A day at Crich

Today I was on duty yet again at Crich.

I only have another four left this year, so enjoyed another fine day and a chance to drive a lovely tram. 

The boat was out doing the ultimate tram driving experience today, so I chose Blackpool 166.

All did not go to plan, because I jammed the sand pedal in the depot, requiring engineering to hit it with a big hammer, whilst the sand spilled all over the depot floor.

Not the best start to the day.
Nothing else bad happened, it was a busy day with virtually every trip full, but bizarrely on the last trip we didn't get a single passenger!

I have often wondered what the duty inspector does whilst my tram is up the line, and on a drinks break I managed to find out.

Other trams in service two day were Glasgow 1068, and of course it's a Saturday so Chesterfield 7 is out. 

I thoroughly enjoyed the day, although I am tired having finished it.
There is something very special about achieving one's childhood ambition of being a tram driver, and I cherish every moment of it.

Staff Trip

On Saturday we had our first, and last as I am leaving, staff trip from Swanshurst.

We did our normal one day cruise down to the Bridge Inn at Tibberton.

As I was at the tiller all the time, not many photos, I really need to improve this aspect of my blogging.
Here we have a picture taken in the lock, and you may think Iain is wearing strange clothing for leisure cruising. 

The reason for this was that he had decided to come in his kayak, which he dutifully paddled behind us for some of the way, but mainly in front of us.
He arrived at the pub so early that Freya got a chance to try it out. 

A great time was had by all.

Today turned out much worse than we had expected. We spent the first three hours trying to un-fit and then re-fit the chimney for the new water heater. Once we had the knack it was fine, but it did take a bit of practice. We will need to remove it regularly as it is quite high and most bridges quite low. It was pointed out that it might be self removing if we forget, but not an avenue we wish to explore.

Just as we were about to leave tonight, I decided to investigate why the furniture seemed to have a position about an inch lower than it had been.
What greeted me up on removing the carpet tiles has left us both in a state of shock. The floor has gone rotten in two or three places all around the electric cupboard. So rotten it just crumbled when we touched it and it was a horrible green mouldy colour.
We hope it won't affect our summer cruise, but as there is now a hole where the steps to the stern stood it is a giant leap for mankind and an even bigger leap for Alison to get out.

Gordon, the man who we turn to for everything to do with Magpie II is coming to have a look in the morning and we will go from there. We are now drowning our sorrows!

Tramming again.

I was duty 4 driver yesterday, so no choice of vehicle, Chesterfield seven is advertised as being out every Saturday, and the others didn't choose it so I had it.

As it turned out, because it had to run, I got a full day crewing, whereas the other trams didn't.
Other trams out were 236, 167, and 510.

It was a nice fine, if windy, day. Just time for a couple of photos.

Crich Tuesday 26th May

I was meant to be just driving lunchtime reliefs today, but we were short of crew so after doing a trip on Eric the access tram I had to drive Glasgow 1068 for the rest of the day. Not much chance for pictures which is a shame as it was "Beside the seaside" event. However did get four of the children on the carousel. 

Dudley Number Two Canal

Yesterday it was the open day for the Coombeswood Canal Trip. 

It was a nice event that took place in Hawne Basin. This is now at the furthest navigable point on the Dudley number two canal. Of course it used to continue through the long closed Lapal tunnel through to the Worcester and Birmingham canal at Selly Oak.

We didn't get chance to take any photographs at the event, due to the proximity of water to my phone :-) however we did enjoy a lovely boat trip along this section of canal. We hadn't yet walked this part of the BCN so enjoyed discovering the Gosty Hill tunnel. 

It's a very small portal and won't have much room for the helmsman when navigating through it. 

It reminded us a lot of the Dudley tunnel just further up the network. 

Of course there is no towpath through it, so we had to walk over the top. The route was not difficult to follow but what we then found really surprised us. Take a look at the next picture.

That really is a vent for the tunnel, which takes up virtually the whole of the front garden of a house. It struck us as rather odd that a house would be built so close to the vent. I took another photograph to show that although they have tried to disguise the vent with a tree it is the dominating feature and only a few feet from the front door. 

I wonder if the owners are canal fans?

When it rains ...

Today was my first driving duty of the season at the Tramway Museum.
Although the day started off quite wet, the forecast was for it to improve.
Being brave I decided I wanted to drive Blackpool 236, the open boat tram. 

The weather did improve as forecast, and we were having a great day

Until

We got a surprise thunder storm. At the time we were at the top of the line, Glory Mine, as you can see from the picture, there is not a lot of shelter, and we were all huddled in the centre, but that didn't really help, everybody was wet through so we set off back down the hill in the thunder storm. When we got to Wakebridge stop there was an almighty clap of thunder and then the power went off. So there we are, on an open tram in a thunderstorm with no electricity to make the tram move, most of the passengers got off the tram and sheltered in the tram stop, the crew however stayed with their vehicle. That is a story that will be re-told many times!
Because of the weather we got an early finish, as the tram was soaked and nobody wants to sit on wet seats. Getting home by 6 o'clock was a real bonus. 

I only took one other picture today, of Leeds 180.

Much Ado About Nothing.

Or the Best of British? Personally I go for the latter. 

Another day another performance for Alison. Today we are in Stratford upon Avon. 

Alison is performing during the morning service at Holy Trinity church. 

It was a big service that started with a marching band. 

And all to celebrate the birthday, life and death day of the chap buried at the alter. 

After the Service we walked back to the car via the canal, this was the first bit of canal we ever took Magpie II on. 

This is the first narrow lock we ever went in

And this lock has a very strange beam with which to open the bottom gate. Alison really struggled with it.

It was a lovely day in Stratford, quite bright sunshine and very warm. Spring is definitely in the air as this swan proved.