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sarahavfc

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  6. BCN Challenge 2014 - 24 & 25th May

    in General Boating

    Posted · Edited by sarahavfc

    We covered about 70 miles and 65 locks in just over 23 hours, taking 20 minutes break to avoid the thunderstorm whilst going up Rushall and mooring up for 3 hours sleep at 5:30am at the top of Factory.

     

    We started from the Birchills at 8:00am having moored overnight alongside Lamprey in Pelsall. Our route took us down the Walsall flight, having to run a bit of water down as we went. We then quickly went up the town arm. We managed to complete the rest of the Walsall canal in about 2 hours and only picked up one blade full right at the end, which turned out to be a rather large fleece jacket. We met a couple of boats coming out of the Ryders Green flight and made good progress up the locks, though this is where we had our worst blade full, which was a lot of thin sheet metal, this was cleared and we completed the flight with no problems. We then set off towards Farmers Bridge completing the two loops on our way. We were quickly down Farmers with not another boat in sight. The weather looked to improve after Farmers, but then worsened as we reached the Ashted and Garrison flights. We had no problems on these flights and were soon on our way towards Perry Barr.

    We were pleased to see ‘Resolute’ coming out the bottom of Perry Barr. There were a couple of paddles out on the flight and the odd low pound, but we didn’t have too much trouble. The cans we’re filled up whilst in the top and we were on our way again. A black cloud seemed to be following us all the way to Rushall and as we entered the bottom lock the weather took a turn for the worst, after clearing Iona we decided to take a short break, whilst the worst of the storm cleared. The Rushall flight is probably one of my favourite stretches of canal so I was pleased that we decided to take the break at this point so that I could enjoy the rest of the flight without getting too soaked.

    Once the Rushall was completed we set off up the Daw End, recent dredging has improved navigation in most places which was pleasing. At this point we were about 2 hours ahead of schedule so we decided to head off to Anglesey Basin where we met Dove and Hampstead. By this point it was about 11pm, we quickly caught Hampstead and overtook them at Brownhills. This was the most enjoyable part of the challenge for me, a nice deep canal, late at night and the rain had given up.

     

    We then headed for the Cannock Extension, waving to my parent as we passed their house and said a quick hello to Lamprey. We turned into the Cannock Extension, winding at the grove and met Hampstead again as we headed back to the junction. The Cannock Extension took longer than anticipated as we spent time looking for the clue with a torch, I’m still not sure if we got it or not.

     

    We turned back on to the Wyrley and headed towards Wolverhampton, at this point I went to bed to get a few hours’ sleep, with Michael and Daniel taking shifts on steering. We decided to tie up at the top of Factory at about 5:30am, by this time I was wide awake, just as the boys turned in for a couple of hours sleep.

     

    Hampstead came past us at about 7:30am, I must thank Tiggers for waking us all up by shouting “Morning” at the top of her voice!
    After around a 3 hour break we set off for the run into Hawne Basin, we encountered something stuck behind the gates in the middle lock at Factory, but this did not set us back too much.

    We reached Hawne Basin at around 11:20am; we then winded and tied near to the entrance. The first thing to do was make the boys a big hearty breakfast before heading off to meet friends.

     

    Despite the rain we had a cracking weekend, the Challenge is my favourite event of the year and I’m already looking forward to next year.

  10. Should A Broker Declare That A Boat IS Overplated?

    in General Boating

    Posted

    I suppose if there were no proof who built a 20 year old boat one could change the registration document to indicate a more 'upmarket' builder and maybe get more money for it :unsure:

     

    Seems easy enough to me. Could even be done from new...

    Very easy to do and I know of a boat which is registered as being built by us, but is very defenitly not one of ours.

  14. 100 Norton Canes Narrowboats

    in General Boating

    Posted

    Hi all,

     

    I've redeveloped the website from scratch after a pretty fatal error.

     

    I still have the register and all the photographs, but I've not decided how I want to present the information yet. The website is work in progress and I've learnt as I've gone along in terms of building it so there are still things to go on, I've just not worked out how to do half of it yet. I'm also trying to fit it all in between work / boating / Aston Villa games / taking Lamprey to bits, etc. wink.png

     

    If anyone has any photos then I'd love to have them to put on the website (eventually).

     

    Sarah

    • Greenie 2

  15. Where "Not To Miss" On THe BCN?

    in Holidays Afloat

    Posted

     

    Day 2 Saturday -> Pelsall Junction. This will mean a long day of 9 hours and 21 minutes with the 21 locks. May have to stop a little earlier if we get held up.

     

     

    The only place I would recommend staying on this day, before Pelsall Junction is the Sneyd if there are moorings available outside the canoe club, otherwise I'd just carry on to Pelsall. You wouldn't really want to moor up in Goscote for the night. The stretch from the top of the 21 to Pelsall should only take you around 5 hours, probably less if you don't fowl the prop. Slacking off for bridge 'oles is the key.

  18. 'Registered at' - is it important?

    in New to Boating?

    Posted

    Seeing as I've learnt something from this thread it seems a relevant place to ask a question I've had on my mind.

     

    Archamedies has a cabin extension on her. Is this original? If so, what was its purpose?

     

    Not sure what it's current use is (possibly bathroom or galley), but it's not original.

  21. Who painted this can?

    in History & Heritage

    Posted

    Derek,

     

    I'm certain that it's a John Hill can. I have a couple painted by him and it is very similar.

     

    If it's the can I think it is (from an Antiques Centre in Shropshire...) then there is the remnants from a small rectangular sticker on the bottom. John always puts a gold sticker with his details on the bottom of his cans.

     

    Sarah

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