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Team Urban Moorings Virtual BCN Challenge 2020 Cruise Log


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Team Urban Moorings

 

We have assembled a particularly fine international team and we’ll be taking to the murky waters of the lesser known parts of the BCN in an historic boat. NB Tench, an FMC boat built in 1938. Tench,owned by the inimitable Alex Bennett, was central to ‘Recreating the Journey’, Alarum Theatre’s 2017 tour of ‘Idle Women of the Wartime Waterways’ following the route worked by the wartime trainees. During that tour Alex and Kate joked that they would do the BCN challenge in 2018 with Tench but sadly Alex died suddenly in February 2018, so we’ve adopted Tench as our boat for this year. Alex will be there, at the tiller, polishing the brass and downing several pints!We have Captain Sandra@GoldenBoyz at the tiller. After solo cruising 85% of the system, trading as The Doggie Boat, acquiring the reputation of being the crazy dog lady she had her boat shipped to Ireland & is now starting new adventures. And we thought we’d got rid of her...The rest of the crew are still arguing about who does what and what constitutes a junction. Except Ronni, who has claimed the tea urn for the duration.However, inside sources suggest Urban Moorings are fielding a crack team of strategists: Tom and his wife Kerstin are both German, they have lived in Ireland since 2002. They started hiring in 2007 and have cruised a substantial part of the network, including taking part in the 2013 BCN challenge. Summers now usually find them on the waterways of France in their Wilderness Beaver More on their blog here:https://nbargo.wordpress.com/2014/08/25/summer-in-brittany-day-1/

Ali and Lou who have lived and worked on the canals for 16 years. They run a business making and designing gift wares mostly out of wood. As well as artworks by Lou aka canal artist. They are part of the founding team of Urban Moorings, a CIC company developing moorings on a derelict piece of land on the BCN. Standing by to lockwheel are :Lesley who travelled much of the canal network with her late husband Ray, now moors at Ocker Hill and the only bit of the BCN she hasn’t cruised is up the locks to Titford, so she’s planning to crochet that before the end of the week. And Kate, who is mostly known for pretending to work locks, steer and do generally boaty things in the guise of various characters on stage. So doing it for real could be a nasty shock.Fortunately...Ronni, another key player in the Urban Moorings story,tireless worker for the Roving Canal Traders Association and purveyor of quirky clothing(as Witchcrafter),will be on hand with copious quantities of tea.

 

Tench.jpg

Edited by Golden Boyz
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Team Urban Moorings assembled bright eyed & bushy tailed at Black Delph Junction ready for the 2020 BCN Virtual Challenge. Well they were mostly Bushey tailed except Sandra & Tom where were quite frankly shattered. They’d arrived at Dublin ferry port yesterday to discover all ferries had been cancelled due to coronavirus. Not wanting to let their team mates down they commandeered two pedalos & pedalled their way furiously overnight across the Irish sea.  

 

Pedalos.jpg

Just making it in time for bacon butties served by Ronni for the crew’s breakfast. They all sat 2m apart along the towpath tucking into them just as the snow started to fall. Not deterred the crew wrapped up warm & started ascending the Delph Flight. Passing a very closed Merry Hill shopping centre (which is a good job or we’d never have got Lesley out of Hobbycraft) we cruised along to Blowers Green & up the three Park Head locks. The snow had gotten much thicker by now & Sandra became somewhat distracted sledging up & down the towpath by the locks on a tea tray! 

 

When we arrived at Parkhead we spotted a poster. Seems we’d arrived just too late to join in the celebrations reopening the Dudley Tunnel. It was a few weeks ago at Easter (1972) 

TRAD Apr 73 poster.jpg

So, into the tunnel we went – Tench being one of that rare breed, a boat that will fit through the tunnel. But no engines allowed so it was take turns at legging (except for Sandra who was lolling about at the tiller). And a slow old business it was too.   

