30th June 2011 - The Wallingford Jinx

The Wallingford Jinx is no more! Last year I passed Wallingford 3 times, on none of those occasions could I get moored there as the (fairly limited) moorings were always full. No more, we arrived at 1330 today, hung around on the end of a bit of mooring for 20 minutes, then, hey presto! A boat moved off and the jinx was over.

The day started clear and bright without a breath of wind. We filled up with water and moved into Abingdon lock, the 'buttons' ably operated by Penny. Apparently the boat coming out was going to Reading, funny! So were we! Anyway, quite sure of myself we descended and cruised downstream (towards Reading) in the good weather, which rapidly turned into the weather we've had so many days before! Very cloudy with frequent sunny bits!

We seemed to be in a minority in travelling downstream, quite a few boats going the other way, but only a few going our way, including some canoes, and a 'gin palace!'

And as above we eventually arrive at Wallingford and take a look around. I like it, a cute little town, much nicer than Abingdon. Penny discovers there's a castle (well ex castle really!) and we arrive 20 minutes after it closes, ah well, maybe next time.

We take a drink in the boat house by the river then move on to the George hotel for another, then into the bistro next door for dinner. Very pleasant except for the cabbage which tasted of kippers!!

Wallingford Bridge and The Boat House:

I'll stop here again - if I can!

Today:      13 miles -     4 locks -     5 hours
So Far: 303.5 miles - 270 locks - 158 hours

29th June 2011 - Oxford and Beyond

Plan A is to spend the day in Oxford and leave tomorrow. So off we go and book a walking tour at the visitor information centre. Around we go, the architecture is stunning, the guide is very knowledgeable but I go into history overload fairly early on. We got a look into the dining hall and chapel at Jesus college and there was some do going on which was giving the Italian PM a bullshit degree of some sort! Everyone was poncing about in posh togs and weird gowns and stuff.

Some shots of the stunning architecture:

Then the tour finished and I said to Penny "What are we going to do now?" The reply was "lets go to Abingdon" Ah! Plan B then! So a stop at the pie shop in the market to collect a turkey, ham and stuffing pie, which we ate on the boat and was totally delicious! This done, off we go, down Isis lock and onto the Thames. Penny likes the Thames, you get a nice man to do all the work at the locks! I find it a tad more challenging as you have to get the boat stopped fairly accurately so as we can get the ropes around the bollards! Down Osney, Iffley and Sandford locks we go, a near miss with a punt at Folly Bridge and on down a very peaceful river to Abingdon lock. We decide to stop on the moorings at the top, they were empty, unusual for the Thames.

Iffley Lock:

Today's wildlife:

Looks like the search for a cottage is over:

Oncoming traffic is more interesting:

Today:     8.5 miles -     4 locks -  3.5 hours
So Far: 290.5 miles - 266 locks - 153 hours

28th June 2011 - And so to Oxford

Not such a good choice of mooring last night! We seemed to be about 3 inches from the main line to Oxford, every time a train went by you could feel the boat vibrate! Still seemed to sleep reasonably well, only waking for the 0230 freight and the 0600 to Paddington! So we set off at 0730 this morning in very grey and surprisingly cool weather. Very few boats on the move, not surprising at this time of day, so we trundle through the widely spaced locks, past hundreds of moored boats, gave some advice to a boater on Thames licencing, went by a day boat full of beered up guys at 1030, witnessed BW replacing a lift bridge and painting another, negotiating a lift bridge with boats tied up on both of the landings and eventually tied up on the canal in Oxford at 1430.

Looking at the last lock before the Thames:

Today's wildlife:

We walk into Oxford along the canal and immediately visit Marks and Spencer to replace the broken wine glasses (see earlier post re this incident!) It sure will beat drinking out of the bottle! It's even more difficult from the wine box!! Then to Starbucks for a much missed decent coffee, to the best fudge shop in the world, you wont eat any other fudge once you've tried it from Oxford's 'Fudge Kitchen' We decide to check out a walking tour in the morning then go for an Italian meal to finish the day. Very nice. On the way back to the boat we feed some newly acquired bread to some geese, why do they continue to hiss at you when you're feeding them and are obviously no threat!

Today: 13.5 miles -     9 locks -        7 hours
So Far:  282 miles - 262 locks - 149.5 hours

27th June 2011 - Not so Hot Hot Hot

After the sweltering heat of yesterday, we decided to set off a bit earlier (0700) to miss the forecast heat for today (I'm not scoffing at the forecast again!) Off we went, at the same time as the boat in front, and as it was in front it got into Bourton lock before us! So we helped it through this and the next, apparently the gates had been left open last night by a miscreant boater! Lots of construction going on alongside the canal here, looked like a road or railway, but one sign hinted at a flood relief scheme, I could google away, but life's too short! So to the delights of Banbury, we locked through (to avoid potential chaos a bit later) and tied up on the crummy moorings to head for M&S and much needed chocolate bars and packets of crisps. I took the shopping back to the boat and Penny couldn't resist the urge to look around more shops, well, she hadn't
seen any for a couple of days!!

Looking back towards Banbury:

Penny returned and off we go again, the sun now out and getting warmer. We struggle through Grants lock (something stuck behind the gate) and scrape a bit more paint off! then make steady progress to Aynho wharf. The sun is sort of obscured by thin cloud and there's a good wind blowing so the conditions are much more bearable than yesterday. Penny has quite a bit of driving the boat practice and does really well, removes less paint than me that's for sure! At Aynho we fill the water and diesel and empty the horrible stuff. There's another boat hassling me to get away, so I do what I hate having done to me and push off in front of another boat. I make up for this by letting them through at Chisnell lift bridge, even though it meant giving up Somerton deep lock, which I also helped them through (Penny now in complete charge of boating matters)

It all seemed pretty quiet, a couple of boats coming the other way, then we arrived at Allens lock at Upper Heyford, there were 3 or 4 boats waiting to come up and Canadians and Americans all over the place! It caused us no delay and we cruised through the middle of the chaos with many people admiring the boat!

