Bus t

I couldn't resist this picture of a broken down bus, front touching a traffic light totally blocking the junction of Harborne High Street by The Green Man.
Taken from the top deck of a suddenly diverting 23.

Wolverhampton Top Lock

On Saturday there was an open day at Wolverhampton top lock.

Although we have been in a wide lock before this was our first visit inside a narrow one.

The lock itself is 15 years older than the USA. And it is in better condition too.



The reason the lock was drained was to allow for new gates to be fitted. Here they are.



We went down into the lock, which is a grade 2 listed building. The talks were interesting and everybody was happy to answer all questions.

We then looked at the state of the drained canal below the lock.





We now know why it is so easy to ground. We will stay closer to the middle from now on.

The other surprises were the answer to the questions:
What do life expired lock gates look like and where do they go.

We found both answers at lock 2.

Starlight Halloween

On Friday it was my last duty of what has been a long season.
I had finally secured the chance to drive in the dark. An experience I was really looking forward to.

When i arrived however, I was told things had been altered and as I was the only one qualified to drive every tram in service I had been moved to do reliefs and then finish early. Not Happy.

First tram was Leeds 180.



Then 345



And then 812



I had said when I was being briefed that I didn't want to drive 812. I cannot see properly and have to stoop to drive which badly effects my back. When we reached Glory Mine my back was playing up. Neil, my conductor, phoned through to explain and duties were altered, back to how they had been originally so i had my own tram.
It turned out to be Blackpool 40.



As the clocks have already changed it got dark earlier.





I did lots of trips and even got to drive 236 in the dark.



I still ended up being last away even though I wasn't last tram. We had to run North wrong line to avoid the Fire Engine that was attending the false alarm. An interesting day.

Trams again.

Today I was back at the Tramway Museum, being the driver on the second duty of the day.
We had a good choice of cars, but with a sunny day forecast, I chose an open top double decker.



Kevin was my conductor again, he is really good and we get on very well. You can see him in the photograph giving is talk on the top Deck.

Other trams in service were Blackpool 167



And Sheffield 74.



It was nice to be back driving them, I haven't done it in a while and I only have one Duty left this year. Shame it takes so much time, but a thoroughly enjoyable day.

Once in a lullaby.

We set off for home bright and early this morning.

We had help on the staircase locks from a great volunteer who entertained the gongoozlers as I attempted to make the transition from one set to the other.



Bright and early it was but soon it was later and dismal. The heavens opened, there was so much rain I was amazed the river didn't go into flood.

Therefore no more pictures I am afraid but we are safely home and there is no need for lullabies for once as we are all shattered.

That was summer. At least we can probably use the sun cream we invested in next year.

And the dreams that you dreamed of

Last night we spent doing quizzes and drinking wine. Our scores went lower as the evening progressed but the enjoyment level went up!

This morning Dorothy asked us why we went rushing through her room to sort out the electrics in the middle of the night. We didn't! Perhaps dreaming about all that can go wrong with the boat is catching. We are currently very worried about the leaking toilet. We can only dream of happier times.

Today we were off just after 8. We got the generator out early so we could have a microwaved breakfast and suitably fed we set off.



The first bridge is definitely not symmetric. It also looks new under the arch but the parapet seems aged. It probably has an interesting history.

Plenty of locks today. And the crew are beginning to work as a team.



We found lots of moorings available when we made it to Stourport. Always a worry as we don't want to end up on the river.

First stop (as always) we Tesco for supplies and the free loos. Then an interesting afternoon observing every kind of life. It's just like a miniature Blackpool without the trams.



Last day tomorrow, or at least that is the intention.

Way up high

Today we decided not to cruise too far and go a walk up into the hills.

The day started with bacon sandwiches from the Canalside cafe which were delicious.

By 12:30 we were mooring up.



We are moored by an interesting structure that we have no knowledge about. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated please.



The rest of the day was spent walking. The path disappeared up into the hills.



For some narrowboating is a leisurely pursuit to be enjoyed at normal walking pace. For others that is too quick as you can see by the figures in the distance.



