BCN Challenge 2015

[Mrs Tawny Owl]

Just in case you've missed it here is the content of the email.

 

I wonder if you and your members can help us on the 24hr cruise. We are currently looking at how we manage our floating rubbish problems because we continue to get regular issues so I suspect we probably don’t spend enough money and what we do spend needs better targeting. This problem is particularly focused around the northern BCN /W&E etc so your cruise ties in nicely. Therefore would your cruisers mind sending us photos, with a location, of bad stretches so we can put a picture together of the worst places and come up with a plan?

 

Charley the chair of the BCNS (who will be in charge of the beer tent at the finish) has offered to download your photographs and send them direct to Ian Lane if you would prefer. He will have his laptop and assorted leads available

 

If you would prefer to send them to CRT direct please use the following e mail (I've disguised it a bit.

 

ian dot lane at canalrivertrust.org.uk

-

 

I think this is a really positive thing for them to do, they've obviously taken note of what's going on and asked for a bit of help, to help us all, without it causing us much effort.

 

I'm impressed.

Sue

[Laurence Hogg]

Just in case you've missed it here is the content of the email.

 

I wonder if you and your members can help us on the 24hr cruise. We are currently looking at how we manage our floating rubbish problems because we continue to get regular issues so I suspect we probably don’t spend enough money and what we do spend needs better targeting. This problem is particularly focused around the northern BCN /W&E etc so your cruise ties in nicely. Therefore would your cruisers mind sending us photos, with a location, of bad stretches so we can put a picture together of the worst places and come up with a plan?

 

Charley the chair of the BCNS (who will be in charge of the beer tent at the finish) has offered to download your photographs and send them direct to Ian Lane if you would prefer. He will have his laptop and assorted leads available

 

If you would prefer to send them to CRT direct please use the following e mail (I've disguised it a bit.

 

ian dot lane at canalrivertrust.org.uk

-

 

I think this is a really positive thing for them to do, they've obviously taken note of what's going on and asked for a bit of help, to help us all, without it causing us much effort.

 

I'm impressed.

Sue

interesting this, they have community payback clearing these stretches on a regular basis, but we have noticed of late they don't even try to remove larger objects on health and safety grounds, indeed in the recent past CRT asked us to try and retrieve a setee in Wednesfield, which we did, getting that into a hold was a job. CRT never seem to use their own shallow sided workflaat at all and yet it is more suitable.

[Paul C]

Is there a water/service point at the top of Wolverhampton 21?

[captain birdseye]

Is there a water/service point at the top of Wolverhampton 21?

Yes

[Paul C]

Yes

 

Great, thanks!

[captain birdseye]

We are heading up the 21 tomorrow afternoon / evening so will see you there no doubt

[Tom and Bex]

any other boat dogs, cats, gerbils etc.?

Richard

You can add our 2 cats Mars and Snoop to our crew - hopefully Snoop won't repeat yesterday's swimming episode!

 

Tom

Edited May 21, 2015 by Tom and Bex

[little duck!]

Oh dear what fun bella our basset likes to bark at cats!

Paul has been on the move since Tuesday whilst I am stuck at work til tomorrow, very jealous of anyone already on the move!

[MoominPapa]

The Moomin's plan failed on its first contact with the enemy. I was sure that the moorings on the GU north of Kingswood Junction were at least partly unrestricted, They are, but all the length with rings are 48hrs, and the rest doesn't look suitable for getting pins in that will last a long weekend unattended. Current plan B is to reverse back through the Lapworth link and go back down the South Stratford two or three locks where there's a nice longish pound with Armco and a winding hole.

 

MP.

Edited May 21, 2015 by MoominPapa

[Kustomcut]

The weather is going to be like this all weekend

 

 

I hope.

Bikini for me then

[john6767]

The Moomin's plan failed on its first contact with the enemy. I was sure that the moorings on the GU north of Kingswood Junction were at least partly unrestricted, They are, but all the length with rings are 48hrs, and the rest doesn't look suitable for getting pins in that will last a long weekend unattended. Current plan B is to reverse back through the Lapworth link and go back down the South Stratford two or three locks where there's a nice longish pound with Armco and a winding hole.

