Tag Archives: Tardebigge

Avon Ring 2018

Tunnel Rage

A different alarm wake up this morning, with boats heading down the flight a bit too quickly and us bouncing off the side. First boat at 6.25, and then another one ten mins later – that second boat must be gutted to be following the other.

Tardebigge Top Lock

One lock and then a quick water stop with this tap more than the previous trickles. Four tunnels today, first two I steered and no boats (yey!), Toby steered in the third one with was quite long and took 40 mins, we didn’t mind as it was lovely to be in the cool and shade.

In the tunnel
Me steering in the lock

The last tunnel didn’t go so well. We entered the tunnel as we have the others, and the boat coming the other way beeps his horn and starts shouting. I go up to the bow and ask if they’re a widebeam (silly really as it’s narrow locks, just not too familiar with the canal here). He states it’s one way and we’re in the wrong, we state it’s two way traffic, he’s adamant and won’t move.  So Toby did an awesome job reversing out, as did the boat behind us who had just entered the lock. The sign by the entrance had a lot of graffiti on, and I read the instructions when we were back out stating one way, what I hadn’t realised is that referred to non-powered traffic. I apologised and off he went, Toby then pointed out we were in the right, I’m kicking myself as he’s gone off thinking he was in the right. I can only hope he’s doing the Avon Ring like us, and had another three tunnels to follow – let’s hope there were LOTS of boats coming the other way!

Some much welcomed shade
Not sure this would pass an MOT, we assume it was pulled from the canal

Lots of opportunities to see Heron’s today, we must have seen half a dozen – or was it the same one?

Another Heron picture

One electric swing bridge, and the power to stop the traffic. Slightly delayed with a boat just finishing the swing bridge and their key stuck, they’s set the swing bridge going a couple of times trying to get it out. I walked up and said could I have a go, I turned the key and out it came!

The power of holding up the traffic

Finally moored up at 4.15, we’ve got a nice shady spot.

Our home for the night
Avon Ring 2018

The Tardebigge Trio

An unusual alarm call this morning, and swans pecking the weed on the boat’s waterline.  We lifted the curtains to blue skies and even at 9am, it was getting hot.

We worked our way through Stoke Locks knowing at least one boat was in front of us, so we had to empty and fill each lock.

Closing one of the many gate paddles of the day

Our friend Simon has caught the canal bug, and offered to take a day off work and ‘do Tardebigge’, I’m not sure he quite knew what he was signing up for. We reached the bottom of the Tardebigge flight at 11am, and met Simon who had parked at the top and cycled down – the great ascent began.

The bottom of the flight

After a couple of locks of steering tuition from Toby, Simon was helming all on his own, and in to some very tight locks.  There were a couple of nudges, but in the main, silence as Oliver glided in to the lock.

Simon helming through the locks

There was a working boat in one of the locks, with the CRT staff fixing the wobbly deck board. They pulled out of the lock when we were ready, and we showed out appreciation with ice poles (the first of four for each of us).

Good job you couldn’t see my face in this shot, you could fry eggs of my cheeks!

There is very little space between the locks, so we stopped inside one lock with a bench and ate our sandwiches, there were no boats in front or behind – it was very civilised.

In a routine of Simon helming, Toby opening/closing the top paddles and gates, and I went ahead and prepped the next lock

We did swap, and Toby helmed for a few locks, while Simon opened some paddles and gates.

Simon opening a top paddle

I was pleased that the flight meanders, and you rarely see more than one lock in front of you. I’m not sure I could have coped with 30 locks in front of me!

The reservoir at the top of the lock flight. Levels are low and there are water conservation notices at the locks

We finally moored up at 3:25, out came the camping chairs and we sat out in the shady towpath with another ice pole to recover.

Now here comes the silly bit. We then walked back down to the bottom of the flight to the pub (very nice pizzas), and had to walk the 2 miles back up to the boat.  Toby walked with Simon back to the car and we said our farewells – a BIG thank you to Simon for coming all of this way to help us through the locks, you’re welcome aboard any time.

The Tardebigge Trio – smiles all round after mooring up