Team NB Styxl - Virtual BCN Challenge 2020 Cruise Log

[TheBiscuits]

I love the lifejacket hung off the emergency stop button, making both of them useless. 

 

[Ian Mac]

We have come about a mile now through open country to Summer Hill with its Foundry and pits, to our Right is the Ocker Hill Branch, the flow out of the arm does not seem to bad so we are off up here.  we are on the edge of the escarpment looking out over the coalfields  towards Bilston and Willenhall There is smoke rising everywhere. We can see the St Marks Church as we approach the Pumping Houses. Also very visible is the Ocker Hill Power station.

The Parish Church of Saint Mark, Ocker Hill Tipton is rooted firmly within the Catholic tradition of the Church of England. The parish was created in 1845 as part of the Diocese of Lichfield, under the Episcopal care of the Bishop of Ebbsfleet The building dates from 1849 and is dedicated in honour of Saint Mark the Evangelist and is yet another example of "An Act To Make Better Provision For The Spiritual Care of Populous Parishes."  enabled by Queen Victoria.

 

https://cdn.collectionsbase.org.uk/gb146/p-photos/phs3639.jpg
http://www.historywebsite.co.uk/articles/Tipton/ockerhill2.jpg

Edited May 7, 2020 by Ian Mac
play with images

[cheshire~rose]

On 05/05/2020 at 12:05, Scholar Gypsy said:

Here's a photo I took of the Cape Arm a year or two ago. A bonus point if anyone can work out why ?  You can see the canal in the background...


 

Start of the build of the Midland Metropolitan Hospital build by Carrillion as a PFI then taken over when they went bump 

Happy Birthday to Mrs Mac 

[cheshire~rose]

On 06/05/2020 at 11:59, captain birdseye said:

Up early and off to get th'hos what we had left pegged to the towpath overnight only to find he had found some burrs to play in. we will have to get these out of his mane and tail

before we can set off.

 

I think in your case that is the equivalent of a bladeful! 

[Scholar Gypsy]

3 minutes ago, cheshire~rose said:

Start of the build of the Midland Metropolitan Hospital build by Carrillion as a PFI then taken over when they went bump 

Happy Birthday to Mrs Mac 

That's pretty good. Actually taken June 2018, a few months after Carillion went bust and the PFI fell apart. My job (in Dept for Health) was to get the work started again.  Andy Street on the left. The Chief Executive (Toby Lewis, far right) was very keen to find a way to use the canal as part of the project.  

[Ian Mac]

People have been asking about our ability to travel in various time periods. We are using the new "Automat Sehnsucht" a machine which generates a shift in the total time continuum.

 (From German:  Sehnsucht (n.) Definition: A wistful longing and yearning in the heart for travels past and future. Automat: Machine)

The current machines only can travel reliably to a period back in time of about 300 years. We have been recommended that we do not go back beyond 1769. Because we are using a horse boat, this added extra problems so our unit comes in two basic parts We have the main portable!! time field generator , which generated the base field, then we have this complex bit of kit which allow the propulsion to be converted to a time shift phase. This replaces the towing mast.
Please can the next one have a lubby.

We have taken some extra pieces , these  allow each person to have their own Personal Temporal Distorter, so they can operate the locks, drink beer. etc, whilst they remain within range of the time field generator
All credit to The Imperial Empyreanautical, Cryptogeographical & Chrononautical Society who provided our kit so quickly

[Ian Mac]

We attempt to blag our way in but the guys are not having any of it, put it is all very clean and polished in there by the looks of it. We wind at the fork of the basins around the pump houses  and the water really starts to move, they appear to have brought another two pumps up to speed.

[Ian Mac]

We fly back down the branch, the hos' thinks this is wonderful he is hardly pulling at all. At the end we strap round onto the Wednesbury Oak loop again,  The toll keeper is a bit bemused - why did we go up empty and come back empty?

 

This has set me thinking I wonder what the actual process of dealing with the tolls is, the man in the toll office we know a bit about, and he records this in a ledger. But what happens next, how is the ledger processed, are just laden boats recorded, how do the ledgers get to the office and how is a bill issued? lots of questions.

We go past St John Church and round yet another corner, we can see across the valley to where we were just half an hour ago!  Brindley certainly understood his contours.

