Breakfast out today.

5th May 2022

Graham was up and had cast us off by 08:30. Thanks to a recommendation, about the excellent breakfasts available at the cafe at Sutton Cheney wharf, from Brian on nb Harnser, Brenda agreed that we could have breakfast out.

 

We filled the water and dumped the rubbish at the services and then moved onto the 48 hour moorings while an excellent breakfast was taken, but not before a bit of engineering work replacing the rubber seals around one of the windows.

 

We then proceeded up the Ashby passing Shenton, Market Bosworth, Congerstone, Shackerstone and Snarestone to the current end of the canal without hitch. Luckily, Jannock being slight of draught means we didn’t suffer from the shallowness as much as some other boats appeared to be.

 

During this journey, Brenda happened to look at the ingredients list of the Kit-Kat chocolate bunny she was about to consume – who knew that they contain BAMBOO! Maybe Kit-Kat should make chocolate Pandas.

Having turned at the terminus, we tied up and went for a walk along the re-watered extension to the limit of navigation at bridge 62. The country aroma of muck spreading in the adjacent field convinced us not to go any further.

 

On our return, we went across to the Ashby Canal Societies version of Auntie Wainwrights shop (ref last of Summer Wine) With no encouragement, folding money went into the restoration fund and treasures came aboard Jannock. 

 

After a catch-up chat with Mike W – nb Draco, we set off back the way we came and moored for the night in the woods just after bridge 56. The sound of woodland birds and little else here is wonderful. Lets see what the morning chorus is like.

 

G&B

A short day due to engineering needs.

4th May 2022

Yesterday, Paul of Waterways Routes left a comment on the blog mentioning that the Dracos website we use is not updated -  unlike https://www.royalmail.com/services-near-you#/ which is kept current apparently – thanks Paul.

Just as we thought we could relax and everything was shipshape and Bristol fashion after the hours of hard work Cap’n and the engineering team (that’ll be just the Cap’n then – multitasking as usual) had put in over the winter, ‘we’ went to put on the central heating last night as it was getting a bit chilly ……. the pump refused to circulate the water around the system.

First stop of the morning was Trinity marina to see if they had a circulation pump in their chandlery – no such luck. We then started walking into Hinkley to see if he could find something similar but it appeared to be a too long a walk. Back at Jannock we rang Ashby boats who had one but as none were available from their suppliers, they needed to keep it as a spare for their hire fleet and refused to sell it to us. They did promise to see if they had a 2nd hand pump in their workshop if we were to call in as we were passing.

An hour later we called in and they found a spare one that they sold us as ‘used serviceable’ – excellent!  We continued on through heavy rain until we stopped at the moorings on the bend after Foster’s bridge. The Cap’n then fitted the ‘new’ pump and bled and tested the system. During this he found that the whole old pump was full of water – even the electric motor – no wonder it didn’t work.

To celebrate the fix, after dinner we walked up to the George and Dragon in Stoke Golding. This is a Church End brewery pub with an excellent selection of beers. Back onto Jannock, after a few pints, in time for the Great British Sewing Bee to keep the first mate happy.

No pictures, sorry it’s been one of those days!

And we’re off!

3rd May 2022

After a water fill and boat wash on our pontoon Graham moved Jannock down to the marina services area where we got a replacement gas bottle, feedback from the staff for the Head Brewer and a shower each. We then set off Northwards in the light rain.

Happily the rain came to naught and we had an un-eventful run with himself getting Jannock round Hawkesbury turn in one go without the use of reverse. It only happens when you haven’t got an audience outside the pub!

We passed Charity Dock where one of the old wooden boats, awaiting restoration, has now been broken up into pieces. At Marston Junction we decided to turn right onto the Ashby – where we noticed lots of evidence of water voles at the western end.

We moored for the night near Burton Hastings and after dinner went for a walk around the village as the website http://postboxes.dracos.co.uk indicated that there was a post box there and we had a card to post. We had a pleasant evening saunter around the village and returned to Jannock just after 7pm.

Not many pictures taken today but you do get one with obligatory ducklings.

Junior Keens cruise

2nd May 2022

A return journey to Brinklow marina today to allow the Junior Keens’ to visit for a one-way trip. Out of the locks lane car park and they immediately came face to face with ewes and lambs in the adjacent field were much loved and coo-ed over.

 

Onto Jannock and off. Life jackets were compulsory which didn’t go down well, but needs must. We travelled along to Clifton Cruisers where a lunch booking had been made at the Canal Lounge.

