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AT NUNEATON last Thursday a rarely spotted British Waterways truck in full view and not hidden in the bushes. Seen on bridge 22.
Only two minutes later the sighting of an even rarer British Waterways man heading back to his truck after checking the nearby overflow.
Later the same day I noted another seven (yes that's seven) other Waterways men, several of whom were cutting and strimming grass down the Atherstone flight of locks.  The towpath down to Grendon looked pristine as we have come to expect over the years due to the efforts of the lock-keeper. He seems to have disappeared in the reorganisations, probably sick to death, but now it takes five to keep the place looking tidy.
I had heard reports of low water levels in some of the Atherstone pounds but there were no problems during my descent, ably assisted by two good friends and plenty of boats coming up.
More unusual sightings
Between Nuneaton and Hartshill stands a telegraph pole that missed the axe many years ago when telephone poles and wires disappeared from the towpaths—and railways—and roads.
 Not many of these monuments exist, so this one must be worth preserving.
On the offside at the Tame aqueduct between Kettlebrook and Fazeley stands a reminder of the defences of World War Two. A concrete pill box defiantly acts as a reminder of the efforts of the Home Guard in those far off dark days when the River Tame could have been a last line of defence.
Splendid Work on the Staffs & Worcs
British Waterways have been busy from Milford Bridge south to Acton Trussell during the last two months. I travelled the route in May and experienced navigation difficulties at many bridge holes with detritus rattling around the propeller.
 However as the photos show, the dredger has been and cleared out concrete posts, part of an engine block, bricks, a broken bicycle, bicycle parts, and several old tyres, possibly once used as fenders and ripped off passing boats.
 Deptmore lock entrance has also been cleared and there on the offside below the lock is the biggest pile of rubbish.
South of Roseford bridge, a willow has been in danger of falling across the canal and this has been cut down to avoid any accidents occurring—better safe than sorry.
 Sorry sighting
Moored at Acton Trussell on end of garden moorings, this poor boat needs serious vegetation trimming before the triffids take over.
Brian Holmes |
