tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53465732984728792132024-03-13T18:44:51.133+00:00Narrowboat TacetIan and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09509787452175841530noreply@blogger.comBlogger595125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5346573298472879213.post-43005853359392197672014-03-23T13:36:00.001+00:002014-03-23T13:36:26.911+00:00The Tale of Tacet<p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Sa1ovoMisPk/Uy7jIPbeknI/AAAAAAAATHw/9yM3BetFnNc/s1600-h/P10003043.jpg"><img title="P1000304" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1000304" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8KHRotso9H0/Uy7jJOggmAI/AAAAAAAATH4/ygEGkhWcRJE/P1000304_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="294" height="224"></a> </p> <p>Hi, nb Tacet here. I see this blog has had no postings for a while, it seems the Skipper and his First Mate have disappeared off, goodness knows where and I’ve been left sitting and reminiscing about my journeys over the past 14 years. So perhaps I’d better see if I can make sense of what’s going on.</p> <p>It all started with a plan hatched out by Mr and Mrs Cole back in the 1990’s with boat builders Alexander and fitters at Riverview, resulting in the fine looking vessel I became. I was named Tacet by the musical Mr Cole, it’s an orchestral term to mark a quiet rest in an instruments performance. And that is what I hope those who spend time with me along the canals find…….a quiet, peaceful and relaxing rest.</p> <p>After some nine or ten years taking the family away for holidays I was entrusted to Ian and Karen, the Skipper and First Mate, and wow, what a time we’ve had. After a year of getting to know each other with short trips whenever work commitments would allow, they moved themselves on board, with that rascally hound, Jumble and we were off. Leaving behind a house, their children were away at uni apparently and so they were free to go exploring. I was happy to oblige with my well fitted, homely interior, and well built, smartly painted exterior, we looked good together out on the cut.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JhV7Glevd68/Uy7jLOxKwrI/AAAAAAAATIA/aQNrQMSoMKU/s1600-h/P10002964.jpg"><img title="P1000296" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="P1000296" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-o8JBvk5n5ik/Uy7jLx7wHZI/AAAAAAAATII/qPkKt73zm1c/P1000296_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="303" height="231"></a> </p> <p>Together we have explored canals in the north, rivers in the east, tunnels through the hills, across mighty aqueducts, up and down flights of locks. For almost 3 years we didn’t stop, I did my best to serve them well. I never let them down, and the Skipper was good to me, my engine was serviced regularly, kept clean and tidy, and any little jobs seen to as soon as possible. Inside the First Mate would clean and polish, (especially on rainy days, I noticed) and there was often wonderful smells coming from the galley. We would often meet up with other boats and their crew along the way and got to recognise many others as we passed along the waterways. Life was grand, we were so happy together, I so enjoyed taking them around the country, marking off the maps as we covered the navigable rivers and canals, although I did feel the Skipper took a few chances in some rather shallow and reedy places where not many other boats get to go. But I never complained and secretly rather enjoyed the challenge and I thought they were pleased with me too.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-khBpUni92ac/Uy7jMkmIk-I/AAAAAAAATIQ/OWKOye1kFdE/s1600-h/5.MayCaenHill2.jpg"><img title="5. May,Caen Hill" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="5. May,Caen Hill" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-r32kekaDGYw/Uy7jNkLhG1I/AAAAAAAATIY/_oK-UK6HeIw/5.MayCaenHill_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-X9SJmiHZSrs/Uy7jOZwY2_I/AAAAAAAATIc/l7YsG7IU7Cs/s1600-h/11.NovEdstoneAqueduct142.jpg"><img title="11. Nov, Edstone Aqueduct (14)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="11. Nov, Edstone Aqueduct (14)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lMCDOKXRH7Q/Uy7jPHy376I/AAAAAAAATIk/FP7-b1zEP9s/11.NovEdstoneAqueduct14_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> </p> <p> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-U2V2YymqgCY/Uy7jQWYI_II/AAAAAAAATIw/Xgf8yvZS464/s1600-h/P10309762.jpg"><img title="P1030976" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1030976" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kmACkIIfqpA/Uy7jQ0Jow3I/AAAAAAAATI0/DpATIsEhyy8/P1030976_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wmJK5VNXxfI/Uy7jR3mEI2I/AAAAAAAATJA/FSmK3Qev4gw/s1600-h/TacetO24.jpg"><img title="" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-G3qRwN1eu_s/Uy7jS9GHECI/AAAAAAAATJI/lodAmkM6G3k/TacetO2_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="256" height="188"></a> </p> <p>So imagine my surprise when at the beginning of November, they started going off and leaving me……… amongst other boats I must admit, but sitting quietly, not feeling the flow of the water pushing past my bows. They would return for a bit, then off they would go again, I began to wonder what or who was taking their attention away from me, I must admit to feeling a bit jealous, and a bit hurt.</p> <p>Til one weekend in January, there was such a commotion, My insides were cleaned from top to bottom, cupboards were emptied, everything was moved, washed, polished and rearranged, rubbish was thrown out and boxes packed. I felt like a new boat! I was taken along to Stowe Hill and met up with Dominic and Steve at Rugby Boats, who came out and looked me over, asking questions, and generally poking around and then I heard a tearful voice, actually, tearful voices saying ‘Good-bye and Thank you’ and realised the Skipper and First Mate were leaving me. I couldn’t understand it, what had I done wrong?</p> <p>It appeared I was now ‘For Sale’, the Skipper and First Mate were returning to the world of work, houses and cars, not sure I understand why, so Dominic and Steve were given the job of finding new owners for me. They took photos, I tried to look my best, made a video about me and before long people came to visit, wandering through and peering in and out of cupboards, lockers, under seats and into the engine hole. I did my best to impress, some liked what they saw, some didn’t and then along came Clinton and Sharon, I could feel their excitement as they were exploring and listened to what they were saying unashamedly. I think they liked what they saw, liked the quality workmanship from those first plans, like my green stove inside, liked the roses painted on the doors, liked the happy, homely feel inside the cabin. They talked about money, then phone calls were made and I held my breath as I waited. Yes! the Skipper agreed they could become my new Crew, phew it had only been two weeks since that teary good-bye and now here was a cheery hello to some new Friends.</p> <p>Yesterday Ian and Karen came back, with Clinton and Sharon to hand over responsibility for my care. We have journeyed together down to a new home for me with lots of questions answered about the way I like things to be done, and how to keep me happy. It has been a good day, feeling the water flowing beneath me, hearing the chink of the paddles turning and the pull of the water letting me down in the locks, feeling the crew jumping on and off and the lovely happy buzz of people enjoying being ‘on the move’.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3F7jRd3RAcc/Uy7jThhdzRI/AAAAAAAATJM/Q19CZoIcpBM/s1600-h/P1060162%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1060162" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="P1060162" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-a9Li4eDmhUc/Uy7jUSLeH5I/AAAAAAAATJY/aE8lMkXua-8/P1060162_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="318" height="243"></a> </p> <p>It’s going to be ok, I’ve got some new Friends, who will take good care of me and enjoy my company. I shall do my best to take care of them too, keeping them comfortable and taking them wherever they ask me to go. So look out for me with my new Skipper and First Mate and don’t forget to wave and say a cheery hello as you pass by.</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_PLlBLayR60/Uy7jVT2ksoI/AAAAAAAATJg/UQzpTRoqI7U/s1600-h/P1060168%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1060168" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="P1060168" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Rv_jnkiDu-g/Uy7jV7PBtdI/AAAAAAAATJo/8dspLKT7QFI/P1060168_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="335" height="256"></a></p> Ian and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09509787452175841530noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5346573298472879213.post-14553121287177093942013-11-03T19:11:00.001+00:002013-11-03T19:11:40.426+00:00Last Post<p> </p> <p>This season of our life is at an end. Our time travelling on Tacet is up. We are starting to make the arrangements for the new season of life back in the real world, returning to the bank.</p> <p>Tacet will still be our home while we put into action the process of selling our old house, buying a new home and selling Tacet.</p> <p>We want to say thank you to all the people we have met and shared a cup of tea or meal with over the past two and a half years. Thank you to all you blog readers following our progress. Thank you to those new friends found on the way. Thank you to family and friends at home who have put up with our absence. Thank you to our God and his goodness and provision for us.</p> <p>That was beginning to sound like an ‘award’ speech. So lets move on.</p> <p>Our travel statistics show how much <strike>ground</strike> water we have covered, practically twice round the system. Everyone asks what or where are our favourite places. We find that really hard to answer as we have enjoyed exploring everywhere, some for the beauty, some for the history, some for the interest, some for the people there. There’s nowhere we wouldn’t go back to, but if we had to pick out some, then it would be something like this………….</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-YXwTOzJ8p-s/UnafLNtCCFI/AAAAAAAATAY/8WCqNDjy9AA/s1600-h/10041.jpg"><img title="1004" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="1004" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-M9gRuf2UCFc/UnafMRoJC6I/AAAAAAAATAg/6mj-vJn-1S4/1004_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="342" height="266"></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZQnRbT5cHRI/UnafNCzViXI/AAAAAAAATAo/FQ_NjTf58ks/s1600-h/0601%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="0601" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="0601" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WHwg0CvuXDw/UnafObJ9ZzI/AAAAAAAATAw/D8IRgLzl6eQ/0601_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="246" height="323"></a> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8i8hA2Wj-_A/UnafPUadGtI/AAAAAAAATA4/LkJ9VOIOooU/s1600-h/P1000583%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1000583" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1000583" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-x04bd9E9LYc/UnafQYLyvuI/AAAAAAAATBA/puLA2DxBXT4/P1000583_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="270" height="350"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_95Ro0xadcU/UnafRUXWY3I/AAAAAAAATBI/56SF0X2YkzU/s1600-h/Hudd.%252520Narr.24.7%252520%2525284%252529.jpg"><img title="Hudd. 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margin-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Skipton 140611 (4)" align="right" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-sxqUZQDgbDE/UnafceEMWeI/AAAAAAAATCg/IyZzwD_-YKo/Skipton1406114_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="245" height="318"></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Q9PqXtLDpxM/UnafdnRBDJI/AAAAAAAATCo/-_QWUGDXYjY/s1600-h/P10304291.jpg"><img title="P1030429" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1030429" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6Ooib5AKywc/UnafevKQzLI/AAAAAAAATCw/dX-Z26Mt-Ek/P1030429_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="327" height="252"></a> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6QGgtJD-G4w/UnaffsIAKyI/AAAAAAAATC4/3aafhuvO11E/s1600-h/Fotheringhay%252520%2525285%252529%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="Fotheringhay (5)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; 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margin-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Foxton locks (4)" align="right" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BWQ2MaF4wDE/UnafkiSA1_I/AAAAAAAATDg/mG_4VauJQ78/Foxton%252520locks%252520%2525284%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="306" height="238"></a> </p> <p> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_3R5pPoaRQQ/Unafls-t_1I/AAAAAAAATDo/6tmwWlmqZgA/s1600-h/P1000970%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1000970" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1000970" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rHENsNDBCAI/Unafm8t0vlI/AAAAAAAATD0/c9hvHTsnLSY/P1000970_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-MhjdAqHoJRY/Unafn1Axc7I/AAAAAAAATD8/l1TCT6rZKak/s1600-h/P1000991%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1000991" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1000991" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-crL9VqKTxmo/UnafojSLfRI/AAAAAAAATEE/lp4kVJKcVp4/P1000991_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="264" height="223"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-STXC_4jmDGc/UnafpmL4IpI/AAAAAAAATEM/FJjtC6cnSW4/s1600-h/Burnley%25252024.6%252520%25252814%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Burnley 24.6 (14)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="Burnley 24.6 (14)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ITAKo9Tg_Bw/UnafqCbKbtI/AAAAAAAATEU/8j11s30PL5g/Burnley%25252024.6%252520%25252814%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="280" height="214"></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wMmsCidcwsg/UnafrVV4IwI/AAAAAAAATEc/utFTjadRyZU/s1600-h/nestingswan11.jpg"><img title="nesting swan (1)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="nesting swan (1)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-t65in2tuZYc/UnafsXJMmkI/AAAAAAAATEk/kse4nWoDs8A/nestingswan1_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="320" height="248"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-A--IiFXlYVA/UnaftMkcFBI/AAAAAAAATEs/qyipmMGjabQ/s1600-h/P1080024%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1080024" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1080024" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wdWoq0pGM2k/UnafuIStnZI/AAAAAAAATE0/yYAKf4P1l6o/P1080024_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-u4dxXNhMCag/Unafu9lFjyI/AAAAAAAATE8/LM0GT_nmooE/s1600-h/TacetO21.jpg"><img title="Tacet O2" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Tacet O2" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rwqWrmthsGQ/Unafvsn1wTI/AAAAAAAATFE/nfd7lj1Um1E/TacetO2_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="374" height="273"></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-GAY8nbVGBrI/UnafwteH5dI/AAAAAAAATFM/e0ZWWDLgLxk/s1600-h/P1070175%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1070175" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P1070175" align="right" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0kLhAVwqzuk/Unafxe0jnoI/AAAAAAAATFU/L0aY71rXNP0/P1070175_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="269" height="209"></a> </p> <p> </p> <p> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-GvHjYhH2Mgo/UnafymQpAII/AAAAAAAATFc/36KO8BCDSOs/s1600-h/P1090707%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1090707" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1090707" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cycEx8HW7eM/UnafzgjMxBI/AAAAAAAATFk/Pf3V50lPhDA/P1090707_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="298" height="231"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YPNSF_MMYjY/Unaf0lDyaGI/AAAAAAAATFs/m947ieE2pMA/s1600-h/SaltsMills61.jpg"><img title="Salts Mills (6)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Salts Mills (6)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Cuyvfm1JlUA/Unaf1QS0vWI/AAAAAAAATF0/KO_rHPdL7ys/SaltsMills6_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="340" height="264"></a> </p> <p> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-GQeFbgYLpYY/Unaf2DjXUGI/AAAAAAAATF8/K0hqZoZBp7Q/s1600-h/TodmordenWalsden.Summit35.jpg"><img title="Todmorden, Walsden. Summit (3)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Todmorden, Walsden. Summit (3)" align="right" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-f39qZKrn9Qo/Unaf277qQcI/AAAAAAAATGE/yGA7hVuFQLI/TodmordenWalsden.Summit3_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="335" height="258"></a> </p> <p> </p> <p><em></em> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-EEAOnE8OtYw/Unaf3yail3I/AAAAAAAATGM/KqxkLuyrNi4/s1600-h/canary%252520wharf%252520%2525281%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="canary wharf (1)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="canary wharf (1)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-EdBtw0kz0hY/Unaf4hgU8yI/AAAAAAAATGU/uE_h2fo51NM/canary%252520wharf%252520%2525281%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="209" height="274"></a> </p> <p><em></em> </p> <p>What a lot of memories, it was so hard to choose a selection of best bits, and then of course we remember our Jumble, who loved being a boat dog.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OUHletGGLCo/Unaf5Z354oI/AAAAAAAATGc/vvG-aVA6AZc/s1600-h/P1080089%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1080089" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="P1080089" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-HCSkopBbcJ8/Unaf6V9L9FI/AAAAAAAATGk/4yR_amRG3xM/P1080089_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="369" height="281"></a> </p> <p>However, I’m not sure that even yet we qualify as proper boaters…………….as neither of us have ever fallen in! </p> <p>Gosh it’s hard to close this chapter, writing the blog has been a big part of our ‘gap year’, and I’ll miss it, but will still enjoy reading our favourite boaty blogs and keeping in touch with those on the cut. Thanks for travelling along with us……….. </p> <p> </p> <p>……………….So long, farewell, auf wiedersehn, goodbye……..</p> <p> </p> <p> …………………….and safe journeys.</p> Ian and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09509787452175841530noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5346573298472879213.post-43154069514196283032013-11-01T22:03:00.001+00:002013-11-01T22:05:28.966+00:00Jephson Gardens<p><br>We enjoyed another visit to Leamington, walking up through the Regency main street known as the Parade and looking around the unique smaller shops in the side streets and visiting the exhibition at the Pump Rooms - ‘This Green and Pleasant Land’. <br>Leamington takes its name from the river Leam which flows through the town and is another spa town with natural, mineral rich springs. I have blogged about the town previously, so today will focus on the Park.<br></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UQmsT6cYg4s/UnQjmVKKQgI/AAAAAAAAS8Q/-rOaT0kHQ4E/s1600-h/Jephson%252520Park%25252C%252520Leamington%252520%2525283%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Jephson Park, Leamington (3)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Jephson Park, Leamington (3)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Z4rdCssvXwA/UnQjn2VRKEI/AAAAAAAAS8Y/mUof0ykHYoc/Jephson%252520Park%25252C%252520Leamington%252520%2525283%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="328" height="250"></a><br><br>The Jephson Gardens are located opposite the Royal Pump Rooms and the river Leam runs alongside. The gardens were created in 1831 and were originally known as the newbold Pleasure Gardens. In 1846 the gardens were renamed in honour of Dr Henry Jephson who lead the expansion of the town as a health spa. There are formal bedding areas and lots of lovely trees, a lake and fountains, a tropical glasshouse and a cafe.<br>Today we spotted several large carved tree stumps, new pieces of art completed this year. Some just for decoration, some made into seats too, the pictures and cut faces of wood have been polished. They were quite impressive.<br><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZrYPbdF0wvo/UnQjrGSINaI/AAAAAAAAS8g/4xixNbrzR3c/s1600-h/P1050723%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050723" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050723" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Qh4HM2cQscI/UnQjskp53xI/AAAAAAAAS8o/u6MP3UwB7Uw/P1050723_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kygYHIlW6ak/UnQjufRUgCI/AAAAAAAAS8w/1ocXMQFgx9o/s1600-h/P1050731%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050731" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050731" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5Lq6_wZuk2U/UnQjwmax8MI/AAAAAAAAS84/CGdRfjWtLls/P1050731_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4Vk0kyDlO1Y/UnQkFDMSS9I/AAAAAAAAS9A/YlHOmrdxCnY/s1600-h/P1050732%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050732" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050732" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XDU2C_sAExw/UnQkPHioLHI/AAAAAAAAS9I/d7RV6aaeNws/P1050732_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JZOQstlGJ4k/UnQkXaS5p7I/AAAAAAAAS9Q/JunU63mZ_NU/s1600-h/P1050733%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050733" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050733" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vfODYkBkhfU/UnQkZGR1KGI/AAAAAAAAS9Y/aNPFePTG-XQ/P1050733_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-cZNABwdw-y8/UnQkb9srSgI/AAAAAAAAS9g/uppN7CmrFM8/s1600-h/P1050734%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050734" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050734" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hCmIXiVBM00/UnQkdqZAc6I/AAAAAAAAS9o/YJRQ0Qoxdys/P1050734_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vBqhR2J0pAQ/UnQkgOBvQ4I/AAAAAAAAS9w/3A-VW6FyHg4/s1600-h/P1050735%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050735" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050735" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-uLU0nnnvBmE/UnQkh7bKAQI/AAAAAAAAS94/gW0sq9Onwl8/P1050735_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> <br>And we enjoyed feeding the cheeky squirrels too.<br><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-sWwc9w8LAMU/UnQkkX1SNhI/AAAAAAAAS-A/3xUUbGNvNZ8/s1600-h/P1050727%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050727" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050727" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tlgbLr1OH90/UnQkmo9fy0I/AAAAAAAAS-I/9l28i2BrlR0/P1050727_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LM4_9DwW6qk/UnQkoTOKL0I/AAAAAAAAS-Q/Gt1T4b38DjI/s1600-h/P1050729%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050729" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050729" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Lhl1-vkmjkI/UnQkp1NQSbI/AAAAAAAAS-Y/KeevV0MmYmk/P1050729_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="192" height="244"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_PmoG5ScbLs/UnQkr6Z9qCI/AAAAAAAAS-g/Sq8_9ST-EtA/s1600-h/P1050740%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050740" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050740" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XhTVzBoMgi8/UnQktGV5AwI/AAAAAAAAS-o/BiYwHzxOlSQ/P1050740_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fsJi4-W9yJY/UnQkwyDslII/AAAAAAAAS-w/WfrUXQmxfho/s1600-h/P1050743%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050743" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050743" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jA4yl7aBr1U/UnQkyKYdzzI/AAAAAAAAS-4/IoTZUeLr7Ys/P1050743_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> <br><br>Once on our way, it was good to see the church at Radford Semele had emerged from it wrappings. Over the past two years as we have passed it has been shrouded in scaffolding and plastic. Now it is sporting a very finely finished tower and new roof, with what looks like an extension on the side. You can just see it across the fields.