Daddy Cook

Tardebigge to Hopwood

2012-01-14T15:01:00.000Z

Captains Log

Canal Date 13th December 2012
Travels Tardebigge back to Hopwood

Well, we have had our 2 weeks at Tardebigge and it is time to move off again. It is a bit of a mockery as the Tardebigge locks are now closed until March and the locks on the Staffs & Worc’s are also closed so all we can do is hop back and forth until the system opens up again. Still, if we are going to be stranded anywhere- this is a good as it gets. At least it is a lot warmer than last year. It is hard to imagine it being any colder than last winter!

The new Dometic Travel Power system is proving to be a major asset. It is so much easier and better than using the suitcase generator. We do use 240 volt appliances much more than we did. It is just so easy. On that subject, one has to be a bit careful when buying replacement parts. Barrus want to charge £45.00 for the drive belt. I found the exact same product, even the same make for £6.45. That is an excessive mark up by any standard.

We arranged to take some old friends with us for the move. May and Joe have not been on a narrow boat for about 50 years and were very impressed with the level of comfort. We moved on Friday 13th. Supposedly a bad day. The weather was about as good as it gets in January. Sunshine all day, no wind. You could feel the warmth of the sun. Not bad at all for the time of the year. Millie (our dog) decided to jump in the canal on route. And as per normal she swam to the off side bank. That made for an interesting rescue. I was fully expecting to get very wet. The boat could not get to the banks and the banks were very steep, wet and slippery! I eventually managed to recover her without falling in. However when I got back on board, Millie had a good shake and managed to soak me anyway.

It’s only been just over 2 weeks since we were last here, I fells as though it has been much longer. Perhaps I am trying to forget the horrors of fitting the new generator and the resultant moving of most of the boats plumbing. Or perhaps it was a long time ago; it was last year after all.

Once again we will remain here for a couple of weeks before moving on to pastures new.

Back to Tardebigge

2011-12-27T12:29:00.000Z

Captains Log

Canal Date 27th December 2011
Travels Hopwood back to Tardebigge

Well what can I say – Oh yes happy new year and all that stuff.

We had a well conceived and intricately worked out plan. Nothing could go wrong this time. We had ordered some stained glass windows for the front doors and a Dometic Travel Power generator. The generator is not expected until the New Year and the glass should be with us within the next week or so. We were staying at Hopwood for 2 weeks, we were then moving on to the German Christmas Market in Birmingham and then on to Kidderminster on the Staffs & Worcester. That was plan A and nothing was going to move us away from that. That is unless we have 10” of ice like last year! Well, we did not get the ice, so no excuses. Then why are we back at Tardebigge then I hear you ask. Good question. I will try to answer it.

The first stage of plan A was to move to Hopwood. This went as planned and without hitch. While we were there we were expecting the leaded windows for the front doors. They arrived on time and I fitted them straight away. Very nice they look too!

The next day I was told that the Travel power unit had arrived so I though it a good idea for collect it now while I still have the car. It was in a huge cardboard box. When it was on board it was completely in the way. No problem said I, it’s only a case of fitting another alternator to the engine, screwing a control box in the boat and throwing a few wires here and there. It can’t be that difficult or take much time to complete. We will fit it before we move off. A good plan. The next day we set about fitting the engine side of the kit. I was amazed at the amount of bits that came with the fitting kit. I was even more surprised by the amount of stripping required. After a few hours we had removed and relocated the bottom pulley. Moved the existing alternators and fitted the mounting brackets for the new alternator. All that was left to do is to fit the new alternator. That is where things started to go just a bit pear shaped. It was totally obvious to anyone that it was never going to fit. There is a hot water tank in the spot where the alternator wants to live. It may be obvious but I still tried to get it in position for quite some time before I accepted the obvious. The tank has to be moved. Now there is not a lot of spare space on a narrow boat to house something the size of a hot water tank. After a lot of thought I decided that it would fit in the electric cupboard, it will be tight but it should fit. Time to call in a plumber friend. When he did arrive, he looked at it and \I could see the look of horror on his face, he really did not want to do this job, but he started anyway. The first problem was the plastic pipe used on the boat is the continental standard of 16mm so nothing he had would fit. He eventually found some adaptors. It was not long before the tank was free of its piping. He went of to get some more bits and left me to remove the tank. Next problem. The tank was fitted before the engine! It would not come out!!!!. A major strip down in the engine bay was required. The batteries had to come out and half of the side of the engine. Eventually it did come out, minus a good amount of the insulation. The next little issue was that the hot tank would not fit in the cupboard. The tank had fixed outlets for the clarifiers and these were enough to make it not fit. After removing the remainder of the insulation and knocking the cupboard apart we managed to fit it. I have no idea how he managed to make of the connections.

The next job was to fit the alternator. Plenty of room for it now. When it was fitted, it looked as if it was out of line. As there is no way of moving it, I assumed that it was OK. It was not, it shredded the drive belt almost instantly! It was then down to engineering a solution. The supplied spacers have to be modified. Eventually all fitted and, behold, it worked! Unfortunately, the 12 volt side did not. I don’t know if I caused damage or if it had been faulty for some time. That would explain why I had to buy a new starter battery a few days ago. So a new 110Amp alternator was required. As expected this had to be ordered for the engine manufactures and took some time to arrive. Eventually it did arrive and everything working as it should.

By this time it was too late to make the trip to Kidderminster before Christmas.
So back to Tardebigge it is then!

Tradebigge to Hopwood

2011-11-30T16:33:00.000Z

Captains Log

Canal Date 30th November 2011
Travels Tardebigge to Hopwood

We have been made so welcome at Tardebigge it is becoming a bit of a wrench to leave, but leave we must. We have completed all of our medical appointments and I have sorted the engine problems with the Discovery nothing left to keep us there.

Whilst there we did commission some stained glass art work for the front doors and order a new 230volt generator. Neither of them has arrived yet so we shall have to return later.

We set off at the crack of dawn on a fine winter’s day. (About 11.30) The engine only just managed to fire up. It would appear that the starter battery is now as lazy as we have become. A new battery is required very soon!

The watery winter’s sun lit up our way and made the countryside look magnificent again. It failed miserably to throw out any heat and warm us up though. We have had weeks of dull & grey days. It is so nice to see the sun again. We saw some King Fishers again. They stand out so well with the low winter’s sun light catching their electric blue plumage.

On route, we stopped off for a pump-out and while there, I took the opportunity to purchase a new starter battery. Another run on the pound!

We are now moored up at Hopwood. I still have strong memories of last winter here when the temperatures were down to -20! I do hope that we don’t get iced in here again this winter.

Hopwood to Tardebigge

2011-11-13T15:19:00.000Z

Captains Log

Canal Date 13th November 2011
Travels Hopwood to Tardebigge

It’s just like coming home when we arrive at Tardebigge. Although we do not spend much time here, we do know all of the local boaters. On arrival we were invited to bonfire and fireworks party. Plenty to eat, plenty to drink. Unfortunately there was also plenty of smoke getting in my eyes as well. A very good night indeed. While here I have managed to collect my Disco so am mobile on the roads for a short time. We made full use of this new mobility. We have both attended doctors appointments, hospital appointments; we have both been to the opticians. I have been to the dentist and taken Millie to the vets. That’s our annual health MOT up to date!

We are into late summer now (We both decided that we don’t do winter any more) since that time thief stole an hour off the day it has been getting late rather too early. What’s more, the distinct lack of sun is causing me to have to run the engine to keep the batteries charged. Once we are sure that we have finished with medical appointments we shall start our slow cruise heading northwards towards Birmingham city centre.

Hockley Heath to Hopwood

2011-11-01T10:12:00.000Z

Captains Log

Canal Date 1st November 2011
Travels Stratford & Worcester Birmingham canals

Sunday, 30 October 2011 Hockley Heath
The time thief came in the night and stole an hour. Just wait till I get hold of him, I will tell him a thing or two!
We had a carvery lunch with Kath & Martin at the wharf. All very nice and tasty and reasonable prices too. Of course, I had to have an afternoon nap with Millie on my lap.

Monday, 31 October 2011 Hockley Heath to Hopwood
A long day ahead, no locks just 2 lift bridges and two tunnels. The weather was grey but most importantly dry. We set off at 9.30. a very early start for us. The autumn colours are just stunning today, it’s a pity the sun is not out to show them at their full glory. The first lift bridge is hand cranked. Last time we came through here it was almost impossible to work. It has been repaired and is now easy to work. The next lift bridge it at the Drawbridge pub. Last time we had an ambulance stopped at the gate with blue lights and sirens going – most embarrassing. To make matters worse, Pam could not get the key out and open the bridge to road traffic. This time it worked fine without any hiccups. We picked up a fair amount of firewood on route, enough to last us a week at least. Fuel for free, how good is that!

When we came through a Bridge hole in Kings Norton, there were a small group of youths. They wanted to jump on the boat. I had a windlass in my hand to fight off any boarders, but then Millie started to bark at them. Funny how a 25lb daft dog is more of a deterrent than a 200lb angry man with a windlass in his hand. Soon after that we entered the West hill tunnel, 2 miles of total darkness and this on Halloween. We survived. No ghosts anywhere. Just to make sure, Pam had the brightest torch on the boat in her hand. Once clear of the tunnel we started to look for a mooting spot. We are within easy walking distance of the pub. This will do for a while.

I wonder if my glasses are still at the bottom of the cut outside the pub?

Stratford to Hockley Heath

2011-10-29T17:52:00.000+01:00

Captains Log

Canal Date 29th October 2011

Travels Stratford upon Avon to Hockley Heath

Monday, 24 October 2011 Stratford to Wooton Wawen
Miles 7
Locks 17
It is time to move on, hopefully to quieter moorings. Stratford is a nice town but far to busy and noisy for us. We left the basin like proper professionals. It looked like we knew what we were doing, That does not usually happen to me when being watched! As soon as you leave the basin you start climbing locks, one after the other. The weather was fine but very windy. Our run out of Stratford was slowed down by the rather large amount of hire boats. It is the school half term and they have all come out to play today. We continued up the first two main flights and came over the Edison Aqueduct. It was extremely windy up there and I could not get the boat away from the edge. Luckily, we did not get blown over the side and managed to continue to Wooten Wawen. But the time we arrived, the sun was going down almost a fast as the temperatures. It was good to get inside and sit in front of the fire.

Tuesday, 25 October 2011 Wotton Wawen
We joined Geoff & Marg for lunch at the Navigation pub. Food and company were fine. After lunch we went for a walk to the local farm shop. The farm shop has a good selection of crusty bread. You know, the sort that has a proper crust and nice soft bread inside. "Armadillo" bread - Crunchy on the outside soft on the inside

Wednesday, 26 October 2011 Wooten Wawen to Lowsonford
Miles 4
Locks 8
After breakfast we walked to the craft centre to pick up some more of the "Armadillo" bread we had last night. We then set sail. Not far to go today, we do not want to start the main Lapworth flight today. There was some traffic about. Not enough to make a problem. It is school holidays after all. We did get into a bit of a tangle with a hire boat while we were getting water. The hire boater wanted to come on to my tap, in doing so he had completely blocked any chance I had of exiting. He had a narrow bridge hole behind him and there were 3 BW boats moored on the off side making it impossible for me to reverse. The only way for me to get away was to push the hire boat into line and we just scrapped though the bridge hole. I think I must have lost a few layers of paint in that manoeuvre!

Thursday, 27 October 2011 Lowsonford
The weather forecast was correct. It is a dull, grey, rainy and cold day. A good day for staying put and sitting in front of the fire. We went across to the pub for lunch. Of course, I had to have an afternoon nap after that.

Friday, 28 October 2011 Lowsonford to Hockley Heath
Miles 4
Locks 30
A much better start to the day, the sun is shining, no wind and a bit of autumn mist over the canal and low lying fields. A long day ahead with 30 locks to get through. Mike, an old friend of ours, joined us at 10.00 and we were soon on our way. We were obviously following a boat who had no idea. They were leaving the locks with the gates and paddles open. A bit annoying. The locks were not a busy as I expected, we did meet a few boats but mainly on our own. There was one lock, I think it was lock 26 where the gate was well and truly stuck. It took all 3 of us to move it. We arrived at Hockley Heath at 4.45 thanks to the help from Mike. Not bad time for 30 locks. I was then forced to walk to the Warf Inn for another pub lunch, We had to wait until 6.0 before we could order food, when it came it was very good indeed, and well worth the wait.

We shall remain here for the weekend before moving on to Hopwood. Will we have to spend months there again – Ice bound? I do hope not.

Stratford upon Avon

2011-10-26T20:15:00.000+01:00

Captains Log

Canal Date 26th October 2011
Travels Stratford Canal

Thursday, 20 October 2011 Billington Lock to Luddington
A beautiful morning. Sun shining, no wind. It is going to be a good day if a little on the cold side. We had a very slow cruise up the upper reaches of the river Avon. It was just so beautiful. Some stretches are wide some are narrow. As we are in an official drought there is not a great deal of flow and the water is crystal clear. You can see fish every where you look. We eventually called it a day when we reached Luddington. The sun was starting to go down and I was beginning to feel the cold. I soon had a cosy fire going and Pan started dinner. Life is so good.

Friday, 21 October 2011 Luddington to Stratford upon Avon
The top bit of the Avon is very twisty but just as nice as the rest of the river. It’s our last day on the river. We had a 1 week permit. This runs out today.
We are moored in Bancroft Basin opposite to the RSC theatre in the centre of Stratford. There are still plenty of tourists about. Is this place ever quiet?
We walked into the town and to our surprise the Mop fair is on tonight. It is not going to be a quiet night in Stratford tonight!
We had visitors wile in the basin Rhona & Jan turned up. We all went to Coxes yard for lunch.
It is very much autumn now, with mist coming off the water, cold nights and mornings. Bring back my summer, I have not finished with it yet!
Claire and little Liam dropped in to see us; she has not seen the boat before. Not long after, Russ & Sarah came. Once again we all went to find something to eat. We had not been on board for long when Tracy & Ian arrived.

Monday, 24 October 2011 Stratford to Wooton Wawen
We have come to the end of our mooring time at Stratford and it is time to move on, hopefully to quieter moorings. There are 58 locks & 26 mile to go before we get to end of this canal. We left the basin like proper professionals. That does not usually happen to me when being watched! As soon as you leave the basin you start climbing locks, one after the other. The weather was fine but very windy. Our run out of Stratford was slowed down by the rather large amount of hire boats. It is the school half term and they have all come out to play today. We continued up the first two main flights and came over the famous Edison Aqueduct. It was extremely windy up there and I could not get the boat away from the edge. Luckily, we did not get blown over the side and managed to continue to Wooten Wawen. But the time we arrived, the sun was going down almost a fast as the temperatures. It was good to get inside and sit in front of the log burner.

Wednesday, 26 October 2011 Wooten Wawen to Lowsonford
Not far to go today, we do not want to start the main Lapworth flight today. There was some traffic about. Not enough to make a problem. It is school holidays after all. The daytime temperature is dropping each day. I do believe that we are now heading into late summer! This will run up to mid December when early spring starts. I am nothing if not an optimist!

Upper Avon

2011-10-21T14:31:00.000+01:00

Captains Log

Canal Date 21st October 2011
Travels River Avon.

Tuesday, 18 October 2011 Evesham to Billingham Lock
Miles 4 - Locks 2
Still cool this morning, a few layers required.
After an earlier than usual breakfast we set off. The fist lock was only a few hundred yards away and we had to help some new hire boaters through. They were the sort that had no idea at all but would not accept any advice.
Once through the lock we were at our first location – Evesham Marina. We were booked in for a service on the Webasto heater at 10.00 Because of the time lost using the lock we did not get there until 10.30. This is boating times and it was considered to still be early. The engineer soon came to the boat complete with a laptop and set to work on the unit. He spent about 1 hour with the laptop before he took the unit off and into his workshop. He was working on it for an other hour, then he refitted it and did even more diagnostics and settings before saying that all is now fine. All this for £45.00 I think that was good value.
We then continued our cruise. This time we were travelling at least ½ mile to the next stop. This was to plastic plumbing bits. The company was on the banks of the Avon but the only way to get there was to moor under the road bridge, walk ½ mile along the main road then ½ mile back along a farm drive. While I was doing this Pam was stuck on the boat hoping that the rather weak mooring points would hold.
We then set off once again. We had been on board for 4 hours and only travelled 1 mile, slow even by our standards! We continued as far as Billington Lock. A very nice spot. We went to the De Montford pub for our evening meal. We have been in many pubs but this one was better than most. Certainly not cheapest but the quality and presentation is second to none.

Wednesday, 19 October 2011 Billington Lock
A lovely morning, bright blue sky, no wind but very cool.
Pam did a machine wash so I had to get the generator out. It’s all work work work these days! We had a lazy evening; Pam did a rather large jig-saw. I don’t know why but for some reason she did not want my help. Perhaps I was a bit too playful!

Thursday, 20 October 2011 Billington Lock to Luddington
Miles 11 - Locks 6

A beautiful morning. Sun shining, no wind. It is going to be a good day if a little on the cold side. We had a very slow cruise up the upper reaches of the river Avon. It was just so beautiful. Some stretches are wide some are narrow. As we are in an official drought, there is not a great deal of flow and the water is crystal clear. You can see fish every where you look. We eventually called it a day when we reached Luddington. The sun was starting to go down and I was beginning to feel the cold. I soon had a cosy fire going and Pam started dinner. Life is so good.

Friday 21 October 2011 Luddington to Stratford upon Avon
Miles 3 - Locks 3

The top bit of the Avon is very twisty but just as nice as the rest of the river. It’s our last day on the river. We had a 1 week permit. This runs out today.
We are moored in Bancroft Basin opposite to the RSC theatre in the centre of Stratford. There are still plenty of tourists about but know where near as many as last time we came through. We shall stay here for the weekend before setting off along the Stratford Canal towards Kings Norton.

Its that time of year now. We have to be on the lookout for closures. Some of the system is already closed due to low water and others will soon shut down for winter maintenance. We have another 56 locks to go before we get to Kings Norton Junction. Lets hope we get there before the BW engineers or the Ice!
It would be terible to be marroned in Stratford with all the pubs and restaurants. It would be just as bad for my waist as it would for my wallet!

The autumn cruise

2011-10-17T17:13:00.000+01:00

Captains Log

Canal Date 17th October 2011
Travels All of the River Severn, Gloscester- Sharpness Canal and most of the River Avon.

Tuesday, 27 September 2011Wolverley to Stourport
A leisurely cruise, the plan was to stop off at Kidderminster to do a bit of shopping then on to Stourport. Once clear of Wolverley lock I caught a jumper on prop. This needed the weed hatch removing and pulling off with my hands. We had arrived at the next lock, Wolverley Court, this time it was more serious. I had the remains of a tow rope wrapped round the prop. Not just a nylon rope but the steel hook and wire rope. This was a complete bugger to get off. I was in the lock for some time before I managed to get it all clear. No other issues. The autumn colours were superb in the sunshine.

On arrival at Stourport we found out that Diglas River Lock is closed after 10.00 for a week! We are too late to travel any distance now as the first lock is only yards away and it is closed! So it looks like an early start in the morning. We need to be at the first lock for 7.30. if we are to have any chance of making Diglas Lock and therefore be able to arrive at Gloucester in time for a concert on Saturday evening. That will be a shock to the system.

Wednesday, 28 September 2011 Stourport to Gloucester

An early start, we were up at 6.30 and on our way by 7.30. There was a lot of fog over the river. We sailed towards the first lock. We had to be there before 8 to make sure that we were the first through the lock it we to have chance of making Diglas Lock before it closes for a week at 10.00. Once through we went at full speed to the next lock. Pam phoned each lock informing them of our plight. I have never driven the engine so hard. We had a bow wave and a half! Each lock was waiting for us with its gates open. We made Diglis Lock at 10.05 - 15 minutes later than I would have liked. Luckily, the lock keeper knew of our journey and held the lock for us. As soon as we had cleared the lock he closed down for a week.

After the dash to the lock we slowed down to our normal pace ie 1,000 RPM it sounded so quiet after the noise of full power. We had decided to go to Upton upon Severn. When we arrived it was only 12.30 so we went on a bit further. Perhaps Tewkesbury. At Hampton Load Lock we were informed that there is an unusual high tide and would be a large Severn bore. He strongly recommended that we continue on to Gloucester. You would be foolish to ignore that sort of advice, so off we go aiming for Gloucester lock. A quick mental calculation soon pointed out that we would once again have to get a move on to make the lock before it closes. Not as bad as this morning, the rest of the river run was completed a 2000RPM. We arrived at Gloucester Lock with ½ hour to spare. Once through the lock we found the first mooring available. A long day with more miles covered than we have ever done before. Time off tomorrow! We did se the Severn Bore for the first time though.

Thursday, 29 September 2011 Gloucester Dock
We then walked down river a few yards to a bench and watched the Severn Bore again. There was a largish wave and the river level increased by about 2 meters almost instantly. Astonishing to see. It must be even more amazing at better points on the river.

Saturday, 01 October 2011 Gloucester Docks

Yet another fine warm and sunny morning. This is the day of music and sea shanty’s all around the town. We went for a walk by the museum and the quay side to see what music was going on. There were the shanty singers at various places and times throughout the day. Some were very good and some were not so good, but all were entertaining. The evening show in the museum “Where have all the working boats gone” was very good indeed.

Sunday 02 October 2011 Gloucester Docks to Frampton and Back again.
Yet another fine & sunny morning, how much longer can this last?
Sue and Des joined us for a day on board; we sailed from the Docks to Frampton on Severn where we went to the pub for a meal. We then returned back to Gloucester. A very pleasant day, incredible weather with temperatures in the mid 20’s and clear skies and good company. There was a most unusual looking moon. It was low in the sky and glowing very red.

Tuesday, 04 October 2011 Hempsted Bridge
We went into the town centre on the bus! A most unusual experience, it has been many years since I last travelled by bus. It was made all the sweeter by using the free travel pass. We called into the phone to pick up a replacement phone. We then had a walk about the town and ended up at Weatherspoons for lunch. A mixed grill and a pint of Guinness for £6.59 – Bargain.

Wednesday, 05 October 2011 Hempsted Bridge to Hardwicke Court
Dull and windy this morning. We moved further down the canal to Hardwick Court. A nice open spot and no one moored anywhere near us (at the moment) It was very windy coming along the canal. The wind was coming dead ahead so it did not make the steering difficult. It did help when we winded, I just held the bow against the bank and let the wind do most of the work. It looked like I knew what I was doing. The weather has deteriorated further as the day has progressed. The wind has remained very strong and the rain has started. It is much cooler now.
As the evening progressed, the weather worsened, with driving rain and very strong winds. It was like being at sea.

Thursday, 06 October 2011 Hardwicke Court
The wind is still as bad only now it is more sideways on. This has been causing the boat to rock more and to bang into the bank.

Friday, 07 October 2011 Hardwicke Court to Frampton on Severn
The strong winds have now gone and there is even a bit of blue sky. Even the odd glimpse of sun shine

We moved a bit further along the canal. We stopped at Frampton on Severn. A strange name for a village that is almost 2 miles from the river. It should be Frampton – Somewhere Near to the Severn! We moored there for no other reason than to use a £5 voucher at the pub. It’s not a bad location but it is a lot nosier that the one we just left. The pub was good; the only surprise was the cost of Pam’s glass of wine at £4.50

Saturday, 08 October 2011 Frampton on Severn
We sailed on to Purton. A location some 2 miles before the end of the canal at Sharpness. From this location you can walk down to the river bank and see all of the Purton Hulks. The tide was out and there are miles of sand and mud flats. Millie chose the mud rather than the sand and had to be coaxed ore was it pushed into the canal to try to remove most of the rather smelly mud. I like this spot, I have a thing for tidal estuaries. The view is constantly changing. We are moored all on our own with no boats close, then, just to prove the law once more a boat moors right next to us. Not so much a boat more a ship! It is the Elgar, a River Severn Cruise holiday boat complete with all of its guests walking past us.

Sunday, 09 October 2011 Purton
The canal has taken on the look of a small sea. It has waves, white horses and everything! Waves large enough to cause the boat to rock. You don’t get that on the narrow canals. We walked to the local pub for Sunday Lunch. It has superb views over the Severn estuary. Unfortunately, the pub does not do food at all. Most unusual these days. We had a pint and walked back to the boat. After a hearty Sunday lunch of beans on toast I had the traditional afternoon nap. We walked down to the river at high tide. It is amazing just how much water runs in and out of the estuary. The flow is very fast indeed. It must have been even more impressive when we had the spring tides last week.

As the evening progressed the wind increased causing the boat to move a lot and to bang against the bank. I had to get out and have a go at sorting the moorings out a 3 in the morning, I could not put up with the banging any more!! I put the centre rope out and tightened the fore & aft ropes. This helped but did not solve the issue. The wind was now at a full gale force 8. I went back to bed only to woken half hour later by the sound of the rudder banging the side of the boat. Once again, I was up and out trying to sort out this. Eventual we both went to sleep. It was by far the worst nigh we have spent on board.

Monday, 10 October 2011 Purton
Wind was still very strong but no where near as bad as it was last night. I did think that we may end up becoming another one of the Purton Hulks! The waves rolling along the canal would look more at home on the sea.