It turned out to be a mediocre lunch with children’s particular preferences not taken into consideration, the BBQ produced sausages that were charred and under-cooked chicken. No cheese in the cheeseburgers and a side order of pasta was delivered as an undercooked potato salad. Ho hum. The service was cheery and all our complaints were addressed.

 

After lunch, the kids spent a good half hour on the bouncy castle slide that was erected on the wharf so eventually a good time was had by all.

 

Back aboard, the journey continued back through Rugby and Newbold. The junior crew enjoyed watching the world go by, making a lot of noise in the tunnel, having a go at steering and generally enjoying the rest of the trip.

 

Back at Brinklow we moored at our pontoon to allow them to run around on the grass and eat some tea before being taken back to their car at Hillmorton by Grand-dad.

 

Thankyou for sharing our day.

G&B

2022 trip starts here

1st May 2022

Having travelled up to Brinklow yesterday and prepared Jannock for this years trip to Lancaster and above, we had a nice night aboard in the marina.

Today, we did the out part of a short out and back cruise to Hillmorton to allow our grand-daughters a trip on Jannock before we depart northwards. After weeks of no rain at home, it was drizzling when we awoke this morning and remained doing so most of the day.

After a couple of hours of ‘ackling’ we set off out of the marina and turned right. As we were leaving Brenda spotted a couple of hares boxing in the horse field beside the marina. A rare sight and we didn’t manage to get a photo – possibly because we left all the cameras at home – going to be a couple of boring blogs.

Down through Rugby to below Hillmorton locks where we winded and moored up ready for our visitors to join us tomorrow. We were planning to lunch at Badesley wharf tomorrow but a recce found they are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. A quick phone call booked us a table at the Canal Lounge at Clifton cruisers so we managed to save the day. Turns out the website we were directed to for Badesley wharf was for a previous business.

Our ‘favourite’ Indian restaurant at Hillmorton has changed hands and we were recommended ‘The Spice Lounge’, a bit further to walk but definitely our new favourite Indian in this area. Our meal was delicious and taken in pleasant surrounding. See www. spiceslounge.co.uk (Yes – spiceslounge). Their takeaway menu is shorter than their in house menu but they will deliver free to the boat for orders over £15.

Graham & Brenda

What do you do in a storm?

Monday 21st February 2022

When not struggling with broken fences and the next door neighbours shed that decided to disintegrate under the pressure of the winds, I managed to update the Jannock website to include a list of all the time lapse videos that we have recorded as well as a page of questions asked on Facebook boating groups that I feel required a bigger audience.

Visit http://www.jannock.org.uk to view the result.

Graham

Stoppage at Atherstone

Wednesday 29th September 2021

The weather had cleared up so off we went. As we were leaving we met the same lady boater we had spoken to yesterday afternoon. She said that the pound where we were moored, between locks 5 and 6, had been emptied overnight which explains why Brenda thought that her vertigo had returned during her early morning visit to the loo.

We untied and set off into lock 5 where we were stopped by a volunteer lockie due to a lack of water in several pounds ahead. It would appear that something was partially jamming the towpath side ground paddle on lock 5 as well as problems with the ground paddle at lock 4.

 

He produced a drag fork and started trying to extract the obstruction from the paddle whilst Graham assisted by winding the paddle up and down as instructed. Finally the paddle would drop right down and so he must have moved it although we were not sure what it was. Meanwhile, the top gate would not fully open so while the lockie was notifying the rest of the team of his success, Graham used the drag fork to clear stones from behind the gate to enable it to open fully.

 

Finally, after a wait of 50 minutes, we were allowed to  continue our way up towards the top of the flight. Once again, volunteers had saved the day. Unfortunately Graham then found that Jannock’s lock wheeling bike had a front puncture so he had to abandon it in the front well and set all the locks on foot.

Out of the top lock we set off towards Nuneaton and the North Oxford canal. Although we mostly had bright sunshine it was interrupted occasionally by heavy showers. As we passed through Bedworth, we stopped for a very brief chat with our friends Terry and Christine although we didn’t leave Jannock as they were self isolating.

At Sutton’s, Graham performed the best turn he’s ever made around that junction without the use of reverse and straight into the open lock. It is possible when there are no other boats creating obstructions and no observers sat outside the pub watching. Practice (and favourable conditions) make perfect it would appear.

