June 27th moored back on Staffs & Worcs at Stourton Junction
         158 miles, 159 locks, 3 swing bridges and 9 tunnels from Dunham Massey

Wednesday 27th June

Spending day moored at the Junction on the 5 day moorings.

Walked the dogs along towpath beside River Stour to Gothersley roundhouse and lock.   Finished off working on holes for ventilation of the new fridge.  Generally a lazy day.

Tuesday 26th June

Rather grey and overcast with showers today.  After exercising the dogs we walked back up the Stoubridge canal lock flight

passed the derelict Stuart Crystal site

to the Red House Cone

and visited the Stuart Crystal Museum this morning.

Very interesting but lacking in attendance at craft shops and the cafe was closed.  Walked back down the flight enjoying the poppies alongside the towpath.

After a late lunch we decided to move on down the final four locks of the Stourbridge canal to Stewponey. No sooner on the move than it started raining again, but thankfully didn't last for long.  Bit of a shuffle at junction trying to reverse onto Staffs & Worcs passed a moored boat to get to the moorings but managed in the end.

Monday 25nd June.

Left Merry Hill with a little sunshine in evidence and the day got better, summer was back today!   Bridie
elected to steer today as the Delph locks are deep and do not have bridges at the tail nor very easy top gate
crossing.  Apart from grounding on an obstruction after the first lock a generally enjoyable flight of eight

locks quickly descended to Black Delph Junction.

This was followed by a rather winding pound to Leys Junction and the start of the descent down the Stourbridge flight of 16 locks.  Lock 4 would have been a useful break with a pub and a mooring outside the police station but the powers that be decided that we should press on!
Ultimately having passed Wordsley Junction with the arm to Stourbridge on our left we cruised on about half a mile to just beyond Bells Mill bridge near the site of the 2008 breach and moored up.  Took the dogs for a walk along the Stourbridge Arm to work up an appetite for dinner (just in case 24 locks wasn't enough)!

June 24th moored at The Waterfront Merry Hill on Dudley No 1 Canal

         151 miles, 131 locks, 3 swing bridges and 9 tunnels from Dunham Massey

Sunday 24th June

Spending day moored in the business park here at the Waterfront. Been for a walk with the dogs to check out the Delph and paid a visit to the shopping centre.   Weather still showery with a cool blustery wind.

Saturday 23rd June

Cold wind and showers today but set off from our mooring about 10

heading down the main line under the M5

out of Birmingham towards Wolverhampton.

Left to Netherton tunnel 2700 metres wide enough to pass and with a towpath on both sides (although one is blocked off at either end).  Felt decidedly cold in the wind today and needed waterproofs on to keep warm.  Watered up at Blowers Green outside the pumping station before the only lock of the day.  Had to clamber over Electra the Dudley Trust electric tug which is conveniently moored on the water point! We moved on and eventually moored at the waterfront next to mooring pontoons and just before the footbridge opened 1994 by Michael Portillo.  Just in time before Heavens opened again.


Friday 22nd June

Spent day moored outside the NIA.  Wandered round City Centre and Jewellry Quarter and went for a meal later in the evening with Lynne at Cafe Rouge.

Thursday 21st June

Headed off from Hopwood after we watered up and into Wast Hill tunnel (2700 yards).  Passed two boats in the tunnel, the second bounced off the tunnel wall into us, all adds to the excitement!  Then a gentle cruise
through Bournville, Selly Oak and Edgbaston to the City Centre

passing the University where I worked for
three years in the 70's.  Then watered up just before the Mailbox

turned to follow trip boat through Gas Street

 and into Brindley Place.

Moored just across from Sea Life by the NIA.  Lyne came out to meet up with us for
the evening and go for a meal at Strada by Symphony hall.

June 20th moored by Hopwood House Inn  on Worcester & Birmingham Canal

         131 miles, 130 locks, 3 swing bridges and 6 tunnels from Dunham Massey

Wednesday 20th June

Finished off (or tried to) the fridge installation by adding some old woodwork and installing warning light. Battery drill not got enough charge in it to put all the air holes I wanted to between the wooden fridge casing and bulkhead under the bed.  Having read instructions we think there is not enough air space behind the fridge. Moved on to Hopwood in glorious sunshine just a short cruise to put us into position for final burst into Birmingham City Centre tomorrow and a short visit to another relative living in Hopwood.

