One more canal "under our belt"

Saturday, 13 February 2010 18:17

Actually perhaps that should read "under our hull"

Our hull took a bit of a bashing today though, as we encountered a fair bit of ice as we cruised the Rushall and Tame Valley Canals. It was time to move from Longwood Junction so we set off down the Rushall flight of nine locks. All the paddles are locked  - we needed our "anti vandal" key.

Yes - I was operating the locks, in all weathers!

After the first two locks, there is a long pound which runs alongside Calderfields Golf Club, where the snow had all melted. There were a number of golfers out as we could hear their voices, but were unable to watch any shots!

At Lock 3, which is very well kept, there is another BCN Lock Cottage. This one has not been "modernised" and still retains its original charm.

Lock Cottage 92

John took over the lock operation at this lock and for the next six, walking between the locks to set them. Some of the pounds had a fair bit of ice in them, so to keep steerage I had to use a good bit of throttle and have the top gate open ready for me!

Lock 4 and Birmingham Road Bridge

Leaving Lock 4 was fun - neither gate would stay open so John enlisted a volunteer who just "happened" to be strolling by just as we needed him! He held the towpath side gate open and John did his usual large step across the gap and held the off side gate open. I exited majestically to go and wait under Birmingham Road Bridge for Lock 5.

The next two pounds were attractive - they are short pounds between locks 5 and 6, and 6 and 7 - and are well kept. This is a popular stretch of canal for walkers and runners and they all passed the time of day with us. Some were surprised to see a boat on the move in such weather!

Pound between Lock 5 and 6 and right, between Lock 6 and 7

I made a good ice path from Lock 7 and into Lock 8. A passing runner said "making new ground then?" I should have replied, "No, just grinding ice", but didn't think quickly enough! He had a bit of a Walsall accent - try saying ground in Walsall-ese!

Looking back at my straight ice breaking and Bell Bridge (note, straight at full throttle and into the lock without a bump!)

Lock 9 was the bottom lock and then it was not long to the Junction with the Tame Valley Canal. We passed under the M6 Bridge and then Rushall Junction Bridge and turned right onto the Tame Valley Canal.

Looking west (right) on to the Tame Valley Canal

The view SE (left) was towards Perry Bar and thence to Salford Junction with the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal and the Grand Union. We are not quite ready to go back to Birmingham yet though!

The Tame Valley Canal  going towards Birmingham

So there you are - "another canal under our belt" and still the Tame Valley west to come today ........

BCN, Rushall Canal, Longwood Junction to Rushall Junction

2 hours 39 minutes, 2.82 miles 9 locks