tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13420495288696837022024-03-08T11:33:15.433+00:00Narrowboat Briar RoseAdamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00797263033136330290noreply@blogger.comBlogger1283125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342049528869683702.post-8722023675062044792024-02-08T08:00:00.001+00:002024-02-15T03:17:18.656+00:00Halewick on test<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqUduniHt-Xu3YR8lnVwbYDWFI8JXrkCA7V2gjj5_yTi9pDEclmGIGtBm4kHyMA4qTa4lTzJsMgIOpLVXiPlQW4BtTBFIvbXtrIsvKnVafD2MpEoClzgeiIb9BoImaSxcV0gWbuLs8t3YjWF1VxHssdZGTuV9ICxtbmOHQNq-tg6S3JHKmbmxRzUjrCh4z/s765/IMG_6321.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="549" data-original-width="765" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqUduniHt-Xu3YR8lnVwbYDWFI8JXrkCA7V2gjj5_yTi9pDEclmGIGtBm4kHyMA4qTa4lTzJsMgIOpLVXiPlQW4BtTBFIvbXtrIsvKnVafD2MpEoClzgeiIb9BoImaSxcV0gWbuLs8t3YjWF1VxHssdZGTuV9ICxtbmOHQNq-tg6S3JHKmbmxRzUjrCh4z/w400-h288/IMG_6321.PNG" width="400" /></a></div><p>The March <i>Canal Boat</i> is in the shops, and includes my boat test on <i>Halewick</i>, by MGM.</p>Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00797263033136330290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342049528869683702.post-22562153399441650532024-01-05T19:07:00.002+00:002024-01-05T19:07:10.958+00:00Russell Narrowboats on test<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdU0Ce1f4AcGmPdOFgCwSyKaW9khDFQP-uDnsiwmbFGjwRGCom3zhYIrob1Krbu5RkpAZwy_md1UvuEOSS8uRVrryvLPPaBzGzswztBUmnxiTBJA3NGj45cKUI6n7wHJZXd2Q70CfKvQjJ-XIsRfGnLqBiw4ITN0e1k_OQTIyu_NknT5jJZ5AfASPza-79/s4032/IMG_6079.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdU0Ce1f4AcGmPdOFgCwSyKaW9khDFQP-uDnsiwmbFGjwRGCom3zhYIrob1Krbu5RkpAZwy_md1UvuEOSS8uRVrryvLPPaBzGzswztBUmnxiTBJA3NGj45cKUI6n7wHJZXd2Q70CfKvQjJ-XIsRfGnLqBiw4ITN0e1k_OQTIyu_NknT5jJZ5AfASPza-79/w300-h400/IMG_6079.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><br />The February <i>Canal Boat</i> is out, and has my boat test on a stock boat by Russell Narrowboats. <p></p>Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00797263033136330290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342049528869683702.post-45535056478259167072023-12-26T15:13:00.006+00:002023-12-26T15:13:39.345+00:00Christmas Cruise: Day 4<p>An alarm at 3.45am, as I had work this morning. It was a ten minute walk along the towpath to the car, which we had moved into Cosgrove on Christmas Eve. It was clear and cold, with bright moonlight.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCNf6IzptSL6DsIKa0Fd6ZdPKfAAQMlY5Hy0bPA8D2ewVgDh5XAdVdzf-mrrRxDxMdu_QnDlJ1TV9kl22xLxSBPbXhG5KBAMDckBiRqU0c313N-6ELlGDyqq08W4KW9uKVDkhPnRUI8z5ROHvIXYhxxdBCG2Gp8Gyd2kdrJx4F0tq6ICOb1e9NmrLCbKIx/s4032/IMG_6044.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCNf6IzptSL6DsIKa0Fd6ZdPKfAAQMlY5Hy0bPA8D2ewVgDh5XAdVdzf-mrrRxDxMdu_QnDlJ1TV9kl22xLxSBPbXhG5KBAMDckBiRqU0c313N-6ELlGDyqq08W4KW9uKVDkhPnRUI8z5ROHvIXYhxxdBCG2Gp8Gyd2kdrJx4F0tq6ICOb1e9NmrLCbKIx/w300-h400/IMG_6044.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><br />I came back to the marina after my shift, and Adrian had walked along to meet me. We walked back to the boat, passing these characters in Cosgrove.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRhTqK4dzLbYjrLqkJ0FXVXhsOvBcttMnoToQ4CEFeTLsbd7PJFXOe_kH5Uvl6Lo8LqiTQHMxWZ5rz8goDk-_GYHy-4qB7S_G6arcF-xTywd4ON4399jzr8TvJt3hkIlPkmQV_v2B8a5jq7gZnje7vC4UJqC2k8kIXj5msM7C8bk_lVz-RBlmM27SDZ_j0/s4032/IMG_6046.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRhTqK4dzLbYjrLqkJ0FXVXhsOvBcttMnoToQ4CEFeTLsbd7PJFXOe_kH5Uvl6Lo8LqiTQHMxWZ5rz8goDk-_GYHy-4qB7S_G6arcF-xTywd4ON4399jzr8TvJt3hkIlPkmQV_v2B8a5jq7gZnje7vC4UJqC2k8kIXj5msM7C8bk_lVz-RBlmM27SDZ_j0/w300-h400/IMG_6046.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><br />After lunch we set off back to the marina. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcrX4dmcwSAfLy1BWY88kd_gS6lR4xU5cFbJMIb-qerwFvYnahVPknM_8MFT3UDG-XyCIFyBj5jRhYD_SJuY-V8Y6OfCgHPqy_Pg_JcnsgzcvnLwnIRT8FBFArRXUTnisTbIhDCxaX5Pxl51ixXM4qtVtR-i6I16QDGcMbgNEXGMDg6i4lVPq1F8O-vVrh/s4032/IMG_6048.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcrX4dmcwSAfLy1BWY88kd_gS6lR4xU5cFbJMIb-qerwFvYnahVPknM_8MFT3UDG-XyCIFyBj5jRhYD_SJuY-V8Y6OfCgHPqy_Pg_JcnsgzcvnLwnIRT8FBFArRXUTnisTbIhDCxaX5Pxl51ixXM4qtVtR-i6I16QDGcMbgNEXGMDg6i4lVPq1F8O-vVrh/w400-h300/IMG_6048.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br />The lock needed turning, and we had an audience of walkers to watch us come up. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjhSaKEyCqvkYYfKbhF0Cl9t2nKTOBDmKKDNkSj92mrtZ0tQmxd1kEqpyPFcMzvibqI7_qEtSjquoOzvnY4Zs6gTuPJN4XC53WIqMqySi57my5SE4ZXaNqexNRV0uREIwk2j-h-2W3fq8RrL8jZY049rMQEzgQQJXZqlQg4LVdnjcO1YB_GQAvJ4E5Z-jv/s4032/IMG_6049.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjhSaKEyCqvkYYfKbhF0Cl9t2nKTOBDmKKDNkSj92mrtZ0tQmxd1kEqpyPFcMzvibqI7_qEtSjquoOzvnY4Zs6gTuPJN4XC53WIqMqySi57my5SE4ZXaNqexNRV0uREIwk2j-h-2W3fq8RrL8jZY049rMQEzgQQJXZqlQg4LVdnjcO1YB_GQAvJ4E5Z-jv/w300-h400/IMG_6049.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><br />Unlike every other day this short trip there wasn’t a breath of wind. Even the marina was still, which sometimes means it’s harder to spin round to reverse into the berth, but actually it all went extremely well. An hour after setting off, we were all secure in our berth.<p></p><p>We have nothing planned for this afternoon; tomorrow we head home — me via work, and Adrian via his aunt and uncle in Kent.</p><p>1 mile, 1 lock. (3 miles, 2 locks)</p>Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00797263033136330290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342049528869683702.post-9007192720509705822023-12-25T15:46:00.003+00:002023-12-25T15:46:27.399+00:00Christmas Cruise: Day 3<p>Christmas Day, and the wind had finally dropped. We treated ourselves to a cooked breakfast, then as it wasn’t raining, set off. We were very shortly crossing the Wolverton Aqueduct.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8duHT5dwvug3sKp0dyOI4HjjMeyCvlrB9BjLgWBTUEr7HsOw73MEU6HNDPV7yyBgqOxhFai6BaPx0HtkytNhO3mYtLBF1OCmI6OpzNoDExhagME8CMCzpWeSyMQlr5W8lcfrljnfX1EvAbuI8Gq3lGss29DiU_9PJhhZdl3qH9d48cz2TP1131UzZgLI5/s6716/IMG_6036.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2382" data-original-width="6716" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8duHT5dwvug3sKp0dyOI4HjjMeyCvlrB9BjLgWBTUEr7HsOw73MEU6HNDPV7yyBgqOxhFai6BaPx0HtkytNhO3mYtLBF1OCmI6OpzNoDExhagME8CMCzpWeSyMQlr5W8lcfrljnfX1EvAbuI8Gq3lGss29DiU_9PJhhZdl3qH9d48cz2TP1131UzZgLI5/w400-h141/IMG_6036.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br />A little bit further on, we turned around in the wide section at Galleon Wharf, and headed back. We were very shortly crossing the Wolverton Aqueduct.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgruC-ZrhnCIOttkhJLhbxANGJYGMpMHVhIrdnRGStvEMNYvPi2VlC1P9SXiAQfsJVccf6U8Mgk25uzcm7PFocggTJLuDhi8wbivQipPQB0eVl-L2dT3A_7z1hVVFH3M4-9IRU74EF9NIbha1w2KYkaHrl8fhrmoMx6cLCgF3UC7Rwcn02XQ7VKYaZPw6iN/s6422/IMG_6037.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2491" data-original-width="6422" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgruC-ZrhnCIOttkhJLhbxANGJYGMpMHVhIrdnRGStvEMNYvPi2VlC1P9SXiAQfsJVccf6U8Mgk25uzcm7PFocggTJLuDhi8wbivQipPQB0eVl-L2dT3A_7z1hVVFH3M4-9IRU74EF9NIbha1w2KYkaHrl8fhrmoMx6cLCgF3UC7Rwcn02XQ7VKYaZPw6iN/w400-h155/IMG_6037.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br />We moored up a couple of boat lengths along from where we’d been, mostly to get away from our neighbour’s generator, which seems to be running most of the day. As we had coats and boots on, we headed off for a walk round the Ouse Valley Park, walking all the way to the railway viaduct. On the way back, we passed the ponies, in a field up by the farm.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4nn003CNCPC01zgMSul0TNJr-SLqaQmQyMsdT5o0gq5DSPggLnNcqVHalTOHeaMB4mNqWaSrRhXJrIlpaatZaAnq6ZKNGDApE2AEWinAdf3QSirDmANohAUivEgLD43YmmfHwF1kxBe5mhIrJ0Z2cf4cwXhPBr7LSSWGiCYCusRuEdIIHaFgh6cRMWEeX/s4032/IMG_6038.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4nn003CNCPC01zgMSul0TNJr-SLqaQmQyMsdT5o0gq5DSPggLnNcqVHalTOHeaMB4mNqWaSrRhXJrIlpaatZaAnq6ZKNGDApE2AEWinAdf3QSirDmANohAUivEgLD43YmmfHwF1kxBe5mhIrJ0Z2cf4cwXhPBr7LSSWGiCYCusRuEdIIHaFgh6cRMWEeX/w400-h300/IMG_6038.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br />At lunchtime we started cooked our Christmas dinner: rolled turkey breast, massive pigs in blankets, roast potatoes, carrots and parsnips, stuffing balls and brussels. With a bit of juggling, everything fitted in the oven and got cooked. This afternoon it has been raining on and off; we’ve been binge watching series two of Vigil, three episodes yesterday, one so far today, and two more which will almost certainly be completed later today.<p></p><p>We hope everyone is having a lovely Christmas, and if it’s not a good time for you, we hope you are at the very least having a peaceful one.</p><p>1 miles, 0 locks. (2 miles, 1 lock)</p>Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00797263033136330290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342049528869683702.post-45236728680489571562023-12-24T15:51:00.000+00:002023-12-24T15:51:00.600+00:00Christmas Cruise: Day 2<p>The forecast for today was for 40mph winds, so we were always unlikely to be going anywhere. We also had a visit planned, from my second cousin Catherine and Nigel. Grace was at work and Matthew was being a teenager and had gone back to bed! We started with tea and then moved on to mulled wine, along with some of my mince pies and Catherine’s Christmas rocky road. We haven’t seen them since the end of our trip in September, and it turned out we had a lot to catch up on.</p><p>Afterwards, we had lunch then went out for a walk. It’s been very blustery but at least it’s been dry. Our walk took us round part of the Ouse Valley Country Park, with nice views of Wolverton Aqueduct on the way back.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcgVaFjP8a8GqOHUyS_88i7uJbG4VrL_tqWOcU9CB-LNJX0gQjI1y_7F-UgUxsKC2Z9y1xAgwAqF0NkZd8VkUjsbMmjf_NIDi8p7NqQqNmsYIlC061Dje6fLkkKQWtH8AwFBjGdGg7BYnGkf2AqvjzJwwakpk2kgcNftvKPqrjQXF8n5Qf_00_THIDGVZw/s4032/IMG_6034.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcgVaFjP8a8GqOHUyS_88i7uJbG4VrL_tqWOcU9CB-LNJX0gQjI1y_7F-UgUxsKC2Z9y1xAgwAqF0NkZd8VkUjsbMmjf_NIDi8p7NqQqNmsYIlC061Dje6fLkkKQWtH8AwFBjGdGg7BYnGkf2AqvjzJwwakpk2kgcNftvKPqrjQXF8n5Qf_00_THIDGVZw/w400-h300/IMG_6034.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizO-dClVO2KgJ3F2qzxXfZCAzglssZPh7aFTqbWIAc7DMyC3D7LGMPYyjj64GXqlfXYc3cPhjRV1xdWwTay2YXVWWsZSVSeExJGImL3-gd7nGrC5g8VGd2thbMT8TYQD3Th74UzE2CNWXBX8_k_fQFhgLknQYGCOAvOEzFSlfJFmN3zI6rTRF85TQzxnVd/s4032/IMG_6035.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizO-dClVO2KgJ3F2qzxXfZCAzglssZPh7aFTqbWIAc7DMyC3D7LGMPYyjj64GXqlfXYc3cPhjRV1xdWwTay2YXVWWsZSVSeExJGImL3-gd7nGrC5g8VGd2thbMT8TYQD3Th74UzE2CNWXBX8_k_fQFhgLknQYGCOAvOEzFSlfJFmN3zI6rTRF85TQzxnVd/w400-h300/IMG_6035.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br />Lots of people are out and about walking the towpath, and all seem very cheerful and Christmassy. Merry Christmas to all the readers of this blog!<p></p><p>0 miles, 0 locks. (1 mile, 1 lock)</p>Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00797263033136330290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342049528869683702.post-69991366858465985752023-12-23T15:39:00.005+00:002023-12-24T15:41:36.082+00:00Christmas Cruise: Days 0 and 1<p>Adrian wasn’t working yesterday, so came up to the marina first thing. He did a stock take and then went shopping at a packed Tesco in Wolverton. He’d also brought quite a lot with him. Then it was a matter of getting the boat warm.</p><p>I came up this morning after my night shifts. Part of the M1 was down to 20mph on the variable speed limits, due (according to the signs) to an oncoming vehicle. I didn’t see one, but the slow bit lasted for several miles. It had been very blustery in the night, and was still very windy this morning. We debated whether to head out of the marina or not, and decided it was probably safer not to. So instead we got in the car and headed off to Canons Ashby, which is decorated for Christmas.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCrPWlyHIZfplog2aSniQLejS1XuFzNsY62LAA-1DkcYMqD4Jrrh6bvcGx8W2XEAkVeEAZeRvnX2eoevWu-PB7NZkY_dqeBpdJnz0iMtb4Lfm4cCdvs_ojVvMnM8ZclHZsgIk9GDVy2ZBoXTtZ5szcWSuQHZ3wbYKBYdTyucMTxhbKmT-txpVfPe1FVXfD/s4032/IMG_6012.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCrPWlyHIZfplog2aSniQLejS1XuFzNsY62LAA-1DkcYMqD4Jrrh6bvcGx8W2XEAkVeEAZeRvnX2eoevWu-PB7NZkY_dqeBpdJnz0iMtb4Lfm4cCdvs_ojVvMnM8ZclHZsgIk9GDVy2ZBoXTtZ5szcWSuQHZ3wbYKBYdTyucMTxhbKmT-txpVfPe1FVXfD/w400-h300/IMG_6012.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br />The decorations are on the theme of King Arthur, because one of the house’s former owners had written an opera about him, with Purcell doing the music. They were quite imaginative, especially the enchanted forest and the dragons in the kitchens.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNt3icaBjj2kB2wpqXDt9EmKDK15ZsJGAIMwap_0Q0oalKxnQOEfaNJSN5zx_G0-txuLI75uzUty9UIDUgMOQFtcQB7tVNvdQLMUAgnzRb2p_L3v0YZLLroChlfV_YGgFfhMrgaaK55GwCccyEnAHHhN2kUb-wuVljriKZw5Tvv3M95R25jW-l2JNCQ9aP/s4032/IMG_6016.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNt3icaBjj2kB2wpqXDt9EmKDK15ZsJGAIMwap_0Q0oalKxnQOEfaNJSN5zx_G0-txuLI75uzUty9UIDUgMOQFtcQB7tVNvdQLMUAgnzRb2p_L3v0YZLLroChlfV_YGgFfhMrgaaK55GwCccyEnAHHhN2kUb-wuVljriKZw5Tvv3M95R25jW-l2JNCQ9aP/w300-h400/IMG_6016.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6uSGIelI9OL-89EJZXE3ZOoIrxRwU2qngrsBsy2wTGk5yCJtftC3pHerNQIytfr-9yWPerFYOZWK2fuAapN4KKkPKezw-TK9x7V-glUJzIPA2yVtyrl85nGYIh1hiQ3RGv9W-uDeI3dNusRYD4hs9Kj_wI5G2H6iDPslAl9k0jsWUgZL36x4RwoNvyZgV/s4032/IMG_6017.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6uSGIelI9OL-89EJZXE3ZOoIrxRwU2qngrsBsy2wTGk5yCJtftC3pHerNQIytfr-9yWPerFYOZWK2fuAapN4KKkPKezw-TK9x7V-glUJzIPA2yVtyrl85nGYIh1hiQ3RGv9W-uDeI3dNusRYD4hs9Kj_wI5G2H6iDPslAl9k0jsWUgZL36x4RwoNvyZgV/w300-h400/IMG_6017.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO2jW9Gjw1b7SmFurEl5qEvs-pD8eb5WFMYOBe1BysaqPJYW8ndsvZI0PLlBFKHZQXcCCtQrUzSx914tQXF-JKYhlsUhmrQHKuuHemUioTXZgB40ravEWMkWjkrp8tF-1kuKcaxr_y1cGyEGhyphenhyphenPRpiUZY2XEyfU1d5SAUwZJRTVE8QCIuZ1bLrRT2P9QxO/s4032/IMG_6018.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO2jW9Gjw1b7SmFurEl5qEvs-pD8eb5WFMYOBe1BysaqPJYW8ndsvZI0PLlBFKHZQXcCCtQrUzSx914tQXF-JKYhlsUhmrQHKuuHemUioTXZgB40ravEWMkWjkrp8tF-1kuKcaxr_y1cGyEGhyphenhyphenPRpiUZY2XEyfU1d5SAUwZJRTVE8QCIuZ1bLrRT2P9QxO/w300-h400/IMG_6018.