<br><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-iyPd8CvKq4Q/UnQk0W6JadI/AAAAAAAAS_A/FnUfdMhiwbo/s1600-h/P1050748%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050748" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050748" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hYJZgqxs4HY/UnQk1p5NAQI/AAAAAAAAS_I/DkJ0if1q_fw/P1050748_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7JNlo-07htM/UnQk4D9INzI/AAAAAAAAS_Q/GvzETvqq390/s1600-h/P1050751%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050751" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050751" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-udvXBnYNGfU/UnQk5RYv83I/AAAAAAAAS_Y/VibTe2NynmE/P1050751_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ih0elVXhbRU/UnQk8YxIM5I/AAAAAAAAS_g/4xOF2M3r90o/s1600-h/P1050753%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050753" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050753" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-b8OPidkVMH4/UnQk94GlHVI/AAAAAAAAS_o/hKDo2xI8z4Y/P1050753_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <br><br><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-u-7ZjHJuCVU/UnQlAPSmKGI/AAAAAAAAS_w/AeMBUluHO-s/s1600-h/P1050754%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050754" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050754" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5mPJFWqI80o/UnQlBue55rI/AAAAAAAAS_4/XlFqTwgZkSI/P1050754_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> <br><br><br>The hedgerows are full of fruit and berries along here, loads of crab apples, hips, haws and sloes.<br><br></p> <p><br><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-iGHypZV113Q/UnQlDkue73I/AAAAAAAATAA/TMJ1G2opw1E/s1600-h/P1050757%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050757" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050757" align="right" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uQ_gy5VradA/UnQlE3OHScI/AAAAAAAATAI/mIw2upH3_2w/P1050757_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="302" height="230"></a> <br><br></p> <p><br> </p> <p><br>And how about this rose, blooming on the 1st of November!<br><br></p> <p> </p> <p><br><br>Leamington Spa – Long Itchington 6 miles, 10 locks</p> Ian and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09509787452175841530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5346573298472879213.post-48530758156665420642013-10-31T20:51:00.001+00:002013-10-31T20:51:14.324+00:00Into Warwickshire<p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-B8KJojaewyw/UnLCCCAVNAI/AAAAAAAAS44/xK4qBWCxMds/s1600-h/P1050695%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050695" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050695" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-VmeOAknnjuM/UnLCExsBibI/AAAAAAAAS5A/TKRozDeRjnI/P1050695_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="363" height="277"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1AvALYuUNB0/UnLCGUMT-qI/AAAAAAAAS5I/m__YxGiaFs8/s1600-h/P1050696%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050696" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050696" align="right" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hDOocX7ywOw/UnLCHR3KILI/AAAAAAAAS5Q/dHimPSPmGrs/P1050696_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="286"></a> </p> <p></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>We have had another lovely autumn day, not so cold today even though we barely saw the sun, but this was the view from our windows just before we set off towards Hatton.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GFIlV5z7zus/UnLCJTuZl1I/AAAAAAAAS5Y/qpNcQxKBufM/s1600-h/P1050698%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050698" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050698" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-sJx9dhtDZC4/UnLCK1xxGfI/AAAAAAAAS5g/EbkycDtqEP8/P1050698_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="333" height="254"></a> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Shrewley Tunnel was soon ahead, its not very long and you can clearly see the other end, but it is unusual with the horse tunnel at a higher level.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>We have worked the Hatton flight 4 times before, so it seems familiar now. Today we were on our own as we went down, but we met several boats coming up and for the last 4 locks were joined by another. They were all hire boats, it has been a noticeably busier week as it’s half term. They’ve had quite a good week.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Bn1g5spFzK0/UnLCNbO-wyI/AAAAAAAAS5o/FXvRd7hHoSc/s1600-h/P1050707%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050707" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050707" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ejnDpf0UiNg/UnLCPUsf1vI/AAAAAAAAS5w/fp_TywdXf8k/P1050707_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-EzZc9hpCu8g/UnLCRSmrWSI/AAAAAAAAS54/67Nz1d_Xn4o/s1600-h/P1050708%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050708" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050708" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--R3R3qOdgus/UnLCShccgLI/AAAAAAAAS6A/91pNi-aNOj4/P1050708_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xY0iN6mD9Wc/UnLCU51gGvI/AAAAAAAAS6I/tsz2DEkVhEU/s1600-h/P1050710%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050710" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050710" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RfGfkqROKmk/UnLCWE5xBcI/AAAAAAAAS6Q/Uz59JP3Xpf8/P1050710_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lZYfwsXB_6U/UnLCYEpeU5I/AAAAAAAAS6Y/yl9lvBCL6co/s1600-h/P1050712%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050712" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050712" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-e4VLHuxN8ug/UnLCZobK4zI/AAAAAAAAS6g/avrq1JMT65w/P1050712_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QaiZtcqQ6PU/UnLCbdOD1KI/AAAAAAAAS6o/A8V-gVyxa2M/s1600-h/P1050714%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050714" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050714" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Tk1K_Svh8eU/UnLCeKFbghI/AAAAAAAAS6w/C9fuoz6TJwA/P1050714_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p> </p> <p>Trying to find some different pictures of the flight, so as not to repeat previous blogs.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>We had completed the journey to Warwick by lunchtime, and we walked into the town, for a quick wander round and visit to the antique shops. We had quite a few visits here last year when we were ‘stuck’ at Lapworth before Christmas.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6gkZAHcB0H8/UnLCf_IbEZI/AAAAAAAAS64/dRXyuPEKkW4/s1600-h/P1050715%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050715" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050715" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-MhYhQXELKfs/UnLChNE4ieI/AAAAAAAAS7A/EFQHeTXN9uM/P1050715_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bev04-NKk2g/UnLCiXdFJTI/AAAAAAAAS7I/oiLQ2xZul1s/s1600-h/P1050722%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050722" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050722" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-L2hEfH4HraA/UnLCjb0PXXI/AAAAAAAAS7Q/HSAhcwv89pI/P1050722_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p>In the Medieval period Warwick was controlled by various Earls of Warwick, many from the Beauchamp family. It became a walled town, today only the east and west gates survive.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4qzhkES2Zzo/UnLClyJflyI/AAAAAAAAS7Y/zzKpUo4P55k/s1600-h/P1050718%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050718" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050718" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0q1QA4jucMk/UnLCoKBi6XI/AAAAAAAAS7g/SNZ4pM6vpYQ/P1050718_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p> <p>William the Conqueror started building Warwick Castle in 1068 on his way to Yorkshire to deal with rebellion in the north.</p> <p>The castle developed into a stone fortress and then a country house and today is a popular (though very expensive) tourist attraction. Which is why we have never visited it.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Fire_of_Warwick">Great Fire of Warwick</a> in 1694 destroyed much of the medieval town and as a result most of the buildings post-date this period. </p> <p> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-M2MTL81VblQ/UnLCp265N-I/AAAAAAAAS7o/eYRk_RzHmdA/s1600-h/P1050719%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050719" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050719" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0AkCazRHHx8/UnLCr27euEI/AAAAAAAAS7w/VkK3VFp5ERw/P1050719_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XS4NJ2mKXCc/UnLCuVaaZ3I/AAAAAAAAS74/KPBPZ5sW0M4/s1600-h/P1050716%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050716" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050716" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ViFOfzrp5aM/UnLCv0ijCII/AAAAAAAAS8A/OynSZZu6ZRQ/P1050716_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> </p> <p> </p> <p>And then we moved on to Leamington Spa and look forward to visiting the town here again tomorrow.</p> <p>9 miles, 23 locks, 1 tunnel</p> Ian and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09509787452175841530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5346573298472879213.post-20840202301319443792013-10-30T21:11:00.001+00:002013-10-30T21:11:52.676+00:00Leaving the City and an Invitation to Dinner<p> </p> <p>Our body clocks are still on British Summer Time so yesterday morning we were up, breakfasted and ready to move by 8am. We reversed out of our Cambrian Wharf moorings and whilst Tacet was in the first of the Farmer’s Bridge locks I sorted the rubbish and loo and we were off down the flight of 13 in our usual routine, preparing the locks ahead, oh and this time opening a paddle for the boat following us down. We made good time with a volunteer joining us about half-way down so that saved a trip back to close up and refill the lock, so were at the bottom with the kettle on for coffee at 9.30. </p> <p align="center"> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dRH05kdB8W8/UnF1rPst2GI/AAAAAAAAS1g/gt9mB9oe6NU/s1600-h/P1050678%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050678" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050678" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-LZxEvSI5l9E/UnF1ssLW1_I/AAAAAAAAS1o/MT4gkvnHMFU/P1050678_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="336" height="256"></a> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Labzq9Lnz7E/UnF1tdd8RzI/AAAAAAAAS1w/NJNInU_UpXw/s1600-h/P1050680%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050680" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050680" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tsVI8TiEIFo/UnF1ugv09lI/AAAAAAAAS14/og3cDha9u1U/P1050680_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_RmDh0q6lyI/UnF1vlMSSaI/AAAAAAAAS2A/FFEQHvHIhVQ/s1600-h/P1050681%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050681" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050681" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KE1wPidO43A/UnF1wr6dqaI/AAAAAAAAS2I/MCRuzq61OYw/P1050681_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-SLzSTkLmVZI/UnF1xu-uiII/AAAAAAAAS2Q/hr4Rf3gYCBs/s1600-h/P1050679%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050679" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050679" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KZm99bHuIwQ/UnF1ybkQu6I/AAAAAAAAS2Y/-Xz7n6yZlVA/P1050679_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> </p> <p align="center"><em>“Step at a time a river carefully climbs down through the town.”</em> </p> <p align="center">More lock gate poetry has arrived since the last time we travelled this flight. </p> <p> </p> <p> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7HXAofP-wV8/UnF1zjdGoQI/AAAAAAAAS2g/sA822JQUuoo/s1600-h/P1050683%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050683" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050683" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-smTKUK7O6js/UnF107-ZfxI/AAAAAAAAS2o/oaS5E_CMieM/P1050683_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-S9Lu4o32azQ/UnF11ucJfiI/AAAAAAAAS2w/-D0NPR2BI5A/s1600-h/P1050684%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050684" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050684" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BIQzKRBg5lM/UnF12npY4JI/AAAAAAAAS24/TH2tBlX-Rs4/P1050684_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-VXpRtqAIg6U/UnF13tClJSI/AAAAAAAAS3A/k4MmWO6gIwU/s1600-h/P1050686%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050686" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050686" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Ea1YhPMVXHA/UnF14jzsnbI/AAAAAAAAS3I/WLZz1SLB5Nk/P1050686_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> </p> <p> </p> <p>It’s not long though before the Ashted locks come into view, 6 locks this time and Ian worked them. The Digbeth branch takes us round past Aston University, Typhoo Basin, to the start, or end, of the Grand Union Canal.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JoVGMbjJDAc/UnF156KAWBI/AAAAAAAAS3Q/h2s7pGH6U8M/s1600-h/P1050687%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050687" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050687" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Wh3ExQ53-QU/UnF17tf9H1I/AAAAAAAAS3Y/eUQxZ-Gb1YI/P1050687_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5n2UaQ0pCBc/UnF18SzA2fI/AAAAAAAAS3g/XLBpYxmcmFw/s1600-h/P1050689%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050689" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050689" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JSKV4NqnT2o/UnF19IQBWxI/AAAAAAAAS3o/GUHyUTwUg5I/P1050689_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KhjhZn0ZYS8/UnF1-I-1dnI/AAAAAAAAS3w/lLVp7qlSK_o/s1600-h/P1050691%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050691" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050691" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-W2qvkPMU2Vc/UnF1_MkL6iI/AAAAAAAAS34/WMcHLk7OCyw/P1050691_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> </p> <p> </p> <p>Bridge painting - a brave man on the ledge and underneath a floating platform with a stepladder balanced on top for the underside.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Then there’s the Camp Hill flight of 6, we swapped roles here and met three other boats on the flight so locks were for us and at the top we were leaving the city buildings behind and things began to look a bit greener. </p> <p> </p> <p>We had a stop at Tysley to revisit the Vehicle Electric’s garage, where the bad news was that we needed a new alternator after Mr Fixit was unable to, well fixit. Having taking it on/off/on/off several times over the last week, it didn’t take long for the job to be done and we could move on again.</p> <p> </p> <p>Once we had left the Birmingham suburbs behind we moored in the romantic sounding Catherine de Barnes village. Bob and June from <a href="http://nbautumnmyst.blogspot.co.uk/"><font color="#ff0000">Autumn Myst</font></a> had very kindly invited us to dinner at their nearby home. We met them back in May on the Kennet and Avon and Oxford Canals, and have followed each others travels since. Bob chauffeured us to their lovely home where June had prepared a wonderful dinner. It was lovely to see them both again, and catch up on the past few months and hear about the new guide dog puppy which will be arriving on Thursday. It was a real treat to go out for the evening too. Thank you.</p> <p> </p> <p>Today, it was cold when we woke up, the thermometer read 7’. We had not lit the fire last night as we were out, so a burst of the central heating was needed to encourage us out of our cosy bed.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-U1_DwVo13CE/UnF2AGqd1wI/AAAAAAAAS4A/decmCA8_n1g/s1600-h/P1050692%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050692" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050692" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SY8NQqJ_G8E/UnF2BIStCqI/AAAAAAAAS4I/X8moJ71bMOA/P1050692_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-aw5LWTilOjk/UnF2CDcrbxI/AAAAAAAAS4Q/CjXJvKH2zrw/s1600-h/P1050693%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050693" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050693" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SwFMOGz5JU0/UnF2C25iWtI/AAAAAAAAS4Y/YRgLE35NW4Y/P1050693_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-SoJyDXIiIqw/UnF2EiDtAnI/AAAAAAAAS4g/y2-pdXaJolE/s1600-h/P1050694%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050694" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050694" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bKwUcZhdwGk/UnF2FpVYKfI/AAAAAAAAS4o/8fU0C-j_D30/P1050694_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> </p> <p>It was a quieter travelling day today taking us through Knowle and Kingswood/Lapworth to Rowington. </p> <p>Tomorrow we shall tackle the Hatton locks down into Warwick.</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Tuesday - 10 miles, 25 locks, 2 tunnels</p> <p>Wednesday - 8 miles, 5 locks</p> Ian and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09509787452175841530noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5346573298472879213.post-83855679542258057462013-10-28T22:02:00.001+00:002013-10-28T22:02:39.021+00:00The End is Nigh!<p> </p> <p>Not because of the stormy weather, of which we have seen very little here in Birmingham, but our time-out, gap-year(s), sabbatical, call-it-what-you-will, time travelling on board Tacet will soon be over.</p> <p><em>There is a time for everything,<br>and a season for every activity under the heavens. Ecclesiastes 3:1</em> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RK5TGJk56b4/Um7e6oFw0xI/AAAAAAAAS0Y/GXapkuTXBHo/s1600-h/0302%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="0302" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="0302" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hBeMYRjbem8/Um7e7Res9aI/AAAAAAAAS0g/ILZGZn6NT8o/0302_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="270"></a> </p> <p>Next week we shall start the process of settling back into the real world and putting roots down back on the bank. Tacet will still be our home whilst we get things underway.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8RvWigBw6vM/Um7e7yQ9VOI/AAAAAAAAS0o/tP9RemluhXQ/s1600-h/1.%252520Jan%25252CLapworth%252520flight%252520%2525281%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="1. Jan,Lapworth flight (1)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="1. Jan,Lapworth flight (1)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0MQUKZ-wZwM/Um7e8thFU6I/AAAAAAAAS0w/4C_41xrLM1s/1.%252520Jan%25252CLapworth%252520flight%252520%2525281%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="358" height="275"></a> </p> <p>There’s a lot to sort out, a car to buy, house and boat to sell, new home to find, and sadly somewhere along the line, work of some sort.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-DJFRZvxphug/Um7e9YOPoBI/AAAAAAAAS04/3qX3yvNnNfU/s1600-h/4.Poultney%252520Weir%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="4.Poultney Weir" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="4.Poultney Weir" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dIBxD7TJgkY/Um7e93-TnyI/AAAAAAAAS1A/vuRnJELcYno/4.Poultney%252520Weir_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="376" height="289"></a> </p> <p> </p> <p>So this week we shall enjoy being on the move again making our way back down the Grand Union Canal. Give us a shout if you see us and cheer us as we prepare to leave the friendly world of the canals where we have had a brilliant two-and-a-half years exploring the cities, towns, villages and countryside along the rivers and canals, of this lovely country of ours.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7jExQZ91Qdg/Um7e-qZKbyI/AAAAAAAAS1I/CIpOOyXtWWs/s1600-h/P1040146%25255B2%25255D%252520%2525281%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1040146[2] (1)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="P1040146[2] (1)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-c-iINfs89k4/Um7e_VOmCQI/AAAAAAAAS1Q/tipzbfT05KM/P1040146%25255B2%25255D%252520%2525281%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="384" height="293"></a> </p> <p>According to Chaucer, “All good things must come to an end”. But I’m sure there are more good things ahead.</p> <p><em>Commit to the Lord whatever you do,<br>and he will establish your plans. Proverbs 16:3</em> Ian and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09509787452175841530noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5346573298472879213.post-42778460635090528832013-10-27T20:15:00.001+00:002013-10-27T20:15:27.419+00:00Hawne Basin and back to Brum<p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gDrkW1Ucn-c/Um10GFGzKsI/AAAAAAAASxA/h-0mASAsFj4/s1600-h/P1050661%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050661" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="P1050661" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Q6ZPo3cBDyE/Um10G7NMtbI/AAAAAAAASxI/55_-PubhOrc/P1050661_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="353" height="269"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-V38_J-osA_w/Um10Hjz_IRI/AAAAAAAASxQ/yUIWz49GL4w/s1600-h/P1050662%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050662" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="P1050662" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-aWr3CIVyA5A/Um10IXMB7FI/AAAAAAAASxY/H67QaJ6dWUs/P1050662_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="367" height="285"></a> </p> <p>As we ran out of daylight yesterday and couldn’t get to Hawne Basin, we used the extra hour this morning to complete that trip. We squeezed under the low and narrow bridge into the basin, it was still early and no-one was around in the shop, so we tied up Tacet alongside another boat whilst we went into Halesowen to the Baptist Church.</p> <p>On our return we filled up with diesel and set off back into the centre of Brum. The weather was not too bad, after the dismal forecasts. We had a shower as we set off, and it was a bit breezy but otherwise dry. With no locks, just two long tunnels to navigate oh and the odd toll islands to squeeze through, the journey was not a difficult one.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cMuc7Te8m88/Um10JDt3h7I/AAAAAAAASxg/OFOEkAohLds/s1600-h/P1050663%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050663" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050663" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ALrejaIZU0Q/Um10JltZJLI/AAAAAAAASxo/S8FBUc2FRt4/P1050663_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vlUoGfOo2nU/Um10KUezIcI/AAAAAAAASxw/gJPTu4wHzt0/s1600-h/P1050664%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050664" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050664" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-R_WHzWEMWIE/Um10Kx-LTWI/AAAAAAAASx4/nNT4fDeYg7o/P1050664_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PaumTDydhq0/Um10LSfjVOI/AAAAAAAASyA/7mR5tf920B0/s1600-h/P1050666%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050666" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050666" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-h5tEVw6KDXI/Um10MNgFKdI/AAAAAAAASyI/4397g_OQ_34/P1050666_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> </p> <p> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Gosty Hill Tunnel is narrow, mostly fairly tall, but closing in low in a couple of places.