Postscript

On reflection there were a couple of things that should have made the blog.

Powering down the wide Avon after Tewksbury and watching he storm clouds, dark and menacing,  heading from the west up and over the Vale of Evesham and wondering if they are going to drench us but then move just that little bit to the  right and bypass us drenching some other unfortunates.

Sitting under a yew tree in Bidford church yard for half an hour in warm late summer sun.

Evening on the front of the boat watching the tourists in Stratford.

Talking to Australians, quite in evidence on this trip, about the English waterways.

Or the guy on Hire Boat Charlotte who was really keen to live on a boat and was going to sell everything to achieve this. All based on 1 weeks experience of hiring.

The New Zealand couple who are forever in summer; living on a boat during the UK summer and returning to Christchurch for the NZ summer during our winter.

The chap who had lived on a boat for 24 years.

Many people say they find canal holidays relaxing. I, personally, don’t find them particularly “relaxing”. Always planning the route, where we can get provisions, is the boat performing as it should, is it safe to moor where we are stopping tonight. Nevertheless I do find it rewarding. Even though the working boats and the traditional purpose of the canals is gone it is still a world within a world with its own floating population. We met many people who live permanently on board and many have done this for more than 10 years.

What I guess that people who say they find it relaxing are really finding is a very simple world separate from the complexity of modern life. There is nothing simpler than how a lock works, or being regulated to a slow speed and only being able to have a rough idea when you will get that and being generally governed by the speed of the waterways.  This simplicity moves you down to more natural place. A more human pace and a more human scale.

As the waterways now find themselves as part of the Canal and River trust rather than the Waterways Board lets hope the Trust can find the funding to keep this world within a world alive to delight those that find it.

Sunday. Stewpony to Stourport

Austcliffe

Whittington Bridge

Stourport

Last day today. On the road at 0830 after night out in Kinver last night. Trip took 5 and half hours-something of a record as it normally takes over 6.

I will add a summing up later in week

Black Delph to Kinver.

A child not much older than 7 tried to untie us early evening yesterday. I banged the window, he said sorry and ran off. We had no more trouble in this spot. In fact a hire boat moored alongside with a group from Hull on. I directed them to the Bull and Bladder for a good pint ant we went there also a little later

Near Prestwood

Stourbridge Canal

So it was a bright Saturday morning at 0800 that we set off through the final lock in the Delph flight and headed out under Brettel Lane bridge through Hawbush to the Leys junction at Buckpool. This is the start of the Stourbridge 16 lock flight. First two locks were fine then the next pound was empty due to overnight vandalism. With the help of our overnight neighbours from Hull, who were following us by this time, we ran some water down to refill the canal but this delayed us by about an hour. Despite this minor setback we completed the lock flight in good time. I like the canal below these locks. very rural and arborial despite being so close to a conurbation

Dadfords shed where Stourbridge Lion is due to be repainted next year

At lock 4 of the Stourton flight we came across a cyclist who had dropped part of his wheel hub into the canal while trying to fix a puncture. I always carry a magnet on a line to retrieve anything that falls overboard so we used this to fish about in the canal but only retrieved an old screwdriver and a rusty metal stake.He decided that he would walk to the nearest cycle shop.

This is the penultimate day of the trip and am slightly sad as I will miss the daily routine of taking the mooring lines off cranking up the revs on the engine and seeing where the waters take us. Never mind, we moored up at 1530 in Kinver.

197 miles 168 locks

Tonight we should meet Alan and Lynne plus Mr Lees and Jackie for a bight to eat. 

Birmigham to Delph Bottom lock

Rain first thing but brightened up by 1000 for our trip out of Bimingham Joined by Mat and Kerry today.

Birmingham

Followed a tug and a unpowered day boat out of birmingham they were going to the rally at Park Head Dudley. This slowed our progress a little. Highlight of this section is probably passing through Netherton Tunnel. Nearly two miles long.

Netherton Tunnel

The canal then skirts the base of Netherton church, very shallow and very reedy. After a while we came on Park head locks with many boats positioning themselves for the rally.

Great Western Railway day boat at Park Head rally

On through the Merry Hill retail park before a dash down the delph locks for the nights mooring in a small arm by the bottom lock.

Delph Locks

Mooring at bottom of Delph.

So its 190 mles 154 locks.