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9GvTELCveF53RL7UGN8HTPuHaxa8mztIEQ3bx7lJCtUSVYvgH9x_E18nycA3LXyKlFHjYBSACxb5kZM2ORNNZfCxI0Pf3efqNmH3dyqEAlxbE_tV_lpjoeTaYB5Ea0bmcTOE3nhIFq7XJZVApyM9lzoOeMM9QPJkAgwhMt2GRt5TP9MgM9IepSBblJg4d/s4032/IMG_6020.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9GvTELCveF53RL7UGN8HTPuHaxa8mztIEQ3bx7lJCtUSVYvgH9x_E18nycA3LXyKlFHjYBSACxb5kZM2ORNNZfCxI0Pf3efqNmH3dyqEAlxbE_tV_lpjoeTaYB5Ea0bmcTOE3nhIFq7XJZVApyM9lzoOeMM9QPJkAgwhMt2GRt5TP9MgM9IepSBblJg4d/w300-h400/IMG_6020.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE487FgRFz2ptRl2ffckxj4c5-b6964qnL-cva1MxYA4uaZac5rmlbVKNK0hjf2q6AZCWO5BXZOlJbmOubHaeVWbJTtLb_d1QstSV3UqNo9rwt4iBCDO_RwpIh4TGxxE625GeQRcDiwdXEW14TgRVImfK52p6n5FG3Goad4LQw_5fQbBfqpYkVuGtL2_ro/s4032/IMG_6022.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE487FgRFz2ptRl2ffckxj4c5-b6964qnL-cva1MxYA4uaZac5rmlbVKNK0hjf2q6AZCWO5BXZOlJbmOubHaeVWbJTtLb_d1QstSV3UqNo9rwt4iBCDO_RwpIh4TGxxE625GeQRcDiwdXEW14TgRVImfK52p6n5FG3Goad4LQw_5fQbBfqpYkVuGtL2_ro/w400-h300/IMG_6022.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmkRRvx_yFOsC4cansDAYezNPlVuDEmgJ6s8vPXsxqZG9vwu696eHiGiq_KcjCOPUmXrCB2vPwjFdBRnK6429uu94RHjn_jU2p5LyRxjw18XkSIQOAEsBZvThLJNfpTWJEumYS_MOawtDM5LCC2Fc_AMRRzNp4KuZS9EXCd1Qxkv8PDHLSwjIrhbMuRVLR/s4032/IMG_6023.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmkRRvx_yFOsC4cansDAYezNPlVuDEmgJ6s8vPXsxqZG9vwu696eHiGiq_KcjCOPUmXrCB2vPwjFdBRnK6429uu94RHjn_jU2p5LyRxjw18XkSIQOAEsBZvThLJNfpTWJEumYS_MOawtDM5LCC2Fc_AMRRzNp4KuZS9EXCd1Qxkv8PDHLSwjIrhbMuRVLR/w300-h400/IMG_6023.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix0jBKQhlqYIY63jvdJOTQKpBDrGs3QRZnG6maGfnhZX6gIfN1kWNHJ6lmrFtK3khZthMfY8EixjoadNB12u0MjOzUww6AZqmQA8SDkolm6cF_Bin6kz6WqUaI-YVBrsFBZQvndhosZ2tuaUnQOFzQtp6Ir45ReFpccVnxjWGv9HzA9WzuErK556V3s-1e/s4032/IMG_6024.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix0jBKQhlqYIY63jvdJOTQKpBDrGs3QRZnG6maGfnhZX6gIfN1kWNHJ6lmrFtK3khZthMfY8EixjoadNB12u0MjOzUww6AZqmQA8SDkolm6cF_Bin6kz6WqUaI-YVBrsFBZQvndhosZ2tuaUnQOFzQtp6Ir45ReFpccVnxjWGv9HzA9WzuErK556V3s-1e/w300-h400/IMG_6024.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHsGfDoe1EVvelKNGML0dbCocQm71VP6I2kLuiCSYtjKLaim_zVgJBzwKIOUXwvxAdGT3HKFkcmsnQYgaAiLuI5skxiW6bfKz05n3dW0Q2ZgC1i7ZnrW2-MGk_ffFf8ciLb0HqvXaymEckVfutc4FJiPtCmjSDE0E11uz-e3kP7dH55-uWYoZKWEeZbyHP/s4032/IMG_6025.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHsGfDoe1EVvelKNGML0dbCocQm71VP6I2kLuiCSYtjKLaim_zVgJBzwKIOUXwvxAdGT3HKFkcmsnQYgaAiLuI5skxiW6bfKz05n3dW0Q2ZgC1i7ZnrW2-MGk_ffFf8ciLb0HqvXaymEckVfutc4FJiPtCmjSDE0E11uz-e3kP7dH55-uWYoZKWEeZbyHP/w300-h400/IMG_6025.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3TKpickRY7tQ66JaVcOfbM_53GrbtkCdI4Eh6qd2kjuESzThdpfTEzTuH0UOkOwWTz3g3v1CguHMru9nuVHucvgXYJLZpKG2rDMUczs75Aq2VvLbOZiDfGwrU9AdDPT_DZnS06FwFkQRC760PLwO-F7ELdMjG_-rp1SXmVNyAEZ5T7dP7X8QdiDIDCy3l/s4032/IMG_6027.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3TKpickRY7tQ66JaVcOfbM_53GrbtkCdI4Eh6qd2kjuESzThdpfTEzTuH0UOkOwWTz3g3v1CguHMru9nuVHucvgXYJLZpKG2rDMUczs75Aq2VvLbOZiDfGwrU9AdDPT_DZnS06FwFkQRC760PLwO-F7ELdMjG_-rp1SXmVNyAEZ5T7dP7X8QdiDIDCy3l/w300-h400/IMG_6027.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><br />We’d got there not long after the house opened, so got a fairly early slot, and it’s not that big — so we ended up having a rather early lunch too. We also went across the road to the church, one of only four in the UK that are privately owned, apparently.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWLIy8SvHSw353OQvFSkwfACdGn3eWl7JJ4UwqFKqJG4Q_hX08UmIQAxTlC55UMT_5XVXBFudT_FXpZHNfMdZvrHPM8CmA8OHuxqPUTR0w341MdMO-tHDIWt7nX_b8G2kl2Z-vWRXo92IweA0iXtkOvhNyKCpP_1lgv66d8UxlR_pmpFJhvAmdSoDorF0w/s4032/IMG_6030.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWLIy8SvHSw353OQvFSkwfACdGn3eWl7JJ4UwqFKqJG4Q_hX08UmIQAxTlC55UMT_5XVXBFudT_FXpZHNfMdZvrHPM8CmA8OHuxqPUTR0w341MdMO-tHDIWt7nX_b8G2kl2Z-vWRXo92IweA0iXtkOvhNyKCpP_1lgv66d8UxlR_pmpFJhvAmdSoDorF0w/w400-h300/IMG_6030.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br />On the way back, we had a walk up Buckby Locks, and talked to the owners of a boat going up. We also decided the wind wasn’t nearly as bad as it had been, so we headed back to the boat and set off. Although it was fairly breezy in the marina, outside it was fine. We went down through Cosgrove.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0UYKMz1tq-X97qo3ImTHC0_FDGzfDJjTspzswWruwbrEV4URmGaBMw4v5ICxutxuhXWyJaJ0VbiXHC0Ya78wnrthSj936ROaebs6CFceU37IGlvWVKsPNJIIqacv48322IGGE1GJT5_bmh-DjKV1evCkb4ZWilUYaTmI32W42MxxzjHeEA3NuW1hI6hIp/s4032/IMG_6031.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0UYKMz1tq-X97qo3ImTHC0_FDGzfDJjTspzswWruwbrEV4URmGaBMw4v5ICxutxuhXWyJaJ0VbiXHC0Ya78wnrthSj936ROaebs6CFceU37IGlvWVKsPNJIIqacv48322IGGE1GJT5_bmh-DjKV1evCkb4ZWilUYaTmI32W42MxxzjHeEA3NuW1hI6hIp/w400-h300/IMG_6031.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br />We went down the lock, and moored towards the aqueduct. It’s pretty calm here, and we’re not being blown about like we were in the marina. The forecast is worse for tomorrow though, and we have visitors in the morning, so we may not go anywhere at all.<p></p><p>1 mile, 1 lock.</p>Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00797263033136330290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342049528869683702.post-51734222274477334922023-12-08T11:49:00.002+00:002023-12-08T11:49:15.516+00:00Stargazer on test<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPr4HKV3S3scGgAylZ-25PgySxFHF02NB2gKuQJjv4f2Bnjr4j24LRNxiafc-mIVo5gdB4yhlR3Yu_HcQmtmRd3LIn4PCT2PAcgWwJ6rY-S_1AGwzKO2rJvz8UkW2yspELGo1J9kCfjn3dX0KXIek7FDiTWxb6MsupSEGqn7HaQ3mx6aVDqAVqjcJV0z9F/s4032/IMG_5972.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPr4HKV3S3scGgAylZ-25PgySxFHF02NB2gKuQJjv4f2Bnjr4j24LRNxiafc-mIVo5gdB4yhlR3Yu_HcQmtmRd3LIn4PCT2PAcgWwJ6rY-S_1AGwzKO2rJvz8UkW2yspELGo1J9kCfjn3dX0KXIek7FDiTWxb6MsupSEGqn7HaQ3mx6aVDqAVqjcJV0z9F/w300-h400/IMG_5972.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><br />The January <i>Canal Boat</i> is out, and includes my boat test on <i>Stargazer</i>, by Knights Narrowboats.<p></p>Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00797263033136330290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342049528869683702.post-76717003630405962162023-11-24T18:48:00.001+00:002023-11-24T18:48:25.166+00:00Mercia Marina<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEkDr66N0JC4ePqXlhAfuEuLa3t2N_MS0SvlQxIwjND8tZqWojeApE9vLAzbXAzznaTEGHWpYHiYoQnQvzMFGzOvk_Zjb975vvmUpI1eMf60qo_ZBh4VNizDzBooZUr52RAX8B4oU7L2gC6dvOiMFJd1H7PoP97DFpOE9YTho-uwhARDUWNqUwFeAq8njt/s4032/IMG_5945.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEkDr66N0JC4ePqXlhAfuEuLa3t2N_MS0SvlQxIwjND8tZqWojeApE9vLAzbXAzznaTEGHWpYHiYoQnQvzMFGzOvk_Zjb975vvmUpI1eMf60qo_ZBh4VNizDzBooZUr52RAX8B4oU7L2gC6dvOiMFJd1H7PoP97DFpOE9YTho-uwhARDUWNqUwFeAq8njt/w400-h300/IMG_5945.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br />Up to Mercia Marina today for a boat test — in fact we did two. Sunny, but rather breezy and pretty cold! At least there are always good toasted sandwiches in the Willow Tree Cafe afterwards. <p></p>Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00797263033136330290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342049528869683702.post-67571070752359329982023-11-07T19:03:00.000+00:002023-11-07T19:03:12.971+00:00Prees branch<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu2zXL2sFuwfOsjZBCWd93fh_DJWvBmHbNvCuq1Gkd8jPL1Qv3WBfxOQQ4pZIU-XVwgWftJL9fJVwKkhhoD9HjZ_2rJjOLZObyIMslyNhYPUouH3JGE8xWkmqSIcQ9N2Q2NnO5ri9lKO-9VwDCaZgk1Wt_9EVsGHTHKGUOS5mlDh_TbLBnR8HQiNiANVyc/s4032/IMG_5894.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu2zXL2sFuwfOsjZBCWd93fh_DJWvBmHbNvCuq1Gkd8jPL1Qv3WBfxOQQ4pZIU-XVwgWftJL9fJVwKkhhoD9HjZ_2rJjOLZObyIMslyNhYPUouH3JGE8xWkmqSIcQ9N2Q2NnO5ri9lKO-9VwDCaZgk1Wt_9EVsGHTHKGUOS5mlDh_TbLBnR8HQiNiANVyc/w400-h300/IMG_5894.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br />A long drive today up to Whixall Marina for a boat test. The weather was kind, and the lift bridges are picturesque. And we won’t talk about the incident with Andy’s drone! On the way back, a horse came along and had to wait to cross the bridge. He’ll probably end up in the magazine too. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRCElsuEsIk-jbWwBn-EORiXh5WHH3Mx06bIz8lMziI40H5KKSU-WgXOwngHa1AE1jqxwGJx9flpsTooya33NnDpBMDRf-iZspz49pQEm4G8_iKN-uE1Huw_7PLRv8N_KpaNgSTaW77RG8_urXwONHrh9Q543avUqhR_ZIPe4j9hXL2a5x6jkka_6IcdZi/s4032/IMG_5893.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRCElsuEsIk-jbWwBn-EORiXh5WHH3Mx06bIz8lMziI40H5KKSU-WgXOwngHa1AE1jqxwGJx9flpsTooya33NnDpBMDRf-iZspz49pQEm4G8_iKN-uE1Huw_7PLRv8N_KpaNgSTaW77RG8_urXwONHrh9Q543avUqhR_ZIPe4j9hXL2a5x6jkka_6IcdZi/w300-h400/IMG_5893.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><br />We had lunch in the marina cafe, then I carried on north to see my dad in his new flat in Chester. <p></p>Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00797263033136330290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342049528869683702.post-28513024071068673162023-11-06T11:11:00.002+00:002023-11-06T11:11:19.407+00:00Albert Ross on test<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNeL6V2OyMSpEYiScITuDi836QJG-ZeJog6zUXZX0Da_gVpkvz6ugyuVzUgrxUUERvyHGh9etcHhAarLH-wXwdqmbRuXJkBAgL3ViNTmvHAYxGfYnA48zwKVspWv9taUSG_Iu6wJpCHjVzRPPfiiSkp6hvit7QQ9BwdAvAoo1N7sUcz8Rywx6cUTTZjCac/s4032/IMG_5889.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNeL6V2OyMSpEYiScITuDi836QJG-ZeJog6zUXZX0Da_gVpkvz6ugyuVzUgrxUUERvyHGh9etcHhAarLH-wXwdqmbRuXJkBAgL3ViNTmvHAYxGfYnA48zwKVspWv9taUSG_Iu6wJpCHjVzRPPfiiSkp6hvit7QQ9BwdAvAoo1N7sUcz8Rywx6cUTTZjCac/w300-h400/IMG_5889.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><br />The latest <i>Canal Boat</i> is out, and includes my boat test on <i>Albert Ross</i>, by <a href="https://stonebespokenarrowboats.com/">Stone Bespoke Narrow Boats</a>. <p></p>Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00797263033136330290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342049528869683702.post-54545764294046502692023-10-11T18:07:00.002+01:002023-10-11T18:07:18.927+01:00Electric Dragon on test<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmCRqUoX2RaBakJ04ywhe8F4jYCghRu8CtTxpohsa93v5fxzc5o2dlSAOq5tXa-5BDEQTbJtpDClXTUPPJRoXl7LiAHSGvMuX1v8MxVeY4Cfqkjk1z3TOct2__vgRcu9GZ0izn6othMicr5wgn05OYigEY92rRDLEP6mEH9J7tp3TjjmpuvJbddC55YBAB/s4032/IMG_5819.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmCRqUoX2RaBakJ04ywhe8F4jYCghRu8CtTxpohsa93v5fxzc5o2dlSAOq5tXa-5BDEQTbJtpDClXTUPPJRoXl7LiAHSGvMuX1v8MxVeY4Cfqkjk1z3TOct2__vgRcu9GZ0izn6othMicr5wgn05OYigEY92rRDLEP6mEH9J7tp3TjjmpuvJbddC55YBAB/w300-h400/IMG_5819.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><br />The November <i>Canal Boat</i> is out, and includes my boat test on <i>Electric Dragon</i> by <a href="https://www.ortomarine.co.uk/">Ortomarine</a>.<p></p>Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00797263033136330290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342049528869683702.post-54964972253701538422023-10-07T17:46:00.002+01:002023-10-07T17:49:58.016+01:00Wending to Wales: stats<p>Some stats from our trip to Llangollen and back.</p><p>385 miles, 314 locks (223 narrow locks and 91 wide ones)</p><p>Canals travelled on:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Grand Union</li><li>North Oxford</li><li>Coventry</li><li>Birmingham and Fazeley</li><li>Trent and Mersey</li><li>Middlewich Arm</li><li>Shropshire Union main line </li><li>Llangollen</li><li>Montgomery</li><li>Prees Arm</li><li>Whitchurch Arm</li><li>BCN Old Main Line</li><li>BCN New Main Line</li><li>BCN Titford Canal</li><li>B&F Digbeth Branch</li><li>GU Digbeth Branch</li></ul><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">The Llangollen was new water for Briar Rose but not for us, and the Titford Canal and Titford Pools was new water for all of us.</p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikbLfXY6JILs0hWDFzm_kPCpIwzo7u-StZXgaTQpgB8kENusWl137q0JgsI5NSVDpRdRCgdh-I9lvmRgd_t32mnWcMy-tlTmndxQM4l4VlMSayOyv8EiUKFHncMySSqf6MiK35vuNuPXCpy-0cj9vLz3IhTTOKCkjDwodMs5XdQdtI-7Cn-EEDh9ixvzeJ/s4032/IMG_5635.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikbLfXY6JILs0hWDFzm_kPCpIwzo7u-StZXgaTQpgB8kENusWl137q0JgsI5NSVDpRdRCgdh-I9lvmRgd_t32mnWcMy-tlTmndxQM4l4VlMSayOyv8EiUKFHncMySSqf6MiK35vuNuPXCpy-0cj9vLz3IhTTOKCkjDwodMs5XdQdtI-7Cn-EEDh9ixvzeJ/w300-h400/IMG_5635.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><br />We went through the following tunnels:<p></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Blisworth (twice)</li><li>Braunston (twice)</li><li>Newbold</li><li>Harecastle</li><li>Ellesmere (twice)</li><li>Chirk (twice)</li><li>Whitehouses (twice)</li><li>Cowley</li><li>Wolverhampton (really more like a long bridge)</li><li>Coseley</li><li>Summit</li><li>Ashted</li><li>Curzon Street (another bridge-like one)</li><li>Shrewley</li></ul>In total, they add up to just over nine miles underground.<p></p><p style="text-align: left;">We did two major aqueducts, Chirk and Pontcysyllte, plus lots of small ones.</p><p style="text-align: left;">We went through the following counties:</p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Northamptonshire</li><li>Warwickshire</li><li>Staffordshire</li><li>Cheshire</li><li>Shropshire</li><li>Wrexham</li><li>Denbighshire</li><li>West Midlands</li></ul><br /><p></p>Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00797263033136330290noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342049528869683702.post-14743444374732514972023-10-03T18:56:00.003+01:002023-10-03T18:56:27.411+01:00Back to the marina <p>There was lots of thunder and lightning last night, and rain so heavy that once or twice I couldn’t hear the tv! This morning things were much quieter. I packed, made a trip down to the Elsan, and set off a bit after 8am. CRT are currently shoring up the bank on one of the corners. When I walked past on Sunday, some of these posts hadn’t been cut down to size. They’ve got rolls of sticks in between, and from what’s on the workboat will be having coir sausages on top.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiurDuwhrpJ3jSvCkurUrmYqnAVG_bj2yXqYKBQQYk0f65IxNjmQtE-PsN-i4BT79XZ0eWJXTozMt2X65eLS6Kdz-xr2K8-nUWZjw-l7Q8hgiE5xp4hdboclrZxg-CZQVYwVG8lvlHR6hF_EW0ZEgJyL0IDIVMhnRm2_0PiC1yEC9ze-3wWae8ddgD-Kniz/s4032/IMG_5790.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiurDuwhrpJ3jSvCkurUrmYqnAVG_bj2yXqYKBQQYk0f65IxNjmQtE-PsN-i4BT79XZ0eWJXTozMt2X65eLS6Kdz-xr2K8-nUWZjw-l7Q8hgiE5xp4hdboclrZxg-CZQVYwVG8lvlHR6hF_EW0ZEgJyL0IDIVMhnRm2_0PiC1yEC9ze-3wWae8ddgD-Kniz/w400-h300/IMG_5790.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br />At the marina, our neighbours are currently out so I had a double sized space to aim at. Sometimes I find this makes things more difficult, but actually I ended up right alongside our jetty.