26 March - 2 April 2004
Grand Union to Catherine de Barnes
by Jim Payne

Friday 26 March : Picked up Rodbaston early at 11.45 as the boat had not been used during the previous week. This week's crew were Jim, Jenny, William (2) Jack and Beryl.
Passed through Stockton locks, weather was OK although the bobble hat was needed. We towed another boat off the mud where it had been stuck for a couple of hours. Travelled into Leamington Spa for the night just as the gas ran out. Moored up just past bridge 40, there is new residential property opposite and you can moor just out of sight of the bridge. There is a Kwiksave about 100yds away and a couple of takeaways. (Chinese meal for 2 @ £13.50). Elected to eat onboard tonight and explore the town in the morning.

Saturday : Breakfasted on board, wandered around Leamington Spa in the morning, nice river side walk and park. Having struggled to open a tin of mushrooms this morning without losing a digit I have disposed of both the onboard openers and bought a working one, also two pint glasses. Left at midday with a view to stopping at either bridge 63 or 65.
There was a big problem on Hatton flight; we passed a boat travelling down the flight, didn't think anything of it, then got to the middle of flight to find basin empty (i.e no water !), along with most of the other locks. Apparently most of the paddles had been left open. It took two hours of running up and down the flight filling it back up again. Shrewley tunnel is straightforward (you can see the end from the start). Got to bridge 63 (Tom of the Wood pub) and had an excellent meal - lamb shank, roasted garlic and rosemary for me and a pint of "Piddle in the Wind"!
Good moorings.

Sunday : The plan was to go to railway museum at bridge 88, then on to Gas Street basin and we set off about 8.00. Reached the Knowle flight only to find a familiar problem, top two pounds with not enough water to float a boat on. Filled up pounds one by one (lost 2 hours) and carried on towards Birmingham. Found the canal full of rubbish, slow going, depressing and we got quite upset by being stoned from the bridges (1 injury). We took a vote and decided to return to Catherine de Barnes and went to the Boat Inn for dinner (Millers Kitchen) ... good menu, nice pub, very acceptable food, Youngs Chocolate Stout on draught.
Revised plan for Monday was to get a bus to Solihull station and then a train into Birmingham.

Monday : Got a bus at 9.55 to Solihull Station, then a Service 6 into Birmingham (5 person, 1 day ticket for £5 unlimited travel!). Spent the day wandering around the city then returned for dinner onboard.

Tuesday : Got the bus into Solihull again, looked round the town, lunch in the library, then back to the boat, stopped about 2 miles short of Hatton locks for dinner.

Wednesday : Early start down the flight, uneventful, all locks against us! Got to Leamington Spa about 1.00 for lunch, moored between bridges 40 & 41 again. Good butchers on bridge, T bone, oxtail etc; we settled on pork.

Thursday : Rained for the first time this week, spent the morning in Leamington then the rest of the day travelling back to Stockton Top. Dinner at the Boat inn next to marina, had liver and bacon for £6.95.

End of Holiday Report items

Item Comments
Filled and emptied  
Booked valet  
Put door lock on snag sheet.
 This is difficult to unlock sometimes; if you need to get out in a hurry it could be dangerous.

Other comments about Rodbaston
Fault, Task, Request Comment
I moved the coat / key hooks From entrance to the other side of the entrance.
Rudder is bent Top 6" is bent over by about 30 degrees.
Paintwork is scruffy. Suggest touch up brush is 2" wide
Heating
 If you want hot water turn off a few radiators (ones nearest the boiler) if you want to heat the front saloon you will also need to turn off a couple of rads. We had the same system in our last Ownerships boat but did not have any problems obtaining plenty of hot water. My opinion is that the system is not balanced, it can be done quite easily using the lock shield valves, the installer should have done this. I have since spoken to John Milburn (Rodbaston builder) re: heating and ascertained the following ...
1. Engine will heat water far quicker than boiler ever will, irrespective of the number of radiators on.
2. There is a 'check' valve adjacent to the hot water tank that is set to 'bias' the heating system towards radiators, not hot water. This is because the majority of users 'cruise' and hot water is plentiful under these conditions. In conclusion, when you first put the kettle on, start the engine! (out of gear, lever pulled outwards).