Andrew Gormley Sculpture for Stratford Canal

We have connections with Solihull, so it was with particular interest that we noticed in their local press that The Landmark Trust are planning to position an Anthony Gormley figure at the famous barrel-roof Lengthsman's Cottage at Lowsonford. The cottage lies alongside the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal by lock 31.

Lowsonford Lengthsman's Cottage

This is part of the LAND initiative that celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the trust. Five figures are to be erected at a number of their properties throughout the UK. They should all be in place by 16th May 2015 and remain for a year.

A fascinating history of the cottage is given on the Landmark Trust website. It includes some evocative old photos of the lock, I presume from when the canal was close to abandonment.

We shall have to pass that way next year to see the figure.

Tom o' the Wood, Turner's Green

On Friday October 10th the weather was decidedly autumn again as we travelled towards Lapworth. We passed Earlswood where the feeder joins from the reservoirs and there is a thriving boat club.  At Hockley Heath I pointed out the stretch where in 1968 Maggie and I hired a canoe for the afternoon. The two lift bridges interrupted our cruising, the hydraulic gear on the most southerly made some graunching  noises and was stiff.

Just below Lapworth Top Lock Jeremy Scanlon came out to help and chatted to us. We last met Jeremy in the late 1990s at Worcester when we moored up outside the Commandery. He was on board his boat the Unicorn and had just written  Innocents Afloat: a Yank Discovers The Cut. I purchased a copy from Jeremy, read and enjoyed it, and them promptly lost it! A couple of years ago I bought a replacement; I don't like having gaps in my waterways books collection. Jeremy has recently (2013) written another book, Hotel Boat: An Innkeeper Afloat, which is  a sequel to his first book. We had a good chat as we operated the locks and I purchased a copy of the new book. I will have to review it when I have finished reading it.

We had planned to lunch before tackling the thick at Lapworth but that didn't happen and, since the weather was by then good, we ploughed on. At the top of the thick there was a volunteer CRT lock keeper. As we left lock 7 and boat coming uphill was leaving lock 8. The lock keeper helped organise the manouver since there is a sharp corner between the locks, that is presumably why there is an old roller mechanism mounted on the bridge.

Roller mechanism, Lapworth Lock 7

Lapworth Flight, negotiating the bend between Locks 7 & 8

We took lunch on the move as we went down the flight and the sun shone. Because no other boats were on the move we took our time.

Lapworth Flight

We picked up water by Lock 19, where there is a large side-pond. As we waited for the tank to fill a gull caught a large fish. Unfortunately for the gull it was so large it couldn't take off carrying it. It decided the best approach was to eat it intact while it was on the water! It was a futile exercise but the gull did manage to devour some of it before giving up and flying off.

Gull trying to dispatch a large fish

We branched off at Kingswood and joined the Grand Union - our first wide canal for over six months. it felt quite different. 

Kingswood Junction

Our overnight mooring was at the Tom O' the Woods mooring at Turners Green. We were opposite some goats who were waiting for their evening meal. 

Where's my dinner?

We visited the eponymous inn (I always wanted to use that word) and had a great meal. They appear to like dogs at the Tom O' the Woods because as we left we noticed that the conservatory area was crowded with dogs and their walkers. They also have lots of pictures on their Labrador called Boris on their web site. I had wondered why they asked if we had dogs on board when we booked the table earlier that evening.  

Major's Green, Solihull

On Thursday October 9th we returned to Albert at Sherborne Wharf and our friends Anne & Edward Winter joined us for a short trip south. In the afternoon we headed out of central Birmingham along the Worcester & Birmingham Canal.  The weather was autumnal but dry. Edward steered for most of the afternoon and found the journey alongside Birmingham University and Cadbury's particularly interesting. Passing the university the Ross Barlow hydrogen powered boat was on the move. It was travelling very slowly, if that was intentional or because of because of some technical issue we probably won't know, but it took ages to clear a bridge hole. Hopefully it wasn't intending to go far.