Richard & Jenny Jones joined us at 11.00 complete with a bottle of wine. After a coffee and a long chat we set off for lunch at a pub. We went back to the bell at Frampton, at least we know this one and the food has always been fine if not cheap. Richard steered almost all of the way there. His task was not made any easier by the strong winds. I took over when we came to moor and made a right pig’s ear of it. I had a few attempts at reversing off before finding a second and much better location. We then walked to the pub and had a nice two course meal for only £7.50 each. Much better value than before. Once again Richard steered the boat all the way back to Purton. He had a smile that never left his face the whole time he was on board. After a quick cup of coffee they went home. A very nice day with good company. We are both completely knackered after a bad night’s sleep and a large lunch time meal it is relax time now.

Tuesday, 11 October 2011 Purton
A much better night’s sleep. The wind was still strong but not strong enough to cause the boat to rock and bang into the bank. Bits of blue sky this morning. It’s nice to see the sun again. After lunch we took Millie for a walk. She was off lead as we wandered around the hulks. She was never very far from us. That was until she saw the river about half a mile away. She ran at it like a torpedo. The mud flats were very soft indeed and she came back completely covered in fowl smelling river mud. This necessitated a couple of swims in the canal when we returned to the boat. She did not object at all.

Wednesday, 12 October 2011 Purton to Gloucester Dock
We woke up to a rainbow over the estuary; you don’t see that every morning. We set off at 11.0 for what is probably the last cruise of the Gloucester Sharpness Canal. It has been very nice even though we have had gales. It just seems the right place to be. We then walked through the town and ended up at a strange pub. This had been recommended to us. It was very good indeed. A fine chose of ales and the food was of good quality and at a reasonable price. We will remember that one for any further visits. Once back on board, with a full belly. It was hard to keep awake. This was not helped by the low intellectual value of the TV!

Thursday, 13 October 2011 Gloucester Dock
Only one other boat moored in the dock, it is so quiet here it is almost eerie. You could almost expect to see tumble weed blowing down the canal!
We will be moving off the Sharpness canal tomorrow. I shall miss it. I don’t know what it is about it that appeals to me; it is straight, wide, deep and mainly open. It has some very good view points and it is good to see the tide come in &out. We have been here for 2 weeks and have trundled up and down the canal for some 30 hours, looked at the Severn Bore, had a very muddy dog – twice, been blown about in Westerly gales and still I do not really want to leave this canal.

We went into the town. Just for a look round, not to buy anything. So we bought 4 pairs of trousers for me a new duvet for the bed plus loads of other stuff!

Friday, 14 October 2011 Gloucester dock to Tewksbury
Jim & Joan arrived to join us for a few days onboard. We soon set off on the return trip.

The weather was just about perfect. The sun shone most of the day bringing out the early autumn colours perfectly. We were sailing against the normal river flow plus an outgoing tide on the lower reaches of the Severn, this made for slower than expected progress. This was not an issue as we have plenty of time to complete the trip. We arrived at Tewkesbury at about 4.00 and after we parted with £50.00 for 1 weeks Avon River licence and £3.00 overnight moorings we were let through. Almost as soon as we had moored then our friends on “Snowbaby” came through the bridge and moored next to us. We went into the town for a meal. We ended up at an Indian and a very good meal it was too.

Saturday, 15 October 2011 Tewksbury to Wyre Piddle
Not a bad night’s sleep, we were all up showered and fed by 10.00. We said our hellos and goodbyes to Snowbaby and set off up the Avon. This river is truly spectacular with its wide open views over the flood plane. This was helped no end by the late autumn sunshine. It was a bit of a shock to the system to have to operate the locks ourselves, we had soon become to like the idea that they are manned. We moored for the night outside the Anchor Inn in Wire Piddle. This pub has changed hands since the last time and has improved no end. The meal was first class and reasonably priced. The puddings were a bit over priced but acceptable.

Sunday, 16 October 2011 Wyre Piddle to Evesham
We were planning to got to Bidford on Avon today to meet up with Ruth & Richard. This is a long trips so we set off even earlier than normal at 10.00 and made a fair speed. After 2 hours or so, Richard contacted us and said that he would rather meet up at lunch time So arrangements were made to meet up somewhere in Evesham. This gave us a bit of spare time so we slowed down and trundled along. The scenery along this part of the river is beyond belief. Helped a lot by the sunshine and the trees in there best autumn colours.

We moored up at the Workman Gardens in the town centre. Not long after, Richard arrived. After a coffee and a chat, Jim & Joan left with Richard for the taxi home.

Evesham is a bit busy today, but it is a sunny Sunday afternoon. I hope it soon quietens down. We had a Chinese Take Away for dinner, It was nice to sit on the settee together and relax after the weekend. I did spot a couple of rats on the moorings. Attracted, no doubt, by the leftover bread from people feeding the ducks. I have only ever seen rats in towns, never in rural locations. I don’t like towns!

Cookley to Gloucester

2011-09-29T20:14:00.000+01:00

Captains Log

Canal Date 29 September 2011
Travels far too many to count,

First of all, I would like to apologise for the lack of internet coverage in the Cookley- Wolverley area on the Staffs & Worcs Canal. It would appear that Vodafone do not think that it exists!

Tuesday, 27 September 2011Wolverley to Stourport
A leisurely cruise, the plan was to stop off at Kidderminster to do a bit of shopping then on to Stourport. Once clear of Wolverley lock I caught a jumper on prop. This needed the weed hatch removing and pulling off with my hands. We had arrived at the next lock, Wolverley Court, this time it was more serious. I had the remains of a tow rope wrapped round the prop. Not just a nylon rope but the steel hook and wire rope. This was a complete bugger to get off. I was in the lock for some time before I managed to get it all clear. No other issues. The autumn colors were superb in the sunshine.

Pam then found out that Diglas River Lock is closed after 10.00 for a week! We are too late to travel any distance now as the first lock is only yards away and it is closed!

So it looks like an early start in the morning. We need to be at the first lock for 7.30. That will be a shock to the system.

Wednesday, 28 September 2011 Stourport to Gloucester
An early start, we were up at 6.30 and on our way by 7.30. There was a lot of fog over the river. We sailed towards the first lock. We had to be there before 8 to make sure that we were the first through the lock it we to have chance of making Diglas Lock before it closes for a week at 10.00. Once through we went at full speed to the next lock. Pam phoned each lock informing them of our plight. I have never driven the engine so hard. Each lock was waiting for us with its gates open. We made Diglis Lock at 10.05 15 minutes later than I would have liked. Luckily, the lock keeper knew of our journey and held the lock for us. As soon as we had cleared the lock he closed down for a week.

After the dash to the lock we slowed down to our normal pace ie 1200 RPM it sounded so quite after the noise of full power. We had decided to go to Upton upon Severn. When we arrived it was only 12.30 so we went on a bit further. Perhaps Tewkesbury? At Hampton Load Lock we were informed that there is an unusual high tide and the remaining river will be tidal. He strongly recommended that we continue on to Gloucester. You would be foolish to ignore that sort of advice, so off we go aiming for Gloucester lock. A quick mental calculation soon pointed out that we would once again have to get a move on to make the lock before it closes. Not as bad as this morning, the rest of the river run was completed a 2000RPM. We arrived at Gloucester Lock with just ½ hour to spare. Once through the lock we found the first mooring available. A long day with 41 miles and 4 locks! That’s far more covered than we have ever done before. Time off tomorrow!

An early start!

The sun soon came out to greet us!

Middlewich Branch to Aulem

2011-09-04T18:21:00.000+01:00

Captains Log

Canal Date                     04 September 2011
Travels                               13 1/2 miles, 4 locks
Current Location      Audlem -- Shropshire Union Canal

They say that you have not fully given up smoking untill you can not remeber when you last had a cigarette. It that rule applies across the board then I have given up falling in as I can not remember when the last time was

Thursday 1 September 2011
A nice sunny morning. We decided to stay here a bit longer, it is a nice quiet spot. After breakfast we and re-varnished lounge/dinning area. The varnish stinks vile now so we took the dog for a walk across the fields. What a supprise, we ended up at a pub, we soon decided that although we had not long had lunch, it was time for an early dinner. The food was very good indeed, especially as it was from the 2 for a tenner menu. We walked back to the boat. By this time the varnish was touch dry and much of the odour had gone.

Friday, 2 September 2011 Church Minshull
We spent a few hours replacing all the fittings and fixtures we removed yesterday, it took us much longer to put things back than it did to remove them. After latish lunch we set of to find new moorings for the weekend. We were aiming for a small village called Church Minshull, only about 2 miles along the canal. We stopped and moored up at the visitor moorings. Just as we had finished mooring up, a passing boat told us that the moorings are much nice 200 yards further on. So once again we set off in search of the better mooring site. It was worth the effort, canal is elevated above the surrounding countryside and the views are epic. It is still nice and quiet. The tow path is not used as much as most areas. A good spot indeed!

Saturday, 03 September 2011 Church Minshull
This is a nice canal, it is much quieter than I expected. It travels almost entirely through rural farming country. This location does have superb views but it suffers from the Shropshire union disease. There is a shelf below the water line. This caused two problems.
1- you can not get right into the bank,
2 - you can not get fenders down to the shelf so every time another boat passes we bang against the shelf causing a loud nd anoying crashing noise.
With these views it is a small price to pay.
We went for a walk to the village, the church is a fine building and looks far too prosperous for such a small village. It is a large and very well kept building, we were made very welcome when we looked inside. We then went next door to the other village essentials, the pub. This has not long re-opened after many years of being boarded up. It is very nice and up market as one may expect from this type of village. The food and service were second to none, but that is reflected in the prices.
When we returned to the boat, there were boats everywhere. We no longer have the luxury of having the bank to ourselves!

Sunday, 04 September 2011 Church Minshull to Audlem
Miles --- 13 1/2 Locks --- 4

We set off at 10.30 and was soon at the first lock. There was a queue of 5 boats in front of us. About an hour later we were through the lock and heading for the next, about 1 ½ miles away. I went nice and slowly so that any backlog would clear before we arrived at the lock. It almost worked. There was only one boat in front of us. After clearing that lock we were soon at Barbridge Junction where the Middlewich branch joins up with the main Shropshire union canal. It made a very pleasant change to travel mainly lock free, very different from out last few days of travel. The weather stayed dry and sunny but it does go cool when the sun goes in. There is still a lot of traffic on the canal, I do hope that it quietens down now the brats (Children?) are back in school. We made it to our arrival point, just before Audlem. It is the same place as we were last year, over the top of the river weaver. A nice spot indeed.

Endon to Rode Heath Via Harecastle Tunnel

2011-08-28T11:48:00.000+01:00

Captains Log

Canal Date 27th August 2011

Travels 15miles, 21 locks, 3 lift bridges 1 Very long dark & low tunnel
Current Location Rode Heath

How can the Met Office get it so wrong for the next day and be so sure about Global warming?

If the forecast had been correct, then we would never have moved. But once we had started we were committed, and very wet. I will not moor in Stoke and it is a long drawn out town.

We knew we were in for a long day again today so we got out of bed at the ridicules hour of 7.00. The weather was doing exactly what yesterdays forecast promised. It was light rain. This is expected to be clear by 10.00 and a fine day. We set off before 8.00. Today’s run is going to be a bit tough as there are so many locks and many of them are close together, so poor old Pam had a lot of walking to do. At 11.00 the expected clear weather had not arrived. Instead we had torrential rain. As heavy as any rain can get. It then turned to hail, just as heavy as the rain only much more painful. Job done, we were both soaked to the skin. Luckily, it was not too cold and we soon dried out once the storm passed. This was not as forecast!

For the last few days I have been worrying about Harecastle Tunnel. I know that there are some low sections and we are a high boat with the sat dish and top boxes. Also there have been tails of very long waits for passage through. When we arrived it was like a ghost town. Not a boat or person in sight. I took the front cratch cover off as a precaution, I had already removed the TV aerial. Pam soon found the BW man, eating his lunch. There was no waiting we were going straight into the mouth of the tunnel. At the entrance, there are chains hanging to indicate the max height. This was the test, will we fit, if it is close will we do damage in the tunnel. I crept up to the chains, they looked so low and we looked so high. At that point the BW man said “you should have come yesterday – the water was down 4 inches” That was not a great deal of help. As we approached the chains it became clear that we would clear them. It was close, really close. It did nothing for my confidence of travelling the 2 miles with out wondering off the centre of the tunnel and knocking off the top boxes. As we entered the tunnel, it was huge. Much larger than I expected. Every few hundred yards there were yellow markers high lining the different roof levels. Most of it was high enough to have had the rear canopy and the TV aerial up. Towards the centre we came to the low roof section. This was it. Time to concentrate now. Yes it looked very low indeed but there was much more clearance than the hanging chains would have you believe. It is almost painful when the bright sunlight meets your eyes. The sunlight did dot last long and quite soon we were in rain again. After half an hour of drizzle the rain suddenly changed completely and turned into yet another rain storm. This storm was much heavier than the one this morning. I would not have believed that possible, but this was the mother of rain storms. Within seconds we were both drenched. Although I had decent Gore-Tex coat, the rain was so heavy it ran down my neck and soaked me. It was just as if I had jumped in the canal. I stopped as soon as I could and came inside to change clothes and sit out this storm. This was also not as forecast! When the storm stopped we continued our journey. We where now looking for a Pub mooring. Few found one at Rode Heath. We moored alongside the Pubs grounds and soon were inside having a welcome drink and meal.

Trip along the Caldon Canal

2011-08-28T11:27:00.000+01:00

Captains Log

Canal Date                               27th August 2011
Current Location           Endon (Caldon Canal)

Monday, 22 August 2011          Longsdon (Nr Leek) to Cheddleton
This is a lovely location. Nice elevated views, very quiet, both canal and tow path. I would be happy to spend some time here. Unfortunately, as usual, we are running out of time and must keep moving.
We set off at 1.00. It does seem a shame to leave such a nice mooring but leave we must.. We moored at Cheddleton buy the museum. Although we have travelled almost 4 miles along the canal, we are only just over half a mile from last nights moorings.
We did mange to walk to the village pub for a meal.

Tuesday, 23 August 2011           Cheddleton to Froghall basin
We set off just before mid day and headed for the end of the canal, or at least as close to the end as I can get. The remaining length of this canal was just as nice as the rest. It is astonishing in its views and beauty. There are sections that are very narrow, a bit like Llangollen. We winded just before the last tunnel. This tunnel is les than 5ft high – We need 6ft 3”! It was never going to pass through. We walked the remaining few hundred yards to the basin. It is a gem of a place. The threatened bad weather did not materialise.
Without doubt, the Caldon Canal is on the “Must Do Again” list. The surrounding country side looks far too hilly to ever contemplate putting a canal in here. But just because it was difficult did not stop them in those days!

Wednesday, 24 August 2011        Froghall to Cheddleton
The return leg has started, I do not want this canal to end. We have had several emails today from BW saying that parts of the system are being lock down due to water shortages. Perhaps we will be marooned here. I can think of worse places to be marooned!
Half way back we were passed by the truly magnificent sight of a steam train chuffing along the track only a few feet from us. We were soon back at Cheddleton, moored at the same spot as the other day. We went for a walk to the flint museum. It was good to see one of the water wheels turning and driving the mill. It is a large wheel, I was surprised to find out that it only produces 7.5Kw. It is power for free and totally clean. The museum is well presented and easy to follow and understand. There is a large steam engine on show which has no place at all with the mill but it is still nice to see it.

Thursday, 25 August 2011          Cheddleton to Endon
This is as close to Stoke as we would like to stop. We shall make an early start when we go through Stoke again. It will not be tomorrow as the weather forecast is for rain most of the day. We will look at Saturdays forecast before making our minds up. The mooring here is fine, however it is a bit shallow and when boats pass us you can hear the sound of rocks grinding the bottom of the boat.

Friday, 26 August 2011                 Endon
A very lazy morning. The weather forecast was unfortunately correct. It rained most of the night and has not stopped this morning.
The rain has lasted most of the day. I know we need it desperately but I see no reason why it can not rain all night and have sunshine all day. Vote for me at the next election and I will change it for you!

Leek Branch

2011-08-21T15:58:00.000+01:00

Captains Log

Canal Date                        21st August 2011
Travels                      4 1/2 miles, 0 locks, 0 lift bridges

Current Location         SJ 974 541 Longsdon (Leek Branch)

We had a much easier day today, we travelled to the end of the Leek branch. A lock free stretch of the Leek Branch of the Caldon Canal.

The Leek branch is truly sunning. Probably that best so far. Certainly on a par with the Llangollen Canal. It is made better by the fact that it is just so quiet.

There are some narrow parts and there are some shallow parts and there are some narrow shallow parts. But it is so worth the effort. We winded and moored up for the night just after the tunnel at an attractive spot near Longsdon with superb elevated views over the Churnet valley.

I am just a little concerned now that I may be becoming T total as we did not find a pub last night and I can not even see a house from this location! Perhaps tomorrow will bring better fortune!

Stockton Brook - Caldon canal

2011-08-20T18:07:00.000+01:00

Captains Log

Canal Date 20h August 2011
Travels 12 miles, 16 locks, 3 lift bridges
Current Location SJ 921 520 Stockton Brook (Caldon Canal)

We had an earlier than usual start this morning, we were on our way by 7.30. Much of the journey was through Stoke on Trent and its associated towns. We were warned by several boater to watch out at Stoke. It does have a bit of a reputation. As it turned out we were not eaten by cannibals, shot by drug craze youths, or stoned by bored school children. There is not much to be said about it from a canal point of view. The canal is full of litter. You pass a lot of disused and run down industrial waste ground. The housing that meets the canal is mainly of poor quality. It is not an inviting place. It is a place that you want to get through rather than go to. They have spent a lot of money on the tow paths and the canal is in good order, but I would not consider mooring there over night. When we turned off the Trent & Mersey on to the Caldon canal things did not improve much. The canal winds its way through mile after mile of either housing estates or derelict industrial ground. We did find a chip shop for lunch in Hanley. We were not prepared to leave the boat unattended, so I minded the boat while Pam went to the chippie. It is, unfortunately, that sort of place. Once clear of the Stoke on Trent conurbation the canal opens out and is truly magnificent. A different character altogether. Well worth the effort of travelling through Stoke. We carried on some 7 miles up the Caldon before mooring up for the night. 9 hours travel & 16 locks is more than enough for us for one day.

Barlaston

2011-08-19T18:15:00.000+01:00

Captains Log

Canal Date 19th August 2011
Travels There & Back Again (A boaters tale)
Current Location Barlason (South of Stoke on Trent)

After all of the work, pain and excitement of getting the boat out of the water, blacking, anodes, prop repair etc. It was good to be back floating and being retired again.

With all this shiny new paint I was worried to go through the locks. We stayed on the bank close to Rogers’s yard for a few days, just long enough to let the paint harden. We had arranged to meet up with some boating friends in a few days, so while we waited, we had a carpet fitted and whipped for the lounge and dinette, I polished both sides of the boat. Repaired some of the cream coach lines and fitted a carbon filter in the toilet vent to stop the nasty whiffs that sometime escape from there.

Stone is a very pleasant market town. The main street is pedestrianised and is not full of closed down shops or charity shops. There are plenty of eating & drinking places. The moorings are quiet and the tow path is well maintained. Altogether a nice place to stay for a few days.

Eventually it is time to move on. We are heading north to Stoke and then going up the Caldon Canal. The work on the prop has transformed the boat. I think it was damaged before I had it, I did not improve matters when I had to travel through thick ice last winter, and there are always the odd bit of wood to get caught on the prop. The result now is no more vibration on the tiller and more forward power, better steering and less wash and so much better stopping. Money well spent!

We have moved on to Barlaston, not very far from Stone, but it is as close we want to stay to Stoke. We shall make an early start on our next leg and go through Stoke and get a few miles up the Caldon before we moor for the night. I do not like staying in Cities if I can help it, especially cities that have recently had riots!

The mooring we have chosen is not the best. We are too far from the bank; we are too close to a bridge hole, too close to the railway main line. But on the plus side we are close to a pub.

Black Bottom Time

2011-08-01T19:40:00.000+01:00

Captains Log

Canal Date 1st August 2011
Travels 5 Miles - 5 Locks
Current Location Roger Fullers (Boat builder) Yard Stone

A dull and overcast morning. Just a bit on the cool side. We set off at 10.45 and once again had to queue at the locks. It is nice cruising in the summer, but it can become just a bit tiresome watching some of the boaters who have no idea at all and will not listen to helpful advice. The whole length of this section of canal is very nice and we could easily moored there for some time if did not have to be at Stone to meet the family.
We arrived at Stone at 2.00, after mooring up and having a light lunch we went to find Roger Fuller. We discussed blacking and the upshot is that the boat is coming out tomorrow and Pam & I are blacking the boat ourselves. That sounds like a bit of fun. I wonder who will get the most paint on themselves.

Out of the water

Saturday 30/07/11 Roger Fullers Yard Stone.

Up rather early this morning, just in case Roger is different to all other canal people and starts early. He is not. We started to lift the boat at 10.30. It was on the bank in less than 10 minutes. Just as soon as it landed we set about attacking it with a pressure washer. Most of the old paint was removed and the majority of the boat was taken down to bare metal. We gave the hull a coat of black. I was surprised how well the paint went on and how quickly the job was done. Once the first coat was on I turned my attention to the rear counter. The red paint was looking well past its best. So that was rubbed down and a coat of undercoat was applied. It looked rather fetching in “Barbie Pink”

Bent Blade

Sunday 31/07/11 Roger Fullers Yard Stone
After breakfast we gave the boat a second coat of blacking. It looks so much better than when it came out of the water now. I then painter the white band at the rear and rubbed down the green up to the gunwales ready for a coat of paint tomorrow.

Shiny repaired Blade

The Happy Workers

The weather has clouded over this morning; I do hope that the rain stays away. I painted the white band. Then I turned my attention to the green. Roger came back and fitted 4 Fuller fitted 4 new anodes while Pam & I gave the hull its 3rd and final coat of blacking. Roger then set to work on the rather bent and very second hand looking prop. With a lot of heating and a bit of banging he made it look brand new.

It has been quite a lot of work. I had almost forgotten what work was like. It is most rewarding to see the finished product. We both are very pleased with the outcome. We should be back to our normal floating tomorrow.

All Finished and Shiny
Thanks to Roger Fuller for his help and advice during this progect.

Alrewas to Stone

2011-07-28T17:57:00.000+01:00

Captains Log

Canal Date                                 28th July 2011
Travels                                          21 Miles 11 Locks
Current Location               2 miles south of Stone

Monday 16/07/2011
Boat Movement Alrewas to Little Haywood

Miles --- 11, Locks --- 6

A good day for travelling. The sun is doing its thing, a very gentile breeze. We only have about 10 hours travel left and a week to do it, so no need to rush or have long days. Very relaxed cruising. We set off at 11.30. Fradley was mad. There were boats every where, all waiting for either the locks, facilities or just some where to moor. There were BW Volunteers at the locks, that helped at bit. Once through the 5 locks it was plain sailing for the rest of the day. I have never encountered so many oncoming boats. It is Monday, so the weekenders are not there. It is the start of the school holidays, so that will increase traffic, but I think that most of the traffic is going to the IWA show. We stopped for water just before Hansacre. We had to queue for that. When I had finished there was a queue of 2 or 3 boats waiting. Unheard of!

We travelled on to Rugeley where we stopped for a bit of local food shopping. A pleasant, pedestrianised town centre, not so many charity and closed down shops as many towns.

We continued our trip, it was getting late and surprise, surprise, food time was on mine. After a quick look in the guide book we headed for bridge 20, there is a pub just off that bridge. We found the moorings and almost ran to the pub. Its a good pub, more of a restaurant than a pub. After eating we went back to the boat. No satellite TV, No digital TV and only 1 channel on ordinary TV. We were underneath a canopy of trees, We shall look for better moorings tomorrow.

Teusday
We moved the boat to the other side of the tunnel to a better mooring spot. It is almost completely open, much better and lighter than last night. Would you believe it? There is one small tree and that is blocking all satellite signals!
There is still a lot of traffic in both directions, even more than yesterday Now we are stationary we have noticed that the traffic is in both directions.
We went for a walk around the village. There is a garden centre and a wildlife park. Both very nice.

Thursday 28/07/2011
Boat Movement Little Haywood to Sandon Lock (23) Near Stone
Miles --- 10, Locks --- 5
A fine morning, the traffic on the canal is still very busy. I am not sure if we are just in a very busy spot or the whole world has decided to got and play with their boats on the first week of the school holidays.

We soon arrived at the first lock to find a queue of 4 boats waiting. ¾ of an hour later we were on our way again. The next lock was slightly better with only 2 boats before us. The canal is very busy indeed. It is a good job that we, or for that matter, anyone else is not in a hurry. We wanted to get close to Stone but not in Stone. That will be out task for tomorrow. We found a reasonable mooring just above the lock at Sandon (No 23) and stayed there for the night. The weather has been fine all day and looks like being a warm evening. We are nowhere near a pub so it looks like some good old home cooking for us tonight.

Fradley Junction

2011-07-22T17:09:00.000+01:00

Captains Log

Canal Date                                    22nd July 2011
Travels                                 13 Miles 7 Locks
Current Location                      Between Alrewas & Fradley Junction

We set off at 11.00 The weather looked rather threatening but stayed dry all day. We have now completed all of the wide locks now, all the remaining locks for a good while will be narrow. The canal follows the route of the River Trent and in places joins the river. Even though the river is very low, there are strong currents at the weirs. When we approached Burton the build up for the IWA National was well underway. Certainly all the close moorings have already been taken. We continued to find a spot for the night. We moored about half way between Alrewas and Fradley. Not the best spot on the canal. It is too shallow, the banks are over grown and there are too many flies. It will do for tonight.

Thursday 21/07/11
We are infested with horrid flies. They are coming from the plants and small bushes along the bank. We moved the boat 200 yards to a better mooring. Less over growth, less flies and it floats. Even the sun came out for a few minutes. I think we may stay here for the weekend.

