UK Canals - Journey reports

Oxford Canal:Brinklow and end of cruise

A straightforward run back to base.    We will stay overnight to sort the boat out and gather up all our rubbish to take home.   We have one or two jobs to do over the next few months.

Coventry Canal:Hawkesbury Junction

We generally try and arrange our travels to do a flight of locks first thing in the morning.   So, aiming to start the Atherstone Flight of 11 locks at 7:00 am, when we would expect them all to be in our favour, we were a little apprehensive that a tug and butty had set off up the evening before reckoning that they would only get halfway before stopping for the night so might delay progress in the morning. Then this morning we were dismayed to see two boats start up ahead of us at 6:45.  Progress then seemed very slow but in fact we were not delayed all that much until halfway when we all got held up by the pair as anticipated.   Overall it took an hour longer to complete the 11 than our best 2 hours.

The Greyhound

  The remainder of the cruise to Hawkesbury Junction was routine and made in good time.   Our reward for the day was a meal in the restaurant at the Greyhound.  Food and service there has always been of the highest standard and did not disappoint.

Coventry Canal:Atherstone Bottom Lock

Very few boats about today on the B&F.  We have been dragging a bag of rubbish around for a few days now.  The Minworth Services we passed yesterday we out of use and again today nowhere obvious until the bottom of the locks.   We had no wait at Glascote which is unusual and made the overnight stop before the rain came.

Birmingham & Fazeley Canal:Minworth

No surprises today.  We passed three underwater features on the way to the top of Perry Bar Locks.  The first scraped the bottom as we rose over, the remainder were silent eerie rises and falls.  Following our Nicholsons were noted the deep cuttings, one through sandstone, and the magnificent high embankments.   Who had the imagination to suppose that you could build a canal  through hills and over valleys with such incredible engineering achievements?  Reaching Perry Barr Top Lock, avoiding a solitary boat on the lock moorings, we set off down.   The grass has been cut and they look very neat.

Parry Barr Locks from the third. Pat is walking down to set the next one, but we changed this from experience. This was the last pound with mooring bollards.

 They are well constructed and deep, so heavy bottom mitred gates.  The only access at the tail of each lock is a ladder but without any top handrail and there are no bollards there to secure the boat, so it makes our usual method of working pretty well  impossible.  Most of the pounds had no mooring bollards at all, so we evolved the practice that we both opened bottom gates (Pat wisely not attempting the gate jump), then the lock chamber ladder and the boat going straight to the gate of the lock below while Pat closed up, walking round.   Two of the pounds were very low on water, but there were no problems either on the way across or on the lock cill.    The locks appear to be side fill, so it would be interesting to try the reverse journey sometime.   There was another boat moored at the bottom of the main flight - the 7th we have seen since Pudding Green Junction.   Pat took advantage of the SPAR shop and petrol station at the penultimate lock before the last two near spaghetti junction.   Passing under here is an awesome experience.  The noise and the forest of concrete columns is like a sort of nightmare.   Finally we joined familiar territory on the Birmingham & Fazeley.  Well technically familiar because neither of us can remember much at all except for two of the locks.   Either we have both "lost it" or there has been a lot of change.   The mooring we have used before has changed in that the old pub, the Kingsley Arms has gone and is replaced by a swanky hotel & dining venue.  In spite of threatening forecasts, we had a dry day with the rain setting in after mooring up.

Tame Valley Canal:Rushall Junction

We set off this morning on our last segment of our journey home.   Which way should we go, because there is a choice.   So we decided to miss out Birmingham and take the route via the Tame Valley Canal to join up with the Birmingham & Fazeley.   We have never taken this route before.  It is a bit of a backwater, or a less popular route, and we were not expecting to see many boats.  We were anticipating problems.   At Pudding Green Junction we turned left.   Almost immediately we encountered a narrow and seemingly very shallow section between two reed beds.  Rather fearing that this was a prelude to future problems we were proved wrong in that respect at least.   For the most part the canal was as clean as can be expected in an urban environment and the towpaths well cared for.  Our problems were of a different nature.   I will list them, not with any wish to criticise for I am sure that things are well understood by the bank staff/ lock-keepers.   Just our typical experiences.

