Some Links
- This is the first page.
- Next page is HERE.
- Planning for this trip is HERE.
- Index to Warren’s WordPress pages is HERE.
Driving Route
Canal Route
For the most part, we followed our original route. Lucking, we just made it on to the Severn before it was closed to boat traffic because of flooding. And then to make it to the recommended in-Birmingham mooring locations, we modified our route a little bit to avoid Wolverhampton, which other boaters suggested we avoid anyways. This gave us a chance to explore the VERY long Netherton Tunnel. A couple of very long days at the beginning gave us some easy days at the end.
Our Boat
Our boat was an Alvechurch Gull. The Gull is 66 feet long, and very similar to the Booted Eagle we rented in 2018. I really like the rear galley, as it keeps everyone together, instead of some people out front, and some people out on the stern with the driver.
The ABC Boat Hire link describing the Gull is HERE.
Friday, June 7: Gatwick to Bridgnorth
We all met up easily at the car rental place in Gatwick at the expected time, inspite of some delayed flights. Car was large enough for our luggage, but snug for the 3 people in the back seat. And the drive to Bridgenorth was predicted to be about 3 hours, but ended up being 6+ because of huge traffic jams around London. Lots of rain. The Down Inn was excellent, in spite of a booking mixup. Because we were all too tired to drive in to Bridgnorth, the Down Inn carvery meal was an unexpected bonus.
Saturday, June 8 (Iron Bridge, Cliff Railway and Canal Day 1)
Wonderful breakfast at the Down Inn. Peter joyfully had kippers.
We decided that Iron Bridge in Telford would be worth the visit, even in the pouring rain. Enroute, we stopped in at Bedlam Furnaces.
Next stop was Iron Bridge itself. It was raining hard. At this point, Peter was still in shorts for some reason. We were able to park very close, and then walked across the bridge. And then under the bridge to touch the solid (!) iron structure.
We returned to Bridgnorth for groceries and to visit the famous Cliff Railway. We were lucky with parking.
It was finally time for some canalboating. We pulled into the Alvechurch Marina, received our training, and were off. Because it was impossible to get out of the marina without pushing a whole bunch of other boats out of the way, I elected to have one of the engineers get us started. And we had a very short day, 2 short tunnels and one lock. We could go any farther since stopping in the middle of the huge Tardebigge Lock sequence was not allowed. Unluckily, the hoped for pub did not materialize, and we had to fall back on Sandy’s breakfast for dinner. Warren had a 3 day old sub from Canada that he felt was still edible. It was pretty good.
Next page is HERE.