The Festival is over, we move on

 We had 4 enjoyable but hard days work at the festival setting up, working in the IWA shop and closing down.  Now there is a more restful long return home.

Oddingley churn and farm

We left our moorings at 8:45, descended Bilsford Top Lock to the winding hole where we turned the boat round, ascended the lock and continued out of Worcester.  8 locks further on we passed through Tibberton where we had moored on Wednesday and then the hamlet of Oddingly with an interesting looking church next to an old half timbered farmhouse.

Our guidebook recounts this story from a memorial in the church:

In 1806 the local rector demanded that the parishioners pay aditional tithes in the form of produce and built a tithe barn to collect them.  The parishioners violently objected and the rector was found shot dead in his fields.

We have now moored up for the night in the village of Dunhampstead.

During the journey there was a frequent high pitched chirping, ticking noise coming from the engine. This is of some concern as we will be travelling up the River Severn in a few days and need to have full confidence in the engine.   Unfortunately there are no boatyards before the river.  I have therefore run RCR, the "AA" of the boatways to see if we can get an ingineer to check it - no news so far. 

5 hours, 5.07 miles, 10 locks

At the Festival

Densie moored 3 boats back on the outside

We spent the day helping set up the IWA marquee for the official opening tomorrow.

0 time cruising, 0 miles, 0 locks

Worcester Festival of Water

 We have arrived and are now moored at the Water Festival!

Passing beneath the M5

After a 9am start it was an easy 2.5 hour cruise from Tibberton through 8 locks to Perdiswell Park in Worcester.

There was one minor problem as the stretch of canal above Otterton Bottom Lock was very shallow.  A boat had run aground and one of the crew was raising the level by releasing water from the next lock up the flight.  There was just enough water for us to get through though we did scrape the bottom.  

This is a common early morning occurence on some flights of locks where a lower lock leaks more water than is released by the leaking gates of the lock above.

We arrived at our destination at 11:35.  After lunch we walked to the local shoppng aea and were very pleased to find that there was a large M&S Food Hall only 10 minutes walk away with a Lidl across the road.  So no problem stocking up for the next phase of our journey. 

Unfortunately Denise noticed that there was also a Hobbycraft on the same site so I have lost her for the afternoon.

2 hours 35 minutes, 8 locks, 2.88miles

Tibberton

 A very grey day, but no rain.  We are now within easy cruising distance of our destination in Worcester but  we dont want to get there too early only so only cruised for just over 2 hours today. We left at 9:30 and 30 minutes later stopped at Hanbury Junction to visit Densie's builders, The New Boat Company, as we need a replacement wooden panel for one of the dors.  It would have to be imported from Poland and I was warned the cost would be high - we will see.

We waited for the on-coming boat to pass the reeds

The very short (200 yard) Dunhampstead tunnel

Moored at Tibberton

After leaving Hanbury Junction we travelled for a further 1.5 hours on the lock-free stretch to Tibberton.  Much of the canal was heavily overgrown with reeds, in some of the sections it was difficult for 2 boats to pass. However the canal was fairly deep and so we were able to keep up a good speed.

We stopped at the well maintained moorings in Tibberton and after lunch walked around the village.  Sadly there was little of interest to see.

4.79 miles 0 locks, 2 hours cruising (ignoring stops).

Astwood and more locks

Lock 24 on the Stoke Prior flight

Astwood Bottom Lock

A somewhat less nergetic day, though only somewhat.  We set off from the Queens Head mooring in sunny weather at  9:20, descended 5 of the 6 Stoke Prior locks and arrived at the Black Prince hire boatyard at Stoke Prior an hour later.  There we disposed of some rubbish, filled up with diesel and emptied the waste water tank. 

After leaving Black Prince the journey took us down the remaining Stoke Prior Lock to a water point where we filled our fresh water tank.  This may well be the last chance to get water for another week or perhaps even 8 days.  We have lasted only up to 7 days before so will have to monitor our usage very carefully.

