West Mids Meander: Day 18

This morning’s forecast light rain never materialised, which was good.  We set off about 8, went through the diminutive Curdworth Tunnel, and then arrived at the top lock.  This was relocated and rebuilt when the M6 Toll was built.  I always look out for it from the motorway.

It’s a very pretty flight, and the locks all seem easy to work.

We met a couple of boats coming up, which also helped.  Alongside one of the locks there’s another HS2 site.  One of the things I like about the Waterway Routes map is that the route of the new line is shown, so you can see where it will impact the canal.

We stopped for water at the point below Lock 9, which neither of us had any recollection of.  We thought it might take a while, as we haven’t topped up the tank since Thursday, and we were putting the washing machine on.  But it was a decent pressure, and the tank was soon full.  Just as we were getting ready to push off, Alchemy came by — I’d been following their blog so knew we’d pass at some point today.  I was on my way across the bridge to the towpath side, and once I was over there we had a brief chat as Mike and Christine manoeuvred onto the water point themselves.

We completed the remaining two locks in the flight.  We’d taken two and a half hours including the water stop, so not bad going.  The next section includes the Drayton footbridge, which it’s obligatory to take a photo of.

The mill at Fazeley is under scaffolding, and is being converted into apartments.  Very smart they look too.

The mill is very close to Fazeley Junction.

We were turning right here onto the Coventry Canal.  I was glad I was going slowly, because as we reached the bridge a boat was coming through.  I backed off to let them through; the steerer said he couldn’t sound his horn, because he was holding a sandwich!  I’ve not heard that one before.  At Glascote Locks, there were three boats waiting to go up in front of us — the first queue we’ve had all trip.  Adrian went up to help, and although it all took a while, at least there was constant movement and everyone helped everyone else.  As I rose in the top lock, the first downhill boat arrived.  Adrian headed off to the Co-op at the next bridge while I finished up the lock, and by the time I got to the bridge he was there waiting to step on board.   I always find the back gardens of Amington less than inspiring, but at least we were having lunch on the move as we passed them.  Past Alvecote, I caught the briefest glimpse of the top of the gold leaf sculpture on the hill.

In spite of travelling this section of canal dozens of times, we’ve never stopped in Polesworth, so we thought we’d correct that today.  There was a space which turned out to be just big enough for us on the moorings, and we had a walk into the village, finding the abbey and the bridge over the River Anker.

The forecast for tomorrow is not good, so it looks as though we’ll be doing Atherstone Locks in the rain.

12 miles, 13 locks.  (207 miles, 235 locks)

West Mids Meander: Day 17

We had a really nice evening with Helen and Andy last night.  We were collected at 5pm, had great food and great company, and were late back because we all watched Emma Raducanu winning the US Open tennis.  This morning, we set off at about 8.15, entering our first lock since Thursday.  Alongside the lock, on the clubhouse, the Longwood Boat Club has a couple of boards showing how long it will take to get to various places.

Most of the Rushall Locks were in our favour.  A couple of the pounds were low, but not too bad, and at lock six one of the bottom gates wouldn’t open fully.  By opening and closing the gate a few times, whatever was behind it moved enough so that we had enough room to get out of the lock.  Towards the bottom of the flight, a couple of CRT guys turned up to check the flight.  They knew about the gate at six, and the low pounds are routinely low, so they’re well aware of the problems on the flight.

Below the locks, some way off, there appeared to be a boat or two in the middle of the canal, but not getting any closer.  It turned out to be a pair of work boats, which seemed solidly in the middle not adrift, with just enough room to get past on the offside.

At the end of the Rushall Canal, we turned left onto the Tame Valley Canal.  The junction is really tight, and it’s a job to get round.  Shortly afterwards we met a boat going the other way — a significant event in these parts.  The A4041 bridge is having a lot of work done on it.  The next one is Chimney Bridge, a very tall bridge named because the pillars look like chimneys.

