Crafty Companions ride again
 
 
Day 1 Couresy of Geoff Cuthill
After much planning and consideration of availability the Crafty Companion’s Cycling Circle (CCCC) charity bike ride for 2018 has now got underway. This year sees the group on their fifth consecutive ride, and as of two years ago, will finish in London, with a slight change to the former route due to the obstacle of the new road bridge at Widnes.
 
Similar to the past events all expenses are paid by the team out of their own pocket, or purse, so every penny donated goes to the designated charities.  Over the last four years they have managed to raise a total of £24,239.34p which has been distributed between the following:
 

£17,815. 59p for the ‘R’ Charity at the Linda McCartney Cancer Care Centre
£2,670 for McMillan Nurses
£1,963 for the Clatterbridge Centre
£1,790.75 to the Motor Neuron Disease Association

Final planning at the centre of operations, Dr Duncan’s
Leaving from Liverpool in the early hours the team had to be transported through the Mersey Tunnel, then making their way to the start of the canal route at the National Waterways Museum in Ellesmere Port.   After a few quick checks of bikes, and top up of water, the group consisting of:
 
The Pathfinder Chris Bruffell; ‘R’ Charity representative Angie McShane; Tony Farrar;  Peter Williams; Gordon Sandford and backstop Steve Walls pedaled along heading towards Chester. This is a first for the CCCC in using this part of the Shropshire Union Canal which was constructed in the 1790’s between Chester and the River Mersey.
The Cyclists, Peter Williams, Gordon Sandford, Tony Farrar,
Angie McShane, Chris Bruffell and Steve Walls.
After negotiating the slight obstructions in the deep cutting at the bottom of the City walls the team made their way through Chester past King Charles’s Tower, which legend has as the place he used to observe the Battle of Rowton Moor, and out through Boughton to Christleton.
 
It was here that the group took a break at ‘The Old Trooper’ - which many years ago had a fabulous sign depicting one of Cromwell’s Ironsides.  Rowton Moor battlefield just a short walk across the field on the other side of the road to this building. On leaving ‘The Trooper’ it was 15 miles or so from Christleton they arrived at Barbridge Junction, and memories flooded back for those who had been on the 2016 ride, for now familiar territory was reached
A long wait for lunch at the Old Trooper
Heading through Hurleston Junction and over the Nantwich aqueduct much merriment ensued when approaching nearby Hack Green there stood a large sign giving direction for the ‘Secret Nuclear Bunker’.
 
Calling at the conveniently situated hostelry ‘The Shroppie Fly’ at Audlem Locks reminded some of the immaculately positioned place for the first puncture of the 2016 trip and Steve Walls.   No prize for guessing who had the first puncture for 2018, correct, Steve Walls again, although further along the canal this time.
 
A long haul was now imminent as this trip was scheduled for taking a day less than last time, so instead off stopping at Market Drayton the team carried on pedaling. Now heading through the Shropshire countryside on through the deeply forested ‘Woodseaves Cutting’ which is spanned by a number of tall and elegant bridges.
The Secret Nuclear Bunker
How some wish they could turn back time, for on passing Shebdon embankment at Knighton the Cadbury factory is situated, which has its own canal side wharf. Sadly since 1962 the chocolate has been transported by lorry now, otherwise a fleet of barges would have been there, a perfect spot for a tasting in times previous.
 
From here the canal passes through rural isolation, such peace and tranquility, although a few strategically placed pubs line the route down to Norbury Junction. A good stopping place for the team yet again, containing a pub, a cafe, and comfortable seating for a well-earned rest
What. Yet another break?
Now with about three-quarters of the first day mileage complete the team continued southwards through Gosnall and  passing another pub - ‘The Boat Inn’ - through the spectacular Cowley Cutting, and picturesque Wheaton Aston before crossing the major road arterial route, the A5, by way of the Stretton Aqueduct and into Brewood (pronounced as Brood)
 
With tired legs, and after battling the high temperature of a mid-summers day the Autherley Stop Lock was eventually reached, day one completed, and around seventy miles ticked off. Only about another one hundred and seventy to go.
 
