Stone Friday 18 March 2016

Not a bad little mooring last night, I like wildlife but I do wish ducks would sleep at night instead of swimming round the boat quacking in the dark. 

Today has been overcast and decidedly chilly unlike yesterday which was very pleasant. We pushed off at 9-30 heading for Stone to deliver a book to The Canal Cruising Company and met several boats on the way. One boat passed before we set off but didn’t pull the pins out or draw us off the mud. Why they make stakes like this with the ring so fare from the top I don’t know. You end up with only ¾ of the stake in the ground doing any work unless you hammer the ring into the ground as well. Note the rope is round the stake, not just through the ring, I have seen so many rings just fall off.

There are quite a few lambs out in the fields now, I am not sure what the lambing season is now as the seem to start around Christmas time and run through to Easter.

Today was a day for birds, why did nature insist on Herons nesting in trees, they look really unsuitable for landing in tree tops but manage it OK This was followed by a somewhat aggressive Cob at Western, I don’t know what he will be like when he has a nest to protect, he started attacking the front fender then drifted back to have a go at the stern one, this was followed by actually let us draw away and then flew at us, I was a bit worried that he may damage his wing on the back of the cabin. Not happy with the progress he was making he took a quick nip at Diana’s leg and then tried to eat mine. Three hours after pushing off and we were below Star Lock in Stone, not wanting to go through town we winded below the lock and dropped onto the 48 hr moorings, a little bit further down by the end of the 5 day moorings the Fair is in town, I just hope there is not too much movement on the towpath tonight.

Just as we moored up I spotted this fine specimen sitting on the fence post opposite.

Today’s Journey 7½ miles and 3 locks in 3 hours.

Ingrestre Bridge Hixon Thursday 17 March 2016

Well guess what we are doing, we are back on the boat. We left Suffolk this morning in bright sunshine but by the time we reached King’s Bromley Marina in was quite hazy.

We arrived at 12 pm.  and by 1230 I had the engine running, stove alight and the water system refilled and by twenty to one the ropes were off and we were backing out from our pontoon. This is the first time the boat has been out this year and we are just taking a couple of days to make sure everything is OK.

Leaving the marina we turned left towards Rugeley, as we chugged along the weather got better and lunch was taken on the move.

At Armitage Tunnel we caught up with another boat who was moving slower than us so once clear of the tunnel we stopped and filled with water. At the tunnel a group of lads in high vis jackets were repainting the railings, they weren't over enthusiastic and I suspect they may have been on a Community Pay Back. We chugged on meeting the odd boat, in all we met 9 boats, 3 of them hire boats.

I don’t  think a covered swimming pool is the best environment to store a motorbike in, but I guess its better than outside.

We noticed that both sides of the canal, if front of the power station and behind the Ash Tree Boat Club the ground has been cleared and marked out for digging footings, I wonder if these will be housing of industrial.  

 

 

 

 

I noticed that the winter mooring signs have been removed between the river and the A51, I don’t know how well these were used but it didn’t seem a very sensible location to me, near a busy road and quite a way from town also several hours cruising with two locks each way to fill with water at Gt Haywood.

As the afternoon went on the weather just got better, we bought some free range brown eggs at Taft Bridge for £1 per half dozen, I don’t know if brown are better than white?

Both Colwich and Gt Haywood locks were against us, although we did get some assistance at Colwich from a boat who turned up just as we drained the lock, he was heading for the Leeds and Liverpool the long way round.

We considered stopping in Gt Haywood and there was plenty of room, but the sun was so nice and all the wind had died away that we just kept going. Ho Mill lock was with us as a hire boat was returning to base and we thought we may stop on the 48 hour moorings mid way between Fields Bridge and Ingrestre Bridge but there was already a boat there so we continued until just before Ingrestre Bridge and stopped there. We are moored with stakes and on the bottom but it will be OK for the night.

Today’s Journey 12¾ miles, 2 locks, 1 junction in 5 hours

King’s Bromley Tuesday 5 January 2016

Woke to a very pleasant morning and set off at 1030, The Trent is contained within its bank now which is just as well as it has to pass under the canal. One of the canal side properties as you enter Rugley has a large covered swimming pool, if you have ever boated this route will have certainly noticed it, what was unusual today was that it was being used as a motorbike garage. We stopped in Rugley at Tesco to top up with non perishables as its a very short distance from the canal to the shop. Just as we were about to leave the CRT boat checker came by on his bike, when I saw him later loading his bike into a CRT van he told me had just ridden 30K recording boats. As you approach The Ashwood Boat club there are two gardens where they keep birds of pray, today one of them was sitting out on the lawn. I’m not sure what it is, but its big.

Back to the marina we stopped of at the service pontoon for a pumpout  before returning to our berth the end of another trip.

