All stop and finished with engines

Back to Longwood 

September 2017

This really is the end of the line. Martin joined me on Monday morning and together we moved the boats through Whittington and Hopwas to Fazeley where we used the water and elsan at the ex CRT premises at Peels Wharf. A notice informed us that the property had been bought, but it all looked shut up and empty. I did wonder if the water and elsan points would continue because having slops emptied on your premises wouldn't be everyone idea of a good neighbour.

 Redevelopment at Castle Vale

Then it was up the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal to The Dog and Doublet, mooring up with time to pick some sloes before tucking into some steak and ale pie to keep us going. On reflection its better to moor below the lock to so have the benefit of a noise shield because the nearby motorway is a bit loud above the pub.

My crew for the trip home

We consulted the map and decided that even with the butty in tow, it was possible to get back to Longwood in one long day. That meant the alarms were set for 6.00am and we were on the move before 7.00am, passing through the first of about 35 locks leading to the Wolverhampton Level at Aldridge.

Whilst we started out in thick fog, with the Curdworth Tunnel emerging from the mist, it had all burned off by 10.00am and then continued in glorious autumnal sunshine. Locks and miles passed and we soon found the fields of Bodymoor Heath giving way to the urban sprawl of Minworth and the ongoing redevelopment of the Cincinatti Milacron site.

Tame Valley Canal

At Spaghetti Junction we veered off the bustling mainline (we had seen 3 boats) and started into the remote "northern reaches" via the Tame Valley Canal. This canal was one of the last to be built and shares many design features with the Shropshire Union, including some spectacular cuttings and  embankments. The big obstacle is the Perry Barr Locks which are generally well maintained but are used so little that many have sides covered in hanging foliage.

By rights the area at the top of the locks should be an ideal place to pause for the night. There are several houses nearby and CRT offers rubbish bins, toilets and even showers. I popped into the block and was staggered by the cleanliness, I doubt that they are used very often. I think that there is an elsan point but the door has been painted recently and I couldn't get it open without resorting to a screwdriver from the boat. The big downside is the unfortunate tendency for criminal activity. Only last month a new boat arrived at Longwood with its  windows smashed having been left unattended in the area for a couple of hours.

Perry Barr Locks

Then you are into the spectacular cuttings and embankments in the Hamstead area, one minute enveloped in a tunnel of trees with bridges soaring overhead, and then you are flying above the rooftops with views over Sandwell to the hills of Dudley. This is unmistakably a BCN waterway, with its distinctive narrows built for the collection of tolls. It's impossible not to feel a touch of the pioneering spirit when towpath walkers observe that they havn't seen another boat for months. We passed at the end of the school day and were more than a little relieved to leave the footbridges behind us.

Hamstead Cutting

The cool of the evening was upon us as we turned into the Rushall Canal and the last three miles of our journey. The canal became narrower, shallower, and more weedy with the navigation channel just a little wider that the boat. You have to keep the the centre line or you are in all sorts of trouble.

The Ganzies started well enough with all the locks set in our favour, as had the Perry Barr flight. In truth I think most of the locks leak empty. 

Rushall Bottom Lock

But then we reached lock four and it all went to pot. This lock in a cutting is tricky at the best of times, with its lopsided subsidence meaning that the gates always close by themselves - more a problem if you are descending single handed. We entered the lock and found that in spite of their habit of self closing, the offside bottom gate wouldn't close. It would swing to within 4 inches of the bottom liner but there is jammed. We opened and closed, closed and opened and after an hour of prodding around we called CRT for assistance with a keb. We had a cup of tea and with darkness approaching we were about to pull the boats out of the lock and wait for the light tomorrow. But then I rattled the gate in frustration and it juddered into place, more or less.

A gap too far

We didn't mess with the gate again so filled the lock as fast as possible and got out at the top before calling CRT with the good news. Only today I met another boater who had come up the flight and had problems in three locks one of which necessitated CRT support.

