Smethwick Toll House

After helping Sue and Vic climb the Wolverhampton 21 locks on Monday I left them to enjoy a day at the Black Country Living Museum and Dudley Tunnel on Tuesday.

On Wednesday I joined them again for their trip into Birmingham.  Like many other people, Sue and Vic had been nervous about tackling the Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN) because of the awful state the canals used to be in and the reputation they had for problems.

After helping proof watch our BCN DVDs, Sue and Vic realised the Birmingham Canals aren’t as bad as they used to be and decided to see them first hand.  It was great to accompany them on their way through and show how nice they are.

Like any big city there’s always a risk of vandalism, although probably less in Birmingham than in some other places.

At Smethwick Top Lock there’s a toll house in the typical octagonal BCN style.  On previous visits it had a matching roof but this time it was missing.  Vandals had broken in and had fires inside and  removed the roof.

The third picture, from Granny Buttons in 2007 shows how it should look, with a story about how it wasn’t being vandalised.

I wouldn’t be surprised if it was restored to its former glory before too long with a roof where balls could get stuck behind the chimney again.

Posted on Friday, June 19, 2009 at 21:11        Comments (0)
Category(s): BCN , Granny Buttons , No Problem

Too much water

With severe weather warnings issued for heavy rain the prospects weren’t good for today.  Sure enough the rain was heavy all night and still heavy this morning.

The forecast is for heavy rain for 4 or 5 days (and probably more) so there was no prospect of continuing our filming by waiting a day or two.

So, on with the waterproofs and off we head back to Sherborne Wharf in the rain and we’ll have to come back again later to complete the filming.

Unlike my last visit to Hatton Locks when there was a shortage of water while the locks were drained for maintenance, there was a surplus now.

Lots of water flowing over the bywashes which use the former single locks left when the wide locks were installed in a modernisation scheme.  Sometimes it just flowed in torrents over the gates as if it was winter rains we’d had.

We’re moored at Kingswood Junction ready to head up the Lapworth flight to reach our home mooring at Sherborne Wharf tomorrow or Monday.

Posted on Saturday, June 6, 2009 at 16:43        Comments (0)
Category(s): Grand Union Canal , Warwickshire Ring

Surprise Sunshine

With rain forecast for today we set off from Napton Junction intending to progress as far as we could until rain stopped play.

Much to our surprise it was great weather so we not only made it down all 23 broad locks, to the lowest pound of our journey, but up two locks at the other end.

There’s a 2 lock staircase at Bascote where the bottom lock was leaking so badly I wondered if the boats would get over the cill from the top lock.

Look at the water mark on the walls in the first photo and you’ll see it has gone down 6 inches (15 cm) in the time it has taken the boats to move half way from the top lock.

At Budbrooke Junction we turned very sharp left into the Saltisford Arm.  We’ve never been down there before so we weren’t sure what to expect.

It started with a large "Welcome" sign on the bridge, then an arm with boats moored along both sides and a handily placed winding hole.

We received the warmest welcome we’ve received anywhere from the Saltisford Canal Trust who occupy the Arm.  They have visitor moorings, a day hire boat, a canal shop an much more.

We winded and moored the boat, visited the supermarket and were all ready for tackling Hatton tomorrow if the weather permits - but the forecast is for heavy rain

We’re moored on the Saltisford Arm aiming for Hatton tomorrow, and possibly Knowle - or staying put if the weather is really awful.

Posted on Friday, June 5, 2009 at 21:48        Comments (0)
Category(s): Grand Union Canal , Warwickshire Ring

Bloggers Surprise

We continued south today, climbing the three paired locks at Hillmorton.  The locks were numbered from 2 to 7 which surprised me at first, until I remembered the stop lock at Hawkesbury Junction which must be number 1.

Then onwards again to reach Braunston Turn where we meet the Grand Union Canal from London to join the combined stretch to Napton Junction.  Are we travelling South on the Oxford Canal or North on the Grand Union Canal?

There were lots of boats on the combined stretch and I was inside checking the maps to see how far we were going to get today when I glanced out of the front.

Passing us already was Derwent6, crewed by bloggers Del and Al. Not remembering their names on the spur of the moment I stuck my head quickly out of the front of the boat and shouted “Hello, fellow bloggers”.  Del looked very surprised for a moment but quickly checked the name of our boat and greeted us too.

He grabbed his camera and took a shot of us disappearing in the distance.  I did likewise, and was able to retrieve one from our Bowcam showing them approaching.

I hope we get to exchange more than a few words next time we meet.

