Tipton, John the lock moorings

Last night I planned to walk down and see if the LED/solar light that was thrown in the canal was working, but as I had my slippers on and it was chucking it down with rain that plan changed greatly.
This morning we were woken buy the builders across the other side of the canal, not sure what time they started, they also had tree surgeons working over there kicking up a din, but it was a lovely sunny morning and Diana did a bit of shopping before we set off.
A bit of advice to anyone planning on mooring in the Bentley Arm, ether go in forward or pull the boat out on ropes. I had no problem yesterday but today it was an instant ball of weed round the prop. I few thrashes back and forth and we were making reasonable progress, of course we took the obligatory photo under the mirror arch.Its now in need of a bit of a clean but access will be a problem unless it can be done from a boat with a window cleaners pole and brush.
Back at Horseley Fields Junction we turned left and I didn’t do much better than when we came a couple of days back, you can see where the wall is falling into the cut, its taken part of the signpost with it.

I pulled in at the CRT base and cleared the prop of the weed and short length of strimmer cord that was holding it all together. One of the bridges along here on a bend if fitted with rollers to protect the corners of the bridge from the towing lines and also make it easier for the horse to pull the line round the bend, these are a smaller diameter than I have come across on other canals and look as if they are made of iron. I don’t think they rotated that well.

There is lot of new housing along the towpath side with quite large estates, If I owned this house I don’t think I would be to happy, the end of the property is supposed to be white rendering, but its covered with brown streaks that look like they have leaked through it, its not the only property like it.

At Deepfield junction we turned left and made our way up the Bradley Arm, A thoughtful local pointed out it was a dead end. It shows how well used it is(n’t). We didn’t have any real problems, it was a bit weedy for a short section that kept fouling the prop but a bit of backwards soon cleared it and we made good time to the end. Thankfully there was room to wind, last time we were this way there were lots of CRT boats moored here, today just an old wooden

sunken boat and some hoppers all beyond the winding hole, I use to be able to get round in the entrance to the basin, but a few years back they piled it and narrowed the canal by about 2 foot. There was plenty of activity in the workshops by the sound of things.

On our way back we passed this weed cutter moored just by the winding hole at Highfields. I don’t know why it was there or who owns it.

Back at the Wolverhampton level we again turned left and headed through Coseley Tunnel, it was just as wet as last time and back to moor at John the Locks moorings in Tipton, where the geese are being extra h=noisy this afternoon, it must be the lovely warm weather, up to 14°C this afternoon.

Todays Journey

10 miles, no locks in 3¾ hours.

Bentley Arm

Well we are still moored in the same spot as last night but we have done ten miles today.
This was our mooring last night, we are the other way round now and no we didn’t eat in the pub.

Another sunny calm morning, not so warm as yesterday but by no means cold and it started without a breath of wind, this afternoon it has clouded over and there quite a breeze making it chilly.
We slid backwards out of the arm at about ten o’clock and headed along the Wyrley & Essington with a target of Sneyd Junction. Last time we were here they had just cleared the site opposite the branch, now there is a large building there.

Spring must be here as we passed at least 3 Coots nests and this one was sitting on a clutch of eggs.

There are several shopping trolleys in the cut just along from the shopping complex and also one of the post mounted solar powered outside lights, I was going to retrieve it but I suspect it is attached to the concrete base and would be rather heavy. We didn’t have any great problems navigating, the odd touch of reverse to through the odd bit of rubbish off the prop. I was rather taken with these signs. Its surprising the difference you see in back gardens, some make a welcoming feature, others look like builders yards or scrap yards, some are still gardened like a traditional back garden and some hidden behind  high hedges or fences.
I winded at Sneyd Junction although there is a winding hole marked by the services about 100M. past the junction through the bridge, looking through I could see a boom across  the arm by the end of the service and thought there may not be room, so after winding we reversed back through the bridge to fill up with water, it went OK once I goy out of the silt.
While the tank was filling I had a grovel down the weed hatch and removed a small amount of polly and some weed with fishing line in it from round the prop shaft. I think I had thrown the worst off reversing in the silt and giving it so back and forth welly, I do know we made better speed coming back.

