EGM today

Due to popular demand (though you wouldn't think so looking at the ratings) it was suggested that I open this blog to all Tranquility Syndicate Members. So invites have been sent and more people will be blogging here in future. That'll make the ratings rise.

It has been decided that we are staying at Alvechurch for at least the next three months. This lets us off the hook as we feared we might be volunteered into taking TQ back to Elton Moss in Cheshire. This also means we're going round the Warwickshire Ring. The big decision now is whether to go clockwise or counter clockwise.

TQ has just had her gunwales and roof painted and in the photos sent to me it makes her look a whole lot better. Looking forward to seeing her in the steel.

Looks great in the photos

Our last day...

...and despite the weather we've had a great time aboard Tranquility. We left Oozells Loop early this morning in fog and made our way to Winson Green Junction where we turned right and cruised up the Soho Loop.

Our turn into the Soho Loop

It was a pleasant trip and I think if we as boaters don't use these backwaters, we'll lose them, if not to neglect and nature, then to the authorities and developers. That's why we went up there, just to add to the numbers and help prevent their loss. Although a bit shallow in places, its surprisingly easy to navigate and relatively free of detritus.

The Main Line Railway Bridge

Winson Green Prison Bridge

This appears to go under the prison although its not big enough to get a narrow boat through, I wonder if any prisoners have tried to escape through here.

Moving across the BCN Main Line at Rotton Park Junction into the Icknield Loop we found this to be more compact waters and speed should be kept to a minimum. Also if you have a chimney up, take it down. The bridges are very low.

This is a familiar name

In the Icknield Loop

Behind the grassy bank is Rotton Park Reservoir.

Farmers Bridge Top Lock and Cambrian Wharf

Back on the Main BCN Line we crused back to Old Turn Junction and a short way down the Birmingham and Fazeley to fill with water before winding and mooring up in Gas Street Basin and visiting Brenda and David aboard NB Mr David. Its nice to natter.

The Selly Oak works

I forgot to photograph this on the way to Birmingham, but I remembered on the way back to Alvechurch. You'll need to go dead slow here and wait for the workmen to raise the bridge for you. At weekends its left open.

A closer look

Tonight we're moored about a mile short of Alvechurch, just South of the M42 Motorway, the darkness and cold beat us. Tomorrow we go back to Alvechurch, load up the car and sprint back down the M5 to Somerset, picking up the cat on the way home. Another holiday over, we've had a great time, back to work on Tuesday. Roll on May.

Not much done today and going up in the ratings.

Still here at Oozells Loop. I went out and did some shopping, just a paper, bread and some batteries. Guess who I saw today:-

Sorry about the quality, it was taken with a mobile phone.

Went for a walk around the Soho Loop this aft. Very pleasant except for the man with the two unruly dogs who just jumped up at me and plastered their muddy feet all over me. Unfortunately we met again and exactly the same thing happened, and not a word of apology. Both dogs would have gone in the cut this time if it were'nt for the fact the owner was bigger than me.

Will take TQ up around the Soho Loop tomorrow, another backwater we've not been before.

I never thought Travels on Narrow Boat Tranquility would go up so fast in the ratings - 87 in the Top 100 sites and 53 51 in the UK. It won't stay there for long, next week there'll be a drop back to normal. In the mean time I'm going to enjoy the high.

Back in the same spot, but where have we been? Read on...

I was caught proping up the bar in the Bottle and Glass

I couldn't blog yesterday as there was not enough signal strength on the 3 dongle thingy. We left Oozells Loop and cruised up th New Main Line and detoured up the Gower Branch through the three Brades Locks where we encountered two minor problems. The first was ice as we approached the first lock but we managed through that OK, the second was the staircase locks were completely empty - both of them. I had to fill the top lock first and then empty it into the next lock and move TQ along one then fill the top lock again and move TQ out. We made it to the Black Country Living Museum and apart from the two museum boats we were the only ones there. We filled with water when we arrived then winded and reversed back to the moorings. Had a look around the museum again today before setting off and heading back to Oozells Loop, via Oldbury and under the M5 Motorway arriving at around 17:00hrs.