Went through Lower Heyford and much to my surprise there was a good mooring free, so that was it for today. Right beside the main line to Oxford!! It rained a bit, but it came to not much and now the shower and dinner are calling.

Today:      15 miles -   10 locks  -    8.5 hours
So Far: 268.5 miles - 253 locks - 142.5 hours

26th June 2011 - Hot Hot Hot

A bit of a lie in and off at 0930, a number of boats having gone by already. The sky was grey with grey bits so I scoffed at the forecast of 29 degrees and sun, sun, sun. We trundled along the Oxford summit pound, boats behind and boats in front and boats coming the other way. It seems I was mistaken, the previously reported missing boats weren't in Stratford, they are all on the South Oxford canal!!

Typical Oxford canal lift bridge:

On we trundle and the sky becomes bluer and bluer until there are no grey bits at all, it gets very hot, I can't even touch the boat! We reach Claydon top lock and the cottage where I want to live, but Penny's against it, too many problems apparently! I can't see why you need access by road, but there we are! Smooth passage through the first two locks, then it becomes a bit congested for the remaining three, lots of waiting about and boat crews scurrying for any available shade! On through Cropredy, we'd both like to live here too, the mill cottage we looked into is still derelict! Eventually the heat become too much and we tie up just above Bourton lock, another cottage we took a look at, but even more problems than Claydon.

A look at the interweb reveals Dave Dunning has been playing with his Christmas present and I get to look at pictures of canal weekend trips from 1989 and 1990. Uncanny as we have just covered the same ground as these two trips in the previous four days! And some very good looking lads if I may be so bold!

Today:   10.5 miles -   10 locks -     6 hours

So Far: 253.5 miles - 243 locks - 134 hours

25th June 2011 - The Napton Incident

Well, it finally happened and I might of known it would be at Napton! After 227 locks in 3 weeks of cruising, the 228th, Napton lock 11, I recorded an official lock delay. The first time I've had to wait for another boat in front of me to use a lock, pretty incredible really!

It seemed to rain most of the evening and some of the night. We woke to grey sky with grey bits! And as I type now it hasn't changed much, I'm just amazed it hasn't rained. It being 'hire boat Saturday' we had a plan! Napton locks are notorious for taking ages as new hirers fathom out the technicalities of locks! The plan was to arrive at the bottom between 11 and 12, thus avoiding the early morning rush hour and before the hirers are let loose. As we cruised straight in to the bottom lock, I was complimenting myself on a great plan! Then we arrived at lock 11! We tied up at the bottom, there were 2 boats in the pound above waiting for lock 12, we waited and waited, after some 20 - 30 minutes a boat descended lock 12, dawdled along the pound and came into the (ready for some time) lock 11, no explanation as to what was going on, but something like this always seems to happen at Napton! On we went to tie up for the night at Wormleighton Hill, one of our regular stops along here, for me to swear a lot at the satellite dish as we wanted to watch the British speedway grand prix, swearing (and a phone call to Sky) seemed to resolve things nicely, so here we are, grand prix on and still waiting for it to rain!

Looking back to Napton bottom lock:

I guess this must be for the caption competition!

Today:   12 miles -   20 locks -     8 hours
So Far: 243 miles - 233 locks - 128 hours

24th June 2011 - Back Along the Grand Union

Back along the Grand Union we go! Filled up with water and popped down the road to Sainsbury and finally left the Saltisford Arm at 0930ish.

The Saltisford Arm:

Weather is the same yet again, so we plod steadily towards Napton Junction and new territory for this trip. We share 4 locks with 'Chug' which is a short boat and it's quite difficult in the locks as we sort of pivot around it. We stop for a quick bite of lunch and continue alone. Canal pounds seem a bit low on water, especially at the Bascote locks. We pass a hire boat in the staircase lock and eventually arrive at the 'Blue lias' at 1630. Just after we tie up, a procession of hire boats emerges from Stockton bottom lock, a combination of 'Kate' and 'Black Prince' boats not really knowing where they're going or what they're doing! Still, enough rambling, the pubs open and the door is about 20ft away! Wonder what's on the menu?

Something I've never seen before, Penny was feeding moorhens with some bread, one of them took off and landed on the back deck, it just sort of sat there, I don't know who was more surprised, us or the moorhen. It soon realised its mistake and jumped off, just as I was reaching for the camera!

Oh, and near accident of the day, I let the windlass slip while winding a paddle up and received a nasty bash on the arm as it spun itself down again, easy to see how you could break an arm!!

Today: 10.5 miles -  14 locks -  6.5 hours
So Far: 231 miles - 213 locks - 120 hours

23rd June 2011 - Hmmm I Seem To Have Been Here Before!

Same again with the weather, maybe a bit cooler, but steadfast sunny intervals with a constant threat of rain which is still to materialise! Don't think I should have said that, watch this space.

