« Grand Union Canal Maps are released

East Midlands (Leicester) Ring Cruising Maps are released »

Our last release of maps was a set covering the Grand Union Canal, both as individual sections, or as a complete canal. These include all the branches and constituent canals, from the Hertford Union Canal to the Erewash Canal.

That's a total of 434 kilometers which is an awful lot of cycling to ensure the maps are completely up to date when published by covering the entire route. As with all the maps published so far the entire route has been visited, mostly by me but with occasional help from other family members. Several bloggers have been surprised by a knock on the side of the boat as I stopped to say hello on the way past.

A GPS trace is recorded and everything is logged and photographed before being added to the master map which shows the whole country. The individual canals are then published from this.

Out of interest I've just done a rough count of what I found along the Grand Union Canal which makes for some interesting statistics.

If you get a different answer then it's probably my rough count and it's unlikely to be the maps that are wrong. As the maps are for electronic download we can keep them up to date. Any updates we hear about are added to the master map and the appropriate downloadable maps updated within 7 days, often less. That way we ensure the maps you download are kept up to date.

If you are kind enough to tell us of a change to a map you have purchased then we'll update the map and let you have a new download. That way you get an up to date map, and the new download will also include any changes we have heard about from other boaters too.

Some printed guides from other suppliers have not been updated since 2009, with the 2012 updates merely being a new cover without updating the contents.

This week I'm cycling along the Kennet and Avon Canal so watch out for that map being released soon.

« Lee & Stort Navigation Maps are released

434 kilometers is an awful lot of cycling »

We've just released the next maps in our Cruising Maps series.

As with all the others, they are available in two formats - both for download.

The Acrobat (pdf) format for viewing and printing as individual pages, and the Memory Map (qct) format for seamless mapping on your computer, Andorid, iPhone or PDA.

The new releases cover the Grand Union Canal, as individual sections, or as the complete canal
> Leicester
> North
> Central
> South
> All

No need to keep turning from one page to another in canal guide books to trace your way along the Grand Union Canal as the seamless Memory Map format is just what you have been waiting for.

The first map on the right shows the area covered by the Cruising Maps (click to enlarge)

The second map on the right shows an extract from the Cruising Map (click to enlarge)

If you are not how sure what these maps are like then take a look at our Free Droitwich Canals Map to see just how good these are.

« Data Collection on the Grand Union Canal

Tekey Tezey Home Mooring »

Continuing along the Grand Union Canal Main Line, it was just a short section from Bull's Bridge Junction (with the Paddington Arm) and Cowley Peachey Junction (with the Slough Arm).

It;s not very far and there are no locks so it didn't take long to collect the data for our Cruising Maps.

For more information see

Grand Union Canal Photo Gallery for a virtual cruise along the canal
Grand Union Canal Route Information

« Cycling the Hertford Union Canal

More data collection on the Grand Union Main Line »

The next section for data collection for our Cruising Maps was the Grand Union Canal Main Line between Brentford Junction (with the River Thames) and Bull's Bridge Junction (with the Paddington Arm).

A short section of the Thames Path from Kew Bridge station brought me to Brentford Junction. The tide was about half-way so there's some water visible in the photos for the tidal section below Thames Locks.

Then, noting the warning signs about variable headroom on the semi-tidal section from Thames Locks to Brentford Gauging Locks, it was time to head up the canal.

There were lots of people along the canal on this sunny afternoon, especially around Hanwell Locks, but not so many they caused problems. I was asked a few questions when people saw me stop to make notes and measure the lock depths, and I was please I could answer them all.

It wasn't long before I reached Bull's Bridge Junction with the Paddington Arm I've already covered.

For more information see

Grand Union Canal Photo Gallery for a virtual cruise along the canal
Grand Union Canal Route Information

« Cycling the Regents Canal

Data Collection on the Grand Union Canal »

Cycling the short Hertford Union Canal completed the data collection for the London sections of the Grand Union Canal cruising maps.

The Hertford Union Canal is part of the Grand Union Canal and runs from Hertford Union Junction with the Regents Canal to the junction with the River Lee Navigation.

It is 1.9 kilometers (1.2 miles) long with 3 broad locks.

