And back again......

Stoke Works to Droitwich Spa Marina
3 miles, 9 locks

It was bright and sunny, but cold and blustery with the odd spot of rain and even a few hail stones! Not a bad day to boat and we think one of the better ones for this week, so we set off from Stoke Works to return Tentatrice to her mooring in Droitwich Spa Marina.  It was, I am glad to say, an uneventful trip, but oh how we enjoyed it.  Roll on 16th May when we head off for the summer.

There was boat traffic about including two boats traversing the Astwood flight with just one person doing all the locking for both boats!  Two very slow boats to China, but thankfully we crossed paths rather than following behind them.  Then at Hanbury locks there was another boat - well what can I say, where do I start..!  We were in the top lock and were joined by a VLK (volunteer lock keeper) who stayed with our boat to open the bottom gates whilst I went to the next lock to get it ready.  I spied a boat in the bottom lock coming up, so naturally, as the lock was empty, I went to open the bottom gates ready for them.  I really do not know what went on at that first lock, but they took an age.  They left the gates open (thankfully) but left both paddles up!  By the time they reached the middle lock both crew were on board - for those that do not know Hanbury the locks are possibly 200 yards apart, so not exactly an arduous walk.  They are very deep, so if you go into a lock on the boat it is not an easy job to get out.  In they came and there they stayed just waiting for things to happen round them!!  The VLK had joined me by that time and went back up to the top lock with them and once again I think both crew stayed on the boat waiting for the VLK to do all the work!  I don't know if he got thanked, but certainly there was no word of thanks to me or even recognition that I might actually have been doing something to help them!!  We quietly went on down to the bottom lock and back to the marina.

Not many photos today

The pretty lock cottage at the lock before the bottom Astwood lock is coming alive with spring colour

They are still flying the flags of the USA

Wales, the UK and Canada - but these pictures are better than the last lot with no washing in the background!

Hanbury bottom lock which shows how deep these locks are and also how close together which was why I was so astounded that one member of the crew on the boat coming up did not walk!

Back to the marina and the new office is open and the old metal cabin has gone.  The offices are lovely inside if a little basic at present.  There will be a waiting area for boat crews downstairs with chairs that are relatively comfortable - they do not want to encourage one to tarry and disturb the working of the office.  For chat and socialisation they are going to furnish a boaters lounge upstairs with coffee machines etc.  Definitely a valuable addition to the marina.  It has come a long way in 4 years, is always busy and virtually full.

We had to wait until we got to the marina to see any ducklings - a family with five youngsters

and a Mum with just two

So that is it until 16th March when we head off for the summer - first north to Tixall Wide via Birmingham, Fazeley and Fradley Junctions.  There we will meet up with Boatwif and the Captain from nb Cleddau.  Then back down to Worcester for the Worcester boat festival on 12/13 June - if anyone reading this is going, please let us know and we will look out for you - we are booked in for the weekend.  It is our home canal and they are celebrating their bicentennial - something we felt we could not miss. From there down the Severn to Sharpness and onto Bristol (weather, tides and pilot permitting), next along the Kennet and Avon to London with diversions down the Basingstoke and the Wey before we think about heading for home. That should keep us out of mischief for a while.  If you see us, do give us a wave and say hello.

Family Outing & some thoughts about life jackets

Saturday 11th April 2015
Droitwich Spa Marina to Stoke Works
3.25 miles, 11 locks

Just a quick trip back to Stoke Works accompanied by our daughter, son in law, their two boys (the Bromsgrove Boys) and our eldest granddaughter from Derby.  The sun shone, the journey was uneventful, but fun which was the aim of the game.  This was a first trip to include locks for the younger of the Bromsgrove Boys.  He is now 3.5 and was up for helping for a while. There were plenty of people to help him watch a DVD when boredom set in!  The other two Derby grandchildren were supposed to be with us, but sadly missed out due to upset tummies which don't go well with boating!  Just a few photos for posterity.

 Just to show that Monty has not forgotten his 'locking drill'!

