Narrowboat Maid of the Mist Blog - April 2011

We hope you enjoy reading about our travels around the British Inland Waterways

Staffs and Worcester Canal

1st - 3rd Back at Autherley waiting for a spare part for our heating unit. It will not arrive until Monday lunchtime, so will spend the weekend on web work, and will try and sort out some pictures for here.

4th - Part arrived at lunchtime after which we set off on our journey. This is now the start of our summer cruise. We cruised from Autherley Junction to Wightwick, Bridge 56 on the Staffs and Worcester Canal. Three locks and four and a half miles.

It was particularly blustery, but otherwise a smooth run.

5th

3.5 miles 3 locks today - moored at the top of Bratch Locks.

6th

Today was a beautiful day, weatherwise, so 6.5 miles - 12 locks in six hours (we did stop for an hour at lunchtime) moored now at Stourton Junction.

Dudley No 1 Canal

7th - Zoe's birthday today.

Today was a long day having cruised 5.5 miles, operated 28 locks in 9 hrs. From Stourton Junction we turned onto the Stourbridge Canal and then onto the Dudley No. 1 Canal with the final 8 locks takings us up to the Merry Hill Shopping Centre.

Graham took quite a few pictures, and then lost his camera. This camera was a new one, purchased only three weeks ago, having broken his other new one whilst on holiday in Malta. He can only assume it fell overboard at some point during the cruise. He usually has it hanging on the tiller or his wrist.

8th -15th Still moored at Merry Hill. We are taking this opportunity to touch up the lock rash on the gunwhales. It has got quite bad over the winter months. We had to start off by sanding them, then putting primer on the bad parts. It all takes time. We have only completed one side at the moment, so we have to turn and do the other today.

Lea came for an overnight stay 12/13th so she could have a bit of a shopping spree on Wednesday. I was totally exhausted - we set off about 10.30am and didn't get back to the boat until 4pm. 6.5 hours on your feet walking round a shopping centre is not good. Still I managed to get myself a few nice T-Shirts for the summer.

BCN Main Line

16th - On the move again. Travelled to the Engine Arm of the Birmingham Main Canal. Operated just 3 locks.

17th - Another three locks (Smethwick Locks) and we are now in Birmingham Centre. Moored up in sight of the Sea Life Centre.

21st - Still in Birmingham. Not in a hurry this year. Graham has gone into his shorts and will remain in them until the 1st October, regardless of the weather. The plants are starting to flourish and we should have a wonderful summer display.

Stratford on Avon Canal

22nd - Lea's Birthday today. Hope she has a lovely day. We tried to moor at Bournville today, to enable Zoe to visit and park her car in the compound, but unfortunately the lock has been changed to a private one so we had to move on. Ended up travelling until 7.45pm and moored on the Stratford on Avon Canal near the drawbridge and the pub named the Drawbridge.

We had a lovely meal in the pub and arranged for secure car parking for Zoe, who arrived about 4.30pm.

23rd - Will be spending the next three days in the same place to enjoy then sunshine. We are planning a BBQ tonight, roast dinner Sunday and a lovely home made pizza on Monday.

25th - Had a lovely weekend with Zoe and Ryan. Apart from enjoying the sunshine, we had a lot of fun. We will be on the move again tomorrow in a bit more earnest now, towards the Cambridgeshire levels.

26th - Moved a short distance to just past the second of the Lapworth Locks (7 miles - 2 locks). I had a busy day inside, packing away bedding and tidying up again after Zoe's visit.

27th & 28th Finished both the Lapworth locks and the Hatton Locks. A tough 2 days, although the weather was perfect, not too hot and not too cold. Moored up tonight on the 48 hr moorings near Delta Marine, Warwick.

29th - Stayed put today to watch the Royal wedding. Beautiful event. And what a kiss (sorry 2 kisses). The dress was gorgeous as was the whole event, and apart from Princesses Eugene and Beatrice I felt there were no fashion faux pars.