And finally...Our last day.

The alarm on my mobile phone went off at 06:00hrs., but I'd been awake for some hours. It was cold and I didn't want to get out of bed. But I had to, I was busting. After I'd sorted that out and put the kettle on, I started packing the last of the bits and pieces - The walkie talkies, keys, torch, chargers etc. etc. then outside and brrr! its cold, well below freezing and a black frost. I tried cleaning the odd bits and pieces that I missed last night but any water I used just froze on the cold steel. So that had to go by the bye. Time to get TQ over to the other side of the canal for a pump out, a re-fuel and replenish the water tank. Managed to "negotiate" a 40/60 split on 58.73 litres of diesel (thats 40% propulsion, and 60% domestic) as its been cold, and the engine is not propelling the boat when in locks so its generating electricity and hot water, and there's been 108 locks.

Brought the car down close to the boat and began loading. A quick visit to the office to pay our dues and we were on our way down the M42 and M5. A stop in North Petherton to pick up the cat and we were home by 13:00hrs.

A few more pix:-

Sometimes I let Lin steer Tranquility

Low water level in the pound

Just about the only use for these expensive bollards, although I can think of one other and it involves walking the dog. I'll leave that one to your imagination.

And sometimes Lin lets me steer Tranquility

Boxing Day and Our last full day.

Friday 26th, and we pushed on back to The Queens Head at the bottom of the Tardebigge Flight. From Oddingley we traveled about four miles before we came to our first locks of the day, a flight of six at Astwood and then a stop opposite the Boat and Railway to pick up water and have lunch - turkey and ham sandwiches and a bowl of soup. Onward, and through another six locks at Stoke and an overnight stop at the Queens Head. This time we didn't go in for a drink as we still had loads of food and drink on board and we didn't want to take it home with us. There was a lovely sunset just after we moored.

As the Sun sinks slowly in the West... through the bridge 'ole.

Saturday the 27th, and now the return onslought. Thirty locks of the Tardebigge Flight, and all of them to be done today. Well, as it turned out it was a doddle. Started at 09:00hrs and finished at 13:15hrs. All bar three locks were in our favour, (this means they were already empty and waiting for us) so lucky.

AAH! Last one

But we can't stop yet we're still too far from Alvechurch. So its onward back to our base through Tardebigge Tunnel and Shortwood Tunnel before mooring opposite the marina on public moorings. We cleaned our boat and packed ready for the morning.

Worcester to Tibberton & Oddingley

Well here we are, Christmas Eve, and after a morning spent in Worcester, looking around the City and the Cathedral, Lin wanted to look around the Cathedral, I'm not the religious type, but I couldn't help being impressed by the architecture, it is quite amazing.

Back to the boatyard, and we said our thanks and goodbyes and filled up with water before leaving on our return journey, so we didn't get to Diglis after all. Maybe another day. So its back to our planned stop The Bridge. An excellent meal again but this time it was a bit more expensive, but we don't mind paying more if its good and indeed it was.

Christmas Day, and we had a lazy morning, other boats moved away well before us, but we thought no-one would be mooring on a spot we picked out on the way to Worcester. About 3/4 of a mile further up the cut is a nice spot between two bridges where the railway line comes close to the canal. There being no trains today, its very peaceful here.

Our Location on Christmas Day.

Oddingley, Bridge no. 26

After phoning home and Lins parents in Spain, we settled down to Christmas lunch. Turkey sprouts, roast potatoes, roast parsnip etc., then we opened our presents.

Made it to Worcester

I'd better start where I left off - last night in the Bridge Inn we had a superbe meal, bearing in mind it was Monday, and Monday night is CURRY NIGHT. Well, its gotta be dun, annit. And we had a really good chicken curry served in a stainless bowl with a rice tower on a plate together with a poppadum. It didn't look too large on the plate but we found it quite filling. Afterwards we had a cheese platter with biscuits. All this and two rounds of drinks came to £20.40. How cool is that?

A dull day, but hey its not raining.

Anyway, Tuesday, and it started a bit miserable with a light drizzle early on and remained dry and cloudy for the rest of the day. Pulled away fron the Bridge Inn at around 09:00hrs and got into Worcester by 13:00hrs, after having done twelve locks, four of which were flooded making it difficult to open gates.

Top pound full to overflowing into the lock. Can't open these gates until the level drops.


Lower gates and again overflowing into the pound.