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0cyoDxAsvLhe_jc3ECsOjEiNN05bIgm-S8O8ZPDdyAH5QAypBJDkiexoBnVFi8jbLjf-VANqgphAy7lsEVPjGAvMOaX-IdoxMBBmr6NsQga_b4XfhF4aJwWCwP9pBg5_cDGP6KddcHlMaGAZvzNQnJJG_uOMByVXH_4p-KKhVFct4FGDdh-C4UNTGGE6B/s4032/IMG_5791.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0cyoDxAsvLhe_jc3ECsOjEiNN05bIgm-S8O8ZPDdyAH5QAypBJDkiexoBnVFi8jbLjf-VANqgphAy7lsEVPjGAvMOaX-IdoxMBBmr6NsQga_b4XfhF4aJwWCwP9pBg5_cDGP6KddcHlMaGAZvzNQnJJG_uOMByVXH_4p-KKhVFct4FGDdh-C4UNTGGE6B/w400-h300/IMG_5791.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br />I went through the leaving procedure, loaded up the car, and was on the road to my dad’s by 9.15.<p></p><p>1 mile, 0 locks. (2 miles, 0 locks)</p>Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00797263033136330290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342049528869683702.post-73987968248996307182023-10-02T17:28:00.001+01:002023-10-02T17:28:36.763+01:00Back to Cheshire<p>I was up early this morning and driving to Bicester to meet Andy the photographer. I’d moved the car to the village yesterday afternoon. We went in one car to Aqueduct Marina at Church Minshull for a boat test. The weather was ok, no sunshine but light cloud and dry. We had lunch at the cafe there, and then on the way home the rain arrived. I stopped at Bicester library to have some documents printed, rather than trying to figure out whether I could do some sort of Wi-Fi thing with phone and iPad on the boat. My walk back from the marina to the boat at Cosgrove was mostly in the dry, so I was lucky because the rain really came down after I got back.</p>Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00797263033136330290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342049528869683702.post-30807177673126091902023-10-01T17:09:00.007+01:002023-10-01T17:09:57.910+01:00Wending to Wales: Day 35<p>We had just a short distance to go back to our marina today, and set off about 8.30. Adrian packed as we went along. At Yardley Gobion, outside Kingfisher marina, we passed our old share boat, <i>Debdale</i>, and had a quick chat with Charlie, who was one of the owners back when we had our share.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqF2Y6K4v7vMklt5R3xXaxO2wpJaIwQXK-TzOB2quU0a2vuDoPmqmSU-_Wbl21wcRcnJ9wCF_bxcIO2mdEz9jTlyBvtUHZd-QgUyVkbWuKXcJnJG7jCxgvWhXmbKN8E6pRz2WDGMMjoBpeI_LhSIh_T4i9yWKEqnYTBKJy9YOyT6RMN3uvlBqAHar4Q1bB/s4032/IMG_5778.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqF2Y6K4v7vMklt5R3xXaxO2wpJaIwQXK-TzOB2quU0a2vuDoPmqmSU-_Wbl21wcRcnJ9wCF_bxcIO2mdEz9jTlyBvtUHZd-QgUyVkbWuKXcJnJG7jCxgvWhXmbKN8E6pRz2WDGMMjoBpeI_LhSIh_T4i9yWKEqnYTBKJy9YOyT6RMN3uvlBqAHar4Q1bB/w400-h300/IMG_5778.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br />When we got to Thrupp Wharf, there were three fishermen opposite the marina entrance, which is also a winding hole. I don’t think they’d have been very pleased had I done my usual turn in, which would certainly have stirred up their water. Because of what was happening next, I got the boat close to the entrance and then reversed the stern in. Adrian got all the stuff he was taking home off the boat while I stood there with a rope, trying to stop the boat blowing over to the other side!<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEije7-if_JJIazKJKf281uVc-q87_-9CeQcOZIebJmpe0PEy-v-O1Yne-dCAFqaHaP3q5SataZsFXDo7lOw7XisSVmnU_TsMim1fxrhETwD02K29QJjsZjMtcPPbFprodqFFysMaTK1p51_VzOwNEjMZcGP8reJGUWQDj3enThsPXC3NcoVqboIzfSJPS7m/s3735/IMG_5780.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2801" data-original-width="3735" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEije7-if_JJIazKJKf281uVc-q87_-9CeQcOZIebJmpe0PEy-v-O1Yne-dCAFqaHaP3q5SataZsFXDo7lOw7XisSVmnU_TsMim1fxrhETwD02K29QJjsZjMtcPPbFprodqFFysMaTK1p51_VzOwNEjMZcGP8reJGUWQDj3enThsPXC3NcoVqboIzfSJPS7m/w400-h300/IMG_5780.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br />Adrian packed the car, checked he had house keys, and set off back home. So that really marks the end of our trip — 35 days in total, plus three days when we were moored in Rugby having to work. It’s one of our longest trips (I must check back to see whether it takes the title as the longest!)<p></p><p>5 miles, 0 locks. (385 miles, 314 locks)</p><p>I jumped back on the boat (and it almost did require a jump, because the wind had already blown the stern away from the side in the few seconds it took me to get there), and headed for Cosgrove. I passed four boats on the way, so I was pretty use there’d be space, plus two more as I tried to get over to the moorings. I chose a relatively straight section, with no overhanging trees.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQhUP-fltZ8JXWpMVWgXJKVP62nACMMo6HY6VCdB5WEhooDPZQxn4OFbknnDep5PXZhVDdaexLb3xkY9lZZ6j69NS2JM_b_hl6FWy1DjyaCqFvbcpb96MUWCDfBHlL4KSGcrCbdO_BaNaNRG12VxAHr-B8_iY9Jq1fv4iVp_kz87JCOc038cs7kNvMWKV5/s4032/IMG_5782.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQhUP-fltZ8JXWpMVWgXJKVP62nACMMo6HY6VCdB5WEhooDPZQxn4OFbknnDep5PXZhVDdaexLb3xkY9lZZ6j69NS2JM_b_hl6FWy1DjyaCqFvbcpb96MUWCDfBHlL4KSGcrCbdO_BaNaNRG12VxAHr-B8_iY9Jq1fv4iVp_kz87JCOc038cs7kNvMWKV5/w400-h300/IMG_5782.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br />Once I was secure, I got the bucket out and washed, rinsed, and dried that side of the boat. Then I thought I’d put some black paint on the gunwales; when we had them changed from blacking to paint last year, Steve let me have half a tin of leftover paint. I got the fat tyre fenders out and tied them to the intermediate rings on the towpath, to keep the boat away from the side. There are a few bits that really need a bit of proper work, but the paint has certainly covered up the surface scuffs and scratches.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeP-02mb1VfSHkjE4vv_tGsgwq78ITTLcUmAitsOT8_2ofVyX2f4-WgjbKoePcz9JH2P5LTKGkoesmvnEpfxsb0ZLUDmmfKuiPbhaRaOS3fB_9o0HpQaPk83cUKFuWtH3VKkLyC5bHHODqTeJybR9pQ3rqdCGh0xqp0irT_oaxn7fVKGpqb7eQx9lLsOBp/s2048/IMG_3623.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="2048" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeP-02mb1VfSHkjE4vv_tGsgwq78ITTLcUmAitsOT8_2ofVyX2f4-WgjbKoePcz9JH2P5LTKGkoesmvnEpfxsb0ZLUDmmfKuiPbhaRaOS3fB_9o0HpQaPk83cUKFuWtH3VKkLyC5bHHODqTeJybR9pQ3rqdCGh0xqp0irT_oaxn7fVKGpqb7eQx9lLsOBp/w400-h200/IMG_3623.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />Then I got the polish out and did that side of the boat. Once all that was done, I thought I’d turn the boat around before having some lunch, so headed off to the lock where I spun around and returned to the same spot.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsVWG8ua6VBDprV5cYB1ntO6qiFww8dgTY-Ub6-HuxJJqO-jT5F94Gx3wxE-UapNTZDfEQhKsPrWjcPXGbH8yCwo4rQWl82qvm_-4qclTey77DZjQcJn5_thTOUnz-7nOtGGDb6L1KY2OT5Gj8aqgoSUV01Ye0mivS3HNDVNYTjGBo9gKPw2UoVs5Ypsdg/s4032/IMG_5784.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsVWG8ua6VBDprV5cYB1ntO6qiFww8dgTY-Ub6-HuxJJqO-jT5F94Gx3wxE-UapNTZDfEQhKsPrWjcPXGbH8yCwo4rQWl82qvm_-4qclTey77DZjQcJn5_thTOUnz-7nOtGGDb6L1KY2OT5Gj8aqgoSUV01Ye0mivS3HNDVNYTjGBo9gKPw2UoVs5Ypsdg/w400-h300/IMG_5784.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br />I’d only just finished tying up again when <i><a href="http://nbfreespirit.blogspot.com/">Free Spirit</a></i> came past, so I walked down to the lock to explain what I was doing here rather than heading for home, and to help Ian and Irene through.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBtnsXKSz8NfoIvlZNERYK-KL1idagLsYSEgbKsv-GjPlq80Ad8fzOpjG7E9DSwL2rlyJZFiC35AFprSDf8-lbt4yAUGfJrUYZp9JBrdcYSxMV1LS8vgiwFQlKZMcJPWuACG4_OJEH2DuDIQNw8zfdoy6vSq-CmO6eCelHhNsm2cIsN2vgqA7qHaEVQ8jy/s4032/IMG_5785.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBtnsXKSz8NfoIvlZNERYK-KL1idagLsYSEgbKsv-GjPlq80Ad8fzOpjG7E9DSwL2rlyJZFiC35AFprSDf8-lbt4yAUGfJrUYZp9JBrdcYSxMV1LS8vgiwFQlKZMcJPWuACG4_OJEH2DuDIQNw8zfdoy6vSq-CmO6eCelHhNsm2cIsN2vgqA7qHaEVQ8jy/w400-h300/IMG_5785.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br />Back at the boat I had lunch, then did the whole cleaning process on the other side. I have to say the novelty wore off some time before the boat was finished, and being stooped over for hours putting polish on and then off again is not much fun. However there were plenty of people passing to say hello to, including a big group of kids on some sort of trip, who had lots of questions. It was only when I went back inside I realised I should also have cleaned the windows, so I did that too — including standing on the gunwales to do the offside ones.<p></p><p>The main reason I’m still here is that I have a boat test to do tomorrow in Cheshire, so there was very little point in going home when this is halfway there.</p><p>1 mile, 0 locks.</p>Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00797263033136330290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342049528869683702.post-76114174168755668212023-09-30T18:05:00.006+01:002023-09-30T18:05:59.281+01:00Wending to Wales: Day 34<p>Another great evening with Catherine and Nigel last night. It turned out quite a lot had happened since we last saw them on the August bank holiday weekend, so we got all the latest news and a little bit of wine was drunk. This morning, there was mist hanging in the valley beyond the towpath hedge as the sun came up.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGthu-XX5kVRC-tyswjHi8KmP5MX9WDbE32KtqZqKM-C4GWlxW0YJvBalcCk-SZ54hKLtU11qq2Y3zMtRrHm3WEo3txg5coi961e_6SkSEcTT78_OHjY0Dcr75LQNAx1aBdmHKvL9M3bmlmGRgTA3LCE_3nCQNzRR5cLnPHlQDIhggKvoWYyb3wJ8ZgqQI/s6055/IMG_5765.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2642" data-original-width="6055" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGthu-XX5kVRC-tyswjHi8KmP5MX9WDbE32KtqZqKM-C4GWlxW0YJvBalcCk-SZ54hKLtU11qq2Y3zMtRrHm3WEo3txg5coi961e_6SkSEcTT78_OHjY0Dcr75LQNAx1aBdmHKvL9M3bmlmGRgTA3LCE_3nCQNzRR5cLnPHlQDIhggKvoWYyb3wJ8ZgqQI/w400-h175/IMG_5765.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br />As we didn’t have a very ambitious day planned and it was our final Saturday of the trip, we treated ourselves to a cooked breakfast. Even so, we were still away before 8.30, on a very pleasant morning.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQqiiFo4ZC30sF0qRZTFctBau2wIICR0mYdJBWUyw1ENaP1DZJhgQYlIQ_XrDeC9W4yuxweVAm47YvTS6m88YioJVvdw1oUGNdJw0gVL_mF_TiSRmacoJw9sLxP_IZhZMyX4USkKKYH8xqgcFUDtlWwZ4J2dHWdbCUjDs3z7KrE20lJbeGpWWzOWEbwuap/s4032/IMG_5766.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQqiiFo4ZC30sF0qRZTFctBau2wIICR0mYdJBWUyw1ENaP1DZJhgQYlIQ_XrDeC9W4yuxweVAm47YvTS6m88YioJVvdw1oUGNdJw0gVL_mF_TiSRmacoJw9sLxP_IZhZMyX4USkKKYH8xqgcFUDtlWwZ4J2dHWdbCUjDs3z7KrE20lJbeGpWWzOWEbwuap/w400-h300/IMG_5766.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br />These are very familiar miles, as we plodded through Nether Heyford and Bugbrooke. But it was almost an hour and a half before we passed a boat going the other way. Gayton Junction and Blisworth ticked by. I spotted a couple of boat names, one of which I have no idea about, the other just made me chuckle.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj61QMfjIbCmgPPm21NrlrNs3h2-ld2f0zYRHOd9O1Py6D7oC40Dl91bKXdv3Hp_mIc5JltbjpkXalA24LZQ_U210znbgmloy3jkWmCxpq2v7Og3iCWV9qyYQwqjQhDs7776tLFIZp4Qvt6c1GItQ0qru_Zab17D4cBlN-KeGnDXd8J3PkH34yK_WSAX1UP/s2048/IMG_3618.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj61QMfjIbCmgPPm21NrlrNs3h2-ld2f0zYRHOd9O1Py6D7oC40Dl91bKXdv3Hp_mIc5JltbjpkXalA24LZQ_U210znbgmloy3jkWmCxpq2v7Og3iCWV9qyYQwqjQhDs7776tLFIZp4Qvt6c1GItQ0qru_Zab17D4cBlN-KeGnDXd8J3PkH34yK_WSAX1UP/w400-h400/IMG_3618.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />In the tunnel in which we passed one boat. At the locks, the top one just needed topping up before we could go down.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGpnRgrDJQLVayjpwTCR47kQNFF0Lo8vCjmi5L4wpPy7LYmaRH9cTJRxmL3CSRmjtz2sAZylM6NQPIdje7wWDkGH09NyLlbfPQfY7kEhS1YkourTwTWMIeUpDs-szyK-DxBvfFEHLdoeC6du7HPaoBNgeNNK7EVtQwlWkcpdk-imHowpgN5p4vtdEnkAzv/s4032/IMG_5773.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGpnRgrDJQLVayjpwTCR47kQNFF0Lo8vCjmi5L4wpPy7LYmaRH9cTJRxmL3CSRmjtz2sAZylM6NQPIdje7wWDkGH09NyLlbfPQfY7kEhS1YkourTwTWMIeUpDs-szyK-DxBvfFEHLdoeC6du7HPaoBNgeNNK7EVtQwlWkcpdk-imHowpgN5p4vtdEnkAzv/w400-h300/IMG_5773.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br />The flight took the usual hour and a half, helped by meeting quite a few boats coming up. At the bottom we thought we might as well top up with water, and we had lunch while the tank filled. Then we moved along to the moorings just round the corner, taking the first available space.<p></p><p>This afternoon we walked back up to the village to see Kathryn, and also bumped into Steve Furniss from <a href="https://www.grandunionnarrowboats.co.uk/">Grand Union Narrowboats</a> at Weedon, who comes down to give his hire boaters lock training. We all had an ice cream from The Boat. On the way back we called on <i><a href="http://nbfreespirit.blogspot.com/">Free Spirit</a></i>, and were provided with tea, biscuits, and plenty of excellent company by Irene and Ian.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB5k0CRZhfyhPcqyQ_IvnpQFjXO4QBYNNdjuKf5xKY-rKWfVEBikv3jauD1O7cZgFyrIDKWUHA7wMNU378liSWa42v1hgv4k8mqWlOuJkGgEspYSHjj6fgVlFtJsH5Pwzuq67ouirkDjYZUO0M2Ecphs5Q3Rn7ouX7oL-A_KZMmMif-2ia7skBbJUFy9Ug/s4032/IMG_5776.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB5k0CRZhfyhPcqyQ_IvnpQFjXO4QBYNNdjuKf5xKY-rKWfVEBikv3jauD1O7cZgFyrIDKWUHA7wMNU378liSWa42v1hgv4k8mqWlOuJkGgEspYSHjj6fgVlFtJsH5Pwzuq67ouirkDjYZUO0M2Ecphs5Q3Rn7ouX7oL-A_KZMmMif-2ia7skBbJUFy9Ug/w400-h300/IMG_5776.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br />We haven’t actually seen them since we made it up to the <a href="https://nbbriarrose.blogspot.com/2016/09/east-mids-exploration-day-8.html">Great Northern Basin in 2016</a>, so there was plenty to talk about, although of course blogging keeps us all in touch.<p></p><p>11 miles, 7 locks. (380 miles, 314 locks)</p>Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00797263033136330290noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342049528869683702.post-44267896093365613892023-09-29T15:46:00.008+01:002023-09-29T15:46:30.790+01:00Wending to Wales: Day 33<p>There was more heavy rain last night, but this morning was very still. We set off at 8.15 with Adrian walking up to the lock and me bringing the boat. The water was like glass.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP9cRnC6l7iNE6MEw08qa86ulP3PR3hezaxV625dJzABKTuHbQhR-JB0GeR_KIXV_eHcpIbz0VKDVQ_f8p3n8lZ69-ut8shiMqg9rMyXvZH15w4ErhgKlnTn-ftAN5f1xERPovysYL1ycAsEiNp7OdoPR4t-JBrTTXy5lUqSkKQYuB-wWC4XzIsmgOYIt4/s4032/IMG_5744.