When we pass through Fradley Junction we will have completed the Leicester Ring.

Ragley Boat Stop - Barrow upon Trent

2011-07-19T12:04:00.000+01:00

Captains Log

Canal Date                        19th July 2011
Travels                                10 Miles 5Lock
Current Location           Ragley Boat Stop - Barrow upon Trent

Another dull and very windy day, not the best day for moving but we have been here for 3 days and it is a 3 day mooring. Also we do need to push on if we are going to make Stone in time.

The wind was so strong that I had to use full power to turn against it. It is a good job that the Trent is wide here or I am sure we would have been blown against the bank. Once moving we were going directly into the wind. The waves on the Trent were large enough to break against the bows causing a continuous spray to blow in our faces. It was like proper sailing. The wind had a nasty habit of either a severe sudden gust or totally disappearing for a few moment. Either way it had the same result, the boat turning rapidly. It requires a lot of concentration in these conditions especially when approaching the locks. Not only do you have to guess where the wind may take you, you also have to allow for the bypass weirs. These also push you completely off line. (I am not very good at this concentration thing)

As we progressed further away from the Trent the wind decreased. We stopped for lunch during one of the heavier down pours. We continued to The Ragley Boat Stop. Its a Pub! It even has electric hook up! We just had to go in and try it out. It looks like it may be a bit too up market and expensive for our wallets. I was pleasantly surprised, it was a very nice and clean, well decorated and inviting pub with good menu and value prices. Fully Recommend.

Its not that often that we open the curtains to a view of roses in full bloom and a perfectly manicured lawns,. This is indeed a nice pub mooring, probably the best we have found so far. If Carlsberg made moorings it would be like this!

Its a shame to leave so soon. There is much more on the menu that we have not had time to try. So much food – So little time.

Trent Lock

2011-07-15T11:58:00.000+01:00

Captains Log

Canal Date                                   15th July 2011
Travels                              38 Miles 35Lock
Current Location                   Trent Lock - Long Eaton Tuesday 12July

This summer cruising is just so nice. If you think that you can imagine how nice it is and then multiply that by a factor of 10 then maybe, just maybe, you are getting somewhere near. It is probably even better than having to go to work every day!

Time for a move. We set off this morning. We were not intending to travel far, just as far as the next services at Kilby Bridge. It is about 4 miles and 7 locks away. When we arrived at out destination, we looked at the BW facility block. Unfortunately for us, the only part that we really wanted was the toilet pump out, and this is locked up and out of order signs just about everywhere. Well it is lunch time. What a surprise, we are outside a pub. We were very soon inside the said pub enjoying the odd pint or two and the bargain lunchtime specials. It was exceptional value. It is a curry special night to night so we may just creep back in again. Well it does seem a shame to abandon these canal-side pubs to the locals.

Wednesday 10/07/2011 Kilby Bridge to Syston
We were on our way just as soon as we could, a long day today. The canal is full of locks. They are averaging about 2 per mile and all against us as usual. I was determined to go through Leicester and find moorings back in the countryside for tonight. We made reasonable progress through the day. I had to stop twice and lift the weed hatch. First time was an old garment of some sort. It had cotton and elastic. A bit of a bugger to get off the prop. The second was all my fault. I used reverse in a lock and got my own, nice new rope caught on the prop. Now that was a real bugger to remove. It’s a good bit of rope, It was even resistant to a knife. As we made our way north into Leicester, it was not as bad as I had imagined. The town centre was though. And the northern part of Leicester was quite run down, with graffiti everywhere. Once we had left Leicester and its outskirts we travelled through a very nice water park. This looked very nice indeed but there was an obvious lack of moorings here. We continued on to a spot marked on the guide as moorings, and what do you know? It has a pub!
It was a curry special night – curry & a drink for £5.95 – It had to be worth a go. It was quite good. Not as good as the previous night. The food and service was fine but the plates were cold and the meal very soon cooled down. It was a quiet night on board. Not always the case when on a pub mooring.

Thursday 14/07/2011 Syston to Trent Lock
After yesterdays marathon run through Leicester, we were having a bit of a lie in this morning. All went to plan until 9.00 when we both noticed the unmistakable felling of some one walking across the boat. Always a bit worrying. After a quick scramble to put on some clothes, I opened the hatch to have a look. There was some one on my boat! It was the boys in blue! The dreaded BW bank maintenance team were moving my boat complete with us in it! They were most apologetic and said that they had waited for us to get up, but could not wait any longer. They wanted to fill one of their boats with a lorry load of gravel and we were right in the only spot they could get the lorry. The River Soar is very nice once past Leicester. It has a bit of the Avon about it. We managed to move much faster on the deeper and wider river than on the canal so we travelled further than expected. In fact we travelled twice as far as we had anticipated. On route we teamed up with another couple to use the locks, she was fine but he was a miserable old git. They were travelling faster than us and were always at the lock first. On one occasion, Pam left the boat to take Millie for a short walk. When I pulled in to the bank to collect them I was grounded good and proper. It took us an age to get free, and bless them, Mr. Misery and wife were still waiting for us. On route to the next lock we stopped for fuel. When we arrived at the following lock, Mr. Misery had gone. We arrived at Trent Lock at 6.00.
I now have raging tooth ache! After a short nap we went to the Trent Lock Pub. It was very busy, we had to eat in the bar. I think the food was fine but I was not. The tooth ache was making any form of chewing almost impossible.

Foxton to Kilby Bridge

2011-07-12T18:52:00.000+01:00

Captains Log

Canal Date                                12th July 2011
Travels                                         21Miles 22 Lock
Current Location                  Kilby Bridge
Wednesday 6July 2011 Boat movement Welford to Market Harborough (via Foxton locks)
A fair way to go today by our standards so an early start was called for. We were up at 8.00 and on our way by 9.00. The weather did not look too promising with heavy rain clouds covering most of the sky. We arrived at Foxton Locks just before mid day and had a wait of about 1 3/4 hours. It was a bit chaotic with boats everywhere. I am sure that people are jumping the queue. Once in the flight, it took only 40 minutes to complete the two staircases. The Market Harborough arm is particularly nice. The weather today was not exactly as forecast Shock Horror- The promised heavy rain did not happen, however it was quite cool when the sun hid behind one of the many clouds.

Thursday 07July 2011 Boat Movement Market Harborough to Foxton
After a mornings shopping in the town, we set off to look for more suitable moorings for the weekend. Somewhere outside the town and with a view would be nice. About 1 hour along the canal we found just the spot. It is not far from Foxton Junction and has a very large field next to us for the dog. Ideal.

Friday 08July 2011 Foxton.
A dull and wet morning, its even a bit cool on board. I printed out a route to our destination. We need to be at Stone early August, it will take about 10 days travel- we have 21days to do it, that means travelling at least every other day to keep on schedule. I think there may be some long days ahead.
We walked to Foxton Locks in the morning and had a look at the locks and shop. We called into the pub for a drink and a light lunch. I had a starter with a portion of chips. It was massive! I was not going to let it beat me. I managed to eat it all and have an ice cream in the shop on the way back. When we arrived on the boat I had an afternoon nap – for 3 hours! Guess that’s the day done then.

Sunday 10July 2011 Foxton to Newton Harcourt (8 miles south-east of Leicester)
After breakfast I gave the entire ceiling another coat of varnish. It is looking so much better now. (It stinks bloody awful) After that we had a sandwich (with just the odd hint of varnish) before setting off on our journey. We cruised, lock free for 2 hours before coming to the flight. These are wide locks and once again they were all set against us. There does seem to be an unwritten law on the canals.
After clearing the lock flight we started to look for moorings as the sky was getting heavier by the minute and it was quite obvious that it was going to get very wet very soon. We had been there for less than 5 minutes before the first intercity train howled past the other side of the hedge. It was much louder than the noise of the rain on the roof - This will do fine for tonight then!!!

Monday 10July 2011 Newton Harcourt
A good night, the trains did not bother us at all. The sun is out this morning, a gentle breeze. It has all the making of a nice day. We would appear to be miles from anywhere, no road noise and I can not see a house or even farm buildings. This would be just about perfect for us if the railway was not here.
I rubbed down and varnished the cratch, front doors and table. The entire English population of Green Fly have come and landed on the wet varnish.

Tuesday 12July 2011 Boat Movement Newton Harcort to Kilby Bridge
We set off this morning. We were not intending to travel far, just as far as the next services at Kilby Bridge. It is about 4 miles and 7 locks away. When we arrived at out destination, we looked at the BW facility block. Unfortunately for us, the only part that we really wanted was the toilet pump out, and this is locked up and out of order signs just about everywhere. Well it is lunch time. What a surprise, we are outside a pub. We were very soon inside the said pub enjoying the odd pint or two and the bargain lunchtime specials. It was exceptional value. It is a curry special night to night so we may just creep back in again. Well it does seem a shame to abandon these canal-side pubs to the locals.

Welford

2011-07-05T16:41:00.000+01:00

Captains Log

Canal Date : 5th July 2011
Travels :14 Miles 1 Lock
Current Location : Welford

Monday 4th July Watford Gap to Welford
A very warm but overcast morning. The forecast is good for this morning and getting worse as the week progresses so we decided to move on this morning. A short stop at Crick was planned just to do a bit of shopping. Short shopping trips just do not seem to happen. The supermarket was a bit further than I expected. Although it was only a small shop it still took Pam an age to get round. When we got back on board we decided to have lunch. A mighty feast of fish finger sandwiches on crusty cheese topped bread was soon devoured.

After that it was most important to have a power nap! So some 2 hours after stopping we were on the move again. This is a very nice stretch of canal. Very rural, and quiet. The Welford Arm is particularly pleasant. We arrived at the end of the Welford arm at 6.30 and moored right outside a very welcoming pub. Very soon we were inside the pub having a well deserved pint and a less deserved meal. Both were very good!

Tuesday 5th July Welford.
A rather later than usual start to the morning (10.15) Then a leisurely shower and breakfast. That’s a good way to start a day. So much more civilized than going to work! After Breakfast we walked into the village to find the only shop. It is a Post Office and village store. It is better than most village shops and sells all that you may need. Even Ice cream! This tasted very nice as we sat on a bench in the sunshine – This retirement malarkey is a hard life, but someone has to do it. What’s more I do believe that we are enjoying it. I expect that we shall have to try some more of the menu tonight in the local pub. Who knows, I may even have a beer!

Watford Gap

2011-07-01T15:55:00.000+01:00

Captains Log

Canal Date                     1st July 2011
Travels                              6 Miles 13 Locks
Current Location    Watford Gap

What happened to June? I demand a recount! Where is it? Who stole it? It must be here somewhere. It can’t have all gone. If it has then we are well on the way to Christmas and that can’t be right can it?

The Braunston Working boat weekend was very good. Well worth stopping a few days for. The event was a gathering of historic working boats and a twice daily parade. Now the parade bit would take some organising to get right. Unfortunately the organising bit did not appear to be there at all. There were people with Hi-Vis jackets and radio’s . I think that the event worked in spite of the organisers, not because of them! Having said that, it was a most enjoyable sight.

We had been moored for 10 days and the batteries were starting to fade a bit, so time for a change of scenery. After dumping the rubbish and emptying the poo tank and filling the fresh water, we set off to pastures new.

We climbed the six wide locks at Braunston with another boat, that always makes life easier. We then entered the Braunston tunnel. About half way through, an on coming boat crashed it the side of us. He said that my light was blinding him, I tried to tell him to look down the other side of the boat but he did not comprehend.

We carried on to Norton Junction and turned left into the Grand Union Leicester section. All nice level sailing until we arrived at the Watford Gap flight. Last time we were here we had to wait 3 ½ hours before we could proceed. This time it was a little better but we still had to wait 1 ½ hours. We moored up about 1 mile past the locks in pleasant open countryside.

We have spent much of the morning sanding down and re-varnishing the boat ceiling. It look better for it. It just that once you start you have to continue. We only have all the sides, doors, cupboards, wardrobes, shelves, TV unit, steps and table to go.

Volunteers are most welcome.

Braunston Workingboat Show

2011-06-23T16:49:00.000+01:00

Captains Log

Canal Date                 23rd June 2011
Travels                       1 1/2 Miles
Current Location      Braunston

Summer Solstice - The longest day and therefore the shortest night. Not for me, I have developed a cold, I was awake much of the night with a sore throat and blocked nose and sinus pain. I know, I am a wimp. I got out of bed at 7.15 this morning, I had had enough by then. I thought I may be better in a chair that rather than lying down. Now because I had a bad night and woke up early, I woke up grumpy. She soon followed me out of bed.

After breakfast we moved the boat to a better mooring. Only a few hundred yards, and then we went to Braunston. We called into the pub and had a beer and ice-cream. That helped my sore throat for a while.

Wednesday - After breakfast I turned my attentions to the toilet vent pipe. In the warm weather the toilet vent smells every time the toilet is flushed. I have tried all of the chemicals and potions available to various levels of disappointment. I have now found that there is a carbon filter that can be fitted in line. This could be the answer. Before I shell out £80.00 I want to make sure that I can fit the filter without major works to the boat. The vent pipe is hidden in the substantial construction of the bed. It is not the easiest part of the boat to get to. After a lot of stripping away trim and constructional timber I found the vent pipe. I thought that this was going to be the hardest part of the job but when I did find it, it turned out to be different to what I had expected. The pipe is 2” gas pipe, not the ¾ rubber hose that I imagined that it would be. This would make it very difficult to go from the steel pipe down to the ¾” fittings on the vent filter. Job abandoned for the time being. When I re-assembled the bed, I made sure that I converted the top to an easy access inspection cover for later use. After a complete failure at the back of the boat, I turned my attentions to the front. The Maxi-view aerial that was original fitment had never performed well so I thought it may be a good idea to feed the signal amp direct from the external TV aerial. That way it could be piped throughout the boat. After spending an hour or so empting the cupboard, removing the door, removing the access panels that I fitted previously, making all the correct fitting to the co-ax. It was no better! It would appear that either the maxi-view amp only works with the maxi-view aerial or is in fact not working at all. I ended up putting everything back to how it was.

A complete day of working on the boat and nothing at all achieved. So no change there then!

I am still just about alive; I have at least triple pneumonia, gangrene of the throat, and headaches in both my chest & head. And to make matters worse I have a snotty nose! Needless to say, I slept a lot in between working on the boat.

re-tracing our steps

2011-06-20T18:01:00.000+01:00

Captains Log

Canal Date                     20th June 2011
Travels                           8Miles 11 Wide Locks
Current Location         11/2 miles South of Braunston

Well, as nice as the Blue Lias pub is, All of our friends that joined us in their caravans have now left. The pub has had more of our unearned cash that I would have liked. (We did eat and drink in there most days, well, it would be rude not to) Time has come to move on again. It was a nice morning with no cloud or wind, so different to the weekend. After a truly professional turn at the Blue Lias you know, the sort of turn that you can do so easily when no one is watching, but is impossible when being observed. Well this one made me feel quite proud. We set off again to retrace out recent path. Although it is exactly the same stretch of canal it does look very different when travelled in the opposite direction. Perhaps it is the sunshine. We shared the Stockton locks with another boat which was steered by a lovely 80 year old lady who had little or no idea. It would have been very much quicker on our own but we are not in a hurry so it was just amusing to watch her get it wrong every single time. She was a good sport, bless her. The next set of three locks we shared with a much more able boater, with the help of his crew we flew up them. The weather was truly superb, with almost constant sun shine. We moored about 1 ½ miles south of Braunston so we could run the generator to do a bit of machine washing. However, all this enjoying ones self is very tiring so after we moored we both fell fast asleep and by the time we woke up it was a bit late to run the generator, especially as other boats had moored near by. The weather has now changed. It is very cloudy and looks very much like a thunder storm may be brewing!

Tomorrow we shall move on to Braunston if there is any moorings left, and have a look at the working boat weekend. If it is full, then we shall continue on.

Arrived At the Blue Lias Pub!

2011-06-15T16:45:00.000+01:00

Captains Log

Canal Date                                15th June 2011
Travels                                         10Miles 13 Wide Locks
Current Location               Blue Lias Pub (Stockton Locks)

Arrived safely at Blue Lias Pub. A very welcome sight after all those wide locks. As usual, every lock was against us. We waited to share the locks after the first two. That made it easier for us all. The boat we shared with gave me a bit of a punt as he came into one of the locks. That was followed by the unmistakable sound of expensive lead crystal glassware smashing. I will learn from this and fit a travel lock on the high level cupboards.
The weather has been mixed today. First it was cold then wet, then wet & cold then warm and then warm & wet, then sunny. We even had it sunny & wet for a while!
I have summer clothes and winter waterproofs on the counter.
There is a classic car meeting her tonight, so we will have to take our camera with us when we visit the pub.

We will stay here until the M.R.O.C. event has finished on Monday.
Our plans of going along the Oxford Canal and then along the Thames is up for reconsidering. We have been told that the lower Oxford is low on water and mooring is very difficult. I do not want to be looking for moorings hour after hour. We shall do a bit of research and then make a decision.

Brinklow to Braunston (Very Slow)

2011-06-15T10:34:00.000+01:00

Captains Log

Canal Date                           15th June 2011
Travels                                    10Miles 0Locks
Current Location           Braunston Junction

Sunday 12/06/2011     Rain stopped play
A proper summers day. It is pouring down and I have had to don long trousers and a jumper! We lit the fire it was that cold. How different to the last few weeks. It has not stopped raining all day. Not even showed signs of slowing down, just constant heavy rain. They tell me that it is needed but the canal was very wet before the rain!
All the boaters passing us are dressed in very wet waterproofs and look completely soaked and just a bit fed up with it all. It is good have nice lazy day. To sit in a warm & dry boat and not to have to travel in this weather. (Smug mode)

Monday 13/06/2011      Brinklow to Rugby
We travelled to Rugby and had a look at the local trading estate and then looked forward to a night in Rugby town centre. (I do not like town centre’s) It was fine. Nice and quiet.

Tuesday 14/06/11         Rugby to Braunston
A nice day for travelling, mainly sun shine with the odd cloud. The traffic was about what one might expect for June. Some of the fields were quite stunning with the green crop and masses of red poppies. It looked nice but I am sure the farmer would rather not have the poppies.
We arrived at Braunston to find loads of moored boats. it would appear that they are staking a claim for the Working Boat Weekend in 2 weeks time. We found a prime spot, right by the junction bridge. This will do us for tonight. At last, there is a pub within walking distance! Best use it quick! It was one of the 2 for 1 pub chains and was very good indeed. Back at the boat, a couple walking their dog spoke to me. They congratulated us on having the best mooring for the show. I said that we were only staying the night and they almost wet them selves with excitement. The upshot is that I will hold this mooring until they come at 11.00 tomorrow and they will take up residence here. I don’t think they could believe their luck.

We shall move on down the Grand Union Canal this morning (Wednesday) to the blue Lias Pub at Stockton Locks to meet up with friends. We have locks to do today. We have almost forgotten about them.

Ansty to Brinklow in 3 easy moves.

2011-06-11T12:09:00.000+01:00

Captains Log

Canal Date                          11th June 2011
Travels                                     5Miles 0Locks
Current Location           2 miles south of Brinklow (Oxford Canal)

I do believe that we have started to become accustomed to the trains, we do not particularly notice them any more. However, there is an annoying bang as the boat hits a submerged rock when a passing boat goes past too fast!

Spent much of the day giving the side of the boat 2 coats of polish. It had started to go dull and chalky and has a shine now.

I removed the blistering paint at the rear corner and gave it a coat of green undercoat.

We took off the rear pram cover and gave the inside a good scrubbing. I found that soap and water had no effect on the stains so I tried white spirit. That worked well. I then washed it off with loads of water. It has come up well. I do hope that the white spirit does not have any detrimental effect on the material.

Next day we painted the rear of the boat. Both Pam & I managed to hold on to the wet paint when getting on board! Later we fitted the anti-slip tape on the side of the boat. Hopefully, it will reduce the number of unintentional dips I take. Well that is the plan anyway!

We walked into the village of Ansty after lunch, It took about ½ hour each way. Other than a pub & post box, there does not appear to have anything else. A range of uninspired houses, nothing of interest.

I then cycled to look at the moorings further on, to the village of Brinklow. The towpath was very rough, not pot holes, just rippled earth. It was like riding over badly laid cobbles. It shook anything and everything loose. It was only 6 miles but it appeared much further with the terrain.

We set off, heading towards Brinklow. We had to wait for ages for some new live aboard boaters. They did not have a clue what they were doing and boy did it show. We were against the Rose hire fleet and moored boats on the other side. It was all I could do to hold the boat when other traffic came past. Eventually we got on the water point and had our fill. We moved on a few yards to the first useable moorings and walked to a Farm Shop. We were told that it is about 20 minutes away. It took us 40! The farm shop was worth the effort. It was well stocked and not overpriced. There is a good coffee shop which we took full advantage of. When we got back to the boat we called in to the chandlers. Again, a very good and well stocked shop. We then moved out of the Chandlers moorings and found some nice rural spaces about a mile further down the canal. Once again, the sides are too shallow for this boat. We had a bit of a list to starboard. This is a much quieter mooring than Ansty, the railway is a bit further away and hidden behind trees. However, it is in a steep cutting and totally over hung with vegetation. It looks like we are in the middle of the Burma jungle. I am expecting tigers to jump out any minute. We shall find a better location to spend the weekend. We walked to the village, it seemed to be a long way but it was only about one mile each way. The village is nice, wide open roads with a complete range of houses, some very old and up to modern brick built houses. There has never been any form of planning as there is just about every style of house one could imagine all jumbled up. We did call into the only tea room in the village and had a tea cake before walking back.

NOTE 3 pubs and we went into a tea room!!!!

As soon as we arrived back at the boat we moved on again. We had no particular destination in mind, just somewhere a bit more open. We soon found the spot. Open fields to our Port side and a low hedge with meadows beyond on the Starboard, this will do us nicely for the weekend.

Coventry Basin - Ansty

2011-06-02T15:42:00.000+01:00

Captains Log

Canal Date                                    2nd June 2011
Travels                                             11 Miles 1Locks
Current Location                   Ansty (Oxford Canal)

Coventry – What a pleasant surprise. The basin is very quiet indeed. Most of the time we were the only ones moored there. We had good quiet nights sleep. We were wrong to assume that all town centre moorings are noisy, they just are not.

Whilst in Coventry we walked the city centre which is not much to get excited about. We went to the motor museum, now that is something to get exited about. I think that it is just about the best museum I have been to. Well laid out, a full range of cars, bicycles, motor bikes, Race cars, Buses and tractors. Truly amazing. The most impressive part is it is all free! (We did make a donation.)

After dumping the rubbish and topping up the tank, this morning we set off at 10.45. The water all along the Coventry arm is full of litter and abandoned furniture, wheelie bins and the like. Probably the worst bit of canal I have travelled. Other than that, it is fine. When we came to Sutton Stop and joined the Oxford canal we found traffic again. We had to wait for the only lock of the day. We started to look for moorings at the village of Ansty; the only useful spot was next to a rather smelly garden fire so we moved on. It was looking like we would not find another good spot. Where we are is very close to the railway. It does have good views and an open aspect. No pub though - It will do us for tonight at least. Let’s see how much noise BR can make in the night

Hartshill to Coventry

2011-05-31T14:59:00.000+01:00

Captains Log

Canal Date                         31st May 2011
Travels                       15 Miles 0 Locks
Current Location       Coventry Basin (city centre)

We were up and on the move early this morning we were on our way by 8.00. This was not through any great desire to get moving, it was because we were moored next to a Tarmac quarry and they were more than a bit noisy this morning. That together with the weather forecast saying that the weather would turn to rain later was enough to prise me out of bed. When we set off, the sun was shining and all was well with the Earth. I soon found out that when the sun went in, it was bloody cold, and the sun went in rather too frequently. After the first half hour we hardly saw the sun at all and at one point it started to rain.

The journey to Coventry basin was uneventful. We did meet up with a lot of oncoming traffic as far as Sutton Stop, but only one after that. On arrival at the basin we pumped out using our BW Card. It only took about 3 minutes. Much quicker than out electric pump! There is only one other boat in the basin and he assures us that it is very quiet and peaceful here. I do hope he is right. As a precaution, Pam has made me cover the Samy-Sola panel and remove the water jug from the roof. Neither of us are over keen on city centres, so lets just hope that this one is better than some of the others. I do not expect to remain here long!

There & Back Again. A boaters tail.

2011-05-27T20:12:00.000+01:00

Captains Log

Canal Date              27th May
Travels                     Not much really, More of a there and back again
Current Location   Between Atherstone and Nuneaton

We moved from our moorings at the unearthly hour of mid day and travelled a full 500 yards before we stopped. That is a short run even by our own standards. We only stopped for fresh water and was soon on the move again.

There is so much more traffic on the canal than usual. They are coming thick and fast. We decided to moor up at a pub (Shock horror) The pub as the Anchor Inn at Hartsfield. An excellent meal and a few rather tasty pints of Bass later we wobbled off to bed. Next morning, note the morning bit here, we set off to Atherstone to meet up with a friend for lunch. The weather was not good, all cloud and wind. Not long after setting off the clouds did what clouds do best and it all fell on me!

We arrived in Atherstone at 11.30 A full 1 ½ hours early, so we had walk around the town before meeting up at the pub. After a nice pub lunch and a few beers we said our goodbyes and picked up some shopping on the way back. I am not happy with town centre moorings so we moved off again for pastures new. We moved just outside the town to Mancetter. It looked to be a nice rural spot. Not long after we had moored, a dog walker informed us that this was not the best place to stay as there had been a number of thefts from boat and houses in the last few weeks. We did not risk it, only a fool would listen to well meant advice and not act on it so off we went again. This time we are quite a long way from any roads so any would be thieves would have to carry their bounty a good distance. Let’s hope it’s far enough.

