Boating Adventures

We left Wolverhampton around 0930. The departure from our mooring required skilled maneuvers from Jeff, including steering the boat in reverse. We enjoyed yet another sunny day on the canals, albeit with a chilly wind. I was a bit cold, so was reminded of a comment made by a canal man met earlier in the trip, “there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing”. Too true.

We passed a busy canal-side pub around lunchtime but decided to press on to the town of Walsall. I wanted to visit a pub near town reputed to be the second oldest in the country, the Manor Arms built ca 1104.

The boating was moderately slow going, as we were on less-travelled canals that are not particularly well maintained. In some areas, Jeff had to be careful not to run aground or uselessly churn up the mud beneath us; in spots, there was some significant challenges within the canal itself (such as when we hit what seems to have been a submerged shopping cart ) but we escaped unscathed.

Because of a mixture of anticipation and concern that the kitchen might close early on a Sunday night, i convinced Jeff to go straight to the Arms on arrival. We were very disappointed when we were told that the only food being served was a cob (corned. beef or turkey We left, ended up docking at a local boat club and ate supper on the boat.

There are over 100 miles of canals that were built around Birmingham to carry coal, ores and manufactured goods.  We’re exploring some of them.

Yesterday I was keen to visit the Black Country Museum, and also to go through a proper tunnel,  but got a little confused in my directions.  We went through the 2.9 km long Netherton Tunnel, but missed the museum.  No matter.  We spent the night at a nice park on the return trip, and went through the tunnel again, stopped at the museum for a bit, and continued on to Wolverhampton today.  We’re tied up here and just back from a great meal in a local Indian restaurant.

Yesterday’s photos

Today’s pictures

Guest post by Susan

Despite the long day yesterday and the active social scene last night in Gas St. basin where we were moored, we were up early for a walk around the neighborhood. We went out later again by foot and also by boat. We’re in a new spot for the night – still downtown, about two blocks from last night’s spot.

Here are today’s pictures, and a short video.

Today was a locking day.  We did 23 locks to climb up into the heart of Birmingham.  Very interesting, but I’m tired.  It’s a lot of work opening and closing the lock gates, which weigh 2-2.5 tonnes, and walking between locks to prep and close each one.

We made it to Gas St Basin and snagged a good spot.  Not sure I’m going to want to move much tomorrow.  Think we’ll explore the local area on foot. 

Birmingham has a sprawling network of canals.  It’s very cool to be coming into the heart of the city by boat. 

We’re tied up at Cuckoo Wharf.  I guess you can call it the city proper.  We passed through a junction of 3 canals with a major highway overhead and then passed over a river on an aquaduct.  All very industrial and urban. 

Today was another short travel day.  Yesterday we discovered a leaking fresh water system was slowly filling the boat with water, and after a consult with the rental base their problem solver Kevin met us this morning and sorted the problem and pumped us dry.

Tomorrow we head for the Gas St Basin.  It’s not far, but there are 23 locks to climb. 

The weather continues to be entirely acceptable. Sunny and 15C forecast highs for the next couple of days. 

Guest post by Susan

First of all, don’t worry, Jeff is still with me, and no, we are not lost. However we’re not in a particularly notable spot. We are on a journey to the centre of Birmingham, the second largest city in England. There’s lots to see and do there, so look for later posts about this part of our adventure.

One funny story – we stopped for lunch in Curdworth but decided the first restaurant, the White Lion, looked too fancy and expensive. However after the next two choices were closed, we decided to give it a go. It turned out to be our best and cheapest meal yet. For the foodies, Jeff had beef bourgignon and I had a grilled halloumi skewer with feta salad. Delish!

Photos of our day will follow, but I want to note how everyone we talk to, from other boaters, volunteers at the locks, and restaurant staff to chatty locals, have expressed their concern and support for Canada in these uncertain and difficult times. It has been heartwarming and made me realize (again) that kindness to strangers reinforces our social fabric and reminds us that we are not alone.

Lazy day today.  We made a couple of stops, and fetched up here next to a lovely pub where we had dinner.  Met a few colourful locals on the canal and in the pub.

This canal leads into the center of Birmingham.  I’m looking forward to a bit more urban landscape, and Susan and I agree that we’ll try to spend a bit more time ashore walking and seeing the sights. 

Guest post by Susan

It was a largely unplanned day. We expected to be exploring in and around Coventry with Miles and Mallory. However, we were all disappointed when their flight was cancelled because Heathrow shut down due to a nearby fire.

Jeff and I set out later than normal and initially left the boat for a walk in Hartshill. However the area near our mooring was unappealing so we quickly returned to the boat to continue our journey north on the Coventry canal.

We ended up spending most of the day in Atherstone, where we had lunch at a local pub, walked around town, and we (JEFF) went through a flight of 11 locks. Fortunately a man in the boat immediately aft helped Jeff through the last couple of locks. It was quite a sight see him sprint, with his English sheepdog in tow, down to open the gates ahead, then sprint back to his boat to open the gates for his partner skippering their boat.

We also had lots of fun conversations mostly with locals and other canalers. Although it was overcast much of the day, the air was warm, and the showers held off until we had stopped for the night. We’re in a very quiet spot where there are lots of birds, opposite the Pooley country park.

We woke up at 0300 to phone calls from Mallory saying all flights to Heathrow were canceled.  They were waiting to board when it was announced.  No visitors this weekend…

We followed our plan to go into Coventry, had a nice lunch at the basin, and headed back up the canal.  We’re stopped for the night here near Hartshill. 

We’ve uploaded video and shorts to my Youtube channel https://youtube.com/@jefffullerton2997?si=iTO8KNoEFfi39VOL

Today’s selection of photos

We’re stopped for the night at the intersection of the Oxford and Coventry Canals.  This is the end of the Oxford Canall  We’ve traveled 62 miles and done 33 locks in 5.5 days. 

Today was sunny and warm.  T shirt weather for a few hours, and more people out on the towpaths and underway.  We’ve just returned from a great meal at an outside table at the local pub.

The big adventure for the day was making two wrong turns, one of which put us into a dead end channel full of winter stored boats.  We made it, and got to turn the boat around twice.  To do that you need a winding hole, which is a cutout wide enough to turn around in.  Susan has some video that we may post.  It was tight getting through the packed boats.   I feel ready now for just about anything.

Tomorrow we head for the Coventry Canal Basin, where we’ll meet Mallory and Miles.