Mooring at the Black Country Living Museum, Dudley.

There was no space to moor opposite (private and trip boat moorings) so we moored at the back of the museum grounds. We are next to the waterpoint, but the sign says we should moor here - it is completely secure on both sides with BW key operated, padlocked gates.

 There are 3 gates that open from the museum to the mooring, but they weren't opened whilst we were there - they probably don't bother in winter. Trouble is, I know the fish & chip shop and the pub will be open, but we have no access from here!

 I did suggest that G give me a leg up over the wall in front of MR's bows so that I could go scrumping.

 Daisy has no compunction about nipping over that wall and scrumping for mice - if only I was even half as agile.

Plan "H"

We were heading down the Staffs & Worcs for a few weeks, but we are very unhappy with the strong vibrations throughout the boat since the work was done on our engine feet and mounts, etc. The engine itself is now good and solid but, out of gear, anything under1100 rpm and everything is jumping off of the shelves - we can't open the side shutters as their rattling against the main body of the shell is enough to make your teeth rattle.
 We've spoken to the boatyard and they, understandably, want to consult with their expert (on holiday) so it will be at least a week Monday before we know what's happening. So we left B'ham Saturday and set out on plan'H'.
Plan 'H' involves a trip down the old BCN mainline to the Black Country Museum at Dudley. It was quite misty to start with and bitterly cold for poor old G who was breaking (thin) ice all the way. The dogs and I set off briskly and, in consequence, were lovely and warm.

I really enjoyed walking this stretch and it was nice to break myself back in gently with the three locks at Smethwick

 This is the Engine Branch which crosses over the 'new' mainline via this aqueduct - named after the first Boulton & Watt pumping engine to be bought by the Birmingham Canal Company

 The pumping station here has been fully restored and lifts water from Telford new main line up to the Brindley built old main line Wolverhampton level

 The 'old' line can be seen through the archway in the pic below.

 Soon we catch up with the M5 towering on pillars above us - the canal and the motorway follow in line for some distance like a tiered cake.

 And here an aqueduct takes us across the New line whilst we stick with the M5 on the Wolverhampton Level

 There's only one problem with plan 'H' - no-one has developed it beyond Dudley Museum. We can't go too far as we shall have to take MR back to the boatyard on the North Stratford sooner rather than later.

The Vale back to Central Birmingham

Woke yesterday morning to a very heavy frost and the suggestion of ice forming on the cut. Took advantage of the open space to get off the towpath and sort this little lot with the chainsaw.

 With Baxter's help it was all chopped and stowed back onto MR. The boys and I set off for the Mailbox waterpoint with MR in hot pursuit. Again, only one boat seen moving.

 We beat MR back and noted that this boat (which was there when we left last Friday) showed no sign of occupancy. This is the post it's moored in front of.

 (Although I defy anyone to fill their tank in 30 minutes here as the water pressure is so low)

 We moored up back on our old spot and were greeted by Dylan from Jacala......

.......and one of Funky Fish's 3 cats, Diesel. Daisy was not impressed with the latter visitor and declined the opportunity to go out and re-acquaint herself with the indoor car park.

An hour later Caxton turned up and there we all were again - 3 in a row. The humans went out for a meal and a catch up, but the boys had to wait until this afternoon for their reunion. They are a bunch of idiots, they are such good friends and so pleased to see each other-growling, barging, bouncing, boxing and rolling; one of these days one or all of them are going to fall in (my money's on Muttley) with this re-uniting ritual.

I don't think we're going where we thought we were tomorrow - that'll be plan 'H' then. More of that next time.