Selly Oak Aqueduct

A new road is being constructed to relieve congestion in the centre of Selly Oak and this will pass under the canal at a new aqueduct.

To allow construction of the aqueduct the canal has been diverted into a new parallel channel a little to the west of the original alignment and very close to the railway.

The first picture shows the approach from the Birmingham side, then the start of the diversion channel offset to the right.

The channel is just one boat wide and takes a sharp turn to the left to rejoin the original alignment at the end of the diversion, before passing under a temporary contractors lifting bridge.

Looking back from the southern end the diversion is offset to the left and is preceded with warning signs for boaters.

Looking north, from the southern end, the approach starts with the temporary contractors lifting bridge before reaching the diversion.

Posted on Saturday, 6 March 2010 at 22:10        Comments (0)
Category(s): Worcester & Birmingham

Selly Oak Aqueduct

One reason the stop gates were being maintained in the last blog was probably because of the new work at Selly Oak, just a few hundred meters away.

A new bypass is being constructed and will pass under the canal and railway, requiring a new bridge for the railway and a new aqueduct for the canal.

The canal will be temporarily slued onto a new cut closer to the railway (where the diggers are) while the aqueduct is being constructed.

When it’s finished it will be put back onto its original alignment passing over the new aqueduct.

With the pound stretching to Tardebigge and Lapworth in one direction, and to Tipton and Parkhead in the other there’s an awful lot of water to flood Selly Oak with if something should go wrong so it’s a good idea to check the stop gates.

I’m puzzled by the carefully prepared towpath diversion around nothing – yet !  I wonder what’s going to be there.

Posted on Friday, 11 December 2009 at 21:29        Comments (0)
Category(s): Worcester & Birmingham

Stopgates

There are stopgates positioned under bridge 82 on the Worcester and Birmingham Canal, between Edgbaston and Selly Oak.  Most of the time they are folded back, out of the way an nobody notices them as they steer through the bridge.

Most of the time they serve no purpose – they are there just in case.  In the event of a breach in the canal they can be closed very quickly to stop the flow of water and minimise the length of canal which is drained.

They work rather like lock gates, and look rather like them and, just like lock gates they need maintenance and occasional replacement.

Here, stop planks have been used to form a dam each side of the bridge and the water has been pumped out to allow full access to the gates.  Normally all we see, even if we are looking, is just the very top sticking out of the water.

These new gates have been made to measure as each set are unique to their location.

Unfortunately, drawings of what was built hundreds of years ago don’t always match what you find then you drain the water out and there’s a little head scratching going on here.  I’m sure it will all be fitting well before too long, but, unless there is a breach, nobody will even know they’ve been here in a few weeks time.

This is one of the longest pounds in the country, permitting one of the longest lock free cruises so there would be a lot of water to drain if it wasn’t controlled somehow.

The winter stoppage season is a good time to do these works and there’s a particular reason for working on these gates now and making sure they work – but you’ll have to wait until the next blog post for that.

Just alongside were the workboats used to bring the materials to site and to take away any scrap material and spoil afterwards.

By putting the stop planks close to the gates the digger can reach over to help when required.

Posted on Sunday, 6 December 2009 at 22:36        Comments (0)
Category(s): Worcester & Birmingham

Tom Jones reads our Blog (and so does Jan)

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.

Posted on Friday, 17 July 2009 at 20:54        Comments (2)
Category(s): Blog Readers , Stratford upon Avon , Worcester & Birmingham

Avon and Severn

We’ve had a few busy days since leaving Stratford upon Avon, trying to move when the sun shines to make the most of the filming opportunities.

We’ve travelled downstream on the River Avon, watching all the lovely wildlife, including this Kingfisher which calmly watched us drift past.

It’s much wider than a canal, with very few bridges over the wide river, and the few that are there having small arches to aim for. 

We passed through towns like Evesham and Pershore, and many small villages, mostly glimpsed in the distance over the high flood banks of the river.

We spent some time at Tewkesbury, including cruising right to the end of the mill stream, not often reached by visiting narrow boats where Andrew took this great picture, which just might make the front cover of our planned Avon Ring DVD.

Today we ventured onto the River Severn, even larger and wider than the River Avon.  The river is mostly between high flood banks with only the tops of buildings and features visible over them.

We were looking out for Snipe and Taurus, the Hotel Boat pair from Canal Voyagers (which we knew were heading south) so we could film them for their 10 seconds of fame.

