Tag: Worcester and Birmingham canal

Posted on

Summer 2024 Cruise Part 8 – Last few locks to home

Bit of a lay in this morning no need to get away early as we have just about 4 miles and just 15 locks, 3 of which we will have welcome help from the CRT volunteers at Hanbury locks 1,2 & 3.

Lock one of the day is Stoke Top Lock, which is the first one of six lock in this flight.

Stoke Top Lock
Stoke Top Lock

The last lock in the Stoke Locks which FYI drops the canal 40ft (12.8m), is where we first hired a canal boat from Black Prince Holidays, which is also where we purchased our boat a few years ago.

Black Prince Holidays - Stoke Bottom Lock
Black Prince Holidays – Stoke Bottom Lock

We have done this trip a few time, and depending on timing we have moored up outside The Boat and Railway Pub where you can sit and watch the boats go by.

The Boat and Railway Pub
The Boat and Railway Pub
Astwood Top Lock

Next we have the Astwood locks, just 5 this time and they drop the canal 42 feet (12.8m), we met a family group who Sonia showed how the locks worked while getting the kids involved, once a teacher always a teacher.

These are our last locks before we turn onto the Droitwich Canal and we get to the Hanbury locks, where we meet 3 very helpful CRT volunteers. They are there to make sure the locks are operated correctly as they are more complicated than most with side pounds.

Then we are at our home base Droitwich Spa Marina for a Pump-out and fuel. We had used approx ¼ of a tank in the past 3 weeks, of not non-stop chugging.

Droitwich Spa Marina - Refuel
Droitwich Spa Marina – Refuel

This has been a good test for our up and coming gap year plans, with just the two of us most of the time. We have found that we need to plan what we are trying to achieve so that we are not overdoing it too often.

Next we have to clean the boat touch up a few scratches from earlier trips. We have lent the boat out a few time this year, and it is starting to show.

Posted on

Summer 2024 Cruise Part 7 – Four Tunnels and a Funeral

Tuesday 27th Aug 2024 – The plan today is to get to just above the Tardebigge, so that we could prepare for the 30 narrow locks in just two-and-a-quarter-miles (3.6 km). To get to that point we have a way to go, Approx 14 Miles with an expected time of just over 6 hours according to Canalplan.

Drawbridge Inn Lift Bridge
Drawbridge Inn Lift Bridge

We set off well, arriving at the Drawbridge Inn, where we had been to dinner a couple of nights before. The lift bridge here is electric, and Sonia found a young lad, who wanted to help press the button.

We then top up the water at Yardley Wood Water Point which we renamed Bird Drop water point, as a few years ago while filling up with water two small chicks fell, or pushed, from their nest just in-front of us, they unfortunately did not survive.

Exiting Brandwood Tunnel
Exiting Brandwood Tunnel

Then the first tunnel of the day, Brandwood Tunnel, at 322m is one of the shortest today, then we are at Broad Meadow Lane Bridge No 1 this is the location of the Guillotine lock between the North Stratford Canal and the Worcester and Birmingham Canal and was used to protect the precious water flowing from one canal to the other.

Kings Norton Junction
Kings Norton Junction

At Kings Norton Junction we turn left onto the Worcester and Birmingham Canal , then just before Bridge 66 we can see what looks like a boat coming towards us, but as we come closer we can see she is drifting about.

The Dog Bow Locks Adrift
The Dog Bow Locks Adrift

We manage to get a rope on the bow and pull that in, then another passing boater on Bimble (Stourport on Severn) give the stern a push and and one of them jump aboard and throws Sonia the stern line. With that, we secure the boat, but the tow path is very soft, I suspect it will not hold long.

Hopwood House Canal side Inn
Hopwood House Canal side Inn

Next we pass Hopwood House, in the past we have moored here and eaten in the Inn, but not today.

Inside Wast Hill Tunnel
Inside Wast Hill Tunnel

Next we are going through Wast Hill Tunnel. At 2,493 m this will be the longest of the day, this tunnel opened in 1797 and canal boats where still being legged until 1904.