Todays Journey

10 Miles, no locks in 4¼ hours

Bentley Arm

Well they say what a difference a day makes, last night the pressure started rising, the temperature overnight dropped to
–3.5°C we woke up to frost everywhere and bright sunshine, today its been well up in double figures but turned chilly this afternoon when the clouds blocked the sun out.
We said our farewells and headed off a bit later than normal past Windmill end and through Netherton Tunnel, her are the hanging brambles I trimmed back the other day, they still look low but are well above head height. 

After leaving the tunnel you come to the Tividale Aqueduct, this has two arches with a toll island in the middle, looking through I could see a fishing match the far side and the first fisherman was by the cottages, decision, which arch to go through, I picked the left and gently headed for the centre of the canal once through. They were a merry bunch enjoying a morning in the sunshine, only one a bit grumpy like they often are.

Down at Dudley Port Junction we turned left along the Main New Line, passing Caggy’s yard I spotted a weed cutter moored up, lets hope its put to work this year.

When we came down a couple of days ago the water was crystal clear, today it was cloudy so I wasn’t able to spot the sunken boat, unless its already been removed. Factory locks were with us and dry walled, we were probably the last to use them when we came down, in the middle lock we shared with a Coot, I didn’t see it as we entered the lock, it wasn’t until Diana started filling that I spotted it by the bows, I finally swam along the side of the boat and had the rest of the trip behind our stern.

We carried on along the Wolverhampton Level through Coseley Tunnel which was quite wet at the

far end, again I trimmed the brambles that were hanging low enough to catch peoples faces. A steady run to Horseley Field Junction where I made a right cock of swinging in, A chap standing by the bridge kindle pushed my bows round as my stern and prop were in sunken branches. The wall opposite the junction is collapsing and of course the bricks are falling into the cut. I managed to negotiate the narrow gauging lock at the end of the Wyrley and Essington canal without fouling the prop, that’s unusual for me, its normally full of crap. We carried on to our mooring for the night, the Bentley Arm by the Nickelodeon pub, but I don’t think we will be visiting there tonight.

Todays Journey

10¼ miles, 3 locks in 3¾ hours

Withymoor Island

I forgot to mention why we are all gathering here, its the Birmingham Canal Navigation Society for the Icicle Cruise. Icicle Cruise 2024 – Waterfront to Parkhead | Birmingham Canal Navigations Society (bcnsociety.com)
Last night we planned to eat with the others who were moored here at Weatherspoons but the place was heaving so we looked at the Brierley Hop House but their kitchen was about to close so we went to the Indian Tavern and it was one of the best Indian Meals I have had, so good we had to have a doggy bag.
This morning I took a couple of photos or the rest of the groups boats before setting off at ten past ten,

there was no sign of life on the other boats. We slowly chugger to Blowers Green lock and then up the three Park Head locks to the mouth of the Dudley Tunnel, we are far to tall to get through and power boats are not allowed anyway.

Reversing back to the head of the top lock to wind, trying to avoid the weed which seams rampant outside the channel close to the tow path, to where it was wide enough to wind, we then went down the side arm into Pensnett basin where we moored to await the arrive of the rest of the boats. We spent the rest of the morning through to about 2pm assisting all the others up the locks.
After lunch we set off back down the flight passing under the dis used railway viaduct that is now being repurposed for the Birmingham Light Railway

Well we may have been the first to arrive at Park Head but we were the last to leave and with all the boat movements through the lock the level was down several inches above the top lock, but luckily we didn’t have a problem just sliding backwards out of the arm and the forward into the lock, This time we were the ones to receive assistance with the locking.
Once down the locks it was turn left and head for Withymoor Island an ex railway trans shipment yard. Here the residents of the island had laid on a meal for us and provided us with an overnight mooring.

Todays Journey

4¼ miles, 7 locks in 2½

Merry Hill

Got up for my normal wee in the middle of the night and it was bright moonlight but by early morning it was raining and blowing, the rain finally stopped about 10am so we were late getting away, but it didn’t matter as we didn’t have far to go.
We pushed off and made our way to Parkhead lock and junction. it looks as if the company on the junction have had a recent fire. It seems to happen a lot around Birmingham.

We dropped down Blowers Green Lock and were greeted by something I didn’t expect to see this time of the year, the canal covered, bank to bank with a green carpet of weed.

Its very early in the year for this to be around, its very thin, but is it a sign of things to come with problems like they had last year.