 

St John's Church Tipton, this is the original church for Tipton, being the centre of the ancient parish church of Tipton, now called St John's (originally St Martin's) in Upper Church Lane which runs alongside the Brindley's original Canal from Wolverhampton and Birmingham.  The original church is thought to date from the 13th or 14th century but was completely rebuilt in the 17th and 19th centuries. Its tower has a sundial which is inscribed 'This steeple was built anno domini 1683.

[Ian Mac]

We pass yet more mines and wharf there are tramways everywhere most look derelict now. Arriving at Wednesbury Oak Works we take a right and head for the top of Brades Locks, we pass the locks on our right and carry on along the Rotton Brunt line and pick up the Brindley line again.

[Ian Mac]

We wind the "Automat Sehnsucht" back even further to 1802 this is so we can Bag the Bradley Mar Branch. Turning right we enter this private canal, all seems quite, but the air is thick with smoke drifting in from the Northwest, presumably from Iron Man Wilkinson Bradley Hall Works. We drop down a couple of locks,  find a basin, wind and retreat, before someone says something. At the junction we turn left and head back towards Bradley Locks setting the "Automat Sehnsucht" back to 1920. That was all a bit exciting!!!! Maybe if we do this again we will be a bit braver, and prepared. Maybe we will have a machine which we can dial more  highly defined date than just the year!

[Ian Mac]

The Wednesbury Oak loop heads off to the right and we take the Rotton Brunt cut-off line to the top of Bradley Locks. Yet another right angle junction where we have to strap round, the top lock is in front of us with the lock keepers house on the left. We rattle down the first six lock a lovely tight flight, although some of the gates are showing there age, the lock keeper is following us and racking up.

Just below the bottom lock an arm goes off on the off towpath side, its too tempting, especially after flying down the Ocker Hill Branch, its dead straight and about 1000ft long, we shaft our way down it and then back up again. Once back we attach the Hos' again and we back on plan! This a longer pound , but we soon enter the bottom three locks, there is a large wharf system above the bottom Lock, and a railway goes over the pound carrying yet more GWR frieght. In the future it will carry the Birmingham Metro. Windlasses away now, and we soon arrive at Moorcroft Junction, where we strap round to the left, and turn the "Automat Sehnsucht" off.

[Ian Mac]

This is the Walsall Canal we potter along past the Moxley Tip, there are rumoured to be whole Bolinders tipped in here, maybe one day, we will discover more. We then opt to do the Bilston Branch another dead dead short lived branch so we set the "Automat Sehnsucht" to 1822 and romp up and down this arm which runs parallel to Darleston Brook and gives access to several coal mines. The locals say there is not that much coal left here. It peters out near a small hillock. Past the end of the Willenhall branch, but that is not for today, we have already been off piste once today This is a dreadful length lots of social housing on one side and a big dual carriage way on the other we are in a little corridor of green, we carry on into the and of the nondescript shed  As we approach the railway Aqueduct we power up the "Automat Sehnsucht" again set to 1920, we are going to go left at this junction,the roving bridge is a good way before it, being our side of the aqueduct, the junction is on the far side. I wonder if it was always thus, no time to play with the "Automat Sehnsucht" . This roving bridge was stolen in modern times I believe.
Also in modern times the tunnel under the motorway was made just big enough to fit a weed cutter through, I suspect it would not have cost any more to make it full size, so short sighted. They had to cut the weed as the branch supplied water to the power station.

Moxley Village - created to serve the surrounding coal pits and iron works in the Mid 19th century. rapid expansion then happened and the parish church of All Saints was built in 1851, and had a successful face-lift in 2006-7. The layout and decor enhance all our worship activities, on Sundays and on weekdays for weddings and funerals. It has a church code of 620171

In Honour of Major General Sir Reg

Edited May 7, 2020 by Ian Mac
Forgot to put in about tyhe boring trip up the Bilston branch,

[Ian Mac]

The days journeys end is not far away now. We have entered the Anson Branch, this is a very long straight canal with a bit of a turn at the far end where the original wharf are. The wharfs are by Reeds Wood Park, a public park which is part of Walsall corporations estate. It also has an excellent outdoor pool. Don't know if we have our trolleys with us, don't think skinny dipping will be allowed
Narrow mines Tramway brings coal down to the terminal wharfs from a number of pits to the north and west. As we go up the arm there is a large quarry on our left with a tramway coming down to the cut side. Boredom over we have reached the wharfs we wind A small brook runs under one of the basins this is Syned Brook, We hasten back to the main Walsall canal to spend the night near the "Dead Centre" of Walsall.

