Dimmingsdale to Greensforge

Captains Log         5th Leg of the World Cruise.



Start Location Dimmingsdale Lock
Finish location Greens Forge Lock (Navigation Inn)


Miles  6        Locks 13

A bright and cheerful start to the day, apart that is from the noise that the BW work boat made first thing this morning.
The sun is shinning, it’s a bit warmer a good day for not going to work if ever there was one.
Almost as soon as we started of we became stuck. The boat became jammed in Dimmingsdale lock. I think there was something under us and we were trapped by some branches that the BW workmen had just cut down. After a 45 minutes of filling & emptying, backward & forwarding we eventually got out. The workmen were making a right old mess of the canal. They were cutting back the trees & bushes on the off side bank. All very good but they were throwing all the chippings and the branches back into the canal. We stopped at the bottom of Bratch and walked to the Station Cafe for lunch. Always very good food there and today was no exception. We then carried on and caught up with the BW workmen at Bumble hole lock. They insisted on going through first. We did not mind at all, without gloating too much, we have all day and they do have a job to do  and we don't. We caught them up again not long after and this time we were determind to overtake them before the next lock, which was a staircase lock. All the way the sun was shinning and everyone seemed to be so happy – even the fishermen!

It must be Spring now as green is bursting out of the bushes and trees. everywhere you look you see a green mist decending on the hedgerows  . It will not be long before little yellow fluffy ducks are running on top of the water.

We moored up for the night on the visitor’s moorings below Greens forge Lock and to my complete and utter surprise there is a nice welcoming pub opposite. Well, as I have often said before – It would be rude not to call in.

More leaks!

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.