Feb12 Trip - Artic Weather Sets In - Tuesday to Saturday

The slight thaw on Monday proved to be a false dawn. The ice refused to melt and we were frozen in for the rest of the week. We spent the week walking along the canal or into Alvechurch village interspersed with the occasional visit to the Weighbridge

Boat stranded further along the cut

The following pictures provide some idea of the conditions outside the boat. Inside we were very comfortable and in the end only had to leave the boat on the Saturday (a day early) because a pump out was required and the water in the boatyard had refrozen so we couldn’t even move the boat a few yards.

Kids tobogging outside Alvechurch

More ducks

Towpath Alvechurch (1)

Towpath Alvechurch (2)

Towpath Alvechurch (3)

Boats iced in at Alvechurch Boatyard

Feb12 Trip - Monday Still Frozen in

Monday and despite a slight thaw and the ice in the yard starting to melt away, a few yards along the canal it’s one to three inches thick from bank to bank. It looks like we will be here all week going for walks instead of cruising along the canal.


Ducks on Ice - Taken from front cabin window

Feb12 Trip - Sunday Frozen in

Nb Eos Moored at Alvechurch

Sunday, first day back on the boat. Heavy snow in Birmingham on Saturday evening. Spent the early part of evening watching Saints draw with Brum and the snow get thicker and thicker. Not very good game, but compensated by a few decent beers in the latter part of the evening. First at the Anchor in Digbeth and The Post Office Vaults (a new Real Ale pub) in Birmingham city centre.

Arrived at boat on Sunday to find it frozen in, but previous owner (after ringing us) had left fire going in stove, so boat cosy & warm. Couple of friends (Steve & Maggie) staying overnight. We were hoping to have a couple of hours cruising down to Tardebigge top lock & returning to the boatyard, but no chance with the ice. Once boat was loaded we nipped across to the Weighbridge for a couple and then spent rest of afternoon playing crib. Before returning to Weighbridge for evening meal.

New Trip

Nb Eos

Next week is our second trip on Eos. As Josie is committed to a couple of meetings it means we will only be going as far as the Gas Basin in Birmingham and cruising around the BCN.

Broad Street Bridge - Looking back at the Worcester Bar

Gas Basin

The plans as usual change on an almost daily basis. One of the trips we had plan was along the Titford branch, but BW have decided to do some work on the Smethwick locks, which has put paid to that. Instead we wil explore the Ridgeacre branch.
We are also hoping to cruise down the Upper Stratford as far as Hockley Heath if possible. All this assumes the weather is OK, with snow forecast for the Birmingham area (38% chance) on Saturday we may find ourselves iced in at Alvechurch. Oh well if that happens I’ll just have to console myself with a pint (or two) in the Weighbridge.