Thursday 27th June

Knowle to Rowington

Just a short distance to get to a suitable mooring so that we could walk to Packwood House. We had found that the Millennium way would take us from bridge 66 to the house via the eastern tree lined avenue. Unfortunately there was no cafe as there were building works going on. The house was interesting and unusual because it had all the original contents, and the garden was very beautiful.

Back at the boat Andy left us to walk to Lapworth station to catch a train to Leamington Spa and onwards to Reading.

Later we moved on to moor near the Tom O'The Wood pub. After dinner on board we went for a pint in the pub. They only had one beer which wasn't very good, so we went up the hill to Rowington Club which is in the GBG. They had 4 beers on, but I stuck to the Wye Valley HPA.

Wednesday 26th June

Cuckoo Wharf to Knowle

8am start again, back to Salford junction where we turned right to go back back up the Grand Union to Bordesley junction. We had to stop in one of the locks to go down the weed hatch to remove a piece of electrical cable and loads of other plastic bags etc. This was the first time this year and probably for 3 three years. It was noticable the we could go faster after this. Then we went up Camp Hill locks. All the locks today were empty which was in our favour so we made fast progress.

We moored for lunch in Catherine de Barnes. We had lunch in the Boat which is a Chef and Brewer pub. After lunch we carried on as far as Knowle where we were able to have a barbecue for the first time ever on Jacob.

I decided to change the leaking engine water pump for the spare. Unfortunately the spare also leaked, but from the rear bearing rather than the front one which means that it is easier to catch the leakage.

After that we walked into Knowle to go the Vaults. This is difficult to find as it's just a door down a side street and has no windows at all. They had a few beers, however I stuck to the Donnington BB which was excellent.

Tuesday 25th June

Titford to Cuckoo Wharf

Set off at 8am but Thistle beat us to the lock, very annoying as they had said that they would leave as early as necessary to be first. However it only held us up by 10 minutes.

At Oldbury junction we turned right and then left at Spon Lane junction and down Spon Lane locks to Bromford junction where we turned right onto the New main line. Then at Pudding Green junction we turned off onto the Walsall canal and down Ryders Green locks. At Doe Bank junction we stopped briefly to empty the toilet and dispose of the bags of rubbish that we had collected from the locks.

We turned right there onto the Tame Valley canal and went all the way along and down through Perry Bar locks to Salford junction where turned sharp right to go to Cuckoo Wharf. We went past the wharf and managed to wind in the remains of one of the old arms. Moored on the wharf and filled up with water while we all had showers. An 8 hour day with no stop for lunch.

We were worried that the area might be locked up at night but in the end we risked it and walked out to the Bartons Arms. This is a magnificent pub restored by Oakham brewery and serves Thai food. On Tuesdays you can get get 2 courses for £10 so we all took advantage of that.

Monday 24th June

Tipton Green to Titford pumphouse

There was a morning talk at the library to tell us about 10 things that Titford is famous for, and also a look at the lost canals in the area. After that we went to Caggys yard to buy another anti vandal key. We walked back from there along the route of the Toll End canal from Watery Lane junction up to the Wolverhampton level and went for a pint and lunch in the Fountain Inn.

After lunch we set off to Oldbury junction where we turned right to go up Titford locks. We carried on to Titford pools to wind at Portway Branch junction. We did get stuck on a submerged object under Jarvis bridge but we manged to get off it and past it. We moored behind the other boats on the towpath near the pumphouse by Titford top lock.

After a meal on board we went to the pumphouse for the final social. The 36 pints of beer, Enville ale from Ma Pardoes, didn't last long and I only got one pint. A raffle was held in aid of the  BCNS but the plaques were not ready and will be sent to us in the post.

Sunday 23rd June

Walsall to Tipton Green

After a noisy but trouble free night we set off at 815 back to Walsall junction. We had to wait a while before we could start going up Walsall locks as they were letting some water down to fill up some of the low pounds. And again later we were held up while Stuart pulled some bricks out of the way that were holding open the bottom gate of one of the locks.

