Return to Birmingham

We spent a lovely weekend with Lorraine and family last weekend. On Saturday we got the train to London to visit the
Winter Wonderland

Saturday 2nd Covent Garden

in Hyde Park. It was great to watch the children enjoying themselves.  We were back on board by Sundry evening,
staying at Windmill End until Tuesday before starting our journey

Floating market in central Birmingham

back to Birmingham. We managed to moor back in the same spot we left last week. The signs saying the area was reserved for the floating market were gone, and much to our surprise there was plenty of mooring.  On Saturday we caught up with friends Miggie and Dave who got the train from Rugby so we could have lunch 😀
As well as the German Market, Birmingham also has a floating Market for a week. There are about a dozen or more boats there.

Santa on a paddle board! 
Wasn't quick enough to catch him from the front.

Amongst other things you can buy hand made wooden pens, leather goods, fashion wear for your dog, sweets, homebrew kit and drink many cups of coffee.
Tomorrow or Tuesday we will be heading back towards Windmill End once more in readiness for continuing on to Hawne Basin near Halesowen where Falcon will be staying whilst we head off towards Plymouth for Christmas.

Birmingham

Managed to get quite a bit of Christmas shopping done whilst we were at Merryhill. After 5 nights there we decided it really was

One of the many stalls in the German Market in Birmingham

time to move on. So Tuesday morning (22 nd) saw us moving on. Just one lock then a stop at Blowers Green to get water and leave our rubbish we then moved on to Dudley No 2 Canal to continue our journey to Windmill End Junction. Our intention to spend a few nights there catching up with some friends we made in May at the Droitwich Festival, Anita and Kevin.

Looking along the Canal by Gas Street in May at the Droitwich Festival.

They have a permanent mooring near the junction, and catch up with them we certainly did. Much of the time spent in The Olde Swan, also known locally as Ma Pardoes.

Our mooring on The New Main Line in Birmingham.

The tower in the background is just behind the Sealife Centre

This is after the lady who ran the pub for many years. It is also home to the Olde Swan Brewery. It is in Netherton, just a short walk from the Canal. Being in the Black Country the prices are very reasonable and the food is excellent.
So we met Anita and Kevin in there several times.
Finally we did drag ourselves away and made the last couple of miles into Birmingham. Arriving there on Monday. On Tuesday we had a look around the German Market, lots of stalls, but we didn't buy anything!  Then in the evening we went to The Crescent Theatre to watch Relatively Speaking. It was very funny.

The Olde Swan, on the ceiling of The Olde Swan

Wednesday morning we decided it was time to head back towards Windmill End. We are going to visit Lorraine and family for the weekend, and we thought this would be a good place to leave Falcon. It was an interesting trip back as the Canal had frozen overnight, but luckily we weren't the first boat through.

A frosty morning at Windmill End

We did manage to fit in another trip to The Olde Swan last night with Kevin and Anita. Last one for a while as they have now gone away on their boat for a couple of weeks.
As you can see from the picture it was frosty again this morning but thankfully this Canal is not frozen.

Christmas Shopping!

We finally headed back on to the main Stourbridge Canal on Tuesday. 16 locks ahead of us. We worked 4 of them arriving here at the cone in time to visit their cafe for lunch.

Redhouse Glass Cone

We also had a look round the museum here and there are also several craft shops, so spent a very pleasant afternoon.
We moved on the following morning and in the picture below we are in the next lock and you can see the top of the cone.
We worked the remaining 12 locks of the Stourbridge Flight on Wednesday morning, but decided to keep the next flight of 8 for the next day. Found a mooring with a fish and chip shop near by so no prizes for guessing what was for dinner on Wednesday.

First lock on Wednesday

Thursday brought another flight of locks, the 8 at Delph Locks. These are known locally as Nine Locks. Originally there were 9 but due to subsidence 7 locks in the centre had to be replaced and only 6 were built.
We completed those and arrived at Merryhill on Thursday and we are still here. We have been busy with Christmas shopping and Paul has watched some rugby. Will be moving on towards Birmingham in a couple of days.