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yrx_O5eMF0U/Um10M4In2sI/AAAAAAAASyQ/0BN2h-mGtlc/s1600-h/P1050667%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050667" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050667" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5aFd3-yBgWg/Um10Nqa6YOI/AAAAAAAASyY/QBP-eiAuedI/P1050667_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CV7aU9gk6fs/Um10OVxTbxI/AAAAAAAASyg/jYUBd0o7Wrs/s1600-h/P1050670%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050670" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050670" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NKVADFgzRXM/Um10OyLWj-I/AAAAAAAASyo/jovMODEC-LE/P1050670_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-UtXfe_UBEVE/Um10PjfXKPI/AAAAAAAASyw/835htXRsDRo/s1600-h/P1050675%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050675" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050675" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FBmXWwDGUfc/Um10QJHL4SI/AAAAAAAASy4/zgYo99V1pVs/P1050675_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p> </p> <p>Netherton Tunnel though, is wide with a towpath each side.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RmkGxK0Ofto/Um10RHp1pgI/AAAAAAAASzA/9nyPU_idkvA/s1600-h/P1050677%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050677" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050677" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0TYIxxSNCaY/Um10RpChmSI/AAAAAAAASzI/cWstwS9A-Zc/P1050677_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RmkGxK0Ofto/Um10RHp1pgI/AAAAAAAASzA/9nyPU_idkvA/s1600-h/P1050677%25255B3%25255D.jpg"></a> </p> <p> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YX9B4JaTolU/Um10Sdl5UEI/AAAAAAAASzQ/TmcZmwbFI5k/s1600-h/P1050668%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050668" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050668" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-skEl_-E8yFE/Um10SxlrsuI/AAAAAAAASzY/xXtQoGUNSNA/P1050668_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Nh2kZGK3LR0/Um10Tq0KTPI/AAAAAAAASzg/pa1OrZttsWM/s1600-h/P1050669%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050669" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050669" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-eiKcrQu3xQU/Um10USLNC-I/AAAAAAAASzo/axUYpQrpjLQ/P1050669_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-aMjcj58DACA/Um10VJPPbXI/AAAAAAAASzw/_tNDQQuqimA/s1600-h/P1050672%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050672" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050672" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FIqksg1ibm4/Um10Vyyz0GI/AAAAAAAASz4/f8AccI1zc14/P1050672_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="182"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0m6MHxAKFiE/Um10WhaibTI/AAAAAAAAS0A/Osc_5pIQ23I/s1600-h/P1050671%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050671" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050671" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-nXrjZwJRAao/Um10XfC6FoI/AAAAAAAAS0I/4IWCmnJsDkQ/P1050671_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>So now we are back in Brum, in Cambrian Wharf with the hatches firmly battened down awaiting the storms <strike>promised</strike> threatened by the weathermen.</p> <p> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>13 miles, 0 locks, 2 tunnels</p> Ian and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09509787452175841530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5346573298472879213.post-52186153479945093832013-10-26T20:37:00.001+01:002013-10-26T20:37:14.092+01:00TIMBER!!!!!<p> </p> <p>Gosh it seems a long time ago now………….. it must have been a long day……………..but this morning we left Stourbridge and arrived at the bottom the 16 locks to find one boat just leaving the first lock and another just about to go in. So we followed them both up the flight, and of course met no one coming down. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-g3aRksWkAek/UmwZVode_6I/AAAAAAAASsI/glqGdhPyGrQ/s1600-h/P1050626%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050626" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050626" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ibA-Wm_psG4/UmwZWrxjYgI/AAAAAAAASsQ/IRE_g_uYJ8A/P1050626_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dAxwjmryNlg/UmwZXYRYx4I/AAAAAAAASsY/sDc7rvdXuxg/s1600-h/P1050628%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050628" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050628" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-AqkLyraf_zg/UmwZYWXKpuI/AAAAAAAASsg/zhFGNFbM2so/P1050628_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-bHRQqXlr1_o/UmwZY4SvPOI/AAAAAAAASso/cX8KEVQBzrQ/s1600-h/P1050629%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050629" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050629" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--fCbC1dZ7HU/UmwZaLIoirI/AAAAAAAASsw/3cwkovw9DRo/P1050629_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bJ5MHr-drNk/UmwZa2yuDqI/AAAAAAAASs4/vnaay2ovkM0/s1600-h/P1050632%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050632" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050632" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tlsRBPU8PdA/UmwZbT2yInI/AAAAAAAAStA/ZUCt-gqjmMs/P1050632_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-EnUujSHVKh8/UmwZcLTQX5I/AAAAAAAAStI/iLBD-3hoQZE/s1600-h/P1050630%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050630" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050630" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hzbUUiomgaQ/UmwZdMp9clI/AAAAAAAAStQ/Z996I0SuIng/P1050630_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-T9DAFJ2yrXU/UmwZd-190MI/AAAAAAAAStY/et_-MwOgQsc/s1600-h/P1050634%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050634" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050634" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Tz6gRCbZm64/UmwZel4pZFI/AAAAAAAAStg/pGhdYn3D5K0/P1050634_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> </p> <p> </p> <p>We like this flight, it is pretty and not too hard, we got to the top at about 12.30, time to make lunch to eat on the move before we got to the next flight, Delph locks.</p> <p>However approaching Brierley Bridge on the Dudley No.1 canal, the two boats in front of us were stopped and putting in pins, so we had to do the same.</p> <p>There was a tree down, blocking the cut, and C&RT had been called, so we would have to just be patient and wait……….</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PF2-SqCa3Zg/UmwZfd0IiXI/AAAAAAAASto/DUppirpgTXk/s1600-h/Tree%252520clearance%252520%2525282%252529%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="Tree clearance (2)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="Tree clearance (2)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4nN6OKLCFto/UmwZf9YM-II/AAAAAAAAStw/68-w4t_MY9A/Tree%252520clearance%252520%2525282%252529_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="280" height="221"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-W3rdMxalhHw/UmwZhVNrEsI/AAAAAAAASt4/_FltQE36fxs/s1600-h/Tree%252520clearance%252520%2525283%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="Tree clearance (3)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="Tree clearance (3)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fO5ytEgFFFM/UmwZiBHGidI/AAAAAAAASuA/qKUL5HYdnCI/Tree%252520clearance%252520%2525283%252529_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="265" height="207"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--ABtAsAcjzU/UmwZi01GStI/AAAAAAAASuI/lBGJIRehXE8/s1600-h/Tree%252520clearance%252520%2525284%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Tree clearance (4)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Tree clearance (4)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gmQGvYsijL0/UmwZjQ4ElHI/AAAAAAAASuQ/MncnUZ4PFbY/Tree%252520clearance%252520%2525284%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="281" height="215"></a> </p> <p> </p> <p>Or maybe have a go ourselves………..</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dJSKZU_vZZo/UmwZkVsnFvI/AAAAAAAASuY/Ppp18a0ILUc/s1600-h/Tree%252520clearance%252520%2525287%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Tree clearance (7)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Tree clearance (7)" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ZTDb4Dc_AF0/UmwZlSWskdI/AAAAAAAASug/ih7K-_AFfYk/Tree%252520clearance%252520%2525287%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="339" height="259"></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Sitting on the bow of nb Fragil, Ian had a go with the bow saw and several branches were removed and thrown on to the bank.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>But it wasn’t long before the real men arrived with the real tools and got on with the real job of cutting and clearing the tree.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OLPf9gd8Nno/UmwZmAqnF1I/AAAAAAAASuo/KiU2V6s3TDM/s1600-h/Tree%252520clearance%252520%2525288%252529%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="Tree clearance (8)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="Tree clearance (8)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-E-jwLr1e0aI/UmwZnHpzncI/AAAAAAAASuw/MkizOLzSyGA/Tree%252520clearance%252520%2525288%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NyI9wGbY3Zg/UmwZodaVVWI/AAAAAAAASu4/OhwJStDsAHI/s1600-h/Tree%252520clearance%252520%2525289%252529%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="Tree clearance (9)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="Tree clearance (9)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dq9mfOvw_o4/UmwZp_dEa6I/AAAAAAAASvA/_SVCiqprcys/Tree%252520clearance%252520%2525289%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UVyrOrjGGgo/UmwZrsir-II/AAAAAAAASvI/N3MXviA5q7k/s1600-h/Tree%252520clearance%252520%25252810%252529%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="Tree clearance (10)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="Tree clearance (10)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BiFaqI-T4rw/UmwZsaKW_nI/AAAAAAAASvQ/jJoqBVzMd6U/Tree%252520clearance%252520%25252810%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QiBPt9yV4nk/UmwZtJJEMaI/AAAAAAAASvY/rU71ByCfQqU/s1600-h/Tree%252520clearance%252520%25252811%252529%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="Tree clearance (11)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="Tree clearance (11)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--DLaWx_y8jg/UmwZt9h24bI/AAAAAAAASvg/LviCw8M2NRE/Tree%252520clearance%252520%25252811%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-eF8RJaZE9Oo/UmwZxTMs8KI/AAAAAAAASvo/O5Op5GnGZ3o/s1600-h/Tree%252520clearance%252520%25252818%252529%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="Tree clearance (18)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="Tree clearance (18)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ZXz3khhoX_Y/UmwZyGPVV1I/AAAAAAAASvw/d1r4nGOlMe4/Tree%252520clearance%252520%25252818%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9vsTzB1bzDY/UmwZy17bklI/AAAAAAAASv4/rjQubLaHAMg/s1600-h/Tree%252520clearance%252520%25252819%252529%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="Tree clearance (19)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="Tree clearance (19)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-r1H0KCR9YRc/UmwZzqPH1jI/AAAAAAAASwA/FCI2NMjcyf8/Tree%252520clearance%252520%25252819%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Ot-bUfizA-0/UmwZ0qF19UI/AAAAAAAASwI/sQmw_IDKdN8/s1600-h/Tree%252520clearance%252520%25252821%252529%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="Tree clearance (21)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="Tree clearance (21)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZbxpHPZvMLE/UmwZ1Q17ixI/AAAAAAAASwQ/BuOM8l_UjAM/Tree%252520clearance%252520%25252821%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4HMZV1dRwKk/UmwZ2qfVzUI/AAAAAAAASwY/ESLdFjSh078/s1600-h/Tree%252520clearance%252520%25252823%252529%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="Tree clearance (23)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="Tree clearance (23)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rtHIHrTiOPg/UmwZ3V-ZOvI/AAAAAAAASwg/_gt5KLZzDFQ/Tree%252520clearance%252520%25252823%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> </p> <p> </p> <p>They were very quick and efficient and by 3pm all was clear and we could get through, after nb Fragil and collected some of the bigger bits, which the timber men had cut into small logs for them.</p> <p> </p> <p>At Delph locks we again followed, nb Fragil and Angel’s Whisper up the flight, and now we had another boat behind us, quite a convoy of us.</p> <p> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rWsnXLtw0Io/UmwZ4ejxsOI/AAAAAAAASwo/-rglKZU0g2E/s1600-h/Delph%252520locks%252520%2525282%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Delph locks (2)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="Delph locks (2)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-GS78kcpJmns/UmwZ5--zdKI/AAAAAAAASww/OqVJG8ELmxg/Delph%252520locks%252520%2525282%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="353" height="269"></a> </p> <p>The wind began to pick up and the darker clouds were gathering, but it was still dry and when the other crews stopped at Merry Hill, we carried on as our plan had been to get to Hawne Basin, but with the delay we would have to see how far we could get before it got too dark.</p> <p>And that meant we stopped at Bumble Hole, where we are being rocked by the increasing wind, but are hopefully not too close to trees which may fall!</p> <p> </p> <p>8 miles, 25 locks</p> Ian and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09509787452175841530noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5346573298472879213.post-76171058106669085102013-10-25T22:06:00.001+01:002013-10-25T22:06:41.263+01:00Bumblehole, The Bratch, Giggety, Stourbridge<p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5jWXdVzcfVc/Umrc6uCdRoI/AAAAAAAASng/W0tSQCYZSoU/s1600-h/P1050577%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050577" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050577" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Y3ipDr_ogY4/Umrc7skHmmI/AAAAAAAASno/GioOMV8FDQU/P1050577_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="322" height="246"></a> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><em>Bumblehole</em></p> <p> </p> <p>I do love the names along this part of the Staffs and Worc. </p> <p>Today as planned we made our way this morning through Bumblehole to The Bratch, and the unusual flight of locks, almost a staircase, but with a very short gap between with culverts leading to side ponds acting as pounds between the 3 locks.</p> <p> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5KDbqOZ3GMU/Umrc9JG2wrI/AAAAAAAASnw/1FaFnLKQRgY/s1600-h/P1050582%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050582" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050582" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4X2KL852k64/Umrc-H26EHI/AAAAAAAASn4/SkHpkfzm-ZY/P1050582_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UZVo7Xwmb_s/Umrc-thR5eI/AAAAAAAASoA/jhPdHZtw40g/s1600-h/P1050584%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050584" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050584" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JpXmLgIWRPw/Umrc_idktHI/AAAAAAAASoI/fB_bvN8JnRg/P1050584_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RYELFwi41z4/UmrdAhpSm9I/AAAAAAAASoQ/k0A3CvhYVv0/s1600-h/P1050585%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050585" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050585" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DID_2PIJEpQ/UmrdBWssegI/AAAAAAAASoY/7_p4uAEjoM8/P1050585_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-PBW2df3kT4A/UmrdCNDlNKI/AAAAAAAASog/FKdLWuDAW1s/s1600-h/P1050587%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050587" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050587" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-APzvO2CgX1Y/UmrdDE2K3NI/AAAAAAAASoo/Z6lmPrBvWfA/P1050587_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qP7cNoQ1zIw/UmrdD8G4znI/AAAAAAAASow/8mCQZ6_lPE8/s1600-h/P1050589%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050589" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050589" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MQ6WQ-KJmSA/UmrdEyuLywI/AAAAAAAASo4/cOU1P7dgKqk/P1050589_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dGX44l0YVJg/UmrdFSMNWeI/AAAAAAAASpA/-O1W7h3ygV8/s1600-h/P1050592%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050592" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050592" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1Gq2ogY7eA0/UmrdGNSHV3I/AAAAAAAASpI/l30_X1WY-8g/P1050592_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ybzmb-mp95o/UmrdG23aELI/AAAAAAAASpQ/PESLClL6lxg/s1600-h/P1050594%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050594" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050594" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CMPn2A7y524/UmrdHsVxdnI/AAAAAAAASpY/ulgU7KoDpsg/P1050594_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-nMXKdMd4ajY/UmrdIhAEQXI/AAAAAAAASpg/9IA3jxjAY5s/s1600-h/P1050600%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050600" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050600" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ruwhvfSm8TY/UmrdJXGjHjI/AAAAAAAASpo/Zq--w1vYc68/P1050600_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> </p> <p>The locks are beautifully kept and the architecture of the the bridges, steps, octagonal toll houseare full of history and traces of the boatmen’s footsteps from the past. We climbed 30’ through the 3 locks in warm sun giving us great views of the countryside from the top. There was a lock keeper on duty to help out and make sure we made no mistakes, opening blue painted paddles before the red.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Sn1jYkp3rY8/UmrdJ_HMXhI/AAAAAAAASpw/kQc_6STNuhw/s1600-h/P1050609%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050609" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050609" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-X-_RzxVEv8E/UmrdKxNCHHI/AAAAAAAASp4/G97GGSmNqy4/P1050609_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9uwDogY6EnQ/UmrdLyVfTHI/AAAAAAAASp8/RrKj42ZKvwQ/s1600-h/P1050613%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050613" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050613" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-q3YxNwhVb08/UmrdMl6fTcI/AAAAAAAASqE/oCysx3hSGfw/P1050613_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> </p> <p>At Awbridge, there were several working boats moored, Argus, Comet and Gosport. There is a coal yard here where they are loaded from too. In the right hand picture is another old wooden hulled boat, needing some considerable repairs.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZRHvDHHbEU8/UmrdNsjPl8I/AAAAAAAASqM/-q1Oo-T6-ng/s1600-h/P1050608%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050608" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050608" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LoKUJXTSakw/UmrdOcv4NYI/AAAAAAAASqU/acXqONbF0Ho/P1050608_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gmzmhyYQJ-0/UmrdO2evVhI/AAAAAAAASqg/KR8ghQJC3Qw/s1600-h/P1050612%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050612" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050612" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xnixB4soXME/UmrdP58wXeI/AAAAAAAASqo/5ouoxXWUlcs/P1050612_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> </p> <p>After turning at Dimmingsdale we returned back down to Stourton Junction and took the Stourbridge Canal to…..well, Stourbridge.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wMw746DmZdA/UmrdQ4gEV6I/AAAAAAAASqw/SvPW-Wt2js4/s1600-h/P1050615%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050615" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050615" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OU2bqFda04Q/UmrdRblGHeI/AAAAAAAASq4/sUK2fUyu85Q/P1050615_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-eWQhob6ETao/UmrdSL4gKxI/AAAAAAAASrA/X5oDm-URQc0/s1600-h/P1050617%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050617" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050617" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dAElkg9uynY/UmrdTP5UxsI/AAAAAAAASrI/h-ae-4MGPq4/P1050617_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> </p> <p>Arriving at the basin and the Bonded Warehouse as it began to get dark. On the way down the Town Arm we picked up a gentleman who was taking photographs and looked familiar………</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_Ysp-37QKSE/UmrdUHeib0I/AAAAAAAASrM/HXj-C9sBOEM/s1600-h/P1050619%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050619" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050619" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-iiZfYYsdR9I/UmrdU4nXCQI/AAAAAAAASrY/Ook2iHH2w0c/P1050619_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7LrxN83RUF8/UmrdVpvrZqI/AAAAAAAASrc/JIaNeormbyo/s1600-h/P1050622%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050622" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050622" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9IaIt0zAkE4/UmrdWPypb_I/AAAAAAAASrk/ep0bEnJwfkg/P1050622_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nm66LjRVTDY/UmrdXPp7JMI/AAAAAAAASrw/tp8Jetr2-S4/s1600-h/P1050625%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050625" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050625" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5APEVtUsexI/UmrdX1LDLwI/AAAAAAAASr4/FzCsXFnhddE/P1050625_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="303" height="231"></a> </p> <p>It was Joseph Boughey, Conservation Historian, recognised from the tv programme ‘The Golden Age of Canals’, which used some of his Dad’s cine films in the programme as well as his own contribution as historian.</p> <p>Ian and he had a good old natter on the back on all things canal.</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>11 miles, 24 locks,</p> Ian and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09509787452175841530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5346573298472879213.post-45817788633165839432013-10-24T20:44:00.001+01:002013-10-24T20:51:21.897+01:00Stunning Staffs & Worc.<p> </p> <p>We’re really enjoying being back on the southern section of the Staffs and Worc. It is so pretty. Especially so in the autumn. And in the sunshine.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-NcNGZLvc0fw/Uml3-k0S3eI/AAAAAAAASi4/_aDP55eywD4/s1600-h/P1050531%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050531" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050531" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3xcwqsYyWTs/Uml4ALAESVI/AAAAAAAASjA/-pEKbaFiOmA/P1050531_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="253" height="332"></a> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Yesterday we made the journey from Stourport-on-Severn up to Kidderminster, just a short run, because once we got there, the weather conditions and mooring place was just right for Ian to get a top coat of paint on the port side under the gunwales.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>After the job was done we had a saunter around the town, and getting some new clothes for Mr B. He doesn’t enjoy the experience, but occasionally it has to be done. This morning we went into town again where there was a busy street market running, with some good stalls, we shall miss our market visits when we get back to ‘real life’.