Netherton Tunnel 150

Netherton Tunnel was opened 150 years ago today.

It was opened to relieve the bottleneck of Dudley Tunnel which is a long, narrow tunnel which boats had to be legged through.

Netherton Tunnel must have been a wonderful improvement.  It’s not just a wide tunnel, allowing boats to pass in the tunnel, but has towpaths on both sides of the tunnel.  

In today’s re-enactment of the opening ceremony a convoy of boats travelled southwards through the tunnel.  One of the dignitaries on the leading boat had the honour of cutting the tape at the tunnel mouth - which I managed to catch on video, but not with a still picture.

Then the convoy of boats continued to emerge from the tunnel.  One of them was towing a butty which was detached at the tunnel mouth and Prince, the horse which had been patiently waiting for its moment of fame. pulled it to the junction.

One of the boats was a battery powered boat from Dudley Tunnel, enjoying a moment of freedom.

The bridge at Windmill End Junction provided an ideal vantage point for the opening ceremony where the leaders of the councils from each end of the tunnel shook hands to mark their new through route.

The West Midlands Fire Service band provided the fanfares and colour on the bridge.

Posted on Wednesday, August 20, 2008 at 22:39
Comments (0) Category(s): BCN

Visitor on board

Paul’s Mum (Muriel Balmer) is visiting for a few days.

Despite being a live-aboard earlier in life this is her first visit the Birmingham Canal Navigations.

A gentle cruise yesterday took us around the loops of the old main line, then along the new main line to moor near Albion Junction.

This morning we visited Caggy’s boatyard to make a booking for blacking the bottom.

The back via Tipton Locks, the Old Main Line and Smethwick Locks.

A quick refresher and Paul’s Mum was soon back into the swing of things, and keen to work the locks.

And, of course, a chance to relax and read the leaflets about all the nice things around the BCN.  There are some great stretches and it is not as bad as some people make out.

Posted on Friday, August 15, 2008 at 16:53
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Waterway Routes appears on ITV News (just)

While cruising through central Birmingham today I was watching several film crews on the bank taking shots of passing boats.  I was always keen to observe their techniques and see if I could learn anything new.

One cameraman was lying down with the camera resting on the towpath edging stones and I wondered what he was doing.

Later I discovered they were filming for ITV news so a quick search of the Internet and Christine found this (which appears to have been taken by a cameraman lying down !).  You can watch the whole clip (which starts with adverts) and I appear about 3/4 of the way through - but don’t blink or you’ll miss me.

Posted on Thursday, July 24, 2008 at 22:37
Comments (0) Category(s): BCN , News

Delph, then Home

First past the Tenth Lock Pub, then up the eight Delph Locks.  Their used to be nine locks but they were rebuilt and now only eight.  Many visitors wonder where the ninth lock is.

Here’s Andrew and Megan a few locks up the flight.

We were luck to find two boats working down the flight so the locks were in our favour all the way up the flight.

The arm which used to serve the old locks still exists near the top, with the bridge to carry the new towpath and the photo opportunity.

The through Netherton Tunnel (150 years old this year with celebrations next month).

Now we’re back at our home moorings at Sherborne Wharf.  Time to pack up and head home to start the editing of the DVDs.

Posted on Sunday, July 20, 2008 at 21:18
Comments (0) Category(s): Dudley No 1

Stourbridge 16

We retraced our journey a little this morning to do more filming in the sunshine.  Then it was time to ascend the Stourbridge 16.

The first lock was easy but then the next pound was low in water and we got stuck part way.

It was time to let water down from the pound above giving the unusual shot of the top paddles fully open with the bottom gates both open.  Christine and Megan held the bottom gates open so they didn’t slam shut in the face of the boat.

Then Andrew powered the boat along the bottom into the lock while I took the photo.  Megan shut the top paddles as soon as the boat was far enough in to hold the gates open, before we filled the bows with water.

The rest of the journey was uneventful except for giving Hayley and Nicole a ride while the Mum watched from the bank and minded the pushchair.

Moored at Leys Junction, heading for Sherborne Wharf tomorrow.

Posted on Saturday, July 19, 2008 at 18:28
Comments (0) Category(s): Stourbridge , Stourport Ring

Kinver

Before we set off this morning I climbed the hill to Kinver Church to take some photos.

That was one of the reasons for returning here and it was too showery yesterday.

It was well worth the short climb to look out form the hill and look down on the village below.

I was disappointed wit the centre of the village.  Although a conversation area the effect was spoiled by the constant flow of traffic.

It was almost impossible to take a shot without several road vehicles in it.

Now we’ve winded and reached Stourbridge.  I’m just about to head off to the station to meet Andrew and Megan the additional crew for the Stourbridge 16 tomorrow.

Hopefully we can also catch some of the shots approaching Stourbridge we missed in the rain today.

Posted on Friday, July 18, 2008 at 20:04
Comments (0) Category(s): Staffs & Worcester , Stourbridge , Stourport Ring

Ten Little Ones

Most families of ducks have grown so much now that you have to look very carefully to work out which are the parents.

The little ones have grown as much as the parents and have almost all their adult feathers in place.

I presume this was a second brood when the mother was keeping these ten youngsters very close by.

We’re moored at Kinver tonight, heading back to Stourton Junction and Stourbridge tomorrow.

Posted on Thursday, July 17, 2008 at 17:28
Comments (0) Category(s): Staffs & Worcester , Stourport Ring , Worcester & Birmingham

Wolverhampton 21 and beyond

We descended the Wolverhampton 21 and now moored above Bratch after a long day with a late finish.

At Aldersley Junction we wondered what was going on at the lock but soon discovered it was a school party on an educational visit.

So I hope some of the pupils from St Albans Wednesfield recognise themselves and would like to leave (polite) comments to say how much the appreciated they hard work from the leaders.

Posted on Wednesday, July 16, 2008 at 22:22
Comments (0) Category(s): BCN

Dudley Tunnel

We cruised to the northern portal of Dudley Tunnel today and, as previously arranged with June, we were treated to complimentary tunnel trips as we filmed their activities.

The lady at the reception desk knew we were coming and “Hello - you must be Paul the photographer” was the immediate welcome.  I think the camera on a tripod gave the game away.

Their staff were all very friendly and helpful and they appear on the rouges gallery.  Chris was our excellent tour guide, but I’m sure the others are just as good.

We met June afterwards to express our thanks.  The film we took will appear the the BCN DVD which we are about to start editing.

I can thoroughly recommend the Dudley Canal Trust’s boat trips - please support them.

Tonight we’re moored at the Northern Tunnel Portal - tomorrow down the Wolverhampton 21 and left at Aldersley Junction along the Staffs & Worcester Canal.

Posted on Tuesday, July 15, 2008 at 18:42
Comments (0) Category(s): BCN

Mink at King’s Norton Junction

Returning through King’s Norton Junction today after the traffic jam there yesterday.

There were no boats in sight but on the right, just after the junction bridge were these three black animals.

They were quite openly playing on the bank and weren’t the least bit bothered when I quickly engaged reverse gear and stopped in front of them to grab a camera.

I managed two still photos and, hopefully, enough video footage to include in the Stourport Ring DVD we’re filming for.

I had to Google to check what they were.  It seems they are black mink - perhaps someone can leave a comment to confirm that - or suggest otherwise.

Now we’re moored back at Sherborne Wharf, heading for Dudley Tunnel tomorrow.

Posted on Monday, July 14, 2008 at 17:10
Comments (2) Category(s): Stourport Ring , Worcester & Birmingham