We REALLY must plan where we are going next!

(Boat Chalice - posted by Alan)

Disused industrial buildings on Stourbridge 16

This looked like being a fairly long boating day, and probably in fairly foul weather! Well at least that is what the excellent CanalPlanAC canal route planner and the BBC weather forecast were collectively telling us.  We had accepted this in order to enjoy a very leisurely day yesterday, (and as a consequence moor somewhere rather nicer than the Merryhill shopping centre), and also visit some new canal for us.

Plenty of ex working boats at Dadfords Wharf in the 16.

It would also gave me the opportunity to visit some other new canal today, and to finally complete a journey I completely failed to complete some 40 years ago!

 

Not only a pub, but also general stores and dock, according to sign.

View down the 16 with glass cone in distance

Let me explain, back in the 1970s I owned a somewhat ramshackle converted boat, believed to have been built around 1900, and which had been a tube carrying boat at the Stewarts and Lloys tubeworks as Coombeswood, Halesowen.  I and my then partner had decided we would try and take that boat back to those works, but in those days boating on the Birmingham Canal Navigations was very much harder work than it is today.  The tow-path could only officially be accessed in a small number of places, and was generally gated off as a "no go"area, and hence casual mooring in all but a few known "safe" locations was considered unwise.  Worse even the main lines were rubbish strewn throughout, but when actually trying to take a little used branch, they could often be found to be near impassable.  So it was when we tried to boat down the Dudley No 2 Canal, and I don't think we made it more than a few hundred yards before giving up.  The raw water cooling on the boat was currently clogged by weed and other detritus, and spectator sports including watching local kids prodding at the bloated corpse of a dead dog!

Approaching the second lock up at Delph, famous for its waterfalls.

Odin likes to ride shotgun, (at the Delph).

So for 40 years I have wondered what lay down that arm, and just how tight it is to get a boat through Gosty Hill tunnel, and to the area where the tubeworks was.  So today, finally we would actually try it.

Looking down the Delph - once it was coal pits at the bottom, not housing estates.

However first there was the small matter of two well known lock flights to pass through before we got there.  The first, the Stourbridge locks starts immediately you turn out of the Stourbridge Town arm, and there are 16 of them.  Cath and I didn't get off to a great start, as gates were blowing open again before we could draw paddles, and we were only in the second lock when we were aware a hire boat with a very large crew was in pursuit.  However we invoked our secret weapon, David.  When David is determined we will stay ahead of another boat, then we seldom have much trouble doing so!  Once he had engaged "warp drive" we fair belted up the 16, and were never in danger of being caught!

At the Delph, again

Next comes the locks at Black Delph, known as "the nine", even though there are eight!  this relates to the fact that the locks got rebuilt, and when they were it resulted in deeper locks, but one less of them.  By now we never saw the other boat again, and stormed up Delph as well, (largely due to David again, of course!).

Blowers Green pump house and lock.

Passing the Merryhill area where we might have spent last night, we were most glad we didn't!

Our final lock at Blowers Green is the deepest on the Birmingham canals I think, (in this case because two locks were replaced by a deep single one).  Here we passed the first boat we had seen all day coming the other way - even in August these canals are only very lightly used.


At Windmill End Cath executed the turn towards Gosty Hill, Coombeswood, and Hawne Basin, where the Coombeswood Canal Trust had said we could borrow a mooring for the night.  We were told thi canal would have some rubbish in it, and we might get some fouling of the propeller, but in reality it wasn't bad at all.

David's panorama shot of Windmill End, just before we turned under the bridge on the right.

Entering Gosty Hill Tunnel

Finally we approached the Gosty Hill tunnel.  I can honestly say I have not encountered anything like Gosty Hill.  Initially it starts off as a very high roofed narrow tunnel, but after a while you approach a section with a much lower roof - and I actually mean a very much lower roof.  I actually panicked, because as I visually aligned the wide high roof that Chalice has with what was approaching, I doubted we would get through without damage.  In fact it was fairly tight, but manageable.  Then suddenly you switch again to a stretch with a cavernously high roof - almost cathedral like by comparison.  Not content with that, it again reverts to a low roof for the final stretch, (althogh not as bad as the first low bit.

Approaching a dramatic reduction in headroom.

Looking back as we leave first low section - I'm there somewhere!

Next (and final) low section approaching.

Getting to the end

That was unexpectedly tight!

Little more than this remains of Stewarts and LLoyds tube works.

Had I managed to emerge from the tunnel in the 1970s, it would have been straight into a functioning works still making steel tube, and we would have had to fight our way through BCN Joey boats used to store this tube.  However now only high retaining walls, heavy brick buttresses and arches, and remnants of some anonymous buildings survive - what was typical Black Country industry is now a site mainly reclaimed by nature.