Looking back down the Delph 9 Locks.

Couple of days in Stourbridge

We have been steadily making our way southwards, though since we made it through the last lock set for closure we have been traveling at a more leisurely pace! I know we only go

Entering the Stourbridge Canal

 slowly anyway, but now for less time!
We turned into the Stourbridge Canal on Friday. The start of the canal has 4 locks which we worked before lunch. Making it into Stourbridge

Lock 3 of 4 by Four Lock Bridge

and arriving at The Bonded Warehouse where the Stourbridge Navigation Trust have their headquarters. We were last here in 2013. We got there about 3.30 hoping for a pump out only to find they shut at 2.30 until Monday morning. Thankfully we weren't in desperate need and are happy to stay here until then. Yesterday we had a walk into town and today catching up on a few admin jobs. Need a quiet day today as tomorrow there are 16 locks on our next stretch.

On to the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal

Well we have been making good progress with our journey southwards. Busy cruising days but several 'runs ashore' too. This time last week we were at Market Drayton managing to be there on market day. On Friday our niece Cheryl drove all the way from Stockport to see us. We had to keep moving to beat Monday's stoppages. So after lunch her and I drove to where we expected to moor for the night. Meanwhile Paul was cruising towards us. He got much further than us so Cheryl only had a short cruise before we moored for the night. We all enjoyed the day.

Bottom of the 2 locks. The gate under the bridge is the bottom gate for
 the to lock and the top gate for the bottom lock.

 On Saturday we arrived at Compton where there is a useful launderette. We also found a lovely butcher we'd not found before. 
At the moment we are moored in a place called Swindon, but this one is in Staffordshire. Paul is busy making a new floor for the bathroom. It is a false floor and the shower water flows over the sides before being pumped out. After 20+ years one corner is rotting away. We have gradually been buying replacement parts and this afternoon he is busy putting it all together.

View of the Staircase Locks from the bottom.

The pictures are of Botterham Staircase Locks. We came through them this morning. We moored just below so we could visit a cafe on a near by industrial estate where we both had the Gutbuster breakfast. Not sure if we will eat again today!

Shropshire Union Canal

Getting supplies

Friday saw us finally saying goodbye to the Llangollen Canal. We came down the last 4 locks about 4 o'clock with the lock keepers help. He told us it was his last day for the season as we are now on the winter timetable. This is when Canal and River Trust lay off all their casual summer staff. It also is the start of winter stoppages, so we must keep and eye to make sure there are no changes.
Saturday after just a short cruise we arrived at Nantwich. Time to restock the larder. Wanting to be sure of TV for Strictly we decided to stay put for the night. The Canal at Nantwich is up on an embankment and we had noticed the fairground behind the trees opposite. We thought about moving but didn't. Glad we stayed as we were treated to a lovely firework display outside our window and all was quiet by 9.30.
Yesterday we came across the fuel boat and you can see him taking the coal to put on our roof. We also needed gas, so certainly very good timing for us.
Last night was spent at the bottom of Audlem Locks, there are 15. Today as we were working up several people were walking by. One couple commented about our Falcon and we chatted. They were Alan and Kathy and they helped us with at least 6 locks. In return when we moored just after lock 3 for lunch we asked them to join us.
I think we all enjoyed the short interlude. For us they were a big help. For them they had an insight into boating life. A retired couple who enjoy walking along the Canal.
Canal watchers, known as Gongoozlers.

Return to Ellesmere

We crossed the aqueduct on Thursday, spending the night at Trevor we cruised the last bit into Llangollen on Friday. Spending the day there and walking to Horseshoe Falls. The last stretch of Canal is interesting as much of it is only wide enough

Crossing the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct

for one boat to pass so you need to walk ahead to check. Luckily Craig volunteered for most of that! 

Wharf at Ellesmere

Making it safely back to Chirk on Sunday Craig got the train home at the end of his holiday.


Yesterday we arrived back at Ellesmere. Spending today at the launderette and stocking the larder! Oh yes it's market day so will have a look round there.

