There and back to see how far it is.

The day was set to be fair so we decided to go on a short there and back cruise. The destination was set as Merry Hill, not for the shopping  particularly but for a visit to The Vine, brewery tap of Batham's Brewery.

A lovely sunny day for a picture of Bumble Hole Lake right next to our nights moorings. Last night was particularly clear with Orin almost overhead and an extremely bright Venus just setting. A large moon just rising before we turned in. It is an old clay pit that now serves as a nature reserve as well as a storm water surge reservoir.

A very clear view as we look back through Fox and Goose Bridge.

Amy at the helm as we pass the old Lloyds Proving House. Netherton was famous for the fabrication of anchors and their chains. They were brought her for proof testing and certification before going off to the ship yards.

Looking up the Park Head Locks and the disused railway line towards the southern entrance to the Dudley Canal Tunnel. I must moor up up here one day, and I keep meaning to get the boat guaged to see if she will go through the Dudley Tunnel. I'm pretty sure we wont fit though.

Amy enjoying the sun as she waits for the lock at Blowers Green. Fortunately the cement works was not at full blast as it is not quite so pleasant with dust and noise blowing all over you.

On the left is the old entrance to the old Two Locks Line that cut out the loop round via Park Head Junction. Dudley Canal No. 2 heads off to the right, under the more mundane bridge.

Almost all the visitor berths at the Waterfront were take, just room for us to slide in. We had a bite to eat and then set off down the Black Delph Locks and up the road to the Vines. The brewery is just behind. They were doing a roaring trade in lunches but we settled for  a quick drink. I really like Batham's Bitter, but was very good and just had the one before heading off to Asda at Merry Hill Centre to buy our tea. We settled on a curry in a box, two different curries, rice, onion bhajis and two nanns, all for £4. I was a little dismayed to see that the chicken and come from Thailand, but otherwise went down a treat.

On our return to the boat we set off to retrace our steps. Here we are approaching  Brewin's 'Tunnel'. He was the superintendent when the original canal was dug and when they came across the very hard Dolerite rock they had to tunnel through it. When techniques had been improved, by 1856 it was decided to remove the bottleneck of a tunnel by opening it out. It seemed to have taken two years as 1856/58 is inscribed on the key stone on the high bridge.

Lodge Farm Reservoir is an old clay pit that was later flooded to keep the canal topped up. However it is not used for this now and is used for water skiing, as can be seen by the jump ramps that are moored there.

The Dudley Canals in their day would have been extremely busy as industry was everywhere on both banks. there are still signs of this activity with disused railway bridges, basin and little bridges like the one above. However these days you could be forgiven for thinking that you are in a much more rural

The tower of St. Andrew's Church at Netherton adds to the rural theme as it seems that it is in view for the entire journey along the Dudley No.2 canal as the canal contours round it's hill.

Wew were back to our berth in good time and so was able to do a few little jobs, like replacing draft proofing on the front doors and cut new deck mats to size before setting down to our curry and watching a bit of TV before turning in.

New Line to Netherton.

On Tuesday my daughter and I drove down to Birmingham to be reunited with 'Holderness'. The plan was to move the boat over the next couple of days. When we finally left Sherborne Wharf we did stop and knock for Ray on 'Ferndale' but he was obviously back in the Wellington with Diane away.

We just carried on on the main line chugging along in a a little dappled sunshine and not meeting another boat. Although the weather was similar to to the above pictures, these pictures are from April 2016 ( I couldn't find the camera!). That is why the gorse is a bit more in blossom than currently. This is the toll island on the New Main Line just west of Winson Green Junction.

We stayed on the main line at Smetwick Junction and avoided the 3 lock and 20' rise up to the Wolverhampton Level on the old Main Line.

Made sense really as about 2.5 miles later we would be coming down the Spon Lane Locks at the junction that rejoins the New Main Line from the right

I have always fancied these BCN cottages that are on the Nertherton Branch next to the Tividale Aqueduct where the Old Main Line crosses over. I reckon they would be close to 'civilisation' but be nice and quiet and 'isolated'. They look nice and tidy these days too.

I think from memory the length of the tunnel is 2768 metres and the book says 3027 yards and I seem to remember is the fourth longest in use today. If the light at the end of the tunnel is the end and  not a boat coming it seems much closer than it seemed on Tuesday as we seemed to take and gae to apss through. 