Tuesday 19th June

It was a generally sunny and reasonably warm day with some cloud and one minor shower.  Started early by going across the canal onto the fuel point at the marina to fill up with diesel (another 68 litres).  Enquired as to fridges used in boat fleet and bought and had a new 12v fridge fitted as we have lost confidence in current one which although working is erratic and noisy and keeps defrosting.  Moved boat onto a mooring just beyond bridge 60 and our son David and partner Harriett joined us for lunch at the Crown breaking their journey from Carlisle to Wokingham.  My sister Lynne also joined us for lunch and stayed for dinner too; which we had after walking the dogs into the village and to local Co-op.

Monday 18th June - Tardebigge flight of thirty locks

At last a day without constant showers, sunny and even warm at times though clouds built up during the day again.  Up early after a quad bike past the moorings about 7:30 - later discovered this is a new BW service to keep every one on their toes.  It was the maintenance team making their presence felt.  Given that this was the first day in a month we saw any evidence of BW doing any maintenance I suppose we can't complain!  Started the flight at about 9:30 and soon got into a rhythm, Bridie prepared each lock, I cruised in with enough reverse to slow the boat got off at the steps to close gate down ladder back on boat to try and stop before it reached the top gate (not always judging it quite right but never hitting the cill with any force. Bridie lifted top paddle (sometimes both sometimes only on her side) then walked to next lock.  I dropped paddles and opened top gate move boat out and stopped to shut the gate keeping a rope handy in case the boat drifted.  However no problem today as almost no wind!  We only passed two boats going in the opposite direction so did not get much help from other crews. Eventually stopped and moored for lunch at 2pm just before the final 14' lock at Tardebigge - 29 locks completed. After lunch we moved on watering up above the lock at the maintenance yard after passing the site of last weeks breech.  BW are still busy doing repairs to the embankment.  Through Tardebigge and Shortwood tunnels both wide enough to pass another boat but we did not meet one. Then moored on 48hr moorings opposite the boat yard where Tuptonia is being built at Alvechurch Boat Centre

Sunday 17th June

Another showery day, a bit warmer and less wind but still not summer!  Moved on up the Astwood flight of six locks, watering up at Stoke and then climbing the Stoke flight of six locks.  Too wet to really enjoy the day but objective achieved and moored by bottom lock of the Tardebigge flight outside the Queens Head.  Bridie was thwarted as I went to book a table for dinner only to find they do not do food on Sunday evenings.

Saturday 16th June

Made an early start this morning braving the wind to turn onto the water point and fill up.  Removed TV ariel from on the roof and stowed the anchor away (hardly needed on few hundred yards on the Salwarpe).  Once filled up we made off through Vines Park, through the two swing bridges to Barge Lock, Bridie fighting manfully with the BW locks to release them first.  At Barge Lock there is also a swing bridge which has to be swung before you can enter the lock.   Then out onto the Salwarpe and the start of the Junction canal with a short haul to the first of the new concrete locks.  By now it was raining and not very pleasant at all, coupled with increasing traffic noise from the M5. At the culvert under the M5 we had to duck but despite all the warnings and recent rain we had about 5" to spare above cratch board and box.  Through lock 6 and the staircase 5 & 4 we were paced by a group of walkers, out getting wet in our wonderful summer just like us.  The surrounding ground has been liberally sown with wild flower seeds and did have the appearance of a wild meadow, how long before the brambles take over like the rest of the system?  Then up the first three, original (restored) locks we had some help with the locks in the shape of two volunteers who also liked being out in the rain too!  All too soon it was left hand down onto the Worcester & Birmingham Canal at Hanbury Wharf.  Had the weather been better we might have seen fit to moor up here but carried on towards the Astwood flight.   Moored up below lock 17 at Astwood Locks, had lunch and watched the rain fall, eventually risking a dog walk up the flight to see if we could see a path to Hanbury Hall (NT) for a visit tomorrow.  Only style we found had no path information and not too clear which direction it takes.