This screen shot from MotionX GPS shows our route through the marina marked up in blue, it clearly shows the spur to the service pontoon then under the bridge and into our slot. If you fancy looking closer then just go to http://gps.motionx.com/maps/44d79d9547cd034c84e5aef39051b56a

Tomorrow we drive home.

Today’s Journey    8½ miles in 3 hours

Taft Bridge Monday 4 January 2016

Well yesterday evening was much better than the the day and we went to bed under a star filed sky.

This morning we woke to a much better day we had 6½mm of rain yesterday. Setting off at 10 am we were somewhat surprised how the River Sow had risen over the past week.A Kingfisher sat watching us from a barb wire fence beside the canal, I took one shot of him hoping that he would stay as we passed, but it wasn’t to be and he flitted off just after the bows of the boat were level with him.

The River Sow links looks a lot closer today than it has for some time, I do wonder what the effects of floods will be if the link goes ahead.

The expanse of water at Tixal Wide is about the same both sides of the tow path. After leaving the wide at bridge 108 where they are sinking a large bore hole beside the canal they were hard at work pumping concrete slurry down, if they intend tunnelling under the canal I wonder how long it will be before they hit the water the other side. Just before the Trent Aqueduct there is a large house standing back from the canal, in front of the house last week was a large expanse of grass, today there is a large pond.

A clear run out of the junction at Gt Haywood and then sharp right on the Trent and Mersey Canal, Haywood lock was with us  and we were soon passing Shugborough Hall, another property that now has a lake in the front garden whether they want it or not. The River Trent is the water in the foreground. We carried on in the nice weather, we had had some slight drizzle but nothing to bother about. Just before Colwich lock we met a boat, I expected it to be a full length ex working boat but it was quite short and painted in Willow Wren livery. Below Colwich the level of the river and the canal are approximately the same but there is still some way for the river to rise before it tops the towpath and effects navigation. It was a tossup whether we stopped at Wolseley Bridge or carry on a bit, as it was fine we decided to push on and top up with diesel at Taft Bridge.
When we passed here on our way out there was a boat undercover in the field, its now been re-launched and is looking splendid in its new paint work and it looks as if fitting  out work is going on. We stopped opposite it and filed up with diesel as its the cheapest in the area and then only went a couple of hundred yards before mooring on the towpath for the night at 2 pm. This gives us a nice run back to the marina in the morning.

Today’s Journey 

10 miles, 4 locks, 1 Junction and 2 canals in 4 hours.

Acton Trussell Sunday 3 January 2016

After a reasonable night we woke to the rain, well it was forecast for the whole day.

We set off in full waterproofs at about quarter to eleven dropping down to Penkridge lock where we filled with water, just above the service moor is a long length of private moorings, this sign amused me, but then I am easily pleased.

It was here that I almost had my first swim of the year, putting the water hose away I stood on the bow rope which rolled my foot and almost pitched me off the fore deck.

Not only was it raining but all the locks were against us as we pushed on. The M6 motorway is quite close for the next few miles and its not until you are above Acton Trussell that it veers away so we continued on mooring between Acton Trussell and Deptmore Lock.

Today’s Journey 

4 miles, 5 locks in 2½ hours and it rained every inch of the way.

Penkridge Saturday January 2 2016

Boy did it blow last night, it was hitting us side on in sharp gusts. but things were much better this morning when we set off at
10-45 am. The weather was much better than forecast. When I looked last night it said rain all day, but apart from lunch time when we were moored up it has only been light drizzle or fine.

We Calf Heath Marina, but I am still not sure if the place is open or not and if you wanted to eat there where to moor. The signs and flags all look new.

We stopped for lunch on the Gailey visitor moorings which was good timing, because that is when it decided to rain properly. Leaving there a little later the rain had stopped and it was even a bit warmer. On the way out I posted a photograph of all the JD boats moored along the canal, they have just about as many on the hard standing as well. There are more behind this row. Galey lock just like the rest was against us which slowed progress slightly. While I steered the boat Diana walked from one lock to the next, we did 4 locks like this. At Otherton Lock this car was parked on top of the canal bridge. Just below the bridge I saw something I have never seen before, a couple working the towpath with a metal detector. I wouldn’t have thought it very rewarding when you consider they are only about 200 years old, and have probably been resurfaced and repaired many times since then, not only that its all metal piling with steel tie back bars just under the surface.

All the locks on this canal are named and each one has a wooden name board, each name board was carved by hand by Mr Cox, the last being unveiled in 1989, It took him some 3 years to complete the task.

We moored in Penkridge just before The Cross Keys pub where we are planning to eat tonight, it will be our first meal out this year, it will also be the first meal out this trip. Directly where we are moored live some lucky kid looking at the Tree House beside the canal complete with spiral staircase, unless its Dad’s Den.