As we emerged on the far side near the Black Country Living Museum, the modern Dudley Canal Tunnel Trust on our left faded away, the canal around us became shallow and silted up, and we met Tina Gittings who told us this story: 

 "1963/64 I left school and started going out with this lad who was involved with exploring Dudley Tunnel at the time. He had a canoe which he would take to the tunnel on a Sunday. The very first time I went there, I was in what was supposed to be a one-man rubber dinghy – it was more like a floating doughnut. I sat in that with a tow rope back to the canoe and off we went; it was only a one-man canoe, you see. You can never appreciate the splendour of Cathedral Arch in Dudley Tunnel until you have seen it from water level. When I say water level, my bum was actually below water level in the cold water. "

Having just seen it from exactly that angle, we knew just what she meant… 

Aside from Kate: You can hear Tina telling this story to one of the I Dig Canals project team in this episode of the Alarum Theatre podcasts: https://soundcloud.com/alarum_theatre/i-dig-canals-podcasts-episode-8-love-and-marriage   

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Here is a photo of the Pensnett Canal that we took

Pensnett Canal.jpg

Once out the other side of the tunnel we lost Sandra again as she managed to charm the museum caretaker to fire up the trip boat & take her through the guided trip part of the tunnel singing  along the way. And he insisted she do the legging… Ha! 

Sandra Dudley Tunnel.jpg

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The rest of us invade the BCLM and got stuck in with a range of obscure bits of kit and managed to raise one of the sunken ‘Ampton boats. We’re taking it back to Urban Moorings to the area it used to work, to the boatshed where it might have been docked for repairs, to treasure it for future visitors to learn from. Where it might hear once again, a passing boater shout "Am yo tyin' uo at 'Ampton ternight?"   

Although getting it there might be a bit of a sod, as our chief navigation officer, Tom, doesn’t seem to realise the damn thing is longer and wider than a traditional narrowboat so after a very democrative votes we’ve told him he gets to carry it up the Wolverhampton 21. We won’t make him carry the full 45 ton load as well… 

Ampton.jpg

Ali got off excavations and slopping around in the mud by shooting off in pursuit of a nearby geocache out the front of the museum which she’d heard had rather Appropriate & interesting contents. Not disappointed at finding the loot inside including an old bar of soap, razor & shaving brush. 

BCLM Geocache Contents.jpg

Finally, Ronni put the kettle on & all our straying crew members heard the familiar Kettle whistle & came running & we set off again.  

 

As we were travelling along Ali dusted off the <<time machine>> thingy. By accident (well so she says but we know she was fiddling) she pressed a few buttons. Suddenly the engine started sounding a bit more “put put put” & the scenery colours gradually drained away so we were left with just black & white scenery & into view came an amazing sight we’d not seen before despite travelling this way many times. The junction leading onto Tipton Green Canal. Well of course we just had to do a sharp turn onto it to explore! 

 

 

Tipton Green Locks.jpg

As we approached the clock stopped spinning at 1942 and we had to wait a while because the Heather Bell had just finished unloading 350 sacks of flour at T S Townsend and her steerer Daphne March was shafting the boat round to head for Cannock along Tipton Green Canal… 

 

Her regular route starts in Worcester: 

 

Flour to Tipton 

Empty to Cannock 

Slack to Worcester 

Flour to Tipton 

 

Mother and daughter 

Margaret and Daphne 

Mother dressed in skirt and hat 

Daughter in trousers, hair in a turban 

Gongoozlers gawping at an all-woman crew 

 

Last January (1941) she placed an advert in The Times ‘Woman skipper (Oxford Graduate) seeks crew  

Over 70 applied, mostly women, but not all. She didn’t tell us how many turned out to be any use but it’s interesting to note that on this trip, her mother is her Margaret is the crew. One respondent was the Minister for Transport – not, in turned out because he wanted to take the tiller but because it has given him the idea that perhaps women might work on the canals. The Ministry wanted Daphne to go over the Grand Union to train women (the GU Carrying Company is the only one who share his belief, or are so desperate they don’t care anymore!) but she wants to stay over here in the Black Country. Two of her trainees, Eily Gayford and Molly Traill are picking up that baton. 

 

But to get back to Daphne. After unloading flour at Tipton… 

 

Empty to Cannock 

 

Air in the hold, 

gunwales lifted, 

haul the boat over, 

haul and shaft, 

shaft and wind, 

 

to Tipton Green Junction, 

lift the paddles, 

push the gates, 

 

Gongoozlers gawping at an all-woman crew 

from Lockside houses and Rifle Row, 

front doors opening onto the cut. 

