Day 13: Brewood to Cheswardine.

Dear family, friends and followers.

Cruised 20 miles, worked 1 lock, in a time of 7hrs 5mins.

We had a very quiet night on our mooring in the middle of nowhere. We were awake early. I was woken by the dawn chorus and the sound of gulls mournful call.
This morning's breakfast was porridge for a change. Having re-lit the back cabin stove and stoked the saloon stove up, we left the mooring at 8.20 am.

Despite the weather forecasters saying it would be a dry day, we had drizzle again until lunchtime, when it did try to brighten up. There were more boats on the move today, we actually saw six other boats. It was lovely to see friends along the way, including blog reader Judith on NB Serena (waves). Lunch was toasted crumpets and coffee, which was nice and warming, because there was a definite chill in the air. We have noticed a few trees down along the route.

After the storms we have endured of late, CRT are probably on catch up. They were working on another tree trunk further down the cut as we went past. The one in the photograph above, was huge and only one boat width could pass it by, so it was a good job no one was coming the other way.

We descended Wheaton Aston Lock and pulled into the services to top up with water and I emptied the cassette, which was not full, but I emptied it anyway, just in case we should have to self-isolate along the way.

I like to have a full water tank. It also helps with the ballast, because if the fore end is to high out of the water, I cannot get my little legs up on it. Water tank full, we were then on our way.

I do love tunnels. Cowley tunnel is only 81 yards long, but it is solid rock. The cutting has been made by cutting through the sandstone. I can only imagine how many men it took to do this. It is truly amazing. When you think about it, they used picks and possibly explosives, but most of all hard graft. I cannot see anyone doing it like that these days.

It is funny what you see along the way. I love seeing this sort of thing, because it puts a smile on my face. We saw a few friends along the way as well, which is always a blessing.

This is usually one of the most photographed bridges, but with the scaffolding up, we could not get anything half decent. As the afternoon wore on, I began to feel chilly, even though I had a lot of layers on, so when we stopped at 3.25 pm I was pleased.

We are now moored up near Wharf Tavern, Goldstone Bridge No.55, Cheswardine.
Tomorrow we have locks to do :-)

Pop back soon xx

Day 12: Wolverhampton to Brewood.

Dear family, friends and followers.

Travelled 6 miles, worked 22 locks in 5 hours 45 minutes.

There is a distinct lack of photographs today, because it has been wet the whole journey and therefore the camera has stayed indoors.I am using Keith's photographs, because my camera would of got soaked.

We left Wolverhampton at 8.15 am after a peaceful night. I was in bed by 9.30 pm absolutely shattered and did not wake until 6.45 am, by the sound of sirens going off and the roar of traffic going about its business. The mizzle was already falling and it had been forecast for light to heavy rain, so we knew what we were in for. After a cuppa and breakfast we set about descending the Wolverhampton 21 locks.

All of them were against us and so I had to fill them before we could enter the locks. Thankfully the paddles are easy to wind, making my job a little easier. I walked between all of the locks, whilst Keith moved the boat. At lock 16 there was an issue with the bottom, offside gate paddle. It would not wind down properly, so when you fill the lock it is constantly draining slowly. It does not stop you using the lock, but I have reported it to CRT, so they can get someone out to look at it.

We arrived at the bottom of the flight at 12.35 pm. I think this has to have been the slowest we have ever done the flight, but what with the weather and the locks against us, the time got away from us. We turned right at Aldersley Junction and headed to Autherley Junction, where there was a boat coming into Autherley stop lock, so we waited for him to exit.

Having negotiated the junction and the stop lock, we were on our way on the Shroppie Canal. We only saw two boats today. The one at the junction and one in front of us on the Shroppie. Having done another hours cruising from the junction we decided to stop near Brewood. I was personally wet and getting cold. Keith has the benefit of the back cabin stove by his legs when we are on the move. We are now both drying out in front of the fire, with all our wet gear hanging up in the back cabin.

Pop back soon xx

Day 12: Hawne Basin to Wolverhampton.

Dear family, friends and followers.

We cruised 14 miles, worked 3 locks, 4 tunnels, in a time of 5hrs 10mins.

We had a lovely evening in Hawne Basi, I even got to have a lovely bath. This morning we said "Goodbye" to Hawne basin and headed back to Tipton, because we wanted a few items of shopping.

We decided that we would not walk up to Aldi, because no doubt it would have been stripped of the things we required. We decided to use the small Londis store just across the road from Neptune Wharf. Ok they did not have a huge selection of things, but we did not require much.