Today’s journey 

8¼ Miles, 5 locks in 3¾ hours

Coven Heath Friday 1 January 2016

We helped Joules Holland see the New Year in with a glass of bubbly before switching over to watch London on BBC1, I am glad I wasn’t not paying for that display. We could hear fireworks around us from about 10 pm. but couldn’t see them. We went to  bed early this morning to a clear starlight sky, over night we almost had our first frost of the year when it dropped to 0.5°C.

This morning warmed nicely and it was quite pleasant when we set off just after 11 am.  It wasn’t long before we met the first boat of the day coming towards us so we would be sure of some of the locks being with us. The towpath was full of groups of walkers, some with dogs all enjoying a stroll.

They are building flats on the sight of  the old Limekiln Chandlery at Compton, he use to sell the cheapest diesel in the area, but now Oxley Marine between  Autherley Junction and Aldersley Junction have taken on that mantle, today it was down to 60p. We met a second boat coming down Compton Lock so I walked up to help, I think the couple with a rather smart Hudson boat had their grandson with them, he was slightly disappointed to find the white bearded old chap in a bright red boiler suit was not Father Christmas.After they left the lock I went back to Harnser and made a right pigs ear of entering the lock, the flow from the by-wash took me straight across to the offside so I had to drop well back and start the approach over again. Coming into Wolverhampton I spotted one just one of the pair of Dabchicks that had been here on our way down, I just hope its mate is still about.

Just north of Autherley Junction this young lady can be seen on the corner of a landing stage. Just as we entered the Narrows it started to spit with rain, it would have been nice to have moored up with completely dry cloths. At the end of the Narrows these signs have appeared along the fence asking for witnesses from an incident 2½ years ago. I have no idea why they have happened now. We carried on under the M54 Motorway and through Coven Heath bridge before mooring for the night, the A449 is a bit noisy but it would be several miles before we are clear of that.

Today’s Journey    

8½ miles 6 Locks 1 Junction in 3¾ hours

Bratch Thursday 31 December 2015

We woke to a lovely morning, the sun was out, there was no wind and the Cockerels were crowing and boy did they know how to crow. It was a lot different to the 10mm of rain we had had in the previous 24 hrs

We set off at 10-30 am and immediately met a boat so that helped the lock situation. We stopped just above the lock at the services to take on water and dispose of rubbish. The day was most pleasant but a little cooler than of late, the towpath was full of joggers all going at different rates, some in groups chatting some alone checking watches as they went. About a mile north of here you come to Hinksford with a long length off offside private moorings, this meant I was travelling slowly when I spotted some fishing rods out over the canal laying on the tow path. I immediately stopped and two lads came running, winding in rods as the passed them, there were two more further up. It turned out they had at least 5 between them and even though I stopped before I reached the first one, his bate was actually behind me but luckily for them close to the towpath. The eldest lad was in such a rush his trousers had slipped down below his pants as he wound the lines in. Unfortunately he turned slightly just as I took this photo, but you can just see the orange glow, it brought a smile to our faces,

The Botterham staircase lock was set ready for us with top pound full and bottom empty, it must be due to leaking top gates as there is no way a boater would leave it like that.
Yesterday I posted a photograph of the stop plank groves above Stewponey Lock, well the ones slightly further not are not as ornate with the nice curves of yesterday but still very practical

We stopped at Sainsbury’s at Wombourne to replenish supplies, Its a handy stop with visitor moorings and rings right beside bridge 43. When we returned from shopping it had turned quite dull and quite a bit cooler. As we approached The Bratch it started to spit with rain and as I entered the bottom chamber the wind picked up and it was throwing it down, this carried on all the way to the top. The top gate of the flight is leaking badly due to all the rubbish that is trapped in the gate paddle, when you wind it down it doesn’t bottom out but just bounces on all the branches in there.
Once clear of the flight we moored for the night on the visitor mooring rings, needless to say within ten minuets the rain had passed.

Today’s Journey  4¼ miles, 10 locks including a staircase and The Bratch  in 3¼hours.

Bratch Thursday 31 December 2015

We woke to a lovely morning, the sun was out, there was no wind and the Cockerels were crowing and boy did they know how to crow. It was a lot different to the 10mm of rain we had had in the previous 24 hrs

We set off at 10-30 am and immediately met a boat so that helped the lock situation. We stopped just above the lock at the services to take on water and dispose of rubbish. The day was most pleasant but a little cooler than of late, the towpath was full of joggers all going at different rates, some in groups chatting some alone checking watches as they went. About a mile north of here you come to Hinksford with a long length off offside private moorings, this meant I was travelling slowly when I spotted some fishing rods out over the canal laying on the tow path. I immediately stopped and two lads came running, winding in rods as the passed them, there were two more further up. It turned out they had at least 5 between them and even though I stopped before I reached the first one, his bate was actually behind me but luckily for them close to the towpath. The eldest lad was in such a rush his trousers had slipped down below his pants as he wound the lines in. Unfortunately he turned slightly just as I took this photo, but you can just see the orange glow, it brought a smile to our faces,