 

MP.

I got pins in there and was there almost 2 weeks and the pins did not move. That was just next to the junction on the North side. The South side of the junction is a bit more grassy, possibly easier to get pins in.

Edited May 21, 2015 by john6767

[Paul C]

Stopped for the day, Birmingham is now within sniffing distance, the boat being just on the S&W after the little stop lock at Autherley Junction. I'll be setting off early tomorrow so I can do the Wolverhampton 21 in the morning, then I might either stop at the top for a while, or tootle around until I need to pick littleduck up from the station.

 

Weather looks good for Saturday but rainy Sunday???

[john6767]

Stopped for the day, Birmingham is now within sniffing distance, the boat being just on the S&W after the little stop lock at Autherley Junction. I'll be setting off early tomorrow so I can do the Wolverhampton 21 in the morning, then I might either stop at the top for a while, or tootle around until I need to pick littleduck up from the station.

 

Weather looks good for Saturday but rainy Sunday???

It's only forecasting light rain on Sunday, a mere nothing for BCN Challenge weather. Nice today!

[Paul C]

Yeah, its definitely the nicest day so far this trip (I started Tuesday) and the puppy has been sunbathing on the back deck! Roll on Saturday 8am.....

[Tom and Bex]

We have engine start! The end of the rebuild is in sight. Huge thanks to Richard for working so hard the last few days to make sure the engine was finished in time for the challenge. Cutting it fine but we had every confidence in him!

[Mrs Tawny Owl]

Thanks Goodness for that, I thought he was going to be camped in your engine room all night, I was going to bring Tawny up to moor next to you and pick him up in the morning!

 

Sue

[Keeping Up]

I've just finished doing loads and loads of replanning, and I reckon we've got a really good route worked out. But while doing it I realised that my heart isn't in it any more, or indeed in the concept of travelling anywhere with either a defined destination or timescale. Things have just been all too stressful of late, and they still aren't right yet, and I know I couldn't handle the stress and strain of even a totally noncompetitive entry. We're just going to leave Birmingham behind us, spend a few days at the most peaceful spot we can find, and hope that nothing else breaks while we're doing nothing at all. So you can delete Team Telford from the list.

[Kustomcut]

_{How far is Sneyd from Birchills junction I don't fancy staying at Walsall top lock again this year}

I've just finished doing loads and loads of replanning, and I reckon we've got a really good route worked out. But while doing it I realised that my heart isn't in it any more, or indeed in the concept of travelling anywhere with either a defined destination or timescale. Things have just been all too stressful of late, and they still aren't right yet, and I know I couldn't handle the stress and strain of even a totally noncompetitive entry. We're just going to leave Birmingham behind us, spend a few days at the most peaceful spot we can find, and hope that nothing else breaks while we're doing nothing at all. So you can delete Team Telford from the list.

Really sorry to hear that, hope you find a nice spot and if it is on the BCN give us a wave as we pass.

Hopefully things will be better for next year?

[MoominPapa]

I've just finished doing loads and loads of replanning, and I reckon we've got a really good route worked out. But while doing it I realised that my heart isn't in it any more, or indeed in the concept of travelling anywhere with either a defined destination or timescale. Things have just been all too stressful of late, and they still aren't right yet, and I know I couldn't handle the stress and strain of even a totally noncompetitive entry. We're just going to leave Birmingham behind us, spend a few days at the most peaceful spot we can find, and hope that nothing else breaks while we're doing nothing at all. So you can delete Team Telford from the list.

That's a pity, but quite understandable. My suggestion for a quiet hangout, if you're starting from north brum, woulld be the Staffs and Worcester around Kinver.

 

I know what you mean about defined times and destinations. It's amazing how much same can distort a pleasant casual trip.

 

MP.

I got pins in there and was there almost 2 weeks and the pins did not move. That was just next to the junction on the North side. The South side of the junction is a bit more grassy, possibly easier to get pins in.