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP9cRnC6l7iNE6MEw08qa86ulP3PR3hezaxV625dJzABKTuHbQhR-JB0GeR_KIXV_eHcpIbz0VKDVQ_f8p3n8lZ69-ut8shiMqg9rMyXvZH15w4ErhgKlnTn-ftAN5f1xERPovysYL1ycAsEiNp7OdoPR4t-JBrTTXy5lUqSkKQYuB-wWC4XzIsmgOYIt4/w400-h300/IMG_5744.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br />As we got to the lock I could see a boat approaching from behind, so they joined us as locking partners. Halfway up the flight we met some boats coming down, and there were more coming down the top lock. We did all six in about an hour and a half.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBdzqnR7FVvK0Q3p_K2ZjZuIGnJZArfsZkaEHynjjUMBV8i0bnfIT1Q_kftpme7GOctS7JUHv0tQ-zLbekhZ5RqWLLUVJu9bCpvTWMJ-J4ApbSpc11ikDXKxoYb8uCXX0g6TVgg33U9RYXgDsqexMAXS74aPswDZE8XcOkHb2aQRZcijYWWpqjfjkfoMEo/s4032/IMG_5750.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBdzqnR7FVvK0Q3p_K2ZjZuIGnJZArfsZkaEHynjjUMBV8i0bnfIT1Q_kftpme7GOctS7JUHv0tQ-zLbekhZ5RqWLLUVJu9bCpvTWMJ-J4ApbSpc11ikDXKxoYb8uCXX0g6TVgg33U9RYXgDsqexMAXS74aPswDZE8XcOkHb2aQRZcijYWWpqjfjkfoMEo/w400-h300/IMG_5750.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNPs1zcuV-NYxpTXJpZoO8qqPK42kuFA5GJyc208OcaXdOsHPWsWHcVGSqMY9XIOOwhZu6OHxzsRJ_WxCJP5TSDoxYpD2jyXP2hgd7h_nsxpKSyIMQVBln41VB3ulyrOjoazjWwbNALPIEqNdHkTGWc7F6duwhk8S78yvMaOyuT37CbGYyYvCum8KtG4V9/s3660/IMG_5748.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3660" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNPs1zcuV-NYxpTXJpZoO8qqPK42kuFA5GJyc208OcaXdOsHPWsWHcVGSqMY9XIOOwhZu6OHxzsRJ_WxCJP5TSDoxYpD2jyXP2hgd7h_nsxpKSyIMQVBln41VB3ulyrOjoazjWwbNALPIEqNdHkTGWc7F6duwhk8S78yvMaOyuT37CbGYyYvCum8KtG4V9/w330-h400/IMG_5748.HEIC" width="330" /></a></div><br />We passed one boat in Braunston Tunnel, fortunately not at the bits where any of the kinks are.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkSjx2WQ9Ho84WpXZPPQsPwLZuSZNzzoXuJY_TCcFwFa9V5xVZ5RTdLBPcwvvhlojjRuY1XbvzC_ruUJlLWWSShhGG3ml7mMy7bEEZzdOO4cJhhKt-WymcmvLVFcCa7EDmQRle7UlClEBlL2W9X3Sgso0Z87YA-lVWYYvdkZdOll16LarswAO5yP5DfOt_/s4032/IMG_5751.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkSjx2WQ9Ho84WpXZPPQsPwLZuSZNzzoXuJY_TCcFwFa9V5xVZ5RTdLBPcwvvhlojjRuY1XbvzC_ruUJlLWWSShhGG3ml7mMy7bEEZzdOO4cJhhKt-WymcmvLVFcCa7EDmQRle7UlClEBlL2W9X3Sgso0Z87YA-lVWYYvdkZdOll16LarswAO5yP5DfOt_/w400-h300/IMG_5751.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br />As we approached Norton Junction, a boat was about to set off and asked if we’d like locking partners down Buckby. Of course we said yes. We carried on at the junction, while our Braunston partners turned towards Watford.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5irW7Wezn0Y683rvkzQY95doIOfqIPmqT6yd209wetu7PtTW78BtUi4E9_9ByITfL-bJKMAJ2HsE1zku_S9s3wjkLXakP7dEBlBT-av6MNpcGw72Kpu3nfEutQJiiNi8PRGMfNZxOY4rlNwXdtsIrfrzmUc1tbVsaC6g8G_QZ3-AQ_-kmVWPJDrlVGeQc/s4032/IMG_5753.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5irW7Wezn0Y683rvkzQY95doIOfqIPmqT6yd209wetu7PtTW78BtUi4E9_9ByITfL-bJKMAJ2HsE1zku_S9s3wjkLXakP7dEBlBT-av6MNpcGw72Kpu3nfEutQJiiNi8PRGMfNZxOY4rlNwXdtsIrfrzmUc1tbVsaC6g8G_QZ3-AQ_-kmVWPJDrlVGeQc/w400-h300/IMG_5753.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br />At the locks, a boat was just about to go in so we joined him — leaving our prospective partners on their own; but that’s just the way it happens sometimes. The boat we were with was a single hander, but the whole flight was easy because we met boats coming up at every lock. We must have passed eight in total.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqSMTtAof_NzaLOi-UXJaZC_bs9b5Xm5cv-OJ2eSZYW2pWy8EmIbqCIcLBfDNPFvWKp0G18fj58WEMVstIpnwBSlao8Cgy8YHSH0XzN2Y7yMQnrvqv5ievsS_3pN2pBgp43-i1A90pyBwjboz_sIpObAO6QkVOSfkOZ5_DfFjVqQ89yhRYoXmaDhOAQaTg/s4032/IMG_5754.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqSMTtAof_NzaLOi-UXJaZC_bs9b5Xm5cv-OJ2eSZYW2pWy8EmIbqCIcLBfDNPFvWKp0G18fj58WEMVstIpnwBSlao8Cgy8YHSH0XzN2Y7yMQnrvqv5ievsS_3pN2pBgp43-i1A90pyBwjboz_sIpObAO6QkVOSfkOZ5_DfFjVqQ89yhRYoXmaDhOAQaTg/w400-h300/IMG_5754.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_aljuFn9BlbemLa9oXJjsK6lj1ahNYcQrmchXRJeDtDnT4DJRAcwL3XCdzT3yjhlSkVPz_XnmnyPKx36MI82-kwfXuSjQa9xvcbHOZKRXJbE4ybFUDaMdhE94-50wEInyoG6d-lsasXMHe1ezjsNwT0aqLIACoXqhyIdvYDqRfPRsDyujXW94lH2MJCnd/s4032/IMG_5755.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_aljuFn9BlbemLa9oXJjsK6lj1ahNYcQrmchXRJeDtDnT4DJRAcwL3XCdzT3yjhlSkVPz_XnmnyPKx36MI82-kwfXuSjQa9xvcbHOZKRXJbE4ybFUDaMdhE94-50wEInyoG6d-lsasXMHe1ezjsNwT0aqLIACoXqhyIdvYDqRfPRsDyujXW94lH2MJCnd/w400-h300/IMG_5755.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX8MC00uryKT1fWQbS3vJbwiNJ1MY9W1nHl0EVu21-bCDQAwSr7jrRed7IyNkvnxO_li-InQpSCDfJ1maXJAI62jOz8xuLRynVwc22V8Po7JJywoqiLfNnhyWWtlNwWMN0kxGdx_298EaCbUL0P7w2rju4r4mRbDZcQ_ULEh79WGHIpUQGJhgh0lyVcQ3T/s4032/IMG_5756.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX8MC00uryKT1fWQbS3vJbwiNJ1MY9W1nHl0EVu21-bCDQAwSr7jrRed7IyNkvnxO_li-InQpSCDfJ1maXJAI62jOz8xuLRynVwc22V8Po7JJywoqiLfNnhyWWtlNwWMN0kxGdx_298EaCbUL0P7w2rju4r4mRbDZcQ_ULEh79WGHIpUQGJhgh0lyVcQ3T/w400-h300/IMG_5756.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br />There was a bit of a delay at the penultimate lock, because a hire boat was waiting for another boat to come up the bottom lock. It seemed to take them ages, even when they were out of the lock it seemed to take forever to get across the pound to the next one. But it was sunny and warm so no real hardship, and even so, we got to the bottom in around an hour and a half again.<p></p><p>Having seen so many boats in the flight, we then didn’t see another one for miles, in fact not until most of the way through Weedon. We had lunch on the move, and stopped for diesel at Rugby Boats, where the price has gone up again, to £1.28. We carried on just a few minutes further, to opposite the motorhome field. Catherine and Nigel are coming to see us this evening, so it’s easily accessible. The towpath hedge has been cut quite low, so we have views of Flore and the M1 in the distance.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqNNBWAKtaM9hPMEq3CcDTdvGIFohKkrFdkoDOC4IfB17wIl1AcZ7aUygMVeDfaaNcksThTM1J0Ei-43PKpfAJR1G_lqZ9e29xweb2_DBITPndTt4mbu4o3qi4MZE8H5vj4e1cO9lnjmE_ergbukkt8zU6JhUHvCRbVmG62A7yyTBHm111OP5D_EkUFeso/s6779/IMG_5761.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2360" data-original-width="6779" height="139" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqNNBWAKtaM9hPMEq3CcDTdvGIFohKkrFdkoDOC4IfB17wIl1AcZ7aUygMVeDfaaNcksThTM1J0Ei-43PKpfAJR1G_lqZ9e29xweb2_DBITPndTt4mbu4o3qi4MZE8H5vj4e1cO9lnjmE_ergbukkt8zU6JhUHvCRbVmG62A7yyTBHm111OP5D_EkUFeso/w400-h139/IMG_5761.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br />10 miles, 13 locks. (369 miles, 307 locks)<p></p>Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00797263033136330290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342049528869683702.post-10203246869135838752023-09-28T16:52:00.008+01:002023-09-28T16:52:36.927+01:00Wending to Wales: Day 32<p>The promised strong winds certainly blew yesterday evening and night. The rustling of the bushes was quite loud, and we were glad we were moored on rings and without any big trees nearby. This morning we set off about 8.15, Adrian bringing the boat while I walked up to Itchington Bottom Lock. There waiting for a locking partner were our friends on <i>Conqueror. </i>We went up that one, then Shop Lock. Lola the dog was keeping a lookout.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-WSO-dS45XdmY9utW3MgPpo0-aCSdCQOf65wsc_k4MmuVEVKEE0-QdNtHehu5vzFGPJuD9yC-TwwUNEjuho3KguEmkvUUJQ0BIcyhVGAKqx8X82-IN3-PMd-O4BkG9g1j-XlAW-Tdxb1vJA8yKR_G5kmNKp3kmEASTlWZIihRsPIft1QB4JPwWuAvthUB/s4032/IMG_5729.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-WSO-dS45XdmY9utW3MgPpo0-aCSdCQOf65wsc_k4MmuVEVKEE0-QdNtHehu5vzFGPJuD9yC-TwwUNEjuho3KguEmkvUUJQ0BIcyhVGAKqx8X82-IN3-PMd-O4BkG9g1j-XlAW-Tdxb1vJA8yKR_G5kmNKp3kmEASTlWZIihRsPIft1QB4JPwWuAvthUB/w400-h300/IMG_5729.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFE7VjnLF1__bVGn7dk83Ne5917o1kGhWBjzdYshG_nnv1oo3CGJMQzBQTiTjvPdlS4OOeSNTNSoyXSVc3StI61eRknL8JRi9xnihMspW1GPa7VWepVEFgT55bL9NINsYK-Lml61xQil9zLNMGYxOCKItCs1spXHAAoSE4bewzm49VeuZjcRENWxkvtNoB/s4032/IMG_5730.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFE7VjnLF1__bVGn7dk83Ne5917o1kGhWBjzdYshG_nnv1oo3CGJMQzBQTiTjvPdlS4OOeSNTNSoyXSVc3StI61eRknL8JRi9xnihMspW1GPa7VWepVEFgT55bL9NINsYK-Lml61xQil9zLNMGYxOCKItCs1spXHAAoSE4bewzm49VeuZjcRENWxkvtNoB/w400-h300/IMG_5730.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br />We started up the Stockton Locks, but at the second lock a dog Walker told us the pounds further up were empty, and there didn’t appear to be a volunteer lock keeper about to sort it out. Richard went off on his bike to investigate, and started running water down, while we came up the lock. I walked up to see what the situation was. The pound with the bridge was empty, even with some water now arriving, and so was the one above.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYC_DVEbjyb29rww2XQnhqu8kOiHSP1slsRdfynmLwtUayFgwBNlRnYBbccVsKbkwV9D8Jyf7pGKtGw6_G_TE7K_0Srrd9_WzCZQF9syeZx8MMG-E0YV_9Rqdh_euv2wMdHwOAnzBLD-qlf-LIxMCZJUyp0bjljGtPAUmiaJaCmLXVUDDFEWAvYFM03cCi/s4032/IMG_5732.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYC_DVEbjyb29rww2XQnhqu8kOiHSP1slsRdfynmLwtUayFgwBNlRnYBbccVsKbkwV9D8Jyf7pGKtGw6_G_TE7K_0Srrd9_WzCZQF9syeZx8MMG-E0YV_9Rqdh_euv2wMdHwOAnzBLD-qlf-LIxMCZJUyp0bjljGtPAUmiaJaCmLXVUDDFEWAvYFM03cCi/w400-h300/IMG_5732.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br />A lockie had arrived and said it was a daily occurrence for the pounds to be empty. But actually it didn’t take long before we were on the move again, and by the time we reached the top half of the flight there was, if anything, too much water — with cascades over the gates. Towards the top we also met a single hander coming down.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPg0Q1Da3r8Q2M0jPLQhA-pfPqF5-4EtyPowYWzviqZE0_UQ9fz4RvO15yxrIDOlRx0t14h8H17QSzqHJ7QZ1Lys7CWRhT1XF8o5IuOnoXs_LmFtDpYigKL3JiSSCr9dj5ubobhyphenhyphenHnzPLa-WNJJyk_-cSDNA8F4ojamxe3WIECTtZpWLmhxIYKQ1T8RLgO/s4032/IMG_5733.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPg0Q1Da3r8Q2M0jPLQhA-pfPqF5-4EtyPowYWzviqZE0_UQ9fz4RvO15yxrIDOlRx0t14h8H17QSzqHJ7QZ1Lys7CWRhT1XF8o5IuOnoXs_LmFtDpYigKL3JiSSCr9dj5ubobhyphenhyphenHnzPLa-WNJJyk_-cSDNA8F4ojamxe3WIECTtZpWLmhxIYKQ1T8RLgO/w400-h300/IMG_5733.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br />At the top, we did the couple of miles to Calcutt Locks, where Adrian and Sharon did the work while Richard and I steered.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHhrRi_ImWegIgXMMUFGl5WZbReroOerfRrxk0oGmUGoaSugu_INQaO0iH_MgMRdx6GKwQUw3DZeuud19c_HVF8pxRM8PuKUatS25SLccmg_EG4TC36kJCxehQFzfyfD43Ve6ywoE62QeBlAeiB67ZzVezLTgmnfQg0EyzhI10AU-60VszNG7r0RWf2bNX/s4032/IMG_5736.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHhrRi_ImWegIgXMMUFGl5WZbReroOerfRrxk0oGmUGoaSugu_INQaO0iH_MgMRdx6GKwQUw3DZeuud19c_HVF8pxRM8PuKUatS25SLccmg_EG4TC36kJCxehQFzfyfD43Ve6ywoE62QeBlAeiB67ZzVezLTgmnfQg0EyzhI10AU-60VszNG7r0RWf2bNX/w400-h300/IMG_5736.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br />We were following a boat up, but the three locks didn’t take long, and a boat arrived at the top as the rose. <i>Conqueror</i> carried on, while we reversed onto the water point to fill the tank and get another load of washing going;Adrian also went to the marina shop for some milk. We’ve really enjoyed the past few days travelling with Sharon and Richard. It’s amazing how sometimes you just click with the people you’re sharing locks with. From Calcutt it’s just a short hop to Napton Junction; the boat in front of us turned right towards Oxford, while we turned left towards Braunston.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJRhi_N6w-OfTCE33md2TP-4eW1ub1vNSuRLLF_Dl_VmRgN-OZTUGY4xVJp9wB-Zsn2ALOMNDnvUpUC5SRSlM_5scNg6Fh8XoDksX0bQiTo-8G88dyL8TftDmrVAyiGGT2QacZuF6mzYEAnfoC3Denbo9qOqUOTD_qBRRxvWp8nXxAssfzQgL56xKvqH0e/s4032/IMG_5737.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJRhi_N6w-OfTCE33md2TP-4eW1ub1vNSuRLLF_Dl_VmRgN-OZTUGY4xVJp9wB-Zsn2ALOMNDnvUpUC5SRSlM_5scNg6Fh8XoDksX0bQiTo-8G88dyL8TftDmrVAyiGGT2QacZuF6mzYEAnfoC3Denbo9qOqUOTD_qBRRxvWp8nXxAssfzQgL56xKvqH0e/w400-h300/IMG_5737.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br />The next section is shared between the Oxford and Grand Union canals, and I always repeat the quirk that boats going north on the Oxford go one way, but boats going north on the GU are going the opposite way. Along this section we passed <i><a href="http://andmilliemakesthree.blogspot.com/">Mary H</a></i> with Richard at the helm, and also a boat whose steerer I recognised as the woman who’d been steering the Brindley trio boats in Birmingham at the weekend. We also passed <i>Conqueror</i> moored up, and <i><a href="http://derwent6.blogspot.com/">Derwent6</a></i> where we had a brief chat with Del and Al. Then it was the right turn at Braunston Junction.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYmOEGpqICXgUhIwLhpU5prtfQF3mbrybc3-I6hFact1Ry66MrLyuFaQBtVkil0MAEbTUF_7nmEltKQ7f3OfPm9CGYPG2jk55x7wxbhlbn8HPgq1vfUzm-ziiQi_vB_59S5dvpb3LP3yABQ_STz8yz7RYfbL46wEyKamTUhzqUpWHaJDIo9fg45jqenxSm/s4022/IMG_5740.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1888" data-original-width="4022" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYmOEGpqICXgUhIwLhpU5prtfQF3mbrybc3-I6hFact1Ry66MrLyuFaQBtVkil0MAEbTUF_7nmEltKQ7f3OfPm9CGYPG2jk55x7wxbhlbn8HPgq1vfUzm-ziiQi_vB_59S5dvpb3LP3yABQ_STz8yz7RYfbL46wEyKamTUhzqUpWHaJDIo9fg45jqenxSm/w400-h188/IMG_5740.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br />After some investigations about the availability of moorings, we slotted into a spot after Butcher’s Bridge. It’s been quite busy with boats in both directions. We went to <a href="https://www.tradline.co.uk/">Tradline Fenders</a> to get a mooring line to replace one which got a broken strand at Grindley Brook, then to the <a href="https://www.braunston.org.uk/org.aspx?n=Village-Meats-Ltd">butcher’s</a> for some bacon and black pudding for a cooked breakfast, and finally the <a href="http://www.boatshopbraunston.co.uk/">Bottom Lock shop</a> for a Llangollen Canal bridge plaque. We also treated ourselves to an ice cream, even though the sun has only been out for brief moments today.<p></p><p>10 miles, 13 locks. (359 miles, 294 locks)</p>Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00797263033136330290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342049528869683702.post-83323366830769262882023-09-27T16:16:00.006+01:002023-09-27T16:16:33.028+01:00Wending to Wales: Day 31<p>It was gone 8.15 when we set off this morning, with Adrian going down to set Cape Top Lock. There was a boat coming up the bottom one, so we could swap in the middle.