At Birchills junction we turned left onto the Wryley and Essington canal. As we approached Sneyd wharf one of the other boats was just leaving so we stopped to fill up with water there. At Horseley Fields junction we tuned left towards Birmingham.

When we got to Deepfields junction we turned off to explore the Wednesbury Oak loop. The first part to the  winding hole was not too bad, but after that it became much worse. We had been told that the chain which they used to use to block off the Bradley yard out of business hours is no longer used. This was the case but we winded in the entrance to the side basin before the chain as Stuart had suggested.

Back at Deepfields junction we turned left back onto the main canal. We moored alongside Arcturious outside the Neptune centre at Tipton Green. A 10 hour day without stopping for lunch!

We went to Mad O'Rourkes Pie Factory to eat, where most of the customers were from our cruise. This is the last of the pubs from the Little Pub Company and still has Lumphammer beers and the Desperate Dan Cow Pie. Then we caught a bus to the Beacon Hotel in Sedgley where we had some of my favourite beer, Sarah Hughes Dark Ruby Mild. We caught the last bus back at 2230.

Saturday 22nd June

Ocker Hill to Walsall

We set off and turned right at Tame Valley junction onto the Walsall canal. Quite a bit of this was shallow and slow going.

At Walsall junction we turned right into the town arm and moored in the basin at the end. This was not easy as we had to turn around and back in alongside the other boats. Soon the basin was full and three boats moored just outside.

We went for lunch in the Rose and Crown near the top of the locks. They only had rolls for lunch and the beers were disappointing apart from the Strawberry one that the landlord recommended.

Later we went for an early dinner in the Black Country Arms which used to be in the GBG. Then we went shopping in Tescos.

After that we returned to the same pub, then Martin and I tried the Red Lion where we had a short measure Banks bitter. Finally we went to the Lyndon House Hotel.

Friday 21st June

Longwood Boat Club to Ocker Hill

Four Paws was off to a very early start and as there was a very narrow gap between us and the boat opposite I decided that we should get out of the way and move onto the lock mooring to be the first to fill up with water. 45 minutes later at 815 we were full and went into Rushall top lock.

There were no problems with these locks and at Rushall junction we turned right onto the Tame Valley canal.

The mooring was just before Tame Valley junction and we moored alongside the bank.

We set off on foot to the Waggon and Horses for lunch. This is the brewery tap for the Toll End Brewery which can seen in the garden. They don't do food apart from the usual snacks including some very nice local Pork Scratchings. However you can buy your own food in the chippy next door and eat it in the conservatory or garden. So we went and bought some kebabs there.

Back at the moorings Kellylea had moored alongside us. Later we gathered at 4pm for a guided walk. We were taken up Ryders Green locks along the Swan Arm and back via the original Brindley canal which is now gone.

After dinner on board we returned to the Waggon and Horses for the evening.

Thursday 20th June

Anglesey Basin to Longwood Boat Club

Back down the Curly Wyrley to Birchills junction and then left onto the Daw End branch. Some of this is very shallow so we were too late for lunch at the Manor Arms, but we did still have time for a pint to check the beer for tonight.

After that we carried on to Longwood junction where we moored inside the Longwood Boat Club.

For dinner we had ordered fish and chips and we ate these in the clubhouse with the other boaters. After that we made the one mile trek back up the towpath to the Manor Arms for beer.

Ian had arranged to borrow a card to get us back in to the boat Club, which was fortunate as it was locked when we got back.

Wednesday 19th June

Pelsall to Anglesey Basin

In the morning we turned left at Pelsall junction to explore the Cannock Extension Arm. Unfortunately we had been asked to turn at the old colliery basins rather than go as far as we went before and wind at the boatyard.

Back on the Curly Wyrley we passed many of the other boats who had stopped at Brownhills Tescos and we carried on past Catshill junction and stopped at the Anchor Inn for lunch.

After that we carried on to Anglesey Basin where turned round and went back to moor alongside Kershez. We had dinner on board then we walked into Chasetown to the Uxbridge Arms with Stuart.