We finally made it to the pub but the stragglers had still not caught up so I was first to the bar. Hmm - note to self: more haste, more rounds bought.



At least I could find the way back for fresh sweetcorn and baked potatoes.

Somewhere under the rainbow

We have been promising Dorothy a holiday on the narrow boat and here we are.

We set off yesterday, with fine weather.




And we tried to tell her how to do the locks but Alison still ended up doing most of the work.



The rest of the day was very wet so despite having amazing fish and chips and exploring Stourport there are no more pictures.

Today it was much nicer and time to get the radio out and listen to TMS.



The Staffordshire and Worcestershire canal is beautiful though sometimes a little narrow.



It was still conspicuous that nobody else volunteers to take the tiller and therefore have to do the locks.

There is little complaint about the amount of work they have to do though.

Maybe the following picture says why. Find a helper and let them do it all.



We finally made it to Kinver and got a nice mooring. A pity we can only stay for 24 hours here.

At Droitwich Moored Baht' Flat

We have made it back on day 18. Wow. I think I will sleep for a week. 

The day started with a trip to Tesco to use their loos and to get some more petrol for the generator. I was shocked that the petrol was 3p per litre more than the diesel but we do feel out of touch with what's been happening in the world for the last couple of weeks. 

Then it was down the double unaligned staircase locks at Stourport. 

We managed them better than last time with less shouting out instructions to each other and are confident we have now found a way we can manage them without appearing like imbecilical novices in the future. Time will tell. 

We had expected the Severn to be flat calm in August but it was anything but that. Water slapping the hull and creating quite a bit of movement made for an interesting couple of hours. 

Finally we made it on to the Droitwich canals. 

The paid help were getting weary, but the trip included 193 locks in total. I'm weary of standing at the tiller so know how they feel. 

The worker pressed on, and also passed on tips to the Belgian couple we shared the last six double locks with as they have just purchased their boat. 

After negotiating the M5 tunnel where I have to steer on my knees looking down the side of the boat as headroom is virtually non-existent we came to our final lock, which is also our third staircase lock of the day. 

The gates look big and imposing. 

With a deep sigh of relief and a bang on the jetty to show that despite all this experience a helmsman needs to be continually alert we manoeuvred into our berth. 

Home tomorrow to remind the Washing Machine that its days of rest are well and truly over. 

All's fair in love and Stourport

The day started well. We purchased breakfast sandwiches from the canal side cafe at The Vine. 

The bacon ones were fantastic but we will avoid the sausage ones next time. 

When we set sail it wasn't long before we passed the county boundary from Staffordshire into Worcestershire. 

And then on through Kidderminster where the clock struck 12 as we waited for the lock. 

We passed a boat with L plates on today. We have often thought some boaters (including ourselves at times) should have them, but never seen them before. 

Then it was Stourport fair thanks to Uncle Graham and Auntie Roslyn giving the children a special unbirthday present. 

The Helter Skelter looked great 

and was thoroughly enjoyed. 

And the giant slide definitely lived up to its name. 

Blackburn beat Burnley 8-7 in the great Air Hockey challenge. 

The kids are having a great time but we thought canal holidays were quiet tranquil times. We would love that right now. 

Regained.

We managed to get to a pub with Sky TV  to watch the cricket today. Arriving before lunch on the third day proved too late for the woeful Aussies as the match was over, hey ho, now we can explore Kinver this afternoon. 

Today we did five locks, it always makes me think when we are in one just how much water these gates are holding back and if they fail then .....

This is a modern one, though it doesn't look new. 

It has been a short cruise today and it is lovely to be sat out in the sun. We have seen far too little of it this week but perhaps rain is better than sun stroke. 

We passed through Stewpony and the final junction on this canal. 

And avoided the locks up to Merry Hell shopping centre. 

The visitor moorings at Kinver are quite full, but we do think that most do not stick to the 24 hour rule. 

We are quite happy with where we found however as it is right next to the picnic area. And there in time for lunch.