|
Post by thebfg on Oct 18, 2016 19:44:55 GMT
Hello all.
I'm only a holiday boater and as there is demands for more boaty stuff here I am going to add my holiday for others.
Next Saturday I'm taking my family and in laws on one of the wonderfull Kate boats boats. We're off upto Birmingham and as suggested on canal world were going up the union and into Birmingham via farmers bridge locks and back via the Stratford.
Everyone is really looking forward to it, packed and online shopping done already and it will only work out at less than six hours a day give or take except through the "badlands" into Birmingham.
Pub lunches and evening strolls are on the cards.
I am a previous hirer but none of the others are. I'm happy to say the kind folk at kate boats are letting us on board at 12 so will be tackling Hatton on the Saturday giving a leisurely cruise to Catherine de Barnes via the black boy (think that's it)
We can plan in a day in brum, so what can anyone suggest we can do to enjoy some time "ashore" my father in law worked for royal mail for 50 years so we will have a look around the mail box and let the kids have a look at the TV studios there.
Many thanks ADI
|
|
|
Post by Telemachus on Oct 18, 2016 20:50:54 GMT
The new library is well worth a visit, it's a very short walk from Brindley Place. There are outside terraces on the upper floors which give great views.
|
|
|
Post by thebfg on Oct 19, 2016 16:15:04 GMT
Cheers and right up our street too.
|
|
|
Post by Telemachus on Oct 19, 2016 16:24:27 GMT
I thought the cafe was a rip off so take your own sandwiches!
|
|
|
Post by Saltysplash on Oct 19, 2016 16:27:22 GMT
My last visit to the BCN was yonks ago,in a previous life, Spent most of the time visiting loops and lesser used canals. There was loads of old industrial buildings back then and it felt a bit like going back in time, Also Gas street hadnt been redeveloped. Its been so long since i was up that way I dont even know if there is still some lost and forgotten spots anymore
|
|
|
Post by bettina on Oct 19, 2016 16:50:02 GMT
I thought the cafe was a rip off so take your own sandwiches! I'd second that ^^ I used to work for the parent company that runs the cafe and it was pretty much used as a "little money maker"
|
|
|
Post by thebfg on Oct 19, 2016 18:43:27 GMT
Note taken. We've got the mother in law so luckily it's pub lunches all round. But I'll remember just in case.
|
|
|
Post by john6767 on Oct 21, 2016 11:22:12 GMT
One thing I would suggest if you want to get a bit of a feel for the BCN is on your day in Birmingham you take the time to have a cruise down the new Main Line to Smethwick, up Smethwick locks and then back down Spon Lane locks and return on the New Main line. That will let you see lots of the industrial history/dereliction it is very interesting stuff.
|
|
|
Post by thebfg on Oct 22, 2016 17:40:28 GMT
Kate boats let us board at 12.i was worried about getting up Hatton.
Turns out. We hooked up with another hire crew and got up in two hours. Entering and leaving locks together. Something I learned on canal world.
Currently sat in the Durham Ox on shrewsly enjoying a steak.
|
|
|
Post by john6767 on Oct 22, 2016 19:34:41 GMT
No way in 2 hours, that is less than 6 mins per lock, that would be superhuman on those locks!
What's the Durham Ox like these day not been there for years.
|
|
|
Post by Telemachus on Oct 22, 2016 19:37:12 GMT
No way in 2 hours, that is less than 6 mins per lock, that would be superhuman on those locks! What's the Durham Ox like these day not been there for years. They do fill / empty very quickly. We've done it in 2:25 just the 2 of us so I can imagine that with a team, someone going ahead to prepare, and going in and out together (thus saving time) that 2 hours is possible.
|
|
|
Post by john6767 on Oct 22, 2016 19:46:45 GMT
No way in 2 hours, that is less than 6 mins per lock, that would be superhuman on those locks! What's the Durham Ox like these day not been there for years. They do fill / empty very quickly. We've done it in 2:25 just the 2 of us so I can imagine that with a team, someone going ahead to prepare, and going in and out together (thus saving time) that 2 hours is possible. They do indeed, and 2:25 yes, I think our best is 2:40. I don't really think 2 hours dead though, just me being in a picky mood, not having a go, too much of that going on! We regularly do Calcutt in 20 mins which is under 7 mins per lock, and keeping that up for Hatton would give you sub two and a half hours easy.
|
|
|
Post by Telemachus on Oct 22, 2016 20:30:41 GMT
They do fill / empty very quickly. We've done it in 2:25 just the 2 of us so I can imagine that with a team, someone going ahead to prepare, and going in and out together (thus saving time) that 2 hours is possible. They do indeed, and 2:25 yes, I think our best is 2:40. I don't really think 2 hours dead though, just me being in a picky mood, not having a go, too much of that going on! We regularly do Calcutt in 20 mins which is under 7 mins per lock, and keeping that up for Hatton would give you sub two and a half hours easy. I get the feeling Hatton is faster than Calcut. Don't know why it would be, perhaps the paddles are bigger or the rise is less?
|
|
|
Post by Trina on Oct 22, 2016 20:59:12 GMT
I really like Hatton...but have never done it when it is dry !We either end up buying cake at the top & saving it for Saltisford...or buy cake at the top when we are drenched & en route for Brum. 😠.A smashing set of locks whatever...😊
|
|
|
Post by thebfg on Oct 24, 2016 15:57:50 GMT
To be fair it was two hours when we were sat on the second from top lock waiting two slower crews to go up and there were twelve people working the locks.so officially it probably 2.20 give or take the start time may of been rounded up or down and I don't know when he started the timer but we were in the pub by six. The other crew were very slick
We were entering and leaving at the same time. Really happy I learned that. I do have video somewhere
|
|