Tunnel no 3 for the day is the Shortwood Tunnel, another short tunnel at 561 m

Exiting Shortwood Tunnel
Exiting Shortwood Tunnel

Finally we come to our forth and final tunnel for today the Tardebigge Tunnel, at 530m. It is a relief to get to the end. We met a few boats in the tunnels today, and it seems almost impossible to judge how far they are away looking at their lights, it is only when you hear their engine and start to see details, you know you are getting closer.

Entering the Tardebigge Tunnel
Entering the Tardebigge Tunnel

With 3,906 meters of tunnels completed, the three shorter tunnels you can see the far end, but the big one, the Wast Hill Tunnel, is a bit of a monster.

Moored Tardebigge Wharf
Moored Tardebigge Wharf

After an eventful chug, 4 tunnels, one lift bridge and a boat adrift, we have made it to just above the Tardebigge Locks opposite Tardebigge Wharf, and it is time to rest and get ready for our lockfest tomorrow.

The Funeral, well unfortunately while we have been away, Sonia’s Dad has passed away, it was not unexpected, but still comes as a shock.

Wednesday 28th Aug 2024 – Today is our very own Lockfest on the Tardebigge Flight. We have been up and down this flight too many times to count, but I believe this is the first time we have done it with just the two of us.

Tardebigge Top Lock Sign

The Tardebigge Lock Flight is the longest flight of locks in the UK, comprising 30 narrow locks on a two-and-a-quarter-mile (3.6 km) stretch of the Worcester and Birmingham Canal. It raises the canal 220 feet (67 m).

I had set the alarm for an early start, we like being first on the flights if we can, some time the locks are all left set for us, but after breakfast we are on our way at 7:10am, our luck is not good as the first 10 or so locks are empty and have to be filled and the first lock is by far the deepest of the flight.

Tardebigge Reservoir Low Water
Tardebigge Reservoir Low Water

The Tardebigge Reservoir is probably as low as we have ever seen it, not a lot of water left this summer, looking around the fish sites that are normally at the waters edge are high and dry, it would be an impressive cast to hit what is left of the water.

At about lock 15 we start to see boats coming the other way, which is a good sign as they can leave the lock open for us and we can do the same for them.

On the way down we meet our first live user of our mapping project, it was great to meet you.

Tardebigge Bottom Lock
Tardebigge Bottom Lock

30 locks and 5 and ½ hours later we are moored outside Queens Head at Stoke Pound Bridge moorings. I think it might be pizza and a beer time.

Posted on

Summer 2024 Cruise Part 4 – Escaping the Windy City

Wednesday 21st Aug 2024 –We have been moored very close to The Roundhouse, and had saved it to the last day for a quick visit. It is an interesting shaped building, you may have got that from the name, restored as a joint venture between the National Trust and the Canal and River Trust. It was originally called “Sheepcote Street Corporation Depot”

This is a view of the inside of the horse shoe , the tunnel underneath leads to the canal, it is now a hub for local exploration including canoeing on the canal and lots of guided and unguided walks.

After that we needed to fill up with water at Holliday Wharf, this is just after a 90 degree turn on to the start of the Worcester and Birmingham Canal, and today the wind was howling down the canal. We started the turn, but as soon as the bow was exposed to the wind we were pushed right, we managed to reverse to a point where Sonia could jump off with the centre rope and with the help of a passerby we eventually rounded the corner, by this time I had switched with Sonia and after a near miss with a moored boat we made it to the water point.

As we were leaving the water point, Obi, the dog, made a jump for the tow path, hoping to make some new friends, with whom he wandered off , luckily they retained our errant dog and we collected him just after the bridge.

Good bye to the Windy City – Birmingham

Our next target was the Sainburys at Selly Oak Shopping Park, mooring here looked excellent, but is harder than necessary, they could have laid this out better, but we managed and after having to carry three loaded bags back to the boat we set off again heading to Kings Norton Junction and the North Stratford Canal.

I made a bit of a pigs ear of turning at the junction, a little over hesitance, turned in to a more than 3 point turn. Quickly after that we passed through the Brandwood tunnel, a short one at just 352 yards long.

The North Stratford canal is a little over grown, not much easy mooring along here, but finally we moored up just before Lyons Boat Yard, which offers all sorts of boater services for the night

Lyons Boat Yard
Lyons Boat Yard

Thursday 22st Aug 2024 – Bit of a late start for us and we have a way to go today, we are hoping to moor near Hatton Station on the Grand Union so we can meet Mary, our last remaining resident daughter and Antony and his girl friend Ellie, who are coming to stay for a couple of nights.

