Waterscape maps

You may have discovered that Waterscape have changed their mapping system to Google maps and personally, I don't like it. Theres too much clutter and not enough detail and its geared more for the motorist rather than the boater as it doesn't highlight the canals. But, by accident I discovered the old mapping system using the OS map topography here. Why its a secure site I'm not sure, however you can still use it at present.

...and home

Last night we moored up near the Crown, arriving back later than expected due to the fiasco with the fellow breaking down with his boat and then falling in the water etc., This morning we got up early and started packing. I cleaned the fire and Lin did whatever Lin does. Between us we made TQ look good, especially with the new carpet - nice. Later I did the daily checks and started the engine and then moved the 200 yards or so to the winding hole, turned TQ around and reversed back for the pump out and diesel. Then we loaded up the car and after that was done we were instructed to reverse back to the pontoons and moor up next to Willow. (She looks nice in her new livery). Then we cleaned the outside and when we finished it was a quickish sprint down the M42 and M5.
Work tomorrow - roll on May.

This was moored behind us last night. Once it was somebodys pride and joy, alas, no longer.

What a day - Saved two lives - potentially

There's no photos of today to publish, so I'll post some others later, but first, this:- the (allegedly) unlicensed boat in the photo of yesterdays post, behind TQ, was running his engine quite late in the evening last night. I switched off my engine at 20:oohrs and later during the night I could still hear his engine. During the small hours I woke two or three times and I'm sure I could still hear it running. Sure enough when I opened the back doors there was a tell tale cloud of diesel around the stern of his boat. I thought that engine has definitely been running all night, which worried me. So I strolled up to see if I could see anyone around. Nobody. So I strolled down to Broad Street Tunnel hoping to meet the BW lengths man aboard Aquarius. Luckily enough I did, and explained to him that I was worried about this boaters welfare. We investigated and couldn't find anyone on board. We tried to stop the engine but couldn't hoping this would bring him out wondering why the engine had stopped. The BW guy said he would contact the duty supervisor before taking further action. About an hour later he returned and as he passed TQ someone appeared from the boat. What a relief.

While all this was going on Lin went to visit Brenda and David aboard N B Mr. David moored in Gas Street Basin and having followed their blog for some time she was pleased to finally meet them. Next time we're passing we'll pop in again and say hello. As an aside, whilst chatting to Brenda and David, Lin learned that they had entertained Nigel Kennedy the acclaimed violinist, on their boat. Funny that... we saw him last Monday walking the towpath near Birmingham University. He did speak to us saying we are very lucky to be boat owners.

It didn't stop there, next we came across a narrow boat and a cruiser close to Birmingham University and the cruiser was straddling the cut. We thought a chin wag was going on but it was a lot more serious than that. The cruiser had broken down and the steerer had been in the water. Later we learned he only had one arm (no this is not a joke) and because of this he couldn't get out of the cut. Some passers by David and Maureen were assisting him and managed to get him out of the cut. The poor guy was freezing and may have been suffering from mild shock. David and Maureen organised a change of clothes for him and we towed his boat about quarter of a mile to a place where it could be moored to the pilings. His mate caught up with him at this point and helped him fix his engine, and this is where we had to leave. We offered David and Maureen a lift back to Alvechurch and we stowed their bikes in the cratch and made our way back through Wast Hill Tunnel, and moored right out side their house near the boat yard.

What a day. Chicken curry and a beer beckons. Cheers for now.




Over Stewart Aqueduct BCN Old Main Line

Inside the Black Country Living Museum, new Classic Car Museum

Factory Locks and Lin is struggling with the handcuff key

A bit more, and I forgot to mension

Just took this photo at our current location:-

TQ moored at Symphony Court again. The boat in the background is allegedly unlicensed. Someone is aboard as there is a cloud of diesel smoke around its stern!

I forgot to mention, yesterday whilst heading back here along the New Main Line we saw two young yoofs on the tow path spraying graffiti on the walls. One was doing the painting and the other was videoing it on his mobile phone. And to dispose of the evidence they threw the cans to another couple of yoofs on the other side of the cut who promptly cycled off on their bikes. But they must be a bit fick 'coz they left the tin lids on the tow paff.

We'll stay put today

We'll stay another night at Symphony Court, having done some shopping in New Street, The Bull Ring and High Street. Bought a new 3G dongle thingy to speed up our internet connection. It works well at the moment, and I've managed to upload the photos on the previous days' blogging.

