The End of Voyage Two

15th – 21st September 2025

On Monday we left the Black Country Living Museum and made our way back to Cambrian Wharf in Birmingham. The temperature was cooler and as we progressed the wind got up. On arrival the wind made it tricky to get alongside. With some help we managed it.

While John worked on Tuesday I spent the morning touching up the paint work on Jemmy Wren. I only managed one side today. I planned to do the other side later in the week. Being in Birmingham, I could not pass the opportunity to visit Ciaro. I enjoyed a coffee while I waited for the sandwiches to be made. I also bought some meats and cheese for when David and Rose arrive on Thursday. Once John had finished work we set off for Alvehurch, mooring close to where we moored on the way up. By the time we arrived the rain had settled in for the night.

When we were in this location we noticed a lone swan on the canal. As you may know, swans mate for life. This swan did look lonely and it was still there when we returned.

On Wednesday the weather was poor, I donned my waterproofs and headed off to find a shop. What I thought was going to be an independent supermarket turned out to be a very small garage! Superb for a meal deal but not for a grocery shop. Undeterred , I spotted a Waitrose on the map, so I set off again. The route took me up a busy A road and as I followed the footpath, over a stile to find myself in the HGV park at Hopwood Motorway services! Surprisingly I managed to get what I needed, so the journey was not wasted. Once I made it back to the boat it was time to walk the dogs.

This mooring spot has a nice walk along the canal and out to an open field that is perfect for Teasel and Bracken to play fetch. Teasel is getting much better at returning the ball for the next throw unlike Bracken who seems to think that the best game is to run around barking with a ball in her mouth. On the way back to the boat, I foolishly decided to try Bracken off the lead. What a mistake! She dashed into the canal and out again. Then both dogs were playing with each other which resulted in Bracken tumbling down the steep canal bank. Unable to clamber out, I had to lie prone leaning down into the canal to heave her out. While this was going on Teasel decided she would go for a swim! These escapades resulted in canal side shower for the pair of them. Once John had finished work we set off for Alvehurch Marina for the night.

Today David and Rose joined us. We set off for the moorings at the top of the Tardebigge Flight. We had a nice walk up to Tardebigge Church and Graveyard. It was a lovely view down to the canal.

Today we tackled the Tardebigge Flight. David and Rose were quick learners and were soon working the locks like professionals. Having a crew definitely made the 30 locks much easier. We were, unfortunately, following another boat which meant the we had to refill nearly every lock before we could enter it. Once we reached the bottom and moored, we all retired to the Queens Head for food and beer. Having finished eating we took the dogs for a walk, exploring a lovely woodland at Stoke Prior. We were all interested to see an event setting up in the fields opposite the canal. This was the Stoke Prior Steam Festival.

Teasel and Bracken thought that they were in luck at bedtime!

The forecast for Saturday was for rain all day. We had 15 locks to get through in order to get back to the Marina at Droitwich Spa. Fortunately the rain was not too bad and we made good progress through the locks without getting too wet. David and Rose both had a turn at driving Jenny Wren, both with aptitude.