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-059_1zOjDZI/Uml4BH3sljI/AAAAAAAASjI/nDGYag6pxN8/s1600-h/P1050532%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050532" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050532" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-UD5hOW4XYc8/Uml4CEHXJmI/AAAAAAAASjQ/KiL47w-zqXA/P1050532_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DDg-UcpY8BQ/Uml4DfSTRoI/AAAAAAAASjY/uGJO9qKvEvY/s1600-h/P1050533%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050533" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050533" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VEvds9mHL6U/Uml4EjIuUAI/AAAAAAAASjg/sXIROrO9zAY/P1050533_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> </p> <p>We didn’t get to leave Kiddermnster til almost noon, and by then it was really quite warm, and we have enjoyed being out in the sun. We have chosen to come up this way as we wanted to see the Bratch locks again, but we didn’t quite get to them today, we were running out of daylight and had to stop at Wombourne.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-aGWzLKJR1rQ/Uml4FZuvhWI/AAAAAAAASjo/qlqibP5Qfe8/s1600-h/P1050536%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050536" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050536" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YhpW5CKr_Fg/Uml4GJOMF4I/AAAAAAAASjw/lNVfhK9b66I/P1050536_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5RxtzKHFpuU/Uml4G7dYOBI/AAAAAAAASj4/OQx_v35_g1g/s1600-h/P1050537%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050537" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050537" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LX0Zvh1PCeA/Uml4Hazlt_I/AAAAAAAASj8/CN423Fjupg8/P1050537_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KOpZd8Ru4Ns/Uml4I46ra8I/AAAAAAAASkI/8w0c929epsw/s1600-h/P1050539%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050539" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050539" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KXp3ss4iq_s/Uml4JgTAmoI/AAAAAAAASkQ/AqD0YbhUDXw/P1050539_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> </p> <p> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Debdale lock, with the rock cave beside it. Today I noticed the marks worn by feet pushing against the red sandstone to open the gate.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UNqRBh-h0eo/Uml4Kclpk8I/AAAAAAAASkY/ihxjrTCuceE/s1600-h/P1050547%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050547" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050547" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3Qfds8WAa7s/Uml4LvFJoLI/AAAAAAAASkg/L1Uj3JyKrK0/P1050547_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="340" height="259"></a> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Through Cookley tunnel.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lPC-hK76DZg/Uml4MoEv4_I/AAAAAAAASko/8BI0aa1zL2Q/s1600-h/P1050548%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050548" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050548" align="right" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-JpUqKM4RZ9o/Uml4N_4ZheI/AAAAAAAASkw/_TvJrG97mzA/P1050548_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="327" height="249"></a> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> Preening Party.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-YkcGQWXz6w4/Uml4Ol2tO2I/AAAAAAAASk4/VLs_EBJnQgs/s1600-h/P1050550%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050550" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050550" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-x3Sk0BkcYvY/Uml4Pg07FsI/AAAAAAAASlA/FfqTu9gzc68/P1050550_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="270" height="211"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HPpBUJzrguo/Uml4Qmr8SOI/AAAAAAAASlI/9sQWzRh2phE/s1600-h/P1050552%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050552" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050552" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7wB36e3v9-s/Uml4R57X8sI/AAAAAAAASlQ/xE2LZaN55Dc/P1050552_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="271" height="211"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-q6SWV7v0Sdc/Uml4S-8IU_I/AAAAAAAASlY/tJtbrTPU5II/s1600-h/P1050553%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050553" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050553" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nJSfuMlqcP8/Uml4Tg7n8zI/AAAAAAAASlg/azVca4PTUsw/P1050553_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="273" height="208"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Y_t_z3an9V8/Uml4U1scoWI/AAAAAAAASlo/UXbWBe8-m9w/s1600-h/P1050556%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050556" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050556" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-voEliEf2yb0/Uml4VS1ma7I/AAAAAAAASlw/PpCFbYg1fZg/P1050556_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="277" height="211"></a> </p> <p>Passing through Kinver, we enjoyed the memories of the village, the rock houses and Kinver Scout, but didn’t stop today, we were pressing on with our mission.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3ri2Bf-pJZ0/Uml4XS5ERBI/AAAAAAAASl4/WJ8OonJ8Rtk/s1600-h/P1050560%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050560" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050560" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0euPQOvWNGk/Uml4YAJQseI/AAAAAAAASmA/Tu-y7bI5fNo/P1050560_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="278" height="212"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lz-Gq1Sv0tk/Uml4ZJ2ox1I/AAAAAAAASmI/Vac7ySXOkso/s1600-h/P1050561%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050561" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050561" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hNayeqNsvQE/Uml4cGTQVkI/AAAAAAAASmQ/Nk-5tBe0D9k/P1050561_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="278" height="212"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JxiF2tFCqE8/Uml4dA0NjbI/AAAAAAAASmY/DfHLWr9-Uys/s1600-h/P1050562%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050562" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050562" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-GRbzHFWKMRc/Uml4f45mwaI/AAAAAAAASmg/6FkRttCVcGs/P1050562_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="281" height="215"></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>At Stewponey lock there is a little toll office, a large wharf building and other stable like buildings used by C&RT today.</p> <p>"The origin of the name Stewponey has never been accurately explained. Suggestions include a corruption of Estepona, referring to an early connection with the Spanish town of the same name, and stewpons which were medieval ponds used by monks for keeping carp as a food supply."(from S&WCanal Society).</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KcE6uHojfBg/Uml4grVQ3-I/AAAAAAAASmo/d_HmYewOX-M/s1600-h/P1050565%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050565" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050565" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0grh9ISNpHQ/Uml4hNMzTkI/AAAAAAAASms/hSwZ_zkdxmA/P1050565_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="282" height="215"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-aRPGtj4pdIs/Uml4h6jwR9I/AAAAAAAASm4/jZy7vwLgVQ8/s1600-h/P1050570%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050570" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050570" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qyiKyEvnkZw/Uml4jF85o8I/AAAAAAAASnA/Gz7LixfoyXs/P1050570_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="215" height="281"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-b8lvqSFVovw/Uml4j5wJ8jI/AAAAAAAASnI/dunbcoiFs9o/s1600-h/P1050574%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050574" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050574" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-M0ELPACxtwU/Uml4k3cAKMI/AAAAAAAASnQ/ADq50qQNifM/P1050574_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="229" height="300"></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Rocky lock, rope worn railings and Tacet gets a bubble bath.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Tomorrow we shall turn around and go back to Stourton Junction and head for Stourbridge.</p> <p>Wednesday & Thursday, 18 miles, 18 locks, 2 tunnels</p> Ian and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09509787452175841530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5346573298472879213.post-32333185873639209662013-10-22T20:52:00.001+01:002013-10-23T09:06:59.331+01:00Sailing the Severn<p> </p> <p>This morning we moved along the short bit that was left of the Droitwich barge canal down to the River Severn. Two locks and we got our first glimpse of this mighty river, the longest in the country rising in Wales and gathering pace and size down to the Bristol Channel.</p> <p>We were just going to travel a short hop from Hawford to Stourport-on-Severn, through 2 locks which are manned.</p> <p>After all the rain we have had over the past week and especially overnight when we were woken several times with the drumming on the roof, we were unsure how the river conditions would be.</p> <p>First sight and I thought, we won’t be going out on that. It was flowing very fast and a chocolate soup colour with all sorts of debris floating quickly by. However the indication boards showed the water level was on the orange band with several inches to go to red. So the skipper made a phone call to the lock keeper and we got ready to go out.</p> <p>But first there was another boat to let in through the lock, a hire boat that had just come up from Worcester. Then it was our turn, through the lock and put some power on to make the turn against the flow of the river and we were on our way.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UYICNo1Bby8/UmbXGzK0kDI/AAAAAAAASfg/D9cuC_IEJM0/s1600-h/P1050505%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050505" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050505" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_aNW6aNO2Js/UmbXHoxMTkI/AAAAAAAASfo/1OBjBn-spvw/P1050505_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="340" height="259"></a> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Leaving Hawford lock and the safety of the canal.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>It was slow going and we met a lot of stuff coming down towards us………..</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fnWj61YseP4/UmbXIRwKKgI/AAAAAAAASfw/xy2bc8_rNxk/s1600-h/P1050506%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050506" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050506" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-S53SM5o64N0/UmbXJBJoz6I/AAAAAAAASf4/xmsIQIyqsXo/P1050506_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HWsuPoT1V1I/UmbXJ8rKcHI/AAAAAAAASgA/nj3z6iXlWQQ/s1600-h/P1050507%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050507" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050507" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gXcuyskA1B0/UmbXKqwvJQI/AAAAAAAASgI/gOM5vpyJnHw/P1050507_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4bFdDZGOjEg/UmbXLiextyI/AAAAAAAASgQ/mNynZvDwYSo/s1600-h/P1050508%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050508" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050508" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NIbS9xH4eb4/UmbXMSJAZlI/AAAAAAAASgY/zEMD-pJ81o0/P1050508_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BYWUcp5eUh4/UmbXNOSMG9I/AAAAAAAASgg/0amKhFqQhDI/s1600-h/P1050511%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050511" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050511" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-k_0_oaLjc2o/UmbXOPD3uAI/AAAAAAAASgo/K3AgWVkzgLo/P1050511_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZrON73ZvWf0/UmbXOngzXsI/AAAAAAAASgw/SKW5qJzWKO8/s1600-h/P1050512%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050512" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050512" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-PZQJkH0-prY/UmbXPv94s4I/AAAAAAAASg4/8v2oqRt0w_U/P1050512_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dNo2slzYXZk/UmbXQLsfi0I/AAAAAAAAShA/IjAMzpuIbaA/s1600-h/P1050515%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050515" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050515" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hu6KwVzH0qQ/UmbXQ2iTksI/AAAAAAAAShI/pX_lAozjU-E/P1050515_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> </p> <p> </p> <p>which Mr B managed to avoid.</p> <p>We also saw these two creatures, among others, on our journey……….</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tIe4yRyVnl0/UmbXRwBStoI/AAAAAAAAShQ/22MkIUI6ddI/s1600-h/P1050509%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050509" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050509" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kYbA2wBw194/UmbXSlwb53I/AAAAAAAAShY/J3bFG60oAL8/P1050509_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="173"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7c9UxrOlZC8/UmbXTeQ4kHI/AAAAAAAAShg/ISxiq5sueNg/s1600-h/P1050517%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050517" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050517" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-GDI9ammQAw0/UmbXVOVECII/AAAAAAAASho/4ljb49MifcU/P1050517_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="161"></a> </p> <p align="center"><em>kingfisher and mink</em></p> <p align="left"><em></em> </p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1jIzmD2apeY/UmbXVzVQOwI/AAAAAAAAShw/j9pVXM7YZko/s1600-h/P1050521%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050521" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050521" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4Ldp3tzBIjw/UmbXWRply7I/AAAAAAAASh4/QAnUVj3JZI0/P1050521_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="349" height="266"></a> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>a guard of honour awaiting our arrival in Stourport.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xHZBZl2hhxI/UmbXXM7sMUI/AAAAAAAASiA/HYxdpCMX9hA/s1600-h/P1050525%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050525" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050525" align="right" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rdYTxXkWFNU/UmbXXu8yMPI/AAAAAAAASiI/sZGKDlhGO4g/P1050525_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="278"></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p> </p> <p> With showers of rain still falling and the lock keepers warning that the river was rising we pressed on up river against the flow til we reached Stourport. Soon we had negotiated the two staircase pairs of locks up through the basins and once again the still waters of the Staffs & Worc Canal.</p> <p>Here we saw that the new traffic light system was on red, warning not to take your boat out on the river, we were just in time!</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JL10yAD1q90/UmbXYW89FhI/AAAAAAAASiQ/mV_RgpSVgS8/s1600-h/P1050526%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050526" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050526" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gSAbsZv1YF4/UmbXZrZv8JI/AAAAAAAASiY/AllWyAnaS4Q/P1050526_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="277" height="351"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Z84ITrrBMr4/UmbXafgRzEI/AAAAAAAASig/hpGRF4q1JDE/s1600-h/P1050527%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050527" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050527" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2SRle9rn7BY/UmbXbVRLv-I/AAAAAAAASio/kdi5FiOzm1M/P1050527_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="283" height="365"></a> </p> <p>Tuesday: 9 miles, 9 locks.</p> Ian and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09509787452175841530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5346573298472879213.post-42171548192477452192013-10-21T21:11:00.001+01:002013-10-22T19:21:02.435+01:00Droitwich Spa<br />
Yesterday was declared ‘A Day of Rest’! <br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-b_tOs7i9FDM/UmWKFI23qdI/AAAAAAAASa4/srlNvX4Oan0/s1600-h/P1050480%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="P1050480" border="0" height="306" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-mQyTkLlxpME/UmWKGHBwHKI/AAAAAAAASbA/HNHbzXHx9Bo/P1050480_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="P1050480" width="234" /></a> <br />
Well it was Sunday, and after our exertions on Saturday we felt it well deserved. We enjoyed the service at the Salvation Army Community Church just a short walk away from the basin at Vines Park in the morning, then after a visit to the supermarket to get supplies for lunch and a roast dinner, it was an enjoyable lazy day. <br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mhPb9ohJsMU/UmWKHIZugbI/AAAAAAAASbI/tTjdVRoo5Q0/s1600-h/P1050475%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="P1050475" border="0" height="290" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-tTfot58FsrU/UmWKH-gAGEI/AAAAAAAASbQ/WDuTfZcJG4E/P1050475_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline;" title="P1050475" width="221" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YsfcpubcUjw/UmWKIxzD8yI/AAAAAAAASbY/63CzQ-mgBqQ/s1600-h/P1050479%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="P1050479" border="0" height="262" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vLmJ84-tFyM/UmWKKPkdQII/AAAAAAAASbg/Qtr-vB2Y4yY/P1050479_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline;" title="P1050479" width="340" /></a> <br />
It was nice to go for just a short walk through the park and the town during the afternoon, there are a lot of beautiful autumn coloured trees around Droitwich, it is very pretty just now. Though because it is still quite warm, there is still a lot of green too. Maybe it will mean a longer autumn and shorter winter…………<br />
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Droitwich is another salty town, it’s story being built on the naturally occurring brine springs underground. They are so rich in minerals that 2.5 pounds of salt can be harvested from 1 gallon of water. Salt was produced here from the Iron age times, through the Roman times and up til the 19th century. As salt production declined, Droitwich became known as a Spa town and it’s prosperity continued providing the assumed health and therapeutic benefits of bathing in the mineral rich waters.<br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2ttRDSPQnws/UmWKK2oYm0I/AAAAAAAASbk/ilptByLQ0Qw/s1600-h/P1050492%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="P1050492" border="0" height="319" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-kz37-l6aMVQ/UmWKLi49KmI/AAAAAAAASbw/FFKYk4m2OdU/P1050492_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline;" title="P1050492" width="243" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VVYGhEK-1ro/UmWKMXXXWSI/AAAAAAAASb4/j658zwYvie4/s1600-h/P1050494%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="P1050494" border="0" height="311" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KNMM_Ubt0vI/UmWKNEa-j3I/AAAAAAAAScA/IDPC8etl1uI/P1050494_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline;" title="P1050494" width="237" /></a> <br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-VcL9WJwVWjI/UmWKN6DUG5I/AAAAAAAAScI/BsEs9_CYRyk/s1600-h/P1050493%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="P1050493" border="0" height="344" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wHfvFxU45yY/UmWKO7ykGoI/AAAAAAAAScQ/yyjpMHNiHtQ/P1050493_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="P1050493" width="567" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MnfSBQtCjsc/UmWKPyp3J7I/AAAAAAAAScY/DHRLiFoEBcE/s1600-h/P1050470%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="P1050470" border="0" height="220" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-is-Uk4G1ss0/UmWKQR1zqkI/AAAAAAAAScg/KNZrB2Hd5q8/P1050470_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline;" title="P1050470" width="280" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-SOBBwuJx7vQ/UmWKRtdIq_I/AAAAAAAASco/D3IXJ90TVLY/s1600-h/P1050471%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img alt="P1050471" border="0" height="216" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HML7_-sNFxw/UmWKSYUHFcI/AAAAAAAAScw/zLLXn5NojUU/P1050471_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline;" title="P1050471" width="269" /></a> <br />
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The old brine pump in the town is preserved on Tower Hill.<br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dhX8e7yEg-M/UmWKTWisD6I/AAAAAAAASc4/7h6C6FwwQ7o/s1600-h/P1050495%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="P1050495" border="0" height="292" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nsZbZFty-RA/UmWKUB12D-I/AAAAAAAASdA/jk1nTnN-pcw/P1050495_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;" title="P1050495" width="383" /></a> <br />
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The grand Raven Hotel.<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-O4DV86hW3DE/UmWKVWEy6oI/AAAAAAAASdI/uJ6MOkqVO0U/s1600-h/P1050487%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="P1050487" border="0" height="221" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-K5ApL3Tk4ss/UmWKWByvGKI/AAAAAAAASdQ/qkj1TVVvts4/P1050487_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline;" title="P1050487" width="290" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-T77Xq80M-M8/UmWKW5huT9I/AAAAAAAASdY/BWmnu9_S3R0/s1600-h/P1050488%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="P1050488" border="0" height="297" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Lvi0DUgGvio/UmWKXWpL1dI/AAAAAAAASdg/3efln2mFQIw/P1050488_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline;" title="P1050488" width="227" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-GuVuqF_kfBc/UmWKYKeG2aI/AAAAAAAASdo/qLioR-Ck224/s1600-h/P1050489%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="P1050489" border="0" height="234" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WHzgGIq5rpM/UmWKY1scGEI/AAAAAAAASdw/R5f-QHXqKCE/P1050489_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;" title="P1050489" width="307" /></a> <br />
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Along the High Street, the old part of town, the shops and houses above them have a rather wonky look to them. Like other salty towns there has been trouble with subsidence, leaving these old building leaning in all different directions and looking like the proverbial little crooked house.<br />
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This morning was rather wet again, so we had a wander round the town again, where we could at least dodge showers by going in the shops, and we visited the Heritage Centre too.<br />
When we got back, I set to work on the crab apples I found at the top of the Droitwich canal on Saturday.<br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OVgPtvt3b_Y/UmWKZz7bDnI/AAAAAAAASd4/qTHy-Z7Ehjk/s1600-h/P1050496%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="P1050496" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7Dn_3qU0ClA/UmWKacXALKI/AAAAAAAASeA/hNI7EySKWc0/P1050496_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline;" title="P1050496" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ny3KHL6Vj-I/UmWKbZ29t-I/AAAAAAAASeI/3uyOnIX6plw/s1600-h/P1050497%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="P1050497" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-B4ymgKqVuWA/UmWKcHtp4FI/AAAAAAAASeQ/iy6FpRARPrM/P1050497_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline;" title="P1050497" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-B-5MkRrs5_M/UmWKc3dM26I/AAAAAAAASeY/MwHYMPUatKw/s1600-h/P1050498%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="P1050498" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-C_ynQfOCvbQ/UmWKdlUQlLI/AAAAAAAASeg/KmnSGiK7U4Q/P1050498_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline;" title="P1050498" width="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xiQFOnxGlIY/UmWKeYe8jTI/AAAAAAAASeo/bM9aQpAlNlQ/s1600-h/P1050499%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="P1050499" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-M9w0ciPgegw/UmWKfK6BN7I/AAAAAAAASew/oVam_PnbHF8/P1050499_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline;" title="P1050499" width="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RsupbFUwmYM/UmWKf_6TwaI/AAAAAAAASe4/tMbUOcGOMRI/s1600-h/P1050503%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="P1050503" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Kmwm9EYv5rY/UmWKga4IWMI/AAAAAAAASfA/c2xsgXhkt14/P1050503_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;" title="P1050503" width="244" /></a> <br />