We’re moored at Napton Junction, hoping to get down most of the broad locks on the Grand Union tomorrow, then up Hatton on Saturday.  Any visitors to help with the broad locks will be most welcome to share the work.

Posted on Thursday, June 4, 2009 at 21:36        Comments (2)
Category(s): Bloggers , Grand Union Canal , Northern Oxford , Oxford , Warwickshire Ring

We’ve been to Coventry

There was no blog yesterday as there was no mobile signal worth having - so a double issue today.

Susan joined us at Fazeley Junction where we filled up with water, or at least we put a little into the tank as is was a slow tap with not much flow and we gave up waiting.

We had two attempts to head under the bridge onto the Coventry Canal as a boat appeared the first time we tried.

The first two locks on the Coventry Canal were at Glascote and, like all those on the Coventry, they are quick enough to empty but take ages to fill.

Then on to the 11 locks at Atherstone and it felt like we were waiting all day for them to fill.  A brief pause in one of the longer pounds gave us time for shopping and filming in the town.

We eventually stopped a little south of Atherstone for a quiet night, then headed on, passing Hartshill first thing this morning.

With no locks this morning it was comparatively lazy.  We just followed the twists and turns of the canal to Hawkesbury Junction, then continued straight on to reach Coventry Basin.

We like to make sure that our DVDs cover the branches so we needed to cruise to Coventry Basin.  With the Bowcam DVDs we can’t just cheat and visit Coventry later by car to film the basin separately, but we need to cruise there ourselves.

Then a quick cruise back to Hawkesbury Junction to move onto the Oxford Canal.  There’s a stop lock there, where the canals are just a few inches different in levels.Some say this was to stop the later canal stealing water from the earlier one, while others say it was simply a miscalculation and the canals were intended to be at the same level.

We’re moored at Ansty, hoping to pass Braunston tomorrow and be well north on the Grand Union towards Birmingham on Friday.

Posted on Wednesday, June 3, 2009 at 21:28        Comments (0)
Category(s): Coventry , Oxford , Warwickshire Ring

Downhill all day

With Birmingham being built on a hill we’ve been going downhill all day today to escape.

Perry Barr 13, Minworth 3, and 10 of the Curdworth Locks.  That’s 26 locks and 17 miles today, with just 2 crew those 43 lock-miles were hard work.

We were filming for the Warwickshire Ring DVD once we had passed Salford Junction so we made the most of the sunshine.

The three Minworth Locks were easy today, then on to the eleven at Curdworth, saving just one of those for tomorrow.

Some of the Curdworth Locks were sporting new red paint on the ground paddles.  This clearly shows how far the paddle is up - and when it has been wound fully down.

We’re moored above Curdworth Bottom Lock, hoping to be through Atherstone and near Hartshill tomorrow evening.

Posted on Monday, June 1, 2009 at 21:43        Comments (0)
Category(s): BCN , Birmingham & Fazeley , Warwickshire Ring

BCNS Challenge 2009

The BCN challenge took place again this year, after an absence of several years.  Boaters had to travel for a maximum of 24 hours between 09:00 Saturday and 15:00 Sunday and finishing with a gathering of boats and boaters in Walsall Basin.

Points are awarded for the locks and miles travelled with bonus marks for travelling over little used sections of the BCN.

The weather was great with a festival atmosphere in Walsall.

It was organised by Graham Whorton, Chairman of the Birmingham Canal Navigations Society (BCNS), seen here talking to one of the challengers on his phone.

About 37 boats were entered with many of them successfully reaching Walsall Basin, in a succession of boats arriving and departing during the day.

We’re moored at Tame Valley Junction and heading to Salford Junction and beyond to film the Warwickshire Ring (clockwise) over the next week.

Posted on Sunday, May 31, 2009 at 22:29        Comments (2)
Category(s): BCN

Stourport Ring

We have just released the Stourport Ring DVDs.

Just as for the Birmingham Mini Ring, the Four Counties Ring and the Llangollen Canal there are two DVDs - in Popular and Bowcam format.

The Popular format is a cross between a holiday programme and a documentary with a touch of history - all presented to entertain.

The Bowcam is filmed from a forward facing camera and is edited to provide a continuous high speed view covering all the ring.

Both travel clockwise around the ring from Stourport Basin including the alternative routes through the Stourbridge/Dudley Canals and via Aldersley Junction.  They feature the unique locks at Bratch and the Tardebigge Flight and the Popular version looks the the Droitwich Canals.

There are short extracts onto YouTube so you can see how they look yourself - but please be aware these are low resolution and quality compared to the originals.

Both versions are available Combined in one box.