Virtually straight from one end to the other the canal was constructed to provide a direct link between the Regents Canal and the River Lee Navigation which not only saved time but avoided the difficulties of a short trip along the tidal River Thames before the Limehouse Cut was dug.

The canal is surprisingly quiet, being bounded along its northern edge by Victoria Park. Many of the features date from the opening in 1830 and are now listed structures.

I'll be turning my attention to the main line next, heading northwards from Brentford Junction with the River Thames.

For more information see

Hertford Union Canal Photo Gallery for a virtual cruise along the canal
Hertford Union Canal Route Information

« Warwickshire Ring Maps are released

Cycling the Hertford Union Canal »

Continuing with the data collection for the Grand Union Cruising Maps I cycled the towpaths of the Regents Canal across the northern edge of central London. The Regents Canal runs from the junction with the Paddington Arm of the Grand Union Canal at Little Venice to the junction with the tidal River Thames at Limehouse Basin.

That's a total of 14.2km (8.8 miles) long with 13 broad locks, including Limehouse Lock onto the River Thames.

Neither of the two tunnels - Maida Vale Tunnel at 249m (272 yards) and Islington Tunnel at 878m (960 yards) - have towpaths requiring walkers to take the marked route over the top of the hills.

The locks come one at a time as they are well spaced out lowering the canal from around 28.5m (94 feet) to reach sea level at the tidal River Thames.

The canal passes through London Zoo, with some of the animals visible briefly, next to the market at Camden, and close to the main line stations at Kings Cross and St. Pancras.

Hertford Union Junction, towards the eastern end of the canal, provides a link through the Hertford Union Canal to the River Lee Navigation, avoiding the route via Limehouse Basin which once required a short passage along the River Thames.

For more information see

Regents Canal Photo Gallery for a virtual cruise along the canal
Regents Canal Route Information

« Paddington Arm or Paddington Branch?

Warwickshire Ring Maps are released »

We've just released the next map in our Cruising Maps series.

As with all the others, it is available in two formats - both for download.

The Acrobat (pdf) format for viewing and printing as individual pages, and the Memory Map (qct) format for seamless mapping on your computer, Andorid, iPhone or PDA.

The new release is
> Grand Union Canal (Birmingham Section) – Cruising Map

No need to keep turning from one page to another in canal guide books to trace your way aalong the Grand Union Canal as the seamless Memory Map format is just what you have been waiting for.

The first map on the right shows the area covered by the Cruising Maps (click to enlarge)

The second map on the right shows an extract from the Cruising Map (click to enlarge)

If you are not how sure what these maps are like then take a look at our Free Droitwich Canals Map to see just how good these are.


Next I'll be issuing the remaining parts of the Warwickshire Ring.

« Cheshire Ring maps are released

Grand Union Canal (Birmingham Section) Maps are released »

Last month I cycled along the Paddington Arm of the Grand Union Canal to collect data for the future releases of our Cruising Maps.

I was surprised at how muddy parts of the western end of the arm were, but it improved to a hard surface for the eastern half of the arm.

I headed east from Bull's Bridge Junction along the arm. Soon I discovered I wasn't cycling along the Paddington Arm, but along the Paddington Branch. So what is the difference?

It soon became apparent that all the older bridge number plates and canal side signs referred to it as the Paddington Arm, while all the newer signs referred to it as the Paddington Branch. I don't remember any formal renaming ceremony so which is right? And which name should I show on the maps?

There was nothing unexpected during the rest of the data collection ride. I now have all the water points, winding points, moorings etc. shown on the master map and ready for publication shortly.

For more information see

Paddington Arm Photo Gallery for a virtual cruise along the canal
Paddington Arm Route Information

« Ashby Canal Cruising Maps are Released

Peak Forest Canal Maps are released »

Compared to the Aylesbury Arm which I recently tried to cycle along but ended up pushing my bike through the mud, the Slough Arm was a great improvement.

There was lots of mud and a few puddles but most of the arm had a hard surface just under the mud making it possible to cycle without much problem.

The lack of locks made for a level journey all the way.

Collecting the data for our cruising maps was easy - first along the arm was Bridge 0.