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Washed, chopped, cooked, strained, and turned into jelly…………<br />
Autumn colours preserved.<br />
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After lunch things looked a bit brighter so we set off, before we had out-stayed our welcome at the moorings. And we didn’t get too wet, down the 6 locks towards the river Severn. <br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FmJ2_8UQ5qc/UmWKhS7TJwI/AAAAAAAASfI/dPQoyUYk6PA/s1600-h/P1050504%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="P1050504" border="0" height="247" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-imKQ8542spE/UmWKiFHGS2I/AAAAAAAASfQ/Ldb6uVMybDk/P1050504_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="P1050504" width="324" /></a><br />
This circular weir captivated me whilst one of the locks was filling this afternoon, there’s something mesmerising about flowing water…………..I get quite lost in my daydreams watching it.<br />
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Monday: 4 miles, 6 locksIan and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09509787452175841530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5346573298472879213.post-23687806782674714532013-10-20T19:47:00.001+01:002013-10-20T19:47:17.366+01:00A Walk in the Park<p> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8GZYsgihj44/UmQlLlfhBxI/AAAAAAAASag/0RuEmqZM1qg/s1600-h/mosaic9812d89f70b05fe99670bd118914653303253d94%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="mosaic9812d89f70b05fe99670bd118914653303253d94" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="mosaic9812d89f70b05fe99670bd118914653303253d94" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fpLv2S_Rvsk/UmQlM9tOZbI/AAAAAAAASao/gC-AgpuH2qM/mosaic9812d89f70b05fe99670bd118914653303253d94_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="537" height="537"></a></p> Ian and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09509787452175841530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5346573298472879213.post-72824272778664492702013-10-19T22:17:00.001+01:002013-10-20T09:22:50.876+01:00Lock Marathon<p> </p> <p>In the last few weeks we have left for travelling on board Tacet, we have in mind to visit a few places we want to see again or canals that we have only travelled along in one direction, so whilst we are returning to the Northampton / Milton Keynes area where we started out from in March 2011, it will not be a direct route.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-AvXyYuvcTx4/UmL2YyIT2hI/AAAAAAAASVo/hW8XzW6LMGI/s1600-h/P1050435%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050435" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="P1050435" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YAxw9Gxa6Lo/UmL2aAX0aqI/AAAAAAAASVw/yNOlBevQOr8/P1050435_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="314" height="240"></a> </p> <p>Leaving Birmingham yesterday afternoon we took the Worcester and Birmingham Canal out of Gas Street Basin down to King’s Norton Junction, with it’s toll house complete with the listed toll charges for travelling through laden with anything from lime to manure or flour.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-82Vqne0GtcA/UmL2a-bEgFI/AAAAAAAASV4/vai5Y6WeUt4/s1600-h/P1050438%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050438" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050438" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Bxvre329G-4/UmL2bXjbEsI/AAAAAAAASWA/R_IMzc4i5aM/P1050438_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="318" height="248"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-DDoH2tj3wlY/UmL2cKLiJ1I/AAAAAAAASWI/vQp2HxICO_Q/s1600-h/P1050439%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050439" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050439" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zY-GnjtLJj4/UmL2c1zL1qI/AAAAAAAASWQ/fwLMo1G4gP8/P1050439_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="185" height="244"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>We passed Bourneville on the way, the garden village built by Mr Cadbury for his workers. Part of the factory could just be seen above the hedges and across the railway.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-oE-YpuFRiAE/UmL2dqwOjNI/AAAAAAAASWY/96jXrHwkFJY/s1600-h/P1050437%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050437" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="P1050437" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wiXZKfH2sJc/UmL2ebq6X_I/AAAAAAAASWg/zgFG40pGVv0/P1050437_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="307" height="234"></a> </p> <p>From here to Worcester is a section we have done just once up from the River Severn. The long Tardebigge flight of locks is along here and we wanted to do these again, but this time downhill. </p> <p>Last night we moored at Alvechurch, arriving as it got dark at 6.30pm. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--AmnRN85tD4/UmL2fCW7kbI/AAAAAAAASWo/v21Fdb7uqdI/s1600-h/P1050440%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050440" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="P1050440" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1mrlbDq1RlY/UmL2fw-JW3I/AAAAAAAASWw/STZ7E_bTBbE/P1050440_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="323" height="246"></a> </p> <p>We decided against a visit to the town this morning, thinking if all went well we would try to get to Droitwich, so we could find somewhere for church tomorrow. After negotiating two tunnels there would be quite a few locks to work……… </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-P-xlduYfyAk/UmL2gjC66JI/AAAAAAAASW4/MXWa6aXt0CY/s1600-h/P1050446%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050446" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050446" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-kXW5kbv_LQg/UmL2hTtdHuI/AAAAAAAASXA/AYBv6eUxPpg/P1050446_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="272" height="215"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8M7mNLREvKY/UmL2iWP5GaI/AAAAAAAASXI/pnGCOFk9A6c/s1600-h/P1050445%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050445" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050445" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dFN86c5Gazo/UmL2jInXFZI/AAAAAAAASXQ/m3T9jdABq14/P1050445_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="277" height="211"></a> </p> <p align="center"><em>Tardebigge top lock and plaqu</em>e <em>to note Tom Rolt and Robert Aikman meeting here to found the Inland Waterways Association.</em> </p> <p>The Tardebigge flight is 30 locks……….</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1Fax3p5s8cY/UmL2jy42BFI/AAAAAAAASXY/3a6C7f6LHGY/s1600-h/P1050448%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050448" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050448" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lYNCqUVT1S4/UmL2k8kJPjI/AAAAAAAASXg/qhv2vuQd6Sw/P1050448_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-sWkpxELW2T0/UmL2lnY5VBI/AAAAAAAASXo/bOKYI7rJykI/s1600-h/P1050453%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050453" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050453" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-StS2CFPOR80/UmL2mJgkIOI/AAAAAAAASXw/STiGeejBXyc/P1050453_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Pbd7rsF9W6M/UmL2nGXccjI/AAAAAAAASX4/SIKxBRuepXk/s1600-h/P1050454%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050454" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050454" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0pJc8qAqXV0/UmL2nz_47mI/AAAAAAAASYA/Hl68tuMw1Y0/P1050454_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rw3SxEsZAlE/UmL2on934yI/AAAAAAAASYI/K4wPJMtrMro/s1600-h/P1050455%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050455" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050455" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-cjZEdU2ipns/UmL2pRwSVRI/AAAAAAAASYM/0JftYGNP5zA/P1050455_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dxU_b3NShyY/UmL2qL_jWnI/AAAAAAAASYY/h5CvlZxUAzg/s1600-h/P1050456%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050456" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050456" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0Mx8OjH-0yo/UmL2qitcxtI/AAAAAAAASYg/YsFvOMGkCuM/P1050456_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-18Il7FbUuqA/UmL2rljgejI/AAAAAAAASYo/nNbzZDLADgA/s1600-h/P1050461%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050461" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050461" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-owARhzVp_-I/UmL2sJh64SI/AAAAAAAASYw/qqwpBzvbI38/P1050461_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> </p> <p> </p> <p>It was dry, the sun veiled by cloud so not too hot, just right for locking. We got into a good system, I went ahead and set the lock, while Ian worked the boat through, and I walked back to close up. However this means I walked the flight 3 times! But it was efficient and we caught up with the boat in front of us who had been setting the locks against us. We met just 2 boats coming up, one a new Alvechurch hire boat with gleaming paintwork, but no windows or interior fit-out. The two boatyard guys were allowed 3 hours to get up from Stoke works to Alvechurch.</p> <p> </p> <p>After Tardebigge, the Stoke flight of 6 locks………..and the Astwood flight of 6 locks………….</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-XglxEcA9m7U/UmL2s0bC9rI/AAAAAAAASY4/xLtPxeUy6Ic/s1600-h/P1050462%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050462" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050462" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-TpAO286EOkw/UmL2t0p5sWI/AAAAAAAASZA/EjXYxCBFCZY/P1050462_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="315" height="240"></a> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Astwood lock is very pretty even in the rain. We had a heavy shower down this flight.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Then the turn at Hanbury Junction onto the Droitwich canal, re-opened in 2011, here the sun came out through the rain, as we came down the first 3 locks, remembering to use the side ponds as we went.<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-SYtjnxOAwLA/UmL2ueNOFpI/AAAAAAAASZI/3SG1LPAQR-A/s1600-h/P1050464%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050464" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050464" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-tUibaGL8RKc/UmL2vNci0wI/AAAAAAAASZQ/freGBIgfnXU/P1050464_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="278" height="364"></a> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6XbUZTwOAW0/UmL2v232ItI/AAAAAAAASZY/TwH92hxTSbQ/s1600-h/P1050465%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050465" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050465" align="right" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jn5Qrz2c0C4/UmL2wjmKraI/AAAAAAAASZg/8X2CmWryNvc/P1050465_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> </p> <p> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>The marina is now well occupied, it was still under construction when we came past 2 years ago.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-SLTo4LM-XUU/UmL2xfD86OI/AAAAAAAASZo/4_hXh7Qhgqs/s1600-h/P1050466%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050466" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050466" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uSMoOiT_I6k/UmL2yZ7TpuI/AAAAAAAASZw/DwKTWzB1ys0/P1050466_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5Al2NhL_XZU/UmL2zK6-GdI/AAAAAAAASZ4/5utbrBtAAjw/s1600-h/P1050467%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050467" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050467" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jpllZfJwjFo/UmL2z0DoDUI/AAAAAAAASaA/QsPS_gCsN2c/P1050467_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> </p> <p align="center"><em>Under the M5 in a VeRY low tunnel.</em></p> <p align="center"><em></em> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zRxu4sCJ63I/UmL20sQeJWI/AAAAAAAASaI/-6zbJPJijPk/s1600-h/P1050469%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050469" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050469" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZPmRGlpKNro/UmL21F6h3gI/AAAAAAAASaQ/T6rU62cajvY/P1050469_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="326" height="249"></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>and through the barge lock in Droitwich with the light fading fast.</p> <p>then there were 3 swing bridges to turn before we moored up in the basin at 6.30.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>PHeWW what a good day’s work, and an interesting journey, just 11 miles but with tunnels, bridges, autumn colours, lovely countryside and just a few locks…………..50 in all.</p> <p>Friday Birmingham – Alvechurch, 10.5 miles, 2 tunnels</p> <p>Saturday Alvechurch – Droitwich Spa, 11.5 miles, 3 tunnels, 3 bridges, <font size="4"><strong>50 locks </strong></font><font size="2">(9 hours)</font></p> Ian and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09509787452175841530noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5346573298472879213.post-13895625973368623082013-10-19T09:34:00.001+01:002013-10-19T10:06:25.749+01:00Jewellery Quarter Museum<p>Friday </p> <p>We made a return visit to this fascinating museum in the Jewellery Quarter of Birmingham.</p> <p>The Hockley area of the city has been the largest jewellery making centre of Europe for the past 150 years. With many small workshops involved in creating fine gold and silver jewellery.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2PNn9D0shmU/UmJDniq9SkI/AAAAAAAASPk/hkq8ZPiCk6Q/s1600-h/jewellerymuseum14%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="jewellery museum (1)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="jewellery museum (1)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1tWBvzr_5Us/UmJDpFnQVfI/AAAAAAAASPs/qUo1u3uyFLI/jewellerymuseum1_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="419" height="323"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>The tour takes you around the premises of Smith & Pepper jewellers and specialists in gold and silver bracelets from 1899 – 1981. A very successful business was built up, employing 40 people and building a workshop behind 2 houses. The business expanded and the front of the premises was rebuilt for the offices and packaging department. The family moving out to a more rural area to live.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-g4RXcEsi1mc/UmJDpyereXI/AAAAAAAASP0/8tZ4LclsM8A/s1600-h/jewellerymuseum25.jpg"><img title="jewellery museum (2)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="jewellery museum (2)" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LLJTsU9frmM/UmJDqjnn79I/AAAAAAAASP8/zlpDuhvzfyA/jewellerymuseum2_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="371" height="286"></a> </p> <p> </p> <p>The workshop with the glass panels in the roof to give good light to the craftsmen working below. As you can see all the neighbouring buildings are close by and were other workshops in the jewellery trade. Immediately next door has white ceramic tiles walls to reflect more light down into the Smith & Pepper workshop.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>The Smith family were the owners and it was managed by 3 siblings, Mr Eric, Mr Tom and Miss Olive until their retirement in 1981 at the ages of 74,76 & 81 when there was no-one of the family to carry it on, and it was closed. The three of them appear to have walked out of the door leaving everything just as it was in the offices and the workshops. They had not been believers in changing and moving with the times unnecessarily, so it’s as though time has stood still and makes a fascinating visit with a well informed and interesting guide.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-he24kn-E6jc/UmJDrdNhNlI/AAAAAAAASQE/mEc1WwviRBg/s1600-h/jewellerymuseum43.jpg"><img title="jewellery museum (4)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="jewellery museum (4)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4ENle8xEAWE/UmJDsT9tPOI/AAAAAAAASQM/TzeyrWhC0_o/jewellerymuseum4_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="238" height="312"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Idra8zO9JhY/UmJDtawlpdI/AAAAAAAASQU/1lPAkoNdbd8/s1600-h/jewellerymuseum33.jpg"><img title="jewellery museum (3)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="jewellery museum (3)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-fSivDCgnekU/UmJDusYAEqI/AAAAAAAASQc/KM0WwqWszS0/jewellerymuseum3_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="322" height="246"></a> </p> <p> </p> <p>Here the orders were received and processed with the packaging bench, complete with tissue and cotton wool laid out ready for wrapping and all the boxes for packing stacked on the shelves.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-x5TxhC6zf0U/UmJDvn1xGvI/AAAAAAAASQk/65wIWUJVBOQ/s1600-h/jewellerymuseum65.jpg"><img title="jewellery museum (6)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="jewellery museum (6)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_YT6QiqLqIw/UmJDw1lKMnI/AAAAAAAASQs/diwg0DrnaA0/jewellerymuseum6_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="461" height="357"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Ibw9KnCoKzw/UmJDyeAlrvI/AAAAAAAASQ0/3sTmFVC21s0/s1600-h/jewellerymuseum73.jpg"><img title="jewellery museum (7)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="jewellery museum (7)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-13FdHgze46M/UmJDzA7gisI/AAAAAAAASQ8/Hh89vv7E89o/jewellerymuseum7_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="455" height="347"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>The office was Miss Olive’s domain where she took good care and interest in her staff, the family were well thought of and their staff were very loyal,</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vGBOFHxnZCE/UmJDz3TpHgI/AAAAAAAASRE/7veMaFNrcow/s1600-h/jewellerymuseum54.jpg"><img title="jewellery museum (5)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="jewellery museum (5)" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZWYRdgz0W1U/UmJD0lUmfKI/AAAAAAAASRM/P0oerc2mFTE/jewellerymuseum5_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="239" height="313"></a> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p> </p> <p>but there was obviously no Health and Safety Officer!</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Mr Tom’s domain was downstairs in the workshop, where every morning he would hand out to his workers a tin box with their pieces to work with each morning, carefully weighed, recorded and signed for in his ledger so that every bit of precious gold could be kept account of.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_UKvCVfmr0Q/UmJD1S-MjMI/AAAAAAAASRU/7_ZgUlEICjQ/s1600-h/jewellerymuseum83.jpg"><img title="jewellery museum (8)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="jewellery museum (8)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Bxhty6ozztU/UmJD2F1tykI/AAAAAAAASRc/0uOyiY2nSjE/jewellerymuseum8_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="302" height="230"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-GdFgVbhda5I/UmJD3HewAMI/AAAAAAAASRk/kyHqqsb524E/s1600-h/jewellerymuseum92.jpg"><img title="jewellery museum (9)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="jewellery museum (9)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-PUvAJtyANdY/UmJD3nM49wI/AAAAAAAASRs/_kQvLAKoDmg/jewellerymuseum9_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ExNrJzTqHLk/UmJD4k-ZABI/AAAAAAAASR0/-k-7Of9oHoc/s1600-h/jewellerymuseum102.jpg"><img title="jewellery museum (10)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="jewellery museum (10)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XyGkK-GmvfQ/UmJD5RFa2FI/AAAAAAAASR8/7PLmYgmMfZk/jewellerymuseum10_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dHH6d8KCOw0/UmJD6IaO2TI/AAAAAAAASSE/9ZrAhb447-4/s1600-h/jewellerymuseum112.jpg"><img title="jewellery museum (11)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="jewellery museum (11)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lgjYeM0a1Zo/UmJD62foZCI/AAAAAAAASSM/FEgWjuslIgE/jewellerymuseum11_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> </p> <p> </p> <p>At the end of the day the boxes were returned with the completed pieces of work and all the dust and filings collected for weighing once again, only a very small percentage was allowed to be lost.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-GUCd3Xyy28c/UmJD7yCl4HI/AAAAAAAASSU/2xb6FNSb8AI/s1600-h/jewellerymuseum203.jpg"><img title="jewellery museum (20)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="jewellery museum (20)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nybB5tzDCpQ/UmJD8kqau2I/AAAAAAAASSc/ShDZ_44emlA/jewellerymuseum20_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="471" height="359"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>The jewellers would work at what is know round the world as a Hockley bench, (this area of Birmingham is Hockley) perched on a low stool, with the leather ‘apron’ pulled over their lap to catch the gold dust and filings as they worked for collecting up at the end of the day. The ‘bits’ were melted back down to be used again, it was too precious to waste. Here the jewellers would cut out pieces of gold for charms, brooches or pendants, or set stones into place, working at a peg, a piece of wood which pulled out of the rounded shape and was worn to fit the way each individual crafstman worked with his tools.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kVX1YqiH7jk/UmJD9tEPxmI/AAAAAAAASSk/uMVI4bkuwOA/s1600-h/jewellerymuseum185.jpg"><img title="jewellery museum (18)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="jewellery museum (18)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-EvNBt0-UKZo/UmJD-eM6pMI/AAAAAAAASSs/3voEsxbYo_s/jewellerymuseum18_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="428" height="329"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-E55tgAQG3QE/UmJD_LK78bI/AAAAAAAASS0/y4eMRKZhua4/s1600-h/jewellerymuseum153.jpg"><img title="jewellery museum (15)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="jewellery museum (15)" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ude3Np4vdEA/UmJD_5Qd1OI/AAAAAAAASS8/8U1JSeD_CFg/jewellerymuseum15_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> </p> <p> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Before leaving at the end of the day, each of the jewellers would have to <strike>wash</strike> scrub their hands to remove any gold dust, the water from the sink was then filtered through sawdust to collect the particles, and in 1-2 years enough was collected for £900 of gold.