The colours are similar to those used on their boats.

There was nowhere obvious to "park" Chalice whilst I found out where we could moor. so David and Cath were left in charge as it drifted gently in the last winding hole. I was told to use a permanent online mooring that belongs to someone currently boating elsewhere.

He ran around too fast for a good photo!

Cath and I later took Odin for a long romp, initially on what looks like it has always been rough ground, but some of which it appears is actually over reclaimed tips,  Nature has done its bit, and it was a truly fine place to walk a dog.  We then ventured back up the towpath as far as the tunnel to assess just how little of the former tubeworks survives.

But back to where I started......  The bouts of heavy rain that the BBC threatened us with never really got going - a few showers, yes, but nothing more really.  And CanalPlanAC, set to our usual "progress" settings had predicted approaching 9 hours for the trip, so we don't think we did bad in shaving it down to just 7 hours!

But this really is the end of any formal planning I had done, and right now I haven't a clue where tomorrow might take us, other than it will start with Gosty Hill tunnel again, and be followed by the very much longer, but far far more accommodating Netherton tunnel.  I really must get a map out after this!

Stourbridge to Hawne Basin, (Current end of Dudley No 2 Canal)
Miles: 12.7 (Chalice), Locks:25

Total Miles: 259.5, Locks: 132

And Probably STILL No Real Idea Where We Are Going!

(Boat Chalice - posted by Alan)

"Alphons" an "IdleWomen" boat later owned by Idle Woman Margaret Cornish

Curiously making such good progress yesterday left us with a bit of a quandary about today's plans. We knew we wanted to turn off the Staffs and Worcs canal at Stourton Junction, a few locks beyond last nights stop, and head towards Birmingham on the Stourbridge Canal.  But this route has a flight of 16 locks at Stourbridge, and a further 8 at Black Delph, in addition to the 7 locks we would need to get to these, and there are not really good overnight stopping options once you have commenced the Stourbridge locks, until after the Delph ones.  The Merryhill centre seems to be one people often choose, but it is described as rather soulless, and sometimes noisy.

Planning best way to pass another boat in short pound!

Because we awoke to a downpour we didn't feel like commencing a very long day, so instead I floated a plan to actually do a very short one, and not in fact tackle any of those 24 locks today.  Instead I suggested we actually venture down the arm of the Stourbridge canal that goes into the town itself, which would give us a trip we have not made before.  The downside to ths plan is that we will need an early start tomorow, and a likely long day, if we are not anyway to end up at Merryhill but just one day later!  The other downside is that tomorrows weather forecast is poor, so we may be doing 24 locks in heavy showers.

This makes it look like there was a lot more room than there was, though!

None-the-less that is what we went for, and highly unusually for us we were tied up in Stourbridge by lunchtime, with our boating day finished.  What I had forgotten is just how attractive much of the mainline of the Stourbridge canal is, with crystal clear water, and all detail on the bottom of the canal in clear view.  The branch to Stourbridge is far less picturesque, and in short stretches quite down at heel, but you are treated to a display of water lilies, and I even caught a glimpse of a kingfisher in quite an urbanised stretch.

I very rarely now see a proper split bridge that hasn't been interfered with.

Cath and I spent an extended period just chilling and looking around the town.  As seems sadly to be the case so often now, there are large numbers of charity shops, betting shops and "turn your possessions into cash" shops, although it didn't seem to have as many totally empty shops as some other towns.  Actually, coming from a home town with  too many shops targeted at the "uber-rich", I quite like visiting somewhere that is rather more down to earth.

We are not panicking that we are the solitary visiting boat.......... (Yet!)

Cath once again used our new Cob Oven, turning out an excellent cashew nut paella.  Having written two days worth of historic "blog", however, she went to bed, declaring that at least the next two days were down to me.

And we still don't knoe exactly where we plan to go tomorrow, although a plan is hatching!






Greensforge to Stourbridge
Miles: 6.8 (Chalice), Locks: 7

Total Miles: 246.9, Locks: 107

Still no clear idea of where we are going

(Boat Chalice - posted by Cath)


We set off from Calf Heath, carrying on through Wolverhampton on the Staffs and Worcs - which I always think is a particularly attractive canal.

We were waiting for a lock at Compton when we were hailed from an Anglo Welsh hire boat, "You must be Alan, and you are Cath". It turns out that AJ reads our blog, nice to be told that, thanks AJ.

There is a small Sainsbury's here, so I topped up on basics while Alan went into Limekiln Chandlery.

David plays a new game with Odin

Odin loves games, but while I was cooking lunch I became aware that Odin was careening through from front to back of the boat then back again. I eventually discovered that David had developed a new 'Odin game'.
David was on the towpath, and would run to the front of the boat, which made Odin run there too, to see what David was up to. David would then stand still, Chalice would carry on past him, which made Odin rush to the back of the boat to see what David was doing there.