Unique slow-down mechanism near Bournville

We turned off the Worcester & Birmingham at Kings Norton and headed down the Stratford Canal. It was getting dark as we approached The Drawbridge at Shirley and the evening "rush-hour" was in full swing. I waited to operate the electrical bridge to try and upset as few car drivers as possible but the road is obviously a rat-run and the queues rapidly built-up. Edward took Albert through the bridge without much delay but driver frustration had obviously built-up and as the road barriers each side of the bridge lifted two cars (an Audi and a Mercedes) "went for it" and faced each other across the bridge. The Audi backed down, but not after some confrontation. It then faced another Mercedes and an even more aggressive stand-off ensued. By this time we had nearly left the scene. As we looked back into the distance they appeared to have sorted themselves out and traffic was flowing freely.

We stopped just around the corner at a nice quite spot between Major's Green and Dickens Heath.

Birmingham (Mailbox)

We have arrived at our first major destination, Birmingham.

This morning we travelled up the northern Stratford Canal towards Kings Norton Junction - no locks apart from the stop lock at the junction with the Worcester and Birminham. There was however the lift bridge at Shirley - called The Drawbridge for some reason. Being a busy crossing if is automated and only requires the usual BW key.

We turned onto the Worcester and Birmingham canal through the newly-refurbished guillotine stop lock and travelled towards Birmingham.

Kings Norton Junction - Worcester & Birmingham and Stratford Canals

All was plain sailing, and very quiet, until we got to Bournville. Just by Cadburys there was a large bundle of wood floating under the bridge blocking navigation. We stopped and Maggie moved it aside using our boat hook. Unfortunately in the process we picked up something large around the propeller. We limped along to the moorings by the station and I went down the weed hatch. The large object turned out to be a duffel bag. The water was really cold even with gloves on!

This is where the Dudley No. 2 canal left the Worcester & Birmingham Canal towards Lapal

University of Birmingham's hydrogen powered narrow boat

 

Egbaston tunnels - rail and canal

 

We decided that lunch at Bournville was a good idea but we then moved on into the city. Even though we have been into Birmingham via this route quite a few times, once again there were changes with lots of new offices and flats.

Window cleaners on a new high rise building at Salvage Turn

 

We stopped at Holiday Street Wharf for water (slow tap) and then moored up just around the corner in front of The Mailbox. There were only a couple of boats moored up on this stretch - quite different from summer.

Mooring up at The Mailbox, Birmingham

 

The Mailbox at night; note the reflection on Albert's cabin side (right)

 

Warings Green

We left Tom O'Wood this morning and worked our way up through Kingswood Junction and Lapworth Flight.

Signpost at Kingswood Junction

Kingswood Junction

 

CRT label on lock gates

 

Lapworth Flight

Brickmakers mark on lockside

It was very quite on the flight with only one boat passing us going south. We did however meet a canoeist who was dragging his inflatable kayak down the flight and was finding it hard work. He was on a long journey south and wished he had a set of wheels. 

 

We stopped for lunch just below the top of the flight and then continued north. 

 

Robin in a tree

Whilst passsing through Preston Bagot lock I noticed that there was a Reliant Robin placed in a tree. I gather that others have noticed this.


Reliant Robin in a tree - Preston Bagot

The big question is why? An art installation? Answers on a postcard to...

Rowington

On Tuesday (August 23rd) we left Wilmcote under cloudy skies. Rain had been forecast and it duly arrived about half an hour after we left. However, it was short lived and we were soon cruising under clear blue skies. The rest of the day was, in fact, delightful both in terms of weather and cruising.


Getting through a narrow Strafford Canal Bridge

The section of canal between Wilmcote and Kingswood is charming. The first notable feature we reached was the Edstone Aqueduct. Taking our cue from Mary on NB Penny, Maggie went down onto the lane below the aqueduct and photographed Albert crossing above. It is not often you find a suitable location for doing this.




Crossing the Edstone Aqueduct


Wootton Wawen Aqueduct


Preston Bagot

We passed numerous barrel-roofed cottages and crossed the very short cast iron aqueduct at Yarningale. It has everything the Pontcyslltte has – only in miniature!


Yarningale Aqueduct

There were a group of friendly geese occupying the side of Lock 27.






For the last few locks were accompanied by a very friendly family who were investigating the local towpaths. The three young boys helped with all the gates and asked a lot of questions. As we were leading our pair of boats we arrived at Kingswood first, we took on water and waited for NB Penny to arrive. The weather being just perfect we had a welcome cup of tea.


Kingswood Link

We turned down the Grand Union and moored up on the Rowington Embankment. The views over the rolling countryside in the evening sunshine were delightful. As we settled down for the night we heard and saw a barn owl.