On up the remaining 9 locks of the South Stratford canal to Kingswood junction, which is where I was a couple of Tuesdays back, heading for Birmingham. So we turn South to retrace my route, this time as far as Warwick, on the way we are greeted by this pleasant sight:

No, not the petunias still doing really well, but look beyond, it's Hatton Top lock, deep joy! Not a sniff of any other boats to share the delights of the Hatton flight, so at 1230 in we go, emerging out of the bottom lock at 1620, not a bad effort, four single boats were coming up and there was a bit of assistance from a few passers by. Trouble is, it was quite windy so handling the boat was a bit of a bugger, especially at the top where everyone was watching, it seemed to ease off lower down where there were no spectators!

So to the Saltisford Arm. We discovered this delightful Warwick mooring spot last time we were here, it seems to be getting popular, there's a couple of hotel boats in here, I'm going to have to stop telling people about it - oops!

R&R after the days 30 locks, showers all round, there's a tap to top up with in the morning and a very handy Sainsburys 5 minutes up the road. Butter chicken again tonight I think, got to keep the fenugreek level up!!

Today:     9.5 miles -   30 locks -     8.5 hours

So Far: 220.5 miles - 199 locks - 113.5 hours

22nd June 2011 - Now Where Do We Go?

Answers on a postcard please? Since the change of plan to head for Stratford, I've not fully thought as to where we go from here! Ok, up the South Stratford canal to Kingswood junction is the obvious move, but that's a crossroads (or is it a crosscanals?) I suppose we head south as the other two routes end up in Birmingham which will involve 20 million locks!

Before we go anywhere, I've found out where all the boats are! They are in, or heading for Stratford!!

So, up towards Kingswood junction we go, off at Timmy time of 0730, through the lock into the canal basin with a few boaters just beginning to stir! And back onto the narrow canals, my first narrow lock for 10 days or so! I soon get the hang of bashing into them, they have some awkward weirs right at the mouth of the lock, no chance!! Weather today is very cloudy and we keep getting very short bursts of drizzle, but nothing to cause us to run for cover, the sun also keeps appearing so its on and off with the hat continuously!

We seemed to have timed our getaway from Stratford to perfection (experience or what?) quite a few boats coming down the many locks, with us at the front of the up queue! Plenty of help, just what we need. And plenty of people to chat to. And the odd hire boat performing unexplained manoeuvres for our entertainment.

Items worthy of mention, an Anglo Welsh hire boat tied up on a lock landing (I hate people who tie up on lock landings) strangely I let them off when I saw they were Chinese. Someone else had left an old working boat on a lock landing (see comment above) I wanted to untie it and leave it in the trees! So I did nothing but moan about it. A couple of locks from the end of the day, I get caught by one of the weirs, quite a big bang and damage to the cratch cover which required Penny and myself to restitch one of the zips, to be fair the old stitching was rotten, looks like its off for more repairs at the end of the trip. Eventually we give up, 25 locks is enough for the day and we tie up at Lowsonford, effect cratch repairs and purchase a replacement windlass from the passing chandlery boat, yes, we left one behind somewhere on the Avon, it's usually me dropping one (a windlass) over the side, but it was a bargain at £12, they are normally £20!

Some shots of the South Stratford Canal:

A typical Bridge:

The Edstone Aquaduct:

So, to rest and a Timmy special thai curry for dinner - yum!

Today:   11 miles -   25 locks -  8.5 hours
So Far: 211 miles - 169 locks - 105 hours

21st June 2011 - Who the 'F' is Shakespeare?

So, on to Stratford-Upon-Avon! Cloudy and windy and few boats about. Uneventful cruising all the way to Stratford, can't think of anything to say, so here's the view from Welford Lock:

And here's us moored on the river at Stratford:

It's very pretty and quite busy with trip boats and rowing boats, I even saw a punt go by. We took a walk around and the buildings, well the really old ones are quite something. But what is it with all this 'Shakespeare is once thought to have had a beer here' or 'Shakespeare is once thought to have taken a pee there' In my most humble opinion it's all total bollocks! Not only to kids at school who get put of him for life, he couldn't even talk or write proper! Yay verily etc etc, have you guessed I'm not impressed. Still the Bard aside (is there an sta missing here?) Stratford is quite a nice place if you can look past the japanese tourists taking pictures of each other in front of nearly everything, including the boat!

A pleasant evening, first we go to Cox's yard (I'm sure last time I was here (27 years ago!) it was actually a working boat yard!) which is a complex of pub, cafe etc to order drinks to discover that they finished serving food at 1800 - odd! So into Stratford to find a really nice bistro type place for a wonderful meal - Yum!

Today:     9 miles -     6 locks -      5 hours
So Far: 200 miles - 144 locks - 96.5 hours

20th June 2011 - And now there are Two!

A lie in this morning then a walk around Evesham. A further visit to the Coop for further supplies, a coffee and late breakfast in Costa, then back to base. We set off around 1100 and head up through Evesham lock looking for the marina (water and pump out now urgently required!) We do the necessary at the marina, £20 for a pump out, most expensive ever!! And then follows a narrowboat reversing masterclass as I reverse through the marina, not touching anything, back out onto the river, blooming good job there wasn't a breath of wind or things might have been different!

Absolute clear skies and no wind at all make me think of the 'window of opportunity' for the estuary passage! I try to put it out of mind, but really want to know that it wouldn't have happened and that I made the right decision. I don't think I'll ever know - unless I call the pilot - and I'm not going to.

The weather starts to become more cloudy and the wind starts to blow a bit as we head towards Bidford-on-Avon. We pass a couple of rafts which are in some sort of charity race, Penny sorts out the washing machine and we arrive at Bidford. The washing finishes, I refill the stern greaser and we go take a look at the village. Pretty, but not much going on The pie shop mentioned in the guide appears to no longer exist! We take a drink in 'The Frog' by the river and it starts to rain. It stops. We finish drinks and head for boat just in case, it's pretty black looking up there!! So, dinner and blogging, it doesn't get much better, or does it?