1.  We got stuck getting out of the top lock.  The bottom gate would not open fully, but a flush from the top paddles did the trick.   The appearance was that of getting stuck on the bottom cill, but perhaps, the poorly open gate stops water getting to the back of the lock as the boat exits.  The boat acting as a dam.   Hence the flush works.
2.  The pound below the second lock was empty.  Just a delay while we let water down.   Just enough to get through.  All the signs were that this was just a local problem.
3. Lock 7, same problem as 1.  There was a gathering of drinking folk there who were very helpful. 
4. After lock 3 a lock-keeper? appeared in the distance at the top, and a mysterious individual started preparing locks for us, but never made contact.   Thank-you.
5. The bottom pound was full of foreign objects of all shape and sizes.  Clearly this acts as a local rubbish tip.  Good food for our hungry propeller.   The only other (not) moving boat we saw today.  They had a bed sheet on the prop.
6. We found a shop below the canal at Hateley Heath Aqueduct.   Not a good place to stop for the night.   Youths were evident throwing stones at each other, so we moved on.
7. The same youths took up position on the high Crankhall Lane bridge and threw stones down at us we passed underneath.  Quite large pieces of ballast most of which missed but causing some damage to paintwork.   Had one hit me on the head it would have been quite serious.   Criminal damage certainly, or attempted murder.
8. Finally we found a good mooring just after Rushall Junction, far enough away from the motorways to be acceptable for the night and in company with other boats.

Birmingham Canal Navigations:Wolverhampton

Heavy rain first thing, however the Met Office rainfall radar video sequence suggested that it would not last long.  By the time we reached the bottom Lock of the Wolverhampton 21 it had stopped and, moreover waited until we were moored at the top before resuming.   It took us 3 hours to make the climb, just slow steady methodical work.   All the locks were in our favour until nearly at the top when we met a clutch of 3 descending boats.  A telephone call had been made to the last of the three by the first, so that all the gates had been left open for us.   Nice teamwork!     There were no nasty surprises.   The top lock gear is pretty worn out.  The gears are no longer meshing properly and have a jerky feel.   One jammed briefly, but a bit of jiggling got it working.    Reaching the top we found to our surprise and dismay that the few moorings there are were marked 24 hours apart perhaps from the newly renovated moorings between the CRT maintenance yard and the railway bridge.   We were intending to stay 48 hours.    One could be forgiven for reasoning that there is actually no reason to justify staying longer, so 24 hours is enough time to overnight before or after the lock flight.   The towpath throughout the lock flight has just been renovated with asphalt throughout and is now an ideal cycle speedway.   Work seems to be continuing with that work onwards towards Birmingham, but no moorings there.   I walked on a little way to see if there was any direct access to the station from the towpath, but could find none.  There seemed to be no way of exiting the canal at all and all the development that is taking place in this old industrial area seems to have its back turned on what could be a real amenity.
   We moored up initially on the towpath

Secure moorings at Wolverhampton. The other side looks dodgy.

side beyond the bridge to allow a brief exploratory expedition and found a Sainsbury Local on the station footpath bridge over the dual carriageway.    However, it wasn't long before a youth popped his head in the window asking Pat if she had the time.  Yes, that old chestnut, but polite with it.   No doubt scoping the boat out for further interest.  So we moved opposite to the secure moorings but that means we cannot leave.  There is absolutely no access here.   Sorry Wolverhampton.

Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal:Autherley Junction

First stop was 3 minutes away for water.  I spotted a pump out sign and sure enough there was a CRT box and hose, so knowing I had a card I pulled out the hose and set it all up.  The card was empty!   There is supposed to be an indent on the card to show how much has been used.   Shame.  Just had to put it all back again.   We still need a pumpout because although the full sign has not illuminated, it will soon and up on the BCN there appear to be very few places offering such a service.  Leaving Wheaton Aston Lock we spied an on-coming boat, so left the

Autherley Junction. Dredger in the distance.

top gate open and held back to allow it through a bridgehole.  I had to smile as the crew jumped off at the bridge, perfectly sensible in most circumstances, but a waste of effort when they could have just stepped off in the lock.   We sometimes see boats mooring up first to let crew off, in similar situations.

The next possibility for the pumpout was Napton Boats at Autherley Junction and wanting an early start up the 21 to Wolverhamption we had better get it done today.   It cost £20, exorbitant but a really good quality job - lots of washout, not like the early cut off of the old BW machines.   So turning the corner we are moored here.    Dredging is in progress on the downhill S&W by the road bridge, not that it effects us, but boats have to wait a while.   Needing minor provisions a bit of googling found a Morrisons Supermarket about 10 mins walk away.   Always good to know these things.   Diet day today, so the last of the pork pies bought at Adderley with salad.   Oh!  And a lot of wine to finish up.

Shropshire Union Canal:Wheaton Aston

No rush  today as we want fuel at Norbury Junction, however, we could have rushed as it took a full 2 hours to get there.   Pat had cast off the bow rope before noticing that there was a boat coming behind and as it was still a reasonable distance away we went for it, although in general I would wait.   It soon became evident that they were catching up, and guessing that they were hire boaters rushing to return their boat I let them pass.    This was indeed the case.  There were two of them.   Arriving at Norbury Junction (fuel 50p) we had to wait for a spot on the wharf.   President & Kildare were moored opposite also waiting for space to load coal, but thwarted by C&RT trying to dismantle a flat prior to craning it out.   They are on their way initially to the Black Country Museum and then later, the Crick Boat Show.   This section of the canal is marked by deep cuttings and high embankments.   One can only have huge respect for the navvies who built them and the engineers who had the vision to even think of constructing such structures and then achieving results in spite of the set backs they experienced.   The views from the canal are fantastic on a clear day.   Our destination today was Wheaton Aston.    Cold wind on the exposed parts of the canal again spoiled what would have been a lovely day, pleasant enough though in shelter.

Shropshire Union Canal:Bridge 47

We left our moorings and reached the bottom of Tyrley Locks.   No other traffic evident.  The locks start up in a dismal rock sided cutting.  The bywashes as usual awesome.   The middle of the 5 locks gave us a little trouble as Pat had difficulty closing her bottom gate.   Evidently something stuck against the bottom seal.   I roped the boat up to stop it moving and then we opened a top paddle enough to get a gentle flow through the half open gate.   This worked and we were soon on our way into the deep Woodseaves cutting.  There we met another Cutweb member on nb  Peddler on his way to Liverpool, excuse for a brief chat!    The towpath in this cutting, previously very muddy and almost impassible has been made up with ballast and now looks really tidy.   The cutting is unstable and there is evidence of recent work - piles of cement mix bags holding back the mud.  Further on we came across a fishing competition getting set up, but no fishing until the whistle blows at 10:00.  Good bunch of folks with some banter even.  Further on it was getting cold and the sun hidden, so we stopped short again at a 48 hour mooring (with rings) just before bridge 47.    Poor phone reception but good TV.   Later about 8 boats came by in the other direction one after the other, described as a "parade" by one jovial american sounding boater.  I warned him about the fishing competition - not sure they would appreciate a flotilla disturbing their meditation.  Then President & Kildare came by, the second time we have seen this heritage steam boat this trip.

