16 July An Eventful Day

There are two types on the waterways as we found out this morning. Those who can and the others can't.

After an early morning walk along the tow path to complete a couple of nearby geo caches I took this snap of our boat on the way back. A very peaceful spot.

On the other side is a flight of locks that involved a real team approach to get through. This also involved a new task of swan herding!

As the locks in effect open with just a short run before going into the next lock we could get the next lock ready to easily motor into. Unfortunately on our second lock we had a family of swans. The 2 cygnets decided that they'd form a tag team and split from the parents, shooting into the prepared lock just as we were approaching. Not a good idea as there is only just enough space to get a 65 foot boat in!

The thought of squashed cygnet in between the boat and lock wall was not appealing! Ian immediately took evasive action, having to reverse the boat out of the lock to allow the shore crew to make noise, clap, yell and throw bread and biscuits in the opposite direction to get the youngsters back to there parents. Whilst one complied the other decided to be a Kevin the Teenager and went where we didn't want it to go! Then the boat horn was brought into action which seemed to do the job!

On the short walk between that flight of locks to the next section of locks we ended up rescuing two boats that had mysteriously come off their moorings. With the recent rain the ground was soft and it appeared that their mooring pegs had come loose. Anyway we managed to pull them back in and hopefully make them more secure.

Then we came across a couple who were perhaps more suited to a 30 foot boat than a 65 foot one. Or would've been better to have someone who could steer when coming out of a lock!

Peter was sensibly coming out of our lock and heading to the waiting area to then go into the lock they were coming out of. Unfortunately the lady on the helm of their boat decided she couldn't get out with us being there so we had to reverse back into the lock which we'd just vacated. It ended up being a bit of a Tetris game manoeuvring around each other in the shallows and narrowly avoiding going aground. But what was frustrating was that their boat had a bow thruster to help turn and she didn't know how to use it!!! Argh!

Anyway, happy boating!😄.

Our next challenge was having to get a large mesh net out from the propeller. But this was a recurring theme today as the canal is full of weed and rubbish. Just as well the boat has a small hatch at the back for access to the propeller.

Freddie had to hold one set of lock gates closed while we started to fill up the lock as they kept opening! We'd not had that happen before.

Our first swing bridge which had to be lifted by winch.

Then a draw bridge.

With all our hard work we needed a break. I found a nearby canal accessible bakery so we checked out the treats in Wedges Bakery. A very popular establishment and a lovely just cooked bread aroma.

More excitement at another draw bridge but this involved stopping the traffic. It had bells clanging, level crossing type gates and a mechanical lifting system. But not much water! A bit of a delay getting through as we temporarily got wedged on the mud but then through.

Ian was collecting wild life as we stopped to top up with water before making our stop for the night.

We're now only a few miles east of King's Norton junction where we join the Worcester and Birmingham canal. Then tomorrow we're off through Bournville - got to celebrate a significant birthday with some chocolate!