Merry Hill to Symphony Court

Had another lazy start today, left TQ moored on the quay side at the waterfront and strolled over to the Merry Hill Shopping Centre. Wow, it is huge, two miles of shops ranging from clothes shops and shoe shops to phone shops and food shops. A whole range including a model shop selling radio control aircraft (see my other blog). We looked at the possibility of going 3G for faster internet access when on TQ. Found some useful gen, and conned ourselves into buying a usb lead for our existing phone as it is alledged that Bluetooth slows down the delivery speed of a dial up connection. What crap.

OK, lets see if I can upload some photos tonight...

Sorry, it won't have it!
UPDATE: Got ourselves a 3G dongle thingy. Can upload photos, now.
So, got back to TQ shortly after noon, and winded right from where we were moored and made our way back to Blowers Green Lock. Unbelievably the lock was in our favour, so it was a case of open the gates and drive straight in. After raising the 12 feet depth of the lock, Lin steered TQ around to the water point at the top of the lock. We continued our way back to the Netherton Tunnel and turned right at Dudley Port Junction. Now we're on the home straight back to Symphony Court. I noticed that a lot of engine revs were needed to make normal progress along the cut. This meant a visit to the weed hatch, but I resisted the need until we got to our destination.

Netherton Tunnel Northern portal viewed yesterday from over Tividale Aqueduct

Netherton Tunnel Northern portal viewed today from under Tividale Aqueduct

This is Blowers Green Lock, but this pic shows the journey to Merry Hill.

Arrived at Symphony Court at 17:05hrs and moored up in our favorite spot. First things first, switch off the engine, remove the ignition key and place it in my pocket. (LOTO). Then open the weed hatch by loosening the tee bolt. Worryingly, it wasn't very tight. Any way, I removed the hatch to find the propeller was well tangled with plastic from old rope, plastic coal/fertilizer bags, and even some knicker elastic. Enough to 1/4 fill a dustbin bag. Not much in the way of weeds, though. Managed to get it all off using my "Bargee Kev" spade tool. Placed the hatch back on and tightened the tee bolt down reasonably tight.

Black Country Living Museum to Merry Hill

Well, The Waterfront to be precise. The day started by attempting to fill our water tank at the BCLM, but the supply was so slow it would have taken about 3 hours. So we abandoned that idea and went into the BCLM. An amazing place and such a lot to see. We can highly recommend the fish and chips, and the ale in the Bottle and Glass is really good. This must be the only pub in Britain where there is sawdust on the floor. (Unless you know of another). Could have spent nearly a whole day in there but we had to move on to be at The Waterfront before dark. First things first, the water situation had to be sorted, so we moved TQ over to the other side of the canal where there was another water point. We had to moor alongside another narrow boat and the owner was more than happy to let us scramble accross his boat for access to the tap.

What a journey - back to Tipton Junction, on to Factory Junction and down Factory Locks, along the Main Line to Dudley Port Junction, under Tividale Aqueduct, (we went over it yesterday), through Netherton Tunnel, (at 3027 yards, this is a big bore tunnel. Wide enough for boats to pass and two towpaths), along the Dudley No. 1 canal to Blowers Green, through the lock and all the way down to The Waterfront. What a strange place, all these modern buildings seem to offer promise of something, I don't know what, and at the time of writing this all the lights are on everywhere, and there's not a soul around. The only secure moorings are the private moorings, but with so many cctv cameras around it ought to be safe-ish. The place is free of graffiti and litter, and is spotlessly clean, so that must be a good sign. There is a boy racer driving around an empty car park nearby. Its been dark for hours now, and the birds are still singing their hearts out. Its all a bit creepy.

Hardly a soul around

Something annoying has cropped up, I can't upload even the smallest photo to this blog as my connexion is too slow, so I'll have to wait untill I get home, but I'll still keep taking the photos and writing it all up.

Update: We've got ourselves a 3G dongle for the laptop and hey presto, broadband, and I can upload my pix, So I'll update where appropriate.

Symphony Court to The Black Country Living Museum

Started today early and slowly, and another, but only slight change of plans. Decided to go to the Black Country Living Museum first, so we had a relaxing morning and visited the Sea Life Centre right close to where we're moored. Fascinating and informative. We were surprised by how well everything is kept and how crystal clear the water is. Expensive admission though, nearly £32 for two adults, and the admission price is nowhere to be seen in the foyer, so you don't know how much 'till you get there. And it was full of school children. Later we did some shopping in Sainsburys, then back to TQ.