 

On past Aldermans Green where Graham was amused by the CaRT overstay notice flapping in the wind whilst attached to a burnt out shell of a boat. Obviously they have to follow their procedures  but it just seems silly. On through Ansty and Stretton Stop to Brinklow marina where we turned and moored on the service area to offload stuff into the car. We were rewarded that evening by a wonderful Brinklow sunset.

 

G&B

Rain stopped play at Atherstone

Tuesday 28th September 2021

We set off from our very pleasant overnight mooring with the intention of cruising until the forecast rain stopped play. Down to Fazely junction where we turned right and headed towards Glascote locks where we ascended both without any delays, passing a descending boat between.

It was along the next section that we happened across nb Brenda-May, the owner of which does some fantastic sculptures all made from old tyres. Brenda loved the Dragon on the foredeck.

 

Through Alvecote where we spotted nb Kenelm looking magnificent with a recent splendid paint job. The poles, cans and brasswork were also excellent. Luckily the rain stayed away for the morning although a very blustery wind arrived just as we got to Atherstone bottom lock. In a couple of places it had no real direction and it felt like Jannock could have spun on the spot.

 

We chose to moor up after lock 6 so that we could go into town to replenish supplies before the rain arrived. A boat coming down from lock 5 pulled right forward to allow us to get into the bank behind him. We pulled Jannock right forward towards the next boat already moored there. The other boater then pulled his boat back to ensure he moored right in the middle of the available space. This preference for some boaters to moor as far away as possible from other moored boats in a popular spot really annoy us.

As we walked to town, a chat with a returning boater on the towpath highlighted where to get just the sandals that Graham wanted at a very good price – The Original Factory Shop. It was raining hard by the time we got back to Jannock and so we abandoned all hope of getting to the top of the flight today.

G&B

Farewell Brum.

Monday 27th September 2021

We set off at about 9:15 and reversed out of Oozels St loop. Unfortunately the wind coming down the mainline decided to interfere with this manoeuvre and so Jannock ended up reversing part-way round the roundabout outside the NIA before coming forwards back round into the Farmers Bridge entrance. Different!

Last night’s heavy rain has gone and been replaced by sunshine. Luckily the whole of the Farmers Bridge flight was set in our favour and so we fair flew down the ten locks. The wind didn’t cause too much hassle under the BT tower although Brenda did need to take corrective action when Jannock started going towards the concrete pillars.  As we left the bottom lock we could leave it open for the CaRT rubbish boat that was approaching from Aston.

Out the bottom and on to Aston flight where Graham had to fill all the locks bar the first two after we passed an ascending hire boat. While waiting for the first lock to be ready Brenda found that the wind combined with a strong pull towards the overflow weir created a whirlpool affect that tried to rotate Jannock. We left the flight at 1pm.

After the Aston bottom lock Brenda went inside to prepare both lunch and tonight’s supper just as a heavy rain storm started. Lunch was served to the Cap’n while we drifted very slowly under the large warehouse that covers the B&F Canal. Ten minutes later, with lunch eaten, we emerged out of the other end to find the rain had subdued a lot. By the time we were at Minworth top lock it had stopped and there were blue skies but still a biting wind.

 

It’s been a lock heavy day but we were making good time so decided to go down the Curdworth flight as well because the weather tomorrow does not look too good. The HS2 works are still alongside locks 2 to 6 but the seismic monitoring stations have been removed. The damsons in the tree alongside lock 6 were riper and sweeter than when we picked some on the way up the flight 3 weeks ago. Graham picked some more and they are lovely.

Out of Curdworth bottom lock and we wanted to moor on the visitor moorings but nb Hampshire Rose was plonked mid way between two other boats which made about 20m of mooring un-useable unless you were in a small plastic cruiser. We went on about 100m further on and moored against the grass bank with pins.

 

Before supper (and the light went) we took a walk around the nature reserve alongside the bottom lock, a thing that Brenda has wanted to do every time we’ve passed this way previously. We were rewarded with a nice sunset and then back to Jannock for the best goat stew we’ve ever had – the quality of the goat meat we got at Birmingham market was excellent.

G&B

The best sani-station on the system

Sunday 26th September 2021

Several of our party were up and away before the ‘official’ start time of 9:30am as they wanted to get away early for personal reasons. Harnser and Jannock then set off ahead of Joanna and butty.

Just after ‘Uncle Ben’s bridge’ Harnser picked up a blade full of rubbish and ground to a halt. This made life difficult for the early risers who were trying to return from Titford Pools but had to go into the thick sludge to get past. Once they had managed to circumvent Harnser, Jannock went past with little difficulty due to our shallow draught and led the way into Titford Pools. At the entrance of the pools is this scupture.

