Travelled from Fazeley junction to Fradley junction today, so we have now completed the Coventy Canal section of our journey. Tomorrow we head north on the Trent and Mersey canal
The scenery is improving, although the many boats moored on this section reduced our speed considerably.
The journey took us 4 hours to complete 10.82 miles with no locks.
As you can see Fradley junction is very picturesque. And, the Swan Inn is worthy of a photograph. The pub is small but very friendly, with a good menu and good food.

Yesterday we stayed at Curdworth
Today we set off at 9.30am. Travelled 6.12 miles including 11 locks taking a total of 5 hours.
We have now finished the Birmingham and Fazeley canal.
We joined the Coventry canal at Fazeley Junction, where we are currently moored.
Tomorrow we will travel to Fradeley Junction, and join the Trent and Mersey canal.
At Fradeley Junction  (evidently) is the most pictured pub in the UK. The Swan Inn or the Mucky Duck as some people call it. We will find out why tomorrow and let you know
We are both really enjoying ourselves, and the boat is performing well.

We returned to the boat on Sunday afternoon and travelled a whopping 1 mile to Catherine De Barnes.
Staying overnight, we made an early start, as we wanted to clear Birmingham in one day.
We set off at 7.45am. Travelled through Birmingham on the Grand Union Canal, joining the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal at Salford Junction, and stopped at Curdworh. A total of 16.58 miles including 14 locks and stopping for water. Total time taken 9 hours 49 minutes.
We knew it would be our busiest day of our trip. But what we hadn't expected was the state of the canals through Birmingham. They were disgusting. We had to stop three times to free up our propellor which had become tangled with various debris. We had to clear empty bottles and pieces of wood before we could open lock gates fully
On a good note, the trip in and out of Birmingham was very scienic as shown below

Yesterday we had an easy day. In fact we didn't move. We walked into Knowle, which is a very pleasant village, bought fresh bread from the local baker, which proved to be the best bread we have ever eaten, returned to the boat and had a pub lunch at the Herons Nest
Today we had to travel to Copt Heath Wharf, where we will be leaving the boat for 2 nights as we have a wedding to go to in Stroud.
Wendy walked ahead to the Knowle 5 locks to open the 1st lock ready for the boat to enter. On arriving at the lock it was sealed with yellow tape and padlocks had been fitted.
Wendy returned to the boat and we went to the British Waterways web site www.waterscape.com to find what the problem was.
The Canal was closed from the Knowle locks to the Camp Hill locks in Solihull due to a fire at a furniture factory next to the canal, and the Environment Agency had closed the canal due to contamination. So we had to sit and wait.
At 3.00pm we were told the stretch of canal would be re-opening soon.
We set off just after 3.00, and arrived at the wharf just after 6.00pm.

We will continue the blog on Sunday. Thank you to everybody who has been watching our trip so far.

22nd May 2012

Long hot day today, wearing shorts and sandals for the first time.  We travelled 6 miles from Wootton Wawen to Kingswood Junction, negotiating 17 locks and a large number of narrow bridges. At Kingswood Junction we joined the Grand Union Canal, which is new territory for us.  Thankfully this is a wide canal and not too many locks, so some easy travelling over the next few days.   We stopped for an excellent lunch at the Black Boy near Knowle, on the Grand Union canal.  It is so nice to be able to sit outside and enjoy the warm sunshine.  We finally moored up in a beautiful spot just before Knowle.


Picture below passing under the M42 at a much more leisurely pace

 Mooring on Grand Union near Knowle

Arrived at Wootten Wawen this afternoon.
Yesterday we travelled from Stratford upon Avon to Wilmcote. 3.5 miles but 17 locks. Luckily we had the assistance of Pete & Helen Morris, who joined us for the day. A big thank you for your help.
Today we only travelled 3 miles as we had a delay in the morning. The sun is shinning we are in short sleeves and sandals and in a pub!!!!

Crossing Edstone Aquaduct

Arrived at Sratford on Avon today.
Last night we stayed at Bidford on Avon, but had no signals whatsoever. So, we went to a local pub for an evening meal, really good £23 for two meals and drinks, oh and Wendy had a dessert.
Today we had a bit of excitement, on rounding a bend a narrowboat was blocking the river. As we approached he told us he was grounded. So we edged up to him, attached his rear rope and pulled him backwards off the riverbed. He was really interesting, turns out he was born on a narrowboat, and was transporting china gifts to Stratford.
So here we are. Tomorrow we will be photographed by lots of Japanese as we go from the Avon onto the Stratford canal. The lock seperating the two is always full of tourists. Hope we get it right.

Below is a photograph of the boat with the Holy Trinity Church behind us. (Shakespears final resting place)

Had a good day travelling. Arrived at Evesham this afternoon.
We are getting used to the weirs which are flowing very fast.
The photo shows us approaching Chadbury Lock.
As you can see we are heading towards the weir, as the current pushes us over we landed gently at the lock moorings.
Have met a few other boaters today, all have tales to tell of the flooding.

