BOATS AND CANALS

It all starts officially tomorrow. What can I say that I haven't said before, other than GOOD LUCK to both OUR teams and ENJOY.

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Maurice

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Interesting trip so far. Went up Oldbury locks where the canal was disgusting. Did Titford pools, met some delightful kids at Brades locks. Down Ryders Green locks and on to Walsall Basin, turn around in the basin and out up Walsall locks. At the top lock received racial abuse with threatened violence. Moored for night at 9:30 at Sneyd. Off again at 6.00, reversed into Holybank basin,out again and now on main line. Running late against plan so will have to ignore Bradley arm. Cheers Graham

It's such a shame that this kind of thing goes on, there is just no need for it. I hope that you will report it, although I doubt it will do any good.

Apart from that you seem to be fully immersed in the Spirit of the Challenge and you have very good weather for it today.

When you get your plaque, will you post a picture of it please. Thanks.

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Maurice

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We will get two plaques, one for the challenge and one for the pools. Just been up the Bradley arm - good points for that. Currently running 10 mins early. Heading for Factory Locks. Crew mutinous but floggings will continue. Cheers Graham

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Maurice

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In Hawne basin, enter basin - 90 degrees then turn and reverse into mooring in front of loads of experts - no pressure! Now having a beer with Laurie. Cheers Graham

Left Hawne Basin at 8am and followed a working pair into centre of Birmingham. Going through Gosty Hill tunnel there exhaust set off our smoke alarms! We have continued on down the Northern Stratford and are moored about 40 mins from Lapworth locks. We have an extra crew member tomorrow to get us down Lapworth and Hatton. Pictures and some more details will br added when I get back. Also two time lapse videos of the two days on the challenge. Only down side today was been shouted at to slow down when the boat was on idle and had been for about 5 mins. Perhaps they should learn how to tie up their boat? Cheers Graham

I agree, Some people on boats think that you should pass almost on idle or manual power, and yet very often the same people pass moored boats without a care.

_________________
Maurice

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We are now moored near Radford lock ready for our final 23 lock ascent back to Calcutt. We have come down 42 locks today, the last 4 in heavy rain and the last 5 miles or so in torrential rain. We shared Hatton with a working boat whose owner, Graham, makes fenders. We had a great time together and shot down the locks. We have planned to meet up tomorrow to go up to Calcutt together. At the last of the Cape locks we met a boater who would only allow his wife to open one paddle by 6 inches to protect his boat. The lock would not achieve a level as it leaked more water than was coming in. We persuaded him to open the paddle fully. At that rate it will take a week just to get up Hatton. Cheers Graham

What was it made of? If it wasn't so ridiculous, it would be funny.

_________________
Maurice

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It was a normal steel narrow boat!

Cheers Graham

i do enjoy your blogs on dotterel graham,always interesting,
hope you had a great time on the bcn,looking forward to the pics and time laps video's.........many thanks.

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.... my memory,s not what it used to be.
also my memory,s not what it used to be.

............................mike.

Thanks, it was great. Dotterel is now asleep at Calcutt and I am at home. I've downloaded photos and videos and will sort it all out tomorrow. Cheers Graham

Great time doing the BCN Challenge.

Great people at Hawn Basin and good to meet Graham (Dottrell) and have a few drinks.

No plaque for the Titford Pools as I didn't go there.


Nice plaque for the Challenge though

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Laurie Booth
http://www.pamelasalem.net

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Maurice

Please click to go to our associate sites

Foxshaw Gardens Online & Boats and Canals