I spy Skyy

Heading south along the Worcester and Birmingham Canal we cruised through Wast Hills Tunnel past the Hopwood Arms and towards Alvechurch.

I was woken from my daydream with a call from the towpath asking if I was Paul.

I glanced at the couple on the towpath, who looked a little familiar, desperately wondering where I’d met them before.  I’m hopeless recognising people out of context and standing on a muddy towpath in the middle of nowhere wasn’t much of a clue.

It was Mac and Jacquie from Skyy.

We’d never met before but I’d put a comment on one of their early blogs to wish them well with their cruising adventure.

They’d done well to recognise us and remember my name in time to flag us down.  We just had time to exchange a few words - hopefully we’ll have time for a few more next time we meet.

By then my brain had started working - but too late to take a photo of them - and I assumed that, as they were walking along the towpath, their boat wasn’t far away.

There’s no name on the bows so if we had been cruising by we’d have nearly passed them before realising.  It looks smart with plants on the roof.

Now I wonder why their last three blog posts were at 04:29, 04:30 and 04:36 - it must have been three really good evenings to finish that late - or was it just one a batch of blogging.

Posted on Sunday, May 4, 2008 at 18:48
Comments (0) Category(s): Worcester & Birmingham

Gongoozled

Bridge 26 is a windlass operated lifting bridge and as we approached we could see lots of people walking around.

When we got there we were photographed from all angles and seem to have made their day by arriving at just the right time and working our way through the bridge.

It was a trip by a local canal and railway historical society - if one of them leaves a comment I’ll be happy to give them their correct title and a link to their website.

We continued on to the next bridge where we winded the boat and once again they were their, gongoozling (watching) from the bank.  Once we’d safely winded I grabbed my camera and turned the tables - pleased to see the gongoozlers smiling back at me this time.

I handed out a few business cards and if any of them care to email me a picture or two I’d be happy to add them to the blog and give them credit for the photos.

Posted on Saturday, May 3, 2008 at 21:57
Comments (0) Category(s): Stratford on Avon

I spy Debdale

Heading south from King’s Norton Junction on the Stratford on Avon Canal near bridge 22 I thought I spotted a familiar name heading towards us and grabbed the camera.  I was right.

It was Debdale, although not with Alan onboard, heading northwards.

Sue, on No Problem, had previously reported Debdale near Marston Doles on the Southern Oxford Canal.  Adam had then mentioned this on his blog.

Now it’s our turn (and I don’t mind if Adam pinches these pictures too.)

Perhaps Adam can identify his fellow boaters from the pictures, or from a rota for the boat which is an Ownerships managed timeshare boat

Adam was intrigued by my earlier escapades and the notion that a blogger who publishes their intended journey through a difficult flight of locks may find me walking along the flight to meet them - read the comments on Sue’s blog.

Posted on Saturday, May 3, 2008 at 21:38
Comments (0) Category(s): Stratford on Avon

Moving at Last

Rather later than last year we finally set off on our first cruise of the year.  First the train to Birmingham, then shopping at Tesco for a few days supplies.

After winding the boat, and replacing a used Calor Gas cylinder we were off.

The rain couldn’t decide whether to start or stop, but we hardly got wet in the end as we mostly travelled in the dry.

We passed almost silently through the centre of Birmingham, chatting easily to the passers by and were soon leaving Gas Street Basin behind.

A short journey this afternoon took us to the quiet mooring spot near the University.

When the sun came out it was time to make the most of the opportunity to sand down the paintwork ready to touch it up before we start filming for this year’s DVDs.

Posted on Friday, May 2, 2008 at 21:57
Comments (0) Category(s): Worcester & Birmingham

Gypsy Rover

Last Friday was a busy day.  After helping Sue and Vic down the Rothersthorpe flight and buying a few essentials at Braunston I had a little time to spare before heading to Birmingham and North Wales.

I knew from their blog that Derek and Dot weren’t far away so a quick phone call confirmed their position and off I went to find them.

Dot soon had the kettle on and I was made very welcome, despite the short notice of my arrival.

I was sorry to hear about the problems with their central heating - and about the leak from the pump which still needs even more attention.

You won’t be able to tell from the photos but their accent soon gives away they are from New Zealand.  Touring the country by canals seems an excellent way to see England.