Bidford Bridge:

Today:     8 miles -     4 locks -      4 hours
So Far 191 miles - 138 locks - 91.5 hours

19th June 2011 - The Beautiful Avon

Off we go, last day with Chris, Dave and Stephen, Evesham is our intended destination. Weather is pretty much the same as yesterday, sunny intervals and lots of cloud blowing about in the wind. We progress steadily up the Avon, which I must say is very pretty. Good views over the lowish banks of the varying countryside, along with interesting wildlife!
Todays Wildlife:

Typical, early on I get a phone call from the Gloucester Pilot! He says there is a window of opportunity for the Monday lunchtime tide. I have a quick think, I know we could just about get back to Sharpness in time, but it's not definite so I cancel all hope of the estuary trip this year and continue towards Evesham.

My thoughts now turn to worrying about filling with water, pumping out and will I get a mooring at Evesham? We get to a sanitary station just before Evesham, I pull onto it despite the hire boat moored there for some fishing! To find it closed!! I say a few choice words, manoeuvre back into the stream and continue. Now to worry about the ferry rope, no sign to give us any warning, it looks like it's not in operation and it isn't. We pass the first Evesham moorings, no boats at all! To arrive at the town moorings, a couple of boats, to find the water points labelled 'not drinking water' More choice words uttered about the Avon (good job it's pretty!) And we tie up. I strongly suspect the water notices are health and safety gone mad, they must be connected to the town water main! What else could they be connected to?

Visitor moorings at Evesham:

Anyway, the water will have to wait. Chris, Dave and Stephen pack up and we all head through the throng of morris dancers in the town to the station. Goodbyes are said as they head off on the 1450 towards Paddington. The 1448 from Paddington arrives and Penny gets off, what great timing!! Back through the town with Penny, pausing at the coop for milk and some other bits. We take a walk to the lock later and have left over pies for dinner. I have to get used to the change of crew!

Today:   15 miles -     4 locks -  5.5 hours
So Far: 183 miles - 134 locks - 87.5 hours

18th June 2011 - Plan B Develops

Ok, decision made, I'm not going back to Sharpness for the passage to Bristol, I'm disappointed, but the weather really doesn't look to good for the coming days so lets head back to Tewkesbury and take the Avon to Stratford. I'll work the rest out in the next few days - watch this space!

So to today, we're heading for Pershore on the Avon. So with Gloucester lock not open until 0845, I head for the keeper at 0810 to tell him to expect us at 0845. "I'm locking some working boats" he says, "come in now" So, don't look gift horses etc, in we go, with another narrowboat and not a working boat to be seen, so I was a bit puzzled, but we were off. Into a fast flowing East Channel, lots of rpm and not so much progress. But more progress than the narrowboat we caught after the first couple of bends! It was knocking it's pipes off and hardly moving. The helmsman hadn't seen us so I daren't try to pass, I had to throttle back to near tickover to keep behind with the other narrowboat tight behind me. Soon enough there was a bit of room so zoom past him we did. I've no idea how that boat came to be there, it's semi-tidal here, not a good place for narrowboats to hang out! We joined the main river and we seemed to make a bit more speed, but not as much as Dawn Chorus who came whizzing by. Up the uninteresting Severn (no views) to Upper Lode lock. In we went gates closed, lock filling, lock emptying, gates open and in comes another narrowboat. So repeat and this time up we start to go. Suddenly we get out first downpour of the day, so the guy holding the front rope of the other boat thinks it more important to get his coat on than hold the rope, so the it swings right across to us and has to be fended off, no damage, I thought it quite funny, both the guys were wearing new looking gloves too! Most strange!

We complete our time on the Severn and switch to the Avon. A couple of bath tubs in front of us, one towing the other, cause us to wait for the lock pontoon, by enough to make us wait till the keeper comes back after lunch. Never mind, we'll have lunch too, a rooftop finger buffet and beer, very nice. 1400 arrives, so in we go with NB Peace who arrived during our lunch. License for the week purchased and up the Avon we go. Every 30 minutes or so we get a heavy downpour, so I'm left at the helm until it passes - what a hero! Eventually my trusty umbrella falls apart, blooming good job I've got another! We spend the next three weeks passing Chris's folly:

He went there a while back and pointed it out to us, due to the bendy nature of the river we seemed to be passing it for ages.

We arrive at Comberton Quay visitor moorings at about 1800 and tie up in the middle of nowhere for the night. Very peaceful. A spaghetti bolognese for dinner, beer, port, whiskey and a cheese board, life is good!

Today:   23 miles -     5 locks - 7.5 hours
So Far: 168 miles - 130 locks - 82 hours

June 17th 2011 - Plan B Required

So, no call from the pilot, I'm not surprised as it seems to be very windy. A chat with the guy on the boat next door reveals that I'll be unlikely to get to Bristol for at least a week or so, so back to Gloucester we go.