We have spent an enthralling day, travelling though the West Midlands conurbation and seeing how it has changed over time. Starting in the delightful town of Tipton, Staffordshire and end our journey near the imposing James Bridge Cemetery , Walsall. We look forwards to the sun rising in the East tomorrow and it shining on our backs as we travel onwards.

It will be the emergency bottle night tonight there is absolutely nothing here and never was, a poor choice for an over night stop, the Crew are getting mutinous.

 

Some of todays entries have been in honour of Major General Sir Reginald Kerr, K.B.E., C.B., M.C., M.Inst.T.
long live the commission.

credit -the facebook group Reedswood park open air swimming baths

https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2274184

[Scholar Gypsy]

2 hours ago, Ian Mac said:

We pass yet more mines and wharf there are tramways everywhere most look derelict now. Arriving at Wednesbury Oak Works we take a right and head for the top of Brades Locks, we pass the locks on our right and carry on along the Rotton Brunt line and pick up the Brindley line again.

Thank you, it's been taking me a while to work out where the Rotton Brunt line was....

[tarboat]

47 minutes ago, Scholar Gypsy said:

Thank you, it's been taking me a while to work out where the Rotton Brunt line was....

It would have helped if Mac had written Bradley Locks instead of Brades which is somewhere entirely different. We know what he meant though. ?

[Ian Mac]

1 minute ago, tarboat said:

It would have helped if Mac had written Bradley Locks instead of Brades which is somewhere entirely different. We know what he meant though. ?

Dyslexia can be fun - NOT, will correct and will add the bit I missed having got so excited about Moxley All Saints, forgot to mention we did the stub end branch which is called the Bilston Branch.

• Report post
•  
•  #90

Posted just now

 

[Ian Mac]

THis linky

https://www.google.com/maps/d/drive?state={"ids"%3A["1JU2HL8Wrf-AvJYob4sdRQD-Q-vfPPFBE"]%2C"action"%3A"open"%2C"userId"%3A"113417979001620319505"}&usp=sharing

may be the route we took on Thursday

and this linky

https://www.google.com/maps/d/drive?state={"ids"%3A["1ZwtjLOMmm_fzBs9QkJ94h-41EfFnvvFL"]%2C"action"%3A"open"%2C"userId"%3A"113417979001620319505"}&usp=sharing

is for wednesday

Edited May 8, 2020 by Ian Mac

[TheBiscuits]

 

35 minutes ago, Ian Mac said:

THis linky

https://www.google.com/maps/d/drive?state={"ids"%3A["1JU2HL8Wrf-AvJYob4sdRQD-Q-vfPPFBE"]%2C"action"%3A"open"%2C"userId"%3A"113417979001620319505"}&usp=sharing

may be the route we took on Thursday

and this linky

https://www.google.com/maps/d/drive?state={"ids"%3A["1ZwtjLOMmm_fzBs9QkJ94h-41EfFnvvFL"]%2C"action"%3A"open"%2C"userId"%3A"113417979001620319505"}&usp=sharing

is for wednesday

That's the wrong format for sharing - it only works for you when you are logged in.

 

Sorry, I don't know how you get to the correct link, but that's exactly what @HuggableHamster was doing with Team Rebellion.

 

Is there a "Share this map" link that will let you copy the link from?

 

Add a bit:

 

These are Rebellions -

if the link looks a bit like this: 

https://www.google.com/maps/d/drive?state={"ids"%3A["14DTZ6L-V-Dc2k2KlIsBdrtdTW5R36awN"]%2C"action"%3A"open"%2C"userId"%3A"112463924948273499364"}&usp=sharing

it only works for you.

 

If it looks a bit like this:

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=14DTZ6L-V-Dc2k2KlIsBdrtdTW5R36awN&usp=sharing

we can see it too.

 

On the toolbar at the left hand side there may be a SHARE button - if so pick share by email then just copy the link it creates for you.

Edited May 8, 2020 by TheBiscuits

[RebelMike]

Hello, it looks like you might be trying to share a vitual boat route track.  Is that something I can help you with?

 

Clippy's tips for sharing:

1) Ignore anything obvious like the bit that says "Copy Link" to share with other people

2) Make sure in sharing the map is set to "Anyone with the link" "Can View" (or you know, edit - but other teams would probably have too much fun if you did that)

3) Copy the link from the URL bar in your browser.  It should look something like: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=14DTZ6L-V-Dc2k2KlIsBdrtdTW5R36awN&ll=52.506154459438896%2C-2.0228148957248777&z=16

 

You'll notice the end of that link has a GPS position in it, so anyone that clicks the link will end up centred in the exact same place you are looking at when you copy the URL.