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB2c28fCj_swfAs9bT8T15PLoUKQ_6dFHVlqsOD6CvUCFVKOJcqKWQGXVbtYHcI4xGpvW4BRguMuRW0d0FcUOYDD6Vo-p-7vm6Dp1BijSFKyYK-BXt9vM1nBt5JfYK-zjjC2-tYuPX31yKSKcwJRf-J6agvuldFQ0JylyGlRu7OmtiTxefhUIWueak_rgC/s4032/IMG_5714.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB2c28fCj_swfAs9bT8T15PLoUKQ_6dFHVlqsOD6CvUCFVKOJcqKWQGXVbtYHcI4xGpvW4BRguMuRW0d0FcUOYDD6Vo-p-7vm6Dp1BijSFKyYK-BXt9vM1nBt5JfYK-zjjC2-tYuPX31yKSKcwJRf-J6agvuldFQ0JylyGlRu7OmtiTxefhUIWueak_rgC/w400-h300/IMG_5714.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br />The crew of that boat had useful info to impart: the moorings right outside Warwick Tesco were full, but there was a gap between two boats just before the bridge. Before getting there, though, we passed the now closed Kate Boats base, where there’s massive building going on, both sides of the canal. The new places opposite have been given features matching the Kate building, such as grey bricks over the windows and a circle of grey bricks in the gable end.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi07IFKXVBDoU6uyrorRRtHHxGSb07Ded8cbAiqUtpKBvCTJZCJc2nZu_duASe7nJlISb4HeI4zieox4l5jk1egSu0ZsA4cWxIcZ_V9mA6S8JHjiqJnvm1dTQKr-VBiKipCLUQt2LpLI5FC0eEKZL5cGbeFd-G3iHMBnvY1_-gPtDnTiN3UPgypAH7u-2dl/s6268/IMG_5716.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2552" data-original-width="6268" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi07IFKXVBDoU6uyrorRRtHHxGSb07Ded8cbAiqUtpKBvCTJZCJc2nZu_duASe7nJlISb4HeI4zieox4l5jk1egSu0ZsA4cWxIcZ_V9mA6S8JHjiqJnvm1dTQKr-VBiKipCLUQt2LpLI5FC0eEKZL5cGbeFd-G3iHMBnvY1_-gPtDnTiN3UPgypAH7u-2dl/w400-h163/IMG_5716.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br />We stopped before the Tesco bridge and walked down to the supermarket to do a decent sized shop, including fresh stuff and more wine. Just before we set off again, the boat that was moored in front of us went past, and we followed them all the way to Radford Bottom Lock. We also passed <i>Momentous</i>, who’ve done just slightly fewer miles and locks than us, since we saw them on the bank holiday weekend! We teamed up with <i>Atlast</i> at the locks, and gradually worked our way up. I walked the whole way. Before Welsh Road Lock, the conveyor that was over the canal at the HS2 works has been taken down, and is now in bits in the field.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyngp5iQDIM8eLi8Rde1NbFur_8KqeV2l8nH8j1pdSKJQndobztMB67u74XdhTq2J-LiGHj4Bh4a2RUpXs4OelK8eLEGG2Sm1waDDQW80uvfTBlCsDXooXjFVwMT4mW41i9v90sHH9GSk2o8osk8EMNxvqzk-spb9htvXZiWYc4Z4DKbyZ3x5EftlL1Es2/s4032/IMG_5723.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyngp5iQDIM8eLi8Rde1NbFur_8KqeV2l8nH8j1pdSKJQndobztMB67u74XdhTq2J-LiGHj4Bh4a2RUpXs4OelK8eLEGG2Sm1waDDQW80uvfTBlCsDXooXjFVwMT4mW41i9v90sHH9GSk2o8osk8EMNxvqzk-spb9htvXZiWYc4Z4DKbyZ3x5EftlL1Es2/w400-h300/IMG_5723.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br />Adrian, being on the boat and more able to see over the hedges, could see tunnel portals. We’d caught up with another boat, who had waited at the lock for his locking partner who must have stopped without telling them. We then followed up.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSYoQ5WDUs7Vy8ng-aPH97Sa0tlo4eOOyJ8FqNMbWjJznx4Vp1dqvQ8e5snb7_o1gzPYILC60M_YrQJxQS4tl9g0iW-4-ioPceKlvCv47otSNNQJ93HC5W23DPfxP_3WvY1ThEAMNCKBzO0GAMdWns95WoVbB_hpr6awkkGPPM1fS0o8felN75N1y1xocm/s4032/IMG_5724.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSYoQ5WDUs7Vy8ng-aPH97Sa0tlo4eOOyJ8FqNMbWjJznx4Vp1dqvQ8e5snb7_o1gzPYILC60M_YrQJxQS4tl9g0iW-4-ioPceKlvCv47otSNNQJ93HC5W23DPfxP_3WvY1ThEAMNCKBzO0GAMdWns95WoVbB_hpr6awkkGPPM1fS0o8felN75N1y1xocm/w400-h300/IMG_5724.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br />At Bascote, the single boat was going up and two were coming down so we waited again. Then the single boat said we should do the staircase ahead of him.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ0bYH_mqsTT3YdNPIECXU77ayvTzcDPFfWes_OSUiznOpRA2JvWOkxEgzz4oKAfVwWE_Px2bdZEZv4HQUtyiLIiYOCV37aChPKOHhbXSWZ6YkwT7IknE8ucf7yPvD4I53YEwyt3ItXesMnNr8deRF4LcmJ-rOsymoQODi3AdAJ7hT5XzQiX6V1xt6Nu7A/s4032/IMG_5725.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ0bYH_mqsTT3YdNPIECXU77ayvTzcDPFfWes_OSUiznOpRA2JvWOkxEgzz4oKAfVwWE_Px2bdZEZv4HQUtyiLIiYOCV37aChPKOHhbXSWZ6YkwT7IknE8ucf7yPvD4I53YEwyt3ItXesMnNr8deRF4LcmJ-rOsymoQODi3AdAJ7hT5XzQiX6V1xt6Nu7A/w400-h300/IMG_5725.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoAF2YLXv0mGZS3M2eZRW_ZMmycl-xotM8AIpQ9cUibmBqpHr79UASu_SGTGrIoLpDX-W23nCqwFfY_0mvP6wbc625qFBewlc2dZto_k3fOGdUrPBBftAYezeoIxbJ84-Qm2iuds343ESfryNMgbQ1poYqgrKQvJ0Z3CYC3HGULKIvtXm9UXp5-Weo1tlK/s4032/IMG_5726.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoAF2YLXv0mGZS3M2eZRW_ZMmycl-xotM8AIpQ9cUibmBqpHr79UASu_SGTGrIoLpDX-W23nCqwFfY_0mvP6wbc625qFBewlc2dZto_k3fOGdUrPBBftAYezeoIxbJ84-Qm2iuds343ESfryNMgbQ1poYqgrKQvJ0Z3CYC3HGULKIvtXm9UXp5-Weo1tlK/w400-h300/IMG_5726.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br />The wind was beginning to get up (there’s a weather warning for a storm much further west). We carried on to the rings just before Bridge 26 at Long Itchington. It was gone 2pm so we had a late lunch and then did a circular walk down to Long Itchington village, and back via the cycle path and the canal. I’m about to make the batter for a toad in the hole, and a crumble. The blackberries on our route have been a real disappointment; most of the hedges we’ve stopped by have had no brambles and all (but loads of rose hips and hawthorn berries). So today we actually bought some blackberries to go with our apples.<p></p><p>9 miles, 12 locks. (349 miles, 281 locks)</p>Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00797263033136330290noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342049528869683702.post-10945777112593874662023-09-26T16:54:00.010+01:002023-09-26T16:56:38.162+01:00Wending to Wales: Day 30<p>We thoroughly enjoyed seeing Bob and June last night, and catching up on various news from the past year. The food at The Boat was good, but the pub was too dark, the music was too loud, and the service was shockingly slow. We had to go and ask for someone a couple of times.</p><p>We had a tentative agreement with the boat from yesterday that we’d team up today for Knowle and Hatton Locks. They also knew we needed to water up. So we set off at 7.30 on a very calm, still morning. We’d only been going a few minutes, though, before it started to rain; then it turned heavy, with thunder and lightning. I resorted to putting on my waterproof trousers. We got to the top of Knowle in about an hour and stopped on the water point. There’s a full range of services there, and we got the washing machine going. At about 9, two boats arrived, our friends on on <i>Conqueror</i>, preceded by another that had been moored at Catherine de Barnes, <i>Firefly</i>. We let <i>Firefly</i> go down first, and teamed up behind them. It rained pretty much the whole time.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6eqNoVFt41KqqQnHByQcMhtiwM6iWu2x8lWUoFTPEiQ5OTByA9Z6-iBt6bZmBJBejSDc_SmFbqJPEWeRrlUM29sJ4I8DPwF-1dXIGYipGrJNWpjWM3On0x6sHL0NxiMvP59BaOeMu1kNdISdsR8R0IDQpdBt4wPme-NF70s5TfAJvWydep8wL7aBiYXRf/s4032/IMG_5701.HEIC" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6eqNoVFt41KqqQnHByQcMhtiwM6iWu2x8lWUoFTPEiQ5OTByA9Z6-iBt6bZmBJBejSDc_SmFbqJPEWeRrlUM29sJ4I8DPwF-1dXIGYipGrJNWpjWM3On0x6sHL0NxiMvP59BaOeMu1kNdISdsR8R0IDQpdBt4wPme-NF70s5TfAJvWydep8wL7aBiYXRf/w400-h300/IMG_5701.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br />Shortly after leaving the bottom lock, there was a dramatic change in the weather. Suddenly the sun was out and the temperature rising.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiywM-EhUkZWA0j1_Jog9yFhvgms9gJTBvmFrG7nTnmz4GPBCKAMX8-SiWESvyVFNXx2S2f6OuK5ewFC4xavQqE8pnKOz3olgagDa4lvEL3cfL8qmeDLTeieCO1SRYJLeq0rrXrtk1HpTbANQdlL6Nm1GrrP3o_6eEq776H_9OaIGAt6Kd4lFZS3nTB0gW1/s4032/IMG_5702.HEIC" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiywM-EhUkZWA0j1_Jog9yFhvgms9gJTBvmFrG7nTnmz4GPBCKAMX8-SiWESvyVFNXx2S2f6OuK5ewFC4xavQqE8pnKOz3olgagDa4lvEL3cfL8qmeDLTeieCO1SRYJLeq0rrXrtk1HpTbANQdlL6Nm1GrrP3o_6eEq776H_9OaIGAt6Kd4lFZS3nTB0gW1/w400-h300/IMG_5702.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br />It’s a while since we’ve done the stretch between Knowle and Kingswood, and I didn’t remember much of it at all. Then we passed Kingswood Junction, and were on to more familiar waters, including crossing Rowington Embankment, and going through the very wet Shrewley Tunnel, the one with the foot tunnel alongside.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX4GQNIeD72-ihkg8xZdhc4czL6zW_2Wos3gZR9vq4nODT2cJ7V2b6gfsTKILAvQhVJyOxbG_gALI6eZn2lkUl_-yFjoEXK3iOX7-fIIb6C7DQle17zlEH8_7OMihntCB8vJcXhEUkCnE_dYaReMj7CKwGNIUb6z1sdPcLhO7IzX-eCjOEzw8yYWZAevbN/s4032/IMG_5703.HEIC" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX4GQNIeD72-ihkg8xZdhc4czL6zW_2Wos3gZR9vq4nODT2cJ7V2b6gfsTKILAvQhVJyOxbG_gALI6eZn2lkUl_-yFjoEXK3iOX7-fIIb6C7DQle17zlEH8_7OMihntCB8vJcXhEUkCnE_dYaReMj7CKwGNIUb6z1sdPcLhO7IzX-eCjOEzw8yYWZAevbN/w400-h300/IMG_5703.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqjrm9t4Evu6StBqY_LPA7ClPUpPrTqF4ZoDvYjk1yosHyh9SvFXR4wFxUVU3FLbfqDJKJSafERfm_zqKb4Bk4JW8uTEqHd3YtoO193eNB9qnU5fNaDw4XqEmmrfJ8iSkHGovhl2baQiLS5_WtVUTd1r2g3CZZu7S-49iFTKVYcbLFgP68KyMUiIM_hX8Z/s7003/IMG_5705.HEIC" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2284" data-original-width="7003" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqjrm9t4Evu6StBqY_LPA7ClPUpPrTqF4ZoDvYjk1yosHyh9SvFXR4wFxUVU3FLbfqDJKJSafERfm_zqKb4Bk4JW8uTEqHd3YtoO193eNB9qnU5fNaDw4XqEmmrfJ8iSkHGovhl2baQiLS5_WtVUTd1r2g3CZZu7S-49iFTKVYcbLFgP68KyMUiIM_hX8Z/w400-h130/IMG_5705.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWZaWkDOaR1l0zjTJDpM8RsyAv6BnTze7CFgJ0a2-HmXDZehETPzKWDoMZDL1xiUIkmpaaNs3k4MUaqUpTyUVG90mkQNdRikfj8m1fvBkIQz9NawtsjINDUced5Du7QB9pF2eZkSqfxYijqtdpVUcH4sUACZMOGo-MFURJrVx-LE1SGx92SaukYXLO-75-/s4032/IMG_5706.HEIC" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWZaWkDOaR1l0zjTJDpM8RsyAv6BnTze7CFgJ0a2-HmXDZehETPzKWDoMZDL1xiUIkmpaaNs3k4MUaqUpTyUVG90mkQNdRikfj8m1fvBkIQz9NawtsjINDUced5Du7QB9pF2eZkSqfxYijqtdpVUcH4sUACZMOGo-MFURJrVx-LE1SGx92SaukYXLO-75-/w400-h300/IMG_5706.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br />We had lunch on the move, and always had <i>Conqueror</i> in sight in front of us. At the top of the locks, Firefly was waiting for the water point to become free, so our two boats headed down. It was about 12.45.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Is7DvkFDnuryVMmGOe5aqag47iRzCJw_m1XODFTOwYE1IatmHvJD9ziExco826LGNurmkVeLfL7MI-KocK683hSjRRpkT-ys5uczfTMpxMK-6v9ZM9q4e7VPtTAFsFwmIwqb07svyPBkvT3ZrEfZyfhGhCgpNYPGin2IF7pM3p1LkiTNZFZSF5ZwtQYb/s4032/IMG_5707.HEIC" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Is7DvkFDnuryVMmGOe5aqag47iRzCJw_m1XODFTOwYE1IatmHvJD9ziExco826LGNurmkVeLfL7MI-KocK683hSjRRpkT-ys5uczfTMpxMK-6v9ZM9q4e7VPtTAFsFwmIwqb07svyPBkvT3ZrEfZyfhGhCgpNYPGin2IF7pM3p1LkiTNZFZSF5ZwtQYb/w400-h300/IMG_5707.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br />As we approached the volunteer lockie station about four locks down, a few volunteers popped out and lent a hand. One of them joined us for a few locks. We were also getting on very well with Richard and Sharon; Richard was buzzing back and forth on his Brompton setting ahead. There was a brief pause while we waited for a single boat coming up.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ6WArOcDNZpBFYumhIVfaAPF0EZ-THRcEIxcAUx-M_uFJogLviEJdkCMxXk7Fa8inke5m72RgUFcGOyeG5KEG1QTEeJcqazMNCZjj0ohP6xXWi-aW-tRB3XibTjl3ZKYKEmWC_YZuTWGnPIPUtNV_LOifEq_18pBoMqnbiqaFfX3AIODLq0mrfCXcpNfC/s4032/IMG_5708.HEIC" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ6WArOcDNZpBFYumhIVfaAPF0EZ-THRcEIxcAUx-M_uFJogLviEJdkCMxXk7Fa8inke5m72RgUFcGOyeG5KEG1QTEeJcqazMNCZjj0ohP6xXWi-aW-tRB3XibTjl3ZKYKEmWC_YZuTWGnPIPUtNV_LOifEq_18pBoMqnbiqaFfX3AIODLq0mrfCXcpNfC/w400-h300/IMG_5708.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguCKJCXkccG723NrPdObdiHpK7vWaHWsBW1nZuPG_bEgFYsjQtdf9B0UEmh53FvWxjGFSs7V3TcIH68on13o4USFF12QbF0jSflWonKSijrmS1sDaCE-_FMuOygKMNUBDKVejj-dRKeZWlhFB1ZKTAnZmKYFpQ2PGGOLjEOKdg82DSavnJnSFeZeszhNMK/s4032/IMG_5710.HEIC" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguCKJCXkccG723NrPdObdiHpK7vWaHWsBW1nZuPG_bEgFYsjQtdf9B0UEmh53FvWxjGFSs7V3TcIH68on13o4USFF12QbF0jSflWonKSijrmS1sDaCE-_FMuOygKMNUBDKVejj-dRKeZWlhFB1ZKTAnZmKYFpQ2PGGOLjEOKdg82DSavnJnSFeZeszhNMK/w400-h300/IMG_5710.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br />They had a lockie with them and had been leaving a gate open, so Richard cycled down and opened the second gate of the next few locks, but once we were out of the thick and the locks were further apart we were left to our own devices.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitzdE_FC5SAf_vH4mkFsfoMxRRFCmy-braFGvHBl3fot5JKbaYlMpfdXWFDCl8tTa5hLfODriaBHS0brV8PU6ziLTXTLiTvdlhFZN4FyAu39lqdWFFB4JzvmwI4tmo9P0W-VJAVHBJ8HFEuOByqMXRC6v_GdfwiS7AYcZ_7gNXG2gIrxlcUOzBuSZDfzZv/s4032/IMG_5711.HEIC" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitzdE_FC5SAf_vH4mkFsfoMxRRFCmy-braFGvHBl3fot5JKbaYlMpfdXWFDCl8tTa5hLfODriaBHS0brV8PU6ziLTXTLiTvdlhFZN4FyAu39lqdWFFB4JzvmwI4tmo9P0W-VJAVHBJ8HFEuOByqMXRC6v_GdfwiS7AYcZ_7gNXG2gIrxlcUOzBuSZDfzZv/w400-h300/IMG_5711.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVeT7ILpZ5hgyIx-2bvofxe2TqhB-hqEC8iZQbuFBcz6xJEhs5ixtJpRvvzmVlTSSKv49EIsNmO2PHNOXT174XEqVw1oDBKlNVlit6d5Ed8x2DCMohDBM_ZkOnlh9ACrikeYd7i4OHY5bS1h1SoJ9zCHlpVBUbTC8fUu0xShNJRRnIKXJ46OJ1hm93tjjJ/s4032/IMG_5712.HEIC" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVeT7ILpZ5hgyIx-2bvofxe2TqhB-hqEC8iZQbuFBcz6xJEhs5ixtJpRvvzmVlTSSKv49EIsNmO2PHNOXT174XEqVw1oDBKlNVlit6d5Ed8x2DCMohDBM_ZkOnlh9ACrikeYd7i4OHY5bS1h1SoJ9zCHlpVBUbTC8fUu0xShNJRRnIKXJ46OJ1hm93tjjJ/w400-h300/IMG_5712.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br />About four locks from the bottom we caught up with a single hire boat going down, so we had a bit of a wait at each one. Even so, we completed the 21 locks in the flight in 2hrs and 45 mins, which isn’t too bad. In the bottom lock, Richard cracked open a keg of beer bought from the pub last night! They were heading to the Saltisford Arm, and we continued round the corner to moor on the Cape moorings. We hadn’t been tied up long when the rain came back with a pretty sharp shower.<p></p><p>14 miles, 26 locks. (340 miles, 269 locks)</p>Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00797263033136330290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342049528869683702.post-9160301348543249882023-09-25T16:41:00.010+01:002023-09-25T16:41:48.182+01:00Wending to Wales: Day 29<p>It lashed it down with rain and blew a hoolie yesterday evening and into the night, but by this morning conditions were much better. We set off just before 8, which turned out to be just after a boat coming out of the Oozells Loop, and we followed them down to the locks.