Posted on Thursday, May 21, 2009 at 13:31        Comments (0)
Category(s): BCN , Droitwich , Dudley No 1 , River Severn , Staffs & Worcester , Stourbridge , Worcester & Birmingham

The longest lock free journeys

While editing the BCN DVD recently I was trying to work out how long the Birmingham and Wolverhampton levels of the BCN were and how these compared to other long pounds.

Counting mileposts in the Nicholson’s guides revealed the following.

I think these are the longest distances (in miles) you can navigate without passing through a lock (or working stop lock) and without retracing part of your route.

42.8  Bridgewater Runcorn Basin via Waters Meeting and L&L Leigh Branch to Wigan bottom lock
41.2  Lancaster Canal Preston to Tewitfield
31.9  BCN Engine Arm Terminus via Horseley Fields Junction to Longwood Junction
31.4  Union Canal Edinburgh to top of Falkirk Staircase locks
29.2  Ashby Canal Limit of Navigation to Top of Atherstone Locks
28.8  Ashby Canal Limit of Navigation to Coventry Basin
28.0  Top of Tardebigge Locks via BCN Loops and Netherton Tunnel to Hawne Basin

Some of these distances are pretty close and we might need to have a recount for the first two places if we measure them again more carefully.  You can get a much longer journey on the tidal River Trent and the Yorkshire Rivers but they aren’t canals.

Have I missed any?  Or does someone have different measurements for the distances?

Posted on Monday, May 11, 2009 at 16:45        Comments (5)
Category(s): Ashby , BCN , Bridgewater , Coventry , Forth/Clyde Union , Lancaster , Leeds and Liverpool

Canalway Cavalcade

Bank holiday Monday was our first trip to the Canalway Cavalcade at Little Venice on the Grand Union Canal in London , near Paddington.

The weather was dull and overcast with occasional light showers, and not conducive to encouraging visitors to come out.  The free entrance certainly could not have been putting anybody off attending.

Despite all that I was surprised at how few people there were around the site.

Lots of bunting on the boats and a few boaters around, but not many visitors.

Just look at the shots of the stands below.  One with attentive stallholders waiting for customers but nobody even walking past - and I didn’t wait specially to catch a moment with nobody there.

At the bottom right the passers by aren’t even looking at the stand and the stallholder isn’t even trying to engage with the passers by.  Hopefully it was better on other days when the sun shined.

Posted on Monday, May 4, 2009 at 17:31        Comments (7)
Category(s): Grand Union Canal

Avon Valley Railway

On a recent day out we visited the Avon Valley Railway between Bristol and Bath.  It’s a restored steam railway sharing the track bed of a former railway line with the Bristol to Bath cycle route.

Trains run both ways from the restored station in the centre of the line.  To the south the line crosses the Bristol River Avon with a station at Avon Riverside.  Here the engine runs round the train ready to head back north on the next of the regular trains.

At Avon Riverside there’s a place to picnic by the river and boat trips along the River Avon, and the opportunity to walk to Swineford Lock.  We did all three on a fine sunny afternoon.

The river level was well down.  If you look at the vertical poles the pontoons are attached to so they can float up and down you can see there’s room to float a long way up.

Boaters can moor to visit the railway, or have a picnic, the opposite to our travels.  There’s more pictures in the photo gallery.

Posted on Thursday, April 30, 2009 at 22:09        Comments (0)
Category(s): River Avon (Bristol)

Now we have an Architect in the family

Andrew, our son, pictured here at his graduation, received his letter yesterday saying he had passed his final exam and he is now a qualified Architect.

Seven years study, including two stints at University, has all been worth it.  Now he can look at the job adverts for “qualified” rather than “part qualified” Architects.

I wonder if this means that he can work locks or steer a narrowboat any better?

Posted on Thursday, April 30, 2009 at 09:20        Comments (1)
Category(s): News

The crew of Narrowboat Oakfield

While helping Balmaha and Sarah-Kate down the Caen Hill locks yesterday a lady and gentleman on the bank said they read Balamaha’s blog.

They introduced themselves as Ann, Keith and Sam - the crew of Narrowboat Oakfield, still under construction.

It’s great to meet blog readers when they introduce themselves, otherwise they just remain anonymous spectators.

Posted on Friday, April 24, 2009 at 11:15        Comments (0)
Category(s): Kennet and Avon

Descending the Caen Hill Flight

We had a great day out yesterday, helping work Balmaha and Sarah-Kate down the Caen Hill Flight of Locks on the Kennet & Avon Canal near Devizes.  We’d followed the blog of Balmaha for some time, and exchanged occasional emails and comments with Mo and Vanessa.

