(19) UK - Shirley - Avon Canal - Narrow Boat Trip

I woke up to the sound of James banging and crashed like a hippo and wondered what on earth was happening but it felt too cold to get up!
I hollered but he did not hear me - when he eventually came to the cabin it was to tell me that he woke up to find the boat adrift in the middle of the canal again with one mooring rope totally off and the other just about off as well. So armed with the long pole, he pushed and pushed until he got alongside again! Crazy stuff - this boat must have a wish to escape somewhere! As this is our 2nd trip and the ropes were tied around two bollards, it remains a mystery as to how this one came right off the bollard. "Castaway" seems a very apt name for this monkey of a narrow boat!
We took a walk to check out the drawbridge workings again and then got talking to the Hotel Boat moored up ahead. They have 8 passengers on board from all over - Australia, New Zealand, UK. Apparently, the food on board is excellent - Beef Wellington last night plus divine strawberry cheese cake! They seem a jolly bunch and don't have any stress in managing locks or moorings!  It looks like a railway carriage - passage on the side and cabins on the other. Perhaps bunk beds? Didn't ask though.

Last night our "neighbours" complained about our engine running at about 17.45 hrs - we switched off to accommodate them but everybody says we should just have said "tough!" For those who don't know one has to run the engines for at least 5 hours a day to charge the batteries for the evening. As we were downloading photos, charging cell phones and camera batteries, the engine really needed to stay on for awhile. The rule is no engine between 20.00 hrs and 08.00 hrs. So we were within our rights - maybe this couple went to bed at 18.00 hrs?

The key to work the drawbridge did not want to turn so James had to dash over, managed to get the key turned and then I could press the "open bridge" button. Closing the bridge was OK but then I could not get the key out! Pathetic. the long and short of this was James again having to dash over to assist. Weak wrists and a total technical nightmare - that's me!
The tow path beckoned so off I set allowing James to enjoy his ride on the canal in peace. The houses on canal side are very posh in this area from Shirley and the tow path is very pretty with many trees, ferns and greenery. The rain overnight made the path very muddy and this eventually beat me as I could not get through without risking a fall in the mud. This did not appeal as muddy shoes and a muddy jacket which could not be cleaned, did not appeal if I fell on my bum!
We passed a huge block of apartments where a lady as feeding the ducks. The ducks obviously know this happens daily as they suddenly appeared from nowhere to jump up on the bank and get stuck into the bread offerings. Every time I spoke to a duck ( this happens to people walking a quiet towpath!) it came swimming up expecting some food offerings and I felt really bad being empty handed.
There are a number of canal boats in permanent private moorings which slows the boat down as one has to "Go Slow" The wind caught the boat just as a moored craft appeared so there was nearly a collision! Thankfully, poles and hooks come in handy in these situations.
We spotted the Hotel Boats moored near Hockley Heath so we managed to moor one boat behind them.
Lunch break then off to explore.

After lunch we headed off on foot to see the Lapworth Locks - 14 locks going downhill and an hour's walk from where we are moored. The Lapworth Flight is not as impressive as the Foxton Locks but still interesting to see nevertheless and we saw a few boats going both downwards and upwards. We found some fridge magnets in the Canal Boat Shop and the lady there kindly pointed out the way to the pub for a loo stop. Go in the back way, she said and the toilets are right there. Nobody will know. Well, with my luck a staff member was coming out with a bag of refuse and gave me a rather dirty look! Tough! If my friend, Mrs P can walk into the table Bay Hotel in the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town just to use their loo's, then I think the Roof Inn stands no chance.

The weather forecast this morning said sunshine and showers - we have just experienced both at the SAME time. The Brits certainly aim to get the forecasts correct.
The sad news currently is the abduction of the little 5 year old in Machynlleth in Wales - we stayed in the area a few years ago and did all our grocery shopping in this charming village. The world truly has some very sick people these days.
The Hotel Boat is moored just below us but they have been out all day on an excursion so there is nobody in sight. Our pub tonight is the Wharf Tavern which looks very run down but it's within a few yards and there is nothing else within a short walk. We walked into the village and the convenience store did not even have yoghurt - very sad.
Supper was enjoyed at the Wharf Inn - a very run down looking pub on the canal but the food was good! Chicken Korma and Cheese Burger plus the most delicious Chocolate Fudge Cake - the best to date. The Brits certainly appear to make great choc fudge cake!
It gets dark quite early now that we are into October so we are now safely back on board. The Hotel Boat has everybody tucking into their dinners - unfortunately, we could not see what they were eating but perhaps we will hear their menu tomorrow before they set off for the day.
Night everybody.