Friday 15th June

Stayed put. It rained yesterday evening and all night so River Salwarpe is running well and as the next section of canal above Barge lock uses the River it is well in the red.   Not that we wanted to move anyway as Lynne brought Mac and Teddy to join us for the day. We managed a short walk round Vines park and up to the next lock beyond Barge lock but got wet in the process. Lynne left after we had had dinner and we are back to two dogs.  Mac seems to have lost interest in Mabel!

June 14th moored in Droitwich basin on the Droitwich Barge Canal

         117 miles, 80 locks and 4 tunnels from Dunham Massey

Thursday 14th June

Not cruising today, just doing the sights in Droitwich with a bit of shopping as well.  The weather is deteriorating, plenty of cloud and getting rather showery and the wind is increasing too.  Storms are forecast we believe.  Renewed the boat insurance today (greetings to Roy and Sheila!) and managed to get on line after a fight getting the lap topped booted - I hate Microsoft, it is a good job when we buy a car it doesn't decide to have to do its own maintenance and make you wait before you can drive off and actually use it.  I mean it is good that the operating system keeps itself up to date but I get the feeling Microsoft forget that you might want to use the system before the battery runs out!

Wednesday 13th June

Day started with plenty of sunshine, only a few clouds and no wind, a good omen for cruising on the Severn?  We made a reasonably early start, Catmint setting off first, having moored on our offside overnight, (a pleasant couple on their way to Tewkesbury).  We followed down the two sets of two staircases onto the Severn (just about 9:45), donning life jackets for us, and for Mabel, before leaving the canal system behind

for the short two hour cruise to Hawford lock and the start of the Droitwich Barge canal.  Did not see another boat moving on the Severn and had it all to ourselves.  It was glorious, just going with the flow, engine ticking over maintaining a steady six miles an hour.  Rang ahead to both locks and lights went from red to green as we approached each one.  I managed to drift in slowly against the wall at both locks so that Bridie and I were able to feed our ropes through the cables on the wall at first attempt.

 Mabel gaves us a six out of six for that!

 

At Hawford we had to turn across the river and punch the flow onto the new pontoon in front of the lock.  Again no problem, managed without any drama and we tied up before preparing the lock just about 12 noon.

The Barge canal was a delight, if a little narrow in places but reeds prevail on both sides (apart from very short gaps prepared for our fishing friends) and there were almost no places where we could have moored overnight and got Mabel off and on the boat easily.

The lock landings are all fairly short and only have enough room for one boat at a time, so we progressed if a little slowly up to Droitwich through the eight wide locks.  Only passed two boats going the other way,

two boats moored breasted up between locks 2 and 3 and a small boat moored above lock 8 (plus a upturned rowing boat drifting between two locks!).  Bridie chickened out of walking the short stretch of towpath after lock 4 as a swan was on its nest by the gate.

We finally moored up, about four pm, in Netherwich Basin within Vines Park opposite this artwork entitled 'Extreme Fishing'.  

We are tied to a short floating pontoon, locked away from the locals behind a BW secure gate (keeping us in or them out?).  There is a tap is on the end pier which is reserved for boats to fill up and there are rubbish skips for boaters (using a BW key to get access) at the entrance to Vines Park next to The Railway Arms.  A great mooring for train spotting, were there any trains to spot other than modern DMU’s that is.

Bridie declared that the crew was now officially on strike and that a meal out was called for to celebrate a great days cruising, so the captain and Mabel went off to book a table for two at The Gardners Arms.  This turned out to be a great choice and we enjoyed a very pleasant meal and drinks to finish off the day.

June 12th moored in Stourport basin at the end of the Staffs & Worcs Canal
(waiting for river level to drop)
         103 miles, 66 locks and 4 tunnels from Dunham Massey

NOTE I have changed order of entries today so that they read in chronological reverse order.  I am not always able to find time (or phone signal on dongle) to post new entries  daily so aim to do so every few days when the chance arises.

