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Waterway Routes Cruising Maps
Posted on Monday, 28 March 2011 at 10:15 Comments (0)
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 Another great pair of canal DVDs are released from Waterway Routes covering the Avon Ring, clockwise from Stratford upon Avon. |  |
 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). |  |
After a busy week our first set of DVDs for 2011 are nearing completion. The Popular DVDs went to the proof watchers last week and the Bowcam DVDs went this week. | |
Yesterday, a Black Prince hire boat passed us part way down Tardebigge Locks as we were making our way up. I took the opportunity to film their boat for a little variety and, looking straight into the camera, the steerer shouted "We read your Blog". We don’t usually have speaking parts but that seems a good way to make sure you’re included in the next DVD.
The lady asked if I could do something else with the filming, but I won’t reveal what, before introducing themselves as Tom & Jan Jones.
They are regular blog readers from New Zealand but living in Australia (I do hope I remembered that the right way round) but we didn’t have time to chat as we both had lots of locks to work.
It’s nice when blog readers say hello as we pass, so please do so – unfortunately we can’t recognise you if you don’t.
Today we’ve progressed onto the Stratford upon Avon Canal, heading towards Lapworth Junctions and the Grand Union Canal for more filming.
We’re moored at Hockley Heath, hoping to reach Catherine de Barnes tomorrow.
After our busy day yesterday, covering 30 locks including the Hatton flight we headed south through the narrow locks of the Stratford upon Avon Canal.
We took it in turns to walk the longer lengths between some of the well spaced locks to share the work. Susan’s favourite spot became the lock beam where she could snatch a little rest. When the world started drifting past it meant the lock was ready and the gate starting to move.
We made exceptionally good progress and we’ve reached Bancroft Basin in Stratford upon Avon.
Andrew joins us by train tomorrow, then we’re off down the River Avon – at least until the rain arrives and that’s forecast for early afternoon.
Before that we’ll need to visit the Tourist Information Centre just behind us to purchase our licence for the River Avon. It’s operated by separate trusts and not covered by the BW or EA licences.
We came back up Hatton locks today, filming in the improved weather for one of our forthcoming DVDs. That’s 21 broad locks in just over 3 hours on our own. Then through Shrewley Tunnel to reach Kingswood Junction and the Lapworth Link.
The narrow locks of the Stratford upon Avon Canal made a welcome change. A little less work on the lighter gates, but the paddle gear was just as stiff, if not stiffer, and the locks were so slow to fill and empty they were probably slower than Hatton.
We made it to Lowsonford and stopped on the visitor moorings. Walking ahead to the next lock there was one of thee best barrel roofed cottages, without the extensions and alterations that have been made to some others.
A short walk to film the village and we discovered the Old Post Office.
We’re moored at Lowsonford, hoping to reach Stratford upon Avon tomorrow. The mobile signal is poor so this may be late being published.
While editing the footage captured last summer for the next DVDs to be released (more details later) I came across a short sequence captured by our Bowcam.
That’s our forward facing camera which is continually recording as we cruise along the route we are filming to be speeded up and edited to become one of our Bowcam DVDs.
I took these stills from the Bowcam recording.
You may need to click on the pictures to see the larger version.
1. The boat is approaching with the lady coiling the rope in the front cockpit. There’s nothing special happening as the boats approach each other and she looks forward to see our boat.
2. She is doing the classic double take as she spots the name Waterway Routes on our boat and recognises the name.
3. She turns round to say something to the gentleman steering the boat. We’ll just have to guess what she said but it must have been something good about us as he starts to look.
4. He recognises us too and gives us a big friendly wave – I’m sure he’s not just waving because he’s been told to.
5. The lady turn back to give us a big friendly wave of her own.
It’s nice when boaters give us a cheery wave but this suggested they knew us – or at least something about us.
I had the chance to speak to them a little later and discovered they were Jane and Raymond Cross. They had purchased one of our Llangollen DVDs and they were happy to recommend it.
You can see more about the meeting on our previous blog post.
When we get a chance to say hello, however briefly, we often get a few gems of feedback from those who have seen our DVDs. It’s feedback like that which makes our next DVDs even better.
So – if you see us around during this summer – do take a moment to say hello and stop for a short chat. You might even have your moment of fame on our Blog.
Heading south on the Stratford on Avon Canal we saw this boat coming towards us.
First the steerer seemed to be taking a particular interest in us, then he disappeared. The boat coming towards us appeared to have nobody at the helm.
I think he’d just bent down to shout something to those inside the boat – but what could it be? Was it connected to the interest he was taking in us.
Then the steerer re-appeared and seemed to be listening for something. He was listening for the sound of our engine.
Someone had done well to recognised us well in advance and remember we had an electric motor with silent running.
As we passed there was just time for him to say they were blog readers from New Zealand and for me to ask them to leave a comment so I knew who we had missed. So who are the mystery boaters – please leave me a comment.
I was so surprised that I didn’t get my camera out until they were well passed us – it’s a good job we had the Bowcam running so I could extract these stills.
It’s not very often we get to meet our mail order customers face to face. Today was an exception when I met Jane and Raymond Cross. (I do hope I remembered their names right).
Our son, Andrew, was steering as we headed north on the Stratford on Avon Canal and I was at the front investigating a problem with the Bowcam.
Then I spotted the crew of a southbound boat waving at us as they approached. They had recognised us from our Llangollen Canal DVD which they had purchased earlier this year.
We were just about to moor up so I could go back on my bike to capture a few more shots for our latest filming. I caught up with them at the next lift bridge for a short chat. Notice Jane doing all the hard work with Raymond supervising.
I also saw them at the next lock as I cycled back to our boat. Jane’s feedback that she liked how our DVD explained about needing to walk ahead with radios on the narrow sections of the Llangollen Canal was much appreciated.
Their home moorings are on the Middle Levels so they have quite a journey just to reach the main canal system. I hope they make it safely back there.
In my earlier post I mentioned that we were spotted on the Stratford on Avon Canal and snapped by several photographers from a local canal and railway historical society.
Michael Thomson, one of their members kindly posted me a copy of one of his photos, showing us passing under Bridge 26.
Thank you Michael.
Bridge 26 is a windlass operated lifting bridge and as we approached we could see lots of people walking around.
When we got there we were photographed from all angles and we seem to have made their day by arriving at just the right time and working our way through the bridge.
It was a trip by a local canal and railway historical society – if one of them leaves a comment I’ll be happy to give them their correct title and a link to their website.
We continued on to the next bridge where we winded the boat and once again they were their, gongoozling (watching) from the bank. Once we’d safely winded I grabbed my camera and turned the tables – pleased to see the gongoozlers smiling back at me this time.
I handed out a few business cards and if any of them care to email me a picture or two I’d be happy to add them to the blog and give them credit for the photos. [Update: see new blog entry]
Heading south from King’s Norton Junction on the Stratford on Avon Canal near bridge 22 I thought I spotted a familiar name heading towards us and grabbed the camera. I was right.
It was Debdale, although not with Adam onboard, heading northwards.
Sue, on No Problem, had previously reported Debdale near Marston Doles on the Southern Oxford Canal. Adam had then mentioned this on his blog.
Now it’s our turn (and I don’t mind if Adam pinches these pictures too.)
Perhaps Adam can identify his fellow boaters from the pictures, or from a rota for the boat which is an Ownerships managed shared ownership boat
Adam was intrigued by my earlier escapades and the notion that a blogger who publishes their intended journey through a difficult flight of locks may find me walking along the flight to meet them – read the comments on Sue’s blog.
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