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-IExTt1dV-KI/UmJEBSrN0fI/AAAAAAAASTE/GIlEYa9F-no/s1600-h/jewellerymuseum214.jpg"><img title="jewellery museum (21)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="jewellery museum (21)" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-thAoI7NPvlY/UmJEC3krwgI/AAAAAAAASTM/N50gCIa2jSE/jewellerymuseum21_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="256" height="335"></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WwBiN-B--jk/UmJEDl554ZI/AAAAAAAASTU/60H_P_otJho/s1600-h/jewellerymuseum245.jpg"><img title="jewellery museum (24)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="jewellery museum (24)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-GI8SX679trA/UmJEEYerZYI/AAAAAAAASTc/R3P3D7ZJvDc/jewellerymuseum24_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="314" height="244"></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YfytZGa6bdQ/UmJEFbBrObI/AAAAAAAASTk/KBna_6f89U4/s1600-h/jewellerymuseum224.jpg"><img title="jewellery museum (22)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="jewellery museum (22)" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kIfjgjewcvA/UmJEGIooTuI/AAAAAAAASTs/pk-CLNP-aT4/jewellerymuseum22_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="258" height="338"></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>There were rows of fly-presses and polishers, which would have been operated by women, the jewellers were always men.</p> <p>And in the corner a pit with several drop hammer presses, which was the domain of Arthur Brewer who worked here for 40 years, pulling the heavy weighted presses and dropping them with an ear-splitting bang, hundreds of times a day.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Ah978NCyMc4/UmJEGzsXiiI/AAAAAAAASUY/IqbWZRv_EYM/s1600-h/jewellerymuseum141.jpg"><img title="jewellery museum (14)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="jewellery museum (14)" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-L75qn_WOQnY/UmJEHqkZ_SI/AAAAAAAASUg/-goD11BB114/jewellerymuseum14_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="316" height="411"></a> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>They also made taps and dies here for various parts of the jewellery pieces. There are over 7,000 different patterns here.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CSotFGj6Xvg/UmJEK8Mwu-I/AAAAAAAASUo/1UOUIRnShfg/s1600-h/jewellerymuseum231.jpg"><img title="jewellery museum (23)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="jewellery museum (23)" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-r6exkV9GvwU/UmJEL4g0fvI/AAAAAAAASUw/7SGyiSrvuws/jewellerymuseum23_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="377" height="289"></a> </p> <p> </p> <p>In the fixing room, some of the finished pieces would be dipped in a solution of potassium cyanide in lead lined tanks along the left hand side of this room, whilst on the other side the tea was made and taken round to the workers. One lady was in charge of both processes.</p> <p>Again no Health & Safety Officer here, but then in 80 years no-one ever suffered ill-effects either!</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>It’s a wonderful experience treading the way of the craftsmen and women from a by-gone era. Just checking for any gold dust which we might have picked up on the way.</p> Ian and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09509787452175841530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5346573298472879213.post-52682222674926252792013-10-18T09:16:00.001+01:002013-10-18T09:16:48.958+01:00Out and about in Brum<p>Thursday </p> <p>I was allowed out on my own this morning! It doesn’t happen often……..</p> <p>I can’t be trusted out alone for too long………</p> <p>So what did I do? Shopping? Sightseeing? Museums? None of those…..</p> <p>I was sent on an errand…….</p> <p>The weather was dry and bright again, Ian got back on his hands and knees to do more painting and I was sent to get a new part (no idea what it is) for the alternator (not all that sure what that is) as you may remember we have had a problem. We had a spare, but it didn’t work when fitted.</p> <p>I took the non-working spare with me, and the part’s official name and number written out and made my way by foot and by train over to Tysley……</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-JMe7vmdVbDc/UmDtyvGDamI/AAAAAAAASIs/tMoYRW-zQF0/s1600-h/P10503594.jpg"><img title="P1050359" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050359" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-SZQHqMv-z7E/UmDtzy0mUjI/AAAAAAAASI0/HYzaD-zPK3w/P1050359_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="309" height="236"></a> </p> <p> </p> <p>Where a very helpful gentleman, found me what I needed, tested it to make sure this one worked and relieved me of £20.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>We could have gone by boat as it is right beside the Grand Union Canal, but that would have taken a while as there are 23 locks and it’s not the way we want to go next.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LK4O__pz1Cw/UmDt0tnh9EI/AAAAAAAASI8/MqSEa8WezAs/s1600-h/P10503572.jpg"><img title="P1050357" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050357" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YYULKJT7wks/UmDt2oL3qjI/AAAAAAAASJE/JcPYDwx3V58/P1050357_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1hh6gzaLO5c/UmDt3SNGxEI/AAAAAAAASJM/uutjtS1_4EE/s1600-h/P10503603.jpg"><img title="P1050360" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050360" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Nehl2W0lRqo/UmDt4Q_02sI/AAAAAAAASJU/AZr6yxDlNkQ/P1050360_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="315" height="240"></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2SwQzpirw60/UmDt5CPSbbI/AAAAAAAASJc/OmMhAQ0CKLA/s1600-h/P10503645.jpg"><img title="P1050364" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050364" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FyAZoSc5FgM/UmDt6Brtn0I/AAAAAAAASJk/mqX8vK8oMbQ/P1050364_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="328" height="253"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-iRhWKkhv0N8/UmDt6yllryI/AAAAAAAASJs/9C0yC-E1jOY/s1600-h/P10503653.jpg"><img title="P1050365" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050365" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vaVVgaBHy8g/UmDt7gmZM6I/AAAAAAAASJ0/Y5_SVsuvdfo/P1050365_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="317" height="242"></a> </p> <p> </p> <p>Back at the boat, Ian had finished painting so we set off out again round the city.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-b29ojqiJKpc/UmDt8SM1J5I/AAAAAAAASJ8/A_ewjJLImTs/s1600-h/P10503673.jpg"><img title="P1050367" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050367" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tsvY_nNu4PQ/UmDt9NQumDI/AAAAAAAASKE/VquwGHB1OEE/P1050367_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="256" height="335"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-y1xIIy8yxKY/UmDt9rnPxHI/AAAAAAAASKM/0Q63hIl_4z0/s1600-h/P10503693.jpg"><img title="P1050369" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050369" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-TALFRFMJnk8/UmDt-jcwvzI/AAAAAAAASKU/8GEs6k-VP4o/P1050369_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="261" height="342"></a> </p> <p> </p> <p>The Christ Scientist Church building, now a nightclub along Broad Street and <a href="http://www.oundlestpeters.org.uk/">St Peter’s</a> Cathedral Church.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2xOIq5iea3A/UmDt_qW09VI/AAAAAAAASKc/6ynglxlFFGw/s1600-h/P10503703.jpg"><img title="P1050370" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050370" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-R9kqYqzqD5w/UmDuAXTC3OI/AAAAAAAASKk/Gy9us3jwf48/P1050370_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="227" height="297"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mwVLWpe8520/UmDuBKn-OII/AAAAAAAASKs/_zZJScgLgco/s1600-h/P10503713.jpg"><img title="P1050371" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050371" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KmgCb3U-lZU/UmDuB_KJGHI/AAAAAAAASK0/CrOEEzZlmlE/P1050371_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="308" height="235"></a> </p> <p> </p> <p>We liked this new living wall, somewhere around Snow Hill Station.</p> <p> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FDqSc4QGzLs/UmDuC5WXPNI/AAAAAAAASK8/YLz3M0RVTKs/s1600-h/P10503964.jpg"><img title="P1050396" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050396" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NoclAQsUO9Y/UmDuD0KJoDI/AAAAAAAASLE/WIUgj02Qn2g/P1050396_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="373" height="287"></a> </p> <p>Then we had look around the new library building in Centenary Square. We have watched it’s progress on our visits to Birmingham over the past 2 years and it opened at the beginning of September.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-liKjR1ph_Zc/UmDuFIZ9lII/AAAAAAAASLM/XtYHp6wgpe8/s1600-h/P10503773.jpg"><img title="P1050377" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050377" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4hwigCwPIms/UmDuGaLqNII/AAAAAAAASLU/pSKqQ_q-46A/P1050377_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="238" height="312"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-sLSr3lR8CwQ/UmDuHVm19YI/AAAAAAAASLc/pJ8p41NCwyQ/s1600-h/P10503933.jpg"><img title="P1050393" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050393" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ynhx_toVrVI/UmDuIMp3foI/AAAAAAAASLk/ySMWIkEFofg/P1050393_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="234" height="306"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5s2ha4wjFGg/UmDuI8upNXI/AAAAAAAASLs/oRwThBJLNBg/s1600-h/P10503953.jpg"><img title="P1050395" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050395" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4c30TjpyBt8/UmDuJzV3JXI/AAAAAAAASL0/7tDK1UgQ2J8/P1050395_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Inside, it is as special as it is outside. The central part of the building is the Book Rotunda and at the very top of the building is the Shakespeare Memorial Library which has been transported from it’s original home in the Victorian library, then the Central library in the 1970’s and now rebuilt in the topmost gold cylinder of this new library.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>There is a lovely outdoor garden 3 floors up with views across the city…..</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BRsFvOJRGKE/UmDuKvrcyFI/AAAAAAAASL8/aO3I1dlBic0/s1600-h/P10503752.jpg"><img title="P1050375" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050375" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-cmx79jHyoXU/UmDuLMI93gI/AAAAAAAASME/vkLzRujnN6g/P1050375_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Ta-W22Ge3PY/UmDuL6yQNHI/AAAAAAAASMM/VevS9eNTomI/s1600-h/P10503792.jpg"><img title="P1050379" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050379" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3HuT2-lxOCI/UmDuMq1OqoI/AAAAAAAASMU/APhi4yFlJKQ/P1050379_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QnxpvESjGmo/UmDuNApeXuI/AAAAAAAASMc/V4kD7SEqWcc/s1600-h/P10503812.jpg"><img title="P1050381" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050381" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yKZ1XhR8WWc/UmDuOSPZz_I/AAAAAAAASMk/pKDtnpSeLME/P1050381_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RLU7qX04w-k/UmDuPenSWMI/AAAAAAAASMs/jf1f8glgR80/s1600-h/P10503832.jpg"><img title="P1050383" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050383" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0d6B7rRfLlg/UmDuQIlYJLI/AAAAAAAASM0/6Qolb8EVBkQ/P1050383_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p> </p> <p> ………….and down the sides!</p> <p>Further up on the seventh level is the Secret Garden, another planted area with quiet places for reading or just sitting quietly enjoying the views in quietness above the city’s bustle down below.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bSyeUNVHauk/UmDuQ9RZrwI/AAAAAAAASM8/Qe34h3m7j7A/s1600-h/P10503852.jpg"><img title="P1050385" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050385" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3zkzSKT5tcU/UmDuRo4z0LI/AAAAAAAASNE/TosqiRZte5w/P1050385_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WG62v6Am3uc/UmDuSQt7DLI/AAAAAAAASNM/GdJyv5yJLi8/s1600-h/P10503872.jpg"><img title="P1050387" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050387" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-o4nGUqiRgKk/UmDuTDtKe3I/AAAAAAAASNU/SDeeJTFnqTE/P1050387_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DBXUW9tIjxU/UmDuVXBkcfI/AAAAAAAASNc/3xORz_mDKYU/s1600-h/P10503892.jpg"><img title="P1050389" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050389" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Rtd9M8mLBIc/UmDuWJnqPPI/AAAAAAAASNk/K1evmiNst7s/P1050389_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Lhyf9q95_xw/UmDuW-FHPTI/AAAAAAAASNs/mFvHLCzHO38/s1600-h/P10503902.jpg"><img title="P1050390" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050390" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IWHKThUBgf8/UmDuXa1VhnI/AAAAAAAASN0/y3TnEn3MSWA/P1050390_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> </p> <p> </p> <p>We could see Tacet down below us and the amphitheatre at the front of the building. Amongst the garden planting stands the window cleaning machine, it must have to fit between the circle frieze shapes covering the building. Right at the very top is the skyline viewpoint room, amazing.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DMWK2Ce0agI/UmDuYMmF5_I/AAAAAAAASN8/KuuaVVwfx0A/s1600-h/P10503913.jpg"><img title="P1050391" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050391" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-e5hs0rJm83Y/UmDuY3FK0UI/AAAAAAAASOE/-3_H3T-W-zQ/P1050391_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="535" height="153"></a></p> <p align="center"><em>City Panorama</em></p> <p align="left"><em></em>Inside there are meeting rooms, event spaces, exhibition rooms, studio theatre, cafe, music practice rooms, chill out lounge, amphitheatre, glass lift, music, heritage and photographic collections.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rfjz1b14dTc/UmDuZR5E54I/AAAAAAAASOM/Vy2spawgtOg/s1600-h/P10503744.jpg"><img title="P1050374" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050374" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--IsobCsAJ7I/UmDuaCPNVPI/AAAAAAAASOU/Xg1GM_4sh5M/P1050374_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="249" height="327"></a> </p> <p> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p> </p> <p>Oh, and it has books to borrow too!</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Jx_t38_IR04/UmDuayFkCBI/AAAAAAAASOc/vp_Kq8Snbcs/s1600-h/P10503984.jpg"><img title="P1050398" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050398" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WCt6jruddSE/UmDub29-a6I/AAAAAAAASOk/wILEYsVAJS0/P1050398_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="383" height="292"></a> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Home again.</p> Ian and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09509787452175841530noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5346573298472879213.post-73314613006838447562013-10-17T18:13:00.001+01:002013-10-17T19:11:40.755+01:00Wolverhampton 21 in the Wet<p> </p> <p>Wednesday</p> <p>Just as forecast it was wet this morning, so there was no point trying to get painting jobs done, we might as well don the waterproofs and set to on the flight of 21 locks and the start of our run into Birmingham……….</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--FP1ulf5kXI/UmAZ6gHGyZI/AAAAAAAASDU/lbri3fEk4u4/s1600-h/P1050318%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050318" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050318" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-F1C3_FLLp7g/UmAZ7rBQzCI/AAAAAAAASDc/bb4RILh3eEo/P1050318_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="353" height="269"></a> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Entering lock no.21 at the bottom of the flight just on 10.30am.</p> <p>Here it was just a light rain, worse was to come…….</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-cORMi9Wxjcc/UmAZ8nXIBFI/AAAAAAAASDk/6QL4xa5YfoY/s1600-h/P1050319%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050319" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050319" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vnAPpsb9c_U/UmAZ9Ua-XiI/AAAAAAAASDs/KTSJDIV3Fzg/P1050319_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="314"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_JgBqaA1Qk4/UmAZ-UFjZwI/AAAAAAAASD0/td_4kUJScfo/s1600-h/P1050320%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050320" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050320" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-voXI1I5ucTc/UmAZ_QfZWfI/AAAAAAAASD8/IjotUm88xeY/P1050320_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="306" height="234"></a> </p> <p>It’s urban cruising, though there are trees and hedges along one side most of the way, so not too unattractive. Ahead of us is the huge waste disposal/recycling centre with huge lorries and dust carts arriving regularly, and behind a criss-cross of bridges carrying railway lines over the canal.</p> <p>Again because of the rain, not many photos taken, here’s one from back in January………</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-HOt2TLGXvbg/UmAaALrAFGI/AAAAAAAASEE/J3b6DEzNAag/s1600-h/wolverhampton%25252021%252520%2525288%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="wolverhampton 21 (8)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="wolverhampton 21 (8)" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QsDzSAnI9Uw/UmAaBd4FxmI/AAAAAAAASEM/4VfVoGeDyBg/wolverhampton%25252021%252520%2525288%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="259" height="340"></a> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>another railway bridge.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>We shared the locks today, my usual fair system 7-7-7, with me doing the first and last set! Just as I started the last seven, the rain was so heavy, the waterproofs were really struggling to do an effective job, and winding the paddles meant I had water running up to my elbows! </p> <p>We met one boat coming down, so for a while the locks were for us, but soon they had refilled by the time we got to them.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-sE0CRZH1ZnQ/UmAaCaEhkoI/AAAAAAAASEU/NlDa0jZaI1A/s1600-h/P1050322%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050322" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050322" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-oXxoxU8xR2o/UmAaDI-QN1I/AAAAAAAASEc/sYXYmtjjYPw/P1050322_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="359" height="276"></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>It was a great relief to get to the top lock two-and-a-half hours later just on 1 o’clock. Not bad going since most of the locks were against us.</p> <p>No volunteer lock-keepers today of course!</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>We didn’t want to stop here, and decided to persevere, and by the time I had gone down inside, made a cup of tea and cheese on toast to warm us up, the rain had stopped, and being optimistic we could believe it looked brighter.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FYhFsQiGP-c/UmAaDx2W20I/AAAAAAAASEk/cQfOT0xVCSM/s1600-h/P1050323%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050323" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050323" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-P33fcqVgvhQ/UmAaEduUFaI/AAAAAAAASEs/Vc_PdTlWSP8/P1050323_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="236" height="309"></a> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>And so it did!</p> <p>Just look at that blue sky.</p> <p>Once we had got to Tipton, the sun was out and everything was steaming in the warmth.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>So I got off Tacet and took a walk along pointing my camera at all the lovely autumn colours……….</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-y_97oUVXkow/UmAaFRr2o4I/AAAAAAAASE0/F58Necj7BXw/s1600-h/P1050324%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050324" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050324" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-k7q6xCjt84k/UmAaFzfazwI/AAAAAAAASE8/jsoR4mejjfA/P1050324_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-H770h4KJ_fk/UmAaGkndNOI/AAAAAAAASFE/mFLDsYaOkAc/s1600-h/P1050329%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050329" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050329" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nx5qWXdZ-qQ/UmAaH0rueEI/AAAAAAAASFM/jQ4qGVqZ1AE/P1050329_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-k9gGr2PQ-gk/UmAaJp0zXgI/AAAAAAAASFU/h7VPWc_Uz1M/s1600-h/P1050330%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050330" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050330" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dPwyqh8oeB0/UmAaK6tuUDI/AAAAAAAASFc/VM4x-A4VzR0/P1050330_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Cjxw7IJWiM0/UmAaLm4uu9I/AAAAAAAASFk/EJcQBfwFw0U/s1600-h/P1050333%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050333" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050333" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-I_4qcrj98Js/UmAaMkAMpLI/AAAAAAAASFs/JHhrsfTz9BI/P1050333_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/---QMI0dpISM/UmAaNeiGs1I/AAAAAAAASF0/lBX_CpfdwgM/s1600-h/P1050334%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050334" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050334" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ynoeZ_jzT5c/UmAaOVgMPXI/AAAAAAAASF8/EgN09Vv0HFU/P1050334_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-oU7W3FAkujs/UmAaPRUJ_9I/AAAAAAAASGE/05XqSpxjx54/s1600-h/P1050336%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050336" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050336" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-pwaR9yj5JmI/UmAaQVX5_jI/AAAAAAAASGM/JTFjxVl3l6M/P1050336_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-mOkFF6-9EdE/UmAaRMh5jjI/AAAAAAAASGU/UXeunOTD6ms/s1600-h/P1050338%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050338" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050338" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QkdvIYsZlVw/UmAaSCoX_MI/AAAAAAAASGc/3Y0ZO1nTZes/P1050338_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5QFVC72M-as/UmAaTef7iKI/AAAAAAAASGk/zDMfYRG5owE/s1600-h/P1050339%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050339" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050339" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-x9k_58dOAFc/UmAaUdHUazI/AAAAAAAASGs/PxQwMGtTVsY/P1050339_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gsfkHSgf3Vk/UmAaVXelqpI/AAAAAAAASG0/dzj4YI7A_nI/s1600-h/P1050341%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050341" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050341" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hCNMd0e6pL8/UmAaWHhsfBI/AAAAAAAASG8/P_2uGXN3HJM/P1050341_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Ldpc6YrDP3w/UmAaW6TlHcI/AAAAAAAASHE/AZKoNfloq9Q/s1600-h/P1050345%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050345" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050345" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qdH-0FC4Glk/UmAaY5NIykI/AAAAAAAASHM/XXorDa7OFI0/P1050345_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> </p> <p> </p> <p>We started off along the Wolverhampton level over the Tividale aqueduct…..