Plenty of Water

[agg221]

Just back from a few days' boating, starting last Saturday and finishing Thursday afternoon.

 

The general impression you might get from discussion in some quarters is that the whole network has run out of water, but actually the Shroppie and the Staffs & Worcs. south from Autherley were absolutely fine, running on the weir in most places.

 

We had a very pleasant run down to Wombourne with @Ben Jameson and family. It was rather more relaxed than our normal pace as I had various things to do to get ready for the imminent BSS, plus some other general ongoing work and Ben had various bits of repair and upgrade to make as well. We didn't really set out with a destination in mind, but Wombourne turned out to be a good choice. Key points from the trip:

 

There was plenty of water and there were plenty of hire boats taking advantage of it and most seemed to be having a good time. The main exception was the boat we followed up Audlem - apparently we were intimidating them as we caught up with them by lock 10 and then cycled the lock to be waiting behind them each time. I am not sure that being efficient is intimidating and couldn't really work out how to avoid this, other than being inefficient? Despite their obvious lack of experience, one of their crew was very certain that they were right about everything (the rest of the crew did not appear to agree...) All the other boats seemed to be having a good time though.

 

We had several good meals out. Most notable were the Hartley Arms at Wheaton Aston and the Round Oak Inn at Wombourne - both had excellent food and were very friendly. We also finally made it to The Anchor at High Offley at a time when it was open. It was lunchtime so less of the atmosphere that draws some people there, but we will definitely look at timing trips to be there in the evening in future. The pint of Green Monkey at the Joules pub (Red Lion) in Market Drayton is also worth a mention for being notably good. Sadly the chip shop at Compton was closed until September so we couldn't sample the battered chips.

 

One issue we ran across was Elsan points. With Wheaton Aston out of action, it is a long way from Norbury to Greensforge, which was further than we were wanting to go. We could have added a few hours, but went for the there and back option and, with only three of us on board, we just made it. It does surprise me that there is no arrangement in place at Autherley, either a CRT station (there is a rubbish point), or an arrangement with either Oxley Marine or the Napton hire base.

 

There were a lot of historic boats about - mostly GU, with a couple of FMC and S&L tugs No.2 and No.3. Most were tied up but Corolla came past the other way.

 

Oates made progress - the BSS compliance work that I am aware of is almost complete and I also got the final porthole liner in. The cabin paintwork now has two coats of topcoat all over, which is probably enough, and the scrapes on the hull have been touched in. Temporarily, the brasswork all looks pretty good too. Will be back in a few weeks with the final bits and pieces to finish off for the BSS and, if the weather is up to it the roof and decks will be painted, and maybe even some of the signwriting will get done. It will be good not to be anonymous again!

 

There were rather a lot of damsons in the hedgerows along that route too...

 

Alec

 

 

Edited August 30 by agg221

[Rob-M]

Don't forget Vesta stopped on the lock mooring at Awbridge where we came out the lock and squeezed past you as you were alongside him.

[agg221]

1 hour ago, Rob-M said:

Don't forget Vesta stopped on the lock mooring at Awbridge where we came out the lock and squeezed past you as you were alongside him.

Yes - that's the one I described as S&L Tug No.3. I didn't make any comment on their choice of mooring, but that wasn't the most convenient point!

 

Alec

[Jen-in-Wellies]

All of us who have enjoyed boating on the Staffs and Worc and it's downstream canals this summer owe a big vote of thanks to the good people of Wolverhampton and the sewage they flush for keeping it topped up. 😀

[agg221]

1 minute ago, Jen-in-Wellies said:

All of us who have enjoyed boating on the Staffs and Worc and it's downstream canals this summer owe a big vote of thanks to the good people of Wolverhampton and the sewage they flush for keeping it topped up. 😀

I like to think of it as boating on recycled beer!

 

Alec

[magnetman]

That is taking the piss. 

[PaulJ]

4 hours ago, Rob-M said:

Don't forget Vesta stopped on the lock mooring at Awbridge where we came out the lock and squeezed past you as you were alongside him.

That was there when I passed on Thursday lunchtime-assumed hed stopped for a dump or something

[Lady M]

11 hours ago, agg221 said:

Just back from a few days' boating, starting last Saturday and finishing Thursday afternoon.

 

The general impression you might get from discussion in some quarters is that the whole network has run out of water, but actually the Shroppie and the Staffs & Worcs. south from Autherley were absolutely fine, running on the weir in most places.