It was getting a little dark when we got to the other end so luckily we were tying up not far away, almost opposite the tearoom near Windmill End Junction. We were soon settled in and had a cottage pie prepared by Helen at home in the oven.

Once tea was polished off, pots washed and The Archers caught up with we went for a walk up the road to the Old Swan, or Ma Padoe's as it is more normally known. I enjoyed my couple of pints of Entire before trooping back to bed. After some fresh air it was most welcome

Bye bye Brum.

I'm not sure what is going on but following our shopping trip on Monday, which was a big disappointment as the market wasn't open, I decided that I would pop round to Sherborne Wharf to ask where our booked mooring would be. I was therefore surprised to find everywhere locked up and the Fiddle and Bone pub looking as though it was having a total refurbishment. The office in the Round House looked open so I walked round the road was to get in. Only to find that it was just being used as a store for items out of the pub. The boaters facilities was locked up and there was nobody around to ask.

As the sun was shining I walked round to their old place round in Oozells Loop. Everywhere was locked up but there were folk moving about, so I let technology do the walking a called them on the phone. It seems that they are now based on a boat moored in the basin at Sherborne Basin in the Loop. I'm not sure whether there is fuel available etc, but it sure didn't look like it to me. I got sorted and new where I was going the next morning.

I forgot to thank Diane publicly for her generous gift of hand towels with crocheted piece that allowed it to be secured to a draw or oven rail. The idea being to prevent you using the tea towel to dry your hands. And it works, I did use the towel Diane. Thanks very much indeed, and of course I will think of you every time I get mucky hands!

Our stay aboard was quite short as we were leaving again today, Tuesday. We were packing up the bits that were going home and stowing the rest of it. Our son set out from Hull and about 1000 we started to make a move to Sherborne Wharf  where they will be looking after the boat for a week or so.. Diane and Ray came out just to check how badly I managed to back down to make the turn into the loop.

Ray and Diane taking photographic evidence of the reversing. Pleased to say there was nobody about and I didn't scratch any boats in the course of the trip. They didn't see the lovely swing and backing down into the basin between two boats, but then nobody ever does when you want them to, do they?

We were soon moored up and with the electric on. There are always lots of little jobs to do when arriving or leaving the boat and by the time No.1 son arrived and after a bite of lunch we were on our way back to Hull. Macy the cat always knows something is going on, and goes to hide. Luckily there isn't too many places she can hide on the boat so was soon apprehended and sat on the back shelf of the car. I don't thin Skye the Budgie was any the wiser, so long as there is some millet for her she will travel anywhere.

Watch this space as we are back aboard next week, for a short time.

Many Hands.

The day started nice and bright and sun on the panels, always a good start of the day.We were soon off and on our way and after a communication form Dianne and Ray we were looking to meet up with them at the Farmer's Bridge flight.

The moorings just before Aston Junction on the Ashted Line always seems inviting, in it's little garden. Maybe one day we wills top there.

It is always surprising that Birmingham is on a hill, and no matter what direction you approach from you have to go up locks. It is always good to see the BT tower though, as you know you are approaching the centre.

I always like this factory as it reminds me of a Bavarian castle, or Hogwarts. I assume that the round bit on the side is the stairwell, but it does look very big for that.

Some more graffiti at the bottom lock but is quite swish really, and probably official.

Still before the bottom lock, and definitely official.

Just as we were pushing into the bottom lock who should appear but two people with windlasses grasped in hand. They soon had the the gates opened, and that was the last I saw of Helen until I got to the top. Mind you I could hear them both!

Out into the sun, and almost there at the top and by Cambrian Wharf.

Our big thanks to Ray and Diane who got us up the flight in just an hour. So fast I hardly had time to take any photos at all. They make a nice couple don't they.

We had collected plenty of rubbish at Minworth top lock and up the Garrison flight so we stopped at the rubbish disposal to discharge it to the bins. A boat just arrived to take our spot going down the locks, so very lucky for them.

We moored up just astern of Ferndale by the Indoor Arena and after tea and cake Helen and I went shopping into town. Disappointingly the market was closed on Monday so we didn't tick off everything on our list.