</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xC3yHiF7OfM/UmAaZ63RkXI/AAAAAAAASHU/66xvSY9t6M8/s1600-h/P1050331%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050331" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050331" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tVAglNKFhaA/UmAaauMbJ-I/AAAAAAAASHc/8z4xQ2QzA9E/P1050331_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HKIShTSQccw/UmAabnDVeaI/AAAAAAAASHk/hKErp_IPeGM/s1600-h/P1050332%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050332" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050332" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5Y1YkEQvxTM/UmAadpXS9sI/AAAAAAAASHs/1rOzQLq0Chk/P1050332_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> </p> <p> </p> <p>then turned onto the Gower Branch and down Brades locks, and then onto the Birmingham level,</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FCdZwBGyg08/UmAafPEGE1I/AAAAAAAASH0/PYW0Py5p3dA/s1600-h/P1050347%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050347" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050347" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NLfCBWCfBnQ/UmAajaQlT5I/AAAAAAAASH8/vhn068m52uQ/P1050347_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="309" height="236"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-J9c5CIhj3Aw/UmAakAYIysI/AAAAAAAASIE/4HkCWjb9QW8/s1600-h/P1050350%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050350" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050350" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-AGOz5f31JuU/UmAakjj9plI/AAAAAAAASIM/6El4BhUEnfQ/P1050350_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="230" height="301"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Pd-3-Y3Y5wo/UmAal6VHQYI/AAAAAAAASIU/ssgH4khfzN4/s1600-h/P1050353%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050353" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050353" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-AGomd5ixTnQ/UmAam7CY7KI/AAAAAAAASIc/j_bYULJZKoc/P1050353_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="318" height="243"></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p> </p> <p>under the magnificent Galton Bridge built by Telford, past the Smethwick New Pumping Station and under the Engine Branch Aqueduct, with the cast iron trough shining in the sunshine.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>We’ve moored up alongside the NIA, arriving just after 6 o’clock, almost dried out in the sun, but it was still good to cosy up with the fire alight for this evening.</p> <p>15.5 miles, 24 locks</p> Ian and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09509787452175841530noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5346573298472879213.post-90379368853300832942013-10-15T17:36:00.001+01:002013-10-15T22:31:11.300+01:00A Gailey Day<p> </p> <p>What a nice change to see blue skies and feel the sunshine today. I was getting fed up with all the rain, though they say there’s more to come……..Ho hum…..</p> <p>Sunday evening we moored at Tixall Wide as it’s a spot we’ve never stopped at before, however, as soon as we stopped and came down into the cabin, the windows steamed up because of our wet clothes, and the rain continued……. Monday morning was just the same, so we didn’t really get to appreciate the view and the mooring.</p> <p>It really rained hard yesterday morning, poor Ian got drenched standing on the back, we managed to get to Penkridge and called it a day there at about 1.30. After drying out, warming up and eating lunch we set off into the town during the only dry bit of the day. It was quite a pleasant walk, but I forgot the camera, so no photos, sorry.</p> <p>This morning, whilst cloudy, it was dry, hooray!, and we went up the first lock, stopping to use the services and whilst the water tank was filling, Ian got out the paintbrushes again and put another coat on the spots and patches under the gunwales. It looks very spotty now.</p> <p>It was a good autumn cruising day, a bit chilly, but sunny and did I mention, DRY! There were lots of other boaters on the move today too, so the locks were mostly for us. Picturesque Gailey lock was the last lock on our journey today…..</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wOJM4PecqR8/Ul1vC6rwhjI/AAAAAAAASBo/bwzNNi8PcxQ/s1600-h/Gailey%252520Lock%252520%2525285%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Gailey Lock (5)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Gailey Lock (5)" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HyGn5tk9uvk/Ul1vEOVoadI/AAAAAAAASBw/OtDHTm5Nm4s/Gailey%252520Lock%252520%2525285%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="348" height="265"></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>looking great in autumn colours and sunshine.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--XhPm0nvuYE/Ul1vE6tX0zI/AAAAAAAASB4/4WrAl_sF28U/s1600-h/Gailey%252520Lock%252520%2525281%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Gailey Lock (1)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Gailey Lock (1)" align="right" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-F3YTj-gKhIA/Ul1vFv5agEI/AAAAAAAASCA/9EYW2W_NTKg/Gailey%252520Lock%252520%2525281%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="291" height="381"></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>With Tacet in the frame, perhaps I should photoshop the grey spots out!</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>We got to Autherley Junction about 4 o’clock, and thought we didn’t have time to get up the Woverhampton locks before dark, we’ll do them tomorrow. So stopped on the visitor moorings for tonight and Ian has been able to get back to the paintwork again.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-d_zkY_wrJuo/Ul1z2bM-PRI/AAAAAAAASCs/GypVeSHQwz0/s1600-h/Autherley%252520Junction%252520%2525286%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Autherley Junction (6)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Autherley Junction (6)" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-L_7UWFnIYR8/Ul1z3QGnwzI/AAAAAAAASC0/TFMA2Vhzbdo/Autherley%252520Junction%252520%2525286%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="301" height="230"></a> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>On his knees again!</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>I remembered the stop lock at the start of the Shroppie was pretty in autumn, so walked round to get a picture, but the trees hadn’t yet turned to their full autumn colours……</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RZsdqUYn5xs/Ul1vGmQs50I/AAAAAAAASCI/5KmUuSzPLzE/s1600-h/Autherley%252520Junction%252520%2525282%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Autherley Junction (2)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Autherley Junction (2)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KlHSSFd1Xbg/Ul1vHfvVGkI/AAAAAAAASCQ/4Jz8zSuXpFs/Autherley%252520Junction%252520%2525282%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="272"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-esAvnQiMUBw/Ul1vIEmpGkI/AAAAAAAASCY/F6CQXFWVN2c/s1600-h/Autherley%252520Junction%252520%2525284%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="Autherley Junction (4)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Autherley Junction (4)" align="right" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-430sb1NMR20/Ul1vI7N03gI/AAAAAAAASCg/Hbzv3BAjd5s/Autherley%252520Junction%252520%2525284%252529_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="276" height="359"></a></p> <p></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>The sun on the willows opposite us, brought out the yellowy green to a glow……</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NOdrnQ6moec/Ul1z4McOC6I/AAAAAAAASC8/Xs2wzg-27QE/s1600-h/Autherley%252520Junction%252520%2525285%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Autherley Junction (5)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Autherley Junction (5)" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ILh8Wz_7WUc/Ul1z5AFMzBI/AAAAAAAASDE/PoESlDrEe9c/Autherley%252520Junction%252520%2525285%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="359" height="274"></a> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>As the sun dipped further down, the colours became more firey.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>So tomorrow we’ll start our journey into Birmingham, it’ll be nice to be there again, it was January when we last passed through.</p> <p>Monday, Tixall Wide – Penkridge</p> <p>9.5 miles, 5 locks</p> <p> </p> <p>Tuesday, Penkridge – Autherley Junction.</p> <p>11 miles, 7 locks</p> Ian and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09509787452175841530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5346573298472879213.post-45218289122941250412013-10-13T19:08:00.001+01:002013-10-13T19:08:18.894+01:00Steaming through Stone<p> </p> <p>Well, not us, we stopped here yesterday lunchtime, in the rain…….</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xobOEZjedOk/UlrhXQOXb4I/AAAAAAAASAA/6xamseu3WNQ/s1600-h/P1050280%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050280" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050280" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-TZdSnlYIKyQ/UlrhYTlRvUI/AAAAAAAASAI/MTNMAprIeWA/P1050280_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="332" height="253"></a> </p> <p>Treated ourselves to lunch in a little cafe as there was not a lot to eat on board Tacet, then after a wander round the shops, we did a supermarket shop to replenish the fridge and cupboards.</p> <p>Feeling a bit fed up with the rainy weather, don’t tend to feel like taking photos………just keep my head down and get on with working locks, looking forward to being able to settle in the warm afterwards. then it seems there’s nothing much to blog about.</p> <p>Today, after church, and just before we set off, in the rain again, we heard the sound of a steam engine chugging by. Ian went to investigate and took these pictures, I can’t give you any facts or figures about it I’m afraid, just enjoy………</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-H9USqml1hlA/UlrhZlAjqDI/AAAAAAAASAQ/6hiaBDD6hw4/s1600-h/P1050296%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050296" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050296" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-J7eXgj79nH8/UlrhalDIVZI/AAAAAAAASAY/62sT-umrPNE/P1050296_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="243" height="319"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-X8WgDPDyoG0/UlrhbhMG9kI/AAAAAAAASAg/AclacOIL2jQ/s1600-h/P1050299%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050299" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050299" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nnn0s1U91dk/Ulrhc0uK47I/AAAAAAAASAo/gmGthWXA6FI/P1050299_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="310" height="237"></a> </p> <p>Steam Tug Hasty in Star lock, Stone.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FYBvT2GdIdY/Ulrhd0Lg17I/AAAAAAAASAw/o5SHwwvAPdQ/s1600-h/P1050297%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050297" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050297" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mIO1dLRNgrg/UlrhfUwEhKI/AAAAAAAASA4/VbcEKvvhPPQ/P1050297_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="254" height="333"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7gTxpJpW8cU/UlrhgvDA8CI/AAAAAAAASBA/tvfCeuvcTpI/s1600-h/P1050298%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050298" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050298" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6Y3DoLUHlxU/UlrhhwnJu5I/AAAAAAAASBI/3yjIqXov_lo/P1050298_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="259" height="340"></a> </p> <p>A very clean and tidy engine room, note the tilley lamp!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8ch3FXDdD5M/UlrhiqLO7jI/AAAAAAAASBQ/oVK-Ro_SXgs/s1600-h/P1050283%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050283" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050283" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xlowiRu0aWE/Ulrhjpvv-FI/AAAAAAAASBY/0K1EYR1rz1c/P1050283_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="251" height="329"></a> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Saturday & Sunday, Meaford – Great Haywood</p> <p>12 miles, 12 locks</p> Ian and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09509787452175841530noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5346573298472879213.post-46531802580280864922013-10-11T20:01:00.001+01:002013-10-11T20:01:11.007+01:00Painting and Potteries<p>Yesterday we stayed put in our quiet spot at Church Lawton. It was a dry day and as we were tied up with the port side to the bank, Ian wanted to get on with painting the gunwales on that side, so he was soon sanding down, washing down, rust converting, and priming. He was busy all day and now we have a speckled paint job, waiting for undercoat and gloss.</p> <p>I had a good day, keeping warm, with the oven on and baking, making crab apple & rose hip jelly, cooking lunch and other boatwifely chores. The cows were out in the field opposite and as they made a move at half past three back to the milking parlour, I decided I should get out for walk too.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xnIpymCe9Nc/UlhKq80JauI/AAAAAAAAR9Y/Xk5MAypny7Q/s1600-h/P1050264%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050264" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050264" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-oGkTaABKHKM/UlhKr6cd_yI/AAAAAAAAR9g/K8bdymxQ3u8/P1050264_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="280" height="214"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dG-BbCIM79g/UlhKsgNXDlI/AAAAAAAAR9o/3pjNFuLesY4/s1600-h/P1050265%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050265" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050265" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-AETGwbqvNpk/UlhKtH0LGuI/AAAAAAAAR9w/JOwQ4DkqshY/P1050265_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="281" height="215"></a> </p> <p align="center"><em>Church Lawton church and manor house</em></p> <p>Though it still feels wrong walking without my doggy friend for company. Ahh Jumble, we do miss you.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8D36SHJeyJ4/UlhKubQEqeI/AAAAAAAAR94/EGImX-Wih7s/s1600-h/Foxton%252520locks%252520%25252817%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Foxton locks (17)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Foxton locks (17)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0By4oTqjv4U/UlhKvO6pGhI/AAAAAAAAR-A/CFVHPpsEFYU/Foxton%252520locks%252520%25252817%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="318" height="243"></a> </p> <p>Today, it was wet, so no painting would get done, we donned the waterproofs and set off up the last few locks to Hardings Wood junction and Harecastle Tunnel.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kUjq5FPVv6Q/UlhKwON-mLI/AAAAAAAAR-I/cZ7x8EHY26g/s1600-h/Harecastle%252520Tunnel%252520%2525282%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Harecastle Tunnel (2)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="Harecastle Tunnel (2)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7rQ_4Hd8nlU/UlhKwhD1QoI/AAAAAAAAR-Q/AaCcJ1MPrWU/Harecastle%252520Tunnel%252520%2525282%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="279" height="215"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-W_XLwv27LkA/UlhKx1efiUI/AAAAAAAAR-Y/u1xJvrl4n68/s1600-h/P1050269%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050269" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050269" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qjh_mC2qokY/UlhKylEA4PI/AAAAAAAAR-g/6FuWweuHLhQ/P1050269_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="271" height="207"></a> </p> <p align="center"><em>In and out the tunnel</em></p> <p align="center"><em><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-SGF3um49_ew/UlhK04T9pII/AAAAAAAAR-o/BPRFiMW_VDQ/s1600-h/P1050270%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050270" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050270" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-j5THUnKab68/UlhK1iERqAI/AAAAAAAAR-w/hOtSyVbeGD4/P1050270_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="229" height="300"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-iyeH1s2Sy90/UlhK2TC25ZI/AAAAAAAAR-4/jeP-IWKQYnM/s1600-h/P1050272%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050272" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050272" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HuPc1K5_F98/UlhK3PS3nKI/AAAAAAAAR_A/k271g-elYSA/P1050272_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="230" height="301"></a> </em></p> <p align="center"><em>Through the Potteries</em></p> <p>No stopping today, the rain had stopped and there were a few glimpses of blue sky, we passed nb Epiphany at Westport Lake, don’t think anyone was at home, and we pressed on through the Stoke locks. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cOltPrBVydc/UlhK4GEApTI/AAAAAAAAR_I/oJX4doS8GQA/s1600-h/P1050276%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050276" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050276" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8qugyi3wx_o/UlhK5wjXtbI/AAAAAAAAR_Q/JFdag-XDMss/P1050276_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="233" height="305"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Z_y9SletXh4/UlhK62VCziI/AAAAAAAAR_Y/QU5kXILh2ME/s1600-h/P1050277%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050277" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050277" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-NIEogpzbpDI/UlhK7kQbIII/AAAAAAAAR_g/RH_2zWobFc8/P1050277_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="232" height="304"></a> </p> <p align="center"><em>Etruscan bone and flint mill</em></p> <p> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-nRfv3bxM39Q/UlhK8ls-QmI/AAAAAAAAR_o/U8K1d5UM9Sc/s1600-h/P1050279%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050279" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="P1050279" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-UXfnmNCNh28/UlhK9OYG08I/AAAAAAAAR_w/7qNW2Xsvgz4/P1050279_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="278"></a> </p> <p>A quick stop at Barlaston to get a paper (no luck), milk and chocolate then we stopped above the Meaford locks with the towpath again on the port side, but it was too wet and cold to paint, maybe in the morning.</p> <p>14 miles, 11 locks, 1 tunnel</p> Ian and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09509787452175841530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5346573298472879213.post-64022137948253693752013-10-09T21:16:00.001+01:002013-10-09T21:16:18.236+01:00Stop Start Journey<p> </p> <p>We started the day with a walk into Sandbach about 1.5 miles away from Wheelock. Although there are some typical black and white houses in true Cheshire style, but also a shiny red brick is used for lots of the important buildings of this market town.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JsDelDgENPc/UlW3mlQ5iuI/AAAAAAAAR4w/hfQ1TnaZdnw/s1600-h/P1050238%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050238" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050238" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-glBh4-uJq0E/UlW3z6vAB0I/AAAAAAAAR44/Gfo-qinuGjY/P1050238_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="324" height="247"></a> </p> <p> </p> <p>As we approached the town centre, we could see what we imagined was the Town Hall, but no, this was built as the Literary Institute.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-VtFzMzT7ndQ/UlW37k5x9-I/AAAAAAAAR5A/QfAGFjY_XcM/s1600-h/P1050241%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050241" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050241" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wrI8VTmm_RY/UlW383fyaHI/AAAAAAAAR5I/U1gB0K10LE4/P1050241_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="349" height="192"></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Pcw_Vr-6KDQ/UlW3-aYgalI/AAAAAAAAR5Q/K8xBxlj_640/s1600-h/P1050242%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050242" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050242" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OVXr7jgcofg/UlW4ABspUmI/AAAAAAAAR5Y/Jm_bgfRiBCU/P1050242_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="332" height="253"></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p> </p> <p>Down the road a bit, here is the Town Hall, with the Market Place underneath.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-l9AkFR3Cda4/UlW4FIOg3AI/AAAAAAAAR5g/onAyFWbKtcE/s1600-h/P1050243%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050243" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050243" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FA-TiBz3qug/UlW4GqzsrCI/AAAAAAAAR5o/2w59gU0IPfk/P1050243_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="178"></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yVj4RHq-E88/UlW4Hf7JPRI/AAAAAAAAR5w/GK2vz_Z86yQ/s1600-h/P1050244%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050244" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050244" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KGImkr6SRZI/UlW4IqNfQzI/AAAAAAAAR54/qJW6hoqqOfg/P1050244_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="270"></a> </p> <p></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Town Hotel</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>But the most famous sight of the town is the Sandbach crosses, two Saxon crosses to commemorate the time when the community here converted to Christianity in the seventh century.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-yfJ_-m4WPro/UlW4JaELsaI/AAAAAAAAR6A/SH-uZQC9-JY/s1600-h/P1050245%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050245" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050245" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gv_HYWOyNMU/UlW4LJ3JIPI/AAAAAAAAR6I/YkrnuIOMbgc/P1050245_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="239" height="313"></a> </p> <p> </p> <p>They have had a troubled past as so many town crosses have, they were broken up and scattered during either the reformation or civil war. In the early 1800’s they were rebuilt with the stones discovered lying in the locality and set in the towns marketplace.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Around the cobbled market place there are four pubs……..</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vF4AcP_M5iI/UlW4RK9rWOI/AAAAAAAAR6Q/IV-gSoyAEyY/s1600-h/P1050246%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050246" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050246" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DcmBzADjpig/UlW4UFzErVI/AAAAAAAAR6Y/H01F2j7hGtc/P1050246_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6OvSiOnc8ec/UlW4gDO-fHI/AAAAAAAAR6g/MxIbmrQ3ams/s1600-h/P1050247%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050247" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050247" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7jhywSkx6w4/UlW4hBogbYI/AAAAAAAAR6o/CmwJQ3uqMvI/P1050247_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-cqrDVoHyMw0/UlW4iKpgtEI/AAAAAAAAR6w/Waa0OMG25HA/s1600-h/P1050248%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050248" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050248" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KHT7wr393cI/UlW4i61LIzI/AAAAAAAAR64/_LV4P5cm7X0/P1050248_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-I5_f55bDnEQ/UlW4kCztDlI/AAAAAAAAR7A/wRknqdJJnqs/s1600-h/P1050249%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050249" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050249" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fnd4Whrfmgc/UlW4mYbL8gI/AAAAAAAAR7I/Z6PvpyVtVFY/P1050249_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> </p> <p>The Black Bear Inn was having the finishing touches added to the new thatched roof.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cTvHqAUeeIQ/UlW4oj6NIXI/AAAAAAAAR7Q/dbx0ZhxlzuQ/s1600-h/P1050257%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050257" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050257" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-aruZnxfeUxM/UlW4yCRfM2I/AAAAAAAAR7Y/DrcB9IPnwuQ/P1050257_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="294" height="224"></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0oSugSGtcEc/UlW430PHfFI/AAAAAAAAR7g/nxBz4sEgRTc/s1600-h/P1050253%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050253" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050253" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-abG0-NwivEU/UlW48FS85TI/AAAAAAAAR7o/O14iwwPYRvo/P1050253_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="315" height="240"></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p> </p> <p>The Old Hall, once the grand home of the Lords of the Manor is now a restaurant.