Next destination – Coventry Town Centre!

Hinckley

2011-05-20T18:23:00.000+01:00

Captains Log

Canal Date                            20th May
Travels                                                    14.5 miles – 9 Locks
Current Location                        A5 bridge Hinckley

We are there. Five full days of boating to do what we could easily of done in the car in 1 1/2 hours. It has to be said that the five days on the boat have been much more enjoyable than any motorway car trip.

When we set off this morning, the sun was shining and little cloud. A good day. We arrived at our first lock within minutes to find a queue of three boats waiting. Normally after the wait at the first lock thing go smoothly. Not today. Each lock we approached had a queue from boaters coming off overnight moorings. Eventually things did sort them self out and we completed the 9 locks with little drama. From there it is a lock free run for miles. The weather turned very cloudy and it looked as if it was going to persist down at any moment. For once in my boating life it did not, but it was certainly a bit on the cool side. I set off in shorts & t-shirt, I soon put on a lightweight fleece and not much later I had a windproof jacket on complete with gloves. Is it still summer or have I missed it this year?

Atherstone

2011-05-19T19:17:00.000+01:00

Captains Log

Canal Date                       19th May 2011
Travels                                 16 miles – 4 Locks

Current Location      Whittington (North of Atherstone)

Another full day’s travel by our standards. We did a machine full of washing while the batteries are fully charged. This worked well but it did mean that we will have to refill the fresh water again. Today’s stops were to fill up with fresh water and a quick stop at a Tesco Local for a bit of fresh food, and to have a chat at Alvecote Marina, other than that we have been on the move all day again. The weather today has been much better than yesterday with sun much of the time. However it still gets quite chilly when the sun goes behind a cloud. Our route today took us pass Alvecote Marina where we bought Daddy Cook. We stopped and had a chat and were welcomed like old friends. I managed to scrounge some cream coach line tape whist there so I can now finish the paint repair at the back.

No for the bad news – we are nowhere near a pub so we will have to cater for our selves tonight. Still, it will make a change.

It has been a good days boating. Nothing broke, no one hurt, and every one remained dry. No so much a good day as an unusual day.

Huddlesford Nr. Lichfield

2011-05-19T09:53:00.000+01:00

Captains Log

Canal Date                  18th May 2011

Travels                         18 miles – 5 Locks

Current Location       Huddlesford Nr. Lichfield

A full day’s travel by our standards. We have travelled on 3 different canals. The Staffs & Worcs, the Trent & Mersey and the Coventry. Once again it has been rather busy today with much oncoming boat traffic, mainly in bridge holes and blind bends of course, just to prove the law! The only stop today was to fill up with fresh water and whilst there we had a sandwich, other than that we have been on the move. The day started misty and then the rain started, light at first then it got heavy, and then it became heavy driving rain with strong gusty wind. You know the sort; it is only there to make nice days feel so much better!!!!

On route we bought two new rope fenders form a narrowboat selling them at very reasonable prices. (I don’t need them yet, but I can’t resist a bargain)

We have moored out side a pub again. No surprise there then. Well we had to try it out, you know, keeping up the old tradition. It was very good indeed. A little more expensive than some but not overpriced at all.

Only one minor breakage today – one of the shackles holding the front button fender in position failed. It did not take many seconds to repair that.

Gailey to Great Haywood

2011-05-17T21:14:00.000+01:00

Captains Log

Canal Date                             17th May 2011
Travels                                    12 miles –10 Locks
Canal                                      Staffs & Worcester / Trent & Mersey
Current Location                  Great Haywood
The canal was just about as busy as I have ever encountered before. There were boats coming towards us every other minute. Many of the approaching boaters passed comment about a boat & butty ahead who was a bit slow in the locks. There were not wrong, we caught them up at Penkridge. It took them over 45 minutes to get through one locks. By this time there were a queue of boats in each direction! Luckily, they were not going any further so they did not slow us after that. We called it to Midland chandlers at Penkridge for the spare impeller for the shower pump. Luckily they did have one in stock. We then soon came across Tixal Wide. It is much more like a lake than any canal. Pity they are not all like that. We moored for the night at Great Haywood on the Trent & Mersey Canal. As I was securing the boat and sorting out the fenders I managed to knock the nice new shiney chimney overboard. My heart sank with the sight of the chimney sinking. It is held on a piece of steel rope to stop such a thing happening but the rope had rotted through! Not a problem, I saw where it went in, I will retrieve it with my trusty magnet. Now their are 2 types of stainless steel, one is magnetic, the other is not. Mine is very much the “is not” verity. I groped around with the boat hook for some time. I could feel it but not hook it. Pam then tried with a landing net, she could feel it until the moment that the landing net fell apart.

There was nothing else left in our recovery arsenal so it was down to me. Now before I get myself wet in the cut I am going to be curtain that I can have a shower after. I spent the next hour repairing the shower pump with the kit that I had brought an hour ago. Once that was done and tested I stepped over and quickly found the remains of the net. Not long after I came across the chimney. With everything recovered I had a well deserved shower and then off to the local pub for a pub lunch and a beer or three.

Gailey Lock

2011-05-16T18:11:00.000+01:00

Captains Log

Canal Date                 16th May 2011
Travels                       15 miles –4 Locks
Canal                          Staffs & Worcester
Current Location      Gailey

We are now heading for Nuneaton; we have to be there by Monday 23rd May. This is one of the times that there is a definite time scale.

I panned to go as far as Penkridge today but my foot would not let me! I had to stop in the end at Gailey Lock. Not a bad place to stop at all, in fact it is a very nice place to stop, so we did stop, full stop! After leaving Dimmingsdale we had to stop at Compton for a few bits from the chandlers and top up some food shopping. On the way back to the boat we have to pass a chip shop, only this time we did not quite manage to pass it, we called in and had some of the best fish & chips ever. It is fully recommended by me. (And so low in calories too!)

The journey it self was not remarkable, it was just very nice, very calm, very relaxing and very windy! We had travelled for a few hours before we met a boat coming towards us, and in true boating fashion, it was at a blind bend into a narrow bridge hole. We missed each other, or rather I missed him, I do not think that he had even noticed I was there until it was far too late for to do anything at all. Almost straight after that a hire boat drove into the side of us, the look on his face was that total panic with just a hint of guilt together with that look of “Oh my god what have I just done”

Pam & I reassured him that is all OK and everyone has to learn. I don’t think that it helped matters on board his boat as his wife came up the stairs wearing here life jacket! We also met up with and got tangled up with a bunch of school children in canoes. I slowed down almost to a stop and they were drifting everywhere. Now from the back of a 60ft narrowboat you can not see kids in canoes at the front. As no one shouted or anything, I assume that I did not slightly kill any of them, in fact they took great delight in standing up and shouting “Ahoy captain! “ as they eventually paddled past.

Dimmingsdale (Again)

2011-05-11T10:52:00.000+01:00

Captains Log

Canal Date                     11th May 2011
Travels                            6 miles – 14 Locks
Canal                              Staffs & Worcester
Current Location          Dimmingsdale Lock Nr Wombourne

We sorted out the front cratch, it is no longer a fuel store, we can now use it as a seating area again, the wood & coal is back in the top boxes on the roof for the summer. I was hoping to give the rear paint repair another coat today but it has been too wet & windy and far too many crawly bugs that insist on sticking to wet paint!

We set off for Greens forge. Unfortunately the rain started just after we moved and the rain soon became a raging torrent of water. We were all rather damp. That’s life I suppose, 4 weeks of sunshine and the moment we move it starts to rain!

We arrived at Greens forge about an hour later and pumped out & flushed out the loo tank, filled up with fresh water and disposed of all the rubbish.

It did not take much persuasion to get us to the pub for a meal, it was as good as ever, The navigation is a no frills pub with good food – good beer – good prices. We shall stay here just overnight and look for better moorings tomorrow.

A better start than yesterday, the sun was shining, however there were a lot of heavy clouds in the sky but at least is was not raining. We had a leisurely breakfast and got the boat ready for moving. We were not going very fast even by our standards. I know that we were following some one as the locks were all against us. I also know that some one was following us. We did not catch up the other boat and neither did the boat following us. There was very little oncoming traffic. This is a hilly bit of canal and has plenty of locks. Most are spaced out at about every ½ mile but then there are stair case locks and the famous Bratch rise. We did see more than usual amount of fluffy ducks and moorhens. It is that time of year. We eventually arrived at our destination - Dimmingsdale Lock at 4.30. No Satellite TV, very poor internet, and what’s more, there is someone else on our spot! This spot will do us for a day or so.

More leaks!

2011-05-05T16:45:00.000+01:00

Captains Log

Canal Date 5th May 2011
Travels none
Current Location Gothersley Bridge (Nr. Stourton)

We moved here just before Easter. We spent Easter away with our friends in the Midland Rover Owners Club at Eastnor. The weather was just about perfect with blue skies and no rain. Unheard of for Easter. We saw out May Day there before returning to the boat.

On return I noticed that the water pump was cycling on & off more than usual. It has always cycled on & off but now it is looking like a serious leak somewhere. I could not find a leak in the boat so an investigation is required in the engine bay. While under there I swapped the old original starter battery for a nice new shiny one. Had a good look in the engine bay - no sign of a leak there. After some considerable time with both of us hunting, Pam found a bit of damp behind the shower. There is no inspection cover so I had to dismantle chunks of boat to gain access. None of the pipes are leaking there, and it looks like the leak may be coming from the washing machine or a pipe in the kitchen. A complete bugger to get to! I pulled out the washing machine – no leak there. Next point to look at is under the kitchen cupboard, the one with the fancy corner unit. It took ages to empty the cupboard of food and strip down the corner unit. Then I was faced with the reality that there is no way of getting to the plumbing joints without removing the unit completely! That was not going to happen so I formed an inspection hole. After all that it was bone dry. The leak is not here! So it is wet behind the shower and dry at the next bulkhead. Further investigation soon showed that the leak was from the shower mixer unit and weeping in-between the shower cubical and the plywood support. Not possible to see at all. I think I am beginning to hate Polish plumbers. That’s twice they have tried to flood my boat now.

After removing the shower unit and having several attempts at making the joints water tight, I eventually re fitted everything back in place and what do you know – it leaked!!!!
I eventually made it water tight and the pump now only runs when the taps are on, just how it should be.

Next job is to sort out the pump out on the port side. There is a small air leak. Not a problem when a commercial pump out is used, but when I use my 12volt pump it is enough to stop it working. Once again, there is no provision for access to connections. This time I had to remove a fair bit of the bed and form inspection plates. I found that the fitting through the hull was a little loose. After releasing the hose clips and tightening up the deck fettling it worked. Result Steve 2 Polish plumbers nil.

It has taken the best part of 2 full days to put right shoddy work from when the boat was built. Not only work but there is always a bit of damage when you gain access to areas where access has not been allowed for.

Still, its not like I do not the time or have anything more important to do.

We shall soon be parking up the car and starting our World Cruise of the Staffs & Worcester Canal.

Cookley

2011-04-09T20:05:00.000+01:00

Captains Log

Canal Date                      10th April 2011
Travels                             none
Current Location           Still at Cookley Village

Getting itchy feet now – it is time for a change of scenery. We have been moored at this location for our allowed 2 weeks so we are expected to move on anyway. We were planning; no, I will use the word “thinking” rather than planning as plans can fail and thoughts don’t? As I was saying before I started an argument with my self - We were thinking of moving on to Dimmingsdale and spend Easter there. We have since found out that there is a boat rally over Easter at Dimmingsdale so we shall look elsewhere for a suitable mooring. I am sure we shall find somewhere between Kidderminster & Wolverhampton. Kinver or Greens forge are likely prospects. Both have pubs and both have somewhere to park up the petrol gobbling monster (V8 Disco)

Its almost a shame to move from here, we have grown to like it, nestled between the villages of Caunsall & Cookley, with nice walks and good views, plenty of fire wood, somewhere to park the car and walking distance to the Little Cooks of Cookley. I suspect, in the words of the great man “We shall return”

The Cooks of Coolkley

2011-04-03T12:11:00.000+01:00

Captains Log

Canal Date                 3^rd April 2011
Travels                        none

Current Location Still at Cookley Village

I have not published my blog for a few days now, mainly as we have not moved and not much of note has happened. It’s not all falling in and splashing about in the canal you know.

So what has happened? Well as I said not much at all really. We did have a tree fall across the canal a few yards in front of us, I am very glad it was a few yards in front and not on top, I would have woken us up!

The boat has developed a small drip (No, not Pam) as it only leaks when it rains and we have not had much of that it is hard to find where it is coming in. I can only assume that it is where Wilsons of Kinver attached a fitting for the rear pram cover. This has been fitted for two years and has just started to leak – odd indeed. I can not see any other possible way of water to penetrate the roof, after all it is solid steel and no holes or fitting anywhere near the drip point.

I have also been issued with a device that is supposed to improve battery performance. It is called “PULS-R BEAT100” from Puls R Ltd Redditch www.puls-r.com

It is very easy indeed to fit, it is hard to see any immediate difference but this is a long term test and a true and unbiased report will be made in due course.

It is just the best time of year now, the hedgerows and trees are wearing their best spring green clothes, and blossom is blooming everywhere you look. The birds are getting noisy doing what ever birds do at this time of year. We have nothing to look forward to other than the long warm summer days ahead – Life is just so good!

The long very cold dark winter seem to be just a very distant memory now.

Captains Log

Canal Date                 25th March 2011
Travels                        3 miles
                                    4 Locks

Current Location Cookley Village Nr. Kidderminster.

We have now turned the boat round and have re painted the other side. It is looking much fresher now.
This morning was going to be a lazy day – Plan A was “nothing to do and all day to do it.” We do have quite a few of them. All was going according to plan until we had a phone from call Kath saying “We are on our way to meet up with you at the nearest pub for a spot of lunch” Well that sounds like a good plan to me, so we walked along the canal to the pub. The weather was so nice that it would have been almost a crime to sit indoors, so we ate alfresco. After lunch we all walked back to the boat for coffee. After coffee we took the two dogs a walk, Millie, as usual was in the canal almost instantly, quickly followed by Em. Two very wet dogs in a boat! Not good, but much better than me falling in. I have managed to go more than 6 months since my last dip in the canal.
After we said our goodbyes to Kath & Martin we reverted back to plan A

Next day, a lazy day with nothing to do and all day to do it. Once again it was going to plan until we had a call from Richard & Ruth. After a short chat, it was agreed that we should meet up at the pub for a meal (Spot the pattern forming here). As we were handing back a sack truck, I decided to move the boat to the pub rather than keep walking, well it just makes sense.
We had another good meal in the pub, Note to self – Must moor further away from Pubs if savings are going to last at all!!!
We are moving back to the Cooks of Cookley today, well that is today’s plan A.

Wolverley

2011-03-21T10:21:00.000Z

Captains Log

Canal Date                   21st March 2011
Travels                        6 1/2 miles 14 Locks
Current Location       Wolverley (North of Kidderminster)

Well, we had a good time in Stourport. We spent the first night in the basin, a pleasant location and much quieter than you would imagine. The next day we meet up with friends Jim & Joan and went for a cruise along the River Severn. As it is still winter time the locks are closed for much of the time so we went as far as the locks then turned and went as far north as possible. While on the river we saw 6 King Fishers. I have never seen that many in one day. We moored on the River, much nicer than the basin. I think that in the summer it may be a very different story.

The next day we met up with more friends, Terry & Jackie. This time I had booked the locks so we went a little further this time. On route we picked up even more friends Geoff & Marg + 2 dogs. We stopped off at a river side pub that we have used many times when caravanning – The Astley Burf. It has changed its menu and now it is an expensive restaurant rather than a cheap & cheerful pub.

We have now left Stourport and have stopped just below Wolverley Court Lock.
This is an ideal spot to carry out a bit of spring time maintenance. I have re-blacked the sides and touched up the green paint. Just a quick job. None of the rubbing down and undercoating stuff! That will be done when it is dry dock later.

We shall stay here for a few days before continuing our World Cruise of the Staff’s & Worc’s Canal

Stourport on Severn

2011-03-15T18:44:00.000Z

Captains Log

Canal Date                   15th March 2011
Travels                          6 1/2 miles - 6 Locks
Current Location        Stourport Basin

We have now been at Cookley for 2 weeks and it is time to move on. So move on we did. I dropped the car off at the younger Cooks house in Cookley while Pam moved the boat closer to their house. We met up at the pre-arranged bridge bang on time. I was walking over the bridge as Pam was going under. The weather was cloudy with little or no wind, however it was still a little on the cool side. Before long I had given up and put on my coat & gloves. It did get colder as we progressed.

As one may expect at this time of year the canal traffic was very light, indeed we did not see another boat moving until we came to a blind bend which narrowed into an even narrower bridge-hole, and as I was not concentrating as much as I could have, we were on the wrong side and heading directly at another boat coming towards us who also was not concentrating as much as he could have! With copious quantities of reverse gear, we managed to miss each other, just. With the panic of the day over, and nobody being slightly dead or even slightly injured, we carried on to Stourport Basin.

Once there, I filled the water tank that was looking a bit on the dry side. I am sure that if we had stayed at Cookley much longer, then the tap would only have produced dust!

We managed a stroll around the town, which took all of 10 minutes then retired back to the boat. The only thing of note at Stourport is the massive amount of pubs, Indian & Chinese restaurants, chip shops, Kebab houses and Pita parlours. We could stay here for weeks and never eat on the boat and not eat in the same place twice! Not that we would eat out of course. It just is not in our nature. (Its hard to type blatant lies with your fingers crossed)

We had planned on spending tomorrow chugging up and down the River Severn. I have just found out that the river locks are working to winter program, and do not open on Tuesdays & Wednesdays, so a bit of a rethink is required.

The Cooks of Cookley

2011-03-09T15:38:00.000Z

Captains Log

Canal Date                      9th March 2011

Travels                            Loads of miles
                                        Hundreds of Locks
Current Location          Cookley Village Nr. Kidderminster.

I have got a bit behind with the log lately. First of all we went to Snowdon for a week’s holiday in the caravan. When we came back we have been on a bit of a dash to get to Cookley by last weekend in order to help the young Cookies move into their nest. We travelled every day and most days all day even in the rain! Most out of character for us.
As soon as we arrived we started stripping wall paper and painting. After a few days the house looked a lot better and the young Cookies moved in. They are now officially the Cooks of Cookley.

We are moored next to a small wood with loads of fallen branches, more that enough to keep us in fire wood during our stay here. The village is served by several good pubs (Is there any other type of pub?) Unfortunately we have not yet managed to sample them all. Be assured that we are working on it!

The last few days we have been catching up on odd jobs & maintenance around the boat. We now have proper spaces for the stools at the stern, the solar panel fixing has been repaired, the cockpit light in now fixed, and the poo pump has been stripped and rebuilt. All of these small jobs soon build up over a winter.

When the weather warms up just a bit more, we will have to touch up the paint work where I have sailed just a bit too close to the locks and we will be ready for the summer again. YES - SUMMER – Do you remember that? It is almost an abstract thought after this rather long cold winter.

22 Locks & 3 different canals in one day.

2011-02-23T19:35:00.000Z

Captains Log

Canal Date 23rd February 2011
Travels 10 miles
22 Locks

Current Location Billbrook (North of Wolverhampton)
We left BCLM later than planned, 11.00 - I could not make my mind up, was the weather going to get better or was it going to rain. We went for it, it is not going to rain on us is it?

I hoped we would get as far a Brewood tonight. We set off in cold but dry grey morning, Just as I said the weather was improving, it soon started to rain, slowly at first but soon it was raining proper rain. On route we asked a dog walker where the nearest shop was that may sell bread. She gave us specific directions. When Pam got there it was not a shop but a large factory bakery. Pam walked in and knocked on office door, they took her into the factory to pick her own loaf. You can’t get fresher than that!

We made the top of the Wolverhampton 21 flight by 1.pm the rain had stopped, we were a bit damp! We stopped to eat some baked spuds - very tasty and warming. Many of the locks were set in our favour, but some were against us with the bottom gates wide open. We only saw one boat on the move today, it was "Roach" the coal boat fully laden an low in the water. It took us 3 1/2 hours to complete the flight, by the time we completed the flight is was dusk. We carried on looking for a suitable mooring site, why is it that when you are running out of daylight and looking for moorings all you can see are council estates with graffiti everywhere, we continued on and ran out of daylight before eventually finding somewhere in total darkness. We have travelled on 3 canals today The BCN, the Staffs & Worcester and The Shropshire Union.
Not bad for 1 day.

Black Country Museum

2011-02-22T17:05:00.000Z

Captains Log

Canal Date 22nd February 2011
Travels 8 miles - 3 Locks

Current Location Black Country living museum, Dudley.

After a good nights sleep we woke up nice and early and fully refreshed. Ready to take on another day on the high seas; OK another day on the cut if you prefer.

We had had breakfast and done a dash to the hole in the wall and were ready for set sail by 11.00. Pretty impressive stuff, I hear you say.
The weather again was a cold grey February morning but once again – no rain.

We travelled the 8 miles from Birmingham City Centre to Dudley without incident. The most notes worthy thing is that we never saw another boat move at all. This time we travelled the New Line. A most inappropriate name for a canal that is over 150 years old. Just how old will it have to be before they drop the “new” bit? It is a good canal in so much as it is wide straight & deep so you can make good progress, but it does lack much of the charm and character of the Old Birmingham Line.

We arrived at the Black Country Living Museum at 3.30 and set about filling the fresh water tank & empting the poo tank. It pays to concentrate on these tasks; it would not be nice to get the pipes a bit mixed up, would it!

Whilst travelling, Pam made a casserole in the slow cooker – it smelt very good indeed, it will taste even better when eaten with some good old fashioned Black Country chips!

If the weather remains fine we shall continue tomorrow down the Wolverhampton 21 flight. If it is raining we will wait it out here.

Birmingham City Centre

2011-02-22T16:46:00.000Z

Captains Log

Canal Date 22nd February 2011
Travels 9 miles
Current Location Birmingham City Centre

Well that’s it then, I don’t care what you say or think. I have had enough of winter, so I therefore declare that it is now BST (Bloody Steve’s Time) and as it is BST it is time to continue my world cruise of the inland waterways.

We set off with a full crew of Pam, Millie (the guard dog) and me – head of the daddy Cook Canal Swimming Club. We also had 2 none paying guests, Jim & Joan.
We set off at the ridiculously early time of 10.15 heading due north for Birmingham. We were very soon at Wast Hills tunnel, some 2 miles long. Just as we entered the tunnel the log burner decide it would be a good time to lay smoke, much like the battle ships did in WW2. As it was a bit hard to breath without choking, I decide that it was Jims turn to steer, Captions’ privilege! I did feel just a bit sorry for him so I returned a few minutes later, just as soon as the fire settled down of course.
When we exited the tunnel we were met with light rain and an unbelievable amount of rubbish in the canal. Signs of entering a city I suppose. I regularly had to clear the prop and at one point we had a complete child’s red slide trapped on the bows, which took a fair bit of shifting! Further along we went over the new bridge at Selly Oak. They have been working on that for ages.
Eventually we arrived at the NIA, no moored boats at all.
We walked into the shopping area and sorted out a few things, said our goodbyes to Jim & Joan as they went to find the bus stop. We had a very quiet and a good night’s sleep. It never stops surprising me how incredibly quiet it is just a few yards from the main night scene of Birmingham city centre.

Hopwood House

2011-01-31T11:48:00.000Z

Captains Log

Canal Date                31st January 2011

Travels                       0

Current Location     Still at Hopwood

Is there something odd about Hopwood, does it have its own micro weather culture? Or is it just yet another conspiracy?

Why is it that when we arrive here the weather is fair, that water point flows freely and the canal is wet, and a day or so later the weather is cold, the tap refuses to produce any water at all and the canal is solid?

When we were last here in November 2010, we were stranded in the ice for 7 weeks, is 2011 going to do the same for us?

I replaced the cracked glass on the log burner the other day. What a difference that has made. I can now turn it down fully. It is one of those things that get very slowly worse, so slowly that you do not notice. It was lovely and hot in here as the fire would not turn down properly, now it will stay in all night. One of my few successes.

We have also managed to invent – design and manufacture hinged prop stands for the solar panels. Not only that, but when I fitted them, I did not fall in the canal at all, not even a little tiny bit. I can’t tell you how pleased I am to say that, especially as I was holding 240volt drills much of the time. I have not tried it but I would imagine that it is not that easy to swim in ice cold water whilst having electric shocks.

Hopwood House 1/2 priced meals

2011-01-28T17:21:00.000Z

Captains Log

Canal Date 28th January 2011
Travels 6 Miles
Current Location Back at Hopwood again

We thought it prudent to move the boat before BW empty the canal, it is so much easier to do it that way.

We had arranged for some old friends & neighbours to join us for this short trip, so as usual we placed a car at each end and then set off on what is becoming almost a regular return trip.

The weather was dry, but boy, was it cold! Real nose dripping, earlobe freezing, limb numbingly cold.