Tuesday 12th June

A better day today, not raining, with river dropped over a foot during the night. First thing this morning it was only just on the red and falling. Boats being allowed onto the river under caution. Assisted with locks
and took photo's as the dutch barge 'De Jange Cornelis' headed out onto the river

and watched the Canal Time narrow boat go out with a 'pilot' at the helm, by which time the river had fallen to Amber on the board.  The crew of 'Combs Lass' from Banbury went down to Worcester on the dutch barge and intend returning by bus to go down tomorrow, by which time we hope to be in the green.  I got the anchor out, checked in weed hatch, dipped fuel tank and topped up with water, while Bridie made use of the 240v landline with another wash load and downloading photo's etc. otherwise we are having a lazy day in Stourport with a bit of shopping and a pint at the Angel.

Monday 11th June

Wet overnight and a grey, dismal and wet day today, short brighter period at lunch time but soon started
raining again. This morning the level on entry to wide lock still showed as 9.6 although BW guy reckons it is still rising.

Late afternoon still same level. Have electric point at stern of boat but can't get it to
accept a card so joined both my mains cables together and managed to reach meter beyond dutch barge so we now have mains power.  Bridie had washing machine going this morning and used vacuum and I have been on the computer and managed to check mail and finances etc but my 3 signal keeps dropping off so haven't attempted to update this blog yet.
Moored close to Severnside .....

which I have found to feature in my family history.  My great great great grandfather James Landon was a boat builder and lived here in 1841 with his children including David (who was then 11) my great great grandfather (on my fathers mothers side of the family) who was to marry and have a daughter Emma Landon (my great grandmother).

Sunday 10th June

Sunny start to the day and first priority was another trip to B&Q to get another set of pipe connectors.  This
time I managed to speak to someone who knew what he was talking about (not easy in B&Q) and bought 2 new 1/2" to compression connectors (different to and cheaper than the ones I bought yesterday) and these worked - after a bit more blue language as nothing is ever that straight forward!  Now we have a functioning tap again - hurrah- can finish off a wash cycle on the washing machine we had interupted, we can wash up last nights dirty pots, and joy of joys, can even have  a shower!  So much for our dirty weekend in Kidderminster.  Set off about midday for Stourport with small delay at Falling Sands Viaduct on the SVR to take pictures of the 13:00 ex Kidderminster (a Western diesel) and the 13:13 ex Bewdley (a GWR prairie).

The weather stayed fine although the clouds looked very threatening at times and when we arrived at the basin we used the services and then moved onto one of the only available moorings.  It was rather a tight fit and a Canal Time boat moved back a little to let us in, as I reversed up to the bows of a dutch barge 'De Jange Cornelis' (built 1892 in Holland).

Once moored and fed (late lunch again) we walked Mabel up the Severn towpath past the site of the Stourport Motor Yacht and Bungalow Association (SMY & BA).  Here there are the final moorings on the navigable Severn and just beyond was the board advising sailors to 'Turn Here'.   The Severn was in full flow, a swirling muddy brown torrent carrying lots of debris.  It is well into the red on the lock gauges so we can't venture on to the river yet and it is starting to flood the car park by the fairground.  We gather it is still rising with floodwaters from the recent rain storms in Wales.  No problem our overnight mooring here in the basin will do until it abates in a few days time (?). No one can come up from the river or down to the river now.  The dutch barge had to sign an indemnity to come up from Worcester this morning. This evening the level on entry to wide lock showed as 9.6.

Saturday 9th June

Making ready to depart and mixer tap in the kitchen decided to play up - couldn't stop the hot tap running.
tried changing washer but that just made it worse.  Cruised to Kidderminster, weather improving, and did a
shop at Sainsburies then went through the town lock to Weavers Wharf. Went on a tour of Kidderminsters ring road cum roundabout system looking for a B&Q to buy a new tap and connectors.  Spent rest of day trying to install the new tap and failed.  Now couldn't use any water at all - no showers, no tea, no washing up etc. We were moored outside 24 hr Tesco so stocked up on still mineral water and bought a ten pound meal deal and finally settled down to watch a DVD.  Only boat moored here on a Saturday night so a bit nervous about what to expect but in the event only heard distant laughter and shouting as revellers made their way home and we had no problems. As usual the bad reputation the place had acquired proved to be undeserved.     