Staffs and Worcs leaving the lock

Coal boats loading

The Bratch is a series of three locks, each separated what appears to be a pound only about 6 feet long, but is actually connected in each case to a large side pound that functions much as if it was a length of canal containing a similar amount of water.  This was a modification to the original design of a pure 3 lock staircase, which was presumably too wasteful of water, but they do not appear to have realised you can achieve exactly the same with only one gate necessary between each lock, rather than two, as for example exists at Foxton.

The Bratch

I love The Bratch - it seems like it ought to be medieval, with its octagonal tower, and the tunnels between the locks, as well as the very narrow and worn steps down to where you can climb back on to the boat at the bottom. The huge lock-gates help to support this illusion.

.

Leaving The Bratch

Happy Cath

 

Botterham Staircase

Botterham which is a couple of miles further south is a proper staircase, with one chamber empting straight into the other, with no short section between them.

"Find a stick, Odin"

Odin was asked to find a stick, so that we can play 'Odin stick games', while walking the towpath. He rushed off into the undergrowth and I found him trying to uproot a small tree.

Butterfly rests briefly on Chalice

We carried on to Greensforge, where we got a choice of substantial veggie meals, and a decent cider (dunno about the beer!) at the Navigation. They even welcomed the dog into the pub.

Calf Heath to Greensforge
Miles: 17.5 (Chalice), Locks: 15

Total Miles: 240.0, Locks: 100

Feeling industrious

(Boat Chalice - posted by Cath)

Alan at Tixall Wide

After yesterday's washing I was feeling quite industrious, so tried to continue today. I walked the dog, then while we were queueing for locks swept through the boat, and beat the rugs, then tidied up and cleared up a lot of the clutter that tends to accumulate. I did a stack of handwashing, rinsing it, and then spinning it in our 'Fisher Price' twin tub washing machine. I even managed another batch of baking. All this alongside doing a stint of steering (Alan had to do the bulk of it today), and working locks.

As you can see from the pictures a day that started with glorious sunshine, although it ended in drizzle.

waiting, Trent and Mersey lock

On the Staffs and Worcs at Tixall lock we came across the first of the queues for locks - "You are number six". But the queues eased as the day wore on.

It was a day of meeting up with people - spotting some friends from Cowroast heading the same way as us at Tixall (they eventually turned back - it seemed to be a bit of a minor diversion from a major trip out), and then suddenly meeting one of Alan's old school friends at a lock later on. They were heading the other way to us, so we only had the briefest of exchanges.

Park Gate Lock

I always think of Park Gate as where we picked up Sickle two and a half years ago.

Alcor passes

At Gailey - from the foot tunnel

We moored among other boats, just short of Calf Heath.













  



River Trent Aqueduct, Rugeley to Calf Heath
Miles: 20.0 (Chalice), Locks:14

Total Miles: 222.5, Locks: 85

Washing Takes Over

(Boat Chalice - posted by Cath)

Attractive wooden boat moored at Fradley

From Hopwas, through attractive scenery to Fradley Junction, where it proved as hard to find somewhere to tie up as usual. We did manage to moor beyond very end of the visitor moorings, on a poor section of bank and I bundled up the washing into a shopping bag for the long walk to the washing machines.

Unfortunately the washing facility was locked up.  In the pub we were told it was closed now, but that there was a good laundrette in Rugeley. I hadn't really intended to go into Rugeley, but we decided that we would be able to do some shopping at the big Morrisons there.

Small granary loaves - all too quickly eaten!

Through intermittent rain we set off again. I got the opportunity to do some baking, and in a brief sunny period walked Odin - although I ended up sheltering under a bridge in the rain.

Badger

Odin in the sunshine between the showers.

The laundrette turned out to be some distance from the canal, but did a reasonable job with the clothes - at least we don't have to think about using the twin tub for a few days.

Crossing the River Trent aqueduct.

We managed to get a mooring just past the aqueduct with someone moving up by a foot. I even got some melodeon practice done.














Below Hopwas to River Trent Aqueduct, Rugeley
Miles: 18.0 (Chalice), Locks: 3

Total Miles: 202.6, Locks: 71

Five battered mushrooms

(Boats Chalice & Sickle initially, but then just Chalice - posted by Cath)

A very late start, late even by our standards. However, we spent ages looking at maps and deciding which way to go once we'd left Sickle at Alvecote. We didn't really manage to, however, I put in a vote for going to Fradley Junction so that I can do the washing at the pub. I often do the washing in our little twin tub washer, which washes very well but we do then need good weather to dry the clothes festooned around the boat. The weather is OK-ish, with some wet interludes - which makes the idea of a washer and dryer very attractive.

