Photoblog: BCN Marathon Challenge Day 2

Congestion – and it’s not 5am yet!

Dawn on the Cannock Extension Canal

Fulbourne moored up at Pelsall Junction

Malus and Atlas

View from a high canal

Daw End moorings – a pleasant mix of residential and visitor moorings (further along) – looked like a good place to moor

The first of the dramatic views over the valley and the red quarry

More magnificent views

A million bricks? It may be more….

The Daw End branch is very pleasant

The long straight of the Rushall Canal contrasts sharply with the twists and turns of the Daw End Branch

nb Black Beauty on the Rushall Flight

Canada geese enjoying a stroll along the towpath…

Attractive lock cottage on the Rushall Flight

Swallow’s nest under a busy road bridge on the Rushall Flight; you can just make out a chick peeping over the edge; the parents were whizzing in an out at head height – it’s a low bridge!

Such a beautiful canal – great views even towards the bottom of the flight

Confident swans on the Tame Valley Canal

Looking back towards Rushall Junction

The Tame Valley still towers above the surrounding landscape

Slow down! Leave those grey motorways and join us on the lush green BCN

The cheery crew of nb Elemiah on the Tame Valley Canal

A ‘lovely maned’ horse by the Tame Valley Canal

The Walsall Canal doesn’t look so bad from here…..

But it soon closes in…..

Wonder what this narrowing on the Walsall Canal was for? There’s a tiny landing stage nearby as well.

No kidding!

Aqueduct on the Walsall Canal – it’s a broad aqueduct made narrow by vegetation; good views from up here though.

Walsall Town Basin – full of welcome boating life

And back to normal on Monday morning – just think of all these empty and safe moorings just waiting for you to visit…..

Photoblog: BCN Marathon Challenge Day 1

On the way up the day before:

Following a well driven hire boat through Lady Lane Wharf

Fulbourne stuck mid-channel (or were they trying to save on diesel?)

Traffic jam

On their way to the marathon (Thursday) – many hands helping Fulbourne through Shirley Drawbridge

Almost through ….

Such a perfect pose…..

Hawne Basin looking lovely – a good omen for tomorrow’s challenge

And we’re off…..

The fortified approach to Gosty Tunnel’s southern portal

Fine views on the approach to Windmill End Junction

The view up a ventilation shaft in the Netherton Tunnel

Passing nb Saltaire near Dudley Port Junction – the first of many meetings!

Marathon first aid – fuel and service boat. We’ll be seeing you tomorrow!

nb Api Wanderings at Spon Lane

Tug Joanna at Spon Lane Top Lock

Crossing over the New Main Line

The traditional Blakeley Hall Bridge under the elephantine legs of the M5

Gloomy surroundings at Anchor Bridge

The boat-friendly cafe by Chemical Arm – no time to stop for coffee though…..

The cheery crew of nb Solatium

We’ve squared the circle! Looking down at Netherton Tunnel’s northern portal from Tividale Aqueduct

Tividale Aqueduct: the view the other way with the fine sight of narrowboats on the move…

The broad reaches of the Wolverhampton Levels

nb Shropshire Lass

Dudley Tunnel’s northern portal – good moorings, services and a museum – what more could you ask for?

Green and pleasant land around Coseley Tunnel

And it’s positively rural on the Wednesbury Oak Loop

End of the road – Bradley Works at the end of the Wednesdbury Oak Loop

Passing nb Whitchurch (or should that be Just) – only just enough room to pass through the weed near the end of the Wednesbury Oak Loop

Oooh another trip down the weed hatch

Traffic on the Wolverhampton Levels!

An opportunity for youth to take out (of the canal) what they put in! This yard near Horseley Fields Junction had several ‘community’ boats

View towards Horseley Fields Junction

Promising outlook – a view onto the Wyrley and Essington Canal

Where are you taking that mattress?! It would be nice to think that the towpath was just a shortcut to the local rubbish tip….

Reflective pipe bridge on the Curly Wurley – so shapely, a real feature.

Grand duck house – which MP paid for that on expenses then??

Fulbourne be-weeded on the Wyrley and Essington

Good place for a rummage while the boat keeps moving….

Quite a convoy – the tug’s pushing the dredger and pulling a full size butty…..

Ooh that’s good – cooling splosh on a hot hot day….

The Wyrley and Essington at its best…..

Friendly boating community at Sneyd Junction

Sue, Mark, Steve and Robert of nb Tawny Owl looking good with the bunting – we must get some for next time…

Passing nb. Kershez in the wonderful dusk light

Sunset