Now to life jackets.  I was doing a stint of volunteer lock keeping on Easter Monday and somehow (I still don't really know how) I ended up in the canal just below a lock.  Because I was on duty for the C&RT I was wearing a life jacket.  The water was very deep and I have to say that I was very glad that the life jacket did it's stuff and popped me up to the surface.  I must have hit my leg on the underside of a boat I although I did not realise I had hurt myself until I had 'squelched' my way the mile back to the car! It is still being dressed as it became infected, but it is on the mend.  I visited minor injuries the next day and they gave me a tetanus booster (something we had not thought of).  I am a good swimmer, but the shock of unexpectedly finding myself underwater really made me appreciate the life jacket. We always wear ours on big rivers & at sea (well the Wash!), but at no other time.  It has made me wonder if we should round locks - particularly long flights.  It was dry underfoot & I had sensible shoes on, so it can happen any time.  Food for thought perhaps?

If the boaters I was with read this - thank you for your help and concern - it was really appreciated, especially escorting me back to our car.

The Final Chapter of the Summer 2014 Cruise!

Wednesday 20^th February 2015

Stoke Works to Droitwich Spa Marina

3 miles, 9 locks

Although we have not moved for months this really was the final leg of our summer cruise of 2014, rather than the start of 2015.  Tentatrice has been with Pinder’s since the end of September.  First for bottom blacking at the top of the Tarbebigge flight .  We then moved down the Tardebigge and Stoke Flights in October and she stayed at Pinder’s works at Stoke until today.  We had just a few little jobs and one big one to be done.  The little ones were done soon after she arrived – all aimed at making life a bit easier:

2 new shelves in the galley

Repositioning of the bow thruster control- It used to be down the far side of this box where the blank plate it now – by the time we (well me in particular) had moved forward, bent over, applied two fingers to switch it on, selected port or starboard and moved back to resume steering we were often over the other side of the cut!! 

This new position on top of the box should make life a lot easier 

The end of the bed used to be one big drawer, but it took two to open it, so we asked them to split it into two 

The water tank filler used to be accessed from inside the locker which often got wet when we filled up, but more importantly it was also a pain to keep the lid propped open whilst we were filling with water and made it hard to get on and off the bow.  

An extra ‘hole’ in the floor for the table legs – this will allow us to erect one of the tables at the end of the dinette for use with the computer without having to have wires trailing around all over the place – it will also make a better side table for a cuppa (or something stronger!!). 

The final big job was the floor (see above for the new floor) – we made a big mistake choosing non slip vinyl which seemed such a good idea at the time and it certainly was non slip for Monty, however it was very hard to clean (hands and knees and a scrubbing brush was all too common an occurrence) and worse still (and the reason we changed the floor) it was too soft and after one season we had three holes in it.  Pinder’s had a lot of work on (they still have) and needed to wait until after Christmas before starting this job.  As they had the space to keep Tentatrice, there was no point in moving her just to bring her back again.  We are delighted with the new floor – it looks good, is a lot harder and we hope it will be easier to clean.  It is in planks, so if we do have a disaster we have a few spares.  Monty slips a lot, but he is used to hard slippery floors at home and will soon learn to ‘walk, not run’!!  If we had had a pound for every time we told our son that when he was small it would probably have paid for the boat!! 

So to the final leg of our trip.  This is us already to go:

 We left Droitwich Spa Marina on 23 May 2014 under a very heavy sky

It was not long before the heavens opened and stayed that way for two days whilst we tackled the 45 locks to the top of Tardebigge!

He was not happy!!

Also note the 'winter hat' and many layers worn last May

Our daughter helped us on the second day whilst we went up the Tardebigge flight and she got so wet, she went through two sets of clothes

This trip was a complete contrast - a wonderful blue sky and plenty of sunshine

Warm clothes were still needed, but not the waterproof lined hat

It was a really wonderful cruise and all too short.  We got through the 6 locks at Astwood in really good time.  There is a very pretty cottage at lock 19 that has a stunning garden through the spring, summer and autumn.  Today it was flying an array of flags (shame about the washing!).

Monty had not forgotten how to supervise locking duties.