A shark in The Sea Life Centre aquarium.


A Stingray?


Fired up the engine and pootled off up the Main Line to Smethwick where we turned right and went up the three locks to the summit level. As we passed under Smethwick Bridge we saw a notice strapped to the iron work but couldn't read it in time. (The bottom lock is where I bumped my head in Florence last September). All the locks had to be emptied before we could go through. No change there, then. At Spon Lane Junction there was another notice. this time we stopped to read it, and it wasn't good news. The canal was closed at Stewart Aqueduct, just around the corner. A quick phone call to British Waterways to confirm this and all was well, the canal is open and the notice should have been removed. Onward and under the M5 Motorway. What a weird place this is. Its desolate and concrete and eerie, and with all that road roar from above...!


Further into Oldbury and oh! look, its Florence.

N B Florence on her moorings in Oldbury.

We hired Florence last September

Arrived at The Black Country Living Museum an hour before dark, winded (turned TQ around) and moored near the water point. Spotted a fellow jumping over the wall from the BCLM. He was covered in paint and was carrying paint pots and brushes. He explained he'd left his BW key in his car which is why he couldn't get out of the museum grounds. Also he was trapped on the wrong side of the canal and couldn't get to his car, so I ferried him across to the other side. He was appreciative. We'll be going in the BCLM tomorrow, got to have some fish and chips and a pint from the Bottle and Glass. Gotta be dun annit.

Eleventh hour change of plan

Today is Monday, but first lets go back to Sunday.

Drove up to Alvechurch, no problems on M5 or M42, and according to the trip computer the car was doing 35 MPG, not bad for a '99 Vauxhall Omega 2.5 v6. Mind you I kept the speed down to 60 most of the way. Arrived at Alvechurch in plenty of time, too early in fact, as TQ hadn't been refuelled from the previous user, and we had to wait for Mr. Tesco to deliver our groceries. After all that was done and we'd loaded up our gear we headed for the Crown Inn 1/4 mile up the cut from the boatyard. No food served on Sundays so a quick pint and back to TQ for a sandwich. Next stop was Hopwood and the Hopwood House Inn has looked inviting on previous trips so we thought we'd give it a go. Big disappointment. It was a "two meals for a tenner" offer. We had Rotisserie Chicken with carrots, boiled in their jackets potatoes and cabbage. The veg looked and tasted like it had been reheated mor than once, and the chicken was tough and borderline cooked, and not overly hot either. I thought I might get a jippy guts in the night but I was OK.

This is where the change of plan comes in. We thought why go down to Lapworth, OK its countryside, but we can't go any further as the locks are closed for maintainance. So we've decided to go straight to Birmingham, stay the night near Gas Street Basin, then head off up the Main Line and take a detour through the Netherton Tunnel, and stop in the moorings at Merry Hill. We've never been there before so its a bit of new water for us. Then we'll come back through the tunnel to the junction with the Main Line and turn left to Factory Locks and left again and stop at the Black Country Living Museum. This time we've got to have some fish and chips. We missed out last time we were there.

Our current mooring - near Gas Street Basin...

...opposite Symphony Court

Looking back in the distance is the junction with Ozzels Loop, and further back is Old Turn Junction. The NIA (not in the photo) is right here.

Not long to go

The excitement is building, and there is so much to do before Sunday. I have to work Tuesday to Saturday this week, and we (I) have to finish decorating the bedroom. Just the gloss paint to apply and the wallpaper. The carpet will have to wait.

Plans haven't changed since the last post and wer'e looking forward to a great holiday. The weather forecast is good for this week, but I fear its peaked too early. The long range weather forecast isn't good, cold and windy with occasional rain for our week aboard TQ.

WATCH THIS SPACE...

Planning the next trip already.

We make our plans using Canalplan AC, Waterscape maps and Stoppage list, and Google Earth. The Winter stoppages are imposing major restrictions on where we can cruise in February. Its to be expected, I suppose, we'd all be complaining if maintenance was carried out in the high season. A trip down the Stratford upon Avon Canal and I think we'll get as far as Bridge 27 near Hockley Heath as the Lapworth flight is closed for maintenance. This is only going to take a couple of days if we go back to our Alvechurch base, so we'll probably go to Gas Street Basin (or nearby) for a day or two as well and possibly take a trip to the Black Country Living Museum. Then it'll be back to Alvechurch.

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.