Boats and Boaters

Were shuffling around a little in our cruising as we fill gaps in our filming when we have been rained off during our last cruise.

Today we passed Whittington and there was Jannock, with no visible crew, so I couldn’t call out to them as last time.

At least I got a picture of the boat this time, perhaps I’ll manage to capture both the boat and the crew next time.

Moored at Fazeley Junction I was looking out of the window and spotted a boat we had seen before.  It was Keith and Mandy on Takin’ our Time, with son and friend (whose names I’ve forgotten already - oh dear).  Just time for them to pull in behind us for a quick exchange of news.

We’re moored at Fazeley Junction, hoping to reach Atherstone and beyond tomorrow to complete another missing chunk of filming.  Then we’ll be returning to Fazeley Junction to see who else we spot.

Posted on Wednesday, August 5, 2009 at 20:18        Comments (3)
Category(s): Birmingham & Fazeley , Blog Readers , Coventry

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

Bloggers & Blog Readers

I was walking down Farmers Bridge locks on Monday afternoon, windlass in hand, and caught up with a familiar boat.  Don scores a hat trick as he appears in three consecutive blog postings.

He and Joy were escaping from Birmingham - Matt having returned to London, leaving them to the delights of Farmers Bridge Locks on their own.

I helped with a few gates and paddles as I passed on my way down the flight.

This story really begins back on 18th April when I helped Sue & Vic down the Rothersthorpe flight of locks.  I just appeared, windlass in hand, along the towpath.  In the comments Adam (from Narrowboat Debdale) asked if this service would extend to him when he was passing through Farmers Bridge Locks.

Well that’s a challenge to be addressed.  A careful watch was kept on Adam’s Blog and Sunday’s post indicated that he’d be climbing Farmers Bridge locks on Monday.

So, off I go to London, to cram in a morning’s work, then onto a train to Birmingham.  A quick dash to pick up a windlass from our boat - I’m sure Adam would have lent me one but it would have spoiled the effect to not have one in hand when I arrived.

Then off I go down Farmers Bridge helping Don & Joy a little on the way.  A few locks later I spotted a boat coming up with boater on the towpath.  “Are you Paul?” he asked, quicker than I could ask if he was Adam.

Adam quickly introduced me to Adrian and Adrian’s Mum and up we went, passing Don & Joy in one of the short pounds.

A chance to chat as we worked the locks, before mooring on the Main Line.

It’s almost 12 months since our boat appeared in the October 2007 issue of Canal Boat magazine and we were first spotted by Adam.

Now Adam writes the boat reviews for Canal Boat magazine and I offered him a turn on our boat to see just how quiet our electric power is.  A quick figure of eight around the the Icknield Port and Oozels Street Loops before Adam headed off back to Debdale and I headed off back to Bristol.

Posted on Wednesday, September 17, 2008 at 20:35        Comments (2)
Category(s): BCN , Birmingham & Fazeley , Blog Readers , Bloggers

Bollards reach Farmers Bridge

We set off for a short cruise today, hopping between places with transport links to visit our daughter, Susan, in hospital.

We’re only about 3 miles from where we started, but that includes the 13 locks of the Farmers Bridge locks where new bollards were being installed.

They were all being set into the lock side with great care.  I wondered if one was being set up as an art exhibition with the spade and pile of bricks.

At least they weren’t wasting money placing new ones where there were serviceable old ones already there.

As we went down in the lock I wondered how you were supposed to pay out the rope if you had passed it round one of the new square bollards, as you could with the old round ones.  Perhaps the new ones will be just as round in 100 years time.

We’re moored on the visitor moorings at Aston Science Park tonight.

We will be heading towards Knowle tomorrow, although I need to study the timetables to see whether it will be better to stop before or after there.

Posted on Tuesday, August 26, 2008 at 21:20        Comments (0)
Category(s): BCN , Birmingham & Fazeley

Curdworth

The Birmingham Canal Navigations left me with a parting gift yesterday.  Approaching Cuckoo Wharf, just half a mile from Salford Junction and the end of the BCN the engine stopped dead.

A second or two of silence, then the beep beep noise from the ignition.  Time to steer for the bank I thought, and find out what’s happened.  Then I found the rudder wouldn’t move and I was coasting towards Cuckoo Wharf.  Fortunately I managed to leap ashore and stop the boat with the centre rope before meeting the moored boats.

It was a carpet; neatly fitted all around the propeller and the rudder. Much cursing and heaving and it was hauled through the weed hatch.  I remembered the BCN as I headed out towards Curdworth.

Three locks at Minworth last night, then the Curdworth flight today.  I was following another boat so all the locks were against me, except when I passed another boat and they left the gates open as they left.

Lock 10 was a bonus as two British Waterways staff were working adjacent to the lock and opened the top gate as I approached then, on realising I was single handed, told me to stay on board and they worked the lock for me.

There were flower beds at every lock along the flight.  Simple, but effective and it brightened things up, including Kingsbury Swivel Bridge.

Moored at Atherstone, heading south.

Posted on Tuesday, September 11, 2007 at 20:54        Comments (0)
Category(s): Birmingham & Fazeley