Good morning. Well I moored up just around the corner from Hanbury Junction
on the Worcester and Birmingham Canal. Quite a nice spot, relatively quiet,
there is a train track just across the field here but the trains stopped quite
early on in the evening. So I'm just looking at my map and I'm going through
the Astwood Locks today. It's six locks and I am joining Narrowboat Experience
for the journey and then we will moor up just after the six
lock somewhere. We've already looked at mooring spots and the two girls walked
up there yesterday to have a look around. So onward we go. It's dry today even
though it's been absolutely throwing it down with rain all night, it is dry today
so Molly and I are all packed and ready to go.
It's really quite a nice bit of canal this. There are lots of mooring spots and it's
set amongst lots and lots of pastureland. Now it's quite a long pound and that's
quite good because you will build-up enough enthusiasm and energy to start
the six locks and then there's a short pound and then there is something
30-plus locks and I'll start to see the hills for how those locks go over the
hill pretty soon. So this is the calm before the storm as it were.
Just as you come up to Lock 18 hear, the smell of roses and their lovely scent in
the air, even though they're wet, is just fantastic it smells really nice.
This is so funny because I don't think Kath is very experienced with dogs and
she's not had many dogs in her life and I've just told Molly to get on their
boat and she's like, oh what I do! Is your new boat Moll?
New owner? Yep, we're best friends now.
Anna-Marie: Look how happy she is. Look how happy you are!
[ Sound of Molly's tail banging on the metal sides ]
[ Sound of water flowing ]
This'll be fun.
[ Sound of lock mechanism ]
Why did we have to empty this lock behind us?
I actually think it's because the lock house and the garden probably
flood if the locks full. In weather like this and any time actually because it's
such a short pound. So I think that's probably the reason why.
So we've taken our time with this lock. So we did a bit of filming and we
chatted to the locals and poor Kath is probably huffing and puffing at the next one -
where's my lock-keeper? Anna-Marie: She's got the chalk.
And she's apparently got the chalk for the boards
so she's probably gonna give herself ten extra points just from this one lock
alone. I lifted a paddle, I put a paddle back down,
I opened half a gate, I closed half a gate.
And it's really good that you're
covering that's Jono. Or Mr Journey as he says I have to call him! It's
really good that you're covering this because usually people only see the good
side of Kath, and now they see the real side. I got off the boat and I was
carrying my windlass. It's points. Yeah it's good that you're seeing it and capturing
it for all time. I know she doesn't have the camera though so she won't be up at
the lock going, they've left me, I have to do everything, they're just having their
lunch. She can't actually do that because I Anna-Marie's got the camera which is great!
[ Ducks quack in background ]
Yeah. Even the Ducks agreed!
As you ascend Astwood Locks to the west is the Droitwich Transmitting Station.
Established in 1934 just outside the village of Wychbold,
Two 700 foot transmitters were built. Call Sign 5GB was to broadcast the
medium-wave BBC Midland Programme and Call Sign 5XX the long-wave transmitter
was to broadcast the BBC National Programme. A year earlier, however, the
riggers forming the construction team had built up to 500 feet but then argued
their pay was insufficient and wanted higher 'danger money' to work at 600 - 700 feet
and went on strike. These were the highest structures being built in
the United Kingdom at the time so there was no precedent to guide either the
contractors, or the men in fixing the rates. Construction finally continued
after a maximum rate of four shillings a day was agreed when the full height was
reached. Bright red lights illuminate the transmitters at night and locals have
renamed the site the 'Devil horns of Wychbold'.
I've had a really enjoyable time this last week. We've spent every day
mooring up close together and it's just really nice to go on their boat and have
a cup of coffee and have a chat. They've stood on here, they've looked into my
front bedroom but I wouldn't allow them into the main living area because it's
just too much of a state! But it's been really nice, going out for meals and
coffee shops and going for walks and things with them.
I haven't really done the 'Molly sit and me drive off into the distance' recently
because I got quite a lot of flack from viewers saying I was bullying her and
even though the fact that Molly absolutely loves it she can't wait until
I do this.
Come On
[ Sounds of water gurgling in lock ]
[ Engine revs ]
Oh that's nice. Jono: Why? Well she's very responsive. Is it the bigger engine maybe?
I love this gearbox
how you don't have to lean down for it as well.
Jono: Go on, put it fast and see how...
[ Engine revs ]
Jono: Go on push, push, push.
Jono: Go on, push.
Jono: Go on!
[ Engine revs calm down ]
I'm not a thrill-seeker but she's really nice.
For some reason those six locks, Anna-Marie: Yeah seems easier than the three the
other day. Definitely I think cause we've got such a great routine now.
We should just travel together forever. What would we call it?
Kath said she's not gonna come!
[ Sound of water trickle ]
These short day journeys we've been doing are all in
preparation for Tardebigge Locks. In next week's vlog we go up all 36 locks in one
long, wet and tiring day. But before then I'd like to thank Roddy Jenkins for his
top-level Patreon support thanks Roddy. Until next time, see you later.