David and I were both awake fairly early and, after a leisurely breakfast, began the second leg of our journey towards Withymoor Island on the Dudley No. 2 canal, where I had booked a space on the work bay for a week or two to do the roof and some other little projects that I had in mind.
We meandered (as you do) towards Birmingham on the Wolverhampton Level up to Tipton where we dropped down onto the Birmingham Level through the 3 Factory Locks.
From there it is not far to Dudley Port Junction where we turned right onto the Netherton Tunnel branch. Having traversed the tunnel we stopped for morning coffee at the Bumble Hole Visitor Centre at Windmill End. From there it was less than 1/2 an hour to Withymoor, where we were expected.
We moored up and secured the boat so that I could take David on the 40 minute journey back to Wombourne - by road!
The travels of nb Chyandour.
Thursday, 22 March 2012
Wednesday, 21 March 2012
Day the first!
Chyandour has been facing Stourport since last summer, and we needed to go the other way. A choice presents itself to achieve this; a three hour return trip to Hinksford to wind, or a 1/2 mile reverse to Giggetty Wharf to wind there. It was early in the morning, so the 1/2 mile reverse won hands down!
We were soon facing the right direction and made good time to Compton where we picked up some fuel at Limekiln, together with a quiche for supper from the Daisy Freezer Centre.
Aldersley Junction was reached within the next hour, and we began our climb up the 21 locks to Wolverhampton.
Just shy of 2 1/2 hours later, we were mooring for the night on the offside secure pontoon at Broad Street basin. I have never before gone up the 21 and found every single lock set in our favour!
The weather had been kind to us too, so we settled down for a bit of R&R and a quiet night.
We were soon facing the right direction and made good time to Compton where we picked up some fuel at Limekiln, together with a quiche for supper from the Daisy Freezer Centre.
Aldersley Junction was reached within the next hour, and we began our climb up the 21 locks to Wolverhampton.
Just shy of 2 1/2 hours later, we were mooring for the night on the offside secure pontoon at Broad Street basin. I have never before gone up the 21 and found every single lock set in our favour!
The weather had been kind to us too, so we settled down for a bit of R&R and a quiet night.
Tuesday, 20 March 2012
Another year gone by
We are hoping to have another break on Chyandour after Easter, and decided to move the boat nearer to our home in Netherton so that I can do some needful roof paint repairs beforehand.
So, tonight, I have come to Wombourne and am sleeping on board to make an early start, along with David, tomorrow.
So, tonight, I have come to Wombourne and am sleeping on board to make an early start, along with David, tomorrow.
Sunday, 24 April 2011
And now for the main course
Last Saturday's taster really did whet our appetites so, once we had celebrated the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus, we set off for a week or so away. Gwyn was soon into the swing of things again!
The weather was fine as we left Wombourne at about 1.40pm, and we passed through Bratch without too much delay. Apparently there had been so much traffic on Friday there was a four hour wait for part of the afternoon! We decided to stop at Autherley Junction for the night and arrived there about 6.00pm.
The weather was fine as we left Wombourne at about 1.40pm, and we passed through Bratch without too much delay. Apparently there had been so much traffic on Friday there was a four hour wait for part of the afternoon! We decided to stop at Autherley Junction for the night and arrived there about 6.00pm.
Friday, 15 April 2011
A foretaste of what is to come
A delightful few hours spent with two of our grandchildren (Tabitha and Nathaniel) on a trip to Hinksford to wind Chyandour prior to our post-Easter break. Tabitha helped with the locks, Nathaniel spent most of his time on his DS, appearing only to help with one and have a go at steering.
Thursday, 29 July 2010
Rumours of Wars
The day started with us realising that we were seriously short of milk and that none of the places we were planning to go through today had a shop. So I ran up to Market Bosworth to get some. We then spent the morning at Bosworth Field Heritage Centre (http://www.bosworthbattlefield.com/) and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves there.
After lunch we left the Battlefield mooring and continued to the head of navigation, getting there about 4.00pm. Work is in progress to extend the canal from Snarestone to Measham and Ashby Canal Trust now owns aall the necessary land to complete this; they just do not have the money!
We winded and went back to a mooring at Shackerstone for the night.
