Kustomcut

8 am Birchills junction , we are now two thirds of the way up Anglesey arm. we have passed a convoy of boats on the W&E so for us its back down Anglesey and then Perry bar ! see you all at some point !

Ok all I just tweeted a pic like this. As some may be aware this is our first time on the challenge and also I think a first for a plastic tub taking part. Like everyone else we are buzzing. Now for the Glenlivet,......, unopened and available for the highest donation made to our just giving page from any of you guys. So if interested goto http://www.justgiving.com/BCN-Challenge make a donation (any amount) put your boat name in the comments/notes and at hawne Basin on Sunday the highest donator gets the bottle.If no donations I will just add to the buffet table at the end.... If it goes for £5.00 so be it I don't drink the stuff Also don't forget the pate we have freshly made chilli pate, im sure as we leave Birchills we will pass a load of you coming up from Perry Barr??? If so and you want some just holler. Finally good luck and have a fantastic day, Carpe Vinum Darren Stacey & Megan

The fireman have been around Walsall locks we now moored at top lock, we narrowly missed the fridge unfortunately no beer in it we are now in a rather rough looking pub called the navigation right by top lock anyone heading our way !

Carpe Vinum just arrived in Birmingham, moored at the side of Malt House Pub (by NIA) waiting for my deck hand to head out to our start point, saw Albion on the way in. Who else is around?

I will be by the nia about 10am lemme knowwhere n when I then have to off out to my start point

Hi All, I worked out hopefully all the required addresses needed to make your location on the map correct, (Unlike team red Wharf who are currently in Birmingham Alabama ) Anyhow download a PDF from this link http://1drv.ms/SnDbXD and type the addresses when moving pins as per the 3 column's. If you can print it out you will have a handy copy to use, if you want I will print a dozen and leave them in the toilets at farmers bridge top lock? Let me know if you want me to do this I will be there by about noon tomorrow. I have also included a picture so they are here. Any problems holler and the input works fine for me on an ipad.

I told you my route ages ago lol, will be on all far flung reaches, if I get lock times of approx. 30 seconds each I will complete all on time Now to finish the team T - Shirts then head over to the boat a little later. Final checks then startout Friday am. #exitement

Ok for the next 10 mins I have updated my "pin" on the interactive map to show my start point for Sat 8m

I suppose most people would class a 20ft GRP cruiser in the lock and obstruction???? That is me

Pate all done and chilling 8 x regular chilli pate and 8 x hot chilli pate. The regular is made up of the usual pate ingredients chicken liver, onion, garlic, and of course chilli, then flambé with Martell Brandy, the hot is the same more chilli but flambé up with Jura whiskey. If you fancy some just holler when you see me, although my route is ruined due to perry barr locks

Might be easier if you post it out so all have a copy, I manually did them all today skiving off today Hopefully they end up in the right place they seemed too

Starry posted a link for viewing and when she has added you to the map you will get a second link, the second link is the one for editing your location on the map, my post above also contains a download link for a PDF with all the addresses you should need for pretty much all the network, just enter as I have marked the columns in the map and hey presto you move. But you must be added by Starry first and get the link.

Head up to the Bluebell and say hi to Alan Fox (gaffer), if you up to it try a mega mixed grill you will not need to eat for the rest of the challenge. Also on another issue when we input to the map we ideally need postcodes etc, when you login using the link Starry gave us to change location I have added a file here that shows what to enter to get your pin in pretty much the correct place have a look and lemme know what you think, feel free to cut and paste here also. https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resid=6E8B56387BC863B5!2352&authkey=!APZGkFbnf3n7ggs&ithint=file%2c.pdf Hope it helps and saved Starry having to manually move all the pins cause we don't know postcodes or correct location names for the map.

On the map but im missing out you are all passing me via Lapworth, no moving for me till Friday am to Deep Cuttings then onward to start point.

Just drink it quick no rain can then get in the Gin

Id be up for that although I think we maybe a little late with the challenge on he weekend.

I have planned my route as a path in google adding waypoints and markers to the map. I then switch off all the normal google earth tags and you can do a flyby of the route. I got bored then as it was taking too long to fly by the route but I am also now realising I can turn the whole thing into a bit of a story on the challenge by taking piccies on a gps enabled device along the way, then after the challenge removing the files and placing them on the map according to the co-ordinates thus creating a bit of a mini preview of our chosen route. I have decided to take a break as a bit of excitement wee came out, finish work go home and I have more work to do unfortunately. Before I can get back to planning.....

No wheels that I saw it was however floating happily hundred yards or so from the Wharf a Hockley, we actually stopped for a few bevvies then headed back to Lady Lane (my home moorings)

France eh is that why Albion was under lock and key on Sunday afternoon?

Im up for it boat name best I think,Carpe Vinum

In that case can I get the online tool enabling lock times of 4 mins I will then proceed to beat the crw unles this is hit on every lock.

I will drop a few quid towards the phone, how do you want to be paid? Cash on the day or I can Paypal if needed? Also what are peoples thoughts on average lock times?

Quick update we took a decorated Carpe Vinum for a little patrol on the Stratford canal yesterday and passed NB Firefly who after we shouted and told them we were on the challenge hollered back, also saw Albion moored up but all locked up so couldn't introduce ourselves. We have some bits of bunting on the boat so should be recognisable and hoping to have some basic tshirts printed up for the weekend so we will be easily recognisable. I have looked at Twitter and due to previous usage will probably have a go but more than likely just update my FB feed as and when so the few that have sponsored us can keep track. I will also pop on and off the forum. But a beer in one hand steer with the other means these updates could be few and far between. I am also wondering where people will be starting on the network and how many are at the bonus start stages? Salford junction and a dozen boats would be a sight id like to see, I can say with honesty I am not starting from one of the bonus start stages. Will keep trying the tweet thing and look forward to the activity on here over the next few days.

I will attempt to use map my walk today and share on my Facebook feed although will it pick me up travelling from the beer garden to the bar and back?

Well as a first timer I suppose a round may be forthcoming. I will also be handing out to any who care to try some of my home made pate (chilli pate) I will bring whatever if any is left to the buffet. If anyone wants any pate for the challenge let me know and ill arrange a convenient place to exchange, or leave for you Really looking forward to this as I fly out to Spain on the Tuesday am so for me it is a prequel to our holiday. Although I will be leaving early Monday am to slog back to lady lane then rush home and pack for holiday. Also being the only cruiser I will moor I think off to a side so no crush from all the steel boats As for food on the journey, anything and everything from bacon, to Steak Dianne I think.......