 

Moving again 

to Watery Lane and Toll End Junctions, 

Walsall Canal, Ocker Hill, 

John Bagnall’s Leabrook Ironworks 

dominating a bleak and lonely 

industrial landscape. 

Tame Valley Junction… 

 

Excerpt from: Wastie H (2017) Heather Bell. Idle Women of the Wartime Waterways, Alarum Theatre 2018 

Toll End Canal.jpg

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After cruising the Toll End Communication Canal we popped out on Tame Valley Junction. 

 

We were now on a familiar stretch so Ali fiddled again with our time machine & the colours came back to life & we all breathed a sigh of relief. We’d never have been able to submit our cruising log if we got stuck Back in the past as we’d have no internet. 

 

We cruised onwards suddenly arriving at Lesley’s home mooring of Ocker Hill. The sun had come out by now & melted all the snow (miraculous ay!) so we couldn’t just cruise past without checking out Lesley’s new posh decking area & BBQ & we were all quite hungry by now. So, we pulled over & tucked into a delicious feast of sausage, burgers, kebabs & salad washed down with a few wines & beers. Good job we have all these light nights now.  Lesley regaled us with stories of her family history over the BBQ with a distant relative having been born at Ocker Hill 

 

"While at Ocker Hill we briefly transported ourselves back to 1865 to celebrate the birth on the boat of George and Elizabeth Neal of their daughter Harriet Neal. Harriet is the sister-in-law of great-uncle of wife of 3rd cousin 2x removed of Lesley, who is a family history nerd"

 

 

Ocker Hill bbq2.jpg

Fortified we were on our way again. Ali having had one beer too many (well that’s just one beer for Ali) tripped walking through the boat carrying the time machine & yet again set it off. Of course, we were prepared this time as we watched the colours fade away & heard the engine change. On our left sprung up the old Gospel Oak Branch.  Photographed by that excellent photographer Andy Tidy!!!

 

Gospel Oak.jpg

Now Sandra recognised this as she’d visited it on one of Andy Tidy’s talks as part of the BCN Explorer cruise. We still had some daylight left so we cruised up & down it before tying up just as daylight fades at Moorcroft Junction. 

 

 

Moorcroft BBQ.jpg

More images of Moorcroft Junction

Moorcroft Jn.jpg

And another

Moorcroft Jn 2.jpg

And a third for good luck!!

 

 

Moorcroft Jn 3.jpg

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2 hours ago, Golden Boyz said:

After cruising the Toll End Communication Canal we popped out on Tame Valley Junction. 

 

We were now on a familiar stretch so Ali fiddled again with our time machine & the colours came back to life & we all breathed a sigh of relief. We’d never have been able to submit our cruising log if we got stuck Back in the past as we’d have no internet. 

 

We cruised onwards suddenly arriving at Lesley’s home mooring of Ocker Hill. The sun had come out by now & melted all the snow (miraculous ay!) so we couldn’t just cruise past without checking out Lesley’s new posh decking area & BBQ & we were all quite hungry by now. So, we pulled over & tucked into a delicious feast of sausage, burgers, kebabs & salad washed down with a few wines & beers. Good job we have all these light nights now.  Lesley regaled us with stories of her family history over the BBQ with a distant relative having been born at Ocker Hill 

 

"While at Ocker Hill we briefly transported ourselves back to 1865 to celebrate the birth on the boat of George and Elizabeth Neal of their daughter Harriet Neal. Harriet is the sister-in-law of great-uncle of wife of 3rd cousin 2x removed of Lesley, who is a family history nerd"

 

 

Ocker Hill bbq2.jpg

Fortified we were on our way again. Ali having had one beer too many (well that’s just one beer for Ali) tripped walking through the boat carrying the time machine & yet again set it off. Of course, we were prepared this time as we watched the colours fade away & heard the engine change. On our left sprung up the old Gospel Oak Branch.  Photographed by that excellent photographer Andy Tidy!!!

 

Gospel Oak.jpg

Now Sandra recognised this as she’d visited it on one of Andy Tidy’s talks as part of the BCN Explorer cruise. We still had some daylight left so we cruised up & down it before tying up just as daylight fades at Moorcroft Junction. 

 

 

Moorcroft BBQ.jpg

More images of Moorcroft Junction

Moorcroft Jn.jpg

And another

Moorcroft Jn 2.jpg

And a third for good luck!!

