Ian Mac
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Posts posted by Ian Mac
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The whole point as I see the BCN challenge (both virtual and real) from the point of view of the organisers is two fold.
1) it is to get the canals used that is why the bonus scheme exists so that the less used canals give you more points,2) to prove to other boaters that actually the BCN is somewhere well worth exploring, and that it is as safe if not safer than any other place on the cut.
To achieve these aims they have to encourage a wide range of people to join in.
There are those that attend to win. There are those that are there for the Beer, and other for the camaraderie or some both.
There are those that attend because its a fun, and/or a personal challenge, and others who do it because they see it as the right things to do and want to uphold the organisers aims. I fall into this later category, well I would have to say that, using one of the deepest draught boats to use the BCN, 2.5mph is so much faster that my wildest dreams when planning normally, 1mph for the Daw end is what I use.
So this challenge has been no different than any of the other challenges I have attended, in the past, I did not do it to win, but to travel canals I wanted to bag. I failed to touch the Lichfield and Hatherton, because hopefully within my lifetime I will be able to do these for real
It has been illuminating just how the competitive ones go about winning.
Personally I think the time has come to change how the points are now distributed, rather than a fixed system which definitely favours the NE segment, and doing lots of locks, I would make it a lot harder, I would have satellite tracing in real time, visible to all, and points for being the furthest away from other competitors, this would mean that the whole system would be more used. How is that for a radical idea?
In all the times I have done the challenge this is only the second time I have reached the end point, normally we are stuck with a bladeful somewhere near Walsall or some such place
Again I would like to thank those that put this together and all those others over the years that have done the real comp, it is not easy and it can seem to be thankless, but you are achieving your aims, I think so please carry on .-
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One thing this virtual challenge has really brought home to me is just how the scenery has changed, even in the last 50 years. It has gone from sparse barren industrial with open panoramic views across the area, to tree enclosed urban housing,or white boxes, in lots and lots of places, with hedges and trees everywhere. The Canals have become very green corridors. It is now so very very different, even from when I was a lad, and going back 100 and 200 years it is amazing what the differences are.
Contrast and compare!-
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I'm well impressed with a score of over 500 well done Team Indigo Dream ?
And well done to the other 5 teams which beat us and to all the other teams for being part of the great event.
I for one have learnt a lot and I will be sending a donation in tooThe BCNS do not have a clickable link where you can donate but you can do so via online banking by using these details:
BCN Society
Barclays Bank
Sort Code 20-84-13
Account Number 60176419Also this forum does not run on fresh air and could do with some help too. If you wish to donate to the forum you can do so here:
https://www.canalworld.net/forums/index.php?/store/category/6-make-a-donation-to-canal-world/
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Total tallies for NB StyxL are we covered 80.7 Miles and operated 86 Locks
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Its a good job they brought all that Mild
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So back to the real world of "Goat Zooming"
For more details see and booking
https://www.cronkshawfoldfarm.co.uk/goatsonzoom-1
also read
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Well its been hard work and fun we have all learnt a lot.
I'm going to have a beer or three now, and I would like to thank my crew, @captain birdseye Richard Nichols and Andy Cutting for their help and moral support, Its been fun.
just got to work out how to get the Boat and Hos' home now
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Saturday 10th May 4.45pm
Bradley Loop
We carry on along the loop and passing under Bradley Lane the canal does a sharp right turn, we smell a bar-b-Que! we wander around Bradley Hall and pass Britannia through Works home of Iron Man Wilkinson. Lots of activity flames and smoke., loaded boats everywhere There is a pit, with its own wharf and tramway, on our right and a straight bit of canal and Pothouse bridge, There is a short arm on the right. We dail 1912 into the " "Automat Sehnsucht" " again and wind, that is it. we turn our magic machine off and head back in the present towards the pump hose and Bradley Works we appear to be a tail ender, but hey ho! what fun we have all had. The beer seems to have arrived excellent!
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Saturday 10th May 4.15pm
Top of Bradley Mar Locks , Wednesbury Oak loop of Brindley's Old main line.
We left Bradley lock and hung a left and after about a furlong we joined the old Wednesbury Oak Loop the Hos' having passed under the two bridges at the junction left us to strap the boat round the junction to the left, being unloaded she heels over well. Soon there is a wharf with lots of coal boats being loaded on the offline side and then a bridge over the cut, Richard Leads the house under then over so the the hos' is now on the left of the boat, this is so we can enter the Wednesbury Oak Colliery Branch. Its yet another tight 90 degree junction into this short branch but we are getting quite good at them now.
A quick trot up the branch wind and then back to the main loop, where we have to send the hos and richard back whence they came to gain the towpath again, as we get the boat out of the branch.
On our way again, we soon get to the point where the cut off come in and the short length upto the Bradley Mar junction.