Not so sunny as yesterday but not quite as windy, reversing our course back through the swing bridges (I even got to use the VHF with a couple!) On through Saul Junction, the connection with the disused Thames and Severn Canal to Lechlade

Saul Junction:

We pull in at Sellars Bridge with a bit of a bang, it was windy and I just misjudged the turn into the mooring, bugger! another scratch in the paintwork. Off (in the rain) to 'the pilot' for some lunch and beer to console myself. Some beer later, we emerge from the pub and continue our cruise back to Gloucester Docks. The last bridge before the docks fails to open on our approach! Hmmm, a check in the guide book shows it's closed until 1700 for rush hour, funny that, there was not a lot of rushing about on the bridge. So we drift onto one of the mooring pontoons to await the bridge opening. 1700 arrives, the bridge keeper appears, but the bridge still doesn't open! Hmmm, maybe he hasn't seen us so a call on the radio confirms this is the case, the bridge lifts and back into the docks we go. We book a table at 'The Jewel in the Crown' in Westgate, on the way we pop into 'The Fountain' for lubrication, a very nice pub, then to the restaurant for a very average meal (in my opinion!) A walk around the Cathedral area afterward changes my opinion of Gloucester, I now declare it an interesting place, the Cathedral and surrounding area are stunning. Enough of this! Back to the fountain for more beer then return to boat for the usual nightcap and sleep.

Today:   16 miles -     0 locks -   5.5 hours

So Far: 145 miles - 125 locks - 74.5 hours

June 16th 2011 - Some Crew Arrive

Stephen duly collected from Gloucester station and the Indian restaurants checked out (they were both closed!!). So we ended up in a Chinese place doing all you can eat from the a la carte menu for 14.95, very nice. The evening was finished off sitting outside the bar by the docks watching the world go by and a large number of seagulls.

Llanthony lift bridge did not open until 0900 due to rush hour restrictions, so at 0901 a number of narrowboats left the docks heading south towards Sharpness. The Gloucester and Sharpness canal (a commercial waterway) was a bit dull at first, but after a few miles the view improves to the Welsh side of the Severn and to what may be the Cotswolds to the east. Unexpectedly pretty. The canal is also littered with swing bridges, all of them keeper operated.

Typical G&S Swingbridge:

We stopped at Slimbridge (of wildfowl trust fame) for lunch, the Tudor Arms was also in the vicinity! Then carried on down to Sharpness. It was quite sunny, but becoming increasingly windy, not a good sign for what was planned! We found a reasonable mooring, in the not quite so pretty Sharpness Docks and awaited the arrival of further crew in the form of Dave and Chris.

View of the Severn (tide out):

Dave & Chris duly arrive, a Tim special butter chicken for dinner and off to the Dockers Club for beer!! A good evening chewing the fat and drinking Bob! Bacck to the boat in the rain and wind, hoping for a phone call from the pilot in the morning.

Sharpness Docks:

Today: 16 miles    - 0 locks    - 5.5 hours
So Far: 129 miles - 125 locks - 69 hours

June 15th 2011 - Don't Panic!

From the cover of the guide, very apt!

Very weird last night, I went out at about 2200 to check the mooring lines, as all good boaters should do when moored on rivers. To notice the river flowing backwards! Ah I think, must be a tide in excess of the 7.6 meters mentioned yesterday, then I have a think about it and wonder how much rise and fall there will be (important if you want the mooring lines to cope) I think it will only be about half a meter so reasonably happy I go to bed. To not sleep very well as I'm worrying about the boat being ok on the bit of tide we were getting. I even went out at 0200 ish to check! Everything was of course fine!

I leave in plenty of time to catch the 0945 lock at Gloucester, this allows me not to worry about being late (so I worry about being too early) and gives the batteries a bit more time to get  back towards fully charged. All is well with life, it's a bit windy but the high banks give good shelter and I soon arrive at the Upper Parting (where the Severn splits into an East channel (for Gloucester Lock) and a West (Maisemore Weir) We take the appropriate channel and I decide to call the lock on the VHF - no response! I try again with the same result and decide that the high banks are probably the reason. So to the phone - no signal, hmm, reboot phone and signal appears so call lock. "You're where" he said, "I'm halfway down the East Channel" I reply, "You do know there's a tide due right now" he said with a note of concern in his voice, he continued to explain "It's not the flow that's your problem, but all the debris it'll bring over the weir!" So I now take on a feeling of some concern as to what is about to become of me! The lock keeper continues "Get a move on and I'll have the lock all ready for you, call me when you come under the bridges" So, with more throttle than I've used in a while, I get a move on. There is still no sign of the dreaded impending disastrous tide and the welcome sight of the bridges soon appear. The requested call is made, the lock is all ready he said and as I round the corner the lock wall appeared with the even more welcome sight of the gates opening and the green light coming on. So in I glide to be informed that it didn't quite reach the predicted height (tide that is) and is now on the ebb. I jumped onto the roof and put the centreline round the indicated slider to be told by the keeper that he was impressed, most single handers make a right mess of that! So feeling safe and smug! I pour coffee from the flask and sit on the roof with the centreline to await the paddles being opened.

Up we went and into the docks:

This is one of those places I just love to be, a really great setting. So pictures taken, coffee finished and off to town for supplies for the coming weekend, it'll seem a bit odd to have people to talk to! A welcome shower and off to meet Stephen at the station this afternoon - and check out the local Indian restaurants of course!

The weather is not looking too good though! Could put the mockers on the intended passage to Bristol, tomorrow will tell!

Today:     5 miles -     1 lock  -   1.5 hours
So Far: 113 miles - 125 locks - 63.5 hours

June 14th 2011 - Onwards!

Onwards Indeed! What a beautiful morning, clear skies, sunny and warm. So at 0800 I set off up the Avon for the 400 yard trip to Tewkesbury marina for the now urgent pump out. This successfully completed along with other tasks such as watering the flowers and getting the anchor out (how long have I been on the river?) I then cruise back to Avon lock just as it opens at 0900.