The light had completely gone as we set out on the mile pound, a straight and shallow waterway which is so full of lily pads that you have to creep along the centre, no easy task in the pitch black. The two top locks aka The Moshes were ascended in the dark and we abandoned the boats at the boat club two hours behind schedule.

The butty relieved of its load

The following day was spent shuttling between boat and home, moving the huge amount of stuff back to our house for the winter. Removing all that weight from the butty over the past few weeks has revealed a line of Thames weed, and by the end of the process this was nearly 4 inches wide at the front. No wonder it was hard to tow at the start of the season.

And there is one final twist to this tale. As I moored the boats up for the winter I checked over the engine and when I tried to start it again - nothing. No lights, no alarms, no starter motor. Its as though there is no starter battery at all. All the connections seem ok so maybe the old starter battery suffered a complete collapse, odd but at least I have 6 months to sort it out.

Leicester Ring - Poleworth to Rugely

Leicester Ring 2011

Polesworth to Rugely

24 April 2011

25 miles - 5 locks - 10 hours

Its just another manic (bankholiday) Sunday. Well, thats nearly what the Bangles sang all those years ago. Why do I go boating on bank holidays? Cos I have to till I retire and can pick and choose my cruising itinary I guess!

Above Woodend Lock

Last night wasn't the most peaceful on record, buy not on account of my Boaters Christian Fellowship neighbours - you couldn't ever describe them as riotous bedfellows! No, the local pub has a band on and they kicked off just as I went to bed. No matter, I was knackered an fell asleep to a mutilated cover version of some blues number which was indistinguishable just by the pounding bass line.

I tightened the packing on the stern gland today. After several weeks of near dryness the dripping has resumed with a vengance, but my concerns about worn stern gear proved to be foundless - one side of the adjustment nuts had come lose and a few turns with a spanner brought the weeping to a sudden halt.

Polesworth Heritage Centre

We had got back on  schedule so there was no need to get cracking at the break on dawn on a fair and sunny Easter morning. This may not be the nost spectacular bit of canal, but there is plenty to look at, be it the slow filling Glascote locks or the interesting array of working boats at the Samuel Barlow.

This was the day of the blog boats, starting with Sanity Again which we saw at Willington. Bruce was aboard and waved, but didn't recognise Wand'ring Bark.Then it was into Seethay on the hunt for the clutch of famous craft believed to be loitering within its environs. First up it was Star, home to Starman and Starwoman. I didnt exactly have to find Star - she found me. Her nose was peeping out from behind the railway bridge just as we entered and I was so surprised I forgot to take a picture.

Flaming Reckless

Another famous resident is Reckless of the TV show fame. She has returned and is up for sale, but only her distinctive "flames" bows were visible.  

I understood that Granny Buttons has also taken up residence whilst her marine intestines are being attended to, but my search for her and her notorious crew was in vain. That said, my stay at Seethay was just long enough to refill with diesel and get a pump out. Wow, isn't diesel expensive even on a 60:40 split!

Amazingly, there were no crowds at Fradley and we strolled through the usually crowded locks to the north of the junction. Traffic thinned even further by 5.00pm and we picked up the pace through Armitage and Rugely, eventually stopping among the meadows just beyond the Tent Aqueduct at 7.00pm. Belle had produced a particularly fine roast to celebrate Easter and to give the new cooker a really good workout. 

Balloons

The evening was calm and warm, ideal weather for ballooning. In fact, three of these huge balloons landed nearby offering a great end of day spectacle.

Kings Bromley to Atherstone

Kings Bromley to Atherstone

26th July 2010

21 Miles - 16 Locks - 9 hours

The schedule for this trip calls for 9 hour days, so its up and away, but today it was dull and overcast with rain threatening all the time. Straight off we passed Chertsey, moored just beside the bridge.

Chertsey

We had a clear run down to Fradley but then picked up an uber slow craft which we trailed all the way to Seethay Wharf, where we stopped to buy some gas. The guy asked me to lift the canister myself as he had only just has a hernia operation and I commiserated with him. No sooner had we left him astern than I did my own back in lifting a razor! I know - how daft can you get. I just lent over a bit sideways and heard something go twang.