 

 

Moorcroft Jn 3.jpg

Lesley may wish to follow my side story on ‘The Workers’ log. It might have a surprising twist at the end. Bear with it, although I fear it’s started a bit too cryptic and long winded.

 

I actually liked your post for the photos originally before I noticed the family history comment.

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Tuesdays Challenge "  You are struck by the unusual lack of wildlife on the stretch of canal you are navigating today. Perhaps you can do something about that? Please create a swan in any way you choose and share a photo of your creation with us on your BCN Blog Thread. Hint: A towel sculpture or some Origami might be an easy way for some of you to complete this task"

 

Challenge in Progress!!

 

Our finished swan sussing out the map at Headquarters

20200505_161727.jpg

Our finished swan getting a breath of fresh air by the canal

20200505_165019.jpg

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TEAM URBAN MOORINGS DAY 2

 

We woke up to a glorious celebration. It is our challenge organiser’s 6oth birthday.

Sandra had been beavering away all night making a cake for you. Alas her baking skills are somewhat lacking!!

BAD BIRTHDAY CAKE.jpg

Luckily Lesley stepped into the breach & baked another cake whilst Sandra consoled herself by eating the entire other cake

jAN BIRTHDAY CAKE.jpg

So, after a rousing song of Happy Birthday to Jan we set off. We were one crew member down as Sandra was incapacitated throwing up over the side from chocolate hedgehog overload. Ali and Lou had a fight over who was going to steer in her place, Ronnie put the kettle on, Tom missed his chance because he was poring over the maps (I mean, how many choices do you have on the Walsall?) so Lesley whipped in, took the tiller and…

 

First job this morning was a quick fiddle (with the time machine) & whoosh we were back in time & off we set on an exciting morning exploring Bradley locks

Bradley Locks  from Wolves Library.JPG

Bradley Locks 1969 by A.H.Price.JPG

We decided to leave the ‘Ampton in the 21st century as it wouldn’t fit!

 

After a strenuous mooring up & down the locks we headed up to Anson Branch Junction & then Walsall Junction.

 

The time machine was activated again & brought us back to 2020. We heard that there was an organised litter pick going on around the Walsall basin so we all decided we’d do our bit & off we went with bags & magic little protective yellow jackets. These jackets protected us from coronavirus so we didn’t have to do social distancing.

Walsall Litter Pick 3.jpg

We even managed to rope the boss Mr Parry into helping!!

Richard Parry Walsall.jpg

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Well after all that merriment it was time to set off on our way again. We left the basin only to be scuppered. After having the news early this morning after the Ryders lock beams being sawn off we discovered the little oiks had only done those on the Walsall flight too. We were all despondent thinking our route was in tatters then Ali started jumping up & down yelling about the time machine. Of course, we could use it to go back in time before the locks were vandalised. That woman is a genius. So, without further ado we were on our way up the flight.

 

Now this in itself was not without challenges. Being a lesser used part of the canals by boats it appears some of the locals think it’s a tipping ground for their rubbish. We cruised past a three-piece suite, a fridge, a TV, 23 wheelie bins, 103 shopping trolleys & a vespa scooter. Needless to say, the prop didn’t escape as we had to clear some rather unusual gear from around it

Bondage Gear 1.jpg

Wonder what it is??

Bondage Gear 2.jpg

 

Underwear?? Bondage gear?? Not sure, didn’t want to inspect too closely!!

 

Anyway, it was finally off & we were on our way up to Birchills Junction later than planned.

 

We turned right onto the Wyrley & Essington canal passing a beautiful tugboat. “Right on a corner!’ fumed our steerer. Actually, just between ourselves it was more of a tut than a fume, she is far too nice to fume. Really. “Bit of an odd spot to tie up” agreed Lou glancing up from creating a swan. “And an even odder spot to leave your slippers, outside for the mice and the rain” added Ronnie, on her way to put the kettle on. Again.

 

Sandra negotiated the bend neatly with nary a bump and the tug was soon forgotten as we tucked into more tea and more cake to celebrate our great leaders’ birthday. Happy birthday Jan!