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaC9mo-cbMmgE4pwhRDSEFJeTdVbUNi54koIB7lRq-NkwA1zli0EbgPldPfjyzBIbbZUDylGG3mrERy1Eu8iunwn1jdslWHzXR-Tilb6nUi1_uQfkGGAyOMf4KUdxuEieiP6ptyY_2KjDUzSlCyIjNRvXW-69RgvDPqKy11Z7RDtyPge0IUZhx6MC5HAq4/s4032/IMG_5679.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaC9mo-cbMmgE4pwhRDSEFJeTdVbUNi54koIB7lRq-NkwA1zli0EbgPldPfjyzBIbbZUDylGG3mrERy1Eu8iunwn1jdslWHzXR-Tilb6nUi1_uQfkGGAyOMf4KUdxuEieiP6ptyY_2KjDUzSlCyIjNRvXW-69RgvDPqKy11Z7RDtyPge0IUZhx6MC5HAq4/w400-h300/IMG_5679.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br />Last time we left Birmingham we used the North Stratford route, so we were going a route today that we haven’t done for a while — starting with Farmer’s Bridge Locks. It’s really urban, but remains one of my favourite flights. The boat ahead had a crew of three, so lifted a paddle to fill each lock for us as they left, which was very good of them.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgma_AKl5EKBkiqsTeryvlN-2-FX9cEB5n2WwCdCrrekTwzdPGsBUHXDredKF3egSTya6SjcCrWUHea7RSUqjTHf1Acv1d9o6cziSjf_mAA2-DW4CLALodcJPgprQ_1Nz8Z_9LIXXN2EV7xVljVMPeJ2dci2D6Y240PWt32UpkULYkRqrfdEZx-F4QZMc0R/s4032/IMG_5680.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgma_AKl5EKBkiqsTeryvlN-2-FX9cEB5n2WwCdCrrekTwzdPGsBUHXDredKF3egSTya6SjcCrWUHea7RSUqjTHf1Acv1d9o6cziSjf_mAA2-DW4CLALodcJPgprQ_1Nz8Z_9LIXXN2EV7xVljVMPeJ2dci2D6Y240PWt32UpkULYkRqrfdEZx-F4QZMc0R/w300-h400/IMG_5680.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP5frdIqIvhVjjFdC2y_CRR2FQyZ1gUqYJImvJJ9a3RiXnfhacFAjDeKLSg4KXd0--L8jNqNJ81QsCh7YN0Oyr4gB0k3xFJEINYqYITwK4wE4E9jpJbDkDFWQWnGOlUSH0hmtbHKJuJTGlJYI0y8mwNjGFM9Eb83aCrx4yVIP0FlA1HuLbg-rFG4YhxI7v/s4032/IMG_5681.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP5frdIqIvhVjjFdC2y_CRR2FQyZ1gUqYJImvJJ9a3RiXnfhacFAjDeKLSg4KXd0--L8jNqNJ81QsCh7YN0Oyr4gB0k3xFJEINYqYITwK4wE4E9jpJbDkDFWQWnGOlUSH0hmtbHKJuJTGlJYI0y8mwNjGFM9Eb83aCrx4yVIP0FlA1HuLbg-rFG4YhxI7v/w300-h400/IMG_5681.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimduIwqbs_oABRTh1UQ4f4h47wpeP4o6zx40Cu06SJSj0cfho1scSmXkymhiGTDUwc5Dj3NeJ5ls12wVi4COo9rq17I0pkX7EM-3Acbqmuxw24HifGJwuEBodCv5B0mhD8UUWCtdtCVbDFCQHr6h_V9qrT9Y3SYruu4xDaGmpquzE7jkDilR9H9EiLOUVe/s4032/IMG_5682.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimduIwqbs_oABRTh1UQ4f4h47wpeP4o6zx40Cu06SJSj0cfho1scSmXkymhiGTDUwc5Dj3NeJ5ls12wVi4COo9rq17I0pkX7EM-3Acbqmuxw24HifGJwuEBodCv5B0mhD8UUWCtdtCVbDFCQHr6h_V9qrT9Y3SYruu4xDaGmpquzE7jkDilR9H9EiLOUVe/w400-h300/IMG_5682.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br />We got to the bottom of the 13 locks in an hour and a half, which is pretty good. Then at Aston Junction we turned right onto the Digbeth Branch.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxGRG4ZdufnHCC0XDCU1l6t_hHb8I-AZVp4s8q2y0ruu-Sz3AZAvnCUd0XujKnnDhiLoq1fVtRLm-fE8xuiFXCjwh8zVvQHZvJ0h7i8m4iWLrCQFXDaewxCzfP8vr0IGNyzc3PtfCPY0zRb4BUpRJW1ZvnPowvNA8KrfOVbrKKDVVGuyLgf0_tuqQZYJ55/s4032/IMG_5685.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxGRG4ZdufnHCC0XDCU1l6t_hHb8I-AZVp4s8q2y0ruu-Sz3AZAvnCUd0XujKnnDhiLoq1fVtRLm-fE8xuiFXCjwh8zVvQHZvJ0h7i8m4iWLrCQFXDaewxCzfP8vr0IGNyzc3PtfCPY0zRb4BUpRJW1ZvnPowvNA8KrfOVbrKKDVVGuyLgf0_tuqQZYJ55/w400-h300/IMG_5685.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br />Ashted Locks go through the campus of the Birmingham City University. When I did my postgrad there, the campus was up at Perry Barr, but one of my lecturers is now a professor there, and was watching for us from the fifth floor of the Curzon Building. I got a message to look up and there was Diane, and she also sent me a photo from us there!<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4PhAPCDo74EtPlLuwmuRenRJLxZ-vOulR1Y_1asE8EK3N-2fIAQpIHGUt8hq6m5Htjt1KLgY5MIccHcmG0uZL74p4HsYSA9KmjrlTwCmV6S3g1zwVt1KiPj67FQsGNdvbx46a_6wRMVHXOp1LpvznRO00QL02FsBjcdEAtL7iPBURHIvTsrvMcbiySSQH/s4032/IMG_5687.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4PhAPCDo74EtPlLuwmuRenRJLxZ-vOulR1Y_1asE8EK3N-2fIAQpIHGUt8hq6m5Htjt1KLgY5MIccHcmG0uZL74p4HsYSA9KmjrlTwCmV6S3g1zwVt1KiPj67FQsGNdvbx46a_6wRMVHXOp1LpvznRO00QL02FsBjcdEAtL7iPBURHIvTsrvMcbiySSQH/w400-h300/IMG_5687.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI-xfTm0DmygP39DGOK4xgk4Ls3ovTQwRIciVSAr4HDpJA0F_uASVDCMjsFwrXPTsi1XSLDg4fte1DjYYqcwMlbEuuZjGDh6m5jBJ83mCh5emDNXGC3o5YNgqJe75IeYK3dRXcZbMhPBCv-dxu334_PgplTVhwoG5dhi82v930FmYM9eAPFHqN1_7J4tE2/s1104/IMG_5689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="828" data-original-width="1104" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI-xfTm0DmygP39DGOK4xgk4Ls3ovTQwRIciVSAr4HDpJA0F_uASVDCMjsFwrXPTsi1XSLDg4fte1DjYYqcwMlbEuuZjGDh6m5jBJ83mCh5emDNXGC3o5YNgqJe75IeYK3dRXcZbMhPBCv-dxu334_PgplTVhwoG5dhi82v930FmYM9eAPFHqN1_7J4tE2/w400-h300/IMG_5689.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />The bottom Ashted lock is surrounded by HS2 works.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkFCgG1O6lVSFtKnoWjzrLqpp1jG7qcAmX9jFdgi8q-f2K4wCDMzBi7tsIAMCmkgaUg9IQHcqFNhZ9SnNDro9z0mw83lGkcbmrNBud1iRNL26wUc8sEIz01F1GdmJTCkJedr4UHM7UK4Ba6RsmG-lW_6yoDXmmAOwSydHqTIJ3YlNKOFIRf53_ghrVLlxr/s7661/IMG_5691.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2088" data-original-width="7661" height="109" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkFCgG1O6lVSFtKnoWjzrLqpp1jG7qcAmX9jFdgi8q-f2K4wCDMzBi7tsIAMCmkgaUg9IQHcqFNhZ9SnNDro9z0mw83lGkcbmrNBud1iRNL26wUc8sEIz01F1GdmJTCkJedr4UHM7UK4Ba6RsmG-lW_6yoDXmmAOwSydHqTIJ3YlNKOFIRf53_ghrVLlxr/w400-h109/IMG_5691.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br />Camp Hill locks are uphill, undoing some of the day’s downhill work. There is graffiti aplenty, and the locks are without doubt the shonkiest we’ve been through this trip, with plenty of paddles not working, and some of the rest in a questionable state.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqPD1q2bxNKCaI0q65fLUJDYm6xBXNnCIVUo2TJt8oaAC3r-FhUmhwQR7AWnvMpoQmfzd-Pc2rpD7YXCajHb-bVtQjojXCTGFgdxLY8soeF25S3CpxfisoZBFIP-rLqg7oEzQRFV-9c_o58_OLDyyGhKMm0f4nGeBjw5Zfu0MjUjZq01EDRM8yHRPFy3jw/s4032/IMG_5695.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqPD1q2bxNKCaI0q65fLUJDYm6xBXNnCIVUo2TJt8oaAC3r-FhUmhwQR7AWnvMpoQmfzd-Pc2rpD7YXCajHb-bVtQjojXCTGFgdxLY8soeF25S3CpxfisoZBFIP-rLqg7oEzQRFV-9c_o58_OLDyyGhKMm0f4nGeBjw5Zfu0MjUjZq01EDRM8yHRPFy3jw/w400-h300/IMG_5695.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br />We got to the top at around 12 noon, so all 25 locks had taken four hours, which was the same as <a href="http://nbbriarrose.blogspot.com/2017/09/north-west-passage-day-30_89.html">last time we did them</a>. Camp Hill top lock was also our final narrow lock of the trip (and we have done 223 of them); they’re all wide from here back to base. We carried on to Catherine de Barnes, passing just a couple of boats going the other way, and moored on the end of the rings. We’re going to <a href="https://www.theboat-catherinedebarnes.co.uk/find-us">The Boat</a> this evening with Bob and June.<p></p><p>11 miles, 25 locks. (326 miles, 243 locks)</p>Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00797263033136330290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342049528869683702.post-8169227587402991712023-09-24T16:39:00.006+01:002023-09-24T16:39:52.001+01:00Wending to Wales: Day 28<p>We had a great evening with Helen and Andy last night, involving eating, drinking and chatting. It’s always great to see them, and it’s been a while since the last time. This morning, it had rained overnight but wasn’t actually raining when we set off to walk down through town to the Birmingham Back to Backs. We’ve been trying to visit this National Trust property for years, but we’ve previously either been here on days when they were close, or we left it too late and they were fully booked. This time we’d worked out a plan, and booked a couple of weeks ago.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEj511Gzwypyw0dkSb6cUmJNVeY_6T1vKY4C2_Z0gfNQcyIcBAONqe4n65QOchXH2GB30ZsKxcpWfZqHW6CZeZHPUe9zNFsKvJUbNk-VB8If6nL1DBINAP6wWc-eYtBdTmqvn_KDh18b6cxhALfsn1SXqOFUZqlegZ7tiABzCHOcj_SmerwaeGaGJFHbzn/s4032/IMG_5670.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEj511Gzwypyw0dkSb6cUmJNVeY_6T1vKY4C2_Z0gfNQcyIcBAONqe4n65QOchXH2GB30ZsKxcpWfZqHW6CZeZHPUe9zNFsKvJUbNk-VB8If6nL1DBINAP6wWc-eYtBdTmqvn_KDh18b6cxhALfsn1SXqOFUZqlegZ7tiABzCHOcj_SmerwaeGaGJFHbzn/w400-h300/IMG_5670.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br />The houses are small, so there are timed guided tours. We were on the first of the day, with three generations of the same family making up the rest of the group. The kids, aged six and seven (nearly eight!) added to the whole thing, because the excellent guide got them involved in doing things children would have been doing in the 1830s.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuHQ5EXU7EiRLL7DzKyHsaC5-bKcVa_mG_pPrjY7_tXbgbUwzOJjBTjQ0HSCe1mwYjz-vpQX-pj1M1CZjYWPQhJonIVbyvD0WkleT8fgTvgzP5tR6LeVEzbYl92it82cgJuoeUCIGdASNN04-Uvh5cnD7XXHXGU6gdoy7VK42nFynK2bNf7cc6NxE3sLDo/s6002/IMG_5674.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2666" data-original-width="6002" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuHQ5EXU7EiRLL7DzKyHsaC5-bKcVa_mG_pPrjY7_tXbgbUwzOJjBTjQ0HSCe1mwYjz-vpQX-pj1M1CZjYWPQhJonIVbyvD0WkleT8fgTvgzP5tR6LeVEzbYl92it82cgJuoeUCIGdASNN04-Uvh5cnD7XXHXGU6gdoy7VK42nFynK2bNf7cc6NxE3sLDo/w400-h178/IMG_5674.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br />The tour lasts quite a long time so afterwards we had lunch and did some food shopping for the next couple of days on the way back to the boat. This afternoon we walked along to the Roundhouse and had a look at their exhibition.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim4mzC01BIjC0lCj40POhT5lIxax8_ys1kL2L3pwWgjHUoXQncJNGH2lB9-fgVJkt5pLg8GzZ7GvHv9jzKgAACP01JFrSF7yhGv3blfZkJtDjwy0Fmp3_lwUyQEoZWrW5gHYiZ1c5Y5ylO0zhiFYQKdTb4urilefi_kXZoyPE6a3DfZ71VCEXpsq0n01Ef/s4032/IMG_5676.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim4mzC01BIjC0lCj40POhT5lIxax8_ys1kL2L3pwWgjHUoXQncJNGH2lB9-fgVJkt5pLg8GzZ7GvHv9jzKgAACP01JFrSF7yhGv3blfZkJtDjwy0Fmp3_lwUyQEoZWrW5gHYiZ1c5Y5ylO0zhiFYQKdTb4urilefi_kXZoyPE6a3DfZ71VCEXpsq0n01Ef/w300-h400/IMG_5676.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><br />They were showing some tv films from the 1960s and 70s about plans for the regeneration of Birmingham’s canals, we were fascinating. One of them showed a trip up the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal from Salford Junction to Cambrian Wharf, but apart from the BT Tower it was difficult to recognise anything, it looked so different from today.<p></p><p>We also walked up to the Port Loop development to have a look at what’s going on. Only one side of the island has houses so far, with lots more foundations on the other side. The houses appear to come as prefabricated units, which are then clad. On the way back, we passed one of the groups who were paddling a kind of double canoe type thing, not sure if it was for pleasure or team building.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_g-5_q08kBJ9vT9mdqVEAMDSPdo_Uv9C_gp_oOQnWxEHzsF0D6rjw3y0dCQKxG0zZvAB2Mw4vPTLoeixMhd3ProRfjISkX0XSQh5dktU8_HdnyBFSXnpnL-5aVFWS8G8J20TzQ_tlbsa4cWv_R1NMajpfHBC4FBtL4iQt_fWPHg7OaPGWbiH0jW41KjEo/s3653/IMG_5677.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2512" data-original-width="3653" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_g-5_q08kBJ9vT9mdqVEAMDSPdo_Uv9C_gp_oOQnWxEHzsF0D6rjw3y0dCQKxG0zZvAB2Mw4vPTLoeixMhd3ProRfjISkX0XSQh5dktU8_HdnyBFSXnpnL-5aVFWS8G8J20TzQ_tlbsa4cWv_R1NMajpfHBC4FBtL4iQt_fWPHg7OaPGWbiH0jW41KjEo/w400-h275/IMG_5677.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br />The weather hasn’t been nearly as bad as forecast. It’s hardly rained, although it has been a bit blustery at times. We start moving again tomorrow, and it will really feel as though we’re heading home.<p></p><p>0 miles, 0 locks. (315 miles, 218 locks)</p>Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00797263033136330290noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342049528869683702.post-61992341515537817142023-09-23T15:56:00.009+01:002023-09-23T15:57:36.126+01:00Wending to Wales: Day 27<p>We had an undisturbed night opposite the Titford Pump House, and all the locals seemed pleased to see a boat. This morning dawned sunny and still.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD9As0FPUKGcNn5EyfvMQS6VGAqWzoQ-VG4niokkAtT03eJrdqMGAH-9EVjvlceI6eppolF58mbmTbUSpXLywWP094drghJxDgQIfek0yN9m_2BfWMbQwdyl34BYQTOYYTCF_O_0Rb_RQfLKNi8zMMMFjkeyLSVlfXUFuwxaviiXfp9hUQFKT1jjA1tvF7/s3897/IMG_5643.HEIC" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2923" data-original-width="3897" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD9As0FPUKGcNn5EyfvMQS6VGAqWzoQ-VG4niokkAtT03eJrdqMGAH-9EVjvlceI6eppolF58mbmTbUSpXLywWP094drghJxDgQIfek0yN9m_2BfWMbQwdyl34BYQTOYYTCF_O_0Rb_RQfLKNi8zMMMFjkeyLSVlfXUFuwxaviiXfp9hUQFKT1jjA1tvF7/w400-h300/IMG_5643.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br />We were ready to go just before 8, but as I knew most of the pounds between the locks were low yesterday, I thought it would be a good idea to walk down to see what the levels were like. The pound a couple of locks down was about two feet low, so I ran some water down. Then the pound between locks 4 and 5 was to all intents and purposes empty.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAs_8qjCc4qCKW3N1jxDItUyll48zw7Q-oLQ81I7GU4JYvJYq1XIHySCUTo6QVH7vFOpmibbRoPhZX3x1oGmDz-XbEV0nOewhVee7pcLEjBecLXh1ipDURhLuhyDyguTPAP2XkglQagOAU_s9bJJHeKa9KihV76wnGQjrZn9OpqOmbQLRr21U2nZgaIdow/s4032/IMG_5644.HEIC" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAs_8qjCc4qCKW3N1jxDItUyll48zw7Q-oLQ81I7GU4JYvJYq1XIHySCUTo6QVH7vFOpmibbRoPhZX3x1oGmDz-XbEV0nOewhVee7pcLEjBecLXh1ipDURhLuhyDyguTPAP2XkglQagOAU_s9bJJHeKa9KihV76wnGQjrZn9OpqOmbQLRr21U2nZgaIdow/w400-h300/IMG_5644.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br />I ran water down all the way to that pound, but because they’re quite small it didn’t take long to get them reasonably full. We got into the top lock, and while I was down opened the gates of the next couple of locks one of the residential boaters came to speak to Adrian, to ask if we wanted a brass plaque to mark navigating the Titford Pools. The BCNS now charges £7.50 for them rather than giving them out for nothing, but we were happy to pay and topped it up with a donation. I also had a look in the meeting room in the Pump House.