All communications to Roger Hartley rh@rhartley.entadsl.com
Nimrod Cruise 2019
You can see the latest Crew Spreadsheet at this link
The trip to Bradley Lock Workshop is at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday 21st May. Detail at this link
“Tunnel Vision for Beginners” a printable version is at this link
You are invited to partake in this year’s adventure. We usually have up to five aboard overnight and people come and go all the time so you can do as little or as much as we can accommodate. The usual suspects know the ropes. The initiation ceremony is brief and almost completely painless…
The Cruise commences from Lichfield Cruising Club moorings at Huddlesford.
The boat has heating, hot & cold water system with a shower, 12v cigar-lighter sockets, 2amp USB socket for Apple users, a couple of 230v (max 300w) inverters with domestic three pin sockets and a 230v shaver point.
Having both AC and DC connections, no further structural changes will be necessary to accommodate transgender personnel.
Nimrod has six berths, four singles at just six feet in length and a longer double. There will be one pillow each on board. Please bring your own sleeping bag, a pillowcase and towels, plus clothing & footwear to suit the season. Soft bags/holdalls are easier to stow than hard cases. Same goes for the crew! We have some foul-weather gear, not enough for all.
The galley will be stocked with our usual range of iron emergency rations and basics, plus a suitable amount of dry-cure bacon, proper sausage, eggs and an ounce or two of lettuce to keep us going for a few days but those joining may wish to bring something to drink or add to the pot. You are welcome to ring before you leave home to check if we are needy people. Call anyway, we are. Refrigeration facilities are not extensive, wet fish would probably be a mistake. Same goes for the crew!
Spiritual guidance will be given every evening before lights out.
Most of the pubs are adjacent to the moorings, phone me for news and directions. Any queries beforehand, call me. RH a.k.a Bligh. (Home/mobile numbers in directory)
Friday 17th May:
From Huddlesford via Coventry and Trent & Mersey Canals to Wolseley Bridge. Vintage Inns pub.
15 miles/3 locks/6 hrs.
Overnight: Near Wolseley Arms, ST17 0XS
Saturday 18th May:
Through Gt. Haywood and on to the Staffs & Worcester Canal to Penkridge. Many wonderful views of the M6. Pub
11 m/7 l/6 hrs.
Overnight: TBA
Sunday 19th May:
Poddling on via Gailey to Coven Heath, following possible bacon purchasing at Bligh’s favourite butcher. Aromatherapy at the former Midland Tar Distillers refinery.
7 m/7 l/5 hrs.
Overnight: The Anchor Inn
Monday 20th May:
Upwards and onwards , via the Wolverhampton 21 onto the BCN (Birmingham Canal Navigations), through Horsley Fields to Deepmore Junction on to the Wednesbury Oak Loop up to Bradley.
11 m/ 21 l/ 7 hrs
Overnight: The Old Bush Bradley
Tuesday 21st May:
A guided tour of the Bradley workshops, where lock-gates are made. Then a bimble to the Tipton moorings adjacent to the Black Country Museum. Nimrod to be checked in for the tunnel trip next day.
4 m/0 l/2 hrs.
Overnight: The Pie Factory, Tipton
Wednesday 22nd May:
In view of the fact that the total ages of the crew may be approaching half a century, I have opted for an assisted passage of the whole confounded Dudley Tunnel (3172 yds)to Park Head (see below), then via the Dudley No. 2 Canal, through the site of the Stewarts & Lloyds Tube works at Coombeswood and the infamous Gosty Hill Tunnel to Hawne Basin. Pub nearby.(TBA)
10 m/3 l/ 3 hrs. + Tunnel time.
Overnight: Hawne Basin, Hereward Rise, Halesowen, West Midlands, B62 8AW
Thursday 23rd May:
Back to Windmill End, the Boshboil and the Bumblehole (!) then through Netherton Tunnel (3021yds) to the BCN Main Line and onwards to Birmingham. The skipper may be pressured into “doing the loops” of the original Birmingham Canal route, should any crew members wish to revisit their alma mater at Winson Green.
15m/0 l/6 hrs.
Overnight: Mooring by the NIA.
Crew members may wish to nominate and agree their preferred dining establishment in advance, thereby eliminating the aimless, hungry, desperate perambulations of blessed memory.
Friday 24th May:
Through the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal’s Farmers Bridge Locks, 80ft. down to Snow Hill via the foundations of the Telecom Tower, then the Aston locks, Spaghetti Junction, the Brum Riviera Plage and on to Minworth and Curdworth.
10 m/ 27 l / 7+ hrs.
Overnight mooring near “The White Horse”, Kingsbury Road, Curdworth B76 9DS.
Saturday 25th May:
Home to Huddlesford down the Curdworth locks to Fazeley, then along the Coventry to home.
12 miles / 11 locks / 6 hours
Tired but happy…