BCNS Explorer Cruise—finish
DAY seven, the last day of the Birmingham Canal Navigations Society (BCNS) Explorer Cruise, writes Keith Gudgin.
We woke up to a very sunny and warm day. We didn't go very far only from Tipton to Oldbury Arm for the BCNS Summer Rally.
A lot cleaner
The canals between Tipton and Birmingham city centre are a lot cleaner than we were used to which made a pleasant change.
We have been welcomed by the members of the BCNS at the rally and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for all their help and kindness during our time in and around the BCN. I was going to say Birmingham's canals but I would then have upset those who don't recognise the Black Country as being in Birmingham, which of course it isn't. You will probably learn more about this on the cruise.
Stuart and Marie
I would also like to thank Stuart (pictured) and Marie, the organisers of the cruise, for spending so much time putting it all together and accompanying us around all week showing us the sites and pointing us in the right direction for the best pubs and eating houses. They worked so hard to make it as pleasant for us as possible.
The members of the cruise, with exception of the obligatory argumentative know-it-all, were very pleasant and friendly. They all seemed to get on together and we had some very nice evenings together in the pubs and when we went for meals out and I would like to thank them all for an interesting and pleasant week.
Bring a sharp knife
I would say that if you are thinking of doing one of the cruises, and I do recommend it, then bring along a sharp knife or two and a small knife type saw. The chances of you needing them to clear your prop are fairly high I have to say. Even if you are not doing one of the cruises and are thinking of visiting the BCN then I recommend these anyway.
You will also need at least two, and I recommend three, pins to hammer into the ground to moor to. Stuart has some special pins for the places where there are no rings and you cannot use ordinary pins, he'll explain about that when you start the cruise.
Lock flights
Depending upon which cruise you take you will be expected to do a number of lock flights, as they are very hard to avoid on the BCN, and you will almost certainly be required to breast up during the week as there are normally too many boats to get into the available mooring space. One more thing, the cruise is very energetic as you will be on the go for a whole week and doing some longs days, so be prepared for this.
If they are on your cruise then the pubs and eating places you must sample, among others, are ‘Pickle Jacks' in Walsall, any food from anywhere in the world seemed to be served here, ‘The Pie Factory' in Tipton, an eatery with a sense of humour and great food and also the Manor Arms at Daw End, would you believe a pub without a bar? Stuart will show where they are at the time.
If you would like to go on a cruise then just as a reminder full up-to-date details are on their website www.bcnsociety.co.uk/
Have fun and enjoy the experience, as we did. Keith's pictures show some of the participants, the normal state of the waterway (above) and the Rally (below).