We did pick up a couple of Fray Bentos pies, which all boaters consider a staple part of a boaters diet. The other items were some tinned foods and a small bottle of milk. There was absolutely no panic buying by us. The shop was well stocked and maybe it is time for everyone to support the smaller shops now that the supermarkets are being invaded by panic buyers.

Having stowed the shopping away, we left Tipton, winded and headed for Wolverhampton. We headed through Coseley Tunnel, where we discovered a large fridge or freezer floating towards us. 

I have reported it, because if it sinks in the tunnel, it could be a problem for boaters. 

We only saw one other boat on the move and that was Narrowboat Sanguine. Unfortunately we met Jan and Tony on a bend after they came out of bridge 'ole and we ended up taking some of their water as we tried to get round a shallow bend. It is always difficult when the canal is shallow and we need deep water, especially on a bend. Hopefully we will see them again somewhere and I will make them a cuppa to make up for taking their water. 
With so few boats moving, I am wondering if it is because the season is no in full swing, or because people have decided to stay put because of the virus. I can understand if they have underlying health issues, that they stay put and we have friends who are actually doing this, they are putting themselves into self-isolation. We have contacted CRT and they have said that the waterways are open, so we will carry on cruising until we either have to go into isolation or are told otherwise by CRT. Boating is actually an excellent way to self-isolate, because we will be able to moor in the middle of no where and sit it out. We have supplies on board and as long as we can get water and empty the loo we will be absolutely fine. 

We will stop in Wolverhampton tonight and hopefully head off down the Wolverhampton 21 tomorrow.

Pop back soon xxx

Day 11: Tipton to Hawne Basin, Halesowen, 6.5 miles, 3 locks, 2 tunnels, 3hrs 40mins.

Dear family, friends and followers.

After a fantastic weekend at the Malthouse Stables, it was time to leave in the beautiful sunshine. We left at 8.35 am.

We headed off down Factory Locks.

It did not take us long to descend the three locks. We were out of the bottom lock at 9.05 am. We turned at the Dudley Port turn and headed for Netherton Tunnel.

IN

OUT

We turned left at Windmill End Junction and headed for Hawne Basin.

Gosty Hill Tunnel is very low and slow, so we have to take off our water cans, exhaust chimney and stove chimney to get through.

On arriving at Hawne Basin, we took on 171 litres of diesel, and then moored alongside small Woolwich Atlas for the night. We are looking forward to catching up with friend Pam and Andy who moor in the basin and I am also looking to a nice deep bath later. I have my bubble bath ready and waiting.

With the currant situation with the Coronavirus, we have taken the decision not to go to the Easter gathering at Ellesmere Port. We suspect it will probably get cancelled anyway. But we wanted to make the decision ourselves. It is really such a shame for anyone who has organised events. I will put out a plea whilst you are reading my rambling. Please look out for your neighbours young or old and just shop normally, there is no need to panic buy.

A few weeks ago a friend who Winter moors in the Saltisford Arm had a boat fire. He thankfully managed to get out of his boat and was taken to hospital due to the affects of smoke. At the moment he cannot live on his boat, because it needs work doing on him, which is being paid for by his insurance, but Dave had no contents in his insurance package. The council have put him into a dwelling which is totally unsuitable for a man in his 70's with serious health issues and no family, so a friend has opened a GO FUND ME page, so that Dave can buy clothes, bedding and other items which will help him get back on his boat, when it has been repaired by another amazing friend Simon. 
There is always someone worse off than ourselves.

Will catch up later.

Pop back soon xxx

BCN Clean Up.

Dear family, friends and followers.

We have had the most wonderful weekend with the gang for the BCN Clean Up. We moored at the Malthouse Stables and joined a lot of others for a weekend of grappling.

On Saturday our group (there were 2 groups) started in the morning on the top Ridgeacre lock on the Walsall canal, and grappled down to the bottom lock. My first captures was the trolley in the photograph above. It was actually rather nice with cast iron wheels. I had visions of cutting the wheels off and using them in our garden, but sadly it went for scrap. We got mostly trolleys from Asda.

The footbridge we are standing under with the trolleys was the worst place and is right next to Asda, we pulled out 39 trolleys there.

After lunch we did from a section between Tame Valley junction towards Walsall Town arm. We got a lot of tyre's out. Unfortunately the afternoon was cut short because of three groups of teenagers, who were riding motor biles up and down the towpath, being abusive and spitting. They were trying to be argumentative by pushing the rubbish back into the canal, so we were all pulled off site, so our day was cut short.

Today I did not go out with the group I stayed behind to help clean-up and make sandwiches, but those who did go out did a section of the Tame Valley canal starting from Tame Valley junction. Worn out now but very satisfied. Thank you to everyone who made it a brilliant weekend.