 

“We’ve done that bit already. And she thought it was painful enough”

 

“Sorry…”

 

We progressed onto our mooring for the evening at Pelsall Common opposite the Cannock extension at Pelsall Junction. We’re planning an evening at the Fingerpost, because with our handy time machine we know we’ll be able to catch a performance of ‘Idle Women on the Wartime Waterways’ from that well known and much-loved touring company Alarum Theatre. We’ll try and grab a few pics of the famous duo to show you tomorrow.

 

“Both women are exceptional storytellers, their performances brimming over with personality and linguistic virtuosity” (London City Nights 2017)

 

[Lock wheeler Kate says there’s nothing in the rules that says you can’t promote your own shows, especially ones you can only get to by rewinding time!]

 

As we tied up there were a few police along the canal bank. They asked us if we’d seen a tugboat recently – well that was a coincidence so we regaled our story with the important slippers detail. Apparently, it had been stolen from Penkridge earlier that day so the police thanked us profusely and shot off to apprehend a slipper wearing (or not wearing) thief.

 

Been quite a day – birthday cakes, litter picking, floating three-piece suites, bondage gear & stolen boats. Wonder what tomorrow will bring?

Pelsall Common.jpg

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Wednesday log

 

We were up bright and early yet again as we wanted a good start up the Cannock Extension. Had to give Ronnie a bit of a kick to get the kettle on, she isn’t a Morning Person. And a certain amount of Gin had been…

Sipped and

slurped, but

slid down with

surprisingly soothing ease

 

...the night before

at the Fingerpost

 

Morning on the Cannock Extension Canal.jpg

Once at the top of the extension, and after all the excitement, or possibly the Gin, we decided to travel back in time today and explore some of the old canal routes.

Hatherton Canal Map.jpg

So, the time machine thingy was placed in Ali’s hands again and she performed her magic to lure us back to 1834. The colours seeped away and, as the mist cleared to reveal the muted grey and white tones of Gilpin’s works on the Hatherton branch, ‘where Mr. Gilpin established, about 35 years ago, an extensive manufactory of edge tools, augers, hammers, &c., and a forge, a tilt, rolling and grind-mills, and furnaces for converting and refining iron and steel; all of which are now in a flourishing state, and give employment to a considerable number of workmen.’  (Source: BlackCountryHistory.org)

Hatherton Branch _ Churchbridge & Gilpins Works.JPG

Im1876POWor-Gilpin.jpg

… we spotted two chaps. We went over to say hello and they introduced themselves as Foreman Craddock and Mr T Briggs.

Foreman Craddock and Mr.T.Briggs with internal-user wagons 1957.JPG

We stopped to have a cuppa with them as Ronni had the kettle on (finally). It was then they broke the devastating news that there was a breach on the Cannock Extension and we wouldn’t be able to travel it.

Screenshot_20200505-214337_Chrome.jpg

But of course, he didn’t know about our secret weapon the time machine so, with the click of a button and the whirr of a wotsit, we were back in time before the breach. We did wonder if we’d maybe overused the time machine as we suddenly lurched sideways to yet another performance of Idle Women. We caught them preparing for the show later and chatting with Andrew March, Daphne March’s son, who had driven over from the East Coast where he farms to say hello and show the company his mother’s original diary.

Andrew March son of Daphne Cannock extension.JPG

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By now we were thoroughly behind schedule with all these distractions but we were determined to explore every nook, cranny and only-navigable-today, arm, so it was a quick foray up to Hednesford Basin and back.

Hednesford - canalside (Hawkes Green).JPG

By now we were thoroughly behind schedule with all these distractions but we were determined to explore every nook, cranny and only-navigable-today, arm, so it was a quick foray up to Hednesford Basin and back.

<<Hednesford Canal photo>>

Back on the Hatherton Branch. Being quite exhausted from all this time travel we decided to have a bit of respite and return to modern day times. Lesley wanted to check her Facebook posts sand send a couple of emails.  It turned out to be a fortuitous decision as we came across a work party from the Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust. We had a thoroughly enjoyable hour hearing all about their work and exciting plans. Though some had a more enjoyable hour than others. While Sandra, Lou and Lesley were diligently listening to the plans Ali and Ronni had disappeared and ten minutes later appeared driving the digger.