He was wearing his coat to protect his back where he had a lump removed just under two weeks ago. I am glad to say the lump was benign and the scar is healing well.

The three locks at Hanbury are the final leg and we were very lucky to find one of the C&RT employees that we know from our litter picking and lock keeping duties there.  He offered to help us through and we never turn down offers of help!  It was a lovely day, but he is a hardy and brave soul to be sporting a t-shirt!!

At the second of the Hanbury locks you get the first good view of Droitwich Spa Marina peeking through the trees

Once through the 'Hanbury three' it is a right turn and we were back in the marina.  When we left last May they were just starting to build the new office block

Now it is almost finished

I have just noticed that the sky looks a bit grey - we must have finished our short cruise at an opportune moment!

In no time at all we were back at the mooring we left nearly 9 months ago

I know when Jaq and Les were at Cowroast Marina they felt very hemmed in.  I was sure we had more space between the boats in this marina, but I don't think we do and I don't think the pontoons are any wider, however, I have never felt constricted here.  I think it must be because the marina is so large and there is so much open space.  Mind you we have never had to live here.  The good news for the marina is that they are now full, but it is bad news for us - we had to decide whether pay for the year or risk no mooring availability next autumn when we come back again.  We wimped out took the former course, so having paid Pinder's and the annual mooring fees our bank account is feeling the pinch!

It was wonderful to be afloat again.  We have a lot of deep cleaning to do and re-stocking of the boat, but that will wait for a week or two - we are off to Pembroke for a week from 28th February with Sue and Ken from nb Cleddau.  We will be taking our water proofs, boots and winter walking trousers!

Finally the stats for those who like these things (that would be me then!) of our summer cruise:

We travelled 641.25 miles, went through 406 locks, 14 tunnels and 9 swing bridges, over 19 aqueducts and cruised for around 310 hours. 

The Airhead Convention.....

Wednesday 28th January 2015
Cow Roast

On Tuesday Chris and I travelled to the home of The Captain and Boatwif from nb Cleddau near Bedford to start planning for this year's cruise.  We are aiming to attend the The Worcester Festival from 12th - 14th June which will be celebrating the 200th anniversary of the Worcester and Birmingham Canal.  From there we will travel to Sharpness where we will collect a pilot and travel along the Severn to Portishead.  Next stop Bristol and then along the Kennet and Avon to London. We might venture down the Wey, but that end of the trip is all very flexible at present.

Wednesday saw us travel to Cow Roast to meet up with Jaq and Les on nb Valerie.  George, Carole and Molly from Still Rockin joined us for coffee before we all headed off to the Greyhound Pub at Wigginton for a very long lunch - around 3 hours!!  What better way to spend a cold January day - good food and great company.  Why the 'Arihead Convention' - we are all proud and very happy owners of Airhead composting toilets - and yes they were discussed!!

Round the table from the left: Jaq, Chris, Jennie, Carole, George, Ken, Sue, Les

We were all invited aboard Still Rockin for a cuppa/glass of wine and what a beauty she is - thank you Carole and George for showing us your lovely home.

 Monty and Molly busy devouring a chew - the lady was, of course, the boss!!  Well it is her home and she is a few years older than Monty.

Then it was back to the Cleddau crew's home for a very light supper (!!) and discussion on who is to take what for our week near Pembroke together at the beginning of March.  No canals, but lots of beach, so we will have a very happy young dog.

As a postscript - Jaq and Les we were delighted to see today that your 'two more sleeps' became 'one' and that you have made your bid for freedom from the marina!

Locks, locks and a few more locks!

Monday 6^th October 2014

Dry Dock to below Tardebigge top lock

0.25 miles, 1 lock

We presented ourselves at 8am as requested to move Tentatrice out of the dry dock as a C&RT boat was due to go in. 

She does have a lovely shiny bottom now. 

We are afloat again

The weather was foul – the rain was lashing down and the wind was blowing fast and furious, but needs must.  We actually just took her out of the dry dock and moored round the corner and went back in the afternoon to move down the lock.  15 minutes was my maximum exposure to the elements and I was soaked to the skin!  Chris had sensibly donned his waterproof trousers, so fared better. Monty was left in the car.