Curdworth to Birmingham NIA

 Today promised to be interesting as country gives way to the suburbs of Birmingham and Birmingham city centre. 27 locks as Birmingham is on the top of a hill. And some of the more more built up and industrial areas.

The Art Deco Cincinnati machine tool factory now lying derelict.

Passing under factory's near Erdington

However it was a nice morning as we passed the Art Deco Cincinnati machine tool factory outside Birmingham. Now sadly overgrown. Running parallel to the Tyburn Road the greenery soon gives way urban sprawl. Passing under a disused factory near Erdington. The bridge said Troutpool lane but any self respecting Trout would have gone years ago.

Then under spaghetti junction. The pictures say everything...

Electricity sub station. Gravelly Hill

Salford canal Junction Birmingham. Spaghetti Junction above.

Then at last the BT Telecom tower comes into view. We will pass almost underneath it. Then finally we commence the last flight of locks at Farmers Bridge up to the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham. A semi subterranean flight.

Subteranean locks under Snow Hill station

Weaving through the base of BT tower and other tall buildings on the Farmers Bridge flight.

Joanne working well on Farmers Bridge flight!

Top lock and NIA in background

The working boat Cassiopeia has been with us since Fazeley yesterday. The guy on the right of the lock above preparing the lock for Cassiopiea had an interesting story to tell. He was the last of a boating family going back to before records began. The boat had a particular connection with him as his father had worked it from 1942 until 1960. He himself had been born on a boat although not that one as it was undergoing maintenance at the time he was born and they had a temporary wooden boat built at Rickmansworth called "Bath" in late 1940s. He had worked these locks many times until he had to give up in 1971 due to the loss of trade from the waterways to road. His last workings had been on the Ashby canal down to London carrying coal. He had been separated from his family at a early age and was put in a hostel for boat children so they could get some schooling. Nevertheless he escaped at the age of 12 and joined his dad working Cassiopiea on the Grand Union canal. He remembered the canals around Birmingham as well as some of the last boat people to trade like "Caggy" Stephens who persisted with his horse drawn boat right up until the 70s working carrying refuse for Birmingham corporation. He also remembered the fleet of boats belonging to Birmingham corporation which were based at Camp Hill and also used for moving refuse. I wish i could have talked to him longer as he was very interesting. He is on his way to this weekends boaters gathering at Park head Dudley with Cassiopeia.

Cassiopeia





Working BoatCassiopeia

So 27 locks today and very urban but also very interesting. Tomorrow we have Netherton Tunnel and hopefully Merry Hill Waterfront as finishing place.

Polesworth to Curdworth (Near Birmingham)

Woke to a dry day and intended starting off early at 0800. Unfortunately disaster struck in that we couldn't move. Something was jammed under the stern of the boat and it wouldn't budge. The front end was free and the boat pivoted around whatever the obstruction was. It was quite clear the stern was more out of the water than it should have been. A quick call to the Waterways (Canal and River Trust (CRT for short) since British Waterways folded in June) and they put me onto a helpful manager of the Coventry canal. He said he would send someone right away. Tried a lot more pushing and shoving but the boat wouldn't move but was rocking about the obstruction in the canal. The CRT men turned up at 0930 just as another boat was passing. The passing boat asked if we wanted towing off. I grabbed a line and wound it around the front stud and the boat moved forward and free. I passed the steerer of the passing boat a bottle of Bathams from my supply! He seemed happy with that. Not sure what the obstruction was; Waterways man thought it was a motorbike (no idea why) I thought it was a concrete block of some description.
So we were underway again by 1000. Passing through the outskirts of Tamworth we passed over the river Tame on a aqueduct. The Tame was in flood following recent downpours. We got to Fazeley at 1200.

Tame Aqueduct at Tamworth

Unusual footbridge at Drayton Manor

Curdworth tunnel

Fazeley is where the Coventry canal joins Birmingham and Fazeley canal. We turned left onto the B&F heading now for Birmingham. In days gone by this canal was always sinled out as being one of the worst in the country but the first few miles have seemed pleasant enough. The canal climbs past Drayton Manor Park up a flight of 11 locks to Curdworth, the last village before the Birmingham suburbs begin. We were followed up the flight by Cassiopia a old working boat. We made good progress up the flight and moored in Curdworth village, after passing through the tiny Curdworth tunnel, at 1530 White Horse pub planned for dinner.