Thanks for that. We've come two locks down the South Stratford and found a great mooring, apart from a bit of M40 noise. Should be possible to reverse back up those two locks when the time comes. Reversing through the Lapworth link was surprisingly stress-free.

 

Tawny Owl, let us know when you get to the Junction, we're less than 10 minutes walk away.

 

MP.

[john6767]

That's a pity, but quite understandable. My suggestion for a quiet hangout, if you're starting from north brum, woulld be the Staffs and Worcester around Kinver.

 

I know what you mean about defined times and destinations. It's amazing how much same can distort a pleasant casual trip.

 

MP.

Thanks for that. We've come two locks down the South Stratford and found a great mooring, apart from a bit of M40 noise. Should be possible to reverse back up those two locks when the time comes. Reversing through the Lapworth link was surprisingly stress-free.

 

Tawny Owl, let us know when you get to the Junction, we're less than 10 minutes walk away.

 

MP.

Show off.

[RLWP]

Team Tawny Owl MILLIE, RLWP, Mrs Tawny Owl, Smudge, Purple Fairy, Moominpapa, Moominmama, Anne the cabin girl, Robert the Geek, Ange, Davel

 

Birdseyes Crew The Captain, Mrs. Birdseye, Sarah, Joe the Cabin Boy, Wrinkles Lea and Yvonne

Team Telford TELFORD THE DOG (Woof), Keeping Up, Pingu Defeated by life, universe, everything, etc. Regrouping for next year

Team Poppycock Nine of Hearts (honorary cat), Jo, Odana, Black Beauty

Team HALSALL. Junior, Rob M and Captain Fizz Rain stops play

Old Fiends Matty40s, Kathleeen Bridget, Kiwimum, Kiwiwidad

Team Red Wharf Victor Vector, Little Else, Madcat

Team Monkee TreeMonkey, Starcoaster, P6Rob, Dyad

Clarrie Laurie B

Denry BELLA BASSETT, paul_c, littleduck!

Team Firefly, john6767, Sally, Barry, Caroline

Team Diesel & Dust MARS, SNOOP, Tom & Becky (Tom and Bex), Jack, Kat, Steve, and Sam

NUNEATON & BRIGHTON Barry Adams, Oakie, Narrow Boat Trust members

Team Carpe Vinum Daz, Mrs Daz, 2 Daughters, L.B.B. Bag

Team Beau CASSIE, Captain Dave_P, First Mate Louise, Alys the Author

Changing Pace WILLOW, EVA, ZAK Dave, Louise

Team Dotterel - Graham , Tom, Claire, Chris, Rebecca

Clover m589, sarahavfc, Daniel.

Dove Dove

Goliath DMR, Gillie

Crane Geoff Bailey, Trev, Rob, Tom, Jim, Dave Moore

Notos Brumsaint (John), Josie + Pip

Team Pykes PYXE, Bossy Pykey (Water Warrior), Mr Gadget, Nutty Pykey(Tree), Wardrobe, Barney, Rosie

GUELROSE Mike, Victor, Rosewood, Nobby, Wobblers and Tom

any other boat dogs, cats, gerbils etc.?

Richard

Edited May 21, 2015 by RLWP

[RLWP]

You can add our 2 cats Mars and Snoop to our crew - hopefully Snoop won't repeat yesterday's swimming episode!

 

Tom

 

Already done yesterday! They reminded me whilst wrestling with the mighty HA3

 

So, I think we can have a 'most spectacular/weird/biggest' piece of floating debris photo competition. Before some bright spark chips in, photos of Tawny don't count

 

Richard

[MoominPapa]

Show off.

There was no-one watching.

 

MP.

[Odana]

Team Old Friends spotted reaching the top of Aston as we drove home from work.

 

Supplies for team poppycat have been bought, and weather booked.

[Keeping Up]

Having looked at the contents of our diesel tank, 4 days after it was drained and cleaned, I also doubt very much that we could have managed a whole 24 hours without breaking down again.