A short way before Merry Hill beside the Tata building there is this structure on the side of the canal, there is a similar one towpath side so I take it there was a cable across the canal at some point, but what was it for?

Once at Merry Hill we winded and reversed back under the bridge to see if any other boats were on the moorings along the towpath, but couldn’t see any one so moored opposite Weatherspoons, there are now 4 more boats here and one a long way upthe towpath, I was expecting to see about ten, but its still early.

Todays Journey

4 miles, 1lock in 1½ hours

Windmill End

Last night we ate on board, just as well as it rained most of the evening and woke me several times in the night.
This morning was fine but overcast and not particularly cold. We had a boat chug by just before we set off to Factory Junction where we turned sharp right to go down the 3 Factory Locks.  For many years there was a narrowboat sitting in the yard by the top lock, since they have left the level of vandalism and fly tipping looks pretty horrendous.

The old Gauging Station is well on the way to being wrecked with half the roof now destroyed as well as the lean to building at the end. Another historic building left to rot. The top lock was against us but the other two were full and a passing dog walker kindly opened the gate on the bottom lock.
There is a sunken boat at right angles to the towpath a short way north of Caggy’s yard, its completely underwater. We carried on to Dudley Port Junction were we turned right  and headed towards Netherton tunnel. I stopped at the entrance and did a bit of gardening to the brambles that were hanging down from the parapet so hopefully now no one will get one in their face. Needless to say we were the only boat in the tunnel and once clear we made our way to the water point at the end of the visitor centre, would you believe there was already a boat there, we have seen 4  boats on the move all week and we  get to the water point and its in use. We didn’t have to wait long until he was finished. Once our tank was full we moved to the other side of the canal to moor for the night.

Todays Journey

4¼ miles, 3 locks in 2½ hours

Tipton

Last night as we were in Birmingham it had to be an Indian Restaurant, our second visit to Barajee which is situated on Broad Street tunnel.
We set off at our normal 10am and within minutes it started raining. As you can see we were the onlyboat moored down here. As we passed the gym the fire  alarm was sounding and all these bodies in tight clothing spilled out onto the towpath and made their way to the assembly point, I bet they soon felt the chill in the air.We made our way round the Oozells Loop and out onto the main line heading towards Tipton.
The view that the new houses had on the Icknield Loop had of the Main Line has now gone as they are building a 6 story block right in front of them. I wonder how many knew that was coming. 

We continued up the New Main Line passing under the Engine Arm aqueduct. As we passed Spon Lane junction the rain stopped which was nice. At Albion junction we turned left and up the three Brades Hall locks where it really started to rain. Since we were last this way a new building has appeared in the grounds of the Hindu Shri Venkatesware Temple. As soon as we cleared the locks and turned right on the Old Main Line the rain stopped. Continuing on or way we turner right at Tipton Junction, left would have taken us to the Dudley Tunnel and the Black Country Museum, lots of people rate the moorings there, but we find the road noisy. As we approached Owen Street bridge I could see some canoes approaching from the opposite direction, but they turned and pulled to the side so I continued on through slowly and passed them, there were 4 canoes lashed together in pairs for extra stability. Our destination was only just past them on the left hand side outside the health centre.

Here is a map of our total journey this year

Todays Journey

3 Locks, 9 miles in 3¼ hours

Birmingham Oozells St Loop

  During my efforts down the weed hatch yesterday I dropped my Stanley knife, I had a dabble with the magnet but no luck. This morning I pulled the boat forward a bit and eventually I was able to spot it on the canal bed. I had to drop the magnet right on to it to catch it and then it fell off as I lifted it. Another try and reaching into the water to get hold of it I had it back. This delayed our departure by about ¼ of a hour.
Not much luck with the locks as every one was against us. Our original plan was to moor for the night outside the University on the Digbeth Branch but we were at Aston Junction within an hour so decided to head up Farmers Bridge flight and into Birmingham. Every time we come this way the view is different with all the building going on.

Even the existing buildings now look different with the old cladding all removed and the new installed, all the scaffolding and temporary supports have gone and its looking quite smart again.

Once clear of the locks we made our way straight across Old Turn junction and down the Oozells Loop where to our surprise there was no one moored.
We had a bit of lunch before I set to doing an oil and filter change, I also checked the water in the batteries and found a couple of cells low so I think its time to consider some new ones.

