Friday 28 August 2009

Lichfield Catherdal, West Face

The Chad Gospels

Fan vaulting anyone?

Interesting sign, I have never heard of this group

SIR JOHN BETJEMAN

Roseford Bridge, Staffs. & Worcs. canal Friday 28th August

Sir John Betjeman was born 103 years ago today.I wonder what he would have written about ABC Radio4. It used to be known as BBC Radio4, but the alarming increase in broadcasting of split infinitives and qualified superlatives would surely have led him, like me, to believe that the programme is now produced in America.
A great deal of his poetry could be unacceptable in these days of politically correct speech, another good reason to rail against this intrusion from across the pond.
I feel much better now thank you; the pills seem to be working!

Wednesday was spent mooching around Penkridge whilst dodging showers.
A visit to the 14th century church of St. Michael and All Angels produced some pleasant surprises; the tombs to various members of the Littleton family had the names of the children above each effigy.
There was also a two tiered tomb, the lower tier being that of Sir Edward Littleton (d. 1610) and his wife Margaret: the upper being that of their son Sir Edward Littleton (d. 1629) and his wife Mary.

The old Gaol, now restored and housing the Penkridge heritage centre has a set of stocks outside. There is a selection of shops in keeping with a large village, a choice of three hairdressers, two electrical repair shops and two café/tearooms.

Lichfield Cathedral was our destination on Thursday. Changing buses in Stafford, from where the journey took an hour and ten minutes; we went through parts of Rugeley that would be an excellent place in which to locate an enema tube.

The west wall of Lichfield Cathedral is ornate and spectacular. We had remembered to take a pair of binoculars and were able to see the carvings on the many figures in fine detail.
Inside there were many points of interest; the Chad Gospels on display are amongst the oldest books in the world. They were scribed in 670AD, probably by a monk from Lindisfarne which places them some 50 years before the book of Kells.
I find it almost unbelievable that you are able to look at writings of such a great age.
There are of course some beautiful windows; some of the oldest have been shuttered off and restoration has just begun; the process will take some 18 months to complete.

Once a train spotter………. One of the memorial tablets is to Charles Gresley son of Rev. William Gresley of Netherseale Hall, Leicestershire; registrar and chapter clerk to the cathedral for 53 years.
Now Sir Nigel Gresley, the Chief Mechanical Engineer of the LNER, although born in Edinburgh on 19th June 1876 was the son of Rev. Nigel Gresley who was rector of Netherseal; it is possible that Charles was the uncle of Sir Nigel.

2009 Totals: 466 Locks – 863 miles – 35 Bus pass uses.

Tuesday 25 August 2009

Littleton colliery branch bridge

Stafford; St. Mary's church tower

St. Mary's church, Stafford, 1789 organ

St. Mary's church, Stafford, west window

STAFFORD RE-VISITED

Penkridge, Staffs. & Worcs. canal Tuesday 25th August

An even shorter day, just three locks, two with boats leaving as we approached and two and a half miles into Penkridge.
We passed under a railway bridge built to carry the Littleton colliery branch across the canal. The colliery closed in 1993 with the inevitable, tragic loss of some 600 jobs directly; and a good lot more that had depended on those.
We moored below Filance lock and dusted off the bus passes.

We went into Stafford for another look around; we had moored near a bridge that gave access to the Stafford bus route within 200 yards, you might think that it was good, efficient planning; I know that it was pure luck!
He had some good views from the bus, some of those to the East we had seen already from the canal; we were soon arriving in Stafford and started our wanderings.

