Cold cut.......a winter cruise.

December - not a popular month for cruising narrowboats on the U.K canals. A recent 'calm before storm' spell of benign winter weather enticed us to travel at least a short way for a few days to charge the batteries of both the boat and ourselves.  It also gave us a chance to top up to the brim with fuel at 'The Trading Post' to minimize the chance of water droplets condensing on the interior of the steel fuel  tank if left partial empty during the cold temperatures. Fuel and water do not mix and so I always try to keep the fuel tank brim full in an effort to avoid water contamination.
 

A frosty start.

Providing it is not continuous rain I actual enjoy cruising in the quiet cold winter months. We met only one other boat on the move and a smiled 'hello' to the steerer  swaddled in heavy winter coats and gloves just like us got a muffled happy reply together with a wave.

I noticed that wisps of smoke had started to come from the chimney as Captain Denise lit a fire in the 'Morso' stove and soon the cabin would be as toasty warm as any summer's day.

Suzy soon learned that heat rises.........dozing on the top step.

Some of the moored boats also had the same wisps of white smoke denoting that the boat had not just been left empty for the winter and usually a wave through a window denoted somebody happy to sit and relax in a nice warm boat even it was going nowhere. 

Winter smoke curls from a moored boat.

At this time of year after tons of leaves have dropped into the Macclesfield canal the propeller on 'San Serriffe' seems collect them as we go under the bridges and occasionally the prop' wake starts to 'splatter' - a sure sign that the propeller has something on it.  A quick blast of reverse throws off any leaves/twigs and the usual calm straight-line wake re-appears again.

Pesty Westy 'Suzy' the hound was enjoying running up and down the boat roof ensuring the various Ducks, Geese and the Swans who were minding their own business were rudely interrupted in their calm water born duties with a good hysterical barking.......her barking is not just reserved for ducks.....big rough dogs on the tow-path get the same treatment in the confident knowledge that she is perfectly safe on the boat roof.  

Travelling south in the afternoon on a sunny winter's day had just one problem......aforementioned sun !   Hardly above the horizon it was shining directly into my eyes and despite my 'shades' and a peaked cap it made trying to see where we were going very difficult.  You are never happy I hear you say......if it rains you moan, if it is a sunny day, you moan.....this is so true,I must be thankful for small mercies and a sunny day in December is one of them.

A winter's walk........sharp low December sunshine highlights this bridge.            Copyright.

Sunny days in December also have another drawback - it gets very, very cold as the sun disappears below the horizon and the temperature drops quickly and within a few hours of mooring the boat the roof was covered with frost as we retreated to the warmth of the roaring fire in the cabin.

Mooring near the 'Miner's Arms' a shared executive decision to go for an evening meal was quickly decided.
Leaving 'Suzy' to guard the boat accompanied by a mound of doggy treats to keep her happy for a couple of hours we strode off into the cold darkness.

We were greeted with an almost empty pub and our hearts sank as we were told that they were not doing meals that (Wednesday) night .   Disappointed at a pub that in the past was always busy almost every night we decided to drown our sorrows with a few beers.

" Oh.......by the way, we close at 9pm tonight " the lady behind the bar informed us.

" What ? " was my incredulous reply.

A hurriedly convened team discussion between Captain Denise and myself witnessed another instant executive decision and a taxi was called to take us to nearby Poynton.  Choosing the 'Farmer's Arms' it was quickly confirmed that even Wednesday night was food night and they were open for business until late for a few unhurried apres-food drinks..........phew, evening rescued.

Following morning was frost-free and after preparing the boat for the winter ( draining water from pipes, etc) we returned back to our home mooring.
Hopefully we might be able to make another few 'snowflake' winter trips, but we obviously look forward to spring next year when we can continue our annual exploration of the U.K canal system.
See you there.............

Moored in Adlington for the night .........'San Serriffe' in her new colours.