Wilmcote

We decided not to leave Stratford until the afternoon of Monday (August 22nd). This gave some time for shopping. The weather was again bright and sunny. It was quiet along the river until about 10 o’clock when the visitors started to arrive.


At the water point at Stratford-upon-Avon

By the time we left (1 o’clock) it was heaving. Our passage through the Barge Lock into the basin was watched by a large crowd – locking in goldfish bowl.

In contrast, after we passed under the very low bridge that marks the start of the canal, all the crowds had disappeared. The entrance to Lock 55 was very tricky. We got under the very low bridge and then discovered a boat coming down the lock. We backed up and waited. After the boat passed us, we went again under the bridge but this time we went solidly aground. It took quite an effort to get us off. We were helped by group of people including Geoff Caine who runs canalscene.com. (Have a look at his site.) We finely made into the lock after two attempts.

The passage up the first few locks was also tricky. At one lock the bottom gate refused to stay closed and managed to stay open even when the top gate paddles were opened. We left a message about our problems on the gate for Jim and Mary who were following. They thought it was amusing. When they passed through they managed to get three passers-by to hold the gate.



Signs of National Trust Ownership a lock-side sign near Wilmcote

The bright sun stayed. As we reached to top of Wilmcote Locks we looked for a mooring and managed to squeeze into two places at the visitor moorings by Bridge 59. There was quite a happy crowd there. Bridge 59 is course famous in the restoration of the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal. It was that bridge that caused the local authority to seek permission to abandon the canal for navigation back in 1958. The famous struggle to ensure that it survived then began. Tomorrow rain is forecast and we hope to get to Kingswood (or there about).

Hopwood

After a quiet night moored up on the Lapworth Flight, the next day (August 10th) we went up the rest of the flight under cloudy skies. We met another crew coming down the flight at Bridge 32 where there is a difficult turn under the bridge. It necessitated a bit of manoeuvring.


Lapworth Flight


Drawbridge - Shirley


Brandwood Tunnel


The site of the Lifford Lane Bridge which was raised for NB Cressy in 1947

The summit of the North Stratford was quiet; it was also quite shallow. We did, however, manage to moor up for lunch just short of Dicken’s Heath. Most of the afternoon was spent on the summit making our way to the junction with the Worcester & Birmingham Canal at Kings Norton.


Kings Norton Stop Lock

The lack of water made it a slow journey. At the Kings Norton Junction there was a scuffle between youths in the bushes. Just as we got our mobiles ready to call the Police a PCSO arrived and we directed him towards the source of the noise. Hopefully it got sorted out.

Just before Wast Hill tunnel, a group of youngsters launched stones from a bridge. A few landed on Albert luckily not causing significant damage – a couple of stone chips. In Shortwood Tunnel we saw a bat.

We moored up overnight at Hopwood House and had a great pub meal. We moored up near Keeping up with the Joneses who came and had a good chat.

Stratford Upon Avon

Maggie and I have a close connection to Stratford from the time before we were married - when we were courting to use an old fashioned phrase.

When we both lived in Solihull in the late 1960s and I rowed at Stratford upon Avon Boat Club and Maggie spent many hours following me to Midlands regattas and beyond. I even rowed in a four in the Boston Marathon. She didn't follow me when we entered a joint Worcester/Stratford crew in the Dublin Metropolitan Regatta - but that's another story.

We had a great day visiting Stratford on our 40th anniversary (the actual day - not when we had our celebration with family and friends). We hired a rowing boat and just had to pause outside the boat club.


Outside Stratford Boat Club


Maggie as cox

We eventually went upstream above the Clopton Bridge and out into the country. The traffic, bustle and throngs are more intense in Stratford than 40 odd years ago but it's very different upstream - so much quieter. NB Lengthsman, who moor near Fradley, overtook us on their way to investigate the limit of navigation.


The new developments at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre we found interesting. The new building is certainly a mixture of styles.


Chain ferry near the Dirty Duck Inn

We haven't visited Bancroft Basin since its alterations and the new bridge. Next time we visit by boat it should(?) be easier to moor up in the basin.


Bancroft Lock and new bridge


Mooring opposite the Parish Church Stratford - got to have one narrowboat in a post.