Wednesday, 28 July 2010
A Happy Event Ahead
That will be Gwyneth joining me at Nuneaton - if all goes to plan.
The plan, of course, involves an early start.
It was stunningly beautiful and clear at 5.30am as I left the mooring to start up the Atherstone flight. There was the usual dawn cacophony of cockerels and peacocks in glorious dissonance, but that is part of being in the countryside.
I was clear of Atherstone after about 3 hours and arrived at Boot Wharf in Nuneaton at 10.40am. When Gwyneth arrived, she was able to park her car at Starline Cruisers (for a donation to their favourite charity).
By the time we were sorted out it was 11.30am, and so we headed towards our destination - the Ashby Canal.
We duly turned onto this waterway and made our way up to the Battlefield mooring where there was a very handy space at the end. Time to stop for the day at 4.40pm.
We still had some energy left, so walked up into Market Bosworth for supper at the Red Lion. The weather stayed fine, if not very warm, except for just a few drops of rain. Judging by the clouds in the distance someone else got the downpour.
The plan, of course, involves an early start.
It was stunningly beautiful and clear at 5.30am as I left the mooring to start up the Atherstone flight. There was the usual dawn cacophony of cockerels and peacocks in glorious dissonance, but that is part of being in the countryside.
I was clear of Atherstone after about 3 hours and arrived at Boot Wharf in Nuneaton at 10.40am. When Gwyneth arrived, she was able to park her car at Starline Cruisers (for a donation to their favourite charity).
By the time we were sorted out it was 11.30am, and so we headed towards our destination - the Ashby Canal.
We duly turned onto this waterway and made our way up to the Battlefield mooring where there was a very handy space at the end. Time to stop for the day at 4.40pm.
We still had some energy left, so walked up into Market Bosworth for supper at the Red Lion. The weather stayed fine, if not very warm, except for just a few drops of rain. Judging by the clouds in the distance someone else got the downpour.
Tuesday, 27 July 2010
A Day of Contrasts
Actually, the only real contrast was between wearing a raincoat or not! On and off showers and drizzle were the order of the day - a least to start with.
I left The Taft at 5.40am, hoping to get within a half-day's journey of Marston Junction (the start of the Ashby Canal) by tonight. By 8.30am I had reached the first lock descending to Fradley Junction. It was a bit slow at Fradley Middle Lock due to an inexperienced boater not realising a gate paddle was partially open. But we soon got that sorted and I turned onto the Coventry Canal at 9.35am. Having passed through the swing bridge I stopped to fill Chyandour with water (and me with coffee). Soon on my way, and Fazeley Junction hove into sight at about 1.30pm.
I wanted to get fairly close to Atherton before stopping so that I could have a good run at them in the morning, so I decided to stop at Bradley Green for the night. Before then, however, was the small matter of Glascote Locks. These had been passed by 2.45pm, and I moored at Bradley at 4.45pm.
The afternoon had been sunny from 2.30pm - a real bonus after the morning's efforts.
I left The Taft at 5.40am, hoping to get within a half-day's journey of Marston Junction (the start of the Ashby Canal) by tonight. By 8.30am I had reached the first lock descending to Fradley Junction. It was a bit slow at Fradley Middle Lock due to an inexperienced boater not realising a gate paddle was partially open. But we soon got that sorted and I turned onto the Coventry Canal at 9.35am. Having passed through the swing bridge I stopped to fill Chyandour with water (and me with coffee). Soon on my way, and Fazeley Junction hove into sight at about 1.30pm.
I wanted to get fairly close to Atherton before stopping so that I could have a good run at them in the morning, so I decided to stop at Bradley Green for the night. Before then, however, was the small matter of Glascote Locks. These had been passed by 2.45pm, and I moored at Bradley at 4.45pm.
The afternoon had been sunny from 2.30pm - a real bonus after the morning's efforts.
Monday, 26 July 2010
How long is a day's boating?
Well, if I am to be in Nuneaton by lunchtime on Wednesday, quite long!
I was away from the F&A at about 5.15am today on a grey but dry morning. There was no other boat moving at all between there and Gailey, at which I arrived at 7.05am.
