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!