Down we go (NB Enfor was accompanying me) and a left turn back onto the Severn and the immediate arrival of the cavernous Upper Lode lock, I'm sure you could fit a cross channel ferry in here! Two narrowboats looked a bit lost. The lock keeper lowered some leaflets down to us in a bucket, these were instructions on how to approach Gloucester lock, it's a bit hairy apparently! Not to worry, I wasn't going that far today, I'll lose some sleep over it tonight. Due to water restrictions the lock is only operated every two hours, so I need to be there for 0945 in the morning or there's a two hour wait hanging onto the lock wall, doesn't sound great!

The cavernous Upper Lode Lock:

The planned overnight mooring at The Boat Inn, Ashleworth appears at about 1130, so I get tied up and pop in for a couple with a great bunch of local characters. It's a really quiet spot and I'm amazed I've got internet, it seems like it's only 1G! There's no phone signal at all - unless I climb up the bank for a whole one bar! At least it allowed me to call Gloucester to warn them of my arrival in the morning, they seem to like you to do things like that along here.

This bit of the Severn is tidal when Sharpness tides exceed 7.6 meters, the guys in the pub were telling me how the famous Severn Bore often gets as far as Tewkesbury. Be interesting to meet one of those in the narrowboat! Be good practise for the estuary maybe? There is also a picture behind the bar of the 2007 floods. The picture shows the water half way up the wall of the bar, I'm guessing, but that's about 20 feet above where I am at the moment!! Apparently the landlord had to be airlifted from the pub. Scary stuff.

Looking downstream from the Ashleworth mooring:

Today:     9 miles -     2 locks  -  3 hours
So Far: 108 miles - 124 locks - 62 hours

June 13th 2011 - A Day of Rest and Planning!

So naturally it doesn't rain when I'm not going anywhere, but it's ok. A walk around Tewkesbury to have a look around and replenish the empty (and less smelly I think!) fridge. Coffee in Costa (no Starbucks to be seen) and a call to the Gloucester pilot about the looming trip down the Severn estuary. Complicated was what he said! So with the BW restricted locking, boats waiting due to recent poor weather and commercial shipping taking priority, we're going to have a go for Friday morning with Saturday and Sunday as back up days. After that I'll have to look at the forecast and decide what to do based upon that. The big question is "Do I feel lucky" where have I heard that before? Unlike me I know, but I'm actually a bit nervous about making this passage.

View from the mooring:

So, to tidy the boat some more pending arrival of assorted moteley crew, repack the self emptying cupboard, make sure everyone advised of plan B, check Tewkesbury marina for pump out opening time tomorrow and check out local indian restaurants for a treat tonight. Oh, it also looks like the DVD player on my telly is no more! Who says I've got it easy? See you tomorrow.

Today:   0 miles -     0 locks -   0 hours
So Far: 99 miles - 122 locks - 59 hours

June 12th 2011 - And it Rained!

I woke up to that very comforting sound of rain on steel, with me all comfy and warm in my bed. So there I stayed for a while, while it continued to rain! At about 10.00 with me all coffee'd and baconed up, I set off - in the continuing rain, to pull into Upton Marina for some diesel. 100 litres later and £140 worse off, it should have been less due to tax issues, but they don't do that there, so I'll remember to check before filling next time. Took the opportunity to top off the water too, in the rain, then cooly reversed around the big white plastic things and continued the adventure down the Severn - in the rain and now the wind. Spent the next 6 miles fighting with the umbrella and becoming increasingly cold - isn't 6 miles a long way when you're not enjoying yourself? To arrive at Tewkesbury and the connection with the river Avon. I turned into the Avon and cruised up to the lock, to find the lockie had gone for lunch 10 minutes ago and wasn't back for an hour! And guess what, it stopped raining!! So I tied up on the lock landing and ate all of the food about to go out of date for lunch. The only picture taken today as it was peeing down with rain the whole time! I did mention that didn't I?

That's me in Avon Lock.

I then paid £26 (it's a different navigation authority) for the pleasure of tying up above the lock for two days, I'm having a rest day here (Tewkesbury) tomorrow (Monday) and of course this afternoon, a chance to upload the piccys. It started raining again while I was locking up and has continued until now (1630) when it seems to have stopped again. I love boating.

Today: 6.5 miles -    1 lock -     3 hours
So Far: 99 miles - 122 locks - 59 hours

June 11th 2011 - The River Severn

A lie in, locks on the Severn are not open until 0800 and unlike the Thames are not boater operated outside of opening hours. So, with Lincombe lock just over a mile downstream, there was no point in leaving before too much before 8. Still new territory for me, I've never been above Worcester before.

The day was perfect, clear skies and sunshine with not much wind, so a gentle cruise to the first lock. They are much bigger, therefore the first one was a bit intimidating, but after holding at the top for a couple of moments, on comes the green light and in we go. Just like the river locks on the Trent, only here on the Severn the lockies are ok with the boat not being tied when you're on your own so it's a real break from all that messing around with ropes and stuff. So a continued gentle cruise through, well, pretty much nothing really. No view over the high banks, just vegetation and a bunch of wildlife. I lost count of the number of Kingfishers who all seemed to appear on the right! On through the next lock (I'm an old hand at this now!) and to the lock landing for the newly restored Droitwich canal, the first lock in a good looking setting:

River Severn Lock:

Droitwich Canal:

Only to notice the sign pinned to the bottom gate "Droitwich canal not yet open" Oh bugger methinks! I'll not be going to Droitwich then. So, nothing else to do but continue on down the river towards Worcester.