They’re also heading for the Rothersthorpe flight and have probably completed it by the time you read this.  I hope they enjoy their summer.

Posted on Thursday, April 24, 2008 at 18:57
Comments (0) Category(s): Grand Union Canal

Rothersthorpe

Vic and Sue on No Problem, were heading down the Rothersthorpe flight of locks on the Northampton Arm of the Grand Union last Friday.  Pacing themselves for the seventeen or so locks to take them to the River Nene for the summer.

They’d hardly started when Vic came under the bridge to be faced by someone aiming a camera at him.  Vic watched Lucy hurtling down the towpath to greet me and he knew it wouldn’t be such hard work after all.

Part way down the flight I discovered this old lady sitting on the old lock beam at the side of the canal.

There was just time to admire their new headlight - with a big bulb Sue won’t mind the tunnels as it won’t go dark inside.

Following down the flight was Chas and Ann on Moore2Life and there was time to help them with a few locks too.

Posted on Monday, April 21, 2008 at 20:32
Comments (1) Category(s): No Problem , Northampton Branch

Happy Birthday to Waterway Routes

Waterway Routes (the boat) is one year old today.

It was on Good Friday 6 April, 2007 that we started our maiden voyage, heading southwards along the Southern Oxford Canal from Fenny Compton to reach Oxford.

We’ve been to lots of places since then, including Llangollen (twice) and around the Four Counties Ring, the Cheshire Ring and the whole of the Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN).

During that year we’ve done 1,307 miles, 754 locks and 84 lift/swing bridges and consumed 1154 litres of diesel at an average of 51p per litre.

Most of the winter has been safely tucked up at Sherborne Wharf while we spent a little time working on the boat to prepare it for this summer.

Our summer cruises will be to the south and west of Birmingham, including the Avon and Stourport rings so watch out for us that way.

Posted on Sunday, April 6, 2008 at 00:01
Comments (0) Category(s): BCN , Build our Boat

New Look Website and Blog

I’ve updated the formatting of the Website and Blog today.

The content is the largely the same, with a few minor updates, but it’s been reorganised into six distinct categories, each with its own colour theme (or color as the web calls it).

It’s all been tested with IE7, IE6 and Firefox and, after a considerable effort, it now looks (almost) the same in each of them.

I’d be very pleased if you could spend a few minutes browsing around the web site and seeing how it feels and works for you - then leave me a comment to say it works OK, or what didn’t.

I’d like comments on the general look and feel of the site, as well as anything detailed like broken links.

So, thanks for your help - happy browsing.

Posted on Saturday, March 15, 2008 at 16:55
Comments (1) Category(s): News

BW advise of canal closure 32 hours late

Visiting our boat in Birmingham I tried to walk along the towpath from Gas Street Basin to our home moorings at Sherborne Wharf.

As I approached the canal there were police everywhere and I wondered what was going on.  I started to walk along the right hand towpath but that was closed with barriers and police on duty.

I had to retrace my steps and cross the bridge to walk along the left hand towpath where I could look across and see all the police standing there.

Between the Mailbox and Gas Street Basin the canal was closed with a floating boom across the canal, the sort that’s usually found to protect weirs.

The there was a boat from Dorset Police with divers checking the canal and quite a row of spectators watching from the bank.

Then at Old Turn Junction there was another floating barrier across the canal stopping boats entering the stretch towards the Mailbox.

I still didn’t know what was going on, although by then I had discovered that many of the local roads were closed too and had been for some time.

Then I got an email from the BW stoppages service sent at 14:16 on 29 February which said the canal and one towpath would be closed from 06:00 on 28 February to 16:00 on 2 March for the Labour Party conference.  An event like this must have been planned in detail many months in advance so I’m disappointed the BW notice was 32 hours late instead of weeks in advance.

Posted on Sunday, March 2, 2008 at 10:36
Comments (0) Category(s): BCN

British Waterways withdraws from the Cotswolds

It’s sad to read the news that British Waterways are withdrawing from the Cotswold Canals Partnership from April 2008.

With the government cuts to their funding and the need to find the money to repair the breach on the  Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal it was inevitable that something had to be cut.

It looks like the short arm of the Stroudwater Navigation at Saul Junction will be the only used section for a little longer than hoped.

Posted on Tuesday, February 5, 2008 at 07:16
Comments (1) Category(s): Cotswold Canals