We did a bit of building spotting and visiting charity book shops before having an excellent lunch in the market café. Perhaps I will write a gourmet’s guide to them; we have sampled a good few over the years and have found most to be good, some of them very good. The plan was to look at the church, which was the Collegiate church of St. Mary. A good sturdy looking building, with a squat tower and some very good glass; including a lancet window designed by Pugin. Isaac Walton was born nearby and christened here. The magnificent west window is partially obscured by the ornate organ installed in 1789. There is a tomb to the Aston family who had the Elizabethan style Tixall Hall built in 1555; in 1586 Mary, Queen of Scots was imprisoned temporarily there whilst evidence against her was being gathered or fabricated. ( these events of course preceded the 1984 Police and Criminal evidence act by nearly 400 years!) Only the gatehouse, built around 1580 has survived, the main hall was dismantled in 1928/9.
Returning to the boat, we chatted to a boater moored nearby, he has a Harley Davison sportster on board; his excuse was that with interest rates so low, he might as well have some enjoyment and keep his money where he has control of it!
The forecast for tomorrow is for rain; if so we will look around Penkridge and scuttle back to the boat when it arrives!

2009 Totals: 462 Locks – 858 miles – 31 Bus pass uses.

Vauxhall Victor

Now I know why you need a coolie hat!

GOODBYE CALEB

Rodbaston lock, Staffs. & Worcs. canal Monday 24th August

A short day, just 6 miles to Gailey, where we filled up with water and I waded into the elsan disposal to, well, dispose of the Yuk as Caleb calls it. I last visited in 2001; the floor was wet then. I suppose that getting the floor draining properly to enable proper cleaning would be asking a bit too much.
There was a steady flow of Northbound boats after we had moored up; the rain did not start for about an hour, we had managed to get it right again!
Clare and Granddaughter Madeleine arrived to collect Caleb after having lunch on board; they left at 2.30pm and made good time back to Bristol. We relaxed until the rain finally stopped and then we moved down three locks, mooring between Boggs and Rodbaston locks.

2009 Totals: 459 Locks – 855.5 miles – 29 Bus pass uses.

Sunday 23 August 2009

THE SUMMIT LEVEL

Cross Green, Staffs. & Worcs. canal Sunday 23rd August

We had a pleasant autumn early morning, as Caleb and Myra worked the remaining three locks that would bring us to the 10 mile long summit level of the canal. Once there, the water was clear and most of the time Martlet was not dragging along the bottom. I always slow right down for bridge holes in urban areas as long as no one is close behind; we rode up at a couple and made breaking branch/wood noises at a few more.

Past Autherley junction, just through the narrow section, I saw the place where the disguised mobile phone masts are grown; another mystery has been solved for me.

You might have guessed that there was a blockage on the Four Counties Ring somewhere. We passed one boat in two hours; having moored up by 10.25am just past Cross Green, it was nearly two hours before the next one. It was a bit busier in the late afternoon, but probably three boats per hour was the average.
Just past the narrow section, I saw the place where the disguised mobile phone masts are grown; another mystery solved!

We had lunch in the Fox and Anchor (I love these original named hostelries) which was not bad, once they had replaced the honey roasted twigs (sorry – parsnips) with ones that did surrender to a knife cut. The roast beef (me) and the lamb (Myra) were very good, potatoes hidden below the roast beef was another first for me.
Tip - if you want to avoid the piped musak, eat outside: the musak is there also, but inaudible most of the time owing to the traffic noise from the nearby M54.

I derive a lot of pleasure from being able to help with good advice from time to time.

The T_Mobile connection will not allow any photos to be uploaded, normal service will be resumed as son as possible. In the meantime, here is some music.........

2009 Totals: 456 Locks – 852 miles – 29 Bus pass uses.

Saturday 22 August 2009

Botterham staircase locks

Bratch middle lock

Bratch bottom lock

TAKING IT EASY

Mops Farm Bridge Saturday 22nd August.

Friday.
Nothing to report apart from the arrival of Caleb for a few days.

Saturday.
If we were expecting to be awake early, we had a surprise. Caleb did not wake until 7am. We were moving by 8am, and he was able to manage some of the lower gates by himself.

We had passed through one staircase set at Botterham and headed for the unique set up at Bratch locks. There was a lockkeeper on duty so our passage through was safe and enjoyable.