After that deep cutting there is a high embankment, with glimpses of the Birmingham skyline in the distance, and aqueducts high over roads.  When we got to the Perry Barr Locks, a CRT man was running some water down to refill empty pounds, and he asked us to wait a few minutes.  The delay was minimal, though, and we were soon on our way down.

The top seven locks in particular are quite pretty and are easy to work.  There were plenty of walkers, runners, and cyclists, and seeing a boat is clearly a novelty.  I even roped in some onlookers to open and close some gates.  At one lock I pulled a tyre out of the water, and a traffic cone which was stuck in the paddle recess.

Alongside, the Alexander Stadium is being rebuilt for next year’s Commonwealth Games, along with lots of other facilities.

We had time for lunch in the long pound between Locks 11 and 12.  At the bottom lock a dad and two children said they’d been waiting an hour for a boat to come along so they could see the lock in action.  Shortly after the lock, the canal passes underneath Spaghetti Junction — and coming from this direction you get the full experience, with something like eight different bits of road at different heights for about a quarter of a mile.

We then came to Salford Junction, where we joined the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal, and finally left the duckweed behind.  Here the Saltley Cut of the Grand Union also joins.

Through Bromford and Minworth it began to rain, lightly at first and then more steadily.  We followed a hire boat down the three Minworth Locks, so they took a little more time than they might have done.  We stopped for the night at a place we’ve used before, just after Wiggins Hill Bridge.

12 miles, 25 locks.  (195 miles, 222 locks)

West Mids Meander: Day 16

We did exactly today’s trip six years ago.  This morning we left at about 8.15 and about 45 minutes later moored up outside Tesco in Brownhills for some shopping for the next few days.  Once that was done we turned left at Catshill Junction, which is actually staying on the mainline of the W&E Canal.  It’s not until Ogley Junction where we joined the Anglesey Branch.  The mainline used to have 30 locks down to join the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal.  There is a restoration group aiming to make it possible again, but I’m not convinced it’ll be done in time for us.

Last time we were able to moor right at the end of the canal by the feeder, but there’s now a barrier across so we turned in the wide pool and moored a little way back down the canal.  This was the most northerly point of the BCN, and of our trip this time.

We walked up to the Chasewater reservoir where people were learning paddle board and water ski, and continued round to the railway, where they were having a steam day.  There were little traction engines and a steam model railway.

We waited for the proper steam train to come back from its trip, and then watched while it was uncoupled to be taken round to the front of the train.  Unfortunately we didn’t have enough time to go on the next trip.

We walked back to the boat and set off back down the arm.  There are great views across the valley towards Lichfield.

At Catshill Junction we turned left onto the Daw End Branch (pronounced Doe End).  Almost immediately I had to go down the weedhatch, to remove a thick plastic sack from the prop.  We’d hardly got going again when there was more clunking below; a burst of reverse produced more noise, and eventually lots of bits of plastic bucket.  All along the canal was a green blanket weed, but at least it disintegrates easily, not like the black stuff which clogs the prop.  Progress was pretty slow, and there’s not a huge amount to see, beyond the rooftops of houses and factories at Walsall Wood, and industry along most of the length.  We moored for the night at Longwood Junction.  This evening, we’re being taken to Andy and Helen’s house nearby for dinner.

13 miles, 0 locks.  (183 miles, 197 locks)

West Mids Meander: Day 15

We quite like the moorings outside the health centre in Tipton: they’re much quieter than the ones at the Black Country Museum, because you’re protected from the roads.  We left this morning at 8, heading back to Factory Junction, then turning left towards Wolverhampton.  A huge site is being cleared on the offside just past the junction, where there used to be a foundry.  Coseley Tunnel was uneventful, then we got to Deepfields Junction, where the Bradley Arm goes off.  Here the mainline was covered in weed, which slowed us to a crawl.

