So many narrowboats moving, but we need rain

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So many narrowboats moving, but we need rain

Saturday, 14 January 2012 17:34

The secret is out - Hopwood, on the Worcester and Birmingham Canal is a good place to moor! We have seen more narrowboats on the move in the last two days than we have in the last two weeks. Three joined us yesterday evening, so much for "isolation"!

Sunset at Hopwood

One was a hire boat, or maybe a share boat in disguise, and two were private boats, but today it all changed ......

We woke late to a cold and frosty morning; the hire boat/share boat was long gone! Nb Warwick passed us, chug chugging with his trad engine. We last saw him at Hockley Heath.

Nb Warwick at Hockley Heath

One private narrowboat moved off and our view returned! After a lazy morning we went for a short wander up to Hopwood Bridge and beyond. There had been no more boat movements, but by the time we returned, two Canal Cruising Club narrowboats had moored up.

Canal from Hopwood Bridge

We are just out of sight beyond the corner - there was frost still on the ground, but in the sun it was surprisingly warm. This sheep did not seem to mind the cold.

Frosty sheep

Hopwood House, the pub by the bridge is undergoing some repairs, but is still open, as the car park was full. It was around lunch time!

Hopwood House from the canal

Down Ash Lane is a garden centre and we thought we would go and have a look. Chatting to the owner he told us that BW-owned Bittell Reservoir, just down the canal, is really low. It was 2.5 metres below full in August and we have not had much rain since. This is a feeder reservoir for the Birmingham and Worcester Canal - so it seems that even the midland canals have a water problem. Couple this with the slow filling of Chasewater reservoir, which feeds much of the BCN, and maybe we need to get "oop north" asap - there seems to be enough water in the NW at the moment!

Low water? You wouldn't know it from this photo

We see that BW's Vince Moran is hoping to meet with "stakeholders" to talk about the lack of water on the system. There are rumours of closures, but only closures on the K and A, the Grand Union near Tring and certain restrictions on the Leicester Arm of the Grand Union (according to waterscape) are in place. The EA states, "If the reservoir groups that support the Caldon Canal and Oxford and Grand Union Canals are not substantially refilled over the autumn and winter, British Waterways have some concerns for navigation next year. All other waterways are at normal risk".

So, we need RAIN, RAIN and more RAIN. On a more cheerful note the snowdrops are out - I must get some for next year. However my violas are really enjoying the sun and cold!