Wednesday 16 May 2012

We had a very pleasant day travelling up the river Avon from Tewkesbury to Pershore.  Passing under the M5 gave me great joy, as I had looked at the river on every journey to Bournville dreaming of this moment.   We have a lovely mooring in Pershore recreation park, surrounded by noisy ducks and swans.   Picture of mooring at Pershore.

We have finally arrived at Tewkesbury after a blustery trip up the Severn.  Strong current, head wind and hail stones meant average speed of only 3 mph.  Still we have arrived and finally left Gloucester.   Let the adventure begin.

Monday 14th May
We celebrated Pete's birthday with friends at the Bell Inn at Frampton last night.
We had an e-mail from British Waterways today telling us the Severn was now clear.
So, we travelled to Sainsbury's in Gloucester and stocked up, did some final shopping in the Quays. Fitted the anchor, checked the engine levels etc.
So now we are ready for an early start on Tuesday. The River Avon is clear, so it looks like a big GO.
We will stay in Tewkesbury tomorrow night then head for Pershore on Wednesday.
Although we have been delayed a week, it has given us the oppurtunity to test out everything before travelling up the Severn/Avon.
Spirits are high and we are now fully relaxed and looking forward to the start of our journey

Saturday 12 May 2012   Returned to Frampton and the weather is improving.  We had a great night in the Ship Inn at Framilode.  Terry, Julie and friends entertained us with a jamming session.   We are going to the Dockers club at Sharpness to celebrate our 22nd wedding anniversary tonight.  Picture of Wallace and Buttercups at Saul.

Thursday 10th May
We have just been told that it may be Monday or Tuesday now before we can go up the Severn.
So, tomorrow we are heading back down the Glos/Sharpness Canal, and hopefully meeting friends over the weekend.
Thank you to everybody who have visited us. We will try again next week 

Wednesday 9th May
Back in Gloucester Docks. Wendy's arm is improving but still painful.
We had a text message from BW saying Upper Lode Lock is now closed due to the water joining the Severn from the Avon.
Heavy rain tonight, so not sure what will happen.
Bridge keeper told us it is the dragon boat racing in the docks on Sunday, so we may have to move?? Where we do not know?

Tuesday 8th May

Rang Gloucester Lock, passage is possible if you sign indemnity form. As that nullifies your insurance, we decided to go to Slimbridge to give the boat a run and top up the batteries.

As we attempted to moor up, Wendy stepped off the boat and slipped.

She is returning from A & E  with a badly sprained wrist.

Things just get worse, but I am sure once we get over these teething problems we will be ok and have a good time. Fingers crossed 

PEEWEE in the docks at night

Can we thank everybody who visited us today in Gloucester Docks.
Helen. Peter, Magalie, Liam, Jack, Manja, Tim, Ian, Emma. Charlotte & Callum. Also to Keith and his wife.
We have looked at the Severn and it is now at 4.8 metres, that is a drop of 1.5 metres in 24 hours

Still in the docks but may have to go back down the Sharpness canal tomorrow to give the engine a run and top up the batteries.

Saturday 5th May
We have arrived in Gloucester Docks. We are moored up at the Barge Arm, adjacent to the National Waterways Museum.
The basin is full of boats waiting to go up the Severn.
We have walked up to the lock and looked at the Severn. It is currently at 6.2 metres, which is 3 metres above the safe travelling limit.
So it looks like a waiting game from now on. Some people say it will be safe on Monday, others say Wednesday or Thursday.
Will keep you informed

Friday 4th May. Star Wars Day (May the 4th be with you)
Still at Rea Bridge on Glos/Sharpness Canal. Everything now ready for our trip.
Car back at home, picked up the ashes of our 22 year old cat. Lodger moved in. Water pump for boat arrived and fitted. Shopping completed.
Tomorrow we are going to Gloucester Docks.
We have seen a number of boats passing us going to the Upton on Severn folk festival. So hopefully we can go up the Severn on Sunday as planned

Thursday 3rd May
Left Frampton this morning.

Now at Rea Bridge in Quedgeley. At last something has worked in our favour. We have made a few last minute orders,  which will be delivered tomorrow to our home address.

Saturday morning moving up to Gloucester Docks, however we are not expecting to join the river severn on Sunday. This is due to a telephone call to the lock keeper who informed us today, that the river level is 3 metres above summer level.

(Mooring 107 at Saul Junction Marina. Empty.)

We will just wait it out

Wednesday 2nd May
Have finally left the marina. Filled up with diesel, water and pump out. Now just outside Frampton, will travel up to Quedgeley tomorrow. Lots of boats waiting for floods to go down