Shropshire Union Canal:Bridge 47

We left our moorings and reached the bottom of Tyrley Locks.   No other traffic evident.  The locks start up in a dismal rock sided cutting.  The bywashes as usual awesome.   The middle of the 5 locks gave us a little trouble as Pat had difficulty closing her bottom gate.   Evidently something stuck against the bottom seal.   I roped the boat up to stop it moving and then we opened a top paddle enough to get a gentle flow through the half open gate.   This worked and we were soon on our way into the deep Woodseaves cutting.  There we met another Cutweb member on nb  Peddler on his way to Liverpool, excuse for a brief chat!    The towpath in this cutting, previously very muddy and almost impassible has been made up with ballast and now looks really tidy.   The cutting is unstable and there is evidence of recent work - piles of cement mix bags holding back the mud.  Further on we came across a fishing competition getting set up, but no fishing until the whistle blows at 10:00.  Good bunch of folks with some banter even.  Further on it was getting cold and the sun hidden, so we stopped short again at a 48 hour mooring (with rings) just before bridge 47.    Poor phone reception but good TV.   Later about 8 boats came by in the other direction one after the other, described as a "parade" by one jovial american sounding boater.  I warned him about the fishing competition - not sure they would appreciate a flotilla disturbing their meditation.  Then President & Kildare came by, the second time we have seen this heritage steam boat this trip.

Shropshire Union Canal:Market Drayton

An even shorter day today offering the opportunity for a supermarket shop in the town.  However, it was a pleasure to find a lockside farm produce stall at the top of Adderley Locks.  Bread, scones with clotted cream and jam, massive pork pies, sausages, steaks, cakes, fruit pies and other goodies.  Writing this, half the loaf has gone (complementing our purchase of Garstang Blue a couple of days back) as well as serious inroads made to the clotted cream.   How am I going to cope with tonight's pizza?

Shropshire Union Canal:Adderley Bottom Lock

An easy day really in spite of the remaining 13 Audlem Locks.

Audlem Locks, 15 in all

  We had them all to ourselves until almost at the top.   The offside steps cut into the wing walls make it easy to access the offside bottom gate, so once Pat had seen me enclosed she was off to set the next while I worked the lock and closed up.  It is only a short way to the bottom of Adderley Locks, so quite a short day.

Shropshire Union Canal:Audlem

Leaving our mooring the first stop was the Calveley Service Station for water and rubbish drop.   Its also a C&RT boat yard and office and has a rather useful over water awning.

Calveley Services

 The sign advertises a pump out which I checked out, but it is in fact only an elsan disposal point.   Shortly thereafter we found the cheese shop.

The cheese stop

 It is a new wooden building with cafe and shop, all very modern and clean looking with a good selection of cheese, but also other groceries as well.    No newspapers though.  We had to stop at the petrol station just a little bit further along.  

The stairs to the petrol station (milk/newspaper)

This time Pat used the stairs through the hedge and up the embankment.   Once we passed Barbridge junction things got busy.  We no longer had the canal to ourselves, both with moored boats and opposite direct traffic as well.   Wanting a new boat hook (don't ask why) we found a well stocked chandlery at Nantwich Boat Centre before finishing the day 2 locks up at Audlem.  

The Shroppie Fly

 It's quite a while since we visited the Shroppie Fly, so it was a good opportunity.   We had a couple of Chicken Caesar Salads there in the evening.   The term 'Fly' no doubt refers to the Fly Boats which plied the canal in the distant past.  Designed for speed, they were pulled at speed by a team of horses having preference at locks.   So it is said - I wasn't there.

Shropshire Union Canal:Calveley

Light rain on and off all morning.  Coming to our first lock we arrived in time to see a Canaltime just leaving.  By the next lock, Beeston Iron Lock, there was another boat just about to enter and they waited for us.    Pat had walked up and pointed out the large red notices advising single boat passage.  I'm not sure whether this restriction, due apparently to ridges in the iron lock walls, would apply to boats going up or not, but better safe than sorry.   We followed this boat until the staircase lock where they had arranged to wait for us.   A happy bunch of Carlisle Bus Drivers on a jolly.   We got chatting and they mentioned a new cheese shop some way up ahead which we would have been interested in.  However our planned mooring occurred first and we stopped.   Something to look out for in the morning.