Fortunately, the weedy section didn’t last too long, and we made it to Horseley Fields Junction, where we turned onto the Wyrley & Essington Canal, known as the Curly Wyrley.  There was another weedy patch right there, and getting through the narrows was a struggle.  We pulled up almost immediately at the Urban Moorings on the offside, a group of boaters who are gradually regenerating their site.  The reason for the stop was that they have compost bins, where we could deposit the dry contents of our loo, which we emptied yesterday.  It’s a really nice place, and Alison who met us was very friendly.

In Wednesfield, there’s a stainless steel arch across the canal which gives an opportunity to take a photo of yourself taking a photo of yourself.

The canal through Wednesfield was reasonable clear of weed, but there’s still plenty of rubbish and progress was a bit slow.  All the locals were friendly, though, and seemed excited to see a boat.  One man said it was years since he’d last seen one.  A little while later we past a boat going the other way.  He said we were the first boat he’d seen in three days, and to avoid the Walsall Canal because of the weed.

A brief green respite is provided by Rough Wood Chase, although the M6 runs alongside and eventually over the canal on a very ugly bridge.  The traffic was going almost as slowly as us.

There are two right angle turns to make at Sneyd Wharf, then you’re heading towards Walsall.  At Birchills Junction the Walsall Canal goes off, and as we approached a CRT flat was just going under the bridge.  It was with a weed cutter, which was bobbing about trying to clear a path.  Beyond Birchills, the canal was completely green, but it turned out to be a duck weed type of growth which parts to let the boat through, then closed up again behind you.  It looks awful, and smells quite bad too.

This came and went in sections, but progress was still pretty slow.  At Little Bloxwich it rained for a while, although there was still blue sky all around.  Just after that, it’s back out into the countryside.

We continued to Pelsall Common, where we eventually found a mooring deep enough for us to get to the edge.  

We think it’s almost the same spot we used six years ago.  Then, the journey from the Black Country Musem had taken six and a half hours; today it took eight.  Just after we moored, there was a very heavy shower, but then the sun came out again.

18 miles, 0 locks.  (170 miles, 197 locks)

West Mids Meander: Day 14

This was a day which went wrong.  It had started ok — it had hammered down with rain in the night, but was dry if murky when we set off at 8am and went through the Waterfront development.  We were soon up Blower’s Green Lock, and moored on the services to fill with water, start a wash load, and empty the loo.  We then carried on to Netherton Junction where we turned right, to stay on the Dudley No 2 canal.  There were lots of boats moored up, getting ready for the Black Country Boating Festival this weekend.

The main feature is Gosty Hill Tunnel, which is narrow and although it starts tall enough has a low section in the middle.  I was quite pleased with a photo up the air shaft.

There are more photos of the tunnel is a post from six years ago when we last came down here.  We carried on to the end of navigation, where we took the narrow entrance to Hawne Basin.

The Coombeswood Canal Trust sells cheap diesel, partly to encourage boaters to come down here.  Today it was 65p — which is a bargain.  Retracing our steps, I was amazed to see another boat emerging from the tunnel.

I was even more surprised when I saw a boat approaching the far entrance — he had to wait for us to emerge.  Back at Netherton we turned right and went into the very different Netherton Tunnel: long, wide, and tall.

It took half an hour to go through.  At the far end is a nice row of cottages.

We wanted to finish today at Tipton, facing Wolverhampton, so the plan was to turn right at Dudley Port Junction onto the New Main Line, then right again at Albion Junction onto the Gower Branch, go up the Brades Locks, and then right again on the Old Main Line.  I got off to work the locks.

We went up the bottom lock, and then went on to the top two, which are a staircase pair.  I found that the top lock was completely empty — so empty that the bottom cill was exposed.