After filling the water tank we set off at about 1.30 (a very civilised time of the day, none of this early start rubbish for us)

After clearing Tardebigge tunnel I handed the helm over to Des, he said he had not done this before but he had no problems at all, just like a pro. When he looked as if hypothermia was about to take him he went inside and I encouraged Sue to have a go at steering. The nicest thing I can say is that although she was not what you would call a natural she did have ago and did not hit anything (well not very hard anyway)

We had arranged to have a meal at the pub on arrival. As we had been in there once or twice before while we were stranded in the Ice for 6 weeks, we knew the menu intimately. Joy of joys, when we went in, there was a promotion on with a new menu. Not only were new things on it, (all just a bit more expensive than the last one) but tonight only, all food was half price! Although they were very busy, the service was up to its normal high level and the food was good. Thanks to Des & Sue for their company and I do hope that they do thaw out eventually and that the frost bite soon goes.

I expect to remain here for a couple of weeks before heading on the bright lights of Birmingham and the Black County.

Back to Tardebigge

2011-01-17T19:51:00.000Z

Captains Log

Canal Date                  17th January 2011
Travels                         6 Miles
Current Location        Back at Tardebigge

After 6 weeks in one spot it was defiantly time for a move.

This time we were heading for Tardebigge. We had arranged to take some friends with us on this trip, Mike & Jo. After planting a car at each end we set off on our first voyage of the year. It was good to be moving again. It is hard to believe that only a few days ago we were frozen in ice, today it is pleasantly warm and sunny. One has to keep reminding ones self that it is still the middle of January.

A quiet afternoons cruising. We did not see any other boats moving at all. Mike did most of the steering, and although he had white knuckles he did not hit or sink anything at all. Having said that, he did look a little worried when he comment on how narrow the bridge holes are.

It took us 3 1/2 hours to do this run on the boat and 10 minutes to do the return trip in the car.
On arrival at Tardebigge it was a bit like coming home, we are moored in the same spot as we did last winter, this time we have a better views as some of the long term moorers have moved their boats in readiness for the draining of the tunnel and pound the end of this month.

We shall stay here for a couple of weeks and move on before BW do get round to empty the pound – it is hard to move the boat when it is hard on the mud!

Hopwood House

2011-01-13T18:30:00.000Z

Captains Log

Canal Date 13th January 2011
Travels None
Current Location Still at Sunny Down Town Hopwood

The weather has remained warm for a few days and I would be surprised if there are any icebergs floating now. The water has changed a lot in the last few days; it has changed from solid ice then as that melted the canal was crystal clear. You could see all of the supermarket trolleys, old bikes, bits of old furniture and all sorts. The one thing I could not see was my previously lost glasses! Then down came the rain. The canal has now changed into something resembling chocolate. I am sure that it does not taste like chocolate. Having said that I have eaten some awful chocolate in the past.

We have moved as far as the pub to take on fuel, and to the water point to take on water.

I reported the burst water pipe to B.W. long before Christmas. They have not been out to it so I repaired it my self. I needed water.

I think it is time for a change of scenery; I will stay here for the weekend then make a decision on which way to go. Life is full of complicated decisions. Should I go north or should I go south? Decisions, Decisions, Decisions!

Sit Rep:-
• Christmas decorations packed away for 11 months.
• Solar panels just don’t work in the winter!!!
• Log burner has broken glass but still working fine.
• Central heating working fine.
• Inside a pleasant 26deg.
• Outside 11.0 deg grey cloud.
• We have full tank of water.
• Full tank of Diesel
• We have loads of wood.
• Coal is getting a bit low now but not using it much.
• Full gas
.Empty wallet!

All set for a few more weeks aboard the good ship Daddy Cook.

Ice bound at Hopwood

2011-01-08T12:20:00.000Z

Captains Log

Canal Date 8th January 2010
Current Location Still at Sunny Down Town Hopwood

Something miraculous has happened over night, the sun is shining, and it is 7 outside, gentle breeze, and most miraculously of all, the Hopwood Glacier and changed. It has turned in to water.
Having said that, there are still ice flows and icebergs in abundance, it looks like we will be able to travel the 200 yards to the water point very soon.

One must keep in mind that it is still early January and this is when the weather normally turns cold. So lets not get too exited just yet but it does feel like a spring day.

After spending 6 weeks in the ice it is nice to see ripples on the canal again.

Even the solar panels have sprung into life and are generating electricity once again. Birds are singing, even the sheep in the fields look as happy as sheep can look in fields!

Talking of sheep, we have now found out that the sheep we rescued before Christmas is alive and well, despite being stuck in ice for 1 ½ hours. Truly a hardy animal. I don’t think I would last 5 minutes in ice cold water.

I am getting itchy feet now and am looking forward to moving on. We were thinking of moving past Tardebigge, down a few locks and staying next to the lake. After speaking to the staff at Tardebigge, we were informed that the top lock would be locked while work is taking place lower down the flight. We will have to go on to plan “B” Unfortunately; we do not have a plan “B” yet.

New Year at Hopwood

2011-01-02T14:26:00.000Z

Captains Log

Canal Date 2nd January 2011
Travels still not possible
Current Location Still at Hopwood

Happy New year!

We survived New Year with some friends. I think that I am getting old now as I thought it may be a good idea to celebrate New Year at ten o’clock instead of mid night so as to get home to bed earlier. This was not adopted by the others so I was forced to stay awake for hours!

This is our 3rd Christmas & New Year on board. How time flies when you are enjoying yourself.

As far as boating goes, there is not much to talk about. We are still iced in and going know where. All of the snow has now gone from the towpath and fields but the ice is remaining, stubbornly on the canal. We have never been stuck in ice for this length of time before. It is a good job we are in the middle of “Global Warming” or this ice may last even longer!

We are still managing to remain comfortable on board. The log burner is worth its weight in gold. The central heating is used sparingly as the diesel is running a bit low and it has become rather too expensive to burn. So we are relying on the wood burner for most of our heating needs.

It’s good to get some space back on board now all of the Christmas presents have been distributed. Space is always a bit of an issue when you live in a 50 x 6 foot tube.

The B.W. water point is still refusing to deliver any water at all so we are taking water containers with us where ever we go.

Sit Rep:-
• Christmas decorations up and still working. Bah Humbug
• Solar panels are no more than ornaments – No sunshine for days now!
• Log burner working overtime, but running low on logs.
• Central heating working fine, but running low on diesel
• Inside a pleasant 24deg.
• Outside 3.5 deg grey cloud, light wind..
• Dog fast asleep in front of the fire. (Not a care in the world)
• We have 1/2 tank of water.
• 1/4 tank of Diesel
• We have only a small supply of wood.
• Coal is getting a bit low now.
• I empty propane cylinder. (Must change this soon before we run out altogether!)

One good point about being iced in the canal is that I have not managed to fall in at all for weeks now!

Frozen at Hopwood House

2010-12-28T11:28:00.000Z

Captains Log

Canal Date 27th December 2010
Travels still not possible
Current Location Still at Hopwood (Well inside the Arctic Circle)

We survived our third Christmas on board the good ship Daddy Cook. The first Christmas was very cold, just about freezing. To make matters worse, the central heating had failed. I foolishly believed that that would be the worst Christmas weather we would have to suffer on the boat. Wrong!

The second Christmas was even colder, with the canal frozen solid- no snow – just ice. That time we did not have the comfort of a mains electrical supply, but we did have central heating and the log burner. Again, I foolishly believed that that would surely be the worst Christmas weather we would have to suffer on the boat. Wrong again!

This time we had the coldest Christmas on record with around a foot of snow and temperatures down to minus 10. This time it must be the coldest snowiest weather that we can ever expect.

Can it get colder than this in England?

Even with those temperatures we were still warm & snug inside the boat. As I write this the weather is a little warmer and a slow thaw is taking place, very foggy. However, the forecast is for a return to freezing temperatures for the New Year.

Please

Can anyone tell me what ever happened to global warming?

Icebound at Hopwood

2010-12-21T18:53:00.000Z

Captains Log

Canal Date 21st December 2010
Travels still not possible
Current Location Still at Hopwood (Well inside the Arctic Circle)

It was a good job we did the ice breaking run last week as we have been totally frozen in ever since and there does not seem to be any end in sight.

We have been having day time temperatures of no more than -1 and dropping down to -10 during the nights. We have had about 10” of snow so far and yet more forecast. The local BW Water point has not produced any water for weeks; we are now collecting fresh water when we visit friends.

Life is still comfortable on board. The log burner has not gone out for ages. The evening temperatures on board are in the high twenties.

We planed to be here overnight and then moving on to Birmingham. That was four weeks ago. We have not managed any movement other than the run to Kings Norton, and that was touch & go. The ice was too thick to travel any further.

We shall have to remain here until the inevitable thaw starts, maybe July some time!!

Sit Rep:

• Christmas decorations up and working.
• Solar panels are no more than ornaments – No Sun!
• Log burner working overtime.
• Central heating working fine.
• Inside a pleasant 26deg.
• Outside -4.5 deg grey cloud, sky looks full of snow.
• Dog covered in snow!
• We have 3/4 tank of water.
• 1/2 tank of Diesel
• We have a reasonable supply of wood. (But going down fast)
• Coal is getting a bit low now.
• I empty propane cylinder.

It is looking more and more like we shall be here for quite some time to come. It’s a stroke of luck that it is a nice place, I would not be too happy if we were stranded in Birmingham City Centre.

The pub – The Hopwood House - have been very accommodating. They are happy for us to use their car park and to use their waste skips. They are also very happy to sell us drinks & meals, and we are more than happy to buy them!

I am looking forward to the day the ice starts melting, but I am not looking forward to the inevitable result of muddy tow path that will surely follow.

Icebergs at Kings Norton!

2010-12-16T17:11:00.000Z

Captains Log

Canal Date 16th December 2010

Travels 6 miles

Current Location Still at Hopwood

A second attempt at breaking out of the ice.

This morning, the ice on the canal had reduced to much more manageable levels. Mainly clear with just the odd length with an ice covering. So we decided to have another go at getting to Kings Norton. The weather was not at all nice, a bitterly cold wind and heavy rain showers. You know the sort – The rain hits your face so hard you think that it is going to rip off your skin! Certainly not the sort of weather we would normally think of moving in. But the empty water tank and the very full poo tank has forced us to travel today.

We set off at 10.30 and met very little ice, just the odd patch, nothing to worry about. Soon we were entering the Wastehill tunnel, near enough to 2 miles. No ice in there at all, it was nice to get out of the weather for a while. When we exited the tunnel, some 35 minutes later we came across some thin ice, thicker than at the start of our journey. We have only 2 choices.

1. Continue to the water tap & pump out station 1 mile ahead

2. Reverse the 3 miles we have travelled so far.

Neither of these sounded ideal. If we were meeting ice here, it may get thicker further on and I would be forced to reverse even further. It is common knowledge that it is always 1 or 2 degrees warmer in the city than it is in country, so it almost certain that this ice would be short lived. The thought of giving up and attempting to reverse all the way though the tunnel did not sound like a good plan at all.

So onwards we went. The ice soon changed from 1inch to 3 to 4 inches of solid ice. Thick enough to stop the boat dead in its tracks. We had to reverse back and have a run at the ice on several occasions. The noise of the engine running at full power and the sound of the ice breaking and scraping down the side of the boat, the sound of expensive paint being torn from the boat, is something that I would not particularly want to hear again.

The small boy inside me wanted the ice to get thicker and make the journey more and more challenging, but the mature bit of me wanted it ice just to disappear. (The grown up part of me is buried very deep and does dot come out to play very often)

We eventually made it to Kings Norton Junction and turned round. That was not an easy manoeuvre, although I had several runs into the junction to break the ice, there always seemed to be an iceberg big enough to stop the boat from turning.

After spending what seemed like an eternity, empting the loo and filling the fresh water, we had the return trip to look forward to.

Although we had broken the ice, trying to steer the boat was still difficult as the floating sheets of ice just pushed the boat in any direction. Still it was much more controlled that breaking the ice on the way down. The weather had given up on throwing rain at us and had now started to throw little, ready made snowballs at us. Not a good day for cruising! We soon made the sanctuary of the tunnel. Once again it was much warmer and drier in there. When we exited the tunnel the rain & snow started again. We soon found a mooring spot and went down to a nice warm fire and slowly defrosted.

Ice bound at Hopwood

2010-12-14T12:57:00.000Z

Captains Log

Canal Date                 14th December 2010

Travels                        still not possible

Current Location       Still at Hopwood (Just south of Lapland)

We had a real attempt at breaking through the ice this morning. We were defeated! What looked like patches of wet ice floating on the canal were puddles of rain on top of 4” of solid ice.

It is frustrating in so much as we can see that it we can see that the canal is ice free only 300 yards ahead but with this thickness of ice, we were going nowhere. We could go forwards & backwards but the ice sheet pushed us into the bank each time. No chance of steering at all.

We shall have another attempt at moving on Thursday morning. Hopefully, by then, the ice should be either gone or significantly thinner. If that fails then there is no plan B as the forecast is for a return to night time temperatures of -10 again. We shall be stuck again for another two weeks, this time with a full poo tank and empty water tanks. Looks increasingly like we shall be moving into the pub!

Ice bound at Hopwood

2010-12-13T10:41:00.000Z

Captains Log

Canal Date 13th December 2010
Travels still not possible
Current Location Still at Hopwood (Just north of Lapland)

Weather is getting warmer now, all the ice & snow has lifted from the tow path and fields. This has now turned the tow path into a rather muddy track.

The canal is showing signs of thawing but the ice remains far too thick to contemplate movement without suffering some damage.

The weather forecast is for the slow thaw to continue for the next two days then returning to hard frost again – and for some time.

We have to move soon. The poo tank is very close to being full. We are getting low on fresh water.

As we are busy on Wednesday and the canal is still frozen today, it looks like we will have to make a dash to Kings Norton on Tuesday. I do hope that the ice will be thin enough by then. I do not want to remove all the blacking along the water line or have chunks of ice knocking lumps off the prop!

This leaves me with a few questions, I am not sure if they require an answer.

1. Would it help it I put a kettle of hot water or a pint of antifreeze in the canal?

2. Should I send Pam to walk ahead to test the ice thickness? If she falls through, then the ice is thin enough to travel on.

3. Should I move the boat to the Canary Islands?

4. Should we stay here and drink pub beer and eat pub food and use pub loos?

Frozen at Hopwood House

2010-12-07T12:17:00.000Z

Captains Log

Canal Date 7th December 2010
Travels Don’t be daft; you know it is still not possible
Current Location Still at Hopwood (Just north of the North Pole)

It was rather cool outside last night. I can’t give you a true reading as some low life has recently stolen our outside temperature sensor. It is of no use at all to anyone else. However, I can tell you that it was – 9.2 inside the cratch cover.
Nice and warm inside, the log burner just ticking over during the night, enough to keep the chill outside.

It must have been the coldest night so far as we have a few problems this morning.

Hot water frozen, the cold is fine but a frozen pipe in the engine bay stopped the hat water for a while.

Central heating frozen, again, the boiler is working fine but no circulation, Once again a frozen pipe in the engine bay.

Sit Rep:

Log burner working fine.

Central heating frozen

Inside a pleasant 27deg.

Dog fast asleep on the sofa in the sunshine!

Outside -2.5 deg bright sun, blue sky, white frost glistening on all the trees, smoke rising vertically from the chimney. All very pretty!

We have ½ tank of water.

½ tank of Diesel
We have a reasonable supply of wood & coal.
We have enough food for the week, if all else fails we are only 500yds from a nice warm pub.

It is looking more and more like we shall be here for the rest of this year at least!

Still - look on the bright side - It's so much better than going to work every day!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hopwood House

2010-12-03T12:02:00.001Z

Captains Log

Canal Date 3rd December 2010

Travels Still Not Possible
Current Location Hopwood (Just south of the North Pole)

If this is still autumn I can’t wait for winter to start!

It was -10.5 outside last night, that is just a bit too cool for autumn for my reckoning.

As I type this out it is a beautiful December’s morning Blue sky and bright sunshie & still -6.5deg

It is still a pleasant 22 deg inside. I was a little worried that the central heating boiler may have frozen as it is in the engine bay and that is just a bit cool at the moment. All was fine –working well. I think I will put a bit more antifreeze in there soon.

I suspect that the ice is more than 6” thick now. I do not think that we are going anywhere soon. Maybe next year some time?

Sheep in the canal

2010-12-01T15:57:00.000Z

Captains Log

Canal Date 1st December 2010
Travels Still Not Possible
Current Location Hopwood (Just south of the North Pole)

What a strange day.

Still iced in and not moving anywhere. The ice is getting thicker and it has been snowing most of the day. Just like any spring day really.

The day started normal enough, we got up at first light. Well we got up when I put the light on if that counts. Light snow – nothing too worrying. Had breakfast then Pam took Millie for a walk, all perfectly normal. Then Pam came back, saying that a sheep had fallen through the ice just outside the boat on the off side.

Well, what do you do? I don’t know how to get access to the fields the other side of the canal and if I did, I doubt that I would have much idea when I got there. Now perhaps my education is sadly lacking, but I can’t remember the bit about getting large ewes out of a frozen canal. Perhaps I was not concentrating that day.

Who do you call? What do you do?

Pam went to all the local farms and houses, all no reply. By this time the ewe had been in the ice for half an hour.

OK time to do something. Should I call BW or the RSPCA?

I decided to call the RSPCA. They took the matter very seriously and had an inspector with us within half an hour. That still meant that the poor ewe had been in ice water for an hour. It can’t last much longer. By the time he had arrived we had sorted a route to the other bank and we were at the spot. We had several attempts at pulling the Ewe out. They are very heavy when the fleece is soaked. After a few attempts it was clear that she was trapped. I let the RSPCA man put his arm into the water and free the leg. He did mumble something about the water being cold, I was not surprised, and it usually is when there is 4 inches of ice on it.

Ewe stay there

We then managed to pull the ewe out and on to the bank. She was alive but only just, very little movement and only just conscious. Between us, we dried her off with old towels covered her with a tin foil blanket. (She looked “Oven Ready in her tin foil blanket) and then in a duvet. After about half an hour she showed signs of improvement. The RSPCA tried to locate the owner via the DEFRA help line. That did not work. (Wrong number given)

OVEN READY?

A passer by said she would contact the local farmer who would know who owns the sheep. Eventual a farmer arrived, after looking at the soggy and cold ewe, he said he would go back and fetch his quad bike and that her back to the barn to warm up.

By now it was 2.30; I had been out in the snow for several hours and was getting quite cold. Funny stuff is snow, it looks nice but for some reason it makes you cold!

I do hope that after the efforts of the RSPCA the local farmer and ourselves that the Ewe lives happily ever after. If not can I have for our barbeque?

Hopwood House

2010-11-28T10:57:00.000Z

Captains Log

Canal Date 28th November 2010
Travels Not Possible
Current Location Hopwood (Just south of the North Pole)

Well, like all good plans, you have to have room for fine tuning.

Plan A –
To move on to Birmingham on Monday – Delayed until Wednesday due to ice. (Remember the Titanic?)

Plan B –
To go to Birmingham on Wednesday – delayed indefinably due to loads of thick ice, this is not going to melt for at least a week.

Plan C –
Lets remain here until the ice melts. (This must be one of my better plans) The minimum temperature last night was -8.5 deg, which is somewhere between bloody cold and down right ridiculous!
To make matters worse, the log burner went out. It’s a good job the central heating came on this morning. I don’t think that we would have got out of bed otherwise. The only window without double glazing was iced up so much on the inside; it looked like it had a good covering of snow.

Sit. Rep.
Log burner working.
Central heating now turned off
Inside a pleasant 24deg
Outside -4.5 deg bright sun, smoke rising vertically from the chimney. All very pretty!
We have plenty of water and diesel
We have a reasonable supply of wood & coal.
We have enough food for the week, if all else fails we are only 500yds from a nice warm pub.
We shall sit out this cold snap here and wait until the canal returns to its liquid state before attempting to move.

Hopwood House

2010-11-26T11:58:00.000Z

We have moved a few hundred yards down the canal from Hopwood House, to a very pleasant spot with good views across open farm land and a lot quieter. The pub do make an awful noise at around midnight as they empty the bottles into the skip. Millie did not approve and she insisted that we move.

This morning was our first taste of things to come. The canal is frozen over. The outside temp plummeted to -7.5deg last night. Still cosy 25degs in here with the log burner on the go.

We are hoping to move on to Birmingham City centre on Monday, that is assuming that the canal is full of water and not ice! While there we shall have a look at the German Markets.

I do not intend to move if the canal is frozen. The ice removes the blacking at the water level and makes a horrid noise. I have plenty of time!

I have now successfully (I hope) hidden all of Pam’s credit cards !

Hopwood House

2010-11-24T20:12:00.000Z

Captains Log

Canal Date 24th November 2010

Travels 5 Miles

0 locks

Current Location Hopwood (Again)

After a good long rest at Tardebigge it was once again time for a change of scenery. The plan is to visit the famous German Market in Birmingham City Centre. Well it is so much easier to get to Birmingham than it is to get to Germany.

Some friends, Martin & Cathy joined us for the first leg, from Tardebigge to Hopwood. The weather was good – clear blue sky – little wind. A lovely late autumn day, it was however bordering on the bloody cold. Plenty of layers of clothing required.

I have done this leg of the canal several times and always find Tardebigge tunnel to be fascinating. It starts with a brick lining and soon reverts to natural rock, all at differing levels and, of course, it’s a well known fact that Farther Christmas takes up residence in there for most of December. I noticed that his welcoming committee have already started to install the Christmas lights in readiness for his arrival.

We arrived at Hopwood and moored right outside the pub front door. Well it cuts down the “staggering distance”

As we are this close, it seemed only proper to call in and have a meal – it has become a bit of a tradition on board daddy Cook over the last two years.

We shall stay here until after the weekend then it’s on to the bright lights of the big bad city.

Back to Tardebigge

2010-11-02T20:41:00.000Z

Captains Log Canal Date 2nd November 2010 Travels 2 miles 29 Narrow Locks Current Location Tardibigge New Wharf OS 995 693 When we looked out of the window all we saw was mist & fog, it was not looking good. With 29 locks to go we both hoped for fine weather. Jim & Joan had planned to join us to help us and not long before we set off, an old friend –Mike - came out of the woodwork to help. We had planed to set off at 10.00, with an expected journey time of 5 hrs. After the morning coffee and getting up to date with the gossip we set off before 10.30. Not bad at all for us. Jim & Joan had walked the 2 miles down the locks and reported that all the locks were set in our favour, most unusual. Minutes after he said that, a boat passed us and stole the locks, so now every lock will be against us. Bugger! With my old management skills still in tact I set my willing team to work the locks. With Jim & Mike in front setting the locks and Pam & Joan Closing the gates. It was soon clear that instead of the 6 locks per hour that we had hoped for, we were completing 10. Wonderful! Just to help the day the fog turned into mist and then that vanished to leave a beautiful sunny day. In less than 3 hours we had completed the climb and were all sitting down to one of Pam’s famous doorstep sandwiches and hot coffee. On arrival at Top Lock it felt just like coming home. Perhaps we spend too much time in this area.

Stoke Pound

2010-10-29T11:15:00.001+01:00

Captains Log Canal Date 29th October 2010 Travels 8 miles 12 Narrow Locks Current Location Stoke Pound Bottom of Tardibigge Flight (Outside the Queens Head Pub) OS 962 679 Time to move on, batteries are getting low and there are a few more locks to do, there are plenty of them on this section of the canal. We waited for better weather; I see no point in travelling in the cold and wet when it is not necessary. The most unusual and strange thing that happened on this run is that all 12 locks were set for us. I have never known that to happen before, they are nearly always set against us! Of course, we had to try out the pub, I mean, mooring so close and not calling in just does not seem right some how. The food was very good, well worth a visit. But you do have to pay a bit more for it. Well that is the way of the world; you tend to get what you pay for. This time we had 3 course meals and drinks, the bill came to £17.00. Now my math skills have diminished since the invention of the calculator but even to me this was not right as the meals were £15.99 each. As we enjoyed the meal so much, we did the honourable thing and pointed out that perhaps they would like to look at the bill again. They did and still did not get it right; it was a bit closer this time so I paid it. Travelling at this time of year is just beyond belief. The autumn colours are truly spectacular. The down side of course is that it is getting colder by the day, and the fallen leaves do tend to fowl the prop from time to time. A small price to pay for art work by nature! What a pity it is so short lived, just a week or so before the remaining leaves will fall and we enter the long black & white of winter. (Wow, that’s almost poetical) We will remain here until we have built up enough enthusiasm to tackle the remaining 29 locks of the infamous Tardibigge flight, 29 locks in 2 miles, it’s easy for me on the back of the boat but poor old Pam will be busy. It’s nice to know that this will probably be the last set of locks for us this year. Captains Log Canal Date 24th October 2010 Current Location Tibberton (Outside the Bridge Inn) OS 905 851 On arrival we could not get either satellite or terrestrial TV. The hedge row is just too high to the south. After a little investigation it appeared that if we moved the boat backwards there is a drop in the hedge that may just be low enough for the satellite system to work. Low & behold, we now have TV. Result! I forgot to mention that on the river trip I was experiencing more vibration than normal from the tiller. This partially cleared when reverse was selected but not completely. As the boat was behaving well apart from the vibration, I decide that it would be safest to do any investigation once we were off the river and in the comparative safety of the canals again. When I did lift the weed hatch I was amazed to see the extent of the fowling of the prop. It had collected a good length of black nylon webbing, bits of rope, plastic bags and all sorts. All very tightly wound around the prop. I am surprised that it worked as well as it did. The water is very cold, cold enough to make it quite painful to keep your arm in for more than a few seconds. The rope and webbing was not going to come off with out a fight. After about 15 minutes of pulling, twisting and hacking, most of the obstruction came away. I could then remove the trapped bits of plastic with relative ease. I did wonder if the feeling would ever return to my hands. When we moved on – no vibration, I am getting good at this mending and maintaining game. Whilst we have been here we have had two sets of visitors, our old friends Bob & Marg on Saturday and on Sunday Annette & Brian from the hospital. This of course did mean that we would have to try the pub out on Friday to make sure that it was OK for us to use on Saturday. It was in fact very good food at lower than average prices. The roaring log fire made it even more welcoming.