We have quite a long chug to the Lapton locks today, unfortunate for us we had a very slow Day Hire Boat in front of us which wandered along the canal at probably less that one mile an hour, it was their first time on a canal boat. I had seen them leave Lyons Boat Yard well before we left.

Being kind as we would hope others would be to us, we tried to hang back, control was not their strong point and I am not sure they knew we where behind them, at 1 mph and in what was best described as a strong wind, our boat acted more like a sail and a couple of times we found ourselves pushed to the side aground, the canal was also a little low of water.

Lady Lane Wharf
Lady Lane Wharf – Services and Moorings

Eventually they turned around at Lady Lane Wharf , this looked a well sorted setup for boater services.

Released from our slow crawl, we sped up to our normal 3 MPH cruising speed, passing Warings Green Wharf, also setup for boater services.

Warings Green Wharf - Services and Mooring
Warings Green Wharf – Services and Mooring

We also passed bridge 20, with it a sign for Wedges Bakery Shop which we will try to visit on our return. Then we pass Swallow Cruisers at Swallow Wharf, who are also well setup for boater services

Swallow Cruisers / Swallow Wharf
Swallow Cruisers / Swallow Wharf

Next is the Lapworth flight to complete but only as far as lock 19 when we take the lefthand fork at Kingswood Junction heading to the Grand Union Canal (Left would be on to Stratford-On-Avon) and then one more lock, Kingswood Lock 20, then we are out onto the Grand Union Canal.

Kingswood Junction North - Lock 19
Kingswood Junction North – Lock 19

Now we have decided that after that many locks we will not make it to Hatton until the next day, so we moor up at Turner Green Mooring about 1km before the Tom O’ The Wood pub for a very restful night.

Posted on

NEW – Individual Canal Maps

Some of you may have noticed we have started adding individual canals to our maps so far we have done

These take about a week to complete each, so a lot of work so far, but this has meant we have added a lot of new locations

I know there are lots left to do.

Hope these help with your travels

Posted on

August 2023 – Screwfix almost saves the day

A busy day ahead as Mary is leaving us by Train at about 2pm, but before we get started we now have a very low leisure battery bank and the voltage must be very low as the fridge has stopped working, it little internal LED is flashing away. Luckily in the freezer box we had some packs of Obi’s dog food acting as freezer blocks and helping keep things cool.

Looking at the alternator for the leisure batteries it’s possible that belt is also now loose, it does seem looser that yesterday, but I may be getting paranoid and unfortunately the tools we used yesterday just don’t want to fit well enough to get the bolts loose without damaging them or me.

Now a sudden inspiration strikes ‘Screwfix‘ I look on their web site and see they have a one hour service in this area with deliver just £5.00, all I need is a postcode to deliver to. Luckily the local business we are moored near is happy to help, so within an hour we have some smart new spanners and five minutes later the belt is a little tighter.

With the engine running we still no charging taking place, now I check the wiring, wish I had done this first, as the single yellow and black wire that connects to the alternator just comes away in my fingers. Probably all the vibration from the engine a couple of days ago and is has finally given up holding on to it’s spade terminal.

The wire has given up holding on !

I need a bit of luck as unfortunately I have also left my crimp tool at home in the tool bag, but in my box of boat bits I find a spade terminal with approx the right gauge wire already attached and manage to strip back both ends and twist them tight enough that they will hopefully get us home once covered in some insulation tape.

With Mary safely on the train, by 3pm we are on our way out of Birmingham, the plan is to go as far as possible before it is to dark to chug along.

Finally at about 8pm we moor up just before the Shortwood tunnel entrance, under the cover of some trees, Antony and Ellie cook tea and it is off the bed.

Today we have travelled 12 miles in about 5 hours.

August 2023 – Part 1 – A little adventure, Droitwich to Birmingham
August 2023 – Part 2 – A really Tardebigge adventure
August 2023 – Part 3 – Birmingham Engine Lows and Highs
August 2023 – Part 4 – Lost dog and diner out at Ju Ju’s Cafe
August 2023 – Part 5 – Screwfix almost saves the day

Back to top