 

 

[with grateful thanks to the Lichfield and Hatherton Trust for allowing these two reprobates to purloin not only their digger, but their video as well]

Tom had also disappeared but we were soon startled by cheery shouting from above. Tom had commandeered a gyrocopter and was flying above us filming the restoration project.

 

 

[further thanks to the H&L Trust for allowing such appalling plagiarism – we did say thank you nicely via the donate button. Please do support their amazing efforts, we all feel almost part of the venture, even having only visited virtually]

 

And as for Kate… well, David Suchet appeared and she was totally star struck. Haven’t known her that quiet for that long since we started…

 

We eventually managed to round everyone up, get back onboard activate the time machine back in time so we were once again on the water. It seems sad as we’re travelling along to have had a glimpse into the derelict future of the Lichfield & Hatherton. We all knuckled down as we tackled the 21 locks on the flight knowing how they would one day look…

You’d think

a herculean hand had reached into the mortar,

spread its fingers wide and doggedly insisted

brick and sandstone should be parted.

 

Climb the tumbled steps as best you can and feel

the march of trunk and root surrounding,

clutching, cloaking, undermining,

know there is a chamber,

 

look for line of gate and see a sapling,

tread the channel chock with bramble,

gripping heel and grabbing ankle.

 

This is our world now, says creeping thicket,

opportunist briar and striding scrubland,

for this battleground becomes our ancestry.

 

Trace our survival here.

Your metal we devour and slowly

bridges are consumed and even we forget

that you were ever here.

© Heather Wastie 2019

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We were utterly exhausted at the end so Ronni put the kettle on. Five minutes later she appeared… The naughty girl had only gone and stolen one of the Trusts mugs!!

Ronni with Tea.jpg

Next, we had a gentle jaunt up the short Lord Hayes Branch and back. Now we had trouble finding any information on the elusive Lord Hayes the only one which we could find out about was Lord Alfred Hayes a professional wrestler who we decided didn’t have this bit of canal named after him especially as he didn’t die till 2005! In fact, the only guy who seems to know anything about the section is a chap who goes by the name of Captain Ahab but as we found nothing else about it, we think he made it up.

 

 

We then were soon back on familiar waters passing Pelsall Junction again. This was a good job because as we cruised past The Fingerpost, Kate realised she’d left all her Idle Women banners the night before so we were able to retrieve them.

MMist Fingerpost.JPG

Unfortunately the sudden stop to collect them meant throwing the gears into reverse and yes, the inevitable happened.

The engine cut out.

We drifted, rather slowly, over to a handy pontoon to investigate. Now, historic FMC boats don’t have weed hatches so it was out with the boat hook and eventually the bread knife. Luckily Lou is a veteran with many an award* for her prop clearing skills. But even she was impressed with today’s find: rope, a wig, rubber tubing and even a toaster.

 

Toaster ruined

Bread knife too

 

So that’s goodbye to breakfast tomorrow.

 

*1982 West Midlands Under 18 Runner up:  ‘Coal bag and Rope’ section

20200506_165109.jpg

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With six great sighs of relief we tied up at Cathills Junction for the night. And…

Ronnie put the kettle on,

Ronnie put the kettle on,

Ronnie put the kettle on,

We'll all have tea.

 

Sandra took it off again,

Sandra took it off again,

Sandra took it off again,

And went to get the Gin

 

And we all settled down to read about the 2018 BCN cruise through Brownhills (and wonder what to have for breakfast tomorrow...)

https://brownhillsbob.com/2018/05/20/narrowboat-convoy-heading-through-brownhills-and-walsall-wood-today/

432px-Catshill_Junction_Sculpture.jpg

catshill junction.png

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Thursday Challenge

 

Here is a photo of Team Urban Moorings time machine thingy Automat Sensucht

 

Please take the time to notice its finer points. It is fuelled by methane from the cassette. Luckily due to the amount of time Ronni is putting the kettle on we are keeping it well supplied. It is completely green & ecologically designed using yeast inside no nasty blue here. All materials are locally sourced & the pump gear it utilises is actually from the Tame Valley Canal. The photo is just taken as Ali is activating it with the flux capacitor so you can see the spark as it activates.

 

Automat Sehnsucht.jpg

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TEAM URBAN MOORINGS LOG DAY 4

 

Today was just a straight run south to Salford Junction - easy peasy our navigator Tom said! Just a few locks no turn offs and we’ll be there!!