Todays Journey

2 Miles, 21 locks in 3hours

Aston between locks 9 and 8 Birmingham

Not so cold last night but no where as warm today with a cool breeze, but no rain so all is good. Actually at times it was quite bright and pleasant.

Away at the normal 10am. the boat behind had already gone, however we met a boat at lock two of the Minworth flight so that eased us on our way. All the paddle gear on the Minworth flight has been freshly greased, all the rest we have done have been as dry as a bone. One thing I never noticed before is the iron work on the lock side by the top gates, I guess it was to take the wear when the boatmen didn’t get it quite right coming in.

I fund the structure of the Old Kingsbury Road bridge just above the lock quite interesting but hard to capture with the camera.

I stopped under Tyburn bridge while Diana visited Aldi and I took the opportunity to clear the prop of a large piece of cloth while she was gone.
I have asked several times about the factory over the canal near Troutpool bridge but never had that much information, it looks a recent construction, so did they close the canal to build it? the canal was still in commercial use as there are mooring rings by the sealed up doorways.
It was then on to Salford Junction were we took the second turn keeping on the B&F canal. I expected to see a notice here telling me the way straight ahead was closed at Perry Bar locks, but nothing. We just went up 3 locks planning to moor on the offside by the London School of Science and Technology but the only mooring was outside the building with a café and the aircon makes a real racket so we passed under Rocky Road bridge on the towpath side. Once moored I delved back into the weed hatch removing an Ikea bag and other rubbish, I also managed to drop my Stanley knife to the bottom of the canal whilst cutting it all off.

Todays Journey

6¾miles, 6 locks in 3½ hours

Minworth

What a night last night, clear sky, no wind and a full moon, when I got up to go to the loo I thought it was morning, just like daylight. The down side to such a clear sky was the temperature dropped below -2°C and was still at freezing point when we got up.
During the evening I booked a table for Sunday Lunch at the Dog and Doublet so we only had 3 locks to do this morning, setting off at our normal 10am. One of the boats ahead had already left and the first lock was against us. Like yesterday it was bright and sunny.

The next 2 locks must leak badly as they were both empty when we arrived, so it only took us ¾ hour from leaving to mooring outside the pub.
I  had a card to post and there is a post box by the old Chapel at Bodymoor Heath, almost opposite is Bridge House, This was once a pub as it still has a large wall painting on one corner. It closed in late 1960’s      

 

After a pleasant Sunday lunch and just a half of TT we were on the move again up the flight. By now the weather had turned dull and a lot cooler, unlike yesterday afternoon. The locks were all over the place, some full, some empty and some somewhere in between. The doesn’t look to have been much of a change at the HS2 crossing and being Sunday no activity at all. We didn’t see another boat on the move all day. Once we cleared the locks and spoke to the very cheery fishermen we passed through Curdworth tunnel and moored for the night about half way to the Cuttle Bridge Inn at Knightley, Minworth.

Todays Journey

3½ miles, 11 locks in 3 hours

Curdworth Bottom Lock

We had a good drive from home to the boat, we left in mist and headlights on and arrived in bright sunshine. It was 4°C when we left home and double figures when we arrived at the moorings.
The first job was to get the water system refiled, I drained it before leaving the boat which was just as well as the temperature inside the boat fell to -4°C of course I don’t know how long it was cold for. Next job fire the Dickinson and see if the engine would start, success, first time. By now Diana had unloaded the car and sorted lunch.
We set off at ten past two, turning left as we left the marina, We didn’t see a boat on the move  until we reached Glascote Locks where the boat ahead kindly drew the paddles for us as they left the lock speeding us on our way, we were able to thank him as he moored just before Fazeley junction. As I entered the junction under bridge a boat was coming towards us from Fradley, I indicated I was turning left but they kept coming on that side to get under the bridge I was in, eventually they stopped and I was able to cross their bows and go up the Birmingham and Fazeley canal, they in turn could pass under the bridge I was sitting under. We stopped to top up with water just outside Fazeley Mill marina. For those that are interested the base price of their diesel is £1-20 at the moment.  Once full we carried on the spring like weather to moor for the night just below Curdworth bottom lock, we are moored behind two other boats, maybe they wont set off moments before us in the morning.

 

Todays Journey

6½ miles, 2 locks in 3 hours