This was followewd by the 6 locks of the Astwood flight where all except one were set in our favourmaking life much easier.  The Bottom Lock was particularly attractive with a well restored lock keeper's cottage and an attractive garden.  We stopped for the day below the flight at 13:00.

3 hours 40 mins, 3.06 miles, 12 locks.

Tardebigge flight - 29 locks

 Finally we have done it, 29 locks (not counting the top lock we did yesterday)!

On the Tardebigge Flight

The weather was good for boating when we set off early at 8am. We were the first boat going down and  expected most of the locks to be ful, set in our favour, but the first third were empty, presumably having leaked overnight.  We then met a group of boats coming up who left the locks full ready for Densie to enter which made less work for us.

Not a lot more to say really, each lock was very much like all the  others.  They were easy to operate especially once we started using our long handled windlass whch provided better leverage on stiff top paddles.  We soon got into a rhythm whereby the boat driver entered the lock and lowered the paddles whilst the scond person went ahead and set the next lock and then returned to close the previous lock as soon as the boat left.

We reached Tardebigge Bottom Lock at 12:30 and after minimal discussion went to the adjacent Queens Head for a well earned pint and a very tasty lunch.

2.13 miles, 29 locks, 4 hours 25 minutes.

Top of Tardebigge Flight

 This morning was bright and sunny when we left our moorings at 9am planning to descend the 30 locks of the main part of the Tardebigge flight.  These locks are well known to boaters as they form the longest flight on the system.

On the Worcester and Birmingham Canal

The light at the end of the 600 yard Tardebigge Tunnel

The tree-lined Worcester and Birmingham Canal provided a pleasant journey with interest added by two short tunnels.  We stopped at the top of the flight to dump rubbish and fill up with water. The tap was slow and after 15 minutes we decided to carry on with our journey.   As it was now 11am, after a quick discussion we moored just through the top lock as completing the flight would take at least a further 4 hours and another long day did not seem attractive particularly now we are on schedule to arrive in Worcester on Thurday.

1 hour 55 mins, 1 lock, 3.19 miles

Wet day - short journey to Alvechurch

The weather was, as forecast, very wet in the morning.  So we did not move.  By lunchtime the rain had cleared so we set off after eating.  The scenary is rural, and would perhaps look attractive in the sunshine, but there wasnt any.  Around  2pm the rain started again so we moored up in the village of Alvechurch.

2.66m, 1 hour 10 minutes 0 locks 0 bridges

A long day - in and out of Birmingham

 We knew today's cruise was going to be a long one.  Not only did we have to make up for  some of the time lost when the boat was serviced the weather forecast for tomorrow is terrible with rain all day and occasional thunderstorms.

We set off at 8:50, ascended 4 more locks and stopped for 3/4 hour at Hockley Heath to buy groceries for the next 5 days.  Hockley Heath is a small place so we did not know what would be there but the coop was well stocked and we were able to find everything on the shopping list.

About to pass under a footpath drawbridge

The rest of the journey was lock free but we did have 3 drawbridges to contend with.  2 before Hockley Heath took footpaths over the canal.  The third, Shirley Road Drawbridge, was more substantial as it carries a road.  Unlike the footpath bridges it is automatic, being operated by a single button which runs the process of ringing warning bells, closing a barrier and then raising the bridge.  Another button reverses the process after the boat has passed through - a hold up for the traffic of only a few miniutes.

Brandwood Tunnel

Beyond the drawbridge the canal enters the outskirts of Birmingham.  The amount of graffiti increased significiantly but the canal was largely shielded from the surrounding areas.  After passing through the 350 yard Brandwood Tunnel and the permanently open guillotine lock at Kings Norton the North Stratford Canal ends at a junction with the Worcester and Birmingham Canal.