DAY 2 DAWNS Courtesy of Steve Walls
 
Dawn breaks on another fine day – blue skies & the sun shining with the temperature rising.  Refreshed by a hearty evening meal at a Beefeater & a good night’s sleep at a Premier Inn the riders, ‘Tiger Balm’ liberally applied, set forth on Day 2 at 7.30am – the longest day of the ride – just 76 miles of so.
 
Sadly their numbers had been diminished by one after Peter Williams had reluctantly withdrawn having felt ill after the punishing terrain of the towpath during the 1st day – we all knew that Peter had made the correct decision & he was transported back to Liverpool by a close friend who collected him.   Contact later during the day found Peter in better health although disappointed – he shouldn’t be, having made the right decision.
 
Setting off from Autherley Stop Lock this day would be the longest of the ride taking in some 76 miles of canal, passing through Wolverhampton & heading South towards Birmingham.
 
The ‘Birmingham Main Line’ is a long straight stretch of canal leading into the heart of Birmingham & passing through some fine old examples of the canal warehouses that once existed along its length.   Some have been renovated & converted into luxury accommodation & commercial premises & sit well with the new that have been built along the canal - also
 
Exiting Birmingham via the ‘Digbeth’ Branch the riders soon join the main line of The Grand Union Canal which would take them all the way to London & it was after leaving Birmingham city centre that the riders eventually met up with their ‘Support Team’ at ‘The Boat Inn in Catherine De Barnes for the lunch ‘pit stop’
A quick snooze for Steve Walls art The Boat Inn Catherine De Barnes during the lunch' pit-stop’
Somewhat refreshed the riders continue on & can now look forwards to ‘Knowle; Lapworth & Hatton Locks’ – a series downhill locks which allowed the riders to rest some weary muscles during the descents & on towards Warwick.
Hatton Locks
Now for the climbs! – ‘Bascote; Staircase; Stockton & Calcutt’ Locks all have to be climbed before reaching Napton Junction with Tony Farrar conveniently suffering his 2nd puncture of the trip at Ventnor Marina.
Tony Farrar’s employment prospects with an F1 team to change tyres look bleak
On reaching the junction a ‘quick’ – well relatively ‘quick’ left turn at ‘Wigrams Turn Marina’ & their on their way to Braunston.
 
An easy 5 miles you would think – none of it - life isn’t that simple.  The riders faced a densely overgrown towpath, full of nettles & thorns which took its toll on the riders, slowing their overall progress to a bit of a crawl at times but this did not deter them & having reached Braunston, the welcoming site of a ‘finger post’ showing London was seen sitting proudly on the Bridge where the riders would turn right  (Pictures WA0007; WA0013:  WA0022)
Rough going between Wigram’s Marina & Braunston
Gordon Sanford bears the scars of battle with nettles & thorns
Now we know which way we are going
After a few more ‘up’ locks they reach ‘Braunston Tunnel’ – a 2042 yard long, deep tunnel with no towpath.  Over the top they go before re-joining the canal. Smart right turn at Norton Junction & on towards Gayton Junction the final ‘goal’ for the day – on the way passing the hotel where we would be staying overnight – ‘The Cross Roads by Good Night Inns’
For those old enough to remember – no it’s not the Crossroads from the famous old ‘soap’ opera – it’s a former Premier Inn & the scenery walls don’t move! 
 
The day completed the team booked into the hotel & after a good soak in the bath or long refreshing shower enjoyed an evening meal at the ‘Chef & Brewer’ pub attached to the hotel.
 
Early to bed for it’s up with the lark to be transported to the starting point for the day to pick up the trail South towards ‘Cowley Peach’.
 
Magnificent work once again by the ‘Support Team’ of Amanda Farrar; Jan Walls & their leader, John Bruffel
 
BIKE RIDE 2018 – DAY 3 Courtesy of Steve Walls
Once again it’s an early start (7.00am) – back in the support vehicles with the sun already beating down today was again going to be a testing time for the riders.  Transported back to Gayton Junction a relatively easy 2 miles before reaching the Bisworth Tunnel – 3057 yards long with no towpath the riders go ‘over the top’ before returning to the canal at The National Waterways Museum at Stoke Bruerne Locks where they meet the Support Team before setting off on the next leg – just another 65 miles today to go then!
The National Waterways Museum @ Stoke Bruerne
It’s not long before the riders are approaching Milton Keynes – spotting the ‘concrete cows’ grazing in the fields as they skirt the town & the medieval village of Great Linford
 
It’s on this stretch of water that they are accosted by the ‘Pirates of Milton Keynes’ – a group of young men & one lady who dressed as Pirates were riding the canal on ‘omni-cycles’.  Steve Walls having been ‘captured’ was held to ransom until such times as he identified himself as the Pay Master of ‘The Alt’ & demanded the appropriate proof from his captors.
 