It was not long, though, before others were up and around and I stopped for a coffee break at Penkridge Lock at 9.15am.
When I arrived at Teddesley I thought I recognised the folk working a boat up through the lock, and it turned out to be BCF members Philip and Heather Barnes. A useful chat ensued about arrangements for the Black Country Boating Festival in September when they will be heading up the BCF presence.
We went on our divergent ways and I completed the descent at Tixall lock at 1.55pm.
The next stop was to replenish the fuel tank at Great Haywood before turning south on the Trent & Mersey canal at about 3.00pm.
Where to stop for the night? Ping - a bright idea - what about The Taft, home to BCF members Peter & Julie Thorn?
I arrived there at 4.25pm and found their boat Maid of Oak http://www.batesboatyard.co.uk/MaidOfOak.htm on its mooring with Peter only a toot away. A warm welcome ensued, part of which was 'cup-of-tea' shaped. He was quite happy for me to moor there for the night, and I was also invited to supper later on, after Heather had returned home.
I was away from the F&A at about 5.15am today on a grey but dry morning. There was no other boat moving at all between there and Gailey, at which I arrived at 7.05am.
It was not long, though, before others were up and around and I stopped for a coffee break at Penkridge Lock at 9.15am.
When I arrived at Teddesley I thought I recognised the folk working a boat up through the lock, and it turned out to be BCF members Philip and Heather Barnes. A useful chat ensued about arrangements for the Black Country Boating Festival in September when they will be heading up the BCF presence.
We went on our divergent ways and I completed the descent at Tixall lock at 1.55pm.
The next stop was to replenish the fuel tank at Great Haywood before turning south on the Trent & Mersey canal at about 3.00pm.
Where to stop for the night? Ping - a bright idea - what about The Taft, home to BCF members Peter & Julie Thorn?
I arrived there at 4.25pm and found their boat Maid of Oak http://www.batesboatyard.co.uk/MaidOfOak.htm on its mooring with Peter only a toot away. A warm welcome ensued, part of which was 'cup-of-tea' shaped. He was quite happy for me to moor there for the night, and I was also invited to supper later on, after Heather had returned home.
Sunday, 25 July 2010
Cruising Away
The plan to have a swap between Joan & David and Gwyneth & Stephen has been scuppered by the arrival of D & J's new puppy. So we (S & G) decided to visit the Ashby Canal.
In order to do this, I am taking Chyandour as far as Nuneaton by myself, hopefully by Wednesday lunchtime, and Gwyn will drive there to meet me.
So I started from Wombourne at 1.40pm, having half loaded the boat on Friday. Not a lot of traffic around, but the last of a block of three boats was going up Bratch, and there was a queue to come down.
Forty minutes later I was on my way again, and reached the summit level at Compton at 6.45pm.
The Fox & Anchor at Coven was my chosen mooring, and I arrived and was settled for the night by 8.30pm.
In order to do this, I am taking Chyandour as far as Nuneaton by myself, hopefully by Wednesday lunchtime, and Gwyn will drive there to meet me.
So I started from Wombourne at 1.40pm, having half loaded the boat on Friday. Not a lot of traffic around, but the last of a block of three boats was going up Bratch, and there was a queue to come down.
Forty minutes later I was on my way again, and reached the summit level at Compton at 6.45pm.
The Fox & Anchor at Coven was my chosen mooring, and I arrived and was settled for the night by 8.30pm.
Saturday, 1 May 2010
The Home Stretch
The promise of a fine morning with rain to follow galvanised me into early activity and I left Compton at 5.40am for a leisurely leg of the journey to Wombourne. There were a lot of boats gathered at Dimmingsdale, including a number of BCF members ( www.boaterschristianfellowship.org.uk ), but it was a bit early for social calling.
I arrived at Bratch at 8.20am and I was able to follow a cruiser down. The weather stayed fine and I was tied up on the home mooring by 9.30am.
A really refreshing, if somewhat extended, post-Easter cruise.
I arrived at Bratch at 8.20am and I was able to follow a cruiser down. The weather stayed fine and I was tied up on the home mooring by 9.30am.
A really refreshing, if somewhat extended, post-Easter cruise.
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