Pop back soon xxx

Day 7: Blowing a hooley.

Dear family, friends and followers.

Blimey what a rock and roll evening and there was absolutely no music involved. The only sounds we could hear, was the sound of the wind howling around the boat and waves lapping at the stern. Every now and again we would have a swift downpour of rain, just to keep it interesting. Then, there I was sleeping, all be it badly when at some ungodly hour a boat went past us. Now it has to be said you are allowed to boat at any time of the day and night, but when it is blowing a hooley, I would have thought whoever it was would have been safely moored up at such an hour. Anyway, I hope where ever they were going they got there safely.

Having had a somewhat disturbed night, I was ready for my first brew of the day at 7 am. With BBC WM on and of course the virus being the top topic on the news and all about panic buying, I bought up the subject of the fact that we needed toilet rolls. There had been non in Aldi, which we could use, because neither of us can use the ones with Aloe Vera in them. So we decided we would walk into Tipton and go to the Co-Op to see if they had any toilet rolls on the shelf. It turned out they only had a few packets left and so we managed to get a pack we can use. There was a notice on the shelving asking that people only take three of any item at one time, which I thought was way to much. Sure one item is plenty. This also applies to hand sanitizer and hand gel, which they had non. No one needs to bulk buy unless they have chronic diarrhea. People need to stop being so selfish and give a bit of thought to others, who may actually be in more need of items and yet cannot get hold of anything. Anyway we bought a couple of other things whilst there and went and paid for our items. I got chatting to the lady serving us and she told me it had been crazy how much people were trying to purchase and when asked to put things back, they got very aggressive. At the end of the day any staff are just doing their jobs and so being aggressive with them is just out uncalled for. Secondly there is no need to panic buy.

The soul topic of conversation at the moment seems to be the Coronavirus. You cannot get away from it. It is in the news in the papers ( I do not read them), even just in general chitchat with friends and people we meet. It is all over social media as well and I was reading something a friend put on her Facebook and thought I would share it with you. I apologise if you have already seen it, but I thought it was rather good at explaining all about the virus.

So there’s lots of people from the health service telling everyone that washing your hands is the best way to defeat Covid-19, but lots of people (most?) seem to think that this is a bit silly. Like how the blazes can washing your hands be SO important, and how can it defeat a virus that’s causing so much havoc worldwide?? Well here’s the science bit, because I’m a nerd who likes to know “why” something happens.

The outer wall of a virus is made of lipids, they’re kinda like oils or fats, that’s a simple way of putting it. It’s called a lipid layer. Behind the lipid layer is the virus, it’s made up of proteins and RNA, which is kinda like DNA and it’s what lets the virus replicate. That’s really it, it’s that simple (unless you have a PhD and there’s a few on here with them, but this is for the rest of us who are a bit thick!). ☺️

So, what about the washing of hands with soap?? Here’s the part that nobody is being told, but it’s important (it’s especially important if your a nerd 👀). Soap is made up of loads and loads of lipids, it what makes soap feel so soft and smooth....😍 When you wash your hands really well you get all these lipids on your hands. So if you have Covid-19 on your hands the lipids in the virus wall start to break down, because the lipids in the virus lipid layer are soluble in the lipids in your soap on your hands.

So when you break down the lipid layer you end up destroying the proteins and the RNA. It’s kinda like years ago when your Dad used to clean a paintbrush with turpentine, it’s because the paint was soluble in turpentine.....it’s really that simple. Also, people are searching high and low for antibacterial soap....don’t bother. This is a virus, not a bacteria. Also, antibacterial soap is really just expensive soap. I’ve attached a pic of a virus, it’s a flu one but it doesn’t really matter. Break down the lipid layer with lipids in soap and you’ll kill the virus. YI hope this has been informative.
Feel free to share.

Onto the book I am reading 'The Mill House' by Susan Lewis. Wow it is brilliant. It really has me gripped. There is some erotic content, which is all in context with the book, so if you are of a delicate nature, then maybe it would not be for you. But I am personally really enjoying the book. It has me gripped because I want to know why Julia's father left her and what is the huge secret that no one wants her to find out. Her husband is playing a dangerous game with Sylvia and it will end in tears I think. I will let you know more as I get further into the book, which at the moment I am racing through. It is so well written.

Pop back soon xxx

Day 6: BCLM to The Malthouse Stables Tipton.

Dear family, friends and followers.