We has arranged to meet up with the Ferndale mob later and we wandered over to the Wellington to show them the 10 or 16 beer menu on a TV screen, and to see if they had the Aston Marina gangs tipple of Titanic. Lo and behold they did, but we had to go to the roof bar to enjoy the Plum Porter. It was then but a short journey to the Barajee for an Indian sitting over looking the Worcester Bar, right over the canal. Much chat and life stories, rants and moans, and what ever the opposite of those is and it was time to wander back to the boat. I lovely night, and always nice to have a chat and to find that our paths may cross later n the year as we are both heading north.

Thanks again to you both for you help up the locks, and company at the pub.

Industrial landscape and art!

It chucked it down just before we got up, so we enjoyed a cup of tea in bed with the rain beating down on the roof. By the time we had had our porridge and got sorted it was down to a drizzle. By the time I popped my head out to set off it was down to just a mizzle, and that was as bad as it got all day.

Helen came out expecting the worst but the sun even came out and it was a pleasant day.

As we headed up Saltley Cut we thought that the towpath was quite clean. I definitely that the plastic bag ban has had an effect on the rubbish in the canal. I wish they could do something about plastic bottles as they seem to be be the most numerous objects now, along with glass bottles. I'm not sure whether it is because I have become much more cultured since the start of Hull's City of Culture, but some of this graffiti is quite 'arty'. At least there is no swear words etc.

I have christened this the 'skip tip'. It is where old skips go to die.

I think that this stretch of the canal would be a good one to adopt as the towpath is quite green and there are a few people about too. With a bit of TLC, despite the painted walls and derelict factories, it could be very attractive

This was after our regulation trip down the weed hatch. Plenty of plastic but now seems to be those tougher, the 'bags for life', than the old ones. Last time we came this way we had clothing round the prop which was a bit more difficult to clear. I'm pretty sure that this new propeller of ours has more of a tendency to 'collect' debris.

As we got to the top of the Garrison Locks there is a long straight with plenty of bridges. Today there was a smallish fishing competition going on. Today they were all nice and friendly and we didn't have to play chicken with them. That is when you approach but they don't let on that they have seen you until the very last minute and lifts their pole up just in time!

After we had negotiated Bordesley Junction and turned right towards Warwick Bar we approached this tree. Once more I think I have been over cultured as from a distance this tree looked like an art installation, where the artist had spent hours choosing where to hang each piece of rubbish and it is supposed to describe the end of the world or some thing. In actual fact it was a tree next to a plastics recycling place. I am not sure what C&RT can do about companies on the off side that pollute the canal but some are making a real mess of our canals.

Just to show that my 'culture radar' hasn't gone completely awry her was some graffiti that is very good indeed.

The banana dock at Warwick Bar is looking decidedly unloved. I suppose it will just fall in to disrepair unless a use can be found for it. Maybe a floating cafe with a little swing bridge across the Bar?

We resisted the delights of Typhoo Basin, even though we were really looking forward to a cuppa, and turned right once again. These accommodation blocks were just going up last time we passed this way and now they have students living in them. There are others going up too. These are called University Locks, where as I thought they were Ashted Locks.

We were speeding up the locks and were soon at the last lock and about to head through Ashted Tunnel. I managed to not scratch the new paint on the tunnel wall as it is a little tight here. When we got to the top we had a discussion about heading onwards and up the Farmer's Bridge flight to the city centre, but decided against it as that cup of tea was calling. We stopped in our usual spot near the winding hole by Aston University. Tomorrow we will be at the top. We have a little bit of a shopping list of things we need for the boat, and I'm sure a pint or two will be in order.

Up hill to Birmingham.

When I got out of bed this morning I nearly fell over! No not the booze, but the fact that we had a bit of a list due to being aground! It is a short pound but the bottom gate seemed to have no leaks so I thought we may have been okay. Mind you I did think I heard a boat at about 0130. Only took a lock full to get us moving again.

The morning sun was nice and I was able to get a bit more of a long shot of the boat, complete with new double skinned chimney so as not to get tar on the new paint.

As we approached the next lock we passed under Double Bridge. I love these literal names as the bridge is double width. As it is just a farm track I wonder why they were forced to go to the expense of the extra wide span.

