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Dotterel was in the challenge again, it was a bit touch and go initially as the boat refused to work properly until the day before we were due to leave. However, after a new alternator, re-wired alarm, new split charge circuit and a re-plum of the water filter everything came together.
The crew arrived at about 12:30. By 13:40 we were underway. We shared the first 10 locks or so with a nice couple and made good time. Then carried on without them until we got to the bottom of the flight at Radford Semele.
Our plan was to have a calorie laden breakfast and then tackle Hatton, followed by dinner on the move then Lapworth. We discovered at this point my sister had forgotten all her bras except the one she was wearing. We stopped at a Lidls right next to the canal, acquired more supplies and bras.
Then on up Hatton, we caught up with a couple, and shared a few locks with them but they decided we were moving too fast for them. A bit of a surprise as the boat doesn't move too fast and if we work the locks what is the problem?
Sister was dispatched at the next to last lock to get ice cream from the cafe at top.
We saw the opposition here - last year's winner - Tawny Owl.
On we went, turned left (the other right) at Kingswood Junction and on up Lapworth. We were due to meet my daughter and grandkids at Dickens Heath but as we were running late they walked towards us and rode back home. We made this our night time stop.
It was foul the next day, raining and cold. I switched on the radiators, which can run off the engine, so the boat was cosy. Those steering froze. Right at King's Norton Junction and on into Birmingham. We moored for supplies and to our surprise were overtaken by Clarrie. Laurie (Clarrie’s owner) managed to moor in Oozels Street Loop so we went and said hello.
We set off again down the main line and turned right to go down Ryder's Green Locks to moor near our start point near Ocker Hill other wise know as the back end of the universe.
At 8am precisely we turned into the Tame Valley Canal and headed across the M5 to our hoped for victory. Down the thirteen Perry Barr locks, with the crew getting into the swing of the system, the boat didn’t hesitate. Under Spaghetti Junction then up the twenty four locks to the centre of Brum. We were, as usual, a tourist attraction and dutifully waved to all the kids. Back to Ryder’s Green and past Ocker Hill once more this time heading for Walsall basin and a short night’s sleep. Six hours after the boat stopped moving we were on our way, up Walsall locks and on to the Wryley and Essington and finally the old main line. There was a quick diversion into the lovely lily pool known as Tivedale Quays. I am sure some lilies survived our churning prop.
We headed out back onto the main line but to our horror saw Tawny Owl in front of us with Red Wharf just behind. We carved up Red Wharf to get behind Tawny Owl.
‘Battle Stations’
Number one was on the job, ‘tracking and targeting radars are on line Captain, all weapons systems are armed.’
‘Flood the forward Torpedo tubes.’
Torpedo tubes flooded Captain.’
‘Get me a firing solution on Tawny owl.’
Range 500 yds, bearing 355 degrees, sight line spin 2 degrees per second. Solution locked in.’
‘Fire tubes 1 and 2.’
‘Torpedos away, both running true, 5,4,3,2,1.’
The first torpedo took Tawny Owl amidships, she spilt in half and started to settle in the water, the second missed her stern and destroyed a nice restaurant complete with wedding party. All war comes with the price of collateral damage does it not?
Red Wharf was gaining.
‘Rear launcher 4 mines, quick succession, fuses set to minimum.’
‘Yes sir, mines away.’
The mines curved up in the sir and entered the canal just on front of Red Wharf, she had no time to turn and they detonated under the bows. The resulting air in the water meant she could no longer float and the bows plunged down to the bottom flooding the boat.
Nothing could stop us now, but there in front was Clarrie , Laurie grinned at me as he launched a canal skimming missile. The close in defence system opened up filling the air in front of the missile with depleted Uranium. The missile was vaporised but the recoil from the gun stopped us dead in the water and we saw Clarrie drift across the finish line to victory.
We had been beaten but there is always next year.
© G N Clutton 2018
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great story