The Dhow

I have been a member of Sutton Coldfield Canoe Club in the recent past and was aware that their floating boathouse "The Dhow" had been sold. I was therefore pleased to see it moored up at Whittington.

Glascote Lock Cottage

Within a mile we had rejoined Captain Slow  who likes to travel at tickover and was not minded to let anyone pass. Now this slow, slow, slow slow slow approach is fine if you have all the time in the world, but we need to be in Thrupp in six days and this demands a pace more like 3.0 mph. In the end I closed up the gap and very grudgingly he let us past, with no hello and a stony scowl on his face. Miserable git.

Colourful scene at Atherstone Bottom Lock

We had on and off showers all the way from Glascote Locks to Atherstone, easing off as we approached the bottom lock. As luck would have it a tug was exiting so I lined up for a perfect entrance but was distracted by the other boat. The steerer seemed to be oblivious of the moored boat he was approaching and I watched in fascinated horror as he hit it at full tilt, ricocheting off and crashing into the far bank. I am not sure who was more surprised, the crasher of the crashed. Both parties emerged and the guilty party did at least stop and offer unreserved apologies. The sad thing was that the moving boat was one of those graffiti covered ones with the words "cool canals" sprayed down one side.  I dont know about cool - all  I could see was heat as I left them and slipped into the bottom lock chamber.

Rothens Coal yard at Atherstone top lock

We were up the flight in two hours, stopping opposite the old hire base where we took out Yorkonought and Nomos on the 1960's.  Sadly the old coal yard occupied by Rothens is now a thing of the past, the coal has been swept away and the rather graceful office stands empty and forlorn. Lets hope it gets a new lease of life before the vandals reduce it to a pile of rubble. Its a bit of canal heritage which deserves to be preserved.

Wilson and Staffords hat factory

Good fish and chips are to be had near bridge 41, next to the old hat factory.

Tame Valley Canal

Tame Valley Canal

This waterway was among the last to be built, opening for trade in 1844 as something of an aquatic bypass to relieve the congestion along the BCN Mainline, specifically the Farmers Bridge flight which couldn't cope with demand, even with 24 hour working.

Whilst I have navigated much of its diminutive 7 miles, I have never actually made a passage up the 13 locks of the Perry Barr flight. Cycled yes, walked yes, but never on a boat - the final five miles from Salford Junction to Rushall Junction represent the last five of the BCN to be explored. A objective for next years spring trip with Mr Truth.

Tame Valley Canal east from River Rea Aqueduct

However, I have spent some time around this canal over recent weeks as it offers rich pickings for aqueduct hunting. It's dramatic cutting end embankment construction causes it utilise no less than seven aqueducts, that's one per mile, and I am not sure that any length of the Shroppie can beat that!

The aqueducts on order of appearance from the south, are:

• Piercy, Hamstead
• Spouthouse Lane
• Navigation Lane
• River Tame
• M5
• Railway
• Hateley Heath

Photo's of each can be found via the links to my ukaqueducts blogsite, but I havn't managed to access a location to photograph where it crosses the railway. Railways are always tricky - does anyone out there have a photo I can use?

Tame Valley Canal viewed to the west of River Rea Aqueduct

Exploring the aqueducts was quite an experience. My Pearson's Guide was some help but had to be cross referenced to the Birmingham A-Z which took me through some areas of the Black Country I had never visited in all the 20 years I have lived here. I kept wondering where the canal was and then, time and time again I would see a huge great embankment looming up above, looking for all the world like a railway embankment on steroids.

From below the only thing that set the aqueducts apart form their railway counterparts were the over thick spans built to accommodate four feet of water rather than 2ft of ballast. That and the steady drip drip drip from the many weeping leaks which exist.

Below, at ground level, cars dashed about in a profusion of noise and speed, making photography a dangerous sport. But up above, up about 70 steps, there was the peace and tranquility of a pensioned off canal, populated only by a few fishermen and even fewer boaters.