We managed to visit both pools, upsetting all the fishermen in the first pool before moving on to the pool that goes under the M5 motorway. It is a surprisingly lovely wild place in a city by a motorway which is now fully navigable thanks to being dredged last year. It’s industrial heritage can still be seen but nature is gradually taking over.

 

Lots of pictures taken and all expected craft accounted for we headed back down the Oldbury branch to the top of the locks for a cup of tea. We were then helped down all of the flight by Brian, Diana and several BCNS members, they have all been so helpful – thanks folks!

 

Turning right after the bottom lock, we travelled beneath the M5 motorway and through the summit tunnel to Smethwick locks where we desc3nded to the BCN Main Line. 

 

 

We travelled along to Winson Green where we turned left onto the Soho loop, up through a fishing match and then turned left again into Hockley Port.

 

At the bottom of these permanent live-aboard moorings is a sani-station which rates as the best we have ever visited. Brenda emptied the rubbish and then had a shower whilst Graham filled Jannock’s water tank, all the time chatting to a resident boater who imparted all sorts of interesting local information. We then said farewell and made our way back out to the Soho loop and onto the mainline again.

As we neared the mainline junction, the familiar graffiti reminded us of our last visit here where a classical flautist was practicing on the towpath. On queue, we heard someone on a flute! The different skill levels were immediately obvious. It would appear that there is more to being a good flautist than blowing and blocking a few random holes.

Into Birmingham and we turned right into Oozels St loop to find our favourite Birmingham overnight mooring was vacant – hooray! Graham is on blood bike control duty tonight so needs good mobile coverage.

G&B

BCNS cruise to Bradley Workshops

Saturday 25th September 2021

After a surprisingly peaceful night alongside a road in Tipton, we were up and at-em for the official cruise start time of 9:30am. 

 

The tug boat Joanna took two butties into tow and led the procession down onto the main line, through Coseley tunnel and right onto the Wednesbury loop arm to Bradley workshops.

 

A combination of being led by a tug towing two butties and various boats having to remove all sorts of rubbish from their propellers meant that we had a slow and frustrating journey as ‘tail end charlie’ of this trip.

 

After a very slow crawl, with frequent stops, along the arm we arrived at the workshops at the end where approximately twenty boats moored up for lunch. Some in a side basin but as the last arrival we ended up with our stern in a tree at the muddy end of the arm.

 

Lunch over and we set off back to the BCNS HQ at Oldbury Pumphouse. This time we were mid cruise albeit following a very slow boat.  Many people – walkers, cyclist and house holders etc stopped to watch the procession. It was clear that few boats come down this arm. Most expressed their delight at seeing the boats.

 

Luckily the slow boat pulled over to allow two of us to pass him. Onto the mainline again and we found we were in a procession following the tug boat Caggy towing a butty.

Back through Tipton and we found ourselves alone as all of the boats in front of us had pulled over for various reasons including one boat that went down Factory locks onto the new mainline. We continued through Dudley Port and Brades to Oldbury junction where we turned right and ascended the six locks to the pumphouse. We were helped up the flight by members of BCNS and after mooring up on the rings adjacent to the pumphouse we returned and assisted others up through the top lock.

 

It was Graham’s first experience of manually working a butty up a lock flight. We also loved this bench in the BCNS HQ garden – excellent bit of metalwork. All bar one cruise boat accounted for, we returned to Jannock as it became dark for a late meal and an early night.

G&B

A trip to the market

Friday 24th September 2021

We started the day with a trip to the Bullring covered market to restock the larder, and for the fun of it. The Harnser crew came along too and can now see why we enjoy going there so much. We stocked up on fresh fruit and veg, bread, cheese, pies and best of all – some goat. Inside the rag market we found things that we didn’t know that we needed – as always.

Then into the market cafe for a brew and some roast pork baps – meat, gravy, apple sauce, stuffing and some crackling all in a bun – to take back to the boat for lunch. That cafe always leaves you with a smile, the friendliness and service with a joke.

 

After lunch we set off with a smile, and full tummies, towards Tipton. We detoured via the Ickield loop to see how the new housing was coming along. They reminded me of the song ‘little boxes’. We are not sure why they have a teepee there. One of the houses had an inflatable boat complete with cushions in the lounge, maybe they are saving for a sofa.

 

Back onto the new main line and then up the three Smethwick locks onto the old main line (Graham’s favourite of the two choices). The toll house here was burnt out last time we passed here, now it is resplendent in a new roof. I hope that was paid for by an insurance claim or a donation. 

