Stoke Pound, the Queens Head pub to Tardebigge (Worcs & Birmingham Canal)

First lock of the day, bottom of Tardebigge

We are tackling the mighty Tardebigge today, 29 locks!  So started off  at an earliest time, well for us anyway, just before 9.30am and off through the first lock, which was just around the corner from where we were moored.  Onto the next one, and the next, then two chaps came up and said that the pound by the Queens pub, the one we had just left was empty and all the boats moored there were stuck so they went up the flight for a few locks and emptied some water down, which was good for us as then the locks were set for us. On up we went and a CRT guy was going up and down on a bike letting water down.   

Working up Tardebigge

We had to set a lot of the locks, but then a boat came down so for a couple of locks they were set again for us, there was a boat about 2 locks in front of us, so we were then back to setting them first, but our system of Kev going up the steps at the start of the lock and pulling the boat in on a rope, then doing the off side gate and paddle worked well.  He also shut the gate while I went on to the next lock.  We were soon half way up and going well.  We met another boat coming down so that helped for a couple of locks.  A couple of ladies came up the towpath and we thought they were right behind us, but they said they were at the bottom of the flight and couldn’t get up as there was still no water and they were waiting for it to come down, we didn’t have any trouble, how lucky are we!  

Passing boat from G&S

On we went and we then met another boat, it was a boat we know from the Gloucester & Sharpness, he works at the Marriott hotel in Bristol where my nephew Nick used to work and Nick’s wife Narissa still does, had a chat to them, then went on our way.  Soon we were passing the Reservoir, so we knew there weren’t too many to go now.  Eventually, the end was in sight and before we knew it, we were going into the last lock for today, 29 locks all done and it took us about 4½ hours so not bad, funny we only travelled 2 miles though!

Hurray at the top, last lock for today!

We went under the bridge and moored in the visitor moorings along there.  It  is a nice peaceful, open spot.  There is one more lock in this flight and a tunnel, but we will save that for another day.

Staying here tonight, then hopefully moving on tomorrow if its not too rainy!

Moored at Tardebigge