I can't recall any other bridges numbered 0, presumably this was added after the rest of the bridges had been numbered from 1 upwards.

The arm is almost straight, with very few features along its length, and can hardly be described as exiting or interesting. Even the end of the arm is an anti-climax - it just peters out in Slough, with a dead end, a pylon and a winding hole.

Not even a place to moor, so most boaters just turn around and cruise straight back along the arm, having ticked it off on their list of waterways visited.

For more information see

Slough Arm Photo Gallery for a virtual cruise along the canal
Slough Arm Route Information

« Wendover Arm

Happy Birthday to UKWRS »

In the last blog, about the Wendover Arm, I mentioned the Aylesbury Arm was next.

The trips along these arms were both done in one day, collection the data for the next cruising maps. Out along the Wendover Arm and back along the Aylesbury Arm.

The Wendover Arm was reasonably easy to cycle along but the Aylesbury Arm was different.

I've cycled along hundreds of kilometres during the last few months and found towpaths in various states of repair. The Aylesbury Arm is amongst the worst I have found and it's really quite wrong to say I cycled along the Arm - I pushed the bike most of the way as the mud was too much to cycle through. It wasn't just a few bad patches as on other canals - it was almost the whole arm.

Considering how many books and websites recommend routes along the arm I was surprised by what I found. Perhaps it's too many people walking which churns up the mud. I met several people clutching maps and walking books, and several of these had stopped to study the maps to see where else they could walk as they abandoned their attempts to walk along the Aylesbury Arm.

The arm starts with a two lock staircase and the flow of water along the arm as the locks are used is important, as the water is drawn from the precious resources on the summit level of the main line and goes to waste, as far as the canal is concerned, as it flows into the River Thame at the bottom, and on into the River Thames.

The locks vary in depth with Lock 14, for example, being 2.31m deep with the water to fill it coming from lock 13 which is just 1.76m deep. This requires a continual flow of extra water over the weir at lock 13 to help fill lock 14 below.

I measured the depth of all the locks, as I do along all the routes when I collect the map data, and the depths can be seen in the table of key features on the route information page.

For more information see

Aylesbury Arm Photo Gallery for a virtual cruise along the canal
Aylesbury Arm Route Information

and
Aylesbury Canal Society

« Birmingham Mini Ring Maps are released

Aylesbury Arm »

Making the most of the reasonably warm weather recently I've been continuing to cycle the towpaths to collect the data for our growing range of Cruising Maps.

I recently tackled the Wendover and Aylesbury Arms of the Grand Union Canal, and I'll say more about the Aylesbury Arm in a later blog.

The Wendover Arm runs from Bulbourne Junction on the summit level of the Grand Union Canal main line into Wendover.

It was constructed as a navigable feeder to bring water from the supplies at Wendover but suffered from so many leaks that water often flowed backwards as it took water from the summit level it was intended to supply. Closing the feeder brought improvements to the water supplies of the summit level!

With considerable support from the Wendover Arm Trust, British Waterways, and many others, including volunteers, the remaining short navigable section of the arm was extended in 2003 to the current limit of navigation.

Beyond there, and under restoration, is a dry section, then the remaining section which is still in water, albeit needing a lot of work to make it navigable, including dredging, clearing some trees growing in the canal and raising the height of at least one bridge.

The dry section has seen more lorries than boats recently as the canal bed is used to transport concrete and other materials and equipment to the worksites.

Two footbridges cross the dry section, each bearing plaques which identify the many individuals and organisations which have provided support for the restoration. No doubt other plaques will be added as more contributions are made - you can have your name there too, for a suitable contribution to the work.

The remaining section is still in water, albeit only 30cm (12 inches) deep in most places, but this doesn't require much effort to imagine boats cruising along the arm into Wendover.

For more information see

Wendover Arm Photo Gallery for a virtual cruise along the canal
Wendover Arm Route Information

and
Wendover Arm Trust

« Busy Days

UK Waterways Ranking »

We’ve completed the filming of the Leicester Ring DVD. Here’s Susan, steering our boat towards London at the end of the Leicester Ring filming.

