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The name describes my demeanour and voice! I love narrowboating and that is why this blog is mainly about the boat and our interaction with it. I have been keeping a log for Sonflower ever since we bought her and moved onto her as our main residence. Some incidents in our boating life have been hilarious, some scary and some down right dangerous. I cannot tell what will come in the future but you can now share them! The crew are an 'ordinary' couple. The Best Mate and I.

Friday, 18 July 2025

Stuck on the Birmingham Canal Navigation

 Tuesday 15 July 2025

The Birmingham Canal Navigation Society Cruise being over we set off at just before 6.00 and to decend the Oldbury Locks (The Crow). We had to move because we wer in the way. Where we had come to a halt by stuff on the prop the night before was not the best place to moor. I initially intended to move the boat to the lock landing and let others take the lead but The Shrew and Churwell Force were insistant that we could go first..

The locks were full and all was well until the pound between locks 5 and 6 which was empty!  


Phil was consilted and water was let down the flight until I was satisfied that Sonflower would be able to float through the pound. As we exited Oldbury Bottom Lock we came to a sudden stop again. I got Sonflower to the side and opened the  weed hatch to find a pair of North Face jogging bottoms. The rest of the cruise was uneventful and beautilful. As we turned into Tividale Quays a dog walker gave us a cheery welcome. It was like coming home. We turned and moored in our accustomed spot, cleared brambles and rubbish to the appropriate bins and I returned to Titford Engine House by 87 bus and walking up The Crow to retrieve the car. 

The Oxford Canal is closed  so we cannot get home by boat!

 

                                                                                                        2 miles, 4½ furlongs and 6 locks        2.1/2hours

 

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