Worcester duly appears, along with the trip boats and obligatory rowers. I go into a sort of total indecision, I was going to stop here, but just couldn't make up my mind where to moor, so I didn't and before I knew it I was into Diglis lock (I was going to turn and moor back upstream, but the lock gates opened and I was sort of drawn in!) Ok I think, I'll stop at the next mooring - which was at Upton Upon Severn, nearly 10 miles down the river!! Then I looked up to see the approach of some very black cloud, and yes, you guessed it! It absolutely tipped it down for the next hour. I was huddled under the umbrella, wind trying to part it from me, I was telling myself how stupid it was not to have stopped in Worcester, this was the punishment!

Worcester:

Anyway, it did stop and the sun made a further appearance along with the Upton visitor moorings. I couldn't quite fit into the one remaining gap on the pontoon, but just squeezed in by the steps just through the bridge. A piece of boat handling to be admired, well I admired it anyway! This now puts me about 2 days ahead of schedule, so I'm going to have a mini replan of the next few days. A rest day in Tewkesbury on Monday seems to be favourite, also need diesel and pump out!

Today:  22.5 miles -    4 locks -   7 hours
So Far: 92.5 miles - 121 locks - 56 hours

June 10th 2011 - Onto Uncharted Waters!

0645 again and much excitement! I've never been on this bit of the Staffs & Worcs canal, did the northern end on my first ever trip in 1977, but it's taken 34 years to get to the southern end. This section is cut into the side of a red sandstone hill:

From Stewponey to Kidderminster, through Kinver it's very pretty. Weather much the same as before, warm, sunny intervals, threat of rain, but ideal for cruising. Steady progress made to Kidderminster and still very few boats on show, but a lot more than yesterday, I even had lock delays at Kidderminster and Caldwall locks where there was another boat in front!! Kidderminster looks an interesting place, some old mill / warehouse type buildings turned into restaurants & shops, the top of Kidderminster lock was a great setting:

Shame that it (Kidderminster) has a bad reputation for boats as nobody seems to spend very long there.

An uneventful day continues the the end of the S&W canal at Stourport basins, a lock dropped me into the top right hand basin, a right turn into the top left basin, down a two lock staircase into the bottom left basin then another two lock staircase into the River Severn, where I promptly tied up on the vacant visitor mooring outside the Angel PH. Oh yes, tried a pint of Marstons Old Empire too, it seemed rude not too! So, the big scary river awaits, trouble is it gets bigger and bigger!

Today:  12 miles -   15 locks -   8 hours
So Far: 70 miles - 117 locks - 49 hours

June 9th 2011 - The Delph Conundrum!

An 0645 start and straight into the Delph locks, all close together, into lock, set next lock, open paddle 2 locks ahead, move boat, close gates and on and on. No rain, less wind than yesterday and sunny periods, good boating weather. So I descend the 8 Delph locks, then see the pub at the bottom lock. It's called the 'Tenth lock' I sort of get it, I assume it's like the 19th hole (clubhouse) at the golf course. So where is the ninth lock? A visit to the Nicholsons reveals the answer - in the 1850's 7 locks were rebuilt as 6, so the pub has been there for a while I think!

So Delph locks done and conundrum solved and a 2 mile cruise to the Stourbridge canal and the 16 lock flight, so into the rhythm again and down we go. Just over half way down, lock 10 I think, there is a view of the 'Glass Cone':

It's something to do with the glass works, one day I'll stop for a tour and find out more about it. Edited to add that the Nicholsons says its the bottle kiln.

There was also a small shop to pick up milk and a few bits, very handy. So, on down the flight to Wordsley Junction, where the Stourbridge Town Arm heads to Stourbridge, I've done this before and can't be bothered this time. I head straight on towards Stourton Junction, the connection to the Staffs & Worcs canal - a whole 25 miles of new territory for me!!

Good job they put sign posts up, it would be ever so easy to get lost!

Down the four Stourton locks, the anorak in me noting that the second was my 100th of the trip to date! To see the lock cottage for sale, how much Penny?

I duly turned left at the Junction and tied up for the night at Stewponey Wharf. A point of interest, I had not seen another boat (on the move) since setting off this morning, so just after stopping a Viking hire boat passed by on its way back to Worcester, as I type (1600) that remains the only one.

Today:    6 miles -   28 locks -   8 hours
So Far: 58 miles - 102 locks - 41 hours

June 8th 2011 - My head hurts!

An easier day today, cruise to Merryhill waterfront in Dudley, just as well my head hurts and I couldn't do much more. So, two coffees and off at 8 to turn the boat round, during last nights mooring hunt I ended up pointing it the wrong way! Off down the main line towards Wolverhampton, passing the impressive Smethwick pumping station.

The impressive Smethwick Pumping Station:

Then making a left turn to take the 3027 yard Netherton tunnel to put me on the Dudley No 2 canal. A rainy (umbrella up for first time today) windy and twisty cruise to Park Head Junction and Blowers Green lock (the only one of the day) to take the Dudley No 1 canal to Merryhill, just over 5 hours and done for the day. Did have plans to go to Broad street again tonight to have another drink, but really don't feel up to it. A night in blogging and stuff, must make use of the 3G, it wont last!! A bunch more locks tomorrow!

Today:  12 miles -   1 lock -  5.5 hours
So Far: 52 miles - 74 locks - 33 hours

June 7th 2011 - To Birmingham and a day of disaster!