I started filling the top lock, and found that one of the middle paddles was so leaky that Adrian was finding it difficult to get the boat into the lock against the flow.  When he was finally in, the boat started rising immediately, even with no middle paddles raised.  Before long the two locks were on a level, and we made it into the top lock.  However, the leaky paddle meant it was impossible to make a level in the top lock.  However long we waited, the lock was always a few inches short — so we decided we’ve have to go back.  As we were going down the bottom lock of the staircase — backwards — the boat caught on the lower edge of the overspill and started to tilt, getting to quite an angle before slipping off and righting itself.  Things had come off many shelves, but miraculously the only breakage was the teapot lid.  It was all, frankly, quite traumatic.  Adrian then reversed along the pound into the bottom lock, at which point it started raining.  We then had the half mile of the Gower Branch to do in reverse.  This is quite time consuming, and half way along we picked up something on the prop which stopped the engine.  There was no option to go down the weedhatch.  It was still pouring with rain, as I removed plastic bags and a combat jacket.

We eventually made it back to the end of the branch at Albion Junction, and turned towards Tipton.  We checked the time as we passed Dudley Port Junction — it had taken two and a quarter hours to return to the same spot.  We eventually made it up onto the Wolverhampton level at Factory Locks.  Even there, there was a slight problem, as one of the anti-vandal locks was broken, with the lock on, meaning the bottom lock took ages to empty.

We turned right at Factory Junction, went past the moorings, turned around at Tipton Junction, and returned to the John the Lock moorings.  Once we had tied up (at gone 5.30 — very late for us — I checked the weed hatch again and got another significant haul of plastic bags off the prop.

16 miles, 8 locks.  (152 miles, 197 locks)

West Mids Meander: Day 13

We decided that in spite of Delph Top Lock being closed for emergency repairs, we’d head up the Stourbridge flight and hope it was fixed by the time we got there.  A hire boat set off before we had breakfast, so we knew we wouldn’t be first up the locks — but when the boat moored behind us also set off (going to turn in the basin) we got our act together and got moving.  It was half an hour along the arm to the junction, and just after 8.30 when we turned into the bottom lock.

It’s a really pretty flight.  I’m pretty certain that one old warehouse had scaffolding round it last time we came this way, and is now offices and flats.

There’s plenty of history, with both the Cone and Dadford’s Shed, and a very pretty former pub.

Locks 9 and 10 are telescoped together, Bratch-style, with just a tiny pound in between — but a big side pound beyond the cottage.

We got to the top, marked by a tall chimney, in two and a half hours, which seemed not too bad for 16 locks, all of which had needed turning.

We turned right at Leys junction and were soon at the bottom of the Delph Locks.  There was no-one waiting, which we took to be good news.  Almost immediately, notification came through that the stoppage was over.  Sure enough, there were two boats going up in front of us, and reports of a number coming down (which turned out to be three).  The first one turned out to have discovered the problem with the paddle yesterday morning.  With so much traffic on the flight — a local told Adrian he’d never seen so many boats — most of the by-washes next to the locks ran only intermittently.  When they did, they looked impressive, and the ducks and moorhens seem happy to be swept over them.  When they’re not running, the birds have to walk up.

The views from high up the flight are fantastic, with the Stour valley and the hills beyond.

Just below the top lock there’s an old arm, which is where the old locks used to be.  There used to be nine, whereas now there are only eight.

The eight locks took an hour and a half.  We moored on the embankment overlooking the Merry Hill shopping centre.  It looks rather different from six years ago, because there’s new cladding, and some of the shops have changed.

We went for lunch in the M&S cafe, then picked up an item from an Amazon locker.  We’ve been having trouble with the tv antenna for a while, and earlier in the trip in stopped working completely.  Having seen the neat one on Debdale, we got one delivered to a locker in Worcester — but it had the wrong size connector.  Today’s package was an adapter — which works.  The new one looks very neat, so we’ll see how it fares where the signal is less strong.

As the engine was still warm, I did an oil change which had just become due.  For once, I got the old oil filter off very easily.  I checked the oil in the gearbox which I know hasn’t been changed for a while, but it still looked very clear, so as the process is a bit of a nightmare I decided it could last a bit longer.

6 miles, 24 locks.  (136 miles, 189 locks)