Pulled into the Viking Afloat boatyard and I turned TQ around while Lin went to find someone to ask permission to stay the night. No problem, and it was 0.15p/foot length for secure moorings. The man said we were the first boat movement here for weeks. So we moored alongside one of the Viking fleet, and then went into the City for some shopping. Incidentally I forgot to bring the card reader with me so I'm not able to upload any photos until we get home. Tried to get one today but they were all silly money. Ihave some photos taken on my mobile phone so I apologise for the poor quality. The Internet connection is so slow it takes about 5 mins to upload a photo, and thats the fastest it will go, so no more photos 'till we get home - sorry.
Off to Diglis Basin tomorrow to fill with water and to 180 (turn around).

The first two days...

...have been up and down. Got up early on Sunday morning, 05:00hrs and after packing the final bits and pieces we toddled off up the M5 towards Birmingham. A good journey, two hours in all, and when we arrived at the boatyard, it was closed so we had to wait for them to open. (Should have been 09:00hrs but it was 09:20hrs before there were signs of life). When they opened I went in and asked for the keys to TQ and they couldn't find them. Spent ages looking for them and made some phone enquiries, but to no avail. So I phoned the Carefree engineer and he said they were in the gas locker. Lo and behold there they were together with Willows keys. After loading the boat, checking the diesel, water levels, oil level etc. we made off. Departed Alvechurch at 11:00hrs and when we got to Tardebigge tunnel there was a sign telling us to keep to the left of the tunnel. When we were inside there were some lights in the distance, couldn't make out what it was until we got really close. It was a Santas Grotto and a trip boat was bringing boat loads of kids into the tunnel to see Santa, and it was all very well done. After a gruelling trip, during which the sun did shine, through 30 yes 30 locks we made it to the Queens Head by 17:00hrs and yes it was pitch dark, the last locks done by candle light. No I jest, there are lights on the boat and I operated the locks by torchlight.
Later we went into the Queens Head for a meal, but unfortunately they don't serve food on Sunday evenings. So we just had a drink and came back to the boat and had a buffet style supper. The last time we went in that pub was nearly twenty years ago, and its changed a lot. Its not what I'd call a traditional pubby pub like I remember it, but more of an up market (well almost) too well decorated semi restaurant with Sky Sports on a very large wide screen, and sofas that have become a bit too careworn. All a bit too commercialised for my liking.

Monday, and wer'e up early before first light, couldn't wait to get started and stuck in to the remaining 12 locks to Tibberton. We arrived at the Eagle and Sun bang on lunch time but the pub was closed. Food was being cooked, we could smell it, but the doors were locked and no-one seemed to be there. The time was nearly 13:00hrs and a notice said they open at 12:00hrs. Oh well, they've lost our business, and a few others no doubt too, so we had lunch on the boat instead. By this time they were open - tough. After lunch we headed off through Dunhamstead and its tunnel. Lin was hoovering the carpets as they were in a very dirty state when we took posession, when we went through the tunnel. "Who put the lights out", came the shout from within. Going through Oddingley we spotted a nice spot where we'd like to moor on the way back for Christmas Day, right next to the railway line. It'll be OK, there'll be no trains running that night, so It'll be peaceful. On to Tibberton and we've moored right outside the Bridge Inn. Lets hope its open and we can get fed tonight. Third time lucky maybe? Will keep you posted.

Its Saturday evening...

...and the car is packed ready to go. The woodburning stove in our dining room is ready and waiting for me to cook a steak in, and a glass of fine red wine is on the table. A superbe meal of steak chips and very large mushrooms, followed by a chocolate cheesecake with ice cream. How dirty is that? Here's looking forward to tomorrow.

It looks like Christmas plans are on again...

British Waterways (bless 'em) have been down the Worcester and Birmingham Canal and are dredging it, and will be allowing passage on the offside from 13:00hrs on 19th December. This is excellent news. Plan A is back on. Here's what BW have written:-

19 - 24 Dec 2008
Restriction: Bridge 58 to Shortwood TunnelAssociated Regional Office: BW West Midlands
Due to excessive amounts of silt being washed into the canal navigation is restriced to the offide section of the canal. Dredging in the area may cause some delays where safety dictates this.Please note the canal is closed until 1pm on Friday 19th December 2008British Waterways apologises for any inconvenience caused.
(Enquiries: 01827 252000)

More updates as they arrive.

It looks like Christmas plans are scuppered...