Which way to go?

Tomorrow we will be moving on back towards Hurleston Junction. Need to keep going as there are several stoppages on the Llangollen Canal in early November and we need to be moving southward.

Company

Three on a boat!

We were busy last week making our way to Whitchurch, 19 locks, 3 lift bridges and 13 miles from the start of the Llangollen Canal. We had to get there by Wednesday as unfortunately we were going to Taunton for the funeral of Paul's Auntie Peggy. She reached the good age of 93. We came back on Sunday with Paul's brother Craig who is spending a week with us. We are hoping to make it into Llangollen with him. Only 2 more lock in this stretch but several more lift bridges. Bye for now.

Arriving on the Llangollen Canal

View from our stern this morning.

Well another week has gone. We arrived in Chester on Monday. Plenty of mooring so we winded to be facing ready for our return. Had a walk around the city. Remembered a nice cafe we had been to a couple of years ago, but when we got there it had closed down. The mooring was 48 hors, so Wednesday saw us starting out on our return trip.  11 locks to come back up from Chester with the 2 at Banbury being a staircase. On our return trip there were a couple of volunteer lock keepers on duty. Yesterday we stopped near Calveley where we had been told about a cafe. This one was open and we had a lovely all day breakfast. Tried out the TV and having good reception we stayed put. Strictly is a must on Saturday. Today we moved on and up 4 locks and we are now on the Llangollen Canal.

Tonight's view

Reaching Tiverton

The one in Cheshire!

We stayed in Middlewhich until Thursday. Although the Middlewhich Branch of the Shropshire Union Canal is only a short length it is a busy Canal. Always something going on. We had an overnight stop so we could go into Aqueduct Marina to catch up with some washing. On the way we saw a lot of oil on the Canal, stretching for some distance. We were going to ring Canal and River Trust, but they already knew as we talked to a couple of guys who had come to check it out. The next day we had an email to say the length we had cruised on Thursday was now closed, so we were through just in time. Friday saw us turning out on to the main Shropshire Union Canal. Heading north for Chester. As it rained all day yesterday we lit the fire and stayed put.
So today we have traveled 6 miles and 6 locks, a long day for us! We did go for a walk at lunch time and just had to take a picture to show we were in Tiverton.

Moving On

Where she belongs, out on the cut!

Well in the end it was late Saturday afternoon before we finally set off out of the marina. So glad to be on the move again. Spent Sunday cruising up and down, not traveling far as we didn't want to be too far on before it rained to check the side doors weren't leaking. All was well so today we have made it as far as Middlewhich.
I make no apologies for posting another picture of Falcon, we are just so pleased with her.

Finally Afloat

At long last we are back on board, 8 weeks after we left. We hadn't anticipated it would take quite that long! Was it worth the wait? Well we definitely think so. I'll leave you to look at the pictures and decide for yourself.

Looking smart

From the bow!

Definitely worth waiting for.

We are very happy with the job done by Nick and his lads at The Paint Shed. They have all worked hard to get her looking this good.
 http://www.nbmarineservices.co.uk/contact-us.html

Another Stirling job was done by Robin Wegg the sign writer. When we said can you paint us a Falcon, his comment was if you think I'm up to it and sent us some pictures of previous work. As you can see he definitely was.
http://www.realsignwriting.co.uk

Well we still have a lot of sorting out to do before we leave the marina tomorrow.
Be back soon.

Under Wraps!

A peep under the covering!

Well we have now been back in England for 2 weeks. Staying in Stockport with my cousin Dawn and her husband Dave. They have made us very welcome. We should have only been here for about a week, but as painting of Falcon was delayed we are still here!
Making the most of our time here we have visited York. Around Stockport we have visited Bramall Hall, Hat Museum and the Staircase House. We have also been out to various very tasty eateries. What a trail!
Last week we went to see Falcon and she was grey all over, part of the whole process. But yesterday she looked as you see above. Much better to see her with some colour. Today the sign writer should have been there and we hope to be back on board on Friday. So fingers crossed.

