under the approach now having almost completed our circuit.

Watching our last plane of the day, its been good. Everyone enjoyed the biking, the weather held out (mostly) and we had a great pub lunch on the way back.

Connor (of course) was nowhere near tired enough, and probably would have gone around again.

We will do this again later in the year I'm sure.

Around an 8 Mile journey, constantly within earshot of the airport, and most of the time in site. 

Local paddling

9th June 2011

Some 'proper' coaching for Connor

After seemingly being constantly at work, and hardly seeing the family it was nice to get out to a local lake with Connor.
Traveling for only 15mins, we met up with some old kayaking freinds of mine that I havn't seen for at least 6 years Icthus canoe club .

Connor was first to the water, and was gagging to get in his boat.

Poolsbrook Country Park was once the site of the former Ireland Colliery, but has been transformed from dereliction into a tremendous country park and amenities area.

The Park was developed by Derbyshire County Council and Chesterfield Borough Council on the site of the former Ireland Colliery. This 180 acre park boasts 85 acres of woodland 42 acres of grassland and 23 acres of green water.

Getting Connor in his boat and onto the water wasn't so straight forward, there was a step of about 18" down to the water. We placed his kayak across an open and got him in from there, and then slid him in!

I seal launched from the bank the first time in years!

 After some splashing about John (one of the cclub coaches) took Connor and worked with him to develop his strokes.

He was really concentrating, and he was soon away! Doing the full width and the length of the lake, John had Connor doing forward paddling, getting him to extend his reach. He did forward stroke spinning, and then reverse, and the a combination of both! We just need to get him doing some capsize drills and practice the strokes he learned, and he's not far off 1 Star! Even I don't have that!

I swapped boats with john, I have only had a little go once before, but now I seemed to get the hang of it.

I quite enjoyed it, and what surprised me was how smooth it was, I seemed to just glide, and actually didn't realise how fast I was moving.

A nice easy and enjoyable evening, I can see us going again now.

Some of you will no doubt be asking wether I have got the new kayak yet - Well.......theres a question.

Not yet! I've been really busy, but still havn't managed to get the rest of the balance together, very frustrating!

I'll keep you posted.