[David Mack]

7 hours ago, Ian Mac said:

THis linky

https://www.google.com/maps/d/drive?state={"ids"%3A["1JU2HL8Wrf-AvJYob4sdRQD-Q-vfPPFBE"]%2C"action"%3A"open"%2C"userId"%3A"113417979001620319505"}&usp=sharing

may be the route we took on Thursday

and this linky

https://www.google.com/maps/d/drive?state={"ids"%3A["1ZwtjLOMmm_fzBs9QkJ94h-41EfFnvvFL"]%2C"action"%3A"open"%2C"userId"%3A"113417979001620319505"}&usp=sharing

is for wednesday

These links work OK on my phone.

[Rob-M]

8 minutes ago, David Mack said:

These links work OK on my phone.

If it is an Android phone they will work as you are signed in with a Google account.

[cheshire~rose]

19 hours ago, Ian Mac said:

People have been asking about our ability to travel in various time periods. We are using the new "Automat Sehnsucht" a machine which generates a shift in the total time continuum.

 (From German:  Sehnsucht (n.) Definition: A wistful longing and yearning in the heart for travels past and future. Automat: Machine)

The current machines only can travel reliably to a period back in time of about 300 years. We have been recommended that we do not go back beyond 1769. Because we are using a horse boat, this added extra problems so our unit comes in two basic parts We have the main portable!! time field generator , which generated the base field, then we have this complex bit of kit which allow the propulsion to be converted to a time shift phase. This replaces the towing mast.
Please can the next one have a lubby.

We have taken some extra pieces , these  allow each person to have their own Personal Temporal Distorter, so they can operate the locks, drink beer. etc, whilst they remain within range of the time field generator
All credit to The Imperial Empyreanautical, Cryptogeographical & Chrononautical Society who provided our kit so quickly

You see, the problem I have with viewing these amazing machines is I am virtually dismantling them to scavenge stuff for my garden!

 

Those earthenware drain bricks are bloody lovely!

[Ian Mac]

Friday 8th May 9am
near Fosters Bridge, Walsall Canal - Junction with the Anson Branch.

We awake to the news that other have gobbled up all the water and that all locks, no matter which time period will now take twice as long. Thats going to take a bit of replanning, but we will get underway and see what the day brings.

 

We awoke after a dry night. The Hos'  is in fine fettle and we give him a little more bran, for breakfast, whilst we groom him. We had an explore last night, and went to inspect James Bridge Aqueduct, this carries the Walsall over the young River Tame and a small but busy road.

 

We set off for Walsall under the motorway and then Spinks Bridge. There us to be a automatic lift bridge here, it was great to see the stacker trucks racing to get across once you had operated the bridge cycle button and the bell had start to ring, they knew just how long they had till the barriers came down, would have been fun to pop back to 1977 to see that again. That is when we still have an engineering industry in the UK. The whole site is flattened now, awaiting re-development, probably yet more houses. We now enter the outskirts of Walsall, glad we are using a horse boat, no problems with the blade, just urchins! Past yet another dead centre and we approach the bottom of Walsall Locks.
The original canal line sweeps right to the right, and into the town centre where there is a nice basin with moorings.

Its a shame we do not have time to pop up this short length into the basin, but needs must. I like Walsall, spent some pleasant times here in the past. We will have to hope the facilities at the top of the locks are working, rather using the ones at the basin.

 

Credit - http://www.historywebsite.co.uk/articles/DarlastonBldngs/Aqueduct.htm

[Ian Mac]

These locks are very late in the scheme of things not being built to 1841  when this short link between the two canal was put in.  This is after the two canal companies ie the W&E and the BCN merged to form a single company.
They are well built locks, the only problem is that they are not treasured, this being the case, we send the lad on to make sure all the pounds have at least some water in them, good job we are running light.
The other thing is that the third lock up has mitre bottom gates  why? All the other locks are single gated as is the normal BCN practice.

 

credit - www.wikiwand.com/en/Walsall_Canal

[RebelMike]

Good luck with Birchills Locks, we often have a good run through them but I hear there's trouble about!

Edited May 8, 2020 by RebelMike
You don't seem to be able to delete posts you might have made to the wrong thread. I'm very tired today!