Not Afloat

Richard, Ann, Paul, Jill and Ruth

Well it's been a while since I've put any news on here. If you are connected to Paul's Facebook page then you will know what we have been up to. If not then here is the news in brief!
We got Falcon safely into The Paint Shed at Uplands Marina, very close to the Anderton Boat Lift. Leaving her at the end of July we headed off to Plymouth where we saw as many friends as we could. Thankfully the removal of my wisdom tooth went OK. I was put out and don't remember a thing 😀
On 10th August we flew out to Poland to spend sometime with our son Richard. We had a week in an apartment in the centre of Wroclaw with him and Ruth and Ann. Then we moved into an Hotel for another 3 nights where we were joined by Dave, Lisa and Phil. Then finally we came with Richard to his flat to stay. And we are still here!

Lisa and Phil with a beer tastet

Dave in Butchers Row

At the lake!

We did go away for the weekend to a place called Rokitki. Out in the countryside. Lovely scenery and swimming in the lake on Saturday.

Tomorrow we are flying back to England. To Liverpool, where we will be met by my cousin Dawn and we will be staying with them until the repaint of Falcon is complete.
By then I expect Richard will be glad of some quiet and to get back in his own bed.
So mid September before we are likely to be Afloat again.

Now in Northwich

Well after a good catch up with Penny we moved on towards Nantwich. Just spending the one night there before moving on to Middlewhich Canal, where we were glad to find a mooring with shade we we could sit out in the cool. How does our weather change so quickly. On Wednesday we moored near Winsford to be near the railway station. This was so on Thursday we could catch the train to Manchester to attend Cheryl's (Paul's niece) degree ceremony.

Paul, Jill, Cheryl and Mike
after presentation of Cheryl's
Bachelor of Science Nursing Practice with Honours

Friday was a quieter day with a short cruise to Middlewhich to prepare for our Saturday visitors. First to arrive were Cheryl and Mike. Mike lives at Macclesfield very close the the Canal of that name and has never worked a lock, so on Thursday we said we can put that right. Then by coincidence on the same day Tommo, who Paul used to work with, drove north 50+ miles on his way back to Plymouth from Sutton Coldfield. He had been to a wedding and drove all that way to come and see us and bring a loaf of bread. By the way it's all gone now Tommo!
We are now moored at the place called Broken Cross. There are no prizes for guessing the name of the nearby pub.
It is the end of next week that Falcon goes in for painting and we will be heading for Plymouth until 10th August. Will catch up with as many as we can, but a bit unknown at the moment as I am having a wisdom tooth out on 1st, so see how it goes!
So bye for now.

Market Drayton

Busy moorings at Market Drayton 

A busy day Sunday! A short cruise in the morning brought us to Wheaton Aston. There is a garage there close by the Canal that sells the cheapest diesel anywhere. However it wasn't open on Sunday, so Paul watched the British Grand Prix. We then watched Andy Murray win Wimbledon. After such a hard afternoon the only thing to do then was go to the Hartley Arms for a meal. Shouldn't watch too much TV! A very nice meal too, good portions and very tasty.
Monday we cruised on to Norbury Junction. This hasn't actually been a junction since 1944 when the link to the Newport Branch Canal was abandoned. That evening we were lucky to catch the Alarum Theatre performing Idle Women of the Wartime Waterways. Just 2 women providing an amusing and touching depiction of a past lifestyle.
We arrived at Market Drayton yesterday only to moor by Campanula with Penny on board. A friend we first met 4 years ago on the North Oxford Canal and we have met since in a similar area so a surprise for us to see her this far north. Last night much red wine was consumed whilst we had a catch up. We will be moving on tomorrow.

Northward on the Shropshire Union Canal

Wolverley Church 

We walked up the hill to look at this church. There is a zig zag path down the other side of the hill with leads into the village. A very interesting village as many of the houses there are partly carved from the sandstone rock, their dark back rooms are actually caves.