It’s seemed like an obstacle course as we dodged the weather, refilled empty pounds, waited for broken lock gates to be mended and found long lines of boats turning up just when we wanted to manoeuvre the boat for filming. We’ve also shared locks with some very helpful boaters.

We’re just past Calcutt Locks on the way back to Birmingham. We hope to reach Warwick tomorrow (Saturday) and tackle Hatton on Sunday morning - we can lend you a windlass if you’d like to help.

« Loughborough to Syston

Norton Junction »

Our progress through Leicester was swift and without bother from the vandals other boaters have reported and we moored at Kilby Bridge, considered by many to be a safe haven.

We almost caught up with a boat after a couple of locks and we were hoping to share the remaining locks with them but they moored up and we cruised past them - not knowing at the time that they had a broken throttle cable, awaiting the arrival of River Canal Rescue.

It was hard working all the wide locks on our own. They are all slightly different and the best order to open the paddles to avoid pushing our boat around seemed different at each lock.

It was just plain hard work holding the boat with the centre rope in each lock until we reached Double Rail Lock - neither side of the lock had centre bollards. There were three on each side but two were close to each other at the bottom of the lock and no use to us. Rather surprising after the recent fuss about centre bollards.

We moored at Kilby Bridge and were bothered by children on bikes trying to set the BW workboats adrift, until they realised we were filming them.

Then they cycled up and down the towpath shouting a lot and swinging tennis rackets at anyone who stuck their head out. Once again they disappeared when we started filming them.

Aquaholix, the boat we passed in Leicester moored behind us, and we heard about the broken throttle cable from Mike and Debbie Gunn.

We planned to cruise together through the rest of the broad locks which was fine until we reached Bumblebee Lock, the first lock of the day. All four gates were shut and all four paddles down but the pound above the lock was completely drained.

After reporting the problem to BW and walking the pound to check for a breach we had to open both sets of paddles at the next three locks to get enough water to refill the pound. As I walked the pound I was surprised to see no sign of any fish, or any rubbish or any other disturbance.

The rest of the day was great, with our new found friends Mike & Debbie Gunn on Aquaholix sharing the locks and the work. They were very co-operative when asked to go first or second between the locks and to use a particular side of the lock so it kept consistency in our filming. If only they were available every time we meet broad locks.

We made it to Foxton, and we’ve filmed the Market Harborough Arm, so all we need is sunshine tomorrow morning for us to head up the staircase.

This will be the highlight of our Leicester Ring DVD so sunshine is essential – and before 12:30 so it’s on the correct side of the boat for filming.

After that we just hope the repairs to Watford Locks which shut them today have been finished.

« Passing a Blog Reader

Busy Days »

We left Loughborough Basin early this morning, to make the most of the forecast early sunshine. There had been lots of heavy rain overnight and more forecast for this afternoon. Pillings Flood Lock took us by surprise as this normally has both sets of gates open in the summer but they were closed today and we had to work it as a conventional lock, with just 3 inches (75mm) difference in levels.

Barrow upon Soar looked great while the sun was out as we carefully navigated through the centre arch of the stone bridge an managed the sharp bend each side of the bridge.

Warming itself in the best of the sunshine was this cormorant, which simply watched us cruise past. The water from the last few days rain was flowing over the weirs, as here just below Mountsorrel Lock.

We’re moored at Syston, hoping the weather will be kind enough for us to cruise through Leicester tomorrow.

« We’re pased Trent Junction

Loughborough to Syston »

The weather had been very unpredictable over the last few days. The decision to moor up yesterday turned out to be right with strong winds, heavy showers accompanied by thunder and lightening.

The noise of the rain was deafening in the cratch while venturing there to take the photo.

Today we made it as far at Loughborough and moored in the recently refurbished basin before the showers arrived.

Just before we left we had a comment left on our blog by Nick Ferrar saying he was cruising the opposite way round the Leicester Ring so we would be passing somewhere.

He explained he was cruising on a boat from Oxfordshire Narrowboats so when we spotted one of their fleet coming round the corner we had the camera ready. There was just time to check it was Nick as we passed - hopefully he’ll leave a comment when reaching home to name the other four crew members.

