Team NB Styxl - Virtual BCN Challenge 2020 Cruise Log

[Ian Mac]

Its a slow job going up due to the lack of water, but we make it  to the top, we use the wonderful facilities! Then we pass the boat yard, and the old arm into the Birchills power station, another power station built to be supplied both by rail and water, now all gone and the site covered in shopping sheds. We roll over the inevitable supermarket trolley. We haul the odd one out and stack them on the deck. We will drop them off at Sneyd Yard.

Edited May 8, 2020 by Ian Mac
spelling!

[captain birdseye]

1 hour ago, Ian Mac said:

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. -

I remember working that bridge late one evening with a certain Mr. Shaw on a Tar Boat when I was a lad

[Ian Mac]

We dispose of our treasures and inspect the excellent library in the facilities at Sneyd Yard. This was the main maintenance depot for the W&E. There was a short branch here, 300yds,  which went up to Litchfield Road/Sneyd Rd, I'm not sure why this was required as it came later than the mainline, which goes under  Litchfield Rd about 200 yds to the west, and that predates this arm.  I assume it was for the coal, there were several mines  by it.  All that is left of the this short arm now is a little sub, the rest has a road and modern housing built on top of it, there is a secret gate out here if you want to go exploring but there is not much of merit to see.

[Ian Mac]

We turn on the "Automat Sehnsucht" set to 1890 and leave the yard and pass under the junction bridge to join the original Main line of the W&E. To the left is 'Hampton and to the right is our road and the first of 5 locks , we plod slowly as directed up this flight, Sneyd Locks.  Above lock three, to our left we can see the pumping station which is lifting the water up to Sneyd Reservoir. At the top lock there is an arm going off to the pumping station.  After passing a  short arm to Hilton Colliery Wharf,  we reach Double Bridge Junction
We were going to set our "Automat Sehnsucht" to 1799, and go up this rare arm, however we have run out of lockage time and water, so we choose to walk it instead. This was going to be pirating exercise so it has saved us from having to do a load of explaining as this is/was the privately owned Essington Locks branch. The branch leaves to our left, and not surprisingly we have to cross two bridges to get to the old towpath which is still a footpath. This was a flight of four locks not five, as some think, (well according to Hadfield anyway!) these were built by Lord Vernon of Hilton Park, to server his coal mines at Essington.
The branch is quite easy to trace, it has just been - let go. On reaching the old wharfs at the top end we walk on to The Old Mitre on the nearby Bursnips Rd. The canal has been replaced by a busy tramway which we see on the towpath side about half way along. A further tramway crosses nearer the end.
We really are at the top, this was the high point on the BCN system, at over 500ft above sea level. Its a shame we could not get here by boat, but such is life.
After a pleasant drink or few, we set off back down the Essington branch to the Wyrley Bank Canal, at Double Bridges.  An other reason for being relieved, is that we were planning on going back to 1799, this was the year when Syned Reservior failed and flooded everywhere, and one should assume the Wyrley Bank run dry, also the Wyrley Bank is not complete at this time.

 

Postscript - just discovered that the old historic pub The Olde Mitre was demolished last year

Edited May 8, 2020 by Ian Mac
add image of the olde mitre

[Ian Mac]

We proceed up the cut to Cannock lodge pit at Norton Cannock Colliery  where we wind in the wharf arm, if we had had more time we would have loved to get to the end, at what is now called Cheslys Hay, but that is for another time, This is where the original branch terminated, before the company built the rest out to what was then called Wyrley Bank Canal. We do not want the "Automat Sehnsucht" packing up on us, by over or miss use   Anyway we may need it tonight

 

[Ian Mac]

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

[Ian Mac]

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.

[Ian Mac]

A linky to days epic journey yellow = walking

https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1TdACdnrHeyxK-xLl9-APdKG96bVfwXuU&ll=52.60558157917475%2C-2.059925510107405&z=13

hopefully done as @RebelMike  suggested.

 

Day 4 - https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1JU2HL8Wrf-AvJYob4sdRQD-Q-vfPPFBE&ll=52.56199791581062%2C-2.062039412841841&z=13

Day 3 - https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1ZwtjLOMmm_fzBs9QkJ94h-41EfFnvvFL&ll=52.52661878392537%2C-2.051364563598554&z=14

Day 2 - https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1z3HB6P4-6ANGB3Hfl4Zy_Wr1je9AP9O2&ll=52.506585527188705%2C-1.9989346588134822&z=13

Day 1 - https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=13Q9qRJTrZGkolyrx9rxzmsp_1mjmqBws&ll=52.48274262196741%2C-1.9872060000000147&z=12

[TheBiscuits]

Yep, I can see them now - thanks.

[captain birdseye]

First brew of the day, and we need it after a rather heavy session last night. Coffee for me and a suitably large cup of tea for Mac

The hos boy doesn't get meat so he has a special last day of the challenge eggy breakfast to set him up for the day

[captain birdseye]

Meanwhile I get on cooking the captains breakfast, here you go Mac some good Bury Black Pudding to settle your stomach

And plated up one for him and one for me. Time to them ahead we have work to do

Edited May 9, 2020 by captain birdseye

[cheshire~rose]

I could murder for some black pudding right now!

I am struggling to see the picture f your cabin top from yesterday? Did I miss it among the various links that were shared (or otherwise) or wasn't there one?

[Ian Mac]

Saturday 9th May 9am
near Short Heath Branch Junction, Wyrley & Essington Canal

What 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.

[Ian Mac]

Saturday 10th May 9:45am
near Short Heath Branch Junction, Wyrley & Essington Canal

We 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.

Edited May 9, 2020 by Ian Mac
time wrong.

[Ian Mac]

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!

[Ian Mac]

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 60176419

 

Also 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/

 

 

[captain birdseye]

Time for more coffee I think. Made in a Bialetti Moka pot, the only way to make coffee on a range. My dad bought one of the new fangled things home from Italy after the war and I had one at work from being a teenager. That will help the bad head after all the beer last night

Edited May 9, 2020 by captain birdseye

[Ian Mac]

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.

[captain birdseye]

Bread and Jam for lunch. Bread straight from the oven and Jam made the other year from foraged Blackberrys

Edited May 9, 2020 by captain birdseye

[Ian Mac]

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!

Edited May 9, 2020 by Ian Mac
Fat fingers on the time

[Ian Mac]

 

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

Edited May 9, 2020 by Ian Mac
Fat fingers again

[Ian Mac]

 

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

 

[Ian Mac]

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?

Edited May 9, 2020 by Ian Mac

[Ian Mac]

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.

Edited May 9, 2020 by Ian Mac
Forgot about the chemical works

[Ian Mac]

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/