Moving on later that day we reached Kinver. We have been there before, back in 2013, with Sheree and Alec on board. Wednesday found us back on the same stretch of water we cruised back in December last year.

Today we have moved on to the Shropshire Union Canal, so we are making good progress in our journey northwards.

This is the sign by our mooring so at least we know where we are!

Back on the Canals

Thursday we cruised up the River Severn, after Bevere Lock we passed the end of the Droitwich Canal, mooring for the night at The Holt Fleet. We were meeting friends Colin and Joan there for a meal. Very nice it was too. We moored for the night on their short jetty managing to tie up with a bow rope and 2 ropes mid-ship. Next morning the River had risen and was flowing much more quickly and when we looked the land side half of the jetty was under water. We were very luck that our ropes had been long and the boat had shifted and we were still floating. We made a hasty departure and after 2 locks and 6 miles of River we were glad to enter the lock at Stourport-on-Severn and on to the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal.

We came up the narrow locks, 2 x 2 staircase locks in
front of the fairground

Saturday we spent the day on chores, me at the launderette whilst Paul did an oil change. We did go for a walk around the historic Canal Basin too.  Then on Sunday we saw Colin and Joan again with their

The wide Barge locks. Wide beam boats can only come as far
as the basin as the next lock is narrow.

daughter, Sue with husband John. They had driven over to Stourport to see us. We took them for a short cruise, down the lock into the basin and back. Enjoying lunch and wine on board too. A good time was had by all.
Today we have cruised up through Kidderminster and are moored for the night at Wolverley. Will have a look around there in the morning before moving on.

Return to Worcester

Carole made it safely to Evesham and Paul met her at the station on Friday. We soon got her into a life jacket and started on our way. We made a stop Pershore again on Saturday having a meal in The Star Inn. Lovely meal and good service. They do have mooring but not sure that it was long enough for us! Sunday we stopped at Eckington again. We only intended to stop for lunch but the rain came in and we ended staying the night. Only a short mooring so with 2 other boats there we were breasted 3 out.
Monday saw us cruise on to Tewkesbury where we stopped for a look around before moving on to Upton on Severn for the night.

Approach to Worcester 

Worcester Cathedral 

Carole's friend Diana along with daughter Val were coming to collect her from Worcester so Tuesday it was a case of getting up and getting on. We arrived with enough time to have coffee before they arrived, so ideal timing. So today, after spending a day in Worcester we continue to travel north.

Back at Evesham

Well we made it safely back to Stratford making a couple of overnight stops before reaching the Avon. One stop was to restock the larder and to do the laundry. See it's not all fun 😉
Otherwise we have been gradually cruising down river meeting people at locks. Including a couple of 'interesting' encounters with day boat hirers! It does brighten our day! As long as they aren't putting themselves in danger that is.

Taken in Stratford a couple of weeks ago
Carole, Addison, Paul and Brogan
No Carole isn't drinking from the straw however it looks!

We have stopped here in Evesham for the night as my cousin Carole is joining us today for a few nights. We meet her at the station this afternoon. Then it's continue on to Tewkesbury and hence the River Severn. Take care all till next time.

Stratford Canal

Come Friday we had spent 3 nights on a 48 hour mooring so thought we had better move on. We had planned to move on Thursday, but there was so much rain in the afternoon we thought it best not to venture on to the River. So on Friday we thought the best thing would be to travel some distance on the Canal.

Part way up Wilmcote Locks, there are 11

 Didn't go far on Friday as we didn't set off very early! This is us on Saturday continuing our trip up. We got as far as Wootton Wawen where we spent the night.
Today we visited a near by shopping barn with all sorts of different shops, including one selling coffee and cake!  We set off after lunch to return down the Canal towards Stratford.
There are 2 aqueducts along this stretch of Canal. They are built in similar style as the famous Pontcysyllte Aqueduct in Wales, but on these the Towpath is on the bottom level of the trough. It makes everything look even steeper

Going over Edstone Aqueduct 

As we were coming back today a train went underneath! Yes the bottom right corner of the picture is our Boat and the side of the trough we are cruising through.
We are hoping that when we get back to Stratford the River Avon will have dropped and we can carry on.

