Beaten by the weather

Woke up to a dull day with a light wind (not me, the weather) and we decided to press on all the way to Sharpness. Went outside to do the engine checks and the storm clouds were quickly creeping up on us, and it wasn't long before it rained and hailed hard. Hail was bouncing off the roof and under the mushroom vents and falling inside the boat. After it stopped we untied from the cleats and went on our way down the G & S Canal. This is where the wind started to really blow hard. There were white horses on the water and some of the waves were a foot high. Luckily the head wind allowed us some manoeuvrability when we moored at Frampton-on-Severn and it turned out not to be too difficult. Exhaustng journey, though, just because of the wind. Then we strolled into the village, posted a letter and had lunch in The Bell Inn. I had a Steak and Ale Pie with chips and veg, and Lin had a Chicken Club Sandwich, washed down with a couple of pints of Rucking Mole. (spelling is correct) Judging by all the vehicles going by this must be a very wealthy area. Every other car was a new or newish 4 x 4, Merc or BMW, and most of the rest were horse boxes. After lunch we went back to TQ and yes, you've guessed, we crashed.

8.5 miles 0 locks.

Took a few pix today:-

Our current location

Some of those boats behind us must owe BW a large fortune!

The thing is BW don't say how long you can stay!

Former Cadbury's Wharf at Frampton - now its a mill

Frethern Swing Bridge, Frampton-on-Severn

Going back a bit, when we were in Gloucester Dock two fellas who helped us moor up (many thanks) asked if we were going down the Bristol Channel. "WHAT? You've got to be jesting". Apparently a group are gathering to go down the Bristol Channel to Avonmouth and then under Brunels Bristol Suspension Bridge through Portway into Bristol Docks and presumably up the Kennet and Avon. They're waiting for a window in the weather situation to make the trip. What a way to go, and what a long wait they're going to have. Lin says she'd love to do a trip up the Avon and she always looks out for boats when we (often) drive over Avonmouth Bridge on the M5. Not in TQ, though.

Not done much today, but...

...We've moved, to a quieter spot outside the docks. A very short journey just through Llanthony Bridge, and moored up (temporarily) while we filled the water tank again, then we pootled up the moorings a little way to the visitor section. Lin cleaned the inside of TQ and I cleaned and polished the outside...well, on one side, and guess what, I hadn't long finished when the seagulls crapped all over it - twice. I didn't polish the other side, as I risk falling in the cut. I also cut up some wood we collected on the Worcester and Birmingham Canal, ready for the fire. And I tidied up the lockers at the stern. They were full of rubbish, packets of green bread and old carrier bags etc. Its been sunny but very windy all day, and now its raining.

Here's todays pics:-

Our current mooring

They raised Llanthony Bridge for us

This is the view from TQ - port side. Its a Maltsters where grain is turned into malt for the brewing industry

Looking back to Llanthony Bridge...

...and look at the shine on TQ...

Day Four (in the Big Brother Narrow Boat)

WOW! This must be a record, at least for us, 30 miles, 6 locks, three operated by us, and the others operated by British Waterways (thanks fellas). Lin was right, we could do it in one day. Unleashed the bollards at 08:30hrs and proceeded down to lock 3 near the Commandery, our first lock of the day. We planned to stop at the water point, and in the mean time Lin put some bacon under a slow grill, and while we were filling the water we ate our bacon butties. A man with a dog came by to use the other facilities there and left his Alsatian dog tied up outside. The dog couldn't keep his eyes off us while we tucked in to our butties. Needless to say he didn't get any even though his deep, begging, soulful eyes played on our conscience. The next lock is No. 2, a very large double lock and takes a long time to fill and empty, and the same applies to No1. This was the last lock we operated today as the others are operated by BW.

Waiting for Lock 2 to fill

View of Diglis Basin

Another view of Diglis Basin

On to the Severn and its wide and at this time of year flowing slowly. Our first river lock is only half a mile away and we hold back and wait for the lock keeper to give us the green light. There are two locks here and we had the big lock all to ourselves. its very gentle and takes a fair while to empty, and then its only about three feet difference in level. Once out its about fifteen miles to Tewkesbury where the next lock is and the River Avon joins the Severn. Its very quiet, the river is dotted with the occasional club moorings and full of white cruisers af all shapes and sizes. We only saw four boats on the move during the whole journey, and three were narrowboats. At Wainlodes Hill the water was really rough being whipped up by the strong wind, but I managed to take a photo of the Red Lion as we passed. This was one of our first caravan trips in our early days, and they still have their caravan site today. As we passed Upper Parting where the river splits, I rang Gloucester Lock to confirm our arrival and to ensure the lock would be ready for us when we arrived. We shared the lock with a cruiser and it was plenty large enough for possibly six narrow boats. Once in the dock we headed over to the pontoons to moor up.

Massive lock gates at Diglis River lock

The Red Lion Wainlodes Hill

Cliffey Wood, a scene from the Severn

We reached Gloucester Dock at around 16:40hrs and moored up on the pontoon right outside Dr. Foster's (who went to Gloucester).

