Kustomcut

Been stuck in a loophole since last May but I am ready with a new crew this year. Unfortunately 2 of them have no locking experience and so with my planned non stop 24 hour and 83 locks to beat from last year may be asking a little much. Time to take them on a locking tour I think...... In the winter.

I never got a pic but when going up to chasewater we roped it up and towed it, got some shocked looks as we passed, we just couldn't wait to hand it over it just didn't fit anywhere lol

Been super busy so only just had chance to have a look and we are very happy with third place. Don't think I could have fit more in if I had tried, I did drop 20 points by missing a photo opportunity and also missing some of the treasure hunt questions. However don't think we could have fit much more in, I managed to do Titford large and small in the early hours and we did the full 24 hours straight through arriving at 7am,and a grand total of 83 locks I had a few beers early on but then fell asleep on the front in the sun and got a bit of a sunburn, after that we decided to get the boat back and headed out late afternoon and managing to get back to Lady Lane late Sunday night. Next year, yep count me in just hope I can find a crew who is willing to be tortured and do 24 straight through, I may even come bearing Pate again next year. Overall great experience and I think I have now done all of the BCN and love it all. Nice to see a few familiar faces and some new ones, next year ill try to come join in the partaking of beer a bit more. Thanks all for making the tub welcome again. Darren

Really enjoyed this year, got to go to Titford pools somewhere I have never ventured before and decided to do the full 24 hours straight through arriving at Hawne Basin just after 7am, I then proceeded to have a shower and fall asleep on the bean bag, no I am burnt and peeling but still very happy. We managed the route we planned and did a total of 83 locks more than we have ever done, so next time my kids say we cant do Lapworth and back in a day I will just scoff at them. The Orca we were passed took all the room on our boat so we towed him for a whilst before handing him back over on way down from Anglesey basin. All in all a very enjoyable time.

Well bar is open at Hawne

In stealth ,Mode no one will notice me

Ahh last years turtle was found by Chasewater and released after been told by CRT personnel they no longer took in turtles that were removed (even though they once asked for anyone seeing a turtle to do so)so he got released by star city, now not saying anything is wrong with that area but think we may end up with a case of mutant ninja turtles coming to real life soon . Wonder if he would help with the locks?

Hopefully enough cola sweets sugar and skittles will keep the young uns going

Been seeing all these posts popping up on my phone today and now having a good read and looking at the pictures. Really excited about this years and looking forward to seeing a few old an new faces. Sorting logistics' out for crew and heading up from Lady Lane to Brum city tomorrow where my youngest daughter will join me, Now before I make a complete mare of it all and I know this has been asked before, am I able to boat the full 24 hours non stop and arrive at 8am Sunday morning, not trying to be a hardcore boater just the fact on a 20ft tub we are in, there is not much in the way of sleeping unless we are all very close family or just very close. So my aim is to do 24 straight thru. Is this ok, obviously safety will always be paramount when boating in the dark but just trying to get a feel for how others view this, oh and maybe beat Clarrie to the bar.

Just wondering has the twitter feed restarted yet? never really got the hang of it. Although managed to setup our fundraising page https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Darren-Matthews8 All for Make-A-Wish Uk Look forward to seeing you all over the network and of course for a few beers at Hawne Basin. Also re Hawne Basin, can non boaters arrive at the end to say hello and look around? What is entrance postcode for those arriving via car (also to pick up the crew who have had enough)

Has anyone ever done the Dudley Tunel on the challenge?

May have missed completely but has the Cat done his online planner yet? I haven't even looked at a starting point as of yet this year

When we did this the first time in 2014, we decided to try to raise some money whilst having fun on the challenge. This year I am going to do that again and my chosen charity will be Make A Wish foundation anyone else trying to raise some money whilst on the challenge, I remember the greyhound/dog charity from our first year?

Anyone have any idea if the cat who walks by himself is doing a 2016 version of the planner? http://www.thecatwhowalksbyhimself.co.uk/bcnChallenge.php

Well I have sat in the background so far and after reading this decided why not, Carpe Vinum shall enter again in the little scuffed up tub. I have no idea of crew my kids vowed never to do it again and my wife decided to bugger off in October (didn't think the BCN challenge was that bad she would want to leave )but either way I will be around in some form or other. Time to send the form off I suppose and see who's interested.

According to the Cats calculator we got 254.5 points excluding any bonuses I did start at Birchills so a bonus start? But we got held up in the arm at the end was due to arrive 2.05 but finally handed in log book at 2.45. Plus questions/photos although the questions I thnk we were well off with a few. All great fun though.

As in 29th and 30th? If so yes I will be about my kids work there on the carvery so the 2 happy bunnies you saw over the challenge on the boat (1 each day) will be there we are always around over the weekend even if just playing taxi.

Great weekend had by us, seeing the convoy at the finish was a sight too. Really enjoyed it this year as my wife came along although I think she will not come along next year. Managed the initial plan and route I started with (minus titford pools) and got to see a couple of parts of the BCN i had never seen before. Again we were the only cruiser and majority of boats welcomed us along. Especially when we picked the lads up who were on crane and ferried them back to the finish. Just out of curiosity what was everyones lock count, we managed 68 not including the 19 getting there and back. Good to meet new people and if anyone is pottering around my neck of the woods shout and we can meet for a beer or few (that's the top stratford or sometimes NIA on weekends) Great pictures also.

A little off topic but are Canal and River Trust still removing turtles from the cut as we have just gained a team member up angelsey arm?

just arriving at chasewater!! struggled with the clue last year lets hope we have better luck this year!!

Passed Red Wharf earlier now heading up Cannock extension see you on the flight

Actually only 4 tubs left I must say it's nice with bread toast wine beer beer wine We have birchills all to our self see you on the way round

If I don't check in remember me as the fun dude on the little cruiser, note to oneself choose a starting point other than the northern bcn just out of curiosity how many heading up this way via Salford just hoping to have all the licks set when I'm heading down

Something strange going on up by Snead wharf we are, lots of people arriving in cars and disappearing into the undergrowth

How far is Sneyd from Birchills junction I don't fancy staying at Walsall top lock again this year Really sorry to hear that, hope you find a nice spot and if it is on the BCN give us a wave as we pass. Hopefully things will be better for next year?