Snowy Debdale

This morning we decided to brave the snow and slither over to Debdale to take a look at Quo.
We went along the A6, which was completely clear, then turned off up the gated road, all snow-covered, but passable without too much drama. The marina is frozen over, and all the boats are snow-capped.

There seem to be a few empty spaces in the Marina ... can't think where the boats have gone in this weather.

Quo showing off a snowy button. Liz showing off not slipping into the water.

There is a slushy layer about 30mm thick - presumably partly melted snow - overlaying about 20mm of solid ice. A few bashes with a shovel got through it, but It will be pretty tough if it freezes right through.

 



At least this Mallard is not feeling the freeze.

    

Bit of a token gesture, as there is more snow forecast for Sunday, but I cleared the snow from the stern deck and the gas cupboard, just in case the drain gulleys are the last bits to thaw.
Meanwhile, Liz checked that all was well inside and rescued our Woof Boots for use ashore.

Freezing Foxton

A chilly morning at Foxton Locks

A wintry Inclined Plane

Centre pound frozen over.

UK Boating

Just found this

UK Boating, Foxton Inclined Plane item.

Debdale landslip update

We popped into Debdale this morning to check up on Quo,  running the engine and central heating to make sure everything still worked properly, and just managed to fight off the urge to set out for Foxton, but only because we had arranged to go out for Sunday lunch with Jody, James and his workmate Ryan.
As the mud on the towpath had frozen, Liz and I had a relatively trouble-free stroll up the to the slip site.
The canal is open again and workboats are on site. They have cleared a channel easily wide enough to get a narrowboat past, and visibility coming up to the obstruction is good from either direction.

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Debdale landslip

At the risk of drowning in mud, I squelched my way up the towpath from Debdale Marina to just before Bridge 67 to get these pictures of the landslip that closed the canal over Christmas 2012 and early 2013.

 Canal closure at the old bridge 66

View North from Bridge 65. 
No sign of the closure until you've gone round the bend, ie. past the last winding point in the Marina entrance or before the bridge at Debdale Wharf

Looking South from Bridge 65.
The Joey in the distance is currently sitting on the bottom, full of rainwater, despite the water level being at maximum. During the last year, when the wind got up, the Joey often broke loose and straddled the canal, leaving us just enough room to squeeze past. No amount of pushing by us could move it.