At the beginning of September we attended the Bi-Annual UK meeting of the
Australian Canal Society at the Blue Lias (Pub) at Stockton Bridge on the GU Canal.
In addition to a great meeting of the UK friends of the ACS we picked up
our Glorious Leader, Jan Roden, who had flown in from Sydney
for the event and arrived with Jan and John Finch on board nb Fringilla.
All the other boats then went south under the trick bridge which looks
like it will accommodate a pair of breasted up narrow boats.
When the canal was modernised in the 1930’s for
some reason this bridge was not widened.
Each side of the bridge has the proof, 2 into 1, won’t go.
In addition, when coming up in Autumn, when the sun is very low it
is almost impossible to see the true outline of the arch, as Sue will testify.
This post, 2009 ACS meeting photo, with John Colville and I illustrates the modernised
locks on the right with the old narrow lock now being used as a by wash on the left.
.
The residents at the first lock were content to remain at home!
Kingwood Junction
After an uneventful journey up to Leamington Spa where we spent
the night. Sue & Jan stocked up for our descent to Stratford
and I moved the car, we then proceeded to the Stratford Canal Junction
Arm, built in 1802 to connect the two canals. As can be seen from
the brickwork, not the easiest of turns but we made it without contact.
Passing through Junction Arm.
As soon as we were off the wide GU
the change was dramatic, not just in size, but the Stratford Canal must
be considered as one of the UKs most friendly and intimate canals.
The arm also has good boater service facilities.
The route north to Birmingham and back to our home moorings.
Today’s route south to Stratford was built in the 1790s.
The lock cottage is typical and virtually unique to the Stratford Canal.
The story goes that the cottage roof takes its form from the
brick arch design used on the canal’s road bridges.
Jan working us through lock 31, while Antony Gormley’s sculpture looks on.
The sculpture celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the Landmark Trust who own
the adjacent Lengthsmans Cottage, the sculpture will remain in position for a year.
The Yarningale Aqueduct over the R. Cole with its low level tow path,
is located in the centre of the canals most picturesque section.
This is the first and smallest of these beautiful cast iron aqueducts.
Many of the bridges are very low.
One of the more interesting lock cottages, now in private ownership.
Wootton Wawen Aqueduct over the A34
This second, trough is often being struck by high sided vehicles.
Bridge 49, just before Wootton is a typical farm bridge.
The deck is in two parts, each side is of cantilevered cast iron so that a gap
exists between the two halves of the deck for the boats tow rope to pass through.
Jan and I relaxing before the main event!
Edstone Aqueduct
I am on the roof and Sue is steering,
or she was until she realised how high we were!
It is over 475 feet (145 m) long and goes over 2 roads,
a railway, a river and marshland.
With the tow path at low level the steerer seems to be sailing
through mid air, bit like an aeroplane but with no walls.
I was very proud that Sue got so far.
The Mary Arden Farm Complex
This is located just up the road from Br 59, but as the towpath was falling into the
canal and roped off, we could not stop. We caught a bus back up from Stratford
and returned to Stratford by train, also very quick. It is well worth a visit.
Dropping down into Stratford, Sue had to take these
hitch hiking signets, plus mum through this lock.
How did mum know all would fit? We could have been 72Ft.
Space is restricted, the gate has no beam but a replacement steel arm.
Destination Stratford on Avon.
As it was the end of the day we were a little concerned
there would be no room in Bancroft Basin.
As it turned out, several pontoons were empty (more towpath miss-information)
and we ended up under the less than reliable eye of the Prince of Denmark.
In addition to the moorings in the basin itself, plenty of spaces existed in the
approach canal, so don’t be put off by stories of congestion.
Jan was over the moon at being back in her favourite
canal town and so were Sue and I.
Jan’s first action was to rush access the green to the RSC
to see what was playing & if tickets were available.
Henry V and No.
El President is not one to be thwarted, after camping out in
the RSC gift shop, (guess what Australian grandchildren
will find in their Christmas stockings this year, and probably next)
the girls returned triumphant.
At one time Stratford had a second basin next to the first, this is now
a large public garden where a large market was in full swing.
This was the first time we had been to Stratford since the theatre
complex had been redeveloped. It is a terrific improvement.
It’s a shame the landscaping, which looks very expensive, and geometric is
not up to the task of dealing with the huge number of visitors the area gets.
Stratford needs no description, but Henry V was fantastic and
we would certainly recommend the RSC rooftop restaurant,
where the views up and down the river are also terrific.
This was a great trip and we would recommend the Stratford Canal to anybody.