We departed Catshill Junction bound for the Rushall Canal & locks but first, Longwood Boat Club, and the top of the Rushall flight. The lock wheeling team went ahead to set the locks and Ronni put the kettle on.

Longwood BC snow.jpg

Lesley spotted a rather splendid array of sloes alongside the towpath so the rest of us went apicking, fantasising about the sloe gin that we could distil onboard. But as we were picking, we heard a rustling in the bushes – we all backed off what could it be? A fox, a lion, a werewolf? The rustling was getting louder and there were some snorting noises coming closer… suddenly the intrepid pickers weren’t quite as intrepid. But just as they turned tail to run the fierce beast appeared.

 

It was indeed a lion, well, a lioness, of the genus Tidy! Fame for her preserves she had been picking the juiciest of sloes from the back of the bushes ready to fly into full scale production of sloe jam onboard The Jam Butty ready for the virtual floating market in Birmingham at the weekend.

 

We tried to pretend that we weren’t really about to run away, it was just that we heard the kettle boiling…

 

Having scared the sh** out of us, she took pity, delved in capacious apron pocket and said ‘Here’s one I made earlier’. Ronnie had the tea made so we settled down to a mountain of hot buttered toast (neatly sliced with Ali’s laser cutter, in the absence of a bread knife – see yesterday), slathered with sloe ginny jam, washed down with lashings of tea.

 

Aside: we can highly recommend Wildside Products. You’ll find them at a floating market near you. http://wildsidepreserves.co.uk/  We have heard a rumour that adjudicators of this year’s BCN challenge like to give extra bonus points when their products are promoted…

 

Over the toast and tea, Tom told us how he took part in the BCN Challenge in 2013 that finished at Longwood Boat club so we took a trip back in time with our time machine thingy so Tom could meet his younger self.

Longwood 2013.jpg

Once Tom had finished talking to his younger self, we activated the time machine to get us back to present day but after a weird beeping noise it just went further backwards

 

And it was time to get locking down Rushall.

 

Rushall locks 2.png

 

RUSHALL LOCKS.JPG

Edited by Kate_MM
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4 minutes ago, Kate_MM said:

TEAM URBAN MOORINGS LOG DAY 4

 

Today was just a straight run south to Salford Junction - easy peasy our navigator Tom said! Just a few locks no turn offs and we’ll be there!!

We departed Catshill Junction bound for the Rushall Canal & locks but first, Longwood Boat Club, and the top of the Rushall flight. The lock wheeling team went ahead to set the locks and Ronni put the kettle on.

Longwood BC snow.jpg

Lesley spotted a rather splendid array of sloes alongside the towpath so the rest of us went apicking, fantasising about the sloe gin that we could distil onboard. But as we were picking, we heard a rustling in the bushes – we all backed off what could it be? A fox, a lion, a werewolf? The rustling was getting louder and there were some snorting noises coming closer… suddenly the intrepid pickers weren’t quite as intrepid. But just as they turned tail to run the fierce beast appeared.

 

It was indeed a lion, well, a lioness, of the genus Tidy! Fame for her preserves she had been picking the juiciest of sloes from the back of the bushes ready to fly into full scale production of sloe jam onboard The Jam Butty ready for the virtual floating market in Birmingham at the weekend.

 

We tried to pretend that we weren’t really about to run away, it was just that we heard the kettle boiling…

 

Having scared the sh** out of us, she took pity, delved in capacious apron pocket and said ‘Here’s one I made earlier’. Ronnie had the tea made so we settled down to a mountain of hot buttered toast (neatly sliced with Ali’s laser cutter, in the absence of a bread knife – see yesterday), slathered with sloe ginny jam, washed down with lashings of tea.

 

Aside: we can highly recommend Wildside Products. You’ll find them at a floating market near you. http://wildsidepreserves.co.uk/  We have heard a rumour that adjudicators of this year’s BCN challenge like to give extra bonus points when their products are promoted…

 

Over the toast and tea, Tom told us how he took part in the BCN Challenge in 2013 that finished at Longwood Boat club so we took a trip back in time with our time machine thingy so Tom could meet his younger self.

Longwood 2013.jpg

You guys know me toooo well! NB someone seems to have de modernised our clubhouse.......

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