Looking back at Wasthill Tunnel

We turned south and after a mile or so reached the 1.5 mile Wasthill Tunnel, one of the longest on the entire canal system, and passed through in 35 minutes. A short distance beyond the southern end of the tunnel there was a convenient mooring point far enough from roads or houses where we will probably stay until Sunday. 

14.33 miles, 7 hours 10 minutes, 4 locks, 3 drawbridges

Lapworth Flight

 Another day, another long flight of locks.

On the Grand Union near Turners Green

First thing in  the morning we washed the port side of the top of the boat completing the job we started a few days ago.  Then set off travelling through very attractive scenary with oold canalside houses, wooded cuttings and views over country valleys  until we reached Kingswood Junction.

Lapworth lock 19

Lapworth Lock 8

Here the Grand Union has a complex junction with the North and South Stratford Canals.  Our route was up the North Stratford towards Birmingham and started with the 15 locks of the Lapworth flight.  We are now off the broad canals and will spend the rest of our cruise on narrow ones.  Narrow locks are much easier to operate than broad ones as the gates are lighter and they fill more quickly.  But they only take one boat at a time so at busy periods queues can build up.

We stopped for lunch at a mooring point half way up the flight as the sight of the remaining 8 locks climbing the hill looked too daunting and we were still tired after yesterday. In the afternoon we completed the flight and moored for the night at 14:30.  

4 hours 15 mins, 3 miles, 15 locks.

The Hatton Flight

 Today is the big one.

We left our mooring at 8:40 and ascended the first few locks  of the 21 lock Hatton flight on our own.  We then saw a boat behind us and waited so that they could join us for the rest of the flight.  The crew turned out to be Bob and Mary on Chedoona who we had met before at previous IWA festivals and were also on their way to Worcester.

Densie and Chedoona entering a Hatton lock together

Our trip up the locks was aided considerably by CRT Volunteer lock-keepers who helped ensure that all the locks were set ready for us to enter. For most of the journey Bob and I (Mike) steered our boats side by side in and out of the locks which looks impressive to by-standers.

We reached the top and moored for lunch at 12:45.  An hour later we set off again for another hour or so cruising up the canal to an attractive isolated spot where we moored for the night.

Following yesterday's worries I was keen to check the amount of water that had leaked in from the propshaft during the day and was very surprised and pleased to see that it was no greater than usual.  So what happened yesterday will remain a mystery. 

Another day in Warwick

 I thought we had gone out on our boat for a few weeks of relaxation free of stress and hassle, but  that is not how to describe today.

First thing in the morning after breakfast I checked the engine as usual.  What I found was not usual.  It is usual for some water to get into the boat whilst travelling, typically about a tablespoon (25ml) a day goes into a measuring jug from the bearing that holds the propshaft. In the previous 24 hours we had collected about 150ml.  mmmmm.

We took the boat across the canal to Kate Boats for the planned service and asked the engineer Dave, to check the propshaft bearing.  He confirmed that water was coming in around the propshaft which suggested a rubber seal needed replacing.  Not something he could do.  We did consider abandoning the trip but Dave assured us that it wasnt a major issue.

A while later he reported that one of the bolts in an engine mounting had broken.  This was rather more serious as the mountings attach the engine to the hull. Getting a new bearng could take several days.Again it looked like our plan to reach Worcester was off.   However Dave did have an old mounting and he thought he could simply swap the bolts.  He did have to go off to one of Kate Boats hire fleet which had to take priority so did not have time then.

He retuned mid-afternoon and to cut an overlong story short  was able to swap over the bolts and we continued on our journey at 16:40.  So a quick cruise up two locks near the Cape of Good Hope, a well known canalside pub, where we were able to find a mooring space for the night.

So we are a day late and have the 21 lock Hatton flight ahead of us for tomorrow.

Warwick

 A short day's travelling as we are booked into Kate Boats at Warwick for a 250 hour engine service first thing tomorrow morning.