Our mooring place through Mops Farm Bridge was chosen using Nicholson’s and Google maps to find an open area away from houses.

2009 Totals: 453 Locks – 844.5 miles – 29 Bus pass uses.

Friday 21 August 2009

Swindon

Houses above Cookley tunnel

SWINDON (THE OTHER ONE!)

Swindon (the other one), Friday 21st August

Thursday.
Another early start, and all was well until we reached Kinver to see a boat moving off into the lock. This was another single hander; unlike the previous day, this one was much slower in the locks once he realised we were behind him. At Stewponey lock, when Myra walked up, he was no where to be seen. The boat was in the lock with the level made and the top gate shut; he eventually walked out of the BW offices with a cup of tea in his hand. Fortunately, he was turning right at Stourton and would not be in front of us. What a difference a day makes………….

We had a nice chat with a couple on a Viking afloat hire boat as we both waited for our water tanks to fill at Greensforge; their boat hire was virtually paid for by using Tesco clubcard points! The amount of money that they actually paid represented the fuel cost, a bargain. They do have a Tesco credit card, but regard their holiday as a freebie and we thought that they had done well.

We stopped above Hinksford lock and a man taking his dog for a walk recommended Mr. Smith’s fish and chip shop in Swindon village. We followed his advice and agreed with his recommendation, they were very good; well done Mr Smith. I saw a malt loaf on half price offer in Londis close by; I should have bought it then as they had sold out on our return later in the afternoon.

We are staying here tomorrow as grandson Caleb is to join us again, we will have him on Martlet until Monday lunchtime and are looking forward the next few days.


2009 Totals: 443 Locks – 839.5 miles – 29 Bus pass uses.

Stourport basin

NIMBY Cottage, Stourport

LOCKING AGAIN

Swindon (the other one), Friday 21st August

Wednesday.
We made an early start from the Severn at Stourport, the staircase being the first narrow locks since July 12th when we arrived in Stratford. We enjoy working locks and are pleased to be back amongst them.
The sun was making an appearance as we left the basins and producing a pleasant glowing light effect on the buildings.
A single handed boater was moving away from the moorings above the basin, Myra did not mind helping him at the locks as he was doing his fair share and of course unlocking the anti vandal gear for us.
Approaching the Bird in Hand pub, there is a row of canal cottages. One of them is occupied by one of the all too familiar ‘every one else is out of step’ idiots. He has a sign on the wall ‘Please do not moor outside overnight’ Well, if you buy a cottage on the canal bank the last thing that you want to spoil your view is boats isn’t it?
We spoke to a boater who moored outside his place. The boat was not even tied up when the man appeared and told him to turn his engine off. When the boater went into the pub, he was told ‘He does that to everyone, we don’t understand why he bought it’
Approaching Kidderminster, there is a large housing development at a standstill and all boarded up; closer to the centre, the canal side looks to have been cleaned up and quite inviting. The only pointer as to the suitability of overnight mooring is that all of the moored boats have heavy duty plastic covers over the windows, and one of these has a large hole and crack in it.
We found a quiet spot north of Wolveley and had stopped for the day at 10am.

2009 Totals: 435 Locks – 830.5 miles – 29 Bus pass uses.

Kidderminster

Wednesday 19 August 2009

Insurance quotation please!

Droitwich canal entrance

VIC 99

Stourport, the Tontine Hotel

ARCHIDIDASCALOS

Worcester, Tuesday 18th August

I had mentioned Henry Powe in connection with Worcester Cathedral. This morning, accompanied by Rosemary, his wife, they joined us aboard for tea and conversation.
We then moved off and took them on a boat trip; it was a lovely morning and also very enjoyable, both of them taking turns to point out various items of interest at Worcester. Just North of the Cathdral is a building that had half of one window blocked off by a wall when additions were made. Henry explained that every Monarch since the time of King John had visited the building. We said goodbye to them at some convenient riverside steps and the two of them stood waving until we were lost to view, some 5 minutes in all. A lovely and very interesting couple.