My "Fry's chocolate cream" from yesterday which I thought was a scoop seems to be on sale everywhere!

Atherstone to Polesworth (Tuesday)

 Locks again today with the Atherstone fight of 11 locks. Quite pleasant and easy to operate but slow filling. This meant boats were queueing to get on the flight. This wasn't a problems though as I needed to take on shopping from Atherstone and we were on the flight by 1100 for the 2 and half hour decent. A group of Germans were on the boat in front. They were very courteous and helpful to other boaters against how their stereotypes often make them out to be. Joanne met a couple from Christchurch NZ who have boat here which they use during the summer months and return to Christchurch for their summer each year.

 Atherstone is a very old fashioned town originally famous for hat making I think. Very few chain shops and I felt when a shop assistant said "Good morning" it was meant rather than it being something she was told to say. Found a Fry's chocolate cream which I thought they had stopped making. Several hardware stores in the town and an absence of "chain" type shops apart from Superdrug and the Co Op which doesnt count.

For much of its course the canal, which is the Coventry canal, parallels the West Coast Main Line for much of the way. A Pendolino train can be seen in the above photo.

Sadly came onto rain again about 3 and was very cold. Having gone all day yesterday in the rain I cant face that again today when coupled with the biting cold wind. So moored up by 4 which puts us a day behind. Original plan was to go back to base via Stafford but in view of the weather going to take the more direct, heavily locked, route via Birmingham.

160 Miles 108 locks

Brinklow to Nuneaton

Rain today as expected so its wet weather gear and umbrella and shut all the hatches. Fortunately there is only one lock today and that is the "Stop" lock at Hawksbury. (A stop lock works like an ordinary lock but only has a rise or fall of about a foot. Its main purpose is to prevent water from one canal entering another)

I went inside for a warm up by the fire while we took on water at Hawksbury Junction and left my umbrella on the roof. But  when I came out it was missing. I searched around but couldn't see it. A little later a guy walked past with two...I wonder?

Hawksbury Stop Lock

Hawksbury Stop Lock

Well at least the rain seems to make the wildlife a bit more prepared to come closer. But it was incessant and it was cold as well. And then around 1400 a faint patch of lighter sky on the west horizon. Gradually  the patch gets bigger until it envelops the boat making it a quite pleasant end to the days boating.

Post Party and Rugby to Brinklow

 Party was a triumph for all involved. Very good food, band and of course ale and company. Also took to new limit what you can do in your back garden! Managed to pinch a couple excellent cup cakes  to have with our afternoon tea. Cheers Mark!

Poor weather forecast today but making for Brinklow. Rain stopped play about a mile short of target.

Braunston to Rugby (Hilmorton) Saturday.

 Braunston

View from bedroom window of Stourbridge Lion this morning

Woke to sunny morning with mist rising off the canal.
Possibly the first signs of frost for this end of the year lay across the field leading up to Braunston church. Left boat at 0830 to collect supplies from Braunston village.

The old bakery still has a sign for Hovis outside but sadly is a bakery no more-just a desirable dwelling. However there is still a butcher and general store so was able to stock up.

Today we have been invited to Mark's 50th party in

Rugby so its a short (3 hour) trip down the canal to excellent mooring at Hilmorton Rugby. passed a party of girls celebrating a 21st party. It was difficult to pass them as no one seemed to be steering!

Taxi booked for 1915. More tomorrow.

Birthday present of a crate of Bathams carried all

 the way by waterway, a cd of Philip Larkin poems, a cd of  Henry Priestman about modern life...

hope he likes them!



Hilmorton mooring.
130 miles 96 locks

Blue Lias (Southam) to Braunston Friday

 Completed the Stockton flight of 8 locks with a single handed boater and her boat Morning Mist. She was a freelance theatre producer off to Banbury to produce a local play. The three of us worked well on the flight polishing it off in an hour. She was looking for moorings in London next summer and I was able to give her the contact detail for Wenlock Basin at Islington.

On the waterways there are all types of boat. the patriotic (In this Jubilee year)...

The patriotic

The small...

And the very small but lived in...

Arrived at Braunston in pouring rain. The first really serious rain we have seen. Not on board then: fire lit, some steak to cook and a bottle of wine.