Steve’s fellow riders weren’t prepared to pay the demands of the Pirates - but having learnt of the charitable voyage we had embarked on, they released him & bid us a ‘bon voyage’ .   Off they cycled leaving us in their ‘wake’ as they headed off to hunt down a more lucrative prize!
Pirates of Milton Keynes capture Steve Walls
It wasn’t the last time that we would see our fellow cyclists as we passed them on two further occasions as we continued towards Fenny Stratford
Fenny Stratford Locks
Fast approaching Leighton Buzzard – well fastish – nobody manages to see ‘Leighton the Buzzard’ so on we go towards Marsworth.   Over ½ the days distance now covered the riders look to their left & see the ‘Whipsnade White Lion’ on Dunstable Downs.  Visible from the canal from around Horton & Slapton the lion was ‘cut’ in 1935 & is over 480 feet long
(Picture 4;5 & 6 Refs: WA0012; WA0009 & WA0010)
Through Marsworth Junction & the canal enters Berkamsted by its back door & steals its way through the town centre & it’s not long before Hemel Hemstead looms in the distance. The canal is now dropping down so the riders are enjoying the relief of coasting down the lock systems for a little while
 
Now just 14 miles to the end of the day – Kings Langley; Abbots Langley & Hunton Bridge nestle alongside the canal
 
Kings Langley – somewhere between a large village & small country town, derives its name from its Royal associations; there are still the remains of a palace in the town.  The tomb of Edmund de Langley, brother of The Black Prince lies in the Norman church of All Saints.   Sir John Evans, the famous archaeologist, is also buried here.
 
Abbots Langley quickly follows with its Church of St Lawrence which has 12th century arcades to the nave & a 14th century South Chapel, an octagonal Perpendicular font & a 14th century wall painting of Saints Thomas & Lawrence.
 
On the opposite side of the canal is Hunton Bridge, a peaceful canal side village with a spired church & the pleasing Langleybury Park.
 
Onward towards ‘Cowley Peach’ junction, ‘Copper Mill’ – an old canal settlement, the big mill was once a paper mill, but once the canal had been built it turned to making copper sheets for the bottom of boats.
 
Through ‘Black Jack’s lock – beautifully framed by a small mill & a tiny timbered cottage.
 
The canal meanders across Harefield Moor & reaches Denham Lock with a rise /drop of 11ft 1in it is the deepest on the Grand Union canal, with Uxbridge just a short distance away.  The Battle of Britain was directed by the late Air Marshal Lord Dowding from the RAF Headquarters in Uxbridge & the day ends at the Packet Boat Marina in Cowley Peach.
 
Due to circumstances beyond the control of the team – they were not able to book into the arranged accommodation, but a quick ‘google’ by Tony Farrar sorted rooms at the Premier Inn at Heathrow. So off we go in the support vehicles to a good feed & night’s sleep! 
 
BIKE RIDE 2018 - DAY 4
Day 4 – the last day of the ride – dawns with the roar of aircraft from the nearby Heathrow Airport.  All were looking forward to the gentle 20 mile ride into London that Chris Bruffell & Steve Walls had experienced in 2016 when last they rode this particular canal.
 
However, the first thing was for all to pile into the support vehicles & back to ‘Cowley Peachey’ junction.
 
Bikes unloaded, water bottles full & time for the first photo of the day outside ‘The Packet Boat Marina’ before the ‘star’ of the ride, Angela McShane from the ‘R’ Charity led the riders on the leg into London
Start of the last day – The Packet Boat Marina
The Marina takes its name from The Paddington Packet Boat which used to run daily from Paddington to Cowley – one of the few passenger boats plying regularly along the Grand Union Canal.  It was pulled by 4 horses & had precedence over all other boats & covered the 15 lock-free run in a time that was remarkable at the beginning of the 19th century.
 