Beeston Iron Lock is interesting for another reason.   Pat recalled the comments of a single handed boater who was coping OK coming the other way until he found that the Iron Lock has no lock ladder.   As there is a bottom Lock Bridge, roping a boat out can be tricky, as he found.   

Shropshire Union Canal:Tattenhall Road Bridge

First we needed to wind.  The rain started, but eased off with a few sunny spells.  The first lock is a bit unpredictable and we were glad of the ropes, but the rest can be coped with easily if the boat is well back in the lock so that the ground paddle culverts open ahead of the bows.   We resigned ourselves to the mind-numbing dawdle past the 120 moored boats at golden nook, slowly getting closer to the boat in front that we had spotted in the distance, so he must have been really slow.  As we found our mooring outside the marina, the rain started in earnest  and the stove was lit once more.

Chester

A pleasant day from our 48 hour mooring.   Pat got her buttons and we visited the cheese shop and the bakers next door (in Northgate) in time to allow us a most satisfying lunch of crusty bread, Garstang Blue cheese with chutney and a cup of tea.   Nothing like it.   In the afternoon we did the wall walk.   Not many places where you can do that.   The Cathedral gardens have been developed with a family fun centre and falconry demonstrations from the cathedral falconer.  Sheep were grazing on the lawn.   Some of the roman remains are visible from the wall.   I was interested as a boater in the weir gate on the river Dee.

The weir gate is between the two posts. Looks totally neglected.

  It is supposed to be possible to have this opened at Spring tides to get access to the River from the tidal side, and hence from the canal via the Dee Locks.   I know this has been done - Neil Arlidge (Tuesday Night Club) did it in nb Earnest, but it took a lot of organising.   There is a push to try and get this regularised, perhaps even modernised with a proper lock, but no success as far as I know.   Further on the wall runs above the race course - a good site to watch the races I suppose, and finally turning the corner over the railway and running alongside the rock cutting with the canal far below.   There is a glimpse of the three lock staircase.   Our moorings were quiet enough in the company of a hire boat and some continuous cruisers on the stretch between the ringroad bridge and the Lockkeeper pub.   Gets a bit noisy at night.

Shropshire Union Canal:Chester (City Road Bridge)

We got back to the boat yesterday after a week at home.   I thought that I had got a handle on the local buses here, but no.   We were at Tattenhall Marina, a modern but well laid out and friendly place where we have left the boat before.  The only problem is that it is some way outside Chester and the buses are infrequent, one an hour on Sunday when we left.  Returning I tried to check the bus times but the timetable missed out any reference to the bus stop where we needed to get to, however the route appeared to incorporate places on the route we were expecting so got on the bus having checked with the driver.  He said yes, we would have a 100 yard or so walk from the stop to the marina which didn't seem wrong.   However, as the journey unfolded it became evident that we were going another way and although we still expected to get somewhere eventually that we knew, it would be a mile or two from the marina and with luggage not good.    At a cross roads, the driver stopped the bus and opened the doors gesticulating that we should get off.  "Up there", he said.   We fell out of the bus onto a grass verge with our luggage.  It was a really weird experience perhaps a throwback to my hitch-hiking days.  So we set off, round a slow curve, then a railway bridge and there it was!   Bit more than 100 yards, but a great relief to find it.  

Now the next thing of interest was the electricity meter which showed that for a week of keeping the fridge freezer going we had used 88p, and the next morning after a night of TV, Eberspacher and even electric kettle we had used a massive 15p worth of electricity.  With the credit already remaining on the meter, we needn't have bought that £5 card.

Today we had a gentle ride to Chester including 5 locks with some opposite direction interest.   We were warned about a fisherman who had had a go at one of the opposite direction boat skippers in a rather aggressive manner.  We greeted him as normal and had a very pleasant response.   The weather is heating up nicely and plenty of mooring here.   Tomorrow, buttons and cheese.