Tuesday 18th June

Wolverhampton to Pelsall

The first day of the explorer cruise. We were one of the last to set off as Andy went to the post office to get some first day issue stamps.

Turned left at Horseley Fields junction onto the Wryley and Essington canal. We stopped for a pint at the United Kingdom Pub where two other boats from our convoy had stopped. There is a secure mooring for one boat there.

During the the afternoon we stopped at Sneyd wharf to fill up with water and empty the toilet. Our mooring for the night was just before Pelsall junction where we moored alongside Arcturious.

We had dinner on board and set off to find beer. We had been warned that the Finger Post pub by the canal did not have any real ale, but we had found 3 pubs in Pelsall within one mile.We went first to the nearest one, the Old House at Home, then to the Railway Inn which has Cask Marque approval. On the way we looked at the Queens but didn't go in.

Monday 17th June

Compton to Wolverhampton

Decided not to start as early as last year to go up the Wolverhampton flight but when we got to Aldersley junction there was already one boat waiting for another boat to come out of the bottom lock. However once we got going after them we made quite fast progress.

When we got to the top there was still space to moor on the visitors moorings towpath side before Broad street  bridge. As it was now gone 2pm we went to the Moon Under Water for lunch.

When we got back to the boat, Kellylea was moored alongside us and more boats had appeared to gather for the BCN Explorer cruise B.

After dinner on board we headed to the Great Western for the evening social with the other boaters. We stayed there all evening.

Sunday 16th June 2013

Wombourne To Compton

In the morning we only went as far as Wightwick bridge on the outskirts of Wolverhampton so that we could  visit Whightwick Manor.

On the way the Manor we stopped for a pint at the Mermaid Inn. They were fully booked for lunch so we had lunch there in the old stables at the Manor, which are now part of the new and bigger cafe. After that we went round the house then round the gardens. There was quite a bit more to see inside the house than last year, however the gardens weren't as good, as apart from the Rhodedenrons there weren't as many plants in flower.

After that we moved on through the next 2 locks to Compton bridge for the night. We walked up the hill to the Westacres, an Ember Inn, where we ate. After that we went to the Swan.

Saturday 15th June

Stourbridge to Wombourne

We moved down the Stourbridge Town arm and moored by Chubbs bridge so that we could go to the Red House Glass Cone museum. This is now a free museum unlike my last visit.

On the way back to the boat we went to Tesco express. Then we carried on to the end of the arm, turned left at Wordsley junction and down to Stourton junction, having lunch on the move.

At the junction we turned north onto the Staffs and Worcs canal. We moored for the night before Houndel bridge 45 where one other boat was ready moored. Another boat moored behind us.

After dinner on board we avoided the Round Oak pub by the bridge and walked up the hill towards the GBG pub. On the way we noticed that the Mount Pleasant had been refurbished and re-opened as a pub again, so we tried that. We were pleasantly surprised to find a few interesting guest beers. Then we carried on to the New Inn which is still in the GBG. They have quite a few beers on but all from the Marstons stable. It was also karaoke night.

Friday 14th June

Windmill End to Stourbridge

830am start. Good run down Delph locks in 1 3/4 hours despite them all being empty. At Leys junction we turned up the Fens branch and winded at Brockmoor junction. We had no problems this time as the branch has been dredged since my last attempt.

We moored for lunch on board below lock 2 of the Stourbridge flight. We also went to sample the beer in the Samson and Lion.

At Wordsley junction we turned left towards Stourbridge. At the end of the arm we winded and went back and moored next to the other two boats moored outside the secure compound.

We went to eat in the the Edward Rutland which is a Lloyds No. 1. There was music playing but they had a good choice of beers on the front bar. After that we moved on to the Duke William which was very popular. Here we were able to sample several of the local Craddocks beers.

Thursday 13th June

Black Country Museum to Windmill End,  Netherton

We moved over to the facilities on the other side of the arm to fill up with water and empty the toilet and rubbish bin.