 

We had a very pleasant run down to Wombourne with @Ben Jameson and family. It was rather more relaxed than our normal pace as I had various things to do to get ready for the imminent BSS, plus some other general ongoing work and Ben had various bits of repair and upgrade to make as well. We didn't really set out with a destination in mind, but Wombourne turned out to be a good choice. Key points from the trip:

 

There was plenty of water and there were plenty of hire boats taking advantage of it and most seemed to be having a good time. The main exception was the boat we followed up Audlem - apparently we were intimidating them as we caught up with them by lock 10 and then cycled the lock to be waiting behind them each time. I am not sure that being efficient is intimidating and couldn't really work out how to avoid this, other than being inefficient? Despite their obvious lack of experience, one of their crew was very certain that they were right about everything (the rest of the crew did not appear to agree...) All the other boats seemed to be having a good time though.

 

We had several good meals out. Most notable were the Hartley Arms at Wheaton Aston and the Round Oak Inn at Wombourne - both had excellent food and were very friendly. We also finally made it to The Anchor at High Offley at a time when it was open. It was lunchtime so less of the atmosphere that draws some people there, but we will definitely look at timing trips to be there in the evening in future. The pint of Green Monkey at the Joules pub (Red Lion) in Market Drayton is also worth a mention for being notably good. Sadly the chip shop at Compton was closed until September so we couldn't sample the battered chips.

 

One issue we ran across was Elsan points. With Wheaton Aston out of action, it is a long way from Norbury to Greensforge, which was further than we were wanting to go. We could have added a few hours, but went for the there and back option and, with only three of us on board, we just made it. It does surprise me that there is no arrangement in place at Autherley, either a CRT station (there is a rubbish point), or an arrangement with either Oxley Marine or the Napton hire base.

 

There were a lot of historic boats about - mostly GU, with a couple of FMC and S&L tugs No.2 and No.3. Most were tied up but Corolla came past the other way.

 

Oates made progress - the BSS compliance work that I am aware of is almost complete and I also got the final porthole liner in. The cabin paintwork now has two coats of topcoat all over, which is probably enough, and the scrapes on the hull have been touched in. Temporarily, the brasswork all looks pretty good too. Will be back in a few weeks with the final bits and pieces to finish off for the BSS and, if the weather is up to it the roof and decks will be painted, and maybe even some of the signwriting will get done. It will be good not to be anonymous again!

 

There were rather a lot of damsons in the hedgerows along that route too...

 

Alec

 

 

One way of assisting a slower boat in front, which feel less 'intimidating', is to set up ahead for them.  I agree that the S&W is a bit bereft of Elsan points.  There was one at Autherley, just along from the hire base, but removed due to persistent vandalism.  

[agg221]

25 minutes ago, Lady M said:

One way of assisting a slower boat in front, which feel less 'intimidating', is to set up ahead for them.  I agree that the S&W is a bit bereft of Elsan points.  There was one at Autherley, just along from the hire base, but removed due to persistent vandalism.  

Yes, I ended up doing that. Fortunately, Audlem was with them all the way but I set ahead on Adderley as far as was reasonable allowing for potential other boats coming down.

 

The issue was mainly a combination of very inaccurate steering meaning they were usually on the diagonal by the time they were trying to get into the lock, and an interesting approach to paddles and gates, for example leaving all the paddles up until the boat was out of the lock, then only one person being prepared to wind down paddles so they started on the offside, then the gate was closed, then they crossed it, then they dropped the gate paddle if present, then they dropped the gate side paddle. They all stood and watched this happen before walking up together to the next lock. This type of thing made it pretty much inevitable that we would be through the lock below and the whole crew would be stood waiting to operate the lock before they were out of it.

 

They did make comment about 'chilling out' and 'what's the hurry?' We weren't rushing (nobody ran anywhere and no paddles were being whacked open etc) but we are just relatively efficient. They were also not prepared to be overtaken. We weren't in any particular hurry but, for context, if we had had a good run we would have made Market Drayton before 6; allowing for traffic and slower crews you could reasonably add an hour to that which would have been fine. They were the only boat ahead of us up the flight (not surprising by that time of day that it had quietened down) but we only made Market Drayton just after 8pm. Any later and we would have missed our dinner reservation, which having two hours in hand for had seemed reasonable at the time when we made it. Fortunately, it was at Foodshion Garden which serves late; we would not have made Bella Italia for example.

 

Alec

[Lady M]

Oh dear, how frustrating.  I always try to be efficient but some people don't have a clue.

[jonesthenuke]

22 minutes ago, Lady M said:

Oh dear, how frustrating.  I always try to be efficient but some people don't have a clue.

I agree, I aim to be efficient when locking, but some would see it as hurrying.

 

[Mike Todd]

14 hours ago, agg221 said:

Just back from a few days' boating, starting last Saturday and finishing Thursday afternoon.

 

The general impression you might get from discussion in some quarters is that the whole network has run out of water, but actually the Shroppie and the Staffs & Worcs. south from Autherley were absolutely fine, running on the weir in most places.