I've been discovered, it seems. 88 in the boating sites ratings. Can't be bad.

Summit Tunnel

Under the M5 Motorway

Blakeley Hall Bridge

Florence

A fine narrow boat

The bar in the Bottle and Glass

In the midground, President and Kildare

Engine Arm Aqueduct

Staying put and into the Top 100

This is a really quiet spot right under the eye of a CCTV camera and there are security guards patrolling the quay side and helicopters patrolling overhead. It must be the safest mooring on the cut. Access to the amenities is just as easy from here and talking of amenities we had lunch in the Malt House. Steak and Ale Pie, Mash and Peas - Mmm! it was delicious.

Todays location - Oozells loop

Back on TQ now and we've crashed!

We'll stay here again tonight and do some exploring tomorrow.

I've just realised that at this time this blog has broken into the Top 100 Boating Sites at number 100 - Yippee! That's the highest its been.

Oozells Loop

I've just been for a walk around Oozells Loop and I found it very disappionting. Most of the tow path is closed off and made private. I had to go up some steps and over a bridge and down a road so far and turn right to get back to the loop at the other end. I then walked up the loop and it came to a dead end unless I wanted to get wet. Not today, so I had to use a foot bridge to come back through Symphony Court.

Sheepcote end

A new? FMC building

Oh! look, its Paul

Monday freezing morning...

...and everyone's at work back home and here we are frozen in. There was ice on the inside of the windows this morning. We're having to hole up for the day and hopefully tomorrow the ice may have melted some and we're able to make our way to Gas Street Basin. Heavy rain is forecast for the next few days - Oh! well, you can't have everything.

Smoke on...GO! (It's a Red Arrows thing)

Sun up.

Approximately 16.327mm depth of snow

Update:-

We had lunch in the Hopwood House, something we said we'd never do again after the last time, but it was quite a better experience this time. We had Beef Goulash and very nice it was too. After lunch we decided to take a chance with the ice on the canal and see if we could get to Gas Street Basin. Departing from our mooring was difficult as the ice wouldn't let us point the bow out into the middle of the cut. A few stabs at the ice with the "Bargee Kev" (like Bills but mine) soon had us on our way. So, on through Wast Hill Tunnel and we met some BW guys working on the bank. They were pleased to see us as they had tried to get their equipment on the move but were unable to due to their square fronted hopper/ butty  being unable to penetrate the ice.

When we arrived at Kings Norton Junction we could see in the distance a camera crew filming. We came closer to realise it was Alan Herd of Narrow Boat Afloat fame, the TV series. Remember Dover? We had a chat about the ice as we passed through, and the film crew kept filming us as we ploughed on towards Birmingham.

Arrived at the water point opposite The Cube at around 16:30hrs and filled with water, and then through the Worcester Bar which marks the end (or beginning) of the Worcester and Birmingham Canal, and the beginning (or end) of the BCN. We moored up at 17:00hrs under the watchful eye of the CCTV camera just inside Oozells Loop. Its very quiet here.

Ice - 40mm thick where we moored last night

Edgebaston Tunnel - Look no ice!

ICED IN!

We tried and failed. The ice on the Worcester and Birmingham Canal is too thick. We moved out of Alvechurch and cruised to Just South of Wast Hill Tunnel. If the ice was as thick between here and Gas Street Basin we would'nt be able to get there before dark and the risk of mooring in the pound North of Wast Hill Tunnel is too high, so its best we moor here just South of Bridge 69.

Our current location South of Bridge 69 on the Worcesterand Birmingham Canal

The adventure starts here

We're just getting ready to load the car with all the parafernalia that comes with narrow boating. I've had a thought, (careful) I have'nt washed the car, its in a bit of a state with driving through muddy lanes. Oh! well... If I'd washed it, it would probably be filthy dirty again by the time we get to Alvechurch.

I've checked for stoppages on the BCN and the Worcester and Birmingham and its all clear, just a restriction at Selly Oak.

I'll catch up later, hopefully from the Gas Street Basin area.

Best laid plans...