For dinner last night we went to the Chinese takeaway. Chopsticks is always fantastic value for money and the food is excellent.
Either it is a change of air, or I am getting old, but I was ready for my bed last night by 9.30 pm. I am sure it is the change of air and of course the more physical work I have been doing. I once again slept so well and only woke at 7 am because Keith was coughing. After our first cuppa of the day, we were up and about with a view to go food shopping first, because the museum does not open until 10 am. Having stoked the fire, we locked the boat up and set off with our trolleys for Aldi. The walk to Aldi is up hill, so that got the old heart pumping. Because we live such a slow pace of life on the water, it always amazes me how fast cars and lorries travel along the roads. We have not had a car since 2005 and to be honest we could not afford to have another car now. Because we travel so slowly on the canal, seeing cars on the road moving they appear to be going way to fast, which is quite scary.
Aldi was not that busy, but it was only 8.30 am. We did not need much and there was only a shortage of toilet rolls I could see. I did see a couple split up to do their shop so they could stock up on toilet rolls. He had two large packs and a few bits in his trolley and she picked up another large pack and put them into her trolley with a few other bits. He then went and paid for his shopping. Whilst she was at the checkout, he asked her if she had bought toilet rolls and could he have the car keys. It was there way of over buying on toilet roll, but why?
Anyway we bought what we needed and nothing more. Back down the hill to the boat, where I stowed our bit of shopping away, we had a coffee and then went into the museum.

It was really quiet. They had a few school parties in, but with them spread out the place seemed like a ghost town. Mind you it is early in the season.

There is a lot of work going on at the museum, with new paths and lighting going in.

The fun fair has been taken down, because long that area a whole new street is going to be built. It is unsure if the fun fair will be back, which is a real shame.

Boats in new places.

Spot Keith.
For lunch we got a portion of chips from the chippy and had it with leftover chicken balls from last nights dinner. You get ten huge chicken balls and that is one portion. Because there is no way we could eat them all, we had them with the chips for lunch and very nice they were to. The joy of going to the BCLM is we get to catch up with so many people we know. We had not seen them since last September, so there was plenty to chat about, whilst they worked.

Having said "Cheerio" to our friends we headed away from the museum, which we will see again probably next week.

We passed through Tipton.

Our mooring for the next few days is at the Malthouse Stables, Tipton, where we are helping out with the BCN Clean Up.
On the book reading front. I finished The Best Boomerville Hotel and I can completely recommend it as a good read. It was one of those books that was easy to pick up and put down. It had me laughing at times and there were sad bits as well, but if you get a chance give it a read.
I am now reading 'The Mill House' by Susan Lewis. How far would you go to hide the truth?
It is a story about Julia Thayne a successful mother and a beautiful woman. She is everything most other women strive to be. But beneath the surface is a terrible secret that threatens to tear her perfect world apart.
Joshua is Julia's husband - a dynamic, devastatingly handsome man with great style, charisma and humour. He is utterly devoted to his wife and children, but as the ghosts of Julia's past begin to move into their marriage, he finds himself losing the struggle to keep them together and so he has an affair. Then two telephone calls change everything.
Julia moves from London to a remote mill house in Cornwall, determined to break free from the past and save her fractured relationship with Josh. But it is here that she makes her own fatal mistake, and once more her marriage is rocked to its very foundation.
I am already gripped by this book and cannot put it down.

Pop back soon xx

Day 5: Birmingham to Black Country Living Museum.

Dear family, friends and followers.

Todays jaunt. 9.5miles, 3 locks in a time of 2 hours 50 minutes.

Having had a nice hot shower last night, we were in bed just after 9.30 pm, because we were both shattered. I personally slept like a log and woke at 7 am. I felt fully recovered after the exploits of yesterday. After breakfast and the usual morning boat chores, we left our over night mooring in Birmingham at 8.45 am and set off a long the Birmingham New Line.

It has been very evident that there are so very few boats moving at the moment, because it is early in the season.

We headed under the Engine Arm Aqueduct and on towards Factory Locks. The breeze was picking up, but it was incredibly mild after the chill of yesterday.

We arrived at Factory Locks and low and behold there was a boat in front of us. It was the first boat we had seen moving. He was a gentleman on his own and he suggested that we should go in front of him, because he was going to be slow.

We gratefully accepted his offer and so as we exited a lock, I went and set it for him to come up. I like to always set a lock for a boater who is behind us as long as I can see the boat. If they go out of my view then I will not set the lock, just in case they have decided to stop along the way.
We turned left at Factory Junction and wave to our friend Ann, who we will see tomorrow. She was having a cuppa with a friend on their boat.

Today's jaunt ended at The Black Country Living Museum, where we will stay for today. I want to empty a cassette, get rid of rubbish and top up with water tomorrow, because we will be mooring up for a few days tomorrow. You can learn more about what is happening if you keep popping in. We had a good journey today and are very much looking forward to this coming weekend.

Pop back soon xxxx