The title is a word that Henry had seen written on a stall behind the choir in the Cathedral and has been intending for months to find out the what it means.
I was able to give him the answer; a school principal, by using the internet.

As we continued up river to Stourport, we passed a terrace with lovely river access; I wonder how many have trouble renewing their insurance and what the premiums are?
The banks were lower and some good views can be enjoyed. Leaving Bevere lock, we soon passed the entrance lock to the Droitwich canal where construction work was in progress.

We saw a houseboat named VIC 99. This was constructed to the general Clyde Puffer design 'improved' by the Admiralty at John Harker's Knottingley yard in July 1945. The acronym VIC stands for Victualling Inshore Craft; one of the design limitations of the original was that it had to be able to navigate the Forth and Clyde canal. The main advantage was that being flat bottomed, it could be run aground on a high tide, unloaded and refloated on the next; without the need for a convential harbour or slipway. If you would ask Dougie, he would tell you. (Sorry, that last sentence came to mind as I enjoyed reading Para Handy!)

A boat was leaving when we arrived at Stourport, creating a space on the visitor mooring pontoon that we gratefully occupied.
We had a wander around Stourport, which didn’t take long. The former Tontine Hotel is in the process of conversion to housing of the 1,2,3 and 4 bedroom varieties.
We then passed the time chatting to other boaters on the moorings; a quiet evening for our last one on the Severn.

2009 Totals: 425 Locks – 823 miles – 29 Bus pass uses.

Monday 17 August 2009

WORCESTER AND DIESEL TO OUR DOOR!

Worcester, Monday 17th August

We spent last evening at Upton with 8 other boats, not bad on a pontoon of two and a half narrowboats in length! Les and Janet from Nb. George joined us for an evening of chatter about boating and things in general. The time passed quickly as it seems always to do in good company. They had bought their boat through ABNB a year ago and are very pleased with it.

We had a shorter day today, travelling only 10 miles to Worcester. The moorings next to the racecourse are charged at £3.20 per 24 hours; as we wanted to have another look at the Cathedral we looked big and paid our money to the council man and were given a receipt.

Our last visit was made really enjoyable by the knowledge and passion of Henry Powe, one of the guides for this magnificent building. We met him again today; our conversations more than made up for antics of the chapter house. They charge an extortionate £1.20 for a cardboard container of hot water in which was floating a tea bag. No cup, no saucer, no teapot - no imagination. The dean and chapter should be ashamed of themselves allowing this state of affairs; bring back some dignity to this Cathedral as soon as is possible!

After supper we saw Julia Cook and her crew on Nb Towcester headed downstream; a yell across the water brought them around and alongside; we bought diesel and a replacement gas bottle. We prefer to buy from boats whenever possible – keep waterbourne trade afloat!

2009 Totals: 422 Locks – 811 miles – 29 Bus pass uses.

In Upper Lode Lock

Mythe Bridge

Commercial activity

Upton on Severn

Sunday 16 August 2009

GOING UPSTREAM

Upton in Severn, Sunday 16th August

Please do not adjust your set, the interference is purely temporary.
We have gone boating again!
We did 20 miles against the flow from Gloucester dock to Upton on Severn, all of the way at 1500 RPM. At these revs. in still water, Martlet is travelling close to 6 MPH; we were making good 4.5 miles in one hour across the ground today. Therefore, I conclude that the Severn was running at about 1.5 MPH. Certainly, the engine sounded sweeter after a hour or so having had to work for a living.
I think that the Severn is a bit uninteresting until Ashleworth Quay is reached; owing to the trees obscuring a lot of what views are available.
I called up the keeper at Upper Lode lock, and it was almost ready as we approached.