Stratford upon Avon

Sorry folks I just found this in drafts. I wrote it on Wednesday but obviously I didn't press the right buttons to post it!
Whoops, didn't realise it was nearly 2 weeks since I last wrote on here. We have put a couple of pics on Facebook which some of you may have picked up on!
So since then we have made our way right to the top of the navigable River Avon. To the 'Old Bathing Place'. Which whilst it is a nice picnic area with a car park, doesn't offer much for the boater . The only mooring is for the sanitary station, so having 'gone all the way' all you can do is turn and head back.

Llast lock up into Stratford.

We have now been in Stratford for a week. There are some beautiful buildings around and we have walked a lot. Also done some catching up.

Moored on the River Avon by Royal Shakespeare Theatre 

 On Friday Julie came to lunch. I used to work with her husband many years ago, in the time before children. She has been on board once before a couple of years ago when we were in Oxford.
Saturday was busy as Lorraine and all the family came to see us, my cousin Carole too. We all went off to Bistrot Pierre for lunch.

Paul, Brogan, Lorraine and Addison

Saturday night we went to The Attic to watch a play called Bouncers. It was very funny and part of a set of 3. So on Sunday we saw Teachers and yesterday was Shakers. All were very funny, the company was called 'Tread the Boards ' . We will certainly look out for them in the future.
Tonight we are off to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre to watch Midsummer Nights Dream. A bit more cultural than our previous theatre visits I think.

Stratford upon Avon

Sorry folks I just found this in drafts. I wrote it on Wednesday but obviously I didn't press the right buttons to post it!
Whoops, didn't realise it was nearly 2 weeks since I last wrote on here. We have put a couple of pics on Facebook which some of you may have picked up on!
So since then we have made our way right to the top of the navigable River Avon. To the 'Old Bathing Place'. Which whilst it is a nice picnic area with a car park, doesn't offer much for the boater . The only mooring is for the sanitary station, so having 'gone all the way' all you can do is turn and head back.

Llast lock up into Stratford.

We have now been in Stratford for a week. There are some beautiful buildings around and we have walked a lot. Also done some catching up.

Moored on the River Avon by Royal Shakespeare Theatre 

 On Friday Julie came to lunch. I used to work with her husband many years ago, in the time before children. She has been on board once before a couple of years ago when we were in Oxford.
Saturday was busy as Lorraine and all the family came to see us, my cousin Carole too. We all went off to Bistrot Pierre for lunch.

Paul, Brogan, Lorraine and Addison

Saturday night we went to The Attic to watch a play called Bouncers. It was very funny and part of a set of 3. So on Sunday we saw Teachers and yesterday was Shakers. All were very funny, the company was called 'Tread the Boards ' . We will certainly look out for them in the future.
Tonight we are off to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre to watch Midsummer Nights Dream. A bit more cultural than our previous theatre visits I think.

On from Tewkesbury

Well sometimes things go according to plan and we left Gloucester on Sunday. We had a safe uneventful trip up the Severn . A bit too uneventful as we had planned to stop for lunch, but all the moorings were full. We arrived at Avon Lock to find it was shut for lunch!

Avon Lock

Paul, Lou, Richard and St Mary's Abbey

Well we did get through and filled with water, finding a mooring and finally having lunch about 3.
Monday was a lovely day, not the least because we had visitors to lunch. Richard and Lou who are neighbours from Plymstock popped in to see us on way home from Nottingham.
We spent Tuesday looking round the Abbey and the lovely old buildings of Tewkesbury before moving on yesterday.
We spent last night at a little place called Eckington. This bridge was built over 400 years ago. Surprisingly some very large vehicles were passing over it. We thought there would have been a weight restriction.

Yesterdays mooring by Eckington Bridge

Today, after a little less than an hour cruising we have moored at Converton, an even smaller place, for the night. Very peaceful, the only sound is birdsong.