We set the "Automat Sehnsucht" to 1803 -
Saturday 10th May 4.15pm
Top of Bradley Locks , near the Wednesbury Oak loop of Brindley's Old main line.
We left the "Automat Sehnsucht" set at 1912 and returned back up the Walsall Canal and turned left up the Bradley Locks cut , at Moorcroft Junction. One does not realise just how few trees there were back in these times, we now think of canal as tree lined corridors, back back in 1912 there is a basic fence and that is it between you and the almost barren lunar landscape. It is very poor grass that grows on this slag heap polluted ground.
We soon rattle up Bradlley locks and reach the Rotton Brunt Cutoff. We are going to head left here towards Tipton to start with.Had a bit of a put us on to keep us going till we arrive at our final destination
This really would be a great bit of canal to restore. this is the view of the canal as it is currently, thanks Mr Googlemaps. it also may explain why are hos' got spooked coming up the flight.
please see https://www.bradleycanal.co.uk/and their facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/bradleycanal/
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Saturday 10th May 3pm
Monway Branch , Walsall Canal
We have plodded back down the Walsall and past the line up to Bradley lock so we can visit the Monway Branch system. The Walsall is green enough these days but it still isn't treasured, especially by the locals.
On arrival in the approximate area of the Monway Branch we activate the "Automat Sehnsucht" set to 1912.
On the left is the Monway Iron & Steel works. We only go up to the branch system to the first junction where the branch splits into 3 arms, 1 long and 2 short. The long one goes past Brunswick Works, however none of the arms have anywhere to wind, or so we are told, so we turn here and leave the huge hive of industry.
As we leave the Arm there are basin on the offline side and a large chemical works generating horrible smells.
Credit Brunswick Works - The History Of Wednesbury facebook page.
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Saturday 10th May 2pm
Anson Branch Junction , Walsall Canal
We dropped off our remain packet with the lock keeper at the bottom lock and set of for the Anson Branch, were pass another old branch canal which use to go down to Shepwell Green past Little Island but it looks well derelict just a wharf now. The scenery is mainly farm land with the odd Slag heaps dotted about the landscape. We sail past another dead centre, as we go round one of the few corners on this canal. Ahead is the junction with the Anson Branch.
We plod down the Anson Branch to the Walsall Canal only the hos' is cutting a new path for us, as we are on the north side with him this time.
Once we have the horse safely back on the towpath of the Walsall after going across the junction bridge, we turn the "Automat Sehnsucht" off to let it recharge in the sunshine.
Can we claim extra points for this as we used the towpath on the other side when we did this length the other day?
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Saturday 10th May 1pm
Lock 7, Bentley Canal
Well the Neachell Branch was not that inspiring, one wharf off about half way along through plain farm land and slag heaps everywhere towards the end The Old pit of Neachell Hall is still standing but does not look that productive.
The same can be said about the run down to Lock 7 Farm land to the North and slag heaps to the south.
This is a parliamentary canal - one of the three which were required to be built to enable the act of union between the W&E and the BCN. The other two being Walsall and Rushall.
All three follow the same pattern of long straight lengths with fast locks, we are enjoying strapping the boat into the locks and using the starting pins. Its great having all the lock furniture still in place and functional.Postscript
For a really good look at all the picture about the Bentley canal see @Capt Ahab video -
Saturday 10th May 12:15pm
Wednesfield Junction, Wyrley & Essington Canal
Well a pleasant trip down to lock 6, we drop off our packet at the lock house 246. Chatting to the lock keeper he tells us that the National Winner was "Royal Mail" and that he had had a few pence on the Hag.
Just below lock 6 is the Neachell Branch which we are now going to explore.Sneaked in a salad for Lunch, well after such a heavy breakfast! Oh and a teacake and scone, with real butter - yum yum
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Saturday 10th May 11:15am
Wednesfield Junction, Wyrley & Essington Canal
Well we have arrived safe and sound and we passed the test of the Curley Wyrley, with a Hos' boat. Rockery Bridge was not a real test although maybe having some weight in the StyxL would have helped her to swim a bit.
We are about to do something which I have not done for nearly 50 years, since I was a teenager, Go down Bentley Locks. The last time I did this was on a camper boat from Willow Wren and we had nicked the Paddle gear of the redundant and half filled in locks at Smethwick so we could operate this flight. We did not get that far down just to the head of the forth lock. It is such a shame that this canal was lost. I can remember a party of councillors coming from Wednesfield to inspect the new Water channelled Rochdale canal in Manchester, they decided it was to costly for them, which is a shame as it would have saved the route, as it is they just put a pipe in it and filled it in. This does mean that developers cant easily build on top of the line, but hey ho! It is there loss.