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilih05ObdASJRqbX5ZPlzxZy1R6mFHz3Q48R6TbC0A8e4gORUe9K9IpN66TZOUMidmZRPiCGrB3pHLP4f38yI4PmXZfNPJaOri-Ql5KXtYBUmOfl9Q4gLFipFg2saxrfBG8aC_NV6GHp7nz_pFDXktS_ryTE6u9tSzQP2hOVgPDOXLYmW1FTjsxGd2pTZZ/s2928/IMG_5661.HEIC" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2887" data-original-width="2928" height="395" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilih05ObdASJRqbX5ZPlzxZy1R6mFHz3Q48R6TbC0A8e4gORUe9K9IpN66TZOUMidmZRPiCGrB3pHLP4f38yI4PmXZfNPJaOri-Ql5KXtYBUmOfl9Q4gLFipFg2saxrfBG8aC_NV6GHp7nz_pFDXktS_ryTE6u9tSzQP2hOVgPDOXLYmW1FTjsxGd2pTZZ/w400-h395/IMG_5661.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br />Once we were under way, things went smoothly down the locks. Strangely, though, all the chambers are right up against the towpath, which seems unusual.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH3r2dKJR0wrYRccjXdf0qS20hZHpJWzZmCBNgnOcyq8N-NnVWpF3IsZhFRCAauqb5FC7I5mfdv7pslo_WO2wRrYWFwKk-LIfqqhOhgf56-l177639wBUQKN1LICLh2jGAaNplKW_zkFRfMzguCTD4iDM9TwWS-iuGPaiqI9y3F1p4naJNk2MLyN1KMzRY/s4032/IMG_5645.HEIC" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH3r2dKJR0wrYRccjXdf0qS20hZHpJWzZmCBNgnOcyq8N-NnVWpF3IsZhFRCAauqb5FC7I5mfdv7pslo_WO2wRrYWFwKk-LIfqqhOhgf56-l177639wBUQKN1LICLh2jGAaNplKW_zkFRfMzguCTD4iDM9TwWS-iuGPaiqI9y3F1p4naJNk2MLyN1KMzRY/w400-h300/IMG_5645.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br />We were both a bit worried about Lock 5, which is where we got stuck on something as we tried to get in yesterday. We thought it might be worse today, as going downhill the stern would also have to get over the obstruction. Sure enough, when the lock was empty, the boat came to a halt halfway out the lock. I had to open both top paddles to provide enough water to flush us out.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9vKoFzb8LfWy7bp-nwbqC8zz9g_9agm8Nbe9pSupiUaqWVXVv-dhZQA8fXxXa2xfOb08TXR8mnbjdpumO9K8kCy4VrvL20peqm-dip4SRXhFtqnGxrJkF3R6V4b49l0_VOlh1ZtImGfS3Dlz0Qh4JuSWyftRpoF7hWN3F5v9kdZiu99fl6QRi1oz2LhF2/s4032/IMG_5646.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9vKoFzb8LfWy7bp-nwbqC8zz9g_9agm8Nbe9pSupiUaqWVXVv-dhZQA8fXxXa2xfOb08TXR8mnbjdpumO9K8kCy4VrvL20peqm-dip4SRXhFtqnGxrJkF3R6V4b49l0_VOlh1ZtImGfS3Dlz0Qh4JuSWyftRpoF7hWN3F5v9kdZiu99fl6QRi1oz2LhF2/w300-h400/IMG_5646.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><br />We turned right out of Oldbury Junction onto the Old Main Line. The next major landmark is the Steward Aqueduct, which takes it over the New Main Line, which itself has the columns of the motorway down the middle.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRfDj-k7oBriQvHohADIQne71KGu1pdo3QaN77i-d73743TvTQcGu3nROV419PFKmsg-V4Bhc-kdpfo9Hc_ETgeDKDboohzmg0Efn6BfPWR8GkUwwiisV2ik2J8RuCnkc07-aFLULZlFckY3cWeaL1Zj8a1bE6QLXxZp45-OXcoroWqhoC1bDD-VUgvjZd/s4032/IMG_5652.HEIC" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRfDj-k7oBriQvHohADIQne71KGu1pdo3QaN77i-d73743TvTQcGu3nROV419PFKmsg-V4Bhc-kdpfo9Hc_ETgeDKDboohzmg0Efn6BfPWR8GkUwwiisV2ik2J8RuCnkc07-aFLULZlFckY3cWeaL1Zj8a1bE6QLXxZp45-OXcoroWqhoC1bDD-VUgvjZd/w400-h300/IMG_5652.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br />Lots of the M5 still has huge amounts of scaffolding underneath it, but some of it is being removed. We went under a chap on a platform who was unbolting things. He waved.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL2HAELTrkS7bajGQW6OLFDKNIuqSRnVTR_DQLY_vJvYU3ETlhGK-C3cs5wGN9Fj8mEYFl2HwoSIQR0NwCbe91Hpnbj2P2HIrpT5041y0fIZPUqp6bgF9u9qE-JVR_eREtkxG3_S-5znM9lkKkBPdY8_9EZ_sQMvmdjEP_4burPiEaknZDslKdPx7e3sBc/s4032/IMG_5653.HEIC" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL2HAELTrkS7bajGQW6OLFDKNIuqSRnVTR_DQLY_vJvYU3ETlhGK-C3cs5wGN9Fj8mEYFl2HwoSIQR0NwCbe91Hpnbj2P2HIrpT5041y0fIZPUqp6bgF9u9qE-JVR_eREtkxG3_S-5znM9lkKkBPdY8_9EZ_sQMvmdjEP_4burPiEaknZDslKdPx7e3sBc/w400-h300/IMG_5653.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br />There’s a riot of bridges before the Summit Tunnel, then we passed the Smethwick Pump House.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjgg0SZiLtHSmsUANH6w5cEowLvn6Zee1YQnd0S1JbSFAMlAMSk4WhQ5C7hwAGuNvC5FXHh1I5O0t06a5leRNCnR94dg6iZSy5t5de3abmJgUfqMVkawAe_eNBsVN8bVOEulHOCaZInd03biOKJ_QGTvCOuUBIKHIaED8ZyX16-Js0tMeZjZx0Z_J0RQ7U/s4032/IMG_5654.HEIC" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjgg0SZiLtHSmsUANH6w5cEowLvn6Zee1YQnd0S1JbSFAMlAMSk4WhQ5C7hwAGuNvC5FXHh1I5O0t06a5leRNCnR94dg6iZSy5t5de3abmJgUfqMVkawAe_eNBsVN8bVOEulHOCaZInd03biOKJ_QGTvCOuUBIKHIaED8ZyX16-Js0tMeZjZx0Z_J0RQ7U/w400-h300/IMG_5654.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF2lxd0DdTaQeKJyfOOVCtHW-hbGnfy2vYeYebh4l_zAjaKWLizCzqS8pQfH7ooahuDfGXsMtGcnkSyEVhyJcShZmngLeGinM2i1Be47TINAj_Hjjd8_NPQP4QWuoqpAn1VR4OukCYdRw6I04regGXflyFccD_ds0MVEn43Al-3zm-pKuIksppzd_6OiQE/s4032/IMG_5656.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF2lxd0DdTaQeKJyfOOVCtHW-hbGnfy2vYeYebh4l_zAjaKWLizCzqS8pQfH7ooahuDfGXsMtGcnkSyEVhyJcShZmngLeGinM2i1Be47TINAj_Hjjd8_NPQP4QWuoqpAn1VR4OukCYdRw6I04regGXflyFccD_ds0MVEn43Al-3zm-pKuIksppzd_6OiQE/w300-h400/IMG_5656.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><br />At Smethwick Locks, the little octagonal building has been rebuilt again. The top and bottom locks were full, but the middle one was empty.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizsrqnweYyeHlSAFpOsATALxYSX-4csQVzTvf8Sgh_XUzkM3t-_68Tg0HM5slXUZbI8_gapLppwvA4HW-RW-TQcBTNRJqqkMdKHuKxPHJ9lIRfXr555mR-F1GfgUlkbV-yi3FBLDSE3pWSksxFRJkSCNvl2mkcAwlfTiRTvxpFDJ-0nVVyRNSMo5202d5Z/s4032/IMG_5658.HEIC" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizsrqnweYyeHlSAFpOsATALxYSX-4csQVzTvf8Sgh_XUzkM3t-_68Tg0HM5slXUZbI8_gapLppwvA4HW-RW-TQcBTNRJqqkMdKHuKxPHJ9lIRfXr555mR-F1GfgUlkbV-yi3FBLDSE3pWSksxFRJkSCNvl2mkcAwlfTiRTvxpFDJ-0nVVyRNSMo5202d5Z/w400-h300/IMG_5658.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br />As we came out of Smethwick Junction, and boat was just turning in from the Birmingham direction. They said the city centre was pretty empty if boats. The new housing on the island formed by the Icknield Port Loop is gradually getting closer to the main line. It’s distinctly modern, and we rather like it.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ7Akykzh_7GYN_Vb5KPz8cebf9NpOm4Q6QX7JqDW2pwu5rUrSLLcPESH_PtPr-zh_J-aJgCJrtYqB2xDJX76gmbUOWi9eBFoH0D-VEuFV9AaVz2v-utIgwhZDCFlPmKznJsMlkBBjL4xxdyI2SQKvHLul24YVfAeLvp52eNossbFxbHB7Z_kTyBMlc189/s4032/IMG_5660.HEIC" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ7Akykzh_7GYN_Vb5KPz8cebf9NpOm4Q6QX7JqDW2pwu5rUrSLLcPESH_PtPr-zh_J-aJgCJrtYqB2xDJX76gmbUOWi9eBFoH0D-VEuFV9AaVz2v-utIgwhZDCFlPmKznJsMlkBBjL4xxdyI2SQKvHLul24YVfAeLvp52eNossbFxbHB7Z_kTyBMlc189/w400-h300/IMG_5660.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br />We turned down the Oozells Loop, meeting a trip boat almost immediately, in the hole our favourite mooring would be free. However there were already three boats there and no room for us so we came out and reversed up the main line to a space.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO-z1txZSO9TXzTWYcIsW86RAVeMwZnuBcNWeAKK6f27BQ5a7n-zV2s8NA88tXlVtFFXL-SzlukXMJwFTqr1mLkdTeO6nznL_IbiyPliSPvLrhRdFuOIrtkCaneczreFwlJxDGTjUrrCNt4e_MTtGoXVj_K7gm3Jm-exP_Eq4WsYyiJ_9rD0JvUyoddoSZ/s4032/IMG_5662.HEIC" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO-z1txZSO9TXzTWYcIsW86RAVeMwZnuBcNWeAKK6f27BQ5a7n-zV2s8NA88tXlVtFFXL-SzlukXMJwFTqr1mLkdTeO6nznL_IbiyPliSPvLrhRdFuOIrtkCaneczreFwlJxDGTjUrrCNt4e_MTtGoXVj_K7gm3Jm-exP_Eq4WsYyiJ_9rD0JvUyoddoSZ/w400-h300/IMG_5662.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br />We went into Brindley Place for lunch and to do some shopping, then later in the afternoon we walked into town and went to see Ozzy the Bull at Grand Central. We just missed him last time we were here.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY4JuPK5KnWxJFf8jKIekrAtXUa7wD1Hrnqo3xm9pJ2Cy49ZjFUhJKMXBDsKp3rrnV2U7C0nrM_3NSOpdXfZ3kIhvmu6Tz6EIkXps70ub3kFbeirLRcis4CSaZAvYP8oCgUeedLcCHdZiXGzzjthrA40Mc42gBxvHdQPCjf_klTYHqYVh0mJwLoWF_6qra/s4032/IMG_5664.HEIC" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY4JuPK5KnWxJFf8jKIekrAtXUa7wD1Hrnqo3xm9pJ2Cy49ZjFUhJKMXBDsKp3rrnV2U7C0nrM_3NSOpdXfZ3kIhvmu6Tz6EIkXps70ub3kFbeirLRcis4CSaZAvYP8oCgUeedLcCHdZiXGzzjthrA40Mc42gBxvHdQPCjf_klTYHqYVh0mJwLoWF_6qra/w400-h300/IMG_5664.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZoKAwXRNGJXTFxrV8pHUqDrsCD4hTMEDnCBWdNI1MVcTBieR4V0HCnrVt_4ErY-1hv6YUJdL8y8d_2RgVWdiVYlFc40xO4O-rWtlspCpj3N21vtrsgmhM2s8scIebhWXpaBIIJVF72IQBinZt2lHOnxeweviz19-LaTTH5l4g-4XkrCCZt7vV2vbCpcfO/s4032/IMG_5666.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZoKAwXRNGJXTFxrV8pHUqDrsCD4hTMEDnCBWdNI1MVcTBieR4V0HCnrVt_4ErY-1hv6YUJdL8y8d_2RgVWdiVYlFc40xO4O-rWtlspCpj3N21vtrsgmhM2s8scIebhWXpaBIIJVF72IQBinZt2lHOnxeweviz19-LaTTH5l4g-4XkrCCZt7vV2vbCpcfO/w300-h400/IMG_5666.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><br />Helen and Andy coming to dinner, so we are guaranteed a good evening.<p></p><p>6 miles, 9 locks. (315 miles, 218 locks)</p>Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00797263033136330290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342049528869683702.post-24212113826876073922023-09-22T17:50:00.001+01:002023-09-22T17:50:04.530+01:00Wending to Wales: Day 26<p>A day of two distinct halves today — but first a mention of how great Mad O’Rourke’s was last night. We both thought it had the potential to be a big disappointment, but the food was excellent, and very reasonably priced. We’ll definitely be back next time we’re in Tipton.</p><p>This morning we set off at 9.30, and did all of a mile to the Black Country Living Museum moorings. We were pleased to find a space (in fact there were several). We’d booked entry to the museum for 10.30, and had used some expiring Tesco vouchers to pay. We walked up the road to the new main entrance, visiting the motor museum on the way, and went down into the site. There’s a lot more here than when we last visited more than a decade ago. New streets from the 1930s and 40s are being opened, including a new pub, above the bit that already existed. Lots of photos follow.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwY6Cvje2spY8K8rGzfHKFas5JwXsOoHzwDNEEYV6Z8UUABNSQ9bQxfCwCxIB3nRBGQHXFSIFnL_SAJE1jDk3H73AZXPMQdEKulZefebVwoJ9_acKPMHmE_r8CcraALuJsWRGvrm8zDUonFvd1n2BSNY0jA1mfFN3uCT7iqtrpH8iG3_RXpNhCr6wibwTm/s4032/IMG_5590.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwY6Cvje2spY8K8rGzfHKFas5JwXsOoHzwDNEEYV6Z8UUABNSQ9bQxfCwCxIB3nRBGQHXFSIFnL_SAJE1jDk3H73AZXPMQdEKulZefebVwoJ9_acKPMHmE_r8CcraALuJsWRGvrm8zDUonFvd1n2BSNY0jA1mfFN3uCT7iqtrpH8iG3_RXpNhCr6wibwTm/w400-h300/IMG_5590.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Xq-VL-e5Mx4UvMHtFXJJE6P85M7BNFijZQVbIaD49ILLG_EM_POz3Y8WQ9S1mNiPoxMwNosnFs3SQearXfjFuAMZelRdtupNiefDruIMYgQhkHiWOMQbFWT63CIyJwBjQ8JpjDiceq2CZfOGaj5DDQaUmvxURYX2tqNriiqLoe0c43Fe1LKxdZO4glK0/s4032/IMG_5596.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; 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float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_sWMvEFnZkQI4LLCGyAnm6QY64Bqkg5YSNVX4pSO8cP95CPfz8ABC0onHEWs1UCxSB2f4N5MLtONDxcHRIwOxsfduAnqS_KP65KAD9VwK0NG_d7dGK_Fyh3MrcdIBo3qzO4ge5wh30ntnpyGcOx77RKaJKWtYrFe1iHrKPOGrq_dOgyChmYBAArk1cEsb/w400-h300/IMG_5621.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br />We watched a chain-making demonstration down by the canal, and went to the fish and chip shop for chips for lunch. This has moved to bigger premises, and the chips were excellent. While we were there, there was a brief shower of rain. Last time we were here we went down the mine, leaving Adrian’s mum outside at the top. By the time we came out, she seemed to have made several new friends! We didn’t think we could top this with another visit, so we decided to do something we’d originally had in mind for today — explore the Titford Canal. (There’s also a Peaky Blinders event at the museum this evening, and they were setting up a stage down by the canal, so we thought our mooring just the other side of the fence could be really noisy tonight). So we returned to the boat and set off, turning back onto the Old Main Line. A lot of the line is covered in really horrible weed on the surface. The boat makes a passage through it, then it just closes up again.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjURf65vPdf1TrMAgKnUFoqPDhZtPwd5sGy5UL-ljgsVxyIg9AoK14SSKBPz23K2f7ftpbWxX9nBpcrEzb4tFNi8p7aNYZ7FTDi04VkctUHkiXnA1B74g1R6UnVwKx0mdfNT4lNbs8J_0fbV7omlI-oU9a-R1FN7eVmqcDPpRDjcBCmv2LtrKVZaB4H4B9U/s4032/IMG_5625.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjURf65vPdf1TrMAgKnUFoqPDhZtPwd5sGy5UL-ljgsVxyIg9AoK14SSKBPz23K2f7ftpbWxX9nBpcrEzb4tFNi8p7aNYZ7FTDi04VkctUHkiXnA1B74g1R6UnVwKx0mdfNT4lNbs8J_0fbV7omlI-oU9a-R1FN7eVmqcDPpRDjcBCmv2LtrKVZaB4H4B9U/w400-h300/IMG_5625.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br />There was a spell of rain, then the sun came out again. Before long we arrived at Oldbury Junction, a very sharp turn to the right, and underneath a motorway.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO1Pg-k_kHm1PkRqw8MCWFgd1pw-u1GtnJmsZbd2b3AfZFgdpLls1BheC1sK2QIgI0898JnRtalJxdxSdnzOH1zMV-vbXxj4ct5QvVTcbzdiHZruqy8GEmRhNQsCRzU1Di0IHiepRc33VlZpzirVWZtuL_YSsYCxhH3ImqVGXqeNFeUdLiN6aflX4CkXVy/s4032/IMG_5626.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO1Pg-k_kHm1PkRqw8MCWFgd1pw-u1GtnJmsZbd2b3AfZFgdpLls1BheC1sK2QIgI0898JnRtalJxdxSdnzOH1zMV-vbXxj4ct5QvVTcbzdiHZruqy8GEmRhNQsCRzU1Di0IHiepRc33VlZpzirVWZtuL_YSsYCxhH3ImqVGXqeNFeUdLiN6aflX4CkXVy/w400-h300/IMG_5626.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br />There are six locks up to the highest point of the BCN. We almost gave up at the second lock, because we got stuck on something leaving us half in the lock and half out. Adrian ran some water down and eventually there was enough to float over whatever it was. It meant the pounds further up were all very low, though. The locks are close together, and have single bottom gates, which means no need to step across a gap, but they are heavy. The top lock has the Titford Pump House alongside, which is now the HQ of the BCNS.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdwcRR6IRv6B9JaEfk1q9UMjlBPpk_d1U_Oe3jr6bVgKrDjkz9VRRnBlTtwiDnkMfiG9qKb4PvCEXZ3nxglPLGhgtxxuTtfAhz1JzXAyVb_ceZ9ZKx39UW55QiJia-cGXUvRu5Cxu7hzZwrkARKBfcCehDsKJ0_z8e2Hy2lvC-TonSa8_B8AuI08sM9EE9/s4032/IMG_5628.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdwcRR6IRv6B9JaEfk1q9UMjlBPpk_d1U_Oe3jr6bVgKrDjkz9VRRnBlTtwiDnkMfiG9qKb4PvCEXZ3nxglPLGhgtxxuTtfAhz1JzXAyVb_ceZ9ZKx39UW55QiJia-cGXUvRu5Cxu7hzZwrkARKBfcCehDsKJ0_z8e2Hy2lvC-TonSa8_B8AuI08sM9EE9/w400-h300/IMG_5628.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNXMdDJPml1FS-C1Al6EH-GhKymn-JUVaSbikvqpQiuvBBb_62R24r11iIr9gSpujewfVc5gMFlsb5jXw6_T-QlYKvfpn18Ww39j5UqW1aLza0AsrqZowPTuVGlZr4B8kyYg8hzN-CRs8LxyjzZJKkYRFJoxMLE4b-3NN4rzna9tApguiQVmpgGMQnWuOB/s4032/IMG_5630.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNXMdDJPml1FS-C1Al6EH-GhKymn-JUVaSbikvqpQiuvBBb_62R24r11iIr9gSpujewfVc5gMFlsb5jXw6_T-QlYKvfpn18Ww39j5UqW1aLza0AsrqZowPTuVGlZr4B8kyYg8hzN-CRs8LxyjzZJKkYRFJoxMLE4b-3NN4rzna9tApguiQVmpgGMQnWuOB/w400-h300/IMG_5630.