Well, it looks as though most of  the canals around Alvechurch are closed at various places due to planned and unplanned maintenance. We were hoping to cruise the Grand Union but the Stratford is closed just North of Lapworth Junction, so we thought Birmingham and we'll cruise some backwaters we've not been before. Think again, the Worcester and Birmingham is closed at Selly Oak for a new road and aqueduct. Only one route left, the W and B to Worcester - Tardebigge again - and again on the way back. Oh! well, its all good excercise and we really need excercise.

UPDATE: 23/01/10
The stoppage at Selly Oak has been lifted.

Home again.

Well another holiday over, they go far too fast for my liking. Sorry I didn't blog last night, but I was so busy cleaning and polishing TQ, I didn't finish 'till after dark and was too exhausted to get the laptop out. The paint work on TQ had become very oxidised and had a dull finish, so I used T Cut to remove the oxide and then polished with Craftmaster Wax. Now she shines beautifully. I'm sure the next shareholders to holiday aboard will appreciate it, and its set ready for the onslaught of winter.

We moored just South of the M42 Motorway bridge and it was surprisingly quiet in the night, just the odd vehicle going by, and the sound deadening bridge sides helped to muffle it considerably.

No pix for today, but here's some I took earlier:-

A problem occurring here...

...and here.

About time this was repaired, look at the weeds growing in it.

That piling is not a permanant solution.

Yarningale Aqueduct

This is Lengthman's Cottage, a Landmark Trust building.

Probably has one of the best extensions.

Typical milestone along the Stratford.

Part of the flight at Lapworth

That bizzarre bit on the side at Preston Bagot.

An inscribed lock coping stone.

Two days worth, and I get shot at!

Yes, there was no signal again last night (Thursday), we were moored just above Lock 33 near Yarningale, and its right out in the sticks. Before we got there we made a stop at Bridge 49 to pick some sloes. Its a good year for sloes, they're everywhere, but these were exceptional in that they were huge, about the size of grapes. I stopped TQ right under the bridge and left her there while we scrumped the harvest. We haven't weighed them yet, but it looks like it may be around a kilogram, picked in about ten minutes. All along this canal there are lock keepers cottages with round topped roofs. Many have been spoiled by some unusual extensions being attached. This one at Preston Bagot looks kind of OK in a bizarre way, but is definitely not in keeping with the original building. Others have had extensions built with a poor attempt to keep the style by using new bricks and brand new tiles. They look awful. Here's some pix:-

Most bizzarre

This on looks better, but you can't see the new extension behind.

I thought pigs could fly...

...but this takes the biscuit!

Lapworth Bottom Lock No.27. I know where I'd rather be.

23 locks today.

Friday, and its full steam ahead to get as far as possible so we have plenty of time to clean TQ before we leave on Sunday. We made good headway up the Lapworth Flight and at Kingswood Junction I was walking back from preparing lock 19 when there was a hissing sound went rapidly over the top of my head and crashed through the trees. It was the unmistakable sound of an air rifle. I reported it to the BW man at the scene and he did a walk round the area but found nothing. A bit later Lin heard the same thing. Whoever it is they'll get caught.

Made it to lock 14 and couldn't resist going in The Boot for lunch. And the weather was so good we opted for lunch in the garden. It was wonderful.


Onward, and we had the rest of the flight to do and we are now moored just outside Hockley Heath between bridges 24 and 23. A lovely quiet spot and good telly and 3g connection. We've done our last lock today, and there's one last lifting bridge tomorrow, an electric one, so much easier.

30 Locks and 2 lift bridges. Phew!

Stratford

Slipped the piling hooks at 09:40hrs and headed off down the last five locks to Bancroft Basin. We intended to start later this morning to give time to those leaving the Basin to vacate the premises and make their way up the locks leaving them in our favour. We moored just a few yards outside the Basin and walked under the bridge to see the state of play. There were plenty of spaces but we didn't fancy mooring side by side on the pontoons, so we decided to stay put. Its a relatively quiet spot so we're happy. The Basin and surrounding area has become very commercialised with ice cream sellers, burger bars, river trips and floating restaurants - shame.

