Titford Pools are a no no

Friday, 29 January 2010 18:08

What a shame

So having failed to get to Titford Pools on Epiphany we took shanks' pony. He didn't need it for a while - sorry, in a funny mood; it has been a hard day today. Now I have wetted your appetite to hear what happened, I will leave it there and return to Titford Pools!

The towpath along the Titford Canal is well maintained, but is a cinder path - Yuk! - dreadful for sticking to soles and then making the floor of the boat all gritty. However it was none too clean with irresponsible dog owners allowing their darling pooches to make a mess -another Yuk! There are no dog bins to encourage good habits; the last one I saw was at the top lock. The canal itself was full of rubbish - partly due to stuff being thrown on the ice I suspect, but it looked very neglected.

Moan over - we walked towards Titford Pools, only a 10 minute walk or so.

Winding hole at Uncle Ben's Bridge

I love the name and wonder who Uncle Ben was. This was the bridge after Langley Forge where we had been stuck on an underwater object.

The winding hole before Jarvis Bridge was much smaller and had more rubbish in it! This is the last one before the Pools.

Winding hole

Jarvis Bridge from east and west

We arrived at the junction - Causeway Green Branch off to the left and Portway Branch to the right - which is closed - you can't miss the notice!

Junction of branches at Titford Pools

It was closed because of the repairs to the M5 bridge

Even if we had got this far with Epiphany, we would have not been able to go further as the Causeway Green Branch is silted up and it would have been inadvisable to try the Portway Branch and along beside the M5 because of the rubbish in the canal. I suspect it is also pretty silted up too, as are the Pools, I hear.

M5 across the Pools

The men working under the bridge were having to crawl and work crouched down as the bridge is low and the language was a bit ripe! The M5 steel supports need strengthening apparently - glad we're not in a car ;-)

We followed the footpath under the M5. Where were our hard hats?

The other side of the M5

The Portway Branch side of the Pools

There was plenty of interest for the wildlife enthusiast, I suspect, but it was cold and we didn't want to hang around. So we made do with the ducks and geese, who did not seem to mind all the rubbish!

Tyre toy for the wildfowl?

I hope that the BCNS will be able to clear up the rubbish and encourage BW to sort out the obstacles, as this canal needs to be used to be kept open, even in the winter! It would be good if the local population began to take a pride in it, too.

I know that some narrowboats have been here in warmer months - the BCN Marathon went to Titford Canal last year. The 2010 Marathon is sadly cancelled. I would like to think the the next time we come we would be able to get up to the Pools by narrowboat.