Tardebigge to Queen's Head Pub (Worcester & Birmingham Canal)

Smuggler in Charge of the Gates!

Me and my Helper

We are off down Tardebigge today and have 29 locks to do so we set off fairly early before 8.30am to the first lock and starting working our way down the locks.  The weather was so much better today, sunnier and a lot warmer, thank goodness.

Working down Tardebigge

Lying down on the job!

Tardebigge Bottom Lock, Hurray!!

Smuggler walked with me and I tied him to the lock gate while I did the paddles.  Kev brought the boat into each lock and then walked down to the next lock to set it as unfortunately every single lock was set against us and we were hoping to meet at least one boat coming up, but that didn’t happen.  Kev also did the non-towpath side of the lock so I didn’t have to keep going across.  We took the boat down the lock on the rope and then Kev pulled it out each lock and then shut the gate on his side.  Our system worked really well and we worked steadily through the locks.

Relaxing after a hard day's boating

Smuggler was really good and hopefully enjoyed the walk from the top to the bottom of the locks.  After a few hours, we were approaching the bottom of the locks and looking forward to a rest!  These locks are really nice and they are close together but there is a lot of them and it is hard work, but fun as well.

Queen's Head Pub

We came out the bottom lock and moored just around the corner opposite the Queen’s Head pub.  We chilled out for a bit then we walked over to the pub and sat in the garden by the canal and had a drink and a pizza.  The pizzas are really good and on Monday to Thursday 12 noon to 7pm they are two for one, so that makes them doubly nice.  

We are staying here tomorrow as well then moving on.

Moored at the Queen's Head Pub