Day Three

Slipped the rings at around 09:45hrs. and headed off under the M5 and Offerton Locks. Six in all and spaced much like they are on the Tardebigge flight so we took it in turns and walked between locks. Arrived in Worcester and moored outside the Commandery. We then strolled into the City and did some shopping. First we bought a camera, a nice 7.1 megapixel from Argos and now we're looking for a child to show us how to use it. We went into Poundland, you never know what you might find, we found an all in one remote for the telly as our original doesn't work very well. This one doesn't work either because it can't find the manufacturers code number. Oh! well, it was only a pound. Wine glasses, 3 for a pound, we were down to our last, and a small torch for my tool box.

Later we took a stroll down to Diglis Locks. A lot of development has been happening here and it all looks a bit too new but its been done sympathetically and I'm sure it will improve with age. (A bit like me really).

I've been collecting wood on the way down and I needed a saw to cut it up with, so into Wickes and picked up a pruning saw which folds up like a very large pocket knife. Lin spotted Staples next door so we went into there for some photo paper for laser printers. You can't use ink jet photo paper in laser printers.

Today we've traveled 6 miles, 13 locks.

All the following pictures are taken with our new Canon Power Shot A470.

Our current mooring at The Commandery

Narrow boat approaching Diglis Bottom Lock

Which way shall we go?

The size of these locks is a bit daunting, they're huge.

Two boats swap places between the locks

Tomorrow morning we make passage through these locks onto the River Severn and turn to port (left for you land lubbers) and head for Sharpness. Lin reckons we can get to Gloucester tomorrow. I reckon we can get to Tewkesbury. We'll see.

As an aside, since we've moored here the Police and Ambulances have been up and down the whole time with all sirens blazing. Its now 22:00hrs and they're still wailing on and on. Hope we can sleep tonight, its one of the noisiest places we've moored for a long while.

Day Two (Bank Holiday Monday)

...This is for you, Wendy (who thinks I always have the best weather when I'm on holiday) ITS RAINING! And its rained on and off all day. Pulled the piling hooks at around 10:30hrs and made our way to the moorings at The Bridge, Tibberton, with the intention of having a meal in there this evening, however we were tempted by the Eagle and Sun at Hanbury Wharf at lunch time. (Fatal) We had sausage mash and peas with onion gravy (fatal) and it was delicious. Just a shame there were no real ales. After lunch we made the effort to get to Tibberton and arrived around 16:00hrs. Later the question was asked, "Fancy a curry?" to which the reply came, "Still too full from lunch". So we vegetated in the boat all evening. It was a bit chilly so I lit the fire and it soon became too hot. Still no photos yet, we're thinking of buying a new camera in Worcester tomorrow. Hopefully we can get something that can upload direct to the computer without having to resort to bluetooth as our bluetooth dongle has gone missing.

How about this then... Two British Waterways guys made enquiries with us about low water in the pounds through Stoke Prior. They'd had a report that a pound was so empty boats were aground and listing. We had no problems but one pound was about three inches down, nothing to worry about. They went on their way and we caught up with them again at Stoke Bottom Lock. They kindly opened the lock gate for us and watched while Lin steered straight past some hire boats moored three abreast, through a short narrow dog leg into the lock, quickly I might add, and never touched the sides. The BW guys were most impressed, and I bet that'll stick in their minds for some time. She made a right cods up of the next lock, just as well no-one was watching.

More blogging tomorrow...

Day One

We had a good journey up the M5, clear all the way, arriving at Alvechurch at around 09:30hrs. TQ was available straight away so we got all our gear transferred. Then all we had to do was wait for Mr. Tesco to arrive, which he did at 11:30hrs. So it was transfer that to TQ then we were away. As I'm writing this I have realised there are a few things I've forgotten. Firstly a brass water connector for the water hose used to fill the fresh water tank. The one on TQ is plastic and is buggered, but we'll cope somehow. The next thing is the card reader for the camera, which means I can't upload any photos to this blog. The third thing is the Bluetooth dongle we bought at Christmas is missing, so I can't upload any photos from my phone either. I are a wazock! On Tuesday we should be in Worcester, so I'll see if I can get a card reader there. The fourth thing is a length of co-ax cable to connect our super duper TV aerial to the junction box on TQ. Oh! well, no telly. It gets tougher.

Anyway, had a good but exhausting trip down the Tardebigg flight, and we're moored for the night between Lock 29 and the Queens Head Inn.

I'll try to find a way to post some pictures soon.

Tomorrow is the big day

It all starts tomorrow, but first I have to do this today, and mow the grass, set up the laptop for Skype (so that we can talk to Lins parents in Spain), send Lucy (our cat) on her holidays, sort out all the gear we need to take etc. etc. so its going to be a busy day. Also we've got two lifejackets arriving today, so someone has to be home to receive those. Busy busy.

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.