PF voyage pt1

Pickle's Folly's Maiden Voyage, part 1

Introduction

An alternative to transporting our new boat from its builders to the Trust’s base was to take her by canal. Research showed that it was possible, although we would be running the gauntlet of lock and canal closures through the off-season period. An advance party of three drove to Stourport on Sunday 30 December 2012 with equipment, clothing and bedding to prepare the boat. While one drove the car home, three more crew members arrived on Monday 31 December 2012, with the food.

Monday, 31 December 2012

We got off to a slow start, not leaving Stourport-on-Severn until 1230 hours as John Carr had a puncture on his trailer and then flattened the battery with hazard lights which resulted in having to buy a new battery. We loaded everything on board; lots of food, etc. It was not cold, the rain stopped as soon as we started. Reversing out of the covered dock was the first challenge and finding our way through the basins and into the first narrow lock, trying desperately hard not to scratch the new paintwork. I have to say this did not last long and the first scrape appeared very soon. We had calculated that if we drove for three hours it would put us on target. After 6 miles and 4 locks passing through Kidderminster, we finally stopped at Wolverley Bridge. No one saw the new year in: John had started his day at 5a.m., so bed time was 2000 hours.


Tuesday, 1 January 2013

We arose at 0730 hours. It had been a cold night and everywhere was covered in frost. Ronnie the dog, was taken for a walk after breakfast. Opening the locks for a fast passage we walked for the first few locks before jumping back on board, to the dog’s disgust. After a couple of short tunnels and 15 locks in 24 miles we spent the night at Wombourne Bridge. The canal has been interesting; carved out of the red sandstone and caverns carved into the sandstone by the canal builders to shelter out of the weather: all back in the 1700s. Having had a good meal and finding the pub was closed we went to bed. We hope to get to Aldersley Junction tomorrow to turn off  to Wolverhampton Main Line and 22 locks in 2.5 miles – ouch!

Wednesday, 2 January

We are well in front of ourselves; over 9 miles and 31 locks today. We are only two miles short of our fourth day schedule and it’s our third day. We had fine weather with only one or two little showers – nothing heavy. The two miles with 21 locks in total was good going with three people working the locks, we worked out a good system and we were through in quick time: 2.5 hours. Everyone has worked hard today and deserved a good drink in the centre of Wolverhampton.

Thursday, 3 January

We have now left Wolverhampton and are heading for Birmingham, taking the fast route on Telford’s straight canal with only three locks. All the old buildings or what is left of them are very interesting and to imagine their former glory was intriguing. The cast iron bridges are very ornate and have lasted a fantastic length of time – since 1842. We arrived in Birmingham at 1330 hours and after we had a quick lunch, set off to descend Farmers Bridge Locks, all 13 of them [I had calculated only 9 – oops!]. This was a fantastic experience as they have built apartments over the canal and some of the old brickwork: even a lock in a tunnel. It’s only round the bend and down another 7 locks [which I had calculated to be 4 – another oops!]. We hived off to Typhoo Basin [not far from New Street Rail Station] for a secure night in a disused wharf. We have covered 15.5 miles and 23 locks – not bad going.

Friday, 4 January

Having spent the night in Typhoo Basin with all the rubbish and disused factory buildings, we set off early to miss the rush hour, but came to a quick stop having joined the Grand Union Canal at Camp Hill Locks. The first pound was empty and we had to drain water down from the higher up locks and then we were on our way again. Lots of debris, thousands of plastic bottles and plastic bags, old windows, etc. We finally escaped through Yardley and Solihull with all its tags and graffiti everywhere. Then into the tranquillity of Catherine de Barnes, and we stopped to remove the plastic bags from around the propeller. I could not believe how many there were. We then had control and could motor on at 3 mph. Where to moor for the night was a point of discussion: a pub was the answer. The Black Boy was the obvious choice. We went in for a quick birthday pint at 1600 hours and came out at 2000 hours after a meal, a couple of pints and a coffee. With Pickle’s Folly just outside, it was very convenient.

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