 

Along here between the top lock and the tunnel, two new wood sculptures have appeared, one of an owl and one of a fox.

 

On the old main line, once you’ve passed beneath the M5 motorway, the water gradually changes from a thick black sludge to water so clear that you can fish-watch whilst going along.

We arrived at Tipton and moored up along with all the other boats gathering there for the BCNS cruise to Bradley Workshops. A trip down to the local co-op (permanently closing next month) was made and an order was placed in the Indian restaurant for a take-out. We were well fed for less than £10 per head and a curry was ‘banked’ for later on this trip.

Most of the shops in Tipton Green appear to be closing down or empty but the many take-aways were extremely busy. Fried food rules!

G&B

Up Farmers Bridge flight

Thursday 23rd September 2021

We set off from our overnight mooring outside the University Advanced Transport and Infrastructure College building in slight drizzle. Luckily it soon stopped and the sun came out, however the wind was fierce.

At the end of the Digbeth arm we turned left and headed for the Farmers bridge lock flight. These locks are mostly subterranean, passing beneath the BT tower and other office buildings and some very interesting cross winds on the canal are created by the high rise buildings.

 

At the third lock up, the pound with least room for boats to pass, we met a descending single hander being assisted by a CaRT vo-lockie. His boat was 58ft and Jannock is 62 foot. There is room for a 50ft boat in the layby between the locks and so Graham got the 58ft boat bows in and then moved Jannock passed whilst the other boat was shifted slightly forward so that his bows came out after Jannock had passed to allow his stern into the layby to let Jannock enter the next lock. The single hander didn’t seem to have much boating nowse and the volunteer had just had a fall on the slimy shiny engineering brick path. First aid was offered to assist the lockie.

 

Next boat down was nb Pyrton, Graham had sold him a Di Blasi motorbike a few years ago and he remembered him well. Small world.

 

We moored in our favourite spot opposite the NIA after filling up the water tank at the top of Farmers Bridge locks. Shortly afterwards we were joined there by nb Harnser so it was tea and cakes all round.

After dinner we decided to take a little ‘off canal’ stroll to see a bit more of Birmingham, we ended up watching the fountains in Centenary Square outside symphony hall in the dark – excellent! Over the other side a chap had set up a full drumkit and was drumming along to backing tracks. I suppose it reduces the chance of him offending the neighbours at home practicing.

G&B

Up through Knowle and Solihull

Wednesday 22nd September 2021

Wildlife of the day - the most resplendent kingfisher.

There was a chill in the air as we set off this morning, bidding farewell to Brian and Diana who we’ll likely meet again tomorrow night.  The sky was blue and the sun shone so it highlighted the autumnal shades creeping into the countryside as the day warmed up.

 

Past The Black Bouy cruising club and we approached Knowle locks remembering the tales Brian had told us last night of the eddys in the intermediate pounds – however we had eight Volunteer Lockkeepers on duty as we arrived and so we fair flew up the flight with only one slight mishap caused by a cross wind. A hire boat descending the flight remained in the lock as Brenda moved Jannock in beside her and the wind caused a little bump. It was only when Jannock was in the lock beside her that the hire boat steerer told her crew to cast off the ropes and start making for the lock Jannock had vacated.

 

Onto Catherine De Barnes where we stopped and Brenda went for milk. The shop there stocks ‘takeaway curries’ including one called Khatlama – never heard of it, had to buy it – it’s in the freezer for later. We set off again and had our lunch on the move. 

 

Just North of Catherine  De Barnes, CaRT contractors are dredging the canal. They had some unusual aerators just upstream of the dredging area to ensure the oxygen levels are maintained in the water.

 

We spotted what we thought was a D of E hike coming along the towpath. As they neared we realised that it was a time warped hike. There were wenches, knaves and more doublet and hose than you could shake a jousting pole at. The chap all in black was probably the Sherriff of Nottingham. Modern rucksacks though.

Further on there was an umbrella hanging from a wire across the canal, we wondered whether Mary Poppins had made an emergency landing in the water.

 

Down through the six narrow Camp Hill locks to Bordesley junction where we went left to hopefully find a mooring space in Typhoo basin. However the basin was deserted of boats and mooring rings but we appeared to have disturbed a possible drugs deal under the entrance bridge so we winded and left again to head up the Digbeth branch and it’s seven locks and one tunnel to moor outside the university for the night and celebrated with a cup of PG Tips instead.

G&B