BOATS AND CANALS

Who's been busy little bees then?

Great pictures Graham.

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Maurice

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So the Challenge.

The plan was get to the top of Perry Barr locks on Friday and cruise 40 mins to Newton Junction for an 8:00 start on Saturday. Do the challenge then back via the Northern Stratford arriving around 2pm on the following Wednesday.

The trip there went well, we moored in Leamington on Wednesday after taking about 6 hours to get from Calcutt.

It is very pleasant down there.



We stopped for shopping on Thursday at bridge 40 then headed up Hatton and Knowle locks.

We did Hatton in 2 hours 20 minutes.



Knowle locks followed - very pretty.



It was into Brum, down Camp Hill and Garrison locks, under spaghetti juntion then up Perry Barr locks on Friday arriving about 5pm.



On the Saturday it was cruise to Newton Junction then head off on the Thame Valley canal to Thame Valley Junction. We found a police car ( a large toy) in the canal which started our rubbish collection. Then it as up the Walsall canal, into the basin for a photo shoot.



Out of the basin and up Walsall locks, we got stuck in lock 8 initially as there wasn't enough water and then because the gate wouldn't shut.

At Birchills we turned right down the Wryly and Essington, diverting up the Cannock Extansion to Grove Colliery basin.



and the Anglesey Branch past these coal chutes



Back to the Wryley and down the Daw End branch. We hit something big underwater and the tiller was knocked up out of the bottom cup bearing. I thought the challenge was over but after a bit of fiddling it dropped back in.

The it was on to the Rushall Canal and down the locks in the dark. the new headlight worked well, all lock operators had head mounted lights and the co-driver had 120 watts of hand held power to point down the side of the boat when entering the locks and back at the cill when in it. We all loved it. We moored at 10:41.

At 4:41 we set off again to Salford Junction, up Aston and Farmers Bridge flights then right onto the main line. We went via Icknield Port loop and then Soho loop to Bromford Junction and did a 180 to get into Spon Lane locks.



Then up on the old main line under the M5.



Left into Oldbury locks with very little time left but looking good when someone came down them delaying everything. We arrived at the top 3 mins late. The organisers, however, said anyone in the flight at 2 would get an on time arrival!!

We took a short trip into Titford large Pool to turn around and moored.



And proudly displayed our rubbish collection of a car, two tyres (one with wheel), a fire extinguisher, a helium cylinder and a traffic cone.



Then it was time to go - 8am Monday morning.

Lapworth was nice though.



We did 133 miles and 120 locks.

I have a time lapse video here but the camera ran out of space before Oldbury locks.

https://youtu.be/E0Z2ZNqo1O8

Cheers Graham

Thanks Graham, a good detailed account with excellent photographs, Dotterel looks great.

I have downloaded your video to watch on TV later, I could do it via Virgin Media, but I prefer to copy it to a CD.

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Maurice

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Foxshaw Gardens Online & Boats and Canals

Just got the new desk top computer up and running. so just read your post.
Fab U Lus. Graham

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Pete Russell NB SORCERESS

Thanks for the comments guys.

I have done some analysis. We cruised most of the high scoring canals and did loads of locks. We scored more points per hour in the locks.. The Thame valley canal is a good score as it seems fast (around 3.3 mph average) and is a triple scoring canal.we were very slow on the Walsall canal and Wryly and Essington possibly because I was down the weed hatch 10 times. We also cruised for 24 hours so no time was wasted. We spotted all the clues and got all photo opportunities.

I am hopeful that we might get a good score.

The truth is I made some serious mistakes in the plans and if I had realised how close it was going to be would have been more cautious.

We had a serious go at winning this year but next year may take it a little easier.

Cheers Graham

The main thing is enjoying yourselves and it is evident that you did.

I have now watched and enjoyed your video, you seem to have trained your crew well. Full Marks all round.

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Maurice

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Foxshaw Gardens Online & Boats and Canals

super video graham,and the weather improved for the second day,
i grew up and used to play by the soho loop,but we always called it the winson green canal,

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

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

Now it is time to patch up the damage. The hull has had a few scratches so Jo is on the case. I have found everything regardless squirreled away to make storage for my 6 guests. I have fitted a new horn and taken off the leaking central heating pump. The last two were not directly a result of the challenge but I found them on the way.

Do you know how expensive the pumps are? £100 and loads more. I thought about buying the equivalent pump as fitted to a Mercedes but if it goes on a Merc it costs more!

Cheers Graham

All will soon be back to its former glory.

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Maurice

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I've ordered the pump from ASAP supplies. 129 pounds! Calcutt wanted to sell me one for 199. I have been looking at the pumps they use in solar systems but they have a lower flow rate and lower temperature tolerance.

Ah well, I've done it now on a like for like basis.

The hull is looking better!

Cheers Graham

Great meeting up with you at Titford, well done on your score

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Laurie Booth
http://www.pamelasalem.net

Thanks Laurie, It was a shame the beer ran out though!

Sorry about your poor performance this year - no wooden spoon to grace Clarrie. Next year I think you should head straight for the finish and only officially start when you get there.

Cheers Graham

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Laurie Booth
http://www.pamelasalem.net

We have been on the boat for the weekend. It was Grandchild sitting time as Daughter had to go to a wedding.

It was a bit hot!!

We arrived on Thursday to give us some time to sort things out. Now when we set off on the BCN challenge the fridge didn't want to start and then during the challenge it flashed the odd red light or two which the boaty ones amongst us (me and niece) put down to the non-boaty ones leaving the door open. Well is seems it was the fridge - no amount of coaxing would get it to start. The best solution would have been buy a domestic one with a small inverter to power it but I had no time to sort all that out so bought a 12volt DC one. If you think the water pump for the central heating was expensive (see previous posts) then you'll be gob smacked by a 12volt fridge - over £500.

It is working fine and has a light in it - a first for our boat.



I also fitted the new central heating pump.



The steam boat Adamant came past.



Ir was too hot to stay in the boat so we settled down under the trees.



And watched the boats go past.



Then, of course, we need the obligatory sunset.



And finally the post sun set sky.



It was a great weekend, we finished by emptying the water tank so our painter can get in it!

Cheers Graham

It's all right for some.

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Maurice

Please click to go to our associate sites

Foxshaw Gardens Online & Boats and Canals