Set off and continued along the old main line towards Factory junction. On the way we spotted a Londis in Tipton. Another boat was already moored there and we pulled up in front of them and I went to get some milk.

At Factory junction we turned right and down Factory locks onto the new main line. At Dudley Port junction we turned right onto the Netherton tunnel branch and through Netherton tunnel.

At Windmill End junction we turned left on the Dudley no. 2 canal. We could see no sign of the pub that we had visited last time. As we approached Gosty Hill tunnel we could see a headlight at the other end so we moored. Eventually a pair of working boats appeared presumably on their way to the Pelsall rally. After passing through the tunnel we moored and had lunch on board. After that we carried on to Hawne Basin where we moored in a downpour. After the rain had eased we filled up with diesel. Then we set off back to Windmill End where we moored on the offside.

Later we went to the Old Swan. We had one pint downstairs then went upstairs to the restaurant in the old function room where we had a three course meal with beer.

Wednesday 12th June

Cambrian basin to the Black Country Museum

We set off via the Oozells street loop so that we could get some gas at Sherborne wharf. Then back on the main line up Smethwick locks onto the old main line to the Black Country Museum.

Lunch in the Bottle and Glass pub in the museum then a wander round the rest of the museum, unfortunately it rained some of the time. Back to Jacob before the back gate was locked at 4.45.

We ate on board then walked up into Dudley where we went in the Court House and the Lamp Tavern.

.

Tuesday 11th June

Cambrian basin

Lazy morning. Oil change. Shopping in the Chinese supermarket. Met up in the Old Fox then dinner in the Malaysian Delight restaurant, followed by beers in the Lamp, the Post Office Vaults and the Old Joint Stock.

Monday 10th June

Bodymoor Heath to Birmingham

Early start to get into Birmingham. At Salford junction we turned sharp left onto the Grand Union canal. We moored for lunch on board above Garrison locks in Bordesley.

Turned right at Bordesley junction. We made a detour into Typhoo basin then up the Digbeth branch to Aston junction. Up Farmers Bridge locks and moored in Cambrian basin at 4pm.

In the evening we went for a pint in the Fountain then for dinner in Shanghai Shanghai restaurant. Then more beer in the Anchor, the Shakespeare and the Wellington (in the new upstairs bar as the ground floor was being refurbished).

Sunday 9th June

Hartshill to Bodymoor Heath

Arrived at Atherstone top lock just as another boat was ready to go down. So we followed them down with some assistance from the boat behind.

We had lunch on board but we stopped at the Samuel Barlow for a pint and took advantage of their water point while we there sitting outside on leather sofas and chairs!

At Fazeley junction we turned left onto the Birmingham and Fazeley canal. We moored for the night one lock above the Dog and Doublet. We had booked a table for 730. They wouldn't take a later booking as they close early if the can on a Sunday, however we were not the last to leave. We have a long day tomorrow.

Saturday 8th June

Brinklow marina to Hartshill

Set off at 9 to get to the Greyhound for lunch. The restaurant there was fully booked but there was one table free in the bar. The food and drink were excellent as usual.

After lunch we turned right at Hawkesbury junction onto the Coventry canal towards Fazeley.

For the evening we decided to avoid Atherstone and stop at the Anchor near Hartshill to check it out now that it has changed hands. It's still an Everards pub and hasn't changed much with 2 Everards beers and a guest or seasonal Everards beer. After a light dinner on board we walked up the hill into Hartshill. We found a shop to get some more provisions and checked out the Stag and Pheasant but decided to give it a miss and go to the Malt Shovel which is in the GBG.

Friday 7th June 2013

Brinklow Marina

Arrived at the marina after 3pm due to traffic delays which we had avoided by taking the A road between Bedford and Northampton. Ian had beaten us there.

Fitted the new shower pump to replace the very noisy original which would seize up if left unused for more than a month.

We decided to stay in the marina and take advantage of the recent dry weather to walk across the fields to the Golden Lion in Easenhall. We had dinner on board before going there. The pub was quiet with only one group eating. They had two beers on.