Tibberton

2010-10-22T17:33:00.000+01:00

Captains Log Canal Date 22nd October 2010 Travels 5 Miles 12 Narrow locks Current Location Tibberton (Outside the Bridge Inn) OS 905 851 After a short shopping visit to Worcester we set of in search of more rural moorings. After 12 locks and a few miles we came to Tibberton. An area I know reasonably well. We enough to know that the canal side pub serves reasonably priced meals and also I believe that they may sell beer. So that’s it then, this will do nicely for the next few days. When we do move on it will be to Stoke pound. There are plenty of locks on this stretch; we will rest for a few days there before attempting the final assent to Tardibigge.

Worcester City Centre

2010-10-22T10:53:00.001+01:00

Captains Log Canal Date 22nd October 2010 Travels 16 Miles 3 River Locks 2 Wide locks 2 Staircase locks 2 Narrow locks Current Location Worcester City Centre All right, all right, all right. Yes I know I don’t like Worcester, we had a bad time here last time, but it got dark before we could pass through. He forecast was fine for Thursday’s trip down the Severn. While we were moored at Stourport, another couple asked if they could join us, as they were a little worried about taking there boat on the river alone. No problem, nice to share locks with another boat. The first slight issue is the dog legged arrangement of locks leaving the basin. I cocked it up last time and was determined not to do the same again. Obviously I was not determined enough. I made a right balls up again! There must be a right way of doing it, but my way was not it. The following boat faired slightly worse. Once on the river all is plain sailing. The river is very low and little current flow. With the deep and wide water it is possible to make good time. Using the same engine revs as I would on the canal I was travelling at 5 MPH (on the canal that would be about 2.5MPH) It is getting noticeable cool on the helm; I think that we have seen the last of the warm weather for a while. More and heavier clothes are required. I do not like the cold. As the old adage goes – There is no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothes. I intend to keep warm and wear the right clothing. We moored up in the centre of the city, with housing either side of the canal. Not a place where I would normally choose to moor, but it was getting dark and, more importantly, I was hungry and the dinner smelt very good. We did not hear a thing last night. Much quieter than the river moorings. The only slight problem was the pound has dropped over night and we woke up to a pronounced list. We shall do a bit of shopping here, then move on to a more tranquil location later today.

Stourport on Severn

2010-10-18T18:02:00.001+01:00

Captains Log Canal Date 18th October 2010 Travels 5 1/2 Miles 3 locks Current Location Stourport on Severn OS Ref S0 818 719 We moved on a few hundred yards, to the next lock. We were away from the pub and in nice open countryside. Here the internet worked and the phones were a little better. After a few days of this relaxing spot we moved on to Stourport on Severn. The journey was interrupted by a spot of shopping at Kidderminster. The town planners (bless their little cotton socks) have re built the town centre all around the canal so one can stop outside a supermarket and then outside a large DIY store, without any of that irksome and tiring walking. What nice people they are. After filling the fridge and cupboards, and spending a vast amount of money, we continued our trip onto Stourport. This last stretch of the canal follows the river Stour all the way and the sandstone banks are a delightful sight. You can see all the strata showing the previous times of global weather changes. There is nothing new. Who did they blame then for changing weather patterns? We moored up in the town centre, almost the exact same spot as at this time last year, are we becoming creatures of habit? After a short walk into the main road looking for a take away, we found ourselves inside an Indian restaurant. Very nice indeed but a tad on the pricey side. But then you do get what you pay for in this life. We shall remain here for a few days, at least until the batteries need recharging, before setting off down the mighty river Severn to Worcester.

Woverley lock

2010-10-13T14:10:00.001+01:00

Captains Log Canal Date 13th October 2010 Travels 15 Miles 19 locks Current Location Wolverley OS Ref S0 832 792 That is a long section by any standards, by our standards it is a marathon! That’s why we took 2 days to do this section. We left Dimmingsdale and headed for Greensforge Lock. This location has vivid memories for us. No, I did not fall in here; this is one of the few places that I have not yet fallen in. It is where we had our first major incident, about this time last year. The plumbing failed on the fresh water tank and when we filled the tank, the water was going into the tank and then pouring out under the floor into the bilge. Although we pumped the water out, the boat never fully dried out until the spring, causing excessive condensation over the winter. The up side is that there is a very good pub there. We stayed there for the weekend and had some visitor over. Jim & Joan on Saturday and Ray & Sue on Sunday. All very nice to have friends visit us and of course it is a good excuse to go over to the pub and have a few drinks and a bite to eat. (Very good it was too) On Monday we planed to go to Kinver to sort out a niggle with a settee from “Wilsons” We arrived at lunch time; I know it was lunch time as all of the staff was sitting outside enjoying the sunshine. The settee was dealt with very quickly so Pam made a royal proclamation that as it was Monday and as we were not that far away we should continue to Wolverley. There is yet another canal lock side pub. This one had a Folk night on Mondays and we had found it to be most enjoyable on previous visits. So off we set again. This time, as it was late afternoon, the sun was low in the sky and often right in my eyes. Now I am not complaining about the Sun, however, it did make steering a bit more difficult and at times, Its not always easy to steer the boat when you can not see where you are going (No Sun visors on the boat) well shall we just say it was entertaining! We did arrive in time and, yes, the folk club was still there and it was just as good as before. This is a nice spot; unfortunately there is no Satellite or terrestrial TV. No internet access and the phone signal are very poor. Nice and quiet! Next port of call is a proper port of Stourport on Severn.

Dimmingsdale (Again)

2010-10-05T14:15:00.001+01:00

Captains Log Canal Date 5th October 2010 Travels 14 Miles 5 locks (A much better day by our standards) Current Location Dimmingsdale OS Ref S0 860 963 Sunday’s weather was at best appalling, the rain did not stop and the winds were strong enough cause waves big enough to surf on, well almost. A day to stay indoors. We lit the log burner and spent much of the afternoon and evening complaining that it was too hot. Monday started far too early, we wanted to refuel the diesel and go to Dimmingsdale. The weather was fine, so we went to the fuel pump at about 8.00 in the morning. I can confirm that it is in fact day light at that unearthly hour, I don’t want to find out again in a hurry! After refuelling I had to reverse the boat for about 500 yards past moored boats either side. I am starting to carry out this reversing stuff with a slight degree of professionalism and often a smug smile. I was doing just fine until the bow decided to swing to port all on its own. Most likely due to me going a bit too slow but it was early and all the other boaters were still in bed. I eventual made it to the winding hole and made a good job of turning 58foot of boat in a 60foot hole. As we started the journey, there was a layer of mist hanging over the canal. With the sun shining and the mist over the water, together with the elaborate water soaked spiders webs all made for spectacular views. Once the mist patches lifted, the journey to Dimmingsdale was quite uneventful but none the less most enjoyable, the sun was shining all day causing me to wear a silly baseball cap with a large peak, just to keep the sun out of my eyes. In a very small lock, only about 6” rise, I managed to let the boat drift back into the lock gate. This happens quite often only resulting in the rear fender taking the load and gently rebounding the boat forward again. This time the rear navigation light was just at the right hight to take the impact. Now 25 tons of boat travelling at about ¼ mph has more energy than a bit of brass and glass can take, resulting in a bust rear nav light. Oh how I laughed!! We arrived at Dimmingsdale at 3.00 and by 6.00 we were being whisked away to dinner with Ro & Glyn. This must have been her way of repaying us for letting her work all the locks for us at Wolverhampton the other day. I repaid her kindness by spilling a glass of red wine over the table cloth and nice new carpet! (How to make friends and influence people)

Wheaton Aston

2010-10-04T11:17:00.000+01:00

Captains Log Canal Date 3rd October 2010 Travels 14 Miles 23 locks (A very long day by our standards) Current Location Wheaton Aston OS Ref SJ 855 129 The forecast was indeed right and it poured with rain almost all day so we did not go far on Friday. Saturday started fine so we set off on the next leg. That was to complete the Wolverhampton 21 flight and head down the Staffs & Worc’s canal. At lock No. 7 we were met by Ro, she had volunteered to help us down the locks, a most welcome site indeed. With Ro’s help we completed the flight in less than 3 hours. At the Adderly junction we changed the plan. We decided to go to Wheaton Aston for fuel. This is about 3 hours out of our way and that sound daft. I do not think that I would go 3 hours in the opposite direction to save a few pence a litre on fuel in my car, but as I wanted about 200 litres and this place sells it at about 14p a litre cheaper than any other mariners it is well worth it. A saving of close to £30.00. Well, that will buy me a few pints in the local. We arrived at the end of The BCN at 3.00. It is a good 3 hours to Wheaton Aston so it was decided that if we made reasonable progress and did not stop at any of the pubs or villages we could make it before 6.00. I did not imagine that any petrol station would close before that on a Saturday. Yet again, I was wrong. We arrived just after 6.00 only to find that they close at 2.oo on Saturday and do not open at all on Sundays. It is a nice enough place to spend the weekend. So to pass a little time we went to the local pub and managed to have a beer and we were forced to have a pub meal. That’s all the fuel savings gone then! Once again the weather turned to persistent rain on Sunday so we did not venture very far from the boat. All I managed to do was replace some chain holding the front fender in place that I managed to break somewhere down the locks. Tomorrow – Monday – We shall fill the fuel tank, exchange the gas, and then set off towards our original route. I hope to make it to my second home of Dimmingsdale near Wombourne. I expect we shall remain there for a few days.

Black Country Museum

2010-09-30T17:55:00.001+01:00

Captains Log Canal Date 30th September 2010 Travels 8 1/2 Miles 3 locks Current Location Black Country Museum Once again, the weather forecast was fine at first with rain later, so we decided that an early start was in order. I got up at 8.00 an unearthly time for me. It was just in time as we were joined by Sarah for early morning coffee before she went to a local meeting. We were moving by 11.00 and in beautiful sunshine too! We took the old main line rather than the new one, (The new one is a mere 150 years old) it is much more interesting. As the route took us through Oldbury and past my old office, we called in for a coffee. It was nice to see them all again but I still do not have any strange desires to go back to work just yet. As we left Oldbury on route for Wolverhampton the waters became clearer & clearer. Ultimately the clear water became a hazard to navigation. I spent far too much time looking at the fish swimming by and nowhere near enough time looking where I was going. I did not hit anything hard or sink the boat but that was more luck than judgement. We arrived at the Black Country Museum just in time for the first down poor of the day. I was surprised by the amount of moored boats, just enough room for us. The forecast is very poor for tomorrow (Friday) so I expect that we will remain here until Saturday when we attempt the Wolverhampton 21 locks.

Birmingham City Centre

2010-09-28T19:28:00.003+01:00

Captains Log Canal Date 28th September 2010 Travels 11 Miles 0 locks Current Location Birmingham City Centre We had decieded that we should leave Hopwood as soon as possible in order to arrive in Birmingham early enough to find a reasonable mooring spot. As usual, we did not get out of bed until after 9.00. By the time we had showered, breakfasted, filled ourselves with coffee, it was closer to 10.00. We still had to fill with water and empty the dog before we could start. So there you have it, our early start was just before 11.00. Not so bad for us. Soon after setting sail we entered the Wast Hill Tunnel, about 1 ½ miles of darkness. Usually you can just about see the far end but not today, the tunnel was a bit misty. At half way point, I could just see light from the start of the tunnel but still nothing from the end. As I approached the end of the tunnel I could see why. There was a narrow boat in the tunnel with out any lights on. As I got closer, they did eventually switch on their tunnel light and we passed safely. We made a pit stop at Kings Norton Junction to empty the poo tank and then continued on towards Birmingham. At Selly Oak we negotiated the works over the new road bridge. This does not appear to have changed at all since we last came this way in March. I am sure that complete canals were built in less time 200 years ago! When we arrived in Brum, we were met with most of the moorings being closed due to the Tory Party Conference taking place next week. I had no idea that most of our Tory MP’s would be arriving by narrowboat! Or is it that they believe that us narrow boaters are all distant relatives of Mr. Guy Fawkes. I don’t think we are related in any way but I do think that he may have had a good idea. I suppose that I can expect a visit from the special branch now! We will remain here until Thursday just incase they do want to find me. Next Stop will be the Black Country Museum. (Yet another Daddy Cook swimming spot)

Tardebigge to Hopwood

2010-09-27T21:41:00.002+01:00

Captains Log Canal Date 27th September 2010 Travels 5 Miles 0 locks Current Location Hopwood We have now started the Stourport Ring. We travelled from our adopted home of Tardebigge. This time we had a friend, Terry, on board. Now Terry had never been on board a narrow boat before and certainly never steered one. He is not the most practical minded person, he would be the first to admit, however he did manage not to sink either Daddy Cook or any other craft. I. He was prone to the odd panic attack, other than that, he did rather well. After we arrived at Hopwood he tried out my electric powered bike. After a few feeble attempts he informed me that he could not ride a bike. The canal Hopwood is a place that I know well, and is one of my favourite swimming places! We went to the pub for an evening meal (as you do) and managed to walk all the way to the boat and get on board without going for a swim or even getting a wet foot! Am I getting better at staying dry or was it just my lucky day? Tomorrow sees us heading for Birmingham city centre, another of my favourite swimming places. The planned route is B.ham, Dudley, Wolverhampton, Kinver, Stourport, Worcester, Hanbury, and then back to Tardibigge. About 84 miles and 120 locks. We are expecting expedition this to take just over a month.

Unexpected Party

2010-09-05T13:51:00.000+01:00

Captains Log Canal Date 5th September 2010 Travels 0 Miles 0 locks Current Location Wooton Wawen - Still! OS Ref SP 160 361 Yesterday was slightly unusual in so much as I had a hard and fast plan of thing to do. You just know that plans never quite work out. I was going to restore the covers on the rear stools, then wash the boat, touch up the paint rubs on the side and black the rubbing stakes along the sides. That is to make some sort of repair following my less than perfect entrance to some of the locks! In order to do this I got out of bed at the unearthly hour of 9.30, by 10.00 we had eaten breakfast drank our coffee and was ready to start. I recovered the rear stools without much trouble and I have to say that they look almost professional. I then turned my attention to the main job but soon found that I had to wait. Pam was doing some hand washing in the only bowl. Buy the time Pam had finished we held a meeting of the catering committee and it was decided that it was time for another coffee and a sandwich. A good idea as this meant we would not have to stop half way. Just as I was getting my tools together we had a call from my son & his wife saying they were coming to join us for an hour or two. Very welcome news indeed. The tools were promptly put back. When they did arrive they wanted to go across to the pub for lunch. We went along and had a light meal; well we have been here for a few days and not been to the pub. After the meal and a beer, I would normally manage to sleep for an hour or two but not today. We had another phone call from Terry & Jackie; they were coming out to visit. Not long after they arrived Russ & Sarah left. Within a few minutes Chris & Sandra appeared outside the boat. We all spent an hour or so reminiscing over time gone by. Some one (not me) said that we should go to the pub for a meal & drink. Now I never was very good at saying no to such an idea so of we went again, this time the episode of Vicar of Dibley came to mind where she had several Christmas dinners. Once again we had a pub meal and a pint or two. A most enjoyable evening with good company. The best part is that I managed to walk all the way back to the boat, in the dark, with beer in my belly and never fell in at all. I think I am starting to get the hang of this boating malarkey now. There are plenty more days to throw some paint at the boat.

Wooton Wawen

2010-09-02T15:35:00.001+01:00

Captains Log Canal Date 1st September 2010 Travels 4 Miles 8 locks Current Location Wooton Wawen OS Ref SP 160 361 Moved on to a quieter, more rural location. I had no idea where we were going, just looking for a nice spot to spend a few days. Once again there were plenty of locks to keep Pam fit, and once again she walked the entire trip. We have travelled this canal before, but I do not remember the banks being so overgrown. It is down to the time of year I suppose. We like it to be open, with a reasonable view, not too busy and deep enough to moor alongside the tow path. Not a lot to ask but none the less hard to find. We are not the only ones who like this sort of moorings so many are already taken. We did find a nice spot at Wooten Wawen. It is dangerously close to yet another pub – The Navigation – However we have not been tempted yet. I expect that we will not be able to resist for too long, after all a very nice pub just down the canal has recently closed (Tom o the Woods) just because we did not use it for 6 months. I don’t want that sort of thing on my conscious There is a nice short walk to a farm shop & craft centre. The only other thing of note is that there is very poor phone & internet signals. Both Millie the dog & I have managed to not fall in the canal for over a week now! The combined satellite & solar panel is still not working properly, it has developed an intermittent fault. I am sure that the agents think that I am making it up. It is frustrating because I just know that when I take it back, it will perform faultlessly! We shall remain here for the weekend and then back track towards Alvechurch again.

Lowsonford

2010-09-02T15:02:00.000+01:00

Captains Log Canal Date 30th August 2010 Travels 4 Miles 30 locks 1 draw bridge Current Location Lowsonford OS Ref SP 188 678 Yesterday, we had a visit from some friends, as we were not anywhere near a suitable car park we arranged to meet at the closest pub, The Wharf Tavern, Hockley Heath. About half way there the havens opened up. We tried to shelter under a tree but the wind would not make its mind up and came at from all directions. We made a dash to the pub, well as close to a dash as I can manage. We arrived very wet indeed. I have been wetter recently but let’s not dwell on that. Well we could not just meet there could we; we had to go in for a meal at least. After a hearty meal and a couple of pints, I found it ever so easy to fall asleep in the afternoon. We moved on Monday, a very early start as we had far too many locks to do. So off we went at the crack of dawn i.e. 12:00 immediately into the Lapworth flight. Poor old Pam walked the entire day going from lock to lock. The boat travelled 4.17 miles; Pam must have walked 12 miles. For the odd moment, I did start to feel the odd pangs of guilt watching Pam run around the locks while I sat on the back of the boat but these feelings soon passed. 30 locks to do, almost every one set against us as we were following another boat. Just to prove that I am not a slave driver and I am really a nice bloke, I stopped outside The Fleur – De-Lys Pub. I let Pam treat me to a nice cool bear and a good meal. Captains Log Canal Date 28th August 2010 Travels 14 Miles 0 locks Current Location Lapworth OS Ref SP 157 720 Batteries low, no car, so time to move on. We are heading in the direction of Stratford upon Avon. We have travelled the canal from Hopwood to Kings Norton several times now and there are no more surprises. At kings Norton we took the Stratford Canal. We have never travelled this section before. It is not the nicest canal in Briton, it does go through some less than desirable housing estates but the main thing is that it is almost all in a cutting with almost total tree cover. There is very little view and alarmingly little wild life. We came to the lift bridge at the drawbridge inn, Shirley. This is a hydraulic lift, controlled by a panel. You have to inert your BW key to make it work. Just as soon as Pam inserted the key and started the cycle, an ambulance arrived, not just an ambulance, but an ambulance with flashing blue lights! Once the cycle has started you can not stop it, you have to go through and then lower the bridge. Then to open the road barrier you have to remove your key. It would not release the key at all. After what seemed like an age we eventually managed to remove the key and re-open the road. I do hope that the passenger in the ambulance has a sense of humour. We continued on our trip, now looking for a suitable mooring site. Most of the canal is either in a deep cutting, housing estate, or low trees. I was beginning to think that we were going to carry on through the night! We eventually found somewhere and this will do fine for at least tonight. PS. I have not fallen in at all today! (yet)

Hopwood to Lapworth

2010-08-28T21:37:00.000+01:00

Captains Log Canal Date 28th August 2010 Travels 14 Miles 0 locks Current Location Lapworth OS Ref SP 157 720 Batteries low, no car, so time to move on. We are heading in the direction of Stratford upon Avon. We have travelled the canal from Hopwood to Kings Norton several times now and there are no more surprises. At kings Norton we took the Stratford Canal. We have never travelled this section before. It is not the nicest canal in Briton, it does go through some less than desirable housing estates but the main thing is that it is almost all in a cutting with almost total tree cover. There is very little view and alarmingly little wild life. We came to the lift bridge at the drawbridge inn, Shirley. This is a hydraulic lift, controlled by a panel. You have to inert your BW key to make it work. Just as soon as Pam inserted the key and started the cycle, an ambulance arrived, not just an ambulance, but an ambulance with flashing blue lights! Once the cycle has started you can not stop it, you have to go through and then lower the bridge. Then to open the road barrier you have to remove your key. It would not release the key at all. After what seemed like an age we eventually managed to remove the key and re-open the road. I do hope that the passenger in the ambulance has a sense of humour. We continued on our trip, now looking for a suitable mooring site. Most of the canal is either in a deep cutting, housing estate, or low trees. I was beginning to think that we were going to carry on through the night! We eventually found somewhere and this will do fine for at least tonight. PS. I have not fallen in at all today! (yet)

Tales of adventure at Hopwood

2010-08-28T10:43:00.002+01:00

Captains Log Canal Date 28th August 2010 Travels 0 Miles Current Location Hopwood (Still outside the Hopwood House Pub) Just an update, a few things of note have taken place whilst we were moored here. I have purchased a folding mountain bike, this time it has electric assist! This I hope will enable me to move the boat and then cycles back to fetch the car. This will be most useful in the winter when we need the car most. I have tried it out and it performs well. (I can not find the heater so I think I may have to wear loads in the winter! Pam’s first, and most likely the last go on the bike ended with yet another roll, this time into a brier bush. Some nice person has stolen one of my HF aerials, it is not particularly expensive, it’s just bloody annoying. I do hope that whoever has taken it tries to connect it to a CB. That would be instant death to that CB. We have been using the Hopwood House car park whilst moored outside. Now it would be most rude not to use the pub from time to time. So we did! On Tuesday evening we had a fine meal and a drink there. We walked back to the boat, it was very dark, no moon. We were both extra careful. I am sure that you are already a few lines in front of me. Yes I went in again! This time I stepped onto the boat, my bad foot slipped. I collided very heavily with the tiller. Ending up straddling the bar and dropping into the canal. This time it hurt a lot in my “gentleman’s region” Pam was concerned that I still had my recently replaced mobile phone in my pocket. I was more concerned about the pain in my groin! I managed to climb out; I am getting good at this part now – plenty of practice. I then realised that I was holding my VHF aerial, in one hand and my new and very expensive glasses were missing so in I went again. I soon found the aerial but the glasses hove gone forever. I have to say that the canal is much warmer in August than it was in March. And just for the record, I had only had 1 pint of bitter! I have a proper bruise to my gentleman’s area, one to be proud of. I would not be too upset it the swelling remains after the bruising clears. The good news is that the phone dried out and works fine. Why is it that a £30.00 phone survives a canal swimming lesson but a £300.00 Blackberry failed miserably? Now the satellite system is playing up again. It would not work at all last night so I fired off a proper snotty email to them, you know the sort that you send when you are angry and would not sent the next day, only to find that it is working fine this morning. Still, it is supposed to work all of the time, not some of the time. We shall be moving today sometime, heading for Lapworth somewhere. I shall try my best to keep out of the water for a few days. I am running out of dry shoes.

Hopwood House

2010-08-19T18:34:00.000+01:00

Captains Log Canal Date 19th August 2010 Travels 4 Miles Current Location Hopwood (Outside the Hopwood House Pub) Moved on from Grange Lane. The water level is lower than usual and we had a list to starboard, just enough to ensure that every time you walked, you walked into some fixed furniture every time you moved about the boat. We had no intentions of travelling far, however we did manage to pass two pubs before stopping at the third. Our friend Dave joined us on the trip, I did say to him that we are going to be strong and not eat in the pub, this, of course was a total untruth. Pam had long since decided that we were in fact eating there tonight. As I have said before, I am only in charge of the fund raising and engineering committees and have no voting rights at all to anything slightly domestic! The moorings here are good; at least there is water under the boat! Life is full of little surprises; the boat next door belongs to some old friends of ours Roy & June. They are not on board but I do expect to see them quite soon. I think that we shall be giving up the car for the next few weeks, so this stop will be the last time for catching up with things that require transport. First the bad news- We do have to go the Kinver soon to take back a bed/settee. Now the good news – The satellite system is still working! Hooray!!! Captains Log Canal Date 16th August 2010 Travels 4 Miles 2 Tunnels Current Location Alvechurch (Near Grange Lane Bridge again) We have moored at Tardibigge whilst we indulged in a caravanning holiday. We went to the Welland Steam Fair, very good it was too. My main claim to fame here is that I was the very last caravan to leave the site. From there we went on to north Somerset to West Quantock head, a supposed 5 van site with a few more than 5 vans on it. After 2 nights there we went on to Braunton near Barnstaple. We spent the best part of 2 weeks at this superb location; the views are just to die for. On return to the boat we found that the rather expensive satellite – solar panel system was not working correctly despite having just been repaired yet another trip to Market Harborough to get it sorted. The technician told us it would be less than2 hours to sort it, it took over 5. I do hope that this the last time we have to go there. The guarantee period is fast running out and I can see big bills coming our way soon! At last it is time to move on and continue our world cruise of the inland waterway system We have not travelled far today, back to a location that we have been several times before, it has a nice open aspect with good views. We are a little further from the road bridge than before and things are much quieter here. Weather has at last changed from the heavy rain of the last few days to fine blue skies and light wind. I expect that normal August weather will return very soon. We will remain here until Thursday when our friend Dave is joining us for the trip to Hopwood. We are then going to have another look at the Stratford canal.