It's not my favourite canal, but it is the closest to my home and it certainly isn't without merit.

Rugely to Bradley Green

Monday 28th July 2008
Rugely to Bradley Green - Day 3
Trent and Mersey, Birmingham & Fazeley and Coventry

27 Miles
5 Locks
10 Hours

Out itinerary indicated a night near Wood End Lock but the volume of traffic together with the late start on Saturday had already pushed us three hours behind schedule. In the event we were behind right up till the last day!


Capt Ahab was keen to stay within shouting distance of the timetable and was awake with the larks at 6.00am. A 6.30 start paid dividends and we had the canal to ourselves for three hours, making excellent progress right through to Seethay.

Armitage is always an interesting stretch with the narows at Plum Pudding followed by Armitage Shanks, the toilet centre of the universe.

As we passed under the A38 we ran up behind a beautifully cared for Piper (hopper windows et al). Unfortunately, the skipper was unfamiliar with his craft and insisted on futile attempts to steer his craft by paddling with the tiller. This frustration was short lived as he pulled into Seethay Wharf and normal progress was resumed. But not for long. Soon we encountered a a very slow trad which progressed at such a crawl that we had to repeatedly disengage the drive to keep our speed down low enough.

A brief technical aside here - WB is a shortish 42 footer with a good 38hp Beta engine mated to a slightly oversized prop (17 X12) which results in a good turn of speed, which is fine on rivers (7 knots on flat open water), but renders it unable to maintain an ultra slow crawl.

I rarely rejoice in the suffering of others but on this occasion, after 45 mins of dead slow / neutral, I was delighted to see the boat run itself firmly aground just beyond Fisherwick. As we were fairly close at the time the skipper readily agreed that we should pass.

Harvest has come early this year, with endless fields of wheat and rape ready to be collected in. Combines were already working flat out, droning on till the dew of sunset increased the moisture content to unacceptable levels.


Fazely, like Fradley, was quiet with most boaters moored up in whatever shade they could find. Glascote locks were a furnace with heat radiating back up from the brick surround. These locks, like most on the Coventry, are slow fillers and we were dripping with sweat by the time we cleared the second one.

The long pound through Polesworth are surrounded by old coal mines, which closed in the early 60's and with them went the last trade on the canal. Here and there there are the remains of wharfs and jetties, all overgrown and crumbling and some now used as moorings.


Having crossed the Anker at Tamworth, the canal runs alongside the railway line, playing kiss and run - one minute close together and the next moving away, but never so far away as to avoid the hissing whine of the Pendolinos heading for Euston. It was good to be outside looking in rather that inside looking out, which is more usual for a corporate drone bee.

With 10 hours under our belts and a thunderstorm looming we decided to call it a day at Bradley Green, where we topped up with water and then reversed back under Bridge 48 to moor in the shade of a stand of trees, just beyond the winding hole.

Just time for a spot more fishing (Tilly 1 - Capt 0) and two episodes of V of D before bed.

Journey Home - Amington to Gt Haywood

Monday 12th June 2006

Amington to Gt Haywood

Coventry Canal, Birmingham & Fazeley Canal and Trent & Mersey Canal

27 Miles

7 Locks

10 hours

A slightly shorter day but glorious sunshine all the way. Mr M decided it was his duty to maintain a steady supply of liquid refreshment as we made our way through Glasgote Fazely, Seethay, Fradley and them along the Trent and Mersey through Rugely to moor at Great Haywood, just as the sun sank beneath the horizon. At we neared Gt Haywood we reviewed the substantial pile of empties and wondered just how we had managed to consume so much... little and often seemed to be the answer!

We elected to pass through Gt Haywood lock and moor just before Haywood Junction, allowing us to walk back into the village for some pub food, and another pint or so. On this particular evening an art class was in full swing painting all aspects and details of the locks. They watched as I stepped between the open lower gates and observed that it was a good thing I hadn't been drinking. Curiously, it was a thought that had just passed through my inebriated consciousness and for a moment I had considered taking the long way round, just to be on the safe side. Whilst their warning was a bit late, they did have a point!

