Titford 18th - 26th May

These Black Country names eh?

We had a restful day on 17th, waiting for a gap between  the showers to amble to Mad O'Rourke's Pie Factory, an amazing place. It's the 3rd time we have visited, as the Explorer Cruises always call in one night. This time we hoped to meet up with an ex colleague but somehow we missed each other..  Will try again during the week.

Anyway, waddled our tummies back to the boat

And collapsed inside for a post prandial snooze.

Next morning was cloudy but mostly dry, so we set off through the weed to Titford. There was a report of a fallen tree partially blocking the canal,  and we got there found contractors already on site to remove it.

They moved out of the way while we drifted past.. plenty of room, just meant going through a weedy patch. Here's what we mean

Onwards! To the Oldbury Arm, which leads up 6 locks to the Titford Pump House, the HQ of the Birmingham Canals Navigation Society (BCNS). These locks are notorious for losing water and today was no exception.

The remedy was for me to go up the flight opening every single paddle, to run water down from the top through the locks. Goes against everything I've ever been taught or done. However, the water level recovered pretty quickly and as we neared the top we were joined by a BCNS friend, Francis, who joined in with a will.. saved me a fair bit of legwork trotting between locks, a really welcome addition.

Having reached the top, we then went half way along the arm

 to a winding hole, with a coot nesting right in the middle.

Back to the moorings, where Andrew had lunch then headed to the train to go back home while I babysit the boat and take part in the BCNS Summer Boat Gathering at the weekend.

Here's my view: it will fill up with other boats in the next few days.

Hopefully it will warm up a bit too. Tuesday was idle except for an excursion to Aldi. This meant returning up the arm and past the winding hole up to the Titford Pools, reservoirs with the M5 striding through. Turn right and suddenly you're out of the green and in a shopping centre.

Wasn't very photogenic so here is a very young coot family.

At some point I need to get down the weed hatch with a sharp implement.. I can't find the end of the ?plastic? wrapped around the shaft.

And Wednesday evening I have an IWA meeting. Oh, that's Inland Waterways Association,  celebrating 80 years of campaigning for the waterways. 

In the meantime, some uninterrupted, noisy,  time with these:

Concert, Beaumaris, 20th June! Pay to get out! Do come if you're not too far away!!

Will post now as the next few days will be more of the same, unless the weather cheers up and I feel tempted to jump on the train to Birmingham centre.