Easter Cruise - Stouport to Worcester

Away from mooring in the upper basin at 0900 and on the river by 0930. A sunny but cold spring day and a clear sky but where were the boats, a 3 hour cruise on the river and the only boat we met was whilst locking up at Worcester!
Back in Worcester after 12 days cruising, some rain during the first two days but dry and cold with plenty of sun after that. Boat systems all worked well but the batteries still need careful nurturing. Back home tomorrow, shopping already done online for delivery Saturday evening, washing and the family for lunch on Easter Monday.

Easter Cruise - Hythe lock to Stourport

Two short days stopping in between at Kidderminster. All still remarkable quiet with only one boat on the Kinver visitor moorings and 2 at Stouport.
Bottom near side lock gate at Wolerly Court would not open fully but was pushed back by pushing the boat though. Gate closed smoothly afterwards so no idea what the problem was. Anti vandal locks on locks out of Kidderminster are in varying states of function and would not deter a vandal, so the odd locks working just annoy boaters.
Pump out, fuel, gas, paint, oil and bits at Limekiln Chanderlery contributed to their new cars for this year. They have an excellent range of products and their fuel is the cheapest we've seen but must check their price for Morris oil. Moored for overnight just beyond the CRT sanitary station.

Easter Cruise - Bratch to Hythe Lock

Another bright sunny spring day. Is it that the bright green shoots make everything seems better than remembered? Or is it that the vegetation between the towpath and the canal make the canal more cared for?
We departed from Birmingham having only partly filled the water tank but now, having passed no water points concern that we are getting low, probably only 4 days supply! Topped up at Greensforge but no pump out facility there so now concerned about holding tank .... oh the worries of cruising.
Of worries, I had not been able to get a satellite signal with the new dish having apparently found the satellite. I had begun to think either the dish or the receiver were not working. However, tonight I succeeded so J can watch Neighbours. What did I do? A lot of fiddling with the receiver settings, other than that no idea. However, I have downloaded instructions for the receiver so that may reveal more in time.
Now moored above Hythe Lock, one of our favourite mooring spots. An easy walk into Kinver, no further than from the moorings below Kinver Lock.

Easter Cruise - Compton Lock to Bratch

Having debated the need to stop at Limekiln Chanderlery for a pump out and fuel and eventually decided to stop we were alarmed to discover it has closed and moved to Wolverhampton ... But it was in Wolverhampton! So, cruised on and stopped to visit Wighwi k Manor. Just as fascinating as before but a dreadfull lunch, I returned mine. A great sunny, warmer day so a pleasant stroll around the gardens.
Cruising on J grounded the boat whilst I was operating a lock and getting back on to re float proved a problem. Overcome we cruised on the The Bratch to go straight down and moored below. Warned off Two youths who thought throwing stones at the boat was a good sport. I hope they don't return later tonight.

Easter Cruise - Black Country Museum to Compton Lock , Staff & Worcs Canal

An unevenful cruise to the top of the Wolverhampton flight. Sunny but cold, Very quiet, met no boats. Only the last mile or so before the locks is industrial grim. Moorings at the CRT sanitary station and at the top of the flight.
Met boats coming up the flight otherwise all locks set in our favour, about 2 3/4 hours. Met Jane's colleague in Mintball just before lock 21. Turned left towards Kidderminster and Stourport. Moored above Compton lock, surprisingly no other boats moored. 3 boats came up the lock but none down, really very quiet.

Easter Cruise - Gas Street Basin to Black County Museum, Dudley

A late morning start after filing up with water at the top of Farmers Bridge locks. Very quiet until it was time to leave and suddenly boats wanted to descend the locks. We backed out gracefully and headed west on the BCN main Line and took a left onto the Wolverhampton Level at Smethick. Stopped for lunch and visited the Smethick Pump House which had a open day.
Continuing through Birmingham, it's not the bleak, desolate, past industrial wasteland I recall but a pleasant green corridor through a regenerated urban landscape. Apart from the water, black, oily and strewn with rubbish, no change there.
The M5 follows closely part of the canal and in placed the canal runs under the motorway for some hundreds of metres.
Moored at Topton Junction near the Black Country Museum. We have been here before but I have no recollection of the approach canals. It was before Ada, it was even before mobile phones! I know this because I remember wandering through the closed museum looking for a public phone box (I wonder what alarms would be set of doing that today). I did not find a phone, maybe because there were none during Victorian/Edwardian times.
Batteries fully charged after about 5 hours engine time. One problem with the advanced regulator a couple of days back was all the LEDs flashing. This means a 'high alternator output voltage' but this did not show on the Smartmeter. However, I had originally collected the positive of the alternator to the batteries with 2 cables. As one of these was hanging directly off a battery terminal I removed it for the BSC examination and had not replaced it. The advanced regulator functioned correctly after replacing this cable. Job for the future replace the 2 cables with one thicker cable - check engine handbook for the correct size.

Easter Cruise - Tibberton to Gas Street Basin

Tibberton to The Queens Head an easy cruise with our young crew eager crew closing up locks after I walked ahead to set them. At times I struggled with the paddle gear. Unfortunately our crew departed that evening after a meal at the pub with J and M. The Queens Head is again a popular eatory. Booking advised even at six on a Tuesday evening, if planning to stop there.
One other boat moored to go up Tarrdebigge and one having come down.
A prompt start fount all the locks set in our favour. Met only 3 boats and st the top in 3 hours 15 minutes ... I only stopped having to wait for descending boats. Moored early above lock 58.
A simple cruise into Birmingham in pleasant but cold weather and moored across from the NIA two nights panned her to visit the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter and see the Staffordshire Haul ... both fascinating. That evening here was a stoppage notice for the BWC, a significant leak at the top of the Tardebigge flight ... how that would have changed our plans if a day earlier. Canal closed from lock 24 to bridge 57a.

Easter Cruise - Worcester to Tibberton

Woke to a dull wet day. Car was already packed and got away as planed despite trying to delay departure to let the rain 'clear to the East'. Picked up N and Katia and arrived at the boat before 1100. With our young crew's stuff we started and stowed for a getaway before 1200. 

Passed a hire boat moored on lock moorings below an empty lock with open gates. Up eventful journey other than N slipping on wet slim at the foot of lock steps. Tears and a change of trousers before we continued. A very heavy rain shower on a cruise between locks otherwise just damp.

The lock gear on the W&B canal are most beyond the girls so the routine is ...

I raise the paddles

Girls open gates and lower paddles

Girlies close gates

I raise top ground paddles

(If next lock in sight I walk on)

One girl closes offside paddle and crosses gate to help other girl open gate and then lower paddle

Girls close gate.

This routine has worked well and kept them interested.

Moored at Tibberton, only boat, before the bridge.