And the C&RT boat - well as I write a week later she is still not in dry dock.  The Pinder's employee walked round the corner to the office and no one there had the keys and did not want to help haul her round!  Can't say I blame them in view of the weather, but had we known we could have stayed dry.  The guessing game is how long they will prevaricate!

Sunday 12^th October 2014

Below lock 58 to The Queen’s Head, Stoke Pound

2.5 miles, 29 locks

Crew had been recruited – Our son in law, Paul, dropped our daughter, Sarah, and six year old George off at lock 57.  Paul and Jamie (nearly 3) helped with the first lock.  Well we had to get Paul to wind set of paddles!  No one escapes that easily.

 The pushing was fun and Jamie did well.

However it was felt that he is a little too young to help with 28 locks, so he was carried off by Daddy screaming for ‘Mummy’ and insisting he could help!  Next year maybe.  That left us with Sarah and George who were a great help.  We had wondered if George would get bored and give up before we got to the bottom, but no, he stayed the course.  We like the flight and find it quite easy to work.  Most of the gates and paddles are in good condition - there is work due over the winter, but not to this beam which is the only one that really looks in need of some serious tlc. 

The bottom small gates are all well balanced enough that George is able to open and close them on his own, which means a person each side of the lock which does make life a lot easier and the journey quicker.  We were also lucky enough to meet four boats coming up and one of the local C&RT employees came past on his quad bike (he knows us from our litter picking duties) and he opened about 6 top gates for us.  Then as we got to lock 30 (the penultimate lock) he was coming back and stopped and opened the bottom lock for us.

The flight is so pretty that I just love it.

The weather was dry and fairly bright – certainly nothing like our very wet journey up in May.

Paul and Jamie came to collect Sarah and George and we decided a drink in the Queens Head was in order.   I put Monty in the car and went to join them.  As Chris went in Sarah said to him ‘What you like to drink Dad?’.  ‘A pint of Guinness’ came the reply (one does not really need to ask him!).  The order was placed along with a drink with me.  The conversation continued – Sarah ‘Do you have any money Dad as I don’t and Jamie has fallen asleep on Paul and is lying on his wallet!!’   Well it is her birthday today, so I guess she can be forgiven!  

We went and sat in the Tepee (it was heaving inside the pub) where they had fire to warm us through as we had all got a little chilly.  This picture was taken in the summer - the top of the tepee is firmly closed at the moment.

Jamie woke up and joined in the fun.  A good way to spend a day with the family.

Our cars were then moved to the correct places for the next day.  The family went home and Chris and I ate in the Queen’s Head – yet another really good meal.

Monday 13^th October

Queen’s Head to JL Pinder & Sons, Stoke Prior

1.25 miles, 6 locks

We got going fairly quickly today as rain was promised.  We both kitted ourselves out in full waterproof gear and even put Monty’s coat on.  

The precaution worked – the rain held off until we finished.  It was very windy, so the extra layers were appreciated.

I always consider this sight as a sign we are heading home - the windmill at Avoncroft.

We had a good run down, stopped before the bottom lock to empty all things that need emptying.  I moved my car to the lock side, so once we were in the lock the small amount of things we had on board were piled into the car.  Our timing was perfect – a boat arrived coming up, so they worked the lock for Chris whilst I drove round to Pinder’s.  The boat is there for as long as it takes for a few bits and bobs to be done.  It is likely to be over a month as we are not going to be able to move her until the middle of November.  It is busy at Pinder's - we are moored three deep.

We are off to Sarah's tonight - we are cooking her a birthday tea.  Plans for the meantime - a busy half term with family which will include a visit to the RAF Museum at Cosford to see the progress on the Dornier.  I reported on our first visit last October HERE.  There will be 17 of us - a real family outing.  We then have a trip to London with The Captain and Boatwif from nb Cleddau to see the poppies at the Tower of London and then a week's holiday in Wales visiting extended family, so no chance of getting bored.

Total stats to date 638.25 miles and 397 locks