Back to Tardebigge

2010-07-21T14:34:00.000+01:00

Captains Log Canal Date 21st July 2010 Travels Miles 16 Locks 0 Tunnels 3 Current Location Tardebigge New Warf OS Ref SO 995 693 We came off the BCN and onto the Worcester & Birmingham canal, onto a more rural setting altogether. I think it is time to take stock of the BCN, it is feared by some boaters and has a reputation of being dirty and even dangerous in places. Things I expected from the Birmingham Canal Navigations. • Ganged of Hoodies • Stone throwing yobs • Graffiti • Derelict buildings ready to fall over at any time • Supermarket trolleys everywhere • Dirty smelly water • Litter everywhere • Drug Dealers • Drug Addicts • Murderers • Rapist Things I did find on the BCN • Pleasant ordinary people going for walks • Fishermen who smile and talk. • Very little Graffiti • Very tidy canal banks • Bridges & canal architecture in excellent condition • Exceptionally clear water • Very little signs of urban decay It is as good as any canal that I have ever travelled and a deal better than some. Having said that, I would still chose my moorings with a degree of caution. It is mostly through intercity, and some it that rather deprived areas. We travelled from Birmingham City Centre to Hopwood. This route takes you through the long tunnel at Kings Norton some 1 ¾ miles long You can just about make out the light at the other end, nothing more than a pin prick of light. It takes about 40 minutes to pass through, all of that time you have very little experience of movement. The head light gives a glow at the front of the boat the rest is in darkness. After clearing the tunnel we stopped at Hopwood for the night and of course, the mandatory pub meal. Next morning we set off for Alvechurch where I had arranged to pick up my car. Once again we had our usual problems getting close enough to the bank. The use of the boarding plank was called for. As soon as we arrived some friends appeared. We got them safely aboard. I remained on the bank, just tidying up the ropes. When I walk the boarding plank, guess what? Yes you guessed it; it moved a bit, I moved a bit more and fell in AGIN! Thankfully, this time it was only up to my shins. Once again proving how totally useless gortex trainers are in water. After a few days at Alvechurch we moved on to Tardebigge. This time we were accompanied by my Cousin Ron and his friend Gloria. Ron managed to steer the boat all of the way without crashing into anything or sinking or anything! What a driver. I know it is out of character, but as we had visitors, I thought that it is only polite to take them to the pub and have another pub meal. I mean, it would be rude not to wouldn’t it.

Birmingham City Centre

2010-07-16T17:21:00.001+01:00

Captains Log Canal Date 15th July 2010 Travels Miles 9 Locks 3 Current Location Birmingham City Centre (Outside Sea Life centre) OS Ref SO 059 867 Birmingham the town our of birth, I can see why I moved out! The moorings are right in the city centre. Broad Street is the party capital with continues bars & night clubs, this is only a stones throw from here but you would never know, it is quiet and pleasant here with just the occasional pedestrian passing the boat. No more so than a rural mooring. On the way here the canal was just as clear as the previous day with good views of fish all of the way. We came along the newer Birmingham level. This is so different to the older canal. This is straight as an arrow and wide. It was the motorway of its day. However once again we did have an occasional problem with the amount of weed growing. We travelled the 9 miles from the Black Country Museum to Birmingham City Centre, all the time we only saw 2 other boats, I think that the BCN is a very much underused network, Even though you are travelling through urban areas it is well hidden by the banks, you would never know how close you are to the busiest parts of the country. Life is full of surprises, today we met up with Chris and his boat “Paddington” He is moored a boat away from us. The most surprising thing is that I believed that he was on a six month holiday touring Europe. After a day wondering around the town centre it is time to move on. I don’t think that I can stand another day in the city, it is just too busy for me (and we spent too much) Weather permitting we shall head for Hopwood tomorrow.

Black Country Musium

2010-07-13T21:49:00.001+01:00

Captains Log Canal Date 13th July 2010 Travels Miles 11.5 Locks 22 Current Location Black Country Museum OS Ref SO 949 918 The weather has deteriorated; rain and drizzle are the order of the day. Just like a proper English summer. At least the rain is warm and the canal banks were starting to look a bit parched; however the canals themselves are still quite wet! As we completed the final leg of the Shropshire Union canal, we were travelling through considerable weed banks, a sign of the previous warm weather no doubt. The water is as murky as can be, you can not see into the water at all. At the end of the Shroppie you join with the Staffs & Worcester for a mile or so before we turned onto the BCN. What a difference! Instant locks, one after the other – 21 of them all in a row. The forecast had promised rain later so we set off early. Very early by our standards, we were moving by 10.00!!! It worked well; we had completed 19 of the 21 flight before the rain started. After 3 ¼ hours of lock wheeling we had reached the summit in Wolverhampton. The water in the BCN is very different to the other canals we have travelled this year. I would expect it to be about the worst possible, as it runs through a very heavily industrialised area but no, it is crystal clear! You can see the bottom of the canal where the plant life allows. Fish were swimming everywhere you looked ranging from small fry to whoppers! I am not much into fish but these had scales & tails, fins & eyes so you know what they are now. The rain continued through the afternoon until we reached our destination. When we arrived at the Black Country Museum it changed from rain to a downpour. Still I am quite used to getting wet here, this time I do not intend to fall in though. It’s far too warm for that. Captains Log Canal Date 11th July 2010 Travels Miles 15 Locks NONE AT ALL Current Location Wheaton Aston OS Ref SJ 855 130 What a change from previous day’s travels, today we have travelled 16 miles lock free. Pam will be getting soft, still all this will change when we get to the Wolverhampton 21 flight. The weather has remained fine with temperature in the high 20’s and just enough breeze to cool things down. We travelled non stop today, even had lunch on the move. Not because we are in any particular hurry, more because when lunch was ready there was not a suitable mooring space. Even though this is a return of the previous trip, things look very different when approached from the opposite side. Only the odd land mark standing out as a reminder of an earlier trip. We are moored in the centre of the town/village. Not much here but then we don’t want much either. We shall fill up with diesel as it is as cheap as it gets here. We will find some bread and cake tomorrow before we set off. Until then, this will do us fine. Captains Log Canal Date 10th July 2010 Travels Miles 15 Locks 22 Narrow Current Location Wharf Tavern Inn Cheswardine, 4 miles south of Market Drayton OS Ref SJ 706 292 We have a plan! We are not very good with pans but we do have a provisional plan and timetable for our return to gods own county of Worcestershire. We have worked out that if we can keep to a rather punishing regime of travelling 4hours every other day we should make it by next weekend. As with all plans there may be a flaw. The first thing is my inbuilt aversion to travelling in anything other than sun shine; another is that we will stop at any good mooring, just so long as it has a nice pub and away from housing estates. As we shall be soon approaching the Wolverhampton and Birmingham conurbations, that may cause problems. We set off on phase one of the grand master plan the plan was to get as far as Market Drayton last night. We had a continuous flight of locks to start the day, we are grand master of locks now and have a well tried and tested routine. I found out that no matter how good you are with locks you are just as slow as the idiot in front and boy did we have an idiot in front! First two locks took just under an hour. After that they sorted them selves out a bit and things went a bit more smoothly. Towards the end of the first flight of 14 locks the clouds changed from nice and white to very heavy dark grey, however, the threatened rain once again did not happen. We arrived at Market Drayton as planned but it has a lot of houses so we did not stop other that to empty the waste tanks and refill the fresh water. In stead we continued our journey up even more locks! We found a spot just outside a pub, no housing estates. This will do for us. Still no internet, still poor phone coverage, still no TV, looks like the pub tonight. Captains Log Canal Date 9th July 2010 Travels Miles 10 Locks 9 Narrow Lift Bridge 1 Current Location Audlum OS Ref SJ 658 435 We continued our journey on to Audlem. Once again the weather is hot and humid, the sort of summer weather that usually ends in a storm, Again the clouds built up during the afternoon and again no rain to speak of. There are 2 things we need from Audlum. First and foremost there is a craft shop that Pam wanted to look at again, (just in case something has changed in the last few weeks) and we wanted some more meat from the roving butcher, his produce is just the best. Whilst there we did a short re stock of the food cupboard and as we were moored in-between two pubs we had to decide which one to frequent. The “Shroppie Fly” won the day and yes it was just as good as last time.

2010-07-07T17:47:00.000+01:00

Captains Log Canal Date 3rd July 2010 Travels Miles 9 Locks 8 Narrow Lift Bridge 2 Current Location Burland 2 miles West of Nantwich OS Ref SJ 614 541 Fully recovered from the previous hangover and ready to move on. We had planed to go as far as the Top Secret Nuclear Bunker at Hack Green today, well within easy reach for a day on the canal. As we set off the skies went from white cloud to grey. Bang on cue, just as we reached the first set of locks it started to rain. The rain continued in various forms throughout the day, one minute very fine drizzle then rain & then onto proper rain. I think the locals call it summer! I am not quite sure how it happened but a boat that had been following us passed us as we operated a swing bridge, thus every lock we came to we were following him and were therefore always set against us. Nothing more than a slight inconvenience. As we approached the final set of 4 locks at Hurleston the sky took on an even more threatening look, the wind picked up and I gave up. (No point arguing with the weather, you can never win that argument). We moored up to wait the inevitable onslaught. It just did not happen. How can the sky go as dark as that and not leak all over you? Well we are here now, where ever here is, and we shall stay overnight and continue our journey tomorrow – perhaps. Captains Log Canal Date 3rd July 2010 Travels Miles 15 Locks 4 Narrow Staircase 1 Lift Bridge 5 Current Location Willemore Inn Again (At last a Pub!) OS Ref SJ 538 459 After a few days on our paradise moorings it was time to move on, not truly from a desire to keep moving, more because the batteries have taken a hammering. We have used the Washing machine, and run the TV for some time and spent most of the day time reformatting the laptop and reloading all the data software, and used 240v power tools to polish the boat. Not a five minute job! I have noticed that I am being attacked by horse files – nasty spiteful creatures. You do not feel them land on you; you only feel them when it’s too late. I have large lumps on my arms, legs and face. They are irritating to the extreme. It is almost impossible not to scratch at them. I wonder what they eat when Boaters are not here? That said, it is a small price to pay for this life style. We set off on a warm but overcast day and had a peaceful and leisurely, if not a little long cruise, re-tracing our route of a few weeks ago. All was fine until we arrived at Grindley Flight. Here there is a staircase flight and followed by 3 locks. There were 3 boats waiting to go down the staircase in front of us, all of them hire boats, none had any idea, so yet again Pam took charge and saw them through. The couple immediately in front of us had an almost identical dog to Millie, all apart from the dangly bits! They had never seen a staircase flight before and were more than a bit apprehensive. They managed to navigate the locks and we followed them all the way to our current location. Now I know that it unusual for us but we stopped next to a pub. Not just any old pub, but one we used on the way up and they made us so welcome last time that it would be rude in the extreme if we did not pop in. The food was just as good, the gust beers were very moorish, fully recommended to anyone. When in the pub we found we were sitting next to our new found friends with the dog. He is from Belgium and she is from Dublin, as she taught him most of his English, he now speaks perfect English with a touch of Irish. We soon joined tables and had a really good night. We were of course the last out of the pub and as I write this I am still wishing that I had not had that last pint! Captains Log Canal Date 3rd July 2010 Travels Miles 9 Locks 2 Narrow Staircase 1 Current Location Blake Mere (Near Ellesmere) (What- Still no Pub!) OS Ref SJ 414449 We set off on the hunt for food, one of my major motivating forces, so it was back to good old Ellesmere again. The arm into the town centre was very busy and we did think that we would not find a mooring. As it turned out we slipped into a mooring right at the end. Pam, dutifully went shopping whilst I took the mandatory afternoon nap. I awoke just in time to see Pam returning complete with an escort from Tesco’s. He was pushing the trolley. We passed the shopping through the hatch and then he returned to the store pushing our trolley. Only Pam could arrange a home delivery service to the boat. After a bit to eat we decided that we did not really want to stay in the town arm so we set off looking for quieter moorings. On the way out we had a bit of a coming together with two other boats. We were passing a continuous line of moored boats when another boat came towards us. It was going to be tight but plenty of room for us all, that is until he panicked and slammed his boat into reverse causing it to go sideways just in front of me. I had no chance of stopping; the brakes on a narrowboat are not too good! There was a good old bang but no damage on any of the boats. It’s a good job they are not made out of the same materials as modern cars. We continued our quest to find a quieter spot. Not far from Ellesmere we found it, perfect. A magnificent view over the mere with all manor of wading birds. What’s more there were no other boats in view. This will do for a few nights. Of course, within minutes there were boats either side of us. This is the sort of mooring that if Carlsberg Lager made moorings ---- A true slice of heaven. Even the sun is shining. Yes this will do for us.

2010-07-02T13:19:00.002+01:00

Captains Log Canal Date 1st July 2010 Travels Miles 9 Locks 4 Narrow Swing Bridge 1 Current Location Lower Frankton (What no Pub!) OS Ref SJ 369 311 We completed the remaining section of the Montgomery, turned at the end winding hole (I am getting better at this now) and managed to stop right outside a pub just in time for lunch. (I also am getting rather good at this) The pub looked like any other country canal side pub from the outside but one inside it was a different story. Just a small part was an old inn dating from 16th century the bulk of the restaurant area is a converted canal side 18th century warehouse. It has been very sympathetically converted and still contains much of the original architecture and fittings. The menu was a bit more expensive that I would have liked but so much as to make you walk out again. The food was superb, presentation made you say wow when it came out. Certainly not the average pub lunch. I am happy to pay a few pounds more for exceptional food, and this indeed was exceptional After the obligatory afternoon nap we set off to complete the return trip along the canal. There are some locks and they are spaced just far enough apart to walk between. Millie the mutt managed to go for a swim three times, each time she could not get out on her own. You would think that she would learn but that is not in her nature!!! Just like the entrance to the canal, you have to book exit passage through the Frankton Locks. We are moored close to the bottom of the locks awaiting our booked passage tomorrow. No TV, no internet, poor phone signal, - Looks like an early night again. Captains Log Canal Date 30h June 2010 Travels Miles 11 Locks 4 Narrow 1 Staircase Current Location Queens Head, Queens Head (Nr. West Felton) (Oh yes, yet another pub. Life is tough on the cut) OS Ref SJ 337 266 We had booked our passage through Frankton Locks and onto the Montgomery Canal for mid-day. This is one of the few locks that have to be pre booked, this, they say, is to control the number of boats on this section of canal. We slipped our moorings much earlier than is healthy, ie 9.00 in the morning! Sleep deprivation or what? This should allow us to have a leisurely cruise to the Frankton Locks. As with all plans I forgot the inevitable, queues for the locks. We have not had to queue for a lock for more than one boat, this time there was five waiting. Time for drastic action, so I sent Pam out to sort them out, she is good at that. We eventually went through the locks an hour later which made out timing a bit tight but still achievable. A few minutes later we meet up with a gaggle of hire boats having just left the marina. They did not have a clue. They went into panic mode when they saw me coming. There was plenty of room to pass until they all went diagonal across the canal blocking it good and proper! After a few minutes of instruction they all managed to pass us without incident. But the look of horror on their faces would have done a Hitchcock film proud. We eventually arrived at the junction at our allotted time only to find that another ten boats waiting. Six out of the ten were all one group from New Zealand. Again, we were the only boaters there, the rest were hire boats. Once again Pam went to sort it out and helped the rather harassed Lock Keeper. We saw each boat through the staircase and we then took up the rear. That was another 2 hours. It is nice not being in a rush to get anywhere, these delays are fine. Once we had cleared the locks at the start of the Montgomery canal the scenery changes dramatically from the Llangollen. It is much more open with superb views each side of the canal. This canal has not been re-opened for very long, but it shows no sign of being rebuilt. All the work has been done most sympathetically and looks just as good as it could. It is a real credit to the canal recovery groups involved. We eventually found a nice mooring spot next to a pub; it must be a good one as they named the hamlet after it. The pub is called The Queens Head and it is in the village of Queens Head. We are hoping to complete the canal and return to the main Llangollen canal on Friday. Captains Log Canal Date 28h June 2010 Travels Miles 35 Locks 2 Narrow Lift Bridge 6 Current Location Poachers Pocket Near Chirk (Yes, yet another pub) OS Ref SJ 297 368 Well lots have happened since my last entry, One thing that has not changed is my ongoing problems with Vodafone, hence no recent updates! We have had visitors, and most welcome they are too. First of all Jim & Joan arrived. We set sail for Llangollen, over the now world heritage site of the Pontcysyllte aqueduct. This section of canal from Ellesmere to Llangollen continually changes, each turn shows new delights. It is just about the best so far, just when you think that it can not get any better, it just does! The Chirk aqueduct is just fantastic; its architecture and build quality is a joy to see. When you arrive at the Pontcysyllte aqueduct word just fail to describe the sight in front. The canal just floats in the sky as if by magic. On the starboard side there is only a piece of 200 year old 1 inch thick cast iron between you and certain death 120 foot below. The canal is over 100 yards long and supported on 19 stone pillars supporting a cast iron trough just wide enough for the boat. There are no handrails here, the do gooders from health & safety were not around when Mr. Telford built this masterpiece! It has been there for over 200 years, will it last another 20 minutes? Once over the aqueduct it is a sharp left hander and then on to the end of the canal. It does get a bit narrow and shallow from here on. The guide book does say that it is not recommended for boats drawing more than 21 inches, mine is more like 28 inches! I did think that we had seen the best scenery but we to be proved wrong yet again. You leave the rolling hills and continue along the sides of the Dee valley. You are into mountain country now. They must have thought that it would be almost impossible to build a canal in such hilly country, but Telford believed that he could do anything, and he did. Long section of this part of the canal are just wide enough for one boat, so some one has to go in front and make sure that the path is clear, (Good old Jim) We made it to the end at Llangollen with just a bit of a relived sigh, we were dragging on the bottom in several places and in the narrows the concrete edges were removing the paint from the boat. After a day in Llangollen we set off back again. Even though we had just done this journey, it was just as interesting doing the return trip. Things look so different when approached from the other side. We eventually made back to the Poachers pocket for a well justified evening meal. Jim & Joan left us and the following day John & Lynn arrived. We liked the run to the Pontcysyllte aqueduct so much that we done it all again. It was still as spectacular. I wonder how many times I would have to do this before I would become bored with it? We stopped at Trevor basin (Just at the end of the aqueduct) to have a pub lunch, Apparently there was some sort of silly football game on that day and this pub was not showing it so it was nice and quiet in there. (Nice meal Thanks John & Lynne) The return trip, again, was just as good as it was the day before. I don’t think that I will ever tire of this spot. Now the upsetting bit, well for us anyway. We have an expensive combined satellite dish and solar panel; it has been doing odd things for a few weeks but always easy to sort out. Not this time, it just will not work. I need to contact them on the internet to sort things out. Slight problem – No bloody internet thanks to Mr. Vodafone. Eventually sorted out a phone number and now have to take it to Northampton. That is a long way from Llangollen by boat! One of the little problems that living on a boat can throw at you. Still I am sure that we can survive for a week or two without satellite television! Captains Log Canal Date 19h June 2010 Travels Miles 12.5 Locks 9 Narrow Lift Bridge 2 Current Location Bradley Green (2 miles north of Whitchurch) OS Ref SJ 534 450 It is almost unbelievable how much the weather can change in a day. Yesterday was hot and sunny, no clouds in sight, today it 100% cloud cover with light rain and very much cooler. We waited for the drizzle to stop before moving down the Welsh cut in search of an internet connection... I was not going to travel as far as yesterday. We set off after a light lunch, the canal traffic was lighter than I had expected, however most of the nicer mooring spots were already taken. We ended up at Bradeley Green, Right next to a nice country pub!! I shall try that out soon. Well a man has to do what a man has to do. John Wayne said that and I am not going to argue! There are some interesting place names around here, there is a small hill called “Bell o’th’Hill”, a bit further down the canal is a place called “Land of Canaan” and just behind us is “Willy Moor” That begs a question. Still no internet but at least the phones work here.

Llangollen or bust

2010-06-29T12:39:00.003+01:00

Captains Log Canal Date 28h June 2010 Travels Miles 35 Locks 2 Narrow Lift Bridge 6 Current Location Poachers Pocket Near Chirk (Yes, yet another pub) OS Ref SJ 297 368 Well lots have happened since my last entry, One thing that has not changed is my ongoing problems with Vodafone, hence no recent updates! We have had visitors, and most welcome they are too. First of all Jim & Joan arrived. We set sail for Llangollen, over the now world heritage site of the Pontcysyllte aqueduct. This section of canal from Ellesmere to Llangollen continually changes, each turn shows new delights. It is just about the best so far, just when you think that it can not get any better, it just does! The Chirk aqueduct is just fantastic; its architecture and build quality is a joy to see. When you arrive at the Pontcysyllte aqueduct word just fail to describe the sight in front. The canal just floats in the sky as if by magic. On the starboard side there is only a piece of 200 year old 1 inch thick cast iron between you and certain death 120 foot below. The canal is over 100 yards long and supported on 19 stone pillars supporting a cast iron trough just wide enough for the boat. There are no handrails here, the do gooders from health & safety were not around when Mr. Telford built this masterpiece! It has been there for 200 years, will it last another 20 minutes? Once over the aqueduct it is a sharp left hander and then on to the end of the canal. It does get a bit narrow and shallow from here on. The guide book does say that it is not recommended for boats drawing more than 21 inches, mine is more like 28 inches! I did think that we had seen the best scenery but we to be proved wrong yet again. You leave the rolling hills and continue along the sides of the Dee valley. You are into mountain country now. They must have thought that it would be almost impossible to build a canal in such hilly country, but Telford believed that he could do anything, and he did. Long section of this part of the canal are just wide enough for one boat, so some one has to go in front and make sure that the path is clear, (Good old Jim) We made it to the end at Llangollen with just a bit of a relived sigh, we were dragging on the bottom in several places and in the narrows the concrete edges were removing the paint from the boat. After a day in Llangollen we set off back again. Even though we had just done this journey, it was just as interesting doing the return trip. Things look so different when approached from the other side. We eventually made back to the Poachers pocket for a well justified evening meal. Jim & Joan left us and the following day John & Lynn arrived. We liked the run to the Pontcysyllte aqueduct so much that we done it all again. It was still as spectacular. I wonder how many times I would have to do this before I would become bored with it? We stopped at Trevor basin (Just at the end of the aqueduct) to have a pub lunch, Apparently there was some sort of silly football game on that day and this pub was not showing it so it was nice and quiet in there. (Nice meal Thanks John & Lynne) The return trip, again, was just as good as it was the day before. I don’t think that I will ever tire of this spot. Now the upsetting bit, well for us anyway. We have an expensive combined satellite dish and solar panel; it has been doing odd things for a few weeks but always easy to sort out. Not this time, it just will not work. I need to contact them on the internet to sort things out. Slight problem – No bloody internet thanks to Mr. Vodafone. Eventually sorted out a phone number and now have to take it to Northampton. That is a long way from Llangollen by boat! One of the little problems that living on a boat can throw at you. Still I am sure that we can survive for a week or two without satellite television! Captains Log Canal Date 19h June 2010 Travels Miles 12.5 Locks 9 Narrow Lift Bridge 2 Current Location Bradley Green (2 miles north of Whitchurch) OS Ref SJ 534 450 It is almost unbelievable how much the weather can change in a day. Yesterday was hot and sunny, no clouds in sight, today it 100% cloud cover with light rain and very much cooler. We waited for the drizzle to stop before moving down the Welsh cut in search of an internet connection... I was not going to travel as far as yesterday. We set off after a light lunch, the canal traffic was lighter than I had expected, however most of the nicer mooring spots were already taken. We ended up at Bradeley Green, Right next to a nice country pub!! I shall try that out soon. Well a man has to do what a man has to do. John Wayne said that and I am not going to argue! There are some interesting place names around here, there is a small hill called “Bell o’th’Hill”, a bit further down the canal is a place called “Land of Canaan” and just behind us is “Willy Moor” That begs a question. Still no internet but at least the phones work here. Captains Log Canal Date 18th June 2010 Travels Miles 12.5 Locks 1 Wide 1 Wide Staircase 9 Narrow Lift Bridge 1 Current Location Wrenbury OS Ref SJ 592 480 We woke up to a perfect clear sky with the sun pumping out its heat towards us. Does this mean that we may have another summer this year? I do hope so. We decided that it would be a good day to travel, much better than the rain, so we set off with no particular destination in mind other than I wanted to get into the Welsh cut. On route, we had to pass through the last of the wide locks. These are fine when you share them with another boat, but when you are on your own you do tend to be blown about. The bollards are rather far back from the edges so it is not possible to hold the boat against the sides. Perhaps there is a technique that I have yet to learn. We travelled further than I expected, the weather was perfect and we both had a permanent smile on our faces. Every one we passed seamed to be as happy as us – even the fishermen! We reached the Hureston Junction (Start of the Llangollen canal) and headed up the flight of 4 narrow locks. Narrow being the watch word hear, there was less than 10mm clearance. This is the tightest lock I have yet passed through. There is plenty of paint on the sides of the lock to remind you! After an hour or so on the Llangollen I was starting to think about food. (Nothing unusual there) After a quick conference with the catering committee (Pam) it was decided that we should find a pub for the night, it has to be said that there was very little opposition to this decision. The closest we could see was at Wrenbury. It was a proper days boating, travelling for 7 ½ hours and not stopping for lunch – most out of character. I think that we both rather like our new life style. It is probably better than going to work every day! When we arrived, there was a long line of moored boats; however we did find a slot right outside the pub. What a result. With a full day’s travel and a good thirst we enjoyed our well deserved time in the pub. This is a nice spot but yet again I can not get internet and the phone signal is poor. Captains Log Canal Date 15th June 2010 Travels Miles 5 Locks 3 Current Location Beeston OS Ref SJ 465 362 The moorings at Milners Heath were a bit on the shallow side when we arrived. We were grounded on the tow path side and still about 2 foot out. It was OK until the level dropped overnight then we were at a bit of an angle, the cupboard doors would slam shut, and to walk the length of the boat without crashing into something was difficult. Excessive usage of both the TV & computer had given the batteries a bit of a bashing and it did not help when the vacuum cleaner was brought out. Time to move on to a new mooring and recharge the battery bank. We had no fixed idea of where we would end up, just looking for a pleasant spot where we can moor against the bank and still have some water under us. We ended up near the village of Beeston. Well it is a village of sorts apart from the fact that it does not have a pub, shop, or post office. It will do nicely for a day or two. We are back to the section of canal that made me believe that the internet was broken; well it was not, only the fact that there is no coverage around here. (Sorry Mr. Vodafone, Your dongle and SIM card may have been fine all the time, but thanks for the new one anyway) We have since found that there is not a TV or phone signal to be had inside the boat and a line of tall trees are successfully blocking the satellite. So it looks as if we may have to keep ourselves amused for a few days! On route we filled up the fuel tank, this is the first time since leaving Tardebigge in early March. 64 litres of diesel was all I could get in. That is about what I would use in My Discovery each week as long as I do not use it much. I can’t work it out into MPG as I would have to go through a lot of notes to find my total mileage but it is better that I expected. It proves that the bulk of the fuel is used in the heating & charging systems as I was using that much every 2 weeks over the winter and not moving anywhere.