Ok, I know now that it was a stupid idea to push on to Birmingham a day early! I set off at 0500 in clear skies with the mist hanging over the water, it was wonderful. A pleasant cruise to the very pretty and totally deserted Knowle locks, no lock landing at the bottom and all 5 were very hard work, a wind had got up and it was difficult to get the boat to hang at the top gates to allow me to close them. Still, 10 miles of lock free cruising now. Passed a couple of boats coming the other way, and had another set off behind me at Catherine De Barnes. A spooky section of the GU this, dark cutting, overhanging trees and the beginnings of urbania, junk in the cut and graffiti. (see picture).

So the pleasantness came to an end with the appearance of Camp Hill locks, a flight of 6 on a twisty, turny bit of canal, quite a challenge in the strong breeze and I was just managing to keep ahead of the following boat. The occasional shower of rain also adding to the delights of Camp Hill.

Camp Hill done, so on through the Warwick Bar and to Ashted locks, another flight of 6, this time going upwards. Not very enjoyable with all sorts of unsavoury looking characters about, a sign warning us to beware of the Somalian mugger and me having to leave the boat unattended to set locks and stuff! Still, all was well until the third lock, I had been ahead to set the fourth and was on the phone, looked back to see boat at alarming angle in lock, immediately dropped top paddles and opened bottom, heard very loud crash from within boat to be relieved when boat didn't seem to be sinking. Quickly checked that no water had got in through the vents and went to investigate source of noise to find entire contents of food cupboards and glassware in a big pile on the galley floor. I was actually not bothered as I still had a floating boat! I left the mess to clear up later.

So, Ashted completed on on to the 13 Farmers Bridge locks, hard going now as I'm very tired (8 locks Sunday, 35 Monday and 30 today) It's quite interesting coming into Birmingham this way, it starts off really grotty and gets a bit better each couple of locks until Brindley Place, which if you haven't seen it is quite stunning. Anyway, back to the locks. A number of the Farmers Bridge locks are under buildings and in long bridges with a fence to stop Joe Public from falling in, not much use to Joe Boater! The boat was in such a bridge at the tail of lock 12, I was climbing over the fence to get back onto the boat, slipped and splash! Now I was really happy with life!! Anyway I squelched my way to lock 7 when Chris appeared and gave me a hand through 7 and 6, then the remainder of the flight was completed without incident. Ok, lets tie up and assess the damage! Bugger! No moorings, drove round a bit, just what you want after 12 hours cruising and eventually squeezed onto half a bollard on the main line moorings.

A jar of pasta sauce, a bottle of whisky and half of my glasses lay in a smashed heap, after picking a can of tuna from the bedroom and washing said sauce off the contents of the food cupboards, I promptly cut my self on one of the broken glasses, Chris turned up near to the end of the clear up (good timing!) we had a beer and went to the pub. And the Indian restaurant. And a couple more pubs. And a nightcap on the boat. The day was done and a very important lesson learnt. Oh, and the pong in the fridge seems to have gone away - a bit.

Today:  18 miles - 30 locks - 12.5 hours
So Far: 40 miles - 73 locks - 27.5 hours

June 6th 2011 - First full day

Hmmm 0545 and wide awake, I know, lets go boating again! So I did. A bit chilly, overcast sky but no sign of precipitation. Down two more locks to Long Itchington, coat on, cruise to Bascote locks, and onwards. There was a boat waiting for me at Radford Semele, so we shared the last two or three locks to the Leamington level, where I made a pit stop and headed for the Coop to replenish the previously mentioned destroyed supplies. A quick bit of lunch, it was after 12 now, and on towards Warwick my plan A target for the night! But alas, the beer with lunch caused me to invent plans B and C! B was to start up the first few Hatton locks and tie up in the last long pound, well, I was nearly there, lock 3 I think, when the boat full of angels arrived, and worked me up the rest of the (21 lock) flight, well, gift horses and all that!! So I'm now at Rowington 2 miles short of Knowle locks, my target for tomorrow, hmmm... after todays 35 locks, I may as well have a go at the remaining 30 tomorrow and get to Birmingham a day earlier than planned, best check Chris is free for curry tomorrow as well, just in case!! A bit of light rain this evening, and much frustration in getting a poor internet connection, no pictures again, tomorrow hopefully, they must have 5G in Birmingham!!

The Cape of Good Hope (PH) Warwick:

Today:  19 miles - 35 locks - 12.5 hours

So Far: 22 miles - 43 locks - 15 hours

June 5th 2011 - Off we go!

And off we go! Arrive Heathrow (from Toronto) at 0900, home at 10.00, washing, shopping, load car, oh! say goodbye to Penny and arrive to a very smelly boat at 16.30!! The batteries had not charged and the food left in the fridge was a bit off, to say the least!! I've cleaned it three times and it still pongs! Not to mention a lack of food! Anyway, enough of this, lets go boating.

Left the marina at 17.30, wondering about what I could get for dinner! And headed towards Warwick. It was spitting with rain, but not enough to worry about. Not many boats about, all tied up for the night I think. Arrived at 'The Boat' (plan A for dinner) to find it closed! most odd! So, nothing for it but to descend the 8 Stockton locks and hope that the 'Blue Lias' would still be serving food. A couple of Kate hire boats on the flight, but an otherwise uneventful descent to tie up right outside the pub at just after 8 to find it serving food till 9, what was the hurry? Lasagne and Abbot ale for dinner, the menu is still the same as our last visit a couple of years back, we weren't impressed then either! But needs must! Good conversation with two other boat crews, one of them walked down from the boat and a couple of walkers en route to the peak district, then enough of this great life, I was totally knackered and went to bed.

I have pictures, but only a 2G signal at the moment, so I'll try to add them when things (signal wise) improve. Posting this is painful enough!!

The aforementioned Stockton Locks:

Today: 3 miles - 8 locks - 2.5 hours.