We’d been watching them approaching Caen Hill, working along the Kennet & Avon with Mike & Jo aboard Sarah-Kate.  With Mo recovering from a broken rib and Jo’s broken arm we thought they might like some help.

We joined them at Devizes Wharf after a picnic lunch and off we went.  Vanessa, Christine and I wound the paddles and worked the locks.

Jo assisted, doing her best with her broken arm, which didn’t stop her opening and closing gates through the flight.

Mo and Mike steered the boats while trying to behave, unsuccessfully at one moment when Mike seemed to be having trouble with his hair style, bringing the cameras out quickly.

The weather was sensible, light sunshine but not too hot for this work.

We moored up at the bottom and chatted about all sorts of canal stuff into the evening, being well fed by Vanessa’s cooking, and a syrup tart from Jo.  We just sat back and were plied with food and drink - thank you.

It was great to meet them for real after reading so much about them.

Posted on Friday, April 24, 2009 at 11:01        Comments (0)
Category(s): Kennet and Avon

Moira Lock on the Ashby Canal

The Ashby Canal is often described as a lock free cruise, From Marston Junction it’s 21 miles each way to the end of navigation with no locks in sight.

The canal was shortened by 6 or 7 miles many years ago after subsidence near the end. 

There are plans to reopen the closed sections, following a new route in places where the old alignment has been developed, and is no longer available.

Bath Yard Basin and the final 1¼ miles of the canal have already been restored although the basin is now at a lower level with boats lowered from the main canal level in a new lock at Moira.

This is a grand affair, being a broad lock on a narrow canal.  A former stop lock at Marston Junction ensures that only narrow boats can enter the Ashby Canal, so why a broad lock?  It can hardly be to handle large numbers of boats quickly as on the Grand Union Canal.

The broad lock will also use a lot of water and that’s probably why it has 3 sets of gates which allow shorter boats to just use part of the lock to reduce water loss when the passing through the lock.

When the canal is reopened it might be rather daunting for those expecting a lock free cruise to find a broad lock with 3 sets of gates near the end, especially if it’s half full and half empty when you arrive.  There’s a more in the photo gallery.

The is one of the few which ends in a sump pound, taking water from the main canal - and just the restored length for now which makes water usage critical.  A pump has been installed which lifts water back from the basin level to replace that used in lock operation and leakage.

It pumps back next to the overflow weir which gives the unusual sight of water appearing to be coming up the weir above the locks.  If the pump doesn’t stop soon it will start to go back over the weir in a novel recycling concept !

Posted on Friday, April 17, 2009 at 13:56        Comments (0)
Category(s): Ashby

Canal Voyagers

Snipe and Taurus, the Canal Voyagers hotel boat pair run by Corinne and Neil Thomsett are moored at Newbury.  Today is the start of their season which will take them all around the country and their lucky guests will be arriving this afternoon.

They have two crew members, the second of which had just arrived, to help them work the boats and look after the guests.  It will be hard work, especially hauling the butty around on the ropes at locks, but very enjoyable.

I dropped in to see them for a few minutes because they will be offering our DVDs to their guests.  There’s not enough room to stock all our DVDs on the boats so they have a sample DVD for the guests to watch, and leaflets to browse.

They take the orders from the guests, and email them to us.  Then we post them out and, for orders placed early in the cruise, they will be waiting when the guests return home.

It won’t make our fortunes, but it’s an important part of improving the experience for the guests.  I hope they have a great 2009 season.  There’s still a few spaces left if you’d like to join them on their exciting itinerary.

Posted on Saturday, April 11, 2009 at 16:43        Comments (0)
Category(s): Hotel Boats

Birmingham Mini Ring

We have just released the Birmingham Mini Ring DVDs.

Just as for the Four Counties Ring and the  Llangollen Canal there are two DVDs - in Popular and Bowcam format.

The Popular format is a cross between a holiday programme and a documentary with a touch of history - all presented to entertain.

The Bowcam is filmed from a forward facing camera and is edited to provide a continuous high speed view covering all the ring.

Both travel clockwise around the ring from King’s Norton Junction.  Birmingham brings the famous Gas Street Basin and Worcester Bar.  Farmers Bridge are the first locks - the broad Knowle locks following later.  The attractive Kingswood and Lapworth Junctions are followed by the Lapworth locks and three lifting bridges.

There are short extracts onto YouTube so you can see how they look yourself - but please be aware these are low resolution and quality compared to the originals.

Both versions are available Combined in one box.