Friday 8th June

Invaded today!  My sister Lynne has booked a table for eight at 13:00 at the Lock Inn.  She arrived about
10:30 and the others followed about 11:00.  Drinks on board until we were ready to go for lunch.  Our cousin Val is in UK from Canada on the way to meet her husband Don in Spain before going on a cruise in the Med.  Good time. Very good lunch we can recommend the Lock Inn at Wolverley with a small dining room overlooking the lock.   The weather was better than anticipated but still overcast and windy and we did the right thing abandoning plans to cruise here from Kidderminster.   Lynne stayed on for a while after the others had left to return to Stow and to Gloucestershire.  Walked into Wolverley with the dogs and had a pint at the Queens Head before Lynne departed taking Mac with her.  He hasn't eaten now for 4 days and needs to be away from Mabel before he wastes away!

June 5th moored below Gothersley Lock at the old roundhouse on the Staffs & Worcs Canal 

         90.5 miles, 56 locks and 3 tunnels from Dunham Massey

Tuesday 5th June

Decided to stay put.  Not a very exiting day weather wise, looked like rain all day but didn't come to anything until about half three.  Mac is doing our heads in and we didn't sleep too well.  He is now firmly in love with Mabel and we are having to keep them apart!!  Not sure how much longer she is going to be so interesting but I hope it is not too long!  Ziggy moved on mid morning and I polished the starboard side of the boat.  The rain has already washed it down for me.

Monday 4th June

A bit brighter start to the day with sun in evidence and no rain so made an early(ish) start down the lock in front of us followed by two more. Made slow progress through a fishing match but they were a friendly enough bunch. Soon enough we arrived at the Bratch.   Here we had time for a brew and sit out on a bench with the dogs waiting for a boat to come up the staircase of three locks.  No other boats arrived in the opposite direction so the lock keeper let us descend earlier than he had predicted, and the on to Bumble Hole lock with memories of getting drenched here twice a couple of years ago, once on the boat and once when walking the dogs.  Just to remind us we had a few spots of rain shortly after passing through the lock. We cruised on to Greensforge

lock, filled with water and went for a late lunch at The Navigation.  We were going to stay the night but on returning to the boat found someone moored next to us with a generator running so they could watch TV.  Peace shattered we decided to move on down the lock, and two more, to moor just beyond Gothersley lock at the site of the old roundhouse dating from the year of Trafalgar and marking the site of an old wharf serving an ironworks which existed here until the 1880's.  Now it is an official 5day mooring for about two boats and we have used it before.  Just as Bridie was preparing dinner a boat called Ziggy from Rufford arrived and I took the rope to help them moor up desperately trying to remember the chap steering.  To those at Iggesund (if you are reading this) it was Jim Fenwick, enjoying his retirement and now living all year round on Ziggy, heading down to Sharpness.

Sunday 3rd June

Rained heavily in the night and still raining all day.  We have chickened out and stayed put.  Bridie did not have a very good nights sleep and we decided we might as well enjoy the peace on the mooring we have - no road noise, no houses, only boats and walkers.  Put TV ariel up but Digital TV as bad as ever really do not know  why we pay a TV license fee giving the pathetic coverage terrestial tv has, Digital means you get total picture break up and sound loss whereas we used to just get a fuzzy picture but ok sound.  However we did manage to watch the Diamond Jubilee boat parade on the Thames

Saturday 2nd June

Cloudy and not very warm at all today.  It rained a bit in the night so was rather damp this morning and was threatening rain all day, then finally started to rain again in the evening. We decided to stay on our rather nice mooring and go off for a walk with the dogs.  Retraced our path back up the towpath to last bridge and took Greyhound Lane up to the old railway bridge to join the trackbed of the Kingswinford railway line.  We walked as far as Wombourne station which closed in 1932.  The station building and platform survive as a cafe and we would have stopped for coffee but all the tables (3) on the platform were in use, one occupied by a couple with very noisy dogs that were not going to let us and our two have any peace.  Another family arriving with dogs at the same time turned and left as well.  We walked down the lane to the Bratch and then followed the towpath back past the staircase and next three locks to our mooring.