We had a good meal in the village pub, a regular destination which never fails to satisfy. The mooring was quiet and due to the warmth of the night we slept with the hatches open.

Honey - Whittington to Rugby

Whittington to Rugby
May 2006
Coventry Canal, Birmingham & Fazeley Canal, Oxford Canal (northern section)

40 Miles
14 Locks

2 Days

With Florida looming, we decided we would divide to conquer. Belle would stay at home packing and studying, leaving me to complete the trip with Tilly and Jeff.

On the Friday evening Belle returned us to Whittington, where Honey was moored all safe and sound (prayers of thanks).

We were off with the larks the following morning, up through the slow Goscote locks and then the long Atherstone flight.

Honey behaved herself and the two days passed in a blur, burrowing under the M62 and then the M6 before emerging in Ansty and on to Rugby.

As we approached Rugby we received a phone call from Mr Truth wondering where we were. We soon realised that we were about 200 years apart and that he had found a good mooring in a park, opposite Tesco. Crucially, it was close to a beefeater pub and the next phase was clearly a booze cruise!

Mrs Truth swapped husband and two cronies for the Captain plus children, dropping us off at home and the prospect of two weeks in America.

Honey did indeed make it to Little Venice and this time without significant mechanical mishap. I am advised that one crew member went for an unexpected swim near Whilton but the less said about that the better.

The return journey was again undertaken by Messrs Whately Snr and Jnr who reached Stone as the closest achievable point to the Tatton Festival. Her stern gland problem reared its head again on the return journey, and I paid her a quick visit at Tamworth with Mr Whateley to apply remedial treatment, and pump out the many gallons of water which had found its way into her bilges.

That was the last I saw of Honey. Her engine seized and extensive work was required at Stone boatyard. I think she has since been sold on to a friend of Mr Primrose so if you see a very scruffy springer, now painted British Racing Green, clock her location and let me know if she is still afloat.

Warwickshire Ring 1982

Warwickshire Ring
September 1982

114 Miles
119 Locks
60 Hours

Grand Union, Birmingham and Fazeley, Coventry and Northern Oxford
6 days - September 1982

Following the 1981 debacle on the Leeds Liverpool Canal the same quartet (Captain Snr, Captain Jnr, Mother and Aunt) tried another route, this time tackling what has become known as the Warwickshire Ring.
The loop was tackled from Weedon on the Grand union and therefore involved a lengthy trek north to Braunston where the Grand Union and North Oxford overlap and the circuit starts.

This was the second of three trips involving the "weed" boats which prosaically were based at Weedon and formed part of the Weedon Narrowboat fleet. This trip was on Duckweed, which previously hired in 1980 for a madcap dash round the East Midlands ring, a trip which was so rushed that no photographic evidence remains!

I would like to think that flat caps were fashionable at some point in the early 1980's but I can't find any evidence to support this argument....

This trip started with a run up the Grand Union, thorough the Braunston tunnel and then on to the Hatton flight. This ring is really a 10 day route, even without the extra legs to and from Weedon, so we were under pressure from day one. The descent to the Leamington / Warwick sump pound and then back up the full Hatton Flight was tackled in a single day with your truly providing most of the lock-side muscle.

The journey then took a dive through south east Birmingham descending through the narrow Camp Hill Locks before veering to the right to the Birmingham and Fazeley via the Saltley Cut and Garrison Locks.

The Captain Snr had a major aversion to stopping in Birmingham (probably wise) so this section was again tackled in a single day, before stopping close to the Dog and Doublet.

Having passed the unchanged footbridge at Market Drayton it was on to the Coventry Canal and up the Atherstone Flight before stopping in an unmodernised Coventry basin.

I had no idea that this trip would cover what has become our boating back yard, and that in seven years I would be married and living in Birmingham. Its a small world.
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