Having passed through the Stop and strapped round the corner we activate the "Automat Sehnsucht" set to 1937, we chose 37 because there would be lots of industry working hard, ramping up in case of a war in the future. Also the Neachell Branch should still be open and in water
If we do this again I'm going to read some old papers and find out who won the Grand nation is certain years., so I can have a bet next time
We have a word with the lock keeper in his house at the top lock, and he has a packet for the guy in the next lock cottage at lock 4, and another package for the keeper at the bottom lock, his is the cottage nearest him, the other cottage is the length, does seem to like him!
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Saturday 10th May 10:40am
Ashmore, Wyrley & Essington Canal
10:40 Well that's the first two tests out of the way Olinthus bridge, and Devils Elbow Bridge. Boating with a horse boat is always interesting, especial at blind corners and junctions. The number of times you hear comments like go back, hard reverse now with lots of waving etc. is amazing. We have Richard out front with the Hos' and he has a shunters Horn, this is not only to warn other boaters of our approach, but to warn us of their antics. Fortunately we had no trouble at these two tricky little navigation tests this morning, but there are others to come.
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Please remember if our reading this, is that the BCN Challenge normally supports the BCNS who do a wonderful job of promoting the BCN. Beacuse this years real tour is not happening they will be getting low on funds, so it would help them immesly if you where to give them a donation
The BCNS do not have a clickable link where you can donate but you can do so via online banking by using these details:
BCN Society
Barclays Bank
Sort Code 20-84-13
Account Number 60176419Also this forum does not run on fresh air and could do with some help too. If you wish to donate to the forum you can do so here:
https://www.canalworld.net/forums/index.php?/store/category/6-make-a-donation-to-canal-world/
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Saturday 10th May 10am
near Short Heath Branch Junction, Wyrley & Essington Canal
We are all still a bit on the delicate side, but we are making a break for it. Looking forwards to doing this length, hope the cut is quiet, don't want to be meeting oncoming traffic on some of these turns with a horse boat! People just don't know what to do! The number ot time you get told to stop, put it into reverse etc. is unbelievable!-
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Saturday 10th May 9:45am
near Short Heath Branch Junction, Wyrley & Essington CanalWe now understand the flashing red lights on the "Automat Sehnsucht" it means the batteries are flat and its about to dump you back in the current time phase. So we have the solar panels in full Sun, getting it ready for later on
What we all need now is Three Square Meals and time to assimilate it.
I'm have a second Breakfast , it may clear my head a bit more.
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Saturday 9th May 9am
near Short Heath Branch Junction, Wyrley & Essington CanalWhat a night that was, we had us tea, sorted the hos' out and headed of for the United Kingdom, a Lane Head. we set the "Automat Sehnsucht" for 1945 and and came off the cut. Well actually your right next to the Bridge Tavern so it seemed wrong not to pop in there first, what a riot, anyway we fell in with a group of blokes who said we should do all the pubs in the village, next one up was The Swan, they said. I now realise this is really handy if you moor up in the Short Heath Branch, next up was The Duke of Cambridge, followed by The Woolpack Inn, then The Lame Dog.
We started heading back then but could not miss the Royal British Legion, which was buzzing, but the beer was no good, then we wandered into the Liberal Club a full on dance was going on here, great time. Made our way back towards the Cut and the United Kingdom, they were still well open, got our Medium Pork Scratching, which were brilliant. Had several more scoops and then some bottles to take out, headed back, stareing at the red flashing lights on the "Automat Sehnsucht" wondering what that meant. -
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The Short Heath Branch is sometimes refereed to as Holly Bank basin, and interesting academic discussion can be held over the precise definition of basin vis-à-vis a branch, certain some of the arms we have navigated this week could be open for this debate, but not this one Hadfield, defines it as a branch.
Having left the Hos' on the Mainline , we shaft up to the far end, a pleasant and easy experience, and then back to the junction. This is one of the places where Lord Vernon brought his coals by tramway, after he failed to find adequate water to feed his Essington Locks Branch.
At the Junction we call it a night and get the grub out. We may activate the portable "Automat Sehnsucht" later and walk back to the United Kingdom. The original plan was to set the device to 1969 and be able to sample the wonderful home made pork scratching, however given the date, we have a new time to set the magic machine to
One of the great things we have enjoyed on this trip is the provision of stabling, its all over the place, one can either swap your horse, borrow one and just have it looked after. So it might not just be us that is out on the town tonight. -
We retrace our route back under the LNWR railway , past Double Bridges Junction and then down Syned Locks, once back on the 'Hampton level we turn the "" off and proceed towards Hampton.
We pass the United Kingdom public house currently shut and carry on to the junction with the Short Heath Branch
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The Virtual BCN Challenge 2020
in General Boating
Posted
I found it fascinating that the Tipton green canal was built first and went down the hill further that it did by 1900, when the last few locks had become disused. and the communication link had been built. Did they have to be abandoned back then or not? Or are they still legally open? An interesting research project for those that like going to Kew. I also became intreged by the arm which went off just below the mainline as it too appeared to have locks on it in once source I skimmed by.