How many Home Waters can one boat have?

Friday, 06 November 2009 17:06

In our case it seems like a few!

We felt "at home" on the South Oxford Canal, the Lancaster Canal, and now we are on familiar territory, very much "at home" on the Staffs and Worcs! Of course, this canal is familiar to us, after 5 years with nb Twelfth Night being based on it at Gailey.

Some things have changed - as already mentioned, the bollards at locks - but today we noticed (although they are all over the system) two BW notices particularly! John has a very literal mind and the phraseology of these notices is very strange. Have a look and think about it!

On Bogg's Lock (34) bottom balance beam

How can you leave the lock and at the same time close the gates?

On Bogg's Lock top balance beam

Maybe the bend in the gate plate and railings bear testimony to boaters trying to obey this going up - it takes a close look to see the way the boat on the sign is going!

Here is a change from the usual photos of Gailey Round House

It is taken from Brick Kiln Lock (33). How many photos of Gailey Lock and its roundhouse (an old toll house) must there be in the world? I have countless ones, anyway!

We stopped above Gailey Lock to get rid of the rubbish in the very tidy rubbish area and pop over the lock to buy some gas. Of course, we had to have a natter with Jim and his son David, the owners of JD Boats (contact details) at Gailey Wharf and the operator of the Viking (now part of ABC) hire fleet and Gailey share boats there: old friends from Twelfth Night days, we always manage to chew over a few issues!

Gailey Basin with one of the ABC hire fleet (upmarket) boats

A little bird told us this lovely boat is for sale

We had some good times on Twelfth Night and will be sad not to see her at Gailey once she is sold.

This classic Staffs and Worcs bridge has seen some damage from both sides. Gravelly Way Bridge (78), like many others is on a bend and boats meet here, some obviously not able to stop?

Gravelly Way Bridge

The canal bends around to Calf Heath and past Calf Heath Marina, again with lots of on-line boats outside the marina. Immediately afterwards is Hatherton Junction. Each time we pass we wonder how soon we will be able to turn left onto the Hatherton Branch.

Hatherton Branch

The canal takes a right turn under this bridge - newly painted I think

The canal twists and turns again - as it should, as one of the earliest contour canals on the system, built by James Brindley and opened in 1772. We think it also one of the prettiest canals, with everything - locks, villages, towns (even a funfair at the terminus at Stourport!), countryside and lovely moorings - all a boater could want!

We moored just before the Fox and Anchor pub at Cross Green, not for the pub, but for easy access to the 76 bus back into Penkridge (to pick up my prescription - see our new section "medical tips"). The pub has had our patronage over the years and despite being part of a chain has always provided us with a good meal.

Staffs and Worcs Canal, Rodbaston to Cross Green - 3 hours 20 minutes, 5.75 miles, 3 locks