Holding onto the risers, and just before he opened the top gates, we was shouting to a boat above the lock ‘There is a boat coming out, you’ll have to wait’
Well, there is a red traffic light and there were two boats waiting on the pontoon; but I suppose it was an easy mistake to make – especially if you are a person of restricted brain power… As we left the lock, the narrowboat, steered by a woman (fact: no slur or denigration intended, purely included for the sake of accuracy) was at right angles and there was no room for me to pass.
No movement was noticeable on her part nor that of her boat, so I stopped our boat and shouted ‘What are you trying to do? She gesticulated wildly and her boat began to move backwards. We were still unsure of what she meant; but I was able to grab a fistful of revs and pass in front close to the weir wall.

The first of some beautifully proportioned bridges came into view above the River Avon junction; this one is Mythe Bridge. It is a cast iron arch bridge; the span is 170 feet the width 24 feet, designed (of course) by Thomas Telford and completed in April 1826. It was cast by William Hazledine; the total cost including the approaches was £14,600. I am not alone in my thoughts of the bridge. Telford is reputed to have written 'I reckon this the most handsomest bridge which has been built under my direction' so there. I am no Thomas Telford, but I know what I like!

Arriving at Upton on Severn, the visitor moorings were full, but one boat was moving away from the inside position above the link span. We drifted back into the spot after he had left and managed to moor despite the fact that there is no cleat or bollard for the back end.

2009 Totals: 421 Locks – 801 miles – 29 Bus pass uses.

The Mill, Tewkesbury

Riverside terrace, Tewkesbury

Roof bosses viewed in mirror

West window detail, Tewkesbury Abbey

TEWKESBURY

Gloucester Docks, Saturday 15th August

Tewkesbury market day was in full swing as we arrived.
Myra stocked up with vegetables and I did the same for socks; we did a bit of building spotting before eating in a fish and chip shop than a boater had recommended.
We agreed with him, they were very good although a bit pricey. A walk alongside the River Avon took us via the old mill and a nice riverside terrace to the Abbey, the main reason for our visit.
A Saxon Abbey was founded around the year 715AD, declining fortunes saw the absorption by Cranbourne Abbey in Dorset: the present abbey was founded and completed in the last decade of the 11th century. The west front has a magnificent recessed Norman arch 65 feet in height, excellent glass of varying ages are some of the notable features of this wonderful building.
We returned to Gloucester via Cheltenham as the direct bus was not due for 40 minutes; it was a lovely ride through some new countryside.

2009 Totals: 420 Locks – 781 miles – 29 Bus pass uses.

Friday 14 August 2009

The Wishing Fish Clock

Cheltenham, Imperial gardens

Gustav Holst statue, Imperial Gardens

Rose window, St. Mary's Church

LACK OF CONSIDERATION - TWICE!

Gloucester & Sharpness canal, Friday 14th August

We saw a farmer’s market had been set up in Cheltenham as we alighted from the bus today. A few vegetables and a pork pie went into the rucksack, after due payment.
The town reminded us of Leamington Spa, but on a larger scale. A lot of good buildings, together with reasonable planning constraints have produced a well balanced effect.
The Regent arcade shopping centre has both entrances well in keeping and not at all intrusive. There is a wonderful ‘Wishing Fish’ clock which reminded me of the style of Emmett; on the hour, bubbles are blown from the mouth of the fish and children have a whale (sorry!) of a time chasing them.
The well tended Imperial gardens are home to a full size bronze statue of Gustav Holst, who was born close by in 1874.
The church of St. Mary was well worth a visit as the glass was stunning. My favourites were the west window depicting the last supper and the Rose window. The 1915 wooden carved reredos by William Nash was beautiful.
Waterstones bookshop is arranged over three floors, yet managed to display only 14 books on railway subjects; absolutely shameful.
Myra will be borrowing my MP3 player for our bus journeys, everyone fitted with these non-personal players has the volume so loud that she is able to hear them; my tinnitus (and the turning off of both hearing aids) is a blessing on such occasions.
This evening, we were treated to an example of the lamentable lack of care taken by certain people in the matter of contraceptives. Had they behaved in a responsible manner; then three 13year old yobs would not have seen the light of day and grace this earth with their presence. They threw a large stone at the cabin window from about six feet away whilst Myra was reading on the bunk below: fortunately, they missed the window but managed to remove a good sized chunk of paint just above the frame.

