W&E Survey

Yesterday 29th CanalScape-BCN undertook a private survey of the Wyrley and Essington from Wolverhampton to Sneyd, the findings are published on the group website http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/CanalScapeBCN/

Black Country Living Museum

109 moved from Birmingham last Thursday to a mooring just outside the Black Country living museum, on the way she encountered a nasty obstruction at Summit tunnel, quite literaly part of the embankment had slipped and was floating in the canal! A massive piece of weed and roots which was only partly visible! 1.5 hours and with two boats pulling she got free, we reported the problem to BW.

The boaters gathering was superb with around 50 boats attending. A very full canal arm to say the least. Great atmosphere, boat, trains and good ale - and of course fish and chips, faggots and peas!!

Deja Vu

Today the trusty 109 set of from "The Boat" at Minworth to Birmingham, The B&F was well down and boat traffic was intense, a slow journey into the city. Arriving at Farmers Bridge top lock there was a sense of deja vu, this was the first time back in Brum since 2002, before mooring up we did the grand half mile down to Salvage turn (the Mailbox) and winded.

Huddlesford Gathering

The gathering at Huddlesford organised jointly by the Lichfield cruising Club and the Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Resoration Trust was a great success. Barnet reached the mooring via the Tame Valley and Birmingham and Fazeley canals. On Sunday she moved on to Fazeley where she spent the night in the safe haven of BW Peels wharf.

En-route to Huddlesford

Monday 14th 109 set out from NCD on its way to huddlesford for the LHCRT gathering. Route was NCD to Catshill, Daw end, Rushall, Tame Valley, Bham and Fazeley. Monday saw a Longwood overnight stop, tuesday they reached "the Boat" at Minworth. Daw End was sticky, depth OK but reed growth choking the sides after Aldridge so making little water available.

Rushall locks had an obstruction fouling the bottom lock gate, crew got this shifted and no further problems were encounterd, boat is currently drawing approx 3ft 2" so all those 2ft drafted boaters who complain about the Wyrley may need to think again!