 

We had a very pleasant run down to Wombourne with @Ben Jameson and family. It was rather more relaxed than our normal pace as I had various things to do to get ready for the imminent BSS, plus some other general ongoing work and Ben had various bits of repair and upgrade to make as well. We didn't really set out with a destination in mind, but Wombourne turned out to be a good choice. Key points from the trip:

 

There was plenty of water and there were plenty of hire boats taking advantage of it and most seemed to be having a good time. The main exception was the boat we followed up Audlem - apparently we were intimidating them as we caught up with them by lock 10 and then cycled the lock to be waiting behind them each time. I am not sure that being efficient is intimidating and couldn't really work out how to avoid this, other than being inefficient? Despite their obvious lack of experience, one of their crew was very certain that they were right about everything (the rest of the crew did not appear to agree...) All the other boats seemed to be having a good time though.

 

We had several good meals out. Most notable were the Hartley Arms at Wheaton Aston and the Round Oak Inn at Wombourne - both had excellent food and were very friendly. We also finally made it to The Anchor at High Offley at a time when it was open. It was lunchtime so less of the atmosphere that draws some people there, but we will definitely look at timing trips to be there in the evening in future. The pint of Green Monkey at the Joules pub (Red Lion) in Market Drayton is also worth a mention for being notably good. Sadly the chip shop at Compton was closed until September so we couldn't sample the battered chips.

 

One issue we ran across was Elsan points. With Wheaton Aston out of action, it is a long way from Norbury to Greensforge, which was further than we were wanting to go. We could have added a few hours, but went for the there and back option and, with only three of us on board, we just made it. It does surprise me that there is no arrangement in place at Autherley, either a CRT station (there is a rubbish point), or an arrangement with either Oxley Marine or the Napton hire base.

 

There were a lot of historic boats about - mostly GU, with a couple of FMC and S&L tugs No.2 and No.3. Most were tied up but Corolla came past the other way.

 

Oates made progress - the BSS compliance work that I am aware of is almost complete and I also got the final porthole liner in. The cabin paintwork now has two coats of topcoat all over, which is probably enough, and the scrapes on the hull have been touched in. Temporarily, the brasswork all looks pretty good too. Will be back in a few weeks with the final bits and pieces to finish off for the BSS and, if the weather is up to it the roof and decks will be painted, and maybe even some of the signwriting will get done. It will be good not to be anonymous again!

 

There were rather a lot of damsons in the hedgerows along that route too...

 

Alec

 

 

Did you ask either? I suspect (based on past experience) that both would have helped you out, but likely for a fee.

[agg221]

22 hours ago, Mike Todd said:

Did you ask either? I suspect (based on past experience) that both would have helped you out, but likely for a fee.

No, we didn't ask. Napton may not have one anyway as being a hire base it is probably all pump-out. We were prudent with usage (ie pub visits were religiously combined with use of the facilities) and since we weren't sure on the way down and it looked like we would be OK on the way back there was no need. If Wheaton Aston was working it would have been considerably more certain.

 

Alec

 

Edited to add: The focus of comments has been on the minor negatives (slow trip up Audlem/Adderley and the Elsan point situation on the southern Shroppie) but actually these were very minor inconveniences in what was in all other respects a highly enjoyable trip. We also now have some damson jam, jelly and cheese as a memento...

Edited August 31 by agg221

[beerbeerbeerbeerbeer]

On 30/08/2025 at 01:54, agg221 said:

We also finally made it to The Anchor at High Offley at a time when it was open. It was lunchtime so less of the atmosphere that draws some people there, but we will definitely look at timing trips to be there in the evening in future.

nice to hear(read),

she’ll soon be going back to winter hours and only open on weekends,

I think you’d like the winter nights in there with the coal fire going,

she still has some proper coal and it get’s roaring hot 🥵 

[bigcol]

thinking this morning, after seeing so far 4 holiday hire boats going north from the hire company in L/buzzard

and opposite a grand union hire boats. People are out there on the water,enjoying them selves.

on the other hand, is the water low, and just near stoke brune is hardly any ?

And don’t know when the closures start, apparently lasting a few weeks.

 

peeps that have to continually cruise, how do they do this through out the system

re water, elsan, etc ?

 

col

[Chris Lowe]

I stopped at Welford reservoir on my way home from work Friday, it's a tad dry.

 

 

 

 

 

I don't think anyone will be using the fishing platforms for some time.

[David Mack]

8 hours ago, Chris Lowe said:

I don't think anyone will be using the fishing platforms for some time.

 

Possibly not, but for those who walk down to the waters edge, the concentration of fish in the small amount of water remaining must make catching a few easier.

[Chris Lowe]

2 hours ago, David Mack said:

Possibly not, but for those who walk down to the waters edge, the concentration of fish in the small amount of water remaining must make catching a few easier.

There where two fishermen doing just that.

Trouble is the feeder stream to the canal is also bone dry.