We’re moored in Worcester, hoping to be closer to Tardebigge tomorrow if the weather improves.

Posted on Tuesday, 14 July 2009 at 19:03        Comments (0)
Category(s): River Avon (Stratford) , River Severn , Worcester & Birmingham

Stourport Ring

We have just released the Stourport Ring DVDs.

Just as for the Birmingham Mini Ring, the Four Counties Ring and the Llangollen Canal there are two DVDs – in Popular and Bowcam format.

The Popular format is a cross between a holiday programme and a documentary with a touch of history – all presented to entertain.

The Bowcam is filmed from a forward facing camera and is edited to provide a continuous high speed view covering all the ring.

Both travel clockwise around the ring from King’s Norton Junction.  Birmingham brings the famous Gas Street Basin and Worcester Bar.  Farmers Bridge are the first locks – the broad Knowle locks following later.  The attractive Kingswood and Lapworth Junctions are followed by the Lapworth locks and three lifting bridges.

There are short extracts onto YouTube so you can see how they look yourself – but please be aware these are low resolution and quality compared to the originals.

Both versions are available Combined in one box.

Posted on Thursday, 21 May 2009 at 13:31        Comments (0)
Category(s): BCN , Droitwich , Dudley No 1 , River Severn , Staffs & Worcester , Stourbridge , Stourport , Worcester & Birmingham

Tardebigge Locks – Summer & Winter

We had more snow yesterday than we’ve had for a long time and I took the opportunity to do a little filming.  One of our forthcoming DVDs will now have a few snow scenes added for variety.

I caught the train to Bromsgrove and walked to Tardebbige Locks on the Worcester and Birmingham Canal.  I was prepared with prints of key photos of stills and videos I had taken during the summer so that I could match the views.

Standing high on the embankment of Tardebigge Reservoir I was clutching the prints in the howling gale and peering in the gloom at the small picture on the camera screen and shuffling the tripod around a little to try and get it right.

Fortunately it seems to have worked, as these matched pairs of stills show.  It’s a good job as the snow is melting fast and I might not get another chance to repeat the exercise for years.

Posted on Tuesday, 3 February 2009 at 14:38        Comments (2)
Category(s): Worcester & Birmingham

Ten Little Ones

Most families of ducks have grown so much now that you have to look very carefully to work out which are the parents.

The little ones have grown as much as the parents and have almost all their adult feathers in place.

I presume this was a second brood when the mother was keeping these ten youngsters very close by.

We’re moored at Kinver tonight, heading back to Stourton Junction and Stourbridge tomorrow.

Posted on Thursday, 17 July 2008 at 17:28        Comments (0)
Category(s): Staffs & Worcester , Stourport , Worcester & Birmingham

Mink at King's Norton Junction

Returning through King’s Norton Junction today after the traffic jam there yesterday.

There were no boats in sight but on the right, just after the junction bridge were these three black animals.

They were quite openly playing on the bank and weren’t the least bit bothered when I quickly engaged reverse gear and stopped in front of them to grab a camera.

I managed two still photos and, hopefully, enough video footage to include in the Stourport Ring DVD we’re filming for.

I had to Google to check what they were.  It seems they are black mink – perhaps someone can leave a comment to confirm that – or suggest otherwise.

Now we’re moored back at Sherborne Wharf, heading for Dudley Tunnel tomorrow.

Posted on Monday, 14 July 2008 at 17:10        Comments (2)
Category(s): Stourport , Worcester & Birmingham

Traffic Jam at King's Norton Junction

Sunshine was forecast for today so off we went towards Tardebigge to do some filming for the Stourport Ring.

We’d been this way a few weeks ago but missed out on the filming as we were rushing to get our gas problem (and a few others) sorted.

At King’s Norton Junction we saw two boats through the bridge and wondered what was happening.

Careful observation revealed it was a motor and butty turning left onto the Stratford Canal.  The turn is very sharp, immediately after the bridge, and the far corner is very shallow.  I guess the motor didn’t make it and was pushed further onto the shallows by the butty.  They must have been there for some time as we’d not seen them ahead of us, even on the longer straight stretches.

Later I spotted this very tidy Anglo Welsh kit.

Moored tonight at the top of Tardebigge and heading back to Birmingham tomorrow.

Posted on Sunday, 13 July 2008 at 21:33        Comments (2)
Category(s): Worcester & Birmingham

Slowly to Worcester

It started bright this morning, good weather for filming so off we went.  The wind was awful and will make the sound track difficult to edit but we went anyway.