June 1st moored above Dimmingsdale Lock on the Staffs & Worcs Canal 
         83.5 miles, 41 locks and 3 tunnels from Dunham Massey

Friday 1st June

Cloudy and cooler but dry (all day). Got under way just before 10 and led a convoy of about four boats for the five miles to Autherley Junction where we stopped to top our water tank up.  Had to wait for Duke and Duchess Hotel boats to finish with the tap first. Bridie set the stop lock and I made my way in as someone turned off the Staffs and Worcs into the bridge hole to come up the Shroppie, obviously he hadn't checked lock was free and set it ready before he turned the corner!  Anyway he reversed out and we turned right.  Stopped for lunch above Compton lock. Bridie went for a quick shop at the Daisy delicatessan and after descending the lock we stopped briefly at Limekiln chandelry for a new rope, then proceeded on through the two Wightwick locks, through MOPS farm bridge (!) and past Dimmingdsdale wharf. So little traffic today we seem to have the canal to ourselves after the busier Shroppie.  Everyone must have been on the four counties circuit.  Even Mabel is settling down to the chilled out lifestyle and coping with the stresses and strains of canal life (even though she is now in season)!

Managed to moor on the 5day mooring (room for just two boats) above the lock on opposite side to towpath.  Always nice to get away from the cyclists hurtling past and the joggers who manage to pound past at silly o'clock in the morning!

Thursday 31st May

Rained a little over night and was a bit more serious this morning, grey skies, much cooler and a mix of light
and heavy showers. I decided to make use of the weather and wash down the starboard side and clean the
windows, not often we have been moored with towpath on our left this last few days and the boat is decidedly dusty.  Bridie defrosted the fridge and spent some time downloading photo's from camera to laptop and CD, not that she has taken as many as usual., however we should now be able to put some onto the blog at last.  After lunch, with little sign of improvement in the weather, we decided to sit tight for
today and got back to crossword puzzles and Soduko. Late afternoon the rain eased so we went back into Brewood with the dogs to replenish food and drink stocks a bit more given the long bank holiday weekend ahead.

Wednesday 30th May

Another summers day but fridge has been making some funny noises cutting on and off over last couple of days so decided to spend my morning checking and topping up the batteries. Main bank of four are now six years old but were all ok, no empty cells at least, but topped up anyway.  Starter battery (newest) was ok,  but the oldest battery in front locker had a couple of exposed cells and needed a fair bit of 'topping' up.  This
battery (supposedly for my non working bow thruster) is connected to my radio and amplifier and is charged with the rest so could be a problem(?) however it still shows a green indicator.  Once finished we set off for a short cruise to Brewood.  However first stop was about 100 yards from mooring where we stopped for a fuel top up (81 litres) then another 100 yards to services for a water top up, followed by a further 100 yards to Wheaton Aston Lock. Then to Brewood and a short walk with Mac & Mabel and back via the village and the shops.

Tuesday 29th May

A rather slow start today having decided to slow down!  First we had a wander round Norbury Junction with the dogs to visit the chandlery and take some photo's and then use the services etc before moving on across Shelmore Embankment and through Gnosall Heath.  Plenty of visible signs of the imenent passing of the Olympic Flame through the locality tomorrow and lots of flags on show for the Diamond Jubilee (but not on Prairie Oyster I have to say). Weather not quite so hot and some clouds about but still dry and calm.  Stopped on the moorings at Wheaton Aston and after lunch went on a perambulate around the village to find the Spar mentioned in our Pearson's guide.  We both think we remember shopping here when we camped with our caravan at Little Onn with the boys (many years ago) but didn't recognise it.