1st December – 5th December 2025
It was a wet start to our final week onboard Jenny Wren before we head home for a few weeks. Fortunately the rain was not as bad as forecast and we made our way from BCLM back to Birmingham this time following the Old Birmingham Canal. It was interesting to travel over the top of the new main line. Interestingly on the stretch of canal that we have been travelling for the past couple of weeks there has been no where to top up with fuel. We were running quiet low and could find no where in Birmingham to top up. The bad weather set in just as we were navigating our way through the central canal network onto the Worcester and Birmingham Canal. The wind was funnelling through the gaps in the tall buildings and making it difficult to steer. We were glad to get along side and be tucked up before it poured with rain. We joined the Reedwarblers for a virtual choir practise which was a novel experience. Sadly the mic on the computer was not up so we didn’t hear any singing but we did get Sarah’s critique on each piece so we have a better idea of what we need to do when we get back to civilisation!
Crisis! – With 31 l of diesel in the tank we were more than a little concerned. We decided to take the jerry can to the nearest garage which was actually very close and get 20l into the tank to give us a bit of flex. We booked into Alvechurch Marina for the night so this gave us chance to top up with diesel, and top the batteries up with shore power. It was a lovely calm and crisp morning with no frost. We were pleased that the winds of last night had dropped. It was a lovely cruise down to Alvechurch Marine where we received a warm welcome as always. We topped up with fuel which was a huge relief.
It was a cold and misty morning when we left the marina early as it was going to be a long day. An hour and a half to the top of the Tardebigge Flight and then 31 locks. Unfortunately every single lock was set against us which meant the they had to be filled with water before we could get in and then empty the lock with the boat in. John did most of the locks while I drove knocking every single time I went in! Guess who will be touching up the paintwork? Once at the bottom we moored and collapsed in front of the fire in the Queen’s Head. We were both tired and very hungry. We had a delicious treacle and plum tart with clotted cream for pud – is it really bad that we both said at the same time, “could we order a second one?” – We didn’t!
The last day of the voyage started with heavy rain. We had 15 locks to get through before arrived at base camp. Thankfully the rain eased by about 11 which made life a bit easier. We arrived back at 2.30pm and had lunch. On Friday before leaving Jenny Wren for the time being we had Caroline and Kerrie onboard from Ortomarine. They wanted to record an interview with us and our experiences with our new boat in our first six months.
We have had a great 2025 on Jenny Wren. We reflected on the trips, our visitors, the challenges and the fun. We completed our Inland Waterways Silver Propeller map for the year colouring in the routes we have taken and the three silver propellers gained. We are already starting to plan our next voyage and look forward to being back onboard in the spring.
Autumn Cruise
| Total Miles: | 207.4 |
| Total Locks: | 214 |
| Waterways Traveled On: | Droitwich Junction Worcester and Birmingham River Severn Staffs and Worcester Shropshire Union Birmingham Main Line Birmingham Old Line |
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