|
|
Post by nipper on Oct 22, 2016 11:05:05 GMT
Hi all!
I wonder if you could help me make my mind up.
We are currently in Warwick and my intention is to go to Gas Street Basin for a day or two.
From there the intention is to go up to Fazeley Junction and down to Coventry from whence we left a week or so ago!
My problem is what route to take from Kings Wood Junction. Up to Gas Street via The Lapworth Locks, or carry on up the Grand Union and the Knowle and Camp Hill locks?
I have gone into Gas Street via the Lapworth way many times, but never done the Knowle and Camp Hill way, so have little knowledge of where to stop overnight on that route.
Time wise there seems to be little difference with one way having 10 locks, but with 3.5 miles less than the other.
If I leave tomorrow morning, I should get to Gas Street on Tuesday afternoon.
What is the forums personal choice of route to get to the destination? Stoppages are not a problem as once past The Hatton Flight it's pretty much all clear!
Thanks
Nipper
Edited to add, I believe it is half term next week!!
|
|
|
|
Post by Telemachus on Oct 22, 2016 11:12:33 GMT
The route via Knowle used to be pretty grim once into Solihull, but it seems much better these days. Most people consider that you go from Catherine de Barnes in 1 day but you can also nightstop at camp hill top lock. Not particularly pleasant but safe enough.
2 navigation hazards to watch out for, one is the amazing circulating currents between the knowle lock pounds when the lock above is drained (makes your boat go mega-sideways), and the handrail - crunching capabilities of Ashtead tunnel. In particular be sure that no-one is going to drain the lock that is just above the far end of the tunnel.
i think the N Stratford route is the more rural but the knowle route is more interesting and varied and you get to do farmers bridge which is a great flight.
|
|
|
|
Post by nipper on Oct 22, 2016 11:33:32 GMT
Thanks Nic, I always try to go somewhere different, but that route has never been one of my must do's, but i have the opportunity over the next few days so may as well have a go! Perhaps I had been put off with our first share boat being bombarded with concrete blocks as it went under a bridge on that route, but that was ten years ago, and in that ten years things have changed a lot and i have never had any such thing happen to me Bugger, perhaps I shouldn't of said that!  |
|
|
|
Post by john6767 on Oct 22, 2016 14:30:01 GMT
For me it is 100% go the North Stratford route, it also has less locks and the 19 that you do are in pleasent rural surroundings at Lapworth. I can not think of any downsides of that route GU us pleasent all the way and there are good stopping points if you want to take your time. In term of the run into Birmingham, Shirley Drawbride makes a good last stopping point if you want to get close, say 4 hours to Birmingham from there. Another good stop is by the Blue Bell pub a Wearing Green and it is about 5.5 hours to Birmingham from there, that is my usual staging point when going into Birmingham, it is 5 mins from where we live.
If you decide to go the GU route Nick has given you the info on stopping points, Camp Hill is ok but not pleasent, so I would go from CdeB in one hop. You will get to do Farmers Bridge on you way out if Birmingham any way.
|
|
|
|
Post by nipper on Oct 22, 2016 18:18:34 GMT
Thanks John, yes, it s a nice route and it will always be the proper one for me, but as i havent done the Grand Union one i think, maybe why not? As Nick said, there are stops to be had so the timing throw some parts can be adjusted, and it would be a shame if, when, I give up narrow boating, that was the only bit i hadn't done! Just to add, that the last time i did the Lapworth route i got bombarded with 4 golf balls from that golf coarse on the left about two thirds of the way to the Kings Norton Junction. They didn't half make a bang when they hit my solar panels!  Off in the morning to start the Hatton Flight! Nipper |
|
|
|
Post by john6767 on Oct 22, 2016 18:46:15 GMT
Have fun!
|
|
|
|
Post by Mr Stabby on Oct 22, 2016 19:01:43 GMT
My Mum and my boy in Gas Street basin earlier this year. We didn't have the slightest problem on the trip, and would definitely do it again.  |
|
|
|
Post by nipper on Oct 22, 2016 19:28:51 GMT
Yes, Gas street and the whole of the Birmingham navigation's are quite a favorite with Mary and I.
A couple of years ago I left the wife and the boat there and went off to take a large yacht from Dartmouth to La Coruuna in Spain, when i got back the wife had made friends with the local security chaps, who kept an eye on her and the narrow boat and even played with the elderly Boat cat, Samy, we have on board as crew!!
Nipper
|
|
|
|
Post by Saltysplash on Oct 22, 2016 20:43:57 GMT
I would also go via Camp Hill especially if not done before, but then I just like going through gritty areas, kinda gives a feeling of the canal, worts an all.
|
|
|
|
Post by nipper on Oct 22, 2016 20:49:11 GMT
Worts? you've met the wife then! Mearly jesting!  off in the morning,as soon as Samy the cat has helped me with me cornflakes!  Nipper |
|
|
|
Post by rockdodger on Oct 22, 2016 22:38:55 GMT
In 2015 on the way back to Alvechurch from Stratford we overnighted at the Black Boy pub and with a early start the next morning went all the way to King Edwards Rd bridge.
The three of us had a great day, made all the more rewarding checking out Gas st that evening.
|
|
|
|
Post by nipper on Oct 22, 2016 22:42:20 GMT
In 2015 on the way back to Alvechurch from Stratford we overnighted at the Black Boy pub and with a early start the next morning went all the way to King Edwards Rd bridge. The three of us had a great day, made all the more rewarding checking out Gas st that evening. Glad you enjoyed it! Roll on tuesday, then i can have a wonder and a few beers there too! Nipper |
|
|
|
Post by nipper on Oct 27, 2016 16:17:44 GMT
Hi all!
Well, we ended up turning left and going up the the Lapworth flight, as the Hatton flight took it's toll on the wife and her back. We go into a rhythm and found we were behind a hire boat with 4 crew and a helmsman way in the distance, they must of left an hour before us. We caught them up at the top lock having had all the locks against us!
Not bad for a couple of old codgers with the missus having turned past her 70th year!
So I decided that what was needed was a gentle cruise up into Birmingham without a big, must do today flight of Camp Hill, Ashted, Aston and Farmers Bridge locks, with the adition of ariving later in the afternoon and searching for a mooring!
That said, there are plenty of moorings in town, but we picked up the first 14day one immediately past the old turn junction opposite the Theater!
Thanks too all who but in suggestions and it is nice to relax in the city and wander about at leisure!
Nipper
|
|
|
|
Post by tonyqj on Oct 27, 2016 16:21:20 GMT
Gas street? Turn left off Broad Street... oh, wait...
|
|