At Offerton the pounds between the six locks were all very full and when we emptied one lock the next one filled itself.

If you look carefully through the gate in the photo you can see the turbulent water as the lock filled itself.

And look at these proud parents who brought their youngsters out into the sunshine.  They were just at the age when they still look fluffy and cute but their necks are starting to lengthen and look just a little like a swan.

Their parents puffed up their feathers and came up to the boat, clearing their throats gently to attract my attention to feed them.  When I didn’t get the message they tried pecking my ankles so I went into the locks and ignored them.

The strong wind made progress very slow and we stopped at Worcester.  A short break to film around the town and to look at the big locks and the River Severn.  The River looked windswept and uninviting and those coming off the River reported a rough passage to we decided to stay in Worcester and head for Stourport tomorrow.

Posted on Sunday, 22 June 2008 at 20:32        Comments (0)
Category(s): Stourport , Worcester & Birmingham

Rainy Days

This morning was too dark and wet for filming so we caught up with several odd jobs and made sure everything was working after the last few days problems.

After lunch it brightened up and looked a little brighter so we made a move.

First down the Astwood flight of six locks as we continue to head downhill.

Then past Hanbury Junction where the Droitwich Canal heads off to the right.

It’s un-navigable at the moment but under restoration with hopes it might be navigable by the end of 2009.  If it is we’ll have to come this way again.

We moored up early, for us, at Tibberton as the clouds were gathering and it looked like rain again.

If Nick’s reading this we expect to be in Worcester tomorrow afternoon, possibly somewhere near the basin.

Posted on Saturday, 21 June 2008 at 19:11        Comments (0)
Category(s): Stourport , Worcester & Birmingham

Going down in the World

At long last we’re on our way and filming the Stourport Ring.

Susan had joined us last night by train to Alvechurch where were moored for attention to our gas supply and we want to make the most of her services.

With Christine & Susan crewing the boat I can spend a little more time filming away from the boat rather than having to work the locks and film at the same time.

We made it down the Tardebigge and Stoke flights yesterday, making the most of the sunshine.  That’s down 36 locks and 7 Miles after a late start with the Gas Man attending first.

It’s raining this morning so time to catch up on a few jobs.  It’s forecast to dry up after lunch so we’ll probably move a little closer to Worcester once it’s bright enough to film.

For now we’re moored between the Stoke and Astwood flights. 

Posted on Saturday, 21 June 2008 at 12:35        Comments (0)
Category(s): Stourport , Worcester & Birmingham

I spy Skyy

Heading south along the Worcester & Birmingham Canal we cruised through Wast Hills Tunnel past the Hopwood Arms and towards Alvechurch.

I was woken from my daydream with a call from the towpath asking if I was Paul.

I glanced at the couple on the towpath, who looked a little familiar, desperately wondering where I’d met them before.  I’m hopeless recognising people out of context and standing on a muddy towpath in the middle of nowhere wasn’t much of a clue.

It was Mac and Jacquie from Skyy.

We’d never met before but I’d put a comment on one of their early blogs to wish them well with their cruising adventure.

They’d done well to recognise us and remember my name in time to flag us down.  We just had time to exchange a few words – hopefully we’ll have time for a few more next time we meet.

By then my brain had started working – but too late to take a photo of them – and I assumed that, as they were walking along the towpath, their boat wasn’t far away.

There’s no name on the bows so if we had been cruising by we’d have nearly passed them before realising.  It looks smart with plants on the roof.

Now I wonder why their last three blog posts were at 04:29, 04:30 and 04:36 – it must have been three really good evenings to finish that late – or was it just one a batch of blogging.

Posted on Sunday, 4 May 2008 at 18:48        Comments (0)
Category(s): Worcester & Birmingham

Moving at Last

Rather later than last year we finally set off on our first cruise of the year.  First the train to Birmingham, then shopping at Tesco for a few days supplies.

After winding the boat, and replacing a used Calor Gas cylinder we were off.

The rain couldn’t decide whether to start or stop, but we hardly got wet in the end as we mostly travelled in the dry.

We passed almost silently through the centre of Birmingham, chatting easily to the passers by and were soon leaving Gas Street Basin behind.

A short journey this afternoon took us to the quiet mooring spot near the University.

When the sun came out it was time to make the most of the opportunity to sand down the paintwork ready to touch it up before we start filming for this year’s DVDs.

Posted on Friday, 2 May 2008 at 21:57        Comments (0)
Category(s): Worcester & Birmingham