The Botterham staircase lock was set ready for us with top pound full and bottom empty, it must be due to leaking top gates as there is no way a boater would leave it like that.
Yesterday I posted a photograph of the stop plank groves above Stewponey Lock, well the ones slightly further not are not as ornate with the nice curves of yesterday but still very practical

We stopped at Sainsbury’s at Wombourne to replenish supplies, Its a handy stop with visitor moorings and rings right beside bridge 43. When we returned from shopping it had turned quite dull and quite a bit cooler. As we approached The Bratch it started to spit with rain and as I entered the bottom chamber the wind picked up and it was throwing it down, this carried on all the way to the top. The top gate of the flight is leaking badly due to all the rubbish that is trapped in the gate paddle, when you wind it down it doesn’t bottom out but just bounces on all the branches in there. Once clear of the flight we moored for the night on the visitor mooring rings, needless to say within ten minuets the rain had passed..

Today’s Journey  4¼ miles, 10 locks including a staircase and The Bratch  in 3¼hours.

Greensforge Wednesday 30 December 2015

We could hear the wind last night, but where we were moored it was quite sheltered and the highest gust I recorded was only
20 mph. Because it sounded bad we were in no hurry to get away this morning, especially as the forecast was talking about the upper 50s mph. We took a walk up the lock to dump the rubbish and things didn’t seem to bad, so Diana set the lock while I went back to get Harnser.
In the time it took to slip the tiller on, put on my coat and start the engine, the hire boat ahead of us had almost cast off. I am sorry to say, I went passed them just as they dropped the bow rope off, but Diana did have the lock all ready for me.

While in the lock it started raining, nothing to bad, but as we reached Hyde Lock it just threw it down in stair rods. This continued until we left the lock, then the rain eased and the wind died to nothing at all, the anemometer stopped turning.

On our way down I had a bit of trouble getting out of Stewponey Lock so I was quite pleased to have see Ian down near Kidderminster with his motor Truro and butty, he must have come through the lock, so he would have swept it clean. Needless to say, going in was a breeze.

On the Staffs and Worcs Canal the canal company used cast iron lead ins into the top lock gates and these incorporated a stop plank grove. This is the only canal where I have noticed these.

As we passed Devil’s Den I slowed right down for a closer look and there snuggled by the rock face was the first clump of Snowdrops I have seen this winter. By now it was raining steadily again but thankfully no wind. At Rocky lock the lock was full and against us, not only that but both top paddles were up. I took a photo of the cave by the top gate, as you may just be able to see it is only just visible. I feel sure we looked in here when we had my grandson with us a couple of summers ago.

We didn’t go much further after that, a short way past Ashwood Marina mooring up before the Greensforge moorings as we knew they were tree lined and I try if possible to avoid mooring under trees.

Today’s journey  4½ miles, 5 locks, 1 junction in 2½ hours

Kinver Tuesday 29 December 2015

We were away in bright sunshine at 10-15 this morning, we only went to just above the next lock where we moored up and took a short walk around Wolverley, visiting the brick built church on our way. There are some interesting old houses there where part of the walls are carved from stone and then topped off with brick.When we returned to the boat I took another photo of the long white pipes that are mounted beside some of the locks and the end bit that looks as if its designed to be turned with a windlass actually has a screw  camp mounted inside the pipe. The pipe is about 4” in diameter and maybe 12 to 15 foot long. 

Following our walk we pushed on in the sun passed the winter moorings, who is to blame, the person who decided where the moorings would be of the one that blindly put the notice up?

Above Debdale Lock and before Cookley tunnel there is a large works by the towpath, at one time they had their own canal basin for loading and unloading boats. This is now Titan Wheel Works but was at one time Cookley Ironworks.                 Just look at that lovely blue sky.

The is a stone erected on the edge of the towpath, we saw it on the way down so pulled over to take a look, it marks the boundary  between Worcestershire and Staffordshire and was erected by the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal Society .

It was quite a short day for us and just after lunch we moored up on the visitor moorings just below Kinver lock. After lunch we took a walk round town and called into the chemist to buy some Beecham’s powders. I feel really sorry for the shop owner, my items came to £4-63 and the smallest I had was a £10 note. It took the two of them four attempts to get my change correct. We were going to walk up to the cave houses but checking online saw they would be closed so went up the other end of town and up to the church. After a short sit down and a photo in the church yard we headed back down to the boat.

Today’s Journey  4¾ miles, 3 locks in 2¼ hours