« Gypsy Rover

Hawkesbury Junction »

Heading south this morning we reached Braunston Turn where we kept to the left towards Norton Junction.

After winding in the marina entrance we filled up with water before heading slowly back north as we filmed.

The forecasted sunshine didn’t come, but at least it remained dry for the whole day, if a little chilly in the shady sections.

We descended the paired locks at Hillmorton as we headed into Rugby.

Moored near the shops we were able to top up our supplies easily. Tomorrow we will be heading to Hawkesbury Junction, and possibly a little further.

While moored for tea we had a visitor who came surprisingly far inside the kitchen while Susan fed it with bread.

« OverWater Marina stand at the Crick Boat Show

Capercaillie Cruisers Map »

Another great pair of canal DVDs are released from Waterway Routes covering the Warwickshire Ring, clockwise from Braunston Turn.

A short, lock-free section takes us from Braunston Turn to Napton Junction where we turn right onto the Grand Union Canal.

We descend through 23 broad locks to the lowest pound of our journey through Leamington Spa and Warwick before climbing through two more to reach the Saltisford Arm. Our climb continues with the mighty Hatton Flight and the Knowle Locks to reach the highest pound of our journey.

We pass around the centre of Birmingham and along the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal to Fazeley Junction with the Coventry Canal which we follow all the way into Coventry.

The Oxford Canal, with the paired locks at Hillmorton, completes our circuit of the Warwickshire Ring.

These are 1 hour DVDs retailing at £12.95 for the Popular version (rather like a television programme) and £7.95 for the Bowcam version (a speeded up forward facing camera for a little fun).

There’s also a Combined version at £19.90, with both Popular and Bowcam in one box saving £1 on the separate prices (and at least 75p postage).

They are in stock now, just waiting for you to order them, or any from our great range of canal DVDs.

« Moira Canal Festival

We are ready at the Crick Boat Show »

Our Warwickshire Ring DVDs are ready and we’ll have them on sale at Crick.

They are available in our usual Popular (£12.95), Bowcam (£7.95) and Combined (£19.90) formats.

The DVD follows a cruise clockwise around the ring from Braunston Turn, including visits to the Saltisford Arm and to Coventry.

They will be available mail order as soon as I get a quiet moment to add them to our website.

In the meantime we look forward to meeting our customers and friends at the Crick Boat show over the Bank Holiday weekend. Come and see us in the Kingfisher Marquee, stand KF127.

« Bouncing Beginners

We’re going to Crick »

The annual Rickmansworth Canal Festival took place at Batchworth Lock on the Grand Union Canal over the weekend of 15/16 May 2010 with lovely sunshine on the Saturday, although not so good on the Sunday.

Lots of visiting boats were moored in the pound between Batchworth Lock and Stocker’s Lock with many moored three abreast. All were well polished with several adorned with flags and bunting.

There were trade stands set up along the towpath, with several more around Batchworth Locks where there’s an additional lock, to the west of the main lock, enabling access to the River Chess which is navigable (with permission) for a short distance.

« Helpless Caxton

Matilda Rose comes to Birmingham »

Thursday was another Hatton day. This time to help Derek & Dot on Gypsy Rover and Derek & Carrie on Uccello climb the locks. Arriving at Warwick Parkway station at 09:20 it was just a few minutes walk to the waiting cup of coffee on Gypsy Rover.

It was still raining, so we decided to wait and I spent the time updating Dot & Derek on where to go around the Birmingham Canal Navigations.

By 11:30 the rain had stopped and we were heading up the flight. Gypsy Rover leading the way most of the time, with Uccello close behind.

I think I’ve more photos of Dot steering other peoples boats than steering Gypsy Rover.

A quick fill up with water at the top, then on to Hatton to moor close to the station.

I was plied with sticky buns and carrot cake from the two boats, with plenty of coffee.

I spent the following night on our own boat in Birmingham before more locks the following day.

« Northern Pride

Windsong »

« Passing Bloggers

Lowsonford »

« Surprise Sunshine

Smethwick Toll House »

« Bloggers Surprise

Too much water »

« We've been to Coventry

Surprise Sunshine »