© Judelle Drake

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bradclinphotography

For Accommodation Cape Town, South Africa

www.bradclin.com

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(18) UK - Birmingham to Stratford Canal

Waking up refreshed to the normal grey skies, we set of to turn the boat round to head back towards Kings Norton junction. Turning the boat near the permanent moorings went swimmingly but a few yards further down when we tried to tie up for water, the boat caught the wind and it nearly went adrift in the canal again! James managed to jump on and then rescue me from the shore. The wind was so strong that we abandoned the idea! James also had to contend with some canoeists who just did not give way despite the fact that the narrow boat is much bigger than they are. We reckoned they were Uni students out practicing. Trying to avoid a small object like a canoe when steering a very long narrow boat is not an easy task but thankfully, James did manage to avoid them otherwise we could have been locked up in Birmingham! The students are not at all friendly, they all avoid one's gaze and look away or down but there are no friendly Hello's. The only chap who greeted me was over 60 and riding a bicycle.

A little further down I hopped off to walk the tow path which is my favourite part of the day. The section from the Gas Street Basin to Bourne (Cadbury's Chocolate) is fine for walking as the tow path is well used by students of Birmingham University. It is nice and wide and is very pretty with many trees. There are moorings at Bourne, plus a burnt out boat, but there is also a warning sign that thieves operate in the area so take your belongings with you if you intend to visit the chocolate factory. It's rather sad that one can't be safe anywhere these days. And we think South Africa is bad?
The graffiti along the next part of the canal continues to astound me - ever inch of space is covered in weird markings that only the "artists" must understand - the meaning is beyond my little brain! However, it makes for a bad vibe and an area that one just needs to get through. One supposes that a city as big as Birmingham has plenty of louts who thrive on making their stupid mark for whatever rocks their boats.

We have now turned into the Stratford Canal and will only be doing a small portion of this before heading back to Alvechurch. Already this feels more peaceful and we have moored up for a welcome lunch break and a short walk. The weather is not being kind so we got wet while walking through a lovely park called Kings Norton Park. Some of the trees are sporting their glorious autumn colours and this perhaps makes up for the awful weather? Just a tad - a brief moment only!

 Carrying on we passed more graffiti - do these folk have NO LIFE???? I think not. It's a shame that this happens in a 1st World Country. Greece was bad but then so are there economics! The canal here is much narrower than the one up to Birmingham but it has been very quiet. Brandwood Tunnel was fairly short at 322 m but I forgot to switch on the lights inside the cabin so I had to remain on "deck" as I could not see the steps down and didn't want to fall! The tunnels are very dark and horrid but at least this one was short.

The trees and ferns along the banks are gorgeous but the water is dirty and full of rubbish.

We passed a large number of boats moored at Lyons Boatyard so had to go very slowly and luckily did not meet another boat coming up. One boat even had a baby on board! I could not imagine living on something like this - it's great for a holiday but full-time? One would need to be very minimalistic and that's one thing just cannot get right. Even the luggage is just about always overweight when leaving home. After the boatyard, we enjoyed lovely forest like surroundings until we came to homes on the canal banks. These homes have gardens right onto the canal banks - some are so cute with lovely flowers, others are full of rubbish. A number have lovely wooden decks and just about every home has some sort of patio furniture - from the very basic plastic chair to very smart black woven furniture. Many also have heaters!!
By now the rain had set in and James was getting soaked so we hoped for mooring soon.......it seemed to take forever but the Shirley Drawbridge with moorings suddenly appeared as we rounded the bend. Horray! We have now moored and will have soup and Melba Toast for supper as walking in the rain does not appeal at all.

After awhile, the rain seemed to ease off so we decided a warm pub was a more welcome break from the boat. Luckily, the Drawbridge Pub was just a few yards away (very original name seeing as it is right next door to the drawbridge which we still have to go through!)
The pub was lovely and warm and we found a cosy corner table away from the loud chatter at the bar. The food was good and the waitress friendly. The couple next to us also started chatting to us and we discovered that the elderly gent was born in Gas Street Basin, Birmingham! Having just come from Birmingham this was quite a coincidence.
After some good, hot food we felt more human again and set off back to the boat for an early night.
Tucked under two duvets, it's the best place to be when it gets dark with our Kindles.

© Judelle Drake

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bradclinphotography

For Accommodation Cape Town, South Africa

www.bradclin.com

Please share - if you did not enjoy this post .....Shhh - but please still share!

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