</p> <p>Built in 1656 it is now a Grade 1 listed building, saved from falling into complete disrepair by local people and developed by a large pub restaurant chain. </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-oFt0tQGjmXc/UlW49xEFxwI/AAAAAAAAR7w/PenPdEUqcDU/s1600-h/P1050254%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050254" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050254" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xxKI-nIDjnk/UlW4_tTHK-I/AAAAAAAAR74/1S96ej0g_b4/P1050254_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="282" height="218"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-F-JmQ4t-rWs/UlW5Jw7ohfI/AAAAAAAAR8A/NLipjG6aPas/s1600-h/P1050255%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050255" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050255" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RsRUXP3OIco/UlW5K7nWSJI/AAAAAAAAR8I/DqieIShCPvk/P1050255_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="271" height="207"></a></p> <p>We got back to Tacet and after coffee and cake we were ready to tackle the locks of the Cheshire flight, sometimes called Heartbreak Hill.</p> <p>We got through the first one, then Ian pulled Tacet in and disappeared down the engine hole.</p> <p>After spending several hours last night, <strike>fiddling</strike> fixing something or other to do with the alternator, once we had got going, it was clear something was still not right.</p> <p>He ended up reversing what he had done, so it will need some more attention at some point soon. An hour later it was raining really hard so we had lunch before setting off again once the rain stopped.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jBT31oZE-9c/UlW5Sf6fhoI/AAAAAAAAR8Q/LR73omRConA/s1600-h/P1050259%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050259" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050259" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yGvDchBdNRg/UlW5Vk5oGjI/AAAAAAAAR8Y/f7IWM7zo_Gs/P1050259_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="299" height="228"></a> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>At lock 57, the cafe/bistro and little shop are now closed.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7vAG5-E0Yhg/UlW5W_eDOSI/AAAAAAAAR8g/bhevqgtIoQU/s1600-h/P1050260%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050260" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050260" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6Kc0yFC5osQ/UlW5YYGls1I/AAAAAAAAR8o/aNDvLXtrGP0/P1050260_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-iopWxDfJFQQ/UlW5ZgOpTkI/AAAAAAAAR8w/_z3iPO5HDSU/s1600-h/P1050261%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050261" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050261" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wIoZF3OB9Cc/UlW5cehaB-I/AAAAAAAAR84/NKny0YYDFXE/P1050261_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> </p> <p>Mow Cop could be seen in the distance once the clouds lifted a bit.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-N3uJfIZk0SQ/UlW5hwI9QvI/AAAAAAAAR9A/HdpWAxs2aL0/s1600-h/P1050262%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050262" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050262" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mFVqxxRlg-o/UlW5jzlOu5I/AAAAAAAAR9I/XFELiAgI34g/P1050262_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="307" height="234"></a> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>The sets of locks here are attractive with rows of terraced cottages beside some of them.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>The rest of our journey was in heavy showers with glimpses of bright sunshine in between, we stopped at Church Lawton at 6 o’clock with still a few more locks before Harecastle Tunnel before we down the other side.</p> <p>5 miles, 20 locks.</p> Ian and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09509787452175841530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5346573298472879213.post-79060976744952495892013-10-08T19:36:00.001+01:002013-10-08T19:57:15.887+01:00Four Thousand and Counting<p> </p> <p>Leaving our quiet moorings, we were soon at Marston and the site of the Lion Salt Works. We stopped to have a quick look around this old and protected site which finished its salt production in 1986 and is now undergoing a huge restoration programme.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jIRUG0vI3BA/UlRQJRY3R7I/AAAAAAAAR1Y/WmCpCJKpxCk/s1600-h/P1050217%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050217" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050217" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-I7WRHArwI78/UlRQLCMBq7I/AAAAAAAAR1g/dNyNgZU0rMM/P1050217_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-oDFUrZqCbw0/UlRQMeQUbBI/AAAAAAAAR1o/3ja0BbDk-CY/s1600-h/P1050219%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050219" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050219" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-38fV9j6jvLY/UlRQNr4PnjI/AAAAAAAAR1w/Yadt-RlIwNM/P1050219_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="281" height="215"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-X8yoztjJLOg/UlRQOnP1OsI/AAAAAAAAR14/mXG3H5jtYD4/s1600-h/P1050220%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050220" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050220" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2AyCZBDvTEE/UlRQPot9F1I/AAAAAAAAR2A/XkN6WE2eB7M/P1050220_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="282" height="215"></a> </p> <p> </p> <p>We couldn’t see much with all the protective fencing and scaffolding around the buildings which was a shame.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>The bridges along this stretch of the canal are not as pretty as the traditional curvy arch ones, but functional and square, with iron supports over head. The cows crossing stopped to get a closer look at us passing underneath them.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-foKOQdMEIus/UlRQRDVhrsI/AAAAAAAAR2I/PMFIx7SHtQg/s1600-h/P1050226%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050226" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050226" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Ahzca6x0t3c/UlRQSaYrXFI/AAAAAAAAR2M/wWZcfaEKdwA/P1050226_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-z1dqnGWli_g/UlRQTgmGLPI/AAAAAAAAR2Y/IuC6pVKY2z8/s1600-h/P1050227%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050227" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050227" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8ppFukvuW4M/UlRQVPfaccI/AAAAAAAAR2g/BxMBufPYWKc/P1050227_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-H9xU50Oz4cQ/UlRQWqAL9iI/AAAAAAAAR2o/n_DoY1ljG8I/s1600-h/P1050221%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050221" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050221" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MnP5pJRqotE/UlRQXuf2vuI/AAAAAAAAR2w/2YftLIpy2t8/P1050221_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="300" height="229"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>Passing another salt works, this one still in operation, with huge vats and masses of pipes on both sides of the canal, crossing over too in several places.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Our next stop was Middlewich, through the Big Lock, an oddity on this narrow canal, and then we had a wander around the town.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-d--mpsm5eYk/UlRQY1XQwUI/AAAAAAAAR24/jTQHFBjEfuk/s1600-h/P1050228%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050228" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050228" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JRu93VTZnNo/UlRQaPvq4-I/AAAAAAAAR3A/SylZLihMdAU/P1050228_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="302" height="230"></a> </p> <p>We were looking forward to starting on the Cheshire locks, so after lunch we started up the narrow locks through Middlewich and onto Wheelock. Our first narrow locks since the Chesterfield Canal back at the beginning of August.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cKQDwoJkfwc/UlRQbimGNiI/AAAAAAAAR3I/ltE3h3te1Cg/s1600-h/P1050229%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050229" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050229" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ri_U9MaCMGc/UlRQdSn6ZjI/AAAAAAAAR3Q/r6nfzeIj2HI/P1050229_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bZLTuQONdOg/UlRQevo7aeI/AAAAAAAAR3Y/0jYQGvW1CFM/s1600-h/P1050230%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050230" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050230" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-CLPQnvMwf6Q/UlRQfqy4QXI/AAAAAAAAR3g/SffiwaYxkuU/P1050230_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> </p> <p>Lock number 68 was a <strike>landmark</strike> <strike>lockmark</strike> <strike>canalmark</strike> significant one for us, number 4,000 since the start of our journey in March 2011.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-aCE06x1E2q4/UlRQhOg97PI/AAAAAAAAR3o/VTyy193mdaA/s1600-h/P1050231%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050231" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050231" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cgvZqVY3m6U/UlRQigr6c7I/AAAAAAAAR3w/P6OT_6R55hU/P1050231_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PwAMOZ6t-50/UlRQk1Z2LxI/AAAAAAAAR34/fI62aqJn1Do/s1600-h/P1050234%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050234" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050234" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-J5kzCRMhgCM/UlRQnvoHTvI/AAAAAAAAR4A/JIAd5GcD3yg/P1050234_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QVHZq74aC84/UlRQp0TAxvI/AAAAAAAAR4I/m6-IlttnJWk/s1600-h/P1050236%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050236" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050236" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nqt9nmOOPnI/UlRQr5x7sPI/AAAAAAAAR4Q/peiDcQ0Zr1g/P1050236_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-JI-PjWLRJGs/UlRQue6kijI/AAAAAAAAR4Y/ski9WqzSAGA/s1600-h/P1050237%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050237" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050237" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lrqGxyjsk5E/UlRQwHWLJjI/AAAAAAAAR4g/TD5R4CJlfjY/P1050237_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> </p> <p>Oh it’s good to have locks to work again.</p> <p> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>14 miles, 9 locks</p> Ian and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09509787452175841530noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5346573298472879213.post-51393232432097895532013-10-07T20:41:00.001+01:002013-10-07T20:41:30.859+01:00Which Way?<p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WCqRHXZBWPg/UlMOJabE9VI/AAAAAAAARyw/cq0tHsBSV30/s1600-h/P1050200%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050200" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050200" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-khh6ICwDY9s/UlMOKbIj2CI/AAAAAAAARy4/5-H6P9SyyP8/P1050200_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="272" height="356"></a> </p> <p>Yesterday was such a gloriously sunny and warm Autumn day and it was great to be cruising after church and a quick lunch. Once out of Wigan there are miles and miles of lock free cruising through to Leigh, then Worlsey, across the Barton Swing aqueduct and to Waters Meeting.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-J9rK01ExIrE/UlMOLOp-rKI/AAAAAAAARzA/XCNmRy51LKU/s1600-h/P1050201%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050201" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050201" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-e9P7Yii0Deg/UlMOMK1ZlbI/AAAAAAAARzI/M_TcZsRtTFk/P1050201_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9hwLJ4qh6oE/UlMOM_LULTI/AAAAAAAARzQ/R1nAdV0c8y0/s1600-h/P1050205%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050205" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050205" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-oupKxhOKA5I/UlMONwXdNcI/AAAAAAAARzY/vD8ZlE279OM/P1050205_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Vi6R863isqg/UlMOOr7GCLI/AAAAAAAARzg/bkTwj7KJ17M/s1600-h/Barton%252520Swing%252520Aqueduct%252520%2525284%252529%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="Barton Swing Aqueduct (4)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="Barton Swing Aqueduct (4)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-DCD3Q0DuyeM/UlMOPdZe2-I/AAAAAAAARzo/jr-bEzYlvjY/Barton%252520Swing%252520Aqueduct%252520%2525284%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-EfzwZlnhfJ0/UlMOQBZHkPI/AAAAAAAARzw/_0S7pLJv3Hc/s1600-h/Barton%252520Swing%252520Aqueduct%252520%2525289%252529%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="Barton Swing Aqueduct (9)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="Barton Swing Aqueduct (9)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XHJvfHo9ZO0/UlMOQ5pwndI/AAAAAAAARz4/rOU8OFWbbcY/Barton%252520Swing%252520Aqueduct%252520%2525289%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> </p> <p>Now there was a choice to make, Ian had thought we would go into Manchester, up the Ashton and Peak Forest to Marple and then down the Macclesfield to the T&M. I had assumed we would be heading to Preston Brook…..what to do?……whichever way we have done it before……in the end we turned right……..Bridgewater – Preston Brook.</p> <p>In the sunshine it was a pleasure to be out and since we so recently came this way, we didn’t stop until we got to Dunham Massey just after sun-set.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Otq2MnaUNz0/UlMORsU4S-I/AAAAAAAAR0A/TCa8xL0hXbA/s1600-h/Dunham%252520Massey%252520%2525283%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Dunham Massey (3)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="Dunham Massey (3)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4SiHorZe6Sg/UlMOSoTA1lI/AAAAAAAAR0I/C5TSnpWklWw/Dunham%252520Massey%252520%2525283%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="294" height="224"></a> </p> <p>Whilst today hasn’t been so sunny, it has been dry and warm and we have again covered lots of miles along the Bridgewater passing Steve and Jane on Dolce Far Niente who were moored a little way in front of us last night, through Lymm, Stockton Heath, Moore, to Preston Brook and the first tunnel of the day. We had to wait, have just missed the 10 minute time slot for travelling through, so I went foraging, finding crab apples and rose hips. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vIlSYA0yoUA/UlMOTm5yqrI/AAAAAAAAR0Q/1NvsMuvpWX4/s1600-h/P1050207%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050207" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050207" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gCUBP2SJvvs/UlMOUVxWz5I/AAAAAAAAR0Y/mpqLpo-0ilQ/P1050207_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="227" height="297"></a> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Whilst waiting for the tunnel, I found this marker that I’ve not seen before, probably because it’s not beside the canal like most of them, but up on the horse path over the tunnel mouth leading to the other end of the tunnel.</p> <p>The Tunnel mouth marks the start of the Trent & Mersey Canal.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Once through the tunnel, there’s the stop lock, hooray, a lock! all of about 6” rise, it didn’t take long, there’s a sunken boat still tied to the lock mooring. Been there at least 5 weeks!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-u1ArwAGn2Lk/UlMOVdsJS3I/AAAAAAAAR0g/afpOhdOsrOM/s1600-h/P1050211%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050211" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050211" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6H8Ujs0yIn0/UlMOWNd4juI/AAAAAAAAR0o/nbGCCADjbgE/P1050211_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-AWXMe2QX_N0/UlMOXK-yHUI/AAAAAAAAR0w/bXn6P1a8HxQ/s1600-h/P1050212%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050212" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" border="0" alt="P1050212" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-pkvsG4iVOIs/UlMOYBE9sdI/AAAAAAAAR04/PE9WB0Qi8O8/P1050212_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> </p> <p>Then through Dutton and the mended breach site, looking down on the River Weaver, two more tunnels and past the Anderton Lift on to a quiet country mooring once again.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ehFI9NA7o-8/UlMOZFKMwPI/AAAAAAAAR1A/nF5sZ_S9Yms/s1600-h/P1050214%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050214" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050214" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1fbGYSctEt0/UlMOaSfZ4pI/AAAAAAAAR1I/mVpGThyIQwc/P1050214_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="315" height="240"></a> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Do love this house at the end of the Barnton Tunnel.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Sunday & Monday</p> <p>Leigh – Anderton, 29.5 miles, 1 lock, 3 tunnels</p> Ian and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09509787452175841530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5346573298472879213.post-91975296955516248982013-10-05T20:24:00.001+01:002013-10-05T20:33:02.733+01:00A Quick Flash!<br />
Just a quick post today, our route being a now familiar one through Wigan and down to Leigh. It was warm and at the end of the afternoon the sun came out.<br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-v7kDRr_2pm8/UlBnY_-jARI/AAAAAAAARxo/_vIou6vH11o/s1600-h/P1050194%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="P1050194" border="0" height="281" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-heJGRewzK3c/UlBnaYwWYAI/AAAAAAAARxw/Wce_-HsZC04/P1050194_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="P1050194" width="369" /></a><br />
We've moored at Pennington Flash, the canal is on an embankment, with the flash below us. The flash is a lake formed after subsidence around old mine workings, and now a nature reserves.<br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-92fWC5ctlKA/UlBnbFeGgoI/AAAAAAAARx4/MjJpzb55LUc/s1600-h/P1050195%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="P1050195" border="0" height="273" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HpWlFjyiPYc/UlBnboqzF_I/AAAAAAAARyA/sCtEEwumpyQ/P1050195_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="P1050195" width="358" /></a> <br />
Once we had moored up we went for a walk around, trying out the hides for bird-watching, but all we could see were mallards, coots and canada geese, same as on the canal!<br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tkWlKivVKBM/UlBncbCmv8I/AAAAAAAARyI/oJZ2HF4pids/s1600-h/P1050193%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="P1050193" border="0" height="279" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lD9nP_7ma-0/UlBnc88YwTI/AAAAAAAARyQ/Hrzo7OWX9JA/P1050193_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="P1050193" width="366" /></a><br />
A lovely spot.<br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-iY8Cg8gVbtw/UlBndprQs9I/AAAAAAAARyY/uFTFh_gTzIk/s1600-h/P1050198%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="P1050198" border="0" height="265" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zp2tNILWNow/UlBneM5jn1I/AAAAAAAARyg/jDnV890kfrI/P1050198_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="P1050198" width="348" /></a><br />
11.5 miles, 8 locks, 2 bridges Ian and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09509787452175841530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5346573298472879213.post-9029923447158358622013-10-04T20:44:00.001+01:002013-10-07T20:44:22.817+01:00Who do you think they are?<br>Yesterday as we were leaving Liverpool and I was running round the docks with the camera trying to get the best shots of Tacet on her way through, there was a film crew setting up with a bunch of guys getting positioned and ready to sing.<br><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-s_RhJhK8p78/Uk8aij3AC0I/AAAAAAAARwA/t6yWd5ATaNk/s1600-h/return%252520journey%252520%25252837%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="return journey (37)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="return journey (37)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-CYkALRUkD9o/Uk8ajQN0lEI/AAAAAAAARwI/zn-BHdrULo0/return%252520journey%252520%25252837%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="391" height="298"></a> <br>They were causing a bit of a stir and interest, and as I had the camera in my hand, I joined in and took pictures too.<br>But I’ve no idea who they were!<br><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-AIZ-JFEv_lU/Uk8akT8D7tI/AAAAAAAARwQ/yFOoA7NrXRg/s1600-h/return%252520journey%252520%2525285%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="return journey (5)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="return journey (5)" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gp4t3UMyg0Y/Uk8alICSxaI/AAAAAAAARwY/23Ta23s6X60/return%252520journey%252520%2525285%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> <br><br><br>They were filming for ‘This Morning’ so I guess it went out on yesterday’s programme, they were rehearsing ‘All you need is love’. If you watched it or know who they are, let us know then I’ll at least be able to label the photos correctly!<br><br><br><br>Today has been another grey day, and we haven’t come far, stopping at Burscough for a Tesco shop and then tying up in a spot we noticed on the way down, a quiet mooring at the bottom of the two old Appley locks. <br><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fCaDoHZt6mI/Uk8al7WbXeI/AAAAAAAARwg/yDZ3_v4O48c/s1600-h/P1050190%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050190" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050190" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uCmxFiTX37w/Uk8amofZA0I/AAAAAAAARwo/kczalGZNTSc/P1050190_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="299" height="231"></a> <br>It’s nice to be out in the countryside again, this is the view from the side hatch today.<br><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-VlsCrH9VH-k/Uk8anIE9qCI/AAAAAAAARww/ypGrNey9Zik/s1600-h/P1050189%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050189" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050189" align="right" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-iZKeza6XuRc/Uk8an4dVywI/AAAAAAAARw4/bwAvZJU1BBM/P1050189_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="318" height="243"></a> <br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>I have been looking at all the rose hips on the way today so when we had stopped I set off a-gathering and soon had a good bowlful.<br><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xHfzM26kzGs/Uk8aoiE5RTI/AAAAAAAARxA/T2DANSFOiKo/s1600-h/P1050188%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050188" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050188" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-B8ortnzXt5A/Uk8aqCGyW5I/AAAAAAAARxI/8tx7Lc2hyuE/P1050188_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="290" height="221"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BqqpYlYfveA/Uk8aq9a5bEI/AAAAAAAARxQ/4M4FoH7TJQc/s1600-h/P1050191%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P1050191" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P1050191" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wPMoXch5BtM/Uk8arXQo9gI/AAAAAAAARxY/tkGUVl1aNow/P1050191_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="225" height="295"></a> <br>Now it has been turned into Rose Hip Syrup, a good source of vitamin C for fighting off those winter colds.<br>9 miles, 4 swing bridges Ian and Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09509787452175841530noreply@blogger.com2