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br />At the top, we continued along the canal, having looked up the <a href="https://bcnsociety.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Titford-plaque-application.pdf">BCNS notes</a> on what you can and can’t do if you want to explore the pools and stay afloat. On the way you pass the old malting now sadly derelict and fire damaged.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIn7UOI9_V62mZufsXMF7pQHmT7tMGrvynpEk56kOHrrLqhcUZFPnmwrx98H_hB3Tl4d1IbhSahIXD582-PGDESa56Pr8tXGBovabtYNH74Q7-bBsSNCB4NKIBV4D1QDffj6ZfBjqffy5Dgqm4kWqySPE5yBDOXwqPs2ZXbNf93GCnrU1FhTSX3YLAWdIq/s4032/IMG_5631.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIn7UOI9_V62mZufsXMF7pQHmT7tMGrvynpEk56kOHrrLqhcUZFPnmwrx98H_hB3Tl4d1IbhSahIXD582-PGDESa56Pr8tXGBovabtYNH74Q7-bBsSNCB4NKIBV4D1QDffj6ZfBjqffy5Dgqm4kWqySPE5yBDOXwqPs2ZXbNf93GCnrU1FhTSX3YLAWdIq/w400-h300/IMG_5631.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br />Then we reached the arms down to the pools. We turned left first, then right into the main pool which has the M5 running through it.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5HOlC9Y2GEtbD140HZYNS5xHlrjTHGPeKvETVdOdIN8cBzwkMriQI2Nrw5L8OOCaLjPA_qLtWSZI_SZQhw-Ti34kFena_Pj-VzBPpVeEgm2m6mSP50fIvRE3sYo-yURrSzCy-qG-rLq50aS32D1l0p2fVq9d-LaaY-5lB74selSemUhM9rQQF_yA-Ve2k/s5986/IMG_5634.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2673" data-original-width="5986" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5HOlC9Y2GEtbD140HZYNS5xHlrjTHGPeKvETVdOdIN8cBzwkMriQI2Nrw5L8OOCaLjPA_qLtWSZI_SZQhw-Ti34kFena_Pj-VzBPpVeEgm2m6mSP50fIvRE3sYo-yURrSzCy-qG-rLq50aS32D1l0p2fVq9d-LaaY-5lB74selSemUhM9rQQF_yA-Ve2k/w400-h179/IMG_5634.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br />We turned around in the middle, retraced our steps, and turned left at the junction to go under the motorway. That takes you to the small pool, where we again turned in the middle. Everyone on the towpath took our photo — a boat is a real novelty.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyiZxUUtibjJT1bYMvf5nRbH_BCqHQSzXlO_9Gd1RngArtCj8gLEw4RIEPJgWXAIy1P79hUYiA8lRI0Kfk_WimXhlw_kFtuePvDmI5oeJJknUBjmKVSlz6GgO66o4Tx-w7JywciBU_jr-d_41F0isJlvf3fbPPu3AXHDstzquMosqsU6KkJPPvlM_POXEU/s4032/IMG_5636.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyiZxUUtibjJT1bYMvf5nRbH_BCqHQSzXlO_9Gd1RngArtCj8gLEw4RIEPJgWXAIy1P79hUYiA8lRI0Kfk_WimXhlw_kFtuePvDmI5oeJJknUBjmKVSlz6GgO66o4Tx-w7JywciBU_jr-d_41F0isJlvf3fbPPu3AXHDstzquMosqsU6KkJPPvlM_POXEU/w400-h300/IMG_5636.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJik3TDPP8y1W2m3zkZE_BUrVSq4nk2erKQ8A8AW_k_v5QqGXOznSGlMrmM7780knIMjwIMctSvdKbAlYheOeQhctDUB0SqA8k39MHxlly7FMVYw6j-ShPU4GGVlvznTGuAkSbFUOEisV-f3FEfLoVV70iVb8Kyw7qCxmRQXZhIP9TYDMpiEMgDiAVGYpo/s4032/IMG_5637.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJik3TDPP8y1W2m3zkZE_BUrVSq4nk2erKQ8A8AW_k_v5QqGXOznSGlMrmM7780knIMjwIMctSvdKbAlYheOeQhctDUB0SqA8k39MHxlly7FMVYw6j-ShPU4GGVlvznTGuAkSbFUOEisV-f3FEfLoVV70iVb8Kyw7qCxmRQXZhIP9TYDMpiEMgDiAVGYpo/w400-h300/IMG_5637.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br />Having done the pools, we must apply to the BCNS for a plaque. We followed the canal back to just above the locks, and moored within sight of the pump house.<p></p><p>8 miles, 6 locks. (309 miles, 209 locks)</p>Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00797263033136330290noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1342049528869683702.post-49751578148481387102023-09-21T16:14:00.012+01:002023-09-21T16:14:47.843+01:00Wending to Wales: Day 25<p>A few years ago we would never have stopped overnight at Autherley Junction, but now it’s a popular spot. The moorings were full, with no git gaps to be seen. And we had a very quiet night. Possibly because we knew we had lots of locks to do today, we were awake early and decided to get up and get going. So we were ready to pull away from our mooring at 7.15. As we left, the sun was rising and there was mist swirling above the water.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheulbfz1D6BKFoP1iIEginbYDlHAMNL_4u_beMgEIhn5mvmzrtq6rljzYQ9fQpQDPoRzIwFNAnfrV7QV8hJQyxbhG8Wo7OdueHZvkVijmNJhlhhdHUExPyhU7ZqJorsIzhXaeAbywXD6vPoCjxo_ruI4TT0obtjsDRyWWM67-T37lj3RHANzqWkxUZ58SJ/s4032/IMG_5561.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheulbfz1D6BKFoP1iIEginbYDlHAMNL_4u_beMgEIhn5mvmzrtq6rljzYQ9fQpQDPoRzIwFNAnfrV7QV8hJQyxbhG8Wo7OdueHZvkVijmNJhlhhdHUExPyhU7ZqJorsIzhXaeAbywXD6vPoCjxo_ruI4TT0obtjsDRyWWM67-T37lj3RHANzqWkxUZ58SJ/w400-h300/IMG_5561.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br />It’s an only about 10 minutes down to Aldersley Junction. The bottom lock was empty, and it was 7.30 when we started our ascent.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDy9GNlGOhRIITh3MvMUySui_IatbE6UGzz2pEhSQuIIko0oAPCK88i21nHSZk4K-YrmoEWUBD-xGsOcbGm87m9bm4RgQvV4tMbMsL2B5wWZa5JI08VH0XtdG_NL2BU06gs7huWqBTzKCU7aRPWjerXspd4RDGaLLrKmFI6g-69zM3hxhy0GMqhDkV_z7i/s4032/IMG_5565.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDy9GNlGOhRIITh3MvMUySui_IatbE6UGzz2pEhSQuIIko0oAPCK88i21nHSZk4K-YrmoEWUBD-xGsOcbGm87m9bm4RgQvV4tMbMsL2B5wWZa5JI08VH0XtdG_NL2BU06gs7huWqBTzKCU7aRPWjerXspd4RDGaLLrKmFI6g-69zM3hxhy0GMqhDkV_z7i/w300-h400/IMG_5565.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><br />We worked our way steadily up the flight, with every lock in our favour — the advantage of being first up. With the sun shining, the flight also looked pretty good.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs48vxdijZfZYWi8cTV4mDyw7MzSw-Whh1sHNTGXHUXUQO1YjOG4ADjAgdkR1ZR8rxl-iEtWr983v2JKrev-9Iw6dSTQH2r9WZn4Q_8gGXzmaGYQXf57dElKD-vsIYEOAzL-xcoOKnMiynIJSmx-b1mp6fHNgIxcBKcjU4XcjNqdgXGg_eGzCGYLuVs9Ga/s4032/IMG_5566.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs48vxdijZfZYWi8cTV4mDyw7MzSw-Whh1sHNTGXHUXUQO1YjOG4ADjAgdkR1ZR8rxl-iEtWr983v2JKrev-9Iw6dSTQH2r9WZn4Q_8gGXzmaGYQXf57dElKD-vsIYEOAzL-xcoOKnMiynIJSmx-b1mp6fHNgIxcBKcjU4XcjNqdgXGg_eGzCGYLuVs9Ga/w400-h300/IMG_5566.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikSFl2cFr4egVT-zyGVZzThFWO_f_XvUaxNtm0eQhcIJzFlUzVoUdDenthLbYJQCbLdUfQjiqWsaB5ISUg0AtCSvy9Mr4Yfbp5KNsNFA0i2FWkyVDNqB_W5EsYY741bF7h_OHZhBoL-o7SB_yHII408xyjbT3yW5e64bxE1_9avBpugqyMFKzePjOzgFS1/s4032/IMG_5567.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikSFl2cFr4egVT-zyGVZzThFWO_f_XvUaxNtm0eQhcIJzFlUzVoUdDenthLbYJQCbLdUfQjiqWsaB5ISUg0AtCSvy9Mr4Yfbp5KNsNFA0i2FWkyVDNqB_W5EsYY741bF7h_OHZhBoL-o7SB_yHII408xyjbT3yW5e64bxE1_9avBpugqyMFKzePjOzgFS1/w400-h300/IMG_5567.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC4xEOjgTx7wZtyiImJybsfZWG8AMsyGt4ftuaFYbD5dhtWQZCjSyAdqagwOy1gwRx96vLyvH_QE8JRo4TdHUGDtD021AShtevkRFe685D0hLJOm8xzRKfAmgv63Dx3iBzebNAZwP3BQemOVsherOsSEuT22qj_ED4EjZ2BWXc0WI92fyVDiM65AB9JDEI/s4032/IMG_5568.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC4xEOjgTx7wZtyiImJybsfZWG8AMsyGt4ftuaFYbD5dhtWQZCjSyAdqagwOy1gwRx96vLyvH_QE8JRo4TdHUGDtD021AShtevkRFe685D0hLJOm8xzRKfAmgv63Dx3iBzebNAZwP3BQemOVsherOsSEuT22qj_ED4EjZ2BWXc0WI92fyVDiM65AB9JDEI/w400-h300/IMG_5568.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIabV3v_k1OuNF4QxX2-aH4pMtczeRUNmpUcVUKjBoOYc1PZxjhVYN3CdXeAxwiEwPPmHK-GjR7ID4oQVGxGrCZy2z4k6QXwMntdxJROLnGYK4x8QyKtzJ1vO2canqqlp_TPmmHG3yqTOAizOOt9i1lOEb5iOBFbU6brePQ0C22O_bo5o0qGZGNQzYoChS/s4032/IMG_5569.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIabV3v_k1OuNF4QxX2-aH4pMtczeRUNmpUcVUKjBoOYc1PZxjhVYN3CdXeAxwiEwPPmHK-GjR7ID4oQVGxGrCZy2z4k6QXwMntdxJROLnGYK4x8QyKtzJ1vO2canqqlp_TPmmHG3yqTOAizOOt9i1lOEb5iOBFbU6brePQ0C22O_bo5o0qGZGNQzYoChS/w400-h300/IMG_5569.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuwv1pVsHBmoDpvaMIBXZpDqweRcPOvc7PXqAROqJ97wQGSPop11sY0rZGd-TAt5Twd7e0SonZ3Jd0VE8RmO9KXK3qrlK4hNcsXJbogRg3iAQQtmB_FZdN9fQnEKVsqn5MQl006XVZ1ag8yrxHKskSBWdkwAOkAqT9jn0QV_lHA3BPZ_gQsooB7tQ9Eeob/s3985/IMG_5571.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3985" data-original-width="2988" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuwv1pVsHBmoDpvaMIBXZpDqweRcPOvc7PXqAROqJ97wQGSPop11sY0rZGd-TAt5Twd7e0SonZ3Jd0VE8RmO9KXK3qrlK4hNcsXJbogRg3iAQQtmB_FZdN9fQnEKVsqn5MQl006XVZ1ag8yrxHKskSBWdkwAOkAqT9jn0QV_lHA3BPZ_gQsooB7tQ9Eeob/w300-h400/IMG_5571.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqboPC-uOl9cJ3galb8FzKtvx0ztpnHGk1qxbac_uUP-rVWUCtWDSfQQDMmGcoJEzV3P4mGJeOz9Yq5Vay6jDlas1JxNVaZBMvlE5KOAx9wmVCgSiPKL6sEAlCz4lFdSZ366iT0nnwsyqyJyNaNwtwmJ4NL6gx-pvZGMlRTKg7D77cAHJFgcEB_r61Un-l/s4032/IMG_5573.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqboPC-uOl9cJ3galb8FzKtvx0ztpnHGk1qxbac_uUP-rVWUCtWDSfQQDMmGcoJEzV3P4mGJeOz9Yq5Vay6jDlas1JxNVaZBMvlE5KOAx9wmVCgSiPKL6sEAlCz4lFdSZ366iT0nnwsyqyJyNaNwtwmJ4NL6gx-pvZGMlRTKg7D77cAHJFgcEB_r61Un-l/w400-h300/IMG_5573.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br />Three volunteer litter pickers opened one set of bottom gates for us, and at Lock 3 a couple of CRT guys put down their strummers and helped. I did to them that the locks seemed in much better condition that the last couple of times we’ve been up them, which they were very pleased about. One of them also discovered grease on the pawl handle — and decreed that whoever had put it there should be up for gross misconduct!<p></p><p>When we did the flight in 2019 we completed all 21 locks in 2 hours 40 mins, and in 2017 it was 2 hours 50. Today we were on course for 2:50 again, except that when we got to the top lock there was a boat about to come down. When I arrived, the ladies on board were debating whose lock it was, and whether they should fill it for themselves or empty it for us. As it was about three-quarters full, it was decided it should be filled. When we came to open the top gate, it dot stuck after a few inches, I I discovered it was because a coconut was jamming it. Once that was removed, the process could continue. All of this meant we took 3 hours for the locks today. At least the cottages at the top are back to looking good, they had scaffolding all over them last time.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsWTg_R_wU5DfnHkfHm3Cd7dUTPXEc9gRrf7vDI5BbifcFGzaLryGAO1uL6cvCbLtddTrSDLLItlbtH67cpm5NUViVPDACa5P8_NbZmYMB4AlVgTkklmNi5tgYQMgG67lTdjXnFGO-GjYMns7WG2sNj_a9r4oRXH8mc_Xe2hfGvbD6ba4b9U1Dt0M4w7V8/s4032/IMG_5575.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsWTg_R_wU5DfnHkfHm3Cd7dUTPXEc9gRrf7vDI5BbifcFGzaLryGAO1uL6cvCbLtddTrSDLLItlbtH67cpm5NUViVPDACa5P8_NbZmYMB4AlVgTkklmNi5tgYQMgG67lTdjXnFGO-GjYMns7WG2sNj_a9r4oRXH8mc_Xe2hfGvbD6ba4b9U1Dt0M4w7V8/w400-h300/IMG_5575.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br />Another boat arrived as we left the top lock, so we left it for them. They will soon have realised there was a boat going down in front. We pulled in to Broad Street Basin to fill the water tank and get the washing machine going. Another boat passed, heading for the locks as we prepared to reverse out, and we passed a couple more along the way. Not far from Wolverhampton Tunnel is a development of flats we don’t remember being there before.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB4Y7xcHHF6R6qlbPYkizn3Uoz5B9aPAbpW9iNL4pSD6PqnlEfaD7xxGc1wLO_lz0xqQfR4Y6ec0vvulea34ZSyPUkvbnOI_EM6YIJi9dilA9D9VRHcfI7YTqKz3x_RQSW-2Q9-6NNbl7fpOj6OROMXVyiYJC86IehxG7x5w4eLEQqyyVg9a0fV8OFxOVn/s4032/IMG_5577.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB4Y7xcHHF6R6qlbPYkizn3Uoz5B9aPAbpW9iNL4pSD6PqnlEfaD7xxGc1wLO_lz0xqQfR4Y6ec0vvulea34ZSyPUkvbnOI_EM6YIJi9dilA9D9VRHcfI7YTqKz3x_RQSW-2Q9-6NNbl7fpOj6OROMXVyiYJC86IehxG7x5w4eLEQqyyVg9a0fV8OFxOVn/w400-h300/IMG_5577.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br />After a while, the threatening clouds brought some rain. At first, there was also blue sky further ahead.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg69GVdgtT6pypwZLVxxhrNoF1yoImGyMz1WCsc43a9TtojWISdtqLXR8ZxZMQVoCYDCLBix3h2kvAJrIPsRqf-7C6w0sqLlkDUZxQr7hp6T2eQRUsYvApxdlnXvMvbNYQDlD0VoHm9no3yDXGmKJ6MwExW4UOEYBBsp-aAown1JfXAw3Gruc5KAgpu-2nP/s4032/IMG_5578.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg69GVdgtT6pypwZLVxxhrNoF1yoImGyMz1WCsc43a9TtojWISdtqLXR8ZxZMQVoCYDCLBix3h2kvAJrIPsRqf-7C6w0sqLlkDUZxQr7hp6T2eQRUsYvApxdlnXvMvbNYQDlD0VoHm9no3yDXGmKJ6MwExW4UOEYBBsp-aAown1JfXAw3Gruc5KAgpu-2nP/w400-h300/IMG_5578.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br />But then the rain really set in. There was thunder, rain coming down in stair rods, and even hail stones. Once again, I was absolutely soaked, as were people on the towpath who’d been caught out. By the time we got to Coseley Tunnel, it had almost stopped.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp--Ct_4PClpDVmfhKnwJfjYPs9lHTS_zA1FP58IcFFWilRbDH9n1cdA7_d1UPyfWCaRshUbHJAtaV2HglnGAtyk7U3TgQkJT-0uFOw0OFimOphrV5VywFgeiBUhmmCM8-SSaXGRTIMVJ-ezMkOHcdCZW3vBgNW6nKgskugTYYy12gUmzMkC8gX7i9EQOi/s4032/IMG_5580.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp--Ct_4PClpDVmfhKnwJfjYPs9lHTS_zA1FP58IcFFWilRbDH9n1cdA7_d1UPyfWCaRshUbHJAtaV2HglnGAtyk7U3TgQkJT-0uFOw0OFimOphrV5VywFgeiBUhmmCM8-SSaXGRTIMVJ-ezMkOHcdCZW3vBgNW6nKgskugTYYy12gUmzMkC8gX7i9EQOi/w400-h300/IMG_5580.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br />We turned right at Factory Junction where some people were messing about in boats, made of two canoes tied together. One guy even jumped from one boat to another, and we were amazed he didn’t fall in. We moored up at the John the Lock moorings in Tipton, I had a change of clothes, and we had lunch.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ITdxni5lSaI_yyOXP6ddnB74gUUMRUTSzvIuCjdF90gaojSbL_f3kWn6MS70f2BogyZ7zYi3Xpz2rmLO1kuU1F4Zf9sRcJFDk1v6dNWZkrvaR667WOFZ68AAlAg-PxVDyTsutcDnXZea_UuVUUK3-3AHewYocBFddvbdBCpmSlgWyfJsl0XF9_6TW9CB/s4032/IMG_5583.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ITdxni5lSaI_yyOXP6ddnB74gUUMRUTSzvIuCjdF90gaojSbL_f3kWn6MS70f2BogyZ7zYi3Xpz2rmLO1kuU1F4Zf9sRcJFDk1v6dNWZkrvaR667WOFZ68AAlAg-PxVDyTsutcDnXZea_UuVUUK3-3AHewYocBFddvbdBCpmSlgWyfJsl0XF9_6TW9CB/w400-h300/IMG_5583.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br />This afternoon the sun has come out. We had a surprisingly productive walk to the Tipton Shopping Centre, where Poundland and the Nisa Local turned out to have quite a few of the things we were after. Then I had a go at re-hanging our bow button. It’s been lopsided for ages, but over the past couple of days has become ridiculously so. I eventually managed to get the shackle off so I could shorten the chain by one link on one side. Hopefully the button will reshape itself to the boat over time.<p></p><p>This evening, we plan to try out the famous <a href="https://www.madorourkes.com/tablet/index.html">Mad O’Rourke’s Pie Factory</a>.</p><p>8 miles, 21 locks. (301 miles, 203 locks)</p>Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00797263033136330290noreply@blogger.com0