Soon after starting at 9:30 we descended the remaining Radford Lock on our own and entered Leamington Spa.  Today was our last opportunity for a major shop before we get to Worcester in the middle of next week.  Fortunately Leamington has 2 major supermarkets, Morrisons and Lidl right next to the canal. We stocked up at Morrisons with only 3 items on out long list unavailable. 

Approaching the Avon Aqueduct

View from the Avon Aqueduct

After lunch on the Morrisons mooring we set off towards Warwick.  At the edge of the town the canal passes on a high aqueduct over the River Avon.  After a short stretch of countryside we entered Warwick where this a large Tesco, again next to the canal.  Here we completed our shopping and then moved on another mile to moorings opposite Kate Boats.

2 hours 40 mins, 4.63 miles, 1 lock

Bascote staircase and beyond

Yesterday evening we did go back to the Two Boats Inn where we had a tasty meal of the midlands delicacy of faggots, chips and mushy peas washed down with a pint of good beer,

In Bascote Staircase

A narow section of the GU

Old disused narrow lock alongside the main wide lock

We started rather late at 10:00am and stopped at the first bridge where we filled our tank at the waterpoint.  Half a mile further on we reached Bascote Locks which consist of a 2-lock staircase where the bottom gate of the first lock forms the top gate of the second and then 2 separate single locks.  Here we met a hireboat with whom we shared 6 locks. 

The Grand Union Canal here  is far less "grand" now being relatively shallow and narrow with reed beds frequently seen along the canal edge.

 The hireboat stopped for lunch after 2 isolated lock beyond Bascote whilst we carried on down 3 of the 4 widely separated Radford Locks stopping for the day out in the countryside.

3.7 mles 3 hours $0 mins 9 locks

Stockton Locks

 Having stopped yesterday earlier than the plan said we needed to catch up today.  We set off at 9:25 and within a few minutes we were descending Calcutt top lock. Unfortunately we were on our own which is hard work on these double locks but at the second Sandalwood was waiting for us.  We shared the 2nd and final third lock and continued on our way whilst they stopped at the marina.

Gamnel Princess and Densie leaving leaving 5th Stockton Lock

2 miles further on we arrived at the 8 lock Stockton flight.  We had seen a boat behind us so we waited for them to join us in the first lock.  We were pleased to see that it was Gamnel Princess whose owners we knew from previous IWA festivals.  They were also going to Worcester.

With the help of their 4 crew members we rapidly descended the Stockton flight and the 2 following locks.  They left us when we moored at 12 :45 near to where the plan required at Long Itchington next to a wild plum tree.

After lunch on board we washed the towpath side of the boat and as a reward walked to the nearby Two Boats Inn for a couple of halves of very good Charles Wells beer.  The menu looked interesting so we will probably go back this evening.

3 hours 20 mins, 3.91 miles,  13 locks.

Calcutt Locks

 Taking things quietly today.  We set out soon after 10am to Braunston where we joined the Grand Union Canal towards Birmingham.  The journey then took us to Napton Junction where the Oxford canal branches away from the GU.  We however were staying on the GU.  There had been a blustery cool wind so we stopped at the top of the nearby Calcutt Locks at 13:15 for lunch.  The conditions did not improve, if anything the wind got stronger and with showers forecast we decided to move no further today.

Narrowboats entering Calcutt top lock

In the afternoon we walked to the locks to watch the boats going through.  Like the rest of the Grand Union man line these are wide locks reconstructed in the 1930s though the original narrow locks can still be seen.

6.49 miles, 2.75 hours.

Cruising to Worcester for the summer

 We are now out on our main journey of the year. We plan to spend about 6 weeks travelling to Worcester for the IWA Festival of Water and returning via a different route.

Densie moored near Braunston

After packing the car we left home drivng to our marina at Dunchurch, arriving at lunchtime.  By the time we had lunch and unpacked it was just after 3pm.  So we just had time for a couple of miles cruise south on the North Oxford Canal mooring near to Braunston at 16:15.

2 miles, 1 hour, 0 locks