What a loverrrrly day for chilling out

Mooring at Withymore Island

Electra and Aroma never made it back to us last night. They instead stayed at Ocker Hill to sample the delights of the Wheatsheaf. Carole text to tell us our next pub stop and to go to Withymore Island and wait for them there. Having done a epic cruise yesterday all that was left for us to do today was to go through Netherton tunnel, past Windmill End where we had all the trouble on 18th June & 19th June  and  find a good mooring as near to a bus stop as possible. So we didn't actually get going until after 2pm. Everyone except me did things around the boats, polishing, cleaning, painting etc. I took photos and fished!!! After all, it was much to hot for strenuous work! So not a lot to report today just a few more of my pictures.

explorer cruise day 2

Had a bit of trouble trying to moor up last night outside the Manor pub. We managed to get the front in but the back had to stick out into the channel. Good job no other boats turned up. The pub was good and the ales most agreeable. The men seemed to like the beer as more and more pints were sampled. I stuck with wine! I left the men to their tipple around 10.30pm and what I can gather from Ian, they all staggered back to the boats an hour later. This morning we were again waiting for Mick and Carole to get up. As no bodies appeared and no boat movement we all decided to leave them in bed and set off for Rushall locks. There seemed to be plenty of water at the top of the flight but as soon as we started to descend we literally ran out.

It was by the bridge in the distance that we got stuck.

No way could we get the boat onto the landing.

This was at lock 2. Both gates refused to stay open.

Very low water!

 We happened to be the last of four boats and every time a lock full of water was drawn, we got nearer and nearer to the bottom. At one point Ian was pushing with one pole at the front while I pushed with the other pole at the back. We eventually got going and with a lot of care managed to get down the flight.The plan for today was to stay at the secure moorings at Ocker Hill and visit the Wheatsheaf pub tonight. Plans went horribly wrong when there was only enough room for 2 boats so after a quick phone call to Carole (who by the way had eventually set off an hour after we left the Manor) and the decision was made for Icing, Bracken and ourselves to forget going to the pub tonight and go up the Ryder Green flight. We were assured by C&RT that the moorings were as secure as any in Brum. We left Aroma waiting for Electra and proceeded up the flight. Several things nearly scuppered our chances. First was the bottom gate of lock 7. I had to run at it because Ian couldn't get the gate fully opened and getting in gave me deja vu when I got stuck in Stensons lock on the T&M. I only just made it in and because I kept the revs up shot into the lock like a bullet out of a gun. I stopped just in time before I hit the top gates! Then at lock 4 a C&RT bod was welding a metal plate to a lock gate.

 

You may wonder looking at the photos what he was doing. The balance beam was close to collapse and this was a temporary fix. Looks a mess but seems to do the job. I wonder how many years it will stay like this!! Anyway because of C&RT doing a spot of welding we had to wait quite a while for him to finally finish. He said he was amazed that any boats had arrived. They never usually see many boats on the flight. Maybe that's why C&RT cant be bothered to fix locks and dredge the canal.

Heather and Dave on Nb Bracken on last but one lock Ryders Green Flight.

 Stopping at Ryders Green top lock was a non starter. No decent moorings for 3 boats, so we continued to Dudley No 2 canal and found a suitable mooring for all of us. We just have to suffer the noise from the trains behind us and the factory to the side. Still one cant have everything!

Looks idyllic

Except for the factory!

We will await Carole and Michael and John and Jackie to arrive tomorrow and then see what the next plan  pub will be.

And finally:-

Erewash mob explorer cruise

Or should I say boaters pub crawl! After the men had helped to clear the site to celebrate a cracking weekend, the chairs, beer and wine came out. Scones and other nibbles were produced and even though it was a tad chilly we had a great time. The midges became a real issue as the sun set and one of us (me) resorted to drastic measures to stop being eaten alive.

New fashion in boaters wear!

The Erewash mob. Heather looking out of our cratch. Then there was Dave, Michael, Marleen, Malc, Jackie, John, Gillian, Margaret, Dennis, Ian, me and finally Carole.

Michael, who had arranged our explorer cruise and was the fountain of all knowledge as far as canal side real ale pubs were concerned, decided that 9am was a good time to leave. By 9.25am there wasn't even any movement from their boat Electra. By 9.30am Electra's back doors opened, tiller on, engine started and cries of 'lets be off' was heard.

Talk about everyone rushing to undo the ropes. As Electra was on the outside she had to be away first.

Looking back. Lots of boats setting off. Luckily for us, all heading back toward the Wolverhampton 21

First part of the cruise was up the Anglesey Branch to the Chasewater Reservoir. First stop before we reached the junction, and one that was very necessary after being without water and elsan since last Wednesday, was the facility stop and Tesco shop at Brownhills.

Brownhills facility block

 With us being last boat in the convoy we happened to be the first boat away and reached the dam of the reservoir first. My only criticism to a lovely spot is the lack of moorings. 3 boats can moor, 2 easily and one next to the bank. Any others have to take pot luck if they can get into the side.

Two good moorings with rings on the hard standing. We got in behind the cruiser.

Chasewater reservoir feeds all of the BCN

Chasewater.

No moorings to be had round the outside.

All our mob arrived.

We had already walked up to the reservoir before the other boats arrived, and Dave on Bracken had second thoughts about walking up to the top, he winded and headed out, then Aroma with John followed and we made up the rear. This left Elecrtra and Icing to take our place to have a wander up to the reservoir.

This sign is opposite Catshill Junction onto the Daw End Branch of the Curly Wurly

 Our journey continued along the curly wurly and Michael had left instructions to moor by the Manor pub on the Daw End branch of the Wyrley and Essington. I can see why not many boaters venture along this section. It is greatly in need of dredging. Hard going is the only way I can explain the trip to the pub. No point in trying to go any faster then 1000rpm because we were scraping bottom nearly all the way. I did notice loads of purple orchids growing along the towpath. Probably able to survive because not many walkers or cyclist were present.

Ian spent a good 15 minutes removing this hessian sack from the prop.

A bit of tree pruning at the Manor moorings

Moored at The Manor Pub. Icing, Free Spirit, Bracken, Aroma and Electra.

And finally:-

Morehen Chick having a wash and brush up

Blue Tit by the Fingerpost Bridge at Pelsall. Its nest was in a mortar crack.