I'm not sure whether the route is still going through here after the recent consultations. I am a little ambivalent about HS2. My worries are not the route and the upheaval so much as the real need for a dedicated high speed line. It will provide many jobs in the construction etc and hopefully bring a boost to engineering skills etc. I am less interested in the argument regard the 'desecration of the countryside in most cases. As in the this location you can just see the power transmission pylon in the background. Just behind me is the M42, and even the canal was not wanted by many when it created havoc digging a channel right through the countryside. Nothing can stay the same and I am always impressed of the image of power on the main line when the Virgin Pendelinos pass through.

It was nice coming up the Hill to the top lock as we were able to watch four red kites wheeling and calling in the sky, and lower down there were some lapwings doing the same, all within the noise of the motorway, so they must have been making a din. As we passed through Curdworth Tunnel we met some scouts out for am excursion. It wont be too long before these trees are turning green. Some of the willows seem almost ready to burst into leaf now.

Helen always like to get a photo of the light under the factory 'bridge

We did meet one boat coming down the Curdworth locks but it has all been quiet since then. There was no traffic at Salford Junction, but plenty above on the M6. 

 We took the first left and entered the 'Saltley Cut, with out touching the sides. It is about 120 deg turn to get round.

We have never seen so much water in the River Tame. And the columns holding up the motorway, and others in different parts of the system round Birmingham remind me of a forest of trees. They do have a certain majesty about them don't you think? We didn't go far as we moored up at Star City pontoon. There is a work boat at the far end as I think they are replacing/fixing anti skid to the platform area. We have decided to give the cinema a miss tonight and stay in with a bottle of cider, or tea.

And we are off.

Ash brought us down to Lichfield to board mour boat for the first cruise of the year. 'Holderness' has been in the paint dock and only was released a week ago. By the time we had loaded up and stowed what we could it was getting on in the day. I hadn't bothered Streethay lads as they were undertaking crane and banksman training. When they finished I went over to see them and get things sorted, and get the bill!! In the end it was too late to set off, so they let us stay the night. We both slept pretty well and Macy the cat seemed to be glad to be back aboard and made herself at home in the usual way. I'm not sure what Skye the budgie thought about it all.

Still in the paint dock a few weeks ago, looking all nice and shiny. 

Sign writing completed and looking all tiddly. The green is a bit lighter than the old colour, but I have quickly got used to it.

The next morning we were off about 0945. Perhaps we left in indecent haste as we realised after we had gone through Fazeley we realised that we had left the keys we had lent the boat yard. Hopefully they will post them home. As we left the yard wanted some photographs so we steamed past very slowly. Unfortunately it was dull and raining but the red and green show up nicely.

As we were headed towards Fazeley there are no locks so Helen was able to stay in the dry and warm. As it wasn't windy it wasn't too bad on the back end and it was nice to be steering again. Just past Whittington, at Fisherwick they were just starting to erect the poly tunnels ready once again for the asparagus season. The company is a very large producer of asparagus, at a couple of sites, for the supermarkets.

At Hopwas Wood it looked like the Danger signs for the firing range have been replaced. I must admit that I thought that the range had become redundant. There were a few boats at Hopwas but nothing moving.

We stopped at Peel Wharf to dump the rubbish and top up with water. Once that was done we pulled round the junction and moored just in the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal. We need a little bit of shopping and to post a letter so we popped into the village. Unfortunately the Tesco's is next door to a Chippy. We succumbed and had a lunchtime special of chips, fish cake or roe and a sauce for £2-70. We had the lunch soup for tea instead.

We were moored under the big five story mill that was built in 1883 using water power to weave haberdashery and upholstery.

Just up the road is Drayton Manor. Drayton Manor, the house and land was owned by the Peel family but by 1926 the house was just about a ruin. In WWII it was requisitioned by the Army and 17 huts were added to make the place into a training base. By 1949 it had again become redundant and in 1949 George and Vera Bryan paid £6000 for the property and opened a few rides. In 1954 Molly Badham brought her small zoo to the park and over the next few decades it slowly grew in size, until the 1980's when large rides started to be installed and now it is the fifth largest theme park in the country.

Helen togged up to test her self against the Minworth Bottom Lock. She won out and continued for another two until we stopped for the night by the Dog and Doublet.