Huddersfield Daily Examiner
Saturday November 15 2003
by
Gina Sykes

The Barbridge Inn, near where the photograph on the right was taken comes highly recommended.

The Anderton boat lift in the lower picture is described as a wonder of the waterways.
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WHEN I suggested going on a canal holiday, the response was: "You won't like it on a boat."
Admittedly, the idea was out of character.
Our short breaks usually consist of a B&B in Bowness or, if we've saved enough cash, a little taste of luxury in a plush hotel by the sea.

The nearest I had been to a barge was at Huddersfield canal festival. Now, I have spent three days on one and it was great fun!

Our 40-mile canal adventure through Cheshire was booked with Black Prince Holidays, who told us they would not let us go until they were sure we could handle the boat.

We were due to set off from Acton Bridge, on the A49 Warrington to Whitchurch road, and I had visions of spending the entire three days of our holiday there as we tried and failed to master the intricacies of boating.

Oh well, I thought, I'm sure Acton Bridge is lovely! It was and, despite my fears, we didn't spend long there. We watched a video on canal safety, were given a few expert tips and a quick practice run. Then we were off.

The parting advice from Black Prince's Acton Bridge manageress Margaret Dowling was: "Just take it slowly and don't panic."

About half-an-hour later we spotted a canal boat approaching in a particularly congested part of the Trent and Mersey Canal. We panicked, but in a clumsy and amateurish fashion succeeded in missing the other boat.

As we chugged along our confidence grew. Our new friend Patsy—the name of our barge—took us to stunningly beautiful countryside, through dark tunnels and under numerous pretty bridges.

Our only stop was to see the Anderton Boat Lift, described as a wonder of the waterways. By nightfall, we had reached Middlewich, where we moored and went for dinner at The Big Lock Inn.

We had struck lucky. The food was great and the decor charming with boat lamps, ropes and
other canal paraphernalia adding to the atmosphere.

Later, as we settled down for the night on our cosy boat, I knew there was a big challenge ahead — our first set of locks, which I had been secretly dreading.

We could see them from our boat and, in the dark, the gates looked big and foreboding.

Locks are slightly longer and wider than a canal boat, and have gates at either end. They trap water to lift or lower the boat to the same level as the next stretch of waterway.

Next morning we woke to see swans and cygnets swimming next to our boat. It was idyllic.

The locks looked less frightening in daylight.

We had been told that women usually prefer to open and close the gates, while the men drive in and out of the lock.

So, off I went to open the gates. At the first gate, I pulled and pulled. It hardly moved an inch. At the fourth attempt it began to give and once it reached a certain point opened quite easily.

I began to feel muscles I never knew I had, and wondered why other women preferred this task. Surely doing the driving was easier? When I was closing the gates, Barbara from another boat rushed to help. She said these gates were particularly stiff, and she was right. The next couple of locks were much easier.

Now, I wanted to try the driving. At the next lock, husband Peter got off to open the gates. I prepared to drive into the lock and then, to my shame, chickened out.

There was no way I was driving 58ft-long Patsy into a gap only just wider than her. Peter came to my rescue, and I watched enviously as he happily "barged" into the small space.

I was determined to do the same at the next lock. And I did.

Even though the lock was round a corner I drove in. As the big gates closed, I looked up at the deep, damp walls towering above me. It was like being in a dungeon.

Then the water came gushing in to lift up me and Patsy. It was a fantastic experience not to be missed.

By the end of the second day, we were both enjoying working the locks and arrived on schedule at our intended destination of Barbridge, at the end of the Middlewich arm of the Shropshire Union Canal.

The Barbridge Inn had been recommended for its convivial atmosphere and as an excellent place to eat. Our meal was the perfect end to a perfect day.

In the morning, the weather was glorious. The autumn sun shone brightly as we meandered along the canal often with only swans, ducks, pheasants and cows for company.

We were having a truly relaxing holiday we knew we would always remember. And next time I suggest going on a canal trip, no-one will be surprised.

GINA SYKES
features@examiner.co.uk

§  Take plenty of layers of warm clothing, including a waterproof with a hood. Even waterproof trousers are an advantage.

§     Take a torch. You will need one at night if you leave the boat to go for a meal. We didn't take a torch and struggled.

§     Don't boil a kettle when the boat is moving. If the boat hits the side of the canal or a bridge, as it can do very easily, you will scald yourself.

§     Make sure the boat is moored before dark.

§    Talk to others on the boats, especially at locks. We found they were all very pleasant and the experienced ones were happy to help out or give advice.