A Catalogue of Problems

Since my last posting such a lot has happened, not all of it good, but we are in good cheer despite some heart stopping moments.just before Atherstone David discovered two leaking water hoses from the engine and calorifier. because he keeps the engine compartment dry and clean the water collected made it obvious something was amiss. The hoses had been rubbing against a metal lip and eventually this had worn holes. We descended the first 6 locks at Atherstone and moored at the fuel point of the premises of Barry Hawkins at Baddesley Basin. From there we were well placed to visit the town with its many bookshops and historic buildings. On Sunday morning Barry’s son, Tony, fixed our two split water hoses. They are such pleasant people, very helpful and who said we could stay as long as we needed to. In the afternoon we had a pleasant walk up the canal and followed the town trail until the rain began again. That evening we shared a bottle of Prosecco to celebrate the official date of my retirement.

On Monday, Richard, from Cox Automotive, arrived to re install our travel pack and generator. In doing so he identified and rectified a couple of wiring faults and also found that our leisure batteries needed renewing. Richard agreed to organise this and to meet us later to do the change over. The weather was pleasant so we decided to move on and descend the remaining 5 locks of the flight. As might be expected we had no sooner begun than the heavens opened and we were soaked. We carried on until the bottom lock as there was nothing to lose: we couldn’t get any wetter. We moored opposite the services and car park with wharf near bridge 48. There we stayed until late on Tuesday as it was ideal for Richard to access the boat when he brings the new batteries. He came in late afternoon and, after the batteries were installed, we cruised on to Polesworth. From Friday to Tuesday night we had covered about 4 miles!

Wednesday arrived bright and sunny, but chilly and we set off at 8.40, cruising through Polesworth in good weather. Later in the day, rain showers began and continued on and off for most of the day. The square end on our boat, plus a strong side wind, made the turn into the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal at the junction very tricky. The impatience of other boaters, desperate to continue straight on to Fradley, unable to await for a moment or so didn’t help. The selfishness of some boaters never ceases to amaze me. We continued through the beautifully kept locks up the Curdworth Flight of 11 locks, beginning in fine weather but before long in heavy rain. The highlight was probably the sight of a peregrine falcon swooping over the boat, coming from the direction of the M42 towards a wood nearby.

On Thursday we started out towards Birmingham during a dry start to the day, but before long the rain came again. The cruise took us down the grand Union Canal, through an urban area of Birmingham and we were doing well, making good time, locks in our favour thanks to a nb travelling north, when we lost propulsion and the steering. In pouring rain David had to access the weed hatch and extract a once white sweater, with zip, a purple rain coat, with zip and various bits of fishing line.. Continuing on we stopped briefly at the top of Camp Hill Locks to inspect the excellent BW facilities. The centre included toilets, showers and laundry as well as the usual rubbish and sanitary disposal points. It is such a pity that it has to be secured behind a huge fence, spikes and padlocks to safeguard it, but such is life in 2008. Cruised on through shady tree lined cutting, reminiscent of the Tring Summit in some respects, and moor up at Catherine de Barnes. On the evidence of what we saw on this stretch, graffiti, litter, damage, the canals are not valued by local people in the area. Given the amount of material in the water, some floating and some just below the surface it is perhaps surprising we only had a fouled propeller once.

Today, Friday, with an horrendous weather forecast we thought we would probably sit tight all day, play scrabble, visit the local shop and maybe pub and hope for better weather tomorrow. David, however, was never good at doing nothing so we end up braving the elements at about 4.30 and moving towards Knowle. There were no other boats moving so after filling up with water at the top lock, we descended the flight and moored beyond Black Boy Bridge just after 7.30, having seen Snail’s Pace on her mooring at the Black Buoy Cruising Club. Being on the lock flight was a bit like being on many piers with water rushing down both sides. the deep pounds between each lock were also very full due to all the rain we have had. Having had a wet day, and it not turning out too badly, I can only sympathise with my colleagues from school who have probably had indoor play and lunch today!