We made enquiries about a temporary licence to take TQ onto the River Avon, not that we have time, but it would be interesting to know. £35.00 for the Upper Avon (valid for 15 days) and £55.00 for both Upper and Lower Avon (also valid for 15 days). Not today thank you!

Had lunch in the Dirty Duck. This is a quaint olde worlde pub often frequented by thesbians from the Royal Shakespeare Company. Didn't see anyone famous today, though. I had a cheese ploughmans and Lin had a ham, and we swapped half the cheese and ham to have half each, if you see what I mean.

The wide beam in the distance is a restaurant boat.

The blue and white boat on the far side is an ice cream sales boat.

Tomorrow morning we head into the Basin to wind and then make our way back up the Stratford. Not sure where the next stop will be yet.

The best laid plans...

Well, I was hoping to start writing up this last Sunday evening, but there was no signal from where we were moored. No 3G, no mobile phone signal on mine or Lins, and no telly. Not even a glimmer. Anyway, Sunday we left Alvechurch at around 11:45hrs and made our way North through Wast Hill Tunnel which, incidentally was the slowest journey we've ever made following another boat. We were on tick over and kept catching up with the boat in front, and having to stop to let him go on a bit. At Kings Norton Junction we turned right onto the Stratford upon Avon Canal and left the slowcoach to go on his way to birmingham. The rest of the days journey was eventless, oh, apart from a couple of egits who found it most amusing to spit at us as we exited Brandwood Tunnel. Could have been worse, could have been bricks! We didn't fancy mooring any where along this stretch and it wasn't for at least five miles before mooring became a possibility. We found a spot just past the Blue Bell Cider House at Illshaw Heath, in a bit of a cutting covered with trees, very peaceful. 1 lock. If you can call it a lock. It used to be a lock which separated the two canal companies. Both gates are left open so its straight through now.

The next morning we were up early, well early for Lin, and by 08:00hrs were on our way again. Soon we came to the Top Lock at Lapworth and began our decent, stopping off at the Boot Inn for lunch. well, it would be rude not to. As it was lunch time and we had a million locks to do we thought it best to only have something light so we opted for a ploughmans each. It was too much really, it came on a huge wooden platter with ham and two cheeses, and all the other stuff. Very nice, though. Onward, and we had to force ourselves to get going in the afternoon, so we went straight on at Kingswood Junction after taking on water, and finished the day between bridge 40 and the Fleur de Lys. 29 locks, 2 lift bridges.

Today, and not quite so early and we got away at 08:40hrs, chugged our way down the Stratford to Yarningale where there is an aqueduct very close to lock 34. Here's some pix:-

Yarningale Aqueduct

Low level tow path

Its a lovely spot

Only a little way further on at Wootton Wawen is another aqueduct which spans the A3400 trunk road to/from Birmingham. Its very odd to be cruising over a main road and drivers and passegers are waving at you 20 feet above them. And, would you believe it, another aqueduct, even more impressive, is the Edstone Aqueduct at Bearley Cross. This spans 475 feet and is 28 feet high above a by-road, a tributary of the River Alne, and the twin tracks of the Birmingham and North Warwickshire Railway. It must be a bit odd when walking the tow path to look up at narrow boats cruising by. More pix:-

Edstone Aqueduct, tow path side...

...and the other side

Looking back across Edstone Aqueduct

The weather has been good so far, but today has been quite windy although it's not effected us too badly. We're now moored just below lock 50 for the night ready for the five locks down to Bancroft Basin tomorrow.

Old Waterscape maps - Ended?

...Just tried to look up the old Waterscape mapping system and it's gone. Shock horror, but I'm not surprised. Typing in the link https://secure.waterscape.com/map just takes you to the home page. Another money saving cut made in order to line the already heavy pockets in Ivory Towers no doubt. The old maps showed locks, bridges and tunnels etc, in reasonably accurate detail, but now locks, bridges and tunnels are not shown. A load of other less related "stuff" is there now, and accuracy is to the nearest parish. For instance Alvechurch Marina is indicated by a Moorings sign in Droitwich. I don't think I'll bother with it in future.