Sickle and Bream at Alvecote

We finally got Sickle to Alvecote, but the office was locked - and so was the pub! The Internet told us that the pub is shut on Monday, and Alan put out a request for help on Facebook, which was very quickly picked up and a message was relayed from Laurence Williams to leave Sickle near to Bream - which we did.

Despite the contradictory towpath rumours about whether or not Glascote locks were shut we carried on to find no sign at all of the threatened stoppage. At Fazely Junction, I went to the titchy Tesco's around the corner while Alan filled the water tank. I was a bit wary of when I might next find a supermarket, but the Tesco there really doesn't have very much we need except the very basics.

Wey looking very good at Glascote bottom lock

It was now getting quite late and I've recently put my foot down about boating all hours of the day and night. Now that I am retired I don't see why we can't treat boating as a holiday and go and see things, or tie up before the evening and do some things on the boat - reading, or music practice or similar. We did need to 'deliver' Sickle, but now that's done I want a more relaxed time boating. So I pointed out that Hopwas was not too far away and that we would be able to eat at a pub.

We ate at the Tame Otter, which was OK, but not outstanding, and they charged far too much for 5 battered mushrooms.

Below Atherstone Lock 9 to Hopwas
Miles: 11.9 (Chalice), 5.6 (Sickle) , Locks: 6 (2 with both boats, 2 with only Chalice)

Total Miles: 184.5, Locks: 68

Today We Make Good Progress, But Manage To Be Very Relaxed.

(Boats Chalice and Sickle together - posted by Alan)

"Chalice" draws into the stop lock at Hawkesbury.

Our overnight moorings before Brinklow were very pleasant, but we did have the complication of not being able to get even Chalice against the bank.  OK for the humans on board, but Odin really was not happy to try and negotiate a very uphill gangplank!  We eventually substituted one of Sickle's very much wider deck boards, and at this point he could be reluctantly coaxed over it - or at least he could in daylight - once it was dark, he wasn't happy!  So we were treated to the sight of David trying to carry 30 kilos of reluctant "Lab" down a wobbly board - something I wasn't going to try.  Of course in the morning David is not an early riser, so I was faced with trying to entice Odin down the plank again.

"Sickle" waits below for "Chalice" as steam tunnel tug replica "Hasty" arrives.

Soon after we set off, we found ourselves in a long "convoy".  The person leading us proved to be a canal World Forum member, and soon waved us past saying he didn't want to be going as fast as some in the "convoy" wanted to.  We in turn let a faster moving fibreglass boat past us.

We then made good progress up to Hawkesbury, although I was far enough ahead in "Sickle" by now to lock through on my own before "Chalice" arrived.  We were treated to the steam tug replica "Hasty" coming the other way, before a lack of clear understanding about another boater's intentions at the turn under the famous bridge left us both momentarily powering towards the same spot, (wisely he decided quickly that "Sickle" was far the faster!).

Heading away from the turn at Hawkesbury.

We stuck to our guns on actually pulling over for a proper lunch, whilst deliberating on how far we might get without a late finish.  We thought stopping much before Atherstone would probably be too early, but that equally if we pushed down most of the flight, it would be a lot later than we wanted.  This seemed even more so when we stopped for over a quarter of an hour whilst David attempted to re-secure a boat we found had broken from its moorings, but only had an unsuitable mat of knotted rope to try and correct the situation, (David takes these challenges quite seriously, and always tries hard to make sure a drifting boat will stay put after he has retied it!)

Single handing "Sickle" down the Atherstone flight.

In fact we got to Atherstone top lock far sooner than we thought we might, so I set off down with Sickle.  I am not a natural single-handed boater, but these are gentle downhill narrow locks, making it about as easy as it gets, so I stuck with it.  For the first 4 or 5 people eased my task by coming the other way at regular intervals, but after that the flow of uphill boats died out, so I had to pull over to set each lock before I could enter it.  I have to say I surprised myself how well I did, and for some time was far enough ahead of Cath and David with Chalice, that I had little idea how far ahead.

In my view the evening is a superb time to do this otherwise normally busy flight - total tranquillity!

"Sickle" waits in the mouth of lock 9, with "Chalice" having just entered it.

We had decided the best overnight stop was in the long pound before the two bottom locks, so I paused below lock 9 until we were all together again, and then we moored in a very tranquil location.  Sat outside my old tug, but with a laptop wi-fi connected to Chalice, and a glass of wine, we observed a brilliant sunset.  Boating at its best!








Easenhall Lane Bridge, Near Brinklow to below Atherstone Lock 9
Miles: 21.1 (Each Boat), Locks: 20 (10 twice!)

Total Miles: 167.1, Locks: 62