Angela is an events co-ordinator for the ‘R’ Charity at The Royal Liverpool Hospital & until last year had never taken part in any long distance bike rides. Last year she led the cycling team along the Leeds-Liverpool canal and for the most part had done the same this year, facing every low hanging branch, thistle & thorn ahead of the other riders & it was their privilege to continue in her tracks for this last leg.
 
The towpath over this next 20 miles was a joy to ride passing through the much industrialized area of Hayes & Harlington & the distributions base, home & former home of such famous brand names at Nestles; Heinz, EMI & many of the large supermarket chains before reaching the Paddington Arm at Bull’s Bridge after just 3½ miles.
 
Bull’s Bridge was once a large British Waterways’ yard (and formally the Grand Union Canal Carrying Fleet depot) where canal maintenance boats were built & repaired.
 
On reaching Bull’s Bridge the riders turn left once more to head towards Little Venice where they would eventually leave the canal.  In days long gone, this arm of the canal was surrounded by large warehouses backing onto the canal where the working boats would collect & discharge their cargos.   Sadly most of the old warehouses have long since gone although some of those that do remain stand as a testament to the areas past industry.
 
Amazingly there has been so much change in this particular area since 2016 with the towpath having been cleared & re-laid for most of its distance with work continuing even on the day when the riders experienced of ‘walking a 500 yard pontoon anchored in the canal whilst workmen laid a new towpath.
‘Walking the Pontoon’ – Paddington Arm Grand Union Canal
With the miles now well & truly dwindling, the riders soon cross the large aqueduct at the North Circular Road –what a contrast between the tranquillity of the canal & the modern traffic below & now passing the rear of Wormwood Scrubs Prison 3 miles to Little Venice.
Little Venice
This year the riders would leave the canal here instead of travelling on through London Zoo & regent’s Park. Now just 4 miles from St James’ & Mark Masons Hall the riders faced a London traffic. Working their way to Lancaster Gate they enter Hyde Park & on reaching Rotten Row are met with the wonderful site of the King’s Troop, Royal Horse Artillery.
 
Through Wellington Arch & down Constitution Hill they arrive at 10.50am – just in time to hear the approaching Military band as The Irish Guards to post at the Changing of the Guard ceremony.
 
Just as important to us though was that it was here that Angela had the 1st of 2 punctures within 200 yards. 1st puncture repaired, & Changing of the Guard’ having cleared the road, the riders passed the Victoria Monument & Buckingham Palace.
The ‘Victoria Monument’ with Buckingham Palace in the background
Now able to proceed into The Mall were Steve having introduced himself to a cycling Policewoman they received something of an escort down the middle of The Mall (Pictures 5 & 6 Refs: WA0015; WA0017)
Riding The Mall & an ‘Arresting Site’ for Steve
Turning left into Marlborough Road, passing St James’s Palace & turning left onto Pall Mall - before them was their goal – Mark Masons’ Hall at 86 St James’s Street – the ride was complete & all were safe
Outside Mark Masons’ Hall
To add to the occasion the RAF had arranged a flypast by a Lancaster Bomber which passed overhead as we awaited the arrival of the support vehicles which would transport most of the team home whilst Amanda & Tony Farrar would let ‘the train take the strain’ back to Blackpool after a pint or three in the Doric Arms (Pictures 10 & 11 ref: WA0004 & WA0009)
Lancaster Bomber & a pint in The Doric Arms
Now what of the future? Will this be the end of the series of rides or will the next challenge involve riding ‘penny farthings’? (Pictures 12 & 13 Refs: WA0012 & WA0013)
The things you see!
 
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Whist the riders are the ones in something of a spotlight, the event could not have taken place without the very important input & preparation of the Support Team of Amanda Farrar, Jan Walls & John Bruffell.
 
Geoff Cuthill & Mike Beesley for preparing the reports that you have patiently read on the Mark & Craft websites; John Cherry for supplying a van & all those others – too numerous to mention who have ridden & been members of past Support Teams over the last 5 years.
 
Those who have contributed to the charities that have been able to assist the individuals who have benefitted from your generosity over the past 5 years
 
To all concerned – two very important words – Thank you!
Steve Walls
 
Over the 5 year period ALL expenses have been met by the riders & members of the Support Team. NO EXPENSES have been paid by any of the charities or taken from the donations made.
 
A full list of donations will be posted once all sposorship has been collected.