2009 Totals: 420 Lock s – 781 miles – 26 Bus pass uses.

Stove enamelled sign collection

Ross on Wye, the Market Hall

LARDY CAKE AT LAST!

Gloucester & Sharpness canal, Thursday 13th August

On the bus again from Gloucester; our destination – Ross on Wye.
It was slightly more hilly countryside than the Cinderford journey, but beautiful with long views. The market town of Ross on Wye has a market hall dating from the 17th century; also good condition half timbered and other old buildings.
There are a good selection of local shops including an excellent bakery.
We bought a lardy cake; it was good and sticky and tasted wonderful.
A newsagent and stationers shop had a very interesting selection of stove enamelled signs on the front of the building. (I apologise for the mark on the camera lens
which has been cleaned)
We looked around the parish church of St. Mary which dates from 1430; very nice windows, most were damaged by fire in the 18th century and some were later restored.
Our return was by a different route, but the views were just as good.

2009 Totals: 420 Locks – 781 miles – 24 Bus pass uses.

Wednesday 12 August 2009

Beatrix Potter clock, Eastgate shopping centre

Cinderford cinema

Long range weather forecast?

HEALTH HAZARDS AND CINEMAS

Gloucester & Sharpness canal, Wednesday 12th August

Having managed a mega breakfast(me)and a standard one(Myra) in the Gloucester indoor market cafe, we staggered to the bus station, where we caught the Stagecoach service 31 to Cinderford. I am used to various notices, some informative, some in my opinion puerile, on their buses. However, until today I had remained blissfully unaware of the serious health hazards to which I could be exposing myself by using this company. I was about to occupy a seat when my attention was diverted by reading the question posed by a notice on the window: ‘Are you running the risk of infection from Hepatitus C?
I immediately chose another seat; whatever next, will the driver have a supply of surgical gloves, masks and wet wipes? I know that Ann Gloag, one of the founders of the company was a theatre sister in Dundee, but honestly!
The journey passes through beautiful countryside and we had occasional glimpses of the places that we had visited next to the Goucester and Sharpness canal.
Cinderford is a nice small town situated high in, and surrounded by, the Royal Forest of Dean. I was in the habit of calling in to a bakery when in the area on deliveries as they produced wonderful lardy cakes. A local informant told me that that bakery closed some 7 years ago, and in her opinion, the new bakers version is not as good.
Well, Cinderford may not have good lardy cakes, but they are more fortunate than a lot of small towns in that they have a thriving cinema, in the original building.
A reasonable selection of locally owned shops, but the inevitable few that seem to have been recently closed and boarded up.



2009 Totals: 420 Locks – 781 miles – 22 Bus pass uses.

Sunday 9 August 2009

Frampton footpath

Sunset

reflections

new lift bridge, Gloucester

JUST THE TWO OF US AGAIN

Gloucester & Sharpness canal, Sunday 9th August

After son in law Tim had collected grandson Caleb; we had the luxury of browsing the Saturday paper as we recovered from the visit. It is lovely having grandchildren with us, as we collect the years; the constant stream of questions and desire for knowledge tire us more than when our children were that age. We would have it no other way. The last time that we looked at a Saturday paper was in June; the radio and television page is well and truly worn out. At last, it seems as though the weather has run out of rain; that could be the reason, it could be that we have stopped listening to the forecast on Radio 4. Whatever the reason, we have been sitting out of an evening and watching the light slowly fading over the Severn and the Forest of Dean; the views are almost as good as Derbyshire – almost!


2009 Totals: 420 Locks – 765 miles – 20 Bus pass uses.
Gloucester & Sharpness canal, Sunday 9th August

now there is an idea....

Thursday 6 August 2009