After months of planning, we learned today that the Worcester and Birmingham Canal is blocked due to excessive build-up of silt. That leaves us with Birmingham City Centre or the Stratford upon Avon Canal. Well, we were in Birmingham City Centre in September, so it looks like a trip down the Stratford. British Waterways website Waterscrape reads thus:-

15 Dec 2008 until further notice
Stoppage: Bridge 58Associated Regional Office: BW West Midlands
Due to adverse weather conditions an excessive amount of silt has washed from surrounding fields into the canal reducing the draft to and un-navigable depth. The navigation is closed from Tardebigge to Alvechurch Marina. There are winding holes at both Alvechurch and Tardebigge.Due to the nature of the problem updates for completion will be supplied as soon as they are available.British Waterways apologises for any inconvenience caused.
(Enquiries: 01827 252000)

We'll be keeping an eye on the situation leading right up to the day we go.

OK, I digress...

I know its not TQ, but we can't get enough narrowboating. Its a long time from May to Christmas to go without a boating holiday, so to fill in the gap, we thought we'd try a style of boat we'd like to buy when I retire, so we hired Florence, a 70 foot traditional tug to check out the layout and size. First impressions were "Its huge" and "Nice" and when we went inside our impressions were the same. She's a smashing boat, having just been repainted in August, she looks brand new. Lin was never really sure if she'd like the bed under the front tug deck, but after only a couple of nights she's warming to the idea. Also the walk through bathroom is a new idea to us, and again we have no problem with that other than the toilet cassette is exchanged via a cabinet under the worktop in the kitchen. The walk through bathroom is a good idea because it gives you a lot more space, but it may mean the toilet is on show from other parts of the boat when the doors are open. We don't mind that. One really good thing is the engine is amid ships, and in winter this will keep the boat warm and aired. Ideal for drying washing over a warm engine and have a side door open to ventilate. Of course if any work needs doing to the engine, it can be done from the inside, a boon during wet weather. The boatmans cabin is a traditional style, all very nice, but for us its a bit of a waste of space. OK the range would be good in winter as the heat can help keep the steerer warm and boil a kettle and heat lunch at the same time. But I'd like to see a washing machine/tumble dryer and more storage space in there instead of a bunk bed.

Arrived at the Black Country Living Museum on Sunday lunch time and we moored up and went straight into the museum and into the Bottle and Glass for a pint and a butty. I've heard my dear old Dad talk about pubs with saw dust on the floor, but I've never been in one until now. Then we had a good stroll around the grounds. There's so much to see you really need a whole day to see and do it all. Well worth the visit. We stayed there overnight and on Monday morning we chugged our way to the centre of Birmingham and moored up outside Symphony Court opposite the NIA only to find the Conservative Party Conference was taking place in the ICC nearby. The whole area was crawling with police and a restriction was in place across the canal. We could go through with the boat but we had to have a police escort to go through. I think the police just want a free ride on a boat so they place a couple of Bobby's on the bow as you go through. We've got all this when we go through tomorrow.

The weather has forced us to hole up for today (Tuesday) and we have to move on tomorrow as we will have outstayed our welcome (limited mooring), and the weather for Wednesday looks twice as bad, but we have to take our chance.
Wednesdays weather wasn't so bad in the morning and we had the Police escort to look forward to as we turned the corner towards Gas Street Basin. A barrage of blue floating barrels tied together with rope strung out across the canal meant we had to stop and take on board two policemen to escort us past Gas Street Basin and through the Worcester Bar. Lin was in her element. "Are you River Police?" she asked, "No" came the reply, "We're Riot Squad from Wolverhampton", so this job, as I'm led to understand is a bit of a 'jolly' for them.Excitement over, we turned the corner at the Mail Box and moored up to take on water and empty the cassette (the bog). Then onwards through Wast Hill Tunnel, nearly 2.5 Km long, to Kings Norton Junction where we stopped briefly for some lunch. To Hopwood and the rain was horizontal and so much of it too. By early evening the rain had cleared and we arrived in Alvechurch looking for a place to wind. We had to go all the way down to the winding hole at the Anglo-Welsh boatyard at the top of Tardebigge. Plenty of room to rotate 70ft of length, and Florence turned on a sixpence. A couple of people from the boatyard were watching as we turned, and I think they were impressed, whether it was the boat or my ability to to wind I'm not sure. Then a trip back to Alvechurch where we moored for the night. Then we rounded off the day with pint and a meal in the Weighbridge. We had faggots chips and mushy peas and a sweet all for a fiver each, and it was good. We'll be going back there again when we're on TQ next time.
The long tug deck

Thursday and its back to Birmingham City Centre, but not before watching a boat being craned out of the water right opposite our mooring. Before we left I went into the shop and bought a postcard and some methylated spirit as we were nearly out. (We use this to light the diesel heater on Florence). All the Police were gone by now so it was straight through to the moorings where we found most of them taken up and were lucky to find one left at the far end, and it was just long enough for Florence.