Posted on Tuesday, April 7, 2009 at 21:33        Comments (0)
Category(s): Birmingham Mini Ring

No Problem’s problems

For those of you kind enough to have asked me what’s happened to No Problem (pictured in April last year) then Sue, Vic, Lucy & Meg are temporarily landlubbers while a refit takes place.

I’m sure there will be more blogs to explain what has happened - but please note their (temporary?) change of address to No Problem Blog.

I’m sure Sue will get around to replying to everyone who has contacted them direct once she gets sorted out.

Posted on Sunday, March 29, 2009 at 16:43        Comments (0)
Category(s): No Problem

Liverpool Canal Link

A business trip took me to Liverpool today, and I couldn’t miss the opportunity to see how the Liverpool Canal Link was progressing.  There lots of concrete along a very bland channel.

It’s almost complete and I managed to catch a shot of the BW boat on a demonstration run with staff on board.  I wonder when the grand opening will be.

See more of the photos in the gallery and see the video in our earlier blog.

Posted on Tuesday, March 17, 2009 at 23:15        Comments (0)
Category(s): Leeds and Liverpool

Audlem Mill is stocking our DVDs

Audlem Mill are getting ready for the summer season like all good canal side shops and we’ve just dispatched their first order of Waterway Routes DVDs.

You will be able to purchase the Four Counties Ring and Llangollen Canal DVDs (both Popular and Combined formats) from there.

There’s all sorts of goodies there to tempt you and if you visit the shop you can say hello to Winston, or leave a comment on his blog.

If you run a another canal side shop, chandlery, hire boat base or any other sales outlet then check out the special offers to allow you a no risk opportunity to sell our DVDs and bank the profit.

Posted on Thursday, March 12, 2009 at 16:19        Comments (0)
Category(s): News , Shropshire Union

Nicholson 2009 Canal Guides are published today

The Nicholson Canal Guides are published every 3 years and 5th March 2009 is the publication day for the 2009 guides.

If you’re planning a holiday or cruising on your own boat or timeshare then these are a wonderful way to check your route.

Here’s some Amazon links to help you order the new guides. (please be patient if the links from Amazon are a little slow to appear)

Posted on Thursday, March 5, 2009 at 12:37        Comments (2)
Category(s): News

Beat the Royal Mail postage increases

Postage prices are going up on 6th April 2009.

The increases are significant, with the cost of a stamp for posting a DVD going by 12p from 78p to 90p within the UK and even more for posting to Europe and the Rest of the World.

The cost of a regular first class stamp goes up from 36p to 39p.

Order by 5th April from our full range of DVDs and you’ll benefit from the lower postage rates.

Posted on Tuesday, March 3, 2009 at 12:07        Comments (0)
Category(s): News

Liverpool Link is nearly ready

The Liverpool Link, extending the Stanley Dock Branch past the pier head is nearly ready.  There’s a time lapse video of the journey from a British Waterways test boat posted on the Liverpool Daily Post website.

Our own Leeds and Liverpool DVD traces the planned route for the link, following as much of it as possible on foot.

One day we’ll take our own Waterway Routes narrowboat along the link to update the DVD.

Posted on Saturday, February 28, 2009 at 16:37        Comments (0)
Category(s): Leeds and Liverpool

National Boat Caravan & Outdoor Show

On Wednesday I took a quick trip out to the NEC in Birmingham to the 2009 National Boat Caravan & Outdoor Show.  It was the first time I had been to this show, after being disappointed by previous shows at Excel in London.

One of the five halls was dedicated to boats, although less than 20% of that was specific to canals.

There were plenty of stands selling things that could be used on canals, and some of the camping equipment sellers were just as interesting and relevant for boaters.

I came home with a lot of leaflets to read - many simply thrust into my hand as I walked round so that’s lots of reading to do.

Posted on Friday, February 20, 2009 at 13:00        Comments (0)
Category(s): News

Susan’s Graduation

It tried to rain a little on Tuesday morning but we hardly noticed as we took Waterway Routes on one of its shortest cruises ever.  From Sherborne Wharf to Brindley Place in the centre of Birmingham.

We moored almost outside the Symphony Hall for our daughter Susan’s graduation ceremony.

We arrived in style on our boat and had only a few steps to walk to the ceremony.

Afterwards there was plenty of time for photos outside, when we met Charlotte again (who has previously cruised with us) who was also graduating in the same ceremony (and whose mother and sister are in the background).

Staff Nurse Susan now has the official certificate and the badge to wear on her uniform.

A short cruise in the afternoon saw us safely returned to our home moorings at Sherborne Wharf.

Posted on Thursday, February 19, 2009 at 20:29        Comments (2)
Category(s): News