Chester town centre moorings

2010-06-13T12:14:00.003+01:00

Captains Log

Canal Date 13^th June 2010

Travels Miles 5 1/2

Locks 5

Staircase Lock 1

Current Location Milners Heath

OS Ref SJ 465 362

Chester Town Centre!

Any one who knows me at all will know my natural aversion to any major town or city, particularly if it has shops and shopping centres; this is made even more unbearable if there are loads of people and kids running about! BAH- HUMBUG!

I think that I may be mellowing, I found Chester to be a particularly nice place to be in. It is a beautiful walled city with fine buildings.

We were moored close to the city centre; I expected it to be busy in the daytime and noisy at night. I was wrong, it was fine.

The local town planners have managed to keep the essence of the city in tact. We went round the shops; we walked the town wall and enjoyed the sights. There is a wealth of things to see and do. One of the things that went through my mind was the amount of paper work that one would have to produce today to convince the powers that be that the railway and canal need to enter the tiny city centre and to incorporate this ancient city walls will have to be knocked down. I suspect that the railway would run outside the city walls if today’s rules were applied.

We moved from the city centre, back tracking our route through the scary staircase locks. We were watched by a coach load of German tourist, (I did not mention the war) Watched is the key work here. The lock gates are huge and poor Pam was struggling at times to move them.

It is a lovely time of the year on the canal, everything is green, the wild flowers are all in bloom, and fluffy ducks are everywhere.

We are moored in the middle of nowhere. I can not see a house or farm building in any direction, there are no boats moored anywhere near us, bliss.

This morning I was rudely awaken at the crack of dawn by the bells of the local church. It is close but out of sight. Fancy ringing the bells at such an early time on a Sunday morning. Not everyone gets up before 10.30

Chester town centre moorings

2010-06-10T18:51:00.002+01:00

Captains Log Canal Date 10th June 2010 Travels Miles 4 Locks 0 Current Location Chester OS Ref SJ 400 667 Well, after a couple of days in the pleasant Cheshire countryside we moved on to Chester town centre. I was quite amazed at the amount of Russell Newbey boats heading for their boat gathering at the museum. I don’t know where they are all going to moor. I’m glad it is not my problem to sort it all out. It nice to hear the sound of their engines, they do make a proper narrowboat noise! This time last week it was hot and sunny, today it is cool bordering on cold. I did enjoy the 4 days of summer. I do hope that you also enjoyed it! With the extra traffic on this section of the canal the water has turned into a sort of brown soup as each passing boat stirs up the bottom. Also the floating islands of reeds that were covering much of the canal have now broken up and have created another problem, this time they are attaching them selves to my propeller. This causes the boat to slowly loose speed until the boat is put into reverse for a good blast. That usually does the trick. It is surprising what you see dumped in the canal; I had to pull out a child’s push chair. Not an old tatty thing but an almost new and very expensive looking one. I was hoping that there was not a child strapped into it, there was not! After arriving at Chester we had a light lunch and then headed of for the town centre. As towns go it is very nice. Probable the nicest town centre we have visited so far. (Pity it is full of shops and people though) We will stay here for a short while, as long as it remains quiet, before heading towards the Llangollen canal.

Ellesmere Port to Stoak

2010-06-08T13:58:00.001+01:00

Captains Log Canal Date 8th June 2010 Travels Miles 4 Locks 0 Staircase Lock 0 Current Location Village of Stoak (4 miles NE of Chester) OS Ref SJ 431 737 We had a very noisy night moored close to the museum, unfortunately we were also very close to two major roads, and we are not used to this sort of noise at night and both found it difficult to sleep. We spent much of the day at the museum, it is much larger than I expected, with plenty to see and do. It would have been better it we had chosen a day when some of the collection of old engines were running but you can’t always pick and chose. It is a good museum, with a good lay out and should be as interesting to the confirmed canal enthusiast as it would be to anyone with no knowledge at all of the canals. We moved on, to find quieter, more rural moorings. The first mile or so is following the edge of an oil refinery, not the prettiest sight. We eventual found a suitable spot, we could get to the bank and even more important, there is a pub in the village. We you know by now that I see it as my duty to inspect the canal side pubs, and if this means having to have a drink and a meal then so be it. The weather today has changed. It was cloudy and overcast yesterday. Today it has not stopped raining at all! So much for mid summer. Still you know the saying in this country “If you don’t like the weather, wait a short while- it will change” I am still having trouble with m internet connection; I can not make my mind up if it’s a computer issue, a USB dongle issue, a Vodafone coverage issue, or just me being plain stupid. Experience tells me that it is most likely to be the latter. We did stop on the way here at a retail outlet park, the sort of place that sells posh stuff that we really do not need or want. We walked towards the site, half way there we both, simultaneously decided that we did not want to go, so we turned back to the safety and comfort of our boat and continued our journey. I don’t think I shall get of so lightly when we stay in Chester. I have managed several weeks now with out falling in the canal at all. It’s just not as much fun when the water is warmer!

Ellesmere Port Boat Museum

2010-06-06T22:25:00.001+01:00

Captains Log Canal Date 6th June 2010 Travels Miles 17 Locks 5 wide Staircase Lock 1 wide Current Location Ellsmere Port Boat Museum OS Ref SJ 406 770 We changed our minds again, you can when don’t have to go to work. It was decided that we will go to Chester today, we need to find a Vodafone shop to sort out the interweb thingy and I also want to get a pump from Machine Mart. The Idea of going today is that if anything has to be ordered then we can pick it up on our way back later in the week. As it transpired, Machine Mart no longer stocks the pump and we were only a few minutes it Vodafone, so we did what we always do, we found somewhere to eat! After refuelling ourselves we then changed our minds again and set off for the end of the Shropshire union canal and the boat museum at Ellsmere Port. The canal takes a spectacular route through Chester, travelling along side the ancient city walls through deep sandstone cuttings. There is a small basin as you pass through the staircase locks, it had about 5 boats moored there and was just about full. In a few weeks there will be a Tom Rolt memorial rally and the organisers are expecting around 100 narrowboat to turn up. That should be a tight squeeze. Why is it that if you run a caravan rally you have to have 20 foot clear space between units but boats are OK to be touching in all directions? (This is a rhetorical question and does dot need an answer) Whilst in Chester basin we were called upon to carry out a recue and recovery job on a stranded sailing boat. It had become entangled in the weeds and its outboard motor would not work. After some nifty manoeuvring we came along side and picked it up out of the water and returned it to the chap on the bank. We did receive a good round of applause and a hearty cheer from the onlookers. That should have given us a clue as to what to expect for the last few miles of this canal. The reeds are growing almost bank to bank in places, much of the way we were dragging along the bottom. I don’t think that this section of canal sees very much traffic these days. We made it to the Boat museum without any real problems, however, when we tried to moor up, once again the top was too close to the bottom and we could not get to within 5 foot of the bank. We had several attempts at different locations before settling for one about ¼ mile from the museum. Even this site we are 3 foot away but at least we can step on & off. It’s not the sort of location we would normally choose, we are between 2 road bridges and can hear the traffic noise. I expect that we will be fine here for the night. Tomorrow we shall spend the day at the museum and then set of back towards Chester and find a nice rural spot for a few days to try and build up enough enthusiasm to spend a day or so in Chester.

Market Drayton to Chester

2010-06-04T17:08:00.000+01:00

Captains Log Canal Date 4th June 2010 Travels Miles 10 Locks 3 wide Staircase Lock 1 wide Current Location Tattenhall (9 miles SW of Chester) OS Ref SJ 496 604 We carried on towards Chester, we had planned to make it in one trip, but after 5 hours in the heat I decided that we had gone quite far enough so we stopped in a small village. We had several attempts at finding a mooring, each time finding that the “bottom is too close to the top at the edges” Eventually we found somewhere. Not long after mooring up the sun went in and the rain poured down –Proper summer storm stuff. I guess that must have been the summer then! The canal has changed in character since leaving the Llangollen turn. The locks are all wide now - room for 2 boats at a time. Unfortunately we shared the locks with complete first timers and things took a little longer than expected. It’s a good job that we are not in any rush to get anywhere fast. At last we are in an area where we can get an internet connection, all be it silly slow. Again, it a good job we are not in a rush! One thing of note. One of the locks was made of Cast Iron rather than the usual stone & concrete. Being an ex iron foundry man I found this to be of much interest. I don’t know if it has been replaced at anytime but it is showing very little sign of corrosion. Good old Cast Iron. We will stay here until Monday when we will make out final attempt at making Chester. Captains Log Canal Date 2nd June 2010 Travels 8 Miles Locks 2 Current Location Hurleston Junction (3 miles north Nantwich) OS Ref SJ 624 555 We stayed at Aulem for longer than we first thought; we found that there was to be a music festival over the bank holiday weekend. Never wanting to miss out on a freebie we decided to remain there until we had had enough or it became too busy for us. We made the right decision. There are three pubs and a number of other locations in the village, each one had a selection of live music going on from mid day until mid night. We had never heard of any of the acts so had no idea what was going to happen. The music ranged form folk music though to heavy blues. All was at a very high and professional standard (some perhaps a little on the loud side for the size of the venues) Most importantly, all was free. You don’t get that very often these days! I was just so nice to wonder round the village and having a listen to some live music, then going to another venue and listening so another style. If we are in this area next year we would be very tempted to do it all again. We stayed at Audlem for eleven nights that is about as long as we have ever stayed in one spot during the touring season. It was helped by a daily visit from a local butcher providing us with some of the best sausages we have ever had. We also had friends visiting over the period. It is such a nice village and a beautiful mooring spot that I was not in any rush to move on. Usually the batteries would have long since given up but now they are still good after all that time. However, we had to move on as we were almost out of fresh water and the loo tank was getting a bit whiffey and I need get to Chester to try and sort out the internet connection. Some thing is not right; I can only get it to work very occasionally. (I don’t think it was ever so very happy at getting wet one night!) We set off on Tuesday mid day, the heavy rain of the morning had give way to a very light drizzle. As we travelled the rain again became heavier but eventually it did as the weatherman had said and gave up. On route we passed what is probably the worst kept secret in Briton. The “Secret Nuclear Bunker” How ca it be secret when it is marked on the maps and has signpost? We arrived at Nantwich by mid afternoon. After filling the fresh water and pumping out the loo tank we went into the town to replenish the dwindling food stock. It was about a 20 minute walk to the shops and felt like a 3 day hike back to the boat. We were not happy with the mooring location so we continued our journey to Hurleston Junction. This is where the Llangollen canal branches off the main line. It has been interesting so far, watching the “Hire Boaters” getting the turn completely wrong. I hope I get it right now I have said that! I expect to arrive a Chester just as soon as the schools go back i.e. Monday, however we do have quite a number of pubs to pass on the way! Captains Log Canal Date 23th May 2010 Travels 7 Miles Locks 20!!! (And every single one was against us) Current Location Audlem OS Ref SJ 680 346 Weather was fine – blue skies – no wind – above average temperatures. Just right for a full day wheeling locks! We planed to do the first 5 locks today and find a pleasant spot to stay over night. We did find a nice spot but once again we could not get into the bank although it was an official visitor mooring spot. Perhaps my boat requires more draft than some? We did stay long enough for bacon & egg sandwich, all very good for you. As there was no suitable moorings we carried on and completed the hole 20, we even pasted a few welcoming pubs how is that for will-power, passing open pubs with sunshine and temperatures in the mid 20’s. We have found an idyllic spot; we are on a high embankment, overlooking the river Weaver. The views are magnificent in all directions, pity that the internet will not work here. Must sort that out next. You can’t have it all can you? This a the sort of location that we could easily have an extended stay, we have boats either side, both have to run their engines every day to keep some charge in the batteries, It is a nice smug feeling knowing that we no longer have to do that. At the time of writing this we have been here for 5 days and not run the engine at all. The batteries are still at full at12.8 volts. What a difference good quality batteries make, with the old batteries we could not last more than 48 hours! At last I do believe we have sorted the battery problem once and for all! (Thanks Martin) I expect to remain here for a few more days before heading for Chester. I have been told that Chester is a particularly nice place, but as it is a city and I hate towns and truly loath cities time will tell if I can get to like it. Watch this space.

Market Drayton

2010-05-17T18:01:00.000+01:00

Captains Log Canal Date 17th May 2010 Travels 6 Miles Locks 5 Current Location Market Drayton OS Ref SJ 680 346 Why is it that you can find the perfect spot to moor up, no one else about, nice views, everything we like, only to find that although there are a hundred metres of moorings available, someone always wants to moor right next to me? It is the herding instinct built into most of us. We are now low on important things like cake & puddings do time to move to the local town of Market Drayton. We came across quite a lot of other boaters today; I think the sunshine brings them out. The other thing to ponder is why can you travel without seeing another boat until you arrive at a bridge hole or a very narrow section of canal? Never at a place where it would be easy to pass! We have had a quick look at the town. It looks OK, well kept and with shops still selling things, so many towns now only have pound shops charity shops and estate agents. Whilst in the pub the other night, another boater strongly recommended that we try the food at the Talbot in Market Drayton. What do you know; we are moored up right outside it. Now there’s a stoke of luck! I suppose we will have to try it out tonight. Captains Log Canal Date 14th May 2010 Travels 5 Miles (over 2 Days) Locks 0 Current Location 5 miles South East of Market Drayton OS Ref SJ 740 272 Moved on from Norbury Junction on the hunt for quieter pastures. We travelled for about 4 miles of lock free canal when disaster struck! The boat veered towards the towpath and the engine stopped. We were right outside a nice country pub serving real ale and home cooked food. As they say in all the best commercials “That will do nicely” I did manage a few drops of ale and an excellent meal before retiring to bed. Next morning the boat started and we set off again in search of a nice spot to stay for a few days, where we are is fine but it is just a bit too close to a pub for my wallet! We travelled over the now famous Shebdon embankment; this is where the canal was breeched last summer causing the closure for many months. Not far past the embankment we came across a nice open and wide stretch of canal. This will do us for a few days. Unfortunately the phone signals of poor and the internet just is not there at all, but it is peaceful and glorious views over rolling farm land. Captains Log Canal Date 13th May 2010 Travels 12 1/2 Miles Locks 1 Current Location Norbury Junction OS Ref SJ 792 230 We set off earlier than usual today we were moving by 11.00 am, a proper early start. No real plans other than to do a few hours to charge the batteries and to find a shop for fresh bread and provisions. We soon arrived at Brewood. For some reason, totally beyond my comprehension, it is pronounced “Brood” Is it me or do we have a strange language? We found a mooring and went into the village. A nice and well kept village, not where the average pauper would live! I know that this may sound a little odd but we walked past 2 nice smelling pubs serving food and ate onboard instead. (I am sure that this state of mind will not last for long) We continued our journey after lunch; the weather was bright with sunny intervals however when the sun goes behind a cloud the temperature drops dramatically. I went from tee shirt to jacket and back to tee shirt. There was much more boat traffic than we have been used to, It must be the time of year, the majority of traffic is the hire fleets, we are now on one of the more popular cruising rings. We eventually arrived at Norbury Junction. This used to be a major junction on the canal, now it is just a name, as all the other canals have gone; there is no junction any more! However all is not lost. There is a pub, so we had to try it out. Yes it worked, the beer was good, and the food was better. Too much for me, I had to leave some of mine. We shall stay here overnight and move on to a more rural location where we will stay for a few days.

Heading North

2010-05-08T12:07:00.000+01:00

Captains Log

Canal Date 8th May 2010

Travels 4 1/2 Miles

Locks 2

Current Location Bilbrook

OS Ref SJ 888 040

After wandering round Compton re-stocking the ships medicine cabinet and fresh foods (including copious quantise of Black Country Pork Scratchings) we set off once again. This time a little earlier than yesterday, 3.00 pm.

Our first port of call was to be the chandlers about 100yds away to empty the loo tank, only to find that their pump was bust! We have our own pump but there is nowhere for miles to use it.

We continued through the lock and carried on then turned up the Shropshire Union Canal. At the junction there is the shallowest lock I have come across, it must be about 6” drop. It is also a hire base and we met up with them all. Most not having a clue what to do. It’s entertaining watching the look of horror on their faces as they try to aviod the other boats.

Its lock free sailing for some time from here.

On route we came across our first sighting of new chicks, all yellow and fluffy. The look so cute. Pam would not let me collect any; apparently you do need quite a few to make a decent meal.

We found what looked like an ideal spot to moor up, however even though there was a plied bank and mooring rings we could not get anywhere near to the bank. It is hard to move the boat when there is no water under the hull! We eventually found a concrete edged bank and moored up to that.

Why did B.W. put a ledge under the water making it impossible to get to the bank? I am sure that they have there reasons. Perhaps it is a conspiracy to try to make me fall in yet again. (Strange and wondrous ways)

I expect to remain here for a few days, at least to let the weekend boaters go back to work and free up the canal. Dam traffic!!!!

Captains Log

Canal Date 7th May 2010

Travels 3 1/2 Miles

Locks 2

Current Location Compton

OS Ref SO 883 988

After an extended stay at Dimmingsdale due mainly to us liking it there rather a lot and change of plans i.e. going away with the caravan at Easter, Going to the Falkirk Wheel, and going to Eastnor Castle for May Day weekend; we moved off rather earlier than we had planned.

On Thursday, two boats moored up at Dimmingsdale and informed us that there was several more arriving for the weekend. We then decided that it would be best if we were to move before we became boxed in. So off we went, heading north-ish towards our first planned destination – Llangollen. Now as we set off at 5.00pm not exactly at the custom nary “Crack of Dawn” we did not get that far, only as far as the first chip shop in fact. (As they say around here “Its yam Bostin chippie”)

Moving away from Dimmingsdale was both exiting as we have not moved the boat for a few weeks, but also just a little sad. It is an ideal place. It is reasonably secure and the boss (Millie) can run around all day long without getting into trouble. Also it meant that I no longer have access to my petrol gobbling monster – V8 Disco, so it is walking to shops for the next few months!!!

Compton is a pleasant enough spot, It has small supermarkets, pubs, takeaways, chemists, and of course the bostin chippie!

We will stay here overnight before we move away from Wolverhampton and into the quiet backwaters of the Shropshire Union Canal.

P.S

I have not fallen in the canal at all, not even a little bit, for weeks now. Even the bruises on my legs are almost healed! But I did walk into a barbed wire fence-top and poked a few holes in my head! Oh how I laughed!!!!

Falkirk Wheel

2010-04-22T17:20:00.002+01:00

Captains Log Canal Date 22nd April 2010 Travels 700 Miles ish 4 Locks Falkirk Wheel Current Location Dimmingsdale OS Ref SO 883 88 We spent the last few days on the Union Canal travelling from Falkirk to Edinburgh and back. The Falkirk wheel is a must see must do thing for anyone with the slightest interest in canals or engineering. It is totally amazing. The 330 miles there was broken by an overnight stop over which gave us an easy mornings drive to Falkirk the Wheel. The visitor centre alone is worth the trip but just the sight of the massive construction of the Wheel is just mind blowing. After taking over the hire boat we navigated through the Swing Bridge and lock we waited our turn to enter the Falkirk Wheel. We were soon called into our place alongside a trip boat and our journey began. It was cold and windy but still dry, unusually cold for the time of year. As we set off towards our first nights stop at Lilithgow the weather turner even colder and windier. It was a pleasant relief to go inside to the warmth of the central heating. Of course we set our priorities and once moored and sorted we set off on the hunt for food. We asked a local chap for his recommendation and he pointed us toward a hotel at the end of the town. He certainly knew his pubs, we were made extremely welcome and the food was superb, not just good for the price but good at any price. Next morning saw an unusually early start for us; we were moving by 7.15 the weather had deteriorated over night, it was not just cold; it was bloody cold, even by the Scottish level of cold. Still we continued towards Edinburgh. The bad weather soon gave way to even worse weather. This time it was driving rain, gale force winds and plummeting temperatures. 2 hours on the back was enough for anyone. It was a good job there were plenty of us to take out turn. We arrived at the quay in Edinburgh town centre at 3.00. Although it was cold, wet and very windy the female contingent still wanted to find the shops for a touch of retail therapy. My self and Glyn declined and remained onboard in the warm and dry. When the girls returned we went to a local Italian restaurant. The food was OK but a little pricy for us, however it was only 20 yards from the boat so very handy. Next morning the girls had not had enough shopping so off they went again! We eventually set of on our return trip at 10.00 and sailed to Lilithgow again. This time there was no rain and the temperature had risen to just above bloody cold and hovered around just cold. We did of course return to the same hotel and was not disappointed. Lilithgow is a delightful town with exception architecture, a delight to walk through. (Even better as both times the shops were shut!) We set off even earlier the next morning 6.45 for our final run back to the wheel. This time the sun was out, still cold but much more pleasant. The Union Canal from Falkirk to Edinburgh is not the best canal for scenery, much of it is urban. I expected to see dramatic mountain scenery but it was mainly flat except for the quarry tips here and there. Much of the architecture is at best appalling. One questions the intellect and intelligence of the architects and planners in that area! The final 330 miles back were much longer than the trip up! I don’t know why but it did seem to go on for ever. We did in fact have a good run with very little traffic problems, it is somewhat deflating when you have been travelling for 3 hour and know that you still have 150 miles to go.

Short run to Dimmingsdale

2010-03-30T18:05:00.001+01:00

Captains Log Canal Date 30th March 2010 Travels 3.5 Miles 2 Locks Current Location Dimmingsdale OS Ref SO 860 961 3 ½ miles & only 2 locks – Much more like our day’s cruising. A pleasing trip through the countryside, although we are going trough the suburbs of Wolverhampton. Very nice and quite different from the BCN. The short trip was being threatened by ever increasing black clouds. We went through a short sharp shower just before we arrived, but the main down poor waited, very kindly until after we had moored up. (That does not usually happen) Or Easter plans have been scuppered so not sure what we are doing now. This is a nice a spot as any to spend a Bank Holiday Weekend. Both the road and canal network do get busy at Bank Holidays, so I expect to remain here in the private arm surrounded by historic working boats. Just by way of a change, I have decided to not fall in the canal at all today. Captains Log Canal Date 29th March 2010 Travels 9.5 Miles 21 Locks Current Location Compton OS Ref SO 883 988 What a journey! What a surprise! I cannot stress enough how much I was not looking forward to this leg of the journey. Leaving the sanctuary of the Black Country Museum and travelling through the Black County - Tipton, Coseley, on into Wolverhampton. Then if we survive this we have the Wolverhampton 21 lock flight to look forward to. Once again the horror stories are quite wrong. The canal vista is fine, the tow path is in excellent condition and the few remaining old canal side buildings give a glimpse of this area’s proud industrial past. Yes it was a pleasure to travel this route by canal. I have worked in this area for many years, even went to collage here a very long time ago. There is no doubt that canal is the best way to travel here. Having said that, I don’t think that I would be comfortable mooring here. I think it is better to pass though and moor in a more rural area. When we arrived at the top of the first lock we were met by Rosemary, armed with here favourite windlass, with her expert help we cleared the locks in 130 minutes. Not bad considering every lock was against us. We travelled for about 7 hours, a long day by our standards. We are moored in the “Village” of Compton. It has a good pub and an excellent Chip Shop. This must be the Back County’s version of heaven. We shall stay here for a few days. Captains Log Canal Date 25th March 2010 Travels 0 Miles 0 Locks Current Location Black Country Museum OS Ref SO 950 918 Just a quick update. It would appear that I am not very good with days stating with a “T” as I fell in again just after posting the last entry. Not quite as dramatic this time but just as wet and cold. The saving grace this time was that the canal was only 4ft deep this time so my best leather hat did not float away. I was not carrying my phone either, mainly because it has not recovered from the previous dunking. It is quite amazing just how quickly one can get wet and how long it takes to dry out one’s clothes I am starting to get bored with this canal swimming malarkey. I shall make a conscious effort to not do it until the water warms up a lot.