Stayed in the City Centre again on Friday and went shopping for this and that, like you do, (or like we do). Tried to get some batteries for our camera but they were £6.99 for two and we needed four! Needless to say we declined. Found some on eBay, eight for £10.66 inc. postage. That's better. Also bought a mop for the decks, some wine glasses and a tin opener as the one on Florence is worse than useless.

Saturday morning and its time to head home. So its along the Main Line to Smethwick where we turn right and go up via three locks to the summit level of the BCN. I went down into the boatmans cabin to pick up the windlass and bumped my head on a cross beam inside the roof of the boat and ended up on the floor like a busted bag of flour. Hey ho! hazards of boating. Three locks later and through a short tunnel, and then through a network of bends and bridges under the M5 Motorway. Not far to go now and we were moored up shortly after Noon. Got unloaded and a quick sprint back down the M5 to home. We enjoyed our time on Florence, and we found out things that we thought we'd like to include on our boat one day but were not sure about. So this holiday has incorporated some research. Holiday over, back to work tomorrow.

About us

Hi!
We are Kevin and Linda Trott from Somerset, and yes, you've guessed already, we're wurzels, swede bashers, turnip cutters etc., and we even have the proper accent.



I work shifts in a local factory doing maintenance and breakdowns, and occasionally some design and development work which is far more interesting. I have a machine shop at home where I can pursue a facet to my other interest, radio controlled model aircraft, where I make my own engines.




Linda is retired and she makes sample greetings cards for a TV channel and cards for sale in a local market and at car boot sales. Those that don't sell go to charity. She also looks after me, feeds me, washes my clothes, cleans our house, tends the garden etc., she tells me the list is endless.

We became involved in narrowboats way back in 1979 when we hired a six berth boat on the River Wey for our Honeymoon. It was brilliant, and we've been narrowboating most years since.

This is Tranquility...

Tranquility is a 58' semi-trad steel hull narrowboat built by Colecraft, fitted out by Elton Moss Boatbuilders. She is powered by a Beta Marine Greenline 43 four cylinder diesel engine, and has a contemporary style interior.

Starting at the bow we have the Tipcat followed by the gas locker with enough room for two 13Kg bottles. Under the front well floor is the bow thruster and the stainless steel fresh water tank. Two locker/seats are on both port and starboard sides of the front well.

Through the steel glazed front doors, we enter the Saloon. On the portside is the Bubble multi fuel stove, with the TV/DVD/Radio on the starboard. Moving further aft there is a built in settee/double bed and then an 'L' shaped dinette/double bed.


Next is the Galley consisting of a Spinflo four burner gas hob and fridge/(small)freezer under. Moving round there is worktop space and stainless sink and separate drainer with cutlery drawer and loads of cupboard space under. Further around is a microwave oven, eye level gas grill and oven with washing machine/tumble dryer under. On the starboard side there is a drop-down table under the trading hatch.

Bathroom has a full size shower with mixer tap, a good sized wash basin and a macerator loo with a large storage tank.

Next a full width double bed over the storage tank. On to the aft end where steps lead to the control panel, isolators and switchgear, then the rear steel doors and roof hatch.

Outside the area is flanked by lockers both sides with engine and controls on the port side. Two steel doors close off the area at night. The counter has the fuel filler, fuel tank vent, two bollards, rudder bearing and tiller arm and finally, the button.

In the beginning...

We've been hooked on narrowboats since 1979 taking out hire boats once or twice a year as our pocket allows. Then we thought as we do this so often, we should find a cheaper way of doing it. Then we discovered the share boat schemes. After trawling through dozens of brochures from different suppliers we settled on Carefree Cruising for our boat. Launched in June 2005, Narrowboat Tranquility has seen many miles up and down the Trent and Mersey, the Shroppie and the Llangollen to name just a few. In May of this year (2008) TQ moved moorings from Sandbach to Alvechurch, so we now have the opportunity to explore areas new to us. In the offing are the BCN, Worcester and Birmingham, the Stratford, the Grand Union and more. These are tales of our exploits along the way and we hope you'll find them interesting.